Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Dying to Dream by Kathryn Long (Book Review)

Title: Dying to Dream
Author: Kathryn Long
Publisher: Mainly Murder Press

About the book: Take a strong dose of mystery, add a bit of the paranormal, flavor it with southern charm, then heat it up with romance and you have Dying to Dream. 


When Jack Robesaux is found lying dead on a Louisiana beach, psychic, Marin Seurat, must use her gift to prove it is murder and not suicide. Though Marin knows her dreams with their messages from the dead could help, she struggles with the idea of returning home and facing a troubled past. However, a phone call informing her of Jack's murder and the return of the family curse gives Marin that final push. In a surprising turn of events, Marin discovers a mystery from long ago that somehow connects to recent deaths. With the help of cryptic messages delivered by spirits, Marin races to solve the mystery of Saint Toulere. 



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My thoughts:  This is what I consider a good Gothic mystery! There is murder, ghosts, voodoo, a long-standing feud, big old houses, creepy basements and all set in Louisiana, of course.  I did get a little confused what with all the names, both living and dead that we are introduced to, but it becomes clearer as the story progresses. 

First you have Marin and Charlie (Charlene) who are cousins.  They both suffered the loss of a parent, Marin's mom and Charlie's dad, who died together in a car crash.  They love each other fiercely and watch each other's backs.  Then there is Tante Louise, who is their Aunt.  She has certain "gifts", which Marin think are questionable, but she does have the gift of sticking her nose in and figuring things out.  She tends to work alone though and this worries Marin, as her Aunt is in her 70's.  

Marin begins having dreams about the Baulliere family before Charlie even visits to try to get her to come home.  She tends to stick her nose in places she probably shouldn't because of these dreams as well.  She is being visited by Marguerite in her dreams, but can't figure out why, or what Marguerite Picoult is trying to tell her.  Combined with Charlie telling her that Ash Baulliere wants her to come figure out what the ghost of his Uncle Francis is trying to tell him and Marin knows she must return home.   

With the help of both the living and the dead, a family history is woven together that will bring light to secrets that have long been buried.  

I like Gothic mysteries and this one didn't disappoint!

~I received a complimentary ecopy of Dying to Dream from Reading Addiction Blog Tours in exchange for my unbiased review.~

About the author: Kathryn Long is a recently retired school teacher who has enjoyed writing mysteries for several years. Credits include mystery shorts, "Betrayal in an Envelope" and "A Good Man", both published by The Piker Press. Long has ventured into self-publishing with a cozy mysteryseries beginning with Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes, as well as a series of YA novels, Cinderella Geek, Not So Snow White and Alice in Realityland under the pen name Jennkrist. Dying to Dream is her fourth mystery gone to print with indie publisher, Mainly Murder Press. Future publications include a romantic suspense novel titled A Deadly Deed Grows, which will be coming out next year with The Wild Rose Press. Long keeps actively involved through such efforts as belonging to Sisters in Crime, maintaining a writing blog:http://kjlongteacherwriter.blogspot.com , an author website: http://www.kathrynlong.webs.com , and an author Facebook page, Kathryn Long’s Books. 

Dying to Dream grew from the author’s strong interest in “ghost hunting” and participating in several ghost tours. Her knowledge of French and Spanish and love of foreign cultures helped create more colorful characters in the book and add to their authenticity.




Book Blitz: Defiance by A.G. Henley (Giveaway)


Read The Defiance (Brilliant Darkness, #2), the highly anticipated sequel to The Scourge (Brilliant Darkness, #1), a 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist!


The Defiance
(Brilliant Darkness, Book 2)
by A.G. Henley
Publication Date: July 29, 2013
Dystopia, YA

Suspicion Trust. Fear Compassion. Hate Love.

It hasn’t been long since Fennel, a Sightless Groundling, and Peree, her Lofty Keeper, fell in love and learned the truth: the Scourge, and their world, are not what they seem.

Fenn and Peree are determined to guide their people to the protected village of Koolkuna, but first they must convince them that everything they believe is a lie. An impossible task, especially when someone seems hell-bent on trying anything—even animal sacrifice and arson—to destroy the couple’s new bond and crush the frail truce between the Groundlings and the Lofties. Not everyone wants to uproot their lives in the forest, and those who stay behind will be left terribly vulnerable.

