Today Only Blog Tour at Book Nerd 101

Today Only by D. Love

Published: May 11, 2013

Editor: Lizzy Ford

Cover Designer: Airicka Phoenix

 

Blurb

 In life, there are times you are granted a miracle. It may not be the one you wanted exactly, but it will be the one you need. It will prepare you for the next step in your journey and help you learn to accept the life you are given, even if that life can be heartbreaking.

 

 

Buy Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords      

  

 

 

EXCERPTS

 

Excerpt #1 - Rye's POV

My time here is dwindling. Everything around me – my body, the transition from winter to spring, the height chart marking the growth of my daughter, Emily – reminds me that the hourglass that is my life has only a few grains of sand left.

It’s my first thought this morning. I awoke early for a fundraiser, the Big Walk for March of Dimes. I start off with my daily routine. I jump in the shower, trying not to notice how much the droplets of water hurt my skin. The sting is too much this morning. I get out quickly, dry off and throw my hair in a simple ponytail at the base of my neck. I catch my reflection in the mirror and stare at myself for a minute.

Just a little longer? So I can watch Em grow up?

My mirror doesn’t have an answer for me.

"Come on, Em!" I call to my daughter. "Get your shoes on, before we’re late."

I turn away from the mirror, then hurry into the living room and grab Emily by the hand.

"You ready Em?" I ask. Whatever dread or fear I feel in front of my mirror fades at the sight of Em’s beautiful blue eyes. 

She looks up at me with the biggest smile, and exclaims, "Yes!"

We hop in the car and head towards the Walk. My daughter’s eyes are glowing. 

"Mama, this is going to be the best walk ever," she almost squeals in excitement. The innocence of my little angel never fails to humble me.

She doesn’t yet understand that this might be my last Walk with her. 

"Yes, honey, this is going to be the best walk ever," I agree.

 

 

 

 

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Excerpt #2 Rye's POV

I cross to the area that Jett has claimed for his garden. He appears to be in the zone as he works, oblivious to everything.

"Good morning," I call.

Jett throws dirt in the air and screams like Em.

"Good grief! You scared me to death, Rye!" he exclaims, turning.

I try to apologize but am laughing so hard, my ribs start hurting. I sit down. When his surprise wears off, Jett laughs as well. It takes me a few minutes to recover.

"So, tell me, Jett," I say when I’m able to breathe and speak again, "what is the importance of a garden?"

"It’s the healthy way to live," is all he says.

"Hmmmm," I reply. There’s got to be more. Any other day, I’d probably ask him more questions. But right now, I’m completely captivated by his work – and his body. He’s always in a t-shirt. Sweat makes it cling to his upper body, outlining the muscles of his wide back.

Tracing the definition of each muscle would take me all day, but I would definitely accept the job. He’s the sexiest man I’ve ever seen, and the kindest. He’s pretty much perfect.

"You wanna help me, or just stare at my ass all day?" he asks, twisting to see me.

 

 

 

 

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Excerpt #3 Jett's POV

My dad and I must have talked for an hour. I tell him about work, about Em’s graduation party and about my intention to ask Rye to marry me. He doesn’t say much about the last part, at least, not until I’m getting ready to leave. That’s when the conversation takes the turn I expected earlier.

"One minute, son," he says slowly, thoughtfully.

"Yes, sir."

"Jett, I want to give you a little more advice."

"Alright, sir," was all I could say, worried about what he had to say.

"Jett, you understand you are walking into a life of heartbreak, right?" he asks gravely.

"Yes, sir," I repeated.

"I want you to remember that heartbreak that you are walking into already has people in place. Remember not to remove anyone from their positions, son."

"What do you mean, sir?" I ask, puzzled.

"What I mean is, remember that everyone has a method to help themselves cope through this tragic circumstance. Whether it’s Dee, reading every night to Rye, or Em, posting notes. Everyone has a coping mechanism to help them survive, until the end. You need to respect that."

"Sir, with the utmost respect, I haven’t given up hope."

"Son, there is always an end."

