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November 30, 2013

Blog Tour: Review, Excerpt & Giveaway ~ The Goddess's Wishes by Lissette E. Manning


Hey guys! Welcome to my stop on the Goddess's Wishes Blog Tour hosted by RBTL. Click here for the full blog tour schedule. :D


Title: The Goddess's Wishes
       Series: The Child of Calamity #1
Author: Lissette E. Manning
Publisher: L.D.B. Press 
Publication date: October 2nd 2013
Genre: Fantasy / Greek Mythology / Science Fiction
Available in eBook & Print  
Source: Review copy

~ Synopsis ~ 

Her wish is their command. 

Artemis has a plan. Her eye has fallen on the throne of Olympus, and she'll do anything to get it. She knows Zeus won't give it up so easily, but she's determined to dethrone him, nonetheless. Her father is known for his infamous romps amongst the mortals. Surely, there must be something she can use against him?

When her attention is drawn to Callidora Spiros, she soon realizes that her father does indeed have secrets. Brazen and beautiful, the girl piques her interest in more ways than one, though Artemis isn't quite sure as to how she's truly tied to the gods. Intent on discovering what her father has kept hidden for so long, she'll need as much help as she can get.

Demanding and willful, Artemis has been known to achieve her every whim. With the bat of an eyelash, or a simple word, she's wrapped many a man around her little finger. The gods, on the other hand, aren't so easy to bring around. Nevertheless, she's going to do everything possible to gain the upper hand. Mount Olympus will be hers, with or without the help of the other gods and goddesses.

~ My Thoughts ~

My Rating: 3 / 5

The Goddess's Wishes puts its own spin on Greek mythology with Artemis as the main character. Normally, the goddess of the hunt is described as chaste, but in this novel, she's the opposite. I don't mind things being changed up - I liked the way the author changed Artemis and had her after Zeus's power. 

This book is a quick read - I read it in one sitting, and it held my attention. I wanted to see if Artemis would succeed in overthrowing her father. The idea was really interesting to me because it's obvious she isn't close to him and that not many of the other gods and goddesses are either. She's carefully testing who she can or cannot trust in her quest, and I thought even if she thinks she can trust someone - why would they be okay with her taking over? Wouldn't they want to take over themselves? 

This lead me to not trust anyone even if Artemis believed they would help her. Most of the others said it was futile to try to take over, and they seemed happy with the way things are. I couldn't decide why Artemis wasn't happy herself. She seemed to have everything she wanted, and I think the only thing she didn't have that she wanted was ultimate power over EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. 

Ultimately, the main plot is interesting, but there weren't any subplots that I could tell. There was enough to keep me reading until the end; however, I wanted there to be more to the characters and more to the story than just Artemis's desire to overthrow Zeus. The Goddess's Wishes has a lot of potential to go further than it did, and I'm hoping the story and characters will be more fleshed out in the next book.         

~ Excerpt from Chapter 1 ~

Artemis materialized in the middle of her brother, Apollo's, bedroom with a resounding pop. A smile of satisfaction spread across her lips as she watched him scramble out of bed in search of his clothes. A look of annoyance clouded the features of the demi-goddess lying on his bed, clutching the bed sheets tightly to her chest. 

Her silvery-yellow eyes narrowed as she stared at the demi-goddess, Dyina, and pointed to the adjacent door. "Get out!"

"Damn it, Artemis!" Apollo growled as he tugged his chiton into place. "Can't you knock?" 

Artemis grinned, and made her way toward the chaise lounge tucked into the left corner of the room. "Where's the fun in that, brother?" she quipped, lowering her slender frame onto the settee. 

The demi-goddess rummaged about the room for her clothes, her blue eyes sending imaginary vicious daggers in Artemis's direction. The goddess's smile never faltered as she watched her brother and his current paramour move about the room. Apollo took a moment to show Dyina to the door, his shoulders taut with tension as he swung the door closed.

"I'm assuming you're here for a favor of some kind?" Apollo asked, running a hand through his thick blond curls. 

