*THIS IS THE ARCHIVED EVENT BLOG FOR THE LITERAL ADDICTION WEBSITE - www.literaladdiction.com!
Original Author Event posts are done on the website itself each day of an Event and are much more aesthetically pleasing than the archives here.
The website should be used for first view access, but if you missed the website post on any given Event date, please use this blog to catch up on the content if not the over-all experience, as each post will be archived the following date and direct URL links will be added to the website itself.
HAPPY READING!!
LITERAL ADDICTION is happy to be promoting for a new author today!
Charisma Knight lives in the Maryland area with her youngest daughter and her soul mate. You’ll discover her stories are a mixture of erotica and erotic romance that contain a wild edge with a little fantasy sprinkled throughout. If you’re an avid reader of Charisma’s stories, don’t be shy—she loves to receive e-mails from readers. You may contact her via her website.
Divorcee Pearl Gordon’s worse nightmares manifest into reality one night when an intruder breaks into her home. The next day, she calls upon the services of a man she shied away from and eventually discovers comfort in his arms. When the intruder returns, she’s forced to deal with the results of a hasty decision she made months ago.
Wolf shifter Nicholas Wolford realizes he’s been given a second chance to be with the woman he let slip through his fingers many years ago. When he comes face to face with Pearl, there’s no denying they’re fated soul mates.
The overwhelming urge to protect her from the beast prowling her property is undeniable. When it’s all said and done, Pearl called on Nicholas to repair the damages to her home, but can he help heal the damage made to her mind and spirit?
Rose McQueen struggles to find answers to solve the rash of home invasions in the town of Raven’s Falls. In doing so, she must invoke the help of a vampire to discover the identity behind the recent events while finding a way to strengthen her waning powers. As heart of the family, a McQueen witch must endure great trials and tribulations, but can there be a balance between witch and the woman?
Raven shifter Storm Raventhorn doubts his duty as protector and guide to the McQueen family as he tries to assist Rose in making Raven’s Falls a safe place for everyone. When darkness strikes at McQueen Manor he makes a sacrifice to protect his loved ones and is forced to take a long hard look at his purpose in life. When he is stripped of his powers, he must find a way to return to the woman he loves to aid her in battle. If he’s successful his powers will be returned. If he fails, he’ll remain in the Netherworld for the rest of eternity.
Sound interesting, don’t they!? Check ‘em out…
CONTEST:
In celebration of the Book Blast, Charisma is offering up:
GRAND PRIZE: $25 Amazon Gift Card
RUNNERS UP: 2 runners up will receive their choice of any one title from Charisma’s backlist (excluding Raven & the Rose)
To enter, follow the directions on the Rafflecopter widget on our Book Blasts & More page, take action, and mark as 'Done’.
LITERAL ADDICTION is happy to be promoting for MW Muse once again today to celebrate the release of the GODDESS series collection.
M.W. Muse is the bestselling author of the Goddess Series with book one, Goddess Legacy, reaching number one in Teen Romance. Her alter-ego, Mandy Harbin, is not only bestselling but award-winning, writing in adult genres for multiple publishers, but her love of younger stories made her seek a new outlet for those characters swimming around in her head. She still spends most of her time living in her other reality, but enjoys spending more time focusing on the younger side of love.
*Buy from Amazon / B&N / iTunes / Kobo - SPECIAL SALE PRICE OF $0.99 BEGINNING 4/21 THROUGH 5/5
Get the first FOUR books in the #1 Bestselling Teen Romance series for one incredibly low price starting April 21, 2014! PLUS, a never before released bonus story as a special thank-you for all the readers who’ve expressed their love of this series! This limited time special includes the following:
Goddess Legacy: Legacy Kore believes she’s just an average seventeen year old with your basic insane crush on the hottest guy in school, Adin Shepard, until she learns her mother is a Greek Goddess and that Legacy is changing into one, too! When Adin asks Legacy out on a date, she is thrilled her fantasy is becoming a reality, regardless of the Greek Goddess nonsense, but when she meets a new guy in town, River, she discovers everything isn’t always as it seems, and the legacy she wants just might not be the legacy she is destined to have.
Goddess Secret: Legacy only thought she had this goddess thing under control. Well, as much as any other chick could have given the crazy circumstances. But when she learns the truth about her abilities, she is forced to keep a secret so powerful that she and the people closest to her could get hurt if it falls into the wrong hands.
Goddess Sacrifice: Legacy wouldn’t let a little thing like changing into a goddess distract her from the joys of her senior year in high school, hanging with her friends, or getting closer to Adin. She’s ready to take their relationship to the next level, regardless of any bonds they have with other people. But the prophecy is still there, lurking in the background. And while Legacy is wrapped up with living her life in the now, forces are at work solidifying her future.
Goddess Revenge: Hell hath no fury like a goddess scorned… at least that’s the way Legacy sees it. Her dreams collide into a message she did not want to acknowledge, but the implication ignites within her hotter than the knowledge of the betrayal itself. The only thing to do to cure getting mad? Getting even. Legacy dives into a betrayal of her own making as she teaches her lesson. But can she deliver her punishment without loosing her true self in the process, or will the bitter feeling of keeping her enemy close backfire and propel her down a road she never dreamed she’d travel? One thing’s for certain–revenge doesn’t come without a price.
Goddess Dream (Bonus Special): Legacy’s sacrifice hasn’t gone unnoticed by others of her kind. Morpheus visits her, allowing her to relive a specific day with another outcome. It isn’t real, but the reunion is just as sweet.
CONTEST:
MW is offering up a $50 Amaozn GiftCard at the end of the Book Blast.
To enter, find the Rafflecopter widget on our Book Blasts & More page, follow the directions, take action, and mark as ‘Done’.
E Jakes writes m/m romance. She believes in happy endings and fighting for what you want in both fiction and real life. She lives in New York with her family and most days, she can be found happily writing (in bed). No really…
You can contact her the following ways:
You can email her at authorsejakes@gmail.com
You can post to her Facebook page: Facebook.com/SEJakes
You can tweet her: Twitter.com/authorsejakes
You can post on her Goodreads Group: Ask SE Jakes
You can follow her Tumblr page: sejakes.tumblr.com
You can follow her on Instagram: instagram.com/authorsejakes
Truth be told, the best way to contact her is by email or in blog comments. She spends most of her time writing but she loves to hear from readers!
S.E is the proud creator of the MEN OF HONOR, EXTREME ESCAPES LTD, DIRTY DEEDS, PHOENIX INC, and HELL OR HIGH WATER series.
For those of you not yet familiar with SE’s work, you need to rectify that, but for today, let me get you caught up on the H*H series and tease you about its upcoming release, Daylight Again…
Everyone knows that Prophet—former Navy SEAL, former CIA spook, full-time pain in the ass—works alone and thinks only about the trouble he can cause. But his boss, Phil Butler of Extreme Escapes, LTD., has just assigned Proph not only a new partner but also a case haunted by ghosts from Proph’s past. Suddenly, he’s got to confront them both head on.
Tom Boudreaux—failed FBI agent, failed sheriff, full time believer in bad luck—is wondering why the head of a private contracting firm has hunted him down to offer him a job. Still he’s determined to succeed this time, despite being partnered with Prophet, EE, LTD’s most successful, lethal, and annoying operative, and even though the case is also resurrecting his own painful past.
Together, Prophet and Tom must find a way to take down killers in the dangerous world of underground cage matches, while fighting their own dangerous attraction. And when they find themselves caught in the crossfire, these two loners are forced to trust each other and work together to escape their ghosts … or pay the price.
When a tornado meets a volcano, nothing is safe.
Soldier of fortune Prophet Drews always worked alone—until Tom Boudreaux became his partner. But when Tom walked away three months ago, ostensibly to keep Prophet safe, Prophet learned the true meaning of being alone. Everyone knows that Prophet, a Navy SEAL turned CIA spook turned mercenary, can look after himself. Which means he must’ve driven his lover away.
Even with half a world between them, Prophet can’t get the man out of his head. Maybe that’s why he’s in New Orleans in the middle of a hurricane, protecting Tom’s aunt. But the only looter around is Tom, bursting back into Prophet’s life. It turns out that Prophet’s been stuck in Tom’s head—and heart—too.
Their explosive reunion gets even hotter when Tom is arrested for murder. As they fight to clear his name, they delve deep into his past, finding enemies among everyone they meet. Staying alive in such a dangerous world is hard enough, but they soon discover that fighting to stay together is the most difficult thing they’ve ever done.
Before Prophet Drews can have a future, he must first put his past to rest.
Prophet Drews is a man on the edge, and he’s pulling Tom Boudreaux, his partner on the job and in real life, right over with him. When his old CO calls in a favor, Prophet asks Tom to join the off-the-grid rescue. But the mission raises all of Prophet’s old ghosts: CIA assassins, the terrorist Sadiq, and most importantly, John—traitor, former teammate, and Prophet’s first love.
To help bury those ghosts for good, Prophet and Tom gather the members of Prophet’s former SEAL team … and a spook named Cillian who’s been tailing Prophet for years. In the process, Prophet is forced to face his team’s shifting loyalties, ghosts who refuse to stay dead, and scariest of all, his own limitations.
With everyone’s lives in danger, Prophet and Tom must unravel a tangled knot of secrets, including their own. Prophet must decide how much to reveal to Tom, while Tom must decide how far he’s willing to go to help Prophet lay his ghosts to rest
Yet to come…
Short (Not Fade Away) (book 3.5) August 14, 2014
If I Ever: Book 4 (October 6, 2014)
Intrigued? You should be! LITERAL ADDICTION’s Associate Reviewer, Shawnie – a.k.a your Devilish Diva - gave both books #1 and #2 5 Skulls (full reviews to be posted soon) and is chomping at the bit for book #3!
CONTEST:
In celebration of the upcoming release of SE’s Daylight Again, I’m giving away Reader’s Choice of available SE backlist in eBook from either Amazon or B&N, Lisa, from Attention is Arbitrary is gifting books #1 and #2 in the H*H series, and Shawnie from Book Pages & Dripping Ink is also offering up winner’s choice of SE Jakes’ book, including Daylight Again.
To enter, find the Rafflecopter widget on our Book Blasts & More page until 5/5, follow the directions, take action, and mark as ‘Done’.
Good luck, and as always….HAPPY READING!!
LITERAL ADDICTION is thrilled to have the wonderful Rosalie Lario back with us today.
Rosalie Lario is the award-winning, paranormal romance author of the Demons of Infernum and the Fallen Warriors series. Rosalie double majored in Anthropology and Classics as an undergraduate student, and briefly considered becoming an archaeologist before realizing they don’t actually live the life of Indiana Jones. So what was a classical geek armed with a lot of useless knowledge to do? Become a lawyer, of course!
After attending law school in Florida, she practiced real estate law for several years before finally admitting to herself that negotiating contracts wasn’t nearly as fun as dreaming up stories. She never imagined all the mythology she’d learned throughout her undergraduate education might actually come in handy, but it makes perfect fodder for the paranormal romance stories she now dreams up.
When not writing, you can find her on a boat somewhere along South Florida’s waterways, chasing down a rainbow or pretending to be a pirate.
Comments or questions? Send an email: RosalieLario@gmail.com
Subscribe to Rosalie’s newsletter to stay informed about her newest releases, contests, and special previews!
As mentioned, Rosalie is the proud creator of the DEMONS OF INFERNUM, and the FALLEN WARRIORS series. Make sure to check them both out, but for today, I’m going to highlight Rosalie’s DOI series…
Keegan lives to exact revenge on the evil demon who sired and abused him. When his father devises a plan to bring on the apocalypse, he and his three half-brothers, interdimensional bounty hunters for the Elden Council, are charged with capturing and delivering their father for punishment.
Art gallery owner Brynn Meyers has no idea that her ability to read memories embedded in objects and drain people of their life force means she has demon ancestry. Unfortunately for Brynn, she’s also the key to raising an ancient zombie army, which puts her on every demon’s Most Wanted List. And no one wants her more than Keegan’s father.
Keegan must protect Brynn from his father by any means necessary, but he’ll have to learn to harness the other half of his genetics-the far deadlier, uncontrollable half-when he starts to fall for the one woman standing between him and the vengeance he so desperately seeks. The one woman he’ll never be able to resist.
Half-demon Taeg is desperate to free his pregnant sister-in-law, who is spellbound to an indestructible book that will create an army of the undead. He is convinced that an ancient sword can destroy the book and the spell forever, but this relic has been hidden for a millennia by a powerful glamour. The clock begins to run out on his search when an old rival goes after the book and Taeg’s family in his quest for revenge.
Librarian Maya Flores has a secret: she’s immune to magic and is well aware of the supernatural beings prowling the streets of New York City. Haunted by a brutal demon attack that took her family, she is on a one-woman mission to destroy the evil demons who did it-and any others who get in her way. Maya is Taeg’s best hope for uncovering the sword. Unfortunately, she wants nothing more than to kill him. As he fights for her trust and to save his family, she is forced to face the truth that not all demons are evil. And the worst part? She might be falling in love with one, too.
After months of no work, interdimensional bounty hunter Ronin Meyers jumps at the chance to locate an incubus who’s using succubi as murder weapons. Faced with the possibility of being forced to return to hellish Infernum if he fails, Ronin and his brothers will stop at nothing to take out the incubus and anyone else involved-even the beautiful succubus who stole his heart, then nearly his life, during the most mind-blowing hour of his existence.
Night after night, Amara and her fellow succubi are forced to extract special abilities from the strongest Otherworlders for their psychotic master’s growing collection. When the gorgeous angel-demon hybrid she believed to be dead captures her, Amara is both stunned and elated. But the happily ever after she’s dreamed of will have to wait. Together, they must bring down the madman hellbent on destroying them… and become each other’s salvation in the process.
Biochemist Cresso Taylor lives the sort of lifestyle most men would envy—he has wealth, natural incubus charm, and more women than he can handle. But it’s not enough anymore. Not after meeting Genevieve Russell, the sexy scientist who works with him at Elcorp Laboratory. And she wants absolutely nothing to do with him.
After her fiancé broke her heart, Genevieve has had enough of womanizers. She’s determined to steer clear of sexy-as-sin Dr. Taylor, despite the fact that his incubus allure makes her want to rip his clothes off. But when a secret admirer’s affection turns to the macabre with threatening notes and grisly gifts, Cresso appoints himself her protector. As she and Cresso hunt her stalker, she discovers there’s a lot more to the sensual incubus than she ever imagined.
When darkness threatens…only love will bring them light.
The half-siren half-demon bounty hunter Dagan Meyers swore he’d never settle down. His older brothers might’ve adjusted well to family life but tying himself to one woman is so not Dagan’s bag. Until he meets the gorgeous angel Lina, his brother Ronin’s long-lost adopted sister, and he can’t think of being with anybody but her. Too bad Ronin’s well aware of Dagan’s party-boy lifestyle and won’t let him anywhere near his angelic baby sister.
Lina is still getting over the abandonment issues that began when she was orphaned as a child and has devoted her life to taking down evil Otherworlders. The last thing she wants is to develop feelings for man she knows will eventually leave her, too. But as the battle against a growing darkness continues—a powerful fae who’s harnessed untold power—Dagan and Lina find that love may be their greatest weapon against the very thing that threatens to destroy them all.
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha – Chelle: *Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review
–Actual rating 4.5 Skulls
Another awesome book by Rosalie Lario!
Call of the Siren brings the return of our sexy ½ demon brothers and their nothing-to-sneeze-at kick butt mates, introduces a new character that I am hoping against hope Rosalie tells the story of, and pits them all against the big bad in an epic battle with zombies, disembodied Council members, an epic battle and more. Plus…. it’s a sweet and sexy tale of true love on many levels. What more could you want!?
Call of the Siren has been rumored to be the conclusion to Rosalie’s DEMONS OF INFERNUM series (something I’m hoping isn’t exactly true), and each book has built more and more coming to a wonderful climax in this, the 5th (4th full length) book.
Our heroine, Lina, has not had the easiest life. She was orphaned, abandoned, got hooked on drugs, and lost a child. The last thing she ever expected was to start putting the pieces of her life back together. Fate is an interesting thing, however…
Our hero, half siren, half demon Dagan, is content being a playboy. Well, he’s content to do what is “expected” of him and wallow in his self-deprecating nonsense. When he runs into his brother Ronin’s adopted sister again that entire mindset changes. He can’t fight his attraction to her, and he starts to realize that maybe he does deserve a HEA like his brothers have. Unfortunately this little wakeup call comes at a terrible time, as the family is threatened with deportation back to Infernum, their sadistic father is still on the loose, and there’s a dark fae trying to take over the world.
Call of the siren was an incredible read. It had tons of action, lots of emotion, and plenty of intrigue, and kept me engaged and hooked from beginning to end.
I HIGHLY recommend this series! If you haven’t yet fallen in love with Rosalie’s hot, sexy, kick-ass, demon hybrid brothers, you absolutely must!
How wonderful do those sound? They’re so good. You really must check them out and the rest of Rosalie’s backlist.
For the rest of today though, let’s see what Rosalie had to say when I sat down to give her 20…er 15… questions again. If you want to read our original interview with Rosalie, check it out HERE.
*~*~*~*~*
2ND INTERVIEW WITH ROSALIE LARIO:
LITERAL ADDICTION: Hi Rosalie! I’m so happy to have you back with us today! Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with me today.
Rosalie: Thanks so much! I’m so happy to be back at one of my all-time favorite sites. :)
LITERAL ADDICTION: As usual, I like to start out by getting to know my guest author a bit more, and then I’ll dig some more into the books.
Q1): I asked you last time to tell us 3 random things about yourself and you divulged that you love romantic comedies. What’s the best one you’ve seen lately?
Rosalie: Okay, well I’ll start off by saying I had a baby last year, so there hasn’t been an abundance of free time, lol. That said, I really enjoyed Warm Bodies. Zombies have never been so much fun!
Q2): I asked you last time what were 3 things that always make you happy, and of course you said your son. How is he taking to being a big brother?
Rosalie: He is the best big brother in the entire universe! So sweet and loving. I could go on and on about his awesomeness…but I know it’d be interesting to no one but myself. *grin*
Q3): When I asked you what you liked to do in your non-author time, you told me last time that you absolutely love to read (surprise, surprise. LOL). What’s the best new discovery book you’ve read recently?
Rosalie: Oh man, there have been quite a few. I’ve actually been on a New Adult kick lately (and here’s a teaser: I’m working on one that debuts in August 2014). Some of my faves are At Any Price by Brenna Aubrey and I See London by Chanel Cleeton.
Q4): I know that you adore Bones from Jeaniene Frost’s NIGHT HUNTRESS series. Have you read the finale yet? What did you think?
Rosalie: I did, of course! I loved it. Bones and Cat have been my favorite couple. They have ups and downs, but their love for each other has never wavered. I’m going to miss them.
Q5): What are your top 3 favorite TV shows right now and why?
Rosalie: Supernatural is number one, always, and for one reason: Jensen Ackles, baby! Next to that are The Vampire Diaries and my new favorite, Sleepy Hollow. I just love paranormal-themed shows, and these are among the best.
Q6): If you were to write an auto-biography, what do you think it’d be called?
Rosalie: Oh gosh, I don’t know…how about The Girl Who Daydreamed Too Much. Lol.
Q7): What types of scenes – love, action, dialogue, etc – do you enjoy writing the most and why?
Rosalie: My favorite scenes to write are snappy dialogue scenes between the hero and heroine. The characters don’t always cooperate, but every now and again they take on a life of their own, and the end result is witty dialogue that’s just plain magical. I love it when that happens.
Q8): I know what I’m hoping the answer to this question is, but… Is Call of the Siren the last DEMONS OF INFERNUM book? If it is, do you have plans for a spin off or novella at least? *cough – a certain sexy vampire hybrid - cough*
Rosalie: I know, I know…lol. I don’t have any current plans, but I’m always open to coming back if the timing is write. I will say there’s a story in my head for the aforementioned vamp, but it hasn’t fully percolated yet.
Q9): What are you the most proud of with regards to the DEMONS OF INFERNUM series?
Rosalie: I love the relationship between the brothers. When I started off I wanted to emulate the angst and loyalty of the Winchester brothers on Supernatural, but the Meyers boys really became their own thing. I love how deeply they love each other, how they’re willing to do anything for one another. I’m so proud of the way they turned out.
Q10): If you could spend the day with any of your characters from the DEMONS OF INFERNUM series, with whom would you want to spend it, and what would you want to do?
Rosalie: I’d want to spend the day with drinking at an Otherworlder bar with Taeg, because he’s hella fun and I’m sure there’d be an interesting thing or two going down.
Q11): O.K, you obviously have a thing for hot, sexy brothers. What gives?
Rosalie: Lol. Did I mention Jensen Ackles yet?
Q12): Do you have anything new in the works that you can share with us?
Rosalie: Yes! Next month will see the release of a new paranormal romance anthology called SPELLBOUND IN SLEEPY HOLLOW (May 2014, exact release date TBA). My co-authors are the lovely and talented Patricia Eimer and Boone Brux. The anthology is about witches, magic, and the Headless Horseman (and I swear, the stories were written well before the television show ever came about). My novella is entitled Under his Spell, and it features a snarky witch and her childhood crush turned nemesis, who now happens to be a famous ghost-hunter. It was tons of fun to write, so I hope you check it out.
Q13): Is there any author (or authors) that you would absolutely love to either write with, or be a part of a collection with some day?
Rosalie: There are so many! Of course Jeaniene Frost would be the ultimate, as would Terri Garey.
Q14): Are you planning to be at any signings or conventions in the near future that you want to make sure my readers know about?
Rosalie: Nothing planned yet, but I’ll post any upcoming events on my website so be sure to check there.
Q15): Is there anything special you would like to say to your readers, fans, etc while I have you here today?
Rosalie: Thank you so much for sticking with me throughout this series. I hope you enjoy the action-packed conclusion to the DEMONS OF INFERNUM series.
LITERAL ADDICTION: Thank you so much for being with us again today, Rosalie! I love chatting with you, and would absolutely love to have you back for your next big release if you’re interested. Maybe I can sit down and chat with your characters a bit next time? :)
Rosalie: That would be fantastic. Thank you so much for having me!
CONTEST:
In celebration of the release of Call of the Siren, Rosalie is offering up a Prize Pack Giveaway with signed copies of For Love of an Angel (Fallen Warriors #1), Mark of the Sylph (Demons of Infernum), Touch of the Angel (Demons of Infernum), a reversible bookmark featuring the Fallen Warriors and Demons of Infernum series, an angel wing heart necklace like the one worn by Ruby in Angel’s Kiss (Fallen Warriors #4), a Call of the Siren (Demons of Infernum) decorative keychain and matching silver-toned page-marker.
To enter, find the Rafflecopter on our Author Interviews page, follow the directions, take action, and mark as ‘Done’.
Hello everyone! LITERAL ADDICTION is proud to be promoting for Anton Strout once again today!
Fantasy author Anton Strout was born in the Berkshire Hills mere miles from writing heavyweights Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville and currently lives in the haunted corn maze that is New Jersey (where nothing paranormal ever really happens, he assures you).
He is the author of the SIMON CANDEROUS and SPELLMASON CHRONICLES Urban Fantasy series for Ace Books, a division of Penguin Group (USA). Anton is also the author of many short tales published in anthologies by DAW Books.
The Once & Future Podcast is his latest project, where he endeavors as Curator of Content to bring authors and readers together through a weekly news show format.
He has been a featured author guest of honor, speaker and workshop leader at San Diego Comic-Con, Gencon, New York Comic-Con, the Brooklyn Book Festival and many other conventions.
In his scant spare time, his is a writer, a sometimes actor, sometimes musician, occasional RPGer, and the world’s most casual and controller smashing video gamer. He currently works in the exciting world of publishing and yes, it is as glamorous as it sounds.
For our readers who are not yet familiar with Anton’s work, I highly suggest checking out his entire backlist, but for today, I’m going to highlight his SPELLMASON CHRONICLES series and its upcoming release, Incarnate. Alchemystic
SPELLMASON CHRONICLES Book #1
AN OLD FRIEND OF THE FAMILY… Alexandra Belarus is a struggling artist living in New York City, even though her family is rich in real estate, including a towering Gothic Gramercy Park building built by her great-great-grandfather. But the truth of her bloodline is revealed when she is attacked on the street and saved by an inhumanly powerful winged figure. A figure who knows the Belarus name…
Lexi’s great-great-grandfather was a Spellmason—an artisan who could work magic on stone. But in his day, dark forces conspired against him and his, so he left a spell of protection on his family. Now that Lexi is in danger, the spell has awoken her ancestor’s most trusted and fearsome creation: a gargoyle named Stanis.
Lexi and Stanis are equally surprised to find themselves bound to each other. But as they learn to work together, they realize that only united can they save the city they both love…
The adventures of a girl and her gargoyle continue in the second installment of this “thrilling, funny and eerie” fantasy series. —Romantic Times on Alchemystic
Alexandra Belarus, the last practicing Spellmason, doesn’t know what has become of Stanis—her gargoyle protector. Hidden forces are watching her and threatening her, and, now, she’s worried for her stone-hearted friend—who may no longer be so friendly…
When Alexandra Belarus discovered her family’s secret ability to breathe life into stone, she uncovered an entire world of magic hidden within New York City—a world she has accidentally thrown into chaos. A spell gone awry has set thousands of gargoyles loose upon Manhattan, and it’s up to Lexi and her faithful protector, Stanis, to put things right.
But the stress of saving the city is casting a pall over Lexi and Stanis’s relationship, driving them to work separately to solve the problem. As Stanis struggles to unite the gargoyle population, Lexi forges unlikely alliances with witches, alchemists and New York’s Finest to quell an unsettling uprising led by an ancient and deadly foe long thought vanquished.
To save her city, Lexi must wield more power than ever before with the added hope of recovering a mysterious artifact that could change her world—and bring her closer to Stanis than she ever thought possible…
O.K, now that I’ve given you a sneak peek into Anton’s SPELLMASON CHRONICLES and teased you about the upcoming book #3, how about we give something away?
GIVEAWAY
Anton is offering up a paperback of the 1st book in the series, Alchymystic.
To enter, share the cover and/or pre-order links for Incarnate wherever you share about your book stuff and then come back HERE and share the URL to your post along with a valid email address.
I’ll be picking a winner at the end of the Event period.
Spotlight, Review, Progressive Excerpt, Interview with the hero and heroine of Before the Storm and Giveaway
for…
Claire Ashgrove
Hey everyone!
LITERAL ADDICTION is thrilled to have the wonderful Claire Ashgrove (and guests!) with us today to celebrate the release of her new New Adult Paranormal, Before the Storm, which was just dropped on 4/21/14.
Building on a background of fantasy game design, a fascination with history, and a lifetime love of books, Award-Winning Author Claire Ashgrove brings to life action-filled passionate journeys of the heart. Her paranormal series, the CURSE OF THE TEMPLARS, marries the history of the Knights of Templar with the chilling aspirations of the most unholy—a must-read for speculative fiction fans. For romance fans, she also writes as the National Bestselling Author Tori St. Claire and historical romance as Sophia Garrett.
In her non-writing time, she owns and operates Finish The Story, a full-scale editing house co-fpunded with Byran Thomas Schmidt. She lives in Missouri and enjoys cooking, studying ancient civilizations, and spending downtime with her two sons and too-many horses, cats, and dogs.
Claire is also the creator of the INHERITED DAMNATION series, several amazing single titles, and she writes the BLACK OPALS series as Tori St. Claire. You can check out her entire bibliography HERE.
As mentioned, I’m here today to help Claire promote and celebrate Before the Storm. For those of you just now hearing about it, here’s everything you need to know…
Halle Rhoads has a terrifying gift–she can kill with the fury of the storm.
She should have known that kind of power wouldn’t go unnoticed. Thrust into a world full of dark magic with a handsome stranger who claims he can teach her, she struggles to master her abilities and stumbles onto a dangerous truth. She’s a windwalker, the chosen vessel of the ancient dragons who once ruled the world. Many will stop at nothing to possess the power in her blood, should they discover her secret. With necromancers hunting her and Halle’s closest allies guarding secrets, mastering her magic becomes a matter of necessity.
But accepting her destiny is altogether different. For doing so means she must sacrifice everything.
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha – Chelle: *Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review
–Actual rating 4.5 Skulls
What a fabulous book!
Before the Storm was set in a carefully thought out world rife with potential and primed for growth and development. It contained characters that were instantly captivating, and who earned your respect (or disgust) instantly. The action and adventure throughout the book will have you on the edge of your seat, and there were surprises around every corner. Take all that and add in a love story that was both sweet and believable, and you have a definite winner.
I highly recommend Before the Storm to fans of New Adult and Adult Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance, and I am hoping against hope that this is just the first in a wonderful new series from Claire Ashgrove.
Oh, and here’s the next part of the progressive snippet that’s being shared for this Book Blast Hop. Check it out….
PROGRESSIVE EXCERPT:
Read previous portion of Chapter 1 at Lola’s Reviews
Chapter One (Continued…)
Before I could savor the power that thrummed around me, a force like a moving locomotive slammed into my back. The air rushed from my lungs, making it impossible to brace myself against imminent impact.
I hit the ground chest-first.
Strong fingers locked around my ankle. “I said…stop,” Kale managed between labored breaths.
Him! Just who the hell did he think he was?
Dragging in a short gasp of air, I twisted to look down the length of my body at the hand that trapped me in place. As my furious gaze locked on the back of his bronzed knuckles, lightning split the sky. It arced over Allen’s gabled rooftop, spidered through the skeleton branches of deciduous trees, and slammed into the moist earth a breath away from Kale’s right shoulder.
CHAPTER TWO
The explosion of thunder split the sky, so powerful it reverberated inside me like cannons firing at close range in an underground cave. And yet, I didn’t hear it. Whatever force it was that kept me safe amid a deadly tornado years ago had wrapped itself around me, preventing the wash of heat from touching my skin and the intensely bright flash from blinding my eyes.
Not so Kale. His body jerked a good three feet sideways from where the bolt connected with the ground and immediately began convulsing.
“Oh shit!” I scrambled to my knees and lunged across the short distance separating us. Heaving against his shoulder, I tried to push his face out of the debris-covered ground and roll him onto his side. “Shit, I’m sorry!”
Come on. Don’t die on me.
Man, this guy was heavier than he looked. I shoved again and finally succeeded into rolling him onto his left shoulder. His tight body and locked muscles fought against the pressure of my body as I braced him in place with my hip. The arm he lay on punched a steady rhythm into the air.
Damn, damn, damn!
“Hey, Kale.” I set a hand on his shoulder, uncertain what to do or how to help. His mouth was doing this chewing thing, and his eyes had rolled back into his head. Wasn’t there some sort of risk of swallowing one’s tongue? Or was that just an old wives tale?
What if he stopped breathing or his heart stopped? Was that possible? Could he die right here?
Sounds good, yes!? It soooo was. You really need to check it out!
For the rest of today though, how about I let you ‘sit in’ on my meet and greet with Halle and Kale, the hero and heroine of Before the Storm?
CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH… HALLE RHOADS AND KALE NORWOOD:
[After some searching, begging, pleading, and yes, bartering away everything I could think of to get a meeting with Halle and Kale, I was finally given the green light for our interview. To make the meeting mean so much more, Halle and Kale agreed to take me to the Tolvenar caves for our meet and greet.]
[Because I’m just a norm, I couldn’t see the caves or the area immediately surrounding them, so I agreed to meet Halle and Kale in a clearing just outside of the forest in Oklahoma so they could take me ‘through the veil’, so to speak.]
[I rented a car and drove to the area that they had described to me in the email. It was just opposite some radio tower lights in the distance, but for the most part, was in the middle of freaking nowhere. It’s a good thing I actually enjoy communing with nature…]
[I was a little early, so about ½ hour later I heard crunching in the trees. A minute or two later, a good-looking couple stepped out into the clearing holding hands. The girl was tall for a female, probably around 5’9” with long brown hair and an air of being somewhat closed off. The guy was gorgeous, about 6’2”, with dirty blonde hair, and obviously powerful.]
[I stepped forward to greet the pair.]
Chelle: Hi guys! As I’m sure you’ve already guessed, I’m Michelle from LITERAL ADDICTION, but everyone calls me Chelle. *shakes hands with both Halle and Kale*
Halle: *Gives a polite nod, her smile looking a bit uncomfortable*
Kale: *grin warm and welcoming* Nice to meet you Chelle. Thanks for coming all this way.
[After the introductions we started walking a ways into the woods. All of a sudden, when I looked up I could no longer see the lights from the radio towers, nor could I see anything else that made me think we were even anywhere near the same place we started. Toto, we were certainly not in Kansas…er Oklahoma…anymore.]
Chelle: Wow, that was incredible. We must have passed the barrier huh!? I didn’t feel anything more than a slight tingle.
Halle: *chuckles* Kinda odd, huh? Just creeps up on you. You’d never realize it if you weren’t looking for it.
Kale: *Resting one hand on the small of Halle’s back, he guides her ahead of him, then motions for me to continue on as well* You wouldn’t get through if you weren’t with us. It would route you around, more or less. C’mon, this way. The camarilla isn’t far.
Halle: *cuts a glance to Kale and mutters* You’re sure Beth isn’t around?
Kale: *brief frown* I’m sure.” *His friendly smile returning, he nods toward a rocky outcrop* It’s just ahead.
[Soon we came to the caves and entered. About ten feet into the cool stone tunnel we encountered a bend. The ground slanted beneath my feet, letting me know that we were going down into the earth, but the pitch was easy and the hard-packed earth was smooth. The deeper we walked, the colder it got. It was a good thing I had remembered to bring a sweater.]
[As we walked, a curious light illuminated several feet ahead. Faint turquoise, eye-catching violet, and a pink that was somewhere between neon and pastel shimmered against the smooth stone walls. As we walked further, I was literally stopped in my tracks at the sight before me. Illuminated against a recessed portion of smooth stone, those vibrant colors morphed into a work of art – elaborate, intricate designs that overlapped and intertwined with one another until they were all one big collage. I couldn’t hold back my gasp, and Halle chuckled.]
Halle: *flashes a conspiratorial grin* Magic crayons. Here, watch this. *She dips her index finger into a swathe of violet light and moves her hand across the wall. The colors follow, transforming into a hill-shaped pattern*
[Before I can give it a try, or even ask, a pair of voices drift down the corridor—male and female.]
Kale: *glances towards the voices, his frown returns, and he lets out a sigh* We better not go further. I’m not in the mood to deal with her.
Halle: Ugh, Kale. *punches him lightly in the bicep* You were supposed to sidetrack her.
Kale: Yeah well. *The look he gives her is pointed* SOMEONE sidetracked ME this morning.
Halle: Oh. *Blushing, she drops her gaze to her boots.* Right then. Let’s get this show on the road.
[There were some large boulders in the room set up like benches and we each took a seat upon them.]
Chelle: Thank you both so much for sharing this with me. It’s incredible!
Halle: *laughs* Incredible? You’ve heard about the demons right? My uncle? The crazy bi—
Kale: *cuts her off by setting his heel on her foot—hard enough to make her wince* I think she gets the picture. So what’s first, Chelle?
Chelle: Well, I suppose I should actually ask you guys some questions for my readers instead of just staring like an awestruck fool, huh!? *chuckles* Halle, when did you first realize that you weren’t just a norm?
Halle: Um. I was fourteen when it really hit me. Until then, I’d felt an affinity to storms, always seemed to know when they were brewing. But that night, I willed a tornado to hit my house, and to my delight, it did.
Chelle: Kale, you had a radically different upbringing, having always known what you are, what others are, etc. Do you sometimes wish you could just shut it all off?
Kale: *nods* Yeah, sometimes it would be nice. War aside, I’d like to have one day where I could wake up and do…nothing. Have a gym membership, maybe, instead of combat training.
Chelle: Kale, you have a great burden on your shoulders, being expected to take over leadership of the Camarilla and to guide the Tolvenar. What is that like?
Kale: *shrugs and leans back against the wall* It’s really not that much of a burden. I’m not doing it, end of subject. I’m not the right person to lead the camarilla. Someday they’ll realize the truth of it. Until then, I’m training warriors.
Halle: *shoots him a displeased frown, but sets her hand on his thigh supportively*
Chelle: And Halle, now that you know more about the world you were born into, what has hit you the hardest?
Halle: The hardest? There’s so many secrets, Chelle. My mom, I suppose. Knowing she’s been alive and no one ever told me.
Chelle: Besides the obvious *winks*, what’s been the best part about training together?
[The tension slips completely from the room, both Halle and Kale more clearly more comfortable. They both laugh, share an intimate glance, and turn mischievous grins on me.
Halle: I get to kick his ass when he’s pissed me off.
Kale: *scoffs* You wish. *turns to me* Her determination can be inspiring. And we get to really understand and anticipate what the other might try, which makes it far easier if we end up in battle together. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how to support them.
Halle: Spoken like a true General. *rolls her eyes, but her nature is obviously teasing* Can you get any more technical? Just tell her it’s fun. We work hard, I frustrate the hell out of you. And then we relax with the duck.
[I compose myself from a bout of giggles and clear my throat.]
Chelle: You both have some rather interesting – and dare I say messed up – family dynamics. How have you fought against letting those things define you and/or steer you in the wrong directions? Or has it been part of the reason why you do what you do day-to-day?
Kale: *nudges Halle* I think this one’s for you.
Halle: *snorts* Messed up is one way to put it. For me, though, they are why I’m here. It’s an interesting position—wanting to protect my family, while fighting my family at the same time. My uncle’s a dirtbag. I won’t quit until he’s dead.
Chelle: And you Kale?
Halle: He’s doing that deflecting thing.
Kale: Am not. That’s your trick. You know I was born into this, Chelle, so my family is part of my day-to-day. I fight to protect them. As for all the other…stuff… I pretty much ignore it. People are going to do what they do.
Halle: *mumbles beneath her breath* Especially psycho stepmothers.
Chelle: O.K, fun ‘couple’ question… off the top of your head, what’s your favorite thing about the other?
Kale: *sits up and answers without hesitation* Her strength and determination. She never quits.
Halle: *Despite a furious blush, Halle nudges him in the ribs with her elbow before addressing me* He cooks. And it’s really good.
Chelle: The cooking? *laughs* Biggest pet peeve about each other?
Halle: Oh, my gosh, the man’s head is as hard as nails
Kale: *blinks* Me? I’m not the stubborn one. You are like a mule.
Halle: *folds her arms over her chest* Am not.
Kale: *gives me a pointed look* See?
Chelle: Most embarrassing pet name? *smiles*
Halle: *wrinkles her nose* Princess. I just call him Kale.
Chelle: Halle, what about Kale are you the most proud of?
Halle: Proud of? *She squirms in her seat* Man, this is stuff I don’t even talk about with myself. It’s like thumbscrews. *She shifts again* I guess the way he follows his own convictions and doesn’t let anyone sway him. Next please.
Chelle: Kale, what’s up next, and how are you feeling about it?
Kale: *sighs heavily* Well, she’s got a lot to learn still. I’ve accepted she’s a windwalker. Doesn’t mean I like it. But I won’t hinder her, and I’ll do what I can to support.
Halle: *With a faint smile, Halle slips her hand into his*
Chelle: Is there anything that either of you would like me to make sure and tell my readers when I get home?
Halle: *nods* Yeah. I need supporters in the hate-the-psycho-stepmother camp. Tell them to check our story out and if they have any suggestions, I’m all ears.
Kale: *Groaning, he just shakes his head*
Chelle: *blushes* Would the two of you tell Marcus ‘hi’ for me? I was sort of hoping he might be around today, but I didn’t count on it.
Kale: *scowls*
Halle: *quick to nod* Sure thing. You won’t find him here though. Enemies and all that. I on the other hand, suffer no such animosity.
Chelle: You guys have been awesome. Thank you so much for doing this with and for me, I really appreciate it!
Kale: *stands and dusts off his jeans* You’re most welcome. Maybe next time we can cover some more ground.
Halle: *looks up with raised eyebrows* Maybe next time you can get rid of Beth and we can introduce Chelle to Tufty.
Kale: *doesn’t answer. Rather, pulls her up out of her seat and kisses her soundly* Hush.
Chelle: *ducks head* I don’t mean to be an ungrateful guest, but dude, I’m starving! *laughs as my stomach rumbles audibly* Do you think we can grab a bite before you guys lead me back to the car?
Halle: *embarrassment vanishes as she gives me a bug-eyed stare* Here? Are you out of your mind? Rice cakes…granola… *She shakes her head adamantly* Go back to Applegate. Check out the Frost Club. They have to die for chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Beats granola any day.
Kale: *cocks his head* Chocolate raspberry cheesecake?
Halle: Chocolate raspberry truffle cheesecake. *Her smile widens* And burgers.
GIVEAWAY!
For the duration of the Before the Storm Blog Hop, Claire will be giving away, daily, one digital copy of anything on her backlist to one random commentor. The Rafflecopter Giveaway (over on our Character’s Corner page!) for the Blog Hop is for a $15.00 Amazon / Barnes and Noble Gift Certificate, and a full digital set of her series, The Curse of the Templars. Be sure to comment and enter the Rafflecopter both!
She has several other opportunities over the next two weeks to win more prizes, too. To see the other release-gala events, check out the Before the Storm Tour Schedule!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: AJ grew up in a small southern town in Missouri. It was there that she discovered her love of writing. Having the ability to create a story from nothing into something held her spellbound. She holds a bachelors degree, and will on occasion find it useful. Currently, AJ lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband, their two small children and two dogs.
AJ loves learning about new things, playing games with her family, and listening to music. She loves romantic movies as well as science fiction. If truth be told, she loves fantasy and science fiction movies just a little bit more.
At given time she can be found reading to her kids, instilling in them the importance of a good story. Yet do not worry—she is also found by her kids and husband at the computer at any given time typing away.
Eva Rosenberg hacks a secret file of Jefferson’s and discovers the man who shattered her heart and her world has one giant secret.
Jefferson Anders’ current bounty hunting status has allowed him to hide in the shadows, never forcing him to face the secrets of his past. Having spent five years hiding the truth, he never dreamed the secrets of his past would catch up to him. Secrets which cost him both the love of his life and connection to his family. Now, he must face the mistakes of his past.
With a confrontation looming with Eva and a possible death threat, they must work as a team to find forgiveness and defeat the enemy that waits in the shadows.
LITERAL ADDICTION is proud to promote once again for the incredible Carrie Ann Ryan!
Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate – even if it’s just in her books. Happy endings are always near – even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.
Carrie Ann’s Redwood Pack series is a bestselling series that has made the shifter world even more real to her and has allowed the Dante’s Circle and Holiday, Montana series to be born. She’s also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She loves meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens. Feel free to stalk Carrie Ann at the following places online – Facebook, Twitter, Website, Blog, Goodreads, Amazon Author Page and Pinterest.
Carrie Ann has a lot of Series in the works (make sure you check out her entire backlist!) but today we’d like to focus on her DANTE’S CIRCLE series and its latest releases, Tangled Innocence.
Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?
–> Check out info and character profiles for DANTE’S CIRCLE HERE!
Neat freak lab tech, Lily Banner lives her life as any ordinary human. She’s dedicated to her work and loves to hang out with her friends at Dante’s Circle, their local bar. When she discovers a strange blue dust at work she meets a handsome stranger holding secrets – and maybe her heart. But after a close call with a thunderstorm, she may not be as ordinary as she thinks.
Shade Griffin is a warrior angel sent to Earth to protect the supernaturals’ secrets. One problem, he can’t stop leaving dust in odd places around town. Now he has to find every ounce of his dust and keep the presence of the supernatural a secret. But after a close encounter with a sexy lab tech and a lightning quick connection, his millennia old loyalties may shift and he could lose more than just his wings in the chaos.
Warning: Contains a sexy angel with a choice to make and a green-eyed lab tech who dreams of a dark-winged strange
Ambrose Griffin is older than most, if not all, civilizations. As each year passes, he submerses himself into his training, only relaxing around his protégée and friend, Shade. After losing his wife and children in the last Angelic Wars, he guards his heart and has no desire to share it with another.
Bookkeeper and romance novel enthusiast, Jamie Bennett dreams of being swept off her feet by a white knight. However, her life is no romance book. Since meeting Ambrose—a sexy, delicious angel—she’s been twisted inside out and doesn’t know why. Things are happening that she can’t control and now her life is in danger.
Balin Drake is stuck in hell, literally. His life of refusing to take souls, even though it’s part of his demon nature, has caught up with him. He’s dying and now must search for his true half, but even a mating may not save him. When he meets the two people who could fill that part, he’ll need to fight for something he hasn’t felt in over a century—hope.
Warning: Contains a rigid angel who needs a certain sexy woman to help him unwind, a book keeper who finds herself the creamy center of the best cookie ever, and a demon who has a certain taste for pressing them both against walls.
He’s spent the last few years in hell fighting in the demon games and doing things that would haunt even the fiercest of men’s nightmares. But now Hunter Brooks is back in the human realm, ready to take on the Pack that left him behind…and take the mate he’s just met.
Becca Quinn is one of the seven lightning-struck women—a human who isn’t so human and only needs to find her true half to unlock all that she could be. Hunter, the dangerous, sexy wolf, has saved her life twice, and yet she knows nothing about him—only that she wants to know everything she can.
Between the Pack’s council and strangers who could take everything away from them, Becca and Hunter have more to fight and everything to fight for. Hunter’s dark past takes over their courtship, and just when he thinks all his lost, he’ll find that Becca’s more than he—or she—ever thought.
Warning: Contains a sexy wolf who broods with the best of them, a woman who defines the term unlucky, and a chemistry that’s sure to make the wolf howl in all of us.
*Read LITERAL ADDICTION’s review of His Choice HERE
From five bestselling authors comes five brand new novellas sure to heat up the night.
From Carrie Ann Ryan’s Dante’s Circle series, a demon from the fiery depths of hell must make his choice to follow in the footsteps of his father or love the submissive wolf who lays claim to his heart in His Choice.
Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?
As one of the seven lightning struck women, Nadie Morgan has known for a while now that her fate would be forever changed…and revolve around a certain dragon. From the first time Dante Bell saw Nadie, he knew she was the one for him. There’s just one problem–there’s another in his life he’s waiting on as well.
When Jace Goodwin, a bear shifter and Mediator, finally comes back to the human realm after years away under circumstances out of his control, his first stop is to Dante’s Circle where he not only finds his dragon, but the woman they both have been waiting for.
Once secrets are told and the sparks fly, Nadie’s new life becomes something she never thought possible. However there’s another realm at play and Jace and Nadie’s dragon will have to fight harder than he’s ever fought before to keep the life he’s waited eons for.
Warning: Contains one not-so-innocent human, a bear known for his bear-hugs, a tattooed and pierced dragon with a fiery temper, and a connection so explosive, you’ll be fanning yourself from page one.
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION’s Bewitching Bella - Charity: *Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review
How do I start this review?!?!?! *rubs hands together, grinning*
Ok I’m going to be honest I BEGGED FOR THIS BOOK!!! I think all Carrie Ann’s readers did. Ever since I read book 1 in this series I wanted Dante’s Story, I yearned for it, I needed to know his secrets, I needed to see his happily ever after. Carrie Ann DELIVERED AND THEN SOME!!!!
The premise to this series had me enticed and enthralled but with each new book I get pulled into unexpected ecstasy through it’s pages and I’m always left begging for the next one. Tangled Innocence was the perfect storm of passion, innocence, seduction, and fight within its characters!!!!
What I love most about this series that I have yet to find in any other series is guessing what each “lightning struck” woman will become after finding her true half. I don’t even try to guess any more and when its revealed in each book my jaw always drops. I also love how each book leads into the next one so smoothly. Its so enticing to get hints and peaks at where the next story.
I cant say enough good things about this book and this series over all, I’m hooked in the most alluring way and I LOVE IT!!
They sound amazing right?!?!?! Well they are! Head over to any of the buy links listed and grab your copies today!!!
CONTEST:
In celebration of the release of Tangled Innocence, I’m offering up some awesome Carrie Ann Ryan swag that I snagged at the Coastal Magic Convention*.
To enter, share about Tangled Innocence anywhere you love to share about your book obsession – Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc – and leave a URL to your post HERE along with a valid email address.
I’ll pick a winner at the end of the Event period and email you for your mailing address.
*NOTE: Should the winner be International given the cost of shipping for such a small thing, I will be happy to gift Winner’s choice of Carrie Ann Ryan eBook from Amazon or B&N instead.
LITERAL ADDICTION is super proud to be promoting for the wonderful Lisa Beth Darling again today, this time to reveal the cover, blurb and an excerpt for the upcoming final in the OF WAR series, Kingdoms of War.
We’ve been a part of Lisa’s divine journey since day one, and it actually feels a little surreal to me that we’re coming to the end.
About the Author, from the Author:
“In the 4th grade I discovered that I was a writer when we were given our first creative writing assignment. We were to write stories about a baby bird’s flight and read them to the class. I put pencil to paper and was instantly whisked away by a force I couldn’t explain. I knew that I had found my calling. Everyone read their happy stories to the class. I got up and told of how the baby bird flew too high, hit a plane, crashed to the ground and died. I told of how the mama bird and daddy bird cried of how even God was upset sending the rains pouring from the sky. The class was speechless when I finished they were all just staring at me. The teacher kept me after class told me my story was very good but it was different from the others. She asked me if I’d ever heard of Icarus and did I base my story on him. But I had yet to encounter Greek Mythology or hear a whisper of Icarus. As she let me leave class she again told me how good the story was but suggested I might want to write something happier next time. I asked her why and she had no answer. 40+ years, 16 novels, and some 30 short stories later and I still haven’t taken her advice. “
As I mentioned, Lisa is the proud creator of the OF WAR series, which blends timeless Greek Mythology with Erotica, Romance, and Suspense.
The series is not recommended for the faint of heart, but for those with bold and daring souls. She brings conflict, passion, love, and suspense to unique couples in her full-length works. Never one to shy away from the less pleasant things in life, and instead believing it is in the Darkness where Character is created, determined, and defined; her heroes and heroines have their love tested by demons from within, and without.
Lisa has other awesome books available as well, so make sure to check out Lisa’s entire Backlist HERE. She’s also a skilled photographer. Take a gander at her work.
All good so far? For those of you not yet familiar with Lisa or her work, you can check out some of the spotlights, interviews, and fun posts we’ve done for her in the past HERE (you might learn more about Lisa than you wanted to. LOL).
For today though, let’s take a peek at the cover and blurb for Kingdoms of War and get a little snippet….
With nearly four billion souls lost to the ravages of anarchy and the dreaded disease Major Falls, Ares and Raven journey the Mortal World vainly reaching for a sliver of what was only to discover what will be. Unleashed by Apollo, Major Falls—a weaponized version of the flu and rabies– has wiped out every person of watery Mortal Blood.
From the fiery wreckage a new world is slowly arising one where the descendants of Olympians, Celts, Dark Fae, and all manner of Magickal Being will rule. For the last millennium the Dark Kingdom has sent small legions of its Daughters in search of its Lost Queen. Among their number is Lenora, a sharp tongued Dark Fae who joins up with ARES hoping to get close to its leader, Raven. And she does.
The Wolf inside the God of War contracts Major Falls. As Ares and Athena wander the world hoping to curtail further damage by obliterating weapons of mass destruction he slowly succumbs to the sickness taking over his fevered rabid mind. Ares may not live to see the glory of Olympus restored nor fight to keep his Wife. If he does, how high will be the price for Ares’ life? How long will Alena have to keep paying Apollo?
So…. Did I do my job? Are you all intrigued and frantically adding the books to your TBR lists? You really need to. This series became an instant favorite of mine. If you like mythology and erotica, OF WAR is perfect for you. It’s not for the faint of heart… Lisa doesn’t hold back on the violence, the grit, the eroticism, any of it…but if you want a series you can just fall into and be utterly and completely gripped, ripped, twisted and wowed without being babied, then most definitely check them out! :)
EXCERPT
She didn’t want to believe he’d hid the truth—again—because he wanted to hurt her or manipulate her into doing something wrong. After all, how could it be wrong when it felt so incredibly right? He did it because it was in his nature and because once he had her he didn’t want to let her go. “Tell me the one thing I need to know. Tell me.”
“I will never let you go.” In his arms she smiled at him as her eyes filled with sparkles making his heart a little lighter, “Never.”
“That’s good because I’m not going anywhere.” Bringing the strong hand in her hair to her mouth she brushed a lingered kiss over the back while she turned around inside his hold until her naked body faced him with each of her legs wrapped around his taut waist. Their lovemaking earlier tonight had been extraordinarily athletic and lengthy, she wasn’t sure that she was up for another round and he wasn’t, not yet anyway, although the first stirrings of life were twitching against the soft moistening place between her legs. Wrapping her hands around his neck and grabbing up tufts of his midnight hair she sighed in a sultry whisper, “Do you know how much it turns me on when you say that?”
Grabbing one firm round cheek in the palm of each hand, Ares stood up, bolted to the nearest wall, and planted her back up against it so roughly she let out a cry of painful delight. Ares had just enough time to feel her yank his hair hard before her hands fell to his shoulders where he grabbed them up faster than lightning to pin them to the rock wall high above her head between two fingers. “I know how much you like this.” His cock did more than just twitch when she shuddered and let out a heated coo it threatened to explode as it rushed to full hardness bringing with it a wild wave of desire. Holding her hands firm and keeping her seated in the palm of one large hand, his mouth moved in to cover the sweet spot just below her left ear. Sucking hard on the tender flesh and giving it a meaningful yank with his sharp teeth released gasps of pleasure from her. Yet, wanting him to master her, Alena fought against the rising tide of desire as she tried to free her hands straining and pulling within the ring of his fingers until she worked up a sweat and started sliding free. Without stopping his work, Ares lifted her hands away from the wall and brought them back to the rock with a good deal of force. Pinned between the unforgiving muscles of his electrified body and the unforgiving rock of the cave wall, Alena gasped and quivered against him sending shockwaves of wanton passion exploding outward from the pit of his tight abs, down to the hungry creature howling for another meal and upward through his heart making it quicken on its way to his head where it dazzled him in brilliant display of pulsing color and tingling sensation. Soon the intoxicating scent of wild honeysuckle and the primal aroma of the musk between her legs filled his flaring nostrils and made him begin to growl.
LITERAL ADDICTION is very proud to be part of the exclusive excerpt reveal for Kristen Painter and her upcoming novel, House of the Rising Sun!
About Kristen Painter:
A little about me: I’m a former college English teacher, but I’ve held a crazy mix of other jobs including maitre’d for Wolfgang Puck, personal trainer, and sales for Christian Dior Bijoux. On the writing side of things, I’m a two-time Golden Heart finalist and have been on the board of three different RWA chapters. What can I say? I like getting involved. I’m not adverse to bossing people around either.
I have a *slight* shoe addiction and occasionally indulge in an unnecessary handbag. Hah! That was a joke. There is no such thing as an unnecessary handbag. I love make up and jewelry and spa days. Yes, I’m a girly girl. But don’t think that makes me weak. I can (and do) kill off characters with the best of them. Speaking of which…
My forays into writing have been as varied as the jobs I’ve held. I’ve written poetry, articles for magazines, short stories, paranormal romances (that include fantasy, contemporary and steampunk genres) and now I’ve found a home with urban fantasy. I love worldbuilding and few genres give you the kind of license urban fantasy does.
Augustine lives the perfect life in the Haven city of New Orleans. He rarely works a real job, spends most of his nights with a different human woman, and resides in a spectacular Garden District mansion paid for by retired movie star Olivia Goodwin, who has come to think of him as an adopted son, providing him room and board and whatever else he needs.
But when Augustine returns home to find Olivia’s been attacked by vampires, he knows his idyllic life has comes to an end. It’s time for revenge—and to take up the mantle of the city’s Guardian.
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha Chelle:
…Coming for the 5/22 Author Event. Stay tuned!!
EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT!!!
Prologue
New Orleans, Louisiana, 2040
Why can’t we take the streetcar?” Walking home from church at night was always a little scary for Augustine, especially when they had to go past the cemetery.
“You know why,” Mama answered. “Because we don’t have money for things like that. Not that your shiftless father would help out. Why I expect anything from that lying, manipulative piece of…” She grunted softly and shook her head.
Augustine had never met his father, but from what Mama had told him, which wasn’t much, his father didn’t seem like a very nice man. Just once, though, Augustine would like to meet him to see what he looked like. Augustine figured he must look like his father, because he sure didn’t look like Mama. Maybe if they met, he’d also ask his father why he never came around. Why he didn’t want to be part of their family. Why Mama cried so much.
With a soft sigh, he held Mama’s hand a little tighter, moving closer to her side. Unlike him, Mama only had five fingers on each hand, not six. She didn’t have gray skin or horns like him, either. She didn’t like his horns much. She kept them filed down so his hair hid the stumps. He jammed his free hand into his jacket pocket, the move jogging him to the side a little.
“Be careful, Augustine. You’re going to make me trip.”
“Sorry, Mama.” The sidewalks were all torn up from the tree roots poking through them. The moon shone through those big trees with their twisty branches and clumps of moss, and cast shadows that looked like creatures reaching toward them. He shivered, almost tripping over one of the roots.
She jerked his arm. “Pay attention.”
“Yes, Mama.” But paying attention was what had scared him in the first place. He tried shutting his eyes, picking his feet up higher to avoid the roots.
Next thing he knew, his foot caught one of those roots and he was on his hands and knees, the skin on his palms burning from where he’d scraped them raw on the rough sidewalk. His knee throbbed with the same pain, but he wouldn’t cry, because he was almost nine and he was a big boy. Old enough to know that he must also control the powers inside him that wanted to come out whenever he felt angry or hurt or excited.
“Oh, Augustine! You ripped your good pants.” Mama grabbed his hand and tugged him to his feet.
“I’m sorry about my pants.” He stood very still, trying not to cause any more trouble. Mama got so angry, so fast. “My knee hurts.”
With a sigh, Mama crouched down, pulled a tissue from her purse, spit on it and began to dab at the blood. “It will be okay. It’s just a little scrape. And you heal… quickly.”
The dabbing hurt worse, but he kept quiet, biting at his cheek. He looked at his hands, opening his twelve fingers wide. Already the scrapes there were fading. It was because of his fae blood, which he wasn’t supposed to talk about. He dropped his hands and stared at the tall cemetery wall next to them. On the other side of that wall were a lot of dead people. In New Orleans, no one could be buried underground because of the water table. He’d learned that in school.
The wind shook the tree above their heads, making the shadows crawl toward them. He inched closer to her and pointed at the cemetery. “Do you think there’s ghosts in there, Mama?”
She stood, ignoring his pointing to brush dirt off his jacket. “Don’t be silly. You know ghosts aren’t real.”
The cemetery gates creaked. She turned, then suddenly put him behind her. Around the side of her dress, Augustine could see a big shape almost on them, smell something sour and sweaty, and hear heavy breathing. Mama reached for Augustine, jerking them both back as the man grabbed for her.
The man missed, but Mama’s heart was going thump, thump, thump. That was another fae thing Augustine wasn’t supposed to talk about, being able to hear extra-quiet sounds like people’s hearts beating.
“C’mere, now,” the man growled. Even in the darkness, Augustine’s sharp fae eyes could see the man’s teeth were icky.
Mama swung her purse at him. “Leave us alone!”
“Us?” The man grunted, his gaze dropping to Augustine. Eyes widening for a second, he snorted. “Your runt’s not going to ruin my fun.”
“I’m not a runt,” Augustine said. Fear made his voice wobble, but he darted out from behind his mother anyway, planting himself in front of her.
The man swatted Augustine away with a meaty hand.
Augustine hit the cemetery wall, cracking his head hard enough to see stars. But with the new pain came anger. And heat. The two mixed together like a storm in his belly, making him want to do… something. He tried to control it, but the man went after Mama next, grabbing her and pushing her to the ground. Then the man climbed on top of her.
She cried out and the swirling inside Augustine became a hurricane dragging him along in its winds. Without really knowing what he was doing, he leaped onto the man’s back. The hard muscle and bone he expected seemed soft and squishy. He grabbed fistfuls of the man’s jacket—but his hands met roots and dirt and shards of concrete instead.
Mama’s eyes blinked up at him, wide and fearful. She seemed a little blurry. Was he crying? And how was he seeing her when he was on the man’s back? And why had everything gone so quiet? Except for a real loud tha-thump, tha-thump, tha-thump, everything else sounded real far away. He pushed to his knees, expecting them to sting from his fall, but he felt nothing. And the man attacking his mother was somehow… gone.
“Don’t, Augustine.” She shook her head as she scrabbled backward. “Don’t do this.”
“Don’t do what, Mama?” He reached for her but the hand that appeared before him was too big. And only had five fingers. He stuck his other hand out and saw the same thing. “What’s happening to me, Mama?”
“Get out of him, Augustine.” She got to her feet, one trembling hand clutching the crucifix on her necklace. “Let the man go.”
He stood and suddenly he was looking down at his mother. Down. How was he doing that? He glanced at his body. But it wasn’t his body, it was the man’s.
“I don’t understand.” But he had an idea. Was this one of the powers he had? One of the things he was supposed to control? He didn’t know how to get out. Was he trapped? He only wanted to protect his mother, he didn’t want to be this man!
The storm inside him welled up in waves. The heat in his belly was too much. He didn’t understand this new power. He wanted to be himself. He wanted to be out. Panic made bigger waves, hot swells that clogged his throat so he couldn’t take deep breaths. The thumping noise got louder.
The man’s hands reached up to claw at Augustine, at his own skin.
Mama backed away, her fingers in the sign of the cross. He cried out to her for help. He was too hot, too angry, too scared—
A loud, wet pop filled his ears and he fell to his hands and knees again, this time covered in sticky red ooze and smoking hunks of flesh. The thumping noise was gone. Around him was more sticky red, lumps of flesh and pieces of white bone. All he could think about was the time he and Nevil Tremain had stuffed a watermelon full of firecrackers. Except this was way worse. And blowing up the watermelon hadn’t made him feel like throwing up. Or smelled like burnt metal. He sat back, wiped at his face and eyes and tried to find his mother. She was a few feet away, but coming closer.
“You killed that man.” She stood over him looking more angry than afraid now. “You possessed that man like a demon.” She pointed at him. “You’re just like your father, just like that dirty fae-blooded liar.”
Augustine shook his head. “That man was hurting you—”
“Yes, you saved me, but you took his life, Augustine.” She looked around, eyes darting in all directions. “Sturka,” she muttered, a fae curse word Augustine had once gotten slapped for saying.
“I didn’t mean to, I was trying to help—”
“And who’s next? Are you going to help me that way too someday?”
He was crying now, unable to help himself. “No, Mama, no. I would never hurt you.”
She grabbed him by his shirt and yanked him to his feet. “Act human, not like a freak, do you understand? If people could see what you really looked like…” Fear clouded her eyes.
He nodded, sniffling, hating the smell of the blood he was covered in. He didn’t want to be a freak. He really didn’t. “I can act human. I promise.”
She let go of his shirt, her lip slightly curled as she looked him over. “This was your father’s blood that caused this. Not mine.”
“Not yours,” Augustine repeated. Mama looked human but was part smokesinger, something he knew only because he’d overheard an argument she’d had with his father on the phone once. He’d learned other things that way, too. Like that his father was something called shadeux fae. But not just part. All of him. And he’d lied to Mama about that. Used magic to make Mama think he was human. To seduce her.
“I never want to hear or see anything fae ever again or I will put you out of my house. I live as human and while you’re under my roof, so will you. Am I clear?”
The thought of being without her made his chest ache. She was all he had. His world. “Yes, Mama.”
But keeping his fae side hidden was impossible and five years later, put him out is exactly what she did.
