Release LIMITED EDITION T-shirt GIVEAWAY!

Woot woot!!  Tomorrow is release day for Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson!

Have you ordered your copy yet?  No?  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?  lol
Okay, I'll wait while you follow the link and order your copy:  Hot Blooded (Jessica McClain)

*whistle, whistle*



Back?  Okay, lets go on with the giveaway.

This will run for 2 weeks!

Amanda is giving away:  LIMITED EDITION T-shirts!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mythical Monday (8)

It seems there are many books based on or influenced by Myths and Mythological Beings.

There are so many different Mythology and Mythological Beings recorded. Some are very popular and well known, others not so much. There are many similar beings, yet different depending on the culture it’s based in.  The definition of Myth covers about anything in the Urban Fantasy/Fantasy realm to me.

I’ve invited authors to share briefly the Mythological being or Myth that influenced their character(s) or story, or what their character(s) are based on influencing their books.  Hosting here, one author and being or myth per week.

This week we have:

Fantasy author R.M. Prioleau

Talking of Harpies.

"The Necromancer's Apprentice" is a gothic fantasy novella about a girl named Jasmine, who, after a series of perils, is given a second chance at life by a mysterious stranger with a hidden agenda. The setting of Caristan, the fictional country of the fantasy world that the story takes place in, is very dark and bleak -- like the kind of feeling you get when watching a Tim Burton movie. Various types of creatures and monsters lurk throughout Caristan, making extremely hazardous for unwary travelers. One particular type of creature that I will highlight from the book, and I thought had a very large impact on the story, is the harpy. 

Harpies date as far back as Greek mythology, as they were the winged spirits who constantly tormented Phineus by stealing his food. Harpies are depicted as hybrid, winged creatures with a human female's upper body, and a bird's lower body. Many popular cultures depict them as beautiful creatures, while others show them as hideous monsters. Their names are often mistaken and/or interchanged with Sirens, especially in popular videogames. According to Wikipedia, the literal meaning of 'harpy' means "to snatch." When writing "The Necromancer's Apprentice," I thought these creatures would be perfect in creating a turning point in the story, in which all that Jasmine loved and knew was suddenly snatched from her.

(Image from Wikipedia)

As I wrote "The Necromancer's Apprentice," I learned a lot about the histories of the creatures I used based on my research. I tried to choose creatures that I thought would be appropriate for a gothic setting. Harpies are commonly used in horror films and books, and I thought that it would be something that many readers would relate to and expect to see in "The Necromancer's Apprentice."


"The Necromancer's Apprentice" is available now on Amazon, B&N, and other major online retailers in ebook and paperback. Check out my website for more information about "The Necromancer's Apprentice," as well as my other books, which feature mythologically-inspired creatures.

R.M. Prioleau has many mythologically-inspired creatures in works.

You can find R.M. Prioleau at:

My website/blog: www.RMPrioleau.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RMPrioleau

Twitter: www.twitter.com/RMPrioleau

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/RMPrioleau

Sunday Post #8

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news ~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share new about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

~~~~~~~~~~

It's been a bust of a weekend for me.  I was hoping to get my Camp NaNoWriMo project done...start a new book...listen to a lot more podcast stories...yea right.  I didn't get to excel at any of it like I wanted.  I did take kiddo to football camp Saturday, which he seemed happy to have me take him as I believe there is a coach he doesn't get along with...Aaaand...he knows I won't deal with that coaches shit.  I'm a little lippy when it comes to such things.  And, no, I'm not just one of those moms that grips because he's yelling.  I think football is about yelling.  It's WHAT you yell at the kids that bothers me.  But, it all turned out well as that coach wasn't even there.

First, Camp NaNoWriMo...um, I'm so close to the end of this story, I can taste it!  I so wanted to spend the weekend on the computer typing away, and well...life happened.  I spent it with the family, not regretting it, just wishing for more time.

As for read...I just finished one book last week with starting back to a workout routine here at home.  Okay, fine so the workout was only on one day.  But I'm trying.  And running the kiddo around for sports, it's crazy!

So, needless to say I'm a bit behind in everything (again) these days.

What's Happening in Books:

Current Read:
I'm...a bad reader.  I have a few podcast listens I want to get through and Nano is kicking my butt.  I do have an idea what book I'm picking up next, but we'll see.  Look for it on the right side bar here in a day or two.

Current Podcast Book Listen:
The Dreamer's Thread by Starla Huchton

Finished Last Week:
Vampire Voyage by Kelly Lougheed

~~~~~~~~~~

Last Week on the Blog:

The Kaiser Affair by Joseph Robert Lewis  (review)
Mountain Challenge by John Mierau  (review)

