Showing posts with label Paranormal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paranormal. Show all posts

Saturday, January 17, 2015

REVIEW: Of Alliance and Rebellion by Micah Persell #Paranormal


A loyal soldier of the Garden of Eden, Anahita is faced with a daunting mission: to slay the three imprisoned immortals who ate from the Tree of Eternal Life. But her Temptation is among these immortals, and once she lays eyes on him, her spirit wars with the Compulsion to both kill and protect him.

After close to nine years of imprisonment and torture, Max Wright is scarred both inside and out. His only driving force is to protect himself and his fellow prisoners from further harm. When a beautiful angel appears in his cell, he’s inexplicably drawn to her, and desire burns between them. Yet, he fears that succumbing to his passion will only lead to ruin.

But rebellion is brewing among the angels, and shocking betrayals have dire consequences. Can Max and Ana protect their hearts and their eternal love?




Another great addition to the Operation: Middle of the Garden Series. I normally don’t read paranormal, but Ms. Persell has entranced me with this series. The soldiers in these books were forced to eat from the Tree of Eternal Life and as a result are targets for Warrior Angels to punish them for disobeying God’s orders. However, there’s always a few challenges that get in the way, including Ms. Persell’s creation of Tempations, Compulsions and the Fall. I don’t like to give spoilers, but I will let you know that the whole conception of this story line is superb!

In this installment, the characters are enthralling. I always love a troubled hero and Max does not disappoint. He’s been in captive for 9 long years and has such a protective nature about him that through his tough exterior, there’s a softie at heart. Not only that, but he is a flawed hero in a physical way. He has a huge scar on his face and is very self-conscious about it. However, this does not detract from Pursell’s character building or pull away from his attractiveness. It makes him more intriguing and it’s a clear way for him to become closer to the heroine.

Anahita is the unique heroine in this book: an angel with dual responsibilities ̶ to kill and to protect. I love how these two immediately connect ̶ though Temptations will connect ̶ and how they fight the connection. They love to hate each other, which builds the conflict.

Lastly, what I love most about Pursell’s writing is her scorching hot sex scenes. They are like no other. When I think she can’t do it any better, she molds together something even hotter. It’s not your normal ‘let’s get in bed and hook up’ type of sensuality. It’s literally something you’ve never read before ̶ which makes it all the more exciting to read.


Of Alliance and Rebellion deserves FIVE STARS and I highly recommend it. The hotness factor, witty banter between the soldiers and unique storyline drew me in to a point where couldn’t wait to get home to read. I want more! I highly suspect it’s cutie Oliver’s story. I’ll be first in line to continue with the series. 


Thursday, March 28, 2013

[Blurb Tour] Catching Stardust by Heather Thurmeier


Catching Stardust
Falling Stars Book One
By: Heather Thurmeier

Blurb

Maia’s been banished to Earth from her place among the stars as the eldest sister of Pleiades... and all because Orion won’t stop chasing her around the universe. Now Maia has to find her way back to the stars with only the help of hunky astronautics scientist Zander while staying hidden from Orion.

Zander never expected the discovery of his lifetime to fall into his lap, but when Maia also falls into his bed, he knows there’s no way he can turn the goddess who has stolen his heart into a science project. With his best friend ready to sell him out for fame, her wannabe lover Orion chasing after her on Earth, and time running out fast, Zander must fight to keep Maia safe long enough to get her home.

If going home means losing Zander, is Maia ready to go back to the stars?



Buy links:


Author Info:
Heather Thurmeier is a lover of strawberry margaritas, a hater of spiders, and a reality TV junkie. She was born and raised in the Canadian prairies, but now lives in upstate New York with her own personal romance hero (aka her husband) and their two little princesses. When she's not busy taking care of the kids and an adventurous puppy named Indy, Heather's hard at work on her next romance novel.

"Heather Thurmeier's hunky heroes and feisty heroines will have you laughing out loud, falling in love ... and coming back for more!" ~ Carly Phillips, NY Times Bestselling Author

"Heather Thurmeier writes sweet, funny romances that capture your heart!" --NYT and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Probst

Links:




Tuesday, March 26, 2013

[Book Tour] The Awakening & Other Stories by Emma Meade & Giveaway


Title: The Awakening & Other Stories
Author: Emma Meade
Genre: Paranormal

The Awakening & Other Stories by Emma Meade
Put on the kettle, close the curtains and curl up by the fire. Dive into 8 short tales, each with a slice of the paranormal.

Ghost Story – Who is the shadow in the window of the abandoned house, and what or who is he waiting for?

The Awakening – It’s time for Sabrina to wake up and face the light.
End of the Line – Cassie wants to die. When midnight rolls around, she stands on the tracks waiting for the train to come.
Milsa Loris – The once magnificent kingdom of Milsa Loris comes alive one night each winter. The King’s witch is brewing up a little magic, sure to make the soup all the tastier.
The Old Vampire – Hailey spent her life dreaming of a dark prince falling in love with her. He never showed up, until now.
The Knocking – Alison’s grandfather has one eye on the next life. After all, he’s heard a lot of rapping at his door lately.
The Boy on the Beach – Kate’s grandmother warns her about the boy with the green eyes. Will she pay heed?
Snowglobes- It’s busy at Calvin’s Cabins this Christmas. Eddie and Maggie are a young couple in trouble. Not to fear, Calvin is always ready to lend a hand.




Author Bio
Emma Meade lives in rainy Ireland. She loves vampires, slayers, witches, ghosts, aliens & shadow men (or at least the youngest of the Shadow Men), and regular people who live extraordinary lives (think Slayerettes and you’re on the right track).

Books, DVDS & TV show boxsets take up lots of space in her home, and she collects all the Point Horror books she can get her hands on.

Writing supernatural stories and watching marathon re-runs of Buffy are some of her favourite ways of escaping reality.

Links
Connect with Emma
Blog: Emma’s Ramblings on Supernatural Fiction emmameade.com
Website: emmameadebooks

Buy Links


End of the Line

In the distance, the familiar, white light appeared, cutting through the dark of midnight. She'd watched it come before, but always from the sidelines, imagining what it would be like to face such a beast.
                Cassie drew in a shaky breath and steeled herself. Legs splayed, arms by her sides, fists tightly clenched, she waited on the tracks as the train approached. Her legs shook, and strands of hair licked her cheeks in the gentle night's breeze.
                She swallowed the fear threatening to overcome her. Hang in there, she told herself. Another sixty seconds, and it will all be over. No more drowning, murky thoughts, heavy dreams or stilted breathing. She lifted her head and stared straight ahead, willing her body to freeze.
                Closer now, but not coming fast enough. She was scared. As much as she desired to have it all over with, the fear gained ground. Could the driver see her yet? No, still too far away. Why had time slowed down? An ache began in her ankles, spreading up her legs and winding its way around her thighs and into her clenched hands.
                The feel of her fingernails scraping the soft flesh of her palms roused her, just as she became aware of the vibrations on the tracks.
                Cassie stumbled into the grass growing beside the tracks and ran, tears running down her cheeks. She stopped as she reached the first line of trees and leaned over, resting her hands on her thighs, trying to get her breath back.
                Damn it! She wanted to die. Why couldn't she have stuck it out?
                The train thundered by, unaware of the woman hunched over in the darkness, sobbing. She raised her head to watch the carriages pass, slithering alongside Wilkins Woods like a dark snake. In thirty seconds, the night was once again silent.
                She'd try tomorrow night. Maybe pick up a bottle of Jack Daniel's after work. Might help with the nerves.
                Slowly, her breathing returned to normal, and she wiped the tears away. Cassie followed the edge of the woods the mile back to her squalid flat. She let herself in and headed straight to bed. One more day. She could make it that far.

A random commentor will be chosen to win an eBook copy of two short stories in the collection. The winner would get to choose between The Old Vampire or End of the Line. Be sure to comment about which story sounds the most interesting. 





Wednesday, March 20, 2013

[Promo] The Witch Hunter by Nicole Taylor - Excerpt & Giveaway


We’re celebrating the release day party of New Adult / Adult Urban Fantasy / Paranormal novel “The Witch Hunter” today.

To celebrate the release, the author was kind enough to offer 5 eBook copies as a giveaway. Scroll down for the Rafflecopter form to participate in the giveaway!

If you can’t wait for the giveaway, then purchase your copy on Amazon (Kindle), Amazon (Print) or Smashwords (ebook all formats) today.

About The Witch Hunter

Title: The Witch Hunter

Author: Nicole Taylor
Genre: New Adult/Adult Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
I was born into the world covered in blood, and that's exactly the way I left it.
 Ever since, I have been damned to walk the boundary between life and death alone. Unwillingly turned and left to my nightmare, I have seen men commit countless horrors and committed many of my own.
 My origins shall remain unknown, my true self hidden. I have been called by many names, but in this life I am known as the Witch Hunter. I have been asleep these past 150 years, until I was awoken by a haunting call.

Zachary Degaud was twenty three when he died. The problem was, he didn't stay that way.

Present day, he's just another vampire with another unremarkable story. That is, until he manages to provoke a two thousand year old witch named Katrin, who wants to make him pay in the most horrible way imagined.

Along with his brother Sam, newly made vampire Liz and their only witch ally, Gabby, his only chance for survival is to summon the ancient and unpredictable vampire known as the Witch Hunter.

Zac is just looking for a way out of his psychopathic witch problems, but instead will find himself falling head first into a blood feud that has stretched thousands of years.

Aya has been asleep for the past 150 years, until she was awoken by a haunting call. The witch she has been hunting for thousands of years, Katrin, has resurfaced and marked a young, annoyingly arrogant vampire by the name of Zachary Degaud. Unless she does something, he will die a slow and painful death. He has given her an opportunity to end the witch, but does she want to help him or leave him to his fate?

Zac will get under her skin like no one else has and she just might find herself making the ultimate sacrifice before he is gone forever.

They will both have to choose sides and look deep within themselves before the end. But, what Zac learns about himself, will surprise him most of all.

Author Bio
Nicole R. Taylor is an Australian born paranormal, fantasy and contemporary fiction author. She is a graduate of the University of Ballarat Professional Writing and Editing programme and is a former music memorabilia sales person and grocery merchandiser.

She currently lives in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia with a two year old rescue cat named, Burger. She enjoys reading, writing (of course!), traveling and a little too much chocolate. One day she hopes to sky dive, but has to work up the courage first.

The first in her new paranormal fantasy series, The Witch Hunter Saga is available in e-edition and print from March 20th 2013

Learn more about her writing at:
She may be contacted by email at:
nicole.this.is@gmail.com
Visit her online:

Purchase your copy!
Amazon (Kindle)
Amazon (Print)
Smashwords (ebook all formats)

Read an Excerpt
Gabby had found her grimore, her families’ book of spells and incantations, amongst some of her Grams' things in the attic. It was only then she began to better understand her affinity with magic.

She began visiting the cemetery near the old Degaud Manor, conducting her 'experiments' as she called them, trying different spells and rituals that were written in the grimore. Silly things, like lighting candles, making things levitate and communing with the earth. The last was her favourite; every witch had an earth sense of varying strengths. She didn't quite understand what it meant, but when she concentrated, she could feel living things around her. Plants, trees, insects. 

That was why she was surprised at first when she met the brothers. She was sitting cross-legged in the old cemetery early last winter, feeling the shift of the seasons in the plants about her, when she began to feel uneasy. She understood later that it was her latent power warning her that she was being watched. She was startled when upon opening her eyes, she saw a man standing in front of her.

It was as if he was a statue, until he grinned lopsidedly at her. "Well, well, well. What do we have here?"
Gabby panicked a little. She hadn't sensed the man at all and she could always feel people when she had her earth sense focused. That would mean that the man was... dead? That couldn't be right. She scrambled to her feet and took a few steps back.

"Leave her alone, Zac." Another man had appeared beside the first out of thin air.

The first man, Zac, rolled his eyes, "I wasn't going to eat her, brother, if that's what you're thinking. She's a witch and I don't want her to cast any witchy juju spell on me."

"You're both dead," she stammered.

"As a door nail," Zac grinned.

"Forgive my brother," the other man said, stepping forward. "I think you know what we are. We can't hide from you, but we mean you no harm."

"Vampires," Gabby said, finally realizing. The only undead creature that she was aware existed.

"Ten points to Glinda," clapped Zac.

"Ignore him," said the man. "I'm Sam, the moron is my brother Zac."

It took her a while to trust the vampire brothers, being their mortal enemy and all. She quickly came to realize that they were different, despite all their faults. Zac was always an asshole and Sam was always kind hearted, but they never hurt or compelled anyone. They'd ingrained themselves into the town as normal young men. Sam had even got a job as a gardener with help from her childhood friend, Alex. 

So, when Gabby walked into Max's, the bar they frequented after work, she smiled when she saw them sitting in a booth along the far wall. "Happy birthday you musty old man," she elbowed Zac as she sat down.
"Please, don't remind me," his eyes rolled in exasperation.

"Can I get you a drink?"

"Go for it Tabitha." They watched her retreating form. "I've been looking for you all afternoon," Zac hissed, once Gabby was out of earshot.

"I was out with Liz," Sam fidgeted.

Zac didn't notice the gesture, he was too busy eyeballing Alistair, who had just walked in. "Uh oh," he gritted his teeth.

Sam frowned. He knew all too well from his tone that Zac had gotten himself in trouble again. "What did you do, Zac?"

"I didn't start it, just so you know."

"Start what?" Sam groaned, like they needed more trouble.

"Big bad, super creepy vampire over yonder is out to get us," he gestured towards Alistair, who was now over at the bar. "He's looking for some black haired, blue eyed woman who's pissed him off and he seems to think we know something about it."

"Obviously, we don't," said Sam, trying to keep his voice even.

"I told him as much, but I don't think it matters anymore," he grimaced.

Sam sighed, "You couldn't help but talk back, could you?"

Zac raised his hands in defence, "Hey, he came in talking like he was out of Lord of the Rings, even you couldn't pass on the opportunity." Looking over to Alistair, he noticed Gabby standing next to him. They were talking, and he was buying her a drink! Bloody hell, did she know he was a vampire? What kind of witch was she?

Sam snorted his disagreement, and before he could speak Zac interrupted, "Yeah, yeah. Don't say it, bro. I get it. We can't afford to be exposed as blood sucking parasites. Believe me. I get it."

His brother sighed, "We have another issue to deal with." Zac raised his eyebrows expectantly. Like they needed more issues with a vampire bent on making their life hell.  "Liz and I had a run in with the werewolves," Sam said, not looking at his brother.

"Oh, so you want to have a go at me when you've been out pissing off the puppy dogs?" Zac scowled. "Did you piss in their territory?"

Sam nodded, reluctantly agreeing with his brother, "Seems like they want to claim the land bordering the manor."

"Sounds like they already have," Zac sneered.

"They warned us off, but given any opportunity they will attack us anyway," he said through gritted teeth. "They're getting bolder."

Zac felt the anger rising within him. The dogs had threatened his brother and Liz. She was his brother’s girl, but he had fallen for her just as hard. The only thing that had stopped the wolves from attacking was the fact that the moon wasn't even half full yet. He was thinking about the many ways to kill the werewolf pack, when Gabby sat back down at the table.

"I see Sam told you about the pack," she said, when she noticed the scowl etched on his face.

"Wait until you hear who Zac pissed off today," Sam changed the subject.

"Your boyfriend over at the bar," Zac inclined his head towards Alistair.

"He's a..." Gabby stammered, suddenly feeling foolish.

"Yeah," Zac rolled his eyes. "What kind of witch are you that your witchy compass doesn't work?"

"It's serious Gabby. He could expose us all, or kill us. So stay away from him, okay?" Sam warned.

Gabby fidgeted nervously and pushed away her glass, as if she was suddenly wary of drinking it. 

Zac snorted, "What, do you think he put a vampire roofie in there?"

"Shut up," she hissed.

Giveaway
The author is offering 5 eBook copies for giveaway. The giveaway runs for two days, so be quick to participate! Fill in the Rafflecopter form to participate. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

*Book Tour* - Savage Angel by Stacy Gail


Savage Angel
by Stacy Gail

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

BLURB:

Book two in The Earth Angels

Feel nothing. Sara Savitch's personal mantra has been hard to live by ever since her torrid one-night stand with army doctor Gideon Mandeville. Descended from the Seraphim, angels known as heaven's soldiers, Sara may be an expert fighter, but she's an amateur when it comes to relationships.

Physically unharmed, but still battle-scarred, Gideon has returned to Dallas in the hopes of regaining his faith in humanity—and in himself. Instead he's walked into a nightmare. His father is on a serial killer's hit list, and has hired a personal bodyguard—the very woman who has haunted Gideon's dreams for a year.

As Sara works to build an impenetrable fortress around her client, she yearns to tear down the one around Gideon's heart. With his bitter rejection of warriors, will he ever be able to accept her true nature? Sara must find a way to trust Gideon with her secret as the killer closes in…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT


AUTHOR Bio and Links:

A competitive figure skater from the age of eight, Stacy Gail began writing stories in between events to pass the time. By the age of fourteen, she told her parents she was either going to be a figure skating coach who was also a published romance writer, or a romance writer who was also a skating pro. Now with a day job of playing on the ice with her students, and writing everything from steampunk to cyberpunk, contemporary to paranormal at night, both dreams have come true.

Stacy Gail –Website | Facebook | Twitter  | Goodreads | Amazon 


Buy Links for SAVAGE ANGEL:
 

INTERVIEW:

Flirting with Romance, Paranormal-Style

How does your family feel about having a writer in the family? Do they read your books?
SG:  I actually come from a long line of writers, including Zane Grey and Harold Bell Wright (and also the Wright brothers, but since I’ve never built a plane, I don’t think that counts, heh).  As for reading my books, all my family members do! (Don’t I have a great family?)  The funniest response?  My parents, hands down.  After reading some of the sex scenes, they grounded me. *dies*

What was the first romance novel you read that made an impression on you?
SG: I’ll never forget it!  I was about twelve years old and infamous for snitching books I wasn’t supposed to read, like The Shining, A Clockwork Orange and Jaws. I found Island of Flowers by Nora Roberts on my grandmother’s night table and read it in a day. I was hooked for life. <3

Do you plan all your characters out before you start a story or do they develop as you write?
SG: Absolutely!  I usually start out with a vague idea of a personality—characteristics, what they do for a living, their talents, etc.  Then I make myself go through the exercise of fleshing them out, complete with physical attributes and a complex backstory.  Lastly, THE NAME.  Usually I try to pick a name that is particularly suited to either their personality or what they’re destined to accomplish.  Example:  Sara Savitch is the heroine in my latest release, SAVAGE ANGEL.  Sara (whose full name is Sarafinah) is a descendant of the Seraphim, savage warrior angels created to guard the throne of God.  Hence, her name—Sara Savitch. :)

How much research do you do for your books? Have you found any cool tidbits in your research?
SG:  Wow, do I ever.  My publisher, Carina Press, is the digital arm of Harlequin, so they’ve got a top-notch editorial staff who keep their writers honest.  When going through the developmental edits, I basically have to “show my work.”  Don’t believe me?  In SAVAGE ANGEL I had to provide medical statistics on heart transplantation, documented proof on how many times angels are depicted in a common Tarot card deck, and pictures on how the Seraphim have been shown throughout history.  And those are just the things I can remember.  But I’m grateful they’re such sticklers for accuracy—that means everything I read that comes out of Carina Press/Harlequin is going to be spot-on. ^_^

What is your favorite scene in your new release?
SG:  SAVAGE ANGEL, Book 2 in the Earth Angels series, is a paranormal romance where the heroine is descended from an ancient race of human-angel hybrids known as the Nephilim.  She’s a bodyguard hired to protect the father of a man she’s had a one-night stand with, and isn’t sure he’ll be thrilled with knowing she’s not as human as he might think.  Her secret gets spotlighted in an epic way, when she has to save him from an exploding Molotov cocktail by using her powers of fire manipulation.  The hero, Gideon Mandeville, had a reaction that was just about my favorite part to write… if not for the massage scene that followed shortly after it. ;)

Thank you so much for the interview – I had a great time talking about SAVAGE ANGEL, Book 2 in the Earth Angels series!  Now I have a question for your reader, if you don’t mind.  What was the first romance novel they read?


Stacy will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a second randomly drawn commenter will be awarded a $10 Amazon GC. A $25 Amazon GC will be awarded to a randomly drawn host.

DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT!




February 26: PROMO The Talent Cave Reviews
February 27:  REVIEW The Write to Read
February 28:  Jenna's Romantic Notions
February 28:  STOP 2  J.C. Martin, Fighter Writer
March 4:  Decadent Delights
March 5:  REVIEW ONLY Wicked Readings by Tawania
March 8:  Let's Get BOOKED!
March 8:  REVIEW ONLY  Erzabet's Enchantments