Thursday, February 28, 2013

Blog Tour {Excerpt, Guest Post & Giveaway}—Souls of Darkness by Eleanor T. Beaty

Welcome to the conclusion of the Eleanor Beaty's Discover Your Destiny Event, organized by Novel Publicity! Every Thursday for the past two weeks, we've featured Eleanor Beaty and her novels, Veiled Mist and Fallen Ruler. Today, we're spotlighting Souls of Darkness. Learn more about the book, read an excerpt and guest post, and then enter two awesome giveaways for copies of the all three books, two $25 Amazon gift cards, swag, jewelry, a Kindle Paperwhite, and more!


Souls of Darkness
by Eleanor T. Beaty
Publication: January 25th 2013 by Q Publishing
Genre: YA Paranormal

Paperback Kindle Goodreads
Alex’s life is turned upside down after his father’s sudden death. An old pamphlet found in his father’s belongings leads Alex and his mother, Charlotte, to a remote Polynesian island. His mother longs for a place untouched by past memories, and Alex hopes the trip will help her to heal.

Their arrival on the island elicits an eerie episode of déjà vu for Alex, and he begins to wonder about the pamphlet and his father’s past. Why did he have it? Had he been there before?

Alex senses something is off with the island. Progress is unwelcome by the inhabitants. A local girl reveals the history of the island and its dark spirits. She warns him to never be caught outside after dark, but Alex finds it all hard to believe... Until inexplicable and terrifying events begin to unfold. While digging for information, Alex finds his presence on the haunted island is not by chance. Rangur, the most evil of souls, aims to use him to acquire great power. There's only one way Alex can stop him and for that he must uncover his father's past connection to the island.

V Wicked Tease – 02/28


— Regular Teasers —
Submit your teasers for an upcoming chapter. Can be E/B or non!
Chapter 63 of "Monster" by The.Bloody White.Wolf.xoxo **Emmett & OC**

— V Wicked Teasers —
A different kind of pimpage. Give the fandom a taste of your fic in 125 words or less.
Chapter 5 of "I Follow Rivers" by labelleno **Edward & Bella**
Chapter 1 of "Just Say Yes" by lellabeth **Edward & Bella**


Vouched Book! Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith


Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Seth Grahame-Smith
Publication: March 2nd 2010 by Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Historical Fiction, Horror, Paranormal

Amazon B & N Goodreads
Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."

"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.

Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.

When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.

Vouched Book! If You Give a Rake a Ruby by Shana Galen


If You Give a Rake a Ruby
Shana Galen
Book #2 of the Jewels of the Ton  series
Publication: March 5th 2013 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical Romance

Amazon B & N Goodreads
Her Mysterious Past Is The Best Revenge ...

Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery, is a celebrated courtesan with her finger on the pulse of high society. She’s adored by men, hated by their wives. No one knows anything about her past, and she plans to keep it that way.

Only He Can Offer Her A Dazzling Future ...

Warrick Fitzhugh will do anything to protect his compatriots in the Foreign Office, including seduce Fallon, who he thinks can lead him to the deadliest crime lord in London. He knows he’s putting his life on the line ...

To Warrick’s shock, Fallon is not who he thinks she is, and the secrets she’s keeping are exactly what make her his heart’s desire ...

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Blog Tour {Review, Excerpt & Giveaway}—Angel Bait by Tricia Skinner

Angel Bait
by Tricia Skinner
Book #1 of The Angel Assassins series
Publication: February 18th 2013 by Crimson Romance
Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance


Amazon Goodreads
Saved by the angel sent to kill them, four half-angel boys are trained and employed as Heaven’s assassins. Jarrid and his nephilim brothers are raised as members of The Eternal Order, and must enforce Heaven’s laws by hunting down those who defy the Directorate.

His only shot at freedom is Ascension, but his employers won’t permit the ancient ritual. Then Jarrid learns a Renegade angel is in Detroit. Such a high-level take¬down is the answer to his prayers—all the leverage he needs to Ascend.

For freedom, Jarrid is willing to do anything to lure his elusive enemy out of hiding.

Even use an innocent woman as bait.

News reporter Ionie Gifford has no clue an angel outlaw wants her dead. She agrees to help Jarrid, the enigmatic nephilim with penetrating silver eyes and a worship-worthy body, but only because he accepts her terms. He’s her all-access pass into the city’s supernatural underworld where she hopes to locate her mother’s killer.

Blind¬sided by Ionie's beauty and tenacity, Jarrid soon finds the eternity-old glacier around his heart thawing. With duty and desire at war within him, he’s forced to make a choice—either save Ionie from the trap he snared and stay chained to Heaven, or allow her to become collateral damage.

Early Release & Cover Reveal! Wait for You by J. Lynn (Jennifer L. Armentrout)

What do early readers have to say about Wait for You?

“J. Lynn creates a wonderful cast of characters that will make you laugh, swoon, and cry. Cam stole my heart.”
Cora Carmack, NYTimes and USA TODAY Bestselling Author of LOSING IT

“For the love of all that is Cameron without a shirt on! Wait for You will have you laughing out loud, fanning yourself and anxiously waiting to know what will happen next.”
Molly McAdams, NYTimes and USA TODAY Bestselling Author of FROM ASHES and TAKING CHANCES

“I don't think I have ever read a NA Contemporary novel with as much depth as this one. It really moved me and by the end I was just speechless over how inspirational and uplifting it was as well as being sexy and cute and funny and emotional.”
K Books

“Wait For You is uniquely different from anything else J. Lynn's written but it might possibly be her best work yet.”
Jenuine Cupcakes

“For all of you in love with Aiden and Daemon, PREPARE YOURSELVES! Your heart will have to expand a little more for Cam.”Total Bookaholic

“For the love of all things CAM, this book deserves more than 5 stars.”Mundie Moms

“I cannot even begin to explain how much I adored this perfectly crafted contemporary.”Shortie Says

Excited? Ready to see the cover for Wait For You?

Book Blast and Giveaway! Fields of Elysium by A.B.Whelan


Win a $50 gift card or PayPal cash + a signed copy of Fields of Elysium, pendant, and magnet
in the Fields of Elysium Book Blast, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer


Fields of Elysium
by A.B.Whelan
Publication: December 12th 2012 by InMotion Capitol
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Amazon B & N Goodreads
How can love mend a heart full of hate?

Small town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful. Then one day after school, something magical happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers.

While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding. Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly's life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor. Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no return and multiple endings.

Fields of Elysium is a suspenseful, romantic tale full of forbidden secrets, unimaginable danger, deception, and the never-ending fight for true love.

Waiting on Wednesday: Tandem by Anna Jarzab

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine,
spotlighting upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Raina's pick:

Tandem
Anna Jarzab
Book #1 of the Many-Worlds trilogy
Expected publication: October 8th 2013 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA Fantasy

Goodreads
Everything repeats.
You. Your best friend. Every person you know.
Many worlds. Many lives—infinite possibilities.
Welcome to the multiverse.

Sixteen-year-old Sasha Lawson has only ever known one small, ordinary life. When she was young, she loved her grandfather's stories of parallel worlds inhabited by girls who looked like her but led totally different lives. Sasha never believed such worlds were real—until now, when she finds herself thrust into one against her will.

To prevent imminent war, Sasha must slip into the life of an alternate version of herself, a princess who has vanished on the eve of her arranged marriage. If Sasha succeeds in fooling everyone, she will be returned home; if she fails, she'll be trapped in another girl's life forever. As time runs out, Sasha finds herself torn between two worlds, two lives, and two young men vying for her love—one who knows her secret, and one who thinks she's someone she's not.

The first book in the Many-Worlds Trilogy, Tandem is a riveting saga of love and betrayal set in parallel universes in which nothing—and no one—is what it seems

What book release are you eagerly anticipating?
Let us know in a comment, or link us up to your own WoW post!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Book Blitz! Forged in Grace by Jordan E. Rosenfeld


Forged in Grace
Jordan E. Rosenfeld
Publication: February 2013 by Indie-Visible Ink
Genre: Psychological Suspense (Adult with YA and NA crossover appeal)

Amazon B & N Goodreads
Grace Jensen survived a horrific fire at age 15. The flames changed her: badly scarred in body and mind, Grace developed an ability to feel other people’s pain. Unable to bear human touch, she has made a small life for herself in Northern California, living with her hoarder mother, tending wounded animals, and falling a little in love with her former doctor. Her safe world explodes when the magnetic Marly Kennet reappears in town; Grace falls right back into the dynamic of their complicated friendship. Marly is the holder of many secrets, including one that has haunted Grace for over a decade: what really happened the night of the fire?

When Marly exhorts Grace to join her in Las Vegas, to make up for the years they have been lost to each other, Grace takes a leap of faith and goes. Although Marly is not entirely honest about her intentions, neither woman anticipates that enlarging Grace’s world will magnify her ability to sense the suffering of others—or that she will begin to heal wounds by swallowing her own pain and laying her hands on the afflicted.

This gift soon turns darker when the truth of Marly’s life—and the real reason she ended her friendship with Grace—pushes the boundaries of loyalty and exposes both women to danger.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Blog Tour {Review & Giveaway}—Frost Fire by Olivia Rivers

Stopping by The LUVNV today is the Frost Fire blog tour, hosted by Xpresso Book Tours.
We got the pleasure to read and review this pretty, and you can enter to win an ebook copy!


by Olivia Rivers
Book #1 of Tortured Elements  series
Publication: November 20th 2012 by Red Sparrow Press
Genre: YA Paranormal

Amazon B & N Goodreads
“Magic is just like love, Allai. It won’t wait for permission before it destroys you.”

