The Keepers: Declan (Giveaway Included!!!)

The Keepers: Declan, the book fans have been eagerly awaiting, is finally here! We're celebrating the release of the second book in Rae Rivers' paranormal romance series today with a launch tour and giveaway. Find out all the details and be sure to get your entries in to win a copy of Archer, the first book of The Keepers.

Book Description: “You lied to me, misled me, attacked me,” Declan murmured, dipping his head toward hers, “but what we had three months ago wasn’t fake, was it?”

Kate's gaze faltered to his lips, heat pulsing between them. But she didn’t deny it.

Declan Bennett has zero tolerance for thieves. He and his brothers, the Keepers, are fiercely protective of their witch, Sienna, and their privacy.

So when Kate Carrigan breaks into their estate, he'll be damned if he lets the little wildcat get away with it – especially after she seduced him three months ago, leaving him buck-naked in a New Orleans hotel. Declan wants payback – and some answers.

Before she was murdered, Kate's mother ingrained it in her not to trust anyone.  Kate’s magical powers make her a pawn in the war between good and evil, a war she’s always avoided.  Declan is everything she’s been taught to fear, even if she can’t forget the memory of his touch that one night…

Trouble is brewing as the powers of evil regroup - bolder and hungrier than ever - and Kate is forced to choose a side.

Hot romance, epic battles and action abound in Book 2 of The Keepers.

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About the Author:

I’m an avid reader and writer with a passion for writing romance novels. I live in Cape Town, South Africa, with my gorgeous husband, two beautiful children and a zoo of house pets. Besides writing, I love family time, the outdoors, travelling, watching TV series, reading and chocolate. For more information about my books, or me, please visit www.raerivers.com. I can also be found here:

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If you haven't already had the pleasure of reading one of The Keepers' stories, you can find information on Archer, the first book, HERE and why not download the FREE prequel to the series, The Keepers: Sienna HERE.Otherwise, enter via the Rafflecopter below for the chance to win one of two copies of Archer*a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Giveaway copies of The Keepers: Archer will be gifted to the winners via Amazon. Rae Rivers and Candle Lit Author Services reserve the right to amend or cancel the giveaway at any time without prior notice to entrants.

Review: Forever Layla (Excerpt&Giveaway Included!!!)

Book Description Provided by Goodreads: What if the woman you envied most is the person you are destined to become?

In 1994, high school senior David Foster was the lackey and soundboard geek for his best friend's grunge band. During spring break, the band lands a dream gig playing at a motel in Myrtle Beach, SC. David expected all the girls to ogle the guys on stage, but when a beautiful blond "Bond Girl" approaches him and calls him by name, he's shocked to find out she knows more about him than a stranger should.

She even knows about his notebooks and his visions of time travel.

What she thought was a quick time-travel-sightseeing trip takes a surprising turn when she meets the young adult version of the man she'd heard stories about as a child. His fairy-tale romance with the woman he'd loved, Layla, inspired her to accept nothing less than a love just as strong...but hopefully not as tragic. When she won't tell the younger version of him her name, he calls her Layla--and the world as she knows it changes forever.

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Storyline: This story line intrigued me just from the description but when I started reading the book it got even better. Within the first chapter I was hooked and I liked that it started out being told in mostly David's perspective, which then switch to mostly Layla's perspective. The whole concept of time travel in this book was really fascinating! Saying that, I have to give credit to Ms. Lee's writing because this book took the confusing subject of time travel and everything that goes with it and turned in into an enjoyable, cohesive, and easy to follow along story line! I loved how at the end of the book the story line makes a complete circle to the beginning and although this may seem strange or even incorrect, while reading the book this makes complete sense. While reading the book, I was reminded a little bit of the movie Meet the Robinsons, except in this case a person from the future goes to the past and finds what she has wanted all her life, true love.

