Freebies and Deals, on Nook too (31)

As every Friday we have Barnes & Nobles Freebie Friday.  Make sure to check the comments for links to other free books as well.

So, I don't have many for you this week.  I've not been around as much to catch more freebies and deals for you.  But I have a few treats for you...


Free Short Stories:
Are you a member at Tor.com?  No, well, it's free to be a member.  Just go set up a log in and BAM! there you go.  You also can sign up for emails to know when these amazing stories are posted and get the links to them.

The reason I ask, there are a few short stories that go series put out through Tor.  And here are two you might enjoy...

Foundation by Ann Aguirre
@ Tor.com
Description on Tor:
In Ann Aguirre’s award-winning novel, Enclave, humans have taken refuge in colonies below ground. “Foundation” is the story of what drove them there, told through the eyes of a teen who would later have vast influence over the fate of many, and who gave his heart to the one person who needed him most.

Wild Things by Alyx Dellamonica
@ Tor.com
Description of Tor:
Ah, love. A many splendored thing. Here is a rather unusual love story, sweet and strange as could only happen in the post-magical reality of the Indigo Springs “event.” Blue Magic, the sequel to Indigo Springs was published in April and here's a tasty tale from that world to tickle a reader's fancy.

Free Book:
I don't know anything about this one, but I liked the sounds of it when I saw it.  Maybe one day I'll get the time to read it and learn more.  (so if you get and don't like, don't blame me! lol)  But for now it is free on Amazon, I don't know how long it will be free, but it is now.  It is an Amazon published ebook, so only available in Kindle.

Hemlock and the Wizard Tower (The Maker's Fire #1) by B. Throwsnaill
Amazon ~ Kindle

Synopsis:

How is power gained, retained and exercised; and what happens to a power structure when a young girl with magical abilities hacks and slashes her way into the very core of its apparatus?

In a magical city that travels through multiple dimensions, a young girl named Hemlock has risen from being a lowly cutpurse to discovering that she is a powerful fighter. Under the guidance of an aging freedom fighter named Safreon, Hemlock battles to keep the peace in her run down district, while across the City the upper class Elites enjoy peace, prosperity and freedom.

The Wizard Tower looms in the center of the City, casting a long shadow over its affairs. The Wizards rule behind the scenes, dictating and controlling the use of magic. Hemlock instinctively feels that the Wizards are her enemies, but Safreon will not discuss openly opposing them, as he seeks to methodically mentor Hemlock, and advance his own cryptic plans for the City.

Hemlock makes a decision to make a bold attack on the Wizard Tower alone, convinced that she can destroy or undo whatever method the Wizards are using to control and ration magic. As the novel opens, we join Hemlock just after she has infiltrated the Wizard Tower, learning what happens through a narrative interspersed with flashbacks to events leading up to the attack.

Do you know of anything else to share?  Let us know in the comments.

Flash Fiction Friday (57)

This weeks Flash is a section from my NaNoWriMo project, Cursed, by the Rain.  I've given you more than the 350 words, more like 582.  Sorry.  But hope you enjoy.  This is the Preface, happening years before the story actually is placed.  There is more before, and much more after.... already I see changes that need to be done and this is a rather rough version as no edits have been done.  But, gives you an idea. :)

I will say I'm nervous about sharing this.  It feels different with this one as it does the normal flash fictions.

Thank you...

Cursed, by the Rain
By:  Melissa Hayden
Preface:

Jayda slowly turned, elbow still resting on the wall where she cracked the wood.

His light voice came to her high pitched as if playing with her, “tsk, tsk. You of all should know better."  Now a little more serious,  "You have seen the things we can do.  Now, are you going to help like your maker would like?” On the last part he descended from the ceiling as graceful as an angel, or a god.

For a breath all is quite, Seol holding hers working through the pain, Jayda's opponent standing across the room smiling at her; he knew he had her. Then her heart stopped as she heard the drop. The drop that could mean her life, their lives. It had to be blood dripping from the bed, Jayda hoped. There it was again, speeding up. Hells burning, the roof she thought. It wasn’t holding. Jayda knew she had to act fast and hide before the rain broke through and touched her. He would find her now, after all she’d done to remain hidden for so long.

