Blog Tour: Darkness Falls series by Krystal Wade & Giveaway

Let's see . . . what's next. Well, I'm not planning any more books in the Darkness Falls series, but I have considered spin offs . . . considered being the keyword. I love the world of Encardia, and I love the other, connected worlds. But for now, I'm ready to move on.

And move on, I have (channeling Yoda!)

I'm writing a book called Shattered Secrets (working title). This story is about a girl who believes her biggest problems involve boys and college applications, but she's wrong.

Very, very wrong.

Her problems involve boys, college applications, and kidnappers.

And these aren't ordinary kidnappers! They reveal more about her than anyone close to her ever has, sending her on a mission of self-discovery, one full of secrets waiting to be shattered.

But will the world survive if she does?

I posted the prologue for this novel on my blog (http://krystal-wade.com/im-the-next-big-thing/)



About Krystal Wade - website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads

Krystal Wade can be found in the sluglines outside Washington D.C. every morning, Monday through Friday. With coffee in hand, iPod plugged in, and strangers–who sometimes snore, smell, or have incredibly bad gas–sitting next to her, she zones out and thinks of fantastical worlds for you and me to read. How else can she cope with a fifty mile commute?

Good thing she has her husband and three kids to go home to. They keep her sane.

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Happy endings are hard to find, and even though Katriona is in the middle of a war with someone who’s already stolen more than she can replace, she aches for a positive future with her Draíochtans.

Armed with hope, confidence in her abilities, and a strange new gift from her mother, Kate ventures into the Darkness to defeat a fallen god.

Losses add up, and new obstacles rise to stand in the way. Is the one determined to bring Encardia light strong enough to keep fighting, or will all the sacrifices to stop those who seek domination be for nothing?

Open to US/Canada only.
Entries into the daily give-away count towards the grand prize give-away of a Google Nexus 7 and a set of all three books signed!

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Wilde's Fire week:
Monday, November 5th - Book and a Latte
Tuesday, November 6th - Paranormal Reads
Wednesday, November 7th - Once Upon A Time
Thursday, November 8th - Urban Fantasy Investigations
Friday, November 9th - A Soul Unsung

Wilde's Army week:
Monday, November 12th - Good Choice Reading
Tuesday, November 13th - Simply Infatuated
Wednesday, November 14th - Chocolate Coated Reviews
Thursday, November 15th - The Non-Reluctant Reader
Friday, November 16th - A Buckeye Girl Reads

Wilde's Meadow week:
Monday, November 19th - Book Spark
Tuesday, November 20th - Alexia's Books and Such
Wednesday, November 21st - Reader Girls
Thursday, November 22nd - The Book Hookup
Friday, November 23rd - Book Faery

Giveaway: Rebel Heart by Moira Young

The wonderful folks at Simon and Schuster are offering you wonderful readers an awesome prize pack!

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It seemed so simple: Defeat the Tonton, rescue her kidnapped brother, Lugh, and then order would be restored to Saba’s world. Simplicity, however, has proved to be elusive. Now, Saba and her family travel west, headed for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But the fight for Lugh’s freedom has unleashed a new power in the dust lands, and a formidable new enemy is on the rise.

What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants? In this much-anticipated follow-up to the riveting Blood Red Road, a fierce heroine finds herself at the crossroads of danger and destiny, betrayal and passion.

Open to US residents only.


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Giveaway: Trucker Ghost Stories edited by Annie Wilder

OPEN TO US/CANADA RESIDENTS ONLY! 

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In a uniquely entertaining book by a rising star, here are uncanny true tales of haunted highways, weird encounters, and legends of the road.

It may have happened to you; it’s happened to almost everyone who’s ever driven down a highway at night, or in the fog, or snow. Something suddenly appears: a flash of movement, a shadow...what was it? It could be, as the true stories in this book attest, a ghost.

These are true stories from the highways and byways of America. These firsthand accounts are as varied as the storytellers themselves—some are detailed and filled with the terror and suspense that made people feel they had to share what happened to them with others; others are brief and straightforward retellings of truly chilling events.

Here is a chupacabra attack on the desert highway between L.A. and Las Vegas; ghost trains and soldiers; UFOs; the prom girl ghost of Alabama; a demon in Texas, and other accounts of the creepy, scary things that truckers and other drivers and passengers told to editor Annie Wilder.

With so many different stories, Trucker Ghost Stories moves beyond the usual haunted house to offer stories to entice any ghost story reader...and anyone who’s ever wondered...

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Author Interview with Claire Ashgrove

I suppose author interview isn't entirely accurate, my friends. Today, instead of having Claire answer a few questions about herself, we will be visited by Farran de Clare, our hunky hero from Claire Ashgrove's most recent release, IMMORTAL SURRENDER (Curse of the Templars #2).

So without further ado, Farran here is going to grace us with his delicious six pack wonderful personality.

Hi Farran! How old are you, exactly?
I am over nine hundred years old.

Is that so? And what, exactly, do you do? 
I serve the archangel Mikhail, under the steady sword of Merrick du Loire, in the Holy Order of the Knights Templar.

What is your favorite saying? 
(Farren chuckles.) At present, I find myself oft beginning my sentences with damsel.  As in, Damsel, mind your tongue.  'Tis hard not to when I'm bound to one so willful.

Who is your worst enemy, and what did he/she do? 
My worst enemy is the dark lord, Azazel.  I am sworn to fight against his vile creations, to protect the mortal realm you know.  He covets the highest throne, and 'tis mine and my brothers' duty to stop his ascent.

What is one thing you wouldn't be caught dead doing? 
Once I would have said watching television, but I find myself in greater luxury of late, and cannot claim such now.  'Twould have to be dancing at one of these so-called clubs Noelle has spoken of. 
 

Any love interests? 
(A wicked smirk drifts across his mouth.)  Aye.  
  

Well... are you going to tell us who? 
'Twould be the lady de Clare, Dr. Noelle Keane.  Though 'twas not an easy journey to reach this contentment of my heart. I wanted naught to do with her.  She, however, possesses a... way... about her, shall we say, that made it impossible to do anything but adore her.  
 

When did you know you were falling for her? 
(He laughs again.)  When the urge to feel her lips on mine became as fierce as the urge to throttle her.  (Farran pauses for a moment, then his expression sobers.)  In truth, 'twas a moment we shared in the belly of the temple, when I glimpsed the woman she was, not the seraph forced upon me.  
  

What is one favorite childhood memory? 
Saints' toes -- a millenia has passed since I have been asked about childhood.  I do not oft think about those I have left behind.  Though I recall a special fondness for riding through the de Clare lands as a young boy beside my sire, grateful for the time he shared with me.  He was truly a lord to be admired, and I deeply respected him.  
  

When this war is over, if the Templar are the victors, where would you like to go to get away? 
I have seen much sand in my life.  Fought in the dispicable dunes against Saladin.  But I have never set foot on tropical sands.  I should take Noelle to an island, I do believe.  One that is not marked with a gate to Azazel's realm.  (His grin returns, devilish as ever.)  And there, I shall focus on naught but my duty to Noelle.


Award-Winning Author Claire Ashgrove has been writing since her early teens and maintained the hobby for twenty years before deciding to leap into the professional world. Her first contemporary novel, Seduction's Stakes, sold to The Wild Rose Press in 2008, where she continues to write steamy, sexy stories for the Champagne and Black Rose lines. Adding to these critically acclaimed romances, Claire’s paranormal romance series, The Curse of the Templars debuted with Tor in January 2012. For those who prefer the more erotic side of romance, she also writes for Berkley Heat as the National Bestselling Author Tori St. Claire.

To learn more about Claire, visit her on the web at www.claireashgrove.com, or www.toristclaire.com. You can also connect with her via Facebook, and Twitter. 


Giveaway

What you can win:

• One digital copy of any of Claire's backlist books, excepting those in the Templar series
  
• Commenters’ names will be added into the tour-end drawing of a 25.00 Amazon gift card.

What you need to do:

• Leave a comment on this interview; be sure to include your email address in the comments section, otherwise you will not be entered to win either prize.
  
• Follow the tour – the more you comment on participating blogs, the better your chances of winning. Complete tour dates can be found at Claire's website, here.

Giveaway: Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson

This giveaway is open to US residents only

(sorry everyone else, I am a jobless college student and can't afford shipping). 

When I met Amanda Carlson at AAD12, I was thrilled to attain a signed copy of her now released title, FULL BLOODED. She is such a sweetheart, and I am happy to announce that I have FIVE signed copies to share with all of you.

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It's not easy being a girl. It's even harder when you're the only girl in a family of werewolves. But it's next to impossible when your very existence spells out the doom of your race... Meet Jessica McClain -- she just became part of the pack.

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Preview & GIVEAWAY: The Vacant Casualty, a parody, by Patty O'Furniture

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A brilliantly funny parody of the world's most hotly anticipated new book, from the author of several Sunday Times bestselling humour titles.

The Vacant Casualty is not prepared, authorized, licensed, approved, or endorsed by the author or the publishers of The Casual Vacancy.

Nothing ever seems to happen in the sleepy English town of Mumford – unless you count the man with the axe in his back, staggering down the street getting blood everywhere and leaving a vacancy on the Parish Council . . .

Into the fray steps Detective Inspector Bradley of the C.I.D. Although he appears to be a plodding buffoon, incapable of detecting his own backside, that is exactly what he is. But when he teams up with an alcoholic, drug-addled writer researching a detective novel, together they will blunder towards the identity of the ‘vacant casualty’. They just hope to get there before everyone in the town is murdered.

In this potty-mouthed, depraved, disrespectful parody, strewn with casual violence and sexual deviancy, you will discover aliens, farting tea-ladies, car chases, serial killers and lashings and lashings of tortoise milk. But no immigrants. This is the countryside, after all.

If you would like to read the sample, here is a link to it:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=1f7NV-eWOK4fHQi205fdyu3Gi1Dnm344BJfZ1KhnEM0r5p0rnUcbmSFHSpHjL

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Romance Blog Hop Giveaway

Are you a romance reader? Do you want to win some free books and an egift card to buy even more books? Do you happen to live in the US?

Well, if you've answered yes to any of the above, then you're in luck. Romance at Random is offering romance readers a unique opportunity to win lots of books! The prizes range from 10 romance books to a $25 ebook gift card.