Characters:
David: I absolutely  fell in love with the quirky teenage David from the beginning! He's just starting to grow into himself and he's still trying to figure out who he is as a person, when he meets Layla. I felt that 1994 David was a little oblivious to things yet so full of hope and ambition. And while I love that David, I have to admit that I love 2016 (older) David so much better! It might just be a personal preference but I love that this David is more mature, loving, and sure of himself. The quality that I love most about this David is his devotion to his work, which is actually devotion and love for Layla! *swoons hahaha*

Layla: I found Layla character to be so strong that it was inspirational. She already knows that one day she'll have to leave the love of her life and her son; yet she doesn't change anything about her life because she knows how that could change the future. Also, she willingly goes into a marriage where she knows that she'll have to be strong for David, his dreams, and the people of the future. She is constantly carrying around the truth of will eventually happen to her yet she doesn't let anyone know and she lives everyday to the fullest and loves her family with all her being. I loved her ending in the book and couldn't have wished for anything better!

Overall: I absolutely love this book!! However, I have to say that while the ending was awesome and touching, I would love to know more about what happens with the characters next. Overall though,the characters and the story line are fantastic to read about so much so that this book went by really fast! Plus I loved the little detailed touches scattered throughout the book that incorporate the characters and time travel (will make complete sense when book is read *little incentive to read the book lol!*), they make it really fun for when rereading!!!

Rating: I would give this book a 10 out of 10!!!

Excerpt:

When a shadow loomed over the board, I didn’t even bother to look up. “Step away from the sound system.” 

“David?” a soft feminine voice spoke my name.

I glanced up to see the biggest brownest eyes framed by the longest blackest lashed I’d ever seen. I glanced down to focus on the rest of her. The form fitting black dress she wore hugged every curve down to her toned and tanned legs. My gaze trailed on down to her fancy black heels and then back up at her face. She was hot...like model hot. I couldn’t blink or think as I stared at her beautiful face framed by large amounts of blonde hair and a pair of large hoop earrings. She didn’t look like the other girls with her eye makeup, glossy pink lips and the way her hair was puffed up and styled. She looked like she had just stepped out of one of the James Bond movies Dad and I liked to watch on TV...

“It is you.” A look of pure wonder and amazement lit her face. She blinked, making her thick and extremely long lashes flutter like butterfly wings. “I can’t believe it. You wear glasses now.”

I pushed them back on my nose self-consciously as I put away my inhaler. “Yeah, like since the third grade.” I eyed her up and down once more and worked hard to remember to breathe. “Do I know you?”

“Kind of...Well not really. I’m...” she shifted her eyes to the side without moving her head and bit her lips like she needed to remember something and stopped for a moment before she continued. “Ugh! I suck at this. You’ll never let me do this again if I mess this up.” She shook her head and then turned her attention back to me. “No, you don’t know me, but I know all about you. Let’s just put it that way.” Her grin said something was up.

 

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About the Author:

Melissa Turner Lee holds a BA in Communications with a concentration in Journalism from the University of South Carolina. She has studied fiction writing since 2008, attending various writing conferences and workshops, along with guidance from professional writing coaches. She resides in Spartanburg, SC with her husband and 3 sons.

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Against the Darkness (Giveaway Included!!!)

Against the Darkness 

By A M Griffin

    

Seventeen year old Sinta Allen has one objective, to get from Tallahassee, Florida to her mother in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Seems simple enough right? Wrong. Hostile aliens have invaded Earth—and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that we’re losing the fight. While the aliens bring devastation and destruction and take people away to God knows where in their spaceships, Sinta, along with some of her classmates must rely on their survival instincts, a little luck and each other if they want to survive the venture across the country. The last thing she needs is for Wade, her school friend and Jason, her rescuer, to distract her along the way. 

Buy Links:

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EXCERPT:

He snaps his fingers, bringing my attention back to his face.

He mouths something that I can’t make out. I shake my head.

He creeps closer. I notice a few other things about him. Like the gun that he’s holding in one hand and some kind of knife in the other.

My eyes widen in understanding.

He’s here to save us.

I peer to my right and left. No one else is paying attention to him. I turn back to him.

“Where are they?” he mouths again.

I nod toward the cabin where Ms. Burgess is screaming.

“How many?” he mouths.

“Three,” I mouth back to him.

He nods and goes back into the woods.

No, I want to yell. Come back, don’t leave us here.

I’m about to do just that when he returns with another man, this one older, but similar looking. They creep closer to us, their eyes scanning everything around them. As they come closer I see the rifles strapped across their backs, the guns in shoulder holsters, the knives strapped around their legs and pistols in their hands. I want to cry.

If anybody can save us from the Tanners it’s them.

The tickle of a tear is on my cheek. I use a shoulder to wipe it away.

I don’t say a word as the younger one crouches behind me and uses his knife to cut through the ropes that bind my wrists. The other man goes behind MJ to do the same. I see him whispering something to MJ and MJ nodding in response. Once my hands are free, he moves down to my ankles and begins to saw away at the ropes there.

He glances up to me, his eyes focused squarely on mine. I have a hard time looking away and I think that’s his intention. “What’s your name?”

Instead of my name a cry escapes my lips.

“It’s going to be okay,” he says, still sawing away at the ropes. He takes a quick peek to his right, where the other man is working to free MJ’s feet. “My name is Jason, but all my fraternity brothers call me JC.” He attempts a smile. “You can call me JC.”

“I…I’m not your frat brother,” I say, in a stutter, as confusion clouds my mind. “I’m a girl.”

Why did I point that out?

“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

“Huh?” I’m as confused as ever.

With my feet free, he crawls quickly up to my side.

“Are you still with me? You look like you’re about to freak out and bolt.”

I nod. Yes I’m okay and yes, I’m going to run.

“Stay with me sweetheart,” he says, in a rush. “I’m going to give you this knife and you’re going to free the other girls. After they’re free, I want you to take them where you first saw me, okay? Behind those trees are some backpacks, you wait there for us. Do you hear me?”

Yes.

“Answer me. Do you understand what I want you to do?”

“But what if you don’t make it. They can kill you,” I whisper. I can’t cover up the fear that is smothering me.

The smile he gives me this time is genuine, not at all forced, and all I notice are the deep dimples in his cheeks. “We got this.”

And for some reason I believe him. “Okay.”

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About the Author:

A. M. Griffin is a wife who rarely cooks, mother of three, dog owner (and sometimes dog owned), a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She’s a hard worker whose two favorite outlets are reading and writing. She enjoys reading everything from mystery novels to historical romances and of course fantasy romance. She is a believer in the unbelievable, open to all possibilities from mermaids in our oceans and seas, angels in the skies and intelligent life forms in distant galaxies.

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Review: Bound to Remember

Book Description Provided by Goodreads: Vampires and Witches and Myths, oh my!

Toni is a young doctor with a past she can't remember and a deadly reason for forgetting it. 

Ben is a nurse who has his own tragic past and transfers hospitals after an act of heroism forces his secluded life public. Ben can’t believe his eyes when he meets Toni, she has an uncanny resemblance to an old friend of his, and Toni can’t help but find Ben irresistible. 

Enter Kevin, Toni’s sexy but arrogant Ex. Kevin’s jealousy of Ben blinds him from his main objective, Toni. 

A dangerous secret is revealed and a magic spell seems to be a quick remedy, but the witch that helps has a little more than magic up her sleeve…

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Story Line: I thought that the story line was interesting and while not exactly a new concept, I definitely found it to be a different take on vampires and mythical creatures. I thought that the story line passed by really quickly as I read the book; however, I couldn't completely immerse myself into the it because of the speech of one of the characters.

Characters:

Ben: At first Ben's character was really suspicious but I really enjoyed that his character was developed more as the book went on and that I got to know his secrets as he trust Toni more. I liked that he was really sweet, which made it easy to enjoy his character.

Toni: I liked Toni's character at the beginning; however, I found that I didn't like that she started doubting herself when Ben arrived. I enjoyed reading about Toni falling quickly for Ben in what I would describe as a whirlwind of emotions.

Overall: This was a fun and quick read book! The characters were entertaining and the story line was somewhat fresh and exciting to read about. The greek mythology incorporated with vampires gave it a cool new aspect that engages readers.

Rating: I would give this book an 8 out of 10!

About the Author:

Lola is a fool for a love story, a sucker for a cupcake, and let’s not talk about what she’d do for a Klondike bar. She enjoys long walks on the beach and movies that involve chainsaws. By day she’s the HR Lady and by nightfall she puts on a cape to become a romance writer.

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Review: Effortless With You & Perfectly Messy (Giveaway Included!!!)

Description Provided by Goodreads: School is out and Lucy is ready for the perfect summer: lazy days at the pool, invitations to the most exclusive parties, and romantic dates with her hot new boyfriend. That is, until she lands in trouble one too many times and her parents issue the ultimate punishment: a summer job. Suddenly, the summer can't end fast enough.

To make matters worse, the job is painting houses with Justin, the most popular, egotistical guy in school. Spending all summer with Justin might be other girls' dreams, but definitely not Lucy's. After all, Justin is cocky, annoying, and a jerk. So what if he's the most beautiful jerk Lucy's ever seen? Or that his grin makes her forget she’s mad at the world? Or that maybe, just maybe, there's more to Justin than Lucy realizes. Only one thing is certain: it won’t be the summer she wanted, but it might be exactly the one she needs.

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Story Line: At first I thought that this book would simply be about a sweet girl and a sweet guy falling for each other with the complication of the girl's boyfriend; however, it turned out to be so much more. This story is a true gem and should be read by all. This is the story of a girl who has been bullied to the point that she has lost herself, her confidence, and her self worth. The book tells the story of the summer in which this girl overcame it all and turned into an independent, magnificent, and confidant young woman. To top it all off this book also describes the rebuilding of a shattered relationship between a mother and daughter and the blooming love between two teens.

Writing: This writing was very powerful and beautiful in this book. The author perfectly conveys the feelings of distress, powerlessness, and hurt through her teenage character of Lucy. I have to admit that I cried at multiple times in this book because the writing conveyed the feelings to masterfully that I felt all the Lucy was feeling, the pain and joy included.

Relationship: Lucy starts out hating Justin because she believed that he is simply a shallow, rich, jerk who is loved by all. However, as she is forced to spend more time with him and learns more about him, she slowly starts to see that he is the complete opposite. Justin and Lucy's relationship is really unique because they not only fall in love with each other but Justin rescues Lucy from herself. He teaches her to love herself again and brings joy back into her life,  which I found to be one of the most beautiful aspects of their relationship.

Characters:
Lucy: Lucy is bitter, kind of bitching, and definitely hurting. She lets others push her around because of the bullying she endured her freshman year. She annoyed me at the beginning the way she treated her parents, Justin, and most especially herself. However, as the book continued she started to rebuild her relationship with her parents, build a relationship with Justin, and most importantly she started valuing and appreciating herself again. I loved her transformation at the end of the book as she is now a strong, confidant, and healed girl. I love that her character no longer carries the scars left over from the time when she was bullied, which is partially due to Justin.

Justin: Justin is charming, sweet, and down to earth. I liked him from the beginning because of his charm; however, I completely fell in love with his character as the book progressed. As I started to learn more about Justin's personality and traits, I appreciated his character even more. I loved that he never gave up on Lucy and I especially loved his kind heart!


Overall: This book is a gem that I loved and thoroughly enjoyed reading! I'm really glad I was able to review this book and I wish for many people to read this wonderful story of the healing of a bullied girl and the confidence and love she gained from it.


Rating: I would give this book a 10 out of 10!!!

Book Description Provided by Goodreads:  Popularity isn't everything it's cracked up to be. Justin Marshall knows this better than most. For the captain of the basketball team, small business owner, and son of Minnesota's next governor, life can get pretty overwhelming. But Justin can handle anything as long as he has Lucy, the girl who fell for the man he’s trying to be.

But for Justin and Lucy, finding time together proves challenging. Stolen kisses and whispered promises just aren't enough. That is, until scandalous photos of the couple are leaked to a press intent on creating a juicy scandal during Justin's dad's gubernatorial campaign. And when Lucy becomes fair play for the tabloids and gossip pages, Justin does the only thing he can to protect her: he breaks her heart.

For Lucy, junior year is everything she hoped it would be: new friends, second chances, and a boyfriend she can’t stop kissing. That is, until the boy she’s pretty sure she loves chooses the life his family wants for him, over her.

Now it’s up to Lucy to teach him what it really means to have everything. Because for Justin, being who everyone needs him to be just might cost him the one person he can’t live without.

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Story Line: While the first book could have been a stand alone book, after reading this second book I definitely think that it was necessary. This storyline takes Justin and Lucy's relationship past the "honeymoon" stage and into something solid that can stand anything. I absolutely loved that because it means that the characters truly will live "happily ever after"!!

Writing: The book is so beautifully written. It deals with so many aspects of life not only from a teenager's perspective but also from that of adults, such as family disputes, love, trust, death, and courage. These books make me cry just a little every time I read them because of the powerful emotions that the writing emotes through the characters.


Relationship: Justin and Lucy's relationship definitely takes a deeper path in this second book. They get past the honeymoon stage and are thrown into a scandal right after being separated for long period of time. However, the most important thing is that their relationship is strong enough to survive it all, even if Justin needs a little outside help to make him see it lol! 

Characters:
Justin: I liked that although Justin and his family are super rich he doesn't act like snobby or treat other as if they were beneath him. He works hard for his own money instead of leeching off his parents and eats chipotle even though he could afford a high end five star restaurant. This just re-established the fact that he is totally down to earth. In this book, Justin reveals that he isn't perfect like everyone thinks he is, which makes him a stronger and more relatable character. I also loved that a more vulnerable side of his character was revealed, especially when Justin and his father talk about his brother.

Lucy: Lucy definitely feels like a strong character right from the start.

"Don’t worry. I knew it was coming. It’s not like I hadn’t practiced what I’d say to him.” She winks at me. “Whoa. Really?” I stand back, amazed at the force that stands before me. Just five months ago, she couldn't stand up for herself. Now? She’s stone.

I really love this quote because it sums up Lucy in this book. She has a disastrous event happen and she handles it with dignity and strength not completely letting it get to her like before. In this book Lucy also continues dealing with the effects of the bullying she experienced because she has to tell her mom what happened. This not only shows a vulnerability in her but the growth in her character from the beginning of the last book, especially since she needs her strength to set Justin straight lol!!!

Overall: This book is just as powerful, meaningful, heart warming, and just as entertaining as the first book. I loved this book and I consider it a must read, probably even for all ages!

Rating: I would give this book a 10 out of 10!!!

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About the Author:

When Lizzy Charles isn’t scrambling to raise her two spunky toddlers or caring for premature and sick babies as a neonatal intensive care nurse, she’s in a quiet corner writing or snuggled up with a novel and a few squares of dark chocolate. Black tea keeps her constant and she loves guacamole. She married her high school sweet heart, a heart-melting musician, so it’s no surprise she’s fallen in love with writing contemporary YA romance novels.

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Just Sing (Giveaway Included!!!)

Just Sing (Seven Oaks Series #1)

by René Gilley

Release Date: 06/05/14

Summary from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Lily O’Brien has one goal in life—to sing. Her dream is to get into a topnotch college vocal program, but the summer before her junior year, her high school cuts their awarding-winning vocal ensemble. She might as well kiss her dreams goodbye.

When the snobby new neighbors move into their mansion up the hill, Lily is positive summer can’t get any worse, and she’s determined to hate and ignore them—until she meets Aiden.
He’s broken and beautiful, and they become reluctant friends. Through her newfound friendship, she finds the strength to step outside the comfort of her plan and follow her dream.

But when Lily’s family is about to lose their home, she puts her wishes aside and finds the answer to save their generations-old ranch in the last place she expected.

Available from:
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About the Author

I’m René Gilley, a young adult and new adult author. I’m a mom, wife, and breast cancer survivor. A portion of every book royalty I receive will go to support breast cancer patients, awareness, and research for a cure.

JUST SING, my debut young adult book, will be available in ebook and paperback, June 5, 2014. Published by The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House TWCS.

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There's Wild Then There's You (Giveaway Included!!!)

THERE’S WILD, THEN THERE’S YOU Synopsis: He’s someone she can’t trust… She’s someone he thinks he knows… Violet Wilson is a wallflower. Shy, serious, and accident-prone, she’s got a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The night she’s forced to pose with her friend might just be the worst time of all—that’s when she meets Jet Blevins. She knows better than to get involved with someone like him, but he touches her in ways she never expected, neverwanted before. On the outside, Jet is a typical rocker, an arrogant lead guitarist who unapologetically lives a wild lifestyle. But on the inside, he’s battling demons and using the stage to escape the troubles of his past and the addictions of his present. Until the night he sees Violet standing at the back of the room. She brings his life into focus. She knows his secrets. She’s the girl he can’t forget, and the one thing he craves more than his addiction. But can they ever hope to have a future when their very foundation is nothing but lies?   Buy Links: Amazon Barnes and Noble iBooks Kobo       M. Leighton Bio: M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies. She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office. For more about M. Leighton, visit her website at www.MLeightonBooks.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter@mleightonbooks.  

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