Thoughts On:  The Dreamer's Thread Eps 9 & 10 by Starla Huchton

Tales from the Archive Vol 2 #10


Weekly Posts:
***NEW*** Mythical Monday ~ Kelly Meding talking "Of Heroes and Titans"
Teaser Tuesday
Who? What? Where? Wend.
Throwback Thursday
Freebies and Deals, on Nook too
Looking Forward To... 

~~~~~~~~~~

This Week to Come on the Blog:

The Weekly Posts.
An Author giveaway of a Limited Edition T-shirt (Mon)

Tour of the smexy rendezvous spots on the Dark Hawk, by Seleste deLaney (Mon)
Author interview with Amanda Carlson (Thurs)

Thoughts on: The Dreamer's Thread Eps 11 & 12  (Tues)

Vampire Voyager by Kelly Lougheed  (Review Wend.)
In the Beginning by Philippa Ballantine  (Review Thurs)

~~~~~~~~~~

Received Last Week:

For Review:

Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan
Goodreads Synopsis:
The Age of Kings is dead . . . and I have killed it.

It's a bloody business overthrowing a king...
Field Marshal Tamas' coup against his king sent corrupt aristocrats to the guillotine and brought bread to the starving. But it also provoked war with the Nine Nations, internal attacks by royalist fanatics, and the greedy to scramble for money and power by Tamas's supposed allies: the Church, workers unions, and mercenary forces. 

It's up to a few...
Stretched to his limit, Tamas is relying heavily on his few remaining powder mages, including the embittered Taniel, a brilliant marksman who also happens to be his estranged son, and Adamat, a retired police inspector whose loyalty is being tested by blackmail.

But when gods are involved...
Now, as attacks batter them from within and without, the credulous are whispering about omens of death and destruction. Just old peasant legends about the gods waking to walk the earth. No modern educated man believes that sort of thing. But they should...

Winnings:
I won Kate SeRine's giveaway which was for an ebook and swag.  The ebook I won will be the next release, when it comes out. :)  But here's the swag!

Freebies:

The Black Fortress by Jim Melvin
Amazon Synopsis:
Centuries before the rise of Invictus, Torg fought another great war.
A Short 28 Page Story— Prequel to the highly praised Death Wizard Chronicles.

Torg, the Death Wizard and hero of The Death Wizard Chronicles, faces a hideous Druid Queen who controls an army of minions through the immense power of her will. Among those doing her bidding is a Stone-Eater: a fierce and powerful creature who obtains its powers from eating stone.

Torg's First Death by Jim Melvin
Amazon Synopsis:
The Death Wizard Chronicles is a six-book epic fantasy that debuted in August 2012 (Bell Bridge Books). The main character, Torg, is a Death-Knower wizard who has died and then returned to life more than a thousand times. The Short 13 Page Story Torg’s First Death describes the first time Torg dies and returns, thus becoming the first Death-Knower wizard in centuries.

The Death Wizard Chronicles:
Book One- Forged In Death
Book Two- Chained By Fear

Entangled by Nikki Jefford
Goodreads Synopsis:
Two months after dying, seventeen-year-old witch Graylee Perez wakes up in her twin sister Charlene’s body.

Until Gray finds a way back inside her own body, she’s stuck being Charlene every twenty-hour hours. Her sister has left precise instructions on how Gray should dress and behave. Looking like a prep isn’t half as bad as hanging out with Charlene’s snotty friends and gropey boyfriend.

The “normals” of McKinley High might be quick to write her behavior off as post-traumatic stress, but warlock Raj McKenna is the only person who suspects Gray has returned from the dead.

Now Gray has to solve the mystery of her death and resurrection and disentangle herself from Charlene’s body before she disappears for good.

