FEAR Blog Tour Playlist and Author Spotlight + Giveaway(INT)!

Fear-A Modern Anthology of Horror & Terror

Horror-Anthology

Date Published: 10/03/12
Tour Host: Book Me!

Fear Blurb: Fear: A Modern Anthology of Horror and Terror brings together, for the first time, tales of murder, monsters and madness, by sixty of the world’s best indie horror authors. 

Discover what lurks in the water at the end of the garden, learn of the unforgiving loyalty of a loving toy and meet a writer, just itching to finish his latest horror story.

Every author in the Anthology has generously contributed their work for free. All royalties from sales will go directly to the international charities, Barnardo’s and Médecins Sans Frontières.

Fear, with forewords by international bestselling authors, Peter James and Sherri Browning Erwin, is released in Paperback and on Kindle, October 3rd 2012.

Check out the Volume 1 and 2 of FEAR A Modern Anthology:

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Author Spotlight and Playlist

Chantal Boudreau's Playlist:

When I was asked what songs would make an appropriate playlist for my story “Octavia”, the first
thing that came to mind was that corny novelty song, “I Don’t Like Spiders and Snakes.” But truth is,
that’s not typical when it comes to the sort of music I prefer to listen to. I’m the type of writer who
draws inspiration from music and I‘d rather write to song than to silence – it stirs my creative juices.
I always have a playlist set up before I start writing a novel, but usually hit random play for my short
stories, enjoying the chaos for my shorter works. I have eclectic tastes, but I am definitely a fan of
alternative rock and some metal, so I looked to my favourites and came up with a playlist that I think
would make the perfect sound track for Octavia:

Fragile – Megan McCauley

Phobia – Kreator

Spiders – System of a Down

Fear Factory – Replica

Scars in the Making – Fuel

Dark Room (Instrumental) – Sarah Slean

Therapy – Finger Eleven

Spiderwebs – No Doubt

Sick – Evanescence

Had Enough – Breaking Benjamin

I would imagine these songs should give you a few hints at just what Octavia is all about, or at least
the list may have piqued your curiosity. If you want to know more, you can find “Octavia” and many
other chilling tales in Fear, a charity anthology from Crooked Cat which will be available as of
October 2012.

  

Author Bio

Chantal Boudreau is an accountant by day and an author/illustrator during evenings and weekends, who lives by the ocean in beautiful Nova Scotia, Canada with her husband and two children. In addition to being a CMA-MBA, she has a BA with a major in English from Dalhousie University. 

A member of the Horror Writers Association, she writes and illustrates predominantly horror, dark fantasy and fantasy and has had several of her stories published in a variety of horror anthologies, in online journals and magazines and as stand-alone digital shorts. 

Fervor, her debut novel, a dystopian science fantasy tale, was released in March of 2011 by May December Publications, followed by its sequel, Elevation, in December of 2011. The third in the series, Transcendence, is planned for release in 2012. Magic University, the first in her fantasy series, Masters & Renegades, made its appearance in September 2011 and its sequel, Casualties of War in June 2012. “Octavia” is her third story appearing in a charity anthology.

Follow her on these sites: Website││Twitter||Goodreads||Facebook

Giveaway Time!! (Open Internationally)

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(Blog Tour) Review + Giveaway: Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Paperback: 306 pages

Release date: September 4th 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads Rating: 3.88

Goodreads Summary: In a city of daimons, rigid class lines separate the powerful from the power-hungry. And at the heart of The City is the Carnival of Souls, where both murder and pleasure are offered up for sale. Once in a generation, the carnival hosts a deadly competition that allows every daimon a chance to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures--if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live. 
 All Mallory knows of The City is that her father--and every other witch there--fled it for a life in exile in the human world. Instead of a typical teenage life full of friends and maybe even a little romance, Mallory scans quiet streets for threats, hides herself away, and trains to be lethal. She knows it's only a matter of time until a daimon finds her and her father, so she readies herself for the inevitable. While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence and danger that is the Carnival of Souls. 
From Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series and "Graveminder," comes a brand-new tale of lush secrets, dark love, and the struggle to forge one's own destiny.

Buy a copy: National Book Store || Fully Booked

Carnival of Souls is a powerfully engaging story set both in human world and The City, an intriguing paranormal realm where daimons and witches exist. The City is a daimon-ruling-world where everyone is labeled by the caste system and those in the lower caste sell pleasure and blood. Once in a generation, a deadly competition is held that gives every daimon a chance to join the highest caste and be given the biggest respect. 

Interwoven in this book are the lives of three people: The City ruler’s long lost seventeen year-old daughter Mallory who wants normalcy and was raised in human world by his witch stepfather; Kaleb, a lower-caste daimon determined to win in the competition and achieve far more for himself and his packmate, Zevi; and Aya, an equally indomitable competitor and elite daimon who is bent on doing what no other woman had– join The City’s government. These three were some of my favorite things about the book. If you’re like me who’s always apprehensive about multiple point of views, worry not because Melissa Marr handled it smoothly and managed to pull it off with grace. It was a great experience to be in the minds of diverse and richly-developed characters. Admittedly, my favorites are Belias and Aya. What can I say? I have a soft spot for bad-ass female characters and their love interests.

The heart of this book is in its world-building. You know what they say about the power of writing to suck you in right from the beginning. Well, Melissa Marr took me herself to the dangerous and dark world of the carnival from page one. It also has a quite complicated plot that doesn’t reveal itself in the summary. It divulges the story to the readers in just the right pace. 

I have a confession to make… This is the first Melissa Marr book I’ve ever read. I know about the Wicked Lovely series which I’ve been meaning to read since I’ve become a booksnake (a level-up from bookworm according to my college friends) but unfortunately haven’t had the time and resources to do so. When Carnival of Souls arrived in the mail, I swear I could have danced in front of my mom’s guests. So yeah, too much excitement comes with great expectations. I think I’d set the bar too high. I’m not saying that CoS disappointed me. No, I loved this book although I had a few issues with some things. First is the underdeveloped chemistry between Kaleb and Mallory. There were times when I felt disconnected when I should have been cheering them on in their relationship. The second one would be the ending. I think it was rushed and raised more questions than it did answers. Despite the fact that it’s the first book in the series, I felt like there should have been more. 

To sum it up, I highly enjoyed and recommend Carnival of Souls and I will be waiting with bated breath for book two. This is a must-read for fantasy readers who are looking for a unique and magical read!

  

Author Bio

I write books. I read books. That's all you need to know. The books matter, NOT the author. 

Follow her on these sites: Website││Twitter|| Goodreads





Giveaway
As part of the blog tour, Pinoy Book Tours and HarperCollins provided a paperback copy to give away!
Open to PH residents only 

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Crash Blog Tour: Review and Excerpt

Crash by Nicole Williams

Ebook: 215 pages

Release date: July 19th, 2012

Goodreads Rating: 4.16

Goodreads Summary: 

Southpointe High is the last place Lucy wanted to wind up her senior year of school. Right up until she stumbles into Jude Ryder, a guy whose name has become its own verb, and synonymous with trouble. He's got a rap sheet that runs longer than a senior thesis, has had his name sighed, shouted, and cursed by more women than Lucy dares to ask, and lives at the local boys home where disturbed seems to be the status quo for the residents. Lucy had a stable at best, quirky at worst, upbringing. She lives for wearing the satin down on her ballet shoes, has her sights set on Juilliard, and has been careful to keep trouble out of her life. Up until now. 

Jude's everything she needs to stay away from if she wants to separate her past from her future. Staying away, she's about to find out, is the only thing she's incapable of. 

For Lucy Larson and Jude Ryder, love's about to become the thing that tears them apart.

I've been very busy this past few days and I think until the finals exam. And with all of the work I have to finish and do before its due date I find way to sneak one book to read and it is Crash.

It did not disappoint me, the story was easy to grasp as well as each characters. I love how the story encircles with a girl, Luce who even though faces a lot of problem with her family and the past she’s trying to forget she still has that strength that’s burning through her that make her likable to me. While Jude was another enigmatic guy/hot/a womanizer, but when he met Luce everything changes. Their banter was fun to read and honestly I see their attraction was built easily and a bit hurried, but the story was still lovely to read with this little setback I noticed. And what was more thrilling to this book that made me gave it a four star was the twist. I don’t know why I didn't guess it the first time I read the story, I’m usually the girl who thought what will happened in the end of the story. I think it was because I was too caught up with Jude and Luce’s realm. If I’m not mistaken I see myself in this gif. 

It was like I am the mailman who knows what’s going to happen in the next hours of my life as a worker: put mails in the mailbox and then move to the next...until out of the blue spongebob came out in the mailbox. That’s me the mail man, I swear.

So yeah I like this book so much that I’m trying my best to read the 2^nd book though I think my best wasn't good enough L Oh and I am totally recommending it for everyone who love light read contemporary books. <3

Excerpt

“Good morning, beautiful.”
 I elbowed Sawyer as we settled into our morning routine. “Go away, ugly, and don’t come back until you come up with a better line.”

 “Just you wait, I’ve been working on a few and I think you’re going to be rather impressed come next Monday,” he replied, handing me my morning mocha he’d started bringing a few days ago. 

“Unlikely,” I said

"You calling me ugly every morning might actually bruise my delicate ego if I wasn’t sure you were only teasing,” he said, nodding his head at a couple of his football teammates as they passed by.

“Or if you weren’t positively certain you weren’t ugly.”
 “Are you saying you think I’m hot?” he asked, grinning a wicked one over at me.

“If that’s what you heard, you need a couple of hearing aids,” I said, taking a sip of coffee. “I was merely confirming you are not, in fact, ugly.”
 “I think that’s the worst compliment I’ve ever been given,” he said, slinging an arm around me and pulling me in. 

 And the whole easy relationship Sawyer and I navigated most of the time just ended, like it always did, when he tried pulling me into some awkward embrace or touched me with a certain look in his eyes. 
 “How’s the ankle, Diamond?” a voice called out from behind us. A voice that froze my feet to the ground, but melted me in every other place. 

 Coming around us, Jude crossed his arms, glaring at Sawyer’s arm hung around me before looking at me. I’d never been stared at with such a mix of emotions. I’d never been stared at in a way that made my breathing irregular and painful all at once. 

 Lifting a shoulder, Sawyer glanced down at his wrapped ankle. “It’ll heal up all right.”

 Jude’s eyes didn't leave mine. “I was talking about your other ankle.”

Sawyer paused, clearly thrown off guard. “It’s fine,” he answered.

 “Do you want it to remain that way?” Jude asked, stepping forward, still watching me. Other than a bruise shadowing his cheekbone, he looked the same. I don’t know what I expected, but it just seemed like a person who’d spent almost a week in prison would come out looking different, and maybe they did, but for someone who’d been to jail a grand total of thirteen times now, it was just another day in the park. 

“ You've got your arm on something of mine,” Jude said, his eyes flashing when he looked at Sawyer.
 “I believe that property changed ownership when you left it high and dry curbside.” Sawyer tried to cinch me in closer, but not before I weaved out from under his arm. 

Turning on him, I leveled him with my glare before spinning around and giving Jude the same. I had not worked my ass off for the grades I had, or worked tireless summer days waiting tables, or paved my way as a strong woman to be reduced to some object two jealous boys could fight over.


"I am not a piece of property,” I said, lifting my finger at Sawyer. “I am not yours,” I said, before turning around and meeting Jude’s eyes. “And I am not yours.”

Saying that the first time around was infinitely easier, and that pissed the hell out of my parental I-know-what’s-best-for-you psyche. “Now both of you leave me the hell alone.”

I shouldered past Sawyer, shoving the mocha back into his hands—I didn't want anything from him—before weaving through the crowded hall, trying to calm my heart. For the first time this week, it felt warm.

And I didn't want to accept the reason why it was because I could feel his eyes on me the entire journey down the hall, and even after I rounded the corner, I could still feel his watchful gaze upon me.

  

Author Bio

I'm a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I'm still writing because I love it. I write young adult because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here's to staying young at heart *raises champagne glass* . . . care to join me?

Facebook||Twitter||Goodreads||Blog

Check out the 2nd book on Crash series "Clash"


Giveaway:

-ONE entry per household.

- Must be 13 years or older to enter.

- Winner has 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen.

- Open to ALL.

- Giveaway ends Friday, October 19th, 2012 at 12:01am EST.

- Good luck!

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Review: The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

Kindle: 380 pages

Release date: September 5th 2012

Publisher: Antisocialite Press LLC
Goodreads Rating: 4.74

Goodreads Summary: I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk. 
 Full of rage and without a purpose, former pianist Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone discovering her past and to make the boy who took everything from her pay. 
 All 17 year-old Josh Bennett wants is to build furniture and be left alone, and everyone allows it because it’s easier to pretend he doesn’t exist. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space. 
Everyone except Nastya, a hot mess of a girl who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. The more he gets to know her, the more of a mystery she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he may ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding or if he even wants to. 
 The Sea of Tranquility is a slow-building, character-driven romance about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances. 
 Please Note: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language.

At the end of reading this book, all I could think about is how I get the similar feeling after putting down my all-time favorite book a.k.a. On the Jellicoe Road. It’s not that their stories are alike. No, they’re totally different. What I’m talking about is the same looking-into-space reaction I had once I finished them. And that I guess is the closest to describe how I felt – and still feel – about The Sea of Tranquility. There were no precise words. I’m not even going to give the smallest description of the plot. I think the blurb is enough to do that job for you and beyond that would be a betrayal. Trust me, I looked for spoilers before and I am so glad I didn't find any. 

Katja Millay did a marvelous incredible fantastic amazing job with the writing for me it’s almost perfect. This is a richly detailed story with important themes and serious issues. It’s written in first person from Nastya and Josh’s point of view and reading their internal battles are like being inside their skin. I hurt, fell in love, learned to accept and healed with them. To top it off, it’s packed with a great variety of vivid characters I grew to love. Drew, Josh’s best friend, has a special place in my heart. 

It is a long book and I gobbled it up in more than a day. I admit I felt bored (I know right, WTH was wrong with me?) in the beginning and I was all for meeting the guy already. Thankfully I knew better soon enough and realized that the pacing was impeccable. The romance is slowly and perfectly developed. There’s no insta-love here people! And the mystery is so well laid out even the last words will take you by surprise. But before you think it’s too emo for your taste, let me tell you not to worry because it’s not all doom and gloom. There are banters and light moments here and there to balance out the sadness. 

The only thing I’m disappointed about is the lack of physical copies. I believe this is the kind of book every bookstore should have. Anyway, I hope that happens not too far-off in the future.

I’m torn between having too many more things to say and speechlessness so I better end this review before I resort to begging. Now please carry on and READ THIS.

Cover Reveal: Lauren by Julia Crane

Lauren

by Julia Crane

Young Adult

Expected release: October  2012

Publisher: Valknut Press,LLC

Reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

A girl with a second chance. A boy with a terrible secret. When the truth is revealed, Lauren's world comes crashing down.

For once, seventeen year old lauren's life is going right. She's attending the college of her dreams, has what appears to be the perfect boyfriend, and is surrounded by her childhood friends.

But her boyfriend, Tristan, grows more possessive by the day, and his temper is getting harder to keep in check. When lauren realizes Tristan is using her for her power, she has to make a choice: Tristan or her world.

cover was designed by Stephanie Mooney of Mooney Designs. 

This is a spin-off from her YA Fantasy Series "Keegan's Chronicles"

  

Author Bio

Julia crane is the author of the Coexist: Keegan’s Chronicles. She has a bachelors degree in criminal justice. Julia has believed in magical creatures since the day her grandmother first told her an Irish tale. Growing up her mother greatly encouraged reading and using your imagination. Although she’s spent most of her life on the US east coast, she currently lives in Dubai with her husband and three children.

Follow her on these sites: Julia Crane| Facebook| Twitter