Book tour: Shadow of Deception

Today I'm proud to be a part of the 'Shadow of Deception', hosted by Dark World Books. To view other stops on this tour just click on the banner.

SHADOW OF DECEPTION (The Kazumi Chronicles #1)

by Sophia L. Johnson

YA Dystopian/Sci-fi

Published on April 19^th, 2015

2153, Toronto, United Nation of North America (UNNA)

A horrific plane crash kills all five hundred and forty-two passengers except one. Kazumi emerges from the wreckage physically unscathed but has lost all her memories. Her miraculous survival has the whole city buzzing but all she wants is to go home, wherever home is.

After waiting a month in the hospital with no one to claim her, Kazumi is deemed homeless. She is about to be sent to a nearby teenage shelter when the nurse she grew to trust ushers her down a mysterious path, one that promises safety and maybe even the chance to recover her memories. With no better options available, Kazumi takes her chance and finds herself in the headquarters of the Sarcomeres, a secret society of genetically advanced humans hidden deep inside the Rocky Mountains. The Sarc’s heightened physical abilities and high-tech gadgets are not the only things that fascinate Kazumi. Finnegan O’Riley, a fellow Sarc she meets along the way also gets her heart racing. When Kazumi discovers that she possesses the genetic potential of a Sarcomere, she jumps at the chance to train with them, not knowing the death defying tests that are involved.

Meanwhile, a centuries-old nemesis of the Sarcomeres begins to stir in the dark, setting their dark plans in motion. Just when Kazumi thinks she can help protect her new found home, past memories surface to threaten her new identity. She soon realizes that layers of deception run deep and everyone has a secret agenda, including herself.

Who can she trust when she can’t even trust herself? One wrong decision could bring forth consequences worse than death.

Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Indigo – Google Play
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All royalties made in the first year will go to a charity called Covenant House, to help homeless youth.

Review
This was a unique and inventive story for a sci-fi/dystopian novel. Without giving too much away from the story, it's easy to feel bad for the main character. Kazumi wakes up from a plane crash with no memory of who she is. In the beginning, I did find her character (or Gabi, who she is being called at the beginning) a little bit annoying and making some really dumb choices that have dire consequences, but once her memories start coming back her character really started to grow.

Then there's Finn. Such a badass, and powerful both in his leadership and his fighting. He's the character that really made the story.

As for the plot. I really liked that, for a sci-fi, the technology was explained and the reader got a deeper understanding of the world. Things didn't just happen, they were thought out and explained, such as why the genetically advanced humans are better.

This story did hold my interest from beginning to end, and I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good dystopian or sci-fi story.

About the Author

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With a degree in International Business Management, Sophia has worked in a major marketing firm where she realized the corporate world isn’t one she wants to be in.  She then made the switch into the healthcare industry as a Registered Massage Therapist by day and a writer by night.  She is now a Massage Therapy instructor and a published author living with her husband and daughter in Toronto.  Her go-to genres are science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian; or anything that sweeps her away into a foreign world that promises adventure.

Website – Twitter – Facebook

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Book Tour: Spinner Tour

Today I'm proud to be a part of the 'Spinner Tour', hosted by Dark World Books. To view other stops on this tour just click on the banner.

SPINNER
by Michael J Bowler
YA Horror/Paranormal
Published on August 5th, 2015 

Fifteen-year-old Alex is a “spinner.” His friends are “dummies.” Two clandestine groups of humans want his power. And an ancient evil is stalking him. If people weren’t being murdered, Alex might laugh at how his life turned into a horror movie overnight.

In a wheelchair since birth, his freakish ability has gotten him kicked out of ten foster homes since the age of four. Now saddled with a sadistic housemother who uses his spinning to heal the kids she physically abuses, Alex and his misfit group of learning disabled classmates are the only ones who can solve the mystery of his birth before more people meet a gruesome end.

They need to find out who murdered their beloved teacher, and why the hot young substitute acts like she’s flirting with them. Then there’s the mysterious medallion that seems to have unleashed something malevolent, and an ancient prophecy suggesting Alex has the power to destroy humanity.

The boys break into homes, dig up graves, elude kidnappers, fight for their lives against feral cats, and ultimately confront an evil as old as humankind. Friendships are tested, secrets uncovered, love spoken, and destiny revealed.

The kid who’s always been a loner will finally learn the value of friends, family, and loyalty.

If he survives…

Amazon

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Review

Alex is a teen in a wheelchair, and he can easily get foster homes, he has a hard time keeping them with his special ability. Alex is a Spinner. He has the ability to take on others' pain and heal them. It was only a matter of time before someone sought to use his powers against him. Alex forms a tight connection with the other misfits from his classmates (all with learning disabilities) as sinister events start happening, starting with the murder of their teacher. 

The blurb is what originally drew me into wanting to read this story - a story with such a diverse cast of characters, especially with a main character with such a challenge from the first page - and I wasn't disappointed. Bowler has created an interesting story that has elements of horror mixed with a strong and diverse cast. Even being in a wheelchair, I was glad that Alex did not let his disability define him, or stop him from doing what needed to be done.

It was a thrilling read from start to end and I would definitely recommend to anyone that loves horror.

About the Author

--> Michael J. Bowler is an award-winning author of eight novels–A Boy and His Dragon, A Matter of Time (Silver Medalist from Reader’s Favorite), and The Knight Cycle, comprised of five books: Children of the Knight (Gold Award Winner in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards), Running Through A Dark Place, There Is No Fear, And The Children Shall Lead, Once Upon A Time In America, and Spinner. His horror screenplay, “Healer,” was a Semi-Finalist, and his urban fantasy script, “Like A Hero,” was a Finalist in the Shriekfest Film Festival and Screenplay Competition. He grew up in San Rafael, California, and majored in English and Theatre at Santa Clara University. He went on to earn a master’s in film production from Loyola Marymount University, a teaching credential in English from LMU, and another master’s in Special Education from Cal State University Dominguez Hills. He partnered with two friends as producer, writer, and/or director on several ultra-low-budget horror films, including “Fatal Images,” “Club Dead,” and “Things II,” the reviews of which are much more fun than the actual movies. He taught high school in Hawthorne, California for twenty-five years, both in general education and to students with learning disabilities, in subjects ranging from English and Strength Training to Algebra, Biology, and Yearbook. He has also been a volunteer Big Brother to eight different boys with the Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters program and a thirty-year volunteer within the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles. He has been honored as Probation Volunteer of the Year, YMCA Volunteer of the Year, California Big Brother of the Year, and 2000 National Big Brother of the Year. The “National” honor allowed him and three of his Little Brothers to visit the White House and meet the president in the Oval Office. He is currently working on a sequel to Spinner. His goal as a YA author is for teens to experience empowerment and hope; to see themselves in his diverse characters; to read about kids who face real-life challenges; and to see how kids like them can remain decent people in an indecent world.

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Book Blitz: Mistletoe & Hollywood

Today I'm proud to be a part of the 'Mistletoe & Hollywood Book Blitz', hosted by Dark World Books. To view other stops on this tour just click on the banner.

Mistletoe & Hollywood

Jack Eversea and Evan Weston, two of Hollywood’s hottest young actors had their hearts stolen by regular down to earth girls, and we lived and laughed and loved their stories in the Eversea Series and in the Desire Resort Series. But what happened when the books were over?

How did each couple choose to spend their first Christmas? Was it sexy, emotional, stressful or heartwarming?

Perhaps it was everything and more…

My Star, My Love (An Eversea Series Novella) by Natasha Boyd

Movie star, Jack Eversea, has decided to brave his history with England and take the love of his life, Keri Ann Butler, home to meet his mother for Christmas. He’s been back in California and Keri Ann’s been busy with art school, and they are desperate to spend three weeks together over the Holidays.

But Jolly Old England does weird things to Jack. And despite his super sweet “twelve days of Christmas” gift giving, Keri Ann can’t quite work out of he’s about to propose or regrets bringing her home. Is he still questioning whether she can handle a few paparazzi, or is he doubting Keri Ann’s commitment to their future?

The magnetic couple is back in a fun, sometimes poignant, and super sexy story about acceptance, love and how to make love quietly in a creaky old house with one’s mother down the hall.

Many Times, Many Ways (A Desire Resort Series Novella) by Kate Roth

Vacation is over.

Danielle was escaping her monotonous life at a sexy beach resort when she first fell under the spell of Hollywood hunk, Evan Weston, but now they’re trying to make their relationship work in the real world.

While they’re both hopeful for what lies ahead, the only question is whether or not their desires for the future are one and the same.

Things have always moved quickly between Evan and Danielle, but Danielle can’t stave off the lingering anxiety she has once she finds out about Evan’s big plans—and even bigger Christmas gift. Can she continue to let go of the worry that plagues her so the man of her dreams can give her the life she never imagined she’d have?

Amazo US – Amazon UK – iTunes – Kobo

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Grab your copy of Eversea (Book #1) for ONLY $0.99!

*OFFER VALID FOR A LIMITED TIME*

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Check out the previous books in the Desire Resort series!

Grab your copy of Last Resort (Book #1) for ONLY $0.99!

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Author Interview

1. Where did you come up with the inspiration behind the book? 

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NB: I wanted to write a book about how it feels to fall in love; when every single interaction, look and thought regarding the other person takes on monumental impact. When it’s all you can think about. I also wanted it to be part Cinderella story, but where Cinderella doesn’t really need to be saved and the prince is not exactly perfect. 

KR: 

--> When Natasha brought me the idea of bringing my characters from Last Resort back for a holiday novella I knew I had more to show for them. The novella for Mistletoe & Hollywood came so easily. It proved to me how much I love Evan and Danielle.  

What inspired you to write your first book? 

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NB: I’ve always written. I love to write.  But recently we moved to a new area and I wasn’t working, my youngest was in school, and I didn’t know many people. So one day I sat down to write and just kept going. 

KR:  

--> --> My debut novel, The Low Notes, is the first book I ever finished. I started writing versions of it as far back as high school. Forbidden love has always called to me and The Low Notes is my take on the ultimate forbidden romance.

--> What books/authors have influenced your writing?
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NB: Every book I read inspires me in some way.  I read across so many genres that I don’t believe I specifically have much of anyone’s influence in my writing.

KR: 

--> So many authors! Everyone from Emily Giffin to Joe Hill. My very first inspiring author was Katherine Applegate. She wrote a YA series I devoured as a teen and it really propelled my love of fiction.

What was your favourite scene to write?

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NB:

-->It’s funny. I get asked this question a lot, and every time I really need to think about it.  I think the scene when Keri Ann and Jazz get drunk together. It comes right after Keri Ann gets kicked in the gut (metaphorically) and inspired to get her a** into gear about her art and her future and life in general.  There’s some great banter between the two friends too when Jack shows up. 

KR: 

--> Ooh, well my favourite was a scene I can’t share without giving major spoilers! But I loved being able to write a few more love scenes for Evan and Danielle. Those are always fun and they are one of my favourite couples I’ve written—their chemistry is off the charts.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

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NB: 

--> Believing I could do it.  And trying to write it as if no one would ever read it. You know that phrase ‘dance like nobody is watching’? It’s the same with writing. 

KR: 

--> It was hard for me to just tell the holiday story. A part of me wanted to keep going and show their entire life but that would’ve made for a long and incredibly fluffy read since I want them to be happy.

How do you overcome writer's block?

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NB:

-->The best solution for me is to open a new document and write my characters in a totally made up, stupid situation. That way I usually find out where they actually want to go (instead of where I was forcing them to go). 

KR: 

--> I usually try to read something or see a movie. Unwinding and getting my mind on something else usually breaks me out of a block.

What are your current projects?

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NB: Finishing Jazz and Joey’s story.  I had to put that aside for a while to work on Deep Blue Eternity (formally known as The Cottage). It will be out in March 2015. 

KR: 

--> I’m currently working the next book in the Desire Resort series and a novella in my Confession Records collection.

--> What book are you reading now?  

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NB: 

-->The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell 

KR: 

--> I’m reading Stronger With Him by JA Hensley. I’m loving it so far!

If you could have dinner with any fictional character who would it be and why?

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NB:  It would be a dinner party because I could never pick just one.  Can you imagine a dinner companion who was a “good” vampire, and who had been stuck as a teenager for a hundred years? Fascinating.  What about President Snow (Hunger Games)? He would be a totally scary dinner companion but man, do I have some questions for him.  I’d really love to have dinner with Mrs. Weaton, the elderly neighbour from my Eversea series. Boy, she lived a life. I’d love to know more!
KR: 

--> I have a sick love for Nick Carraway from The Great Gatsby. I’d love to meet him!

Do you have any advice for other writers?

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NB: Ha ha!  Write like no one is reading, but publish like everyone will.  Give yourself permission to write an imperfect first draft, but don’t release anything less than what you deem to be perfect. There’s a long road between the two, don’t get pressured to take a short cut, and don’t quit because it’s a long road. 

KR: 

--> Keep writing! I always say be a writer first and an author second. Your passion and your love for writing should be what keeps you going.

 About the Author

Natasha Boyd

Natasha Boyd is a writer with a background in marketing and public relations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and lives in the coastal Carolina Lowcountry, complete with Spanish moss, alligators and mosquitoes the size of tiny birds. She has a husband, two sons and a cat named Tuna. Eversea is her first full-length novel.

Website – Facebook – Twitter – Goodreads

 

Kate Roth

Inspired by music, film, art and the wealth of stories she has heard through her career as a professional hair stylist, Kate Roth decided to get real about her love of writing in 2008. She signed up for a course after-hours at the local high school called ‘So You Want To Write A Book?’. Indeed, she did! For years Kate had been dreaming up love stories in her head and she’d even managed to write a few of them down but it was that class that gave her the drive to finally do something more with her ideas. The ideas haven’t stopped flowing since. She enjoys writing in all sub-genres of romance and even has a few surprises up her sleeve for the future. She is a small business owner and lives in Indiana with her husband, Adam and their dog, Sampson.

Website – Facebook – Twitter – Goodreads

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