Cover Whore Reveal: Enemy Within - By Angeline Kace

Through bribery & guilt I was able to hop on this reveal band wagon!

I can't believe that Angeline is already reveal the cover for book #2 in the Vampire Born Trilogy.

The 1st one was awesome (SEE), and I am SO ready to see what happens with Mirko, Brooke & Jaren!

Here's a brief synopsis of what to expect from Enemy Within:

"Half-vampire, Brooke Keller, rid the world of her worst enemy, only to find out the world's most powerful vampire wants her dead. And this time, she's not only fighting vampires, but a deadly disease that threatens to take her best friend's life.

Torn between Jaren and Mirko, Brooke struggles to convince her best friend to change over, keep her monster at bay, and learns her enemies are deeper within than she could have ever imagined.

Will love be enough to quell the darkness?

Does good really conquer evil?"



and now here's the fantastic cover....

Fresh Face Friday 9-30-11

Who: Gracen Miller

What: Pandora's Box

Where does the road to Hell begin?

What happens when your son turns homicidal overnight, killing the family cat before gutting the family dog? Do you cower in fear or fight for your life? Madison Wescott fights against the odds. Distrustful of a God she doesn't believe in, she finds herself face-to-face with a demonic world she didn't know existed and discovers her own soul is darkened with demonic connections.

With good intentions?

Madison had it all…or thought she did. A husband she adored and a son that brought joy to her life. Then one morning her husband kissed her goodbye, headed off to work and disappeared. Life turned upside down, Madison grows desperate and despondent to help her bloodthirsty son after numerous attempts have failed. Only one man dares to challenge the supernatural forces manipulating them.

Or by demonic design?

Phoenix Birmingham breaches her life in a whirlwind of sarcasm and sexual appeal. A hero for the masses—and for her jaded heart—but few will ever know the sacrifices he has made or the sacrifices to come. Discovering her entire life has been influenced by multifaceted paranormal beings, Madison is determined to defeat the apocalyptic blueprint fate has decreed. Even with Phoenix's aid, can destiny be denied? Or will demonic design prevail and they pay the crucial price with their souls?

Lie or Die Flash Fiction Showdown!

Lie or Die Flash Fiction Showdown

Step 1: Submit Your Idea Now!

 
Here is your chance to come up with a story idea and have not 1 but 5 authors spin it into an 800 word flash fiction tale! That’s 5 different YA paranormal authors with their own style and their own creativity taking your idea in 5 directions! Where will they go? You’ll have to wait until Oct 19^th to find out. 
 

But, for now, get your story idea in! You have from Sept 29, 2011 12:00am to Oct 8^th, 2011 11:59pm EST to submit your ideas by choosing characters, conflict and abilities. Details are in the form, which is linked [or below, depending upon blog] at the bottom of the post. Only entries into the form will be considered.  Anyone can enter their idea (open to international) and the winning idea will win a print book of their choice from one of the participating authors. What should you enter? Well, seeing as all of the authors are YA Paranormal writers,  chances are anything to do with a hot, young heroine/hero of the non-human type will spark their interest. But, so could a grotesque villain…Should it be regular old Earth or a dystopian world? Should unicorns frolic and mermaids flap about? Should there be a love triangle? YOU DECIDE!

South of Salem (Allerga Fairweather - Book #2) - By Janni Nell

Author: Janni Nell

Website

Release Date: 5/30/11

Purchase Info: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

My mother thinks my job is crazy. I’m a paranormal investigator; she’s Nancy Regan crossed with Martha Stewart. She’s always preferred my sister Lily, who is following in her perfect footsteps. This time, she needs me because my stepfather has been having dangerous episodes of sleepwalking. I thought her story about a ghost possessing him was hysteria, until the sleep walking epidemic spreads to other members of the family. Cousin Donna climbs out her apartment window and falls to her death.

So it’s a real paranormal investigation. Unfortunately my right hand, a hunky angel I’ve nicknamed Casper, has business of his own to take care of this time around—which might take him out of my life forever. Then my sister goes missing and I have to figure it out before Lily and her unborn child are harmed. Time, however, is not on my side…

Quirky, sarcastic heroine, Allegra's my kind of girl!

1st Annual MHAFH Charity Short Story Contest

The First Annual MHAFH Charity Short Story Contest

On October 1^st, My Home Away From Home bookpage and blog will be hosting 2 short story contests. One of Adult genre and one of the Young Adult genre.

