Saturday, November 9, 2013

Book Blitz and $100 Giveaway: Siding with Plato by Michelle Manning

siding with plato

Siding with Plato: A Romantic Comedy Chick Lit About College Life, Love, and Chaos

Siding With Plato is a romantic laugh-out-loud chick lit novel about Being Young, Beautiful, and a Seriously Hot Mess! Brooke Aarons can't get to college fast enough. Leaving behind her small town life, she intends to transform herself into a brilliant psychologist at the University of Texas, with no distractions to slow her down. But when a twist in her plans lands her on double date with the school's star jock - and worse, enjoying it - Brooke has to wonder if she's the one who needs her head examined. James Cartwright's easy life, endless bucks, and long line of willing girls should make him a non-starter for Brooke, but as she learns, the psychology behind a bad crush is a whole lot messier of a subject.

 
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Praise for the Book

"This book hit home! Very funny and fast and fun read! I hope she makes this a series! LOVED IT!!!" "I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an escape back into the best years of your life! A MUST READ." "Buy 2 copies of this relatable book - one for yourself and one for your best friend." "Siding With Plato is a must read for every girl who has gone away to college! It reminded me of my college years and the relationships between different boys, but most importantly the amazing friendships that were created. I could relate to all of the characters at one time or another. Siding With Plato is well written, funny, witty, and full of emotion. I definitely recommend reading this book!!"   michelle manning

Author Michelle Manning

Michelle Manning is a Southern California native who ventured over to Arizona State University in 2005, where she majored in journalism and met the friends who would later inspire her book series. After receiving her degree, she worked in the entertainment industry as an editor and red carpet reporter for a news outlet in Los Angeles until she moved to New York - shortly after releasing her debut novel, Siding With Plato!  
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$100 BookBlast Giveaway $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/26/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, November 8, 2013

Book Blitz & Giveaways: Drowning by Rachel Firasek

Drowning

Author: Rachel Firasek

Publication date: October 26, 2013

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis

*Drowning is a New Adult Contemporary Romance suited for 18+ due to some violence, language, and sexual content*

“I dare you.”

Those words would change adrenaline junkie, Alice Harrison’s life forever. She’s a party girl that doesn’t believe in love until she meets a man that only writes about it.

Seth James escaped his overbearing father and moved into one of the James family’s vacant condos, hoping to create the music he loves in peace. But the fragile calm he’s envisioned shatters when a tiny woman with a world full of energy bounces out of the elevator and nearly takes him out.

With the patience of a saint, Seth seeks the dark that keeps Alice from enjoying life. He challenges her to exorcise the demons in her past in order to discover the true meaning of love. But when the walls fall down, the hidden deceptions will bare the ugly truth about a woman drowning in sorrow and a man who may not know how to be her hero.

Available from:

Excerpt

He laughs that loud laugh that cuts down into my stomach and vibrates my breakfast to the surface. "Of course. I haven’t seen you in quite some time and thought I’d pay my baby daughter a visit. Did you get my letter?"

I can’t help the tremble that takes root in my chin and bleeds up into my tear ducts. I fight the well of salt water. Seth was right. They were a weakness to him, and he’d feed on them. "You need to go."

"I’ll go when I’m ready. I think you should remember whose roof you’re living under and be more gracious."

The door across the hall opens, and I meet Seth James’ bold stare over my father’s shoulder. God no. Please, don’t watch this.

He leaves the door open and steps closer. "Everything okay?"

My father lurches back and clears his throat. "Everything’s fine." He spins and thrust out his hand, all politician’s smiles and his kissing baby’s grin on his face. "E. Harrison, and you are?"

"Neighbor. Seth James."

I grip my towel tighter, but Seth’s eyes never stray from Dad’s. He was so wrong about being a hero. He’d just saved me from pure evil. The two men stand taller. My father is forbidding in his expensive threads. He has years of cut muscles beneath that have kept him from sagging like most men his age. Seth, on the other hand, has youth on his side. He’s all hard ridges and full of territorial male dominance.

With a deep sigh that relaxes all those tightened nerves, I ask, "Father, did you need something?"

"I came by to speak to you about something, but, perhaps another time would be better suited." He glances back at me and sneers, but returns to sleazy smiles before he gives a nod to Seth. "Mr. James, a pleasure. I’ll be on my way."

Seth puts a hand out and catches my father’s shoulder. "Mr. Harrison, as the owner of this condo, I feel that I should warn you against making my tenants uncomfortable." Seth steps across the hall and drops an arm around my scarred shoulder. His thumb soothes away the shiver chasing over my collar bone. "I’m not sure of your welcome here, so please correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t want to see either of these girls come to harm."