***Entangled is a young adult paranormal fantasy romance suitable for ages 15 and up.***

Forget You by Parker Blue
Amazon Synopsis:
Enjoy a free short story from the Demon Underground Series by Parker Blue!
At the end of MAKE ME (Book 4), Shade’s relationship with Val hangs in the balance as he tries to reconcile his own demons of the past with Val’s choices and her new role as Palladin of the Demon Underground. FORGET YOU is a peek into Shade’s past.
Sixteen-year-old Shawn, “Shadow Boy,” is the exact opposite of his sister, Sharra, whose nickname is “Sunshine Girl.” While she sees the joy and bright side of everything, he sees the dark-side all too often. Feels the isolation forced on them by their father more sharply. And chafes under the constant discipline needed to hold their powers in check.
When an argument with his father sparks Shawn’s shadow demon half, his world implodes.

~~~~~~~~~~

Reviews in the Works:

The Crown Tower by Michael J. Sullivan
The Rose and the Thorn by Michael J. Sullivan

The Dimensional Shift by Frances Pauli

In The Beginning by Philippa Ballantine
Clockwork Mafia by Seleste DeLaney
Vampire Voyage by Kelly Lougheed

Hmm, looks like I'll be out of reviews in stock soon.  I'll have to speed up reading when done with Camp Nano. :)

Announcing in Audiobook with a Giveaway!

E.J. Stevens has announced the first Ivy Granger book, Shadow Sight, is to be available on Amazon,
Audible, and iTunes this month in AUDIOBOOK format!  Woot!  Now many can start this series while on their way to work.

To celebrate, E.J. Stevens is doing a giveaway:

1 digital Download of Shadow Sight

Shadow Sight swag pack

(signed Shadow Sight Postcard, Ivy Granger Private Eye sticker, Shadow Sight sticker, Shadow Sight magnet)

The Giveaway Ends: April 30, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Don't forget:  Ghost Light, Ivy Granger #2, will be coming our way July 2013!  Check back in July for more information.

Tales From the Archives Vol. 2 #10

Tales from the Archives Vol. 2 - #10

By:  Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Written & Narrated by:  Dan Rabarts

Format:  Podcast, 43:37 minutes

Genre:  Fantasy, Steampunk

Series:  10th in Tales of the Archives Vol. 2 podcasts, part of A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series

Recommendation:  Nice way to meet new characters and authors in this steampunk-ish world particularly if you enjoyed the book; A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel, Phoenix Rising.  The archives are full of stories to be told.

Synopsis:
Preservation Inlet, Fiordland, New Zealand

Agents Lachlan King and Barry Ferguson are called to an isolated mining town to investigate the disappearance of a young Chinese girl.  They found the town all but abandoned, and as they descend into the realm of Ruaumoko, the Maori god of earthquakes they find an explosive situation that will test both agenst and their equipment sorely.

**Featuring Grant Stone as Agent Lachlan.

My Thoughts and Summary:
We start with Eliza and Wellington in the archives as Eliza diverts Welly making him flustered at the mention of him being on the daring side and a touch of unorganized as he has unfinished reports.  This one being one from her home, where time has moved on and she's not met these agents.

June 1900, Ferguson and Lachlan are on the ship, Ferguson taking in the sights, as they head to an area where miners washed away in a flash flood in the southern island gold mine to appear in a northern one.  Suddenly a young Chinese girl silently appears behind them, questioning their intent to find gold and advises they should leave.  In her silent disappearance a card is left.

This is an interesting story, one I think I'd enjoy much more reading.  There are many details and things I wanted to read over a few times.  In listening, this is were I have troubles, I seem to not catch everything.  And I like to catch everything.

Ferguson has some interesting 'tools' he's looking forward to trying out.  And his breather equipment, might have multiple uses before their mission is complete.

This mining town feels as it's been taken off the map, not literally but with minimal visitors since the happening of the mine and mention of ghosts it's dwindled to kneel.  Lachlan mentions with digging in the ground they might have upset the God of Earthquakes, and he might be to blame.

There is one man who's remained strong in the town, Fato, who is looking for his daughter.  Investigating the mines, Agents Lachlan and Ferguson find water seeping in and more cards.  In close inspection of the card, they are found with Chinese writing and from a game.

This one is a paranormal feel to the steampunk and clockworks of the world as well.  We get the answer to how the men turned up in a completely different area than where they started, but on the girl... I think I know what happened to the girl, but I'm not one hundred percent sure.



Would you like to listen to these? For a taste of the characters or in addition to the book... Visit The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.

You can find these for your Reading pleasure in any eFormat you would like at Smashwords.

You can find the Archives: Amazon Kindle ~ Tales from the Archives Scroll through the list for them all, and the ones you still need.

There are short stories always added to the listing. So keep checking back!



I listened to this short story for my own enjoyment.

Freebies and Deals, on Nook too (51)

Barnes & Nobles Freebie Friday Thread...

Deals:
April 19th ONLY!! For $1.99

Angelology by Danielle Trussoni
Amazon ~ Kindle   /   Barnes & Nobles ~ Nook

Goodreads Synopsis:

A thrilling epic about an ancient clash reignited in our time- between a hidden society and heaven's darkest creatures 

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them.
Genesis 6:5

Sister Evangeline was just a girl when her father entrusted her to the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in upstate New York. Now, at twenty-three, her discovery of a 1943 letter from the famous philanthropist Abigail Rockefeller to the late mother superior of Saint Rose Convent plunges Evangeline into a secret history that stretches back a thousand years: an ancient conflict between the Society of Angelologists and the monstrously beautiful descendants of angels and humans, the Nephilim.

For the secrets these letters guard are desperately coveted by the once-powerful Nephilim, who aim to perpetuate war, subvert the good in humanity, and dominate mankind. Generations of angelologists have devoted their lives to stopping them, and their shared mission, which Evangeline has long been destined to join, reaches from her bucolic abbey on the Hudson to the apex of insular wealth in New York, to the Montparnasse cemetery in Paris and the mountains of Bulgaria.

Rich in history, full of mesmerizing characters, and wondrously conceived, Angelology blends biblical lore, the myth of Orpheus and the Miltonic visions of Paradise Lost into a riveting tale of ordinary people engaged in a battle that will determine the fate of the world.


Free:

Entangled (Spellbound #1) by Nikki Jefford
Amazon ~ Kindle   /   Barnes & Nobles ~ Nook

Goodreads Synopsis:
Two months after dying, seventeen-year-old witch Graylee Perez wakes up in her twin sister Charlene’s body.

Until Gray finds a way back inside her own body, she’s stuck being Charlene every twenty-hour hours. Her sister has left precise instructions on how Gray should dress and behave. Looking like a prep isn’t half as bad as hanging out with Charlene’s snotty friends and gropey boyfriend.

The “normals” of McKinley High might be quick to write her behavior off as post-traumatic stress, but warlock Raj McKenna is the only person who suspects Gray has returned from the dead.

Now Gray has to solve the mystery of her death and resurrection and disentangle herself from Charlene’s body before she disappears for good.

***Entangled is a young adult paranormal fantasy romance suitable for ages 15 and up.***

The Black Fortress by Jim Melvin
Amazon ~ Kindle

Amazon Synopsis:

Centuries before the rise of Invictus, Torg fought another great war.
A Short 28 Page Story— Prequel to the highly praised Death Wizard Chronicles.

Torg, the Death Wizard and hero of The Death Wizard Chronicles, faces a hideous Druid Queen who controls an army of minions through the immense power of her will. Among those doing her bidding is a Stone-Eater: a fierce and powerful creature who obtains its powers from eating stone.

Jim Melvin is the author of the epic, six-book epic fantasy, The Death Wizard Chronicles. He was an award-winning journalist at the St. Petersburg Times for twenty-five years. As a reporter, he specialized in science, nature, health and fitness, and he wrote about everything from childhood drowning to erupting volcanoes. Jim is a student of Eastern philosophy and mindfulness meditation, both of which he weaves extensively into his work. Jim lives in Upstate South Carolina in the foothills of the mountains. He’s married and has five daughters. Visit him at: www.jim-melvin.com and www.deathwizardchronicles.blogspot.com/

Torg's First Death by Jim Melvin

Amazon ~ Kindle   /   Barnes & Nobles ~ Nook

Goodreads Synopsis:

The Death Wizard Chronicles is a six-book epic fantasy that debuted in August 2012 (Bell Bridge Books). The main character, Torg, is a Death-Knower wizard who has died and then returned to life more than a thousand times. The Short 13 Page Story Torg’s First Death describes the first time Torg dies and returns, thus becoming the first Death-Knower wizard in centuries.

The Death Wizard Chronicles:
Book One- Forged In Death
Book Two- Chained By Fear

Forget You (Demon Underground series) By Parker Blue
Amazon ~ Kindle

Goodreads Synopsis:

Enjoy a free short story from the Demon Underground Series by Parker Blue!
At the end of MAKE ME (Book 4), Shade’s relationship with Val hangs in the balance as he tries to reconcile his own demons of the past with Val’s choices and her new role as Palladin of the Demon Underground. FORGET YOU is a peek into Shade’s past.
Sixteen-year-old Shawn, “Shadow Boy,” is the exact opposite of his sister, Sharra, whose nickname is “Sunshine Girl.” While she sees the joy and bright side of everything, he sees the dark-side all too often. Feels the isolation forced on them by their father more sharply. And chafes under the constant discipline needed to hold their powers in check.
When an argument with his father sparks Shawn’s shadow demon half, his world implodes.

Online story.  
This is 18 fantasy authors who joined together and did a short section of a story.  The story starts and is about:

An elf, an android, and a lawyer walked into a tavern...

It's quick to get through and it is so much fun!  I hope you take the time to read all the entries.  You can find the list of authors and links to each part as they go live, at:  Genre Underground

Looking Forward To...(117)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

It's been a while since I've done one of these Friday Looking Forward posts.  And I miss doing them.

Next Book Is...

Hot Blooded
Jessica McClain #2

By:  Amanda Carlson

Due Out:  April 23, 2013

Yes, I've read this one.  But I loved it so much, I HAVE TO HAVE a print copy for my shelves.

Goodreads Synopsis:
It hasn't been the best week for Jessica McClain.

Her mate has been kidnapped by a Goddess hell-bent on revenge --- but Jessica is playing for keeps.

Because she's the only female werewolf in town...it comes with its own set of rules...and powers.

Aided by two vamps, two loyal Pack members, and one very reluctant human, Jessica must rescue her man while coming to terms with what being a wolf really means.

All in a day's work for a girl.

The second novel in the Jessica McClain series is a full on action adventure featuring one angry Goddess and plenty of monsters, demons, and a few newly risen beasties...