Wanna Chance to Read Opal?!

I know I do! The lovely Jennifer L. Armentrout is giving away THREE copies of her soon to be released Opal!! For those of you who haven't been overcome by the awesomeness that is the Lux series, allow me to enlighten you. This series will knock your socks off! Snarky heroines to sexy aliens (yes, you heard right), there is nothing this series doesn't have! So what are you waiting for?

 

Enter for a chance to win one of three copies of OPAL

Opal Book Trailer Reveal!!!

 

Opal (The third book in the Lux Series)

Available in both print and digital version on December 18, 2012

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

 

 

Without further ado, <insert high pitch squeal> here it is!

 

Official Opal Book Trailer

 



 

 

Check out Jennifer L. Armentrout on the following sites:

Facebook

Twitter

Website

 

If you haven’t checked out this series, you are seriously missing out! I mean have you seen Daemon Black?! Hey, don’t judge me. I am a total sucker for the ‘holy trinity of hot boys’.

 

Jennifer’s Lux series are my favorite sci-fi books to date and I am tickled pink to be a part of the Daemon Invasion!

 

Indie Authors need to become Indie Reviewers too!

Indie Thoughts by Aneesa Price

 I’ve always been an avid reader and before I began writing I used to read an average of four books a week. Then, once I found and fell in love with writing, my reading time diminished significantly and I averaged about four books a month if I was lucky. Furthermore, I mostly used to read traditionally published books because ‘indie’ was an unknown term to me.

Then I entered the self-publishing arena. When I struggled to get reviews, a prominent blogger and reviewer was kind enough to give me a tip. She suggested that I review a few indie authors’ books too. By doing so I would illustrate a willingness to do what I was asking for -take a leap of faith for another lesser known author. That was essentially what I was asking reviewers to do for me. Once I’d done this, reviews were a lot more forthcoming.

What baffles me is that I’ve seen many indie writers complain about the lack of reviews they get and after observing them for a while I notice that they have one thing in common - they do not give any reviews to other writers. So, it is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

There’s another reason to read other indie authors’ works and it is a management 101 tactic - reading other authors’ works, especially if they write in the same genre, is the best way to check out your competition. You’ll gain insight into their writing style, their imaginative capability, how well edited their work is and if you read enough books in the same genre, you may discover an emerging trend in what is being published. Knowing your competitor’s strengths, weaknesses and the genre trends enables you to approach your next book with your reader in mind.

For example, at the moment, erotica is rife within the romance genre. But what varies is how explicit the erotica is. I’m finding that erotic literature is either mildly descriptive or leans towards BDSM. There are few erotic works that fall between those two opposites. This may then be a potential gap in the market. Unfortunately, if authors don’t read other author’s books, they wouldn’t be able to make such observations.

So now you may wonder when on earth you’ll have time to review books when you’re struggling to write too. My advice is to plan your time to do both. I force myself to take a hiatus from writing after every novel I’ve completed and to use a week or two in between writing books to read and review indie books. Of course, there are many traditionally published writers whose work I crave and I’ll add one or two of their books to my reading list during these breaks. The wonderful thing in doing this is that it taps into a different part of my imagination - it feeds it after I’ve squeezed it, emaciating it, during the writing process. I’ve found that I ‘hit the keyboard’ with renewed gusto after such reading exercises.

If you are an author reading this blog and none of it resonates with you, leaving you still unconvinced, then maybe the words of Stephen King (I think we’d all agree that he is an exceptional and hugely successful writer) may do the trick: “If you don’t read, how do you expect to write.”

With that, I bid you happy reviewing.

Yours in romance and reading,

Aneesa Price
(Author of The Coffin Girls and Finding Promise)

Aneesa Price Amazon Page

RM Gilmore's Awesome Giveaway!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Her Facebook Page

The Wicked Blog Tour

 

Book Blurb:

What if you lived in fear of yourself?

For Mage McPherson being afraid of herself is just the norm. Thanks to that fear, being a loner in a small town never bothered the mysterious Mage. Once she received her secret abilities, she figured being alone was the safest way to be. That all changes during her sophomore year at Summerville High when Adam, her equally mysterious secret crush, starts to notice her.

Afraid that she might harm Adam, Mage must learn to either control or deny herself. With Adam by her side she's more powerful than she’s ever been, but is she powerful enough to defeat her worst nightmare? She learns a hard lesson about love and magic when her destiny comes to collect.

I am pleased as punch to be a part of the talented Tabatha Vargo’s Wicked Blog Tour! Here is our favorite excerpt of Wicked Fate.

 

Excerpt:

A loud noise from across the gym catches my attention. Searching the crowd, it seems that no one else even notices the strange commotion. I hear it once more before my eyes are directed to the culprit. A now familiar face comes into sight.

With her back against the wall, Bernie covers her face with her hands as three girls stand in front of her and pummel her with a big red kick ball. They laugh when the ball bounces off of her and she lets out a little hissing noise.

“Stop it!” Bernie yells back. “What are you…five?”

“Are you a freak, too? Everyone saw you with the weird girl today at lunch,” I hear one girl say as she bends down to grab the ball.

Word gets around fast…poor Bernie.

“The gym is the best place for you, fat ass!” another girl says with a laugh.

The ball smacks against Bernie’s leg, causing her to fall to one knee.

Disgusted, I stare helplessly, knowing that this is because of me.  As far as they’re concerned she’s a traitor to the normal people.

Just seeing the backs of the three bullies, I know who they are. I don’t need to see their almost perfect faces. Brandy Phillips, Michelle Sedgwick, and Wendy Baker—The Three Bitchkateers.

All three are fake blondes with tanning bed tans and acrylic nails. I guess they could be considered as pretty—at least on the outside; inside they’re wretched heathens.

I run ideas through my head on how to stop their torment. Before doing anything, I look back up and meet Bernie’s eyes staring back at me with a look of pain on her face.

Please look away!

No way am I doing anything with her staring at me. It would give everything about me away. Not that it matters if she thinks I’m a freak; everyone else does. I just don’t want to go around flashing to the world that they’re right about me.

Finally, she looks away to block the ball. I take advantage of that moment, and I shoot my vision to the little red kick ball. I follow it as it bounces off of Bernie and back into the hands of her tormentors. I let my anger build until I can almost feel the red hotness of my fury burning behind my eyes. 

Never taking my eyes from the ball, I begin to feel its vibrations inside of me. Every time it bounces from one surface to the other, I feel it; even from across the room.

My anger reaches its limits, and I know that I’m now in control of the ball. With one final bounce off of Bernie, I push and add speed behind the ball. Instead of catching it with her hands, the ball flies directly into Brandy’s face. The sound of the red rubber smashing into her echoes through the gym.

 

About the Author:

 

Tabatha has been writing since she could pick up a pencil. Her first publication was a little poem in her elementary school paper, from that point on she was hooked. When she was a teenager, she traded in her girly magazines for personalized writing notebooks.

 

At nineteen, she met her own personal prince charming and writing took a back burner for a while. She is now married to that prince and the mother of a beautiful Six year old princess/rock star. Once her daughter was born, writing came back into her life, and she finished her very first novel in May of 2009.

 

She is pursuing a Bachelors in English and hopes to one day teach while continuing to write.

 

As a stay-at-home mom and full-time student, Tabatha enjoys the freedom of spending a good bit of her days doing what she loves the most . . . writing.

 

Where to find her:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tabatha.vargo.9

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TabathaVargo

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16008688-wicked-fate

 

I hope you have enjoyed our stop on the tour! Please continue the tour for more wonderful snippets and reviews.

 

 

November 12 – www.booknerdsacrossamerica.com

November 13 - http://everandeversight.blogspot.com/

November 14 - http://katiesamazingbookreviews.blogspot.com/

November 14 – http://KrystalClearBookReviews.wordpress.com

November 15 - http://bookcrazy123.blogspot.co.uk/

November 15 - http://whatstinathinks.blogspot.com/

November 16 - http://www.bookonthebrightside.blogspot.com/

November 16 - http://laneylogic.blogspot.com/

November 17 - http://rmfabbookreviews.blogspot.com/

November 17 - http://trudysallthingsbooks.blogspot.com/

November 18 - http://www.paranormalcravings.blogspot.com/

November 18 - http://www.selfpublishordie.com/

November 19 - http://strreviews.blogspot.com/

November 20 - http://www.imabookshark.com/

November 20 - http://cassiesreviewsde-la-mazing.blogspot.com/

November 21 - http://paraholicspreview.blogspot.com/

November 21 - http://youngadultbookaddict.blogspot.com.au/

November 22 - http://www.vampandstuff.com/

November 23 - http://girlsheartbooks.com/

November 24 - http://kristinasbooksandmore.blogspot.com/

November 24 - http://worldsofwonderment.blogspot.com/

November 24 - http://speedyreader-allthingsbooks.blogspot.com/

November 25 - http://twimom101bookblog.blogspot.com/

November 26 - http://bexnbooks.blogspot.com.au/

November 27 - http://www.boekiesbookreviews.com/

November 28 – http://sabrinasparanormalpalace.blogspot.com/

November 29 - http://merasyabooklist.blogspot.com/

November 29 - http://www.splashofourworlds.blogspot.com/

November 30 - www.paranormal-bookclub.com

December 1 – this date is open because my site will be doing something special!