I gasp. He spoke so eloquently. Bold and rich. I’d have never thought he had it in him if I hadn’t just witnessed it. And no one has ever come to my defense. Never. Seth James was ten feet tall and made of blue bubble gum right now. I’d chew him, blow him, and make him pop. Vulgar, I know, but there it is.

My father straightens his jacket. "Do you know who I am?"

"I do, but obviously you do not know who I am or what I’m capable of." Seth tucks me even closer. If he’s noticed the scars stretching across my shoulders, he’s too polite to even give them a second glance, and for that, I’ll forever be indebted to him. "Don’t fuck with Alice again."

He knows my name. And he just cussed my dad.

Harrison squints at us, and turns, clicking his heels together before stalking to the elevator. As much as I love seeing someone put him in his place, Seth James had just built me a coffin.

Fucking great. As soon as the sliding doors close on Dad, I shove Seth away from me. He’s too much right now. Everything is too much.

His brow wrinkles. "What?"

"What the fuck do you think you’re doing?"

He steps back and glances at the floor before smirking up at me. "Being your hero."

About the Author

Rachel Firasek

Rachel Firasek spends her days daydreaming of stories and her nights putting the ideas to ink. She has spent a dull life following the rules, meeting deadlines, and toeing the line, but in her made up worlds, she can let the wild side loose. Her wonderful husband and three children support her love of the written word and only ask for the occasional American Idol or Swamp People quality hour.

She has a philosophy about love. It must devastate or it isn’t truly worth loving. She hopes that you all find your devastating love and cling to it with all your heart!

Author Links

Guest Post by Rachel Firasek

Writing to Music

Hi everyone! Thank you for having me on the blog today and letting me share a little about my writing process.

I think most creative minds enjoy music, so it's not a big surprise to hear that "another" author wrote a book to a song... or a group of songs. Here’s a link to my Drowning playlist if you'd like to hear the inspiration to the words.

There's one song that really hit home for this book. Apex Predator by Otep. Wow, what a powerful piece. It's twisted and dark and scary. During a scene with Alice and her father, I listened to this song on repeat. It's definitely the perfect mood setter for some of the darker parts in this novel.

And when I really needed to pull myself out of the evil that underlies the base of my plot, I turned to Volbeat for their Cape of the Hero to remind me that there would be a HEA. Seth is what I consider a normal hero. He doesn't have super hero powers. He's not good with guns or knives. But like the father in the video, he wants to be there for Alice, even when he's physically not.

And Pink's, Just Give Me a Reason is the perfect balance for Seth and Alice's love story. He's pretty straight forward about his interest, but she's always in her head. It'll take a lot of patience and a lot of love to get them past her pain. But he knows she's worth it, and he has to try.

So... that's just a few songs on my playlist that I loved to use while writing this book. I'd love to find out your favorite song... or one that inspires you in life. So, for a chance to win an eCopy of Drowning, name your "go-to" song.

Oh, and thanks for stopping in today!

Interview with Rachel Firasek

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and what inspired to write in this particular genre?
Rachel: I’m a thirty-ish Texas native who corals two teens and husband that puts all of my heroes to shame. I have a sprawling spread of Mesquite trees and sheep in a hidden country community of Central Texas. I’m a switch. Sometimes I like paranormal, horror, or just a sweet romance, but it’s always romance. When I stumbled upon NA Contemporary romances, I just knew I’d found a home.
When and why did you begin writing?
Rachel: I started writing when I was a teen, but lost time and interest in my early twenties. When I hit thirty I decided to dig back in and to try to make a go of this gig.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Rachel: A writer or an author? I’ve always been a writer, but I considered myself an author when I signed the contract on my first sale, Piper’ s Fury.
Tell us your latest news?
Rachel: Well, you know that I have Drowning out. But…prior to Drowning, I worked with two great authors to write and produce a Halloween Anthology that ended up hitting best seller lists! I think that’s pretty awesome news. Oh, and I’m still going to try to make it to RT14! Who else is going?
What inspired you to write your first book?
Rachel: Well, my first book ever was a 98 page short story due for an assignment in my 9th grade English class. It was a historical fantasy with a heroine named Amethyst (that of course had purple eyes, because that’s what color eyes I wanted) and a white steed. Now the horse didn’t belong to the knight, oh no, that was Amethyst’s ride that she used to save the knight who was locked in a tower. Yes, there was even a touch of the feminist in me back then.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Rachel: Almost all of my stories have a “get over yourself” theme. I’ll explain: When things happen in our lives that are difficult to overcome, we have two options: Get over it and move on, or wallow in whatever pity party that’s happening at the moment. I want to find the way to dig out of the party even when everything seems to want to keep you there. So, mostly that’s my themes.
What books have most influenced your life most?
Rachel: I read for entertainment, not for self-growth so I don’t know that any book has had a huge impact. I write for my therapy, but I do know that even though everyone moans and groans about the Twilight series, I’ve read it 8 times. Take away the creepy age gap, the dead and alive elements, and the weird lack of parenting, and it’s a truly innocent story meant to make us fall in love with romance again.
What are three things that always make you smile?
Rachel: My hubby, my kids, and my happy readers…notice—I said happy. 
Just for fun, who would you single out as your number one celebrity crush, and what would you like most to do with/to them?
Rachel: Johnny Depp. I adore his versatility. I'd have him dress up as Sweeny Todd and sing and dance with me in a ratty bakery. *cackles maniacally*
If you could live a day in the world of someone else's story, whose would you choose, and why?
Rachel: Oh, I'd live a day in Alice's world. Doesn't Wonderland look like a fab place to play.
What do you hope readers take away from Drowning?
Rachel: I want them to be moved. I want them to be jerked out of their comfy beds with soft pillows in the middle of the night and remember that sometimes, somewhere, there’s a child doing the same thing…only it’s not a nightmare they’re living through—it’s their life. I want everyone to realize that we’re all a pile of mistakes waiting to happen. It’s okay to take a wrong turn as long as you find the right way home. But most importantly, I want everyone to know that love does conquer all when the will is strong.
What do you love most about your hero?
Rachel: I love that he’s a little messed up. He makes bad calls and doesn’t always fit the typical hero profile…but then again, most of my heroes don’t.  Oh… and he plays drums…and is damn hot…and he writes music…should I keep going?
What about your heroine:
Rachel: Alice? Let me tell you… There’s not one thing that I don’t love about Alice. She’s so twisted. She’s a tease. She’s a strong person. She’s weak. She’s humble. She’s hot. She’s. Just. Like. You. &. Me.
Why did you create Drowning?
Rachel: It’s not often that I’ve stepped out of the box. But, my very first editor told me once to take the dark inside me and turn it into something. Well…that’s what I did. No, I’m not Alice…but I’m close. I know that pain…that terror…and I know what it’s like to overcome it…as much as anyone that’s lived through abuse can. (No, E. Harrison is not my father. I promise. But there was someone like him in my life once.)
What’s next?
Rachel: Well, I’m working on book 2. Burning and hope to have it out Spring of 2014. I’m also working on a new Contemp NA titled Something After. It’s not quite as dark as Drowning, but almost as twisted—if not more so.

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Text by Cambria Hebert

Text

Series: Take It Off

Author: Cambria Hebert

Publication date: November 8, 2013

Genre: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis

One text can change everything.

Honor Calhoun never thought her life would ever be like the books she writes for a living. One morning while out for a run, she learns not all bad things are plots in novels. Some horrors can actually come true.

She faces off with a persistent attacker, holds her own, but in the end is taken hostage and thrown into a hole. In the middle of the woods.

But Honor didn’t go down there alone.

She took her kidnapper’s phone with her. With a spotty signal and a dying battery, her hope is slim.

Nathan Reed is an active duty Marine stationed at a small reserve base in Pennsylvania. All he wants is a calm and uneventful duty station where he can forget the memories of his time in a war-torn country.

But a single text changes everything.

Nathan becomes Honor’s only hope for survival, and he has to go against the clock, push aside his past, and take on a mission for a girl he’s never met.

Both of them want freedom… but they have to survive long enough to obtain it.

Excerpt

As I ran, something darted out from the side. I jerked, the sudden movement startling me. My stride faltered and I turned toward whatever it was, but I didn’t see it.

It plowed into me, knocking me over, my hip taking the brunt of my fall. I grunted in pain and scrambled to get up.

But someone pinned me down.

I shoved at the man, and he glanced down, his eyes meeting mine. There was something cold in his blue-eyed stare. Something empty and flat.

Panic bloomed in my chest, spiking through my body as my heart rate went wild and alarm bells started sounding in my head.

Yes, I read the stories. Yes, I saw it on the news.

Woman is kidnapped. Search for missing woman continues. Woman is found beaten and dead.

