Back To You, by Natalie-Nicole Bates

Book Title: Back To You
Author: Natalie-Nicole Bates
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Bradley Publishing
Publication Date: January 30th, 2012
Ebook
Words: 26,000

Book Description:


"On the surface, Lynsey Reznor seems to have it all. She is beautiful, brilliant, and a successful true-crime writer who has been living the past decade in Miami. But what Lynsey lacks is what she needs the most—a family.

After the death of her mother, and yet another failed relationship, Lynsey makes an impulsive decision to return to her hometown of Unity. But Unity will present its own bittersweet memories, most notably, her first love, Nick Lincoln.

Twenty years ago, Nick broke teenager Lynsey’s heart when he decided to marry another. He had his own private reasons—reasons he never explained to Lynsey. Now she is back, along with a chance to reclaim her love. But Lynsey wants answers from him that he may never be able to give out of duty and guilt.”



Buy Link:
Bradley Publishing: http://shop.bradleypublishings.com/Back-to-You-9781938076022.htm?categoryId=4

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Excerpt:



When he heard her, he came to her, took her into his arms, and kissed her. It was a comfort that he wasn’t regretting their lovemaking. She didn’t think she could handle being rejected by him twice in her lifetime.

“Do you have to leave soon?” she asked.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to, but I have to.” He went to the stove and prepared her a cup of coffee. “I think we should start planning our wedding. We could be married at Christmas.”

She was taken aback. Is this his proposal? This was supposed to be so romantic and memorable, not talk about planning a Christmas wedding while he stirred a cup of coffee.

“Do you even want to get married?” She took the coffee mug he offered. “I mean, it wasn’t that long ago that you told me you weren’t sure you ever wanted to be married again. You said you didn’t see fatherhood in your future, and Nick, I want a baby…more than one. I grew up as an only child and I was so alone. I don’t want my child to have to experience that.”

“Well, I didn’t use a condom last night. You could be pregnant right now,” was his reply.

Heaviness descended upon her heart. This was so not how she wanted this morning to be, and certainly not the marriage proposal she had dreamed of. “I’m on the Pill—I won’t get pregnant if that’s all you’re worried about.”

“I’m sorry, that’s not the only reason we should get married.”

“Then why?” she asked suspiciously.

He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Lynsey, I don’t have time to get into this with you right now. What do you want me to say in the five minutes I have before I leave for work?”

She couldn’t believe his glib attitude. “How about saying something to me like…‘I love you, Lynsey, and I made a tremendous mistake by not marrying you twenty years ago?’ That would take you less than thirty seconds to say, and you could have easily gotten to your precious job on time.”

Suddenly his jaw set and his eyes narrowed. “I didn’t make a mistake by not marrying you twenty years ago! I let you go to become a success in life—and you did. I can’t regret that!”

“So, what I thought all these years was correct. I was nothing to you but a quick and easy way to shed your virginity.” Just saying the words was devastating.

“That’s not it at all,” he vehemently insisted. “You were always so intelligent. I mean, you were a sixteen-year-old senior in high school! Just how many grades did you skip over, anyway?”

“Two,” she answered in a low voice.

“Do you know what would have happened if I hadn’t married Kelly?” He didn’t wait for her reply. “I’ll tell you what. You and I would have been ostracized by everyone in this town! We would have had to be married right away, and we would have had to live with your mother, because I had no money.”

“My mother loved you. She would have been happy to have us live with her,” she interjected.

“And we were so naïve, Lynsey. You would have graduated high school with either a big belly, or a baby in your arms…if you had graduated at all.”

She crossed her arms over her breasts and looked at the floor. She was too afraid that if she looked at him she would break down. “Some of the girls in school were married. A few of them had babies.”

He lifted her chin and forced her to make eye contact with him. “And you were too smart to be stuck in this town, and just another housewife. You would have become bored and resentful.”

“I wouldn’t have known the difference,” she countered.

“I had serious doubts then. I still have doubts now,” he admitted.

Her dark lashes flew upward. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“I believe that you will become bored and restless in Unity and will want to go back to Florida or maybe California. I have a job and a family here, Lynsey. I don’t ever want to give that up. I’m afraid that we’ll have a child, and you’ll take my baby and leave. I can not allow that to happen.”

She couldn’t believe what he was saying. Nothing was further from the truth. “Do you think I would have sunk so much of my savings into that house just to abandon it? I would never, ever do what you’re saying. But if circumstances changed, I would expect you to support what was best for our family. Couples who are committed make sacrifices for each other!”

It was becoming clearer and clearer that things were rapidly falling apart between them.

“Lynsey, didn’t what happened between us last night mean anything to you?” he asked.

She chuckled unpleasantly. “I suppose that with us living in such close proximity, last night was inevitable. But don’t worry about it happening again, Nick. When you get home this evening, I won’t be here.”

“Where are you going to be?”

She wanted to hurt Nick like she was now hurting. “I’m sure that Caleb wouldn’t mind me bunking down at his house for a week or two.”

“Over my dead body,” he seethed. “I will drag you away from him kicking and screaming if it comes to it. I’ll handcuff you to my bed if need be. Believe me, Lynsey, I’ll do it!” He flopped down into a kitchen chair and buried his face in his hands.

“I have to go now, Nick. I’m meeting your sister for breakfast. Listen to me. You need to pull yourself together. In your line of work, bad things happen when you lose your concentration.”

When he didn’t reply, she let out a sigh of resignation and headed for the door. At the last minute she turned to him. “Thanks for almost making it happen between us.”
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Book Trailer:

Link: http://youtu.be/moTRG6bfK8E



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Book Promo + Giveaway: The Last Arakad, by Guillaume Wolf "Prof. G"

THE LAST ARAKAD
by Guillaume Wolf “Prof. G”



Do you believe in destiny?

When sensitive Maya moves with her brother Thomas from Los Angeles to Paris hoping for a better life, she has no idea that everything is about to dramatically change.

What starts as an initiation into the age-old Arakad magical tradition takes an unexpected turn when a wave of brutal murders shatters her world. Caught up in an ancient prophecy, she finds herself at the center of a ruthless battle between good and evil in which humanity’s future is at stake.

When all hope is lost and she becomes the final target of a sinister clan, will Maya learn to trust herself and her own power? Or will her own fears prevail?

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GiveAWAY!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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BIO

Born in Africa (Sénégal), raised in Paris, France, and currently living in Los Angeles, California, Guillaume Wolf “Prof G.” embodies the spirit of the 21st Century “global village.”

Guillaume has spent decades exploring the transformative power of symbols, archetypes, and creativity (and their relationship with the everyday world); and this passion inspires his writing.

Guillaume’s background includes among others: creative director; branding consultant; and teacher of communication design at the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

He is the author of reDESIGN: reCREATE, a book about reinvention and creativity. The Last Arakad is his first novel.
Guillaume lives with his wife and daughter in Los Angeles, California.

To learn more about Guillaume Wolf’s books and discover additional content, collectibles, and behind-the-scenes bonuses, visit www.Arakad.com

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Book Excerpt:

THE LAST ARAKAD
by Guillaume Wolf “Prof. G”

Excerpt from:

CHAPTER 10 — THE OLD ONE



Without saying a word, she stepped in.

It felt like being swallowed by a green monster. The wall of greenery had turned into a maze of tubes and tunnels. The sky above disappeared. As she walked deeper in, she felt as though she was leaving the world behind. She was growing distracted and tense, her legs getting scratched by the thorns. Like sharp blades, they cut through her clothes, making her bleed. The path was definitely not tourist-friendly.

After what seemed like an eternity, the narrow pathway led to an enclosure.

“Wow!” whispered Maya. “This is incredible.”

She’d finally found what she was looking for. There he was, eighteen feet tall, defying time. Looking magnificent and powerful, the Old One was standing in front of her. Maya was in awe.



“So . . . my friend was right,” said Thomas, as he arrived on the scene, “this is just an old stone!” His voice brought Maya out of her reverie.

Indeed, the Old One was a giant monolith, an ancient menhir, as they were called in Brittany. These mysterious giants abounded in this region of France and around England. No one knew who had erected them, why, or how. Some historians believed they had been set up in the Neolithic era around 9,500 B.C. Other scholars proposed they were even older, belonging to a forgotten time of legend.

“Thomas, isn’t he beautiful?” said Maya.

“Are you kidding me?” Thomas had had it. “No! This isn’t beautiful. And what do you mean ‘he’? You forced me to walk for hours in the rain and cold to see what? An old stone? And for what? Seriously, for what?” His face was flushed with anger, his eyes wide.

This wasn’t good. Maya knew that when Thomas threw tantrums, they could escalate very fast. She tried to calm him down.

“I see you’re upset and I know, I haven’t enjoyed walking around all day,” she said in a slightly contrived, positive tone of voice. “But we finally found what we’re looking for! We can stop walking. Valerie’s going to be impressed when we—”

“That’s my whole point!” cut in Thomas, “Valerie? Uncle D.? Why are you always so eager to please them? We’re not even related. They just keep pushing us around, telling us we ‘have’ to do this,” and we ‘have’ to do that. When does it stop? And why do we have to do what they tell us? The way I see it, they’re using us as distractions because they’re bored with their lives!”

“Thomas, please. You’re being unfair, it’s not—”

“Don’t you get it? I want to direct my own life!” yelled Thomas. He was in a frenzy. “I want to control my own destiny! I hate all this! I’m out of here!” He picked up a rock from the ground and threw it at the ancient monolith.

Pock! The rock hit the menhir. Thomas turned his back on Maya and left, still ranting.

Maya stood alone in silence. A cold, dark feeling began to rush up inside her, moving from her belly to her chest. Her eyes filled with tears. She held her breath, trying desperately not to cry.

As she finally opened her mouth to breathe, she burst into tears. She held her face in her hands, then looked into her pockets to see if she had a tissue. Of course, she didn’t.

“This is such a mess!” cried Maya. “I’m such a mess!” With her arms crossed around her chest, she was rocking back and forth. She sat down with her back against the monolith.

Her tears fell hot and fast down her face. Falling down . . . down . . . down . . . As they hit the ground, they splashed on impact like tiny, bursting water balloons. On a microscopic level, millions of water and salt molecules were rebounding into the air. And not far where Maya sat, at that exact moment, a dark wave broke onto the shore of the beach, itself splitting into billions of water particles. Water, salt, and earth—big and small—dancing together in one eternal dance.

The tears. The ocean. All was in perfect harmony. All was one despite the pain.

Suddenly, Maya felt a tremor in the earth. She stood up, fearing it might be an earthquake, a common occurrence back home in Los Angeles.

Nothing.

Next, she heard a humming. Everything started vibrating around her.

“Who is the little one crying next to me?” said a very deep voice.

Startled, Maya look around. No one.

“Who are you, little one?” insisted the voice.

As she slowly turned around, she saw that the giant monolith was glowing with what seemed to be an electric blue light, slowly pulsating.

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Morbid Seraphic, by S.K. Whiteside and other awesome authors...

Even the divine have a dark side...

Take a journey into a world where the forgotten reign as King and Queen. Explore a “reality” where the divine give meaning and substance to the concept of IMMORTALITY.
These menacing tales feature beings of divinity from angels, demons, gods, goddesses, to personifications of divine principals. No other worldly being is safe. The sparkly undead and wild shaggy dogs have no place in this anthology of dark proportions.

Can you handle it?

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Edited by S.K. Whiteside

Fallen From Grace ~ SK Whiteside

S(a)TAN ~ Nathan Squiers

Assassin's Rose ~ KaSonndra Leigh

The Demon's Playground ~Amanda R. Browning

Better the Devil You Know ~ Stephen B. Pearl

From Hell ~ Dominique Goodall

I Could Not Stop For Death ~ Jana Boskey

Illusions ~ Lisa Goldman

Haunted ~ S.K. Whiteside
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Teaser Excerpt

Malachi landed gracefully in the alleyway next to the coffee shop. He enfolded his wings and put on his white knee length wool duster. It wasn’t particularly cold outside but a continuous cool breeze did warrant some coverage. He was growing bored. It had been a while since he was assigned to watch over anyone and the lack of occupation was beginning to aggravate him. To combat the growing feelings of loneliness, Malachi had taken to spending afternoons in a pub in lower Scotland reading books. It didn’t squelch the loneliness but it did give him some sort of comfort being near his home of birth. At least what was left of what he considered his “home.” It had been centuries since he had actually lived here, or lived at all for that matter and the last of his living relatives were long deceased…just like him.

Well not completely like him…



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Morbid Seraphic is an anthology of stories edited by S.K. Whiteside of dark paranormal and/or supernatural tales of all things “Divine.” Seraphic means Angelic or Divine and that is the premise of each story included in the work. The Anthology is written for a crossover YA fan base.

Angels, Gods, Goddesses, Demons, Mythology, Divine locations, and personifications of Divine principals all serve as setting and characters in this group of stories. The stories will range from chilling to dark to terrifying and contain haunting, murder, kidnapping, ritual.
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About S.K. Whiteside

S.K. Whiteside is a writer of Paranormal/Fantasy, Horror, and Suspense. As a full time Mental Health Counselor, she started writing in Academia but decided writing about things on the “other side of the veil” was a lot more interesting. Living in the Paranormal capital of the world makes it fairly easy for her to come up with characters, many of which are based off of real personas in her life that are so vibrant they can’t help but carry over into her writing.

S.K. Whiteside is a Fiction Weaver and World Creator. It just so happens that the worlds she creates are often filled with things that go bump in the night. A New Orleanian at heart, the Deep South often serves as the setting for her Paranormal Tales of the unknown. Her Charismatic characters and snarky banter often derive from the various personas of those she loves and the voices in her head. When not writing she spends her time telling everyone else in the world that they are completely bonkers but yet she often channels Napoleon Bonaparte. During her down time she pokes at the massive giant whom holds her captive and runs from two monsters that she swears are out to kill her. Some people call them her husband and children but she knows the truth...

For more information on S.K. Whiteside, please visit her website at www.skwhiteside.com or visit her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-S-K-Whiteside/178263688937446

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My Review:


Morbid Seraphic, was an amazing read! I really enjoyed it. I loved the whole Good vs. Evil, Good turned Bad scenerio found in the book. Although I found myself scanning through 1 or 2 stories in the book, due to lack of interest, either due to the story feeling rushed, or I just couldn't get into it, there were a few I really did enjoy and that is why I recommend this book.
Each story is written by a different author and each story unique and dark. Some maybe not for the faint of heart, so reader beware...unless you enjoy dark tales involving Angels, demons, witches, etc...
I know I enjoyed the dark tales! ^-^

I look forward to seeing more books like this one...

Echo Falls, by Jaime McDougall

Echo Falls
By Jaime McDougall
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Book Blurb:
Running from a nightmare stalking her every move, Phoebe Martin arrives in Echo Falls hoping she has finally found a safe place to stop. But trouble has a way of catching up and soon the signs are there.

After a vicious attack in an alley, policeman Aidan O'Bryan is left with Phoebe as his only path to understanding why the Echo Falls werewolf pack - his pack - is being attacked. When another pack member is killed, Phoebe is forced to confront her past before she loses Aidan and everything she has come to love.

