Monday, May 20, 2013

Blog Tour: Parallel Pasts by Julie Blues Excerpt and Author Spotlight


SYNOPSIS:

This debut novel offers a no-holds-barred account of two young lovers fighting their pasts for the chance of love and family.

Love is the one thing missing from Fatima’s life, beginning when her parents left her at the age of four. Usually she enjoys calling the shots in her love life, but when she runs into a mysterious man on a night out, everything changes.

Cory Hines would give anything to undo his childhood. Growing up with an abusive father and distant mother left him wary of family and relationships. And as he tries to straighten out his life, the nightmares return and send him down a drunken spiral. His siblings force him into therapy, but it’s not until he meets Fatima that he begins to learn what commitment is all about.

Though their pasts continue to haunt their relationships, it is their common problems that draw Cory and Fatima closer. In the process of getting their lives on track, they find out more about themselves and their pasts than they bargained for and realize they must rid their demons for good in order to survive. But just when Cory and Fatima get comfortable with each other and the idea of a relationship, news of an unexpected pregnancy sends them both running back to the familiar.

Full of raw emotion and a vulnerability that pulls you in, Parallel Pasts offers an inside look at what it takes to escape a history of domestic abuse, as Cory must suppress the urge to fight anything that gets in his way, and the women who love him through the process.


EXCERPT:

Fatima:

I turn on the shower as hot as I can stand it.

I watch as the steam fogs up the bathroom. Stand in front of the mirror, stare at my disheveled reflection until the fog restricts my view. Feel like I’m falling apart at the seams. My reflection tells me the same story. 

David opened this can of worms. Then, going to see Grandma, I swear she opened my mouth and dropped them down my throat. This has got to stop. 

I tie my locs up and put on a shower cap. Brush my teeth before getting in the shower. I grab my purple exfoliating gloves off the rack behind me. Lather up with a sea kelp and aloe body wash I made, try my best to scrub the scent of David off of me. Want to get rid of every trace of him from my skin. I knew I should not have gone over there.

Tears mixed with sweat from the steam run down my face. I taste the salt on my top lip. Pain from yesteryear consumes me. Pain from my parents’ departure. Pain from my own departure. 

When my parents left me, I left me as well. Figured, if my own mother and father didn’t love me, how could I? What is love anyway? Nothing more than an overused fourletter word synonymous with pain.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


I am a daughter, a sister, a friend, an aunt. I am a woman on a journey to discover all God has for me; whatever avenues and paths that may take me.

I am not one of those writers who fell in love with writing before I could hold a pen; because I didn’t. I am not one of those writers whose teachers encouraged to enter into writing contests; because that never happened. I am not one of those writers who adored English; because I hated it. I am simply a woman who was stuck in a boring job and had exhausted all possibilities of entertainment. It was like the Universe sensed my desperation, an unfamiliar voice called out to me, scaring the sanity out of me. But what she said drew me in and I began typing out the words I heard as if I was given permission to transcribe her diary. I realized the second my fingers touched that keyboard, the moment I heard the keys clicking in an effervescent harmony, that I had not found my calling in life, but that my true calling had found me. 

I am a Storyteller. I’ve been a lot of other things in my thirty-something years. Spent half of my life growing up in the military. After watching my dad jump under the bed every time he heard a siren or alarm go off, I knew that was not the career for me. Shortly after graduating high school, working dead-end retail jobs, and spending a semester in college, I found myself raising my right hand swearing to protect my country from all enemies foreign and domestic. It didn’t take long for me to realize I wasn’t cut out for the Air Force. Once I laced up my combat boots for the last time, I ventured into temp work, spent a couple of years working behind bars at a county jail, and screened passengers and luggage for the government until a back injury changed the course of my life.

Ever since I began writing, it was a goal of mine to write full time. I had no idea how I would be able to do so. A nine-to-five was needed in order to keep a roof over my head. At least that’s what I thought. My plea had been heard, and I was tested to see if being a full-time writer was indeed what I wanted. God opened a door that I would not have been able to open on my own and I have not been able to look back since. 

My path in life hasn’t been all good, but it hasn’t been all bad either because it has led me to where I am right now. A few short stories of mine have been featured in a magazine and in two anthologies. And now my first novel will be in print. Everything in life I’ve experienced has all played a part in who I am today. Nothing compares to the joy I feel when creating memorable characters. Nothing compares to taking my imagination to places the imagination dares to go. That is what bringing life to a blank canvas does for me. It liberates my soul.

Currently, I reside in Columbia, SC. I’ve lived on three continents and have a hard time planting my feet in one city for more than four years. I am working on that, though, I don’t foresee that happening anytime soon. Pray for me. *smile*

I am Julia Blues – A storyteller on a mission. 


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Cover Reveal: Before the Storm by Sarah Dosher and $0.99 SALE on Haven from the Storm



Before the Storm (A Storms of Life Novella)
Before the Storm is a prequel to Haven from the Storm featuring Easton. This longer novella is set during the summer following Easton and Dean's graduation from high school and details events that led to that fateful night on August 7, 2009. Before the Storm will also give the reader more insight into the early relationship between Dean and Lily.

Expected release date: July 30, 2013

SYNOPSIS:

Life isn’t always what it seems.

What you think you know can change before your eyes. Fathers abuse, mothers deceive, best friends betray, sisters dismiss, love controls, and anger consumes.
__________________________________________________

After graduating from high school, Easton Grace knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. His goal for the summer includes two things: avoiding his father’s wrath and protecting his sister. His carefully laid plans are quickly changed when a new girl comes to town causing him to lose his tight grasp of control on everything, including himself. 

Easton believes in only two choices – right and wrong, black and white. But he will soon discover that the lines between the two sometimes blur.

Can Easton find his path before it’s too late - before the storm?


If you haven't read Haven from the Storm yet, you NEED to!! It's on SALE for $0.99!! What are you waiting for?? Go get your copy...NOW!! Click on the book cover to be redirected to the purchase link on Amazon!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mother of twins, cowboy's wife, loving daughter, aggravating sister, lifelong friend, newbie writer, soon to be self-published author, fighter for healthcare quality, cleaner of the house, folder of the laundry (sometimes), kisser of the ouchies, lover of all books...avid napper


Saturday, May 4, 2013

Blog Tour: No Second Chances by Beverley Hollowed Review, Excerpt and Giveaway



SYNOPSIS:

No nonsense mechanic, Ally Brody is a ‘one chance only’ kind of girl. When she catches her boyfriend, of two years, cheating with his assistant on a surprise visit to his office, there will be No Second Chances.

Determined not to fall for the wrong kind of man again, she comes face to face with Cole Thomas. He is gorgeous, charming, rich and everything Ally swore she should stay away from.

Cole wants Ally and he will stop at nothing until he gets what he desires. Bit by bit he breaks through her barriers and takes her on a journey of love and sexual awakenings. Will her obsessed ex, who refuses to accept it’s over, or a secret Cole himself is hiding, destroy their relationship before it even gets started?

Can Ally break her own rule and explore the possibility that Cole just might be the one worthy of a Second Chance?


MY REVIEW:

4.5 STARS

Ally, is a woman scorned by every man who meant something to her in her life. Her father, and I use that term loosely, was a poor excuse for a man and didn't leave much hope for any men who came into Ally's life in the future. Then you have her boyfriend, ummm EX boyfriend, Jason. What a douchenozzle!!! Will I tell you what he did to deserve such a title? Nope, you have to read this book to find out! So with these two asshats wreaking havoc in her life, Ally believes all men suck! Ally is one tough chick, she's independent, self-sufficient and doesn't take crap from anyone. Did I mention she's a mechanic? No, well she is and she doesn't take too kindly to men who like to underestimate her ability just because she is a female. In fact, she'll just leave your sorry behind stranded.


Cole, my goodness, this man! WHOA!! Sex God was the perfect way to describe him! But yes, you guessed it, he doesn't rub Ally the right way during their first meeting. He's rich, arrogant, all "You're a woman and you want to fix my car?" Way to go, moron! You already had one strike against you because you were a man. Now you just earned strike two. And you just ooze trouble, so there's strike three. Ally was hellbent that she would NOT have anything to do with this man. Yeah, okay, and I would totally just behave myself if Channing Tatum decided he wanted to do this in front of me, so I believe you, it's all good! 



Hey, I have a review here, wanna stop drooling over my man now please? Oh hell, how am I even going to move on with that up there?

Back to what I was saying! Face it, we all know that's NOT happening!!! Sure, Cole immediately struck out, but Ally decides to go against her no second chances rule and BAM!! This happens...

And more of this...

And LOTS more of this...

There's no denying their chemistry is SMOKIN' at all!!! But Cole, oh Cole, he is so sweet that my heart just melted at times! He is every girls fantasy! Lover, provider and protector. He was so willing to put his feelings out there that Ally would have been nuts if she didn't give him a second chance. Cole made me do this so many times...


Of course life can't stay a big ball of sunshine for these two for long. Ally will soon face some pretty terrifying situations and some that had me doing this...


Cole was exactly what Ally needed. He did everything in his power to prove to Ally just how much he cared for her and how far he was willing to go to help her. Something wasn't sitting right with Ally and she feels that if it's too good to be true, then it probably isn't. Should she go with her gut? Is her heart about to be shattered again? Or will she finally have her happily ever after? I can't tell you!! 

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review and I highly recommend this book!

EXCERPT:

She stood in front of him once again and reached up and undid his tie, slipping it slowly from his neck and letting it drop to the floor. Then, as she met his stare, she reached up and began to unbutton his shirt. He fisted his hands at his side to keep from touching her; the desire to do so was so strong it was almost killing him.

As she pushed the shirt opened she softly kissed his chest and she pushed the shirt over his shoulders before it slipped down his arms. Cole reached behind himself and pulled it over his hands and let it fall to the floor.

Ally stood for a moment, watching him from beneath her long lashes before she dropped her hands from his firm chest to the waist band of his trousers. She opened the button and slowly eased the zipper down. Slipping her hands inside his trousers she let her finger tips brush against himself briefly making him take in a sharp shot of breath. He was struggling harder and harder to control himself. He wanted her. NOW!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


I am Beverley, though my friends call me Bev, I am 38 years old and I live in Dublin with my Husband and two sons. I love to read and I love music. 

I have been writing as long as I can remember

I released my first book in December 2012 called Forever and Always.

My new book, No Second Chances (the first book from The Chances Series) is due for release April 29th....

Some random fact about me.... I am a middle child, I have a fear of mirrors and birds and I make custom jewelry.


GIVEAWAY:
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Thursday, May 2, 2013

MAJOR Book Sale and EPIC Giveaway!!!!



Introducing the Book Lovers’ Buffet. Load up, you won’t gain a pound! 

The Buffet’s “Bouquet of Books” sale will be open May 1-3. More than 175 ebooks, all reduced in price to just 99 cents. Save in categories such as Young Adult, Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense, Erotic Romance, and more! 

PLUS, visit the website to win gift cards to your choice of online retailers. $400 in gift cards up for grabs! 

Titles from popular authors such as: 

  • Gemma Halliday 
  • Angie Fox 
  • Jenna Bennett 
  • Amanda Brice 
  • Jennette Marie Powell 
  • Clover Autrey 
  • Carly Carson 
  • E. Ayers 
  • Genevieve Jourdin 
  • CJ Lyons 
  • Renee Pace 
  • Sophia Knightley 
  • Tori Scott 
  • Meredith Bond 
  • Emily Ryan-Davis 
  • Anthea Lawson 
  • Diana Layne 
  • Lindsey Brookes 
  • Gina Robinson 
  • McKenna Chase 

And many, many more! 


Hosted by Indie Romance Ink. 


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Cover Reveal and Bookmark Giveaway: Forever by Design by Elizabeth James


SYNOPSIS:

They met by chance, and fell in love. But is it meant to be forever?
Callie and Justin are living their fairytale. They are so close to having the family they’ve always when suddenly Callie finds herself fighting the insecurities that she’s been feeling all of her life. This time, the results could be deadly. Can Justin help heal her pain or will the stress drive them apart? Jay and Jane are trying to plan their future as they face the challenge of Tyler’s fight for the child he’s never known. Jolene becomes the pawn in a dangerous game until a tragic twist of fate forces Jane to finally confront the man she once loved. 
Their fates are set, their lives intertwined and their happiness in jeopardy. Can they all finally find their happily ever after?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Elizabeth James is the author of the Design Series. She writes contemporary romance set in her native North Carolina. A life-long reader, she began writing a novel at age fifteen, put it away with no hopes of publication, but now has realized her dream as an adult. Inspired by several bestselling authors she began working as a beta reader and her passion for writing once again surfaced. She embarked on a journey to see if she could complete a novel and Love by Design was born. With warm reception to her first novel she is now making this crazy world a part of her life. Elizabeth believes you're never too late in life to realize your dreams and this has opened up a new world of adventures and meeting new people which she loves to do. Elizabeth lives in North Carolina with her husband and their dogs. She enjoys traveling, exploring North Carolina, and spending time with her friends.


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