Always a Booklover

The magic of books just enchants me. I love reading, what more can I say?

Blog Tour: Sun God Seeks... Surrogate? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff - Excerpt + Giveaway (Accidentally Yours #3)


Hey guys! Welcome to today's blog tour! So, Sun God Seeks... Surrogate? is the third book in the Accidentally Yours series. This book is a paranormal romance with aspects of action, adventure and comedy. It is 295 pages long and the heat level is sensual.

So, hope you enjoy! I have also put in Books 1 and 2 so you can take a look if you're interested in this series!


Sun God Seeks... Surrogate?
Book 3

When 24-year-old Penelope learns of a new miracle drug that could cure her ailing mother, it’s the answer to her prayers. Until she sees the cost. But for every door that closes, a window opens. In this case, the window calls herself Cimil, and she’s quite possibly the most insane person Penelope’s ever met. Could it be because this complete stranger just offered Penelope one million dollars to carry her wealthy brother’s baby?

But Cimil’s brother isn’t your everyday millionaire. In fact, he gives new meaning to the word hot.


Buy it from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo


Accidentally In Love with... A God?
Book 1

Twenty-two-year-old Emma Keane has a secret friend. He’s powerful, mysterious, and devastatingly handsome. In her dreams, anyway.

In real life, he’s an enigma. Maybe just a teensie jealous. Definitely overbearing. He’s also a voice only she can hear.

So who or what is he? He won’t say. But if she wants to be free, to be normal, Emma will have to trek to the jungles once ruled by the Mayans and find the forgotten ruin holding the answers.

However, the ruthless deity she’s about to unknowingly unleash on the modern world might not be so easily extracted from her life. Bottom line, he’s got enemies, and now, so does she.


Buy it from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo



Accidentally Married To... A Vampire?
Book 2

“If you love her, set her free. If she comes back, she’s yours. If she doesn’t…Christ! Stubborn woman! Hunt her down, and bring her the hell back; she’s still yours according to vampire law.”--Niccolo DiConti, General of the Vampire Queen’s Army.

THE DETERMINED VAMPIRE: Niccolo DiConti has faithfully served as leader of Her Majesty’s army for over a millennium, but he’d rather sunbathe in the Sahara than spend another grueling day under his demented queen’s command. However, no one has ever left her side and lived to tell. So when a powerful goddess prophesies he will meet his salvation—a human woman he must turn into a vampire with her consent—he eagerly rises to the challenge. After all, how hard could it be to seduce a human female into taking the immortal plunge? Harder than he thinks. Because his mate won’t be born for another three centuries, and when he wakes up in the goddess’ tomb, not only is his life a mess, but his destined female isn’t about to settle for a coldhearted vampire. Can he win her over before it’s too late? Not if his enemies have anything to do with it.

AN UNWILLING BRIDE: On the night Helena Strauss meets the fierce, devastatingly handsome vampire who saves her life in the jungles of Mexico, she knows her world will be forever changed. Because an attraction this mind blowing only comes along once in a lifetime—or existence. And when he claims she is his one true mate, destined to be his for all eternity, it’s a fairytale come true. So what if her knight in shining armor is a vampire? Nobody’s perfect. But discovering the powerful, overbearing immortal doesn’t “do love”? Deal breaker. Helena will flee and set out to accomplish the impossible…sever the otherworldly bond between them. And it turns out, Helena is just the leverage Niccolo’s enemies need to break the mighty warrior and wipe out his people.

WARNING: This book contains sexual content (For some of you, not enough. I know. I’ll try harder, I promise.), adult language, hot men with unrealistically large physical characteristics, female whining (What? I whine all the time. It’s a healthy form of venting!), silliness, snark, sarcasm, and blatant abuse of the English language.


Buy it from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo


Mimi Jean Pamfiloff


Before taking up a permanent residence in the San Francisco Bay Area, Mimi spent time living near NYC (became a shopaholic), in Mexico City (developed a taste for very spicy food), and Arizona (now hates jumping chollas, but pines for sherbet sunsets). Her love of pre-Hispanic culture, big cities, and romance inspires her to write when she’s not busy with kids, work, and life…or getting sucked into a juicy novel.

She hopes that someday, leather pants for men will make a big comeback and that her writing might make you laugh when you need it most.




Time for a short excerpt!

Wondering which screw in her head had come loose this time, twenty-four-year-old Emma Keane strapped a parachute to her back in preparation for yet another fun-filled jungle mission.

“Dammit! Stop wiggling!” she barked over her shoulder. “And that had better be your flashlight!”

Well, actually, it was a cranky, rather large warrior named Brutus strapped to her back and wearing the parachute because she had yet to find time for skydiving lessons.

Dork.

In any case, looking like a ridiculous, oversized baby kangaroo wasn’t enough to stop her from making this nocturnal leap into enemy territory—Maaskab territory. She had scores to settle.

Emma sucked in a deep breath, the roar of the plane’s large engines and Brutus’s growls making it difficult to find her center—the key to winning any battle. And not freak out.

Funny. If someone had told her a year ago that she’d end up here, an immortal demigoddess engaged to the infamous God of Death and War, she would have said, “Christ! Yep! That toootally sounds about right.”

Why the hell not? She’d lived the first twenty-two years of her life with Guy—a nickname she’d given her handsome god—obsessed with his seductive voice, a voice only she could hear. Turned out, after they finally met face-to-face, their connection ran blood deep. Universe deep, actually. A match made by fate.

Emma rubbed her hands together, summoning the divine power deep within her cells. One blast with her fingertips and she could split a man right down the middle.

“Careful where you put those,” Guy said, cupping himself.

Emma gazed up at his smiling face and couldn’t help but admire the glorious, masculine view. Sigh. She knew she’d been born to love him, flaws—enormous ego and otherworldly bossiness—and all.

His smile melted away. “Please change your mind, my sweet. Stay on the plane, and let me do your fighting.”

“Can’t do that,” she replied. “The Maaskab took my grandmother, and I’m going to be the one to get her back. Even if I have to kill Tommaso to do it.”

Guy shook his head. “No. You are to let me deal with him.”

Emma felt her immortal blood boil. She’d trusted Tommaso once, and he’d betrayed her. Almost gotten her killed, too. But she’d known—well, she’d thought—it wasn’t Tommaso’s fault. He’d been injected with liquid black jade, an evil substance that could darken the heart of an angel. That’s why, after he’d been captured and mortally wounded, she’d begged the gods to cure him.

Then she did the unthinkable: she’d put her faith in him again.

Stupid move.

He’d turned on her a second time, the bastard. Yes, his betrayal—done of his own free will—was her prize on that fateful night almost one year ago when her grandmother showed up on their doorstep in Italy, leading an army of evil Maaskab priests, her mind clearly poisoned.

“If Tommaso hadn’t helped her escape, we could’ve saved her,” she said purely to vent, because she really wanted to cry. But the fiancĂ©e of the God of Death and War didn’t cry. Especially in front of the hundred warriors riding shotgun on the plane tonight.

Okay, maybe one teeny tiny tear while no one’s looking.

“Do not give up hope, Emma.” Guy clutched her hand. “And do not forget…whatever happens, I love you. Until the last ray of sunlight. Until the last flicker of life inhabits this planet.”

Brutus groaned and rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed by the sappy chatter.

Emma elbowed him in the ribs. “Shush! And how can you, of all people, be uncomfortable with a little affection? Huh? You bunk with eight dudes every night. That’s gross by the way. Not the dude part. I’m cool with that. But eight, big, sweaty warriors all at once? Yuck. So don’t judge me because I’m into the one-man-at-a-time rule. That’s messed up, Brutus.”

Brutus growled and Guy chuckled.

In truth, Emma didn’t know what Brutus was into or how he and his elite team slept, but she loved teasing him. She figured that sooner or later she’d find the magic words to get Brutus to speak to her.

No luck yet.

Accepting a temporary defeat, she shrugged and turned her attention back to the task at hand. She took one last look at her delicious male—seven feet of solid muscle with thick blue-black waves of hair and bronzed skin. Sigh. “Okay. I’m ready,” she declared boldly. “Let’s kill some Scabs and get my granny!”

She glanced over her other shoulder at Penelope, their newest family member. Her dark hair was pulled into a tight ponytail that accentuated the anger simmering in her dark green eyes. Pissed would be a serious understatement.

Emma didn’t blame her. What a cluster.

“Ready?” Emma asked.

“You better believe it,” Penelope replied. “These clowns picked the wrong girl to mess with.”

Guy frowned as they leaped from the plane into the black night.



Enter the tour-wide giveaway here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


So yep, that's about it for today! Thanks for visiting! :)

Blog Tour: Sulan by Camille Picott - Guest Post


Hey guys! Welcome to today's tour! So Sulan is a YA Dystopian, Cyberpunk story. It was published by Pixiu Press on the 4th of June this year. This is Episode 1: The League. The book looks amazing, just take a look! Sorry today's post is so late, by the way! Had exams today and this completely slipped my mind! Alright, its 2.30 am here now. Off to bed!



Sulan

Sixteen-year-old Sulan Hom can’t remember life before the Default—the day the United States government declared bankruptcy. As a math prodigy, she leads a protected life, kept safe from the hunger and crime plaguing the streets of America. She attends the corporate-sponsored Virtual High School, an academy in Vex (Virtual Experience) for gifted children.

Beyond the security of Sulan’s high-tech world, the Anti-American League wages a guerrilla war against the United States. Their leader, Imugi, is dedicated to undermining the nation’s reconstruction attempts. He attacks anything considered a national resource, including corporations, food storage facilities—and schools. When Sulan witnesses the public execution of a teenage student and the bombing of a college dorm, she panics.

Her mother, a retired mercenary, refuses to teach her how to defend herself. Sulan takes matters into her own hands. With the help of her hacker best friend, Hank, Sulan acquires Touch—an illegal Vex technology that allows her to share the physical experience of her avatar. With Touch, Sulan defies her mother and trains herself to fight.

When Imugi unleashes a new attack on the United States, Sulan finds herself caught in his net. Will her Vex training be enough to help her survive and escape?



Camille Picott


Camille Picott has been writing books since the age of twelve. She specializes in science fiction and fantasy stories with Asian-inspired settings and Asian main characters. She is the author of two middle grade fantasy books, Raggedy Chan and Nine-Tail Fox.

In her spare time, Camille loves to read books and write reviews. Her reviews are written from a writer’s perspective, highlighting various aspects of craft found in the books she reads.

To visit Camille, and to read her book reviews, go to her Website.



Praise for Sulan, Episode 1: The League:

“This is a smart book, combining cyber-punk elements with a dystopian future. I really enjoyed Picott’s world-building and hope for a sequel to fill out the pieces we get. This is a fast-paced, smart young adult read that I think anyone interested in teen, dystopian, or cyber lit will enjoy.”- AliBird, Amazon Reviewer

“ I’m not a huge fan of cyberpunk, but Picott’s highly entertaining and witty YA novel completely won me over. Every chapter springs its own surprise and ends with a perfect cliff hanger that won’t let you put the book down. Sulan’s character is also a real gem. Her tenacity in the face of adverse circumstances — from being vertically challenged to dealing with villains — makes you root for her every step of the way.”- Arlene Ang, Amazon Reviewer

And now, let's welcome Camille to the blog to talk with us about dreams! It's really inspiring:) *claps hands*


Going After Your Dream

Today I’ve been asked to write about dreams. I’ve decided to share some of the details about my lifelong dream of becoming a professional author.

I started writing novels when I was twelve years old. I completed one novel in junior high, one in high school, one in college, and another one after college—none of which were ever published (though not for lack of trying). Some of the novels were HUGE—at least 150,000 words. I also started writing short stories after college, and had my first fiction publication at age 27. (Yep, that’s 15 years and four novels after I decided I wanted to be a writer.) I published my first book at age 30. (18 years and a U-Haul full of rejection letters later.)

I was the kid who got up early in junior high so I could write before I went to school. I was the teenager who skipped high school football games so I could stay home and write. I was the young adult who worked at Barnes and Noble until 11pm, then came home and stayed up late writing, then got up early and went to college. (My Dad still tells stories about getting up in the middle of the night and hearing me typing away in my bedroom.)

Sometimes I forget how long I’ve been pursuing my dream of becoming a professional author. I’ve been chasing it for 22 years. The desire is so ingrained in me that it’s become a part of who I am. Even though I have 3 published books under my belt, my ultimate pipe dream is to support my family with my writing.

I’ve learned a few things along the way. The most important of those is that failures are opportunities in disguise. I know, that sounds totally cheesy. But the fact that I’m not making a living at writing has helped me garner some great experiences that have enriched my story telling.

I currently have a career in purchasing, planning, and product development in the wine industry. (I love wine almost as much as I love my job and the company I work for.) The last 8 years I’ve spent in corporate America inspires much of Sulan, Episode 1: The League. If I hadn’t “failed” at writing, I never would have gone to work in corporate America, and I never would have learned many of the things that inform Sulan. As I look back on my writing career, I am glad I was forced to pursue other work that broadened my horizon.

All of life’s experiences can help shape your writing. As I live each day, I try to keep myself open to the opportunities and experiences as they are presented to me.

And, of course, I keep writing.

Thanks, Victoria, for hosting me on your blog today!



So yep, that's about it for today! Go here to check out the other tour stops! You'll find loads of awesome stuff on the other tour sites too! :D

Blog Tour: Yesterday's Heroes by Heather Long - Excerpt + Guest Post + Giveaway


Hey guys! Welcome to today's tour stop! Sorry its late up, had exams today! Anw, Yesterday's Heroes is the first book in the Boomer series. It looks amazing and I certainly can't wait to read it! :)


Yesterday's Heroes


Aurora “Rory” Graystone

Codename: Halo

Abilities: Superior reflexes, I.Q. and aptitude for calculating probabilities

Mission: Find missing teammates


Rory knows she’s being watched, and she’s not about to let the hunter catch her in his trap. She’ll confront her stalker, a man she suspects is involved in the disappearances of other superheroes--if she can ignore the sensual heat that fills her every time he’s near…

Michael Hunter

Codename: Hard Target

Abilities: Expert tracker and sniper

Mission: Kill Rory Graystone

One of five desperate men sent back in time to save the future, Michael believes eliminating Rory is the key to his mission. But even as he takes aim, a split second of doubt causes him to miss his shot.

Drawn together by passion, and on a collision course with fate, can Rory and Michael work together to change the future? Or have they set in motion the horrific history the time-travelers are trying to prevent?


Buy it from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | All Romance Ebooks | Carina Press | Kobo |

Also available on Audio


Heather Long


Heather Long lives in Texas with her family and their menagerie of animals. As a child, Heather skipped picture books and enjoyed the Harlequin romance novels by Penny Jordan and Nora Roberts that her grandmother read to her. Heather believes that laughter is as important to life as breathing and that the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus are very real. In the meanwhile, she is hard at work on her next novel.



Time for a short excerpt!

He missed.
He never missed.
Michael stared at the sidewalk swarming with citizens and shopping debris. His bullet had hit one of the shopping bags, turning it into scraps of leather, metallic buckle bits and paper drifting in the air.
How the hell had he missed?
Michael allowed himself the twenty seconds it took him to collapse the rifle back into his bag to analyze. But it was twenty seconds too long.
Her slender, lithe body appeared over the roof’s edge and landed, one knee and one foot down for balance. Power coiled through her body’s compact musculature. Intelligence shimmered in her violet eyes. Danger sheathed her like a halo.
She was absolutely magnificent.
“Going somewhere?” Her voice undulated, low and husky, the sardonic notes pinging his nervous system as though they were played on a too-tightly-strung guitar.
“Unfortunately, no.” A flick of his wrist dropped the small-caliber weapon into his hand, but the woman rolled, twisting and turning through the air as she avoided his bullets.
Incomprehension tangled with irritation. He never missed.
Until today.
Twice in as many encounters.
“Tsk, tsk. Didn’t your mother teach you not to play with guns? If you’re going to shoot at something, hit it. Otherwise, what’s the point?” The come-hither voice was close and the liquid heat in her tone tormented his cock. He narrowly jerked his head back, avoiding her fist whiffing the air just millimeters from his nose. But he had no time to savor his victory as her arm completed the arc, punching down on the crook of his elbow.
Nerves screaming, he released the gun and jerked himself to the right to avoid the blow of her leg lashing out at his knee. He struck back, unsurprised that she avoided the strike. She used her forearm to send it wide and swiveled so that his own mass and velocity sent him flying over her shoulder.
An unexpected grin turned up the corners of his mouth. Despite her slighter frame and fragile appearance, the she-vixen offered him a challenge.
God she’s fast.
He slammed against the rooftop and rebounded to his feet, pivoting to face her. Gone was the sweet white t-shirt that hugged her breasts. In its place was an almost-white body suit that lingered like a lover on every curve. A rainbow swath of color wrapped around her right thigh, cut up across her hip and over her abdomen to blaze a trail of treasure to her left breast. The Kevlar-based polymer shimmered in the morning sun.
It was both practical and erotic.
Deep within his brain, the microchip he’d thought dead flared to life. Data scrolled across his internal eye, a mechanized voice reciting the information
Target acquired: Codename Halo.
Abilities: Superior reflexes, high I.Q. and an uncanny knack for discerning the possibilities
Suggested defense: Unknown
Suggested offense: Unknown
Computers were not meant to be sarcastic, but the advice carried the weight of dry humor that Michael associated with the programmer it imitated.
“Got a name big boy?” Her words were a provocative tease and his body tingled in response.
Her voice spawned a physiological side effect on his anatomy. It must have a correlation with her ability, but the chip remained silent on the matter. Her second attack came in a flurry of kicks and palm strikes.
Michael could take a man down with three moves or less. She was slender, slighter in build, and he should be able to snap her in two. Instead, he blocked, evaded and turned her blows until he was able to capture a wrist and spin her back against his chest, his arms coming down to cage her. She turned her palms down, her suggestive little ass rubbing his crotch as she tried to break the hold.
Using his size and associated muscle mass, he bent with her, his fists shackling her wrists, his knuckles brushing her firm breasts. She twisted her hips, going for the side spin. Michael moved with her, boxing her tighter to his body. The motion brought the rich, velvet of her hair to his nose. He drew in a lungful of her scent. The tart lemon was a top note, but beneath the citrus was a distinctively musky, feminine scent.
Blood surged into his cock and she stilled as his arousal pressed solidly against her backside. The teasing curve of her body was soft against his hardness, filling his mind with erotic images and the desire to determine just how the sexy little body suit came off.
Had any battle been more fun?
Or more exciting?
“Done?” He touched his lips to her ear, stealing the smallest taste of her flesh. Her tender skin tasted of schnapps and cool malt, both decadent and sweet.
“Nope.”



And now, let's welcome Heather to the blog! :)


The Past: The Undiscovered Country

In Yesterday's Heroes, Michael, Drake, Simon, Garrett and Rex have traveled back in time to a distant past to prevent their own future from occurring. The past may be an undiscovered country, but they don't want to just explore this new place, they want to create a whole new world—an alternate history. The best kind—the kind that produces the people they loved (in Rex's case) and not the enemies they hated (everyone's).

So how do you do that? How do you find those key moments in time and identify what must be changed? I admit to being a huge geek where comics are concerned and an even bigger geek about history. The best way to build an alternate history is to have all your facts straight. You have to be able to look at the past and see what moments were inevitable and what weren't. For example, the argument can be made that following World War I, the penalties exacted on the country of Germany were so severe and so brutal that the nation was desperate for a leader to re-enforce their national identity, to make them proud again and to give them back a sense of personal honor.
But what if that leader had been a John F. Kennedy instead of an Adolf Hitler? Does the man who steps into that role matter so much? Was it Hitler's intense hate and racism and inadequacies that drove the German people into madness with him, the root? Or was it another symptom of the cause?

For the Boomers, history is a tapestry of events that they know, that were reported and recorded and they must work off the information in their microchips—but how much of our history is accurate? What things slip through the cracks? Consider for a moment the election four years ago (and no, this isn't an open invitation to discuss politics). The 2008 election was different in many ways because of a tight primary for the Democrats. They fielded two strong candidates and at any point—the nomination could have gone to one or the other…how different would our world be today if it was Hillary Clinton who snagged the nomination? Or a step further, if she were not Secretary of State and took the vice-presidential nomination?

History is built on the paving stones of events. Each event adds a new stone to the road. Sometimes they are smooth and fit together neatly. Sometimes they are bumpy and rock in the road—they cause bouncing for traffic going over them or trip the unwary traveler…it's those bumps—those uneasy rocks that provide the most torque—and I could argue that it is those rocks that set into motion chains of events that are inevitable.

For example, Christopher Columbus "discovered" America because navigators began to understand the trade winds and they went east to west and he followed them. Arguably, even if Columbus never made the trip—someone else would have. So his 'bump' in the road to history doesn't have the ripple effect it might otherwise.
So for the Boomers, each choice and decision they make either firms up the path to their future or distorts it—but can they distort it enough to make it completely different? Or are they just buying time—and delaying the inevitable? It's the tangled web at the center of their journey to this undiscovered country: their past.




Enter the giveaway here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



So yep, that's about it for today! Thanks for visiting:)

Blog Tour: Descendants by Andrew Katz - Promo + Excerpt




Descendants

Knights are dead and gone since the days of Camelot. The ancient battles pitting sword and shield against one another are just a distant memory, one that very few even give validity, and that’s exactly how it should be. I mean honestly, if people knew half of what really went on in the shadows and under the bed they’d probably wind up institutionalized.

Luckily, that’s where people like me come in. I’m a Knight. That’s right, an armor-clad, sword-wielding powerhouse of old, with all the powers and responsibilities that come with that position. We’re not all gone, but unfortunately, trouble is brewing in the Kingdom hidden in North America… and it’s kind of my fault. I killed a bunch of gnomes, which in turn pissed off some trolls. Now they’re trying to kill me and start a war with all of humanity. And all while and ancient evil is awakening to try and block my path at every turn.





Andrew Katz


Andrew Katz is a young, up and coming author from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His novel, “Descendants”, is his first full length work. Action, adventure, and a healthy dose of sarcasm are staples of his writing. He has also published a short story in the anthology “Dark Light”, centering on the same protagonist as his novel. Andrew loves music, reading, his dog George, and relaxing in the sun. He may not be the most exciting person, but he makes up for it with imagination and… unpredictability.



Time for a short excerpt!

No more than five steps out of the building, I became very happy I had prepared for trouble. Standing in the way of my now wrecked Jeep Wrangler, were four very unhappy looking rock trolls. They were all muscle, stone, and snarls, and just like good old thugs they brandished weapons.
They had a baseball bat, tire iron, chain, and spiked knuckles between them. Bad news about the weapons, they all seemed to be made of dragon bone and would be able to do quite a bit of damage. I wondered where low life thugs would have gotten weapons like that, and why they’d fashion dragon bone into them, but that wasn’t the most pertinent thing at the time. The trolls themselves ranged from about six and a half to seven feet tall. I glanced at Dev. He had slipped on two knuckle-dusters (made of my special alloy) and was smiling an anticipatory smile that didn’t touch his eyes. It occurred to me that not one of the trolls were as big as he was and that it was probable that none of them had even a thousandth of the training we did.
Outnumbered two to one, we would mop the floor with them. And of course as my confidence peaked, four more of the blasted things circled in behind us.
I dropped out of my coat, rolled my sleeves up to the elbow, and pulled my blade from the back of my jeans. It didn’t make a sound as I flicked it open. I looked at Devin and asked as nonchalantly as I could manage. “Which four do you want?”
Oh, by the way, my name is Sir Godric Patronar, Knight of the Realm, Anointed Warrior, Master Blacksmith, General Smartass, and Heir Apparent to the Kingship of North America.

So yep, that's about it for today! Thanks for visiting! :D

Blog Tour: Two Moons of Sera Volumes 1-3 by Pavarti K Tyler - Giveaway


Hey guys! Here's today's blog tour! A little late, I apologise! Just saw the time! So, Two Moons of Sera is a fantasy romance published by Fighting Monkey Press. It is a serial novel and right now, volumes 1-3 are published. It is approximately 220 pages. Oh and I apologise. I am currently able to review this book. My exams start on Wednesday! :o And I'm not prepared:( But yes, do enjoy today's stop! :)


Two Moons of Sera Volumes 1-3

Two Moons of Sera Synopsis: In a world where water and earth teem with life, Serafay is an anomaly. The result of genetic experiments on her mother's water-borne line Serafay will have to face the very people responsible to discover who she really is. But is she the only one?

All the Fun of YA written for Adults

Two Moons of Sera is a Fantasy/Romance being released in serial format.


Buy it from Amazon |


Pavarti K Tyler


Pavarti K Tyler is an artist, wife, mother and number cruncher. She graduated Smith College in 1999 with a degree in Theatre. After graduation, she moved to New York, where she worked as a Dramaturge, Assistant Director and Production Manager on productions both on and off Broadway.

Later, Pavarti went to work in the finance industry as a freelance accountant for several international law firms. She now operates her own accounting firm in the Washington DC area, where she lives with her husband, two daughters and two terrible dogs. When not preparing taxes, she is busy penning her next novel.


Find the Author:





Enter the giveaway here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


So yep, that's about it for today! Go here to check out the other tour stops! You'll find loads of awesome stuff on the other tour sites too! :D


Blog Tour: Only Scandal Will Do by Jenna Jaxon - Guest Post


Hey guys! Welcome to today's blog tour stop! Today, Jenna is joining us with a guest post about the wild 18th century. It certainly is a good read so do take some time to look at it! :) Oh and the cover's really pretty, isn't it? :)


Only Scandal Will Do

Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.

Unable to resist temptation in a London brothel, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she's a lady, but how can she be? No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her.

Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he'll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who'll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family's name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared.

He's betting their future he'll capture her heart, but does he have what it takes to win the wager?

WARNING: A blade-wielding heroine who crosses swords with a master of sensuality.



Jenna Jaxon


Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical and contemporary romance who has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, Jenna has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own writing.

Jenna lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets. When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director. She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage.

She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop.





And now, let's welcome Jenna to the blog!


The Wild 18th Century

One of the reasons I decided to set my House of Pleasure series, of which Only Scandal Will Do is the first book, in the 18th century instead of the more popular Regency period, was the reputation of the period for being much wilder, more dangerous, more colorful. I’d been introduced to the Georgian period--named for the three Hanoverian kings who reigned throughout the century--in Jo Beverley’s Malloren series and fell in love with the colorful lifestyle that seems to alternate between the Age of Reason and the Age of Rowdy.

I love the fact that aristocratic men during this period wore bold colors, powdered wigs, and face paint (in some instances), yet beneath the surface were deadly competitors skilled with sword and pistol, had voracious appetites where women were concerned, and could converse on a myriad of topics that would leave us scratching our heads today. This is the stuff of which heroes are made.

Some of the more colorful items from the century that I was able to use in Scandal were the death of the Earl of Ferrers--the last peer to be hanged for murder; the erotic art of Françoise Boucher; the Venetian masquerade; and Harris’s List of prostitutes.

The last item I found fascinating. Harris’s List of Covent Garden Ladies or A Man of Pleasure’s Kalendar was a directory of working prostitutes published at Christmas by Samuel Derrick, whose pen name for the publication was Jack Harris. The directory listed names and addresses of “working girls,” a description of physical appearance of the woman (including the size of her breasts), the special services they performed and the charges (ranging from 5 shillings to 5 pounds) a gentleman could expect to pay for said services.

An excerpt from the 1788 directory notes a “Miss Johnson: The raven colored tresses of Miss J-ns-n are pleasing, and are characteristic of strength and ability in the wars of Venus. Indeed, this fair one is not afraid of work, but will undergo a great deal of labour in the action; she sings, dances, will drink a cheerful glass, and is a good companion. She has such a noble elasticity in her loins that she can cast her lover to a pleasing height, and receive him again with the utmost dexterity. Her price is one pound, one, and for her person and amorous qualifications, she is well worth the money.”

Harris’s List of Covent Garden Ladies was published each year between 1757 and 1795 and sold over a quarter of a million copies during that time.

I mentioned Harris’s List in passing only in Only Scandal Will Do, but thought it would give a bit of period color to the book and a passing salute from my hero Duncan, who, as a rake, may have been rather familiar with that list.

A wild era indeed.



So yep, that's about it for today! Thanks for visiting! :)

Blog Tour: Loving Lady Marcia by Kieran Kramer - Giveaway + Spotlight



Hey guys! Welcome to today's spotlight! At the end of last month, I posted a review of this book as part of the review blitz. Today, I am going to be spotlighting the book! Oh and for those of you who are interested, you can check out my review here!


Loving Lady Marcia

MARCIA GETS SCHOOLED…

Of the three Brady sisters, Lady Marcia has always seemed the girl most likely to lead a perfectly charmed life. But after a handsome cad breaks her heart, she swears off love and devotes her life to teaching girls at a private school. In spite of her family’s wish for a London debut, Marcia is happy where she is—until terrible news sends her back to the Brady clan…and into the arms of an unexpected suitor.

ON THE SUBJECT OF LOVE

A dark and dashing earl who knows Marcia’s past, Duncan Lattimore is surprised by what a fascinating and independent woman she’s become. Marcia, too, is surprised—by the fiery attraction she feels for Duncan. But why—why—must he be the brother of the scoundrel who broke her heart? Why must Marcia’s rival at school forbid her from seeing him? How can this lady possibly resist this fellow—when they know that it’s much more than a hunch…?



Kieran Kramer


Double Rita®-finalist and USA Today bestseller Kieran Kramer is the author of the lighthearted Regency historical romance series, The Impossible Bachelors, published by St. Martin’s Press. She has a new six-book contract with St. Martin’s for another
Regency series called The House of Brady, premiering in August 2012 with LOVING
LADY MARCIA. A former CIA employee, journalist, and English teacher, Kieran’s also
a game show veteran, karaoke enthusiast, and general adventurer. Without doubt her
greatest adventure, which she’s taken hand-in-hand with her husband of 23 years, a
commander in the US Navy Reserves, has been mothering their three children.


Time for a short excerpt!

Here’s a little snippet from a random page — The guy’s name is left out though, so you won’t know who he is:

His eyes gleamed with something that sent shivers of awareness through her. “I’ll leave you here.” He lingered over the kiss on her knuckles, and her fingers clutched in response to the heat of his mouth. “I’m glad you paid me a visit.”

She was appalled that she felt so reluctant to leave him. “I’m stopping by again,” she blurted out, “to meet Joe.”

There was a great silence between them.

“You can’t do that.” His voice was quiet. “For many reasons, not the least of which is protecting your good reputation.”

“I know.” She swallowed. “But I’m going to do it anyway. So don’t try to stop me.”

He lifted her chin, the gleam in his eyes becoming more pronounced. “You’re both headmistress and troublemaker. Do you know what that combination does to a man?”

“No,” she said, feeling rather breathless.

“It makes him unable to think of anyone but you. In the morning. At the noon hour. And at night.”

At night? Her face grew hot. “_____________, you shouldn’t—“

“Go home,” he said abruptly. “Before I pull you into another alleyway.”

And so she fled. Once she was at a safe distance, she glanced over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of him walking away. But he hadn’t. He was still there in his black cape, his gaze dark and steady upon her beneath the rim of his hat.

She couldn’t help herself. She turned and faced him, walking slowly backwards a few steps, her eyes locked on his, drinking in the sight of him. The wind blew a lock of hair in her eyes, and she pulled it aside.

She saw the corner of his mouth tip up once more, and her heart surged.

She spun forward again, and somehow at that moment—when she could feel him still watching her—she was able to forget the reality of her hopeless situation.

And for a brief, shining moment, it was like walking beneath an invisible rainbow into a bigger and brighter life.

Enter the giveaway here! 40 swag packages are up for grabs! Sorry, this giveaway is only for US/CA readers:(

a Rafflecopter giveaway







Giveaway details:

A swag package containing the following:


  • 1 Loving Lady Marcia mini book wine charm
  • 1 pink Loving Lady Marcia pen
  • Romance Trading Cards (Loving Lady Marcia and Impossible Bachelors)
  • 1 Kieran Kramer post-it notes
  • 1 signed bookplate
  • 1 Impossible Bachelors bookmark
  • 1 Loving Lady Marcia bookmark



So yep, that's about it for today! Go here to check out the other tour stops! You'll find loads of awesome stuff on the other tour sites too! :D

The Cerberus Rebellion by Joshua K. Johnson


Hey guys! Welcome to today's stop on the review tour for The Cerberus Rebellion! :) I really enjoyed the book and it was a good read!


First Published: 25 June 2012
Publisher: Gunpowder Fantasy Books
Pages: 242
Format: Ebook
Finished Date: 8 Sept 2012

Synopsis

One hundred years of peace and prosperity. War changes everything.

On the world of Zaria, Elves, magic and mythical beasts coexist beside rifles and railroads. The futures of two nations hang in the balance as rebels and revolutionaries trade gunfire with loyalists and tyrants.

Eadric Garrard was raised to believe that as the rightful King of Ansgar, his loyal nobles and fearful subjects answered to his every whim, no matter the cost or consequence. His decision to send his troops thousands of miles away will test that fear, and loyalty.

Raedan Clyve was ordinary until an Elven ritual involving a griffin’s heart turned him into something more. Twenty years later, he still struggles with the magics that rage through his body. His mentor holds him back from his full potential and he faces pressure to find a suitable wife and father an heir.

Hadrian Clyve has picked up where his father left off and works to expand his family’s influence amongst the Ansgari nobility. His aggressive negotiation of alliances and shrewd choice of marriage agreements has earned him respect, and resentment. When his King calls his troops to arms, Hadrian has other things in mind.

After a century of scheming and decades of preparation, Magnus Jarmann is ready to bring his family’s plans to fruition by launching a war of independence that will free his people and return his country to its rightful place among the nations of Zaria. The King’s call to arms creates an opportunity that Magnus cannot afford to miss.

In a war, little is held back; in a revolution, nothing is safe.



My Rating

PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket And a half!

My Review

The Cerberus Rebellion was a relatively good read. I say relatively, because there were some things about the book that detracted from my enjoyment of it. As a whole though, I did enjoy reading the book and I was hooked towards the end.

But let’s start off with the good shall we?

The plot was good, to be certain. It was interesting and it never bored me, not even once. While some may find some of the talking to be too much, I felt that it gave me a very good idea of what was going on, and it really helped in character development. It gave me a better understanding of the world the book was set in and how things operated. There were a couple of twists that I enjoyed reading about, because I never expected it to happen. And I must say, many times, the strategies during war had me clapping in admiration or just groaning at the sheer stupidity of a character. *cough*The king*cough*

I liked the fact that we could read about everything that was going on in the entire nation. What’s more, what was covered wasn’t too trivial but rather, the author gave a rather comprehensive view of the different regions at that time. That was something I enjoyed and I felt that it gave me a good view of the nation, thus allowing me to appreciate the book even more.

Another thing that I really enjoyed was the characters. Character development was amazing. After the book, I felt that I just knew all the characters personally. It was truly enjoyable reading and understanding about them and I felt that the author conveyed who they were meant to be very well. I really loved reading about them and also seeing each character from another’s point of view. I laughed with them, I wanted to scold some of them, and the characters just drew me into the story. The main characters had a lot of depth to them and I did see their individual motivations. I empathized with them, truly, I did.

Take the king for an example. In the beginning, I was alright with him, but as I saw how his character was really like, I found myself disliking him and to be honest, hoped he would lose all the wars. However, towards the end, I found myself rooting for him to win at least one of the battles. I won’t say the outcome though, go find out for yourselves! Hehe :P

One thing to note though, there were a little too many characters and while that gave the story a more realistic spin, it did get confusing to read about so many of them.

However, I have one main complaint. Some details were rather technical to me. I had trouble understanding the politics and the reasons for moving here and there. At times, the description escaped me and I felt it was extremely difficult to visualize it in my head. However, I do acknowledge that this could be my own view on things. After all, I am still a teenager and hence, I haven’t really got to know about this sort of things. But yes, sadly, this did take away some enjoyment from the book. Initially, I was extremely confused and I didn’t understand what was really going on. However, perhaps simply time is needed. As I came to the end, I found myself understanding the intricacies of the plot more and more, allowing me to enjoy the book.

I would also have liked to see a bit more of magic in the book. I felt that it could have been touched on perhaps a little more. As it is, I felt that it didn’t really play a role in the book, at least, not that major a role.

A final thing that I had issues with was the pacing. I was left rather confused now and then when the time would skip forward a few months or weeks. I felt like I was thrown into the middle of things now and then, without any real thing that said a length of time had passed. Hence, I would always be flipping back and forth with a confused expression on my face as I tried to figure out how much time had passed. Some scenes were extremely well-elaborated and really interesting to read about, for example, the battle. However, several were just passed over quickly and I thought more could be done with it! Furthermore, the ending was rather abrupt, I was hoping for a little more. While it wasn’t a cliffhanger per se, I felt that it lacked something to wrap it all up. Though the situation had not passed yet, I felt that a good conclusion was still necessary. However, this does make me want to read the next few books just to find out what will happen! Guess I’ll have to wait.

So, all in all, The Cerberus Rebellion was a good read and I did enjoy it. The rating is quite tricky. I can’t decide between a 3.5 stars or 4 stars. I think I’m gonna go with 3.5 this time, but I will say this. The Cerberus Rebellion is a book worth reading, not a waste of your time at all. While it may not be a book for relaxation, it is certainly a very interesting book. In fact, I think I even learnt some new things about ruling a kingdom, uprisings, revolts and all. Though, not like I really knew anything before. Now, however, I have a more concrete view of it! I do recommend one picking up this book. I don’t think you’ll regret it. I certainly didn’t.


Joshua K. Johnson


Joshua Johnson is the author of "Gunpowder Fantasy" The Cerberus Rebellion (due to release in early July) and the creator of the Griffins & Gunpowder universe. When he isn't working or spending time with his family, he writes novels, short stories and novellas.

He currently lives in Northern Illinois with his wife and young son.




Time for a short excerpt!

The crackle of musket fire drifted up from the trenches; only a few quick shots at first, but quickly followed by full volleys. Flashes of light marked the battle in the trenches and Raedan listened carefully for the command to push his troops forward. He glanced behind him quickly.

The color guard stood resolute, the banners of Arndell and the North Griffin Cliffs at the front of the formation. A half-company of infantry had been assigned to protect the flags should they come under attack.

Wounded began to drift back out of the trenches. Some retreated under their own power; others were carried between two of their fellows. Raedan tried to count the men fleeing the battle, but quickly lost count.

Finally, the trumpets sounded again, ordering him forward.

“How's it look in there?” he asked a retreating officer. The man wore the gaudy orange of Sea Watch and the stripes of a captain. He had taken a round through his shoulder and was supporting a corporal that had taken a shot to the leg.

“The artillery did a job on them,” the captain said. “But they've still got some fight left.”

“All right, men! Let's take it to them!” Raedan started toward the trenches at the double time and his men started to trot after him.

The earthworks twisted and zagged one way and another, slowly leading the infantry closer to the fortress that loomed large above. The sun had finally set and flares were exploding high overhead.



Buy this on Amazon

So yep, that's all for today! Thanks for visiting! :)

Blog Tour: Two Timing the Boss by Christine Warner - Guest Post + Excerpt


Hey guys! Welcome to today's post!


Two Timing the Boss

Farah Smith is on a mission: secure the funds for her twin sister’s surgery. She’ll do whatever it takes to succeed. Even if that means putting her values aside to work for a man she finds morally bankrupt. But when the real Farah meets her new boss, she wonders if she’ll be able to resist his sexy advances long enough to help her sister.

From the blonde wig, to the stilettos strapped around her ankles, Farah’s a clone of Keller Donovan’s harem of past assistants. She can’t believe she’s let herself be talked into the disguise, let alone working for the man planning to demolish the hospital her sister so desperately needs, but the salary he offers is the only way she’ll be able to afford her sister’s surgery. The moment Farah meets Keller she realizes her most daunting task isn’t typing, spreadsheets or organizing travel arrangements, but fighting the growing attraction toward a man whose ruthlessness is legendary in the boardroom as well as the bedroom.

Determined not to end up in a disastrous marriage like his divorced parents, Keller believes all relationships should have a shelf life of sixth months or less. But when he meets Farah, all bets are off. He not only wants her to continue as his personal assistant, but his own private bed warmer. Unfortunately, his offer of an affair doesn’t sit well with her fairytale dreams or the strangled hold gripping his heart.



Two-Timing the Boss and Christine's other book, Some Like it in Handcuffs, are both available in print and digital format at:


Christine Warner


Christine Warner is living her dream in rural Michigan along with her husband, three children, one laptop and a much loved assortment of furry friends.
Thanks to her older sister, Christine learned to read and write before kindergarten and from there her love of books grew. She still owns the first book she ever read, a tattered and well loved edition of The Kitten Twins.

Besides laughing and a good round of humor, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, writing, but please—no arithmitic. A confessed people watcher, she finds inspiration for her stories in everyday activities. She admits to having a future stories folder bursting at the seams, the trouble is trying to decide which story to start next. She loves to read and write romance about strong heroes and determined, sometimes sassy, heroines. And she has a fascination with true crime novels as well.

A girl gone wild, at least where social media is concerned, she enjoys meeting other avid readers and writers on facebook, twitter and her website at christine-warner.com.




Time for a short excerpt!

These damn shoes would be the death of her. She could read the headlines now: Penniless P.A. Falls to her Death while on Job Interview.

Almost to her destination, with no more mishaps, her confidence surfaced. Okay, maybe mastering this heel thing wouldn’t be such a big deal. Her steps became light, almost bouncy.

Although she sensed Keller Donovan behind her, she didn’t let it deter her feeling of success. She stepped onto the large black and red area rug, less than ten feet from her target. The leather chairs.

“Oh!” Farah’s spiky heel caught on the edge of the expensive rug. Her legs shook and she shot her arms out from her sides, circling them like a bird about to take flight. She fought to regain balance inside the ridiculous stilts strapped to her feet. A brawl to the death. Over when she looked down to see the rug coming up to kiss her face. She threw out her hands, sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, scrunching her face as she prepared for impact.

But nothing happened. There were stars all right, and a blazing jolt of electricity shot from her toes, up her legs, through her body and exited with the small gasp that escaped her lips. Somehow Keller Donovan had grabbed her around the waist before she met the floor.
Heat burned her cheeks. He may have saved her body from bruises, but her ego, and whatever confidence she’d walked in with had shattered.

“Let’s not have an accident before your health benefits kick in.” His breath tickled her ear from behind. Chills hugged her backbone.

His touch released an unsettling flutter in her abdomen. She sucked in her stomach from the pressure of his strong arms wrapped around her middle, afraid to breathe.

Excerpt 2

Keller wrapped one arm around her waist, shocked at how slender she was beneath the folds of her shapeless blazer. He tugged her close and heard the air leave her lungs in a surprised gasp.

Her pulse thumped at the base of her throat and he lifted one hand so his thumb could savor the sensation.
The skin on his back tightened and hundreds of tiny pin pricks spread across his body. Anticipation built, he knew what he was about to do and was damned to stop it. His heart punched against his chest. Her face moved closer to his and their breath mingled, hers smelled of mint and he sucked in a gulp of air, tasting her before their lips even met.

Her tongue darted out to caress her lips, laving over the bottom, around the side to cover the upped edge. The soft, moist tip of her tongue touched his lower lip and he groaned. It was the beginning of the end and the thought of a split second ago, of stopping the crazy act he played out, was cast aside. He started this, and he would finish it. Keller lowered his head, blocking out the lamp light dancing across her features.

“Keller.” A circle of sexual energy rolled off her hot skin and crashed against him, knocking any thought of right or wrong from his mind.

He touched her bottom lip with his, a quick taste. Sweet, like her moist breath, like he’d known it would taste. He gathered her close and she sagged into him. Her hands shook as they slid over his chest to the base of his throat, leaving awakened tingles in their wake. Silky fingers wrapped around the back of his neck and pulled his mouth to her parted, glistening lips.




And now, let's welcome Christine to the blog!


I’ve always enjoyed reading a good office romance story. I love the dynamics of a man and woman meeting in an everyday environment. I like that love can sprout up within an instant first meeting, or grow over the length of weeks, months or years.

I picture stolen moments between the shelves of the file room, a lingering look across the conference room table at a staff meeting, a casual touch that leaves tingles of anticipation in their wake, business lunches that turn personal…you get the idea.

But, just because you meet someone in an office setting, doesn’t mean the entire course of your relationship takes place in the confines of your 9 to 5 :)

A lot of romances heat up outside the office, in more of a social setting that involves co-workers. Did you know that running into each other outside of work (13 percent), happy hours (12 percent), lunches (11 percent) and late nights at work (10 percent) were among the most popular catalysts for dating co-workers.

These stats were compiled by CareerBuilder’s annual office romance survey of more than 7,000 workers nationwide in the later part of the 2011 calendar year.

In my lastest release from the Wild Rose Press—a sexy, contemporary romance titled Two Timing the Boss, my hero and heroine are attracted from the start…from the moment Keller Donovan interviews Farah Smith for the position of his personal assistant. Each try to fight down their attraction but sparks fly whenever they are in the same room.

Finally, one night when they are working late, their attraction explodes and they share their first kiss. So that 10% of co-workers staying late at the office fits them to a tee.

Promo Blast: The Marriage Bargain by Sandra Edwards

The Marriage Bargain


Camille Chandler is a tabloid journalist whose career is right on track--until her boss sees a curious ad in the L.A. Trades.



Wanted: Single actress for an extended gig abroad.



France's mega-rich playboy Julian de Laurent is up to something and Camille's boss expects her to find out what. Who knew the eccentric gazillionaire was looking to hire a temporary wife?



When Camille refuses to accept Julian's proposal--and secretly write a juicy tell-all about the de Laurent family--she's fired and left financially destitute, forcing her to entertain Julian's proposal for real. But what'll happen at the end of the contract period, after Camille has spent six months as the wife of a man she learns is capable of stealing her heart?



Buy on Amazon / Nook / Paperback Coming Soon



About Sandra - I write in a variety of genres such as paranormal (mostly time travel and reincarnation), contemporary, and suspense. While all my tales hold an element of romance, my books often push the envelope and step outside the boundaries of conventional romance.



Follow her - Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Goodreads



Tour starts September 10th!! Prize - 4 of Sandra Edward Books in Print and a $100 Amazon Giftcard

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Follow the Tour








Why I haven't been posting much

Hey guys!

I think most of you have noticed that I haven't been posting much, and certainly not any reviews recently. I want to apologise for that. Right now, I'm in junior college in Singapore. It's really crazy here. The stress levels and the expectations on me are rocketing to unbelievable levels and yes, it's getting to me.

So, I wanted to tell you guys that I won't be posting so regularly, especially for the next month! One of the most important exams of my life is coming up Sept 26th. If I pass that, I can go to the next year. If I don't, well, I'll have to repeat. Sure, it may not seem like such a big deal, and it isn't, but I do want to do well. I made myself a promise.

Hence, the only things you'll see here for now are blog tours. I know I was supposed to feature a lot of authors on my blog and I will, but after my exams when I have more time. They end Oct 2nd so by then, if I'm not posting regularly, feel free to hate me! :P

Hehe so yes, thanks to my regular readers (if I even have any haha, I don't think I'm that interesting!) and to everyone who has supported this blog one way or another!

My blogoversary is coming up in a couple of months. So, if I can, I would like to host some big giveaway for you guys as thanks! I never thought I could actually blog for so long! However, I'm not sure if I can find any author to work with though! If you're an author and you think you may want to participate in this, please contact me! You can find my email on my sidebar on in the About Me section.

Love you guys, promise I'll be back soon! :) And more reviews and memes and things like that! After my exams, I should be relatively more free so yep, do stick around:)

Thanks for all the support!

Victoria <3

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...