Art Guestpost: Raven Haired Woman (Evie's Knight) by Kimberly Krey

On tour with Prism Book Tours

Up For Grabs? $50 Amazon Gift card, book swag, and much more!

Evie’s Knight
by Kimberly Krey
Paperback, 391 pages
Published September 11th 2012 by Kimberly Krey

Premise:

When Evie falls in love with Calvin Knight, their young, virtuous romance conjures a truly wicked spell.

Evie always thought her eighteenth year would be magical, but so far it's not what she hoped for. Her best friend has gone wild, her love life is void, and she misses her mom more than ever. But life for Evie is about to change. Calvin Knight, the object of her fascination, is about to fall madly in love with her. Just one problem: Their love conjures a murderous woman from beyond the grave who wants Evie dead. The same demon who has haunted the Knight men for over four generations. Soon Calvin is forced to make a choice: Set Evie free and hope to evade the wrath of The Raven- haired Ghost, or use his newly gifted strengths to fight against her. If he chooses to fight and wins, Calvin will free the Knight men of this demonic witch. If he loses, Evie will become her next victim.

Get Your Copy:

Barnes & Noble
The Book Depository
Amazon: ebook just $2.99 for a limited time.

LE ART GUESTPOST

 

 The Raven Haired Woman

Okay! So this piece was very difficult to do! Since the description of the woman was in different parts of the paragraph - I had to re-read the chapter again and again. And not once did I get the idea to jot down the details. I feel like an idiot. Anyways! Despite my hectic schedule I managed to whip up the easiest of Kimberly's assignments. Lol. I was supposed to do Evie's project but that would have taken waaaaaay too long and with details that will take a hell lot of time!You can check out

Anyways, I did my very best and hope I got the art right. I think I might have messed up some details and I dislike the smile I put on her. I hope you all like it and find it creepy! :)

Click me to read the excerpt of the Raven Haired Woman 

Now, go forth and join the giveaway! I know I will!

Author, Kimberly Krey:

Writing Romance That’s Clean Without Losing the Steam!

I’m a reader of good, clean romance, a lover of family time and Diet Coke, and the ultimate hater of laundry.

I’m not patient enough to enjoy a yoga class, or tall enough to be great at basketball, but I do love to run – anywhere but on a treadmill. I love the sound of a rainstorm when I have no place to go, the feel of Soft Lips chap Stick on my lips, and the first peek of blue water as we round the mountains toward our favorite getaway in Bear Lake.

Find & Follow Kimberly Krey:

Twitter

Website

Goodreads

Amazon

Super Swag-a-licious Giveaway.

Grand Prize: $50 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

2^nd Prize: $25 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

3^rd Prize: $10 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

Five more winners will receive an ebook version of Evie’s Knight!

Paperback winners may choose between old cover (shown below) or the new cover, featuring Calvin Knight (shown above).

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. 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 enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced on Colorimetry & Rafflecopter as well as emailed to winners who 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. Giveaway was organized by Laura, Burgandy Ice, @ www.burgandyice.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Catch the Tour:

1 - Min Reads and Reviews – Blast!

