Promotional Post featuring Excerpt for Stealing Promises by Brina Courtney

I'm excited to be sharing an excerpt with you from Stealing Promises, a New Adult contemporary romance novel by Brina Courtney. I came across the synopsis for it on Goodreads and was excited when I was lucky enough to land a spot on the blog tour. It definitely looks like a book that would be right up my street and I can't wait to read it later this year, because I'm for sure going to be putting aside a little time for it.

For now, how about a little more insight...

Stealing Promises
Brina Coutney

Published: January 13, 2014

Publisher: Laurelis Press

Age Demographic: New Adult Contemporary

Pages: 144

Promises are made to be kept, never stolen. But that’s exactly what happened to Victoria Blane and Levi Manor. Tragedy strikes their perfect relationship leaving Victoria struggling to overcome the darkness that threatens to bury her.
With Victoria’s life in tatters she decides that running away is easier than dealing with her troubles. But when a friend finds her on the floor in her kitchen, she knows it’s time for a change.

Brighton Hanley knows what it’s like to lose someone. He knows what it’s like to be haunted by things that can never change. When he meets Victoria he recognizes the pain she’s trying to bury deep in her eyes. He knows she’s trying to run away, but he also knows that you can’t run forever.


Victoria is drawn to Brighton in ways she never expected. He becomes her champion, her life line… her sunshine in the darkness. But is Victoria ready to let go of the past and grab on to her future? Or will she run away from Brighton before she can be hurt again?

Sounds good, doesn't it?!

Excerpt from Stealing Promises
By Brina Courtney

The landscape began to shift around them allowing Victoria to realize just how far they were going outside of her college campus. “Levi? Where exactly are we going?”
He gave her a devilish grin, “I’m not going to tell you that.”

She smiled back at him, “No really, where is this place? You haven’t told me hardly anything about the weekend! And you know how much I don’t like surprises.” She knew that about herself, the perfect type A personality. It didn’t really matter what was going on, Victoria just needed to be in the loop. Sometimes she felt bad for Levi when he tried to surprise her with things and she always found out, but she knew it was probably for the best, because she would just annoy him until he told her what was really going on anyway.

“It’s up near the ridge. Why, you know somebody up there? Afraid we’re going to run into some crazy ex-boyfriend?” He chuckled to himself. Victoria watched as he started to relax allowing the tension from earlier to fall way. She liked seeing him like this, when he was happiest.

“No,” she said shyly. “I was just wondering, you know, if there would be a lot of people around.”

She noticed as the car accelerated quickly. “Is there a reason that you would like to be alone with me Victoria Blane?”

She smiled broadly. “I think you know the exact reason I want to be alone with you Levi Manor.” Victoria liked teasing him, it was her small power over him. Most of the time Levi was saying things to affect her. It was nice when Victoria could have it the other way around.

Stealing Promises is only .99 cents for a limited time at Amazon right now, don't miss out!

I don't know about you guys, but that's enough incentive for me right there! And, if that isn't enough, Brina Courtney has generously offered up a giveaway for a $10 Amazon gift card that you guys can fill out the Rafflecopter below to be entered into.

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Brina Courtney is a young adult author obsessed with chocolate, crime shows, and fantasy movies. She's spent the last few years as an elementary teacher and a high school cheering coach. She lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband and two very loud, small dogs.

To date, she has written Move, Their Promise, Discovery, and other novels.

Spellbound Winter Blog Tour Featuring: Ask Trent Advice Column with Sherry Soule

Just Ask Trent Guest post by Sherry Soule

Today I’m excited to have such an amazing author on the blog. Sherry Soule has some exciting news to share with us! All of her previously published books in her exciting Spellbound series have been rewritten and republished with more epic romance, sizzling character chemistry, and thrilling suspense to wet your appetizing pallet. The new versions include some awesome exclusive bonus material and brand new scenes that you definitely won’t want to miss out on if you’re a fan of this series or new to it and just as excited to experience it. So, I thought I’d help her promote the new editions and stir up some excitement for the republished series. Sherry is doing this awesome winter book promotion tour to help share the updates with fellow booklovers like you guys.

The Spellbound series is sort of like Pretty Little Lairs meets Buffy, the Vampire Slayer! In a few words or less, it’s a ball of epic fun times. In this fun little snarky guest post, Trent tries his hand at helping a few people with some rather peculiar questions. Trent is a blunt dude, who tells it like it is. (Something I love in my bad boys!) Posted below are some of the emails sent to him. Enjoy the snark!

Question 1:

Q. Dear Trent,
I joined the Navy to see the world. I’ve seen it. And I miss my mom. Now how the heck do I get out?
Thanks,
Wanna Go Home

A. Dear Wanna Go Home,
Well, I think you’re kinda stuck, dude. Best to ride it out and have your mom send you some books like the Spellbound series to help the time fly by.
Best of luck,
Trent

Question 2:

Q. Dear Trent,
My mom asked me to babysit my younger brother and sister this weekend. I hate babysitting them! Anyhoo, I found them playing a game called, "Knife Jab" in the kitchen. This game involves jabbing a knife into a wall socket. Instead, I suggested a game called, "Zappy Toaster", which is similar but requires thrusting a metal object into a toaster while it’s plugged in. So, I was wondering if these games were dangerous?
Sincerely,
Hate Babysitting

A. Dear Hate Babysitting,
Well, jabbing a mental object into a toaster could give you a strong electric shock. So not good! Not only are these games dangerous, but possibly illegal and your siblings could get seriously injured. A more important question is why your mom would be stupid enough to leave you alone with them in the first place.
Best of luck,
Trent

Question 3:

Q. Dear Trent
I suspect that my girlfriend has been fooling around, and when I confronted her after taking pictures of her kissing another guy at school, she denied everything—and said it would never happen again.
Respectfully,
Lost in Love

A. Dear Lost in Love,
My advice? Once a cheater—always a cheater. Dump that girl and find a nice one who’ll treat you right, like my awesome GF, Shiloh.
Best of luck,
Trent

Question 4:

Q. Dear Trent,
I think my friend, Charlie might be possessed or something. He can control the weather. He is inhumanly fast and strong. And sometimes when Charlie gets mad, his eyes turn completely black like a shark. It’s totally freaking me out.
Regards,
Friend-Possessed

A. Dear Friend-Possessed,
Uh, it sure sounds like something weird is going on. My uncle Tony says that most paranormals cannot enter houses of worship or walk on sacred ground. Try taking Charlie to a church or graveyard—to see what happens, or douse him with holy water—and if his skin sizzles, you’ve got major trouble. Let me know how it goes, because you may need to contact the DarkSide Detectives.
Best of luck,
Trent

Hope you enjoyed this comical post. Now go feed your mind and read a book! Preferably mine. – Sherry

Places you can cyberstalk Sherry Soule: Sherry’s Official Blog
Official Spellbound Series Blog
Twitter @WriterSherry
Goodreads

Deadly Witchcraft. Ghostly Threats. Doomed Romance.

They say every town has its secrets, but that doesn’t even begin to describe Fallen Oaks. The townsfolk are a superstitious lot and the mystical disappearance of a local teen has everyone murmuring about a centuries old witch’s curse. When sixteen-year-old Shiloh Trudell takes a summer job at Craven Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That’s where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan, and immediately becomes enchanted by his charms. Finally, Shiloh’s met someone who is supercute and totally into her, but Trent is immersed in the cunning deception that surrounds the mysterious Craven Manor. So much so that he may lose sight of what is truly important to him. And she can’t decide whether she wants to shake him or kiss him. Yet neither one of them can deny the immediate, passionate connection growing between them. But underlying everything is the fear that Trent may be the next victim on a supernatural hit list, and Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him…With cryptic messages from a pesky wraith, Shiloh will finally begin to understand the mysterious significance of the strange mark branded on her wrist and decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to protect the other teenagers in town. Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.

BUY BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN ISBN: 978-0976180425
ASIN: B0058DE8YI
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GIRLS HEART BOOKS PRESENTS: The White Aura Series Blog Tour by Felicia Tatum

I’m excited to be a part of the White Aura Series Blog Tour! It’s a New Adult Paranormal series that looks all kinds of amazing and I can’t wait to share what it’s about with you. Plus, there’s a couple of exciting perks, like a giveaway and a playlist for both of the books for you to check out.

Here’s the scoop on the WHITE AURA SERIES by Felicia Tatum!

In White Aura, how do you live with the gut clenching truth that the one you love will die if you meet them? Twenty year old sorcerer Scott Tabors is learning how. After seeing seventeen year old Olivia Whitehead outside of a coffee shop, his heart will never be the same. He longs for her, he wants her, and he knows she will be his. They are heart mates. …but due to a curse on his family, he can’t meet her. Not yet. So for now, he visits her in her dreams. Her dreams, where he can tell her everything but his name.

Olivia Whitehead is a typical junior in high school. She and her best friend are having the time of their lives, but she can’t help but notice the changes happening to her. Especially the changes in her heart after she begins dreaming about a mysterious dark haired young man. But what will happen when the school heartthrob decides he wants Olivia? Will she realize the dream man is real or will she move on?

Amazon || Barnes&Noble

In Vessel, Scott and Olivia survived the dreaded dance, only to be faced with the aftermath of their meeting. Now, they are on the hunt for the descendant of Devlin Hart, the sorcerer who originally cast the curse on the Tabors family, while making the best of every moment they have together. With everything that's happening, will their love be able to make it?

Olivia’s happiness with Scott is cut short. When unexpected events thrust her in an interesting situation, she must make the best of what she has, while trying to save herself. She loves Scott, but can’t shake the uneasiness of what’s happening. When her parents are taken, her brother comes back to town, and mysterious men start following her, Olivia must reach deep inside to find her true self.

Scott is on the mission to break the curse on his beloved family, but will he also have to fight for Olivia's heart? When an interesting situation is thrown into their relationship, he must fight his jealousy and continue to woo the woman he loves. With the stress of the descendant and The Crimson Calamitous, will Scott be able to show Olivia just how much he cares for her before he loses her forever?

Amazon || Barnes&Noble

Felicia was nice enough to share her amazing playlists for both of these books, along with an excerpt from White Aura. I recommend listening to the playlist, while reading it to enhance the affect. Check them out below…the songs are fantastic! I’m not even bothered at all by the fact that there is a Taylor Swift song on there, because it’s actually one I kind of like. I know I can’t wait to listen to them non-stop on a steady loop as I’m reading the books.

The first five songs are for White Aura and the last five are for Vessel.

Book Excerpt for
White Aura

There was a deer to my left, simply watching me. She was beautiful and majestic. She came towards me the moment I wished I could pet her. My hand slowly reached out and touched her course coat. Huge brown eyes looked into mine. There was no fear.

“You’re lovely,” I whispered.

“So are you,” a deep voice said from behind me.

I turned violently, scaring the deer off into the trees. Mr. Sexy was standing five feet in front of me. Jeans and a fitted white t-shirt clothed his fit body.

“You’re here.”

“Of course I am, where else would I be?”

“I thought…well, I wasn’t sure if this was our dream or just mine.”

“It’s ours Livvie. It’s ours. Always ours.”

And now for the giveaway, all you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter below to be entered.

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ABOUT FELICIA TATUM

Felicia Tatum was born and raised in Tennessee. She always loved reading, and at the age of twelve began writing. Her passion for creating stories grew and in May 2012, she finally wrote her first novel, The White Aura.

She still lives in Tennessee with her daughter and her kitty. She loves cooking, books, and animals are some of her best friends. She watches a lot of Disney channel and often dreams up new book ideas. She's currently working on various projects, including the rest of the White Aura Series, the Scarred Hearts Series, and a novella series. Her dream is to write as many books as possible while entertaining as many people as possible.

GIRLS HEART BOOKS PRESENTS: Twisted Book Blast by N.L. Greenes

Twisted

By: N.L. Greene

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Expected Release Date: September 13th, 2013 

Growing up isn’t always easy.  But for most teenage girls, they can rely on their best friend to help them get through the process.  A BFF is something that is truly treasured and completely irreplaceable.  You share all of your secrets, and are loyal and honest with each other, even when you’re acting just a little bit crazy.  You have each other’s backs no matter what and you form a bond that is virtually unbreakable. 

At least that’s what normal teenage girls experience. 

Nat and Mel have been bestie’s since childhood and Nat has followed her blindly ever since.  But as Nat’s friendship with Mel begins to lead her down the wrong path, she starts to question the sincerity of their relationship.  Nat starts to see Mel’s manipulative, deceitful ways become more focused on her.  Will Natalie hold on tight to the friendship she’s had her entire life, no matter what it cost her?  Or will she let her heart lead her to a relationship that’s not so twisted.

GIRLS HEART BOOKS TOUR PRESENTS: Cover Reveal for The Red Wife (Without Rules #2) by Tyffani Clark Kemp

I don't usually post too many cover reveals on my blog, usually I don't post anything that doesn't pertain to either YA or New Adult, but once in a while I'll come across a book or series that I think looks interesting and I'll want to share it with you guys. That is the case with this book and this series, after having checked it out I think that it sounds interesting.

GUEST POST: VOTE FOR STRAIGHTJACKET BY MEREDITH TOWBIN BY TEAMNERD REVIEWS TEAM!

An IMPORTANT Request From TeamNerd Reviews Team!

Hiyaz Nerd Peeps!

We have a VERY IMPORTANT request to ask of y'all!

Our dear new author friend Meredith Towbin and her YA book STRAIGHTJACKET (we featured both in our I HEART YA 2013 event) have entered into Walmart’s Geton the Shelf Contest. The contest allows people to compete for a chance to get
their products sold in Walmart and on Walmart.com.

She learned two
days ago that her video entry made the cut and is now in the audition round!
Which is amazing since her video entry is not actually a book trailer but a
ridiculous infomercial!

Here’s the thing:
SHE NEEDS VOTES! Lots and lots of votes. If she gets enough votes, she’ll move
onto the finalist round and she’ll be so, so close to getting STRAIGHTJACKET
into stores! She’s up against some stiff competition – BIC, Zenith, rubber
thingies that prevent hoses from leaking . . . but she’s the only YA novel up there.

You can watch
the video and vote for STRAIGHTJACKET (up to once per day) through September 2, 2013 at the following link: https://getontheshelf.walmart.com/product/145b/Straightjacket-(the-YA-n

So PLEASE-OH-PLEASE with cookies and cream ice cream with sprinkles on top, GO VOTE FOR STRAIGHTJACKET! We will surely APPRECIATE all the support thrown Meredith's way and we know she definitely does as well!

Nerds over and out!

~Annabell & Bridget & Meredith

About Meredith Towbin: Meredith Towbin writes dark contemporary young adult fiction. Her first novel, STRAIGHTJACKET, explores teen mental illness.

Before she wrote fiction for teens, she taught them all about English lit in the classroom. Later she edited textbooks and wrote review workbooks for, once again, all those lucky teens.

These experiences, along with her own vivid memories of being an awkward teenager, provide material for her works in progress.

Where to Find the Author: Website/Goodreads/Twitter/Facebook

About Straight Jacket

Check out on Goodreads!

Purchase on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

Synopsis: Eighteen-year-old Anna has lived her whole life in shame, losing herself in books to cope with crippling panic attacks triggered by her abusive parents. Forced into a psychiatric hospital, she can’t imagine a future that’s anything but bleak—until she meets Caleb, a gifted, 19-year-old artist who insists he’s an angel.

He swears his mission is to help Anna break free from her parents’ control and fulfill a destiny that she can only dream of. The doctors, however, are convinced that Caleb is delusional.

Anna doesn’t want to be that girl who’s in love with the crazy guy, but when she sees his stunning portraits of her and the way he risks everything to keep her safe, she can’t help but imagine a new future for both of them, filled with hope. But just when it seems they’ve created heaven on earth, Caleb’s past emerges full force, threatening to destroy their tiny, blissful world. And Anna has to decide if she should follow her heart, or if Caleb’s really as troubled as his doctors say…

COVER REVEAL: CHAOS BY CHRISTINE O'NEIL

Today I've got a treat for you guys. ChristineO’Neil and Entangled Teen Ember are revealing the cover for book 1 in The Kardia Chronicles Series, CHAOS. It's coming out this August, so be on red hot alert for it because you're definitely gonna want to snag a copy of this amazing novel!

Annnnnnnnnd now for the reveal!

*presto-chango!*

Blurb:

My name is Maggie Raynard. After sixteen years being just plain me, suddenly I can kill people when I lose my temper. Turns out I'm a semi-god, descended from Aphrodite. Sounds cool in theory, but when I accidentally put my ex-boyfriend in a coma, things go downhill pretty fast.

Now some new guy named Mac Finnegan has made it his mission in life to continually piss me off. I'm stuck learning how to use my new powers while also dealing with regular high school problems, and with this---annoying and super-hot---guy all up in my business, I'm about to flip out.

But it gets worse. I just learned there's this council for semis that wants me dead. They think I'm bad to the bone and when my ex suddenly dies, it's like everyone is determined to take me out. Mac might turn out to be my only salvation, but he's got secrets of his own---that may just kill us both.

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/Kobo/iBooks

"Exclusive Excerpt"

from Chaos

I was done with guys. Not in that fake, I-say-that-but-deep-down-I-really-want-a-boyfriend kind of way, but in, like, the seriously-I'd-rather-eat-maggoty-cheese kind of way. No relationships. Not for me. Not now and maybe not ever. Who I am…what I am, and what I’m capable of? Everyone’s better off this way.

"I have to stop at my locker real quick," I said, veering to the right and cutting through the crush of kids heading straight like wildebeests to a watering hole. Libby followed and then stood by me as I fiddled with the lock.

"What's that?" She pointed to a white piece of paper sticking out half an inch from one of the slots in the olive metal door.

I tugged the padlock open and flicked the catch with my thumb. "Dunno." Maybe Bink had left me another note. Bink was my neighbor, bud, and—most days—my ride home. Last time I’d found a note in my locker, it was when his cell phone died and he needed to bail early. I seriously hoped this wasn’t a repeat performance.

I mentally ran down the list of people I could bug for a ride and came up empty. Libby always had to stay after for some activity or another, and I only really had two other people I could call "friends" and neither lived near me. I wrinkled my nose in anticipation of the dirty-sneakers-meets-day-old-bologna smell of a bus filled with kids who'd had last-period gym and opted not to change clothes. 

With a sigh, I pulled open the door and the white rectangle floated to the floor.

Libby bent to grab it and read it out loud. "'Dear Sad and Lonely…'" She trailed off and went quiet for a few seconds until her peachy complexion went hot pink, and then she gasped. 

"Oh my God. Holy… Oh, Mags, you are so not going to like this."

I snatched the paper from her, trying to ward off the growing pit in my gut.

Dear Sad and Lonely,

Since I can almost guarantee She is about to give you some seriously shite advice like she does every week, let me be the voice of reason. Your boyfriend is just like most high school guys. Cut him some slack and, even better, why not offer to learn how to play some of the games he likes? He'd probably appreciate the effort and might even take you somewhere nice after. If that doesn't work, sit him down and let him know how you're feeling so he can tell you what's going on with him. Could be that constantly calling the things he likes stupid isn't the best way to get what you want in this situation, yeah? In any case, don't let the ramblings of some bitter emo chick who's probably never had a boyfriend ruin your relationship.

Hope it helps,

He

The shock was too thick to let the anger in right away, but as stunned as I was, I knew exactly who was behind this. There was only one person in the whole school who would use the word “shite.” 

Mac Finnegan.

Opinionated, annoying, hot—did I mention annoying?—Mac Finnegan, who had barely given me the time of day since he'd come to Crestwood High a couple months ago. Mac Finnegan, who thought he

was soooo cool with his Irish accent and his mocking smile. Mac Finnegan, who inexplicably made me want to lick him like an ice cream cone and then immediately rinse my mouth out with acid.

How had he discovered my secret? Only Bink and Libby knew I was the girl behind “That's What She Said,” and I would have bet everything I owned that neither of them would have ratted me out.

Didn’t matter, though. One way or another, he knew. Even worse, he'd chosen to taunt me with it. Bitter emo chick who’s probably never had a boyfriend, indeed. I had a boyfriend once and it hadn’t ended well for either of us. I was in no rush to repeat the experience. Besides, what did this Irish asshat care?

Anger tightened my chest. I could feel the power rising in me, clawing to get out, roaring to be heard. The hair on my arms stood on end as I tried to breathe through it, to let the fury dissipate and flow out of my pores in harmless pings of energy, but it was no use. I pressed a hand to my locker and opened up the tiniest of escape valves, the spout of the teakettle, whistling off a stream of steam. The cheap metal instantly heated against my skin, the door buckling and warping on the spot just beneath my fingertips.

"Uh, Mags—" Libby whispered urgently, but a male voice cut her off.

"How's it going there, Libby? Maggie."

I turned around, still trying to catch my breath, and there he was, strolling by, a grin splitting his sinfully beautiful face.

Mac Finnegan, who had decided that being the new kid wasn't bad enough, so he had to actively go out of his way to make enemies. Mac Finnegan, who wanted to turn my world upside down rather than minding his own business. Mac Finnegan, who didn't know the meaning of live and let live.

Mac Finnegan, who clearly had no idea who he was fucking with.

 

About Christine:

Christine O’Neil is one half of the happiest couple in the world. She and her handsome hubby currently reside in Pennsylvania with a four-pack of teenage boys and their two dogs, Gimli and Pug. If she gets time off from her duties as maid, chef, chauffeur, or therapist, she can be found reading just about anything she can get her hands on, from Young Adult novels to books on poker theory. She doesn’t like root beer, clowns or bugs (except ladybugs, on account of their cute outfits), but lurrves chocolate, going to the movies, the New York Giants and playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Writing is her passion, but if she had to pick another occupation, she would be a pirate…or, like, a ninja maybe. She loves writing fun and adventure-filled romance stories, but also hopes to one day publish something her dad can read without wanting to dig his eyes out with rusty spoons. Christine loves to hear from readers, so please feel free to get in touch with her via the Contact Page. Christine also writes adult romance under the name Christine Bell.

Website/Twitter/ Goodreads

  

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