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BookBlast Giveaway

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Ends 4/30/13

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The Pope’s Stone by Marc Kuhn: Review + huge giveaway

Posted on March 8, 2013 | 63 Comments

Title: The Pope’s Stone

Author: Marc Kuhn

Published: October 9, 2012

Paperback: 242 pages

Kindle Edition: 229 pages

ISBN: 1479185299

Purchase links: Amazon Kindle * Amazon Paperback * Barnes and Noble

Book blurb:

THE POPE’S STONE is a fascinating historical novel that follows the lives of Nathaniel and Nicholas, descendants of the Barrington family of Virginia. Each young man keeps life-long journals which eventually reveal their parallel lives; lives that are mirrored by similar events and experiences, similar relationships and consequences. The two, however, lived a century apart. The only connections between them are their family heritage, their journals…and the Pope’s Stone.

The Pope’s Stone was a slab of engraved marble given to America in 1854 by Pope Pius IX. It was to be embedded within the walls of the Washington Monument, then under construction in the nation’s capital. John Henry Barrington, a stonemason working at the Monument site, was persuaded to assist a small party of anti-Catholic activists in stealing the Pope’s Stone, smashing it to pieces and tossing them into the Potomac River. The Pope’s Stone was never to be seen again, except for a fragment that John Henry secretly kept for himself. This small piece of the stone passes down through generations of Barringtons, leaving a path of hardship and unexpected tragedy for those who possess it. Coincidence? Bad karma, as Cousin Sarah calls it? Or is it more than that? And, what role does the stone play in the lives of Nathaniel and Nicholas? These are some of the questions you’ll be asking…discover the answers in THE POPE’S STONE.

The Pope’s Stone Website

THE REVIEW

They say everything starts with a cover, so let me begin my review with that. The increasing font used for the three words of the title is appropriate; it gave more emphasis on the stone. Judging from the book blurb, one can know that the Stone has an important role in the story. However, I think that the Washington monument was featured a bit smaller, thus decreasing its towering height. I don’t know if there is another reason for its size in the cover other than the slab of Stone and an opened journal are intended to appear bigger and more prominent.

The story began in the 1850s, with the first chapter titled with date and place. It was a descriptive introduction fitting to be a foundation of the story. The history was established, actions were executed, and conflict was introduced. All of these were done in just a single chapter, six pages in all. There was brevity and creativity in the author’s art of implanting this very first part of the book in the reader’s mind. It was a nice move, actually. My attention was immediately captured by the pace of the story. A well-described and explained intro can be the make or break of a book and this novel has given its successful teaser.

The second chapter started the same way – with title, date, and place. The date was 25 years after the first and the place different. In here, the story started with Nathaniel Henry Barrington, a boy who just celebrated his 14^th birthday. He is a smart and inquisitive young man and his friend, Elizabeth, supported his likes and hobbies by giving him an elegant leather notebook. The third chapter, 106 years after, Nicholas Henry Barrington also had his 14^th birthday highlighted with a leather bound journal gift from his neighbor friend, Jennifer.

On POVs and writing

The succeeding chapters became a continuation of the second and third chapters. When I started the fourth one, I realized the importance of the chapter headings with the different dates and places. They were to guide me about the generation I was reading. It is a smart trick, that. I appreciate the way the author wanted to make his chapters more understandable to his readers.

The chapters were, more often than not, kept on changing perspectives. One chapter it would be Nathaniel (the older) narrating, then Nicholas (the younger) next. Right now, it is worth noting that the author has an uncanny skill in living with the times. When the perspective is with Nathaniel, the characters during that time possess the appropriate personalities that people at that period have. I especially like the way they speak, all so formal and courteous. When the perspective shifts with Nicholas, the atmosphere became different. It became lighter, more freely. Or is it because it’s my generation? Anyway, I commend the author for being able to naturally capture two generations more than a century apart. It makes the story more realistic and believable.

Though it proved to be a good writing strategy, I somehow did not like the frequent shift of POVs. Occasionally is okay, but it was done every other paragraph. There were times I felt like Nathaniel and Nicholas were playing tennis due to their alternate chapter POVs. It was dizzying. In addition, there were many similarities between the two, and that’s honestly okay, but narrating an occurrence in Nathaniel’s time only to be echoed in Nicholas’ in the immediate succeeding chapter was a bit frustrating. I can assume the reason for this though. The author wanted to point out that Nathaniel experienced this situation a century ago and Nicholas had the same. He wanted to show how utterly similar their lives became. Perhaps the author did not want the readers to forget what happened in Nathaniel’s life so he immediately followed Nicholas’ turn. That’s actually acceptable, but personally speaking, perhaps three chapters of Nathaniel’s life then Nicholas’ would be better. This way, the readers can be challenged to remember what happened in Nathaniel’s life and soon, they’ll have the “Aha” moment.

Another thing which I did not approve of is the number of tragedy and deaths in the story. There were a lot. Yes, they were all essential in the story, but still. I am speaking in personal experience and I prefer fewer deaths because I tend to get quickly attached to a character. I’m weird. So shoot me.

Lastly, I was waiting to read more about the Pope’s Stone in general. When it got thrown in the Potomac, did everyone really stop there? I was looking for more story and drama regarding the stone per se, but I also realized that the book wasn’t pertaining about the rock, but to something that it symbolizes.

Well-researched.

But if there are low points, there are also flying ones. What I like best in this novel is the rich history it presented. I am not an American, but the author did not make me feel like an outsider. I could easily grasp the story of the states. And what’s more interesting? The foundation story and other parts of this novel are true! The geeky part of me made a research especially about The Pope’s Stone and was surprised to learn that it actually existed! I am not sure if it’s common knowledge since I didn’t have American History class, but I was amazed just the same. There were other stories that really happened in there – the Oklahoma Territory of 1889, crews died in Khe Sanh, Vietnam, the confederates’ cemetery, etc. This novel is very well researched! It is such a commendable practice of being a historical fiction author.

Based on research, the author extracted his creative juices and weaved an imaginative story with his characters. I used weaved because the lives of the two main characters were beautifully interlinked until the end. Both lives were interesting enough to keep my fingers continuously leafing the pages of the book. It was very fascinating and thought-provoking. I even created my own Barrington family tree to guide me while reading. Like Nicholas, I slowly figured out his genealogy. If what I did isn’t a proof of how stimulating and entertaining this book is, I don’t know what is.

Summary

Overall, this book is an enjoyable read. Fans of historical fiction will definitely love this one. For others, they’ll find their first love of history in this book. There are some rooms for improvement, but they are small things that I am sure the author can work with. The book ended in an open plot and I wonder if the author is planning to have a sequel. Whatever the case may be, I will be looking forward to read more adult novels by Marc Kuhn.

Rating: 4/5 – Will definitely recommend it.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

**This review is also available in Goodreads and Amazon.

About the Author

Author Marc Kuhn has worked in radio broadcasting most of his life as a journalist, a program director and a marketing executive. He has held positions at major radio stations in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Miami.

Now retired, he has turned his attention to writing. His first book, NEVER GOOSE A MOOSE! is a collection of whimsical verse for young children.
ABOUT A FARM is his second children’s book. It features lessons in life beyond the barnyard.

A third book, THE POPE’S STONE, is Kuhn’s first adult novel. It is a fascinating historical novel about two descendants of the same family who live parallel lives, but a century apart!

Kuhn lives in South Florida with his wife, Rosemarie, and seven grandchildren.

Contact the Author

Website * Blog * Goodreads * Twitter

THE GIVEAWAY

Marc Kuhn, the author of the historical novel The Pope’s Stone, is very generous to offer a combo prize package of a signed paperback of his book plus a simple black journal. To sweeten the deal, four winners can totally get this awesome gift. Awesome? Two US residents and two international participants will be chosen by an electronic raffle after the giveaway ends. So what are you guys waiting for? Kindly check the rafflecopter links below. The first one is for International giveaway and the next is for US only.

Hop into the fun!

International Giveaway

US Giveaway

Note: Both giveaways are open until Friday, March 22. All entries will be checked for validity. On or before March 25, two international and two US residents will be randomly chosen by Rafflecopter. These four winners will be announced in this blog and they will have 48 hours to respond/comment on the announcement post.

FOLLOW THE REST OF THE TOUR

The Pope’s Stone Tour Schedule (March 8-19)

March 8 – Impressions of a Princess

March 10 – YA Big BOOKworm

March 11- Book Adoration

March 12 – For the Love of Books

March 13 – Nazninazeez

March 14 – Amidst Books

March 15 – Lollipops and Rainbows

March 16 – Emma Snow

March 17 – Prisailurophile Blog

March 18 – Pretty Little Dreamer

March 19 – Edge of Jade

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Tagged authors on tour, book reviews, books, books on tour, freebie, giveaway, historical fiction, journal, reading

Max Xylander and the Island of Zumuruud Book Blast

Posted on March 7, 2013 | 2 Comments

Max Xylander and the Island of Zumuruud

Max has anger management issues. But she has a secret, too. She can make things happen. Like magic. She almost killed a loser skate punk and nearly used it on her stuck up older sister. The question is, can she do anything other than blow things up? Can she learn to control it? And is it really possible that an obscure teenage girl is the key to keeping all of humanity safe?

Philip just got his ring back. He got it taken away for messing with his teacher’s mind so he can cheat on a test. Now that he has his ring, he thinks he should be able to use his power to make his life better. A lot better. The problem is that people want him to be responsible. But if you could do magic, wouldn’t you use it to escape work in any way possible?

Aaron wants to be a soldier. He knows there are lots of people who would try to take over, and he’s determined to stop them. The problem is that there’s this new girl. And she might be not be on the right side of things. She’s really talented and pretty, but she might be able to destroy everything he believes in. Whatever the case, he knows he needs to learn to be world class with the magic sword while he figures out what to do.

Brynn never gets out. Her grandfather won’t permit it. Her only access to the outside world are high fashion magazines, so she has an unusual idea what she should wear. She’s dying to get out and travel. And adopt animals. Any kind of animal. Is she a lonely future granny with cats or are her ridiculous clothes actually the next fashion craze? What possible role could she play in the destiny of the world?

Max Xylander and the Island of Zumuruud is a fast-paced fantasy adventure for all ages (10 and up) and is the first of a planned trilogy. Fans of magic, swordplay, secret agents, and conspiracies set in a modern everyday world will not be able to put the book down. Jon Thomason is a debut author and paints a vivid world of magic right under our noses and delivers rapid-fire action that keeps the pages turning.

Purchase

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Praise

“Impressively inventive and enjoyable…vivid storytelling and exceptional characterization…Max’s personality is layered and complex…conveyed flawlessly…keeping readers intrigued and engaged…writing style is smooth, and a subtle sense of humor comes through…narrative tension builds at a good pace and easily flows toward a satisfying and exciting conclusion…parents are likely to both approve of the story and enjoy reading it themselves…talented writer…sure to find an appreciative audience that will eagerly anticipate the next book in the series.” — ForeWord Clarion Review

“Thomason shines in his heroine’s characterization…magical” –blueink Review

Download a FREE Copy!

Max Xylander and the Island of Zumuruud is FREE from March 7th to 11th on AMAZON.

Author Jon Thomason
Jon Thomason lives with his family in San Diego, after many years living in the beautiful Seattle area. He has a successful career in high tech where he’s been fortunate enough to participate in many big-name industry releases.

Storytelling permeates everything he does. In the moments when Jon is not helping build the story of the tech world, he can almost always be found working on a project: writing, photography, videography, graphics design, or 3D art.

And he’s always careful to conceal his jinni magic abilities, though perhaps might slip one day and be discovered…

Links

Facebook * Amazon * Goodreads * Twitter

Book Blast Giveaway

$75 Amazon.com Gift Card or Paypal Cash (International)

Apple EarPods (US only)

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Exemeus: Review and Giveaway

Posted on February 25, 2013 | 20 Comments

Title: The Exemeus (Book One)
Authors: Folami and Abeni Morris

Genre: young adult fantasy

Publisher: Royal Colours Ink

ISBN: 9780988688605

Number of pages: 504

Word Count: 101,595

Cover Artist: Amalia Chitulesca

Purchase: BN * Amazon Paperback * Amazon Kindle

Book Description:

Haylee Smith is dead, she just doesn’t know it yet.

Her short life was devoted to love and to hate. Love of the man who stole her heart, hate for the man who stole the world. Murdered by the government she swore to destroy, fate has given her another chance to make it right. But to save the planet, she needs the help of the most powerful mystic the world has ever seen—unfortunately he hasn’t been born yet.

In a world where fear is the only currency, Dephon has committed the ultimate crime: inspiring hope.

His only goal is to make it safely through ninth grade, but on a post-apocalyptic Earth run by the Treptonian government, it isn’t that simple. Heir to a legendary power, Dephon Johnson is the only threat to the government’s rule. And on Trepton, all threats must be eliminated. When hundreds of assassins are dispatched to neutralize him, Dephon is forced to fight back. His only chance of survival is to enlist the aid of the greatest warrior the world has ever known. The only problem is, she’s been dead for 13 years.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/tM_hlmZ6Wo4

THE REVIEW

After reading a lot of dystopian novels, I asked myself, “Is dystopian the next cliché?” Some authors have the talent to write good ones, while others need a lot of improvement first. I am glad that with this book, I never felt reading an experiment novel. The flow of the story is natural and though it didn’t give much of a rise in my emotional scale, I can say that the book accomplished more than what I initially expected.

The book is filled with lots of magic and adventures and I was easily carried away. It is refreshing to read a YA, and a dystopian one, with a male main character. I mean, most YA novels feature a heroine and it is nice to have a male counterpart for a change. The male teenager perspective was captured correctly (as far as I can guess since I belong to the other gender) and it was entertaining to read the main character’s journey filled with courage, wit, and a huge dose of humor.

The story moves in a fast pace, which I am very grateful for. Actually, this novel is quite long (almost 500 pages) and at first I was afraid that I won’t be able to finish it on time for my review. Thankfully, there were only a few dull moments so I was not tempted of not finishing the book. There were a lot of surprises and twists in the story which I unfortunately did not guess correctly. I commend the author for that. I hate to read an uber-predictable story that I would grow frustrated and say, “I could even write better than this!”

Overall, the novel is okay though I think the author can add more foundation story about Hyalee, the main character’s mother. Furthermore, I suggest of having a cleaner transition between the reality (the now) and the history (book story) because I found reading one after the other confusing. Now, will I recommend this? Definitely. For those who love YA and dystopian books, this one is for you.

Rating: 4/5

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

**This review is also available in Goodreads and Amazon.

About the Authors:

Folami and Abeni Morris are a sister-sister writing team. Together they wrote (and rewrote) The Exemeus series, somehow managing to accomplish it without murdering one another. Despite their facial similarities, tendency to finish each other’s thoughts and stick up for each other constantly, no, they’re not twins and thus deserve their own individual bio.

Folami Morris

Folami grew up in the tiny city of San Mateo Ca, where nothing ever happens and no one ever leaves. She went to Xavier University for undergraduate, getting her B.A in physics and her B.S in Biology. After graduation she returned to California, to live in an even smaller city, where even less happens, Antioch Ca. During this time she escaped the monotony by hanging out with her imaginary friends Hyalee and Dephon, and by writing the Exemeus.

She finally escaped to Queens NY and now realizes that quiet and tiny aren’t so bad.

Abeni Morris

As luck (and logic) would have it, Abeni grew up in the same tiny little town as her sister, then she too escaped to the tinier town of Antioch. She has yet to leave. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood development from Cal State East Bay. She is the mom of two amazing kids, who swear that they deserve a percentage of the book proceeds and a ton of the credit. At least she raised dreamers.

Contact the authors:

Authors’ Website * Exemeus Website * Facebook * Goodreads

THE GIVEAWAY

There will be 2 print copies of Exemeus available for the tour-wide giveaway. Click the link before to join.

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Tagged authors on tour, book reviews, book tours, books, dystopian novel, giveaway, reading, YA

Dominion by Melody Manful: Review + Giveaway

Posted on February 13, 2013 | 11 Comments

Title: Dominion (Guardian Angels Book One)

Author: Melody Manful

Genre: YA paranormal fantasy.

ISBN: 0615739458

ISBN13: 9780615739458

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/pUgKlm-mSdA

Purchase: Amazon

Blurb:

I Dare You.

Look Over Your Shoulders.

Do You See Them?

They are behind you…

They are always behind you.

Abigail Cells had a nightmare the day before she met Gideon, the new guy in school who has every girl drooling just to be near him. In her nightmare, she was murdered by a magical creature. As she gets to know Gideon, she begins to remember pieces of her nightmare, and was shocked when Gideon turned out to be the creature from her nightmare. Who is Gideon really? Should Abby allow herself to fall completely for him, or is he the next disaster waiting to happen?

THE REVIEW

Let me start this review with this: I like this book! Caught your attention? Now, let me explain why I feel that way.

First, the cover is cute. It is YA fiction and I think that the cover appeals to its target readers. Just from it, one can already have an idea of what the story will be. I especially like the inclusion of the two angels on both sides of the female princess, which is basically what the novel will be about.

The premise of the novel is also good. The author has another take on guardian angels. They do work in pairs – one light, one dark. One is to save and protect the guarded human, while the other threatens and harms. Two worlds were also created where the two different kinds of angels exist to balance and harmonize the set-up.

As for the characters, they look normal as far as paranormal stories will go. Do I make sense here? Anyway, the heroine, a mortal named Abigail, is a popular princess who doesn’t want to be one. Daughter of a rich fashion icon and a secret agent, she wants to live a normal life. Well, you know the story. She is guarded by handsome Tristan, the light angel prince who is known to be the do-gooder, hope and sunshine of the world. Then there’s Gideon, a sexy yet dangerous dark angel who is feared by the entire race he is living with. Yes, even angels fear him. Now, the two are in Abigail’s life, and what do you think will happen?

The plot is well written though a bit expected. The relationship between the characters are truly formed that I found myself confused about who to root for. Will I be Team Gideon or Team Tristan? It is really a difficult thing to decide.

Aside from the good storyline, the novel is also full of jokes and humor most especially from Gideon and I couldn’t help but like him (aha!) for that. But there are rooms for tears too and it’s been few weeks since I cried over a story.

Though I do not like the ending, I can say that the author made a wonderful job for her first novel. I am looking forward to read the second installment in the series and hopefully, the story will catch-up! Now, will I recommend it? Definitely. For those who are fans of YA and paranormal fiction, this book is for you. For others who don’t like angel stories, why not try this one?

Rating: 5/5

* I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Manful was born on June 8, 1994, in a town in Ghana called Tema. She started writing at a very early age and has been doing it ever since. Melody has two siblings and lives in Denmark with her family. She loves music, reading, and writing, and she puts a great deal into making her friends happy.

CONTACT THE AUTHOR:

Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

THE GIVEAWAY

There will be 10 e-book copies and 2 signed paperbacks offered for this blog tour. Open internationally. Kindly click the link below and join.

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Phantom Book Blast

Posted on February 11, 2013 | 8 Comments

Phantom by Laura DeLuca

The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.

Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.

Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.

Excerpt

The orchestra tuned for its virtuoso, and Justyn stood ready. But no one else was ready for the magical performance he began. Beside her, Carmen was rambling on about something mundane. Rebecca elbowed her to silence so she could listen to the perfectly thrilling tenor. As she listened to the song unfold, the world around her started to slip away. Gone was the high school auditorium. Gone were the rowdy teenagers. The Gothic stranger on the stage had become the embodiment of Erik, and Rebecca watched him in all his dark glory, belting out his tormented love through the words of his song. And she was as breathless with wonder as Christine herself must have been when the masked stranger serenaded her in the candlelit labyrinth of the opera house. In that moment, Justyn wasn’t just portraying the phantom. Justyn was the phantom.

“Let the music touch your soul.

Let the darkness make you whole.

Do not fear what is unknown.

Your true path has now been shown.

Listen to the words I sing.

Embrace the peace that night will bring.”

As he continued to sing in his deep but somehow angelic voice, Rebecca found that she couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. With every line, her heart began to beat faster. She truly felt the arms of night wrapping her in a warm embrace. She could almost feel the hands of the phantom glide along her body as the words poured forth. The music caressed her. It possessed her—mind, body and soul. Each word left her longing, yearning for more.

She was gawking so obviously, it was hardly surprising when Justyn felt her eyes on him and steadily met her gaze. She realized her mouth was hanging open in stunned awe, and she quickly snapped it shut. His lips moved into just a small hint of a smile. He never took his eyes off her while he sang the final verse, making her cheeks flush to the point that she felt almost feverish. But it wasn’t embarrassment but excitement, arousal even, which was sending her mind spinning in so many directions.

When the song was over, and Rebecca had recovered just a hint of her composure, she couldn’t help but burst into a healthy round of applause. A few scattered people joined in, including Debbie and Carmen after she nudged them in the ribs. But only Miss King seemed to truly appreciate the brilliance of his talent as much as Rebecca did.

“That was amazing, Justyn!” the teacher gushed.

“Lord Justyn,” he corrected as he stepped down from the stage.

A few others complimented him as well, but he took in all in stride. In fact, his serious expression never faltered as he stepped down from the stage. He seemed almost bored, like it was all he could do to hold back a yawn, despite the smiles and words of encouragement.

But not everyone in the crowd was pleased as Justyn glided down the aisle, so ethereal in his dark garments that he still resonated the spirit of the Opera Ghost. Miss King might have been excited about the newest male addition to her cast after being limited for many years, but Tom and his group of boisterous companions glared at him as he passed them by. Jay sneered and tossed a balled up piece of paper in Justyn’s direction, but the Goth was quick, and caught it in his hand without missing a beat.

“I think you dropped something,” he said.

His speaking voice was no less melodic than his singing voice, but something about his tone made Rebecca shiver. He tossed the paper back at Jay, who was nowhere near as coordinated as Justyn. He practically fell off his seat in his efforts to catch it.

“Hey vampire,” Tom called when Justyn went to walk away. “Are you sure you can handle the competition?”

Justyn smiled, a cool, sarcastic half-smile, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you?”

Miss King didn’t notice the short confrontation, and Justyn vanished from the auditorium as quickly and mysteriously as he had appeared. Only Rebecca had noticed the very real tension between the two boys. She wondered if it was a bad omen for them to start off the production with hard feelings and envy. That could only lead to trouble. The kind of trouble that could end with someone getting hurt. The kind of trouble that Rebecca would do whatever it took to avoid.

Purchase

Amazon * Smashwords * Barnes & Noble

Author Laura DeLuca

Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.

Blog * Facebook * Twitter

Goodreads * Pinterest

BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 2/22/13

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 http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Prize Winning Pacific Stories Blast and Giveaway

Posted on February 8, 2013 | 6 Comments

Prize-Winning Pacific Stories

(Special Edition Boxed Set Vol. I-III)

House Of Skin, Cannibal Nights, Opium Dreams

Bestselling author, Kiana Davenport (The Spy Lover, Shark Dialogues) is pleased to offer a Special Edition Boxed Set, featuring the first three volumes of her Prize-Winning Pacific stories, many of which have appeared in the O.Henry Awards, the Pushcart Prizes, and The Best American Short Stories. Set across the Pacific, in islands where the author has traveled and lived, the stories comprise tales of love, lust, racism, family, murder, rape, the search for identity, and the universal search for human dignity.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Volume l, HOUSE OF SKIN, comprises stories set in Hawaii, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Fiji, Vanuatu.

Volume ll, CANNIBAL NIGHTS, comprises stories set in Hawaii, Tonga, Easter island, Marquesas Islands, Tahiti, Australia.

Volume lll, OPIUM DREAMS, comprises stories set in Western Samoa, Aotearoa, New Zealand, Honolulu, Georgia, and the title story, a novella set in Kohala, Hawaii.

READER REVIEWS FOR THE PACIFIC STORIES

(5 Stars) “BRUTALLY BEAUTIFUL…Tales of tragedy, triumph, murder, of rape, lust and love. Important literature for the 21st century.” — Robert Carraher

(5 Stars) “FLAWLESS PROSE…Rivetting characters. A must-read for anyone who wants to delve into the dark side of Paradise.” — Honi Aumiller

(5 Stars) “EXTRAORDINARY!…Absolutely stunning. She has introduced me to a world I might never have known.” — Scott Fitzgerald Gray

(5 Stars) “GORGEOUS. BRILLIANT…Recommended to anyone who loves

beautiful writing.” — Violette Vane

Purchase

Amazon Kindle

Author Kiana Davenport

KIANA DAVENPORT is descended from a full-blooded Native Hawaiian mother, and a Caucasian father from Talladega, Alabama. Her father, Braxton Bragg Davenport, was a sailor in the U.S. Navy, stationed at Pearl Harbor, when he fell in love with her mother, Emma Kealoha Awaawa Kanoho Houghtailing. On her mother’s side, Kiana traces her ancestry back to the first Polynesian settlers to the Hawaiian Islands who arrived almost two thousand years ago from Tahiti and the Tuamotu’s. On her father’s side, she traces her ancestry to John Davenport, the puritan clergyman who co-founded the American colony of New Haven, Connecticut in 1638.

Kiana is the author of the internationally best-selling novels, SHARK DIALOGUES, SONG OF THE EXILE, HOUSE OF MANY GODS, and a new novel, THE SPY LOVER, now available in paperback and on Kindle. She is also the author of the collections, HOUSE OF SKIN PRIZE-WINNING STORIES, CANNIBAL NIGHTS, PACIFIC STORIES Volume II, and OPIUM DREAMS, PACIFIC STORIES, VOLUME III. All three collections have been Kindle bestsellers. She has also been a guest blogger on Huffington Post.

A graduate of the University of Hawaii, Kiana has been a Bunting Fellow at Harvard University, a Visiting Writer at Wesleyan University, and a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant. Her short stories have won numerous O. Henry Awards, Pushcart Prizes, and the Best American Short Story Award, 2000. Her novels and short stories have been translated into twenty-one languages. She lives in Hawaii and New York City.

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook

PRAISE FOR KIANA DAVENPORT

“She exhibits the character great writers must have. You can’t read Kiana Davenport without being transformed.”

– Alice Walker

“Reading Davenport is an overwhelming experience. Her prose is sharp and shining as a sword.”

– Isabel Allende

“Her writing has an intensity of feeling, a dedication to a level of writing few bestsellers possess.”

– Norman Mailer

“Writing that’s timeless, magical! A powerful moving experience.”

– The Washington Post

“Davenport’s imagination and her vision will haunt you for a long time.”

– The Chicago Tribune

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Blog Tour and Review: The Life and Times of the Heir and Keeper

Posted on February 5, 2013 | 7 Comments

The Life and Times of the Heir and the Keeper

(A Caspian University Novel)

Author: Etta King

Book Blurb:

They say college is a lot of things; a haven, a four-year party, the place you met the girl – or guy – of your dreams. What they don’t tell you is, the best part of college is the drama YOU bring to the table! After all, that dirty little secret, that not-so-little white lie, and those texts you wish you could erase from cyberspace can’t stay hidden forever. At CU, someone’s always watching, and you better hope there isn’t a camera phone on hand when you get caught.

It’s the Spring Semester, but it’s not all fun in the budding sun for Jon and Franz. Follow them as they delve through the politics of secret societies, the inevitable drama of the F-word (that’s FAMILY, for the uninitiated), creepy Resident Advisors, creepier residents and girls who don’t always say what they mean. Who wouldn’t need two months to recuperate?

Cheers! And GL!

Purchase links: Amazon Paperback * Amazon Kindle * Barnes and Noble

Book One The Life and Times of Elizabeth and the Duchess Purchase links: Kindle * Paperback

THE REVIEW

This is the second installment in the series and if you would like to read this novel, I suggest you read The Life and Times of Elizabeth and the Duchess. I was lost and confused when I read the first pages of this novel since I did not have any idea about the characters and what happened in the first book. Sure, there was a roll call where almost all of the characters were introduced with their talents, but no one can expect to memorize all of them and their personalities.

Each chapter is from a different POV. One would be Jason’s and his story; the next will be Jonathan’s and his life. It was confusing. Too many names were thrown that I failed to catch up most of them until halfway of the book. I think the technique is okay if it will be made into a film, but as it is a book, I find the style perplexing.

However, there are also good points in the book. I like how the way the author wrote about the typical lifestyle of University students. I commend her putting of realistic mannerisms of her characters which made them believable. The personalities were a bit exaggerated, but these only brought more reasons why the book is full of drama. Teenage dramas. Moreover, if you are a fan of designer labels, you’ll find it exciting whenever those brands were mentioned being use by the characters.

This is a light read which will able you to travel back to those University days you shared with your friends and roomies. It is nice to remember those happy memories while reading this novel.

Rating: 4/5

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

About the Author:

Etta King is the author of the Caspian University novels, a series chronicling the life and times of a group of wealthy teens who inevitably discover the various flavors of college drama. Etta writes from her personal experiences as a college co-ed and as the product of an all-girls prep school. Here she witnessed the very eccentricities and foibles which she depicts in her novels.

In a home filled with books, it was no surprise that Etta grew to be an avid reader, and that translated into writing when she was thirteen. She wrote simply for the fun of it, whatever would come to mind, from fantasy to thriller to romance, and shared her stories with her friends.

In 2010, at twenty-one and just as she was about to graduate from college, Etta began writing “The Life and Times of Elizabeth and the Duchess.” This was a story which had first taken shape in 2008, after her freshman year, but had been put on hold. With graduation looming, Etta recalled the characters, and the events which had inspired them, and took pen to paper. Literally, as Etta enjoys writing out her stories before typing them out. Soon the first book had been completed and the series was born.

“The Life and Times of the Heir and the Keeper,” comes as the sequel to “Elizabeth and the Duchess,” and serves as the second semester of these teens’ college saga. Etta is currently working on the third book, in what will be an eight-part series.

Etta King lives with her family in Westchester, New York.

Contact the Author: Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook

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The Spy Lover Book Blast and Giveaway

Posted on February 1, 2013 | 8 Comments

The Spy Lover by Kiana Davenport

Thrust into the savagery of the Civil War, a Chinese immigrant serving in the Union Army, a nurse doubling as a spy for the North, and a one-armed Confederate cavalryman find their lives inextricably entwined.

Fleeing drought and famine in China, Johnny Tom arrives in America with dreams of becoming a citizen. Having survived vigilantes hunting “yellow dogs” and slave auction- blocks, Johnny is kidnapped from his Mississippi village by Confederate soldiers, taken from his wife and daughter, and forced to fight for the South. Eventually defecting to the Union side, he is promised American citizenship in exchange for his loyal services. But first Johnny must survive the butchery of battles and the cruelties inflicted on non-white soldiers.

Desperate to find Johnny, his daughter, Era, is enlisted as a spy. She agrees to work as a nurse at Confederate camps while scouting for the North. Amidst the unspeakable carnage of wounded soldiers, she finds solace in Warren Petticomb, a cavalryman who lost an arm at Shiloh. As devastation mounts in both armies, Era must choose where her loyalties lie—with her beloved father in the North, or with the man who passionately sustains her in the South.

A novel of extraordinary scope that will stand as a defining work on the Chinese immigrant experience, The Spy Lover is a paean to the transcendence of love and the resilience of the human spirit.

Review from the Huffington Post

“…A great story told with such beautiful prose I am hoping The Spy Lover will be picked up by Ang Lee or Steven Spielberg. Kiana Davenport is a brilliant writer. [Based] on her ancestors from the American South and global East, The Spy Lover takes the incredibly difficult…topics of race, gender, slavery and war and artfully weaves them into a specific story. Davenport is genius at capturing complex times, and complications of the heart. It’s been a long time since I cried while reading a novel, and that happened several times while reading The Spy Lover…I couldn’t wait to finish the story, but grieved when it ended. That’s exactly how I felt when I finished reading Gone With The Wind so many years go. If you need a holiday escape…or want to spend time in a different world read… The Spy Lover!” – Ellen Snortland for The Huffington Post

Purchase

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Author Kiana Davenport

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook

Praise for Kiana Davenport

“An epic feminine saga! Davenport’s prose is sharp and shining as a sword.”

-Isabel Allende on Shark Dialogues

“Deeply Moving. You can’t read Kiana Davenport without being transformed.”

-Alice Walker on Song of the Exile

“A powerful and moving experience.”

-The Washington Post on House of Many Gods

THE SPY LOVER

By Kiana Davenport

Kiana Davenport’s latest novel is a powerful epic about the American Civil War, which extends this beloved writer’s vision to an entirely new level. Based on her family history, it is at once an historical novel, a haunting love story, and a brilliant expose on the treatment of minorities during the Civil War. Meticulously researched, it is finally a story of human sacrifice and personal redemption. A magnificent novel that crosses all genres, THE SPY LOVER is a work of astonishing beauty that promises to become a classic.

Johnny Tom, a Chinese immigrant, and his beautiful Creek Indian wife, and daughter, Era, live in Shisan, a Chinese settlement along the Mississippi River. Their life is simple and idyllic, until Confederate soldiers invade the town, kidnap the men and force them into service, fighting for the South and slavery. At the first opportunity, many Chinese soldiers defect to the Union Army. In revenge, the Confederates return to Shisan to rape and torture their wives and daughters. Defiled and half-mad, Era sets out to find her father and is plunged into the full savagery and horror of the War. Lured by Union officials to pose as a nurse while spying on the Confederate army, she falls in love with a wounded Confederate cavalryman, and her loyalties become divided between her beloved father in the North, and the gallant soldier who sustains her in the South.

THE SPY LOVER is ostensibly a novel about the abiding love between a man and a woman, between a father and daughter, and the love of a man for his country. Ultimately, it is a meditation on the ethical choice, on honoring one’s moral obligation.

“I never planned to write an historical novel, or a love story, or a spy thriller, or a story about how brave Chinese soldiers were used as throw-aways in the Civil War. I simply set out to tell the story of my ancestors, who fought on opposing sides of that War.”

- Kiana Davenport

Points of Interest

•U.S. Civil War Research – Kiana’s research for THE SPY LOVER was exhaustive. For five years she studied correspondences and documents and traveled to the battlefields of the Civil War, discovering facts that she hoped would fascinate her readers. She learned about Southern women collecting urine from which to distill niter for making gunpowder. And she learned how women planted and harvested poppies, then scored and gathered from poppy-pods the sap known as opium. She read books on spy-codes used in the War, what spies were paid, and how they were executed when caught by the enemy. She lived and breathed the Civil War, letting it engulf her as she wrote her novel.

•Kiana’s Heritage – Kiana’s ancestor, Warren Rowan Davenport, was a cavalryman who rode for the Confederacy in the Civil War with a famous unit known as the Prattville Dragoons, of Prattville, Alabama. Her research on Warren Davenport entailed reading over forty books on the War, then basing her fictional character, Warren Petticomb, on her Southern ancestor. Johnny Tom is based on another of Kiana’s ancestors, John Tommy Kam, who emigrated from Canton, China, to Hawaii and finally to the East coast of the U.S. While Kiana had access to tattered correspondences and documents from Warren Davenport, she had little but word-of-mouth stories from her Chinese uncle about his ancestor, John Tommy Kam. Eventually, she uncovered articles about Chinese soldiers who had fought valiantly in the Civil War, including two articles about John Tommy Kam. Finally, she discovered his war records, and the grounds at Gettysburg where he is buried with his comrades, the Excelsior Brigade of New York State.

•Multicultural Themes – THE SPY LOVER is the story of Chinese soldiers who fought valiantly for a country that, afterwards, refused them American citizenship. It also unveils the gross mistreatment of Native Americans, African Americans, “mix-bloods” and other minorities who served honorably in the American Civil War. Importantly, it is also the tragic story of Native American women – mothers and daughters – kidnapped and raped by slave-owners who used them as breeders of a more “superior” kind of slave.

MORE PRAISE FOR KIANA DAVENPORT

“Torrid, yet intelligent…her writing compares with Toni Morrison.”

—Glamour on Shark Dialogues

“The strengths of this novel are many. Davenport is a superb storyteller!”

—The Seattle Times on Song of the Exile

“Davenport mines the depths of emotion…Readers who enjoy a Doctor Shivago-like saga will appreciate the broad scope of this novel”

-Library Journal on House of Many Gods

“Complex, resonant … handles the sweep of history and the nuance of the personal equally well.”

— San Francisco Chronicle on Shark Dialogues

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Silver-White Book Blast and Giveaway

Posted on January 31, 2013 | 10 Comments

Silver-White by Shawn Underhill

“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep.”

~ Robert Frost

*Evie’s family has been holding out on her …

Big time.

On an unexpected visit to her grandparents’ house in New Hampshire’s secluded North Woods, the sixteen-year-old literally runs into the truth of the long-hidden family secrets, and finds herself thrust without warning into the clandestine world of the Great North Pack—a wild and exhilarating world of rugged beauty, heart-pounding adventures, and long nights running under a sea of stars … but as she’s set to discover, a world also fraught with potential dangers lurking in the shadows.

Praise

“Simply put, this book was amazing. I’ve read more fantasy novels than than I can count, but this one is certainly one of the best. The heroine isn’t some wishy-washy pansy that screams at everything, and the focus of the story isn’t on some unbelievably beautiful teenage girl who suddenly becomes the biggest, baddest member of her species falling in love with some big, bad, sexy member of her newfound species. It’s about a girl becoming something she never knew existed, finding her place within the pack family she values more than ever before, and an age-old feud that threatens everything she loves.” ~Morgan

Purchase ~ just .99 cents

Amazon Kindle

Author Shawn Underhill

Shawn is a part-time writer from New Hampshire, where he spends his free time hiking in the mountains, camping, racing dirt bikes, or anything else that keeps him outdoors. Dogs are his very favorite people. He is also the author of the novel All Things Different.

Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

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Blog Tour: Daynight interview and giveaway

Posted on January 31, 2013 | 4 Comments

daynight by Megan Thomason

Meet The Second Chance Institute (SCI): Earth’s benevolent non-profit by day, Thera’s totalitarian regime by night. Their motto: Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance™. Reality: the SCI subjects Second Chancers to strict controls and politically motivated science experiments like Cleaving—forced lifetime union between two people who have sex.

Meet Kira Donovan. Fiercely loyal, overly optimistic, and ensnared by the promise of a full-ride college scholarship, Kira signs the SCI Recruit contract to escape memories of a tragedy that left her boyfriend and friends dead.

Meet Blake Sundry. Bitter about being raised in Exile and his mother’s death, Blake’s been trained to infiltrate and destroy the SCI. Current barrier to success? His Recruit partner—Miss Goody Two Shoes Kira Donovan.

Meet Ethan Darcton. Born with a defective heart and resulting inferiority complex, Ethan’s forced to do his SCI elite family’s bidding. Cleave-worthy Kira Donovan catches his eye, but the presiding powers give defect-free Blake Sundry first dibs.

Full of competing agendas, romantic entanglements, humor, twists and turns, daynight is Megan Thomason’s debut young adult dystopian novel and first in the daynight series.

Purchase

Amazon

Praise

“Sure to win over YA readers looking for a dangerous, dystopian adventure story” —Kirkus Reviews

“Gripping young adult dystopian novel; compelling conflicts; high stakes; powerful narrative; surprises keep coming; strong writing; page-turner; engaging characters; Readers will be hungry for the sequels.”—BlueInk Review (starred review)

“The writing is impressive and the story is a real page-turner. So many twists and turns… I’m hooked… I can’t wait for the next installment to come out…4.5 out of 5 stars”—Self-Publishing Review

“Delicious humor, intelligence, and sparkling dialogue” —Amazon reviewer

“Strangely brilliant and imaginative”—Amazon reviewer

“Grips you from the first page and keeps you wanting more”—Amazon reviewer

“Plot twists kept me reading till late at night”—Amazon reviewer

“Every page a thrilling experience”—Amazon reviewer

“Hooked from the first chapter and could not put it down”—Amazon reviewer

“It’s like a CW fantasy TV show in a book with a really interesting environment.”—Amazon reviewer

“I’m a little tired of dystopian novels, but Daynight has a unique and fresh story line that didn’t have any trouble keeping my interest.”—Amazon reviewer

THE INTERVIEW

Me: Thank you for giving us the honor to chat with you. May you please tell us something about yourself?

I’m a happily married, mother of five who loves to write and read. Daynight is my fourth written book, but first published book.

Me: What inspired you to write this book?

As I hiked through the canyons of San Diego on an unusually hot day, I wondered what would happen if temperatures were so extreme that days and nights had to be switched. This was the impetus for Thera, the main setting for daynight. Quickly, Thera became a fully inverted Earth, with not only days and nights switched, but land and sea, direction of the sun, etc. I researched the extreme temperatures would have on the environment and what a society would have to do to adapt to it. Even the lingo was affected… Monnight, Tuesnight, etc.; daygowns instead of nightgowns; daymares and more… I had a lot of fun with it.

As for The Second Chance Institute, benevolent non-profit on Earth by day and totalitarian ruler on Thera by night, and their unusual agendas and methods… these are all products of my very warped mind.

Me: Is being a writer your dream profession?

Writing is a lot of hard work! I’ve always worked hard, so don’t mind the long hours and sleepless nights (previously, I had a very successful career in the software industry, which also required a big time commitment). I love immersing myself in my story, world and lives of my characters. Seeing my story take shape the way I envisioned is extremely rewarding. The flexibility of writing at home, in the car waiting to pick kids up from school, or wherever I am is a huge bonus. Despite all the perks, I’d probably say being a mother to my kids and wife is my dream profession .

Me: I am a new writer and blogger and I am interested to know about author’s writing environment. Do you prefer writing in pen and paper or in computer?

I write on my 11” MacBook Air laptop in a program called Scrivener. Scrivener allows me to fully outline and plot my story, scene by scene; store notes and research; and compile electronic and paperback copies of my book. When I don’t have immediate access to my laptop, I furiously type notes into my phone.

Me: When you want to take a breather from writing, what do you usually do?

Spend time with my husband and kids. Read. Lots of volunteer work (producing and fundraising for my daughters’ theatre group; community service; church service). Projects—from random (miniatures or world class weapons collection) to useful (plan community Christmas party or a summer girls’ camp). I love hiking, but there’s not as much in San Diego as there was back in Washington where we moved from.

Me: We have agreed and accepted that all writers are also readers. What are the books currently in your nightstand?

Too many to list completely! I read all books electronically on my phone. I just finished re-reading Brave New World. I am amidst a re-read of The Handmaid’s Tale, am reading a sample of Vain; reading The Moon Dwellers and then have at least 50 sequels from series downloaded and ready to read, dozens of samples of promising new books, and a lot of books I started the samples, but didn’t like, so didn’t finish. I read more than 600 books in the last year. My 50+ favorites are listed here: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/3493195-my-favorite-books-of-2012.

Me: Who are your literary influences?

George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Jane Eyre, J.R.R. Tolkein, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Anne Frank, Suzanne Collins, John Steinbeck, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allen Poe, William Golding, E.L. Konigsburg, Lois Lowry to name a few…

Me: If you could be a literary character who would you be and why?

Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit. I’d have big hairy feet, live a cool house in a hill with a round door, get to adventure with Gandalf the Wizard, meet Gollum and steal ‘my precious’, and fight a dragon. And live to tell about it! Sounds like quite the adventure! Plus, I’d have a movie coming out this year about me… (Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games would be a close second… get the boy with the bread, be good at archery, take down two evil regimes. I only hesitate because I’d have to kill a lot of kids and that would seriously mess up my happily ever after.)

Me: Any current/future projects?

I’m targeting a summer release for the sequel to daynight, arbitrate. It would be hard to give any teasers forarbitrate without giving spoilers for daynight, but suffice it to say that there will be just as many surprises, twists and turns. Readers will get to see a lot more of Thera, as well as get to know the main characters and a couple key secondary characters a whole lot better .

In addition to the daynight series, I’m working on B*Lies, a story about a girl who makes the decision to run from her abusive father. If time permits, I’ll also do a re-write on the romantic comedy trilogy I wrote prior to daynight: the thin veil, the thin line, and thin skin. Although I love the stories and characters, I’d want to get the writing up to my current standards before publishing.

Me: What can you advice to those aspiring writers?

Read! If every author read every book in their genre (or at least the highly rated ones), there would be a lot less rehashed stories, better writing, and fresh concepts.

Plot! Certainly, there have been some successful books written off the cuff, but to have good pacing, story development, character development, building of tension, etc. it typically takes good plotting.

Flexibility! Revise, revise, revise. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. Don’t get so stuck on your initial concept that you reject an even better idea.

Edit! Editing is hard. I typically go through my book over a hundred times, looking for something different each pass.

Proofread! Yes, I list this separately from editing. Have someone (or even better, many someones)—other than you—someone with a sharp eye and very keen grasp of the English language, proofread your book. The brain compensates for missing words, extra words, etc. and they are very hard to find. If problems are found after publishing, fix and update.

Work hard! If you thought the writing was time-consuming and hard, promoting your book takes as much, if not more time.

Start writing the next one. Your chances increase exponentially of having a ‘hit’, the more offerings you have.

Just for fun.

1. Forest or beach? Beach

2. Coffee or tea? Herbal tea

3. Cats or dogs? Cats (if you met our dogs, you’d be a cat person, too )

4. M&Ms or Skittles? M&Ms

5. Coke or Pepsi? Diet Coke

6. Printed books or e-books? E-books

8. Buses or trains? Trains

Author Megan Thomason

Megan Thomason lives in paradise aka San Diego, CA with her husband and five children. A former software manager, Megan vastly prefers writing twisted tales to business, product, and marketing plans. When she isn’t typing away on her laptop, she’s reading books on her phone—over 600 in the last year—or attending to the needs of her family. Megan’s fluent in sarcasm, could potentially benefit from a 12-step program for road rage, struggles with a Hot Tamales addiction, loves world travel & fast cars and hates paperwork & being an insomniac. Daynight is Megan’s first published novel, but fourth written one.

Twitter * Goodreads * Facebook

Blog Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card

Signed copy of Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Signed copy of daynight

Ends 2/7/13

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Book Extravaganza and a giveaway!

Posted on January 10, 2013 | 5 Comments

Book Extravaganza Tour

with

Kindred Night School Vampire Hunter Book 2

The Life and Times of Noone In Particular

The Skeleton Key

By
(in order of books above)

Michelle Cornwell-Jordan

Jamie B. Musings

C.P. Bialois

Tour Wide Giveaway – $25 Amazon Gift Card & 1 Cecile Monique Music CD

About
Michelle Cornwell-Jordan

Michelle Cornwell-Jordan is a YA Paranormal Author. Her

titles: Reahket (Co-written with Author Danny Jones) Michelle is also the author of the YA novella series Night School Vampire Hunter trilogy.

Series includes:

Night School Vampire Hunter novella #1 (Released date March 2012)
Kindred (A Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy novella) #2 (Released date November 2012)
Redemption (A Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy novella) #3 (Released date spring 2013)

Works –In-Progress

Chrysalis (Full Length) Released date spring 2013
Hunters Series novellas (Released date summer 2013)
Ame Academy’s Paranormal novella series summer 2013

Michelle Cornwell-Jordan is also the producer of the online radio segment Indie Review Behind The Scenes, where she and her co-host Jamie B Musings interview Indie Authors and Musicians.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

About
Jamie White

Jamie B Musings is a music addict, book lover, pet servant & NaNoWriMo survivor. When she’s not busy writing posts for CultureShock, she’s taking pictures for her new obsession (That Photo Blog) and spending time with her husband and pets.

Her first book, The Life and Times of No One in Particular, was released in May.

About

C. P. Bialois

CP Bialois’ love of words began as a small child when his father bought a stack of comics to teach him the reading skills he wasn’t mastering in class.

Before long, he was reading at an advanced level and teachers were shaking their heads over the unconventional method.

Growing up in the ‘80s, Bialois was exposed to even further inspiration through the popular cartoons of the day. Transformers, in particular, sparked his imagination and led to him put his first stories on paper. After a decades-long break, Bialois began getting back into the world of writing by joining some role-playing groups. These groups taught him about fleshing out characters and building worlds that stuck with him as he began writing short stories for fun.

To his surprise, Bialois would end up completing his first full-length novel, Call of Poseidon, in 2007. Armed with a finished product, Bialois began working on another book, The Sword and the Flame, unsure of what he would ultimately be doing with either. As with many others in the later part of the first decade of the 2000’s, he found himself out of work and looking into new options. Over the next two years, he would spend most days at the library, completing an additional half-dozen works.

Two books later, Bialois is planning for the release of many more and enjoying the feedback he receives. The up-and-coming author takes inspiration from favorites such as Steven King, Tom Clancy and Sue Grafton. His love of history, fantasy and old monster movies has also served as a muse.

When he’s not busy writing or chatting on his social networks, Bialois enjoys watching Hockey and Football as well as Metallica DVDs. He currently lives with his wife- a fellow writer- and their fur children. CP Bialois is also active in several South Florida writing groups, as well as the online writer community.

Publisher:
Michelle Cornwell-Jordan

Genre:
YA Paranormal
Release
Date: 11/24/2012
Amazon|Barnes
and Noble|Smashwords

Blurb:

The
Kindred is the second novella in The Night School Vampire Hunter
Trilogy.

Angel and her friends at Ame Academy, a boarding school for preternatural and humans are back, and they are preparing for battle against the dark forces that kidnapped Angel’s younger brother Jordan. Angel had recently discovered that she was a Hunter and that she alone has a special weapon against her enemies; her blood, which is discovered to be toxic to her enemies. Angel is prepared to use her training and all that is at her disposal in order to save Jordan, even if that means joining forces with the strange and mysterious Rafael, who at their first meeting, she recognized him as the boy she had dreamed about for weeks prior to his arrival at the school. Angel cannot shake the feeling that she knew Rafael before, and is hopelessly drawn to her extremely handsome fellow hunter.

Rafael frightens her, he hints of a secret; another time and another life lived.

Can love survive two lifetimes?

Events unfold that provides the answers to who Rafael really is and whatthey mean to one another; and along with these strange and blossoming emotions for Rafael, along with guilt and fear for her brothers safety; Angel discovers that she is more than just a Vampire Hunter, and that she plays a major role in a ancient prophecy, which she must fulfill by facing an a force so evil that survival is not promised.

But she will face the Dark One, Angel will sacrifice all, if it means saving all whom she loves. Many questions are answered, but the drama is just beginning….

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords

Kindred Excerpt:

A thought came into my head and I turned, pinning Rafael with a please don’t mess with me right now…or I’ll rip your heart out stare. I said, “When we first met, you said we knew one another that you were with me when I was little, that we’ve always known one another…always…l-l-oved one another…” I quickly tuned out the others in the room, not wishing to focus on the reactions of the others…although I did catch the big smile from Elin; an incurable romantic it seemed. I knew this should have been a private conversation, but deep down I felt Rafael knew what was happening; I wanted to know what he knew…

He looked at me, with one of those intense, smoldering I’m a hot guy, and I really know what this look is doing to you stare…but I wasn’t going to allow it to affect me. I simply held his gaze in a stable, strong manner…and hoped I didn’t look like a deer in the headlights… he sighed and said, “Do you really want to talk about this here?” Rafael looked at me intently, leaning forward, resting his forearms on his knees…hands pressed together in the steeple formation that everyone uses to signify they are deep in thought.

I said quietly, “Yes.” He looked at me again, and I swear, if he didn’t stop looking at me that way, I would completely forget what we were talking about. He stood up, and crossed the room and came to stand in front of me—did I happen to mention how close he was? Well, enough that I felt a little uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t step back, and I refocused. I needed to hear what he had to say.

“I knew you because I am ThunderKin; yes, I knew who you were and what this meant in the war coming Samhain…”

“Okay,” I said trying to digest that here stood one of the legendary Thunderbirds…I saw how his eyes glowed, now appearing that unearthly golden hue; a worried expression passed over his features, and I wondered what worried him. I said, “And the rest about knowing me?”

“I knew you because…” he said as he reached out, placed his hand on the side of my face, and leaned in close, lips almost touching. He whispered, “I knew you because you are my destiny…my mate.”

Genre: Satire

Amazon

Beware the muse with a chip on her shoulder.

Muses are often called uncooperative, grumpy, lazy beings who abandon a writer when they’re needed most. Now, one of them has decided to tell their side of the story. Meet Clarissa, a muse who has spent centuries trying to inspire artists who sometimes are too stubborn to listen to her.

What is your muse trying to say to you? Clarissa might just be able to answer that…

The Life and Times of No One in Particular Excerpt:

So why do they happen? Like I said, some people are not opening up to their muses so they can’t hear the messages we’re trying so hard to get through. They are some that are tuning out because it’s just easier to take someone else’s work and modify it. Others aren’t doing it because they’re afraid of falling flat on their faces. With a proven name, you’re guaranteed an audience. What if you do an original movie, show or song and no one likes it? I’ve heard it all a hundred times. Some of the most high-strung people I have ever met in all my years of doing this were entertainment executives.It’s like they’re afraid to be human or to have the actors and musicians they hire do the same. I gave up on them years ago. They always take the safest route possible. The safest route might make it easier to get rich quick, but it’s usually the most creatively boring.

Fear hampers the creative process and makes it harder for us to get through to our charges. That’s the one most important piece of advice you need most, take it from a muse- relax. Art doesn’t just inspire or teach here and there; it’s supposed to be fun, too!

Music- “Merry Go- Distressed” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons “Attribution 3.0″ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0/”]

Publisher: CP Bialois

Release Date: 10/23/2012
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Amazon

Blurb:From the imagination of CP Bialois, author of Call of Poseidon and the Sword and the Flame series, comes a collection of short stories filled horror and suspense. Nothing is as it seems in the world around us. Join us as we step through the doorway and into the unseen workings of our world. With each story, Skeleton Key will warm your heart with a brother’s love, break it with the ultimate betrayal, and bring the shadows around you to life.

Keep telling yourself it’s only a book, and maybe that sound you heard will be just a tree limb scratching against the window. Be sure to read the paper in the morning, as it may save your life. And never, go into a room without something to defend yourself with. Most important of all, relax and have fun.

Skeleton Key Excerpt:

Camping 101 excerpt

“The one that comes to mind is about a family that went camping one summer, not too long ago. They settled in by their fire, much as we’re doing now, huddled together and sharing blankets. The night was clear and you could see all of the stars.” He motioned to the cloudless sky and stars, which could still be seen despite the fire. “The same as tonight.”

“Unknown to the family, there was a secret military facility at the base of the mountain where they were experimenting on volunteers. The men that volunteered did so to help their country, but what was done to them…” He trailed off, shaking his head before continuing. “Is beyond description. Earlier that night they managed to escape, killing a handful of guards before escaping into the woods. Just as the family settled in for the night, the bushes around them rustled and the seven men burst out and seized the family.”

“Did they kill ‘em?” Jason’s eyes were wide as were the rest in the group. Lester knew he had them right where he wanted them.

Slowly, Lester nodded. “They tore the people apart with their bare hands and began to eat them. That was how the men were found an hour later, sleeping with full stomachs and dried blood coating their faces, hands, and chests.”

“What happened to the men?” This time Eric spoke, his face was the only one of the group that hadn’t gone pale.

Lester sat back and let out a deep breath, his hand dropped to the machete propped next to him against the tree. “They took the six of them back to the compound where they still are as far as anyone knows. The incident was covered up and blamed on a hitchhiker, turned serial killer.”

Scratches Excerpt

Lee nodded, “Exactly, here I thought I had found paradise. But then I guess no matter where you find it, paradise has to have a serpent.”

Elias looked at him with a worried look. Thoughts of Slasher films danced through his head. “Is there something wrong here, Lee?”

Lee shrugged, “Dunno, depends on whether you believe all them ghost stories. People always come up here lookin’ fer the ghost of the little girl, but they never find her.”

Meredith felt a little chill go through her. “A little girl’s ghost?”

Lee nodded and puffed on his pipe some more. “That’s right. A little girl supposedly heard scratching at her bedroom window one night and opened it. Next day she was found dead by her brother. No one knew what to think or believe. There was no signs of struggle, no sign of what happened besides deep scratch marks on her windowsill. Since then, some say her ghost can be seen by the lake, but those that see her don’t live to tell about it.”

Meredith remained quiet for a moment. Her own mind was thinking of the stories of missing children in the paper on a daily basis. “Do you believe those stories?”

Lee stayed quiet for a few seconds before shaking his head. “Nah, for the simple fact that how’s anyone to know you died if you see her, if no one’s lived to tell about it? Nothing more than campfire stories, if you ask me.”

About
Artist Cecile Monique

With her diverse musical influences, and her fresh, youthful style have provided the fuel to create the distinctive fusion of rich, classically-influenced vocals with modern, innovative instrumentation

that exist together in perfect harmony and have become Cecile
Monique’s signature, genre-bending sound.In addition to
her impressive musical talent, Cecile’s cosmopolitan personality
and multicultural roots (half European and half Hispanic) also
broaden her appeal to an international audience; Cecile is fluent in
several languages and has recorded and performed songs in English,
Spanish, French, Italian, German, Czech, and Latin.

In 2010, Cecile Monique was awarded the prestigious FACTOR New Talent Award in support of her self-titled EP release featuring three of her original compositions, which was recorded at Metalworks Studios, Canada’s #1 recording studio. With the launch of her new EP now available on iTunes worldwide, and a myriad of new projects on the horizon, Cecile Monique is a rising star poised to become an international phenomenon!

Contact
Cecile Monique

www.cecilemonique.com

www.youtube.com/cecilemonique

www.twitter.com/cecile_monique

http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/CecileMonique

Cecile Monique Speaks about Kindred (A Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy Novella)

Listen Now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSj9nqK7-6Y&feature=youtube_gdata

Listen To Immortal Beloved!

You Tube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slxdfVTs4tY

GIVEAWAY

Click the link below and try your luck! A $25 Amazon Gift Card as well as Cecile Monique CD can be yours!

Follow the tour and Tweet each day for Extra Entries.

January 10 - VBT Cafe’ Blog

January 10 - Impressions of a Princess

January 10 - AZ Publishing Services

January 11 - BK Walker Books Etc.

January 12 - Infinite House of Books

January 13 - Free eBooks Daily

January 14 - Hywela Lyn

January 15 - Books, Books, The Magical Fruit

January 16 - Marketing Cafe’

January 17 - Waiting On Sunday To Drown

January 18 - Mass Musings

January 19 - Writing Innovations E-zine

January 20 - BK Walker Books

January 21 - Lost To Books

January 22 - Reviews & Interviews

January 23 - Lori’s Reading Corner

January 24 - Writers with Books

January 25 - Something Written, Something

January 26 - Bookalicious Travel Addict

January 27 - The Writing World

January 28 - So Much To Write, So Little Time

January 29 - Brooke Blogs

January 30 - VBTC Authors On Tour

January 31 - The Avid Reader

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Posted in Book reviews

Tagged authors on tour, books, Cecile Monique, CP Bialois, giveaway, horror, Jamie B White, Michelle Cornwell Jordan, reading, satire, suspense, virtual book tour cafe, young adult paranormal romance

Blog Tour: The Thing with Feathers review and giveaway

Posted on January 7, 2013 | 43 Comments

By Anne Sweazy Kulju

Genre - Historical Fiction/Saga

Publisher – Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC

Release Date – 9-11-2012

Purchase: Amazon | Smashwords |Library Thing

Blurb:

It was the ugliest photo he had ever seen.

And nothing would be the same again.

As the inhabitants of Cloverdale, Oregon, welcomed in the twentieth century, they were not unaccustomed to hard times and thorny situations. Small communities banded together for protection and hope. Heroes and villains were often difficult to decipher.

When an itinerate Baptist preacher arrived with his baby daughter and a wife lost on the trail, there was no one prepared to suspect what lurid secrets and heartbreak he might be concealing. As the preacher sets his sights against those who might oppose him, the names and the lives of the good people of Cloverdale may not be spared.

Yet in the midst of the machinations of a mad man, virtue and valor can persist. The Thing with Feathers is known to fly through wars, depressions, and natural disasters. Will the Marshall clan and the good people of Cloverdale find it in time?

MY REVIEW

The introduction of the book was confusing at first. As the part of the book, it indeed introduced some history for the story. I found myself bombarded with descriptions and retelling for an introduction. It wasn’t actually bad though it wasn’t that good either. I think if some parts were cut, it could help maintaining the attention of the readers. Honestly, I was tempted to put the book down because I felt a bit dizzy reading those in my e-reader. However, I also understand that as intro, some stories need to be told so as to be foundation of what are to come in the later part of the story.

I am a Roman Catholic, but I respect other religions. No matter how devoted, I am aware of some negative acts made by others who are actively linked in religion. In this book, one of the main characters was portrayed as a man of church. However, it was ironic that this character is also the antagonist of the story. He was described as a fake missionary – someone who was a self-proclaimed man of God. He took it upon himself to understand and interpret the words of God and apply it according to his understanding and liking. It was too much.

Living in a Catholic country in Asia, I don’t doubt this would be a controversial topic in my place. Even there was no association of Catholicism in the book it was still based on a Christian belief. I have read some news where leaders of the Church (pastors, ministers, and even priests) were guilty of violating the Canon law. Some got involved in very nasty situation, but I feel there could be nothing compared to pastor featured in this book named Julius Bowman. He was portrayed as a living nightmare for those believers of the religion. I won’t be explicit about what he did, but I consider them the worst things a man of God can do.

More of the physical and spiritual brutality? I am not sure if it was the author’s intention, but I found some similarity between the main characters’ family and the Holy family. The husband, upon receiving the divine “message” decided to take the woman as his wife even though she’s carrying a child whose father is not him. However, it was tinged with evil stories that I found too harsh to be real. In fact, I was surprised and unable to believe that a person could turn out to be evil personified in his lifetime.

I also notice that there were a lot of deaths in the story. A novel can be tragic without getting everyone killed in the process. Almost all of the characters introduced in the earlier parts of the story died. It may be to gain sympathy and some form of emotional attachment to the readers, but it worked for me. I might be a bit disgusted with the brutality of how some characters died, but it sure made me feel vengeful, too. I got carried away in the story that I almost didn’t mind the abrupt cutting of scenes in the story.

In spite of the things I didn’t like, there were some points which made the author and her writing commendable. For one, I like the way she inserted facts, digits, and history in the scenes. She connected the years and events to actual phenomenon like the Great Depression. The scenes felt real and true to the time it happened. Even the accent and personality of the locals during that time were also beautifully exposed in the story.

The characters, when they were still alive, were also depicted as real humans – with flaws. I hate to read books which made the heroes and heroines a paragon of sweet, beautiful and everything nice. Instead of doing just that, the author gave her characters strong flaws which were also one of the driving forces of the story.

Even though there were lots of deaths and evil-doings in the novel, the title itself stood out. The thing with feathers. For those of you who are fan of Emily Dickinson, this might sound familiar to you. The title was derived from one of Dickinson’s poems. In fact, the poem itself was present in the story. It was hope – the thing that made everything still alive even if everything seems stained with darkness. It was something mentioned and displayed in the novel which affected me much. It’s like the light is seeping out of the story and going to my heart. It made me feel hopeful, too.

Overall, the story is okay with things to be liked and others to be improved upon. I share this to people to give them hope:

Hope is the Thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.

I’ve heard it in the chillest land

And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity,

It asked a crumb of me.

*This review is also posted in Goodreads and Amazon.

**Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of The Virtual Book Tour Cafe’ and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by The Virtual Book Tour Cafe’, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely of my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book’s publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.**

About the Author:

ANNE SWEAZY KULJU has won awards for editorials and honors for short stories, but now she writes historical fiction adventures, exclusively. Her debut novel, “the thing with feathers,” was released by Tate Publishing in September 2012. Her book, “Bodie,” a total thrill ride, is expected to release in early 2013, and she is currently busy on her next book, “Grog Wars,” set in 1850’s Portland, Oregon, the Shanghai capital of the world. Anne lives near Pacific City, Oregon, and divides her free time between the beach and Mount Bachelor. Readers may learn more about Anne and correspond with her on her website at www.AnneSweazyKulju.com .

Contact the Author:

GIVEAWAY

To my dear followers, you may win a Nook Book Glowlight and a chance to give a Character’s Name! Click the rafflecopter link below to join.

Follow this tour by clicking the photo below:

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Posted in Book reviews

Tagged Anne Sweazy Kujul, authors on tour, authors website, book blog tour, books, giveaway, historical paranormal romance, historical romance, readings, the thing with feathers, virtual book tour cafe

Blog Tour: Kindred review and interview + giveaway

Posted on December 27, 2012 | 8 Comments

Kindred

(A Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy) Novella#2

By Michelle Cornwell-Jordan

Now & Forever Tour

Publisher: Michelle Cornwell-Jordan

Genre: YA Paranormal

Release Date: 11/24/2012

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords

SYNOPSIS:

The Kindred is the second novella in The Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy.

Rafael frightens her, he hints of a secret; another time and another life lived.

Can love survive two lifetimes?

Events unfold that provides the answers to who Rafael really is and what they mean to one another; and along with these strange and blossoming emotions for Rafael, along with guilt and fear for her brothers safety; Angel discovers that she is more than just a Vampire Hunter, and that she plays a major role in a ancient prophecy, which she must fulfill by facing an a force so evil that survival is not promised.

But she will face the Dark One, Angel will sacrifice all, if it means saving all whom she loves.

Many questions are answered, but the drama is just beginning….

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Thank you for giving us the honor to chat with you. May you please tell us something about yourself?

I am a paranormal writer, who loves to read and write stories that are fun, but have an eerie edge.

What inspired you to write this book?

A School that is close to my house, the building, the grounds all seemed like great story material.

Is being a writer your dream profession?

Yes, it is what I have always wanted to do, and if I could one day write full time, that would be the icing on the cake

I am a new writer and blogger and I am interested to know about author’s writing environment. Do you prefer writing in pen and paper or in computer?

I prefer writing on the computer, mainly because my handwriting is horrible and I can barely read it when trying to type up the document. Also, just personally, it feels like double work, when first writing it long handed, just to have to type it up to save and work in it more later. But again, this is all personal preference.

When you want to take a breather from writing, what do you usually do?

Read or watch movies

We have agreed and accepted that all writers are also readers. What are the books currently in your nightstand?

I am reading “Into The Night” by Jade Fowler and Tales of Aradia The Last Witch by LA Jones

Who are your literary influences?

I really admire James Patterson, with his quick, fast reads and I admire how prolific he is in producing his books.

If you could be a literary character who would you be and why?

Maybe for just as small fraction of time…Bella from Twilight, because really to have the attention and soul searing love that she has with Edward, come on! Who wouldn’t want to be in her shoes for just a little while!

Any current/future projects?

Coming soon the Hunter novellas series will come and these novellas will focus on characters that had been introduced in Night School Vampire Hunter trilogy. Plus I am completing and re-editing my 2012 NaNoWriMo creation Chrysalis for release.

What can you advice to those aspiring writers?

Never give up, ask and keep asking if help is needed. Read and research the field of Indie Publishing, because although much is the same as in relation to traditionally publishing, when it comes down to actually writing and what is needed and expected…such as professional attention to covers, and editing…but there are glaring differences when it comes to distribution/production and marketing. So start to watch, listen and equip yourself for this journey. Then jump in and have fun!

Just for fun.

1. Forest or beach? Forest
2. Coffee or tea? Sweet Iced Tea
3. Cats or dogs? Cats
4. M&Ms or Skittles? (M&M’s)
5. Coke or Pepsi? (Pepsi)
6. Printed books or e-books? (I like both:O)
7. M/T or A/T (A/T)
8. Busesor trains? Trains

THE REVIEW

It has been a while since I have read another vampire novel. Stories about the supernaturals once piqued my curiosity, but after the Twilight saga, it seems that my interest for vampires and werewolves died. I tried not to read books in the same genre since then.

However, it is high time to read another novel like that. I accepted this novel to review and guess what I found:

Kindred is the sequel to the Night School Vampire Hunter series. Even though I haven’t read the first book, the novel did not prove to be dependent to its prequel. I think this thought from the author is good as I also do not like reading a series and feeling left out if haven’t read the first books. In Kindred, each character was richly described which made me feel like I have been introduced to them personally. Other books make readers feel that they have to read the first installments to catch up, but not in Kindred. The adventures and experiences happened in the first book were also lightly explained so there’ really no chance of not understanding the story if you missed a book.

At first, I was a bit confused when I read the first pages. It was journal-styled. Each entry was written in numbered posts, like that of a blog. It can very well be like chapter of the book though it doesn’t have titles. The posts/chapters were written by the heroine at first, but then the other characters started talking/writing too so there were varied points-of-view in the novel. Honestly, I preferred a single point-of-view, or if not, at least there will be a definite section for a certain character. I do not like to get dizzy reading.

As for the story, it is no doubt a paranormal one. There were different entities mentioned, some were familiar to me while others aren’t. The story started with targeting a vampire with a stake, and I stifled a groan when I read that. I was hoping for something original, or if not at least more creative than that. Surely we can create vampires strong enough not to be killed by pointed stakes? Well, I was in for a treat. The author calmed my nerves after she introduced another kin of preternaturals. How many do you know? I admit I have read tons of tales about the paranormal, but it is nice to have something I haven’t encountered before. Now that’s what I call creativity and originality.

I am hardly able to read a book these days which offer a single genre. More often than not, authors try to mix at least two in their novel so readers who are fans of both can create a larger market for the story. Well, that’s my opinion. So I wasn’t surprised when there’s also romance in Kindred. It wasn’t like Fifty Shades romance, if that’s what you’re thinking. Instead, it is like those Disney-kind stories which I like. The hero and heroine were drawn to each other not only by physical attraction, but also because of something deeper than that. Want to find out? Read the book.

This novel is a short read which I only finished in less than six hours. I characterized this as YA paranormal fiction with clean romance which is safe to be read by others. The story is not bad though there are rooms for improvement. The characters are believable if one opened his mind on the paranormal beings while the plot is obvious though palatable. Overall, the book isn’t bad and I can suggest it to those who want to have a light reading to kill some time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Cornwell-Jordan is a YA Paranormal Author.

Her titles: Reahket (Co-written with Author Danny Jones)

Michelle is also the author of the YA novella series Night School Vampire Hunter trilogy.

Series includes:

Night School Vampire Hunter novella #1 Released date March 2012

Kindred (A Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy novella) #2 Released date November 2012

Redemption (A Night School Vampire Hunter Trilogy novella) #3 Released date spring 2013

Works –In-Progress

Chrysalis (Full Length) Released date spring 2013

Hunters Series novellas Released date summer 2013

Ame Academy’s Paranormal novella series summer 2013

Michelle Cornwell-Jordan is also the producer of the online radio segment IndieReview Behind The Scenes, where she and her co-host Jamie B Musings interviews Indie Authors and Musicians.

Contact: WEBSITE | FAN CLUB | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

THE GIVEAWAY

Angel & Rafael’s Now & Forever tour’s Mega Giveaway Prizes include: A $25.00 Amazon Virtual Gift card, 5 e-copies per stop avail of Kindred, and a tour wide giveaway with 3 lucky winners who will win an autographed copy of Rock Artist Cecile Monique’s EP Immortal Beloved! (Angel and Rafael’s song!)

Click the link below to be directed to the rafflecopter widget.