Tour Stop! PARAWARS: UPRISING by Caitlin Greer *Excerpt! Review! Awesomeness!*

PARAWARS: UPRISING

By Caitlin Greer
Book One of the ParaWars Trilogy 

The Paranormal Uprising brought myth and legend out of the shadows and into real life. The war that followed tore the world apart. Two years after the Uprising, twenty-year-old Kendry is learning the hard way that the battle lines aren’t as clear-cut as human versus para. And the hard way means being hunted down by both human militants and para separatists. Trouble is, she has no idea why.

On the run with only her mysterious gargoyle guardian, Kendry knows that finding out why she’s on everyone’s most-wanted list will be no easy task. It means charging headlong into a war she’d hoped to avoid, and is woefully unprepared for. So when she realizes that everyone in her life has been lying to her, discovering that she’s somehow the key to ending the war is the last thing she needs. With both sides tearing up the world to find her, it’s decision time for Kendry—keep running, or stand up and fight.

My Thoughts:

I have now read two books by Caitlin Greer--ParaWars: UPRISING and EYRE HOUSE--and I can say without doubt that I'm a HUGE fan of Caitlin's writing. Her voice is strong and well-formed, and I'm a forever fan. Stellar storytelling skills aside, Cait is an amazing and supportive member of our little writing community. I highly suggest grabbing a copy of every book she writes. She can't fail. 

Now, what can I say about ParaWars: UPRISING . . . first of all, MORE. I need more Axel like yesterday! Please hurry up with Book 2, Cait, and if you need a beta reader, I'll humbly volunteer. In other words, GIMME! 

This story took off in a flash and never slowed down. Though the romance aspect was strong--and O.M.G. the freaking sexual chemistry!--the romance was not the driving force of the story. The action was. ParaWars: UPRISING moves along at a wonderfully quick pace, never slowing down to lose the reader, and the adventure combined with the steamy romantic tension make for a truly exciting read. 

I highly recommend this book to everyone. Well, everyone over 18, that is, because holy sex scenes, Batman!

P.S. I LOVE YOU, AXEL. *pushes all other book boyfriends aside* 

Excerpt:

Axel tackles me as the jubjub lunges. We hit the stone with my ears still ringing, and the whole rampart shakes. He pauses long enough to make sure I’m okay, and then he’s up, dodging the jubjub’s slashing beak. The thing is enormous. I can’t tell what color it is, because it shifts, blending in and out of the fading daylight. I can’t really even get a good look at it, which is weird, because I can’t take my eyes off it.

Axel finds an opening, and dives. His fists batter the giant bird’s head. He seems immune to its shriek, which has me paralyzed. I keep trying to shake it off, with no luck.

The jubjub manages to escape Axel’s hold, throwing him off into the air. My hand finds the trigger of my 9mm as its eyes center on me again, its mouth opening for another shriek. I manage to let off a few shots before it deafens me again, but they only seem to make it angry. And then Axel is back, pounding on the back of its head, twisting at it.

Shrieking in rage, the jubjub bird throws its wings left and right, around, over, and into me. Claws dig into the ramparts, crowding me almost out of room, and options are few. Against the wall seems better than the open air, but end up trapped, unable to escape the flailing wings. Turns out its feathers are as sharp as the beak and claws.

The pain is good, though. It breaks the siren spell of fear and anxiety projected by the jubjub’s shrill cries. It wakes me up.

Two things come into sharp focus. The bird’s not going down, even as strong as Axel is. And the sun is about to disappear, which means Axel is about to become a lot more vulnerable, thanks to the already risen moon. The jubjub’s sharp feathers and talons and beak will shred his flesh faster than a blender.

The jubjub screams again as it catches sight of me. It lunges forward, blade-like beak snapping at me. The stone below me is guaranteed to bruise later, but it’s far preferable to losing an arm, or even my head. The small parapet becomes a lot smaller as the jubjub stabs its beak after me again and again. I roll around, desperate to avoid it, while the sun creeps lower and lower. The moon’s already high. Time is running out.

Axel’s voice cuts through the jubjub’s noise, rising in his own scream. I look up at him, arms wrapped around the bird’s razor-feathered neck, the stone muscles in his arms and neck bulging, wings fully extended and beating hard as he drags the head away from me.

“Dammit, Kendry, shoot it!”

Where the hell is my rifle?

Author Bio:

Cait writes YA and NA stories that range from sci-fi and fantasy (because she loves making worlds and things up), to contemporary (because she kind of sort of fell into it and discovered she’s not half bad). Her best friends growing up were the combined works of Robin McKinley, Madeline L'Engle, Anne McCaffrey, Andre Norton, and too many others to mention.

She drives a Jeep, loves the outdoors, takes pictures of everything she can, and writes obsessively. A martial artist and a former teacher, Cait is owned by two cats who started out incredibly small, and are now incredibly huge.

She currently live in Utah, but Virginia will always be home.

Links:

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7020757.Cait_Greer

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cait_Greer

ParaWars: Uprising Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18283667-parawars

GO BUY THIS BOOK! 

You will not be disappointed! (You'll need to grab EYRE HOUSE too because of the awesomeness of that story. Just trust me on that.) 

Cover Reveal! RELEASED by S.J. Pajonas @spajonas

RELEASED

Book 2 of the Nogiku Series

By

S.J. Pajonas

*Blurb contains spoilers for those who have not read REMOVED!*

Left in the desert to recuperate from her injuries, Sanaa Itami paces the floors and contemplates her mistakes. She trusted too easily, and now people she loved are dead, killed at the hands of men coming to assassinate her. Sanaa feels beaten, but life awaits her at home. While Nishikyō recovers from the earthquake, negotiations for Sanaa's eventual rule on Yūsei continue. New allies must be made, new friendships brokered, new skills acquired -- at all costs.

Life at the top of the chain is complicated and lonely, though. With relations in Sakai clan rocky and uncertain, Sanaa must learn to trust others again more than she's willing. Who amongst the clans is left holding a grudge? And will the new family Sanaa has found with Jiro support or betray her?

From Nishikyō to Yūsei, RELEASED, Book TWO of the Nogiku Series, is the second book in a captivating New Adult post-apocalyptic romance series that harnesses the cultures and traditions of Japan and sweeps them in the future.

Queue RELEASED on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18674866-released

Visit http://www.spajonas.com for more information.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read the first book in The Nogiku Series, REMOVED:

Duty knows no family. Love has no price. Secrets can cost you everything.

Twenty-year-old Sanaa Griffin, a sweet and smart half-Japanese girl, is about to get more than she bargained for when she wishes for love and excitement on New Year’s Eve 3103. Mark Sakai, who knows more about her than any stranger should, thinks Sanaa is the perfect person to spy on the heads of the three biggest Japanese clan leaders in Nishikyō. He wants her to gather enough evidence to keep them from going to war when they land on Earth’s colonization planet, Yūsei. Nishikyō, built by the Japanese 300 years ago to house the rest of mankind, is failing and everyone is preparing to leave.

Sakai has known Sanaa’s family all her life but she knows nothing of him! And despite all the time they spend together, he keeps his distance from her. Then one day, he brings her to Jiro, his nephew, to learn sword fighting, and it changes her life irrevocably. Between falling in love with Jiro and the information she is gathering on the clans, Sanaa realizes Sakai is holding back secrets about her family and her deceased parents, secrets as to why she was chosen for this job, and learning the truth puts her and all of Nishikyō in danger.

Amazon (Paperback): http://amzn.com/1940599032

Amazon (Kindle): http://amzn.com/B00F4IE978

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940148646532

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/removed

ARK OF DREAMS Teaser

I feel like giving you a teaser of ARK OF DREAMS . . . so I'm going to. Because I do what I want! ;-) 

Happy Friday! 

