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Stolen Obsession: Notable Quotable

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STOLEN OBSESSION

Annalisse Series, Book 1

By Marlene M Bell

Genre: Spicy Romantic Mystery

Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing

Date of Publication: March 20, 2018

Number of Pages: 284

Scroll down for the giveaway!

PEOPLE DIE, BUT LEGENDS LIVE ON.

Manhattan antiquities appraiser Annalisse Drury dreams of a quiet life on the family farm among the sheep she loves, when her best friend is murdered. The police assume robbery is the motive because her friend’s expensive bracelet is missing. But the 500-year-old artifact is rumored to carry an ancient curse, one that unleashes evil upon any who dare wear the jewelry created for the Persian royal family—and Annalisse believes her friend is the latest victim.

Weeks later, Annalisse sees a necklace matching the stolen bracelet at a gallery opening. Convinced the necklace is part of the deadly collection, Annalisse begs the gallery’s owner to destroy the piece, but her pleas are ignored—despite the unnatural death that occurs during the opening. With two victims linked to the jewelry, Annalisse is certain she must act.

Desperate to keep the gallery owner safe, Annalisse reluctantly enlists the owner’s son to help—even though she’s afraid he’ll break her heart. Wealthy and devastatingly handsome, with a string of bereft women in his wake, Greek playboy Alec Zavos dismisses Annalisse’s concerns—until his parents are ripped from the Zavos family yacht during their ocean voyage near Crete.

Annalisse and Alec race across two oceans to save his mother, feared dead or kidnapped. As time lapses, the killer switches mode and closes in on the man who’s meant for Annalisse with the lifestyle she wants most.

But when it’s her turn as the hunted, will she choose to save Alec and his mother, or sacrifice everything to save herself?

Hold on for a heart-thumping adventure through exotic lands in this fast moving, romantic suspense mystery by Marlene M Bell.

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER FOR STOLEN OBSESSION:

CLICK TO PRE-ORDER ON:

AMAZON US┃AMAZON UK┃AMAZON CA┃AMAZON AU

Marlene M Bell is an acclaimed artist and photographer as well as a writer. Her sheep landscapes grace the covers of publications such as, Sheep!, The Shepherd, Ranch & Rural Living and Sheep Industry News. Ewephoric, her mail order venture, began in 1985 out of a desire for realistic sheep stationery. A color catalog of non-fiction books and sheep-related gifts may be requested at www.marlenembell.com or www.texassheep.com.

Marlene and her husband, Gregg reside on a wooded ranch in East Texas with their 50 head of Horned Dorset sheep, a lovable Maremma guard dog named, Tia, and 3 spoiled cats who rule the household.

║Website║Facebook║Twitter║LinkedIn║Google+║Blog║

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TWO Readers Each Win a SIGNED COPY + $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD!

MARCH 1-10, 2018 (Open Internationally)

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Visit the Other Great Blogs On the Tour:

3/1/18    Notable Quotable    Momma on the Rocks

3/2/18    Review    Syd Savvy

3/2/18    Excerpt 1    Books and Broomsticks

3/3/18    Review    Tangled in Text

3/4/18    Review    The Librarian Talks

3/5/18    Author Interview    The Clueless Gent

3/5/18    Excerpt 2    Missus Gonzo

3/6/18    Review    Chapter Break Book Blog

3/7/18    Guest Post    Bibliotica

3/7/18    Author Interview    The Love of a Bibliophile

3/8/18    Review    Rebecca R. Cahill

3/9/18    Scrapbook Page    Reading by Moonlight

3/9/18    Excerpt 3    Forgotten Winds

3/10/18   Review    StoreyBook Reviews

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Fire and Bone Blitz and Giveaway

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Fire and Bone
by Rachel A. Marks
Genre: YA
Release Date: February 20th 2018

 

Summary:

In Hollywood’s underworld of demigods, druids, and ancient bonds, one girl has a dangerous future.

Sage is eighteen, down on her luck, and struggling to survive on the streets of Los Angeles. Everything changes the night she’s invited to a party—one that turns out to be a trap.

Thrust into a magical world hidden within the City of Angels, Sage discovers that she’s the daughter of a Celtic goddess, with powers that are only in their infancy. Now that she is of age, she’s asked to pledge her service to one of the five deities, all keen on winning her favor by any means possible. She has to admit that she’s tempted—especially when this new life comes with spells, Hollywood glam, and a bodyguard with secrets of his own. Not to mention a prince whose proposal could boost her rank in the Otherworld.

As loyalties shift, and as the two men vie for her attention, Sage tries to figure out whom to trust in a realm she doesn’t understand. One thing is for sure: the trap she’s in has bigger claws than she thought. And it’s going to take a lot more than magic for this Celtic demigoddess to make it out alive.

 

 

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

 

Advanced Praise:

 

“…brilliantly plotted and executed. Every sentence felt carefully yet beautifully crafted. Overall, this was an A+ book…memorable and captivating characters, original ideas, an interesting and action-filled storyline, and beautiful, lyrical writing.” – Night Owl Reviews, Reviewer Top Pick

“…A complex supernatural world…The Irish-pantheon premise injects originality…” —Kirkus Reviews

“Marks mashes together Irish mythology and Southern California in the brilliant start to her new series. Fire and Bone hooked me from page one, and the last page left me desperate for more.” —Beth Cato, author of The Clockwork Dagger and Breath of Earth

“Fantasy readers who enjoy Celtic mythology will revel in the detailed backstories, while romance fans will find plenty of Harlequinesque physical description…It’s certainly fun, and the ending nicely teases the sequel.” —Booklist

“Clever, addictive, and paced to steal your breath. You’ll come for the Celtic demigoddess and you’ll stay for the complex, unpredictable world. The romance is sizzling, the powers are intriguing. I look forward to the next book!” —Emily R. King, author of The Hundredth Queen

 

 

About the Author

I’m an author and professional artist, cancer survivor, mother of four, and wife to the most amazing man in the world. In my free time I’m a beach bum and entertainment cheese junkie. If you don’t like Superman I may wonder about you and suggest you seek professional help.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

Book Blitz Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

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Animal Graph: Excerpt and Giveaway

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Title: ANIMAL GRAPH
Author: M. Black
Pub. Date: June 7, 2017
Publisher: M. Black
Pages: 157
Formats: Paperback, eBook

Book Synopsis:

NOW A SCRIPT FOR MOTION PICTURE 06/2017. SCRIPT REQUESTED TO REVIEW FOR FEATURE FILM DEAL BY TWO COMPANIES 07/2017. 


ENTER A WORLD OF ANIMAL GRAPHS in this SciFi FANTASY DYSTOPIA that is also called a “YA AMAZON POST-APOCALYPTIC

never-before-seen-concept in a kind of HUNGER GAMES meets DR. Moreau!” 


GET LOST WITH JIN IN A WORLD OF EXOTIC ANIMALS, LANDSCAPES, RIVERS, WARRING GROUPS, AND AN EVIL RULER. When prisoners are experimented on by the ruler of the Americas, after a nuclear war, their cells are grafted with cells and neural tissue from animals of the Amazon. Release to be hunted in the Amazon, to train soldier, Jin finds another Graph like herself named Adan and the two have to survive the Amazon if they are going to live.


Immerse yourself in the gorgeous and dangerous Amazon, find new creatures, learn about new exotic countries, travel the highlands, savannas, and plateaus in this breath-taking, page-turning book, ANIMAL GRAPH.



“AN ACTIVE AND EXCITING STORY THAT WOULD BE ENJOYED BY YOUNG ADULTS AND MATURE READERS. M. BLACK PACKS IN A LOT OF INTERESTING CONCEPTS. FANS OF DYSTOPIAN FICTION LIKE THE HUNGER GAMES WILL ENJOY THIS VERY CREATIVE STORY.” -Netgalley 


“WOW! WHAT A CONCEPT! I CAN SAY THAT THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK OF THIS KIND THAT I HAVE READ.” -Amazon Reader 


“THIS WAS AN AWESOME STORY. IN THE APOCALYPTIC FUTURE THEY ARE EXPERIMENTING ON PRISONERS.” -Amazon Reader 


“M.BLACK’S ANIMAL GRAPH IS MORE THAN A DYSTOPIAN TALE FROM THE CREATIVE GENIUS OF THIS AUTHOR’S MIND. IT RAISES THE QUESTION OF SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST, OF LIVING IN HARMONY AND QUESTIONING WHAT IF THE ODDS ARE ARTIFICIALLY STACKED AGAINST THESE NEW CREATIONS.” -Netgalley


“ANIMAL GRAPH TAKES A FRESH AND INTRIGUING LOOK AT ANIMAL-HUMAN PAIRINGS” -Avid Amazon Reader 


“THE CHARACTERS HAVE EXTRAORDINARY ABILITIES FROM THEIR ANIMAL GRAPHS, BUT THESE ALSO COME WITH WEAKNESSES. IT’S A REALLY GOOD BALANCE.” -Netgalley


“IT IS GOOD, VERY STRANGE ON ONE HAND YET THRILLING AND EDGE OF YOUR SEAT! I LOVE THE BEGINNING WHERE THE READER IS IN THE ACTION FROM THE START! I ALSO LOVE THE WHOLE IDEA OF THE GRAPHS.” -Reader Review


“THIS BOOK HAD ME HOOKED FROM THE BEGINNING.” Netgalley


“YOU ARE ONE OF THE FEW AUTHORS WHOSE BOOKS LEAVE ME WANTING TO READ MORE OF YOUR BOOKS.” -Amazon Reader


“GOOD STORY! I DIDN’T WANT IT TO END!” Amazon Reader 


“I HAD ANXIETY ATTACKS WITH JIN. IT REALLY BOTHERED ME THAT I HAD TO PUT THE BOOK DOWN TO DO NORMAL THINGS LIKE EAT. LOL.” -Amazon Reader

Book Trailer:

 

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, TBD

Book Excerpt:

My feminine bottom slides down the wet, slippery cliff at the end of the path of foliage, dropping me forty meters into the abyss below where I thrash, arms flailing about me in a sure drown, water gulping down my tight throat in a struggle for air. My long, auburn hair is drenched to my side like a second skin. I barely know how to swim, but I have no other choice but to sink down where I won’t be seen. They’re on my trail and the choking gas has almost reached me.

