Review and Giveaway: Independent Study (Joelle Charbonneau)

Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by HMH Books for Young Readers

In the series debut The Testing, sixteen-year-old Cia Vale was chosen by the United Commonwealth government as one of the best and brightest graduates of all the colonies . . . a promising leader in the effort to revitalize postwar civilization. In Independent Study, Cia is a freshman at the University in Tosu City with her hometown sweetheart, Tomas—and though the government has tried to erase her memory of the brutal horrors of The Testing, Cia remembers. Her attempts to expose the ugly truth behind the government’s murderous programs put her—and her loved ones—in a world of danger. But the future of the Commonwealth depends on her. 

I am a storyteller at heart. I have performed in a variety of operas, musical theatre and children's theatre productions across the Chicagoland area.

While I'm happy to perform for an audience, I am equally delighted to teach private voice lessons and use my experience from the stage to create compelling characters on the page. I am the author of the Rebecca Robbins mystery series (Minotaur Books), The Paige Marshall Glee Club mysteries (Berkley) and The Testing YA triology (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).

Goodreads * Website * Facebook * Twitter 

OK first of all I LOVED The Testing! It is definitely one of my most favorite books from 2013!! I had heard from several of my blogger friends that if I enjoyed The Hunger Games then I would enjoy The Testing so I went for it....and they were SO RIGHT!!!! It is a fast-paced, adrenaline rush that had me from the first chapter! I read The Testing within a couple of days and could not wait to get my hands on Independent Study!! 

Cia is such a memorable character. She is smart and determined to survive in this epic series! This entire series is about overcoming the odds and "passing" the test and Cia doesnt give up even when she is forced to overcome unspeakable odds. There is so much heart in this novel that you feel as though you are experiencing each traumatic event right along with the characters. 

The relationship between Cia and Tomas is one of my favorite aspects of the story as well. They are so good together and understand where they belong and where they come from. I loved to read about their interactions and how they face these obstacles together. 

There are so many twists and turns in this story. I just dont even know where to begin. I felt my jaw drop several times while reading this sequel. Several things happened that I never saw coming and was just in complete shock. 

"There were fifteen of us first years when we started the initiation. Only eight made it through. Five of us from the colonies and three from Tosu City..The rest...."

All I can say is that if you have not started this series yet then YOU HAVE TO! Especially if you are fans of The Hunger Games!! This adrenaline filled dystopian novel is just phenomenal and you will devour it!!! Joelle Charbonneau is in a class all her own and she knows exactly how to grab the reader's attention and hold it!! I am looking so forward to reading the conclusion to this series and any more work that Joelle intends on writing!!!!

MY REVIEW OF THE TESTING #1

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: All In (Marta Brown)

All In

by Marta Brown

Release Date: 05/28/13

Summary from Goodreads:

On the picturesque island of Martha's Vineyard, there are two kinds of residents. Locals and Stays.
Local boy, Lane McCarthy, plans on spending his summer working at the country club to save money for college in the fall, while summer stay, Ashley Whitmore, and her elite group of friends are only there to play.
As the summer heat goes up on the island, so does the ante, when both Lane and Ashley must decide what they’re willing to wager in order to follow their dreams… and their hearts.
With stakes as high as the surf, and hopes as high as the midday sun, will they risk everything and go all in?

Available from:

   

Excerpt #2:

Ashley 

His head is down as he crosses the private section of the beach, staying close to the water’s edge but avoiding the moving tide.

“Lane,” I call out over the noise of the party and the waves, but he doesn’t seem to hear me, so I call his name again, this time louder. “Hey, Lane.” He glances up and scans the party, squinting before finally seeing me. A smile flashes across his face. I smile back as I approach him, my flip flops kicking up sand behind me.

“Hi,” I say. My drink, mostly untouched, sloshes and spills over the lip of the cup when I stop in front of him.

“Looks like you’re having fun.” He nods at my drink and then up at the party.

“I actually just got here. I’m glad you came.” I feel my cheeks heat up, and I’m relieved it’s dark enough that he can’t see. “I think Andrew’s around here somewhere.” I look over my shoulder to point Lane in the right direction.

“Ah, no thanks. I think I’ll steer clear of your kind of parties,” he says, shoving his hands in the pockets of his cargo shorts.

“What do you mean my kind of parties?”

“Nothing, never mind.” He kicks at the sand and looks uncomfortable.

“Oh no.” I cover my mouth with my hand. “Did you get in trouble last night when the cops showed up?”

“Yeah, thanks to your boyfriend,” he says with a sneer that makes me take a step back.

My boyfriend?

“I’m not sure what his deal is, but he’s a serious dick.” Lane’s jaw is tight, and there’s not a hint of joking in his tone.

“Gregory?” I ask wide eyed. Why would he think Gregory is my boyfriend? I have a flash of Greg and I at lunch together looking very much like a couple and then again at the bluffs when he gave me his coat, something a boyfriend would do. Oh.

“He is definitely not my boyfriend,” I say seriously. “He’s my ex, if you can even call it that. We dated for like a second, but it was never very serious.” Why am I telling him all this? Stop rambling, Ashley. I dig my toes into the sand. “But you’re right about one thing. He is a dick.” I give Lane a playful grin and watch the light from the bonfire bounce off his features as his jaw loosens and a tentative smile spreads across his face.

From a distance, I hear Gregory’s voice, and when I glance over my shoulder, he’s stumbling our direction, obviously drunk and completely uninvited.

“Speak of the devil.” I roll my eyes and that makes Lane smile bigger.

“The rest of the staff is over there,” Gregory slurs, pointing to the tent where the cater waiters are busy putting out more hors d'oeuvres. Lane ignores his snide remark, never taking his eyes off of me.

“It was nice seeing you again, but I gotta go,” Lane says, and I’m immediately disappointed that he’s leaving.

“Are you sure?” I look down at my feet and try to garner enough nerve to ask him not to go. “Stay,” I say so softly it comes out as more of a whisper when I look back up at him.

He peers over his shoulder across the small peninsula to the lighthouse then back at me. “I’m sorry, I can’t…I…I have to work.” He looks genuinely disappointed, and I wonder if he knows I am too. “But hopefully I’ll see you around, okay?” He gives me a smile that makes my knees go weak before taking off down the beach. In the faint light coming off of the fire, I see him glance back at me before he cuts across the sandy peninsula and disappears into the shadows of tall sea grass.

Lane

He’s not her boyfriend.

I shake my head to clear my mind before I steal one last glance over my shoulder at her as I walk away, but it’s on a loop, and it’s all I can think. He’s not her boyfriend.

I shake my head again, this time to snap myself out of it. There’s no way a girl like that would go for a guy like me anyway. Would she? I shut my eyes and replay the way she looked at me through her long dark lashes, softly asking me to stay, causing my stomach to knot.

“He’s not her boyfriend,” I say out loud at the door of the lighthouse. I pull my keys from my pocket as the sounds of the party float through the otherwise quiet night, and I feel a stupid grin spread across my face despite the rude remarks I just got from that ass-hat Gregory. Seriously, when will the ‘help’ jokes get old?

“Let go. You’re hurting me,” a girl yelps from down the beach. I spin around and from the light coming off the bonfire I can see Gregory’s hand is wrapped around Ashley’s arm, and she’s wincing in pain.

Without a thought, I drop my keys to the ground and take off running, reaching them in seconds. “Let her go,” I yell. My fists ball tight, ready to make him if I have to.

“Mind your own business, loser,” Gregory snarls back as he jerks Ashley by the arm eliciting another cry.

“Lane,” Ashley says, struggling against his grip, fear on her face.

I lunge forward and grab Gregory’s arm, yanking him away from her with a force that surprises even me. “I said Let. Her. Go.”

