M9B Two for Thursday Book Blitz: Scion of the Sun by Nicola Marsh and The Looking Glass by Jessica Arnold with Giveaway #T4T

 

Welcome to this week’s Two for Thursday Book Blitz #T4T presented by Month9books/Tantrum Books!

Today, we will be showcasing two titles that may tickle your fancy, and we’ll share what readers have to say about these titles!

You just might find your next read!

This week, #T4T presents to you:

Scion of the Sun by Nicola Marsh and The Looking Glass by Jessica Arnold

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

 

 

When she least expects it, sixteen-year old Holly Burton’s unremarkable life is shaken to the core. A vision of the mother Holly never knew leaves her questioning everything she believes.

Eager for answers, Holly enrolls at a boarding school for highly gifted students in Wolfebane, New Hampshire. But things will get worse before they get better, as Holly accidentally transports to a parallel existence where she's confronted by a dark and ancient evil.

With the help of Joss, a sexy alpha warrior sworn to protect her, and her new BFF, the equally swoon-worthy Quinn, Holly faces her fears and an unlikely adversary in a showdown that is worse than anything she could’ve possibly imagined … 

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WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:

“Charmed and drawn in by Holly’s spunk and snark, Scion of the Sun will leave you spinning and falling for Joss right along with Holly. Marsh’s unique story is packed with action, mystery, romance and suspense. This is not to be missed!” – Jennifer L. Armentrout, USA TODAY Bestselling Author

 ” It's a unique novel in YA literature, and I hope it won't be under-appreciated! An excellent start to a new mythology-based series, this is!” – Alyssa – Eater of Books

“This was a unique tale about a heroine who is not perfect by any means, but does her best despite her failings.” –Grace – Grace Books of Love

 

 

Nicola currently writes for Harlequin Mills and Boon Romance and Riva/Presents series, Entangled Publishing, Month9Books, Harlequin Teen and Crimson Romance, has published 39 books and sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide. She’s a Bookscan, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Waldenbooks bestseller, has finalled in several awards including the prestigious HOLT (Honoring Outstanding Literary Talent), Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, Booksellers’ Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath, More than Magic and won several CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Awards. Nicola loves the hip, vibrant, cosmopolitan vibe of her home city, Melbourne, where she’s set the bulk of her novels, highlighting  fabulous cultural and food havens like Acland Street (St. Kilda), Brunswick Street (Fitzroy) and Lygon Street (Carlton). When she’s not writing she’s busy raising her two little heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, cheering on her beloved North Melbourne Kangaroos footy team and her favorite, curling up with a good book!

Author Links: 

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Find the diary, break the curse, step through The Looking Glass! 

Fifteen-year-old Alice Montgomery wakes up in the lobby of the B&B where she has been vacationing with her family to a startling discovery: no one can see or hear her. The cheap desk lights have been replaced with gas lamps and the linoleum floor with hardwood and rich Oriental carpeting. Someone has replaced the artwork with eerie paintings of Elizabeth Blackwell, the insane actress and rumored witch who killed herself at the hotel in the 1880s. Alice watches from behind the looking glass where she is haunted by Elizabeth Blackwell. Trapped in the 19th-century version of the hotel, Alice must figure out a way to break Elizabeth’s curse—with the help of Elizabeth's old diary and Tony, the son of a ghost hunter who is investigating the haunted B&B—before she becomes the inn's next victim.

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WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:

“Curses, ghosts, betrayal and love. All elements to a perfect ghostly story..” – Jasmyn, Bitten by Romance

“I think one of the creepiest things about The Looking Glass was the way it made me feel so claustrophobic. It was similar to the way I felt when I read Stephen King's Under the Dome--trapped and a bit panicked.” – Kelly, Reviewer

“It was so different and so beautifully written and detailed that I really could not put this story down and I felt as though I was there with Alice throughout the story.” – Melissa, Simplistic Reviews

 

 

 

Jessica Arnold writes YA, codes ebooks, and is currently a graduate student in publishing at Emerson College in Boston. She spends most of her time in class or work or slogging through the homework swamp. If she has a spare moment, she’s always up for a round of Boggle. Given the opportunity, Jessica will pontificate at length on the virtues of the serial comma, when and where to use an en dash, and why the semicolon is the best punctuation mark pretty much ever.

Author Links: 

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Release Blast & Giveaway ~ BOLD SEDUCTION (The Hornsby Brothers #1) by Karyn Gerrard

Enter to Win a

$15.00 Amazon eGift Card

Bold Seduction
The Hornsby Brothers # 1

By: Karyn Gerrard

Releasing September 1, 2015

Lyrical Press

No offer is more daring…

BOLD SEDUCTION

An Intriguing Proposition

Passion. Seduction. Pleasure. These are the qualities of any courtesan worth her salt. As owner of The Starling Club, London’s most notorious house of ill-repute, Madame Philomena McGrattan has seen it all, heard it all, done it all. There is little that surprises her anymore, and even less that excites her. So when she is presented a chance at an irresistible seduction, she can’t help but rise to the challenge.

A Dangerous Game

Studiousness. Practicality. Discipline. Such are the attributes of a good scholar, and such are the principles Lord Spencer Hornsby has built his life around. Alone in the Welsh countryside, with only his wolfhounds for company, Spencer has thrown himself into his work. There is little time for the pleasures of society, not even to think of the joys of the fairer sex. But when an unexpected guest arrives at his isolated hunting lodge, Spencer cannot help but be baffled by the presence of this dangerously beautiful woman. And when he discovers the reason for her arrival, and the pleasures she promises, he cannot help but find himself irresistibly intrigued . . .

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Finally, he asked, “And who are you, her replacement?”

Her? A housekeeper? Should she pretend to be a servant? Bugger that. “Hardly. I believe the old hag had plans to leave anyway as her bag was packed and at the ready. I’m here at the invitation of two of your acquaintances. Mr. Jacob Williamson and Mr. Clive Christopher.”

The professor frowned. At least she thought he did. It was hard to read his expression under the wiry thatch of hair surrounding his mouth. He rifled through a pile of unopened correspondence. “Oh? I do not recall any recent note from those gentlemen.”

“I believe I am to be a surprise present for your birthday tomorrow.”

His owl eyes blinked rapidly as if he could not process what she said. “I do not require a maid, though you tell me Mrs. Brickell has departed. It appears I could use a housekeeper…”

He had absolutely no idea why she came to him. His mind did not even consider the fact it could be for carnal reasons. What a sheltered life he must lead. “I’m no servant, though you need tidying up as much as your home does. You bear a striking resemblance to a painting of a French Canadian trapper I saw in a book once. All wild and shaggy—all that is missing is the plaid coat and the beaver pelts.” She gave him a sweet, smug smile.

With his lips pressed into a straight line, he sat back and regarded her. “Oh? You read a book once?” His elegant voice dripped with self-righteous sarcasm.

“Touché, Professor. Well aimed. A direct hit.” Phil pointed to the dogs who still stared at her. Their unblinking attention followed her every minute move. “Should I be afeared for my life? Your animals are intimidating.”

“Justinian. Theodora. Easy.” The hounds relaxed at his command, laying their heads on their paws. “They are Irish Wolfhounds. ‘Gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked.’”

Phil placed a hand on her hip. “Does that saying apply to you as well, Professor Hornsby?”

Did he smile slightly? Again, hard to tell under the facial hair. Phil pulled a chair toward the desk and placed it a few feet away. She raised one leg to the chair.

“Now, I don’t claim to be a blue-stocking, but I am able to read.” Phil grasped the hem of her green striped gown, and with a slow, deliberate movement, raised it past her ankle boots. She glanced at the beast behind the desk. His gaze remained steady as it slid down to where she continued to raise her petticoats to reveal one of her shapely legs. At least she’d been told they were shapely. No matter. Running her hand over the sheer white stocking, she lingered near her silk garter. “I do not think they are blue. You better come closer and inspect the shade of my stockings for yourself…Professor.”

He coughed and looked away. She made him uncomfortable, and she would wager to guess--a little aroused. No sound could be heard in the room except a whimper from one of the dogs and the huge clock in the corner ticking away the awkward minutes.

Hornsby faced her. “Who are you, madam, and why are you here?”

She continued to fondle and caress her leg, and having the unkempt man watch her caused a slow roll of heat to travel through her. Again, his voice. Like molten gold or a cello played by a master that vibrated with life, power, and resonance.

“My name is Philomena McGrattan. I am indeed a madam and hired to relieve you of your virginity.”

There was no further reaction from the professor whatsoever. This did not bode well.

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Karyn lives in a small town in the western corner of Ontario, Canada. She whiles away her spare time writing and reading romance while drinking copious amounts of Earl Grey tea. Tortured heroes are a must. A multi-published author with a few bestsellers under her belt, Karyn loves to write in different genres and time periods, though historicals and contemporaries are her favorite.

As long as she can avoid being hit by a runaway moose in her wilderness paradise she assumes everything is golden. Karyn’s been happily married for a long time to her own hero. His encouragement keeps her moving forward.

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Release Day Launch & Giveaway ~ DAWN (The Dire Wolves Chronicles) by Alyssa Rose Ivy

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Release Day Launch for Alyssa Rose Ivy's DAWN! DAWN is the third novel in her New Adult Paranormal Romance Dire Wolves Chronicles Series. The Order of the books is: DIRE, DUSK, DAWN. Grab your copy today!!

 

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“What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?” As inconsequential as her answer was, it mattered to me. I wanted to know her tastes and preferences. I wanted to know everything about her.

“My favorite flavor of ice cream?” She leaned up on her elbow. “Are you seriously asking me that right now?”

“I need to know more about you.”

“And that includes learning my ice cream preferences?”

“You know all of that stuff about me, don’t you?” I already knew the answer.

“Rocky Road.” She flushed.

“See.”

“Does that freak you out?”

I ran my lips across hers. “Not in the slightest. It means you cared enough to know. I should have too. I should have noticed you more.”

“You had plenty of other girls to notice.”

“I don’t notice them now.” There was no one else I wanted. I’d never understand how I hadn't noticed how perfect we were for each other.

“Maybe you will again.”

“Nope. You’re stuck with me.” I was only half joking. I wouldn't force my company on her, but if it was up to me, I’d never leave her side again.

“Because I already know you’re a wolf?”

“No.” I felt a growl growing inside me. “Because you’re meant to be with me.”

“Oh no. No. No.” She moved away. “None of that. Next you are going to start talking about pre-destined dreams and freaky stuff like that.”

I stiffened. Those dreams were the root of most of our trouble. “This has nothing to do with dreams. It’s about the way I feel. Becoming Dire has made things even clearer for me.”

“But you’re still you, so if it’s just your Dire side…”

I rolled her over so she was under me. “My feelings for you come from both of my sides. They were always there, but this experience has made them stronger. Being with you has made them stronger. Becoming a Dire has only accentuated what I already felt as a human. Things are clearer now, crisper.”

She grazed her teeth over her lip in a nervous gesture, and I couldn't hold back. I needed to taste her lips myself. I leaned my head down and let my lips connect with hers. The kiss wasn't gentle nor any of the things I’d promised my kisses with her would be now. It was primal and needy. I was greedy, wanting and needing to soak up every ounce of her.

It is always darkest before dawn.

Gage and Mary Anne are on the run and determined to break Hunter out of prison so he can finish changing Gage. They look to Mary Anne’s college friend Genevieve and the zany Dire Denny for assistance, but in the end, help comes from the unlikeliest of places.

Hunter must end the hunt even if it means destroying his own brother and giving up on the girl destined to be his. With betrayal surrounding him at every turn, his best chance at ending the hunt is someone he is sworn to hate.

Don't miss the first the first books in the

Dire Wolves Chronicles...

DIRE

 

DUSK

 Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Pinterest ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads

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Virtual Book Tour ~ Purified by Elizabeth S. Sullivan

Purified

by Elizabeth S. Sullivan

Thriller / Noir

Date Published: November 27, 2014

Published By: Short on Time Books

When a mutilated body of an African American girl is found in a park sandbox, the media shows no interest. Instead, their attention is riveted on the disappearance of Olivia Safra, a college student and only child of the powerful and dangerous Richard Safra. Suspended ADA, Beck Oldman, demoted to a rookie PI is assigned her first cases to find a missing teenager and Olivia Safra.

Leads connect the murders to the Safra case. The investigation into her client's private life reveals a dark side in the relationship between a father and daughter and exacts his wrath against Beck. More girls are found murdered, putting Beck in a race to stop a serial killer and stop her own client from destroying her. 

PURIFIED is a thrilling story that explores many dark subjects, including what it does to those who have to live in the world of killers in order to stop them.

     The fact it was drizzling did not dim the useful moonlight. The body had been meticulously scrubbed with antibacterial soap; hair shampooed; new white underwear guarded against the old jeans. The plastic gloves and the rain slowed down the digging. The skies opened just a bit more, but enough to wash away progress. Voices from a distance slightly accelerated the final touches. The exact placement of the artifacts was crucial. Finally, success. It was a shallow grave, but it was never meant to be anything more than a beginning.

     The Chicago Park teemed with summer life. Amber light washed over the lazy sun worshippers, glazing them in a healthy hue they did not earn. Dogs chased invisible balls and actual Frisbees in the wet grass, almost tripping women pushing baby strollers worth the price of a small car. The low thrum of conversations, an intermittent rebuke handed down to an out-of-line participant was suddenly obliterated by a shrill, inhuman wail. A collective sucking in of breath heralded the series of joy crushing waves everyone knew were coming.

     Wave One: a young boy collapsed near a group of teenage girls. Normally squealers, the girls silently tried to ease the boy out of his fetal position.  Reluctantly, onlookers approached, knowing their light reverie was scrolling into some kind of weird nightmare.

     Wave Two: a chorus of other worldly screaming came out of children as they abandonede the swings.

     Wave Three: a man screeching, “Get the kids away from the goddamned sandbox, get them OUT OF THERE. Call the cops, there’s a bloody hand sticking out of the sand.” Human sobs were accompanied by police sirens, almost if they were keeping tempo to the chaos. People fled from the blood and the sand.

     Wave Four: a murdered adolescent girl’s mutilated hand reached out of the sand, tripping the boy whose summer dreams would become nightmares, as would the entire city’s.

Elizabeth S. Sullivan was born in Chicago and grew up in the LA area. Impassioned by social justice issues, inspired by her parents, she pursued teaching and earned a law degree. She has written five screenplays, one short. Her screenplays have placed or won such as: Nicholl, Austin, Page, and American Zoetrope. These recognitions garnered her a manager, Alexia Melocchi, Little Studio Films. Her first novel, PURIFIED, portrays a strong female protagonist in the genre of a noir thriller.  Sullivan explores issues of race, gender, privacy in the cyber age. She has written several blogs on of women in fiction featured on Venture Galleries.  She is busy working on the sequel to PURIFIED and a new screenplay.

http://venturegalleries.com/blog/a-hot-sweaty-summer-is-the-season-of-noir/

http://venturegalleries.com/blog/leading-your-imagination-into-dark-corners/

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/intheauthorscornerwithetienne/2015/04/12/elizabeth-s-sullivan-is-purified

http://venturegalleries.com/blog/why-not-celebrate-mothers-day-with-a-mystery/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Purified/788426727895177

http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/elizabeth-s-sullivan.html

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23690590-purified

http://www.indieauthorsnetwork.com/2015/07/elizabeth-s-sullivan-ian-interview.html

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This is why……why I don’t loan out my books - ever

This post is titled “This is why……why I don’t loan out my books”, but I really wanted to name it “Death of a Book – and Possibly a Friendship”.  This post is a rant and its purpose is to raise awareness of book abuse.  This problem is real people and must be stopped. 

A co-worker/friend stopped by my home-away-from-home (a.k.a. my cubicle) this morning wanting to know if I had read a certain book yet.  Although I have not, I do own the book and it is currently sitting in my mountain of books to be read at some point in my lifetime.  She was going to loan it to me if I did not have it, but also wanted to show me something.  What she had to show me was so sad and so heartbreaking I almost broke down and wept at what I saw.  See, my friend loaned out her book to another person.  At the time, the book was pristine and in perfect condition.  She expected it to be returned in somewhat the same condition, but this is what she got back:

I know……truly sad, right?  I just could not believe my eyes.  I mean, how could someone take another person’s property and totally destroy it like this.  This book had stains on it of some unknown origin (gross), the cover in total shambles and what appeared to be water damage on most of the pages.  

Let's take a moment and say a prayer for this travesty.

Okay...moment over....let the ranting commence.

I treasure my books.  Yes, I know they are just books, but I take great care in trying to keep my books in the greatest condition possible.  This book is a really good example on why I do not loan out my books.  If a friend wants to read a book, I will recommend something to them all day long, but if they want to borrow it, then they can a) either go borrow it from the library or b) just go buy it. 

When I loan something out, whether it be a book or whatever, I expect it to be returned in the same condition it left.  No excuses.  The way this book was returned would be grounds for hard feelings and possibly loss of friendship.  My answer to this problem is to not even loan out my stuff…..never, ever.  Problem. Solved.

So, I ask you, do you loan out your books or do you just recommend something?  How would you have handled a situation like this?

Don’t be shy……let your voice be heard!

Blog Tour/Book Blitz & Giveaway ~ Up For Forever (Up For Grabs #2) by Heather Young-Nichols

Up for Forever 

(Up for Grabs #2)

by Heather Young-Nichols

Publication date: September 1, 2015

Publisher: Swoon Romance

For Kendra Roberts, love is for fairy tale princesses who don’t live in the real world. Mr. Right? What a joke. It’s more like Mr. Right Now.

But imagine her surprise when she realizes it’s been two whole years, and Mr. Right Now has become something more. How the hell did that happen?

Panic sets in when Kendra finds out that Adam Burger might be planning a future for them and making her his “Mrs.” Mrs. Burger.

Not. So. Fast.

Kendra ends things with Adam, feeling bad for letting things go this far.

After months of trying to convince herself she made the right decision, a mutual friend’s wedding throws them back together again.

In one mind-blowing moment, Kendra comes to the crushing realization that she’s been in love with Adam all along.

But when Adam seems to have already moved on, will Kendra fight for their forever after? Or will she let her once Mr. Right Now go and become someone else’s Mr. Right?

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Excerpt 1~
“Ugh,” I groaned, “I hate you so much.” I felt his smile against my skin, and his breath as he chuckled made me shiver to my toes.

“Doesn’t sound like it.”

“Adam, come on … I can’t … stand … ” My words were swallowed when his mouth devoured mine again like he owned it. Owned me. The thought should have sent the feminist in me running to prove the opposite but I couldn’t be bothered. His kisses were still gentle but so much more demanding until we were both once again gasping for air, searching for a release that, at least for me, had been denied.

Then we found it. The pleasure that wracked my body was unlike anything I’d felt. It came in waves, with each one crashing harder until it subsided all together. Adam kissed back up my neck until I couldn’t take it anymore from the way my body had become oversensitive. He pushed off, taking me in his arms so I could burrow right into him. I felt like a ragdoll that could be dragged along wherever someone wanted to take me. And I’d really enjoyed where Adam took me.

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

Excerpt 2~ 

“All right, well, I’m going to let Sam know that I’m staying here so he doesn’t have to call all night.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Yeah, I do.” He pulled his phone from his pocket, scrolled through the numbers stored there before selecting Sam’s. “Yeah, she’s fine,” he said. Listening to only half of a conversation between two guys was weird. “Listen, butt muncher, I just wanted to let you know you don’t have to call tonight.” Another pause. “No, I’m staying here … Fuck you.” Man, I wish I knew what Sam said. “Later.” The cell went back into his pocket.

“What’d he say?”

“Nothing that matters. Listen,” he shifted toward me, “I’m going to be out on the couch—”

“Why don’t you just sleep in Cain’s bed?”

“Gross. No. I can only imagine the things that have happened in his bed. I’m good with the couch.” I laughed before I remembered that it would hurt. And it did. My lip and my cheek. “Anyway, I’ll be out there. Call me if you need anything.”

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Heather Young-Nichols was born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan and graduated from nearby Saginaw Valley State University with a degree in sociology. The only thing that rivals her love of reading is her love of baseball. When not with her husband and three kids or the cat that likes to bite, she is working to bring the characters in her head to life.

 Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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