Glancing skyward, under a thin layer of water, I see a cake of the pinkish fog choke the plants and moss above, that grows off the dark stones there—the only elegance out here. Water cascades into a beautiful waterfall toward me in a steady stream, and I hear the loud fog horn-like sound from my pursuers alerting everyone in the vicinity that I’m nearby.

They’ll need to find me before sundown or risk encountering the savage wildlife of the Amazon rainforest, like Radguars, a mutated form of the Jaguar which began to appear after the radiation hit. No one ever lives after facing one. They’ll tear a man to shreds.

 

I hear them coming, five of them—they always come in fives—their thick boots hitting the forest floor in a scratch-scratch as they approach the end of my path. I’m not even sure how I do this—hear them. The distance is more than thirty meters away and the rush of water interferes with my ears. I never would have been able to do this before they took me.

Taken in the middle of the night by Borran’s soldiers while asleep in my cell, a two-by-three-meter room in which I’d been locked for a year, since I was sixteen, after I’d stolen a loaf of bread from a village vendor. Too many of us end up behind bars for petty crimes, to ensure as a whole we comply with the laws. When they registered me for prison, they scanned the bar code on my upper arm, denoting my full name, region of residency, and any prior arrests. I didn’t have priors before, but now my bar code will always show I was in prison.

About the Author:

M.Black is Ami Blackwelder and writes for the brand ENTER TOMORROW. She is a Montessori teacher, helps the deaf and hard of hearing, is an avid Pescetarian, believer in animal rights and wildlife conservation, and a lover of books. she is the author of the never-before-seen-concept Animal Graph, and dubs herself the ‘Robot Girl’ since many of her stories revolve around robots and A.I. She has a Siamese cat names LOTUS from Thailand when she was an educator there and he show sup in all her robot books. She adopted a cat named Ash in the States who also shows up in all of her robot books. She loves reading on Kindle Unlimited and only buys paperback. She enjoys many vegetarian dishes like veggie lasagna and four bean chili. She also likes watching movies, gardening, the beach, and hanging out with friends. Of course most of the time you will find her at home, pounding away at her computer.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details: International

1 winners will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

 

Ends on February 27th at Midnight EST!

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

2/12/2018- Ogitchida Kwe’s Book Blog– Spotlight

2/13/2018- The Book Recluse Review– Excerpt

2/14/2018- Don’t Judge, Read– Interview

2/15/2018- Wonder Stuck– Review

2/16/2018- Two Chicks on Books– Excerpt

 

Week Two:

2/19/2018- Adventures Thru Wonderland– Review

2/20/2018- BookHounds YA- Interview

2/21/2018- Savings in Seconds– Review

2/22/2018- The Page Unbound– Excerpt

2/23/2018- 100 Pages A Day– Review

Why I Hate Green Beans: Excerpt and Giveaway

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WHY I HATE GREEN BEANS
and other confessions about relationships, reality tv, and how we see ourselves
by
LINCEE RAY
  
Genre: Humorous NonFiction / Memoir
Publisher: Revell
Facebook   ⎸ Twitter
Date of Publication: February 6, 2018
Number of Pages: 208

Scroll down for the giveaway!

Insecurity. As women, we all struggle with it. Our skinny jeans mock us. Our age-defying serums with flecks of gold refuse to erase our crow’s feet. Our social media feeds taunt us with everyone else’s picture-perfect lives. If you’ve ever felt uninteresting, unlovable, or unattractive, you’re ready for Lincee Ray’s particular brand of hilarious (and hard-hitting) self-reflection.
Like a trustworthy friend, she shows us that the fastest way to happiness is to embrace ourselves in all our imperfection and trust that God knew what He was doing when He made us. From maneuvering the muffin top to navigating the sketchy waters of singleness to walking the judgmental halls of the workplace, Lincee’s laugh-out-loud look at real life reveals many of the key truths she’s learned about her identity:
Yoga pants are your friend, Jesus sees you, and green-bean diets are never the answer.

