Castle in the Air BOOK BLITZ!



Castle in the Air
by Jennifer Tressen
Release Date: July 23rd 2015

Summary from Amazon:
The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas has been called "America's Most Haunted Hotel" largely because of the events of the 1930s when Dr. Norman Baker ran a "cancer treatment hospital" which he called his "Castle in the Air." 

Follow the fictionalized story of Clara, the young, unwed pregnant niece of Dr. Baker who comes to help at the cancer center in exchange for room and board and finds things aren't quite what they appear to be. Caring for an ill young boy at the center she feels her maternal instincts kick in - something is definitely not right at her uncle's hospital. But what? Will she be able to piece together the clues in time to save herself and the boy? Or will be forever be doomed to reside in the Castle in the Air, where once you check in...you never leave. 

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Excerpt
Sleep was not a friend to Clara. She tossed and turned for the better part of an hour before she finally slipped into a dream world. Theodora stood over her, the beautiful woman she had first met in the passenger seat of the new Model T. Her hair was a radiant color, lips beaming with color, lashes coated long with mascara.
“You’re back,” Clara smiled.
“I never left,” Theodora said ever so cool in her presentation.
“What happened?”
“Shhhh,” Theodora raised a single finger to her lips.
Clara tried to reach out to touch Theodora’s flowing hair. It moved loosely as if being blown by a fan. Theodora continued to glide side to side evading her movements.
“I want you to stay.”
“Stay where?” Clara asked.
“Stay.” Theodora’s hair started to turn gray, her skin becoming more and more pale every second, eyes hollowing.
Scared, Clara tried to back up but she was against the headboard of her bed, there was nowhere to go. Gripping at the sheet she lifted it up to her chin. Theodora reached out with her now skeleton-like hands, wrapped her fingers around Clara’s wrist and yelled, “Stay!”
Clara screamed.
Sitting up in bed she realized it was just a dream. Lily awoke and came to her side.
“Are you alright?”
Clara nodded slowly, “Just a bad dream I think. I was screaming and then I woke up.”
Lily looked at her closely, trying to get more details.
“Sorry I startled you.”
They both looked over at Susan’s bed. She was fast asleep quietly snoring.
“Do you need a glass of water or a snack perhaps?” Lily asked, the tenderness in her voice the same as it was the first day she had arrived.
“No that’s alright. I have some,” Clara lifted a glass of water up from the bedside table. “Thank you though.”
“Alright then I’ll let you get back to sleep.” Lily took two steps backwards to her own bed without taking her eyes off Clara. “Sure it was just a bad dream?”
Clara studied Lily for a moment, “Yes. What else would it be?”
“I don’t know.” Lily shook her head and started to lay in her own bed. “Guess I’m just tired. Goodnight.”
“Night.”
Clara lay in bed, her eyes open.
“Stay.”
Clara sat up, “What?”
Lily sat up as well, “I didn’t say anything.”
“Huh.” Clara lay back down and closed her eyes.

About the Author
Jennifer Tressen is a wife, mother and writer. A former actor, she spent nearly ten years in the entertainment industry appearing in commercials, print ads and television shows. It was her love of storytelling that pushed her to the other side of the camera and sent her to film school at Chapman University. Although she entered as a Cinematography major, Jennifer graduated with a degree in Screenwriting after a single required screenwriting class forever changed her path. She found a passion for writing she had forgotten in her childhood. Everything she learned about screenwriting and especially storytelling she attributes to her mentor, the late Blake Snyder. 

After several years of writing and editing for producers and other screenwriters her curiosity led her into writing novels. As a huge fan of Young Adult and New Adult literature this is where her pen tends to lead her. However, she does have plans to release a few middle grade fiction and adult novels in the future.

Jennifer attributes her love of reading and writing to her mother who always reminded her of the power of literacy. Besides telling her and her siblings that they could do anything they wanted if they knew how to read and write, she said, "You can go anywhere in a book. You can be anyone."

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Release Week Blitz: EVERY LAST BREATH by Jennifer L. Armentrout!

The Epic Finale in Jennifer L. Armentrout’s

Dark Elements Series...Who Will She Choose?

  ELB Teaser 3

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Don't miss the conclusion to this stunning Young Adult Paranormal series filled with danger and romance published by HarlequinTEEN.

Grab your copy today!

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Some loves will last ‘til your dying breath

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.

Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…

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“Armentrout is a major talent…I just can’t stop reading!”
--New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter
“Armentrout works her magic with swoon-worthy guys and a twist you never see coming.”
--#1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines on White Hot Kiss
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And don’t miss the first titles in the Dark Elements Series!

BITTER SWEET LOVE

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WHITE HOT KISS

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STONE COLD TOUCH

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Roth cleared his throat. “Shortie, look…look at your hand.”
Look at my hand? Why in the world would he be asking me to do that in the midst of all the cray?
“Do it,” he said quietly and too gently.
The dread exploded in my gut like buckshot, and my gaze dropped to my left hand. I expected to see the weird marbling of black and gray, a mixture of the demon and Warden that existed inside of me and a combination I’d become almost familiar with by now. My nails had lengthened and sharpened, and I could tell they were hard enough to cut through steel, as hard as my skin, but my skin…it was still pink. Really pink.
“What the…?” My gaze traveled to my other hand. It was the same. Just pink. My wings twitched, reminding me that I had shifted.
Zayne swallowed. “Your…your wings…”
“What about my wings?” I almost screeched, reaching be‑ hind me. “Are they broken? Did they not come out—” The tips of my fingers came into contact with something as soft as silk. My hand jerked back. “What…”
Stacey’s watery eyes had doubled in size. “Um, Layla, there’s a mirror above the fireplace. I think you need to look in it.”
I met Roth’s gaze for a second before I spun around and all but ran to the fireplace I was sure Stacey’s mom had never used. Clutching the white mantel, I stared at my reflection.
I looked normal, like I did before I shifted…like I was going to class or something. My eyes were the palest shade of gray, a watered-down blue. My hair was so blond it was almost white, and a mess of waves that went in every direction like usual. I looked like a colorless china doll, which was nothing new, except for the two fangs jutting out of my mouth. I wouldn’t show them off at school, but that wasn’t what caught my attention and held it.
It was my wings.
They were large, not as massive as Zayne’s or Roth’s, and normally they were almost leathery in texture, but now they were black…black and feathered. Like legit feathered. That soft, silky thing I’d felt? It had been tiny feathers.
Feathers.
“Oh my God,” I whispered at my reflection. “I have feathers.”
“Those are definitely feathered wings,” Roth commented.
I whipped around, knocking over a lamp with my feathered right wing. “I have feathers on my wings!”
Roth cocked his head to the side. “Yeah, you do.”
He was absolutely no help, so I turned to Zayne. “Why do I have feathers on my wings?”
Zayne shook his head slowly. “I don’t know, Layla. I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“Liar,” hissed Roth, shooting him a dark look. “You’ve seen that before. So have I.”

JLA_Author-photo  # 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.

She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

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

Book Review: Awake by Natasha Preston!

Awake

by Natasha Preston
Release date: August 4th 2015 by Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Cults, Suspense
Scarlett doesn’t remember anything before the age of five. Her parents say it’s from the trauma of seeing her house burn down, and she accepts the life they’ve created for her without question—until a car accident causes Scarlett to start remembering pieces of an unfamiliar past.

When a new guy moves into town, Scarlett feels an instant spark. But Noah knows the truth of Scarlett’s past, and he’s determined to shield her from it...because Scarlett grew up in a cult called Eternal Light, controlled by her biological parents.

And they want her back.
Scarlett couldn’t remember a thing before she was 4 years old. Years and years of trying to remember, she finally made up her mind that she would not let her missing memories trouble and hinder her future. That is until the car crash accident that led her to regain bits and pieces of it.

Onto her teenage life, she has a large group of friends and a wonderful family. Parents who loves her and a brother who annoys her every now and then. But what will she discover when she finds out the truth they’ve been hiding from her?

Right off the bat and we’re already into cliché scenes. Not a good start for me. A gorgeous new student transfers into the school of the heroine. The guy only pays attention to her blah blah blah. But I’m still hoping it’ll change as I gradually go deeper into the story.

I initially thought the novel was a paranormal one. I was completely wrong in thinking there will be vampires or immortals involved. Hahaha. I must admit though that I enjoyed the sweet and cheesy parts in the beginning for Scarlett and Noah. Some of them made me laugh though. Like the part where they texted nonstop and then after a week of hanging out with each other, it’s time to meet the parents. Don’t get me wrong, it was adorable and it’s the right move but it’s sorta fast.

All the fluffy romance ended after one accident that awakened Scarlett’s fractured memories. Her family insists it’s just a dream but she knows it’s a memory. This is where everything starts to become clear. Noah slowly reveals who he really is (not to Scarlett) and what he’s doing in Scarlett’s life. At the same time, it gets creepy.

It turns out everything isn’t what it seems. At least, not for Scarlett. Frustration turned into determination in getting answers. But will she want to know what lies behind her locked memories? The heart-pounding scene near the end was the best part of this book. Creepy and exciting, it was unexpectedly a fun read.



Cover Reveal: The Winter Laird by Nancy Scanlon!

The Winter Laird by Nancy Scanlon 

Publication date: November 17th 2015
Genres: Adult, Romance, Time-Travel

Pre-order

THE PRESENT

Successful matchmaker Brianagh O’Rourke believes in happily-ever-afters...just not her own. She’s convinced passion only exists in her dreams. When she reluctantly accepts a marriage proposal, Bri decides she needs a vacation—but she didn't expect it to be in 13th century Ireland.

THE PAST

Laird Nioclas MacWilliam just wants peace for his clan. The time for him to marry has come, and after waiting years for his ally to present their daughter, he’s agreed to marry another. But on the eve of his nuptials, a daring rescue brings his missing betrothed right into his arms.

And she does not want to be there.

THE FUTURE

Brianagh has to return to the future. Nioclas has to marry. He offers a solution for the both of them: She marries him and stays for three months, and they work together to convince his clan they are a love match. In return, he vows to safely return her home. But as the days turn to weeks, they both begin to see what a happily-ever-after could be. And when the time comes, does Brianagh return to the life she’s built, or does she remain in the past for a chance at true love?
Born and raised near Boston, MA, Nancy wrote her first romance novel at age 16, when she realized that fictional boyfriends were much easier to figure out than real ones. In the time since, she managed to earn her B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, obtain a graduate certificate in creative writing from the University of Cambridge, and marry the man of her dreams (but she still holds tight to her fictional boyfriends).

By day, Nancy is the technical writer for a software company, and she adores all things misty, caffeinated, chocolate and grammatically correct. Currently, she resides in the metro New York City area with her husband, two small children, and two not-so-small dogs.

When not writing, Nancy spends her time reading, reviewing and blogging about romance novels, watching too much HGTV, and taking care of her family.

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The Life and Death of Jorja Graham by Brynn Myers.




The Life & Death of Jorja Graham by Brynn Myers 
(Jorja Graham #1) Published January 20th 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance
copy from Xpresso Book Tours
Goodreads
Amazon * iTunes

All my life I’ve been referred to as the quintessential southern bell: blonde, stunningly beautiful, and overtly enchanting, but that was only the face I shared with the world; no one ever knew the hell I truly endured.

After returning to Savannah, I had everything I ever wanted: a new home, a handsome suitor, and the job of my dreams as an antique dealer. Little did I know that the choice to move on with my life would be the last decision I’d ever make.

My name is Jorja Graham and my story is proof that not every romance has a happy ending.


The Echoed Life of Jorja Graham by Brynn Myers  
(Jorja Graham #2) Releasing April 9th 2015
Genres: Paranormal Romance
copy from Xpresso Book Tours
  Amazon


Two books, two lives, one destiny.

“Follow my echo and I will lead you to the still point at the center of it all.” ~ Jorja

___

The Life & Death of Jorja Graham is a paranormal romance with a contemporary feel. There is a cliffhanger in book one, but book two in the duology, The Echoed Life of Jorja Graham will be released on April 9, 2015 so readers will not have to wait too long to find out the conclusion.

This review would be for the first book in the Jorja Graham duology. 
 
This book had me riding a whirlwind kind of a carnival ride. You know what it feels to ride on those things right? Admittedly, the first few chapters of the book hooked me. There was a sufficient amount of mystery, romance and magic to it that will definitely keep the readers guessing and on their toes... til it didn't.

Jorja Graham never knew the love of a mother. That kind of love was filled up by her aunts while her father truly loved her til his death. With her mother's death, Jorja returns to the town which she truly calls home, where everything is as it should be: a stable job as an antique dealer. Til she strikes up a deal for a well-known estate with the enigmatic, devilishly handsome Corbin,who butt heads with her on a phone call but utterly fell for her in person. Jorja lets him into her heart but does she really know who the man is?

The beginning established for me the paranormal mystery that the book wanted. However, in the progressing chapters, it focused more on the story and love between Jorja and Corbin that had me questioning "Where's the mystery? Where's the suspense? Come on!" 

Reading it was such a roller coaster experience as it starts off with handing the readers a huge mystery to solve then a romance kindling between Jorja and Corbin along with sprinkles of clues here and there. And once the mystery was revealed, it was...well, not what I expected. There were these moments that felt really off. Granted, the story behind Corbin, the estate and the relic was real good. What brought it down considerably are the things that happened after until the end.

The Life and Death of Jorja Graham was off to a really good start. It could have been one of the books that I would have definitely enjoyed save for the instances where the story fell a little flat. Should the story focused more on the more interesting aspects that it introduced throughout the story, it truly would have been a more terrific read.


 actual rating is 3.5


Brynn Myers is an urban fantasy/paranormal romance author. After considering writing a hobby for years, she finally turned her passion and talent into a career. She came into the paranormal genre later than most but has always loved fairy-tales and all things magical. Using that love, she creates charmed worlds by writing stories involving passionate, strong willed characters with something to discover. Brynn lives with her family in the Brevard County, Florida area.


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Book Review: Tempting Victoria by Mina V. Esguerra!

New Title: Tempting Victoria!

Part of the Love's a Beach bundle.

RULES WE LIKE BREAKING 

(Spotlight New Adult #4)
by MINA V. ESGUERRA

Victoria Bennett is in control and in charge all day every day, but she needs help sometimes.
Organizing a romantic proposal weekend for her client in Mexico (she’s never been) would be that time – and the only person available to help her is Nathan Grant, notorious heartbreaker. She knows his past and shouldn’t want him, shouldn’t fall for guys like him, but that hasn’t prevented her from lusting after him for years. It’s just one weekend on the beach, away from people they know, alone with the guy who could cause her perfectly coordinated world to crumble. Shouldn’t be a problem, right?
(Playing Autumn companion novel/New Adult)
See a RWLB pinterest board inspiration from Mina V Esguerra.
Victoria gets things done, from checklists to successful events. She’s always doing something, always busy. But what if a “distraction” is the best person to help her in pulling off an expensive and romantic proposal in Mexico? Will she be able to stick with her rules?

Nathan is a manwhore. Every single time someone asks about who he’s dating, it’s someone different. But when a friend of a good friend calls in a favor, he can’t say no. Not when it means, free everything to Mexico + helping a beautiful woman that might tempt him to break his own rules.

RWLB can be read as a standalone but for those who’ve read Playing Autumn, they’ll recognize a few characters in the story. (Highly suggest reading Playing Autumn.)

Finishing it within 1 ½ hours probably says enough.

