Giveaway! 2 YA paperback novels up for grabs.

I wanted to (and believe I even posted about my intent) offer these up for Giveaway late last year, but it never eventuated. Until now....

Along the way last year I ended up with double ups of these books. 

As I have my own copies these are brand new, never read copies that I am offering. Unfortunately due to the constant rise in postage costs I can only offer to post within Australia. I apologise to my international followers - I promise to hold a giveaway open internationally soon. 

Now one of these books is the first in the series, and the second books is the second in a series. What books are they? 

Slated (Slated, #1) by Teri Terry 

Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles, #2) by Marissa Meyer 

If you've been following me for a while you'd know I'm a huge fan of the Lunar Chronicles and absolutely loved Scarlet. I haven't read Slated yet, but have heard many great things about it. The titles above link to Goodreads so you can see what others say and read more about the books themselves. 

2 Winners

Australian postal addresses only.

The prize will be posted through Australia post. I will not be responsible for lost or damaged packages.

The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

All details will be checked and incorrect/invalid entries will be deleted.

The giveaway will start at midnight tonight Australian time which is roughly around 6am PST, and 1pm GMT. It will run until the 17 Jan 2014. 

That's all. Good luck!

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Book Blitz: Eramane by Frankie Ash with Giveaway & Author Q&A

Title: Eramane 

Author: Frankie Ash 

Series: Eramane Trilogy, #1

Publication date: Summer, 2013 

Publisher: Archway Publishing

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Synopsis:

In the village of Eludwid, seventeen-year-old Eramane Fahnestock goes about her life, cheerfully disregarding a prophecy made to her parents that she would have a great gift. Not yet wed and beset with boredom, Eramane cannot shake the feeling that something exciting awaits her beyond Eludwid. But when she is invited to picnic with a handsome young suitor, Eramane has no idea that her life will soon change forever. 

As Eramane prepares for her date, she is suddenly hypnotized by a strange voice that tells her he will be coming for her that night. Unsettled but determined to press forward, Eramane and her suitor, Lebis, head to the woods to enjoy their picnic. As darkness falls on the forest, however, a beast emerges, transforming their beautiful outing into a terrifying scene. Taken captive and carried away to a mountain hideaway, Eramane finds her memories are soon clouded, even as her family frantically searches for her back home.

In this gripping fantasy tale, evil is summoned to the mountaintop, forcing a young woman to discover her magical gifts and exact revenge against a beast determined to destroy everything she has ever loved.

Author Q&A

What inspired you to write ERAMANE?

I really don’t remember. It was over ten years ago when the idea popped in my head. I think I was driving in my car. But that’s the awesome thrill of being a writer, when those great ideas just peek-a-boo in on you.

What are some of your favorite books/authors?

The Hobbit, anything from Poe or King, I added a new fav when I read The Hunger Games, Ann Rice has a special place in my heart, and I read every single R.L Stein book I could get my hands on when I was a kid.

How did you get in to writing?

From reading, there is something about a really great book that takes hold of you and won’t let go, and you find yourself thinking, “Man, I want to create something that awesome too!”

What do you like to do other than write?

I love listening to music and hanging with my family. I like catching a movie here and there. I really like to drink coffee and think about writing. Umm, does that count?

Did you listen to music when you wrote ERAMANE, and if so, who were some of the artists?

I sure did. But the experience of music is so individual, and tagging Eramane with the music that helped inspire me to write it might spoil the experience for others. It might not be that big of a deal, I don’t know.

How long did it take to write ERAMANE?

Well like I said, the idea came to me over ten years ago. I began writing immediately but not steadily. I didn’t actually finish it until 2005. Then I sat on it for several years before deciding to publish. And there were some developmental changes made during the editing process, but for the most part my initial story remained. So in short…haha…about 13 years. Don’t worry though; book two is moving along at a much faster rate

Did you have the whole trilogy planned before you began writing book #1?