But that stuff didn’t happen to me. That stuff happened to other people. Unfortunate women… women that weren’t me.

This isn’t happening to me.

A surge of adrenaline had me bringing up my knee and catching the man in his balls. He made a high-pitched sound and fell to the side. I scrambled up and took off, racing down the path, toward the road that intersected it. If I could make it there, I could flag down a car. I could find someone to help me.

The earbuds had fallen out of my ears and hung around my neck, banging into my skin and reminding me that I had my phone. My phone! As I ran, my hand fumbled, trying to yank it out of the band around my arm. Finally, I managed to grasp it and I held it up in front of me, calling up the keypad and dialing.

9-1—

He tackled me from behind and I fell face forward, the phone tumbling out of my hands, just ahead, just out of reach. I cried out and stretched my hand toward my lifeline, desperate to finish the call.

“You’re going to pay for that, bitch,” the gruff voice said.

I’d never known such fear in all my life. I could barely think straight. Straight-laced dread and panic took over my body, making my limbs feel heavy and numb.

Don’t give in, the voice inside me screamed.

I bucked like a pony and reached forward, my hand closing over my phone. Yes! My joy was extremely short-lived when the man, who was still straddling my back, snatched it out of my hand and tossed it into the nearby creek.

“No,” I cried, watching it swept away beneath the surface.

“No one’s going to help you,” the voice above intoned.

About the Author

Cambria Herbert

Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series, the new adult Death Escorts series, and the new adult Take it Off series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book.

Author Links

Guest Post by T.G. Ayer

Hey everyone!

As part of Text’s release day I thought I would share with you a little something about the main character, Nathan.

A few fun facts about Nathan:

  • Nathan is a United States Marine.
  • Nathan works out a lot. He’s hot.
  • Guns are his hobby and his job.
  • He loves apple pie.

Like the man is serious about his pie. He loves it. In fact, when I was writing Text I baked pies a lot. Ha ha ha. My family really enjoyed it. So today I brought along my recipe for Apple Pie. I’m calling it Nathan’s apple pie in honor of my main man in Text. It’s the perfect time of year to bake, eat and enjoy!!

Nathan’s Apple Pie

Ingredients
You can use store-bought crust or you can make your own.
To make a double pie crust:

  • 2⅔ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup shortening
  • 6 tablespoons ice-cold water

Apple Pie Filling:

  • 4-8 Granny Smith apples (depends on size)
  • 4 tablespoons cut-up butter
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (Nathan likes lots of cinnamon. This can easily be cut down to taste.)
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (This helps the sauce in the pie thicken.)

Directions

To make crust:

Cut together the flour, salt, butter, and shortening with a pastry fork until blended. Add water one Tbsp at a time and mix with fork until it firms into a ball. Separate the ball into two smaller balls. Roll each out onto a heavily floured surface, flipping over frequently. Place one crust in the bottom of a pie pan and reserve the other crust for topping the pie once it is full.

To make filling:

Peel and slice all the apples. Add all slices into a bowl. Mix the apples with the sugar, cinnamon, and flour until well coated. Dump apples into pie crust. Place the 4 tablespoons of cut-up butter around on top of the apples.

Cover the pie with the remaining crust. Crimp the edges together. With a sharp knife, cut a few slits in the top crust (to allow steam to escape while baking), and then you can brush the top of the pie with an egg wash (egg wash = a beaten raw egg). This will give the crust its golden-brown appearance. Also, sprinkle granulated sugar over the top of the crust—which will give the pie a nice flavor and sweetness.

Bake the pie in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 40-50 minutes, depending on oven.

Let cool and enjoy!

Note: Nathan suggests serving your warm apple pie with a generous helping of French vanilla ice cream.

Cambria recommends enjoying with ice cream AND coffee.

Thanks for celebrating the release of TEXT with me!

Author Q&A

Name: Cambria Hebert

Occupation: Fairy Godmother --- Kidding! I’m an author

Favorite color: Orange (like a pumpkin)

Favorite food: Coffee

Height: 5’2

Weight: Yeah right, I’m not telling you!

Pet Peeve: (I’ll choose only one today, lol) When the food on my plate touches. (EW!!!!)

Please describe the following:

Describe the night sky to someone who cannot see.
The night sky on the clearest of night is like running your fingers through the softest of velvet. Its like sitting in a room completely still and void of sound – but you don’t feel alone. You feel surrounded by peace. It’s like drawing in a breath of crisp cool night air and feeling those wisps of breath travel down your throat and into your chest.
Describe the feeling of silk for someone who can not touch.
It’s the feeling of jumping into a pool and kicking your feet out and gliding through its depths. The way the water brushes against you – the way it curves to your skin – so cool and gentle – that’s the way silk feels when you brush your fingertips over it.
Describe the sound of child’s laughter for someone who cannot hear.
It’s the tightness in your chest that one feels when someone does something so kind for you without even being asked. It takes your breath and makes it hard to breathe because you are so taken aback that someone would be so kind. It’s the joy that makes your chest so tight – the joy that rings through your body – a child’s laughter isn’t so much the sound but the feeling it leaves behind.
Describe the taste of chocolate for someone who cannot taste.
It’s the feeling of being really cold, your fingers icy and then coming inside and warming them by a roaring fire. The way the heat trickles into your skin and the cold seeps away.
Describe the scent of fresh cut grass to someone who cannot smell.
It’s a blue cloudless sky, bright with the sun. Staring out over the most brilliant of green and seeing it all cropped the same, looking like a thick carpet that invites your bare toes.
Describe love to someone who cannot feel.
It’s watching a mother comfort her crying child or watching a couple hold hands on the street. It’s the sound of someone’s voice that you couldn’t live without. It’s the first bite of a really good dessert that you know is sinful and you shouldn’t eat at all. It’s knowing that someone is going to be at home waiting when you pull in the drive.

This or That

Night or Day? Night

Book or Ereader? Either!

Coffee or tea? Coffee

Cat or Dog? Dog

Summer or Fall? Fall

Chocolate or Flowers? Flowers

Spiderman or Superman? Spiderman

Paul Walker or Vin Diesel? Paul Walker

Cover Reveal: Infinity Unleashed by Sedona Venez

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Infinity Unleashed cover

Infinity Unleashed

Series: Valkyries: Soaring Raven #2

Author: Sedona Venez

Genres: New Adult, Paranormal Romance

Publication Date: December 10th 2013

Synopsis

***This is a new adult paranormal novel and contains sexual content and graphic language. It is not intended for young adult readers.***

Wild rage coursed through my veins.

Mason's diabolical plan had actually worked. In a matter of minutes he had kidnapped me, stripping me of everything...money, family and freedom. It was humbling, depressing, and damn infuriating but I refused to go down without a fight. I refused to be defeated.

Boulder would find me. I didn't know how, but I felt it deep in my soul. Boulder---the one man that made my body quake with just one look. It was madness. There was so much I didn't know about him. For that matter, there was so much that he didn't know about me…the evil darkness lurking inside me, waiting to be unleashed.

Could he accept me without judging?

That's where most men failed. Accepting the real me…but after years of hardening my heart, and sealing it behind a steel cage, I was ready to give myself to him freely, knowing that he planned to take everything I offered with both hands, until all I thought of...and wanted...was him.

About the Author

Sedona Venez

Sedona Venez is the author of the New Adult Credence Curse series, and the New Adult Valkyries: Soaring Raven series. She is a NYC girl (go Brooklyn!) with a slight obsession with her iPad, Pinterest, and television shows Pawn Stars and Face Off. Her love of music, tattoos, rockers, alpha men and wolf-shifters inspires her edgy paranormal romance novels. She also writes Middle Grade/Young Adult under her real name, T.L. Clarke.

Author Links

Xpresso Book Tours

Feature & Follow Friday: November 8, 2013

Alison Can Read Feature & Follow

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

This Week's Question:

Vlog Feature: Tell us why you would be the best feature ever in a vlog. The best two will get picked for next week’s feature. If you do not want to participate, just tell us why you can’t be caught on video.


As you can see, I didn’t post a vlog. The main reason, I’ve just been a little overwhelmed with everything right now to have time to do it. A more immediate reason, I sunburned my face fishing today. I did catch two fish today, so I consider it a win.

Today's Features:


Lily Pond Reads





I prefer:


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Thursday, November 7, 2013

Movie Review: Delivery Man (2013)

Delivery Man (2013)
Delivery Man
Director: Ken Scott
Writer: Ken Scott (screenplay/original screenplay "Starbuck"), Martin Petit (Original screenplay "Starbuck")
imdb.com

Synopsis

An affable underachiever finds out he's fathered 533 children through anonymous donations to a fertility clinic 20 years ago. Now he must decide whether or not to come forward when 142 of them file a lawsuit to reveal his identity.

