#Splash Into Summer visits author Cherie Colyer

The Splash Into Summer reading tour continues, visiting multi-published and multi-talented author Cherie Colyer today!

Cherie has a wonderful YA series which includes EMBRACE and HOLD TIGHT, both of which I loved and reviewed (read EMBRACE review here for February's Cephalopod Coffee House) (read HOLD TIGHT review here). Both would be great poolside reads... and I'm hoping there will be another book in this series for next summer!

Cherie also has a great paranormal YA out from my other publisher, The Wild Rose Press. Challenging Destiny is also a fast, fun read - perfect for a day at the beach! (Read that review HERE)

CEPHALOPOD COFFEEHOUSE: OPEN MINDS, Book 1 of the Mindjack trilogy, by Susan Kaye Quinn

The monthly meeting of the Cephalopod Coffee House Book Club is here - and I have a great book recommendation for you guys. If you liked, Divergent, you need to read Susan Kaye Quinn's Mindjack series, that starts with Open Minds.

Open Minds, Book 1 of the Mindjack Trilogy
By Susan Kaye Quinn

Published November 2011

About the Book:

Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can’t read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can’t be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf’s mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she’s dragged deep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.

MY TAKE:

Sixteen year old Kira Moore lives in a dystopian sort of future where talking is so yesterday. Because of chemicals spilled over centuries into our waterways, human brains have developed telepathic abilities. Mind talking is in, and if you can't tap into the mind awareness around you, you are labeled a zero and life plain sucks.

And high school is even worse.

Kira's abilities haven't developed yet, much to her dismay. Labeled a zero and dropped by almost all of her former friends, her future seems dim. The only bright spot left in her life is her best friend Raf who, despite her disability, wants to be more than friends. When he tries to kiss her in study hall, Kira's true ability rears its head.

She can't read minds, but she can jack right into other people's heads and control their thoughts and actions.

Simon, the bad boy in her math class, realizes her ability and pulls her into his secret world of mindjackers. He teaches her how to cope, how to use her abilities to her advantage, and most importantly, how to blend in. But in the process, she covers her tracks with so many lies that she decides she can't drag Raf into her web of deceit, and starts dating Simon instead, since they are the same, with the same abilities.

But Simon isn't what he seems, and Kira is different than anyone else. Not just the mind readers, but the other mind jackers as well.

This is a well told dystopian tale, with twists and turns and sizzling first kisses. Susan Kaye Quinn has a new paranormal twist on the future that seems so believable, and downright scary on so many levels. I love her world building and her characters, especially Kira who grows into her abilities and strengths as the story progresses, but retains self doubt and enough humility so that you never dislike her and keep rooting for a happy ending.

I  look forward to reading the next books in this trilogy, which are thankfully already available.

If you liked Divergent, you need to read Open Minds. 

Buy Open Minds on Amazon 

And while you're buying books - my new Cape Cod romance novel is FREE this week for Kindle! Get your copy of MY KIND OF CRAZY for FREE today or tomorrow! Click on the icon to the left of the blog to go straight to the buy page on Amazon! Because...FREE. Who can beat free? 

To find more of this month's book recommendations, check out the rest of the Blog Hop:

#FREE #Kindle - MY KIND OF CRAZY on sale this week!

Who likes FREE BOOKS?

I do, I do!

How about YOU?

Grab your #FREE Kindle edition of MY KIND OF CRAZY this week on AMAZON.

For a Limited Time only: May 27 though May 31

Go! Quick! Download it TODAY!

After all... it's

FREE!

I'm visiting a few other blogs this week, talking about MY KIND OF CRAZY
and the fact that it's FREE!

My fellow "Roses" from The Wild Rose Press are a wonderful bunch of authors! Supportive and generous, I'm so glad to have landed in this publishing "Garden."

 Find me at Christine Elaine Black's blog
Christine writes hot, historical fiction - sizzling Romans to make you swoon, really!
Find me at Louise Lyndon's blog
Louise lives in Australia and writes historical fiction for The Wild Rose Press
Find me at Karen Blake Hall's blog
Karen writes sizzling romantic suspense, also for The Wild Rose Press

Book #Review: LEGACY OF THE BLOOD by Callie Kanno

Legacy of the Blood, by Callie Kanno
Published November 2013

About the Book (from Goodreads):

Book 2 of The Threshold Trilogy:
Five years have passed since Adesina began on her path to lead her people, the L’avan, back to their true purpose. Her hopes for peace and prosperity are high until her husband, L’iam, is captured by an enemy bent on ultimate control. Adesina is willing to go to the end of the earth to save her husband, but as she travels deeper into unknown worlds she discovers that there is more at stake in this journey than she ever could have imagined.

MY TAKE:

LEGACY OF THE BLOOD is the second in a high fantasy series for young adults, written by Callie Kanno. The story picks up five years after the ending of the first book, THE THRESHOLD CHILD.

I enjoyed this book, but if you haven't read the first book in the series you won't understand what's going on. I read and reviewed THE THRESHOLD CHILD in February 2013 - you can find my review on this blog by clicking HERE. This is high fantasy with a ton of world building and back story. You can't just jump into it midstream. Think of it like The Lord of the Rings trilogy. You can't just start with The Two Towers, right?

On to my review.

It's been five years since our heroine Adesina embraced her vaya, or magic. She married L'iam and now rules by his side as Queen of the L'avan people, a race of magic users. When he is kidnapped while on a diplomatic mission, she must race to save him from the Shimat, the warrior sect where Adesina was raised.

Before she can mount a rescue, Adesina's Shimat instructor appears at the L'avan village to offer his services to aid in recovering L'iam. Although wary of Kendan's intentions, Adesina agrees to allow him to help. Together with two L'avan warriors and Kendan's tracker, they begin a journey to save not only L'iam but the fate of their world.

Adesina discovers that her lifelong Shimat enemy and rival, Basha, was the one to kidnap L'iam. She also discovers along the way that Kendan still harbors complicated feelings toward Adesina, feelings she no longer reciprocates.

There are many twists and turns as the group faces one obstacle after another. Along the way they make friends and alliances with the various people they meet, Adesina's innate goodness winning over hearts and minds even as they battle for their lives. The overarching myth of the Threshold Child haunts Adesina until she figures out the meaning of the prophecy. She also needs to overcome her inner doubts and fears about the strength of her own vaya, and learn to control it before it controls her.

There is a lot of history and back story that Adesina must learn in order to prevail in her quest. The Dream sequences she embarks on with her Guardian, Ravi, get to be a little much, and I think the author could have handled the information dump a little more creatively. The Dreams themselves tend to be slightly confusing as Adesina both observes the action in the dreams from the periphery and experiences them as the main characters from the history she is observing. If head hopping or abrupt POV changes bother you, this might not be a good fit for you as a reader.

If you enjoy high fantasy and sweeping, magical quests, immerse yourself in the world of Adesina and the L'avan. Unlike the first book, which had a strong and definitive HEA, the ending to the second book is abrupt. But never fear, a third book is in the works.

BOOK REVIEW: STONE GUARDIAN by Maeve Greyson

Stone Guardian, by Maeve Grayson
Published 2014 by The Wild Rose Press

About the Book (from Goodreads):

Be careful what you wish for…

All he wanted was to change his fate.

All she wanted was a new beginning.

They both got just what they asked just not like they planned.

When the gods realize the beast they unleashed should never have been unshackled, they throw together modern-day Emma and ancient Torin to set the world aright. Now the mismatched pair must fully embrace their powers, meld them and send the demon back to his hell. But what Emma and Torin don't realize is there's a troubling side-effect to melding magic. Hearts tend to get tangled too even when the two souls aren't comfortable in each other's worlds.

MY TAKE: 

What's sexier than a steaming hot guy in nothing but a kilt? How about a sizzling kilted warrior who's also a legendary guardian? He can wield magic, travel through time, and practically melt the paint off the walls with his kisses. And he's single.

Trapped in the shadows between time for over a thousand years,  Torin is brought back to this life when a fiery young doctor arrives on his Scottish island. The instant heat between them sizzles right off the page, as Maeve Grayson weaves a tale that blends legendary Celtic creatures with steamy passion and complex emotions.

Told with a thick Scottish brogue, this is a story of two people who are stronger than they know. They must embrace their love in order for each to heal the scars from their past. 

I love time travel stories, but this is my first paranormal highlander romance. And I loved it - I'll definitely be on the lookout for more!

#Splash Into Summer tour visits author Jody Kessler

The Splash Into Summer reading tour continues today, visiting author Jody Kessler's blogwith another chance to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway. (Have you entered yet? You can always tweet for another chance to enter!)

Jody Kessler wrote one of my favorite books of last summer, DEATH LIES BETWEEN US, the first book in her An Angel Falls series. She's signed the contract for a second book... I'm anxiously awaiting its release! If you haven't read the first book yet, I totally recommend it! You can read my review HERE. Make sure to like her on Facebook (one of the Rafflecopter entries!) as she always posts the coolest, magical scenery pics!

BOOK REVIEW: PROMISE MADE, by Mitzi Pool Bridges

Promise Made, by Mitzi PoolBridges

(The Callahan series, Book 4)
Published 2014 by The Wild Rose Press

About the Book (from Goodreads):

Five years after leaving Sheriff Dugan Callahan at the altar, defense attorney Kate Maroney is back in Oaktree, Texas. Her boss has proposed, and she's come home to figure out what to do. When her grandmother falls and Kate stays on to care for her, Kate starts accepting clients, hoping to keep her mind off of the fiery attraction she still feels for Dugan. 

Dugan wants to know: What is Kate running from now? And why does she fight the obvious feelings between them? Kate's agreement to represent a battered woman's murder case pits them against each other even more.

After the biggest trial in memory, half the town is rooting for them to get back together, while the other half would rather see Kate return to Austin and leave their sheriff alone. 

Who is right? Who is wrong? Will Kate run again, or will love win out in the end?

MY TAKE: 

Kaitlyn Maroney fled Oaktree, Texas five years ago, leaving Dugan Callahan standing alone at the alter on their wedding day. She's back in town to visit her grandmother,  running away from another marriage proposal, trying to figure out what it is that she's so afraid of. In every other way, she's a strong, competent woman who can stand on her own and doesn't need a man. But does she still need that macho cowboy, Dugan? Her heart isn't sure.

Five years ago, Dugan's heart was torn in two when Kate didn't show up on their wedding day. Now he's the sheriff of Oaktree and about to propose to a nice, sweet woman and settle down. So what's up with the roller coaster of emotions caused by Kate's arrival in town?

This is a sweet Western-flavored romance about two people who fell in love too young and got overwhelmed by the emotions. They're both older now, with more life experience under their belts, but still struggling with past hurts and how to get passed their past. Throw in a murder trial that keeps forcing them to spend time together and soon the passions are flaring. 

The author shows us both points of view, both Kate's and Dugan's, so the reader knows that both of them are confused about their own feelings as well as wondering what's in the other persons head, while the townsfolk take wagers on whether there will be wedding bells or more heartache. This is a fun, fast read and a sweet romance with a strong, feisty heroine and a cowboy. 

This is the fourth book about the Callahan brothers of Texas, but I hadn't read any of the other books...yet. This one can definitely stand alone. I've  never been a fan of cowboy romances, but after finding Dugan a truly swoon-worthy hero, I might have to try a few more.

The Kindle version is on sale now for $2.99 (bonus!) 

#Splash Into Summer tour visits author Jenn Nixon!

The blog tour and Giveaway moves to Jenn Nixon's blog today! If you haven't entered the Rafflecopter yet, head over and start clicking!

Jenn is a multi-published suspense and science fiction author. Her latest book just out this month from Wild Child publishing is LUCKY'S BREAK, the second in her series about reluctant assassin "Lucky" Fascino. No mermaids, but still great edge-of-your-beach-chair reading for summer!

BOOK REVIEW: UNDERTOW by K.R. Conway

Undertow, by K.R. Conway
Published 2013 (paranormal YA)

About the Book from Goodreads: 

Luckless Eila is unknowingly the last of her kind: Rare. Gifted. Breakable.  

Stunning Raef is her kind's historic enemy: Soulless. Lethal. Lost.

A legendary death 160 years before would set their lives to collide, forcing a beautiful killer to become a savior, a simple wallflower to become a warrior, and ruthless destiny to become a death sentence.

About the Book from Amazon:

Eila Walker knows luck is not a friend, so she is downright shocked to inherit a million-dollar Cape Cod home. And yeah, her new town isn't perfect: the cheerleaders are heinous clones, the local undertow can kill ya, and her Great Grams was supposedly fried by lightning in the harbor square. Still, Eila is hopeful her luckless days are in the past...until history decides to repeat itself. 

When drool-worthy Raef O'Reilly becomes her friendly, yet weirdly protective shadow, Eila thinks life is pretty darn perfect - until she is hauled beneath the waves by an unnatural undertow. Revealing coal-black eyes and iron-like strength as he rescues her, Raef can no longer hide what he is...or what she can do. Eila, last of her kind, can supposedly channel the power of human souls, while Raef is more adept at stealing them. Even worse, the legend about her ancestor isn't such a myth, since Eila's grandmother was one kick-butt warrior until her lightning-like power backfired. A power that is written all over Eila's DNA.
 
Determined to stay one step ahead of a dangerous clan that is hunting her, Raef, along with three unlikely allies, will do all they can to protect her. But as hidden pieces of their brutal histories unravel, Eila begins to understand just what went down in the harbor square and that she may be forced to follow in her grandmother's fearless footsteps to save those she loves.

MY TAKE:

When Eila Walker inherits an old Victorian house on Cape Cod, she thinks maybe her luck has finally changed. Orphaned at a young age, she's been living with her guardian Mae in Kansas, and had no idea that her family's roots stretched all the way back to the Atlantic.

She also had no idea about who or what she truly is. She thought she was just an awkward 17-year-old. Boy, was she wrong.

Told with a fresh, engaging first-person voice, Eila's story unfolds slowly as she navigates the tricky waters of Cape Cod teens. Moving to a new town, a new high school, and making new friends are all hard enough, but there is more simmering just below the surface. When Raef, the hot new boy in school, takes a decided interest in Eila, she's not sure whether she should be running toward him -- or away as fast as she can.

Kate Conway gives us a whole new realm of paranormal beings to contemplate and explore, as well as authentic teen voices. I don't want to give away any of the complicated plot line, except to say it kept me interested and turning pages until my iPad overheated and I was forced to put it down long enough to cool and reset!

I loved her world building and her vivid descriptions of Cape Cod, with its many faces and facades. I'm eagerly looking forward to the second book in this series, coming out later this summer!

Buy your own copy on AMAZON now!  

About the Author:

Kate Conway has been a journalist for 15 years and serves on the Board of Directors for the Cape Cod Writers Center. She also drives a 16-ton school bus because, she says, "I am ENTIRELY NUTS."

In addition to working jobs that should come with a warning label, she holds a BA in Psychos (Forensic Psych), torments the tourists about Jaws, and occasionally jumps from the Town Neck bridge in an attempt to reclaim her youth.

Kate lives on Cape Cod with two smallish humans who apparently are her kids, a fishing-obsessed husband, two canines (adept at both flatulence and snoring), and a cage-defiant lovebird that sleeps in a miniature tent. Nope - that's not a type-o. The bird is quite the indoor camper. 

#CoverReveal: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT by Shawna Romkey

Ready for this awesome cover??? This is the second book in the Speak of the Devil series, and man, is this cover ever creepy/intriguing/oh-my-god-cool....

Coming July 1 - Go To Hell!

About the book:

Lily is working with the angels to stifle the last of the demon outbreaks and to figure out how to stop the Silence of God, so life can get back to boring normality. But all hell breaks loose when she’s stolen from school and brought face to face with the devil himself. Lily has to find her way back home to Luc, crack the prophecy that breaks the curse silencing God, and figure out how she and Luc can ever really be together; but Lucifer has other plans for her that don’t include her ever getting out of Hell intact.

Shawna Romkey, teacher by day, writer by night (or day or whenever anyone leaves her alone long enough to get some work done). Bestselling YA / NA paranormal author of Speak of the Devil. The second in the series, The Devil Made Me Do It, will release July 1.

Shawna is from Kansas City, Missouri, but resides in Nova Scotia in a house by the sea with her husband, two sons, and currently two dogs but that’s subject to change depending on the local homeless dog population.

For more info, check out her website at www.shawnaromkey.com.

I'm visiting the Darkly Delicious YA blog today!

I'm over at the DDYA blog today, talking about critique groups - the good, the bad and the ugly. Well, maybe not all that. But my experiences with writing groups and finding a critique partner who "gets" it. Easier said than done.

Come visit and read about my journey, and how I finally found a CP for Son of a Mermaid.

Happy Book Birthday all month to my first YA baby ~ I'm celebrating by offering a $2.99 sale!

Grab your copy today!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

I'm also featured over at Carol Oates blog today, May 16, for the start of the BLOOD OF A MERMAID Splash into Summer 2014 tour! Come visit and check out the Great Rafflecopter that's going now through June 15th! Tons of great books to be won!

#NEW RELEASE: BETRAYED VOWS by KyAnn Waters

Hi, Katie! I’m thrilled to be on your blog today to share my new story, Betrayed Vows. Here's a little about the book:

Life on the outside is not as Landon Booker expected. But how can he make a future for himself beyond prison walls when the woman who is supposed to love him wants to see him sent back to the penitentiary.

Crystal Evans isn’t a home wrecker. Landon needs a friend…someone who can help protect him from his conspiring wife. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan.

Yet vows betrayed leave all three with something to lose—Crystal her heart, Landon his freedom, and Gretchen the life she had before.

Sitting at the desk of KyAnn Waters...

I have a cluttered, messy writing area. I like it that way. In fact, I think it would influence my writing if my work area was sterile and clutter-free. I need my sticky notes, slips of paper, calendar, pens and the knickknacks I’ve collected over the years. But the words that have always inspired me hang on a little plaque.

I love the written word, but I think wounds inflicted by words, whether by the pen or spoken take longer to heal.  They can fester and eat at the soul.  I have the beautiful words of the Desiderata by Max Ehmann hanging by my workstation. Here is the link if you’d like to read it: http://www.desiderata.com/desiderata-poem.html

Here are a few of my favorite lines from the poem:

“And whatever your labors and aspirations

in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”

To Purchase Betrayed Vows:

http://amzn.com/B00K1KNFZQ

About the Author:

KyAnn Waters is a multi-published, award winning author of erotic romance. She lives in Utah with her husband, two children, and two dogs. She spends her days writing and her evenings with her family. She enjoys sporting events on the television, thrillers on the big screen, and hot scenes between the pages of her books.

Find KyAnn online:

Facebook www.facebook.com/kyannwaters

Twitter www.twitter.com/kyannwaters

Website www.kyannwaters.com

Get the Free KyAnn App

Iphone & Android
a Rafflecopter giveaway

#NEW RELEASE - BLOOD OF A MERMAID Celebration and #Giveaway

I'm so excited! Today's the Kindle release day for BLOOD OF A MERMAID, the second book in my young adult mermaid series! Time to Splash into Summer with another mermaid tale!

About the Book:

Mermaid blood.

When Shea MacNamara fell into the ocean for the first time, he found he could breathe underwater. The son of a mermaid, the sea is in his blood. Literally. The best part of Shea’s new life? His girlfriend Kae, who also happens to be a beautiful mermaid.

But darkness lurks under the sea. When evil mermen kidnap Kae, the king reminds Shea that having royal blood means making tough choices. 

An Arctic dungeon, a fiery plane crash, the legendary halls of Atlantis…and narwhals?

Having mermaid blood just got a lot more complicated.

Add it on Goodreads today!

Grab your copy on AMAZON.

To celebrate, SON OF A MERMAID is on sale for $2.99 throughout the month of May, so grab book one while you're at it! You can buy it on AMAZON too!

I'm hosting a Giveaway on Goodreads for a signed copy of BLOOD OF A MERMAID - going on now through June 30th. To enter, visit Goodreads today!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Blood of a Mermaid

by Katie O'Sullivan

Giveaway ends June 30, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

I've also enlisted some talented author friends to help me celebrate with a mega-Rafflecopter Giveaway - make sure to enter for your chances to win some awesome books and swag! a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK SPOTLIGHT and #Giveaway: SHIFT HAPPENS by J.C. McKenzie

 HER PAST DESTROYED HER HEART, CAN SHE PUT IT BACK TOGETHER IN TIME?

  
About the Book:

Andrea McNeilly's job as a government agent is not asking questions, but then a routine assignment turns into a botched assassination of a Master Vampire's human servant. Answers become a priority. Her search to discover the truth is riddled with obstacles, the largest being an oversized Werewolf who resembles a Norse god. Andy can't afford the distraction he offers, because if she fails, she faces eternal enslavement.

Wick's job is to monitor Andy, but he prefers more intimate activities, none of them G-Rated. His choices, however, are often not his own. His ability to help Andy is limited by his bond to the Master Vampire.

Facing many trials and challenges along her path to redemption, Andy learns the value of her freedom might be set too high.

Buy Links:

Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au

Available in print and all other electronic formats July 16, 2014

 

Excerpt from SHIFT HAPPENS:

A large black wolf trotted into the clearing to confront me. He had a white-tipped snout, white boots and mitts and would have looked cute had he not been the most intimidating Werewolf I’d ever seen. Standing tall and solid, power rolled off of his body. His eyes bore into mine. I sniffed the air. The strong Werewolf scent of rosemary swirled around me, strong and seductive, laced with sugar. A weird fuzzy sensation spread out from my chest. Whoa.

Alpha.

My other form growled low, demanding release, straining against my skin. The energy of the wolves built—layers upon layers of excitement and impatience. The air pulsated with anticipation. They could sense the imminent kill.

Let me out! My other form repeated, throwing her power against my built up walls, howling in defiance.

When the energy of the Werewolves surged, I finally released her. My wolf form flowed out fast, wiping out the feline in little more than a heartbeat. Smaller, weaker and the size of a natural wolf, a Shifter in this form was no match for a Werewolf, especially a dominant one. I had time to meet the eyes of the Alpha for only an instant before the pack leapt forward. My limbs shook. It went against every instinct ingrained within me, but I rolled onto my back—submissive.

 

To celebrate her new release, and the fact that this Kindle book is on sale now (for 99 cents!!), J.C. is hosting a Rafflecopter Giveaway! Enter below and Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Born and raised on the Haida Gwaii, off the West Coast of Canada, J.C. McKenzie grew up in a pristine wilderness that inspired her to dream. She writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.

J.C. McKenzie’s Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | The Wild Rose Press | Amazon