PRAISE FOR WHY I HATE GREEN BEANS:
“Lincee is a brilliant writer. She once described me as ‘smelling of worn leather, a vintage nine iron and swagger.’ She pretty much nailed it. She is definitely worthy of the final rose.” —Chris Harrison, host of ABC’s Bachelor franchise and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
“I found myself laughing out loud, wiping away a few tears, and cheering her on every step of the way. Lincee is the best friend you wish you had. Get ready to fall in love with her and her fabulous debut book!”  —Melanie Shankle, author of the Big Mama blog 
“By the end of this book, you’ll think of Lincee as a favorite friend: someone who shoots straight, finds the funny in every situation, and reminds you what matters most. You are in for a treat!” —Sophie Hudson, author of Giddy Up, Eunice and cohost of The Big Boo Cast podcast


>>CLICK TO PURCHASE<<

“Questionable Deli Meat”

An excerpt from Why I Hate Green Beans

by Lincee Ray

For ten years I waded through the ins and outs of the oil industry. As one of few females in that male-dominated world, I’ve had my fair share of eye-rolling exploits. I’ve kept my face neutral as crude jokes were shared. I’ve tried to look feminine in flame retardant overalls, safety goggles, and steel-toe boots. I’ve stood before a boardroom full of men who didn’t speak English, trying to convince them we didn’t need to wait for my boss—I was the presenter.

The international stories are the ones I like best because they sound so exotic. One of my more notable jaunts was a facility visit in the middle of Ukraine.

The guys from the Ukrainian company wanted to treat the Americans to a traditional dinner. I was seated at the middle of the long table for ten with my American colleagues on either side. The Ukrainian general manager sat across from me and motioned for the waiter to pour a round of vodka shots.

You’ve probably heard that Russians drink vodka like it’s water. In my personal experience, this is true. I can also attest it’s considered an insult not to drink with them. If offered vodka, you’d better partake, especially when the logistics of future million-dollar deals are circling the table.

The Ukrainian stood up and toasted everyone in the room. He spoke about the wonderful relationship between his company and the U.S. division and genuinely seemed proud to call us partners. This lasted for about five minutes. During this time, the waiter placed a plate of “something” at each end of the table. I’m no expert, but it looked like slugs.

Our host concluded his salute and pointed to the plate, explaining that this was a celebratory occasion and we would be chasing the vodka shot with herring and onions.

I suddenly craved green beans.

The man lifted his glass and toasted the table. We all slammed our drinks back and spiked the herring with little forks. Down the hatch.

Thank goodness the vodka was like rubbing alcohol, because it burned off the aftermath of the oily, slimy, fishy taste in my mouth. It may have burned a few taste buds, too, but that was a blessing in disguise.

Everyone cheered and high fived as the waiter presented a tray of cucumbers, tomatoes, and red bell peppers. I munched away like a pro, even though I can’t stand tomatoes. I have the palate of a sophisticated fourth grader, but I pressed through for the good of the company.

Suddenly the waiter started filling the shot glasses with vodka again. Number two Ukranian guy stood up and made his own toast that lasted forever. We cheered. We clinked glasses. We took the shot before chugging yet another herring.

Soon the questionable deli meat selection arrived. Being the smart connoisseur I am, I chose the two lightest meats. I mentally chanted in my head, “It’s turkey and ham. It’s turkey and ham. It’s turkey and ham.” I gobbled it up in three bites, ignoring the funny smell, only to find a plate full of rolled-up bacon thrust in my face.

You may be thinking, Oh good! Something she recognizes. Everyone loves bacon!

Dear friend. You are too sweet. It was bacon fat. Fat. The fat of bacon. All white, fat, bacon fat.

The waiter rushed over with a third shot. It helped to dissolve the roll of pork belly lodged in my throat.

At the beginning of the fourth course, I realized we were going to toast each dish. I tried to get the attention of the waiter, but I couldn’t lift my arms. He finally realized my joints were paralyzed from the vodka and came over to see what I needed. Once he understood what I needed, he brought me a bottle of plain old boring water. I begged him with my eyes not to rat me out as a poser Russki.

Everyone devoured what I thought of as potato ravioli and luckily, they never noticed me pouring water into my shot glass. The next course materialized, and I enthusiastically toasted everyone. By the end of the night, the Russians were toasting the vodka, the Brits were toasting the Americans who carry guns, the Americans were toasting the Revolutionary War, and nine men were toasting the little blonde girl who could hold her liquor.

All together there were seven courses. I had three vodka shots and four waters. I slept like a log that night. I also suspected my insides had been thoroughly cleansed. It’s a good thing, too, because I later found out the questionable deli meat was donkey tongue.

Any time I hear a Russian accent, my arms get heavy and it’s a good forty-eight hours before I can eat a turkey sandwich again.

Lincee Ray is an accidental blogging superstar from Texas who now writes for EW.com and the Associated Press. An active speaker, she can be found at her popular website ihategreenbeans.com, where she makes it clear that she believes it’s important to tell your story—even if it makes you seem a little crazy.