Fenn and Peree’s resolve to be together, and the constant threat of the Scourge’s return, push both groups to the breaking point. Unable to tell friend from foe, Fenn must again decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to ensure the future of the people of the forest.

Only this time, the price of peace may be too high to bear.


Praise for The Defiance:

"Fans of The Scourge, you will not be disappointed with this sequel. The Defiance was thrilling, romantic, and full of surprises. Loved this book!"

-- Imagine a World, blog review

"I had very high hopes for this follow-up novel, and Henley DEFINITELY delivers in her sophomore release!"
-- Booking It With Hayley G, blog review

"I absolutely LOVED The Defiance! No, I
more than loved it! It was breathtaking, intense, romantic,
suspenseful . . . the list could go on and on!"
-- ARC review


Purchase: 
  

Excerpt from Defiance:
Only the odd snore rumbles from the other shelters as I crack the door open and slide out. The forest isn’t so quiet. Crickets hum hypnotically, leaves shift and sigh in the breeze, and frogs and bats keep the time with their cries. If the greenheart trees offer the forest its scent and flavor, then its animal inhabitants provide the tune.

I slink like prey from dark spot to dark spot, minding the sound of my steps. There’s probably a Groundling guard somewhere. The moon illuminates the path, so I walk under the shade of the tree branches. There’s a luster ahead.

For a long time I thought the water hole glowed. Calli finally told me the moon—which I’ve heard can be as slim as a curled-up leaf or as spherical as a stone—reflects in the water hole below. It seems unfair, somehow. The sighted see not only the fickle moon, they see two.

The water sweeps softly onto the shore, then recedes, dancing with itself, careless who hears it. I hold under the cover of the forest, soaking in the sounds and scents of the night.

After a few minutes, I hear more deliberate movements in the treetops: the low thump of quiet footsteps along the walkway overhead. They stop above my head. A soft birdcall greets me. I wave, letting them know it’s safe.

The rope ladder dives toward me, bumping against the tree trunk as it falls, and I steady it as Peree descends. My heart pulses in my chest as he draws near. I feel like I’ve stolen these moments with him, moments we’ll have to eventually give back. I don’t want to steal time with him. I want it to be ours to keep.




And if you haven't read Book 1:


The Scourge
(Brilliant Darkness, Book 1)

Seventeen-year-old Groundling, Fennel, is Sightless. She's never been able to see her lush forest home, but she knows its secrets. She knows how the shadows shift when she passes under a canopy of trees. She knows how to hide in the cool, damp caves when the Scourge comes. She knows how devious and arrogant the Groundlings' tree-dwelling neighbors, the Lofties, can be. 

And she's always known this day would come—the day she faces the Scourge alone. 

The Sightless, like Fenn, are mysteriously protected from the Scourge, the gruesome creatures roaming the forests, reeking of festering flesh and consuming anything—and anyone—living. A Sightless Groundling must brave the Scourge and bring fresh water to the people of the forest. Today, that task becomes Fenn's. 

Fenn will have a Lofty Keeper, Peree, as her companion. Everyone knows the Lofties wouldn’t hesitate to shoot an arrow through the back of an unsuspecting Groundling like Fenn, but Peree seems different. A boy with warm, rough hands who smells like summer, he is surprisingly kind and thoughtful. Although Fenn knows his people are treacherous, she finds herself wanting to trust him. 

As their forest community teeters on the brink of war, Fenn and Peree must learn to work together to survive the Scourge and ensure their people’s survival. But when Fenn uncovers a secret that shatters her truths, she’s forced to decide who and what to protect—her people, her growing love for Peree, or the elusive dream of lasting peace in the forest.




Praise for The Scourge:
“Lovable and relatable heroine? Check.  Swoon-worthy, kick-butt hero?  Check.  Compelling romance that makes your heart melt and toes curl?  Check.  Captivating story and fascinating world? Check.  Eagerly anticipating the next book?  Check, check, check.”
-- Refracted Light Reviewsblog review


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About the author: A.G. Henley is the author of the BRILLIANT DARKNESS series. The first novel in the series, THE SCOURGE, was a finalist for the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Award.

A.G. is also a clinical psychologist, which means people either tell her their life stories on airplanes, or avoid her at parties when they’ve had too much to drink. Neither of which she minds. When she’s not writing fiction or shrinking heads, she can be found herding her children and their scruffy dog, Guapo, to various activities while trying to remember whatever she’s inevitably forgotten to tell her husband. She lives in Denver, Colorado.

