{Blog Tour + Review} Poppy by Clarissa Johal

Welcome to the Blog Tour for POPPY by Clarissa Johal.

Follow the tour for reviews, interviews, guest posts, and book spotlights.

Make sure to enter the giveaway below!

Poppy

Author: Clarissa Johal

Genre: Paranormal

Editor: Kathryn Galan

Publisher: Faeriemoon Press

ISBN-13: 978-0692708873/ISBN-10: 0692708871

Number of Pages: 234

Synopsis

A red-headed, pink-loving mortician who speaks to the dead.

A moody, unsociable funeral director.

Poppy and Dante from Struck are back.

Something is lingering around Skyview Funeral Home—and it’s stealing souls of the dead.

With Dante in tow, Poppy is determined to put a stop to it.

Can she protect those who are trying to cross over, or will her soul be next?

 

Excerpt

The root cellar was a small space with a low ceiling. At one point, it probably smelled of apples and potatoes, but now, there was nothing but the scent of lawn mower gas, dirt, and cold stone. Poppy reached into the darkness, searching for the light bulb string. Her fingers connected, and she pulled it on with a click.

 

“Gladys?”

 

Weak light illuminated the usual garden-equipment clutter. Rakes and shovels were piled against a stone wall. Several cans of gasoline sat next to an old lawn mower. Bags of fertilizer and garden fungicide sat beside them. Gladys was nowhere in sight.

 

A rustle sounded from a darkened corner. Fully expecting to see a rat or trapped bird, she held the bulb in such a way to throw light on it. The door slammed shut behind her.

 

“Geez!” Poppy lost her grip on the light. The swinging bulb cast rising and falling shadows on the walls. She made a move to push the door open when the lightbulb suddenly shattered, leaving her in darkness.

 

“Gladys?” Poppy kicked herself for not waiting until morning, when Dante could have accompanied her. The grating sound started up from the corner of the room. It ran slowly along the ground until it stopped in front of her. That’s not Gladys. You walked right into this one.

 

She clutched the jar to her chest, her heart thumping. “I have the locket, if that’s what you want.”

 

The answering silence lay across the cellar like a shroud.

 

“I’ll make you a deal. You leave my dead alone, and I’ll leave the locket right here.” Her voice sounded against the close confines. “Good luck with the sea salt, if that matters.” Poppy inwardly cringed as she felt a trickle of blood from her nose. Dammit. She attempted to put up her barriers, but it was too late.

 

A heaviness descended upon her shoulders like a mantle. Something lashed out and scratched the skin of her throat.

My Thoughts on Poppy

Have you ever started a book thinking you’ll read a few chapters then go bed and the next thing you know it’s 2 am and omg wasn’t it amazing? That’s what you’ll get with Poppy. Though I don’t recommend reading it at night unless you aren’t easily rattled.

When you meet Poppy (if you haven’t read Struck) it doesn’t take long to fall in love with her witty comebacks, sarcastic nature and amazing honesty. Not to mention her awesome fashion sense. Even when there isn’t much action she keeps the story flowing and very entertaining. Dante may take a little longer to love but he is definitely charming…in his own way. The story was so intense at some parts, especially near the end, that I had to turn the TV on for light to convince myself that I wasn’t seeing the entity lurking in the corner.

You do not need to read Struck before reading Poppy. But after meeting these characters you’ll want to read them both anyway! I am so in love with Poppy and Dante and I can’t wait to hear more of their story.

Follow the tour

http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/2016/06/virtual-book-tour-schedule-poppy-by.html

 

Purchase on Amazon

http://amzn.to/23e4QJn

Meet Clarissa Johal

Clarissa Johal is the bestselling author of paranormal novels, Poppy, The Island, Voices, Struck and Between. When she’s not listening to the ghosts in her head, she’s dancing, taking pictures of gargoyles, or swinging from a trapeze. She shares her life with her husband, two daughters, and every stray animal that darkens their doorstep.

Find Clarissa Online:

Author Website   Blog   Facebook   YouTube   Twitter   Goodreads   Pinterest

Enter the giveaway by clicking the Rafflecopter below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

{Blog Tour} This Night Sucks by Elizabeth J.M. Walker

Welcome to the Book Tour for Elizabeth J.M. Walker’s new novella, This Night Sucks!

Follow the tour each day to read reviews, guest posts, and exclusive excerpts.

 

 

Book Details

From the author of She Dreamed of Dragons

Title: This Night Sucks

Author: Elizabeth J.M. Walker

Genre(s): Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Vampires, Comedy

Release Date: June 17, 2016

Publisher:  Mirror World Publishing

Follow the Tour

Synopsis

Lana is a high school senior enrolled in Vampire Education – a class to teach students about the very real presence of vampires in the world. Lana and her classmates don’t really expect to meet up with any undead bloodsuckers. Vampires are a lot like other scary things that supposedly exist but you hope you’ll never come across: nudist colonies, mad cow disease, and your parents’ sex life.

