Launch Day Spotlight: Fragile Reign

I'm glad to take part in Stacey O'Neale's release day launch for FRAGILE REIGN! Check out the book below and be sure to enter the amazing giveaway!

It’s been a week since all hell broke loose… Rumors of King Taron’s weakened powers have left the air court vulnerable. Kalin is desperate to awaken her akasha powers, except she doesn’t know how. Tension within the court is at an all-time high. Pressure is mounting for her to ascend to the throne, but a halfling has never ruled over any court. To solidify her position, the council has advised her to marry Sebastian—a high ranking air elemental she’s never met and her betrothed. Will Kalin sacrifice her relationship with Rowan to strengthen her court? Rowan and Marcus return to a fire court in turmoil. Liana’s death has fueled the fire elementals’ distrust against the air and woodland courts. The unbalanced elements have set off natural disasters all over the mortal world. Rowan takes the throne to restore balance, promising to unite the fire court. But not all elementals are happy with his leadership. Many are secretly loyal to Valac, which means Rowan needs to find allies for his cause. Can Rowan unify the court of fire before the elements destroy the world? Goodreads | Amazon

If you haven't read Stacey's Mortal Enchantment series, you can get the first book for FREE on Amazon and Barnes & Noble! The Shadow Prince won GOLD at the 2014 Readers' Favorite Book Awards in the Short Story/Novella category!

Excerpt from FRAGILE REIGN

Rowan

After Marcus left, the lack of sleep and overuse of my power had finally caught up to me. My lids were heavy, making it hard to keep my eyes open. I laid down on the nearest bed, sinking into the softness of the vanilla scented pillows. I could rest here until tomorrow, and then meet Kalin on the beach at sundown. As I closed my eyes, I imagined her in that sexy sundress with the ocean breeze wafting through her red curls. My lips tingled remembering the raspberry taste of her kisses. With all this craziness going on, she was the one thing that made sense. The only person who could make me forget about everything for a little while. Kalin was the one I wanted. The only one I needed. I shook my head. What was wrong with me? It was too soon to be thinking about this stuff, right? It had only been a few weeks. And what did I know about real feelings, anyway? Had it not been for Marcus, I would never even know what it felt like to care for someone. Love was never part of my life. My mother thought love was a weakness—a totally worthless emotion compared to power and control. But that still didn’t explain how I was feeling. Why everything seemed better when Kalin was around. Why my fingers ached to touch her. Why her pain shattered me to the core. I put my hands over my face. Or, maybe the lack of sleep was making me delusional. With a smirk, I gave in to the darkness that was overwhelming me and fell asleep.

About the Author

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter. Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing. Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads. You can also visit her blog at http://staceyoneale.com/.

Giveaway

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New Release Spotlight: The Broken Destiny, by Carlyle Labuschagne

The Broken Destiny
by 

Carlyle Labuschagne

Publisher: Fire Quill Publishing (SA)
                    Hallowed Ink Press (USA)
Release Date: November 2014
ISBN: 97809922446208

Her Destiny is to rise above her fall.

You cannot know what light is, if you have not experienced darkness.

Ava and her people have been exiled to the planet Poseidon for reasons she can’t fathom.

Upon meeting a boy from a different sector, her life turns into beautiful chaos. She begins to feel things she isn’t allowed to, this motivating her to find out the truth about why her kind are so different, and why the Council are so interested in her.

Once her mind is freed, with it comes a terrible power that could either save her kind, or destroy them all.

But Eva is not the perfect heroine. She will become what she hates to save the ones she loves, and the cost of such a burden is deadly at best.

Excerpt

“What’s so damn funny?” I asked her, almost panicking that someone would notice we had disregarded our curfew yet again.

We slowed down as we rose to a low crouch, the tunnel opening up to a small entrance. Sam held out her hands, her fingers laced together. I gingerly slid a foot into them as she pushed me up toward the small tunnel entrance at the base of a huge, silverwood tree. We had accidentally found the entrance while playing hide and seek when we were kids. It had become our secret hideaway since then. We visited our hideaway almost every afternoon to get away from the severity that school held for me.

I couldn’t help but wonder if I would still have been treated as an outsider, had my grandfather not been our founder. I thought they all held a grudge against me for our existence. 

Experiments―that’s all we were to the Council. As I pulled Sam through from the other side, a faint light from behind her caused a long shadow to hide her expression, but by the easy set of her shoulders, I could tell that she was still smiling.

“What is it with you? I asked her, somewhat irritated.

She stroked her chin. “I can hear Sonja right now,” she said. “You just do whatever you want, don’t you?” she mimicked, her finger waving in front of my face, her head bouncing from side to side.

“She’ll be furious,” I said. “We’ll get detention for this, or worse. We’ll be imprisoned for the weekend.” I rolled my eyes.

“Oh, no! I don’t want to have to stay indoors and stare at her pudgy face the whole weekend, when I could be staring into François’ hazel eyes instead,” Sam said with a smirk on her face, her eyes sparkling.

“I knew it! You kept it from me, you cow!” I shouted, punching her on the arm full force, making her take a step back.

“Let’s go,” Sam whined, rubbing her arm. “Stop procrastinating. I don’t want to go back any more than you do,” she added irritably, heading for the path between the overgrown bushes.

About the Author

Carlyle Labuschagne is a South African award-winning author working her way into the hearts of international readers with her first two books in the Broken Trilogy. Her first YA Dystopian novel “The Broken Destiny” reached top 3 in its YA Debut Category. The Sequel Evanescent won YATR literary award for best Sci-Fi Book of 2013 and was nominated for IRC best Indie Novel and Indie cover award 2014. “My goal as an author is to touch people’s lives, and help others love their differences and one another.”

She is not only an author, but works as a marketing manager by day. She holds a diploma in  creative writing through the writing school at College SA. 

Carlyle loves to swim, fight for the trees, and is a food lover who is driven by her passion for life - her nemesis- housework!

Carlyle also writes for IU e-magazine India, an inspirational non-profit magazine that aims at inspiring the world through words. The drive behind her author career is ‘healing through words.’

Find out more about The Broken Destiny at:

• Goodreads
• Amazon
• Twitter
• Carlyle's blog
• Carlyle's website
• Fire Quill Publishing

Giveaway

Swag
1 signed copy of The Broken Destiny
1 custom made t-shirt
1 custom made Book mark
1 custom made book bag

5 Digital copies of The Broken Destiny

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And check out my latest book, Deep Green, by clicking below!

Release Day Spotlight: MELT by Selene Castrovilla

Happy Book Birthday to Selene Castrovilla's MELT! 

Check out the book's details and teaser, and be sure to enter the giveaway below!

MELT is a brutal love story set against the metaphorical backdrop of The Wizard of Oz (not a retelling). When sixteen year old Dorothy moves to the small town of Highland Park, she meets, and falls for Joey – a “bad boy” who tells no one about the catastrophic domestic violence he witnesses at home. Can these two lovers survive peer pressure, Joey’s reputation, and his alcoholism? Told in dual first person, Joey's words are scattered on the page - reflecting his broken state. Dorothy is the voice of reason - until something so shattering happens that she, too, may lose her grip. Can their love endure, or will it melt away? MELT is based on true events. It is both a chilling tale of abuse, and a timeless romance. It will hit you like a punch in the face, and also seep through the cracks in your soul.

Goodreads | Amazon

#MELTdown

For the past month leading up to the release of MELT, Selene Castrovilla has shared a fantastic MELTdown post every day on her blog! In these posts she's shared tidbits of "insider information” about MELT: its content, its inspiration and her writing process... including excerpts! The first post is HERE, and you use the post navigation at the bottom of the page to click through and read them. Enjoy!

Join us for MELT's Online Launch Party!

You’ve invited to celebrate the release of Selene Castrovilla’s MELT at her Facebook Launch Party on November 9, 2014. The party will be from 5:00 – 11:00 PM EST, so we hope you’ll stop by! There will be prizes, and very special guests: Beth Fehlbaum, Gae Polisner, Cassie Shine, and Kathy Cannon Weichman. We hope to see you there!

[RSVP Here]

 

About the Author

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

Selene Castrovilla is an award-winning teen and children’s author who believes that through all trends, humanity remains at the core of literature. She is the author of Saved By the Music and The Girl Next Door, teen novels originally published by WestSide Books and now available digitally through ASD Publishing. Her third children’s book with Calkins Creek Books, Revolutionary Friends, was released in April 2013. She is also a contributing author to UncommonYA. Selene holds an MFA in creative writing from New School University and a BA in English from New York University. She lives on Long Island with her two sons. Visit her website www.SeleneCastrovilla.com for book excerpts and more information!

Giveaway

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And don't forget to check out my latest book, 

Deep Green, 

available in Print & e-Book 

Cover Reveal: Molly Pepper & the Night Train

The Happy Book Reviewer is happy to help reveal the cover for MOLLY PEPPER AND THE NIGHT TRAIN by Courtney King Walker! Check out the cover below, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments.

MOLLY PEPPER AND THE NIGHT TRAIN by Courtney King Walker | Lands Atlantic Publishing Release Date: March 13, 2015

Hidden somewhere in the fog of the San Francisco bay lies Blue Rock Island, home to the bay area’s two best-kept secrets: Bell’s Bluff, the old, abandoned prison on one side of the island, and the Night Train, a mysterious train ride on the other. When twelve-year-old Molly Pepper receives a secret invitation promising a night of magic and adventure aboard the Night Train, she is skeptical. In her experience, most promises prove too good to be true. The fact that she lost her mom is proof enough. Still, Molly gives hope another chance. Together with her loyal friend, Noah Wonderly, they sneak out of the house and follow a string of clues leading to the Night Train. But when the train stops at Bell's Bluff, Molly discovers the real reason she was invited. There, she starts to wonder if hope and magic not only fix broken promises; but make you believe in them again.

What do you think of the cover?

Be sure to add MOLLY PEPPER AND THE NIGHT TRAIN to your TBR on Goodreads!

About the Author

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Courtney King Walker grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area building rocket ships and rafts out of cardboard, hoping to make it the moon or at least Niagara Falls. But a trip across the border to Tijuana was as exciting as it ever got, so she decided writing about adventure was the next best thing. She now lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and four children, and still dreams of flying to the moon. Her YA debut, ON THE FRINGE, was published in 2011 by Lands Atlantic Publishing.

Giveaway

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Cover Reveal: Fragile Reign by Stacey O'Neale

We're happy to help reveal the cover for FRAGILE REIGN (Mortal Enchantment #2) by Stacey O'Neale! Check out the cover below, and let us know what you think in the comments. Then be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Amazon or B&N gift card!

Details about the cover, from author Stacey O'Neale:

In case you're curious about the cover, the model represents Marcus. The background represents the woodland court and the caves at the bottom are where the members of the royal family live. I chose caves because the woodland court protects the forests of the world. I didn't think they would choose to cut down trees to make a castle, so the massive caves worked out nicely. If you zoom in, you can see where the doors and windows are cut out. The inside is very lavish. If you read FRAGILE REIGN, you'll learn all about it.

FRAGILE REIGN (Mortal Enchantment #2) by Stacey O'Neale | November 18, 2014

It’s been a week since all hell broke loose… Rumors of King Taron’s weakened powers have left the air court vulnerable. Kalin is desperate to awaken her akasha powers, except she doesn’t know how. Tension within the court is at an all-time high. Pressure is mounting for her to ascend to the throne, but a halfling has never ruled over any court. To solidify her position, the council has advised her to marry Sebastian—a high ranking air elemental she’s never met and her betrothed. Will Kalin sacrifice her relationship with Rowan to strengthen her court? Rowan and Marcus return to a fire court in turmoil. Liana’s death has fueled the fire elementals’ distrust against the air and woodland courts. The unbalanced elements have set off natural disasters all over the mortal world. Rowan takes the throne to restore balance, promising to unite the fire court. But not all elementals are happy with his leadership. Many are secretly loyal to Valac, which means Rowan needs to find allies for his cause. Can Rowan unify the court of fire before the elements destroy the world?

Pre-Order on Amazon

Be sure to add FRAGILE REIGN to your TBR on Goodreads, or pre-order on Amazon! The prequel novella, THE SHADOW PRINCE, is currently free on Amazon, and you can also read MORTAL ENCHANTMENT for free if you have Kindle Unlimited.

About the Author

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Stacey O’Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she’s not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.

Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.

Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads. You can also visit her blog at http://staceyoneale.com/.

Giveaway

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* * * *

And check out my latest Young Adult adventure/romance, 

Deep Green, 

available in Print & e-Book

AMAZON 

Eternal Press* 

*25% off with the promo code 20EPdb14

Book Spotlight: The Girl He Knows

Happy Book Birthday to Kristi Rose's THE GIRL HE KNOWS! Check out the book's details and teaser, and be sure to enter the giveaway below!

THE GIRL HE KNOWS by Kristi Rose Lyrical Press

Waking up naked next to a good looking man is not a bad way to start the day. Especially since Paisley missed all those opportunities in college, when she was too busy supporting her no good, thankfully now, ex-husband. The problem? This hottie is Hank, her best friend’s older brother, a guy she’s known her entire life. Stopping after one night is the right thing to do. Being with him clearly breaks the best friend code, and from his career as a Naval officer to his Boy Scout reputation, everything about him screams monogamy and commitment. Two things Paisley has had enough of. When Hank presents a “no strings attached” offer, it’s too good to be true. She can enjoy him while still embracing being single. But, poor choices force her to confront old fears of love and loss, and Paisley has to decide if Hank is worth the risk. The alternative is never experiencing the real deal. Or far worse, settling for less...

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | KOBO

 

 Excerpt from THE GIRL HE KNOWS

He pulls me toward him and burns me to my center with a kiss, one with such intense heat I’m surprised it doesn’t disintegrate my clothes. I reach for the button on his pants. “No.” He grabs my hands and looks at me. “Yes,” I say. “No.” He stands and pushes me off his lap. “Come on. I’ll take you home.” He grabs my hand and pulls me toward his truck. “Hank,” I cry with frustration and tug my hand back. He turns to face me and throws his hands in the air. “What do you want from me? Sex? We can’t even go on a simple date. Jeez, I can’t believe I’m saying this.” He runs his hand through his hair before stuffing it in his pocket. “Maybe we could try another date,” I suggest. My heart flutters with the anticipation of a second date. The weight of time hangs between us as I wait for him to decide if he wants to be with me again. “You know, I’ve heard of worse ideas,” he answers. He links his fingers with mine and walks me to his truck.

About the Author

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

Kristi Rose was raised in central Florida on boiled peanuts and iced tea. She’s lived by an active volcano, almost fallen off a mountain, and was married in Arkansas by a J.O.P in flip flops named Earl. Today, as a proud military wife and mother of two, she’s been lucky enough to travel the world. No matter where she is, she enjoys watching people and wondering what’s their story? That’s what Kristi likes to write about: everyday people, the love that brings them together, and their journey getting there. Kristi is a member of RWA. You can follow Kristi at www.kristirose.net, like her Facebook page: Kristi Rose, or send her a tweet @krosewrites. The Girl He Knows is her debut novel.

Giveaway

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* * * *

And don't forget to check out my latest book, 

Deep Green, 

available in Print & e-Book 

* * * *

Release Day Spotlight: WASTELAND

WASTELAND

by 

C. Elizabeth Vescio

“All young people need guidance. I find it strange that you are so young and sure of your life path. You do not seem to be a typical killer.”

--from WASTELAND

Happy WASTELAND Release Day to C. Elizabeth Vescio. WASTELAND (Wasted #2.5) is a collection of short stories that take place in the world of her Wasted Series! Check out the book and excerpt, and be sure to enter the giveaway in the Rafflecopter below!

About the Book:

Inside the halls of Osiris, the men and women who make the contract killing agency tick polish their weapons and hone their skills. But how did they start working for Nero and Lex in the first place, and when did they find out they were destined to kill people for a living? Before Frankie Fairholm let you into her crazy, dysfunctional world of murder for hire, the lives of these men and women were already in danger. Their training was put to the test alongside their morals. A troubled Catholic school girl with a penchant for murder, a naive con-woman in over her head, a driven socialite with a bad day that keeps getting worse, an assassin second-guessing his sworn oath... being a contract killer doesn’t mean you aren’t human, it just means your humanity is hard to find, and probably a bit tarnished.

Buy in Print
Buy for Kindle

Goodreads |

Wasted Series Website |

BOOK ONE (Elegantly Wasted) |

BOOK TWO (Uncontrollably Wasted)

About the Author: 

Author C. Elizabeth Vescio likes to play in the dark world of cynicism and death. Her Wasted series touches on the demented and humorous side of a delightfully dysfunctional family. Vescio is an award-winning photographer and avid font snob. She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and three dogs.

Find her at Twitter,  Facebook, Goodreads, Wasted Series Website

Giveaway

One signed copy of Wasteland, Wasted Series bookmarks and a pack of character cards.

***Any contestant that uses dummy or contest only accounts to enter will be disqualified.***

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Who took YOUR breath away?

The most recent Goodreads review of Deep Green says: 

"I believe that by the end of this book Leah became one of my all-time favorite female protagonist in a YA book. She's just sixteen (turns seventeen while stranded) and despite all that she encounters, all that she has to do to survive, she isn't whiny. She only had one true breakdown in the entire book and it is well deserved! The other characters I loved as well. I felt that Haddad did a wonderful job creating them. With just a few sentences she is able to paint a picture of what these characters look like and how they act... And Musir! I loved him. He is a recent immigrant to America with his parents and speaks little English though he understands it well. And boy was Leah (and I) taken with him!

I could have sworn it was silent all over the ship in that moment. The ocean stood still, the wind slowed, and the other passengers walked silently. It must have been so. I certainly couldn't register a sound. It was as though the world awaited his voice and words.
-Leah

I think every teen girl has felt that way about a boy at some point in their life. I know I did! "

Read the full review here!   Or check out the e-book here* or print books here!

*Use the promo code 20EPdb14 at check out for 25% off your entire e-book order!

This review has spurred today's question for YOU in honor of Valentine's Day:

What boy or girl took your breath away? 

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Something's coming... Something romantic...

Ooooo... it is the Eternal Press Valentine Blog Hop!

(And yes, there are PRIZES!)

Here's how it works... Come on back here to The Happy Book Reviewer anytime between February 9th and February 15th (5 pm EST) and leave a comment on one of my Valentine Blog Hop posts for a chance to win one of 3 grand prize packages of 7 e-books from the fabulous authors listed below!

Then... head down the list below and visit each author (and comment there too, to put your name in the hat again!) to increase your chances of winning!

*PSSST*... many of us will also be holding bonus drawings as well...so check out our temptations!

Oh yeah, and scroll all the way to the bottom for another little surprise.......

• Trisha Haddad - http://www.happybookreviewer.blogspot.com/
• Stephanie O'Hanlon - www.stephanieohanlonauthor.blogspot.ca
• Rose Montague - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000712227923
• Ross S. Simon - www.facebook.com/samuel.ridings
• Roberta Hoffer - www.asilentheart.com
• Rachel Robinson - www.racheljrobinson.com
• M. Homer - http://mhomer1.wordpress.com/
• Andie Lea - http://andieleabooks.com/
• Barbara Winkes - www.barbarawinkes.blogspot.ca
• Briana Lawrence - https://www.facebook.com/BrianaLawrencesPenAndPaper
• Em Epe - http://www.emeperomances.blogspot.com/
• Fiona McGier - http://www.fionamcgier.com
• Giana Bruno - http://giannabruno.blogspot.com
• Jeremy E. Elwell - http://jeremyelwell.com/
• Katie McKnight - http://www.writergirlkatie.wordpress.com/
• Kimberly Tipton - www.kimberlytipton.blogspot.com
• KZ Riman - kzriman.wordpress.com
• Laura Dasnoit - https://www.facebook.com/LauraDasnoitAuthor
• Linda Hays-Gibbs - http://www.lindahaysgibbs.blogspot.com
• Lisa Acerbo - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Apocalipstick/131636053705754

Here's that other little gift! 

Hop over to http://eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781629290713 and use promo code 20EPdb14 at check out for 25% off your entire ebook order!

And don't forget to keep hopping and commenting!

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