Monarch by Belle Whittington - Book highlight and Giveaway

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Monarch SERIES – Cicada Trilogy
AUTHOR – Belle Whittington
GENRE – Soft Sci-Fi, Paranormal, Romance, Action/Adventure, Aliens
PUBLICATION DATE – September 27, 2014 LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 494 Pages
COVER ARTIST – L B Whittington

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Blair Reynolds was born to rule. Worlds, that is. Destined to reign over an ancient intergalactic race, it may seem her fate is written in the stars. But she’s willing to risk it all for another chance to spend forever with her true love – even if it means traveling through time and space to the other side of the universe.

As far as Ash is concerned, Blair's happily-ever-after involves him, not the mere mortal with whom she seems so infatuated. She was bequeathed to him by her father, and Ash will go to any lengths to keep Blair and her true love apart.

And Ash isn’t the only one.

Deep in the jungles of Brazil, where tribal drums call to Blair and her true love, other forces carry out dangerous secret plans. However, Blair has secrets of her own … secrets so lethal she dares not even remember them. Secrets so painful they could ruin everything.

Because some secrets kill.

BUY & TBR LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE US – AMAZON KINDLE CA – AMAZON KINDLE UK – AMAZON PAPERBACK – BARNES & NOBLES NOOK – BARNES & NOBLES PAPERBACK – SMASHWORDS – GOODREADS – SHELFARI

EXCERPT

I was no longer a bystander to this story. I was the story. Every secret interwoven through the tale I’m about to tell you belongs to me. And the summer I graduated from high school was the summer everything came together in a horrible clash of good versus evil.

Packing up and leaving my small, inconsequential, southeast Texas hometown meant leaving part of myself behind. I said goodbye to the human side of me when we piled into David’s truck and drove away from our home. And I waved farewell to any hope of ever returning as I watched our home slip into the shades of night.

Everything had been turned upside down, and deciding what was good and what was evil was like looking through sunglasses at night. It all washed together in a murky blend of darkness, shadows, and secrets.

My biggest secret of all was one for which I had no answer: which one was I – good or evil? I stuffed that secret deep behind my ribs and swallowed it down.

Some secrets are best kept in the darkness away from prying eyes and those who would seek to face them head-on. Some secrets kill.

AUTHOR BIO

Belle was raised in deep East Texas. She now resides somewhere north of Houston, Texas in a small inconsequential town with the smallest, most inconsequential name. There, in the shady reaches of the pines, elms, and oaks, she daydreams adventures and secrets she weaves throughout her stories. She’s the author of CICADA, FIREFLY, and MONARCH, a Young Adult/New Adult cross-over trilogy with excellent reviews. She studied literature and history at University of Houston where Beowulf, Shakespeare’s works, and the history of the Vikings were her favorite topics. Belle is positive her readers and fans are the best in the universe.

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – GOOGLE+ - PINTEREST – TUMBLR – GOODREADS – AUTHORGRAPH - BLOG - WATTPAD

Here's a link to where proposals to have my books made to movies: CLICK HERE

GIVEAWAY PRIZES

Signed Copy of Monarch Monarch Jar - Head here to see what they look like Electric Hum CD by Kyler England Signed Book Bag Chocolates from the Chocolate Vault

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Belle adds "The fabulous musician, Kyler England, has given me permission to use her song "When the World Stops Spinning" as the official theme song for Monarch."

http://kylerengland.com/

This tour was organized and hosted by

Stormee Waters by Lynda Coker

It's my pleasure to welcome Lynda Coker, author of Stormee Waters, to the Flight Deck today!

OK, before we start, I'm going to put you on the spot, Lynda and just ask a few, brief questions which I'm sure your readers and followers will be intrigued to know.  First of all:

• What is your favorite thing you've written? 

My favorite is always the last one finished, in this case, STORMEE WATERS. I think that is because I've been married to this book for the last year throughout the submission, contract, edits

and release launch. If a writer doesn't love the book, they won't get through this process.


Oh, absolutely, Linda, I couldn't agree more.

• What's your favorite character archetype of literature? 

My favorite is the male lead who has an alpha male persona, is a commander with rough edges that every female wants to smooth.  He has a loving heart that he only gives away once and for keeps.

Again we're in agreement - who doesn't love an alpha male with rough edges - when there's a loving heart underneath and the 'rough diamond' turns to putty in the heroine's hands! *sigh*.

• What is your favorite theme or element in writing? 

I love the romantic element with humor and usable life-lesson.

• What do you think makes good writing?

