SURPRISE Anthology Release Day Blitz

Today I'm excited to help spread the word about the surprise release of a summer anthology by some of my favorite authors!

SUMMER IS HEATING UP!

Cover designer: Sommer Stein, Perfect Pear Creative

Six FREE standalone summer themed short stories! 

For a Good Time Call by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward 

Ever see For a good time call scribbled on the bathroom wall of a bar? Sure you have. Ever wonder what would happen if you had a few too many drinks and actually called the number? Well now you don’t have to wonder anymore, because I’ll tell you… It blows up in your face when you suddenly realize who Mr. Good Time is. 

Eternal Sunshine by L.J. Shen 

Adam Mackay is my brother's best friend, turned Hollywood heartthrob, who is now my brand new, infuriating boss. 

Sounds complicated? You have no idea... 

Stay Right Here with Me by Willow Winters 

I can’t tell you how many mistakes I’ve made sitting in this very spot in this small town bar. Watching the iron doors swing closed as the broad-shouldered man who just walked in sits across from me, I already know he’s on that list of, “I shouldn’t have done that...” 

Damsel Dude in Distress by Helena Hunting 

I thought I was helping a damsel in distress. Turns out my damsel was actually a hot dude with some bad luck. It started with a broken down car and ended with a gross motel, an indoor campout and a set of Kama Sutra sheets. 

The Beach R.S. Grey 

I’m not supposed to be on vacation with my best friend’s older brother. I’ve wanted him for so long, and now we’re unexpectedly alone in a tropical paradise. Naturally, I packed a lot of bikinis, but I should have brought armor if I want to have any hope of surviving my week away with Noah Martin…or should I say, Dr. Martin. 

Lucky Shot by Sarina Bowen 

Rookie sports agent Bess Beringer gets a real education on the night of her first glitzy New York business dinner. But the things she learns have nothing to do with roster rules or contract negotiation. Luckily, rookie hockey player Mark "Tank" Tankiewicz is a pro-level teacher... 

Grab your free copy today, before it goes away! 

Available for only a limited time! 

https://BookHip.com/HJXDKJ

Book Review: SLASHER GIRLS and MONSTER BOYS

Slasher Girls and Monster Boys: An Anthology

Blurb:

For fans of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Lois Duncan, and Daphne Du Maurier comes a powerhouse anthology featuring some of the best writers of YA thrillers and horror 

A host of the smartest young adult authors come together in this collection of scary stories and psychological thrillers curated by Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea’s April Genevieve Tucholke.

Each story draws from a classic tale or two—sometimes of the horror genre, sometimes not—to inspire something new and fresh and terrifying. There are no superficial scares here; these are stories that will make you think even as they keep you on the edge of your seat. From bloody horror to supernatural creatures to unsettling, all-too-possible realism, this collection has something for any reader looking for a thrill.

Fans of TV’s The Walking Dead, True Blood, and American Horror Story will tear through tales by these talented authors:

Stefan Bachmann

Leigh Bardugo

Kendare Blake

A. G. Howard

Jay Kristoff

Marie Lu

Jonathan Maberry

Danielle Paige

Carrie Ryan

Megan Shepherd

Nova Ren Suma

McCormick Templeman

April Genevieve Tucholke

Cat Winters

My Review:

I really enjoyed this collection of stories overall. Some were creepy, some made you think, and most stayed with me long after I read the last page.

The thing I really like about anthologies like this one is that I'm able to discover authors that I've heard of but maybe never picked up a book by and these stories give you a taste of their writing style. It also gives you a taste of some of your favorite authors (like Leigh Bardugo and April Genevieve Tucholke in my case) works while you wait for their next book to come out.

Some of my favorites in this collection were In the Forest Dark and Deep by Carrie Ryan, Emmeline by Cat Winters, Verse Chorus Verse by Leigh Bardugo, and Hide and Seek by Megan Shepherd. 

I also really loved that these stories were inspired retellings of movies, books, and legends. April Genevieve Tucholke's reimagining of I Know What You Did Last Summer was spot on and has me craving to watch the movie again. 

I docked a star because there were a couple stories that I didn't like as much or skipped over but it doesn't diminish my love for this book as a whole.

Overall, if you like scary stories and psychological thrillers this anthology is a must-read!

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

4 of 5 Stars!

{Release Day Blitz} 20 SHADES OF SHIFTERS ANTHOLOGY

Today I'm helping RockStar Book Tours share the release day blitz of the 20 SHADES OF SHIFTERS ANTHOLOGY!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful box set, be sure to check out all the details below. 

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $25 Amazon Gift Card (where Amazon is located), courtesy of author K.L. Bone and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

About The Book:

Title: 20 SHADES OF SHIFTERS ANTHOLOGY 

Author: Demelza Carlton, Evelyn Lederman, ML Guida, Aidy Award, Carmen Fox, David Adams, Sascha Illyvich, Lynn Best, Lilly Cain, Emma Alisyn, Vonnie Davis, Brenda Trim and Tami Julka, Nina Croft, K.L. Bone, Natalie Jones, Kailin Gow, Moxie North

Pub. Date: February 14, 2018

Publisher: Laudanum House

Pages: 511

Formats: eBook

Find it: Amazon, Goodreads

Order now for only $1.99! Or read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

20 Shades of Shifter is a limited-edition collection of new and exclusive paranormal romance novels guaranteed to suck in you from page one. 

A shape-shifting dragon must win over his reluctant mate and stop Jack the Ripper. A Fae trucker becomes allies with an MC member when trying to deliver magical motorcycles to the Fae Queen. A wolf shifter is held captive in a human research lab where he is tortured until he meets one sexy scientist. An angel risked it all to steal the elixir of life and save his mortal love’s life and over two millennia later must get her to remember she once loved an angel. These stories and many more are included in this steamy, hot collection. 

Don’t wait to read this set. It is only out for a short time before it will be gone forever! 

Demelza Carlton 

Evelyn Lederman 

ML Guida 

Aidy Award 

Carmen Fox 

David Adams 

Sascha Illyvich 

Lynn Best 

Lilly Cain 

Emma Alisyn 

Vonnie Davis 

Brenda Trim and Tami Julka 

Nina Croft 

K.L. Bone 

Natalie Jones 

Kailin Gow 

Moxie North

Excerpt from one of the books in the Box Set:

Embracing the Dragon:

The Flames of Kalleen

By: K.L. Bone

Ash fell from the sky, blanketing the charred ground like cascading snow. Amelia stretched out her fingers, finding the burnt residue cool against her pale skin, lacking the heat responsible for the land’s horrific transformation. As she searched the valley for the conflagration’s source, or any living being, toxic particles coated her lungs with each labored breath.

Normally this lush region would have been filled with the merry songs of chittering birds, and the scattering rustle of creatures hidden amid the tall grass. As she walked the field, the only sounds were the crunch of charred vegetation, and her occasional cough as her chest attempted to expel the smoke-laden air.

She scanned the horizon, seeking flames. Gloomy air surrounded her, with smoke so thick she couldn’t even discern the fire’s glow through its suffocating layers.

Amelia pushed forward, drawing shallow breaths as more particles lined her throat, turning coughs to occasional gags as she reached what should have been the forest’s edge. In place of towering trees, she found blackened stumps. Her heart skipped at the sight, her mind rejecting the ruined vision of the land she had loved.

“What happened?” she asked the desolate terrain. “What, by the gods, took place here?”

She had cherished this land with its lush shrubbery, thick enough to hide even her darkest secrets. A place all were once welcomed to enjoy shaded comfort, perfumed by the sweet scent of fresh grass and wildflowers. Now, only cooling embers remained.

When she reached the clearing’s center, a pitiful squeak drew her attention. She knelt, brushing her hand through ash and soot to find a bird chirping meekly between desperate gasps. Gently cradling the suffering creature between her hands, Amelia closed her eyes.

As though anticipating her intentions, the wren remained motionless against her palms, and its labored breathing eased.

Settling her mind upon the bird, soft-blue light emanated from between her fingers, bathing the unremarkable brown feathers in cerulean light. As Amelia’s power drew out the toxins poisoning the delicate creature, it first flapped its wings, and then flew from Amelia’s hands.

“Fly away,” she urged. “The air remains poisonous.”

The bird chirped in thanks before fluttering away, though Amelia was uncertain as to the safety of its chosen direction.

She resumed her survey of the ruined forest, helping a struggling squirrel in the same manner she had the bird. As it scampered away, Amelia stood and attempted to brush the soot from her hands, but only managed to smudge the fine black powder.

Without audible warning, orange flames surged toward her, forcing Amelia to jump to her left, rolling through the fire’s debris, hands and knees stinging as they encountered hidden rocks.

A roar resounded, shattering the unnatural silence as Amelia glanced toward the sky to face a looming figure.

Above, darker than the choking smoke, hovered an immense beast, its wingspan casting a wide shadow over her curled form. The deep purple wings had a feathered appearance, glowing with what appeared to be golden flames, though they did not burn. Instead the menacing creature’s wings fanned hotter, reminding Amelia of a forge fire amplified by a blacksmith’s bellow. From an ebony body, its back feet were hooved, but its front arms had claws similar to a bird’s, while larger talons protruded from the outer tips of both wings. A terrifying creature of utter destruction.

The dragon stared down with glinting silver eyes, glowing nostrils framing the fire within. With each methodical beat of its wings, Amelia’s blonde tresses were alternately tugged and blown back in the wash of hot air.

Fear consumed her, stole her breath, and froze every thought. She briefly considered running, but knew she would never escape the creature’s wrath.

Shakily, Amelia climbed to her feet, her blue eyes wide as she waited for her inevitable fate. The dragon’s jaws opened, flames spilling to engulf the girl below before she could even utter a scream. 

Embracing the Dragon Copyright © 2017 by K.L. Bone 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 

Giveaway Details: All International

1 winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card (where Amazon is located), International

Ends on February 21st at Midnight EST!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Because You Love To Hate Me edited by Amerie

Because You Love To Hate Me

Blurb:

Leave it to the heroes to save the world--villains just want to rule the world.

In this unique YA anthology, thirteen acclaimed, bestselling authors team up with thirteen influential BookTubers to reimagine fairy tales from the oft-misunderstood villains' points of view.

These fractured, unconventional spins on classics like "Medusa," Sherlock Holmes, and "Jack and the Beanstalk" provide a behind-the-curtain look at villains' acts of vengeance, defiance, and rage--and the pain, heartbreak, and sorrow that spurned them on. No fairy tale will ever seem quite the same again!

Featuring writing from . . .

Authors: Renée Ahdieh, Ameriie, Soman Chainani, Susan Dennard, Sarah Enni, Marissa Meyer, Cindy Pon, Victoria Schwab, Samantha Shannon, Adam Silvera, Andrew Smith, April Genevieve Tucholke, and Nicola Yoon

BookTubers: Benjamin Alderson (Benjaminoftomes), Sasha Alsberg (abookutopia), Whitney Atkinson (WhittyNovels), Tina Burke (ChristinaReadsYA blog and TheLushables), Catriona Feeney (LittleBookOwl), Jesse George (JessetheReader), Zoë Herdt (readbyzoe), Samantha Lane (Thoughts on Tomes), Sophia Lee (thebookbasement), Raeleen Lemay (padfootandprongs07), Regan Perusse (PeruseProject), Christine Riccio (polandbananasBOOKS), and Steph Sinclair & Kat Kennedy (Cuddlebuggery blog and channel).

My Review:

Before this book came out I kind of wanted to preorder it right away, kind of wanted to wait until I could look at in a bookstore before deciding but I preordered it anyway to get the preorder incentive - which I haven't gotten yet. Has anyone else? 

Anyway, now I wish I would have waited or gotten it from the library. There were a few stories I liked in 'Because You Love To Hate Me' but were the few that I liked worth buying the whole book? I'm not sure. There were more stories I found boring/didn't like/ skipped over entirely that stories I enjoyed. 

Then there were the pieces from the selected Booktubers, most of which I didn't like at all. Some of it was entertaining, and I liked seeing what the challenge was they issued to the authors, but I could have done without their sections altogether. 

There's also the matter of the stories themselves. Some were written like stories, one written like texts, one like a letter, and one like poetry with no real consistency. The premise is 13 tales of villainy and although I actually liked the story written in text the most out of all, it wasn't really a story. Sure, it told a story - but it didn't read one. There were a lot of details the reader had to fill in for themselves. 

Overall, I think the point of this book was to show the side of villains that often get overlooked, the backstories that made them the way they are that are popping up in certain retellings, like Heartless by Marissa Meyer or Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige which was what initially interested me in this book but I'm still sort of dissatisfied with my decision to purchase. It did give me a chance to discover authors I've heard of but never heard a book by before and to give me a taste of their writing style, which I appreciate, but it was just kind of a meh read for me.

My Rating:

3 of 5 Stars!