 Connect with Lincee!
 ║ Blog║ Facebook ║ Twitter ║  
║ Instagram ║ Podcast ║

————————————-
GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!
FEBRUARY 13-22, 2018
GRAND PRIZE:
Copy of Why I Hate Green Beans with a signed book plate, $50 Barnes & Noble Gift Card, and Lincee’s Loves Basket which includes: Rave travel hairspray, Minnie Mouse ears, Vodka*, Heartbreakers Candy, Dr. Pepper, chocolate rose, and green jelly beans.
2nd PRIZE:
Copy of Why I Hate Green Beans with a signed book plate, $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card
3rd PRIZE:
Copy of Why I Hate Green Beans with a signed book plate, $10 Barnes & Noble Gift Card
(U.S. Only; *proof of age required for vodka)

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VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

2/13/18
Notable Quotable
A Page Before Bedtime
2/13/18
Notable Quotable
Hall Ways Blog
2/14/18
Review
Missus Gonzo
2/15/18
Playlist
Reading by Moonlight
2/15/18
Author Interview
The Librarian Talks
2/16/18
Review
Forgotten Winds
2/17/18
Guest Post
Texas Book Lover
2/17/18
Excerpt
The Page Unbound
2/18/18
Review
StoreyBook Reviews
2/19/18
Notable Quotable
Syd Savvy
2/19/18
Notable Quotable
A Novel Reality
2/20/18
Review
Chapter Break Book Blog
2/21/18
Top Five
Momma on the Rocks
2/22/18
Review
Story Schmoozing Book Reviews
2/22/18
Review
Margie’s Must Reads
   blog tour services provided by
  

Lone Star Book Blog Tours: 2017 Bloggers’ Choice Awards

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The Lone Star Book Blog Tours team has voted, and the results are in!  From Best Fiction to Most Engaged Author, we have seventeen awards to hand out to the awesome Texas books and authors featured on Lone Star Book Blog Tours in 2017.
From February 15-23, 2018, please join us as we hop around the LSBBT blogs and share the winners, runners-up, and shortlisted titles. Don’t miss it!


 Click to learn more about:
Understanding Cemetery Symbols by Tui Snider
Yonderings by Ben English
A Witness to History by Janet Neugebauer
Baugh to Brady by Lew Freedman
Equal Opportunity Hero by Phil Price
Of Bulletins and Booze by Bob Horton

Click to learn more about:
Yonderings by Ben English
The Rebirth of Hope by Sau Le Hudecek
Of Bulletins and Booze by Bob Horton
Bending Angels by Jack Emmott
Equal Opportunity Hero by Phil Price

Click to learn more about:
Badlands by Melissa Lenhardt
Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer
Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill
To Marry a Texas Outlaw by Linda Broday
Knight on the Texas Plains by Linda Broday
Blood Oath by Melissa Lenhardt
AWARDS SCHEDULE:
2/14: Awards Announcement
2/15: Best Hook & Best Creative Concept
2/16: Best Non-Fiction History, Best Biography/Memoir, & Best Western
2/17: Best Children’s/Juvenile/YA & Best Series
2/18: Best Literary Fiction & Best Religious/Inspirational/Spiritual
2/19: Best Mystery/Suspense, Best Romance, & Best Fantasy
2/20: Best Cover & Most Engaged Author
2/21: Best Texas Book
2/22: Best Non-Fiction Book
2/23: Best Fiction Book

High Treason: Promo and Giveaway

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HIGH
TREASON
An FBI Task Force Novel, #3
by
DiANN MILLS
  
Genre: Inspirational /Mystery / Suspense / Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Date of Publication: February 6, 2018
Number of Pages: 416

Scroll down for the giveaway!

When Saudi Prince Omar bin Talal visits Houston to seek cancer treatment for his mother, an attempt on his life puts all agencies on high alert. FBI Special Agent Kord Davidson is the lead on the prince’s protective detail because of their long-standing friendship, but he’s surprised—and none too happy—when the CIA brings one of their operatives, Monica Alden, in on the task force after the assassination attempt.
Kord and Monica must quickly put aside interagency squabbles, however, when they learn the prince has additional motives for his visit—plans to promote stronger ties with the US and encourage economic growth and westernization in his own country. Plans that could easily incite a number of suspects both in the US and in countries hostile to Saudi Arabia. Worse yet, the would-be assassin always seems to be one step ahead of them, implicating someone close to the prince—or the investigation. But who would be willing to commit high treason, and can Kord and Monica stop them in time?  

“Compelling characters and a riveting plot that fits seamlessly with current events make this novel impossible to put down. Readers can count on being glued to the pages late into the night – as “just one more chapter” turns into “can’t stop now.”” – RT Book Reviews


>>CLICK TO PURCHASE<<
CHECK OUT THE BOOK TRAILER! 

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 Reader’s 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 and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed.

