{Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway} Run (NOLA Zombies #1) - By Gillian Zane

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Author: Gillian Zane 

Website 

Release Date: 5/26/2015 

Purchase Info: Amazon   

Zombies are on the loose in New Orleans and of all the End of the World scenarios, Alexis Winter wasn’t prepared for this one. But, an apocalypse is an apocalypse and she should have this covered. She has been “prepping” for the last three years. The problem is location and timing. She’s stuck downtown and she has to get to her house on the outskirts of the city so she can get her supplies and bug-in (for the “non-preppers” this means hole up and stay safe).

Agreeing to work on a Saturday is now coming back to bite her on the ass big time. Hopefully, it won’t be a literal bite by the walking dead.

Luck favors the prepared, and as luck would have it, it comes in the form of the ridiculously hot Blake Miller. Former military man, current mercenary, Blake Miller, the man with the plan, his goal: steal a boat and trek up the Mississippi until they find safety. Alexis thinks this is a great plan and she decides to team up with Blake. The two team up in unexpected ways as they find they can’t keep their hands off of each other even when the world is falling down around them.

Can Alexis and Blake survive the end of the world, and if they do make it through the night, find a place that is safe and secure? Can their newfound attraction lead them down the road to love or heartbreak?

Zombies, sex, romance and carnage…you can’t get any better than this.

First Came Zombies....then came Love....

Alexis is a prepper, but not like the crazy ones on the forums she visits that say the "Zombie Apocalypse" is coming!



She just doesn't want to be up shit creek without a paddle like she has in the past. Who knew that her one Saturday of extra work would end up with people eating people & her with the man of wildest dreams.

During the first few chapters with Alexis & Blake were thought out and my kind of Zombie book, then you add a little spice & blam  they're all over each other like white on rice. Though the sexy scenes in this book made me blush, I really felt as though the book went by wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too fast.

The pace was super quick, and though there were times when I felt like the sex might get one of them eaten, Blake or Alexis did something to redeem the situation. About 60% or so into the book you start to learn about Blake, his background and who he's involved with. Apparently he's some super badass solider, that leads a bunch of other badass soldiers. Mercenaries with the equipment to hopefully survive this shit storm, as well as help others along the way. The only factor to this group of guys that I'm unsure about it Zach......there's just something about him that rubs me wrong. He's a little creeper, sorry to those who might love him, I just couldn't get into his "watcher" mode.

Towards the end of the book the paced seemed to quicken, which could have been a great opportunity to go a little more in depth with the details of where they all ended up & how's they're dealing with that. The author touched on it, but then with the abrupt ending and how quickly emotions were laid out on the line I will have to say I was not a fan of the ending....cliffhanger and all. I will say that it will lead into one hell of a 2nd book & potentially a fantastic series.

4/5

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Trailer:

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About the Author:

Gillian Zane has been writing fiction stories since she was first able to put pen to paper. She 

has published a few non-fiction books in her field of study, which is Art, but finally, after all, 

these years her first fiction novella is being released. Gillian is obsessed with anything that 

gives her a thrill and feels adding romance to any storyline is a good thing. She was born 

and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. She lives 

with her husband, too many animals in a little house that has way too many books. 

Stalker Links:

Website

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Goodreads

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GIVEAWAY:

Open to U.S. Residents Only

1 - 7” Kindle Fire

1 -eBook Giveaway of Run to one Commenter on the Host Blog 

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{Book Blitz + Giveaway} Closely Guarded Secret - By Natalie Money

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Many might envy Alixandra Quinn. She rubs shoulders with the rich and famous at glitzy society balls and fund-raisers as a photographer for a popular magazine. But, do the envious notice Ali always goes home alone? She has cut herself off from personal relationships and emotional entanglements. It’s a strategy to cope with her past, and for ten years, her strategy has worked.

That is, until she meets Bryce Steede, a young and bold Silicon Valley entrepreneur. When Ali becomes the center of his attention, suddenly her world gets turned upside-down. She may have convinced herself that life is fine the way it is, but he is determined to break down her carefully constructed walls, free her mind and body, and show her pleasures that she couldn't have imagined.

As Ali navigates through this uncharted journey of self-discovery, she must find the balance between her head and her heart. Is Bryce just another heartache waiting to happen? Will a secret from her past come back to haunt her? Or will Ali make peace with her past and find true happiness . . .

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Excerpt:

I awaken with a jolt, thinking I’ve fallen out of my seat. As usual, when I fly, I end up scrunched all the way down on the seat as far as I can go. If I wasn’t wearing my seatbelt, I’d be on the floor. Did we hit something? Confused, I sit up, trying to assess the situation only to notice we’re in some awful turbulence. Angry, dark, purple to black rain clouds surround us. My heart starts pounding in my chest. The plane rocks side to side, bouncing us all over the sky. I pull out my earbuds hoping to hear the Captain’s voice saying everything’s okay.

Bryce pries my hand off the armrest and interlocks our fingers. I look over at him, my eyes wide with terror. He’s talking to me, trying to give me reassurance. The only thing going through my mind right now is how afraid I am.

“Shhh, it’s going to be okay, Ali.” He has such a soothing voice when he’s not being an ass. I try to say something, but I can’t speak. Nothing will come out of my mouth.

“Focus on me.” His thumb strokes the back of my hand. It’s serene and has an instant calming effect on me until we hit another pocket of air. Images of the Captain fighting for dominance over the weather and control of the plane against the storm flash through my mind. I know he’s doing all he can so we don’t spiral downward.

Other passengers cry out in panic. My head jerks back toward the window. I can barely breathe. I don’t want him to see me like this - raw emotions, so vulnerable. Weak.

He places his hand on my face, turning it towards him. “Don’t cry. I’ve got you. Just keep looking at me, okay?” He’s trying to calm me but the only thing I can do is nod. I tighten my grip on his hand and he lets me know it’s all right.

My heart is beating so fast, so hard, I can feel it in my ears and can hear each beat. Tears roll down my face and he gently wipes them away with his thumb. In this moment, as much as I despise him, I’m glad he’s here with me.

“I need you to take deep breaths. Can you do that? Do what I do, okay?” I watch his mouth and listen. We hit another pocket of air, but not as violent as the others. My eyes grow wider as more tears stream down my face.

“I’m here. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Keep looking at me. Ali, I need you to focus on me and listen. Breathe with me.” All the while, he’s still stroking my hand.

When my breathing gets under control, he leans over the armrest wrapping me in a blanket of calm in the comfort of his arms. I collapse into him. My cries are silent as he holds me and strokes my hair. He inhales deeply, gripping me tighter.

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About the Author:

Natalie Money is a former corporate travel agent, a wife, and a cat wrangler. As far back as she can recall, she has always loved to people watch and make up stories about their lives. After many years of creating and getting to know the characters and their stories in her mind, she has finally decided to bring them to life on paper in her first novel, Closely Guarded Secret.

With her husbands job, they're known to relocate often, so when people ask where she lives, she describes herself as a World Citizen.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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{Release Blitz + Giveaway} The Notorious Pagan Jones - By Nina Berry

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THE NORTORIOUS PAGAN JONES

Author: Nina Berry

Publisher:  Harlequin Teen

Genre: Young Adult/Historical Fiction

SYNOPSIS:

Pagan Jones went from America's sweetheart to fallen angel in one fateful night in 1960: the night a car accident killed her whole family. Pagan was behind the wheel and driving drunk. Nine months later, she's stuck in the Lighthouse Reformatory for Wayward Girls and tortured by her guilt—not to mention the sadistic Miss Edwards, who takes special delight in humiliating the once-great Pagan Jones. 

But all of that is about to change. Pagan's old agent shows up with a mysterious studio executive, Devin Black, and an offer. Pagan will be released from juvenile detention if she accepts a juicy role in a comedy directed by award-winning director Bennie Wexler. The shoot starts in West Berlin in just three days. If Pagan's going to do it, she has to decide fast—and she has to agree to a court-appointed "guardian," the handsome yet infuriating Devin, who's too young, too smooth, too sophisticated to be some studio flack. 

The offer's too good to be true, Berlin's in turmoil and Devin Black knows way too much about her—there's definitely something fishy going on. But if anyone can take on a divided city, a scheming guardian and the criticism of a world that once adored her, it's the notorious Pagan Jones. What could go wrong?

BOOK LINKS

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound

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PRAISE FOR PAGAN JONES

“With a hint of Hollywood glam, mystery, and a time period unique to the YA genre, Berry treats readers to a can’t-miss story. She finds a winner in Pagan, a Marilyn Monroe-like teen actress with a tale that will appeal to younger and older fans alike.” – RT Book Reviews

“Well paced historical thriller. Scary in all the right places…” – Kirkus Reviews

“Pagan Jones, though, is nobody’s pawn. This is a well-plotted balance of Hollywood glitter and international political conspiracies during the Cold War, and the historical backdrop is meticulously set. Pagan is a smart, charismatic heroine given depth by her struggles with alcoholism.” – Booklist

“Berry’s noirish writing blends the blinding spotlight of Hollywood, the sexy world of espionage, and real-life events to create a fast-paced spy thriller” – Publisher’s Weekly

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Writer, crypt-explorer, bodysufer, Nina Berry is the author of THE NOTORIOUS PAGAN JONES and the OTHERKIN series. Born in Honolulu, she now writes books for teens from her secret lair in Hollywood.

Website

Media links:

Twitter: @Ninaberry

 Facebook

Instagram: @ninaberrybooks

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Pinterest

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GIVEAWAY

(2) Winners will each receive:

(1) signed copy of THE NOTORIOUS PAGAN JONES 

Bookmarks, pins, magnets! 

A signed sets of the entire OTHERKIN series (three books)

A $30 gift cards to Powell’s books, an indie bookstore that ships books anywhere

(Ships in US Only | Must be 13+ To Enter)

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{Cover Reveal} Forced to Remember - By Samantha LaFantasie

Happy Tuesday.....or Monday for most of us!

Today I'm thrilled to show you all the cover of Samantha LaFantasie's latest novel, Forced to Remember.

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Release Date: July 2015
Genre: Paranormal, SyFy

The weight of the world feels heavy on my shoulders. Desperation touches everything. Memories forgotten, truths untold. Humanity is threatened. Their safety granted in exchange for me. But I won’t go without a fight.With strange occurrences taking place in the city, it’s up to Elsa and her team to discover why. But an odd encounter at an abandoned warehouse leaves the team with more questions than answers. Just when the team least expects it, Alexander returns, and he’s not alone or without demands: the world’s safety in exchange for Elsa. They have only one week to decide while the world falls under Alexander’s wrath and his powerful army of followers. Avalon seeks help from every Nepherium that can be spared and hope it will be enough to stop Alexander.

   

Coming July 2015!

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About the Author

A Kansas native, Samantha LaFantasie spends her free time with her three kids and arguing with her characters. Writing has always been a passion of hers, forgoing all other desires to devote to this one obsession. She’s primarily a fantasy writer but often feels pulled to genres such as sci-fi, romance, and others. Samantha became a bestselling author with the Pandora Boxed Set (which includes Made to Forget: Nepherium Novella series--Part One) on both Amazon and USA Today. Samantha loves to take time to enjoy other activities such as photography and playing her favorite game of all time, Guild Wars 2. Want more from Samantha? Keep up with her at any of her digital hangouts.

