Furthermore: An Anthology Cover Reveal

It's Cover Reveal week! Thanks to the talent of so many wonderful authors, our anthology is nearly complete and will be released on December 11th. But today, we are excited to share the cover with you and won't make you wait any longer!

A first date, a lottery, treachery and deceit. Sometimes fate has other plans. Sometimes there’s more to tell.

 

In Furthermore: An Anthology, eighteen original stories take you on a journey through worlds here and beyond. From the depths of the earth to the embrace of the sea, your favorite series continue. Prequels, alternative views, and new scenes give readers a chance to experience more than originally told.

 

Including stories from Rebekah Campbell, Amber Garr, David Estes, Leigh Michael, Karen Amanda Hooper, Stephanie Judice, and Mayandree Michael. And most importantly, in honor of those who lost the battle and those who continue to fight, all proceeds from this anthology will be donated to cancer research and support.

 

SURPRISE VISITOR -Emily has never been a fan of surprises but Eric has something up his sleeve to change her mind. (The Darkness Through The Light Series)

 

GETTING TO KNOW THE HEAVIES - The two Sullivan bodyguards are still human beings underneath it all. And everyone has a weakness. (The Darkness Through The Light Series)

 

PEOPLE CHANGE - When Eric asks his dad a question about his mother, it’s time to go back to where it all began and then went so badly wrong. (The Darkness Through The Light Series)

 

COLD FEET - Kain witnesses Eviana’s deceit on their wedding day and is forced to deal with the consequences of her behavior. (The Syrenka Series)

 

RIFT - Daniel encourages the group to make a detour to the Grand Canyon, as the distance between the friends begins to rival the great ravine. (The Syrenka Series)

 

DISCOVERY - Leila’s first encounter with her psychic mentor is nothing short of memorable. (The Leila Marx Novels)

 

HUMAN RESOURCES – Blake finds a new job while Mac finds a friend who reminds him of home. (The Leila Marx Novels)

 

THE RUNAWAY- TAWNI’S STORY - After learning of her parents’ treachery, Tawni leaves home seeking to make amends for their transgressions. (The Dwellers Saga)

 

THE LIFE LOTTERY- A STORY FROM YEAR ZERO - With the survival of the human race on the brink, there’s only one way to decide who will be saved in the underground caves: The Lottery. (The Dwellers Saga)

 

FATE: Experience Annabelle’s struggle to fulfill the ABA Prophecy in a new light through the parting words of Adrian, Aurelia, Blake, and Lady Katherine. (Annabelle’s Story)

 

The Sound of Love - Glimpse into one of Nathaniel’s previous lives and see how his soul mate reacts when tragedy strikes. (The Kindrily Series)

 

MUIRNE’S MELODY--To escape her master’s vile desires, Muirne flees into the snow-swept night, finding a green-eyed stranger and a mystical destiny. (Saga of the Setti Series)

 

JEREMY’S HEART: Calm, cool, and complete scoundrel, Jeremy realizes the loss he’s suffered means nothing compared to true love. (Saga of the Setti Series)

 

FALL FROM GRACE: Warped by centuries of darkness, the creature Sveigja plots to capture Clara as his queen. (Saga of the Setti Series)

 

Plus two original stories by Mayandree Michel.

 

We would like to extend a HUGE thanks to Claudia at PhatPuppyArt for donating the artwork and to Alexandra Shostak for donating her time for the cover design. You ladies are amazing and we are all so grateful for your contribution!

If you are interested in promoting the release or reviewing an ARC, please visit HERE to sign up.

To find out more about the authors and their stories, please check out THIS POST.

Faded (The Faded Trilogy #1) by Chloe Miles

Title: Faded 

Author: Chloe Miles

Series: The Faded Trilogy #1

#of Pages: 380

GoodReads Summary:

Savannah wanted to kiss him, but she had never even kissed a human guy before, let alone a ghost. How was she supposed to kiss him if he wasn't really there?" Savannah has never been in love before, but she's in love with Hunter Emmerton. He's cute, funny, charming...and a ghost. How can you date someone if nobody else can see them?

After seventeen-year-old Savannah Fraser and her three friends are killed in a car accident, they are given a second chance at life by a group of hundred-year-old teenage earthbound spirits who need their help. Savannah and her friends learn that they are The Chosen Ones, which means they can switch between human and spirit form, heal people and control the weather. And they are also now invincible.

The Chosen Ones are the only ones who can defeat The Forces - a group of evil spirits who are slowly destroying the perfect little town of Fort Everwick with violent storms and not-so-natural disasters - and stop them from harming everyone they care about. The Forces are set on destroying everything Savannah knows and loves, but they also have another plan - they want a new member to join them. They aren't willing to give up until they get the one they want...and they have Savannah firmly in their sights.

Savannah had never been confident in herself before, but with her new-found powers, she discovers just how strong herself and her friends really are. But what Savannah didn't count on was falling in love with Hunter. She's never loved anyone the way she loves Hunter and she knows he loves her too. But how can they be together forever if he no longer exists and she's the only one who can see him? Will Savannah have enough belief in herself to defeat The Forces, or will they be able to lure her to the dark side and turn her against her loved ones...and tear her and Hunter apart?

*I received this book from the GoodReads AAR Group: We ♥ YA Books! for free in exchange for my honest review*

Writing Style:

I had a hard time getting into this book mainly because of its repetitive nature. The author wrote about many of the same details time after time and most of the action sequences are very similar. The book began with poor character dialogue that was disjointed, making it slightly confusing at times. However, as the story progresses the writing style improved. The thing I truly enjoyed about Miles’s writing is her ability to intertwine so many characters into one plot, while letting each one shine. I really liked the stand-alone scenes each of them had throughout the plot, it helped me bond with them all on different levels. I am quite positive with a bit of work her writing will become fabulous!

My Overall Opinion:

The summary of this book is what encouraged me to read it. I mean come on, good spirits with epic powers that are trying to save a small down from evil spirits... how could that not catch my attention? I've always enjoyed classic good versus evil stories; however this one has a little bit more than that. This book is filled with action, romance, and humor.

I will say that Faded started off extremely slow for me, I had to force myself keep reading. Once I made it midway, I couldn't put it down! I instantly fell in love with Hunter and the romance he shares with Savannah. My heart hurt every time something/something would try to tear them apart... they are meant to be together! Normally I'm not a fan of love stories, but that was the element of this book that stuck with me.  I never had so many aww moments in my life! The innocence of their love and the lengths they go to protect each other is priceless!

I almost always form a bond with the "evil" characters in novels but I despised The Forces and wanted nothing more but for The Chosen Ones to come out victorious. I truly admired how all the members The Chosen Ones worked together with such dedication and love. The powers that both groups have are pretty awesome. They can control the weather! I only wish that the author wrote more about their powers, it has so much potential! *crosses her fingers for the next book*

The shocking twist at the end of this novel had me in tears but thankfully gave me a bit of hope as well. I will be reading the 2nd book in the Faded trilogy once it is released... I already miss Hunter. =-X

A GIVEAWAY with Bonus Author Interview [Ashley Stoyanoff]

Hey everyone, I am so excited for this post! This is my first author interview and giveaway! I want to thank Ashley Stoyanoff for giving me the chance to do this for you guys. Not only did she agree to a mini interview, she also wanted to giveaway a copy of her debut novel The Soul's Mark: FOUND to one of you! I absolutely loved this book, I gave it 5 out 5 stars. If you’re interested in reading my review you can find it here.

Since my review the book has received a new cover... isn't it gorgeous?



Goodreads Summary:

Anxious to leave her destructive past behind, Amelia Caldwell moves to Willowberg, excited for a fresh start. Once there, she discovers that her birthmark is more than it seems. She has been marked by a vampire’s soul. Not only does she hold his soul, but Amelia is also his soulmate.

After almost a century of searching for his soulmate, Mitchell Lang fears the worst—he is going to lose Amelia to another man. His heart takes over, and his impulsive decision to take away her free will and to intensify their bond quickly turns her growing love into hate.

When they become trapped in the emotional rollercoaster of their souls' bond, open conflict erupts. Amelia has no intentions of belonging to anyone, not even her soulmate, and Mitchell refuses to let her go.

While she frantically searches for a way to escape his grasp, Amelia unlocks the painful memories of her past and uncovers a powerful secret. But before she has a chance to explore her newfound edge, she finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly game of revenge and is forced to realize that YOU CANNOT RUN FROM DESTINY.

 

For An Excerpt from The Soul's Mark: FOUND: click here

*Note: This giveaway is open to everyone, including international followers*

a Rafflecopter giveaway




INTERVIEW TIME:

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
Well, I live in Whitby, Ontario with my husband Jordan and two cats, Tanzy and Trinity. When I’m not writing, I’m usually reading. I will read just about anything but my favorite would be romance with a supernatural twist.

Quick choose 3 words that describe you.

Innovative, assertive, well-organized

When did you first start writing?

