Tuesday, 28 October 2014

Book Blitz + Giveaway - Diamonds in the Rough (The Secret Diamond Sisters, #2) by Michelle Madow




Diamonds in the Rough (The Secret Diamond Sisters #2) by Michelle Madow
Release Date: 10/28/14
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 448 


Summary from Goodreads: 

All-access doesn't mean no problems. 

The three Diamond sisters survived the summer in style after coming to live with their long-lost billionaire father. But making a place for themselves at their exclusive new Las Vegas private school is throwing them any number of gold-plated curves. Savannah's YouTube stardom turns into a Sweet Sixteen reality show extravaganza—with complimentary enemies on the side. Dangerous flirtations don't keep Peyton from a gamble that will risk far more than she planned to bet. And when Courtney and the sisters' archenemy, Madison, uncover two explosive secrets, it will rock even this town of glittering illusion—and turn their lives upside down all over again. 

Sisterhood, first crushes, and scandalous secrets explode in book two of Michelle Madow's riveting series, The Secret Diamond Sisters. 




Buy Links: 







Book One: 


The Secret Diamond Sisters (The Secret Diamond Sisters #1) by Michelle Madow
Release Date: 02/25/13
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 381  


Summary from Goodreads: 

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton. 

The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. 


Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past. 




Buy Links: 


  




At seventeen years old, Peyton is the oldest Diamond sister. She’s been hurt in the past, but because of it, has developed a thick skin. She will do anything for her sisters, going as far as protecting them from their mom’s outbursts and getting home first from school to make sure everything in the house (including their mom) is ready for them. She’s tough, doesn’t trust easily, and while she has many people she hangs out with, the only people who she feels truly know her are her sisters. She doesn’t like school (she gets restless sitting in classrooms!) and can’t wait until graduation so she’ll be done forever.

Peyton’s a natural night owl, and waking up in the morning is a constant struggle. (Her sisters usually resort to throwing things at her to wake her up, and often yell at her to hurry up showering so they can have time for their morning routines, too.) She needs at least three cups of coffee to get going. She loves rock music, and can usually be found with an earbud attached to her ear, even during her classes. She loves partying and dancing and getting lost in the music. She also enjoys an occasional chill night of movies and television shows, as long as it’s not a rom-com chick flick.

She wears mostly black clothing—why bother with colors when black always looks hot on her? Her nails are usually painted black as well. She’s not afraid to speak up for what she believes in and she will always stand up for her sisters. She tries to not let anyone in to avoid getting hurt—but really she just wants to find that one person who cares enough to break down her walls.
  




About the Author 


Michelle Madow was inspired to write The Secret Diamond Sisters series while walking through her favorite hotel in Las Vegas. The next book in the series, Diamonds in the Rough, launches in October. Prior to The Secret Diamond Sisters, she successfully self-published The Transcend Time Saga. A tireless promoter of her work, Michelle is active on social media networks and has toured across America to promote her books and encourage high school students to embrace reading and writing. A graduate of Rollins College, Michelle lives in Florida ... but she loves going to Vegas.
To chat with Michelle and other fans about her books, join Michelle Madow's Street Team on Facebook



Author Links: 












Monday, 27 October 2014

Book Blitz + Giveaway - Almost Dead by H.L. Houghton



Title: Almost Dead
Author: H.L. Houghton
Pages: 60
Release date: 7th October 2014  

Blurb from Goodreads:

A collection of short, vampire themed, stories. For those who like giggles with their bite...
From a raving super-fan to a newly born vampire, these stories bring a new perspective to the Vampire myth. This is a quick and light-hearted read with lots of giggles and a fun bonus section thrown in for your enjoyment. 


Fang Girl: When the radio announced the ‘Date with a Detective’ competition, they had no idea how determined some fans would be to win. 

Bite Me: Ritchie only wanted a bit of attention. What he got instead was a hard-learned lesson: Love Bites.

Baby Teeth: Dr French has the 'patient' of a saint...or is it an angel...Oh whatever...


Ode to my Lunch: In a life where nothing is certain...Only one thing is true...Darkos’ poetry will kill you.


Almost Dead: Three little words sum up Becca’s whole life...Love sucks - Literally.














 
Read my 5 star review here.



 





About the Author


 H.L. Houghton remembers sitting on the floor with a little red typewriter, tapping keys and asking her mother for spellings. She was three years old and from that day to this, she has dreamed of writing wonderful things for others to read. When she is not writing, she can be found with a camera glued to her face or a book in her hand. She loves music, singing badly and watching people run from the rain. 







Extra content for Fang Girl:


Metropolitan Police
Witness Interview Transcript
14th March
Witness: Mrs P. Loveson. 342 Jordan Grove. Pemberton Road. Haversham. H4 SA2.
Interviewing officers: J. D Grishnor 913224-43 hereby known as JD, E.D Hanson 321746-20 hereby known as ED 


Interview commences at 12.54 pm 


JD: Thank you for coming and speaking with us Mrs Loveson. As you know many of the other victims…er…witnesses…er missing Lovesons were unable to recall much about what happened over the past twenty-four hours. We are grateful that you thought to come in as soon as you recalled any details.
Loveson: It is all still a bit of a blur. I don’t want you to think I have remembered it all. It rather seems like a dream actually, more than memories.
ED: Of course Mrs Loveson. We understand. If you were in fact drugged then the images might return to you in a fractured dream-like way. Just tell us anything that you can remember. It will all help.
Loveson: Well. I can remember hearing the radio announce its task. I remember thinking “Oh goodness, how inconvenient,” and then my sister-in-law…another Mrs Loveson…called to complain about it. Whilst she was grumbling down the line at me, I heard a smash at the front of the house. I tried to tell Doreen to shut up so that I could put her on hold and investigate the noise, but Doreen screamed and then began to gurgle like she was choking on something. It was rather frightening. I disconnected the call and tried to ring for an ambulance but my line was dead. Then everything went black.
ED: Have you had a chance to speak to Doreen?
Loveson: Yes.
ED: did she explain the gurgling?
Loveson: Yes. She said, a very handsome man broke in through her kitchen door and she coughed whilst drinking her tea. He was one of the kidnappers I believe, because she then said that everything went blank.
JD: Yes. We have that in Mrs Loveson’s statement…I mean the other Mrs Loveson.
Loveson: Well after that it gets a bit hazy, but I can recall a double decker bus. A big red one.
JD: Did you see it from the kidnapper’ vehicle?
Loveson: No. It was the kidnappers’ vehicle. Or at least one of them.
ED: They put you on a bus?
Loveson: Yes, a tour bus. We saw the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace…
ED: Wait a second. Are you telling us they kidnapped a load of Mrs Lovesons and then took you all on a tour of London?
Loveson: Yes, Dear. It was rather good, from what little I can recall. We had a tour guide who spoke about the history of the city and pointed out lots of interesting things that they don’t tell you about in the books. For example, did you know that Jack the ripper was actually the name of the police chief inspector’s dog? When they couldn’t find the killer they made one up and used poor Jack’s name! Terribly interesting.
JD: Um…yes…can you recall anything else? Anything that we might, actually, be able to use?
Loveson: Well. They took us to lunch.
ED: Took you to….
JD: What did they give you? Do you suspect that was where you were drugged?
Loveson: Oh no! The food was delicious. Absolutely no chance anyone got poisoned…or drugged… although Freddie Loveson really should have stayed off the vino. When she got up on the table top and started the Charleston, we all knew she was in for a world of pain.
JD: Why? Did the kidnappers mistreat her? Threaten her?
ED: Did they knock her about a bit?
JD: Call her some names?
ED: Scare you all?
Loveson: Gosh no. They clapped along and I am quite sure they videoed it on their phones. No she will be in pain because she fell on her bottom and bruised it. We all thought it was hilarious.
ED: So these kidnappers took you from your houses, gave you a free tour of London, treated you to a nice meal…
Loveson: Don’t forget the entertainment, Dear.
JD: What entertainment?
Loveson: We had the best Elvis impersonator and a Frank Sinatra tribute singer. I could have sworn they were the real deal. Amazing!
ED: So a tour, a meal and entertainment…?
Loveson: Yes.
ED: Are you sure you weren’t dreaming this?
Loveson: Very sure. It was the end of the evening that took a dark turn. Our kidnappers thanked us for our company and complicity and then they took us to an old warehouse where everything went blank again. It was all rather strange.
ED: You’re telling me.
JD: Can you recall any of the kidnappers’ faces?
Loveson: That is the strangest part of all. I cannot. I remember them all being very beautiful and well-mannered but as far as details go, I can only recall very sharp teeth.
ED: …..(long silence) Okay, Mrs Loveson, thank you for coming in. If you would like to go and wait in the hallway, we will finish up in here and then walk you out of the station.
Loveson. Of course, Dear. I hope I have been a help.


Mrs Loveson Exits interview room 13.14pm


ED: I say she’s had one too many glasses of sherry.
JD: I say she’s pulling our leg.
ED: Well that was a complete waste of time. Oh crap tape is still running. Interview ended at 13.18pm. 

END of Transcript. 










 I loved this book so much that I'm giving away a paperback copy to one lucky winner!
The author has donated an ecopy as well!
 Open internationally!




Sunday, 26 October 2014

Showcase Sunday #8


Sunday Showcase is a feature created by Books, Biscuits, and Tea.



Read:

Paradigm (Paradigm, #1) by Ceri A. Lowe 


2/5 stars

Read my review here.






These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1) by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner


3.5/5 stars

I liked this but not as much as I thought I would (which seems to be happening a lot lately). I was a bit disappointed and there were a couple of things that annoyed me but overall I enjoyed it.  




For Review:


Thanks to Patchwork Press - Cooperative.




Bought:


White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout (paperback)
Almost Dead by H.L. Houghton (paperback for an upcoming giveaway!)





Currently Reading:

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld


This is so long (over 600 pages!) but I'm slowly getting through it.

Book Blitz - The Land Uncharted by Keely Brooke Keith




Title: The Land Uncharted
Author: Keely Brooke Keith
Release Date: October 21, 2014 Publisher: Edenbrooke Press 


Summary: 

Lydia Colburn is a young physician dedicated to serving her village in the Land, a landmass in the South Atlantic Ocean undetectable to the outside world. When injured fighter pilot Connor Bradshaw’s parachute carries him from the war engulfing the 2025 world to her hidden land, his presence threatens her plans, her family, and the survival of her preindustrial society. As Connor searches for a way to return to his squadron, his fascination with life in the Land makes him protective of Lydia and her peaceful homeland, and Lydia’s attraction to Connor stirs desires she never anticipated. 

Written like a historical, set like a scifi, and filled with romance, The Land Uncharted weaves adventure and love in this suspenseful story of a hidden land. 



Purchase Links: 



Have your ebook of The Land Uncharted signed via Authorgraph




Advance Praise for The Land Uncharted: 

"Not only is Keely's writing beautiful and full of vivid detail, but the story and characters are incredible! I love the way she crosses genres and how well it all blends together.” - Christina Yother, author of Reverie

“The Land Uncharted captured my interest from the opening lines. Keely Brooke Keith skillfully weaves an engaging story that explores the possibilities of a simple, peaceful existence in a society set apart from a world ravaged by conflict. Equal parts suspense and romance, this debut novel is a compelling read.” - Heidi McCahan, author of Unraveled 





Author Bio


 Keely is a bass guitarist and lives on a hilltop south of Nashville. 
When she isn’t writing stories or playing bass, Keely enjoys dancing, having coffee with friends, and sifting through vintage books at antique stores. 







Author links: 



You can now add The Land Uncharted to your shelf on Goodreads, Shelfari, LibraryThing, or FictFact.




Book blitz organised by:

http://yaboundbooktours.blogspot.co.uk/
 

Saturday, 25 October 2014

Cover Reveal + Giveaway - Withering Hope by Layla Hagen




Withering Hope by Layla Hagen
Publication date: January 19th 2015
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Aimee’s wedding is supposed to turn out perfect. Her dress, her fiancé, and the location—the idyllic holiday ranch in Brazil—are perfect.

But all Aimee’s plans come crashing down when the private jet that’s taking her from the U.S. to the ranch—where her fiancé awaits—defects mid-flight and the pilot is forced to perform an emergency landing in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

With no way to reach civilization, being rescued is Aimee and Tristan’s—the pilot—only hope. A slim one that slowly withers away, desperation taking its place. Because death wanders in the jungle under many forms: starvation, diseases. Beasts.
As Aimee and Tristan fight to find ways to survive, they grow closer. Together they discover that facing old, inner agonies carved by painful pasts takes just as much courage, if not even more, than facing the rainforest.

Despite her devotion to her fiancé, Aimee can’t hide her feelings for Tristan—the man for whom she’s slowly becoming everything. You can hide many things in the rainforest. But not lies. Or love.

Withering Hope is the story of a man who desperately needs forgiveness and the woman who brings him hope. It is a story in which hope births wings and blooms into a love that is as beautiful and intense as it is forbidden.







AUTHOR BIO:


My name is Layla Hagen and I am a New Adult Contemporary Romance author.
I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later.
I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world.
And I drink coffee. Lots of it, in case the photo didn’t make it obvious enough 


Author Links:










Book Blitz + Giveaway - I Need You by Jane Lark




I Need You by Jane Lark
(Starting Out #3)
Published by: Harper Impulse
Publication date: October 23rd 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:


Guilt can eat away at you, but love can cut like a knife…

Wanting after his best friend’s girlfriend is a cliché Billy knows well – it’s the tightrope he’s walked for years.
But now Jason and Lindy have broken up and Billy can’t help but be there for the girl he’s loved from afar for so long. She’s hurting.


Fighting to find a road to the future, Lindy’s heart hurts. She’s trying to escape the truth, but Billy keeps making her face it – and it’s ugly. How can she keep living when everything is made of glass and it keeps shattering?

Her one constant is Billy. Only, rebound isn’t his style and when Lindy starts to see him in a different light, he just can’t trust her. He’s no one’s second best.




Purchase:







AUTHOR BIO

Jane is a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional Historical and New Adult romance and author of a No.1 bestselling Historical Novel,'The Illicit Love of a Courtesan, as well as a Kindle overall Top 25, bestselling author.

She began her first historical novel at sixteen, but a life full of adversity derailed her as she lives with the restrictions of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

When she finally completed a novel it was because she was determined not to reach forty still saying, I want to write.

Now Jane is writing a Regency series as well as contemporary, new adult, stories and she is thrilled to be giving her characters life in others' imaginations at last.

You might think that Jane was inspired to write by Jane Austen, especially as she lives near Bath in the United Kingdom, but you would be wrong. Jane's favourite author is Anya Seton, and the book which drew her into the bliss of falling into historical imagination was 'Katherine' a story crafted from reality.

Jane has drawn on this inspiration to discover other real-life love stories, reading memoirs and letters to capture elements of the past, and she uses these to create more realistic plots.

'Basically I love history and I am sucker for a love story. I love the feeling of falling in love; it's wonderful being able to do it time and time again in fiction.'

Jane is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development in the United Kingdom, and uses this specialist understanding of people to bring her characters to life.


Author links: 








Excerpt:

My thumb hovered over the send icon for the twentieth time today. Jason had texted yesterday to say he’d heard from Mr. Martin. Lindy was okay, just sleeping the drugs off in the hospital. He’d said she’d be out of action for a while.
I wanted to text her. But cowardice had a grip on my hand.
I switched the cell off, put it back in my pocket then got in the SUV to go to my next client.
I didn’t think of her while I worked. I had to watch my client, to make sure he did the exercises right and didn’t strain anything, and to count his repetitions.
But as soon as I left the guy my mind was back on Lindy.
Was she still in hospital?
Would she want me to text?
Did she know we’d been there?
Why the hell had she taken an overdose? Was it just a cry for help or had she really meant to end it?
How did she feel now?
The only way I was gonna get any answers was to text her. I took my cell out of the pocket of my sweat pants as I threw my backpack on the back seat of the SUV.
I got in with it gripped in my hand and sat there for a minute, looking at her picture. I’d taken it last year, after Jason had left for New York, when she and I had been hanging out a lot more, alone for the first time.
‘Hey, Lindy, sorry I haven’t been in touch. I should’ve been. How are you?’ My thumb hovered over ‘send’, my heart pounding out a bass beat. I had to do this. She was never gonna break the ice between us and I couldn’t stand feeling guilty anymore.
I didn’t expect an immediate reply. But relief hit me just because I’d done the deed.
I threw my cell on the passenger seat, slipped the gear shift into drive and pulled my seatbelt on, then pressed my foot on the gas.
My cell rang ten minutes later. I was on the road into town. Flicking the indicator on, I pulled into the side and parked on the dirt on the edge.
I picked my cell up. She’d called.
My hand shaking like a douche, I called her back. The leather bracelet I had on my wrist declared its presence as it slid a little up my arm.
“Hi––”
“Hey, Lindy, you called me. How are you?”
“Are you driving?” Her voice was quiet and weak––it still cut through me like a blade.
“I’ve pulled over. You can talk if you want to talk. Why did you do it, Lind?”
“Because I feel like shit.”
“Lind––”
“You don’t need to tell me it was foolish, I know. And selfish, and pathetic, and… terrible… I… I’m sorry you saw me. Thank you for helping me. I think I’m gonna have a lot of apologizing to do.” She took a breath. “Say sorry to Jason too.” She hung up.
Shit, I smacked the wheel with the heel of my palm. Why did she have to be so frickin’ hard? Why did she have to hurt me so much? Why the fuck did I have to care about her? I wished my asshole of a heart would fall for someone else.