1 - Passion and Life – Blast!! – English/Spanish

1 – Kelly Fox – Goodreads Review

1 – I Am A Reader, Not A Writer – Clean Romance I

2 – Monique Morgan – All You Need is Love I

2 - Letters to the Cosmos – Review

3 – Getting Your Read On – Review - Clean Romance II

3 – Reading with Anacrasia - Interview

4 - Christy’s Cozy Corners – Review

6 – Passion and Life – Peaches Recipe & Excerpt – English/Spanish

6 - Paulette’s Papers – All You Need is Love II

7 - Bookworm Lisa – Review - Clean Romance III

7 – Pages of Forbidden Love – Review

8 - Proud Book Nerd – Review

8 - Vanessa Morgan – All You Need is Love III

9 - Kari’s Crowded Bookshelf – Review - 

10 - Geo Librarian – Review
10 - The Literary Forest - Review, Exerpt

11 - InfectedLoser – Review

13 - Welcome to Couch Potato Reader – Review

14 – One A Day YA – Drafts Guest Post

14 - Little Miss Bookworm – Review

15 – Musings of a Reader Happy – ART excerpt Raven-haired Ghost

15 -  Magical Manuscripts – Review 

16 – Proud Book Nerd – Ultimate Grilled Cheese

17 - Books, Books, the Magical Fruit – Interview

17 - Book Sake – Review

18 - Kari’s Crowded Bookshelf – Aromatic Noodles Recipe

20 - A Life Bound by Books – Excerpt I

21 - Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Reviews – Excerpt II

21 - Oh, The Books You’ll Read – Review

22 - A Backwards Story – Review, Excerpt III

22 - Passion and Life – Review – English/Spanish

23 - Framed In Words – ART Guest Post

23 - Colorimetry – ART Guest Post

24 – Unputdownable Books – ART Guest Post

24 - Living a Goddess Life – Crepe Cake

25 – icultgen – Review, ART Guest Post

25 – Pieces of Whimsy - Review

27 – The Reading Diaries – Review

27 - Icefairy’s Treasure Chest – Excerpt

28 – Stressed Rach – Review

28 - Literally Jen – Review

29 – Min Reads and Reviews – Review

29 – Colorimetry – Grand Finale, WINNERS drawn

Enjoy the giveaway!

Playlist / Book Feature : Sovereign by E. R. Arroyo

Hey all! Today, I have a wonderful book up for a feature. I absolutely love the cover! I've also recently taken the project to help ER out with some bookmark designs. How I wish I could print all the bookmarks I've ever designed. I'd love to have them all in a little box! 

 Check out the playlist and giveaway at the bottom of the post :) Enjoy! O

 

 

 

Chemical warfare has obliterated most of the world, including America, and the survivors have turned into feral beasts, save one colony, Antius, the last remnant of civilization. Seventeen-year-old Cori (aka Citizen 1206) only longs for wide open spaces and freedom. But Antius has no use for such things, just mindless drones to serve in a place with walls, fences, and laws. A lot of laws, which Cori constantly breaks. So she’s spent years plotting her escape, which is the only thing that will save her from the colony’s deranged leader, Nathan. She isn’t looking to be a hero, and she certainly isn’t looking to fall in love, but she just might do both.

Where To Buy:

Amazon Kindle - (ebook & paperback)

B&N Nook

iTunes

Kobo

Goodreads Giveaway:  Two paperback copies available for U.S. addresses.  

Enter here: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/41744-sovereign

About E.R. Arroyo:

E.R. Arroyo is an entertainment junkie, equally passionate about books, movies, and music.  In October 2012 she self-published her debut novel, Sovereign.  She looks forward to the future of her career and connecting with more people in the years to come.  E.R. especially hopes to publish more books, and maybe even land a traditional book deal some day (dream big!). 

Connect with E.R. Arroyo online:

Website / Twitter / Facebook /
Pinterest  **Sovereign Inspiration Pinboard & Character Visiuals** / Goodreads

Praise for Sovereign:

"...this is a well written book with plenty of twists and unexpected turns that will keep you up at night reading under the light of the moon."

"This was a great start to this series!!! I can't wait for book 2!"

"You'll fall in love with the characters!"

"...because of this book I kinda want to create some sort of special shelf for books that go above and beyond genre tropes or something, I’ll think on that more later."

 

Sovereign Playlist:

1. Prelude 12/21 by AFI

2. The End by Kings of Leon

3. Soil, Soil by Tegan & Sara

4. Say When by The Fray

5. Sparks by Coldplay

6. Misguided Ghosts by Paramore

7. All I Need by Radiohead

8. On Fire by Switchfoot

9. Beautiful Things by Gungor

Guestpost: Achieve Success from Your Creative Talents by Ron Gavalik

I had the opportunity to post up an interesting guestpost about using your creativity to go the distance. I'd like to thank the Gavalik brothers for putting this together for me to share! Thanks guys!

Achieve Success from Your Creative Talents

Ron Gavalik

Throughout civilized human history, creative minds of every type were comforted by the knowledge that if a publisher, producer, or gallery accepted their work, they’d receive financial support in the form of advanced payments and promotional initiatives. In essence, after years of struggle, rejection, and torment, the creator was chosen by an elite group of tycoons to be idolized above others. In return, he or she wasn’t asked to perform any kind of true marketing efforts, aside from public appearances.

In today’s business world, that’s rarely the case.

The influx of creative small businesses and indie creators has diluted the arts and entertainment markets. That shift in business has forced creative talents to perform their own marketing initiatives to achieve success. Some creative professionals believe this to be an unfair burden. Others herald it as an opportunity to have more control. No matter how you view the circumstances, it’s a reality that must be understood.

It’s astonishing how many talented writers, artists, and performers pour passion and professionalism into their creative endeavors, but then practice marketing initiatives like an amateur. It’s the equivalent of buying a $500 pool stick, but never practicing the game. When it comes time to prove your skills, that shiny pool stick is only as effective as the player who wields it. In other words, it’s simply not enough to have a fantastic creative product. You must know how to market that product to mass audiences to win the game.

That’s why our team developed Financial Success for Creative Professionals. The plan is the first proven set of marketing procedures, guaranteed to achieve long-term success for writers, artists, musicians, and performers of all stripes.

To ensure creative success in today’s market, there are a number of steps that must be completed. Let’s briefly explore each of them.

Understand the truth about marketing artistic creations. So many people believe marketing is subjective, much like abstract painting or poetry. It isn’t. Marketing is really about the science of consumer psychology. You must reach the correct audiences to maximize exposure of your work, draw in potential fans, and then drive revenue. When you truly understand the fundamental theory about generating mass awareness of your creative experiences and know how to shape the perception of your work, it’s hundreds of times easier to get noticed and achieve success.

Most marketing professionals hold advanced degrees. The FSCP marketing plan contains the same resources marketing pros use for success, but developed specifically for creative professionals.

Build your marketing structure. Before an artistic talent can sell work to a base of potential consumers, you must first build your marketing structure. That includes a comprehensive website (not just a simple blog), a strong social media presence, and a uniquely branded market position. You must also use mass communications vehicles (email newsletters, for example) to build relationships with your future fans. No one, and I mean no one will buy a book, portrait, MP3, or any kind of creation without having achieved emotional investment in the creator and your products. The FSCP marketing plan provides you the ability to build your uniquely branded market position, set pricing, and then shows you how to interact with hundreds of thousands of consumers to maximize sales and raise the quality of life for your fans.

Take advantage of media marketing opportunities. The meat of any marketing initiative must include interacting with potential fans. This is referred to as shaking hands and relationship building. Much in the same way a car salesperson walks up to a consumer and extends a hand, the FSCP marketing plan shows you how to use the power of the web to connect with hundreds of thousands of consumers through social media, the news media, and personal print media. Using these techniques provides consumers an easy path to personally identify with your artistic creations and then become emotionally invested. This is sometimes referred to as the “warm fuzzies.”

Once the warm fuzzies are achieved, your potential fans are empowered with the knowledge that purchasing your work will benefit them in some way. Remember, your creative efforts are meant to enhance the lives of others. When a potential fan personally identifies with your creation and they’re given a clear path to enjoy the experience, it’s like taking candy from a baby.

Diversify your income from multiple venues. Success is never achieved by selling one product in one location. That’s one of the biggest mistakes made by indie authors, artists, and performers. Your creations must sell in multiple locations to reach the maximum number of targeted consumers that identify with your style. It’s also paramount that each creator offers several products and accessory items for sale, such as t-shirts or bookmarks.

For example: an indie author with a book released must ensure it’s selling in each possible retail location. Sure, Amazon may have 60% or more of the book buying public, but that doesn’t mean you ignore the other 40% that shops on lesser-known retailers. Furthermore, offering accessories increases revenue and provides depth that large publishers always provide for intellectual property and indies usually lack.

Those are the basic high-level steps that every creative talent must follow to achieve true financial success in each respective field. As stated earlier, the FSCP marketing plan is guaranteed to deliver that success to each creator and it’s why our team is so proud to have published it for your use.

It’s my hope that you’re taking your creative career seriously. It’s not always easy to rise above the chaos, but if you follow the proven plan, it’s an amazing experience to watch consumers around the world swoon over your creations that raise their quality of life. That’s a true gift and your legacy. Be proud of it.

As the tagline goes, “If you pour your passions into each project or performance, you must propel your career to the next level, realize your full potential and achieve financial success.”

Together, we’ll make it happen!

Good hunting.

Ron Gavalik’s Bio:

Ron Gavalik is the author of Financial Success for Creative Professionals and has over 20 years of celebrated experience in corporate and creative marketing. This former Director of Communications has assisted private, nonprofit, and artistic organizations achieve success through grassroots experience marketing initiatives. Gavalik is currently the Publisher for Grit City Publications and creator of the innovative Emotobooks fiction medium. He holds a B.S. in Marketing Communications from Point Park University and an M.A. in Writing from Seton Hill University. His work in the arts has shaped success for countless creative professionals who seek financial independence.

Contact Info:

Website: http://creativesuccess.net
Facebook: http://facebook.com/GritCityPublications
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonGavalik

Cover Reveal: The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard

The Forgotten Ones by Laura HowardNA Paranormal Fantasy Romance

May 15, 2013
New Adult

Cover Designer: Stephanie Mooney

Book Description:

Allison O'Malley just graduated from college. Her life's plan is to get a job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She doesn't have room for friends or even Ethan, who clearly wants more.

When Allison's long-lost father shows up, he claims he can bring her mother back from the dark place her mind has sent her. He reveals legends of a race of people long forgotten, the Tuatha de Danaan, along with the truth about why he abandoned her mother.

Laura Howard | Facebook | Twitter

Share on Facebook and/or Twitter and you could win a $50 Amazon (or B&N) Gift card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Interview with Tawny Stokes, Author of Demons of the Rich and Famous

Hi all! Today, I'll be sharing with you wonderful people a little interview I did with Tawny Stokes. Before I continue onto the interview. Here is a little bio of the author. :)

 Tawny Stokes has always been a writer. From an early age, she’d spin tales of serial killers in love, vampires taking over the world, and sometimes about fluffy bunnies turned bunnicidal maniacs. An honour student in high school, with a penchant for math and English, you’d never know it by the foot high blue Mohawk and Doc Martens, which often got her into trouble. No longer a Mohawk wearer, Tawny still enjoys old school punk rock, trance, zombie movies, teen horror films, and fluffy bunnies. She lives in Canada with her fantastical daughter, two cats, and spends most of her time creating new stories for teens.

Tawny also writes adult paranormal/urban fantasy fiction under the name Vivi Anna, and is an aspiring screenwriter.

~~~~

1. What Inspired you to write Demons of the Rich and Famous?

Most of my stories come from character. Caden Butcher was no exception. I created him first and foremost. I thought what would it be like to be a teen exorcist, and what if most of your work came from Hollywood. I loved the movie Constantine, and I always wanted to write a character like that. I actually created Caden three or four years ago, but took me another year or so to write his story.

2. Whats the concept behind the Book Cover? Does it match the content?

I wanted the cover to be appealing, and have a mysterious look to it. My original cover I think was too ominous. The dude on the cover resembles Caden and the cemetery in the background tells of a particular part in the book.

3. What books are almost like Demons of the Rich and Famous?

One reviewer recommend this book for those who enjoy Cassandra Clare’s books. I’d also compare them to Nick Chronicles by Sherrilyn Kenyon, and The Demon’s Lexicon series by Sarah Rees Brennan.

4. Who's your main lead, who does he/she look like, give us a "dream cast" image of him/her.

My main lead is Caden Butcher. I’d say he is a young Ashton Kutcher. Longish messy hair, some scruff on the chin, but boyish.

5. If you could describe your book in a sentence, what would it be?

A young exorcist and his demon BFF scam the idle rich out of money by performing fake exorcisms until they get caught by a nasty demon who is hell bent on destroying everything good in their lives.

~~~~

 Demons of the Rich and Famous (A Demon Whisperer Novel)
Supernatural possession is the new “disease” and teen exorcist Caden Butcher is the cure…

Having to take care of his father, Caden makes a decent income curing the new “disease”. He’s known as the whiz-kid exorcist to the stars, obtaining most of his work in Hollywood. What others don't know is the exorcisms are all staged with his demon BFF, Dan. Not everyone is happy with Caden’s star status though, including Remy Martin, a high ranking member of the International Order of Exorcists.

So when a real exorcism goes wrong and Caden lets the nasty demon inside a teen girl jump bodies, the crap hits the supernatural fan. Not only does the Order strip him of his license but Caden discovers the demon is one he knows and he’s hell bent on destroying Caden’s life, literally. Now with the help of his demon buddy, and Caden’s girlfriend Aspen Spencer, a necromancer in training, Caden must track down the rogue demon before it’s too late.

Seriously Series Challenge

JOIN HERE

I wasn't going to join any other reading challenges BUT the one on goodreads mainly because I wasn't up for updating the list regularly and some how I always forget to link back to the host. 

This challenge on the other hand was very intriguing when one of the hosts told me about how she was quickly going through her series and I said "I want to do that too". She told me that she did it as a challenge and led me to the original post about the challenge. 

"Definition: For this challenge, we define a series as a collection of two or more books that belong together and where the second book is published before the end of 2013. This is a pretty broad definition of series, and it includes traditional series like the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, less traditional series like Stephanie Perkins's YA contemps (Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door), and shorter series, like Kendare Blake's Anna series (Anna Dressed in Blood, Girl of Nightmares).
A series is considered complete in one of two ways: either as finishing all the books that you own in the series or as obtaining and reading all the books that have been published in the series to date. Because we don't want this challenge to become a financial burden, how you choose to define completion is left to your discretion."

~~~~~~

Goals:

To finish Semi-Serious 1-6 series
Striked - books I've read during the challange
Striked in Purple - books I have read before the challenge

1 - Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J. R. Ward

• Dark Lover
• Lover Eternal
• Lover Awakened
• Lover Revealed
• Lover Unbound
• Lover Enshrined
• Lover Avenged
• Lover Mine
• Lover Unleashed
• Lover Reborn
•  Lover At Last

2 - Highlander Series by Karen Marie Moning 

• Beyond the Highland Mist
• To Tame a Highland Warrior
• The Highlander's Touch
• Kiss of the Highlander
• The Dark Highlander
• The Immortal Highlander
• Spell of the Highlander
• Into The Dreaming 

3 - Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showalter

• Darkest Night
• Darkest Kiss
• Darkest Pleasure
• Darkest Whisper
• Darkest Passion 
• Darkest Lie
• 
  

4 - Charley Davidson Series by Darynda Jones

• First Grave on the Right
• Second Grave on the Left
• Third Grave Dead Ahead
• Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet
• Fifth Grave Past The Light

5 - Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning 

• Darkfever
• Bloodfever
• Faefever
• Dreamfever
• Shadowfever

 6 - House of Night Series by P.C. and Kristin Cast

• Marked
• Betrayed
• Chosen
• Untamed
• Hunted
• Tempted
• Burned
• Awakened
• Destined
• Hidden
• Revealed

~~~~~

Extras:

Caster Series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

• Beautiful Creatures
• Beautiful Darkness
• Beautiful Chaos  

The Immortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

• City of Bones
• City of Ashes
• City of Glass
• City of Fallen Angels

 Woah, I have a habit of not finishing series huh? Loool! I actually have a lot more. But I think I'll stick to these for a awhile.

Bout of Books 6.0 Update (Tues - Friday)

Bout of Books Blurb:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 7th and runs through Sunday, January 13th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 6.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. -From the Bout of Books 6.0 team

 Anyways, before the read-a-thon begins we need to set a few goals for our selves. My goals are as follows: 

THE GOALS

 

1. To read all of the books above
2. To make new friends
3. To catch the TweetChat
4. To comment on at least 2 blogs a day

THE UPDATES

---

Monday

---

Tuesday

Number of pages I've read: 143

Number of books I've read: 1
Total number of books I've read: 1

Reviews: 

• The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Blogs I commented on: 0 :(
Challenges completed: Not Sure

Joined the Tweetchat: Nope

The first day of Bout of Books for me started so well! But then, work got in the way and my reading started to lessen (in the day time). I only had the time to read and not actually post, comment, join anything else. I was so tired I didn't even bother. =.= On the brightside, I finished my first book of the read-a-thon though, I couldn't write the review until Friday. It might be me being lazy or just tired. Whichever comes first. :))

---

 Wednesday 

Number of pages I've read: 18

Number of books I've read: 0
Total number of books I've read: 1

Reviews: 

• The Duff by Kody Keplinger 

Blogs I commented on: 0
Challenges completed: 0

Joined the Tweetchat: 0

On Wednesday, I actually started up a new book that I got for review awhile back. Oh boy, am I loving it. I only read 18 pages on this day mainly because of work and I had to go out to dinner with Uni friends. We were celebrating our graduation early. :)) Sadly, because of timezones I couldn't join the tweetchat AGAIN. I couldn't comment or do any challenges. Man, I feel like a bad Bout of Book-er!

---

Thursday

Number of pages I've read: 69

Number of books I've read: 0

Total number of books I've read:1

Reviews: 

• The Duff by Kody Keplinger  

Blogs I commented on: 0
Challenges completed: 0

Joined the Tweetchat: 0

On Thursday, I've read 69 books, while I maintained the one book read the entire 3 days since I finished it. I haven't joined or commented on any blogs, challenges or tweet chat. I really feel bad for missing out. But hey! When you've got to work, you've got to work. I actually fell asleep in the middle of this book. Haha.

---

Friday

Number of pages I've read: 308

Number of books I've read: 1

Total number of books I've read: 2

Reviews: 

• The Duff by Kody Keplinger    
• Kevin's Point of View by Del Shannon

Blogs I commented on: 0
Challenges completed: 0

Joined the Tweetchat: 0

I might as well do Friday as an update on this post. It's already Saturday where I'm from. Oh man, I am so sleepy! Anyways, Friday is a weekend in Bahrain so I thought I would be able to finish this book a little bit faster and get a lot of blogging done. But sadly enough, work got in the way again. I had urgent matters to attend to and the result of that was me not joining the challenges and commenting on any other blogs. On the brightside, I managed to write reviews and finish another book and even wrote up this post! Phew. I'm going to bed! Oh man! Just two more days till the read-a-thon is done. Time really does go fast!

---

Saturday

Number of pages I've read: 

Number of books I've read:

Total number of books I've read: 

Reviews: 

Blogs I commented on: 
Challenges completed:

Joined the Tweetchat:

---

Sunday

Number of pages I've read: 

Number of books I've read:

Total number of books I've read: 

Reviews: 

Blogs I commented on: 
Challenges completed:

Joined the Tweetchat:

Review: Kevin's Point of View by Del Shannon

(Click image to add to your to be read pile)
Title: Kevin's Point of View
Author: Del Shannon
Genre: Young Adult, Adventure, Middle-Grade
Format: Paperback from Author
Buy: Amazon | B&N




Kevin Tobin is a relatively ordinary 12-year-old dealing with the aftermath of his father's death in a mountain biking accident near their home in Boulder, Colorado. To escape from his emotional turmoil, Kevin has developed his imagination into a dangerous foil and a powerful ally. While he antagonizes his sister through his superhero antics on an average Wednesday morning, his ability to escape inside a character's head become critical to his survival after his life is once-again turned upside down a year after his father's death. A mysterious package arrives in the mail, Kevin and his best friend are hunted down by a ruthless villain set upon world domination, and after enlisting Kevin's teenage sister and her pizza-delivery boyfriend in a battle for control over time itself, the secret of Kevin's whole existence is revealed to him by a source we never expected. Del Shannon's imaginative story, appreciation for the powers of family and the desire of young boys to both escape reality and prove themselves within it, and fast-paced, adventure-filled storytelling style make this a book with wide appeal for readers of all ages.

I can't believe it took me so long to pick up this book. Kevin's Point of View overstepped my expectations and simply blew me away. This is one book I will surely read to my kid brother, my son and even my future husband (who is in-touch with his inner child).

Kevin's Point of View is about Kevin, a very creative 12-year-old boy who's father recently passed away. Because of the pain and hardships he faced during the time of his fathers death. Kevin develops an imaginary way to overcome them. He some how turns himself and everyone around him into cartoon and fictional characters to get through hardships and literal bumps in the road. Now, all that sounds pretty dramatic and serious but it isn't what it sounds like. This book is full of fun and adventures which all starts when Kevin is sent a mysterious package that takes him on that roller coaster ride of adventures.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing style of Del Shannon was so smooth and straight to the point, it's hard not to enjoy a book this free flowing. The characters in the book are all great. My favorite would be the down-to-earth pizza dude, Scratch. Who made me laugh so many times I couldn't help but declare him my favorite.

The plot of the book had so much depth, it actually surprised me. To be honest, when I started reading this book, I didn't remember what Kevin's point of view was really about (aside from the fact that Kevin was the protagonist). So yet again, I blindly went through the book thinking that it was a compilation of different types of adventures Kevin has gone through. But it's not. It is one BIG adventure that began roughly and full of excitement and ended with tears and happy endings.

Kevin's Point of View blew me away with its originality, vibrance and fun. An awesome book great for kids, pre-teens, young adults and everyone else who'd like to go embark on a cute adventure with Kevin and his best bud, Tony.

Review: The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

 

(Click image to add to your to be read pile)
Title: The DUFF
Author: Kody Keplinger
Genre: Teen, Young Adult: Contemporary Romance
Format: Hardbound
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Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

Somehow, I am oddly drawn by books that have female protagonists with a sharp tongue. They're haters, they complain about those around her and bottom line... She doesn't stick around people who are intolerable to her. Though these qualities can be very discouraging in real life. But in a book, the authors always make them not so bad and not so good. A combination that is almost too perfect that one can't help but keep on reading. Bianca Piper is that cynical protagonist I'm raving about.

Bianca Piper is the DUFF amongst her two best friend. The DUFF can be defined as a friend amongst a closed circle of girls who are so pretty that they over shadow this DUFF, or in full form, The Designated Ugly Fat Friend. It's a mean term but it's a term that is actually used in real life. Surprising enough, her friends are not dense air heads who only think about boys, popularity and being beautiful. Her friends Jessica and Casey are the sweetest bunch ever. This is a definite plus for me.

The book started off really quick two to three chapters and you will be hooked. I loved how fast-paced the book was, I loved it even more when it drove me off the railings here and there. Bianca is one impulsive girl and she will drive you nuts in a good way.

I've read a lot of teen books and by far, the realistic romances are my favorites. And The Duff definitely has this. Though Bianca might be using her romance with the schools playboy as a way to escape real life, I can't help but rave about that too.

I am so impressed with the authors writing style, she was 18 when she wrote this book and I adored her concept, characters and everything else that came along with the book. Only thing I would change about the book was how abruptly it ended. Maybe if that part was less predictable and more smooth, the book would have been even more amazing. Everything else about this book was absolutely addicting! I simply couldn't put it down. If I had the time and patience to read a book twice, I would do it starting with The DUFF.

Book Feature + Guestpost: Jewel Moss The Pantster

I've got quiet an interesting post for everyone today! :) Check out this triple feature of Jewel Moss and her novels! 

 

Jewels Moss The Pantster

Thank you so much for having me on your blog to talk about my recent releases The Siren’s Song and Naughty Tales.

I thought I would talk a little about being a pantster. I never plan my work out it all just rushes at me. Some people methodically plan out every detail of their story, but I just can’t do that. I start with the title. I know a lot of authors who will not even title their work until it is finished. For me the title is what fuels the writing. After I have the title then I write the blurb. Sometimes I start writing and then after a couple of chapters I write the blurb. Again a lot of authors hate writing the blurb and put it off until after their story is complete.

I guess I do things a little backwards. I have been known to write Chapter 24 before 4. Sometimes the ending becomes so clear in my head while I am writing that I have to jump ahead and write it. It is both fun and stressful being a pantster. Sometimes I have a deadline set up in my mind and the words are not just coming like I want them too. I am assuming when someone plans out their novel that they always know where it is going. Mine kind of take on a mind of their own and I never know where it is going.

So I guess I will stop rambling and tell you a bit about my work. Naughty Tales is a twist on fables. I took some classics and twisted them around to fit a more erotic theme. I am all about finding topics and stories that are not in the erotica category and making it so they are. My favorite story in Naughty Tales is the Woodman and the Serpent I enjoyed writing all of them, but that one was my favorite. I hope to explore twisting fables some more in the future.

The Siren’s Song is my take of the Sirens in Greek and Roman mythology. I made them purely women instead of half woman, half bird. I also made them Satan’s daughters so I mixed some different belief systems together. . Siren will have two more tales dealing with the other two sisters briefly mentioned in the first. I have their stories planned out I just have to get around to writing them.
Thanks again for having me on today! 

 

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No problemo Jewel! Now, onto more about her books:

 

Naughty Tales
Six steamy fairytales for adults. A virginal princess unwillingly stumbles into a magical land where a knight with a giant appetite for life is waiting to seduce her. Will she stay in his mad world of debauchery and sin, or go back to her wholesome life as the princess of her people? Find out in Naughty Tales! 

 

Excerpt for Naughty Tales:

Princess Bernadette had not yet known the touch of a man. Well truthfully she had been touched a little just not in the way where you lose your virtue. To her parents and her kingdom however she was as pure as the mountain snow, and she aimed to keep it that way. She liked to go for walks in the woods near the castle to clear her mind, and relax after a strenuous day of lessons, and activities her parents thought she needed to stay busy with. One particularly ordinary afternoon she was walking through the woods when a strange light caught her eye. There in the middle of the woods was some type of orb that was a bright brilliant orange. She was not one to go poking things she did not know about but this particular orb looked very intriguing. She found herself drawn to it, and certainly thought it must be some type of magic. Part of her wanted to turn away as the allure of the unknown both excited and terrified her. She was pulled towards the light and even reached out to touch it. When she did her arm disappeared inside of it, and she felt something brush against her arm. She jerked her arm back and started to run away, but curiosity got the best of her and she stuck her head in. She was shocked by what she saw and thought she better get back to her castle when she toppled over and landed right in the middle of the madness.


The Siren’s Song

Celeste is a Siren, the spawn of Satan, and only in this world to do one thing. That one thing is seduce men to kill them and send their soul to her father. She has been good at this job for thousands of years. One day a man sails into her clutches that she doesn't want to let go, she has never felt passion and desire as she does when she kisses him. Too bad he has to die.

William is a young man on a great adventure. A lovely song makes him break his course and to his men's shock he dives into the ocean to go searching for it. What he finds is a gorgeous and mysterious woman who he desires more than any lady he has ever set his eyes upon. She has a secret though, and when he finds out he will want to run or swim for his life.

Excerpt for The Siren’s Song:

William breathed in the crisp sea air and looked around at the men on his boat. Nothing made him happier than sailing on the open sea. It was a beautiful day and the people would be pleased with all the goods he was bringing them. He felt alive and free when he was on the ocean. His father wanted him to stop traveling and take over the company. He could not picture a life behind a desk. William loved adventure.

The Captain of the ship sighted an island to the right of them, and William followed his gaze thinking it looked quite beautiful.

"Perhaps we will stop and explore it on our way home gentlemen." It looked untouched, and there was nothing William enjoyed more than a new discovery.

The song was faint at first, and William thought he had imagined it. It was beautiful and sweet. It was unlike anything he had ever heard. It surrounded him and filled him with joy and longing. He looked around at the other men to see if they had heard it, but they were going about their business. Walking over to the side of the boat he leaned a little over the side to see if he could hear the song clearer.

About the Author:

Jewels Moss is a published author of science fiction books, and paranormal romance novels. She keeps her true identity a secret because it is fun to be Jewels. This is why she created her for her naughty side. She enjoys writing erotica; especially if she can create erotica from a story you wouldn't expect it from. Her works include The Siren's Song, Naughty Tales, and the soon to be released Why Yellow Jackets can't find the Hole. She enjoys being an author with Midnight Hour Publishing.

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Release Date: November 10th for Naughty Tales and November 11th for The Siren’s Song

Genre: Erotica