What Lies Within

Posted on July 16, 2015 by The Page Unbound

What Lies Within
by James Morris
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
4.5/5 Rating

Book Summary (Goodreads):

“You’re going to die”

A single text message and Shelley Marano’s world is upended. A normal high school senior, Shelley discovers she is adopted. She goes on a journey to uncover her past, only to find she was part of a horrific experiment to test the theory of nature versus nurture. In a culture of violence committed by young people, she may be one of these killers. With the lives of her and her friends in the balance, one thing is certain: she will never be the same.

My Review:

Rarely do I find books that have just the right amount of description, the right amount of dialogue, the right amount of suspense, and the right amount of a love story, but What Lies Within is a perfect balance of all these things. I’m very picky with thriller stories. When I was in high school I went through a phase where those types of movies were all I watched. In fact, I used to read these Lois Duncan books that were like paranormal thrillers. But after high school, those thriller stories all became the same. And over time those stories turned into “gore” stories. It’s been awhile since I’ve found a classic thriller story that is both surprising and unexpecting and a tale worth while. What Lies Within would be a perfect candidate for a book turned into a movie, it was just that good! Not just good, but bone-chilling awesome! It’s a book that won’t disappoint!

What Lies Within is a captivating, intense ride, about a girl named Shelley that relatively has a normal life until she gets a text message telling her that her life is in danger. Before she knows it she’s thrown into impossible situations and gripping truths. She finds out she’s adopted and sets out on a hunt to discover who she is, and more importantly, to find out why the man on the motorcycle is killing people from a list, a list she happens to be on. What Lies Within is suspenseful and intense, and a real page turner.

There are so many things to love about this book! For one, it was like watching a thriller movie, and it’s very obvious that this talented author, James Morris, has written for television. The story itself was very well written, and the character development was substantial. I loved Shelley’s character ARC. It was great to see her fly down that dark path, and you feel for her every step of the way. Her story is so terrifying and it keeps you on the edge of your seat! I also really enjoyed her friend, Winston and loved their interactions with each other. I simply love his personality and how devoted and loyal he is to her, clear to the end of the book. He is a true friend, through and through. I was a little bummed that you could clearly see how much Winston adored her and how much Shelley just disregarded it. And the boy she did like? Remy? He was total bad news. But everything that happens to Shelley in the book is all important because it all helps create the person she ends up by the end of the book. Not only does James Morris give us a fast-paced thriller ride, but also an emotional roller coaster as well. There is so much that happens to Shelley, and it’s hard to put the book down because you hope she makes it out of that situation, and you’re afraid what’s going to happen to her next. And the dynamic between her and the other characters, especially Winston and her Dad is so well done. I love her Dad, and I love how hard he tries to help her and be there for her even though he doesn’t understand what’s happening to his daughter at all. I don’t want to spoil too much since it does have such a surprising, climatic ending, but if you like thriller stories that keep you on the edge of your seat and something unexpecting around each corner, then this book is definitely for you! I honestly didn’t see the ending coming, which I loved even more. There were things that happened to her that made me think that maybe she was crazy and her mind was making all of this up. I was definitely waiting for the ending where you find out that nothing was real. It’s just that crazy of a story, but a good kind of crazy! The kind of crazy that keeps you on your toes and on the edge of your seat!

There are some unanswered questions in the story, and I’m secretly hoping for a sequel. And I honestly can’t think of a single thing I really disliked about the book. It’s a great story, amazingly well written, characters are awesome… There’s just so much to love and enjoy about the book!

And I’m sure you’re wondering what happens to Shelley at the end of her story? Does the truth set Shelley free? Does it cage her? Does it change her entirely? And the experiment she discovers, is it nature or nurture that turns a person violent? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out!

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

Author Interview:
Be sure to check out our author interview with James Morris here!

GIVEAWAY:
Since I liked this book so much The Page Unbound is hosting a giveaway for one ebook copy of What Lies Within.
Giveaway is opened internationally!

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

At the Heart of the Deep Blitz

Posted on July 15, 2015 by The Page Unbound

At the Heart of the Deep by Carrie L. Wells
(A Falling in Deep Collection Novella)
Publication date: June 23rd 2015
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Synopsis

Oceanographer Luke McAllister races to figure out why the ocean depth is changing off Florida’s Treasure Coast. But before he and his crew discover what’s transforming the deep, he stumbles upon an even greater mystery. Leagues below the waves, he swear he sees…a mermaid?
Anya isn’t allowed to get close to humans. But when a golden-haired researcher gets too close to her island, she can’t afford to stay away.

Together, this unlikely pair will seek to discover what’s causing shifts in ocean floor. While their new alliance is forbidden, Anya will risk everything to save her beloved ocean. The only problem is, she’s not sure what’s really luring her in, her love of the sea or the tempest Luke has stirred in her heart. Either way, Anya knows that the dangers facing the sea are nothing compared to what will happen to her when her father learns she’s broken the merfolks’ most sacred law.

Can Anya and Luke discover what lurks at the heart of the deep before it’s too late?

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Excerpt

I caught sight of his cut, thought a moment, and swam away. He floated there, treading water and wondering what would happen next. At that point, his face conveyed the pain in his side. I watched an intense sting replace what I knew of the original burning sensation of a coral abrasion, and the open wound spilled into the ocean at a steady pace.

Conceivably, I had underestimated the severity of the cut. Maybe the coral cut deeper than I thought. The blood clouded the water surrounding him, and now the problem remained of how to take the injured man across the reef without doing further damage. We still needed to cross at least two miles and climb a rocky beach. Or did we?

Before he had time to contemplate any other option, I approached him from below. I swam up to him slowly, and he did nothing. He didn’t dive to meet me or attempt to swim away. He hung vertically in the water, waiting.

He must have felt me before he could clearly see me. The water shifted as I neared, my physicality changing the flow of the ocean around me. He knew I was there, but he didn’t dive below. Was he afraid? Too hurt to move? Instead, he stayed still, moving as little as possible, allowing my approach, and keeping the blood loss at a minimum.

I moved below him and then up, along his body, until my head emerged from the inky blue water and he stared into my eyes. He let out a fast gasp and quickly sank below the surface.

About the Author

Carrie L. Wells crosses genres, writing everything from newspaper editorials and textbooks to paranormal romance novellas. Her first fiction publication, The Heart of the Deep, will release in June 2015, followed by Playing with Magic in October 2015. A New England native, she spent her childhood on the beach and inland, fishing and dancing, before moving to Florida. And while she doesn’t tan, nothing keeps her from a walk on the beach.

Carrie earned her Master’s degree in English with a minor in Psychology from Hardin-Simmons University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida. With a love of chocolate, books, and her family, Carrie braves the world and chaos only children can bring. She currently lives in Florida with her fire-medic hubby and three children. She is an English instructor at Eastern Florida State College.

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Pinterest

Subscribe for VIP excerpts

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Organized By

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

James Morris Interview

Posted on July 15, 2015 by The Page Unbound

James Morris

James Morris is a former television writer with produced credits including episodes of “Smallville,” “Crossing Jordan” and “The 4400.” Born in Chicago, he now calls Los Angeles home. He lives with his wife and dog, and when not writing you can find him experimenting in the kitchen.

Author Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Author Interview:

How did you begin writing? What inspires you to write?

I’ve been writing stories here and there ever since grade school. I followed my passion, went to college and studied English Literature and film, and then moved to Los Angeles to break into the entertainment industry. Hollywood is its own story – I ended up writing for a few shows with my writing partner – but after we broke up, I turned to novels. It’s been a rollercoaster ride, that’s for sure. Some scary dips, indeed!

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

You know, I’m not a fan of labels, of calling something Young Adult or New Adult or something else because it seems exclusionary. I’m a grown man, and I read young adult! But having said that, the audience is really geared towards readers of the thriller genre and less about contemporary YA. This is certainly not your John Greene-type YA novel (and I love some John Greene). It’s more of a thrill-ride geared toward older teens and adults-who-are-forever-young (like me). For readers who want a bit of escapism with a fast pace that hopefully raises some interesting questions, then WHAT LIES WITHIN is for them!

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

I liked the dual meanings of the word “lies.” It could mean something that’s inside of something, or it’s the lies that we believe about ourselves, so WHAT LIES WITHIN seemed a natural fit. I can tell you if I ended up writing a sequel, it would be titled WHAT LIES BEYOND.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art.

My friend Lani Rich of StoryWonk designed it, and I liked it because it’s a stark image that captures the tone of the book. I loved the red hair that represents Shelley, as well as the tears of blood.

Who is your favorite character?

That’s a tough one! I like them all! Maybe it’s a cop-out, but I have to get inside and understand all of them – even the villains – to bring them to life. Winston was probably the easiest to write, though, simply because he’s the most like me.

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

You know, I do have thoughts on this. There might be a couple things I would change, but I’ll keep them secret. I learn on every project I do, and yet, no project is ever perfect (much to my frustration!) I try my best, giving the story and characters a lot of time – I’ve been over that draft hundreds of times – and at the end of the day, I’ve made it as good as I could during the time I worked on it. It’s a bit like thinking about previous relationships: the coulda-woulda-shoulda, and yet, you can’t go back and change things; you can only learn from them.

Give us an interesting fun fact.

WHAT LIES WITHIN is actually the 3^rd book I wrote, but the first that landed me an agent, and the first to get published. Two others, and the years they took to write, but the act of writing them taught me a tremendous amount.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I’m currently working on a couple projects, and mulling over a sequel to WHAT LIES WITHIN. But sequels are tricky – you want to make sure the sequel is worthy – and better – than the original, and not just done because you can.

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

First, any reader who even appreciates a bit of it is a superstar. I’m not one of those writers who is like, “I am an artiste – you will like what I give you!” Not at all. I write for an audience. I write knowing someone is going to sit down and choose this book over another book, reading instead of watching TV or calling friends or doing a million other things. You have to respect that level of commitment. A reader is sitting down with me, basically. And I don’t want to disappoint. If a reader likes it, of course, share the experience and tell your friends!

Do I have any tips for other writers trying to get published?

First, writers write because they love it; they write because they have to. There are so many other ways to try and make money, that if that’s the goal, I say cut your losses. But if you’re an addict, and hopelessly addicted to stories, then the advice is simple: keep going. Second, have elephant skin with the soul of a poet, and expect rejection. Learn from it. Learn from criticism. Be open to it. Tell stories that are important to you. Don’t try to catch a trend. Worry less about getting an agent and getting published and doing the much, much harder thing, which is getting down a solid draft.

Anything else I’d like to say?

Just thank you. Really. For helping spread your experience of the book. For helping me get my name out there. Writing can be very lonely, but it’s worth it when you actually make an impact. I try not to get too emotionally invested in reviews – reading is so highly subjective – but it’s still great to hear that people enjoyed the read. It makes all the hours very well worth it.

Book Summary (Goodreads):

“You’re going to die”

Exclusive Book Excerpt:

The motorcyclist didn’t move, just stared back, and then he looked down at a photo in his hand and slipped it into his back pocket.

Ordinarily, the kid might’ve made some remark, but the motorcyclist looked like a well-armored samurai. Something in the kid’s brain told him to screw the gas–just peel out and don’t look back. Only when the motorcyclist turned away and put in a credit card to unhook the nozzle did the kid relax.

Seconds passed and he sensed something was wrong. He couldn’t discern why until he realized he hand’t heard the normal sounds of a motorcycle gas cap being unscrewed or the clank of the nozzle against metal. In fact, there was no sound at all. He turned–

The motorcyclist held the gas nozzle in his hand.

In the span of a second, as time expanded, the kid’s eyes glanced downward. The motorcyclist’s hand tensed against the handle, unleashing a torrent of gasoline. It sprayed with the force of a fire hose, nearly waterboarding the kid in the mouth. Its unmistakable aroma consumed him, and he fought the urge to gag. His mouth stung, hands held up, blind, eyes burning, the sting, the smell, the fear–

Then it stopped.

The gas dripped from his face, little beads of toxic perspiration, his hair wet, his clothes soaked, face contorted in a rictus of poison. He opened his eyes, the world blurry, grainy, and he caught the glint of something shining in the motorcyclist’s hand followed by a sound: flick, cap, flick, cap.

The kid squinted to try and focus.

Flick, cap. Flick, cap.

He saw then what it was.

–What Lies Within, James Morris

Be sure to check back for the book review of What Lies Within

Synthetica Book Promo

Posted on July 15, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Synthetica (Synthetica #1)
by Rachel Pattinson
Release Date: 04/01/15

Summary from Goodreads:

This city is falling.

Seventeen-year-old Anais Finch lives in a world where everyone is born beautiful, where every dream is a possibility – and where their every move and every piece of personal information is recorded by an ID picochip inserted behind their right ear. When technology giant, Civitas, finally announces the launch of their highly anticipated Scholarly Learning Programs, which allow people to download and learn any subject instantly, Anais can hardly wait.

