Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Sacrifice Scavanger Hunt

For more information on the scavenger hunt click here to read the Instructions. What do a conduit, a creature of light and a badass lion shifter have in common? Well plenty. One they have the same parents and two they are all characters in Stacey Rourke's Gryphon Series.  

Sacrifice
Gryphon Series Book #3
Stacey Rourke

Celeste Garrett has finally found a happy balance in her life as the Chosen One, thanks in large part to a certain hunky Irishman. But if there’s any lesson she should heed since receiving her calling it’s that everything can change in the blink of an eye. Soon a terrible new threat, unlike anything she’s ever encountered, causes her to make a gut-wrenching choice that will strip her of someone she holds dear.

As much as she’d like to have a pity party for one, there’s no time for that now because wedding bells are ringing in Gainesboro! In between dress fittings and rehearsal dinners Celeste will have to fend off attacking demons and leering pirates. As if the Dark Army wasn’t scary enough our heroine is faced with the horrifying trauma of attending a bachelorette party with her mom and watching Grams do Jello shots. Is a walk down the aisle even possible for a member of the Garrett family when the Dark Army is out to destroy them? More importantly, will the Dark Army Glee Club sing at the reception?

Raise your glass to the happy couple, and get ready for a wedding…Conduit-style.



You can find Sacrifice

Goodreads-
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16048393-sacrifice
Amazon Kindle-
http://www.amazon.com/Sacrifice-Gryphon-Series-ebook/dp/B00C3ONLP2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365207335&sr=8-1&keywords=Sacrifice+by+Stacey+Rourke
Amazon Paperback-
http://www.amazon.com/Sacrifice-Stacey-Rourke/dp/0988633442/ref=sr_1_2? ie=UTF8&qid=1365207335&sr=8-2&keywords=Sacrifice+by+Stacey+Rourke
Barnes & Noble Paperback-
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sacrifice-st-rourke/1113582628?ean=9780988633445
Barnes & Noble Nook-
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sacrifice-st-rourke/1113582628?ean=2940016688077
Smashwords-
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/255032


About the Author-
Writing is something I have always done. I can remember in elementary school creating stories that I would stand up and read aloud to my classmates… whether they liked it or not. As I grew older I didn’t flaunt my writing as freely. It became something I did just for me to vent my teenage angst, or chronicle my journey to adulthood. I never thought about becoming a writer because that title prompted the visual of a grey-haired man in a tweed smoking jacket with suede elbow patches, slaving over an old fashion typewriter while puffing away on a pipe. No way was that stuffy kind of life for me. (Plus tweed is itchy.) Instead I wanted to be in the spotlight! I wanted to be–pause for dramatic effect–an actress! I gave it my best shot, too. Got about as far as any aspiring actress can get in Flint, Michigan. Which is exactly no where. But I did get two great things out of my time delving into the theatrical world; I gained the ability to act out the scenes I write to make sure they’re believable (yes, I really do that and no, you can’t watch) and I met my amazing husband.



My theater ambitions behind me, I decided to do the “mature,” “grown up” thing and went back to college. As I worked toward my Bachelor’s degree in marketing I did a lot of writing. Essays, research papers, PowerPoint presentations. All of it mandatory, none of it what I would ever call fun. Even then, becoming a writer never entered my mind. No, then I was going to be a business tycoon… or somethin’. Truth be told, I never picked writing. It picked me. During my time as a stay at home mom I needed an outlet to give me a mental break from diapers, formula and midnight feedings. That’s when my hands found their way back to the keyboard. Story ideas began coming at such an incessant rate that my rapidly clicking fingers couldn’t keep up. Post-It notes and scrapes of paper with story ideas decorated every inch of our house. In mid-conversation with my husband I would dart off to jot down things that would come to me. Sweet guy my hubby is, he would just shake his head at my obvious rudeness and hold my place in the conversation.



My first book was completed for an entire year before I told anyone about it. I outed myself as an author and then sent out my first round of query letters to literary agents. Surely, it would be picked up immediately and become an overnight success! Yeah, not so much. For two years I got rejection, after rejection, after rejection, after rejection…you get the idea. Thankfully with the ever increasing pile of rejections came feedback. I digested all the suggestions and applied the usable ones to my manuscript. Little by little, the rough edges were chipped away and the diamond shone through. The work paid off when I received an email from a publisher offering me a contract on The Conduit.



