This is our stop for the blog tour of Opening the Veil. To see the tour schedule, check it out here!

Summary from Goodreads:

When Cassie agrees to go on a date with her gorgeous new neighbor, she doesn’t expect the night to end with a glimpse into eternity. Within twenty-four hours she discovers not only are young women being brutally murdered around her beloved town, but an ancient evil is using her new neighbor like a puppet to do the killing.

Knowing the police won’t believe her without solid proof, she makes it her mission to find the evidence they need. Add to that how her cat has started talking to her, along with seeing ghosts around town, and it’s no surprise that she’s beginning to question her sanity.

This is the first book in the New Sight Series – paranormal series about a young woman whose eyes are opened to the hidden world around her and her compulsion to help the dead seek answers and justice.

Imaginatively entertaining with light humor and a quickening pace, C. L. Clark’s interesting new twist on paranormal fantasy is a book series that readers will not want to pass up.

Buy Links:
Amazon

The Inspiration for Opening the Veil.

A Message From the Author:

Thank you for allowing me to guest post on your blog today.

I am often asked where inspiration for my stories and books come from. Actually, it usually comes out more along the lines of “Dang! What is going on in your head? Do you really think of that stuff all on your own?” Then come the sideways glances and questioning looks once I explain that not only do I come up with all of the things I write, but there are even stranger things floating around in my noggin that never make it to paper. To be fair, these concerned looks and comments usually come after people read my short stories that are more in the Twilight Zone vein. Most people who read my New Sight Series, especially if they are “cat people” like me, smile and start telling me about their own cat’s antics. I think I prefer that reaction, mainly because the conversations tend to last longer and those people don’t go out of their way to avoid standing near me.

The inspiration for Opening the Veil, and all of the books that will follow, started with my own cat Ali”i. Ali’i means queen in Hawaiian and I admit that was probably not the best name choice for my cat because she lives up to that every single day – in spades. All of the vocalizations of Allie in the books are actual sounds that my beloved cat makes to me on a daily basis. Although she is very vocal, even to the point of chewing me out at times, she sadly does not talk to me in my head. Where the book idea originated was with her flipping out every time I took a shower for the first year or so of her life. I have no idea why she couldn’t handle me in the shower and my speculation turned into the premise of the relationship between Cassie and Allie in my book series.

As for the ghost part, well, let’s just say I have had more than one occurrence with the unknown. There are certain aspects of Cassie’s new life that resonate with my own experiences and I thought others might be interested to read about them. Come on, who hasn’t enjoyed a good ghost story around a campfire or darkened room with friends?

I have to say one of my personal favorite things since writing this book has been the fans that have emailed me, passing along their own cat stories or personal experiences with spirits and the unknown. It’s great being able to connect with other people whom I might never have had the opportunity had I not put my story out there. I hope that you check out my book Opening the Veil and pass along your thoughts or experiences, too.

About the Author

L. Clark has been a lifetime resident of the Twilight Zone – seeing every day occurrences and banal objects through slightly skewed, dark, and creepy glasses. The question usually on her mind is “What if?” followed by any number of strange ideas which quickly become stories that must be shared.
When asked about where her story ideas come from, she usually smiles mischievously and remarks, “My fingers have a mind of their own.” Often found peeking under rocks, wandering through graveyards, and poking her nose into abandoned haunted houses, she has a particular love for black cats, breaking mirrors, and running with scissors.

Author Links:
Website│Goodreads│Facebook

GIVEAWAY:
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Blog Tour Organized by:

Today is our stop on the book blog tour for Vessel! We are so happy to be apart of this blog tour. I personally haven’t read Vessel yet but it sounds amazing and I cannot wait to read it! Click on the banner to check out the tour schedule!

Book Summary:

The sun exploded on April 18, 2112. It exploded in a Class X solar storm the likes of which humankind had never seen.

They had nineteen minutes.

Nineteen minutes until the geomagnetic wave washed over the Earth, frying every electrical device created by humans, blacking out entire continents, every satellite in their sky.

Nineteen minutes to say goodbye to the world they knew, forever, and to prepare for a new Earth, a new Sun.

Generations after solar storms have destroyed nearly all human technology on Earth and humans have reverted to a middle ages like existence, all knowledge of the remaining technology is kept hidden by a privileged few called the Reticents and books are burned as heresy.

Alana, a disfigured slave girl, and Recks, a traveling minstrel and sometimes-thief, join forces to bring knowledge and books back to the human race. But when Alana is chosen against her will to be the Vessel, the living repository for all human knowledge, she must find the strength to be what the world needs.

Book Quotes:

They had nineteen minutes.

Nineteen minutes until the geomagnetic wave washed ove rthe Earth, frying everything man-made electrical device, blacking out entire contienents and every satellite in their sky.

Nineteen minutes to say goodbye to the world they knew forever and prepare for a new Earth, a new way of life.

-Vessel, Lisa T. Cresswell

“Kinder?”

He stopped what he was doing and looked at me hard, searching my scarred face.

“Do I know you?” He demanded, grabbing my wrist.

It was him, no doubt, but what was he dressed as a Reticent for? Too late, I realized my mistake. He was one of them. I tried to pull away, but his bony fingers had a better grip on me than I thought and he wouldn’t let me go.

“Recks?” he asked in a hushed, angry voice, as if he didn’t want the others to hear.

I twisted my arm, squirming out of his grasp and pinching the horses flank to make him balk. Kinder released me to keep from tumbling off the prancing stallion. I ran without looking back, sloshing water all over my pants from the jug I carried. I almost threw it down, but we needed the water.

I made up my mind to tell Recks it was time to leave the city. Now. Today. It wasn’t safe. Not with so many Reticents here and especially not with Kinder being one of them. What other lies had he told Recks? I couldn’t even think about it now. My breath cam in panicked gasps as I ran to the hidden apartment.

-Vessel, Lisa T. Cresswell

Title: Vessel
Publication date: May 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Lisa T. Cresswell

Purchase Links:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

ABOUT LISA T. CRESSWELL:

Lisa, like most writers, began scribbling silly notes, stories, and poems at a very young age. Born in North Carolina, the South proved fertile ground to her imagination with its beautiful white sand beaches and red earth. In fifth grade, she wrote, directed and starred in a play “The Queen of the Nile” at school, despite the fact that she is decidedly un-Egyptian looking. Perhaps that’s why she went on to become a real life archaeologist?

Unexpectedly transplanted to Idaho as a teenager, Lisa learned to love the desert and the wide open skies out West. This is where her interest in cultures, both ancient and living, really took root, and she became a Great Basin archaeologist. However, the itch to write never did leave for long. Her first books became the middle grade fantasy trilogy, The Storyteller Series. Her first traditionally published work, Hush Puppy, is now available from Featherweight Press.

Lisa still lives in Idaho with her family and a menagerie of furry critters that includes way too many llamas!

Author Links:  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Rafflecopter Giveaway: 

Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of Vessel by Lisa T. Cresswell (INT)

Winners will be drawn June 26, 2015

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Blog Tour Organized by:

Always Remembered
by Kelly Risser
Release Date: 05/19/15
Clean Teen Publishing

Summary from Goodreads:

One clue… what does it mean? Ken, the leader of the Blue Men of the Minch, has kidnapped Evan. Before they left, Evan was able to leave a package for Meara—her grandfather’s necklace wrapped in a cloth napkin with one word written in blood. Azuria. Unfortunately, Meara doesn’t understand it and neither does her dad or Kieran.

When Dad and Aunt Brigid attempt to rescue Evan, Meara and Kieran begin to train the clan on how to fight and defend their home. A war is brewing, and Meara is determined their people must prepare for the battle. The training sessions are long and arduous, but the Selkies work hard to learn.

Meanwhile, Evan wakes and finds himself in Belle Tresor, the home of sirens. He’s bound to his blue form, unable to transform to human, and Ken has plans to use Evan’s powers to destroy the Selkies. Thankfully, he’s not alone. He befriends a siren named Deanna and several Blue Men. Can he trust them to help him escape or do they have ulterior motives? As both sides prepare for an ultimate confrontation, the stakes are high and friendships are tested. Some will rise to be victorious. Some will be destroyed. But love and loyalty will be always remembered in this exciting conclusion to the Never Forgotten series.

Always Remember Book Excerpt:

I stood alone on the shore. The ocean was calm, the sky clear. Where was Kieran and when did it stop raining? As I watched, the water iced over. Crystals danced outward forming a lacy, solid surface. The latticework spread as far as I could see. In the distance, a shadowy figure glided toward me.

The figure drew near, and I realized it was a woman. She wore a beaded strapless gown that sparkled as she floated on the ice. The fabric looked heavy, but the way it swirled at her ankles told me it was not. Her feet were bare, though she seemed unbothered by the ice. Like the ground beneath her feet, her skin was a pale aqua. Her long wavy hair appeared white in the bright sunlight, though by the time she stood before me, I could tell that it was really a very light blue. Her eyes, the brilliant turquoise of the Caribbean Sea, mesmerized me.

“My child.” She reached out to embrace me. Her touch burned, and the kiss she placed on each cheek bit like frostbite. “The time has come for the truth to be revealed.”

“Truth?” What was she talking about? What truth? It was difficult to think in her presence. Where was Kieran? Where was I for that matter? I started with the most pressing question, “Who are you?”

“If you look within, you’ll find the answer.” Her finger touched my collarbone. Through the icy spark that followed, I knew.

Books in this series:

About the Author:

Becoming a published author is a lifetime dream come true. As a child, I subjected friends and family to my “KellyMark” greeting cards (“When you care enough to make the very best.”), poetry, homemade magazines, and short stories. In high school, my short story, “If Only to Escape” was published in the local paper, and I won a writing contest for my children’s story, “Televisella.” In college, my creative writing tapered off, but I still managed to write the occasional review for The Marquette University Tribune. Once I graduated, I mixed creative writing with business writing, and I’ve held positions in Advertising, Marketing, and Instructional Design/eLearning Development. Today, I am busy writing the next book in Meara’s story. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, hanging out with my husband and two kids, or playing with our Whoodle puppy.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

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This is our tour stop on the Always Remembered book tour. To find out more about Always Remembered and to check out reviews and other postings, please check out the blog tour schedule!

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Title: The Artisans
Publication date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Julie Reece

 Book Summary:

They say death can be beautiful. But after the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old Raven Weathersby gives up her dream of becoming a fashion designer, barely surviving life in the South Carolina lowlands.

To make ends meet, Raven works after school as a seamstress creating stunning works of fashion that often rival the great names of the day.

Instead of making things easier on the high school senior, her stepdad’s drinking leads to a run in with the highly reclusive heir to the Maddox family fortune, Gideon Maddox.

But Raven’s stepdad’s drying out and in no condition to attend the meeting with Maddox. So Raven volunteers to take his place and offers to repay the debt in order to keep the only father she’s ever known out of jail, or worse.

Gideon Maddox agrees, outlining an outrageous demand: Raven must live in his home for a year while she designs for Maddox Industries’ clothing line, signing over her creative rights.

Her handsome young captor is arrogant and infuriating to the nth degree, and Raven can’t imagine working for him, let alone sharing the same space for more than five minutes.

But nothing is ever as it seems. Is Gideon Maddox the monster the world believes him to be? And can he stand to let the young seamstress see him as he really is?

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | kobo | TBD

Book Quote:

His T-shirt rises above his navel while his jeans sink lower revealing smooth hip bones that disappear below the denim waistline. Taut muscles ripple under his golden skin. I glance away, but not before he notices me noticing him.

Damn.

He winks. “Glad to see all the neurons are still clicking. That’s a very good sign.”

I blush, then groan. I still hate him. There are little trolls in my head with sharp objects poking at my cerebral cortex. “Are you always this chipper in the mornings?”

–The Artisan, Julie Reece

Fingers, gentle, but unyielding, encircle my arm. Withoutquite knowing how, I’m whirling around until I’m chest to chest with one Gideon Maddox. The contact sends a parade of tingles throughout my body. I stand there like I’m the victim of a freeze ray gun, staring into his gorgeous, mismatched eyes.

He drops his hand and takes a step back. His expression is open, unguarded for once. “Damn.” The word comes out froggy, and he clears his throat. “I wanted to … damn.”

–The Artisan, Julie Reece

My Thoughts:

I think this book sounds INCREDIBLE. I cannot wait to read it! Also be sure to check out below the rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Chapter By Chapter! To find more excited information on The Artisans be sure to check out The Artisans Blog Tour!

ABOUT JULIE REECE:

Born in Ohio, I lived next to my grandfather’s horse farm until the fourth grade. Summers were about riding, fishing and make-believe, while winter brought sledding and ice-skating on frozen ponds. Most of life was magical, but not all.

I struggled with multiple learning disabilities, did not excel in school. I spent much of my time looking out windows and daydreaming. In the fourth grade (with the help of one very nice teacher) I fought dyslexia for my right to read, like a prince fights a dragon in order to free the princess locked in a tower, and I won.

Afterwards, I read like a fiend. I invented stories where I could be the princess… or a gifted heroine from another world who kicked bad guy butt to win the heart of a charismatic hero. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? Later, I moved to Florida where I continued to fantasize about superpowers and monsters, fabricating stories (my mother called it lying) and sharing them with my friends.

Then I thought I’d write one down…

Hooked, I’ve been writing ever since. I write historical, contemporary, urban fantasy, adventure, and young adult romances. I love strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure… which must include a really hot guy. My writing is proof you can work hard to overcome any obstacle. Don’t give up. I say, if you write, write on!

Author Links:  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

THE GIVEAWAY:

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Dream of Me (Dream Maker #1)
by Quinn Loftis
Release Date: 02/28/15
319 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

“In the evening… [he] blows softly upon their necks, till their heads begin to droop. […] Under each arm he carries an umbrella; one of them, with pictures on the inside, he spreads over the good children, and then they dream the most beautiful stories the whole night.” ~ Hans Christian Anderson

Since the dawn of time, Brudair, otherwise known as the Sandman to the world, has faithfully lived out his purpose, faithfully performed his duties. He has never questioned his lot among the immortals, until now, until her. Sarah Serenity Tillman, a consummate beauty both inside and out, is a high school senior five months from her graduation. She has great plans, dreams of leaving the small town of her childhood behind her forever. But destiny has other plans, and it’s the Sandman’s job to make sure those plans are fulfilled.

The tall muscular Sandman, known as Dair to his friends, dressed in black, wrapped in shadows, is more than a myth. And he has a job to do. His very existence makes him a creature of the night, because dreams, (yes the legends got that part right), were indeed his specialty. But his purpose was more than just weaving dreams for sleeping children. No, his dreams were made to influence, made to ensure that certain special individuals, those individuals who would change the course of history, actually accepted their chosen destiny.

Little does Serenity know that she is Dair’s next assignment. And the dream that he weaves for her, if she follows its influence, will change the course of, not only her life, but possibly the whole of history as well. But she isn’t the only one being influenced. The beauty inside of her was weighing on the Sandman, lighting up the darkness that was his constant companion. Her light was warmth, it was life, and he didn’t understand how he had survived the previous millennia without it.

The Sandman was indeed greater than anything humans had ever imagined, and his purpose was vital to the course of history. So what happens when the weaver of dreams gets so distracted by a mere human that he ignores his own duties in the immortal realm? How can an immortal who was never meant to have a mate, join a young woman in her destiny without irrevocably changing the lives of millions and potentially altering history in a way the Creator never intended?

“Dream of me, Princess,” Dair whispered into her ear.
“Then weave me a dream, Sandman,” she said softly. “And we can dream together.”
As her eyes grew heavy, she heard Dair’s voice telling her to sleep, to open her mind to him and let him in. I’m all yours, she thought as sleep finally claimed her.

Buy links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books

Book Excerpt:

“Brudair,” the deep voice from the messenger angel filled the room. Dair turned from the pictures he had been examining that were stuck to a bulletin board on Serenity’s wall and looked at the formidable male. He supposed he could understand why people often freaked out when they saw angels. They were big, and the radiance that was the Creator enveloped them, going with them wherever they went. They, of course, could tamp down that glory when need be but he imagined for humans it was very difficult to be in the same vicinity when their magnificence was on display.

“Hello, Raphael,” Dair said to his old friend.

“You know why I’m here.”

Dair nodded.

“You are not going to leave, are you?” Raphael asked. He had known Dair a very, very long time, and Dair knew it would be nearly impossible to try to lie to the angel.

“I cannot leave, not yet,” he told him.

Raphael’s eyes narrowed and he tilted his head, studying him. “You care for this human.” It wasn’t a question.

“She’s different, unique, and I’m drawn to her.”

The angel chuckled as he shook his head. In a very human-like manner he rubbed his forehead. “I never thought it would be you—the brooding loner who has kept to himself for centuries now—enamored with a mortal. You know it will not end well. There is a reason the Creator set up the boundaries between our kinds.”

“I am not an angel, Raphael. Why should the rules be the same for me?” Dair asked, suddenly angry as the thought of the rules squeezed him like steel bands tightening around his chest. “Why should I not be allowed a mate, someone to care for and be cared for by? You were created to worship Him and to deliver His messages, but that was not and is not my purpose. I am simply the dream maker, the Sandman, as the humans like to call me. I have walked this earth since the beginning of time with no real home. I don’t belong in the celestial realm, nor do I belong in the human one.”

“But you feel that you belong with her,” Raphael finished for him.

Dair nodded as the fight was quickly drained from him like a balloon loosing air. “I have never felt as though I belong anywhere until Serenity.”

“What if she does not accept you? What will you do then?”

“I will leave her and let her live her life without me.” Even as he said the words he wondered if that were true. Could he leave her?

About the Author:

Quinn is an award winning author who lives in beautiful Western Arkansas with her husband, two son (and one on the way!), Nora the Doberman, and Phoebe the Cat (who thinks she is a ninja in disguise). She is the author of twelve novels, including the USA Today bestseller, Fate and Fury.  Quinn is beyond thankful that she has been blessed to be able to write full time and hopes the readers know how much all of their support means to her. Some of her hobbies include reading, exercising, crochet, and spending time with family and friends. She gives all credit of her success to God because he gave her the creative spirit and vivid imagination it takes to write.

Author Links:

Website│Twitter│Goodreads│Facebook│Pinterest

GIVEAWAY:

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School of Deaths
by Christopher Mannino
Release Date: 05/02/14
270 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Thrust into a world of men, can a timid girl find bravery as the first female Death?

Thirteen-year-old Suzie Sarnio always believed the Grim Reaper was a fairy tale image of a skeleton with a scythe. Now, forced to enter the College of Deaths, she finds herself training to bring souls from the Living World to the Hereafter. The task is demanding enough, but as the only female in the all-male College, she quickly becomes a target. Attacked by both classmates and strangers, Suzie is alone in a world where even her teachers want her to fail.

Scythes hungry for souls, Deaths who subjugate a race of mysterious magicians, and echoes of an ancient war with Dragons.

As her year progresses, Suzie suspects her presence isn’t an accident. She uncovers a plot to overthrow the World of Deaths. Now she must also discover the reason she’s been brought there: the first female Death in a million years.

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books│Smashwords│iBooks

Character Profiles

Name: Susan Sarnio

Age: 13

Gender: the only female in the College of Deaths

Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland

Siblings: Joe Sarnio

Occupation: student Death

Hobbies: Reading, painting

Name: Susan Elizabeth Sarnio

Birthday: June 2

Favorite food: pizza

Favorite TV show: Once Upon a Time

Favorite color: green

Biggest fear: spiders

Favorite memory (in her words):

When I was 8, mom and dad took my brother Joe and me to DisneyWorld in Florida. The park was amazing, and the trip was so much fun. It’s the only time I’ve ever been there. I really liked Space Mountain, because it was a ride but it was also in the dark. When we were driving home, dad got a flat tire, and we were stuck for two hours on the side of the road. We were really tired and hot, but mom said that we were so well behaved both Joe and I had ice cream for dinner that night. I had so much ice cream, I could hardly move. It was great.

Name: Billy Black

Age: 15

Gender: male

Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut

Occupation: student Death

Hobbies: boskery

Name: Sindril

Age: 48

gender: male

Birthplace: New York City

Occupation: Headmaster of the College of Deaths

Hobbies: reading, extra Reapings

How Theatre can help a Writer:

As a full-time theatre teacher, and stage actor for over twenty years, I’ve been fortunate enough to pursue both of my greatest passions (writing and theatre) professionally. I’d like to share some tips on how theatre can help writers.

1. Theatre in a non-linear process

If you don’t have time to write a book from start to stop, you’re not alone.  Part-time writers need to be able to write their story whenever they get a chance- picking up the story wherever they left off.  My advice: become an actor in a play.  The more shows you’re in, the more you’ll get used to thinking non-linearly.  Even if a play takes place in chronological order, you never practice a show like that.  You’ll pick up in the middle, work one scene, then start a different scene.  You need to be able to keep the chronology of a play in mind when starting in the middle.  Eventually this skill becomes second-nature, and will allow you to pick up a draft in the middle with no trouble at all.

2. Theatre builds dialogue skills

Have trouble writing believable dialogue?  Plays and musicals are nothing BUT dialogue.  You get used to language in a new way, by not just speaking it, but practicing speaking in different ways.  This builds skill at writing and using dialogue effectively in any setting.  Trying to incorporate appropriate methods of speaking into your characters voices can be very helpful.

3. Theatre builds confidence

A number of authors at my publishing house Muse It Up have mentioned feeling hesitant about in-person events.  The image of a reclusive writer, afraid of the world, is perhaps overblown, but to be fair- writing is an insular process.  What better remedy to isolation than jumping onstage in front of strangers.  Sound terrifying?  In a way, it’s not you up there at all.  Drama provides a “mask” – in that it’s your character onstage, not you at all.  If I was asked to read a script onstage I feel fine, but if I was aksed to tell my own story I might get nervous.  I reach into myself, and draw on that “mask” – becoming the character of myself.  It alleviates any nerves I might feel.

About the Author:

Christopher Mannino’s life is best described as an unending creative outlet.  He teaches high school theatre in Greenbelt, Maryland.  In addition to his daily drama classes, he runs several after-school performance/production drama groups.  He spends his summers writing and singing.  Mannino holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Education from Catholic University, and has studied mythology and literature both in America and at Oxford University.  His work with young people helped inspire him to write young adult fantasy, although it was his love of reading that truly brought his writing to life.

Mannino is currently working on a sequel to “School of Deaths” as well as an adult science fiction novel.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook│Pinterest

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Jade is a ten thousand year old vampire whose life was shattered by a

curse from the Fates and a brother who took their words seriously. In an instant the lives of his friends

and family were jeopardized and ruined. His twin brother, Corbin, took away the only girl that Jade ever

loved, his fiancée Eliza. After her death, Jade turned away from humans and turned toward

revenge.

When Jade has a vision of the girl around the corner dying in the hands of

his brother, he has only two choices: save her, or let her turn rogue and ruin the world forever.

Will he save her or will he let the world burn?

Add it to Your Goodreads TBR List

Buy  on Amazon

Learn more about Aimee Shaye:

Website – http://aimeeshaye.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AimeeShaye08

Twitter – https://twitter.com/AimeeShaye

Deviate (The Light Key Trilogy #2)
by Tracy Clark
Release Date: 03/03/15
Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

Tormented after a daring escape, Cora Sandoval must find a way to stop the Arrazi from murdering innocent people and from violating, using, and killing the Scintilla for their powers. She must also accept one bitter betrayal: Finn Doyle—the Irish boy who has both a piece of Cora’s heart and soul—is Arrazi…

On the verge of extinction and sought by those who would either consume or destroy them,  Cora and the remaining Scintilla survivors must solve the mystery of The Light Key. If they fail, the truth will stay buried forever and mankind will pay the ultimate price.

No longer will she hide.

No longer will her loved ones be hunted.

And she will have her vengeance…even if she shatters her heart in the process.

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble

Book One: Scintillate

Goodreads │Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iBooks

INTERVIEW WITH TRACY CLARK

Who is your favorite character (that you’ve written)?

Tracy: I adore writing the snarky-girl character and Cora’s cousin, Mari Sandoval, is that for me. I challenged myself with Cora to write a more contained character, one who doesn’t always need to have the quick comeback. Cora is strong but has a quieter strength. Mari gets a lot of the awesome one-liners. She was fun to write. The most honest answer to this question though, is that in DEVIATE I loved writing from Finn’s pov. Because he is the “rock star poet” I got to delve into his sensitive yet tortured mind. He has a lot to be angry and upset about and being in his head was a great experience.

Are any of the characters inspired by someone in real life?

Tracy: Totally! Cora is very much like my friend Monica whose family is from Chile. Her looks and quiet demeanor are patterned after her. And Mari, Cora’s cousin and best friend in the book, is a complete homage to my girl, Lucy. Even my son recognized it when he read the book! A male character, Giovanni, has some characteristics of the other best friend in my Tribe, Mary Claire who is Danish and well-traveled and sure of herself.

If you could jump in to any book and live there, which book would you choose?

Tracy:Is there anyone on the planet who wouldn’t want to go to school at Hogwarts? Nuff said.

What was last book you bought OR what book are you looking forward to reading?

Tracy: The last book I bought was COMPULSION by Martina Boone. She’s a friend and a colleague in our blog group YA Series Insiders. I can’t wait to read it! I’m also looking forward to reading WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart. I’ve had the book for a while and am so late in reading it!

If you could be any kind of creature (other than human), which would you pick and why?

Tracy: It’s a tie between a bird for the pure joy of flying free and a well-loved and spoiled puppy.

If you could no longer write/read, what hobby/profession/habit would you choose to fill the void?

Tracy: I’m fascinated by wine. The process of making it, blending it, the differences in regions all over the world. I even took a DVD class recently to learn more. If I woke up in NightmareLand where I couldn’t write or read, I’d be a Master of Wine. ß actual designation.

Of all the little things and simple pleasures in life, which one do you enjoy most of all?

Tracy: Because writing is my passion, I’m guilty of doing it even when it would be better for me to unplug and recharge. I’m really driven! But lately, I’ve been getting the repeated message that in order to live a truly full life, I need to allow for time to not be “productive.” I need to chill and putter more. I LOVE to read magazines! A stack of mags, a glass of wine, sitting out on a lounge chair in the yard. Heaven.

If you could have a casual, 30-minute conversation by the fireplace with any author, living or dead, who would you choose, and what would you ask?

Tracy: Is it cheating to say I’d love to have a conversation with the fascinating couple that is Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer? They intrigue me as artists, as people, as blatantly REAL humans. I think it’d be a kick-ass time, too.

What event or accomplishment would you consider to be the highlight of your career thus far?

Tracy: Completing this series was a huge accomplishment! So many threads, characters, story-lines, themes go into writing a trilogy and it’s a big task to tie everything together in a way that keeps readers turning pages throughout every book. I’m very proud of having done The Light Key Trilogy.

What thought or sentiment would you like to have copied and put into one million fortune cookies?

Tracy: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

About the Author

Tracy Clark is a young-adult writer because she believes teens deserve to know how much they matter and that regardless of what they’re going through, they aren’t alone. In other words, she writes books for her teen self.

She grew up a “Valley Girl” in Southern California but now lives in her home state of Nevada, in a small town at the base of the Sierra Foothills. Her two children teach her the art of distraction and are a continuous source of great dialogue. She’s an unapologetic dog person who is currently owned by a cat.

Tracy was the recipient of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Work in Progress Grant. A two-time participant in the prestigious Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program where she was lucky enough to be mentored by bestselling author, Ellen Hopkins, who taught her so much about the art of writing and cured her of her ellipsis addiction.
Her debut novel was inspired by her enchantment with metaphysics as a teen, seeing it as the real magic in life. Tracy is a part-time college student, a private pilot, and an irredeemable dreamer.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

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Book Tour Organized by:

Collide (The Taking #3)
by Melissa West
Release Date: 02/09/15
Entangled Teen
320 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Military legacy Ari Alexander has survived alien spies, WWIV, and a changing world order. But when the new leader of Earth uses Jackson—the only boy she’s ever let herself care about—to get to her, Ari has no choice but to surrender.

To free Jackson, she agrees to travel to the national bases to train others to fight. What she discovers is a land riddled with dying people. Ari has the power to heal by turning the fighters into aliens—half-breeds like her. If she succeeds, together, they have a chance at overthrowing the alien leader, Zeus. But if she fails, everyone she holds dear will be wiped away forever.

Once again, everything Ari’s come to believe is thrown into question. In a world of uncertainty, loyalties are tested, lies are uncovered, and no one can be trusted. If Ari and Jackson have any hope at survival and at preserving a life for the future, they must fight the final war with their eyes wide open.

Book Excerpt :

My gaze drifts over to Jackson to find him watching me, his blue-green eyes no longer beaten, but strong. Alive. Raging.

I walk over and press my hands to the glass, my eyes never leaving his. In them I see everything he’s thinking and feeling. His anger at Kelvin. His sadness at losing Mami. His love for me, an unwavering fire inside him. And then I see his determination, so clear it’s as though I’m thinking it myself—he’s going to kill Zeus.

It’s time to begin.

Jackson nods once to me, and I grip the glass tighter, feeling its composition, and then the glass vibrates, harder and harder. Law goes still. I draw a breath, my focus on the boy I love and his raging eyes, and then a tiny crack splits out from my right pinky finger like a spider web across the glass, splitting again and again. Another starts from my left hand and I lean farther into the glass, imagining Jackson and me back on Loge, Emmy and Mami, and then the window bursts, the glass shooting out in a thousand directions.

Jackson stands slowly, effort etched into his face, the muscles in his arms flexing. The door to his room starts to open, and my gaze flashes over, every fiber in me focused on keeping it shut. “They’re coming,” I say.

“It doesn’t matter,” Jackson replies, his voice like a warm blanket over my heart, soothing the ache that’s been there since he disappeared. The ache I feared would never go away. “They can’t contain us. They will never contain us.”

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 About the Author:

Melissa West writes young adult and new adult novels for Entangled Teen and Embrace and Penguin/InterMix. She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and a M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

Book Tour Organized by:

Author Name: Dennis Durfey
Book Title: Dark Star
Book Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: October 6th 2014
Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc
Tour Host: Silverbow Promotions

Book Synopsis:

After completing the mysterious test to become a Grand Magi with her shandar, Jerdone, Zandreena was looking forward to peaceful years of studying to perfect her magic. But fate and a prophecy of old made her leave her home and led her to an adventure and eventful encounter with the fearless Ash’len, the spiritual Danica, and the proud thief Ren, all of whom would play a role in her journey to finding the Orb of the Magi. This immense duty placed in the hands of this young Grand Magi was not welcomed by everyone, and she had to protect not only her life and her friends’ but also her very mission to locate the orb. With the land stripped of its grandeur and serenity due to wars and dark magic, these young men and women must stay together, fight for their lives, and believe that fate would direct them to saving mankind.

Book Excerpt:

Just when it appeared the knights would reach their goal at the north end of the invaders, the ground beneath them trembled, and suddenly a gigantic, fiery creature burst from the ground. At the end of its long, muscular arms, were claws hands nearly a pace in length. On its head were four curved horns, two thrusting outward on each side. As the creature crawled from the ground, it stood more than ten paces tall. Rearing back its head, it released a piercing scream which struck fear in the hearts of both man and beast. The horses around the creature bolted in terror, making it almost impossible for the master horsemen atop them to remain in the saddle. “By the gods, what is that?” one of the mages whispered. “That has nothing to do with the gods,” Estinshaw explained. “That is a demon, brought forth by Travendar himself.”

Book/Purchase Links:

Goodreads
Kindle
Paperback
B&N

About the Author:

Dennis Durfey was born and raised in the mountains of centralUtah. After high school he attended Southern Utah State Collegewhere he graduated with an Associate Degree in Police Science and a Bachelor of Art in Accounting.

Dennis moved to Ventura, CA where he worked for the Department of Defense for a couple of years before relocating to LasVegas, NV to join the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. He has served there for the past 23 years, working in many areas from detective to combat instruction. He has also spent time as a martial arts instructor and holds a second-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do.

Dennis is now embarking on his next adventure as an Author with his debut book, Dark Star.

He currently lives in Henderson, NV with his wife and two sons.

Author Links:

Website
Amazon
Goodreads