Thursday, December 13, 2012

Twelve Books for Christmas: Book Four (INT)

Please welcome Cindy Hogan, author of The Watcher Series.

Here is where you can find Cindy: 


Here is where you  can find the book: 






Book Blurb: 

She has the guy. The terrorists have been taken care of. She has a shot at becoming popular.
Life is great!
Until they find her. 
Now she must run and leave behind everything she knows, including herself

Author Interview: 

CLICK HERE to read it. 


The giveaway: 

Cindy is giving away  4 e-copies of Protected!  (INT)




How to win: 

So. . .you know those links at the beginning of the post?  Well here is where those come in handy.  
To enter, go click on at least one of those links.   "Like" her Author page on Facebeook, Add her books to your Goodreads "TBR" list, "Like" her book on Amazon.  It doesn't matter what you do as long as you do one of those things.  

Then simply fill out the form below and you're entered! 

**Bonus points**
Tell your friends about this awesome giveaway! 

 Tweet about it (Tag me, @KonstanzS). 2pts
Share on Facebook. 2pts
Share on Google+. 2pts
Blog about it. 10pts








And now, HOP along to the other participating blogs! 
(Twelve authors on every blog so make sure to check out each blog each day!) 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Twelve Books for Christmas: Book Three (INT)

Please welcome Melissa Andrea, author of Flutter.  (And seriously, isn't that cover BEAUTIFUL??)

Here is where you can find Melissa: 

Here is where you can find Flutter:






Book Blurb: 
Sara's life is forever changed -
Waking up, buried & hidden deeply in the last place anyone would want to be, will do that. She is determined to find out how she ended up there & why, but when the only person who can help her, continuously lies to her, she finds herself forced to suffer alone. She can't ignore the strange things that begin to happen to her nor can she hide from the nightmares that haunt her sleep. And when her world collides with Adan - the mysterious boy whom she can't seem to stay away from, literally - she is consumed by the familiar flutter that sparks whenever he is around and she is desperate to discover the reason why.
But the biggest discovery will come from the secret of what she is…

Adan

Adan’s mission to find Sara has finally approached -
It seemed simple: bring her back to the enchanted world that lives, breathes and survives because of her, but he quickly finds himself faced with an entirely new challenge. Immediately, Adan realizes that staying unknown to Sara is a task he will fail before even attempting. The pull to her is far too strong to refuse, and being with her will defy the very reason he existed. He was the key to her survival and loving her was not part of the plan that he had been born to follow. Can he find it in himself too resist the urge to be with her and follow through with their destiny or will he destroy everything that had been left to Sara to protect and defend -
And the kingdom she is unaware she rules…

Flutter

As Sara and Adan struggle to overcome their own separate battles - 
There is a far more determined evil that is stalking the shadows and waiting to annihilate them both. 
Sara will figure out that not everything is what it seems and knowing what she can and can not trust will be the key to finding out the truth to what happened to her, the reason why she had been buried alive and who she really is…

Sara and Adan will discover the hidden meaning to why she was the reason he existed and why he would be the reason she survived & together they will fight to change the rules and rewrite their fate.


Author Interview: 

Konstanz: Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Melissa: I have 3 beautiful daughters who inspire me everyday, a loving and supportive family by my side. I use to be a wedding planner. I love the color pink, chocolate and sparkles -In that order! I've never seen the godfather O.o I know! I'm a One Direction fan LOL & I love falling in love with my characters!

Konstanz: Which character in your book(s) is most like you and why?
Melissa: Good question: I don't think any of the characters in Flutter are like me. I've actually based, Sara (MFC) in Flutter after someone very special to me. The same for the next two series I am currently working on!

Konstanz: If you could magically transport yourself to anyplace in the world where you could just hole up and write for a year, where would it be? 
Melissa: I'd like to go somewhere exotic, like Spain, or a deserted island in the middle of the ocean.

Konstanz: What is your driving force that helps you to keep writing even when obstacles are thrown in your path?
Melissa: My love for words! My passion for creating worlds, and characters with those words. It's actually an amazing feeling to write something and know that a couple hundred people have read what I've created!! It's inspiring!!

Konstanz: How long did it take you to write your first book?
Melissa: It took me a year to write and publish Flutter. I got pregnant in the middle of writing Flutter, but a few months after my daughter was born, I started and finished it within a few months.

Konstanz: What is the most significant piece of advice you were ever given?
Melissa: If I'm going to be a writer, then be a writer.
Don't write to get published.
Don't write to get famous.
Don't write to get rich.
Write because it's what you love to do! If the rest happens, then cherish every minute, but if it doesn't - I'll still be a writer.




And now. . . the giveaway!! 

Melissa is giving away 3 e-copies of Flutter!!! 


How to win: 

So. . .you know those links at the beginning of the post?  Well here is where those come in handy.  
To enter, go click on at least one of those links.   "Like" her Author page on Facebeook, Add her books to your Goodreads "TBR" list, "Like" her book on Amazon.  It doesn't matter what you do as long as you do one of those things.  

Then simply fill out the form below and you're entered! 

**Bonus points**
Tell your friends about this awesome giveaway! 

 Tweet about it (Tag me, @KonstanzS). 2pts
Share on Facebook. 2pts
Share on Google+. 2pts
Blog about it. 10pts




And now, HOP along to the other participating blogs! 
(Twelve authors on every blog so make sure to check out each blog each day!) 

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Twelve Books for Christmas: Book Two (US & Int)

Please welcome Helen Boswell! Author of Mythology.  (To read my review of Mythology, CLICK HERE).  

Here is where you can find Helen & Mythology: 

Goodreads (Helen)
Goodreads (Mythology)


Book Blurb:
Hope Gentry doesn’t believe in Fate. Born with an unusual power to see the dark memories of those around her, Hope just wants to be a normal teenager. But on the first day of her senior year of high school, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to a transfer student named Micah Condie. At first glance, Micah seems like a boy that most girls would dream about. But when Hope's powers allow her to discover Micah's darkest secret, she quickly becomes entangled in the lives of mythical entities she never dreamed existed. Was this her destiny all along? And will her powers help her survive the evil of the Demon Impiorum? 

Mythology isn’t just for English class anymore.


Author Interview:

Konstanz:  Please introduce yourself! 

             Helen:  Hi, I'm Helen Boswell, debut author of YA urban fantasy MYTHOLOGY and associate professor of biology for my day-job. I'm a fan of crazy hair colors and my life is ruled by the two sweetest little boys on the planet. 

Konstanz:  If you ruled the world, what is the first thing you would do? 

            Helen: Institute a mandatory one-hour naptime in the middle of the day. Call it "reflection time," "decompression time" or whatever you wish, but we all need to remember to take time for ourselves during the day. And though I rarely get naps in these days, I find that I'm always more productive after I "get" to have one. And a lot more peaceful --> world peace! 

Konstanz: What is your favorite "writing" snack food?

            Helen: Vanilla ice cream with chocolate magic shell. 

Konstanz: Do you name your characters for people you know?

            Helen: I've named a few characters for people I know. Robin and Dawn are two characters in MYTHOLOGY and were two of my friends from college that I've always had fond memories of. Their characters are completely different from the people, but I did borrow their names (and I told them this also). Dr. Halverson was named as a joke because when we hired the guy who's office is now next to mine, he called me "Dr. Halverson" during part of the interview. We hired him anyway. 

Konstanz:  If you had to write a book about yourself, what would it be titled? 

            Helen:Hummingbird. I'm told that I flap my wings a lot. Hence why I need more naptimes.

Konstanz: How would your 5th or 6th grade teacher have described your writing at the time?

            Helen: Wow. Would I be dating myself to say that I don't remember what my writing was like at the time? But I do remember my 6th grade teacher, and her name was Ms. Bave. And NOW it's coming back to me. She told me to be more descriptive in my writing, especially when describing people and their actions. I think that when we're young, we all tend to use words like "nice" or "friendly" when we describe people. And now that I'm an author, we have to learn a whole new set of rules like "show don't tell." I love it though -- the writing process has really helped me to grow as a person. So thank you, Ms. Bave.


Helen is pretty much just awesome! Clearly, I didn't need to say it for you go figure that out.  
So, wanna know something else that makes Helen just awesome?  She is giving away ONE paperback copy of Mythology and ONE *e-book.
(Paperback is US only.  E-book is open international)

How to win: 

So if you were here yesterday, you know the rules.  If not, no worries because I will explain.  
Those links up at the top of the post?  Yeah those are important.  
Follow Helen and/or her book, Mythology on one of all of those sites.

Then simply fill out the form below and you're entered! 

**Bonus points**
Tell your friends about this awesome giveaway! 

 Tweet about it (Tag me, @KonstanzS). 2pts
Share on Facebook. 2pts
Share on Google+. 2pts
Blog about it. 10pts






And now, HOP along to the other participating blogs! 
(Twelve authors on every blog so make sure to check out each blog each day!) 

Into 'da Fiyah

Monday, December 10, 2012

Twelve Books for Christmas: Book One (US only)

Please welcome Angie Lofthouse! Author of Defenders of the Covenant.  (To read my review of Defenders of the Covenant, CLICK HERE

Here is where you can find Angie:  


Here is where you can find her book: 




Book Blurb: 

Can Earth be Saved?

Hannah and her friends have been warned about the danger lurking outside of their secret refuge from the alien invaders who devastated Earth years before. The teenagers’ leaders
have raised them in the Latter-day Saint faith, teaching them to trust God, but when McKenzie and her rebellious boyfriend Jeremy decide to run away, Hannah and Derek follow, determined to bring their friends home.

Once outside, the four teens soon realize they cannot return to the refuge without endangering everyone there. Captured, enslaved, and separated, Hannah, Derek, and McKenzie
each learn the unique role they must play in liberating the earth. The friends must battle with android soldiers and attack vessels, and face their own inner struggles to overcome the invaders. After all, not even an alien invasion can stop the work of God.

Author Interview: 

Konstanz:  Please introduce yourself! 

              Angie:   I'm Angie Lofthouse. I live in a little town in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains with my husband and six kids, several cats, a few fish and a flock of chickens. I write sci-fi and fantasy adventures.

Konstanz: Where do you get your  inspiration for your stories?

              Angie:   Here, there and everywhere. I get inspiration from dreams, from music, from nature, from my family, from the scriptures and wherever else I can. I just have to pay attention to what's going on around me.

Konstanz: Where's the most unusual place you wrote down an idea because you didn't have paper when
                  inspiration hit? 

             Angie: Well, if I didn't have paper, I probably didn't have a pen either. I can't think of anywhere unusual that I've written down an idea, but I have been known to repeat it to myself over and over until I could get somewhere to write it down

Konstanz: What was your favorite story growing up?

             Angie: Gosh, I don't know if I could pick one. I was heavily influenced by the Narnia books as well as Madeline L'Engle's Wrinkle in Time and the sequels. I loved Lois Lowry's Anastasia Krupnik books too, and read them over and over

Konstanz: How do you balance writing and life?

             Angie: Very carefully. I have to reassess priorities every day. I try to keep writing up at the top, but of course family comes very first. Some things always get a low priority like TV watching and house cleaning (yeah).

Konstanz: Do you listen to music while your write or do you prefer quiet?

            Angie: I usually like to have music on. I don't get quiet even if I want it and I love to listen to music. Some authors listen to specific music related to the project they are working on, but I usually just turn on the shuffle and let it go. I like a wide variety of music, so I never know what I'll be in the mood for.



The Giveaway: 

No doubt about it, Angie is a pretty awesome person and her book is incredible!  
And to add to her awesomeness, she is giving away ONE Paperback copy!




How to win: 

So. . .you know those links at the beginning of the post?  Well here is where those come in handy.  
To enter, go click on at least one of those links.   "Like" her Author page on Facebeook, Add her books to your Goodreads "TBR" list, "Like" her book on Amazon.  It doesn't matter what you do as long as you do one of those things.  

Then simply fill out the form below and you're entered! 

**Bonus points**
Tell your friends about this awesome giveaway! 

 Tweet about it (Tag me, @KonstanzS). 2pts
Share on Facebook. 2pts
Share on Google+. 2pts
Blog about it. 10pts







And now, HOP along to the other participating blogs! 
(Twelve authors on every blog so make sure to check out each blog each day!) 


Saturday, December 8, 2012

You're invited. . to the biggest Christmas party of the year!

The Twelve Books for Christmas Event! 

36 Authors
3 Blogs
Hundreds of books! 
=
Epic Party! 

Join us starting Monday morning for the Giveaway event of the year!  1 Author per day on each blog, giving away copies of their books! 

The Rules:

Each giveaway is done individuality.  You MUST fill out each form to enter each giveaway.
One of the ways to get bonus points is to blog about this event.  IF you do this, PLEASE make your blog post about the entire event and not just about one individual giveaway.
You only have to do ONE blog post to get points in each giveaway.
Each author donates the amount of books they give away.  Please be courteous, kind, and take time to thank the authors.  (Especially if you win!)
Each giveaway is marked whether it is US or INT or CA only.  If the giveaway is not open to where you are, please do not enter that giveaway.
(US= United States INT= International CA= Canada)

A lot of work goes into this event.  A LOT!  So PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make it worth the time and effort by doing the following:

Enter the giveaways.
Share the giveaways.
Be supportive.
Give credit where credit is due.
Just be kind in general.
Understand that this event is based around Christmas, for Christmas.
Christmas is not just about giving but about sharing, being kind, helping others and most importantly, Christ.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!  Please have fun!


Book One
12-10-12

Book Two
12-11-12-

Book Three
12-12-12

Book Four
12-13-12

Book Five
12-14-12

Book Six
12-15-12

Book Seven
12-16-12

Book Eight
12-17-12-

Book Nine
12-18-12

Book Ten
12-19-12

Book Eleven
12-20-12

Book Twelve
12-21-12

Winners Announced
12-22-12

This scheduling is so that winners will be notified before Christmas Eve.  I firmly believe that Christmas Eve and Christmas are days to spend with the family and I do not want to interfere in anyway.

And one more thing.  This event is happening on two other blogs as well.  
Each with their own set of Authors. 

Writeaway
Into da' Fiyah


So who's excited?  And what are you waiting for? SHARE! SHARE! SHARE! Spread the news because EVERYONE is invited! 

Friday, December 7, 2012

A call for questions

Hello and good morning! 

So I must apologize for being absent these past few days.  I have been sooo stressed with work and getting my manuscript done that I haven't had time for anything else.  

Today I will keep things short.  I need your help.  

Correction: We need your help.  

Yep, that is right, WE.  

Who is we?  Well the A to Z team of course!

CLICK HERE to check it out!  

Monday, December 3, 2012

Forever Fae Release Day Blitz





Synopsis:  He leans down, lips parted, and then our lips connect……….We didn’t know that this one kiss has FOREVER changed the Land of the Fae.
According to the Prophecy proclaimed many years ago, Princess Calista of the Summer Court is destined to change the Land of the Fae from the evil determined to destroy it.  Her powers are phenomenal, and she secretly trains for battle with her handsome warrior friend, Merrick, who unbeknownst to her protects her heart as well, in hopes of keeping it for himself.  At least, until the seductive Prince Ryder attends the Guardian Ceremony and instantly sends a fire burning through her veins and a connection so deep they both discover a love above anything imaginable.
No one knows how Calista is destined to change the kingdoms, but there is one that does.  He not only craves Calista’s power, but her body as well, and his goal is to steal her power, make her his Dark Queen, and take over the Land of the Fae.  
Will the evil succeed in claiming Calista’s soul?  Or will the two men that fight for her heart save her from despair, and help her fulfill her destiny to become what she was meant to be.  



Excerpt:  “Ryder, I don’t know how or why it is happening so fast, but my heart does feel like it belongs to you, and when I saw you tonight, I felt it.  The connection is there, and I see it now, but what if it isn’t real?”  I pull away from him to walk closer to the crystal blue water of the lake.  
He looks at me bewildered.  “Why wouldn’t it be real?  It feels real to me,” he says while making his way towards me.  He’s coming closer and all I want to do is run into his arms and feel his body surround mine.  That is what my body is telling me, but how do I find out if that’s what my heart truly feels.  
I shrug and say flatly, “I just think we might feel this way because of the Prophecy.”  He wraps me in his arms again and tilts my chin up so my eyes settle on his.  His eyes look worried and the frown marring his face clearly shows the tension in the lines around his features.  
Ryder shakes his head and lets out an exasperated breath, “Why are you trying to fight this, Calista?  Whatever we feel is between me and you.  No Prophecy or any amount of magic is going to change the way I feel in my heart.”  He cups my face with both hands and brings his face closer to mine to where our foreheads are tenderly touching.  He breathes lightly against my face and whispers softly, “My heart tells me this is real, and if we can’t believe in our own hearts, then what can we believe in?”


Author Bio:  I am an avid reader that loves my collection of books. Writing has always been a passion of mine and now I am glad I get to share my passion with the world. I live in North Carolina with my husband and two beautiful girls.  I absolutely love being a southern girl. I spent several years in college starting out with a major in Psychology and then switching to dental. I worked in the dental field for eight years and then decided to stay home with my two beautiful girls. I spent the beginning of my reading years reading suspense thrillers, but now I can't get away from the paranormal/fantasy books. I knew ever since then that if I wrote anything it would be in a paranormal aspect. Now that I have started on my passion and began writing, you will not see me go anywhere without a notebook and pen.






Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Twitter
Facebook
Blog





Chronicles of Fire and Ice Blog Tour

Today the lovely Laura Hunter - author of Fire and Ice- has allowed me 
to interview one of her characters for this stop! 

Please welcome Lakyn.  


Konstanz: Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Lakyn: Well i am the Professor of Combat training at Blackbell Academy and one of the best warriors in the country (possibly the world), i have striking pale blue eyes and dashing good looks. Outside of teaching i run my own cigarette company.


Konstanz: What is your happiest memory?

Lakyn: Probably anytime i am with Rachael or alone in my office (more the latter now)


Konstanz: Do you have any siblings?

Lakyn: Yes, i have a delinquent younger brother by the name of Dyston.


Konstanz: What is your deepest regret?

Lakyn: That i let Rachael go.


Konstanz: Do you believe Love can conquer all? 

Lakyn: When i was a naive teenager i used to believe that, i was a bit of a dreamer, until my father talked sense into me. Love is not everything. It doesn't help you rule the ranks of demons and fallen angels.

Konstanz: Favorite Color and Why? 

Lakyn: Dyston would say black, like my soul, but i prefer blue.


Konstanz: What is your biggest fear? 

Lakyn: That my plan to diminish the Nephilim race will not work.


Is love stronger than race?

The world is changeing as we know it, the human race is dwindling, but so are the angels. In order to preserve their bloodlines they have bred with humans, creating a new race called Nephilim. But there is one race that is more endangered than humans or Seraphim, Archangels.
As most people believe the Archangels have become extinct, rumours surface of a Legend; that a baby was born out of flame, the offspring of an archangel.

Dyston Blackbell is tasked to find and protect this child. He sends her strange dreams in hope that she will find him. When he discovers that she has enrolled at his family’s angel academy in Melbourne, he will do anything to protect Scarlett. But when he finds himself falling for her the Heavenly realm rejects him.

But 21-year-old Scarlett Porter realises that being half Archangel has some advantages. She has developed a unique trait, one that marks her as an Archangel. Will she keep it to herself or use it to fight back?

When an old enemy resurfaces, The Lucifites, Scarlett discovers that Dyston’s older brother Lakyn is at the helm of their sinister plans; to destroy the Nephilim race or use Scarlett for their own selfish purposes when they find out who she really is.

And when Lakyn discovers that Scarlett had only seduced him to rescue Dyston from his prison in the Realm of Light, it sends him on a journey of self-discovery and destruction. One that sees him venturing farther off course than his father would like. Will he choose a new life of love or his old life of darkness?






Saturday, December 1, 2012

Star Cursed Cover Reveal


Star Cursed
Second Book in the Curse of the Beast Series
By Ashley Lavering



Book Description:
Chel finished tying me to the chair and stood. “This is crazy.”
I ignored her comment. “Go down to the basement.”
“Now, I know you’ve lost it.” She folded her arms. “How will this prove that your giant dog is the hot guy that got in your van?”
“I’ll explain later. Just trust me.”
One of her eyebrows rose.
“Please?” I waited for her to nod. “Once you’re down there, I want you to whisper something. Then come back up.”
“Whatever.” With an eye roll, she left the room.
I focused on her feet thumping against the wood stairs and heard the change when they slapped across the tiled kitchen floor. Once the basement door closed, I strained to hear her, but all I caught was a beetle scuttling across the kitchen. Nerves tangled in my gut. Had I missed it?
“If this doesn’t work, I’m calling the loony bin, Tay.” Chel’s voice rang so loud that I jerked back, toppling the chair. I hit the floor with a thud.
Beast’s airy chortle resonated from outside the window.
“Shut up. This isn’t funny,” I told him.
Chel walked through the door. “Geeze, what happened?” She hurried to me. “Are you okay?” She righted my chair with a grunt.
“That depends.”
“On?” She cocked an eyebrow at me.  
“On whether or not you’re going to untie me.”
“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry.” She scrambled to untie the knots.
My hands slipped free and I rubbed my bruised arm. “What kind of friend are you?”
“What?” She startled.
I shook my head at her. “I can’t believe you’d commit me.”
“Wait, you heard that?” Her eyes widened.
I repeated it word for word.
“Whoa, that’s, like, creepy and awesome at the same time. But I still don’t understand how this proves your dog is a werewolf.”
The dreaded moment had arrived and nerves attacked my stomach. “Because, Chel—he bit me.”

Seventeen-year-old Tayla will never forget Beast’s fiery-venom spreading through her body like an infection. Now, with her best friend Chel’s help, she must find a human true love before the last petal falls from her enchanted rose or the full moon will transform her into a wolf forever.
But Tayla never expected that her biggest obstacle would come from inside—a wolf presence threatening to take her very soul. At every turn, the she-wolf exploits Tayla’s weaknesses and gains enough control to sabotage her dates. Tayla struggles to control her unruly wolf and her forbidden attraction to Beast. But can she resist his southern charm, the she-wolf’s attraction to his alluring scent, and still fall in love with a human?
Tangled in a web of wills, Tayla must risk everything to break the Curse of the Beast. With failure and possible death looming overhead, Tayla will do anything to find true love. But will one moon cycle be long enough to conquer her wolf and remain human? Or will she become a permanent member of Beast’s pack? Find out in the second installment in the Curse of the Beast series.



Star Cursed coming February 8th, 2013!  Add it to your To-Be-Read List.


Help Ashley celebrate her release that same day on Facebook with the fabulous Release Day Diva. There will be lots of fun games, prizes and other fun stuff you don’t want to miss!  Blog Tour details coming soon to her blog and at Amber’s Supernatural & YA Reviews.

You can connect with Ashley here:

Curse of the Beast Facebook Page