You can learn more about this event, along with checking out participating blogs, here. Or, you can check under the Rafflecopter Giveaway widget for a list of all participating blogs :)

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Blog Tour: Jess Haines (Plus Giveaway!)

The H&W Gang Talk About Travel  

 By Jess Haines 

Hello there!  Jess Haines here.  I'm the author of the urban fantasy H&W Investigations series
(HUNTED BY THE OTHERS [link: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=16761],
TAKEN BY THE OTHERS [link: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=18148],
DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS [link: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=19226],
and the upcoming STALKING THE OTHERS [link: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=20725]).   

Shiarra has been having a pretty bad time of things lately. She's here with some of her friends (and otherwise) to tell you about it.  Since I'm headed to New Orleans in August for Authors After Dark, they H&W Gang are going to touch on the Big Easy (among other places).  Over to you, Shia!  

____________________

Shiarra: I've only been to New Orleans once. I don't remember most of it.

Sara:  Neither do I. I think we both had one Sazerac too many.

Arnold: Sazerac?

Sara: A drink New Orleans is famous for. When we went on vacation, Shia and I tried it.

Shiarra:  We tried it a lot.

Royce: I very much would have enjoyed seeing that, I think.

Chaz: Me too.

Arnold: Ditto.

Sara: Maybe we should go on vacation when all this crazy stuff blows over.

Shiarra:  That's not likely to happen anytime soon.

Chaz: I'd go to Vegas if I could get away for a vacation.

Arnold: Because of the hookers?

Shiarra:  If he wants to live to see the end of this interview, he isn't going to answer that question.

Royce: Perhaps he should answer it, then.

Chaz:  Oh, screw you, dead man.

Royce:  I don't lie with dogs.

Sara: That's… uh… kinda gross.

Chaz:  What?!

Arnold:  Shia's turning pretty red over there.

Shiarra: I don't want to talk about it.

Royce:  Perhaps now would be a good time to mention it would not be wise for any of you to travel to Las Vegas.

Arnold: What, even me?  Why?

Royce: The master vampire over that territory and I are not on good terms. If he knew someone with a connection to me--however indirect--was visiting, he would not take kindly to it.

Sara: Why aren't you guys best of buds?

Royce:  I would rather not discuss that here.

Chaz:  Big surprise.

Shiarra:  I'm kind of disturbed by the idea that I might end up in trouble just for going on vacation. Are you in a pissing match with anybody else right now?

Sara: Are you allowed to say “pissing” here?

Arnold: Too late if she can't.

Chaz: Heh.

Royce: I wouldn't say such words in public again, were I you. It's bad for your image.

Shiarra:  Oh, yay. The most pressing of my worries.

Sara: No kidding. I'm with Shia, though. What places should we avoid? Are there any cities that are safe to visit?

Royce: If you leave my territory, I cannot promise that you would be safe. Some of the other vampires take pains to police the areas they are responsible for, and some do not.

Arnold: There are only fifteen master vamps in the U.S., including you. They can't be everywhere.

Royce: We have deputies to act as our representatives in the larger cities under our care. We are always--always--watching for enemies and unexpected guests.

Shiarra: That's mildly disturbing.

Chaz: More than mildly.

Sara: Wait a sec. Fifteen? I've heard of Clyde Seabreeze in Los Angeles, but I don't know of any others.

Royce: That is no coincidence. Most of them wish to remain unknown by human society, ignored by any Others not of their own kind.

Arnold: Someone cue the Secret Agent Man theme.

Chaz: I'm not surprised. Leeches are a shady bunch. I can name a few of 'em for you.

Royce: That may not be a wise move. This is a public forum.

Arnold: Dude, I know it's tempting not to listen to him, but he's right. It's not a good idea to broadcast stuff like that without telling the vamps in advance what you're doing. They take exception to that stuff.

Royce: As do most Others. We all value our privacy.

Shiarra: Can I guess one? I want to guess!

Sara: I just want to know where it's safe to take a vacation when this is all over. 

Arnold: Don't worry. Wherever you want to go, I'll protect you.

Chaz:  Ha. Don't count on it. One mage against a host of vampires? Or a pack of Weres? Good luck.

Shiarra: I dunno. Arnold seems pretty capable of taking care of himself.

Chaz: Maybe if he was alone. But watching over Sara? And maybe you, too? No, he'd never make it.

Royce: You underestimate the power of a mage, wolf. It's no wonder you can't maintain leadership of your own pack.

Chaz:  A momentary setback. I'll be taking everything in hand as soon as I figure out who set me up. And I do mean everything.

Shiarra:  I don't like that sound of that. 

____________________ 

You can learn more about Shiarra and the rest of her friends in HUNTED BY THE OTHERS (link: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=16761).  

For the next stop on the blog tour, be sure to visit the official STALKING THE OTHERS blog tour calendar (link: http://jesshaines.com/blog/2012/05/07/stalking-the-others-official-blog-tour-calendar)! 

You can also visit me on the web:

www.JessHaines.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#%21/Jess_Haines

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

Thanks again for having me and the gang over, Tori!

