Blog Tour ~ 'Ratgirl: Song of the Viper' by Gayle C. Krause.

RATGIRL: Song of the Viper by Gayle C. Krause 

Publication date: January, 2014
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

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SYNOPSIS

Sixteen-year-old streetwise orphan, Jax Stone is an expert at surviving in a dangerous city, where rats rival the homeless for food and shelter, but she’s an amateur at fighting the immoral mayor when he kidnaps her little brother. Desperation demands she quickly master the role of courageous opponent. She uses her hypnotic singing voice to lead rats to their death, and all the children to safety, in a dying city cursed by the deadly sun.

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Book Review ~ 'Ratgirl: Song of the Viper' by Gayle C. Krause.

My first forage into the dystopian world of storytelling was with ‘The Hunger Games’. Being so in love with that story, I’d been reluctant to revisit the dystopian genre for fear that I would be disappointed, but from the minute I started reading ‘Ratgirl’, I knew that I would love the story and would feel the flame return for dystopian storytelling.

‘Ratgirl’ was a brilliant depiction of future society. The author had cleverly combined a number of real-life issues and examined how these issues would have grown in the future. She created a brilliant setting of underground city dwellers who could only exit at night due to the dangerous heat and radiation given off by the Sun. The topic of rats was also a brilliant concoction as it shows a more fearful view of the future where humans are no longer top of the food chain and all powerful, but instead on the same level as rats with whom they have to compete with for food and survival.

My love for this book was further intensified by the arrival of some amazing characters whom I fell in love with and rooted for from the get go. Jax was a no-nonsense yet likeable role model, whose bravery and dedication to her younger brother was admirable and had me supporting her every step of her journey. Colt was also a lovely dishy hero who I drooled over from the start. His mission to protect the less fortunate had him adopting the future vision of Robin Hood, and makes a brilliant parallel to the past and present of today, and how today’s legends can still be known in the future.

My favourite character however was Alder. I absolutely adored his loveable nature and admired everything he did for those he loved. Although I loved Rafe, a sewer-dweller and bad boy with a heart of gold, and loved the sincerity of his love for Astoria and the protective nature he had for his friends, I really connected to Alder and Astoria’s story of forbidden love. At times I was laughing when Rage snubbed Alder only to receive no response because all of Alder’s attention and worry was fixed firmly on Astoria.

The storyline regarding the corrupt leader was brilliantly written, and to discover that his kryptonite of his flesh-and-blood children was so difficult for him to find for himself due to his own malicious actions of making women infertile and therefore unable to bear his child.

The action scenes were suspenseful and heart-pounding. I loved the Jax’s originality when it came to her plots and plans, but will these be enough to thwart or fool the evil dictator who holds both Jax’s life and all those she holds dear in his power. You’ll have to read to find out!

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Tour Wide Giveaway

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Giveaway is open Internationally!

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Gayle C. Krause

Gayle C. Krause is a member of SCBWI, YALITCHAT and The Cliffhouse YA Wonderwriters.She writes across the genres. Her first publication credit was a short story in Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul 2 (2006). The Storyteller’s Daughter, her YA historical short story, was featured in Timeless, A YA Historical Romance anthology from Pugalicious Press (2012).Her new YA novel, RATGIRL: Song of the Viper was published in February 2013 (Noble Young Adult).

During the course of her writing career Ms. Krause has served as assistant editor for Underneath the Juniper Tree, a dark fantasy online magazine developed for young teens, a children’s book reviewer for Children’s Literature .com and she offers a critique service for children’s writers at First Peek Critique. (www.gayleckrause.com)

She also runs a blog that encourages new children’s writers through contests, book reviews and author interviews. http://thestorytellersscroll.blogspot.com.

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Book Blitz ~ 'The Appeal of Evil' by Pembroke Sinclair.

 

The Appeal of Evil by Pembroke Sinclair 

Publication date: January 17th, 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult

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SYNOPSIS

Katie wants to invest her heart and soul in love, but she may lose both to Hell.

Katie, a senior in high school, is torn between loving the “good” guy, her childhood friend Wes who makes promises he doesn’t keep and abandons her when she needs him the most, and the “bad” guy, the new kid at school Josh who is also a real demon from Hell. Katie wants someone who pays attention to her and puts her first, but what is she willing to give up to find him?

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Enter below for the chance to win a print copy of 'The Appeal of Evil'

(US Only)

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Interview with Author Pembroke Sinclair.

1. What inspired you to write your first book?

I started the story (Coming from Nowhere) in high school, and it was a competition between me and a few other girls on the swim team.  Our teammates were supposed to be the judges, but no one finished their stories.  I think I may have been the only one to revisit and rewrite it years later.

 

2. Writing can be a difficult job, what inspires you to keep going?

Compulsion.  If I don’t write, it makes me crabby.  It’s a stress release for me.  Plus, the voices in my head get very insistent.

 

3. What are you working on now? What’s next?

Currently, I am working on a nonfiction book about zombies.  Next will be the sequel to The Appeal of Evil.

 

4. What’s your writing process, schedule, or routine?

I squeeze it in whenever I can.  With a full-time job and a family, time is a luxury I don’t have, but I try to write whenever I find a spare moment.

 

5. Who is your favorite book character of all time? Why?

If you’re talking about a book I wrote, it would have to be Krista from my undead books (Life after the Undead and Death to the Undead).  She is tough and witty, yet still full of issues.

If you’re talking about a book I’ve read, I can’t really say.  Over the years, so many characters have intrigued me, and not one of them really stands out in my mind.

 

6. What advice would give to aspiring writers?

Be persistent and patient.  Publishing is a rough world filled with “Nos.”  But it only takes one yes to make everything all right!

 

7. What’s your favorite quote?

“Do.  Or do not.  There is no try.”  From the wise and wonderful Yoda.  It can be applied to any aspect of life, and it’s very true.

 

8. Who would you most like to have a cup of coffee with? (Dead or alive)

Explain...

The person who is going to make sure my books are seen by everyone in the world.  I’m sure we’ll need to come up with a marketing plan.

 

9. What is your biggest pet peeve?

When people don’t respond to emails.  That drives me insane!  Especially if it’s the only way you have to communicate with them.

 

10. Tell us something quirky about you.

Orange pop is my weakness.

 

11. Favorite comfort food?

Anything with cinnamon and no nuts in it.

 

12. Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Wars, although I enjoy Star Trek too.

 

13. Sunrises or Sunsets?

Both.

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Pembroke Sinclair

I have had several short stories, novels, and novellas published. My story, “Sohei,” was named one of the Best Stories of 2008 by The Cynic Online Magazine. I have novellas and a short story collection available from Musa Publishing and eTreasures Publishing. I have a novella, The History of My Wishes, published by MuseItUp Publishing. My novels, Coming from Nowhere (adult, sci fi), Life After the Undead (YA, horror), and Death to the Undead (YA, sequel to Life After the Undead) are available from eTreasures Publishing. Life After the Undead was a Top Ten Finisher in the Preditors and Editors Reader’s Poll in the YA category and the cover art category.

In April, I have a middle grade novel called The Ifs coming out, which will be published by Little Devil Books. I also have two picture books that will be available from eTreasures Publishing. All of the children's titles are written under the pen name J.D. Pooker. Under Pembroke Sinclair, I also have an adult urban fantasy novel entitled Wucaii that will be published by MuseItUp Publishing.

Under my real name, Jessica Robinson, from March 2008 to January 2011, I wrote scientific articles for Western Farmer-Stockman. I have a nonfiction book, Life Lessons from Slasher Films, published in July 2012 from Scarecrow Publishing (an imprint of Rowman and Littlefield).

I have my Master’s in English, and I am a freelance content editor for Musa Publishing, as well as a former content and line editor for eTreasures Publishing.

 

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Book Blitz hosted by Xpresso Book Tours.

Cover Reveal ~ 'Picture Perfect' by Elisabeth Grace.

Picture Perfect by Elisabeth Grace 
(Limelight #2)
Publication date: March 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

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SYNOPSIS

Being the daughter of a big-city mayor, twenty-one year old Skye Summers has giant shoes to fill in her first real job out of college. With the public spotlight on her family, and her dad’s expectations running high, she jumps at the chance to work side-by-side on an important project with her sexy new boss.

Playboy entrepreneur Landon Steele has built a successful PR firm and broken more than a few hearts along the way. He’s counting on his enthusiastic new assistant to help him expand his business into LA… until he discovers she’s a pampered rich girl who’s in the public spotlight as much as his famous clients. Still, he agrees to give her a chance, and soon the two are heating up the bedroom as well as the boardroom.

But when Skye’s ex-boyfriend threatens to reveal a dangerous secret from her past, her job, relationship with Landon, and her father’s career are suddenly all on the line. Will she be forced to leave Landon? Or will she pursue her heart, regardless of the cost?

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The first book in the 'Limelight' series, 'Rumor Has It', is on sale for only $.99/77p.

Grab it now!

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The author Elisabeth Grace is hosting a giveaway to celebrate the cover reveal of 'Picture Perfect'.

Enter below for the chance to win!

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Elisabeth Grace

I have a soft spot for romance novels with happily ever afters and a hot spot for alpha males! I currently live outside Toronto, Canada with my hubby and two small children. Life is busy, but never to busy for a good story and to share my love of reading and writing with others.

My debut New Adult Contemporary Romance, Rumor Has It, was released December 6, 2013.

For more of the lowdown on me feel free to visit my author website at http://www.Elisabeth-Grace.com

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Cover Reveal hosted by Xpresso Book Tours.

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Blog Tour ~ 'Draw Me In' by Megan Squires.

Draw Me In by Megan Squires 

Publication date: January 7th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

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SYNOPSIS

He’s a young, up and coming businessman with the keys to his family’s Italian wine enterprise.

I’m a fine arts student, navigating life in the Big Apple, my pencil and sketchpad in hand.

We meet. We fall in love.

But it’s not that story.

Sometimes, by a rare gift of fate, two lives cross paths. And hey, if that happens to occur when staring at Michelangelo’s naked masterpiece, even better. We can tell our future children how a seventeen-foot tall marble guy named David brought us together.

But there’s always more to a relationship than its beginning and ever after. In life, there’s a whole lot of backstory. There are ex-fiancés and hot roommates and family members whose advice continues, even beyond the grave.

When you say you love someone, it’s never just that one person you’re saying it to. And it’s never just that one moment that sets everything in motion.

There is always more that draws you in.

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There is always a few things that I take into account when I start rating and reviewing a story. These are that the story connects with me on an emotional as well as natural level, without the characters deemed to be too perfect or without flaws, and that the choices that the characters make, regardless of whether I agree with them, are made with as much thought as we would make them in our own lives. 'Draw me in' did all of these things and the author brought the story together with some great laughs, some gorgeous romantic scenes and a brilliant writing style which flowed so effortlessly from scene to scene, making the story easy to read and impossible to put down until I had finished it.

I absolutely adored this story and the deep issues that are entwined within the romantic element of the story. Leo and Julie's relationship was one that simply warmed the heart. I loved the differences between the two, and really connected to Julie as the story's heroine as she was so realistic and human in her ways. I liked how she learnt from Leo that being herself was all he wanted from her, and it was beautiful to see how Julie blossomed into her own being rather than one that she felt she had to put on to be what Leo wanted of her.

I also loved how Leo and Julie shared a great sense of humour and how although Julie's own humour style was very different to his, Leo didn't think any less of her instead only regarding her more fondly for her adorable ways. (Julie's drunk scenes were hilarious!)

I always enjoy seeing how authors use the arts to mimic the storylines the y are writing. Julie's art work was a brilliant way for me as a reader to get an insight into Julie's character. The whole moral of the story of the outer beauty of the roman statue David by michaelangelo, being nothing in comparison to the strength and utter owner of a man fighting for his life was brilliantly done and I applaud the author for the wonderful and original way she depicted this.

What I really admired about this story was the way that the issue of Cancer was delicately brought to the table, and it was a real reminder that even the youngest, fittest (and hottest) of men can be hiding a terrible illness. I was so distraught when Leo's journey with Cancer was revealed, and Julie having this realisation that every day in love is sacred was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The strength of Leo and Julie's love was a real inspiration to me. The way that author Megan Squires was able to show both sides of the battle of Cancer was I truly beautiful. She flawlessly creates a wonderful distinction and connection between those who suffer from cancer! telling the story not only of the victim, but also of the caretaker, and for me, this was the true beauty of this book that I took this message with me from reading this story, and I know I will carry it with me forever.

This was a beautiful, heartwarming and funny tale which was an absolute pleasure to read. 5 stars and a definite recommended read.

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Grand prize giveaway open Internationally.

Enter below for the chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

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Megan Squires

Megan Squires lives with her husband and two children just outside of Sacramento, California. A graduate from the University of California, Davis, Megan is now a full-time mother, wife, and dreamer—though her characters don’t often give her much opportunity to sleep.

Visit www.theoutlierchronicles.com to learn more about her latest young adult series.

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Tour hosted by 'Xpresso Book Tours'. Click the banner to follow the 'Draw Me In' Blog Tour.