It’s been a long road, and it ain’t over yet. But now, at thirty-mumble, mumble years old I finally know what I wanna be when I grow up–-a writer.



Follow Stacey Rourke:
Goodreads-
Facebook-
Anchor Publishing-
 
Excerpt
Bernard banged his cane against the floor in six rapid-fire successions. His round face flushed red, then         . “Training time isn’t over!”
Caleb glanced over his shoulder at the glowering          . “What’s with the hostile envir’ment?”
“Oh you know, same old, same old. I don’t respect my              duty of pummeling inanimate objects, blah, blah, blah. Maybe Gabe will train with me to appease Mr. Sunshine.” I looked to my brother with a hopeful expectation.
Bernard folded his arms over his chest and scowled.
“Sorry, Cee,” Gabe raked a hand through his recently grown-out hair. He usually kept it buzzed, but Alaina insisted he grow it out for the wedding. He fiddled with the whole inch of it almost as much as Kendall did with hers. The two of them had daily scuffles over ‘mirror time’ in the bathroom. My low maintenance ponytail and I were very                    by this.
“I don’t need to train,” he said with a cocky smirk. “I’m a lion. It doesn’t get any more               than that.”
Gabe ignored my eye-roll and circled his hands around Alaina’s slender wrists to pull her into his waiting arms. She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Couples suck,” Kendall grumbled and tossed the bridal magazine aside.
Against the far wall of the garage—flanked by Gram’s flamingo lawn ornaments—Bernard’s pinched up         face warned of an impending gnome-sized embolism.
Just as he opened his mouth to unleash what was sure to be a nasty verbal bashing, Caleb intervened, “I’ll spar with her.”
Bernard’s beady eyes narrowed. “I don’t know ... ”
“I think it’s a heck of a lot more effective than me fighting a bag.” I matched Bernard’s arm fold and raised him a                   sneer.
Bernard took a deep breath in through his nose, and let it out through pursed lips. “Fine. Do not hold back,” he barked at Caleb, then pointedly turned his glare to me, “at all.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Caleb shot me a wink.
Gabe unchained the punching bag and leaned it against Grandpa’s dusty old work bench, then took a seat on the floor with Alaina and Kendall. Caleb and I faced off in the center of the garage. He yanked off his hooded sweatshirt and tossed it to his sister (That would be Alaina, by the way. Long story. He was abducted by a demonic army as a child and she joined the good guys as a Spirit Guide. Huh, look at that. I made a long story surprisingly short.)
He brought his hands up and struck a defensive pose. The thin material of his           t-shirt tightened across thethe                  muscles of his torso. That visual stimuli caused a wandering gaze that couldn’t be helped. With his knees slightly bent, his jeans hugged his thighs in a way that proved very distracting.
“Ahem ... I’m up here,            . Not that I don’t appreciate a good oglin’.”
I hurriedly assumed a fighting stance, my cheeks and ears                 bright red. “Sorry. I’m good. Let’s do it. This! Let’s do this!” Gabe, Alaina, and Kendall all snickered from the sidelines. “Crap. Let’s just get this over with.”
Caleb’s                         face folded in mock hurt. “Ya say it like that and I’m inclined tah think ya won’t enjoy it at all.”
“I think we both know that’s not true.” I grinned.
“Well then...” He jerked his head to the side to crack his neck and blinked hard. When his eyes opened the           was gone. In its place blazed            red irises. Visible red flames danced beneath the surface of his skin. “Give us a kiss.”

Monday, April 15, 2013

Interview with Victoria James and review of A Risk Worth Taking


Today I have the joy of having the author of A Risk Worth Taking, Victoria James!


Before we start talking about your book, why don’t you tell everybody a little bit about yourself?
Sure. I write emotional, passionate romances for Entangled, Indulgence. My second book, A Risk Worth Taking is out now. It’s the first book in my Red River Series. I’m also a wife, mom of two young children, and interior designer.

What other things besides writing do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love interior design and decorating. Most of my free time is spent with the kids and husband!

Where do you get your ideas from?
Everywhere! Really, I love observing people, and find myself daydreaming when I see interesting people.

Out of all of the stories you’ve written so far, what would be your favorite and why?
That’s like asking a mother to name her favorite child ;-) I love whichever one I’ve just completed (that could be because I’m just so relieved to have it finished, lol).

Tell us something funny about yourself that not a lot of people know about?
I’m a total wimp! I hate spiders, mice, can’t even look at pictures of rats…

Does any of the stories you’ve written based on real life experiences or basically just from imagination?
Mostly from imagination, but certain events may shape different scenes in a book. In my current release, A Risk Worth Taking, the infamous mouse scene is loosely based on something that happened to me during our home renovation.

What do you think is the hardest thing about being a writer?
Self-doubt. I struggle with this all the time. I go back and forth between loving and hating what I write.

Tell us about your next book:
Book Two in the Red River Series is coming out this July, 2013. This is Jake and Claire’s story, and I’ve had so much fun with their characters! They are both really headstrong and sparks fly whenever they are in a scene together.

I can't wait to read more from this series! Thank you for stopping by the Litter Box...








Review:
A Risk Worth Taking by Victoria James started off with a scene that had me picturing it as a movie. It would be a Rom-Com that starred Katherine Heigl . Actually, it reminded me of Life As We Know It starring, you guessed it Katherine Heigl. Once the comparison was made it couldn’t be undone. Both Heroine’s were named Holly, both kind of stiff and controlled. But the baby received in a depressing way is where the BIG similarities end.


I do believe some of Holly’s internal issues was forced. Guilt for being alive when she wasn’t involved in the accident what so ever? Ella growing up resenting Holly for being alive and raising her because her mother is dead? It all seems really unrealistic. Unless Ella grows into an irrational bitch I don’t think it’s an issue. Yes, she would be sad but it won’t have anything to do with Holly not being dead.

I did like the book; I actually like it a lot. The hero, Quinn was damn perfect. From his name to his personality to his jaw dropping sexiness.

It did piss me off that Quinn didn’t SAY what he felt. I don’t want to be all spoiler-ish but all the book’s drama and hurt or most of it could have been avoided if he had. I was screaming WHY? As I read. LOL He did make up for it all with this: “…if I had thought for one second that you meant what you said that night, I would have come after you," *swoon swoon flipity flipity SWOON* Gawd I love Quinn!

Now normally I don’t like baby romances because I’m not a big baby person but this one is worth the read. Hee hee.

Cover Whore: The cover is simple yet I LOVE IT. It is everyday hot. The white wife beaters and jeans has that realistic everyday couple romance feel. I adore it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, April 8, 2013

Awakened by Inger Iversen Blog Tour

Inger Iversen is not only one of my favorite authors she is also one of my favorite people. It is true, I stalk her often. I was given the chance to ask her about her Top Ten favorite songs when she is sad. (Writers are moody so I knew she'd have some readily available. :-P )

Top 10 songs when you are sad.

1.  Switchfoot- Dare You to Move-  Best motivator when feeling down.

 

Favorite Lyrics:

 

“Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?”

 

2.  Battle Scars- Lupe Fiasco and Guy Sebastian: Best post break-up.

 

                               Favorite Lyrics:  

 

“The wound heals but it never does

That’s cuz you’re at war with love

You're at war with love.”

 

 

3.  The Weeknd- Wicked Games: OMG when you feel ALL is lost!!

 

Favorite Lyric:

 

“So tell me you love me

Only for tonight, even though you don't love me (Only for tonight)

Just tell me you love me”

 

 

4.  Ellie Goulding- Dead in the Water: Honestly I don’t know the lyrics, just sounds sad.

 

5.  Evanescence- My Heart is Broken: This is dedicated to my father, who passed away when I was seventeen.

 

Favorite Lyrics:

 

“I can't go on living this way, but

I can't go back the way I came, chained to this fear

That I will never find a way

to heal my soul

And I will wander until the end of the time

Half alive without you”

 

6.  Flyleaf-Enemy: I love this song; awesome lyrics simple yet full of meaning.

Favorite Lyric:

 

“I am asking for you to forgive me

for everything.”

 

 

7.  Nightwish-Ghost Score Love Song: This ten minute song is a mix of symphonic heavy metal and the talented vocals of Tarja. Think Within Temptation or Epica with—in my opinion—a better singer.

 

Favorite Lyric:

 

“You were the one to cut me

So I'll bleed forever.”

 

 

8.  Dido- Here with Me: This was the Roswell theme song, one of my favorite sitcoms. Dido has an awesome voice and I used to get teary eyed when I listened to it.

