Where The Wicked Read.... My Spot To Talk About, Review, Share My Love Of Books, and Anything Else That Comes To Mind..

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Blog Tour & Giveaway - A Stiff Kiss by. Avery Olive


A Stiff Kiss


Blurb:

Who knew kissing a corpse would change everything?

Death always hits Xylia Morana too close to home, but she likes it that way. She hangs out with the terminally ill, attends random funerals, and every so often, when the weather is right, she sleeps in open graves.

But after Landon Phoenix, the high school hottie, dies in Xylia's arms, she sneaks into the morgue to say goodbye. How could she know stealing a kiss from his corpse would wake him up?

With Landon returned to the living and suddenly interested in Xylia, life has new meaning. But what Xylia doesn't realize is that by kissing Landon back to life, she's thrown Life and Death off balance. The underworld demands a body, and it might just have to be Xylia's this time.


EXCERPT:

No way should I be in the morgue. If I'm caught, I'll lose my job. My dad will probably get fired, too. He's been warned to keep me out of here.

The walls are lined with thick, square doors, clearly marked with numbers. I stop in front of the one I want. In the middle of that wall, at waist height, is number twelve. Beyond the door, lying on a sliding metal table, is the body of Landon Phoenix.

I've always had a crush on Landon, ever since freshman year when his family moved to Silver Springs. I've watched him grow into his looks, no longer a gangly boy with braces. And I've longed to hear my name roll off his tongue in that deep voice of his. To press my lips against his as he holds me in a tight embrace. To share the same air as him.

Though now, all those things are impossible. Except one. I can pull open the door, slide the table out, and at least for a moment I can share the same air, even if his lungs can no longer pull in that air.

I hesitate, my hand on the handle. Besides my mother, this will be the only other person who's died that I've really known. The others have just been people, random ones at that. The guy from the grocery store who jumped off Whibley Bridge into the icy waters below, the occasional patient of mine who'd succumbed to old age, and many, many others. But this is personal. This is someone I'd known. Or at least, someone I'd held secretly in my heart.

But I need to say goodbye.

Copyright © 2012 Avery Olive
All rights reserved — a Crescent Moon Press publication

BUY LINKS:

Book Depository

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:











Avery Olive is proudly Canadian.  She is married and has one child. When she’s not helping raise her very energetic and inquisitive son, she can be found working on her latest novel--where she devilishly adds U’s into every word she can.
When she is looking for a break Avery enjoys cake decorating, losing herself in a good book, or heading out to the lake to go camping. 

The release of Avery’s first novel proves to her it won’t be the last. As long as her family continues to be supportive, she can find the time, and people want to read, Avery vows to keep on writing.

Giveaway Details

One lucky commenter will receive...

A signed bookmark and collector card
A signed A Stiff Kiss Poster
There is also a ultimate prize package for a lucky commenter. To be entered for this prize please please visit the following link.
This giveaway is international, and will close at the end of the tour.

Tour Stops:
Sunday March 18th – Dan Wright http://www.pandragondan.co.uk/apps/blog 
Tuesday March 20th – Hildie McQueen “Tea and a Book” http://www.hildiemcqueen.com/  
Wednesday March 21st – Jenn Nixon  http://jennafern.blogspot.com/  
Thursday March 22nd – Juliana Haygert http://www.julianahaygert.com/blognews/ 
Friday March 23rd – Avery’s Book Nook http://averysbooknook.blogspot.com/ 
Saturday March 24th – Clare Marshall http://www.faeryinkpress.com/  
Sunday March 25th – Read 2 Review http://read2review.com/ 
Tuesday March 27th – Zahida http://ayareader.blogspot.com/ 
Wednesday March 28th – Tawania  http://www.wickedreadingsbytawania.blogspot.com/ 
Thursday March 29th – Jaime-Kristal http://jkbooklover.wordpress.com/ 
Friday March 30th – Cindy Young-Turner http://cindyyoungturner.com/  
Saturday March 31th – Steven Whibley The Twisted Piece http://stevewhibley.blogspot.com/  


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Book Tour & Giveaway - Farsighted - by: Emlyn Chand


Farsighted by Emlyn Chand
Publisher: Smashwords
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, 
Suspense, Mystery
Length: Full Length (206 pages)
Reviewer: Tawania





BLURB: 
Alex Kosmitoras’s life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead-broke and insanely overprotective, and to complicate matters even more, he’s blind. Just when he thinks he’ll never have a shot at a normal life, a new girl from India moves into town. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Yes, sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

Unfortunately, Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to “see” the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they begin to suggest that Simmi is in danger. With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and new friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex must embark on a journey to change his future.

REVIEW:
I don't usually read YA books, but I thought I would give this one a shot. I really liked the synopsis, and I'm happy to say this book doesn't disappoint.

Alex is a sixteen year old high school student living in a small town. He is a typical teen, except for the fact that he's blind. His disability makes him a outcast and he's always having to deal with the school bully. Add overprotective parents to the mix, and you can see that the poor guy is dealing with a lot. Then out of nowhere Alex starts having visions of the future. They scare, and confuse him at first because he doesn't understand what he's seeing.

