Cover Reveal: Caressed by a Crimson Moon

Today is the official cover reveal for the third book in Amanda J. Greene's Rulers of Darkness Series.

Consumed by madness and tormented by dark memories of blood and death, Hadrian Lucretius, King of the Validus Clan, has returned after living in self-imposed exile for nearly three hundred and fifty years.

To maintain peace with the vampires, Eva Maldonado is offered as a sacrifice to the crazed vampire king by her father, the alpha of the Silveria Shifter Pack. Hadrian’s reputation is both legendary and lethal; he is ruthless, bloodthirsty, lusty, and soulless. When Eva arrives at the ancient fortress high in the Carpathian Mountains, she is shocked to find a ravaged man with dark burning eyes filled with loneliness and dangerous desire.

Would she be his lover…or his prey? His savior…or his victim? Would Hadrian lure her into madness or would their perilous passion be their redemption?

Amanda J. Greene's Website

Rulers of Darkness on Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

My reviews of Caressed by Moonlight & Caressed by Night

Book Pimpin' & Lunch Room Reads

Check out my two new blog pages and let me know what you think :-)

The first new page is Lunch Room Reads which is where I will recommend novellas I've read that are a good length to be read over a lunch break or two. So far I only have 5 but I will continue to add more as I find & read them.

The second page is Book Pimpin' where I listed some of my favorite books that I like to pimp to my friends and other bloggers. I will update this page as well when I find new favorites.

Stranger by Megan Hart

OVER 18 REVIEW

Goodreads Summary:

Funeral director Grace Frawley faces loss each day, so she has decided that paying strangers for sex would be the best way to save herself from experiencing loss herself. Then she meets Sam, and Grace wonders if she can go back to the impersonal. Original.

My Review:

I have only read a few erotica books and I was undecided whether or not I wanted to review them on here. I’m still not sure how many I’ll post but we’ll see how it goes. Anyway, I decided to review this book because it’s really good simple as that. A couple of the erotica’s that I’ve read have been sex (albeit hot sex) and some random plot…almost like the plot was added around the sex scenes. Stranger is different, it’s a well-rounded book with good characters, an interesting plot, and of course sex…lots of sex. It almost felt like a contemporary romance with more sex and some mild role playing. My only gripe with the book is that the ending seemed rushed. But aside from that, I can definitely see myself reading more of Megan Hart’s erotica’s.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Feed (Newsflesh #1) by Mira Grant

Goodreads Summary:

In 2014, two experimental viruses – a genetically engineered flu strain designed by Dr. Alexander Kellis, intended to act as a cure for the common cold, and a cancer-killing strain of Marburg, known as “Marburg Amberlee” – escaped the lab and combined to form a single airborne pathogen that swept around the world in a matter of days. It cured cancer. It stopped a thousand cold and flu viruses in their tracks.

It raised the dead.

Millions died in the chaos that followed. The summer of 2014 was dubbed “The Rising,” and only the lessons learned from a thousand zombie movies allowed mankind to survive. Even then, the world was changed forever. The mainstream media fell, Internet news acquired an undeniable new legitimacy, and the CDC rose to a new level of power.

Set twenty years after the Rising, the Newsflesh trilogy follows a team of bloggers, led by Georgia and Shaun Mason, as they search for the brutal truths behind the infection. Danger, deceit, and betrayal lurk around every corner, as does the hardest question of them all:

When will you rise?

My Review:

I recently read The First Days by Rhiannon Frater (my review) and I was curious how Feed could compare to it and well, it doesn’t. It’s next to impossible to compare the two. Yes, they’re both zombie books but that’s about where the similarities end. The First Days is on the front lines of the Zombie apocalypse whereas Feed takes place many years after. Feed is more about how life has fundamentally changed after something as drastic as having to exist in the same world as zombies. Things change and we adapt.

Feed was highly recommended by a few friends on Goodreads, but I just didn’t connect with it on the level they did. Don’t get me wrong, it is a good, unique story. I was interested and never contemplated quitting reading BUT you have to read slowly in order to process all of the information and world building. Personally, I prefer to read books that I can devour, I don’t as much enjoy reading something that requires a lot of time and effort. I know, that sounds bad but it’s true. I want to get caught up in a story and not be able to put the book down until I finish; I want it to wow me. I had no problems putting Feed down and it took me a week to finish, which is unusual for me. I am curious where the story goes after Feed, but I haven’t decided yet if I’ll continue the series.

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Winners: Neophyte by Emmalee Aple

1st place winner will receive an ebook of Neophyte (from smashwords.com) and a signed bookmark! 

 1st place winner is FAYE! Congrats Faye :)

2nd place winner will receive a signed bookmark!

2nd place winner is LOLITA! Congrats to you too Lolita!

If you missed the interview with Emmalee you can check it out here.

Shelf Candy Saturday (13): The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda and Away by Teri Hall

Shelf Candy Saturday is hosted by Five Alarm Book Reviews.

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night – a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible – and into the ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever – but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

Author’s website

The Hunt on Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Nobles

Away (The Line #2) by Teri Hall

Because this is the second of the series I’m going to show the summaries for the first and second books but only the cover for Away

After crossing the Line, Rachel finds herself in a world where survival is never guaranteed – a world where bizarre creatures roam the woods and people have strange abilities. Everything has gone to ruin Away and the survivors have banded into warring clans. Rachel finds her father being held prisoner by a tribe of Others, and she and her new friends set out to rescue hime. But when they cross back over the Line, Rachel and Pathik make a foolish decision, bringing them into further danger that can olnly be resolved with an unthinkable sacrifice.

An adventure filled with life and death choices, dark conspiracies, and heart-poundingly suspenseful moments, this sequel delivers.

The Line (The Line #1) by Teri Hall

An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the United  States. The Line is part of the border that lopped off part of the county, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.

Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel’s dad died in the last war. It’s a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.

Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

Author’s website

The Line Series on Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Nobles

I love both of these covers, they have a sense that there's two worlds and in both you're on the outside looking in. The first has a torn look, maybe that's to represent how Gene's safe life is being torn apart? I haven't read the book so that's just a guess on my part. It's also interesting how the people along the bottom of the cover are running. I'm going to make another assumption and say they're running from the big baddie vampires!

On to the second cover. I'm definitely drawn more to the detail of the cracks on this one. It's more dramatic. It also seems like whatever is 'inside' isn't so appealing, it looks like a pile of discarded junk.

Try Me (Take a Chance #1) by Diane Alberts

Goodreads Summary:

            What happens in Vegas…can lead to romance.

It took one wild night for Sergeant Jeremy Addison to realize that Vegas? Was a bad idea.

Bloody. Bruised. Dehydrated. Abandoned in the desert, and left to stagger down the road. The only way this leave could get worse was if his savior was his ex-best friend’s sister…and the girl he’d loved since childhood.

The last person Erica expected to find on the roadside was her high school crush. She hadn’t seen Jeremy in seven years – ever since the night he said he loved her, and she ran away. Losing him then had been a mistake, but wanting him now could be catastrophic if he discovered the secret that chased every other man from her life. But with a tall, tattooed Marine determined to prove he’s always been faithful, can Erica resist his advances…or will she surrender ground and give love a try?

My Review:

Try Me is about two self-doubting people with chemistry that practically jumps off the page. But that’s complicated by the fact that neither one thinks they’re ‘worthy’ enough for the other. I just wanted to play matchmaker for them…or beat some sense into them…whichever, lol! This is a great lunch room read; it’s short and engaging.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Chocolicious by Geraldine Solon

Goodreads Summary:

A week after Blair Nightingale’s husband, Larry, dies, she learns she’s about to lose everything she owns due to a foolish mistake Larry made. In an instant, Blair’s life is transformed from rich, Silicon Valley trophy wife to poor, widowed single mom. Her only goal now is to provide for her daughter. As Blair begins to pick up the pieces, George—Larry’s best friend and the man she truly resents—seems to always be around. When Blair is overwhelmed by all the challenges she faces, she seeks comfort in baking rich, filled, three-layered cupcakes that her grandmother once taught her, and soon Blair's life is changed forever.

My Review:

I wanted to like this book more but I almost felt as if I was just going through the paces while reading it. Nothing really struck me. It’s about Blair who is grieving due to  recently being widowed, then she gives birth to her baby. Shortly after she finds out her husband left her with literally nothing. The story follows her through her struggles. At first it’s one bad thing after another and then some things seem to come too easy for her. One of the things that seemed too easy was the fact that she loses job after job but she almost instantly finds a new one every time; it just didn’t sit well with me. There were other things too but I don’t want to spoil the book. I think it’s just one of those things where the author is targeting a certain demographic and that demographic isn’t me. I don’t know, maybe parents may be able to connect with this book more than I did.

Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Intangible & Intuition by J. Meyers

Goodreads Summary:

Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret – she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. The gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it.

My Review:

Intangible centers around twins Luke and Sera who have a strong connection and unique powers. Powers that unknowingly will get them in trouble and force them to fight for their lives.

I also enjoyed reading about some of secondary characters which included vampires, elves, and some very creepy, living shadows.

The beginning of the book was a little slower but it builds to a steady pace with a few interesting twists. It’s a good and quick read.

Goodreads Summary:

Luke and his twin sister Sera have unusual abilities. Hers is a gift – she can heal with a touch of her hand. His is a curse – he can see the future but he can’t do anything about it.

On a hike up the mountain, Luke has a vision unlike any other – one that leaves him terrified. Knowing that it will come true – and that he must do everything in his power to stop it – leaves his own future uncertain.

My Review:

Intuition is a short story related to Intangible which can be read before or after Intangible. I chose to read it after and I’m glad I did. My reaction when I stared read it was “Oohhhhh”; it fits nicely into a nook of Intangible and more fully describes a scene.

Overall Rating for both: 3.5 out of 5

Shelf Candy Saturday (12): Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Shelf Candy Saturday is hosted by Five Alarm Book Reviews.

Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed "Daughter of Smoke and Bone," Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

Author's Website

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Black and white with red is such a dramatic color combination. The red is very eye catching and the design is beautiful. I also like the intensity in her eyes. I feel like I'm being stared at as I type this, haha. Part of me wishes I could see more of her face but having it covered also adds a teensy bit of mystery.

The Gamble (Colorado Mountain #1) by Kristen Ashley

Goodreads Summary:

Nina Sheridan’s on a timeout adventure in the Colorado Mountains. She needs distance from her clueless fiancé, distance to decide whether she wants to spend the rest of her life with a man who doesn’t care enough to learn how she takes her coffee.

Arriving in a blinding snowstorm at the A-Frame she rented, she comes face to face with the most amazing man she’s ever seen. Minutes later, when he kicks her out of his house, she goes head to head with him.

Beyond angry because she’s flown half a world away to start her timeout adventure, not to mention her sinuses hurt, she heads back down the mountain and ends up in a ditch. Una

ble to extricate herself, she gives up, hopes for rescue and falls asleep in the backseat.

The next morning she wakes up in the amazing man’s bed and she’s sick as a dog.

Holden Maxwell spends days nursing her back to health and then he spends the next two weeks trying to convince her to take her Colorado adventure further, in other words, make it permanent and take a gamble on him.

Nina has a tough time fighting her attraction to Max, especially when it seems all Max’s friends, her mother and stepdad and the whole town want them together and both she and Max get embroiled in the murder of Max’s ex-friend and the town of Gnaw Bone’s most detested resident – a man everyone has motive to kill, especially Max.

