Book Blast

Release Day Blitz: In Darkness We Must Abide by Rhiannon Frater

May 24, 2013 by Barbara at Basia's Bookshelf 1 Comment

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I’m very happy to be able to be a part of the release day blitz for the complete first season (episodes 1-5) in Rhiannon Frater’s new gothic romance serial, In Darkness We Must Abide. I’ll have my review of the volume up next week, but in the meantime, I have a wonderful guest post from Rhiannon about Armando and Vanora and their unique relationship. If you’d like to chat with the author herself, she’s going to be conducting two web chat Q&A sessions later today. I’ve posted all of the details at the bottom of this post!

In Darkness We Must Abide
A Modern Horror with a Gothic Romance

In Darkness We Must Abide is a very unique experience for me as a horror writer. Not only is it a continuing serial with three planned seasons, but it’s also a story driven by the relationship between my two leads, Armando and Vanora.

Growing up, I loved gothic romance. Jane Eyre continues to be my all-time favorite novel. I used to gobble up Victoria Holt novels like candy. I loved the complications of a gothic romance. The characters were flawed, but somehow had dynamic chemistry. The endings were not always happy, but the couples were always fascinating to read about. It’s that type of romance I’ve infused into my serial.

Armando and Vanora are not perfect people. Armando is a 400-year-old vampire with many, many secrets. The Spanish vampire is often torn between his service to his mysterious, dangerous vampire Master and the feelings he has for Vanora and her family. Vanora is an albino, and the world is not always kind to her. Orphaned at a young age, she’s been raised by older siblings. To make matters even more complicated, Vanora has inherited her mother’s sixth sense and when she first meets Armando she senses danger. Despite all their difficulties, both characters’ actions are heavily influenced by their feelings for each other, in both good and bad ways.

When our story begins, Vanora is ten years old when her life changes forever, when her brother brings home their ancestors from Romania to be interred at their estate in Houston, Texas. When Roman has one of the old coffins unchanged, he unleashes an evil that threatens not only his life, but that of his two half-sisters, Alisha and Vanora.

A few years later, a mysterious stranger, Armando, enters her life and Vanora develops a mad crush on the charismatic Spanish vampire. All is not what it seems with Armando, and he is a keeper of many secrets that can potentially adversely affect her life. Through the first four episodes we witness Vanora growing up and becoming a strong young woman. By the end of episode four, The Gift, Armando has taken note as well, which leads to the dramatic and heartbreaking events in episode 5, The Vampires.

Because Armando doesn’t fully enter the story until episode 3, The Arrival of Armando DeLeon, I was had to find an inventive way to let the reader know about his impending arrival. I already knew from past beta readers that he is a huge draw to the story. That is how the prologues were born. Each episode starts in the “present” time period, where an adult Vanora is interacting with Armando, then flashes backwards in time. Each prologue hints at terrible events happening in the present time period and hints that something passionate once happened between Armando and Vanora, though they now appear estranged.

Season 2 will finally bring the two timelines together in a terrifying dramatic scene. Armando and Vanora’s relationship will continue to be at the core of the story as they face the ultimate evil that is coming to destroy their lives. Whether or not they will find true love in each other’s arms and a happy ending has yet to be seen.

~Rhiannon

In Darkness We Must Abide: The Complete First Season
By Rhiannon Frater
Publication Date: May 24, 2013
Genre: NA Modern Gothic Horror

In Darkness We Must Abide is the epic saga of one young woman caught in the dangerous world of the creatures of the night.

Already living in the shadows due to her albinism, Vanora is just a little girl when her older brother inadvertently unleashes a terrible evil from the family crypt that changes their lives forever.

As she grows up in a world where beautiful deadly beings hunt by night, one captures her eye and her heart. Yet, can she trust the mysterious Armando? For there is a powerful entity plotting to claim her when she reaches adulthood in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy, and her enemy has enveloped her in a web of deceit, casting doubt on all she believes to be true. Soon, she will have to fight not only to save those she loves, but also for her very soul.

Rhiannon Frater delivers a chilling adventure once again with this multi-part epic serial with a dynamic cast, old school vampires, bloody action, a smoldering forbidden love, and a terrifying villain set against the backdrop of a modern day vampire war.

This paperback includes all five episodes of the first season of the serial.

Goodreads Summary

Purchase In Darkness We Must Abide:
Amazon (paperback) | Kindle | Kobo | Nook | Autographed copies available at Author’s store

About the Author
Rhiannon 300 223w Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor) , as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog),and other horror novels. Her next novel for Tor, Dead Spots, will be published in 2014. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets). She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dying her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.

Connect with Rhiannon:

RhiannonFrater.com or AsTheWorldDies.com
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email

About the Q&A Sessions:

The chat will use Facebook’s TinyChat app, which you’ll need to download. After you have the app downloaded, when it’s time for the chat to begin, Rhiannon will post a link on her chat event page which will take you directly into the chat room.

The first chat is designed to be convenient for people in Europe (generally will convert to early evening) and will take place at 1 p.m. Central Time. The second will be at 8 p.m. Central Time.

Rhiannon said, “Basically, I’ll be on live webcam and you guys and gals get to ask me questions about IN DARKNESS WE MUST ABIDE or anything else you’d like to discuss about my writing career, my books, or the horror genre.”

Sounds fun!

Filed Under: Book Blast, Guest Post Tagged With: Rhiannon Frater

Book Blitz and Giveaway: The Boys of Summer by C.J. Duggan

February 3, 2013 by Barbara at Basia's Bookshelf 18 Comments

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I just read The Boys of Summer and I loved it! I’m so glad I get to be a part of this blitz because I get to share an excerpt, give away an ebook copy right here and also have the tour-wide entry form for a signed copy. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia (not only to stalk a certain someone!) and books like this, by authors like this, make me feel like I’ve had just a tiny taste. If you don’t win it, go buy it!!

The Boys of Summer (Summer #1)
By C.J. Duggan

Self-Published
Publication Date: December 17, 2012
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him … Toby Morrison.

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.
To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.

How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.

It will be a summer she will always remember.

Warning: sexual references, and occasional course language.

Goodreads Summary

Purchase at:

Amazon (ebook> | Amazon (paperback) | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

I’m even going to give you a setup to the excerpt this time…

Tess has just won a bet, ensuring Toby has to do a couple of things that will keep him around her from time to time over the summer, at least until he gets her bike fixed (he’s a mechanic and it’s a minor problem). It’s still very early in the book and Tess is normally a very shy, reserved girl who’s had a crush on Toby for years. Let’s just say this excerpt will be very important for something later on in the story (it’s not the obvious thing – ha, you’ll have to read it).

The Excerpt

Moon rays filtered through the windshield, giving the cabin an otherworldly glow.

Toby’s perfect teeth were illuminated when he smiled. “You know, you are the worst winner!” He shook his head. “Ever since you won the bet, you’ve been apologising. Just go with it, enjoy it, because I assure you, next time …” – he leaned closer – “… you will not be the winner.” He pulled back, smug.

I curved a brow. “Next time?”

He nodded. “I fully intend to redeem myself.”

“Want a chance to rebuild your shattered ego, do you? I bet you’re itching to fix my bike so you can be rid of me once and for all.” I shouldered him gently, teasing him as I would Adam. And then I realised what I had done; I had treated him like my friends. He looked down at his shoulder, then up at me. His eyes shadowed with untold meanings that I couldn’t read.

“What if I didn’t want to fix your bike?” he said in all seriousness.

“Why, is my company so stimulating that you can’t bear the thought of being without me?” I teased nervously.

I was aiming for light and airy, but something must have gone wrong with my delivery because Toby’s face went blank. He looked out into the lights of Onslow, ran his tongue over his bottom lip and sighed.

Oooh shiver, shiver. Toby is a very complicated guy and poor Tess – Tess can be out of her league with him sometimes.

If you’d like to win an ebook of The Summer Boys, I have one to give away (open to Int’l entries) and tour-wide, there’s a giveaway for one signed paperback copy and for five winners of five signed bookmarks. Click on the “Read More” to find out more about the author, C.J. Duggan, and for the two Rafflecopter forms.

Good luck!

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Blast, Excerpt, Giveaway

Series Blitz and Giveaway: The Crescent Chronicles by Alyssa Rose Ivy

February 1, 2013 by Barbara at Basia's Bookshelf 18 Comments

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I am so beating the drum for New Adult books this year, I know – but Alyssa Rose Ivy has been knocking them out since last year with her contemporary and paranormal series’. Focus, the second book in her NA PNR Crescent Chronicles series was just released early and along with this great blitz featuring a little teaser quote from the new book, I get to have a giveaway for an ebook copy of Flight, the first book. Win all around, right?

Have a look at the terrific books first, then click on “read more” to see the excerpt and enter the giveaway which is open internationally!

Flight (The Crescent Chronicles #1)
By Alyssa Rose Ivy

Published August 16, 2012
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Sometimes you just have to take flight.

A summer in New Orleans is exactly what Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad’s invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind—until she sees Levi.

Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between following the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just save her.

Goodreads Summary

Add to your Goodreads Shelf | Purchase at B&N | Purchase at Amazon

Focus (The Crescent Chronicles #2)
By Alyssa Rose Ivy

Publication Date: January 24, 2013
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Freshman year of college is hard even when you’re not tied to the future king of a supernatural society.

Allie dives into college head first with Hailey as her roommate and the city of New Orleans as her backyard. As things within The Society heat up, Allie realizes that whether she’s with Levi or not, she’s in far too deep to turn back.

Goodreads Summary

Add to your Goodreads shelf | Purchase at Amazon

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Blast, Giveaway Tagged With: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Book Blast and Giveaway: After Dark by Emi Gayle

December 4, 2012 by Barbara at Basia's Bookshelf 10 Comments

If you haven’t already read AFTER DARK yet, you’ve seriously missed out on a good read. Keep scrolling after the book synopsis for what some other people have said, an excerpt and a big $50 Amazon or PayPal giveaway from the author herself. Then go grab the book!!

By Emi Gayle

Publisher: J. Taylor Publishing
Publication Date: October 31, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal

What eighteen year old Mac Thorne doesn’t know will probably kill her.

In exactly eight months, five days, three hours and thirteen minutes, Mac has to choose what she’ll be for the rest of her life.

She has no choice but to pick. As a Changeling, it’s her birthright. To Mac, it’s a birthchore. Like going to school with humans, interacting with humans, and pretending to be human during the pesky daylight hours.

Once darkness descends, Mac can change into any supernatural form that exists—which makes her as happy as she can be. That is, until Winn Thomas, the biggest geek in her senior class figures out there’s more to what hides in the dark than most are willing to acknowledge.

In this first of the 19th Year Trilogy, Winn might know more about Mac than even she does, and that knowledge could end their lives, unless Mac ensures the powers-that-be have no choice but to keep him around.

Goodreads Synopsis

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Amazon Kindle

Praise for After Dark:

“Winn and Mac were perfect for each other in every way possible. It was like two magnets finally finding each other and connecting.”
— Good Choice Reading

“Awesome beyond awesome! For lovers of YA Paranormal, this is a MUST READ!!!”
— Romancing the Book

“Talk about can’t put down…I accidentally opened this one instead of the book I was scheduled to read. Made the mistake of reading the first paragraph — and I have not been able to put my iPad down since!”
— Parajunkee

Excerpt

Endless screams. Maniacal laughter. The scent of prey.

Chills raced up my spine.

I wanted to run. To hide. To bury my head in the grave beneath me.

Instead, I balanced on top of Samuel L. Wilson, someone’s ‘beloved father and son resting in peace,’ craving solitude and stressing like a vampire on a blood fast.

Good ole ‘Sam’ decomposed underneath the largest oak in Primrose Cemetery—a spot no human would visit at night except on Halloween. A night that should have been mine.

Mine alone.

A gust of wind pushed my sketchpad to my knees, flung hair against my cheeks and sent my colored pencils tumbling. Wind, I could deal with. Humans? I’d rather not have had to. A swipe of my hand through the air brought the drawing tools back up. I yanked my hair into a tail, twisted the strands around a Cerulean blue pencil and stabbed random colors into the knot for safe keeping.

My frustration with human-kind had reached its pinnacle hours before but ratcheted even higher as someone rattled the gates, girls giggled and dares to enter the cemetery from crackly-voiced, chicken boys reached me.

I slapped my pencil to my papers, my forehead to my palm. “All I wanted was an hour of uninterrupted—”

The sharp end of something way larger than a pencil pierced my neck.

I straightened with one intake of breath, dropping the yellow, number-two from my fingertips. My hand reached toward the uninvited object as I seethed between clenched teeth.

“Hello, Mackenzie.” His deep bass resonated with the confidence of his kind: the not-human variety.

“You’ve got to be kidding.” Whatever the tool, it pressed deeper into my flesh, and I itched to free myself from its penetrating hold.

“And once again, I have won the game before it began.”

“Only because you came up behind me.” A small orb of sunlight formed in the palm of my hand as I kept my neck as still as possible. With one toss, it zipped into the air above my head.

A pierced squeal emanated from behind me, and the point slid away.

Holy hell, that hurt! I jumped to the ground, somersaulted between Matilda Jane, Johann Rowe and the plastic flowers that lay between them. With another roll, James Peak’s extra large headstone concealed my entire form.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are.” The crunch of branches under footsteps gave his position away.

With a deep inhale, my body began its shift into a new form. My incisors elongated. Heart stopped. Eyes burned. On the exhale, strength, cunning and innate wit filled me, matching that of my attacker.

I stood with James as a shield. “Bring it on, old man.”

Author Bio

Emi Gayle just wants to be young again. She lives vicariously through her youthful characters, while simultaneously acting as chief-Mom to her teenaged son and searching for a way to keep her two daughters from ever reaching the dreaded teen years.
Ironically, those years were some of Emi’s favorite times. She met the man of her dreams at 14, was engaged to him at 19, married him at 20 and she’s still in love with him to this day. She’ll never forget what it was like to fall in love at such a young age — emotions she wants everyone to feel.

Find Emi:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

What was that other thing I was supposed to put here…hmm…oh yeah! The giveaway!

Emi is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash. It’s open to anyone who’s eligible to receive either one – some aren’t – so check before you enter. The fine print is down underneath the Rafflecopter form so when in doubt, read it.

The giveaway ends December 13, 2012 and just a tip, you don’t have to enter your Twitter name for every entry. Just enter it for the first person you follow and leave the rest blank.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
The fine print: Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent’s permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.