Love and duty become one as Aidan strives to prevent Phoebe from becoming the next victim. But with Phoebe just as determined to protect Aidan and her new home, secrets from her past threaten to tear them apart. Will love give Phoebe the strength to trust Aidan and face her fears, or will her past destroy her future?

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Book Available at: Amazon


Excerpt (Chapter One):

Keep running, keep running, keep running. Phoebe’s lungs burned as her mind screamed the mantra. Keep running, keep running.

How many steps can there be?

She should know. She lived in this apartment building.
Tears ran down her cheeks and her lungs burned for air. Only the random irrational thought broke through the panic keeping her feet moving down the steps. Keep running. Keep running. The light of the emergency exit came into view. Almost there…

The door to the stairwell slammed open with a hollow boom. She tripped and clung to the railing to steady herself.
Keep running.
The shock of the cool night air sent a shiver of relief through her body. She’d come out a side exit into an alley. If she could just get to the front –

Suddenly she was thrown to the ground from behind. She hit the concrete, what little breath she had knocked from her lungs. Blood began flowing from where her head hit the ground, and small sparks of light floated into her vision.

How did he catch up so fast?

Desperately she tried to gulp down as much air as she could, willing her lungs to cooperate. Instinct kicked in as the attacker slashed at her, and she curled into fetal position.

A dog. He’d turned into a dog. A big dog with vicious claws and teeth he used to tear into her exposed back, thigh and shoulder. She slowly regained her breath but could only use it to scream her throat raw.

Her vision faded, taking the small sparks of light with it. Searing pain ripped through her shoulder as a claw dug down against her bone. One last, long scream tore from her lungs before she was left gasping and sobbing, her fear slowly smoldering into rage.
Things can’t end like this.

She opened her eyes as the dog stood over her, trying to get to her throat. A paw came into her line of vision and she saw her chance. She reached out, grabbed it and squeezed with all the strength she had.

The dog yelped and tried to twist away, but she held on with all the strength she had. She knew she’d only bought herself time. She couldn’t move the dog off her and she couldn’t squeeze his paw all night. He tried uselessly to bite her, his jaws having no strength so long as she squeezed his paw. But she could already feel her strength waning.

Suddenly the weight of the dog flew off her, taking the paw out of her grip. Without thinking, she used her one cooperating arm to drag herself toward the front of the building.

She shivered, her arm giving out, and caught a glimpse of a second dog. No. A wolf… Squeezing her eyes tightly shut, she listened to the dogs fighting, the battle just a few steps away. She tried her best to curl up against the building wall and willed the growling and snapping to go away. They sounded like they were tearing each other to pieces.

The universe granted her wish, the battle ending with the sound of two bodies hitting each other and a sharp whine. She shivered and softly whined as well, dreading the approach of the winner as one of the dogs yelped and ran away.

A few moments later warm, human hand brushed the back of her head and she screamed again. If it could be called a scream. Her throat burned and rebelled at her abuse of it.

“Ssh. You’re safe now.”

She tried to scream again and move away, but her body wouldn’t obey her commands. She groaned as the full force of the pain washed over her.

He murmured and she relaxed her desperate grip on staying conscious. Sleep seemed so tempting, the black abyss singing a sirensong to her. Her rescuer – or captor – tried to soothe her, but something dark and dangerous in his voice betrayed him. He was different. She tried to bat away his hands but gave up after a few attempts, not sure if her good hand was actually moving.

As she slipped into the darkness, she wondered if death had merely granted her a short reprieve from the inevitable.

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I would like to welcome Jaime McDougall to my blog. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Jaime McDougall and I am a US expat happily living life in regional Australia. Telling stories has always been in my blood, and I have wandered through a variety of genres through my life. Romance has been a common theme over the years, and I am loving exploring all its subgenres. When I’m not writing, I’m usually baking or playing with my dogs.

Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
It is hard for me to name any specific person or event because I told stories before I knew how to write them. I was born daydreaming, I think.
That being said, I do remember reading The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley about half a dozen times and being so inspired by the story I loved so much. I knew that I wanted to create stories like that where people would love them so much they would be on the ‘keep’ shelf.

How long did it take you to write Echo Falls?
Completing the first draft of Echo Falls took me about three months. However, the second draft – what I like to call the ‘overhaul draft’ – took me another three months and a lot of rewriting.

While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
I’m a plantser or a plotser. Whatever you would like to call it. What that means for me is that I outline at least a few scenes ahead of where I’m actually writing. Because of that style, I tend to not go back and rewrite an entire plot. Sometimes subplots are added or axed – the same with characters – but the plot itself usually stays the same.
In my mind, however, is a different story. The overarching plot can change up to half a dozen times when it’s still in the chaotic mass that is my imagination.

You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
To a doctor to get something for the headache… Kidding, of course.
I head straight toward the speculative fiction section. Sci-fi, paranormal, so on and so forth. That is the section where I feel most at home as a reader and a writer.
I have been known to stray into the non-fiction sections where a lot of inspiration can be found.

How many books in a month do you tend to read?
I’m a slow reader, so I would say an average month is one to three books. It depends on what I’m writing, how much I’m writing… I never read in the genre I’m writing in while I’m working on something because I don’t want influences to drip in. They usually do anyway – the whole ‘there are no original plots anymore’ saying comes to mind – but I try not to encourage it.
My reading also depends on my mood, which influences the number. I take much more time with books I’m reading to teach myself something than I do with the fluffy books I read for comfort.

In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
Oh, very tough question!

State 5 random facts about yourself.
1. I need to be warm while I’m writing. Whether I’m at my desk, curled up in the recliner or at a cafe, if I’m not warm, I’m not writing.
2. I have a huge desk. My desk is where I do my scrapbooking, card making, write and send letters, keep up with blogging and a lot of other things besides writing – and I have room for it all! I love my desk.
3. On my desk, I have a ‘shelf of lost toys’ where I keep all the strange and curious things I pick up here and there. I have everything from a moonstone to a stuffed owl to a tiny music box.
4. When I moved to Australia, I decided to have an open mind and try everything I could, so I have had a lot of strange (to me, from Midwest USA) foods. Some of the list: shark, kangaroo, smoked eel, chicken feet, duck tongues and jellyfish salad.
5. I love my tattoos. They are very important to me and are art interpretations of important parts in my life. I am currently about halfway through my biggest project ever that covers my entire back.

Your favorite Genre?
My favourite genre would have to be paranormal romance – especially with the urban fantasy setting involved. I love reading about blossoming romance and I love the unlimited possibilities for the paranormal. Put them together and… I’m hooked!

What are you currently reading?
Right now I’m reading some non-fiction: Way of the Cheetah by Lynn Viehl. I’m not far into it, but it’s quite interesting. I enjoy reading books on writing when I feel like I’m having trouble focusing.

What is the best book you've read?
I absolutely adored Abarat by Clive Barker. The amazing depth of the world and characters blew me away the first time I read it. I was so impressed by that book that I will never forget it.

Any new projects coming up?
Definitely! I am currently working on the sequel to Echo Falls, tentatively named Fading Echoes. I hesitate to call it a sequel because it takes place twenty years after Echo Falls, but readers will see a lot of familiar characters.

Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?

Echo Falls is the story of a woman finding the courage to stand against her worst nightmare to fight for what she loves. Readers will fall in love with the characters as well as this town in the mountains, rich with history and legend.



Where you can find author Jaime McDougall:

Facebook

Twitter: @JMScribe

Goodreads


Website/ Blog

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About the Author:

Jaime McDougall is a citizen of the world, currently loving life in beautiful country Victoria in Australia. She loves eating sushi, kidnapping her husband and naming her pets in honour of science fiction authors.

A love of fiction has always coursed through her veins and she told stories as a child even before she knew how to write them. Settling into one genre was never her style and she has plans for novels in women’s fiction, urban fantasy and more – all with a touch of romance.

She has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: High School: The Real Deal and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Campus Chronicles. She has also enjoyed writing the So You Want ebook series for authors looking to establish their names online.

You can connect with her at her website: http://www.inkyblots.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/JMScribe
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorjaimemcdougall

Review for Indian Maidens Bust Loose by Vidya Samson

Indian Maidens Bust Loose
by Vidya Samson

Book Blurb:

Nisha Desai is a young Indian woman who pines for romance in a country where love is in the same class as malaria, and where mates are selected using a calculator.

Normally deluged with ghastly suitors of her father's choosing, she suddenly finds herself on the short list for a bride-seeing tour by a rich and handsome nephew of a neighbor. This is the stuff of which dreams are made.

A nightmare materializes when a very un-Indian ruffian moves in next door, complete with beard and obnoxious Harley motorcycle. He might play the bad boy in one of Nisha's beloved romance novels, but in real life, he terrifies her.

So she tries to ignore the thundering engine of the bike while anxiously awaiting the arrival of Prince Charming--or at least, Prince Rich.

But arriving first are a long-lost black-sheep American aunt and her trouble-magnet teenage daughters. The aunt proves to be a New Age space case, while the cousins’ appetite for disasters threatens to level the city of Ahmedabad. In short order, the demented cousins instigate an elopement, a public protest, and a riot that gets Nisha thrown in jail.

Nisha’s family comes to the conclusion that while East and West may meet, sometimes they shouldn't. The guests are seen as an invading force, equipped with weapons of mass corruption.

While Nisha wonders how she can hide her now corroded reputation from the dream suitor's family, insanity marches on. Nisha's father adopts a pet cow and convinces half the city it's the reincarnation of a Hindu deity. The two families are finally united in a common goal: to bilk thousands. The result is Madison Avenue's idea of a religious experience, which is not a controllable situation.

Indian Maidens Bust Loose is a hilarious romantic comedy set in the land of cows, curry, and the Kama Sutra.

Book is Available at: Amazon

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My review:



Indian Maidens Bust Loose, is as it says it is- A hilarious romantic comedy. I can easily see this book become a next Bollywood hit! ^-^

The story follows Nisha Desai and her family as her father tries to find her and her sister Vinita prospective husbands. Which of course they are not happy about and sabotage each meeting.
Nisha's hope of leaving her family's home and coming to America to pursue her love of journalism comes to light when her long, detached aunt comes to visit, along with her too VERY Americanized, trouble seeking cousins.
That's when her life and future begins to spiral....

Samson did an awesome job in writing this book with humor and entertainment in mind. Even the titles of the chapters are catchy. I really enjoyed reading this book. It is different from the kind of books I normally read, but it hooked me from the begining and long after the end. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to read a book full of culture, humor, and some romance in the mix!

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About the Author: (Taken from her website)

I was born in India, but my parents soon moved to a conservative Middle Eastern country (is there another kind?) where boys and girls were segregated in school. When we moved back to India years later, I thought I would find myself in a more enlightened setting. I quickly discovered that people can get arrested for holding hands in public. Unless they’re of the same sex. I considered getting a male monkey and holding its hand, just to drive the rule-makers mad.

I’m very enthusiastic about physical fitness. Nothing like a good brisk walk–except when it’s too hot or too cold or when its rainy. Or dangerous. You never know when you might encounter a nut. So I just get a flashlight and chase roaches around my place at night. I call it roachercize. Just kidding. They’re too fast for me, anyway.


I’m very concerned about the environment. It bothers me that people buy things they don’t really need, then toss them in the dump. Especially when the dump is next door. I swear that dog hasn’t moved in three days. Maybe it’s not sleeping.

I went to the doctor the other day about a stomach infection and brought up the subject of germs. The doctor said, “Don’t worry. Indians get all the germs they need, every day. The danger is in being too clean and falling short.” That must be common advice here.

In some parts of the Middle East, traffic is so well regulated that no drunk, imbecile, or woman can drive a car. In India, all you need to get a license is the ability to steer clear of cattle.

I’m finally taking driving lessons. The name of the course is actually “Cow Avoidance 101.” It’s not so bad if you run over a human being. They were probably jaywalking anyway. In fact, since there are no crosswalks, everyone jaywalks. But there’s hell to pay if you bump a cow. So forget about traffic signals–all five of them–and just keep your eyes peeled for cows.

Visit Author, Vidya Samson at her website: www.vidyasamson.wordpress.com

Book Promos: Something Strange and Deadly, by Susan Dennard & Velvetten by Daniel Marks

Something Strange and Deadly
by Susan Dennard
Release Date: July 24, 2012
Published by: Harper Teen

Book Blurb:

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

*Tell me this book doesn't sound good??? I can't wait to get my hands on it! ^-^* ~Nilsa

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Velveteen, by Daniel Marks
Release Date: October 9, 2012
Published by: Random House Children's Book

Book Blurb:

Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that's not the problem.

The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it's not a fiery inferno, it's certainly no heaven. It's gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn't leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what's really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she's figured out just how to do it. She'll haunt him for the rest of his days.

It'll be brutal . . . and awesome.

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen's obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she's willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker.

Velveteen can't help herself when it comes to breaking rules . . . or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.

*Awesome! Have to wait awhile, but I know I will be adding this to my "to read" list! ~Nilsa

Hope you enjoyed these two previews to Two up and coming books!

Destiny Unveiled by Laura DeLuca

Destiny
Book One
By Laura DeLuca

Blurb:

Gabriella is a witch. The problem is, she doesn’t remember. She repressed the memories of her powers years ago when her mother was murdered. Now, the warlock who was responsible for her mother’s death has set his sights on Gabriella. He is determined to use her fear to turn her to the dark side of magick…even if it kills her. Her mother’s spirit is reaching out to warn her, but even that she pushes away. Desperate to save her daughter, the spirit finds another witch--one that just happens to be in love with Gabriella. Darron is more than willing to help but the two young witches will have way more to battle than just an evil warlock. There are overbearing jocks and petty rich girls who get tempers flaring and often set Gabrielle and Darron at odds.

There is more to the story than Gabrielle and Darron could even imagine. There are terrible secrets to be revealed, battles to be waged, and lives will be lost. Only after Gabrielle and Darron both come to terms with who they really are, and open themselves up to the true meaning of magick, can they have any hope of fulfilling their destiny.

Excerpt from Destiny- click HERE

You tube trailer for Destiny

Available at: Amazon

Destiny Unveiled
Book Two

Book Blurb:

Gabriella and Darron thought their magickal battle was over when they defeated the evil warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks Gabriella’s help in rescuing her catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella discovers that her cousin holds a power within her that would be catastrophic in the hands of the evil witches.

Gabriella’s coven sets out on a journey that may be their last. Along the way, they meet new allies, face devastating treachery, and battle not only the Dark Coven, but the darkness within themselves. When Gabriella finally comes face to face with the cousin she never knew existed, her true destiny is unveiled, and the fate of the mortal world is in her hands.

Excerpt of Destiny Unveiled click HERE


Available at:
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/160138

Amazon:

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Little Blurb about Laura DeLuca...
In addition to being a young adult author, I am also a mom to four great kids, own a restaurant, and run a product review blog called New Age Mama. I live at the Jersey Shore (no, I don’t know Snooki), and I love spending the summer on the beach. It’s the best place to write.

Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I have always wanted to be a writer. I think it runs in the family. A have aunts, cousins, and uncles who were reporters and authors. Even my mom is writing a book, it’s just taking her thirty years to finish it 

How long did it take you to write Destiny Unveiled?
I feel like the Destiny series has been part of my life forever. The first book I started my senior year of high school (1994). Then I put it down for about ten years. Once I started to practice Wicca, I finally knew how to finish the first book in the series. When that was done, it only took three months to write the sequel, Destiny Unveiled.

