Thursday, 25 September 2014

Review #16 - Love Spirits (What Happens in Venice, Book 1) + GUEST Post! ¦ TOUR STOP!



Title: Love Spirits (What Happens in Venice, Book 1)
Author: Diana Cachey
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2014
Genres: Romance, Paranormal

A brief synopsis;
Louisa Mangotti is a gorgeous American lawyer and Interpol expert who, after being offered a job working with the international crime unit in Venice, receives a mysterious postcard from the Venetian Ghosts, the ancient protectors of the Republic. But Louisa assumes her bad-boy ex, Matteo, sent it in a quixotic attempt to gain her attention.
Louisa may have dismissed the ghosts, but the ghosts aren't quite done with her. When the bodies of two glassmakers wash up on Murano Island, the cryptic messages persist. 
Reluctantly, Louisa calls upon Matteo to help decipher the clues. And before she knows it, a flame that was never fully extinguished is rekindled.
Sensing that her sister is in over her head, Barbara Mangotti rushes to the rescue, only to be lured away by two handsome Venetian men. 
With time running out, can the two beauties solve a crime that could threaten the city of Venice itself?

Wednesday, 10 September 2014

Cover Reveal! Play of Light

Title: Play of Light
Author: Debra Doxer
Published: December 8th, 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

This is a stand alone story.

A brief synopsis; (Via Goodreads
I lived in paradise, and I loved Spencer Pierce.  
At fourteen, my life was perfect. The beach was my playground, and the boy who stole my heart lived just around the corner. But perfect never lasts. In one horrifying moment, I lost it all. My family was destroyed, and the boy I believed in turned his back on me. Paradise became a nightmare. 
That was five years ago. Everything changed when we moved from our home by the sea. I’ve changed, and I don’t like who I’ve become. I miss the smiling, carefree beach girl who disappeared that terrible night. I want to find her again. I want to face the people we ran from so long ago. Most of all, I have to face Spencer. So I can prove that when he broke my heart, he didn’t break me. 
But when I see him again, Spencer Pierce is no longer the boy from my memories. He’s now a man who could devastate me if I let him. He watches me when he thinks I’m not looking. There’s regret written on his face when he’s near. Each time I see him, my heart aches for what might have been, and I think his does too. How can I convince myself I’m over him when I suspect he never got over me? 
Click Read More for an exclusive excerpt, the cover design and a giveaway!

Tuesday, 9 September 2014

Review #15 - The Kite Runner

Title: The Kite Runner
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Published: 2003
Publisher: Bloomsbury


A brief synopsis; (via Goodreads)

 1970s Afghanistan: Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the local kite-fighting tournament and his loyal friend Hassan promises to help him. But neither of the boys can foresee what will happen to Hassan that afternoon, an event that is to shatter their lives...



Book Highlight - Daughter of Isis


Title: Daughter of Isis
Author: Kelsey Ketch
Series:  Descendants of Isis #1
Release Date: October 26nd, 2013
Genre: Upper Young Adult Fantasy

“Her mouth parted slightly, waiting for Seth to breathe life into her own body, just like in the story. She wanted him to awaken her senses.”

Their worlds collide in California’s high desert.

The last thing Natara “Natti” Stone wants to do is to start anew at Setemple High School. She wished she had never left London. Yet the brutal murder of her maternal grandmother has made her life very complicated. The only clue related to her murder is an ancient, encrypted necklace Natti discovered after her grandmother’s death. And if trying to adjust to American life is not enough, Natti is being stalked by a mysterious, charming high school senior, Seth O’Keefe, who is annoyingly persistent in his attempts at seduction.

Seth O’Keefe is secretly a member of the Sons of Set, an order that worships the Egyptian god of chaos. Seth’s blessing from Set, his “charm,” never failed, except with one person: Natti Stone. Her ability to elude him infatuates and infuriates him, and he becomes obsessed with the chase. But the closer he gets to her, the more his emotions take a dangerous turn, and he risks breaking one of the most valued covenants of his order. The punishment for which is a fate worse than death.

The adventure this unlikely couple becomes engulfed in could cost them their lives and their souls.

*Note: Content for Upper YA*


***Praise for Daughter of Isis***

Daughter of Isis is an addicting and enthralling read brimming with Egyptian mythology. Readers will be pulled into the story after simply reading a page!” —Emily, Reader Rising

I always enjoy a good book about Mythology and Daughter of Isis brings a thrilling modern day spin to one of the tales. Kelsey Ketch wove the story perfectly and sucked me right into her magnificent world.” —Naomi, Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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•Excerpt•

“Natti, you need to relax,” Seth finally said.
She froze in her place and looked at him. “Relax! Are you mental? My best friend was drugged!”
Seth stood up from the long, ratty sofa, peeled apart her hands, and took them into his. “You don’t know that for sure.” He brushed his thumbs over her skin in soft, smooth strokes. “Just let the doctors worry about it.”
The calm, soft tingle of his touch seeped through her skin, coursing lightly over her nerves and releasing their tension. Her mind and body began to calm down, making her realize how badly every muscle had been physically shaking. Slowly, layer upon layer of fear and stress simply vanished until she felt nothing at all. She looked up at Seth’s eyes, drawn to their warmth and comfort.
“Okay . . .” Natti spoke, almost breathless. “How do you do that?”
“Do what?” Seth’s voice was seductive as he leaned his forehead against hers. His scent of spice cologne, myrrh, and sandalwood consumed her senses, and his eyes captured her soul.
“This,” she pressed. “The sensations of your touch. I’ve been feeling it all night and even before. Ever since we met. And don’t try to lie. I know you’re doing it, but how?”
Seth smirked at her question, his eyes turning their focus to her hands. “It’s nothing.”
Natti couldn’t help smile as more of the tingling sensation slipped over her skin. “Oh, it’s something. What is it?”
His beautiful full lips tempted her with a smile. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Try me.”
Silence fell between them while he seemed to think it over, meanwhile massaging her hands with his thumbs and fingers. The pressure, the release, each movement slowly pulling her thoughts and focus onto his hands. “Touch is a magical thing, Natti,” he explained. “It can comfort.” He raised one hand and stroked her cheek, soft and gentle. “It can entice.” His thumb moved along her jaw and applied pressure as it traveled down her neck, causing her to shiver with delight. “And it can hurt. Whatever the intensions, it brings two people together. It makes a certain . . . connection.”
Though there was no heaviness of a lie, she chuckled at his response. “You’re right. I don’t believe you. Touch is just a sense. A tool the human body uses.”
“Yes, and it’s a powerful tool when used the right way.” His honey voice teasing her, tempting her. “Now come sit with me and relax. Wanda will be all right.”

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•About the Author•


During her high school years, Kelsey Ketch could always be found tucked away in a little corner of the hall or classroom, writing her fantasy worlds and creating illustrations and maps. Today is no different, except now she’s writing in the break room at her office building or at the tables of the Barnes and Noble Café in Cary, North Carolina. She is also an avid reader, a part-time book blogger at Ketch’s Book Nook, and lives with her two orange tabbies and awesome and humorous flat-mate.
For more information, please visit her site at kelseyketch.com.



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•Giveaway•

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Highlight hosted by Good Choice Reading Blog Tours


Monday, 8 September 2014

Book Raves! Housten and Chapter By Chapter. (PLUS GIVEAWAY)

There are so many great things happening at these two events!

At
New Rochelle, NY

1. You could be a secondary character in Jennifer L. Armentrout’s NEXT book! Learn how here: Secondary Character Contest

2. You can purchase a signed copy of STAY WITH ME if you cannot attend!

3. The day will be filled with a book signing, parties, giveaways, and more! Time is running out so get your tickets before there is not more!


**********************

#HBR14

HOUSTON, TX
Things you can do at HBR
1. Get your books signed
2. Mingle with all the authors before the signing
3. Get TATTOOED!
4. Have a Fun Photo Booth Session with Jay Crownover
5. Check out the Muscle cars from the Marked Men and Welcome to the Point Series
6. Meet cover model Pepe Toth at Jennifer L. Armentrout's table.

more to come!!
Visit our webpage to see all of our events!
TrinDee Events (tdevents.net)


GIVEAWAY

Help us spread the word and you could win a copy of #Rowdy by Jay Crownover!




Saturday, 6 September 2014

Stencil Saturday - Week 3!


Welcome to Stencil Saturdays, Week Three!

'Stencil Saturdays' is an original weekly project/meme, starting right here, that I (and hopefully you!) will partake in. The aim is to produce a piece of fiction- creative writing, in the form of poem or prose, describing something- and what that is is totally up to you!

My challenge for you guys is to write your own description, and do this, just like me!

If you wish to partake, then the rules are:
- Write as much or as little as you like!
- You can post your response where ever you feel most comfortable- on your blog, as a comment here, or just keep it to yourself.
- If you do post your response, add the URL of the post or comment containing the entry to the appropriate week's Stencil Saturday into the LinkUp!
- Please link back to my blog, The Book Carousel, in your response!
Each Saturday, I will include in the post my favourite entry of the previous week! This is not a competition, just a little exercise and a chance to have some fun! Good luck and happy writing!

My Entry:

Deep within the murky depths is where I glide, my long, translucent limbs floating by my side, my scaled wings outstretched behind me, fluttering silently, slicing through the water. My body is made for this, I am built to twist and turn through the plants, over and under the marine life forms.

Sea creatures are very beautiful. I do not believe there is anywhere that could compete with the vast array of species that all co-inhabit under the waves. Not even the jungles that lie above the surface.

But that's no matter; I do not need a jungle to see the creature that I seek this fine evening. I do not need the ocean.

To break free of the waves is a refreshing event, as my gills retire and my lungs enter their service period, I climb out of the water, clambering to perch myself upon on some rocks. The moon is high above, the stars scattered and minute, I do not wait long.

Before I know it they are approaching me, wings flitting and bodies completing turns of three-hundred and sixty degrees. They glow in the sky, blues and purples, greens and ambers. The only thing that would make this more perfect is if the glow flies appeared. But the glow flies do not live around these waters.

I cup my hands, holding them out in the open space, allowing them to approach me. When one does, I raise it to my face, softly, inspecting it. Its wings are soft, body plump and round. It is like me, but minuscule. It is like me, but a permanent land dweller. It is like me, but beautiful.

My entry was based on this picture:

Writer’s Block
A picture says a thousand words. Write them.
Mission: Write a story, a description, a poem, a metaphor, a commentary, or a critique about this picture. Write something about this picture.
Be sure to tag writeworld in your block!

Taken from this source, and this blog post.