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Cover Reveal: All of You by Christina Lee


All of You
by Christina Lee
Publisher: Intermix (Penguin)
Publication Date: Sept 17, 2013
Contemporary, NA, Romance

In this powerfully emotional debut New Adult novel, Avery has just met her hot upstairs neighbor. He's irresistible. Tattooed. And a virgin.

Nursing student Avery Michaels wants nothing to do with dating—she's perfectly happy single. Privy to too many of her mother's bad decisions and even worse taste in boyfriends, all Avery can handle is a string of uncomplicated hookups whenever the mood strikes.

When she meets smoking hot tattoo artist Bennett, she wants him—for just one night. But he won't accept a no-strings-attached arrangement. He lives by a straight-laced code of values based on his own troubled upbringing.

Bennett sees something special in Avery and he wants more from her. Way more. As Avery wrestles with her emotions for Bennett, danger and tragedy force them to open up to each other. And Avery must face the terrifying realization that she wants more from him, too.

So she needs to make a choice—let Bennett go or finally let him in.



About the author:  Mother, wife, reader, dreamer. Christina lives near Cleveland with her two favorite guys. She's addicted to lip gloss and salted caramel everything.

New Adult/Young Adult author. NA Contemporary Romance, ALL OF YOU, releases September with Penguin. BEFORE YOU BREAK in 2014. Repped by Sara Megibow.

Also the creator of Tags-n-Stones (dot com) jewelry.

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Win The Susan Mallery Foolproof Bridal Kit! - Three Little Words by Susan Mallery

Title: Three Little Words 
Author: Susan Mallery

About the book: Can first love turn into the real deal in a sizzling new Fool's Gold story from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery? Isabel Carlisle thinks she's cursed in the romance department. Her teenage crush, Ford Hendrix, ignored all her letters. Her husband left her for another...man. So Isabel has come home to dust off her passion for fashion and run the family bridal shop until her parents are ready to sell it. Then she'll pursue her real dreams. At least, that's the plan, until sexy, charming Ford returns and leaves her feeling fourteen all over again.... 

Seeing Isabel all grown up hits bodyguard trainer Ford like a sucker punch. Back when heartbreak made him join the military, her sweet letters kept him sane. Now he can't take his eyes-or his lips-off her. The man who gave up on love has a reason to stay in Fool's Gold forever-if three little words can convince Isabel to do the same....


My thoughts: I had such a fun time reading this book and learning about some of the Fool's Gold's residents!  I guess this is book twelve, but it was fine as a stand-alone.  I may need to go back and pick up some of the first ones!  

At one time Ford was engaged to Isabel's sister Maeve.  Of course, Isabel was only fourteen years old at the time and thought her sister was crazy when she broke off the engagement.  She swore she would love Ford forever and wrote him letters for ten years.  Meanwhile, he left town and became a Navy Seal, and never wrote Isabel back.  

When Isabel got engaged herself, she wrote Ford and told him that she would no longer be sending any letters as she didn't feel it was appropriate any more.  As fate would have it, they both end up back in Fool's Gold a few years later - single - and not looking for love.

The chemistry between Ford and Isabel was unmistakable, and despite that, they start "fake" dating to try to fool Ford's mom.  But the only people they are fooling is each other. 

There is more than one romance afoot in Fool's Gold though and that keeps the book moving along.  It was a quick read with lot's of interesting secondary characters - some of which I am sure were introduced to lead into more Fool's Gold books.  I would definitely pick up another book by Susan Mallery. 

~I received a complimentary copy of Three Little Words from Meryl L. Moss Media in exchange for my unbiased review.~


Purchase: 

  


Follow along with the whole tour at BookTrib!

Enter the rafflecopter giveaway below for a chance to win The Susan Mallery Foolproof Bridal Kit.  I want to win this!!!

The Susan Mallery Foolproof Bridal Kit includes:


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Cover Reveal: Awakening by Christy Dorrity


Awakening
(The Geis, Book One)
by Christy Dorrity
Cover designed by Mythic Studios
Publication Date: Sept 24, 2013
YA Fantasy

. . .because some Celtic stories won’t be contained in myth.

