Veiled Mist by Eleanor T. Beaty - Excerpt & Kindle Paperwhite Giveaway

Excerpt:

The shoe hit the door and chipped off a flake of white paint. Only when the shoe fell to the floor did Hanna realize what she had just done. She looked at her shaking hands as if they belonged to someone else. Then she slumped onto the bed crying.

There was a hole inside her chest. A huge dark hole…a loss, she had lost something. Hanna turned to the doll. She wished she could hug it and make the pain go away. The eighteenth-century doll, with its delicate features, diamond tiara and yellow-laced gown, was all she had left of her mother. That doll gave Hanna great comfort every day. It was her mother Marie watching over her. Marie, a descendant of the French aristocracy, had died in childbirth. On Hanna’s fifth birthday, her grandfather John II had brought the doll and placed it on the mantelpiece. For ten years it hadn’t been moved, so she thought. How could this happen? Now her doll looked like a cheap prop from a B-horror film. Hanna shuddered. Oh, my God, she’d shuddered? Was shuddering contagious?

Maybe Vani was right, but not about the doll. There was something evil going on. Something evil had broken her doll. The shutters banged again, making Hanna jump. She stared at the window and wiped her face. She had locked those shutters before going to bed. She was sure of it. Hanna stood and walked over to the window. She pulled the shutters closed, then changed her mind and threw them open, fastening them to the slip-hooks on the outside wall.

No, the doll wasn’t evil. Hanna twisted around and made her way back to the fireplace. She placed a gentle kiss on the glass case and headed to the bathroom to get ready for school. Her mind stayed with the doll while her green eyes watched her hand comb her blond strands; a robot doing its routine chore. She would get it fixed. Hanna applied black mascara and some gloss to her lips, wondering if the doll’s arms falling off could be an omen.

Omens were an obsession with her grandmother Elizabeth; she saw omens in everything and everywhere. While some on the island called Elizabeth a witch, Hanna thought of her as spiritual, albeit eerie. Vani called her Chupacabra, the mythical goat-bloodsucking demon creature. Last week, when Hanna had told Elizabeth she’d dreamt of a hand stabbing her doll in the back, her grandmother explained it forewarned betrayal. Elizabeth told Hanna to be vigilant. Her grandmother didn’t like the doll. Hanna wondered what she would say about the doll’s fallen arms. As she headed across the bedroom, the shutters banged again. Hanna twirled around wide-eyed. That was not possible. Shutters didn’t get loose from those hooks. Did they? Perhaps the hooks were weak. 

Veiled Mist 

by Eleanor T. Beaty

On the Caribbean island of Maurray, spoiled-rotten, fifteen-year-old Hanna wakes up to a nightmare. She is not the daughter of an aristocrat but the orphan of a Gypsy. She is the descendant to a mystical Gypsy tribe. Their magic is strong and has lasted six hundred years. Ornella, the tribe's guardian, arrives at the island with her mutt, Count Dracula, to guide Hanna. Hanna is told she must embrace her heritage or die at the ripe age of seventeen. But Hanna does the unthinkable, she chooses death. She hates Gypsies and would rather die. What she doesn't know is that her death will destroy the entire tribe. What she also doesn't know is how persuasive Ornella can be. The nightmare begins. 

The Reviews are in! 4.6 out of 5 stars!

"An engrossing and convincing thriller, set in an exotic part of the world, elegantly yet efficiently told. Eleanor Beaty is a writer well worth keeping your eye on" ~ Jon Breakfield, best-selling author of KEY WEST.

“Witches, Gypsies and Evil Wizards, Oh My!” ~ Krystal Willingham, book blogger

“The storyline for this book is delightfully original [and] chock full of intrigue and the paranormal… I enjoyed every minute of the story and think you will, too.” ~ Nancy Medina, book blogger

Purchase Links:

Amazon eBook: http://www.amazon.com/Veiled-Mist-ebook/dp/B008J72TGO/

Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Veiled-Mist-Eleanor-T-Beaty/dp/0615649483

 

About the author:

Eleanor T. Beaty is a Young Adult Paranormal author. A worldly person born in beautiful Brazil and spent much of her childhood in several places (Argentina, Switzerland, and the US to name a few). She holds a BA in English Literature and is published in both Brazil and Turkey.

Eleanor loves spirituality and magic - both have allowed her to gain a strong grip on life and enjoy what it has to offer. She believes that everything has a reason and understanding those reasons help us deal with the difficult moments. Eleanor currently enjoys life with her husband in Brazil.

Follow her at EleanorTBeaty.com.

Giveaways:

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Scent of the Roses by P.G. Forte - Guest Post & Kindle Fire Giveaway

Scent of the Roses

Oberon, book 1

by P.G. Forte

For years, Scout Patterson has tried to run from the mistakes in her past. Now Scout is going home to face the ghosts she has never laid to rest, and find the love she thought she d lost forever. 

Add on Goodreads, and buy on Amazon. 

A Sense of Place

Guest Post by P.G. Forte 

It seems like I’ve been in love with California for most of my life. Something about the sun-drenched mystique of it appealed to me from a very young age.  It’s not perfect, of course. No place is. But that’s one of the nice things about writing fiction. It gives you the opportunity to improve on reality and create a world that’s better than real life.

I’d been living in California for about thirteen years when I first got the idea for the Oberon series. Northern California, Southern California, Central Coast—I’d lived in and loved them all; and so I had a very clear idea about what kind of atmosphere I wanted for Oberon. 

I wanted it to have the laid-back, beachy feel of the South combined with the new age inventiveness of the North tempered by the slightly-buzzed, wine country charm of the Central Coast. I wanted to give it cool foggy mornings, warm sunny days and bright starry nights. I wanted rolling hills and winding roads all leading to a quaint little village perched atop sheer, coastal cliffs.  And above all else I wanted it to have a hint of magic—or maybe more than a hint.

See, I knew the town itself would play a very important part in the series, and that was never just because of its physical location. There’s a paranormal component to the series that needed to be made manifest in the town of Oberon as well. 

I did have a bit of an advantage going in.  After all, the west has always had certain, rather specific, mystic properties in most mythic traditions—going all the way back to the ancient Egyptians who placed the “land of the dead” on the western banks of the Nile. In Celtic mythology, Tírna nÓg, the ‘land of the young’ was said to be located on a series of islands in the western sea. So by simply locating Oberon on the West Coast, I figured I was already ahead of the game, already tapping into the Collective Unconscious.

I didn’t just leave it at that, however. I also added in elements of Earth Magic and drew from a wide range of spiritual traditions, both old and new, to create a location that was steeped in mysticism. Not that everyone in Oberon believes in that kind of nonsense. Yes, I populated the town with witches and wizards, empaths and channels, psychics, and shamans, even a ghost or three; but there are also quite a few “normal” folks thrown into the mix, as well as a healthy group of skeptics. The town needs them. They provide grounding.

The Oberon I ended up creating is a very special place. It’s reminiscent of many of the towns I’ve lived in or visited, but it’s also taken on a life of its own.  Every now and then I’ll pass a place in real life that reminds me so strongly of some feature that exists in Oberon that I’ll be amazed by the resemblance.  Until I remember why it seems so familiar.  That’s usually because it’s a place I’d borrowed and improved on for my own vision of the perfect, quintessential California town. Somehow, my make-believe version has become so real to me that it often seems like life is imitating art, rather than the other way around.  I guess that’s the real magic of fiction. 

Find out more at PGForte.com, on Twitter, and Facebook.

Click here to find out more about the giveaway and the sponsors. 

Giveaway!

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Serafina and the Silent Vampire by Marie Treanor - Release Day Blitz

Serafina and the Silent Vampire
by Marie Treanor

Silence has never been so sinful…

Welcome to Edinburgh's unique psychic investigation agency, Serafina's.

Serafina MacBride is psychic - but not strictly honest. While staging a hilarious vampire attack at a client's party, Sera is stunned to encounter a real vampire - annoying, gorgeous and inaudible to everyone but her. When her client's son is found dead with puncture wounds in his neck, she tracks the silent vampire to his lair.

But the amoral and seductive Blair is also on a mission - to find and kill a nest of young vampires who've invaded his territory. Soon Sera is drawn into the bizarre world of the undead, where danger lurks in the shadows along with forbidden sensual delights - and a murderous conspiracy to flood the world with financially astute vampires who talk.

Supported and hindered by Blair's eccentric, undead friends, and by her own motley crew from Serafina's, Sera and Blair uncover surprising truths about each other and about the mysterious Founder from whom all vampires are descended.

In the end, Sera draws on powers she never knew she had in a frantic fight to defeat the forces of evil and preserve the strange, complicated being she's trying so hard not to love.

Add on Goodreads.

About the author:

Marie Treanor lives in Scotland with her eccentric husband and three much-too-smart children. Having grown bored with city life, she resides these days in a picturesque village by the sea where she is lucky enough to enjoy herself avoiding housework and writing sensual stories of paranormal romance and fantasy. 

Marie has published more than twenty ebooks with small presses, (Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Changeling Press and The Wild Rose Press), including a former Kindle bestseller, Killing Joe. Blood on Silk: an Awakened by Blood novel, was her New York debut with NAL.

Find out more at MarieTreanor.com and on Facebook.

 

Join Kimberly Kinrade & Zoe Winters in a Huge Giveaway for a Kindle Fire and Signed Books!

Summer is heating up, and we're making it even hotter with a sizzling summer promotion you won't want to miss.

Win a Kindle Fire and six signed paperback books from authors Zoe Winters and Kimberly Kinrade and get ready to enjoy some sexy hot reads while having fun in the sun.

From August 5-18^th, Winters and Kinrade are giving away two sets of each of their paranormal romance series (all signed) to two lucky winners. The Grand Prize winner will also receive a Gift Certificate for Amazon.com to cover the cost of a Kindle Fire. (But we won't tell if you just want to buy $200 worth of books instead!)

Join us in celebrating the launch of the newest in Zoe Winters' Preternatural Series, Life Cycle (how much do we love love love Tamara and Cain? So freaking much!) which now includes one novella compilation and three novels. If hot & steamy paranormal romance is your thing, then you'll fall in love with all the hunks in this series, whether they be demons, vampires, werewolves or mages… they're all so deliciously bad they're good!

Life Cycle is book 4 in the Preternaturals series. However, new readers can read this installment first with no problems. Most of the books work as stand alones, and each book focuses on a different couple. The main theme of the Preternaturals is: “Everybody is the hero of their own story.” Some characters start out villains and become heroes. Some are heroes and turn into villains. Some are heroes to some characters and villains to others.

The series world has multiple dimensions, heaven, hell (which is earth), demon dimensions, and others. Magic, reincarnation, witches, vampires, demons, werecreatures of all sorts (called therians), gods, and angels all play an important role in the Pretverse.

It’s a world where blood is magic, authority is questioned, and soul mates always find each other, no matter how many incarnations it takes.

The Preternaturals contains a blend of snarky humor and angst that fans of the series have come to expect and enjoy.

As an extra bonus for this exciting launch, get signed copies of Kimberly Kinrade's award winning Forbidden Series—a YA paranormal romance/thriller.

"...a thrilling, dark and deeply romantic read that had me sitting on the edge of my seat and eagerly awaiting the next installment." - Refracted Light Young Adult Book Reviews

While light on sex (it is Young Adult after all) it's packed full of romance and a fast-paced thrilling adventure. Think X-Men meets Dollhouse if Professor X has been an evil human trafficking geneticist.

Paranormal teens with unimaginable powers. An evil organization with deep secrets. When Sam, a girl who reads minds, meets a boy who controls minds, she discovers her future isn’t what she thought.

Together they must escape and free the others… or risk losing everything–and everyone–they love.

Learn more about Zoe Winters's Preternatural Series here:

http://zoewintersbooks.com/books/

Book 1: Blood Lust


Book 2: Save My Soul


Book 3: The Catalyst


Book 4: Life Cycle

And more about Kimberly Kinrade's Forbidden Series here:

http://kimberlykinrade.com/books/forbidden-series/

Book 1: Forbidden Mind

Book 2: Forbidden Fire

Book 3: Forbidden Life (coming Oct. 2, 2012)

About Zoe Winters

Zoe Winters writes quirky and sometimes dark paranormal romance. Her favorite colors are rainbow and clear.

To receive updates on new releases from the author, send an email to: zoewintersbooks AT gmail DOT com with "Subscribe" in the subject line. Newsletters go out only when there is an actual new release or a big contest. Your inbox will not be cluttered, newsletters won't go out more frequently than once a month, and you may unsubscribe at any time.

You can visit the author at: zoewintersbooks.com, on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Be sure also to visit theriantype.com for some fun supplemental material. 

About Kimberly Kinrade

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes all things paranormal and fantasy, including award-winning young adult and children's books.

Visit her at KimberlyKinrade.com, on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Also visit http://IPIAcademy.com to participate in a fun fan-based site with swag and info on all things paranormal. You even get to be a secret agent!
 

About the GIVEAWAY

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Saving Mary by Deidre Havrelock

Saving Mary 
by Deidre Havrelock
The Possession, Book 1

If you’re a fan of supernatural fiction then you will be captivated by this true story about a spiritually sensitive girl and the path that led to her possession. Part one of a two-part series, Saving Mary is the story of a modern-day Mary Magdalene—the woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons.

Deidre Daily is drawn to anything seemingly spiritual, desperately seeking a spiritual existence. But inside this vibrant girl hides a terrified child who sincerely believes she has married the devil. Through a series of spiritual encounters her fear turns into reality, and she ends up possessed.

Deidre’s fascinating memoir relays her story from childhood to adolescence: invisible eyes leering at her from the corner of her bedroom, horrible nightmares tormenting her, and her desperate attempt to find God—only to end up possessed. It is a candid account of possession from a first-person perspective. This dark memoir brings to light an intricate world of deceitful spirits hell-bent on manipulating and damaging an innocent girl’s life, not only through her dreams, but also through seemingly every-day encounters.

Travel with Deidre into the mysterious world of spirits, ghosts and demons. Awaken yourself to a world that isn’t supposed to exist; a world that’s as intriguing as it is sinister. And then emerge as a new person—invigorated, aware and intent on living in the light. Saving Mary; Not just another story about a girl and her exorcist. 

Add it on Goodreads, and buy on Amazon.

What is Your View on Authority?
Guest post by Deidre Havrelock

It is common for one's view of authority to develop in their adolescent years. What is your view of authority, and what event most affected it?

I have a saying, “There’s nothing that terrifies women more than religion or marriage—everyone wants authority over us.” So those are my two events, marriage and religion. My first view of authority came from my nightmare where Satan forcibly married me. As I grew older, I felt the “marriage” was there to make me feel “bound by his authority.” I belonged to him. And, therefore, I would have to obey him. And since marriage to a little Catholic girl is “forever” ...well, you can imagine how I felt.

 

But my view of authority changed because of the women in my life. My mom had full authority in our house mostly because my dad was an alcoholic and was unhealthy and unavailable to help out. My grandmother was just as authoritative, if not more. She fought for women’s rights in Canada and eventually changed a law—for the better. I saw her as a woman who wasn’t scared to stand against something that was wrong, even though most people accepted it. She was a great role model for me in terms of guts and courage.

 

But God also played a huge part in my life. God to me was never mean or a dictator. I believed he was working to get me out of my life’s circumstances and eventually he did (even though it took a long time). When I became a Christian, the Holy Spirit revealed her feminine nature to me and I was awestruck. God was male (Jesus) and also female (Spirit). One was not “over” the other—they just belonged together as one person. But when I began attending church religion kicked in, and that’s when things got weird. I was told my husband had authority over me (he was the “head” and I was more like a “neck”) and that a good wife submits to her husband’s leading. This all felt terribly wrong to us (after all, the Holy Spirit kept wanting to lead us both). I was also told (not by everyone mind you) that feminists were angry man haters who were bucking the natural order of submission. They were “rebellious.” I was never sure who these “rebellious feminists” were, but I didn’t want to get branded with the same title. So I stayed silent about my feelings, for a long while.

 

My husband and I, however, wanted to be a team and not a hierarchy. We wanted to share authority. Most churches we attended often seemed so confused over men/women relations (women could do this but not this). My husband and I just stayed close to the Holy Spirit, and God got us through the confusion of church. All and all, I would say I grew up with an extremely healthy view of authority. Evil always seeks authority, but submit yourself to the unity of God and you’ll be okay. I’m a Bible teacher now and I love to teach on the biblical view of authority: men and women standing side-by-side, sharing in Christ and the Spirit’s authority—as though they were all one person. Yes, that’s actually in the Bible. Who knew!

 

About the author:

Deidre D (Daily) Havrelock grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where she eventually met her husband to be, DJ. It was DJ who initially noticed Deidre's dark state and worked to seek out someone willing to perform her exorcism. Eventually, the newlyweds found their way to the southern hot spot of Brooks, AB where Deidre began writing. From there the family trekked across eastern Canada to Moncton, NB where they learned to love French fries with cheese curds and gravy. Currently nestled in the hills of Kennewick, Washington, Deidre has two horses, one dog, three cats and too many rabbits...and let's not forget her wonderful husband and three energetic daughters. Her memoir, Saving Mary: The Possession chronicles her dark childhood and the path that led to her demonic possession. She is currently working to finish book two of her spiritual memoir, Saving Mary: The Deliverance.

 

Find out more at deidrehavrelock.com.  

  
 

Win All 6 of the Hayle Coven Novels by Patti Larsen - Indie Author Giveaway Hop

This giveaway is part of the Indie Author Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and ME! There are a lot of great blogs participating in this hop. After you enter here, hop over and enter their giveaways too.

While you are here, please also check out the other giveaway I have going on which also features an Indie author. You can win a $10 Amazon gift card or a copy of The Destiny of Shaitan by Laxmi Hariharan. 

The Indie Author Giveaway Hop is to support all of the great indie authors out there. Many times these authors are overlooked by readers since they are not with "the big 6" publishers. However, I have read many books that are self published or published by a small press that are just as good as, and in many cases better, than some books that are traditionally published. Don't be afraid to give indie authors a try. You may just discover a hidden gem.

Which brings me to MY GIVEAWAY. Patti Larsen is one of the many great self published authors that I have had the pleasure of reading since I started Krazy Book Lady. In fact, Patti is now one of my favorite authors, and I adore Sydlynn Hayle and the Hayle Coven Novels. 

I am very excited for the chance to offer 1 winner eBooks of ALL 6 of the Hayle Coven Novels by Patti Larsen! 

 Click on the images above to find out more.

The Hayle Coven Novels follow the adventures of Sydlynn Hayle, a half witch/half demon teenager who just wants to be ordinary with a normal family and a normal life. The first one, Family Magic, was published in October 2011, and the most recent, Gate Keeper, is newly released. Patti Larsen knocks them out with surprising speed, so catch up on this amazing series now before she releases more!

You can find out more at pattilarsen.com. 

How to enter:

Be a follower of Krazy Book Lady in whatever way you choose. Then fill out the form below.

Additional optional entries:

+1 Follow Patti Larsen on Twitter.

+1 Like Patti Larsen on Facebook.

+1 Add Patti Larsen on Google+.

+1 Leave a blog post comment.

Giveaway Details:

This giveaway is open internationally. Giveaway is open until midnight EST on June 19. Must be 13 or older to enter. Winner will be emailed, and this blog post will be updated to reflect the winner. Winner will have three days to respond, or a new winner will be selected.

Sorry! This giveaway is now over.

Winner: Darlene 

Meeting Destiny by Nancy Straight - Review

Meeting Destiny by Nancy Straight

Lauren is visited in her dreams for years by a stranger claiming to be her destiny. Destiny becomes reality when paths cross during a failed robbery attempt. Lauren and the stranger experience chemistry like no other and now her doubt over her long time relationship with her high school sweetheart is not her only secret…someone else knows about her keen intuition and sixth sense.A mysterious clairvoyant seeks Lauren out and tells her not only of her life now but what the future may hold. Soon Lauren is in the middle of a murder investigation and a questionable friendship with the key suspect. Law enforcement, friends and family are concerned for Lauren but unfortunately they are unaware of the true danger…Sinister forces are at work and will stop at nothing to destroy Lauren’s abilities.

Darian's Review:
Meeting Destiny is about Lauren, a young adult working at a fast food joint, stuck in a spark-less relationship with her friend Seth – and visited in her dreams by the man she knows she is meant to be with. During a failed robbery attempt at work, she meets the man in her dreams. Life takes a sudden turn, and she’s pulled in unimaginable directions.

This book started off with a bang. Right from the first few pages you’re thrown into action and soon after meet Max – the man invading her dream. There’s no doubt of the connection between them, and the confusion surrounding it, and you’re heartstrings are quickly pulled into the romance you hope blooms.

The characters were very easy to relate too, there’s not one that I didn’t enjoy, and each had their own voice. As a mystery buff, I also enjoyed the mystery aspect to this book. But I will say it threw me off a little bit, almost feeling like I had switched books somehow. The plot pace was fairly spot on throughout, except for a portion in the middle of the book that lagged a bit to me. The beginning and ending are definitely where the story shines the most.

Overall this was an enjoyable one to read, despite a stalling of pace. The ending was fantastic, an amazing cliffhanger! Straight created some very relatable and likeable characters, and the ending had me itching to read the next in the series. 

A copy was provided by the author for review.

About the author:

Nancy was born in Sioux City Iowa, left the cold of the Midwest in 1991 and only returns to see family in the summer time. She spent ten years traveling the world as a US Marine and settled in rural SC with her husband and two children. 

She enjoys reading all types of Paranormal and Young Adult literature.

Find out more about Nancy Staight and how to connect with her on her website.

At the time of this review, Meeting Destiny is FREE on Amazon and Smashwords.    

Open Heart by Emlyn Chand - Excerpt & Giveaway

Open Heart by Emlyn Chand
Farsighted Series, Book Two
May 25, 2012 by Blue Crown Press

Simmi Shergill's life is a mess. Her powers of psychic feeling are on the fritz, and Grandon Township's sudden population boom has brought quite a few unsavory characters to town. She also looks like an over-blown balloon in her size 14 pants, but not even starving herself seems to be working as a diet plan. Well, at least her boyfriend, Alex, loves her so much he'd do anything for her. Last summer he even risked his life to protect her from the mysterious boy everyone was convinced wanted to kill her.

The problem is, she's not so sure she feels the same way. Is Alex really the man of her dreams? And why can't she stop fixating on her would-be killer, Dax? Whenever he's around, part of her wants to run screaming in the other direction while the other part longs to run into his embrace, no matter who she’d hurt or what she’d risk.

Simmi's loyalty is on the line. Who will she choose—the blind seer who loves her, or the charming telekinetic with "bad idea" written all over him? Emotions run high as the tension mounts in book two of the Farsighted series.

Excerpt:

We exit the school, and Alex startles me by yanking my arm in the opposite direction of the flagpole. He finds an empty patch of grass and scoops me into his arms for a dramatic, old timey kiss. “What was that for?” “Because you’re nervous, and I wanted to make you feel better.” “Hey, I’m the one with clairsentience here.” I titter. Alex ignores my comment and reaches down to grasp my hands. One of them is holding the lily he gifted me earlier in the day. He plucks the flower from my fingers and tickles my cheek with the petals as he traces tiny circles across my skin. He repositions the flower between his thumb and ring finger and uses his index finger to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear, then tucks the stem in, too. The whole time I see my image reflecting back in his glasses. My ghastliness is destroying this tender moment. It’s almost too much to bear. “Pretty.” He smiles, then gives me another kiss. “Now whenever I kiss you, I get to smell the lily mixing with your Almond Joy scent. Flowers and chocolates—sooo romantic.” He makes a silly face and gives me another kiss to make his point. “Pretty.” He takes in a deep breath. His lips brush against my cheek, and I use the opportunity to slide his glasses into his soft spiky hair. No longer distracted by the unattractive reflection, I relish the sight of his unshielded eyes, then draw in closer and touch his eyelashes with mine. I outline the square shape of his jaw with my finger, then nuzzle his nose with my nose. Alex allows me to study him without expressing any discomfort. He’s overcoming his insecurities as a way to be closer to me. I wish I could do the same. I give him another kiss and his face lights up. His skin glows with a subtle orangey-gold hue and his aura vibrates soothingly, as if massaging me. For a moment I allow myself to relax in the security of his strong, steady presence. Then he obliterates the comfort altogether by making another unwanted proclamation. “I love you, Simmi.” Rather than starting a fight or walking away, I push him back against the brick exterior of the school and press my body into his, ignoring my insecurities. I kiss him the best I can and wrap my arms around the back of his neck. I mimic his aura, producing massage-like vibrations, and I go over the options in my mind. I can’t tell him mujhe pata hai forever. Eventually, I will either have to tell him I love him, or worse still, tell him I don’t. I almost love him. I’m almost to that place. Maybe I’ll feel it by the end of the week or by the end of the month. It has to be only a matter of time. If I tell him I don’t feel the same way, it will hurt him so badly. Alex is the best guy I know, and he doesn’t deserve that—least of all from me. Alex turns his head to the side and tries to retreat from our impromptu dance of passion, but I push his face back into mine and kiss him deeper, more fully. Something inside him stirs. The tickling vibration becomes firmer and hotter, and the heat thickens, wrapping us both in a crashing embrace. A tidal wave hits us from all sides and then turns to vapor. I kiss him so hard I forget the reason I initiated this steamy make-out session. I forget we’re in a public place, and I almost forget my insecurities enough to surrender to the lapping waves as they spin around our entwined bodies. Alex places his hands on my shoulders and pushes me back a couple inches. “Okay, enough. Not that I’m not enjoying this, but I kind of need to breathe, too.” He takes a few exaggerated breaths and shakes his head. “If you’re going to do that every time I tell you I love you, I’m going to say it a lot more often. C’mon, Shapri’s been waiting a while. We can pick this up later. Promise.” He slides his glasses back onto his nose and grabs my hand. We walk to the flagpole where Shapri is standing. As soon as she spots us, her eyes grow wide as if somebody’s slapped her on the back of the head. I blush and reach to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. Only then do I notice the lily is gone. The flower signifying my dreams, my reminder to always reach for the stars, has been trampled beneath our passion.

Purchase Open Heart on Amazon.com and add it on Goodreads.

To celebrate the release of Open Heart, Farsighted is FREE on Amazon through today (5/27).
 

Farsighted Trailer

 

About the author:

Emlyn Chand emerged from the womb with a fountain pen clutched in her left hand (true story). Since then, she has always loved to hear and tell stories. When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm Novel Publicity.

Learn more about Emlyn at emlynchand.com or by connecting with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or GoodReads.  Don’t forget to say “hi” to her sun conure Ducky!

Giveaway:
One winner will receive an e-book of Open Heart by Emlyn Chand!

How to enter:
Be a follower of Krazy Book Lady in whatever way you choose. Then fill out the form below.

Additional optional entries:
+1 Follow Emlyn Chand on Twitter.
+1 Like Emlyn Chand on Facebook.
+1 Leave a blog post comment.

Giveaway Details:
Giveaway is open internationally. This giveaway will run until midnight EST on June 10th. Must be 13 or older to enter. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. Winner will be emailed, and this blog post will be updated to include the name of the winner. Winner has 3 days to contact me or a new winner will be selected.

Sorry! This giveaway is over.

Winner: Alaiel K. 

Witch Hunt by Patti Larsen - Review

Witch Hunt by Patti Larsen

The Hayle Coven Novels, Book 2

Published: November 19, 2011

Teen witch Sydlynn Hayle finally did it. Despite the fact she's a social outcast, Syd finally made friends. Even the captain of the football team wants to be her boyfriend. When an ancient power is freed to ravage her new town, Syd does her best to help her family fight. Too bad the mysterious Chosen of the Light don't see things her way. Their interference could lead to her family's destruction.

My Review:

Syd has started accepting her powers and learning how to use them. She also finally has friends and even a boyfriend. So what can go wrong now? Well, everything when you are a half witch/half demon like Syd. Not only is there an ancient power feeding on people with magical powers that has her family stumped on how to find it and fight it, there is also a group of witch hunters who know what Syd is. How is Syd going to maintain any hint of normalcy with all of that going on?

The Hayle Coven novels is probably my current favorite series. Each one blends together but is also a complete story on its own, which is a great find in YA. Syd is amazing. I also love Syd's crazy grandmother, who needs chocolate and tequila to keep her from getting out of hand. Syd is complex, funny, snarky, and has a fierce love for her family. Syd would love to be normal, and she has an internal struggle between that desire, her powers and her loyalty to her family. To top it off, while worrying about the possible death of her family, her coven and herself, she can't deny that she has an attraction to the sexy Quaid (who we met in the first book), even if she does have a boyfriend. Patti Larsen gives her readers the perfect combination of action, adventure, comedy, and love. (Age appropriate love, I might add.)

I really enjoyed reading Witch Hunt and can't wait to read the next installment of Syd's adventures. Thankfully, I won't have to wait long because the next two books in the Hayle Coven novels are already available. I would recommend Witch Hunt, as well as the rest of the Hayle Coven novels, to anyone who enjoys paranormal YA.

A copy was provided by the author for review.

About the author:

Patti Larsen has a serious passion for YA paranormal and thrillers. Now with multiple series in happy publication, she lives on the East Coast of Canada with her patient husband and four massive cats.

Patti currently has 17 novels published, with more on the way.

You can find Patti on her website, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Check out my review of Family Magic, the Hayle Coven novels #1.
You can also see my review of Smoke and Magic by Patti Larsen.    

A "Deleted Scene" from The Last Keeper by Michelle Birbeck

Missing Bits and Alternate Scenes
Guest Post by Michelle Birbeck 

During any editing process there are a number of things that get cut, rearranged, and reworded. But some of the things I cut were done so well before The Last Keeper even got to my publishers, and well before I was ready to send it out into the world.

I do have one particular favourite when it comes to the things that were changed. Before the Keepers’ gifts were determined, whilst I was still planning and plotting and making it up as I went along, I had a different ending.

When Ray and Serenity first met and their relationship progressed, Serenity ended up pregnant, the result of which was Lizzy. Her birth was, at the time, the key to resurrecting the Keepers. Here’s a little bit from what I wrote before it all changed:

For almost eighteen years she was the only thing keeping me going. Every morning, I got out of bed and saw her smile, and every morning it was uplifting in a way nothing else was. My beautiful daughter, with her strange coloured eyes and my hair, so unusual, so utterly perfect. And yet so completely heartbreaking.

“Mother?” She was standing in the doorway, her smile replaced with a frown. “Is everything all right?”

“I’m fine.” As fine as I ever was.

“Can I talk to you?”

She stepped into the room, wringing her hands as she made her way to sit opposite me.

“Of course you can,” I told her. Concern grew in me when she stayed quiet, my Lizzy was rarely quiet. “Honey, what’s the matter?”

She looked up, and there was something in her eyes that I thought I knew, but it couldn’t be. “I… I think something’s happening to me.”

Hope froze me to the spot. Fear helped me stay there. “What do you mean exactly?”

A great smile lit up her features, and she disappeared. One second she was sat in front of me, the next she’d moved to the doorway. I followed her movements easy enough, saw her stand, move, and then lean against the door, but my mind refused to comprehend what was clearly happening to her.

“Are you…” Not wanting to hope but feeling it anyway, I left the rest of my question unsaid.

“Yes. I think I might be maturing.”

My heart stuttered. It couldn’t be. After all these years, all the loss and desperation, my daughter was maturing.

“And you know how I can see things and dream things?” She didn’t wait for me to acknowledge her. “Well, I can see others. Sammy and her cousin. Our cousins in France, and your friend’s daughter over in Africa.”

As she rattled off a list of people we both knew, all I could think was; your father would have been so proud.

Of course, it’s unedited, and this was long before Serenity’s gift and Lizzy being who she is, but it is one of the parts I did love very much. However, I thought it was just a little too mean to leave in, letting poor Ray miss out on his daughter’s entire life like that. And besides, the Keepers’ gifts were born, and Lizzy still got to be in the book.

The Last Keeper by Michelle Birbeck
Published: May 3, 2012 by The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House

Fifteen hundred years ago, Serenity Cardea took the life of the only vampire she ever regretted killing—Henry, her sister’s husband. With her sister brutally murdered, Serenity had little choice but to grant Henry the only request he had: death. Centuries later, Serenity is no closer to discovering who betrayed them or instigated the massacre of her brothers and sisters.

The vampires want dominance—over their food, the other races . . . the world. To get it, they’ve systematically hunted down and slaughtered the only ones standing in their way. The Keepers.

As a Keeper, Serenity is tasked with protecting the delicate balance between the creatures of the world: Vampire, Witch, Were, and Human. Her kind exists to ensure that no single race sways the balance, dooming the world to destruction.

They're on the brink of extinction, with no sign of return. Now only two remain, and Serenity’s last brother is facing death, leaving her standing alone against a never-ending tide of vampires, all wanting one thing: power.

Then she meets Ray Synclair, a history professor in training with a passion for centuries past, and the harsh reality of her limited time comes crashing down on her. He is her weakness. His mortality is the countdown on Serenity’s life, and with each passing second, it comes closer to the end, for both of them.

She must uncover the secrets of her people’s past and find out who betrayed them—and who is still doing so—before it’s too late.

Serenity’s days are numbered, and Ray will be drawn into a world of myth and legend, where just being alive is enough to get him hunted down.

Because the only way to kill a Keeper is to kill their partner . . .



Find out more about Michelle Birbeck.

Writing About Vampires: An LDS Author's Perspective

Guest Post by Heather Jensen, author of Blood and Guitars

Writing About Vampires: An LDS Author’s Perspective

Fantasy has always been my favorite genre to read. I think the obsession began in elementary school with Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville, and I’ve never been quite the same since. When I was about fifteen I fell in love with paranormal fantasy books because of authors like Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.  

Being an LDS author definitely shapes my writing because it is an essential part of who I am as a person. One thing I’m passionate about is writing clean stories that anyone can enjoy. One adult reader told me that she enjoyed Blood And Guitars immensely, and that she couldn’t wait to get a copy for her thirteen-year-old niece to read, as well. Even though the majority of my readers are between the ages of 18-40, this is one of the best compliments a reader could pay me. I walked around with a perma-grin on my face for the rest of the day. 

Being an LDS author in the paranormal genre does not come without its struggles. For some reason I can’t logically explain, I’m madly in love with all things vampire. I often wonder how my mother explains what type of books I write when people ask her. Oh, how I wish I could be a fly on the wall to witness those conversations. Vampires, in general, are inherently appealing and seductive in today’s view. They are no longer limited to the savage, life-stealing creatures they were known as in the past. The trick is writing a story that will satisfy the readers (regardless of religion), while staying true to my own personal beliefs.  

My latest series, Blood And Guitars, is a vampire series that is sometimes classified as a paranormal romance. The characters are in their early twenties, which some would say puts this book in the New Adult category. Despite these things, Blood And Guitars is a clean series I am proud to share with even the tweens in my life. I work closely with the young women in my church, some of whom are my best cheerleaders. I’m proud to write paranormal fantasy stories that they can enjoy without compromising their values.  

What type of stories do you look for in your favorite genre? Do you feel there is enough variety? I’d love to read your comments!


Blood and Guitars
by Heather Jensen

When Aurora meets Trey, a famous singer and musician, she’s only hoping to get her fill of human blood for the week. The last thing Aurora expects is for Trey to make her feel alive for the first time since she was, well, alive. It begins with a casual painting lesson at her art studio, The Waking Moon, and quickly turns into a forbidden romance. Aurora is forced to hide her true identity from Trey, while keeping her relationship with the human a secret from other vampires in her Brood. Trey’s band is recording a new album and with Aurora as his muse, Trey is writing songs like never before. After being hired by their record label to paint the cover of the new album, Aurora has a legitimate reason for spending so much time with Trey and his band mates. Aurora can’t deny the unexpected connection she has with Trey, which is fueled by glimpses into his emotions every time they share a kiss. Caught between two worlds, Aurora must attend celebrity award shows and vampire rituals, find time to feed, and protect Trey from the dangers of the night, all while preserving her secrets.

About the author:
Heather Jensen writes fantasy for teens and adults. She is an avid reader and enjoy authors such as Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, PC & Kristin Cast, Richelle Mead, LJ Smith, Suzanne Collins, Derek Landy, Obert Skye, and Brandon Mull to name a few. She absolutely love vampires but enjoys fantasy of all kinds.

Heather is addicted to Oreos and White Knight drinks from Perks. When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling, playing board and card games, killing zombies on the Xbox 360 with her hubby, listening to music, playing guitar, going to concerts, and spending time with friends and family. Her favorite color is green and the uglier the shade, the better. She lives in Southern Utah with her husband and son. She is currently preparing to release the next installment in the Blood And Guitar series, Immortals And Melodies, which will be available for Kindle on May 28, 2012.  

You can find out more about Heather Jensen and how to connect with her on her website.

The Land of Tears by Amber Riley - Kindred Blood Trilogy - Excerpt

The Land of Tears by Amber Riley

Kindred Blood Trilogy, Book #3

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy YA

Spain is the one place Kaden never planned to see again. Years after he escaped the master vampire, he has never looked back—until now. As he stands before enemy vampires and werewolves, he knows that determination is the only thing that can save Lyn from her captives. Everything Kaden has worked so hard for has to be forgotten. He must become a ruthless killer once again.

After everything Kaden has done to remain free, he has purposely walked back into his old life, leaving his friends behind in order to protect them. Now, in the midst of a bad game of hide and seek with Phoenix, Kaden must fool everyone into thinking he has returned for all the right reasons. But Phoenix is not easily swayed. He still resents Kaden for leaving and letting Tobias out of his tomb. Kaden is running out of time. If his plan fails, there will never be another opportunity.

In the third tale of the Kindred Blood series, a young life depends on whether Kaden can convince Phoenix and his fellow vampires to trust him. One way or another, things are about to end where they all began."

Excerpt:

The headlights of a Volkswagen blinked at me once. I approached the car and bent to the driver’s side window. “Hey, Max.”

“Hello,” he replied slowly. He turned in his seat to look behind him. “Gabriel, are you sure about this?”

“We talked it through last night,” he said softly. “It will be fine.”

Max sighed. “Just remember what they said.” When Gabriel didn’t answer, he continued on. “Your brother has been filled in, like you asked. But please stick to the plan. I don’t want to make that phone call.”

Gabriel’s pale hand reached for the handle. I quickly opened the car door and helped him onto the street. “I am perfectly clear on what is going to happen.”

Max said a few lines in Italian. Gabriel smiled and replied. I didn’t know what they said, but it seemed important. The look Max gave me before driving away was unreadable, but it was clear that our relationship hinged on how the night ended. 

About the author:

Amber Riley has enjoyed writing short stories since childhood and is happiest with a cat in her lap. Born and raised in Central New York, she is currently living in Germany with her new son and husband, a Seabee with the US Navy.

You can find out more about Amber Riley and how to connect with her on her website.

 Click here to see the rest of the tour stops.

Krazy Book Lady featured all three books in the trilogy! Check out The Flash of a Firefly for a GIVEAWAY and The Well of Truth.

Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis - Review

Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis

Published: April 17, 2012

Publisher: Harper Collins

What if you forgot your identity and had to rely on other people to tell you who you were?

And what if to discover your true self, you first had to unravel a mystery so big and terrifying you were not sure you’d survive solving it?

When Marshall and Elyse wake up in each other’s arms with zero memory of how they got there or who they are, it’s the start of a long journey through their separate pasts and shared future.

Terrified by their amnesia, the two make a pact to work together to find the answers that could jog their missing memories. As they piece together clues, they discover they’re in the idyllic mountain resort town of Summer Falls, where everyone seems mysteriously happy, but as Marshall and Elyse quickly learn, darkness lurks beneath the town’s perfect facade. Not only is the town haunted by sinister ghosts, but none of its living inhabitants retain bad memories of anything—not the death of Marshall’s mom, not the hidden shame in Elyse’s family, not even the day-to-day anguish of high school.

Lonely in this world of happy zombies, Marshall and Elyse fall into an intense relationship...but the secrets they uncover could be the death of this growing love—and the death of everyone, and everything, they love in Summer Falls.

My Review:

In the beginning of Glimmer, we meet two characters who wake up naked in a bed together with no memory of who they are or how they got there. The story alternates being told from the point of view of both of them, who are at first simply referred to as "Her" and "Him" until they learn their names. They are suspicious of each other at first, but they quickly realize that they need each other to discover what is going on around them. We follow along with them as they remember their past and figure out what is going on in their town. 

I was very intrigued by the concept in Glimmer - two people who have no knowledge of their past, and an entire town of people who do not retain any bad memories. I must admit that this plot went in a direction that I was not expecting, and it did lose me a little at the end. However, I was quickly pulled into the lives of Elyse and Marshall and wanted to keep reading to find out more about them, and there were enough surprises along the way to keep me hooked. Overall, Phoebe Kitanidis has an engaging writing style and created some interesting, complex characters. It is difficult to say much more than that without giving any spoilers, so I will just end with saying that I would recommend Glimmer if you are a fan of YA paranormal fantasy.

Reviewed as part of a SBB Traveling ARC Tour.

About the author:

Phoebe Kitanidis is a Greek-American writer, author of the YA novel Whisper. Phoebe grew up in a variety of places, including Athens, Greece; the American Midwest; and the San Francisco Bay Area. She attended five elementary schools and has moved more than twenty times. After her graduation from U.C. Berkeley, she taught Language Arts, then worked in a few high-tech corporate offices. In 2004, she earned her M.A. in Communication from San Jose State University. That year, she also traded the Bay Area sunshine for cloudy Seattle, where she began her writing career.   

You can find out more about Phoebe Kitanidis and how to connect with her on her website. 

Glimmer is her second novel.