Showing posts with label Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing. Show all posts

Friday, February 22, 2013

Review: Soul Mates: Bewitched


Soul Mates: Bewitched
by
Elizabeth A. Lance
 

I swear I can't say enough about this series. When the first book came out, Soul Mates: Scent, I absolutely loved it. See my review here. I didn't want that book to end so I hoped for a second and when this one appeared, I jumped at the chance to read it. This is my new favorite YA series !!!
Ms. Lance has an unbelievable talent for creating strong dynamic characters and I had a blast following the journey of Antony and the lovely spitfire Jillian. The attraction between these two was evident from the first time they saw each other along with Tony's need to protect.  I love all the new power he is able to harness along with handling his Dream visions, his meditation visits with Anca and finding out what really happened with his father.
It was also great to see a huge role for Max in this book as well.  He was definitely my favorite in the first book and I love seeing how his life continues with his wife Anna and their growing family.  It is amazing the depth at which he is involved in not just fighting the Unseelie with Tony and the Guardians but also being able to handle his role as Prince of Light and Illusion and all that it entails.  
They all definitely found themselves in one or two sticky situations and the mystery and intrigue kept me hooked til the very end!
I'll say it again...this is my favorite  YA paranormal series !!  I'm desperately hoping it doesn't end here either.  Keeping my fingers crossed that Elizabeth continues to weave this wonderful tale of the Fae and shapeshifters :)
Again, I willingly recommend this book to all paranormal romance loves, YA or not.  
 I definitely give this book my 5 stars !!
 
Soul Mates: Bewitched

Elizabeth A. Lance

School is out for Tony Gunari, and now it’s time to grow up, to be what he was meant to be, a Sióga Feiceann -- a Fae assassin. After years of hiding what he truly was from his nearest and dearest friends, Tony has decided to travel to New York and discover the whole secret of his legacy including what really happened to his father. The Fae war is in full swing so Tony decides that while he’s at it; he’s going to kick a little Dark Fae butt.

Jillian O’Neal is a Sorceress, sent by her parents from Ireland to train with a man named Nico in New York. Her tough, sassy attitude sometimes gets her into trouble, but she could never have imagined the trouble meeting someone like Tony Gunari, a real Sióga Feiceann, was going to cause her especially when she realizes that her duty is to protect him at all costs.

When Tony meets Jillian he is instantly intrigued by the fireball throwing, Irish witch with a sassy attitude. Protecting her becomes his number one priority. Who knows…

With a bit of Irish luck they may just have a chance to save the world and fall in love…
 
Buy Link:   Amazon  

 

Excerpt:

“So, you know,” Nicolae sighed and sank into his black leather chair. “You know what you are.”

I stayed quiet for a moment; waiting to see if he would continue, give me a hint of why he hadn’t told me.

“I suppose it was inevitable. Your mother never could keep a secret, so-- I assume she is the one who told you?”

Now, that was a shock. As far as I knew, Mom was oblivious to the Fae and all the crap that had been going on for the past year. “No. Mom didn’t say a thing, Uncle Nicu.”

“Then, how did you find out?”

“My fault, I’m afraid,” Max said stepping forward. “I sort of exposed him to some Fae warriors.”

“You what? I should kill you! Do you know what you have done?” Nicolae jumped out of his chair and drew a silver dagger from a wrist sheath.

“Uncle! You don’t want to do that!” I shouted, but it was too late. Max had already gone on defensive mode and pulled one of his own swords from his hip…Veritas. They were hidden by Fae magic until they were needed and then, well, watch out. Max was deadly with them. I suppose I should be thankful he didn’t pull Aequitas as well.

“Antony, just who the hell did you bring to my club?”  Nicolae asked backing away from Max.

“Uncle, please put the dagger away. Max, back down, please.” I stood between them, hoping for some peace.

“Who. Is. He. Antony?” Nicolae sheathed his dagger, but continued to stand in a threatening manner.

“Tones…” Max cautioned me, but I knew my Uncle.

“Whoa! Just chill Uncle Nicu.  A lot has happened in the past year, and Max is a huge part of it, Dude. I’ll explain, but only if I have your word and stuff that you’ll sit down and listen. And you won’t try to kill Max.”

Nicolae glared at us, but he finally conceded and sat down in his chair. I glanced at Max and watched him sheath Veritas, which then vanished from his side.  He leaned against the wall near the door, and far from Nicolae, just in case Uncle Nicu got it in his head to go after him again.

“Okay… okay,” I said, not sure where to begin. “So, you know there’s a war going on out there, right Dude?”

Nicolae nodded. “Between the Light and Dark Fae, yes, I know. What does that have to do with you? Either of you?”

“Well, the Light Fae, as you call them, have a Faerie Mound in southern Indiana. Just a few blocks from school actually.”

Nicolae frowned. “I thought they were only in the major cities. What are they doing there?”

“For the most part they are, but the King of Light and Illusion needed a place where the Dark Fae would not think to look for him. Not that it matters now, they’ve known approximately where it is since last October,” Max said with a frown.

“Beside the point, Max.”

“Not really, Tones. The point is, we have a Faerie Mound back home, I found out that I’m related to the King of Light and Illusion and he sent warriors to protect me.  You saw them, and got exposed as a Sióga Feiceann. And then the Unseelie found us.”

“What?”

“Yeah, what Max said.” I sat down on the corner of Nicolae’s desk. At least he wasn’t jumping out of his seat trying to kill Max again. That was progress.

“So let me get this straight. You--” Nicolae pointed at Max, “--are related to the King of the Light Fae. And you--” Nicolae pointed at me, “--brought him to New York? Are you out of your ever lovin’ mind?”

 


About the Author:


Elizabeth A. Lance lives with her husband, Brandon, their two tweens, three sassy cats that think they own the house and two crazy German Sheppard-Husky mix puppies. She is the author of the Agents for the Crown Regency series as well as the Young Adult series, Soul Mates. She loves to hear from her fans and can be reached at



Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Author, author...

...read all about it !

 
Welcome, so great to have you here with us.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?
~Thank you! So great to be here! Well, my name’s Megan Parker—I normally go by Megan, Meg, or Megatron (lol). I live in a small-town in Upstate NY and am currently attending a local college in a New Media design field. I used to only write dark/romantic poetry and have recently turned my affinity towards poetry to my short stories and novels.
Do real life events find their way into your stories?
~ I think all my stories, even though paranormal, have my addition of events that have passed in my life added to them.
Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?
~ Definitely. I find my fiancé and family members showing up in characters I make all the time. Even if it’s not intentional, when they start reading it and they say “Hey! That reminds me of so & so.” I realize that I added them unintentionally.
Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?
~ My inspirations vary from story to story. So, no, I normally don’t keep one inspiration for multiple stories unless it’s a series.
When do you write?  Early morning? During the day sometime or all day?  After the kids go to bed?
~ Anytime I find free time. I don’t like to force my writing, so I try to find a relaxing point of the day before I sit down and start blasting my tunes and opening up word.
How do you feel about marketing your book?
~ I try to market to the best of my ability. I feel the more marketing you can do and experience, the better exposure for your book.
What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?
~ Facebook is number one for sure. I also use Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest.
Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?
~ I usually will have the story set and written before even pitching the story to my publisher. From there, I will judge the reaction and submit. I sometimes will query the idea before writing it, it depends on how the story is pushing to me.
Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing?  If so, what is it?
~ Contemporary romance. I normally stick to paranormal but I definitely have been getting struck with ideas that wouldn’t need the paranormal addition t them.
Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?
~ For my novel, “Scarlet Night” I see myself almost looking up to my heroine. She is such a strong character and I really feel she is someone even I’d strive to be.
 
Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, 
Favorite 5
1)      Favorite Male Actor  - Chris Hemsworth (He is FINE!)
2)      Favorite vehicle – Ducati
3)      Favorite way to relax – Lay back on my chair on my laptop and watch movies
4)      Favorite ice cream – Cookie dough
5)      Favorite outfit – My pleated plaid skirt/corset and knee-high boots.
And for a bonus:  If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be?  (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed)
~Alaska. It looks gorgeous and I’d love the quietness of the area.
 
Where can our readers find you??  
Website/blog: www.emjayart.com
 
Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?
Yes, I have release out now. My first novel in my first series/trilogy, “Scarlet Night” (a dark, paranormal romance) is out now.
 
Blurb:
Zane Murdoch just got a tattoo.
The problem is, the tattoos are a magically infused curse that turns him into a raging beast and the only hope he has of curing it is absolving his rage. Seems simple enough until he and his clan are nearly demolished in a powerful attack. Now Zane finds himself involved in a paranormal battle of mystical proportions and breaking the curse may be a bit more challenging than he thought.
Serena Vailean is alone in the world and quite frankly that's how she likes it…
At least until she finds a way to bring back her dead lover, Devon Thomas. Unfortunately for her, plans have a nasty way of changing and she finds herself thrust back into the world she's been trying so desperately to escape. Her only hope is to seek help from the very people she has gone to great lengths to avoid.
As an epic battle approaches, Serena and Zane must rely on each other and overcome their personal demons if they plan to survive. Unfortunately, caging a demon makes them all the harder to control.
 
Publisher:
Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly

Reviews:
I was given this book by the author in return for an honest opinion!
WOW!!! What an epic tale this is and an extremely brilliant one at that! Having read the prequel's to this I was excited to finally be reading the "actual" book!  The character's are excellent and the story that unfolds along the way with Serena, Zane and the other clan-mates is brilliant!  This is paranormal on a  whole other level !!!  Cannot wait to read the second book !!!
 --Amazon/Janie—
 
I received this book from Megan in exchange for an honest review and I just have to say THANK YOU!!!

First I would like to tell Miss Megan... YOU'RE KILLING ME! And now that I have expressed my current torture, I can get on with the review.

I started with the prequels to this fabulous book which give a short back story to Vane and Serena and where their lives were at the moment before they met, but even without those very short shorts, you can start from page one of Scarlet Night and have absolutely no problem falling madly in love with these awesome characters.

Vane Murdoch is a vampire with a curse. Though there is no history of why he received this blasted tattoo- which by description alone sounds incredibly hot- we know that he had to have done something horrible. Placed on him by the Taroe, a group of humans with immense magical knowledge, the Curse comes out anytime Zane lets his rage fly, causing him terrible pain, and transforming him into a hideous, powerful beast that's hell bent on a murderous rampage regardless of who is in the cross hairs. After the leader of his vampiric clan, Gregori Vailean, is murdered, the responsibility of finding the lost Heir to the throne is pushed to him. And he's pissed about it.

Serena Vailean is a powerful, sarcastic, foul-mouthed female Auric who ran from everything she'd known after having to much of her father's control, straight into a Hunters arms. After finding love like she'd never known, then losing it in a horrible fire, her life has been reduced to living in a ramshackle cabin in the middle of nowhere, constantly searching for a body for her ghostly lover that stays with her out of love. Or at least that's what she thinks.

When our two hard headed, foul mouth hero's find each other they are instantly attracted, but that doesn't stop the auric fists from flying of course.

We follow Zane, Serena, Zoey- the bubbly Auric with more power than anyone realizes- Isaac, and many others in their journey to save the clan of Vail from Keith, Serena's power hungry, sociopath brother who is hell bent on destroying everything his father ever built.

A powerful love, some of the best shit talking I've heard in a LONG time, awesomely exciting ass kicking, and drop dead Mytho's make this novel one of the best I've read in a long time.

I would give this novel far more stars than allowed, but since they stop at five, that's what I'll have to settle for. Definitely a high recommendation to any that love Vampires, Shifters, smart mouthed hero's, strong females and exciting adventures.
(Carrie Perkins-Cunningham /Amazon)
 
 One more thing before we let you leave us...Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share?  I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.
 
My favorite recipe (and my fiancé’s) is my Chocolate Cherry Bars.
Buy 1 package of chocolate cake mix
Buy 2 cans of cherry pie filling
1 cake/brownie pan (9x11, etc.)
Mix the chocolate cake and the cherry pie as instructed on cake mix.
Bake 25-30 minutes (or per instructed on the cake mix—it might take longer due to pie mix)
 
Drizzle:
2 cups of unsweetened chocolate chips
1/2 cup sugar
3 tbl butter
Put all in small pot and low heat until chocolate, sugar and butter is melted into drizzle.
Let cherry bars cool and then add drizzle.

Oh Megan, those bars sound delicous, thanks so much !!

It was a pleasure learning more about you !

Readers, make sure you get Scarlet Night, you won't be disappointed.

Until next time, happy reading.

Krista

Monday, January 28, 2013

Author, author...

...read all about it !!


Today we have...  Cameo Renae with us !!



Welcome, so great to have you here with us. 

Thank you so much for having me!!! It’s an honor to be here!!!



Do real life events find their way into your stories?
 
I think so. Not in a blatant way, but there are some instances where I used a real life event or memory. But majority of what I’ve written so far has been made up.


Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?
 
Yes. Haha My characters have multiple personalities of friends and family around me, mixed with my own weird humor.  


Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?
 
Each novel I’ve written so far have totally different inspirations.


When do you write?  Early morning? During the day sometime or all day?  After the kids go to bed?
 
Right now, I only write at night after everyone is sleeping. It’s dark, cool, and quiet. The best time to create. That’s my magic time. That’s when I boot up the laptop, plug in my ear-buds, turn up my writing music, exit the real world and enter my writing world.


How do you feel about marketing your book?
 
I LOATHE IT…lol I don’t like marketing at all!!! When my kids had fundraisers in school, we’d buy all of the product because I didn’t want to deal with selling it to others. It sucks, and I’m not good at marketing my own stuff. Maybe one day I’ll get rich so I can hire someone to do all of my marketing.


What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?
 
Right now, Facebook seems to be the best place to promote. I try and use twitter, but I end up getting all twitterpated and stressed out. Goodreads is cool too. 


Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?
 
I don’t pitch. I have a bad arm. Haha Sorry, that was really bad. BUT… no, I don’t pitch. I wait until the story is complete to see if it’s even worth having someone take a look at.


Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing?  If so, what is it?
 
I’d love to try and write a contemporary romance. I don’t know if I ever will, because I’m more of a horror/suspense/humor writer. We’ll see.  


Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?
 
Oh yes… I do put myself in the main characters shoes because it’s easier to create feelings and movements when I’m there. I’ve been writing in the first person, which seems to work great for YA and for me. 


Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, 

Favorite 5

1) Favorite Male Actor  - Chris Hemsworth
2) Favorite vehicle – Audi A3 (that was our last car and I LOVED it.)
3) Favorite way to relax – In bed watching a good movie with my hubby, or reading a great book.
4) Favorite ice cream – Haagen-Dazs Coffee
5) Favorite outfit – Sweatpants and a t-shirt


And for a bonus:  If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be?  (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed) 

Oh gosh…that’s a hard one! Maybe on a Scottish hillside, in a castle, surrounded by mountains, and nature.



Where can our readers find you??  

Email: cameo@cameorenae.com
Website/blog: http://cameorenae.com


Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?

Hidden Wings..


Seventeen, for Emma Wise, would be a life changing year; sole survivor in car wreck which robbed her of the parents she loved, started a spiral of blurry happenings. A broken arm and few scrapes and bruises are all the outward marks she bares, but inside, her heart is broken and the pieces scattered to the ends of the earth. Whisked away to Alaska, and an aunt she’s never met, Emma must start all over… broken and alone.

Escorted by the gorgeous Kade Anders, Emma succumbs to a new barrage of feelings. Warmth rushes through her, accompanied by dizzy, euphoric feelings she’s never thought possible. His touch is electrifying to her body and soul. And…it’s only just begun for her.

The secrets unveiling themselves to Emma are going to send her life into a whirlwind of deceit. Her parents, who she loved dearly, weren’t hers at all, and she’s not who she thought she was, or even what she thought she was. Being one of a kind has now placed Emma in the heart of a danger she knew nothing about. Centuries have been passed, awaiting her arrival, and now creatures of horrifying, evil proportions are coming for her. With the help of six, mind-numbingly, beautiful Guardians, and the Aunt she’s just beginning to know, she must be kept safe until her eighteenth birthday. Only then, her transformation will be complete, and she will have a chance at survival. Time will tell what Emma will become, and if she will survive to see eighteen.

Buy link:    Amazon     


One last thing before we let you leave us today.   Do you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share?  I like to cook and am always looking for new recipes to try and share.


I have this recipe for Korean Chicken Wings. It’s a hit and I’m constantly asked to bring this dish to parties.

Chicken Wings parts. The wing drums and wing pieces.
Even mixture of flour and Mochiko (sweet rice flour)
Coat wings in flour mixture and refrigerate for about a half hour, deep fry to a golden brown and immediately dip pieces (as they come out of the fryer) into special sauce.

Sauce:
1 cup - Aloha Soy Sauce (Shoyu)
¾ cup sugar
1-2 tsp. sesame oil
1 TBSP minced garlic
Minced green onion
Mix together until sugar dissolves.

Once dipped put pieces on a platter and garnish with sesame seeds and more green onion. (optional) YUM!!!


Oh yummy, that sounds like a total winner !!!  My hubby loves wings.  Thanks for that recipe :)

So glad you could be with us today Cameo and congrats on your release, Hidden Wings.  Readers, make sure you get your copy of Hidden Wings today!!

Until next time, happy reading !

Krista

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Author, author... #giveaway

....read all about it !!


Today we have Khelsey Jackson to tell 
us a little about herself and her writing !


Welcome, so great to have you here with us.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Hello! My name is Khelsey and I live in Las Vegas. I was raised in Minnesota in a very small town called Pillager. I am a stay at home mother of three kids all under four. I wrote Kallos, and it took me a year to write it.


Do real life events find their way into your stories?
Kind of, I use what I learned.


Do you ever mimic family members or people you know when you choose characters?
I do Sean is based after my husband, and I like to add my children’s names to my books.


Do you find yourself going back to the same inspiration for each story or is it always something different?
I walked my dog or take a shower to get my inspiration so yes I do!


When do you write?  Early morning? During the day sometime or all day?  After the kids go to bed?
When I am really into my story I will write all day and night.


How do you feel about marketing your book?
I love to spread the word about Kallos, I love it and hope others will too.


What social sites do you feel work best for marketing?
I love Facebook, and Twitter


Do you like to pitch stories to your publisher or do you wait until you have written the story and have a final manuscript to turn in?
I will show my publisher a little blurb what I’m working on.



Is there any other genre that you would love to try writing?  If so, what is it?
I have an erotica book out, and it was harder to do but I love it.



Do you always/ever see yourself as the heroine/hero when you write a story?
I do, I see a little of myself in Kallos J



Just for fun, I have a few personal questions, 
Favorite 5
1)  Favorite Male Actor  -  Ian Somerhalder
2)  Favorite vehicle -  Hmm 55 CHEVY BEL AIR
3)  Favorite way to relax -  Listening to loud music or reading
4)  Favorite ice cream – Mint Chocolate Chip
5)  Favorite outfit – Sweat pants and a Sweatshirt


And for a bonus:  If you could pick any place in the world to live, besides where you are now, where would it be?  (Of course, without the hindrance of jobs or money needed)

I would say London, I am a history lover and would love to live there.


Where can our readers find you?? 

Email: khelseyrjackson@gmail.com                              


Is there an upcoming or current release you would like to share with us today and where can we find it?


Blurb for Kallos
Kallos is a shy sixteen year old girl unready to face the world, but when she meets Ian and Sean Hunter the world will open up for her. Secrets revealed are to much to bear and her past life as a goddess, unimaginable. A visit from the goddess Aphrodite, Kallos is told her soul mate must be found or her life will be forfeit. Kallos desperate to find her one true match has discovered she may have two possibilities. Kallos has a choice to make and her decisions may have life ending consequences.

Buy Links:  Amazon   CHBB Publishing



Excerpt from Kallos
Prologue


Aphrodite looks at the young girl and prays that she will make it.  “Come on, you can do it.”  It isn't fair that Aphrodite must watch from up here and not do anything to help.  The young girl starts to have a seizure, as the man in a white jacket straps her down.  “Come on Acidalia, you can do it.”  Aphrodite hears someone enter her chambers.  She doesn’t have to look up to know it’s Apollo.  She has been in love with him since the beginning of time.  Granted she has had many lovers, but she has always come back to Apollo and to Aries.
They have been cursed to live while watching themselves reincarnated over and over until one is perfect. Apollo and Aries have watched themselves successfully reincarnated many times, Aphrodite hasn’t. She has never seen herself be reincarnated; she has only watched herself die many times over.
“You shouldn’t be watching this, Agápe.”  Aphrodite smiles at what he has called her since they first met.   Agápe means unconditional love or his true love.  Standing next to her, he places his warm hand into hers.
“Maybe she will be different.”  Aphrodite brings her other hand up to wipe away a tear.  Part of being reincarnated is that she cannot interfere.  She has known for a while that Acidalia wouldn't make it.  She wasn’t strong enough to survive; but it still breaks her heart to watch another of her reincarnates die. Acidalia doesn’t love the Hunters likes she should; she loves Ian more.
“Oh my Agápe, please stop watching.” Rubbing her shoulder soothingly as he tries to comfort her  “We already know her outcome.”  Apollo was right, as she let him pull her away from watching.  “Would you like to see where the soul is going?”  She had to think about that for just a minute and she nods.
“I must see who will be next.  I do not understand why none of the girls make it.  And it is not fair that I have to watch.”  They walk over to the looking glass, and see a woman about to have a baby.  Looking closer, Aphrodite notices the woman is not a woman but a child herself.  She has short, brownish red hair, and when she opens her eyes, Aphrodite is shocked, seeing incredible sapphire eyes staring back at her.  She squeezes Apollo's hand.  “Look at that.  The mother has my eyes.” She whispers.
“She does, but that does not mean that the baby being born is going to be the one.” Aphrodite knows that he is right but prays he is wrong.  As the doctor pulls the baby from the young women, Aphrodite is amazed.  She has not seen a more beautiful baby in all of her time.
“I know, but look at her.”  Aphrodite smiles down at the beautiful baby and sees another couple burst excitedly into the room.  The woman runs to the baby; slowly she brings her hands to her face as tears run freely down.  The woman turns to face the man; and he smiles proudly at her.  Aphrodite looks back at the young mother as she is being rolled out of the room.  As the young mother passes by, she turns her head away from the newborn baby.  The second woman moves to the young girl’s side and kisses her forehead.  She is saying something, but Aphrodite cannot hear what.  “Apollo what is going on?”
“She has been adopted amore.  The younger one is not able to care for our little beauty.” Ares says as he walks in. Aphrodite understands and nods to Ares.  They have already seen Apollo and Ares be reincarnated.  She wonders if this one will be the one.  At that moment the baby opens her eyes and seems to be looking right at Aphrodite.  She gasps and wonders if this baby is the one, the one that will become her.  Aphrodite concentrates and now can hear the woman and the man talking.
“James, she is beautiful.  I know the perfect name for her.”  The woman pauses and wipes away a few tears.  “Kallos … it means beauty in Greek.”
Aphrodite starts to laugh.  Maybe the woman can see the great beauty this little one holds.  She sends a welcome to the new baby girl.  Welcome, Kallos



**Kelsey is giving away a set of the Kallos Series Ebooks... Acidalia Sean & Ian, Aphrodite's Curse and Kallos!!  Make sure to comment below and leave your email address to be contacted if you win!!**

Khelsey, thanks so much for being with me today!

Readers, what a great series to have a chance at winning.  Don't forget to comment!

Until next time, happy reading :)

Krista