For fiction, a writer must tell the story that lingers in their mind and heart, from their perspective, with their feelings. Tell the story they would like to read. I want characters that aren't perfect so that through their struggles and change, I come to care about them and want to stay in their story, even wondering how their lives are progressing long after I've finished the book.

Absolutely.  As you say, great characters that become 'real' to the reader are an absolute must!

• Do you have a favorite hobby or pastime?

I have always like to design and have had a love affair with fabric for a long time. So I quilted for many years then wondered into the world of designing fiber art wall-hangings.  While a piece can be intricate and time consuming, I find the process quite enjoyable and a definite change from writing.

You are such a multi-talented, creative person, Lynda and I've seen some of your work - beautiful!
Now, Let's find out some more about your book!

Title: Stormee Waters

Author: Lynda J. Coker

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Genre: Contemporary Sweet Romance

Release Date: January 14, 2015

Suggested Tags: Lynda Coker, Contemporary Romance, Texas Romance, Diamonds, First Love, Hostage, Mystery, Billionaire, Sensual, Sweet

Blurb:

Dirk Savage never fails to acquire what he wants until he encounters Stormee Waters and a backwash of trouble...

Stormee Waters knows about hard times. Needing to care for her aging grandmother and teenage brother, she moves to Houston, Texas and takes a writing job for a popular magazine. Her first assignment is to interview a successful business man for a series of articles entitled, Make My Man Texas-Sized. Her target, Dirk Savage, appears to have the right criteria. He's adventurous with the air of a conqueror. Admired by his peers and coveted by beauty queens and debutantes, he's just the type of man that Stormee needs to make her first article sizzle and sell. But can she handle the heat when she catches his attention?

Dirk Savage is used to acquiring what he wants, except in the illusive quest for the one woman who can fill his heart. The shock of discovering her in the naive young woman assigned to interview him sets his jaded emotions on high alert. Can he convince her that his pursuit is genuine?

Excerpt

She came back to reality and placed the box on the foyer table, picked up her purse, and stepped through the door. The evening light cast a deep shadow across the man at her side, giving the illusion that he became one with the darkness, and something more she couldn’t define. When he escorted her to a sleek, black sports car of indefinable origin, something more took on solid proportions in her imagination. Every tingling cell in her body warned her against the power of his striking personality. That feeling barely registered before another followed. Dirk Savage didn’t play by anyone’s rules but his own. She nibbled her lower lip and stole a glance at him as he helped her to fasten the seat belt.

“Don’t look so dismayed. I’m not going to ravish you, at least, not before we’ve had our dinner.”

Still leaning over her, with nothing but a thought between their lips, his low chuckle reached to the very bottom of her toes. Embarrassed by his scrutiny, she turned her head...

Author Bio:

Lynda is an author of contemporary romance that lingers in a reader’s mind long after they’ve closed the book. She lives in Northeast Texas with her husband of fifty years. They enjoy traveling, trying new foods, spending time with family and friends, and doing community service work together. When she feels the need to take a break from writing, she enjoys creating fabric art.  She offers an open invitation to view both her writing and fabric art on her blog.

Blog:  http://betweenthelinesandmore.blogspot.com

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/lyndacoker

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lyndacoker

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/lyndacoker/

Buy Links: (Release - January 14th)

The Wild Rose Press:Wild Rose Press Purchase Link

Amazon:  http://amzn.com/B00R9YQZTK

Stormee Waters Launch Giveaway Link:  http://betweenthelinesandmore.blogspot.com/p/stormee-waters-launch-giveaway.html

Tweets:

Alpha Males, Desirable or Despicable? Will Stormee make the right choice?  http://amzn.com/B00R9YQZTK @WildRosePress  @LyndaCoker

The web of attraction that ensnares a woman before she’s marginally aware.  http://amzn.com/B00R9YQZTK @WildRosePress  @LyndaCoker

Facebook Updates:

Please don’t let it be diamond earrings, Stormee silently begged the Powers-That-Be. She’d never muster up the moral fortitude to reject such a gift. http://amzn.com/B00R9YQZTK

“Do you think I’m that easily sent on my way?” Dirk placed his wine glass beside the plate and shoved his chair a few inches away from the table. http://amzn.com/B00R9YQZTK

Great excerpt, Lynda, thanks so much for visiting with us today Wishing you much success with this release and many, many sales, 

Happy Book Birthday to 

Love's Revenge!