My Review:

Quickly fell in love with this book, the characters, and the town. I was hooked and just couldn’t get enough. I ended up reading it in a day because every time I tried to put it down I found myself picking it right back up.

Max & Duchess:

I was rooting for them from the very beginning! Max is a ruff, sexy mountain man and Nina (aka Duchess) is a fire cracker with a long past and a short fuse.  There are some big obstacles keeping them apart…and some pushing them together.

The Town:

I want to move to Gnaw Bone! The town and the people (well, most of the people) seem so enchanting. And the views…I would kill to have those views in my backyard!

The Length:

Oh. My. Goodness!! This book is sooo long. I’m pretty sure it’s the longest book I’ve read…no, strike that, I think the Twilight books are longer. Anyway, as I was reading The Gamble, there were at least three places where I thought ‘I would be content with the book ending right now’ only to look at the nook status bar and seeing that I still had A LOT to read! SO much happens in this book, especially the second half…it’s just one thing after another. I wanted to say enough already, haven’t these people had enough?! BUT despite the length I still really enjoyed the book so don’t let that stop you from reading it :)

Thank you to Hodo for pimping this book to me.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Guest Post from Author Amanda Brice

Author Amanda Brice has stopped by to talk to everyone about…well, keep reading to find out!

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I’m here today to warn you that the owner of this blog must die.

No, I’m not an unbalanced author upset about a bad review and taking out a hit on a book blogger. (Although wouldn’t that make for a great plot? Or at least a fabulous interwebz viral trainwreck…I can just picture the Twitter pile-on now.)

Actually Jen asked me to kill her off. Fictionally, that is.

Last month I participated in the annual Brenda Novak Auction to raise money for diabetes research. Among my offerings was an opportunity to name the murder victim in my third book, PAS DE DEATH, which should be out this winter. I billed it as an opportunity to get back at someone by “killing them off in a book.”

I didn’t expect the auction’s winner to ask me to use her own name. And even some fun facts about her. But hey, who am I to judge? ;)

So, yeah, sadly – for all her readers who have come to enjoy her take on books and witty insight -- Jen is going to die. This winter. Sooner than that, actually, since I’ll have written the book long before it’s released. Sorry about that.

OK, fine, she’s not really going to die. But her murder is going to be solved by Dani Spevak, the heroine in my YA mystery series.

I love writing this series. It’s exactly the type of book I would’ve wanted to read when I was a teen. Dancing and mystery – what could be better?

In fact, I love writing the Dani Spevak Mystery Series so much that I even wrote a between-the-books short story called “Barre Hopping at Midnight” that’s included in the FREE anthology, Eternal Spring along with stories from twelve other awesome YA authors. Yes, you read that right…I said “free.”

As in, zero dinero. Gratis. El cheapo. Completely and absolutely free. Well, as an e-book that is. Unfortunately, production costs make it impossible for us to offer the print version for free, but the digital version is available as a $0 download from Amazon, Kobo, Diesel, and Smashwords. We expect it to be on Barnes & Noble, Apple, and Sony soon.

Here’s a teaser:

Flowers, vacation, baseball, prom...what does spring mean to you? From unicorn hunters and teenage exorcists to Egyptian princesses and aspiring ballerinas, this collection of thirteen stories by some of the most exciting authors in Young Adult fiction explores young love and new beginnings during the most beautiful time of the year.

"Camp Cauldron" by Juli Alexander
Forced to spend Spring Break as a counselor at a camp for troublesome young witches instead of drooling over hotties at the beach, Emma relinquishes her hopes for romance. Could the perfect guy be waiting in the midst of poison ivy, s'mores, elephant trunks, and kangaroo feet?

"Barre Hopping at Midnight" by Amanda Brice
How can aspiring ballerina Dani Spevak concentrate on performing at a spring arts festival when her not-quite-boyfriend is in town filming the lead in a hot new vampire movie and he was seen kissing his costar?

"The Vanishing Spring" by Carey Corp
More than a century earlier, Eleanor Quimby tumbled into the water to escape an arranged marriage and disappeared. But was that the tragic end or a brave new beginning?

"The Princess of Egypt Must Die" by Stephanie Dray
A lonely Princess of Egypt is tempted by a forbidden love and forced to make a heartbreaking choice that will upend a kingdom and change her forever.

"Spring Perfection" by Leslie DuBois
Star athlete Scott Kincaid is about to make history and pitch a perfect game. But when he realizes that true perfection lies in the relationship he has with his best friend, Reyna, will he risk everything in order to keep a promise to her?

"Picture Not Perfect" by Lois Lavrisa
Seventeen-year old Tim wants to go to senior prom. Why doesn't his girlfriend Gabrielle want to go with him? Is she not who she says she is?

"Potionate Love" by P.R. Mason
Math geek, Tina, has found a way to get the popular jock, Ronny, to fall for her: a love potion. It'll work unless her best friend Nathan gets in the way.

"1:30, Tour Eiffel" by Jennifer McAndrews
A kiss in the dark will ruin Spring Break and lifelong friendships unless Rachel Healey can prove she is a pawn in someone else's game.

"Off Balance" by Renee Pace
Jennifer's secret is big, but she loves Charlie enough to know ending their teenage relationship will set him free and enable him to join the Army. When Charlie discovers the truth, it's up to him to convince Jen their young love was meant to be.

"On a Field, Sable" by Diana Peterfreund
After the shocking events of Ascendant, what awaits the unicorn hunter Melissende Holtz on the mountaintop where she watched her comrades fall?

"The Language of Flowers" by Rhonda Stapleton
Chrissy, a clerk at her aunt's flower shop, starts getting her own romantic surprises -- flowers with a special secret meaning. Can she bury her longstanding unrequited crush on her best friend's brother to take a chance on mysterious love?

"Dating After Dark (With Clowns)" by Tawny Stokes
All teenage exorcist Caden Butcher wants is a demon-free night to take his new girl to the spring fair. Is that too much to ask for?

"Sometime" by Alicia Street
Sixteen-year-old mythology buff Terry Conn finally gets the after-school museum job she wanted so badly, but who knew those ancient dragon figures would dredge up images of a past she only half-remembered? Or that drool-worthy Jerrod Pierce would be part of it?

Collectively, the thirteen authors in Eternal Spring have published over 90 books, and have received or have been nominated for several prestigious awards, including the RITA, the Golden Heart, the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, the Jasmine, the Maggie, PASIC's Book of Your Heart contest, the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award, the Cybil Award for Best Young Adult Fiction, the EPIC e-book Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and the New York Public Library's Books for the Teen Age list.

With stories ranging to urban fantasy to contemporary to historical, there’s literally something for everyone in here. And the stories’ lengths make them perfect for enjoying in between dips in the pool.

My own story, “Barre Hopping at Midnight” takes place chronologically between Book 2 (POINTE OF NO RETURN, which just released yesterday!) and Book 3 (PAS DE DEATH, the one for which Jen bought naming rights). But it actually stands alone and can be read in any order.

There are a few other stories in the book that connect to the author’s novels, such as Diana Peterfreund’s killer unicorn tale, Tawny Stokes’ teen exorcist, Renee Pace’s nitty gritty contemporary, and Juli Alexander’s teen witches. But all the stories are fun, whether stand-alone or a prequel.

So check it out! Because Jen’s days are numbered. ;)  j/k

______________________

After writing her first manuscript (which she now realizes was blatant Nancy Drew fanfic) at the ripe old age of nine, Amanda Brice took a nearly twenty-year hiatus before returning to the craft. She is a two-time finalist for the Golden Heart award, and is president of Washington Romance Writers. An attorney by day, Amanda is also a popular speaker on the writing conference circuit with her copyright law workshops. Barnes & Noble called her second novel, Pointe of No Return, a “compelling read from an author you need to know.” For more information, please visit www.amandabrice.net.

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Thank you, Amanda, for the awesome post! I have to admit, I busted up laughing when I started reading it! I hadn’t expected you to out me and my dirty little secret ;) but now that it’s out in the open I guess I should start saying my goodbyes **sad sniffles**. I’ll miss all of my fantastic readers; you’ve all been so good to me. Haha, just kidding, you can’t get rid of me that easily ;)

Author Interview & Giveaway: Emmalee Aple

Today we have Emmalee Aple, author of Neophyte, on At Random. She was nice enough to answer some questions and she is offering some goodies for a giveaway! Keep reading to find out more :)

At Random (AR): Was there a certain moment you knew you wanted to be a writer or have you always known?  

Emmalee Aple (EA): I have always just written for fun. In grade school I started writing a story with one of my friends, we would pass a notebook back and forth. Then in highschool, I rewrote the same story, with another friend. Then when I was in college, I fell back into the same story, but without anyone’s help.   And finally after probably rewriting the same story 15 or so times, I changed it, and that was how Neophyte was formed, and when I was a few chapters in, I was like… maybe I should just do this and see what happens when I try to publish.  And so I did. That was about 4 years ago.

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AR: Can you tell us in one sentence what makes your book stand out in the growing sea of paranormal books?  

EA: Because I wrote it, and I am awesome, so in turn it’s awesome.   Okay, no seriously… um… Neophyte is not like any other angel books out there, the main character is the Angel, and you see the world through her eyes.

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AR: Who is your favorite character in Addi’s Link? 

EA: Either Hunter or Graham. I know shocker, I didn’t say Greysan.  But I really like how Graham has developed in my head… and who doesn’t love Hunter?

AR: I like them all but I think Hunter is my fav too!

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AR: Did you enjoy writing one character more than the others? 

EA: Yeah, I really really hate writing for bad guys, because they always seem to come out cheesy to me.  I needed a lot of help when writing Farran to get him in the right voice.

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AR: You have a certain unexpected twist in your book, did you know that was going to happen from the beginning or was it something that just happened as you were writing. I know that’s such a vague question but I’m dying to know!   

EA: I actually wrote the scene after the twist first. So I knew all along that was going to happen. But it has to, because it is what drives Addisyn to make the hard decision at the end.

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AR: It’s becoming more common for people to associate books and music. Have you come across any songs that remind you of Neophyte?  

EA: I can’t write without music. I put my ear buds in and just write. There are a lot of songs that I would say make up the Neophyte soundtrack.  
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AR: Do you get ideas from music when you're writing. Like hearing something in a song and thinking that would make a great scene?

EA: Yes I do... there is an entire scene in Rogue written with inspiration from 'We are Young' by Fun, there is also a few songs by Secondhand Serenade inspired some of the Addi and Greysan moments.

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AR: I know you’re working on releasing Neophyte in print; do you have a date set at this point?  

EA: I do not have a date set yet, I am still hoping one of the small publishers or literary agents that I submitted my manuscript to will be like “WOW this is the greatest thing we have ever read! Let’s sign her up! “  And so I am currently holding off on self paper publishing. 

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AR: What is your favorite line/quote in Neophyte? 

EA: So many people ask me this… It’s hard to pick one… I am sure it would be one of Addisyn’s snarky comments… like “I am not some mail order bride!”  OR  ‘Everything was panning out to be an uneventful, peaceful evening, finally I could lie back and pretend I was just a normal human teenage girl, instead of feeling like Addisyn White and the five angelic dorks: Bossy, Crabby, Hottie, Cocky, and Rebel.’

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AR: What is the first book you can remember reading?  

EA: Probably a Babysitters Club or an RL Stine’s Goosebumps

AR: I love Goosebumps as a kid!!

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AR: What book can you read over and over and never get tired of? 

EA: I am not really one to read books over and over, but now that I have a nook, it’s a lot easier.  Divergent was the most recent one I have reread, but I don’t really have one I can read over and over. At least not that I can think up right now.

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AR: Salty snacks or sweet treats?  

EA: Both. I like to mix the two together… like chocolate covered potato chips..   But I really can not live without sprees and chips and salsa. 

AR: I’ve heard of chocolate drizzled popcorn (yums) but never chocolate covered potato chips! I think I will be hunting for some in the near future!

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EA: Thanks Jen for letting me take over your blog for a day or two!  I really did a happy dance when you said you liked it!!!  Can’t wait to be able to send you an ARC of my secret book and Rogue.  Hope you will have me back when they come out!

AR: Thanks so much for agreeing to do this interview. It was great having you here and I am very excited to get my hands on your ‘secret book’ and Rogue when they’re available! I would, of course, love to have you back with your next release!

If you’d like to stalk Emmalee a little you can find her at the below places:

Emmalee’s Website

Emmalee on Goodreads

Neophyte on Amazon

Neophyte on Barnes & Nobles

My review of Neophyte

And now for the giveaway! 

UPDATE-Giveaway has ended

There will be two winners

1st place winner will receive an ebook of Neophyte (from smashwords.com) and a signed bookmark!

2nd place winner will receive a signed bookmark!

To Enter:

• Fill out the below form
• Contest is open internationally
• Enter by 11:59pm on June 22nd
• Winner will be selected via random.org on June 23rd

Thank you Emmalee for providing the wonderful prizes!

Neophyte by Emmalee Aple

STOP BACK TOMORROW FOR AN INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY WITH EMMALEE APLE!

Goodreads Summary:

Addisyn White thought she had her new life, her after life, all figured out. Granted death had not brought her to the pearly white gates, she hadn’t even left Earth. But death had its perks; she got to live forever with her best friend and her assigned Link of Angels, in a beautiful beach house. Even with the changes she was going through to turn her human body into an angelic one, everything seemed pretty easy. Until a gray winged angel comes into her life, then all the secrets and lies her Link had been keeping start crumbling away, exposing a whole new world of dangers she didn’t even know about.

Now Addisyn must fill in the blanks before things escalate too far. Will she save her Link? Or will she be buried in their secrets forever?

My Review:

I’ll admit, I was very hesitant to read this book since I know Emmalee from Goodreads. I’m sure most bloggers can understand that it’s sometimes difficult to start a book if you know the author. The normal questions run through your head, the main one being ‘what if I don’t like it?’. I always give a honest review no matter the source of the book but I would feel bad if I didn’t like it and had to write a negative review.

Once I got over my mental roadblock and started reading I quickly realized that my worrying was very much unfounded. Neophyte is the first angel book that I have loved and it gives me hope that there are more angel books out there that I can enjoy.

There’s a great dynamic within Addisyn’s Link. Each character had their own role to play and I loved each of them and seeing them interact with eachother.While one of favorite characters is Hunter, I felt most connected to the main character Addi. She has been kept in the dark about a lot of things and throughout the book you watch her as she puts together the pieces of her past and the pasts of the other members of the link. Sure, I wanted to yell at her at times (and I did, haha) but I also wanted her to live happily ever after (yes, I'm a complete sucker for happy endings). I can't spoil the ending for you though so you'll just have to read the book to find out if she gets her happy ending.

If you're looking for a new angel book that is interesting, funny, tense, and sometimes emotional then this is definitely a book for you.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

Winner: Swag Bag Sunday (2)

I decided to draw two winners this month and I have some special swag from Ashyln Chase so each winner will get one of those as well.

Koll, you have won the below swag! Congrats!!

Suz @ A Soul Unsung, you have won the below swag! Congrats :)