Blog Tour - Girl Three by Tracy March - Excerpt and Tour-Wide Giveaway

Bioethicist Jessica Croft, estranged daughter of a federal judge, has avoided the players, power, and passions of Washington, DC. But when her sister’s suspicious death is classified as natural, Jessie resolves to expose the murderer. Pursuing elite suspects on both sides of the stem-cell-research debate leads her to security consultant Michael Gillette, who knows more about her sister than he’ll admit.

Michael has a vested interest in Jessie’s plight. Her sister died on his watch—while he wasn’t watching. His plan to find her murderer becomes complicated when Jessie’s father hires him to protect Jessie, and his interest turns from professional…to romantic.

Jessie and Michael must unravel a mystery rife with political agendas and deceit. When confidential papers reveal a fertility scandal surrounding the enigmatic Girl Three, the two realize the danger of exposing the truth. 

Who is Girl Three?

And will the murderer kill again to keep a secret?

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EXCERPT

The knock on the door came at seven p.m. Michael steadied his breathing and dismissed his nerves, thanking the Secret Service for the leftover skills. He took a moment to visualize the meeting going well, but couldn’t see it happening. Sam had died on his watch. While he wasn’t watching.

Convinced his emotions were under control, he opened the door. But at the sight of Croft, a tide of guilt rose in his gut. “Hello, sir.” He wiped his hand on his shirt, then extended it. Croft shook it with a tight, dry grip.

“I’m so sorry about Sam,” Michael said with a steady voice. “It’s unbelievable.”

Unbelievable was an understatement. Sam’s allegedly natural death had been too timely, too quiet, and too convenient for way too many people. A nuclear blast of intuition told him there’d been foul play. He’d spent the last two days sifting through the fallout, looking for evidence that hadn’t already been buried, but finding none. His nudge-and-whisper sources hinted that there had been few official questions about Sam’s death. The vanilla answers that seemed palatable to everyone else would take a chaser for Michael to swallow.

Croft walked ahead of him into the apartment and surveyed the wall of lifeless high-tech electronics. “When a twenty-six-year-old dies, it shocks everyone.” He didn’t sound shocked.

“I keep thinking about the last few times I saw her,” Michael said. “And replaying the scenes in my mind.”

Croft rubbed his palms together, an involuntary tell that Michael had seen before, a signal that Croft had a plan. “I’m holding a private memorial service for her tomorrow, and that will be the end of things.”

“I’ll be there,” Michael said, relieved. He’d attend the service, then bury his ties to Croft in Sam’s grave.

“I don’t want you there. I’m just letting you know what to expect.”

Michael inhaled sharply, his temper triggered by Croft’s callousness. “You expect me to get over what happened with Sam, move out of this apartment, and find another job. But most of all, you expect me to keep my mouth shut about everything that’s happened during the last two years.”

Croft checked Michael with a threatening glare. “I warned you not to get attached to Sam. There was even language in the contract.”

Michael hadn’t had a relationship with Sam. As Croft had said, they were simply acquaintances—platonic at that. Michael had adhered to his contract, but he couldn’t help having felt protective toward Sam. She’d been his responsibility. At least, that was the way he’d seen it. “Sam is dead. How I feel about her doesn’t matter anymore.”

“True. And I recommend you get over it.” Croft stood and straightened to his arrogant stance. “By tomorrow.”

Michael narrowed his eyes. “What?”

“I’m offering you an extension of your job. Same protocol, similar contract, amended clause as discussed. With a change of name for your assignee. My daughter Jessica is coming for Sam’s memorial,” Croft said. “She’ll be in town for a while.”

Michael wondered why. She must have a life somewhere else. “You sure about that?”

“Don’t doubt me,” Croft said. “And there’s another change in the contract. Instead of our usual arrangement, I’ll need you twenty-four seven for the next week or two.” Croft pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket.

“What’s that?”

“Enough to persuade you to sign the contract.” He tapped Michael’s chest with a corner of the envelope. “Keep me informed and mind your boundaries. No one, including Jessica, should know you’re on the job. Keep your distance from her. Pull this one off, and I’ll keep those security consulting jobs coming your way. You’ll always have opportunities in DC.”