Not even close. I know how I want ERAMANE to end, and I know certain things that I want to happen in the story, certain things that have to happen, and with that I will take her to the end…the path is plotted daily.

Buy Links

Amazon

Author Bio

Frankie Ash is the author of the YA novel Eramane, COMING SOON! She holds a B.A. in English and resides on the east-coast somewhere between “Will it ever be warm again?” and “The summers here are too short!” She is currently writing book #2 of The Eramane Trilogy, to be published in 2014.

Author links

Website

Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter

Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card + eBook of Eramane (Open internationally)

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Book Blitz: I Breathe You by Lori L. Clark with Excerpt & Giveaway

Title: I Breathe You  
Author: Lori L. Clark 

Publication date:  August 2nd 2013

Genre: NA contemporary romance

Synopsis:

When a tragic accident leaves Rhane Evans — lead vocalist for the rock band Fate’s Crazy — permanently unable to speak above a whisper and kills the love of her life, she moves across the state to pick up the pieces. Shattered, Rhane struggles to understand what happened the night of the accident, an accident everyone blames her for, even though she wasn’t driving the car.

Enter Ian Callahan. He’s the one person who may have a more tumultuous past than Rhane. Though they try hard to deny the sizzling attraction between them, it proves nearly impossible. When Ian’s troubled past threatens to tear them apart, they begin to believe happiness isn’t in their cards.

Because Fate’s Crazy that way…

Buy Links

Purchase link will be found here come release day

Amazon

 B&N

Excerpt

Gwen announces that it's time to eat and we make our way to the kitchen with T leading the way. I stiffen momentarily when Ian's fingertips rest gently against my lower back but soon relax beneath his reassuring touch as he guides me forward.Several times during dinner, I sense Ian's eyes on me, and I glance up. The first couple of times, I quickly avert my gaze to the plate in front of me. But now, a glass and a half of wine later, it's getting harder to shift my attention elsewhere. He watches me through hooded eyes, and I refuse to look away. I reach for my wine and swirl the liquid slowly around in the goblet. I take a long swallow and slowly run my tongue around the perimeter of my tingling lips, teasing him. His eyes darken and the corner of his mouth tips into a half smirk.After we eat, I stand, offering to help Gwen clear the table. Shockwaves of electricity jolt down the center of my back when Ian steps behind me and whispers into my ear. "Thank God you weren't eating a banana or I might have had to excuse myself from the dinner table for a few minutes." I draw my lips between my teeth to keep a mad case of giggles from erupting."I'll go bring in some wood for the fire," Ian offers. Under his breath he mutters low enough only for me to hear, "It'll be the closest thing to a cold shower I can get away with right now.""Do you want me to help?" I whisper playfully."No. You’ve done more than enough already," he shakes his head. Gwen arches an eyebrow at his remark. I understand the meaning behind his words and grin. He shrugs and walks outside with a huge smile on his face.

Author Bio

I read, I write, I run 1/2 marathons for fun. Ten things about me:

1. I’m an only child.
2. I love dogs! 
3. I was born in Iowa City, Iowa and lived in Iowa my whole life until January 2007.
4. I worked as a professional psychic reader for 2 years.
5. I’m a Pisces Sun, Leo Moon with Aquarius rising.
6. I’ve written 5 books and am in the process of brainstorming a 6th.
7. I don’t look or act my age!
8. I ran my first 1/2 marathon at age 50.
9. I love 80′s hair band music.
10. My day job is as a claims payment analyst for one of Fortune 500 Magazine’s “Top 100 places in America to work.”

Author links

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Goodreads 

Facebook 

Twitter

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Blog Tour: Review: Prep School Confidential by Kara Taylor, withExcerpt and Giveaway

Expected Publication: July 30th 2013

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Blurb:

In this breathtaking debut that reads like Gossip Girl crossed with Twin Peaks, a Queen Bee at a blue-blooded New England prep school stumbles into a murder mystery.

