Book excerpt for YA fantasy The House of Chalice by T.T. Escurel

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly chosen commenter will receive a $20 Amazon gift card, an autographed copy of AURONIA, and an autographed copy of THE HOUSE OF CHALICE. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Vartan is lost. His fiancé has just run off with his mortal enemy and now his mother, the Queen of the House of Rose, has disappeared. Venturing into a land with no magic, no army and no fiancé, will he be able to survive?

Lia is in trouble. Clashpeak has a new king who requires a bride, one who has eyes for the young baker’s daughter. During a violent coup, Lia seizes her chance to escape. With every soldier in the kingdom looking for her, nowhere is safe.

An ancient curse lingers in the air, still working its magic. Madness has seized the blood of the royals of the House of Chalice. A battle for power, the likes of nothing Auronia has ever seen, is about to begin…

Enjoy an excerpt:

Cries of alarm race through the camp as the order to fight goes out. Serena approaches, leading her snow-white mare. She is decked out in leather battle gear with a white fur mantle. A silver dagger hangs from one hip with a swirling purple jewel in the hilt. On the other hip, a rapier.

“You aren’t seriously considering riding to war, Serena,” I growl.

“You couldn’t stop me if you wanted to, Vartan,” she counters, mounting up. “This is my army. I will ride with my men.”

“This is no army, as you stated earlier. These are simple farmers going up against trained soldiers. Without magic, there is little chance we will survive this,” I say, stepping up on my horse.

“My love,” she says, moving her mare to stand beside me, “That is precisely why I must ride with you.” She runs her hand down the fur at her shoulders. “When you ride with me, magic rides with you.”

I frown. “I don’t understand.”

“Feel,” she says, grabbing my hand and running it down the soft fur. I feel a buzz, but I am not really sure if it is from the fur or from the girl. “It is the pelt of an ancient fox, laced with magic older and more powerful than even that of the fairies.”

“Where did you find it?” I ask.

“I killed the fox,” she says, urging her horse forward.

About the Author:

Science Fiction/Fantasy writer in Southern California where the sun shines, the waves roll in and the roads become a backdrop for an apocalypse movie every time the word "precipitation" is mentioned.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

I grew up on a sailboat. That did something odd to my imagination, I think. There is a certain type of surreal serenity that comes with living aboard a boat. That undercurrent seems to run through all my books, even though most of my characters have far more conventional backgrounds. Growing up on a boat helped teach me a stable world evolves not from your environment as much as from your perspective. My books are full of strange worlds and even stranger people, but all my main characters seem to have that grip on reality despite being dropped in the heart of chaos.

Blog | Amazon Author Page
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Smashwords | Amazon buy link 

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Book excerpt for "Selkie's Song" by Clare Austin

Today the blog is a book excerpt tour stop for the contemporary romance novel, Selkie's Song (third book in the Fadó Trilogy) by Clare Austin.

Clare will be awarding a print (US only) or digital copies (international) of the first two books in the series, Butterfly and Angel's Share to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To be entered for a chance to win, leave a comment below. And to increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and leave comments there.

Blurb:

They call her Selkie. Muireann O'Malley often felt she was born of the sea but refuses to let sentimentality stand in the way of her crusade to protect the shore she has wandered since a small child. A patch of West Clare, Ireland, and a derelict building are all that stand between the cliffs she loves and the callous grip of progress.

Tynan Sloane should be content with success, but a dream beckons. O'Fallon's Pub in historic downtown Boston is for sale and Tynan wants to make it his. An unexpected inheritance of land in the west of Ireland could provide the financing he needs. He doesn't expect his quick trip to sell the land to rekindle youthful passion.

Fifteen years ago, they had an adolescent crush. Now disparate ambition and a legend as old as Ireland herself stand between them. Will love and myth collide to bring them together or tear them apart?

Excerpt:

“That was you. On the beach, below the cliffs.”

Naked, brazen, stunning.

Muireann handed him his tea, stretched like a lazy feline, and propped her bare feet up on an ottoman. “Of course it was,” she said, took a sip and grinned over the rim of her cup.