Ashley falls to the ground when Gregory releases his hold, rubbing her arm in pain. I kneel down and brush the hair from her face, searching for any other signs of injury as adrenaline pounds in my veins.

 “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I promise,” she says, our eyes locked with one another. “Thank you.”

“Come to save the damsel in distress,” Gregory says in a patronizing tone, looking down his nose at me. Convinced Ashley’s alright; I jump up and face him. He’s poised and ready for a fight, and that makes two of us. “You do know the peasant doesn’t get the girl, right? The prince does.”

I can’t stop the laugh that comes out of me. “Are you serious right now?” Who does this guy think he is? “Dude, when a girl’s screaming to be let go, it’s a pretty good indicator that she doesn’t want you, prince or not.”

I hear a light snickering from behind me before I see that a small crowd has gathered around and is watching us intently. I’m surprised they haven’t all started chanting ‘fight’ by the way they look on like we’re simply the entertainment for the evening.

 “You know what? She can slum it all she wants with you. She’s nothing but an uptight frigid tease anyway. Good luck getting into her pants,” Gregory says, wearing an arrogant smirk, his arms crossed leisurely across his chest like he’s just landed a fatal blow.

My vision goes red. He’s about to find out exactly how a real blow feels. To the face.

***

About the AuthorMarta Brown grew up in the Pacific Northwest and was a teenager when Doc Martens, Pearl Jam and flannel were the norm and Dylan loved Kelly forever. (Beverly Hills 90210 shout out) 
She still lives just outside Seattle, now with her husband and cat, and loves the rain.
When she’s not writing about cute boys, first kisses and the magic and wonder of being seventeen, she’s watching The CW. And she sleeps in. Late.

Author Links:

   

***GIVEAWAY***

1 signed copy of All In (open US only) and 10 e-books copies of All In (open internationally)

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Book Blitz hosted by:

Book Blast: An Endless Summer (C.J. Duggan)

Sean looked out over the lake, squinting against the sunlight. He turned to me, his expression sobering as his eyes flicked over my face in a silent study.
“Come on Amy, I saved you once, I’ll save you again.”I met his stare unflinchingly. “I don’t need saving.”A wicked grin formed slowly. “Don’t you?”
After a rebellious summer night that almost claimed her life, Amy Henderson – the Onslow publican’s only daughter – is sent away to suffer a fate far worse than any other punishment:
Boarding School.
Three years on, a now nineteen-year-old Amy returns to Onslow for the summer. What once was a cauldron of activity with live bands, hot meals and cold beers, the Onslow Hotel now lies dark, deserted and depressing. All fond childhood memories of loitering on the hotel stairs and eavesdropping on customers’ colourful conversations are in the distant past.
How had her dad let it come to this?
With the new threat of putting the Onslow up for sale, Amy reluctantly turns to a local tradesman for help: Sean Murphy, the very same Onslow boy who saved her life all those years ago. With his help and that of some old friends, the task is clear: spend the summer building the hotel back up to its former glory or lose it for good.
In an endless summer, Amy soon realises that sometimes in order to save your future, you have to face your past, even if it’s in the form of a smug, gorgeous Onslow boy.

An Endless Summer (Summer #2)

by CJ Duggan

Expected pub: July 17th 2013

C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia.
The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.
For more on C.J and ‘The Summer Series’, visit www.cjdugganbooks.com

Goodreads Link:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16301141-an-endless-summer

Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Endless-Summer-ebook/dp/B00DW5S0A2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374846559&sr=8-1&keywords=An+Endless+Summer

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Blog Tour, Interview, & Giveaway: Ancient Guardians-The Legacy of the Key (S.L. Morgan)

Prepare to journey into a captivating new world…that will remove you from reality as you know it!
No matter where you are, facing your reality with passion and purpose will always lead down the path you were intended to go.
While Reece Bryant is making her way through this world on her own, she is suddenly confronted with the truth of her existence, and the reality of her future. It is when she encounters two alluring and mysterious men, that a series of extraordinary events takes place, putting Reece’s life in grave danger. With her life in the balance, Reece must blindly trust the two mysterious strangers; and when she does, she is brought into an enchanting world that is beyond her logical comprehension.

This captivating land reveals new worlds and new dimensions to which her existence is paramount. But it is once she falls in love with the stunning Levi Oxley that everything will change, and Reece’s life will be in more danger than ever before.

Forced to return to Earth and face a Council of Worlds, Reece discovers there is more to this enchanting dimension than she could have ever imagined.

At a moment’s notice, even thru the fog of our denial, our journey can become crystal clear. And within the revelation, once our fear subsides, we can find contentment and purpose if we focus on the things that matter most. Trust—Courage—Love

Author Bio:



S.L. Morgan was born and raised in California. After 29 years of
living in the Sierra Nevada Mountains there, she and her husband began their journeys of moving throughout the United States. She currently lives in Texas, where she and her husband are raising their three children.In October of 2011, S.L. Morgan became inspired to write her new
novel series, “Ancient Guardians.” With her passion and love for Jane Austen and other classic romance novels, she was motivated to write a novel series of her
own. The Legacy of the Key is the first book in her novel series, taking readers not only into a new magical dimension—but giving them a feeling that they have been transported back in time—into England’s seventeenth century.
With her second novel in this series nearing its release date
late this summer, S.L. Morgan is currently writing in the third novel of the
Ancient Guardians series, and excited to bring her readers on more adventures
and journeys with these characters.

Links:

Website/Contact Link: www.slmorganauthor.com

Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Guardians-Legacy-Guardian-Book/dp/0615736742/ref=la_B00ARXKAL4_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358357978&sr=1-1

Barnes & Noble Buy link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ancient-guardians-s-l-morgan/1114216839?ean=9780615736747

Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17161768-ancient-guardians-the-legacy-of-the-key

Book Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/AncientGuardiansLegacyOfTheKey

Author Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/slmorganauthor?ref=hl

Email: ancientguardians2012@gmail.com

Twitter: slmorgan1

Book Trailer Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2DdKCL3Bjs

1. What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

I was inspired by a lot of other creative writers to take on this particular novel series. I was excited about the idea of creating alternate dimensions and bringing enjoyable characters to life. It has definitely been an exciting experience, and I’m glad I had the courage to start writing.

2. Who is your favorite character in the book?

This is a tough question because I love them all! I’d have to narrow it down to the one character that I felt had the biggest responsibility in the book, and that was my main female character, Reece Bryant. Reece was a lot of fun to write, but also a big challenge. I was determined to have a lead character that was believable, strong, and most importantly, not over dramatic.

3. Which came first, the title or the novel?

The novel came first. About halfway through the first book, I started about thinking of the title and it came to me almost immediately.

4. What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

I’m the most proud of the scene where the Guardians are forced to return to Earth and they are outnumbered. I enjoyed writing the action sequences and showing the readers the fierce nature of who the Guardians really are as protectors of Earth. Also, this was a scene where my main character Reece had to really step up and hold her own in order for their plans to succeed. I had to research certain fighting skills and techniques on youtube in order to make the fight scenes seem realistic and believable. It was a fun scene to write and to see it come together in the end was definitely a fun accomplishment for me.

5.  Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?

Don’t force the writing. For example, when I write, I literally go into the role of the characters and play their different parts. It sounds strange, I know, but I when I become the character that I write, it makes the story feel real to me and I’m confident that the readers will feel the same way. The times when I wasn’t so inspired to write were the times that I was “pushing dialogue” and trying to make things up. I’ve tossed plenty of chapters because I didn’t write with inspiration and I was forcing the story. So I know now, write with inspiration and it will all come out better than I planned.

6. What do you like most about the cover of the book?

Well, I just recently changed the cover to more of an enchanting feel. The first cover was a simple black and white. I designed it that way because I didn’t want to give too much a way. I wanted readers to be as surprised as the main character, Reece, when they were brought into the fascinating dimension of Pemdas. It wasn’t until recently that I decided to change the cover to let potential readers see what’s really inside the book. I absolutely love the new cover. I like the “glowing” quality that the artist was able to capture. It’s what I have seen in my mind and what is so captivating about the dimension of Pemdas.

7. What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2013?

I’m going to have to say that the release of my second book in the series is what I am most looking forward to. I am so excited to bring the readers back into Pemdas. When they read this book, they’ll easily see that this first book was only the beginning of many exciting adventures.

8. What was your favorite book in 2012?

I honestly had very little time to read during 2012. I was buried in edits and trying to get my first book finalized and published. Once it was published, I went directly into my second book and onto writing my third and fourth books. I have tried to sit down and read, but my characters seem to get a little jealous and I just can’t seem get into other books right now. There seem to be a lot of great new books out there, and once these characters give me a break from telling their story, I plan to get into them.

9. What’s up next for you?

Getting my second book edited and published. It’s a lot of work right now, but I am determined. After that, I’m looking to get my third book in this series edited and published, as well as finishing writing the fourth book.

10. Is there anything that you would like to add?

I just want thank you for having me; I really enjoyed answering your questions. And for any of you who have read, or plan to read, Ancient Guardians: The Legacy of the Key, I hope you enjoy it and are ready to go on more adventures with Levi, Reece, and Harrison, because they’re ready to take you on them.

July 29 – Keep Calm and Blog On – Review

July 31- Samantha March – Q&A & Excerpt

August 1- Chick Lit Plus – Review

August 2 – Curling Up with a Good Book – Q&A

August 2 – Ai Love Books – Excerpt

August 5 – The YA Bookshelf – Review

August 5 – Storm Goddess Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

**Everyone who leaves a comment below will be entered to win a copy of the book! Two US winners will win an autographed print copy, and two bonus winners will win an eBook copy!**  

Blog Tour, Interview, and Giveaway: Crisis of Identity (Denise Moncrief)

Tess Copeland is an operator. Her motto? Necessity is the mother of a good con. When Hurricane Irving slams into the Texas Gulf coast, Tess seizes the opportunity to escape her past by hijacking a dead woman’s life, but Shelby Coleman’s was the wrong identity to steal. And the cop that trails her? He’s a U.S. Marshall with the Fugitive Task Force for the northern district of Illinois. Tess left Chicago because the criminal justice system gave her no choice. Now she’s on the run from ghosts of misdeeds past—both hers and Shelby’s.
Enter Trevor Smith, a pseudo-cowboy from Houston, Texas, with good looks, a quick tongue, and testosterone poisoning. Will Tess succumb to his questionable charms and become his damsel in distress? She doesn’t have to faint at his feet—she’s capable of handling just about anything. But will she choose to let Trevor be the man? When Tess kidnaps her niece, her life changes. She must make some hard decisions. Does she trust the lawman that promises her redemption, or does she trust the cowboy that promises her nothing but himself?

Author Bio:


Denise wrote her first story when she was in high school—seventeen hand-written pages on school-ruled paper and an obvious rip-off of the last romance novel she read. She earned a degree in accounting, giving her some nice skills to earn a little money, but her passion has always been writing. She has written numerous short stories and more than a few full-length novels. Her favorite pastimes when she’s not writing are spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and scrapbooking. She lives in Louisiana with her husband, two children, and one very chubby dog.

Connect with Denise!

Website: www.denisemoncrief.com

Blog: www.denisemoncrief.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DeniseMoncriefAuthor

Goodreads author page:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5818900.Denise_Moncrief

Twitter: www.twitter.com/dmoncrief0131

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Denise-Moncrief/e/B007Y6Z1CU

1. What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

I was watching the coverage of Hurricane Ike that made landfall near Galveston, Texas. The news reporter stated that local authorities had asked anyone who wanted to remain on the island and ride out the storm to write their social security number on their arm in permanent marker…just in case they didn’t survive the storm. I thought to myself,” I wonder how easy it would be to switch identities with a dead woman in that situation?” The premise evolved from that news report and my question.

2. Who is your favorite character in the book?

Without a doubt, Tess is my favorite character. She is smart, strong, and sassy. Tess is fearless in ways I only wish I could be. She doesn’t take much off anybody, and when she’s in a bind she uses her available resources to get herself out of jam. She is no damsel in distress.

3. Which came first, the title or the novel?

The premise for the book came to me years ago. It actually started as a short story for a writing prompt. Several people suggested I should expand the story into a full-length book. I was probably half way through the book when I started thinking about with titles. Tess’ problem was that she had a crisis because of one too many identities. The title evolved from that thought.

4. What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

The opening scene were Tess switches identities with the woman who looks so much like her and has such a similar social security number. I really believe this is an unusual beginning and an intriguing hook. I’ve never read anything like it before, nor have I seen anything like it in a movie.

5. Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?

I’ve learned that no matter how much I learn about the art and craft of writing, there is always more to learn. I still discover new ways to make my writing stronger and more readable, more enjoyable for my audience. I believe I’ve learned a lot since I finished writing Crisis of Identity.

6. What do you like most about the cover of the book?

Viola Estrella is an awesome cover artist. There isn’t anything about the cover I don’t like. She took my suggestions and created something beyond my imagination. I love the cover of Crisis of Identity. But if I had to pick one thing about the cover to say is my favorite element it would have to be the mountains in the background.

7. What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2013?

Well, I was really looking forward to Mary Kay Andrews’ new release, Ladies’ Night. It was just released last month and I can’t wait until I have time to read it.

8. What was your favorite book in 2012?

I like books that keep me thinking long after I’ve read the last word. I think the book that affected me the most in 2012 was A Grown Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson. The family dynamics of the three women in this book tugged at my emotions more than any book I’ve read in a long time.

9. What’s up next for you?

The Wild Rose Press just rereleased two of my books, Deceptions of the Heartand An Impostor in Town. Deceptions of the Heart is about a woman who wakes up in someone else’s body. An Impostor in Town is the first book in the Colorado series. It’s about a woman who is hiding from her past by using her dead sister’s identity.

5 Prince Publishing will release my next book entitled The End in September 2013. The End is Ellie’s story. She discovers her husband’s nearly finished manuscript on his computer after his death. The suspense builds as she realizes his final manuscript was a true crime story.

I also have an upcoming release with The Wild Rose Press entitled Purgatory,the second book in the Colorado series. This book is a man who discovers his missing wife after five years. Unfortunately, the woman can’t remember him.

I just finished a manuscript entitled The Memory Catcher about a woman who can see other people’s guilty memories and I’m in the process of submitting this to publishers for consideration. My current work in progress is a ghost story set in south Louisiana with the working title The Unmistakable Scent of Gardenias. Yeah, this will be a busy summer and fall for me.

10. Is there anything that you would like to add?

I’d like to thank Beth for hosting me on the Crisis of Identity blog tour.

July 16 – A Blue Million Books – Q&A & Excerpt

July 17 – Musings About the Writing Life – Q&A

July 18 – Free eBooks Daily – Q&A

July 19 – Ai Love Books – Excerpt

July 22 – Storm Goddess Book Reviews –  Q&A & Excerpt

July 22 - A Passion for Romance - Review 

July 24 – Brooke Blogs – Excerpt

July 24 – Keri Neal – Guest Post & Excerpt

July 25 – AJ’s Tattered Pages – Guest Post & Excerpt

July 26 – Escape Into a Book – Review & Excerpt

July 31 – Scribbler’s Sojourn – Guest Post

August 1 – Curling Up With a Good Book – Q&A

August 2 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt

August 5 – Keep Calm and Blog On – Review

August 5 - Defining Women's Evolution in Discovery Blog - Q&A & Excerpt 

 **Everyone who leaves a comment on Denise’s tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Crisis of Identity before  August 5 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**

http://www.clpblogtours.com/2013/06/crisis-of-identity-by-denise-moncrief.html

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: The Vampire's Hourglass (Shayne Leighton)

Today we're excited to reveal the cover of the newest book in the Of Light and Darkness series by bestselling author Shayne Leighton.  The Vampire's Hourglass is schedule to be published by Decadent publishing the end of this year or beginning of next.

Book Description:

After narrowly surviving a near-death experience in an effort to save Valek from yet another showdown with Aiden, Charlotte awakens inside the forsaken, crumbling walls of the Regime Palace. Though she finds herself surrounded by her closest friends, she is conflicted over her feelings of the sudden absence of her Vampire guardian from her life.

With Nikolai there to console her, Charlotte cannot shake the undeniable chemistry she feels for this familiar stranger. But they are running out of time. Charlotte’s peculiar ailment will return and Sarah, the witch, will sacrifice her youth and beauty in order to save her best friend, unless they find the secret, Dark City.

Charlotte, Nikolai, Sarah, and several other favored characters travel down to the underbellies of Prague to find Valek. But what they end up discovering are the dark and nasty secrets the elder Vampires have been hiding for centuries. Charlotte must overcome her mortal limitations to win back the heart of the one she truly loves and escape the gates of Abelim with her throat intact in this enthralling, highly-anticipated third installment of the Of Light and Darkness Series.

 Exclusive Excerpt:

           “Does it hurt? You know...when I’m around?”  

            He was talking about the scar that still thrived at the side of her throat. The one that appeared there after Valek left his first, initial bite months ago in Francis’ home. The one that had ailed her since and nearly killed her until she unwittingly saved herself by stabbing a hole in her own chest. Not her empty, openly bleeding heart and her feeling of abandonment and being alone, but a literal hole that she created herself some snowy weeks ago when she attempted to end it all to prove herself as something more than just an expendable mortal in this game of light and darkness. She wanted to finally be recognized as a hero, nearly having killed herself for the sake of saving her friends from Aiden. Knowing the tainted taste of the blood from her ruptured heart would drive him away.

            But what did she have to prove for it now? Another giant scar. And more than that, her nightmare came true. Valek was nowhere to be found, no matter how hard she looked. After everything he did, and everything that had happened because of his carelessness, she wasn’t sure how badly she wanted to find him. That thought made her heart constrict. But then again, Aiden had disappeared as well. At least there was that. 

       “Not really. Not as much as the emotional pain underneath it,” she finally answered Nikolai’s question honestly. “The heartbreak hurts worse than the scar ever could.”

About the Author:
In Shayne's first year out of high school she penned, co-directed, and starred in the feature film 'The Incubus', a paranormal romance, which obtained distribution and screened in over fifteen theaters across South Florida among major theater chains such as Regal, AMC, and Cinemark. 'The Incubus' has also obtained a passionate fanbase of over 100,000 girls online and has garnered the attention of reporters from the Miami Herald, CBS News, and NPR Radio. Leighton also starred alongside Scream Queen, Tara Cardinal, in the film 'Legend of the Red Reaper' which made its world debut at the 2012 AFM in Los Angeles. Twenty-Two-year-old Leighton is excited to release her debut young adult novel series, 'Of Light and Darkness', set in contemporary Prague, as well as developing the film adaptation of the novel series. Recently released songs can now be heard on ReverbNation.com with a full-length album in the works. Leighton is currently named #35 on the pop charts in Miami, FL. Named #26 in Boca Magazine's "Top 100 'It' People" for 2011. Shayne Leighton lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL with her husband and key inspiration, Frank and travels back and forth to the Czech Republic often. Find out more about Shayne at: www.ShayneLeighton.com

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Giveaway:

The Vampire's Daughter & The Vampire's Reflection by Shayne Leighton *signed*

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