While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
I don’t think I’ve never changed the basis of the plot, but I do proof read and add/change smaller details at least eight times before I submit to publishers and agents.

You run into a bookstore, where do you go first? The metaphysical section.

How many books in a month do you tend to read? Right now I have an infant, so I’m lucky if I can get through one or two. But normally, at least ten to twenty, depending on the length.

In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why? I love Morgana from the Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. She is a strong, independent woman. I especially loved reading about her life as a priestess in Avalon. It was reading this book which helped me to discover my own spiritual calling in this life.

State 5 random facts about yourself.
1) I play the violin
2) I have over 5000 crystals of varying sizes and shapes
3) I’m extremely claustrophobic.
4) I have lived at the shore all my life, but I can’t swim.
5) I have had four kids, but I can still rock my bikini.

Your favorite Genre? Historical Fantasy

What are you currently reading? Taking 1960 by my editor, Rosa Sophia. It’s an exciting tale of murder and time travel. I am about half way through and she’s already shocked me at least three times.

What is the best book you've read? The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

Any new projects coming up? I am currently working on a fantasy novel called Morrigan. Morrigan is a teenage witch who has been shuffled from one foster home to another all her life. Now she is about to discover she is a princess from the mystical land of Tír Na NÓg. The handsome werewolf Filtiarn guides her through countless perils to find her mother, Ceridwyn, and grandmother, Hecate. Only together can they complete the magical triad and save their world.

Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?
Destiny & Destiny Unveiled are fantasy novels. The magic and danger in them make them exciting, but the characters are very real, every day people. Gabby struggles with accepting her powers, while her friend Monte has to come to terms with his sexuality. The action is tempered by real relationships and characters you’ll want to get to know better. For those who practice Wicca, even though some elements of magic are exaggerated to make the story exciting, you’ll find many elements of the book have a firm basis in reality.


About the Author:
Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children.

She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama.

She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.


Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest

Classic Novel of the Month- June: Paul & Virginia, by Bernardin de Saint-Pierre

Sorry for the late post.... but here is this month's Classic Novel of the Month. I hope you enjoy!

First published in 1788, this is the classic of naive love that inspired the film "The Blue Lagoon." Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre's only novel is a classic of naive love. First published in 1788 to wide acclaim, it subsequently appeared in hundreds of editions throughout the world and influenced a generation of French writers, from George Sand and Lamartine to Balzac and Flaubert. In modern times it has inspired major musicals, artworks, a hit song by Celine Dion, and even a chain of luxury hotels on Mauritius.

Bernardin was inspired by his friend Rousseau to tell the story of two children who grow up entirely according to nature's laws on an idyllic island free from the corrupting influence of the world. They reach adolescence and fall in love, but tragedy strikes and both die untimely deaths. A key text in the development of the novel, this is a must for anyone interested in the history of European literature.

*information taken from Wikipedia

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Video Summary of Paul & Virginia:


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My Review:

I give this classic novel a rating of 5/5 because the story really is one of those stories you read and stay with you long after you finish reading the book. At the beginning of the book, the descriptions of the island Paul & Virginia live in can be overwelming, but after awhile you begin to find yourself along with them. Smelling the fresh fruits, the flowers in bloom and find yourself wrapped in their story and their love...

I read somewhere on line that the famous painting The Storm, by Pierre-Augste Cot was inspired by this book. I have always loved this painting. During my many visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, I always make it a MUST to see this painting up close. Something about it have always camptivated me...perhaps the couple, their expressions, the storm they ran away from???
So when I read that the artist was inspired by this book, I knew this was a book I had to read! And I'm glad I did!

Here is a quote from the book that many believe inspired this painting:

"One day, while descending from the mountaintop, I saw Virginie running from one end of the garden toward the house, her head covered by her overskirt, which she had lifted from behind her in order to gain shelter from a rain-shower. From a distance I had thought she was alone; but upon coming closer to help her walk I saw that by the arm she held Paul who was almost entirely covered by the same blanket. Both were laughing together in the shelter of this umbrella of their own invention."

Get a FREE copy of this beautiful classic romance novel today!
Click HERE to get your copy

Author Interview & Review: Familiar Ties, by Naya Nikki

Familiar Ties
by Naya Nikki

Book Blurb: Max West is a widower raising Phoebe, his four-year-old daughter. Phoebe has to live with the fact that the day she was born is also the day of her mother's death. As her fifth year without her mother approaches, Phoebe finds solace in her godmother, Amy Riley, and her daughter, Grace Crawford, another single parent family.

Amy Riley is a successful fashion designer who spends most of her days raising her four-year-old daughter, Grace, while her wayward boyfriend is travelling the world making the next best film. As the fifth year without her best friend looms she finds comfort in her ex-boyfriend, Max, and his daughter, Phoebe.

These two “broken” families have a tough week to face as the dreaded day approaches. However through their past, present and debatable future will their choices affect the outcome both parents clearly want and are simply denying? Or will Phoebe and Grace lose the only “whole” family they have ever known?

Available at Amazon Kindle ~ Paperback

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Author Interview:

Today I would like to welcome author Naya Nikki to my blog. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I was always writing short stories as a kid and English was always my favorite class at school and one day I showed them to a friend and she said ‘why not try to get them published’ so that’s what I did.

How long did it take you to write Familiar Ties?
I think it took me just over a year and a half. I’d written about a third of it before I went back and rewrote the whole thing before continuing the rest of the book in between my final year of schooling.

While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
Like I mentioned before I did go back once and do a major re-write but after completing it for the first time I did go back and add scenes that I thought helped to develop the book more.

You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
Strangely I always go to the Jodi Picoult section, even though I’ve read and I’ve got every single one of her books.

How many books in a month do you tend to read?
I try and read at least 2 a month, but with my university education where I have to read 2 a week, my fun reading has gone out the window. However I just finished my first year at university so I have loads of books to catch up on over the summer.

In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
Jo March from Little Women; first of she writes and second she doesn’t let the fact she is a women get her down.

State 5 random facts about yourself.
-I am a self confessed Gleek.
-I love to dance and I have been taking classes since I was 5.
-I have been to every continent at least once.
-I adore stuffed toys and keep buying them even though I’m nearly 20.
-I read ‘The Butterfly Lion’ by Michael Morpurgo at least once every year.

Your favorite Genre?
Romance and (Auto) Biographies

What are you currently reading?
I am cheating and double reading at the moment. I switch between ‘I’ll Scream Later’ by Marlee Matlin and ‘Lone Wolf’ by Jodi Picoult.

What is the best book you've read?
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Any new projects coming up?
At the moment I am happy to catch up on being a student and hanging out with my friends, but I’ve got a few plot bunnies written down so you will have to keep your eyes peeled.

Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?
It may look like your average romance novel but give it a chance it may just surprise you and to be honest what’s so bad with a good romance book? So pick it up, read it and let me know what you think

Where you can find author Naya Nikki:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nayanikki
Twitter: @nikkinaya

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/NayaNikki
Website: www.nayanikki.co.uk

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Review:


Can your life change in seven days??? Well, for Max West and Amy Riley, it did.

I thank the author for allowing me to read and review it. It was a short read, and a book I could not put down, so I read it in one afternoon. The book was a heartwarming, romance novel about two people, their lives and how at then end family and friends are all that matters

The book is about Max West and Amy Riley. Two good friends who find themselves raising two lovely little girls. Max is a widower and Amy is a girl attached to the wrong man. The book takes place in seven days as their life begin to take a turn, when Max realizes he can't live without Amy and they both confess the feelings they kept inside for so long, BUT there is one problem- Jack. Amy's boyfriend, who is not ready to let Amy or their daughter Grace go.

You have to read the book to find out how it all turns out! ^-^ *
I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Cobbogoth, by Hannah L. Clark

Cobbogoth
By Hannah L Clark
Genre: YA Fantasy romance

Book Blurb:

To seventeen-year-old Norah Lukens, the Cobbogothians were just a myth. But after her archeologist uncle's brutal murder, and being asked to translate one of his old research journals for evidence, she begins a journey to discover the truth for herself.

Chasing the myth her uncle was obsessed with, Norah learns that his murder was a cover up for something far more sinister. If she hopes to save others from suffering the same fate he did--including the peculiarly magnetic James Riley--she must head to Iceland in order to find out the truth once and for all.

If she succeeds, she'll gain the one thing she's always longed for.

But if she fails, not even the gods can help her.

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GIVEAWAY!!! Hannah is giving away 5 signed copies of Cobbogoth open to US Only
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Book site: www.cobbogoth.com

Cobbogoth Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cobbogoth/201603626565950

Official Book Trailer:


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Book Excerpt:

MEMORY LAPSE


Standing before me was a woman with tangled hip-length hair—hair the color of blood. Her eyes shone like amethysts. She reminded me of a painting Uncle Jack made for me as a child—the Opalian Eye from the Cobbogothian legends, their prophetess. As her eyes shone down upon me, I remembered her name—Totherma. She watched me carefully. Then, lifting her arm, she pointed to my right. I looked and saw a woman covering her face and crying.
Turning back to Totherma, I watched her enter through a doorway, walk down a corridor, and stop in front of another doorway. I went to follow, but something made me look down. My hands were covered in blood, and the floor sparkled with shards of glass. I smelled something pungent and musty, something burning.
Looking up, I saw the woman pointing into the doorway where she stood. I hurried to meet her when my path was suddenly blocked by people. They wore white.
Angels? I wondered.
They huddled around something, and I knew that whatever it was had caused that salty, burning smell.
I struggled to get by them, trying to see what she wanted me to see. I stood as tall as I could reach, but it wasn’t enough. I looked for Totherma until our eyes met. Understanding, she lifted her arm, and with the motion of her hand, I rose up off the ground. I could see over the group of people into the center of the circle . . .
What I saw made me scream.

“Honey! Honey are you alright?” I was being shaken awake. Panting and sweating I turned toward the dim light, blinking my eyes several times.
In and out, Nor. In and out. I tried to shake the last image from my mind.
As my eyes focused, a pretty woman with blue-black hair and honey-colored eyes began to materialize.
Completely disoriented, I became aware that I was not on solid ground. “Who . . . where . . . where am I?” I blurted out, as I pushed my back against what appeared to be a leather seat.
“You’re on a bus heading toward Boston. Ring a bell?” she smiled.
“Uh, no actually.”
“Give yourself a minute to wake up. Looks like you’ve been through some kind of an adventure recently,” she soothed as she brushed wet hair back from my face.
I stiffened under her touch.
With an understanding look, she dropped her hand. “I’m sorry, it’s just . . .” she reached up and touched my hair again. This time, however, she came back with a handful of debris. “You’ve got something in your hair.”
I patted my head as well. Rather than sleek, smooth hair pulled into a tight braid, like I was used to, everything felt frizzy and matted. “What the—?”
“Let’s see, I’m sure I’ve got a mirror in here somewhere.” The woman dug around in a deep purse, then handed me a palm-sized compact.
As I took it, something caught my eye; a charm attached to a thin leather bracelet dangled from my wrist. I held it up in front of me and fingered the charm. It was a small, circular stone, white and speckled black—merlinite. “Where did this come from?” I mumbled.
“I’m afraid I can’t help you with that one. Hairbrush?” the woman offered.
“Yeah, thanks,” I took the brush. “It’s just, I recognize this stone from my geology final this morning, but I have literally no idea where it came from.”
“I’m sure it will come to you. Don’t worry,” she tried to look reassuring.
Finally, I opened the compact to check out my hair.
“What—what happened to me?” My hair was a ratted cloud, strewn with dead leaves and twigs. There was dirt smudged across my left cheek and my eyes were smeared with mascara, revealing several of the long, white-blonde lashes I worked so hard to hide.
“Like I said, you look like you’ve had an adventure recently.” The woman peeked into the mirror beside me.
“Uh . . . no, I look like I spent the night in the woods!”
“Mmmm . . . true. Let me help you. What’s your name?”
“Norah Lukens,” I said, frantically dragging my fingers through my hair and loosening the rest of my braid. “There is no way I’m letting James see me like this.”
“Calm down, honey. Look, I’ve got everything you need right here.” Again, the woman was rummaging through her purse.
I balanced the compact mirror on my knees and began working on my hair again. I’d just gotten most of the knots out, when I scooped it back into a messy ponytail and caught sight of a long, thin cut just above my collar bone. Strands of my hair were stained burgundy and caked to my neck where the blood had dried.
“Oh my gosh!” Leaning into the mirror, I scoured my brain for how this could’ve happened. For some reason, I was drawing a complete blank on anything after talking with Professor Anderton at my geology final.
A complete blank. That was a first.
“Here we go. Face toilettes and make up—oh dear! What happened to your neck!” the woman cried.
“I—I honestly don’t know.”
“Belmont, Belmont Center Station next.” The bus driver’s voice sliced through our conversation, as we pulled up the street toward my home town.
“Oh no,” I groaned, “this is my stop.” As the familiar buildings passed, my heart jumped into my throat. I glanced out the window looking for any sign of James.
“It’s alright, don’t worry.” The woman patted my arm. “Hold still, and I’ll have you looking glamorous in no time.”
I gave her a doubtful look, but realizing she was my best chance, I collapsed into the seat back. “I doubt the word ‘glamorous’ will ever be used to describe me. I’ve been called ‘ghost girl’ and ‘powder-face,' but never glamorous. Though I do appreciate your help, just the same.”
“What? I think you’re a beautiful girl!” She finished smoothing my hair. “Seriously, women the world over would kill for your porcelain skin, your natural platinum hair, and those eyes! I don’t think I’ve ever seen that color of green before. It’s like peridot, or kiwis.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Gee . . . thanks.”
“Whoever this James guy is, he must be pretty important, huh?”

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About the author:

Hannah L. Clark was raised in the very small town of Oak City, UT with seven sisters and one brother. She spent most of her childhood daydreaming, writing stories, building forts, chasing after boys, and working really hard to earn money. (With six older sisters, her parents were really poor by the time she came along.)

In spite of great learning difficulty brought on by dyslexia, Hannah graduated from high school with honors and was awarded a scholarship in English to Utah Valley University.

In 2006 she graduated from UVU with her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and immediately began two of her most exciting adventures yet: Motherhood and writing her first novel.

Five and a half years later, Hannah completed Cobbogoth, a Young Adult Fantasy-Adventure novel, and book one in a seven book series.

She currently lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah with her husband Michael, and their son. Hannah actively seeks to inspire kids and adults by speaking about her experiences of becoming an author in spite of dyslexia.

Hannah still daydreams, writes stories, builds forts, chases after her boys, and works really hard to earn money.

Favorite Quote: "Whatever you think you can or can't do, you're right." -Henry Ford


Connect with the Author:
Website: www.hannahlclark.com
Blog: www.hannieclark.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/hannieclark

My Merlin Awakening, by Priya Ardis

My Merlin Awakening
by Priya Ardis

My Merlin Awakening Short Blurb:

A young Merlin has woken and must manipulate a high school girl so he can wield Excalibur to stop a devastating natural disaster, but then falls in love with her.










