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Showing posts with label #read. #ARC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #read. #ARC. Show all posts

Monday, November 24, 2014

Disturbingly Beautiful Blog Tour with Exclusive Excerpt


Disturbingly Beautiful
by J. & L. Wells
Series: A Paradox In Time, #1
Genre: Historical Romance/Time Travel
Release Date: November 13, 2014



Is it really possible that somewhere in time, the perfect paradox could be created? Does romance really stand a chance, and could it ever flourish amidst so many intricacies and broken lives? How can a nineteenth-century governess unknowingly cause so much devastation?

As Nell’s world opens up, we follow her on a complex journey, on which she discovers love, loss and betrayal, and is forced to play a dangerous game from which there appears to be no escape.

An intricate family plot slowly begins to unravel, in which she finds herself centre stage. She was never supposed to leave Haunchcroft estate, and he will do everything in his power to keep her there…

Could a possible rip in time be the salvation that Nell seeks?

“I find you disturbingly beautiful,” are the contradictory words bestowed upon the governess by her master.

Mr Buchannan’s infatuation is a shadow from which Nell cannot escape. The feelings he holds for her are not reciprocated, and though his lust soon turns to love, Nell’s feelings towards him turn to hatred. Dreams and a love of literature are Nell’s only escapism from the downtrodden life she leads as a governess in the nineteenth century.

One night, an intruder on the estate catches Nell off guard, but she gives chase; a decision that leads her through an opening in time between the centuries, where she finds equality, true friendship and a completely different outlook on life.

Despite using this to her advantage to escape the advances of her unwanted suitor, she is somewhat perturbed when she unexpectedly finds him at her side in the twenty-first century. Will love conquer all, or will time always stand in their way?



As Nell rolled down her window and breathed in the sea air, Spencer informed them that they would have the beach to themselves for the night, since it had been closed due to falling rocks. Nell turned to look out of the car’s back window and up at the vast cliff face. Spencer did not seem perturbed in the slightest, and informed her and Mr Buchannan that they should definitely be okay, though his eyes were evasive.

Mr Buchannan described the navy canvas tent as an unsightly carbuncle blighting the scenery, to which Nell had to laugh.

“I’ll leave you with the night,” Spencer said playfully.

Jumping back in the driver’s seat, he reversed up the narrow incline, with sand spitting up from the tyres. Nell looked up at the cloudless sky, breathing in the sea’s salty liquor. She shook her hair free, feeling the soft caress of the breeze as it waltzed across her face and shoulders.

It seemed to her that Mr Buchannan was trying to get into the spirit of things, as he had already pulled off his long boots and she could see his breeches rolled up to just below his knees. She offered her assistance willingly as he struggled to unfold a fleecy blanket and place it for them to sit on, though the breeze had other ideas and kept lifting its corners. With its antics all played out, they reclined on the coarseness of its fibres, entranced by the tide’s rolling waves as the lowering sun highlighted its journey.

Nell exhaled with contentment on feeling the cotton material of Mr Buchannan’s shirt slip across her shoulders, and she warmed instantly at the strength of his loving embrace. Sitting for a while lost in the ambience and passing of time, the two grew hungry. Mr Buchannan reached for the strap of a cool bag Spencer had left with them, filled with mouth-watering refreshments. But that was not the food of love for which Nell yearned. Pulling free from his arms, she lifted herself to her feet and reached her hands up to the narrow straps of her dress, then slid them down from her shoulders. She knew the game she played as she followed the intensity of his dreamy green eyes as the silken material fell from her tiny frame. There was not a moment she felt even the slightest ounce of embarrassment. She stood open to the elements in her near naked form; there were no frills or petticoats to cover her virtue, only sheer lace panties and a matching brassiere.

Mr Buchannan lay back unhurriedly, and Nell’s eyes caught the quick-fingered unbuttoning of his tight-fitting shirt. She gasped back her innermost desires as he revealed the perfectly toned contours of his broad ivory physique.