 

What is part of Lana’s everyday reality is navigating through one last year of high school while desperately trying to be less nerdy. She still loves spaceships, fantasy novels, and cat stickers, but she also recently got her braces removed, grew boobs, and is working on the makeup thing. She never expected her crush-of-a-lifetime Pete to even notice her – let alone ask her out on a date.

 

The date is going great until Pete’s ex-girlfriend Katy shows up, all bloody and pissed off. Lana quickly realizes that Katy is not just her ordinary bitchy self – she has been turned into a vampire. After a near death experience, Lana learns that she is changing into a vampire too.

 

Lana needs answers, and the only way to get them is to find the vampire who started the chain of events – and to find him before sunrise…

Buy This Night Sucks

Amazon     Mirror World Publishing

Meet Elizabeth J.M. Walker

Elizabeth J. M. Walker lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She has always loved books and writing. As a teen she discovered zines, which inspired her to publish her own litzine of odd fairy tales for over a decade.

She Dreamed of Dragons is her first novel.

 

Follow Elizabeth J.M. Walker Online

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-J-M-Walker/620043831422660

Amazon US:

http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-J.-M.-Walker/e/B00PO8Z0MG

Goodreads Author Page:

http://www.goodreads.com/ElizabethJMWalke

Publisher Website:

http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

Author Website:

www.elizabethjmwalker.com

{Cover Reveal} This Night Sucks by Elizabeth J.M. Walker

I am excited to present the cover for Elizabeth J.M. Walker’s upcoming novella,

This Night Sucks!

Before I let you guys see the cover, here is a little bit about This Night Sucks:

Lana is a high school senior enrolled in Vampire Education – a class to teach students about the very real presence of vampires in the world. Lana and her classmates don’t really expect to meet up with any undead bloodsuckers. Vampires are a lot like other scary things that supposedly exist but you hope you’ll never come across: nudist colonies, mad cow disease, and your parents’ sex life.

What is part of Lana’s everyday reality is navigating through one last year of high school while desperately trying to be less nerdy. She still loves spaceships, fantasy novels, and cat stickers, but she also recently got her braces removed, grew boobs, and is working on the makeup thing. She never expected her crush-of-a-lifetime Pete to even notice her – let alone ask her out on a date.

The date is going great until Pete’s ex-girlfriend Katy shows up, all bloody and pissed off. Lana quickly realizes that Katy is not just her ordinary bitchy self – she has been turned into a vampire. After a near death experience, Lana learns that she is changing into a vampire too.

Lana needs answers, and the only way to get them is to find the vampire who started the chain of events – and to find him before sunrise…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sounds awesome, right?! And there isn’t a better day to be talking about vampires than on Friday the 13th!  Are you ready to see the cover?  Are you sure? Alright if you say so. Here it is, the cover for This Night Sucks!

Book Details:

From the author of She Dreamed of Dragons

 Title: This Night Sucks

 Author Name: Elizabeth J.M. Walker

 Genre(s): Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Vampires, Comedy

 Release Date: June 17, 2016

 Publisher:  Mirror World Publishing

Meet the Elizabeth J.M. Walker

Elizabeth J. M. Walker lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She has always loved books and writing. As a teen she discovered zines, which inspired her to publish her own litzine of odd fairy tales for over a decade.

She Dreamed of Dragons is her first novel.

Connect with Elizabeth J.M. Walker

Facebook     Amazon US     Goodreads     Publisher Website     Author Website

I’m hosting a Book Exchange!

The MissPhyre Library is hosting a book exchange!

There are two lists you can sign up for a US only and an international. Here is how this book exchange is going to work: you will be given the name*, address and genre list for your ‘exchange buddy’. You will then pick out a book that you think your buddy will enjoy and send it to them! In return, your name*, address and genre list will be given to someone and they will do the same for you! While I do encourage including book swag or something that goes with the book you are sending it is NOT required. The book can either be brand new or from your own collection. I do ask that books from your own collection be in good condition. You will have until April 30th to sign up, I will be pairing exchange buddies the first week of May. I would love to get a least 20 people signed up and I know you guys can help me reach that goal! Just click here, or the book exchange logo, to sign up and you are good to go! If you have any questions please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP.

*If you don’t want to give out your real name, that’s fine, just make up something awesome to put instead.

{Review} Night Of Nyx + {Review} Song Of Kai by Karpov Kinrade

Night Of Nyx (The Nightfall Chronicles 2.25)

Author: Karpov Kinrade

My Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

In this novella from USA TODAY bestselling author Karpov Kinrade, experience the events of House of Ravens (The Nightfall Chronicles, 2) through the eyes of Andriy Zorin.

