A Life Through Books

Saturday, August 16, 2014

PROMO: Wolf's Castle by @AuthorMaddyHill #excerpt
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Wolf’s Castle by Madelyn Hill
Historical Romance
Date Published: June 14, 2014

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Can he forget the past and embrace the future?
He’s the beast of Lomarcan Castle. Tortured, angry, and bound and determined not to allow Vivian Stuart to invade his lair. Lord Galen Maclean refuses to be endeared to the lovely woman who has landed on his island looking to study alchemy. The island possesses secrets, secrets too horrid to share with the gentle woman. However, her beguiling nature brings light to the darkness of the castle and the few quirky inhabitants and edges into his heart.

Can she tame the beast within him to gain his love?
She was stranded on a remote island, her father dead and dishonored by her betrothed. Still, the lovely Vivian Stuart wears her heart on her sleeve and strives to redeem Lord Maclean. She knows his heart is good and the castle can be filled with love. Through science she learns more about the troubled lord and slowly but surely, the torture lord's icy heart begins to thaw as Vivian shares the magical healing power of love.



EXCERPT

            He scowled at her. “You want fresh air, here it is.” He seemed pleased with himself, as a ghost of a smile turned his lips upward. When the smile reached his startling blue eyes, then she’d believe him.

            “’Tis not fresh air alone, m’laird. I want to leave. I want to go home.” I want my father back and all the security that he could offer. She waved her hand toward the see. “The water is calm.”

            Ignoring the hitch in her voice, Vivian tried to maintain eye contact with her warden. The rigid line of his shoulders and the stiffness of his back gave little indication that he’d heard her or would relent.

            He gave a seemingly careless shrug of his shoulders. “You can’t leave.”

            Standing, she walked as close to him as she felt was safe. “And you’ll be giving me good reason?”

Raking a hand through his hair, he released his breath. A white plume billowed from his broad mouth. The set of his jaw read threatening, sinking her expectations as the soaring walls of the courtyard began to close in, making her want to run from the potentially serene haven.

He pointed toward the cliffs with a shaking finger, his voice a low rumble scratching over the distant thunder of the waves. “Have you not seen the current? A boat would be swallowed with a wee thrashing.” He reached for her and grasped her arms, holding them to her sides, his gaze probing hers. “You may not go near the water. Too many have died. I can’t allow you to be next.”




About the Author


I'm a mom, wife, and writer just living life to the fullest. A Michigan native, I've moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to marry the love of my life. Life is exciting, exhausting, chaotic and I wouldn't have it any other way. I currently work in education and love integrating technology into learning.  In my writing world, I enjoy researching, trying to find historical facts to weave into my writing. Historicals are my first love, but I have started writing Young Adult novels. Writers are often told write what you know and since I work in education and have three children, I have plenty of experiences to add to my writing.


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Thursday, August 14, 2014

Blog Tour: The Seventh Friend by Tim Stead
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Epic Fantasy
Date Published: April 1, 2014

   
 Hero. Monster. Saviour. Butcher. Madman. Recluse. Wolf Narak, the deadly and charismatic god of wolves, has earned all the names men give him, and since the climactic and bloody final battle of the Great War he has shunned the company of mortal men and withdrawn to his forest home. There he is troubled by dreams of blood and fire, tormented by memories of his own deeds.

But fate has not quite finished with the victor of Afael.
He receives an impossible message, and as he follows the trail a suspicion grows to a certainty within him. War is coming again, and Narak must leave his beloved wolves and once more take up his twin blades. Once again he must become the general of the six kingdoms, the terror of his enemies, a hero, a butcher, the bloodstained god.


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Review

There are a lot of moving parts to this story. Its a new world, so you have to get the setting and descriptions and backstory from the get-go. Then there are a ton of characters you are introduced to along the way. I loved the way that even with all of this, Tim Stead's way of writing seemed effortless and really flowed so smoothly. I never felt overwhelmed or bogged down with detail, yet I also felt like I knew everything I needed to know. That is a huge testament to his writing ability.

The story itself is fast paced and captivating. The characters are well developed and multi-dimensional. I loved how compelling they were. A great Fantasy Novel! 



 Tim Stead was born in the UK, lived in Hong Kong, London, Hampshire, and eventually moved to New Zealand.
He wasted many years not writing, but now has the time to devote to it. He has written six books, three of which are available on Amazon (The Sparrow and the Wolf trilogy). The others will follow, as will editions for Createspace and Smashwords.
He writes fantasy because it is so open to the imagination, which is half the fun, and also because it permits exaggerated explorations of humanity and all its excesses.

He is a former avid scuba diver, a former beekeeper, and a very poor skier, archer and fencer.
Torn between reading and writing, but writing is winning.
He now spends most of his time writing, reading, planting trees, cutting them down, cutting them up, and trying to persuade people to read his books.




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Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Blog Tour: Big Pharma Big Agri Big Conspiracy by Dina Rae
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Non Fiction
Date Published: June 25, 2014

   
  Big Pharma’s and Big-Agri’s growing power happens mostly behind the scenes.  For whatever reason, mainstream media leaves these giants alone except in terms of business profit margins.  Before researching the two industries, I knew nothing more than most people-a vague recognition of the terms Big Pharma and Big Agri.   A few magazines articles along with some radio talk show episodes was all it took to ensnare me into obsession. 
As curiosity turned into research, I could not help but speculate that these industries are involved in conspiracy on a global level.  This is a subject that impacts anyone who has ever taken medication, seen a doctor, and/or eaten food.  If you are intrigued about the elite inner circle of these two empires, Big Pharma, Big Agri, and Big Conspiracy is the perfect place to begin your journey in searching for the proverbial man behind the curtain.  This book is an introduction to history, fact, and conspiracy theory of these growing industries.  A follow-up book is currently being outlined.  For the record, I am NOT a doctor, just a nerd who loves to learn new things.

About the author:
Author Dina Rae has four published novels in thriller, horror, and paranormal genres. Her passion for conspiracy theory is obvious as she continues to mix fact into her fiction, leaving readers wondering about the truth. She holds a Master of Arts from Roosevelt University. Ms. Rae continues to guest on multiple conspiracy radio shows, convinced that New World Order looms around the corner.  Big Agri, Big Pharma, and Big Conspiracy is her first nonfiction book.

What is Big Pharma?
Big Pharma is a term that refers to the giants of the pharmaceutical industry. Collectively, they made approximately $690 billion in 2012 and are projected to exceed one trillion in 2014.  That’s more than the GDP of Saudi Arabia and Iraq combined. Because of the immense profitability, many question the ethics involved in research, FDA approval, manufacturing, and prescriptions of the pharmaceuticals.  Big Pharma doesn’t just sell pharmaceuticals; they influence the entire healthcare industry.
Who is Big Pharma?
Generally, Big Pharma consists of the biggest drug companies who make more than three billion dollars each year. Of the top eleven giants, six are headquartered in the U.S.  These companies spend multi-millions of dollars each year to lobby Congress for legislation in their favor.  U.S. pharmaceutical companies reportedly have 1,100 lobbyists who make sure they are represented.





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Review

I love going into books like this because most of the time I am not swayed one way or another on the topic and its nice to get an in depth perspective.

Dina Rae has really done her research and brought facts and light to a subject that not many really put too much thought into.

I really enjoyed the way she broached the subject however, I do wish there was a teeny bit more editing done. 





Dina Rae




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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Blog Tour: Wings of the Butterfly by @StephMPace
5:58 AM0 Comments

YA Fantasy
Date Published: August 15, 2014

   
Three nations teeter on the brink of war, and caught in the middle, a brother and sister find themselves surrounded by dangers they never imagined. 

Adopted by the Yurha, Toby still struggles to properly fit in.  Hunting in the forest, he stumbles across a jeweled cuff that attaches to his wrist and won’t come off.  Afraid at first, he is soon thrilled to discover the cuff carries powerful magic.  But as he tries to control it, he realizes the cuff is still linked to its original owner - an owner who will go to cruel lengths to get his magic back.

Miles away, Toby’s twin sister Ora struggles with life in a strange city.  She and family have fled Yois for Nietza, where Ora will not be arrested for possessing magic.  However, Nietza is not the magical paradise Ora had imagined.  Despite her new friends, she can’t feel safe in a country where women are little more than pawns. 

Secrets, brutal murders and war edging ever closer drive both siblings from their safe places.  Failure to stop those who pursue them will mean a fate worse than death. 







S. M. Pace

S. M. Pace lives with her husband in the wilds of Virginia, along with a pond full of fish, a turtle and too many squirrels.  When she's not writing, she's wrangling a dozen pre-schoolers, learning a new recipe or reading.
Twitter: @StephMPace
Blog: smpace.com
S. M. Pace's Fantasy World Post - Sign up to Fantasy World Post and get worldbuilding snippets, short fiction and behind the scenes peeks at my current WIP.  All free, just for signing up. 

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PROMO: Taking Vengeance by @kaytheod #excerpt
3:00 AM1 Comments


Taking Vengeance by M.K. Theodoratus
Historical Fantasy Novelette

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Furious Half-Elven parents, Mariah and Ashton, seek vengeance for brutal attack on their daughter by vicious Sea Raiders.

In a tale older than time itself, Taking Vengeance tells a story about the strength and conviction of a mother's love against those who would harm her family. After witnessing centuries of fighting and chaos against her people and her own bickering with Linden, the ruler of the Far Isles Half-Elven, Mariah has withdrawn from politics to seek a peaceful life as a healer.

But Mariah's peace is short lived when Sea Raiders attack her daughter's family, leaving her at death's door. The act of bigoted cruelty plunges Mariah into despair. Her grief is sensed by Ashton, her partner who is far away spying on their southern enemies, and he uses his elven magic to rush to her side. The couple's rage boils over at the outrage. Ashton urges Mariah to belt on her sword and seek vengeance against their daughter's attackers.

Mariah discovers the Sea Raiders wield a strange new magic that threatens all they hold dear. But can she convince Linden that their country is in danger before it's too late?

Taking Vengeance is a tale set in the world of the Far Isles Half-Elven, who constantly fight among themselves even though they’re beset by enemies on all sides




EXCERPT
        
The Half-Elven patients and their families cowered against the walls, increasing Mariah's anger at the stupid clod who dared to growl at her. Their audience rolled their eyes like nervous horses, fearing what the combatants might do. They pulled what energy they could from the air to strengthen their protective shields. Mariah's skin itched from the static raised by their efforts. But she focused her attention on the ruler who had once been one of her closest friends.

In a voice a third as loud as Linden's, Mariah said, “Calm down, you fool. You're disturbing the patients.”

“Blast your patients. I'm warning you.” Linden’s face turned red. “Get your nose out of my business.”

“I was just consoling the girl.”
                                     
“My affairs don't concern you.”

“Elysianna deserves better than being dropped cold by a coward.”

Linden's face grew redder. “By the Fates, I wish Ashton was still here to put a leash around your neck.”

“Well, he isn't here.” Mariah controlled her sigh, hiding her sorrow at her ring-mate's absence. “You sent him spying on our southern enemies.”

Mariah took a deep breath, ready to yell back at Linden's next comment.

The hall's head healer appeared in the doorway that lead to the consulting rooms, her hands folded in front of her. A scowl darkened her face. “Quiet, the two of you. Take your disagreement elsewhere.”

Thick silence spread over the room.

“She rules here. Go drill your troops or something.” Mariah whispered. “I came here to help not cause the patients discomfort.”

The force of Mariah's glare pushed Linden towards the door. He stomped away, looking as mulish as he had when his father forced him to clean the byre as a boy. Mariah shooed him on his way as if her hands were a broom.

Her face calm in spite of her thumping heart, Mariah turned. “Who's next?”

No one moved until a small boy touched her hand. He looked up at her sideways, ready to run. “My granny's tooths hurt.”

With a closed-lipped smile hiding her pointed front teeth, Mariah clasped his hand. “Shall we stop them from hurting?”

“That'd be nice, Lady. Then she can chew ham again. She does enjoy a nice slice of ham.”




About the Author


Comics first hooked M. K. Theodoratus on fantasy. When she discovered L. Frank Baum's first Oz books, the strong female characters drew her into the possibilities of alternate worlds. Then, she stared writing in grade school when a teacher assigned a short story lesson. The assignment was incomplete at 25 pages, but she finished the book by the next summer. The Children’s Librarian, the only other person who’s read it, thought it well-done.

Theodoratus has enjoyed at least four writing careers, including non-fiction. Now she writes fantasy ... mostly because it amuses her. Theodoratus writes in the world of her grumpy Far Isles Half-Elven, often featuring Mariah del Oesti or Renna of Ren Creek. She also explores other magical worlds of ghosts, gargoyles, and Fae. Most of her newer stories are set in Andor where demons prey on humans. You can read more about her fantasy at http://www.mktheodoratus.com

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Monday, August 11, 2014

Blog Tour: To Lean on Falling Men by @kelliewallace85 #review
6:51 AM0 Comments

Suspense/Thriller
Date Published: June 25, 2014
   
Wall Street stockbroker, John Forrest thought he had it all. Beautiful wife, booming business, fast lifestyle. But when he wakes up in an open grave in the middle of the desert he begins to question his life. He has no recollection of how he got there or who wanted him dead. Found by an Iraqi rebel cell, John is taken hostage and forced to broadcast his plea across Western television.

When Amber Joseph sees her boss’s scratchy image on the Internet she vows to bring him home. John is bought back to New York as an instant celebrity. The spotlight, the unwanted attention unearths the demons of his past, including his wife’s recent suicide. But one question remains. Who left him to die in the middle of the desert and why?

Review

I liked the fact that this novel delved into more of what could happen once you become "famous" for being a victim. That to me took it to another level than most Suspense/Thriller novels. Kellie Wallace has penned a novel that really delivers in plot and characterization and keeps the reader engaged to the very last page.






Kellie Wallace


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PROMO: Sinful Surrender by @HoustonHavens #excerpt
3:30 AM1 Comments

Sinful Surrender by Houston Havens
A Multi-Genre Story
Erotic Romance, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Futuristic, Ménage (MFMM), Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic, Light BDSM
Date Published: March 17, 2014

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Top psychic spy Fay Avalon saw too much on her latest mind traveling mission and is now on the run from her post-catastrophic dystopian government, searching for the truth and proof. She escapes but is shot down, landing in the arms of the enemy.

In Drakker and Arlo’s world, women are so rare the men have accepted a polyandrous lifestyle. When the brothers stumble upon Fay unconscious in the wreckage of an aircraft, they are immediately attracted to her. Arlo wants to keep her, but Drakker knows they can’t. They must take her to their brother Logan Abán, leader of their people.

Logan struggles with trusting anyone, even himself. When a beautiful, intelligent, and intriguing woman falls into their laps, his denied desires for intimacy challenge his need to trust the spy. He’s frustrated by romantic Arlo’s claims of her innocence. Even when pragmatic and dominating Drakker defends her as well, Logan refuses to trust his gut.

Can one woman satisfy the diverse desires of three men? Will Logan’s fears be realized by betrayal? Is Fay to be sentenced to death as a spy, suffer a fate worse than death by being returned to her government as a traitor, or will she find a new life and love as the wife of three sexy brothers?



Trailers



EXCERPT


“I never do what’s anticipated.” He pulled her closer into his chest and whispered in her ear. “It would make me boring and predictable.” He slipped his hands under her blouse and stroked his fingertips in seductive circles over her flesh. The passion in his eyes grew hotter. “I’ve desired you from the moment you walked through my front door.”

She widened her eyes in mock shock then shot her gaze over to Arlo. His raised brow and cocked head made her turn a frown back in Logan’s direction. “You said this was a game of truth.” She placed her hands over his, keeping them just below her breasts. “That’s a lie.”

“No, it isn’t.”

Logan, it was quite obvious to us all that morning the only thing you wanted to do to me was to interrogate me.” She looked at Arlo again. He shrugged and started singing another song. Coward. He was avoiding voicing his opinion.

“Then you’re all blind, because the first thing I truly wanted was to kiss those perfect lips. The second thing was to interrogate that succulent mouth of yours to make it tell me the truth about you.” He glided his touch around to the sides of her breasts.

Fay liked how his hands caressed her, and she wasn’t about to tell him to stop. His touch created a fire deep inside her, something she’d longed for all her life.

“Fay, a person can be suspicious of someone, but it doesn’t necessarily negate a very strong attraction to them. How do you think most assassins get in close for a kill? Their targets find them very attractive.”

“Hmm, didn’t think of that. What you say is true.” She felt his fingers stroke down her lower back to play with the laces holding her blouse closed. A subtle heat warmed her pussy. “I’ve known a few women who loved their husbands but didn’t trust them to be faithful.”

“See.” In one swift motion, he pulled at the laces and removed her blouse.

Logan,” Fay whispered. Arlo’s soft singing in the background reminded her they weren’t alone.

He trailed his seductive touch to her bra straps. Slipping his fingertips beneath the material he worked the silky strips off her shoulders. She crossed her arms over her breasts to stop him from removing it.

Logan, we can’t—”

He swept her deeper into his arms and stopped her words by pressing his mouth to her ear. “Tell me true…do you desire me?”

Without breaking his hold, she was able to brace a short distance between them, just enough to gaze into his eyes. “Truth?”

“Nothing but the truth shall ever pass between us.” He tilted his head forward and down, closing the space between them. He brushed his mouth softly against hers, merging their heat, and then did it again. He licked the seam of her lips, and she couldn’t help herself. It was a physical need. She granted his tongue entry.

Her bra fell free before she circled her arms around him. His touch ignited her flesh as he moved his fingers to the front of her jeans and worked her zipper until her pants dropped to the ground. “The truth is—” she murmured at the release of his lips.

“The truth,” he whispered in her ear. “Even though I fear my knees will fail me should you tell me I disgust you.” Logan cupped each breast before dropping his hands to stroke several gentle passes over her ass. He kissed and caressed, roaming his hands over her, although he did take care not to touch the area of her wound.

She stroked her nails up his back in wanton need, realizing if she were honest with herself, she felt the same desire for him she’d felt for Arlo and Drakker. “If my heart were to speak the truth, it would say you grabbed my sexual interest the moment I saw you in those tight white pants and red silk shirt.”

Her remark brought a proud smile to his lips. “Okay…so my clothes got you heated up.”

“No, it was the hard body beneath those clothes.”

“So…when did I capture your heart?”

“Honestly?”

“Honest.”

“When you became my hero.”

“I’m your hero? How? When?”

She smiled up at him. “Escaping the Nike silo. I still can’t believe you carried me all that way to safety.”

“How do you know that?”

“Whenever I woke up you were there, and Chandra confirmed it when I asked her.”

“Ah.” He smiled then frowned. “That was all it took?”

“Yes.”

“Funny, it happened for me then as well.”

“It did?”

“Yep, I knew in my gut I already loved you when you admitted you risked your life for me. That’s when I knew I couldn’t live without you. Hell, I didn’t want to ever let you go. It’s why I wouldn’t let anyone else carry you. You were mine. I knew somewhere within you, you had to love me. For you to sacrifice yourself like that…you had to love me.” Logan picked her up and carried her toward Arlo. “Honor me, brother. If you’re leg isn’t too bad, join me in pleasuring our woman tonight.”





About the Author


Houston Havens retired from a successful modeling career and an adventurous jet-set lifestyle to set the world on fire with her erotic romance books. A tenacious Irish lass, she strives to entertain with seductive stories created from her decadent imagination and traces of a provocative lifestyle she may or may not admit to.

Her interest in the paranormal, fascination with quantum science, passion with myths, and the lure of her mysterious Celtic Irish-Druid bloodlines are combined with generally unknown truths, strange facts, and questionable fiction. Her novels reflect a mix of the past, present, and future, with sexy blends of futuristic science fiction, paranormal fantasy, western romance, and always love everlasting. An author of six romances, a seven book erotic romance series, and numerous articles in literary magazines, she has two award winning blogs. Stop by for a visit and leave a comment at http://houstonhavens.wordpress.com

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