I get up to leave. My soul hurts, and the pain is physical. My legs shake, and I feel that panicky anger I did the other night. I walk down the porch then stop, turning to see my dad.

"Sir, how did you make it through this with Mom?" I ask him in a hushed voice.

"I did what you have chosen to do, live in the here and now," he replies. "I love you, son. I don’t want to see you hurt the way I did."

 

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Author Bio

I live in Maine. My biggest passion is for my family and friends. I adore loving others as if it is the biggest gift life can offer. I'm a read-a-holic, loves chocolate, cowboys and everyone on  Young Adult & Teen Readers Facebook page. My dream is to travel to Australia one day and see a kangaroo. I am nothing but simple. I do a lot of volunteer work. I have 2 beautiful daughters. 4 grandchildren, that constantly ask me if I lived in the black & white days.

My inspiration would be my daughters. Rita for her strength to keep fighting and constantly trying to take care of me, even though sometimes she can’t get out of bed & Kayla, for helping to pick up all the pieces that seem to fall when times get rough, and the love they have for me.

 

 

D. Love's Links

 

Blog

Author Facebook Page

Personal Facebook Page

Twitter

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shadows of Empire Blog Tour

 

Synopsis

The greatest tragedy of Queen Victoria’s reign...

...was a personal experience for Henry Booth. His mother died when more than one-hundred women and children were hacked to pieces with meat cleavers by the rebel forces of the Great Indian Mutiny. This event, which transformed an empire, left deep scars in Henry’s character.

     Years after the slaughter, Henry receives his mother’s journal from India and the young Oxford student finds himself suddenly entangled in his mother’s past, a past he never suspected, a past which threatens his own life in the present.

     While Henry tries to elude the dangers that confront him, he comes to know his mother, not through the idealized memories of a seven year old child, the age when he last saw her, but through her journal. The journal teaches Henry that his Victorian assumptions about the nature of women are utterly false. What he learns from his mother’s private thoughts allows him to give up the myth of male supremacy for a passionate relationship with a young Indian woman who has been trained as a dancer, musician, poet and courtesan.

     Shadows of Empire is a love story and mystery that takes place in the exotic settings of Lucknow, northern India, and Victorian London. In addition to the drama of two interwoven cultures, and two story lines of past and present, the reader will also encounter the remarkable subculture of the Lucknow courtesans, highly skilled  artists who were leaders of  their society and, unlike nearly all other women on the subcontinent, lived their lives without male domination.

Buy Links

 

Barnes and Noble Paperback

Apple iBookstore

Shadows of Empire Amazon Paperback

Author Bio

Alan began writing at age six by plotting with his father on Superman, Batman and other action hero stories for DC Publi­cations in New York. His other writing includes commercial films, brochures and advertisements. Alan is also a photogra­pher, using twenty-first century technology to capture macro images in nature. His work is inspired by his mother, Marjorie McKee’s, abstract expressionist painting. His work is in private collections globally.

Alan lives with his family in Toronto but spends time at his second home in Nova Scotia. His special interests are British history and nineteenth century literature. He has been particularly inspired by two great British historians, E.P. Thompson and Eric Hobsbawm.

Oxford, England remains a soft spot as does the writing of Wilkie Collins and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

His other books are The Iron Beast and The Minotaur’s Children. The Minotaur’s Children details the trade in children and young girls between London and the brothels on the continent. It is against this backdrop that the story is told.

Author Links

Website

Alan’sBlog

Alanon Facebook

AlanMcKee on Goodreads

Hearwhat the Historical Novel Society has to say

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shadows of Empire Excerpts

 

 

From the Foreword

More than any other place I have ever seen, Lucknow with its golden minarets and gleaming stuccoed buildings, polished to look like the whitest marble, brought the Arabian Nights to life. Lucknow was a place of dreams made real. Courtyards with magical buildings and luxuriant lawns where peacocks wandered, uttering their piercing cries, were reminiscent of Persian paintings and ceramics. Deer roamed in the parks which lay around the Nawab’s palaces, and even the bungalows of the East India Company where we lived stood near gardens and fruit trees that would have been envied by the builders of Versailles. The scent of exotic blossoms was everywhere and even stole into the little gothic church the Company had built for us near the Residency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action sequence

“Those porters don’t look any too strong,” Henry remarked. “I think I’ll give a hand. I’ll take one end and you take the other, Harry.”

“Right,” the other man said as they got out of the carriage and approached the porters. Both of the young men had forgotten the arguing Indian jarveys. In the crowded street, hey didn’t realize that as they approached the trunk, three of the Indians were walking right behind them, following on their heels.

“Mother,” Henry called out, “We’ll take it from here. Just put it down,” he said to the porters.

As the trunk touched the ground, the three Indian drivers sprang forward. Henry seized one end of the trunk and Harry the other.

“What the devil?” Henry exclaimed as the three men tried to seize the trunk from them. “They’re Thugs,” Henry called out.

One of the Indians drew a wicked looking curved knife. Keeping the trunk between himself and the man with a knife, Henry swung the heavy trunk with Harry and managed to slam it into their assailant. Just as he went down, Henry felt someone leap on his back. In order to throw him, Henry had to put down his end of the trunk.

“Harry,” he called, “whatever happens don’t let go your end.” Then, he attended to the business of throwing the man on his back to the ground. As the man began to be dislodged, he tried to slip a white scarf around Henry’s neck, and failed. Henry threw him hard and when the man tried to get up from the street, Henry finished him with a neat right cross. He then looked around just in time to see two other men dragging Harry and the chest toward one of their waiting carriages.

“Hold on, Harry. I’m coming,” and he sprinted across the few yards between himself and the men.

 

 

 

 

Love scene

“My poor, dear, Henry,” she said as she reached down and touched his face gently. “This is all very hard for you, is it not?” Her gesture and words were very intimate, something Mary or Amelia might say and do.

“It is, Umrao. You cannot know. I chaff at this inactivity, but I don’t know what to do.”

“But it is only natural, Henry. Until now, everything, in your life has been smooth. Now, you feel you have lost everything. Yes?” She moved close to him and hugged his head to her side as one might with a child.

“You are very kind, Umrao.”

“It is easy to be kind to you, Henry. I, too, am struggling to keep my balance in this strange land.”

He felt her lips brush his. It was done so gently, so artlessly, it might have been a kiss from a child. Henry felt at a complete loss to know what to do. He wanted very much to take the exotic young woman in his arms, but he did not want to frighten her. He also feared to discover the strength of his own feelings if he released them. The whole situation added to his sense of having lost everything familiar. He was at sea. He didn’t know what the boundaries would be with Umrao, Or if there would be any boundaries. It was the direct opposite to his relationship with Mary, where the Suttons had laid down definite rules for behaviour. And, regardless of his powerful attraction to Umrao, it would be a betrayal of Mary to do anything. So, he did nothing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back To You Release Day Book Blitz

Title: Back To You

Author: Natalie-Nicole Bates        

Genre: Romance

Blitz Host: Lady Amber's Tours

 

Free on Amazon June 7, 8, and 9
FREE ON AMAZON

 

Blurb

On the surface, Lynsey Reznor seems to have it all. She is beautiful, brilliant, and a successful true-crime writer who has been living the past decade in Miami. But what Lynsey lacks is what she needs the most—a family.

After the death of her mother, and yet another failed relationship, Lynsey makes an impulsive decision to return to her hometown of Unity. But Unity will present its own bittersweet memories, most notably, her first love, Nick Lincoln.

Twenty years ago, Nick broke teenager Lynsey’s heart when he decided to marry another. He had his own private reasons—reasons he never explained to Lynsey. Now she is back, along with a chance to reclaim her love. But Lynsey wants answers from him that he may never be able to give out of duty and guilt.

 

Author Bio:
Natalie-Nicole Bates is a book reviewer and author.

Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography and antique poison bottles. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.

She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.

 

Links

Goodreads     Amazon     Twitter     Blog     Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

When he heard her, he came to her, took her into his arms, and kissed her. It was a comfort that he wasn’t regretting their lovemaking. She didn’t think she could handle being rejected by him twice in her lifetime.

     “Do you have to leave soon?” she asked.

     “I’m sorry. I don’t want to, but I have to.” He went to the stove and prepared her a cup of coffee. “I think we should start planning our wedding. We could be married at Christmas.”

     She was taken aback. Is this his proposal ?  This was supposed to be so romantic and memorable, not talk about planning a Christmas wedding while he stirred a cup of coffee.

     “Do you even want to get married?” She took the coffee mug he offered. “I mean, it wasn’t that long ago that you told me you weren’t sure you ever wanted to be married again. You said you didn’t see fatherhood in your future, and Nick, I want a baby…more than one. I grew up as an only child and I was so alone. I don’t want my child to have to experience that.”

     “Well, I didn’t use a condom last night. You could be pregnant right now,” was his reply.

     Heaviness descended upon her heart. This was so not how she wanted this morning to be, and certainly not the marriage proposal she had dreamed of. “I’m on the Pill—I won’t get pregnant if that’s all you’re worried about.”

      “I’m sorry, that’s not the only reason we should get married.”

     “Then why?” she asked suspiciously.

     He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Lynsey, I don’t have time to get into this with you right now. What do you want me to say in the five minutes I have before I leave for work?”

     She couldn’t believe his glib attitude.  “How about saying something to me like…‘I love you, Lynsey, and I made a tremendous mistake by not marrying you twenty years ago?’ That would take you less than thirty seconds to say, and you could have easily gotten to your precious job on time.”

     Suddenly his jaw set and his eyes narrowed. “I didn’t make a mistake by not marrying you twenty years ago! I let you go to become a success in life—and you did. I can’t regret that!”

     “So, what I thought all these years was correct. I was nothing to you but a quick and easy way to shed your virginity.” Just saying the words was devastating.

     “That’s not it at all,” he vehemently insisted. “You were always so intelligent. I mean, you were a sixteen-year-old senior in high school! Just how many grades did you skip over, anyway?”

    “Two,” she answered in a low voice.

    “Do you know what would have happened if I hadn’t married Kelly?” He didn’t wait for her reply. “I’ll tell you what. You and I would have been ostracized by everyone in this town! We would have had to be married right away, and we would have had to live with your mother, because I had no money.”

     “My mother loved you. She would have been happy to have us live with her,” she interjected.

     “And we were so naïve, Lynsey. You would have graduated high school with either a big belly, or a baby in your arms…if you had graduated at all.”

     She crossed her arms over her breasts and looked at the floor. She was too afraid that if she looked at him she would break down. “Some of the girls in school were married. A few of them had babies.”

     He lifted her chin and forced her to make eye contact with him. “And you were too smart to be stuck in this town, and just another housewife. You would have become bored and resentful.”

     “I wouldn’t have known the difference,” she countered.

     “I had serious doubts then. I still have doubts now,” he admitted.

     Her dark lashes flew upward. “What is that supposed to mean?”     

    “I believe that you will become bored and restless in Unity and will want to go back to Florida or maybe California. I have a job and a family here, Lynsey. I don’t ever want to give that up. I’m afraid that we’ll have a child, and you’ll take my baby and leave. I can not allow that to happen.”

     She couldn’t believe what he was saying. Nothing was further from the truth. “Do you think I would have sunk so much of my savings into that house just to abandon it? I would never, ever do what you’re saying. But if circumstances changed, I would expect you to support what was best for our family. Couples who are committed make sacrifices for each other!”

     It was becoming clearer and clearer that things were rapidly falling apart between them.

     “Lynsey, didn’t what happened between us last night mean anything to you?” he asked.

     She chuckled unpleasantly. “I suppose that with us living in such close proximity, last night was inevitable. But don’t worry about it happening again, Nick. When you get home this evening, I won’t be here.”     

    “Where are you going to be?”

     She wanted to hurt Nick like she was now hurting. “I’m sure that Caleb wouldn’t mind me bunking down at his house for a week or two.”

    “Over my dead body,” he seethed. “I will drag you away from him kicking and screaming if it comes to it. I’ll handcuff you to my bed if need be. Believe me, Lynsey, I’ll do it!” He flopped down into a kitchen chair and buried his face in his hands.

     “I have to go now, Nick. I’m meeting your sister for breakfast. Listen to me. You need to pull yourself together. In your line of work, bad things happen when you lose your concentration.”

     When he didn’t reply, she let out a sigh of resignation and headed for the door. At the last minute she turned to him. “Thanks for almost making it happen between us.”

No Regreats Blog Tour - Melissa Andrea - The Edge of Darkness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Let's get to know this amazing lady

Melissa Andrea

 

I find it hard to sum up my

life in a paragraph, but I’ll try.

 I am the author of Flutter, The Discover Series! Reading

has always been a passion for me, and writing as instinctive as breathing.

Every inhale is an idea; every exhale a creation.  The only thing I do better than writing you ask? Making beautiful girls. My daughter’s will always be my greatest accomplishment.

I was born in Denver, Colorado–but I will always think of sunny Arizona

as my home. I don’t have a big family, but I’m close with my sister, brother

&my mom. My mom is my hero, my inspiration, and I couldn’t have asked for a

more amazing person to be raised by.
 

 

4 Things You Should Know About Me

 

1. I’m very girly, but I can get down and dirty with the best of them.

 

2. I adore the color pink and things that sparkle (including vampires)

 

3. I am a firm believer that chocolate cures ALL 

 

4. I like even numbers (hence 4 things about me, not 5)

 

Okay, maybe I cheated a little with my list, shhhh.

 

The Edge of Darkness Blurb

The Edge of Darkness



After a tragic accident, Araya Noelle is left with a constant reminder that nothing is forever.

She is forced to give up her chance to be the youngest dancer accepted into Julliard & taking over their high society school by a graceful storm of determination is no longer an option. Instead of dwelling over her loss, she accepts the new future she’s been dealt. In a world as black as hers, there's no room for bitterness, no time for regret. Sheltered from the outside world, Araya has become suffocated by a life she has no control over. Until Ryland Dare comes crashing into her life.

You don’t know true darkness until you've felt light…

Like a firecracker, showering her with colorful sparks of freedom, Ryland quickly sweeps Araya away from her grey existence. For the first time since the accident, living in darkness is no longer something Araya wants to do willingly. Unleashed by the shadows of her reminder, being with Ryland, Araya touches light. Together they will learn what it’s like to feel alive for the first time.

At the edge of darkness, a ray of light, will dare them both to HOPE.

DARE them to LOVE

DARE them to LIVE

 

Stalker Link

Like me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/m.andrea.author

https://twitter.com/melissa_andreaa

Pin with me on Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/melandrea01/

Keep up to date on my website: https://melissaandrea.com/

 

 

Book Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-R5-jolGcc

 

 

 

My Review

 Wow.....I really loved this book!!! I honestly couldn't put it down. I was pleasantly surprised and I'm really glad that I got the opportunity to read it early.

The storyline is extremely intriguing and character interactions are perfect. I think Araya is such a strong person and I truly respect her. After her life crumbles around her, she still continues on without regret. Ryland is super dreamy. I'd love to have him in my life. They are super cute together and he really does love Araya.  The ending is super sweet ;)

I really love the way the chapters switch between characters. I'm a huge fan of getting into the character's minds as reading.  It gives the reader different perspectives while reading and I felt like I was there.  However, I'm not a fan of the same situation being repeated from both sides and that happened a couple of times, but nothing major and the story still progressed without stand stills.

Overall, I give this book a 5 out of 5 for a tough topic that was written very well and I really loved the characters personalities throughout.  Thank you so much Melissa for allowing me to take a look into Araya and Ryland's lives and I can't wait to see what is to come. Great job, you rock!!! :)

 

 

 

Thank you soooo much Melissa for including me in your blog tour and sharing this amazing story with us!!