A little magic has always run in sixteen-year-old McKayla McCleery’s family—at least that’s what she’s been told. McKayla’s eccentric Aunt Avril travels the world as a clairvoyant for the FBI, and her mother can make amazing delicacies out of the most basic of ingredients. But McKayla doesn’t think for a second that the magic is real—it’s just good storytelling. Besides, McKayla doesn’t need magic. She just moved to beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming, and already she has an amazing best friend, a solo in her upcoming ballet recital, and the gorgeous guy in her physics class keeps looking her way.

 When an unexpected fascination with Irish dance leads McKayla to seek instruction from the mute, crippled, janitor at her high school, she learns that her family is not the only one with unexplained abilities.

After Aunt Avril comes to the valley in pursuit of the supernatural killer that she has been chasing her entire career, people in the valley begin disappearing, and the lives of those McKayla holds most dear are threatened. When an ancient curse, known as a geis, awakens powers that defy explanation, McKayla is forced to come to terms with what is real and what is fantasy.

A thrilling first novel, Awakening is a gripping contemporary fantasy rife with magic, romance, and mystery.




About the author: Christy Dorrity lives in the mountains with her husband, five children, and a cocker spaniel. She grew up on a trout ranch in Star Valley, Wyoming, and is the author of The Book Blogger’s Cookbooks. Christy is a champion Irish dancer and when she’s not reading or writing, she’s probably trying out a new recipe in the kitchen.

Author links:
Website / Goodreads / Twitter











Saturday, August 3, 2013

Summer Discount at Reading Addiction Blog Tours!




Time is almost up to take advantage of the Reading Addiction Blog Tours Summer Discount. All Tours/PROMO's must start before August 31st to be eligible. 

*Note, there is a 2-week notice for all PROMO's and a 4-week notice for all Tours! So make sure you book ASAP! *







Summer Discount PROMOTION


Reading Addiction Blog Tours will is offering 15% Off to
All Authors who book a Tour/PROMO this summer!
(Tours must start by August 31st)
Contact us HERE and mention the CODE WORD: SUMMER





Friday, August 2, 2013

Cover Reveal: Not Your Fault by Cheyanne Young


Not Your Fault
by Cheyanne Young
Cover designed by Clarrissa at bookcoversale.com.
Publication Date: Sept 12, 2013
NA Contemporary

Delaney has a job she loves and a boyfriend who loves her. Working the night shift at a local gym has given her buns of steel and enough endorphins to deal with the ninth anniversary of her brother’s death. When a new owner takes over the gym, Delaney’s forgotten past comes somersaulting back at her. Kris Payne isn’t just her new boss, he’s her ex-boyfriend from high school and he’s got a smile that’s as cocky as he is gorgeous.

Delaney has no business being attracted to the womanizing, muscular man from her past. She tries to ignore his flirtatious nature, and the fact that she has a boyfriend isn’t the thing she feels guilty about. In fact, being in a relationship bothers her a lot less than it should. After all, she can always ditch the boyfriend, but she can’t ditch Kris’ involvement in her brother’s death.

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About the author: Cheyanne is a native Texan with a fear of cold weather and a coffee addiction that probably needs an intervention. She loves books, sarcasm, nail polish and paid holidays. She lives near the beach with her daughter, one spoiled rotten puppy and a cat who is most likely plotting to take over the world.

Author links:
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter  











Cover Reveal: Let It Be Me by Toni Aleo


Let it Be Me - Cover Reveal
By Toni Aleo
New Adult
Date to be Published: October 2, 2013


Synopsis:
Do you see that woman there?
The one with long, wavy blonde hair and blue eyes that used to sparkle?
That’s me, Violet Moore.
Do you see those men over there?
One is my husband, Rob.
A man who claimed he loved me, but proved his fist loved me more.
The other is Tucker McCloud, my savior and confidant.
I'm torn between what's right and my own fear.
But not anymore.
I’m taking my life back now.
I will fight back.
I will be happy


Toni Aleo
Author Bio

I am a wife, mother, and hopeless romantic.
I have been told I have anger issues, but I think it’s cause of my intense love for hockey!
I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!

When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughters dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, and reading the latest romance novel.

I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, and did I mention I love hockey?

Authors Links


 This cover reveal is brought to you by Reading Addiction Blog Tours

Reading Addiction Blog Tours

Release Day Blitz: I Breathe You by Lori L. Clark (Giveaway)


Welcome to the Release Day Blitz of I Breathe You by Lori L. Clark and sponsored by Xpresso Book Tours!


