Thursday, February 28, 2013

The Rise of Bob McDoogal by JM Gutierrez / Tour


Synopsis

Book One: The Rise of Bob McDoogal is science fiction at heart, but is also filled with romance, suspence, dark humor, and much more! It is a fast-paced action novella guaranteed to be a "guilty-pleasure" read. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and find yourself thinking 'damn, did he really just say that?'


Excerpt

Fuck, six o’clock already? So… Tired. Another day of school. Last year, thank God. I begin to stretch and get up from the damn twin mattress which is supposed to pass for a proper bed. So much pain. Like every other morning though, nothing new. I’m six-two; this bed is too small. Between that and the Cerebral Palsy, it takes a few minutes for the cockroaches crawling around inside my feet and the pains shooting up my legs to dwindle to a tolerable ache.

Looks like Grandma Anne isn’t up yet. Hopefully she never wakes up. The clothes on the line outside should be dry. Time to stand, ARGH! I Ping-Pong off the walls down the hall and open the nicotine-stained door as quietly as possible. I don’t wanna wake Grams; she can be such a bitch first thing in the morning.

Despite the pain, I struggle through my morning routine, shower, do what lonely eighteen-year-old boys do best, and tend to my rodents. Well, seventeen going on eighteen in a month, anyway.

I keep nine, ten-gallon aquariums with rats and hamsters for breeding. As a way to make money, I sell their young to local pet shops. It sucks to eat the dumpster food my Grandma gets from her church friends, so I use my money on take-out food almost every night. She uses all the foster care money she gets for me, and all her disability money to get high and escape the harsh reality that her life isn’t, and never will be, going anywhere. All she does is lay in bed all day, wasting taxpayers’ dollars. She sets such a good example! Shit…

I load my backpack with everything I need and slam the door as I leave. That oughta wake her ass up. I limp to the front of the rinky-dink apartment complex to wait for the bus.



 Review 
This book had me riding a roller coaster throughout the entire book!  Bob cracked me up with his thoughts and commentary, while Lusha was the perfect heroine for Bob.  There were times when I wanted to laugh out loud and other times when I did.  There were times when I blushed during the "Oh My" moments in the story!  I just couldn't help it, if only I could have swapped places with Lusha for just a scene or two!  ::giggles::  Yes it was not only that exciting during these out of body moments when I wanted to jump into the book but it was totally HOT, HOT, HOT!!!  ROFLMSAO

Okay yes the story had it's moments of one moment here the next moment there, and the two main characters the author wrote in first person.  That didn't bother me so much for I was able to follow it and know who's POV started and ended where and when.  I actually liked getting inside of Lusha's head along with Bob's, needed some moments with the female heroine of the story.  lol  It was such a fast paced story that it didn't take me long before I was over 75% through the book wondering oh wow, what will happen next, how is this author going to finish off the story.  I was not disappointed in the ending...  instead was left wanting more of Bob and Lusha wondering what kind of journey the author will take me on with his next book in Bob McDoogal's Series!!!


The Author
Juan Gutierrez is a 27 year old living in Dallas, Texas. He grew up in Torrance, California. He is a Fantasy/Science Fiction writer. Inspired both Star Wars and Star Trek, he is determined to make a Galaxy Cluster all of his own. In 2012, he began his work on the character Bob McDoogal. Think The Mask with Jim Carrey (another major influence), mixed with Star Wars. That is the best way to describe his Dark humor Science Fiction Fantasy writing. He is currently working on book two of the series, aiming to have it done by the close of 2013.


Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Obsession & Sacrifice by Tiffany Carmouché


Obsession & Sacrifice Love Story

What is your name?
They tell me it is Nicole, Nicole Carlisle. I really don’t feel like a Nicole however.

Is there a nickname you’re known by? Do you prefer it?
I love it when Dylan calls me baby. He’s so sexy. I can’t believe he was my boyfriend. Bradley calls me Nikki.

Nicole Carlisle
What is your birth date and current age?
It is bad but I never asked them. I know I am at least 21 because I am legal to drink! Bradley says I like Margaritas and Tequila shots.

What is your height, weight and build?
I’m little. Just over 5 foot. Dylan’s so tall. He makes me feel so delicate. I guess I am a little over 100 pounds but they don’t have a scale in the bathroom. Both of them are pretty perfect so I guess they don’t care about their weight.

What is your hair color and style, eye color, and skin tone?
My hair is an darkish auburn brown, and my eyes are brown as well. I get tan in the summer but now…I am pretty much porcelain white-it is Alaska in the winter, not much sunbathing in the snow.

Do you have any scars, tattoos, piercings? What do they mean to you?
Yeah, I am reminded every time I look at them I am lucky to be alive. I don’t look at them that way most of the time though. I feel ugly. I trace the horrible lines with my fingertips and wish they would disappear.

How much pride do you take in your appearance?
I love it when I get to dress up to go somewhere. Since the accident, once I graduated from my oh so stylish hospital robe, I lounge around in sweats.

How do you feel about your appearance? Favorite / most hated features?
My scars I really hate my scars.

What is your preferred style of clothing for the opposite sex?
God, both Dylan and Bradley look good in anything. Bradley never wears tight shirts that showcase what a sexy body he has. If I hadn’t seen him getting out of the shower, I don’t think I would have realized it. Dylan, his clothes never camouflages his beautifully sculpted muscles. Probably jeans and a t-shirt although when Dylan dresses up, he looks stunning.

Nicole Carlisle
Who are your parents?
I don’t remember them. I have little flashes here and there, but I don’t remember.

What is the driving force / motivation in your life?
I just want to remember. I want to remember who I was, what I did, who I loved,… you can’t imagine waking up and not remembering who you are. Even tiny glimpses into my past are cherished.

What crisis are you facing at the start of the story?
I’m dying. Yeah. Kinda sucks!

What makes this crisis such a challenge for you in particular?
This whole journey in my life has been a challenge. It is amazing what you take for granted. I can’t imagine what would have happened if I didn’t have Bradley or Dylan there to help me.

What do you believe happens when you die?
I think about that all the time. They say I did die for a few moments. I don’t remember anything though. It would be cool if I did. I could write a book about it. Or paint it. I remember waking up and seeing this amazing glow around Dylan and Bradley. It was almost as if they were angels and taking me to heaven. I felt comforted. I wasn’t afraid. But I am alive! I am alive!

What belief / person / institution would you die to defend?
That is easy, my daughter.

Who has hurt you the worst in your life, and how?
Well I would have to say this psychotic killer ruined my life. Apparently he had been stalking me for a while. That is scary to me. To think someone is watching you and you have no idea. See these scars? He put me in the hospital. Yes, by far it would be him!

Who have you hurt the worst? 

My daughter. I hope one day she will forgive me. What kind of mother forgets her own child?

The Impostor Love Story

Is your family currently close? Are they a source of support or stress?
My mom and dad are amazing. We are incredibly close. When I moved in with Ronald he wouldn’t let me see them. I don’t know how I could have let him do that to me. But they are a big part of my life. 



Nicole Carlisle
Have you ever been abused? If so, how? How do you feel about it now?
I went to Alaska to get away from my ex, Ronald. It got pretty bad. He put me in the hospital more than once. I don’t know why I didn’t leave him for so many years. I guess, he was my first love, and I thought he was just going through a phase. When he beat me in front of my daughter, that is when I knew I had to have him put away. The way he He screamed at her when she was crying… I worried if I didn’t, he could hurt her too. There was no way I was going to let anything happen to my baby. When he got out of prison, let’s just say he wasn’t very happy about it.

What is your relationship status at the start of the story?
Single and free!

Describe your past relationships. How many? Who? Why did they end?
Ronald, he was my first and only. We had a daughter together. But when we moved in together he really changed.

What is your worst habit / vice?
Can trust be a vice?
I have been called really naïve, hard headed and smack worthy! I guess I get the naïve part from my folks. We try and see the good in everyone. Sometimes, however, I trust people more then I should.

What is your most cherished possession?
A customer at the bar was going through stuff in his attic and getting rid of stuff from the previous tenants. He found a locket and since he only had sons he asked if I wanted it. I put Jessica’s picture inside it. When we are away from each other, I have a little piece of her with me. I hardly ever take it off.

Whom would you contact first to share good news?
That is such a hard question because there are 3 people I would go to. Emily my best friend--I tell her everything! She is the one I ran away to Alaska with. But Bradley, he has become like my guy best friend. I love it when the club is slow and I can spend hours talking to him at the bar. And then there is Dylan. He is so different then I thought he was going to be. I would tell all of them.


The Impostor
Obsession And Sacrifice 

Julia's Rating for The Impostor
  
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nicole Carlisle images are from the portfolio of "photostock".
Images courtesy of photostock at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Cover Reveal / Emancipating Andie by Priscilla Glenn

 Title: Emancipating Andie
Author: Priscilla Glenn
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Cover Designer: Okay Creations 
Expected Release: March 2013 
Book Links: Goodreads
Facebook

Book Description
Ever since the one time Andie Weber threw caution to the wind - and paid the price for it - she’s learned that it’s safer and smarter to live life playing by the rules. Now she’s got a great apartment, a steady job, and a wonderful boyfriend in Colin; he’s sweet, stable, and essentially perfect – except maybe for the fact that his best friend is Chase.

Chase McGuire lives his carefree, unstructured life strictly for himself. Dripping sarcasm and oozing wit, he refuses to censor his feelings or opinions for anyone, making no apologies for either and wearing his abrasiveness like a badge of honor. No one has ever gotten under Andie’s skin the way Chase does – and vice versa.

So when Andie and Chase find themselves forced to take a two-day road trip together, they are already dreading an inevitable all-out war. But as the trip progresses, and the undeniable friction that has always defined their relationship slowly begins to wear away their preconceived notions of each other, Andie and Chase discover they both have a lot to learn about life, courage, happiness, and the age-old battle between logic and love.


About the Author
Priscilla Glenn lives in New York with her husband and three children. She has been teaching English Language Arts at the middle and high school levels for the past eleven years while moonlighting as a writer, mommy, coach, student, and professional laundry-doer.

If you catch her when she's feeling sophisticated, she'll tell you her favorite things are great books and good wine. In the moments in between, she'll admit her love for anything Ben and Jerry's, UFC fights, and Robert Pattinson.

Glenn is also the author of the contemporary romance/YA crossover BACK TO YOU.

Author Links
Twitter | Facebook


Blogger Sisters' Celebration & Giveaway

We are three ladies, come together, to bring our followers amazing books, reviews, interviews, cover reveals, release days, tours, guest posts and much much more!  Let's not forget the GIVEAWAYS!  Oh how we ab-so-lutely love our authors!  There is only so much one can say about a great read without giving the entire story away!  We are not known to post spoilers, but love to give you just enough information with our reviews to grasp just how much we loved the book we have read and reviewed!  You won't just find our reviews here on the blog, we also publish our reviews on both Amazon and Goodreads!  Now we would love to tell you a little about ourselves!  So continue reading to learn more about Tina, Julia, and Len!  We would also like to introduce "Our Dandy Rating."


I am married to a wonderful man that spoils me and puts up with my huge book obsession. I don't know what I would do without him. I also have the honor of being a mother to 6 handsome sons, ranging in ages 24-16. My family is such a huge part of who I am. They keep life interesting, exciting and sometimes a little crazy. My boys find my "book life" amusing, especially when I talk about my latest book boyfriend or what happened to a character in one of my magical worlds. Their usual comment, accompanied by a smile and eye roll, would be "mom you are such a mega-book nerd." I am more than okay with that. I also have 3 very spoiled daughters, with four legs. Daisy May, my beagle and queen of the house. Lily Lou, my chi-weener and mother of my puppy that always manages to be under my feet, Ivy Sue. As you may have noticed, I have my hands full.

I also work full time as an STNA doing in home care for the elderly. I enjoy my job very much and find it to be rewarding. My clients are so lovable. I do get emotionally attached to many of them, but I think that is what makes my career that much more fulfilling. From as far back as I can remember, I have had a calling to work in the field of geriatrics. Growing up in a small town, I spent most of my time with my elderly neighbors. It felt natural to spend my time listening to stories of "the good old day' while baking some new and delicious dish. I can honestly say that I love my job.

Now where do I find time to read? I don't know, but somehow I fit it in. My favorite genre is paranormal romance, but I am not limited to this. I will read anything from WWII biographies to Harry Potter. I do have a few favorite authors and books that I can't get enough of. BC Morin has written The Kingdom Chronicles with my ever handsome Brennus (book boyfriend), Stephanie Judice's Saga of the Setti (Jeremy makes me laugh, another bb), Peggy Martinez's Contingency (amazing story), Lindsay Avalon's Breaking the Nexus (definitely must reread it) and last but not least David Estes' Evolution Trilogy.

I am currently a moderator on goodreads for David Estes Fans and YA BookLovers Unite.

Come visit me at my facebook page Reading For Fun.


I am a mother of three beautiful girls and one handsome boy. There ages range from my youngest just turning five and my oldest will be fourteen in August. I'm also a wife of six years in June though it should be eleven years this month. Why should you ask? Well it's because I've gone and done the wild and crazy thing of marrying the same man twice and of course the love of my life. Before you ask, the question that is weighing on your mind, we did indeed go through the entire divorce process and finalized as well... Okay lets move on...

The past five years I have been a Stay At Home Mom, and to some not a very good one, though to me I've done okay for what it's worth. I've still got a lot to learn as before I became a SAHM I worked full time and as well as went to college for my Bachelor's of Science in Accounting. I've always loved working with numbers and math was always my favorite subject. Since getting my degree, most of what I've done with it has been my own taxes and finances. I would love to end up testing to become a CPA or CMA. Though returning to college to get the extra credits needed to test will not come any time soon. Student loans and all seem to put a big damper on that goal.

If I could go back and change anything, it would be to have followed through with going to Devry when I was accepted in 1998. What some do not know about me is my love for anything technology and electronics. I prefer printing a document to written notes, task lists to a written to-do list, email to calling someone on the phone. I would rather purchase a gadget that does more than to simply get a blender that would do the same with a little more effort on my part.

Recently I've become known as Doug Dillon's Assistant, him being an author and all of an awesome beginning to his YA, Sliding Beneath the Surface, Book I of The St. Augustine Trilogy. His knack for writing had me intrigued from the beginning to the end of the story, wanting more and leaving me hanging. We started working together and have continued as it has been an experience for both of us. I would love to continue this dream journey working for more authors promoting and helping them. One step at a time is all it takes to make your dreams become reality.

I am also a Girl Scout Troop Leader through Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma of four years now.  Our troop has grown to over 25 girls ranging from Kindergarden to Ninth Grade.  This is not done without a lot of help from the parents and other leaders involved.  I cannot say how much time it takes to do work with these girls, as the help I've received over the past few years is a true blessing.

What else can I tell you about me, hmmmm... I love the color purple, enjoy a good movie with the family, read as many books as I can get my hands on. Though I have not always been the avid reader I've turned into the past few years. I guess you could say I've never been, not since I was in school, early teenage years, coming across R. L. Stine's Fear Street series. I believe that was the only books my mother could get me to read and I kept asking for more. No, it was not until around September 2011 that I started reading again, this being after I came home from work, I caved and watched Twilight for the first time. Of course I had to see New Moon then just after that. Which lead to me purchasing the entire set (hardback box set mind you, I didn't have my Kindle Keyboard till Christmas of 2011). Since then all I've ever read on is my Kindle, more due to the fact that I cannot handle books like I used to with arthritis in my hands, they cramp up to easily holding a book. I still love getting a signed hardback or paperback book from an author. I hold them dearly as each one is special and means a lot regardless of whether I've met the author in person or gotten to know them online.

What else is there, oh I love to go roller skating, dancing, line, two-step, fast paced dancing I love it all. I like to play a game of pool here and there, as well as go to the swimming pool, water amusement parks, as well as roller coaster amusement parks, the zoo is also fun at times. I like to camp and fish as well. I have never been hunting but could see myself in the future going as I just went with the guys over Thanksgiving break this last year and would love to have experienced it. I like anything pasta, eggplant only when cooked right, as well as pizza is always a favorite. Anything from American, Italian, Mexican to Chinese is good when it comes to foods I enjoy.

On a more personal note, I love romance, passion, and happily ever after... I grew up watching the chick flick fairy tale movies and swoon over a passionate kiss or a touching heart felt moment, whether in a book, or movie, even in real life. I get butterflies, yes I just said that, over the smallest acts of kindness. A sweet compliment, to calling me darlin' means the world to me. Does this mean I should be telling the world my more personal loves, no but then I wouldn't be putting myself out there if I didn't, right?

Stalk Me


My home state is South Carolina and I have lived here my whole life. I met my wonderful husband five years ago and six months later we were married. We have been happily married for four years now. He is an amazing man who loves me unconditionally and makes me smile everyday. I am very blessed to have him and his family in my life. I am a step mother to my husband’s 20 yr old son and 23 yr old daughter. Even though they are not my own children, I accepted them in my life when I married their father. I love them very much. My stepdaughter currently lives in Virginia and my stepson will be leaving to go to boot camp in TX for the Air Force in March.

For the past 2 ½ years, I have been working as a server at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant in my hometown. As a server, I have met and talked to a lot of different people that have come into the restaurant to eat or just to shop in the store at Cracker Barrel.

Even though I read all genre of books, I really enjoy reading more of the paranormal (horror, romance, fantasy, etc.) and YA. I like a lot of authors but I will name a few of my favorites. They are Maggie Shayne, Karen Marie Moning, and DeAnna Kinney. Over the years, my collection of paperback books has grown. I have a few series of books that I haven’t had a chance to read yet but I will get to them soon enough. In 2011, my husband bought me the Ipad 2 for an early birthday/Christmas present. I love it because it has a lot more features than my Nook Color had and lots of applications that I can download. I have both the Kindle & Nook applications. My collection of ebooks is growing and most of them are freebies. I definitely have a lot of reading to do.

In October 2012, a friend of mine sent me an invite to Tabatha Vargo’s Wicked Fate Event on Facebook. I joined the event and had an amazing time. Wicked Fate was my first author/book event that I ever got involved in. I have made a lot of new book and author friends from Tabatha’s event. I was just so amazed at how many people have the same interest that I have in books. Ever since Tabatha’s event I have been receiving a lot of invites to different FB events for different authors and their books. I have enjoyed winning all different swag items, paperback & ebooks from the events and all the awesome giveaways I have entered. The past four months I have gotten very close to a lot of my book and author friends. They are amazing and I love them all.

My first Street Team that I ever got involved in is the M7 Authors Street Team. I have been in it since December 2012. I help promote the M7 Authors: Trish Marie Dawson, Lindsay Avalon, Kristie Drennin Haigwood, Miranda Stork, Tara Stogner Wood and Caroline Felicity Levy and share their books from Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, Pinterest and Twitter. These authors are amazing and I love them very much. The M7 Authors recently promoted me to be their first M7 Street Team Leader to help them out with weekly challenges and other tasks. It helps them to have free time to be able to write their books.

I helped Julia Hendrix hosts Doug Dillon’s St. Augustine Trilogy Tour event. It was an awesome experience and I learned a lot! I am also helping on the St. Augustine Trilogy Fan Page and The St. Augustine Trilogy Group on Goodreads as a moderator.

In January, Julia Hendrix added Tina Donnelly and I to her blog page, As You Wish Reviews to help her out. I haven’t ever blogged before in my life until now. This is my first time ever and I am still in the learning stages of it all. It is an awesome feeling to learn something new. I am now a reader, reviewer and a blogger. I did my first blog post in February 2013 – Treasured Chest by Zrinka Jelic with Julia Hendrix’s help. Since then, I have done a total of five blog posts on my own and have been signing up for a lot of different blog tours. Thanks Julia for giving me this chance of learning something new. I am also helping on the As You Wish Reviews Fan Page.

Come Visit Me

Our Dandy Rating
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Ab-so-freaking-lutely loved it! 
Recommend!
 
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Loved it! Infatuated with this book! 
Recommend! 

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I really liked it! An awesome read! 
Recommend!
 
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I liked it! I would suggest this book!

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A pretty good read!

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It was okay! 

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It was alright!  Not for me! 

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I finished it...


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I could not finish it...



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Monday, February 25, 2013

Hidden Wings by Cameo Renae


Title: Hidden Wings
Author: Cameo Renae
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Music and the Hidden Wings playlist
Music plays a significant role in my writing. I find that if the music I’m listening to, feeds the mood of the scene I’m writing, then my writing seems to flow much better. It can alter and set a mood, the atmosphere, and your emotions.

I do find that I am an emotional writer. I want my reader to feel, and experience what my characters are feeling, and music has played a huge part of that. 

So yes, I do use music when I write. It not only helps to block out the outside world, but transports me into my writing world. 

Below are some of the songs and music that I used to write Hidden Wings

Hidden Wings:
While writing I used the musical scores from:
Transformers (Dark Side of the Moon)
Avatar
The Island



Some of the songs I think fit the story are:

Your Guardian Angel by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
My Immortal by Evanescence
Carry Me Home by Michael Schulte
In My Remains by Linkin Park
Come Away to the Water by Maroon 5 and Rizzi Crane

First Chapter of Hidden Wings:

Chapter 1:
My eyes snapped open. I was on my back, disoriented, with strangers surrounding me. “Seventeen. She’s fading in and out,” a short-winded voice briefed the others.

A red sign glowed as we passed through a set of double doors.

EMERGENCY.

What the hell happened to me?

My heart pounded furiously against my chest. There was excruciating pain, but I couldn’t pinpoint it. It was everywhere. I tried to raise my right arm but it was fastened to some kind of board, and twisted at an abnormal angle. Strong hands held me down as I tried to sit up.

“Just stay still,” a low voice instructed.

Hot tears streamed from my burning, swollen eyes. With every breath, sharp pains shot through my chest, and every beat of my heart sent throbbing pulses through the rest of my body.

I was pulled into a small room and carefully lifted onto a bed where warm blankets quickly replaced the cold, bloodied ones. A bright light blaring down on me made my eyes ache. Faces in white and blue masks scrambled all around me. I tried to speak but my voice was too weak.

“She’s lost a lot of blood.”

Where are my parents?

I focused on the faces surrounding me, but none were familiar.

“We need to start a transfusion, ASAP!” someone instructed from a hidden corner.

I felt a prick on my left arm.

“Blood type?” a nurse asked.

“AB Negative,” another answered.

“AB Negative?” a distressed voice counters. He was hushed and the voices became muffled.

“It’s alright sweetheart. You’ll be just fine,” a female voice whispered from behind her white mask. Her bright, blue eyes fixed on mine, offering a glimmer of hope.

A mask was placed over my nose and mouth just as the pain started to numb. Voices trailed off as I faded into darkness.

*****

Before my eyes opened I felt pain, and slowly peeled my lids back to reveal a hazy world. My right arm was casted and places I never thought existed… ached. My head throbbed and acid twisted in my stomach making me nauseous. Scents of freshly bleached “things” didn’t help much.

I was in an unfamiliar room. The walls were painted in a light pink, with a thin boarder of pastel wallpaper lining the top. A TV hung from the wall, and to the side was a large bay-window with white blinds pulled half-way shut. Wires attached to my arms and face, were connected to a machine next to my bedside.

I glanced around but there were no signs of my parents. Maybe they’d stepped out for a while, or went to get a bite to eat.

Something happened. Something horrible. But I couldn’t remember. My mind was dark and blank, like a fresh canvas waiting to be painted on.

“Knock-knock,” a voice called from the doorway. “Is it alright if I come in?”

A tall, blonde woman with her hair pulled back into a long ponytail, and dressed in a black, pin-striped suit stood in the doorway. Her face was warm, donning wide, green eyes.

I nodded, returning a weak smile.

She stepped into the room and pulled a stray chair from the corner, setting it next to my bedside. After placing her leather briefcase on the floor she reached over and laid her soft, warm hand over mine.

“Hello. My name is Abigail Reed. I’m a social worker assigned to you by the state of California. I’m here to help you.”

Social worker? Assigned to me? Why’d she be assigned to me? What the heck did that mean anyway?

“Can you tell me your name?” she asked, gently squeezing my hand.

“Emma,” my voice exited in a whisper. At least I remembered that much.

“Do you remember anything about the accident?”

“Accident?” I questioned, shaking my head. “I can’t… I don’t remember anything. Where are my parents?” My mother would usually be glued to me if I was hurt or sick, and my dad was always within a glancing distance.

Miss Reed’s eyes flitted downward.

“Emma,” she started, and then paused. Her brow furrowed and then she sighed. “I’m so sorry, Emma. There’s no easy way to tell you-”

“Where are my parents?!” I demanded. A pang of fear surged through me. My heart constricted and doubt rushed through me like a tidal wave. What if they were injured? I needed to know. I needed to see them… NOW!

She took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “Emma… your parents were killed in the accident.”

It took a few moments for my brain to absorb her information.

Your parents were killed. Those horrifying words echoed over and over through my mind. And then it slammed me – reality did – like a Mack truck hitting me at full force. A shattering pain surged through my heart, quickly spreading like a brush fire, torching everything inside of me. My body began to tremble as hot tears of horror and panic sprang from my eyes.

“No-no-no. It’s not true. It can’t be true,” I cried, shaking my head. This had to be a nightmare.

“You’re going to be alright Emma,” Miss Reed said in a calming voice, gently rubbing my hand.

“How could I be alright? I just lost everyone I’d ever loved!” I suddenly realized I was alone; an only child – no aunts, no uncles, no grandparents, no surviving kin.

My world started to dive into an uncontrollable spin, and my mind became completely numb. “How… how did it happen?” I sobbed, looking directly into saddened eyes for answers.

“Well, it seems that the car you were all in, swerved off an embankment, and hit a tree while traveling at a very high speed. There were no other cars involved, so the police are running an investigation. They think it could’ve been an animal, but they aren’t certain. If it’s any consolation, your parents didn’t suffer. It was a complete miracle that you survived,” she said softly.

I couldn’t think. All I heard were loud sobbing sounds…from me. Ms. Reed suddenly became quiet.

“So what now? What happens to me?” I asked, swiping the tears from my face. Foster care? I was too old for adoption and would never let that happen anyway. Maybe my friends would take me in. In a year I’d be eighteen anyway, and could technically take care of myself. But the mere thought of being alone sent acid racing through my stomach.

Abigail cleared her throat. “Well, Emma. We’ve been contacted by a woman,” she uttered slowly, cautiously, looking at me, while her hands twisted nervously around each other. “Her name is Alaine Gray, and she’s asked the courts to appoint her full guardianship over you.”

“Alaine Gray? I’ve never heard of her.” I tried to think of all my parents’ acquaintances. None of them were named Alaine Gray, and I was sure this was the first time I’d heard that name.

She paused… “Alaine Gray is your aunt.”

“Aunt?” I shrieked. “There’s no way she can be my aunt. I don’t have any living relatives… Not anymore!” She paused, and glanced down to her briefcase on the floor and sucked in a deep breath. “Well, I hope the courts have looked into this. I hope they’re looking out for my interests, and not just sending me away to some stranger because it’s the easiest thing to do. What if this lady is a kook? Has anyone done any research on her…checked her background?”

I was angry, my words were trembling, and new tears of uncertainty flooded my eyes and cascaded down my cheeks.

“Emma,” she said nodding her head, gazing at me thoughtfully. “I’ve personally looked into this matter myself, and have undoubtedly confirmed that Alaine Gray is in-fact, your mother’s half-sister. She is your last living, blood relative and genuinely wants to take care of you. I spoke to her personally on the phone, and she has already prepared a room for you.”

“Why haven’t I ever heard of her? My mother never mentioned that she had a half-sister. Not once. Shouldn’t that have been a priority in my life? Why would she hide my only aunt from me? ”

“I don’t know sweetheart. Maybe your mother had a good reason. Sometimes things in life are better kept secret,” she expressed with a furrow in her brow.

Great. Family secrets. I never thought that my family would or could have had any secrets. We were a seemingly normal family. A happy family.

I suddenly wanted my mom. I wanted her to hug me and tell me everything was going to be alright. I wanted my dad to kiss me on the forehead, give me an encouraging word. I wished I’d died with my parents in the accident, because the thought of living without them was too much to bear.

I turned away from Ms. Reed as hot tears poured from my eyes. She placed her warm hand on my back, and I heard her sigh.

“Your Aunt Alaine is widowed. Her husband passed away a few years ago from some sort of illness, but he left her with a large inheritance. She has a beautiful home in Alaska.”

Alaska? God, wake me from this nightmare!

I kept my back to her and wept. This couldn’t be happening to me. The once beautifully, quilted fabric of my life was quickly unraveling into one giant, tangled mess.

“What if I don’t want to go?” I sobbed. Maybe there was a better way. There had to be another way to get out of this.

“Because your parents hadn’t appointed a guardian for you, the court has granted full custody to Mrs. Gray. It’s only until you’re eighteen, Emma,” she sympathized. “One year is really not that long. It will come and go before you know it.”

There was another long pause, and just when I thought she was done, she spoke again.

“I spoke to your Aunt this morning. She’ll be working closely with the state and your parent’s lawyers to take care of all the details. She is also sending an escort to take you to your new home tomorrow. I know it’s so soon, but she insisted and assured us that you’ll be given the greatest care. Don’t worry, Emma. Everything will be alright,” she expressed in an optimistic tone.

Yeah right. How could she know? She was getting paid for delivering news like this to who-knows-how-many countless kids. Miss Reed paused and then the warmth of her hand left my back. A few moments later, footsteps exited the room.

I couldn’t think. My brain hurt too much, throbbing to the brink of explosion. I was glad she left. I wanted to be alone. I wanted everything around me to completely disappear.

“Mom. Dad,” I whispered to myself. Muscles in my stomach tightened. I gripped my pillow and pulled it to my face to muffle the uncontrollable sobs. My world was quaking beneath me, opening up, sending me falling into a dark, endless abyss.

For the first time in my life I felt completely and utterly alone. Helpless. Abandoned. Lost. Why were my parents taken from me? Why did I survive? Unanswered questions pierced my already fragile heart. I hoped this was all just a nightmare. I prayed that when I opened my eyes again, everything would be back to the way it was.

I pulled the blanket up, covering my face and cried. I cried like I’d never cried before; mourning the death of my parents, and the scary unknown my life was steadily spiraling into.

*****

I must have fallen asleep for a while, and woke to whispers at the door. Whispers astonished and baffled that I had survived; that anyone could have survived such a horrific crash. But here I was… a medical marvel, with lacerations that seemed to be healing remarkably fast, and one broken arm. No head injuries, no internal bleeding, no major damage. A complete and total miracle.

I kept silent and still hoping they’d think I was still asleep, and leave me alone.

But my mind was awake and kept wondering how it all happened… The crash, that is. I tried to think back but my mind was blank, and I couldn’t seem to remember anything beyond my seventeenth birthday, so I went there. I went back to that happy place, and pulled the memory from the depths of my mind.

*****

We were all at home, a beautiful home near the beach. My parents were in real estate and made that first purchase together.

My mother adored throwing parties, and had decorated our pool area with hundreds of twinkle lights. Floating candles bobbed in the water, and everything was decorated in lime green, pink, and turquoise. There were balloons, streamers, tables filled with fancy-filled cupcakes, a chocolate fountain with an assortment of fruits, colorful candies in iridescent bags, sorbet-punch, and a spread of make-your-own sandwich stuff, neatly arranged on colorful platters.

Dad hung a huge banner which read: HAPPY SWEET SEVENTEEN, EMMA! with swirls of the matching décor colors around it.

My parents had invited my friends, along with some of their closest friends as well. I had two friends, to be precise…Jeremy Needles and Lia Ling.

Everyone sang Happy Birthday, I blew out the seventeen candles flaming atop my strawberry-cream cake, and then opened my gifts.

The adults gave me envelopes filled with cash or gift cards, which was the safest gift for a teenager these days. Lia gave me a bright-pink digital camera, with a matching pink case and scrapbooking kit, and Jeremy got me a Kindle.

“Kindle Fire,” he said with excited eyes as I opened the box. “It’s touch-screen.” He even managed to download all of his favorite books onto it. Wonderful! A lifetime worth of Jeremy Needle’s lit-picks. Just what I always wanted…Not!

They slept over that night and we watched the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy, ate popcorn, and drank Dr. Pepper until four the next morning.

*****

Two years prior to that day, we were living in an apartment in the middle of Los Angeles. It was close to my parent’s office, but mom started second-guessing me attending high school in the city. I’d gotten into some trouble with friends. You know… the friends who weren’t really friends; preppy, wannabe bitches who used and abused everyone around them, thinking they were better than everyone else.

Well, a few of them started a cat-fight in the bathroom with some Gothic chicks. The Goth girls kicked their butts (which I was secretly happy to witness), but everyone involved was dragged into the Principal’s office. I wasn’t a bad kid, just guilty by association, and therefore, suspended for a week.

That’s when the desperate search for a new high school began. My mom chose a religious, stuffy school; a total 180 from the previous one I attended. No one stood out there, because everyone looked the same. The dress code: navy blue, no-more-than-one-inch-above-the-knee skirts, white blouses, mid-calf socks and covered shoes for girls, and khaki pants with navy polo-shirts for the boys.

It was hard starting a new school without any friends. Everyone had settled into their own cliques, and I was suddenly the clique-less outsider. I remember that first day in the cafeteria, standing alone with my tray in hand, searching for a place to fit. As I did a quick scan of the tables filled with students talking, laughing, teasing, and staring; two smiling faces, sitting all alone at the back corner of the cafeteria, caught my glance. They waved for me to come and join them, and so I did… and every day since for the past three years.

Lia Ling is a shy, sweet, Asian girl: short and thin with long, stick-straight, black, shiny hair, with a cute, round face, and slightly pudgy cheeks under pink-rimmed glasses. Her mother makes her homemade lunches, which she carries in a tin Care Bear lunchbox.

Then there’s Jeremy Needles, our nerdy sidekick, aka: The Nerdmeister. Even a makeover wouldn’t work for this guy. Nerdiness was too deeply embedded into his genetic make-up. He’s tall, stick-thin, and his only noticeable muscle is his brain, which is covered with untamable, curly-brown hair. Every day he wears his bright orange, coke-bottle glasses on a large, pointy nose, and has barely-there lips. His true loves are his books and anything electronic.

Because of them, I remained an outsider with the other cliques. But, I didn’t care. I actually liked the fact that I was flying under the radar in the new school. I had no pressure to please, and a chance to breathe and have some fun.

*****

The accident must have been directly after my birthday, because there was nothing but darkness after that.

To make it worse, there was one, single question that kept beating on me, again and again… How was I going to survive without my parents? It was something a teenager should never have to worry about.

Regret started to seep into the cracks of my shattered heart. Did I tell my parents I loved them enough? Did they really know how much I appreciated them? I think they did. At least…I hoped they did.

And then, I heard my mother’s voice speaking softly in the recesses of my mind. “Don’t dwell on the negative,” she’d say. “Always look on the positive side of things. It’s a lot brighter there, and easier to find your way.” A tear escaped my eye as my thoughts lingered on her.

My future looked grim, but then… even in the darkness, there was the tiniest glimmer of hope. A hope that I did have a relative still living on this God forsaken earth that did have a part of my blood flowing through their veins, and she actually wanted me. That should count for something.

And the fact that she was related to my mom, the kindest, most beautiful person that ever walked the face of the earth, was definitely a plus. I missed my mom and the thought of her sent a piercing pain straight through the middle my heart. I wished the pain would go away, but I knew that every time I’d open my eyes, it would be there in some form, haunting me for the rest of my life.

I was tired; more like exhausted, and my eyes were still heavy and swollen. So, I closed them and faded back into a deep, needed sleep.


Review:
What can I say about Hidden Wings? I loved this book!! I could not put it down. I read it straight through and I am banging my hands on the table because I want more. 

Emma Wise is a seventeen year old girl whose life has just been turned upside down. Both her parents died in a car crash, while Emma survived. She is then sent to Alaska to live with her only surviving relative,an aunt that she didn't even know existed. If this isn't enough, strange things begin to happen to her when she meets her very handsome escort. Evil creatures begin to put their sights on her. Can she survive to make a new life? What secrets will she reveal about her mysterious aunt? Who is this mesmerizing escort?

I really can't express how much I love this story. I have been looking forward to reading this book since I read the blurb for it. Emma's character surprised me with her spunk and determination. I think if I had experienced her loss, I would have curled up into a ball and just shut everything off. Emma found strength and courage in spite of the loss and changes in her life. I couldn't help but like her. 

Kade...now he is my cup of tea! Handsome, protective, funny and did I say handsome? The chemistry between Kade and Emma was evident from their first meeting. I kept crossing my fingers that some how they would get a chance to be together. I am not going to say too much on this because I do not want to spoil it for anyone. 

Please hurry Cameo Renae with the sequel. I need more!! Great book, great story and lovable characters!

Author Bio:

My name is Cameo Renae Rosete, but as an author, I go by Cameo Renae. (It was actually my husbands idea.) I am married to my best friend, and we have two children together (teenagers now). They have been my encouragement and constant support through this whole process. Oh... and did I mention critics! :) In a good way though... My kids think I'm random and weird; their eyes tend to roll a lot when I'm around, and my husband... well, he just laughs and says I'm entertaining.
We recently moved from Maui, Hawaii (where I 've lived most of my life) to Alaska.... Yep, I know. I can hear you now...
What? Why? Are they crazy?
Well, majority of my family moved up to the AK, (see...they started it!) but we still have a lot of family that lives back on Maui, so we will be flying back and forth between the 49th and 50th states. :) Two amazingly beautiful places. I am a very lucky girl!
When I started In My Dreams, I never thought it would turn out the way it did. I really had no plan, and no structure. I just wrote, and it became. I've been perceived as a happy, random, funny (depends on your kind of humor) person. But the story is dark and kind of sad - totally unlike my personality. (There are bits of humor inserted! :))
I love watching paranormal shows, ghost stories, anything with vampires, zombies, alians, and angels...oh, and great love stories... I guess that's why In My Dreams came out the way it did.

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

Games of Fire by Airicka Phoenix

Airicka Phoenix


Interview

How do your novels start? Like vivid images, a movie played out in your mind, dreams that stay with you once you wake, or daydreams that just take you away?

Always like a movie. I try to imagine it like I’m at the theater, watching the characters bring a story to life.

Where did GoF story come from? What possessed you to put such an amazing story together?


Originally, it was only Sophie and Spencer that walked into my sights. It was a story of a wounded boy who moves to a small town, next to this girl who winds up being the one that puts him together again. But that didn’t seem to be enough. I wanted more. So next thing I knew, Sophie was being stalked and Spencer was there to protect her and fight for her.

When you look at the female characters of GoF ~ Sophie, Lauren and Jessie ~ in comparison to Lauren's motherly, protective personality, and Jessie's shyness what would you say are Sophie's main personality traits?


I think Sophie is the calmer. She keeps balance between them. Lauren is too much for Jessie to handle on her own what with her sweet, shy nature. So Sophie is the one that keeps order, makes sure that Jessie’s heard and that she’s not being overwhelmed.

What has caused Lauren to be so protective and Jessie so shy?


Lauren is just vivid. She’s strong and independent. She was raised with a brother so she knows not to take anything sitting down while Jessie is an only child, raised by a single parent. She loves her friends, but between Lauren’s exotic beauty and Sophie’s classical ones, she feels plain and out of place.

When you pictured Sophie's character (prior to starting GoF) did you picture her as the Heroine? Or the damsel in distress?


Always the heroine. I knew she would be strong, even if she doesn’t start out that way in the beginning. I wanted her to, by the end, find her worth, find her place and stand on her own two feet.

Where did Spencer's character originate from? Was it hard to write the male character with more of a feminine type romance history?


Spencer wrote himself. I had nearly no say at all. He just leapt in there and took over and I let him.

When looking at the male characters of the story ~ Spencer & Joe ~ their past defines both of them. What can you tell us about their differences and similarities?


They’re both protective. They both love with everything in them and fight to keep the love given to them. Spencer was hurt by someone he loved and he turned inward, on himself. He would rather be alone then be hurt again.

Do the characters come alive when you write?


Oh absolutely! By the time I finish the book, they may as well be people I see every day, people I’m friends with and know inside and out.

Will Game of Fire be a stand alone novel or will the story continue?


It’s a standalone. At this time, I have no plans to continue on.


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Excerpt
Tentatively, she peered up at him through her lashes, carefully assessing his reaction. It was impossible to tell with the shadows falling in strips across his face, but his slow, shallow breaths, the slight tremor in his muscles and the sharp glint in his eyes spoke volumes. He knew.

“You should go back to bed.” His voice was even, viciously controlled.

Sophie dampened her lips. “My bed?” It was undetermined what possessed her to voice the question out loud, but once it was out, no amount of wishing could take it back.

His breath drew in sharply. The precisely carved patchwork etched into the muscles of his abdomen flexed beneath her fingertips. His fingers curled into the flimsy material of her oversized t-shirt.

“Or mine.” His teeth flashed in a half smirk, half snarl. “But I promise you won’t get much sleep there.”

She would have happily melted into a thick puddle of delicious nothingness, but he was waiting … no, daring her to answer. “I didn’t plan on sleeping anyway.”


Review
Oh wow! All these emotions running through me right now. There are just so many one can feel while reading a book. I never expected to feel so many throughout the story... Touched, happy, irritated, embarrassed, sad, frightened, scared, jealousy, frustrated, angry, frisky, amazed, giddy, concerned, anxious, crushed and certain. Yes I had to look up most of those feeling words, but man each and every one I could point or describe a scene where I felt all of them as some point! This is not a book you should pass up! Written amazingly well, pulls you in from the beginning, and wraps you up in every emotion you can think of. 

There is just so much a girl can take, when a new boy moves into the house next door. Sophie finds it embarrassing to go and welcome her new neighbors with her mother and a casserole dish in hand. Regrets vanished when Sophie's whole world changed the moment she laid eyes on Spencer. She could undress him right there, low cut pants no shirt chiseled chest and defined abs. Oh gawd she couldn’t breathe. The most popular boy in school, Brian Fisher who? One word brought it all crashing down when Spencer opened his mouth! When Spencer doesn't give her the slightest indication that he is interested in her, playing games devouring her with his eyes, walking away from Sophie when he couldn't shake her.

She's got her friends, Lauren, Jessie and Joe. Now she's noticed by the most popular boy in school, recalling his name & Spencer was put aside, Brian invited her to a party. Who knew if this was when the whole stalker thing started or if it was later, but Sophie is a magnet for trouble. When three guys try to do things in a small bathroom upstairs it was all Sophie could do to get away, running smack dab into Spencer after slicing up one of the bigger guys chasing her with a set of keys poking through her fingers!

Lauren and Jessie were there every step of the way, through the ups and downs as Sophie worked her way past Spencer's walls of hurt and anguish. She fought to tear them down only to cause more pain and hurt that he didn't want her and would never be ready for something serious. Sophie finally throws in the towel and rather than confronting Spencer she avoids him like the plague. Joe is there for her, one of her best friends since Kindergarten. I totally flipped when she mentioned going to the Valentine's Dance to Joe when Spence had already asked her!

The threats started when she got too close & Spencer's walls started crumbling down. Spencer letting her in more than once, sharing kisses and making out most all the time. Oh the kisses were so freaking hot that I thought any moment the clothes were coming off! Wow to have a man kiss me like that! To think I could die of an over passionate kiss!!! Alright totally got off the subject, but you try reading this story picturing Spencer in a hot and heavy KISS!

The story moves on with a whole lot more twists and turns, a stalker amongst the group, encircling Sophie and Spencer. At ever corner, every move they made the stalker was right there with them. Watching, waiting...Soon very soon...

Who was the cause of the new threats and stalker? Spencer or Sophie? Did the stalker want to scare them apart? Was there more to Spencer's past, unknown? I had my eye on a character from about a third of the way into the book. Though I won't tell my early on theory, I will say I was right!

 My Rating

About the Author
Airicka Phoenix is the best-selling author of the Touch Series with short stories in Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology and Midnight Surrender Anthology. When she's not hammering away at the keyboard, she can be found banishing pirates or crawling through the attic looking for lost treasure with her kids. She loves baking, gardening and reading. She also likes to travel and take pictures of everything she comes across. When asked, Airicka describes herself as a sarcastic basket case that has an unhealthy addiction to chocolate, old movies and really bad jokes. She loves to laugh, make friends and write. If she could have one wish granted, it would be to spend one day as a fly-on-the-wall inside Stephen King's mind. If she could have two wishes granted, she would ask for a castle dedicated entirely to her overwhelming collection of books. 


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