Love's Revenge

Means of Mercy #2

Sweet, Historical Romance

By: Terri Rochenski

Publisher: Roane Publishing

Release Date: January 26, 2015

Embittered by betrayal, Anne MacKay flees London for America, where she learns she's pregnant with her abusive husband’s longed-for heir. In a society that doesn’t protect, or afford a well-to-do wife’s desire for divorce, Anne decides there is one way to exact revenge: deny the father any knowledge of his child.

Sought after by her husband’s henchmen, Anne travels by rail and horseback, far from civilization where silk and stays are worn, let alone thought of. Lies and deceit protect her identity for a time, allowing her to birth—and grow to love—the child who was supposed to be her vengeance.

With the help of her loyal and protective business partner, Jude Connagher, and the ranch hands in their Montana Territory valley, Anne attempts to rebuild her life under the shadow of her husband’s wrath.

One unwise decision lands Anne in her pursuers’ clutches, tearing her from the ranch, her child, and her growing love for the one man who could redeem her from bitterness. She's left with no choice but to finally face her husband, knowing her freedom and life hang in the balance.

Purchase Links

Roane Publishing

Createspace 

Amazon 

Amazon (UK)

Barnes and Noble 

Smashwords

Visit Roane Publishing's FREE READS page to download the first chapter of Love's Revenge!

Purchase Links:

Roane Publishing

Createspace
Amazon
Amazon (UK)
Smashwords

Love's Sorrow, Means of Mercy #1, ecopies are on sale at Roane Publishing for only $0.99!! 

AND print copies are only $8.40, a 40% savings!

Click on the image above for purchasing details.

> 

Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with storytelling.

Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.
 Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
 

Tour Schedule

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Join Terri Rochenski and 10 author guests for the Release Day Party on Facebook today from 9 am EST to 9 pm EST! Tons of prizes, snippets, and fun! Click on the image below for more information.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Love's Revenge

by Terri Rochenski

Giveaway ends February 06, 2015. See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

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Book Blitz and Tour-Wide Giveaway

Signed copies of Love's Sorrow and Love's Revenge, 

and a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway   Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code.  No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Roane Publishing's marketing department.

Viking King Sky Purington's latest historical/time travel romance - Spotlight and Giveaway

It's always a pleasure to welcome Sky Purington to the Flightdeck, and her new release sounds absolutely amazing - who can resist a hunky Viking - and the fact that it's the latest in the  the fantastic Mac Lomain Series makes it even more of a 'must read.'

Viking King

The MacLomain Series

Viking Ancestors

Book 1

Sky Purington  

Genre:  Time-travel fantasy romance

Date of Publication:   January 16, 2015

ASIN:  B00Q8TK1W4

Number of pages:  240

Word Count:  82,000

Cover Artist:  Tamra Westberry

Book Description:

Determined to take a break from her past, Megan cozies down in her million dollar Winter Harbor Maine home and focuses less on money and more on dreams.
Building boats was a childhood desire she’s determined to pursue. With a love for Viking shipwright skills, she constructs a small scale longship. What she doesn’t anticipate is an unexpected call from the past.

Of dragon blood, Viking King, Naðr Véurr Sigdir ‘the bold’ knew that the bargain he struck with the seers would likely lead to an unpredictable outcome. What he didn’t foresee is a beautiful, headstrong woman from the future washing up on his shores.

Caught between twenty-first century America and ninth century Scandinavia, two souls connect. Both determined and willful, their battle soon becomes not one made of the eras separating them but all the unexpected moments that drive them closer together.

Anger. Need. Distrust. Hope. Never-ending desire. All merge, warring and passionate, when a modern day woman and a Viking king surge forward together to conquer not only their enemies but what lies within their hearts.

Amazon    iTunes   Kobo   BN

About the Author:

Sky Purington is the best-selling author of fourteen novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and bred, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.

Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington.com

Interested in keeping up with Sky's latest news and releases?

Visit Sky's website, http://www.skypurington.com to download her free App on iTunes and Android or sign up for her quarterly newsletter.

Love social networking? Find Sky on Facebook and Twitter.


