Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Scents and Senses

scentsScents and Senses: Supernatural Friends. What the fairy tales didn’t tell you Playing the role of a knight in shining armor is more complicated than it seems in the storybooks, as sixteen-year-old Joy discovers when she repeatedly comes to the rescue of a fifteen-year-old human. But when she meddles in the girl’s social life, Starra sends her packing. Starra is determined to completely dissociate herself from the subterranean creature that has manipulated her life and cast her into the limelight. However, her resolve is soon tested when she becomes involved in a critical situation where supernatural assistance can enable her to carry out a daring plot. Eventually, Starra’s involvement with her new other-wordly friends extracts a heavy price when she is beset by challenges that range from the down- to-earth struggles of a typical teenage student, to the realm of the fantastic. Nothing prepares her, however, for the ultimate challenge.  

Excerpt
Joy Ever since I’ve been old enough to kick off on a condor with my own two chicken feet, I’ve been drilled to mind my own business. Mind your own business, the first of the American Ten Commandments. It’s not one I subscribe to, even though in our community, not minding my own business means more than social suicide; it’s a crime when we ascend above ground. For thousands of years we deeems have kept away from the creatures running over our heads with their five-toed feet. So if anyone in my community gets wind of the risky job I’m on these days, I’m practically a goner. But that doesn’t stop me from shadowing a certain teenage fivetoe. There’s also a totally different occupational hazard involved in this position I’ve created for myself, one I’m suffering from right now: this job occasionally makes school seem relatively stimulating. Yawn. I’ve played too many Angry Condor games to count since Starra got involved in some fantasy book a couple of hours ago and lost contact with the real world. Even if I knew how to become visible to the fivetoe eye and suddenly revealed myself, I bet she wouldn’t notice me, the cute teen perched on her windowsill. Time simply refuses to advance, and I have to resort to counting the spider eggs cocooned in their nest on a nearby tree branch. A sudden sigh interrupts my lame occupation. There’s a starry look in the big eyes, and I notice the novel is slipping out of Starra’s dreamy grip. This is my window of opportunity! I finger the starchy edge of the book jacket and coax the book forward. Thud. The book falls to the floor, and the movement seems to bring Starra back to her senses. At last she grabs a hoodie and sets out, probably for one of her night excursions on the Vista Del Mar Path. Are we running or biking tonight? Running it is. I jog behind her, finding the excursion by the shoreline an improvement to watching her read. At least we are moving. She runs for half an hour, at a speed faster than the sea turtle pace usual for fivetoes. Then she slows to a stop at a jagged rock, half-submerged in the ocean. I groan quietly and contemplate leaving. From experience, I know she’ll climb to the top of her rock and dream away. I start backing off, but when I’m some fifty feet away, I look back. Starra makes a pretty picture there, her silhouette perched high on the rock. Her long legs are tucked under her, and her head hangs back as she keeps her gaze on the stars above. If only she would let loose the heavy dark mane of hair she always twists up at the back of her neck, she would truly look like a mermaid risen from the sea. Something pulls me back to her. I can’t explain it, but I have a feeling trouble is lurking nearby, waiting to snatch her in its net. My chicken feet make an about face and follow Starra home as she takes the shorter route through town.

Scents and Scenses Blog Tour


Author Loren Secretts Loren Secretts was raised in a book-filled home, in a sleepy east coast suburb of the US. These factors are undoubtedly responsible for her early design of a number of exciting imaginary worlds that she could escape to from time to time during her childhood. In her teen years, between schoolwork and lending an ear to her friends, Loren had less opportunity to go AWOL. Instead, her experience as a confidant to others inspired her to major in psychology in college and earn her M.A. in the field on the west coast. As an adult, Loren has found fulfillment in her work with children and families for more than a decade. Her passion for writing was revived when she discovered that she enjoyed delving into the human psyche to write psychological reports. But clients' reports are safe with Loren, who guards secrets fastidiously. Indeed, one of her aspirations is to work as a psychotherapist for the CIA, but since she now lives with her family in Canada, that dream will have to await its turn…

  book blast button       Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/27/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Falling to Pieces



Suffering the bitter tongues of her alcoholic mother and cruel boyfriend, Jade struggles just to look at herself in the mirror. She hates her life, her insecurities, her ineptitudes, but most of all . . . Jade hates herself. She wants nothing more than to disappear, and everyone seems happy to let her. Until Kiernan Parks moves back into town. 

Jade’s been crushing on him ever since kindergarten, when his family moved away. But now he’s back, and looking better than ever. 
Hiding is a way of life for Jade, but Kiernan insists on uncovering the real girl he’s sees trapped inside her. On drawing her out of her shell, and showing her that she is someone worthy of love. 

Together, they fight back the darkness she’s living in. But when they finally step into the light, will the secret Kiernan’s been trying to keep buried destroy Jade, once and for all? 

For some people, happy endings are a fairytale.

My thoughts: Jamie Canosa does it again! A brilliant tale of a broken girl and the boy who helps her put the pieces together again. Heartbreaking and full of hope all at once, you won’t be able to remove Jade and Kiernan from your heart once you’ve let them in.

Jade Carlson has spent her life internalizing the ugly taunts of her alcoholic mother until it’s become the truth she believes about herself. She even has a boyfriend who confirms everything her mother has convinced her of—that she’s ugly, stupid, and worthless. Enter Kiernan Parks, who comes to the rescue of the bullied girl—whether she wants him to or not. Just about the time Kiernan begins to convince her that she’s the opposite of what she’s been raised to believe, a tragic truth comes to light that just might undo everything Kiernan has done for her.

Fantastically drawn characters and a rich storyline make this one you won’t want to miss. I seriously loved this book, and highly recommend it.

ONLY 99 CENTS for a LIMITED TIME!!!

Author Info:
Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA/NA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Upstate NY with her husband, and their three crazy kids . . . plus the cat, the bird, and the rabbit.

Author Links:


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Fairy Tale Fortnight

Fairy Tale Hop

It's time for the Fairy Tale Fortnight Giveaway Hop hosted by:
                                                   I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
This is in conjunction with the 4th annual Fairy Tale Fortnight. Since I happen to have several fairytale retellings, I figured this was a good place for me to be.

Below you can read about my fairytale retellings, and then enter to win a copy of my Enchanted Fairytales. Beneath the Rafflecopter for that, you'll find the Linky list to hop to all the other blogs participating in this fun event, and giving away their own goodies. Good luck! And may all your happily ever afters come true - whatever they might be.

     Enchanted Fairytales is a retelling of five different fairytales from the imagination of Cindy C Bennett.

Beautiful Beast: Though she knows it's cruel, Calli agrees to accompany her friends to Monster House where it is rumored the beast howls at the moon each sunset. Alex believes Calli has bribed her way into his home in order to get a look at the beast of Monster House, and is determined to hate her. He isn't prepared as she batters down the hard walls of his soul with her kindness and humor.
Red and the Wolf: Three years ago, Rafe Wolfe left their tiny mountain burg of Piera, leaving Ruby Hood behind to mend her shattered heart. Now, Rafe has come home to compete with his brother Lowell for Ruby's heart. But Rafe and Lowell have intimate knowledge of the wolf attacks that threaten their home. Can Ruby live with the same knowledge, or will it forever destroy her?
Snow White: Left her at the mercy of her stepmother Katarina, Snow White is sent into the forest to be killed. Escaping, she stumbles upon an enchanted village created by Katarina to entrap Prince Philip after he spurned her. Philip believes Snow White is the one spoken of who can break the curse that holds Fableton. Snow's only hope of winning freedom for herself and Fableton is to defeat the evil and powerful Katarina.
The Unmasking of Cinderella: Amella Augustus has lived under her stepmother's cruel reign since her father's death. Then she meets the mysterious, enigmatic Dayla. A day later she runs into Char - literally. Just when Amella begins to believe she's found her happily ever after, Iona pounces in and takes Amella away from Char, Dayla, and dreams of happiness. Now Amella must take charge of her own destiny, and make a decision that can either give her the peace she’s longed for . . . or return her to the misery she’s lived in for so long.
The White Swan: Benno von Rothbart, a powerful sorcerer, is jealous of Odette's love for Victor. Victor and Odette are unaware of Benno's powers and manipulations to come between them and win Odette for himself. When Benno uses his powers to transform Odette into a swan, she finds herself in a fight for her freedom and for Victor in this retelling of the classic Swan Lake fairytale.


A Girl Trapped in a Mansion
A Mysterious Old Woman
The Boy Who Will Change Everything

Rapunzel is not your average teenager. For one thing, she has a serious illness that keeps her inside the mysterious Gothel Mansion. And for another, her hair is 15 feet long. Not to mention that she’s also the key to ultimately saving the world from certain destruction.
But then she meets a boy named Fane, who changes all she has ever known, and she decides to risk everything familiar to find out who she really is.
Filled with romance, adventure, and mystery, Rapunzel Untangled is one story you won’t want to put down. Discover the true meaning of love and friendship in this modern twist to the classic fairytale.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Monday, April 21, 2014

The Husband Maker

Woot! A new book from Karey White!

Coming July 15th from USA Today Bestselling author Karey White

The Husband Maker by Karey WhiteThe Husband Maker Charlotte’s a girl with nicknames. She may not love being called Charles or Chuck, but the hardest nickname to take is the one she was given in college, the one that’s followed her now for too many years. They call her “the husband maker” and sadly, it fits. Every guy she’s dated since high school has become his next girlfriend’s husband. Not hers. Not three girlfriends down the road. The next. Is she doing something wrong or is she just cursed? When Kyle Aldsworth enters the picture and sweeps her off her feet, Charlotte begins to hope that maybe she's not destined to be single forever. A senator’s son with political aspirations of his own, Kyle's wealthy, handsome, and in need of a wife. Will Charlotte be disappointed yet again, or will she finally be able to make a husband for herself?

  add to goodreads




kareyAuthor Karey White Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist. She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.  


  $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 5/15/14
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Hoppy Easter!

Hoppy Easter 2

It's that time again - time for the Hoppy Easter Eggstavaganza Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am a Reader and Read Now Sleep Later.

For my prize, if you live in the US I'm going to send the winner a bag of Easter goodies, and a copy of my newest release, The End of Feeling. I wish I could afford to send that to anyone who enters, but unfortunately it's too costly to ship foreign. So if you happen to live outside of the US, I'm going to send you a digital copy of The End of Feeling, and I'm going to give you $10 PayPal cash, or a $10 Amazon gift card (your choice) so you can get your own Easter goodies!

Here's some info about The End of Feeling, so you know what you can win! After you read this, enter using the Rafflecopter below, and then hop on over to some other blogs to win beneath the Rafflecopter.

Benjamin Nefer seems to have it all. He’s the most popular guy in school, the star quarterback with college scouts looking at him, his grades are near the top of his class, he can get any girl he wants . . . but he hides behind his dream life to mask the nightmare of his reality.
Charlie Austin is the new girl. Forced to move in with a bitter aunt, she only wants to protect her fragile mom from the world’s cruelty. When Benjamin sets his sights on Charlie, she’s armored against his charm—friends warned her about Benjamin’s game of pursuing and then dumping a long line of girls, not caring about the broken hearts he leaves behind. She doesn’t count on how single-minded he can be when she refuses him, or how charismatic, easing into her life through what he claims is just friendship.
Benjamin thought he could keep Charlie in the same place he keeps all girls—something to be used and then discarded. But Charlie has as many secrets as he does, secrets he’s determined to discover while keeping his own hidden. He realizes she’s the perfect girlfriend candidate . . . someone he can use to keep up the façade of a perfect life. Now he just has to keep his frozen heart from softening toward this unique girl, because if he doesn’t, his carefully constructed lies might just come thundering down around him, crushing him beneath the burden of feeling.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

SLC Comic Con


So excited for Comic Con to begin again! There's nothing cooler than being immersed in the midst of geeks and nerds. I love all of the cosplay, the geek speak, the Doctor Who conversations -- all of it. Last years SLC Comic Con was the largest debut of a Comic Con with over 80,000 peeps attending. That's a lot of peeps!


Today I go to get set up, so I'll be sending lots of pics via Twitter and Facebook. Then for the 3 days it's here (Thurs, Fri, and Sat) I'll be posting even more. If you're in the area, make sure to get your tickets now because it sold out last year, and stop by my table to see me in Artist Alley, table K-4.

I'll be there will all my books, which you can get for $10 (cheap!) and with that you get an entry to win a pair of comic book shoes, which cost $100+ to buy. Kinda cool, huh?

 Custom Comic Book High Heels

See you there!





Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Fractured Truth


It's finally here!

Fractured Truth, the final novel in the paranormal, YA Fractured Light trilogy, was just released! Follow the blog tour to find out more about Fractured Truth and enter below for a chance to a signed copy or a $25 Amazon gift card!




Llona is determined to end the fight with the Vykens once and for all. All she needs is to find and destroy the Shadow—the ultimate source of dark power. But when she makes a startling discovery about someone she loves, Llona has to fight the toughest battle yet in this exciting conclusion to the Fractured Light series.

My thoughts: Just when I thought I knew where Llona's story was going, Rachel McClellan throws a wrench into my theory and sets me on the edge of my seat with this fast paced, thrilling, heart stopping installment in the Fractured Light series.
For those who’ve read the first two books, you know the incredible shocker dropped at the end of book two. Don’t think from that that you have any idea of where Llona’s life is headed, because you’ll be entirely wrong. There are characters in this book that I seriously disliked, and yes, even hated, which I didn’t think possible based on how much I liked them in the other books. And there were characters I didn’t expect to come to care for as much as I did here. I can’t name them without giving away spoilers, but I think once you read it you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about.
McClellan's theme of light v. dark continues, with a lot of smudgy, gray edges where what seems like straight-up good or pure evil aren't as clear-cut as you might think. Just as in real life, McClellan’s characters have layers and are more than they appear on the surface.
Fractured Truth has a roller coasters worth of ups and downs. I was almost as raggedly tired as Llona by the end purely on her behalf. Be prepared for the ride of your life!

Buy Fractured Truth
  
Amazon     |     Barnes & Noble     

Contact Author

Website     |     Blog     |     Facebook     |     Twitter

Click the pictures below to find out more about Fractured Light and Fractured Soul, book one and book two. 

http://www.amazon.com/Fractured-Light-Rachel-McClellan/dp/1599559420/ref=la_B005RFFM9M_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396458040&sr=1-2
http://www.amazon.com/Fractured-Soul-Rachel-McClellan/dp/1462111807/ref=la_B005RFFM9M_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396458040&sr=1-3


















Monday, April 7, 2014

Win a Copy of The End of Feeling!

I'm giving away a signed copy of The End of Feeling on Goodreads to one lucky winner. Sign up using the gadget below, or the one you see to your right. Either one gets you to the same place. Good luck!

Benjamin Nefer seems to have it all. He’s the most popular guy in school, the star quarterback with college scouts looking at him, his grades are near the top of his class, he can get any girl he wants . . . but he hides behind his dream life to mask the nightmare of his reality.

Charlie Austin is the new girl. Forced to move in with a bitter aunt, she only wants to protect her fragile mom from the world’s cruelty. When Benjamin sets his sights on Charlie, she’s armored against his charm—friends warned her about Benjamin’s game of pursuing and then dumping a long line of girls, not caring about the broken hearts he leaves behind. She doesn’t count on how single-minded he can be when she refuses him, or how charismatic, easing into her life through what he claims is just friendship.

Benjamin thought he could keep Charlie in the same place he keeps all girls—something to be used and then discarded. But Charlie has as many secrets as he does, secrets he’s determined to discover while keeping his own hidden. He realizes she’s the perfect girlfriend candidate . . . someone he can use to keep up the façade of a perfect life. Now he just has to keep his frozen heart from softening toward this unique girl, because if he doesn’t, his carefully constructed lies might just come thundering down around him, crushing him beneath the burden of feeling.

Grab your copy today at:

Amazon Barnes & Noble Smashwords CreateSpace Kobo


Goodreads Book Giveaway

The End of Feeling by Cindy C. Bennett

The End of Feeling

by Cindy C. Bennett

Giveaway ends April 30, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win

Friday, April 4, 2014

It's Finally Here: The End of Feeling

Now available: The End of Feeling

Can you believe it? After how many missed deadlines and pushed-back release dates, it's finally here!

Benjamin Nefer seems to have it all. He’s the most popular guy in school, the star quarterback with college scouts looking at him, his grades are near the top of his class, he can get any girl he wants . . . but he hides behind his dream life to mask the nightmare of his reality.

Charlie Austin is the new girl. Forced to move in with a bitter aunt, she only wants to protect her fragile mom from the world’s cruelty. When Benjamin sets his sights on Charlie, she’s armored against his charm—friends warned her about Benjamin’s game of pursuing and then dumping a long line of girls, not caring about the broken hearts he leaves behind. She doesn’t count on how single-minded he can be when she refuses him, or how charismatic, easing into her life through what he claims is just friendship.

Benjamin thought he could keep Charlie in the same place he keeps all girls—something to be used and then discarded. But Charlie has as many secrets as he does, secrets he’s determined to discover while keeping his own hidden. He realizes she’s the perfect girlfriend candidate . . . someone he can use to keep up the façade of a perfect life. Now he just has to keep his frozen heart from softening toward this unique girl, because if he doesn’t, his carefully constructed lies might just come thundering down around him, crushing him beneath the burden of feeling.

Get your copy today at:

Amazon Barnes & Noble Smashwords CreateSpace Kobo

Proud to be a part of Amazon's Kindle Matchbook - Purchase the paperback, get the Kindle version free!


Here's what's being said about The End of Feeling


The End of Feeling is a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Haunting, heartbreaking, in other words, another winner for Bennett!
~ Sherry Gammon, author of Unlovable

From the moment I picked it up, my heart was warmed, melted, broken, and pieced back together again. A beautiful story that will leave you aching long after the last page.
~ Jamie Canosa, author of Falling to Pieces

A tale of hope and love about a couple of teens who have every reason to believe in neither. It's raw and real, but leaves us believing in the power of redemption.
~ Juli Caldwell, author of Psyched

The reality both characters live makes their story captivatingly unique, and emotionally powerful. . . Demonstrates the beautiful truth that two people can learn to be true to themselves, no matter what—especially while falling in love. 
~ Heather Frost, author of The Seers trilogy

The struggles in this story bring to light the fact that beauty and truly miraculous things can be found in the everyday, and that the most important thing any one of us can possess, is love.

Once again Cindy C Bennett's incredible talent shines through yet another masterpiece . . . a triumphant story of love, compassion and human strength.

Bennett brilliantly weaves the fears and trepidation of two teens treading the hazards of acceptance, young love, and. Curl up with this story and enjoy the ride—it's terrific.

Visit The End of Feeling blog to read the full reviews.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Cover Reveal: Unbearable

Here it is: The cover for Sherry Gammon's Unbearable, the final book in the Port Fare Series. Isn't it gorgeous?


Scheduled to be released June 9th, you can read about it and see updates at Sherry's blog. Just a little secret: I've read all the books in the series and love them!