Friday, May 31, 2013

Sarah Mullanix Interview + Giveaway [BLOGOVERSARY]

Today we have an interview with the lovely Sarah Mullanix! She is a complete sweetheart and we are absolutely thrilled to have her on the blog today! <3




1. If you could describe your book using three words, what would they be?

SM: Enjoyable, intense, and romantic....geez, asking a writer to only use 3 words is very
difficult :)

2. Do you have a favorite character from Beautiful Souls? If so, can you tell me who it is?

SM: I'd have to say that Leo is my favorite character in Book 1 of Beautiful Souls, but
knowing what I do about Luke, he may turn out to be my favorite character in Book 2.

3. What was the hardest part of writing your book?

SM: The hardest part of writing Beautiful Souls was taking out parts that I thoroughly
enjoyed writing, but just didn't quite fit in with where I wanted the story to lead. Maybe at some point I will include my deleted last chapter of Beautiful Souls in a free download or as a special feature in Book

4. Did you have any say in the cover, and do you think it accurately portrays what’s in the book?

SM: I actually designed my own book cover to Beautiful Souls, so yes, I had 100% say in
the matter. I believe the cover very much portrays the story. The background looks
like what I imagine the scenery would look like in Fairview, IN (the hometown of  Becca and Leo), and I also think it portrays the relationship between Becca and Leo along with a bit of eeriness that can be found in the story throughout the entire book.

5. Do you have a favorite place where you love to write?

SM: My favorite place to write is actually on my couch. I'm a mom of three, so the couch is pretty much the center of activity where I can keep an eye on everyone while still getting some writing done. I think I might be a bit strange as a writer, because I still scribble everything down by hand in a notebook, then transfer it to my computer. I tend to write more freely this way, plus I accomplish my first stage of editing as I transfer the work onto the computer.

6. If you were writing a book about your life, what would you title it?

SM: Organized Chaos

7. What sparked the idea for your novel?

SM: There were a few thoughts in my head that sparked the idea for Beautiful Souls. In a way, the lives of Becca and her mother are both lives that I'd want to actually live. Some of the events in the book were brought to life and embellished by actual events during either my, or my husband's, childhood. Also, the names and some of the personality traits written into the characters in Beautiful Souls were borrowed from my children. So, I drew inspiration from my life and the lives around me, then my imagination did the rest.

8. How personal is your writing?

SM: Although my writing is completely fiction, I draw inspiration from the lives and events all around me. I put my heart, soul, and feelings into each word that's written, so my writing is incredibly personal.

9. Are you currently working on any new writing? (Will there be a sequel to Beautiful Souls?)

SM: There is absolutely going to be a Beautiful Souls 2 (still untitled) which is currently being written and will hopefully be released late 2013. I'm sure this will be a relief to anyone who has already read Beautiful Souls (those of you who have read the book know why I say this :)

10. Do you recall how your interest in writing origionated?

SM: I remember as a child that I would read and write constantly. I lost those loves for many years while I was in college and during the time that my children were very young. My obsession with reading was sparked again a few years ago, and that filled my head with so many ideas. Those ideas nagged me night and day until I finally sat down and wrote the first three chapters to Beautiful Souls in less than a week, and the rest is history.

11. In the description of your book, the main characters are best friends turned love interests. Have you ever had a relationship with a guy who was also your best friend? If not, Do you ever find yourself jealous of the connection you created between your characters?

SM: My relationship with my husband did not start as friends, although we almost immediately became best friends after we started dating. I've never had a relationship myself, like the one between Becca and Leo in Beautiful Souls. Becca and Leo's relationship was written this way because I remember my mom telling me at least a hundred times during my dating years that the man I marry should be my best friend, and that advice translated into Becca and Leo growing up as best friends in the book then turning love interests once in high school. I don't think I'm jealous of Becca and Leo's relationship, but it's definitely nice to write a character's actions to be exactly how I'd want my boyfriend or husband to act. :)

12. I would like to end the interview with something fun. Can you tell me something fun/random/wonky/crazy about yourself or your writing habits? (ignore the yellow.. I am not sure how to get rid of it. haha)

SM: I'm not sure how much there is about me that's fun/random/wonky/crazy because afterall, I'm a mom of three so I have to be pretty normal and reliable as to not embarrass my children on a daily basis. But, one thing that was strange/different about me while writing Beautiful Souls was that not one living soul knew that I was writing a book. Nope, not my husband, or children, or sisters, or parents, or friends. After Beautiful Souls went live on Amazon and B&N I told my sister-in-law, husband, and children, then I started getting calls from other family members and friends when they saw posts/updates about the book on my Facebook page and blog. I'm sure there are even still a few family members out there that still don't know about Beautiful Souls. I guess I'm wonky like that. :)



Sarah's Contact Links
Blog | Facebooksarahmullanix@yahoo.com | Goodreads | Amazon











This is what life is like --- what a real life should be like --- perhaps. A life full of adventure, terror, joy, secrets, and of course family. I knew that this world, which I still had not fully processed or accepted, was what I had been waiting and hoping for all my life. Still a burden, certainly, but one that I now carry willingly; for this is my family and my legacy, without which I would be nothing.

There is never a single surprise in Fairview, Indiana. Routine, routine, routine, seems to be the town’s motto; that is, until four new residents move to town.

Fairview’s small-town resident, Becca Olson, has spent the first seventeen years of her life appreciating her surroundings, but she hopes everyday for something more. When she heads off for another unexceptional, typical day as a junior at Sycamore High School, she’s made aware of four new residents that have recently moved to her quaint town; two of which are Sycamore’s new students, Zoey and Luke Fitzgerald. This is when Becca’s life becomes suddenly and unexpectedly more interesting and frightening.

When Becca’s small-town life is turned upside down by unexplained visions, an attack on her life, and her best friend, Leo, turned boyfriend reveals his inherited family secret, she learns that life hasn’t always been what she thought it was. A gift from Leo and an unexpected find for her mother’s antique shop sparks curiosity about Becca’s own family heritage. When her own family secret --- her predetermined destiny of becoming a shape-shifting witch--- is revealed, Becca is thrown into a magical world of witches and warlocks, soul-possession, shape-shifting, and flying. As if all of that isn’t enough, she also has to contend with evil wizards disguised as friends who want nothing more than to rob her of everything she holds dear ---including her own life





[sorry for the quality. My camera is Crap-tastic. (: ]




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The Edge of Darkness by Melissa Andrea Release Post






After a tragic accident, Araya Noelle is left with a constant reminder that nothing is forever.

She is forced to give up her chance to be the youngest dancer accepted into Julliard & taking over their high society school by a graceful storm of determination is no longer an option. Instead of dwelling over her loss, she accepts the new future she’s been dealt. In a world as black as hers, there's no room for bitterness, no time for regret. Sheltered from the outside world, Araya has become suffocated by a life she has no control over. Until Ryland Dare comes crashing into her life.

You don’t know true darkness until you've felt light…

Like a firecracker, showering her with colorful sparks of freedom, Ryland quickly sweeps Araya away from her grey existence. For the first time since the accident, living in darkness is no longer something Araya wants to do willingly. Unleashed by the shadows of her reminder, being with Ryland, Araya touches light. Together they will learn what it’s like to feel alive for the first time.

At the edge of darkness, a ray of light, will dare them both to HOPE.

DARE them to LOVE

DARE them to LIVE

KOBO/Amazon׀ B&N







Excerpt!!!!!!!!!!

Colliding into her, we fell against the wall. My mouth came down on hers fiercely, and my fingers flexed around her ribs. I lifted her against me, and her shapely legs wrapped around my waist easily. My hands moved over her hips, and my fingers dug into her flesh, bringing her closer and harder against me. I needed her to know exactly how good this was going to be.









I find it hard to sum up my life in a paragraph, but I’ll try.
 
I am the author of Flutter, The Discover Series! Reading
has always been a passion for me, and writing as instinctive as breathing.
Every inhale is an idea; every exhale a creation.  The only thing I do better than writing you ask? Making beautiful girls. My daughter’s will always be my greatest accomplishment.

I was born in Denver, Colorado–but I will always think of sunny Arizona
as my home. I don’t have a big family, but I’m close with my sister, brother
& my mom. My mom is my hero, my inspiration, and I couldn’t have asked for a
more amazing person to be raised by.

4 things you should know about me: I’m very girly, but I can get down and dirty
with the best of them. I adore the color pink and things that sparkle
(including vampires), I am a firm believer that chocolate cures ALL and I like
even numbers (hence 4 things about me, not 5) Okay, maybe I cheated a little
with my list, shhhh.






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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

{Cover Reveal} True Love’s First Kiss by Heidi Garrett


Today we have the pleasure of revealing the cover for True Love’s First Kiss which is a compilation of the first three books in the Queen of the Realm of Faerie series. Are you excited?!?!?!?! Well get ready for that cover..........



 
In the Enchanted World, true love’s first kiss is magic.
 
Nandana’s Mark, Book 1: When two half-faeries—Melia and her younger sister—are cursed under dreadful circumstances, true love’s first kiss is the remedy.

The Flower of Isbelline, Book 2: Nothing but true love’s first kiss can save Melia’s younger sister from blind ambition and ruin.

The Dragon Carnivale, Book 3: Melia must choose the freedom she cherishes or true love’s first kiss—and a relationship that promises to secure her place in the Whole.

The Queen of the Realm of Faerie is a fairy tale fantasy series that bridges the Mortal and Enchanted worlds. The main character, Melia, is an eighteen-year-old half-faerie, half-mortal. She lives in Illialei, a country in the Enchanted World, with her two sisters and their mother. Melia’s father has been exiled to the Mortal World, and her best friend is a pixie.

When the story opens in the first book, Melia is troubled by her dark moon visions, gossip she overhears about her parents at the local market, and the trauma of living among full-blooded faeries with wings—she doesn’t have any.

As the series unfolds, the historic and mystical forces that shape Melia’s life are revealed. Each step of her journey—to find the place where she belongs—alters her perceptions about herself, deepens her relationships with others, and enlarges her world view.

True Love’s First Kiss is a compilation of the first three books in this ongoing series.





About the Author:

The product of a verbally gifted family, Heidi Garrett is possibly the least loquacious of them all. While her Uncle John created off-the-cuff characters like King Machi-Machi and her Uncle James turned otherwise ordinary moments into O. Henry stories, she would often sit dazzled and silent, thrilled that these were ‘her people,’ as Grandma would say.
Despite the verbal inadequacy that shadowed Heidi whenever she was in her family’s presence, she never stopped writing in secret. Whether it was angsty teen poetry, the personal journals she has since burned (imagine bonfires), passionate letters to the editor, purgative song lyrics, or simply imagined vignettes, Heidi has played with words all of her life.
Bottom line: she loves stories and the people who tell them.







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Monday, May 27, 2013

Author Rachel A. Olsen Birthday Giveaway!!!!

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It's a birthday celebration! Author Rachel A Olson is celebrating her 28th birthday by throwing a HUGE giveaway. With prizes available to participants worldwide, there's a little something for everyone. Jump over to ParaSuperNormalism - a book blog for every kind of story - and join in on the fun!


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Participating Authors:

Dannika Dark, Mary Ann Bernal, Kitten K. Jackson, G.D. Steel, Sandee Woolf, Elena Gray, Yezall Strongheart, Natalie Hancock, N. Kuhn, Cindy Hardwell, Saranna DeWylde, Paula Shene, Audrey Harte, Kelli McCracken, Kimberly Knight, Alexis Alexander, D.N. Simmons, Rachel A Olson, Mark Barry, Brandy Nacole, Alex Shippe, Robynn Gabel, Crystal Schall, Jessica Humphrey, Christin Berger, Susan Jean Ricci, Gena D. Lutz, Carolyn Jewel, J C S, Kerry Brackett, Michelle Turner, Lisa Logue, Wendy Knight, Cyma Rizwaan Khan, Jessica Chase, Nike Campbell-Fatoki, and others!

Participating Blogs:

Free Ebooks and Those Responsible For Them, Paul and Paula's Place, Lip Smackin' Good Books, Le' Book Squirrel, Fiona's Book Review, Indie Author Network, The Book Rack, Danielle's Book Reviews, Room With Books, Les Lectures, The Cult of Me, The Girl With the Red Cape, Book-Marks the Spot, Schmoeker-Welt, Book Boyfriend Reviews, MomOf2BookReviews, Froggarita's Bookcase, Mira's Great Books, Mama's Reading Break, Everything Books and Authors, Zee Books, and MORE!

GET OVER AND ENTER NOW!
CLICK IMAGE





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Friday, May 24, 2013

[review] Alpha girl [blog tour] by Kate Bloomfield





Alpha Girl



Seventeen year old Rose Goldman is highly unpopular in the little town of Halfway. Ever since the 'attack' when she was a girl, people and animals have been afraid of her. She gets bullied in school, and called 'wet dog' because of the way she smells, despite being extremely hygienic. However, life takes a turn when a new teacher starts at Halfway High. Mr. Stone, the quirky and charismatic English teacher is twice Rose's age, but she feels an unexplainable pull towards him from day one. Despite her better judgement, Rose pursues a friendship with Mr. Stone, who seems unable to stay away from her.

What is pulling this unlikely pair together?

Alpha Girl is the first book of the Wolfling Saga, and is not intended for audiences younger than 15 years of age, as it contains scenes of a sexual nature, and coarse language.

Please do not read if you are easily offended.



Kate Bloomfield



Best-selling and independent Australian author, Kate Bloomfield, has successfully made a name for herself in the world of self-publishing at just twenty-three years old. Her newest and most precious book yet, Alpha Girl, is a controversial Paranormal Romance between a student and teacher. A book not for those easily offended.

Kate was born in Enfield, London in 1989, but has lived in Wollongong, Australia for most of her life.

Now working full time as an independent author, Kate has published four novels, and two short stories.

Her fifth novel ‘Alpha Girl’ is a paranormal romance that explores a complicated a student/teacher relationship. It is due for release on April 1st 2013.

For more information about Alpha Girl, please visit: www.bloomfieldkate.com





Review

This book was intriguing to me from the very beginning. A teacher student romance with a paranormal twist? Who wouldn't be interested in a book like that. I read the whole thing in one sitting because, basically, I wanted to know what was going to happen between the pair. I wanted to know if society would keep them apart and I wanted to see the repercussions if they were caught. Even thought this is a slightly paranormal read, as you can very well guess from the description and cover, the actions, reactions, and repercussions that occurred in the book were very believable. It is a cute read if you are looking for something with a sweet romance between two characters, but, like the description says, do not read it if you are uncomfortable with the idea of a romantic relationship between a student and teacher. 

I liked Mr. Stone. He was sort of a dork and a classic professor. Also,some of the things he said made me laugh (although I am sure it was unintentional). I really felt bad for him when he was struggling through his feelings and thinking of the repercussions  Rose was just all- to hell with the law! We won't get caught. Don't get me wrong. I liked her. She was sweet and had a lot to deal with and I can understand her need for a deep relationship like the one she wanted with Mr. Stone. (Something that got confusing throughout the book, however, was when she kept switching back and forth between calling him Mr. Stone and his real name.) 

Other than that, it was a very sweet, somewhat sad read with believable characters and scenes. I am intrigued to know what will happen between them, though. And the ending was unconventional and sweet. (:




Giveaway

The author will be giving away a signed copy of the book to a random commenter on the tour. You can follow the tour HERE

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Cover Reveal: Darker Days by Jus Accardo [ + Excerpt!]






JUS ACCARDO spent her childhood reading and learning to cook. Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. At the last minute, she realized her path lay with fiction, not food, and passed on the spot to pursue writing. Jus is the bestselling author the popular Denazen series from Entangled publishing and is currently working on the first book in a new adult series due out summer 2013. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald.







Goodreads
As always, be sure to tell me what you think of this cover. Have you read the other series by this author? I have and i LOVE it. So I am looking forward to this release! <3

Jessie Darker goes to high school during the day, but at night she helps with the family investigation business. Cheating husbands and stolen inheritances? They’re your girls—but their specialty is a bit darker. Zombie in your garage? Pesky Poltergeist living in your pool? They’ll have the problem solved in a magical minute. For a nominal fee, of course...

When gorgeous new client, Lukas Scott, saunters into the office requesting their help to find a stolen box, it sounds like a simple case—until the truth comes out. The box is full of Sin.

Seven deadly ones, in fact.

They’ve got five days to recapture the Sins before they're recalled by the box, taking seven hijacked human bodies with them. Easy peasy—except for one thing...

There’s a spell that will allow the Sins to remain free, causing chaos forever. When the key ingredient threatens the life of someone she knows, Jessie must make the ultimate choice between love and family—or lose everything. 






“So not your biggest fan at the moment,” I said, closing the office door behind me. The runofffrom my jeans had soaked my sneakers pretty good. With each step, I gave a slight squishing noise accompanied by an annoying squeak against the old tile floor.
From across the room, Mom stared. “What happened to you?”
            “It attacked me.” Tossing my bag on the couch, I sank into her chair and made sure to grind my butt into the cushion. Got it nice and wet. I was all about sharing the love—and right now, the love was soggy.
            She laughed, waving a folder in my direction. “Surely you’re overreacting. It was one little zombie. They don’t attack people.”
            “I’m serious, Ma. It tried to drown me. And the client assaulted me with ugly footwear. As far as punishments go, I’d say we’re probably square. I’ve learned my lesson.”
            “You’re serious?” Amused expression now replaced by concern, she crossed the room and leaned over her desk to get a better look at me.
            “As a coronary.” Once I was sure the chair had sponged up all it could, I stood and huffed past her. Pulling at my favorite T-shirt—the word Fate inside a blood red heart, is a four letter word on the back—I said, “Child welfare would not be happy to hear you tried to feed your only child to a walking corpse…”
“But why would it attack? Did you provoke it?” Folding her arms, she frowned. “Insult it, perhaps?”
            I winked at her. “Provoke it? Sure. I went and wiggled my ass in front of it yelling lunch just to see what’d happen.” I’d called it Stinky, but that didn’t count as an insult. Something couldn’t be considered an insult if it was true, right?
            Right eyebrow twitching, she fought against a smile. “But you’re okay, right? No bites, broken bones, head injuries, possessions…?”
I smiled and did a little twirl. “All in one piece and still me.”
Mom had a checklist she went through at the end of each job. I was known for taking almost as much damage as I inflicted.
“Oh, and you’re probably going to get a call from the client. I sorta smashed her fence in the process.”
            Mom groaned. “I told you to be more careful.”
            “It’s not like I tried to break anything.”
            “Something tells me you didn’t try hard enough not to break anything, either.”
            “In my defense, it wasn’t a simple trap and slap…”
            “We can’t afford this.” She reached down and pulled a white envelope out from under a stack of papers. “This is the bill for that Mercedes you smashed.”
            “Oh! So not my fault. How was I supposed to know that Spring Heel was gonna land on the car? If it makes you feel any better, I think he was aiming for my head…”
            “If you keep this up, we won’t even be able to afford the rent.”
            She was right, of course, and it made me feel horrible. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m a wrecking ball wrapped in blue jeans. Take my cut of this job and put it toward the repairs. Keep my paycheck for the next month, too.” A good start, but it didn’t feel like enough. Sure, it would cover the damages—I hoped—but I felt guilty about upsetting her. The bills that were piling up kept her awake at night. This was only going to make things worse. We got a fair amount of business, but the overhead in our line of work was sky high.
As much as I hated the idea, I knew what would cheer her up. “I’ll even throw in pet possessions for the next month.”



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Thursday, May 23, 2013

{Review} Night Hawk by J.E. Taylor






Selling your soul has never been so charming and Mark throws in a little something to sweeten the pot, his girlfriend Naomi.

Sentenced to death at the hands of a demon, Naomi Hawk has a firsthand lesson in despair and betrayal in Mark’s deal for fame with all the trimmings. Deep in the clutches of the underground brotherhood, Naomi's light is coveted for the Master's gain.

When she slips and falls eighty stories from a precarious ledge, Naomi resigns herself to the inevitable impact and death by shattered bones.

Before she can escape her demons in eternal slumber, something sinister plucks her from the plummet, stealing her out of the night to sacrifice her forever to the shadows.

Imprisoned in bottomless darkness, Naomi thirsts for justice…and revenge.








MY REVIEW: 

I Received this from All Night Reads for my honest review.

Naomi has just been betrayed by her boyfriend. He turned her over to a demon to bring to Lucifer. Before the demon can take her, she falls off the building and is saved by Damian, who is a vampire. He turns her and she wants revenge. Not on him, but on her ex and Lucifer and she is going to need Damian’s help in order to do it.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

This book starts off with a kick, but then slowly dies down. Then it turns in a bunch of sexual tension between Naomi and Damian. So, that’s basically the first half of the book. It starts to get interesting again when they finally leave Damian’s house. They get attacked by demons and you think Damian would kill them, but no Naomi does. The rest of the book she keeps saving a two thousand year old vampire and she is only three days old. What in the world is going on? He should be saving her. Anyway, I wish there was more revenge talk in the book. I mean that’s what Naomi wants. I really like the concept of the story and that’s why I’m giving it three stars. I’m pretty sure there is going to be another one and I have high hopes that it is going to be better than this one.

Overall: A good read that has some surprising elements that will keep you entertained till the end. 

Naomi- I really didn’t get attached to her. I mean she is crying or gets hurt and yet I feel nothing. I wanted to connect with her more. I want her to knock Damian out and do what she wants for a change.

Damian- When we first meet him, he is scary and hot. That shortly goes out the window as the story moves on. He is always about to die and Naomi saves him. There is nothing wrong with Naomi saving him; I just want him to be able to hold his own…which he can’t. Not to mention he is emotional all the time (PMS anyone). 

3 STARS




What do you think, does this sound like your kind of book?



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{Cover Reveal} Soul Survivor by Michelle Nicole




Today I am happy to show you the cover for Soul Survivor by Michelle Nicole. She is truly an amazing person and I'm proud to know her.(Well not face to face know, just through email LOL) And I'm truly honored that she asked me to help reveal her cover. Let's find out more about Michelle before I show you that gorgeous cover. :D






 Michelle Nicole was born and raised in the wild and wonderful state of West Virginia. She's holds both a bachelor's degree in accounting and an MBA. While her first passion is numbers, not long into adulthood, Michelle rediscovered her love of books and with it the joy and fulfillment of writing her own stories. She spends her days working as a CPA and her nights weaving tales of love, friendship, and everything in between. 
When she's not working or writing, you'll find her binge watching her favorite TV shows, reading, tweeting, hanging with her husband and furry children, or spending time with her close knit extended family.







NOW FOR THE COVER, THE BLURB, AND THE FULL  JACKET!!!!!!!!!!





Release Date: June 2013
Genre: YA, Paranormal romance
Cover Reveal Date: May 23, 2013
Cover Designer: Okay Creations

Hailee Mai Hart is just a simple, normal girl. Or so she thought.

When she left her one-horse town for a college education in the big city, she never could've imagined what awaited her.

She's quickly thrown into a world filled with angels, danger, and a curse…her curse. Come to find out, she's not so simple after all. She's actually the last of her kind, and the fate of the world rests on her shoulders. She has one chance to save Earth, and it all comes down to one choice: Light or Darkness. What is right and what is wrong is all a matter of perspective, which leaves her heart dangerously tangled. No matter which path she takes people will die, and that's just not an option.

Will she be able to save everyone, or will she be the Soul Survivor?











So what do you think of the cover?!!?!?! Let me know in the comment section below. :D



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