Shadow Embraced Blog Tour: Review, Book Trailer, Excerpt, Guest Post, & Giveaway!

A huge Thank You to Dark World Books for the opportunity to be a part of this tour! Also, to the author, Cheree Smith, Thank You for the ARC and for writing such an awesome story! And a Thanks to NetGalley for the Galley - I knew I had to read this book even before I knew about the tour! 

**To my readers: make sure to check out all the goodies on this post: there is so much to see and read! And don't forget to enter the Giveaway!**

Shadow Embraced
(Haven, #1)
by Cheree Smith
Published April 29, 2013
Published by Dark Cherry Press
Genre: YA Horror/Paranormal
Format Reviewed: Galley from NetGalley
Formats Available: eBook, Paperback ~234 pages

Book Blurb:
No escape.
Those words haunt Scar's dreams. She thinks the creature that terrorises her while asleep isn't real, but when she's abducted and taken to a reform school meant to contain creatures too dangerous to function in society, she starts to wonder whether she isn't some monster.

She turns to an underground fight club full of vampires, werewolves and witches established by the students to control her urges, and who is she kidding, she loves to fight.

When fighters begin to disappear, turning Scar into the prime suspect, she must race to prove her innocence before her true nature is exposed.

The only problem is that she's not entirely sure she's innocent.

Amazon – Smashwords – Barnes & Noble

Like many books lately, this book, Shadow Embraced, was nothing like what I thought it would be. I mean, hello? An underground fight club for supernaturals? I have seen it before in various mediums - mostly on television, but in print it is just something different and something awesome! Scarlet, aka, Scar has a penchant for violence. She likes to fight and doesn't really know why and keeps ending up in clubs with her friend Alex and inevitably gets into a fight. Not only is she in fights, but after her brawls have ended - with both parties alive - her opponents are ending up dead. Who or what is trying to frame Scar? And why? Well, after one too many she is caught by her police officer of a father and is forbidden to see her best friend. And we all know how well that works out right? *Insert sarcasm here* Of course, she ends up sneaking out with Alex, but without knowing why, she grows fangs and attacks Alex.

The next thing Scar knows is that she is being sent to boarding school - Haven a so called reform school. Oh, how I love boarding school stories! And not any boarding school, one for monsters: Vampires, Witches, and Werewolves. But Scar isn't quite a regular vampire; she is a Dhampir and is technically not allowed to exist because this means a supernatural and a Non (non Supe) got together and had a child which is very frowned upon. And not only is she different, she hears things and feels things greater than most. The words "No Escape" keep running through her mind and have been since she lived with her so-called 'parents'. So now, not only has she lost the only family she has ever known, she is in a new place where she isn't exactly welcome. Sucks to be Scarlett!

As a character, Scar is one that needs some love, but she can't even reach out to the mother she thought she knew. She has all the teen angst she can handle and now she is thrust into a world she knows nothing about. But, there is much more going on than she realizes and must figure it all out. And she fights, a lot. The book starts with fighting and it doesn't just stop when she enters Haven. At first I did not like Scar, but she grew on me little by little. That is how the whole book Shadow Embraced was for me; a new surprise/twist around every corner. There are a few secondary characters that I liked, but mostly the focus was on Scar and her mission to find a rouge killer, but I wouldn't do this review justice if I did not mention the swoon worthy boys, mean girls and the obligatory hateful teachers. What school could function without them? Plus, I love how nothing is quite stereotypical.

Overall, I found Shadow Embraced to be an exciting and incredibly fast-paced read. I was left wondering more about certain things such as the background of Haven and the supernatural world and I would have liked to see a little more romance. And what are the Ghosts and Centurions??But, for those who like the Hex Hall series and the Vampire Academy series, should definitely give Shadow Embraced a try! I am waiting for book two and hoping that all my questions will be answered! A great first book in this new series by Cheree Smith! 

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review and I used the book to be a part of a blog tour as well. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.

Guest post by athor Cheree Smith!

Soundtrack of Shadow Embraced

When writing I like to write against music. The write music can give inspiration as well as help drive the story and defeat writer’s block, and when I start a new project I like to create a new playlist based on themes that are present in the story and songs that could represent a character’s theme song.

Here are the songs that belonged on Shadow Embraced playlist:

1. Down with the Sickness by Disturbed
2. Monster by Skillet
3. Fight by Icon for Hire
4. Monster by Paramore
5. Pieces by Icon for Hire
6. Never Look Back by The Nearly Deads
7. It’s the Fear by Within Temptation
8. Faster by Within Temptation
9. Throwing Punches by Paramore
10. Fight Inside by Red

Chapter 1

_____________________

THE PALE GIRL KNOCKS ME BACK AGAINST THE fleshy wall of the crowd with a couple of hard smacks. I scramble away from a woman in a purple dress, my eyes on my opponent. Over the pulsing music, the crowd keeps up their tribal chant:

“Fight! Fight! Fight!”

This is my first time at The Basement – innovative name for a club set up on the second-storey. The dim lights and smoky atmosphere make the graffiti on the walls blaze. Between the pinball machines, sagging lounges, and the close-pressed crowd, there isn’t much room to manoeuvre.

“What are you waiting for?” the girl hisses. She could be Snow White with her porcelain skin and long, raven hair. “You started this. It was between me and her.” She extends one long finger towards my best friend, Alex.

Alex watches from the side-line. This is becoming the norm. Whenever we go out she always gets in trouble and I’m the one to fix it – usually with some bloodshed.

I don’t know what Alex did to piss this poisonous cow off, but now I want blood.

My opponent launches at me. I shield my face from her punches. It all comes down to waiting for an opening. She’s fast, almost as fast as me. It’s difficult to maintain my balance long enough to strike back.

I duck under a right hook and seize my chance. I throw an uppercut and knock her pale ass to the ground.

A single word roars through the room. “Scatter!”

The tight circle breaks and chaos erupts. The girl springs to her feet. The need to fight still blazes in her eyes, but there’s something else emerging as well. Her eyes change to a deep crimson. I stumble back, trying to suppress the cold fear swimming in my gut.

The woman in purple looms closer. Her dress drags along the floor as she moves. Grabbing my opponent by the arm, she whispers something in her ear.

The woman’s gaze meets mine. Her eyes are as white as quartz with a translucent glaze. I can’t take my attention off of her. I hadn’t noticed the long black stick she carries until now. Her body twists in my direction and she pushes people out of the way with her stick as she nears, dragging the girl – who thrashes and screams – behind her. The girl’s red eyes still focused on me.

I can’t move.

The room plunges into darkness, leaving only the faint bank of emergency lights marking the stairs.

“Come on, Scar. We have to get out of here.” Alex seizes my arm, forcing me back into reality. She pulls me towards the scattering of kids that remain from the mass exodus.

By the time we reach the exit, sirens howl above the noise. The only means of escape is cut off and people charge back up the stairs, taking refuge on the darkened dance floor. The cops block the exit and seal the room.

A strong hand grips my shoulder and jerks me backwards into a group of girls. I fall to the ground and heavy individuals trample on my legs. A cop forces my hands behind my back and secures them in cool metal cuffs.

He pulls me to my feet and leads me down the packed staircase.

“I’ve got it from here,” a familiar voice says as a hand clutches my shoulder. “I’m sure they still need your help inside.”

“Okay,” the cop says, relinquishing his hold of me. “If you’re sure.”

“I am.” The new cop takes me over to his car and unfastens the cuffs. Opening the back door, he says, “You know, I can’t keep doing this for you.”

I open my mouth to say something, but he cuts me off.

“I don’t want to hear it. We’ll talk about this at home.”

I slide onto the vinyl seat and close the door. “Sorry, Dad,” I whisper.

I lean my head against the cold window of the car door and wait for the car to start up. It takes about five minutes before Dad’s sitting behind the wheel and we’re heading away from the club.

An involuntary shiver creeps up my spine as the image of the woman in purple comes to mind. It really looked as if she was coming for me. I don’t even want to think about what she wanted. Turning my attention to the passing scenery, I shake all thoughts of that woman out of my head.

The streetlights forge speech bubbles of illumination in the air. A faint glow from the moon casts eerie shadows behind the dark clouds. The early morning streets of Sydney are still packed with people coming and going from clubs. Most of the girls look like they borrow all their clothes from their little sisters. The guys, on the other hand, choose a different style; fighting hard to keep their pants from falling down. For some reason, they think it’s an appealing look.

I turn my head to face the back of Dad’s seat. His messy auburn hair pokes out from beneath his blue hat. He takes an occasional glimpse at me from the central mirror.

The car slams to the right as we turn a corner and my heart jerks against my ribs. We stop at the curb in front of an aging two-storey redbrick townhouse. Dad gets out and moves around to my door. He opens it and waits for me to get out – without saying a single word to me.

I glance at the house. Mum stands in the open doorway, and she doesn’t look happy. She still has her nurse uniform on. Strands of tangled sandy hair fall free of her ponytail.

I stop in front of her. “Hi, Mum.” My voice comes out as a whisper.

Mum stares at me with puffy hazel eyes for a moment before turning around and going back inside.

“You’d better get to your room.” Dad enters the apartment and leaves me standing in the doorway. “Your mother and I will speak with you later.”

I force my legs to continue moving, staring at the brownish carpet that lines the floor.

Gripping the banister, I launch myself up the stairs. The scent of lavender and bleach drifting around me brings a nauseous wave to my stomach.

I rush to my room, ignoring the loud conversation coming from my parents’ room, and close the door behind me. All the movie stars and bands from the posters covering my walls watch me with accusing eyes.

Wiping the tears away, I throw myself onto the bed without even bothering to pull the sheets down. Feeling the soft mattress beneath me, I draw my eyes shut. I can only muster enough strength to kick my shoes off before the endless abyss of sleep overtakes me.

* * *

The scene plays out as if I’m watching a movie. I stand in a church. Don’t ask me why – I’m not religious, and I’m not even sure if I’ve set foot inside a real one. Thin streamers of light drift through the dirt encrusted stained glass, making spider webs glisten high up in the rafters. The few pews that remain standing sag. The rest is kindling strewn across the floor.

I move down the aisle. The floorboards creak beneath my feet. Each step launches billows of dust through the air. I can see it. A single mirror stands at the far end beside a pedestal that holds a golden chalice. Believe me, I don’t want to be anywhere near it, but my feet have a mind of their own.

The mirror is not normal. Its surface casts no reflection. All I can see beneath the glass is a vast sea of jet-black nothingness, and yet, I know something is hiding there within the shadows. Something that waits for me, watching me. That’s what scares me the most.

