Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Review: That One Summer (Giveaway Included!!!)


Book Description Provided by Goodreads: 
Loving Chris Henderson would be wrong. Diabolically disastrous. I mean, what is there about him to love? He’s moody, bossy, brooding, a control freak, and that’s on a good day … but there was one achingly obvious fact that haunted my every thought, every minute of every day … He sure could kiss.
As the countdown to the new millennium begins, there is one thing everyone agrees on: no one wants to be in Onslow for New Year’s Eve. So that can only mean one thing: road trip!
No longer the mousey, invisible, shy girl from years ago, Tammy Maskala is finally making up for all those lost summers. A new year with new friends, which astoundingly includes the bossy boy behind the bar, Chris Henderson. She likes her new friends (at least most of them), so why does she secretly feel so out of place? After chickening out on the trip, a last-minute change of heart sees Tammy racing to the Onslow Hotel, fearing she’s missed her chance for a ride. The last thing she expected to meet was a less-than-happy Onslow Boy leaning against his black panel van.
Now the countdown begins to reach the others at Point Shank before the party is over and the new year has begun. Alone in a car with only the infuriating Chris Henderson, Tammy can’t help but feel this is a disastrous start to what could have been a great adventure. But when the awkward road trip takes an unexpected turn, Tammy soon discovers that the way her traitorous heart feels about Chris is the biggest disaster of all. Fogged up windows, moonlight swimming, bad karaoke and unearthed secrets; after this one summer nothing will ever be the same again.

Story Line: This story line was very unique and entertaining. For starters, it was written in the time frame of 1999, a couple of days before 2000 to be exact. I found that it gave a new light to the typical road trip story lines, especially because the book incorporated songs, people, and events from the 90s. I also loved that it was set up in road trip style because this meant that the scenery kept changing and so did the people along the way!

Relationships: I found all the relationships in the book to be highly entertaining. Not only are Chris and Tammy together but so are Sean and Amy, Toby and Tess, and Stan and Bell. I found that all the couples added something different to the story line that made it kind of romantic and all the much more endearing! I especially loved Chris and Tammy's relationship; they have so much chemistry that it literally comes off the pages and immerses the reader in their struggle to identify their feelings for one another and define their relationship.

Characters:
Chris: Chris's character is so moody and defensive at the beginning of the book but as the book progresses he starts to open up more (and oh can he joke! lol!!!) and we learn more things about his character that make him amazingly sweet, caring, protective, and an overall great swoon worthy guy! 

Tammy: Tammy's character starts out feeling self-conscious, stressed, lost, isolated, and shy. Although her new friends, thanks to Amy, include her in all their summer activities and seem genuinely nice she can't seem to feel left out and like an outsider. This stems from the fact that she continuously isolates herself from them by making up excuses so she won't have to feel their rejection that she believes will ultimately come. However, as Tammy embarks on the road trip with Chris, she learns how to let go, not stress, and be completely present in the moment, which turns her attitude, self-esteem, and overall view of life into a positive one. I loved seeing her transform throughout the book and learn how to stand up for herself. It was a very relatable story that was beautiful to read about!

Adam/Ringer/Sean/Amy/Ellie/Tess/Toby/Bell/Stan: All the sub-characters added extra charm, wit, and humor to the overall sense of the book. I don't believe this book would have been as amazing as it was if these supporting characters hadn't been included!

Overall: It's a great, fun, and easy read! The journey that the characters take both mentally, emotionally, and physically will take the readers right along with them. This book is perfect for losing yourself in and just taking a wild ride along with awesome and hilarious characters!

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

RULES AND RESTRICTIONS: 
Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 13 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

About the Author:
C.J Duggan is a Number One Best Selling Australian Author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia. When she isn’t writing books about swoony boys and 90’s pop culture you will find her renovating her hundred-year-old Victorian homestead or annoying her local travel agent for a quote to escape the chaos. The Boys of Summer is Book One in her highly successful Mature Young Adult Romance Series.
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Monday, February 24, 2014

The Headhunter's Race (Giveaway Included!!!)