 ║ Website ║ Facebook ║ Twitter ║  
║ Instagram║ Goodreads ║ LinkedIn ║
║ YouTube ║ Pinterest ║ Google+ ║
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5 SIGNED COPIES
FEBRUARY 6-15 2018
(U.S. Only)

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 VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:

2/6/18
Excerpt 1
Hall Ways Blog
2/6/18
Book Trailer
StoreyBook Reviews
2/7/18
Review
Chapter Break Book Blog
2/8/18
Excerpt 2
Tangled in Text
2/8/18
Author Video
Missus Gonzo
2/9/18
Review
The Librarian Talks
2/10/18
Excerpt 3
Margie’s Must Reads
2/10/18
Guest Post 1
Forgotten Winds
2/11/18
Review
Reading by Moonlight
2/12/18
Author Video
A Novel Reality
2/12/18
Guest Post 2
Books and Broomsticks
2/13/18
Review
Momma on the Rocks
2/14/18
Promo
The Page Unbound
   blog tour services provided by
  

Assassin of Truths Review

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Assassin of Truths (Library Jumpers #3)

By Brenda Drake

Publication Date:  February 6, 2018

Publisher:  Entangled Teen

Book Summary

The gateways linking the great libraries of the world don’t require a library card, but they do harbor incredible dangers.

And it’s not your normal bump-in-the- night kind. The threats Gia Kearns faces are the kind with sharp teeth and knifelike claws. The kind that include an evil wizard hell-bent on taking her down.

Gia can end his devious plan, but only if she recovers seven keys hidden throughout the world’s most beautiful libraries. And then figures out exactly what to do with them.

The last thing she needs is a distraction in the form of falling in love. But when an impossible evil is unleashed, love might be the only thing left to help Gia save the world.

 

 

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Purchase

Amazon | Amazon.com.au | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Entangled

Review

Assassin of Truths excels in it’s fast paced and intense storytelling. Like the first books, it quickly moves to more and more suspenseful situations that Gia struggles to face. Ridden by her own guilt and recent losses, she’s determined to focus on her goal of stopping Conemar.

This book has a massive world and will call for the readers upmost focus. Most scenes jump quickly and I did find myself going back to read it again to catch up or keep track of characters. The writing somewhat reminded me of watching a fast paced episode by episode series. I can easily see this series becoming a show. Drake brings out the stark imagery in her scenes, both the majestic and the brutal. Like the first books in the series, the love for libraries and knowledge is clear. The creative elements to this world are staggering and inspiring. It’s clear how much work was put into making this Mystik world come to life.

Gia learns from her mistakes and with the weight of the world on her shoulders, her true growth comes out. What stands out most is the relationships between the characters. Gia and Bastian’s love for each other to reminiscent throughout the book. Her previous conflict with Arik is also addressed and I was happy with the way things turned out for all of them. It was easy to become attached to some of the other unique characters in the book. I often wanted to see more of them as well.

The ending was surprising and heartbreaking as well. Overall I enjoyed the series and this last installment did not pull any punches. I recommend it for readers that really love intense fantasies, action, and world building.

About the Author

Brenda Drake grew up the youngest of three children, an Air Force brat, and the continual new kid at school. Her fondest memories growing up is of her eccentric, Irish grandmother’s animated tales, which gave her a strong love for storytelling. With kids of all ages populating Brenda’s world, it was only fitting that she would choose to write stories with a bend toward the fantastical for both younger readers and the young at heart. And because she married her prince charming, there’s always a romance warming the pages. Her favorite books are The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, Kings Row by Henry Bellamann, and Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. When she’s not writing, she hosts workshops and contests for writers such as Pitch Wars and Pitch Madness on her blog, and holds Twitter pitch parties on the hashtag, #PitMad. In her free time, Brenda enjoys hanging out with her family, haunting libraries, bookstores, and coffee shops, or just reading someplace quiet and not at all exotic (much to her disappointment).

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Curiouser and Curiouser Blitz

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Curiouser and Curiouser: Steampunk Alice in Wonderland
By Melanie Karsak 
(Steampunk Fairy Tales) 
Publication date: July 17th 2017
Genres: Adult, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Retelling, Steampunk

Book Synopsis

To save the Hatter, Alice must work with the one man she despises so much that she might still love him.Alice thought she’d turned over a new leaf. No more working for Jabberwocky. No more making deals with the ruthless Queen of Hearts. No more hanging around The Mushroom with tinkers, tarts, scoundrels, and thieves in London’s criminal underbelly. But she’d been bonkers to dream.

Hatter’s reckless behavior leads Alice back to the one person she never wanted to see again, Caterpillar. Pulled into Caterpillar’s mad schemes, Alice must steal a very big diamond from a very royal lady. The heist is no problem for this Bandersnatch.

But protecting her heart from the man she once loved? Impossible.

Sometimes love is mad.

 

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Excerpt

I approached the guards cautiously, stopping just short of the entryway.

They looked from me to one another, unsure what to do.

I stared at William who toked on a hookah pipe, blowing a ring of smoke in the air.

The guards shifted uncomfortably.

William, who’d been lounging on a chaise, sat up and looked out at me through the sheer fabric.

He smirked then leaned forward. “Who are you?”

His question silenced those around him. Everyone knew who I was.

“When I woke up this morning, I was Alice.”

He rose then moved closer. “But who are you now?”

“That depends. Who are you? Which Alice is here depends on your answer.”

He came to the curtain. “Well then, that makes it hard to say.”

“I’m sure it does, given how good you are at betraying your true nature.” I was trying to keep a lid on my feelings but was failing miserably. As he drew closer, I smelled the sweet aromas of jasmine and sandalwood that always clung to him.

“You’re one to talk. So, what does Alice from this morning want?”

I frowned at him.

“Don’t get too frustrated,” he replied then pulled the curtain open, beckoning me inside, “or the other Alice might peek out. Come.”

I entered the semi-private enclosure. Inside, I spotted William’s chief bodyguard, the Knave. A tart lay naked, asleep in an opium stupor, on a chaise nearby.

I nodded to the Knave.

“Alice,” he said with a soft smile. I caught the lilt of his Irish accent in his voice. His real name, of course, was Jack. He’d been friends with William and me since we were young. As was the habit in the industry, Jack went by a pseudonym. If someone ratted you out, it was better that they had no idea what your real name might be. It’s a lot harder to track a man named Knave than it was Jack O’Toole or Caterpillar than it was to find William Charleston.

“Have a seat, Alice from this morning,” William said.

I sat on the chaise, gently pushing aside the legs of the intoxicated strumpet.

“What brings you here?” he asked, rubbing a thoughtful finger across his chin. He’d grown a short, neatly-kept beard since I saw him last. It looked very handsome.

“Rabbit stole a pocket watch from my employer. I want it back.”

“What does that have to do with me?” William asked.

“Cake?” one of William’s girls offered, holding out a tray on which sat a colorful selection of petit fours.

I looked down at the small treats. I could smell the aroma of the frosting, nearly taste the sweet confections in a glance. I could see the game was truly afoot. They were my favorite. I raised an eyebrow at William who smiled.

The stubborn part of me wanted to tell William, and the girl, to sod off. But the part of me who hadn’t tasted strawberry frosted, vanilla-sweetened, and raspberry-and crème-filled cake in months could say no such thing. I lifted a small cake and popped it into my mouth, feeling annoyed and enraptured all in the same moment. I closed my eyes, savoring the taste. They’d come from my favorite baker. William had remembered. Once more, angry and elated feelings swept over me.

“Drink?” the girl then offered.

I opened my eyes to see the girl was holding a bottle of absinthe.

“Alice isn’t the type. Do you want some tea?” he asked.

I shook my head.

“Run off,” he told the serving girl, waving her away.

The girl turned to go, but before she could leave, I reached out and grabbed just one more petit four: pistachio and chocolate. I popped it into my mouth.

“I’m glad you like them,” William said, grinning at me.

The warmth of his gaze made me angry. He didn’t have any right being this nice to me. “The pocket watch?” I asked after swallowing the last bite.

“Alice from the morning is very business-oriented. Right, then. What of it?”

“I hate it when you play coy. And you’re not very good at it. Rabbit entered this tent not a moment before me. I want that watch. Must I remind you that we have an understanding? You don’t tangle in my affairs, remember? It was agreed upon.”

“You certainly are Alice from this morning,” he said with a frown. “Not that the outfit didn’t give it away. Crisp white apron you have there, Alice. But the blue maid’s dress brings out your eyes.”

“We all wear costumes, don’t we, Caterpillar and his Knave?” I said, casting a glance at Jack. “Is he Jack or is he the Knave? Are you Caterpillar or are you William? Hard to tell what’s truth and what’s fiction, isn’t it?”

William smirked then turned to Jack. “Find Rabbit.”

“He shouldn’t be far. You waved him off just a moment ago,” I said.

Chuckling under his breath, Jack left.

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked.

“Bring you here?” William replied.

Now I was getting irritated. “Yes. Why did you bring me here?”

“Chance brings you here.”

“There is no such thing. Rabbit would never steal from me or mine unless you told him to.”

“Really?”

“William,” I replied, a warning in my voice.

“Let’s just say that a pocket watch brought you here,” he said.

About the Author

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Melanie Karsak is the author of The Airship Racing Chronicles, The Harvesting Series, The Burnt Earth Series, The Celtic Blood Series and Steampunk Fairy Tales. A steampunk connoisseur, zombie whisperer, and heir to the iron throne, the author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children. She is an Instructor of English at Eastern Florida State College.

 

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Of Sea and Stone Review

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Of Sea and Stone
By Kate Avery Ellison
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: February 2014


Book Summary

Aemi lives in a village carved from stones and surrounded by sea. She wins spear-throwing competitions in disguise and earns slaps from her spoiled mistress by talking back. She hates being a slave. She survives by remembering her mother’s tales of home, a paradise called Perilous.

Aemi intends to find it.

But then, black ships rise from the sea in the night. Aemi is captured and taken to Itlantis, an underwater world of cities and gardens encased in glass, dazzling technology. and a centuries-long war.

She is determined to escape, even if it means conspiring with fellow prisoner Nol, who fills her with equal parts anger and desire. Even if it means impersonating her mistress. Even if it means fleeing into the territory of the Dron, the bloodthirsty barbarians of the deep.