Then Alex's life gets really interesting when a psychic opens up shop, next to his mothers flower shop in town. The psychic has two girls with her, a daughter named Shapri, and another girl from India named Simmi. Alex likes Simmi immediately, and the three become fast friends. Alex soon realizes that Shapri, and Simmi both have unique gifts of their own. Knowing that, Alex doesn't feel so alone, and confused. He develops a serious Crush on Simmi, but his feelings are   unrequited Simmi doesn't think of him like that. She thinks of him as her brother, but Alex won't give up on changing her mind about that.

Alex's visions steadily starts getting worse, and he is seeing very disturbing things. They all seem to center around a guy his age named Dax.  In the visions the boy seems to want to kill Simmi. Alex knows he can't let this happen, he has to find a way to save her. He promises that he will save Simmi, regardless of the fact that he is blind.

I really enjoyed reading this story. The author did a good job getting into the teenage frame of mind, and had I not known she was an adult, I would have thought the dialogue came straight from a sixteen year old mind. I felt all the emotions coming from Alex, and he was a very believable character. I simply adored the friendship between Alex, Simmi, and Shapri. I liked how they didn't treat him differently because he had a disability. I found myself smiling at a lot of the dialogue, Ms. Chand really captured the essence of the characters, and Alex's situation.

I would definitely recommend this book to YA lovers, I already gave it to my fifteen year old niece, and I can't wait to hear what she thinks about it. I thought Farsighted was well written, and very believable. The book had it's highs, and lows, but I was ultimately happy with the ending. I will definitely be checking out the next installment.
****4 STARS

EXCERPT:
“I’m just teasing you.” Simmi blows a raspberry and pulls her body up onto the circular wall surrounding the flagpole area. I hesitate before pulling myself up too. Simmi scootches over so we touch at the hip. She loops her hand through the crook of my arm and places her head on my shoulder. “I never would have gotten away with this in India,” she says. “But I’m glad I can here. I’m a psychic feeler. I need to be in touch with others.” She pauses and strokes my arm with her free hand. “You know, when I touch someone I can make them feel what I want them to, but I can also sense their existing emotions. It’s almost the same as being able to read minds. Everything important has to do with the heart, not logic.” She lightens her tone. “But don’t tell Dr. Brown I said that, he’d take marks off of my next chem exam out of spite.”
I laugh nervously. Is she like Miss Teak in a way? Can she read my feelings for her? If she can, why hasn’t she said anything? I contemplate reaching over and kissing her, so I can know for sure how she feels. But I’ve never kissed anyone before. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to initiate it. Do I take her out for dinner and a movie first? Or make some lengthy speech declaring my intentions? Do I kiss her, just like that? Or do I ask for her permission before making my big move?
I decide to ask if it’s okay. Simmi is a classy girl. She needs respect. I swallow, hoping the motion will open up my airway, because right now, I’m kind of having trouble catching my breath. “Simmi,” I start.
“Yeah, Alex?” She lifts her head and links her hand in mine, nudging her slender fingers in between each of mine.
“Would it be okay if I…”
“There you two are!” Shapri says, running over to us, panting heavily. “I thought we were meeting in the commons.”
“No, we agreed on the flagpole,” Simmi says, hopping down from the wall.
The moment is gone. I don’t know when I’ll get the chance and the nerve again. My opinion of Shapri transforms from cautious indifference into outright hatred. Why did she invite herself along?
Shapri clears her throat. “Did I—Did I interrupt something here? Maybe a little romance?”
“What? No, no,” Simmi says shaking her head adamantly. “Nothing like that, Alex is like a brother to me.”
Ouch. Pain. Stabbed in my heart. I’m like a brother to her? I guess this means romance is off the table…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info. Don’t forget to say “hi” to her sun conure Ducky! 

Find Emlyn On The Web:

Author Website: www.emlynchand.com
Novel Publicity: www.novelpublicity.com
SUPER AWESOME BOOK TRAILER: http://youtube/tZjskE5zjzM

GIVEAWAY DETAILS!
Emlyn will be giving away a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour and a $50 Amazon GC to the host whose post receives the most comments (excluding Emlyn’s and the hosts).



Monday, March 19, 2012

Blog Tour & Giveaway - Tell Me No Lies by: Mahalia Levy


Title: Tell Me No Lies
Author: Mahalia Levey
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Publication Date: February 2012
Series: 1NightStand
Format: ebook – 378 KB
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance, Romance
Copy Provided by: CLNB Blog Tours  



BLURB:
Dancing isn’t easy. Four nights a week Caileigh disappears into the persona of ‘Autumn’ to make a decent buck. The foster care system didn’t prepare her for what happens after turning twenty-one. Armed with only a high school diploma and forty bucks, she’s thrust on the hard cold streets, where she takes the only job a young girl with no prospects can get. Selling small pieces of herself to strangers isn’t the life she wishes for. Deep down she aches for a better life.

A scant piece of paper gives Orias the name of a seedy business and a photograph to keep vigil over his newest target. To find such beauty among the dredges of society wrecks every ounce of intelligence he possesses. For once, despite his being fallen, Orias thinks to disobey a direct order—never touch the protected. The way she moves on stage entrances him, but the sadness hidden underneath a facade of sexual promise makes him want to battle all her demons. Underneath his dark soul, he craves her light and the warmth of love. Will Fate allow them a life together?

REVIEW:
This was a really good story. Ms. Levy is a new author to me, but I will definitely be checking out her back list, and new releases.

Caileigh is a dancer trying to make a good life for herself. Growing up in foster homes and being on her own, her life hasn't been a easy one.  She wasn't prepared for the harsh realities of the real world. Now Caileigh is trying to carve out a better life for herself a, and dancing is the fastest and easiest way to reach her goals. Caileigh is a innocent, she is a virgin her purity in heart, mind, body, and soul is what attracts the demons to her. Only one person can protect her, and explain to her why the demons want her.

Enter Orias, he is a  fallen angel given the duty to protect Caileigh. Night after night Orias watches Caileigh, and becomes more entranced with her. Orias knows that it's his duty to protect her, she is off limits to him, but he can't help himself. Orias has never viewed anyone he has protected as anything other then a assignment, a job to do, but he just can't see Caileigh that way. He knows he's risking everything to be with her. Will the end result be worth the risk? Read Tell Me No Lies and  find out for yourself. You will not be disappointed.

I loved these two characters, Caileigh is everything that she should be considering her back ground and struggles. I thought she was strong, and earnest. Orias is the perfect match for Caileigh, with his tortured past and good heart. I was really rooting for a happy ever after for them, they both deserve it. 

I have always loved romance stories with angels & demons. This story didn't  disappoint, if anything I wanted more. It was a sweet love story with the perfect paranormal elements to keep it interesting. I will definitely be coming back for more.
****4 STARS

EXCERPT:

Her eyes flitted over the crowd. She located him in a seat right next to the stage. The intriguing man who’d come in every night for two weeks. She fixed a smile on her cherry-red painted lips and gyrated in front of him, gliding around the pole, the cool steel warming under her palms. Up she inched, higher, her gaze never straying from his. What’s his deal?

She enacted a series of spins, anchoring her hands between her thighs to distribute her weight and display her flexibility. Her underarm locking her in position, she spiraled down the pole. Caileigh enjoyed this part of her job the most, playing on stage, moving to the music, contorting from position to position. Her toned muscles supported her body. Bent upside down, the underside of her knee caressed the cool metal; her arm held the stem of her booted foot. She released her hold to land gracefully on the smooth floor.

She sidled around again and again, offering a smile or a wink, before engaging in a new series of acrobatics. She locked her legs in a side split then flipped to a sitting position to regard the crowd. Too much silence greeted her. Tough group.

She used her upper body strength and slammed to the floor in a center split, her boots clacking, a sonic boom echoing from her landing. Heads snapped in her direction. Caileigh unleashed the naughty vixen in her, performing complex floor work until she rose with grace and sashayed across the stage. Take that, people.

Her second song began, the haunting gothic voices echoing in a series of oohs and ahhs. Swaying to the slower rhythms, she untied her top, baring areolas the color of dark chocolate in contrast to her milk chocolate skin.

Bracing in front of the pole, she worked her floor routine then moved to the edge of the stage to accept bills with a seductive smile, thanking the men with an air peck next to their cheeks. She moved back to center stage, twisting and pirouetting, finishing her set with a single spin around the pole, relishing the cool metal between her thighs. The nameless man’s penetrating gaze fired her blood. No man…no customer had ever affected her as he did.

His gaze made concentration impossible. She’d perfected her series of pole tricks—each with a name only a dancer would know—or she’d have landed on her head. She forced herself to break the stare down…to try to forget his dark brown orbs bordering on obsidian enough to blend in with his pupils. Not once had he spoken to her, queried for a dance. He didn’t have a welcoming presence with his mercenary appearance. Sweat beaded her upper back. The song ended and applause began. Caileigh waved to the growing crowd and headed for the main floor. A shiver wracked her body as she passed him, as if his eyes were boring into her skin.

GIVEAWAY!

One Lucky Commenter Will Win Their Choice Of One Of the Following Two Books. Just leave a comment about anything on this post, and at the end of the tour the winner will be chosen. That's all their is to it.


















The Price Of Defiance 




About The Author:


Being smart and sassy with a great sense of humor comes easily for Mahalia Levey. An avid reader of books, she found herself enchanted with disappearing completely into the worlds authors created. One day she vowed to herself she’d be one of them. Then family life came, and college right after. Swayed from her childhood course of action, it took many years for her to get back to that place she held dear as a child. Now she is running full steam ahead to keep up with the many ideas flowing freely. She plans on taking her work to higher levels and expanding her genres. Her main focus is giving her readers variety. Her works in progress include paranormal, fantasy and mainstream romance. Taking characters and watching them grow past what she’s imagined is her true passion.


BUY LINKS - AMAZON SMASHWORDS DECADENT PUBLISHING