Book Description Provided by Goodreads: Sixteen-year-old Avene was sentenced to prison at thirteen for a crime she didn't commit. Now she has a chance to win her freedom back – if she enters the Headhunters Race. Second prize isn't so bad either, an upgrade to the Leisure Prison if you make it to the finish line. To win either prize, Avene and the other prisoners must navigate one hundred and fifty miles of dense forest, desert, and worst of all, cannibal territory.

 With a mechanical collar timed to strangle the prisoners if they're not back in nine days, Avene allies herself with seventeen-year-old McCoy, another prisoner that insists on helping her at every turn and a boy she's trying hard not to fall for. Together they battle nature, other prisoners, and the timed death collars to win the coveted prize. But when Avene is tested with one deadly conflict after another, she realizes there is more at stake than winning her freedom – first she has to survive.

Excerpt:
Hours later, when the birds start chirping, I know it's almost time to wake up. I get out of bed and change into my special clothes. The ones I've been saving for this day: a sturdy pair of jeans and a man's blue flannel shirt. Underneath I wear my white fitted tee-shirt, depicting a crudely drawn skull. I added the crossbones bearing a set of daggers with a nearly dried-up marker I found a year ago. It represents my mantra for the race: stay away from me or I'll kill you. 
I tie my sheath around my thigh, re-lace my boots with longer and sturdier cord I found on a pair of men's boots in the goodie two shoes clothing pile, and then gulp down several handfuls of water. I wipe the droplets from my mouth while I pace like a caged panther. A few minutes later I slug down another five handfuls before I remember to fill my water bottle. 
Zita leans up on her elbow. "You're sure you want to do this?"
"I have to, Zita. It's our only way out. The only way we'll be free." 
She throws off her cover and leaps to her feet. "Well, we better do something with that hair. They'll start calling the prisoners out soon." 
Zita snatches our slop container from the table. She fills it with dirt from the corner and mixes in a bit of water. "I'm not sure how well this will work," she says, stirring it with her finger. "Sit."
I sit on the ground cross-legged at her feet. She kneels beside me, takes a small lock of hair, and rubs mud all through the strands. The stringy tresses stick together, cold and wet against my cheek. After one side of my head is finished, she steps back and surveys her work. "Nope, this isn't working. Your roots are still too light." 
"Why don't you wash her whole head in it?" says McCoy. 
I stiffen. Leave it to him to think of dunking my whole head in mud. "
You're a genius!" says Zita. 
She grabs my arm and pulls me to my feet. "Help me," she says to McCoy and I cringe at the thought of him touching my head when I'm a direct competitor. He might send his ninja blade across my neck. He grabs the sink, half full of water, water I need to drink, and dumps three quarters of it into the corner. 
"Hey, I need to drink that!" I say. 
"You can drink ours," says McCoy. 
Right. I'm not going to drink theirs. He'd love that. Especially now that he's going to have to hunt on his own and the only way he knows how is by poaching off me. 
Zita stops short of pouring in handfuls of dirt. Instead she goes to the fire pit and scoops out gobs of ash. She swishes it around with her fingers, stares at it like she's not satisfied, and goes ahead and dumps in a handful of dirt anyway. "Okay, bend over, girl." 
I lean over the sink while Zita pours the murky mixture over my hair and massages it in. It's gritty and gross. "Hand me that old shirt in the corner," says Zita. 
I'm looking upside down at McCoy while he retrieves the old shirt she uses as her dust rag. She wrings out my hair and then places the shirt over top and squeezes out the excess water. 
"I wish I had a comb," she says, flipping my head up and steering my behind back to the ground. 
"It's okay, I can use my fingers," I say. 
McCoy dashes into their room. "Boom has one, hold on." 
I lean my head back in defeat. He's determined to help me, to make me feel obligated to help him in return, but his niceties aren't going to work on me.