But when Aemi witnesses firsthand an attack by the Dron, she realizes not all is as it seems below the sea.

And Perilous might be closer than she thinks. 


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Review

I really enjoyed this book. Once I started it, I constantly wanted to keep reading despite the day to day responsibilities I needed to do. I finally ended up downloading it on my phone so I could read it any time I wanted. What a richly filled world with twists and turns that Ellison created. Everything seemed effortless in its complexity.

First, all my beliefs were completely wrong. Which was great. I kept thinking I knew where things were going to go or what secret was going to be revealed. Nope. Plot twist, there’s going to be many plot twists. I loved it. It’s a great book for many ages. Aemi is clever, skilled, a bit naive, and a great role model as well. Her perspective is very observant but she still has much to learn before knowing the truth. All her beliefs and feelings are twisted. It’s so shocking by the end. I couldn’t read fast enough.

All the other characters are lovable as well. Even characters that are briefly in the book are so intriguing and well developed. I hope to see them again in book two. The friendship between Aemi and Lyssia was profound. I really enjoyed their interactions and growth that they inspire in each other. Even when Aemi accidentally reveals the truth about herself, I felt like it was on purpose in a way. Once treated cruelly by her masters, she eventually allows herself to open up to Lyssia. She realizes that she’s found more friendships in her new life then she ever had before. The thoughts of escaping back to the surface is plagued with doubt. Especially with more and more revelations that occur.

Along with all of these conflicts and surprises is Nol. The only one from her formal surface life. Once obnoxious in his authority, he is now an angry captive like her. Aemi’s thoughts and descriptions of Nol were amusing to say the least. Since childhood, they’ve had a rivalry and that doesn’t seem to change in their new circumstances. However, he is a conundrum to her and is frequently in her thoughts. I’m anxious to see what will happen in book two.

I could keep going for this book…instead I’ll encourage you to read it. I’ve already downloaded book two!

About the Author

I’m the author of the Frost Chronicles, an Amazon bestselling series and source material for the adventure app game Frost by Delight Games, as well as numerous other fantasy and science fiction novels. I love putting a dash of mystery in everything I write, an ode to a childhood spent reading Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie, and Sherlock Holmes. I can’t resist adding a good twist in the story wherever I can.

I wish I could live in a place where it’s always October, but until that’s possible, I make my home in humid Atlanta with my husband, children, and two spoiled cats.

Author Links

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The She-Wolf of Kanta Promo and Giveaway

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The She-Wolf of Kanta
by Marlena Frank
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy
Release Date: April 17th 2018
Legion Imprint of Radiant Crown Publishing

Summary:

“A pair of yellow eyes caught the moonlight and locked onto hers.”

Mercy has always dreamed of becoming a werewolf trapper like her father. In Kanta, one must learn how to survive one way or another. A dark-skinned, blue-eyed young beauty, Mercy understands that she brings out the beast in monsters and men. When a routine werewolf delivery turns into a vicious assault from a pair of human traffickers, Mercy’s life changes forever. Somehow she must endure in a dangerous city where women and werewolves are hunted.

 

 

 

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Inspiration for The She-Wolf of Kanta

By Marlena Frank

It’s no secret that slaves have always been treated terribly. They had their freedom and autonomy stripped away from them, they had no power or rights, and they certainly had no one to protect them. If you were considered a disruptive or unruly slave, then the consequences were far worse.

When I was younger, I found a book describing how terribly slaves were treated in the Caribbean islands. It had a graphic illustration of what was done to slaves who had attempted to revolt but failed. Now I know the term of that punishment was punitive limb amputation, but at the time I was simply horrified by it. I didn’t keep track of where the image came from, the location of the drawing, or even what book it showed up in, but it stuck with me for years.

Occasionally I would search for more information on that illustration, wondering if maybe I dreamed it up. All I could find was information on the fact that punitive limb amputation existed during that time, but no more than that. I could find nothing about how it was used as a punishment for disruptive slaves or how they were then forced into physical labor groups, probably until death.

When I started writing The She-Wolf of Kanta, the illustration once again was clear in my mind, and I knew I wanted to integrate it somehow within the story. If werewolves were used as this slave labor instead of people; on the surface it may seem more acceptable, but werewolves were also once humans, right? Isn’t it easier to persecute people who we claim are animals, monsters, or somehow beneath us?

Punitive limb amputation is no longer happening in the Caribbean, but it is happening in the world today. Considering that human trafficking is still a major concern in the United States (and especially in my home city of Atlanta, GA), it’s important to bring this dangerous kind of thinking to light.

 

 

About the Author

A writer of both fantasy and horror, Marlena’s work is in a smattering of anthologies. Her stories lean toward weird horror, creature horror, and YA fantasy. She typically thinks up strange tales while sipping sweet tea at her Georgia home, listening to podcasts on her hour-long commute, or while reading a good book with her three cats.

 

Author Links:

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