“I thought Nyx was gone,” she says.

Zorin opens the ancient coffin, revealing a black cloak and white mask.

“I must be him again. One last time.”

 

My Thoughts

I have a love/hate relationship with novellas. I love the insight they can give but hate that they’re so short! I always want more!

Night Of Nyx was great! I loved learning a little more about Zorin and Danika and seeing a little more of Zorins motivation in the decisions he makes. Great addition to the Nightfall Chronicles! A nice little ‘tide-me-over’ until the next Nightfall book.

Purchase Night Of Nyx

Amazon

Song Of Kai (Nightfall Chronicles 2.5)

Author: Karpov Kinrade

My Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

I am the Princess of Ravens, but soon I shall be Queen. I am the keeper of the songs for my people, but soon I must sing the song of the dead for my brother. I am the one the world looks to, but I am also what they fear.

They just don’t know it yet.

My enemies play a dangerous game. And soon they will regret their dance with the Raven.

(This is a short novel that takes place between House of Ravens andDaughter of Strife, from the point of view of Princess Corinne.)

My Thoughts

I honestly don’t know how Karpov Kinrade continues to out-do themselves. I am absolutely blown away by the depth of the characters and their ability to make you fall in love with a character you’ve really only met twice. I cried over Pip as much as I did for Kai who we actually get to know a bit.

This little story shows us so much more about characters we thought we knew and introduces a few new favorites; including a new favorite to hate. I am excited about the amazing person Corinne is turing into and think she will be a fantastic ruler when the time comes (can’t wait to see her take over!) All-in-all another great addition to the Nightfall Chronicles and I am very impatiently waiting for the next installment!

Purchase Song Of Kai

Amazon

Be sure to check out the other books in The Nightfall Chronicles

Reading order: Court Of Nightfall; House Of Ravens; Night Of Nyx; Song Of Kai

 

You can read my reviews of books 1 & 2 in the Nightfall Chronicles here

Court Of Nightfall (Book 1)

House Of Ravens (Book 2)

{Review+Giveaway} The Island by Clarissa Johal

THE ISLAND

Author: Clarissa Johal

Editor: Marisa Chenery

Genre: Paranormal Horror

Booktrope, Forsaken Imprint (2015)

ISBN-13: 978-1-5137-0161-5

ASIN: B010TE7W1G

Number of Pages: 210

My Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis

Exploring a remote island can sometimes get you into trouble. Especially when you stumble upon a cave and awaken two demons.

Rumors and superstition.

That’s what Emma thinks about local gossip concerning her grandmother’s “cursed” private island. Emma journeys to the island to ready it for sale. While out exploring, she unearths a hidden cave–a cave which holds answers to the island’s dark past.

There may be more to the rumors than she thought.

Excerpt from THE ISLAND

She was jarred awake by a cry. The vestiges of her nightmare dissipated as she orientated herself. Nightmare. Emma let out a sigh of relief. The cry sounded again. A distant sound, high and wailing. A baby’s cry. Her heart quickened. Good god, surely that can’t be a baby?

The fire in the stove had burned down, its embers lending a glow to the living room. Emma looked out the front window. The yard was still. She unlocked the door and opened it a crack. The cry drifted in with the breeze, faint but unmistakable. She ran through her mind what possible bird or animal could make the sound and came up with nothing. Characteristically, the island was blanketed with silence, almost like a vacuum. She stood, uncertain. After several minutes, the sound started again—the unmistakable high wail of a baby. She slipped on her boots and parka.

Fog trailed like cobwebs in her wake. The mournful cry threaded through the trees and came from the direction of the house ruins. In spite of a growing anxiety at what she’d find, she quickened her pace. If that is a baby, it’s still alive, and I need to get to it. If it’s not a baby… She blocked out the possibilities of what else it could be.

She approached the ruins and the sound stopped. Her heart raced. I know it was coming from here. The area held an unnatural heaviness. A branch cracked behind her and she turned with a start. Something dark darted through the trees.

“Hello?” Her voice sounded muffled in the fog. Emma’s attention snapped to the left. The dark figure ducked out of sight. She took one step backward, and fled.

Heavy footsteps echoed from behind as she plunged through the trees. They were catching up with her. Emma pushed herself to run faster, terrified she’d lose her footing on the uneven ground. The cabin loomed large, a haven in the thick fog. Stumbling across the cabin’s porch, she hurdled through the door and slammed it shut, locking it.

Emma rooted her feet to keep from running around in circles. Straining to hear, she was greeted with eerie silence. Several moments passed before the baby’s cry started again. And this time, it sounded from right outside the door.

