Sorcha O'Dowd's Blog, page 53
January 23, 2014
Blog Tour ~ ‘Indigo Incite� by Jacinda Buchmann.
Indigo IncitebyJacinda Buchmann
(Indigo Trilogy #1)
Publication date: September 7th, 2013
Genres:Paranormal,Young Adult
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SYNOPSIS
There are no secrets
Sixteen-year-old Tyler believed that his extra-sensory powers were asecret, but when his twin brother, Toby, is kidnapped by a covertgovernment agency, he realizes that he has no secrets, and he hasnowhere to hide.
He’s not alone
Now, in order to save himself and rescue his brother, Tyler must callupon the help of four strangers. Unknown to each other, Eddie, Liliana,Grace, and Sarah share a common bond. They are Indigo Children. Withextra-sensory powers of their own, they must unite with Tyler in orderto maintain their freedom.
Unexpected romance
They’re on the run. They’re on a mission. Romance is a distractionthat Tyler can’t afford. But sometimes, the heart has a mind of its own.
Time is running out.
Will they find Toby before the agency finds them first? Find out in Indigo Incite, Book One of the Indigo Trilogy.
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‘Indigo Incite� Book Trailer
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I always love fantasy books that have a basis in real life issues and scientific mysteries that are arising in our own generation.
‘Indigo Incite’� has am almost modern-day dystopian feel to its style, with the corrupt government using their power to collect talented individuals whose powers they use for their own gain.
I absolutely adored ‘Indigo Incite�, and all of the characters that I was introduced to throughout the story. I loved feeling sceptical of who to trust when it came to looking out for the fivesome as they journeyed their way to find Tyler’s brother. I really liked how realistic the characyers were, and that the world didn’t just stop so they could go on their adventure. They had to work around their daily responsibilities, and especially hard for the younger members of the group, they had to find a way to escape for a few days without their parents or guardians knowing.
The reminder that money was short and that using mobile phones could lead to them being tracked gave a stark realisation that trying to hide and keep yourself safe in the modern world can be an extremely hard and dangerous job. Having Eddie and Sarah as slightly older and more mature characters made the book relatable to a wide range of readers, with the younger members giving some sweet light relief as we see their minds being often occupied with teenage matters such as romance, as well as making the novel very original in its main characters being so very different and yet all having a great power in common.
I loved the relationshios that were formed between the gamg and especially Eddie’s conflicted feelings for Sarah and Grace. It’s so rare in a book that I feel sympathetic fora character who has feelings for a married woman, but Eddie was so genuine a guy that I knew he would never let his feelings be a burden for her.
I also squealed in excitement at the idea of Indigo Children. When I was studying Psychology at University, I was always intrigued by the idea of Indigo Children, especially when working with children on the Autistic spectrum. I really admire how Jacinda Buchmann created this other, unseen, part of the world and made it seem not only realistic but also food for thought that maybe science is discovering something aboutIndigo Children, and at what lengths certain organisations would go to harness this little known about power for their own gain. I also liked how obviously well researched this novel was in the psychological side, with a young boy with Autism showing similar powers, particularly as Autistic savants were what first brought the idea of Indigo Children to the table.
Sorry for that Psychological splurge there…I will get back to the story�
Sarah’s character and her relationship with the ex-tracker was beautifully done. I loved his protective side and how he found his new calling to protect her unborn child after living in exile for the past few years. I liked the hints of romance between many of the characters and am excited to see which of these will grow further in the rest of the series.
An action-packed, thoughtful and beautifully heartwarming read, as a wonderful group of characters come together to help Tyler find his brother, and to protect themselves and other like them from being used against their will.
5 Stars!
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Tour wide giveaway
Open Internationally!
Enter below for the chance to win an Amaxon Gift Card and a Signed Copy of Indigo Incite!
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Jacinda Buchmann
Jacinda Buchmann lives in Arizona with her husband and three children.She graduated from Carroll College, in Helena, Montana, with a B.A.inelementary education and later received a Master’s degree from NorthernArizona University, in school counseling. After spending severalyearsas a teacher and later a school counselor, she now spends her timewriting, any free chance she can get, that is, when she’s not spendingtime with her family or creating a new concoction in the kitchen.
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Tour hosted by ‘Xpresso Book Tours�. Click the banner above to follow the Indigo Incite Blog Tour!
January 22, 2014
Blog Tour ~ ‘Escape From Eden� by Elisa Nader.
Escape from EdenbyElisa Nader
Publication date: August 18th 2013
Genres:Thriller,Young Adult
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SYNOPSIS
Since the age of ten, Mia has lived under the iron fist of thefundamentalist preacher who lured her mother away to join his fanaticalfamily offollowers. In Edenton, a supposed “Garden of Eden� deep in theSouth American jungle, everyone follows the Reverend’s strict butarbitraryrules—even the mandate of whom they can marry. Now sixteen,Mia dreams of slipping away from the armed guards who keep the faithfulin,and the curious out. When the rebellious and sexy Gabriel, a newboy, arrives with his family, Mia sees a chance to escape.
But the scandalous secrets the two discover beyond the compound’sfaçade are more shocking than anything they ever imagined. WhileGabrielhas his own terrible secrets, he and Mia bond together, more thanfriends and freedom fighters. But is there time to think of each otheras they race to stop the Reverend’s paranoid plan to free his flock fromthe corrupt world? Can two teenagers crush a criminal mastermind? Andwho will die in the fight to save the ones they love from a madman who’sonly concerned about his own secrets?
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‘Escape from Eden� is currently at a promo price of $1.99 onuntil the 31st January. Grab it now!
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Book Review ~ ‘Escape From Eden� by Elisa Nader ~ 5 Stars
You know those books that you don’t just read but experience right alongside the main characters? Like the great Harry Potter series, this book is up there with the best. I felt every single emotion that these characters must have felt, felt the hairs on my arms stand up on end, and admired the determined strength that Mia had throughout the novel, the faith that she had in humanity despite all that she had witnessed in her life, and her hope for a future for not just herself but for her friends and family.
The concept of this book intrigued me as soon as I read the blurb, and I knew immediately that this was going to be one of those storylines that if executed properly, would blow me away. And oh did it blow me away. ‘Escape from Eden� to me had a hint of dystopian witch-trials to it. I held the same shock and fear within me as I read this book as I have when I read ‘Witch Child� by Celia Rees and ‘The Crucible� by Arthur Miller. The creation of the fanatical preacher and what the power of words can cause his followers to do in his name was chilling. I had my hand to my mouth in shock and fear when the preaching began to take a deadly turn after a refreshment break during the preacher’s ‘Bright Night�. Nothing I can say will do this chapter justice, so I just had to use this passage to show how chilling this story is!
“Now,� said the Reverend. He stood then, folding his hands behind him. He began to pace. “Tonight, I’ve orchestrated the ultimate lesson on greed.� All movement ceased. Only wide-eyed gazes shifted to follow the Reverend walk back and forth along the edge of the stage. Silence reigned. He smiled out over us. “Those of you who ate one cookie will be fine.� I shot a confused look at Juanita. She shrugged.
“Those who ate two cookies will experience a little stomach trouble, nothing more.� Around the pavilion hands went involuntarily to abdomens. My own stomach, even though I hadn’t eaten any cookies, roiled. My palms began to sweat. I rubbed them against my skirt. “Those who ate three will spend the rest of the night vomiting.� Panic stabbed me. A round of gasps swept across the Flock. “And those who ate four or more?� He paused, scrutinizing us as we sat staring up at him, dumbfounded. “Will be dead before sunrise.�
Absolutely chill inducing, right?
The introduction of Gabriel’s character was a lifeline to myself and to main character Mia. I felt as helpless reading the book as Mia must have felt at knowing her chances at escape were low. The relationship that forged between Mia and Gabriel was beautiful, fun and at times heartbreaking. I loved that despite the years of tyrannical preaching that Mia had been subjected to, she still felt human emotions that at times almost overwhelmed her. I loved that Mia felt jealousy when she saw Gabriel with her best friend, and the kindness with which he treated her.
The mystery behind the creation and goings on in Eden was paced perfectly. At first you feel for Mia when you realise that she feels trapped in this society that she never chose to be a part of, and then gradually as the deeds of the preacher and his followers become more and more dark, you begin to wildly guess at what the ulterior motives of the characters are. I really liked how well-rounded all the characters were, especially the secondary characters like Grizz who I grew to love despite his dedication to the preachers cause. I liked that he felt conflicted at some of his orders, and that he always showed some kind of emotion. The scenes that he had with Gabriel, whilst mostly being in the way to punish Gabriel for his troublemaking behaviour, gave some light relief and also gave me hope that Gabriel would be his saviour if the occasion arose that he needed it at the end of the story.
The action scenes were written to perfection, and I was on the edge of my seat as I waited to see what the fate of these characters I had grown to love so much would be. The way that a whole community turned against each other due to the power of one man was frightening.
Overall, this was a fantastic, scary, chilling, mind-blowing and all round brilliant story. This is one of those books that reminds me of why I love reading so much!
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Enter below for the chance to win some great prizes!
(US Only)
Prizes:
-Signed copy of ESCAPE FROM EDEN
-Silver Dogtag Necklace
-Green Snakeskin Pop Phone headset for for Mobiles
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Elisa Nader
Hi. I’m Elisa. I like cheese and reading and TV show marathons. Writingis scary, but not as scary as, say, Civil War amputations. I’m anAquarius. Uh� let’s see� I’m not very good at writing my own biography.Or autobiography. I guess this is reading more like a slightlyincoherent personal ad.
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The ‘Escape From Eden� Blog Tour was hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. Click the banner above to follow the tour!
January 21, 2014
Book Blitz ~ ‘Weak For Him� by Lyra Parish.
Weak for HimbyLyra Parish
(Weakness #1)
Publication date:January 15th 2014
Genres:Contemporary,New Adult,Romance
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SYNOPSIS
Weak for him is a New Adult read with sexual content.
“Have you heard the saying, ‘sex sells�? Well, I’m the supplier.�
Finnley Felton sells sex.
Jennifer Downs is a virgin.
With the help of lady luck, the two meet.
Money. Bright lights. Sex.
Jennifer is made an offer: sell her virginity to the highest bidderand transform into one of Finnley’s girls. But she finds herself weakfor him, and doesn’t fully realize what she’s agreed to until it’s toolate.
Will she rise to the challenge and play by the rules in a land wheremoney is king and love is prohibited? Or will she lose herself andvalues in the attempt?
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Mr. Felton stood facing the windows in a neatly pressed suit. The black tie complemented the black suit, designer from head to toe. His green eyes met my brown gaze, and I smiled, but only received the ghost of one in return.
Once the secretary left us, I searched the room, trying to take in every little detail: abstract art on the wall, a conference table in the back, and a lounge area in the middle. The afternoon light cast a yellow glow in the room. A large oak desk, which screamed business executive, had two chairs tucked in front. The room looked comfortable, welcoming, but also professional.
The red velvet curtains that overlooked the atrium were jerked closed.
“Hi, Finnley. Thank y—�
“It’s Mr. Felton.�
My face flushed. How could I be so inconsiderate and unprofessional?
I immediately felt stupid.
�Mr. Felton. Thank you for allowing me to interview. I’ve brought my resume and a list of recommendations. I’d love to join your accounting team if you’d allow me.�
I outstretched my hand and he left me standing there, awkwardly. The smile faded from my face as he leaned against the wooden desk with his arms crossed.
“Take off your clothes.� His voice was low and silky.
“Excuse me?� The words hit me like cool water.
I don’t think so, asshole.
“The interview has begun, Ms. Downs. If you’d like to join my team, you will do what I say and if you’d prefer not, you are more than welcome to turn around and walk that tight ass through the door, and we can pretend as if this never happened.�
The fierce tone behind his English accent made me cower. I froze as I calculated my next move.
What the fuck?
The way he looked at me, exploring my body as if he were undressing me, made my stomach flip. No one had ever observed me that way. With a sprinkle of courage, I searched the blank matter-of-fact expression that covered his face. This man was all business.
As his long eyelashes hit the tops of his slightly sun-kissed cheeks, I closed my eyes to regroup my thoughts, then opened them quickly. I couldn’t let my nerves get the best of me. He moved his messy hair behind his ears, and then sat on the desk, waiting, wanting, daring me to make my move.
“Have you decided? Or are we going to waste the good portion of my time daydreaming?�
I swallowed.
All I ever wanted to do was live in Vegas among the lights and fast-paced city. How did I get myself into this? Take off my clothes? I wasn’t some cheap whore to be bossed around. The thought of undressing in front of him disgusted me� or did it?
My heart sped as he watched with a lust and want so fierce I shivered. It was now or never, you only live once, right?
I peered behind him and stared at the Vegas strip in the distance. With perfect plump lips, and straight white teeth, Mr. Felton smiled at me. In that very moment, I decided to gamble. I didn’t know why because I wasn’t much for risks. If anyone was a play-it-safe type of girl, it was me. But in that moment, I wanted to be someone different. I wanted to know the outcome of what waited on the other side. I played with lady luck to see what hand she dealt. Maybe I would get lucky.
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Interview with Author Lyra Parish
Can you sum up Weak for Him in 25 words or less?
Oh wow. That’s a hard one. Ummm�
Virgin goes to Vegas after her parents death and learns how to live in a world where love is forbidden and money is king.
How did the idea for Weak for Him?
I was driving home listening to NPR and this story came on about a lady who sold her virginity on eBay for 750k. I was intrigued and thought to my self, “self, that would make an amazing story� �.but it was right around the time when I strived to be a YA author, so I ditched the idea and moved on. After a year, several failed attempts of writing not so great stories that were never published�. I started Weak for Him. In May 2013, I started drafting and had my synopsis written and placed that baby on ŷ in June. Five months later the story was finished. Weak for Him spoke to me, very loudly, and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to write anything else until this one was complete.
If you could compare your novel to another, what would it be?
Actually, I’m not sure. I don’t read in the genre� I know, gasp! I do purchase a lot of novels that are in the genre, that are still on my to-read list, but I just haven’t had a chance to lose myself in them yet. I guess my readers will have to do that for me! It’s kind of a good thing though because that means others words and thoughts aren’t seeping into my own. I was really unsure when I decided to write this because I knew either I would have an original story, or one that was so horrible that people would laugh at me. I’d like to think it was the first.
Would you do what Jennifer did?
A part of me really really wants to say yes, but it would be a lie. I’m somewhat old fashioned in a sense and think that it should be special (Not that it is NOT in Weak for Him, but you know what I mean). Maybe if I were in her exact situation with a hot young corporate big-wig offering me a job at a call high-end call service, I would consider it but cool skankalicious things like that don’t really happen to me.
If you could have any actors play your leads, who would they be?
Jennifer � Megan Fox
Abbie � Billie Piper
Lori � Emma Stone
Jesse � Rachel McAdams
Finnley � Alex Pettyfer
Luke � Henry Clavill
I actually have a for this very thing!
Can you name one song that would sum up your characters?
Jennifer � Don’t Call It Love by Eliza Doolittle
Finnley � Dark Paradise by Lana Del Ray
Luke � Fix the World Up for You by James Morrison
If you want to hear the Weak for Him soundtrack, check out the playlist I created on .
What do you want your readers to get from your novel?
I hope most people think it’s a fun, sexy story that keeps them on the edge. Maybe the moral would be: Bad things happen but it’s important to stay strong and keep going because sometimes Lady Luck really is on our side. #yolo
One quote that sums up Weak for Him:�
I would have to say the quote at the beginning of the novel.
To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist. � Oscar Wilde
The question that everyone keeps asking is when will Weak Without Him (Book #2) be released?
I have some fans and advanced reviewers that wanted it before book 1 was released, but I can tell you that it won’t be long. My goal is to have it out before Summer. If I pimp slap my personal deadlines, it could be as early as April, but if not, for sure May 13. I can tell you this, all of my books will always release on the 13th (hence the early release of Weak for Him) because it’s my lucky number.
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Enter below for the chance to win!
Prizes: -(2) swag packs(magnet, bookmark, signed card,
$5 amazon giftcard, and other swag items)
-(1) $25 giftcard to amazon.
Paste this code in your post’s HTML to share the grand prize giveaway:
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Lyra Parish
Lyra Parish loves to write, travel, and sing obnoxiously loud at the top of her lungs in the shower. Sweet love stories (along with the dirtyones) make her gush.
She is a firm believer that a person can never have too many cats, cups of coffee, or read to many happily ever after’s. When she isn’t busywriting, she can be found sipping various beverages from her non-alcoholic drink buffet, pimp slapping excel spreadsheets, or riding herbike.
Weak for Him (Weakness #1) is Lyra’s debut novel. Weak Without Him (Weakness #2) will release Spring 2014. Lyra currently resides inTexas with her husband and black cat.
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Book Blitz hosted by Xpresso Book Tours.
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January 20, 2014
Blog Tour ~ ‘Ratgirl: Song of the Viper� by Gayle C. Krause.
RATGIRL: Song of the ViperbyGayle C. Krause
Publication date: January, 2014
Genres:Dystopia,Young Adult
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SYNOPSIS
Sixteen-year-old streetwise orphan, Jax Stone is an expert at survivingin a dangerous city, where rats rival the homeless for food and shelter,but she’s an amateur at fighting the immoral mayor when he kidnaps herlittle brother. Desperation demands she quickly master the role ofcourageous opponent. She uses her hypnotic singing voice to lead rats totheir death, and all the children to safety, in a dying city cursed bythedeadly sun.
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Book Review ~ ‘Ratgirl: Song of the Viper� by Gayle C. Krause.
My first forage into the dystopian world of storytelling was with ‘The Hunger Games�. Being so in love with that story, I’d been reluctant to revisit the dystopian genre for fear that I would be disappointed, but from the minute I started reading ‘Ratgirl�, I knew that I would love the story and would feel the flame return for dystopian storytelling.
‘Ratgirl� was a brilliant depiction of future society. The author had cleverly combined a number of real-life issues and examined how these issues would have grown in the future. She created a brilliant setting of underground city dwellers who could only exit at night due to the dangerous heat and radiation given off by the Sun. The topic of rats was also a brilliant concoction as it shows a more fearful view of the future where humans are no longer top of the food chain and all powerful, but instead on the same level as rats with whom they have to compete with for food and survival.
My love for this book was further intensified by the arrival of some amazing characters whom I fell in love with and rooted for from the get go. Jax was a no-nonsense yet likeable role model, whose bravery and dedication to her younger brother was admirable and had me supporting her every step of her journey. Colt was also a lovely dishy hero who I drooled over from the start. His mission to protect the less fortunate had him adopting the future vision of Robin Hood, and makes a brilliant parallel to the past and present of today, and how today’s legends can still be known in the future.
My favourite character however was Alder. I absolutely adored his loveable nature and admired everything he did for those he loved. Although I loved Rafe, a sewer-dweller and bad boy with a heart of gold, and loved the sincerity of his love for Astoria and the protective nature he had for his friends, I really connected to Alder and Astoria’s story of forbidden love. At times I was laughing when Rage snubbed Alder only to receive no response because all of Alder’s attention and worry was fixed firmly on Astoria.
The storyline regarding the corrupt leader was brilliantly written, and to discover that his kryptonite of his flesh-and-blood children was so difficult for him to find for himself due to his own malicious actions of making women infertile and therefore unable to bear his child.
The action scenes were suspenseful and heart-pounding. I loved the Jax’s originality when it came to her plots and plans, but will these be enough to thwart or fool the evil dictator who holds both Jax’s life and all those she holds dear in his power. You’ll have to read to find out!
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Tour Wide Giveaway
Enter below for the chance to win a Kindle!
Giveaway is open Internationally!
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Gayle C. Krause
Gayle C. Krause is a member of SCBWI, YALITCHAT and The Cliffhouse YAWonderwriters.She writes across the genres. Her first publicationcredit was a short story in Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul 2 (2006).The Storyteller’s Daughter, her YA historical short story, was featuredinTimeless, A YA Historical Romance anthology from Pugalicious Press(2012).Her new YA novel, RATGIRL: Song of the Viper was published inFebruary 2013 (Noble Young Adult).
During the course of her writing career Ms. Krause has served asassistant editor for Underneath the Juniper Tree, a dark fantasy onlinemagazine developed for young teens, a children’s book reviewer forChildren’s Literature .com and she offers a critique service forchildren’swriters at First Peek Critique. ()
She also runs a blog that encourages new children’s writers throughcontests, book reviews and author interviews..
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Tour organized by ‘Xpresso Book Tours�. Click the banner above to follow the tour!
January 18, 2014
Book Blitz ~ ‘The Appeal of Evil� by Pembroke Sinclair.
The Appeal of EvilbyPembroke Sinclair
Publication date: January 17th, 2014
Genres:Paranormal,Romance,Young Adult
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SYNOPSIS
Katie wants to invest her heart and soul in love, but she may lose both to Hell.
Katie, a senior in high school, is torn between loving the “good”guy, her childhood friend Wes who makes promises he doesn’t keep andabandons her when she needs him the most, and the “bad� guy, the new kidat school Josh who is also a real demon from Hell. Katie wantssomeonewho pays attention to her and puts her first, but what is she willing togive up to find him?
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Enter below for the chance to win a print copy of ‘The Appeal of Evil�
(US Only)
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Interview with Author Pembroke Sinclair.
1. What inspired you to write your first book?
I started the story (Coming from Nowhere) in high school, and it was a competition between me and a few other girls on the swim team. Our teammates were supposed to be the judges, but no one finished their stories. I think I may have been the only one to revisit and rewrite it years later.
2. Writing can be a difficult job, what inspires you to keep going?
Compulsion. If I don’t write, it makes me crabby. It’s a stress release for me. Plus, the voices in my head get very insistent.
3. What are you working on now? What’s next?
Currently, I am working on a nonfiction book about zombies. Next will be the sequel to The Appeal of Evil.
4. What’s your writing process, schedule, or routine?
I squeeze it in whenever I can. With a full-time job and a family, time is a luxury I don’t have, but I try to write whenever I find a spare moment.
5. Who is your favorite book character of all time? Why?
If you’re talking about a book I wrote, it would have to be Krista from my undead books (Life after the Undead and Death to the Undead). She is tough and witty, yet still full of issues.
If you’re talking about a book I’ve read, I can’t really say. Over the years, so many characters have intrigued me, and not one of them really stands out in my mind.
6. What advice would give to aspiring writers?
Be persistent and patient. Publishing is a rough world filled with “Nos.”� But it only takes one yes to make everything all right!
7. What’s your favorite quote?
“Do. Or do not. There is no try.”� From the wise and wonderful Yoda. It can be applied to any aspect of life, and it’s very true.
8. Who would you most like to have a cup of coffee with? (Dead or alive)
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The person who is going to make sure my books are seen by everyone in the world. I’m sure we’ll need to come up with a marketing plan.
9. What is your biggest pet peeve?
When people don’t respond to emails. That drives me insane! Especially if it’s the only way you have to communicate with them.
10. Tell us something quirky about you.
Orange pop is my weakness.
11. Favorite comfort food?
Anything with cinnamon and no nuts in it.
12. Star Wars or Star Trek?
Star Wars, although I enjoy Star Trek too.
13. Sunrises or Sunsets?
Both.
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Pembroke Sinclair
I have had several shortstories, novels, and novellas published.My story, “Sohei,� was namedone of the Best Stories of 2008 by The CynicOnline Magazine.I havenovellas and a short story collection available from Musa Publishing andeTreasures Publishing.I have a novella, TheHistory of My Wishes,published by MuseItUp Publishing.My novels, Coming from Nowhere(adult, sci fi), Life After the Undead (YA, horror), andDeath to theUndead (YA, sequel to Life After the Undead) are available fromeTreasures Publishing.Life After the Undead was a Top TenFinisher inthe Preditors and Editors Reader’s Poll in the YA category and the coverart category.
In April, I have a middle grade novel called TheIfs coming out, which will be published by Little Devil Books.I alsohave two picture books thatwill be available from eTreasuresPublishing.All of the children’s titles are written under the pen nameJ.D. Pooker.Under Pembroke Sinclair, Ialso have an adult urbanfantasy novel entitled Wucaii that will be published by MuseItUpPublishing.
Under my real name, Jessica Robinson, from March 2008to January 2011, I wrote scientific articles for WesternFarmer-Stockman.I have anonfiction book, Life Lessons from SlasherFilms, published in July 2012 from Scarecrow Publishing (an imprint ofRowman and Littlefield).
I have my Master’s in English, and I am afreelance content editor for Musa Publishing, as well as a formercontent and line editor for eTreasuresPublishing.
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Book Blitz hosted by Xpresso Book Tours.
January 17, 2014
Cover Reveal ~ ‘Picture Perfect� by Elisabeth Grace.
Picture PerfectbyElisabeth Grace
(Limelight #2)
Publication date: March 2014
Genres:Contemporary,New Adult,Romance
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SYNOPSIS
Being the daughter of a big-city mayor, twenty-one year old SkyeSummers has giant shoes to fill in her first real job out of college.With thepublic spotlight on her family, and her dad’s expectationsrunning high, she jumps at the chance to work side-by-side on animportant projectwith her sexy new boss.
Playboy entrepreneur Landon Steele has built a successful PR firm andbroken more than a few hearts along the way. He’s counting on hisenthusiastic new assistant to help him expand his business into LA…until he discovers she’s a pampered rich girl who’s in the publicspotlightas much as his famous clients. Still, he agrees to give her achance, and soon the two are heating up the bedroom as well as theboardroom.
But when Skye’s ex-boyfriend threatens to reveal a dangerous secretfrom her past, her job, relationship with Landon, and her father’scareerare suddenly all on the line. Will she be forced to leave Landon?Or will she pursue her heart, regardless of the cost?
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The first book in the ‘Limelight� series, ‘Rumor Has It�, is on sale for only $.99/77p.
Grab it now!
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The author Elisabeth Grace is hosting a giveaway to celebrate the cover reveal of ‘Picture Perfect�.
Enter below for the chance to win!
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Elisabeth Grace
I have a soft spot for romancenovels with happily ever afters and a hot spotfor alpha males! Icurrently live outside Toronto, Canada with my hubby and two smallchildren. Life is busy, but never to busy for agood story and to sharemy love of reading and writing with others.
My debut New Adult Contemporary Romance, Rumor Has It, was released December 6, 2013.
For more of the lowdown on me feel free to visit my author website at
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Cover Reveal hosted by Xpresso Book Tours.
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Book Blitz ~ ‘Knowing Jack� by Rachel Curtis.
Knowing JackbyRachel Curtis
Publication date: January 17th 2014
Genres:Contemporary,New Adult,Romance
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SYNOPSIS
I am not a slut, although I’ve been called one often enough. Yeah, I spent three months screwing one of my college professors, but I was crazy about the guy.Then he broke up with me.I am not a bitch, although people like to say I am. I kept our relationship secret. I’m not responsible for telling the university administrators about it, but a lotof students still blame me for getting their favorite professor fired.I am not a drama queen, although everyone thinks I am now. When I got a few nasty messages, I just deleted them. When I got the threat, I assumed it wassomeone being stupid. I still think that’s all it was. My parents worry, though, so they hired me a bodyguard. Now Jack follows me around, intimidatingeveryone who approaches me and looking obnoxiously hot.
This is what I am. I’m Chloe. I’m a twenty-year-old art history major. Kind of shy, although I pretend not to be. Stubborn enough to stay here for my senioryear, even though everyone hates me.
And I’m stuck with Jack.
He calls me “Princess,� but I’m not a princess either.
Knowing Jack is a New Adult contemporary romance and includes adult content and language. The plot of the book is fully resolved at the end, but the lastpage includes a hanging teaser for the next book in the series.
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~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~
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“Now would you please get out of here?� I say, raising my voice to make sure it carries appropriate authority. “In case you haven’t noticed, I still have to get dressed, and I’m already running late.�
Let’s not forget that I’m still wearing nothing but my favorite bra and panty set—which I put on a few minutes earlier to give me courage to face the day.
“Yeah, I did notice that.�
There is no reason for such harmless words to make me flush so hotly. They do, though. I have fair skin, so I blush a lot. It can be very annoying.
Jack is big—tall with amazing broad shoulders, flat abs, and lean hips. He suddenly seems to fill up all the space in my bedroom. My whole body reacts to his presence. I can’t seem to think of anything else. Just him and his body and his hot blue eyes.
“Be careful of the broken glass,� he says, some sort of rough texture in his voice that makes me want to shiver. “You’ve got bare feet.�
“I know I have bare feet. Now get out.�
“All right. But first tell me this.�
“W?�
“Why do you have naked babies on your underwear?�
“They’re not naked babies! They’re cherubs. And if you weren’t such a hulking Neanderthal you’d recognize Michelangelo when you saw it.�
I was absolutely thrilled earlier in the year when I found in a New York boutique this bra and panty set with details from the Sistine Chapel ceiling on them. They were absurdly expensive, as you might imagine, but I couldn’t resist buying them anyway.
Jack stares down at my bra. “Michelangelo?� He sounds rather dazed.
“Yeah. From the Sistine Chapel. Look, here’s where God’s hand meets Adam’s. Everyone recognizes that much at least.�
He clears his throat. “Uh, princess, you might think you’re showing me a famous work of art, but what I’m seeing is…�
“W?�
“The most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen in my life.�
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Rachel Curtis
Rachel is a writer, a teacher, a romance reader, and a dog-mom. She loves animals and art and hot men with soft hearts under a tough exterior. She tries towrite love stories that feel real, even in unlikely circumstances.
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Book Blitz hosted by ‘Xpresso Book Tours�.
January 16, 2014
Cover Reveal ~ ‘The Problem With Crazy� by Lauren K. McKellar.
The Problem With Crazy by Laura K. McKellar
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Berto Designs
Release Date: February 13, 2014
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SYNOPSIS
The problem with crazy is that crazy, by itself, has no context. It can be good crazy, bad crazy . . . or crazy crazy—like it was when my ex-boyfriend sung about me on the radio.
Eighteen-year-old Kate couldn’t be more excited about finishing high school and spending the summer on tour with her boyfriend’s band. Her dad showing up drunk at graduation, however, is not exactly kicking things off on the right foot—and that’s before she finds out about his mystery illness, certain to end in death.
A mystery illness she is likely to inherit.
When your whole life goes from adventure and ecstasy to sad and suicidal, what’s the point? Not knowing who to love, and who to trust . . . where does it end?
The Problem With Crazy is a story about love and life; about overcoming obstacles, choosing to trust, and learning how to make the choices that will change your life forever.
*A portion of sales from this book will be donated to a Huntington’s disease-related charity (details TBC)
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Join in the release day blitz, complete with prizes, fun, games, and a partridge in a pear tree on February 13, 2014.
Sign up today:
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“And there is something else we need to tell you, dear.�
“Deb, not now. Give ‘er a rest,� Dad interjected, his voice sounding ever more weary with each passing word.
“What? Tell me,� I demanded, my fingers clenching into little fists. “What could possibly be worse than what you’ve already said?� Dave placed his arm protectively around my shoulders. I wanted to shake it off.
“Maybe we should wait.� Mum eyed Dave’s hand.
“Anything you have to say, you can say in front of him.� I shook my head. “He’s family. You know that.� Dave and I locked eyes, and he gave me a special little smile.
“Kate, it’s not a good time.� Mum’s voice was shrill. My heart was beating like a jackhammer, thud-thud-thud, over and over at double time.
“If you don’t tell me now, I’ll Google it. I’ll just search the disease and see what I can find. We both will!�
Silence. Dave took my hand in his, clasping his other hand around it so I was protected entirely within his palms. Mum and Dad looked at each other, foreheads wrinkled and lips pursed.
“The disease your father has,� Mum paused. I nodded at her. Go on.
Just tell me. Get it over with.
“It’s hereditary.�
I struggled to breathe as Dave’s fingers slowly unlaced themselves from mine.
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Enter below for the chance to win a $25 Amazon Giftcard, and eARC of ‘The Problem With Crazy�.
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Lauren K. McKellar
Lauren K. McKellar is a writer and editor of fact and fiction. She has worked in publishing for more than eight years, and recently returned to her first love: writing books that make you feel.
Lauren loves to write for the Young and New Adult markets, and blogs with Aussie Owned and Read, as well as vlogging with the YA Rebels.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys long walks on the beach with her two super-cute dogs and her partner-in-crime/fiancé.
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Cover Reveal hosted by ‘Give Me Books� Blog.
Book Blitz ~ ‘Forever Loved� by Deanna Roy.
Forever Loved by Deanna Roy
(The Forever Series #2)
Publication Date: January 10th 2014.
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance.
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SYNOPSIS
The much-anticipated sequel to the bestselling new adult romance Forever Innocent.
When Gavin saves Corabelle from her plunge into the frigid waters ofthe Pacific, he knows her recovery from pneumonia is only the beginningof their journey. They share a difficult history � a teen pregnancy, aseven-day-old baby who died of a heart condition, and his decision fouryears ago to leave Corabelle behind and not look back.
But there are no secrets between them now. As Gavin and Corabellebuild a new future together, they learn to trust each other again,fallingback on that love they have shared since they were children.
But their past has one last shocking surprise, a revelation that willshake their tender bond and pierce the heart of Corabelle, who has justbegun to believe that she truly is Gavin’s only forever love.
Forever Loved is the heart-wrenching conclusion to Corabelle and Gavin’s passionate story.
HEA, 250 print pages
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Forever Innocent (Forever #1)
On Sale for $0.99/77p from January 12th-24th.
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Forever Loved (Forever #2)
On sale for $2.99 through January 31
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On Writing Tear Jerkers
By Deanna Roy
Author of
For my first 27 years, I was considered something of a Pollyanna � one of those bubbly ultra-optimistic people who spout platitudes about silver linings.
The first chink in my happy-armor becomes evident in the pictures from Christmas 1997. My then-husband and I had been trying to get pregnant since April, and I had envisioned that holiday as very different with a baby’s imminent arrival. But I had not made any progress at all, only a pile of negative home tests collecting in the bin.
I don’t even fake a smile. I’m just sort of there, my hair all twisted up in a knot, standing by a tree I felt forced to decorate.
I didn’t know that in this picture, I am actually a few days pregnant, and that I had no idea � really, no clue � what sorrow really was.
In the next five years I would see three babies die in various stages of pregnancy. I would also give birth to two daughters, both under stressful conditions that were a far cry from the happy moon-belly experiences we are sold in maternity magazines.
I was a writer long before I was a mother, and it was a natural fit to chronicle my experiences. As I became more involved in the baby loss community, I heard many more stories, and so often I would think � I could not have survived that.
But survive we do, and I think when choosing a tear-jerker book, it’s that same catharsis at the end. If you have endured a lot in your life, you can think to yourself � I understand what this character went through. You feel camaraderie, a connection with a fellow traveler. If the book takes you someplace darker than you’ve ever been, you can feel as though you have been lucky, that life has smiled on you. Either way, you leave the book feeling a little differently about your own existence.
I knew that the first book in my series, Forever Innocent, was going to wreck people. It’s hard to imagine how it feels to disconnect the ventilator from a seven-day-old baby, but this book takes you right there.
With the second book, Forever Loved, I hope to step a little bit away from the tragedy and focus on the healing. Early readers say you cry just as much, but for a different reason. Watching two people take a bad situation and turn it around is a different form of emotional release.
I am so grateful to have had so many companions on my journey. If you are a baby loss mom, you can meet them at . Book fans can chatter at the for the series or on ŷ. If you want to read excerpts as I write my books, join the .
I know now all our lives will include some sorrow. I hope that yours finds joy in equal measure.
Deanna
, the first book of the series, is 99 cents through Jan. 24. The conclusion to the heart-wrenching story, Forever Loved, just arrived Jan. 10.
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GIVEAWAY #1
Open Internationally
Prize: (1) ebook copy of Forever Loved
GIVEAWAY #2
Open internationally
Prizes: $50 gift card
A butterfly box full of books and swag.
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Deanna Roy
Deanna Roy is a passionate advocate for women who have lost babies. She founded PregnancyLoss.Info in 1998 and runs many online and in-person support groups. She is the author of several two-hankie reads, including Forever Innocent, Stella & Dane, and Baby Dust.
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Book Blitz hosted by Xpresso Book Tours.
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January 15, 2014
Book Blitz ~ ‘The Art of Letting Go� by Anna Bloom.
The Art of Letting GobyAnna Bloom
(Uni Files #1)
Publication date: September 25th 2013
Genres:New Adult,Romance
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SYNOPSIS
One year. One woman. One Diary. One question: can you ever stophistory from repeating itself and if you could what would you do to stopit?
When Lilah McCannon realises at the age of twenty-five that historyis going to repeat itself and she is going to become her mother—bored,drunk and wearing a twinset—there is only one thing to do: take drasticaction.
Turning her back on her old life, Lilah’s plan is to enrol at university, get a degree and prove she is a grown-up.
As plans go, it is a good one. There are rules to follow: no alcohol,no cigarettes, no boys and no going home. But when Lilah meets the leadsinger of a local band and finds herself unexpectedly falling in love,she realises her rules are not going to be the only things hard to keep.
With the academic year slipping by too quickly, Lilah faces a barrageof new challenges: will she ever make it up the Library stairs withouthaving a heart attack? Can she handle a day on campus without drinkingvodka? Will she ever manage to read a history book without fallingasleep? And most importantly, can she become the grown-up that shedesperately wants to be.
With her head and her heart pulling her in different directions canLilah learn the hardest lesson that her first year of university has toteach her:The Art of Letting Go?
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Blog Post from Author Anna Bloom
Perception
It’s funny, when I wrote The Art of Letting Go, the first novel in The Uni Files it never crossed my mind that it would make readers feel so many different things. That’s a crazy thing for someone like me to think but I did nonetheless. By someone like me, I mean a person of an imaginative persuasion who has been obsessed with books since they were eight years old.
I mean of course I always knew that when I read a book the way it made me feel, happy, scared or sad would not be the same as another person but it never ever occurred to me when I typed The End on the last page of my manuscript that people would find something different to me on the pages I was binding together with my tale. I mean, I’m the author right? If I say it should read one way then surely it should??
Not so much, and a big fat raspberry to me for forgetting the power that the written word has. And a second big raspberry to me for forgetting that perception is the key to everything.
Some readers have found it laugh out loud funny and have related to the fun aspects of the book. For others it has brought back happy but blurry memories of a misspent youth. Others have found it tragically sad and cried buckets at the end.
I’m going to share a little personal experience with you before I tell you how it made me feel, and that is what my most feared reader felt when she read it. My mum.
Now this is quite a sensitive subject because I was quite scared about my mum reading The Art of Letting Go, and I think she was just as worried herself. I mean, what if my mum hated it? Or what if she thought her daughter’s debut literary release was a complete pile of rubbish? That would be a bit awkward around the family dinner table next time I saw her.
Anyway, Mum refused to read it in draft form, not even the final version, she was determined to wait for it to come out so she could buy it. And she did. Then I heard nothing. Nooooothiiiing for days.
Well that’s great!
Finally my dad rang (my parents live abroad) and I answered Skype with fearful trepidation. “Your Mum has been face down crying on the bed for twenty minutes,� he told me. PANIC it was that bad I made her cry! Eventually mum shuffled into view on the computer, still sniffling. “That was so sad, but beautiful,� she said and then started to cry all over again. That was possibly one of the shortest conversations I have ever had with my mum.
My mum was definitely in the ‘Sad� camp, and I’ll tell you a little secret, it actually made me really proud that I had managed to reduce my own mother to tears with the tale that I had to tell � and yes I know that’s a bit wrong.
So what did I feel when I wrote it? Well I felt it all. I laughed, I reminisced and I cried. I had my heart in my chest when I wrote that scene at the end, but more than all of that I felt this incredibly uplifting feeling in my soul that you can learn The Art of Letting Go and survive it.
It fills me with delight that every person who picks up my book has the ability to read it a different way. I wonder what you will feel when you read it?
A.B.
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Open Internationally
Prizes: One lucky winner can win [1] ebook copy of both ‘The Art of Letting Go� and ‘The Saving of Benjamin Chambers� AND a signed cover art postcard of both books.
Enter below for the chance to win!
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Anna Bloom
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Book Blitz hosted by Xpresso Book Tours.