I Breathe You
by Lori L. Clark
Publication Date: Aug 2, 2013
NA Contemporary Romance


When a tragic accident leaves Rhane Evans — lead vocalist for the rock band Fate’s Crazy — permanently unable to speak above a whisper and kills the love of her life, she moves across the state to pick up the pieces. Shattered, Rhane struggles to understand what happened the night of the accident, an accident everyone blames her for, even though she wasn’t driving the car.

Enter Ian Callahan. He’s the one person who may have a more tumultuous past than Rhane. Though they try hard to deny the sizzling attraction between them, it proves nearly impossible. When Ian’s troubled past threatens to tear them apart, they begin to believe happiness isn’t in their cards.

Because Fate’s Crazy that way…

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Purchase Links

Please enjoy this excerpt from I Breathe You:
"You plan on helping me unload this thing or are you just going to bob up and down like a damn goof?" I try to punch him in the shoulder playfully but his long fingers snake around my wrist before I'm able to connect. He smirks. "Careful there, Sunshine. Don't hurt yourself."

I roll my eyes at the new nickname he's recently begun calling me. Sunshine. Rhane. Get it?

"I'm teasing. This thing probably weighs twice as much as you," as he hoists himself effortlessly up into the bed and unhooks the tailgate straps allowing it to swing freely. He pulls out two boards and sets them at an angle from the truck to the ground, creating a crude ramp of sorts.

I watch him pull on a pair of worn leather gloves and he goes to work feeding a rope through the eyelets of two large hooks threaded into the back of the doghouse. I breathe into my hands, trying to warm the fingertips left bare by my own pitiful gloves.

His eyes flicker to my hands. "When you going to get yourself some real damn gloves anyway?"

I give him a middle finger salute and childishly stick out my tongue. "Shut up," I huff.

He turns his back to me, and his shoulders shake in silent laughter. "Feisty," he mutters. My eyes slowly slide down from his broad upper back before locking on the way his tight jeans accentuate the firmness of his fine ass. I start to warm up and nerve endings all over my lower half ignite. My cheeks blossom into what I'm sure must be a brilliant scarlet.

He glances at me, doing a double take, "You cold?"

I crinkle my nose and shake my head. Hopeful he can't read just how un-cold I really am. "No why?"

"Your cheeks are red," he pulls the rope taut and threads it through the pickup bed. "You must be cold. Either that, or you're blushing." That left cheek dimple reappears, and I wonder if he's flirting with me.

I think he's figured out that he flusters the hell out of me. He's sort of cocky that way. Unfortunately for me, I've always had a thing for cocky, self-assured, slightly egotistical men. Who wants boring, when you can have a bad ass? Especially the ones everyone says to stay away from.

About the author: I read, I write, I run 1/2 marathons for fun. Ten things about me:
1. I’m an only child.
2. I love dogs! 
3. I was born in Iowa City, Iowa and lived in Iowa my whole life until January 2007.
4. I worked as a professional psychic reader for 2 years.
5. I’m a Pisces Sun, Leo Moon with Aquarius rising.
6. I’ve written 5 books and am in the process of brainstorming a 6th.
7. I don’t look or act my age!
8. I ran my first 1/2 marathon at age 50.
9. I love 80′s hair band music.
10. My day job is as a claims payment analyst for one of Fortune 500 Magazine’s “Top 100 places in America to work.”

Author links:



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Thursday, August 1, 2013

Cover Reveal: Torch by Cambria Hebert


Check out this beautiful cover of Torch by Cambria Hebert and designed by Mae I Design!


Torch
(Take It Off Series - all stand alones)
by Cambria Hebert
Publication Date: Aug 23, 2013
NA Contemporary

If you can’t take the heat… stay away from the flame.

Katie Parks has been on her own since the age of fifteen. All she’s ever wanted is a place to call her own—a life that is wholly hers that no one can take away. She thought she finally had it, but with the strike of a single match, everything she worked so hard for is reduced to a pile of smoking ash. And she almost is too.

Now she’s being stalked by someone who’s decided it’s her time to die. The only thing standing in the path of her blazing death is sexy firefighter Holt Arkain.

Katie’s body might be safe with Holt… but her heart is another story.

As the danger heats up, sparks fly and the only thing Katie knows for sure is that her whole life is about to go up in flames.

***This is a new adult contemporary novel and contains sexual content and graphic language. It is not intended for young adult readers.***

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About the author: Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series, the new adult Death Escorts series, and the new adult Take it Off series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com

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