Website:   www.skypurington.com

Blog:   www.skypurington.blogspot.com

Twitter:   www.twitter.com/skypurington

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sky-Purington/260484263999780

Pinterest:   www.pinterest.com/skypurington

Tour giveaway 

1 $25 gift card to winner’s choice of Amazon or Barnes & Noble

 a Rafflecopter giveaway
  

TOUR SCHEDULE

January 16 Spotlight and review
Romantic Fanatic
http://romanticfanaticblog.com/

January 16 Spotlight
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom
www.creativelyggreen.blogspot.com

January 19 Guest blog
Sapphyria's Book Review
http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/

January 20 Interview
Deal Sharing Aunt
www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com

January 21 Guest blog
Roxanne’s Realm
www.roxannerhoads.com

January 21 Spotlight
Angel’s Guilty Pleasures
http://angelsguiltypleasures.com

January 22 Spotlight
Fang-tastic Books
www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com

January 23 review
Triquetra Reviews
http://www.triquetrareviews.blogspot.com

January 23 Spotlight
Lisa’s World of Books
www.lisasworldofbooks.net 

Accidental Valentine - free arc opportunity

Roane Publishing is giving away 3 eARCs of Accidental Valentine, a Romance Anthology!

Accidental Valentine

a Romance Anthology

by Various Authors

Publisher: Roane Publishing

Release Date: February 13, 2015

Guiding Hearts by Claire Gillian

Description: Is a lonely woman's GPS sentient or is her subconscious taking her by the hand to help heal a scarred heart?

When Jemma Ernst's GPS malfunctions and sends her to the home of handsome and engaging Gabriel Nash, she writes it off as a fluke. But she can't seem to reprogram him out of her thoughts nor her GPS.

Better Latte Than Never by Katrina Sizemore

Description: Single and cold on Valentine’s Day, Hailey Merritt is not looking forward to working all day at the coffee shop while everyone around her is cheery with romance and she’s stuck trying to figure out her next step in life.

But, when a special bouquet arrives for her from a secret admirer, she decides to reserve judgment on this holiday and find whomever sent the flowers.

Maybe Cupid has a plan to make this her favorite Valentine’s Day ever.

Dream Architect by S.L. Hughson

Description: Taylor and Sons Custom Design keeps ASHLIN TAYLOR at arm’s length from her dream job. If only she were a son, she could follow her architectural dream. In the Taylor creed, girls get married and boys have careers. DYLAN CUTRIGHT focuses on finishing college and landing an architectural engineering job in a large firm. Minus emotional ties.

After their accidental encounter, their attraction is amplified during their work interaction. 

Unlike her family, Dylan encourages Ashlin to pursue her dream by enrolling in college. He even argues her case with Uncle Mike. All of this support confuses Ashlin because when she moves closer to him, he rebuffs her for reasons she can only speculate about.

Valentine’s Day might be the perfect opportunity for Ashlin to make him notice her. They are working together - alone - on the most romantic day of the year. Dylan builds her dream of career, but will he ever lower his walls and become more than just the man IN her dreams?

One Hot Angel by Jaylee Austin

Description: Oblivious to Tiffany Jenkins in three short weeks her life will end—unless she makes the perfect choice. Will she chose revenge and expose her ex-husband? Or chose love and surrender her heart to the only man who can save her?

Rock My Bones by Wendy Sparrow

Description: Jared has been eyeing the sexy mural painter from inside the museum’s paleontology lab, but she’s way out of his league. He can’t let her paint that obviously misplaced fern, though…even if it means initiating contact.

You could call her a paleontology groupie, but Shay Meyers is interested in a more modern specimen. An adult male Homo Sapien to be exact—one who needs to be dragged out of his lab for a practical course in mating rituals. If she’s lucky, this will be the Valentine’s Day she rocks his bones.

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Roane Publishing is giving away THREE ARC copies to three lucky winners!

You don’t even have to be a blogger.

If you are willing to leave an honest review between the dates of February 13th and February 27th, you are eligible to enter.

How? Simply fill out the form!

You have until Midnight of January 24th when three winners will be chosen by random drawing.

Amber Gifts - Review and book tour

Amber Gifts

Book One

Kevin B. Henry

Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Time Travel

Publisher: Champagne Books

Date of Publication: February 2013

ISBN: 9781771550048

ASIN: B00BAKB8B4

Number of pages:  99 pages

Word Count: 25,000 words

Cover Artist: Ellie Smith

Book Description:

After a decades long downward spiral, Mitchell is at the bottom of life’s rungs. A stranger hands him a simple, amber vial and tells him to drink it. With that one act, he is now a time traveler and when asked to help some new acquaintances, he gladly agrees. A simple request to find some items left scattered throughout time. How hard could it be?

But someone wants to stop Mitchell’s efforts and it will take more than luck for Mitchell to find all the items and survive long enough to complete his mission.

Champagne Books           Amazon       Barnes and Noble

Smashwords       Kobo

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review

I found this an enjoyable and fastpaced read, with engaging characters and a fascinating storyline.