Favorite Lyrics:

 

“I won't sleep

I can't breathe

until you're resting here with me.”

 

9.  Ellie Goulding-Hanging On Edit: I love her voice, but only in certain songs.

 

Favorite Lyrics:

 

“Touch me and then turn away

And put your hands into the flame

Tell me if you feel this pain

Cause I don't want to be a ball and chain.”

 

10. Black Lab-This Night: Everything this group writes are sings, I love!

 

Favorite Lyrics:

 

“I know I'm not forgiven

but I need a place to sleep.

So take this night

and lay me down on the street

I know I'm not forgiven

But I hope that I'll be given . . .

Some peace.”

 
 
 
Awakened
Few Are Angels Book #2
Inger Iversen
What must he overcome to protect her?
With no clue of what to do next and the responsibility of looking after Alex and Mia as promised, Kale is up to his ears in problems and no solutions. How will Kale save Ella, keep Alex and Mia safe, control Jace as well as control the Bloodlust that creeps beneath the surface waiting to be released? Will Kale be Ella’s savior or will he convict her to a fate worse than the one Laurent has already promised her?
What truths will she learn?
Ella knows that the choices she makes affects not only her but everyone else around her, but what about the choices made to find her? Ella learns the truth about the death of her parents, learns that the ones she thought she could trust aren’t so trustworthy after all.
How will Ella handle these betrayals, and will she be able to sacrifice what is necessary to obtain eternal life?
 
And because I am totally in love with Kale

Excerpt #2 (Kale)

 
I arrived at the lake near Mia’s home and parked the car on the side farthest from the house.
I ventured into the woods, following the rogue Chorý’s scent to Mia’s backyard. A figure stood in one of the windows on the second floor, awaiting my arrival. I hadn’t expected to arrive unnoticed, but I’d hoped. With Mia’s parents out of town and Mia with Alex, I wasn’t worried about any unexpected guests.
The back door was wide open. I headed inside and followed the melted ice up two flights of stairs and into a room in the back. I entered slowly, keeping my hands at my sides to show that I had no weapon. I was sure that this wouldn’t end well, but I needed to assess the situation before it blew up.
“And I thought you said that you didn’t care,” crooned a husky voice from the corner veiled in darkness.
“Who says that I care?” I shrugged.
“Your presence here says a lot, wouldn’t you say?”
“Or maybe I want to send you back to Laurent with a message.”
“Do I look like some errand boy to you?” The bald man stepped from the shadows. Anger marred his face.
“You telling me that you aren’t Laurent’s whipping boy?”
The bald man growled in anger and then visibly calmed. He raised his hands in surrender. An innocent look replaced the dark shadows that had at first plagued his face. “Hey, I’m just sitting here waiting for my blond princess to come home, and you break in and insult me.”
“And I guess I should just leave and let you, what was it you said—”
“Oh, I said that I am going to rip her throat out for her betrayal.”
I rolled my eyes. “Betrayal. Is that what this is all about?” I shook my head and looked to the ceiling, searching in vain for patience.
“Okay I can see you’re getting bored, so let’s spice things up a bit. I say we make this a game, shall we? I’m Xavier, and you must be Kale.” He swayed, and he leaned into the purple wall in Mia’s room.
 The moon’s light reflected from the bright white snow outside, illuminating the room in a milky haze. Pictures of Mia with some old flame shook as he leaned into the wall. He reached up and straightened the photo before plucking it off the wall. I smiled.
“A game?” I leaned against the dresser, glancing at the photo in his hand. If he could pretend to be relaxed, so could I. Why did stalkers always seem at ease, when they were the main reason for the disturbance? “What kind of game are you suggesting?”
He looked pointedly at me before rolling his eyes. “A battle of wits.” Sarcasm and annoyance laced his voice.
“I was told that you’re pretty nasty in battle.” He clapped his hands, rubbed them together, and then pulled them to his lips. “You were the one that left that nasty little scar on the Council hunter’s face, and you also took down the last death bringer.” He smiled.
I couldn’t tell if he was amazed at what I had done or jealous that he hadn’t done it himself. “And you want me to teach you to fight?”
His smirk morphed into a snarl of anger and then into a full-bellied laugh. I smiled.
He shook his finger at me as he laughed. “A comedian as well, eh?”
“If it pays the bills.”
He laughed again. “Wow. Standup comedians are making good money in this economy? I guess maybe I should take the sweet li’l princess with me on the road when I start my tour?”
I released an aggrieved breath. “You called me here to discuss a career move?”
Xavier suddenly moved closer; I straightened.
No-o,” he cooed, drawing the word out. “Why don’t we see who is the strongest?”
“Strongest?” I laughed. “What? Would you like to clear the table in the corner and arm wrestle?”
“Funny.” He lifted the picture of Mia to his mouth and kissed it. “If I win, I get her.”
“Never going to happen.”
“Yes, well I’m sure you think so, but for the sake of the game, let’s—”
“This is not a game; this is the life of an innocent girl you are talking about.”
Xavier laughed as he flung the picture of Mia onto the bed. “She is food, and that is it. I don’t understand why you feel the need to treat her any differently.” Xavier looked at the picture on the bed and then back to me. “You can fight for her, or step out of the way and let me have her.”
His smiled baited me, and his laugh grated my nerves. I didn’t love Mia, and at times she drove me insane, but I would not allow Xavier to harm her.
“What are you suggesting?”
“I’ve been lonely.” He ran his hand across the white nightstand at the head of the bed. I raised a brow at his peculiar statement. “I was thinking of that sweet-smelling blonde and how long it’s been.”
He looked up at me with soulless moss green eyes. “You know, since I’ve held a woman.” He cackled as his meaning dawned on me.
My shock and disgust no doubt fueled his fire. I moved from the door, standing no more than an inch in front of him.
“Yes, please tell me that you have a problem with this.” His hot breath assaulted my senses. He had just fed, and I could smell the human’s blood on his breath. The blood still smelled fresh, and I could only imagine the satisfaction its warmth would give.
 
 
 
 
Inger Iversen lives in Virginia Beach with her tree-hugging boyfriend Joshua and her overweight lap cat Max. When not reading or writing she spends her time watching reruns of True Blood or killing zombies in Call Of Duty.

Author Links-
Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/kris10inger
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5829788
Website- http://www.ingeriversen.com/
Facebook Fanpage - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Inger-Iversen/187900437937819?fref=ts


Friday, April 5, 2013

Aberrant by Ruth Silver Cover Reveal

Aberrant
By Ruth Silver
Expected Publication Date: April 17, 2013
Cover Designed by Lazy Day Publishing


In the future dystopian society of Cabal, the government instills equality for all and offers its citizens the perfect system. There is food, shelter and jobs for everyone. The one requirement is to follow the rules without question, including the government's match in marriage and "The Day of the Chosen", a lottery that randomly selects families to conceive children as natural means hasn't existed in generations. Following her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Parker accepts her requirement to marry her childhood best friend, Joshua Warren, and is eager to start her work assignment and new life when it all comes abruptly to an end as she's arrested and thrown in prison. The only crime committed, her existence. Olivia is unlike the rest of the world born not from "The Day of the Chosen." The truth haunts the government and puts her life in grave danger as one simple fact would destroy the perfect system.
With Joshua's help, Olivia breaks free of prison and is forced on the run. Together they set out to find the promised rebel town in search of a new home and new life together. Their situation seems less than promising as they reach the town of Haven. New rules and customs must be adhered to in order to stay. Leaving would mean most certain death in the large expanse of the Gravelands. Time is running out as the government mounts an attack to destroy Olivia and bury her secret with her. Thrown into a world unlike their own, they must quickly adapt to survive.



About the Author
Ruth Silver attended Northern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor's in Communication in the spring of 2005. While in college, she spent much of her free time writing with friends she met online and penning her first novel, Deuces are Wild, which she self-published in 2004. Her favorite class was Creative Writing senior year where she often handed in assignments longer than the professor required because she loved to write and always wanted to finish her stories. Her love of writing led her on an adventure in 2007 to Melbourne, Australia. Silver enjoys reading, photography, traveling and most of all writing. She loves dystopian and fantasy young adult stories. Her debut novel published by Lazy Day Publishing, ABERRANT is scheduled for release April 2013. Ruth has been actively writing since she was a teenager. She currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.


You can visit her online at http://writeawaybliss.com




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Casse's bookshelf: read

Truly, MadlyThe Final Dance TrilogyUnder Sea's ShadowIn Stone's ClaspOn Fire's WingsTalk Me Down

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