Release Day Spotlight: Alone by Cyn Balog

Alone by Cyn Balog

Published: November 7th 2017 by Sourcebooks Fire

When her mom inherits an old, crumbling mansion, Seda’s almost excited to spend the summer there. The grounds are beautiful and it’s fun to explore the sprawling house with its creepy rooms and secret passages. Except now her mom wants to renovate, rather than sell the estate—which means they’re not going back to the city…or Seda’s friends and school.

As the days grow shorter, Seda is filled with dread. They’re about to be cut off from the outside world, and she’s not sure she can handle the solitude or the darkness it brings out in her.

Then a group of teens get stranded near the mansion during a blizzard. Seda has no choice but to offer them shelter, even though she knows danger lurks in the dilapidated mansion—and in herself. And as the snow continues to fall, what Seda fears most is about to become her reality…

I just want to start out by saying Happy Book Birthday to Cyn Balog! I received an ARC of this book a couple of months ago via Netgalley and I absolutely LOVED it! There was a creepy vibe from the very beginning of the book and there were twists and turns that I didn’t see coming! The ending – do not even get me started on that amazing ending. This is definitely must read! Cyn Balog is easily becoming one of my favourite authors in the horror genre and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next! There will be a Rafflecopter giveaway link at the bottom of this post for residents of America and Canada!

Excerpt:

 Sometimes I dream I am drowning.

Sometimes I dream of bloated faces, bobbing on the surface of misty waters.

And then I wake up, often screaming, heart racing, hands clenching fistfuls of my sheets.

I’m in my bed at the top of Bug House. The murky daylight casts dull prisms from my snow globes onto the attic floor. My mom started collecting those pretty winter scenes for me when I was a baby. I gaze at them, lined neatly on the shelf in front of my window. My first order of business every day is hoping they’ll give me a trace of the joy they did when I was a kid.

But either they don’t work that way anymore, or I don’t.

Who am I kidding? It’s definitely me.

I’m insane. Batshit. Nuttier than a fruitcake. Of course, that’s not an official diagnosis. The official word from Dr. Batton, whose swank Copley Square office I visited only once when I was ten, was that I was bright and intelligent and a wonderful young person. He said it’s normal for kids to have imaginary playmates.

But it gets a little sketchy when that young person grows up, and her imaginary friend decides to move in and make himself comfortable.

Not that anyone knows about that. No, these days, I’m good about keeping up appearances.

My second order of business each day is hoping that he won’t leak into my head. That maybe I can go back to being a normal sixteen–year–old girl.

But he always comes.

He’s a part of me, after all. And he’s been coming more and more, invading my thoughts. Of course I’m here, stupid.

Sawyer. His voice in my mind is so loud that it drowns out the moaning and creaking of the walls around me.

“Seda, honey?” my mother calls cheerily. She shifts her weight on the bottom step, making the house creak more. “Up and at ’em, buckaroo!”

I force my brother’s taunts away and call down the spiral staircase, “I am up.” My short temper is because of him, but it ends up directed at her.

She doesn’t notice though. My mother has only one mood now: ecstatically happy. She says it’s the air up here, which always has her taking big, deep, monster breaths as if she’s trying to inhale the entire world into her lungs. But maybe it’s because this is her element; after all, she made a profession out of her love for all things horror. Or maybe she really is better off without my dad, as she always claims she is.

I hear her whistling “My Darlin’ Clementine” as her slippered feet happily scuffle off toward the kitchen. I put on the first clothing I find in my drawer—-sweatpants and my mom’s old Boston College sweatshirt—-then scrape my hair into a ponytail on the top of my head as I look around the room. Mannequin body parts and other macabre props are stored up here. It’s been my bedroom for only a month. I slept in the nursery with the A and Z twins when we first got here because they were afraid of ghosts and our creepy old house. But maybe they—-like Mom—-are getting used to this place?

The thought makes me shudder. I like my attic room because of the privacy. Plus, it’s the only room that isn’t ice cold, since all the heat rises up to me. But I don’t like much else about this old prison of a mansion.

One of the props, Silly Sally, is sitting in the rocker by the door as I leave. She’d be perfect for the ladies’ department at Macy’s if it weren’t for the gaping chest wound in her frilly pink blouse. “I hate you,” I tell her, batting at the other mannequin body parts descending from the rafters like some odd canopy. She smiles as if the feeling is mutual. I give her a kick on the way out.

Despite the morbid stories about this place, I don’t ever worry about ghosts. After all, I have Sawyer, and he is worse.

As I climb down the stairs, listening to the kids chattering in the nursery, I notice the money, accompanied by a slip of paper, on the banister’s square newel post. The car keys sit atop the pile. Before I can ask, Mom calls, “I need you to go to the store for us. OK, Seda, my little kumquat?”

I blink, startled, and it’s not because of the stupid nickname. I don’t have a license, just a learner’s permit. My mom had me driving all over the place when we first came here, but that was back then. Back when this was a simple two–week jaunt to get an old house she’d inherited ready for sale. There wasn’t another car in sight, so she figured, why not? She’s all about giving us kids experiences, about making sure we aren’t slaves to our iPhones, like so many of my friends back home. My mother’s always marching to her own drummer, general consensus be damned, usually to my horror. But back then, I had that thrilling, invincible, first–days–of–summer–vacation feeling that made anything seemed possible. Too bad that was short lived.

We’ve been nestled at Bug House like hermits for months. Well, that’s not totally true. Mom has made weekly trips down the mountain, alone, to get the mail and a gallon of milk and make phone calls to civilization. We were supposed to go back to Boston before school started, but that time came and went, and there’s no way we’re getting off this mountain before the first snow.

Snow.

I peer out the window. The first dainty flakes are falling from the sky.

Snow. Oh God. Snow.

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N | BAM | Indigo | IndieBound 

About the Author: 

Cyn Balog is the author of a number of young adult novels. She lives outside Allentown, Pennsylvania with her husband and daughters. Visit her online at http://www.cynbalog.com.

Rafflecopter giveaway:

This giveaway is for members of the U.S and Canada and will be running until November 17th. Enter to win a copy of Alone.

Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did and I cannot wait to see what Cyn Balog does next!

Find Me Here: 

Instagram/Twitter/Goodreads/Litsy @ Lauren’s Page Turners

Reviews:

My Review

Alaina @ An Infinite Book World

My Guilty Obsession

Megan @ Under the Book Cover

 

RoseBlood by A. G. Howard – Release Day Blitz!

RoseBlood by A. G. Howard

Published: January 10th 2017 by Amulet Books

Amazon/B&N/iBooks/Audible

In this modern day spin on Leroux’s gothic tale of unrequited love turned to madness, seventeen-year-old Rune Germain has a mysterious affliction linked to her operatic talent, and a horrifying mistake she’s trying to hide. Hoping creative direction will help her, Rune’s mother sends her to a French arts conservatory for her senior year, located in an opera house rumored to have ties to The Phantom of the Opera. 

At RoseBlood, Rune secretly befriends the masked Thorn—an elusive violinist who not only guides her musical transformation through dreams that seem more real than reality itself, but somehow knows who she is behind her own masks. As the two discover an otherworldly connection and a soul-deep romance blossoms, Thorn’s dark agenda comes to light and he’s forced to make a deadly choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or face the wrath of the phantom who has haunted the opera house for a century, and is the only father he’s ever known.

This release day blitz is being hosted by Rockstar Book Tours.

So, I am really excited to be taking part in this release day blitz because I absolutely love Howard’s writing! I really enjoyed the Splintered series and I am so excited to get a copy of this book and sink into it! This Book Blitz also includes a giveaway for a signed RoseBlood poster and mask! So, without further ado…

Here is the book trailer for RoseBlood:

 

Giveaway:

1 winner will receive a signed RoseBlood poster and a mask – US only. This giveaway ends on January 17th at midnight EST. If you would like to enter, you can do so HERE

About the author:

A.G. Howard was inspired to write SPLINTERED while working at a school library. She always wondered what would’ve happened had the subtle creepiness of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland taken center stage, and she hopes her darker and funkier tribute to Carroll will inspire readers to seek out the stories that won her heart as a child.

When she’s not writing, A.G.’s pastimes are reading, rollerblading, gardening, and family vacations which often include impromptu side trips to 18th century graveyards or condemned schoolhouses to appease her overactive muse.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest | Goodreads

October Wrap Up

Hey guys!! So, I’m coming to you with this wrap up post a little late – but better late than never!! I had a bit of a slower month this month because of the alternating illnesses between me and my son!! So, hopefully November will pick up again!

Read:

The Girl with all the Gifts by M. Carey – 4/5 stars

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas – 5/5 stars

Everlasting Flame by Katelyn Anderson – Review copy received from the author, 4/5 stars

Water’s Wrath by Elise Kova – 4/5 stars

Crystal Crowned by Elise Kova – 4/5 stars – full review still to come!

These Great Affects by Andrew Toy – 4.5/5 stars (there is no goodreads page for this book! Also, the full review is to come!), ARC copy received from the author

Acquired:

A Bond of Venom and Magic by Karen Tomlinson – Physical Copy gifted to me by the author

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake – My pre order copy decided to show up a month later

Non Heir by Rachel E. Carter – This is not available for purchase anywhere, you must sign up for the authors newsletter if you would like a copy!

The Crown’s Dog by Elise Kova (ARC) – I received an ARC of this from Elise, and I am currently reading it!

The Sin Eater’s Daughter by Melinda Salisbury – I bought a copy of this from Amazon 😀

Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes – Again, I bought myself a copy from Amazon

Special Posts:

A Bond of Venom and Magic by Karen Tomlinson – Release Day

Fall Activities Book Tag

That’s it for me!! Like I mentioned earlier, it was a bit of a slower month, so I’m hoping that November picks up for me! Especially because I don’t have long left to complete my Goodreads Goal!!

I also ordered the October box from Meraki Candles, however they had some issues with postal service, so I am hoping it arrives soon!! As soon as it does, I will be posting my very first unboxing! 😀

How did October go for you guys?

Release Day: A Bond of Venom and Magic by Karen Tomlinson

A Bond of Venom and Magic by Karen Tomlinson

The Wraith Lord is hunting; his prize, the key to unleashing darkness and Chaos upon the eight Kingdoms.
For Diamond Gillon the war raging in the south seems a remote danger until her home is brutally attacked. Having lost everything she holds dear, Diamond is catapulted into a terrifying new world in which legendary beasts arise, magic is condemned and half blood fae, like her, have no rights. Despite her growing feelings for her saviour, Commander Hugo Casimir, he remains a paradox – not only is he a heartless killer, he is owned by the cruel immortal fae queen; a queen who will murder her own people for magic.
As Diamond’s circumstances become ever more perilous she is drawn deeper into Hugo’s world and discovers the lengths to which he will go to save what he holds dear. Will Hugo become her friend, her protector, or – an enemy not worthy of her trust?
A Bond of Venom and Magic is a tale of two people bound by magic and secrets, but trapped in the complexities of love and betrayal. It is the beginning of an epic journey, one that will test Diamond’s resolve and determination to battle an evil that threatens not only her world but that of Eternity, the land of The Goddess and The Guardians. 

IT’S FINALLY HERE!!!!!!! *Ahem* Hey guys! It’s release day for ABOVAM and I cannot even begin to tell you or even show you just how excited I am because HELLO!! This was the BEST read of the entire year for me! For all of you who read my review, you saw just how much I fangirled over this book… and a character *Ahem* Hugo… for those of you who didn’t get to see my all informative review – you can find it here. You’re welcome.

Happy Book Birthday Karen! I’m so glad that you shared this beautiful creation with me and I hope you enjoy today! I am so happy that I got to know you along the way and that I became a part of your Black Ops Ninja Team! 😀  Anyone who is interested, you can join us for the release day party on Facebook (today!) with special guests and giveaways! You can find the page here! You’re all also welcome to join Karen’s street team!

Also, don’t we just ADORE the cover?!? If you are interested, the artist is Jonas Jödicke and you can find some more of his work on his Facebook Page.

So, Young Adult Bound Book Tours is hosting a book tour for ABOVAM, and I think you guys should go and check out the other blog posts! You can find the schedule and links to the other bloggers on the original post! 

So, to tickle your taste buds… because you are going to want NEED to gobble up this book by the end of this post, here are two excerpts. Yes, two. Can you see how nice we are to you guys! (Please ignore the random dots that are at the beginning of the sentence! They are, naturally, not in the final book, its just my wordpress not cooperating!)

Excerpt one:

Silence swept through the forest, deafening to Arades Gillon’s fae ears. In the act of shoving a freshly felled tree further onto the ancient cart, he froze, his gut twisting with fear. The fresh scent of pine sap tickled his nose as he ignored the woodcutters bantering across the small clearing.

He pushed his bulk upright. Sweat beaded between his shoulder blades and trickled down his spine. Arades sucked in a deep breath, desperately reaching for the cold, calculating calm that had kept him alive for so many years.

It wasn’t there. His heart raced, pounding against his ribs; for the first time in his life, Arades readied himself to flee from his enemy. His breath became shallow and fast, his keen eyes searching out the nightmarish shadow that lurked in the gloom of the old forest. It wouldn’t be alone.

A guttural growl rippled through the trees, sinking deep into his bones. A violent shudder racked his body. For seventeen years that sound had been blissfully absent from his life; there was no mistaking it. The creature fixed its yellow, predatory gaze on one of the other woodcutters.

Arades had to run. Now.

Spinning on his heel, he burst into motion.

The Seeker snarled. Drool ran from its gaping jaws as it leaped from the dark shadows.

Yelling a warning to his friends would achieve nothing. They were as good as dead. Wild snarling filled the air as more Seekers burst from the forest. Petrified screams were cut short as human throats were slashed open by razor sharp claws.

Arades did not look back. Experience told him what he would see, and he did not wish to see his friends die such violent deaths. Terror squeezed his heart as yet more screams were abruptly silenced.

He would not—could not—fail. Panicked, Arades increased his effort and sprinted toward the town, its people and his beloved daughter.

:Excerpt 2

The window warrior spun swiftly in front of the door, facing Hugo with his sword drawn. Clearly he wanted to give his lord time to escape, even if that meant his own death. Before the door banged shut downstairs, Hugo stormed forward. The warrior flicked his wrist. Diamond gasped. Red magic. No Avalonian had red magic anymore. It ripple across the room like a wave of shimmering heat. Hugo roared, but not in pain.

Leaning into the onslaught of power he grinned with fiendish delight, darkness rippling around him. A shroud of silver-flamed shadow devoured the red wave, even as his powerful body charged forwards.

The warrior swore, desperately raising his sword in defence. Clearly he had expected a different reaction to his magical attack. Hugo’s wrathful bellow filled the room as he drove his sword down. Metal jarred and sparked.

“You took her from me! I can smell her blood. Now you will die!” he promised, his voice nothing like his own. It was more animalistic than Diamond had ever heard.

The warrior blocked Hugo’s blade with skill and precision. Red magic meant the ability to control heat and fire. Hugo’s blade began to glow as the other fae heated it like it had come out of a furnace. Hugo grunted but did not let go. The white-hot metal did not burn him through the glove of darkness rippling around his hand.

“Stop this, commander! We are not your enemy,” the warrior panted, blocking and spinning away from Hugo’s blades with utter confidence and no small amount of skill.

Hugo did not answer, his only response was to blast the red magic away with a veil of darkness, parrying a strike and bringing his other blade down with such force the window warrior stumbled, almost driven to his knees. Hugo blocked the warrior’s sweeping sword strike and stabbed him through the shoulder, before mercilessly slashing across the male’s thigh. A move meant to incapacitate. The warrior dropped to one knee but somehow still managed to block Hugo’s killing blow.

“Commander! Stop! She will be safer with us. If you take her back to the palace, the Queen will kill her! You know she will! We need Diamond to live! All of us do!” he panted, desperation in his voice now.

Diamond gasped as she saw the warrior’s hand drop to his boot and grasp the handle of a small concealed knife.

“Hugo!” she yelled, fighting her bonds with all her might. Pain screeched through Diamond’s wrists as the silk tightened. She screamed. It was going to cut off her hands!

Instead of killing the warrior, Hugo kicked his assailant in the chest sending him sprawling. There was a solid thud as the warrior’s head smacked into the wall and he stilled. Hugo immediately twisted to Diamond, dropping to his knees in front of her. Blood ran from her wounds, dripping down the chair arms.

“Keep still,” he ordered, pulling a dagger and slicing through the silken rope.

Sobbing with relief, she sagged against him before the pain started in earnest. Her fingers burned as blood rushed back in. Diamond whimpered, not sure what to do with herself.

Thoughts of the window warrior escaped them both. Hugo quickly slashed strips of material off his tunic. Dropping his blades he firmly bound her wrists, trying to staunch the heavy flow of blood. For a moment he leaned his forehead against hers and gripped each wrist as she fought to control her panicked sobs.

“Shh. It’s alright. You’ll be fine now. Breathe, Diamond. In…out…with me. That’s it.”

Slowly her mind returned to her. With her head leaning against Hugo’s, they shared the same warm breath. She closed her eyes, her body responding to his. Her breathing slowed until it mirrored his own and she could swear she heard the distant beat of his heart.

The scuff of boots on the wooden floor had Hugo on his feet in front of her, blades ready. Diamond looked on as he faced the bleeding warrior, his face icy and calm.

“We are not your enemy,” the warrior panted. Equally calm and with slow intent he sheathed his own blades.

“Kill me if you must. But you know if you take her back to the palace, the Queen will destroy her. Let her come with me, commander. Please. I give you my word I will keep her safe,” the warrior appealed, holding his bloodied hands out to Diamond.

Hugo looked down at her, his brow bunched. Diamond shook her head frantically and grabbed at his tunic. He couldn’t be considering it.

If that isn’t enough to get your spine tingling, here are a couple more 

*Phew* Talking about getting excited all over again!! If that still isn’t enough for you, you can sign up for Karen Tomlinson’s newsletter and get the first 5 chapters free!

Now, obviously you want to order a copy of this beautiful piece of work… because, let’s be honest – how could you even consider resisting?!? Here are the links so that you can order your preferred format:

Amazon US/Amazon UK/Barnes and Noble/Kobo/iTunes

I reckon you can also order it in the Amazon for your own country – just search for it!

There is also a giveaway for a chance for two winners to win an ebook of ABOVAM! Be sure to enter that here! Do not miss out!

About the Author:

Karen has always been an avid reader. Her taste in books is eclectic but she likes nothing better than an exciting fantasy, set in a new and magical world. She lives in Derbyshire, England, with her husband, twin girls and her dalmatian, Poppy. Karen trained as a nurse and currently works as a resuscitation and clinical skills trainer, this involves training a wide variety of health care professionals and medical students in acute patient care. In addition to writing, and reading whenever she can, Karen likes to keep active. She has been training at Shotokan karate since being thirteen, likes walking, mountain biking and (for something completely different) cake decorating. She is currently working on book two in the Guardians of The Goddess series.

Again, Happy Book Birthday to the most wonderful, evil author out there! I cannot wait to steal the manuscript for book two read book two and immerse myself in this world all over again! Much Love! 😀

Release Day!!

Hey guys!! So, this is the first post of this kind to hit my blog! However, I have been raving about this book for ages and, at the time of writing this post, I am about halfway through this book and I am loving it! I consider the author to be a new found friend (he may read this and think … what?? but hey ho…) and I am so excited for other people to read this book!

Vault of Dreams by Luke Taylor

Published; July 31st 2016 – Self Published

Albanland. Emerald hills and ice blue lochs, bordered by Nørds raiders and the haughty monarchs of South Angle, each dynasty eager to seize lands weakened by a civil war in which a usurper has risen to seize the cloven throne.
Morgance, Faer Princess of the Night.
And by her side, the fearsome Ultan Skölhammer, sworn Guardian of the Crown.
But Rhoswen, rightful heir to the throne, princess in exile, leads a final uprising from the depths of the forest, an uprising that twists together the lives of the most unlikely companions.
A notorious thief accused of a crime she did not commit.
A baird apprentice searching for the meaning of life.
A pair of brothers who can’t seem to stay out of trouble.
And a gypsy bound to the ancient artifact known only as the Vault of Dreams.

The Author:

My name is Luke and I write books and music.

Inspired by the action and adventure of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films, I wrote my first books when I was 7 and passed them around to my fellow classmates. Fully illustrated and poorly stapled, they were well loved, and sequels were often in high demand. My mother read epic fantasy trilogies to me when I was young, and it stuck. Whenever I write, I just write what I see, as if watching a movie. My mind is a high-definition DVD player and I promise to never run out of material.

In high school I studied film, wrote hundreds of songs, and wrote five novels that nobody will ever read.

So then I took a break and decided I would never write again.

But then, one day, I did. The book, Evening Wolves, won two awards and changed my life.

My style is cinematic and character-driven. I write YA Fantasy and Sci-Fi standalones, Mysteries, and Epic Fantasies. Yes I will accept your friend request. Don’t be afraid to ask me a question. 

I read a lot, too, mostly YA Fantasy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Mystery, and I write reviews. Check out my shelves to see if I’ve read a book that you enjoyed. I am passionate about my favorite books and favorite authors.

Thank you so much for your support and for buying and/or reading my work. I put everything I have into every book and I’m so thankful to be able to do so.

My newest book, Vault of Dreams, will be available on July 31st on Amazon in ebook and paperback.

Luke is actually truly really really friendly and I have absolutely no problems chatting to him about books and whatever else pops up! (Like cake 😉 ) I think this is definitely a book that needs to be read and it should be on all of your TBR’s! (intimidating glare)

So, happy release day to Luke with Vault of Dreams! I will eat an extra piece of cake and dedicate it to you, even if you are in a completely different country!! 😀 I look forward to more of his works!!