Freefall by Tess Oliver Cover Reveal

Title: Freefall  
Author: Tess Oliver  
Genre: New Adult  
Book Description:

After leaving high school, with a hard won diploma and the title of most likely to break hearts, Alexander “Nix” Pierce has left his wild, out of control years mostly behind him. A small inheritance from his grandfather has given him the funds to open up his tattoo shop, Freefall, and he has started to pull his life together. Aside from trying to keep his best friend, Dray, from killing himself in the fight ring, and his slight obsession with a pin-up model he’s never met, Nix’s life is going smoothly... until Scotlyn James, the object of his obsession, walks into his shop.

Ever since a tragic accident killed her family and left her alone in the world, Scotlyn James hasn’t spoken one word. Up until now she didn’t care that she had no way of talking to people. Her awful aunt would never have listened, and Lincoln Hammond the arrogant, selfish man who pulled her from the streets of Los Angeles wouldn’t hear her words if she could speak. But when Lincoln insists she get a tattoo to cover up a scar on her side, Scotlyn meets the artist, Nix Pierce. And now she longs for her voice. Now she has found someone who will hear her.

 Teaser:

I could see Nix swallow beneath the collar of his t-shirt. For what seemed like the hundredth time, he rearranged stuff on his tray, and it seemed he had a hard time looking at me.

I’d pushed it too far. I was being way to forward with him, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. I was not practiced at flirting, and it seemed that I’d been reading his thoughts all wrong. In my state of distress from the car ride, I’d forgotten to take off my sweatshirt. Feeling like a fool for rubbing my foot so suggestively up his leg, I hopped off the table and walked over to the hook on the wall. Now I wanted to get this done and fast.

I unzipped my sweatshirt and slipped it off my shoulders. As I reached up to hang it on the hook, Nix’s stool slid across ­the floor, and before I could lower my hands, his arms snaked around my waist, and he pulled my back against his hard chest.

 About the Author

Tess Oliver is a teacher and writer who lives in California with her husband, kids, a small pack of pampered dogs, and the recent addition of three ridiculously cute pygmy goats. She loves horses, chocolate and Jane Austen books. She has a BS of Nutrition Science, and a MA in Curriculum and Instruction. She is also an author published by Barron's Educational Publisher.

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Blurb When everyone thinks your sister committed suicide, it’s hard to prove she was murdered. Kim is unable to accept Charley’s sudden death. Crippled by an unnatural amnesia, her questions are met with wall after wall. As she doubts her sanity, she realises her investigation is putting those around her in danger. The only person who seems to know anything is Matthew, an elusive stranger who would rather vanish than talk. Despite his friendly smile, Kim isn’t sure she can trust him. But if she wants to protect her family from further danger, Kim must work with Matthew to discover how Charley died – before it’s too late.

Excerpt from Reaper’s Rhythm

The warm light seeps through the closed sitting room curtains when I step into the drive. The muffled thump of dance music grows louder as I approach the familiar front door. I push the key into the lock, but the door swings open on its own. My breath catches in my throat, but I force it into a growl. Not only has my sister, Charley, not bothered to lock the door, she hasn’t latched it. Whatever she rushed home for must have been important.

I step over the threshold and a blast of warm air hits me, enveloping me like one of Mum’s overprotective hugs. My wind-chilled face tingles, as I close and lock the door.

"Charley, I hope you’ve set the table.” My voice competes with the din of the deep bass of my sister’s music.

I toss my keys into the wicker basket on the hall table. As I peel my coat off, I see Charley’s in a crumpled heap on the floor. Rolling my eyes, I scoop it up and hang it, then place her discarded boots in the shoe rack beside my own. Why am I the conscientious sister? I’m only sixteen. Charley will be heading off to university next year.

Stomach rumbling, I snatch up the Chinese takeout I’d picked up on the walk home and wander into the kitchen. Frowning, I flick the switch to light up the pristine room. Mum is a clean freak now that Dad doesn’t live here. The table isn't set, even though Charley promised she would do it before she rushed off ahead.

"Charley,” I call out and then dump the bag on the kitchen table and stomp across the hall to the sitting room, shoving the door open.

The music hits me first, making me jerk my head back, then the smell. An odd odour, metallic and rich, overpowers the air freshener on the mantel.

"Charley?" She must be trying to scare me. "Charley, stop messing around.” I grit my teeth, expecting her to jump out at any second.

My body shudders and my flesh tingles as if an army of ants is marching beneath my skin. I back out of the empty sitting room and bolt upstairs. The smell is stronger, snaking down my throat, making me want to gag.

“Charley?”

I shove her door open, hard.

Charley’s lying on the bed, her blond hair fanned out over the pillow. Her arms are spread wide, palms up. Crimson blood drips from deep slashes on her wrists. Her blue eyes are open, staring at the ceiling. But they don't see. They're dull, empty.

Dead.

The room spins. My stomach lurches and bile rises up my throat. I swallow and clap my hand to my mouth. Sagging against the doorframe, I can’t tear my gaze from the single lock of hair resting over Charley’s porcelain cheek. What should I do?

Charley would know what to do.

As I stumble down the stairs, my mind clicks into gear. A scream rips out of my throat, eclipsing the pounding music. My foot slips on the beige carpet, sending me tumbling down the remaining stairs. My shoulder and back slam against the wall. I scramble to my feet, screaming, sobbing, then stagger into the hallway, colliding into a young man with the darkest eyes I’ve ever seen.

My own force knocks me backwards. His strong grip clenches my arm, preventing me from falling. I try to scream again, but the sound is trapped within my constricting chest. My sister is dead. A stranger is in my house.

I writhe against his grip, lashing out with my foot. My toes crumple and sting when they hit his shin. I’m thrown off balance, but he holds me fast.

He raises his thumb to my forehead and applies gentle pressure, as he sweeps his thumb towards my brow and then hooks it back up.

"Sleep." His quiet voice acts like a sedative.

My head flops forward until my chin touches my chest. A new scent replaces the sickly metallic tang of Charley’s blood: freshly cut grass. Inhaling it makes my head fuzzy and my heartbeat slow.

I want to see his face, memorise every detail. The contours of his cheeks and jaw, the shape of his nose, the colour of his hair. The police want to know those things, don’t they? The only feature I can see for sure is the impossible darkness of his eyes.

My own eyelids droop, my limbs turn liquid. A strong arm loops round my back and lowers me to the floor. I fight against sleep. Each time I force my eyelids open, they flutter shut again.

"Forget,” he says. The word is nothing more than a whisper at the edge of my hearing. "Sleep."

  Author Bio: 

 Clare Davidson is an independent writer, based in Lancaster. Clare is a high school teacher, mother and character-driven fantasy writer. Clare was born in Northampton and lived in Malaysia for four and a half years as a child, before returning to the UK to settle in Leeds with her family. Whilst attending Lancaster University, Clare met her future husband and never left. They now share their lives with their young daughter, a cranky grey cat and an insane white kitten. She published her first novel, Trinity in July 2012. Trinity is a young adult, fantasy novel, which currently has seventeen five star reviews on Amazon UK. Her second novel, Reaper’s Rhythm, is due to be released on the 26^th July 2013. Also aimed at a young adult audience, Reaper’s Rhythm is an urban fantasy with a dash of mystery.    

Ways to connect with Clare Davidson: Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads New releases mailing list      

Glass Frost Release Day Blitz!

Title: Glass Frost (Frost Series #2)

Author: Liz DeJesus

Genre: YA Fantasy

Book Description:
 

When joined together, Cinderella's slippers grant the wearer her heart's desire. But whose wish will be granted?When Cinderella’s glass slipper is stolen, Queen Felicia sends her faithful steward Terrance to the real world to retrieve his love and witch-in-training, Bianca Frost. The power of the glass slipper in the wrong hands could ruin peace in Everafter. Bianca must gather every bit of magic she has learned in the past few weeks to find the slipper and protect her new love. Together, Bianca, Ming, Prince Ferdinand, and Terrance venture deep into the heart of Everafter to seek clues as to who has stolen the slipper and why. Along the way, they uncover what happened to the Seven Dwarves after Snow White married the prince, but also learn the awful risk of tampering with black magic and the high price that must be paid for magical aid, even when used for good. Bianca and Terrance’s relationship is put to the test. Through the pain of suffering and loss, Bianca must determine if following her gallant boyfriend into his faraway world is in fact her heart's desire. Glass Frost is the second book in the Frost Series.

