Book Blitz: The Skinwalker's Apprentice by Claribel Ortega

The Skinwalker's Apprentice
by Claribel Ortega

Release Date: 02/24/14

Summary from Goodreads:

“Welcome to The Empire State, where banshees, witches, and skinwalkers wait…”

Margo Pennyfeather is being hunted. The 16-year-old witch has always been an outcast, in her home back in England, and now in the village of East Hampton New York where her family has settled. No one but her family has ever cared for Margo, but now the most important witch in the magic world wants her as an apprentice, giving her a chance to bring her family out of poverty.

Before long, Margo realizes things aren't what they seem, least of all, what kind of witch she really is. Now, the young witch must face a terrifying monster on her own, and the reverberations will reach farther than she could have ever imagined.

More than three hundred years later, in 1984 Emerald Kipp is a high school senior in New York City. A troubled teen with a rebellious streak, Emerald can't seem to figure out what to do with her life, and unfortunately for her, “witch” isn’t one of the available career choices in her guidance counselor’s office. As she struggles to figure herself out, Emerald is faced with the threat of being stuck in school and missing her final summer with her three best friends. Her last year of high school is turning out to be the worst yet, and Emerald thinks it can’t possibly get any worse. Unfortunately for her, she’s dead wrong.

And there’s something else, something far more sinister stirring in Emerald’s world, and she’ll have to believe in herself if she wants to get through it alive.

Two witches, three hundred years apart, one inescapable fate.

The Skinwalker's Apprentice is a prequel to the upcoming novel, Emerald Kipp and The Riddle of The Timekeeper, a terrifying magical scavenger hunt through the gritty streets of 1980’s New York City,set to a killer soundtrack, and perfect for fans of Harry Potter and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Part of The Empire Witches series.

*Available February 24th, 2014 on Smashwords, iBooks, Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and more! (Pre orders available Jan. 20th)

About the Author

Claribel Ortega is a graduate of the SUNY Purchase journalism program, and got her start writing for the school’s Independent Newspaper. There, she quickly rose the ranks from editing the student’s often times hilarious ads and ramblings on the back page of the paper to staff and feature writer.

After graduation, Claribel worked as a reporter for The Rivertowns Enterprise, a local paper in lower Westchester County, New York. As a reporter, she enjoyed going to board of education meetings and texting the town mayors about the line at Starbucks.

Today, Claribel works for The Combined Book Exhibit, a book marketing company in Westchester NY.

She lives in New York with her really awesome boyfriend, her suspiciously intelligent yorkie Pancho Villa and is surrounded by an impenetrable fort of books she gets from her job.

“The Skinwalker’s Apprentice” is her first book, and cheese is her favorite food.

Author Links:

   

***GIVEAWAY***

Prize pack: (US only)

Forever 21 Mint green Handbag 

Forever 21 Emerald glitter nail polish 

Forever 21 Cat charm bracelet 

Forever 21 Pink heart gold necklace 

iTunes Playlist of all the songs in "The Riddle of The Timekeeper" (Playlist attached) 

Bookmarks and ebook of The Skinwalker’s Apprentice

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

Cover Love - After The End (After The End #1) by Amy Plum

Release Date: May 6, 2014

Publisher: Harper Teen

Summary (from Goodreads):

World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness. They've survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there.

At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life.

When Juneau returns from a hunting trip to discover that everyone in her clan has vanished, she sets off to find them. Leaving the boundaries of their land for the very first time, she learns something horrifying: There never was a war. Cities were never destroyed. The world is intact. Everything was a lie.

Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she's trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. Someone who knows the extraordinary truth about the secrets of her past.

BOTW - Taken By Destiny

Taken By Destiny

Teen Romance / Mystery

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Sixteen year old Lucy Harper is an average, happy girl with a good life. One decision plucks her from the life she knows in America to an unfamiliar London where she is a stranger to everyone. This mysterious place forces Lucy to realize that in life, we have to fight for those we love. We must make sacrifices. 

The longer Lucy stays in this place the more odd things begin to happen. Ominous dreams stain her sleep, where she encounters a strange girl who brings about more questions than answers. The mystery deepens with the presence of a boy shrouded in intrigue. In time Lucy learns that her presence in this place means more to some than others. In time she learns what she is fighting, and what is worth fighting for.

As she fights for those she loves, she is faced with a destiny she never thought possible.

Click here to read the book.

BOTW - Haunted

Haunted

Paranormal

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Harry tried to look at the girl as he tried to make out what she was talking about, but the weariness that took over him after the explosion wasn't helping in the least.

His eyes slowly drifted close no matter how hard he tried to keep them open. He couldn't open them even when a wet drop fell on his cheeks, not even when a gunshot rung into the air. He just drifted into the darkness and silence for no one knows where.

Click here to read the book.

BOTW - First Kiss & Broken Promises

First Kiss & Broken Promises

Teen Romance

Wattpad Book Blurb:

First Kiss can be earth-shattering and so can ‘broken promises’, especially when both are sealed and delivered by the one who has held your heart in the palms of his hands since the day you turned a teen. 

Seventeen year old Divya Narayan is a high-spirited young girl with an adventurous streak in her, who doesn’t think twice before taking a risk. She learns very early in life that broken promises by ones you love equals a broken heart. So she makes two promises – Never to fall in love and never to break a promise. 

One fateful night four years ago, Aryan Diaz not only broke Divya's heart but also her trust and their unique bond of friendship. When the charming heart-breaker returns next door to Divya, he holds more than a key to her locked heart; he has answers that can set her free to break the promises she made.

Click here to read the book.

BOTW - Sicilian Seductions

Sicilian Seductions

Romance

Wattpad Book Blurb:

A town, set against the dramatic rocky coastline silhouetted with palm trees and kissed by a sea, above which towers a smoking volcano and rolling green hills... In it, lives a sexy young billionaire, whose reputation is staked in nothing but the indulgence of fine wine and finer women. Swanky and smug Raul sets his sights on a ho hum small - time businesswoman whose only ambition is to succeed in managing her ailing father's wine business. Out of nowhere, he comes like a whirlwind throwing Nadia's well guarded emotions into a ruckus of desires and weaknesses. As the days fly by, Nadia succumbs to Raul's seductions, finding herself falling helplessly in love with the irresistible Sicilian. In a tale created in the heart of a hot and sizzling romance, lurks a danger which seeks to destroy them both...

Click here to read the book.

BOTW - Clandestine

Clandestine

Teen Fantasy / Paranormal

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Adelaide and her father have always lived a sheltered life, constantly moving from town to town, hidden from the eyes of others; until now.

Supernatural hunters have tracked them down and Adelaide is confronted with a world that has purposely been hidden from her. Despite the evidence of Adelaide’s magic powers there is no record of her ever being born and she has to prove she is not a threat in order to keep her life. With the help of an unexpected hand she slowly begins to learn who and what she is and that it comes with a heavy price.

Click here to read the book.

January Kindle Fire Giveaway ($229 Value)

Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value) 

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT!

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)

  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

      January Sponsors

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Feed Your Reader
3. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
4. Author Kimber Leigh Wheaton
5. Author Inger Iversen
6. NESSAROX
7. Author Carol Davis Luce
8. The Reporter and the Girl
9. Author David Pandolfe
10. Bella Street Writes
11. Author Bonnie Blythe
12. Author Elizabeth Seckman
13. MyLadyWeb: Women's History and Women Authors
14. Just One More Chapter
15. Author Donna Fasano
16. Author Lia Fairchild
17. Author Linda S. Prather
18. Author Heather McCoubrey
19. Author M.A. Comley
20. Jessica Loves Books
21. Fae Books
22. Author Cidney Swanson
23. Lori's Reading Corner
24. Author Jennifer Laurens
25. Allergic to Life
26. ~Owl Always Be Reading
27. Author J.L. Weil
28. Buku-Buku Didi
29. Barb's Wire - eBooks & More
30. Author Jennifer Gilby Roberts
31. Another Head Full of Fantasy
32. Fairiechick's Fantasy Book Reader
33. Author Kim Cresswell
34. Mother Daughter Book Reviews
35. Buried Under Romance
36. Jenna Does Books
37. Laurie Here
38. The Bunny's Review
39. Bea's Book Nook
40. Fabulously Girly Book Blog
41. The Loopy Librarian
42. Bound4Escape
43. Michael SciFan
44. Chapter by Chapter
45. Author Helen Smith
46. Button-the-Push Books and Giveaways
47. Author S.M. Blooding
48. Back Off My Books
49. Author Brinda Berry
50. Author Christie Anderson
51. Author Leslie A. Susskind
52. More Than A Review
53. Author Heather Gray
54. Paige Ryan
55. Fire and Ice
56. Author Bryna Butler

Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Fire Giveaway:
http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups

Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International).

There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7".

Ends 2/9/14

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 participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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BOTW - List #36

BOTW WEEK 36:

Bookvie: Divergent - out March 21, 2014

  

Who's in it:

Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Kate Winslet

What's it all about (book blurb from Goodreads):

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

DIVERGENT - Official Trailer

Movie Stills

 

Now, this is a book series I've been hearing about for quite some time yet, and I still haven't read any of the books. I read the blurb and sampled the book, but because I have read many books with similar storylines, so I haven't been too eager to pick it up.

I think I'll give it a go before the movie comes out and see how it goes.

Have you read Divergent?

Must-Read: The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Release Date: September 26, 2006

Publisher: Knopf Books

Summary (from Goodreads):

A searing, post apocalyptic novel destined to become Cormac McCarthy’s masterpiece.

A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.

BOTM - Royal Pain

Royal Pain

Three identical vampire princes are searching for a human girl to one day rule their kingdom. Little did they know that Deva was not like the rest of the girls. Instead of falling for the brothers charms and striving for their attention like most of the girls, Deva does everything she can to get on their bad side so that they may send her home. But for some reason everything she tries on them doesn't seem to work. She is pulled and twisted into the vampire world til she is left crying for home and a way out.

Wattpad

Interview

1. Please tell the readers a bit about yourself.

Well first off I am a very sarcastic person. I love to laugh and make a situation better by humor. I have a big Romanian family and we’re all very fun people to be around. I look more like my father than my mother and people sometimes get me confused with my sister when I think I look nothing like her. I am a huge movie buff. I have a library in one of my spare rooms filled with books. And I don’t even think I’ve finished reading half of them. My room is packed with clothes and shoes because I love heels.

2. What types of books do you write?

I write all types of books but lately I’ve been working on vampire, fantasy, and Christian books. It’s a strange variety but I write whatever inspires me at the moment. I was brought up a Christian and plan on writing more books on morals and the values of our souls.

3. How many books have you written?

I think 10 so far. Only half of them are completed thou. I like to start random books when I lose my spark on another. Eventually I go back and finish what I started.

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

I was so looking forward to the second Thor movie. I am obsessed with Loki. His spunk as a character is so funny and refreshing. Divergent looks like a good one. I haven’t read the book but I just might after watching the movie trailer.

5. What type of books do you enjoy reading?

I am a sucker for romance but I love fantasy as well. My imagination likes to go wild so I feed my brain everything in my powers. Christian books are good too because I like having a point at the end of the story.

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

Three things I would want with me are:

1. Water
2. Stereo
2. And Henry Cavill. LOL He is superman after all and I’m desperately in love with him. He is too beautiful it hurts.

7. Are you considering a sequel?

Yes, a sequel is in the process. I wrote “Royal Pain” with no intention of a sequel but my followers really want the story to continue. I’m actually thrilled writing more for these characters. They are so dear to my heart. The sequel is already out and it’s called “Embracing Pain” but even that one is going to need a sequel. This turning into a series.

8. What inspired you to become a writer?

I guess it was all these ideas in my head. I started writing down my random stories and got the courage to post a few. The positive feedback was so overwhelming and I couldn’t believe so many people liked my stories. It’s still crazy to me but I love it. They give me the means to continue writing.

Royal Pain Scavenger Hunt

Click the image below for more details

Cover Love - Three by Jay Posey

Release Date: July 30, 2013

Publisher: Angry Robot

Summary (from Goodreads):

The world has collapsed, and there are no heroes any more. But when a lone gunman reluctantly accepts the mantel of protector to a young boy and his dying mother against the forces that pursue them, a hero may yet arise.

New Year Giveaway!

Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Here's a giveaway for all you wonderful folks.

One lucky winner will get to win the prize below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is an international contest

Ends: 01/02 (DD/MM)

BOTW - Texas DayDream

Texas DayDream

Teen Romance

Wattpad Book Blurb:

Mia Carmichael is your typical out of control New York City teenager. Her parents have had enough of her rebellious acts. After being tossed out of yet again another school Mia’s Parents send her off to her Mother’s Brother’s Ranch in North West Texas for the summer. 

Mia only met her uncle once in her life as child and has no idea what her life is about to become. 

Upon arriving to Texas via a very long flight, Mia is faced with meeting her cousins, plus their friends and everyone at the ranch shell be helping at for the summer. 

Will Mia be able to fit and stay herself with all the cowboy temptation laying around?

Click here to read the book.

BOTW - Just Friends

Just Friends

Teen Fiction / Short Story

Wattpad Book Blurb:

It has almost been three years since they met. They were normal, ordinary friends then. That day changed her life... but now her heart is broken, shattered into pieces. What exactly happened..? Things were just not the same without him. (Based on true life events)

Click here to read the book.