Wednesday, October 8, 2014

FOR EVERLY New Cover & More!


Synopsis:
**This is a New Adult novel recommended for ages 16+.

Determined to overcome a dark and tragic past, college student Everly Wallace is only months away from earning her degree in physical therapy. She’s consumed with school, caring for her ailing grandfather, and figuring out how to pay the next bill. The last thing she wants is a relationship, but it just might be the one thing she needs.

Major League pitcher Cole Parker hasn’t fought for anything in his life. He went from a privileged upbringing to a multimillion dollar All-Star career. But when his pitching shoulder starts to give him trouble at only twenty-four years old, he faces the possibility of his injury becoming public knowledge and costing him everything.

In a desperate bid to save his career, Cole decides to hire someone to treat his injury, someone who will keep things off the record and out of the media. He finds the perfect solution in Everly. As mysterious as she is beautiful, she provides an enticing distraction from his pain. Soon, physical therapy is the last thing on his mind.

When an act of betrayal brings the truths they both fear to light, Cole will have to fight for the first time in his life…not just for his career, but for Everly’s love.



Buy Links:

Amazon * Amazon UK * B&N * iBooks * Kobo 


Excerpt:“I know you’re not seeking any romantic connections right now, Everly,” Wyatt interrupted, giving Cole a quelling look. “We’re here in a strictly professional capacity.”
Now she looked more at ease. “I see. Are you seeking a consultation over Cole’s rotator cuff injury?”
Cole stiffened. He glared at Wyatt.
“I haven’t told her a thing,” Wyatt said with raised palms.
“You didn’t have to say anything,” she said with a shrug, leaning back against Rowan’s desk. Her keen gaze met Cole’s. “I noticed that you favored your left hand throughout your meal, using it to drink, eat, and bring your napkin to your mouth, but you’re a right-handed pitcher. And just now, when you moved to clear space on the couch, you stopped breathing and swallowed hard when you moved your right arm, telling me you’re hiding pain and have a reduced range of motion.”
His mouth opened over her observations. He looked again at Wyatt. His brother gave him a look that said, See?“But how do you know it’s a rotator cuff injury?” Cole asked. Could other people see what she did? If so, he was so screwed.
“That, I’ll admit, was an educated guess based on your age and profession,” she answered. “I’ve only observed your symptoms and haven’t done any scans or tests to confirm. You’ll want to rule out bursitis, tendonitis, adhesive capsulitis, and other possible causes of your shoulder pain, of course.”
Despite what he’d seen this evening and his brother’s assurances, Cole was surprised by Everly’s quick assessment. She looked like she should be out club-hopping, not spouting medical jargon with such an intent expression on her face.
He also realized, since she knew his profession, that she had known who he was the moment she saw him. So why hadn’t she mentioned that before now? Maybe she wasn’t a fan.
“We’ve had scans done,” Wyatt said. “X-rays, an MRI—the whole load.”
He moved over to the desk. Everly stepped to the side as Wyatt reached over to retrieve the large manila envelope resting there. She hit Cole’s leg and nearly toppled onto his lap. Out of instinct, he reached out to help her maintain her balance. His hands ended up on her nicely shaped rear end.
She sprang away like a gazelle fleeing a lion. When she turned to look at him, he realized her cheeks were nearly as red as her hair. Her reaction went a long way toward putting him back on an even keel.
“I don’t bite,” he said with a grin. “Come and have a seat.”
He patted the cushion beside him. She looked at it warily, then moved her gaze to him. He patted the cushion again. Her lips moved on a whispered comment of some kind as she stepped around his legs and sat down. It was a small victory, but he felt better.
When he turned to look at her, he caught her scent, a unique fragrance that reminded him of whipped vanilla cream and frosted wildberries. She met his gaze. The combination of her nearness, her scent, and the cautious look in her lovely eyes had his whole body reacting.
Oh, this was such a bad idea.

Author Bio:
Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of bestselling Young Adult and New Adult fiction. Known for character-driven stories that inspire the imagination, Raine recently signed with multiple award-winning producer Chase Chenowith of Back Fence Productions to bring her popular Daughters of Saraqael trilogy to the big screen. She's a proud indie author who is living the dream. When she isn't writing or glued to e-mail or social networking sites, Raine can usually be found vacationing with her husband and daughter on one of Florida's beautiful beaches or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

Author Links:

Monday, July 21, 2014

Rout of the Dem-Shyr - Release Day Blitz!

