Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Book Blitz & Giveaway ~ Hold You Against Me by Skye Warren



Hold You Against Me 
Skye Warren
(Stripped #4)
Publication date: May 31st 2016
Genres: Adult, Romance

From New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren comes a sexy new novel in the Stripped series…
Once upon a time the daughter of a mafia king fell in love with a foot soldier.
This fairy tale didn’t have a happy ending.
My sister and I barely managed to escape alive, and we’ve lived in relative hiding ever since. I’m safe now, but I can never forget the boy who gave his life to save mine.
Except there are whispers that he’s still alive. And he’s fighting a war.
Even knowing the risks, I have to find him. I have to find some way to protect him, the way he protected me. But he isn’t the boy I left behind. He’s a violent man. A criminal. And he’s been waiting for me—the final pawn in a dark game of survival and love.
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EXCERPT:
Something moves me gently, constant and rhythmic like waves. I’m warm. There’s something soft curling around my arms, wrapped inside my fists. Padding beneath my cheek that smells like home.
An unnatural darkness weighs down on me, keeping me from waking up—a demon’s whisper in my ear. You’re warm, you’re safe. Sleep.
But something is wrong.

I remember falling asleep, so suddenly, remember drinking water that I hadn’t filled. And I remember the phone call from Amy telling me that Giovanni’s alive. Impossible.
Awareness pricks my skin like a cold breeze. Wherever I am, I’m not alone.
I blink rapidly, forcing my eyes open. They adjust to the darkness quickly, taking in the tinted windows on either side and the wide leather bench curving beneath me. I’m in a car. A limo, to be exact. And it’s moving.
On the opposite side of the long space, a large body reclines. I can see the wide stance of his legs, the pale white of his shirt. A suit jacket tossed beside his hip. His face is hidden in the shadows of the vehicle.
I was raised by the head of the Las Vegas mafia, the capo. I grew up around guns and violence, so I know when a man is armed. It’s the way he holds himself, the warning shimmering around him like a dark halo.
This man is armed and extremely dangerous.
Every muscle in my body tenses. My mind still swims in thick water, because I must have been drugged. He drugged me, this faceless man. Why did he take me? It won’t be anything good, that’s for sure.
Even worse, I suspect this has something to do with my past, with my family. It’s messed up that I’d rather be taken by some random psycho. But at least then I’d have a chance of getting away.
“Who are you?” I demand, my voice hoarse from whatever drugs they gave me.
There’s a long pause, the weight of his regard as heavy as a finger trailing down my neck.
“Have I really changed that much, bella, that you don’t recognize me?”
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Author Bio:
Skye Warren is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of dark romance. Her books are raw, sexual and perversely tender.


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Friday, May 27, 2016

Release Day Blitz ~ Of Witch's Blood (Ward Witches Book 1) by Jennifer Snyder


Of Witch's Blood 
(Ward Witches Book 1)
by Jennifer Snyder

Seventeen-year-old Piper Ward isn’t new to the world of the supernatural. She comes from a long line of Cloaking Witches and lives in the city of Newvale, a supernatural mecca. However, when her crush reveals his mystical roots, Piper discovers there is one supernatural breed she hasn’t encountered.

Tristan Jarek is part of a tribe long ago forgotten, one whose magical abilities were stolen seven years ago. Having been separated from their magic for so long, the tribe is faced with a crippling reality—it’s dying.

As more to the story of Tristan’s magic is revealed, Piper becomes faced with a decision: let an entire breed of supernaturals die out, or give them the one thing that will save them—her blood.

Of Witch’s Blood is the first installment of an all new Mature Young Adult series from Jennifer Snyder, blending urban fantasy and paranormal romance together to create a tale of magic, first love, and inner strength.
 

Now available on all major retailers

About Jennifer Snyder

Jennifer Snyder lives in North Carolina where she spends most of her time writing new adult and young adult fiction, reading, and struggling to stay on top of housework. She is a tea lover with an obsession for Post-it notes and smooth writing pens. Jennifer lives with her husband and two children, who endure listening to songs that spur inspiration on repeat and tolerate her love for all paranormal, teenage-targeted TV shows.

Find out more about her latest novel by visiting her website.
Other ways to connect with Jennifer:
Email: Jennifersnyder04@gmail.com 

To get an email whenever Jennifer releases a new title, sign up for her newsletter on her website. It's full of fun and freebies sent right to your inbox!