***

My Thoughts

I’ll admit that I’m glad I read this in the middle of the afternoon after my husband got home. Clarissa Johal does a fantastic job of making the hair on the back of your neck stand on end! On more than one occasion I could swear I saw something outside my window!!

Okay, I need to say something special about all of the nerdy references in The Island and the fact that Paisley is just so freakin’ awesome! I mean, the girl owns a comic book store and has hair and a fashion sense that matches my own! I love this girl!!!

One of my favorite things about The Island is Emma. I love reading about independent women who aren’t afraid to face a challenge head-on and Emma is just that, after talking herself into it first haha.  And Nathanial is absolutely swoon-worthy!  The story flows really well and doesn’t lag even when they aren’t on the island for a brief time. My only stipulation is the first paragraph in the epilogue, I felt it was an underwhelming ending to Emma and Nathanial’s story. I felt like the whole time we were building up to an amazing Emma/Nathanial moment and it just wasn’t there. The rest of the epilogue is a fantastic open ended ‘here we go again’ ending, which I love, so it saved it a little bit. Over all I give The Island 4 stars for it’s easy flow, fantastic story telling and for leaving me wanting to read more!

***

Purchase THE ISLAND

Amazon     AmazonUK     AmazonCA     Barnes&Noble

About Clarissa Johal

 

Clarissa Johal is the author of paranormal novels, THE ISLAND, VOICES, STRUCK, and BETWEEN. When she’s not listening to the ghosts in her head, she’s dancing, taking pictures of gargoyles, or swinging from a trapeze. She shares her life with her husband, two daughters, and every stray animal that darkens their doorstep.

Find Clarissa Online

Website   Blog   Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads   AmazonPage   Pinterest   Google+

WIN an ecopy of THE ISLAND by Clarissa Johal

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8c2137f420/

{Review} House of Ravens by Karpov Kinrade

 

 House of Ravens (Nightfall Chronicles 2)

Author: Karpov Kinrade

My Rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis:

USA TODAY bestselling author Karpov Kinrade defied genre convention with Court of Nightfall. Now, they continue the epic saga of Scarlett Night, a rebel torn between two identities, in House of Ravens.

You think you know the path to victory? Then tell me how you’ll win.

Will you buy triumph with gold and favors? Will you marshal armies and trade in blood? Or will you be the hand in the dark, your fingers on the strings? Whatever you decide, know this. If you put the innocent at risk…

You will answer to me.

I am the keeper of secrets and the teller of lies. I am the shadow of death and the bringer of light. I will become a Knight of the First.

And the Orders will crumble.

My Review

This series just keeps getting better! I fell in love with Court Of Nightfall and with House Of Ravens I just fell deeper.

We get to know new characters that are so easy to love (or hate in some cases) that I honestly forgot that they weren’t real. I was so engrossed that I forgot I wasn’t alone and more than once made my husband chuckle at my reactions to what was happening in the story. Very few books can accomplish this so completely.

Be warned…House of Ravens will leave you in tears. You might not recover.

I am very impatiently awaiting the next installment. The author’s knocked this one out of the park and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Buy House of Ravens

Amazon     B&N

Check out the other books in the Nightfall Chronicles

 Reading order: Court Of Nightfall; House Of Ravens; Night Of Nyx; Song Of Kai

You can read my reviews of the other Nightfall books here:

Court Of Nightfall (Book 1)

Night Of Nyx & Song Of Kai (Books 2.25 & 2.5)

Bound Series Boxed Set

There’s a good chance you’ve seen posts about the Bound series before. It’s clean, new adult fantasy and series that’s been downloaded more than 100,000 times since the first book came out in July of 2014!

For the first time, Stormy Smith is offering the Bound series in a boxed set! You can get three full-length novels plus her bonus holiday novella for just $6.99! That’s a STEAL!

“These books are chock full of fabulous, complex characters and a beautifully-detailed world of magic like you’ve never read before.” – Reviewer

Bound by Duty, book one in the Bound series:

Amelia grew up in a world of half-truths. She knows she’s an Elder, but has no idea what that means. Her father reminds her daily that she must maintain control, but he refuses to explain why. Even worse, she’s betrothed to the prince of the Immortals and doesn’t even know his name. Finally breaking free to live a few normal years at a community college, the last thing Amelia expects is to find her best friend in a cheeky southern girl, or fall for a self-assured human who sees her for who she is, not what she will become. As she learns more about herself, Amelia realizes the line between love and duty is a thin one. As her power continues to increase exponentially and her questions are slowly answered, Amelia must make the ultimate choice. The question is, will her head win the battle, or her heart?

Continue Amelia’s story in Bound by Spells and Bound by Prophecy. Then, enjoy the bonus novella, Bound Together.

“Each book keeps you guessing and will blow your mind with new revelations and twists you didn’t see coming. A fantastic group of characters that are three-dimensional and grow as people throughout the series.” — Reviewer

Purchase the Bound Series Boxed Set

 Amazon       iBooks       Nook       Kobo

What have reviewers said?

“This is definitely a series that needs to be on your TBR pile! These books are chock full of fabulous and complex characters and a beautifully detailed world of magic like you’ve never read before.” – Lenore

“With love, magic and a little bit of mayhem you will not be able to put these books down! They are definitely a ‘one-sitting’ read!!! You will love to hate the villains…they are truly the worst of the worst. Even the secondary characters will manage to steal your heart!” – MissPhyre

“I highly recommend the Bound series. Smith delivers a unique twist on the usual magic and shapeshifter tale. There’s suspense, romance, action, and intrigue. The plot is great and will definitely give you a book hangover. But, it is so worth the trip!” – Amazon Customer

About the author

A word nerd from the very beginning, Stormy Smith has always had her nose in a book or a pen in her hand. From a journalism degree to a public relations career, manipulating words has always been her forte. She never expected her love of stories to translate into writing them, but one day the words were there and couldn’t be stopped.

Stormy lives in Iowa’s capital with her husband and two crazy cats. When she isn’t working on, or thinking about, her books, Stormy’s favorite places include bar patios, live music shows, her yoga mat or anywhere she can relax with her husband or girlfriends.

Find Stormy Smith Online

Website      Facebook       Twitter       GoodReads

 

My Reviews for the Bound Series

Bound By Duty (Book 1)

Bound By Spells (Book 2)

Bound By Prophecy (Book 3)

{Review} Court of Nightfall by Karpov Kinrade

 Court of Nightfall (Nightfall Chronicles 1)

Author: Karpov Kinrade

My Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis:

You think you know what is right and what is wrong? Then tell me if this man should die. He is my enemy. He is to be my end.

He is the one I love.

I have spent my life in shades of grey. I have died and returned to a world of color. I have fought an Angel and lived. I have kissed the Prince of Ravens. I have faced the Lord of Night and made him kneel. I was accepted into the Four Orders, and I created the fifth. I freed the Shadow of Rome. I sat upon the Twilight Throne.

The man asks for my surrender. He asks for peace. He is too late. The girl he knew is gone, and death is in her place. I am Nightfall, and this is my story. You think you know it?

Think again.

 

My Review

I will admit now that I am very much in love with this book but I feel like it could be better.

The story had me from the get-go. There was enough mystery to intrigue me to keep reading and I didn’t put it down until I had reached the end. Once the action started it just didn’t stop and I couldn’t have told you for sure how it would end. I had my guesses of course, but I was only right on one account. A new low for me! I definitely cried a few times and I really want my own EZ-Dye hair kit!

The characters are fairly well rounded but there needs to be more ‘show’ instead of tell for some of them. I feel like Jax (*swoon*) is a more 3-dementional character than the MC Scarlett in only the fact that we get more ‘show’ from him in the begining of the story. Of course once we add the kickass-ness of Nightfall we definitely get more of the ‘show’. But that was my only to misgiving. Well, that and I just didn’t want this book to end!!

The story is unmatched in anything else I have read. The world they created has so much depth I feel like I could read every book about this place and still not know everything! I cannot wait for the next book.

My Rating of Court of Nightfall : 4 Stars

Buy Court of Nightfall

Amazon       B&N

Check out the other books in the Nightfall Chronicles

              

Reading order: Court Of Nightfall; House Of Ravens; Night Of Nyx; Song Of Kai

Read my reviews of the other Nightfall books here:

House Of Ravens (Book 2)

Night Of Nyx & Song Of Kai (Books 2.25 & 2.5)

{Blog Tour} Goth Girl, Virgin Queen by JoAnne Keltner

 Goth Girl, Virgin Queen

Author: JoAnne Keltner

Genre(s): Young Adult Paranormal

Length: Approx. 298 pages

Release Date: December 3, 2015

Publisher:  Solstice Publishing (http://solsticepublishing.com/)

 

Synopsis

Calling Jackie Turov psychic makes her cringe. But Jackie’s no normal seventeen-year-old. She picks up emotions from people and objects like a freak. The emotions make her sick, and the guilt she feels for lying to her church when she was twelve causes her to deny her psychic abilities.

 

So Jackie goes goth to make others stay away from her and forget her past. But her past is soon resurrected when her jealous friend Trish invites a demon, a persecutor of healers, to steal away Jason’s love for Jackie. The demon causes Jackie to be bullied for the lie she told and puts her best friend, Jason, in danger.

 

Jackie must learn how to use her gift to protect Jason and herself and to heal the negative energies of those around her. To do so means she must overcome her guilt and accept who she is before the demon claims her soul.

Excerpt from Goth Girl, Virgin Queen

The medicine cabinet mirror—dotted with rust and turning gray—made the powder foundation on Jackie’s face look ashen and her jet-black hair, blurry. She looked like a shadow of a girl. She smeared black lipstick on her lips and shook out her shoulder-length hair. Her straight-cut bangs veiled her mascara-lined eyes, and the layered ends of her hair stuck out in defiant wisps.

Some of the kids at school—the ones she didn’t hang out with—called her Goth Girl. Some, whose memories wouldn’t die, called her VQ for Virgin Queen.

Jackie preferred Goth Girl, to be one of the living dead, to be numb to the emotions that plagued her. But this was what she wanted, not what she got.

Goth Girl or Virgin Queen, she was a freak, absorbing the emotions around her like a sponge. Sometimes the emotions made her sick. Sometimes they made her see things.

Because of this, she kept to a tight-knit group of goth friends—Jason, Zeta, and Trish—and avoided social activities. She attended high school only because Mom wouldn’t let her homeschool. Mom was afraid she’d hang with Babu all day, making piroshki and doing needlepoint instead of studying. Jackie, afraid of what life offered a freak like her beyond high school, had to admit that hanging with Babu all day was tempting.

Typically, Fridays were movie nights for Jason and her, but tonight would be different. Tonight, she’d subject herself to a hodgepodge of emotions from crowds and rides and the very ground she’d walk on to protect Jason. For this, she would need physical and spiritual strength, which she sought from Babu these days.

Babu’s door was cracked, and Jackie slowly pushed the door open. “Babu?”

The room smelled of beeswax and down. A candle burned on the shrine on the dresser. The flickering flame animated the icon of the Virgin of Vladimir and cast shadows across the picture of Babu, Grandma, Mom, and Jackie. Although Babu didn’t speak English, and Jackie didn’t understand much Russian, Jackie knew Babu kept that picture on her shrine to pray for Grandma, who passed away several years ago; for Mom, who divorced Dad; and for the girl who saw the Virgin when she was twelve—for the girl she had become as a teen.

Babu sat in bed, a country quilt spread over her legs, her thumb pressed against a knot of her prayer rope, her head bowed sleepily, and her lips wording prayers.

“I wanted to say goodbye,” Jackie whispered.

Babu crossed herself and then smiled at Jackie, her gold eyetooth shining from the light of the bed-stand lamp. She patted the empty space beside her. “Sadees.”

Jackie sat down beside Babu at the edge of the bed and took Babu’s hand in hers. Babu’s hand was warm and knotted with arthritis. Jackie rubbed her thumb over the bumps on Babu’s knuckles; her black fingernails were a sharp contrast to Babu’s flour-white skin.

She wasn’t afraid to touch Babu’s hands and absorb her emotions. Jackie got a good feeling from her. Babu filled Jackie’s inner vision with white light. She renewed her spirit. And this is what Jackie needed for the commitment she had made for tonight.

“Kooda eedyosh?” Babu asked.

“I’m going out,” Jackie said as if Babu understood her. This is how they communicated: Babu telling her stuff she couldn’t understand, Jackie telling Babu stuff she couldn’t understand. Somehow they carried on fine this way.

“Eedyosh sdroozyamee?”

“I’m going with Jason.”

Babu rubbed the top of Jackie’s hand and ran her thumb over black fingernails. “Fsyevo kharoshevuh,” she said in a comforting tone and gently squeezed Jackie’s hand. Then she cupped her hands around Jackie’s jaws and pulled her forehead to her lips. Jackie imagined Babu’s kiss imprinted on her forehead and carrying Babu’s blessings and love with her tonight.

 

Buy Links

Amazon       Solstice Publishing

About JoAnne Keltner

JoAnne Keltner is the author of Goth Girl, Virgin Queen (Solstice Publishing, 2015) and Obsession (Musa Publishing, 2013 ed.). As an only child and avid daydreamer, she spent hours alone in her backyard on the South Side of Chicago, which she imagined to be everything from an alien planet to the Antarctic. She currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband, four dogs, cat, and three chickens. When she isn’t writing or freelance editing, she’s obsessively streaming popular TV shows.

Find JoAnne Keltner Online

Website     Facebook     Goodreads     Twitter

 

 

Follow the Tour

http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-tour-schedule-goth-girl-virgin.html

{Book Blitz} Awaken by Christy Sloat

Hey, Librarians! I am so excited to finally add Awaken to my kindle! I have been dying for this since book one, Slumber, came out! Thank you, Christy, for finishing Awaken so quickly! Be sure to check out the excerpt from Slumber and read about my upcoming giveaway.

 

Title: Awaken (Slumber Duology, Book Two)

Author: Christy Sloat

Genre:  YA Fantasy/ Fairytale Retelling

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s Tours

Synopsis

“Happily ever after is hers for the taking.”

Once upon a time I found myself locked away in Spindle Ridge Asylum, punished for a murder I didn’t commit. It was all part of Maleficent’s evil plan. I didn’t remember who I was then … now I do. My name is Aurora, and I am the rightful queen of this realm. Armed with my memories, I’m ready to take charge of my kingdom once more. Happily ever after evades me, yet I long to claim it with my true love, Sawyer, beside me. That fairy tale ending seems impossible with him locked in the thralls of a sleeping curse. As much as I’d love to sit by his bedside and eagerly await a cure, I must first travel into the terrifying Dark Woods to stop Raven from stripping me of all that is rightfully mine. I am not only a queen, but a warrior who will fight for her kingdom. Some may die. Blood will be shed. But when this ending comes, I will settle for nothing less than a blissful ever after.

Purchase Awaken

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My review of Awaken coming Fri., November 20th!

Christy Sloat resides in New Jersey with her husband, two daughters and Sophie her Chihuahua. Christy has embraced the love of reading and writing since her youth and was inspired by her grandmother’s loving support. Christy passes that love of reading, writing, and creativity to her daughters, family, and friends. When you do not find Christy within the pages of a book you can find her being mommy, wife, crafter, and dear friend. She loves adventurous journeys with her friends and can be known to get lost inside a bookstore. Be sure to venture into her other nine titles.

 

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 Slumber

Not all princesses get their happily ever after…

They tell me I killed my boyfriend Phillip in cold blood. I stabbed him twenty one times. I’m only seventeen years old, and I am serving life in Spindle Ridge Asylum for the Criminally Insane.

I don’t remember killing him, so it’s really hard to believe I’m capable of murder. In fact I don’t remember anything before I came to Spindle Ridge, not even my boyfriend.

I can only grasp onto my realistic dreams while the madness of the asylum threatens to pull me under.  I dream I’m a beautiful princess and there is an evil faerie named Maleficent who is bent on my destruction. The dreams are the closest thing I have to memories of my life, except they aren’t real.

I’m crazy. I’m not a princess.

They’re the mad illusions of an irrational teenage girl, right?

They’ve assigned me a new doctor, and she says I can trust her, and that she’ll help me see the truth of who I really am.

When she arrived she brought a new patient, Sawyer, who is everything Spindle Ridge isn’t: exciting, mysterious and beautiful. He promises he’s here to rescue me. Trusting either of them frightens me.

Could it be possible that my dreams are more than just the imaginings of a delusional girl? Could they be truth?

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Haven’t read Slumber yet? No problem! Purchase book 1 of the Slumber Duology here:

Amazon(US)     Amazon(UK)     Amazon(CA)

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Be sure to stay tuned in the coming weeks for a chance to win a paperback copy of both Slumber and Awaken by Christy Sloat! I am just waiting for Awaken to be released in paperback and then the contest is ON!

 

 

[Release Day + Review] Bound By Prophecy by Stormy Smith

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Purchase on B&N: http://smarturl.it/pmop5c

Purchase on iBooks: http://smarturl.it/3yso88

Purchase on Kobo: http://smarturl.it/5k5f40

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Amelia Bradbury is finally free from Queen Julia and Cresthaven, but she isn’t safe yet. The Keeper power runs rampant inside her and it will take an ultimate act of selflessness to contain the darkness that threatens Amelia’s sanity and the future of the Immortal race.

Aidan Montgomery refuses to give up on Amelia. Once she’s rescued from the Keeper’s hold, he intends to prove his love is more than a side effect of the prophecy, even if doing so leads him away from his pack and on a journey that will irrevocably change them both.

When the past and the present collide and the shocking origin of the Immortals is revealed, Amelia and Aidan are forced back to Cresthaven to end a war that never should have started.

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My Review of Bound By Prophecy

5 stars

If there is one thing I have come to expect from Stormy Smith, it is that she as a tendency to out-do herself with each book she puts out. Bound By Prophecy is no exception to that.

We start off right where Bound By Spells ended. This is another book that you will not want to put down. I decided to live tweet as I read this and, as much fun as it was, I hated putting my kindle down to tweet my reactions. {you can read my tweets by clicking here – No spoilers} I was reading as much as I could any chance that I got. I already want to go back and re-read the whole series beginning to end.

While in the beginning it isn’t all action, action, action, the story in no way feels slow. There is still a lot going on we need to know about before we dive into the fray. We get a few answers and about a million more questions, but mystery is one of the many things that makes the Bound Series so amazing. Another is that Stormy Smith never takes the story where you expect it to go. I am constantly surprised. More than once I had to re-read a passage or two to make sure it had really just happened!

Amelia is still her stubborn self but we do see some growth in her. She is more thoughtful and less impulsive. Her relationship with Aidan continues to grow as well. I love that Aidan goes all ‘alpha’ on us but is still able to keep himself in the process. Of course I can’t leave out B! This girl is the best friend everyone wishes they had and she is still that in Prophecy. I love that we get to see her happy in the end, though I never ever expected how that happiness would come about!! I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Micah and I’m hoping to hear a little more of what happens for him after the end of Prophecy *hint*hint* My dear Cole was always my favorite male character in the Bound series. I love all the big-brother protectiveness. He will to whatever he can for Ame, not thinking of what it might cost him. I’m so happy we get to have little Dillon running about here and there. I love that little bug and, like Amelia, I want to carry him around in my pocket!

We briefly meet a few of the women from Spells. One of which is Willow. She intrigued me and carved herself a little place in my heart with her actions and kind words. I’m also hoping to hear a little more of what happens for her after the end of Prophecy (*hint*hint* Stormy!……please?)

Have you ever picked up a book, starting reading and it resonated so deeply that you think there couldn’t have been a better time for you to have read it? That is what Bound By Prophecy was for me. That is how much I love this book. My life took an unexpected turn so I dove into this book hoping for a distraction. What I got was so much more than that. It was comfort. It was wisdom. It was the help I didn’t know I needed. Even putting all of that aside, I was blown away by how much Stormy Smith has grown as a writer. The story flows unlike anything I have read before with so many turns you never know where your destination truly lies.

I would give Bound By Prophecy a million stars, but alas the highest rating is 5. So I guess I’ll settle for putting 5 stars.

You can read my review of books one and two here: Review of Bound By Duty and Review of Bound By Spells

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Have you read the first book in the Bound Series? Bound by Duty is FREE!

Free on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Q9EGRo

Free on B&N: http://bit.ly/1XGAAp2

Free on iBooks: http://apple.co/1JOoJL5

Free on Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Uo2Tcx

Amelia grew up in a world of half-truths. She knows she’s an Elder, but has no idea what that means. Her father reminds her daily that she must maintain control, but he refuses to explain why. Even worse, she’s betrothed to the prince of the Immortals and doesn’t even know his name.

Finally breaking free to live a few normal years at a community college, the last thing Amelia expects is to find her best friend in a cheeky southern girl, or fall for a self-assured human who sees her for who she is, not what she will become.

As she learns more about herself, Amelia realizes the line between love and duty is a thin one. As her power continues to increase exponentially and her questions are slowly answered, Amelia must make the ultimate choice. The question is, will her head win the battle, or her heart?

Join Stormy Smith and Alys Arden for a LIVE Google Hangout to celebrate their latest releases! Here’s the Facebook event link. They will have ten guest authors, tons of book chat and lots of giveaways!

About Stormy Smith

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A word nerd from the very beginning, Stormy Smith has always had her nose in a book or a pen in her hand. From a journalism degree to a public relations career, manipulating words has always been her forte. She never expected her love of stories to translate into writing them, but one day the words were there and couldn’t be stopped.

Stormy lives in Iowa’s capital with her husband and two crazy cats. When she isn’t working on, or thinking about, her books, Stormy’s favorite places include bar patios, live music shows, her yoga mat or anywhere she can relax with her husband or girlfriends.

Book Release Review: Persuasion by Martina Boone

Check out this awesome review of Persuasion by Martina Boone and don’t forget to enter the giveaway for an e-copy! If you haven’t read this series yet, I highly recommend it. I have a review up of Compulsion (Heirs Of Watson Island Book1) and will be writing my review of Persuasion soon!

THE GOLDEN MANTLE

Title: Persuasion by Martina Boone

Release Date: October 27, 2015

Buy Links: Amazon; Barnes and Noble

Rating: 5/5 

Giveaway: One Kindle Copy of Persuasion a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Synopsis: Beautiful Creatures meets The Raven Boys in the spellbinding second novel in the Heirs of Watson Island trilogy that “skillfully blends rich magic and folklore with adventure, sweeping romance, and hidden treasure” (Publishers Weekly, on Compulsion).

Grieving the death of her godfather and haunted by her cousin Cassie’s betrayal, Barrie returns from a trip to San Francisco to find the Watson plantation under siege. Ghost-hunters hope to glimpse the ancient spirit who sets the river on fire each night, and reporters chase rumors of a stolen shipment of Civil War gold that may be hidden at Colesworth Place. The chaos turns dangerous as Cassie hires a team of archeologists to excavate beneath the mansion ruins. Because more…

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