"Something like that." 

He approached the table nearby, and poured himself a glass of red wine. He knocked back his drink in one gulp, and promptly poured himself another before taking a seat in the chair in front of the lounge she reclined on. 

"What now?"

She bestowed him with a knowing gaze, her lips quivering with effort as she tried to hold back her excitement. "I want Mount Olympus, brother, and you're going to help me get it." 

He snorted with amusement, and downed the glass of wine. "A lofty goal, Sis, but that's not likely." 

Her smile disappeared, her eyes narrowing to half slits. "I expected more from you." 

He summoned the pitcher of wine, and filled his glass once more. "Do you honestly think dear old Dad is going to give up the throne so easily?"

"No, but that's where you come in. He owes us. Besides, we've always been his favorites." 

"Whether he owes us or not, Artemis, you'll never get him to step down." 

"Not yet, but I will. And when I do, Mount Olympus will be mine!"

Apollo tossed his head back, and laughed heartily. "So you think. There's a good many of us with an eye on Daddy's throne. You're not likely to get it, nor are any of us." 

Her nostrils flared outward with anger as she stared at her twin brother. "You owe me." 

"I'll pay up. Eventually." 

She sat up straight, staring deep into her brother's eyes. "You'll pay up now, brother dear. Zeus has been careless, and I intend to unmask him before the other gods and goddesses." 

"How, pray tell?"

A photograph materialized in thin air as she flicked her hand about. He deftly caught the glossy paper between his fingers, and examined it. 

"Who is she?"    


~ Purchase Links ~ 


~ About the Author: Lissette E. Manning ~ 
    

Lissette E. Manning is an author from Connecticut. She has been writing since she was six-years-old and spends most of her time trying to place her thoughts into order and giving life to the stories that are always brewing inside her head.

She enjoys reading books, listening to music, playing the occasional video game, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. She's also a bit of a computer geek.

Her writing genres of choice are Science Fiction/Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Short Stories, as well as Poetry. She's currently working on several projects due out sometime in the New Year, as well as finishing her NaNoWriMo project, The Corsicanth Princess.

~ Social Links ~ 


~ Giveaway ~ 




Blitz: Author Interview, Book Trailer & Giveaway ~ The Watcher by Lisa Voisin


Just wait until you read the synopsis and check out the book trailer! 
This will definitely be added to your TBR shelf! 
I love the interview with the author, 
so don't forget to check that out as well 
and enter the giveaway for a $25 Amazon GC!


Title: The Watcher
Author: Lisa Voisin 
Release date: March 4th 2013
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal

Blitz organized by: YA Bound Book Tours


~ Synopsis ~ 

Millennia ago, he fell from heaven for her. 

Can he face her without falling again? 

Fascinated with ancient civilizations, seventeen-year-old Mia Crawford dreams of becoming an archaeologist. She also dreams of wings - soft and silent like snow - and somebody trying to steal them. 

When a horrible creature appears out of thin air and attacks her, she knows Michael Fontaine is involved, though he claims to know nothing about it. Secretive and aloof, Michael evokes feelings in Mia that she doesn't understand. Images of another time and place haunt her. She recognizes them - but not from any textbook. 

In search of the truth, Mia discovers a past life of forbidden love, jealousy and revenge that tore an angel from Heaven and sent her to an early grave. Now that her soul has returned, does she have a chance at loving that angel again? Or will an age-old nemesis destroy them both? 

Ancient history is only the beginning.

~ Purchase Links ~


~ Book Trailer ~


~ Praise for The Watcher ~ 

"Voisin's THE WATCHER blends paranormal mystery and romance into a book that is sure to keep readers turning the pages late into the night." 
--Eileen Cook, author of THE ALMOST TRUTH

"Perfect for fans of angels and demons, Lisa Voisin has created an uplifting tale of redemption, love, and spirituality that gives hope. Never preachy, THE WATCHER is the perfect answer to critics who claim Young Adult literature is too dark."
--Stephanie Lawton, author of WANT and SHRAPNEL

"The Watcher is stunning! A paranormal romance that you won't want to put down. Voisin will enthrall you until the very last page."
--Stephanie Keyes, author, THE STAR CHILD series

"Grips the reader, pulls them in and leaves them cheering for good!"
--InD'tale Magazine

"The Watcher is my favorite angel fiction tale yet." 
--Katrina @ Kindred Dreamheart

"This book is phenomenal! I was hooked in right away and didn't want to stop."
--Michelle @ Michelle's Paranormal Vault


~ Interview with Lisa Voisin - Author of The Watcher ~

1. What's your favorite novel and why? 

I had so many favorite novels, but the one I've loved the longest is Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. It's about an apocalypse gone wrong, and it was the first time I'd read a book with an angel and a demon in it. I was hooked! I love Neil Gaiman's dark sense of foreboding and Terry Pratchett's humor! 

2. How did the idea for The Watcher come about? 

I started working on The Watcher in 2009, but the story started in my mind three years before that. I had an idea about a boy who woke up one day to discover he was an angel. It wasn't until the idea of Mia came to me that it all came together. I felt it was best to pair him with a human girl who was the only one who could see who he really was.

3. Which of your characters is your favorite and why? 

Michael is my favorite character, because he's been with me the longest. But I have to admit, Damiel was the most fun to write. It made me think of famous actors who say they have the most fun playing villains.

4. If you were in The Watcher, which character would you want to be? 

Arielle. She's really got a good head on her shoulders and a good heart. She's also pretty kickass. 

5. If your book was made into a movie who would you envision in the leading roles? 

I'd love to see a young Henry Cavill (pre-Superman) as Michael. There's something very clean and delightful about him. Mia I picture as being a bit like Emilia Clarke. I've got pictures on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lvoisin/the-watcher-inspiration-board-and-read-along/

6. Are any books that you've read and thought "I wish I'd written that"? 

Oh! There have been so many it's hard to count! Most recently, I'd have to say The Fault in Our Stars, because it was amazing. I also adored Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane.


~ About the Author: Lisa Voisin ~ 


A Canadian-born author, Lisa Voisin spent her childhood daydreaming and making up stories, but it was her love of reading and writing in her teens that drew her to Young Adult fiction. In her spare time, she teaches meditation. So when she's not writing, you'll find her meditating or hiking in the mountains to counter the side effects of drinking too much coffee. She lives in Vancouver, B.C. with her fiance and their two cats.

~ Social Links ~ 


~ Giveaway ~ 
$25 Amazon GC (INTL) 
    


Blitz organized by: 



November 29, 2013

Blog Tour: Review ~ Gravely Inanimated by Esther Wheelmaker


Hey guys! Welcome to my stop on the Gravely Inanimated Blog Tour hosted by Girls Heart Books Tours. Click here to follow along with the full blog tour schedule. :D  


Title: Gravely Inanimated
Series: Zombiepunk Series #1
Author: Esther Wheelmaker
Genre: YA Horror/Paranormal
Published by: Third Broom on the Left Press
Publication date: March 29th 2013
Source: Review copy 


~ Synopsis ~ 

Extra, extra, read all about it: Zombies Invade London!

It has been thirty years since the Voodoo Queen plagued England with the zombie disease that has since swept the world. Humans have had to learn to function around them while the dead kill innocent people. The government continues its efforts to try to contain and find a cure for the problem. 

However, by the cover of night, a man who hunts zombie, known only as Aeron, roams the streets in search of protecting the upright citizens from the flesh eating creatures.

One foggy evening Lucille Knight becomes one of these people and Aeron's interest is instantly peaked. A stubborn, feisty "lady" in this day in age? How challenging. But Aeron will have a little competition when Miss Knight meets Lord Garrett Ashdown, the son of Earl Thomas or a man better known as: The Inventor. A man who builds automatons for the direct purpose of killing zombies; mysteriously understanding their blood and the way they sense humans. 

Lucy is taken by the masked man known as Aeron and the equally mysterious Lord Garrett. With one concealing his true identity and the other hiding a ghastly secret, she doesn't know which one is less dangerous. What secrets do Aeron and Garrett keep from Lucy? Will Miss Knight be able to be with the man she chooses when she learns the awful truth? It is still unclear. And the current edition isn't spilling the beans just yet...

~ My Thoughts ~ 

My Rating: 5 / 5 

I loved Gravely Inanimated! This was definitely my kind of book, and the minute I saw it, I had to read it! The back story of how the zombies came about was interesting and unique, and I thought it was amazing that people have still survived and can basically live normal lives even among zombies shambling around. The only reason this is possible is Earl Thomas - the inventor of automatons who kill zombies and can sense the difference between a zombie and human by the fact that zombies lack a warm body temperature. 

I couldn't decide if I wanted Lucy with Aeron or Garrett - both were mysterious which is definitely appealing to me, but as the synopsis says, one is hiding his identity and the other has a terrible secret. It was a fantastic set up for a triangle, which I didn't mind in this story. It wasn't your typical triangle, that's for sure! Both were appealing, but both had things about them that were turnoffs too. So it was a hard decision.  

I'm really into steampunk though I've only read one other book in the genre, and I think it's a cool concept. Sometimes I found myself shocked and even angry with some of the Victorian aspects - the biggest one being that Lucy is blamed for her fiance dumping her for her former best friend. Lucy's father told her she should have paid more attention to him, should have been more attractive...I was like, really?? That's the way things really were back then, though. I kept thinking I was happy I wasn't around back then. What I loved the most was how technology was mixed in with the old fashioned ideas of the Victorian era. 

Overall, if you haven't tried out the steampunk genre, if you love zombies, if you love feisty heroines, you MUST read Gravely Inanimated. If you can't figure out what book to read next, this is one you should definitely pick up. 

~ Purchase Links ~ 


~ About the Author: Esther Wheelmaker ~ 


Her name is Esther Wheelmaker, and she is the author of the new Zombiepunk Series. With Gravely Inanimated (book one) coming to life, she is puonding away on her typewriter to try and get book two out. However, she is easily distracted by sparkly things. 

Her background is a mystery and all anyone knows is she loves hugs, corsets, steampunk, books and Mozart...Let's face it...Everyone likes a girl with a little mystery.

~ Social Links ~ 




      

Blitz: Guest Post & Giveaway ~ The Last Bastion of the Living by Rhiannon Frater


Hey guys! Welcome to the Black Friday Blitz for The Last Bastion of the Living hosted by Xpresso Book Tours! Today for Black Friday, it's on sale for only .99c! 
Grab your copy today! :D I have mine, and I am stoked to spend time in this world! 


Title: The Last Bastion of the Living:
A Futuristic Zombie Novel 
Author: Rhiannon Frater
Publication date: June 12th 2012
Genres: Adult, Horror, Science Fiction 


~ Synopsis ~ 

The Bastion was humanity's last hope against the fearsome undead creatures known as the Inferi Scourge. A fortified city with a high wall, surrounded by lush land rich with all the resources needed to survive, protected by high mountain summits, and a massive gate to secure the only pass into the valley, the Bastion became the last stronghold of the living on earth. But one fateful day, the gate failed and the Inferi Scourge destroyed the human settlements outside the walls and trapped the survivors inside the city. Now decades later, the last remaining humans are struggling to survive in a dying city as resources and hope dwindle.

Vanguard Maria Martinez has lived her whole life within the towering walls of steel. She yearns for a life away from the overcrowded streets, rolling blackouts, and food shortages, but there is no hope for anyone as long as the Inferi Scourge howl outside the high walls. Her only refuge from the daily grind is in the arms of her lover, Dwayne Reichardt, an officer in the Bastion Constabulary. Both are highly-decorated veterans of the last disastrous push against the Inferi Scourge. Their secret affair is her only happiness.

Then one day Maria is summoned to meet with a mysterious representative from the Science Warfare Division and is offered the opportunity to finally destroy the Inferi Scourge in the valley and close the gate. The rewards of success are great, but she will have to sacrifice everything, possibly even her life, to accomplish the ultimate goal of securing the future of humanity and saving it from extinction.

~ Purchase Links ~ 
Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo


~ Guest Post by Rhiannon Frater: 
The Characters of The Last Bastion of the Living ~

One of the biggest challenges in starting a new novel is discovering all the new characters that will inhabit the world you've created. I usually have the primary characters fully-developed in my head when I sit down at my computer and type in the first sentence of a book, but the secondary characters are not always clearly defined. 

While writing THE LAST BASTION OF THE LIVING, the main characters of Dwayne and Maria were incredibly vivid in my mind. Their back stories came easily to me as I pondered the story and considered my approach to writing it. Maria's personality and appearance was the first thing that developed in my mind when the first seeds of the story germinated in my dreams. I knew she was Dominican-Puerto Rican in descent, strong-willed, loyal, and the daughter of a soldier who died in battle and a mother who hated Maria enlisting in the military. Maria's desire for a life with the man she loves without the threat of the dangerous Inferi Scourge (a type of zombie) was the central motivation for everything she does in the book. Dwayne was much older than Maria, a career officer, a man stuck in a nasty divorce, a father of three children (two teenagers, one an adult), and someone who has lived a hard life and knows exactly what he wants out of the rest of his years on the Earth. Together, they shared a love bond that was deep and a wellspring of strength to both of them.

But what about the rest of the people surrounding them? 

My novels run like movies in my head. I watch and attempt to transfer the images in my mind to the page. I am often surprised by what I observe, but that is some of the fun in writing. A lot of times characters will make unexpected appearances in the narrative. When that happens, I have to ask the question, "Who are you?" Surprisingly, a lot of the characters just drop into the story fully-formed.

Mr. Petersen and Dr. Curran were two such characters. As soon as they appeared on the movie screen in my head, I "got" them. Though they both surprised me in little ways throughout the story, their basic personalities and motivations never changed.

But another character became much more than I ever anticipated. She originally showed up briefly with Maria in a scene that I had considered cutting. I thought she was a one-off character, but the blond soldier hobbling with a cane became a vital part of the plot, much to my surprise. I gave her the name Lindsey after Lindsey Wagner (who played the Bionic Woman) and made her a veteran of the last push against the Inferi Scourge, which was the battle that left Maria and Dwayne with their battle scars. I gave her a job in the communication center of the Constabulary, not realizing how vital that position and her skills would be to the story later on.

Later, about a third of the way through the book, I realized I needed to show that big battle, which was not originally present when I started writing it. Therefore the prologue was written. Lindsey ended up with a part in that big scene along with another character named Ryan. Again, Lindsey and Ryan were created to show that Maria had friends outside of her romantic relationship, but both characters held the weight of something more than just walk-ons. Suddenly, the relationship that Maria had to both of these characters added much more dimension to her personality and her future struggles. 

That's the fun of writing. The unexpected twists and turns. Discovering new and dynamic characters as scenes unfold. Finding out that a character you thought would show up in one scene is actually a vital part of the overall plot.     


~ About the Author: Rhiannon Frater ~

     

Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor), as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog), and other horror novels. Her next novel for Tor, Dead Spots, will be published in 2014. 

She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a. pets). She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes. 

You can find her online at: 
Email: rhiannonfrater(at)gmail.com


~ Giveaway ~ 
A signed copy & swag
(US/CAN only)






November 28, 2013

Feature & Follow Friday #33 ~ Stuff yourself!

 

I'm so excited to join Feature & Follow Friday!! This is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read where they each feature a blogger with an interview and also have a question or activity for all bloggers to participate in answering. Please click the links above to follow the hosting bloggers and the featured bloggers and enter the link to your own post in the linky. Hop around to as many blogs as you can - find new blogs to follow and gain some new followers as well. Mingle and make some new blogger friends! :D

I would be so happy and ever so grateful if you'd follow me any way you'd like but especially by Bloglovin' or email (to the left) and Twitter. Thank you! <3

Follow on Bloglovin



 Q: What's your favorite Thanksgiving Day food? If you're not American or Canadian, what's your favorite holiday food?


A: I love rolls! It's the one day of the year I allow myself to eat more than one or two. I just go crazy! And I love the stuffing my husband's grandma makes every year. Way better than Stouffer's. :D 

Your turn! What's your favorite food? :D

Think Out Loud #23 ~ Happy Thanksgiving


Have something you'd like to get off your chest? Want to talk about anything? Join this meme hosted by Thinks Books! Get to know your fellow bloggers outside the bookish realm! Click here for the 411. We usually post every Thursday or whenever you can! :D


Happy Turkey Day guys! 

For all of my non-U.S. friends, have an awesome day!! <3

  
Thanksgiving
Image from simply_kumquat (Flickr Creative Commons)   

November 27, 2013

Blitz ~ Alive by Megan D. Martin



I love the sound of this book! I need it now! ;) 



Title: Alive
Series: Crave #1
Author: Megan D. Martin
Publication date: November 22nd 2013
Genres: New Adult, Post-Apocalyptic, Romance
Blitz organized by: Xpresso Book Tours


Synopsis
Flesh-eating zombies, dirty sex, and a shattered past...
What's more dangerous - the man who broke her heart or those trying to eat it? 

Fighting to survive, Eve finds herself alone in the world after the Crave - the only parallel of her former life. On the hunt for her sister, she runs into Gage - the first and only boy to have her heart and break it. It's been four years and he isn't a boy anymore, nor is he the same person he used to be. Against her better judgment, Eve agrees to stay with him when he divulges information on a safe haven near the small town they grew up in - but that doesn't mean she has to like it...

Returning home elicits a myriad of emotions that both Eve and Gage thought they had buried. The past and present collide and they are forced to face the bitter deceits that ruined them in the before and threaten to destroy them now...

Purchase Links:


About the Author: Megan D. Martin

Megan D. Martin is a multi-published author, mother, student and editor. In her spare time she enjoys decorating her house with strange things that do not match, playing her old school Nintendo Entertainment System, and buying fish for her many fish tanks.

Social Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads    



~ Giveaway ~
$10 Amazon GC (INTL)





Blitz ~ Silent Echo: A Siren's Tale by Elisa Freilich


Silent Echo: A Siren’s Tale
Series- Silent Echo Trilogy # 1
By- Elisa Freilich
Publication Date- September 2013
Published By- Diversion Books
Genre- YA Fantasy/Paranormal 

Silence was Portia Griffin’s nemesis. In a world where teens never cease to speak their minds, the sixteen year old Portia, rendered mysteriously mute at birth, has opted out of the mainstream conversation.   Instead, this silent sophomore at Ridgewood Preparatory Academy finds solace in her keen love of music and bizarre obsession with birds.  And it doesn’t hurt that her best friend, Felix Fein, deaf at the age of eight, couldn’t care less whether or not she is able to execute the spoken word. 

But Portia’s world is about to change – and not necessarily for the better. 

After sixteen silent years, Portia is suddenly gifted with a voice unparalleled in its purity and powers. Her new ability to persuade, to seduce and to destroy with her voice alone sends Portia on a search for answers she never imagined she’d have to accept.

      
     


Double Cover Reveal! ~ Legend of Me & The Winter People by Rebekah Purdy

Today Rebekah Purdy and Entangled Teen are revealing the covers for LEGEND OF ME, releasing in early 2014. And THE WINTER PEOPLE, releasing July 1, 2014! Check out the gorgeous covers, exclusive excerpts, and enter to win an eARC of each!

On to the reveals!


About the Book
LEGEND OF ME
Author: Rebekah Purdy
Release Date: Early 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Sixteen-year-old Brielle has grown up hearing tales of a beast that kills humans, leaving behind only a scattering of bones and limbs. Or so the village elders say. She thinks it’s just their way of keeping children in line, though it doesn’t explain her grisly premonitions of blood, claws, and severed heads.

When Lord Kenrick, Knight of the Crowhurst Order, shows up asking questions about the legendary monster and Brielle finds a mangled body in the woods, she begins to wonder if the grim stories are true. Her attraction to the handsome knight grows as she spends time with him searching for clues to the creature’s existence, and she becomes even more determined to help him discover the beast’s location.

But as her seventeenth birthday approaches, her nightmares worsen. If Brielle doesn’t figure out the connection between Kenrick, the monster, and visions of a ghostly woman in the woods soon, more people could die. Including those closest to her…

Exclusive Excerpt!

Brambles scratched my legs, snagging my skirt. Gnarled trees bent in gruesome forms, while thick shadows splayed out beneath them. A heavy gloom settled over the woodland as wisps of fog slithered like snakes against the ground. I shivered.

Don’t think. I picked an animal trail to follow, stepping over dead branches and forest debris. Blood pounded in my ears and the hair on the back of my neck prickled. I twisted around to glance behind me.

Nothing there. Only the trees. Urgency gripped hold of me and I picked up my pace once more. As I scrambled through the thicket, an overwhelming scent of rotten meat made me gag. I covered my mouth with my hand and stopped running when a bright red piece of fabric caught my eye. With hesitant steps, I moved toward it.

“Oh God.” I stumbled. There, sticking out from beneath a barberry bush was a severed arm, its finger pointed at me in accusation. My breath came in gasps as I scanned the rest of the clearing.

My foot nudged against something and I looked down in horror to find the head of Liam Gatekeeper staring up at me.

I screamed, backing away as fast as I could. All around me were pieces of his body scattered like breadcrumbs. I shielded my eyes with my hands, until I bumped into something else.

With another scream, I whipped around only to find myself faced with an oak tree covered in dried blood and deep claw marks. My vision darkened and I prayed I wouldn’t faint, that I wouldn’t be stuck in the woods. Because somewhere out here, a monster lurked. If I didn’t believe it before, I did now. The beast was real.


About the Book
THE WINTER PEOPLE
Author: Rebekah Purdy
Release Date: July 1, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 320
ISBN: 978-1622663682

An engrossing, complex, romantic fantasy perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore or Maggie Stiefvater, set in a wholly unique world.
Salome Montgomery fears winter—the cold, the snow, the ice, but most of all, the frozen pond she fell through as a child. Haunted by the voices and images of the strange beings that pulled her to safety, she hasn’t forgotten their warning to "stay away." For eleven years, she has avoided the winter woods, the pond, and the darkness that lurks nearby. But when failing health takes her grandparents to Arizona, she is left in charge of maintaining their estate. This includes the "special gifts" that must be left at the back of the property.
 


Salome discovers she’s a key player in a world she’s tried for years to avoid. At the center of this world is the strange and beautiful Nevin, who she finds trespassing on her family’s property. Cursed with dark secrets and knowledge of the creatures in the woods, his interactions with Salome take her life in a new direction. A direction where she’ll have to decide between her longtime crush Colton, who could cure her fear of winter. Or Nevin who, along with an appointed bodyguard, Gareth, protects her from the darkness that swirls in the snowy backdrop. An evil that, given the chance, will kill her.

Exclusive Excerpt!

The sky darkened with ominous storm clouds. Giant flakes fell onto my face, sticking to my eyelashes and cheeks. Snow blew unhindered across the yard into what looked like small tornadoes.

Oh God. It’s happening again. The frigid air. The creaking of the treetops beneath the wind. Even the way the snow blew across the yard.

I only had one more feeder. Just needed to toss the seeds in then I could leave. Be safe.

The pond water rippled, while the trees bent beneath the strong gusts. Soon, everything became so white I couldn’t see the house. In the distance a strange tinkling sounded, like dozens of wind chimes.

What had the shrink told me to do?

Ten, nine, eight. Breathe. Seven, six, five. Shit!

Panic stole my thoughts. I backed away from the pond as the flurries swirled toward me. Chasing me.

Then, I bumped into something—something that felt quite human. A firm chest, arms, hands. Not something, someone. A shriek tumbled from my lips and I spun around to face my captor.

“It’s okay. I won’t hurt you,” a soft masculine voice said, pale hands clinging to my arms as he kept me from falling.

My gaze followed those long fingers, up black leather sleeves, to the most gorgeous face I’d ever seen. My breath caught in my throat. I’m gawking. But I couldn’t help it. His raven hair shot with strands of blue, his face pale and perfect, like an ice sculptor had chiseled it into existence. His eyes—oh God, his eyes. They were the palest blue I’d ever seen. Glacial. He had to be over six feet tall, muscles evident through the tight shirt he wore beneath an unzipped jacket.

His mouth turned up at the corners as if enjoying my scrutiny. A cocky grin that made my cheeks warm.

“You’re trespassing.” I tried to keep the tremble from my voice. “This is private property, or can’t you read the signs?” Bravo, that’s right, scare him off with your bitchiness.

He chuckled. And it sounded like the low song of the chimes. “Doris doesn’t mind me coming around. In fact, I’ve met you before, Salome.”

My name on his lips made my knees go buttery. I groaned inwardly.

“You know my grandma?” I fidgeted with the bucket still in hand.

He gave a nod. “Yeah, I’ve known her for years. But I haven’t seen you since you were a child.”

Warning bells went off in my mind, but I pushed them aside. If he knew my grandma, then he must be okay. “Funny, I don’t remember you at all.”

“Don’t you, Salome?” Strands of my hair blew about my face. He reached a hand out as if to touch them then stopped, dropping his arms back to his side.

“No. Grandma’s never mentioned you.”

He gave me another cocky grin. “Well then, maybe we should be reacquainted.”

“Or maybe not.” I snorted. “I’m not sure how you got on the property, Grandma keeps all the gates locked.”

He produced an antique-looking skeleton key. “She gave me this. Like I said, Doris has known me for a long time.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be a jerk or anything, it’s just my grandma never mentioned I’d have visitors.” In fact, I wondered why she didn’t ask this guy to watch her house instead of me.

The arrogance left his face and he stared at me. “Perhaps, we can try this again.” He held his hand out to me. “I’m Nevin.”



 About Rebekah: 


Rebekah was born and raised in Michigan (just look for the mitten-shaped state on the map). She’s lived there most of her life other than the few years she spent in the U.S. Army.  At which time she got a chance to experience MO, KS, SC, and CA.

She works full time for the court system and in her free time she writes YA stories. Pretty much any genre within the YA realm is game for her, but her favorites are fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, thrillers, light sci-fi, and some time travel.

She also has a big family–she like to considers them the modern day Brady Bunch. When her hubby and her met and got married, he had 3 children from a previous marriage, she had 2 and  have 1 together. It’s a lot of fun though.

And she can’t forget her other family members–yep, they’ve got some pets: 4 dogs, 3 cats,  and 1 turtle. Everyone in the family has one…she won’t bore you all with their names (unless you really want to know). Okay, you talked her into it! Jack, Pearl, Grr…(yes that’s her dog’s name), Callie, Shadow, Mooshoo, Grouchy, and Sorbert. Other than writing some of her other hobbies include: reading (mostly YA of course), singing, swimming, football, soccer, running, camping, sledding, church, hanging with her kids, and traveling.

She belong to a fabulous writing group called YA Fiction Fantatics (YAFF) and you guessed it they all write YA!

REPPED by Jennifer Mishler and Frances Black of Literary Counsel.

And that’s her in a big ‘ol nutshell.



Giveaway Details:
1 eARC of LEGEND OF ME International
1 eARC of THE WINTER PEOPLE International