Teaser

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                  Bianca turned around, ready to leave the Fairy Realm, defeated and with no answers when something hit her. What if Fanny could understand her questions regardless of what the queen thought? What was the harm in asking? Bianca shrugged and turned back toward Fanny. Terrance put a hand on her shoulder and tried to stop her. His eyes widened, with a look he asked her what she was doing. She patted his hand and walked away, convinced that what she was about to do was right.

                  “What does she think she’s doing?” Titania asked.

                  Bianca hesitated for a moment, worried about what the queen would do to her. But Titania remained still, almost as if she was as curious as everyone else to see how Fanny would react to Bianca.

                  Fanny danced around Bianca as though she were invisible. She just twirled and giggled as though someone had told a funny joke.

                  Why won’t she see me? Am I invisible to her?

                  “Hello,” Bianca cried. She touched Fanny on the elbow, hoping deep inside to make a connection. A flash of light blinded her momentarily, and she felt an electric current race through her body. The power from that knocked Bianca on the floor on her rear end.

                  Fanny miraculously stopped. She remained silent at first. Then she turned her dark brown eyes at Bianca. They held so much sorrow and pain.

                  “Fanny, can you hear me?” Bianca asked.

                  “Yes,” she replied. Her eyes widened in surprise, as though she was amazed that she was still able to use her voice.

                  Fanny then gagged. She got on all fours and heaved until a single white rose passed through her lips. The flower was covered with bile and saliva as it fell heavily on the ground.

                  Bianca sat beside Fanny, her hand hovering over her shoulder precariously. She was scared of what else would happen should she touch Fanny once more. 

                  “I’m so sorry. I forgot that it would cause you pain to speak.”                 

                  Fanny looked into Bianca’s eyes.  She shrugged and gave Bianca a sad smile.

                  “My name is Bianca. Those are my friends over there, Ming, Terrance, and Prince Ferdinand. We’re all here because we need your help.”

© Liz DeJesus 2013

Author Bio

Liz DeJesus was born on the tiny island of Puerto Rico. She is a novelist and a poet. She has been writing for as long as she was capable of holding a pen. She is the author of the novel Nina (Blu Phi'er Publishing, October 2007), The Jackets (Arte Publico Press, March 2011) First Frost (Musa Publishing, June 2012) and Glass Frost (Musa Publishing, July 2013).

​

She is also a member of The Written Remains Writers Guild http://www.writtenremains.org/.

​

Liz is currently working on a new novel. Find out more about the author at her website www.lizdejesus.com

LINKS:

Amazon Author Page

Purchase First Frost (Frost Series #1) on Amazon

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Purchase from Musa Publishing

 

Paranormal Lovers July Giveaway!!!

This month we are celebrating all things paranormal with a monstrous giveaway!!!  Take a look at these awesome authors and the very cool stuff they have donated!!!

Here's what you could win:

1 e-book copy of The Morning Star by Tania Penn Hernandez.

Bookmarks, zombiepunk necklace, and a handmade skull head from Elizabeth J. KolodzieJ.

1 e-book copy of Once Upon A Zombie Apocalypse -Jade, 1 e-book copy The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter (Full collection), 1 TVHD rubber bracelet from Jennifer Malone Wright.

1 signed print copy of Falling from Lisa Rigsbee.

6 trading cards, 1 e-book copy of Semester Aboard from Elizabeth Kirke.

1 decorated journal, charm bookmark, and swag pack from Konstanz Silverbow.

1 e-book copy of Elemental: The First, 1 e-book copy of Elemental: Origin, 1 e-book copy of The Battle for Arcanon Major from Alexandra May.

1 full set of The Gryphon Series e-books from Stacey Rourke.

1 e-book copy of Witchwood, signed character cards, 1 e-book copy of Paradox series, signed character cards from Patti Roberts.