SPOOKTACULAR Giveaway Hop!

Check it out! 

I am so excited to have come across this amazing giveaway! Let's all send a HUGE thanks to Kathy at I am a Reader, Not a Writer for putting together such an enormous giveaway!

What do you have to in order to win?

Just enter! It's as easy as that! Hop around to the 300+ blogs to check out the massive amount of awesome prizes!!

Can you believe it!?

OVER THREE HUNDRED GIVEAWAYS, all in one place!!

ONE lucky winner will receive the following:

ONE signed paperback of EVER (Book One of The Ever Trilogy), along with ONE e-book of EVADE (Book Two of the Ever Trilogy), plus signed bookmarks! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

On Goodreads
On Amazon

Seventeen-year-old Ever’s love life has been on hold for the past two years. She’s secretly in love with her best friend Frankie, and he’s completely oblivious. Of course, it doesn't help that he’s dead, and waking up to his ghost every day has made moving on nearly impossible.

Frustrated and desperate for something real, Ever finds herself falling for her hot new neighbor Toby. His relaxed confidence is irresistible, and not just Ever knows it. But falling for Toby comes with a price that throws Ever’s life into a whirlwind of chaos and drama. More than hearts are on the line, and more than Ever will suffer.

Some girls lose their hearts to love.

Some girls lose their minds.

Ever Van Ruysdael could lose her soul.

On Goodreads

On Amazon

In this thrilling sequel, Ever Van Ruysdael's race to beat the odds—and the clock—begins with the introduction of an integral part of her past. As secrets are revealed, and truths uncovered, she learns her imminent death is the least of her problems: Ariadne did more than just put an expiration date on her life; she marked Ever's soul by upping its value for greedy collectors looking to buy their freedom.

Condemned by the countdown on her life, and hunted by hired Seekers, Ever’s journey leads her to question everything she’s known and everyone she’s trusted, while growing closer to the one person from her past she was determined to avoid—and the one guy she never could—Toby James.

With her ex-boyfriend by her side, and the countdown clock rapidly ticking away, Ever tries thwarting fate’s plans. But as her nineteenth birthday approaches, and desperate Seekers follow her every move, she may be too late.

A marked soul is hard to come by … and even harder to escape.

*This Spooktacular giveaway is hosted by I am a Reader not a Writer *

FALL - The Ragnarök Prophesies: Book Two by A.K. Morgen . . . Tour Stop, Guest Post, and GIVEAWAY!

FALL - The Ragnarök Prophesies: Book Two

How do you save someone who doesn't want to be saved?

Those called to stand guard against the end are broken, and Sköll and Hati run free. Now Arionna Jacobs and Dace Matthews face a threat unlike any before. Ragnarök is coming and they aren't strong enough to stop it.

Arionna thought she understood sacrifice, but she never counted on her destiny tearing Dace apart. Ever since she nearly died, he has been consumed with guilt. Now it threatens to turn him into the monster he always feared.

It's up to Arionna to stop him before it's too late, but the path to hell is paved with good intentions, and Dace is hurtling toward self destruction. This time, Arionna isn't sure she can save him from himself. Can she convince him to let the past go, or is her true destiny to sacrifice her heart in exchange for the lives of the people she loves?

You can read the official prologue to FALL here.

FALL – The Ragnarök Prophesies: Book Two is now available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

FADE – The Ragnarök Prophesies: Book One is available now at Amazon US, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.

  

And now, an awesome guest post from Ayden!

Ten Lessons Being an Author has Taught Me

I fell into publishing a little bit by accident. For years, family and friends bugged me to publish something, and I put them off. A couple of years ago, my mother rallied the troops, and the incessant pestering began. Out of sheer desperation, I caved. I promised I'd try to publish if she'd call a truce. Everyone agreed, and I got to work trying to make FADE presentable.

I was reluctant to follow the Yellow Brick Road, but I figured what the heck. At the worst, I'd receive nothing but rejections, at which point my friends and family would take pity on me and leave to do things my way the next time. But by some stroke of luck, it didn't happen that way. Three months after sending out my first query, I had a contract offer. I received another a few months later.

Less than two years later, my second novel, FALL, has been released, and I have to admit I knew a lot less about being an author than I thought I did when I started on this journey. Here's the ten lessons I've learned intimately along the way:

1. People are oftentimes more curious to know if you're rich than to know what you write. Seriously. For every one person who asks what I write, two ask how much money I make. Let me just go on the record now by saying: If you're writing for the money, you're probably going to be disappointed. Most of us aren't striking it rich or anywhere remotely close to rich, for that matter.

2. The thought of having fans kind of freaks me out, so I view everyone as friends instead. It's less nerve-wracking, and I get to meet some really cool people. Don't be afraid to get to know your readers. Writing is less scary when you know the people you're writing for.

3. When a giant red pen starts trying to kill you in your sleep, it's time to stop stalling and start editing. Or to stop eating cookies immediately before bedtime. I'm not sure yet.

4. Self-promoting is a necessary evil. So is having a marketing plan and sticking to it. It's better to prepare for these things before someone asks for them. Trust me. The longer you wait to start working on these, the more frighteningly overwhelming they become.

5. You're not just an author. People don't want to hear about your book 24/7. Give them substance, especially on social media, or you will be banished from the island. Also, learn what to keep to yourself. Your readers don't want to know every thought that crosses your mind. They don't want to know why you hate your husband, how much you can't stand another author, or why your life sucks more today than it did yesterday, when it also sucked. Be nice, don't throw yourself a public pity party, or just don't say anything at all.  

6. There are no such things as boundaries for some people. They will ask incredibly personal questions. Learn when such prying becomes a social media blocking offense, and when to laugh it off. You will thank yourself for this later.

7. Everything sounds better than writing when you really need to be writing. Just say no! Unless it involves maintaining peace in your house, at which point you should probably put down the pen for a minute. Find a balance, and you will thank yourself for it later. Your family will appreciate this too.

8. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You can't do it all alone, and you'll only overwhelm yourself if you try. You have a vast network of people in the same boat, get to know them, help them when they need it, and they will be there to do the same for you.

9. Writing "I don't know what to write." two hundred times in a row does not count as writing. Even if you have writer's block. I know this is disappointing news, but you will survive it. However, if you keep writing the same thing over and over, eventually you will start to believe it, and nothing is worse than trying to un-convince yourself that you don't know what or how to write.

10. You will be miserable the first time you receive a negative review, and the second, third, fourth, fifth, and twentieth... Don't respond. Don't let your friends or family respond. Don't give up. Don't take it personally even if a reviewer does bash you. In fact, just don't read any review unless you need a little ego bruising. Learn to live in that place where reviews don't exist and everything is rainbows and puppies until you can read them without huddling in the corner with a bottle of wine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

About Ayden:

A.K. Morgen lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband, three dogs, and demonic cat. She has a graduate degree in Criminal Justice and Law, and plans to save the world some day. When she’s not writing, she spends her time teaching her niece and nephews how to cause mischief. You can also find her dancing in the grocery store, building a spork army, and fundraising for nonprofits close to her heart.

You can learn more about Ayden at http://akmorgen.com or by following her on Twitter, Goodreads, or Facebook.

Best Day Ever! Cover Reveal for my CP's debut!!! THE BEST LAID PLANS by Tamara Mataya (aka @FeakySnucker)

THE BEST LAID PLANS

By Tamara Mataya 

Jayne Griffin isn’t looking for Mr. Right. She’s looking for Mr. RTFN and a toe-curling good time. She’s got the brains, the powerful job as a futures broker, and thanks to a makeover and a thin book of dating advice, the confidence to turn any man’s head. 

Malcolm Black notices his high school crush, Jayne, from the stage of her company’s work party. His adolescent feelings for her died beneath months of abuse at the hands of bullies. Abuse that was Jayne’s fault. Though this scorching hot studio musician is unrecognizable as the band geek he used to be, the hurt still lives inside him, and he hatches a plan: Seduce Jayne into falling in love with him, and then shatter her heart. 

The white-hot chemistry between them is a pleasant surprise. It all goes so smoothly until feelings start to develop... and that invitation to their ten year high school reunion lands in their inboxes. 

Jayne wants the perfect lover. Malcolm wants revenge. But you know what they say about The Best Laid Plans...

Coming November 12^th 2013 from Swoon Romance

Add THE BEST LAID PLANS to you TBR on Goodreads! 

ABOUT TAMARA MATAYA: 

Tamara Mataya is currently a librarian; she lurked there for so long recommending books to patrons and shushing people, that she suspects they only hired her so it would be less creepy. Now she’s armed with a name tag, and a thin veneer of credibility. She’s also a musician with synaesthesia – which isn't an issue until someone plays a wrong note, which makes her want to squirm inside out. It makes for a good live show.

Visit Tam's BLOG!

Follow her on Twitter!

Like her on Facebook!

"Welcome to KPIP - Will You Be My Girlfriend" #ParanormYA

Today, I am super excited to welcome Gwen Gardner and Angela Brown back to my blog for their second Partners in ParanormYA Blog Tour! That's right, you may remember them from THIS POST last year, when we introduced the world to GIVING UP THE GHOST and NEVERLOVE . . . And now they're back to share their most recent projects with you!

Woohoo! Congratulations on getting these babies out into the world, Gwen and Angela! <3

"Welcome to KPIP - Will You Be My Girlfriend"

*cue Lone Harvest by Kevin MacLeod (www.incompetech.com) *

Welcome to KPIP, the radio station where Paranormal is Powerful. For today’s episode of Words and Worlds, we have the ladies of Partners in ParanormYA. I’m your host, DJ Mister Ree.

Mister Ree:  So glad to have both of you ladies here today to discuss your latest releases, A Guilty Ghost Surprised and They All Fall Down. I read your YA debuts, Givin’ Up The Ghost and Neverlove. Let me say, your styles differ but I loved the writing and the storylines. On one hand, you’ve got dark tragedy to redemption and the other you have mystery and suspense with nuggets of humor.

*Both Angela and Gwen smile and share nervous, embarrassed giggles.*

Gwen: Thanks, Mister Ree

Mister Ree: Enough about me, let’s take it to the callers. Caller, go ahead with your question.

Male caller: Douglass in Portland, OR. I, uh, was wondering if you could be my girlfriend?

*Gwen and Angela’s eyes widen.*

Mister Ree: I’m afraid to ask, but which author are you asking that of?

Douglass: Both.

*Angela fakes a cough to cover her laughter. Gwen smirks and shakes her head.”

Mister Ree: Wow, ladies, I’m not sure how to follow that up, so let’s go to the folks at home. Don’t forget to get in on the giveaway and check out more about A Guilty Ghost Surprised and They all Fall Down.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

An Angel Among Us

Paranormal happenings at the Eady household are the norm. Recently, things have become downright peculiar. Childish giggles at odd hours of the night lead Indigo Eady to her little cousin, Bryan, a guileless cherub spirit, complete with Spider Man pajamas and a set of faux angel wings. The problem is that Bryan died nearly three years ago in a hit and run that killed him and his mum. The driver was never found. Now the gang must solve the mystery of his death in order to send him back to heaven. But where to start when the trail is three years cold?

Indigo Eady

Indigo Eady is not clumsy. At least, that’s what she keeps telling everyone. Can she help that the overactive spirit community of Sabrina Shores causes her psychic abilities to short-circuit? It’s unfortunate that her cute friend Badger is often on the receiving end of her mishaps. At times, she is positively hazardous to his health. Even so, sparks fly in more than one direction.

AGGS buy links: Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Abby and Basil are moving on from their pasts as a Cleanser and Harvestor, learning to enjoy life in sunny San Diego, CA, a far cry from dark nights crossing in between life and death to protect lost souls...or steal them.

In the shadows, Q, the new master of hell, embraces his role as the Devourer. With a crave that refuses to be denied, he sets a plan in motion to claim his deepest desires for the fall of mankind and the one woman constantly slipping from his grasps: Abby.

True love is put to the test and salvation is only possible if Abby and Basil choose the right path. Or the world could be destined for, “ashes, ashes, we all fall down.”

***This new adult paranormal romance contains sexual situations, a few swear words, and is not recommended for readers under the age of 18.***

TAFD buy links: Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About Partners in ParanormYA:

Gwen Gardner and Angela Brown - YA paranormal authors embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. Share with us as we take the Indie journey to bring our works to the world. Buckle up! There'll be mystery, mayhem, action and emotional roller coasters...oh, and a few things that go bump in the night.

Hauntings are scary but we love interaction:

Angela’s author FB page | Gwen’s author FB page

Tweet Angela | Tweet Gwen

Angela’s blog | Gwen’s blog

Cover Reveal! KIYA: Mother of a King (KIYA Trilogy #2) by Katie Hamstead

I am so excited to bring you this cover reveal today! As you may or may not remember, I was blessed to be able to acquire KIYA: Hope of the Pharaoh (KIYA Trilogy #1) for Curiosity Quills Press, back when I was in Acquisitions. I fell in love with KIYA instantly and judging by reviews, I am not alone in that statement.

Well, this cover is for the second book of the trilogy, and I can't wait to read it!

KIYA: Mother of a King

Nefertiti has forced Naomi to flee Amarna with Malachi and the three children. But even under the protection of Naomi’s family in Thebes, Nefertiti still hunts her and Tut. Nefertiti sends assassins to kill them, and while Naomi fights to protect the children, Malachi fights to keep her safe.

With three children in tow, one of which isn’t her own, she is labeled the harlot outcast wife of the pharaoh and is shunned. She isn’t safe among her own people, and flees from being stoned to death. Although her family protects her, she must find a way to survive.

While Naomi struggles to keep herself and Tut alive, old adversaries return as Smenkhkare takes advantage of Akhenaten’s ailing health. Naomi must rely on Horemheb’s promise to protect Tut’s birthright, but her feelings for Malachi could cause more problems with Horemheb than she expects.

Check out the pre-release tour schedule HERE!

Add KIYA #2 to your TBR on GoodReads HERE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you haven't read the first installment of the KIYA Trilogy, check out the blurb below:

When Naomi’s sisters are snatched up to be taken to be wives of the erratic Pharaoh, Akhenaten, she knows they won’t survive the palace, so she offers herself in their place. The fearsome Commander Horemheb sees her courage, and knows she is exactly what he is looking for…

The Great Queen Nefertiti despises Naomi instantly, and strips her of her Hebrew lineage, including her name, which is changed to Kiya. Kiya allies herself with Horemheb, who pushes her to greatness and encourages her to make the Pharaoh fall in love with her. When Akhenaten declares Kiya will be the mother of his heir, Nefertiti, furious with jealousy, schemes to destroy Kiya.

Kiya must play the deadly game carefully. She is in a silent battle of wills, and a struggle for who will one day inherit the crown. If she does bear an heir, she knows she will need to fight to protect him, as well as herself, from Nefertiti who is out for blood.

Purchase link for Book 1, Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh - http://www.amazon.com/KIYA-Hope-Pharaoh-ebook/dp/B00CL19O4E/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Katie's Links:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/KatieTeller1

FB page - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Hamsteads-Stories/247238178656484

Blog - http://kjhstories.blogspot.com/

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18169048-kiya