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Enlightened Blog Tour- Review & Excerpt

Hey everyone! Today I have a stop on the Enlightened blog tour. I have info on the book and author, an excerpt and a review of the book for you all.

Title: Enlightened 
Author: Melissa Lummis 
Genre: Paranormal
Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours

Synopsis/Blurb
Loti Dupree’s meager healing abilities have been more a curse than a blessing. What’s the point if she can’t even save her husband from cancer? Harboring a painful secret, Loti flees the life they had in a small Appalachian town for the ashram, the spiritual retreat where she trained to be a yogini. But she finds herself running from more than grief when an ominous nightmare sets her on a dangerous path of self-discovery that challenges everything she believes, and threatens her life.

While dodging psychic attacks from an unknown assailant, Loti races to understand who and what she is before her enemy can catch up with her. To make matters worse, events throw her into the arms of a handsome but frustrating vampire. Love and light are waiting for her—if she can only figure out how to stay alive.

My Review
Loti lost her husband around a year ago and yet she still hasn't let go. As one person tells her she needs to grieve because she really hasn't. The night before she is to leave on a spiritual retreat with her best friend she is attacked by a nightmare. She and her friend soon find they need help as Loti is begins to have psychic attacks from an unknown source. Loti also faces a growing attraction to a vampire who is trying to help her solve the mystery of who is after her, why and what she is. Loti will have to let go of the past to have a future. 

At first I didn't think I was going to like this book much. I was so wrong. I really enjoyed this book. Loti is really so broken at first. She has suffered a loss and doesn't want to let go and move on. She feels guilty when she notices Wolf the vampire. Then she learns that not only is she not safe but that there may be more to her than she knew. I love reading about Wolf and Loti coming together. The author made it a great love story. This book is so much more than that. You have great friendships like Loti and Rachel. They are their for each other and hey with what Rachel can do to stain clothes sure would come in handy. Then you have a whole cast of other characters like vampires, witches, healers and so much more. They all seem to be from different eras and you get to see them blend together to make a fantastic story. This book has spirituality, action, love, loss, mystery, paranormal creatures and so much more. I was pleasantly surprised on how much I ended up enjoying this book.
4 out of 5 Stars

Excerpt
The basement room reeked of mildew and old books. A great, crumbling tome rested on a heavy wooden table that harkened back to the days of the Salem witch trials. Candles burned in a ring around a chalked-pentagram on the cement floor, while a pony-tailed blonde set the last one down carefully, completing the circle of protection.
“That’s not right, Katie,” a flat-topped young man teased as he pushed her playfully out of the way. She giggled and fell to her side, slapping at the hand nudging the candle a hair to the right. 
“Smart-ass.” She laughed, tapping his knee with her saddle-shoe. He turned and their eyes held for a moment.
“Come on, Joe, time’s a-flying, and we’ve got a metaphysics final tomorrow. I’d like to pass.” A fellow in gray trousers tapped his wrist watch.
“Don’t flip your wig, Patrick, we’re ready.” Joe grinned over his shoulder. Katie shifted her blue, blameless eyes to Patrick’s face, the warm glow as steady and true on him as it had been for Joe. The corners of Patrick’s mouth curled up.
“Then let’s begin,” he said in a mocking, ominous voice. Patrick offered both hands to Katie, who tilted her head and winked. She grabbed them, and he took his time pulling her to her feet. When Joe turned toward the pair, Patrick dropped her hands, and she dusted off her green pedal-pushers.
“I’ll never get these clean again. Mom will kill me,” she fussed.
The three college co-eds marched around the circle, mumbling a protection incantation under their breath. After three turns around, they stepped into the circle and knelt, facing each other. Joining hands, they struggled to maintain serious faces as repressed smiles twitched their lips. They repeated the incantation over and over:

“Asato ma sadgamaya. 
Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya. 
Mrtyorma amrtam gamaya”

Katie’s soft, schoolgirl voice balanced out the men’s coming-of-age gruffness. The candle flames flickered as the energy they conjured coalesced around them, blowing in a gust around the circle. The wind grew more robust until Katie’s ponytail danced behind her like blonde streamers on the end of a girl’s bicycle handle. They raised their voices over the roaring pitch, changing the incantation.
“Om Klim Kalikayei Namaha” 
They chanted in perfect unison over the blustering energy. Their eyes flared in fascination as a pinprick of light materialized in the center of their circle, expanding into a sphere. The edge sizzled and danced in unison to the flickering candle flames. The center was a blur of color with indistinct shapes forming and dissolving. 
Joe shouted, “Now.” And they yelled over the commotion:

“Om bhurbhuva svah
Tatsaiturvarenyam
Bhargo devasya dhimahi
Dhiyo yo nah procodayat”

The sphere of light blasted open into a swirling orb of green and blue, ringing like a singing bowl. Katie laughed out loud in wonder and shock, and as if drawn by her girlish voice, the orb rushed to her. Her hands were torn from Joe and Patrick’s frantic grasps as she floated above their heads trapped inside the shimmering ball. The howling wind and the shrill ringing muffled her scream as the orb shrank, and Katie stretched out long and thin, like a girl-shaped rubber band. 
Her panicked “help me” echoed down the disappearing corridor, one hand stretching out to them as the orb sucked her away. Her eyes bulged with horror or pain—or both. The orb winked out of existence with the sound of a single flame being pinched out with wet fingers. The room rang with sudden silence, the candle flames still.
“No!” Joe bellowed.

Author Bio:
Melissa Lummis considers herself a truth seeker, a peaceful warrior, a paranormal and fantasy writer, an avid reader, a thru-hiker GAME ’98, a wife, a mother, and a free thinker. She believes the universe conspires to help an adventurer. And if we live our lives as if it is a daring adventure (and it is!), then everything we need will find its way to us.

The author lives in rural Virginia with her husband, two children, an Alaskan Malamute and a myriad of forest creatures. The nature of her mind dictates that she write to stay sane. Otherwise, her fertile imagination takes off on tangents of its own accord, creating scenarios and worlds that confuse the space-time continuum. Namaste, dear friends.


Author Links - Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Blog

To Stand Beside Her Tour - Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Hi everyone! Today I have a stop on the To Stand Beside Her blog tour. I have a review, excerpt and giveaway for you all.


To Stand Beside Her
By: B. Kristin McMichael

Blurb
To be the best courier in the world, eighteen-year-old Benét Leila follows three simple rules: always work alone, never stay in one place too long, and never fall in love. Too bad she didn't follow her own advice.

Leila is a courier. To the people she takes from, she is seen as a common thief; to the people she helps, she is a savior.

Nalick is your typical king. He's rich, powerful, and always assumed to be right. When Leila crosses paths with King Nalick, she finds herself trapped. In a rush to save her best friend Kay from a prison sentence for a crime Leila committed, Leila trades her hand in marriage in exchange for Kay’s freedom. 

Tomboy Leila does not want to grow up, but in three months’ time, she will be married to King Nalick, if Nalick can keep his end of the bargain. First, Nalick must make Leila fall in love with him, a hard task since Leila is not ready to love again after losing her first love to a greedy king. Second, Nalick must keep her safe. He is not the only king trying to hold onto her. Leila has made many enemies over the years, and even more admirers that want her as a prize. Lastly, Nalick must convince Leila that ten years of love is better than a lifetime without. Unless Leila can trust her destiny, she might not reach her wedding day at all.

My Review
Leila is a ghost courier and one of the best there is at it. She helps people who need it and this includes her friend Kay. Kay takes on a job she should not have took. It is up to Leila to get her out of trouble. The problem is the price is marriage to a king who she doesn't like. Nalick is a king that is powerful and not a very nice n from what Leila knows about him. She may just see another side to him as time goes by but she has to love him. With a bad history of caring for people and getting hurt she has to learn to open up. They also have to face her past enemies and other Kings who want her for their own.

When I first started reading this I was sure if I was going to like it. It is quite different from other books I have read. I was a little confused about what was going on. The more I read the more I got into it and started to really like it. Leila thinking she knew all about King Nalick she gets  know the other side of him as she spends time him. Leila is strong and really sweet and helpful to a lot of people who need it. Nalick turns out to be someone different than what I expected. He is really a sweetheart and tries every way to show his love to Leila. One of my favorite scenes is when Leila gets to hear about Nalick and two of his friends when they were young. It gives you a good insight to what he was like and what kind of bond the three boys have. This book has plenty of action and adventure with the sweet romance in it as well. I will say that while I can see several people won't like the ending I think the author did a great job on it. I was surprised by it. Good book all around once you get into it.
4 out of 5 Stars

Excerpt
“And where should we put her, Nalick?” one of them asked. Leila was surprised to hear the man address Nalick so casually.

“Leave her here,” he ordered.

“But, but . . .” the tracker sputtered. “If you just put my captive back in jail she will escape.”

“Don’t worry. She will not be going anywhere. She is not the ghost courier,” Nalick replied as Kay was escorted out of the room. 

“Now, I’d like to be left alone with this one,” Nalick said, referring to Leila. 

“Bring the seer,” he ordered. The men beside him rose and left the room. One of the men from earlier escorted the tracker out. The second man shut the door and stood at the back of the room.

“So everyone out did not include him?” Leila asked. She had no chance of leaving if both men stayed in the room with Nalick and her. One, she could possibly overpower, but two would be foolish to challenge.

Nalick rose and walked over to her. Leila stood her ground and did not move. Nalick circled around her, inspecting her like a wolf getting ready to pounce on its prey. Leila knew what was coming next. She had this same encounter with five other kings before. Though, in her opinion, they were all lesser men than the man in front of her. She still did not happily anticipate the next words out of his mouth. Leila stood in silence as he returned to his table and leaned against the tabletop. Just like all the other kings, he looked at her like she was a trophy. Leila refused to be a trophy to any king. Like any man in power, Nalick had committed acts against innocent people. Intentionally or not, Leila did not approve of hurting innocent people. She had been in several battles over the last four years, and luckily escaped with her life each time, but never once had she killed anyone who attacked her. Even those who would try to kill her did not deserve to die in her opinion.

As she stood there, the door in the back of the room opened and the seer, Gabor, walked in escorted by the man who had just left. Leila stared blankly at Nalick, trying her best to read his expression.

“I really don’t think you understand the word alone,” she commented to Nalick sarcastically, as the door shut and there were now five people in the room.

Gabor walked past her and bowed his head slightly to the king. Nalick nodded his head, and Gabor returned to Leila. Extending his hand, Leila knew what he was planning to do. Trying to stay in control of the situation, Leila gave the old man her hand. Surprised, he stopped, held her hand, and closed his eyes. After a few moments, Gabor returned to the king’s side. Nalick leaned over to the seer and asked him a question too quiet for Leila to hear.

“You don’t need to be hushed about this since you are discussing me,” Leila said before Gabor could respond. Nalick looked up at her. “I am guessing I can answer your questions just as well as he could.”

Nalick smiled. He had become the king when he was fourteen and then everything changed. Almost every person treated him differently, apart from his two good friends that were standing in the room with him now. In his years of being king, Nalick had yet to find a woman that would speak her mind to, or at, him. Here before him stood the woman who was a legend around the dinner tables he shared with neighboring kings. All told of encountering a lady so beautiful she would take your breath away and yet who was so cunning none could cage her long enough to make her into a wife. She was truly everything they talked about, and even more. Nalick didn’t need the seer’s opinion to know that this was the woman he wanted to marry.


Author Info
Originally from Wisconsin, B. Kristin currently resides in Ohio with her husband, two small children, and three cats. When not doing the mom thing of chasing kids, baking cookies, and playing outside, she is using her PhD in Biology working as a scientist. In her free time she is hard at work on multiple novels; as each day passes, she has more ideas for both current and future novels.

Links
Blog

Goodreads

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Amazon

Barnes & Noble


Giveaway
Kristin is hosting a TOUR WIDE Giveaway for a $10.00 Amazon/or B&N Gift Card to ONE Randomly Drawn Commenter. Be sure to leave a comment below with your email address to be entered and follow the tour to better your chances.

When Silver Moons Rise - Paperback Release Blitz

Hey everyone! Today I have the paperback release blitz for When Silver Moons Rise!

Title: When Silver Moons Rise (The Lost Immortals 2)
Author: KaSonndra Leigh
ebook release: January 20, 2013
Paperback Release: April 21, 2013
Genre: Young Adult
Blitz Host: Lady Amber's Tours

Book Description:
Facing an unstable future, Chela Prizeon leaves Castle Hayne and crosses over to enemy territory in pursuit of Faris--the boy of royal blood who is cursed by a bitter rival. But soon Chela learns that he has been taken deep into the treacherous frozen prisons--a majestic, but deadly place where people enter and are never seen again. To find the boy she loves, Chela must join forces with one of her greatest enemies. And even though she pulls strength from the good in her powers, she finds herself drawn to the dark side's temptation as well.

Narrated from both Chela's and Faris's point of view, this enchanting sequel to When Copper Suns Fall will take them on a voyage into unknown lands, where the dark, twisted, and revengeful wait to make this their most dangerous journey ever.

Please Note: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language.



Author Bio:
I live in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina. I write about people doing fantastical things in magical worlds. Sometimes they fall for each other and make sacrifices for their friends. Oh, and sometimes they love music and nature too. I live with my two sons,a guinea pig, a cat, and two dogs. Now that I have completed my MFA in creative writing, I find that I have a little extra time to play CLUE more often. I live in an L-shaped house dedicated to my grandmother. It has a secret library complete with fairies, venetian plastered walls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass. 

The Lost Immortals: When Copper Suns Fall is my debut novel.

Links:

Buy Links for The Lost Immortals:

Dracula Unleashed Blog Tour- Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Hi everyone! Today I have a stop on the review tour for Dracula Unleashed by Linda Mercury. I love this series and this book is a great addition to it. I have an excerpt and a giveaway for you all as well as my review.


Dracula Unleashed
by Linda Mercury

BLURB:
After centuries as the Dracula of Legend, disguised as a male, Valerie Tate's current incarnation is the last thing she expected: mother of a precocious half-angel, half-vampire, and wife to two men. But Valerie is more familiar with battlefields than domesticity. . . 

Some overwhelmed mothers relax with a glass of wine. Valerie soothes her immortal soul with a refreshing blood and coke. How else can she deal with her toddler Minerva's psychic powers--not to mention her determination to throw knives. Thank goodness for Valerie's two loves, John Jante, guide to Fallen Angels, and Lance Soleil, Angel of the Lost. Without them, the trauma of her dark past and her primal, Dracul urge for violence and power would overtake her. Yet in a world where humans and paranormals uncomfortably co-exist, Valerie's peace will be short-lived.

Tensions have erupted with bombings and the emergence of creatures heralding the apocalypse itself. And Valerie's vampire brother and nemesis, Radu, is at the center of the conflict. Now Valerie finds herself at the forefront of an epic battle between good and evil--and facing a choice no woman in any realm should have to make. . .

My Review
Valerie has settled in with her two men and her toddler Minerva. She thinks she is ready to have a peaceful life but she is also haunted by memories.  Her peace is soon shattered and in many ways she welcomes it. The paranormal and humans peace is about to erupt and Valerie may be the only one to stop it and keep things on track. She just may have to unleash Dracula once again.

Valerie is as awesome as she always is. Whether she is trying to figure out her place in life now, motherhood, battling evil or just being sexy as always she rocks. I love how you see inside her as she battles what she was and who she is now. She may be old but she really grows in this book emotionally wise.  John and Lance are hot as every and you can see why Valerie loves these two so much. I really loved the scenes with Minerva and John. Now Minerva is going to be a handful you can tell by how she acts now.  I love this toddler she doesn't seem afraid of anything.

This is the third book in a fantastic series. I love the other books and this one makes a nice addiction to it. I love the thought that Dracula was a woman gives it a fresh take that if that wasn't enough to get you to read the series you also get some action packed battles, amazing people and some steamy scenes that are very hot. You get several little side stories as you read this book and you get to enjoy other characters and their struggles as well. You even get to see the weak side of Lucifer. I really hope we see more of these people cause I want to see Minerva grow up and come into her own. If you love paranormal books with hottness pick this up.
4 out of 5 Stars


Excerpt
3:00 p.m., Geneva, Switzerland 

“Mom, watch this. Mom. Mom. MOM!” Minerva Josephine Victoria JantĂ© chanted her demands for attention in Valerie Tate’s mind. It was a chant that had gone on. And on. 

All. Day. Long. 

Some mothers took tranquilizers. Others posted on the Internet. Valerie’s own mother had been known to “entertain” good-looking junior soldiers. Whereas Valerie herself craved the perfect combination of sweet and salty, caffeine, and nutrition: blood and coke. 

How else was a vampire supposed to deal with the highly advanced psychic powers her child had? Half-angel and half-vampire, Minerva had abilities no one expected from one so young. 

“Let me guess. You are going to drop something,” she called from the kitchen. 

The baby huffed an indignant breath. Valerie dug her back teeth into her left cheek. No smiling while her child was pouting, even though her daughter’s Cupid’s bow mouth would be pursed like she was spitting out something foul. Such a sour expression on her angelic face. 

”But this is cool.” 

A familiar clatter told Valerie that Minerva had dropped yet another utensil. Was that her fiftieth or sixtieth of the day? 

Really, how long could one vampire watch her flatware fall to the floor and treat it like it was the discovery of a new world? 

She took a pitcher of blood in one hand, a cold can of soda in the other, and shoved the appliance’s door closed with her elbow. The condensation on the can of cola chilled her sweating palms. Summer in Geneva could be shockingly hot and humid for a place surrounded by icy mountains. She smiled. This beverage would be delicious. 

Valerie rounded the divider between the kitchen and the living room. She shook her head in mock awe at the youngest Dracul’s prowess this afternoon. The floor shone with dropped silverware. 

The game had gone like this: Valerie handed Minerva a spoon. Minerva dropped the spoon. Valerie handed Minerva a fork. Minerva dropped the fork. Valerie did not pick any of it up. 

She was familiar with intestine-strewn battlefields, not domesticity. The best she could do was shovel the clinking lot into the dishwasher and push Clean. 

Fortunately, her little family owned a lot of forks.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Linda Mercury left behind her varied careers as a librarian, art model, and professional clown to pursue writing. She’s interested in writing, romance, the Middle East, reading, organizing, cooking, hand-made silk Turkish rugs, and the Nike of Samothrace.

Website and blog:
Twitter: LindaMercury1

Dracula's Secret, Blood Wings #1 : 

Dracula's Desires, Blood Wings #2:

Dracula Unleashed, Blood Wings #3

Giveaway
Linda will be awarding a dragon necklace (since Dracula means Dragon) (USA ONLY) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Be sure to comment below and follow the tour to better your chances.

Halo of the Damned Tour- Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

Hey everyone! Today i have a stop on the Halo of the Damned review tour! I have info on the book and author, an excerpt, review and a giveaway for you all.


Halo of the Damned
By Dina Rae

BLURB: 
A chain of advertising agencies, a new breed of humans, and a fallen angel to worship... Andel Talistokov is known for his slick advertising agencies across the globe. He is a fallen angel that uses advertising as a weapon for Satan's work. His growing power emboldens him to break several of Hell's Commandments. Furious with his arrogance, Satan commands him to return to Hell after finding his own replacement. Yezidism, an ancient angel worshiping religion, quietly expands throughout the West. Armaros appears as a guest of honor during their ceremonies. He mates with young women to produce nephilim, a mixed race of humans and angels. They are alone and unprepared for their supernatural power. Joanna Easterhouse, a recovering drug addict, steps out of prison shortly after her mother's fatal accident. She and her sister, Kim, unravel their mother's secretive past. Intrigued, they learn their bloodline is part of a celestial legacy. Both worlds collide. Halo of the Damned is a horrifying tale that weaves research together with suspenseful twists and turns.

My Review
Joanna has spent a few years in jail for her drug habit. She had the habit do to hearing voices all her life. The drugs kept the voices away. When she is released she goes home to live with her sister and niece. All she wants to do is stay clean and get a job. Her mom left behind many secrets including who their father is. She was hiding so much more that they better prepare to face. Andel is a successful business man with ties to Satan. He grows to cocky and soon begins to ignore Satan's wishes. All his years of evilness is about to catch up with him.

From the first page you can just tell this is going to be a wonderful gore filled book. Starting out you get to see just how evil Andel is and you continue to see more as the book goes along. Joanna, Kim, Maria and all the other characters make this a fascinating book. You never know what is going to be revealed or what will happen next. I love all the tie ins you get the more you read it. The nephilims and angels are so intriguing to read and find out more about. The author does an amazing job create this world you find yourself in. I really hope to see more of these characters and story as I think it has only stared.
5 out of 5 Stars

Excerpt
Kim finished the mini-project and then hung the painting above Maria’s headboard. She took a mental note to get the painting appraised and insured later on during the week. Both Kim and Joanna were eager to find out about their mother’s relics left behind at the Lake Geneva home. As promised, Kim looked up an old friend from high school, Doctor Sandra Jackson, who currently held a post at Loyola University. She hoped that her friend, Sandra, or one of her colleagues could identify the script and point Kim in the right direction in finding out its translation. If she was really lucky, they would be able to answer all of her questions about the unfamiliar items.

Kim quickly found Sandra online listed under the College of Arts and Sciences. She called her at work, and Sandra was available to talk. They quickly caught up with each other’s lives until Sandra got down to business.

“Kim, I’m so glad you called. Is this a purely social call or is there anything I can help you with?” Sandra asked, sensing that Kim was withholding something from her.

“Well, yes. I’m embarrassed to call after all these years of failing to keep in touch. And now when I could use your help, here I am. I’m a lousy friend. Please forgive me,” Kim begged.

“Kim, it’s okay. I haven’t called either. Please, I’d love the chance to help. What can I do?”

Kim remained as vague and elusive as possible, briefly describing some of the carvings found in the basement wall. She told Sandra she copied down the markings and wanted to know what they meant. She also described the old scroll, without commenting about the who’s, where’s, and when’s. She omitted telling Sandra about her mother. Lydia’s death would have tipped Sandra off as to where the items came from.

“Kim, this all sounds very mysterious. Please bring what you have and come around lunchtime. We’re all here in our cubicles. If I can’t help you, I’m confident one of my colleagues can. See you tomorrow.”

Later that evening, Kim informed Joanna about the meeting with the Loyola staff. “These heirlooms will bring us fame and fortune. They are our ‘holy grail’! I feel like Indiana Jones!” Joanna exclaimed.

“Don’t get too blissful. They might not be able to help,” Kim cautioned.

Overhearing the conversation, Maria became upset. “But Mom, who is gonna pick me up from school?”

“Holly’s mom is. You’re going to stay there until I get back, probably around dinner time,” Kim assured.

“Mommy, those people are strangers! You just can’t be showing them Grandma’s things! It’s not right! It’s not what she would have wanted! Lonnie doesn’t trust your friend!” Maria’s petulance was escalating. In desperation, she threw her aunt into the argument. “Auntie Jo, don’t let her do this! Especially Grandma’s scroll! It’s too dangerous!”

Although Joanna was uneasy about her niece’s behavior, she was not going to let a six year-old manipulate Kim’s and her plans. “Sweetie, your mother and I are curious to what that stuff is. She is taking these things to a very smart bunch of people who may be able to help us. No one is going to wreck it or steal it,” she placated.
“I already know what it is! Grandma was an angel, or a nephilim! Why don’t you believe me?” Maria screamed as she raced up to her room.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:
Dina Rae is a new author here to stay. As a teacher, she brings an academic element to her work. Her three novels, Halo of the Damned, The Last Degree, and Bad Juju weave research and suspense throughout the plots. Her short story, Be Paranoid Be Prepared, is a prequel of sorts to The Last Degree, focusing on the James Martin character. In the spring of 2013, her latest novel, Halo of the Nephilim, will be released. Dina also freelances for various entertainment blogs.

Dina lives with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs outside of Chicago. She is a Christian, an avid tennis player, movie buff, and self-proclaimed expert on several conspiracy theories. She has been interviewed numerous times in e-zines, websites, blogs, newspapers, and radio programs. When she is not writing she is reading novels from her favorite authors Dan Brown, Anne Rice, Stephen King, Brad Thor, George R.R. Martin, and Preston & Childs. 

@haloofthedamned
Eternalpress.biz

Giveaway
Dina is awarding one randomly drawn commenter a new peacock necklace. Be sure to comment below and follow the tour to better your chances.
The author is also running a separate contest on her website be sure to check that out as well.

Lachlan's Bride Tour- Excerpt & Guest Post

Hi everyone! Today I have a stop on the Lachlan's Bride book tour. I have info on the book, an excerpt and a guest post for you all!

Lachlan’s Bride 
By: Kathleen Harrington

Blurb
He is Lachlan MacRath, laird and pirate. And he intends to be her lover…

Lady Francine Walsingham could not believe this fierce Highland warrior is to be her escort into Scotland. It is whispered that Lachlan MacRath has magical powers…how else do you explain why her countrymen call him the Sorcerer of the Seas? But trust him she must, for a treacherous plot is about to reveal all her secrets…and Francine has no choice but to act as his lover to keep her enemies at bay.

When Lachlan first sees Francine, the English beauty stirs his blood like no woman has ever before. As luck would have it, they must now play the besotted couple so he can protect her ….and Lachlan is determined to use all his seductive prowess to properly woo her into his bed.

Excerpt
PROLOGUE
May 1496
The Cheviot Hills
The Border between England and Scotland

Stretched flat on the blood-soaked ground, Lachlan MacRath gazed up at the cloudless morning sky and listened to the exhausted moans of the wounded. 

The dead and the dying lay scattered across the lush spring grass. Overhead the faint rays of dawn broke above the hilltops, as the buttercups and bluebells dipped and swayed in the soft breeze. The gruesome corpses were sprawled amidst the wildflowers, their vacant eyes staring upward to the heavens, the stumps of their severed arms and legs still oozing blood and gore. Dented helmets, broken swords, axes, and pikes gave mute testimony to the ferocity of the combatants. Here and there, a loyal destrier, trained to war, grazed calmly alongside its fallen master.

Following close upon daylight, the scavengers would come creeping, ready to strip the bodies of anything worth a shilling: armor, dirks, boots, belts. If they were Scotsmen, he'd be in luck. If not, he'd soon be dead. There wasn't a blessed thing he could do but wait. He was pinned beneath his dead horse, and all efforts to free himself during the night had proven fruitless.

In the fierce, running battle of the evening before, the warriors on horseback had left behind all who'd fallen. Galloping across the open, rolling countryside, Scots and English had fought savagely, till it was too dark to tell friend from foe. There was no way of knowing the outcome of the battle, for victory had been determined miles away. 

Hell, it was Lachlan's own damn fault. He'd come on the foray into England with King James for a lark. After delivering four new canons to the castle at Roxburgh, along with the Flemish master gunners to fire them, he'd decided not to return to his ship immediately as planned. The uneventful crossing on the Sea Hawk from the Low Countries to Edinburgh, followed by the tedious journey to the fortress, with the big guns pulled by teams of oxen, had left him eager for a bit of adventure.

When he'd learned that the king was leading a small force into Northumberland to retrieve cattle raided by Sassenach outlaws, the temptation to join them had been too great to resist. There was nothing like a hand-to-hand skirmish with his ancient foe to get a man's blood pumping through his veins.

But Lord Dacre, Warden of the Marches, had surprised the Scots with a much larger, well-armed force of his own, and what should have been a carefree rout turned into deadly combat.

A plea for help interrupted Lachlan's brooding thoughts. Not far away, a wounded English soldier, who'd cried out in pain during the night, raised himself up on one elbow. 

"Lychester! Over here, sir! It's Will Jeffries!"

Lachlan watched from beneath slit lids as another Sassenach came into view. Attired in the splendid armor of the nobility, the newcomer rode a large, caparisoned black horse. He'd clearly come looking for someone, for he held the reins of a smaller chestnut, its saddle empty and waiting.

"Here I am, Marquess," the young man named Jeffries called weakly. He lifted one hand in a trembling wave as the marquess of Lychester drew near to his countryman. Dismounting, he approached the wounded soldier.

"Thank God," Jeffries said with a hoarse groan. "I've taken a sword blade in my thigh. The cut's been oozing steadily. I was afraid I wouldn't make it through the night."

Lychester didn't say a word. He came to stand behind the injured man, knelt down on one knee, and raised his fallen comrade to a seated position. Grabbing a hank of his yellow hair, the marquess jerked the fair head back and deftly slashed the exposed throat from ear to ear. Then he calmly wiped his blade on the youth's doublet, lifted him up in his arms, and threw the body face down over the chestnut's back.

The English nobleman glanced around, checking, no doubt, to see if there'd been a witness to the cold-blooded execution. Lachlan held his breath and remained motionless, his lids lowered over his eyes. Apparently satisfied, the marquess mounted, grabbed the reins of the second horse and rode away.

Lachlan slowly exhaled. 

Sonofabitch. 

He knew the English were a bloodthirsty race. But he hadn't thought that included the murder of a helpless patriot on a deserted battlefield. 

What kind of bastard did such a traitorous thing?
Guest Post
MY FAVORITE ROMANTIC MOVIES

Ah, romance in the spring. Or fall. Summer's good, too. And snuggling up by the fire on a frosty winter's night! Hmm. Hard to decide, isn't it?
That's how I feel about choosing my favorite romantic movies. I'm going to mention a few, and just as soon as I close this post, I'll remember so many more! Now where to start?
Of course, to begin with, we'll always have Casablanca. This is the only truly romantic movie in which the heroine loses the hero to a greater cause and I'm still starry-eyed at the end. When Rick (Humphrey Bogart) tells Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) their two lives don't amount to a hill of beans, well...somehow you just know it has to end that way. There are too many lives that hang in the balance.
Must Love Dogs has that wonderful happy ending I just adore! This movie, staring Diane Lane and John Cusack, has so many elements that I find endearing. Jake, a shy, disheartened hero, trying to cope with the end of his marriage. Sarah, a heroine who's all but given up on ever meeting the right guy. A quirky family determined to interfere, a jerk masquerading as a jock, and, of course, two dogs. The love between the family members, and the special bond between the father (Christopher Plummer) and his children assures you that everything will be okay in the end, even if Sarah never meets her own special someone. Thankfully, she does.
French Kiss is a perfect gem. So beautifully written, I've watched it a dozen or more times. Meg Ryan is everywoman, filled with angst, allergies, and fear, not only of flying, but of any kind of change to the comfortable life she has planned.
And when the man Kate's chosen for that humdrum life, played by Timothy Hutton, bolts, she follows him to France to get him back. What a recipe for disaster, right there.
Things soon get much worse. She meets Luc (Kevin Kline) and her life quickly races downhill, for he proves to be a scoundrel and a thief.
Luc and Kate slowly, slowly realize that they are in love, yet fail to recognize the other's love for them. When Kate makes the ultimate sacrifice of giving up her dreams in order to save Luc from prison, he finally realizes she loves him. Men! They can be so blind.
Moonstruck is another romantic comedy I revisit time and again. You guessed it. I'm a sucker for quirky, interfering families. Ah. La famiglia.
Cher plays Loretta, a widow who's about to settle for a ho-hum marriage to a good friend. She tumbles head-over-heels for the groom's younger brother (Nicholas Cage) a week before the wedding. The antics of Loretta's father, the wisdom of her mother, not to mention the passion between her uncle and aunt, can all be blamed on the huge full moon shining through their bedroom windows.  They are all hopelessly moonstruck. If you haven't seen it, do! And you will be moonstruck, as well.
My most favorite movie of all is one of the greatest love stories of all time. Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Mcfadyen is a beautiful retelling of Jane Austen's masterpiece. When Elizabeth Bennet tells Mr. Darcy that he's the last man on earth she could ever marry, you are certain she's going to regret her foolish words. Women. Sometimes they can be so blind!
You can tell, by now, I'm a helpless romantic.
Here's an excerpt from the second book in my Highland Lairds Trilogy, LACHLAN'S BRIDE:

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In the intimacy of the moment, time seemed to stand still. The quiet candlelit room, the midnight hour, their hushed conversation, the delicate smocking on her high-necked nightgown, her soft breath caressing his face...all....all of it would be burned into his memory.
Lachlan knew, without a doubt, he'd recall every detail of this night when he was an old man...and relive the heart-stirring pleasure.
God. He could drown in the depths of her tear-filled eyes.
She peeked at him shyly from beneath lowered lids and her mouth curled up in a rueful smile. "I never thanked you for saving the archery contest this afternoon."
He grinned in return. "I wondered when you were going to get around to that."
"I believe I owe you a kiss, Laird Kinrath."
"I believe you do, Lady Walsingham."
*************************************************************
Thank you for inviting me to share my thoughts with your readers. I'm looking forward with excitement to the release of LACHLAN'S BRIDE, an Avon Impulse, on April 30th.
Your readers may find me at the following places:
Twitter@kathleensbooks



Author Info
KATHLEEN HARRINGTON, winner of the Colorado Romance Writers’ Award of Excellence, has touched the hearts of readers across the country with her sparkling tales of high adventure and unending love. Her historical romances have been finalists for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA, The Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Awards, the Virginia Romance Writers’ HOLT Medallion, and the Phoenix Desert Rose Golden Quill. Her fabulous heroes have garnered the KISS (Knight in Shining Silver) Award. She lives in Southern California.

Author Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathleensbooks//@kathleensbooks

Ashes & Ice Book Blitz

 
 Hey everyone! Today I am taking part in the book blitz for Ashes & Ice. I have info on the book, an excerpt and giveaway for you all.


Title: Ashes & Ice
Author: Rochelle Maya Callen 
Release Day: February 4th, 2013
Genre: Young AdultBlitz Host: Lady Amber's Tours

Synopsis: 
She is desperate to remember.
He is aching to forget.
Together, they are not broken.
But together, one may not survive.

​Jade wakes up with no memory of her past and blood on her hands. 

Plagued by wicked thoughts, she searches for answers. Instead, she finds a boy who doesn't offer her answers, but hope. But sometimes, when nightmares turn into reality and death follows you everywhere, hope is not enough. 

LUST. LOVE. LOSS. Sometimes, all that is left are Ashes and Ice

Excerpt
“Have you ever been in love?”
I spill my popcorn on my lap. “I, uh, what?” I say, swiping off the kernels. The question catches me off guard.
“You know, in love.”
“No. No, I haven’t.” I shift on the couch, needing more space between us. “What about you?”
“Nah.” She flicks her hand toward me as if she is brushing away nonsense, but the hard look in her eyes says something different.
“Why?”
She points to the TV screen and the couple making out there. “Figured if you had been, then you could explain that to me.”
The guy sweeps the girl up and carries her into bed before they… you know. “Uh, sex?”
She bursts out laughing. “That too. But I was talking about what it feels like to be, you know, in love. Totally, without question. Like, does that,” she points to the screen again, “exist?”
“Yeah, I think it exists.” I think of mom and dad—the way they kissed every morning, hugged a few moments longer than anyone else, laughed so hard they cried, and cuddled, shutting out the world, looking more content than these fakers on the screen. “It exists. And in real life, it’s better than that crap.” I say, suddenly uncomfortable by the moaning coming from the TV.
“I thought you said you’ve never been in love?”
“I haven’t. But I’ve seen it. And I haven’t ever seen anything come close to that in the movies.”
She opens her mouth as if about to ask a question, but then closes it and smiles, accepting my answer. “Well, it’s good that there may be something in life to look forward to.” She drops a kernel of popcorn in her mouth.
“May be?”
“Well nothing is guaranteed. Who knows, I may die an old spinster.” She’s smiling, but her eyes aren’t.
I think about the movie store guy’s possessive eyes, Jesse’s chair fiasco, and Dominic’s leering, my heart. “I doubt that.”


Author Bio:
Rochelle grew up dreaming up stories. When she entered high school, she tucked away her creative side and jumped head-first into academics, work, and service projects. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Political Science and Communication when she was twenty years old. After years away from her writing, Rochelle picked up a pen and started fleshing out a character sketch that she outlined when she was twelve. That sketch was the start of the Ashes and Ice story. Rochelle lives in the DC metro area with her husband and daughter. By day she works as a behavioral therapist. By night, she is a dreamer and is busy tapping out new stories on her keyboard.

Links:
Twitter: rockyiswriting

Buy Links: 

Giveaway

Alice's Sacrifice Tour- Review & Excerpt

Hi everyone! Today I have a stop on the Alice's Sacrifice tour. There is an excerpt and my Review for you all.

Book Description:
After the fight of a lifetime, Alice and Cole return home to live a life they were never meant to live. Fallen Angel father's choose to stay, protect and get to know their nephilim children. Now that everyone knows where to find Alice, the real question is who is that information pertinent to? One single traumatic event sets Alice's true destiny into motion. How each of those she cares for reacts to this event; has enormous consequences for her. 

What will Alice have to sacrifice and for whom?

My Review
Alice and Cole are two nephilims who want to settle in, enjoy and love each other and their friends and family. Their Fallen Angel family is sticking close to them to keep an eye on them, help them and get to know them better. Alice starts art school and life seems to be going good. That all changes when a tragedy strikes leaving everyone tore apart and Alice destined to sacrifice her self to save others. With head hunters and Angels after her she has to watch out constantly. The tragedy is bring some closer and putting up walls with others. Can Alice save her loved ones and her self?

Alice is so lovable. She generally cares and feels for all those close to her. She is also strong never doubt that she isn't. Not just strength wise but powerful and strong in emotions and love. What I like best about her is she is willing to do whatever to save love ones and willing to give it all up for them. She also isn't perfect and that makes her a more likable person. I love the chemistry between her and Cole. Cole loves Alice so much he is constantly trying to keep her safe. He does do a few stupid things and sometimes doesn't keep his emotions under control. Jake bad to say is my favorite in this book. I don't know why I just felt so much for him. He is a great friend but there is so much more underneath that just calls out to me. Paul I thought was just a jerk thru most of the book. I know he had his reasons but he was to cold to me. I was glad to see him open up some. Kokabiel I adored. I love all the interactions with him.

I read this book in one sitting and enjoyed every bit of it. The characters are so amazing and they have you feeling for them. I love the world the author create. There is so much in this book emotion wise. I think the characters go through everyone you can think of and it is described so well. Even the torture scenes were good in you could tell why they hurt so much.The decisions Alice and the other face are very hard ones to do and you can see them struggling to decide. This book is packed full of action, love, lust, affection, anger and so much more. Very well written and I would recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal books or just loves a wonderful book.
4 out of 5 Stars

Excerpt
ALICE 

The breeze caressed Alice’s face from the open window as they flew through the winding roads that led them back to their home. She felt Cole’s hand clutch hers, loosening only to brush his fingers gently along her arm. They had won this unfathomable fight against God’s Angels for now, but for how long, only time would tell. She felt him lift her hand to his mouth, giving it a tender kiss before returning it to her lap. 

“How is your back?” Cole asked.

“Sore. I knew it would be painful, but this is more than I could ever have imagined.” She flinched slightly from the memory of her new-found wings collapsing into her back. “I’m sure it’s worse than child birth.” 

He chuckled, “Well, that is something I will never be able to know.” His laugh faded as they made eye contact. 

Alice twisted uncomfortably, having never really considered having children herself. She sat torturing herself, conflicted between comparing whether she even wanted to have kids and how much worse she’d feel if he did. 

“I think that is something we can talk about down the road. We’ve had quite a night,” he said.

He was right. The last few months had changed her life in every way possible. She now knew what real love was every time she looked into his beautiful amber eyes as they reached deep into her soul. She had finally known the truth of why such bizarre things had happened to her in her life when she met her biological Fallen Angel father, Penemue, or Paul, as she liked to call him. It was then she was brought face to face with her destiny. The topic of children was not something she was even remotely up for talking about, though a part of her couldn’t help imagining what their children would be like. She leaned over to rest her head on Cole’s shoulder. As she did, he lifted his arm, holding her tightly to his chest. We really did make it, she thought. He kissed the top of her head, Yes we did, he said. She would never tire of hearing his voice in her head or knowing he could hear her voice in his. After arriving home she looked back at the flood of cars that trailed behind them, letting a smile crawl up her face. Everyone was camped outside around a victorious campfire except Cole and Alice, who had excused themselves and ventured back to their home to shower and relax. The overwhelming emotions that had run through her were gone and all that was left was adrenaline and passion. Cole barely shut the door behind them when she jumped into his arms and pressed her lips to his, slamming his back into the door. He wrapped his arms tighter around her, returning her kiss with the same raw passion. She needed this, and she knew he did too.


Author Bio:
Born and raised in Michigan, Andrea has always been a writer at heart. She currently resides in Michigan with her son, "her world". Over the last decade she has written, starred and directed in many screenplays. In the last few years she decided to return to writing novels and hasn't looked back since, giving her work my full attention. "I am very excited to share the worlds I create, with all of you dreamers."


Links: