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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Cover Reveals from author Liesel Hill

Synopsis: In the most dangerous city in the country, one controlled by a sadistic gang called the Sons of Ares, Kyra Roberts is searching the deep places for someone…

Kyra has come to Abstreuse city to find someone she’s lost, but walking the underbelly—a dark alley system residents call the Slip Mire—even in disguise, is rife with dangers. Kyra must stay on her toes if she intends to live. After crossing paths several times with the same detective, she wonders if his work and hers might be connected.

Gabe Nichols has worked homicide in Abstreuse for three years. Dead prostitutes and gang violence are part of the night shift. When a woman who looks like a street junkie but acts like an intellectual saves his life, he’s intrigued. Another woman shows up at his crime scene, and Gabe’s instincts kick into high gear when she clams up. Two cases involving strange women who won’t tell what they know are too coincidental.

If Gabe and Kyra can’t find a way to collaborate, they may not live to see the sunrise. Doomed, like so many others, to become gray, unmarked graves in a forgotten fracture of the Slip Mire.
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Synopsis: Five months after traveling to a post-apocalyptic future where collectives reign supreme and individuals have been hunted to the verge of extinction, Maggie Harper was returned to her own time until the threat to her life could be neutralized. She thought Marcus and the others would return for her within a few weeks, and now she’s beginning to worry. 

When travelers from the future finally show up to collect her, it’s not who she expected. With the return of her memories, she wants more than ever to see Marcus again, but a snake-like woman whose abilities are a perfect match for Maggie’s, an injured Traveler, and decades of civil unrest to wade through all stand in the way of their reunion.

Meanwhile, Marcus and Karl traipse through the countryside, trying to neutralize Colin, who’s promised to brutalize and murder Maggie if he can get his hands on her. When a collective woman is left for dead, Marcus heals her, hoping she’ll be the key to killing Colin and bringing Maggie back. But she may prove as much a hindrance as a help.

The team struggles to get their bearings, but things happen faster than they know. The collectives are coalescing, power is shifting, and the one called B is putting sinister plans into action. If the team can’t reunite and get a handle on the situation, their freedom and individuality—perhaps their very identity—will be ripped away before they can catch their breath.
Check out this book on GoodReads

Friday, August 23, 2013

Blog Tour Stop: Corr Syl The Warrior



Book Synopsis
The adventure takes place on an Earth on which intelligence evolved long before humans appeared.  When conflict flares between humans and the ancient multi-species Tsaeb civilization, the Tsaeb send a young warrior named Corr Syl to investigate and recommend a response. 
To this point in his life, Corr Syl's only responsibility has been to obey his parents and his warrior trainer.  But now he is becoming interested in the beautiful but aloof Rhya Bright, and he is getting assignments form his local district council.  When he begins to investigate the human conflict, he learns that spies have infiltrated his district, and he realizes that many lives are in danger.  He catches a glimpse of something truly evil, and with no time to spare, recommends a plan that will end the immediate dangers, but that might start a war.
The district council sends Rhya Bright with Corr.  Corr and Rhya work together on the plan and become very close.  When the Tsaeb apply the plan, they trigger a simmering hatred that unleashes a massive global strike against the Tsaeb.

Author Bio
Dr. Garry Rogers (website) has a PhD in Physical Geography.  He taught university courses in climatology, ecology, environmental science, geomorphology, and soils, and conducted research on landscape change in the deserts of the western U. S. and on the Atlantic coastal plain.  His books, articles, and blog posts focus on environmental problems.  Nature conservation is the underlying theme for his debut novel, "Corr Syl the Warrior."

A review:

"A beautifully written YA novel that will captivate environmentalists and sci-fi fans of all ages."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/garry-rogers/the-warrior-corr-syl/





Purchase links:
·      Amazon
·      Barnes & Noble
·      Local Bookseller

Links:

Guest Post:



 Stories Told by the Leading Character, #Corr Syl, #Writing
By Garry Rogers
Revised:  July 19, 2013
The protagonist in a novel often imagines or recalls events that are not part of the main story.  Nesting small stories within a story is a common literary device sometimes referred to as mise en abyme.  An article in Wikipedia discusses the many types of nested stories.  Here I am referring to stories narrated by a protagonist and nested well with a main story.  
Nesting self-contained stories within a larger narrative is probably as old a technique as story telling itself.  The storyteller often draws the story from a remembered experience, but sometimes tells a fictional story heard or invented.  A nested story may make up the bulk of a chapter; it can even stand alone, seemingly unrelated to the main story.  Steinbeck uses the latter in his depiction of the two boys in Chapter 26 in Cannery Row.  
Some books are composed entirely of stand-alone stories framed by a unifying plot.  Canterbury Tales and One Thousand and One Nights are examples.  Collections of children's stories such as Winnie the Pooh are similar, but repeating characters, not the plot unite them.  One of my projects is a collection of children's stories united by a single character whose excesses of ego and poor judgment, creates circumstances that form the plot for each story.  
Nested stories serve many purposes.  Steinbeck used them to give views of his theme.  The stories can also show character motivations and they can reveal details of history and background for the main story.  Thus, they can support the reality of the main story.  
Click here (and click the excerpt link on the next page) for an example of a nested story told by Corr Syl, the protagonist in the novel Corr Syl the Warrior.  The proofing marks are Corr's.  They were included to show the poor rabbit's confusion over Rhya Bright.  The story serves to elaborate on the background of the protagonist's culture and his occupation, and it foreshadows a tragic scene involving the protagonist and a childhood friend.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Spotlight: The Other Side of the Frame

Check out this epic YA fantasy called The Other Side of the Frame, by new author, Neil Gershon. 

Here's a brief synopsis:
"Sami’s ordinary evening takes an extraordinary turn when after opening a mysterious box, she is suddenly sucked into a large frame and dropped in an isolated field.  Relying on confusing clues and objects that have unique powers, Sami’s confidence in finding her way back home is shattered when she discovers she has been transported to 1864.  Meanwhile, Jeb begins his own challenging journey home, where he is guided by mysterious events, maps that seem to foretell the future and strangers who are inexplicably overeager to help.  When the journeys of Sami and Jeb converge, Sami comes to realize there is a path home, but only if she can decipher further clues and properly balance her own instincts against the advice of Jeb’s family and the guidance of a horse that appears more intelligent than the people around her."


Neil welcomes all types of feedback/questions and can be contacted via email at othersideofframe@gmail.com

Monday, August 19, 2013

Blog Tour Stop: Hyde




Hyde, Dark Musicals Book #3



Rebecca Hope has looked death in the face twice and lived to tell her tale.
 
She and the love of her life, Justyn Patko, land a summer internship at a local dinner theater, performing the musical Hyde. While they are excited about their first paid acting gig, they soon find themselves surrounded by more experienced cast mates, jealous of their success. As if the tension isn’t bad enough, they soon discover that the business might be a front for something much more sinister.

When Justyn is accused of a crime that she knows he would never commit, Rebecca must decide if she wants to follow her head or her heart. While trying to prove his innocence, she makes a shocking discovery of her own.

Everyone has something to conceal in the grand finale of the Dark Musicals Trilogy. Rebecca has to look beyond the façade to discover the true Hyde or face her final curtain call.



Excerpt: 

The act ended with Hyde grabbing hold of a scantily dressed Lucy and pulling her into his arms. Then the lights on the stage were extinguished, and the silent crowd suddenly burst into thunderous applause—even some of the cast was clapping. Rebecca couldn’t help but notice Steve was watching the fanfare with a frown, especially when Fernando, dressed for the next scene as the butler, clapped Justyn on the back with undisguised approval and pride. Rebecca had the distinct feeling Steve was plotting something sinister and definitely Hyde-worthy.

From that point on, Justyn scarcely had a moment out of the spotlight. Rebecca didn’t even get a chance to tell him how fabulous he was. It felt as though the show had only begun when Rebecca found herself decked out in the splendid Victorian wedding gown signaling the final act was about to begin. The dress came complete with realistic bell sleeves, an excessive bustle, and a long, flowing trail embroidered with delicate lace. The elaborate wardrobes and happy wedding guests gave the audience the illusion that it might be a happy ending after all, but for Dr. Jekyll and Emma, that wasn’t meant to be. As soon as the reverend began to recite the vows, Hyde made his final deadly appearance.

At the beginning of the scene, it was sweet and romantic. Justyn started out holding her hand, looking happy, almost ecstatic to be with his true love. Then he suddenly started to sway. Tom, in his role of John, the best man, tried to steady him, but there wasn’t anything he could do to stop the transformation. Dr. Jekyll doubles over in agony and tries to run before Emma can see him change into a monster. Justyn was supposed to head toward the back of the stage where Rebecca would pursue him and eventually become Hyde’s captive. But they should have known no opening night could ever go exactly as planned, especially when it was obvious at least half the cast was out to get them.

Just as Justyn stumbled across the stage, Steve, who was blending in with the other guests on the sidelines, stuck out his foot. It was doubtful anyone else observed the sabotage, aside from Petya, who was smirking at her husband’s side. But Rebecca was at the perfect vantage point to see the intentional attack. Unfortunately, Justyn was so wrapped up in the role he didn’t notice the danger, especially since his loose hair was dangling in front of his eyes. Before Rebecca could cry out a warning, Justyn’s foot was caught in the snare. With a grunt, he tumbled off the side of the stage. Even over the background music and the gasps from the audience, Rebecca heard the loud thump as he hit the ground. She raised her hands to her mouth and couldn’t help but scream.




Buy Links:    
Amazon      Smashwords    Barnes &Noble



Phantom, Dark Musicals Book #1


The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.


Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.

Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.

Buy Links: Amazon    Smashwords     Barnes & Noble




Demon, Dark Musicals Book #2

When Justyn and Rebecca set off for the New York School of Performing Arts, they think their dreams are about to come true. To their dismay, they aren’t in high school anymore, and the competition is steep. Rebecca must compete against accomplished singers for a role in the production of Demon Barber, including a stunning Gothic diva with her sights set on Justyn.


It doesn't help that things keep disappearing from their apartment or that Rebecca's father refuses to accept that Justyn is an essential part of her life. Yet, all this seems minimal in comparison to the serial rapist terrorizing the campus.

Consumed by fear and obsessed with revenge, Rebecca and Justyn start living the story of Sweeney Todd—both on and off the stage.


 Buy Links: Amazon    Smashwords   Barnes & Noble 


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 editor 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.  Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player, and Demon.



Author Links:  Website      Facebook      Twitter     Goodreads  



Giveaway:
Laura is giving away a signed copy of Phantom, Geode, Incense, sterling silver pentacle charm, natural stone pendant, crystal point, and Lavender Purification Bath Salts. 
 







This is for US residents only!





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Thursday, August 15, 2013

Giveaway! ARC of Wait for You

I recently reviewed Wait for You and now I am giving away my ARC! I really enjoyed this read and hope one lucky person will too!




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Synopsis:

Some things are worth waiting for…

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing…

Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet…

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for…