Girl of Myth and Legend Promo

Posted on October 19, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Title: Girl of Myth and Legend
Author: Giselle Simlett
Genre: Fantasy / Romance

Book Summary:

A girl with a past she tries to forget, and a future she can’t even imagine.

Leonie Woodville wants to live an unremarkable life. She wants routine, she wants repetition, she wants predictability. So when she explodes in a blaze of light one morning on the way to her college, it’s enough to put a real crimp in her day.

And things only get weirder…

Leonie learns from her father that she is last of the Pulsar, a phenomenally powerful member of a magical species called the Chosen. It will be her sole duty to protect the Imperium, a governing hierarchy, from all enemies, and to exceed the reputation of the Pulsar before her. So – no pressure there, then.

Leonie is swept away from her rigorous normality and taken to a world of magic. There, she is forced into a ceremony to join her soul to a guardian, Korren, who is both incredibly handsome and intensely troubled, a relationship for which ‘it’s complicated’ just really doesn’t cut it.

But Leonie is soon to learn that this ancient world is no paradise. With violent dissidents intent to overthrow the Imperium, and dark entities with their own agenda, she and Korren find themselves caught in a war where they will have to overcome their differences if they are to survive.

Dare to dream. Dare to hope. Dare to be a legend.

Book One in The Chosen Saga.

About the Author:
Giselle Simlett was born and raised in England. She has studied Creative Writing at both Gloucestershire University and the Open University. She has a diploma in Creative Writing, Language and Literature and will soon complete her BA Hons Open Degree.

She does not as yet have a degree in the power and responsible use of magic, but she does have a young son, which amounts to the same thing. She currently lives in Australia with her husband and son.

Website: http://www.gisellesimlett.com/

GIVEAWAY:

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Finding the Great Western Trail Promo

Posted on October 18, 2015 by The Page Unbound

FINDING THE GREAT WESTERN TRAIL

Susan Gann Mahoney

published by

Texas Tech University Press

Continue reading →

Deadlock Promo

Posted on October 17, 2015 by The Page Unbound

DEADLOCK

Diann Mills

Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?

That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.

When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.

Praise for the FBI: Houston series

“[A] fast-moving, intricately plotted thriller.” Publishers Weekly

“As romantic as it is exciting, Firewall will appeal to fans of Dee Henderson’s romantic suspense stories.” Booklist

“The tension level rises as layers of lies are peeled away in multiple plot twists.” Library Journal, starred review

Read Chapter 1 of DEADLOCK HERE

BUY LINK

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

WEBSITE

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CHRISTIAN FICTION ONLINE MAGAZINE

Blog Tour Schedule:

Oct 10 – Books and Broomsticks promo

Oct 11 – All For the Love of the Word promo

Oct 12 – Texas Book Lover promo

Oct 13 – Bookishjessp promo

Oct 14 – Blogging for the Love of Authors and Their Books review

Oct 15 – Hall Ways Author Q&A

Oct 16 – MissusGonzo review

Oct 17 – The Page Unbound promo

Oct 18 – Books and Broomsticks Author Q&A

Oct 19 – The Crazy Booksellers promo

Oct 20 – Texas Book-aholic promo

Oct 21 – All For the Love of the Word review

Oct 22 – Because This is My Life, Y’all promo

Oct 23 – My Book Fix review

Oct 24 – Book Crazy Gals review

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The Summer Marked Book Blitz

Posted on October 16, 2015 by The Page Unbound

The Summer Marked by Rebekah L. Purdy
(The Winter People #2)
Published by: Entangled: Teen
Publication date: September 22nd 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Book Summary

The sequel to the chilling Winter People returns to the world of Faerie, and is a romantic and enchanting follow-up.

Salome left humankind behind to be with her boyfriend, Gareth, in the Kingdom of Summer. But now forces of darkness are rising. Her happily-ever-after is coming apart, and the Kingdom is on the brink of war.

Newly-single Kadie Byers is on her way home for Thanksgiving, imagining a visit filled with hot chocolate, a hot guy for a little rebound action, and some girl time with her bestie, Salome. Except she receives a message from Salome with two important words: PLEASE HURRY.

When Kadie rushes to help Salome, she’s ripped from the human world and pulled into the kingdoms of Faerie, where she’s shocked to learn that Salome’s monsters are real, and that she’s now at the mercy of one extremely vengeful Winter Queen…

Now both Salome and Kadie must find a way to survive the deadly chaos…or lose themselves to Winter’s deadly, icy grasp.

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Excerpt

Kadie

A sigh escaped my lips when I watched daylight sneak through the door at the back of the room.

Somehow, I’d survived the night. My body ached as I attempted to stretch my legs out, my arms still tied to the post.

Every part of me was numb from the cold, but I was alive. As more light fractured the shadows, my gaze fell to the blood-slickened floors. It looked as if the floor tiles had bled. I buried my face against my shoulder. I wanted to cry but didn’t dare show my fear. If they realized how badly this place affected me, they’d find other ways to get inside my head or worse, maybe torture me. A shiver scraped along my spine at the thought.

I need to get out of here. I’m going to go crazy.

A lock rattled then the door flung open. Etienne sauntered inside, his white tunic opened like some seventies porn star. He gave me a sad smile.

“Good. You’re awake. The queen would like to see you.” He walked over and untied the ropes that secured me to the bed.

I cried out as my wrists were freed. The skin around them was raw and reddened from my attempts to

escape.

“What are you, her bitch?”

“You should just give in now, otherwise the Winter Queen will only make things worse.”

“Trust me, I’m gonna keep fighting until I get out of this hell hole.”

Salome

Bubbles and foam rose from the river floor as if there was an eruption below. Water sprayed my left cheek. A gurgled snort sounded beside us as a great black horse rose from the depths, river-weed tangled in its mane. This was no ordinary horse. It was a Kelpie. It turned to face me, eyes blazing like hot coals. The beast’s lips peeled back to reveal blood covered teeth. Crap. If I could reach the saddlebags, then maybe I could pull out the sword Gareth had gotten for me. I leaned to the side, reaching for the buckles. Moving at this pace and bouncing around, I couldn’t get hold of it.

Come on.

Adaba jerked to the side in an attempt to get to the shore. But it was too late. In one swift movement, the Kelpie latched onto my arm.

“No!” Pain shot through me like a bullet. I fought to stay in the saddle. My horse kicked out his hind legs, catching the Kelpie in the side. Still the creature wouldn’t release me.

Instead, it tugged harder ripping me halfway off my saddle. My knees tightened around Adaba’s sides, my fingers loosened as water slickened what grip I had. The Kelpie’s teeth sunk deeper into my arm. My hands slipped; my hold lost. Horror washed over me when I plunged into the dark, icy depths of the river. The coldness stung my skin. The creature dragged me deeper, and I kicked my legs, thrashing to free myself from it. Above me, all I saw were the distorted images of the sky as it faded from sight.

About the Author

Rebekah was born and raised in Michigan where she spent many late nights armed with a good book and a flashlight. She’s lived in Michigan most of her life other than the few years she spent in the U.S. Army. At which time she got a chance to experience Missouri, Kansas, South Carolina, and California. Rebekah has a business degree from University of Phoenix and currently works full time for the court system. In her free time she writes YA stories, anything from YA Fantasy to YA Contemporary Romance. Rebekah also has a big family (6 kids) she likes to consider her family as the modern day Brady Bunch complete with crazy road trips and game nights. When not hiding at her computer, Rebekah enjoys reading, singing, soccer, swimming, football, camping, playing video games, traveling, and hanging out with her family and gazillion pets.

Author Links

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Melophobia

Posted on October 16, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Melophobia
by James Morris
Publisher: Kindle Press (September 22, 2015)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Rating: 4/5

Book Summary:

Melophobia: fear or hatred of music.

The time—now; the place—America, but in a world where the government controls all forms of art and creativity. Any music sowing the seeds of anarchy is banned—destroyed if found—its creators and listeners harshly punished.

Merrin Pierce works as an undercover Patrol officer assigned to apprehend a fugitive musician who threatens the safe fabric of society, only to confront everything she thought to be true – her values, upbringing, job, and future.

Can love survive in a world without music?

Publisher’s Weekly called it “a convincing alternative history novel and…an accomplished coming-of-age love story that asks big questions about freedom and expressiveness in the face of oppression.”

My Review:

This book is unlike anything I have ever read before. It’s quite literally the War on Music. Imagine a world where music is illegal. Where the sounds that make you feel all those wonderful emotions, happiness, sadness, that make you laugh and cry are stripped from society. You can’t listen to it. If you do, and you get caught, then terrible things happen to you. Melophobia takes place in present day America, but with a government that controls and regulates all things music. The government in the story wants to suppress people by taking away the one thing that could truly make them feel. The Minister approves all things Musak, a form of sounds that is dull and monotonous, completely unidentifiable and in no ways original or spectacular, or makes us feel anything at all. This Musak is given in place of music. The Minister also happens to be the father of the undercover Patrol officer Merrin Pierce. Merrin goes under several sting operations, posing as a music lover in order to shut down underground clubs and place the illegal music listeners in jail where they belong. Merrin works with Anders, a former boyfriend that now serves as her dutiful partner in handling each case. As Merrin’s success grows, she is given the biggest assignment of her life. To find The Source. The Source is a secret identity for the person, or the group of persons responsible for handing out the illicit music to the people in charge of the underground music scenes. The equivalent of a drug lord. The supplier. The one that makes the music–the one that makes such beautiful sounds.

Merrin, determined to find The Source and shut down all things music is forced to go even deeper undercover. To listen to music she’s never listened to before, and to do whatever it takes to find The Source and shut The Source down. But Merrin feels an undeniable tug from the illegal music. From the sounds that make her feel. She tries to ignores it, sure. But how long until the music takes root inside of her and becomes a part of her that she can’t deny?

Melophobia is a story about love, about the undeniable beauty in music and how it makes us feel. The story starts off a little slow, but really builds once the author sets the stage for the type of world Merrin and Anders live in. A wonderful crescendo in the story. The further Merrin goes undercover, the further she’s lulled by the power of music, the more she falls for a man named Rowan that writes Musak for her father, the more you want to read until you get to the last page with the big letters THE END and think wait, what? I want more! And then your heart races and you retrace the pages back and re-read the words THE END again. And then you think: holy cow, that ending! This is a book that sticks with you, I like to call them book hangovers. Melophobia is sure to give you a book hangover. Those are always my favorite types of books. The books you need a moment to process and think about for a time before you are ready to pick up another book. The books that are awe-inspiring, deeply moving, and you can’t stop thinking about. Melophobia has definitely given me a book hangover. There are so many great things to love about this book, and so many things to think about.

Melophobia is definitely it’s own symphony, it’s own incredible masterpiece. And the ending is quite the finale! Don’t miss out on your chance to read such an incredible unique story! James Morris is a very talented author. His ability to world build is incredible, and he gives us such memorable characters as we read through their struggles and their gains. Merrin Pierce starts off as a person that would do just about anything to uphold the law, but then we see the music transform her as her story unfolds and it’s quite beautiful to see that transformation.

I am a huge music fan. I’ve played the piano since I was 10. I received my undergrad in Music Composition. I even went to graduate school for a little while, working towards my masters in music therapy. Music is very much a part of my life. Now as a special ed teacher, I use music every day. Music does so much for us. And it’s hard to imagine a life without music. Without the ability to feel from music. When I go to the movies, and I hear a beautiful, emotional composition, not going to lie, I cry from how beautiful it is. Music is such a huge part of my life. I breathe music. The world is very well painted in Melophobia, and my heart really ached for the people that were so desperate to hear music and what happened to them once they were caught. If music was never really a part of my life, and then all of a sudden it was around me, I can only imagine how big of a sensory overload it would be for me, and how much I would be willing to do in order to keep it a part of my life. And there’s people throughout history and even now, that aren’t just talented, but truly gifted with music. That can create such wondrous sounds. The thought of taking that gift away from people truly effects me. This book really hit home for me. And it has come to my realization that there is no possible way I could survive in the world of Melophobia!

Melophobia is definitely a unique and inspiring read. It’s action packed, with a beautiful, memorable, heart wrenching love story. Melophobia is definitely a must read! For the love of music, I highly recommend reading it!

About the Author:

James Morris is a former television writer who now works in digital media. When not writing, you can find him scoping out the latest sushi spot, watching ‘House Hunters Renovation’, or trying new recipes in the kitchen. He lives with his wife and dog in Los Angeles.

Readers, if you enjoyed one of my books, please feel free to leave a review!

Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

M9B Friday Reveal: Author Spotlight – Michael Gibney with Giveaway

Posted on October 16, 2015 by The Page Unbound

M9B-Friday-Reveal-Bannernew

Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!

This week, we are spotlighting

Michael Gibney

author of

The Three Thorns (The Brotherhood and the Shield #1)

a Middle Grade title from Tantrum Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Physical books or eBooks?

Both.

Coke or Pepsi?

Coke (I’m a sucker for the original)

Twitter or Facebook?

Facebook.

Song you can’t get out of your head right now?

The Flamingos – I Only Have Eyes For You. (It’s such a cinematic song.)

Sweet or salty?

Salty.

Coffee or tea?

Tea.

Write on computer or notebook paper?

Computer. I’m left handed, so my handwriting is at a disadvantage, I’ve always felt.

About-the-Author

Michael Gibney began working in restaurants at the age of sixteen and assumed his first sous chef position at twenty-two. He ascended to executive sous chef at Tavern on the Green, where he managed an eighty-person staff. He has worked in the kitchens of Morgans Hotel Group, 10 Downing in Manhattan, and Governor in Brooklyn’s DUMBO, among many others. Over the course of his career, he has had the opportunity to work alongside cooks and chefs from many of the nation’s best restaurants, including Alinea, Per Se, Eleven Madison Park, Daniel, Jean Georges, Le Bernardin, Bouley, Ducasse, Corton, wd~50, and Momofuku.

In addition to his experience in the food service industry, Gibney also holds a BFA in painting from Pratt Institute and an MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Connect with the Author: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Three brothers born to a once powerful King were abandoned at birth and cast out into the old world as orphans – alone and unaware of the other’s existence or their royal heritage.

In the new world, by order of the false King, three of the most lethal assassins are sent to kill the children before they come of age and avenge their father’s throne.

But when the brothers find one another, Benjamin, Tommy and Sebastian must resist the temptation of magic and power if they are to defeat the unspeakable evil that has threatened them since birth.

The Three Thorns is book one in an exciting children’s fantasy series called The Brotherhood and the Shield from debut author Michael Gibney.

Giveaway

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Canvas Bound Book Blitz

Posted on October 15, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Canvas Bound by Laura M. Kolar
(Captive Art #1)
Publication date: July 3rd 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Libby Tanner’s art comes to life. Her painted skies turn from day to night, leaves rustle on trees, and sometimes, a mystery boy appears.

While attending England’s Aldridge Art Academy, Libby meets charming Brent Henderson, a performing arts student who showers her with attention. But his rival, gorgeous Dean James, is the one who occupies her mind, even though he’s very much attached to his current girlfriend.

Libby soon learns there’s more to both Brent and Dean than she ever imagined. In order to save her future and the boy who’s captured her heart, she must unlock the secrets behind her art by entering the most dangerous place of all… the world within her paintings.

But once she steps into the canvas, she risks being trapped forever.

Purchase Links

The book is on sale for $0.99 until October 16th!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Excerpt:

The early afternoon sun cascaded in through the bare window as I sat alone in my studio. The hazy golden glow surrounded me, warming my face. We’d already gotten a few inches of snow, but the crisp white blanket dappled with a jewel like shimmer inspired me rather than chilled me.

I’d almost finished a snowy bridge scene. The honey colored stone pillars and iron railings of the bridge blended effortlessly with the trees in the background, glistening in the burnt orange sunlight. With a final dab of dark purple, the painting was complete. Hope bubbled inside me when delicate white flakes began to float down inside the canvas. I shivered, then held my breath until the last snowflake fell, but my mystery boy never came, and the painting went still once again.

“As if I didn’t have enough going on right now.” I smacked my paintbrush down on the easel. “You couldn’t show up just this once when I’d really like to see you.”

You’re losing it, Libby. Or maybe it’s already gone?

It’d been over two months since I’d painted the orchard and seen my mystery boy, and I sometimes wondered if the magic was lost to me. Even my classwork lacked… something. My mind was so unsettled and my painting so sporadic lately that I ached deep inside. I was so disconnected… from him.

When I was sure nothing more would happen within the bridge scene, I set the whole thing aside and gathered my paint soaked brushes. The colors spilled down the drain as I washed the brushes, wishing the murky swirl would carry my sorrow away with the pretty hues. I glanced over at the picture of my parents. If I’d been in the same mood at home, my mom would force me out of my studio. We’d go get ice cream and pedicures, and when we got home, an empty canvas would be waiting for me on my easel.

I intended to walk away and do something else for a while, but I couldn’t. Without someone there to distract me, I was a slave to the canvases lining my wall, waiting to be painted. I placed one of them on the easel then dragged my fingertips across the clean, taut cloth.

It shimmered like the sun setting in the horizon, with vibrant pinks, yellows, oranges, and even some purples. I jerked my hand away, and the canvas went blank again.

That’s never happened before.

My pulse quickened as an image formed in my head. I rushed to open my paints and fumbled with the brushes as I set to work. As if the image would be lost if I didn’t go fast enough, my hand flew from my palette to the canvas and back again.

By the time I was done several hours later, my hands and neck were stiff, and my jeans and Tshirt were ruined. But I didn’t care. All I cared about was that he was there, leaning against a tree.

The tree’s leaves had turned burnt sienna and ocher where it stood at the edge of a wide creek. The iridescent water in the creek glided over the rocks in its path, determined, flowing to an unknown destination. In the distance, the sandy slopes of a hill rose just high enough to allow the sun to shine down on the tall grass.

I reached out and brushed my fingertips across the painting. It shimmered as the boy looked up, his eyes widening in surprise. Then he scowled and shook his head. He pushed away from the knotted trunk of a massive walnut tree, turned his back to me, and vanished. The leaves on the tree rustled, and the ground beneath it quaked. The large tree came crashing down inside the painting, falling directly over the creek. Then everything froze, as if I’d painted it that way.

My heart sank, and tears pricked my eyes. I wanted him back. I wanted to know why he seemed so miserable. And most of all, I wanted to know why he was in my paintings in the first place.

About the Author

Laura M. Kolar lives with her husband and daughter in a one-stop-light town in northern-lower Michigan. Though she didn’t discover her love of books until she turned thirty, as a self-declared hopeless romantic, she has spent the past few years reading and writing stories with mostly happy endings. If not at her day-job or with her family, you will find her sipping a cup of chai latte while sitting in her favorite rocking chair, hunched over her laptop writing or spending entirely too much time on Twitter.

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

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T4T: Red Magic Series Book Blitz

Posted on October 15, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Welcome to this week’s Two for Thursday Book Blitz #T4T
presented by Month9books/Tantrum Books!

Today, we will be showcasing two titles that may tickle your fancy,
and we’ll share what readers have to say about these titles!

You just might find your next read!

This week, #T4T presents to you:

The Red Magic series by Jen McConnel!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

JMcConnel_DaughterofChaos_eCover_900x1350

Witches must choose the path they will follow, and Darlena Agara is no exception. She’s been putting it off long enough, and in her case, ignoring it has not made it go away. In a moment of frustration, Darlena chooses to follow Red Magic, figuring she had outsmarted the powers that be, since there’s no such thing as Red Magic. But alas, Darlena’s wrong (again) and she becomes a newly declared Red Witch.

Her friends are shocked and her parents horrified by the choice Darlena has made. As a Red Witch, she now governs one third of the world’s chaos. She is the walking personification of pandemonium, turmoil, and bedlam, just as the patrons of Red Magic would have it to be.

But Darlena believes there must be more to Red Magic than chaos and destruction, and she sets out on a journey to achieve balance. Only doing so puts her at odds with the dark goddess Hecate, who simply will not allow Darlena to quit. She encourages Darlena to embrace who and what she is and to leave good magic to the good witches. If only Darlena could, life would be simple, and she would not be the Daughter of Chaos.

DAUGHTER OF CHAOS is the first in a YA paranormal trilogy.

WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:

“At the beginning, this novel is reminiscent of other popular fantasy novels like the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling and the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, but it quickly takes on a life of its own that will appeal to science fiction, fantasy, and young adult fans alike. Darlena’s struggles mirror issues that many teens face, making her a relate-able and likable main character. This is a title with wide appeal that will fly off the shelves.” – Voya Magazine

“Daughter of Chaos by Jen McConnel is a refreshing twist to the YA paranormal genre!” – Dianne, Tome Tender

“Witches and Greek gods! This seriously couldn’t get any better.” – Kelly Hashway, Author

Gods of Chaos

The gods of chaos cannot be trusted.

Since battling her best friend, Darlena’s grip on Red Magic has been shaky. She heads to Scotland after the Winter Solstice in search of another Red Witch.

On a sightseeing excursion with girls from her hostel, Darlena arrives at The Vaults, a mysterious underground city beneath Edinburgh. But there is something there that make Darlena’s instincts go haywire, as she lets loose a defensive burst of Red Magic, putting everyone around her in danger.

If there was ever a time when Darlena needed the help of another Red witch, it was now. But beware the witch who wields Red Magic.

WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:

“I think I’m in love. This book had a totally different ending than what i thought it was. I was honestly surprised.” – Goodreads Reviewer

“’Gods of Chaos’ is the phenomenal second installment in a young adult paranormal series.” – Stephanie, A Dream Within A Dream

“There are many twists and turns in this book. The ending was totally unexpected and completely epic.” – Intellectual Vixens

about-the-author

Jen McConnel

Jen McConnel now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. When she isn’t crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches writing composition at a community college. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway