'Talented' by Sophie Davis

Book Description:

 

When Talia Lyons was just a child, her parents were murdered before her eyes. Offered a choice between accepting their fate and exacting revenge, Talia trains to become one of the country’s deadliest assassins in order to kill the man responsible for their deaths: Ian Crane. Luckily, Talia was born with a gift- the ability to read and influence the minds of others. At sixteen, Talia is poised to graduate from the McDonough School for the Talented, where she learned to control her abilities. Now there is only one obstacle standing between her and the retribution she craves... Talia herself.

Her greatest asset may also be her undoing; while a formidable weapon in the field, Talia’s talents prevent her from both shutting off the mental connection she shares with her questionable boyfriend and blocking out the thoughts of a beguiling fellow recruit. But Talia can’t afford to have the feelings and distractions of a normal teenage girl, when her life is far from normal.

She must regain the single-minded determination that has brought her this far, or it may cost Talia her life when she finally faces Crane. And even after being molded in to a weapon of war, she’ll still have to find the strength it takes to pull the trigger.

If James Bond and Sookie Stackhouse had a love child with a yearning for vengeance, her story would be TALENTED: an adventure about powerful teenagers who aren’t afraid to embrace their fears and fight for what they believe in.

 

 

Buy links: Amazon \ Barnes & Noble \ Apple \ Smashwords \ Kobo

(This title is FREE for a limited time! Get yours today!) 

'Desolate City' by Racquel Jones Book Blast!

Title: Desolate City
Series: Albertos Series
Author: Racquel Jones
Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Self-published
Format: E-book & Paperback
Length: 238 Pages

Synopsis:
After being invited to a party, Seiren never dreamed of being haunted by the Haydens--supernatural beings--of her city. She was supposed to forget about how they watched her every move days before. She was supposed to forget how everything went downhill after meeting a certain white eyed Hayden. But that would be too simple...

Ereshkigal, a group of powerful beings that all Haydens resent, have their sights on Seiren and Haydens from every corner of Black Phoenix will do everything in their power to stop them.

With the help of the gun-toting agent Luann and Hayden guardian Julius, Seiren must figure out her place in all of this and why she is literally running for her life.

Read an excerpt:

“I need a drink over here!”

Two hours had gone by and the urge to run drove her up the wall. It was one of The Soul Reaper’s busy nights and it made her mood no better. Haydens were laughing loudly, clashing glasses and literally breaking them. Dimmed lighting with a smoky haze flowed around every table.

Monkey faced Haydens cackled in their corner, while the fairies—sweet smelling and graceful—sung soothing songs and swayed to their own beat. The poisonous Haydens poked at one another in their game of ‘whoever turns a different color and dies, wins’.

The lone ones sat at the bar mumbling to themselves in a foreign tongue. Seiren figured that what they spoke was one of Haydoria’s many languages she heard over the years. Either way, she made sure she wasn’t the one to serve them.

One had rows upon rows of jagged dirt-caked teeth, too big to fit in his mouth. Around his mouth, the skin was stretched and torn, yet no blood poured from the wounds. The skin had white fuzz in patches. How a mouth like that could even mutter words was beyond her. The sight of it speaking was sickening.

She sneaked a peek at another lone one at the right side of the bar. It puffed black smoke in small pants as its chest heaved harshly. One of its eyes was missing, the socket oozing a greenish substance. Its skin, pale and covered in pink warts, sizzled in the light and gave off fumes that smelled of rotten eggs.

He wasn’t the worst of them, though. The one at the very end of the bar had toothless mouths sucking in air like a dying fish and blistered eyeballs all over his body following everyone’s movements. The wheezing noise easing out of his mouth probably meant a lot of words to another Hayden, but to Seiren it meant stay away.

“Hey, waitress! How ‘bout some service?”

“Coming,” Seiren mumbled, breaking her attention away from the bar.

Her dream was to one day leave Black Phoenix. The city was so unorganized when the Haydens were involved. Everyone had their set group, but with all of them mixed with one another, she couldn’t even tell what was what anymore. And that bothered Seiren. She couldn’t even tell the difference between the snake and crocodile Haydens after a while.

“Here’s your beer, sir,” she forced out glumly. “Will that be all?”

Bug eyed and drooling, the devil look alike scanned her body. “No, it won’t,” it said, nudging its crusty friend. “I think I’ll have you next, baby.”

Slowly blinking, she struggled to keep the vomit from rising in her throat. Relax. Just relax. Scum will always be scum, she thought. “Nothing else? Call me if you need anything.”

Not giving it or him a chance to be disgusting for a second time, she walked behind the bar and slid to the floor with a pained moan. The peanut shells from the bar pressed into the bare palms of her hands. It wasn’t enough that she had to work with them. The horrible flirts and jokes had to come with the job at some point. It had to be endured for the sake of earning her keep and her very expensive ticket to freedom. Any ticket, rather it be by boat or train, was well worth over a few thousands.

She massaged her temples. It annoyed her that the rich had all the resources in the world to leave, but they would rather stay for some unknown reason. If she had more money than she could hold in two hands, she would have been on a plane a long time ago.

“I don’t pay you to sit on your butt, Seiren.”

Kat, her boss, worked behind the bar serving drink after drink. The short woman had crow’s feet by her eyes and an uneven bob. Kat came off as a bitter old woman to most, but was nice enough to risk giving a job to an underage girl.

“You’ll actually pay me to sit on the floor?” Kat gave her a sullen look while Seiren slowly wiped the peanut shells from her hands. “I know. Just feeling a little drained.” Over the bar, she could hear another glass shattering.

“You? Wonder Woman? No, that’s a lie,” Kat stopped momentarily to spare her a look. “Been overworking yourself?”

What’s with the superhero names? “Well, you know me. Won’t stop till I drop.”

Kat shrugged. “You’re one of my best workers. We can’t have you dropping now.”

“Yeah. Seriously, I feel crappy.”

“Suck it up then, Seiren. We got a busy night and you’re slacking. And let me remind you, I’m not tolerating any violence tonight.”

Seiren’s lips twitched upward. She punched a scrawny long arm thing once for feeling her up. “I was put on earth to beat on the scumbags. I can’t hide my gifts, Kat.” Oh, the memories of that Hayden’s broken nose.

“Then I guess you’re willing to get fired?” Kat asked sliding a shot glass down to a ghoulish looking fellow. “Not tonight, you got it? Last time, you started a riot. You should have been gone right then.”

“Sure, sure, I got it. But I’m telling you. I’m not making any promises.”

If only she could run for two minutes. Only two minutes and her night would be refreshed. Maybe then she would be able to keep that promise. The wind blowing through her curls when soaring from rooftop to rooftop seemed so far away.

“Seiren, I mean it,” Kat said through her teeth, slamming a bottle of whiskey. “As a matter of fact, make yourself useful and take the trash out. Maybe some fresh air will do you some good.”

At first a protest built itself up in the pit of her stomach. That was not the type of fresh air she was thinking of. However, a Hayden looked over the bar, clear teeth chattering with a snotty nose. She shook her head with a sigh and stood up.

“You know what, you’re right. I’ll do that.”

“Yes, please do,” Kat answered as she turned to the chatter teeth customer. “What’ll it be, hon?”

Buy links: Paperback / Kindle

About the Author: 

Racquel Jones has been a Michigander for 22 years now. She has a love for all things fantasy, art and the history behind it and comic book heroes. Since she was able to talk, she told stories to her friends rather it be fan fiction or her own original ideas. Right now, she is looking to one day expand her horizons into writing for comics and owning a branch of unique cafes/bookstores.

Links:

~Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6533865.Racquel_Jones

~Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Racquel-Jones/206693799354239?ref=hl

~Website- http://racquelthewriter.blogspot.com/

~Twitter- https://twitter.com/Rakeru19

Interview with Andy Gavin, author of 'Untimed'

Today, I would like to welcome Andy Gavin, author of 'Untimed,' to the blog.

What was the inspiration behind Untimed?

Typically, Untimed began from a fusion of ideas. Lingering in my mind for over twenty years was a time travel story about people from the future who fell “downtime” to relive exciting moments in history (until things go wrong). I worked out a time travel system but had no plot or characters. Separately, in 2010, as a break from editing The Darkening Dream, I experimented with new voice techniques, especially first person present. I also read various “competition.” One of these was The Lightning Thief (the first Percy Jackson novel), which has an amazing series concept (if a slightly limp execution).  I love mythology and history, and liked the notion of something with a rich body of material to mine. I wanted an open ended high concept that drew on my strengths, which brought me back to time travel.

Some of the mechanics from my earlier concept merged well with a younger protagonist, voiced in a visceral first person present style. I started thinking about it, and his voice popped into my head. I pounded out a chapter not too dissimilar from the first chapter of the final novel. Then the most awesome villain teleported into the situation. I can’t remember how or why, but it happened quickly and spontaneously. Tick-Tocks were born (or forged).

Which character was the most interesting to write?

Untimed’s single first person POV is Charlie, and he was very fun to write. He calls things as he sees them, and given his basic naiveté, that’s pretty funny. We’re inside his head, and nothing is really sacred there. This can also be contrasted with what he does and says, which is sometimes not as bold as he thinks. Dialog-wise, his love interest, Yvaine, is also a blast because she’s incredibly direct and not afraid to work it.

What are your top 3 time travel destinations?

Personally, I’d love to visit the ancient world, mostly the great cities. Rome in different eras (Republican, Imperial, etc.). Egypt during the peak of the New Kingdom. Pericles’ Athens. Justinian’s Constantinople. Alexander in Babylon. All good stuff. We can bet that Charlie will be heading downtime sometime in the future… uh, his meta-future that is.

If you could travel through time to witness any event or to hang out with any person, where would you go and whom would you visit?

Alexander the Great. Conquering half the world is just too cool to resist. Plus, he knew how to party.

If your book was being turned into a movie, who would play each part?

The hugo star, Asa Butterfield, feels a lot like Charlie. Chloë Grace Moretz would make a great Yvaine, or perhaps Britt Robertson. The Tick-Tocks, they’d be CG, as their faces are masks. I always saw Donnie as a younger version of Tim Roth, but he’s much younger, of course. Maybe Jessica Biel for Aunt Sophie. A lot of the others are character actors. Untimed is really about Charlie and Yvaine first and foremost.

What was the most inspirational book/author you ever read?

So many. Benford’s Great Sky River made me want to integrate computers into our brains (when I applied to med school they disabused me of this notion). My personal philosophy (which is unusual to say the least) is in no short order influenced by hard science fiction. And I wish I was a wizard (but sometimes being a computer programmer or author is close enough). On a more serious note, my extensive history reading gives me broader perspective on novelty and human nature than my less read brethren. Nothing is really new in the world. A friend recently pointed out the rhetorical advice of some self-help guru, which I realized was regurgitated Socratic philosophy.

What are you reading right now?

A bunch of things, mostly non-fiction. William Goldman’s Adventures in the Screen Trade and a book on artisanal cheese making. I pound through stuff fast. Fiction-wise, I need to finish The Akhenaten Adventure by P.B. Kerr, I got to 90% and then put it down because it was paper (I went out of town – which means Kindle only).

What other projects are you currently working on?

Right now, I’m writing two more novels and adapting Untimed into a screenplay. The new books are the Untimed sequel and a totally separate short novel that involves old school fairies and iambic pentameter.

What is something many fans may not know about you?

I’m a ridiculous foodie and wine guy (I blog about it here), to the level of being a certified sommelier and attending 27 course truffle diners. Yet, I also have a secret weakness for “comfort” food (particularly candies) like Skittles and Spicettes.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Untimed is aimed at anyone who likes a rip roaring adventure in the tradition of the great 80s adventure films like Raiders of the Lost Arc. I wanted a lightning paced romp that showed unfamiliar takes on familiar places, times, and people. Charlie is 15, but slightly younger readers will probably appreciate the action, and adult readers enjoy the well thought out time travel system and carefully worked historical implications. Charlie’s voice is frank and compelling, but light hearted with an edge, and I dance across serious themes without getting too heavy. It’s PG-13, no racier than today’s network teen shows.

One of my major agenda’s was to show the past in a fun but accurate manner. History doesn’t have to be boring, and while situations and society changes, people stay the same. People in the past are just as human, but things really have improved in many ways. Charlie, as a contemporary kid, serves as our representative, experiencing different times first hand –up close and personal with chamber pots.

Andy Gavin's Bio:
Andy Gavin is a serial creative, polymath, novelist, entrepreneur, computer programmer, author, foodie, and video game creator. He co-founded video game developer Naughty Dog and co-created Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter. He started numerous companies, has been lead programmer on video games that have sold more than forty million copies, and has written two novels.

His first book, The Darkening Dream, has been well-received by fans and critics alike. Publisher’s Weekly called it “gorgeously creepy, strangely humorous, and sincerely terrifying.” Untimed is an even more ambitious follow-up. It is a lavish production with a cover by acclaimed fantasy artist Cliff Nielsen and twenty-one full page interior illustrations by Dave Phillips.

Follow Andy Gavin:

Website \ Facebook \ Twitter \ Blog \ Pinterest \ Wikipedia \ Goodreads
 

Publisher: Mascherato Publishing
ISBN: 9781937945053 ebook, 9781937945046 paperback, 9781937945039 hardcover
Pages: 325
Release: December 19, 2012

Untimed Book Summary:

Charlie’s the kind of boy that no one notices. Hell, even his own mother can’t remember his name. And girls? The invisible man gets more dates.

As if that weren’t enough, when a mysterious clockwork man tries to kill him in modern day Philadelphia, and they tumble through a hole into 1725 London, Charlie realizes even the laws of time don’t take him seriously.

Still, this isn’t all bad. In fact, there’s this girl, another time traveler, who not only remembers his name, but might even like him! Unfortunately, Yvaine carries more than her share of baggage: like a baby boy and at least two ex-boyfriends! One’s famous, the other’s murderous, and Charlie doesn’t know who is the bigger problem.

When one kills the other — and the other is nineteen year-old Ben Franklin — things get really crazy. Can their relationship survive? Can the future? Charlie and Yvaine are time travelers, they can fix this — theoretically — but the rules are complicated and the stakes are history as we know it. And there's one more wrinkle: he can only travel into the past, and she can only travel into the future!

Link to excerpts from Untimed:
http://all-things-andy-gavin.com/untimed/sample/

'Untimed' is available to purchase on Amazon.

Follow the book tour at http://untimed.blogspot.com/ 

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'The Space Between' by Kristie Cook Cover & Excerpt Reveal

The Space Between (The Book of Phoenix #1)
by Kristie Cook
New Adult Paranormal Romance
Date to be Published: 4/5/2013

Synopsis:

When Life Falls to Pieces, Answers Lie in the Space Between

After a month-long dance tour through Italy, 20-year-old Leni Drago returns to Georgia to care for her great-uncle, only to find him gone, the home they shared empty and any evidence he ever existed wiped out. All that’s left is a journal she can’t open.

Jeric Winters has been searching for a piece of his past for over a year, only to reach a dead-end in Georgia. When an urgent and magnetic pull draws him out of his hotel room, he comes face-to-face with the beautiful dancer who’s been haunting his dreams day and night.

Jeric’s one to stay away from—a bad-boy, hit-it-and-quit-it type—but Leni can’t escape the fervent feelings between them. As their own existences begin to crumble around them and shadowy forms that are more monsters than men attack, they realize there’s more to the connection between them than physical fascination.

To solve the riddle their lives have become, they must embark on a journey that requires them to face their pasts and release their true souls. And they must do it fast—dark ones from another world are closing in, intent on killing them. Permanently.

Read an excerpt:

LENI – The overhead lights fell dark for the last time as I opened the dressing room door. The back exit stood open at the end of the hall, allowing in enough light from the streetlamp outside to show my way. I inhaled slowly, cherishing the musty smell of an old theater mixed with the odor of dancers’ sweat and the fragrance of white roses. I silently said my goodbyes as my feet carried me outside.

“Thank you, Uncle Theo,” I whispered as I left the theater for the last time. Only because of him did I even have this opportunity. I couldn’t wait to tell him all about it.

A large, muscular body flew at me, swept me into his arms and twirled me around as though we were still on stage. Laughter bubbled out of my chest.

“You ready to celebrate, cara mia?” Alberto asked as he set me down.

“Celebrate that you’re finally getting rid of me?” I teased.

He clapped his hand over his heart, and his face fell into an exaggerated expression of pain. “Oh, Leni, you do not know how I will miss you and your mane.”

He swatted playfully at the bottom of my curls. He had no idea how I would miss the way he said my name, drawing out both syllables, “laaaay-kneee,” like only an Italian could do.

“But you won’t miss my heels on your toes or my arm in your face?” I said in mock disbelief.

He took my hand and danced me down the cobbled street toward the plaza at the center of town. “You are a stunning dancer, cara mia. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” He spun me under his arm, my duffle bag banging me in the butt the whole time. “Of course, you have become much better since becoming my partner. But everyone does.”

He winked at me before dropping me into a dip. My bag slid off my shoulder and a hand darted beneath me to catch it. Alberto swung me up and around so that I came face-to-face with the most unbelievably stunning vision I’d seen my whole time in Italy. Which was saying a lot. His eyes—blue, I thought, though the light from the corner post wasn’t enough to be sure—enraptured me. He held my bag out with a small smile that hinted at dimples.

“Grazie,” I said breathlessly as I wrapped my hand around the strap of my bag. He gave me a nod almost deep enough to be a bow, his shaggy blond hair falling in his face. Then, without a word, he turned and walked away. My mouth fell open. “How rude.”

“Must be American,” Alberto said. I punched him in the arm.

“Who goes out of their way to catch a falling object and then can’t even say ‘you’re welcome’?” I asked absent-mindedly as I stared after the retreating body that rivaled Alberto’s. No, scratch that. It totally beat out Alberto’s even on his best day.

“What an ass,” Alberto muttered.

“Rude, yes, but I don’t know if I’d go that far.”

“No, I mean what an ass that man has.” He let out a low whistle.

I laughed and admired the view as well. “I can agree with that.”

“He’s going to Alonzo’s. Lucky us.”

~ ~ ~

JERIC – I flipped to the picture I’d drawn a couple of weeks ago during my search in Italy. I’d woken from a dream, one I’d been having for years, and as I had previously, I’d felt the need to sketch the girl who had me waking with a painful boner. Now that I’d met her in real life, I couldn’t deny the girl in my sketches was Leni—curly hair, exotic green eyes, full lips and breasts, her skin … as if the absolute best features of both African and European blood had been blended together and given to her. The Leni I’d just met would probably never wear the leather bra, miniskirt, and knee-high boots I’d drawn her in, but damn if she wouldn’t look hot in them. The vision came to me clearly. Too clearly. I had to place the book over my lap to hide the full-blown wood pressing against my jeans.

I needed a distraction. I needed to get her out of my head. I bought several little airline bottles of rum and dumped them in my Coke, but they weren’t enough to blur the image of Leni’s face in my mind. When the smoking hot flight attendant ran her finger over my arm then dropped a napkin with a message on my tray (“Meet me upstairs?”), I couldn’t resist. I snuck up the spiral staircase to the empty upper level and found her in the bathroom wearing nothing but heels and thigh-high stockings, tendrils of bottle-bleached hair barely hiding her fake tits. Flight attendants like this had made me a lifetime member of the mile-high club—they wanted nothing more than something to make the transatlantic flight more interesting. My perfect kind of girl.

Unfortunately, my eyes only saw Leni’s body under my hands.

About the author:

Kristie Cook is a lifelong, award-winning writer in various genres, from marketing communications to fantasy fiction. She continues to write the Soul Savers Series, a New Adult paranormal romance/contemporary fantasy, with the first four books, Promise, Purpose, Devotion and Power available now and the next book coming in June 2013. She’s also written a companion novella, Genesis: A Soul Savers Novella, currently available. Over 160,000 Soul Savers books have been sold, with Promise peaking at #54 on the Amazon Top 100 Paid list and at #1 in the Amazon Fantasy category.

The Space Between, which releases April 2013, kicks off her second New Adult paranormal series, The Book of Phoenix.

Besides writing, Kristie enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and riding on the back of a motorcycle. She has lived in ten states, but currently calls Southwest Florida home with her husband, three teenage sons, a beagle and a puggle. She can be found at:

Author's Website & Blog: http://www.KristieCook.com

Soul Savers Series Website: http://www.SoulSaversSeries.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKristieCook

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/kristiecookauth

Interview with Alan Oakes, Author of 'Between Micah and Amos'

Today, author Alan Oakes is letting us get to know him a bit better, while also talking about his new book Between Micah and Amos, as well as some of his other projects. Thanks for stopping by!

What was the inspiration behind 'Between Micah and Amos'?
 
I wanted to shine a spotlight on a student in school who had so much hell going on in her life that wasn’t even her fault.  

Teachers have seen it before -- a good young person comes into class but personally they are a mess - and the teacher thinks if they just had a home where things were stable and the young person was really loved, they would be going to college -- instead they wind up with their mugshot featured on the cover of Busted magazine.

You see a young person with so many struggles and wonder -- will the young person get swept into the undertow of their life circumstances, or can they somehow triumph over the adversity and have a better life than the one where they came from?  That was what I was wrestling with in Between Micah and Amos.

Which character was the most fun to write? The most challenging?

 
I LOVED creating Ashleigh’s mother!  She is SO dramatic!   She thinks she is mother of the year, but she can’t escape her own narcissism to really reach out and love Ashleigh.  And yet, there is something so vulnerable about her.  
 
There was an aspect to Ashleigh that was a bit challenging to write.  I wanted her to tell little lies throughout.  They are like survivor lies.  She doesn’t mean bad by them, but she tells them in order to get something she needs to survive.  It is a learned trait from watching her mother operate.  Ashleigh is good at it too.

What other projects do you have in the works?
 
I am polishing up a novella tentatively titled Crossfire that picks up where Between Micah and Amos left off.  It features Ashleigh’s asphalt-tarring hunk of a boyfriend, Billy.  Crossfire should be out by the summer.  Some readers are asking me to make Between Micah and Amos an extended series - and I have other ideas too.  So I may add some more episodes before the bigger blowout ending which I have in my mind.

How do you think your work with high school students influences your writing?
 
This generation of young people are extremely complex!  They are this explosion of life, passions, and impulse with cell phones fused to their hands. Their lives barrel ahead and they are so over stimulated. They will be an interesting generation to watch become adults. What sort of world will they create? Will they even like what they made?
 
I think also the area of Texas where I live is such a melting pot - we have this really unique mixture of students culturally.  The orbits of all these cultures collide in high school.  It adds a richness of perspective and viewpoints -- and the conflicts too!) 
 
Finally, I kept Between Micah and Amos at 50k words because the students I work with usually hate to read!   I noticed that more than Great Gatsby length and it just isn’t gonna happen!  
 
What are some of the greatest challenges facing teens today and how do you help them?
 
There are a heck of a lot of kids around right now who are basically raising themselves or they don’t have parents who are functioning in a way that helps them.  They are feral kids and they are kind of lost.  
 
But by far, the most difficult students I work with are ones who struggle with an addiction.  They sometimes can’t even see how the addiction is taking apart their life, brick by brick, until it is too late.  
 
When I work with young people, I start by creating a solid relationship and then I work with students to approach their problems in a way that is productive.  You can’t shove something down a young person’s throat. You can’t tell them what to do.  They have to discover it and work through it themselves.

What would your own high school teachers say if they could see you now?
 
I went to an all boys Catholic high school -- that is another novel!  But we were always taught ‘be a person for others’ -- so I hope they would say good job. -- And then they would say you still suck at algebra!

What is the greatest compliment ever paid to you by a student, colleague, or parent?
 
I LOVE having students come back to visit after their senior years -- especially students who were told by parents or peers it was impossible to graduate.  My job really is helping students realize that they do have what it takes, if they just believe in themselves.  It is awesome to see someone’s whole outlook on life change because they set a goal to graduate and achieved it through hard work.  It’s really humbling if they come back once they graduate and say thanks.  
 
You are a fan of the film noir genre. What are some of your favorite movies in this genre?
 
I’ve gotta go with a newbie here -- the Breaking Bad series was great modern film noir. All the characters are flawed in some way.  There is darkness and mystery and this underlying tone of suspense and desperation – it sizzles!
 
Orson Wells is probably my favorite old time film noir director and actor.  Check out Touch of Evil -- it is brilliant!    I had Orson Wells in my thoughts when I wrote the character Detective Reese in Between Micah and Amos.  

What are some of your favorite coming-of-age reads?
 
Steinbeck’s East of Eden was just wonderful for me!   If you are a younger sibling to an older brother or sister who is perfect in your parents’ eyes -- read this!  The movie with James Dean is also riveting!  It is when you totally relate to the character and get that yearning feeling in your stomach -- then you know this is hitting you.  The Outsiders was another one.  The characters were so alive for me.   

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?
 
In college, in the summertime, I worked on the set decorating crew of the The Untouchables, starring Kevin Costner and Sean Connery.  Let me tell you all those antique desks and furniture were HEAVY!  

Is there anything else you would like to add?
 
Thank you, Andi, so much for kicking off this blog tour!  And thanks to your readers for checking this out! Now go eat a Sonic hamburger! 

Thanks for your time!

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Alan Oakes is a Graduation Coach and Counselor at a Texas High School.  He is a featured writer for Green Building and Design magazine and a contributor to other magazines including Texas Architect and New American Luxury.  In the past, he served as Associate Pastor of Saint Austin Catholic Church and Director of Catholic Campus Ministry at UCLA.

Alan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas and a Master of Arts degree from the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C.

To learn more about the author, feel free to go to his website:   http://www.alanoakes.net/ 

BLURB:

Like a flash, the discharge from the gun lit up the inside of the dimly lit, filthy trailer Ashleigh called home. Ashleigh sat curled up on the stained pink carpet next to the pull-out bed in the living area where she slept.  The victim lay dead, slumped against the wall of the trailer.  Ashleigh looked at the motionless body.  She was petrified.

Meet Ashleigh Mae, a seventeen year old high school senior living in the small town of Micah, Texas.  Her boyfriend Billy calls her a wild child.  Her momma is always telling her she makes bad choices.  No matter what, no one really understands her.

Ashleigh dreams of a life with Billy.  Their love is true, she thinks. When her mother forces them to leave Micah in the middle of the night and move in with her momma’s old boyfriend Casey, on the outskirts of a town called Amos, Ashleigh’s life is torn apart.

This is her fight to get it back….

**My thoughts**

It took me a little bit to get into this book, but then I was compelled to finish it as quickly as possible to find out what happened to Ashleigh. She is such a disaster area, through no original fault of her own. Her mother has bounced from man to man, beating to beating, setting a horrible example for her daughter. Ashleigh is almost destined to follow in her mother's footsteps. But the move has the potential to be the best thing that could have ever happened to her, despite all of the problems. She finds a new best friend and a trusted adult who both are actually trying to help her. No one else has done it thus far.

I love Gloria, the school counselor, and actually feel sorry for her. I am also a teacher and have felt that frustration of trying to help a child only to hit walls with parents and other professionals. At one point, I was almost even in tears watching Gloria struggle to help Ashleigh. 

When I was in high school, I was kind of like Manuel. I wanted to befriend and help everyone who seemed to have problems. The difference was, my parents actually also wanted to help, whereas his fear that he will only be brought down. There is a great lesson in here about supporting your kids and their decisions.
  

Buy links: Paperback \ Kindle \ B&N 

The characters are always going to Sonic, so author Alan Oakes is giving away gift cards in the names of the main characters to random comments during the tour:

Grand Prize: Billy-sized $25

2nd Prize: Manuel-sized $15

3rd Prize: Ashleigh-sized $10

If the winner prefers, they can get either an Amazon or BN.com gift card instead of the Sonic card. 

Follow the tour for more chances to win!   

'The Watcher' Release Day Party

The Watcher
by
Lisa Voisin
 
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Format: eBook and Paperback

Length: Super Novel

ISBN:

eBook: 978-0-9856562-1-8

Paperback: 978-0-9856562-2-5

Price: $14.99 (Paperback)

$4.99 (eBook)

Blurb:

Millennia ago, he fell from heaven for her. Can he face her without falling again?

Fascinated with ancient civilizations, seventeen-year-old Mia Crawford dreams of becoming an archaeologist. She alsodreams of wings--soft and silent like snow--and somebody trying to steal them.

When a horrible creature appears out of thin air and attacks her,she knows Michael Fontaine is involved, though he claims to know nothing about it. Secretive and aloof, Michael evokes feelings in Mia that she doesn’t understand. Images of another time and place haunt her. She recognizes them—but not from any textbook.

In search of the truth, Mia discovers a past life of forbidden love, jealousy and revenge that tore an angel from Heaven and sent her to an early grave. Now that her soul has returned, does she have a chance at loving that angel again? Or will an age-old nemesis destroy them both?

Ancient history is only the beginning.

Purchase on Amazon: Paperback \ Kindle

Giveaway! The paperback and eBook sleeve giveaway is open for US, UK and Canada. The eBook giveaway is open worldwide. 

This picture of an eBook sleeve cover is only a sample. The winner can choose to customize it from a variety of designs, and even get his/her name sewn onto it.

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Lisa Orchard, author of the Super Spies series

Today, I would like to welcome author Lisa Orchard to the blog. Thanks for stopping by!

What was the inspiration behind this series?

My own teen exploits are the inspiration behind this series. I wanted to be a detective much like the lead character Sarah. I even formed my own detective squad with some of my friends…and I must say we had a blast!

Which characters spoke to you the most while writing?

I would have to say Sarah. She has a great empathy for the victims in each story and she fights for them when they can’t fight for themselves. I share the same empathy for victims and I love it when the underdog wins!

When I was a kid, my best friend and I often went in search of mysteries, just like these kids, only we didn't find too many, much to our dismay. What are some of your childhood memories of being a sleuth?

Well…when my friends and I formed our own detective squad there was an act of vandalism in our neighborhood. No one knew who did it…so naturally we were on the case. We never did solve the crime, but that summer is one of my best memories.

Which mysteries were your favorites as a kid or as a teen?

I loved The Bobbsey Twins, Trixie Belden, and Nancy Drew.

If you could turn this series into a TV series or movie, which actors would you choose to play each role?

Hmm…this is a good question. I would have to say that I want Jennifer Lawrence to play Sarah. She has the ability to be strong and vulnerable at the same time…like Sarah. I would have Willow Shields play Lacey…she has that innocent vulnerability that I associate with Lacey. I would probably have Kristen Stewart play Jackie…she seems like she could play a happy go lucky sidekick very well.

Do you have any other projects in the works?

Yes! I’m almost done with the third Super Spies book and I’ve got another coming of age young adult novel that I’m working on too.

If you could travel through space and time, with whom would you like to spend a day?

I would spend the day with Harper Lee. I loved “To Kill a Mockingbird” and I’d love to find out why she only published one book.

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?

An agent gave me the advice to change my first Super Spies novel from first person narrative to third person. When I did the story and the characters came bursting through. It was great advice and I’ll always be grateful to her for that golden nugget of wisdom.

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?

They would probably be surprised to learn that I didn’t start my family until I was in my forties! I’m glad I waited that long because I feel that I’ve got that much more life experience under my belt and I’m a better parent because of it. The only downside is my energy level isn’t quite what it used to be and these young boys keep me hopping!

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I’d love to hear what you think of my stories!

Thanks for your time!

Website: http://www.lisaorchard.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Orchard/328536613877060?ref=hl 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisaorchard1

Book blurb:
In a small town in Michigan, fifteen-year-old Sarah Cole is stuck spending the summer at her Aunt and Uncle’s with her sister, Lacey. She’s not happy with the situation until she befriends a girl named Jackie. The three girls stumble upon the ruthless murder of a reclusive neighborhood woman and what's worse? One of the officers investigating the crime believes the girls are responsible for her death.

Fearing that this officer will frame them for the murder, the girls organize their own detective squad. They become the Super Spies and start their own investigation.  The Super Spies can’t understand why anyone would want to murder the “Cat Lady” until they start digging into her past and discover a horrible crime that happened thirty years ago. They uncover a connection between the two crimes and attempt to bring this information to the police, only to be reprimanded for meddling in the investigation. Not only are the girls upset by the admonition, but they also struggle with the fact that their exuberant investigating could provide a legal loophole allowing the killer to go free. Frustrated by this turn of events, the Super Spies realize it’s up to them to snare the Cat Lady killer.

Or die trying...

Purchase on Amazon

Book blurb:
This book opens in a small town in Michigan where Sarah Cole and her sister Lacey are now living with their Aunt and Uncle. Still reeling from the fact her parents have disappeared, Sarah starts the school year with her new friend Jackie Jenkins. When Sarah learns the school has been bombed, she’s filled with dread. Uncle Walt is a teacher, and he was in the school when the bomb exploded. Taking matters into her own hands, Sarah decides to search for him. The rest of the Super Spies are right behind her. When a fireman chases them away from the school, Sarah becomes suspicious. She decides to investigate. The FBI arrives on the scene. Sarah realizes this bombing could have even bigger implications. Searching for the bombers, Sarah is introduced to the world of terrorism. She fears that the bombing and her parents’ disappearance are connected and terrorists are involved. To make matters worse, the bombers are determined to finish the job. Can the Super Spies find the bombers before it’s too late?

'Endless (The King Series Book 4)' by Tawdra Kandle Book Blast

Endless

After the tumult of her high school senior year, all is right in Tasmyn Vaughan’s world. She’s attending college with her boyfriend, and she’s learning to control her powers. Everything is finally perfect, until it isn’t.

When her new part-time job leads to more than she bargained for, Tasmyn is thrown into a deadly fight against forces of evil that she didn’t even know existed. Mastering her extraordinary gifts—along with the strength of an endless love—may be the only weapon that can guarantee her a happily ever after.

Check out the entire King Series:

Book 1: Fearless

Book 2: Breathless

Book 3: Restless

Book 4: Endless

About Author Tawdra Kandle

Tawdra Kandle is the author of THE KING SERIES, a young adult urban fantasy quartet. Born in South Jersey, Tawdra published her first short story at the age of 13 in Child's Life magazine. During the early years of her marriage and motherhood, she wrote articles and columns on parenting and homeschooling, as well as some homeschooling curriculum. THE KING SERIES is her first published full-length fiction. Tawdra currently lives in central Florida with her husband, and children, both skin and fur types. And yes, she has purple hair.



Follow Tawdra Kandle:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon

Tawdra Kandle is giving away an awesome swag pack. Fill out the form below to enter:

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Review of 'Destine (The Watcher's Trilogy Book 1)' by Katherine Polillo

Book blurb from Amazon:

Michelle Cross is an average, seventeen year old girl growing up in a small town in New Jersey. Up until her senior year, her life has consisted of a rather unglamorous existence. Her closet friend Cami has been by her side since kindergarten, she has a loving if somewhat absente father, and a mother who is unique to say the least. Michelle’s mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was twelve years old, and ever since then she has had delusions of angels and demons battling over her only child. Michelle accepts her mother’s delusions as schizophrenic ramblings, until a handsome new boy finds her at school. Little by little Michelle’s world is turned upside down. The new boy claims to be the Archangel Gabriel cast from heaven, her best friend falls for the Antichrist, and come to find out Michelle’s mother has seen it coming all along. So instead of being consumed with prom and graduation, Michelle finds herself battling the evils of Hell in her small town. The four horsemen of the apocalypses have descended on her high school and with the help of Gabriel, her very own angel; she must stop the events leading to the apocalypse. What surprises Michelle even more than her role in saving humanity is the love that develops between Gabriel and herself. Can their love bridge the world between heaven and earth? Can Michelle stop the powers of Hell in time? Michelle and Gabriel find themselves the pawns in a very dangerous game between an ancient power with a mysterious message and Satan himself.

**My thoughts**

I have been reading rave reviews about this book since it came out last summer. I am often wary of so many rave reviews and find such books to be lacking something by the time I get to them. Not so much with this story. It was awesome.

In a world of paranormal saturation comes a different story idea. It's the Apocalypse, redone. Okay, it was written during the year that the Mayans had predicted the apocalypse, but I hadn't yet read any YA books about it. This was like a breath of fresh air in the genre for me.

Michelle has a lot to overcome. Her mother is schizophrenic. Her best friend decides to abandon her. And suddenly, she is in charge of saving the entire human race. You can see her strength build from the beginning to the end of the book, as she accepts her destiny in life and battles evil incarnate. With Gabriel by her side, anything seems possible, even in the face of supreme tragedy. But their story isn't over with just this first book. This one spans an entire trilogy, so there is more to come.

I felt like the book as a whole got stronger as the story continued. In the beginning, there was a lot of focus on what everyone was wearing, and other mundane details. Of course, these details help to illustrate how boring and "normal" Michelle's life was before Gabriel came into her life to reveal her destiny. As the action picks up, so did the writing. The plot developed with twists and turns that you didn't always see coming. Michelle's focus shifts to finding and stamping out the evil, before it ruins her and her loved ones. She doesn't care as much about those trivial topics that preoccupy so many high schoolers.

My only problem, really, was a bunch of typos sprinkled throughout the book. I encourage potential readers to try to overlook those, because the story is really a good one that is worth reading. I now understand the persistent buzz about it and greatly look forward to continuing it in the sequels!

Buy links: Amazon \ Barnes & Noble \ Smashwords

'Second Chance Boyfriend' Cover Reveal!

Second Chance Boyfriend (Drew + Fable #2)

by Monica Murphy

Release Date: April 2013

Cover Designed by: Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations

Cover Reveal Organized by: YA Bound Blog Tours

Summary from Goodreads:

Lost. That one single word best describes my life at this very moment. I lost the last games of the season and both my team and my coach blame me. I lost the last two months because I drowned in my own despair like a complete loser. And I lost the only girl who ever mattered because I was afraid being with me would destroy her. 

But now I realize how truly lost I am without her. She has become my story…and even though she acts like she’s moved on, I know she still thinks about me just as much as I think about her. She’s beautiful, sweet—and so damn vulnerable, all I want to do is help her. Be there for her.

Love her… 

If only I could convince Fable to give me a second chance. Then I wouldn’t feel so lost anymore, and neither would she. We could be found together.

Forever.

*** 

Take a look at the revamped cover of One Week Girlfriend:

One Week Girlfriend (Drew + Fable #1)

by Monica Murphy 

Release Date: 01/11/13

Summary from Goodreads:

New Adult Contemporary Romance
**Mature situations and sexual content - recommended for ages 17+**

Temporary. That one single word best describes my life these last few years. I’m working at a temporary job until I can finally break free. I’m my little brother’s temporary mother since our mom doesn’t give a crap about either of us. And I’m that temporary girl all the guys want to get with because I give it up so easily. According to the rumors, at least.

But now I’m the temporary girlfriend of Drew Callahan, college football legend and all around golden guy. He’s beautiful, sweet—and he’s hiding way more secrets than I am. He’s brought me into this fake life where everyone seems to hate me. And everyone seems to want something from him. The only thing he seems to want though is…

Me.

I don’t know what to believe anymore. All I know is, I think Drew needs me. And I want to be there for him.

Forever.

About the Author

Monica Murphy is a writer, a wife and a mom. She drinks too much coffee and spends too much time in front of her computer. She likes to read, she watches bad reality TV and she sometimes acts younger than she really is. Though most of the time she's sure her kids think she's a complete buzz kill.
One Week Girlfriend, a new adult/contemporary romance, is Monica's first book. 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND available NOW