For as long as I can remember I loved to write. I’ve always found it therapeutic, whether it’s a diary entry, a story or just jotting down random thoughts.

Tell me about your book; what inspired you to write The Soul's Mark: FOUND?
The Soul’s Mark: FOUND takes a fresh look at soulmates. Eighteen year old Amelia Caldwell has just moved to college when she realizes that her birthmark is more than what it seems. She has been marked by a vampire’s soul. She is forced to unlock the painful memories of her past, and make life changing decisions. Just when she thinks that life couldn’t possibly get any worse, Amelia’s reluctant meeting with a psychic reveals a prophecy that could ultimately change her entire life.

"There is danger in your future. Many wish you harm and will seek to destroy you. The one you love most will be the cause of your death. But be warned he is also the only one who can save you. Revenge is for the weak. When the time comes you will need to forget the past and forgive those who have harmed you. Only then will you be able to forgive yourself. If you choose to be weak you will sacrifice those you love.”

My biggest inspiration and influence would have to be my Mom. If it wasn’t for her, I probably would have never finished The Soul’s Mark: FOUND. When I got stuck on a plot twist or a character name or really anything I needed to talk through she was there. She encouraged me along the way, and her belief that I could write pushed me through all the bumps in the road.

Other than writing, what other hobbies do you have?

I also enjoy reading. When I’m not writing or working, you can find me curled up with a good book. Give me romance and a supernatural twist and I’m sucked in until the last page.

I know from your blog that you also enjoy reading, so tell me what is your favorite book up-to -date? This is a tough one. There are so many on my favorite list that it’s hard to pick just one. But if I could read one book for the rest of my life, it would be Glass House by Rachel Caine. The cast of characters in this first book of the Morganville Vampire Series sucked me in. It’s been a few months since the last time I read it, and I can still visualize every single one so clearly that it seems like it was only yesterday that I had the book in my hands.

Who is your favorite character in your books so far and why?

This is a tuff one because I love all the characters, but I guess aside from Amelia and Mitchell, Eric would have to be my favorite. He has a wicked sense of humor and a heart of gold.

What was the hardest part of writing your book? What was the easiest?

For me, one of the hardest things about writing would have to be my crazy obsessive planning. I create outline after outline after outline until the story is sound. And then, once I’m happy with it, I’ll create another outline with new twists and turns.

But all these outlines pay off because once I get to the actual writing the words come easily. I know where the story is going and I can just let myself go and get lost in the characters and the plot.

Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, what helped you get over it?
Every once in a while I do experience that pesky thing called writers block. My favorite thing to do to get over it is a random word sprint.

For this exercise, I’ve found the best place to start is with a dictionary. Randomly pick a page and write down the first word you see. Repeat this until you have a list of 50 words. Next, take it one step further and hit thesaurus.com. Look up each word and pick your favorite synonym. When you’re finished, not only have you grown your vocabulary, but I’m betting you’ll be able to find that idea you were struggling to grasp at in the first place.

For more ideas and getting past writers block check out my recent blog post: 5 awesome ways to beat that pesky thing called Writers Block

http://www.ashleystoyanoff.com/2012/09/5-awesome-ways-to-beat-that-pesky-thing.html

Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?

The world of fiction can be a magical. Dive in, throw caution to the wind, and let your imagination be found. Happy reading everyone!

 

LOVE Julie Kagawa??? Free e-book downloads!

If you're a fan of  Julie Kagawa author of The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1) and the Iron Fey Series be sure to check out her website to have access to three exclusive e-book downloads and book trailer! Hurry though because they will only be available for 6 more days! 

NOTE: You have to download them directly from the website and they are only in .pdf format, but have no fear if you need a different format, I use  http://www.online-convert.com/

 (if you know any other sites to use please let me know)

 The downloads include:

Book 1 in The Iron Fey series

(entire book)

 

 Novella 4.5 in The Iron Fey series

(entire book)

 Book 5 in The Iron Fey series 

(the latest novel)

 (EXCLUSIVE EXTENDED EXCERPT) 78 PAGES!

 

Doppelganger by David Stahler Jr.

Title: Doppelganger
Author: David Stahler Jr.
# of pages: 272
http://davidstahlerjr.com/

 

5 out of 5 Stars

GoodReads Summary:
Doppelgangers are monsters, hardwired for murder.

They are not supposed to have doubts, but this one does. He wishes he could be different. More human, maybe. But even that can't stop him from killing people so he can take their places and live their lives. He has to do it; it's who he is.

But when the doppelganger murders a small-town teenager, assumes his shape, and takes over his life, he's shocked by the world he steps into. Engulfed in a whirlwind of peer pressure, messy family dynamics, and a provocative relationship with a beautiful girl, he quickly learns that there's more than one way to be human, and many ways to be a monster.

Told in the tortured voice of a most extraordinary teen, this contemporary gothic romance brews a captivating combination of violence, desire, and atonement. Here is the story of a monster yearning for a human life.

Quotes From Doppelganger:

Nobody knows they exist or what they do- until it's too late.

There's something you should know about doppelgangers: We're killers. Of people, that is. We prey on your race- stalking you, watching your moves, the places you go, learning the patterns of your life. Then, when we think we've got it down, we find a nice quiet little corner to strangle you in and take over. At least that's how it's supposed to work. Sometimes things get a little messy.

Writing Style:

Once you pick up this book you won’t want to put it down! This book is beautifully written with many positive undertones, while exploring many grim matters. (Such as domestic violence and drug abuse) I love how this novel is written in the voice of a modern teenager; it truly brings the story to life. I found myself connecting with the young doppelganger, his reactions and thoughts reminding me of my own teen years. I could go on for ages about how much I adored the writing style of David Stahler Jr. but I digress. Pick a copy up for yourself, I can guarantee you will feel the same!

My Overall Opinion: 

How could anyone dislike a love story that includes monsters, football, Shakespeare, and teenagers? I enjoyed how Stahler incorporated scenes of Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" into his storyline, allowing his character to compare his life to Macbeth's. That factor alone gives this story so much complexity. I admire the strength and courage of “Chris”.  He doesn’t want to be a monster like all the other doppelgangers; he wants to be his own person. His compassionate personality mixed with his wisdom makes him one of my favorite characters from a book up-to-date. I loved the ending of this book; it was bittersweet but absolutely perfect. It seems like this will be a stand-alone book but I truly hope a sequel is in the works! (I hated for it to end!)

This book teaches a great lesson: When things around you are falling apart and all hope is gone… something so wonderful can happen that makes you realize you’re not so bad off after all.


  

Day 7 - Resistance Launch Week: Gabe

We have come to our 7th and final day of the Resistance Character Quest. For our final day, we are welcoming Gabe to the blog!

Gabe's Bio: Vanquisher in Homer’s clan, Gabe is a compassionate, giving leader, but sometimes brooding and introspective. While leadership is a natural role for him, he sometimes longs to be the one who is taken care of.

Welcome, Gabe. Glad to have you here to SUBDUE our snooping minds! Let's get down to the nitty gritty of it all...

What’s your favorite book?

1984 by George Orwell. My favorite short story is “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut. Funny, I was always drawn to dystopian stories in high school, and now look where I’m at.

What worries you most these days?

Never getting rid of the reapers, never getting back to normal, never getting back home. But mostly, losing those I care about.

What do you like most about Clara? Least?

What I like most? Her smile, her honesty, her eyes. The way she bites her lip when she’s thinking about something.

Least? When she closes herself off to me. I can’t help her when she pushes me away. Sometimes, I wish I was a Tracer like Homer so I could just talk to her directly mind-to-mind. I wonder if she could block me out then. Hmmm…that’s something I’ll have to ask Homer.

In your Setti clan, who is the most difficult to live with and why?

Well, no one is really difficult, but Ben snores really loud sometimes. Honestly, I’m probably the most difficult because I tend to always think I’m right about things. (Of course, that’s because I usually am.)

What’s a quote that would represent your life right now?

“Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens.” J.R.R. Tolkien

Thanks so much for stopping by and chatting with us today, Gabe. It's been great having you here!

If you would like to purchase a copy of Resistance, click on one of the following links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble


We would like to take this opportunity to thank the author, Stephanie Judice, for allowing us to delve deeper into the minds of her characters. It has been a wonderful experience getting to know them. We cannot wait to learn more and more about them throughout this series!

If you'd like to add Stephanie's Books to your Goodreads list, click on the links below:
Rising
Resistance
If you'd like to stalk Stephanie, click on the links below:
Stephanie on Goodreads
Stephanie Judice's Fan Site on Goodreads
Stephanie on Twitter
Saga of the Setti on Facebook
Stephanie's Blog

I'd also like to take the opportunity to thanks all the blogs that participated in this great event, as well as all the Facebookers and Tweeters! It's been a great experience working with you all! Please visit thes other blogs to show your support:

1.      Brooke DelVecchio The Cover Contessa: http://thecovercontessa.blogspot.com/

2.      Rebekah Campbell Reflections of a Bookworm: http://reflectivebookworm.blogspot.com/

3.      Amanda Cowley Blog: http://amandaleighcowley.blogspot.com/

4.      Christina M Condy  Blog: http://www.recentread.com/

5.      Bethany/YA Vixens: http://yavixens.blogspot.com

6.      Rhomy Blog: http://iknowthatbook.wordpress.com/

7.      Soma/ Insomnia of Books  Blog: http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/

8.      Marni Jarman/Word to Dreams: http://wordtodreams.blogspot.com/p/contact-me.html

9.      Helena Ison/Accepted Wisdom: http://icanonlybehele3.blogspot.com

10.   Stephanie Judice/ A Writer’s Rest Stop: http://stephaniejudice.blogspot.com/ 

Day 6 - Resistance Launch Week: Sonya

Welcome to day #6 of the Resistance Character Quest. We hope you are all finding our bios and questions interesting and enlightening. Today we are privileged to welcome Sonya to the blog.

Sonya's Bio: Vanquisher for Herrald’s clan. There is no one who will tell you like it is the way Sonya will—whether you like it or not. She’s strong-willed almost to a fault. Jeremy’s nickname for her is “she-cat.” And she totally deserves it.

It's so great to have you with us here today, Sonya! We're glad you stopped by to QUELL our inquisitive minds! On with our interview...

 What is your favorite movie?

Kill Bill by Quentin Tarantino. Uma Thurman kicks ass in that movie. So cool.

What is a special childhood memory?

Well, I certainly don’t divulge this kind of information often, but I’ll be honest with you. My favorite childhood memory was Christmas when I was 9 years old. My dad was on tour in Afghanistan, and I knew he wouldn’t be home in time. Still, I also knew that he would send me something special. That morning, it was just Mom, Grandpaw and me. I kept opening presents, every time hoping it was the special one from Dad. After opening everything under the tree, Mom finally gave me a small, red-wrapped package the size of a jewelry box.

The way my mom smiled with tears in her eyes, I knew this was the one. But what could it be? The box was so light. My dad knew I didn’t care for jewelry, not really. I’ve always been a bit of a tomboy. Very excited, I unwrapped it and opened the box gently. Inside, there was a small, square sheet of paper. In my dad’s handwriting, it said, “I love you, Buttercup.  Look outside.”

I ran to the window and pushed opened the curtains. There in the middle of the front yard was my dad, beaming from ear to ear with a giant red ribbon wrapped around him. Needless to say, it was a happy reunion—the best Christmas ever.

(If you tell any of the others my nickname was ‘Buttercup,’ I might have to kill you.)

 In your clan, who is the easiest to get along with?

That’s easy. Hannah. Sometimes I think she should’ve been a Healer. She’s got that serene, giving spirit, like an angel or something. Sooooooo not like me. Nice to have her around though.

Do you like to sing and dance?

Sing? Uh, no. Never. But I like to dance, or at least I used to. My best friend Jenny and I used to hang out at the top of the bleachers with the band during football games and dance right alongside them. That was so much fun. Wow. I haven’t thought about that in a long time. Feels like years ago, not months.

 What’s a quote that would represent your philosophy on life?

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” By Dr. Seuss. I’ve always been one to do and say what I mean and what I feel. Sometimes, I piss people off, but whatever. Like the quote says, those people don’t matter. I am who I am. No apologies.

Thanks so much for stopping by and letting us into your world a bit, Sonya, it was great having you here!

If you'd like to purchase a copy of Resistance, click on one of the following links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Tomorrow we are excited to welcome Gabe to the blog. So come back and join us for our final day of Character Quest with these wonderful characters from Resistance.
Please visit these other blogs to show your support:

1.      Brooke DelVecchio The Cover Contessa: http://thecovercontessa.blogspot.com/

2.      Rebekah Campbell Reflections of a Bookworm: http://reflectivebookworm.blogspot.com/

3.      Amanda Cowley Blog: http://amandaleighcowley.blogspot.com/

4.      Christina M Condy  Blog: http://www.recentread.com/

5.      Bethany/YA Vixens: http://yavixens.blogspot.com

6. Rhomy Blog: http://iknowthatbook.wordpress.com/

7.      Soma/ Insomnia of Books  Blog: http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/

8.      Marni Jarman/Word to Dreams: http://wordtodreams.blogspot.com/p/contact-me.html

9.      Helena Ison/Accepted Wisdom: http://icanonlybehele3.blogspot.com

10.   Stephanie Judice/ A Writer’s Rest Stop: http://stephaniejudice.blogspot.com/