Cover Reveal: ISLA'S INHERITANCE by Cassandra Page

Today I bring you the cover reveal for Isla's Inheritance, by Cassandra Page, and I think you'll agree with me--it is beautiful!

 

 

 

Isla's Inheritance, by Cassandra Page

Genre: Young adult urban fantasy

Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press

Date of Release­­: 9 October, 2014


Summary from Goodreads:

Isla was content to let her father keep his secrets, but now she can’t stand the touch of iron and her dreams are developing a life of their own. She must discover the truth — before it’s too late.
Seventeen-year-old Isla Blackman only agrees to participate in a Halloween party séance because Dominic, an old crush, wants to. She is sure nothing will happen when they try to contact the spirit of her mother. But the séance receives a chilling reply.

SHE IS NOT DEAD.

Isla doesn’t want to upset her father by prying into the family history he never discusses. When the mysterious and unearthly Jack offers to help her discover the truth, Isla must master her new abilities to protect her loved ones from enemies she never knew existed.


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Giveaway

Enter to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card (winner's choice)

Direct link: Isla's Inheritance cover reveal celebration


Author bio

Cassandra Page is a mother, author, editor and geek. She lives in Canberra, Australia’s bush capital, with her son and two Cairn Terriers. She has a serious coffee addiction and a tattoo of a cat — which is ironic, as she’s allergic to cats. When she’s not reading or writing, she engages in geekery, from Doctor Who to AD&D. Because who said you need to grow up?

 

 

 

 

 

Author links

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Pinterest | Goodreads

New Release - 'First to Fall' by Carys Jones

This week, I bring you 'First to Fall' by Carys Jones. It's released tomorrow, August 28th!

Aiden Connelly’s first case will be one he’ll never forget.

Lawyer Aiden Connelly has traded the frenzy of Chicago for a slower pace in sleepy Avalon – and his first case appears to be as open-and-shut as he could hope for. Hired to defend a local ex-beauty queen accused of murdering her husband, he’s confident that he’ll have the case closed in record time. But below the surface lurks a darker truth…

Suddenly, a quiet backwater has transformed into a dangerous pressure cooker. In a town where everyone knows everyone, gathering evidence should be easy… but the harder Aiden searches, the more he appreciates how tangled this net of loyalties is. And as he digs deeper, Aiden begins to realise that his very first case in Avalon could be the beginning of his undoing…


And if that's not enough, here is an except from the book:

Despite being surrounded by luscious acres of green grass none grew within the walls of the immense prison. Aiden wondered if this was a result of all the electrical fencing, or if nature just knew that she was not welcome here. This was a place for those who did not deserve to hear the sweet lullaby of birdsong, or breathe in the luscious scent of a blooming flower. Here, the condemned were at the last outpost before hell, but no doubt many felt like they were already there. Whilst from a distance Eastham looked impressive, once inside you realized just how imposing a structure can really be. Aiden had only just arrived but was already looking forward to being able to drive away.

‘Freedom’, he mused to himself, ‘is much too underrated’. 

Inside was not much better. The air felt decidedly cooler and the indifferent grey of the stone had crept along the interior walls in the form of paint. Green doors, though the colour of baby sick, were a welcome break from the dismal decorating. Aiden was led along countless corridors, his footsteps echoing on the plastic tiled floors. He was ushered through so many security gates that he began to worry if he was ever going to be able to get back out.

‘Prisoner 929 is in maximum security.’ The burly female guard had told him when he had finally made it to reception, her voice monotonous as if she had forgotten how to express emotion. He was currently being led by another, equally ample female form, down a labyrinth of corridors. His palms were sweaty and his attempts to make small talk had not even been acknowledged. The women who worked there were tough; he supposed that they had to be. But no matter how tough they were, he knew that they would be no match for what lay behind the locked doors which they were now passing by. Aiden had expected hands grasping through railings, voices crying out their innocence, but all was quiet. Those cells he passed where you could see in, the lone occupants were sat, sometimes reading, sometimes just staring into space; none so much as fluttered an eyelid as he clomped past.

Finally he was motioned into a small room where one wall was made entirely of Perspex glass. Beyond the glass, there was a lone chair facing him which was flanked by two guards. On Aiden’s side of the glass there was a basic desk and a plastic chair.

‘929 will be with you shortly’, the woman told him. ‘I’ll wait for you outside.’

Aiden nodded and thanked her but she was already gone before the words had even left his mouth. He moved the chair and positioned himself opposite the other currently vacant chair. Placing his briefcase on the desk he took out a Dictaphone and a notebook. He had no idea what to expect from Prisoner 929.



I can't wait to start reading this. It's on my to be read list along with another of Cary's books, 'Prime Deception'.

Here's more information about Carys:

 

Carys Jones loves nothing more than to write and create stories which ignite the reader’s imagination. Based in Shropshire, England, Carys lives with her husband, guinea pig, Roger and her adored canine companion Rollo.
When she’s not writing, Carys likes to indulge her inner geek by watching science- fiction films or playing video games.
She lists John Green, Jodi Picoult and Virginia Andrews as her favorite authors and draws inspiration for her own work from anything and everything.
To Carys, there is no greater feeling then when you lose yourself in a great story and it is that feeling of ultimate escapism which she tries to bring to her books.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarysJonesWriter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiny_dancer85
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22864060-first-to-fall

Blog: http://carysjonesauthor.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Website: http://www.carys-jones.com/

The Summer Holidays are nearly over!

I write this as the school summer holidays in England come to grinding end. Anyone living near me must surely hear the loud shouts of joy and see the party balloons floating with vigour from my door.

Yes! The boys are back at school in just over a week--FREEDOM!!!!

When they go back to school, I can start to get back to my normal schedule. It's not an exciting schedule, far from it--I work Monday through to Wednesday, 3 days of crunching numbers and playing with budgets and forecasts and cashflows (As well as ringing up those nasty people that don't pay) BUT, and here's the great part, I have Thursday and Friday to write! I've condensed my hours starting September 1st to enable me to work the above pattern, and boy, am I looking forward to it.

Also, my husband has, at long last, acknowledged that I write, that it's not an obsessive hobby eating up all my time. I am to be published, and with that comes a renewed confidence in my ability and a level of acceptance from my husband that this is serious, this is something that can lead to so much more. He still hates that I randomly mumble about my characters to him, stressing over impossible situations I've written them into, he still tells me to switch the laptop off and have a night away from it all. But, I've also heard him talking about my writing--something he never used to do. He proudly tells his friends that I'm going to be published, talking great pride in letting me know he's told them to check out my website, and that he's made another sale of my forthcoming book--I haven't the heart to tell him that just because people say they'll check my website means they will, and it certainly doesn't mean they'll buy my book. But I keep quiet, let him enjoy this moment--I've waited a long time for him to show any signs of encouragement, I won't burst his bubble.

So, with the boys back at school, my new schedule will start. Two dedicated days a week to write! It sounds like bliss. Then I remember. Deadlines, edits, drafts, CP's. Maybe I need more than two days. I'm about to start line edits with my editor on 'Shifting Seas', my short story which will be published in an anthology later this year. I'm currently finishing structural edits on 'Sachael Dreams', due to start  line edits this October. I'm still working through my first 'hard' edit on 'Sachael Desires', meeting with my CP, Denise, every Thursday night to go through one chapter at a time. After that I have a serious amount of editing to tighten it up and get it ready to send out. (And I've given myself a deadline of the end of the year to have this done.) Yes, all while dealing with the release of 'Sachael Dreams'. Not only that, I need to start working through 'Sachael Delusions', the next book, with Denise. Scheduling one chapter a week means it takes a long time to get through thirty chapters! I also need to write the final book in the series, 'Sachael Destiny', and at this moment, it's all a little scary.

And then there's Erebus. Damn the man. My next project, after the Mine Series, is 'The Ascent', a story in which Erebus features rather a lot. He will not stop talking to me! So amongst all the Sachael books, I keep scribbling down notes, paragraphs and ideas for this book. It's nice to have an exciting idea waiting to attack when I'm ready, but it's also frustrating.

But, I shall get there. I've got more time to write, I have the support of my husband, and the boys are back at school. Here's to a new school year and no more long holidays until next summer!

Melody xxx

Review - The Rose Master

Today, I bring you a real treat--The Rose Master by Valentina Cano. This book hit my radar as Valentina is a fellow Reuts author, and LOOK AT THE COVER! Gorgeous!

 

The day Anne Tinning turns seventeen, birds fall from the sky. But that's hardly the most upsetting news. She's being dismissed from the home she's served at since she was a child, and shipped off to become the newly hired parlor maid for a place she's never heard of. And when she sees the run-down, isolated house, she instantly knows why:

There's something wrong with Rosewood Manor.

Staffed with only three other servants, all gripped by icy silence and inexplicable bruises, and inhabited by a young master who is as cold as the place itself, the house is shrouded in neglect and thick with fear. Her questions are met with hushed whispers, and she soon finds herself alone in the empty halls, left to tidy and clean rooms no one visits.

As the feeling of being watched grows, she begins to realize there is something else in the house with them--some creature that stalks the frozen halls and claws at her door. A creature that seems intent on harming her.

When a fire leaves Anne trapped in the manor with its Master, she finally demands to know why. But as she forces the truth about what haunts the grounds from Lord Grey, she learns secrets she isn't prepared for. The creature is very real, and she's the only one who can help him stop it.

Now, Anne must either risk her life for the young man she's grown to admire, or abandon her post while she still can.

 

 

I loved this book and understand that Valentina is currently writing the follow up. I can't wait!

 

Here is my review:

 

Where to begin? Firstly, the cover--beautiful, yet scary.
Secondly, or should this be my first point, the writing. Amazing.

I loved The Rose Master--every single word.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is my favourite read so far this year. Cano created characters that not only sprung to life but danced continually before my eyes. I can’t say too much without giving away spoilers, but Cano managed to scare me with the scenes she wrote, as well as entrance me with the beauty of her words. She has a clear concise way of writing that provokes intense emotion, and a complete understanding of what she wants the reader to experience.

I am confident that this book will remain one of my all-time favourites and I’ll read it several times. The only thing I have to complain about . . . I didn’t want it to end, and whereas it had a defined ending, I want more!

If I could give this book 6 stars I would!

 

More about Valentina Cano:

 

Valentina Cano is a student of classical singing who spends whatever free time she has either reading or writing. She also watches over a veritable army of pets, including her five, very spoiled, snakes. Her works have appeared in numerous publications and her poetry has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Web. She lives in Miami, Florida.

Introducing my writing friends - Week 4

This week - Drew Hayes!

I almost feel like not saying anything about Drew, and just directing you to his website. This man has such a wonderful way with words. He'll make you laugh out loud, usually with him, and is always willing to help (Well, so far.)

Drew was another of my writing buddies for the ProjectREUTSway and will also be published in the anthology along with previously featured writing friends SummerWier, and Tawyna Brock. He updates his website regularly and has his finger in so many publishing pies that it's sometimes hard to keep track of him!

Only a few weeks ago he released his latest book with Reuts Publishers. Called 'The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant' I can assure you that this book is definitely worth a read.

Fred, as I think everyone will call this book, is a wonderful, imaginative book. He's not as uninteresting as the full title makes out, in fact, he's not as unadventurous either. Drew, the author, guides us through a series of adventures, and, in each one Fred unwillingly picks up new friends. Drew breathes life (no pun intended seeing as most of his friends are various forms of the un-dead)into each and every character, but my favourite was Bubba. Bubba is a weresteed (cough, cough)but he was far...moreMy review: Fred, as I think everyone will call this book, is a wonderful, imaginative book. He's not as uninteresting as the full title makes out, in fact, he's not as unadventurous either. Drew, the author, guides us through a series of adventures, and, in each one Fred unwillingly picks up new friends. Drew breathes life (no pun intended seeing as most of his friends are various forms of the un-dead)into each and every character, but my favourite was Bubba. Bubba is a weresteed (cough, cough)but he was far from what I expected. I laughed so much during his scene of transformation and the ensuing events. Even when Bubba's story was over, he continued with his presence throughout the rest of the book--I loved him! Only one little niggle. I found it slightly repetitive at the start of each adventure, confirming who everyone was and where and how Fred met them, but this didn't detract from the overall story. I can imagine this is a useful reminder if you read one adventure and then don't start the next for a few days--but I devoured this book, and read it cover to cover in a day. All in all, it was a book that had me laughing so much I cried, and screeching out loud at certain one-liners which Drew seems to have an arsenal full of and willingly lets his characters use. I giggled at the visuals he created, seriously wondering at times if he was 'tripping' when he wrote them! But, do you know what? I don't care. Drew has created a wonderful pot of characters, and I would love to see more of Fred and his friends. Time for a sequel, Mr Hayes!

Some people are born boring. Some live boring. Some even die boring. Fred managed to do all three, and when he woke up as a vampire, he did so as a boring one. Timid, socially awkward, and plagued by self-esteem issues, Fred has never been the adventurous sort.

One fateful night – different from the night he died, which was more inconvenient than fateful – Fred reconnects with an old friend at his high school reunion. This rekindled relationship sets off a chain of events thrusting him right into the chaos that is the parahuman world, a world with chipper zombies, truck driver wereponies, maniacal necromancers, ancient dragons, and now one undead accountant trying his best to “survive.” Because even after it’s over, life can still be a downright bloody mess.


Here are some links where you'll find Drew:

Twitter: DrewHayesNovels
Facebook: DrewNovelist
Website: DrewHayesNovels

And nothing would be complete without Drew saying a few words, this time--about himself.

Drew Hayes is an aspiring author from Texas who has written several books and found the gumption to publish a few (so far). He graduated from Texas Tech with a B.A. in English, because evidently he's not familiar with what the term "employable" means. Drew has been called one of the most profound, prolific, and talented authors of his generation, but a table full of drunks will say almost anything when offered a round of free shots. Drew feels kind of like a D-bag writing about himself in the third person like this. He does appreciate that you're still reading, though.

Drew would like to sit down and have a beer with you. Or a cocktail. He's not here to judge your preferences. Drew is terrible at being serious, and has no real idea what a snippet biography is meant to convey anyway. Drew thinks you are awesome just the way you are. That part, he meant. Drew is off to go high-five random people, because who doesn't love a good high-five? No one, that's who.