Favorite My Merlin Awakening Quote:

Vane grabbed me. “DuLac, let's chat.” Chat. British-speak for “Stand still while I yell at you.

Read more quotes on Goodreads at: http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/19040563

Giveaway:

Enter the rafflecopter to win! One winner will get a $25 Amazon or B&N gift card and a copy of My Merlin Awakening. Two additional winners will also get a copy of My Merlin Awakening.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Guest Post by author Priya Ardis

Merlin, Gargoyles, and Mermaids

In the world of My Merlin, there are several races running around today's world. One is, of course, the regulars. Regular human beings. (I happen to like this set!) Our main character, Ryan, is a Regular. It was important for me to show in a world of supernatural creatures that a normal (albeit kinda brainy and a perfectionist) girl could hold her own.

Second, there are the Wizards. The main characters here are our heroic Merlin and his more pain-in-a-girl's-backside brother, Vane. The wizards (much like in Harry Potter) live in secret, but the twist is that they are somewhat mercenary. For generations, they've been selling magic to maintain their wealth and prominence.

Third, there are the baddies--Gargoyles. They look like anyone else. Except when they turn. You got it fangs, Cro-Magnon forehead, super-strength. They're a deadly clannish controlled by one gargoyle king. Oh, they're also super-healers so they're near impossible to get killed.

Fourth, in My Merlin Awakening, you meet Triton's children--the mermaids. Gorgeous, green-skinned, and with gills, these are not your average carefree mermaids. They are a little crazy, a little vicious, and a lot blood-thirsty. Dressed more Spartan than Disney, they make life interesting for our heroes.

More than an Arthurian series, the world of My Merlin mixes the ideas of chivalry and magic (put on your cute bunny slippers here) with more up to date supernatural creatures (wait, your cute bunny slippers has fangs! Bunnicula, anyone?)

Want more Merlin?




My Boyfriend Merlin, Book 1, is available through most major book retailers. My Merlin Awakening, Book 2, is now available in limited release at Barnes and Noble. It will be out in full release in mid-June 2012. Ever My Merlin, Book 3, will be available in late 2012. Add it to-read on Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13641732-ever-my-merlin)



Read Reviews and Excerpts at:

Author Website: http://www.priyaardis.com/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Boyfriend-Arthurian-Paranormal-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B006C58CMA

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-boyfriend-merlin-priya-ardis/1107712999

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/priyaardis

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About the Author:

I love stories of all kinds--but especially the gooey ones that make your nose leak and let your latte go cold. I started my first novel at sixteen, writing in notebooks on a long train ride in India during a hot summer vacation. My favorite Arthurian piece is the poem The Lady of Shalott by Lord Alfred Tennyson and a gorgeous song by Loreena McKennitt. A hopeless romantic, I'm a longtime member of the Romance Writer's of America.



Connect with Priya Ardis at:

Blog: http://merlinblogs.priyaardis.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/priyaardis

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/priyaardis

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/priyaardis

Guest Post: 5 books to read after Harry Potter, by Kirstin Roble

There are several books that a person needs to read after they have
read the book Harry Potter.


1. The Dark is Rising: Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

This is the first book in the series that was written by Susan
Cooper. The book revolves around three children that happen to find a
map in their attic in their homeland of England. In this book is when
the children find out whom they can really trust and of course who
they cannot trust at all. There is a lot of information about the
Welsh and English folklore along with the many Arthurian legends that
have been spread throughout the country of England.


2. Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey

This book is the first edition of the series and was written by
Mercedes Lackey. The book reflects the life of Talia, who is a female
protagonist. Talia was known as an outsider until she was chose to
apart of the Companions. The Companions were horses that had the
magical power of speaking to humans through telepathy. While she is
going through her training, she is struggling with the many
insecurities that she has along with all of the people who want to
hurt her. The author of this book is known for the uniqueness of all
of her characters because they all have something to do with the world
of fantasy and magic.


3. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

This book was written by Orson Scott Card. Ender's game revolves
around the life of a very special child named Enger. Enger is special
because it was chosen to be in the military and train as a commander
at a very early age. The military wants him to fight the creatures
called Buggers that they believe is going to end the world. The
biggest thing that the book talks about is the leadership skills that
Enger learns as he gets older. Most of the book focuses on what things
are good and what things are evil along with a variety of different
issues that Enger has towards morality and his life.


4. The Belgariad: Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings. This book is the
first edition of a series that was written by David Eddings. This is
definitely a fantasy book because it focuses on the characters of the
book and their quest to get the Orb of Albur. One of the main
characters is Garion, who is a young boy who had to leave his family's
farm along with three of his friends. All four characters are going to
grow up trying to save the world. There are a lot of unique worlds
that the characters are going to have to travel through so that they
can discover themselves. Garion is going to have a great future ahead
of him.


5. Homeland by R.A. Salvatore

Homeland is the first edition of a series that was written by R. A.
Salvatore. The book is about an underground world called the drow
world that has Drizzt Do’Urden living in it. Drizzi is the person who
never is going to fit in so he has to do all of his fighting on his
own. He is a very great warrior but he refuses to kill the drows even
though his family and society expects him to do it. The book talks
about a very dark world that a lot of teenagers are going to be able
to relate to based on the isolation of Drizzi. Hopefully, they will
see that he has a lot of compassion and strength within him.

*Post written by Kirstin Roble
Jamie Linx loves reading, morning runs, and the great deal she got at
grouphealthinsurance.org

Drasmyr, by Matthew Ryan

Drasmyr
By Matthew D Ryan

In a world of wizards and vampires a clever man may make a fortune. But hunting the undead is no small task, as Coragan the bounty hunter will soon find out. He will need all his wits and the help of his comrades to succeed this time. Together, they must pit themselves against a creature so old time itself bends knee, an ancient vampire by the name of Lucian val Drasmyr. Read Drasmyr, a dark fantasy novel by Matthew D. Ryan.

We vampires do not make easy prey. Our weaknesses are few, our strengths many. Fear is something we do not know, and death but a distant memory. So tread softly, pray to your god, and gird yourself with silver when the moons arise and night’s dark prince awakens. We fear not the wizard, nor the warrior, neither rogue, nor priest; our strength is timeless, drawn from darkness and we know no master save the hot lust of our unending hunger. We long for blood, your blood and no blade, nor spell, nor clever artifice, can keep us long from our prize. Feel our teeth at your throat, your life ebb from you, and know as darkness comes to claim you that the price of your folly is your everlasting soul.


Author’s Smashwords Page: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/matthewdryan

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Book Excerpt:
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Excerpt



There’s a woman in chain mail standing across the room from me; her sword is leveled at my chest. I can smell the enchantment on the blade, it’s a strong one; maybe even strong enough to cause me harm. Still, I’m not too concerned; it’s at least a ten foot lunge and I know I move faster than she does. Indeed, she’s the one who is looking worried. My display of strength and the death of her comrade have shaken her resolve.

She’s got a pretty face, flushed with excitement but strong and in control. It is her neck that really draws me, though, so soft and inviting, filled with the warm blood I desire. The curve of her flesh glistens, waiting for a well-placed gentle kiss.

She’s breathing rapidly now, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Her trek up through the castle has sapped much of her strength. And the fear she feels is naked in her eyes. Now, she’s getting ready to pounce, just a little too much tension in her stance, her eyes just a little too focused. She couldn’t give me more warning if she were to ask my permission first.

She moves in with remarkable speed, her blade striking out like a serpent’s tongue. Even winded, she still manages to cut my cape, then prances away with her back toward the wall, ready for anything. Anything, except me.

I close the distance and with a clean sweep of my hand knock her sword clattering across the room. Stepping forward, I place myself between her and her weapon. What will she do now, I wonder? Oh, the dagger. That’s good. There’s no enchantment on that one. Not much good that, even if she could grip it well in her bloodied hand.

I laugh a little, loud enough so she can hear me, exulting in the terror I see contorting her features. She’s backing toward the door, looking for escape.

I move toward her with the speed of my kind. My hand closes over her wrist and with a quick snap, the bones are shattered and the useless dagger is sent to the floor. Vainly she flails at me with her other hand. Despite the pain in her wrist she is trying to pull free. In desperation, she brings her knee upward in a fierce jab. If I were a man, I’m sure I’d be on the ground right now. Unfortunately for her, I am no longer a man.

Her struggles are growing weaker. Perhaps the pain or the fear is wearing her down. She collapses on the ground. Her helm falls to the floor with a loud metallic clang and her long, golden tresses drape down to shroud her face. Reaching down with a lover’s touch, I cup her chin and raise her eyes to mine. Tears stream down her cheeks, sparkling in the moonlight. She’s really quite beautiful with a face befitting an angel; it is a great irony that she should fall to a devil such as I.

For the first time this evening, I speak. “Well, intruder, did you not know there is a penalty for trespassing in my lair?”

“Please, please, let me go,” she begs. “I’ll never come back, I’ll do anything you want.”

“Then tell me why you are here. Who sent you?”

“We came for the sceptre.” She glances askance at the crumpled ruin that was once her companion.

I nod in the dead man’s direction. “Yes, perhaps you can reach him. Perhaps you can take the wooden stake from his chest and drive it through my heart, thus ridding this pestilent world of my accursed presence... and perhaps I will rip your arm off if you try. Now answer the question, my dear. Who sent you?”

The naked terror in her face highlights her beauty. For a fleeting moment, I am loathe to wreck such a delicate flower. Indeed, it is the irony of her reply that seals my decision.

“It was Arcalian... the mage. Please... I don’t want to die.”

A warm, almost human smile crawls across my lips. “Don’t worry, my dear, you won’t.”

A brief flash of relief evaporates from her face changing into the gruesome horror of realization as I lunge for her throat. My teeth pierce her neck, freeing a flow of warm, sweet blood. As I feed her body goes limp in my arms and her struggles cease.

Time passes.

She is very nearly drained and quite ready. A quick movement of my hand and my left breast is exposed. Another slash and a gentle trickle of rapidly cooling blood is flowing down my chest. I gaze at my victim. Her breath is coming in ragged gasps; a moment more and she will expire. Ever so slowly I pull her to her knees before me. With my hand behind her head I pull her up and force her lips to my breast. She murmurs a weak protest, but her will, as her blood, is all but gone.

I whisper softly in the woman’s ear, “Drink, my love, and the pain and the weariness shall pass from you forever. I know you are thirsty, my love, I know you hunger. I can ease your suffering, your unendurable torments. Drink, and you shall cast off this paltry existence, this mortal shell of such feeble constitution and you shall become as I: strong, immortal, invincible.”

A moment passes before she begins to suck on the wound. I feel the blood flowing from my chest. As time slips away her strength begins to return. The flow from my chest grows stronger and I am forced to restrain her. At long last, she is finished and I lift her in my arms. Several long strides take me to the old bedchamber. She can rest here for the remainder of the evening. It may be several nights before she can hunt on her own, and I have other business to attend to.

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Author Interview:

Today I would like to welcome author Matthew D. Ryan to my blog...
Matthew D. Ryan is your typical starving writer looking for his first big break. He lives in upstate New York on the shores of Lake Champlain—a lake famous for the elusive Lake Champlain Monster (a.k.a. Champy), a beastie Matt believes he saw once while canoeing with his brother. He’s owned a number of dogs in his lifetime, and is currently coping with his first cat—the cat’s name is Confucius.

Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
There is no who involved, I just sort of fell into it. After college I worked for a year at my brother’s cellular phone company in Boston; then a friend and I took a trip around the country. When I got back, I decided to write a short story… that short story soon became the idea for my first book, and, after many revisions, it became the prologue for the larger work. That work is, of course, Drasmyr.

How long did it take you to write Drasmyr?
To be honest, I don’t remember how long the first draft took. I think (but this really a rough guess) it was about three months. I did the whole thing almost stream of consciousness. Of course, if you look at it from first draft to final publication, it took about 16 or 17 years. I wrote the first draft in 1995-1996ish, and published it in February of 2012.

While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
The plot took on a life of its own from the moment I started writing. The general storyline in final form is pretty much the same as it was on the first draft. So, I guess the answer to your question is 0; the plot is as it was originally.

You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
The fantasy section. I’m big on dragons, wizards, and warriors. Always have been.

How many books in a month do you tend to read?
It really depends. Some times its as few as 0, or as many as 4 (most of the books I read tend to be pretty long) if I’m feeling inspired. I’m trying to develop the habit of reading on a continuous basis, but every once in a while I suffer from a kind of burnout.

In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
I am excluding my own book in this (I really like my vampire… even if he is evil). I guess it’s kind of a toss-up between Robert Jordan’s Rand Al’thor and Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman’s Raistlin Majere. Rand because he appeals to the “aspiring god” within me; I just love it when he goes around and blasts the snot out of things. Raistlin for similar reasons… I mean he actually did, sort of, become a god. And I kind of identify with Raistlin’s “geeky” early years.

State 5 random facts about yourself.
*I’m forty years old.
*I’m a guy.
*I was raised Catholic.
*I graduated from SUNY Geneseo.
*I studied philosophy in college.

Your favorite Genre?
Fantasy. That’s what I write; that’s what I’ve lived and breathed for about the last 35 years.

What are you currently reading?
Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist.”

What is the best book you've read?
Book VI in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. I think that was “The Lord of Chaos.” The finale where the Aes Sedai wind up kneeling to Rand was awesome.

Any new projects coming up?
Okay, I kind of wrote things backward or perhaps in the correct order, depending upon how you look at it. “Drasmyr” is intended as the prequel to a longer series (I’m thinking a four book series), but that series has not been written yet. So, I’m currently working on book I in that series. Kind of think of how “The Hobbit” relates to “The Lord of the Rings,” “Drasmyr” is the same way to the upcoming series, “From the Ashes of Ruin.”

Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?

“Drasmyr” tells the story of a traditional gothic vampire set in a fantasy world of wizards and warriors. Basically, it’s “Dracula” meets “The Lord of the Rings.” The vampire is as a vampire should be an evil antagonist who takes no prisoners… okay, he takes a few prisoners, but he turns them into vampires.  Set against him is a brave group of mercenaries and wizards led by Coragan the Bounty Hunter, and Regecon the Archmage. It’s a classic tale of good versus evil, with a number of interesting twists and subtle undercurrents woven throughout. Readers should pick it up because, first and foremost, it’s an enjoyable read; the characters are multi-dimensional and well-developed; the cause, although not as epic as in some fantasy books, is still of dire significance filling the story with tension and appeal. Most importantly, the vampire is irredeemable. He does not sparkle. He does not play nice. He exists to feed and kill.

About the Author:
Matthew D. Ryan is a published author living in upstate New York on the shores of Lake Champlain. He has a background in philosophy, mathematics, and computer science. He also has a black belt in the martial arts and studies yoga. He has been deeply involved in the fantasy genre for most of his life as a reader, writer, and game designer. He believes he saw the legendary Lake Champlain Monster (a.k.a Champy) once and he has a cat named Confucius.


Where you can find author Matthew D. Ryan:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000038781652
Twitter: @MatthewDRyan1
Website: www.atoasttodragons.com
Blog: www.atoasttodragons.com
Shelfari: www.shelfari.com/matthewdryan
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/matt-ryan/34/862/877
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/matthewdryan