Without taking his eyes from her own, Mr Buchannan reached up to her awaiting hand. Teasingly she ran her tongue between her lips, smiling down. Prompted by the call of the waves, she turned briskly and ran for the unspoilt shoreline. She was unable to pick up the silence of Mr Buchannan’s steps as they gave chase. Unsteady in her footing, his arms scooped her up, and child-like she squealed as he pulled her unclad frame tightly into the tautness of his chest. As the waves leapt up and kissed at his ankles, Nell felt the release of his arm and watched as his breeches were thrown far from the water’s edge. With his long tailed shirt flailing wide, he waded deeper until the cool waves cushioned the small of Nell’s back. Her eyes rested upon the fullness of his handsome face, where the sea spray glistened like white diamond droplets as they splashed upon his cheeks.

Her heart raced beyond belief as she pawed her way up to his shoulders, clasping her arms around his neck. Like a ballerina in flight, she lifted her legs, pressing her knees boldly into the narrow physique of his waistline. She gasped as he grew beneath her. She could feel the desire in his fingertips as they released her panties, and watched as the lacy undergarments were washed out to sea. She surrendered to an uncontrollable tremble inside on feeling the hardness of his male form as it moved inside her to the rhythmical motion of the tide, and cried out at the climatic heights to which he took her. Their love making went unwatched, hidden beneath the unbinding secrets of the crashing white waves.

At their ebbing crescendo, Mr Buchannan carried her breathless body out of the darkened waters. Cradling her head in his hand, he gently lowered her onto the red tartan blanket, wrapping away her involuntary shivers.

The fruit of love is so apt, Nell thought as she felt the tickling sensation as he teased her navel with the ripest of English strawberries, licking away the fruity sweetness from her skin. His mouth slipped up her body, between the creamy soft skin of her breasts, and she exhaled loudly at the meeting of their lips, each kiss enhanced by the vibrant fragrance of fruits which volleyed between the intimate twisting of tongues. It seemed that their lips were not wanting to part.

Cossetted by the serenade of rolling waves, they were rocked into a peaceful sleep by the arms of true love. As the vibrant stars visited the night sky they smiled down from the heavens, throwing their light and a blessing upon the sleeping lovers.




Laura Wells is a swimming teacher, with a love of books, animals and, of course, Jane Austen. Once a national swimmer, she now runs three swim schools of her own. She enjoys spending her spare time with her family and two mad Shiba Inus. She lives in Staffordshire, England.

Judy Wells works at a school; in her spare time she enjoys writing poetry and novels, and spending time with her animals. She also lives in Staffordshire, England.

Laura and Judy are a mother and daughter duo; with Judy's love of poetry and writing and Laura's ideas, they work extremely well together. Time-travel and historical romance novels are their passion, and they hope that after you have read their books, you will feel the same.


L. Wells: Amazon ~ Goodreads
J. Wells:  Amazon ~ Goodreads


Monday, November 24
Smut Fanatics (Promo)

Tuesday, November 25
Chicas Love To Read (Promo, Dream Cast)
Snugglebooks (Promo)
We Stole Your Book Boyfriend (Promo, Excerpt, Dream Cast)

Wednesday, November 26
Padme's Library (Promo, Excerpt, Dream Cast)
Room With Books (Promo, Excerpt, Dream Cast)

Thursday, November 27
Em & M Books (Promo)
Inspire to Read (Promo, Excerpt Dream Cast, Author Interview)
Book Groupies (Promo)

Friday, November 28
Girl with Pen (Promo, Excerpt, Dream Cast)
Kim Book Blog (Review)
Page by Page Book Obsession (Promo, Excerpt)
Rock Out With Your Book Out (Promo, Excerpt)
Page By Page Inside-Out Reviews & Promotion (Promo, Excerpt, Dream Cast)



Thursday, November 6, 2014

Tempest in Disguise by Riley Bancroft


Tempest In Disguise
by Riley Bancroft
Series: Darkest Faerie Tale, #1
Genre: Dark Erotic Urban Fantasy Romance
Cover Designer: Fiona Jayde
Release Date: November 6, 2014


Come join Riley and her guests on November 13th for a Facebook Party to celebrate the release of Tempest In Disguise!


