Virtual Book Tour: Reap and Repent

Please welcome author Lisa Medley, who is here to talk about her new release, Reap and Repent. Lisa will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter through Rafflecopter. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find the other stops on her tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!

REAP & REPENT

by Lisa Medley

NOTE: This book is FREE during the KDP Select Tour, August 17 - 21

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BLURB:

They see death. Can they share a life?

Ruth Scott can read the energy of every person she meets. Then she meets Deacon Walker. She can see his ice-blue eyes, his black hair, and his gorgeous face. But this beautiful stranger has no aura.

Deacon is just as unsettled by Ruth—and, having spent more than two hundred years ushering souls to Purgatory, Deacon is seldom shocked by anything. As he helps Ruth to understand her true nature, she awakens desires that he decided long ago a Reaper can’t afford.

A demon invasion forces Deacon to confront the darkness in his own past even as he fights to save the human souls he’s charged to protect. When he’s taken captive, his first concern is for Ruth. But Ruth just might be able to save herself—and the Reaper she can’t live without—if she can learn to wield her newfound powers.

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EXCERPT:

What does a guy have to do around here to get some service? Deacon Walker marveled as he glared at the undulating queue of grotesque reapers in front of him.

For all that’s holy, move the hell along already.

It had been a long week, and it wasn’t over yet. He needed to make at least one more pass through the hospital circuit before he could call it a day. He could already feel the tug of a freshly departed soul. Again. People were dropping like flies lately.

He massaged his brow, trying to soothe his exhausted patience as the line inched forward at a snail’s pace.

He was worn thin. Over the past few weeks, three demon soul poachers had popped up in his fair city of Meridian like poisonous mushrooms after a hard rain.

While it wasn’t unheard of for one to slip out from Hell every now and then, three was a nightmare.

When it got topside, a demon’s M.O. was to steal a human body, poach a few souls from the dead and dying, and then make its merry way back to Hell, taking its host’s soul along for the ride. The only way to save the souls a poacher was carrying was to behead the host with a scythe. Not a pretty thing to do, but the poor suckers were too far gone by then to survive anyway. No human could withstand the pressures of being ridden by a demon. And it was worth it to save a handful of souls, not to mention inconveniencing the demon.

Deacon refused to lose any souls from his territory. At all. So far the score was Deacon, 3. Demons, 0.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lisa has always enjoyed reading about monsters in love and now she writes about them, because monsters need love too.

She adores beasties of all sorts, fictional as well as real, and has a farm full of them in her Southwest Missouri home, including: one child, one husband, two dogs, two cats, a dozen hens, thousands of Italian bees, and a guinea pig.

She may or may not keep a complete zombie apocalypse bug-out bag in her trunk at all times, including a machete. Just. In. Case.

http://lisa-medley.com

https://www.facebook.com/lisamedleyauthor

https://twitter.com/lisamedley

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7824406.Lisa_Medley

https://plus.google.com/u/1/+LisaMedley/posts

Find Dark Urban Fantasy, Paranormal & SciFi Romances here at my Amazon Author Page http://amzn.to/1gMV6Db

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  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blue Exorcist, Volume 1 Review

Blue Exorcist, Volume #1    

Author: Kazue Kato

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: April 5, 2011

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/manga/paranormal/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★  (3.5)

Rin Okumura lives with his twin brother Yukio at the Southern Cross Boys’ Monastery in True Cross Academy Town. Their guardian, Father Fujimoto, wishes Rin to get a job, so he can someday become a fully functioning member of society. He sends Rin on a job interview to a local restaurant, but Rin encounters a group of troublemakers who harassed him that morning. But there’s something very odd about them.

Rin learns the truth of his birth. His mother was human, and his father a demon, and not just any demon but Satan himself. Father Fujimoto gives Rin a choice—to run away or be killed. But Rin has other ideas, and ends up a student at the True Cross Academy, along with Yukio.

The first volume of the Blue Exorcist series feels a little disjointed at times, and maybe a little repetitive. Once Rin enters the Academy, the story becomes stronger, with the addition of Rin’s brother Yukio, and the head of the Academy, Mephisto Pheles.

I’m a little confused at this point about the relationship between the two brothers. They are twins, but only Rin is a demon, and Yukio seems obsessed with Rin being a demon, although they have the same father. I hope we see more about this later, as well as more about the Academy and the Strange Mephisto Pheles.

One of the best parts of this volume concerned Rin accompanying Yukio to an exorcism, where he meets a young girl named Shiemi, who lies helplessly in her grandmother’s garden.

All in all, it was a good first volume, and I intend to keep reading the series. If you like demonds, exorcists, and sassy bishounen, check this series out.

Virtual Book Tour: Where Wolves Talk

Please welcome author D.L. Lewis, who is here to talk about her new release, Where Wolves Talk. D.L. will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find out the other stops on her tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post.

WHERE WOLVES TALK

by D.L. Lewis

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BLURB:

Kitten, an American tabby residing in England, is a frustrated cat. He knows his place in the world: he was born to kill. Killing, after all, is what felines are supposed to do. Confined within his Lady's house, however, the young fellow is deprived of the opportunity to hunt live prey. The mansion is a sterile playground for a predator; offering nothing more than furniture which allows itself to be brutalized far too easily. The ambitious cat is bored and hungry for a challenge.

Kitten learns of a passage hidden in his Lady's library: the Door, which leads to an unknown world. The cat has been told that the source of all evil dwells openly in this place. The feline is eager to fight the sinister personage and goes through the Door with no hesitation.

The tabby finds himself in what appears to be a forest like any other in England. It doesn't take long for him to learn that this is a very different place.

Written in the basic style of classic stories like THE LORD OF THE RINGS, WATERSHIP DOWN, and THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, this novel can be appreciated on different levels. To some readers, it's an allegorical tale: thought-provoking and filled with symbolism. To others, it's an adventure-filled page-turner.

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EXCERPT:

The little silver tiger tabby had everything, it seemed. The fortunate fellow had been blessed with a fabulous home in the country northeast of London; this grand mansion provided by his Lady, with over a hundred fascinating rooms to explore, and countless flights of stairs for dashing up and racing down. Along with the palatial digs came the exquisite sustenance the cooking staff lavished on the feline with loving care. Surely few cats were lucky enough to dine on food fit for royalty; delicacies such as sweet fresh salmon flown in via helicopter from a remote Scottish loch and poached into pink perfection by the household’s Swiss chef. This entrée was customarily followed by an antique plate of Sèvres porcelain bearing hunks of blue-veined Stilton. As Kitten licked the creamy cheese from his French dish’s illustrated surface, he could enjoy a painted scene depicting Hercules in  the act of capturing Cerberus; the vicious three-headed canine of Greek myth. Snatched from his guard post at the entrance to the underworld, the hideous dog snarled and struggled in enameled vain under the sandpaper friction of the tabby’s rosy tongue.

Such an existence was the most pleasant and thoroughly civilized one a house cat could hope for; that much was certain. This particular house cat, however, spent a great deal of time at the mansion’s windows; his glowing amber eyes staring with relentless longing at the wildlife that moved about through his Lady’s forested garden. Yes; the wildlife: the Wild Life.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

D. L. Lewis lives in northern California with a cello, four cats, and a crow named Harold. Where Wolves Talk is her first published novel; followed by Something in the House—California Gothic, Doppelgänger, and Fighting Back.

Where Wolves Talk is on sale at 99 cents (for a limited time) at Kindle and iBooks.

http://www.amazon.com/Where-Wolves-Talk-D-Lewis/dp/1497514738

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/where-wolves-talk/id931662653?mt=11

Author Blog: http://dllewisauthor.blogspot.com

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  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #1) Review

Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #1)     

Author: Laurell K. Hamilton

Publisher: Jove

American release date: September 24, 2002

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/paranormal/drama/272 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Guilty Pleasures is a vampire strip club in The District—the vampiric area of St. Louis—located near the Riverfront. It isn’t animator Anita Blake’s intention to go there, but she finds herself coerced into being the designated drive for her friend Catherine’s bachelorette party and gives in during a weak moment, one exacerbated by lack of sleep. She has already turned down the opportunity to do a job for the local vampires as it is, and she has a feeling this night won’t end well.

Club owner and master vampire, Jean-Claude, is undeniably sexy, and Anita has to work hard to fight her attraction to him, which he doesn’t make easy. Called away from the club on police business, she returns to find things have gone horribly wrong and Catherine is in great danger. Anita finds herself in the uncomfortable position of either agreeing to help the vampires or risk her friend’s life.

Master vampire Nikolaos looks like a delicate young girl, but she’s anything but that. She wants to know who’s been killing vampires in St. Louis. Anita reluctantly takes the job. As if things aren’t bad enough, fellow exorcist, Edward, demands Anita tell him where Nikoloaos’ day-time resting place is. He gives her twenty-four hours to tell him, or else….

This is the first novel in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series, written by fellow St. Louisan Laurell K. Hamilton. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleased with what I got. Anita Blake is a spunky character. The novel is told in her voice. She’s an animator by trade, which basically means she raises the dead, for a company called Animators, Inc. She also helps the police with investigations regarding the supernatural, when they need it. Anita is a tough woman, with a strong faith, and a lot of experience with things that go bump in the night. She’s also very resourceful and brave, although there are things she has sense enough to be afraid of.

Hamilton creates quite a detailed paranormal alternate universe set in St. Louis, and populates it with some very interesting people. Besides Edward, there is Anita’s friend and private detective, Ronnie, and vampire junkie Phillip, just to name a couple. I was particularly fascinated by Jean-Claude and hope to see much more of him in future volumes.

This is not a romance novel by any means, nor does it take a romantic view of vampires and the supernatural. There is a gritty realism here. People do get hurt, and blood gets spilled. Look for the scene with the freak party/swingers party—those are some of the creepiest people you’ll ever meet.

Great first novel. I look forward to reading more about Anita’s world and seeing what lies in store for her.

Virtual Book Tour: Places Like Home

Please welcome author April Kelley, who is here to talk about her new release, Places Like Home!

Blurb:

Running away from his problems isn’t an option anymore.

For three years Dakota Weaver has done nothing but run from a man that wants to hurt him. He changes his name and takes a job as far away from the last place he lived as he could get. The Heath’s are great people and he loves his job. It reminds him of the home he left behind all those years ago. Dakota has looked over his shoulder for far too long and has come to the end of his rope.

The first time Jackson sees Dakota on his best friend, Travis Heath’s farm, he wants the man. All of Jackson’s flirting gets him nowhere with the man though. Jackson overhears a telephone conversation Dakota has with his brother and gets a whole new perspective on Dakota’s life and what it’s really like.

Excerpt:

"Hey there," Jackson whispered and pulled on his arm gently, hoping Dakota would bridge the gap on his own. Jackson let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding when Dakota did and was surprised when he hugged him tightly around his middle, his head buried in Jackson's chest. Dakota was several inches shorter than Jackson which meant Dakota fit perfectly against him.

Dakota had been fairly successful at avoiding Jackson the past few months. So the voluntary hugging said more about the level of stress Dakota was feeling in that moment than just about anything could.

Jackson rubbed a hand up and down Dakota's back, holding him as close as possible. "It's all right, baby. We've got your back now."

Andrew talked about how Fullman was dangerous and had raped in the past, although he didn't say who got hurt. By the way Dakota stiffened up his body Jackson figured out really quickly who it was.
 

"You want to lie down, Dakota?" Jackson whispered to him.

Dakota nodded against his chest but didn't let up his hold.

Buy Links:

Extasy: http://www.extasybooks.com/Places-Like-Home/

Amazon:

All Romance eBooks:

About the Author

Living in Southwest Michigan, April resides with her husband and two kids.  She has been an avid reader for several years.  Writing her first story at the age of ten, the characters in her head still won't stop telling their stories.  If April isn't reading or writing, she can be found outside playing with the animals or taking a long walk in the woods.   If you wish to contact her, email authoraprilkelley@gmail.com.  Please visit her website at authoraprilkelley.com

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday Briefs: Don't Look Back #58 (11.3)

Happy Hump Day, everyone! If it's Wednesday, it must be time for some flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We bring you free fiction every week, between 500 and 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts!

In last week's episode of Don't Look Back, Marshall and Lee found out from Roy what Rhonda did. They had a decision to make - go to Milly's Diner and face everyone, or sneak out of town. Find out what they chose in this week's chapter. Don't forget to find out what the other Briefers are up to. Their links follow my tale. Enjoy!

Don't Look Back #58 (11.3)

They decided to take the sedan. Lee drove, with Marshall beside him, and Roy in the backseat.

Marshall had trouble wrapping his head around the idea this would be the last time they went to Milly’s. The last time they would see their friends and neighbors, people he’d come to know and like over the past eight years, ever since Burnham became his home. More than that, these people were like his extended family. Everyone in Burnham looked out for everyone else, presenting a close-knit united front to the rest of the world. The thought they might now despise him and Lee, might have some pretty nasty things to say to them and about them, was a painful one.

Lee reached for Marshall’s hand and held it clasped in his on top of his thigh. “We can do this,” Lee said softly. He squeezed Marshall’s hand gently. Marshall returned the squeeze.

“We can,” he agreed, trying to put a confidence into his voice he wasn’t sure he possessed. He turned to look at Roy. “I’m sorry she dragged you into this.” Rhonda had made some nasty comments in her letter about Roy, questioning his fitness to be sheriff. “You don’t deserve it. You haven’t done anything wrong.”

“And neither have you,” Roy replied. “I’m not going to lose any sleep over anything that woman had to say about me. And I don’t necessarily admit we’re beat. Not yet.”

Marshall wished he had Roy’s optimism.

Milly’s Diner was completely lit up, the exterior festooned with Christmas lights for the holidays. The parking lot was full of familiar vehicles. Marshall’s nervousness, which had begun to recede a little bit, came back in full force, and he couldn’t prevent the shiver that coursed through him.

Lee pulled Marshall into his arms and kissed him. As if in answer to Marshall’s unspoken question, he said, “I’m not changing how I behave or who I am for anyone. I’m not ashamed of us, and I’m not going to pretend I am. They’ve seen us kiss many times. If that bothers them now, that’s their problem, not mine.”

They exited the car and headed toward the door. Marshall and Lee walked hand in hand, while Roy brought up the rear.

They stepped inside the diner, filled to busting with their friends and neighbors, laughing and chatting amongst themselves. Marshall braced himself for anything and everything. Lee’s arm was about his waist for support. A silence fell as everyone turned to look at the three men. The only noise was the music playing in the background, something by Blake Shelton.

It felt like forever, but was probably just a few seconds, before Milly stepped out from behind the counter, wiping her hands on her apron. Milly was in her sixties, a motherly woman with gray hair, crazy pink glasses, and a warm smile. She generally gave Marshall an extra helping of whatever he ordered, saying he looked hungry. What she would do now, he had no clue.

“Well, there you guys are. We were wondering if we were going to have to start without you.” She winked at them before she enveloped Marshall in a big bear hug then doled out more of the same to Lee and Roy. “Merry Christmas, boys. Come on in and set down.”

Other voices echoed Milly’s words. Marshall glanced uncomprehendingly at Lee, who seemed as mystified as he was. Roy seemed rather pleased, as if he’d expected something like this. They found themselves seated at one of the booths, which had apparently been saved for them. All three squeezed into one side, while across from them sat their neighbors, Sarah and Craig Ferguson.

Conversation resumed, and the noise level returned to normal. It seemed like everyone in the diner made a point of stopping by their table to wish them a Merry Christmas. Marshall was stunned. Of all the things he’d expected, this possibility hadn’t even made the list. He saw no judgment in anyone’s eyes, only love and acceptance and good wishes.

Milly had made her usual Christmas turkey plate. Kelly from the deli helped her to serve everyone. She blushed a little as she set Marshall’s plate before him, managed to squeak out a quick “Merry Christmas” before heading off to serve another diner.

The food was delicious, and everyone ate their fill. Once the plates had all been cleared, Marshall heard a spoon being tapped against a glass. Everyone quieted down, as Mayor Callendar cleared his throat and began to speak.

“I want to thank everyone who turned out tonight for our annual celebration. Milly outdid herself, as usual, let’s all give her a big hand.” Everyone applauded, and Milly pinked up, a pleased smile on her lips.

“Now, there’s something else I’d like to say.”

Marshall’s stomach clenched, and he gripped Lee’s hand tightly.

“As you all know, a certain letter was distributed recently by an outsider looking to make trouble for some of our people. “ Nods of acknowledgment followed his words. It felt as though everyone turned to stare their way.

“Things were said and accusations were made of a serious nature. All I have to say is any woman who’d say such things about her own son isn’t much of a mother, and frankly, I have no use for that sort of person.”

Cries of “Damn straight” and “Yeah, me neither” rang out around them.

“I’ve known Lee and Roy for a long time now, and Marshall for almost as long, and you couldn’t ask for finer men. “

“And Roy’s the best sheriff we’ve ever had!” Milly piped up, to which everyone agreed.

“They’re an important part of Burnham, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, no matter what anyone else says.” He looked straight toward them now. “Merry Christmas, gentlemen.” He raised his glass and everyone followed suit. “Merry Christmas to us all.”

Marshall turned to Lee. They came together for a kiss, and it sounded as though everyone cheered.

to be continued

Now go see what's up with the other Briefers!

Ravon Silvius

Carol Pedroso

Kazy Reed

Mann Ramblings

Nephy Hart

Taylin Clavelli

Jon Keys

Cia Nordwell

Grave Peril (Dresden Files #3): Review

GravePeril (Dresden Files #3)   

Author: Jim Butcher

Publisher: Roc

American release date: September 1, 2001 (reprint)

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/sci-fi fantasy/378 pages

Overall Personal Grave Peril (Dresden Files #3)

Author: Jim Butcher

Publisher: Roc

American release date: September 1, 2001 (reprint)

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/sci-fi fantasy/378 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Harry Dresden, wizard PI, and his faithful friend and comrade, Michael Carpenter, have been spending a lot of time together lately, attempting to clean up the supernatural problem in Chicago.  Called to the maternity ward of a large Chicago hospital, Harry and Michael find themselves up against a vicious ghost with infanticidal tendencies. In order to save the babies, they must go into the Nevernever, despite Harry’s misgivings. There they not only encounter the vicious Agatha Hagglethorn on her own turf, but also Lea, Harry’s faerie godmother. Their encounters never end well.

The next day, a young girl approaches Harry, just as he’s leaving his office for the day, and tells him if she doesn’t get his help, she won’t live through the night. How can a wizard resist? Sometimes, maybe he should, as he’s about to open a whole can of worms he’d really rather not deal with.

Something wicked is going down in Chicago, and only Harry Dresden can really see it for what it is.

The third book in the Dresden File series is just as good as the others, fast-paced and exciting, and filled with all sorts of things that go bump in the night. In this book, we meet Michael, who is somewhat Harry’s opposite. He’s a very spiritual man. In fact, he’s got a direct pipeline to God. And his faith is very strong. Together, he and Harry fight the forces of evil, even if not for the same reasons. Michael’s wife, Charity, doesn’t really care for Harry. She thinks he’s a bad influence on Michael. Harry does have a way of getting Michael into trouble, that is undoubtedly true. It doesn’t look good for one of God’s chosen to spend time in jail.

In this volume, we see growth in Harry’s relationship with Susan Rodriguez, reporter for a sleazy tabloid. Beautiful and gusty, Susan’s quite the match for Harry, and she’s certainly no shrinking violet who does what she’s told. When Harry inadvertently admits something important about his feelings for her to Michael, Michael presses him to tell Susan, but that doesn’t seem to be on Harry’s agenda.  When he receives an invitation (read: command performance) to attend Bianca’s Vampire Ball from two of Biance’s minions—nasty siblings with bad attitudes who think to get over on Harry— naturally Susan wants to go with. That ain’t gonna happen, according to Harry.

Oh yeah?

In Grave Peril, we learn more about Harry’s background, and come up against his beautiful but evil godmother, Lea, see more of Bianca and her court, and meet a very fascinating vampire named Thomas, whom I hope to see more of in future volumes.

Whatever else the Dresden Files might be, they’re never dull. Another great read from Jim Butcher.