Thursday, October 22, 2015

The Twisting ~ Cover Reveal~


Welcome to the cover reveal for The Twisting, Volume Two of The Luminated Threads by Laurel Wanrow! The talented Craig Shields www.craigshields.co.uk has beautifully depicted the magical Victorian world of this new adult steampunk fantasy romance. His cover artwork graces both the ebook and a print paperback edition.
Pre-order The Twisting on Amazon for the special price of only .99 cents. The Twisting releases November 3, 2015 in ebook and trade paperback.
About the Book:
The story of otherworldly Blighted Basin continues in THE TWISTING...

In a valley hidden from the rest of Victorian England, Annmar Masterson has found friendship and acceptance at Wellspring farm. But as her recently discovered magical abilities grow, unstoppable crop-eating pests drive her new home to the brink of collapse.

Shapeshifter Daeryn Darkcoat's heart pulls toward Annmar, but duty comes first. With harvests across the Farmlands shire facing destruction, the predator guard scrambles for new solutions, calling upon the ingenuity of animal shifters, mechanics and growers alike.

Desperation drives landowners to utilize prototype machines, heedless of the threat to their way of life. As the danger mounts, Annmar's knowledge of Outside ways—and her magic—might be more important than anyone realizes.

Weaving steampunk engines and a land of wild magic with a coming-of-age romance, this sequel to THE UNRAVELING and second volume in THE LUMINATED THREADS whisks readers off on another spellbinding adventure.

THE TWISTING is a full-length novel, approximately 370 pages, with a sweet romance for readers 18+ due to mature themes. Please note: This is volume 2 of a three-part serialized novel. Volume 1, The UNRAVELING is available now, and Volume 3 releases in the spring of 2016 to complete Annmar and Daeryn’s steampunk fantasy romance. To be notified of upcoming releases, sign up for Laurel's Newsletter. (http://eepurl.com/17xRH)

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Excerpt:

Annmar scrunched back into her pillow. This wasn’t a cat. The face was too pointed, never mind the sleek body three times as long as it was tall. Yet when she looked into its face, the familiar eyes belonged to…

“Daeryn?”

Eyes squinting, the animal’s ears pressed flat. Its head sank, giving a little jerk up and down.

Had he…nodded? “That is you.” Daeryn. This was a polecat. Her drawings had been correct, but not the same as seeing one uninjured, acting normal. Or as normal as a polecat in someone’s bed would act.

She pressed her fingertips to her temples. Oh, Lord, just stop thinking already. But her head didn’t hurt, her vision wasn’t cloudy, and neither were her thoughts. She lowered her hands and looked around to confirm they were alone before fixing her gaze on…him. “What are you doing in my room?”

His shoulders lifted.

That was a shrug. He half-crouched and jumped to the foot of the bed, then to the floor, all before she knew that’s what he had in mind. He disappeared behind the end of her bedstead.

She half-sat up, and as she started swinging her legs around, a hand pulled down the extra quilt that hung on the end of her bed. Annmar gasped and scooted under her covers. A moment later, Daeryn’s tousled brown hair came into view. The quilt swung through the air, and he stood, the fabric draped over his shoulders and held closed in the front.

He squinted at her, his expression the same as the polecat’s, looking very sleepy. “Sorry,” he muttered. “Didn’t mean to surprise you.”

What was she supposed to say to that? He’d been in her room. Sleeping in her room. In her bed! Oh, Lord, what would Mother… Nothing. Mother wasn’t around to worry about anymore, as Mary Clare had pointed out. Annmar had no one to answer to, Blighted Basin society included. Their lack of rules completely befuddled her. How did these people function?

Still. This was highly improper. She glared at him, and he seemed to shrink beneath the quilt, drawing it closer to his body. He was likely naked.

She heated, the blush running from her chest up over her face and…down. Thinking of it just brought on more heat. Mercy, in her bed. Had he been…

“You…uh, you haven’t been in…here as…” She swallowed.

His eyes widened, and he shook his head vehemently. “Only as a polecat.” He took a step back. “I wouldn’t do that… Not to you.” He turned and walked to the door. “I’ll leave.”

Yes, he most certainly was naked under there, and a part of her was curious. She was nineteen, a grown woman. Her first look at him had been brief—she swallowed—but good. “Hold on a minute,” she gasped.

He paused in the open doorway and half-turned to face her.

“I don’t understand what you’re doing in my room.”

“Sleeping here.”

“Why?”

His brows and shoulders lifted at the same time. He looked as confused as she felt when he stepped out and closed the door.

Laurel Wanrow
About the Author:

Laurel Wanrow loves misty mornings, the smell of freshly dug earth, petting long-haired guinea pigs and staring at the stars. She sees magic in nature and loves to photograph it.

Before kids, she studied and worked as a naturalist—someone who leads wildflower and other nature walks. During a stint of homeschooling, she turned her writing skills to fiction to share her love of the land, magical characters and fantastical settings.

When not living in her fantasy worlds, Laurel camps, hunts fossils and argues with her husband and two new adult kids over whose turn it is to clean house. Though they live on the East Coast, a cherished family cabin in the Colorado Rockies holds Laurel’s heart.

Visit her online at www.laurelwanrow.com.
To be notified of new releases: Laurel's Newsletter


Don't miss Volume One, in The Luminated Threads series, The Unraveling:

The Unraveling
GoodreadsAmazon      

A signed paperback copy of The Unraveling, Volume One of The Luminated Threads is on a Goodreads Giveaway Thursday, Oct 22 through Thursday, Oct 29, 2015.

GIVEAWAY:
$10 Amazon card, and 2 print paperbacks—the winners’ choice of The Unraveling (book 1) or The Twisting (book 2)
Open to the US/CA/UK
Ends November 2, 2015
Prizing is provided by the author, hosts are not responsible.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Lost Princess (Kingdom of Cymmera #2) Blitz & Giveaway


Lost Princess (Kingdom of Cymmera #2)
Release Date: 10/13/15
Lyrical Press

Summary from Goodreads:
Ryleigh Donnovan’s life changed forever the day she met Jackson Maynard, a Death Dealer, and followed him home to the kingdom of Cymmera. Now she is trying to care for her sister while saving a realm she knows nothing about…

Jackson has reluctantly accepted the throne of Cymmera, in place of his father. But his world is in turmoil, the kingdom under constant threat of attack. Worse still, Jackson suspects there is a traitor among his court. A powerful prophet has suggested a way to protect the realm, but that solution may drive Jackson and Ryleigh apart forever…

When a magic relic goes missing, Ryleigh has no choice but to journey in search of it. When Jackson discovers Ryleigh is missing, he must make a choice that will either claim their destiny, or bring an end to the only home he’s ever known.


 

Buy Links:

Reluctant Prince (Kingdom of Cymmera #1)
Release Date: 11/03/14
Kensington Books/Lyrical Press

Summary from Goodreads:
Betrayal lies cloaked in shadow.

Seventeen year old Ryleigh Donnovan is certain her life is cursed. Nothing ever goes smoothly, and her first job interview is no exception. An earthquake rocks the building, sending Ryleigh on a frantic search for her younger sister, a search which lands her in the hospital. Terrified they’ll push her for answers she can’t afford to give, Ryleigh flees with a mysterious stranger.


Jackson Maynard is about to be ordained as a Death Dealer, a warrior for the Kingdom of Cymmera, but first he must pass one more test. When he fails to acquire the human girl the prophet has chosen, he’s forced to stand trial for treason. Banished from his realm, he seeks out the girl from the vision, Ryleigh Donnovan, and together they embark on a journey to save his dying kingdom.


Available from:
AmazonBarnes & NobleKobo Books

About the Author
Dani-Lyn Alexander lives on Long Island with her husband, three kids and three dogs. She loves spending time with her family, at the beach, the playground, or just about anywhere. In her spare time, which is rare, she enjoys reading and shopping--especially in book stores. Some of her favorite things include; Bernese Mountain Dogs, musicals, bubble baths and soft blankets. She's an incurable insomniac and has an addiction to chocolate.

Author Links:
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GIVEAWAY:
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Monday, October 5, 2015

WHAT IF ~ Blitz & Giveaway




Today I'm excited to host a stop on the blitz tour for What If by Rita Szollos! This is a romantic comedy and the book is free for for Kindle October 5-9 only! We also have two great giveaways for you at the end of this post!

About the Book:

cover_paperbackWhat If is a romantic comedy and adventure about a black and white photograph.

Ailie Faulkner, a single, 39 year-old woman, married to her work, treasures a black and white photograph, and she’s stored it in her closet for more than a decade. Like a wistful teenager staring adoringly at a poster above her bed, Ailie has spent years returning to this photo again and again, concocting fantasies and daydreams about the photo’s handsome content.

Prone to list making and overall levelheadedness, Ailie usually isn’t one to believe in fate, but her curiosity (ahem, obsession!) with the photograph leads her to a life-changing decision and sends her on an adventure filled with humor, travel, bouts of nausea, unexpected discoveries, and reflections on cooking. Encouraged by her overbearing but obliging mother and an inquisitive grandmother, and guided by the insightful (albeit often contradictory) advice of her best friends, Ailie endeavors to learn about the photo, the person within its frame, and the possibilities of their future.

Add it to your Goodreads shelf & 
it's FREE for Kindle, Oct 5-9 only!
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Rita Szollos About the Author: 
Rita Szollos is a sleep-deprived "mum" to a very curious 5 year old, a devoted dog, an angry Kitty, and one very mature teen nephew. She takes pleasure in writing about the smallest details of life - the quiet moments, the snapshots. Together with her Kiwi husband, the family enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, and camping in the Bay Area around San Francisco.


Don't miss out on the Instagram exclusive giveaway! 
Coffee, Cinema, & Romance. 
Enter to win a $10 Starbucks card & $30 movie card!

To enter: 
Go to Instagram to @candacemom2two or @ritaszollos & find the photo in the IG feed, then follow the directions below the photo!
Giveaway starts Oct. 5th at 7:30 am PST and ends Oct 9th at 7 pm PST Winner announced Oct 10th


GIVEAWAY:
$100 gift certificate to a spa of choice or romantic gift basket of a $100 value.
Open to US/CA, except where prohibited by law.
Ends Oct. 18th, 2015 
Prizing is provided by the author, hosts are not responsible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

  The Kalico Kids are puppets created for use in Junior church classes. Scripts and stories, teach Biblical principles through imagined sc...