To start with, the non-chronological order of events were a little disconcerting, rather like  Audrey Niffenegger's  'The Time Traveller's Wife', which I personally found rather disjointed, although given the complexities and paradoxes involved if one were able to travel to any given time in the past, I understand why Mr Henry chose to record the narrative in this manner. However, after a  short while I got used to events skipping forward and then back again and became absorbed in the characters and especially Mitchell himself. I emphasise travelling back in time because Mitchell is warned at the start of his adventure that if he travels beyond the point of his own birth, it will mean instant oblivion!

There is mystery and suspense, as well as a healthy dose of romance and the occasional touch of humour in this story which kept me guessing until the dénouement which actually caught me by surprise, although the clues had been there all along. The tale moves along at a fair speed and is as much a thriller as a Fantasy/time travel tale, which should widen its appeal even to those who are not normally readers of the genre. Being Welsh myself, I was delighted to find several 'Welsh' references - from Crystin (the Welsh form of Christine) who is an important character, to the term 'Amser' or 'Teithwyr Amser' which is the term the time travelers use. (Amser being time, and teithwyr, travelers)

I was sorry when this short read ended and look forward to reading the other books in the series when they are released.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

I spun in the chair. My flight instincts kicked in and I dove for the floor behind the desk. My hand grasped the vial before I escaped the target that was once a comfortable chair. I felt the second shot miss my head by inches. I gathered the package to me on my way to the floor.

“Wait. Stop!” I stammered on the way to the floor. I didn’t believe for a second that he would.

I uncapped the vial with a flip of my thumb while securing the package in my inner coat pocket. I recovered the rubber stopper in midair. My dexterity surprised me. What circus had I escaped from where I learned these tricks? I raised the vial to my waiting mouth. As I sipped, I took a quick look at my assailant. I wanted to be able to describe him to the Wilsons when next I saw them. He had bon vivant written all over him. He sparkled for the entire world like a fourth of July firework. I needed to ask about the meaning of that if I lived long enough. He dressed in a burgundy velvet smoking jacket, white tombstone shirt with a brown medallion ascot.

His face appeared cold and insensitive, if that’s possible. His blond, short-trimmed hair seemed not to move, despite his trying violently to get through the door and in a better location for the kill shot. When his mouth opened I would have sworn I saw his teeth gleam like one of those Crest toothpaste commercials. A scowl of bewilderment appeared on his face as he rushed through the threshold. Perhaps he felt as amazed at my continued existence as I. He must have taken his first shot from across the hall and through the office entryway. I didn’t understand how he managed to miss the second shot.

“Sorry, mate,” he said with an Australian accent.

He had a gun in his hand, aimed straight at my head. It appeared to be a Remington Model 95 Derringer. I tend to notice deadly items pointed at me with such professional accuracy. I wasn’t going to trust my life that it was only an authentic double shot model. He had the look of someone intent on firing again very soon. How fast could he pull the trigger? How fast could I dissolve? I hate life or death experiments.

“1643,” I spoke softly. Instantly, I lay on an empty, white, sand beach.

About the Author:

From an early age, Kevin B. Henry was a voracious reader. His collection of science fiction, fantasy and mystery books bring tears of envy to the eyes of many small community libraries.

Kevin has worked as an educator, technology specialist and day laborer most of his adult life. During all that time he lived the life of a frustrated author. That it took 30 years for him to piece together Amber Gifts is a testament that the best meals need slow cooking to bring out the flavor. He feels the best stories revolve around time travel and the problems that such ability could produce. It’s no surprise that his first published work revolves around that theme. All the classics have touched on the subject; Star Trek, Doctor Who, Babylon 5, The Big Bang Theory. He hopes Amber Gifts can be added to that list.

Kevin is a natural storyteller, so it’s logical that he lectures occasionally. Topics range from the implementation of cutting edge technology hardware to the creation, modification and use of e-books within education. He constantly pursues research to expand his range of possible topics. His most recent research revolved around the aerodynamic properties of reindeer. He’s been known to include little known facts and trivia into his presentations. Did you know just 146 years ago today the Union Army marched into Atlanta? It took longer than anticipated. They were delayed by a traffic jam on I-75 and the tollbooth on Ga. 400

During other times, he travels if he can, both in time and space, but mostly to any available amusement park. He is not as fond of roller coaster type rides as he used to be. He still loves a good parade.

He lives in the mid-west without human or domesticated mammal companionship.

Web Site: www.ambergifts.blogspot.com

Twitter:        @Kevin_Henry

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AmberGifts

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/6927050.Kevin_B_Henry