Sunday 26 January 2014

New Release, Review & Giveaway ~ Lotus Petals

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clip_image0044_thumb1_thumbBook Info-
Title: Lotus Petals
Author : Brantwijn Serrah
Genre: Paranormal/Historical/Erotic Romance
Audience: Adult
Formats: E-book
Publisher: Breathless Press
Cover By: Victoria Miller
Editor: Jayne Wolf
Pages: 237 pages
Expected Date of Publishing:  
Jan 17, 2014



Blurb-
Aijyn, human slave to a ruthless vampire Lord, would never dare do anything to incur his wrath. Then, she fell in love... with his bride.

Rhiannon Donovan, daughter to the vampire Queen, would rather die than be made a bride to a demon lord. Aijyn, courtesan to the undead Daimyo of Kansai, can think of nothing more horrifying than his promise of eternal life. In the halls of the Blood Lotus Temple, the two women struggle against the chains of their fate, and find a solace in each other that could mean freedom for them both...or cost each of them their lives. 
     
Book Links-


Review -


Aijyn never expected to live after being taken as a sacrifice to Gohachiro, but she is made a slave and must do everything he asks – including look after his future bride, Rhiannon, when she comes to visit.  Slowly Aijyn and Rhiannon become closer, putting both their lives in danger when they fall in love.      

Have you ever thought about vampires being sensual?  No, me either but in Lotus Petals it works, and well.  This book is very deep and intense at times, and incredibly character orientated allowing the reader to really connect with the main characters and follow their story.  I will admit I needed to be in the mood for a more serious book when reading this, but it is well worth reading.  The ending definitely left me wanting to know what will happen next, and if love really will save them. 
Excerpt-
Three vampires rested in the room occupied by the captain of the daimyo’s hunting party—all three of them awoke instantly when the little human oiran threw back the screen, shouting at them in furious Japanese. Without waiting for them to move, she strode boldly across the little space to come eye-to-eye with the captain himself as he struggled to come to his feet. At first they were so stunned by the mortal’s appearance none of the three knew what to do: Kazuo, the captain, finally registered her shrill accusations.
"You would poison the daimyo’s honored guest?" she shouted at him. "You would drug her with octopus venom and then humiliate her?"
Coming to his senses—they were slower in the daytime, vampires—Kazuo brought his hands down on her shoulders and lifted her off her feet. The sudden movement reminded her she had stepped into a tiger’s den—she stiffened in his grasp and sucked in a fearful breath.
"Since when does the human come into my rooms uninvited?" he snarled. Fear shook her—she fully expected he would hurt her, and rightfully so—but she did not give off.
"Rhiannon Donovan has drunk the venom of the blue-ring octopus," she said, her voice quavering but still strong. "Your huntsmen use it to paralyze and kill—one of them drugged the human she hunted, and she swallowed it with his blood!"
"You dare charge my men with such a disgraceful act? And for a gaijin slut?"
"What’s going on here?"
Kazuo looked up; his two servants followed his glance. In the doorway stood Nagisa, tall and elegant, wrapped in the gauzy silk of her azure sleeper’s yukata—she, too, must have been roused by the sound of Aijyn’s screams. Her cold eyes regarded each of them carefully.
"Aijyn," she said, the curiosity in her tone edged with danger. "What do you mean by disturbing the captain during his daytime rest?"
Kazuo shot a dangerous and warning glare at the human oiran, but Aijyn ignored it, desperate with fear.
"Nagisa-sama, the Councilwoman’s noble emissary was betrayed last night during the hunt," she said quickly; she’d never imagined one day it might be Nagisa, of all people, to save her from the fangs of an angry vampire.
"Rhiannon drank the blood of a human poisoned with octopus venom, and now she lies in her rooms injured and sick. They took her hair, Nagisa-sama! They’ve shorn her like a...like a rag boy!"
Nagisa’s poisonous eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line like the blade of a knife.
"Kazuo," she said, the word like a stone dropping into an empty well. "Put Aijyn down."
Kazuo stared, incredulous, at the graceful tayu. When he did not immediately comply, Nagisa strode into the room and grabbed him by the throat.
"Why, Kazuo-san," she growled sweetly. "I had no idea you had already become so bored with immortality. Seventy-three years, if I recall, and already you wish for our master to release your soulless carcass into oblivion."
Amazingly, Kazuo slowly backed down, quietly letting Aijyn go while his eyes remained furiously on Nagisa. His servants watched with silent awe as Nagisa continued, never breaking her hold on the captain’s neck.
"Aijyn-chan, you are surely aware you will suffer greatly, should this accusation prove false," the tayu said.
"I am quite sure of it, Nagisa-sama," Aijyn replied, bowing low. "I have heard the captain and his hunting party speak of the blow-darts they use to sting their human prey with the toxin. Kazuo-san has said the poison stings kin-born vampires as well; I am quite sure Rhiannon has swallowed it, and what reduced her to helplessness while her clothes were torn and her hair cut off."
"Please return to the rooms of our guest. Attend to her carefully—be sure these men did not force themselves on her body, as well. I will deal with Kazuo, and send word to the daimyo of this dishonorable conduct."
Aijyn felt cold all through her, and a dizzy giddiness swept through her mind. She had not even considered what she did—storming into one of the vampire’s nests!—and now she felt weak in the stomach. How had she even survived it?
Nagisa’s words echoed in her head: make sure the men had not forced themselves on Rhiannon’s body. How could she not have considered it or checked for signs of it, to see if Rhiannon had also been raped by these monsters?
"Aijyn-chan," Nagisa said again. Shaken from her daze, she nodded. Then she slipped quickly out of the room and found herself running, again, for Rhiannon.

Book Trailer -
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Character Bio’s -
Anijyn BioDaimyo BioNagisa BioRhiannon Donovan Bio2Solva Bio

Giveaway-

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clip_image0104_thumb_thumbAbout the Author –
Sometime in early 2009, Brantwijn Serrah ran across an erotic novel in her local Barnes and Noble, and fell in love with the gorgeous geisha pictured on the cover. Sad to say, the book didn't live up to expectations. After one too many iterations of the phrase "his most honorable penis", Brantwijn decided to write her own story instead. The idea for Lotus Petals, the tale of a geisha seduced into the world of vampires, was born.
When she isn't visiting the worlds of immortals, demons, dragons and goblins, Brantwijn fills her time with artistic endeavors: sketching, painting, customizing My Little Ponies and sewing plushies for friends. She can't handle coffee unless there's enough cream and sugar to make it a milkshake, but try and sweeten her tea and she will never forgive you. She moonlights as a futon for four lazy cats, loves tabletop role-play games, and can spend hours watching Futurama, Claymore or Buffy the Vampire Slayer while she writes or draws.
In addition to Lotus Petals, Brantwijn has had several stories published in anthologies by Breathless Press, including the 2013 Crimson Anthology and 2014 Ravaged Anthology.  She's also had a short story published in the Cleiss Press Big Book of Orgasm, and hopes to have several more tales to tell as time goes on.  She has author pages on GoodReads and Amazon and loves to see reader comments on her work. Her short stories occasionally pop up at Foreplay and Fangs, her blog at http://brantwijn.blogspot.com.

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Wednesday 22 January 2014

Review & Kindle Giveaway ~ Ratgirl

Title: RATGIRL: Song of the Viper
Author: Gayle C. Krause
Publication date: January, 2014
Genres: DystopiaYoung Adult

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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~ Review ~

A dystopian re-telling of the pied piper, this book is definitely one that I will remember. I had only glanced at the blurb when looking at this book so had no idea what to expect, but the cover completely drew me in. The world depicted is destitute and deprived, with the poor barely surviving whilst the rich live a gluttonous life of luxury. There are rats everywhere, and slowly Jax realises that they stop and listen whenever she is singing. When the children are kidnapped and the mayor requests an exterminator to rid him of the rat problem, everyone comes together in an attepmt to escape to be better life.

I have no idea if the author is carrying on the story, or if this is a stand-alone novel but I would love to see more. All the characters have their place, and I became attached to them as the story unfolded. The sense of loyalty and family comes across strongly, and it really felt like they would do anything for each other in order to survive. I was completely captivated by this story, and stayed up way past my bedtime just to read another chapter or two. I would highly recommend this as one to read.

AUTHOR BIO 
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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~ Giveaway (Open Intl) ~

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Sunday 19 January 2014

Review ~ The Garnet Dagger

Author: Andrea R. Cooper 
Title: The Garnet Dagger 
Genre: Paranormal Romance 
Paperback, 222 pages
Published March 25th 2013 by Crimson Romance 
Sensuality Level: Sensual

~ Blurb ~ 

Forbidden to cross the Elvin barrier into human lands, Brock cannot sate his curiosity. Cursed by a vampyre bite that forces him to feed on the life-essence of others, he is unable to touch another without taking their life. Chained by prophesy, he must find a witch, pierce her heart, and draw her blood for his cure.

Celeste must escape the monks who have held her prisoner for years. Her magic has been kept dormant by her captors. An ancient powerful Warloc craves her powers. If he succeeds in devouring her magic, she and the world will die.

When Brock falls in love with Celeste before realizing her demise is his cure, will love triumph over his desire to be healed? Will he risk everything to save her from a Warloc, an oath breaker, who also wants her dead?


~ Review ~

I think this is the first time I've read a book where the vampire was Elvin, and it definitely made for a refreshing change. Brock had a curiosity for humans and after coming across a vampire one day whilst exploring he finds himself cursed, with just the words of a prophesy to help save him. Out casted from Elvin lands, he sets off to find the witch that will help end the curse, but twisted fate intervenes when they fall in love.

Very well written, I loved how the author built the world up slowly. With the descriptive nature, it was easy to visualise everything as it happened and I got completely pulled in to the story. The ending was very cleverly worked out and I definitely hadn't seen it coming, which just made it that much better. Very entertaining to read, this was more than the typical paranormal romance and I would highly recommend this book to all lovers of such.

~ Author Bio ~




Andrea has always enjoyed creating characters and stories. But it wasn't until she was in her late twenties that she started writing novels.

What happened that ignited the writing flame in her fingers? Divorced, and disillusioned by love songs and stories. They exaggerate. She thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world. Then she met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to three kids (two boys and a girl).

Once she heard about a writer who never let her characters deviate from the script. If they did, she just killed them. How sad, she thought. For her one of the best parts of being a writer is letting the characters have a mind of their own and seeing where the story takes them.

She loves this quote from Robert Frost, which sums up her opinion on allowing the characters their freedom: “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.”
― Robert Frost

Andrea writes fantasy, paranormal, and historical romance. When not writing or reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba. 


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Friday 17 January 2014

Cover Reveal & Giveaway (Intl): Sworn To Secrecy by Terah Edun

On Sale on Amazon, iTunes & Barnes & Noble February 28, 2014
 

Sworn To Secrecy by Terah Edun (Book 4) 
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming Of Age

Summary:
In the heart of the Imperial Courts, Ciardis Weathervane knows that death is coming for the empire. With her friends by her side and the new triad of Weathervanes, she's in a race against time to convince the courts of the same.
She must do her best to unite kith, mages, nobles and merchants under one cause - the fight to prevent a war. Soon she is forced to keep a secret that could exonerate her mother of the Empress's death, and is always one move away from stepping into diplomatic chaos. Throw in a Daemoni Prince who is showing interest in the youngest Weathervane, a jealous Prince Heir, and a irritated dragon with her own designs on Ciardis, and you have an Imperial Court in turmoil. This fourth novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Conflict.
Connect With Terah: Author Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Series Order Links:

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iBookstore

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Excerpt of Chapter One:
There were few things in the world that mystified Ciardis Weathervane more than the Imperial Courts of Sandrin. An intricate and multi-layered triad of courts with the Imperial family at the top, the landed nobles squarely in the middle and the wealthy ton comprising of the merchants, the artists and the mages at the bottom. If you could call it a bottom. Because nobles could be mages, Imperial family members had independent wealth and all of them played their games in pursuit of their own desires. Fidelity, honor and duty to the land wasn’t what drove these courtiers. Pride of place and greed for more took prominence above all. So landing back at Court on the arms of the woman that most everyone wanted dead and a man accused of aiding a serial killer wasn’t her best idea yet.
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International Giveaway!

Terah is giving away 1 ebook copy of any book in the Courtlight series to five winners. CLICK HERE to enter! Good Luck!
 

Thursday 16 January 2014

New Release, Review & Kindle Fire HD Giveaway ~ Illusions Begin



Title: Illusions Begin 

Series: MysticSeeker Series # 1 

Author: N.L. Greene


~ Blurb ~ 


Katherine Rebecca has always done exactly what was expected of her.  Her prim and proper upbringing taught her the importance of family, sacrifice, and social stature.  She has followed in her parent’s footsteps, being trained and groomed daily almost from birth, to take over the family law firm.  It was never a question of IF she wanted to but WHEN she would take the reins of the company.  She worked rigorously toward that predetermined goal her entire life.  She gave up friends, boyfriends, and an exciting social life in order to propel herself through school and college.  Katherine Rebecca strives to please her parents.  More than anything, she basked in their praise and approval.  But now, at 21 years old, she finds herself leading a life that is nothing like the life she imagined for herself.

Becky has always possessed a deep love of magic.  Ever since she was a small child she has been fascinated with magicians, illusions, mystery, and the vague hope that there was some sort of real magic in the world.  But this is a secret no one knows, or at least that’s what she thought.  Until one day Becky finds a mysterious business card in her pocket that leads her to an equally mysterious man.  He opens up a whole new world of possibilities to her, one with a tantalizing proposition that she never thought imaginable.

Could magic actually be real?

~ Review ~ 


Katherine Rebecca has had her whole life planned out for her since the day she was born, and I really felt for her.  She has always put others needs first and become the lady expected of her, whilst hiding her true self from everyone.  As she grows up, she never forgets her love of magic and secretly starts practising her own illusions and working out how others do their tricks, scared to let anyone into that part of her life.  Things start getting strange when she notices someone watching her, then a business card appears in the trouser pocket one day which leads to meeting a stranger who can turn her life upside down.  Can she let go of her fears and travel her own path, or will she follow in her parents footsteps and take over the business? 

I really enjoyed reading this book, and can’t wait to see where things are going to go with the series.  I loved how the author depicted the excitement Katherine Rebecca felt when she experienced her first magic show, and found it really helped set the scene for the book.  Incredibly well written, the story flowed smoothly, and with the descriptive nature I easily found myself completely lost in the story.  Even if you have no interest in magic, I would still recommend reading this book.      
        
 

~ Author Bio ~ 


N.L. Greene, who is 1/2 of the author duo Riana Lucas, has decided to venture outside of the Fantasy world that she and her best friend created with Poppy and The Deadly Flowers Series to write a few books on her own. While she loves working with her best friend, writing solo has allowed her to explore interest that had solely been her own. She spends a lot of time reading her favorite authors which range all over the place and in every genre, but spends just as much time with her husband and two daughters, traveling, shopping, and playing video games. Nichole was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Florida, where she and her high school sweetheart live with their two children.

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~ Giveaway~

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