Monday, 3 December 2012

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - THE SYRENKA SERIES BY AMBER GARR

Promises is the first book of The Syrenka Series Trilogy 
following Eviana and her friends through the perils of growing up in a discrete world that inherently threatens human society.

BLURB from Goodreads

Sometimes following your heart can end up destroying the ones you love.

When seventeen-year-old Eviana Dumahl is faced with the responsibility of an arranged marriage and clan leadership, she is forced to choose between the life required of a mermaid and one of a teenage girl simply infatuated with the wrong guy. Kain, her devoted fiancé would make a wonderful husband except that she’s been in love with Brendan, a shape-shifting selkie, ever since they were kids. Choosing to abandon her family, her clan, and her life with Kain will have dire consequences far beyond anything she could have imagined.

A war is brewing amongst the clans and Eviana unwittingly becomes a pawn in the intricate schemes of a twisted mastermind. With Brendan’s life on the line, she has no choice but to involve those who she once considered friends. Amidst encountering senseless tragedies and immense loss, Eviana discovers that she is more valuable as a clan leader than anyone ever suspected. Her survival is not only dependent upon the loyalty of her friends, but also on her acceptance of a life that she had so adamantly tried to escape.



Betrayal is the second book of The Syrenka Series Trilogy 
following Eviana and her friends as they navigate through the challenges of existing in a secret world.


BLURB from Goodreads

Life as a mermaid can be suffocating.

Eviana Dumahl has returned home as a clan leader, an orphan, and a heartbroken teenage girl. Her parents are dead and her boyfriend, Brendan, has decided that he needs some time away. While battling her inner turmoil, Eviana is forced into the war that Lucian Sutherland has incited amongst her own kind. With the help of Kain, her friend and formally betrothed, the two work together to prove that they deserve their birthrights as young merfolk leaders.

When the Council requests a demonstration of Eviana’s mermaid powers, she finds herself with an opportunity to win back Brendan’s heart. But her orders to train with a repulsive merman and the presence of an attractive new suitor challenges Eviana to embrace her leadership and resist temptation. Lucian is after her, and no one seems to understand why. Loyalties are tested as the casualties increase, showing Eviana that sometimes it is impossible to delineate between friends and enemies. 



In the striking series conclusion to The Syrenka Trilogy
 Eviana will learn the true meaning of power, sacrifice, and love.


BLURB from Goodreads

With power comes the responsibility to accept its consequences.

After the betrayal of those closest to her, Eviana Dumahl struggles to cope with her new reality. Kidnapped, broken, and confused, she is forced to engage in a war that will alter merfolk politics forever. With her estranged father leading the charge, Eviana has no choice but to stand by his side. Her continued existence hinges on the acceptance of the power growing inside her, even when that means embracing the family’s dark lineage.

Kain Matthew will sacrifice the world for Eviana. And he is not alone. As time runs out, her friends fight to save her life and theirs. An unlikely alliance gives them the edge they need to take a stand, although it keeps Eviana’s heart trapped in the past. A new discovery explains some of her previous mistakes, but it may not be enough to stop her father’s plans. Merfolk, selkies, and water sprites work together to save their kind, only in this final battle, not everyone will survive.

COVER REVEAL - HOVER - THE TAKING BK#2 BY MELISSA WEST


MY OPINION ON THE COVER
Well this cover seems to follow the same sort of theme as the cover of Book #1 which keeps things consistent. I suppose if you have read Bk #1 and are looking for Bk#2 on a book shelf it should stand out to you.
Of course the cover shows the outer space theme, and I like the shades of blue used as they make you think of outer space etc.
I also like the byline of Will you fall? on the cover. It is asking you a question and so piques the interest even more.
Other than these comments there isn't much else to say.

Sunday, 2 December 2012

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - KAYLA CURRY



What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name is Kayla Curry I was born and raised in North Platte, Nebraska. I’ve lived briefly in California as a toddler, but we moved back and I’ve lived here ever since.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I wanted to be everything from a Pop Star to a Lawyer. My mother always told me I could do anything and I believed her until I realized I couldn’t carry a tune and I was too nice to be a lawyer. Once I hit high school I realized that I liked to write and I took every writing class available. I was also on the school paper for three of my four years which gave me quite a bit of experience.

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
I considered myself a writer when I was on the school paper. Then after high school I was back to just being me again until I finished my first novel. Then I got the confidence to cal myself a writer again.

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
I went the traditional route. My publisher is Martin Sisters Publishing. They are a small publisher run by two sisters. They are great to work with. They handled all the publishing stuff while I worked on marketing.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?
My debut novel is Obsidian: Mystic Stones Series #1. Vampires use the threat of no technology to force humans to donate their blood to vampires.

Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the others?
Obsidian was surprisingly easy compared to the one I’m writing now, which is Amethyst, the third book in the series. Moonstone, the second book, was somewhere in between. I just finished Moonstone and its pending approval from my publisher.

What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I’m sure that once I’m done with the Mystic Stones Series there will eventually be more paranormal books from me, but I’d also like to explore other genres like horror, romance and realistic fiction.

Where do you get your book plot ideas from? What/Who is your inspiration?
Usually the original idea comes from a dream—then as I’m writing it gets fueled by research. Research makes for great inspiration.

What is your favourite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
My favourite books are the Sherlock Holmes collections. I love Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is my favorite author. I’ve read the entire series at least three times and my favorite stories more times than I can count.

Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?
Yes, I do. If you are interested in a review copy please contact me on Twitter or Goodreads!

Where can readers follow you?



Twitter: @KaylaCurry1 or https://twitter.com/KaylaCurry1

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - KAYLA CURRY

BLURB from Goodreads
Ava Tanner finds herself in a world without satellite technology in a time of GPS, Smart phones, and Tablets. When she discovers that a corporation headed by vampires with sinister motives is to blame, her world is turned upside-down. After a narrow escape, she learns a mystical secret about herself that could aide her in her fight against the vampires. Unfortunately, the vampires see her either as an asset or a target.

When the world is on the brink of complete social and technological destruction, one must ask themselves: Would I give up my blood for the modern ideal way of life, or will I risk my life and wage war with the overlords of chaos?


Available from  Amazon.co.uk

Saturday, 1 December 2012

ABOUT THE AUTHOR & A CHAT WITH GWEN PERKINS



What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
I'm Gwen Perkins.  I was born in Salem, Oregon though I always think of myself as being from Brinnon, Washington out on the Hood Canal.  Presently I live in Tacoma, Washington also known as the "City of Destiny," in a neighborhood once called Excelsior.  Clearly it was meant to be.

More about Gwen

Gwen Perkins is a museum curator with a MA in Military History from Norwich University. She has written for a number of magazines, exhibitions and nonfiction publications. Her interest in history fueled the creation of the world of The Universal Mirror, inspired in part by people and events of the medieval and Renaissance periods.


Gwen Perkins has always regarded the deep rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula as the one place that she feels most at home. Gwen grew up in small towns across the Pacific Northwest, going to slug races and strawberry festivals when she wasn't scribbling on any scrap of paper she could come by. She boasts the dubious distinction of going to a public school with only eight students, learning Irish sea chanteys from a man who sang with the Clancy Brothers, and catching tadpoles during classes.

Her adult life is generally just about as much fun.

She lives in the City of Destiny (better known as Tacoma, Washington). Her hobbies include wandering beaches, baking pies and lampworking. In between all of this, Gwen has written two novels in the Artifacts of Empire series: The Universal Mirror and The Jealousy Glass.  The Universal Mirror has been nominated for a 2013 Endeavour Award!

She is presently at work on future novels in the Artifacts of Empire series while working on another series in collaboration with Wilson Fabián Saravia.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
To be honest, yes.  I always thought that I'd have to be a writer and a something else though.  I never wanted to be a ballerina, however—it was always being an astronaut that I dreamed of, then later of being a high school history teacher.  So I suppose working for museums wasn't too far off base.

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
I think I always have thought of myself as a writer.  Telling stories with paper is a pivotal part of my identity—I've never not done it.  It still amazes and pleases me that other people are now able to take joy in my work just as I do.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?  Who designed the Cover of your books?
The Artifacts of Empire series has been fairly easy to come up with titles for.  I generally start out with an artifact—I find it by looking through museum collections and then start thinking about I could twist that and make it a magical item.  If it works with the plot, it becomes the titular artifact.  On occasion, I actually throw names up for a vote on my fan pages and let the readers decide.

The covers for my book were painted by Enggar Adirasa who's done some great work, not just on the Artifacts covers but also on the recent novel, The Exile's Violin.  (It ranks as one of my favorite steampunk covers, actually :)

Where can you fans/readers follow you?

Your blog details?  
I currently blog over at A Few Words, http://gwenperkins.wordpress.com.  I'm thinking of revamping the site a little with the New Year but for now, that or my website is the best place to catch me.

Your web site?

Your Facebook page?  
facebook.com/gwendolynlperkins

Your Goodreads Author page?  
http://www.goodreads.com/helleder

Your Twitter details?  
@helleder

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY LINK - THE JEALOUSY GLASS - AN ARTIFACTS OF EMPIRE NOVEL BY GWEN PERKINS


BLURB SUPPLIED BY THE AUTHOR

"We came to stop a war before it came to Cercia.  And it seems the war has come to us."

Responsibility and patriotism spur Cercia's new leader, Quentin, to protect his beloved country at all costs and he assigns Asahel and Felix to serve as ambassadors and secret agents to Anjdur. Their journey quickly turns awry and Asahel and Felix barely escape a devastating shipwreck, walk a tightrope of political tension, and rescue an empress before they learn they must face an enemy closer to them than they thought.

Will they be able to uncover an assassin's plot before it's too late? Will Asahel be able to unearth a secret that is vital to their mission? Will Cercia survive its own revolution? In The Jealousy Glass, Perkins boldly continues a series of unforgettable characters and events that will leave you begging for more.

AMAZON PURCHASE LINKS:

The Jealousy Glass:  Link forthcoming



GIVEAWAY

In conjunction with the release of The Jealousy Glass, Gwen is running a giveaway for an autographed, first edition paperback of The Universal Mirror through Goodreads at: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/37726-the-universal-mirror


COVER REVEAL - STAR CURSED - (CURSE OF THE BEAST) BY ASHLEY LAVERING


BLURB supplied by the Author

Chel finished tying me to the chair and stood. “This is crazy.”
I ignored her comment. “Go down to the basement.”
“Now, I know you’ve lost it.” She folded her arms. “How will this prove that your giant dog is the hot guy that got in your van?”
“I’ll explain later. Just trust me.”
One of her eyebrows rose.
“Please?” I waited for her to nod. “Once you’re down there, I want you to whisper something. Then come back up.”
“Whatever.” With an eye roll, she left the room.
I focused on her feet thumping against the wood stairs and heard the change when they slapped across the tiled kitchen floor. Once the basement door closed, I strained to hear her, but all I caught was a beetle scuttling across the kitchen. Nerves tangled in my gut. Had I missed it?
“If this doesn’t work, I’m calling the loony bin, Tay.” Chel’s voice rang so loud that I jerked back, toppling the chair. I hit the floor with a thud.
Beast’s airy chortle resonated from outside the window.
“Shut up. This isn’t funny,” I told him.
Chel walked through the door. “Geeze, what happened?” She hurried to me. “Are you okay?” She righted my chair with a grunt.
“That depends.”
“On?” She cocked an eyebrow at me.  
 “On whether or not you’re going to untie me.”
“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry.” She scrambled to untie the knots.
My hands slipped free and I rubbed my bruised arm. “What kind of friend are you?”
“What?” She startled.
I shook my head at her. “I can’t believe you’d commit me.”
“Wait, you heard that?” Her eyes widened.
I repeated it word for word.
“Whoa, that’s, like, creepy and awesome at the same time. But I still don’t understand how this proves your dog is a werewolf.”
The dreaded moment had arrived and nerves attacked my stomach. “Because, Chel—he bit me.”

Seventeen-year-old Tayla will never forget Beast’s fiery-venom spreading through her body like an infection. Now, with her best friend Chel’s help, she must find a human true love before the last petal falls from her enchanted rose or the full moon will transform her into a wolf forever.
But Tayla never expected that her biggest obstacle would come from inside—a wolf presence threatening to take her very soul. At every turn, the she-wolf exploits Tayla’s weaknesses and gains enough control to sabotage her dates. Tayla struggles to control her unruly wolf and her forbidden attraction to Beast. But can she resist his southern charm, the she-wolf’s attraction to his alluring scent, and still fall in love with a human?
Tangled in a web of wills, Tayla must risk everything to break the Curse of the Beast. With failure and possible death looming overhead, Tayla will do anything to find true love. But will one moon cycle be long enough to conquer her wolf and remain human? Or will she become a permanent member of Beast’s pack? Find out in the second installment in the Curse of the Beast series.

MY OPINION ON THE COVER
I think that the cover is pleasing to look at and represents the books well. Would it make me rush to pick it up off the shelf? Not rush to pick it up but it would encourage me to want to learn more about the book, to read the blurb and learn more about the plot of the book. And then I would decided whether to add it to my "To-Read" List. The face of the girl on the front of the book doesn't seem completely natural, it appears a little too "photo enhanced". I really like the white wolf, it is very imposing and impressive on the cover and certainly draws the eye to it. I also wonder where the title comes from Star Cursed? Maybe there could have been a Star on the cover too? I think the cover will make much more sense to me when I read the book too.

Star Cursed coming February 8th, 2013!  
Add it to your To-Be-Read List.


          Help Ashley celebrate her release that same day on Facebook 
with the fabulous 
There will be lots of fun games, prizes and other fun stuff you don’t want to miss!  
Blog Tour details coming soon to her blog 

You can connect with Ashley here:

Curse of the Beast Facebook Page
 Goodreads

For a chance to win a signed paperback
head over to Ashley's Blog
Creative Thoughts