Jayda’s eyes widened. She had lived a mundane life for to long. She had started to think things with the gods where simple stories or tricks of her mind. But this was no trick. She knew the truth, just chose to block it out and become to comfortable. Stupid. She should have known she’d never have been able to stop them from coming here, and that could only end one way for the poor folks who had been kind to her. Frozen, stuck between worry for the people she’d come to love and knowing she’d left them get to deep under her skin.

Finally she found her voice and surprised at how nonchalant she sounded, “Utter. So, what do you have for the child?” but she had a grudging feeling she didn’t want to know, or would not like it. Gifts from gods were never good. She knew.

“Aethur!” growled his name correcting her. She snickered, she still could get under his skin, but she knew she'd better watch as he could hurt her.

Seol must have found her breath again as she cried harder, “No, Jayda. You can’t. Let. Him.”

Jayda didn’t even take her eyes from him to look to Seol, from knowledge she knew he could knock her away in a moments time, and she wanted to see it coming.

“Aah, is Jayda what you go by now? Well. To the child." Aethur indicated Seols swollen belly that's about to burst, "I need to give the gift all men want.”

“No, no. You aren’t allowed to do that! No mortal is to have that ability. It’s against all the laws you and we live by.”

“Yes, well. We don’t have laws when the leader is dead, now do we? He is to rise again. And I have to share his knowledge with a child on his birth. At the moment before he breaths his first mortal air and sets eyes on the mortal land. It must be done to save all.”

“Save all? All you care about…” Jayda didn’t finish as Seol gave one loud scream and crunched forward grabbing her knees. The baby was coming. Aethur turned to Seol, waiting to catch the baby when the roof ripped back from the walls, exposing her to the last thing she would remember until the Storm Lord was done with her, the full blast of rain stinging her face and arms.

Throwback Thursday (90)

I found this picture of Trinity College Library, and thought it would work for this meme with a little play with lighting and adding the words.

Let's talk about those books already on the shelves, yours or the stores.

I have a post for books I'm looking forward to coming out;

Looking Forward To...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on the shelves.

Whether it be on your shelf waiting to be read or on the shelves in the stores waiting for you to give it a good home.

So, I thought I would share a book a week that is just waiting for me to travel through it's world.

Now... where do I start? Lets go by Published Date on the books...

This Week:

This one was a free ebook, and I'd heard it was a fun series, so had to add it to my collection.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Life isn't bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn't have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.

Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she's a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost's demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!

Word of Jolie’s incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the underworld’s most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.

I've heard back from a few bloggers that they would like to join in this meme post, so I'm adding a Linky for you to join in.  Grab the picture above, and join in.  All I ask, is if you can acknowledge my blog in the post so others know where to come back to and join as well.  Thank you.

Who? What? Where? (90)

Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

(This is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )

This Week:

I'm currently working on NaNoWriMo, trying to make new friends in a world similar to ours, where the gods are locked away and some are working hard to change things...for good and bad. 



Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up.  So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!

Monday's Beginnings (167)

It's another Monday...

NaNoWriMo has begun.  And my life has halted for it.... Okay, not all of my life, but the bookish part has.  It's only been four days, five now, and I miss you all!  I miss the emails seeing responses to comments here and at your blogs when I comment.  I'll get by...

Hope all are doing well.  Me, I'm doing fantastic, even though I'm missing you all.  As of yesterday I'm over 10,000 words on Nano project; Cursed, By The Rain.  (working title)  I'm actually TWO days ahead of the word count for the month, which is great as there is two days I'll probably not be able to write.  If I keep at this pass, I could finish early.  Sweet!  I was starting to worry I wouldn't have enough to write 50,000 with yesterday afternoon. Then I sat down with my handy dandy notebook and looked at my vague synopsis, this always brings me back to what I'm to be doing, and now I've got a huge map of what the characters are to do.  Now I need to come up with the little things to make the scenes, but the idea is there and they will take me though the motions of the rest.

I've also come to thinking I need a mystery character.  I want another view, but can't do from one character as that would give to much away.  So I think I need a new mystery character.  With being NaNoWriMo I'm going to throw in this un-named person to see if it will give me what I am needing then see where he takes me.  It's all for fun! :)  and I'll learn a lot about the world. ;D

That's my Nano update at this time.  Not much to say, but way ahead of the game at four days in.

So, on to the bookish stuff from last week now...

