Love, Lattes and Danger by Sandra Cox ~ Bodyguard Pursuit by Joanne Wadsworth ~ Undying Hope by Emma Weylin

 

Title: Love, Lattes and Danger
Author: Sandra Cox
Release Date: August 4, 2015
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: YA
Format: Ebook

It’s a dirty job, but some mutant’s got to do it…

Joel Eisler is a mutant with special talents. He can detect an oil leak in the ocean simply by tasting the water. Because of this unique ability, he’s been purchased by a large oil company, along with his dolph sister, Amy. The upside of spending his days and nights in the ocean is that it gives him the opportunity to save the lives of his brother dolphins. The downsides are life as a closely monitored slave—and that he can’t be with Piper, the dolph-girl he loves…

 To make matters worse, Joel discovers the lab he grew up in has extracted his sperm and Piper’s egg and created a baby, and his handler, Craven, is plotting to kidnap Amy for more experiments. Now Joel must rescue the infant, bring her to Piper, and find a way to save Amy. And if that’s not enough of a challenge, he needs to convince Piper she belongs with him instead of her all-too-human boyfriend—if Craven doesn’t get to them first…

ORDER INFORMATION

Love, Lattes and Danger is available for order at  

   

Multi-published author Sandra Cox writes YA Fantasy, Paranormal and Historical Romance, and Metaphysical Nonfiction. She lives in sunny North Carolina with her husband, a brood of critters, and an occasional foster cat. Although shopping is high on the list, her greatest pleasure is sitting on her screened-in porch, listening to the birds, sipping coffee and enjoying a good book. She’s a vegetarian and a Muay Thai enthusiast. Readers can find Sandra at sandracox.blogspot.com, on Facebook, or at twitter.com @Sandra_Cox.

For More Information

Visit Sandra’s website. 

Connect with Sandra

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Title: Bodyguard Pursuit
Author: Joanne Wadsworth
Release Date: August 4, 2015
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Ebook

Alone at sea. On the run from a killer . . .

It’s been a year since Saria Sands entered The Program, her last chance to stay one step ahead of a relentless killer. When bodyguard and weapons expert Ben Hammers sends her to a private yacht in the South Pacific, Saria agrees. But confined in close quarters together on the yacht, Saria can’t help desiring more with her mysterious protector.

 Ben Hammers will do anything to protect Saria. She’s more than just a job. Protecting the innocent is Ben’s only way to right a wrong he’s kept hidden his whole life, a secret that has kept him from forming a connection with any woman, let alone the one he wants more than anything.

 Ben knows he can’t let his guard down. But the more time he spends with Saria, the further he finds himself slipping...

ORDER INFORMATION

Bodyguard Pursuit is available for order at  

 I love reading romance, but even more, I love to write it. My characters hound me, demanding their stories are told. I’m happy to oblige, giving them the romance they’re after, provided they can accept a little angst and adventure along the way. In beautiful New Zealand, I live with my hubby and four energetic children, and adore using the stunning countries of the South Pacific as backdrops in many of my books. One day I hope to travel further afield, to visit the Scottish Highlands, America, and everywhere between. Currently I have three series underway. Highlander Heat, historical Highlander romances, feature strong heroines whose paths collide with their delicious Highland heroes. Magio-Earth, is a fast-paced YA fantasy romance line, where across worlds, soul-bound mates battle against both love and land. And in Bodyguards, each heart-pounding story will bring you a bodyguard and the woman he protects. There is no greater feeling than seeing my characters come to life, so come and join me...where romance meets fantasy and adventure.

For More Information

Visit Joanne’s website. Connect with Joanne

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Title: Undying Hope
Author: Emma Weylin
Release Date: August 4, 2015
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Ebook

An ancient warrior. A timeless battle.

 Haven Killian needs help. As the heiress of an ancient organization called the Black Rose, she is charged with keeping alive the line of succession. When she vows to protect a young boy tormented by magic, all she has to go on are rumors of an immortal with the power to save him.

 As Battle King of the Undying, Quinn Donovan has the most powerful magic on the planet. Yet, he has waited an eternity to find his lifebond: the one woman destined to be his mate. The moment he meets Haven, he senses she is his. His instincts scream to protect the woman and the boy she guards, and to claim her as his own. But Haven is mortal, and for them to be united, she must become one of the Undying.

ORDER INFORMATION

Undying Hope is available for order at  

Emma Weylin fell in love with the written word as a child. She loves to create her own worlds full of magic and wonder. One of her favorite things is populating those worlds with interesting and true-to-life characters who experience everything from epic love and heartrending battles to seriously silly or embarrassing “duh” moments. She believes love can and does conquer all things. When she’s not writing, she enjoys her family and has a copious yarn addiction.

For More Information

Visit Emma's website. Connect with Emma

 

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 September 21

Book featured at I'm Shelf-ish

September 22

Book featured at Harmonious Publicity

September 23

Undying Hope Reviewed at Written Love Reviews

September 24

Book featured at Write and Take Flight

September 25

Book featured at Voodoo Princess

September 28

Book featured at The Literary Nook

September 29

Book featured at Inkslinger's Opus

September 30

Book featured at A Taste of My Mind

October 1

Book featured at Written Love Reviews

October 2

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October 5

Book featured at Crystal's Chaotic Confessions

October 6

Book featured at Literal Exposure

October 7

Book featured at Bent Over Bookwords

October 8

Book featured at Lover of Literature

October 9

Book featured at All Inclusive Retort

October 12

Undying Hope Reviewed at One Book Shy of a Bookshelf

Book featured at Deal Sharing Aunt

October 13

Bodyguard Pursuit and Undying Hope Reviewed at Archaeolibrarian

October 14

Book featured at Around the World in Books

October 15

Undying Hope Reviewed at I Smell Sheep

Bodyguard Pursuit Reviewed at Written Love Reviews

October 16

Undying Hope Reviewed at Taking it One Book at a Time

Illusion by Lea Nolan

Thanks so much for having me here at Crystal’s Chaotic Confessions! I’m thrilled to introduce you to Illusion, the third and final book in my Hoodoo Apprentice trilogy, which releases today! I’ve also got a great blog tour giveaway for you!
My series features hoodoo magic, a lesser known type of folk magic predominantly practiced in the American south. To give you a better understanding of what this type of magic is and where it came from, I thought I’d put together this primer entitled….

Five Things You Didn’t Know About Hoodoo Magic

1. Hoodoo is an African American folk magic which originated in the American south in the 19th century or earlier. Uniquely American, it merges the cultural beliefs and customs enslaved Africans brought with them when they were forced to come to this country, with the botanical knowledge of Native Americans, and the magical folklore of Christian, Jewish, and pagan immigrants. Therefore it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that while most hoodoo practitioners are African American, whites have always participated in this folk magic as well. 

2. Hoodoo is not the same as voodoo. In truth, the two couldn’t be more different. Voodoo, or voudon (or other, similar spellings) is a West African religion that was transplanted to Haiti by enslaved Africans. Voodoo’s practitioners worship loas, or spirits that are subservient to a supreme creator god known as Bondye. Hoodoo on the other hand is a magical belief system and practice that places strong emphasis on personal power and ability, and does not rely on a theological framework. Most hoodoo workers consider themselves Christians, and frequently perform spells using Biblical text, especially the Book of Psalms, and often conduct their spells in Jesus’ name. 

3. Hoodoo is deeply rooted in nature. Hoodoo derives its power from dried herbs, roots, and plants, minerals like magnetic lodestones, and curios such as animal bones and other parts (teeth, feathers, paws, etc), as well as seeds and nuts. Personal concerns like blood, hair, and even urine are considered to have magical properties that can be used to bind a spell to a specific person. Common household items such as brooms, needles, pins, coins, and nails can also be used in hoodoo charms.

4. Hoodoo spells have a wide variety of uses and are categorized by color. Red magic spells draw love or spice up smootchy times. Green magic spells will fatten your wallet or improve a client’s gambling chances. Purple magic spells will enhance someone’s power or success. White magic charms offer help and protection, and as you might guess, black magic spells are destructive. 

5. Hoodoo has also been used as a healing medicine. Enslaved Africans rarely received medical care, so they depended on home remedies made with medicinal plants and herbs. After slavery ended, the people left behind on the Sea Islands were so isolated, and physicians so scarce, they continued to rely on hoodoo medicine to cure their ills. For example, “Life Everlasting” is a popular herbal remedy chest rub for flu made from whiskey, lemon and turpentine.  This specific remedy makes an appearance in Illusion, but it’s used for a far different purpose--but no spoilers--you’ll have to read the book to see what it does!

I hope you enjoyed this quick introduction to hoodoo. For more information, I highly recommend www.LuckyMojo.com the single most reliable source of information on hoodoo magic. Many facts for this post came from catherine yronwode’s essay Hoodoo, Conjure and Rootwork, but there are many other fascinating things on the site, including authentic hoodoo spells.

Things aren't always as they appear…

New school. Cross-country move. Broken heart. If only these were Emma Guthrie's worst problems. Instead, she must battle a trio of enemies--human and spectral--who may or may not have joined forces against her and everyone she loves. All while pretending to be over Cooper Beaumont, her ex-boyfriend and true love, to shield him from her arch-nemesis's revenge.

Worse, when the fight escalates, Emma is tempted to use black magic, which will endanger her soul. As her enemies close in, join forces, and fight with new and dark magic she's never seen before, Emma must harness the power within her to fulfill an ancient prophecy, defeat a centuries-old evil, save her family, and reclaim the only boy she's ever loved.

AMAZON | GOODREADS | B&N

And now for the giveaway, a super awesome Illusion Blog Tour Prize pack. 

The Grand Prize includes a $25 Amazon gift card, a custom Hoodoo Apprentice tote, and six authentic hoodoo spells from the Lucky Mojo Curio Company. 

There’s also a second prize $15 Amazon gift card, and a third prize $10 Amazon gift card. So what are you waiting for? Enter below to win! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In The Series

CONJURE (Book #1)

Be careful what you search for…

Emma Guthrie expects this summer to be like any other in the South Carolina Lowcountry--hot and steamy with plenty of beach time alongside her best friend and secret crush, Cooper Beaumont, and Emma's ever-present twin brother, Jack. But then a mysterious eighteenth-century message in a bottle surfaces, revealing a hidden pirate bounty. Lured by the adventure, the trio discovers the treasure and unwittingly unleashes an ancient Gullah curse that attacks Jack with the wicked flesh-eating Creep and promises to steal Cooper's soul on his approaching sixteenth birthday.

But when a strange girl bent on revenge appears, demon dogs become a threat, and Jack turns into a walking skeleton; Emma has no choice but to learn hoodoo magic to undo the hex, all before the last days of summer--and her friends--are lost forever.

Amazon | Goodreads

ALLURE (Book #2)

Worst. Summer. Ever.

Emma Guthrie races to learn the hoodoo magic needed to break The Beaumont Curse before her marked boyfriend Cooper’s sixteenth birthday. But deep in the South Carolina Lowcountry, dark, mysterious forces encroach, conspiring to separate Emma and Cooper forever. When Cooper starts to change, turning cold and indifferent, Emma discovers that both his heart and body are marked for possession by competing but equally powerful adversaries.

Desperate to save him, Emma and her twin brother, Jack, risk their lives to uncover the source of the black magic that has allured Cooper and holds him in its grip. Faced with the horror of a soul-eating boohag, Emma and Jack must fight to resist its fiendish power to free Cooper long enough to join their strengths and face it together, before it destroys them all.

Amazon | Goodreads

   Meet the Author

Thanks again for having me. This was a lot of fun to put together! Best of luck to all who enter the giveaway.

~Lea

Lea Nolan is a USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary Romance and YA. Her books for young adults feature bright heroines, crazy-hot heroes, diabolical plot twists, plus a dose of magic, a draft of romance, and a sprinkle of history. She also pens smart, witty contemporary stories for adults filled with head-swooning, heart-throbbing, sweep-you-off your feet romance. 

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, she loves the water far too much to live inland. With her heroically supportive husband and three clever children, she resides in Maryland where she scarfs down crab cakes whenever she gets the chance. 

Learn more at her ~

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads

Blood Red by Wendy Corsi Staub

Title: Blood Red
Author: Wendy Corsi Staub
Release Date: September 29, 2015
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Format: Ebook/Paperback/Audible

 From New York Times bestselling author Wendy Corsi Staub comes the first in a terrifying new series set in a small town with a sinister secret

The razor's gleaming blade slices effortlessly through skin and tendon, and he relishes the final anguished moments of his prey. There's only one thing he prizes more: their long, silken strands of red hair. But these women are merely stand-ins . . . a prelude to his ultimate victim.

Nestled in New York's Hudson Valley, Mundy's Landing is famous for its picturesque setting—and for a century-old string of gruesome unsolved murders. Rowan returned to her hometown years ago, fleeing a momentary mistake that could have destroyed her family. Life is good here. Peaceful. Until an anonymous gift brings Rowan's fears to life again.

The town's violent history was just the beginning. Soon everyone in Mundy's Landing will know that the past cannot be forgotten or forgiven—not until every sin has been paid for, in blood.  

ORDER INFORMATION

Blood Red is available for order at  

   

New York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub is the award-winning author of more than eighty novels in a career that has spanned more than two decades. Under her own name, Wendy achieved New York Times bestselling status with her single title psychological suspense novels. Those novels and the women's fiction she writes under the pseudonym Wendy Markham have also frequently appeared on the USA Today, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookscan bestseller lists.

In Autumn 2015, Wendy will launch two new series. The first is the "Mundy's Landing" adult suspense trilogy for HarperCollins, with the launch title, Blood Red, on sale September 29, to be followed in 2016 by Blue Moon and Bone White. The other is "Lily Dale," a hardcover cozy mystery series set in the upstate New York spiritual community. Book One, Nine Lives, goes on sale October 26, with a second title to come in Summer 2016.

Another 2015 suspense novel, The Black Widow (HarperCollins, March), concludes her Social Media predator series that began withThe Good Sister (October 2013) and continued with the USA Todaybestseller The Perfect Stranger (July 2014), and its prequel ebook novella, Cold Hearted (May 2014).

She has published two other suspense trilogies with HarperCollins in recent years. Nightwatcher (September 2012), won the Westchester Library Association Washington Irving Prize for Fiction. It was followed by the New York Times bestseller Sleepwalker (October 2012), which went on to become a finalist for the prestigious Simon and Schuster Mary Higgins Clark Award presented at the Mystery Writers of America Edgars Symposium, and Shadowkiller (February 2013). New York Times bestseller Live to Tell (March 2010) received a starred review in Publishers Weekly and was also a finalist at the 2011 Mystery Writers of America Edgar Awards for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. Its sequel, Scared to Death, (January 2011) was honored with the WLA Washington Irving Prize for Fiction, followed by the bestseller Hell to Pay (October 2011).

She previously published more than a dozen award-winning, bestselling adult suspense novels with Kensington Books and co-authored a Mystery series with the late former mayor of New York City, Ed Koch and a romance series with Fabio. She has ghostwritten novels for a number of other celebrities and bestselling authors.

As "Wendy Markham," her most recent title, The Best Gift, is a sequel to the acclaimed 2006 Christmas Time Travel romance, If Only in My Dreams (both from Signet). Prior, she published nearly two dozen women’s fiction novels with Hachette, Warner, Avon, Grand Central Publishing, Red Dress Ink, and Berkley. She also has an extensive Young Adult/Middle Grade backlist that includes the acclaimed series "Lily Dale" (Bloomsbury/Walker). Early in her writing career, she published in various genres including suspense, horror, historical and category romance, television and movie tie-in, and biography.

In addition to the Mary Higgins Clark Award nominations, Wendy has won the 2008 RT Award for Career Achievement in Suspense and the 2007 RWA-NYC Golden Apple Award for Lifetime Achievement. A proud recipient of the RWA Rita award, she has also been honored five times with the Westchester Library Association's Washington Irving Prize for Fiction and was recognized as one of WLA's Millennial Authors in 2000. Her Wendy Markham novel Slightly Single was named one of Waldenbooks' 100 Best Fiction titles of 2002. Her novels Slightly Suburban, The Last to Know, and Ask Me Again were nominated for RT Reviewers Choice awards, and five of her novels, Don't Scream; The Last to Know; Mike, Mike and Me;Hello, It's Me; and Bride Needs Groom, were awarded a month's top pick review by the RT BOOK club magazine.

Her work has been translated into more than a dozen languages worldwide and her titles are regularly selected as features for Mystery Guild, Literary Guild, Doubleday Book Club, Large Print Book Club, and Rhapsody Book Club.

Wendy grew up in a large, close-knit family in rural southwestern New York State and decided she wanted to become an author while in third grade. She worked in two independent bookstores during college, then moved alone to New York City at twenty-one to pursue her dream of becoming a working writer. After stints as a book editor for a Manhattan publishing house and an account coordinator for a major advertising agency, she sold her first novel, the supernatural young adult thriller Summer Lightning in 1991.

Wendy now lives in the New York City suburbs with her husband of twenty-four years and their two children. A 1986 graduate of the State University of New York at Fredonia, she proudly delivered the keynote commencement address at her alma mater in May 2008, was a featured speaker at the 2011 Academic Convocation.

Having lost her mother and mother-in-law to breast cancer, she has been a vocal and active supporter of charitable causes such as Relay for Life, Support Connection, and the American Cancer Society. In September 2012, she was an Ovarian Cancer Awareness month national spokesperson for Avon’s Kiss and Teal campaign with the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation. As an animal rights advocate, she currently fosters cats and kittens for various rescue organizations in the metro New York City area.

For More Information

Visit Wendy’s website.
Connect with Wendy

 September 28

Interviewed at C.A. Milson

Guest blogging at Night Owl Reviews

September 29

Guest blogging at Freda's Voice

Book reviewed at Stormy Night's Reviewing and Bloggin'

September 30

Guest blogging at Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews

October 1

Book featured at I'm Shelf-ish

October 2

Book featured at Harmonious Publicity

October 5

Book featured at Crystal's Chaotic Confessions

October 6

Guest blogging at Becky on Books

October 7

Book reviewed and Author interview at From the TBR Pile

October 8

Book featured at Authors and Readers Book Corner

October 9

Book featured at Write and Take Flight

October 12

Book reviewed at Cheekypee Reads and Reviews

October 13

Guest blogging at Lori's Reading Corner

October 14

Book reviewed at Booked on a Feeling

Book reviewed at Queen of All She Reads

Book reviewed at Storm Goddess Book Reviews

October 15

Book featured at Chosen By You Book Club

October 16

Guest blogging at Around the World in Books

Book featured at Celticlady's Reviews

October 19

Interviewed at Reviews by Crystal

Interviewed at Deal Sharing Aunt

October 20

Book featured at Abibliophobia Anonymous

October 21

Book featured at Booklover Sue

October 22

Book reviewed at The Self Taught Cook

October 23

Book reviewed at Fallen Over Book Reviews

Book reviewed at I Smell Sheep

Book reviewed at Curling Up by the Fire

It's A Wonderful Death by Sarah J. Schmitt

It's a Wonderful Death
by Sarah J. Schmitt
Release Date: 10/2015
Sky Pony Press
320 pages

Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old RJ always gets what she wants. So when her soul is accidentally collected by a distracted Grim Reaper, somebody in the afterlife better figure out a way to send her back from the dead or heads will roll. But in her quest for mortality, she becomes a pawn in a power struggle between an overzealous archangel and Death Himself. The tribunal presents her with two options: she can remain in the lobby, where souls wait to be processed, until her original lifeline expires, or she can replay three moments in her life in an effort to make choices that will result in a future deemed worthy of being saved. It sounds like a no-brainer. She’ll take a walk down memory lane. How hard can changing her future be?

But with each changing moment, RJ’s life begins to unravel, until this self-proclaimed queen bee is a social pariah. She begins to wonder if walking among the living is worth it if she has to spend the next sixty years as an outcast. Too quickly, RJ finds herself back in limbo, her time on Earth once again up for debate.

RJ is a snarky, unapologetic, almost unredeemable, very real girl. Her story is funny and moving, and teens will easily connect with her plight. Prepare to meet the Grim Reaper, who’s cuter than you’d expect; Hawaiian shirt–wearing Death Himself; Saint Peter (who likes to play Cornhole); and Al, the handler for the three-headed hound that guards the gates of Hell. This cast of characters accompanies RJ through her time in the afterlife and will do their best to gently shove her in the right direction. 

ADD TO GOODREADS

Buy Links:

AMAZON Kindle / Hardcover 

Early Praise for It's A Wonderful Death

"Fun, Funny and Full of Life" - Kirkus Review

"A snarky joyride of a book with a deep moral core; long after you've finished laughing, you'll still be thinking about RJ's journey and perhaps asking yourself: What defines a life well lived?" - Mike Mullin, author of Ashfall

"It's a Wonderful Death is a wonderful gem.  Both snarky and uplifting, it sneaks inside you and makes you smile and cry at the same time."

-Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of Vessel and Drink, Slay, Love  

"It's A Wonderful Death is a great mix of mirth, myth and metaphysics; I enjoyed it greatly and I'm certain that YA readers will as well."

 - Daniel Waters, author of Generation Dead

"Mean Girls meets A Christmas Carol! Smart, sassy, and humorously original with clever world-building and a host of interesting characters, It's a Wonderful Death will have you laughing out loud and rooting for RJ from the first page!"

- Amalie Howard, best-selling author of Bloodspell

"Just the kind of story I love -- full of snark, heart, and contemplation about the meaning of life! It's a Wonderful Death will get you thinking about what you want to leave behind and how you want to live until then."

- Kristen Lippert-Martin, author of Tabula Rasa

"RJ's witty narrative had me both laughing out loud and weeping into the pages. It's a Wonderful Death is a delightful read that questions the butterfly effect of choices made...and unmade."

- Danielle L. Jensen, author of Stolen Songbird

“You know a story’s going to be good when Death shows up as a surfer! I loved every bit of this funny and heartwarming tale of second chances.”

-Lisa Maxwell, author of Sweet Unrest

Soundtrack

It's A Wonderful Death Soundtrack Sampler

Track 1: If I Die Young - The Band Perry

Track 2: Primadonna - Maria and the Diamonds

Track 3: Hopeful - Bars and Melody

Track 4: Almost - Bowling for Soup

Track 5: The Anthem - Good Charlotte

Track 6: It's Your Life - Francesca Battistelli

Dreamcast

Meet the Author

Sarah J. Schmitt is a K-8 school librarian and Youth Service Professional for Teens at a public library who, in addition to planning a variety of events, enjoys opening up the world of books to reluctant readers. She runs a teen writing program that combines Skype visits from well-known authors and screenwriters and critique group style feedback.

Prior to immersing herself in the world of the written word, Sarah earned her Masters of Science in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from Indiana University where she worked with first year college students as they acclimated to college life. Sarah lives outside of Indianapolis with her husband, two kidlets and a cat who might actually be a secret agent. She is an active member of SCBWI, ALA and the Indiana Library Federation and is a regular participant at the Midwest Writer's Workshop. Her debut novel, IT'S A WONDERFUL DEATH, comes out Fall 2015 from Sky Pony Press.

Author Links:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

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