Rules, Regulations and guidelines

·        Stories must be original unpublished fiction, typed and double-spaced, between 5,000-7,500 words and of either YA Paranormal or Adult Paranormal genre.

·        The short story is open to all U.S. and international writers. There are no age restrictions for the YA short stories, but we ask that ADULT stories be written by persons 18 and older.

·        Paranormal includes Supernatural, Paranormal, and Fantasy genres.

·        10 (ten) short stories from each category will be chosen and published in an ebook via LULU.com

Dirty Blood - By Heather Hildenbrand

Author: Heather Hildenbrand

Website

Release Date: 4/2/2011

Purchase Info: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashword

I killed a girl last night. I did it with my bare hands and an old piece of pipe I found lying next to the dumpster. But that’s not the part that got me. The part that scared me, the part I can’t seem to wrap my head around and still has me reeling, was that when she charged me, her body shifted – and then she was a wolf. All snapping teeth and extended claws. But by the time I stood over her lifeless body, she was a girl again. That’s about the time I went into shock… And that was the moment he showed up.

Now, all I can do is accept the truths that are staring me in the face. One, Werewolves do exist. And two, I was born to kill them.

Fighting and breaking up with your boyfriend are things that are suppose to happen in high school. Killing a girl in an alley with nothing but your bare hands & a piece of pipe isn't.


Shocked & terrified suddenly a stranger appears out of the blue, which totally doesn't help with her freaked-out level. Trying to help her accept what has just happened, the fact that he smells good & is pretty damn hot is calming her just fine. Plus just looking into his eyes seems to make all Tara's worries drift away.

Waking up the next morning Tara knows the soreness in her muscles & scratches on her arms aren't from simply falling down. Something happened. Something big. 
When Wes suddenly appears in Tara's bedroom the first thing she's thinking, 'TOTAL HOTNESS'. Then her senses kick back in, along with a flood of alarm as to WHY this stud muffin is in her room! Wes is there trying to explain to Tara that she killed a Werewolf last night, while Tara's thinking, 'Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure, because Werewolves are SO real'.
Oh is she in for a wake up call!Not only are they real, but there are Hunters too. Genetically born & raised to kill Werewolves, and she's one.
With a crazed Were leader hot on her trails, going to all means to draw her out of hiding so he can kill her, Tara knows she must tap into her Hunter heritage. But when a curve ball the size of Texas comes out of left field her entire world is thrown for a loop and Tara realizes nothing will ever be the same.

Dirty Blood is NOT your typical Werewolf novel. There are twists, turns and double backs that will have your head spinning throughout the whole book!
Tara was a fantastic as the heroine! Complex, stubborn, totally my kind of girl. I super enjoyed the relationship that her & Wes shared. It would make me happy, then would turn around  and shred the balloon of hope I had for them. Ups & downs were the key to this book, but man did they work out brilliantly. Just when you thought one thing would happen, BAM, that would happen instead! 
Heather's amazing balance of action, romance and cliff hangers have me anticipating the sequel like a child on Christmas Eve! Fantastic job!

4/5

Mini Interview & Giveaway: Rachel Wade

Please welcome, Rachel Wade, author of Amaranth!

**crowd yelling & screaming**

So, I figured we'd keep the interview simple & easy!



 Top 3 Restaurants:

 I love SkyCity at the Space Needle (their tiramisu is out of this world, as is the view), a whole bunch of little joints at Pike Place Market (a Korean BBQ place I can never remember the name of), and the Lower Tavern on Orcas Island

(view the SkyCity)

Top 3 Book Boyfriends:

I never thought any book boyfriend would top Edward Cullen for me, but I recently began reading the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E.L. James, and now Christian Grey is positively my number one book boyfriend. He’s tortured, bossy (in a very good way...), and passionate. Don’t see anyone topping him—ever. Edward Cullen would come in second, followed by Damon from Vampire Diaries....for now

(Christian Grey of Fifty Shades)

Fresh Face Friday 9-23-11

Who: Rachel Wade

What: Amaranth

Knowledge changes everything…

Hoodoo-influenced Southern Louisiana seems like the perfect place for Camille to escape her abusive past and dysfunctional family. She doesn’t expect to fall in love with the handsome Gavin Devereaux and plummet into the world of Amaranth, a place of exile for reformed vampires.