Current Read:
The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr and E.B. White --- yes, this is an english book. I figured it'll help me when I finally get to re-writes. ;)

Finished Last Week:
The Crown Tower by Michael J. Sullivan

Reviews to Come:
House of Grey Vol. 2 by Collin Earl
Endgame by Ann Aguirre
Curran POV Vol 1 by Gordon Andrews
Curran POV Vol 2 by Gordon Andrews
Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews

Book Reviews Posted:
The Weird Girls by Cecy Robson
Christmas in Chains & Devil's Bargain both by Seleste deLaney
What Have I Done & The Cost of Love both by Seleste deLaney
Of Course I Try by Seleste deLaney
The Ghost of Vampire Present by Seleste deLaney
Kiss of Death by Seleste deLaney

Podcast Reviews Posted:
I've not started a new one yet. Maybe in December, or January depending on how the holidays go.

Movie Review Posted:
No movie review, sorry, been running out of time.

Books and Covers Shared:
No new covers this week.

Special Posts:
Freebies and Deals, on Nook too (30)
GIVEAWAY on the tour for Cecy Robson's now books ~ Swag!
Nano, Nano, NaNoWriMo Time!

I did not do a Flash Fiction Friday.  With being NaNoWriMo time, I'll not be doing these.  Maybe some day I'll give you a clip from my NaNoWriMo if you would like. :)

My WANT List...Well, I must really be slacking.  I only added 2 books last week.  But that's okay as I've got so many books on the Want List, I don't know if I'll ever get to them all.

Received Last Week:
Free:
All are ebooks this week.  There were lots of amazing free ebooks last week, and well, I couldn't pass them up!

God's War by Kameron Hurley
Goodreads Synopsis:
Nyx had already been to hell. One prayer more or less wouldn't make any difference...

On a ravaged, contaminated world, a centuries-old holy war rages, fought by a bloody mix of mercenaries, magicians, and conscripted soldiers. Though the origins of the war are shady and complex, there's one thing everybody agrees on...

There's not a chance in hell of ending it. 

Nyx is a former government assassin who makes a living cutting off heads for cash. But when a dubious deal between her government and an alien gene pirate goes bad, Nyx's ugly past makes her the top pick for a covert recovery. The head they want her to bring home could end the war--but at what price? 

The world is about to find out.

Infidel by Kameron Hurley
Goodreads Synopsis:
Nyx is a bodyguard in Mustallah, the capital city of Nasheen. The centuries-long holy war between Nasheen and Chenja is taking its toll, with shortages and rationing causing the Queen to lose power and popularity. While protecting the daughter of a Ras Tiegan Diplomat, Nyx is attacked by a group of assassins. Nyx survives, but begins to suffer from a strange, debilitating condition that nobody can identify. Caught up in a whirl-wind of intrigue involving Bel Dam Assassins plotting against the Queen, Nyx must learn who the rouge Bel Dam is, and find a cure for her illness, while avoiding the wrath of the queen she is trying to protect. The danger that swirls around her may have finally become to much, and Nyx's colleagues and friends began to die. Will Nyx be next?

Iron's Prophecy by Julie Kagawa
Goodreads Synopsis:
Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey—and her and Ash’s unborn child… 

A novella from the bestselling Iron Fey series

Into The Mirror Black by Tim Marquitz
Smashwords Synopsis:
Driven by darkness, Tyson sets the stage for the elder gods' return. (A short story) 

Cornerstone by Misty Provencher
Goodreads Synopsis:
Nalena Maxwell has been branded ‘The Waste’ at her new school, due to her mom's obsessive paper hoarding. Nalena desperately wants something to change in her life, but when she receives a sign (and it's the wrong dang one) inviting her into a mysterious, ancient community, too much changes. What she knew of her family, what she thought of her life and what she believed about her future, is no longer applicable. Seventeen years worth of family skeletons come crashing into Nalena's life and it is the boy...the one that smiles at her like he wants to hear everything she'll ever say...that already knows her powerful secrets. But it is only Nalena that can choose between protecting the life that is already crumbling beneath her feet and the one that might sacrifice everything she could ever have.

Won eARC, For Review:

Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs
Goodreads Synopsis:
While trying to save her brother from a witch’s fire four years ago, Greta was thrown in herself, falling through a portal to Mylena, a dangerous world where humans are the enemy and every ogre, ghoul, and goblin has a dark side that comes out with the eclipse. 

To survive, Greta has hidden her humanity and taken the job of bounty hunter—and she’s good at what she does. So good, she’s caught the attention of Mylena’s young goblin king, the darkly enticing Isaac, who invades her dreams and undermines her will to escape. 

But Greta’s not the only one looking to get out of Mylena. An ancient evil knows she’s the key to opening the portal, and with the next eclipse mere days away, every bloodthirsty creature in the realm is after her—including Isaac. If Greta fails, she and the lost boys of Mylena will die. If she succeeds, no world will be safe from what follows her back...

So, how did your week go last week?  Hope it was a good one.  How does the new week look for you?

Here's wishing you all the best in words and pages.

Freebies and Deals, on Nook too (30)

As always, Barnes & Nobles Friday Freebie thread.

I did find these this week:
Freebies:

Cornerstone by Misty Provencher
Smashwords (where you get any eformat you need)
Goodreads Synopsis:
Nalena Maxwell has been branded ‘The Waste’ at her new school, due to her mom's obsessive paper hoarding. Nalena desperately wants something to change in her life, but when she receives a sign (and it's the wrong dang one) inviting her into a mysterious, ancient community, too much changes. What she knew of her family, what she thought of her life and what she believed about her future, is no longer applicable. Seventeen years worth of family skeletons come crashing into Nalena's life and it is the boy...the one that smiles at her like he wants to hear everything she'll ever say...that already knows her powerful secrets. But it is only Nalena that can choose between protecting the life that is already crumbling beneath her feet and the one that might sacrifice everything she could ever have.

Into The Mirror Black by Tim Marquitz
Short story in time for Halloween, for you.
Smashwords (where you get any eformat you need)
Synopsis:
Driven by darkness, Tyson sets the stage for the elder gods' return.





From November 1st through November 8th, you can get FREE copies of God's War and the second novel Infidel by Kameron Hurley.  This is celebration of the third books release: Rapture.
Follow this link to Night Shades site and send an email to the address provided.  They'll send the instructions to you of how to get download them!  That easy!

God's War by Kameron Hurley
Goodreads Synopsis:
Nyx had already been to hell. One prayer more or less wouldn't make any difference...

On a ravaged, contaminated world, a centuries-old holy war rages, fought by a bloody mix of mercenaries, magicians, and conscripted soldiers. Though the origins of the war are shady and complex, there's one thing everybody agrees on...

There's not a chance in hell of ending it. 

Nyx is a former government assassin who makes a living cutting off heads for cash. But when a dubious deal between her government and an alien gene pirate goes bad, Nyx's ugly past makes her the top pick for a covert recovery. The head they want her to bring home could end the war--but at what price? 

The world is about to find out.

Infidel by Kameron Hurley
Goodreads Synopsis:
Nyx is a bodyguard in Mustallah, the capital city of Nasheen. The centuries-long holy war between Nasheen and Chenja is taking its toll, with shortages and rationing causing the Queen to lose power and popularity. While protecting the daughter of a Ras Tiegan Diplomat, Nyx is attacked by a group of assassins. Nyx survives, but begins to suffer from a strange, debilitating condition that nobody can identify. Caught up in a whirl-wind of intrigue involving Bel Dam Assassins plotting against the Queen, Nyx must learn who the rouge Bel Dam is, and find a cure for her illness, while avoiding the wrath of the queen she is trying to protect. The danger that swirls around her may have finally become to much, and Nyx's colleagues and friends began to die. Will Nyx be next?

Deals:
This first book of the series is now a deal of $2.99, if you'd like to get.  I've heard good things of it, and need it myself.

Blood Rights by Kristen Painter
Barnes & Nobles ~ Nook   /   Amazon ~ Kindle
Goodreads Synopsis:
Rebellion has a price.

The lacy gold mapped her entire body. A finely wrought filigree of stars, vines, flowers, butterflies, ancient symbols and words ran from her feet, up her legs, over her narrow waist, spanned her chest and finished down her arms to the tips of her fingers.

Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle's body bears the telltale marks of a comarré—a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world...and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.

Now, Chrysabelle and Malkolm must work together to stop a plot to merge the mortal and supernatural worlds. If they fail, a chaos unlike anything anyone has ever seen will threaten to reign.

Any thing else?  What have you found this week?  Sounds like a great one.

Book Review: Kiss of Death

Kiss of Death

By:  Seleste deLaney

Publisher:  Mundania Press

Publish Date:  August 2012

Format:  207pgs

Genre:  Romance, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Series:  1st in Blood Kissed series; Prequel #1 ~ Of Course I Try, Prequel #2 ~ The Ghost of Vampire Present, Short Stories ~ 0.1 ~ Christmas in Chains, 0.2 ~ Devil's Bargain, Short Story 0.3 ~ What Have I Done, 0.4 ~ The Cost of Love

Recommendation:  Mmm, Yes, a complicated romance with vampires and action.  There is something very special about Jocelyn...

Synopsis:
Too many years of killer vamps have triggered the curse of the Blood Kissed.  They've awakened the bloodline that can alter their world, because her blood has the power to control them all - even make them destroy each other.

Jocelyn thought her troubles with vampires were over when she drove a stake through her boyfriend Max's heart two years ago.  Even though she's engaged to Chad, she's never really forgotten him.  Now Max is back, and Chad is taking her into the heart of the vamp community - and they're the ones trying to keep her alive.  The ones who love her and each seek to claim her for their own.  Because once the elders know who she is, they're going to want her...or want her dead.

First Sentence:
The alley wasn't the cleanest place in the world, but none of the women tonight had seemed to mind.

Purchase At:
Amazon   /   Barnes & Nobles

My Thoughts and Summary:
Max is watching over Jocelyn, his love, who "killed" him.  At Christmas he made a promise to not bother her but to only come when she was in danger and needed him.  Max knows Jocelyn is in trouble with the vampire world, eventually they will find her.  And she doesn't know it.  Max keeps to the shadows, watching and learning about her new boyfriend, until the day Chad takes her openly into a vampire club that could be her death.   Jocelyn feels she is losing her mind since Christmas with the ghost of her grandma visited, and still visiting, and the strange dreams of three vampires visiting.  But she still dreams of it in her nightmares and worries.  Kidnapped by her past love, thought to be dead, Jocelyn's mind breaks down and tries to put the pieces together, which is dangerous to her as well as who is after her.  Jocelyn doesn't realize how powerful she is and by coming out in the open she has vampires, vampire hunters, and a magic yielder after her before the weeks out.

First, this is a romance read with a story full of paranormal happenings.  There are a few intimate scenes as well.  So if you like romance and love with a story line  this one is it.  Definitely an adult read with sex scenes present.  And there is a love triangle as well.

Max is a curious one to me.  For some reason he's stronger than others his age, like elder strong.  And for this he has to be careful the Elders don't find out.  Oh when I read the one novella, I thought his and Jocelyn's relationship might have been a touch abusive, but in this story I see it in a whole new light.  And I think he's my favorite of them all.  Chad...well, he's a keeper too, but he's still a little young yet.  Young in the way of knowledge of vampires ways, naive in a way.  Then there's Remy.  Ahh, he is powerful and flamboyant   The other elders don't much care for him.  But, I get a feel he has a bigger plan in the making here.  He is gently pushing people into things by helping in other ways.  No magic there, but he is a manipulator and very talented at it.  And we have Jocelyn, who is a bit close-minded for a while.  Her grandmother even comments on it while giving her cryptic hints to what she needs to know.

We get to see different sides of the story with point of views from Max, Jocelyn, Chad, and the elder Dominik.  And I like getting all this information to know what and why things are happening.

I really enjoyed this story and meeting these characters.  These characters really stood out to me.  So different.  And I felt they really blended and clashed in a genuine manner.  I really was taken by them all!  There is a blend of action and romance here.  My only thing is I'm not sure how Jocelyn is to 'control' the vampires yet.  We learned about her blood and the history, but I'm not sure how it will work to take control.  Making a stronger soldier, yes, but I think she might have something else that she's not aware of yet.

I do look forward to reading more of Jocelyn, Max (sigh), Chad, and Remy as well.  Great combination of characters and personalities.  Really enjoyed relaxing with this one, and flipping the pages.

Do you have to read the short stories and novellas before reading this?  No, I don't think so.  But you will learn all the back story that leads into this and why things are so confusing to Jocelyn.  The poor girls mind has been scrambled more than a few times.  The relationship connections that you read in the short stories and novellas are made here, but you could get the feeling up front and get to see more of those events transpire if you read them.  At least the short stories are free, go ahead and give them a try.



***I read this book for an honest review from the publisher.
***This review is a collection of my person thoughts while reading.