Friday, May 20, 2016

Book Review ~ Blind Side by K.B. Nelson


Blind Side
by K.B. Nelson
  

I accept the part I played in the demise of my marriage.
I accept the things I cannot change.
I’m a cheater. I’m a whore. I’m an outcast in that place I left behind the second the first embers fizzled against the cracks of the night sky.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Anyone with the faintest understanding of decency would know this to be true. But it did happen this way. It went exactly like this, because maybe that’s the way things had to go.

There was no way out, and just when I thought of pulling the proverbial trigger, he appeared to me.
He was the student.
And I was his teacher.
And he saved me in every way I imagine one could ever be saved.

So, he became my teacher and I became his student as he taught me how to love again…

Click HERE to add to Goodreads

Whenever K.B. Nelson releases a new book, I know that I might as well forget about the real world because I won’t be able to put the book down until the last page is turned.  Blind Side was no exception  and I found myself getting sucked into the drama  that was unfolding with each and every page and getting lost within the words of this utterly captivating and fiercely sexy story that breaks every rule you could imagine.

Blind Side captured my attention right from the start and kept me engaged throughout.  Oh, and let me tell you – Nelson really knows how to create a hot and sizzling sex scene that will curl your toes and blow your mind!  The passion that erupts between Kemper and Stacci is seriously HOT – so much that you find yourself not really caring that they are breaking all the rules in this forbidden and taboo relationship.

I usually don’t gravitate toward books about student/teacher relationships and feel that this book won’t be for everyone, but with Nelson’s eloquent writing style and creation of characters that you will both love and hate at the same time, really makes Blind Side an excellent choice for readers craving a unique reading experience that will leave your breathless and needing more.

4 stars


 
I grew up on a farm in Ohio, but that's not very interesting, is it? When I'm not writing you can find me doing one of two things; getting lost on highways or getting lost in the lives of fictional characters. If my heart had two feet, one foot would be in romance and the other solidly in geekdom. I hope you'll all follow me on my journey through this carnival they call life. I promise there will be a happy ending.

Music Review ~ The Modern Romantic: New Relaxing Classical Piano Music by Laura Sullivan

The Modern Romantic: New Relaxing Classical Piano Music
by Laura Sullivan
May 20, 2016
Sentient Spirit Records

Relaxing new modern classical piano music, composed and performed by Grammy Winning and Billboard Top Ten recording artist, Laura Sullivan.
Piano (Laura Sullivan) combined with cello (Wojtek Slawinski), violin (Gabriele Schiavi) and other ambient sounds are perfect instrumental music for soothing and calming activities like yoga, spa and meditation and ideal for studying, dinner, background music, romantic moments, and any time when peace and tranquility are desired.


Books and relaxing music go hand in hand for me - there is nothing more relaxing to me than to curl up with a good book and having soothing music in the background.  I was beyond excited when I learned that Laura Sullivan was releasing her new CD, The Modern Romantic: New Relaxing Classical Piano Music.  Her music is hauntingly beautiful and it always brings a sense of peace to any environment I have it playing in.

After listening to her latest release, The Modern Romantic: New Relaxing Classical Piano Music, I have to say that Laura Sullivan has outdone herself once again.  Every exquisite song on this album is a creative masterpiece that transports the listener to a relaxing state of mind.  It is the perfect choice for background music while you work, read, or just to listen to on a crazy commute.  It is difficult for me to like every song an artist has on one album, but I can honestly say that I loved each and every piece included by this talented artist.  If you enjoy relaxing, soothing, and beautiful piano music, with a small mix of other instruments, then this is one collection that you will not want to miss out on.

5 stars


Purchase on Amazon

There are 10 tracks on this album and you can sample the songs HERE:

#1   Winds of Magic
#2   Moonlight Romance
#3   Timeless
#4   Come Home
#5   The Most Beautiful Girl in the World
#6   Finding You, Finding Me
#7   The Princess Dance
#8   A Tender Obsession
#9   Fairytale Waltz
#10 I Will Remember


Laura Sullivan’s Bio
Laura Sullivan is a GRAMMY® winning composer and recording artist. Her original music has been included in the score of two Emmy winning documentaries, as well as in many popular television programs and advertisements for Fortune 500 companies. 

Her recordings consistently receive more than 4 million spins a month on Pandora alone, among many other stations around the world, resulting in broad international airplay. Her albums have charted in the top 2 on The Zone reporter, the internationally recognized New Age and ambient radio chart

Her music publications are represented by Performing Rights organization BMI which holds more than 500 of her original compositions in her prolific Composer/Songwriter catalog.

Laura is the composer, arranger and visionary for the epic crowdsourcing video, 900 Voices, produced by herself and her Grammy® winning husband, Eric Sullivan. 900 Voices involves the singing participation of 938 people around the world singing in 27 languages, all in 1 song

Laura's 2015 collaborations include music created on forthcoming albums with Native American 17 year old virtuoso Gareth Laffely, as well as Grammy® nominated New Age artist Paul Avgerinos, among others. 

Laura's 2014 collaborations include a project with internationally renowned best selling author Dr. Wayne Dyer titled Angel BlessingsThe entire proceeds of this album goes toward the benefit of Hospice organizations. The album is produced by award winning artist Cindy Paulos and includes distinguished visionary and best selling author Colin Andrews, Grammy® Award-nominated Artists Miss Amy and Judy Pancoast, Grammy® Governor & VP San Francisco Chapter Nona Brown, Independent Music Award winning Producer and award winning Illustrator Krista Wallhagen, Multi-Grammy® Award-winning Producer Kevin Mackie, Producer of Grammy® Award-nominated Album Alex Otey, Guinness World Record holder Rupam Sarmah, World-renowned Film Composer Ricky Kej, Award Winning Americana Singer/Song-writer Grant Maloy Smith, Award-Winning Concert Pianist Leonardo Le San, Award-Winning Producer and Engineer Oscar Autie, and others.

Laura performed on the recording produced by Guinness World Record Holder Rupam Sarmah for his 2014 release of Omkara. This recording, Omkara - The Sound Of Divine Love, takes the science of music to the chakras – the seats of our energies – to inspire healing and balancing through beautifully arranged tones and elevated vibrations. 

Laura's other 2014 collaborations include the album Love Is by award winning artist D. Edward and The Gathering II produced by Grammy Winning and Platinum artist, Will Ackerman. Other artists included on this album are Lawrence Blatt, Louis Colaiannia, Masako, Shambhu, Heidi Breyer, Stanton Lanier, Ann Sweeten, Vicente Avella, Isadar, Lynn Yew Evers and others. 

Laura's Grammy® winning release, Love's River, includes Laura's piano music and the talents of the great flugelhorn and trumpet player Jeff Oster (winner of Echoes, NAR Lifestyle, and Independent Music Awards, and ZMR record of the year 2011), Grammy® Award winning artist Nancy Rumbel (of Tingstad and Rumbel), virtuoso cello player and Grammy® Award winning artist Eugene Friesen(member of the Paul Winter Consort), acclaimed oboe and English horn player Jill Haley, and four pieces produced by Grammy® Award winning and platinum artist and founder of legendary Windham Hill RecordsWill Ackerman, who also performs on the selection title Blessed from the album.

Distinguished engineers on the project include Tom Eaton of Imaginary Road Studios and Michael Starita, Director at ULUV MUSIC and Founder and CEO at Bay Area Music Collective.

Laura Sullivan's release Love's River won a GRAMMY® for BEST NEW AGE ALBUM in the 56th GRAMMY® awards which aired on CBS on January 26, 2014.

Love's River was named one of the top five productions to pass through the hands of Will Ackerman since 2009 by Reviews New Age.

Laura enjoys a publishing deal with one of the largest private production companies for music in film and television, where she composes underscore for shows seen on CBS, NBC, Fox and Sony.

Laura's music is licensed for use in TV and film including So You Think You Can DanceOn the Case With Paula ZahnThe Dr. Oz ShowMTV's Catfish: The TV Show, 48 Hours, Under Dog toWonder Dog, The History Channel, commercials for Hyundai and Everyday Paleo among many others. Her music is featured in the Emmy Award Winning documentary "Walk into the Wild: Spirit of Itasca" and the Emmy Award Winning documentary "The Greatest Silent Sport", which was also awarded at the Fargo Film Festival. She composed original music for the film "Valentines Day Special" (starring Jon Polito).

Laura performed the music for the track "Sleepwalking on a Tightrope" written by Roy Finch for the movie "Wake." She was the composer for the feature film "Emotions" directed by Gio Vitelle which premiered at the New York Independent Film and Video Festival. She also composed and produced original music for the short film Nine and A Half Minutes Left directed by Gunther Thallinger. Her music appears in the score to Quartett by Christina Kruse and Guy Lesser, which poetically brings to life the characteristics of Nana de Bary's Liaison de Perfum. This project was recognized by inclusion in ASOFF, Paris's first Fashion Film Festival. 

Her music can be found on Amazon.com, iTunes, Rhapsody, Pandora, and charts in frequent rotation on Music Choice,  and many other retail stores on and offline. Her discography receives airplay on radio stations around the world. Her albums have charted in the top 2 on The Zone reporter, the internationally recognized New Age and ambient radio chart

Her release, Mystical America, was named #1 New Age Album of 2004 by, Wind and Wire.