1 e-book copy of Kasadya Hellhound Awakened, 1 e-book Kasadya Hellhound Twisted, $20 Amazon Gift Card from Karen Swart.

I signed print copy of Perfection with swag pack from JL Spelbring.

1 e-book copy of Fracture by Virginia McKevitt.

1 Willow’s Minions T-shirt, 1 signed print copy of Haunted (combined edition), 1 Willow’s Minions key chain.

That's a colossal haul for one very lucky paranormal lover!!!  Enter the raffle copter below!!!!  The giveaway will run until July 31st. 

Terms:

Each author is responsible for sending out their donated prizes, the winner will be announced on this blog August first.  Winner is responsible for contacting the poster with prevalent information (email address and physical address) to obtain their prizes.  This giveaway is in no way affiliated with, or sponsored by, Facebook or any of their subsidiaries.  No purchases are necessary to win.  Need not be present to win.  Liking the participating authors fan pages is mandatory for entry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal!!!

Check this out!!!!

Formerly... The Birth of Jaiden by Jennifer Malone Wright

Savior (A Higher Collective Novel)

Alexander Lucas is a man of faith, casino owner, and vampire. He should

be living the Reno high life of riches and immortality. Instead, he

wakes each night despising the blood on his hands and begging for a

reason to continue on.

The last beat of his heart took place shortly after losing his family to a gruesome and violent death. One snowy night, the creature who had been stalking him finally took his life, in turn giving him the gift of immortality. Yet, immortality to

Alex is not a gift, but rather a curse to live in eternal pain.

Nearly a century of tortured existence leads him to a dumpster in a dark alley

where he finds a reason for continuing on. Nestled between bits of

debris and rubbish a tiny infant wails for help. He calls for his best

friend and guardian angel, Danielle, who explains to him that he has

been chosen to raise this baby, for she would some day become a very

powerful, natural witch. She tells him it is now his job to protect her

from the enemy who wants her so badly, yet also to be her father.

Thinking this angel is out of her mind, Alex refuses many times until Danielle

convinces him that the enemy, Malcolm and his wife Levine, cannot obtain

the child and that they are, indeed attempting to find her. He must

keep her safe, because if evil hands raise her than she will grow to

possess the power to annihilate them all.

Luckily, Alex is not alone, he has The Higher Collective to assist in his mission. With the combined powers of the Vampires, Angels, Dark Angels, Witches and

Warlocks, The Higher Collective prepares for a battle to protect the

child from the evil she may possibly inherit.

You can add it on Goodreads!!!

Haunted writing competition!!!

Have you had a real paranormal encounter with a ghost?  Would you like to tell the world about it?  

Here is your opportunity to do so.  

I am hosting a writing competition for the best TRUE ghost story.  The winning story will be featured in the back of  Haunted III  when it releases next month.

Here's the rules for entry:

1.  This story must be 100% true.  Please do not embellish any part of it for dramatic effect.

2. The minimum word count for an entry is 1,500.  There is no maximum.

3.  By entering the contest, you are agreeing to allow changes to be made to your story for editing purposes only.

4.  By entering the contest, the winning entrant agrees to forgo monetary compensation for their story.

5. By entering the contest, the winning author agrees to relinquish publication rights to Willow Cross for sole use in Haunted III.

6.  Any entry received after June 28th, 2013 will not be considered for entry.

7. The story must be 100% TRUE!  (I'm not kidding either. LOL)

That's it.  Easy peasy!!!  Just send your story to willowsfanmail@yahoo.com to enter.  Please place Ghost Story in the subject line of your email.  The winner will be notified by email no later than July 1, 2013.

Get busy and happy writing!!!

Moonlight Serenade by Kate Hinderer Release Day Blitz!

Today is the Release Day for Moonlight Serenade (Fascination Island #2) by Kate Hinderer!

Title: Moonlight Serenade (Fascination Island #2)

Author: Kate Hinderer

Description:

 Determined to someday sing on the stage in New York City, Collette takes an internship at the luxury resort on Fascination Island. While she plans to hone her craft by singing nightly on the stage of the Moonlight Serenade restaurant, she never expected to be pushed outside her comfort zone. Shy and reserved, she is challenged to step outside herself and release the inner diva. When Falcon comes along, sparks fly and secrets are revealed. Before long Collette is forced to make life-changing decisions that will impact her future in ways she never even imagined.  

Excerpt
 
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“Honestly Falcon. What is it that gives you the right to go around kissing any unsuspecting girl you want?”

I didn’t like the sound of that. Part of me had hoped that his instant reaction had been something that struck him as strongly as it had me. I didn’t like the idea he went around kissing any girl that happened to look at him long enough for him to make his move. I didn’t like that at all.

“I don’t kiss every girl,” Falcon argued, but it sounded weak even to me. Tristan cleared his throat in disbelief. “Ok, so I kissed you, Audyn, that first day. But it was more about punishing Tristan than you.”

“Glad we finally cleared that up.”

At this point I was beginning to think faking my continued faint wasn’t such a good idea. My romantic bubble had been thoroughly burst by the strange, impulsive boy who had given me my first kiss. The boy of my dreams had kissed my roommate to get even with Tristan. I already knew what that meant—this couldn’t end well. But as I was about to rouse myself, Falcon said something that nearly had me fainting all over again.

“I swear to you. This was different. She’s different.” His voice sounded closer now, as if he felt drawn to be near me.

“Why? Is she the first one to melt at your touch?” Audyn queried, her words still laced with cynicism.

“Not everyone breaks my toe like you did. But she’s different in a way I can’t explain. I’m sure you, of anyone, should understand that.”

Audyn scoffed at Falcon’s response while my heart began beating quicker. “Get out of here,” she commanded.

To my disappointment he didn’t argue. He didn’t utter a word. The sound of the door opening and then clicking closed echoed in the hacienda. I fluttered my eyes and moved about restlessly, pulling Audyn’s attention back to me.

“Thank goodness you’re all right. How do you feel?”

Dramatizing the act a little, I slowly sat up, dangling my feet over the bed and sitting up next to Audyn. She wrapped her arm around my waist to help support me. The room didn’t sway, proving beyond a doubt that it was the kiss that felled me instead of anything biological. Still, I pressed a hand to my forehead to verify my charade and make me appear less prone to fainting fits at the sight of a good looking guy. 

“Did I really pass out in some stranger’s arms?” I asked, looking around to find the place empty but for the two of us.

“Yeah. And that stranger happens to be Tristan’s younger brother, Falcon.” She shook her head in disgust. “I told you, meeting them is always an adventure.”

“Thank goodness you came along.”

“Tristan and I got here a minute after you passed out. Falcon had you laid out on the bed and stood over you like some avenging angel waiting to do battle if anyone got in the way.”

“I guess I owe him,” I said, attempting to sound uninterested even if the mental picture of Falcon continued to grow with each passing minute. He must have been so worried about me, fainting dead away and then not coming to immediately.

“He kissed you. Do you remember?”

My face turned red before I had the chance to respond. My fingers came up and touched my lips as the memory remained fresh and alive. “Yeah,” I whispered, sounding breathless, even to my own ears.

About the Author

In a nutshell: Writer. Blogger. Journalist. Marathon runner. Social media enthusiast. Beer drinker. Avid YA reader. Traveler. Chicago native. Milwaukee resident. Music fanatic. Fashion lover. Oldest of nine. Writing has been in my soul from the very beginning. In grade school I started my own local paper for the street I lived on. In middle school I wrote for the school paper and loved any English writing assignment. I started writing novels in high school. At the time my friends were the characters, the setting was almost always Regency England, and I scratched the story into lined notebooks. Now, I have a journalism degree and a dozen various business writing gigs under my belt. I’ve lived in a handful of US cities including Milwaukee, Chicago, Boston, St. Louis and New York. I pen a personal fashion and lifestyle blog, ModlyChic.com, and continue to write about commercial real estate. My first book, Aurora Undefined, was published in 2011. The Emerald Isle, the first Fascination Island book, came out during the summer of 2012, at which time I immediately began writing the second book in the series. Next up . . . stay tuned! I’m working on a new contemporary novel as well as the third book in the Fascination Island series. 

Links

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Kate Hinderer Writes (blog)

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Twitter: @kate_hinderer

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