Wrestling to escape a deadly ex-boyfriend while giving Gavin a chance, Camille is confronted with decisions that threaten not only her life, but the lives of her inhuman friends she has come to love. Entangled in her friends’ quest for freedom, she dives into their realm and faces the threats of Amaranth’s ruler—the mother of all vampires—and her own inner demons.

Now Camille must decide whether she will derail her life and make the ultimate sacrifice for the monsters that interrupted her bumpy path back to sanity—what she still wants so desperately—or escape with Gavin before it’s too late for both of them.

Prodigy (Blood Rune Series)- By B. McMurray

Author: B. McMurray

Website

Release Date: 7/10/11

Purchase Info: Amazon, Smashword

A thousand years ago a powerful rune master crafted a magical rune into his bloodline. It passed on the knowledge of thousands of runic spells to his descendants, but then it disappeared for eight hundred years. Since then, most knowledge of runic magic has been lost, until a sixteen-year-old girl from Pasadena starts drawing strange symbols in her notebook.

Susan is attacked, her best friend is kidnapped, and the perfect man, Alrek, appears out of nowhere and vows to protect her. Alrek's instantaneous love for her seems almost too good to be true.

Susan is taken away from her life of mall shopping and expensive lattes, and is thrown into a world of runic tattoos, artistic magic, and an ancient school that seeks to master it all. Will Susan be able to use her gift to face the new challenges that threaten to destroy her life?

Will the truth about Alrek push Susan away?

 

Reading Prodigy was like dating the senior quarterback. You seem to be in heaven, can't believe it's happening, then you find him behind the Snac-Shack making our with Cindy Nelson....epic fail!

Cover Whore

 It's been a while since I've done a good, old fashioned Cover Whore.

So today, I'm going back to the roots of the Cover Whore beginning, where all I wanted was to find a cover that made my insides melt & could completely keep me occupied for a minimum of 2 hours!

Well I have found 3 beauties for you!

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

From the winged shadow to the lighted wisps, I DIE for this cover!

Cover Whore Reveal - Cold Blood

Another cover reveal!! YAY!

I am absolutely LOV-ING being apart of showing you all these stunning covers, plus I adore the fact that I get to see them early ;)

Today you all get to see Heather Hildenbrand's cover for Cold Blood, the sequel to Dirty Blood! Here's the cover for Dirty Blood in case you haven't seen it (HOT right?!)

So what do you think of Cold Blood's cover??

Interview & Giveaway - Janni Nell

Happy Monday!!

What better way to kick-off a Monday then with an interview & GIVEAWAY!

Please welcome, Janni Nell, author of the Allegra Fairweather Series.

Hi Jess

Thanks for having me on your blog. It’s a pleasure to be here.J

Fresh Face Friday - 9/16/11

Who: Ashley Blalock

What: An Immortal Legacy

When twenty-one-year-old Brooke Hansen receives a large inheritance from a great-grandfather she never knew, she thinks it’s just random good luck. But then a man shows up; he’s dark and mysterious, and Brooke can’t shake the feeling that he’s connected. She begins to wonder if her recent abilities of super-human power and speed are the keys to understanding of what’s happening to her, and she vows to find answers. But her life takes another surprising turn when the man reveals himself to be her guardian, placed as her protector from the outside world. As Brooke falls in love with Cameron, she learns another truth about him—one that will question her devotion and call her to become part of a world she’s only read about.

An Immortal Legacy is a story of true love battling evil. Can Brooke and Cameron’s love survive in the face of a darkness that threatens to invade everything she holds dear? And when she’s called to make the ultimate sacrifice, will she be able to stand firm?

Cover Whore Reveal - Image

WIN!!

Another Cover Whore reveal!

This reveal is unique, simply because author Jamie Magee is piecing the cover together with multiple bloggers. (It's actually pretty genius if you ask me)

So, without further pain-staking anticipation, here's my piece...

Interview & Giveaway - Ashley Blalock

Everyone welcome Ashley Blalock, author of An Immortal Legacy

Do you have a writing routine?

Well, I don’t really plan it all out ahead of time or brainstorm. I just put the pen to paper and it flows. Yeah, a story starts in my head but when I start writing is when characters come in, their names, personalities, and the situations they face. I write it all out on paper and then I enter it in the computer, deleting and adding as I go. Then after that I go through the manuscript to add another scene or two and edit.