Cornered, Michael calculated his risks. As a security consultant, he’d cultivated an impressive list of clients—mostly thanks to Croft. Michael’s connections had allowed him access to many of the events Sam attended, and he’d built the basis of what could now become a lucrative career. But if he didn’t take this final job with Croft, the judge would blackball him in DC. He’d be out of Croft’s crosshairs, but also out of work.

“You in?” Croft asked.

                                 ----------------------

Award-winning author Tracy March writes romantic thrillers influenced by her career in the pharmaceutical field, and her interest in science and politics. She also writes lighthearted romances inspired by her real-life happily ever after

Always up for travel and adventure, Tracy has flown in a stunt plane, snowmobiled on the Continental Divide, ziplined in the Swiss Alps, and been chased by a bull in the mountains of St. Lucia. She loves Nationals baseball, Saturday date nights, and Dairy Queen Blizzards—and rarely goes a day without Diet Coke and Cheez-Its.

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Cover Reveal: Crossroads by Jonathan Lister

Crossroads

A Demos City Novel

by Jonathan Lister

Release Date: November 4, 2013

Back of the Book

Werewolf. Bar bouncer. Dad. Standard traits for any self-respecting, reformed criminal, living under the radar in Demos City. For Leon Gray, normal is what he wants—for himself and his not-yet-changed teenage daughter.

Playing bodyguard to crusading reporter David Hastings would totally ruin Leon’s peace, especially since Hastings has hired killers on his trail, pros who know how he takes his espresso in the morning, and where Leon lives. 

The payoff, though, would fill up Shauna’s empty college fund, and in a battle between opportunity and ordinary, money wins. He just has to keep Hastings alive long enough to cash the check.

If only he didn’t have to save his daughter, too. 

As a budding wolf, she’s piqued the interest of a local pack Alpha—one Leon knows will steal Shauna right out from under him the first chance he gets. 

Leon isn’t about to give up on his daughter or Hastings, and will fight for both longer than it took Demos City to see werewolves as equals to humans.

He can only hope it doesn’t take a thousand years.

And here is the cover...

What do you think?

Blog Tour: Spotlight - Deadly to Love (Elemental Killers #1) by Mia Hoddell

There is a love that is so dangerous, so powerful, so intoxicating that it embraces your heart and smothers your mind until it leaves you defenceless.

Serena knew that but still, it didn't stop her. His name was Kai. He was the most beautiful, irresistible man she had ever encountered. Their attraction was too compelling to fight and she knew she would go to the end of the world beside him. That is love.

However behind the allure was hidden a deadly secret – a secret that threatened her fragile life... But secrets best left unsaid never remain hidden forever. When Kai reveals his true identity, she is exposed to a frightening world she had no idea existed. Controlled by powerful Elemental forces her life is placed in mortal danger.

Unbeknown to them, their lives have been entwined from the beginning and it leads her to discover an even greater secret about who she really is. As the pieces begin to unravel and death becomes a reality, Serena is forced to decide what is more important...her love or life.

Buy: Amazon | Amazon UK | Lulu

Mia Hoddell lives in the UK with her family and two cats. She spends most of her time writing or reading and her preferred genre is Young Adult, Paranormal Romance. Before 2009, Mia wouldn't even pick up a book and was more interested in sports. However she finally found some novels that captured her interest and developed a love of both reading and writing. Mia began with poems and after getting two published in separate anthologies she moved on to short stories. Although she enjoyed this, Mia found she had too much to tell with too little space, so later on she created her first series The Wanderer Trilogy and from there other ideas have emerged which she hopes to turn into novels as well. Elemental Killers is her second series and book two will be out soon.

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Blog Tour: Mortality by Kellie Sheridan - Excerpt

After surviving a deadly plague outbreak, sixteen-year-old Savannah thought she had lived through the very worst of human history. There was no way to know that the miracle vaccine would put everyone at risk for a fate worse than un-death. 

Now, two very different kinds of infected walk the Earth, intent on nothing but feeding and destroying what little remains of civilization. When the inoculated are bitten, infection means watching on in silent horror as self-control disappears and the idea of feasting on loved ones becomes increasingly hard to ignore. Starving and forced to live inside of the abandoned high school, all Savannah wants is the chance to fight back. When a strange boy arrives with a plan to set everything right, she gets her chance. Meeting Cole changes everything. Mere survival will never be enough.

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EXCERPT:

English class, English class, I’m here to focus on English class. Come on, Zarah. Get it together. I am not here to eye stalk the new boy. He looks at me, and I duck my head down to hide how red my face has turned. I start frantically scribbling words onto my vocabulary sheet and pretending that I have much more important things to think about than the new guy.

It’s only the second day of the new school year and I’m already getting a little obsessive. We have three classes together and I've done enough asking around to figure out that his name is Liam. What I can’t figure out is if he’s actually watching me too or just starting to get weirded out that the only Indian girl in class keeps gawking at him. But damn, the boy is gawkable.
Mr. Simmons is sitting at his desk, reading something by Charles Dickens and not paying any attention to what the rest of us are doing. This time last year I would have been sitting here getting a head start on my homework, but that was probably part of being a freshman. Now I have much more important things to worry about. Liam.

“Hey, Mr. Simmons, can you turn on the TV?” My study of Liam’s blond stubble ends as Ellie shoots up from her seat. She’s holding her phone and doesn't seem remotely concerned about the school’s no cell phone policy. She’s walking toward the television screen before our teacher even puts his book down.

Mr. Simmons’s eyebrows shoot up as he clears his throat. “Miss Cornack, can I help you?”
“Oh, sorry. Um, there’s something big going on. I think we should check the news.” She doesn't seem sorry at all. The unflappable Ellie Cornack actually looks worried.

“Alright, I’m intrigued. Feel free to take your seat again, and I’ll pretend like you aren't on your cell phone in my class. Deal?”
“Uh, right.” Ellie pauses for a second but sits back down.
When Mr. Simmons turns the TV to our local news station, everyone in the class stops pretending to work on the assignment. Most are leaning in to see what’s going on. The rest stare down at their smartphones.

We tune in to the middle of a news broadcast taking place in a park a few blocks away from City Hall. “We have increasing reports of an unknown disease spreading throughout the city and into surrounding communities of Cleveland,” a well-known news reporter speaks matter-of-factly, her voice droning on. I let myself relax a little after imagining worse things than some outbreak. “We are currently waiting for a statement from the local government on how the disease is being spread and if there are any precautions the public needs to take.”
Maybe she should try explaining what she’s talking about. Should I be worried? Everyone else looks kind of worried.

There are two groups of people sitting in the park behind her as she talks. Two guys who look about my age are hamming it up for the camera while an older woman on a park bench reads a book, seemingly oblivious to the news report.

I’m only mildly interested in what the news is reporting; it’s a strange man who wandered into the camera shot that is holding my interest. He is dragging one of his feet behind him as he approaches the two teenagers. He’s moving slowly and it’s a little funny to watch. He seems so focused on reaching the
two guys who are probably cutting class.

One of the boys looks up at this strange man coming up behind them, but he doesn't seem too concerned. It’s only as the reporter starts reassuring the public that there is no need to panic that the man grabs hold of one of the teenagers and sinks his teeth into the boy’s neck.

My hand flies to my mouth, as the boy lets out a gurgled yell that finally gets the news crew’s attention. Someone in the back of the classroom is throwing up but I can’t tear my eyes away from the screen. The camera drops as the reporter and her crew run toward the boys.

Kellie Sheridan

Author of Mortality.

Blogging as SnarkyBird. 

Writer at Geek Speak. 

Joan of ARCs at Spencer Hill Press. 

All around lover of books and geekery.

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Blog Tour: Eden-South by Janelle Stalder - Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway!

The betrayal that tore a family apart. Two brothers bent on destroying the other. A whole world on the brink of war. 

Aiden has been through his second battle in the magical world of Eden. The victory is short lived and Aiden is sent racing toward his friends in the Capital. After being back in Eden with the Riders, he is eager to reunite with Wolf, Elisa and Logan, although he doesn’t realize just what he’s returning to. Surprises await him when he arrives in the Capital; his close-knit group of friends is slowly falling apart. On top of it all, another battle is just around the corner, one that will change everything. 

Rain has made her choice, and now she is in some unknown fortress with the feared sorcerer, Aziz. She wants nothing more but to please him, but being his Queen isn’t as easy as she thought. While trying to learn sorcery, and dealing with Aziz’s advances, Rain is finding her new life a bit overwhelming. Just when she thought it couldn’t get worse, she discovers a secret of Aziz’s, and it is nothing she could have expected. 

Rose has supported Callum throughout their journey, but now that the final battle is just around the corner she is faced with a hard reality. Everything she has gained with him could be taken away. Is she willing to live the rest of her life without him? Can she just stand by while he destroys everything, including himself? Will he ever be able to find peace? Will she?

In the third installment of the Eden Series fates will be decided, and the battle between brothers that has been a decade in the making will finally come to an end. Only one of them can be High King. The battle starts now.

Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Janelle Stalder was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. At an early age she developed a love for literature. Her debut novel, Eden, was the first book in a series of four, released in September of 2011. The second book, Eden-West, was released in July of 2012, and the third book, Eden-South was released in March of 2013. The fourth book of the Eden Series, Eden-East, will be release at the end of 2013. She is a strong supporter of other indie authors, and loves to interact with her readers. When she’s not writing, Janelle is at home with her husband, two children, Aiden and Elora, and her two furry children, Alice and Lily. She now resides in the small town in Ontario in her old, possibly haunted, century home.

EXCERPT:

Before her stood Aziz. But not the Aziz she had known before. Where his skin had been pale and wrinkled before, it was now the dark, flawless bronze it was rumoured to once have been. His eyes were no longer sunken and bruised-looking. Now they shone with amusement and intelligence, the light caramel standing out against his tanned skin. His dark hair was slicked back off his face, reaching just below his chin. He even stood straighter, taller than before. It was as if he had gained years back. Before, Rain had thought he looked like an old man. Now he looked no older than thirty. He wore a black jacket and pants. The shirt beneath was buttoned just above his collar bone, the rest of it clinging to his chest.
“My l-lord,” she faltered, bowing her head respectively.
“Admiring my dining hall, Rain?” he said lightly, his voice even stronger than before. It had a deep, almost calming, note to it. Rain tried to hide her bewilderment.
“It is amazing,” she answered, focusing again on her surroundings. She was finding it extremely difficult not to stare at him. How could such a drastic change happen so quickly?
“Thank you,” he smiled, showing perfectly straight, white teeth. “It is a shame more people cannot see it,” he continued, his voice holding a small amount of regret. He slowly regarded her from head to toe, taking in the tight corset around her slim waist and breasts, to the flowing fabric that draped around her legs. She tried not to show how uncomfortable she felt. His lips turned up slightly at the corners. 
“You look beautiful,” he said, reaching out to run a strand of her hair that had escaped the twist through his finger.
“Thank you,” she replied, her voice weak.
“Shall we dine?” he motioned to the table. Walking slowly to one end, he pulled out the chair and waited for her to be seated. As soon as she had, he walked down the long length of the table to his seat. Instantly three servants appeared and began filling plates for each of them. One filled a crystal glass with a deep red wine and placed it before her. When Aziz had his, he raised it in a toast. Rain immediately followed suit.
“To new beginnings,” he said with a lazy smile.
“To new beginnings,” she repeated.

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REVIEW:

Eden-South by Janelle Stalder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Janelle has done it yet again! Another amazing installment to the Eden series. Along with our returning cast of favourites, we are introduced to a mysterious new character that seems like he may become very important, very quickly.

"It wasn't until she felt a slight change in the air that she looked up to see him fall gracefully through he opening in the ceiling, his wings spread out in all their glory."

Sounds very promising right?

Of course, like the previous books, Janelle allows you a glimpse into all her characters' minds which allows you to see all sides of the war. I think my favourites to read about this time around were Elisa and Wolf. Did I get my happy ending? Tsk Tsk, you have to read to find that out! ;)

Janelle has created a magical, intriguing, witty, high-fantasy that leaves you wanting more. After THAT ending, I need Eden-East like..now.

"He smiled down at her. By the Gods did she love when that man smiled."

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GIVEAWAY:

So Janelle is totally awesome and is offering a giveaway at every stop as well as a tour wide one!

Giveaway # 1 - One lucky reader can win an e-copy of one of the three published books in the series! How awesome is that? To enter fill in the rafflecopter:

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Giveaway # 2 - Tour-Wide Giveaway

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