Thursday, October 10, 2013

COVER REVEAL: Tales From the End by Lissa Bryan

From the author of The End of All Things comes a collection of short stories about the Infection that swept around the globe, decimating the population, and leaving behind a small number of survivors, unprepared to deal with the brutal new world which had replaced the one they'd known.

The End of All Things told the story of Carly Daniels, a young woman in Juneau, Alaska, left in a state of shock after the virus ravaged her home town. She ekes out a meager existence by scavenging for herself and Sam, the wolf puppy she found starving in the streets. Sam gives her a reason to keep going when giving up seems like the more attractive option.

Carly is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to a warmer climate before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey. They travel across a shattered nation in search of a safe place to settle, but it's also a journey into love. There is still hope, a light among the shadows. If the old world is gone, it is up to the survivors to build a new one.

Carly finds strength in her faith that things can be even better than they were before, that compassion and charity are not luxuries; they are what make us human. Life endures, and so does love. The End of All Things is only a beginning.


And now, Lissa Bryan gives us three new stories in Tales from the End
Three of them introduce us to new characters you will meet in the upcoming sequel to The End of All Things, and the fourth, "Birthday" is a visit with old friends.

The Horsemen
L.A.'s mayor has declared quarantine to try to halt the spread of the Infection. Pearl sets off across the city to buy supplies, but already the world is changing. Something strange is in the air. The Horsemen are coming ...

Veronica
When Veronica's mother doesn't come home from work and no one answers the phone when she calls for help, a nine-year-old girl is thrown into the chaos of a world coming to an end. The television shows her nothing but confusing images she doesn't understand. Veronica decides it's up to her to find her family. "Veronica" is the story of a little girl's courage in the face of the end of all things.

"I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud"
They called her Shadowfax-- the mare Carly and Justin found on their travels. But before she was found by Carly, the retired dressage horse was known as Cloud. An unusual tale of the end, told through the eyes of a confused and lonely horse, left in her pasture.

Birthday
A previously-published bonus story. Carly knows Justin has never celebrated his birthday, and after society crumbled, no one knows what date it is, anyway. But she wants to do something special for him. Celebrating the little things helps them keep hope alive, and as a blizzard rages outside, a small gesture of love warms their home.

Tales of courage, tales of survival... Tales from the End.


.¸¸•.¸¸.•´¯`• (¯`•♥•´¯)•´¯`•.¸¸.•.¸¸.


Lissa Bryan is an astronaut, renowned Kabuki actress, Olympic pole vault gold medalist, Iron Chef champion, and scientist who recently discovered the cure for athlete's foot ... though only in her head. Real life isn't so interesting, which is why she spends most of her time writing.

Her first novel, Ghostwriter, is available through The Writer's Coffee Shop (which is the least expensive option), AmazoniTunes, and Kobo. Her second novel, The End of All Things, was released on January 24, 2013, and is available through TWCS, Amazon, and iTunes. She also has a short story in the Romantic Interludes anthology, available from TWCS, Amazon and iTunes. Her third novel, Under These Restless Skies, is scheduled for release in spring of 2014.



Author Links
Website Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ TWCS (Publisher) ♥ Amazon♥ Barnes & Noble ♥ iTunes ♥ Youtube book trailers


Tuesday, October 8, 2013

REVIEW: Wishing Cotton by Elizabeth M. Lawrence


Wishing Cotton (Heat Wave)Wishing Cotton by Elizabeth M. Lawrence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve been anxious to get my hands on a finished product of Lawrence’s for some time now, and at last, I’ve had my chance. Wishing Cotton is quick read, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll quickly forget it. Lawrence has taken the whimsical idea of “wishing” and spun a delightful tale that makes you think.
As kids we all wished on a variety of things—I still wish on eyelashes to this day—but did any of them ever come true?
Maybe some aspect of our wishes did. But was that because we chose the right thing to wish on, or because we wanted whatever it was bad enough to go after it. In making that wish, did we make a silent pact with ourselves to go forth in pursuit of our dreams?
Fancy a witty tale that will make you smile, and perhaps even dare to believe in something that you once thought out of your reach? Wishing Cotton gets a five butterfly recommendation from me to be the one that you reach for.






Monday, October 7, 2013

Monday Madness!


Doing some housekeeping and tidying my desk!

First up, does everyone remember the 1000 Likes Giveaway I wanted to host? 
Well, guess what? 
It's started, and turned into a Reader Appreciation Gift Pack with 21 items from some amazing authors!






Second, by now y'all should know I love to help out other Indies in any way I can, so below you will find some sign ups for giveaway donations, cover reveals, and blog tours. If you are a blogger, author, or just an avid fan with a Facebook page you don't mind sharing the info on, please hop on board to show your support!

Donations Needed:

Cover Reveals:

Blog Tours:


Saturday, October 5, 2013

Tormented by Lorenz Font BLOG TOUR


Are you ready for the next installment in 
The Gates Legacy?





Summary:
Tor Burns is a non-infected vampire who has taken refuge in the Tack Enterprises underground facility. Having survived a vicious attack with his fellow vampire Harrow, he now has a new purpose. Vampires afflicted with Gates Syndrome are still being hunted, and Tor is committed to saving them from the clutches of the Vampire Council. With a semi-cure within their grasp, Tor is reluctant to accept his new assignment: bodyguard to Allison Tack, the daughter of their fallen leader. Armed with an abrasive personality and fierce loyalty, Tor approaches this new responsibility with serious determination despite his reservations. 

Vampire Allison Tack is the beautiful and timid co-heir of the Tack fortune. Infected and hunted by the Council, those lucky enough to have known her father are determined to keep her safe.  A walking target wherever she goes, Allison wants to learn how to protect herself, but no one is listening. Sick of being the helpless one in the company of trained fighters around her, Allison vows to prove that she can fight alongside the best of them. 

Meanwhile, the harem leader, Melissa, is hell-bent on unraveling any clue about her son Demetrius’s fate. He disappeared without a word, and time has made her desperate. Stepping up her efforts, she seeks the help of Demetrius’s son, Zane. With the additional manpower, Melissa finds the lair of the suspected vampires and wages war against them. 

Thrown together by necessity, Tor and Allison can’t continue to deny their attraction to each other. Tor wants to give in to his feelings for her, but old demons resurface. He must confront the past to prevent losing the best thing that ever happened to him. 

A life must be given for a life taken. Will Tor have to sacrifice himself before Allison pays the price?


My Review:
*I was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Where to begin with the second installment of The Gates Legacy . . .

WOW is as good a place as any for Font clearly hit her stride while penning this one.

Tormented continues the main story line of the war between the Vampire Council and "Team Tack"- a motley crew of vampires and humans, also known as 'the good guys,' who are out to assist the ailing vampires of the world.

We get to see how the relationship between Jordan and Harrow has progressed since Hunted, how little Gail has endeared her way into everyone's hearts, and my favorite development: how Font brought some of the side characters from book one to the forefront of book two to give them their moment in the spotlight. 

I should add here that Ms. Font has drawn her line in the sand; The Gates Legacy is an adult series without question now. Not so much in that its graphically explicit in its descriptions - its not - but it does delve into well-written situations from intimate moments (Can we get a whoopi cheer for Ally & Tor? Those two definitely needed it!) to mayhem and murder.

Yes, folks, death happens. Characters die, but the story goes on.

So much is packed into Tormented that I can only encourage you to get your copy so you don't miss any of it. This was a fantastic addition to the Legacy and I await, with high anticipation, the arrival of Ascension. 

Font's style is engaging, action-packed, and heartfelt. She writes from within her soul, and I foresee great things coming from her in the future. 

Five well-deserved butterflies for Tormented!

What are you waiting for? Get your copy NOW:




Author Bio

Lorenz Font discovered her love of writing after reading a celebrated novel that inspired one idea after another. She is currently enjoying the buzz from her debut novel Hunted, the first installment of The Gates Legacy trilogy.

Writing is therapeutic for Lorenz, and a perfect day consists of writing and playing with her characters while listening to her ever-growing music collection. She enjoys dabbling in different genres, with an intense focus on angst and the redemption of flawed characters. Her fascination with romantic twists is a mainstay in all her stories.

Lorenz currently lives in California with her husband, children, and two demanding dogs. She divides her time between a full-time job as a Business Office Manager for a hospital and her busy writing schedule.

Find her at:


TOUR SCHEDULE:
9/17: 
Review: Trenda Lundin I Review: Debra Mauldin

9/18:  
Review: Anna Crosswell I Guest Post: Donna Huber

9/19: 
Review, Promo/Excerpt: Sarah Aisling I Review, Interview: Claudia Trapp

9/20: 

9/21: 
Review, Promo/Excerpt: Nina Gomez

9/22: 
Review, Promo/Excerpt:  Wyndy Dee

9/23: 
Promo/Excerpt: Jennifer Garcia

9/24: 
Promo/Excerpt: Sapphire Kande I Review, Promo/Excerpt: Vampire Romance Books

9/25: 

9/26: 
Promo/Excerpt: Natasha Larry I Promo/Excerpt: Lindsey Gray I Promo/Excerpt: Sydney Logan

9/27: 

9/28: 

9/29: 
Review, Interview: Babus Book Reviews

9/30: 
Promo/Excerpt: S.A. Jones

10/1: 
Guest Post: N. Wood

10/2: 
Promo/Excerpt: J.C. Clarke I Promo/Excerpt: NK Smith

10/3: 
Review, Promo/Excerpt: FS Meurinne

10/4: 
Review: Annemarie

10/5: 
Review: The Hive Book Reviews I Review: R.E. Hargrave I Review: Tammy Sanders



Wednesday, October 2, 2013

You're Invited!


Please join me October 15th through 17th as I celebrate the relaunch of my books with new covers and lower prices including access to the Kindle MatchBook program. If you purchase the paperback version, you will be given the chance to also pick up the Kindle edition for only 99 cents!

Several AMAZING blogs have offered to help me get the word out and I'll be holding a Rafflecopter giveaway for a couple of goodies. So, be sure to check back on the 15th for a complete list of everyone participating.

Don't want to wait two weeks? 
The new retail links are over on the Get It Here tab!




Friday, September 27, 2013

Shut the Front Door!

WOW WOW WOW! 

I've been sitting at about 950 'likes' on my Facebook Author Page for some time now. 
Suddenly I blinked and its gone past 1000! 


To celebrate, I'd like to put a call out to any authors or bloggers who would be willing to donate to a  READER APPRECIATION SWAG PACK.

Email me at rehargrave@gmail.com if you'd like to participate.

INCLUDE what you are able to supply (ebook, swag, signed book, etc) and which links (Facebook, Twitter, etc) that you would like to be used on the Rafflecopter giveaway. 
I'll put the giveaway together next weekend and run it from October 7-14. 

Thank you to all of you FABULOUS people!!

Monday, September 23, 2013

The Journey to a New Life by Lisa Bilbrey BLOG TOUR


ON SALE SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

*be sure to enter the Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY at the bottom*

Summary—
Travis McCoy’s journey has led him down a road of changes where he found the love of his life and their child. Travis, Penelope, and Max have struggled during their time apart, found their way back home, and finally tied their lives together as a family. Now, Penelope and Travis find themselves on a new journey, one that leads them to the greatest journey of all.


Excerpt:

At the brink of dusk, Travis held his arm out to Nadine. She smiled and slid her fingers around his bicep, clutching onto him. They were standing at one end of a covered bridge in Brandenburg Park, at the base of the Red River Ski Area, while Russ, Max, and Penelope stood at the other end. They had placed lanterns and candles along the way to offer a soft, sensual ambiance.

“Are you ready, Nadine?” Travis asked, looking down at the woman who had captured his father’s heart.
“More than ever.” She smiled. The two of them started across the bridge at a slow pace.

In two years, so much of Travis’s life had changed. After an injury ended his professional football career, he had come home to face his past. At the time, Travis had been prepared to fight with his father about the choices he’d made, yet somehow they had been able to rip off the bandages and expose their wounded souls to one another. With everything out in the open, Travis and Russ had begun to mend their tattered relationship and were now closer than they had ever been.

Travis shifted his attention to Max. He had been the person who brought them all together. Max had come barreling into Travis’s life with a bounce in his step and a positive outlook on life that most ten year olds didn’t have. The moment Travis looked from the boy to Penelope, he’d known Max was his son. At first, he had been angry that he’d missed out the chance to be a father to Max, but when Penelope explained why she hid his son from him, he understood.

Travis had been so wrapped up in achieving his dream of becoming a star football player that Penelope had been afraid of telling him she was pregnant for fear of him resenting her for taking away his dream. As much as he had wanted to deny her claims, Travis couldn’t. He wouldn’t have abandoned her or their child, but he could admit that a part of him would have grown to resent her for trapping him in a life that he had never wanted — or that he hadn’t thought he wanted. At eighteen, he was too dumb to know that he could have had everything.

None of that mattered now, though. Travis had allowed himself to love Penelope again, to be the man she’d always known he was meant to become. He became Max’s father, someone for him to admire and strive to emulate. Travis’s life had endured a couple of bumps in the road, but in the long run, he was right where he was supposed to be: on a covered bridge, walking his soon-to-be step-mother down the aisle so she could marry his father.

“Wow, honey, you look amazing,” Russ said as Travis and Nadine stopped in front of him.

Travis took Nadine’s hand and placed it in his father’s. Shifting his eyes up to Russ’s, Travis told him, “Just love her.”

“I do, boy, I do,” Russ replied.

My Reviews:
The Journey to a New Life is the fourth installment of The Journey Collection, and as such, I agreed to review the entire collection in exchange for ARC copies.

The Journey Home (#1)

In this opening installment of The Journey Collection, we are introduced to Travis McCoy, high school football legend who got the dream: he went pro. What Travis doesn't realize until a decade later when an injury takes him out of the game, is that in going after one dream, he left another behind.

Unsure what to do when he can no longer play, Travis makes a long overdue trip back home, back to where it all began for him. What he finds is that for the most part, things have stayed the same; but there are some big changes as well. His old girlfriend Penelope is still there, and still harbors feelings for him. Kind of hard not to when she has been looking at a miniature of Travis’ face the whole time he’s been gone.

Faced with a broken relationship with his father, learning he’s a father himself, and discovering if old flames can be rekindled, Travis finds that the journey home couldn't have come at a better time.

The Journey of Champions (#2)

Once again, the story opens with Travis McCoy preparing for a journey. When the first book had him going home and reconnecting with Penelope, this time the journey takes us along while Travis and his dad get all of their issues out in the open. Along the way, they have to accept some hard truths and ask forgiveness of each other. 

Travis returns to Florida to officially close out his business with the Sharks, and his dad comes along. In working out their demons, Travis is also able to find the answers he’s been looking forward with regards to his future. Decisions made, when he gets back to Clarendon he knows he’s there for good, for his family.

While the game time scenes were a bit drawn out and over-detailed for my liking, as a whole, this next installment of The Journey Collection moved the series along nicely. Kudos to the writing and creation of Max’s character—that kid is the best!

The Journey to Forever (#3)

In book three, Bilbrey really finds her stride with her small Texas town crew. Hands down, the star of this installment is Max. Finally secure that his dad, former Sharks quarterback Travis McCoy, is home for good, Max settles into a new life that includes a famous father. 

Travis mans up and offers to make an honest woman out of Penelope, but theirs is not the only relationship that blooms. Seems all the menfolk end up “twitter-pated” this time around, even Max! 

Cozy up for a light-hearted read that will have you saying ‘awwww’ and reaching for the Kleenex. 

***drumroll***
The Journey to a New Life (#4)

The final installment in The Journey Collection was by far my favorite. Maybe because it was the ‘girliest’ of them all? Not too surprising, because of the title and the cover, Travis’s final journey is pregnancy. No, not literally for him, but he gets to be there while Penelope goes through all the hilarious, horrible, and tender stages. With raging hormones comes elevated levels of libido and moments prone to coarser language; so be ready for a bit more of the risqué in this one, too! 

All-in-all, The Journey Collection was a good story that sends a sweet message about the importance of family and believing in yourself. I’d definitely recommend getting the whole collection, as you’ll want to keep reading. 


Author Bio—
Lisa Bilbrey is a mom of three and has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1996. 
Finding a love in the written word, she started writing as a way to express herself. From the first word she wrote, she'd found her heart and soul. Always willing to learn, she's spends much of her time trying to improve as a storyteller. 
In late 2011, Lisa opened Renaissance Romance Publishing with Michele Richard and Laura Braley. 


Links—

Follow The Journey to a New Life Tour:

9/10: Promo/Excerpt: Fandom Fanatic
          Review, Promo/excerpt: FS Meurinne
9/11: Guest Post: Lorenz Font
9/12: Interview: Jude Ouvrard
9/13: Review: Lindsey Gray
          Review: Sarah Carroll
9/14: Promo/Excerpt: S.A. Jones
9/15: Review: N. Wood
9/16: Review: Mich’s Book Reviews
9/17: Guest Post: Michele Richard
9/18: Guest Post: Jude Ouvrard
9/19: Guest Post: Donna Huber
          Review: Anna Crosswell
9/20: Guest Post: Laura Braley
9/21: Guest Post: Elizabeth M. Lawrence
9/22: Interview: M.C. Rayne
9/23: Promo/Excerpt: Jennifer Garcia
          Guest Post: Elena M. Reyes
          Review: R. E. Hargrave