Goodreads | Facebook Fan Page | Author Central | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | Wattpad | Instagram

{Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway} The Ruin of the World - By Nazarea Andrews

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Author: Nazarea Andrews 

Website 

Release Date: 5/11/2015 

Purchase Info: Amazon ~ B&N 

When the zombies rose, we thought the world ended.
It didn’t—it just broke, in a way we couldn’t fix. And we found ways to continue, reasons to fight. 
Faith. Family. Politics. Obsession. The most dangerous of all—hope. 
But when all of that is stripped away, and nothing remains but rage and betrayal—that is the true end of the world. 
Return to the World Without End, for a final battle for hope and survival in the exciting conclusion to Nazarea Andrews’ phenomenal series

Goodbye Finn.....Goodbye Ren.....Goodbye to the demons that haunted them both....Goodbye to their complicated relationship....Goodbye questions....hello to the END.

In this case it was an epic ending to one of the best series I've ever had the pleasure of reading!

Starting the journey from beginning, back when Ren was trying to escape the Haven safely with her brother, (then) boyfriend, and some asshole her brother had to have around, it's astonishes me to see where Finn and Ren are now, not only as characters, but as strong leaders who know each other almost better than they know themselves.

Throughout this phenomenal journey Finn has always had that connection in one of the Haven's, and somehow that "connection" always ends up with them running out & trying to find help elsewhere. It seems as though him and Ren have been running during this entire series from one threat or the other (both living and dead). Well in Ruin is seemed as though they were actually facing the main issue head on. Paving their own path, rather than allowing others to shape it for them. They take no refuge in a Haven, but continue their journey with their troops to the place that will provide them some answers....and honestly it was a great direction to take the final installment of them series. By giving the reader that little something extra to sink their teeth into created more of an "on the edge of your seat" kind of experience, consider the Haven walls weren' there to protect them. (of course Finn never thought they helped protect anything)

Now I know the big question on the mind of every reader was about Finn & Ren's relationship.....this gave me a headache, but not it the annoying way. It made me cry, and cry....tears of happiness, sorrow....and it left me with one of the biggest book hangovers ever. Few books have done this, but the emotional charge I felt realizing that this was truly the last  time I would be allowed inside this amazing relationship left me feeling empty.

(oh I want more)

Now I'm going to unload every spoiler in the entire book..........First %$(*&@)........then &%#$&^.........lastly )(_@P::$L.......now you know what happens in the book!

On a very serious note, Nazarea blew my expectations away, if you have yet to grab this series, please do yourself a favor and get it now. I've said it before, but Finn & Ren will blow your mind and Nazarea's world building will suck you in. Now only if there was a spin-off series to come. *wink wink*

5/5

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GIVEAWAY:

Enter to win a zombie pack including Nazarea's favorite books, movie, and some candy perfect for a zombie night! 

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{Release Blitz + Giveaway} Defend - By Kallie Ross

We are absolutely ecstatic about this Release Day Launch for Kallie Ross's DEFEND! DEFEND is a young adult fantasy adventure and the second title in the A Lost Tribe Series. Be sure to grab DESCENT, the first book in this awesome series!

 

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iBooks ** Smashwords

ABOUT DEFEND:

After emerging from her Descent into an uncharted underground world, Ollie Miller is sure of three things. First, her feelings for her best friend, Mateo, are far from platonic. She can't even look at Mateo without blushing at the memory of his lips on hers. Second, an evil man named Zadok is plotting to destroy the civilization above the surface. Third, there is no way to save the earth without returning underground. At least this time, she will have her mother along with Mateo and her friends to help guide her.

On their journey, noor, a mystical blessing guides them, but only if they’re willing to follow. Ollie’s determined to save the tribe from their evil leader, even if it means facing off with her long-lost grandfather. As Zadok comes face to face with his runaway daughter and his granddaughter, his plan starts to unravel, but is it too late to stop the destruction that he put into motion?

Can the tribe survive and the surface be saved? Will Ollie learn to trust her own heart before it is too late? Defend is the conclusion to Ollie's discovery of a lost tribe in Descent. Don’t miss this adventure, brimming with ancient secrets and a thrilling underworld.

Read the First Chapter of DEFEND here!

   

And don’t miss the first book in the series, DESCENT!

 

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble

Praise for DESCENT:

“Descent is a gripping debut that takes you on a roller coaster - a page turner that has you asking - what happens next. I loved every single word of it.” Fangirlish.com

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About Kallie Ross:

 Kallie Ross has a love for learning that has gravitated toward studying conspiracy theories and contradictions in our culture. Her creative conclusions have ignited a passion to write compelling young adult fiction that incorporates legend, conjecture, fantasy, and conviction. Kallie's first novel Descent: A Lost Tribe Book 1, was released last year. Kallie Ross loves being a wife, mother, friend, writer, and teacher. She began teaching high school English in 2002 and started blogging and podcasting in 2008. She has a brilliant husband, two redheads, and never imagined her life would ever be this fun!    

KallieRoss.com ** Kallie Ross Facebook Page ** @KallieRoss Twitter ** KallieRossWrites Tumblr ** Descent: A Lost Tribe Facebook Page ** Goodreads Page ** Read more about DESCENT ** DEFEND: Read Chapter 1 ** DEFEND on Goodreads

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Giveaway:

A signed set of the A Lost Tribe Series

(1) $25 gift card (US/Canada only).

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{Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway} Revive - By Tracey Martin

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Author: Tracey Martin 

Website 

Release Date: 5/19/15 

Purchase Info: Amazon ~ B&N  

What the mind forgets, the heart remembers.

Alone in a train station bathroom, Sophia Hernandez has no memory of who she is or how she got there. All she’s certain of are three things: her college ID is a lie, bad people are coming for her, and no one can be trusted.

The only clue to her past is the fellow student who finds her. Although Sophia’s gut tells her Kyle is lying when he claims he can’t help her, his touch makes her heart race. Is it because of a red-hot natural attraction, or a missing memory of something far more dangerous?

As two mysterious, menacing men chase them from the station, Sophia’s memories return in frustrating fragments. So do deadly skills she didn't know she had. In the next forty-eight hours, a loved one’s life will be on the line as she sifts through a mounting tangle of secrets and lies.

Including the most heart-wrenching secret of all. Not only isn’t she a normal college student, she isn’t even a normal human.

*Warning: Contains one girl who is more than she seems, one boy who knows more than he’s telling, and enough twists to give you whiplash. Expect explosions of all kinds.*

Beautiful Mash-Up!

What a fanastic way to mix together multiple genre types.It was SyFy, contemporary, romance with a splash of different!

As you meet Sophia you're instantly drawn to that mysterious factor she carries that, at first, revolves around her not knowing who she is. Then as the novel carries on and she starts discovering things, having flashbacks, she realizes there's more to her than her GPA. As the plot went on I will have to say the author did a fabulous job of hiding at the twists. Sometimes there's so much that's foretold you can almost pin-point when twists are coming, but fortunately for Tracey she has a knack for hiding them like a pro.

Throughout the entire book the story is told from 2 different POV's, it was honestly a little strange at first since I'm not use to that style, but it stuck with me after the first few chapters. With each chapter that passed we got to see a little more into Sophia's past, her flashbacks made me feel like I was there with her. My heart ached for her at times, I could only imagine the emotional roller coaster that she embarked on after someone tried to kill her. 

I'm really hoping that the next book in this series takes each character to a new level, there's so much room for growth & development that it truly excites to me read the next one.

4/5

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About the Author:

Tracey Martin grew up outside of Philadelphia, the lucky recipient of a drama-free childhood, which is why she spent so much time reading about other people’s lives. It was while she was working on her doctorate in psychology that she had an epiphany–imaginary people are way more fun than real ones. And so she began writing. Never able to choose just one of anything, she currently writes both urban fantasy for adults and contemporary stories for teens.

She likes her coffee simple, her music epic, and her movies to contain explosions. A city girl at heart, she doesn’t understand how she and her husband ended up living in New Hampshire, but writing keeps her off the mean, small town streets. You can find her online at tracey-martin.com.

Author links:

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

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GIVEAWAY:

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)

• $15 Amazon gift card, plus a signed copy of Revive (US only)
• $15 Amazon gift card, plus an e-copy of Revive (INTL)

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