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Vampires, werewolves, mages–the Others are very real, and wreaking havoc in Shiarra Waynest’s life. But now, she’s returning the favor…


Once, she was one of the good guys–or as close as a New York P.I. can get. Then Shiarra Waynest was drawn into the world of the Others. Every faction has its own loyalties and agenda. And Shia’s recent betrayal by her ex-boyfriend means that she may be on the verge of becoming a rogue werewolf at the next full moon.


Of course, with all the threats against her, Shia’s not sure she’ll live long enough to find out. The enigmatic vampire Royce wants her back in his clutches, as do two powerful werewolf packs, along with the police. Instead of going into hiding, Shia is enlisting the aid of her enchanted hunter’s belt and every dirty P.I. trick she knows. If she’s going down, she’ll take out as many of her enemies as she can–and hope that in the process, she keeps whatever humanity she has left…

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Guest Post with Benedict Jacka

Good and Evil, Light and Dark

by Benedict Jacka 

            There are two main power blocs in the Alex Verus setting – Light mages and Dark mages – and the first thing to get clear is that Dark does not mean evil and Light does not mean good.  This is a very common misconception among newcomers to the magical world, so it’s worth explaining in detail. 

Of the two groups, the Light mages are the more organised.  They’re generally easier to deal with than Dark mages and they’re usually more approachable, but they’re not necessarily good people, for reasons that should be obvious.  Calling yourself a 'Light mage' doesn't make you a servant of light any more than calling yourself a 'good person' makes you a person who's good.  Even if they were originally set up as a bastion of goodness to stand against evil (which mage historians have differing opinions on), the Light faction is an organisation, not a status.  Old members leave, new members join.  Light mages have existed for thousands of years and their society has had time to evolve a very long way. 

Rather than thinking of it in terms of good vs evil, a better way to think of Light mages is in terms of order vs chaos.  The Council and Light mages as a whole stand for order.  They effectively run the magical world – there's no other body with anywhere near the combined power and influence of the Council, meaning that any kind of governmental functions fall to the Council by default.  They like things to be organised, predictable, and consistent.  The biggest reason that Light mages come into conflict with Dark mages isn’t that Dark mages are evil, it’s that they don’t follow the rules. 

Dark mages function quite differently.  They don't have a centralised organisation or a Council or any kind of administrative system.  In fact, it can be difficult to know whether someone even is a Dark mage – it's not like you can apply for a membership card (and other Dark mages wouldn't respect it if you did).  If being a Light mage is like being a citizen of a country, being a Dark mage is more like being a follower of a cause or a religion.  What makes you a Dark mage is the way you act and the ideals you believe. 

Dark mages follow a philosophy called the True Path, the True Way, or simply the Path or the Way.  The True Path holds that someone's reality is defined by their personal power and the only goal that has any long-term value is increasing that power.  Traditional morality is seen as an artificial construct:  while it can be beneficial in certain situations, it places limitations on the user's ability to pursue power and therefore has to be discarded.  If power is a virtue, the corresponding vice is weakness, and Dark mages consider voluntary weakness the one really unforgivable sin.  Anyone who turns away from power is giving control of their life to whoever is willing to pursue that power, and by doing so they prove themselves unworthy to wield it.

The last paragraph probably makes Dark mages sound pretty evil, and it’s not at all difficult to find examples who live up to the stereotype – there’s absolutely no shortage of Dark mages who are cruel, brutal, vicious, and even murderous.  However, it’s worth remembering that Dark mages don’t believe in evil for its own sake.  They believe in power, but what a Dark mage does with that power is up to them – many Dark mages support quite sympathetic causes.  Finally, Dark mages have friends and family and loved ones, just the same as everyone else.  While trusting a Dark mage is rarely a good idea, automatically assuming the worst will often lead you to the wrong conclusion. 

Spellbound Blog Tour

A Few of My Favorite Things (Then & Now)

Favorite Movies Growing Up

The Parent Trap, Labyrinth, The Never Ending Story, Secret of Nimh, The Dark Crystal, Princess Bride, Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music

Favorite Movies Now

Amelie, Braveheart, Run Lola Run, Life is Beautiful, Resident Evil, V for Vendetta, The Illusionist, Wedding Crashers, Meet the Parents, Office Space, The Wedding Singer

Books Then

Nancy Drew, The Babysitters Club, Matilda, Harriet the Spy, Howl’s Moving Castle, Les Miserables, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, the complete works of Jane Austen

Books Now

Historical romance, Memoir, Literary fiction, Narrative nonfiction, YA: Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Divergent, Hunger Games, The Infernal Devices

Music Then

Musicals, Disney soundtracks, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, 80’s all the way!

Music Now

Enigma, Sting, Chicane, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Putumayo World Music

Life’s Dream Then & Now

Be a writer

Favorite Scene from Entangled

The day Graylee Perez wakes up in her twin sister Charlene’s body. Gray has no idea she died and finds it odd when she wakes up in Charlene’s bed. Her mom is out of town and Charlene isn’t anywhere to be found so Gray goes to school.
 

Once at McKinley High, Gray is further dismayed when she finds her locker has been emptied. Things get really wacky when she goes to first period and her teacher asks her what she’s doing in his class. When he calls her Charlene she immediately corrects him. However, the information is not well received.

