Read My Mind

Book Blast! Overexposed by Adrianne James

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Blurb:
In the tiny town of Willowspring, just about nothing ever happens except for layoffs, hockey games, and your average melodramatic teenage angst.

But that was before.

Vi, Ashley, and Macy are just trying to make it through the school year without one more humiliation when they team up for a simple photography assignment: create a story through a series of photographs. Can't be too much trouble, right?

Wrong.

The shutterbugs happen upon Willowspring High School's darkest secret. When everything around them starts to crumble after trying to do the right thing, their only hope is to stick together.

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Smashwords | Amazon

When the door opened to the alley behind the rink, I realized two things. One, it was freaking colder outside than it was in the bleachers by the ice, and two, Brianna Jones (A.K.A Bra stuffer) was already out there.

The three of us walked out as if it was perfectly normal to be there but Brianna didn’t even notice us. We walked to the opposite side of the alley and huddled together. We hoped it would look like we were keeping warm, but we were trying to hide both the cameras.

Watching Brianna was rather dull. She was just standing there, talking on her cell phone and it wasn’t even anything remotely interesting. We took pictures anyway, because like Mr. Bennett said, you need the before, during, and after to tell a story with photographs.

“Look! She is checking that car’s doors! That isn’t her car, is it?” The quiet clicking of the shutters on our cameras was almost deafening to me. I swore each click was louder and louder as we watched Brianna try to break into a car.

Finally, the last door she tried, the back passenger side, was open. She slipped in and a second later, the dark car had a red glow inside. She climbed back out, shut the door, and walked over to the wall, smoking a stolen cigarette.

“She just broke into someone’s car for a cigarette? Seriously?” Ashley was just as flabbergasted as the rest of us. Why would anyone risk committing a crime for a smoke? “Oh! She is moving again!”

Click, click, click. I took more and more pictures. I hated that they were all from the same angle, but spys have to do what they have to do to keep from being caught, all the while still getting the images.

Brianna walked back to the car and put the cigarette out on the hood. Lucky for whoever owned it there was a layer of snow to put it out before it could burn the paint. Then she leaned over and used the mirror. She pursed her lips, showed her teeth to check those, then she lifted her head slightly.

“What is she doing?” I whispered.

“I’m not sure.” Macy said breaking away from the group. “I am going over there, different angle.” Before I could stop her, she had gone back across the alley to the other side. She was braver than I was. Ashley watched her closely before turning back to me.

“Let me take some. I promise I won’t hurt Jilly.” I knew I had to hand it over. I promised her she could use it. Even knowing that, it didn’t make it any easier.

“Okay. Here.” I took the strap from around my neck and quickly placed it around hers. The minute the fabric was firmly against her skin, she took off, too. “Ash, what are you doing?” I whisper yelled to her.

She just put a finger over her mouth to shush me and she got even closer to the car than Macy had. I figured that made me look out so I opened my eyes and ears and tried to make sure my best friends didn’t get caught.

I looked over my shoulder to check the door to make sure we were still alone when all of a sudden I heard a scream.

“YOU LITTLE BITCH! GIVE ME THAT CAMERA NOW!” When I turned back to see what was going on (although I was pretty sure that either Macy or Ashley had been caught by Brianna) I saw my girls running towards me, with Brianna not far behind.

“Run!” Ash and Macy yelled through giggles. I turned and headed to the door and held it open for them. As soon as they passed through I closed it and the three of us went straight out the front door and to Macy’s truck.

“What on earth just happened?” I asked when I caught my breath. Ashley handed Jilly back to me and I flipped it on. The minute I pressed the play images button I began to laugh. The first one was of Brianna screaming at the camera. I pressed the next button and then it was a picture of her finger in her mouth. The next one was a picture of her finger in her nose.

I died laughing. Brianna Jones was a booger eater. I bet her boyfriend would love to know that.

“Oh, Ashley, you are amazing!” Then the truck erupted in laughter and because Macy’s dad had given her a twenty to get food at the overly expensive rink, we headed to the diner for some hot cocoa and French fries for half the cost. Who said teenagers were irresponsible with money?

About The Author:
Growing up, Adrianne couldn't get her hands on enough books to satisfy her need for the make believe. If she finished a novel and didn't have a new one ready and waiting for her, she began to create her own tales of magic and wonder. Now, as an adult, books still make up majority of her free time, and now her tales get written down to be shared with the world.

During the day, Adrianne uses her camera to capture life's stories for clients of all ages and at night, after her two children are tucked in bed; she devotes herself to her written work. Adrianne is living the life she always wanted, surrounded by art and beauty, the written word and a loving family.

As a young adult and new adult author, Adrianne James has plans to bring stories of growing characters, a little romance, and perhaps a little magic and mythology down the line for her readers to enjoy.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

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Covered: Pinned Up by C. Michelle

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:19:00 +0000

Blurb:
Twenty-five-year-old Nina Moretti lives a double life of sorts. She’s a victim advocate during the day and as a side gig, lives out her 1940s fetish as a pin-up model. This arrangement suits her well, as does never having a steady boyfriend. Trust is an issue that was ruined for Nina at a young age and has yet to be recovered. While she may not “do” serious relationships, she has found fulfillment in her work and hanging out with her best friend, Kade—the greatest sidekick any woman could possibly want. All is well in Nina’s hectic, but satisfying life...

That is, until she meets Josh, a stunningly handsome man who has a notorious reputation as a ladies’ man. Living in San Francisco, California, Nina has met her fair share of eligible bachelors. But there is something different about Josh, something that compels her to try and get to know him better. For his part, Josh has always been reluctant to commit to any woman, largely as a way to spite his well-meaning, but rather overbearing mother. Nina, however, sparks his interest in a way that no other woman has before. What are two people, both scared of commitment, supposed to do?

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Promo Thursday: New Adult A Growing "Genre"

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:55:00 +0000

If you are at all interested in books and the publishing industry, you'll know what the genre, New Adult, refers to. It's a growing category of novels and novellas that feature college-age and early twenties protagonists, exploring their newly found independence, growing sexual identity and grown-up responsibilities. It seems that many authors (especially small press and self-published) are finding their niche in New Adult.

Where do you start if you want to explore New Adult? What if you're looking for a Memorial Day weekend read? You're in luck, readers. Here are 2 promotions going on right now. Snap up these inexpensive reads while they're on sale!

Blurb:
Ever since the one time Andie Weber threw caution to the wind - and paid the price for it - she’s learned that it’s safer and smarter to live life playing by the rules. Now she’s got a great apartment, a steady job, and a wonderful boyfriend in Colin; he’s sweet, stable, and essentially perfect – except maybe for the fact that his best friend is Chase.

Chase McGuire lives his carefree, unstructured life strictly for himself. Dripping sarcasm and oozing wit, he refuses to censor his feelings or opinions for anyone, making no apologies for either and wearing his abrasiveness like a badge of honor. No one has ever gotten under Andie’s skin the way Chase does – and vice versa.

So when Andie and Chase find themselves forced to take a two-day road trip together, they are already dreading an inevitable all-out war. But as the trip progresses, and the undeniable friction that has always defined their relationship slowly begins to wear away their preconceived notions of each other, Andie and Chase discover they both have a lot to learn about life, courage, happiness, and the age-old battle between logic and love.

Goodreads
Priscilla Glenn on Facebook

.99 Thursday and Friday, May 23rd-24th ONLY at Amazon

Blog tour in progress now: Hosted by AToMR Tours, May 20th-25th.

Blurb:
Rook Walsh is TRAGIC

Because life so far – just sucks. Some girls get parents. Rook got the foster care system. Some girls get Prince Charming. Rook got an abusive frog. Some girls get lucky...

Rook got a second chance.

And she took it. Because when fate throws you a bone – you grab it with both hands and run.

Antoine Chaput knows the minute he spies Rook in his photography studio that she’s got The Look. The dark and desperate look he must have to land the exclusive TRAGIC media contract.

Rook is paired up with top model, Ronin, and he’s everything her abusive ex-boyfriend wasn’t. Patient, gentle, happy, attentive, and sexy! He knows exactly what to do to make Rook blush for Antoine’s camera.

Rook’s luck changes in an instant and suddenly she’s the darling of the modeling world. It’s a dream job to go with a dream guy and all she has to do is look pretty and follow directions. But there’s always a price to pay – and Rook is about to get the bill.

Goodreads
J.A. Huss on Facebook

Just 2.99 at Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Book Blast Contest: Hosted by New Adult Addiction

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Covered: Addicted To You by Colina Brennan Reveal

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:48:00 +0000

Blurb:
When twenty-one-year-old Leah Carter's latest one night stand burglarizes her apartment, her roommate forces her to attend therapy for sex addicts. Leah insists she isn't a sex addict; she just doesn't do relationships. After all, sooner or later, everyone lets you down.

At first, the group sessions are little more than an education on how to be promiscuous. Until she meets the newest addict—blue eyes, killer body, and a smile that tempts relapse.

Psychology student Will McLean is posing as a fellow addict while researching a case study on unusual addictions. But the more he learns about Leah, the more certain he is that his desire to break through her walls and unearth her secrets has nothing to do with his assignment.

As the uncertainties spike alongside the sexual tension, the only thing Leah knows for sure is that falling in love would be disastrous. Too bad love might be one addiction she can't kick.

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Colina Brennan

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Imdalind Series by Rebecca Ethington: Spotlight

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:03:00 +0000
Joclyn Despain has been marred by a brand on her skin. She doesn't know why the mark appeared on her neck, but she doesn't want anyone to see it, including her best friend Ryland, who knows everything else about her. The scar is the reason she hides herself behind baggy clothes, and won't let the idea of kissing Ryland enter her mind, no matter how much she wants to.

The scar is the reason she is being hunted.

If only she knew that she was.

If only she had known that the cursed stone her estranged father sent for her 16th birthday would trigger a change in her. Now, she is being stalked by a tall blonde man, and is miraculously throwing her high school bully ten feet in the air.

Joclyn attempts to find some answers and the courage to follow her heart. When Ryland finds her scar; only he knows what it means, and who will kill her because of it.

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On May 15th - 16th Kiss of Fire will be free on Amazon!

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Book 2 in the Imdalind series!

Joclyn is in hiding, hunted by the man she still desperately loves. Ryland is gone, his mind erased, no memory of Joclyn remains. But, Joclyn’s heart desperately begs her to hold out hope. While, in reality the black eyed monster that possesses him, attempts to kill her over and over.

If it wasn’t for Ilyan, Joclyn would be dead by now.

Ilyan. The man who once stalked her, is now Joclyn’s protector, the only thing she has left. He protects Joclyn from the men who seek to end her life, and while she is haunted by dreams where Ryland begs her to break the bond between them.

Ilyan is there. Always there.

Ilyan trains and prepares her, teaching her everything she needs to know in the hope that one day she can avenge Ryland, if not protect herself from him.

And then there is her father.

The man who has never been there, is suddenly responsible for everything. And who he is has made Joclyn into something she never wanted to be.

The Silnỳ.

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Get your copy of Eyes of Ember for only $.99!

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

About The Author:
Rebecca Ethington is a story teller and author from Salt Lake City, Utah. She has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then in stage with years of theatrical performances.

Rebecca’s first stint into the world of literary writing, The Imdalind Series, was released in October 2012 and since its release each book has been found in several top 100 lists on Amazon.

Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her crazy family.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

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----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Library Book Review: Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:15:00 +0000
Blurb:
Lottie just knows that her boyfriend is going to propose during lunch at one of London's fanciest restaurants. But when his big question involves a trip abroad, not a trip down the aisle, she's completely crushed. So when Ben, an old flame, calls her out of the blue and reminds Lottie of their pact to get married if they were both still single at thirty, she jumps at the chance. No formal dates;just a quick march to the altar and a honeymoon on Ikonos, the sun-drenched Greek island where they first met years ago.

Their family and friends are horrified. Fliss, Lottie's older sister, knows that Lottie can be impulsive;but surely this is her worst decision yet. And Ben's colleague Lorcan fears that this hasty marriage will ruin his friend's career. To keep Lottie and Ben from making a terrible mistake, Fliss concocts an elaborate scheme to sabotage their wedding night. As she and Lorcan jet off to Ikonos in pursuit, Lottie and Ben are in for a honeymoon to remember, for better . . . or worse.

I'm actually kind of confused about how I want to rate this. On the one hand, this book was very much in Kinsella's usual style. Miscommunications and hi-jinks ensue throughout the novel. However, I did not really like any of the primary characters.

Lottie and Fliss are basically sabateurs of, not only their own lives, but others around them. In a bad representation of Sense and Sensibility-esque sisters, Fliss is reserved, and frankly quite bitter, about relationships. Meanwhile, Lottie is too flighty, too emotional, and too self-absorbed.

The male characters aren't any more likeable or relatable. What I did like was the dry British humor, the laugh out loud "situations" orchestrated by Nico and Georgios (honeymoon hotel employees), and the snappy pace of the novel. So, though I first thought, 3.5 stars, I also felt that what I disliked overshadowed enough to give it some weight. Therefore, I reconsidered my final rating.

My Rating:
Worth Trying
2.75 star
C+

I obtained this book from my local library. No compensation from anyone was given for this review.

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Covered: Overexposed by Adrianne James

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sun, 12 May 2013 17:24:00 +0000
Upcoming YA novel, OVEREXPOSED, by Adrianne James has a cover! GCR Promotions sponsored the reveal, and Read My Mind is bringing it to your attention. I'm pretty interested in reading OVEREXPOSED myself, and I hope it gets you excited too!

OVEREXPOSED by Adrianne James
Expected publication: May 24th 2013 by Star Bound Books

In the tiny town of Willowspring, just about nothing ever happens except for layoffs, hockey games, and your average melodramatic teenage angst.

But that was before.

Vi, Ashley, and Macy are just trying to make it through the school year without one more humiliation when they team up for a simple photography assignment: create a story through a series of photographs. Can't be too much trouble, right?

Wrong.

The shutterbugs happen upon Willowspring High School's darkest secret. When everything around them starts to crumble after trying to do the right thing, their only hope is to stick together.

Add To Goodreads

Reveal hosted by:
----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Event: New Adult Sleepover Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sun, 12 May 2013 02:18:00 +0000

New Adult Sleepover Weekend is a convention taking place December 6th - 8th featuring some of today's BEST SELLING New Adult authors, and some upcoming authors that you want to keep on your radar.

The weekend will be filled with parties, a book signing, reader and author dinners, and tons more! Not only do you get to discover some new authors, but you get to know them on a personal level.

Damaris at Good Choice Reading is co-director of the con, and she has also put together an amazing blog tour to give readers a chance to get to know the authors before the convention. This blog tour will be filled with book highlights, reviews, sneak peeks into the authors books, and tons of giveaways! This tour will run from now until September! Yes, you read correctly. A 5 month tour and at the end of every month a chance to win big!

Some of the giveaways involve Gift Cards, books, and even two registrations to NASW! All donated by the authors. So if you're thinking about attending, make sure you check out the blog tour, which I am proud to be a tour host for.

This months FIRST NASW giveaway is below. You can enter just for checking out this post! See the rafflecopter at the bottom to enter.

Just keep an eye for the following logos for your chance to win! You can enter at each blog tour stop. Enter more than once!

Be sure to check the New Adult Sleepover Website often for details and updates on the convention and other blogger and author events connected with NASW.

"LIKE" NASW13 on Facebook

Check out these blogs for a chance to win this month awesome prize:

http://www.bookishthingsandmore.com

www.mangamaniaccafe.com

http://newadultaddiction.blogspot.com/

http://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/

http://www.whirlwindbooksandreviews.com/

http://twobrainbookreviewers.blogspot.com/

http://tugceninkitapligi.com

http://www.bookishrandomness.blogspot.com

www.mybookmuse.com

http://thebookishbabes.blogspot.com

www.shortie-says.com

www.thediaryofanengineer.blogspot.com

http://whateveryoucanstillbetray.blogspot.com/

http://selkiereadsstories.blogspot.com

http://www.theluvnv.com

http://www.shereadsnewadult.com

booksaremybestfriendforever.blogspot.in

http://princess-paperback.blogspot.com

http://anovelaffair222.wordpress.com

http://divergentgryffindor.blogspot.com

www.paranormal-bookclub.com

tiffanytalksbooks.com

http://rampant-readers.blogspot.com

www.SMIBookClub.com

Let the fun begin!!!

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----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Blast: Broken Promises by Dawn Pendleton (@GCReading)

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:46:00 +0000

Blurb:
After three years in Boston attending college, Mallory Wells has come home to Casper, Maine to care for her father, who is dying from cancer. She left Casper without looking back, leaving her small-town life and everyone in it, behind. Including her sexy high school sweetheart.

Luke Bates was devastated when Mallory left him for the city life. He managed to pull himself together and move on, even if only just barely. When Mallory shows up in town, Luke vows to stay away from her at all costs. So why does he keep checking in on her and her father, showing up when he's clearly uninvited?

Maybe Luke isn't as 'over her' as he thought.

Barnes and Noble | Amazon

About The Author:
Dawn Pendleton is a New Adult and Young Adult author living in Maine with her husband and pup.

Right now, she's working on two manuscripts simultaneously. It's a difficult task for her, but one she's certain will pay off in the end.

Website | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Want to meet Dawn?

She is also one of the featured authors of the New Adult Sleepover Weekend. You can find all the details HERE.

Make sure to check out the blog tour kicking off on Monday, May 13th HERE.

Thanks to Dawn and GCReading Promotions for this great giveaway too! Just enter via the rafflecopter below.

Good Luck to all!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Tour Review: Eyes of Ember by Rebecca Ethington

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:22:00 +0000
Blurb:
Joclyn is in hiding, hunted by the man she still desperately loves. Ryland is gone, his mind erased; no memory of Joclyn remains, but Joclyn’s heart desperately begs her to hold out hope. Meanwhile the black-eyed monster that possesses him attempts to kill her over and over again.

If it wasn’t for Ilyan, Joclyn would be dead by now.

Ilyan, the man who once stalked her, is now Joclyn’s protector, the only person she has left. He protects Joclyn from the men who seek to end her life, and all the while, she is haunted by dreams where Ryland begs her to break the bond between them.

Ilyan is there. Always there.

Ilyan trains and prepares her, teaching her everything she needs to know in the hope that one day she can avenge Ryland, if not protect herself from him.

And then, there is her father.

The man who has never been there is suddenly responsible for everything. And who he is has made Joclyn into something she never wanted to be:

The Silnỳ.

EYES OF EMBER continues the story started in KISS OF FIRE. The book itself isn't a high-octane romp from one action adventure to another, as many YA books tend to be with a paranormal element. Rather, it explores much of the inner feelings and changes that the primary female character (and narrator) Joclyn has had to, and is still dealing with, after the events in the first book. This was actually a plus for me, when I was reading. The plot isn't slow, but it does build on the premise that Joclyn is now separated from Ryland, her initial love interest. She must spend time in hiding and close proximity to another young man, Ilyan.

One of the best aspects of EYES OF EMBER was the sometimes conflicting feelings and actions of Joclyn. Not only did it bring in some of the aspects of being a teenager in a contemporary world, but it also felt like a timeless story that all ages could enjoy and relate to. Joclyn is a well-developed character, who I could see as a flesh and blood girl, not just a flat paper representation.

There was a tinge of isolation and loneliness to the tone of EYES OF EMBER. Not that this was off-putting. In fact, it was the right tone to strike, given the plot. Joclyn and Ilyan spend much of the book with only each other for company, and Joclyn's forays into her dreams to visit the Ryland she loves and misses, is heart-wrenching. Ethington is adept at building an emotional story, in EYES OF EMBER, one that carries the reader along on the same journey her characters are experiencing.

Book Rating:
11.5/15
3.5 star
B+

About The Author:
Rebecca Ethington has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then in stage with years of theatrical performances. The Imdalind Series is her first stint into the world of literary writing. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. She was born and raised in the mountains of Salt Lake City, and hasn’t found the desire to leave yet. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her amazing family.

Website | Twitter

This book was provided by the author via GCR Promotions, with no other compensation except for the expectation of an honest review

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Read My Mind Interviews: Theresa Meyers

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:34:00 +0000

About The Author:
The progeny of a slightly mad (NASA) scientist and a tea-drinking bibliophile who turned the family dining room into a library, Theresa Meyers learned early the value of a questioning mind, books and a good china teapot.

A former journalist and public relations officer, she found far more enjoyment using her writing skills to pen paranormal novels in the turret office of her Victorian home.

She’s spent nearly a quarter of a century with the boy who took her to the Prom, drinks tea with milk and sugar, is an adamant fan of the television show Supernatural, and has an indecent love of hats.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads

Welcome Theresa! I had some burning questions I wanted to ask the author about her THE LEGEND CHRONICLES series, and all of you readers get to see what she replied.

Please tell my readers a little more about the The Legend Chronicles and the brothers Jackson.

The Legend Chronicles was originally envisioned as a series of steampunk stories all set in the wild weird west. Three brothers, all named after their father's favorite guns, Winchester, Remington and Colt, have been raised in this kind of secret society known as the Legion of Hunters. These Hunters are responsible for protecting humanity against the paranormal creatures in our world collectively known as Darkin (things like demons, vampires, ghosts, shape-shifters, werewolves, etc.) There's a prophecy that three brothers will unite something called the Book of Legend (a kind of compendium of all Hunter knowledge on how to kill different Darkin) which when bound together will help seal the Gates of Nyx to permanently shut out the dark forces from our world (please note that I came up with that whole thing two seasons before it showed up on Supernatural and that the idea for my heroes was spawned in the mid 90s and sat on my hard drive of my computer for years waiting until paranormals were selling again - so while this series seems like Supernatural crossed with Wild Wild West, I had the stories in my head and down in my computer before the series was a glimmer in the producer's eye).
Winchester is the eldest brother and is a law man, trying to get away from the Hunter life and be normal. Colt is the baby of the family and is out to prove he's just as big and bad a Hunter as his outlaw father was. And Remington, well, Remy is a bit of a contradiction. First off he's an attorney who's also a Hunter. He likes to be seen as respectable and he's well-educated, but he's not above twisting the rules to suit him if the need arises. All together each of these brothers must search for a missing section of the Book of Legend using a Darkin to assist them--and of course, it was only fair I make each Darkin as attractive an irresistible as possible to keep things distracting and interesting for my Jackson brothers! So there you have it. The series is a blend of steampunk, action-adventure and paranormal romance.

Which book (or brother) was the most challenging to write? Most enjoyable?

Ah, that's two different questions! This current book, The Chosen, was certainly the most difficult to write, not just because I had to write it back-to-back with three other deadlines for different publishers, but because the series was designed to have a continuing timeline. All the books are happening at once, which means in the third book I had to know EVERYTHING that was happening in the previous two books and all the secondary characters' movements off-stage and keep it all in my head while I was writing. I also had to write a scene or two for the THIRD time from a different point of view. As any writer can tell you, it's hard enough finding the right point of view for a scene, knowing which character has the most at stake. But to take that same scene, rip it apart, and re-stitch it together while being unable to modify any of the dialog or the physical movements or expressions of the characters, is really tough! It requires you to get into the head of the other brothers in the scene and really know them well enough to know what that smirk or raising of the eyebrows meant.
Now to answer your second question, the most enjoyable book to write was The Hunter because it was the first, naturally, so there were no world constraints. I could create anything! In addition it was fun because I really like Colt's mechanical horse Tempus and the idea of having a succubus for a heroine and a womanizer for a hero who have to resist one another was a lot of fun to write.

What was your first encounter with steampunk, and what hooked you on the sub-culture?

I've always been a lover of Victoriana, even as a child. When other kids asked for calendars of puppies or kittens, I asked for one of Victorian house plans (which I still have! *blush*). I was just fascinated by the era and most of the formals I sewed for dances in high school had Victorian styling to them with bustles or big mutton-chop styled sleeves (a la Gibson girl). And when I started writing fiction, I was writing historical romances set in the Victorian era. So when I went to my first "steampunk" event at Steampunk University (a weekend event put on in Seattle by the local steampunk group every year) I was stunned to find people who loved all the things I had loved for years! I was rather hooked on the sub-culture before I even knew what it was so the process of discovering it was kind of like coming home.

The Legend Chronicles is mostly adventure and romance with some steampunk elements. How easy or hard was it to combine these?

Actually it was easier than you'd think, at least for me, because I started out writing historical romances. Since steampunk is essentially a historical romance but with some reimagining of the era using fantastical inventions and science, it wasn't that hard. As for the adventure? That's always something I try to weave into my stories. It makes them more entertaining and fast-paced to read and to write!

What conventions or book events can a fangirl (or boy) find Theresa Meyers attending in 2013?

I'll be attending the RT Booklover's Convention in Kansas City, May 1-5 as well as the Authors After Dark Readers Convention in Savannah, GA August 15-18 as well as the book booksigning event at Emerald City Writers Conference in Seattle, Oct. 18-20. Readers can always find out updates of where I'll be by checking either my website: http://www.theresameyers.com, twitterfeed: http://www.twitter.com/Theresa_Meyers or author facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheresaMeyersAuthor

Theresa Meyers
http://www.theresameyers.com

Steampunk Wild West Style, The Chosen, out now from Kensington Publishing Zebra
Small town contemporary romance, The Baby Mistake, coming soon from Entangled
The O'Connell sisters return, Shadow Hunter, coming soon from Entangled Publishing

Thank you so much, Theresa!

Check out this excerpt provided by the author and Bewitching Book Tours

***

“So how are you planning on getting me out of here? They’ve got a price on my head. And you ain’t a judge and now you’re stuck here in the pokey same as me.”

Remington Jackson’s eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and determination. “You didn’t think I’d walk in here without an alternative exit plan, did you?” he pulled the right side of his jacket back to reveal not just a holstered revolver and gun belt filled with silvery bullets, but also a couple of glass vials of clear liquid topped with cork stoppers.

China snorted. “It’s gonna take a lot more than that little bit of water if you want to get through those adobe walls.”

He gave her an arch look. “It would, if it were water.” He picked up one vial, and glanced at her. “But considering it’s nitro glycerin, I’m assuming it’ll be much more effective. Toss that mattress up on its side and hunker down behind it for cover.” She didn’t question, just did as he said.

Remington crouched down behind the mattress with her in the corner of the cell, their backs to the bars as he threw the glass vial as hard as he could at the outer adobe wall, then ducked.
The explosion rocked the jail, sending down a shower of dust and chunks of brick. Miss McGee coughed, then frowned. “Blowing up the jail? That’s your solution?”

He shrugged. He really didn’t care what she thought of his methods. “It works.” His life wasn’t a black or white proposition. It was more like a smorgasbord. He took what he needed, when he needed it, to get the job done. Being a Hunter, even part time, meant he didn’t always have the luxury of doing things by the book.

Judging by the narrow-eyed look and pinched mouth on Miss McGee’s pretty face, he’d been right to bring the iron bracelet along as a precaution. Colt said she could change into many things, including a mountain lion, and he had no plans of getting shredded to pieces on the way back to Tombstone. Remington didn’t waste any time. He hustled Miss McGee out of the jail as quickly as possible, helping her cross the rubble, aware that the sheriff and half the town would likely be on their heels at any moment.

They dashed around the outer edge of the jail, and waited for everyone to disappear inside. He grabbed hold of her hand. “Let’s go.”

He rushed to his horse, who was spooked by the explosion, and pulled the reigns from the hitching post.

China’s mouth dropped open. “How are we gonna get out of here quick on that? Don’t you have a mechanical horse like Colt?”

“No. Hate the damn thing. Now are you coming or not?”

China snapped her mouth closed and nodded. Remington mounted in one smooth swift motion, then hauled the Darkin up to sit in front of him. Well, really, given the confines of the saddle she sat more in his lap than in front of him. She was far softer than he’d anticipated. Somehow Miss McGee’s prickly exterior didn’t change how very feminine she felt. “Hold on to the pommel.” She gripped it hard and he grasped the reins in each hand.

“Is this really necessary?” she growled as he kicked the horse into motion.

“Until I have clear access to Diego Mendoza’s information, absolutely.” That was a half truth. He could have just taken whatever she’d gotten from the safety deposit box and left her there, but his gut had told him that wasn’t the safest path. And if there was one thing Remington did, it was always listen to his gut. Besides everything Colt had him meticulously research indicated a Darkin was needed to access the hiding place of the missing pieces of the Book. No, he didn’t intend on letting Miss McGee out of his sights any time soon.

He wheeled the horse around and sped up the hill, making quick tracks out of Bisbee before anyone figured out what had happened and where they’d gone. He didn’t stop or slow until Bisbee was out of sight over the rim of the hills.

“I can just give you the page. That’s all there was. No map. Not a decent one anyway. Just a bunch of squiggly lines. No place names. No directions.” With her right hand she reached beneath the edge of her leather jacket and pulled a folded page of yellowed paper from the breast pocket of her faded pale blue chambray shirt. “Here. Take it. Then you can just drop me off at the next town. Deal?”

Remington smiled. She was just as anxious to get away from him as she was to get back at Colt. He could tell by the nervous way she fidgeted. “No deal. How do I know that paper will lead me anywhere?”

She shrugged, the movement causing her back and the curve of her shoulders to rub up against his chest. Remington grit his teeth. He was a Hunter, not a monk, after all. And despite the taint of being Darkin, she was a beautiful creature.

“You don’t. But I don’t have anything else, so it doesn’t matter.”

“Oh, I think you have a bit more than that. You were working with Colt to help find the lost piece of the Book Diego knew about, weren’t you?”

She heaved a sigh. “I don’t know anything.”

“That’s not what Colt said.”

A fine tremor worked its way through her body. Remington wasn’t sure if it was anger or desire. There was an exceedingly fine dividing line between hate and love and it didn’t take a whole hell of a lot to push some folks from one to the other.

“Colt knows everything I do.”

“Yes, but he’s bent on finding Cadel’s piece of the Book my father hid. That means I’m collecting you so you can help him find the piece Diego is rumored to have uncovered.”

She twisted in his lap. The leather stretched across her finely curved ass was not nearly enough of a barrier between them. Remington grunted. China gazed up at him. “You’re trying to put the Book of Legend back together, aren’t you?”

They started down the rugged hills surrounding Bisbee and Remington weighed the option of telling her the truth vs. telling her only what he wanted her to know. His gut told him to trust her when every bit of Hunter training told him he was a fool to do so.

“Yes.”

Something changed in her eyes. A flash of silver, like lightning streaking across a stormy, cloud-covered sky. It was a breath-taking sight. “I’ll help you on one condition.”

Remington was tempted to tell her she wasn’t exactly in a position to bargain, but his curiosity got the better of him. In the courts sometimes what people told you when trying bargain, revealed far more about their intentions than they realized. “And what’s that?”

“If you do find all the pieces, I want to be there when you put it together.”
Remington frowned. “Why?”

“’Cause if what the Darkin legends say is true, it’s gonna be one hell of a show.”

In Remington’s opinion deals were made to be remade. He didn’t see the harm in agreeing to it if it could get the information Colt needed out of her. “Sounds like you have a personal stake in the matter. Is that true, Miss McGee?”

She shifted uneasily. “You’ve got your secrets, Hunter. I’ve got mine. Do we have a deal, or don’t we?”

***

Blurb:
Attorney by day, demon-hunter by night, Remington Jackson is used to being on the sunny side of the law, even in the Wild West. But it’s showdown time, and Remy and his brothers are getting desperate. They don’t have the relic they need to slam the door shut on evil—so Remy is going to have to find and steal part of it.

Enter China McGee, shapeshifter, thief, beauty, and current prisoner. When Remy offers her freedom in exchange for a little light-fingered help, she’s pretty sure she’s going to end the association with a good old-fashioned seductive double cross. But there’s something about fighting through a jungle full of Mayan ruins that makes you want to settle down together. China could change. Remy might be special. But none of that matters if the devil takes them all...

Goodreads
Barnes and Noble | Indiebound | Amazon | Kindle

The fun's not over yet! Thanks to Theresa Meyers, there is also a tour-wide giveaway taking place. See what the prizes are, then enter via the rafflecopter below.
Good Luck!

Tour Wide Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card

2 signed sets of The Legend Chronicles (3 books each to 2 winners) US Shipping

10 Signed copies of The Chosen (US Shipping)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Review: The Chosen by Theresa Meyers

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:59:00 +0000

Blurb:
Attorney by day, demon-hunter by night, Remington Jackson is used to being on the sunny side of the law, even in the Wild West. But it’s showdown time, and Remy and his brothers are getting desperate. They don’t have the relic they need to slam the door shut on evil—so Remy is going to have to find and steal part of it.

Enter China McGee, shapeshifter, thief, beauty, and current prisoner. When Remy offers her freedom in exchange for a little light-fingered help, she’s pretty sure she’s going to end the association with a good old-fashioned seductive double cross. But there’s something about fighting through a jungle full of Mayan ruins that makes you want to settle down together. China could change. Remy might be special. But none of that matters if the devil takes them all...

THE CHOSEN is the third book in THE LEGEND CHRONICLES about three brothers, Colt, Winchester, and Remington, hunters who live in a world full of Darkin (demons, vampires, shapeshifters) and have embarked on a journey to fulfill a prophesy none of them are quite sure they believe. Colt and Winchester have had their adventures and found their match in two strong women. Now it is Remington's turn. This series is full of action, romance, danger and some elements (like steampunk and a western-like setting) that can draw all sorts of readers.

I MUST start with the characters. Remington and China McGee team up to try to find a portion of an important relic. Because the three novels in the series happen simultaneously, and even share several scenes, the reader has a special treat in getting to see the dynamics of the brothers and the women who are accompanying them on their quests as a group as well as coupled up. Though I thought that Colt was going to firmly stay my favorite of the Jackson brothers, I was also really intrigued by China McGee. Meyers has the ability to flesh out both hero and heroine throughout the story. Neither character is completely dependent on the other; they truly work together, and even if it is begrudgingly, it is clear that each one plays to their own strengths.

Meyers has also built a cool world where many different creatures exist. Blending action, adventure, romance, danger, secrets and betrayal in a steampunky-fied old west world, there is something for everyone who enjoys speculative fiction and/or romance. Start the series with the first book, THE HUNTER, and you won't want to stop until the last page of THE CHOSEN!

Book Rating:
14/15
4.5 star
A

About The Author:
The progeny of a slightly mad (NASA) scientist and a tea-drinking bibliophile who turned the family dining room into a library, Theresa Meyers learned early the value of a questioning mind, books and a good china teapot.

A former journalist and public relations officer, she found far more enjoyment using her writing skills to pen paranormal novels in the turret office of her Victorian home.

She’s spent nearly a quarter of a century with the boy who took her to the Prom, drinks tea with milk and sugar, is an adamant fan of the television show Supernatural, and has an indecent love of hats.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads

This book was provided by the author via Bewitching Book Tours, with no other compensation except for the expectation of an honest review

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Kelly Keaton Cover Reveal, Or Read My Mind Is Baaack!

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:10:00 +0000
So, I took a break from the blog. Unintentionally, but it happens. I've been dealing with some family issues and some personal emotional issues, and unfortunately Read My Mind suffered because of this. However, when I was contacted by the lovely GCR Promotions about posting on Kelly Keaton's newest cover, I couldn't resist hopping on my laptop to share with my readers. Hope you're all still around and enjoy this!

About The Author:
Kelly loves ancient history, fantasy, and mythology. She dreams of one day attaining magical powers, discovering the secret to immortality, ridding her home of pet hair, and being crowned Mardi-Gras queen.

As Kelly Gay, she writes the popular adult urban fantasy series, Charlie Madigan, for Pocket Books. While she calls Raleigh, NC, home, she can also be found chatting about books and life on Facebook and Twitter.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

THE WICKED WITHIN is the third book in Kelly Keaton's GODS AND MONSTERS series. Other books in the series:

Coming: September 2013, SIMON PULSE
Find On Goodreads

GUESS WHAT ELSE?!

To celebrate the reveal Kelly is giving away a copy of Darkness Becomes Her and A Beautiful Evil, book one and two in the series. Best part? It's open international!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal hosted by...

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

GCR Promotions Cover Reveal: Kiss Of Fire with Rafflecopter Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:30:00 +0000
Thanks to author Rebecca Ethington and Good Choice Reading Promotions, Read My Mind is happy to present the cover reveal for Kiss Of Fire!

About The Author:
Rebecca Ethington has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then on stage with years of theatrical performances. The Imdalind Series is her first stint into the world of literary writing.

Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. She was born and raised in the mountains of Salt Lake City, and hasn’t found the desire to leave yet.

Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her amazing family.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Blurb:
Joclyn Despain has a scar. In fact, it is almost like a brand on her skin. She doesn’t know why it appeared on her neck, but she doesn’t want anyone to see it, including her best friend Ryland, who knows everything else about her. The scar is the reason she hides herself behind baggy clothes, and won’t let the idea of kissing Ryland enter her mind, no matter how much she wants to.

The scar is the reason she is being hunted.

If only she knew that she was.

If only she had known that the cursed stone her estranged father sent for her 16th birthday would trigger a change in her. Now, she is being stalked by a tall blonde man, and is miraculously throwing her high school bully ten feet in the air.

Joclyn attempts to find some answers and the courage to follow her heart. When Ryland finds her scar; but he knows what it means, and who will kill her because of it.

GoodReads
Barnes and Noble | Amazon

GIVEAWAY

U.S. ONLY: One (1) print copy of BOTH Kiss of Fire and Eyes of Ember

INTERNATIONAL Winner will receive e-book copies

Just enter via the rafflecopter at the end of this post! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Promo Blitz: Obscura Burning by Suzanne van Rooyen

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Read My Mind is participating in a book blitz for the YA sci-fi novel, OBSCURA BURNING by Suzanne van Rooyen. Thanks to the author and Xpresso Book Tours, I have a bunch of content to promote the book, and there's even a giveaway!

About The Author:
Suzanne is a freelance writer and author from South Africa. She currently lives in Finland and finds the cold, dark forests nothing if not inspiring.

Suzanne is the author of the cyberpunk novel Dragon’s Teeth (Divertir), the YA science fiction novel Obscura Burning (Etopia) and has had several short stories published by Golden Visions Magazine, Space and Time and Niteblade. Niteblade nominated her short story Where dreams are grown for the Pushcart Prize. Her non-fiction articles on travel, music and other topics can be found scattered throughout the Internet.

Although she has a Master’s degree in music, Suzanne prefers conjuring strange worlds and creating quirky characters. When not writing you can find her teaching dance to ninth graders or playing in the snow with her shiba inu.

Suzanne is represented by Jordy Albert of the Booker Albert Agency.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

***

Setting a Story Somewhere You’ve Never Been

Of the 13 countries I’ve visited on 3 continents, I have never been to the US. Why my story insisted on being set in New Mexico remains a mystery, but that’s what my characters were telling me so that’s where I set the story despite having never set foot on American soil.

Setting is vital to any story. Setting becomes a character unto itself and should be made as real as possible. This is not easy when you’ve never been to said location. In the interest of verisimilitude, I did extensive research. This involved reading everything I could about New Mexico, specifically the Four Corners where my fictional town is located. I also watched documentaries about the State and its oddities. I even trawled through Youtube to find posts by New Mexican teenagers so I could listen to their accents and slang. (Apparently, thanks to an honest reviewer, I still got it wrong).

Thanks to the online writing community Scribophile, I was able to compile some anecdotes about life in NM as well - what a sunset looked like, which way storms blew in, what storms smelled like, what small town residents did to celebrate the 4th of July, what people typically ate, what the vegetation looked like etc. There was tons of research that went into this book and I still managed to get things wrong. Yup, I mangled the Spanish expletives and used Britishisms where I shouldn’t have.

From this experience, I’ve learned some extremely valuable lessons. 1) Better to write about a place you’ve actually been. 2) Know your stuff inside out - there is no such thing as too much research. 3) Own your mistakes even if you (embarrassingly) refer to the wrong city as the capital.

There’s nothing wrong with setting your story somewhere you’ve never been but brace yourself for backlash from readers when they find your mistakes, which they will because authors cannot get every nuance of a culture they’ve never experienced right without seeing, hearing, tasting and feeling the place for themselves. That said, I don’t think I did too badly writing this book as I did from my spot in the forests of central Finland.

***

Here's a taste of OBSCURA BURNING!

Closing my eyes, I imagine New Mexico burning, can almost smell it, the pungent pine, fireball mesquite, and smouldering cacti. I should be worried about the damage the UV’s doing to my scars, but after tonight, none of that will matter.

Just when you think it can’t possibly get any hotter or the mercury will explode, the temperature rises just a few more degrees. Today, Coyote’s Luck lies in a simmering mirage, hotter than any hell imaginable.

The crush of mesquite huddling between the tombstones offers little respite from the sun. Sticking to the dappled shade, I thread my way toward Danny’s grave. I’m not alone.

She looks like a ghost with the white sundress fanning around her legs, her long black hair teased by the warm breeze. For a moment, I think it’s one of the ch’iindi made flesh, until she turns at the sound of my step.

Gabriela, her face a teary-eyed frown. She folds her arms and returns her gaze to the grave. When did she get so thin? She was always so voluptuous, a shorter, less saggy version of her mother. Now she looks more like a sixteen-year-old kid, barely there in layers of cotton.

stand in silence, both just staring at the grave. The rosaries dangle over the stone, tied in knots around the stems of already dead flowers. There’s a white and blue beaded one, the one that was attached to Danny’s bed, the one he’d kiss at night before going to sleep.

“I miss him so much,” Gabriela says eventually.

“So do I.”

“I blame you, you know.” She casts me a sidelong glance.

“Maybe you should.”

She nods and sniffs and fingers one of the blooms turned brown by the heat.

“Dead, all of it.” She tears the petals from the stalk. “Little Maria, now Daniel.” She turns her dark eyes on me, searching for something I wish I could give her.

“This is killing my parents. Daniel was their only son. They’ll never have more children. Once, I had a brother. Now I’m alone. Sister to dead siblings.”

That’s the most Gabriela’s ever said, to me at least. I’m stunned into uncomfortable silence. There’s nothing I can say that’ll make it right. But tonight, maybe there’ll be something I can do.

“I wish I could make it right.” My words sound so pathetic.
She harrumphs and digs her sandaled toe into the dirt. “Nothing can make Daniel dying right.”

“I’m sorry.” There is nothing else I can say without trying to explain the whole confusing story and Gabriela’s not the type to believe in rifts in reality.

“Tell Daniel you’re sorry. He’s the one who died because of you.” She takes a deliberate step away from me, crosses herself, offering prayers in Spanish to the ether.

“I loved him, you know.” Maybe I am to blame, but she makes it sound like I don’t give a crap that he’s dead.

“Obviously not enough.”

Blurb:
The world's going to end in fire…and it's all Kyle's fault.

Kyle Wolfe's world is about to crash and burn. Just weeks away from graduation, a fire kills Kyle's two best friends and leaves him permanently scarred. A fire that Kyle accidentally set the night he cheated on his boyfriend Danny with their female friend, Shira. That same day, a strange new planet, Obscura, appears in the sky. And suddenly Kyle's friends aren't all that dead anymore.

Each time Kyle goes to sleep, he awakens to two different realities. In one, his boyfriend Danny is still alive, but Shira is dead. In the other, it's Shira who's alive... and now they're friends with benefits. Shifting between realities is slowly killing him, and he's not the only one dying. The world is dying with him. He's pretty sure Obscura has something to do with it, but with his parents' marriage imploding and realities shifting each time he closes his eyes, Kyle has problems enough without being the one in charge of saving the world...

Goodreads
NookBook | Barnes and Noble | OmniLit | Amazon | Kindle

Don't forget about the giveaway! Just enter via the rafflecopter below, and Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Infinity Tour: Author Sedona Venez Talks Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Read My Mind! Sedona Venez, the author of INFINITY is visiting today, courtesy of Good Choice Reading Promotions.

About The Author:
This is a pseudonym for T.L. Clarke.

Infinity (Valkyries: Soaring Raven, #1) is her debut into Adult Fiction (paranormal romance). Expected release: January 2013

T.L. Clarke (TLC) is the author of Preteen/Teen Paranormal and Fantasy novels with an edgy twist. When not writing, TLC is watching bad movies, listening to music, and traveling.

Website (as TL Clarke) | Twitter (as TL Clarke) | Goodreads | Facebook

***

Sedona Venez’s Top Ten Things to Include on a Romantic Evening...

10. Be a flirt. Heighten expectations... touch and kiss during your romantic dinner.

9. Turn up the music. Make a playlist of your favorite songs and turn the lights down real low.

8. Get his sexy on. Buy him something sexy and leave it on the bed waiting for him.

7. Peak his arousal. Put drops of Lavender, ylang-ylang, or sandalwood on your sheets to kick-up desire.

6. Make it hot. Set the scene in the bedroom with lots of candles.

5. Make it wet. Prepare a romantic bath with rose petals. Don’t forget the sponges.

4. Make him hunt for it. Make him go on a sexy hunt for treasure…you waiting in the tub for him. Leave a note with all erotic clues leading to you.

3. Nibbling is always permitted. Feed each other strawberries, chocolate, and champagne in bed.

2. Incorporate playthings. Need I say more?

1. Be Inventive, make him find the honey. Blindfold him, put honey or chocolate on your body and dare him to find it. Make it fun, give him erotic clues.

Remember, it’s all about having fun. Make it a safe, sensual and romantic evening!

***

Thanks Sedona!

Want to find out more about INFINITY?

Blurb:
Infinity is a troubled 22-year-old superstar singer with the worst reputation for drugs and hard partying. Now, she is on the road to a comeback with her controversial tour. But everything about doing the concert feels wrong from missing employees, to anonymous threats to ruin her career. Things spiral further out of control as she wrestles control of her life and career from a relationship that crossed the fine line between love and obsession. She deals with a powerful corporation determined to kill her and everyone she loves.

Infinity knows too much, with no way out.

Now she must put her safety and trust in the hands of sexy, tattooed and delicious Torch Channing and Boulder Vigari, hired to keep her from getting killed. Boulder wants to make her his. He won't stop until he claims her. Torch struggles with his primal need to possess her and his hatred of everything she represents.

Infinity is determined to protect her heart while dealing with the pressure of pulling off another successful tour without spiraling into another mental meltdown.

Goodreads
NookBook | Amazon | Kindle

Check out the rest of the stops at the Tour Schedule Page

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Tour Review: Tidal by Emily Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Blurb:
Now that Willow Avery is out of rehab, she's got one chance left to prove herself before she’s officially on every producer’s shit list. At least, that's what her parents and agent are claiming. She doesn't really give a damn if she never makes another movie or not—she just wants to get on with her life, get back to her friends, and find her next escape. But Willow is broke. And whether she likes it or not, acting is the only job she knows how to do.

When she accepts the lead in a beach drama, Willow finds herself in Hawaii. And in Hawaii, she finds Cooper, the gorgeous surfer hired to train her for her new role. With the bluest eyes she’s ever seen and the sexiest Australian accent she’s ever heard, Cooper’s different from the men she’s used to. He doesn’t want to use her. And he refuses to let her fail.

But when an old friend re-enters Willow’s life—a friend whose toxicity she’s been drawn to time and time before and whose presence brings about the painful memories she's tried so hard to suppress—Willow will have to choose between the girl she was and the person she’s becoming. The lifestyle that helps her forget the pain and the man she’s falling hard for.

I liked the premise of TIDAL right from the beginning. The second chance and redemption aspect of the book drew me in and was skillfully handled by the author. Willow is starting over from her spoiled, drunken, drug-fueled past after rehab. Not only does she have community service to complete, but she has to train for a new movie role. She's thrown right back into real life, with all of its physical and emotional demands and can't fall back onto her old habits of numbing with substances. Even better, the author Emily Snow, has written Willow in a relatable enough way, that the reader really gets the idea that Willow doesn't want to fall back into her old habits. There's a great inner dialog of hers that keeps the reader aware of how hard it is for her to do what she is doing.

Snow portrays Willow and her surf trainer slash love interest with real depth. Though they both have secrets that are revealed near the end of the book with great fanfare, their characters are not flat up until that point. They are not page holders to advance a certain plot or agenda. Cooper is especially interesting because he seems to understand what Willow is going through, but gives her no quarter in excusing herself.

I really though that the struggle, as well as the romance and ultimate ending of TIDAL was well-crafted. The language wasn't overblown, but there were parts that didn't pull any punches, especially in dialog. Hawaii and surfing is the background of this novel, but ultimately it is a great story of finding truth in oneself, finding romance and someone who cares, and getting rid of toxic behaviors and people.

Book Rating:
13/15
4 star
A-

Goodreads
NookBook | Amazon | Kindle

About The Author:
Emily Snow is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of the DEVOURED series (2012, 2013) and TIDAL (2012).

Website | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads

Complete Tidal Tour Schedule from GCR Promotions

This book was provided by the author via GCR Promotions, with no other compensation except for the expectation of an honest review

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

VBT: Fateful Waters by J.M. Anton (with giveaway)

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome J.M. Anton! As part of the VBT (Virtual Book Tour), organized by Goddess Fish Promotions and the author, Read My Mind is promoting FATEFUL WATERS today. This is a contemporary western that incorporates suspense, friendship and a hero/heroine HEA.

About The Author:
Jackie Anton is the author of Backyard Horse Tales: Sox 2nd Edition, recepient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award. She makes her home in Northeastern Ohio.
Mother of two adult Children and a Grandmother she and her husband of forty-one years live on a small farm in Medina Township. As author of the family friendly series Backyard Horse Tales (readers age 8-adult) her adult novels are written under the pen name J.M. Anton.

An avid horseperson she and her husband continue to ride daily. She loves a good mystery as well as working out the day-to-day struggles and complexities of human relationships. Find out more about the author on her blog “Writing for readers in a .com world.

Website

Special or surprising information uncovered while researching “Fateful Waters.”
by J. M. Anton

One of the many surprises came as I was researching the use and function of GPS and smart phones. My daughter who lives in Virginia kept me straight on all the technological references, as well as pointing out blackouts on phones, and the limitations of GPS devices. The story required that the heroine and her sidekick be out of touch for periods of time.

Another area of research brought in the linguistic talents of my other daughter who lives in Texas. My heroine is inclined to periodically revert to her maternal grandmother’s German language. I did some research online and found that my German was extremely rusty, but I translated the phrases that I wanted for the book and sent the English and German translations to Houston. After checking her conjugation with her German Professor, my daughter returned my German phrases. That was indeed a special undertaking that unleashed a series of harrowing events for our heroine, Lexie.

My memories of the Texas Panhandle are several decades old. As fate would have it there are family and friends who still reside in Texas. The drought was so wide spread that is was not difficult to get first hand observations of living with the heat and lack of rain. I was in the middle of a rewrite when my daughter told me that she was traveling to Lubbock and catching a flight to California. “Please take some notes while you are there, pay attention to the airport and the view from the plane.” I pleaded.

As a result of the interview at the completion of my daughters business seminar, I was able to put Lexie on a plane and share the devastating landscape from a birds eye view. The view from the plane on landing in Cleveland was from my personal observations, but I feel that the view of the Texas Panhandle from in high had much more impact.

The following excerpt is of Lexie’s return home in Chapter 10 of “Fateful Waters:

***

Lexie carted her luggage out to the porch, then returned to her room to make one last sweep. She picked up her handbag and her laptop, before closing the door behind her. She made the long walk down the hall and closed the door on this chapter of her life. She breathed a huge sigh of relief when Booker arrived in the same long sleek black car. Her belongings loaded in the trunk, and securely belted in the passenger seat she said goodbye to the Rocking R. As she stared blankly at the parched landscape she began to envision green rolling hills, sparkling rivers, and the vast waters of Lake Erie. Ohio beckoned to her wounded soul.

Booker didn’t chauffeur her to the rental car dealer, but to Lubbock’s rendition of an International airport. Mel’s dad refused to let her make the long drive back home alone. Instead, he booked a first class ticket for her to Hopkins airport. She would have a short layover to catch a connecting flight home, but she didn’t mind a delay once she was well out of Texas. Mrs. Potter was to meet her in Cleveland.

Once she was safely in the air, tears flowed like the much prayed-for rain in this part of the country. Waves of heat rose from the tarmac as the small commuter plane took to the sky and circled the airport to head east. Lexie gazed through her veil of tears at the scarred and desolate view beneath her. The largest scars on the land below looked to be natural riverbeds, now bone dry, and the larger indents could have been man made quarries, but they were now barely discernible mud puddles.

***

Blurb:
Follow Melinda Potter and Alexandra Parker, across the country, as the friends travel from their home on the shores of Lake Erie to the drought-stricken state of Texas. After graduation from The Ohio State University, Melinda has a date with an online Romeo. Lexie, who is supposed exert a moderating influence on her impulsive friend, winds up in a hospital where she wakes to everyone calling her Mrs. Ross. She doesn’t have a clue how she got there, or who Mr. Ross is.

Goodreads
Dog Ear Publishing

DON'T FORGET! J.M. Anton is also giving away a $25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card to a random commenter during the course of the tour. Leave a comment at Read My Mind with a favorite Western romance to be entered.

Make sure you check out the other tour stops HERE
----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

S.G. Rogers Guest Post and Giveaway: From Paperback To Popcorn

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 05:30:00 +0000

Welcome S.G. Rogers to Read My Mind today! She's here to talk a little about her favorite fantasy books turned movies.

About The Author:
Originally from Southern California, S.G. Rogers has lived in Asheville, North Carolina and Laurel, Mississippi. She earned her first black belt in Tae Kwon Do from martial arts champion Billy Blanks.

Later on, she earned black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido from Master Myung Kim. Currently residing in beautiful Savannah, Georgia, S.G. Rogers writes fantasy and romantic fantasy stories.

She’s owned by two hairless cats, Houdini and Nikita, and lives on an island populated by exotic birds, deer and the occasional gator. Although she’s most often drawn to speculative fiction, she’s been known to break away to write other genres.

Tab is her beverage of choice, but when she imbibes, a cranberry vodka martini doesn’t go amiss.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

From Paper to Popcorn: S.G. Rogers’ Top 10 Fantasy Books-Turned-Movies

1) Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (1986). This marvelous novel became an animated movie of the same name in 2004.

2) Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum (1900). The classic story became a unforgettable Technicolor film in 1939.

3) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was published by J.K. Rowling in 2000. The movie version was released in 2005.

4) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was published by J.K. Rowling in 2003. The film of the same name was released in 2007.

5) The Princess Bride was a 1973 novel written by William Goldman. The book was adapted into a first-rate movie in 1987.

6) The Time Machine was a novella written by H.G. Wells in 1895. Although there have been many adaptations, my favorite is the 1960 version starring Rod Taylor.

7) Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote the Barsoom series of novels beginning in 1911. John Carter (2012) was a very enjoyable adaptation.

8) A Christmas Carol was a Victorian-era novella written by Charles Dickens in 1843. My favorite adaptation is the 1970 movie musical with Albert Finney.

9) A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court was a novel written by Mark Twain in 1889. In 1949, it became one of my favorite movies starring Bing Crosby.

10) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe was published in 1950, and was written by C.S. Lewis. The 2005 film has some marvelous special effects.

Here's an excerpt from the beginning of TOURNAMENT OF CHANCE to whet your appetite!

***

“Today is a momentous occasion,” said King Chance, after he’d settled himself on a cushion. His booming voice resonated across the field. “Let the finalists for the Tournament of Chance come forward.”

“Your Majesty, I present Lady Felicia of the Valley and Heather of the Jagged Peaks,” announced Sir Fitzelle.

Felicia glided toward the king as if to greet an old friend, but Heather hung back. Now that the moment had arrived to actually meet the king and queen, her feet were frozen to the ground. Suddenly wishing for
invisibility, she forced herself to move toward the king’s canopy. All eyes swiveled in her direction as she stood next to Felicia. Murmurings and titters rippled through the royals at Heather’s appearance. Although Felicia ignored her altogether, the queen openly laughed, as did many of the courtiers. A rosy blush crept toward Heather’s hairline.

The king beamed at Felicia. “How splendid to see you again, dear girl.”

“And you, Your Majesty,” Felicia responded. Her smile showed the lovely dimples in her cheeks.

Queen Chelsea frowned — far less pleased to see Felicia than was her husband. King Chance next focused his attention on Heather. His welcoming expression did not slip one bit, but Heather was taken aback. His eyes resembled those of a cold, poisonous snake.

***

Blurb:
When a beautiful commoner enters the Tournament of Chance archery competition, her thwarted victory sparks a revolution in the oppressive kingdom of Destiny. Although Heather never believed the legends about the restoration of Ormaria, after three shape-shifting Ormarian wizards awaken from a long magical slumber, she joins their perilous quest to regain the throne.

Heather battles vicious predators and angry trolls to free the wizards’ magic, but at a horrendous cost. She is unexpectedly torn from the arms of the man she loves and hurled back in time to fulfill a prophecy not yet written. The ensuing maelstrom tests Heather’s survival skills, wits, and endurance.

Will she become an unwritten footnote in history, or can she trust the magic to lead her back to her one true love?

Barnes and Noble | Smashwords | Amazon

Thanks to Kathy at Book Blasts and Blog Tours, as well as the author of TOURNAMENT OF CHANCE, S.G. Rogers, there is also a $25 GC Giveaway! Just enter via the rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ends 1/23/12

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Promo: Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Read My Mind is taking part in the FOREVER MY GIRL by Heidi McLaughlin blog tour, hosted by Good Choice Reading Promotions. Heidi is sponsoring a great giveaway during the tour.

There's a grand prize of a KINDLE TOUCH!

Just enter via the rafflecopter at the bottom of this post, and don't forget to follow the tour!

Check out my review of the book HERE

Find the other stops on the tour HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Review: Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Blurb:
I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.

I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I’ve poured my soul into my music, but I’ve never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile.

And now I’m going back.

After ten years.

I hope I can explain that after all this time.

I still want her to be my forever girl.

FOREVER MY GIRL started out as a lament to a character that the reader never gets to know, at least not in the present time. Mason, a beloved friend, father, husband, and hometown hero has died. The assembled cast of characters that include lost loves, Josie and Liam are gathering for his funeral. A secret that Josie kept is revealed almost right away, but I won't say, in case it is thought a spoiler. What I will say is that FOREVER MY GIRL pretty much had my attention with rock-star, lost love, and a trope that I can't get enough of in romance.

To be honest, when I read the first few chapters, I was afraid the book was going to get bogged down in the grief over Mason and be a downer. But, that didn't happen, luckily. Yes, Mason's death shapes the backbone of the plot, but ultimately Josie and Liam are in the spotlight as they reconnect and discover things about their shared past.

There was a slow build-up to the romance in this book. In fact, for a lot of the story McLaughlin had Josie happily matched with another person, but Liam's return had Josie thinking about his place in her life and how she really felt about him. FOREVER MY GIRL was actually a really good study of two people with a relationship that never really ended, and feelings that stayed in their hearts, even during separation and other partners.

Book Rating:
12/15
3.5 star
B+

About The Author:
My grandma once told me that I can do anything I want, so I am.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, I now live in picturesque Vermont, with my husband and two daughters. Also renting space in our home is an overhyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day you'll find me behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, I'm writing one of the many stories I plan to release or sitting courtside during either daughter's basketball games.

I'm also an active reviewer on The Readiacs - a site I own with my best friend and uber special beta, Yvette.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads

This book was provided by the author via Good Choice Reading, with no other compensation except for the expectation of an honest review

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Blitz: The Christmas Dare by Joan Chandler with a GC Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 08:30:00 +0000

Read My Mind is taking part in a book blitz for THE CHRISTMAS DARE today. One of the things that I love about this time of the season is the Christmas romances that release to both spice up and sweeten the winter nights. Thanks to the author and Goddess Fish Promotions for sponsoring the blitz!

About The Author:

Joan Chandler is a Florida native who has lived in the Deep South all of her life. She is married with two children who are her pride and joy. She lives a double life of sorts, holding down a nine-to-five job during the day, and writing steamy romance at night—often with her black cat curled up in her arms as she types.

When she’s not spending her spare time working on her next novel, she loves to go camping, sharing girls’ night out with her friends, walking her two dogs, and watching football.

Blog | Twitter

Blurb:

Self-professed Christmas addict Gia Dixon, and by-the-book Ethan Castle have been best friends all their lives. When tragedy strikes Ethan’s family, Gia’s the rock he depends on to pull him through the darkest days. Then, a shared, long-forgotten memory leads to an unexpected yet tender kiss. Can a simple Christmas dare help them find true love?

Here's a taste of THE CHRISTMAS DARE!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She made a face at him as she prepared to get out of the car, and then flipped around to her knees to reach between the seats to gather up her packages. As she pulled everything forward through the gap, she leaned over to kiss his cheek.

He caught her by surprise when he turned to face her, causing their lips to meet. Her eyes widened, while his turned dark.

“Gia,” he said, the name coming out of his mouth in a low rasp.

She closed her eyes but didn’t move. She couldn’t speak. Then she sensed when he was about to kiss her again. She tilted her face up to receive it, her lips parting to let him know she wasn’t opposed.

Ethan put his hands on either side of her head, his long fingers wrapping around to bury themselves in her thick, blonde hair. “Gia,” he whispered again as he closed his mouth over hers and slipped his tongue inside. She twirled hers around it, gently sucking. They were lost in the moment, oblivious to whether anyone else was around or not. They forgot where they were. They even forgot who they were. And in their place, these two sensual, passionate creatures tangled their arms around each other and kissed as if their lives depended on it.

Finally, Ethan sighed and pulled back a little. “Tell me that this is okay with you. Please say that it is.”

Gia had trouble finding her voice, so instead she pulled his mouth to hers again and greedily kissed him. When it ended, she asked breathily, “Does that answer your question?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joan Chandler will also be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card, winner's choice, to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour!

Make sure you visit each stop and comment to up your chances of being chosen.

At Read My Mind just comment with your favorite fall/winter seasonal beverage. (Mine is Pumpkin Spice Latte in early fall and Gingerbread Latte in winter)

Check out all of the tour stops HERE.

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Spotlight: Tidal by Emily Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 05:30:00 +0000

Goodreads

Nook | Smashwords | Kindle

About The Author:

I'm the 26-year-old author of the forthcoming DEVOURED series (2012, 2013) and TIDAL (2012). I love books, sexy bad boys, and really loud rock music, so naturally, I write stories about all three.

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

ARC Book Review: Prophesy by Ellen Oh

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Blurb:
Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope...

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.

PROPHESY throws the reader directly into the story, with an action-packed beginning that introduces Kira and her world. The beginning also serves to show the reader why Kira is an outcast and considered by some to be a monster, instead of the demon-hunter that she really is. Protecting the royal family of Hansong is her privilege and duty and Kira takes it seriously. Though it is billed as being "heart-stopping", I liked that the plot didn't seem built around high intensity just for the sake of it. There is a good story that Ellen Oh carefully constructs and unfolds to the reader.

Relationships seem very important in PROPHESY. Kira's with the royal family in general, and the prince in particular. Kira's with the rest of her society, and the mythology that is interwoven throughout the novel. It's the last point the really drew my attention. The setting is in an Asian city, with all of the lore and mythology that goes along with that culture. It's engrossing and intriguing, and though I can only guess at the authenticity, I feel that it is much more genuine than some of the other YA books have read this year that attempt to incorporate other cultures.

PROPHESY was a quick read, but definitely not a quickly forgotten read. Oh is adept at revealing and explaining a culture that might be foreign to most American readers. She mixes ancient beauty with a sometimes cruel world and does it well. Not only that, this book has whetted my appetite for more Asian culture reads, and I think that it would do the same for a YA audience looking for a fantasy that has just that little bit of differentness that makes it not so ordinary.

Book Rating:
13/15
4 star
A-

This book was provided by the publisher via Around The World ARC Tours, with no other compensation other than the expectation of an honest review
----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.

Book Tour Review: The Alchemists Academy (Elemental Explosions) by Kailin Gow

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 05:30:00 +0000
Blurb:
A new student has entered The Alchemists Academy, and he brings with him an explosive power that threatens the Academy and the legend of Merlin.

Wirt thought he was the only bad boy at the Academy, but he was wrong. Not only is Roland Black worse than Wirt, but a new teacher had replaced one of their beloved teachers, and she has more planned for Wirt and his friends than just lesson plans.

Alana, his crush has grown prettier, and now he is rivals for her attention with not only his best friend Spencer, but newcomer Roland, as well. On top of that, it is their second year, and the year where all the students must pass a test to move on to the Elite Class at the Academy.

The Elite Class is the only class in the third year at the Academy, and the students who fail will be sent home, others will face something even deadlier.

The second installment of THE ALCHEMISTS ACADEMY brings back the characters from before: Wirt, Alana, Spencer and their instructors. But, Wirt isn't the new student on the block anymore. In their second year, the young students are joined by Roland Black. Black turned out to be an interesting character to me. Wirt didn't trust him from the beginning and since the reader sees everything from Wirt's eyes, we are also left to wonder at Black's preternatural-seeming popularity with the young girls at the Alchemists Academy and also with his proficiency at school subjects. Kailin Gow did an excellent job of introducing a possible foe, while also not making him too obviously evil or even more than just suspicious.

In ELEMENTAL EXPLOSIONS, the second year students learn that the whole of the semester could potentially be a test for the "Elite Class", a very select third year class. In the first installment, after Wirt's introduction to the Alchemist's Academy, the plot turned to a quest for a missing relic. Here, Gow has constructed a plot around the machinations of the headmaster, Black and Wirt's separation from Spencer, a fellow student and former roommate.

While there is not the same excitement and danger as the quest device, a princess' disappearance, Spencer and Alana's relationship discord, and a shocking discovery that Wirt makes about Roland Black filled the pages and made ELEMENTAL EXPLOSIONS a one-sitting read for me. In keeping with the first book in the series, Gow captured my attention with the magical exploits of a group of young students. THE ALCHEMISTS ACADEMY series is a great foray into fantasy for Harry Potter fans and magic enthusiasts.

Book Rating:
12/15
3.5 star
B+

NookBook | Kindle

About The Author:
Kailin Gow is the award-winning, international bestselling author of over 80 distinct books.

Kailin Gow is also the President of a media company, a media personality, and has been writing full-time since she was first published. Holding a Masters in communications management and leadership positions in Fortune 500 corporations, she puts her leadership abilities, her experience, and desire to help others into her fiction books. As a result, she has written the forthcoming, Finding the Heroine in You book which is also a national tour.

She is a mother and spends whatever spare time she has volunteering at the Red Cross, Battered Women's Shelters, and other organizations.

Currently her Frost Series is in development for a major international MMO Game, and she has over 14,000 and growing Frost-ers on her Facebook fan page.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Book Club | Goodreads

This book was provided by the author via Book Blasts and Blog Tours, with no other compensation other than the expectation of an honest review
----------Content Copyright By Lillie Hill (AliseOnLife) If you are reading this from a website other than Read My Mind or a feed reader, it is without the permission of the copyright owner.