But not everyone is pleased with society’s progress, and not everyone wants to fit in. When Anais witnesses a brutal murder on an innocent citizen and is implicated in the crime, she becomes determined to uncover the truth, especially when others like it begin to occur all over the city. But it may already be too late for Anais to stop the man who calls himself ‘the Hacker’ before he commits his most appalling crime yet…

Buy Links:
Amazon

Book Excerpt:

She turned to the body of the attacker, who was still staring up at the sky. He, too, looked beyond help. Blood dribbled from his mouth, staining his clothes. But there was something else, something dark on the side of his neck. It didn’t look like blood, but before Anais could move to get a closer look, a scream ripped through the cool night air. She jumped and looked up to see a woman with white hair tied back in a severe ponytail and holding several glossy carrier bags, looking at her in horror. Anais glanced down and saw that the man’s blood was now splattered on her shirt – her jeans were rapidly becoming wet from where the dark puddle was spreading out from the man’s body. She jerked her head back up to look at the woman, who’s eyes were popping. The woman dropped her bags on the floor, and began backing down the walkway, her wide eyes still fixed on the bloody scene in front of her.

“W-wait,” Anais tried to call out, but her throat was suddenly dry, her heart beating far too fast. She could barely get the word out; but even as she spoke, the woman turned and fled back the way she had come.

“Wait,” Anais cried, her voice stronger. “Come back! I need your help!”

But it was too late. The woman had already gone. Anais looked round, panic rising in her gut, and for a brief, crazy moment she wondered if she should simply just run for it. The man in front of her gave a faint groan. She jumped, not expecting him to make a noise, and stared down at him, a fog descending over her brain as she panicked over what to do. It was a few seconds before she realised the man was still making a noise – he was trying to speak. She leant in closer, trying to catch his words, but his voice was now too faint, and he gave a nasty, gargling cough.

“What?” Anais said, her heart pounding as she leant in even closer, her ear almost brushing his dry lips. But he fell silent again, and Anais sat back up, trying to breathe evenly. If she stayed, she’d be implicated in the crime. If she left, the man would surely die – but she couldn’t call for the medics without it being traced back to her RetCom ID. She stared wildly round, praying for someone, anyone, to come and help her.

Luckily, at that moment, any decision-making was taken right out of her hands. Sirens wailed, cutting through the night air; and within seconds a small white medi-cab hummed round the corner towards her. There was a blinding flash, and Anais shielded her eyes with her hand, looking up at the source of the brilliant white light. There a low noise – a sound almost less than sound itself – a deep vibration that made Anais cringe to hear it. A police hovercraft descended from the sky above.

“Suspect,” boomed a loud automated voice, making the air shiver around her. “You are required to stand with your hands in the air. Drop your weapons. If you do not run, you will not be harmed. Suspect – you are required to stand -”

Anais stood up shakily, feeling her jeans sticking uncomfortably to her. She was encased in the blindingly white searchlight, unable to see the scene unfolding around her as she slowly raised her hands into the air.

Blog Tour Schedule

About the Author

So what qualifies me to be a writer? Well, ever since an early age I’ve been more interested in the worlds in my head, than the real one – so I thought it was finally time to do something about it. I went to uni, got a degree in publishing, worked in an office for a while, decided I hated it, went to China, came back…and now I’m a teaching assistant by day and a YA writer by night. Phew! It’s been quite a journey, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Author Links:
Website│Goodreads│Twitter

GIVEAWAY:

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

Book Tour Organized by:

They Call Me Alexandra Gastone Review

Posted on July 14, 2015 by The Page Unbound

25218070

They Call Me Alexandra Gastone

by T.A. Maclagan (Goodreads Author)

Book Synopsis(Goodreads):

When your life is a lie, how do you know what’s real?

Alexandra Gastone has a simple plan: graduate high school, get into Princeton, work for the CIA, and serve her great nation.

She was told the plan back when her name was Milena Rokva, back before the real Alexandra and her family were killed in a car crash.

Milena was trained to be a sleeper agent by Perun, a clandestine organization from her true homeland of Olissa. There, Milena learned everything she needed to infiltrate the life of CIA analyst Albert Gastone, Alexandra’s grandfather, and the ranks of America’s top intelligence agency.

For seven years, “Alexandra” has been on standby and life’s been good. Grandpa Albert loves her, and her strategically chosen boyfriend, Grant, is amazing.

But things are about to change. Perun no longer needs her at the CIA in five years’ time. They need her active now.

Between her cover as a high school girl—juggling a homecoming dance, history reports, and an increasingly suspicious boyfriend—and her mission in this high-stakes spy game, the boundaries of her two lives are beginning to blur.

Will she stay true to the country she barely remembers, or has her loyalty shattered along with her identity?

My Review:

This book did a lot of things right. The premise of the story was very interesting and it draws you in. The writing was good and the characters were fairly well developed. In fact, I loved the grandfather, Albert. He was my favorite character in the whole book. I take that back, not just in this book, but he is one of my favorite characters from all the books that I have read. On the other hand, I wasn’t even sure if I liked Alexandra(Milena) until about a third of the way through the book. Even though the book is written from her point of view, you only get little pieces of the real Milena at a time. She spends most of the time hiding behind who she is supposed to be, Alexandra.

There is a small love story in the book, but it wasn’t a main part of the book and to tell the truth, I was never very invested in it. I never cared if she stayed with him or dumped him and it never mattered in the story line either. The relationship was pretty much just a cover for Milena. Every high school girl needs a boyfriend, especially if he is the quarterback of the football team. Although I do believe she had feelings for him, but had a hard time admitting that to herself.

My real problem with this book was the pacing. The first half of the book was very slow. I think that more needed to be happening and sometimes the author was a little too descriptive of unnecessary things. Also I realize that Milena was brainwashed, but I found it hard to believe that she lived with Albert for six years and never once questioned the organization that she worked for. She was a teenager and teenagers question everything.

If you are tired of the YA fantasy genre and like spy thrillers, you might want to check this book out. I would love to hear what you think about the book.

About the author:

T.A. Maclagan

T.A. Maclagan is a Kansas girl by birth but now lives in the bush-clad hills of Wellington, New Zealand with her Kiwi husband, son and four pampered cats. With a bachelor’s degree in biology and a Ph.D. in anthropology, she’s studied poison dart frogs in the rainforests of Costa Rica, howler monkeys in Panama and the very exotic and always elusive American farmer. It was as she was writing her ‘just the facts’ dissertation that T.A. felt the call to pursue something more imaginative and discovered a passion for creative writing. They Call Me Alexandra Gastone is her first novel.

The Heart of Betrayal Teaser

Posted on July 14, 2015 by The Page Unbound

21569527

The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles #2)

by Mary E. Pearson (Goodreads Author)

Book Synopsis(Goodreads):

Intrigue abounds in this hotly anticipated sequel to The Kiss of Deception!

Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save her life, Lia’s erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar’s interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen.

Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: there’s Rafe, who lied to Lia, but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be barbarians. Now that she lives amongst them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country… and her own destiny.

Quote 1:

“It was worth it, Lia,” He said. “Every mile, every day. I’d do it all again. I’d chase you across three continents if that’s what it took to be with you.”
― Mary E. Pearson, The Heart of Betrayal

Quote 2:

“He consumed me in a different way- the way his eyes made everything jump inside of me when I looked into them, his laughter, temper, the way he sometimes struggled for words, the way his jaw twitched when he was angry, the thoughtful way he listened to me, his incredible restraint and resolve in the face of overwhelming odds. When I looked at him, I saw the easygoing farmer he could have been, but I also saw the soldier and prince that he was.”
― Mary E. Pearson, The Heart of Betrayal

Quote 3:

“I walked up to Griz and poked him in the chest. “Let me make this perfectly clear to you. Though some might seek to make it appear otherwise, I am not a bride to be bartered away to another kingdom, not a prize of war, not a mouthpiece for your Komizar. I am not a chip in a card game to be mindlessly tossed into the center of the pot, nor one to be kept in the tight fist of a greedy opponent. I am a player seated at the table alongside everyone else, and from this day forward, I will play my own hand as I see fit. Do you understand me? Because the consequences could be ugly if someone thought otherwise.”
― Mary E. Pearson, The Heart of Betrayal

Queen of Tomorrow Release Day Blitz

Posted on July 14, 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.

Queen-of-Tomorrow

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books

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

Book Blitz Organized by:

They Call Me Alexandra Gastone Book Blitz

Posted on July 13, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Introduction for the contest:

Books can show us visions. Have you ever found your mind beginning to imagine the characters you meet within the pages? Have you experienced a film projector of scenes in your head as you read about the girl who travels to the fifth dimension, or the boy who’s trying to graduate from being a wallflower? When you read, your mind naturally creates images, almost like watching a movie. Why not turn those images into a reality by making a movie poster?

