Saturday, November 29, 2014

The Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien|Review & Giveaway {Book Nerd tours}

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Format: Hardback | 418 pages

Publication date: 16 September 2014

ISBN 10: 1596439386

ISBN 13: 9781596439382

From the author of the Birthmarked trilogy comes a fast-paced, psychologically thrilling novel about what happens when your dreams are not your own.

The Forge School is the most prestigious arts school in the country. The secret to its success: every moment of the students' lives is televised as part of the insanely popular Forge Show, and the students' schedule includes twelve hours of induced sleep meant to enhance creativity. But when first year student Rosie Sinclair skips her sleeping pill, she discovers there is something off about Forge. In fact, she suspects that there are sinister things going on deep below the reaches of the cameras in the school. What's worse is, she starts to notice that the edges of her consciousness do not feel quite right. And soon, she unearths the ghastly secret that the Forge School is hiding—and what it truly means to dream there.

You can purchase The Vault of Dreamers at the following Retailers:

The line between consciousness and dreams is blurred beyond recognition in this thrilling new world brought to us by the same Author that penned The Birthmark trilogy.

Rosie Sinclair is a student at the Forge School which is an elite school for creativity and the basic backdrop of the reality show, The Forge Show. Every waking moment of the student’s lives is televised on the show, it’s the moments they aren’t awake that they should be worried about. Given sleeping pills nightly to allow twelve hours sleep and enhance their creativity, Rosie doesn’t feel like herself after taking the pills, so she stops. Rosie is not like most other teenagers, she is a free thinker, intuitive and sort of detail oriented, she doesn’t follow the crowd. So it is no surprise that she notices things are amiss at the school.

I really loved the reality TV show setting at an art school full of societies most gifted teens. Rosie was a three dimensional character that you couldn’t quite figure out all the time. She grew a lot throughout the story and her actions and decisions weren’t always predictable, which was refreshing. And the romance was a slowly evolving aspect as well, growing into each other and getting to know each other.

The story started out a little rocky, then it slowed mid way and this was a quite long book that was rather uneventful. You know something is amiss, there were so many bread crumbs dropped a sandwich could have been made, but it took too long for Rosie to find the answers she sought. And I still haven’t decided if the ending was a cliffhanger, or anticlimactic.

All that being said, I love the way O’Brien creates these dystopian worlds you find in her books. She definitely has a unique writing style and ability to take the reader to another world that is completely believable. Fans of her Birthmarked trilogy, The Selection series or Amy Carter’s newest title Pawn will most likely love this new story. Even though I had some hang ups with this first book, I will grab a copy of the next book because I was intrigued enough by the world and the characters to see where O’Brien takes them in book #2. I give this one 3/5 stars.

Book Nerd Spotlight

Caragh M. O'Brien is the author of the BIRTHMARKED trilogy and THE VAULT OF DREAMERS, both from Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Ms. O'Brien was educated at Williams College and earned her MA from Johns Hopkins University. She recently resigned from teaching high school English in order to write young adult novels. For more information, visit http://www.caraghobrien.com.

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November 17th Monday: Jean BookNerd GUEST POST

November 18th Tuesday: Once Upon a Twilight MUSIC PLAYLIST

November 19th Wednesday: Insane About Books REVIEW & EXCERPT

November 20th Thursday: A Dream Within a Dream REVIEW & TENS LIST

November 21st Friday: Spiced Latte Reads REVIEW

November 22nd Saturday: Literary Meanderings FAVORITE BOOKS

November 23rd Sunday: Sabrina’s Paranormal Palace REVIEW & EXCERPT

November 24th Monday: Chapter by Chapter REVIEW & DREAM CAST

November 25th Tuesday: BO-OK NERD CANADA REVIEW & THIS OR THAT

November 26th Wednesday: Book Lovers Life RANDOM THINGS

November 27th Thursday: Once Upon a Twilight EXCERPT

November 28th Friday: Swoony Boys Podcast REVIEW & INTERVIEW

November 29th Saturday: TTC Books and More REVIEW

November 30th Sunday: Such a Novel Idea REVIEW & TENS LIST

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A League of Her Own Spotlight & Giveaway {Romance Addict Book Blog}

12:00 AM 1 comment

He was attractive, talented…and way off limits.

Heather Gadway may have been a world-class college pitcher and a top university coach, but she's a rank amateur when it comes to managing the Falcons, her father's struggling minor league team. And when it comes to managing her aggravating attraction to Garrett Wolf, their talented new pitcher. It's going to be difficult enough to make it as the first female manager in the league and prove to her overly critical father she's worthy. No distractions. No missteps. And certainly no romances with players. Everything stands between them—including their troubled pasts—even as Heather's world falls apart and Garrett's the one who's there to catch her…

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Excerpt...

“What else do you want?” The question came from a part of her she didn’t recognize. Asking a man like Garrett a flirtatious question was playing with fire.

Garrett groaned, longing sharpening his features. “You.”

Without waiting for her response, his lips captured hers. She knew she should push him away, but instead her head fell back, her pulse leaping in her throat. The pressure was exquisite as he nibbled and explored. Soft. Warm. Gentle. His lips moved slowly, gradually exerting more pressure.

This felt incredible. Better than the last time. She had to stop this, but need seized her, shoving aside her good intentions.

Her body hummed and a fuzzy sensation filled her head, making it hard to focus on anything but the feel of him, the evergreen scent of the forest and his aftershave heightening her senses.

His hands gripped her waist as she swayed against him, holding her as his mouth sampled her lower lip, then put pressure on the top. Nerves sent small shock waves through her chest, and her hand rose to stroke the back of his neck, making him tremble against her.

Suddenly his kiss intensified, growing fierce and demanding. His lips moved fast against hers, their tongues tangling, causing warmth to explode in her body, melting every piece of her.

She moaned and Garrett’s arms tightened, bringing her closer still. Her lips maneuvered against his in response, loving his sweet taste. Garrett shuddered, curling his fist into her hair with a groan. She loved how her touch affected him, how it affected her.

At last his lips let her go, and he looked down at her tenderly, pleasure in his eyes, his chest rising and falling hard.

“I wasn’t getting involved with anyone. Planned to focus only on baseball,” he said when his breath came easier. “But I can’t stay away from you. You follow me, even in my sleep. Your eyes.” He kissed each lid. “Your smile.” He pressed his lips to each corner. “These freckles.” His warm mouth brushed her cheeks.

Her chest expanded, taking in his beautiful words. This incredible moment. And then it hit her, reality a cold shower.

She opened her eyes and scooted away. “Garrett. I don’t know.”

His eyes moved out over the falls, tracking the sprays of water as they hit the jutting rocks and tumbled to earth. “You don’t trust me.”

Her mouth opened and closed. He was right. While he touched a chord inside that’d never sounded for anyone else, she still couldn’t put her heart in harm’s way again. And she knew without a doubt that if Garrett let her down, he’d devastate her as much as her mother had. Even more. She’d loved and lost too many times to try again, especially with her father gone so recently.

“I’m sorry,” she said inadequately as he stood and helped her to her feet.

His blank expression gave little away. She wondered if, deep down, a part of him was relieved they weren’t taking things further. He’d said he hadn’t wanted distractions. And now she wouldn’t be one.

“I can’t make you believe in me, Heather.” His voice was steady and strong. “I need someone who’ll give me a chance to earn her trust.”

Karen Rock is an award-winning YA and adult contemporary author. She holds a master’s degree in English and worked as an ELA instructor before becoming a full-time author. With her co-author, Joanne Rock, she’s penned the CAMP BOYFRIEND series with Spencer Hill Press under the pseudonym J.K. Rock. She also writes contemporary romance for Harlequin Enterprises. Her wholesome romance, Heartwarming novels have won the 2014 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the 2014 Golden Quill Contest. When she's not writing, Karen loves scouring estate sales for vintage books, cooking her grandmother's family recipes and hiking. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, daughter, and two Cavalier King cocker spaniels who have yet to understand the concept of "fetch" though they know a lot about love. To find out about her upcoming releases, appearance and latest news, visit http://www.karenrock.com or follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/karenrockwrites or Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5!
She’d love to connect with you!

WEBSITE ☆ FACEBOOK ☆ TWITTER ☆ GOODREADS ☆ PINTEREST

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Best Corpse for the Job virtual tour | Spotlight, Character Interview & COMMENT Giveaway {Riptide Publishing}

12:00 AM 23 comments

Tea and sympathy have never been so deadly.

Schoolteacher Adam Matthews just wants to help select a new headteacher and go home. The governors at Lindenshaw St Crispin’s have already failed miserably at finding the right candidate, so it’s make or break this second time round. But when one of the applicants is found strangled in the school, what should have been a straightforward decision turns tempestuous as a flash flood in their small English village.

Inspector Robin Bright isn’t thrilled to be back at St. Crispin’s. Memories of his days there are foul enough without tossing in a complicated murder case. And that handsome young teacher has him reminding himself not to fraternize with a witness. But it’s not long before Robin is relying on Adam for more than just his testimony.

As secrets amongst the governors emerge and a second person turns up dead, Robin needs to focus less on Adam and more on his investigation. But there are too many suspects, too many lies, and too many loose ends. Before they know it, Robin and Adam are fighting for their lives and their hearts.

Grab your copy of 'The Best Corpse for the Job' now from Riptide Publishing!

Interview with Charlie and Adam...

“The Best Corpse for the Job” is set in and around an English village school, which is the sort of place which might not be very familiar to readers outside the UK. So who better to tell us about this location than Adam Matthews, who’s one of my leading men in the story? He’s a teacher there! And maybe he can spill the beans on his love interest, Robin, while he’s at it.

Charlie: Adam, for the benefit of people who don’t get the English school system, can you explain some of the lingo?

Adam: Of course. It must be very confusing when our ‘public’ schools are actually some of our poshest private schools! Lindenshaw St Crispin’s is a normal, state school, the sort which most British children go to. It was built in the Victorian era so, in the greater scheme of things it isn’t that old (for us!) but it’s had modern additions. Something like this: http://www.hbtprimary.net/images/tour.gif

Charlie: It’s a church school. Is that normal?

Adam: In the words of Tom Jones, it’s not unusual. Lots of churches set up schools back in the nineteenth century – some of these still have their connection with the local parish. In the case of Lindenshaw St. Crispin’s, that’s about having Foundation governors on the governing body (like Neil, the vicar!) who makes sure the faith aspect of the school is developed. Aren’t you a Foundation governor?

Charlie: I am, which may surprise people. And I’m at a school which is not hugely dissimilar to Lindenshaw. Can I share a secret? Where vicars are governors they are either brilliant or totally hopeless. Never in between. Hey, you’re distracting me here, Adam. Like you distracted Robin.

Adam: Did he say that? He’s pretty distracting himself. Policemen shouldn’t be allowed to look like that.

Charlie: He also said that teachers shouldn’t be allowed to look like you. He said he could hardly hold his pen when he interviewed you. Oh, stop giggling, smutty mind.

Adam: You’re a fine one to talk, the double entendres you work into your stories. I’ve read some of your stuff, so you can’t deny it.

Charlie: Ahem. Time to change the subject. What was it like to find a dead body in the school?

Adam: Awful. At least it wasn’t one of the children – that would have broken my heart.

Charlie: Did it upset the children?

Adam: It did, although luckily they weren’t in the building when the body was found, and the school was shut the next day for teacher training. We had to do a lot of work with them afterwards, trying to help them get over it, but St Crispin’s is such a caring place that they got through okay. I hope, anyway. Robin came in to speak to them, to reassure them that they were safe, which they found exciting.

Charlie: I bet you found it exciting, too.

Adam: Sorry?

Charlie: Nothing. One last question. What do you like best about Robin?

Adam: His great, big...eyes. Bright, like his name. Real “come to bed” looks. When I first saw him it was like Alec when he sees Maurice for the first time, in the book of the same name.

Charlie: I remember that scene. I hope the readers here do.

Adam: If they don’t, they’ll have to go and read it. Hopefully they’ll read “Best Corpse for the Job” too.

As Charlie Cochrane couldn't be trusted to do any of her jobs of choice—like managing a rugby team—she writes, with titles published by Carina, Samhain, Bold Strokes, MLR and Cheyenne.

Charlie's Cambridge Fellows Series of Edwardian romantic mysteries was instrumental in her being named Author of the Year 2009 by the review site Speak Its Name. She’s a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Mystery People, International Thriller Writers Inc and is on the organising team for UK Meet for readers/writers of GLBT fiction. She regularly appears with The Deadly Dames.

Connect with Charlie:

• Website:charliecochrane.co.uk/

• Blog: charliecochrane.livejournal.com/

• Twitter: @charliecochrane

• Facebook profile page: facebook.com/charlie.cochrane.18

• Goodreads: goodreads.com/goodreadscomcharlie_cochrane

Every comment on this blog tour enters you in a drawing for an e-book from Charlie Cochrane's backlist (excepting The Best Corpse for the Job). Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on November 29. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries.

The Cellar, an Opposites novella by TM Smith | Release day Giveaway, Tour Schedule and Event link

12:00 AM 3 comments

The Cellar
an Opposites novella
Adult Dystoptian majorly M/M series
TTC Publishing November 23rd 2014

It's time to learn the truth about what happened that day in The Cellar.

Taryn and Thanos are the formidable Ambassadors of House Orion. Taryn was born into power, bred from birth to lead the people of Greece along with his sister Theresa, Thanos was never a part of his mother's plan. The son of a fisherman was not a suitable match for the son of Greece as far as their mother was concerned, but Taryn always takes what he wants.

The Cellar is the story of how these two men met and fell in love, and what lengths Taryn went to, to ensure he kept his man. This novella also contains a more detailed accounting of what happened the night Raven and Tanis went for a walk on the beach, and the adult version of Mistletoe and Mayhem that was initially released as a free short through goodreads.

The Cellar is the second novella in the Opposites series, the series should be read in order.

** Warning, Opposites is an Adult Dystopian majorly M/M series that contains explicit sexual content and relationships between gay, straight and lesbian couples. However, The Cellar is strictly a M/M novella **

Buy links: Amazon | Smashwords | ARe

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Release day event on Facebook

{follow this link}

Authors James Ticknor and Jayson James, bloggers Carly Rose and Crystal Marie co-hosting

Giveaways from Authors Jacob Flores, Mia Kerick and Sandrine Gasq Dion

Stop by to chat with these three Authors, play some fun games and enter to win some great prizes!

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Author bio:

A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning Georgia; Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. She now calls Texas home from her small town on the outskirts of the DFW Metroplex. Most days you can find her curled up with her kindle and a good book alongside a glass of something aged and red or a steaming cup of coffee!

At 42 years young, she's decided to enter the next phase of her life by adding the title of "author" to her list of accomplishments that includes single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Smith is and outspoken advocate for Autism and equal rights for the LGBTQ community.

Her Opposites series is based outside the normal parameters of social acceptability, examining a 'what if'... What If to be gay or lesbian were the norm? What if to be straight labeled you as an Opposite and made YOU the Outkast?

Author Links....

Tour Schedule:

*Nov 23rd - Multitaskingmomma | Spotlight w/Review

*Nov 24th - Purple Rose Teahouse | Spotlight & Dreamcast

*Nov 24th - Carly's Book Reviews | Spotlight w/Review & Playlist

*Nov 25th - The O'Raven Chronicles | Spotlight on Raven

*Nov 26th - 3 Chicks After Dark | Character Interview w/review of The Cellar

*Nov 26th - MM Good Book Reviews | Spotlight w/Review & Guest Post

*Nov 26th - Books by Iyana Jenna | Spotlight

*Nov 26^th – Prism Book Alliance | Spotlight w/Interview

*Nov 27th - Sinful Reviews | Spotlight w/reviews for Appearances & The Cellar

*Nov 28th - Cathy Brockman Romance | Spotlight w/Review

*Nov 29th - Morticia Knight (Daring Adventures in Writing) | Spotlight & Character Interview

*Nov 30th - Gay Media Reviews | Playlist w/Review of The Cellar

*Nov 30th - GGR GGR-Review | Spotlight w/Review

*Nov 30th - Queer Town Abby | Spotlight w/Review & Guest Post

*Nov 30^th – V’s Reads | Spotlight w/Review & Dream cast

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MASK blog tour Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

12:00 AM No comments

Adam Fischer doesn’t believe in second chances. Heartbroken after his lover Charlie leaves him to chase his music career in L.A., Adam is convinced that meaningless one-night-stands are all life has in store for him.

Until fate drops Penn Shields in his lap.

Penn is a young, talented designer fresh out of college who has just landed his dream job as a wardrobe assistant in Queen Victoria theatre, where Adam is performing in a popular musical.

He’s also Charlie's brother.

The last thing Penn wants is to follow in his brother’s footsteps, especially since they haven’t spoken in years. However, the attraction he feels for Adam grows with each day, and soon resisting it proves to be futile.

As Adam and Penn get to know each other intimately, they both realise that first impressions may be deceiving, and that, sometimes, second chances come in the same packaging.

*explicit sexual content, graphic language and adult themes. Recommended for readers 18+ only*

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Tams 5 Star review *****

Adam Fischer has resigned himself to being a lifelong bachelor, and practices his talent often. To say he is shocked when Penn Shields shows up in his dressing room would be an understatement, flabbergasted is more an appropriate emotion. But then, Adam shouldn’t be surprised that his ex boyfriend Charlie never told him he had a twin brother, there were a lot of things left unsaid between them. Adam is insanely attracted to Penn, but he keeps telling himself it is only because he is Charlie’s twin, but he can’t seem to stop fantasizing about the effeminate costume designer, or wanting him.

Penn and Charlie haven’t had contact in years, in fact, they have never been close. Regardless, he doesn’t want to live his love life in the shadow of his rock star brother, so he is hesitant to pursue a relationship with Adam. Mutual attraction and Adam’s sincere understanding for Penn’s kink make not acting on their feelings impossible though. And while the connection is electric, Adam continually drags his feet when it comes to commitment, and Penn needs assurance that Adam sees him, not Charlie.

I love it when an author takes an unlikeable character and molds them into something more. That is what Kostova did with Adam. The eternal bachelor with trust issues and a severe aversion to commitment finally figures out that sometimes, in life, it’s the chances you take that make all the difference. His personal growth throughout the story is amazing, the way he struggles with putting his feelings for Penn to words. Penn is so vulnerable and almost broken, feeling like he will never find anyone that sees him, loves him, because of his pinchet for pretty things. Their relationship was electric, passionate and at times, volatile but as a reader, I could see that they were done from that first time they locked eyes in the dressing room. It just took them a while longer to figure that out, and boy was it a sensually, rocky, wild ride!

Like those hard fought and earned love stories? Then Mask is a must read! And while it lists as a stand alone story, I would suggest reading Dance first so you can see where Adam started, it will make his journey to find himself and love just that much more endearing.

The night passed in a blur of music, dancing, laughter, and glasses clicking together. The smile never left Penn’s face, and he looked like he was having the most fun, even though he switched to sparkling water after the second cocktail. Adam loved dancing with him, holding him tight as Penn wiggled that delicious ass against Adam's hips. He loved the way his skin smelled when it was flushed and sweaty, and couldn’t help but kiss him every chance he got.
By 2:00 AM the club started to wind down. Jared and Fenix were still dancing, holding each other as they swayed to the slow, sexy rhythm of the current song. Penn placed his empty glass on the table and turned to look at Adam over his shoulder. Adam knew that look. That look promised some very naughty things happening to him in the near future.
Turning to fully face Adam, Penn moved to straddle his hips and lock his hands behind his neck. He then dipped his head and gave Adam a teasing, sensual kiss, just lips moving against lips, until Adam groaned and buckled his hips to meet Penn’s.
“Wanna dance?” Penn asked as he separated their mouths. Adam shook his head vigorously and hooking a hand behind his neck, bringing Penn down again. He kissed him urgently, demanding instant access with his tongue. Penn allowed him in, grinding their hips together in the slow rhythm of the song, and moaning obscenely as Adam cupped his ass and squeezed.
Just then, the song changed. Hearing the first notes of Nix’s latest ballad, Penn froze. His mouth was slack against Adam's and his fingers were surely leaving red marks on Adam's neck.
Did he always have that reaction when hearing one of his brother’s songs? Or was it just because he was there with Adam?
Adam didn't care. He didn't want Penn to feel like that.
“Hey,” he whispered in Penn’s ear, moving his hands from Penn’s ass to circle them around his waist. “I see you.” Penn cast him a surprised, confused look, the hesitation and disbelieve in his grey gaze grabbing on something inside Adam and twisting it until it hurt. “Alright? You,” he said, pointing a finger at Penn’s chest, and placing his palm right over his heart. “You,” he repeated in a whisper, closing his eyes against the moisture that had suddenly appeared there.
Penn touched their foreheads together and Adam felt him nod.
For now, that small gesture of agreement would have to do.

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Hi, my name is Teodora and I live in London with my husband and my son. I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it became my full time job a few years ago when I decided that everything else I've tried bores me to death and I have to do what I've always wanted to do, but never had the guts to fully embrace. I've been a journalist, an editor, a personal assistant and an interior designer among other things, but as soon as the novelty of the new, exciting job wears off, I always go back to writing. Being twitchy, impatient, loud and hasty are not qualities that help a writer, because I have to sit alone, preferably still, and write for most of the day, but I absolutely love it. It's the only time that I'm truly at peace and the only thing I can do for more than ten minutes at a time - my son has a bigger attention span than me.

When I'm procrastinating, I like to go to the gym, cook Italian meals (and eat them), read, listen to rock music, watch indie movies and True Blood re-runs. Or, in the worst case scenario, get beaten at every Nintendo Wii game by a kid.

Don't be shy and get in touch - I love connecting with my readers.