Born the only hybrid between two warring factions, Mya's life is all smoke and mirrors. For twenty four years her true identity has been kept a secret inside the virtuous Seelie Court of the ancient Fae. But that time has come to an end. In one sudden blow, her perception of reality is irrevocably altered and her livelihood is stripped away. A dark and mysterious stranger has set his sights on her to possess, consume and claim her for himself. Mya must keep her wits about her to survive…or surrender to her darkest desires.

As one of the leaders in the infamous Unseelie Court, Cole is determined to seize the powerful and magickal hybrid from the enemy’s court on behalf of his people.  A battle is looming and they’re ready to end the war at any cost, but for Cole it’s personal.  The scar on his face is a daily reminder of the cuts marring his darkened soul and when he goes after the hybrid, a burning need to dominate and master her is far too great. Despite the consequences he faces for touching her, Cole's dark and twisted hunger is unable to resist her allure. He craves her full submission, but in order to do that, he must take everything away from her first.

Dark, Erotic Paranormal Romance with BDSM Elements…



The Darkest Faerie Tales

There are two sides of me. One is good. The other is bad. Sure, everyone has bad and good in them, but my two halves are constantly at war with each other—I’m either extremely virtuous or terribly wicked—there is no in between.

In ancient Gaelic myth, the gods and goddesses were sent to earth, becoming known as the Tuatha Dé, God’s tribe in the form of a supernatural race. For centuries, as immortals, they ruled on the earth above humans. Then the Great Atonement happened. As people of the mound, they were stripped of the Tuatha Dé title and turned into Aos sí. They became nothing more than magickal human beings who happened to live a little longer than normal mortals.

The Aos sí are divided into two sects…Seelie or Unseelie. Dualities of light and dark instilled at birth. Though they lived in a semblance of peace, everything changed right before I was born and the factions turned against one another.

I’m half Seelie and half Unseelie, the only mixed breed ever to exist. My parents went to great lengths to hide my true identity during the wars.

I was supposed to live a normal life, the whole white picket fence and everything, but it’s all changing now. The Unseelies seek to take down the Seelies and restore themselves into power, back to the way things were on the magickal island of Sitnalta, before the Great Atonement. However, the Seelies only want to pursue balance, harmony, in all things.

And me? I’m stuck in the middle, torn between two worlds.

This is not a faerie tale.


Tempest in Disguise by Riley Bancroft
To Seelie or not to Seelie:
An interesting conundrum indeed. Romeo and Juliet and Juliet. I quite like the intrepid Juliet: Mya, who is a bit of a loose cannon. She who knows who/what she is, is not supposed to reveal it, yet threatens at every moment to let loose on the unsuspecting villain, whoever she supposes that might be. I’m not quite sure about the dark Romeo, Cole, who is bewildered by his attraction to the beautiful wildflower, yet takes advantage of her own moth to the light attraction to him. Enter Gavin; the would be protector, who I hate one moment and quite like the next. The members of the Seelie Court are pompous asses as they shout, a’ la Phantom of the Opera “Then, Let it be War between us!” I’m told the first sentence of any story should grab you, and the next 100 pages should reel you in. I was grabbed by the first sentence; at 74 pages, this novella didn't quite get a chance to reel me in, but the last sentence of the cliffhanger by design got me hook, line and sinker. I give this one four stars and I WILL be waiting as the story continues. Deep Into the Abyss Available December 2014




Riley Bancroft grew up in the heart of Texas. Ever since she was little she favored stories on the darker side, not just supernatural, but psychological as well. She penned her first erotic poems in college about the love of her life. The pursuit of her writing career began when she wrote a short story based on the intimate scene missing in Twilight, to share with her friends. They encouraged her to write her own novel. And so, she did.








