I am happy to be hosting a spot on the MISMATCHED IN MAYHEM by L.E. Rico Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours! Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
Welcome to Mayhem, Minnesota, with its
sweater-wearing cats and ultra-competitive trivia nights. Where love really
does conquer all…if you’ll let it.
Walker O’Halloran is finally ready to
shed her “wild child” persona. Bartending at her family’s pub, babysitting her
adorable niece and nephews, and getting her degree during the day. What she
doesn’t do is date–or even think about dating. Ever. Until he walks into her bar,
looking like a former Mr. Quarterback of the Football Team and Student Council
President all rolled into one. No, thank you.
Mason Stevens has a secret—and it
prevents him from knowing if someone is truly interested in him, or just what
he can do for them. Until he meets Walker. She’s the first person in ages who
doesn’t recognize him, and her grouchy attitude feels like the greatest
challenge of his life. And he’s ready for it.
But the more time they spend together,
the more he’s desperate to come clean—it’s just never the right time. Until the
paparazzi do it for him…
Excerpt:
When he glances back down
again, he finds me staring. At him.
“Come here,” he says
quietly, opening his arms to me.
For a second, I fell
bashful, and it’s such a foreign feeling for me. I loathe the feeling of
vulnerability. But it’s not just a feeling. It’s what I am. And somehow, that’s
never a problem when I’m with him.
About L.E:
Award-Winning
author Lauren Rico also happens to beone of the top classical music broadcasters in the country. Her voice is
heard nationally on SiriusXM’s Symphony Hall channel, as well as on radio
stations in New York City, Charlotte, and Tampa. She’s even been known to
accompany travelers as they fly the skies over Thailand, Oman, and China as
part of the in-flight entertainment on several airlines. Her love and passion
for classical music have allowed her to breathe new life into the stories of
the great composers.
And now Lauren is telling some
stories of her own…
Beginning with her erotic thriller,
Reverie (Harmony House Productions, 2016), she set out to “put the sexy back in
Bach,” creating a riveting tale of passion, deception and redemption set against
the backdrop of an international music competition. She rounded out the trilogy
with Rhapsody (Harmony House Productions, 2016) and Requiem (Harmony House
Productions, 2017).
From there, Lauren partnered with
Entangled Publishing, LLC, to create the first in her Symphony Hall series of
romance novels, Solo (Entangled Publishing 2017). Her most recent release,
Mistletoe in Mayhem, is the third in the five-book Whiskey Sisters series
(Entangled 2018). Upcoming projects include two more Whiskey Sisters romances,
a follow-up to Solo and a super-secret, as-of-yet-unnamed thriller.
Lauren hopes to bring classical
music to a new audience by showcasing it in twisty, steamy stories that grab
the reader and keep them turning pages — and YouTubing the music — into the wee
hours.
When she’s not on talking on the
radio or typing on her laptop, Lauren enjoys time with her husband and
spectacularly spoiled mini-schnauzer.
Amelia Moore wants only one thing—to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own—without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.
Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart.
What a witty, charming and fun read. Lakeshire Park took up most of my vacation time. It is a clean Regency you can’t put down. Peter and Amelia have an excellent relationship and captivating conversation through out the unfolding scenes. There are moments which will pull a smile to your face. The first chapter was rough for me, the family strain between Amelia Moore and her sister Clara and their setp-father is painful. He is vengeful, cold and unloving. I held out for a glimmer of hope for the girls.
There’s so much to adore about the adventures of the house party at the Park and Peter Wood. You will love this latest Proper Romance! I highly recommend picking it up when it releases in April.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC
Author Biography
Megan Walker was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood Education, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings of Regency England wouldn’t leave her alone, so she picked up a pen. And the rest is history. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children.
I am so
excited that SCAVENGE THE STARS by Tara Sim is available now and
that I get to share the news!
If you
haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author Jewels Arthur, be sure to
check out all the details below.
This blitz
also includes a giveaway for 3 finished copies of the book, courtesy of Disney
Hyperion and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in
the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
When Amaya
rescues a mysterious stranger from drowning, she fears her rash actions have
earned her a longer sentence on the debtor ship where she’s been held captive
for years. Instead, the man she saved offers her unimaginable riches and a new
identity, setting Amaya on a perilous course through the coastal city-state of
Moray, where old-world opulence and desperate gamblers collide.
Amaya wants one thing: revenge against the man who ruined her family and stole
the life she once had. But the more entangled she becomes in this game of
deception—and as her path intertwines with the son of the man she’s plotting to
bring down—the more she uncovers about the truth of her past. And the more she
realizes she must trust no one…
Packed with high-stakes adventure, romance, and dueling identities, this gender-swapped
retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo is the first novel in
an epic YA fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir, and
Leigh Bardugo.
Excerpt:
Revenge. It
was a simple word when spoken out loud, but it was so much bigger, like the
hidden city under the atoll. It was a word of fire and blood, of a knife’s
whisper and the priming of a pistol.
It was a
word that consumed her, filled her entire being until she knew that she could
no longer be Silverfish. Silverfish’s will was to survive, to simply make it to
the next day, and hopefully the day after that. But that was no longer her
will.
Now it was
revenge.
Captain
Zharo. Kamon Mercado. Moray.
They would
all pay.
About Tara:
Tara Sim is the author of SCAVENGE THE STARS
(Disney-Hyperion) and the TIMEKEEPER trilogy (Sky Pony Press) and writer of all
things magic. She can often be found in the wilds of the Bay Area, California.
When she’s not writing about mischievous boys
in clock towers, Tara spends her time drinking tea, wrangling cats, and
occasionally singing opera. Despite her bio-luminescent skin, she is
half-Indian and eats way too many samosas.
Tara is represented by Victoria Marini at
Irene Goodman Literary Agency.
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the HEIR OF LIES blog tour by Mallory McCartney, hosted by Rockstar Book Tours! Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
“Hope was a dangerous thing. It could
consume every dream and make them take flight, becoming wild daydreams in one’s
heart and mind. Or hope could incinerate everything you thought you knew,
burning you down to your core, leaving you raw and exposed for the world.”
Emory Fae has only known one thing—life
at The Academy, a school for those who have special abilities. Following in her
parents’ footsteps, the pressure to uphold their dream falls on her and one of
her best friends—Adair Stratton. An outcast and feared by most, Adair longs to
break away from the expectations dictating his future. With whispers of dark
magic spreading across Kiero, Adair starts to doubt The Academy is all it
seems.
An unexpected visit ignites new tensions
as the roguish king from across the Black Sea, Tadeas Maher of the Shattered
Isles, and his heir, Marquis Maher, sail to Kiero. Notorious for their pirating
and wrath, for the first time in years, they demand the Faes listen to their
proposition for a new treaty. Caught in the middle of politics, Adair and
Emory, with the help of their best friends Brokk and Memphis, search for the
one thing that matters the most—the truth.
Their world is tipped upside down as
unlikely alliances are made, and war ravages Kiero. Through the throes of
betrayal, lies, hidden magic, and love, Adair is faced with a life changing
decision. Will he fight or bow to the darkness within?
But, Adair’s decision will change the
course of Kiero forever, setting in motion irreversible destinies for everyone
at The Academy as Emory Fae rises as heir.
Heir of Lies is the first book in the
bestselling Black Dawn series.
The Black Dawn
series is re- releasing and “Heir of Lies” (book one) is coming April 21 2020!
This edition will have an exclusive map and bonus content!
Review
Heir of Darkness is a magical fantasy written from several points of view of students attending the academy for desolates and gifted students. Shapeshifters, fae and royalty form a tight group of friends who become divided by political unrest and familial loyalty. The plot is action packed and picks up from the very beginning. About halfway through it carries a darkness and moderate violence. I enjoyed the richness of the world and the unique abilities of each character, but had a bit of trouble keeping track of each MC since they all have a love interest in the same young lady. Perhaps, if more detail had been introduced about each person would have helped before jumping into their internal dialogue and thoughts. It becomes a bit tricky to juggle what is going on while trying to tease out who is who. Overall, the author held my interest with some world elements similar to Julie Kagawa’s. I’ve always been a fan of fae.
About Mallory:
Mallory McCartney currently lives in Sarnia, Ontario with her husband and their three dachshunds Link, Lola and Leonard. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found day dreaming about fantasy worlds and hiking. Other favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.
Today S. N. Jones, GenZ Publishing, & Rockstar Book
Tours are revealing the GORGEOUS cover for her YA Historical fantasy, EXORDIUM
which will release in early 2020! Check out the awesome cover and enter the
giveaway!
This is the
motto of the clan Kongeorn. In their world of harsh battles and harsher winters
our story begins.
Exordium is
a historical fantasy novel that follows the story of Vita, who is thrust into a
position of power and forced to deal with the aftermath of a family
tragedy–and an act of war. Along the way, she must confront her own demons and
learn that everyone is fighting their own war, their own obstacles. She must
learn how to overcome them, to rise higher than ever before. Exordium and its
author, S. N. Jones, were awarded with the 2018 National Civic Expression Award
from the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, funded by the Alliance for
Young Artists and Writers.
One woman.
One name.
One
forgotten legacy.
Excerpt:
“The forest seemed still, as if no creature dared to
move or cry out in my presence. The trees remained static, their branches rigid
and frozen in the cool night air. In the stillness, a burden began to weigh
down upon me, cloaking me like the furs on my shoulders. It sobered me, taking
my attention away from the visions and cynical thoughts, and plopped me right
where I would stay. I could not hide from it, nor—I found—did I want to. My
duty to my people, to my name, bore down on me, and I refused to shake it.”
As a member of LIVE ALL IN, you’ll receive a brand new Hilary Weeks song every month. You will also have access to a song study that includes scriptures, quotes and questions to help you study the message of the song that month! Every month, you’ll receive the sheet music and instrumental track for that song. Plus you’ll get the beautifully designed lyrics, coloring page and two 5×7 printables that you can frame for your home or use as lesson handouts.
Blog Tour Sale Offer – You can purchase a 2020 Live All In Annual Membership for early bird price of $49 (reg. $59) and if you use the coupon SALE15, you get another 15% off! Only $42!!
You and your family can also enjoy an entire year’s worth of gorgeous, monthly music, sheet music, coloring pages, printables for your home, song studies, and lyrics for under $4 a month!
What a wonderful idea. A way to bring music into your every day routing with sound, writing, images and an interactive app. Hilary has created a multi-media way to add inspiration to life with your phone.
I had a bit of a rough start with the app, first not able to log in to the website. Once I requested a new access code, and went to the website to register, I was unable to log in to the app itself because of a user error that said it couldn’t find my account. Streaming on a phone from the website itself is not optimal. I was also unable to join the closed member only FB page. Life brings us trials. that’s what it is. *update* We have heard back from support and were able to log on to the app with a new password. We are also able to access the FB group. It looks like a wonderfully supportive community.
Using the website I accessed the 2019 toolkit and I loved what I found. The music pulled me from a frustrated mood to a good one. The text is uplifting and I enjoyed all of the Jeffrey R. Holland quotes sprinkled in. The visuals are lovely with vivid colors. I have long been a fan of Hilary Weeks, so her music always brings back memories. It is fun that she is collaborating with Cherie Call on several songs, also a favorite singer, songwriter of mine. The content is all new.
My favorite song was fragile. I plan on going back through everything once I find support for the app and FB group. Overall, I hope to use each element and enjoy the writing pages. What I saw I love and recommend! Thank you Hilary for the free sneak peek.
Based on the New York Times best- selling novel by Jason F. Wright
Hope is an aspiring reporter who has had her fair share of tragedy in life. Abandoned at birth, she’s grieving the recent death of her adopted mother when her apartment is burglarized of all her possessions. While reporting the burglary to the police, Hope discovers a jar full of money, labeled “Christmas Jar.” Shocked and grateful for this act of kindness, Hope discovers that people all over her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, have been receiving Christmas Jars for years during times of need. The jars are always anonymous and always contain different amounts. In this heartwarming Christmas classic, Hope goes undercover to discover the secret behind the Christmas jars, putting into motion a series of events that will change her life, and her community, forever.
We sat down to watch Christmas Jars as a family and finished with a warm feeling of charity. Suitable for the whole family, it’s a clean holiday DVD which teaches the value of selfless service. Not a dry eye in our home! Viewers will want to pay it forward and spread the warmth of anonymous giving as a tradition each Christmas. We highly recommend viewing then buying this movie as a gift. Beautiful message.
Hope had
abandoned them to the wrath of all the waters.
At the end of the twenty-first century, the world has changed dramatically, but life continues one thousand feet below the ocean’s surface. In Great Britain, sea creatures swim among the ruins of Big Ben and the Tower of London, and citizens waver between fear and hope; fear of what lurks in the abyss, and hope that humanity will soon discover a way to reclaim the Earth.
Meanwhile, sixteen-year-old Leyla McQueen has her own problems to deal with. Her father’s been arrested, accused of taking advantage of victims of the Seasickness-a debilitating malaise that consumes people,often claiming their lives. But Leyla knows he’s innocent, and all she’s interested in is getting him back so that their lives can return to normal.
When she’s picked to race in the action-packed London Submersible Marathon, Leyla gets the chance to secure his freedom; the Prime Minister promises the champion whatever their heart desires. The race takes an unexpected turn, though, and presents her with an opportunity she never wanted: Leyla must venture outside of London for the first time in her life, to find and rescue her father herself.
Now, she’ll have to brave the unfathomable waters and defy a corrupt government determined to keep its secrets, all the while dealing with a secretive, hotheaded companion she never asked for in the first place. If she fails, or falls prey to her own fears, she risks capture–and her father might be lost forever.
“A work of
fathomless imagination.”
——Samantha
Shannon, New York Times best-selling author of The Bone Season and The Priory
of the Orange Tree
“Riveting
and exciting, The Light at the Bottom of the World is a heart-racing adventure
that reveals compelling and necessary truths about several critical issues of
our times, while delivering all the thrills and twists of an epic quest. A
stand-out, must-read book that engulfed me in its enthralling world and
characters. Leyla McQueen is queen of the (under)seas!”
——S. K.
Ali, author of 2018 Morris finalist Saints and Misfits and Love from A to Z
“The
Light at the Bottom of the World is a wonderfully refreshing epic adventure,
with dynamite worldbuilding and a crafty heroine. Leyla’s determination and
talent will keep you hooked in her story, and you will be begging for Shah’s
next book before you’ve even finished this one.”
——Rachel
Strolle: Teen Librarian, Glenside Public Library District
“Shah’s
debut is a fast-paced masterpiece from start to finish. Readers will fall in
love with passionate, persistent Leyla as well as her secretive, swoon-worthy
companion, Ari. While the tropes of dystopian fiction—corrupt government, fear
of the unknown—will be easily recognizable by fans of the genre, Shah has
skillfully shaped a gorgeous world unlike any those fans have seen before. But
be forewarned: the book ends on a jaw-dropping cliff-hanger. Highly
recommended.”
——School
Library Journal
The Light at the End of the World combines two of my favorite elements, London and underwater worlds.
I picked it up and never put it down! A futuristic England which is completely submersed in water a the stakes are high in underwater racing. A bit of steampunk, sci fi feel and a one- time competition with selection and prizes (a bit like the Hunger Games make the plot ever suspenseful. It picks up toward the end to a page turning cliffhanger. There are diverse characters with deep layers.
Leyla the MC is strong with her independent, stubborn, yet kind personality. She’s spunky and determined. Her protector is more than he appears to be. His loyalty and strength make their bond impactful. I do wish we saw more depth to the discussions between friends and family, more relationship building. All of the science and atmospheric elements make London otherworldy, beautiful but scary.
The author addresses mistrust of government, questioning fear-based societies and anxiety about exploring the unknown. I can’t wait for book two! The Light at the Bottom of the World was fresh, unusual and captivating.
Content: swearing, moderate violence, some tension.
About London:
London Shah is a
British-born Muslim of Pashtun ethnicity. She has lived in Britain’s
capital for most of her life, via England’s beautiful
North. When she’s not busy re-imagining the past, plotting
an alternate present or dreaming up a surreal future,
she’s most likely drinking copious amounts of tea, eating all the
sweets and cakes, strolling through Richmond Park or along the Thames, getting
lost on an evening in the city’s older, darker alleyways—preferably just after
it’s rained—listening to punk rock, or losing herself in a fab SFF book
or film. If she could have only one super power, it would be to
breathe underwater of course!
Her debut novel, THE LIGHT
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD, a YA sci-fi, is out now. You can read more
about it here.
We are gearing up for Black Friday and there are so many good boxed sets on sale right now! The prices have been marked more than half off. Here’s a few I spotted. (ad)
Fire and Ice is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Multi-Award-Winning and Best-Selling Author, Speaker and Writing Coach.
Willow is just your average sixteen-year-old girl. Okay, maybe not so average. She can heal animals. For her own safety, her veterinarian parents have made her promise not to use her powers. But sometimes her compassion just takes over, and she can’t help … well … helping.
Willow is a Droit, but hides her Droitism because people like her are feared and hated by those without special abilities. Two of Willow’s schoolmates, rumored to be Droits, have simultaneously disappeared.
When Willow’s non-Droit friend, Rain, is targeted, Willow wonders whether she should get involved–even if that means putting herself in the line of fire.
A mysterious new friend, Trae, just might be the key to unlock her courage.
In the end, she has a choice: she can deny who she is or declare her ability to heal, but either way, her life will never be the same again.
Thoughts
Glow Girl has a bright and simple cover which immediately drew our interest. The premise of healers or Droits is interesting, especially considering Willow’s parents are veterinarians. It was good to see the main protagonist use her abilities for good and overcome her fears. Thanks Rockstar Blog Tours for the stop!
Content: there are several scenes with bullying and some violence
About M.:
AWARD-WINNING and AMAZON
BESTSELLING AUTHOR.
GOLD Medal WINNER in the 2014
READERS’ FAVORITE International Awards.
Bronze Medal Winner in Dan
Poytner’s Global eBook Awards. Winner of the Kindle Book Promotion Awards.
SPIRIT and INSPIRATION MEDALS in the NEW APPLE LITERARY AWARDS.
Michelle is an author, speaker,
trainer and coach dedicated to leaving a legacy of leaders who care about
bringing value to others and equipping the future generation. She’s also known
as the UNCOVER AGENT who helps people uncover their messages so they can
UNLEASH them into the universe.
She grew up in the burbs of Detroit
with five brothers. No sisters. Each time her mom brought the boy bundle home
from the hospital Michelle cried, certain her mom liked boys better than girls.
But when her brothers pitched in with the cooking, cleaning, and
babysitting–without drama, Michelle discovered having brothers wasn’t so bad.
They even taught her how to take direct criticism without flinching, which
comes in handy with book reviews.
CACHE a PREDATOR and ECLAIR GOES
GEOCACHING are currently hidden in geocaching sites throughout the US. If you’d
like to see where they might be in your area, please log in to geocaching.com
and search for trackables at IN SCRIBE–that’s Michelle.