 

Excerpt:

Louder gasps, followed by a rush of whispers coming from all directions. It was like being sucked into the eye of a hurricane with chatter hurled and swirled all around her. Gray looked to Mr. Burke, imploring him with her eyes to make this charade end.

             
“Enough!” he shouted and the clamor stopped. Mr. Burke looked at Gray and spoke softly. “Miss Perez, please come with me.”

            
Gray stuffed her things inside her pack and vacated her desk. She was more than ready to get out of that room.

            
She joined Mr. Burke in the hallway, where he shut the classroom door behind them. Gray could practically hear the jabber begin anew the moment the door clicked in place. Hyenas. She’d like to see how her classmates handled a day in the Twilight Zone.

Download a FREE copy of Entangled on Sunday, May 27 at Amazon.
Book two, Duplicity, released this week.

And don’t miss the Cover Reveal of book three, Enchantment, at designer Najla Qamber’s review site: Unputdownable Books on June 7^th  http://unputdownablebookies.blogspot.com/

Enter below to win the SPELLBOUND SWAG PACK:
(Open Internationally)

1. Evil Eye Amulet and Bracelet: In Duplicity, Gray wears an evil eye pendant, also known as a nazar, to protect herself from a spell that’s causing havoc over the witches and warlocks in her coven. The evil eye (a Turkish amulet) is used for both luck and protection against envy.
2. Two Headed Quarter: Two Grays are better than none and two heads are better than one, especially when flipping over who gets to choose which movie to watch with a trick coin. Adrian returns in Duplicity and opens a magic shop.
3. Entangled bookmark

Extras:

Entangled book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZnDgYFCVVw

Duplicity book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCwY_Mj_Syk

Amazon buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Entangled-Spellbound-1-ebook/dp/B007BCORJK/ref=zg_bs_3017_15

(Entangled is available for ebook at amazon. It will return to Barnes & Noble and Smashwords once KDP select ends July 15, 2012.)

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Twin witches Graylee and Charlene Perez agree on one rule: No dating warlocks.

Not so easy when a certain rogue warlock is convinced he and Graylee belong together and will use anything, including magic, to try and impress Gray. When Charlene’s boyfriend dumps her, she threatens to kill either herself or the girl who stole Blake. Somehow, Gray ends up dead.

A Resurrection Spell Gone Wrong:

Two months after dying, Gray wakes up in Charlene’s body. As a witch, can anyone blame her mother for attempting to bring her daughter back to life? Only now Gray’s stuck sharing her sister’s body 50/50 in twenty-four hour shifts.

The race is on for Gray to find a way back inside her own body before Charlene purges her from existence. Raj McKenna is rumored to meddle in the black arts, not to mention he’s after Gray’s invisibility spell and worse – her heart. But Raj might be the only one powerful enough to save Gray from fading away forever.

About:

Nikki Jefford is a third generation Alaskan who found paradise in the not-so-tropical San Juan Islands where she is, once more, neighbors with Canada. She has a B.A. in journalism from the University of Alaska Anchorage and was a reporter before returning to her first love: fiction.

After a whirlwind romance in France, Nikki married Sébastien in March 2000. They reside with Cosmo the wonder Westie.

Find her at:

http://nikkijefford.com

http://twitter.com/NikkiJefford

AAD NOLA Author Spotlight: Bronwyn Green

First off, thank you so much for having me!

I can’t believe that in three ridiculously short months, I’ll actually be in New Orleans. I love history and NOLA is one of those places I’ve always wanted to go. The fact that Authors After Dark, favorite conference, is being held there is just a huge pile of whipped cream on an already freaking awesome pie.

I suppose before I get all gushy, I should introduce myself. My name is Bronwyn Green, and I write erotic romance. Mostly paranormal erotic romance, though I do have the odd contemporary or historical floating around.

My favorite characters tend to be faeries, witches, ghosts and shifters – along with the occasional time traveling knight thrown in for good measure. I love the idea of the mundane world we live in colliding with magic and the supernatural. And of course, I’m all about the hot. The hotter the better, really.

But back to NOLA, for a minute (I know, I’m like an ADHD toddler on speed some days…) I can’t wait to get out and see all the historic sites – I’m especially interested in checking out the old graveyards. And I’m dying to visit some Bourbon Street psychics. And bars. I may need them after seeing the psychics!

And I hope that all of you who are coming to AAD will come to the Resplendence Publishing Karaoke Party! We’ll not only be having a crazy good time, but will also be giving away a brand new iPad along with the winners’ choice of a pile of ebooks from all of the participating authors. We’ll also be giving away a bunch of print books and other goodies!

And as a thank you for stopping by and reading, I’m giving away (two single author) books from my backlist, so please leave your email address. And if you’re coming to AAD NOLA, please come say hi. Heck, even if you’re not, come say hi on Twitter or Facebook! I love to chat!

You can find me at:

http://bronwyngreen.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/Bronwyn_Green
http://bronwyngreenblog.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/bronwyn_green/
bronwyn@bronwyngreen.com

Author Interview: Lisa Shearin (plus giveaway!)

Please give a warm welcome to Lisa Shearin, who is stopping by Book Faery today to discuss the final book in her series, ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE!

Connect with Lisa:
{Website} {Facebook} {Twitter} {Goodreads}


Can you please describe your Raine Benares series for those unfamiliar with your work?

Raine Benares is a seeker, which is basically a detective who uses magic to find missing people and stolen objects. At the beginning of the series (MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND) she inadvertently gets herself psychically bonded to the Saghred—a stone that gives the one bonded to it unlimited power, with a side order of insanity. Not crazy like an eccentric aunt, but take-over-the-world-and-kill-millions kind of crazy.

The entire series (all six books) takes place in an approximate three-month timeframe. That’s a lot of action in very little time, but thanks to the Saghred (and the evil megalomaniacs who want the stone for their own), Raine is in a lot of trouble with very little ways out of it.

Thanks to friends and allies (both old and new), and ill-timed romantic entanglements (it ain’t easy to fight for your life and have a relationship at the same time), Raine manages to stay one step ahead of the power-hungry elves and goblin aristocrats who want the stone and its power for their own. Unfortunately Raine can’t just give it to them. Once bonded to the Saghred, you’re bonded for life. Only death can break that bond. Yours. Understandably, Raine has a problem with that last part.

ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE is the finale of the Saghred storyline. In it, Raine and a small band of good friends, not-so-good friends, and one outright enemy (don’t ask), travel to the goblin capital of Regor in order to destroy the Saghred and kill the goblin archmage who has found a way to use the stone’s power to enslave the world. While there, Raine & Company must also renegade goblin prince on the throne. Piece of cake. Not.


Was there something specific that inspired you while writing ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE? 

I love reading thrillers. The more breakneck-speed the action is, the better. Since ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE is the culmination of the previous five books, there’s plenty of action and believe me, it moves fast. In fact, all of the books in the Raine Benares series hit the ground running, and barely slow down enough to let the characters catch their breath. Yep, I’m an evil author. ; )


Who is your favorite character from this series, and why?

Hmm, that’s like trying to pick a favorite child; you love them all, but for different reasons. I have to say that my favorite characters are the ones who weren’t expected or who were supposed to have only a minor role, and who once they had arrived, grew into so much more than I could have ever expected. Tam, Phaelan, Talon, and Piaras are the best examples of this.


Is there one particular scene in ASBL that you are dying for readers to finally read?

All of them. No, really. For those who have read the entire series, each scene in ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE will have something to love, and I hope they think the ending is as satisfying as it felt to me when I wrote it.


Please describe your heroine in one to two sentences.

Raine Benares is the kind of friend you’d want to have. She’s unwaveringly loyal to her friends, unpretentious, tough yet vulnerable, sassy and irreverent, and as long as you’re anywhere near her you’ll never have a dull moment.



Giveaway

Want to win a copy of this awesome novel? Well it's your lucky day! The wonderful folks at Penguin is offering an e-book copy to one blog reader. You know what that means, right? It's open internationally!

Details:
1) Leave a comment asking Lisa a question;
2) Include your email in the comment;
3) Wait for an email from me if you've won.


Series Order:
Magic Lost, Trouble Found

Armed & Magical

The Trouble With Demons

Bewitched & Betrayed

Con & Conjure

All Spell Breaks Loose (May 29, 2012)

My name is Raine Benares—and it sucks to be me. The Saghred, a soul-stealing stone that has given me unlimited power, has been stolen by a goblin prince, and with it went my magic. The Saghred is in the goblin capital of Regor, in the hands of Sarad Nukpana, who’s on the verge of becoming the most powerful mage ever...just as soon as I’m dead.

Because Sarad can’t use the stone while I’m alive. Incentive enough to plan a little trip to Regor with a small band of good friends, not-so-good friends, and outright enemies. All we need to do is destroy the Saghred, kill Sarad, and put a renegade prince on the throne. Did I mention I’ll be doing this without magic?

Giveaway: Wrecked by Anna Davies

Thanks to the wonderful people at Simon & Schuster and Big Honcho Media, two lucky US participants will receive a copy of WRECKED by Anna Davies!

To enter, simply leave a comment with:
1) your email address
2) your answer to the following question: "What is your favorite/least favorite element of the WRECKED book cover?"

Secrets of the sea have never been sexier than this.

Ever since the death of her parents, Miranda has lived on Whym Island, taking comfort in the local folklore, which claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and in its surrounding waters. Sometimes it’s just easier to believe things are out of your control.    

But then a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, and Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy who haunts her dreams. Consumed by guilt from the accident, she finds refuge in late-night swims—and meets Christian, a boy who seems eerily familiar, but who is full of mystery: He won’t tell her where he is from, or why they can only meet at the beach. But Miranda falls for him anyway…and discovers that Christian’s secrets, though meant to protect her, may bring her nothing but harm.    

Seductive and compelling, Wrecked brings a contemporary, paranormal twist to a classic enchanting tale.

Wrecked by Anna Davies - Extended Excerpt

AAD NOLA Author Spotlight: Jae Lynne Davies

The Challenges of Writing from the Antagonist’s POV
by Jae Lynne Davies


While I wrap up final edits on Blood Moon, the second installment in my Mythic series, I’ve been doing a bit of reflecting.

I’ll begin this post by stating a hard fact: Writing a story isn’t easy. Sure we can outline to our heart’s content, but once the process begins, the creative muse might just have a few tricks up her sleeve. The story often takes a few different paths on the way to completion and there are days where creativity doesn’t flow as well as others. But what I found most exciting during my process, were the challenges I faced while writing my villains.

I enjoy villains, maybe a smidge more than the hero or heroine because of the character complexities and the fact I can make him or her as diabolical as I’d like. The canvas for my villains is clear. There are little rules or boundaries, provided the character fits the storyline, and with no rules…Game on.

Throughout the process, I explored a wicked side of life where inhibitions aren’t a factor and a conscience is practically obsolete, but not without challenges. Once you cross a line with the villain, where is the point of no return? Did I make him evil enough? These are questions I asked myself constantly throughout the story. This is where I trust the reader.

The antagonists that really heat my blood are those redeemable bad boys or the anti-hero. There’s something irresistible and incredibly sexy about bad boys who are evil for a reason, a conflict of epic proportion that can be overcome in a subsequent story with a heroine that suits him and makes him want to be a better man. But the fact remains clear that he’ll always have an edge about him, regardless of the HEA. And I’m willing to bet I’m not alone in my attraction to villains.

In my own personal writing experience, the antagonist’s passion is conveyed through a massive display of power and undeniably hot love scenes. At every turn, I’ve experienced a good amount of difficulty creating a villain who couldn’t be redeemed. I feel they all deserve a chance to be heard, for the layers to be peeled away to unveil a glorious revelation with a ‘wow’ factor that’s out of this world.

For example, in my latest novel, Blood Moon, we see vampire Dante Diakos rise to power and claim his birthright by invoking the power of the Greek pantheon on the summit of Mount Olympus. Once the ritual is complete, Dante will be the most powerful being on earth. Tunnel vision drives him to the brink of madness and while his motivation seems irrational to others, he has his reasons that lead to some of the most passionate moments I’ve ever penned.

Dante has been an absolute pleasure to write as I explore the depths of what makes the villain tick and I certainly hope to explore the matter further as my craft continues to improve and I grow as an author.

My question to all of you, is how evil do you like your villains? Do you enjoy those irreprehensible characters who deserve to be blasted into the outer reaches of the universe, never to be heard from again? Or do you prefer the redeemable bad boy with a large heart and a huge…attitude?

I want to thank the lovely, Tori for inviting me to her blog today. I had a wonderful time being here and hope to see a few of you at AAD in August. Happy Reading!


Jae Lynne Davies is a wife, mother and author who wishes there were more hours in a day to balance all three and her full-time job, but whenever she finds a spare moment, you’ll find her sitting in front of her laptop typing the next chapter! Jae Lynne currently resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her husband and two children.

To learn more about Jae Lynne and her work, please visit her website: http://www.jaelynnedavies.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Jae-Lynne-Davies/100001587731488

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JaeLynneDavies

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

Mythic is available online at: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jae+lynne+davies&sprefix=jae+lynne%2Caps%2C181

Centuries after the death of her family, human/vampire hybrid, Gianna Marino is determined to shed the blood of the vampire responsible.

Disguising herself as a human wanting to be turned, she infiltrates the enemy’s coven with the hope of bending him to her will and destroying him from the inside.

But when a handsome stranger enters the scene and is lured into their seductive game that results in a heated love triangle, she discovers a secret that blurs the lines between good and evil, forever changing the course of her existence, and destiny will soon determine on which side she’ll stand.

Giveaway

Want to win an e-book copy of Mythic? All you have to do is leave a comment answering Jae's question at the end of her guest post!

• Open internationally.
• Leave an email address so we can contact you if you win.

Giveaway: REAL VAMPIRES HATE SKINNY JEANS by Gerry Barlett

Add this book to your Goodreads Shelf.

Someone is eating for two...
Full-figured vampire Glory St. Clair thinks things are finally going her way. She's no longer possessed by a demon, the legions of hell aren't on her tail, and her love life is heating up since she managed to reconnect with her maker-and longtime lover-Jeremy Blade.
 
When a pregnant demon shows up on her doorstep, Glory knows that everything is about to go to hell. Alesa is claiming that the baby she's carrying is Rafe's, conceived while she was inhabiting Glory's body. A clever trap? Or could it be true?
 
Booties and bibs are the last thing on Glory's mind when she discovers dark secrets from her own forgotten past. Who is she? What is she? And how will the men in her life deal with the fact that she may be more powerful than she knew? One thing is certain. Glory has way more to worry about than fitting into her favorite pair of jeans...

Interested? Well, REAL VAMPIRES HATE SKINNY JEANS just came out today! So to celebrate, Penguin is offering two lucky US winners copies of this fun title.

To enter, please leave a comment below with
1) your email address
2) and answer the question: if you were a vampire, what would be your trademark outfit?

Blog Tour: Jackie Morse Kessler

It’s The End of the World As We Know It
By Jackie Morse Kessler
 

The Apocalypse…what a show! Okay, so maybe that works better with “The Inquisition” and if you’re a Mel Brooks fan. But hey, let’s hear it for books all about the end of the world and other things to do on a Thursday afternoon!

My favorite Apocalyptic book, bar none, is Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Sir Terry Pratchett. Both authors have done wonders with the character of Death in their individual works (one has her as a chipper goth gal, the other has him as a traditionally hooded/robed skeletal figure with a tendency to speak IN ALL CAPS). And working together, the two of them created what has to be one of the funniest Apocalypse stories ever.

But what Good Omens isn’t is a post-Apocalyptic book—that is, the book is all about preventing the Apocalypse. There are many, many books that come from the starting point of everything having hit the fan and most of the people in the world are dead. The “End of everything” isn’t the ending of the story, but the beginning—the Apocalypse has come and gone, and the books focus on the survivors.

I just read Jonathan Maberry’s Rot & Ruin, and I enjoyed the heck out of it. There’s the brutal Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. Of course, there’s The Walking Dead comic books (to say nothing of the AMC television show), which shows how easy it is for humans to become monsters—and that’s not even considering all the zombies. I also love Stephen King’s The Stand. Nothing like a massive book of Good versus Evil after a man-made plague has wiped out most of the world’s population. There’s also Robert McCammon’s Swan Song, which begins with the world leveled by nuclear blasts, and from there, survival hijinks ensue.

My Riders of the Apocalypse series takes a different tack from the above. The series, like Good Omens, isn’t about the upcoming End of Everything (which is always right around the corner) but more about how the protagonists, in learning to embrace themselves for who they are, stop hating themselves for who they’re not, and discover their inner strength, are able to prevent their own personal Armageddon. (Plus, there’s Death, who looks, sounds, and sings like Kurt Cobain.)

Hunger, the first book in the series, is about an anorexic teenage girl who becomes Famine, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The second book, Rage, is about a teen girl who self-injures, who becomes the avatar of War. The third book, LOSS, which just hit the shelves, is about a bullied teenage boy who is tricked into becoming Pestilence. And then there’s the fourth book, Breath, which I’m currently writing.

Don’t worry—the Apocalypse is coming. It’s just a question of whether it really is the end of everything…or the start of something new.

What are some of your favorite Apocalyptic or post-Apocalyptic stories?

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (open internationally):

LOSS by Jackie Morse Kessler comes out March 20, 2012!

One lucky commenter below will win a small cover poster of LOSS—and will be entered in the grand prize drawing! The grand prize winner will receive signed copies of HUNGER, RAGE and LOSS—and will get to name a character in BREATH, the fourth book in the Riders of the Apocalypse series. The grand prize winner will be picked on Sunday, April 1, 2012. No foolin’.

Tori's Review: Fair Game by Patricia Briggs (Plus giveaway!)

Released: March 6, 2012
Hardcover: 304 pages
Price: $26.95
Publisher: Penguin
Source: Publisher
Genre: Paranormal Romance 
Series: Alpha and Omega
Buy: Amazon



Add this book to your Goodreads shelf

They say opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant alpha. While Anna, an omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.

Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can't afford any bad publicity. Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father's dirty work is taking a toll on Charles.

Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston, when the FBI requests the pack's help on a local serial killer case. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves-all of them were. Someone is targeting their kind. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer's sights...

My Rating:

My Opinion: I love Patricia Briggs. I love her Mercy series, and I sure as hell love her Alpha and Omega series; this woman has a way with words--and a way with depicting werewolf interactions that makes me melt inside and fall back in love with the fuzzy critters all over again.

Alas, the reason I gave FAIR GAME a 4 instead of 5 star review was because the romance seemed to be lacking, and also because those very same werewolf interactions seldom happened. I will explain:

Romance: we know that Charles and Anna have overcome quite a few difficulties in both their lives and in their relationship. Nevertheless, it is quite clear--if the conflict is any indicator--that their issues have not been fully resolved. Meaning there is still plenty of room for romance, without overwhelming readers with countless scenes of fluff that just made a person want to roll his or her eyes when it gets to be overkill. I read this series because I love Briggs, her writing, and the universe, but I also read it because sometimes I want a good old romance that doesn't rely on countless sex scenes, and that truly focuses on the evolution of each character and their relationship. I was disappointed when the romance gave way to the mystery.

Werewolf interactions: this one is a bit vague, for there are plenty of werewolves, just like there are plenty of interactions. If you've read book 2 in the A&O series, then you may remember one of the first scenes with Anna as her wolf as she coaxed Charles into playing with her. It was a warm, moving scene, and truly exemplified the animalistic nature of these characters--and THAT is what made me fall in love with this series. Those sorts of heartwarming scenes.

Maybe it's just me; I don't know. Aside from those two complaints, this is your typical kick ass, mysterious Briggs novel and one that you obviously need to read. Characterization is spot on, as per usual. The mystery, which I loved, don't get me wrong, was equally mysterious. While I wish it did not overshadow the romance at times, there's not much I can do about that, and it was a wonderfully written book, so read it!


Series Order:
0.5 On the Prowl (anthology)
1. Cry Wolf
2. Hunting Ground
3. Fair Game





Do you live in the US?
Would you like to read ON THE PROWL?

One lucky US winner will receive a signed copy courtesy of Penguin. All you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter form below :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway