Friday 21 June 2013

Warning: Long Post Ahead. Proceed With Caution.

This is actually a much longer post than I anticipated, so if you want to get to the crux of it, feel free to skip the first few paragraphs.

*squeals, dances, spins, hugs, cries, collapses into bed and promptly falls asleep*

Some time later...

Hey, guys!!

OK, so you know how I was at Hogwarts, and had to fight to the death in this thing they called the Hunger Games, and then I got stuck in this tiny little room where my head was filled with numbers, counting off the days and wondering if and when I was going to die and-

Wait.  What do you mean none of that stuff happened to me?  They totally did!  Maybe my school wasn't magical, and maybe my fight to the death had nothing to do with a corrupt society and everything about actually making it into uni, and, OK, while I was counting down the days and weeks in my tiny little bedrom it had nothing to do with me possibly being executed - but the possibility of death did exist!  I could have died from - from - exhaustion, or stress, or revisionitis...You know, stuff like that.  The principles still apply!

Oh, fine.  They're nothing alike.  Although I could draw some interesting parallels between exams at school and the way the Hunger Games work, if you were interested.  But I can see you're not.  You're wondering if school has actually made me completely insane and when I'm going to get to the point of this post.

Some of you may have seen my unofficial announcement on Twitter - more of a painfully loud yell, really - that I am now done with school.  Finally, after months of essay practice, and after-school lessons, and my parents looking at me in shock when I told them what time I would be/had been getting up in the morning to work or revise, my exams are over - and not just exams; I am actually done with school in its entirety now.  I do have uni, but school itself as it stands is over.  We had our leavers' event yesterday evening, which was really nice - food, speeches, lots of photos, although I don't think it's really sunk in for most of us yet.  The day of my last exam, a couple of hours after I got home, I found myself wondering if my exams were truly over.  And it's hard to really grasp that yesterday I saw some of my friends, some of my peers, for the last time, and the others very near to the last time.

What this does mean, of course, is that I can also finally come back to my blog.  I seriously want to thank all of you for your patience, for being understanding and supportive, just for being your amazing selves.  I can't wait to start putting more stuff up here and making my way around your posts and, by extension, commenting to the point where all you'll see when you open up your inbox is my name.  And I know how much you can't wait for that. *smiles brightly*  I do have one more favour to ask you, however, which is to just bear with me for another week so that I have a chance to start getting into my galleys and writing those reviews. Since it is the holidays I'll be trying to post, if not every day, certainly as near to that as I can make it.

Also, do you guys remember that letter I wrote to Juliette as a way of trying something new?  Well, the response I got from that really overwhelmed me, so I decided to make it a monthly feature.  Each month I will write a letter to a character, most probably from a book I love.  So that's something new to look forward to.  I hope.

Finally, yesterday was my blogoversary! *throws confetti* I am so sorry I didn't have anything amazing lined up for you guys; my impatience and excitement at creating a blog last year prevented rational thinking about timing, and the result is these few lines at the end of a horrendously long post.  I can't believe it's been a year already.  The time has gone by so fast and I've made some incredible friends.  Thank you to each and every one of my readers.

If you've actually made it all the way through this post, I ♥ you and send you hugs and chocolate chip cookies.  But I send them anyway, because I can't imagine you really chose to sit and read through all of my rambling, and I love you. 

Friday 7 June 2013

Cover Reveal & Excerpt: Of Darkness and Crowns

Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars #2)
Release Date: September 1, 2013
Cover artist: Steven Novak
Cover Reveal Organized by: YA Bound Book Tours


***WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ BOOK ONE***
 
Summary from Goodreads:
The moon goddess has taken up residency within Prince Caben, darkening his mind and soul. Now he hunts the very women he sacrificed his life to save, his conflicting desires for love and power raging a battle within him. Kaliope possesses the key to setting Bale free, and Caben will stop at nothing to see his goddess restored. Even if that means destroying the kingdom he’s sworn to protect, and the infuriating woman who torments his thoughts.

Kaliope, now the leader to the newly formed Nactue Guard, has vowed to save Caben. But with a traitor lurking among her people, and powers she’s unable to fully control, Kaliope’s mission becomes shrouded with doubt. Her new role as watcher over Caben’s kingdom brings a burden she’s unable to bear alone, and appointing the right person in charge of the prince’s affairs has turned a kingdom against the Nactue leader. Saving her stubborn, willful prince from the darkness overtaking him will be the battle of her life, and she needs people she can trust by her side. But bad blood between members of the Nactue obscure Kaliope’s journey, while her feelings for Caben cloud her judgment.

When the time comes to do what she must to destroy the goddess of chaos, will she be able to if it means losing Caben forever?

Book two of the Goddess Wars is told in dual point of view from Kaliope and Caben. New Adult Dark Fantasy, intended for readers 17 years of age and older. 