Anne Dowling practically runs her exclusive academy on New York’s Upper East Side—that is, until she accidentally burns part of it down and gets sent to a prestigious boarding school outside of Boston. Determined to make it back to New York, Anne could care less about making friends at the preppy Wheatley School. That is, until her roommate Isabella’s body is found in the woods behind the school. 

When everyone else is oddly silent, Anne becomes determined to uncover the truth no matter how many rules she has to break to do it. With the help of Isabella’s twin brother Anthony, and a cute classmate named Brent, Anne discovers that Isabella wasn’t quite the innocent nerdy girl she pretended to be. But someone will do anything to stop Anne’s snooping in this fast-paced, unputdownable read—even if it means framing her for Isabella’s murder.

Review

Prep School Confidential was a big surprise package for me. I wasn't expecting such a deep and twisted mystery, nor was I expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. 

I liked Anne, thought sometimes she seemed a touch too full of herself in the I'm-just-too-smart kind of way but it wasn't enough to put me off. Also her persistence to solve who killed Isabella had me wrapped up in the story so very little bothered me. 

All the characters felt so different from each other, and I didn't know who to suspect or point the finger at. There are a fair few characters in this story, but I didn't find it hard to keep track of as they all had some part in the story and mystery and their voices were different enough to remember them. 

I don't make it a hidden fact that I don't like love triangles as a writing device. Prep School Confidential did have a love triangle, and surprisingly (compared to those I have read) it is done really nicely, to the point I didn't know who I liked more. 

Anthony, Isabella's twin brother grew on me pretty quickly, though I feel he is still a little mysterious. 

Brent, Annie classmate, I wasn't sure of at first. I grew to like him as the story progressed. 

I loved the school description. I could picture this old school and all it's "secrets" (no more details than that - no spoilers) with no problems. 

Prep School Confidential had me guessing and questioning all the characters and their roles - did they do it, were they really like that - right until the end. And even that was a bit of a shock. Just when you think you figured it out, BAM, nope you didn't. 

This is definitely worth checking out if you like mysteries and whodunits. A fun read with some very memorable quotes (My favourite is below).  

★★★★ 

Really Liked It

Buy Links

Excerpt

"Mr. Dowling." The officer stands up and extends a hand. "I'm Detective Holmes."

I can't help it - I giggle a little. I mean, really, a detective named Holmes? I wonder if Watson is nearby. 

Dad glares at me and accepts Holmes's handshake. "I'll be representing my daughter from this point. If you have no proof of her involvement with the fire, I'll be taking her home now."

I wince, but Detective Holmes looks confused. "With all due respect, Mr. Dowling, your daughter confessed to being on school grounds unattended after hours and gave us the name of the classmate who helped start the fire."

Dad looks at me as if I'm dumber than the bacteria on the bottom of his shoes. He's never, ever looked at me like that before. When the older cop shuffles back into the room, I'm thinking there's no way this could possibly get worse. (Loc 168 4%). 


One of my favourite quotes:

Author Bio

Kara has a BA in English/Secondary Education from Stony Brook University. She loves New Girl, sushi, and puppets that say rude things. It’s her dream to own a bakery someday. 

Kara was inspired to start writing in part by her grandmother giving her Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and in part by her father’s bizarre antics, such as blow-drying his car. Her father looked like Borat in the 80′s. 

Kara lives on Long Island with a Chihuahua named Izzy and a kitten named Felix. Her favorite authors are Gillian Flynn, Maureen Johnson, and Nelson Demille. She writes full-time, both on the PREP SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL series and on an untitled television pilot for Warner Brothers Studios.

Author Links

www.karamtaylor.com 

twitter.com/@karataylor_

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Book Blitz: Endure by Laura Diamond with Excerpt & Giveaway

Title: Endure (Book One of the Endure Series)

Author: Laura Diamond

Release Date: 12 July 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Justin's anemic blood is a blessing. Or a curse. It all depends on who you ask.