Giveaway Winner: T.S. Worley

As usual, thanks to EVERYONE who entered!

And a very special thanks to T.S. for supplying the great prize!

The Iron Knight (Iron Fey Series - Book #4) - By Julie Kagawa

Author: Julie Kagawa

Website

Release Date: 10/25/11

Purchase Info: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depo

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.


To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

I want an Ash, end of story!

For a man to travel to the ends of the world just to be with someone and fulfill a promise, that is true love. Possibly a tad crazy, but love nonetheless.

Everyone one LOVES a make-over!!

OMG I am speechless!!!!!

(and that RARELY happens)

Isn't it purdy?! Don't you just wanna sit and look at it all-day-long?

Charlie, you're awesome, fantastic and I owe you 50 million gummies for this work!

So take your time...drool...

Fresh Face Friday 9-9-11

Who: Kiki Hamilton

What: The Faerie Ring

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.
Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

Take-Over of the leading male

Lately I've been noticing that male leads are working their way into the spotlight.

Yes, of course we are always anxious to see how our heroine describes her leading mans chiseled features, and feather soft hair. Or how good his assest look in those grungy jeans...

Anyways, what I'm talking about is how more & more authors are discovering the benefits of writing a bad ass book from the hero's P.O.V.

They're able to get all the action, fighting and suspense, while giving us romance from a different angle. It's white hot, blood boiling passion, straight from the head of a 6'4" Greek God with muscles until tomorrow.

Here are a few fantastic examples:

Exiled
M.R. Merrick

P.O.V. - Chase

He comes off like an asshole at first, but then grows so much throughout the book it's amazing!

Cover Whore Reveal - Asylum

This is a moment in Cover Whore history, I am helping with the reveal of K.A. Tucker's 2nd book in her Casual Enchantments series!

I loved the first book, Anathema (gave it 5 stars), and I can't wait for Asylum to come out in January!!

(Oh, and did I mention that K.A. is doing a giveaway Anathema to help celebrate this momentous event?!?! Just check the bottom of the page for deets!)

Now, without further rambling, I give you the cover of Asylum:

Totally frickin' hot huh?!

  

Now & Then: My blogging journey so far...

Almost a year ago, I can't believe it, I started blogging. Though when I started it wasn't for the awesome perks, or the attention from others, I did it because I truly have a passion for reading.

When starting out I did it cold turkey. I had one other blogger friend, who was just getting her blog started too, so there was no one else around who I could ask for advice. Quickly I started roaming Facebook looking for other people who shared this burning desire for the paranormal & all things mysterious. Man was I blown away when I found this massive community that was quietly laying beneath the Facebook surface!

Thousands of people who are just like me, you know the ones who fantasies over who would be the perfect Barrons, or who would win in a brawl between the "real" Eric Northman and Alexander?

Slowly I began to "Like" other bloggers, authors, editors, anyone who I thought could better my literary life style. Now in the blink of an eye I am sitting here looking at those genius' that I've surrounded myself with and realize that I've made some pretty great blogger/author friends. Though at times I feel like I am still in my cave a little bit when it comes to talking to the Big Blogger Fish out there, you know like Parajunkee? (Basically the Goddess of the blogging world) But I think that's just me trying not to be like one of those sell-out blogging whores. The ones who aren't sincere and just copy cat what they see around them, because I am NOT like that. Yes, there are times when I see something and think, 'that's a damn good idea', and am slightly jealous that my brain didn't work fast enough to come up with it myself. But ya know, that's the life of a blogger, being creative and turning it into your own. People want to see things on your blog that they don't see everywhere else, and right now I am trying to perfect that.

In the end I wanted to say THANK YOU! To everyone who's reading this, to all of your who follow my tweets, my rants & raves on Facebook, and mostly importantly give me feed back. I truly appreciate you all, whether you're a follower, friend, blogger or author, without you my little dream I had a year ago wouldn't be what it is today.

Interview & Giveaway - T.S. Worley

Everyone please welcome my good friends, author T.S. Worley!!

 Cross has been a very long work in progress, do you find that it’s easier to write the sequel now that book 1 has been laid out?

I do. I started Eden shortly after the completion of Cross but had to put it away. I felt as though I were almost waiting for approval before I could commit to it

In Cross we see Werewolves & Vampires, how do you think the paranormals in your book are different from other out there?

Well, religion plays a strong part but I think the inception of both factions and the subsequent path they follow is a unique perspective

Descended by Blood - By Angeline Kace

Author: Angeline Kace

Release Date: 8/26/11

Website

Purchase Info: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depo

Brooke Keller is a high school junior who has never spent much time living in one place. She is finally in a town long enough to almost snag the boy of her dreams, until her life is threatened after killing a fanged man in his attempt to kidnap her. Brooke begins a dangerous journey in an effort to find out who is after her and how to stop them. Thrown into a world with powerful and prejudiced vampires, Brooke must tap into the side of her that she never knew existed at the risk of losing her life in order to save it.

There is no black & white emotions in this book. There's heart ache, passion, tension, fear and terror rolled up into the start of an amazing journey!

After finally settling in a town long enough to learn all her classmates names, Brooke is finally feeling a spark of hope! Her long time crush, Jaren, is finally single and actually wants to spend time with Brooke. Though their relationship does move slightly fast, it never once felt forced or awkward. So when Brooke is suddenly attacked, and kills a man, Jaren sees her through it. Going with her to her uncles, and also discovering what lies within Brooke.


This is where I loved how the book was laid out! Jaren wasn't ok with everything right away, he was taken back by it all and is struggle with his feelings, like a REAL person. He's trying to cope, be strong and is now having to tag along with Brooke he keep himself safe.


Enter Mirko....Yes, he's a total swoon worthy hottie, but at the same time I didn't completely fall for him in the beginning. He's a cocky little shit and knows how to work what he's got, but there's just something that I didn't like at first. Maybe it was his lack of compassion towards Brooke's feelings...I'm not really sure, but at some point I wanted to smack his pretty little face. (and then maybe kiss & make it better)

With someone trying to kill Brooke, and all those she loves, she must prepare herself for the battle of a lifetime. Fine tuning she "special skills" with one of the best out there, and combat training with Sir Smartass, have become her daily routine. She knows she must be prepared to defend herself, but inside she is feeling torn and confused.
Yet, with all these mixed emotions Brooke isn't your cookie cutter heroine who is able to turn her feelings off and on. Her raw passion to keep those she loves safe seems to over power her turmoil inside so that she can focus on the task at hand. Now I'm not saying temptation isn't there and what not, but when she needs to kick ass, she does!

All in all I absolutely love Descended by Blood! The plot, the hunks, the kick ass females, this book had it all. Angeline was able to form such a fabulous ending, that it left me with my mouth hanging WIDE open! I mean, come on, don't do that to me!
But with that said, I can tell this trilogy will be captivating, entertaining and steamy!



5/5

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!

Hooray for winners & Friday!

I have 2 winners to announce......

Fresh Face Friday 9-2-11

Who: Scott Tracey

What: Witch Eyes

A boy who can see the world’s secrets and unravel spells with just a glance.

Braden’s witch eyes give him an enormous power. A mere look causes a kaleidoscopic explosion of emotions, memories, darkness, and magic. But this rare gift is also his biggest curse.

Compelled to learn about his shadowed past and the family he never knew, Braden is drawn to the city of Belle Dam, where he is soon caught between two feuding witch dynasties. Sworn rivals Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe will use anything—lies, manipulation, illusion, and even murder—to seize control of Braden’s powers. To stop an ancient evil from destroying the town, Braden must master his gift, even through the shocking discovery that Jason is his father. While his feelings for an enigmatic boy named Trey grow deeper, Braden realizes a terrible truth: Trey is Catherine Lansing’s son . . . and Braden may be destined to kill him.

My Thoughts: Absolutely can NOT wait to read this book. I've had it on my wish list for a while, and after reading some reviews I want to find more out about Braden & his gift!

Cover: I hope that he can shoot lightening out of his eye like that, because hands down, that's the COOLEST POWER EVER!

Raves: "WITCH EYES pulled me in and kept me up half the night finishing it, only to leave me with a thirst for more!" - Karen Mahoney, author of The Iron Witch

"Scott Tracey has woven a dark, beautiful world, and Braden is just the hero to lead us through it.” - Courtney Allison Moulton, author of Angelfire

Stalking Ground: Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Website