Full Fathom Five and T.A. Maclagan are hosting a movie poster design contest to celebrate the release of T.A.’s debut, They Call Me Alexandra Gastone, a novel heralded by Booklist as “An intricate, debut spy thriller…” The contest will run from July 7th to August 15th.

One winner will receive a $100 gift card to the retailer of their choice, a book from FFF’s list of authors, and Alexandra Gastone swag! All participants will be featured on T.A. Maclagan’s blog and tumblr and the winner will be featured on the Full Fathom Five website! Artists may use any medium from crayon to photoshop.

They Call Me Alexandra Gastone

by T.A. Maclagan

Release Date: 05/20/15

Full Fathom Five Digital

226 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

When your life is a lie, how do you know what’s real?

Alexandra Gastone has a simple plan: graduate high school, get into Princeton, work for the CIA, and serve her great nation.

She was told the plan back when her name was Milena Rokva, back before the real Alexandra and her family were killed in a car crash.

For seven years, “Alexandra” has been on standby and life’s been good. Grandpa Albert loves her, and her strategically chosen boyfriend, Grant, is amazing.

But things are about to change. Perun no longer needs her at the CIA in five years’ time. They need her active now.

Will she stay true to the country she barely remembers, or has her loyalty shattered along with her identity?

Buy Links:

Amazon| Barnes & Nobles| iTunes| Kobo| Goodreads

Praise for They Call Me Alexandra Gastone:

“An intricate, debut spy thriller…readers will keep turning pages, and the surprise ending will have them anxiously awaiting a sequel.” —Booklist

“…the intersection of action, espionage, and drama makes for solid…entertainment: readers will gladly sit back and watch Alexandra navigate the obstacle course that comes with playing her role too well. It’s a strong debut for New Zealand author Maclagan.” —Publisher’s Weekly

“Death-threats, global takeover, double-agents, hidden files and a blown cover—by the time you get to the shocking conclusion of this cliff-hanger, you won’t know who to trust…” —Girls’ Life

About the Author:
T.A. Maclagan is a Kansas girl by birth but now lives in the bush-clad hills of Wellington, New Zealand with her Kiwi husband, son and four pampered cats. With a bachelor’s degree in biology and a Ph.D. in anthropology, she’s studied poison dart frogs in the rainforests of Costa Rica, howler monkeys in Panama and the very exotic and always elusive American farmer. It was as she was writing her ‘just the facts’ dissertation that T.A. felt the call to pursue something more imaginative and discovered a passion for creative writing. They Call Me Alexandra Gastone is her first novel.

You can find her online at:

Website: www.tamaclagan.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamaclagan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tamaclagan

Tumblr: tamaclagan.tumblr.com/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tamaclagan/

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

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

Caroline Patti

Posted on July 10, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!

This week, we are spotlighting

Caroline Patti

author of the upcoming book, Into the Dark,

presented byMonth9Books!

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

Caroline-Patti-225x300

Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter
Favorite Superhero?
Iron Man
Favorite TV show?
Friends
Sweet or Salty?
Sweet
Coke or Pepsi?
Cherry Coke
Any Phobias?
CLOWNS!!!
Song you can’t get enough of right now?
The Giving Tree by Plain White Tees
Who is your ultimate Book Boyfriend?
Gilbert Blythe
What are you reading right now or what’s on your TBR?
Empower by Jessica Shirvington
Fall Movie you’re most looking forward to?
Dark Places

Caroline T Patti is the author of The World Spins Madly On and Too Late To Apologize. When she’s not writing, she’s a school librarian, mother of two, wife, avid reader and Green Bay Packer fan. You can chat with her on Twitter:@carepatti or find her onFacebook.

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

IntoTheDark_eCover1800x2700

A girl’s sweet sixteen party is supposed to be among the most memorable events of her life. But on the night of hers, Mercy Clare wakes in the waiting room of a hospital with no memory of how she got there. To make matters worse, she’s wearing something she’d never be caught dead in: her best friend Lyla’s clothes.

Mercy’s nightmare is just beginning. The doctor arrives to tell her that it’s she who lies in the hospital bed waiting to die. A trip to the bathroom confirms Mercy’s fears, as Lyla’s face stares back at her and Lyla’s curvy figure pokes through her tight clothes.

But finding out what’s really going on won’t be easy. Because if Mercy wants her body back, it might just cost her Lyla’s life.

Giveaway

Complete the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

The book will be sent upon its release.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

How To Be a Mermaid Book Blitz

Posted on July 9, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Book Summary:

All Tara ever wanted was to be a mermaid.

So she takes a year off between high school and college to don a fake tail and tour aquariums across the country in a professional mermaid troupe.

Everything’s great until she meets a gorgeous real-life merman named Finn. Suddenly, what she thought was a dream turns out to be a nightmare — she’s turning into a mermaid herself. For real.

Yet when she returns to the sea to seek out Finn and reverse her transformation, she finds herself in the middle of an impending war between the land and sea. Tara may have always wanted to be a mermaid, but now it’s sink or swim. In order to survive, she has to learn how to be one, too.

How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes
(Falling in Deep Collection, #10)
Publication date: July 7th 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Purchase Link: Amazon | B&N
Price: $0.99
Available on Kindle Unlimited

Book Excerpt:

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man pulling himself up and over the fence by me. At least, I thought it was a man—he was hidden by the shadows and I couldn’t be sure. Curiosity overtook fear and I straightened from my kneeling position to get a closer look. Maybe it was a cleaner. Or a trespasser, in which case, I should be running.

I walked towards the figure as it began crawling across the ground, recovered from its climb.

It was dark, so I could barely see the outline of a man’s body stop and look at me. Then I saw the impossible, long, single fin on his lower half instead of two feet, and the scales cascading down from the man’s waist.

A mer tail. Not like the silicon kind I used for my performances. Even in the dark, I could see that it writhed and moved with a mind of its own, fully an extension of his body.

Reflexes and survival instinct took over before my mind could react. I backpedaled, trying to get away from the mysterious figure, only I misjudged how far I was from the edge of the water. And how wet the ground was.

My foot slipped and I fell head-over-heels backwards, plunging over the side of the fence and onto the rocky crags below. I screamed for help, but when my head struck solid rock and the rest of my body impacted with the ground, I fell into an unyielding darkness, one that was haunted by merman-shaped shadows emerging from the ocean.

Interview:

 What is your favorite mermaid story or myth?

I’ve always loved Disney’s The Little Mermaid, but when I read the original Hans Christian Andersen tale, I fell in love with it. It’s a dark, sad tale that still gives me chills. If you haven’t read it, you should pick it up and read it! You’ll never watch the animated movie the same way ever again.

 What was the inspiration for How to be a Mermaid?

I stumbled upon the Weeki Wachee mermaids, a professional mermaid troupe based out of Florida. I wondered what would happen if one of those mermaids ever met a real-life merman and the story flourished from there.

 Cast your characters. If How to be a Mermaid was made into a movie, who would play your main characters?

Tara: Katie McGrath is a bit older than Tara in the book, but I think she’d be perfect. I’ve seen her in comedy and I’ve seen her act, and she looks the part too! She’s been in a few things, but I imagine we’re going to see a lot more of Katie McGrath in upcoming movies.

Finn: Liam Hemsworth. Sighs. Imagine him with a mer tail and that’s him!

 What was most challenging thing writing about mermaids?

The most challenging part, actually, was trying to get a behind-the-scenes perspective of professional mermaids. I went to the Georgia Aquarium to see the Weeki Wachee mermaids in action and did a backstage tour to see how the aquarium worked. After that, I was able to incorporate what I saw into the story.

 Ursula or Ariel?

Ursula. Sea witches always have more fun.

 What else should we know about How to be a Mermaid?

Pay attention to the character Jordyn – her character is getting her own story coming up!

About the Author:

Sci-fi junkie, video game nerd, and wannabe manga artist Erin Hayes writes a lot of things. Sometimes she writes books, like the fantasy mystery novel Death is but a Dream, the sci-fi middle grade book Jacob Smith is Incredibly Average, and the Her Wolf paranormal series.

She works as an advertising copywriter during the day, and she moonlights as an author. She has lived in New Zealand, Texas, and now in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, cat, and a growing collection of geek paraphernalia.

You can reach her at erinhayesbooks@gmail.com and she’ll be happy to chat. Especially if you want to debate Star Wars.

Author Links:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

Blitz-Wide Giveaway: