Monday, October 31, 2016

"Firestorm" by D. B. Sieders

GUEST POST and GIVEAWAY
Firestorm
(Southern Elemental Guardians Book 3)
by D. B. Sieders


Firestorm is the latest book in the Southern Elemental Guardians series by D. B. Sieders. Also available: Making Waves (novella), Lorelei's Lyric (FREE), Crosscurrents, and Three Wishes (novella).


The author stops by today to share an excerpt from the book as well as a special guest post. You can also enter our exclusive giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card or a signed paperback copy of Lorelei's Lyric by D. B. Sieders (US only). Plus everyone who comments wins an ebook copy of Three Wishes by D. B. Sieders (international).

Description
He’s running from the past. She’s running from the future.
Bruce, prince of the American Sylph and guardian of wind and air, loves mixing business with pleasure. An immortal with excessive appetites, he wields his considerable powers to satisfy them so he can forget his past transgressions. But when he discovers a rogue Phoenix on the loose, pleasure comes with the risk of catastrophe.
After nearly a century in hiding, Serafina is forced to fight against a conspiracy to resurrect the Phoenix. Uniting three of her kind could disrupt earth's elemental balance, unleashing a fiery apocalypse. Can she trust the seductive, mercurial Sylph prince to help her, or will her untested passion and fire doom them both and all they hold dear?


Excerpt
He probably shouldn’t have done that, taken an unstable Phoenix on his version of a fun flight, but great gods the opportunity proved too irresistible!
Of course it would be more fun if she’d relax and stop screaming.
Bruce had extensive experience with flying and fledglings. And in his experience, the best way to get noobs to overcome fear of flying was to just boot them off a ledge, or cliff—or drop them from the sky and let physics and psychology work it out organically. It worked for allmanner of birds, and it wasn’t like she would die, for fuck’s sake. She was as immortal as he.
Then again, the whole ticking time bomb issue gave him pause and urged uncharacteristic restraint on his part, which is why he hadn’t actually let her go and settled on carrying through the sky her instead.
Shame to waste such beautiful wings, though.
Right. Compromise.
“Are you done screaming yet?” he asked with as much patience as he could muster. He’d never been more tempted to take someone’s voice, not even a Nixie’s. And their siren calls were deadly.
Her voice just grated.
Sera squirmed and twisted her head so she could look up at him, brown eyes wide with fear, anger, and righteous indignation. With a look of pure defiance, she opened her mouth and screamed even louder. Good for you, little sparrow. Well, not the screaming, but the fighting spirit. Such an odd mix, this one, wallowing in a death wish one minute and burning him to a crisp the next. Her emotional essence reeked of negativity, but also determination. He was a happiness and light kind of guy, and part of his nature was to foster that upon which he fed, so she presented quite a challenge.
Challenge accepted.
And her scent matched the one he’d been tracking. Multitasking at its finest.
Breathless and furious, she stopped shrieking for a few blessed moments. When she recovered, she yelled, “Is this some sort of joke to you? You are playing with fire! Literally!”
“Oh,” he said. “Does this mean you’re done screaming and we can have a conversation?”
“What the hell are you playing at?”
He sighed, banking left as gently as possible lest any sudden moves inspire more unpleasant noise. Screaming was all well and good in other contexts, namely ones that involved cries of shared ecstasy, but the incessant shrill shrieks chapped his ass.
“I’m not playing. Calm down and focus. Can you feel any trace of your brother? I’ve been tracking him by his aura and smoke trails.”
She stared at him in apparent confusion. And jaw-dropping disbelief.
He snorted. “Yes, yes, I know. All this rawmasculinity, charm, and brains, too. I get that a lot. Now, will you kindly close your mouth and open your other senses? I could use a bit of help here.”
She did clamp her jaw shut, at least, but also managed to kick him in the shin. Ouch.
Right. This was getting him exactly nowhere.
He yanked them up hard into a stall and then dropped them into free fall. This time he made sure to conjure a vacuum aroundhis ears to get what would likely be his last moment of peace in the foreseeable future. As they approached the ground, he rolled belly up with her on top, facing the clouds. Then he summoned the wind to his service and slowed their descent, floating them down on a cloud of contentment.
Well, he was content at least. He doubted the creature squirming in his arms had ever been content a day in her existence.
They came to a stop with the delightful prickle of late winter grass caressing his back. Wind was his home and spirit, but the earth’s warm embrace always gave comfort and solace. With a deep sigh of crisp,
cool air, he gave in to instinct and loosened his protective hold on Sera, pulling her into a proper embrace and willing some of that warmth into her as he planted a whisper of a kiss into her hair.
“Now that’s how you skydive.”
[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]


Praise for the Book
"D.B. Sieders has done it again! Though I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series, Firestorm became my instant favorite. Bruce is everything I want my heroes to be: humorous, powerful, kind, but with enough dark shadows to keep my angst-addiction satisfied. He also has a bit of sexy androgyny happening, a la David Bowie, and that totally works for me. Sera is a fascinating heroine, simultaneously vulnerable and strong as Bruce helps her discover the depths of her power. Sieders excels at world-building, and the mythology alone is worth the read. (But hey, I'm really here for the sexy bits, and Firestorm does not disappoint!)" ~ Stephanie Moore
"This was a really good book! The action never stopped! I recommend this book with no hesitation." ~ Emily Pennington

Guest Post by the Author
In Firestorm, Wind and Fire Collide in a Storm of Mythic Proportions
Mermaids and water elemental guardians have held center stage until now, and while they make an appearance in Book 3, Firestorm is all about air and fire. Air elemental guardian Bruce made a great wingman in the first two books - he’s one of those surprise characters who started out as a subplot in Book 1 and managed to run away with every scene in which he appeared. As the hero of Firestorm, readers will finally understand what motivates his quest to bring positivity and light to those in his circle and what drives his mercurial nature.
Rogue Phoenix Serafina, his heroine, has spent a lifetime suppressing her connection fire out of fear. Her protective instincts are a strong as Bruce’s, common ground that brings them together in spite of their vastly different natures. They’ll need that common ground if they’re to stop rebellious air elementals from exploiting the power of the Phoenix to destroy earth’s elemental balance - especially as they’re growing attraction heightens the stakes.

About the Author
Award-winning author D. B. Sieders was born and raised in East Tennessee and spent her childhood hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains, wading barefoot in creeks, and chasing salamanders, fish, and frogs. She and her family loved to tell stories while sitting around the campfire.
Those days of frog chasing sparked an interest in biology. She is a working scientist by day, but never lost her love of telling stories. Now, she’s a purveyor of unconventional fantasy romance featuring strong heroines and the heroes who strive to match them. Her heroes and heroines face a healthy dose of angst as they strive for redemption and a happily ever after, which everyone deserves.
D. B. Sieders lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, two children, three cats, and her very active imagination.

Giveaway
Enter our exclusive giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card or a signed paperback copy of Lorelai's Lyric by D. B. Sieders (US only).


Plus, everyone who enters the giveaway below will receive a FREE ebook copy of Three Wishes by D. B. Sieders (international).



Plus, Lorelei's Lyric (Southern Elemental Guardians Book 1), winner of InD’Tale Magazine’s 2016 RONE Award for Best Paranormal Novel, is FREE in the US at Amazon, B&N, and iTunes. Live outside the US? Lorelei’s Lyric not free in your area? Sign up for the author's newsletter to receive your free ebook copy of Lorelei's Lyric.


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Saturday, October 29, 2016

"Twin Helix" by P. K. Tyler

NEW RELEASE and REVIEW
Twin Helix
(Jakkattu Shorts Book 2)
by P. K. Tyler


P. K. Tyler has just released her new short story Twin Helix, a companion to the Jakkattu series of sci-fi thrillers. It's yours for just $0.99! You can read my review below. Also available: Avendui 5ive (read my blog post). Keep an eye out for more shorts in this series as well as the first full-length novel, The Jakkattu Vector, coming November.


More books and stories by this author: White Chalk (read my blog post), Dead Girl (read my blog post), Heaven's Vault (read my blog post), Alt. History 101 (read my blog post), UnCommon Bodies (read my blog post), Mosaics Volume 2 (read my blog post), CLONES: The Anthology (read my blog post), UnCommon Origins (read my blog post), and Book of Lilith (read my blog post).

Description
50 years ago the Mezna arrived with a promise to save humanity from itself.Now Earth has divided into three factions: those who welcome the Mezna live in Mezna built terraformed cities and raise children with alien DNA included with their human genome, those who rebuke all alien interference and live in Human Only sectors, and those who fall between the two, fighting for survival on a planet no longer suited for their way of life.
Jeremy and Lillian are twins, Mezna/Human hybrids born on the wrong side of the sector border. They have passed for human and hidden their identities their entire lives, but when Lillian develops a mysterious ailment, how can Jeremy get her help without exposing who they really are?

Excerpt
Click here to take a look inside.

Praise for the Book
"I really enjoyed Avendui 5ive, the first short story in the Jakkattu universe. Twin Helix is just as fun, interesting, and heartfelt. [...] I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sci-fi with well developed characters and a fascinating world that the characters traverse." ~ K.M.M.88
"I just love this series. This is another short story about the world of Mezna, hybrids, and cruelty which seems to be the norm in this alternative universe which Tyler has created. I enjoyed it and can't wait to read more. I hope there is a lot more to come. You know what I love the most about Tyler's short stories ... they say so much in so few pages, it's truly amazing. ;)" ~ Fizza Younis
"I’m loving this little companion series to The Jakkatu Vector (coming Nov 28!) a science-fiction/post-apocalyptic world created by P.K. Tyler. With that description, you think you know what you are in for ... but trust and believe – you do not know. And that’s a really good thing!" ~ Gaele
"As usual, PK Tyler gives the reader a strong, sad, but entertaining, story in a SciFi world that is so full of potential, but also makes the reader think about their own world and the disparities within, whether ancient or modern. I really can't wait to see how this series progresses." ~ Kay Smillie
"I generally prefer more upbeat stories, but I remain fascinated with this setting and want to know more about this world, so I'm looking forward to reading more of the Jakkattu Saga. If you enjoy scifi in dark settings and don't mind the lack of a happy ending, give this a try!" ~ LaffingKat

My Review


By Lynda Dickson
Jeremy and Lillian are twin Mezna-human hybrids living as humans in the Humans Only section of Anchorage, Alaska. But while Lillian can easily pass as human, Jeremy is starting to exhibit Mezna traits. And if he's caught, so is she. The penalty - death. So when Lillian falls sick they must find a way out of Anchorage to a place that will accept them for who they are.
The author continues to build her world, one which is divided into three factions: those who welcome the Mezna, those who despise the aliens and live in human-only sectors, and those who fall somewhere in between. In Avendui 5ive, we were introduced to the Mezna society. Here, we are introduced to a human-only sector, an area more like the world we know. Even though Jeremy and Lillian are hybrids, they are still wholly human in behavior, and have managed to pass unnoticed among humans. However, they live in constant fear of being discovered. The circumstances of their story provide a great parallel to discrimination in all forms already familiar to us.
Once again, the author manages to pack so much into such a short space. Your heart will bleed for these two and their unenviable dilemma. I can't wait to read more in this enthralling series.

About the Author
P. K. Tyler is the author of Speculative Fiction and other Genre Bending novels. She's also published works as Pavarti K. Tyler and had projects appear on the USA Today Bestseller's List.
Pav attended Smith College and graduated with a degree in Theatre. She lived in New York, where she worked as a Dramaturge, Assistant Director and Production Manager on productions both on and off-Broadway. Later, Pavarti went to work in the finance industry for several international law firms.
Now located in Baltimore, Maryland, she lives with her husband, two daughters and two terrible dogs. When not penning science fiction books and other speculative fiction novels, she twists her mind by writing horror and erotica.

Links

Friday, October 28, 2016

"Jack Templar and the Last Battle" by Jeff Gunhus

EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY
Jack Templar and the Last Battle
(The Templar Chronicles Book 6)
by Jeff Gunhus




This book blast and giveaway is brought to you by I Am A Reader.


Description
In the last book of the Jack Templar series, Jack and his friends race to stop Ren Lucre before he launches this Creach army against humankind. But the Lord of the Lesser Creach and the Lord of the Zombies hold the last two Jerusalem Stones Jack needs to have any chance of success. To make matters worse, the Oracle predicts that one of their group will die in the upcoming fight, and Jack discovers betrayal among those he trusts most.
Even so, Jack must find the courage to lead his friends into battle. Either they collect the Stones in time to defeat Ren Lucre or die trying. It’s "Do your duty, come what may" no matter the cost. The fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Video for Book 1


Excerpt
Before the witch could move, a shadow crashed through the hole in the collapsed roof, snarling and growling. Simultaneously, the cottage door flew open, nearly ripping from its hinges, and something ran into the room moving faster than I could track it. A second later, a person flew in from a side window, landing on the floor with a grunt, rolling and then popping up into a fighting stance.
This last addition was Will, sword pulled, ready for a fight. The other two took me a second because my mind still wasn’t used to their appearance. Daniel had dropped in from the roof, but he was in his werewolf form. Up on his hind legs, he clawed the air in front of him, lines of saliva dripping from his long snout. The shadow that had rushed in from the door was Eva. She stood near the fire, but even in the glow of the flames, her skin appeared pure white, almost translucent. Her posture was perfect, her back slightly arched. Chin out, she stared down the witch as if challenging her to one-on-one combat.
“What took you guys so long?” I asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. You sneaking out without telling anyone. And then trying to cover your tracks,” Will said. “You’re a real bonehead. You know that, right?”
“He knows,” Eva said. “Everyone knows.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I kind of liked it better when it was just me and Bella.”
“Really, looked to me like she was about to let you have it. If you want, we could just leave and –”
“Enough,” the witch yelled, sending the flames higher in the fireplace. “This changes nothing. You think you are any match for me?”
“I don’t know,” Eva said. “You’re looking pretty beat up to me. I feel like I might be able to get a little payback for last time.”
Daniel snarled, chomping the air with his teeth in agreement. The last time we’d had a run-in with Bella of the Woods, she’d easily mopped the floor with Eva and Daniel. I wondered if her ragged appearance meant she was less powerful now – or just more desperate and dangerous.
“We don’t have to do this,” I said. “We all want the same thing.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Templar,” the witch said. “You want to save your friends. Save your father. Save the world by stopping Ren Lucre’s mad plan to start an open war against humans all over the world. All I want is to have my son back.”
I lowered my sword, hoping to buy more time. “You can’t get him back,” I said softly. “I think you must know that by now, even if you don’t want to admit it. Look at all of your attempts,” I said, pointing to the stack of Talib heads against the wall. They all stared, wide-eyed, their mouths opening and closing like fish out of water gasping for air. “That’s not your son. Not really. And you know it never will be.”
The witch hunched over slowly as if each word I said made her chest ache more. I decided to make my final appeal.
“I said this to you last time I was here. If you can’t bring your son back, at least let me take my best shot at avenging his death. Let me have the Jerusalem Stone back so I can continue my quest to defeat Ren Lucre once and for all.”
The witch’s head twitched to the side as if she heard a new noise. Her lips curled into a cruel grin. “Sorry, Jack. That’s not what I had in mind.”
With a high-pitched scream, she pointed her hands at Eva and Daniel. The two of them blew backward as if a battering ram had run into them. That instant, Will was on the move. He was in the air as the witch turned to him, but he’d been just fast enough. He landed both feet on the witch’s chest, kicking her backward.
The dozens of Talib heads opened their mouths, and their screams joined the witch’s. I lunged forward, ducking as she spun around, the hand with the Jerusalem Stone stretched out toward me. I felt a surge of energy pass over my head like a solid thing. No doubt, if I hadn’t ducked, it would have taken my head clean off my shoulders.
I rolled onto the ground and used my momentum to crash into the witch’s legs. It wasn’t the most graceful move, but it worked. The witch tumbled over, her hand with the Jerusalem Stone smashing into the stone hearth. The Stone rolled out of her hand and into the fireplace.
“Bella, don’t!” I yelled.
Too late.
[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]


Praise for the Series
"Nonstop action meets surprises galore as Jack's true nature and abilities assert themselves against overwhelming odds." ~ Publishers Weekly
"Gunhus brings young readers a monster-filled romp to read at their own risk. Gunhus masterfully introduces fully realized characters with whom readers can connect almost instantly. The pacing is quick but not rushed, and events seamlessly progress, complete with action, cliff-hangers and surprise reveals. " ~ Kirkus Reviews
"Jeff Gunhus has crafted another winner in the sequel to Jack Templar: Monster Hunter. Jack Templar and the Monster Hunter Academy brings back our young hero, Jack Templar in another captivating story filled with plot twists and turns." ~ Mother Daughter Books Reviews
"I love these Jack Templar books. They're like a grittier, darker Percy Jackson." ~ Amanda Northrup
"I could not stop reading! Full of action and adventure. I can't wait till the next book! Do your duty, come what may!" ~ Calvin Kaul


About the Author
Jeff Gunhus is the USA Today bestselling author of thriller and horror novels for adults and the middle grade/YA series, The Templar Chronicles. The first book, Jack Templar Monster Hunter, was written in an effort to get his reluctant reader eleven-year-old son excited about reading. It worked and a new series was born. His books for adults have reached the Top 30 on Amazon, have been recognized as Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Finalists and reached the USA Today bestseller list.
After his experience with his son, he is passionate about helping parents reach young reluctant readers and is active in child literacy issues. As a father of five, he leads an active life in Maryland with his wife Nicole by trying to constantly keep up with their kids. In rare moments of quiet, he can be found in the back of the City Dock Cafe in Annapolis working on his next novel.

Giveaway
Enter the blast-wide giveaway for your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash.

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