Playing Autumn was sweet and sort of innocent compared to RWLB. Haley and Oliver was adorable to read. Victoria and Nathan, on the other hand, while also sweet, was more playful and sizzling. I couldn’t stop laughing (or giggling) out loud when I read a certain dialogue or scene. I was only on page 7 and I already had a few laughs in. So prepare to get weird looks when at a public place while reading.

Rules We Like Breaking is a witty & swoon-inducing companion novel to Playing Autumn. Perfect light read on a sunny day at the beach or cuddling with a cup of hot chocolate on a rainy day.

P.S. I wonder if Chris will have his own story next... :D

Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance, young adult, and new adult novellas. Through her blog Publishing in Pajamas (minavesguerra.com), she documents her experiments in publishing.
When not writing romance, she is president of communications firm Bronze Age Media, development communication consultant, indie publisher, professional editor, wife, and mother. She created the workshop series “Author at Once” for writers and publishers, and #romanceclass for aspiring romance writers.
Her young adult/fantasy trilogy Interim Goddess of Love is a college love story featuring gods from Philippine mythology. Her contemporary romance novellas won the Filipino Readers’ Choice awards for Chick Lit in 2012 (Fairy Tale Fail) and 2013 (That Kind of Guy).

Book Review: Grey by E.L. James

GREY
E.L. James
Publication Date: June 18, 2015
Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary

See on Goodreads

Buy Links
Amazon || B&N || Kobo


See the world of Fifty Shades of Grey anew through the eyes of Christian Grey.


In Christian's own words, and through his thoughts, reflections, and dreams, E L James offers a fresh perspective on the love story that has enthralled millions of readers around the world.

Christian Grey exercises control in all things; his world is neat, disciplined, and utterly empty—until the day that Anastasia Steele falls into his office, in a tangle of shapely limbs and tumbling brown hair. He tries to forget her, but instead is swept up in a storm of emotion he cannot comprehend and cannot resist. Unlike any woman he has known before, shy, unworldly Ana seems to see right through him—past the business prodigy and the penthouse lifestyle to Christian’s cold, wounded heart.  

Will being with Ana dispel the horrors of his childhood that haunt Christian every night? Or will his dark sexual desires, his compulsion to control, and the self-loathing that fills his soul drive this girl away and destroy the fragile hope she offers him?

This book is intended for mature audiences.

*from Goodreads.com
Here are a few points... (please make sure you've read Fifty Shades of Grey before going through my review)
  1. Christian is so funny! Yeah. His thoughts are wild yet so funny. Something like DJ... my DOM JEANS! I cannot believe he said that.
  2. Christian actually works! Hell we all thought he's a megalomaniac CEO who come and go as he pleases, but we realize that he has a freaking life.
  3. Christian's staff are so cute and takes care of him very well. 
  4. He took his stalking capabilities to the next level when Ana left. And my gosh! I did not see that coming.
  5. The nightmares are really intense and heartbreaking and thank God, Ana came into his life.
And for the last one... Please make sure you've read the book coz this is a major spoiler, baby!

We all know that Christian Grey finally admitted that he's in love with Anastasia during the intense shower encounter in FSD (if you can't remember, let me remind you again.... Ana: I know how you feel about me. You love me. Christian: Yes, I do). News flash, baby! It isn't the first time!!! You'll find it somewhere in Grey. NOW! Go look for it!



I’m a former TV executive, wife and mother-of-two based in the leafy suburbs of West London. Since January 2012 my life has taken an extraordinary turn with the runaway success of the Fifty Shades Trilogy. From an early age I had always dreamt of writing stories that readers would fall in love with – and my dreams have come true, thanks to you guys. Now that life seems to have settled down a little, I want to crack on and write my next novel – another adult, provocative romance. I do hope you will enjoy that too.

Thank you for all your support. It has meant the world to me. If any one were to ask me for my thoughts about this whole experience, I would say: life is not a dress rehearsal – seize the day and follow your dreams. I wish you the best of luck.
*from website
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