Review

From the first preview I saw of this movie, I knew it wasn't going to be like anything else I've ever seen. When the first thing you know about a movie is that the main character fathered 533 children through anonymous donations to a fertility clinic, it definitely sticks with you. I could tell it was going to be funny - they stuck several funny parts in the previews, but there are even more, better funny parts in the movie that had the audience at the pre-screening nearly screaming with laughter. I myself cracked up several times - it tickled my funny bone sufficiently.
With the funny moments, there was obviously the flip side of serious moments, sad moments, and touching moments. I cried several times, but the good kind of cry where the moment was so powerful that I couldn't help but be moved by it. In all honesty, I didn't expect such wonderful moments from this ensemble, but I'm actually glad for it. I love a movie I can go into with one expectation and come out with a different, better opinion of the movie.
I definitely say go see it.

Go

Book Blitz: A French Girl In New York by Anna Adams

A French Girl in New York cover

A French Girl in New York

Author: Anna Adams

Publication date: December 21, 2012

Available (FREE November 4-11) from:
; photo KoboIcon_zps515cdc1a.jpg  photo iconitunesbooks_zps8d729d7e.jpg

Synopsis

Maude Laurent is a spirited 16 year- old orphan who grew up in a small, provincial town in the North of France with a passion for piano and a beautiful voice. One day in Paris, she is discovered by an American music producer who takes her to New York to live with him and his close-knit family while producing her first album, with help from teen pop star, Matt. Maude will dive into a new fascinating world discovering New York City, music, family, love and the truth about her past.

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Excerpt

“Okay, I’m done. Now hurry!” the makeup artist cried out. “You’re up in two minutes. Don’t you dare mess up your makeup again!”

Maude ran out, keeping her hands away from her recently rouged cheeks, and Matt hurried behind her.

She stood right behind the curtain and listened to the host’s cheerful voice, announcing her.

“Now ladies and gentlemen, we have a new artist with us tonight. She’s spent her last six months in New York working on her first album. Her first single has been released and is a huge hit . . .”

“Maude,” Matt whispered, tugging her sleeve.

“Yes?” She looked back at him, smiling.

“I just wanted to tell you . . . to let you know that you can always count on me.”

“I know, Matt,” Maude smiled gratefully.

“Her voice will take your breath away, her music is amazing . . . ”

“No, I’m serious. Our friendship has had its ups and downs, but I don’t want it to be that way anymore.”

Maude nodded.

“I don’t care if you’re with Thomas Bradfield. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”

Maude paused, puzzled. “What? Thomas Bradfield—”

“Give a round of applause for Maude Laurent!” the host cried.

“That’s your cue! Go!” Matt urged.

Maude reluctantly turned away from Matt and hurried on stage.

The blaring lights blinded her as she entered the stage and faced the cheering crowd.

She had to restrain her impulse to shield her eyes and continued steadily towards the dark Steinway.

She had played on it earlier but then, she hadn’t felt nervous. Her hands hadn’t been trembling, and her voice hadn’t been shaky.

Maude sat on the piano stool and looked towards the crowd.

They were all there.

Book 2 in the series:


About the Author

Born in France, raised partly in the United States and in France, Anna Adams grew up loving stories in French and English. Anna currently lives in Paris where she studies at la Sorbonne as a Law Student. She's the author of the French Girl series for which she is writing the final installment. When she isn't writing, Anna is busy hanging out with friends in the Marais, going to the movies in the Bercy Village, checking out exhibitions at the Louvre, going to the Opéra de Paris and shopping on Haussmann Boulevard. When she isn't in Paris, Anna likes to travel in Europe and dreams of going to Asia and Africa.

Author Links

Book Blitz hosted by:

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Cover Reveal: Stone of Destiny by Laura Howard

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Into the Storm cover

Stone of Destiny

Author: Laura Howard

Series: The Danaan Trilogy #2

Release Date: 12/31/13

Cover Design by: Najla Qamber Designs

Synopsis

Allison thought it was crazy enough when she found out her father, Liam, wasn't entirely human. But now she has to join his magical allies to unravel his former mistress's plans. Aoife wants to keep Allison's parents apart forever.

Despite Allison's efforts to keep Ethan, the only guy she's ever cared about, out of this supernatural mess, fate keeps throwing him back into the mix.

Will Allison be able to find the amulet that holds the enchantment Aoife placed on Liam and destroy it? Are Ethan' s feelings for Allison strong enough to endure the magic of the Tuatha De Danaan?

Book One of the Danaan Trilogy

About the Author

Laura Howard

Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.

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