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INTL Giveaway + Excerpt of Dragon Mine {Hidden 0.5} by Jaime Rush

2013-06-17T01:36:00.002-03:00

SNEAK PEEK FOR DRAGON MINE

the first novella in the Hidden Series

Hachette Book Group

By Jaime Rush

[edited]

The closer Kirin got to home, the more his Dragon unfurled, yawning and stretching, eager to run. The “tattoo” that represented the beast’s essence shifted across Kirin’s skin, growing hot with need. Dragons were the only class of Crescent whose magick was an independent entity intertwined with their soul.

Calm down there, buddy.

Dragon Crescents usually spoke telepathically to their Dragon, though the beasts could also hear spoken words. Dragons could only communicate telepathically, and fortunately they didn’t talk much.

Kirin passed a sign announcing he was approaching Miami. Two and a half million people working, sunbathing, and partying, oblivious to the thousands of magickstruck humans among them. While Mundanes couldn’t see Elementals or most demons, they could see Deuce magick, a Dragon, or the sight of the rarer human/angel Caidos in full wing. Thus the need for rules of restraint.

Kirin huffed. Restraint. Yeah, most Crescents did show restraint when using magick in public but not with using it against each other in private. The dissent between the classes of Crescents had started back on the legendary island that lured ships to its shores and trapped the passengers there. Spaniards, Europeans, Africans, pirates, and natives were all crammed onto one large island governed by a pantheon of tribal gods—Deuce sorcerers and Dragons—along with angels to balance their power.

Fluctuations caused by an enormous solar storm allowed them to take physical human form. They’d ended up getting it on with the humans and making half-god, halfhuman babies dubbed Crescents.

The setting sun made Kirin squint as he neared the aerospace factory where he’d worked during one high school summer. Where he’d met Ellie Becker, who handled secretarial tasks under the watchful eye of the owner, who happened to be her father. The last thing he’d wanted was his beautiful Deuce daughter falling for a Dragon.

Bushes obliterated the BECKER AEROSPACE sign. Off to the left, in a clearing within acres thick with pine trees, the big metal warehouse looked forlorn.

His Dragon strained toward it. Need to run.

Soon after moving to Atlanta for the engineering contract, his Dragon had broken loose—once in an alley, twice in his apartment. Embarrassing as hell when the woman he’d brought home thought he was suffering a case of gastrointestinal upset, locked in his bathroom. Especially when, after hearing grunts and one roar, he’d come out twenty minutes later wearing a towel, his shredded clothes stuffed in the cabinet.

Kirin felt the magick now, throbbing through him.

Go where we played last time. Too long ago. Plaaaaaay.

Either that or it was going to take over him right there in the car. With talons extending from four fingers and one thumb, he could tear into both scales and flesh. He could—and had—closed those talons around another Dragon’s throat. But he couldn’t steer, downshift, or think about the road rules when the Dragon ruled. All he needed was to crash the pretty red Porsche and have some Mundane stop to help, only to find a redand-white Dragon busting out the windows.

“We’re stopping already, pushy beast.”

A sense of satisfaction rushed through him.

Kirin drove past the NO TRESPASSING signs. A faded realtor’s sign flattened a space in the overgrown grasses by the road. He’d heard that Huff Becker had sold the business but not the building. Waist-high weeds filled the grassy areas and pushed up through the cracks in the asphalt parking lot.

The Porsche rolled to a stop. Memories of Ellie rushed at him: stolen kisses behind the oak tree, lunch at the picnic tables, and a few hot and heavy sessions around the back of the building. He’d been sixteen and flat-out in love.

He got out and ran to the back entrance. Ran because the Dragon wasn’t going to wait much longer. His Dragon clawed at him. Let me out.

Kirin wrenched the back door open. Dust and stale air assaulted him as he stepped inside. The huge, empty space was the perfect spot for a Dragon to let loose.

Light poured in through the high windows, illuminating squares on the concrete floor. He looked up at the offices, built in the upper space with mirrored windows so the administrative staff could watch the floor. He should make sure no one lingered up there, but there wasn’t time.

He stripped out of his clothes, a cloud of dust rising when they dropped to the floor. His skin stretched and thickened to accommodate a long, large body. Fangs pushed through his gums as his mouth morphed into a snout. Blood coursed hot through his veins. He let the Dragon take over and raced into the shadows.

***

Elle Becker hated being here in the abandoned factory, but this was her only real lead to her father’s whereabouts. His Range Rover was parked in the garage around the back, but he wasn’t anywhere in sight. This was too much like the days after her mother had gone missing. Daddy, where are you?

A sound sent her heart leaping. If that was her father, she wanted to see what he was up to before revealing her presence. Elle ran up the metal stairs that led to the administration area. She walked to the two-way glass as the back door wrenched open. A man stepped inside and pulled it closed. In that flash of sunlight, he looked like…

No. It couldn’t be Kirin.

The man walked through a patch of shadow and stepped into a square of sunlight.

Her body tightened all the way down to her toes. She knew that man, his confident gait, the strong set of his shoulders, and…what was he doing? Stripping, that’s what. Kirin tore off his shirt and shucked out of his pants as though they were on fire. The sunlight cast the contours of a magnificent physique in shadow and limned his dark blond hair in a golden aura.

He threw his head back and morphed, stretching, growing as he became Dragon. Also magnificent—the beast was larger than a horse, with blood-red and white shimmering scales.

The moment the metamorphosis was complete, he took off with the muscular grace of a mountain lion. More feline than lizard-like despite the scales, he leaped from one assembly table to another with his tail whipping behind him. She watched him race into and out of shafts of late afternoon light, rolling and bounding to his feet again.

Breathe.

Ah, that’s why her chest hurt. Even after several breaths, her heart still felt constricted. She didn’t even realize she’d pressed her hand against the glass, her breath fogging a circle. He wouldn’t see her up here, but his Dragon senses would eventually pick up her presence. She should go before that happened.

Wait a damned minute. Why should she sneak out? He was the trespasser. She would march down there and demand he leave.

When she could get her feet to move, that was.

About Dragon Mine

His Dragon, her magick, a dark mystery, and hot sparks!

Kirin is summoned home to Miami when his father goes missing--the man who ruined his life, and his relationship with Elle, by being a suspect in her mother's disappearance. When he runs into Elle, sparks fly, especially when he discovers her father is missing, too. Suspecting that their disappearances are linked, they must combine his Dragon power and her magick to find the truth in the darkest shadows. But as their desires flare again, can their burning passion overcome their past—or the danger that the future holds?

The Hidden Series

Our NOW! | DEC 17th | JAN 28th 2014

GOODREADS | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

About Jaime Rush

Things that go bump in the night have always fascinated Jaime Rush. Sometimes those things are human; other times, not so much. Her new Hidden series reveals humans with the essence of gods who walk the knife's edge between Miami and a magical world of passion and danger. Part dragon, angel, or sorcerer, they must fight their own kind, demons, and the lure of their darkest nature.

Jaime is the author of the award-winning Offspring series and is also Tina Wainscott, bestselling author of eighteen novels. Contests, sneak peeks and more at www.jaimerush.com.

Hot Dragons, cool angels, and seductive magic! So come feel the heat and experience the Rush. And if you think Miami’s a melting pot now, wait until you see Jaime Rush’s Miami! The Hidden is finally here!

WEBSITE | TWITTER |FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

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Bitten By Love Reviews: www.bittenbylovereviews.com

GraveTells: http://www.gravetells.com

The Chronicles of A Trophy Wife: http://www.chroniclesofatrophywife.com

Starry Night Book Reviews:http://starrynightbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Riverina Romantics: http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/

Paranormal Heaven: http://www.paranormalhaven.com/

Book Lovin' Mamas: http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com/

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Book Monster Reviews - http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com

Author Emily Guido: emilyguido.com

Top 5 Sundays #146 - Best Book Covers of 2013 so far!

2013-06-16T01:01:00.001-03:00

I love to do lists about covers =D

Hope you'll join me!

This week’s results:

Best Books of 2013 so far!

42.86% (9 votes)

Best Book Covers of 2013 so far! 57.14% (12 votes)

Total Votes: 21

The theme for today is:

Best Book Covers of 2013 so far!

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my RIGHT sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

*in no particular order

Heart of Obsidian

from The Psy-Changeling Series by Nalini Singh

I loved this cover since the first time I saw it, but I loved it even more after I read the book... Lovely!

My Review

Lover At Last

from the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward

So simple and perfect! Love it!

My Review

Alien in The House

from the Katherine "Kitty" Katt Series by Gini Koch

Daniel Dos Santos creations are always on my best cover lists and this could not be any different =) Such a departure for this series and so great!

My Review

Monster in The Closet

from the Monster Haven Series by R.L. Naquin

This cover is both whimsical and creepy! Perfect!

My Review

Frost Burned

from the Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs

Another gorgeous Dan dos Santos creation! LOVE it!!

Attention!

Please HELP, Guys!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments! NEED NEW IDEAS! Your input would be much appreciated!

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of

Best Book Covers of 2013 so far!

Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the RIGHT sidebar!

Claudia's Review: Alpine Attraction by Ann Gimpel

2013-06-14T08:30:00.000-03:00

Publisher: Liquid Silver

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Date of Publication: May 20th, 2013

Tina made a pact with the devil seven years ago. It’s time to pay the piper—or die.

Independent to the nth degree, Tina meets everything in her life head-on—except love. When an almost-forgotten pact with the devil returns to haunt her, Tina knows she has to go back to the Andes to face her doom.

Caught between misgivings and need, she signs on as team doctor for one of Craig’s expeditions. Though he was once the love of her life, she pushed him away years before to keep him safe. Even if he doesn’t love her anymore, there’s still no one she’d rather have by her side in the mountains.

Trapped in a battle of life and death, passion flares, burning hot enough to brand their souls.

Available at:

AMAZON | BARNESandNOBLE

LIQUID SILVER BOOKS

Review: Tina awakes in her bed to a voice from seven years ago, the one who saved her from near death after she promised to return to "him" in exchange for saving her. She gave up her future, fearing that she would not have one if she had to fulfill her promise. Determined to fight for her life from the voice of a fallen god-like creature atop the mountain, she returns and has to face her former lover in order to reach the ill-fated mountaintop.

While on her trip she reveals the truth to Craig who believes her, knowing she would never make up such a crazy story. He helps her summon other gods to get out of her bargain and has to risk himself during the ordeal. Tina realizes that no matter how much she has tried to get away from her feelings for Craig, those feelings still remain for both of them and together they find the courage and strength to fight off her demon savior.

Their reward -- each other for eternity.

This story was a short, easy read...much like a novella. The couple already shared a past so their romance was already there and they just had to come to grips with their feelings that never went away. Craig believes Tina's crazy story and is willing to sacrifice himself for her. Fortunately, they didn't have to suffer too much to get their HEA.

A Highland Werewolf Wedding {Heart of the Wolf #11} by Terry Spear

2013-06-14T03:30:00.000-03:00

Elaine Hawthorn is a gray American werewolf, currently out of work, and on a mission to share in a family treasure. When she arrives in Scotland, she nearly has a head-on collision with one hot, kilt-garbed Highlander, and runs him off the road.

Werewolf laird Cearnach MacNeill isn't happy Elaine ruined his car, but he quickly becomes her protector after a misunderstanding lands her right in the middle of two feuding clans. Now he's out to ensure that this sexy female wolf gets her fair share of her clan's treasure. He knows he should leave well enough alone, but it's too late to leave his heart out of it.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Release Date: February 1st, 2013

Series: Heart of The Wolf

Author's Website

*NO Spoilers!

I love Terry Spear’s wolves and A Highland Werewolf Wedding is no exception! Full of romance and just enough intrigue to keep you glued to the page, this newest installment in her Heart of The Wolf series is a must read.

I loved Elaine and Cearnach’s story. It goes back centuries, when Elaine’s pirate uncles were hanged, she had to flee for her life and Cearnach tried to save her. However Elaine didn’t trust anyone and ran anyway.

Centuries later they meet again in a small road in Scotland when they almost run each other off the road. Their connection is instantaneous and so sweet to read, but there is a lot of family intrigue especially when they find out she is kin to Cearnach’s family worst enemies.

Highland Werewolf Wedding is a lovely love story that kept me glued to the page from start to finish. If you like Paranormal Romance with shifters galore and highlanders, you should totally check out this series and especially this novel!

Previously in The Heart of the Wolf Series:

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the right sidebar!

Marina's Review: Two Thursdays (Another Hitchcock Brown Adventure) by C. Martin Stepp

2013-06-13T13:55:00.000-03:00

Publisher: Amazon

Release Date: January 12th 2013

Author's web site

*NO Spoilers!

Two Thursdays is the second book in the “Another Hitchcock Brown Adventure” series.

Hitchcock Brown is a private investigator and as former prosecuting attorney he has many connections in the Cincinnati Police Department so when his friend the chief of police a.k.a Grildpork calls him for his help the Hitch will certainly oblige.

The investigation involves the connection of a detective and the local drug lord and Hitch has to search deep within the illicit of his town to find the truth. As the story evolves we discover Hitch’s talents in disguise, finding allies and getting out of seriously life-threatening situations.

If you like mysteries with dry humor and a touch of old-fashioned film noir then this is the book for you.

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

Our TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the right sidebar!

Giveaway + Guest Post by Teri Brown {Born of Illusion Blog Tour}

2013-06-13T04:00:00.000-03:00

The Joys and Perils of Research!

by Teri Brown

I never thought I would write historical. Not that I don’t love historical fiction, I do. As a child, books like Little Women, The Maud Reed Tale and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, had a huge impact on my desire to become a writer. So perhaps it is only natural that after the publication of my contemporary YA, (Read My Lips, 2008), that I would want to try my hand at a historical novel.

Sort of.

The research scared me. During my school years, I didn’t do that well in history…mostly because while I loved reading the text books, history was all about the stories to me, not the facts or the dates. I enjoyed comparing the similarities and differences in the lives of people who lived in other time periods, not debating the importance of individual events. And, okay, I’ll admit it— I wasn’t that great at the teacher’s nitpicky insistence that I hand my work in on time. (Thankfully, I’ve become a lot better about that whole deadline thing.)

When I think of research, I think of serious people sitting in quiet libraries with giant books on the desks in front of them. I think of dedicated authors going to obscure places to gain access to hallowed historical archives.

I’m so not that person. I like loud football parties, rock concerts and playing Apples to Apples with my friends.

Luckily for me, the Internet has changed research and most of what I needed was at my fingertips. The problem wasn’t finding good, solid information—it was retaining, tracking and disseminating the information I found in a way that enhanced the story.

As far as keeping track of all the details? I used a combination of Scrivener, (a writing program for writers) to track online research, a carefully (or not so carefully) annotated notebook for research taken from books, and of course, the ever popular sticky note method. Guess which method best suited my scattered haphazard brain? Sticky notes cover my monitor! The reality is, I can’t organize worth a darn, but the research itself is pure heaven!

About Born of Illusion

Anna Van Housen has a secret. A gifted illusionist, Anna assists her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums, and mentalists in 1920’s New York. As the illegitimate daughter of Harry Houdini—or so Marguerite claims—sleight of hand illusions have never been a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her own gifts secret from her opportunistic mother. Because while Marguerite’s own powers may be a sham, Anna possesses a true ability to sense people’s feelings and foretell the future.

But as Anna’s powers intensify, she begins to experience frightening visions of her mother in peril, which leads her to explore the powers she’s tried so long to hide. And when a mysterious young man named Cole moves into the flat downstairs, introducing Anna to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, she is forced to confront her past and rethink everything she’s ever known. Is her mother truly in danger, or are Anna’s visions merely illusion? And could the great Houdini really be her father, or is it just another of Marguerite’s tricks?

From Teri Brown comes a world bursting with magic, with romance, and the temptations of Jazz Age New York—and the story of a girl about to become the mistress of her own destiny.

Born of Illusion

GOODREADS | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

About Teri Brown

Teri Brown is proud of her two children but coming in a close second is the fact that she parachuted out of a plane and beat the original Legend of Zelda video game.

She is a word scribbler, head banger, math hater, book reader, rule breaker, food fixer, novel writer, kitty keeper, and city slicker. Teri lives with her husband and way too many pets in Portland, Oregon.

WEBSITE | TWITTER |FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

To celebrate the launch of BORN OF ILLUSION,

Teri is giving away 10 sets of BORN OF ILLUSION earth mineral eye shadow available for a limited time only from Glamour Doll Eyes.

You, too, can get the glam look of the twenties!

Eye Shadow Giveaway (10 sets)

www.glamourdolleyes.com

Teri will also be giving away not, one but THREE grand prizes that Cari Cucksey, (of HGTV’s Cash and Cari), picked out from her RePurpose shop especially for the BORN OF ILLUSION launch!

Grand Prize Giveaway – Vintage Spoon Bracelets

www.repurposeshop.com

So don’t forget to enter for a chance to win these beautiful vintage spoon bracelets!

All giveaways are US and Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Click on the image above for the Tour Schedule!

Giveaway + Guest Post by Sherry Soule {Which Supernatural Pet Best Suits You?}

2013-06-12T18:49:00.005-03:00

Today’s guest post is provided by author Sherry Soule, who is celebrating the release of her novel, IMMORTAL ECLIPSE. If you like supernatural suspense mingled with a dash of chick-lit and a healthy dose of paranormal romance, then this is the book for you!

Take this super fun quiz to discover which paranormal pet you’re fated to own, and score an eBook version of IMMORTAL ECLIPSE.

This giveaway is open internationally!

Must heroes need a sidekick, and if fate smiles upon you, then you’ll have a paranormal pet watching your back. But which one best suits YOU?

Take this quiz and be sure to put your results in the comments.

What size pet would you prefer?

a) Small

b) Medium

c) Large

d) Gigantic

Do you mind a pet that might shed?

a) Loose fur? I’m cool with that

b) Rough scales are acceptable

c) Transparent coat? No biggie

d) Shedding pelt—ain’t a problem

How would you like your pet to greet people at the door?

a) Rub their ankles and purr

b) Spitting and growling

c) Bark and sniff hand

d) Snarling and howling

How much protection would you like to have?

a) Minimum – docile and fluffy

b) Moderate – Vicious yet cuddly

c) Extreme - Invisible but deadly

d) Tremendous - Bite anyone who messes with me

What would you like to feed your new pet?

a) Tuna and bowl of milk

b) Human emotions—fear, anger, lust, vengeance

c) Nothing

d) Chew on skeleton bones—they make a tasty snack

Where will your pet sleep?

a) On my lap

b) Hiding in the shadows

c) Never sleeps

d) Curled up in a cozy cave

What type of toys would your pet like most?

a) Mice and squeaky toys

b) Stuffed dinosaurs or dragons

c) Chase balls and fetch newspapers

d) None. Does not play well with others

If you answered...

Mostly a's: Your pet is a cat! Witch’s has used familiars for years to help increase the power of their spells. Cute and helpful!

Mostly b's: Your pet would be a Shade! These affectionate creatures are a cross between a puppy and a dragon. Small but fierce!

Mostly c's: Your supernatural pet is a ghost dog! These creatures are often dubbed hellhounds, too, and they are vicious animals. Muscular and opaque!

Mostly d's: Your pet is a ferocious lycan! These were-creatures make impressive guard dogs. Clever and scary!

Places you can cyberstalk Sherry Soule:

Official Blog: http://www.sherrysoule.blogspot.com

Twitter @WriterSherry: http://twitter.com/writersherry

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/tdro6f

goodreads: http://bit.ly/uzohif

Read an excerpt: http://sherrysoule.blogspot.com/p/adult-urban-fantasy_11.html

BUY IMMORTAL ECLIPSE:

Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/1074dUY

Kobo: http://bit.ly/12BgpdY

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/14IbgG5

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/11QIbnz

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/14edSHU

Hope you enjoyed this post. If you haven’t seized your copy of IMMORTAL ECLIPSE yet, please do so. Some very chilling and steamy escapades await you!

Mandatory bookmark giveaway details:

1.) You must comment with your quiz results

2.) Be a follower of Sherry’s Blog: http://sherrysoule.blogspot.com/

3.) Be a follower of this blog

4.) Follow Sherry on Twitter - @WriterSherry http://twitter.com/writersherry

A random winner will be chosen on July 7th 2013

That's it! Good luck!

Blog Tour: Sarah's Reviews of The Society: Conspiracy by Aaron Crabill (Volume 2)

2013-06-12T05:19:00.000-03:00

The second incredible chapter in The Society cycle finds the team growing. Keely, Sean, and Tad are joined by their formerly demon possessed enemy Randy Adams. They’ve gone public with their findings and have become celebrities in their hometown and around the world thanks to their popular website. But this new level of attention has drawn the attention of the mysterious and powerful group of global powers they were warned never to cross. This deadly conspiracy of men has begun to move against them from the shadows in ways they never could have anticipated. A new supernatural threat has arisen with a personal vendetta against them and plans to tear them apart from the inside. Things have never been better for the kids in the society. Things have never been more deadly either.

Publisher: Create Space
Release Date: January 15th 2013
Author Website
Buy the book

I reviewed the first book last week and these are not my type of usual read at all. They are not aimed at me at all and fit the teenage bracket very well. The three characters are now joined by their former enemy and have found themselves to be celebrities after their findings have become public. Of course that brings its own problems...

I didn't dislike the story of either books and read it objectively as if I was a teen and they are very enjoyable to read. I read some very boring books as a teen and if someone had handed me either of Crabill's books I'd have been very happy.

I'd be intrigued to know if Aaron Crabill has any plans to get into a more older audience, he writes so well and I'd definitely be interested.

Blog Tour: Claudia's Review of Embers {Anya Kalinczyk #1} by Laura Bickle

2013-06-12T03:50:00.000-03:00

Truth burns.Unemployment, despair, anger—visible and invisible unrest feed the undercurrent of Detroit’s unease. A city increasingly invaded by phantoms now faces a malevolent force that further stokes fear and chaos throughout the city.

Anya Kalinczyk spends her days as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department, and her nights pursuing malicious spirits with a team of eccentric ghost hunters. Anya—who is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern—suspects a supernatural arsonist is setting blazes to summon a fiery ancient entity that will leave the city in cinders. By Devil’s Night, the spell will be complete, unless Anya—with the help of her salamander familiar and the paranormal investigating team—can stop it.

Anya’s accustomed to danger and believes herself inured to loneliness and loss. But this time she’s risking everything: her city, her soul, and a man who sees and accepts her for everything she is. Keeping all three safe will be the biggest challenge she’s ever faced.

Publisher: Pocket

Release Date: March 30, 2013
Author Website: Laura Bickle

Buy the book

I was very surprised that this book quickly built a new world that I was immediately drawn into. Anya has a special ability to suck ghosts into herself, taking them from this world. She doesn't know where they go, until she meets a dark and dangerous Lantern like herself who shows her things that she didn't know. As she trie to catch her arsonist, she is drawn into an uprising that could destroy the earth and she has to make a decision that will change her life in order to save it. But she also has to deal with feelings that she didn't want to acknowledge before and it's making things difficult for her.

The ending was a surprise, but at least it leaves us in a good place to start the next book in this series.

Blog Tour: Guest Post by Laura Bickle

2013-06-12T03:00:00.000-03:00

Falling In and Out

by Laura Bickle

Writing a novel is like falling in and out of love. It's a relationship with stages. There's bliss, angst, reconciliation, and letting go. There are beginnings, middles and ends. And also sometimes shouting and tears.

Beginnings are tough for me. Nothing intimidates me more than staring at a blank page. There's absolutely nothing there but a sea of white. I chew on my lip and doubt myself. Can I conjure something from nothing? What if it never comes together?

I reluctantly tap out a first line. A hook. I squint at it, chew on my lip some more.

Is this concept worth pursuing? Is it attractive enough to chase through the next several months, through research and dreams and the flu? Is it going to be one of those easy relationships, with effortless flow? Or will this one be like pulling my own teeth?

There's no way to know. I futz and mumble to myself and stare at the first five pages, dawdle around the first chapter. I fret aloud and talk to the cat about the new relationship.

The cat usually ignores me. I screw up the courage to take the plunge. I decide that I like the idea. I flirt with it a bit, chase it around like a butterfly. I court it. Sometimes, I can be trusted to even put on a clean T-shirt while typing. I'm trying to impress it. I even make an outline.

And it flirts back with me...with snatches of phrases. Images. I type and scribble notes, fearful of losing anything. Typing, typing...

And then I'm suddenly at the middle. I'm all of a sudden in a committed relationship with the book. I can feel it taking shape, developing a life of its own. It starts to have its own moods. Sometimes, it's cloying. Sometimes distant.

But we fall into a rhythm, greet each other at the same time every day. A standing date.

We talk. We do more than that. The book and I have discussions. In the middle, there are multiple ways for things to go. I try some things that work. I try some that don't. I pull out the note cards, fuss with my outline. I spread cards out on the floor all around me, trying to analyze and dissect what's working, what's not.

Sometimes, it's a test of endurance, pushing through. But I can see to the end. When I have the ending firmly structured, the last ten thousand words fly. It's bliss. I see where all the tendrils of thought and plot threads I had developed in the beginning curve back around. I think I understand the story, now: the hidden symbols, the growth of the character. I understand what it is about the story that attracted me to it.

I understand what I'm afraid of about it.

The end is the best part. It gathers momentum, takes wing.

And flies right out of my hands. I type THE END on the last page.

And I feel a pang of sadness. It's gone. It's moved out of my life, out of my mind and my heart. There's still some tweaking to be done. Editing. Smoothing. But that part feels like the post-mortem of the relationship.

The story's gone. I did what I needed to: I gave the story a voice. And it left me. The nest's empty. Lonely.

And the only solution is to fill it again, with another egg of a story. Another beginning.

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Sarah's Reviews: The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway

2013-06-11T10:37:00.000-03:00

In Bee Ridgway’s wonderfully imaginative debut novel, a man and a woman travel through time in a quest to bring down a secret society that controls the past and, thus, the future.

“You are now a member of the Guild . There is no return.” Two hundred years after he was about to die on a Napoleonic battlefield, Nick Falcott, soldier and aristocrat, wakes up in a hospital bed in modern London. The Guild, an entity that controls time travel, showers him with life's advantages. But Nick yearns for home and for one brown-eyed girl, lost now down the centuries. Then the Guild asks him to break its own rule. It needs Nick to go back to 1815 to fight the Guild’s enemies and to find something called the Talisman.
In 1815, Julia Percy mourns the death of her beloved grandfather, an earl who could play with time. On his deathbed he whispers in her ear: “Pretend!” Pretend what? When Nick returns home as if from the dead, older than he should be and battle scarred, Julia begins to suspect that her very life depends upon the secrets Grandfather never told her. Soon enough Julia and Nick are caught up in an adventure that stretches up and down the river of time. As their knowledge of the Guild and their feelings for each other grow, the fate of the future itself is hanging in the balance.

Publisher: Dutton Adult
Release Date: April 23rd 2013
Author Website
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I was intrigued by this book as the cover didn't strike me as being very time travel, it looked more like a Katie FForde type cover. I don't know if that was the plan but anyway...

The book has been likened to The Time Traveler's Wife which has probably done the book good and bad. People who loved the book will want to read something similar and those that didn't will never want to read this one. More about that later.

The story starts out in 1815 with Julia believing that her grandfather's manipulation of time has died with him. Skip ahead to 2013 and Nick who was near death in 1812 transported to 2003. Both is these stories intertwine throughout the book. There is also The Guild, the organisation for those who have 'jumped'. There is a lot going on in the book but it dealt with carefully as it would be easy to confuse the reader. I found myself turning pages quicker and quicker, wanting to know what was next.

The love story was believable, honest and sweet. But it's not just a love story, it's more of an adventure type story mixed with romance and time travel. If you didn't like The Time Traveler's Wife then don't be out off by this book as it is a very flimsy comparison in my eyes. I really enjoyed this story and I think there could be a sequel if the author was up for continuing the story, I would definitely want to read it.