Like sand in an hourglass, Allai’s future is dwindling away. She’s spent her entire life fighting the Mages who threaten humanity, and dreams of someday eradicating magic. But all it takes is an anonymous phone call for the truth to spill out: Allai is the one thing she despises most.

She’s a Mage.

Though ancient law mandates Allai’s death, she still has one last chance of survival. His name is Drake Rhaize, and he swears he can lead Allai to a sanctuary for Mages. Allai hasn’t seen Drake in years, but she remembers him as the Demon boy who used to hold her close and softly whisper that he’d keep her safe. But Drake has changed since then: He’s now suspected of murder, and has been out-casted for betraying his own kind.

While Allai doesn’t trust Drake, she has no choice but to put her life in his hands and hope he can get her to safety. Because Allai’s father has hired a pack of Demons to bring her back to him, dead or alive–and Demons never stop the hunt.

Frost Fire is a “Good Reads and Good Deeds” book. All net proceeds for Frost Fire go toward the Dysautonomia Youth Network of America, a charity that supports youth with medical conditions affecting the nervous system.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

The Verve & Stacking the Shelves (4)

The Verve is our Sunday edition of the weekly memes "The Sunday Post," hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer,
and "Stacking the Shelves," hosted by Tynga's Reviews. We feature the books we bought, borrowed, were gifted and given for review,
as well as share blog news from the past couple weeks and what you might see in the next two.



Hi, LUVs! How is everyone's winter? Here in Wisconsin, we've been getting tons of snow! If only I didn't have to leave the house, it would be perfect. I could curl up by a fire and just read. Alas, I have to spend more time shoveling and taking care of three sick kids. I'm longing for summer so I can read by the lake already. :P

Other than that, not much happening the past two weeks. Be sure to enter our current giveaways, especially the February New Release Giveaway, which ends Thursday, and The LUV'NV's Follower Appreciation Giveaway, which ends March 6th. You could win a $50 gift card and choice of book!

Now, here's what you might have missed the past two weeks and what to expect in the next two, as well as what we're stacking on our shelves.

Recently reviewed:
The Fidelity Files by Jessica BrodyThe Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle MeadWhen You Give a Duke a Diamond (Jewels of the Ton #1) by Shana GalenA Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by G.R.R. Martin
Excerpts:
Residue  by Laury Falter
Forty Days  by Stephanie Parent
Veiled Mist  by Eleanor T. Beaty
His Allure, Her Passion  by Juliana Haygert
Highland Defiance  by Sky Purington
The Truth About Letting Go  by Leigh Talbert Moore
Fallen Ruler  by Eleanor T. Beaty
Disconnect  by Imran Siddiq
Awakened  by Igner Iversen

Guest Posts:
A Character That is Hard to Like…At First  by Eleanor T. Beaty
A Planet I Would Like to Live On  by Eleanor T. Beaty

Cover Reveals:
Drowning in You  by Rebecca Berto
Bitter Angel  by Megan Hand
The Truth About Letting Go  by Leigh Talbert Moore



Books Bought:


The Indigo Spell  by Richelle Mead | Review
Gates of Paradise  by Melissa de la Cruz
Shatter Me  by Tahereh Mafi (I will finally start this series!)


eBooks Bought



Freebies*

* Price subject to change without notice. Always check and confirm the price before purchasing *


Won


Hugs to Jaime from Fic Fare and author Chloe Neill
for the awesome Chicagoland Vampires swag and a signed copy of Hexbound!

Thanks to Jennifer Anne Davis and Books Live Forever for The Voice
and to Alyssa Rose Ivy and Paige @ Comfort Books for Flight.


Received for Review


Much love and gratitude to Viola Ryan, C.J. Duggan, Jen Minkman, and Morgan from Entangled Publishing for these pretties!

An enormous "Thank you!" to Penguin Blue Rider Press, Scholastic Inc., Greenwillow Books,
HarperTeen, and Katherine Tegen Books for these lovelies!


Received to Review for Blog Tours


Up for Review & the Reading Queue:
Temping is Hell  by Cathy Yardley (Paranormal Romance)*
If You Give a Rake a Ruby  by Shana Galen (Historical Romance)*
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter  by Seth Grahame-Smith (Hist. Fantasy)*
Bittersweet Blood  by Nina Croft (Paranormal Romance)*
A Discovery of Witches  by Deborah Harkness (Fantasy)*
The Nightmare Affair  by Mindee Arnett
Excuse My Fairy  by Kinley Baker
The Culling  by Steven dos Santos
The Bane  by Keary Taylor
Strength  by Carrie Butler
Pushing Limits  by Steven dos Santos
First Visions  by Heather Topham Wood



Upcoming Tour Reviews:



Upcoming Excerpts and Giveaways:


What did you haul in this week?
Link us to your recent Stacking the Shelves or Sunday Post, or share in a comment what you've added to your pile (book or fic).
Is there anything you'd like to see reviewed soon from our pile? Let us know. It's always wonderful hearing from you.
Until next time ...