***Excerpt (Caben’s POV)***
The Crusher grinds to a halt. I’m propelled forward, and my head smacks the low-hanging ceiling of the front compartment.
    “Damn, you fool!” I palm my throbbing forehead, eyeing the driver of the Crusher—the machines I now call by their Otherworlder name.
    “Sorry, my liege,” he says, backing against his seat, farther away from the glowing ribbons circling my fingers. 
    Ignoring him, I study the luminous white—like the surface of the moon—crawling beneath my skin, and marvel at the power. My power. Had I possessed it that day the Cavan Army forced me from my home, they never could have done so easily. But then, I never would have obtained this power. Ironic. 
    “Just drive,” I tell him. I take a seat on the front bench, away from the foul stench emanating from the back compartment—our diversion tactic that will gain me entry into my palace, where I know she’s being kept.
    The glow beneath my skin illuminates brighter, reminding me of her skin. I curl my fingers into a tight ball.
    The battle up ahead is only part of my plan, one that I know Kaliope will fall for. I need the reserves away from the palace. Then we’ll take care of her Nactue once we’re inside. My back molars clamp down hard at the thought of her—a mix of something like fire and nausea invading my stomach.
    At one time, I felt things for the black-haired beauty. I chuckle to myself. Well, at least my groin did. Just thinking of her body makes me ache, and I have to adjust myself. But that was when I was weak, when I only thought and felt with that weakness. As much as I hated my father for thinking me too feeble to rule, he was right. I was pathetic.
    Bale freed me. Released the part of me that I kept buried, locked away deep down, and I no longer fear anything. I think of everything that once made me shudder or quake with dread and laugh. It’s so simple.
    Without fear, there is only freedom.
    Power.
    And if I free Bale completely, releasing her from within my being and making her corporeal, she’ll bestow me with even more power. I don’t care what the dark goddess does or where she goes once I restore Empress Iana’s relic. I don’t give a damn what happens to the maggoty Otherworlders or their realm.
    I just want her out of my mind. And I want the power.
    Then I’ll set my sights on Perinya, and on gaining what’s mine.
    A deep cackle fills my head, deep and sultry.
    “Quiet, woman.” I roll my eyes. We’ve come to a compromise, the goddess and I, that she may remain within my mind, but she’s to keep quiet. I got tired of her constant lectures and angry rants about her sisters. She does stay silent…for the most part. But the sooner I get her out of my head, the better.
    Having a woman fill your thoughts is a weakness in itself. A sudden flash of a smiling, laughing Kal blurs my vision, and I shake my head.
    There’s only one way to rid my thoughts of that woman.
    Kill her.
    “Burrow, leach,” I command the driver. “We’re coming up on the battle. Go underground.”
    “Yes, my liege.”
    Tonight, I plot. Find a way into the capital of Perinya and into my home. And then take back what’s mine. The goddess can have what she wants. I’m only interested in claiming what’s mine.
No one will ever take anything away from me again.
    Don’t get in my way, Kal.
    I shake my head harder, trying to quiet the pesky thoughts that always spring up when I think of her. Something left over from before—a residual feeling, an effect she has on me.
    It won’t be there much longer. I smile, and Bale laughs.
 
 
***

Of Silver and Beasts (Goddess Wars #1)
Release Date:  April 19th 2013

Summary from Goodreads:
In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury her father attempted to hide in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it, but the silver streaks swirling faintly beneath her skin are a constant reminder that she’s different.

When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena.

Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.

New Adult Dark Fantasy: Intended for readers 17 years of age and older.

Of Silver and Beasts is on sale right now for only $.99.  Get your copy here:
 photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg  photo 111AD205-AA04-4F9E-A0F4-C1264C4E9F30-1855-000001A1E8CEB6D7_zps9b730b94.jpg  photo KoboIcon_zps515cdc1a.jpg

Where to find Trisha:

***Bonus Material***
Don’t miss out on the bonus scene of Astarte’s WrathBath Scene in Xarion’s POV

Tuesday 4 June 2013

Book Blitz: Excerpt & Giveaway: Come What May

Title: Come What May (Heartbeat #2)
Author: Faith Sullivan
Expected release date: June 4, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Ebook available at: Kindle ($2.99) 
Paperback available at: Amazon ($6.99)





Book Description:

Adam is through with love.

He unravels blaming himself for what happened with Katie.

His final moments with her echo through his nightmares.

She owns him body and soul.

To dull the pain, Adam invites a string of women into his bed. Fueled by alcohol and desperation, his meaningless hook-ups provide little comfort. When he closes his eyes, it's Katie he sees.

The only one who helps to ease his guilt somewhat is Jada. But as his new ambulance partner, Adam considers her off limits. He doesn't want to get seriously involved with anyone, much less her. Yet he can't stop fantasizing about the feel of her caramel skin against his.

Despite his intentions, Adam's bond with Jada deepens as they respond to a series of emotional calls. Their mutual attraction becomes undeniable. But how can he give his heart to Jada when it still belongs to Katie?

Excerpt:
But I'm unsure of where this is going.  Is he trying to open up or just making idle conversation?  Whatever it is, it's not enough for me.  I crouch, hanging my legs over the side.  A cool breeze issues from the waterfall.  Its hypnotic rhythm is so relaxing.  I can stretch out right here and fall asleep.  I lean back on my elbows and close my eyes against the sun.  So I'm startled when something smacks me in the face.
    It's Adam's t-shirt.  He's standing before me in nothing but his jeans.  "Care for a swim, Jada?"  Laughing, he peers over the edge.  All I see are the broad lines of his back.  It doesn't get any sexier than that.
    "You're going to jump into that tiny little pool of water?"  My pulse is racing, but somehow I keep my voice steady.
    "No, we're going to climb down together.  But you're going to have to lose some of that clothing first."  His gaze runs across the length of my body, and I'm on fire.
    "If you think I'm going to strip down..."
    I shut up when I realize he's bending over me.  "Well, if you can rid yourself of these muddy shoes for starters."  He undoes the laces and gently slips them off.  My breathing gets heavy when his fingers slide up to remove my sock.  He doesn't stop there.  On his knees before me, his touch glides up my leg as he rolls the cuff of my pants.
    "That takes care of the bottom half.  Now what about the top?" I ask brazenly.  I'm fighting to regain control of the situation, but it's a lost cause.
    He pulls me up with him, and our bodies are so close together.  He grips my waist and I start to get dizzy.  Drawing me in, I'm surprised when he tugs at the fabric of my shirt, untucking it in a series of quick motions.  His actions cause my chest to rub against his.  My legs get shaky and I think I'm going to have to grab onto him for support.  But I resist and somehow keep my hands to myself.  Slowly, he unfastens the last two buttons and ties the shirt at my waist.  His fingertips linger over the exposed skin of my midriff.  His touch is driving me wild.  I can't take much more of this.
    Stepping back, I feel so exposed even though I'm not showing that much skin.  He's practically naked in front of me and he doesn't seem embarrassed at all.  It's like he wanted to bring me to some secluded spot in order to seduce me.  Was this his plan all along?  I'm so confused.  Nothing is ever clear with him.  It's impossible to figure out what's going through his mind and why he's practically taking my clothes off in the middle of the woods.
    And that's my problem.  I kind of like it.  His unpredictability keeps me guessing, and I've never been so turned on.  I'm practically panting before him, wishing his hands would explore every inch of me.  But for some reason, it seems like there's an invisible barrier separating us.  He teases me but doesn't take it further.  And all that does is make me want him more.  I'm not the type to pursue a guy, but I'd put myself out there for him if I knew that was what he was after.  But what if it's not?  We do have to work together, and things can get really awkward between us if I'm wrong.
    A shadow of a frown crosses his face when he sees me back away from him.  Whatever was happening in that moment is over - I can't tell if he's disappointed or relieved.  His chest rises and falls as he clenches his fists.  The sheer masculine beauty of his sculpted torso is right in front of me.  Yet he appears so fragile.  Like one hasty word from will break him.  We're so close.  If only I knew his true intention.  Is he just playing with me or is he after something more?
    "C'mon, let's cool off."  But I can't allow myself to get that close to him again.  My thoughts scatter just picturing him against me in the water.  With my inhibitions lowered, I'll be too tempted.  If I let down my guard and give into him, I'll only regret it later when he acts like nothing's changed between us.
    "Nah, you go ahead.  I'm just going to stick my feet in."  The creases in his brow deepen, but I don't stop.  "If I have any hope of salvaging this uniform, I don't think it'll take more wear and tear."  It's the lamest excuse ever, but it's all I have to go with.
    "Suit yourself."  He's pissed as he makes his way down the rocky incline.  He doesn't even wait for me.  What girl wouldn't want to fool around with him in the water after all that?  Who would ever turn him down?
    Only me.
 
  
The first book of the HEARTBEAT series is only 99 cents on Amazon! 
Click cover to purchase.



Random Things about Author, Faith Sullivan:

- She was so much smarter as a teenager.
- She's a slow reader.
- She tends to like a book more for its characters rather than its plot.
- She appreciates people who are genuinely kind and come through when you need them.
- As a creative person, she's not always fun to live with, but she keeps things interesting.
- She misses the days when all she had was a rotary phone that didn't even have an answering machine.
- She's a child of the 1980s, and a teenager of the 1990s.
- She loves her dog.
- She likes to travel and see new places - when her limited budget allows.
- She thinks in another lifetime she lived in the UK somewhere by the coast.
- When she feels an emotion, she feels it deeply. It's a curse.
- She has an overactive imagination. Writing helps alleviate that problem.
- Nine times out of ten, she believes a good book trumps reality.

Author Links: Blog | Amazon | Twitter | Goodreads