Laura is a member of the piano artist collective Whisperings Solo Piano Radio founded by composer, pianist and radio programmer, David Nevue. This artist community promotes through its radio station and concert tours with artists including David Nevue, Scott D. Davis, Suzanne Ciani, David Lanz, Wayne Gratz, and Robin Spielberg.

Ms. Sullivan was chosen as a featured artist on a TV Pilot, Music Across America, produced by legendary Jazz artist, Stanley Clarke.

Her releases Mystical America and Pianoscapes for the Trails of North America were produced by acclaimed artist Chris Camozzi, (appearing with artists Jeff Lorber, Michael Bolton, Maria Carey, Barbara Streisand and many others).

Some of the other wonderful artists who have performed with Laura on her albums are Diane Grubbe (flute)Mary Pitchford (violin)Noel Jewkes (saxophone), and Anthony Blea (violin).

Laura's debut album, Piano Solos, includes several selections of music she performed written by film composer, Roy Finch.

Laura is the author of the ground breaking piano teaching technique, Born Virtuosos: The Innovative Piano Course, as well as the book and CD by the same title. This method uses playful techniques to train young children to play like virtuosos, and learn to read music quickly.

Growing up on a farm in Northern California near the foothills of Mt. Lassen, Laura’s mother was children’s book author Carol Purdy, who is best known for her books Least of All, Mrs. Merriwether’s Musical Cat, and Iva Dunnit and the Big Wind. Carol was also Laura’s first piano teacher and started teaching her to play when Laura was four years old.

Laura holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance. She is a former student of Dr. Robert E. Bowman and the recipient of the Emily A. Hauss Music Award and the Jane Bowman Jewett Music Award. Laura also holds a Master’s Degree in Psychologythrough the School of Education from the University of San Francisco. She has further graduate training from the New School in New York City. She has appeared as a guest presenter in music courses at CSU San Francisco and the Academy of Art College. 

Laura is also the author of several musicals for children which were produced by her group called “Star Company Children’s Theater.”

She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Grammy® Winning Producer, Film Director, and Technology VP, Eric Sullivan, and their young daughter. She is a member of the National Association of Recording Industry Professionals and a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (The Grammys®).

Connect with Ms. Sullivan…….

Website * Facebook * Twitter * 

Monday, May 16, 2016

Book Blast: Asleep by Krystal Wade - Excerpt and Giveaway

AsleepBlast
 
Hello readers!
Are you looking for your next read?
Well, let us help make things easier for you!
Welcome to the Book Blast for
Asleep by Krystal Wade
presented by Blaze Publishing!
Check out the teaser below, and be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!
As a special treat, we've got another book that may tickle your fancy... What is it? Read on, dear reader, read on!
 
AsleepCover
 
"To cure fear, you must use fear."
Rose Briar claims no responsibility for the act that led to her imprisonment in an asylum. She wants to escape, until terrifying nightmares make her question her sanity and reach out to her doctor. He’s understanding and caring in ways her parents never have been, but as her walls tumble down and Rose admits fault, a fellow patient warns her to stop the medications. Phillip believes the doctor is evil and they’ll never make it out of the facility alive. Trusting him might be just the thing to save her. Or it might prove the asylum is exactly where she needs to be.
add to goodreads
Asleep 
by Krystal Wade 
Publication Date: February 16, 2016 
Publisher: Blaze Publishing

 
What Readers Are Saying:
 
"This was hands down one of the best thrillers I've read in a long while." - Martina McAtee, Author
 
"It's amazing how this book can bring so many emotions out of me and leaves me being a sobbing mess in the end!" - Gina, A Thousand Books
 
" It is 100% a book that you need to experience completely for yourself." - Lauren, Wonderless Reviews
 

excerpt
That was the first time he’d spoken her name, and she would have celebrated the fact she’d made a connection with someone—anyone—had her world not been spinning.
“Betty just gave me something before I came outside.”

“Something’s changing, something big.” He nodded once, agreeing with himself most likely. “You’re like me.”

The sounds of the door opening and closing, the women squabbling near the oak tree over who drew the better picture in the dirt, and people’s feet crunching on the gravel path leading to the door all felt trapped inside her head, loud and somehow touching her, upsetting her system more. God, even the smell of antiseptic made it out here and into Rose’s nostrils... 

“I think I’m going to throw up.”