To most of the immortal Vie, his blood is a scourge: untouchable and useless. To some Vie, his blood is a drug. To Justin, it’s something that gets him in a lot of trouble. Being poisoned by a Vie is just one example. His sister getting kidnapped is another. Whether it’s being coerced by a deluded cult leader, or negotiating with Alex—an Vie scientist addicted to Anemie blood—Justin struggles to keep every mutated drop of blood he’s got.

His fight for survival gets more complicated when he meets Alex’s slave, Cara. Despite coming from different worlds, they’re both prisoners, at risk of being drained by a hungry Vie any moment. When she risks her own neck to help Justin find his sister, he's left with a terrifying choice.

Saving what's left of humanity.
Saving his sister. Saving the girl he loves.
Or sticking a stake in Alex’s chest.
Justin can't decide which option will get him killed first.

Buy Links

  

Excerpt 

A siren broke the night’s tense silence. I cringed at the growing sound. “They’re stopping here, Justin.” Sammie huddled closer to me, trembling. “Shhh.” I smoothed her greasy hair. Blazes, maybe this was our time to die. Dim outlines of the other Anemies dotted the otherwise bare room. We all crouched lower, as if curling into living meatballs would prevent the Vie from attacking us. “I’m scared.” Her shrill voice shredded my ear drums. I covered her mouth with my hand, but she pawed me away. She hated the feeling of suffocation. “You have to be quiet.” They could hear our whispers, but we didn’t have to attract more attention than necessary. I grimaced at the salty, dank odor of sweat emanating from my pores. They could smell us, too, even sense our decay. No wonder they hated us. Our stench. Our weakness. Such a contrast from their perfection.

Author Bio

Laura Diamond is a board certified psychiatrist and author of all things young adult paranormal, dystopian, horror, and middle grade. Her short story, CITY OF LIGHTS AND STONE, is in the DAY OF DEMONS Anthology by Anachron Press (April 2012). Another short story, BEGGING DEATH, is coming soon in the CARNAGE: AFTER THE END Anthology by Sirens Call Publications. Her Young Adult Paranormal Romance novelette NEW PRIDE was published November 2012 and her novel SHIFTING PRIDE is coming December 7, 2012 from Etopia Press. When she's not writing, she is working at the hospital, blogging at Author Laura Diamond--Lucid Dreamer (http://lbdiamond.wordpress.com/), and renovating her 225+ year old fixer-upper mansion. She is also full-time staff member for her four cats and a Pembroke corgi named Katie.

Author Links

  

Giveaway

One e-book copy of Endure, Open Internationally!

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Book Blitz: Rush by Eve Silver with Excerpt & Giveaway

Title: Rush (The Game #1)

Author: Eve Silver

Release Date: June 11, 2013

Publisher: Harper Teen

Summary from Goodreads

So what’s the game now? This, or the life I used to know?

When Miki Jones is pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game—her carefully controlled life spirals into chaos. In the game, she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures. There are no practice runs, no training, and no way out. Miki has only the guidance of secretive but maddeningly attractive team leader Jackson Tate, who says the game isn’t really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determines their survival, and the survival of every other person on this planet. She laughs. He doesn’t. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn.

Buy Links

    

Excerpt

There’s a flash of light, blindingly bright. Colored haloes obscure my vision. They dance and flicker and then disappear, leaving only a rectangle of light boxed in by the dark doorframe.

I see then that the door’s gone and in front of me are people. No…they aren’t people. They have limbs, hair, faces, but they aren’t human. After the first glance, they don’t look even remotely human. They’re pure, painful white, so bright they throw off a glare. They look like they’ve been dipped in glass, smooth and polished, but fluid. And their eyes…they’re a silvery color, like the mercury in the antique thermometer that my mom used to have at the side of the front porch.

When I was ten, I knocked that thermometer off with my wooden kendo sword, shattering the glass. The little blobs of mercury went all over the porch. I was a kid. I didn’t know better. I touched them, prodding the little balls until they joined the bigger blob. My mom swooped down on me and snatched me away, telling me it was poison. It could kill me.

I stare at the things in front of me: the Drau. I can’t look away.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remember Jackson talking about Medusa.

Don’t look at their eyes.

Their mercury eyes.

They’re poison.

They will kill me.

Copyright © 2013. Eve Silver. All Rights Reserved.

Book Trailer

Author Bio

Eve Silver lives with her gamer husband and sons, sometimes in Canada, but often in worlds she dreams up. She loves kayaking and sunshine, dogs and desserts, and books, lots and lots of books. Watch for the first book in Eve’s new teen series, THE GAME: RUSH, coming from Katherine Tegen Books, June 2013. She also writes books for adults.

Author Links

     

Giveaway 

Signed copy of Rush, US and Canada only. (Sorry)

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Blog Tour: Review: Living Dead by Glenn Bullion with Giveaway

Tour Schedule

Title: Dead Living 

Author: Glenn Bullion

Publication date: January 7th 2013

Publisher: Permuted Press 

Genre: Horror/Zombies

Synopsis:

It didn’t take long for the world to die. And it didn’t take long, either, for the dead to rise.

Born on the day everything ended, a world filled with the walking dead is the only one that Aaron knows. Kept in seclusion, his family teaches  him the basics. How to read and write. How to survive.

Then Aaron makes a shocking discovery. The undead, who desire nothing but flesh, ignore him. It’s as if he’s invisible to them.

The survivors of the old suburb of Lexington call a high school their home. They live day to day, without any of the luxuries mankind used to enjoy. Samantha is a product of the new world. Alone, cold, looking out only for herself. She and the other residents of Lexington feel their hope dwindling. They need change. They need someone who can face the corpses. They need someone who can live in a city of the dead.

They need Aaron.

Review

I didn't know what to expect with this book. I have only read one other zombie book and loved it, and that was for a blog tour too. So I jumped at the chance to read and review another blog tour zombie book, and I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed. 

This started a little slow and predictable. The first chapter had a few hick ups (Sidney instead of Sydney, a few detail errors; ie, a zombie stuck in the truck who couldn't get out and was there for most of the chapter until the last paragraph where he somehow managed to get out) but nothing serious. There was a jump in time (14 years of it) which threw me a little because I thought the initial characters were going to be the story but they were more background details. After that the perspective changes and from there onwards it only grows in both story and pace.

I didn't grow attached to Samantha but I did like that she grew as a character within the story. Aaron was by far the best character. I loved his interaction and calm demeanor. They were the main lead characters though there were some other 'shady' characters that you weren't really meant to like anyway and the rest of the characters were more of a 'supporting cast'. This is a zombie book that is fairly focused on the romance more than the zombies. There isn't much detail to how the outbreak started but more of the life after it has happened and evolution.

There are some twists to keep the story interesting, and some blood and gore but not a whole lot. It's a quick read and would be a good place to start if you haven't read a zombie book before.

★★★ 1/2

Liked It

Buy Links

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Author Bio

I live in Maryland with my wonderful wife and four cats. I love gaming, computer technology, movies, and of course, reading and writing. I love science fiction and especially horror and the paranormal. Ghosts, vampires, werewolves, zombies, anything supernatural, all beautiful subjects. 

I’ve been writing since I was twelve years old. There’s just something about creating a story that I like. I always try come up with something that hasn’t been done, or is unique in some way. It could be someone with demonic powers, or something much more simple, such as a person that zombies ignore. It’s fun to create a character, give him or her a personality and background, and watch them evolve through a story.

I’ve tried other subjects, but always drift back to horror and paranormal. There’s a reason why we keep going back to horror movies and books, why they’ve made fifty Friday the 13th movies. People like to be scared, but more than that, I think paranormal and horror stir the imagination like nothing else. We’re all just a little nervous to open that closet door at midnight, or look under the bed.

Author Links

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Giveaway

Grand prize giveaway

3 copies of Dead Living [winner's choice of Print (US/Can) or eBook (INTL)]

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