About the Author:
Kimberly is the mother of two awesome kids, wife of the nicest man in the world, and her dog's best friend. She works by day and writes middle grade and young adult science fiction and fantasy novels in her spare time. She lives with her family in the beautiful Sonoran Desert.

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Sunday, February 23, 2014

Lost in Us (Giveaway Included!!!)


Book Description Provided by Goodreads: Serena has learned to live with her past, locking her secrets and nightmares deep inside her. But when her boyfriend of six years abruptly leaves her, she’s catapulted back into pain, nursing a broken heart. When indulging in mountains of chocolate doesn’t work, Serena decides the best way to deal with her shattered heart is to indulge in something else. A rebound . . .The night she swaps her usual Sprite for tequila, she meets James. The encounter is breathtaking. Electrifying. And best not repeated. James is a successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. A man who has amassed a fortune by taking risks. A man who has shunned commitment completely, and still does. He’s the exact opposite of Serena. But sometimes opposites attract. Sometimes they give in to burning passion. Sometimes opposites are perfect for each other. James is everything her damaged soul could want. His kisses are intoxicating, his touch out of this world. He makes her forget. He grants her peace from her pain. But as they grow closer, Serena discovers she isn’t the only one with a past. James carries the scars of a past much darker than hers. One that has left him damaged, hurt, and wary of love. A past that gives him the power to shatter her. Now James and Serena must find a way to mend one another. Or risk losing each other forever.

Praise for Lost in Us: 
“OH MY GOODNESS. This book was excellent. There were absolutely no reasons to give this novel less than five stars. I was not expecting this. Lost in Us is a New Adult Romance and it is COLLEEN HOOVER good! Yes, I said it - you could put this book up against the leading New Adult Romance authors and it would hold its own.” J.P.Grider, author of The Honor Trilogy



Excerpt:
I look sideways and almost fall of my seat. It's him. And up close, it's obvious I gave him far too few points. His striking blue eyes and full lips, curled in a deliciously conceited smile, earn him at least a twenty on that hotness scale.
"Tequila," he points at the two glasses. "It tastes much better with orange and cinnamon than lemon and salt."
 "Thanks for the tip." I flash my teeth in the hope they'll detract his attention from my plunging neckline, though I never heard of teeth trumping boobs. "Have we met?"
"Umm... " I'm one hundred percent sure we haven't or I would remember, but I'm perfectly willing to pretend we have met if it means he'll linger here a little longer.
 "We have," he says, recognition lighting up his face. "You were a mentor for the national math contest last year, weren't you?"
Damn. Of the myriad of rules Jess recited to me concerning flirting and dating, one in particular stands out: never show my nerdy side. And there are very few things nerdier than being a mentor in a math contest. Especially since only previous winners are allowed to mentor. In my defense, he was the one who brought it up. I make a mental note not to mention my part- time bookkeeping job. No need to add the boring tag, in addition to the nerd one. "I'm James, by the way."
"I know. I mean… I've heard of you," I mumble, suddenly feeling very hot. He seems completely unsurprised.
"I'm Serena McLewis."
"So, Serena…" he pronounces my name slowly, as if the three syllables would hide some kind of secret he's hoping to uncover. My name in his mouth gives me goose bumps all over my arms. I hope he doesn't notice them. "Let me guess, you're a math major?"
"Nope. Economics and computer science."
"Perfect combination. I had the same." He winks. "I could use someone smart like you in my company."
Just my luck. Other girls get a free drink, or a one-night stand. I get a job offer. Pity that's the last thing I want from him.
"Sorry, not interested," I say, hoping I don't sound too disappointed.
He leans forward, and his hand accidentally brushes mine. Gently, passing. But it's enough to send a torrent of shivers down my spine. Hot ones. Cold ones. Then hot ones again, and I fear I might have had one too many tequilas.
"And why is that?"
I try hard to come up with something, anything, but his warm breath on my cheeks wipes any thought other than the fact that his lips are far closer to me than they should be. His delicious scent—ocean and musk—makes my task so much harder.
He takes pity on me and leans back, his smirk more pronounced than ever as he scans me from head to foot. "Are you doing anything tomorrow?" he asks.
A burning sensation starts forming in my chest and I don't know if it's panic or excitement, but I try to play cool, the way Jess always said I should.
"Of course, it’s Saturday."
"Can you get out of it?"


About the Author:
My name is Layla Hagen and I am a New Adult Contemporary Romance author. I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later. I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world. And I drink coffee. Lots of it, in case the photo didn’t make it obvious enough
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Saturday, February 22, 2014

Getting By (Giveaway Included!!!)


Book Description Provided by Goodreads:
When Emma Anderson arrived at San Francisco International Airport, she regretted accepting the distinction of being the maid of honor to Gaby’s—her childhood friend—wedding. It had been years since the last time she set foot in Menlo Park, where her parents had been killed. The rug where she had been shoving her feelings since that day looked bumpier than a camel’s hump. Who could blame her; if she hadn’t been selfish they’d still be around. Ever since that fateful day, Emma has been perfecting the knack of Getting By.
Cade’s wedding in Menlo Park—a city close to San Francisco—might be the perfect place for Jake Knight to shake the memories of his ex, Emma Anderson for good. Single, available women galore for an entire week was the perfect medication, one he intended to take three times a day for an entire week to return to his player days. It was a plan the former spy thought flawless until he came face to face with the maid of honor. Jake’s perfect retreat turns into a flight, fight or hide week of celebrations.

Excerpt:
Nights meant sleep and dreams—my archenemies. The Crowley to my Dean 

Winchester, the Green Goblin to my Spider-man, the list of superheroes and their opposites

was long, and so became the analogies I used on a daily basis. My lack of sleep began with 

Dad and his conditions for me to continue my art. Then came my parents' deaths. Those took a 

toll on me because I mixed dreams with realities and hopes. Not once did I have a nightmare, 

all of them were sweet and real. Seeing Mom and Dad on those nights filled my gut with nails, 

and my head pounded with the reminder that they were gone the next morning. Those had been 

merely fantasies that would never become a reality.

For the past three months I had been evading sleep and working overtime, over the 

overtime. The dreams of elevators, trips to sophisticated-secluded spots after a week of work 

and delicious nights with a man who I was required to forget in order to move on, came daily—

nightly. They not only hit me with vengeance, but they came tangled with what humans liked to 

call hope. The urge to crawl inside myself to avoid the need of his touch, kisses and whatever 

it was that we had not long ago, consumed me. If I had the powers to morph into an animal, 

it’d be a sea turtle and I’d stay inside my shell for the next hundred years. Past the stage of 

melancholy and into the real world, I pushed my body outside of the bed and into the shower, 

where I got ready to face the Clements and the house next door.



About the Author:
Claudia lives in Colorado with her family and three dogs. Two beagles who believe they are human, and a bichon who thinks she’s a beagle. While managing life, she works as a CFO at a small IT Company. She’s a dreamer who enjoys music, laughter and a good story.
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Thursday, February 20, 2014

In Shadows of Magic (Dream Cast and Giveaway!!!)


Book Description: Mandy McKinney lives the charmed life. She is beautiful, athletic, popular, dating the hottest jock in school, and certainly doesn't have any time for her loser twin sister. But Mandy also has a secret. When the truth is unveiled, her world is twisted upside down, and her very life is at stake. Mandy's twin sister, Brianna, has never had any success in the dating department. When Brianna finally meets the guy of her dreams, it turns out that he has secrets of his own. Dangerous secrets. Just her luck. The twins are about to be swept away into a world of beauty and power beyond their wildest imaginations where nothing is what is seems, danger is lurking in the shadows, and their only chance of survival is finding themselves, and each other, once again.
In Shadows of Magic is only $2.99 and is available as an ebook on itunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and many other online retailers.

