Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Gatekeeper by J.A. Templeton

The Gatekeeper

by J.A. Templeton 

(Otherworld Series #1) 

Publication date: May 1st 2014

Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal Romance

Book Description:

Ever since I can remember, I’ve had strange dreams that always came true, and experienced terrifying powers that set me apart from everyone else.

It’s not until my eighteenth birthday do I begin to understand what those dreams mean. When my grandfather is attacked and left for dead, I am thrust into the Otherworld—a medieval-like land of beautiful immortals with amazing gifts. One of these immortals has stolen the key between the realms, and it is up to me, Brynne Davies, the next gatekeeper, to reach the key before the power struggle that exists in the Otherworld occurs on earth.

Complicating my task are the members of the Royal House of Parthas, especially the king’s brother, the handsome Murdoc, Warlord of the king’s army, and then there’s the charming Fae prince who seems to always be one step ahead of me.

Time is running out for me to find the key and close the door. If I don’t, the world I left will never be the same…because of me.

The Gatekeeper (Otherworld series, #1) is a New Adult Fantasy/Paranormal Romance.

Buy Links:

Amazon

Excerpt from The Gatekeeper

The smithy was stifling hot. Gareth had thick and curly reddish-brown hair. Wet with perspiration, he was busy pounding out horseshoes as if his life depended on it. He abruptly looked up and his eyes widened. “My lord, I fear I do not yet have the sword ready.”

Murdoc smiled reassuringly. “I am not here for the sword, but rather to make a bracelet for Parthas’s newest arrival.” He motioned to me. “Gareth, this is Brynne. Brynne, may I introduce Gareth.”

Gareth appeared relieved as he glanced at me, and quickly hid a smile. “His lordship is quite skilled with iron and fire, Miss Brynne.”

“Aye, I believe you,” I nearly shouted, feeling ridiculous the second the words were out because Gareth’s brow furrowed. It didn’t help when he and Murdoc shared an amused smile.

To Gareth’s credit, he didn’t let his gaze move past my chin. I wished I could have changed into another gown because I looked a mess. Aside from my appearance, I was glad to be in Murdoc’s company.

“Do not boast of my skills too much, my friend,” Murdoc said, taking a leather apron from a spike on the wall. He tied it around his waist and then reached for my hand, sliding his fingers and thumb around my wrist.

His touch was electric and it stunned me. I felt that casual touch all the way to my toes.

“I need to measure for an accurate fit,” he said, and I looked up at him, at the way his long lashes cast shadows on those model-like cheekbones. I swallowed a sigh.

“Very delicate,” he said, catching me staring at him. He didn’t move, just watched me for a moment before letting his hand fall away.

I had to remind myself to breathe as he took a step away from me.

He immediately set into motion by grasping a set of tongs, then heating a rod of iron over the fire.

I stood watching for a few minutes, then feeling ridiculous, I decided to take a seat on a nearby bench. I had to admit—Murdoc intrigued me. He was a walking contradiction. Everything about him screamed intimidation, and yet here he was—Parthas’s ominous warlord—taking time out of his day to make a bracelet for a girl he had just met. Which made me wonder—did he have a woman? He wore no ring. Then again, I did not know Parthas customs.

Murdoc glanced up at Gareth, who kept his gaze averted, but the blacksmith’s lips quirked nonetheless. Gareth then turned away and made himself busy cleaning up the metal shavings in the work area, humming all the while.

A light breeze rushed through the smithy, and I watched as the wind ruffled Murdoc’s hair. The shirt he’d slid on hung loosely at his waist and over his butt.

And he had a nice butt. Once again, I forced my gaze away from his smoking-hot body.

I couldn’t afford to start crushing on anyone in Parthas. Time was ticking, and I had to get in and get out, and back to Pops.

But that didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy the eye candy while I was here.

Murdoc kept reaching for different tools off of a wooden rack to twist and bend the metal. It was amazing to watch him at work. After ten or so minutes of meticulous detail, the bracelet was finished and Murdoc set it to cool on a rack.

Putting the tools away, he brushed a hand through his hair just as another strong breeze blew through the shop window, and a stray lock fell over his right eye.

I don’t know what possessed me, but I stepped close, reached up, and brushed the strand away. Murdoc’s hand flew up and caught my wrist in a firm grip.

I gasped, surprised by his reaction. “I only wanted to get the hair—”

He immediately loosened his grip. “I apologize, Brynne. I am not accustomed to being touched.”

Not accustomed to being touched? Was he serious? Something in his eyes made me believe he was completely serious…and why did I find that so sad? Maybe because my grandfather had never let me go to bed without tucking me in with a kiss on the cheek and telling me that he loved me.

Murdoc stared at my lips—almost as if he was going to kiss me.

“My lord,” a guard yelled from the door.

Murdoc blinked and took a step away from me. “Aye, Cameron. What is it?”

“There is a caravan coming, and they are flying the colors of the House of Zaphyr.” Cameron flashed a grin. “Your betrothed will be at the castle gate within the hour!”

Your betrothed? As in fiancée?

Murdoc was engaged.

About the Author

I wrote my first young adult novel over ten years ago, and took a slight detour from writing YA to publish nineteen adult romances. Now, I'm following my heart and writing in the genre I've been passionate about for so long, and about characters who don't exactly fit into any specific box.

Aside from writing and reading, I'm obsessed with history, love research, traveling, and riding motorcycles with my hubby, my first and only love, who stole my heart when I was fourteen and he was eighteen (yes, he robbed the cradle). I am also a medium, which gives me a unique perspective when writing about the paranormal and characters like Riley, who can see, hear, and feel spirits.

I'm passionate about books, and I'll never tire of writing love stories.

Author Links:

Website ¦ Facebook ¦ Twitter ¦ Goodreads

***Giveaway***

One ecopy of The Gatekeeper up for grabs!

Ends May 19, 2014 (midnight GMT).

Open internationally.

Prize will be sent out after May 26th.

Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 13 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be selected. The winner will be posted on this page after the winner responds. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

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Book Blitz Organized by:

BOTM - The Runaways {Wattpad}

The Runaways

Author: jr0127

Genre: Action / Mystery / Thriller

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Love's a disappearing act, death's an illusion.

When Hailey Anderson, daughter of a dangerous D.C. senator, slams into Caleb Evans, a pretty boy with a million-dollar smile and a million ugly secrets, she figures fate has finally given her an escape from the broken home she's desperate to distance herself from. 

Their seemingly star-crossed encounter results in her being drugged and dragged out of Washington as Caleb's ugly background bubbles to the surface.

Caught between deadly family ties, financial desperation, and an intriguing new hostage, Caleb struggles to walk the line between loyalty and frightening new feelings for Hailey. When his brothers discover Caleb distancing himself from their last chance plan for survival turned federal crime, they stop at nothing to tear the two of them apart. 

When helping Hailey means losing everything, will Caleb stay barbwire-tied to his brothers or hold on to a hostage who's got a hold on him?

Author Links:

Website ¦ Wattpad

Interview

1. Please tell the readers a bit about yourself.

My name's Jenny! I'm 25 and have my bachelors in English from UCLA. I spent a number of years working in the entertainment industry and now am studying to become a certified ESL teacher overseas! I'm also working towards establishing a partial career in writing.

2. What types of books do you write?

Both new adult and young adult novels. I tend to lean towards writing darker romances with a tinge of thriller/action. 

3. How many books have you written?

The Runaways is my first completed manuscript. I have two others in progress (Velvet Skye & Cheater.Faker.Troublemaker.) along with a smattering of short stories. 

4. What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

The Fault in Our Stars hands down. I think it'll be the Perks of Being A Wallflower of this year. I love John Green's work so I'm excited about the film adaptation.

5. What type of books do you enjoy reading?

YA & NA Romance. Anything by John Green, Colleen Hoover, Jay Asher and the like. I also love classics. Jack Kerouac, J.D. Salinger, Harper Lee, William Faulkner, and Kurt Vonnegut are some of my heroes.

6. If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

A functional phone, an awesome first aid kit, and Colin O'Donoghue ;).

7. Are you considering a sequel?

I am! This is the first time I'm mentioning this, but I've spent the last few days pseudo outlining what a Runaways sequel would look like. It's definitely being considered.

8. What inspired you to become a writer?

My grandmother. She worked with quite a few established authors back in her day and so growing up I was surrounded by writers & a wonderful woman who encouraged me to be creative. Writing just happened to be one outlet I took a liking to.

The Runaways Scavenger Hunt

Click the image below for more details

Book Blast & Giveaway - The Only Boy by Jordan Locke

The Only Boy

by Jordan Locke

Mary is stuck in Section One, living with three hundred women in a crumbling hospital. She wonders what life was like two centuries ago, before the Cleansing wiped out all the men. But the rules—the Matriarch's senseless rules—prevent her from exploring the vacant city to find out.

Taylor's got a dangerous secret: he's a boy. His compound's been destroyed, and he's been relocated to Section One. Living under the Matriarch means giving up possessions, eating canned food and avoiding all physical contact. Baggy clothes hide his flat chest and skinny legs, but if anyone discovers what lies beneath, he'll be exiled. Maybe even executed.

Mary's never seen a boy—the Matriarch cut the pictures of men from the textbooks—and she doesn't suspect Taylor's secret. If she knew, she might understand the need to stop the girls from teasing him. If she knew, she might realize why she breaks the rules, just to be near him. Then again, she might be frightened to death of him.

Taylor should go. The Matriarch is watching his every move. But running means leaving Mary—and braving the land beyond the compound's boundaries.

Buy Links:
Amazon

Praise for The Only Boy

“It’s not a dystopia that does a good job—it’s a great book that happens to be a dystopia.”

Rachel Miller, Editor

“This book is one of the best of its genre I have read, it kept me gripped to its satisfying end.”

Janet Love, Amazon UK Reviewer

“If you like a different take on the dystopian genre then I would highly recommend this unique and amazing book.”

Tamara Bass, The Avid Book Collector

About the Author

Jordan Locke lives in Connecticut with his wife, two lively daughters and a well-behaved whippet. A graphic designer by trade, his creativity spilled over into the literary world. After years of writing, reading and learning the craft, his fifth novel, The Only Boy, brought him offers of representation from two well-known agents. Now, after the dog is fed and the kids are in bed, you will find him tapping away at the keyboard.

Author Links:

Website ¦ Twitter ¦ Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

***Giveaway***

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash.

Ends 5/31/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 

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Author Spotlight - CT_Hill {Wattpad}

Catergory X

Author: CT_Hill

Genre: Science-Fiction / Mystery / Thriller

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Evan and Alexander make a disastrous discovery, but instead of using the compound for the benefit of the world, they move to release the pathogen; the very pathogen to which they have the only cure.

When Special Agent Olivia Frey is given the case of her career, it does not take long for her to realize that what she is investigating is no ordinary murder, but something that will be forever etched in history.

The world takes a breath as it realizes its greatest catastrophe, as the gift of reproduction is snatched right from humanity's hands.

Category X means that the world will change.

Will you survive?

Author Links:

Website ¦ Wattpad ¦ Twitter

Author Interview

1. Please tell the readers a bit about yourself.

Well, I am happily married to the most wonderful woman and we have an eight year old girl that is our world. I am active duty in the US Army, stationed in North Carolina. Currently I have one novel published, The Lost Prince, and I am working on finishing up Category X at the moment. I try to work out and run as much as possible, and in our free time we like to watch movies and go to the beach whenever we can. 

2. What types of books do you write?

The Lost Prince is an Epic Fantasy novel and Category X is a Science Fiction / Thriller. I have a few other urban fantasies as well, but I stay mostly in the Fantasy/Science Fiction realm of things.

3. How many books have you written?

The Lost Prince has been finished, the sequel to it is in the works, but probably a year at least from being finished. Category X has become the new priority since I have gotten such amazing feedback about it. It is almost done, with just some finishing touches to go. Other than that, most of my work is short stories or unfinished projects that may or may not ever see the light of day.

4. What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

For the movie I would have to say the new Captain America, and for the book, I have been patiently waiting for the last installment of The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss, though, to be honest, I doubt it is coming out this year (does that count?).

5. What type of books do you enjoy reading?

I can honestly read anything. Right now I am reading The Summer Guest by Justin Cronin, and before that I finished up the second book of Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy. I have found some interesting stories on Wattpad as well. If I had to pick a type, though, I would say that Fantasy would take first place.

6. If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

1. Flint.

2. A knife.

3. A spile (aka a tree spigot).

The flint for obvious reasons; fire can save your life. A knife because, well, it never runs out of ammo, flint + metal = sparks, and it is a multi-use tool. A spile because fresh water is hard to come by, especially on an island, so let the tree filter it for you.

7. Are you considering a sequel?

It is a little early for Category X to say yes or no. Honestly, if everything goes as planned, yes, but we will just have to wait and see.

8. What inspired you to become a writer?

It was always a dream of mine to write a book, whether it was published or not. So, ever since I could coherently place words onto paper, I have been doing so. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Excerpt from Category X

“Please state your name,” Olivia said as she took a seat across the steel table from the man. Olivia was not a particularly frightening woman, quite the opposite, actually. She was of average height, sporting a petite build, with brown hair that would have fell past her shoulders had she not worn it up. Most of her co-workers would attest that she was beautiful in more ways than one. She had bright green eyes set in an oval face that was outlined by soft features and lips that would make most men shudder. Olivia looked over the man for a long moment, her eyes never leaving his.

“I am sure that you can guess who I work for,” she continued without pause, easing her way into her role; a role she knew the man was not prepared to combat. “Since you find yourself in a federal detention center instead of a shipping container somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic, you believe you are safe…that you have won.” Her eyes narrowed, her demeanor prickled. “I can assure you that you are far from safe. Rendition protocol is for the second-class terrorists, for the ones we don’t care about; for the ones we want to die in some nameless shithole of a country. No, I’m afraid we have much bigger plans for you.”

The man’s name was Daif Ghazi, or such was the name he went by for the last thirty years.  Daif did not immediately answer, but crossed his hands atop the table and simply matched her gaze. According to his file he was a stoic man, astute, calculating—in fact, in the last fifteen years alone he was responsible for orchestrating the assassinations of more foreign diplomats than anyone else they were tracking, which made his capture particularly momentous.

“I know you are—excuse me, were—a middle man, working for Ibrahim Ansari,” she paused to let the information settle. “The same Ibrahim Ansari responsible for the sarin gas attacks in Syria a year ago. The same Ibrahim Ansari who orchestrated the attempted attacks on Special Forces led ANA soldiers last month.” She cut her eyes once more from her dossier, her repetition beating into his skull. “The same Ibrahim Ansari that was killed two days ago in Tagab Valley by the very soldiers he attempted to ambush.” The smile that she wished to display did not touch her lips; she only stared back at the man with a silent resolve that few could match.

Daif sat back in the chair, his face unreadable. “I do not know this man,” he said through a heavy accent.

Olivia only nodded, as if she expected as much, and opened a large brown folder that sat between them. After removing various documents, she picked through a few photos, studying each carefully before laying a few in front of the Middle Eastern man. “That man on the left,” she pointed. “That is you, correct?”

It took Daif a moment before he glanced down at the photos. His face remained a mask as his eyes met hers once more.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” she said. “And that,” she pointed to a smaller man around ten years Daif’s senior who was in all of the photos, “is Ibrahim Ansari, or was, I suppose. So, do you still not know this man?”

Daif’s eyes narrowed. “As I said before,” he responded curtly.

“And how about this one?” she asked as she pushed the last photo in front of the man. It had a young adult male, also of Middle Eastern descent, speaking with an older man just outside of a market in some unknown location.

The man only sighed before looking down at the photo. His face changed, though only slightly, but Olivia caught it. She was young, much too young to be an agent, or at least an agent of her stature according to pretty much everyone at the bureau, but she was as smart as they came, and she closed cases, plain and simple. “I guess you know Khalid.” She paused a moment, scrutinizing his face. “I imagine that it would be near impossible to forget your only son.” Olivia scooped up the pictures and put them back into the folder. She rose from the seat and stepped towards the door before turning over her shoulder. “We have him, you know, and I cannot say that his interview is going quite like ours.” She shrugged. “He got Ronson, and everyone knows that the agency conducts interviews in a more…intrusive manner.”

With that, she knocked on the door twice and it sprung open, but before she left the room, Daif spoke up. “He is only a child. He knows nothing, nothing of importance.”

Blog Tour Author Interview - White Girl in La Casa by Christa Jeanne

Tour Schedule

White Girl in La Casa

by Christa Jeanne

Book Description:

After being dumped by the last bad boy she’s ever going to date, Calliope meets her Hispanic prince charming.  Peter Delgadillo is the perfect gentleman, sure, but he’s also extremely easy to look at with a flirtatious grin, naturally tanned skin that just radiates over gorgeous muscle, and the potential to be Calliope’s passionate Latin lover who whispers sweet Spanish nothings into her ear.  Hmmm.  If only she could convince him that she is his Caucasian love goddess.  However, Peter wants to remain in the ‘just amigos’ category.  Well, that is until a pipe bursts and they are forced to stay with Peter’s mother.  He confesses that in order to ease his mother’s ailing heart, they need to act like a couple in love.  Pretend to adore one another?  Play the part of the adorable girlfriend while getting to touch, fondle, cuddle and cozy up to the man that she’s been madly in love with for years?  No problemo!

However, nothing is getting past Peter’s mother, Margarita, who is not fond of the new white girl who doesn’t speak the language, doesn’t know the culture and doesn’t eat meat!  With quite the language barrier and culture shock, Calliope struggles to keep her end of the bogus relationship bargain especially when she begins to realize that their friendship may break her heart.  Oh, and then there’s Peter’s brother, Eddie, who threatens to blow the secret wide open because he knows it’s all an act.  With a love triangle right out of a Spanish novella, Calliope tries to figure out what’s real and what isn’t so her heart won’t take another blow. 

One white girl, one fake boyfriend who should be The One, one ice cold Margarita who’s determined to drive her out and the one guy who knows it’s all a sham.  It’ll be a wonder if this white girl will survive in la casa…

Buy Links:

Amazon

Author Interview

1. Tell a little about yourself. What you do when you’re not writing? What are your aspirations for the future? 

When I’m not writing, I do have a full time job that I suffer through with a smile until I can get home to do what I love, which is writing.  I’ve got a really great husband and two of the greatest kids you’ll ever meet.  When I’m not writing, I’m either getting clobbered at Candyland by my daughter who is three, but going on twenty-three, or organizing special sports games for my eight year old son with autism.  So at the end of any given night, I’d love nothing more than to crash on the couch, but once the kiddos are asleep, I break out the computer, put my head phones on, and throw two lovely characters into crazy situations knowing that by the end, they’ll end up happy and smooching!

2. When and why did you start writing? 

I’ve always been a bookworm.  My favorite Christmas present every year was the book that my dad would pick out for me.  It was always something different.  The more I read, the more I wanted to write.  I have a degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Long Beach and in my senior year, I started writing notes for a suspense thriller.  I wrote it, but life kind of happened in between, and I had to walk away from it.  I got married and our son was diagnosed with autism which wasn’t an easy pill to swallow.  With the hard news of our son’s autism diagnosis, I found writing to be a way to de-stress and a good way to find humor in hard situations.  I started reading books from Kristan Higgins, Jennifer Crusie and Christopher Moore and I loved the comedy.  After reading those, I got the writing bug in me and I seriously couldn’t stop.  I love writing comedies; putting a smile on someone’s face and hearing my readers say that they were laughing every time they turned the page.  I love that!

3. Have any particular novels or writers influenced your writing? 

Yes, every writer really.  I read a lot and I read just about every fiction genre since they all have great things about them.  Drama, comedy, thrillers, I love them all since I really feel that the more I read, the better writer I become.  But specifically, there are a couple writers and novels that I have read time and time again.  Karen Rose is one of those authors and her book I’m Watching You has been loved to the point of falling apart on my shelf.  The poor spine of it…yeah, I’ve read it many times because of the great love story and dramatic suspense.  Also, Kristan Higgin’s Too Good To Be True is one that I love.  Very sweet, very cute and very funny!

4. Give us some back story about White Girl in La Casa, where and when did you write it? 

I started writing White Girl in La Casa about nine months ago.  However, the story itself has been a long time in the making.  I have firsthand experience about being a white girl in a Mexican household since my husband is Hispanic.  When we started dating, it was quite the culture shock to me about some traditions and everyday differences.  My problem is that I have an extremely twisted sense of humor, so when I found myself in those “white girl” situations, well, I’d laugh them off and write a note in my head ‘that would be really funny in a book one day.’  For example, Calliope has a bowl of posole soup that Margarita makes for her and if you know what posole is, it’s made with pork.  By the way, my main character, Calliope, is a vegan and any good Mexican household is definitely not vegan!

I won’t give the scene away, but let’s just say the scene with the posole bowl of soup actually happened to me, and it wasn’t my finest white girl moment.

5. What was your favourite part of White Girl in La Casa to write? 

Definitely the scenes between Calliope, my main character, and Margarita who is Peter and Eddie’s old-school Mexican mama.  She’s very much into Mexican tradition and making sure her boys date nice Hispanic girls, so when a white girl who doesn’t eat meat comes in and tries win her over, well, it’s a little tough for both of them to bend to the other’s ways.  Throughout the book, Calliope does start to win her over, but Margarita won’t admit it which makes scenes with the two of them amusing and fun to write.

6. What does your writing schedule look like? 

Uh, well, even as I’m writing this, my daughter is doing the “Mommy?  Mommy?  Mommy? Guess, what Mommy? I want to tell you something.  Mom?” She’s like the baby from Family Guy.  So basically, whenever I get a chance to write, I write!  But mainly, I write when the kids go to bed and the house is quiet.  That’s really all the time I get, but I use it for all it’s worth.

7. Which fictional character would you like to take to dinner and why? 

From White Girl in La Casa?  Oh Peter.  Definitely.  Calliope thinks she’s in love with Peter and has been his friend for a long time.  But even though she comes to realize that their friendship will never become anything else, Peter is still very fun to go out with and very fun to look at…uh huh.  And he can dance.  Any guy that can dance…whew…yup, my kind of guy.  So yeah, dinner and dancing with Peter Delgadillo.

8. Besides your lead, do you have a favourite character in the story? 

Yes, Eddie.  He’s kind of a sarcastic, no-nonsense kind of guy.  He hates liars and I’m with him on that.  And the boots.  He wears these bad boy, black boots that get Calliope all hot and bothered.  I loved writing the scenes between Calliope and Eddie, especially the scene about the No Going Back Zone.  Uh huh…that scene was very fun to write!

9. What is one of the most surprising things you've learned as a writer? 

Confidence.  Definitely.  When my readers read my debut novel My Midlife & Married Romance Novel Life and tell me they love it, I gain confidence as a writer.  It’s an inner struggle sometimes, I’m good enough, I’m not good enough, like you’re peeling off the petals of a flower, but when people starting loving my first book and asking for the next book, I gained confidence in my writing.  That’s been the best part.

10. Any advice for aspiring authors? 

Don’t give up.  At all.  It’s still something I have to tell myself from time to time as a self published writer.  I’ve wanted to write novels for a long time and finally getting the first one done, and then another, that was gratifying.  It’s very easy to get distracted but if your dream is to become an author, like me, then you just have to do it!  And then, you have to do it again…and again.  But don’t give up because once you see your name on Amazon: Christa Jeanne, author, you get to do the happy dance of writing joy.  I did.  My kids laughed at my little dance but it’s thrilling to see your dream come true…geez, sorry that was a little too Disney-ish wasn’t it?  Anyways, don’t give up and write every day.

About the Author

Christa Jeanne lives and writes in the Los Angeles area, which means at any given moment she is likely to be stuck in traffic somewhere.  When she isn’t writing her next romantic comedy, she is either busy getting clobbered at Candyland by her daughter, educating anyone who will listen about how her son with autism is going to change the world one day, or lovingly doting on her handsome, charming, intelligent and perfect husband (who totally fed her that line).  Christa is the ringleader of her circus at home and as soon as the kids go to bed, she can be found at her computer rocking out to a playlist that matches the mood of the current book she’s hammering out.  She loves writing about the funnier side of love since falling in love can be pretty hilarious sometimes.

Her latest book is the romantic comedy, White Girl in La Casa.

Christa loves visitors, so please visit her at www.christajeannebooks.com.

Author Links:
Facebook ¦ Goodreads

Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE

Book Blast & Giveaway - Scents and Senses by Loren Secretts

Scents and Senses: Supernatural Friends. What the fairy tales didn’t tell you

Playing the role of a knight in shining armor is more complicated than it seems in the storybooks, as sixteen-year-old Joy discovers when she repeatedly comes to the rescue of a fifteen-year-old human. But when she meddles in the girl’s social life, Starra sends her packing.

Starra is determined to completely dissociate herself from the subterranean creature that has manipulated her life and cast her into the limelight. However, her resolve is soon tested when she becomes involved in a critical situation where supernatural assistance can enable her to carry out a daring plot.

Eventually, Starra’s involvement with her new other-wordly friends extracts a heavy price when she is beset by challenges that range from the down- to-earth struggles of a typical teenage student, to the realm of the fantastic. Nothing prepares her, however, for the ultimate challenge.

Buy Links:  
Amazon ¦ Smashwords

Excerpt from Scents and Senses

Joy 

Ever since I’ve been old enough to kick off on a condor with my own two chicken feet, I’ve been drilled to mind my own business.

Mind your own business, the first of the American Ten Commandments. It’s not one I subscribe to, even though in our community, not minding my own business means more than social suicide; it’s a crime when we ascend above ground.

For thousands of years we deeems have kept away from the creatures running over our heads with their five-toed feet. So if anyone in my community gets wind of the risky job I’m on these days, I’m practically a goner. But that doesn’t stop me from shadowing a certain teenage fivetoe.

There’s also a totally different occupational hazard involved in this position I’ve created for myself, one I’m suffering from right now: this job occasionally makes school seem relatively stimulating. Yawn. I’ve played too many Angry Condor games to count since Starra got involved in some fantasy book a couple of hours ago and lost contact with the real world. Even if I knew how to become visible to the fivetoe eye and suddenly revealed myself, I bet she wouldn’t notice me, the cute teen perched on her windowsill.

Time simply refuses to advance, and I have to resort to counting the spider eggs cocooned in their nest on a nearby tree branch. A sudden sigh interrupts my lame occupation. There’s a starry look in the big eyes, and I notice the novel is slipping out of Starra’s dreamy grip. This is my window of opportunity! I finger the starchy edge of the book jacket and coax the book forward.

Thud. The book falls to the floor, and the movement seems to bring Starra back to her senses. At last she grabs a hoodie and sets out, probably for one of her night excursions on the Vista Del Mar Path. Are we running or biking tonight?

Running it is. I jog behind her, finding the excursion by the shoreline an improvement to watching her read. At least we are moving.

She runs for half an hour, at a speed faster than the sea turtle pace usual for fivetoes. Then she slows to a stop at a jagged rock, half-submerged in the ocean. I groan quietly and contemplate leaving. From experience, I know she’ll climb to the top of her rock and dream away. I start backing off, but when I’m some fifty feet away, I look back. Starra makes a pretty picture there, her silhouette perched high on the rock. Her long legs are tucked under her, and her head hangs back as she keeps her gaze on the stars above. If only she would let loose the heavy dark mane of hair she always twists up at the back of her neck, she would truly look like a mermaid risen from the sea.

Something pulls me back to her. I can’t explain it, but I have a feeling trouble is lurking nearby, waiting to snatch her in its net.

My chicken feet make an about face and follow Starra home as she takes the shorter route through town.

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About the Author

Loren Secretts was raised in a book-filled home, in a sleepy east coast suburb of the US. These factors are undoubtedly responsible for her early design of a number of exciting imaginary worlds that she could escape to from time to time during her childhood.

In her teen years, between schoolwork and lending an ear to her friends, Loren had less opportunity to go AWOL. Instead, her experience as a confidant to others inspired her to major in psychology in college and earn her M.A. in the field on the west coast.

As an adult, Loren has found fulfillment in her work with children and families for more than a decade. Her passion for writing was revived when she discovered that she enjoyed delving into the human psyche to write psychological reports. But clients' reports are safe with Loren, who guards secrets fastidiously. Indeed, one of her aspirations is to work as a psychotherapist for the CIA, but since she now lives with her family in Canada, that dream will have to await its turn…

Author Links:

Website ¦ Twitter ¦ Facebook ¦ Pinterest

***Giveaway***

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash.

Ends 5/27/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 

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Always You by Missy Johnson is on SALE for 99c!

Always You

by Missy Johnson

I was thrilled when I was offered a graduate teaching position at the prestigious Tennerson Girls Academy. At twenty-three, this would be my first ‘real’ teaching assignment. Working at the elite boarding school, home dsto the daughters of some of the wealthiest people in the world, was a great opportunity that I would’ve been stupid to pass up. 

One week into my new job, and I suddenly had no idea why I chose high school…I was a seventeen year old boy once, I knew how teenage girls behaved. 

You can’t even imagine the hell of trying to teach thirty, hormonal driven seventeen year olds who have been cooped up, away from any male contact. 

I could handle the whispers every time I entered the room. I could even handle the obvious attempts at gaining my attention. What I couldn’t handle was her… 

Rich bitches and way too many rules. Was it any wonder that I hated school? 

Add to that the lack of male contact, and I was going insane. Like literally. I wasn’t used to this. A year ago I was normal. I had a boyfriend, friends and a loving family. There is nothing normal about me anymore, and nobody here lets me forget that. 

My name is Wrenn, and I’m only here because my aunt took me in after what happened, but my aunt also happens to be the headmistress of this academy…Can you see my problem? 

I’m hated for my lack of money, and I’m hated for who my Aunt is. 

Then he arrived. Dalton Reed. My new history teacher. 

Slowly, he helped me see that even in the worst situations, there is always hope.

Buy Links:

Amazon ¦ Nook ¦ Kobo

BOTW - WEEK 50 {Wattpad}

When in Rome

Author: lalalalawriting

Genre: Teen Romance

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Meet Adeline,"Ade" Preston average teenage girl- she does well in school, doesn't crave attention, and is perfectly okay with not being on the high end of the popular scale. When her teacher asks her to go on a trip to Rome to volunteer, its something Adeline can't miss. Now counting down the days until the end of August it seems its the best way to end the summer before Senior year, but what happens when she finds out theres been a mistake and she has to room with the schools star quarter back Mason Carter. See what happens with Adeline and Mason When in Rome.

Click here to read the book.

Resurgence

Author: HarneetBajwa

Genre: Science-Fiction / Fantasy

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Humanity’s desire to be immortal is finally fulfilled when Stuart and Nick, two mischievous yet brilliant young men, figure out a way to reverse age. Over the next few years, they sell life to the aging population and build Phoenix Corporation: one of the biggest companies in the world. With Life Centers across the globe, people can prolong life but death still remains unconquered. 

When an accident at a Life Center throws the city of Hamilton into chaos, nothing stops the spreading death and madness. Stuart and Nick struggle to find the real reason behind the mysterious phenomenon. 

Will humanity pay the ultimate price for evading death?

Click here to read the book.

The Unusuals

Author: mayakakos

Genre: Teen Fantasy / Action

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Jamie Smith was never a normal girl. All her life she was training and running from The Government. Everything changes when everyone except her and five other Unusual are left to fend for themselves. Jamie Smith must now over come not only running from the Government but also betraying best friends, prophecies and the fear of losing everyone she loves...

Click here to read the book.

65 Letters A Day

Author: DiceFab

Genre: Romance / Short Story

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Danielle Teared is a girl that her boyfriend Samual is in the marines across country. He sends her letters for 65 days, until he stops. Danielle will go through so much pain, loss, and love, sending letters for 65 days will be tough, but its between love and war.

Click here to read the book.

Category X

Author: CT_Hill

Genre: Science-Fiction / Mystery / Thriller

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Evan and Alexander make a disastrous discovery, but instead of using the compound for the benefit of the world, they move to release the pathogen; the very pathogen to which they have the only cure.

When Special Agent Olivia Frey is given the case of her career, it does not take long for her to realize that what she is investigating is no ordinary murder, but something that will be forever etched in history.

The world takes a breath as it realizes its greatest catastrophe, as the gift of reproduction is snatched right from humanity's hands.

Category X means that the world will change.

Will you survive?

Click here to read the book.

BOTW - List #50 {Wattpad}

BOTW WEEK 50: