Fire Baptized - Kenya Wright

Title: Fire Baptized (Book One, Habitat Series)
Author: Kenya Wright


Format: Ebook provided by Bewitching Blog Tours for review

Since the 1970s humans have forced supernaturals to live in caged cities. Silver brands embedded in their foreheads identify them by species: a full moon for Vampires, a crescent moon for Shifters, a pair of wings for Fairies, and the list goes on, for each supernatural species has been tagged and categorized by humans. 

Lanore Vesta is marked with a silver X, the brand of Mixbreeds, second-class citizens shunned by society. She stays to herself, revealing her ability to create fire only during emergencies. All she wants to do is graduate college and stop having to steal to survive. But when she stumbles upon a murder in progress, she catches the attention of a supernatural killer. Now all she wants is to stop finding dead bodies in her apartment.

Enlisting help from her Were-cheetah ex-boyfriend MeShack and a new mysterious friend named Zulu, she is steered through the habitat’s raunchy nightlife. But their presence sometimes proves to be more burden than help, as they fight for her attention.
While the corpses pile up, and the scent of blood fills the air, Lanore is left wondering: will she find the psycho or die trying?

Fire Baptized really takes a whole different perspective at the entire paranormal world.  I liked this book quite a bit, it drew me in from the first page and I was interested the entire way through.   The female protagonist is Lanore, who is a mixbreed supernatural being.  Most importantly, she can create fire, which is totally awesome.  She lives in Santeria, which is pretty much a caged city holding all supernatural beings in one place while regular humans live on the outside.  It’s gritty and raw, and everything just seemed electric.  Kenya Wright even goes further and defines districts in Santeria, she gives you fantastic details and you really feel like you are right there.   Interesting fact: all supernatural beings have a brand that shows what kind of being they are, and mixbreeds (like Lanore) have a silver “X” on their forehead.

One night when Lanore is on her way home she witnesses a murder.  A really horrible murder.  And even worse, the killer sees her.  There are some really gruesome things in this story, but they are written about in such a way that it isn’t stomach churning.

This book is really a treat because there is this storyline about the murder, and Lanore’s witness of it.  She is trying to find the murderer, who is also taunting her and obviously knows more of her than the other way around.  But aside from that, you also get a bit of romance in the form of a triangle between Lanore, Meshack, and Zulu.  MeShack is the were-cheetah she has known since she was a child.  They’ve been in a relationship and it didn’t work, but there is still definite feelings and chemistry there.  Zulu is also a mixbreed, and the leader of the MFE (Mixbreeds For Equality).  He has some serious feelings for Lanore, and she definitely feels something back.  But life with Zulu would mean a lot of danger; rallies, rebels and revolutionaries trying to change life for mixbreeds within Santeria.

Personally, I am pulling for MeShack.  I love a good shapeshifter, and he has all of those alpha qualities that I love to read about in books.  He is fiercely protective of Lanore, strong and cunning.  I can’t tell you who she picks, obviously, but I can tell you it is a treat to watch how it all plays out.

The characters were all very well developed and you get enough history on each to really feel like you know them.  The storyline is pretty awesome in itself, and the action really packs a punch when it needs to.  Even better, there are quite a few surprises along the way that keep the whole book entertaining and fresh, keeping your intrigue every step of the way.  This is the sort of book I would absolutely love to be made into a movie with some great special effects.  I would love to see Santeria and all of its inhabitants come to life.  I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery, a bit of horror, a bit of romance, and a whole lot of supernatural and paranormal.


And be sure to check out my interview with author, Kenya Wright and enter for a chance to win a copy of Fire Baptized HERE

Interview/Giveaway with Karyn Gerrard, author of Timeless Love

Interview with Karyn Gerrard, author of Timeless Love

1969—Underworld enforcer Joey Indelli didn't expect an English Regency Era carriage to appear before his very eyes in a thunderbolt of light. Inside he discovers a disoriented beauty, the honorable and delectable Catherine Worthington.

Catherine finds herself immediately attracted to her rough and very masculine rescuer but is determined to return to her home in 1821 Cornwall, England.
>Seeing the carriage appear in front of him, Indelli believes her story but is convinced she has no choice but to stay in 1969.
Will the love that develops between them fade with their parting or somehow keep them together and prove...timeless?

Hi Karyn!  Thank you so much for doing this interview with me!  Let’s jump right in! 

What can you tell us about Timeless Heart and Timeless Love? 

A carriage is traveling in a spring storm in 1821 Cornwall, England. Lightning strikes the carriage, and the occupants are scattered in ribbons of time. Timeless Heart follows hero Jerrod Ross and he lands in 2011. Timeless Love follows the only lady in the carriage, Catherine Worthington, she lands in 1969. Their rescuers also become their love interests. Will this love prove...timeless?

  

Was there a specific inspiration for your characters?  I’ve only read Timeless Heart so far, but I love the character of Jerrod.  He was a strong man, but it was fantastic to see him react to modern conveniences!

Sandra and Jerrod

Timeless Heart actually sprung from a dream I had as a teenager. I had a crush on a British actor Robin Ellis who was starring the costume drama 'Poldark'. (big hit in the late 70's) So I dreamed he came back in time, (the character) just for me! The dream was intense and stayed with me all these years so I turned it into a story.

I really had no one in mind for the other characters, except from my fevered imagination! I usually do try and find a visual (usually models) to work from.  Joey Indelli from Timeless Love was based on model Kent Edwards (google him, he's gorgeous!)

  

Time travel brought Jerrod and Sandra together in Timeless Heart, and continues in book 2, Timeless Love with Joey and Catherine.  If you could travel through time, when and where would you go?

The Victorian Age in London. And I would want to be rich, not one of those poor wretches from a Dickens novel begging in the streets.  I would want the breakfast tray in bed, the maids, the whole bit! Also, the Victorian Age is fascinating! Such advances, such a society.  Yet under the thin veneer of society was a seamy underbelly.  Also, I would just like an extended visit; I wouldn't want to stay there permanently. Unless a handsome, sexy Viscount in a starched cravat and very tight trousers convinced me!

Joey and Catherine

 Karyn, is there anything more you can tell us about the Timeless Hearts series?  What’s to come?

I wish I knew! At this point in time (no pun intended!) There are no plans. There are still two more guys in the carriage (and the driver and horses!) I have put this on the back burner for now and will revisit in the fall. I didn't intend for this to be a series, so I have a lot of thinking and plotting to do before I continue.

 Now you also have a review website called The Romanorum.  How do you deal with being on both ends of the book spectrum, as an author and  as a reader/reviewer?

I reviewed books before I was published. But since I have been published, I have had to cut way back.  I also made the decision as soon as I was published not to review any books from any publisher I had any dealings with.  I now have expanded that to taking all ebooks off the table, but it's been more of a time crunch than anything else. I still rate a few ebooks on Goodreads, but no long, written review.

My opinion on reviews is I don't post anything under 2.5 stars. (out of 5) I'm not going to savage a book, there is enough nastiness in the world.  I held that opinion before I was published, but now that I am, I feel even more strongly about it. A writer pours their heart and soul and sweat into a book, I'm not going to publicly shred it. I think a little respect goes a long way.

I throw quite a few books in my recycle bag, but I'm not going publicly state what books I didn't like or could not finish.  I also try and thank anyone who reviews my books. I really appreciated it when authors contacted me to thank me for a review on their book.  I also think a little politeness goes a long way.

Can you tell us how you first became an author?  Did you know this is what you wanted to do your whole life?

 I did a lot of writing in my teens and early twenties then something called life happened. I am a voracious reader but only started reading Romance about six years ago.  I started posting stories on-line using the Sims 2 as a visual and that led to me writing a few manuscripts.  Sim stories is a thriving community and I met a lot of wonderful people. I also learned how to create characters and plot. I still use the game as a visual story board to plan out plots. I enclose a shot from Timeless Heart and one from Timeless Love! Cool, isn't it? And isn't Joey adorable? lol! Who would have thought that a game would lead me to be a published author?

I submitted Timeless Heart with no expectations at all. When it was accepted within 24 hours, I was stunned. I continue to learn, grow and improve as a writer.  It has interested me my whole life, and I am in a position now I have the time to indulge my plotting fun.  When this ceases to be fun to me, I will no longer do it. Meanwhile, I'm having a blast!

And what exciting projects do you have in the works?  I see a few tasty sounding synopsis's on your website!

 Wow, got lots of irons in the fire. I have two more releases this spring. BLACK DESIRE is book 2 in my paranormal series with Evernight Publishing. Also June 30, I have HEART OF ROCK coming out from Silver Publishing about an Irish rock star in 1974. As you can tell, I love writing in multiple genres and time periods. I am also about to submit my first historical, a Victorian era Xmas erotic romance. Fingers crossed! Also working on a project with my friend and critique partner.  I also plan to take the summer off. The hubs is a teacher and we have a couple of trips planned.

And the easy stuff… 

Favorite Travel Destination?  Back home to Nova Scotia, Canada during the summers to lie on the beach! I have a trip to the UK on my radar; I really want to travel to Ireland and Scotland. In the next five years

Coffee or Tea? Tea all the way. Serious tea drinker. Lady Grey or Earl Grey, I don't discriminate! lol!

If you were an animal, what would you be? One of those big cats, like a panther!

If you were on a desert island, what book would you bring? That's tough, as my tastes change constantly as do my favorites lists.  As of right now, I would say 'Simply Magic' by Mary Balogh. One of the first romances I read and it pulled me in.

What is your favorite genre to read? I would say the first genre I ever read in romance is still my favorite, historical.


And one last thing!  I recognize these pictures as characters from Sims 2.  Do you play? Yes, I played the game! Moving my characters around in the game and taking shots in-game as I did made them come alive for me and the story easier to write.

 Ok, I just wanted to say thank you so much for talking with me today!  Best of luck on all of your upcoming releases!!

 Thanks so much Liz and thanks for having me here today!

I want to offer a PDF copy of TIMELESS LOVE! Just tell me in a comment below, what Liz asked me, 'if you could go any place, any time, where would you go? '

And just go with the fantasy, it doesn't have to be a permanent trip~ Cheers

Follow Karyn!

Karyn Gerrard Author Site KARYN GERRARD

FACEBOOK:  Karyn Gerrard

TWITTER:   @Karyn Gerrard

LINK to buy:  http://www.evernightpublishing.com/timeless-love-by-karyn-gerrard/

And Amazon  

Philia Book Tours: Shadow Path - PL Blair - Excerpt/Giveaway

Shadow Path

by P.L. Blair

Magic and crime. Agatha Christie meets J.R.R. Tolkien.
An Ogre murdered with a rune-inscribed sword is just the beginning as Kat Morales, a very human police detective in Corpus Christi, Texas, and her Elf partner Tevis MacLeod follow a blood trail that leads to Pixies, necromancy and Magic of the Blackest kind … to its climax in a stronghold Between worlds, where Tevis must duel spell for spell with a former lover who wants to see her old flame extinguished permanently.

EXCERPT

The shriek from the creature the light revealed nearly deafened her. The thing went down on its knees, long-fingered hands covering its face. But a single eye peered at her from between the fingers, large and green and luminous.


“Turn it off,” the creature moaned. “Turn it off!”


A wave of pity washed over Kat. She reached, found the light switch.


What the hell was she doing? She jerked her hand away. “I don't think so.” She barely recognized her own voice in the icy detachment of the words.


Silence. Slowly the creature raised its head and looked at her.


She had prepared herself for something hideous. But the face that gazed up at her was Elfin-beautiful. She felt her grip on the Colt loosen a little.


And suddenly the diminutive thing was six inches closer than it had been, its mouth open in a snarl that revealed rows of teeth like those of a great white shark.

*~*~*~*

About the Author

A native of Tyler, Texas, P.L. Blair spent nearly 30 years as a full-time newspaper reporter before writing Shadow Path, book 1 in her Portals fantasy/detective series. Now semi-retired – and still writing (part-time) for a newspaper in South Texas – Blair divides her year between Sheridan and Rockport, Texas, where she has family. She is companion to two basset hounds, a long-haired dachshund and a cat – all rescues. She writes a regular column and is a book reviewer for myshelf.com, and writes occasional articles for the Wyoming Business Journal.

P.L. Blair can also be found at the following places on the web:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

Barnes & Noble

Doesn't that just sound awesome!  Seriously, you need to read this book!  And here is your chance!  Enter your info in the Rafflecopter below this trailer for a chance to win!  This contest only runs through Thursday, so you'd better enter quick!

Sizzling PR: The Zurian Child - Jessica E Subject - Guest Post/GIveaway

Lindsay Beckett longed to be reunited with her first love, Quinn Montgomery, until she learns the secret that sent him fleeing from her in the first place. He’s an alien, a Hemera, and she’s half-Hemera herself. As if that wasn’t enough to ruin her dreams of a perfect life, when their child is born, they discover she fulfills a prophesy told twenty light years away and many years ago. Lindsay wants to ignore it, until her husband is murdered and suddenly believing becomes a matter of survival.

Lindsay and her young daughter are forced to rely on another Hemera, her husband’s partner and best friend, Bryce Beuermann as more and more of the Hemera are slaughtered. Bryce will do anything to help his best friend’s widow—including suppressing his own deep feelings for her. But he must prove they can trust him, even pretending he doesn’t want her with all his heart.  

Follow Jessica E. Subject

Website/Blog     

Twitter

Facebook      

 Goodreads

Google +      

Amazon Author Page

The Zurian Child Playlist

Thank you so much, Liz, for hosting me on your blog today!

There are many things which inspire me while I’m writing, but I would have to say the biggest influence is the music I listen to. Not only does a single song spin many new ideas in my head, but it can also convey the mood I am looking to create in my own story.

So here are ten songs from my playlist for The Zurian Child:

Untouched by The Veronicas http://youtu.be/ykW4rtW2eu0

This Love by The Veronicas http://youtu.be/sW1vIg8JYjY

I Could Get Used to This by The Veronicas http://youtu.be/ILLW66JjHko

I’m Yours by Jason Mraz http://youtu.be/EkHTsc9PU2A

Afraid by Nelly Furtado http://youtu.be/7yo8IqaFcjw

Spaceman by Bif Naked http://youtu.be/7saoB6rLxYY

Breathless by The Corrs http://youtu.be/2eBkXXSbwlE

Wicked by Econoline Crush http://youtu.be/_7QcdX99YDk

Men In Black by Will Smith http://youtu.be/rRuHk6Drj2U

Before You by Chantal Kreviazuk http://youtu.be/XGCgdCl1gPk

So, that’s my list. Keep in mind I started writing this story a few years ago, so none of these songs are recent. They still have a lot of meaning to specific scenes in the story though.

The song Wicked by Econoline Crush helped to inspire this scene:

She waited until the sun had set before driving to the address he'd given her. She met the other alien—Jack—repulsed being in their presence. They said they wanted her to know the truth before she and Reid rekindled their relationship. While her husband left to use the washroom, the gray-haired alien left to gather information for her to read. There would be no discussion. She spiked their drinks with a small amount of the black liquid.

When they returned, she leaned forward in an attempt to look receptive to everything they had to say while watching the aliens drink their coffee. She would pull this off. They had to die.

Reid did most of the talking, so Jack drank his coffee faster. Jack started to twitch, his wrinkled face turning a sickly green color. A few seconds later, his eyes rolled back into his head. Oblivious, Reid kept talking until Jack choked on the foam spilling out of his mouth. By then he couldn't be saved.

As Reid brought his hands to his throat, his eyes met hers. "How could you?"

Beside him, Jack slumped over, already dead.

Isabel stood up and spun away from Reid as he thrashed on the couch, his hands clutching his neck. Only a couple of minutes passed before he ceased moving, black foam covering his face. She could no longer see his once tender eyes. A pang of guilt made her stumble, but the memories of the child she once carried renewed her focus. I have to do this.

Not wanting to leave fingerprints on the aliens, she checked for signs of life with a rubber glove. Finding no pulse from either of them, she snatched the papers from Jack's hand and the glass she had drank from. After pulling on a black hoody and making sure no snoopy neighbors had their eyes on the house, she left her husband and his friend without a backward glance. Three blocks down the street and around the corner, she found her car.

Available from Silver Publishing and other ebook retailers.

More information here: http://www.markofthestars.com/wp/?page_id=7702


Bio:
Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.

THE ZURIAN CHILD BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY: 

Leave a comment with your email address for your chance to WIN a $25 AllRomanceEbook/OmniLit Gift Certificate. Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://sizzlingpr.com/2012/03/13/the-zurian-child-by-jessica-e-subject-tour/

Please note that this giveaway is tourwide.  Fictional Candy is not responsible for notifying winner, or delivery of prize. 

Thank you so much, Jessica, for an awesome post!  Best of luck to you on your tour, and Good Luck to everyone entering the giveaway!

Busted in Bollywood - Nicola Marsh - Review/Giveaway

Title: Busted in Bollywood
Author: Nicola Marsh

Publisher: Entangled Publishing


Format: Ebook provided by author for review

Shari Jones needs to get a life. Preferably someone else's.  Single, homeless and jobless, Indo-American Shari agrees to her best friend's whacky scheme: travel to Mumbai, pose as Amrita, and ditch the fiance her traditional Indian parents have chosen. Simple. Until she's mistaken for a famous Bollywood actress, stalked by a Lone Ranger wannabe, courted by an English lord, and busted by the blackmailing fiance.  Life is less complicated in New York.  Or so she thinks, until the entourage of crazies follows her to the Big Apple and that's when the fun really begins. Shari deals with a blossoming romance, an addiction to Indian food and her first movie role, while secretly craving another trip to the mystical land responsible for sparking her new lease on life. Returning to her Indian birthplace, she has an epiphany. Maybe the happily-ever-after of her dreams isn't so far away?

 This story definitely has a wacky twist to start!  Shari and Rita are Indo-Americans.  Rita’s parents have just arranged a marriage for her, but she is not ready to get married to a stranger.  Shari agrees to go to India in her place, to sabotage this engagement.  By Shari going instead, Rita is not directly disobeying her parents.  Loophole!  Added on top of that, Shari has recently broken up with her boyfriend.  And lost her job.  And she’s been evicted.  Yeah, definitely sounds like the girl could use a little vacation to clear her mind!  So off to India she goes. 

But India is definitely full of surprises!  Her visit there is packed full of fun and drama, and some of the best food you could hope to find.  Oh yeah, one of Shari’s favorite things is Indian food, and there is definitely a lot of that in this book.  Definitely make sure you eat before reading, or else you will get very hungry!

While in India she meets Drew.  Drew is a bit of a jerk at first, he’s looking out for his friend – her fake fiancé, Rakesh.  Even though he’s a jerk, she is attracted to him.  Really, how could you not be?  Drew seems to be the perfect blend of everything you want in a man.  A bit mysterious, sexy, tall and handsome.  Filthy rich! Haha!  Not to mention he is very sincere and true to his friends and obviously into Shari in a big way.  I absolutely loved Drew, I think he was the perfect addition to this knockout cast.

This was a really fun story.  It was fast paced and full of action and drama.  Shari is witty, daring and fun.  And she has a sarcastic side that I really dug. Her thoughts were hilarious, but definitely a good thing she didn’t voice them all! Her best friend, Rita, seems like the awesome best friend we should all have.  She knew Shari so well that she can see past what Shari says into the real truth.  She gives Shari honest and sensible advice, and is just the all around great friend Shari needs.  Rakesh is a fabulous man with a terrific sense of humor.  I really enjoyed his insights and while not a major role in this cast, he is definitely a great character. Nicola really has a great talent for fleshing out the story, giving all of the characters and locations such great descriptions that you are instantly transported.  Whether it was India, NYC’s Central Park, or Shari’s apartment, I felt like I was right there. 

Busted in Bollywood has a lot to offer romance readers.  It is funny and dramatic.  There are some steamy scenes, but definitely safe enough for even teenagers to enjoy.  I really loved this story, and would recommend it to anyone.  I don’t by any means have an extensive knowledge of Indian culture, and this book didn’t leave me lost.  Everything was explained, but explained so flawlessly and well that I didn’t feel like I was reading a text book.  This story has a great flow, a lot of heart, and a superb cast.  I hope you get a chance to read it!

Wait!  You do get a chance!  Nicola Marsh has generously offered one ebook of Busted in Bollywood up for grabs in a giveaway!  Enter through the Rafflecopter below. Good luck to all of you! I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did!

Follow Nicola Marsh

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Buy Busted in Bollywood

Amazon

Kindle

Book Depository

B&N

Entangled Publishing

Shades of Desire - LM Pruitt - Guest Post

Today I have the awesome pleasure of welcoming author LM Pruitt to the site, and her guest post on a playlist to match her book, Shades of Desire.  I see some of my very favorite songs are listed on her list, which makes me very excited!  So read on, and let us know your thoughts on this playlist!

Shades of Desire

By L.M. Pruitt

Book 2 Jude Magdalyn Series

All I wanted was a little peace and quiet.

Instead, I've got dead Covenant members and a steady stream of letters from the new guy in town. His beverage of choice? A 2002 Merlot, with a shot or two of powerful virgin blood.

On top of that, I'm breaking in a new police liaison, failing at playing matchmaker, and fighting nausea like it's a full time job.

Did I forget to mention that I've also got enough girls living at the Crossroads to start my own boarding school?

Peace and quiet? Out the window.

Buy Links 

Kindle   

Book 1 Shades of Grey for your Kindle, in Paperback

Hole in the Wall a Jude Magdalyn free Kindle short

Novel Publicity: Sykosa Tour

Please enjoy this excerpt from Sykosa, a YA novel (for 18+ readers), by Justin Ordoñez. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $550 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

First period. American history.

Who knows which is worse. At this hour, it’s too early to care. Luckily, it’s never too early to bitch and moan. And she would do so, save her teacher is already on it. He’s up at the board—in shock that not a pupil noticed how his cuff smudged all his bullet points. Like wrist trajectory were her problem. That’s a math problem. And math problems aren’t her problem for another two hours. Yawn. He’s still going on—something about full attention being on…

Her fingernails.

Fingernails, you see, are better than lectures.

Particularly these lectures. Particularly this class.

She wishes nail polish didn’t break the Academy’s Personal Code, then her fingernails could be pretty colors, and she’d feel like a pretty girl. They should let her do her nails in class. It’s no different from doodling. It also increases hygiene, and in high school, that’s nothing to scoff at. She may paint her fingernails this afternoon, just for fun, then remove it and—

Hang on. Her teacher said something will be on a test.

Never mind, she already knows it.

Anyhow, if she does do her nails, she has a problem. She doesn’t know what to do. However, she does know she doesn’t want to do something she’s already done. If she’s gonna do her nails for one night, then it’d be nice if it were a departure of some type. Alas, her brain has no ideas. Being pretty is hard! Yet, she likes it so very much. That does it. She needs to talk to Niko. For one, Niko’s her best friend. Two, Niko’s gifted in the department of being glamorous. And luckily, Niko’s her neighbor, so she drafts a note that she passes across the table.

What should I do with my fingernails?

Niko reads the note in delight, then dies of boredom.

I thought you were gonna share good gossip or something.

No, I want to do my fingernails.

Do something slutty. That’s always good for a thrill.

That’s a good idea.

Niko always has good ideas. Niko’s brilliant!

She wishes she were Niko.

And Niko wishes she were Sykosa’s breasts. That’s me, Sykosa! Well, technically, it’s my breasts. Breasts are an urgent topic for Niko, seeing as her prime puberty years have passed, and to Niko’s horror, she’s all As in the bra and all Ds on her report card. That’s harder on a girl than people think. And it’s why Niko collapses her cheek on her hand, then inconspicuously stares at those far-bigger boobs. Niko thinks she does it for a second or two. In reality, it’s seven or eight. Now, before anyone makes any assumptions, Niko’s not gay. She’s about as boy-crazy as a girl gets. To the point that she collects boyfriends as if they were Girl Scout badges.

And to be fair, this breast-staring is harmless.

Though every girl has her limits.

Hers have been exceeded. Not by Niko, but by Tom. He also has his cheek in hand, his eyes overcome by her chest—for what is maybe ten or eleven seconds.

Unlike Niko, he’s thinking of her as if she were some toy.

He may be right.

In the only snowstorm of the year, as the Academy froze under the sickly sweet smell of a dysfunctional oil furnace, she retreated behind the two bell towers of the Academy chapel. And on that very day, this very boy—in his ski jacket laden with those sticky tags they put on bags at airports—stumbled onto her smoking self and put his tongue in her mouth. It was a bold move. And it impressed her. They didn’t need to “talk.” Besides, it woulda fucked up the moment. I get shy fast. Accordingly, she kissed him until her heart beat so hard she became faint. It meant something. This feeling. She caught her breath. They sat beside each other. Seconds later, she wished they hadn’t stopped, so they restarted, then kept at it.

This time without the tongue.

Niko steals the note, then writes a new one.

Why is he looking at you like that? Only I’m supposed to look at you like that!

Niko’s the type who admits her faults shamelessly. While it’s slightly backward, Niko does so not as a deterrent from such behaviors, but to enable them. She rarely complains. Because that’s Niko. And somehow that excuses everything Niko does. That said, she supposes she’s predisposed to Niko’s jealously over her body, perhaps to the point of flattery. You see, this Tom-thing is nothing. Or if it is something, it’s certainly not enough of something. Not enough for her to buy a prom dress.

Why do you think he is looking at me like that?

Because you * him.

Not to delve too far into the well of note-passing dynamics, but she—and the Queens—use secret codes in case of confiscation. “*” means fuck, in all forms and conjugations. She has not * Tom. She has not * anybody. Her lips quiver at the *. It feels like something she’ll put off until she is thirty. Simultaneously, she also feels like it could happen in the immediate future.

Sometimes she just “knows.”

Gross.

Afraid?

No!

But, she is afraid. Everything is too complicated. It should not have to be. She goes behind the chapel. He goes behind the chapel. They make out. Simple, right? It’s not. Regardless, if even that must be complicated, then certainly the concept that she wants to go to Prom, thus he should ask her to Prom and then they should go to Prom is simple, right? It’s not. You see, he has this best friend, this confidante, this main focus, this everything—and her name is not Sykosa, but Mackenzie.

Or as you will soon find out: “M.” That’s what he calls her.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Sykosa eBook edition is just 99 cents this week. What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include $550 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

    
1. Purchase your copy of Sykosa for just 99 cents


    
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About the book: YA fiction for the 18+ crowd. Sykosa is a sixteen-year-old girl trying to reclaim her identity after an act of violence shatters her life and the lives of her friends. Set at her best friend’s cottage, for what will be a weekend of unsupervised badness, Sykosa will have to finally confront the major players and issues from this event, as well as decide if she wants to lose her virginity to Tom, her first boyfriend, and the boy who saved her from danger. Get it on Amazon.

About the author:  Sykosa is Justin Ordoñez's life's work. He hopes to one day settle down with a nerdy, somewhat introverted woman and own 1 to 4 dogs. Visit Justin on his website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

Cover Reveal: Hollywood Ever After - Sasha Summers

Title: Hollywood Ever After

Author: Sasha Summers

Release Date: July 21^st, 2012

Publisher: InkSpell Publishing

She wasn’t meant for movie stars, Hollywood, or happy endings. And then she met him.
Happy Endings are for fairy tales. Or the movies. Not for real life. At least, not in Claire’s life. Even though she’s starting over, she knows better than to want too much this time. But when she falls, literally, into the strong arms of Hollywood’s ‘it’ boy Josh Wiley, Claire’s in for some surprises. Her plans for rest and relaxation are forgotten as one incredible night with Josh becomes two… And her heart begins to want him as much as her body. Will two kids, one bastard ex-husband, and Josh’s juggernaut career mean the end of their affair? Or can Claire find her happy ending after all?

Author Website: http://sashasummers.com