I am super excited to host Alison Prince's dream cast!!! So without further adieu here is what she has to say:

When The Girl Boookaholic asked me to pick a dream cast for an In Shadows of Magic movie, I had no idea how much fun this would be for me!  I truly enjoyed choosing these performers and explaining why each would be perfect for the role.  I hope that you like and agree with my picks.  I look forward to hearing comments and alternative suggestions.

Jared Fanning will be played by Beau Mirchoff

Brianna's love interest is tall, dark, handsome, mysterious, and has killer blue eyes. If I had the opportunity to cast Jared in the movie for In Shadows of Magic, I would choose Beau Mirchoff. Beau is best known for his role as Matty McKibben on MTV's hit show Awkward.



Not only is he gorgeous, I have to admit that I am completely in love with his character on Awkward.  For those of you that haven't seen the show, it's definitely worth checking out.  I'm looking forward to the next season, and really hoping for Matty and Jenna to get back together.

Eva Hernandez will be played by Selena Gomez

Brianna's best friend since pre-school is a spunky feminist. She has purple hair, sings in their rock band, and is a loyal friend. If I could cast anyone to play Eva in the movie for In Shadows of Magic, I would choose Selena Gomez.

Not only is Selena beautiful, she has an amazing voice which is perfect for the role of the band's lead singer.  With a few purple highlights and a t-shirt that reads "Women belong in the House-- And the Senate", Selena would make an incredible Eva.

Valerie Baron will be played by Miley Cyrus

 Cunning, manipulative, and deceitful are a few adjectives that best describe Valerie, one of the villians of In Shadows of Magic. If I had the opportunity to cast anyone to play Valerie in the In Shadows of Magic movie, I would choose Miley Cyrus.

Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus is MTV's Artist of the Year

Valerie is an evil, backstabbing, psychotic character.  With Miley Cyrus's devilish behavior lately, I feel that she is due for a villainous role. All she needs is some long auburn waves and Miley would make the perfect Valerie.

Brianna and Mandy McKinney will be played by Taylor Swift

Hey, this is my DREAM cast, right? I am a true Swiftie. I absolutely love Taylor. Her songs give me inspiration for my writing. While writing In Shadows of Magic, I often listened to Taylor's "Fifteen". Her new album, "Red" is amazing. Taylor is beautiful, talented, and already has practice playing two roles in her award winning music video, "You Belong With Me." Since Brianna and Mandy are identical other than their hair color, just like the girls in the video, Taylor's got this in the bag.


Thank you to The Girl Bookaholic for hosting my novel, In Shadows of Magic, and suggesting this fun activity.  Right now, it's only a dream cast, but hey, you never know.  I'll never stop dreaming.  That's what got me this far.  :-)


About the Author:
Alison F. Prince is a school psychologist in northern New Jersey.  In Shadows of Magic is her debut release.
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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Review: Just Like a Musical (Giveaway Included!!!)


Book Description Provided by Goodreads: Seventeen-year-old Ruby Fields has always lived by the rules set up by her foolishly overprotective mother. As a result, she doesn't go to school, she's never been kissed, and almost everything she knows about life is what she has learned from old movies. But now there's this Joshua guy. He's quirky, and he's tall, and he uses “romantic” and “old-fashioned” in the same sentence. And there's Mrs. Wheeler, an eccentric retired Hollywood costume designer and Ruby's new best friend. When Mrs. Wheeler ends up in the hospital only a couple of days after telling Ruby her long-kept secret, Ruby decides to break her mother's rules and embark on a journey that will change her life forever. This heartfelt story will appeal both to young readers and adults who still remember the pain and beauty of growing up.
Amazon | Goodreads

Story Line: The story line was very creative and unique. It's not in every book that a shy girl and a boy with Tourette's Syndrome travel to find the daughter of a retired costume designer. I found it to be a very interesting read that kept me entertained throughout the entire book, especially since it was a short read!

 Writing: The writing in this book was sweet and adventurous. I loved the fact that Ruby and Joshua embark on this journey together and encounter many people that change them and their perspective of the world. The writing was also sweet and tender and while reading the book it pulled at my heartstrings and made me fall in love with the characters and the book in general.

 Characters:
Ruby: I found Ruby's character really relatable. She has an overprotective mother who never allows her to do anything and she's not very social with other people. She's constantly wishing for excitement in her life and to see the world around her. However, as the book progresses we see Ruby come into her own self more and I absolutely loved that about her. I love the fact that Ruby connects with Mrs. Wheeler and takes it upon herself to try and find her long lost daughter.

 Joshua: I loved that, like Ruby, Joshua wasn't perfect. Joshua's character is quirky and fun. He has Tourette's Syndrome and I thought this made his character stand out to me from all the over male characters in books because he wasn't the perfect blond haired, broad shouldered, jock guy and I absolutely loved his character for that. I especially loved when he was first introduced; he was really quirky and just seemed like the typed of character I would love to know in real person!

 Overall: This is a very fun and interesting book that is a good read. It was also an easy read that explores the delights of seeing the world for the first time through the eyes of a teen. Great read for readers of all ages!

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



RULES AND RESTRICTIONS:
Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 13 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

About the Author:
Milena Veen was born in Belgrade, Serbia. Her first piece of writing, a poem about a walking cherry, saw the light of the day when she was seven. She's been writing ever since. Milena graduated from University of Belgrade with a degree in psychology. She lives in a little European town with her husband and a mute cat. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading, riding her bicycle, and listening to music. She prefers clouds to sunshine and coffee to tea.

YA Bound Book Tours
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Monday, February 17, 2014

A Chance at Love (Giveaway Included!!!)

Book Description: A simple phone call can change your life... just ask successful businessman Sullivan Chasen.  When the caller shares the news that Sullivan's father is dying, Sullivan laughs and hangs up.  He isn't being heartless, he just knows that it can't be true - because his father already passed away... ten years ago. Like a bad dream, the calls keep coming and DNA results turn Sullivan's world upside down. There is only one way, and very little time, to figure out the truth.  He packs his bags for the small town of Ferry Creek, North Carolina. Once Sullivan arrives, he must confront a past he never knew existed, including a half-brother who lives above their family diner.  The longer he spends away from his wealthy lifestyle and successful business, the more he falls in love with the small town, its community... and waitress, Jess Winthorne. Can Sullivan Chasen go back to his normal life after learning about his past or will he discover the missing piece of his heart in Ferry Creek?
About the Author:
Karolyn James is an award winning / bestselling romance author. Whether it’s contemporary romance, rockstar romance, western romance, or even steamy erotic romance… Karolyn writes it all! 

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Elements Series (1&2) Cover Reveal

BOOK & AUTHOR INFO:
Broken Elements & Shifting Selves Mia Marshall
(Elements series)
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy

Book Description:
“It’s happening again, Aidan. We didn’t stop it, after all.”
As an elemental, Aidan Brook holds the power of water at her fingertips. A descendant of the earth’s oldest magic, she can cause tides to ebb and flow, put out house fires without calling 911, and give anyone who’s annoying her an impromptu shower.
But even her magic has its limits. After it fails her one terrible night, she hides from the world and everyone she once loved, trying to escape the memories that haunt her. Ten years later, her exile is brought to an abrupt end when her former best friend appears on her front porch. An elemental killer is once again murdering her friends, and she must return to the scene of her own crimes.
Lake Tahoe proves more than she bargained for. Between a sadistic killer, some clever FBI agents, an annoyingly attractive landlord, and way too many new roommates, she has a pretty full plate. Add in a past she’s desperate to escape and her own uncontrollable powers, and Aidan Brook is having a very, very bad month.





Book Description:
Aidan Brook's world was shattered when the actions of a brutal murderer revealed long-buried secrets about her past--secrets even she didn't know. A powerful elemental, Aidan discovered she possesses the wrong kind of magic. It's a secret that could cost her sanity—or even her life.
What she needs is some peace and quiet. What she gets is a phone call from a division of the FBI so secret it doesn’t even have a name, asking for her help with a series of shifter disappearances. 
Before Aidan can settle into a new routine of pancakes and evenings by the fire, the case develops claws. She quickly finds herself caught between uptight bears, deadly mountain lions, overprotective parents, and unhappy federal agents. Throw in a stalled romance with an enigmatic shifter and the slow dissolution of her chosen family, and it’s hard to say which will drive her mad first: her magic, or her chaotic life.

About the Author:
Mia Marshall has been a genre reader from the first moment she cracked open The Wizard of Oz series and discovered it was even better than the movie. 
A few decades after that, she decided to create her own imaginary worlds. Broken Elements and Shifting Selves are the first two books in the Elements urban fantasy series. The third book, Turning Tides, will be available May 2014.


Xpresso Book Tours
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Friday, February 14, 2014

Interview with Rae Rivers

First and foremost, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!! Today is a day filled with lots of love, so basically the best day of the year to read a great love story! If your looking for the perfect book to cuddle up with, I suggest The Keepers: Sienna or The Keepers Archer. I was able to interview Rae Rivers, author of The Keepers Series and here's what she had to say:


Q. Did any event or person in your life inspire you to write The Keepers: Archer and/or The Keepers: Sienna?
A. Not really. I have no idea where the concept came from. I was driving home one day and a witch came to mind with her story – along with her trio of fierce protectors.

Q. Did any person or fictional character inspire the character of Archer? 
A. No, but when I wrote him, I had the face of Channing Tatum in mind with a dark and brooding character.
  P.S-(Great Inspiration!)

Q. If you could go back and rewrite it would you change anything and what?
A. I would have published Sienna first, then Archer. In Archer, the story starts at a time when all the characters are picking up the pieces after a tragic event. It was only after Archer was released that I realized that tragedy had to be told in a story of its own – hence the birth of the prequel. Although Archer was written first, readers who start with Sienna have a much clearer understanding of what happened that fateful night.

Q. What is your favorite scene in the book? 
A. Gosh, that’s hard! I love any scene with Sienna and Archer – they’re so beautiful together. 
     (Yes they are!!!)

Q. What has been the funniest, strangest, or most amazing thing that has happened to you since becoming an author?
A. The entire journey since becoming a published author has been amazing – from the day my publisher contacted me to say they’d like to sign the entire series - pure joy, to seeing my books bouncing around various Amazon Kindle bestseller lists, and of course, receiving feedback from enthusiastic readers who have enjoyed my Keepers. That has been wonderful and something I truly value!

Q. If you could describe your book in 3 words what would they be?
A. Unique. Romantic. Action packed. (See for yourself! J)

Q. Did you always know you wanted to be an author or did it just hit you one day? 
A. I’ve been writing since I was twelve years old so it’s always been something I’ve been passionate about. It was only about a year or two ago that I realized it was something I could possibly achieve as a full time career.

Q. Which character do you find most enjoyable?
A. I adore all my characters for different reasons but I love Declan’s character as he has no filter when it comes to speaking his mind and always seems to spice up the scenes. 

Q. Do you ever get writer’s block? and if so, how do you get over it?
A. I bang my head, watch movies, read books, bang my head, walk away, have a coffee date/brainstorming session with my best friend, bang my head, try again … until I get it right!

Q. What made you want to write a young adult/paranormal book?
A. My characters left me no choice! J Once they began to form in my mind, I had the burning
desire to tell their stories.
Q. If you could have any job in the world what would it be and why.
A. All I’ve ever wanted to do is write. It’s my passion and gives me a natural high every time I lose myself in my stories. Love it!

Q. Do any authors inspire you and/or your writing? 
A. Over the last year I’ve developed many friendships with several authors across the world and they are a constant source of advice, inspiration and encouragement to me. If it weren’t for them, writing would be a lonely process.

Q. If you could trade places with any character in any book which character would it be and why?
A. I’d love to have Sienna’s powers – what fun to be able to manipulate all the elements of nature.

Q. Is there anything in particular you want your readers to know about you or your books?
A. I love to hear from my readers – especially when they’re as passionate about my Keepers as I am! Knowing that my stories have touched someone, somewhere in the world, gives me great joy. Oh, and don’t forget that the first book in the series, The Keepers: Sienna is FREE! Happy reading!

Lightning round!

Q. Twizzlers or Red Vines? 
A. Help! I have no idea what that is!
   (Sorry for the confusion! It's types of candy)

Q. Favorite ice cream flavor?
A. I’ll have a scoop of each one, please!

Q. Best childhood memory?
A. The day I met my husband. Back then we were still in school but I knew without a doubt that we’d be married one day. Best. Decision. Ever. Love him to bits!

Q. Favorite television show?
A. I love Grey’s Anatomy, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Revenge, Chicago Fire, Mom,…I’m a TV series junkie! (Sadly, between writing deadlines, I’m falling far behind on most of these!)
     (OMG! I love VD, The Originals, and Revenge too! And I can totally relate with being a TV series junkie!!)

Q. Favorite movie?
A. Up Close and Personal and The Notebook

Q. White, dark, or milk chocolate?
A. ALL of them! 

Q. Best Valentine’s Day memory?
A. I was in school, not expecting anything for Valentine’s Day as I was single, but ended up receiving so many cards, chocolates, poems, and flowers from a variety of anonymous guys. They made me feel so special and I had the most amazing day!

THANKS SOOOOOOO MUCH TO MS. RIVERS FOR THIS INTERVIEW!!! It was lots of fun and I hope you all enjoyed it too!

And now a little about her book, The Keepers: Sienna-

Book Description:
A full moon in Rapid Falls. 
Sienna Beckham is a powerful witch, and along with her four fiercely protective Keepers, it is her destiny to maintain the balance of nature in this world. 
Tonight, it's the town carnival and everyone will be there: Sienna's family, her friends, her protectors. 
Archer. 
Laughter and flirtation await. But in a few hours, Sienna's life will have changed forever and her powers stretched to their very limits. For something is lurking in the forest…
Murder. Sorcery. Revenge.
And no one sees it coming. 
Find out how it all began…
The FREE PREQUEL to Rae Rivers' magical new series, The Keepers.

Excerpt:
Lightning struck in the distance and a bolt of light flashed through a gap in the trees, highlighting six approaching men. 
Mason’s warriors. 
Sienna’s gut twisted and with quick hand movements, she sent lashes of fire their way. Their shouts of surprise ripped through the night and they scattered. Sienna responded with another round of ammunition that seemed to quicken Mason’s movements.
He tied the rope around the cat’s neck and went to the next one with another bag, repeating the movement. “There was an old witch I met recently in New Orleans,” he shouted above the noise, showing her the bag before fastening it to the third cat. “She was a friend of my mother’s and shares our vision for our kind. She gave me these three bags and I’m itching to see if they work.”
Sienna knew immediately what he meant, felt the hitch in her energy the moment the third bag touched the cat’s neck, and fought to maintain the protection spell. Ashwood. She’d never seen the debilitating herb before, but her mother had once mentioned it. Not well known, it bound a witch’s powers if placed in a triangular form around her. That and Rose Thorn were two herbs every witch dreaded. 
Mason straightened, dusted off his hands and gave her a wide grin that smacked of triumph. Their gazes met across the retreating flames and she kept her back rigid, her head held high. 
“You might temporarily bind my powers, Mason, but you’ve forgotten one thing,” she said with a quiet confidence, even though the circle of fire had begun to wither away. 
“And what’s that, love?”
“My Keepers will come for me.”
“They don’t know where you are.”
“They will find me and they will come for me. Always.” 
The long line of skeletal teeth drew together as his smile lessened. Without the grin, his tattooed deadpan expression was even more eerie, blurring the lines between the living and the dead. His black eyes settled on her with such intensity that her stomach lurched. “That’s exactly what I’m counting on.”

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: raerivers.com

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