Unexpected Review

Posted on July 25, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Unexpected
by Lilly Avalon
Publication Date: July 21, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Rating: 2/5

Book Summary (Goodreads):

An unlikely bond with her former best friend’s ex, Ryan Wilcox, sends her life in a new direction. He offers her a place to stay while she gets her life back on track. His friendship is exactly what she’s been missing—what she’s been needing. Alina’s never felt this alive. As time goes by, the dynamic of their relationship becomes more than either of them expected. A few innocent kisses could lead them in a new direction, but are they prepared for what’s on the other side?

Only one way to find out.

My Review:

I wanted to love this book, I really did. Lilly Avalon is a sweet, and wonderful person, and that more than anything made me want to love this book. But I just couldn’t.

Unexpected follows the characters of Alina and Ryan on an unexpected path of love and friendship. The premise is great. Alina needs help getting her life together, she just caught her boyfriend cheating on her, she no longer has a place to stay, she quit her job and has no income. She needs help and Ryan, whom is pretty much perfect in all ways, takes her under his wing and helps her get back on her feet. And as he helps her love blooms between them that they can’t possibly deny. I love the general idea of the story, I think it has the building blocks for an enjoyable read.

Where it fell flat for me is that it felt like half the book was filled with very detailed sex scenes. I was surprised with how many scenes there were. I typically don’t read books with a lot of sex scenes, and I would have been willing to look past the sex scenes in this case if the rest of the story kept my attention. But unfortunately it didn’t. To me, and this is just my opinion, there wasn’t much character growth. There was no mystery to the story. The characters had no real depth. To me it didn’t feel like a genuine love story because their physical relationship in the story was very prominent. There was no real “problem” in the story, sure Alina needed help, but besides that there was no real drama, no real problem to fix, no climatic ending. The two characters push each other away for, in my opinion, reasons that don’t make sense. Even though their first encounter in the story consists of them kissing each other (and a little more), Ryan tries to keep the relationship platonic because they are just friends, right? And Alina agrees with him, because they are just friends, right? Maybe she was scared of trusting someone else, but a person that is truly scared won’t continue kissing a person they are falling in love with. They won’t stay in their house. They won’t encourage sleeping in the same bed with them. No, if she was truly scared of trusting someone because of how hurt she was, she’d be running full on the other way.

I think the author did okay letting us see who Alina is and to learn more about her. But I felt like I knew next to nothing about Ryan. I couldn’t connect with either of the main characters. And honestly, Ryan was too perfect. Don’t kid me wrong, the two characters were very cutesy together. And there was some REALLY cute and sweet moments between the two. But I need more than that to keep my interest. I need complexity. I need dynamic. I need character growth. I need a story with some sort of climatic ending and maybe even a deeper meaning in the story. Unfortunately for me this book did not meet those needs.

I received an ARC from the author for an honest review. And I was very impressed with Lilly Avalon when she still wanted me to post my review even though I didn’t like the book. I think that says a lot about an author. Please don’t not read this book because of my review. Who knows, you might actually enjoy it and see something more to it than I did. I personally couldn’t connect with the characters but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to. If you like simple, steamy love stories than this book just might be for you. Would I try further reads from Lilly Avalon? Yes I would.

About the Author:

Lilly Avalon is the author of the RESIST series as well as other erotic romances. She’s somewhere in the midst of her twenties and lives mostly in the stories in her head. When she’s not enveloped in the worlds she creates, she’s out in the real world making stories happen. That or reading other romances. It’s a toss-up.

Author Links:
Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Fall Books Preview

Posted on July 24, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!

This week, we are sharing the

Month9Books Fall Books Preview!

Check out these amazing titles coming from Month9Books this Fall!.
They look amazing!

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

SerpentineEbook

SERPENTINE is a sweeping fantasy set in the ancient Kingdom of Xia and inspired by the rich history of Chinese mythology.

Lush with details from Chinese folklore, SERPENTINE tells the coming of age story of Skybright, a young girl who worries about her growing otherness. As she turns sixteen, Skybright notices troubling changes. By day, she is a companion and handmaid to the youngest daughter of a very wealthy family. But nighttime brings with it a darkness that not even daybreak can quell.

When her plight can no longer be denied, Skybright learns that despite a dark destiny, she must struggle to retain her sense of self – even as she falls in love for the first time.

“Vivid worldbuilding, incendiary romance, heart-pounding action, and characters that will win you over–I highly recommend Serpentine.” Cinda Williams Chima, best-selling author of the Seven Realms and Heir Chronicles fantasy novels

“Serpentine is unique and surprising, with a beautifully-drawn fantasy world that sucked me right in! I love Skybright’s transformative power, and how she learns to take charge of it.” ~Kristin Cashore, NYT Bestseller of the Graceling Realm Series

“Serpentine’s world oozes with lush details and rich lore, and the characters crackle with life. This is one story that you’ll want to lose yourself in.” ~ Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of Legend and The Young Elites

Amazon | B&N | BAM | Chapters | Kobo | TBD | Mysterious Galaxy

About-the-Author

cindypon_highres-200x300

Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow, 2009), which was named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by the American Library Association’s Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. The sequel to Silver Phoenix, titled Fury of the Phoenix, was released in April 2011. Serpentine, the first title in her next Xia duology, will be published by Month9Books in September 2015. She is the co-founder of Diversity in YA with Malinda Lo and on the advisory board of We Need Diverse Books. Cindy is also a Chinese brush painting student of over a decade. Visit her website at www.cindypon.com.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Goodreads

Nameless_450x675

Four clans have been at war for centuries: the Kodiak, the Raven, the Wolf and the Ram. Through brutal war tactics, the Ram have dominated the region, inflicting death and destruction on their neighbors.

Seventeen-year-old Zo is a Wolf and a Healer who volunteers to infiltrate the Ram as a spy on behalf of the allied clans. She offers herself as a Ram slave, joining the people who are called the “nameless.” Hers is a suicide mission – Zo’s despair after losing her parents in a Ram raid has left her seeking both revenge and an end to her own misery. But after her younger sister follows her into Rams Gate, Zo must find a way to survive her dangerous mission and keep her sister safe.

What she doesn’t expect to find is the friendship of a young Ram whose life she saves, the confusing feelings she develops for a Ram soldier, and an underground nameless insurrection. Zo learns that revenge, loyalty and love are more complicated than she ever imagined in the first installment of this two-book series.

“Jenkins brings edge-of-your-seat adventure to this intriguing new world. I can’t wait to read more!”~ New York Times bestselling author Jessica Day George

“Wow….WOW, WOW, WOW! I have no words to describe how much I love this book. Jenkins writes characters who are just so easy to love, and when you love a character it makes the book so much better. And I loved all the characters. Zo, Tess, Joshua and Gryphon. Gryphon is definitely my favorite – but who wouldn’t love Gryphon? Of course I do have a soft spot for our heroine, Zo.” ~Bri, Blogger @ Once Upon A Twilight

“Nameless destroyed me in the best way possible. The romance was subtle, but written beautifully. The plot was very intriguing and the pacing was spot on. I loved the entire cast of characters, every single one of them added to the story. Trust me when I say you should preorder it, add it to your TBR, request it from your library, do whatever you have to do to get this book in your hands because if you are a YA fantasy fan like me you need this book in your life!” ~Bridget, Blogger @ Dark Faerie Tales

“NAMELESS is epic storytelling at its best. My mind is still reeling from the world that I have just been immersed in and I don’t want to leave it. Can I please have the sequel NOW? Because I need to know what happens next but in the meantime I’m just going to re-read it again and again. Is it that good, you may ask? Hell yes!!! And you will think so too. Trust me.” Nancy, Blogger @ Tales of A Ravenous Reader

“To say that I love this book is an understatement. It completely blew me away! I am so happy that I took a chance on it. NAMELESS is one book that you can re-read over and over again and it will still feel fresh! I cannot wait for the world to read it and fall under the NAMELESS spell. Because that’s what I feel like I am under, a spell that has me trapped in Zo’s world and won’t let me out! I don’t want out!“~Damaris, Blogger @ Good Choice Reading

About-the-Author

Jennifer Jenkins

With her degree in History and Secondary Education, Jennifer had every intention of teaching teens to love George Washington and appreciate the finer points of ancient battle stratagem. (Seriously, she’s obsessed with ancient warfare.) However, life had different plans in store when the writing began. As a proud member of Writers Cubed, and a co-founder of the Teen Author Boot Camp, she feels blessed to be able to fulfill both her ambition to work with teens as well as write Young Adult fiction.

Jennifer has three children who are experts at naming her characters, one loving, supportive husband, a dog with little-man syndrome, and three chickens (of whom she is secretly afraid).

Visit her online at jajenkins.com

Minotaur.v3

“Where shall I start?” asked Minotaur.

Ovid made an expansive gesture with both hands. “Where else but the beginning of course.”

Minotaur nodded his huge head. “Yes,” he said. “Yes,” his eyes already glazing over with the weight of thousand year old memories. And then he began.

So begins the story of Asterion, later known as Minotaur, the supposed half bull creature of Greek legend. Recorded by the famous Roman poet, Ovid, Asterion tells of his boyhood in Crete under the cruel hand of his stepfather Minos, his adventures with his friend, Theseus, and his growing love for the beautiful Phaedra.And of course what really happened in the labyrinth.

This is the true story of the Minotaur.

“Lovers of mythology will enjoy this coming-of-age adventure and be surprised by the believable, “true story” of the Minotaur.”~ School Library Journal

About-the-Author

Phillip W Simpson

Phillip W. Simpson is the author of many novels, chapter books and other stories for children. His publishers include Macmillan, Penguin, Pearson, Cengage, Raintree and Oxford University Press.
He received both his undergraduate degree in Ancient History and Archaeology and his Masters (Hons) degree in Archaeology from the University of Auckland.
Before embarking on his writing career, he joined the army as an officer cadet, owned a comic shop and worked in recruitment in both the UK and Australia.
His first young adult novel, Rapture (Rapture Trilogy #1), was shortlisted for the Sir Julius Vogel Awards for best Youth novel in 2012.

He is represented by Vicki Marsdon at Wordlink literary agency.

When not writing, he works as a school teacher.
Phillip lives and writes in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife Rose, their son, Jack and their two border terriers, Whiskey and Raffles. He loves fishing, reading, movies, football (soccer) and single malt Whiskeys.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway

Complete the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

Title(s) will be sent upon release.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Queen of Tomorrow Excerpt

Posted on July 24, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Queen of Tomorrow (Stolen Empire #2)
by Sherry D. Ficklin
Release Date: 07/14/15
Clean Teen Publishing
280 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Sophie—now Catherine, Grand Duchess of Russia—had a tough first year at Imperial Court. Married at sixteen to Grand Duke Peter, heir to the throne, and settled in their own palace, things are finally looking up. As a new day dawns, she thinks only of securing her future, and the future of their country, during one of the greatest political upheavals of her time. Fighting desperately against forces trying to depose the Empress Elizabeth and put the young Prince Ivan on her throne, Sophie soon finds herself in the middle of a war brewing between her beloved Prussia, and her new empire. But even as she navigates the fragile political landscape, she quickly realizes that she has only begun to discover the tangled web of deceit and infidelity woven over the lavish court of Oranienbaum Palace.

When a strange and delicate alliance forms between the young couple, she glimpses a future of happiness, only to see it lost in a moment at the hands of those who still seek to end her life—and prevent her reign. Out of favor with the empress and running out of options, Sophie will have to sacrifice her own innocence on the altar of Russia if she is to save the nation, and herself. To survive, she will have to do the unthinkable, betray those closest to her and become something greater and more dangerous than she ever imagined she could be… a queen.

Book Excerpt:

As soon as I turn the corner into the great hall I know something is terribly wrong. The stewards are watching from around the corner and a line of red and blue guard uniforms obscure Peter from my view. In the chair nearest the wall, the court physician is tending a guard who has a long wooden arrow protruding from his shoulder. I can tell he’s trying not to make a sound even as the doctor pushes on the shaft, driving it through the wound so it can be removed from the other side. As I pass by they both give me a look that’s a mixture of relief and pity.

I pass the line and nod to the valet who stands and loudly announces me.

“Her Grace, The Grand Duchess Catherine.”

The guards shift, allowing me to pass. Peter is standing several paces away, resplendent as always in a deep blue tunic adorned with diamonds and sapphires, while one of the uniformed men stands in front of the hay target, a bright red apple on his head. The poor boy can’t be more than fourteen and he looks like he’s about to vomit.

“Husband,” I offer warmly, gliding over to him. “What interesting amusement you’ve discovered.”

I pause, waiting for him to acknowledge me. But he releases the arrow before answering, narrowly missing the boy’s neck. Behind me the guards clap half-heartedly and the young boy shuffles back into line.

“A test of wills,” he says, turning to face me with a wide smile. “If a man can stand without fear before death, only then is he worthy to be in my service.”

Licking my lips I try to think of a solution.

“Of course, but surely this is not such a test. I mean, your skill with the bow is legendary. They must know you would not purposely shoot them, and so there is no risk.” He looks at me and blinks in confusion. I continue, “I mean, there’s no way you would hit them deliberately, so it seems there is no danger at all.”

I swallow. Truthfully, Peter’s aim leaves a great deal to be desired and most of his guards are well aware of the fact.

I clap my hands. “I know! What if I take the shot? Surely there is a good chance I might miss, then the risk of death would be much higher. What say you, Husband?”

I try to keep my expression playful. Finally, he nods.

“Yes, you are quite right. Who among you is brave enough to allow the Duchess to take a shot at them?”

In the line of men, a few raise their hands. Peter hands me the bow and moves to select my target. He chooses the tallest of the men and walks him to the target. Then he digs around in the basket for the smallest apple he can find, only half the size of my fist. He takes a bite before setting it upon the guard’s head and making his way back to me, a merry jaunt in his step.

Taking one of the arrows from the basket, I take a deep breath. Beside me Peter clutches his hands to his chest, giddy with the prospect of me missing and accidently shooting the poor guard in the face. I draw the bow slowly until I feel my hand almost touch my cheek. I exhale, closing one eye to focus on the small, red target, and release the arrow. It flies true and in less than a heartbeat there’s a thud as the impaled apple lodges itself into the wall behind my target.

This time the applause is genuine. Everyone looks elated and impressed.

Everyone, that is, except Peter, whose face falls into a disappointed frown.

I hold up my hands for silence, “How fortunate for you that The Grand Duke taught me how to shoot!” I say with a laugh, then I curtsey to Peter who looks only slightly mollified.

“True, true,” he says to the crowd. “But I tire of this. How about a new challenge?”

The guards clap again, probably in relief.

Peter takes the bow from me and glares at me with his ice blue eyes.

“Go stand in front of the target,” he demands.

I hesitate for a heartbeat only, knowing that to refuse would incur his wrath. So I nod and slowly glide down the hall, replacing the guard whom I have just spared. I clasp my hands behind my back and hold my chin high. Even at this distance I can see Peter’s mind churning. He could kill me, here in front of all these people. An accident. A game gone terribly wrong. It would leave him free to marry his mistress Elizavetta who—much to her credit—is nowhere to be seen at the moment.

A shocked murmur ripples through the onlookers. I smile widely and take an apple from the basket, resting it on my head, just behind my diamond tiara.

“Calm down, you silly people. The Grand Duke would never hurt me. What kind of king accidentally shoots his queen? He would be a laughingstock! Have faith in your future king!”

A nervous laugh reverberates through the crowd at my words.

Peter glares at me as he considers my words. When he draws the bow, I see something flicker in his eyes, and I wonder if he cares what people would think, or if being rid of me might just be worth it to him.

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books

Other Books in the Series:

Queen of Someday (Stolen Empire #1) Links:

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Sherry D. Ficklin is a full time writer from Colorado where she lives with her husband, four kids, two dogs, and a fluctuating number of chickens and house guests. A former military brat, she loves to travel and meet new people. She can often be found browsing her local bookstore with a large white hot chocolate in one hand and a towering stack of books in the other. That is, unless she’s on deadline at which time she, like the Loch Ness monster, is only seen in blurry photographs.

She is the author of several YA novels and in her spare time she co-hosts Curvy Writer Radio.

Author Links:
Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Book Tour Organized by:

The Story Keeper Promo

Posted on July 24, 2015 by The Page Unbound

2015 Christy Award Winner

THE STORY KEEPER
by
Lisa Wingate

Successful New York editor, Jen Gibbs, is at the top of her game with her new position at Vida House Publishing — until a mysterious manuscript from an old slush pile appears on her desk. Turning the pages, Jen finds herself drawn into the life of Sarra, a mixed-race Melungeon girl trapped by dangerous men in the turn of the century Appalachia. A risky hunch may lead to The Story Keeper‘s hidden origins and its unknown author, but when the trail turns toward the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a place Jen thought she’d left behind forever, the price of a blockbuster next book deal may be higher than she’s willing to pay.

Amazon Buy Link for THE STORY KEEPER

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

Praise for The Story Keeper:

“Not since To Kill a Mockingbird has a story impacted me like this.” — COLLEEN COBLE, USA Today bestselling author of Seagrass Pier

Wingate is, quite simply, a master storyteller. Her story-within-a-story, penned with a fine, expressive style, will captivate writers and non-writers alike. — Booklist

Selected among Booklist’s Top 10 for two consecutive years, Lisa Wingate skillfully weaves lyrical writing and unforgettable settings with elements of traditional Southern storytelling, history, and mystery to create novels that Publisher’s Weekly calls “Masterful” and Library Journal refers to as “A good option for fans of Nicholas Sparks and Mary Alice Monroe.”

Lisa is a journalist, an inspirational speaker, and the author of twenty-five novels. She is a seven-time ACFW Carol Award nominee, a multiple Christy Award nominee, a two time Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RT Booklovers Magazine Reviewer’s Choice Award Winner for mystery/suspense. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life. Booklist summed up her work by saying, “Lisa Wingate is, quite simply, a master storyteller.” More information about her novels can be found at http://www.lisawingate.com.

More about Lisa can be found on her

Facebook page or at www.LisaWingate.com

She can also be found online at:

www.southernbelleviewdaily.com

http://www.pinterest.com/lisawingatebook/

https://twitter.com/lisawingate https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/178832.Lisa_Wingate

Blog tour services provided by Lone Star Literary Life.

Dragonfriend Review

Posted on July 23, 2015 by The Page Unbound

vXgUbc-BjaG6tqgoz8qlB1Z5yHqNRheG2yVlfAhSAo8

Dragonfriend (Dragonfriend #1)

by Marc Secchia

Release Date: 04/11/15

Summary from Goodreads

Stabbed. Burned by a dragon. Abandoned for the windrocs to pick over. The traitor Ra’aba tried to silence Hualiama forever. But he reckoned without the strength of a dragonet’s paw, and the courage of a girl who refused to die.

Only an extraordinary friendship will save Hualiama’s beloved kingdom of Fra’anior and restore the King to the Onyx Throne. Flicker, the valiant dragonet. Hualiama, a foundling, adopted into the royal family. The power of a friendship which paid the ultimate price.

This is the tale of Hualiama Dragonfriend, and a love which became legend.

Series Note*

Dragonfriend is a stand-alone YA fantasy novel which is set in the same world as the bestselling dragon adventure series Shapeshifter Dragons and Shapeshifter Dragon Legends. It can be read in any order alongside Aranya, Shadow Dragon and The Pygmy Dragon.

My Review

There are many alluring tales in this world. With richness and fantasy that opens the imagination to places you never would have traveled before. I can with honesty say that this is one of those books.This book begins with a headstrong, extremely brave, and fiercely loyal girl. At only the age of fifteen, Hualiama (or Lia) will stop at nothing to protect her adopted family, even if she knows it’s a battle she cannot win. Need I say more?What can possibly be better than literally diving headfirst into an action filled story with flying crafts called ‘Dragonships’, Dragonet’s such as the compassionate and clever Flicker, and a girl embracing her identity and gumption? Since, of course, I must say more, I will tell you some of the wonderful attributes this book has to offer.

Hualiama engages Ra’aba, a highly skilled fighter and traitor attempting to steal the throne from the rightful king, Lia’s adopted father. Despite knowing her steep disadvantage, she fights in front of her sister Fyria, attempting to escape and is thrown from a Dragonship after being heavily wounded and dealing her own blow to Ra’aba. Sees like quite an end for our female lead. That is until a young Dragonet sees a dumb human attempting to fly and believes it’s only right to save it.

With this, our beginning characters meet with a swoop, a crash, and a few more bangs and bruises after that. Hooked yet?

From the beginning, I would cringe every time Lia was injured in some way. This became a common occurrence as Lia experiences many engaging sequences of fights and injuries along the way. However, with every injury, she rises up again and pushes herself to be better. She truly does win your heart and the reader can continually cheer for her on her journey.

The perspective is very interesting in the changing points of view that switch to and fro without any real sense of a page break. Despite this, it is quite easy to distinguish between the two characters of Flicker and Hualiama as their humor, speech, and personality easily shine through and from the first sentence you know who it is. This becomes even more apparent once Grandion, a Tourmaline dragon, is introduced.

With such a strong female lead and other engaging characters making a name for themselves in this book; you really embrace the unique and refreshing perspective of the characters.

But what is that is so amazing about fantasy books such as these? It’s the exploration. The happiness and the grief we feel through them, all the more wonderful when it’s a book that is so well written. This book has such amazing imagery that can almost make a reader dizzy with its depictions. Marc Secchia not only creates the imagery of the high cliffs, roaring waterfalls, and misty caves; but also tells you the sounds, the touch, and the aromas to an addicting degree.

It’s my ambition now to read Marc Secchia’s other previous novels in the Dragon Rider era and delve into his wonderful world of dragons.

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Books | iBooks

About the Author

Marc is the bestselling author of 12 fantasy novels. Aranya and The Pygmy Dragon are full of dragons, battles and romance, and are set in a unique island-world above the toxic cloudlands. He’s also the author of a bestselling African historical fantasy series set in ancient Ethiopia.

Current projects: Dragonlove, the sequel to Dragonfriend, and the sequel to The Pygmy Dragon are being drafted.

Marc was born Cape Town but now lives and works in Ethiopia with his wife and 4 children, 2 dogs, and a variable number of marabou storks that roost on the acacia trees out back. On a good night there are also hyenas prowling along the back fence.

When he’s not writing about Africa or dreaming about dragons flying across the moon, Marc can be found travelling to remote locations. He thinks there’s nothing better than standing on a mountaintop wondering what lies over the next horizon.

Author Links

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway

aRafflecopter giveaway //widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Book Tour Organized By

T4T: Tracy Tam and Lucas Mackenzie Blitz

Posted on July 23, 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:

Tracy Tam: Santa Command by Krystalyn Drown
and
Lucas Mackenzie and the London Midnight Ghost Show
by Steve Bryant

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

KDrown_TracyTam_1650x2550

Tracy Tam doesn’t really believe in Santa Claus, at least not like the rest of us do. She also doesn’t believe that Santa can possibly deliver all of those presents in one night, to children around the world, without a little help from science. A flying sleigh can only be powered by jet engines, after all, and Santa’s magical abilities can only be the result of altered DNA. How else could he know what every little girl and boy wants for Christmas and who has been naughty or nice? In order to test her theories, Tracy sneaks onto Santa’s sleigh then ends up at Santa Command, where a team of (gasp!) humans monitor Santa’s big night. When Tracy attempts to hack into their computers, she accidentally introduces a virus into the system. As a result, three states get knocked out of sync with the rest of the world (oops!). Santa won’t be able to deliver all the presents in time! Now, Tracy must fix time and help Santa, but she has no idea how. How can a girl who doesn’t believe help Santa and save Christmas before it’s too late? With a little Christmas magic, of course!

WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:

“This is an adorable story and took me back to my childhood when i would stay up late and see if could catch Santa.” – Jan, Jrs Book Reviews

“Tracy Tam is an entertaining holiday read with a stubbornly scientific protagonist…” – Dianne, Author

“…packed with fun surprises and zany flips that turn expectations into wonder.” – Kim, Kim’s Critiquing Corner

about-the-author

Krystalyn Drown

Krystalyn spent thirteen years working at Walt Disney World in a variety of roles: entertainer, talent coordinator, and character captain. Her degree in theatre as well as many, many hours spent in a dance studio, helped with her job there. Her various other day jobs have included working in zoology at Sea World, as an elementary teacher, and currently as a support technician for a website. In the evenings, she does mad writing challenges with her sister, who is also an author. Krystalyn lives near Orlando, Florida with her husband, son, a were cat, and a Yorkie with a Napoleon complex.

Lucas MacKenzie eBook Final

Lucas Mackenzie has got the best job of any 10 year old boy. He travels from city-to-city as part of the London Midnight Ghost Show, scaring unsuspecting show-goers year round. Performing comes naturally to Lucas and the rest of the troupe, who’ve been doing it for as long as Lucas can remember.

But there’s something Lucas doesn’t know.

Like the rest of Luca’s friends, he’s dead. And for some reason, Lucas can’t remember his former life, his parents or friends. Did he go to school? Have a dog? Brothers and sisters?

If only he could recall his former life, maybe even reach out to his parents, haunt them.

When a ghost hunter determines to shut the show down, Lucas realizes the life he has might soon be over. And without a connection to his family, he will have nothing. There’s little time and Lucas has much to do. Can he win the love of Columbine, the show’s enchanting fifteen-year-old mystic? Can he outwit the forces of life and death that thwart his efforts to find his family?

Keep the lights on! Lucas Mackenzie’s coming to town.

WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:

“It’s a fun story with wonderful, unique characters.” – Lisa Cresswell, Author

“a great twist on the usual paranormal novels.” – Erika, WS Momma Readers Nook

“The characters are lovable, the adventure is great, with some comedy mixed in.” – Sarah, Aphonic Book Reviews

about-the-author

Steve Bryant

Steve Bryant is a new novelist, but a veteran author of books of card tricks. He founded a 40+ page monthly internet magazine for magicians containing news, reviews, magic tricks, humor, and fiction; and he frequently contributes biographical cover articles to the country’s two leading magic journals (his most recent article was about the séance at Hollywood’s Magic Castle).

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

Complete the Rafflecopter for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Unexpected Book Blitz

Posted on July 22, 2015 by The Page Unbound

LX3RsI0LLGg2fYpdn3Mmzn_HB9e0L6mbokcxjOgmv6Y

Unexpected
by Lilly Avalon
Release Date: 07/21/15
New Adult/Standalone

Summary from Goodreads

Ever had one of those days? Alina Lyons is having one. Everything keeps falling apart and going wrong. Just when she thinks it couldn’t get worse, it does. After a case of mistaken identity and a broken heart, she finds herself questioning the things she thought she knew. She wonders who she can turn to or trust anymore.

An unlikely bond with her former best friend’s ex, Ryan Wilcox, sends her life in a new direction. He offers her a place to stay while she gets her life back on track. His friendship is exactly what she’s been missing—what she’s been needing. Alina’s never felt this alive. As time goes by, the dynamic of their relationship becomes more than either of them expected. A few innocent kisses could lead them in a new direction, but are they prepared for what’s on the other side?

Only one way to find out.

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Smashwords

iNtGsT0uXphQxJpmXQRvlBAx5gh3mpIwaRzq-ww8AbA

Excerpt

After saying goodbye to her mother, Alina and I get in our cars and drive back to my apartment.

I stop at the taco place on the way and bring back a dozen tacos. When we get inside, Alina takes one look at them and says, “Good Lord, Mr. Hungry. How many are you planning on eating?”

“However many you don’t eat,” I answer with a grin.

She rolls her eyes. “Typical.” She places two on her plate. “Don’t think this means you get to have the other ten. I might have one more.”

“I’ll save it for you.” We take our food to the living room and sit on the couch. I turn on the TV.

“Anything you want to watch? I have basic cable, but I’m sure we could find something.”

She shrugs. “Doesn’t really matter to me.”

I scroll until I find a Nash Bridges rerun. I raise an eyebrow at her and she nods, so I leave it and start eating. At the first commercial break, I hit the mute button and turn to her. “So…if we’re going to be friends, we need to know a little more about each other.”

“Like what?”

“Well, I know your name is Alina Lyons. And you used to work at a diner. And you were friends with Victoria since senior year in high school. But I don’t really know anything else.”

“So, are we going to play twenty questions?” she asks, a smirk playing across her lips.

I make a funny face at her and smile. “No. Let’s just go over some of the basics.”

She wipes her mouth with a napkin and sets down her plate on the coffee table. “Okay, I’ll bite. What kind of basics?”

“Okay, so Nash Bridges—better or worse than Miami Vice?”

She giggles. “Well, they both have Don Johnson, so that alone makes them tied. I am partial to Nash Bridges, though. I used to watch it with my dad and brother growing up.”

Interesting. A girl near my age who actually knows about sitcoms from the eighties and nineties.

I can’t remember the last time I was able to talk to someone outside my family who’s familiar with shows that didn’t premiere in their teenage years. Most of my peers were more interested in the latest X-Men movie or who was voted off last night on American Idol. Not that I didn’t care about “teenager” things, I just had a broader spectrum of taste. “Well played…but,” I say, pausing to hold up a finger, “you forgot to mention Yasmine Bleeth.”

“I didn’t forget. I’m surprised that part matters to you when she doesn’t run in slow motion in a red bathing suit on Nash Bridges.”

Not to mention a girl who’s cheeky to boot by referencing Baywatch. “She doesn’t have to. That’s the beauty of it.” I wink and she laughs, shaking her head and covering her face. “You know what, Alina?”

“What?” she asks, peeking through her fingers.

“I think I’m going to like being friends with you.”

About the Author

Author Links

Giveaway

aRafflecopter giveaway //widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Book Blitz Organized By

Aurelious Forty Book Blitz and Giveaway

Posted on July 22, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Aurelious Forty; Volume One
by Dianna Beirne
Release Date: 12/20/14
252 pages

Summary from Goodreads:Aurelious Forty has led a lonely, troubled life. He stays disconnected from the world around him with no family and no friends. He lives merely to exist…to survive.

Aurelious’ life changes in an instant when an impulsive decision forces him to abandon everything he has ever known. Choosing to follow strangers into a new world, he discovers he was born with a gift so strong, so unique; it could give him the power to change humanity. But the shadows of his childhood are long and dark and run through every fiber of his soul. Can Aurelious break the chains of his past and use his gift for good? Or will the nightmare of his tormentors set him on a path of revenge so fierce it could destroy us all? Recommended for ages 16 and up.

Buy Links:
Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books

A Deeper Look at a Main Character: Aurelious Forty:

Aurelious is, at times, a bit of an enigma. He is a very emotional character and while he shares his emotional experiences with the reader, he tries desperately to hide them from the characters that he interacts with on the page. He is typically unsuccessful in masking his own emotions from those around him though he’s generally unaware of how unsuccessful he is because he’s fairly self-absorbed, at least in the beginning of the book. Enigma.

There is a lot to love in Aurelious but he makes you work at loving him, he doesn’t give it right away. There are times when you might think it’s easier to dislike him but then he draws you in and you’re reminded of what he endured as a child and you’re proud of how far he’s come.

Although he is the main character and the one telling us his story, he isn’t the hero. He is really more of a sidekick who has to learn from the hero and finds himself fumbling along the way, a lot. He fumbles so much that he makes the hero a little less heroic for a minute. But, when he starts to look outside of himself, when he starts to connect with and care for the people around him, when he shows us how much he changes and overcomes, then he does become a little bit more of a hero himself. Or at least makes us question how a hero could be defined.

Aurelious Forty struggles. He learns. He grows. He changes. He is an imperfect character, just like the rest of us. And, in his imperfection, he is worthy of being loved, just like the rest of us. As the person who created him, I must confess, I hope people will embrace his flaws and love him.

About the Author

Dianna Beirne lives in a fantasy world. Okay not really, but part of her wishes she did and, since that’s technically impossible, she writes about fantasy worlds instead. Her first Young Adult novel entitled Aurelious Forty; Volume One quickly turned into her first Young Adult series with the addition of Aurelious Forty; Volume Two and, Aurelious Forty; Volume Three.

When not writing, she’s generally daydreaming which morphs into wondering if that last daydream could turn into a book. She has also recently discovered podcasts but doesn’t exactly understand what they are or why they’re different from regular radio shows. So it’s safe to assume that her next book won’t be about a podcast. Instead she’ll just keep listening to the ones that she finds that hilarious because laughing is one of her favorite pastimes and she finds way too many things funny!

Prior to dedicating her time to writing, Dianna taught undergraduate and graduate courses about using literacy in the elementary, middle, and high school classroom. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Literacy and a Doctorate in Education specializing in Curriculum and Teaching. Dianna lives in New York and is the grateful mother of a son whom she misses terribly when he is away at college.

Author Links:

photo iconfacebook-32x32_zps64a79d4a.png

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

A Book of Spirits and Thieves Teaser

Posted on July 21, 2015 by The Page Unbound

22571365

A Book of Spirits and Thieves (Spirits and Thieves #1)

by Morgan Rhodes

Book Synopsis(Goodreads):

Modern-day sisters discover deadly ancient magic in book 1 of this Falling Kingdoms spin-off series!

Worlds collide in this suspenseful, page-turning Falling Kingdoms spin-off series, which explores a whole new side of Mytica—and an even darker version of its magic.

Crystal Hatcher, Modern-day Toronto: It’s a normal afternoon in her mother’s antique bookshop when Crys witnesses the unthinkable: her little sister Becca collapses into a coma after becoming mesmerized by a mysterious book written in an unrecognizable language.

Maddox Corso, Ancient Mytica: Maddox Corso doesn’t think much of it when he spots an unfamiliar girl in his small village. Until, that is, he realizes that she is a spirit, and he is the only one who can see or hear her. Her name is Becca Hatcher, and she needs Maddox to help get her home.

Farrell Grayson, Modern-day Toronto: Rich and aimless Farrell Grayson is thrilled when the mysterious leader of the ultra-secret Hawkspear Society invites him into the fold. But when he learns exactly what he has to do to prove himself, Farrell starts to question everything he thought he knew about family, loyalty, and himself….

Fate has brought these young people together, but ancient magic threatens to rip them apart.

Quote 1:

“Look at me, will you?” the girl cried. “Please!”

Her fearful tone pulled at him, and he finally met her gaze.

A whisper of relief moved through her eyes. “My name is Becca Hatcher. I don’t know what’s happened to me, where I am, or how I got here, but I know one thing. You’re going to help me get back home.”

― Morgan Rhodes, A Book of Spirits and Thieves

Quote 2:

“Tears aren’t just for babies. They’re proof that you feel something and aren’t afraid to show it. It’s those that won’t ever allow themselves to cry that are the weak ones.”

― Morgan Rhodes, A Book of Spirits and Thieves

Quote 3:

“You’re not alone. You have me, and I’m not going anywhere,” she said firmly. Angrily. “When the going gets tough, I believe in one thing, Maddox. My gut. It tells me which book to read next, even if it has lousy reviews; which movie to see, even if no one else wants to see it; which friends to hang out with, whether they’re popular or loners or smart or dumb as bricks. And my gut tells me that you’re not going to die. You’re important to this world. And you’re important to me. Got it? You and me, we’re friends now. And friends help each other out in bad, snake-monster, scary-goddess times.”

― Morgan Rhodes, A Book of Spirits and Thieves

Unexpected Promo and Interview

Posted on July 21, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Today we are excited to share in celebrating Lilly Avalon’s new release Unexpected! Be sure to check out the book summary, interview, excerpt, AND giveaway! Happy Release Day! XOXOX

25866351

Unexpected
by Lilly Avalon
Publication Date: July 21, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Book Summary (Goodreads):

Only one way to find out.

Purchase Links:
Amazon

Author Interview:

Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book?

The book is new adult, so definitely mature readers. They should read my book because it’s a feel good story with lots of romance and a side of humor. While it is heavy on the romance, friendship is at the center of it all.

How did you come up with the title of your book or series?

I honestly can’t remember why I originally chose Unexpected. Knowing me, I played the word association game until I knew it was right. It just fits the story so well–Alina is continuously facing different sudden changes in life and it’s all very “unexpected” when it comes to how she thought her life would be.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

Oh, now that’s a fun story! I originally had a different stock photo picked out for the cover, but right after I downloaded it and sent it to my cover artist, Marie Landry, I came across a cover featuring the same picture. At first I was mad because I had wasted a download on a photo I couldn’t use without looking like a copycat. But then I shrugged my shoulders and started my search all over again. I found the picture for the cover you see today and instantly knew it was perfect. The guy in the photo was basically Ryan–guitar and forehead kiss and all! So, it ended up being the best thing for my original choice to already be taken.

Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

Ryan. There’s something about him, aside from being handsome and having tattoos, that just draws you to him. He’s sweet, generous, positive, and protective. He carries himself with the attitude of living your life right–to the fullest, not letting anyone bring you down, focusing on the good things. Something I aspire to every day.

How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?

There are a couple “least favorite” characters, but I don’t want to give them away because it’s a spoiler. When you read the book, you’ll know exactly which two I’m talking about and you’ll understand why immediately.

If you could change ONE thing about your novel, what would it be? Why?

Hmm… I never thought about changing anything! I usually love my stories as is and have no intention of changing any part because it feels like it belongs.

Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:

Unexpected was originally going to be told in only Alina’s point of view. It wasn’t until months after I set the book aside that I decided to write in Ryan’s point of view, too. I don’t think the story would have been the same if I hadn’t told it in dual POV.

How can we contact you or find out more about your books?

What can we expect from you in the future?

I’ve got a few projects in the works, but I’m focusing my attention on two of them. One is a sexy erotic romance featuring a dirty talking hero. The other is a sweet small town second chance contemporary romance. It’s fun to challenge myself with different stories.

What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

Write a review! Reviews help other readers decide whether or not to give a book a chance. The more reviews with a variety of opinions, the better.

Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?

My biggest tip for writers is to not let your fears get the best of you. I’ve spent years watching fellow writers constantly talking about how they want to get published. They’re always writing, which is great, but something is holding them back from taking the steps toward publishing. I’m not sure the exact reasons, but sometimes it looks like they’re afraid of failure. Don’t be afraid of failure. Not every author becomes an overnight success. Sometimes you have to invest a lot of time, money, and energy into getting your name out there. Don’t be afraid of working hard to achieve your goal! Trust me when I say the results are worth it in the end.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Thanks so much for having me on the blog!!

And now, before you go, how about a snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue and tantalize us:

Book Excerpt:

Saturday is a short day at work because it starts raining in the afternoon. It throws a damper on the remainder of the work that needs to be done, so the supervisor tells us to head out and we can pick back up next week. It makes me happy because it has been a long week, not just work-wise, but also with everything else happening. I’m grateful for a chance to get caught up on other things.

When I get back to the apartment, Alina is curled up on the couch reading a book again. She’s wearing those reading glasses, and looking sexy as fuck. She’s gorgeous already, but there’s something about those glasses that makes her extremely sexy. I haven’t quite pinned down what it is yet, but I seriously have to figure it out soon before I go crazy.

She peeks up at me and grins. “You’re home early!”

Her enthusiasm is unparalleled and pleases me more than I can admit. “It’s raining. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was drizzling, but it’s actually coming down pretty good.” I sit down on the couch next to her, and reach for her book. “So, what are you reading?”

She pulls the book away before I can grab it. “It’s a romance.”

“Ah. What kind of romance?” I reach again and this time get a hold of it. She gasps and tries to get it back, but I stand up and look at it. “There appears to be a half-naked couple on the cover.”

“Give it back!”

“I want to look at it.” She groans in frustration and presses a hand to her forehead. I continue to look it over. “I think this is more than just a kissing book.”

I hand it back to her and she snatches it from me, tucking it away. “And?” she asks with an eyebrow raised.

“And nothing. I was just curious, that’s all.” I tilt my head. “Are you going to keep reading?”

“Not if you’re going to hover.”

“Then you’d better take off those glasses.”

She scrunches her nose. “Why?”

I kneel down next to her by the couch. Leaning into her, I say, “Because they are impossibly sexy and I’m half tempted to kiss you if they’re still on ten seconds from now.”

Her eyes widen like saucers. “What?”

“I’m serious,” I murmur, inching closer. “I will kiss you in a few seconds if you don’t take them off.”

Her mouth parts, but she makes no move to reach for them. I watch as her chest rises and falls, the nervous anticipation building in her. I’m mere inches away, so close to stealing a kiss. Just as I’m about to make good on my promise, she pulls them off swiftly.

I let out a breath, holding back my disappointment. “Well, that was close.”

About the Author:

The GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate this release day of Unexpected, Lilly Avalon is giving away a swag prize pack!
Check it out!

Looks pretty awesome huh? Enter the rafflecopter for your chance to win!