Wednesday, January 27, 2016

THE SCIELL BY AUDEN JOHNSON - REVIEW TOUR + GIVEAWAY


The Sciell: Book 1 of The Merging Worlds Series
by Auden Johnson
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GENRE: Dark Fantasy
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BLURB:
Darkness is alive. It has power.

Shade, a half-breed, and her adopted brother and protector, Vayle, are discovering the dark lies behind their village. Their home is in each other. Family runs deeper than blood. Shade tries to find herself beyond the bullied half-human. Vayle's only job was to be his baby sister's shield. He trained her too well. She doesn't need his protection. They're lost. Maybe Raesul's destruction will show them their true selves, their true purpose. The prison walls are coming down. Darkness is changing. The world will suffer.







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MY REVIEW
The Sciell (Merging Worlds Series, #1)The Sciell by Auden Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book of a dark and gory series.
I must be honest, at first it was difficult to follow the story, but after a couple of chapters, everything falls in place and the plot pickups at a steady pace.
With some unique characters, a rich and detailed language, very graphic and violent scenes and great family values, The Sciell it's an original book that grabbed my attention and left me wanting to read more!! Can't wait for book #2.
If you are a fan of dark fantasy with raw scenes, grab your copy.

*I received a Free Copy in exchange for an Honest Review*

View all my reviews

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EXCERPT
“Maggot infested garbage must exist between those ears. I let it go once. You told me you would not walk around alone. I am really tired, Shade, of seeing you bleeding and beaten.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “And if you apologize, I’ll rip off your barren head. You’re apparently incapable of using whatever dim knowledge your moth-eaten brain possesses.”
His angered-fueled words had long since lost any ability to hurt her.

“On top of that, you took half of Wraith’s Lifeblood to launch a physical on a Del’Praeli in sceadu. Have I taught you nothing?”
She grinned. “Well, when you put it like that…”
He stopped pacing and faced her. Shade tried not to run screaming.

“This is not a joke, child.”
He raked his fingers through his hair, turning it as wild as his eyes. Nothing Shade said would calm him down. She had to try, though.
“Five years in the human city made me forget how bad it was here. I know Del’Praeli were awful to me. In my memories, they didn’t seem that bad.” Shade unclenched the fist she didn’t know she had balled. Vayle calmed down. “I guess I don’t have…”
His glare cut off her sentence. Once again, she said too much.

“You, baby sister, keep trying to fit your body in a box it was never meant to be in.”

Vayle’s famous saying. His expression eased. She smiled weakly.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
As a kid, Auden created her own books by folding several construction papers in half and stapling them down the middle, adding her own illustrations. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get away from writing. She holds a B.A. in English, a M.S. in Library and Information Science and she studied Creative Writing in England. She’s an Author/Research Assistant for Aubey LLC and currently lives in Brooklyn, NY- working towards her Masters in Publishing at NYU. Her short stories and novellas are on Amazon. Book 1: The Sciell and Book 2: Chains of the Sciell of The Merging Worlds series are now available. Her first non-fiction book, Building Dark Worlds: A World Building Guide, is also available.
Links



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GIVEAWAY
Auden Johnson will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner

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Thursday, January 21, 2016

THE SECRET HEIRESS BY SUSIE WARREN - REVIEW TOUR + GIVEAWAY


The Secret Heiress
by Susie Warren
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GENRE:  Contemporary Romance
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BLURB:
Raised by a single mother in London, Anna Harris was surprised to find out her father was the business mogul, Oliver Bolles. Deciding to follow in his footsteps, she used her brilliant ability with numbers to secure a sought after position in a London brokerage house. Disillusioned by the lack of integrity, Anna decides to seek a more fulfilling career and unknowingly throws herself into the path of an old obsession, Alistair Martin. Finding it difficult to endure the emotional scars of being abandoned by her father and then taken advantage of by a devious boyfriend, Anna avoids serious relationships until she is challenged to do something she has never done.
Alistair Martin is a hot, obscenely wealthy vineyard owner with a razor sharp business mind who pursues Anna out of curiosity and decides to invest into her failing events management company. He was raised in poverty until he was a teenager and his father’s family brought him into the fold. Anna is not what he expects and he has to change his game plan if he hopes to convince the secret heiress to let down her guard enough to leap into a wild affair.
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EXCERPT
Anna panicked. The last thing she needed today was to revisit her immature seduction of the great Alistair Martin. It was seven years ago and when he realized she was Olivia’s sister, he had rejected her.
Her teenage obsession with him had never ended. These days, she was careful to keep away from him, which wasn’t particularly difficult since he was work obsessed and hated children’s celebrations.
She tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear, “I’m not sure that would be wise. Cheerio.”
Alistair tightened his grip, halting her exit. Her heart raced and she could feel a nervous tension building in her core.
He held her gaze. “You are so familiar. It has been several years.”
“Possibly.” She had caught a glimpse of him the previous Boxing Day but made a swift exit through the garden so she wouldn’t have to speak to him.  
She knew tons about him. Unfortunately, she would scan the internet for photographs of him when she had a spare moment and had followed closely all of his business ventures. Arrogance surrounded him. Alistair Martin dressed in expensive suits that clothed an extremely fit body. He was well known for his charity football matches and Iron Man adventures. He oversaw an extremely prosperous distillery empire and closely managed acres and acres of a third generation winery in Southern England. He was an extremely gifted mathematician but instead of seeking his fortune in the financial world, he chose agriculture and vice. He also had met her father several times before his tragic death in a motorcycle accident.
“You are Olivia’s younger sister.”
She nodded. He did remember her. He was probably thinking about her awkward attempt at seduction after drinking too much at Olivia’s wedding. The hot encounter where he practically stripped her naked until he realized who she was. Somehow being Fionn’s sister-in-law put her off limits. He had asked her age and cursed when she had told him. After that, he barely looked at her. Instead, she ceased to exist in his world. Yet she craved the smallest glimpse of him.
“I should be going.”
He let go of her arm. “I’m hosting a charity ball at my house outside of London in a week. Fionn and Olivia have promised to put in an appearance. Come with them.”
He handed her a business card and she politely nodded. She wouldn’t go. Her life was in turmoil, and she didn’t need additional drama.
Anna shrugged and stepping away said, “I don’t think so. I’m rather busy with work at the moment.”
He held her gaze a fraction too long, then said “possibly another time then” and walked away from her.

Anna regretted not accepting his invitation but knew nothing good would come of her obsession with him. She forced herself to leave the brewery and head towards her mother’s brownstone. Attempting to banish the image of the strikingly handsome Alistair Martin from her mind, she thought about her mother’s coming reaction to her change of careers.
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MY REVIEW

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I must say that this book is excellent from the cover till the end.
We have:
. Family Feud and Secrets
. And Old flame that could be rekindle
.Two likeable main characters (Anna & hot steamy Alastair) and their intense chemistry
. And a lot of money
All this on a predictable and common setting but never the less, it's a great read, full of steamy scenes and situations, witty dialogues and good secondary characters, and some twists and turns, The Secret Heiress will awake butterflies on your tummy.
Well deserved 5 stars.
Highly Recommended.

* I received a Free copy in exchange for an Honest Review*


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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Susie Warren spends most of her time writing intense and complex stories about falling in love.  Her beloved characters are real living and breathing people thrown into unusual circumstances.  Besides being drawn into a make believe world each day, Susie keeps tabs on her inventor husband and her three challenging yet mostly perfect teenagers. She has five novels published and is working on her 6th.
Sign up for her newsletter for a chance to read her next book early and receive information on discounted prices and free books!

Visit her website for more information:  www.susiewarren.com Connect with the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/susiewarrenauthor
or Twitter @susiecwarren
http://www.amazon.com/Susie-Warren/e/B00LIANNYQ

Buy Link:  
The book will be $0.99 during the tour.
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Heiress-contemporary-romance-Dynasty-ebook/dp/B014FMIDS4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448847148&sr=8-1&keywords=Susie+Warren


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GIVEAWAY
Susie will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC

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HOT STUFF: SURFING LOVE BY CARLA CARUSO, MARIA LEWIS, ALLI SINCLAIR AND TESS WOODS - VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR + GIVEAWAY


Hot Stuff: Surfing Love
by Carla Caruso, Maria Lewis, Alli Sinclair and Tess Woods
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GENRE:   Contemporary Erotic Romance
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BLURB:
Hot sun, warm bodies, tight skin, electricity on the air ... four top romance authors give you their take on summer.
From Carla Caruso - A chance meeting with a pro-surfer on an island getaway ...
From Maria Lewis - The world of women's surfing throws two recent bedmates together ...
From Alli Sinclair - A world-famous performer finds her heart and a way to fight her demons in Rio de Janeiro ...
From Tess Woods - A Cornish beach retreat proves a full reawakening ...
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EXCERPT
Destiny in a Day - Tess Woods
The lifesaver stood and watched them for a while, and then walked back towards the small set-up he had, consisting of a white plastic chair sunk low in the sand, a canary-yellow rescue board, a large esky, and an A-frame blackboard sign on which he had written high and low tide times and wind and surf conditions in white block letters.
Gemma followed his long strides with her eyes. She’d been sneaking glances at him since she’d got here. She’d first noticed him on Monday, the day she arrived. He’d been here every day since, already set up by the time she wandered down mid-morning. She’d surprised herself the day before by wondering whether he would be there as she’d walked along the narrow roads that led from the cottage to Trevone Bay, enjoying the feel of the warm sunshine on her bare arms.
Well, there you go, she’d thought as her shoes crunched the gravel under them, I am still capable of lusty thoughts. That’s nice to know!
Yesterday the lifesaver had rescued an elderly man who’d been dragged out into the rough surf, desperately flailing his arms in the air as his head bobbed in and out of the white water. Gemma, the only other person at the beach, had watched the rescue with fascination and a tight chest. Once the swimmer was safely brought into shore on the front of the lifesaver’s board and was resting on the sand, she’d relaxed and then discreetly watched with even greater fascination as the lifesaver had peeled off the top half of his wetsuit, letting it drop around his waist as he shook the sand out of his mop of wavy dusty-blond hair. He stood there puffing from the effort of paddling, hands on hips, staring out to sea. Gemma found herself peering over the top of her sunglasses at his ripped back and shoulders and his big toned arms, and at the way that his taut six-pack of abdominal muscles sucked in and out with each huge breath.
And now today here she was again, making out as if she was looking at the lush cliffs, but really just having another good long look at him.
Thank you, Lord, for providing a hot lifesaver for me to gawk at five days in a row. Please bring him back every day for my viewing pleasure.
Gemma smiled to herself and checked her watch. Twelve-thirty. Had she already been here for three hours? Time completely escaped her here. As she sat on the wide, flat rocks that were surprisingly comfortable, day-dreaming with her feet dangling in the water, the hours flew by. She pushed both fists into the small of her back and arched backwards. Sitting here for this long made her stiff, and her knees creaked as she stood up. Scooping up her stripy towel, thin pink cardigan, white canvas sandshoes and the writing journal that had remained empty, Gemma jumped the short distance off the rocks and onto the cool, wet sand. A seagull that had been resting nearby startled and flew away.
‘Sorry, little guy,’ she laughed as the bird flew high into the cloudless sky.
His seagull mates who’d been hanging around with him followed him up and away, thus clearing the beach of any sand-dwellers apart from the lifesaver. She stole one last glimpse of him now as he sat on the chair with his legs sprawled out, hands behind his head, looking out to sea, and then she stepped over the bunches of gathered driftwood where the sand met shrub and walked up the wooden steps that led to the road. Goodbye, sexy lifesaver.
When she reached the top of the beach path, Gemma turned to take in the view and sighed — Trevone hadn’t let her down. The cliffs surrounding the bay were illuminated by the noon sun to a bright emerald and, with the tide out, the scattered shells glistened along the shoreline. The deep blue water crashed into foam on the rocky break as the waves rolled in rhythmically. It was breathtaking.
Gemma hummed to herself as she walked the short distance home, turning into the narrow Cleeve Lane with its row of twelve almost-identical white-stone houses, all with overcrowded colourful cottage gardens. Even the weather was perfect here, with its mild temperatures, soft breezes and none of the humidity of home in Brisbane which caused her hair to frizz like one of The Supremes whenever she stepped outside.
Finding and then escaping to this quiet slice of heaven only a few miles from the bustle of Padstow was the best decision Gemma had made in months, perhaps years. She hoped this would be the start of better decision-making to come, in contrast to the steady stream of hopeless choices she’d made so far, marrying Ross being number one.
When she reached Sunny Cleeve cottage, Gemma gently lifted the rusty latch and with a creak pushed open the green picket gate. She walked along the cobbled path that weaved its way through lavender and rose bushes to the stained-glass front door.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Carla Caruso is a freelance journalist and former gossip columnist. Her books include the Astonvale rom-com mystery series, STARCROSSED, and UNLUCKY FOR SOME










Maria Lewis is a Sydney-based author, journalist and pop culture commentator. Her novel WHO'S AFRAID will be released in 2016.




Alli Sinclair’s debut novel, LUNA TANGO, was voted 2014 Book of the Year for the AusRom Today Readers Choice Awards and 2014 Favourite New Author by the Australian Romance Readers Association.






Tess Woods’s first novel, LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT, has received worldwide acclaim and been nominated in the Best Books category of the AusRom Today Readers Choice Awards.




Buy Links:





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GIVEAWAY
The authors will be awarding an eCopy of Hot Stuff: Surfing Love to 3 randomly drawn winners.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway



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Monday, January 18, 2016

THE MEASURE OF LOVE BY SAUNDRA MACKAY - BOOK BLAST + GIVEAWAY


The Measure of Love
by Saundra MacKay
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GENRE:  Contemporary Romance
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BLURB:


The Measure of Love is unique in that it is an authentic modern-day love story that captures the mystique and splendor of large size women of today.  It will captivate the hearts of the readers as they walks through Vanessa’s everyday life as she confronts the realistic obstacles from being a woman of size.  The story addresses size in a kinder, gentler way about full figured women beyond the realm of society’s idea of what is physically beautiful







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EXCERPT

Good fortune spared her from becoming further unnerved by allowing her to get to the airport without much delay, and to find a parking spot, with a few minutes left before his flight was to arrive. Vanessa felt as if she couldn’t make time move fast enough. With each passing minute, she couldn’t deny her mounting eagerness to see his handsome face come through the exit doorway. While the passengers were disembarking, Vanessa positioned herself in a place where she could easily see him come through the door, yet far enough away from the crowd of onlookers waiting for the same reason. As the doors opened and each unfamiliar face passed through the doorway, she felt as if her inflated heart was going to burst onto the carpet. She felt sure she would stop breathing if she didn’t see his face in the next few seconds.

Vanessa stood very still, watching the stream of emerging passengers. And then, suddenly, there he was, looking like the million dollars he was worth in her shining eyes. Unbeknownst to her, Jon had been anticipating seeing her just as much once the plane had landed, and the need had only increased as the plane, much too slowly, had taxied up the runway. His feet had wanted to run down the long walkway, making him impatient with the necessary procedures and the lingering passengers who, to his increasing anxiety, were taking their time walking down it. He didn’t know why, but he was nervous and very anxious, even though he’d been looking forward to this day since it had been arranged.

By the time Jon reached the exit, he was so wired it took everything he had not to push the people ahead of him out of his way to run the extra steps. Then, at the exact same moment, their eyes locked. Vanessa stood there, so statuesque, and wearing the biggest smile. It took all the remaining restraint he had not to drop his bag where he stood, run to her, and grab her up in his hungry arms to consume every inch of her big, beautiful body. She was one fine female, and he could see she had no idea of the enormous impression she made as she stood looking like a vision to all who had an eye for real beauty.

Never taking his eyes off hers, Jon walked toward her, lowered his bag, and forced himself to slowly pull her into his impatient arms. The feel of her softness revived the many feelings that had possessed him since he last left her, and gave him a new wish to hold on to her for a lifetime, just as he was at that very moment. For someone of such a large frame, she was so small in so

He had missed her. For someone of such a large frame, she was so small in so many ways not obvious to those who couldn’t see past the image taken in by the discriminating eye. Jon just wanted to hold her and protect her forever from all the ugliness around her and within her own insecure reflection. Vanessa wrapped her large arms around his neck, nestled her face deep into his shoulder beneath his scented square chin, and whispered, “I’ve missed you so much. Welcome, my love.”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I was a large-sized child shaped by the view of those expecting me to act a certain way because of my size and their narrow views.  As a “fat” child I was treated just how they thought I would act, as if I was so sensitive I were incapable of doing most things thin children could do.   It was around the age of twelve I started to gain weight, changing my physical image of my body.  It was a slow, steady process, but the ramifications were not.  

As I grew older and the pounds followed, the images changed dramatically and I wasn’t capable of fighting the effects from it. As a young girl of size, trying to keep some semblance of positive image was an uphill battle.  It was the start of feeling isolated and unsure as an introverted child growing up and into most of my teen years. I didn’t feel I could trust anyone enough to talk to about personal issues, especially anything to do with my weight.    

As a teen and into adulthood the meaning of unrequired love was lost to me.  As I explored the world around me, I unknowingly learned how to trust many of the voices of the people I was blessed to have had walk through my life.  In time, it showed me my innate trust in something bigger than society’s issues and helped me to listen to my own voice to hear the messages I tell myself.  

Now, the image of my body is one of kindness, caring, and love.  In light of realizing its society’s image of body that is distorted and do not accept the difference in every individual, I have come a long way to appreciate the uniqueness of my body.  Today love means so many things to me, and is felt in defining ways that have helped shape me into the person I am today.  I believe I have always reflexively felt a connection to my innate love for myself and on so many amazing levels love have helped me to understand and value the real me.  

As a young adult, I started to read every opportunity I had.  Then my love of words was found, allowing me to create a world in which I could express myself comfortably.  I now have the pleasure of embracing the feelings of joy and excitement that come with being a writer of truth and a romance novelist.  It’s possible because I evaluate myself and my growth with honesty in hopes of being capable of writing true-to-life love stories.  Love stories about large-size women who are seen for more than their innate beauty and are worthy to be the heroine who gets the man





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GIVEAWAY
Saundra will be awarding a $30 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner

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