Cover Reveal: Hollywood Holiday by Sasha Summers

September 25, 2012
Hollywood Holiday
by Sasha Summers
Red Carpet Series #2

All she wants for Christmas is for Hollywood to love her again. But once she meets him, her Christmas list changes.

Jen’s only Christmas wish: Hollywood falling back in love with her. Meeting ex-Marine Gunner was a bonus. She likes that he isn’t impressed by celebrities or the movie biz. She likes that he’s funny and sweet … and drop-dead gorgeous. And she loves that he has no idea who her alter-ego is: Jen Fleming, Hollywood bad-girl and paparazzi target number one. Why ruin an amazing affair when he’s leaving after the new year? 

But the closer they get, the harder she falls, and the more she wants to tell Gunner everything. Especially once he shares his secret with her. 

Her new Christmas wish: Gunner accepts and loves her for who she really is. 
Red Carper Series
Know More about Red Carpet: Series Book 1: 
Hollywood Ever After (Paperback Giveaway)
She wasn’t meant for movie stars, Hollywood, or happy endings. 
And then she met him.

Happy Endings are for fairy tales. Or the movies. Not for real life. At least, not in Claire’s life. Even though she’s starting over, she knows better than to want too much this time. But when she falls, literally, into the strong arms of Hollywood’s ‘it’ boy Josh Wiley, Claire’s in for some surprises. Her plans for rest and relaxation are forgotten as one incredible night with Josh becomes two… And her heart begins to want him as much as her body. Will two kids, one bastard ex-husband, and Josh’s juggernaut career mean the end of their affair? Or can Claire find her happy ending after all?

Author bio
Sasha is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, Hollywood, history, and travel. It’s no surprise that her books include a little of each. Her first play, ‘Greek Gods and Goddesses’ was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She’s been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she’s doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

Giveaway Swag Gift
- Open to US, UK and Canada Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: Concilium by Michelle Pickett


Concilium 
by Michelle Pickett
Purchase: MuseItUpPublishing | Amazon | Bookstrand | Omnilit | Smashwords | Kindlegraph

A tale of deadly creatures and forbidden romance...

Leslee hit a strange animal with her car. Now she’s marked for death.

It was a simple car accident – the animal didn’t even die – but it drew the attention of the Cruor Imbibo. Driven by their insatiable need to feed, the secret society of Imbibo has devoured the dregs of civilization for centuries. Afraid Leslee will expose them, and put an end to their meal ticket, the Imbibo want her dead.

The Concilium is Leslee's only protection. Guardian of the ancient secret and the protector of humans, the Concilium fights to control the Imbibo and end their feeding frenzy. Miller works for the Concilium. Keeping Leslee alive is his next assignment.

Now Leslee is on the run, and the only thing between her flesh and the snapping jaws of the Imbibo is Miller. He and Leslee quickly form a bond, but will falling in love make Miller’s job more difficult? Because if he fails, Leslee will be next on the Imbibo menu.

The Cruor Imbibo are coming, and they're coming for Leslee.
Author bio:
Michelle Pickett

Michelle has been an avid reader since a young child.  She began writing for personal enjoyment in college, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting.  Deciding sitting in a cubical all day was her form of cruel and unusual punishment, she decided to do what she really wanted to—share her passion for reading and writing with others.

She wrote her debut novel Concilium in 2010.  It was released July of 2012 by MuseItUp Publishing.  The sequel, Concilium: The Departure will also be published by MuseItUp Publishing with scheduled release date of November 2012.

Her Debut young adult novel, PODs, will be published by Spencer Hill Press and is scheduled for release in paperback June 4th, 2013.  Milayna, a young adult paranormal romance, will be released through Spencer Hill Press March 2014.

Michelle was born and raised in Michigan.  She now resides in a small community outside Houston, Texas with her incredibly supportive husband, four wonderful children, a 125-pound lap dog, a very grumpy cockatiel and a cat that thinks it's queen.

Michelle writes adult and young adult Sci/Fi and urban fantasy romance.

Links and Contact Information:
Website  | Email | Blog Facebook Twitter Goodreads PODs

Book Blast Giveaway:
~ $50 Amazon Gift Code
~ Ends 10/2/12
~ Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Hive by Marc Davies

September 24, 2012

Hive
by Marc Davies
Psionic Man #1
Genre: M/M - Sci-Fi/Paranormal
Date Published: 8/6/12
Publisher: Champagne Books
Purchase: Amazon | Burst Books

For centuries the Hive has waged a secret war, pitting psychic powers against the monstrous appetites of the Silencers.  Now its visionary leader has an ambitious plan to tip the balance, and the conflict threatens to boil over onto the streets of modern dayLondon.
Nineteen-year-old Luke is thrust into the conflict when he foils an assassination attempt on the charismatic Dr. Jean-Paul Lysayer, a world renowned expert on telepathy.  Down on his luck, and torn between an old flame and blossoming desire, the last thing Luke needs is to be used as a pawn in the eternal conflict.
But the Hive needs Luke's unique abilities, and when he uncovers evidence of a conspiracy it will take all his street-smarts to stay alive long enough to separate friend from foe.
My thoughts
With this reading I got what I was expecting. I'm not a huge fan of sci-fi, but some times in a while a take some of this genre to vary and don't be boring myself with only one genre. So. in this time I've decided jump into Hive and it haven't disappointed at all.
In his debut novel, Marc Davies has created a realistic world which captivates you immediately after reading some pages. I have a little bit of all, comedy and anxious are mixed into yourself trying to figure out what will happen next, and you you think you have get it,  the story totally turns!
It has been an amazing reading, I can't put it down for a long time. Maybe I should read sci-fi more often, so, who know? Maybe I'd find more books like this, which surprise you in a really good way.
My rating : 4/5

Excerpt
           An inferno roiled where the briefcase had been only moments before, held back by an invisible, sphere-shaped barrier. It seethed with barely contained violence, testing the limits of its prison with fingers of fire.
           Lysayer stood in front of it, legs planted wide and arm locked rigid as if pushing against an invisible force. A howling wind tore at his leather suit, streaming through his blond hair. His entire body shuddered with strain, and sweat ran down the back of his neck. Excess Psi traced his back in dancing, red flames.
           The explosion appeared to get the better of him. Half a dozen fiery fingers escaped their cage, reaching for me with hunger. The sphere wobbled, and I threw my hands up to protect my face. But Lysayer twisted his wrist, and the inferno shrunk into a pinpoint of space with the howl of displaced air.

Author bio
Marc started writing as a teenager, and has always been obsessed with science fiction and fantasy. He has a soft spot for books with fast plots, unusual characters and twisted humor. The more unusual, the better. He predominantly reads sci-fi and fantasy, depending on mood.
Marc is an active member of several writers groups, including the Online Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, and maintains a blog at www.marcdavies.net.  He lives in an old house owned by a Golden Retriever and a Labrador, with a mountain of books, an impressive collection of half-finished wine bottles, and the occasional ball of drifting dog hair.

Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Follow the tour
September 24 - Books Down My Pillow- Review/Excerpt/Giveaway {You're here}
September 25 - How I See It - Review/Guest Post
September 26 - My Seryniti - Giveaway/Excerpt/PROMO
September 27 - Reader Girls - Review/Interview/Giveaway
September 28 - Up All Night Reviews - Review/Giveaway/Guest Post/Excerpt
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Blog Tour: Glimpse by Sara Daniell

September 20, 2012
Welcome to my tour stop! I hope you are having a good week. Today in my stop in the blog tour of Glimpse, so I hope you enjoy it.


Glimpse
by Sara Daniell
Series: The Dwellers #1
Genre: YA - Dystopian
Purchase: Paperback | Kiddle

Orion Draper is not your typical Dweller. She is a non-conformist with an insatiable appetite for adventure. And trouble. So it is no surprise when she finds herself eavesdropping on a Constable meeting. One word that makes no sense, "Earth", sends Orion on a quest for answers.
What is this "Earth"? And why has it never been mentioned before? Her search is soon over, but not without a heavy price to pay. Forced to leave behind the only home she has ever known, Orion fights for the chance to return. Every corner holds a new danger, and every shadow hides a secret. No one can be trusted, and no town is permanent.
Will Orion ever return to Dandux? Or is she forever condemned to repeat this hell she now knows?


*I received this book from the author as part of the blog book tour. I have not received any reward for my review, this contains my most honest thoughts.* 
My thoughts
I just loved, I want wishing to read something like this but I haven't find anything until now, and I'm more than happy of have read it. But I want to be honest, at first sight I was hoping to find something more... dark. I was totally wrong the history is just hilarious, intense and with a love-hate relationship that had me on the edge from start to finish. 
Sometimes felt the story was a little fast from chapter to chapter, and this is where must I do a stop and explain myself. If you are a person who like slow stories and details of almost every second that happens, this story is not for you, but if instead you're like me and you like fast stories, in which the story progresses and light without major entanglements, this book is strongly recommended for you.
Orion is a fearless girl says when she thinks it is. One of the things I most liked about her was her sense of humor, mixing it with the personality of Plath, the hottie who saved his live mo than twice, turn out to be a perfect odd couple.
What I can say? I wanted have a paperback edition! I enjoyed this book as I did some time ago, I laughed as could be though in the end there were several parts that made cracks in my heart.

My rating: 4/5
Interview
Please tell us a little bit about you.  Who is Sara Daniell?

I am a 27 year old wife and mother.  I have two amazing daughters, one 6 and the other 1 year old.  I am currently going to college to get my Masters degree in Special Education.  I have published four books.  The Holly Nather Trilogy (Visions, Secrets, and Choices) and Glimpse, book one of The Dwellers series. 

I am obsessed with Coke and Twix – together.  Best snack EVER. 

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

When I finish the first draft of a book.  This is my favorite part because then I have something to work with and perfect.  Until that first draft is done, you have nothing to work with.  

Describe your book in your own words.
On a quest for answers, Dweller Orion Draper finds herself trapped on a strange planet known as Earth.  Fighting to return to the world that she left behind, every corner holds new dangers and every shadow a secret.  Orion wonders if she will ever get to return home to Dandux, or if she will be condemned this hell she now knows. Forever. 

Where did you get the idea to write Glimpse?
I can’t pinpoint the exact thing that inspired me to write Glimpse.  I had been playing with the idea of the story line for a while but couldn’t get anything to really make sense.  Then one day, the whole story came to me.   

Can you share with us your favorite non-spoiler quote or scene from Glimpse?
        He looks down at his feet, and then looks up at me with a playful grin. He slowly walks towards me, slowly taking off his jacket.  He then slowly removes his shirt, exposing his bare chest. As he gets closer he runs his hands through his hair and bites his bottom lip. Oh my damn, he is hot. I swear the temperature in here is rising as he gets only inches away from me.  He cups my face in his hands, and I am too shocked to pull away. He brings his lips close, gently brushing them against mine.  He smiles against my lips and starts laughing, quickly pulling away. 
        “You were going to let me kiss you?!” He asks in pure shock, while still laughing.
        I look away.  Embarrassed as hell.  “No I wasn’t!”
        “Yes you were. Don’t lie.” He has a cocky smile plastered across his face.
        “Go put on your shirt.” I say while not making eye contact with him.
        “Sorry I know my sexy body can be intimidating.”  He is seriously amused by this.
        I roll my eyes and take off my shoes.  “I never said anything about your body being attractive.  It is just weird you standing here, shirtless.” 

Are there any songs you could list as the theme of this book or any of your characters?
Barton Hallow by The Civil Wars

Can you give any details about the second part in The Dwellers series?
It is called Sway.  I hope to have it released by spring 2013.  

How many books do you have planned in The Dwellers Series?
I am not sure yet. I should have a better idea of how many after Sway is done. 


Author bio
Sara Daniell is a 27 year old from a small town in Arkansas. She is married to her best friend, has two amazing daughters, and is a full time college student working towards her Masters in Special Education. When not busy with working, doing homework, and being a mom, she loves to read and write. 
Sara Daniell is the author of The Holly Nather Trilogy & The Dwellers series. 

Favorite Quote: 
"You're off to Great Places! Today is YOUR day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!" ~ Dr. Seuss

Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I heart swag! (giveaway)

September 17, 2012
Hello everyone, today I'm doing my first giveaway.
One of the things I most like that came with reading as a plus are swag & merchandise. Along all years I've been around the WEB I've had the possibility to see awesome bookmarks and a lot of merchandise that I was dying for have. So in honor of that and also I reached my first month blogging last week, I'm hosting this giveaway, I hope it like you.
Any questions you email me o write me in my twitter account.

Prize size XS
One lucky winner will win a books inspired in the Curse Workers Series by Holly Black that I really love. It had the inscription "I am the best kind of thief...".
*Depends on how many people enter the giveaway I will add more XS prizes, but only with normal bookmarks*
3 Prize pack size S:
1 signed bookmark of Never Enough/Losing Faith by Denise Jaden (bookmark with double side)
1 signed bookmark of Reunited bu Hilary Weisman Graham
1 bookmark of Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig
2 Prize pack size M:
1 signed bookmark of Lost in Time/Witches of East End by Melisa de de la Cruz (bookmark double side)
1 signed bookmark of Never Enough/Losing Faith by Denise Jaden (bookmark with double side)
1 signed bookmark of The Faerie Ring Series by Kiki Hamilton (bookmark double side)
1 signed bookmark of Reunited bu Hilary Weisman Graham
1 bookmark of Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwi
2 Prize pack size L:
1 signed bookmark of Until I Die by Amy Plum
1 signed bookmark of  Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
1 signed bookmark of Reunited bu Hilary Weisman Graham
1 signed bookmark of Lost in Time/Witches of East End by Melisa de de la Cruz (bookmark with double side)
1 signed bookmark of Never Enough/Losing Faith by Denise Jaden (bookmark with double side)
1 signed bookmark of The Faerie Ring Series by Kiki Hamilton (bookmark with double side)
1 signed bookmark of Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig
1 bookmark of Starstruck by Cyn Balog
1 signed postcard of The River of Time Series by Lisa Bergen
1 signed postcard of The Faerie Ring Series by Kiki Hamilton 
1 signed bookplate by Amy Plum
1 fortune teller "Miracle Fish" *-*
Grab the button 


I want to thank to all the authors and Vivian Hebel from Hebel Design who have very generously provided bookmarks and swag for this giveaway.
You can visit Hebel's shop and see all her piece of art clicking the image below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have a great day,
Camila

RAK: September Sing-Up

September 15, 2012
This is my second time participating in this event so I want to thank so much to Miki form Lecture toute une Aventure for reminding me that I should do a Sing-Up :)
So, I hope send some RAK's this month.
Are you participating in RAK?
Book Soulmates
     Rules

  • Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).
  • Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the right sidebar).
  • Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog, etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
  • If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.
  • Once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com] so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!
  • E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble with Nook as well.
  • At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post.  This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

Have a nice day!
Camila

Blog Tour: Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye by Shari A. Brady

September 14, 2012
At this time I have a review of a book you won't regret of read it. I can assure it to you. So, just follow reading, I have a stop with review, 1rst chapter, interview & giveaway

Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye
by Shari A. Brady
Genre: Young Adult
Publish Date: June 11, 2012

Before Carmella D’Agostino’s older sister Francesca died, she worked at the bakery and wrote songs, but now she writes lists.  Lists like ten reasons why it's her fault Francesca's dead, or five reasons why she should try and win Howie back, or one reason why she needs to stop lying to everyone, including herself.
 Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye is an extraordinary novel about one family’s struggle to make sense of their world after losing a family member to addiction. Through sixteen-year-old Carmella’s eyes, we witness the courage and strength it takes to overcome the consequences of grief, guilt and co-dependency.
With conviction and determination, Carmella shows us what can happen when we’re open to love, feel the pain of our loss, and have the courage to accept the truth of our lives.
Before sixteen-year-old Carmella’s older sister Francesca died, she worked at the bakery and wrote songs, but now she writes lists. Lists like ten reasons why she shouldn’t feel guilty for her sister’s death, or five reasons why she needs to win Howie back, or one reason why she should stop lying to everyone, including herself.
Wish I Could Have said Goodbye is an extraordinary first novel about one family’s struggle to make sense of their world after losing someone they love to addiction. Shari A. Brady skillfully takes the reader on a journey and through Carmella’s eyes we witness the guilt, pain and courage it takes to overcome the consequences of co-dependency. It is truly a heart-breaking novel about what happens when love, loss and truth collide.
*I received this book from the author as part of the blog book tour. I have not received any reward for my review, this contains my most honest thoughts.*
My thought
I have no words to describe how amazing is this book, it is a book that teaches you a lot, so , I love this kind of story.
Through the story we are seeing it grow Carmella. She has so much to manage, and in some places want to throw in the towel and give up but remember that time Francesca, her older sister who has dead because of an overdose. She tries to deal with it as best as possible, but I imagine that losing a loved one should be really hard, especially if it's someone as close as a sibling, I personally have never experienced, This story tells you how it would be, in a very vivid way from POV's Carmella.
His parents are another matter, personally I did not like at all the position they take opposite the situation. His father on the one hand trying to cover up the truth of Francesca's death all the time and on the other hand her mother doing a thousand things to "help" Carmella, but really she did not feel better.
Now, Howie, the cutest and nicest boy Carmella starts dating, is really lovely, he just wants to see her happy, but she is scared, scaref of her feelings and scared of the reaction of her parents, because they've been being very overprotective with her. I think Howie is partly responsible with how Carmella grows-up in the story, sort of like a pillar for her. One of the things I liked most was his sense of humor, makes him even more charming than he already is.
Despite the sad parts of the story, (yep, there were many tears I let go), is a book I would recommend to anyone. Writing is almost perfect and so is the convinación between dialogues and descriptions, which allow you to immerse yourself without any probleme in the reality Brodi has written, it is certainly a very good book besides being his debut novel, I hope ansionamente another project from the author will surely be as good as Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye.
My rating: 5/5

Chapter 1

October
           I hug Francesca’s purse tight against my chest and rest my head against the corner of my closet. This is me since my big sister died four weeks ago. Francesca was six years older than me, and at twenty-three she became one of those people you read about in the tabloids, only she wasn’t an actor in Hollywood. She was my big sister who accidentally overdosed at her own party and now she’s not here to help me get over the fact I let her down, or to give me one reason why I should keep on living since my universe exploded and turned to dust.
           I close my eyes and make a list, the kind Francesca and I would make when the lights were out and we were supposed to be sleeping.
            Why I should live the rest of my life in my closet
           1. I don’t have to talk to anyone.
           2. I don’t have to listen to Mom and Dad fight.
           3. I don’t have to face the rest of my life without my big sister.
           Francesca and I had a pact to keep the lists just between us and we swore each other to secrecy before we made our first one. When Francesca went to college and was home for a break or a visit, we didn’t make many lists.  And then when she graduated, the lists stopped. I forgot all about the lists until I found one in her purse the night she died. It was her Monday to do list.
           “Carmella?” My mother taps on the door. “Could you—?”
           I slide the closet door open and squint up at my mother.
           “We need you to come out. Your father’s got his coat on. He’s waiting.”
           “I’m not going.”
           “Carmella, don’t do this.” She pushes up the sleeves of her burnt orange pullover and folds her arms in front of her. “We need you.”
           I want to tell Mom I can’t reduce my big sister’s life to twelve boxes and stuff them underneath the steps of my parents’ basement. But I won’t say what I’m thinking. I don’t want to make things worse for her and Dad.
           My mother’s eyes are a million miles away. They’ve been like that ever since we got the news. “I know this is hard, Carmella, but Father Carlucci says packing up her things and moving her out of the apartment will help us start to heal.”
           “What if I don’t want to move her things out of there? I want everything to stay the same.”
           “Please, I don’t have the energy to fight.” Mom’s hair is tucked behind her ears, all messy, and her make up is rubbed off of her puffy eyes.
           “Fine.” I set Francesca’s purse down on top of my red Converse shoes and drag myself towards the steps.
           When I get into the kitchen, Mom hands me my coat.
           My father’s pacing in front of the sink, crunching on corn chips. The veins in the side of his head pop out while he chews.
           Mom grabs her purse from the scratched up wooden kitchen table they’ve been talking about replacing since Francesca started middle school.
           “The owners from Lincoln Distributors sent flowers to the office Friday. How did they find out?” Mom asks.
           My father stops in front of the door and rubs his forehead with his left hand. “I don’t know. Obviously, someone at the office told them. We never should have let the truth get past the family.”
           “What are you talking about?” Mom squeezes the strap of her black leather purse tight.
           “Yesterday, Mary at Davenport Motor Works asked what happened to Francesca. I told her she died of a fatal arrhythmia. From here on in, if anyone asks, that’s the story. And when you go back to school, you tell everyone the same thing.” He points to me.
           “But most of them know what happened.” I zip my jacket.
           “Not all of them. Tell Anna and your other friends to keep quiet too.”
           Dad doesn’t know I haven’t spoken to anyone but Anna in the last year. My only friends lately were Francesca and Donny. Mom and Dad don’t know much about me at all now. When Francesca started having problems in middle school, I disappeared.
           “You lied? You told a customer our daughter died from a fatal heart condition?” Mom swipes her hair behind her ear.
           “Gina, our daughter died at a party where kids were doing drugs. People see that as a reflection on us. Since my father passed away and I took over the business two years ago, I’ve been working my ass off. I don’t want anything to jeopardize our reputation and I don’t want all my hard work to go to hell.”
           My mother’s eyes glass over, her face drops like all her muscles turned into water and poured out. “Joe, this is our daughter. How can you talk like this? People will understand. It was an accident.”
           “This type of shit only happens to kids who are on drugs. Francesca was in the wrong place at the wrong time, that’s all. If she didn’t move in with that asshole Donny, she’d be alive right now.” My father stabs his finger in the air.
           “I don’t believe this. So when I talk to people at work, I’m supposed to lie about how my daughter died?” My mother’s eyes glass over.
           “Say it was a heart thing and you don’t want to talk about it. People won’t push. And that goes for you too.” My dad plucks his keys out of his coat pocket. “Let’s go.”
***
           The three of us head up the creaky steps to Donny and Francesca’s third floor apartment. We had to walk two blocks struggling to hold onto the flattened boxes and packing tape. Parking on city streets is always a pain, especially on Saturdays when everyone is home from work. Most people work Monday through Friday in this neighborhood, except for Francesca and Donny.
           Donny works weekends at the bar down the street. That’s how they got this apartment. A year ago, Donny met a guy who was transferred to China for a four-year assignment and needed to rent out his top floor condo in a cool brownstone building. Francesca was so excited; she thought they got lucky. The place was only a few blocks from the famous Second City Theatre in Chicago. Francesca thought she was going to move in here and get her life back on track.
           Francesca worked at different restaurants for a while, but last summer she didn’t work at all. Around middle of August, she stopped returning my calls. When she finally called me back it was the first week in September to ask me to go to an AA meeting with her. It was a week before she died and the last time I ever heard her voice.
           Dad sets his stack of boxes down and knocks. Mom starts to cry. She pulls a tissue out of her purse. She hands one to me, but I’m not gonna cry. I’m gonna be strong for Mom and Dad because that’s what families do for each other.
           Donny opens the door and we get a whiff of rotten food like moldy cheese. We haven’t seen him since the funeral.
           “Hi,” Donny says. He combs his messy dishwater blond hair with his fingers, like he just woke up. His green T-shirt is all wrinkled.
           “C’mon in.” He steps back and holds out his hand. “Hey, sis.” He smiles.
           “Hi.” I almost walk towards the kitchen, but I stop myself. Francesca loved to cook. I kept her company in the kitchen while she made stuff. They were always broke, so she cooked a lot of pasta.
           Everywhere I look I see Francesca. Like her favorite fake painting of a sunrise on the beach she bought from a guy on the street for ten bucks when she first moved in with Donny. Francesca and I dreamed of living near the ocean, where the air is always warm and people are more relaxed. She was sure the painting meant good luck for her. I run my finger along the tacky gold frame.
           “We were supposed to be awesome career women, get married, have kids and live next door to each other, two blocks from the beach,” I whisper. “That was our plan.”
           I remember thinking how much I liked Donny and was so happy for Francesca. We were both sure her life was going to finally get better.
           Donny leads us into the bedroom.
           He points to the closet. “I boxed up her shoes, just the hanging stuff needs to be done.”
           I think I might puke. I push past my parents, who are stiff like statues. I run straight to the bathroom where Francesca and I hung out when we wanted to talk in secret. I close and lock the door, taking my usual seat on the side of the tub, staring at the toilet where Francesca parked her foot as she blew cigarette smoke out the tiny frosted paned window. I rock back and forth and howl into my sleeve.
           I bend down and run my fingers across the tiny tiles on the floor. I imagine her lying here, taking her last breaths, all alone. I grab my chest. I wish she hadn’t died in here alone. I wish I could have been with her, to hold her hand or to hug her. I wish I could have said goodbye.
           “Carmella.” My mother knocks on the door. “Are you okay?”
           I stand up and turn the cold water on full blast. “I’m fine,” my voice cracks. I clear my throat. “I’ll be right out.”
           I open the door, and I hear Dad shout. “How can you live with yourself? This is all your fault.”
           “Don’t go blaming me. All I did was try and love her,” Donny stomps out of the apartment, the door slamming behind him.
           I walk into the bedroom. My father is mumbling over the high-pitched scream of the packing tape as he seals the top of a box.
           Mom sniffles as she takes Francesca’s clothes off the hangers, folds them and puts them carefully in the box on the floor next to her.
           Dad stands in the middle of the room, staring at the dresser, the tape dispenser dangling from his right hand.
           “Where’s Donny?” I ask.
           Mom turns towards me. “He left. He shouldn’t be here.” She folds Francesca’s blue and white plaid shirt.
           “Wait,” I say. “Can I have that one?”
           Mom clutches the shirt. “This old thing? Why would you want this?”
           “Because. It was her favorite.”
           Mom passes me the shirt. “Okay.” She shakes her head.
           Holding it up to my nose, I smell Francesca and for a tiny fraction of a second, I get her back.
           I put the shirt down next to my purse on the bed. “What should I do?”
           Dad hands me a small box. “Donny says there’s a few things out there.”
           I take the box from him and walk into the kitchen, pretending she’ll be standing at the sink, excited to see me as usual, throwing her arms around me in one of her over-the-top hugs.
           I turn my head. There’s a small magnet on the side of the fridge in the shape of an old potbelly stove with red letters that say “Francesca’s Kitchen” across the belly. Donny bought it for her and she loved the stupid thing. I shove the magnet into my pocket.
***
           I stretch my red and white tiny-flowered comforter over my crossed legs and try not to look over at Francesca’s empty bed, still made up with the matching bedspread. My guitar sits in the stand and stares at me like an abandoned dog. I haven’t been able to go near it since we got the call. Francesca talked my parents into giving me the guitar for my eighth grade graduation, a gift from all three of them. It’s the same style of acoustic guitar John Lennon had. She knew I’d go ballistic over it. I used a black Sharpie marker to copy his famous character sketch, just like the one he had on the guitar he used during the Bed-In for Peace. My parents had a fit when they saw the drawing. They thought I’d ruined the guitar.
           I tried to explain how much I admired John Lennon, how I want to be an artist who changes the world like he did. In the middle of my explanation, the phone rang. The office called with an emergency. We were supposed to finish talking later, but never did.
           I was playing “Imagine” when my mother stormed through the door screaming that Francesca was dead. Then she fainted.
           I glance over at Francesca’s empty bed and turn out the light. Staring at the moon outside my window, missing Francesca so bad I want to curl up and die, I wonder how Donny’s surviving.
           I close my eyes. A replay of the day flashes through my head. I start to drift into the still black waters of the night.
           Then I smell cigarette smoke.
           I see Francesca in her bathroom, standing with her foot on the toilet, blowing smoke out the window, making fun of all our goofy distant relatives that were at her wake and funeral.
           I’m sitting on the side of the tub, laughing.
           Francesca smiles at me, taking a long drag from her cigarette. Then she tells me she’s okay.
           My eyes fly open.
           I sit up.
           My heart jumps into my throat. I grab for the lamp and miss. My water glass falls onto the carpet. I reach for the lamp again and turn it on. I stare at the end of my bed. No Francesca. I fly out of bed. I blink, rub my sweaty forehead and look around the room. My legs shake as I crawl back into bed.
           The cigarette smoke chokes me.
           I scream but nothing comes out.

Interview

Hi Shari! Thank you so much for taking the time out to talk with us and let us know more about you.

Please, tell us a little bit about you, who’s Shari A. Brady?
I’m a writer who is passionate about books and stories that get people talking about real life challenges while entertaining them. I think books and movies have the power to change people’s lives for the better.  I’m also a wife, mother of a thirteen-year-old son, a twelve-year-old daughter and proud owner of a shelter-dog mutt named Betty Queen Elizabeth.  When I’m not writing stories, I’m reading, watching movies, walking the dog, hanging out with my family and friends or doing some kind of creative activity such as painting or drawing. I’m interested in constantly learning something new and getting in touch with nature, so I love taking family field trips on the weekends to museums or exploring a national park.

Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye is your first novel, what inspired you to write this book?
I lost my older sister a while back and wanted to write a story about two sisters, since the relationship between sisters is so compelling and unique.  While working on one of my drafts, I learned about teens in my area dying of accidental drug overdoses at a rapidly growing rate.  That’s when I knew exactly the story I wanted to tell.

What has been your favorite part of the writing process?
I love revision, especially when I’m going through the novel word for word and putting the finishing touches on every detail to make the story the best it can be.

Can you describe Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye with your own words?
Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye is a story about starting over and learning how to face the truths of your life.  It is also a story about taking chances and letting new people into your life when you’re feeling vulnerable.

Which character was the most difficult to write and why?
The parents were the most difficult to write because my parents were so unlike them when I lost my sister.  Also, I was writing from Carmella’s point of view so I had to portray the parents exactly how she was seeing them, without the reader (or Carmella) knowing what they were really thinking and feeling.
Is there any song you could list as the theme of this book or of any of the characters?
Anna Nalick’s “Breathe (2AM)” would be a song I think captures the hurt and emotional paralysis feel when we lose someone.

Could you tell us please, which book changed your life, and why?
So many books have changed my life in so many ways, but Julie Cameron’s The Artist’s Way made the biggest impact on me as an artist.  At twelve, I was inspired by Judy Blume to become a writer.
If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be?
I’ve always wanted to live in New York City, so any book where I’m a successful writer living there. I also actually love jumping into the world of my latest work-in-progress because the characters live in Chicago and all attend a Performance Arts High School and I think that would be so fun.

Thanks so much for this interview, it's been a pleasure.


Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author bio
Shari A. Brady is a native Chicagoan and previously had so many careers she’s lost count.  A graduate of Loyola University’s Business School and University of Chicago’s Creative Writing program, she’s finally a full-time writer, a dream she’s carried with her since she was twelve.  She lives in suburban Chicago with her awesome husband, two of the best kids ever, and their shelter dog, Betty Queen Elizabeth.  This is her first novel and her last career.

Cover Reveal: Fireblood by Trisha Wolfe

Hey, isn't amazing the cover? I loved her hair! and she and he seems like a find of mysterious. If i was judging the book by it's cover I think I't but it.

Fireblood: Fireblood #1
Release Date: 2013
From Spencer Hill Press


Book Description from Goodreads:
To save a kingdom, Zara must choose between a prince who could be the answer and a rising rebellion that threatens to take control.
When Zara Dane is chosen to marry Prince Sebastian Hart, son of the man who ordered her father’s capture, Zara knows she must fight to save everything she loves from ruin. 
Being betrothed to the prince means a life trapped behind the towering stone walls of the Camelot-forged realm. Under the watchful eye of the prince's first knight, Sir Devlan Capra, changing her future becomes difficult. 
When an unlikely rebel reveals the truth about the deadly secrets that fuel King Hart’s twisted world, Zara’s path to rescue her father becomes clouded by deception. The Rebels clear her path by forcing Zara’s hand with an ultimatum: sway Prince Sebastian to join the Rebels, convincing him of his father’s evil nature, or they will take him out. 
But Zara is uncertain about a future under the Rebels’ command and where the prince’s heart truly lies. She must decide who to trust, what to believe, and what she’s truly fighting for before the king destroys all of Karm, including her heart.
About the Author

I’m the author of the YA Steampunk/Paranormal Romance DESTINY'S FIRE (Omnific Publishing) and the upcoming YA Sci-Fi Utopian FIREBLOOD from Spencer Hill Press, November 2013. My published short stories have appeared in YA literary journals, Fantasy magazines, and anthologies. I’ve written four books in the past two years, and I’m currently working on a new YA Sci-Fi project.
I’m the creator of YA Bound, a promotional blog for the Young Adult genre. Also a proud member of YALITCHAT.ORG, SCWW, and The Apocalypsies.
And I’m also a business owner, partnered with my partner, my husband. When I’m not busy doing all of the above, I’m a wife and the mother of a gorgeous teen boy who's the sounding board for my male characters.
Check out my website TrishaWolfe.com for more on my books and short stories. Follow me on Twitter @TrishWolfe

Release Day: Kismetology by Jaimie Admans

Hello everyone today is the release day on a book that sound so great, sometimes a  day I'm been enjoying so much Chick-Lit's book, so it seem so be just a perfect to read this weekend, I'll be trying to get it. So following reading and you'll find the first chapter, I just can say "I want to read it now!"


Kismetology
by Jaimie Admans
Genre: Chick-lit, romantic comedy
Release date: September 14th
Purchase:  Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
*Available on all other Amazons too. And coming soon to Sony, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and Apple iBooks.*

Finding the perfect man isn’t easy. Especially when it’s for your mother...
Mothers. Can't live with them, can't live without them, can't live three doors down the road from them without them interfering in every aspect of your life.
Fed up with her mum meddling in her love life, Mackenzie Atkinson decides to turn the tables and find love for her lonely mother.
Her lonely and very fussy mother.
Surely finding an older gentleman looking for love won't be that hard, right?
Wrong.
If you've ever thought that boys grow up, here’s the problem: They don't. Ever.
And Mackenzie is about to learn that the hard way.
First Chapter
CHAPTER 1
           If I could give one piece of advice to every teenager in the world, it would be this: when you move away from home, move far, far away, and never look back. My biggest mistake? I didn’t move far enough. In fact, I only moved three houses down the road. The perfect distance for my mother to interfere in my life, even more than she did when I lived under her own roof.
           "Mackenzie, your curtains aren't even straight," Mum complains from her place on our sofa. "I don't know how you can put up with such a mess."
           "How can curtains not be straight, Mum?"
           "Well, the join in the middle isn't in the middle at all and the line where they meet doesn't go straight down. Plus there is at least six inches more on the left one than on the right one."
           Dan rolls his eyes and gets up from his armchair with a groan.
           I know how he feels.
           "Don't be long, Daniel, you'll miss Eastenders," Mum calls after him.
           "Sir, yes sir," Dan mutters, doing an army salute behind her back.
           In all fairness to my mum, maybe my announcement that I was moving in with Dan came as a bit of a shock to her. After all, we’d been dating for a year, but my mum had only known him for six of those months. I’d dated him in secret for the first six months. I was a bit reluctant to introduce them, especially after the incident with an ex-boyfriend—the first and, up to that point, only boyfriend to ever meet my mum—where she'd nearly run him over with a wheelie bin (accidentally) and then put a brick through his car window (she was killing a wasp).
           "Can't you get him to brush his hair once in a while?" Mum asks when Dan has left the room. "He makes the place look untidy. And don't even get me started on that shirt."
           "Leave him alone, Mum," I warn her. "And stop your bloody dog peeing in my houseplant again, it's dying."
           "Oh, Mackenzie, you'll never guess what happened to me today," Mum says animatedly. "Go on, guess."
           "I have no idea, Mum."
           "I almost got a criminal record. Can you believe that? Me! With a criminal record!"
           "I'm honestly scared to ask, but how on earth did you manage that?"
           "I nearly got arrested in the park!" She says excitedly.
           Only my mother could be excited about getting arrested. "What happened?"
           "Well, you know Baby's crocodile outfit, right? I did a really good job of making it, didn't I? I made it look really realistic?"
           I nod.
           "Well, Baby was off his lead in the park, doing his business, you know, as dogs do. And suddenly all these police surround us. Two animal control vans pull up, there's a helicopter overhead, there are even a couple of men with tranquilizer dart guns poised and ready to shoot."
           I rub my hand over my eyes. "Why?"
           "Well, it turns out that someone had seen Baby in the park and thought he was a real crocodile. She'd called the police in case he ate the children."
           "Oh, Mum, really?" I groan.
           "It was so exciting! I think I might even be on the news tonight!"
           She thinks this is exciting? Embarrassing would be my preferred term. Very, very embarrassing. "So what happened?"
           "Well, the police quickly realised their mistake. But one of them did take me aside and ask if I could not bring Baby to the park in that attire again. Then he gave us a lift home in his police car. He was ever so nice about it."
           "I'm sure he was."
           "How anyone could mistake my Baby for a crocodile is beyond me. He's hardly crocodile size, is he? The woman must have been blind as a bat."
           "Well, you do insist on dressing him up as potentially dangerous animals. And walking him. In public. It's really quite disturbing."
           "Oh, nonsense. I like trying out the sewing patterns I find on the internet. It keeps me busy."
           Well, something has to, I suppose.
           "Come here, Baby." Mum pats the sofa and the miniature Yorkshire terrier, which is practically surgically attached to her, comes running over. "Don't listen to that big, mean lady. She loves you really."
           Baby is currently dressed as a ladybird. No, really. Mum's hobby of making these outfits for him is getting out of hand. He jumps onto the sofa and sinks his teeth into one of my twenty quid cushions.
           "These cushions were expensive." I yank them out of his way.
           "He likes the tassels," Mum responds.
           This is our nightly routine now.
           On our one-year anniversary, Dan had proposed that we move in together. My mum had not been overly thrilled by the turn of events, until she'd found a little house available to rent and paid the deposit without even asking us. The house happened to be three doors away from her place.
           We should have known better.
           Dan was indifferent to the fact that my mum had decided where we were going to live and paid a deposit without even telling us. It was one less thing that he had to do. And I couldn't really be mad at her; she was only doing it out of the goodness of her heart. Presumptuous, yes, but ultimately only trying to be helpful. We'd signed a one-year lease two days later.
           Since then, Dan has been a gem. Not many men would put up with my mother being an almost permanent third wheel. Not many men would run her cat, Pussy (no, really), down to the emergency vet at three o’clock in the morning because it looked a bit peaky. It was fine. A screeching woman yelling that it looked off-colour had just woken it up from its sleep. I look peaky at that time of day too. Dan had offered his car as transport and we’d roared off down the road at breakneck speed, scaring the poor cat half to death. Then Dan and I had sat in the parking lot for half an hour, while the vet determined that there was absolutely nothing whatsoever wrong with the cat.
           The house being so near had softened the blow of me moving out and leaving Mum with only her yappy little dog and not-sick cat for company.
           "You can pop in anytime you want," I'd told her.
           I had no idea that translated into "come over every night and bring the dog and cat with you" in mum language.
           The night we moved in, just as we’d settled down together on our new sofa with a glass of wine each and switched on our newly installed satellite TV, my mum’s special knock-knockknock-knock on the door reverberated through the living room. We looked at each other with dread and Dan groaned.
           My mum came in, took her shoes off, sat down on the sofa, helped herself to a glass of wine and put on Coronation Street. She didn’t actually watch Corrie, but proceeded to criticise our carpets, our uncomfortable sofa (it wasn’t) the colour of the walls, the way the walls clashed with the curtains (they didn’t) the heat in the room (it was too hot) and the shirt Dan was wearing (I’d always quite liked him in it). Within three minutes, Baby had peed on my new plant. I don't have the best of luck with plants anyway, but I'm sure the dog pee didn't help the plant's life expectancy.
           This routine has continued almost every night in the three months since we moved in. In comes my mum, on goes Emmerdale,Corrie or Eastenders, and out comes Mum’s opinion of everything from the wattage of our light bulbs to the colour of Dan’s socks.

Author bio
Jaimie is a 27-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, drinking tea and watching horror movies. She hates spiders and cheese & onion crisps.
Kismetology is her first novel but there are plenty more on the way! She wants you to know that the mum in this book is nothing like her own mum!
Have a nice day,
Camila