A Kiss For Emily Blog Tour - Review & Giveaway

A Kiss for Emily

(The Emily Stokes Series, #1)

by J.P. Galuska

Genre: Paranormal, Suspense, Young-Adult,
Publisher: Self
Ebook/Paperback Pages: 356

Purchase:

B&N | Amazon | Smashwords

Synopsis:
YA suspense driven paranormal romance.

Emily Stokes never thought that falling in love would put her smack dab in the middle of chaos, or have her questioning her sanity! But when strange occurrences turn unbelievable, it becomes a race to save Emily from none other than the good-guys.

A Note From The Author:

The first book in The Emily Stokes Series is entitled A Kiss for Emily. It's about a 17-year-old gal who lives in the heart of Kansas who's life is about to come unglued. It's YA, totally suspense-driven, and takes paranormal to a new level! If I tell you any more about the book, I'll have to include a spoiler alert because I can honestly say the less you know going into the story, the more you'll enjoy it! With that being said, here is the most I dare say:

Emily Stokes never thought that falling in love would put her in the middle of chaos, or have her questioning her own sanity! But when strange occurrences turn unbelievable, it becomes a race against time to save Emily from none other...than the good-guys.

  

My Thoughts:

At first, I thought the book was going to be about a girl obsessed with kissing. Thankfully, it was more. Emily Stokes has been given the terrible news that she must move from the city to the sticks and is not happy about it. She is a junior in high school and will have to spend her last year with people she doesn't know and in a country school at that. But first she has to get through the long, hot summer without going crazy. Her friends haven't called her - even though she is only 20 miles away - and she is bored to tears. Until...

Sam is a boy she happens to meet while exploring her new surroundings. If it weren't for him she would be lost for good. He is a boy unlike any others and she is completely smitten and is already thinking of how their first kiss will be. However, she has just had her heart broken by Alex, her crush for the last decade. Alex is suffering from the suicide of his father and isn't dealing very well. And with Emily trying to move on from Alex, she isn't answering his texts or calls. After ending up in the hospital for what Emily thinks is a fall in which she hit her head, things really start to get crazy.

A Kiss for Emily is very suspenseful and psychologically thrilling. There are so many things that occur that made me angry and frightened - and that was generally because of the people who were trying to "help" Emily. I was impressed with the storytelling. I liked the book and had to see how it ended. It wasn't difficult to read - a typical YA novel in that aspect - but what really was jarring for me was the over the top county colloquialisms. I don't live anywhere near the Midwest, but I know people who do and they do not talk like that. So maybe it was used for literary enhancement, but for me it was odd. 

Overall, I would have to say I would read it again. I am very interested in what book two will hold... I have a few theories on how things will turn out, but we will have to wait and see. This book is great for both suspense lovers and romance seekers. A Kiss for Emily will remind you of something you have seen or heard, but don't be fooled because there are things hiding around every page!

★ ★ ★ ★

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

About the Author:

J P began writing her first novel back in 2009 after a work related injury took her out of the job market. Foreign to writing literature, her rough draft read more like torture than paranormal. Although the plot had been solid, not until she joined a local writer's group did the book really begin to blossom.

She currently enjoys a successful writing career and was recently featured as the April 2012 Author of the Month in the Paranormal Romance Guild.

Twitter | Facebook (Author) | Facebook (Series) | Website | Blog |

*****Giveaway*****

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Blog Tour- The Milk Carton People: The Journey by Sally Franklin Christie

Thank you to Holly at FMB Tours for the opportunity to participate in this tour. Also, thank you to the author, Sally Franklin Christie, for providing review copies and for making Breathe In BooKs one of her stops! I am on the schedule to do a review/excerpt, but am unable to write a review at this time. I will post my review sometime after the tour is over. Thank you for your understanding.

Milk Carton People: The Journey

by Sally Franklin Christie

Genre: Suspense, Thriller
Publication Date: March 7, 2012
Publisher: Eternal Press
Paperback/Ebook
Pages: 132

Synopsis:

Milk Carton People is a paranormal thriller about people who suddenly find themselves invisible, able to observe things but unable to participate. Do they go mad? Maybe they find others. It is quite possible that there is no point in being invisible.

This is a book that plays on the very thin line of sanity and pure despair. The characters act and react to the new challenges and the reader gets to go along for the ride.

Eternal Press | Amazon Kindle | Amazon Paperback | ARe | 1 Place for Romance | GoHastings | BooksOnBoard | Coffee Time Romance | Barnes and Noble Paperback | Barnes and Noble Nook | iTunes/iBook | OmniLit | Fiction Wise |

Excerpt:
I’m going to wake up, now, and go about my day with my cup
of coffee. By the time I get to work, the whole thing will disappear
like all dreams. I won’t even remember it.

She turned away from the little tree and took a few steps down
the sidewalk. She intended to turn back toward the book store
again, to somehow retake control of her destiny. As if turning
back would give everyone one more chance to tell her it was all in
fun and she was such a good sport.

Just then, a woman in an electric blue colored coat, walked
right into her.

“Excuse, me,” Ruth began and stopped speechless. For one
long, drawn out, slow motion, nightmare second, her vision was
obscured by a brownish red filter which blurred everything before
her. She felt hot, sticky, and confined. A cloying odor of spoiled
hamburger made her gasp for clean air. She tasted copper pennies
in her mouth. At the same time Ruth heard a gurgling noise and
a squeak and as the whole event suddenly ended she heard a plop
like pudding falling from a spoon back into the bowl.

A sudden cold sweat competed with stomach acid lurching
into her throat. Ruth swallowed it back and turned to watch as
the woman in electric blue continued walking down the sidewalk
without breaking stride. Ruth watched the woman in the electric
blue coat disappear around the corner.

“No,” Ruth said aloud with authority. “No,” she repeated
louder, hoping make it all go away. “This did not happen.”

She walked to the nearest building and stood close to the cold
bricks in the shadows.

I have to go home.

Book Trailer:

About the Author:

Eternal Press Staff Member
Biography
Marketing Manager

Sally Franklin Christie has spent her life achieving incredibly average goals. Her challenges and choices have led to into the world of organizing for social change, civil rights and helping people navigate in a world filled with physical barriers and discrimination. She photographs and paints landscapes, when she isn’t at the computer researching, networking and writing. Special interests include Missing Children and Adults, Astronomy, Character Traits and Criminal Thinking.

A home schooling mother of children born eleven years apart has added to her liberal arts education. She's had plenty of time to practice and refine the art and craft of writing coupled with opportunities to learn the marketing aspects of writing. She interned for a spell at WOW-Womenonwriting.com and currently has a position as a moderator at The Writers Chatroom. Various published articles appear in places like Pangia Magazine, Creations Magazine and other almost forgotton places. She writes one novel a year as a NaNoWriMo Participant and keeps a more serious project simmering year round. 

Website | E-mail Address: sally@sallyfranklinchristie.com | Twitter: SallyChristie | Facebook

Click on the FMB button below to see the entire tour schedule.

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

Promo Tour & Giveaway: Flight by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Flight

The Crescent Chronicles, #1

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Genre: Mature YA/New Adult Paranormal Romance,

Publisher: Self-Published

Ebook & Print Formats (print available soon)

Words: 55,000

Synopsis:

Sometimes you just have to take flight.

A summer in New Orleans is exactly what Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad’s invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind—until she sees Levi.

Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between following the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just save her.

Amazon (Kindle) | B&N (Nook) | Smashwords | 

Excerpt: 

Closing my eyes, I tried to block it all out. Convinced I was about to die, I was only partly aware of his arms around me.
“You said you wanted an adventure,” he said quietly, teasingly, as he tightened his hold.
My stomach dropped out as an intense and complete feeling of weightlessness engulfed me. The wind stung my face as memories flooded my mind. I thought of my parents, of all the things I wanted to tell them but never did, my friends from home, and the experiences I longed for. Quickly my thoughts changed to more recent memories, to Levi.
“Open your eyes,” he whispered, somehow knowing my eyes were clenched shut.
Against my better judgment, I listened. The scream died in my throat as we hurtled toward the water that had seemed so beautiful from the roof above.

About the Author:

Alyssa Rose Ivy lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

***Tour Wide Giveaway***

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