“You are.” Phillip gently placed his hand on her back and rubbed small circles. “And they’ll get you.”

“I don’t understand. What’s changing? Why do you keep saying I’m like you? Who’ll get me?"

He was paranoid. Crazy. Unpredictable. Yet part of him seemed to know things, to understand, to want to help. How much of what he said was real? How much was just crap made up in his head?

“Different. Everything’s different. Except it’s not. And you . . .” He fell to the ground with Rose as she began vomiting. Phillip held her hair back and talked softly, the lunatic whispering, “It’s okay,” a couple times and touching her raw wrist before continuing, “I wish you never had to fall asleep again.”


About-the-Author2
Krystal Wade
 
I’m happily married to the love of my life (don’t gag) and raising three beautiful children in the gorgeous state of Virginia. We live just outside Washington, D.C., and every day I wake up to find myself stuck in traffic trying to get there.
The horrid commute gives me plenty of time to zone out and think about my characters in full, brilliant details (I’m a safe driver; don’t worry). Stories give me a way to forget about the sometimes smelly strangers sitting next to me on the fifty mile trek into town (I pick up hitchhikers every day. True story. Check out www.slug-lines.com if you don’t believe me). I’ve been a part of organized hitchhiking for nearly fifteen years, but that’s just one small aspect of my oh-so-large life. When I’m not working, commuting, or chasing after my three children (four if you count the man), you can usually find me outside talking to my chickens like they’re the cutest things in the world (they are), or training my amazing dogs how to herd said chickens (which they love), or curled up on the sofa with a good book (why can’t that be 100% of the time?). I hope you love my stories (or just like them a little; that would be okay, too). And I hope that one day you find your passion, because there’s nothing in life better than doing what you love while surrounded by people you love.
 
YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO CHECK OUT...
 
Because I Love You
 
Eight weeks after sixteen-year-old Andie Hamilton gives her virginity to her best friend, “the stick” says she’s pregnant.
Her friends treat her like she’s carrying the plague, her classmates torture and ridicule her, and the boy she thought loved her doesn’t even care. Afraid to experience the next seven months alone, she turns to her ex-boyfriend, Neil Donaghue, a dark-haired, blue-eyed player. With him, she finds comfort and the support she desperately needs to make the hardest decision of her life: whether or not to keep the baby. Then a tragic accident leads Andie to discover Neil’s keeping a secret that could dramatically alter their lives, and she's forced to make a choice. But after hearing her son’s heartbeat for the first time, she doesn’t know how she’ll ever be able to let go.
add to goodreads
Because I Love You 
by Tori Rigby 
Publication Date: May 17, 2016 
Publisher: Blaze Publishing

 
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Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!
 
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Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~ In The Absence of You by Sunniva Dee



In The Absence Of You 

Sunniva Dee
Publication date: June 28th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Aishe is running. Running from the burn of a love she knows will consume her.
Running from a soul mate she’s never even met.
If only she hadn’t been hired as a merch girl for the hottest indie band on earth.
If only she’d never laid eyes on its front man, Emil—intense, sexy, and so unlike the men of her culture.
If only she hadn’t fallen onto his lips, then into his bed.
If only her flame hadn’t exploded into a full-on forest fire.
If only Emil’s heart didn’t belong to someone else.
***

Emil is running. Running from a broken heart.
Running from who he was with her.
If only Zoe hadn’t left.
If only Aishe hadn’t been right there.
If only she hadn’t been so damn gorgeous—insistent—different.
If only he could control himself around her.
If. Only.

Absence bullet for entertainment gritty font Absence she's not Zoe gritty font teaser


Author Bio:
Between studies, teaching, and advising, Sunniva has spent her entire adult life in a college environment. Most of her novels are new adult romance geared toward smart, passionate readers with a love for eclectic language and engaging their brain as well as their heart while reading.
Born in the Land of the Midnight Sun, the author spent her early twenties making the world her playground. Southern Europe: Spain, Italy, Greece--Argentina: Buenos Aires, in particular. The United States finally kept her interest, and after half a decade in Los Angeles, she now lounges in the beautiful city of Savannah.
Sometimes, Sunniva writes with a paranormal twist (Shattering Halos, Stargazer, and Cat Love). At other times, it's contemporary (Pandora Wild Child, Leon's Way, Adrenaline Crush, Walking Heartbreak, and Dodging Trains, coming in late March 2016).
This author is the happiest when her characters let their emotions run off with them, shaping her stories in ways she never foresaw. She loves bad-boys and good-boys run amok, and like in real life, her goal is to keep the reader on her toes until the end of each story.


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