Wednesday, October 30, 2013

New Adult Paranormal Romance Releases Tomorrow!






Goodreads | Releases October 31, 2013
New Adult Paranormal Romance
Fighting Fate Series, Book 1

Chosen

Nothing can stand in the way of outspoken, rule-breaker-extraordinaire, Kaddy Richston…except destiny. Born with wildly colored hair and piercing gray eyes Kaddy knew she was different, but she set her sights on her ambitious dreams of being in a rock band and leaving her small town behind along with the painful memories of her past.

But destiny has other plans for her. 

When the calm, cool, and always collected Cole Huntington enters her life he takes a strange interest in her, his striking blue eyes never wandering far from her every move. Despite her efforts to push him away, he plans on unraveling every single one of Kaddy’s dark secrets even though he has some of his own. 

Despising each other from the start, Kaddy is determined to undermine whatever intentions he has until she learns of a destiny she never asked for. The fate of the world lies in her hands as she learns how different she really is. The only person she can turn to for answers is the last person she’d want help from: Cole Huntington who seems to dislike her rule-breaking as much as she dislikes his rule-following.

Sometimes destiny sucks.




Paulina Ulrich

I have always loved writing, telling stories, and the idea of dreaming big because where I come from, you dream big or you don't dream at all. I'm a full-time author with my slightly insane cat, Juey, who is always happy to keep me company as he so often thinks he can lay on my keyboard to "assist" my writing. I write stories because life wouldn't be as fun without the occasional break from reality.

I am the author of the YA paranormal romance Flightless Bird series, the mature YA/New Adult paranormal romance Fighting Fate series and many more stories to come. When I'm not writing it's either because I ran out of iced tea, I'm out 







Excerpt

“Kaddy, wait.” I heard Mike trailing me as I turned out of the Wheel Barrel.

            I pressed a hand to my temple and sighed. “Yeah?”

            “You okay? I know you didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.” Mike scratched the back of his head and looked down at me, worried. “Maybe some lunch will help.”

            “What I need is sleep, and what needs to happen is for me to stop having these stupid night terrors.” I leaned back against the hot brick building for a moment.

            “You can’t help it. It’s not your fault.” Mike leaned on his shoulder next to me, his hands deep in his apron pockets.

            “I know, but I hate it. Why can’t they stop?” I smacked my hand to my forehead and sighed. Against my palm, my skin felt too warm. Was I getting sick? Great. It was the last thing I needed. “Do I feel warm to you?” I dropped my hand and looked over at Mike, giving him permission to touch me with a simple confirmation from my eyes.

            Slowly raising his arm, the back of his hand pressed against my cheek. “Damn, Kaddy. You’re burning up! Do you feel all right?”

            I shrugged. I did feel all right, just a little warm. “I feel fine. I need some sleep. Promise to plan on going to bed early tonight?” I doubted he would keep this promise. He and I always stayed up late writing music.

            Mike got a playful glint in his eye. “You know I’m a night owl. No promises there.”

            I sighed and rolled my eyes. “We both are.”

            Mike still had his hand pressed against my cheek until it shifted up to tug his gray beanie down on my forehead. “Maybe it’s just my awesome hat that’s making you overheat. Who wears a beanie in August?” he joked and I playfully scowled at him as I readjusted the knitted beanie.

            “Oh, I’m sure that’s it,” I laughed and gave him a gentle punch on the arm.

            “Whoa.” He took a step back. “You been working out or something? That hurt.” Mike held his upper arm like I had socked it with everything I had. I stood there waiting with my “really?” look and raised my eyebrows in anticipation for his mischievous face to appear. If Mike was anything, he was a jokester. Just like I expected, a few seconds later, he cracked a smile on his lips and started laughing.

            “You always think your little jokes are hilarious!” Even when I rolled my eyes, I couldn’t stop his infectious laughter from causing me to laugh.

            “Kadster, we know I tell the best jokes. I eat sarcasm for breakfast every day.” He winked and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I didn’t shy from his touch.

            “So do I, but no one but you find anything I say funny.” I looked up at him as he walked me to the corner of the block, the direction of home. Only Mike called me the Kadster. Actually, he had a lot of nicknames for me and I didn’t mind it. He was one of the few I would let getaway with calling me things other than my name.

            “It’s because everyone is just jealous of the awesome friendship we’ve had since we were eight. Haters gonna hate.” He shrugged and his other hand pretended to dust off his shoulder. Mike was the only friend I counted on for anything. Long ago, we made a pact, and so far, he’s kept every word he promised to keep.



Tuesday, October 29, 2013

New Adult Authors You Should Know - Magan Vernon




Honor student, manager at the campus coffee shop, owner of an impressive sweater collection – Melanie Wilder has it all together. Then John “John Boy” Walden strolls into her life wearing nothing more than an impish grin and all-too-revealing loin cloth.

Soon, make-out sessions replace homework, lust triumphs over work. And to further crumble her perfect world, an unexpected phone call threatens to take away everything she’s worked for.

Now, as Melanie struggles to pick up the pieces, she realizes that John may be the only one to put her life back together…unless he shatters it first.

**This is not a sequel to The Only Exception. It's a companion novel with two characters from the first book. You don't need to read The Only Exception to understand this book.**







Magan Vernon is a Young Adult and New Adult writer who lives with her family in the insurance capital of the world. She is in a very serious, fake relationship with Adam Lambert and constantly asks her husband to wear guyliner. He still refuses. She also believes her husband is secretly an alien, disguised as a southern gentleman.
To enter the giveaway, please go to each blog and enter the corresponding code into the Rafflecopter.
This is Blog #14 and the code is MAGANKRISTIE
Blog #15: www.jlfynn.com
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Monday, October 28, 2013

What Do You REALLY Know About Domestic Violence?


It's Domestic Violence Awareness Month and my Share the <3 Giveaway is still going! This week, several blogs are helping to spread the awareness by sharing facts, tips and stories about domestic violence. I hope you'll check them out! So far we have:

A story of courage by Soul Savers fan Nikki Morgan at http://psmartinez.blogspot.com/2013/10/share-luv-by-spreading-awareness.html

Learn about safety plans for those in an abusive relationship and how to help if you know someone who is: http://www.snackandjill.com/2013/10/special-post-share-campaign-part-2.html

Do you know how many people in the US are victims of violence by an intimate partner? Find out at http://www.comfortablyread.com/2013/10/share-love-with-author-kristie-cook.html

If you know someone in an abusive relationship, find out the most important thing you can do at http://www.shelbyrebecca.com/


A survivor's story from the National Domestic Violence Hotline at http://amykmcclung.blogspot.com/2013/10/domestic-violence-awareness-month.html

Learn the percentage of people injured by intimate partner violence (IPV) at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=461819263930656&set=a.403773563068560.1073741827.403764233069493&type=1

Do you know how many Americans experience psychological aggression by their intimate partner? You'd be surprised! Find out at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=536904299718720&set=a.492407080835109.1073741828.492369957505488&type=1

Do you think it's over because they ended the relationship? Not so fast. Find out more at http://ginsbooknotes.com/2013/10/26/domestic-violence-awareness-month-tip/

Think you don't know anyone who's been raped or beaten by someone who says they love them? Think again. Learn the numbers at http://bookshelfsophisticate.blogspot.com/2013/10/share-the.html

Learn more facts about domestic violence and its consequences from NISVC at http://idaho-iscsw.tumblr.com/post//support-the-national-domestic-violence-hotline

The impact of domestic violence is long-reaching. Find out more at http://alifeboundbybooks.blogspot.com/2013/10/october-is-domestic-violence-awareness_27.html

Think you know what domestic violence looks like? Find out if you're right at http://littlereadridinghood.com/domestic-violence-awareness-month-2/

A story of bravery and determination by another Soul Savers fan, this one in Ireland, at http://literaryredemption.blogspot.com/2013/10/share-love-with-kristie-cook-help.html?zx=6e10d7eea4ea16bb

How many reported rapes are by intimate partners versus how many by strangers? Find out at http://onemorechapterreviews1.blogspot.com/2013/10/domestic-violence-awareness.html

Domestic violence isn't limited to adult relationships. Find out more about teen relationships and how Author Brenda Pandos learned this the hard way at http://www.brendapandos.com/2013/10/love-is-respect.html

Don't forget to enter the giveaway! Donate to The Hotline at https://donate.ncfv.org/NDVHKristieCook and send me your receipt to publisher (at) angdora (dot) com and each dollar you donate earns you an entry to win this incredible Indie Book Nerd shirt signed by over 40 amazing authors, a bundle of my books signed, swag, a bundle of audiobooks or a gift certificate from Amazon, B&N or iTunes - winner's choice. You can gain extra entries in the Rafflecopter below.




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Saturday, October 26, 2013

Double Cover Reveal and Giveaway!

Cursed and Possessed Double Cover Reveal and Giveaway!

Cursed (The Thorne Trilogy Book I)
by R.K. Ryals

Cover by Eden Crane Designs


Synopsis:
A grimoire. A witch. A Demon.

Ellie Elizabeth Jacobs, often known as Monroe due to her fascination with vintage attire and old movies, is an 18 year-old witch and a darned good one! But there is also something very wrong with her. Demonic energy makes her powers stronger, she has the ability to ward off Demons, and Lucifer wants her.

Sometimes being bad is better. Or at least that's how Luther "Thorne" Craig feels. The hybrid Demon son of the cursed Cain and the Demon Lilith, Luther is reluctantly sent to New Orleans, Louisiana by his brother, the hybrid Demon ruler of the Outer Levels of Hell, to protect Monroe from Lucifer's searching Hellhounds.

But what happens when things go wrong?

In this riveting spin off from R.K. Ryals' Redemption series, Monroe is faced with an old grimoire, an ancient curse, and a journey to discover a family secret that may surprise them all.

Excerpt:
"Can I see that?" NeeCee asked suddenly, and I looked up to find her standing over me, her hand outstretched, her gaze on the grimoire.
I narrowed my eyes. "Why?"
NeeCee sighed. "I think I know something that may help you."
I felt myself start to panic and tamped it down. The only thing worse than dust (I'm a slight neat freak) was Bernice's gift for inadvertently abusing magic.
"I don't know "
"Oh for God's sake!" NeeCee said irritably before snatching the book out of my hand.
I tried grabbing for it and failed.
"NeeCee ..." I warned.
She ignored me, dancing around different glass displays, her eyes on the book. She was naturally clumsy, but inside a store she'd practically been born into, she had the grace of a gazelle. It worked against me.
She paused abruptly, twisting so that her stomach was against a display of dried herbs, her index finger moving down a page. The display between us was too thick for me to see the parchment clearly, and I started edging toward her, my heart beating fast.
"NeeCee ..." I warned again, my teeth gritted.
She grinned. "Look! It's a reversal spell. This could help, you know. And it's simple."
She lifted a candle from a cabinet behind her and lit it. It was black.
Crap!
I blew the wick out.
"No!" I cried. "There is no way in hell I am letting you perform anything on me. Understand?"
Bernice frowned, her forehead creased. "You really have that little confidence in me?"
I could hear the hurt in her voice, and I felt a pang of sympathy. Truly I did, but I wasn't about to let it affect my judgment.
"I have plenty of confidence in you, NeeCee, but these are old spells. They are unpredictable. Extremelyunpredictable."
Bernice lit the candle again and moved it behind her, her finger trailing the page. She turned, facing me.
"Quae mea tua sunt, tua mea sunt quid . . ." she proceeded stubbornly, her chin raised, her eyes large and confident behind her spectacles.
The words were Latin. I recognized them instantly and cringed, jumping onto the display case, my blue dress riding all the way up to my hip. At this point, I didn't give a flip if a customer came in right now and got an eye full of my black low-rise panties. I just wanted the dead blasted grimoire.
"NeeCee, no!" I shouted, just as the black candle behind her exploded, ebony wax falling onto the wooden surface around it.
I covered my face, but even though the blast sounded loud inside the store, there was no collateral damage. The only outwardly disturbing sign was a small, perfect wax circle made of six black spots on the worn wood around the scarlet glass candleholder. I winced. Bernice froze.
"NeeCee," I whispered.
"Yeah?" she muttered.
I stared at the ruined workstation as the grimoire fell to the floor at Bernice's feet. "That wasn't a reversal spell."

Buy Links for Cursed –




Possessed (The Thorne Trilogy Book II)
by R.K. Ryals
Cover by Eden Crane Designs
Expected Release – November, 2013

Synopsis:
Calling a Demon forth wasn’t the wisest thing the Ayer’s witches have ever done.  For centuries, the Ayers have been slaves of the Demon Lilith, one Ayers witch destined to do her will while another was sacrificed to the Hunters. But Monroe Jacobs has changed the rules …
A witch from the Ayers' line, Monroe’s powers have always been connected to Demons and now she knows why. Once a slave to Lilith, she has thrown off her blood ties to the Demon queen by calling on her son, the hybrid-Demon, Luther. Now Monroe must discover what it means to be a witch while fighting off demonic possession.
For Luther “Thorne” Craig, his attraction to the witch, Monroe, isn’t just a complication, it’s a distraction. He’s always been happy with his life, serving the denizens of Hell while living flamboyantly, but now he’s declared war on his mother and Lilith won’t rest until she sees him dead.
Armed with her own book of shadows, Monroe is dragged into a civil war between mother and son while Luther fights his demonic need to truly possess her.


Excerpt:
"You should cast spells skyclad," he murmured.
A flush worked its way up my neck, the image of me unclothed inside a circle stark in my head. I'd never done a spell skyclad. Even my initiation had been done fully clothed.
I glared at him. "You're right. You are a monster."
He chuckled. "Be bad for me, witch. You might find you like it."

Add Possessed to your TBR list on Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18715280-possessed



About The Author:
R. K. Ryals is a scatterbrained mother of three whose passion is reading whatever she can get her hands on. She makes her home in Mississippi with her husband, three daughters, a Shitzsu named Tinkerbell, and a coffeepot she couldn't live without.

Stalker Links:


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

New Adult Authors You Should Know: Jennifer Lane





In a world gripped by organized crime, family dysfunction, and dim hopes of redemption, can true love persevere? For Sophie Taylor, a beautiful psychologist who lost everything when she violated an ethical boundary, and Grant Madsen, a handsome naval officer who sacrificed everything to protect a loved one, finding that love may carry an unbearable cost.

Starting their lives over in Chicago, both are fighting influences from their family and running as fast as they can to escape the past. When their paths cross outside the parole officer's door, the attraction is instantaneous. But a hidden connection may not only shatter their fledgling love, but prove deadly to them both.










People fascinate the psychologist/author (psycho author) known as Jennifer Lane. Her therapy clients talk to her all day long about their dreams and secrets, and her characters tell her their stories at night. Jen delights in peeling away the layers to scrutinize their psyches and emotions. But please rest assured, dear reader, she isn’t psychoanalyzing you right now. She’s already got too many voices in her head!

Stories of redemption interest Jen the most, especially the healing power of love. She is the author of The Conduct Series—-romantic suspense for adult readers—-and recently completed the third and final installment: On Best BehaviorStreamline is her first foray into writing for young and new adults, but she’s found this sort of writing even more fun. A former college swimmer, Jen was able to put a lot of her own experiences into this book. 
Whether writing or reading, Jen loves stories that make her laugh and cry. In her spare time she enjoys exercising, attending book club, and hanging out with her sisters and their families in Chicago and Hilton Head.


To enter the giveaway, go to each blog and enter the corresponding code into the Rafflecopter.

This is Blog #14 and the code is JENNIFERKRISTIE

Blog #2 www.StephanieLawton.com
Blog #3: www.chasingemptypavements.com
Blog #4: http://lisaswallow.net
Blog #5: http://maravalderran.blogspot.com
Blog #6: http://www.lgcastillo.com
Blog #7: http://naughtylittlekisses.blogspot.com
Blog #8: http://danielelanzarotta.blogspot.com/
Blog #9: http://authoryolandaallen.blogspot.com/
Blog #10: http://dawnaraver.com/
Blog #11: http://tawdrakandle.com
Blog #12: http://midtown-underground.com
Blog #13: http://tyffanickemp.com
Blog #14: www.KristieCook.com
Blog #15: www.jlfynn.com
Blog #16: www.lisasanchezromanceauthor.com
Blog #17: www.adriannejames.com
Blog #18: http://jadenwilkes.blogspot.ca/

 
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Monday, October 21, 2013

Share the Love for The Hotline - and Win!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and time for the second annual "Share the <3" campaign! 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men just in the United States have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime (Center for Disease Control statistics). You likely know someone who lives through this nightmare every day - a relative, a friend, a coworker or a neighbor down the street. Too many don't live. And too many children witness the violence to/between their parents - or are direct victims themselves.

Thankfully, help is available. Unfortunately, not enough people know whom they can call for help - safely and privately. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides this kind of secure resource, helping survivors of abuse do what they need to do to reach safety and restart their lives. I, along with many other authors, bloggers and readers, ask you to join us in supporting The Hotline so it may continue to provide the refuge people need. Help us "Share the <3" because "all <3's deserve to feel safe."




If you can donate even $5 to The Hotline, you could be supporting one phone call that can save a life. And for each dollar you donate, you can be entered to win my Share the <3 Giveaway! Simply email your receipt(s) dated 10/1/2013 through 10/31/2013 to publisher (at) angdora (dot) com. There are other ways to enter, as well, in the Rafflecopter below.


You can win!!!


An Indie Book Nerd t-shirt signed by over 40 authors, including Kristie Cook, G.P. Ching, Tabatha Vargo, Tiffany King, Shelly Crane and Isaac Marion, author of Warm Bodies; Kristie Cook's Soul Savers and Book of Phoenix books signed; and a bag full of swag.

A bundle of Kristie's Soul Savers Series audiobooks, Books 1-5.

$25 gift card to Amazon, B&N or iTunes

So give what you can, email your receipt and gain extra entries below. The more you give, the better your chances of winning these amazing prizes. PLUS, I will be matching all donation receipts, up to $1,000. So your donation will be doubled!

Thank you for your help and support! Think of all that can happen if we each "Share the <3" today.

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