NEW RELEASE!

Title: Rout of the Dem-Shyr
Series: Ascendant Series #2
Author: Raine Thomas
Genre: New Adult Sci-Fi Romance
Audience: Ages 17+


Cover Design by MaeiDesign

Book Blurb:

Touted as the future ruler and savior of worlds, Ascendant KyrVawn is ready to put her growing power to good use. She intends to begin with her home planet of Alametria, where hints of corruption have infiltrated the highest levels of the palace. It’s a monumental task, but one she won’t undertake alone.
By her side is her personal bodyguard and secret lover, Dem-Shyr TaeDane. Together, they’re determined to uncover the truth behind the changes that occurred while they were off-planet…changes that violate long-standing Alametrian laws.
But it’s hard for them to champion the rules when they don’t live by them. Their love is forbidden by official decree, and with every illicit touch, they edge closer and closer to discovery and disaster. Despite their good intentions, they’ll find out that sometimes love doesn’t conquer all.
In fact, it might just be the very thing that destroys them.

My Thoughts:

    WOW!  After reading the first book in this series, Return of the Ascendant, I was hooked and couldn't wait to see where Raine was going to take Ty & Kyr.  Well, nothing had prepared me for the jaw dropping events that took place in Rout of the Dem-Shyr.  Knowing the abilities of the characters should of had me prepared, but I didn't anticipate the events that occurred.  There were a few moments when my heart stopped and I had to keep reading, because I couldn't believe what Ty and Kyr went through.  As the second book in a series that will likely have many important minor characters, Raine did a great job allowing her readers a glimpse into Gren and Sem's back-story and their relationship with Kyr.  I hated the heartbreak that happened, but I think it was necessary to grow the characters and put them in a better place to tackle the challenges that they will face.  Once again Raine did a beautiful job creating a world that is both beautiful and harsh and characters that you can connect with.  While reading the first book would help understand more of the tension, you could read this without reading Return of the Ascendant (though I'd personally recommend you read it first).  If you are looking for a fantasy new adult book, I'd recommend giving this series a try.  5 stars 

Teaser:

Fear and confusion once again overwhelmed her. Where was she? Why was she in a dark, contained space? Why couldn’t she mentally connect with the man she loved?
As each question ran through her mind, her strength amplified. She shoved against the surface above her until her muscles protested. The sound of creaking prompted her to push even harder. It didn’t matter what awaited her outside of wherever she was. She’d greet it with open arms.
It took several minutes of heaving with her enhanced strength, but eventually, the surface gave way. She tossed aside the entire length of whatever was containing her, giving her freedom to sit up. As she did, a wave of dizziness almost made her fall back down. Terror kept her upright, clinging to the sides of her rectangular prison for support.
She looked around and saw she was in a dimly lit room. She also realized that she was sitting in a death box.
Another scream built in her throat. In an instant, she was standing beside the death box rather than inside of it. She had no memory of climbing out, nor did she know how long she stood beside it, staring at it as though it could offer her answers to the long stream of questions running through her barely functioning mind.
The sound of a door handle turning sent her skittering back into the shadows. She clung to a tall column in the middle of the room and tried not to make a sound. She wished she had thought to cover the death box, but knew there was nothing she could do about it now. Hushed whispers reached her ears as the door opened and closed. Unable to resist, she eased her head around the column to see who had entered the room.
Zasha, the Wrym who had seen to Kyr’s comforts since her return to Alametria, stepped into the dim light of a wall sconce. Her hair was covered by a red scarf. She wore a simple red dress, as well, reminding Kyr that the Alametrian color of mourning was red…the color of blood and pain. The flowers Zasha carried, however, were purple. Kyr’s favorite color.
Behind Zasha walked a male that Kyr didn’t recognize until he stepped into the light: LeoVawn. The pair walked all the way into the center of the room, stopping short when their eyes adjusted enough for them to see that the death box was now open and unoccupied. The container of flowers dropped from Zasha’s hands with a jarring thud.
Kyr couldn’t stop herself from stepping out of the shadows. She had to get some answers, and the only thoughts she received from the male and female in the room were shock and confusion. Those emotions heightened when Leo and Zasha saw her and recognized her. Their eyes went wide. Their complexions turned the color of wax.
And one single thought got through: But she’s dead.
Their reactions told Kyr why she had been in the death box. “Zasha,” she said, finding her voice at last. “Where’s Ty?”
The Wrym female stood rooted in place as Kyr approached her and took her by the upper arms. Leo watched with a slack jaw, but made no move to intervene.
Kyr tried again. “Please, Zasha. Please tell me where Ty is. Where is Dem-Shyr TaeDane?”
“Ma’jah,” Leo said in a hoarse voice. “This cannot be.”
Frustration made Kyr want to shout, but she knew anyone could be outside the doors and listening. Drawing on her growing abilities, she centered herself and sent calming thoughts to Zasha and Leo. She needed their help.
“I’m fine, Leo. You can see that. Please tell me where I can find the Dem-Shyr.”
Leo swallowed audibly before he replied, “I’m sorry to say that he’s been banished to the Dark Lands, Ma’jah.”
Kyr sifted through her still-muddy memories of her home planet. “The Dark Lands?” she repeated. “But I thought only murderers are sent there. It’s the punishment of eternal exile.”
“Yes, Ma’jah,” Leo whispered.
Emotion rose within Kyr. Disbelief. Horror. Anguish. Her gaze moved between Leo and Zasha, reading only truth in their thoughts and expressions.
“But…who did he kill?” she asked at last.
“You, Ma’jah,” Zasha answered with tears in her eyes. “He killed you.”