Saturday, November 1, 2014

SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR MELISSA SNARK

Hello! My name is Melissa Snark, and I'm a fantasy and romance author. If I could have a moment of your time, I'd like to ask for your help as a reader. Please consider nominating my Norse folklore fantasy novel Battle Cry on Kindle Scout.

Amazon's new publishing program is called Kindle Scout, an innovative platform that provides readers with a sneak peek at unreleased books as well as the opportunity to have a say in what gets chosen. The timing of Scout was amazing. The announcement came just as I neared completion of my novel. The terms being offered are attractive. As a publisher, Amazon has as much clout as one of the traditional publishers. This simply seemed like too good of an opportunity to pass on, so I submitted Battle Cry for consideration.

Per the FAQ: How does Kindle Scout benefit readers?
Kindle Scout readers get to preview new, never-before-published books and influence which ones are made available to millions of readers on Amazon. In addition, any time a reader's nomination gets published, they will receive a free copy.

I appreciate your support!  To nominate Battle Cry, you only need to be logged into your Amazon account. You can head over to the Kindle Scout website and view Battle Cry's profile page. If you like what you see, please consider voting for Battle Cry.  Thank you so much! 



  BATTLE CRY
  Book #2 in the Loki's Wolves series
  Melissa Snark
  Genre: Norse folklore fantasy
  Number of pages: 375 approx.
  Word Count: 95,000
  Cover Artist: Farah Evers


Tags: #Fantasy #Amreading #Kindle @MelissaSnark

Promo Tweet: One man dares defy Fate. Please nominate BATTLE CRY on #KindleScout. #Fantasy #Norse #amreading @MelissaSnark

Logline: One man dares defy Fate.

Survival demands sacrifices; healing requires forgiveness.

Men revere him; monsters fear him. Jake Barrett, the notorious Hunter King, values loyalty to family and followers above all else. When the daughter of his closest ally murders Daniel, his oldest son, it sets off a chain reaction of violence and destruction that claims the lives of both wolves and hunters. Determined to avenge his son, Jake seeks the truth at any cost.

After losing her lover and then her mate, Victoria Storm simply wants to get on with building a new life in Sierra Pines, California. A vengeful Jake Barrett and his organization aren't going to make that easy, especially with the unwelcome attraction between her and the Hunter King's second son. Perils beyond the mortal coil plague Victoria.

When the Norse Fates predict Victoria will destroy the world, her duties as a priestess of Freya come into conflict with her responsibilities as a Valkyrie of Odin. When they tell her she will do it to save her unborn child, she's not so sure they are wrong.

Sawyer Barrett has been trying to kill Victoria for so long, he doesn't know whether he loves her or hates her. Desperate to end the war, he's willing to take chances with everything–except his heart. The hunter harbors a deadly secret he can't reveal without risking the ceasefire and his life.

At Sawyer's urging, Victoria agrees to peace talks with Jake. All the while, an ancient vampire plots the destruction of wolves and hunters alike. If the embittered rivalry between hunters and wolves doesn't end—and fast—there is no hope for Victoria's pack... or for their world.



Attribution: Norns weaving destiny, by Arthur Rackham (1912).  Public domain.
  
Excerpt:

Shade enshrouded Skuld, and her voice manifested upon the air, thick and oppressive, closing in from all sides. "Your daughter will not grow to adulthood in Midgard."
Victoria's heart slammed against her breastbone. Her breath expelled in a horrified gust. The bowl dropped from her hands and flew to protect her abdomen. "What do you mean?"
"Your daughter will be taken from you on the eve of her third birthday," Skuld said. "The one you trust most, a member of your own pack, will give the child over to your greatest enemy."
A growl trembled in Victoria's throat, and her entire body shook under the dual assault of fear and rage. The suggestion of betrayal from within her own pack filled her with disbelief to the core of her being. It was unthinkable. Gritting her teeth, she sought a solution, refusing to dwell on it. "How am I to prevent this?"
"We speak of what will come to pass," Verðandi said in a sympathetic tone.
"Your predictions are not carved in stone," Victoria said. Arguing with Fate was a foolish endeavor, but she refused to accept their prophecy.
The old woman, Urðr, smiled with a frightening gleam in her eyes. "Predictions, carved into the trunk of the World Tree, carved into the spiritual fabric of the world."
Stubborn determination settled over Victoria like armor. Her mother had taught her there was no absolute fate, just as there was no absolute free will. Life consisted of a wide range of possibilities between the two extremes. She refused to allow her daughter to die at three years of age. She would move worlds, alter fate, slay gods.
Whatever it took.
"Do you wish to save your child?" Skuld asked.
Victoria answered without thought. "Yes. I'll do anything. Tell me. Please."
"The final days are upon us," Verðandi said.
Skuld took over speaking. "To save your daughter, you will side with Loki against the Aesir. You will use your enchanted dagger to cut the binding of the great wolf Fenrir. You will be responsible for freeing the beast that kills Odin."
Victoria's stomach turned. Her head shook in automatic denial. "When the gods imprisoned Fenrir, my people pledged fealty to the Aesir. We have served them loyally ever since. Even when we were driven from the homeland, almost a millennium ago, we remained faithful. I will never cut Fenrir's bonds. To do so would end the world we live in and doom us all."
Skuld's gaze held steady. "You will."
Victoria snarled her denial. "No. I will never become the servant of the Trickster or willingly take part in bringing about Odin's death."
Skuld turned her head and pinned Victoria with one black eye that rolled in its socket like a liquid marble. "To save your daughter, you will."

Fast Facts About Melissa Snark:
 
  • Melissa Snark is published with The Wild Rose Press & as an Indie author with five unique titles: A CAT'S TALE, THE MATING GAME, LEARNING TO FLY, THE CHILD THIEF, and HUNGER MOON.
  • Her Loki's Wolves series includes THE CHILD THIEF, HUNGER MOON and BATTLE CRY.
  • She lives in the San Francisco bay area with her husband, three children and a glaring of cats.
  • She is a professional cat herder and unrepentant satirist who blogs about books and writing on The Snarkology.

Connect with Melissa Snark:
Email: melissasnark at gmail.com
Twitter: @MelissaSnark


Monday, October 6, 2014

A Snarky Scavenger Hunt

A Snarky Scavenger Hunt

My Author - Melissa Snark let me play a little and host a scavenger hunt, which concluded today.
WHY - do you say, are you posting about it NOW??

Well, we have a couple of winners, and I wanted to share!
ANNNND the winners of signed copies of these wonderful novels are:

Yvonne Daniels
Jodie Volpert



Friday, October 3, 2014

 Does one call an erotic read delightful? This one certainly tickled my fancy. Our hapless hero, Jared, is lured into chains by a captivating pussy named Josephine, as . . . food for a vampire called named Evangeline. Their antics in attempting to get free include plenty of steamy boudoir scenes (if you can call a jail cell with a nasty bathroom a boudoir) a plethora of plotting from both the pussy and the pup (don't let Jared hear you call him that!) and the bumblings of a newly minted vamp who thinks she is all that an a bag of O neg.
A well written novella, leaves you mewling for more.

Biography

Fast Facts About Melissa Snark:

* Melissa Snark is published with The Wild Rose Press & as an Indie author with five unique titles.
* Her Loki's Wolves series includes THE CHILD THIEF, HUNGER MOON AND BATTLE CRY (to be released Fall 2014).
* She lives in the San Francisco bay area with her husband, three children and a glaring of cats.
* She blogs about books and writing on The Snarkology at melissasnark.blogspot.com.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

AND THE NEWEST BOOK IN THE SERIES!

ABSTRACTION.


Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1oM0Fkc
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1gCeEJa
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/SSwtco
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1woMbeO
Itunes: http://bit.ly/1rI4748
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1kplEZQ
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1tP8HOV
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/SSKXce
Kobo: http://bit.ly/SjekUt

AND THE NEW COVERS KEEP ON COMING!

FINE LINES and VANISHING POINT. Books one and two in Bella Roccaforte's Ink series.

INK: Fine Lines (Book 1)
Amazon US - http://amzn.to/LVn2Vx
Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/13eI7jN
Amazon AU - http://bit.ly/1nyOKsL
Amazon CA - http://amzn.to/1nJ13ih
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1ezKYVs
Kobo - http://bit.ly/1aGLvtw
Google Play - http://bit.ly/1m0vkZC
Smashwords - http://bit.ly/13R7nwn
iBooks - http://bit.ly/16br1kD



INK: Vanishing Point (Book 2)
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1bC6OY6
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1ktcbBd
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1aKCAai
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1f85Nb8
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1iQxYj8
itunes: http://bit.ly/1gFtLv7

Friday, September 26, 2014

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Well, it's been quite a week. We raise livestock - it's kind of fun to sit out in the sun and watch my animals cavort and do animal porn while I try to write and keep up with all of the goings on in all of my author/writer/reader groups on facebook.  Trying to learn the ropes, the lingo, picking and choosing what books to review (my kindle is up to 581 books, my missing iPod touch has who knows how many hundreds more, and my android boasts about 110) and then there is THE CLOUD. What ever that is. Some mythical storage space - out THERE -

I made a new banner for my favorite author, Melissa Snark. She'd better be my favorite, I'm her PA!
Snark on the street.
So, it's back to reviewing some books. Reading has been a real luxury this week. Been building pens to keep the new livestock contained, plus trying to herd them TO the new pen..

I got a new loom this week as well, Muscling THAT beast into the house was interesting. (why yes, I DO weave.) I dye wool, too, after I spin it - from the wool - of my sheep.


More on THAT another time my pretties . . .

Sunday, September 14, 2014

One Has to Start Somewhere


I've always kind of wanted to write. (is that correct English? do I, at this point, really care?) I'm getting thoughts down on paper, virtual paper, and I'm simply going to go for it. I'm a bit of a frustrated comedian, and told I make people laugh. A voracious reader, I also thought I could put my talents together and write book reviews.

Whoa! Easier said than done! First you have to READ. THE. BOOK. Suddenly this has become work. What was an enjoyable pastime - where I read book after book, sometimes two or three in a week, suddenly became slower than molasses in January (in Fairbanks Alaska, not Jamaica, folks) I befriended a few authors, picked up a couple of ARC's - those are Advance Review Copy's to those of you not in the know - and decided to give this a go.

I lost my iTouch. This was my faithful e-reader. No big deal, it's somewhere around the house and the books are on my iCloud. So I dig out my old faithful second generation Kindle. Yeah, that one. The big, clunky box-like, type on the round keyed QWERTY keyboard and use the toggle switch to move between lines Kindle. THAT ONE.

WHERE's my ARC's? Crap! They are NOT on the cloud! They are on the iTouch. Which is now DEAD. Somewhere. Therefore, it does not exist. Go to Amazon. . . Manage my Content and Devices. Nope, not there. Search the help files frantically. Note to self: you cannot get help if you do not know what you need help doing!

This requires pizza and beer. No job. No cash. Cinnamon toast and tea it is.

Back to Facebook, ask a few questions, get ARC's remailed. WHEW!!!

OK, back to reading! Can't load these things onto my Kindle! I do my best reading at bedtime!!!! ARRRRGGGHHHHH! MORE questions. Still can't load these on my Kindle. OK, bedtime reading on the PC it is.


How do I write a book review? Is it like a book report? Or do I just tell people what I really thought about the book? 

It sucked (vampire novel) It bit (were-insert animal here-novel) Squeee! (romance)

Oh, wait, they have to be a bit longer? This is gonna take some work . . .

Until next time: I may actually have a book review to share.