‘No escape,’ a voice that doesn’t sound human sneers.

A scent drifts past my nose and makes my mouth water. It smells like cinnamon and honey, but I know it isn’t. My gaze dances around the hall, coming to rest on the chalice.

As I reach out, every nerve screams I must have it. Using my other hand, I try to stop myself. I don’t want it, I only have to tell my mutinous hand that. It won’t stop. I grip the smooth stem. It pulsates with warmth. The thick crimson liquid swirls within the bowl. I raise the cup to my mouth and my heart races as the warm liquid touches my lips.

‘No escape,’ the voice repeats in a low growl.

Cheree Smith lives in a country town in Australia as a high school English teacher where she writes paranormal, horror and dark stories for young adults. She enjoys listening to and learning about legends and myths, watching scary movies and dreaming up new worlds where monsters can come alive. When she is not in her writing cave she can be found listening to music, even dabbling in the occasional writing of music or reading.

Website – Blog – Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads

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Walking in the Shadows: Review & Crimson Reign Featurette

Walking in the Shadows
by Cassandra Giovanni
Publication Date: October 31, 2012
Genre: YA Romantic Suspense
Formats Available: eBook, Paperback ~360 pages

Book Blurb:
Seconds seem like a lifetime when the life you lived is slowly drained out of you by those who care not what you felt, hoped, or dreamed. When the darkness comes it is all-consuming; there is no light and there is no pain. It is the never-ending loss of hope that now consumes me as I die in his arms.

This is Abigail Martin’s nightmare. After her parents become the first victims of a serial killer obsessed with the vampire saga, "Crimson Reign," Abigail does the only thing that she thinks will save her from her parent’s fate–she becomes some one else. As Vera MacIntrye, she falls in love with the very handsome Tad Knightley, and then walks into her first day at her new school to see him standing at the front of the classroom. He’s every teenage girls fantasy, but as he writes “Mr. Knightley: AP British Literature” across the white board Vera realizes the one person who filled the gaping hole in her heart will soon rip it wide open again.

Vera struggles to adjust to being a ‘normal’ teenager with very adult responsibilities like paying the rent, buying groceries and making sure that lights stay on, while being drawn time and time again back to her off-limits teacher. What’s worse is he is drawn to her too, and their worlds refuse to stay apart when Tad finds Vera screaming in terror in the parking lot after the winter formal. The murderer has struck again and is getting closer to the next target–Vera. Tad will do whatever he can to save her, even if it means losing his dream job, but will it be enough when the murderer is closer than anyone ever thought?

Amazon Kindle   -   Amazon Paperback  -   Barnes & Noble

I absolutely love this book! I stayed up all night reading and could not bring myself to go to bed without knowing the end. It has been a long time since I have become so engrossed in a book. I received Walking in the Shadows as an ARR through Goodreads and didn't have any idea what I was picking up. I thought the synopsis looked interesting and I was blown away! The plot is intriguing and compelling, the drama is intense, and the romance is steamy in a YA way. This book has so many layers and deals with many issues such as morality, ethics, death, friendship, and love.

The Romance: Abigail - or Vera, as she is now known - lost her parents when she was only 16. Instead of going to live with her Godparents, she chose to make it on her own and became legally emancipated. So when she met Tad, a recently graduated college student, it was no wonder why he thought she was older than 17. And Abbi didn't correct his assumption; something she now is kicking herself for because he is now her high school British English teacher. Talk about awkward! He is furious and she is devastated because she will lose him too. But their feelings for each other are too strong and despite the rational idea of letting one another go, they give in to their deliciously forbidden and taboo relationship. I love the chemistry between Abbi and Tad, especially in the classroom when they are fighting their feelings. Tad isn't that much older than Abbi (who turns 18 two weeks into the semester) and has a bit of a temper like a teenage boy which emerges at the best times - Tad1, Mike:0. I love that Tad tries to act like a knight-in-shining-armour. He is Abbi's other half and without him she never quite feels safe.

The Mystery: The teachers have all been told of Abbi's living circumstances and that her parents were killed in a car crash, but that isn't actually the truth. In reality they were murdered by Vampires...well, a serial killer who thinks they are a  vampire. Really, they are taking their love of the popular vampire book, Crimson Reign, to an extreme. Hoping for a new start (and a way to hide), Abbi moved from her home town to Amherst, MA and actually started to see light at the end of the tunnel. She had a best friend, a "boyfriend", a job, and had her Godparents nearby. But then on the night of the Winter Formal, Abbi found another victim of the serial killer and her life is catapulted back into a state of fear. I love the whole idea of a serial killer who mimics a super popular vampire series. And I love the subtle tie-ins to an actual popular vampire series. It made the whole story very believable in that aspect because people love to become something else - something with more power than they themselves as humans posses.

The plot of Walking in the Shadows is fueled by the characters' emotions. I think this is why I didn't find the whole teacher-student relationship to be a bad thing. They love each other and think the same and really are on the same level even though they are a few years apart. Then there are Abbi's dreams about her father. I found myself in tears after her dreams hearing his voice and running to him only having him become a monster and kill her! I felt everything that Abbi felt: my heart was continually broken, I was in fear for my life and angry, I was happy and laughing, and I was in love. Abbi is not the best friend a person could have, but Jaz (her new and only friend) stood by her even when she found out that she had been lied to on many occasions. The only thing that I did not like was the skipping of time. We go from one day to the next without any mention of the time that had passed and I desperately wanted that time filled in!

I found myself completely entranced by Cassandra Giovanni's novel Walking in the Shadows. Normally, I like reading books that can stand alone, but in this case I want more. I really want to read more about Tad and Abbi's relationship and I want to read Crimson Reign and see what the fuss is all about. The characters were written well and are interesting - even if some were slightly two dimensional. Overall, I think that Abbi's journey holds more than just finding her parent's killer and having a boyfriend. This is a book about finding love and learning to accept the love given in return whether it is from a lover, a friend, or family. 

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review as part of a Goodreads ARR. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.

Guest Post by Cassandra Giovanni

The Novel Behind the Novel: Crimson Reign

Walking in the Shadows is a book based off of events caused by another book—the Crimson Reign Saga. This saga of vampire novels is based off of two warring covens with differing ideals and the fight over a vampire that has converted from one coven to the other. The idea of the Crimson Reigncame from the real life events that spurred the vampire phenomena—the books that inspired people to become over the top obsessed. I’ve seen people with Team Edward tattooed on their bodies, which was scary enough on its own. It really got me thinking about how far obsessions can go, so I combined the mind of a serial killer with the mind of a person who is so obsessed with a fictional item that they get it tattooed on their body forever. Thus, the Crimson Reign Saga was born, but I knew my character would never read the novels so how could I really understand the depth that created the nightmare that became Vera/Abbi’s life? It seemed natural to me to write some scenes from the first novel in the saga, and to outline the rest of the series as well. It helped me to gain an understanding of the characters that inspired the murders—the bad characters, the vampires that believed that they should have the power over humans. Seeing I have these files sitting in a folder labeled “Unfinished: Never to be finished”, I might as well share them with you. Please keep in mind that the Crimson Reign novels were never meant to be seen and were written to imitate a style which is not mine. They have a bit of over the top vampire features that border on being ridiculous—but if you like it and you want more…I might oblige.

“Time to hunt,” Evan said, clapping his hands together, his sharp retractable incisor teeth protruding.
Faye leaned up on her tip toes and kissed his neck. “Let’s.”
“I’m good,” I replied looking back down at the book I was reading. We weren’t nocturnal and I wasn’t a fan of night feeding.
“Not hungry?” Evan asked as he leaned down and put his face in front of mine.
“Not in the least,” I said, my voice sounding meeker than the ferocity I felt.
He struck the book from my hand and grabbed me by the shoulder hard enough to bruise as he yelled, “What’s wrong with you lately?”
I slapped his hand away. “You aren’t the boss of me Evan.”
“I’m the leader of this coven whether or not you like it,” he hissed, shaking his arm. There was no doubt in my mind that I had bruised him back and that I had bruised his ego, too.
“I don’t,” I retorted in a matter of fact voice. Being a vampire was so dramatic sometimes.
“And what pray tell would you do about it? Leave?” Faye teased, dancing in front of Evan and running her hands across his chest, “I think not.”
She had her back to me now as she rubbed her body against his and then bit his lip. I rolled my eyes as I tried to look away from them. My life was filled with these awkward moments 99% of the time. I didn’t have a mate and they felt the need to rub it in my face, or complain about it. Either way I wasn’t in the mood for their nasty feeding and make-out fest.
“I think you need a mate,” Evan commented in between kisses with her.
“Don’t you dare try to convince Collin into trying to seduce me again,” I said, thinking of the other single coven member. They had chosen him for me, and weren’t very pleased when I decided he was almost as much the scum of the earth as they were; as we were.
“Then come feed, you can’t starve forever,” Faye begged with sweet pout. It was fake though, she really didn’t care.
“I’m good,” I repeated.
“Why are you so stubborn? They deserve what’s coming to them. This is what we were put here to do. They are our prey. God put us here to do this,” Evan explained forcefully.
I watched as Collin, Aria and Leo entered the room ready for the hunt.
“Is she getting a conscience again?”Aria guessed, flipping her curly golden locks.
“I don’t like that theory,” Evan growled as he turned on Aria and pushed her to the wall. “So keep your opinions to yourself.”
“She’s just like the Gray’s. Sorry excuses for vampires,” Aria retorted, pushing back against Evan. She was weaker than me, though and couldn’t free herself from his grip.
“Us equal to the humans?” Collin spat with his black eyes narrowed on me.
“Live among humans?” Leo added as he pulled Evan off of Aria. They acted like beasts, no wonder we couldn’t live among humans. They would all be running for their lives—too bad they wouldn’t get far.
“The Grays live with them?” I asked, jumping over the couch and grabbing my book of the floor.
“You already act like one—reading. What a waste of time,” Leo commented as he sniffed Aria’s hair before kissing it.
We were supposed to be more evolved than the humans, yet we acted like this. I felt the bile rising under the pale skin of my throat. That was the reason I couldn’t feed; these idiots made me nauseous with their sexual behaviors and lack of any sort of inhibition.
“You’re coming with us whether or not you like it,” Evan demanded before grabbing me by my arm and throwing me over his shoulder. His finger dug into my collar bone, and I couldn’t fight him. He knew it was the only way I wouldn’t.

~*~*~ 

I knew I couldn’t run from them forever. They would fine me, not because they cared but for their own selfish motives. My only way out was this; I would do it before they could find me. I lay down and stared up at the stars and kissed them goodbye with one slice of each pale wrist. The metallic stench was overwhelming. It called me to feed, but it would do nothing to save me now. I watched the pink veins beginning to flow forward as the blood cycled towards the deep cuts and out. I let my wrists lay in the cool crimson puddles and tried to forget the pain. I hoped there was a God to save me at the other end of this.
“What the hell are you doing?” a deep, intoxicating voice interrupted.
“Finding a way out—away from them,” I replied as I watched his face come into view over me. It was blurred by the moon that was making a halo over his head. I had thought the stench of the freshly manure covered field would hide my blood from other vampires.
“Why?” he pried as his voice softened.
His face focused through the blur of the moon and I found myself staring into the sterling eyes of Colby Gray. He was a name and face I knew but a voice I had never heard.
“We’re beasts, diabolical beasts. I can’t do it anymore,” I choked out in a rasp whisper. I knew that his strong ears would be the only thing that could hear my weakened voice. It was working; I was dying, finally.
“They’re beasts, you don’t have to be,”he murmured as he swept me into his arms.
“I’m done for already,” I said. I could hear my heartbeat fading from a thump to a pitter. Yes, that much closer to never having to kill again.
“We’ll save you—?”
“Nara Cabe,” I managed with a slurred voice, the words painfully coming as my head lolled against his shoulder.
“Nara Gray now,” he replied, brushing a tear away from my face. My body was numb, but his cool finger was like an electric shock. I fought hard against the weakness in my limbs as he ran faster and faster. His face was desperate, and I could tell he didn’t know if they could save me. I wished I had known they would have been willing to save me. The Grays—the coven mine despised so much. The one I would now become if I could only convince my heart to stop beating the life out of itself.

Cassandra Giovanni is an avid writer of young adult novels and can't wait to share her work with you. The genres of her novels include dystopian, paranormal, mystery and romance all aimed at appealing to adults and young adults alike. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character's stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. She began writing at a very young age, in fact from the moment she could draw she was telling stories that way. At age seven she won a contest in American Girl Doll to have a chapter she had written published. From that point on she was always writing, if not on paper than in her head. In May 2012 she published her first novel, In Between Seasons, which demonstrated her unique writing style and approach to the genre of post-apocalyptic fiction. On Halloween 2012 Cassandra released her second novel, Walking in the Shadows. This novel puts a new twist on the obsession of vampires in literature and explores some of the darkest parts of human nature, while still showing that there is always hope--if we only choose to believe in ourselves.

Cassandra is also a professional photographer with areas of interest such as car features, floral and architecture. Her photography company, Gio Design Studios, will be transitioning into a publication marketing company that designs covers and marketing materials for authors utilizing the company's photography. She is currently studying to receive her associates degree in Marketing. Cassandra is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England with the other loves of her life their dogs, Bubski and Kanga.

Blog   -   Website   -   Facebook   -   Goodreads

Shattered Circle Blog Tour: Guest Post & Giveaway!

Shattered Circle
(Persephone Alcmedi, #6)
by Linda Robertson
Published January 29, 2013
Published by Pocket Books
Formats: eBook, Paperback ~384 pages

Synopsis:
JUST YOUR AVERAGE MEGA-WITCH. . . .
It’s tough being a modern woman, but Persephone Alcmedi has it worse than most. Being the prophesied Lustrata has kicked her career as a witch into high gear, and juggling a wærewolf boyfriend who is about to become king of his kind and a seductive vampire who bears her magical Mark isn’t easy either.
Still, Seph’s beloved foster daughter, Beverley, is causing more trouble than these two men put together. The young girl’s been playing with a magical artifact that’s far more dangerous than she realizes. Now Seph must summon help from a mystical being so potent that even vampires fear him . . . and the cost of his aid may be more than she’s willing to pay. Seph, Johnny, and Menessos face threats from all sides—and a few from within. Will the forces of destiny cement their tenuous supernatural union, or shatter it forever?

Excerpt:

     {Johnny}turned off Ontario onto South Roadway and walked past the impressive ionic columns and huge arched windows of Tower City Center. Ahead was the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.
     When he passed through the revolving door and neared the lobby, the opulence stunned him. Vaulted ceilings with huge chandeliers harkened back to a bygone era. He actually stopped and did a full circle to see it all. Then he noticed that the concierge was watching him closely. He wondered if the man was simply doing his job, or if Aurelia had paid him to be her eyes and ears. Johnny made sure to approach the elevators with the key card visible in his hand. It would show that he belonged here. When he stepped into the elevator car he stared at the floor until the doors had almost shut. At the last second he shoved his hand between them, forcing them to reopen.
     He expected the concierge to have grabbed the phone and alerted someone to his arrival . . . but the man had simply let his gaze trail over to the television where a rerun of M*A*S*H was playing.
     Johnny felt foolish. He couldn’t be paranoid like this.
     He punched the button for the top floor and had to insert Aurelia’s card.
     The elevator rose swiftly and deposited him in a small lobby with a placard indicating the direction of the various suites. He followed the arrow to the left and promptly arrived at the proper door. He slid the key into the lock and saw the little handle light flash green as he pulled it out.
     He turned the knob and pushed the door open on a darkened room.

     Immediately, he knew he wasn’t alone.

Guest Post by Linda Robertson:

Why the heck did you pick Cleveland? 

Urban Fantasy books are most often set in either a closed world or an open world. Meaning that no one knows about the non-humans among them, or everyone knows. In my stories, I wanted to split the difference. My creatures all crawled out from under the bed twenty years prior to the story opening. This means everyone knows about them yes, but not everyone is okay with it. The political/social unease of that backdrop has been a lot of fun to play with. My characters are powerful, but that doesn’t mean they get to be comfortable.

Cleveland seemed a perfect milieu. Not only was it geographically close to me and easy to do research in, but Cleveland is a dichotomy in and of itself. It is wonderful and terrible wrapped up in one tidy package that leaves me lots of room to play--I’ve used real locations in the books where I could. Some are gloriously beautiful like the Cleveland Trust Bank. And some are just plain dirty and dingy like the wærewolves’ scrubby bar (renamed to protect the—ahem—innocent) that smells largely of cigarettes and faintly of piss.

Let me give you a little actual data to help you can this city like I see it.

It’s steeped in history. Founded in July 1796.  Erie Canal started 1825, completed 1832. It was the hone of Sherwin Williams, Standard Oil Company, and Olympian Jesse Owens. Home of Winton Automobile Manufacturing…they sold their first car in 1898 to a man in Pennsylvania after he saw their ad in Scientific American. Wikipedia claims Cleveland had the first submachine gun in 1915. (There are plenty of cool little nuggets like Eliot Ness as Safety Director and Rockefeller’s influence and such, but I don’t want to bore you.)

Despite all of that, Forbes has been historically unkind, calling Cleveland: #11 highest taxed city; #8 most overpriced city; #5 least family friendly city; #4 worst city for carbon monoxide;  #3 worst city for jobs; and the #1 poorest city as well as being a list-topper with the fewest graduates per school.  

So while Cleveland has many examples of beautiful and unusual architecture, a high ranked orchestra, major teams in baseball, football, basketball and hockey, top rated hospitals, a zoo, great restaurants and cultural activities…it also had an exodus of people—as in the fastest rate of population decline for the decade (2^nd only to New Orleans and there was no Katrina here).

So all in all, Cleveland, which grew quickly from a frontier village into a major manufacturing hub, has good bones, good roots, and a solid foundation in innovation. But it has also suffered through crooks in office, high crime rates and being generally derided in recent decades. It has scars, but it carries on.

Sounds like a good character to me.

Here are two places in Cleveland that have a particular resonance for me.

The Cleveland Arcade. Glass Atrium/Circa 1890 This was one of the nation’s first indoor shopping areas. It’s five stories tall, has four balconies, and is topped by a beautiful glass skylight stretching 300 feet and uses 1,800 panes of glass. John D. Rockefeller was one of the men who financed its construction. 

The Hope Memorial Bridge. Circa 1932. Statues at either end are called the “Guardians of Traffic.” The figures hold either a truck, a cart, a locomotive or a Conestoga wagon.  

There’s too much to really list here, but my website has more photos on the MY CLEVELAND page of some of the actual places I’ve used in the series. (Botanical Gardens, William G. Mather steamship/museum, Cultural Gardens, May Co. building, etc.)

About the Author:

In addition to writing the Persephone Alcmedi series for Pocket Books, Linda is the mother of four boys, and plays guitar in an almost-all-girl rock band in Mansfield, Ohio where she now resides in her childhood home. She enjoys flavored coffees, chocolate, and a good margarita…but not at the same time.

Website     Wednesdays I     Twitter     Facebook     Goodreads  

*****Giveaway*****

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post by author Cambria Hebert and.... An Exclusive Tirade Sneak Peek!

Note from the writer

What a fantastic week of Heven and Hell this has been! I want to give a big thank you to Krista for hosting me ALL week long! It was so fun! I really hope everyone enjoyed getting to know the characters and a little more about the books!

Today’s post is a guest post by me… and I really have NO clue what to say! LOL. You already know all about the series now, hopefully you will all go and read it (if you haven’t already) and if you do I hope you enjoy it!

I would like to say to my fans that I SO appreciate all the facebook posts, the emails and the messages. YOU all keep me going on days when I’m in a grouchy mood and just want to eat bon bons and watch soap operas all day (Oh, like you wouldn’t want to do it too!). YOU area the reason I shower and wear clean underwear (Okay, I do that for my kids and husband). The response to this series has been so wonderful and humbling and fantastic that I feel truly blessed to have you all. I couldn’t do it without your support, so keep it coming! LOL.

And now because NO ONE wants to hear me blubber anymore I have decided to just give the people what they want. A SNEAK PEAK at TIRADE. You are seeing it here first!!!

Read it. Love it. Enjoy it. Then buy it on Novemeber 30th. LOL

Thank you everyone!!!!!

Cambria

*********************************************

Sneak Peek of Tirade

Sam

    Seconds feel like hours, minutes feel like days and days… Days feel like eternity.

    Being a prisoner of hell sucks. Endlessly.

    All day long I pace inside this dark, tiny, cell… And I think. The thing about the dark is that it takes away distractions. Distractions that allowed me to ignore all the things I wanted to ignore. I liked myself better when I didn’t have to think. How easy it is to act without thinking, to let your feelings guide you. I’ve done a lot of reacting to my situation – to Heven’s situation. I’ve done a lot of things I would like to forget. But forgetting isn’t an option when all you can do is think.  Unfortunately, thinking changes things.

     It changes you.  

     My reaction the first time I laid eyes on Heven was so strong—so all-encompassing that she was all I saw—all I wanted to see. But time’s passed... And while I still love her like that first day, it’s grown deeper and stronger. She’s grown stronger.  She doesn’t need me to do the things I’ve done in the past because we can fight together.

      Only we aren’t together. I’m stuck in this hole and she’s up there facing God knows what. I’ve never been helpless before. I’ve never needed a rescue. I’m not supposed to be weak. I’m the strong one. I always knew Heven was strong. I just never thought it was me she was going to have to be strong for.

Heven

     On the outskirts of the orchard lies a long divot in the ground, a long, winding dent that swivels in the earth. If it wasn’t dry, I would call it the perfect place for a curving stream. In this divot, a single apple tree grew, its twisting limbs stretching into the sky, reaching out like gnarled fingers trying to grasp its prey. The sky seemed to ignore the demands of the brittle branches while it turned a peachy pink in the early twilight hours.

      It was beside this tree that I lay hidden.

      But I was not afraid.

       Pressing my ear to the earth, which felt cool and smooth against my skin, I concentrated with everything in me. My eyes narrowed, the only indication my tense, waiting body gave that I knew someone was headed this way.

      It took them longer than I thought to find me.

      I closed my eyes and did something that came as easily to me as breathing. I conjured a perfect image of Sam in my mind. He was so real and breathtaking sitting right there behind my eyes that, for a moment, he took my breath away. This was the real reason I was lying here. He was the reason for everything I did these days. Well, him and revenge for everything that’s been done to everyone I love. Gripping the daggers in each palm, I waited, coiled and ready to face my opponents.

      One, two, three…

*    *    *

Tirade will be released November 30^th and be available in paperback and ebook.

Blame It On Texas Release Day Promo & Guest Post by Christie Craig

Today marks the release of Christie Craig's novel Blame It On Texas, book two in the Hotter in Texas series! I usually don't post or review "normal" adult romance books, but this is special. Why? Well, because Christie Craig is also known as C.C. Hunter, the author of the Shadow Falls series. So as a proud member of the Shadow Falls Street Team I am proud to share all the works from this very talented author.

Blame It On Texas
Hotter in Texas, #2
by Christie Craig
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Published by: Forever (Hachette Book Group)
Formats Available: Paperback, eBook ~309 pages

Synopsis:
Zoe Adams has always been content with her quiet nights at home, sitting alone on her couch munching popcorn and watching tv--until her life turns into a real-life episode of the Unsolved Mystery Hunters show she loves. The story of a kidnapped girl triggers unexplained memories, and Zoe is dead set on figuring out why. Her search leads her to one of the Lone Star state's richest families and to sexy PI Tyler Lopez.

Tyler has sworn off women, especially redheads with killer curves who poke their noses into his clients' personal affairs. Still, he can't deny the attraction any more than he can deny that some of Zoe's crazy story makes sense. But when she becomes a hit man's target, this cold case really starts heating up. Suddenly, Tyler will do anything to protect Zoe-even if it means risking his heart.

Amazon     Barnes & Noble

*****Guest Post by Christie Craig*****

Ten Things You Will Learn from Blame It On Texas

1. Guys don’t like to play dress up, but when one willingly dresses as a clown for their six-year-old niece’s birthday party—because the real clown canceled—he’s one special uncle. And could possibly make a special hero for some lucky lady.

2. Sometimes, fear itself can do much more damage to us than the thing we’re actually afraid of.

3. Any man who doesn’t cuss up a blue streak when you dump a plate of hot grits on him can’t be all bad. (In fact, he might just be The One.)

4. It’s important to remember the lessons of the past so we can use them when making decisions for the future. But those lessons should never keep us from the future we deserve.

5. Before accusing the sexy guy who pounced, knocked you down, and crawled on top of you of being foreplay impaired, check to see if someone is shooting at you.

6. The southern delicacy of a banana and mayonnaise sandwich may be an acquired taste, especially when a hungry hero chomps down on the delicacy and is expecting ham and cheese.

7. If you think getting caught screaming and dancing on top of a mattress—all while attempting to rescue your cat from an overzealous dog—can be slightly embarrassing, try it while you’re wet from the shower, and as naked as a jay bird. Oh, and you are caught by your possible love interest who hasn’t seen you naked yet, and . . . (yes it can get worse) his two best friends.

8. It’s downright amazing how playing a few rounds of Strip Scrabble can spice up an evening.

9. A family doesn’t always have to be the people who share your bloodline; sometimes, the best families are those we make when we gather together all the people we love.

10. Learning to trust yourself is usually a lot harder than trusting another person. But both are generally required before finding true love.

~~Thank you Ms. Craig for stopping by and I can't wait to read Blame It On Texas!

About the Author:
Website     Twitter     Goodreads     Amazon     Facebook

Christie Craig, an Alabama native, is an award-winning, multi-published writer, multi-published photo journalist, motivational speaker, and writing teacher.. Her non-fiction articles and photography have appeared in almost three thousand national magazines. A Golden Heart finalist, and a finalist in more than fifty RWA-sponsored contests, she has gained a well-deserved reputation for writing romance fiction that has both witty humor and a suspenseful, sexy tone. Published by Silhouette in the 90s, she recently broke back into fiction in a big way, making four book sales in one day. Her seventh humorous single title romance novel, published by Dorchester, will hit the stands in June 2010. Her non-fiction book, co-authored by Faye Hughes, released September 08, is The Everything Guide To Writing A Romance Novel and their second non-fiction book, a humorous self-help relationship book, Wild, Wicked and Wanton: 101 Ways to Love Like You Are in a Romance Novel is scheduled to be released December 2010. Craig’s latest writing adventure is the sale of a young adult paranormal romance series, Shadow Falls Camp, that will be published by St. Martins Press in the near future. 

The Last Degree Blog Tour: Excerpt & Guest Post

Click on the banner above to see all stops on the tour!

Thank you to Full Moon Bites Blog Tours and Dina Rae for the opportunity for Breathe In BooKs to be a part of The Last Degree tour!

The Last Degree

Dina Rae

Series: Book #1

Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Paranormal, Political, Suspense, Thriller, Christian

Publisher: Dina Rae

Ebook

Words: 93000

Purchase for only $1.99: Amazon

Book Description: 

The Last Degree is a fictionalized account of how Freemasons and other secret societies set up the world for takeover. Ancient writings foretell a ‘Shining One’ who emerges as the world’s prophet. A murder of a Most Worshipful mason resembles a secret oath. A cop gets too close to solving the crime. Paranoid preppers go underground, preparing for war. 

Headlines such as the Norway massacre, meltdown of the European Union, unscrupulous media, animal die-offs, Middle Eastern unrest, and U.S. shrinking power make the plot relevant to present day. This book is an ode to Christians, Birthers, 2012ers, Truthers, preppers, and/or other conspiracy junkies who enjoy Dan Brown, Jesse Ventura, Brad Meltzer, Alex Jones, Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.

Excerpt:
Dwight took off his crown, signifying he was no longer playing King Solomon.

“Sacrifice is expected for ones that you love. Do you love me?” Dwight shouted. “Then bow down before me and offer praise!”

Everyone knelt and laid their head down to the floor, chanting 'Most Worshipful,

Most Worshipful' several times before Dwight commanded them to get up.

In a manic energetic state, Dwight vociferated, “Et vitam impendere vero!” All repeated, with the three new pledges joining in. Minutes later, he began to calm down. “To sacrifice life for truth - that is what we must always do! You must trust me as your Most Worshipful and sacrifice at my command! Are you prepared to do this?” All three pledges nodded.

Dwight pulled the content baby out of Arthur's arms and threw it high into the air. As the baby began to descend, Dwight took his sword and hacked through its neck, decapitating it before it hit the floor. Only the three pledges shrieked in horror. He sinisterly smiled as he picked up the head and body, revealing it was only a doll.

“Don't believe with your eyes, but believe with your knowledge. We are his chosen and will soon be exalted.”

The three men looked down at their hands and tried not to scream. They were covered in blood.

“Sacrifice, my brothers, sacrifice. I will teach you well. You are all Chiefs of the Tabernacle! Let us go and celebrate!” Dwight gleamed.

Check out The Last Degree Prequel as well—Be Paranoid Be Prepared!

*****Guest Post by Author Dina Rae*****

The Rise of the Preppers

Politics aside, we all can agree the world is a very dangerous place.  Some people prepare for the worst.  TV shows such as National Geographic’s Doomsday

Preppers and Discovery’s Doomsday Bunkers highlight a segment of society who believes impending doom is near.  In response, they put all of their time and resources into future survival.  The “prepper” label emerges.

Preppers collect water through cisterns, stock canned food, invest in remote underground living quarters, and practice off-the-grid living.  Their reasons exceed fear, ranging from nuclear war and natural disaster all the way to prophecies of End of Days and New World Order.

Whatever the belief, they continue to unite, forming their own subculture.  This movement is similar to the ‘70s and ‘80s survivalism, but much more sophisticated in technological advances of supplies, weaponry, and social networking.  They even have their own vernacular.  Here are some of the more popular terms.

BoB: Bug-Out-Bag

Bag packed with necessities when it’s time to take off.  Depending on location, terrain, and weather, the contents vary.  Everyone should have a flashlight, water, lighter, thermal blankets, radios, compass, hard-copy of a map, knife, gun, first aid kit, and cash. (3 days worth is the minimum recommendation)

SurvivalJane.com sells them pre-packed.

Zombie Apocalypse: It’s not just a horror novel term.  When people who are infected and/or insane and become a threat.

PSS: Primary Shelter Site

A hideout.  Prepper favorites-a home or trailer in a remote area, underground bunker, a spider hole (very temporary), and a cave

WROL: Without Rule of Law

No government or law enforcement-Chaos

SHTF: Sh@t Hits the Fan

The moment when a prepper makes the decision to bug out

Those who watch prepper reality TV have seen million dollar bunkers, advanced solar technology, militia sized arsenals, and endless shelves of medical supplies.  Any attempt to prep seems overwhelming.  Nonetheless, it doesn’t hurt to prepare.  Dina Rae's The Last Degree uses preppers as her main protagonists of the story.

About the Author:
 Dina Rae is a new author that is here to stay. As a former teacher, she brings an academic element to her work. Her research on the Yezidi religion and love of art inspired her story telling for Halo of the Damned.
Her other novel, The Last Degree, is a fictionalized account of the Freemason’s role in the New World Order. Dina's grandfather was the Most Worshipful of his lodge. The subject has always held a personal interest.
Dina lives with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs outside of Chicago. She is an avid reader, tennis player, movie buff, and self-proclaimed expert on conspiracy theories. 

Website