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ B&N ~ iBooks ~ Kobo

Add to Goodreads

~     ~     ~

Watch the Ascendant Series Trailer:



About the Author:

Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of bestselling Young Adult and New Adult fiction. Known for character-driven stories that inspire the imagination, Raine recently signed with multiple award-winning producer Chase Chenowith of Back Fence Productions to bring her popular Daughters of Saraqael trilogy to the big screen. She's a proud indie author who is living the dream. When she isn't writing or glued to e-mail or social networking sites, Raine can usually be found vacationing with her husband and daughter on one of Florida's beautiful beaches or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

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Sunday, December 29, 2013

Review: Last Chance Proposal

Last Chance Proposal
by Barbara DeLeo


A wife he needs. The woman he desires.
Cy Hathaway needs a wife, fast, to win custody of his son, Jonty. He returns home to discover the childhood sweetheart he once left behind has become a vibrant, beautiful woman. Even though wanting to sweep her off her feet wasn’t part of the plan…
For Ellie, Cy’s sudden reappearance awakens a flood of memories—and resentments for the way he’d abandoned her all those years ago. But she has a life now, a career.  She can’t simply drop everything and get hitched, even if the sight of him still makes her heart race.
But after Ellie meets his little boy, she can’t refuse. Certain she has a grip on her old feelings for Cy, she agrees to marry her first love until he gains custody. But when did helping out a friend become something with the capacity to hijack her heart?
My Thoughts:
Unexpected, emotional, sweet and fun.  I wasn't sure what to expect when I read then opening scene, but I was definitely intrigued.  Cy's proposal was unconventional even though he had a serious past with Ellie.  Once you are introduced to his son, Jonty, it's understandable why he is so desperate to do everything he can to keep his son.  Seeing how Ellie & Cy's relationship plays out with it's backwards start is fun; yet seeing how they grow closer through challenges with his son is at times heartbreaking.  I enjoyed the different setting of Last Change Proposal and learning about different local traditions.  Last Chance Proposal is an charming romantic read that will keep you entertained, great for a little weekend read.

Pick up a copy:

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Review: Tangling with the CEO



Mixing business with pleasure never felt so right.
Blake Buchanan and Anastasia Delaney were roommates in college and could never see eye to eye about anything. The only time their walls came down was during one night of passion before Ana left without a word, never expecting to cross paths with Blake again.
Years later, Blake has made his millions. He comes back to Ana’s small California town to manage a corporate takeover that will close down the home restoration business she’s poured her heart and soul into. The fiery Ana is determined to convince money-minded Blake of her business’s worth, but when a family emergency throws them together, their walls come tumbling down once again…
Problem is, Blake’s business-first position hasn’t changed. And Ana can’t fall for the man who could become her boss—it’s not only her job at stake, but her heart.

My thoughts:
   A sweet, charming, funny and romantic story that will tug at your heart!  Having lost my mom, I can understand why Ana would have just up and left the way she did back in college.  I was a little disappointed in Blake when he didn't catch on to what Ana was saying at first, but he slowly redeemed himself by not only winning over Ana, but those closest to her.  Not only is Tangling with the CEO a romantic story, its also about making tough decisions and following your heart.  Sometimes it's the unexpected path that leads to true happiness.  If you're looking for a heart-warming read to curl up with for the weekend, the I recommend you pick up Tangling with the CEO.

Pick up your copy today from one of the following retailers:

Thursday, October 31, 2013

WISH YOU WERE ITALIAN Cover Reveal

I'm super excited to help out in the cover reveal for my blogger friend, Kristin Rae!

WISH YOU WERE ITALIAN – May 6, 2014 from Bloomsbury



Pippa always wanted to go to Italy, but not by herself. And not to sit in a classroom the summer before senior year learning about paintings by dead guys. Tempted by the romance of Rome and the chance to photograph ancient ruins, Pippa ditches the program and sets her own list of goals—get my picture taken at the Colosseum; get a makeover; fall in love with an Italian.
She befriends a local girl whose gorgeous cousin may be just the Italian Pippa’s looking for, but the road to amore gets detoured when she keeps running into a cute American student. And she can’t forget that her summer abroad is only temporary. As she explores the famous cities of Rome and Pompeii, Pippa must sort out her feelings before her parents figure out where she really is.

Praise:

“With Italy's brilliant landscapes, a main character you'll love from the first line and a new dreamy book boyfriend (he's mine!), WISH YOU WERE ITALIAN is a charming and addictive read. Devour this delicious treat like a double scoop of gelato.” —Lindsey Leavitt, author of Going Vintage and Sean Griswold’s Head.





Pippa’s from Chicago, so she’s had her fair share of deep-dish pizzas! But she’s quickly won over by the
simplicity of Italian pizzas and the papery thin crusts. She makes it one of her summer goals to eat entire pizza by herself. If I get a chance to visit Italy again one day, I think this will be a goal of mine too! DELIZIOSO!



Bio:

Kristin Rae was born and raised in Texas though her accent would suggest otherwise. She’s addicted to books, music, movies, crafty things, and chocolate. A former figure skating coach, LEGO merchandiser, and photographer, she’s now happy to create stories while pretending to ignore the carton of gelato in the freezer. Kristin lives in Houston with her husband and their two boxers.

Links:

Website          Twitter          Facebook          Instagram
Amazon           Barnes & Noble

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Blog Tour: Meant For Her Review




Photographer Sierra Stratton views the world through a lens all her own. She has an uncanny sense about people, something that often causes her trouble. When she meets the sexy and brooding Evan Dorsey, her intuition tells her he’s suffering, and she wants to be the one to help him.
Evan isn’t open to help from anyone, however. His focus is on his Major League career and making himself as marketable as possible for his upcoming free agency. He plans to ride out the season in Atlanta and then sign with another team, away from the painful memories that haunt him.
Someone’s eager to send him on his way, too. Between anonymous threats and equipment sabotage, it’s clear he’s earned himself an enemy along the way. To him, it’s one more sign that he’s right to move on.
But Sierra threatens his conviction. Her contagious smile proves hard to resist, as does her kiss. She tempts him in ways he never anticipated, making him question his plans for the first time. If he’s not careful, she might just convince him that he’s meant for her.

Having read For Everly first, though not necessary, I couldn't wait to see what she had in store for Sierra and Evan.  When I read the first chapter on her blog a few months before the release, I was hooked and was trying to figure out what had Evan so tormented.  Having initially thought it was his wife and then when I read the full book and realized it was his mom, this book moved me to a whole different level.  Knowing what It's like to lose a mom to cancer I immediately connected with Evan and could understand his issues with getting attached. Now, I know not all readers have that first hand experience, but the author does a great job trying describing the characters emotions and flaws in a way that's easy to connect to them.  There were times that I thought Evan was too harsh with Sierra, and she is a ROCK to have put up with that, but they were better for it in the end.

The connection between the two main characters is present from the start and I really enjoyed seeing how they each explored and displayed their feelings.  Plus, knowing he is an Aussie, it was fun to try and read with an accent!  If you like characters with personality and heart mixed with some major chemistry, then I think you'll love MEANT FOR HER.  

And if you haven't read For Everly, then check it out now too!

Where you can buy MEANT FOR HER:
Amazon        Barnes & Noble      Kobo     iBooks 


Author BioRaine Thomas is the award-winning author of a series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the Firstborn trilogy. She is also the author of the bestselling New Adult Contemporary Romance, For Everly, and the much-anticipated spin-off, Meant for Her. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer's Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing, or glued to social media, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

Twitter    Facebook  Goodreads   Pintrest  Website  Blog 

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Happy Release Day: Meant for Her

WOOOHOOO!!  It's hear!  The release day for Raine Thomas' next New Adult novel, Meant for Her.


Since I'll be posting my review on the 26th as part of the blog tour, I wanted to share the trailer with you.  Don't forget to get your copy TODAY to celebrate the release, then you can come back and gush with me about it when I post my review. 



Now that I have your attention, don't forget to pick up at copy at your favorite book seller:
Amazon        Barnes & Noble      Kobo     iBooks 

Author BioRaine Thomas is the award-winning author of a series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the Firstborn trilogy. She is also the author of the bestselling New Adult Contemporary Romance, For Everly, and the much-anticipated spin-off, Meant for Her. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer's Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing, or glued to social media, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Review & New Cover: Only You

Have you ever loved a series so much you would re-read the first books to help fill the void until the next book came out?  Well, that's how I feel about The Mephisto Covenant books.  As each new one is released, I'm reminded again how much I love Stephanie Feagan's ability to paint a story.

The Mephisto Books (Original Covers):


     In case you've been hiding under a rock or swamped with life, the third Mephisto book was released a couple weeks ago under the title The Mephisto Mark.  Since this third book is more of a New Adult Paranormal Romance, the cover and title has recently been revamped.  So make sure to read past my review for the Shinny, New, HOT cover of ONLY YOU!

My Review:
     First, I love how this book is written in alternating first person, it makes me feel more connected to the main characters and what makes them tick.  There is also enough explanation of the Mephisto and their history to make this an easy read if  you haven't read the first two (and you should go pick them up NOW and read them because they are awesome!).  If you have read the first two, the history adds to what you already know and helps you understand Phoenix a little better.  Only You, features Phoenix who has a very tragic past when it comes to Anabo and is way to hard on himself.  Mariah is connected to the Mephisto in more ways than just her initial unexplained pull toward Phoenix.  You know that saying, "It takes one to know one", it describes a little about why Phoenix and Mariah act the way they do at times.  I've never met two characters whose tragedies make them so much alike and yet so different.  With Phoenix being, well, Phoenix, we get the chance to learn more about the other Mephisto brothers like Zee and Denys.  This glimpse into their personalities makes me even more excited for their stories.  While I'm not normally a huge fan of flashbacks, the part of the story that takes us back to when Phoenix met his first Anabo and the events that led up to her death are eyeopening and critical to understanding what makes Phoenix react the way he does.
     Only You deals with some dark topics: physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, but it's also about hope, love, and finding family in the most unlikely place.  I like how Mariah is still strong despite her terrible past and how she never lost her faith, even in her darkest hour.  If you like paranormal romance and are looking for at New Adult book to pick up then I highly recommend picking up Only You (formerly known as The Mephisto Mark).  

And since I promised you a look at the NEW cover for ONLY YOU aka The Mephisto Mark, here it is:



You can pick up Only You (aka: The Mephisto Mark) here:  

My reviews of the two books in the series:

Looking for more by Stephanie Feagan:

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Cover Reveal: MEANT FOR HER

COVER REVEAL!
Meant for Her
 A New Adult Contemporary Romance
by
Raine Thomas

Cover design by Regina Wamba of www.MaeIDesign.com
Cover photos by Kelsey Kukal-Keeton of K Keeton Designs




Blurb: Photographer Sierra Stratton views the world through a lens all her own. She has an uncanny sense about people, something that often causes her trouble. When she meets the sexy and brooding Evan Dorsey, her intuition tells her he’s suffering, and she wants to be the one to help him. Evan isn't open to help from anyone, however. His focus is on his Major League career and making himself as marketable as possible for his upcoming free agency. He plans to ride out the season in Atlanta and then sign with another team, away from the painful memories that haunt him.
 Someone’s eager to send him on his way, too. Between anonymous threats and equipment sabotage, it’s clear he’s earned himself an enemy along the way. To him, it’s one more sign that he’s right to move on. But Sierra threatens his conviction. Her contagious smile proves hard to resist, as does her kiss. She tempts him in ways he never anticipated, making him question his plans for the first time. If he’s not careful, she might just convince him that he’s meant for her.



Coming October 17, 2013
Add it to your to-read list on Goodreads
Check out For Everly on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and get to know some of the characters making appearances in Meant for Her!



Brief author bio: Raine Thomas is the author of bestselling YA and NA romantic fiction, including the award-winning Estilorian series. She’s a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer's Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing, or glued to social networking sites, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.




Ways readers can connect with Raine:

Blog 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Review: For Everly

For Everly 

by Raine Thomas


As a longtime fan of Raine's Young Adult series, I was very excited to here she as working on a New Adult book and couldn't wait to read it!  Of course, as a reader, there was a little nervousness when your favorite author starts writing about different characters and in a completely different setting; however I had nothing to fear!!

While For Everly is a New Adult book, it felt real and while there is a definite hotness factors, the way it was written into the story was tasteful.  Everly is a very hardworking young woman who has a huge heart, especially when it comes to taking care of her grandfather.  The situation in which she meets Cole is unusual and I liked how it made Cole, a famous pitcher, realize the world didn't revolve around him.  As the story unfolds, we learn why Everly works so hard and the emotional losses she has worked hard to overcome.  I found it easy to connect to all the characters in the book and found myself rooting for them through the different obstacles they faced.

This was my first New Adult book to read and I LOVED it!!!  If you are looking for a heartwarming, fun read then I'd highly recommend picking up FOR EVERLY!

Feel free to check out the trailer below for another glimpse into this wonderful book and OF COURSE don't forget to head over to your favorite e-book retailer and pick up a copy.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Goodreads
Brief author bio: Raine Thomas is the author of bestselling YA and NA romantic fiction, including the award-winning Estilorian series. She’s a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer's Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing, or glued to social networking sites, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.




Ways readers can connect with Raine:

Blog 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

The Sweet Dead Life: Casey's Playlist


In case you haven’t heard about, Joy Preble’s latest book, The Sweet Dead Life, I’m excited to share Casey’s Playlist.  But first, a little about the book:


"I found out two things today: One, I think I'm dying. And two, my brother is a perv."
So begins the diary of Jenna Samuels, who is having a very bad year. Her mother spends all day in bed. Dad  vanished when she was eight. Her older brother, Casey, tries to hold together what’s left of the family by working two after-school jobs—difficult, as he’s stoned all the time. To make matters worse, Jenna is sick. Really sick. When she collapses one day, Casey tries to race her to the hospital in their beat-up Prius and crashes instead. Jenna wakes up in the ER to find Casey beside her, looking pretty good. Better than ever, in fact. Downright . . . angelic. The flab and zits? Gone. Before long, Jenna figures out that her brother didn’t survive the accident at all, and she isn’t just sick; she’s being poisoned. Casey has been sent back to help Jenna find out who’s got it out for her, a mystery that leads to more questions about their mother’s depression and their father’s disappearance.

Casey Samuels used to have a pretty great, normal life. He played football—in fact he was on varsity as a freshman. He had a girlfriend named Lanie – blonde, cute, cheerleader type. He had a future – business major maybe. Something where he could use his gift of gab. And then his family fell apart. He had to quit football. His girlfriend broke up with him. He started smoking too much weed and hanging out with loser guys like Dave Pittman the local dealer and working two jobs to support his family. He loves his sister, though and he will do what it takes to take care of her. And then, there’s the car accident. And suddenly he’s Casey 2.0 Angel version. With wing nubs and a mission.

Casey’s playlists fall into a couple categories:

Pre-Angel Casey:
Because I Get High—Afroman
The Joker-Steve Miller Band
Dance with my Father—Luther Vandross
How it Feels—Tom Petty

Angel Casey:
Finish Line—Snow Patrol
Heard the World—OAR
My Hero—Foo Fighters

Aren’t you excited!  Here’s the links to where you can purchase                     The Sweet Dead Life:
Amazon         B&N         IndieBound        GoodReads

And if you want to find out what Joy’s up to next, you can find her on:
Twitter       Website

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Chosen at Nightfall

Happy Book Birthday to:

When Kylie Galen entered Shadow Falls Camp, she left her old life behind forever and discovered a world more magical than she ever imagined. A place where you’re two best friends can be a witch and a vampire…and where love doesn’t happen the way you’d expect.
When Kylie’s most powerful enemy returns to destroy her once and for all, there’s only one way to stop him—to step into her full powers and make a stunning transformation that will amaze everyone around her.  But her journey won’t be complete until she makes one final choice…which guy to love.  Should she choose to the werewolf who broke her heart but will give anything to win her back, or the half-fae who ran from their attraction before they had a chance?  Everything she’s learned at Shadow Falls has been preparing her for this moment—when her fate will be revealed and her heart claimed forever.
Check back on Thursday for the book trailer and my review  but until then enjoy these sneak peaks into Chosen at Nightfall:

In Chosen at Nightfall Kylie. . .
1. …nearly kills Lucas twice.
2. …has another boy become interested in her.
3. …acquires another stalker.
4. …is accused of having an affair with an older man.
5. …has an unwanted guest crawl over a bathroom stall when she’s trying to pee.
6. …gets kissed by two guys.
7. …finally makes a choice of which boy she loves.
8. …is forced to kill someone to save someone she loves

9. …tells a human that she’s a supernatural.

10.         Discovers someone isn’t who they say they are.
11.         …gets caught buying pregnancy tests for someone.
12.         …Has another guy paying a pint of blood to spend an hour with her.
…gets read the riot act by Burnett.


You can find C.C. Hunter on-line:
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Thursday, December 27, 2012

ELDER Review & Tour Post


I think of a better to kick off my birthday than celebrating release of ELDER, the final book in Raine Thomas' Firstborn Trilogy!  I have LOVED this series so much that I even went back and re-read the book that started my love of Estlorians, Becoming

Before I get to my review of ELDER, I'd like to share with you the trailer:

Well, what did you think??  If you haven't checked out the first two books in the Firstborn Trilogy, then check out Defy & Shift.  And don't forget about the books that started it all, The Daughters of Saraqael: Becoming, Central, & Foretold.  
Check out The Prophecy (a Estlorian Short Story), which is currently free on Amazon
My Review:
     What a way to end a trilogy!  I've been waiting to read Clara Kate's story since she is the oldest of the "Firstborn".  Clara Kate, or CK as her family calls her, reminds me so much of her mom, Amber.  While her story couldn't be as easy as it seemed on the human plane or else there wouldn't be a story.  The glimpse into CK & Ini-herit's relationship while in the human plane was beautiful and explained so much about the frustration CK has felt since returning.  Elder picks up with the action of Shift with CK, Sophia, Quincy, Zachariah, Ini-herit and the others trying to track down and rescue Tate and Ariana.  I'm still amazed as older Estlorian's demonstrate emotions in different situations.  ELDER is filled with action, heartbreak, laughs and of course some romance.  It's hard to talk about how much I LOVED this final book in the triliogy without revealing secrets.  There were several times when I felt like my heart was going to be ripped out, but then it was pieced back together.  The interactions between "Sparky" and Tate are priceless and Teige and Ariana are too sweet.  So the tension between CK and Ini-herit is so strong because their love on the human plane was so strong and Ini-herit needs a little time to release hundreds of years of having no feelings on the Estlorian plane.  Watching Ini-herit struggle to remember what he felt for CK when on the human plane was endearing and while I hated to see what it did to CK, it fit his personality perfectly.  I was shocked by a couple revelations during the book, but the characters they affected, handled them well.  One thing I have always enjoyed about Raine's books is how she pulls in so many characters stories even when the focus is on one person.  Learning more the others we were introduced to in this series added to the background of looking for the scroll and bringing balance to the Estlorian plane.  It's not often you find a series with strong and humorous female and male characters, and I love what Raine does with her characters.  While I know this is the last book and I LOVED how she ended it by bringing all six books together, I still can't help but more.  I guess that's the best way to end a series, all questions answered, but hard to say goodbye.
If you haven't read Defy or Shift or the Daughters of Saraqael, I would highly recommend you pick them up!  I give ELDER 5 stars!
You can BUY ELDER on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
You can also add it to your Goodreads list.

Now for GOODIES!!!  Raine has put together a wonderful little giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Brief author bio: Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of a series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the Firstborn trilogy. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer's Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing or glued to social networking sites, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.


Ways readers can connect with Raine: