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Rising (The Rising Series) by Holly Kelly –http://tinyurl.com/mkg3rku
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Shudder Blog Tour (Samantha Durante)
Haven’t read the first book in the series? Check it out on Amazon and Goodreads. Just $0.99! Check out my review as well. https://cynthiashepp.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/stitch-blog-tour-reviewgiveaway/
Shudder Synopsis
It’s only been three days, and already everything is different.
Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa’s life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she’d counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she’d thought she’d tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she’s discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.
And then there are the visions.
The memory-altering “stitch” unlocked something in Alessa’s mind, and now she can’t shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers – and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world’s sorry history – will soon leave Alessa reeling…
The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante’s shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.
Other Shudder Info
My Review
As most of you know, my reviews for the second book in the series is always short in case other people have not read the first but I almost don’t know where to start without giving stuff away or posting spoilers! I loved Stitch, the first book. It was blow-your-mind amazing and Shudder was exactly the same way. I was on pins and needles waiting on this book, dying to know what was going to happen to Alessa and her crew. The complexity of the plot and the dynamics have you wondering what exactly Samantha has in her mind to be able to imagine this complex world. I never one time imagined that what happens in the book could actually happen but now the idea is planted firmly in my mind. It is a little freaky. While reading the book, you will do nothing but search your mind, wondering what in the world could happen next, and you would be wrong every time. I highly recommend that if you have not read Stitch, you go grab your copy, devour it, and then grab Shudder for even more mind-blowing action. This is one series that you do not want to miss! I am already dying for the next book. I give it 5 stars!
Connect with Samantha Durante
Facebook: Stitch Trilogy | Author Samantha Durante
Goodreads: Stitch | Shudder | Author Samantha Durante
Twitter: @SamanthaDurante | Hashtag suggestions: #Stitch, #StitchTrilogy, #Shudder
LibraryThing: Stitch | Shudder | Author Samantha Durante
Shelfari: Stitch | Shudder | Author Samantha Durante
Shudder Purchase Links
Amazon (Kindle $2.99, print $9.99)
Smashwords (multiple e-book formats $2.99)
Barnes & Noble (Nook $2.99)
Also available in the iTunes store ($2.99 e-book) and wherever e-books are sold Shudder will be available on B&N Nook, iTunes, and Kobo by early July!
To follow the tour:
The tour will feature author and character interviews, reader reviews, guest posts on everything from dystopian philosophy to the writing process, and of course, lots and lots of giveaways!
For daily notification of the day’s events, Like Samantha’s or the Stitch Trilogy’s Facebook page, or follow @SamanthaDurante on Twitter.
Deadly to Love Blog Tour and Rafflecopter
The Influence of Music
I believe that music has a big influence on writing in general, especially if it fits with the scene the author is writing. It can create a certain atmosphere and can either help or hinder the writing process and the creation of a new book.
Personally, when I am writing I love to have music on and when the right type of music is playing it gives the images in my head a more film like quality. If the music fits well, then I find that the story flows quicker as it is like I am watching my creation on a screen rather than in my head, for example in action sequences if I have a piece of music with a strong beat and a quick tempo I find it easier to describe the action as it creates the right atmosphere and brings the scene to life.
This can however work in the opposite way. If I am listening to music that doesn’t fit with what I am writing, for example classical piano music when I am writing a fight scene, then I can find it incredibly difficult for my ideas to flow as the music changes the atmosphere. This is also something I have learnt through my acting; music can be great to help convey meanings and build atmosphere but it has to link otherwise it can change the piece’s and convey a totally different meaning.
As well as this I have found that if I haven’t been writing for longer than an hour and a track with lyrics comes on it will inevitably distract me. Normally it will take me at least an hour to focus my attention solely on writing so I can get in the right place. If things happen, such as lyrics before an hour is up it will more than likely distract me. I hate to admit it, but I will end up singing along to the tracks (badly I might add) rather than getting any work done.
To avoid this when I am writing, unless I am in a really focused mood, I will usually always listen to instrumental music. Most of these pieces come from film scores as I find they are great for building atmosphere. This is probably due to the fact that is what they were created for. Some of my favourites include: Island Essentials Einaudi by Ludovico Einaudi, Transformers 1,2 & 3 Movie OST by Steve Jablonsky, Harry Potter Movies OST by Alexandre Desplat and any music by Hans Zimmer (Gladiators, Inception, Pirates of the Caribbean etc.) who in my opinion is one of the best composers out there.
When I have the right kind of music on not only does it help with atmosphere but it also shuts out all surrounding noise and can therefore help me focus. I find that once I am focused on the section I am writing, if I have music on very rarely does anything distract me as one, I can’t hear it and two, the music draws me into my novel.
In general I believe music can both aid and distract an author but for me I would rather have it on as more often than not, it helps focus me.
Title: Deadly to Love (Elemental Killers #1)
Author: Mia Hoddell
ASIN: B00BDQ3QGA
ISBN: 9781291319170
Genre: YA/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/Romance
Description
There is a love that is so dangerous, so powerful, so intoxicating that it embraces your heart and smothers your mind until it leaves you defenseless.
Serena knew that but still, it didn’t stop her. His name was Kai. He was the most beautiful, irresistible man she had ever encountered. Their attraction was too compelling to fight and she knew she would go to the end of the world beside him. That is love.
However behind the allure was hidden a deadly secret – a secret that threatened her fragile life… But secrets best left unsaid never remain hidden forever. When Kai reveals his true identity, she is exposed to a frightening world she had no idea existed. Controlled by powerful Elemental forces her life is placed in mortal danger.
Unbeknown to them, their lives have been entwined from the beginning and it leads her to discover an even greater secret about who she really is. As the pieces begin to unravel and death becomes a reality, Serena is forced to decide what is more important…her love or life.
Paperback (Lulu) and will be available on Amazon soon
About the Author
Mia Hoddell lives in the UK with her family and two cats. She spends most of her time writing or reading and her preferred genre is Young Adult, Paranormal Romance. Before 2009, Mia wouldn’t even pick up a book and was more interested in sports. However she finally found some novels that captured her interest and developed a love of both reading and writing. Mia began with poems and after getting two published in separate anthologies she moved on to short stories. Although she enjoyed this, Mia found she had too much to tell with too little space, so later on she created her first series The Wanderer Trilogy and from there other ideas have emerged which she hopes to turn into novels as well. Elemental Killers is her second series and book two will be out soon.
Author Links
Blog: http://miahoddell.blogspot.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mia-Hoddell-Author/421368247889610?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiaHoddell
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/miahoddell
What people are saying:
“I read this book in one sitting as I just couldn’t put it down. The story line was original, intriguing and made you feel like you were part of the action. As well as this there were many twists and turns that kept me hooked and the book was really well written with a solid plot. The book didn’t reveal everything straight away which was great as it left in suspense right up until the end.” ~Lucy M 5/5
“ I found that it’s surprisingly original concept was quite common in real life but not so much in books. I found it a delightful read that I will look forward to reading in the future. And the new cover! Marvelous.” ~ Kathy H 5/5
“All I can say is WOW! This book was amazing and different. I love the twist and detail she used I was instantly pulled in and felt like I was there with the characters.” ~Brianna 5/5
Tour Wide Giveaways
• 1 ebook copy of Deadly to Love through amazon kindle (INT)
• Deadly to Love Swag (UK ONLY)
Ebook Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Swag Giveaway
Thanks to Cynthia for hosting me on her wonderful blog and remember to check out the rest of the tour stops found here: http://miahoddell.blogspot.co.uk/p/tour-schedule.html!
TALES OF ARADIA: THE LAST WITCH: VOLUME ONE (REVIEW AND FREE BOOK)
REVIEW BY CASSIE HOFFMAN
AUTHOR: L.A. JONES
Witches, Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh my! A secret world, which only the Hidden knows about and a young girl trying to figure out what she is and grow into her own.
Aradia Preston looks just like your normal teenager, but she is anything but normal. Being rescued and found in a cave as an infant by her parents, Ross and Liza, had to be from a higher power. While Ross and Liza were on their way back home from a fertility clinic in Salem, Massachusetts, Liza asked for a sign and not that long after they spotted a bright flash of light. With their truck messing up and wanting to find out what that light was, they happen upon a whimpering baby in a cave.
How could that be, who would leave a baby all alone in a cave? What they don’t know is that Aradia is the last of her kind, while all the other like her were
being killed for treason and extinguished, the Seer of the Salem coven escaped and with her magic sent Aradia to safety. All that took place almost four-hundred
years ago. How is this possible that she is now found as a baby?
Having to move to Salem, Massachusetts for her father Ross’s new job as the assassinate District Attorney and working on finding a killer going around that is known as the “Vampire Murderer” since whoever is killing is draining the victims of their blood. Aradia is trying to take everything in stride. She’s never been popular or the most liked where she came from, since she was kind of different, her and her parents knew this from the moment they found her. Rai has powers, and they will do anything to keep them a secret.
Rai notices that some of the students at her new school are always staring at her, like they are fascinated with her. It isn’t just because she is the new girl there is something different about it. Rai notices how some of the kids are a bit too beautiful to be real, and those are the ones who she would catch
gazing at her. Why are they acting so weird?
In gym, Rai meets a new friend, Roy. Roy and Aradia would soon become good friends after they find out each other’s secrets. What is Roy’s secret? He is not completely human. And something that happened between them might end up changing her life. What is it?
Aradia learned that there were werewolves, vampires, fairies, shape shifters, and much more, not only in Salem, but all over the world. They are called The Hidden. They don’t let anyone know what they are, they have to keep secret and that’s how they like it. Learning that other creatures live in Salem, now she knows why some were looking at her like they do, but now she just needs to figure out what she is.
Aradia isn’t the only one who would like to find out what she is. Some of the Hidden want to know as well. They have never smelled anyone like her before.
Soon weird things start to happen to Aradia. She is getting hurt at school, getting tripped down the stars, her hand gashed open and when this starts to happen, Roy and his brothers help protect Rai.
While making her new friends in Salem, Rai discovers about the murder of a werewolf and she wants to help find the killer. Now that a werewolf is murdered and drained like a vampire did it, The Hidden communities are at odds. Rai will use her powers to help find the killer, but will it put her and her family at risk?
With trying to help find the Vampire Murderer, Rai starts dating a vampire named Dax, but could he be getting closer to Rai for only one reason, that reason being trying to figure out what she is, or could he really like her?
Aradia just doesn’t have to worry about the murderer, Dax, and finding out what she is… there is something bigger going on behind the scenes, there are others that are trying to track Aradia down, they are the ones that let her get away and now they want to fix that problem. Using her powers more and more, and having
them get stronger, she is sending out a “beacon” for them to find her.
Can Aradia help The Hidden community not attack each other, or will it backfire in her face? Will she be able to find out what she is and where she came from and can she trust the ones around her? Aradia will soon find all that out and much more in Tales of Aradia: The Last Witch.
Tales of Aradia was a fast read, with lots of action, secrets, and mystery. It keeps you entertained throughout the whole book. I’m excited to read the next book and find out what happens with Aradia and how she grows into who she is. Everything intertwined well, and the story flowed just right. I enjoyed how there was a multitude of paranormal in one book. A good book to put on your to-be read list. I give Tales of Aradia 4 stars!
“It is done. She has been sent to where she can be happy until the time comes to avenge her people! She will destroy you! You and your Sovereign!”-Seer
“I’m not your puppy, Rai, and I’m certainly not a Twilight fan!”- Roy
“You are suggesting I betray her trust, trick her!”- Dax
“Yes, Aradia. Not only are you a witch, but you are also the last of your kind. You, Aradia, are the last witch.”- Mr. Dayton
FREE ON AMAZON, SMASHWORDS, AND BARNES & NOBLE! GO GET YOUR COPY!
If you grab your free copy, please consider leaving a review. Every review helps the author.
COVER REVEAL for ‘THE SECRET OF MAGIK AND DRAGONS’
Today we have T.L. Frye’s cover reveal. I have had the pleasure of reading an advance copy and the book is a magical adventure that you will want to go on again and again. It is one that you don’t want to miss if you like YA Fantasy.
The Secret of Magik and Dragons Synopsis
In a land far away, 15-yr-old (she thinks) Alex just wants to do her magic show to make enough money to see her and Gwennie through the winter. She doesn’t want any mistakes. She doesn’t care (much) about the missing king and queen or the despotic ruler, Rolando, that is making life so hard for everyone.
But she ends up the not-so-proud owner of a scraggly dragon, and sets off (reluctantly) to discover there’s a lot more she needs to learn about magik and dragons, and a boy named Orion that visits her dreams…
T.L. Frye Author Bio
T. L. Frye lives in southeastern Virginia with her husband and daughter, and two stand-in dragons (her two bullmastiffs.) After 6 years in the Navy, a Bachelor’s degree in English, and one child that couldn’t find anything she liked to read, she decided it was time to start publishing her stories.
Please check out and LIKE her facebook page for more information
PRINT RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 1, 2013
COMING SOON AFTER TO KINDLE
Cover by Rene Folsom of Phycel Designs
Review/Giveaway of ‘Overnight Sensation’
Overnight Sensation by Hal Eisenberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I will start by saying that I really enjoyed this book. It was very easy read. Jonah is a fifteen-year-old boy that finds out that his dad used to be a rock star. His dad decides to get his band back together just for some fun jam sessions. They record a song that Jonah shares with his friends. Somehow the song gets sent to the radio station and played on air…the catch? The radio station thinks that Jonah and his friends are the ones that are in the band.
The boys decide to start their own band and, along with Jonah’s dad, set out to make the world believe that it was the boy’s song. Throw in a crooked radio station manager, someone from Jonah’s dad’s past, and a gaggle of girls…and you have an OVERNIGHT SENSATION on your hands.
This was a very cute book. It was geared probably towards the younger YA audience (though there was light cussing) but it was still enjoyable to me. I liked the simplicity of it. It made every page turn quickly and easily. With some light romance, a great group of friends, and a bully turned band mate…this is a fun read that I suggest you pick up and give a try.
Quotes from the book:
“All I’m saying is that when a girl finds out you’re in a band, they start acting totally different around you.”
“Sheesh, it sounds like someone had an extra bowl of bitchy flakes this morning.”
“No sweat, Joman. If that jerk ever bothers you again, just tell me and I’ll crush him like a walnut.”
AMAZON BUY LINKS:
Overnight Sensation (Paperback)
THE GIVEAWAY!
Hal has offered up a fantastic prize packet to one lucky winner! The prize packet contains a SIGNED paperback of Overnight Sensation, a bookmark, and a guitar pick. To enter to win this prize all you have to do is ask Hal a question about the book or anything else you are interested in learning about or tell him why you want to read his book. The comment is MANDATORY but as always, you can get an extra entry by liking his Facebook page. Make sure to let me know that you liked it in your comment.
http://www.facebook.com/OvernightSensationTheBook
Follow the comments to see the answer to your question!
Ends 1/24/13 at 8 am CST
Review/Giveaway of C.J. Graves’s ‘AntiChrist 16: The Becoming’
REVIEW BY CASSIE HOFFMAN
What if someone told you that you were to be the Antichrist. Would you believe them? This is what 16 year old Nathan Tarra is faced with. How would you deal with this news?
Nathan Terras is an adopted high school student. Who can usually talk himself out of the trouble he gets into… SOMETIMES. Why? Because he can see auras and has ever since he can remember. This is his secret; he has told only one other person, his best friend Shayla. After getting into a fight with one ofthe schools bully’s/popular kid, he gets sent to the principal’s office. This will not be a normal trip to the principle; this will change everything he has ever known.
With his principal having a heart attack right in front of him, Nathan tries to save him and does, only to be thanked by being strangled by him. Mr. Jerico, a teacher, injects the principal and kills him. This isn’t normal, first his principle has a heart attack, then he tries to kill Nathan, and now Mr. Jerico kills him. What is going on? Soon Nathan will find out.
Mr.Jerico lays something big on Nathan. He is the AntiChrist! How can a normal sixteen-year-old boy, who can’t stand hurting a bug or seeing blood, be the person responsible for the end of days?
Revealing to his two best friends Shayla and Cheeseman that he is the AntiChrist and with the help of Mr. Jerico he tries to make him understand what this will all mean to Nathan. Yes, he may be the Antichrist, but others refer to him as the Uniter. He will unite mankind after the Great Change, which will disassemble the world’s religions.
But, Nathan shouldn’t have become the Antichrist when he did; he somehow changed the plan when he saved his principle. Learning that not only is he the Uniter, but Shayla, Cheeseman and Mr. Jerico are his Keepers; ones to keep him safe from harm and to protect him at all cost.
But there are others called Takers and he will come to find out those around him are “Takers” and out to end him before the Great Change happens. If that happens they could do what they want with the end of times to their own purpose.
So now, not only does Nathan have to worry that his is the Antichrist, but there are others out there that want him dead. How could he wake up on a normal morning and end the day learning all this new information; stuff he never even believed in!
With his high school Friends becoming Takers and having to fight for his life, soon Nathan finds out he has a certain power. He can “freeze” them, but it doesn’t last for long. Can he master his power? If so, that could help him a lot. Join Nathan on a journey like no other and find out all the secrets that his friends, family, and the world have been hiding from him.
Antichrist 16 was a great surprise to read, seeing the title I didn’t give it a lot of thought and didn’t think I would enjoy it because it isn’t the kind of book I usually read, but once you start it you will not be able to put it down. You will want to find out what is going on. There are so many twist and turns and shockers that C.J. Graves wrote, that it’s GREAT! The read keeps you wanting for more. The characters are well developed and lovable and some of the bad one’s you will dislike like I did. I loved how Nathan takes everything in stride and keeps going, even though he thinks he may be dreaming some of the time (BUT HE ISN’T). I also liked that it wasn’t a book filled with religious talk, yes there is some talk because you had to have that to know what exactly what is going on and learn about the Antichrist. I can’t wait for the next book to see where it takes Nathan and what becomes of his future. I give this book 4 STARS!
Quotes from the Book:
“Well , I’d be freaked out, too. I mean, you witness our principal have a heart attack, give him some sort of energy mouth-to-mouth, and he goes wiggy and tries to choke you.”- Shayla
“Lies and half-truths told by power hungry men. There’s only one savior.”- Jerico
“That’s the difference between you and me. I used it to keep The Uniter safe- The Uniter being Nathan. You’re using it to put his life in danger, and in putting his life in danger, you put this whole planet in danger-danger of having no leader or having a substandard one.”- Jerico
“And behold a pale horse. His name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.” Nathan
Antichrist 16: The Becoming (Antichrist 16 Trilogy) (Amazon Kindle)
GIVEAWAY!
C.J. has been kind enough to offer a digital copy of ‘AntiChrist 16’ for giveaway. To enter this giveaway you MUST leave a comment on this blog post with a question for her or tell her why you want to read it. Remember to click follow replies so that you can see the answer to your questions. Giveaway ends Jan. 15, 2013 at 8 am CST.
For an extra entry click HERE to like her Facebook page! Make sure you tell me that you liked it so I can count it.
REVIEW/GIVEAWAY of B.C. Johnson’s ‘DEAD GIRL’
Review by Cassie Hoffman
REVIEW OF ‘DEAD GIRL’ BY B.C. JOHNSON
Going on you very first day with the boy of your dreams shouldn’t end with you being killed. Right?!?
Lucy Day a fifteen-year-old sophomore at Atlanta High school and is your average teenager. She has a massive crush on a boy name Zack and has two best friends, Morgan and Wanda.
Lucy is finally going on her first date EVER and with her dream boy, Zack. Her date should have ended the textbook way. Boy walks you to your door, and gives you a goodnight kiss that makes you have butterflies in your tummy. Well that didn’t happen with Lucy.
Her first date she ended up being killed, or did she?
Getting separated from her friends, Lucy finds herself being chased by three-four guys and gets stuck at a dead-end of an alley. Lucy will not go down without a fight and that is what she gives him. With his friends looking on Lucy does her best to protect herself, but when he pulls out a revolver there is only so much you can do. Trying to wrestle her way from him, the gun goes off with a deafening sound.
Waking up the next day, YES waking up after being shot, Lucy has no scratch on her and is reeling from the night before. She will never be the same girl she was, a lot has changed in the last twenty-four hours. Noticing new things in the next few days as not having an appetite, to being freezing cold and not being tired. What is going on with her? Is she dead?
On top of everything Lucy is trying to figure out, there is a car that she keeps seeing and when she feels it, she gets a sense of something wrong and hides or runs. Who is in that car and what do they want with her. Lucy soon finds out who’s been following her. It is her own Grim Reaper coming to right the error that happen the night in the alley, and his name is Abraham.
Lucy learns there is a price of coming back from the dead, what is this price? Being forced to make one of the hardest decisions of her young life; a decision that could save the ones Lucy loves or could kill them.
What will Lucy choose? What will happen to Lucy? Will Abraham do what he is here for? Can Lucy go back to who she was before that faithful night? All those questions will be answered in Dead Girl.
I loved this book; Dead Girl is such a great read. At first it’s kinds of confusing, but soon you will get sucked into Lucy’s crazy world of the living on a thin line of being alive and dead. You will fall in love with Lucy; her character is a really snarky, comical girl. There are a lot of other characters in Dead Girl that helps make the book. The author keeps you guessing of what will happen next and have you asking, “What is going on”. This is definitely a book I would re-read again. It is such a great read and you will not be let down. Just give it a chance, because like I said in the beginning you will be a bit confused, but soon you will be saying “Ah ha”! I think you will be pleasantly surprised to read in the ending that the author is a man. I was. I just seen a man writing about a 15-year-old girl and he did a great job venturing into the world of us girls. I give ‘Dead Girl’ 4 stars and it’s such a great debut novel, BRAVO!!!
QUOTES FROM THE BOOK:
“You couldn’t go one week without becoming another Unsolved Mystery?”-Morgan
“I just walk around with a red cup filled with soda and act drunk.”-Lucy
“I can’t help it. That high you felt the last time I kissed you wasn’t just my incredible technique. I could hurt…I could make you forget everything you’ve ever…just, no, okay? Not until I figure it out?”-Lucy
“Takes all kinds, Lucy, you think you’re the only freak out there? I’ll tell you what I am. I’m your friend. Now let’s go upstairs and see if we can’t get a pillow fight started.”-Daphne
Dead Girl (Kindle)
Dead Girl (Paperback)
THE GIVEAWAY
B.C. Johnson has been kind enough to offer a paperback (USA only) and a digital (International) copy of Dead Girl for giveaway. To enter this giveaway you MUST like B.C. Johnson’s Facebook page and leave a comment on this blog post with a question for him. Remember to click follow replies so that you can see the answer to your questions. Giveaway ends Dec 22, 2012 at 8 am CST.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/BC-Johnson/350421414990138
Lethal Inheritance Blog Tour (Tahlia Newland)
Tahlia Newland has managed to WOW me once again with a story that takes magical realism, fantasy, and everyday problems that teenagers struggle with, and combines them into a story that will whisk you away from reality while at the same time teach you lessons in ways that are enjoyable.
Lethal Inheritance is about a teenager named Ariel, whose life is turned upside down in the blink of an eye, or rather, a scream from her mother. Cast in to a world that she did not even know existed, Ariel watched her mother get kidnapped by strange, scary creatures. Running when her mother screamed for her to, Ariel manages to get away. Met the next morning by a strange woman with an even stranger explanation of what happened and who exactly Ariel is, Ariel goes on a journey to find her mother, to a land that is practically right in her backyard, and yet, she never knew it even existed. Armed only with a beautiful dagger that she does not even know how to use, and a few supplies, Ariel sets off on a path that will take her through experiences that she never thought possible. With a guide named Walnut, and hottie named Nick, Ariel sets off to destroy the demons that took her mother, and get rid of the Serpentine (the evil inside of us), once and for all.
I have to say that this is an absolutely wonderful story for teens and adults alike. Beautifully written and full of fantasy and adventure, I found myself wanting more as soon as the last page was over. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It would make a fantastic gift to that teen in your life who is struggling with the normal issues that teenagers do. It takes the world and makes it understandable and enjoyable, and you realize that everyone doubts theirselves and this book gives you a great understanding of how to take those doubts and rid yourself of them. I give this book 5 stars and if I could, I would give it more!
AMAZON BUY LINK:
Lethal Inheritance (The Diamond Peak Series)
UK Kindle
Store / Kobo Store / Smashwords
Tahlia writes magical realism and urban fantasy for young adults & adults. She likes stories that are inspiring & empowering and that question the nature of reality, mind and perception. She is an avid reader, an extremely casual high school teacher, an occasional mask-maker and has studied philosophy & meditation for many years. After scripting and performing in Visual Theatre shows for 20 years, she is now a bone-fide expatriate of the performing arts. She lives in an Australian rainforest, is married with a teenage daughter and loves cats, but she doesn’t have one because they eat native birds.
Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads Author page / Amazon Author page
AUTHOR C.J. GRAVES GUEST POST/GIVEAWAY (Antichrist 16: The Becoming)
(giveaway detail at bottom…please read post first)
Ouch, Ugh, and OMG! A Good Writer Tortures Her Characters.
I am a writer. And as much as I’d like to pretend my stories emerge from living on the African plain or from getting beaten by my stepfather or from being left at the alter (twice) or from finding an alien implant in my right, big toe…
I can’t.
In truth, I grew up in a small town with a loving family, married a very nice man, and although I may’ve seen an alien spacecraft once (It could’ve been!), my life is pretty normal. Read: boring. I spend many days in my jammies, writing in between doing loads of laundry. Sometimes I stare inside the refrigerator, hoping a big piece of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting materializes. This is the extent of my pain.
But just because I don’t suffer much, doesn’t mean I don’t know how to make others suffer. I do and more importantly–I like it! What’s at the heart of any successful novel?
CONFLICT.
Conflict is to novels like cream cheese is to bagels. Mmm, yummy, yummy. (Do I seem to have a cream cheese obsession to you?) Conflict turns up the heat and provides the sizzle that makes pages seem to turn on their own. So, how does an author create this conflict? Simple. She tortures her characters.
Now torture can mean lots of things besides waterboarding and pulling someone’s fingernails out–although both of those would certainly work. Anything that gets in the way of what a character wants can qualify. Here are five of my favorite ways of inflicting pain and suffering on my make-believe friends:
1. Give your character flaws. Bad temper, poor motor skills, a sex addiction, narcolepsy, smelly feet… the list is endless. Nothing hurts more than our own inadequacies.
2. Put a loved one in danger. If you’re really hard-core–kill them.
3. Betrayal. The more loyal the person was supposed to be, the more it hurts to be kicked in the nads by them.
4. Take away physical comforts and the means to get them. If not having the latest iPhone sucks, try no job, no money, no home, no food…
5. Take away psychological comforts. Dumped by the loving girlfriend. Ostracized by the supportive parents. Ignored by the understanding friends. Make your character a pariah. Smelly feet will definitely help with this.
It’s amazing how difficult this can be. I mean, some writers love their characters and hate to hurt them, but readers don’t want blue skies and kittens. They want broken hearts and blood. It’s my job to be the one nasty bitch who gives it to them.
Am I up to the task? You betcha. Pass the cream cheese and get ready for some pain.
AMAZON SYNOPSIS FOR ANTICHRIST 16: THE BECOMING
It’s not like sixteen-year-old Nathan Terras wants to be evil. A bad boy, maybe—but not evil. Yeah, he can see auras but so what? He’d gladly trade that talent for, say, a new Mustang or a little skin time with Scarlett Johansson. That is until a near-death experience reveals he’s to become the Antichrist.
Forget vampires, werewolves, and zombies. They’re the lucky ones.
THE. ANTICHRIST.
And now his enemies are waking. They’re coming for him, and they’re not interested in a friendly game of Halo. But Nathan’s developing some frightening defenses of his own. A violent power grows inside him. He’d be thankful, if only the dark energy wasn’t so addictive.
When his little brother disappears, he’ll do anything to get him back. Embracing his new identity may save his brother’s life, but Nathan could lose his own in the process. The line between good and evil begins to blur, leaving Nathan wondering which side he’s on.
AUTHOR BIO:
C.J. Graves is NOT the Antichrist, but she thinks she babysat him once.
After growing up in NW Pennsylvania in the cold and snow, she moved to Japan to live in…more cold and snow, but she now resides in sunny North Carolina with her wonderful husband and swimming pool.
Having graduated from UNCG with a degree in Interior Architecture and Design, she soon realized she wasn’t cut out for the project management side of the business and turned to another creative love—writing. When she’s not writing or running a critique group, she enjoys beating up teenagers in her mixed martial arts class.
AUTHOR & BOOK LINKS:
AMAZON:
Antichrist 16: The Becoming (Antichrist 16 Trilogy)
SMASHWORDS:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/166779
BARNES & NOBLE:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/antichrist-16-cj-graves/1111648115?ean=2940033265244
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE:
http://www.amazon.com/C.J.-Graves/e/B007TIV230/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
GOODREADS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6453909.C_J_Graves
TWITTER:
http://www.twitter.com/authorCJGraves
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/authorcjgraves
THE GIVEAWAY!!!
(2) Smashwords Gift Coupons for the book “Antichrist 16: The Becoming” are up for grabs! To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment regarding the guest post or a question for the author. The comment/question is MANDATORY to enter.
For EXTRA entries, please like/follow the following pages…for each page that you like/follow you will get an extra entry. MAKE SURE to tell me how many pages you liked so that they will count. Contest ends 9/16 at midnight with winners announced the next day.
LIKE on Facebook: Click HERE
FOLLOW on Twitter: Click HERE
FAN/FRIEND on Goodreads: Click HERE
OTHER BOOKS BY C.J. GRAVES:
Crossed: A Jayden Morrow Mystery (Jayden Morrow Mysteries)
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