Frost by Erin Latimer - #CoverReveal

Frost by E. Latimer

Expected: August 25, 2015 by Patchwork Press

Book Description: Megan Walker’s touch has turned to ice. She can’t stop the frost, and the consequences of her first kiss are horrifying. When her new powers attract attention, Megan finds herself caught up in an ancient war between Norse giants. One side fuelled by a mad queen’s obsession and an ancient prophecy about Ranorak, the other by an age-old grudge. Both sides believe Megan to be something she’s not. Both sides will stop at nothing to have her. Fire or frost. It’s an impossible decision, but she’ll have to act soon, because the storm is coming.  

 

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon | Kobo | Apple |

Amazon UK | Amazon Canada

About E. Latimer: Erin Latimer is a young adult fantasy writer who currently resides in Vancouver, BC. She writes books, makes silly vlogs about writing with the YA Word nerds, and reads excessively. She has had an article featured in Chicken Soup For the Soul, and another in the Dear Teen Me online anthology. But mostly she writes about murderous queens and the magical teens who fight them. You can find her online at elatimer.com/

This Cover Reveal was organized by Patchwork Press.

 

Excerpt from Heart Search 3 Betrayal plus #Giveaway

Carlie's final piece to the Heart Search trilogy comes out soon, and while I am sad to see the series end, I was delighted by the last book, Betrayal. The saga of  vampires and witches was crafted with meticulous detail - you can see Carlie's sure touch in each stroke, every character.

Beautiful cover!

Today I'm presenting a rather racy scene from Betrayal. Enjoy!

*****

She reached up and wound her arms around his neck, her fingers playing with the strands of hair at his neck as she kissed him back. Neither of them had any idea how long they stood locked in their embrace, their kisses growing ever deeper and more passionate, nor did he care. Erika, on the other hand, acted her part as convincingly as possible. Max’s hand crept under her top and made circular movements on her bare skin, each circle gradually moving lower until his fingers were brushing just inside the waistband of her trousers.

Erika pressed her body into his, moulding herself to his shape. She couldn’t help but notice his manhood now stood firmly to attention. Max was encouraged by this and grew bolder. He slipped one of his hands round to the front and began to move it up her stomach and toward her breast. She firmly pulled his hand away and murmured “Not yet.” He kissed her deeper still and placed his hand on her breast outside of the material and began to caress it.

Inside her stomach churned. If she were still human, she was sure the bile would be rising to her throat. Feeling his grubby hands on her skin made her flesh crawl and she forced herself to suppress the shudder of revulsion building within. Enduring his lips on hers was a form of torture; all she really wanted to do was sink her teeth into them and rip them from his face. Erika had to keep reminding herself why she was permitting this travesty and it hardened her resolve.

Outwardly, she tried in her weakened state to continue to respond to Max’s kisses and play with the hair at the nape of his neck, but knew she would soon have to end his fun. She didn’t want to play out her hand too soon; it had to be done in increments so he kept coming back for more. Her plan, which she had spent untold hours refining, relied on him being under the spell of her womanly wiles; it was the only weapon at her disposal and she intended to use it to full effect.

As she felt his hand begin to move under her shirt and start to lift it, she feigned her knees buckling and pulled away from him, sliding to land in a crumpled heap on the floor. He knelt beside her, his brows knitted together as concern flared in his eyes.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Max tenderly brushed the hair back from her face as he stared down at her.

“I-I’m not sure. I just feel so weak and light-headed.” Erika’s voice was frail and she fluttered her lashes as if she were struggling to stay conscious.

*****
 And here is the giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Carlie Cullen, the author. Isn't she gorgeous?

Blurb for Betrayal:

Joshua, Remy, and the twins are settled in their new life. However, life doesn’t always run smoothly. An argument between Becky and her twin causes unforeseen circumstances, an admission by Samir almost costs him his life, and the traitor provides critical information to Liam. But who is it?
As Jakki’s visions begin to focus on the turncoat’s activities, a member of the coven disappears, and others find themselves endangered.
And when Liam’s coven attacks, who will endure?
Fate continues to toy with mortals and immortals alike, and as more hearts descend into darkness, can they overcome the dangers they face and survive?

*****

You can find Heart Search 3, Betrayal on Goodreads and Amazon.

Carlie Cullen runs a website and can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon.

Review of Heart Search 3: Betrayal by Carlie Cullen and #Giveaway

As the story of Remy and Joshua came to a close, I realized how much I would miss their universe, so ably created by author Carlie Cullen. Her clear prose and character development made this paranormal trilogy stand out in a crowded field.

In Heart Search: Betrayal, Cullen has hit her stride as an author. The plot arcs are handling with a deft touch, revealing several fascinating stories at once. Jakki, who was one of my favorite characters in the second book, has a large part in this section. Remy and Josh have their own story to bring to a conclusion, as well as Remy’s identical twin, Becky.

There is the internal political conflict within the world of vampires, and this leads to the main betrayal of the title. A shadowy Phoenix masterminds a terrible kidnapping, developing one of my favorite parts of the story. Erika, a minor character, must survive a terrible ordeal – one she handles with intelligence and grace.

Betrayal is an ongoing theme in the book. Becky feels betrayed by Remy who, in turn, feels betrayed by Joshua. All of this interacts in a fascinating web of development, complete with another set of twins with strange powers, birds who listen and respond to Remy, and the history of vampirism.

 

image courtesy of deviantart

In the end it is a sense of self that raises the characters above their circumstances. Remy comes to terms with her new identity as mother, wife, and vampire, while Becky discovers something very interesting about the family’s past.

This multi-layered tale unfolds so effortlessly it’s easy to miss the mastery behind the writing. Cullen’s prose drew me in and made me get lost in the story.

It’s always a satisfying but sad moment when a series comes to an end. I’ll miss Remy and Joshua, but I’m certain Cullen has more for us up her sleeve.

AND HERE IS THE EXCITING GIVEAWAY:

Complete with amazing prizes - woo to the hoo! I mean, just look...

at these gorgeous...

prizes...

And that's just a START of the amazing stuff Carlie's handing out!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cue the Finale of Heart Search - #CoverReveal

Blurb for Heart Search: Betrayal

One bite started it all . . .

Joshua, Remy, and the twins are settled in their new life. However, life doesn’t always run smoothly. An argument between Becky and her twin causes unforeseen circumstances, an admission by Samir almost costs him his life, and the traitor provides critical information to Liam. But who is it?

As Jakki’s visions begin to focus on the turncoat’s activities, a member of the coven disappears, and others find themselves endangered.

And when Liam’s coven attacks, who will endure?

Fate continues to toy with mortals and immortals alike, and as more hearts descend into darkness, can they overcome the dangers they face and survive?

>>>—<<<

Carlie M.A. Cullen, Author

Carlie M A Cullen was born in London. She grew up in Hertfordshire where she first discovered her love of books and writing.

She has always written in some form or another, but started to write novels in 2011. Her first book was published by Myrddin Publishing in 2012. She writes in the Fantasy/Paranormal Romance genres for New Adult and Adult.

Carlie is also a principal editor for Eagle Eye Editors.

Carlie also holds the reins of a writing group called Writebulb. They have published four anthologies so far, two for adults and two for children, all of which raise money for a local hospice.

Carlie currently lives in Essex, UK with her daughter

>>>—<<<

You can find Carlie’s books at:

• Heart Search, book one: Lost: http://smarturl.it/HeartSearch-Lost
• Heart Search, book two: Found: http://smarturl.it/HeartSearch-Found

>>>—<<<

You can connect with Carlie via these social links:

• Website: http://carliemacullen.com
• Twitter: @carlie2011c
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CarlieMACullen
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=240655941&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
• Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B009MWVL5A
• About.me: http://about.me/CarlieCullen
• Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/CarlieCullen
• Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6550466.Carlie_M_A_Cullen

Burdens of a Saint - by Joan Hazel

If you read The Last Guardian and need more, Joan Hazel's new book has arrived. We're featuring an excerpt from Burdens of a Saint today on Fresh Pot of Tea:

 But before we read the excerpt, what is the book about?

Your life will change today...

When Janet Beesinger writes the words in red on her calendar, she has no idea what they mean. But, as a psychic, she knows when the universe gifts you with personal information, you listen.  How was she to know the Universe meant an irritating and sexy shape-shifter who would challenge everything about her life?

Saint Wolfe can feel the gravity of his arrangement with the goddess Hel closing in around him, forcing him to confront his past and the betrayal of the woman he was to marry. Needing to make peace with his past, he returns to New Orleans in search of forgiveness, only to be confronted by his own immortality. His only hope for atonement lies in the hands of a woman claiming to be a psychic. Will she be able to help Saint find salvation before his debt to Hel comes due?

And here is the wonderful excerpt:

Fergus pushed away from the wall. With whirlwind speed, he flipped Ghost sideways, and without losing momentum, Fergus shoved Ghost above his head. Walking toward a window, Fergus paused in contemplation.

"Don't just stand there!" CJ yelled to Saint. "Do something!"

Saint hated to admit it, but he was torn. The storm between Fergus and Ghost had been brewing for quite a while, and frankly, he was tired of playing the peacemaker between the two of them.

His logical side said to stop them. It was the right and proper thing for him to do. Yet his illogical side told him to let the pair fight it out. Whatever troubled them needed to be brought out in the open, even if it meant they tore each other limb from limb. After all, they were shape shifters and would heal. The furniture, on the other hand, had taken enough punishment.

With more calm than he actually felt, Saint crossed the battle-torn room. "Let him go, brother." Saint spoke in even tones.

"Not until this dirty, little fice learns his place," Fergus grunted.

“Are you ever going to come into the twenty-first century? Really, who says fice anymore?” Ghost asked nonchalantly, which seemed rather odd, considering his present predicament.

“I say fice because that is what you are, a small, snappy, contemptuous little mongrel. No other word fits quite as well,” Fergus answered.

"Your words mean nothing to me," Ghost spat. "I’m tired of standing in the shadow of the big badass Fergus Wolfe. Ass being the important word in that sentence."

Fergus lifted Ghost higher above his head. "Bastard!”

"Ora basta!" Saint commanded in Italian. “That’s enough.”

Ghost thinks only Fergus uses antiquated words. He has no idea the words I want to use, Saint thought. Even though the battle between his brothers had pushed Saint beyond his breaking point, he remained the epitome of composure.

He placed a calming hand on Fergus's arm. "You know you don’t want to do this."

"By the gods, I want nothing more," Fergus spat.

Saint noted that neither Fergus's voice nor his body showed the strain of holding a fully grown man above his head. After nearly three hundred years, Saint was still amazed by his brother's strength and control.

"Then do it!" Ghost barked. "Throw me out like the garbage you think I am."

Joan Hazel has written three novels that range from paranormal fantasy to contemporary to historical fiction. An accomplished actress and vocalist, she has performed with companies across the eastern United States. In her spare time, she plays with a colorful cast of characters who live in her head. She currently resides in DeLand, Fla., with her husband, Ricky, and their two fur kids.

Unremembered Things - Cover Reveal

Unremembered Things by Rachel Tsoumbakos

Genre: Paranormal, Romance, New Adult

Release Date: December 2013

Unremembered Things, is an edgy paranormal trilogy about a woman who is in charge of saving the world even though she suffers from amnesia. 

One woman, two worlds and nothing but UNREMEMBERED THINGS separating them.

Indiana Shamira has a dark secret that could shatter her very existence and get her killed in the process. Now if only she could remember what it is…

When Indiana wakes with no memory of her past life and a vampire called Sam hanging from the rafters in her cellar, she knows things are about to get nasty. Not only does Sam know all about her previous life, but he seems intent on seducing her as well. Of course her boyfriend, Kurt, has different ideas – like making her open the portal to hell!

And then there is the nagging suspicion that Indiana is not entirely human, now she can see ghostly images from the Otherworld. Or could it be from her past life? They include the flickering effigy of Kurt and a redwood forest that conjures up repressed magic.

Not only will Indiana have to risk everything to keep the door to another dimension closed, she will have to decide whether she is ready to lose her heart to someone who has more secrets than herself.

Set in the lush Australian bush, UNREMEMBERED THINGS is a fusion of fantasy and forbidden romance.

AND NOW THE REVEAL:

Isn't it gorgeous? I am a huge Rachel fan, and I can't wait to read this new series.

Rachel Tsoumbakos is a stay home mother of two.

 Her main passions are writing, reading and organic gardening. Rachel lives with her husband, two kids, three cats and seven chickens in suburban Melbourne, Australia.

While she has had several articles published through mainstream magazines, she has also written extensively for Suite 101 and True Blood Net.

In between writing novels, Rachel also runs a successful copy-writing and formatting business.

 Emeline and the Mutants is her first published novel and available on Amazon:http://amzn.to/EATMUP A new novel, The Ring of Lost Souls, set in an abandoned mental institute on the outskirts of Melbourne, is also available on Amazon:http://amzn.to/TROLSRT

Her newest endeavour is Zombie Apocalypse Now! This is a zombie apocalypse serial written entirely from a female perspective – and these gals know how to kick some butt!

Add UNREMEMBERED THINGS  to your GoodReads reading list.

Rachel's Social Media Links:

Facebook:

Twitter:

Pinterest:

Blog:

About.Me:

GoodReads link for Unremembered Things: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17061976-unremembered-things

Links to other books by Rachel Tsoumbakos:

Emeline and the Mutants

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PGNBCO

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/ie/book/emeline-and-the-mutants/id580299051

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/212929

Angus & Robertson: http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/ebook/emeline-and-the-mutants/39524764/

The Ring of Lost Souls

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00879OR6O

iTunes: https//itunes.apple.com/ie/book/the-ring-of-lost-souls/id551780796

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/212931

Angus & Robertson: http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/ebook/the-ring-of-lost-souls/36845144/

Zombie Apocalypse Now!

Amazon:

Part 1: http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Apocalypse-Now-Part-ebook/dp/B00B7T1EXU/

Part 2: http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Apocalypse-Now-Part-ebook/dp/B00BMH1B12/

Part 3: http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Apocalypse-Now-Part-ebook/dp/B00C0KMGTQ/

Sanitarium Magazine (Parts 1-10): http://sanitariummagazine.com/

Heart Search - A Review

I never read a book quite like Heart Search. At first it seems like a horror story, then a romance is mixed in, and then things go - sideways.

It begins with a creature hiding in wait. He attacks a man named Joshua, who is in the park thinking about Remy, the woman he is about to marry. What happens to him will change both their lives forever.

When Joshua comes home to Remy, he has obviously been changed drastically. After a few devastating scenes, Joshua takes off. He is disgusted with himself.

Remy decides to go after him, and at this point the book follows her search - her Heart Search - and Joshua's adventures with his new life. Her search takes her around the UK, exploring different towns and villages. 

The writer obviously knows the country inside and out, and it is fascinating to read about different areas of England. It's like a travelogue, with the added dimension of a travelogue of the heart. Remy searches the country, but she also searches that unexplored wilderness of her own soul.

Joshua, meanwhile, is experiencing a very different kind of adventure. He meets the others like him and  gets completely immersed in their world. 

At the same time, some very odd things begin to happen to Remy, leading her beyond the "woman's fiction" style of her half of the adventure.

The two plot threads are woven together nicely and I never lost track of what was going on. Furthermore, Carlie Cullen's writing style is very clear and professional, and she handles the two sets of characters beautifully.

There is a cliffhanger ending, but the story is resolved enough to make reading this book a very satisfactory experience. I really enjoyed Heart Search thanks to the writer's skill and characterization. Remy and Joshua came alive for me, as well as Becky, Remy's twin sister. 

The fantasy portion of the book is well-done, too; Cullen deals out the action and excitement adroitly and keeps the reader wanting more. 

The Last Guardian, by Joan Hazel

Joan Hazel's book, The Last Guardian, is on my reading list this summer. I can't wait to read a story about a group of shapeshifters.

But there's more than that - there's Mika, see. Ever since I learned about Joan's book, I've been drooling over her character. He's not just Mika, he's My Mika. Why you ask? I'll show you why:

OK! So now that we understand that whole concept, Joan has been kind enough to allow me to host an excerpt from The Last Guardian. And as a special treat, she has featured a steamy scene with CJ and with My Mika.

cover for The Last Guardian

"Do you not know me?" Mika spoke directly to her, yet continued to stare out into the middle of the lake. There was sadness in his voice, and CJ was unsure if the sadness belonged to her or to something else.

Did she know the man at her side? Her heart said yes, but her mind said no. Without shame or guilt, CJ stared at her companion.

He was taller than she by maybe four inches, no more. The earrings he wore were made from real feathers, wrapped with silver wire. The one closest to her swayed gently from the beating of his heart. Her gaze followed the long length of his braids to where they ended slightly above his belt.

The sleeves of the scarlet shirt he wore were rolled up exposing his forearms. Try as she might, CJ could not stop the woman in her from wondering if the skin beneath his shirt was the same deep sun-kissed color as the part she saw.

A laugh, deep and masculine, echoed across the lake. She would have thought it her imagination, had the sound not been followed by the plopping of frogs as they scattered into the water in surprise.

CJ's lifted her gaze to Mika's face. Still he stared ahead, unwavering. "Are you going to answer me?" she asked.

"The answer is yes," he said.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes, my skin is the same color all over."

"I did not mean…How did you…"

"I have been inside your mind since you were a child. It is easy for me to slip in and out of your thoughts without your notice."

The author, Joan Hazel

CJ grunted and crossed her arms over her chest in defiance.

"Forgive me. I did not mean to embarrass you," he whispered.

"You didn't. I, uh…" Okay, she thought. I am embarrassed. Dang it! "You still did not answer my original question," she said trying to change the subject.

"Does that mean you have finished taking inventory?" he asked with a hint of male smugness.

CJ blushed, but felt no true remorse. "You asked if I did not know you. I was only checking to see if I recognized you. Which, I am sorry to say I did not."

"Very well," he said, facing her.

Though there was little emotion in his voice, his eyes held a pain and longing CJ did not understand, yet felt compelled to erase.

Mika took her hand in his and placed it over his heart. Her pulse quickened at his touch.

"What…uh…what are you...?" she stammered.

"Do not speak, Charlie Jean," he said. "Only trust."

CJ peered deep into his caramel eyes. Gold flecks twinkled and danced in a way that was mesmerizing. If he asked her to walk on a bed of hot coals at this moment, she would do it for him.

"Close your eyes," he requested as he brought up his other hand to cover her eyelids with his palm.

If any other man had tried to touch her in such a way, CJ would have pulled away, but she ignored her mind's protests and did as he asked. With eyes closed, CJ allowed Mika to guide her wherever he wished.

"I need to know that you trust me, Wicahpi. Truly trust me."

CJ nodded her obedience. "I do," she whispered. "I don't know why, but I do." Even with her eyes closed, she knew her statement had made him smile, and that made her happy.

"This is real CJ. I am real. I need you to open your mind," he instructed her. "Open you mind and your heart. Allow them to guide you to our Mother. She gives us all the answers. It is our job to know how to receive them."

Time held no influence over the events that were taking place. For CJ it seemed to be both an eternity and mere seconds. The heat of Mika's body radiated though his shirt to penetrate into her hand, and the rhythm of his heart pulsed strong and steady through her fingertips and into her body.

"Listen. Can you hear it? Can you hear my heart beat?

"Yes," she whispered.

"As my heart beats, so does that of every living thing upon the Earth. Every creature. Every plant. Even the water. Can you hear those?"

Timidly, CJ opened her heart and her senses to the world about her. She heard the breeze as it whispered through the pines and recognized the songs of the different birds that sang along its branches.

The world around her buzzed and thrummed. Each sound blended with the next to create a symphony that played in time to the beat of Mika's heart.

"You feel it. Don't you?" Mika asked.

"I feel it, but—but what is it?"

"Connection," he explained. "Connection to the Universe and all she has to offer you.”

*****

Oh, let's just have one more look at Mika, shall we?