December 2 - http://allisonsnook.blogspot.com/

December 3 - http://booktimeforlife.blogspot.com/

 

                               

 

 

 

 

Six Tasks (Dusty The Demon Hunter #6) by D Michelle Gent

Review for: Six Tasks (Dusty The Demon Hunter #6) by D Michelle Gent
Anne Nelson

Firstly I’d like to thank Author Michelle Gent for opportunity to continue this great series of the “Dusty the Demon Hunter” in this short story “Six Tasks”, I received this as a GIFT for my enjoyment and it’s only fair that I write my fair and unbiased opinion in this review.

As I continue into Dusty’s world with Six Tasks I see the characters are continuing to develop, with each new short story you can actually say, “hey now this is getting real good” and that Dusty or Hunter haven’t done this yet!!! Something new and exciting in their adventures.

Now Hunter and Dusty both have tasks/trials to face, which of course brings into light some horror, which is adding a whole new element to this series.

This installment had me keep clicking my next page button on my kindle, getting ahead of myself before I had even finished reading the last sentence of the page that I was on. (geshhh, I do that a lot) Then having to click the back button, read the last sentence fast, then click next page to continue once more.

Woot, Woot bring on the next installment Michelle (Hey I sure hope that there is one)… I am so enjoying this whole series. I would recommend Dusty The Demon Hunter to everyone looking for a quick fast paced read of the paranormal genre.

*angel hugz* Michelle, you have a huge fan in me.

Recommend: YA and up

Rating: 4.5/5 angel stars
Angel Anne Reviews

D Michelle Gent Amazon Page

Turn Down The Heat - A Short Story Anthology by Wendy Steele

Review for: Turn Down The Heat - A Short Story Anthology by Wendy Steele
Anne Nelson

I’m going to do something different and try to blend the titles together, of course the 5 short stories in this collection are by no means connected, and not in order.

It all started with “The Search”, because I wanted to be married on day. To find “My friend, My Angel”… the one I could say “To Have and To Hold”, in hopes that one day I would have “A Baby of My Own”. But of course no one must know so, “Mum‘s the Word”…. Ssssh !!

Author Wendy Steele is a new author read for me, and what a awesome surprise that awaited me as I turned on my kindle to start the 2 collections that I had!!! *kicking myself* for not starting them sooner.

I absolutely loved “Turn down the Heat” with its fast paced reading of A Baby of my Own, The Search, To Have and To Hold, Mum’s the Word and My friend, My angel.

Wendy to me is a very talented author who gives a great detailed look into her characters that she has created for us in each book. Wendy crams each one with a very FULL story.

I look forward to reading much more in the future from Wendy!! Thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity to read and review this beautiful anthology..

I highly recommend this collection.

Recommend: YA and up

Rating: 4.5/5 angel stars
Angel Anne Reviews

Wendy Steele Amazon Page

Retribution by R. K. Ryals

My review for: Retribution by R. K. Ryals
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Shanna Roberson

 

First off, I am so sad to see the series come to a close even if it’s only temporary. I want more. I want more of beautiful Dayton and snarky Monroe. I want more of the swoon-worthy demon brothers, Luther and Marcus. With that said; what a hell of a story!

At the end of Ransom, we are left worrying how far Damon will go to achieve his sick plan of redemption? Will he hurt Dayton before Marcus can come to her aid?

Damon had the Seal of Solomon and the Naphil in his custody. And in the safety of the Abbey, he plans to force a bond and a child onto Dayton. Even with her growing power from the bond, she was no match for the ring.

But Marcus would never allow his brother to hurt Dayton at any cost. Not now, not ever.  Without giving away too much, this is a battle that will change them all forever.

With things heating up between Dayton and Marcus and all the odds against such a union, their greatest battle is yet to come. When kingdoms are at stake, Heaven and Hell want their claim on victory. Will Dayton and Marcus’ love be enough to save them all? Or will the prophecy of a Demon and an Angel’s love be the world’s undoing?

Retribution a fast paced, heart wrenching love story. It shows that humanity is equal parts dark and light and how selfish love can makes us. It is beautiful and addictive. And I look forward to anything, Ms. Ryals writes. Her way with words is captivating and is proof that Indie writers shouldn’t ever be overlooked. Their stories will steal your heart and leave you breathless.

Now onto Conor’s story, Acropolis . . .

R. K. Ryals Amazon Page

Author of Clifton Falls & Bedbugs Lee Taylor

Today’s Spotlight Author is the fabulous Lee Taylor and I have a few excerpts from both of his novels! But first here are a little bit about each book.

 

 

 

 

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF THE TOWN YOU LIVED IN WAS INVADED BY FLESH EATING ZOMBIES?

 

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF A LOVED ONE TURNED OUT TO BE ONE OF THEM?

 What started off as an experimental drug used to improve the food grown on a local farm, was now the reason behind why the dead were rising up and feasting on the living.
 

The small town of Clifton Falls becomes infested with the walking dead, and within a few hours, humans were being devoured by the hungry, brain-eating creatures.

 The local police force struggle to believe what is happening, but battle the strange beings in the hospital, the cemetery, the forest, and finally, ending up at the Holiday Village.
 

Could the local chief find a way of eliminating the un-dead before the virus spreads into the CITY and BEYOND?

 

 

 

‘NIGHT, NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT AND DON’T LET THE

BEDBUGS BITE’

 In 1977 an alien spaceship crashed down in the town of Lemonsville. The next day five people were found dead. They were brutally slaughtered by someone or something.

 Now, seventy-three years later, the same type of murders is happening again.

The local police chief has to try to solve the mystery of why people are being killed or have vanished from this small town. He is struggling to find any clues, but a visit to the library and a look through the archives of the town helps.

 Now he has to find the link of what happened back then to what’s happening now.

He is running out of time as more people are slaughtered, so a race is on to uncover the mystery of what’s hidden below Lemonsville, but even if he finds out, can he really stop the –

 

‘BEDBUGS’

 

 

Now that you know a little bit about each of his sci-fi/horror novels, here are the excerpts!!

 

 

CLIFTON FALLS’ SNIPPETS . . .

 

The light from the room slowly faded. The beasts hovered over their prey, blocking out the brightness. The shouting stopped as Colin raised his arms to cover his face.

This zombie had been feeding on Doug’s abdomen and had no intentions of sitting upright until full. Craig now felt guilty for the attack on his friend. The open door was like a welcome mat for this freak.

 

 

BEDBUGS SNIPPETS . . .

 

The now sobbing man desperately dug his fingernails into the small, blood covered holes, searching for a way to capture the freaks, but the more he sunk his fingers in, the more quickly the insects moved. They raced around beneath his skin, heading for the one place that he dreaded the most. They were going for his eyes.

The bedbugs swallowed his legs with their masses and the power was too much for him to fight back.

The poor teenager disappeared. He was sent to another part of town, and it was there that he was brutally massacred.

 

Piqued your interest? Yes? That’s what I thought! Here is where you can find this talented author.

 

Bedbugs Facebook

 

Clifton Falls Facebook

 

Twitter

 

Author’s Webpage

 

Amazon USA Bedbugs

 

Amazon UK...Bedbugs

 

Amazon USA Clifton Falls

 

Amazon UK Clifton Falls

 

 

 

Thanks so much Lee for allowing us to share your gift with our followers!

 

 

 

The Witching Pen by Dianna Hardy

My review of: The Witching Pen by Dianna Hardy
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Aneesa Price

I am not a lover of novellas unless there a number of them linked together to create a broader tale. I did surprisingly enjoy this one - in fact, I loved it!

It's not so much the story that hooked me but the narrative. The author has a wonderful ability to incorporate descriptive text into her work. Having said that though, the story itself was an interesting twist on the usual witch story, thus making it intriguing. Out of the many books I've read these past few days, this one stands out - read it in a hot, steamy bath that's not meant to be too long and you'll have a perfect escape.

Dianna Hardy Amazon Page

The Selkie by Rosanna Leo

My review of: The Selkie by Rosanna Leo
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Aneesa Price

As a reader always and recent writer too, paranormal mythology has always had the ability to draw me into a novel - if well-written. What I loved about this novel is that it had the right amount of paranormal insight mixed with romance, which was told with just the right amount of descriptive text. For the first time in a while, I found that I could truly escape into a book... the lovely experience of just relaxing in a hot bath with a good read. This read sent me to that relaxed place.

Rosanna Leo Amazon Page

Lucky 13 by Morgan Kearns

My review of: Lucky 13 by Morgan Kearns
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Review posted by Aneesa Price, romance writer and avid romance reader / advocate.

Sometimes a reader is lucky enough to stumble across a new author and fall in love with his / her work. And that's precisely what happened when I per chance bought Lucky 13!

I'm actually rather picky about my romance reads as it is both the genre I write in and prefer to read. Morgan didn't disappoint me in any way with this book. I found myself laughing, crying, stressing and going through many other emotions during this read. In fact, I couldn't put it down and after finishing it, I felt compelled to by another of her books.

Like any good romance, there's a guy (hot of course), a girl (beautiful - go figure - with some insecurities) and an engaging plot rife with inner conflict that the characters need to overcome. Mostly - and to me this is the differentiating factor in romance books - it is a story well told and excellently written. This skill sorts the good books from the great ones and is indicative of a story-teller.

I look forward to reading all her work and to the next story after Lucky 13 too!

Morgan Kearns Amazon Page