Tynan threw his head back and laughed with relief and a touch of embarrassment. He hadn’t dreamed her, she wasn’t some magical creature from the sea. This Muireann was flesh and bone, nicely arranged and within reach. He had seen those same tousled locks, not a mantle of water plants. Her long limbs were those of a woman and not a seal turned mortal.

“I’m not sure if I should be relieved or disappointed,” he said and admitted only to himself, she was no disappointment.

“Don’t tell me you thought I was a selkie? One of the Ó Conghaile ready to sing you out to sea and drown you?”

“It’s Ireland; stranger things have been known to happen when a man is caught off guard.” She could sing him straight to the gates of glory—or damnation—and he’d go with a grin on his face.

Muireann had shed her wet T-shirt and pulled on a high-necked polo and a loose Aran jumper. She’d changed her jeans for a long skirt. Other than her naked feet, nothing of her body was exposed, but Ty scanned her with imagination. The clothes dropped away and all he could see was her lithe contours and full breasts.

When he worked his way down to the triangle of dark hair at the apex of her slim thighs, there was no stopping the physical reaction she elicited in him. He tried with no success to stop thinking like a horny adolescent.

“Are you shocked by me?” she asked, reaching for a biscuit from the tray.

Ty sipped from his tea to wet the dry lump in his throat before he was able to speak. “I’m not sure ‘shocked’ is the right word for it. Surprised? Sure.” Part of him was shocked, surprised, and a little off balance.

“I’ve two sisters. I guess I’ve been really protective of them all these years. What you did…well, I think if you were my sister, I’d take you home and lock you away for good.”

Muireann curled into her chair, pulled her legs up and hugged her knees. She looked so deep into Tynan’s eyes he was tempted to turn away. His heart leapt into a gallop as she spurred his desire for her. In the silence, he was deafened by the blood coursing in his ears.

“I guess it’s a grand thing then,” she began, “that I’m not one of your sisters.”

Author bio and links:

A word about the author...

Clare Austin submitted her first manuscript to a publisher at the age of eight years. She wishes she still had that rejection letter.

Many years and not a few stories later, with characters knocking at the inside of her cranium and begging to be released, Clare’s romantic comedy, Butterfly, was published. There followed a suspenseful sequel, Angel’s Share, and Hot Flash, a women’s fiction/romance for mature women and the men who love them.

Clare lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains and enjoys her horses, playing her violin, and traveling to Ireland every summer.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Kindle

Excerpt from YA action/adventure Blue Moon Chronicles by Bryant Golden

About the Author:

Bryant Golden started writing “Blue Moon Chronicles, Book I” when he was twelve years old and sick at home. The story and the genre changed significantly in the seven years it took to finish, hopefully for the better, but the title and the themes never changed. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, he originally settled his characters into fantasy worlds with magic and creatures to abandon life in the city. When he was rewriting the story for the final time he realized that the story needs to be personal for it to matter, to the writer and to readers, so he created new characters and settled the story into a fictional but realistic world.

Twitter | Amazon

Genre: Fiction/Action & Adventure/Young Adult

Publisher: Self-published with CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Released June 4, 2013.

Amazon

Book Description:

It’s been a century since the Civil War split the continent into two provinces, Sanctum and Alexandria, and now another war is on the horizon: the Continent War. The end of this war means the end of one of the provinces. This is the story of Ian Hirst as he finds himself in the fray and fights to defend his province and loved ones. Isaiah, a young boy from the newest locale in Sanctum, struggles to learn what it means to grow up and become “a proper man” in the middle of it all.

Excerpt, “A Night In Sanctum”:

Ian was shown the cheapest inn to spend the night, far out on the outskirts of the city. They get cheaper the farther away from the castle, according to what the man told him. When he got to his room for the night he pulled off his boots and his parka, hung the empty rifle on the bedpost and changed his bandages.

He dozed off for a few hours and woke up to the sound of the doorknob turning. He grabbed the rifle and silently positioned himself behind the door in the blink of an eye. He’s a lot quicker on his feet when he isn’t inches deep in snow.

“Hi there,” he said, closing the door with the rifle pointed at the mysterious hooded figure that just walked in. “Don’t do anything stupid or you’ll be dead before you can regret it.”

A deep chuckle, male, Ian thought, then silence. The hooded man turned to face him. He noticed the large beard, definitely a man then.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“Not your enemy. Well, not yet.”

The man pulled down his hood to reveal an aged face, half of it covered by his large dark beard. “You were given a package by that ridiculous man earlier,” he started. “I’ve been following those fools for days.”

Ian sat down on the floor, still aiming the rifle at the man. “That’s none of my business but I won’t give it to you,” he said. He kept switching his focus between the man and the rucksack to make sure he doesn’t reach for it.

“Fool, this is no ordinary delivery. Did you not see the ribbon? It means ‘royalty’. Those ridiculous merchants are only overlooked swindlers, friend.”

“I’m not your friend, old-timer. Also, I don’t make a habit of peeking at other people’s mail. Neither should you,” said Ian with a glare. “Wait, so…‘royalty’ then? Did that man expect me to deliver this to the king?” he asked.

“No, of course not… You don’t deliver it directly to the king. Why don’t you know that? What kind of courier are you?”

“I’m not a courier. I have my own reasons for being in the city. You’d know that if you were better at what you do. I didn’t even see you at the fork in the road.”

“You didn’t see me because I’m that good at what I do, you fool.”

“Ah, well… I’m not giving it to you,” mumbled Ian, the lack of confidence is embarrassingly obvious.

“Well, I’m not really giving you a choice,” said the man with a smile. In one quick motion the man pulled his cloak off, threw it at Ian, disarmed him in the confusion and had it pointed at his forehead.

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Book blast stop for romance novel Stealing Fire by Susan Sloate

Today is a book blast tour stop for the romance novel Stealing Fire by Susan Sloate. The novel was a quarter-finalist (Top 5%) in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.

Susan will be awarding a notebook (perfect for journaling) to a lucky commentor during the tour. To be entered for a chance to win, leave a comment below. To increase your chances of winning, visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too.

Blurb:

“How do you recognize your soulmate?

In glittery 1980’s Los Angeles, Beau Kellogg is a brilliant Broadway lyricist now writing advertising jingles and yearning for one more hit to compensate for his miserable marriage and disappointing life.

Amanda Harary, a young singer out of synch with her contemporaries, works at a small New York hotel, while she dreams of singing on Broadway.

When they meet late at night over the hotel switchboard, what begins will bring them each unexpected success, untold joy, and piercing heartache ... until they learn that some connections, however improbable, are meant to last forever.

STEALING FIRE is, at its heart, a story for romantics everywhere, who believe in the transformative power of love.”

STEALING FIRE was a Quarter-Finalist (Top 5%) in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.

Excerpt:

Oh, God, it was him, the bastard who had upset the switchboard operators and bellowed through the lobby loudly enough to alert all five boroughs. At three o'clock in the morning, asking for room service. Unbelievable.

Amanda leaned back in her chair. Her stomach was tightening inexplicably. "I'm sorry," she said finally, when she could control her voice. "Room Service closes at midnight."

There was a pause. "Oh. What time is it now?"

She looked at her watch. "Ten after three."

"Then whom am I speaking to?"

"I'm the night operator. This is the main switchboard."

"Well, main switchboard, you must all sound alike down there. I could swear I talked to you earlier tonight."

Well, how about that. "You've got a good ear, 704. I was on duty earlier."

"Good Lord. How long are the shifts around here?"

"Eight hours for everybody else. I’m working a double today."

“Why?"

"Maybe I just love it here."

"I guess you do. But I hope you're well compensated."

Trust a man to think of money first. "That’s not my major concern."

"Glad to hear it."

Okay, enough's enough.  It's been a long day, made even longer by him. No reason to shoot the breeze with this guy. "Excuse me, I have other callers. Sorry I couldn’t help you."

"Well, better luck with them."

"Look, if you'd called earlier—"

"Absolutely. My fault entirely, for falling asleep after a cross-country flight, a time change and a screw-up in hotel administration. Forget I even mentioned it." The phone clicked in her ear.

She sat for some moments before she noticed she was trembling. This was the second time he'd undermined her—and it bothered her.

Author Information:

Susan Sloate is the author of 20 published books, including FORWARD TO CAMELOT (with Kevin Finn), an alternative history of the JFK assassination, STEALING FIRE, an autobiographical love story, and REALIZING YOU (with Ron Doades), for which she invented a new genre – the self-help novel.

FORWARD TO CAMELOT was a #6 Amazon bestseller, took honors in 3 literary competitions and was optioned for film production by a Hollywood company. STEALING FIRE was a quarter-finalist in the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.

Susan has also written young-adult fiction and non-fiction, including RAY CHARLES: FIND ANOTHER WAY!, which won a silver medal in the 2007 Children’s Moonbeam Book Awards, AMELIA EARHART: CHALLENGING THE SKIES, a perennial Amazon bestseller, and MYSTERIES UNWRAPPED: THE SECRETS OF ALCATRAZ, which led to her appearance on a special for The History Channel in 2009, as well as books for five girls’ fiction series.

As a screenwriter, she has written an informational film for McGraw-Hill Films and optioned two scripts to Hollywood production companies. As a sportswriter, she’s covered the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets. She’s also managed two recent political campaigns, founded the East Cooper Authors Festival (which put 18 professional authors in 17 area schools in one day) and serves on the Culture, Arts and Pride Commission of the Town of Mount Pleasant.

Book excerpt tour stop for The Descent from Truth by Gaylon Greer

Today, Reviews and Interviews is a book excerpt tour stop for the romantic suspense novel, The Descent from Truth, by Gaylon Greer.

Gaylon will be giving away an autographed hardcover version of his previous book, The Price of Sanctuary, to a lucky commenter during the tour. So, to be entered to win, leave a comment below (and a way for Gaylon to contact you). And if you'd like to increase your chances of winning, visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too.

Blurb:  

Alex Bryson is patrolling Rocky Mountain backcountry in his job as a security guard when he discovers a woman with a baby wandering alone in the snow far from the nearest road. He takes them to shelter in a weekender cabin and sees a newscast that suggests the woman, Pia Ulmer, kidnapped the baby from its rightful parents and that it is the sole heir of Peru’s wealthiest and most corrupt family. Pia claims that she is the baby’s mother, and Alex doesn't know what to believe. After turning her in, he continues to struggle with his budding feelings for her and remains unsure of the true story. He becomes more and more involved until finally there is no turning back—lives are on the line. He helps Pia get free from a brutal world that values money over life, and together they devise a plan to reclaim the baby. Just when it looks like they might succeed, they discover an international conspiracy that changes the game entirely.

Excerpt:

The baby, with his snowsuit and blanket, was dry and warm. From frisking the woman, however, Alex knew that her clothes—a woolen coat, gray wool pants, and a white, button-front blouse—were way too light for the weather. Ankle-high boots, pointy toed and loose at the top, looked designed for fashion rather than protection. They were soaked, as were her pants from the knees down.

He dug a pair of thermal socks from his backpack and motioned for her to sit on the sleeping bag. “Let's get these soggy boots off.” Kneeling, he lifted her foot onto his bent leg.

She jerked free and backed across the sleeping bag, dragging the baby with her. The little guy squirmed and started fretting again.

“You have every right to be cautious, after the way I jumped you.” Alex made his voice as soft as possible. “I shouldn't have done that. But I've been warned to watch for bad guys, and

. . .” The explanation sounded silly even to him. “We need to dry your feet. If they get frostbitten, you could lose them.”

Giving her time to digest that, he deliberately kept the left side of his face turned away. A quarter-inch-wide scar stretched from the corner of his left eye to the base of his jawbone. No facial hair grew along it, and the glaring pink tissue, the way the scar pulled down the edge of his eye, might flip her panic switch.

“You're safe,” he said after a moment. He lifted her foot again.

She didn't pull away this time, so he peeled off the boot and the wet sock. Holding her foot close to the tiny stove, he rubbed to stimulate circulation. He tried not to focus on the feel of smooth skin against his hands.

Author information:

Working with traveling carnivals and itinerant farm labor gangs during his teen and early adult years took Gaylon Greer up, down, and across the U.S. and introduced him to a plethora of colorful individuals who serve as models for his fictional characters. After several years as an Air Force officer and then a university professor with a Ph.D. in economics, Greer developed an interest in writing fiction and attended workshops at the University of Iowa, the University of Nebraska, and Bryn-Mawr College. He also studied with the U.C. Davis Extension program and the Algonquian Writers Group. His most recent novel, The Descent from Truth is available at www.Amazon.com and other e-book retailers. Please visit Greer at www.GaylonGreer.com.

Excerpt from children's book Sir Stan the Bogeyman by Stacie Morrell

Sir Stan the Bogeyman

by Stacie Morrell

Illustrated by Elizabeth Berg

About Stacie:

Accomplishments: Started a used bookstore for the Friends of the Wilsonville Library, subject of Oregonian article, published in: Antiques and Collectibles Magazine, Bookman’s AB Magazine, Antique Trader, Writer’s Digest (writing clinic), Book Magazine. Started the E-Commerce collectibles department for Goodwill of the Columbia Willamette. Currently pursuing an Associates of Applied Science in Business and Management at Portland Community College, holding a 3.98 GPA, member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, on Dean’s and President’s List.

Interests: Reading (pretty much anything even the cereal box if nothing else is available), writing (all genres), family (wife and mother), growing in and spreading my faith, learning (information geek), travel (but I rarely ever get to), volunteering, bargain hunting at garage sales, thrift stores, flea markets, etc.

In one sentence, who am I? Stacie Morrell is an eccentrically entertaining neurotic bibliophile who sells collectibles, tries to have patience with her precocious daughter, fearlessly tries to do everything, and writes because she is driven to as part of her genetic composition.

If I could go back and do one thing over: I would have figured out what I wanted from life way before now and gone back to school to get it (much, much sooner than I did).

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Publisher: Self-Published at CreateSpace

Release Date: September 1, 2013

Amazon - Coming Soon!

Book Description:

Do dark places bother you?

The space under your bed…

The closet, door slightly ajar…

Do you believe in the Boogey Man?

Who is he?

Where did he come from?

What does he want?

Maybe he has a story to tell,

And we should listen.

Excerpt:

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Book blast for From the Ashes by Daisy Harris

Today I'm participating in a 1-day virtual super book blast tour for From the Ashes by Daisy Harris. The book is a contemporary M/M romance book available today from Samhain Publishing.

Daisy will be awarding a $20 gift card to Starbucks to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so leave a comment below to be entered for a chance to win. And if you'd like to increase your chances of winning, visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too.

Blurb:

When an accident burns down Jesse’s apartment, he’s left broke and homeless, with a giant dog and a college schedule he can’t afford to maintain. And no family who’s willing to take him in.

Lucky for him, a sexy fireman offers him a place to stay. The drawback? The fireman’s big Latino family lives next door, and they don’t know their son is gay.

Tomas’s parents made their way in America with hard work and by accepting help when it was offered, so he won’t let Jesse drop out of school just so he can afford a place to live. Besides, Jesse’s the perfect roommate—funny, sweet and breathtakingly cute. He climbs into Tomas’s bed and tugs at his heart. Until Jesse starts pushing for more.

Their passion enflames their bodies but threatens to crush Tomas’s family. Tomas is willing to fight for Jesse, but after losing everything, Jesse isn’t sure he can bear to risk his one remaining possession—his heart.

Warning: Contains an angry older brother, judgmental best friends, a slobbering bull mastiff, and enough red-hot gay loving to make a porn star blush.

Excerpt:

The gay guys Tomas hooked up with never seemed to find what he did to them demeaning, but he’d been raised to believe it was.

That was fine when it came to hookups at strange bars in the city, but the kid curled up on his couch watching television wasn’t like those guys. He was sweet and had had a tough time. He didn’t deserve to be treated the way Tomas treated men, even if Jesse thought that’s what he wanted.

By the time he pushed open the door from his bedroom into the living room, Jesse had twisted into the fetal position on the couch, and fallen asleep.

“Jess?” Tomas touched his arm, trying to shake him awake. He needed to get Jesse off the couch long enough to unfold it into a bed.

“Hmm?” Jesse flopped onto his other side, almost falling off in the process.

Tomas shook his head. “All right.” He went to the other side of the loveseat and worked his arms under Jesse’s knees and shoulders. “Up you go.” He lifted.

Waking up, Jesse wrapped his arms around Tomas’s neck.

He smelled like soap from Tomas’s shower, overlaid on the scent of ashes. Jesse pressed a kiss into his shoulder.

“You can take my bed tonight,” Tomas whispered. He tried to ignore the throbbing in his belly and the urge to set Jesse down and lie on top of him.

When he laid Jesse on the bed, Jesse didn’t let go. “I could be rocking your world right now,” Jesse breathed in his ear.

Soundlessly, Tomas gasped. He couldn’t leave the circle of Jesse’s arms. Jesse was stronger than he realized, and in that moment, Tomas was far too weak.

Author Bio and Links:

Birkenstock-wearing glamour girl and mother of two by immaculate conception, Daisy Harris still isn't sure if she writes erotica. Her romances start out innocently enough. However, her characters behave like complete sluts. Much to Miss Harris's dismay the sex tends to get completely out of hand.

She writes about fantastical creatures and about young men getting their freak on, and she's never missed an episode of The Walking Dead.

Want to learn more about new releases, general news and my latest inappropriate boy band crush? Sign up for my newsletter here. 

Find me on Twitter. 

Like me on Facebook. 

My filthy Tumblr feed. 

Amazon buy link 

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Excerpt of Too Close by Elizabeth Krall

This is a virtual book excerpt tour stop for the contemporary romance novel, Too Close by Elizabeth Krall.

Elizabeth will be awarding an eBook version of EACH of her three short stories to a randomly drawn commenter at each stop. Plus a grand prize of an eBook version of her first novel, Ship to Shore, will be awarded to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To be entered for a chance to win a prize, leave a comment below. And to increase your chances of winning, visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too. 

Blurb:

What rules would you break for the one you love? What lies would you tell?

Three weeks before their wedding day, Nicola and Greg discover that they may have the same mother.

They met when Greg joined the San Francisco newspaper where Nicola is the travel editor. After six months, eager to start a life together and raise a family, they decide to marry.

When Nicola finally meets his family in Seattle, and mentions the circumstances of her adoption, Greg’s horrified mother is forced to reveal the shameful secret she has kept for 36 years.

As they struggle to deal with her revelation, their relationship is challenged and strained. If his mother’s suspicions are true, they will be forced into a devastating choice: break all of society’s rules and fight for their love, or break their hearts and give each other up.

It will be the greatest test their newfound love has faced – and their love may not survive.

Excerpt:

Scene:  Nicola and her friend Hélène talk about what constitutes a family.

“Families are funny, when you think about it,” mused Hélène.

“Why? Apart from the well known fact that you can’t choose them.”

“That is what I mean. I was thinking of you,” explained Hélène. “You were chosen. Gwen and Arthur and Bill and Alison are your family, but not due to luck or circumstance.”

Nicola nodded, drowsy but puzzled. “So?”

“Would you ever have sex with Bill?”

Nicola bolted upright, wide awake. “No! Ewww, no! How can you ask such a thing?”

“This is my point. There is no shred of shared DNA between you, but he is your brother and you react with quite proper revulsion to the idea of sex with him. Yet if it happens that you and Greg do share DNA, it is expected that you should have that same reaction, despite the fact that you met only six months ago and you in no way regard him as your brother.” Hélène swirled the cognac, warming it in her hand. “Why is Bill your family, but Greg not? That is what I was getting at when I said families are funny.”

“Nurture over nature,” proclaimed Nicola suddenly.

Hélène said, “I do not understand. The words, yes, but not the meaning.”

“It’s one of the few things I remember from my first-year psychology class. The debate about which is more important in determining how a person turns out – his genes, or his upbringing. In this case, I think of Bill, totally unrelated to me, as my brother because that’s how I was brought up to think of him.”

Hélène nodded. “I see. And by the same reasoning, you do not see Greg that way. Your genes did not recognize each other.”

Author Bio and Links:

Elizabeth Krall grew up in Canada and lived in London, England, for many years. She has now settled in Sydney, Australia.

Most of her career was spent as an editor, but now she works as a print and digital graphic designer. An unexpected side-effect of leaving editing was the resurgence of an interest in writing. Her first novel, Ship to Shore, was published in February 2012; her second, Too Close, in January 2013.

She is also the author of an occasional series of short stories themed around holidays, called Holiday Romances.

Elizabeth’s interests include travel, tall ship sailing and cocktails.

Website | Pinterest 

Video trailer for Too Close | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

Book excerpt tour stop for Spirit of the Revolution by Debbie Peterson

Today is a fun virtual excerpt tour stop for the paranormal romance, Spirit of the Revolution by Debbie Peterson.

Debbie will be awarding a custom-made piece of jewelry to a randomly drawn commentor during the tour (US only). This necklace, called "The Jolena" was designed especially for this giveaway by Shandra Kay. Debbie will also award an e-book copy of Shadow of the Witte Wieven. The winner will have the choice of selecting a Mobi, epub, o PDF copy of the book. To be entered for a chance to win and of these prize, leave a comment below. And to increase your chances of winning, visit other tour stops and comment there.

Blurb:

Only divine intervention could have guided Jolena Leigh Michaelsson to the doorstep of a ramshackle manor in Pennsylvania, bringing her face-to-face with the man she has waited her whole life to find. There is just one problem. Mathias McGregor died two centuries ago…

Mathias, Revolutionary War ranger and spy, battles his conscience and his heart when he finds himself falling for the beautiful violinist invading his home. Jolena is mortal and deserves far more than what he as a spirit can offer her.

When Jolena’s family motto leads them to unearth a valuable coded message—the very message Mathias died trying to deliver to General Washington—Jolena vows to unravel the mystery surrounding the cryptic document. But someone else wants the message, and he’ll stop at nothing to get it, not even murder.

Divine intervention brought them together—will it also allow them to find forever?

Excerpt:

A thousand questions swirled around inside her head. Questions like, why did he look so solid, and how could he speak aloud when he had no tangible body and couldn’t breathe air? She could even see the stubble on his finely chiseled chin.

“How are you doing that?” she finally blurted out.

“Doing?” Her ghost appeared puzzled over the question.

“What I mean—” Jo took a deep breath and began again. “I can hear you. I see you as if you’re a living, breathing person. You look solid for heaven’s sake. How can you do that when you have no real body?”

A slight, crooked grin appeared as he shrugged. “Practice, my lady, decade after decade of dedicated practice. I couldn’t always express myself in this manner, I assure you.”

The deep dimples appearing on either side of his cheeks briefly distracted her line of thinking. No, don’t look at that, she silently commanded. She needed to stay focused—

Author Bio and Links:

Debbie has always had a soft spot for fairy tales, the joy of falling in love, and happily ever after endings. Stories of love and make believe filled her head for as long as she can remember. However, it was her beloved husband who encouraged, cajoled and inspired her to take up a pen and write some of them down.

Her journey to published author could fill quite a few pages, but in June of 2010, she submitted her debut novel, Spirit of the Rebellion to her wonderful, patient, editor at The Wild Rose Press. A few short months after Rebellion’s release, her second novel, Shadow of the Witte Wieven was published through InkSpell Publishing. Her third novel, Spirit of the Revolution” releases May 31, 2013 through The Wild Rose Press.

When she’s not busy conjuring her latest novel, Debbie spends time with the members of her very large family. She also pursues her interests in family history, mythology, and all things ancient and historic.

Connect with Debbie:

Website: http://dk-peterson.com/

Blog: http://debbie-peterson.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebbiePeterson1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbie-Peterson-Author/214882805206529?ref=tn_tnmn

Don't forget about the giveaways: Debbie will be awarding a custom-made piece of jewelry to a randomly drawn commentor during the tour (US only). This necklace, called "The Jolena" was designed especially for this giveaway by Shandra Kay. Debbie will also award an e-book copy of Shadow of the Witte Wieven. The winner will have the choice of selecting a Mobi, epub, o PDF copy of the book. To be entered for a chance to win and of these prize, leave a comment below. And to increase your chances of winning, visit other tour stops and comment there.