Spotlight: Hand of Miriam by Eva Gordon

Published By Eva Gordon

Cover art by Nicolene van Staden

Editing by Marion Archer and Karen Lawson

Published: December 6, 2013

Word Count: 105,618

Page Count Print: 390 pages

Book Tagline:  A Victorian world of supernatural creatures, magnificent airships, a secret society, and one bluestocking adventuress who, threatened by evil seeks protection by awakening the golem.

Blurb:
On an archaeological expedition, Bayla Gideon, is widowed by a supernatural force and branded with the Hand of Miriam or Knowing Eye. Threatened by evil, she awakens the golem; a mythical man of clay, who protected the Jewish community over three centuries ago.

The golem, Gesher, is surprised. Freedom –by a beautiful, enchanting woman. His desire is to return to the celestial spheres and regain his status as an avenging angel. Yet, Bayla challenges his mind, body and soul. Would he risk his return to the heavens for her? Besides, dealing with the otherkind, mad inventors and an unrelenting matchmaking aunt, Bayla is equally determined to resist her steamy attraction to the striking fallen angel. 

Thrust into a malevolent war, which includes facing Jack the Ripper, they must resist the magnetic pull toward each other, while protecting the world from encroaching evil.

Excerpt
Bayla unlocked the Gemmatridon and held it as instructed. The talismans on the cover shifted into gears that twisted in rapid circles, and buzzed like irate bees while emitting light. Startled, she fumbled with it. The box opened. Inside was a small parchment. The instructions dictated that it be placed in the golem’s mouth. She carefully removed the ancient scroll and with trembling hands set it in the slit that had to be its mouth. Immediately, the parchment sunk in as if swallowed by quicksand and vanished. The chamber shook as if an earthquake had struck. She fell back still holding the box. Sitting sprawled on the floor, she froze in terror. Thankfully, the tremor stopped. 
A blinding bright light erupted from the crate and the golem roared a deep menacing bellow from within.
 Bayla dropped the box. What have I done? She closed her eyes from the blazing brightness and wrapped her arms and head over her knees. Like a candle snuffed out, the light vanished. The golem’s holler subsided into a grumbling moan, as if awakened from its slumber. 
 She dared look. The golem sat in the crate. She suppressed a scream on seeing his rigid red-stone face. He looked like a misshapen man made of hard red rock. An aleph was added in front of met. The Hebrew word for truth, emet, now inscribed on his forehead, permitting it life. It slowly rose and stepped out. Tall, its square head almost touched the ceiling. It wasn’t too monstrous in stature, perhaps six-foot-seven, and within the range of human height. It blinked open gray eyes and stared at her. His eyes were the only part that looked remotely human and revealed his soul, by holding her gaze as if he knew her.
Bayla scooted back on her bottom but kept her eyes on him. There was a connection, a warm bond that eased her fear. She couldn’t read its thoughts. Was it because it had none? 

The golem turned his head to the side and spoke in a deep baritone voice, “You are a woman.” 

Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle US | Amazon Kindle UK | Amazon.ca  | BN Nook | Smashwords 

Paperback available on Amazon as well.

Author Bio 
Eva Gordon writes genre bending paranormal/fantasy/steampunk and historical novels with a strong romantic element. She loves to create stories that combine her passion for mythology, steamy romance, and action/suspense. Her imagination takes her from one universe to the next. Thus far, she has several series lined up as well as single titles waiting in line for production.

Hand of Miriam, A Bayla and the Golem Novel is a gothic/steampunk/paranormal romance. Release date: December 2013. Book 2, Her Majesty’s Witch, A Bayla and the Golem Novel, will be released Spring or Summer 2014. Her intension is a duology. 

Lycan Gladiator is book 1 in her paranormal wolfish romance historical series, The Wolf Maiden Saga. Released August 2013. Book 2, Wolf Knight in King Arthur’s Court is with her editor at Corvallis Press.

Apocalyptic Moon is book 1 in her After the Bane series (paranormal romance/zombie apocalypse) Released May 2013 by The Wild Rose Press. Book 2, Raven Moon will be released 2014.

The Gamekeeper’s Daughter, a Victorian era, steamy/naughty/suspense historical novel will be released Spring 2014. Book 1 in the Red Silk and Leather trilogy. 

The Stone of the Tenth Realm, her epic fantasy backlist novel will be revised and released in the near future.

Eva has a BS in Zoology and graduate studies in Biology. She once taught high school Biology, Environmental Science and Anatomy/Physiology. When not in her den writing, she can be found at steampunk conventions, at work at the raptor rehabilitation center, wolf sanctuaries, or to satisfy her inner Hemingway on some global eco adventure. 

Learn more about Eva Gordon below:
Website | Blog | Amazon Author Page | Like Page on Face Book | Goodreads  |Twitter

Tour:The Storm Bottle by Nick Green

The Storm Bottle Swimming with dolphins is said to be the number one thing to do before you die. For 12-year-old Michael, it very nearly is. A secret boat trip has gone tragically wrong, and now he lies unconscious in hospital. But when Michael finally wakes up, he seems different. His step sister Bibi is soon convinced that he is not who he appears to be. Meanwhile, in the ocean beyond Bermuda’s reefs, a group of bottlenose dolphins are astonished to discover a stranger in their midst – a boy lost and desperate to return home. Bermuda is a place of mysteries. Some believe its seas are enchanted, and the sun-drenched islands conceal a darker past, haunted with tales of lost ships. Now Bibi and Michael are finding themselves in the most extraordinary tale of all.

 

Praise 'I loved it... An absolute winner.' - LA Weatherly, author of the Angel Burn trilogy 'A writer who knows how to grip the imagination, make you sit on the edge of your chair, and make you laugh out loud.' - Michelle Lovric, author of The Undrowned Child, The Mourning Emporium and The Book of Human Skin 'If you only ever buy one Kindle book in your life (although that sounds a bit unlikely, now that I stop and think) this has to be it.' - The Bookwitch blog.

Excerpt

I went to Michael’s room. He was propped up in bed. With his broken ribs he had to rest a lot. Music was playing, a choir all holy and echoey, with a boy’s solo voice soaring over it. Laura had been putting this CD on for him, hoping it would help. The soloist was Michael Brook.

            I turned the volume down. Michael’s eyes looked at me. I took a deep breath.

            ‘You’re not Michael, are you?’

            The bedclothes crinkled around him.

            ‘Are you… Were you…’ I made myself say it. ‘Are you a dolphin?’

            A huge sigh.

‘Yes. I’m a dolphin.’

‘But how –?’

‘A rainvoice,’ he added. ‘We call ourselves rainvoices.’

‘Why?’

            It wasn’t top of my list of questions, but hey.

Author Nick Green Nick Green is a UK children's and YA author, best known for his trilogy The Cat Kin, published in the UK by Strident Publishing and in Germany by Ravensburger, and also as a BBC audiobook. He has appeared on BBC radio talking about his books, and has been shortlisted for two UK children's book awards. He regularly does school visits and other children's literary events. The Storm Bottle is his first straight-to-Kindle novel.

Twitter * Website

 

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/26/13

 

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Tour:Terminus by Joshua Graham

About the Book:
How far must an angel fall to find his destiny?

Having witnessed one too many senseless deaths, Nikolai, a disillusioned Reaper 3rd Class, resigns his commission with the Angel Forces after a tedious century of gathering souls.

Immediately, another division recruits him with the promise of a more rewarding career, and issues his initial assignments: To bring down a few very dangerous threats to the human race.  In the process, Nikolai falls in love with one of his targets—Hope Matheson, a woman who will lead thousands astray.

Caught between conflicting agendas, Nikolai chooses to “fall” from his celestial state and become mortal in order to circumvent angel law and be with her.  But for angels and humans alike, things are not always as they appear.  Still a target, the threat against Hope’s life intensifies.

Now, in order to save her, Nikolai must rally the last remnants of his failing supernatural abilities to prevent her assassination, as well as the destruction of an entire city by a nuclear terrorist strike.

But his time and power are running out…

Terminus is a perspective-altering saga that delves into ageless themes of redemption, destiny, and the eternal power of love.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

First Chapter Reveal:

PRELUDE

THREE SECONDS.  THAT WAS ALL.

The man in the black leather jacket had looked down for just three seconds to read a text message on his phone.  And in the interim, his five-year-old Houdini of a stepdaughter Chloe had unstrapped herself, climbed out of her car seat, and slipped out of sight—nowhere near the doorway of the office where he was to meet his contact.

Just three lousy seconds!

His mouth went dry.

He scanned the streets, sidewalk, between cars, to the left then right then a quick three-sixty.  Despite the thorough sweep, which took all of two seconds, he didn’t see her.

“Chloe!”

She didn’t answer, but he spotted her.  Way down the street, her auburn pigtails bouncing with each step.

“Chloe!  Wait!”  He slammed shut the back door of his Focus.  Didn’t bother to lock it.Ran up the sidewalk—fast.  But the little stinker was fixated on a black cat luring her across the imaginary border that separated thegentrified arts district of Carleton Village and the slums of East Brentwood.

The cat bolted around the corner at the sound of the man’s agitated shouts.  Both hands outstretched, Chloe giggled and ran even faster.

“Kitty!”

He nearly tripped over an uneven seam in the sidewalk as he ran, his heart going faster than his feet.

A pair of SDPD squad cars with flashing red and blue beacons raced past Birch and came to a screeching halt somewhere around the corner of Lamont.

The little girl turned the same corner and vanished behind the red bricks of the apartment building.  Straight onto Lamont.

“Stop, Chloe!”  He’d gained but was still several steps behind.

The sound of a policeman shouting filled his head.  Could things get any worse?  He ran even harder.

It all happened within a matter of seconds.

Three lousy seconds.

That's what it took for him to round the corner and make out the figure fleeing the pimped-out Honda Civic that had crashed into a hydrant.  The gunman shot at the cops, who now stood behind the open doors of their angled cars.

The man in the black leather jacket leapt at Chloe.

“Get down!”

Over his shout, the shouts of the police, the screams of frightened pedestrians, came a deafening pop! whose impact toppled him.

Chloe screamed.

A sudden chill overtook him as a crimson pool expanded around his face, now planted on the cold concrete sidewalk.  He tried to speak, stretched his fingers towards Chloe.  Felt nothing but the cold pumping though his entire body.

Life didn’t flash before his eyes.

He heard more gunshots.

The last thing he saw was Chloe lurching back, her pigtails flailing to the side.  As though in slow motion, she was falling.

Falling...

He never saw her hit the ground.

1

AS A REAPER OF THE THIRD LEGION, Nikolai—Nick, as he preferred to be called these days—had attended to more human deaths over the last thousand years than he cared to.  Countless lives and memories snuffed out like the wick of a candle.  It had all become routine, meaningless.

Vanitasvanitatum.

The ability to traverse the entire planet in the blink of a human eye had long grown commonplace, its charm lost somewhere between King Malcolm II’s victory in The Battle of Mortlach and Guttenberg’s invention of moveable type.  These days he spent most of his time assigned to the northern hemisphere, one of the least active territories on earth.

As for leaving the planet, he typically only did that on days when he escorted a soul to the Terminus.

A day like today.

Nick waited while the OR surgeon continued trying to save the little girl from multiple gunshot wounds.

“My husband was killed,” the beautiful woman standing in the door said, her voice breaking. “She’s all I have.”

“We can’t keep her going like this,” the surgeon said gently.

“She’s not even five.

“I’m truly sorry.  But it’s time to let her go.”

“No!”  The mother rushed forward, knocking over a metal tray and all its equipment as she reached out to her daughter. The nurse caught hold of her arms and held her back.

“Please, don’t let the last few moments of your daughter’s life end like this.  Let her go with some dignity,” the surgeon said.

Nick tuned out the mother’s voice as she got hold of herself.  Having to watch this sort of thing was perhaps the worst part of his punishment.  Far worse than his demotion.Worse than when he was a guardian a millennium ago. He’d seen tens of thousands die horrific deaths on battlegrounds in the physical realm—even intervened and partaken in sanctioned kills himself. But at least he’d been helping rid the planet of those who’d deserved it.

This was much worse.

Nick’s reflection didn’t show in the mirror, but in it he could see the surgeon calling the time of death and switching off the EKG machine, the little girl lying pale and still, the lovely mother weeping.

And now the warm golden light that only Nick could perceive filled the room, enveloping the body.  It was about to happen.

The little girl’s ethereal form sat up and separated from her expired mortal body.  She looked to her mother, confused.

“Mama?  Why’re you crying?”

Her mother didn’t respond.  How could she?

Callous as Nick’s heart had grown over the years, these moments always wrenched it.

“It’s okay, little girl.”

She turned to him and stepped off the operating table.  Had she been older, she might have reacted with panic as most do when they see the blood on the sheets, the surroundings, the grief-stricken loved ones standing over their body.  But she was too young to understand.  She smiled and tried to touch her mother’s head.  Her hand passed right through it. She giggled and did it again.

“That’s funny, Mommy.”

Nick hated this.  He should never have to take a child this young and innocent to the Terminus.  He forced a smile and approached her.

“What’s your name, love?”

“Chloe.”  Again she giggled, now prancing around the OR passing her hands through cabinets, walls, chairs, her mother.  “Funny!”

Nick put his hand on her shoulder and her smile faded.  This was the part he hated most.  An expression common to people much older than Chloe replaced it.  A look of recognition.Finality.

She’s too young.

She looked back to her mother, still weeping over the empty shell that had been Chloe’s body.  Then she turned back to Nick with tears in her eyes.

“It’s time to leave, isn’t it?”

“Come, say goodbye to your mum.  She’ll feel it, and it’ll make her happy—if only for a moment.”

“Okay.”  She reached up, put her tiny hand in Nick’s.  Like an electrical current, a twinge that originated from the core of her spirit flowed into his.  By now he should have been used to it, but he wasn’t.

“Come on, then.”

Chloe didn’t seem to pay any mind to the fact that her mother could neither see nor hear her.  She leaned over and kissed her mother’s auburn hair, tried to stroke it without her hand passing through.

“It’s okay, Mommy.”

And in that moment, her mother stopped crying, sniffled, and looked up, her eyes incongruously hopeful.

“Sweetie?”

Chloe choked back a little sob and tried to wrap her arms around her mother’s neck.

“I love you, Mommy.  Have to go bye-bye now.”

Her mother blinked.  Nick waited a couple of seconds, then gave Chloe’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“The last bit, love.  Go on.”

She nodded, understanding what he meant—spirits always seemed to know this instinctively when first separated from their bodies.  Placing her forehead against her mother’s, she joined her with shut eyes and poured out the very last of her mortal memories, the essence of their all too brief life together.

No matter how many times Tamara had tried to explain the human need for closure, to Nick’s mind it was still sentimental. Nonetheless, he waited patiently for Chloe’s spirit to converge for a moment with that of her mother’s.

Her mother smiled, her eyes closed.  It was only a moment, but she seemed at peace.  When she began to cry again, Chloe kissed the top of her head and returned to Nick, sadness briefly tugging the corners of her mouth down.  Then her eyes and face began to glow.

She took Nick’s hand.

Her mother’s tears and sobs penetrated the emotional barrier he tried to forge.  His hand began to glow—how simple it would have been to use his healing ability and restore the little girl’s mortal life.  Just one touch.

But it was not allowed.

Nick had learned—the hard way, in England, a century ago.   But what good was such an ability if it could not be used where needed?

What’s the point of my existence, for that matter?

He started walking out of the room, an entirely human and unnecessary habit he’d developed from mingling with mortals over the years.

“Ready, Chloe?”

“I miss her.”

“She’ll miss you a lot more.”

“How come?”

“Because mortals don’t know what it’s like on this side.”  For them, time was a driving tyrant: linear, merciless, flowing in one and only one direction.  Why would anyone want to go through a short pittance of a life with all its sorrows—seventy, maybe ninety years—only to grow feeble and stupid towards the end?  At least Chloe had been spared that.

Yet something about this premature departure troubled him unreasonably.  He’d reaped the souls of children before, never liked doing it, but in Chloe’s case the pain was quite a bit more acute.

As memories from the past surfaced, Nick without thinking released Chloe’s hand and floated freely in the room. Before he knew it, he found himself standing beside her mother.  The auburn hair falling over emerald eyes shimmering with tears made her look achingly beautiful.

Her weeping subsided. Her lips moved ever so subtly.

She was praying.

Again without thinking, Nick stretched out his hand, gently reached toward her face with his fingertips, taking pains not to touch her so she wouldn’t perceive his presence.

Or would she?

She gasped with a start, her face lighting up.

Damn.  Nick had inadvertently touched her hair and revealed himself.

Idiot!

He instantly slipped out of her perception.  It had lasted only a second, but she had felt his presence.  Seen his face.

She bolted to her feet and looked around the room, returned to her seat when she saw no one.

“Let’s go, Chloe.”  Nick took her hand.

“What happened?”

“She’ll be all right.”  He led Chloe to the door, hoping he hadn’t just lied to her.

Chloe turned back to see her mother, waved, and said, “Bye-bye, Mama.”

Nick, against his better judgment, turned and looked at the mother too.  Any trace of that brief moment of euphoria mortals experience the first time they encounter an angel had been replaced by deep grief.  He’d seen such pain far too  often, but this was the strongest he’d felt it himself in a long time.

Human emotions.

As though they were his own.

He hated it.  Hated the fact that he was starting to feel them again.

They were alien, perverse, just...wrong!

With a shudder, he held Chloe’s hand and crossed the divide.

Promo: Phantom by Laura DeLuca

<a href="http://www.witchycontessa.com/p/contact-information-and-review-policy.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee393/witchever82/Phantomtour_zps4ae0ad31.jpg" width="100%" target="_blank"> Join us March 25-29th for a great tour for Phantom by: Laura DeLuca. 

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2012

The "Phantom" was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses "Phantom" as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card. Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars-Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist. Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn't know who to trust, but she knows she's running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.

Find the Book

Amazon | Goodreads | BAM | BN | Smashwords

Author Bio

Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart.  In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.  Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player, and Demon.

Find the Author

Goodreads | Amazon | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Publisher

Follow the Tour

March 25

The Witchy Contessa

A Book Lovers Library

Jess' Book Blog

March 26

WTF Are You Reading?

LeBookSquirrel

Second Book to the Right

March 27

Hey Wanna See My Indies

Zach's YA Reviews

Wanted Readers

March 28

Icy Cold Reads

Word to Dreams

My Devotional Thoughts

March 29

Cherie Reads

Half Truth Reviews

Izz "Pingle" Bookish Place

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Promo: Morrigan by Laura DeLuca

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Join us March 11-15th for a wonder promo tour of non other than Morrigan!  A wonderful story writien by Laura DeLuca! 
Make sure to follow the tour and enter to win a $50.00 Gift Card to either Barnes and Noble or Amazon as well as a Kindle Paperwhite! 

About the Book
Shuffled from place to place in the foster system, Morrigan doesn't know the meaning of home. Plus, she is different. She has power over fire, the ability to move objects with her mind, and glimpse into the future. Just when she believes her life can't get any stranger, she discovers her true identity. Filtiarn, a knight with a dark past and a surprising secret, has been tasked with guiding the heir of Tír na NÓg through countless perils to be returned to her family. Once Morrigan has been reunited with her mother and grandmother, their triad can save the forgotten land of magic from being devoured by an ancient evil.
Amazon| Goodreads | Books A Million | B&N | Smashwords

Author Bio
Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. Her current works include Destiny, Destiny Unveiled, Phantom, Morrigan, Player, and Demon.

Find the Author
Goodreads | Amazon | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Publisher

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FOLLOW THE TOUR!

MARCH 11

• Contessa at the Crossroads
• A Book Lovers Library
• LeBookSquirrel

MARCH 12

• Cherie Reads
• Jess' Book Blog
• Izz "Pingle" Bookish Place

MARCH 13

• Hey Wanna See My Indies
• Zach's YA Reviews

• Icy Cold Reads

MARCH 14

• Second Book to the Right
• Word to Dreams
• My Devotional Thoughts

MARCH 15

• Half Truth Reviews
• Little Library Muse
• Wanted Readers

Review & Giveaway: The Chronicles of Egg by Geoff Rodkey

Welcome to Stop #2 on The Chronicles of Egg Blog Tour! Author Geoff Rodkey is currently on a blog tour to promote the paperback release of the first book in The Chronicles of Egg series, Deadweather and Sunrise.  Today Geoff provides insight into the setting for the book – Deadweather Island and Sunrise Island.  Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of this post for a great giveaway I am hosting and to find out where in the blogosphere Geoff will be next!

A TALE OF TWO ISLANDS

          Deadweather and Sunrise takes its name from the two islands at the heart of the story: filthy, muggy, pirate-and-volcano-infested Deadweather; and its rich, glamorous, apparently carefree neighbor Sunrise.

          Our unlikely hero, 13-year-old Egbert "Egg" Masterson, has spent his whole life on Deadweather, dodging not just the local pirates but the abuse of his older siblings, Venus and Adonis, who live with him on their father's ugly fruit plantation. So when a mysterious discovery on the plantation sends his family on an equally mysterious trip to Sunrise, Egg's thrilled.

          The advantages of Sunrise over Egg's home island are obvious: nicer weather, finer food, cleaner streets, and rich, pleasant-seeming townspeople. So when a freak accident separates Egg from his family and leaves him a permanent houseguest of one of Sunrise's most prominent families, Egg couldn't be happier.

          But Sunrise Island has its own dark corners and ugly secrets. From the heavily armed fortresses that guard the island's harbor to the remote silver mine high atop Mount Majestic, with its hundreds of shadowy workers who no one ever sees except at a distance, there's more to this paradise than meets the eye.

Author: Geoff Rodkey 
Title: Deadweather & Sunrise
Series: Chronicles of Egg #1
Publication: March 5, 2013(Paperback)
Publisher: Puffin
Source: Publisher
~Website

 

Thoughts: This is a cute book about a boy, who lived in the shadows becoming a hero in a sense. On the day of his birthday, his entire world changes when his family is killed in a balloon accident and for once in his life he knows what it's like not to have to cower away or never get to taste jelly bread because his selfish siblings eat it all. Egbert, now renamed Egg by his new crush, Millicent, who snagged his heart with a big bright smile and her snarky wit, enjoy his time with her so much that he forgets about his family. Why should he think about them after all the abuse he received at their hands just because of an accident that wasn't his fault? But life can't be sweet forever and the girl he's falling for may never be his as he falls short of the social hierarchy and her father has plans far more sinister in mind....that involves murder and a cliff. 

Deadweather and Sunrise started off slow but once the serious of disasters began, the flow began to pick up. I think readers will fall in love with Egg's journey because he begins as a shy, timid and sweet boy, who is put in situations where his courage is tested. This little 13-year-old boy may be scrawny but he's clever and has toughness all his own when it comes to fighting for what's right. He encounters an interesting young boy named Guts, now he may be my favorite supporting character for his "guts" alone. Millicent though brave is so annoying and naive but I like her humor. Rodkey has creating an adventurous tale with an interesting mix of characters. Overall, this is a great book for boys about pirates, murder and treasure. 

Book 2

After a narrow escape from Deadweather Island, Egg and his slightly deranged partner Guts head for the remote New Lands. They’re in search of the lost Okalu tribe, who hold the key to the mysterious treasure map that Egg can't decipher. But the ruthless Roger Pembroke is hard on Egg's trail, and the New Lands are full of new enemies—against which our heroes' only weapons are their brains, their courage...and the two dozen swear words Guts just memorized in the local tongue.

They're going to need help. But who can they trust? Is Kira, the beautiful and heavily armed Okalu refugee, their ally…or their enemy? Is Pembroke's daughter Millicent on Egg's side…or her father's? Why on earth is the notorious pirate Burn Healy being so nice to them?

And the biggest question of all: what shocking secret is Egg about to discover in the shadow of an ancient Okalu temple? 
~Amazon

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Giveaway

US and Canada only please

The giveaway consists of one set of signed, PERSONALIZED copies of the paperback of The Chronicles of Egg Book 1:  Deadweather and Sunrise AND an ARC of The Chronicles of Egg Book 2:  New Lands.

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Interview, Excerpt, Giveaway: Voice by Jennifer Anne Davis

Title: The Voice

Author: Jennifer Anne Davis

Publication: January 29, 2013

Publisher: Lands Atlantic

Genre: Young Adult

Audience: 13 and up

Amazon|Goodreads|B&N

Synopsis:

During her abduction and assault, Audrey begins to hear a voice. She hopes she’s not going crazy, because after what she’s experienced, that’s the most logical explanation. However, as she begins to listen to the voice, Audrey realizes that someone may be telepathically trying to help her.

Unfortunately, rescue isn’t all she needs. In order to leave behind the constant reminders, she flees to her Aunt Kate’s house in San Diego, and assumes a new identity. It works—until the eighteen-year-old twin boys who live next door threaten to break through the protective walls she’s worked so hard to build.

Between Caleb going out of his way to befriend her and Justin avoiding her at all costs, Audrey doesn’t know if normalcy will ever find her again. But one thing is certain: When a familiar danger resurfaces, it’s the same voice that she turns to—a voice that is not only real, but a lot closer than she realizes.

Gripping and tastefully told, The Voice is a story of healing, trust, and courage. 

Excerpt:

Chapter 1 

Lying in the dark cabin, I tried not to think about the foul smell of body odor mixed with the stench of urine. I tried not to think about how hungry I was, or when I would eat again. About the plastic zip ties cutting into my wrists, or the spider crawling up my arm. I kept trying and failing. There was nothing to do but think.

Audrey? he spoke in my mind.

“Here,” I replied, still not understanding who or what the voice was, hoping I wasn’t going crazy. Though, after what I had been through, crazy wasn’t too far off. Instead, I focused on what the voice was saying. After weeks of being stuck here, he was the only thing keeping me grounded and giving me hope.

I need you to do something for me.

He sounded drained. “Are you okay?” I asked.

Scream.

“What?”

I need you to scream as loud as you can. Now, Audrey! Scream!

Bill had left the cabin only five minutes earlier, and I was afraid to make any noise. What if he was still outside and heard me? Would he come back in? I was so sore and bruised that I couldn’t handle anymore.

Scream! he urged.

Finally trusting the voice, I sucked in a deep breath, closed my eyes, and screamed as loud as I could. At first I sounded like a cat that was being strangled, the sound barely audible and grating on my ears. But I kept trying, and the noise transformed into something loud and fierce. Yell the word “help.”

“HELP!” My throat was raw, but that didn’t stop me. I took all of my hurt and anger, and used those emotions for the energy needed to sustain the scream.

Then a thumping came from the other room—maybe the front door. My body shuddered. Shimmying to the edge of the mattress, I tried to stand, but my legs gave out, and I fell to the rough, wooden floor, landing on my knees. With bound hands, I inched my way to the corner of the room, as far away from the door as possible.

Keep screaming!

I wanted to curl into a ball and disappear, but I did what the voice said and let out a shrill, loud cry for help. The sound bounced off the walls, echoing.

Wood shattered in the other room. I kept yelling, wishing that I had the power to destroy Bill with my scream.

The doorknob twisted. Please don’t hurt me again . . . please don’t touch me . . . no more, please. No more.

The door exploded open. Instead of Bill, there stood three hunters dressed in camouflage and bright orange vests. One held a shotgun, and another held an axe. I froze in horror. The men looked at one another and then back at me.

Audrey, tell them who you are. Your name.

“I’m Audrey Marshall. Please help me.”

“The kidnapped girl?” the older guy on the right asked. I nodded. “I’m calling 9-1-1. You’re going to be all right now,” he said reassuringly, his cell phone already at his ear.

“Thank you,” I whispered to the voice. But he didn’t respond.

Author Bio:

Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she married her high school sweetheart, worked as a legal assistant, and taught high school English. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids’ creativity.

The Voice is her first novel.

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Interview: 

*Every author has their story about their road to publication. How was your road?

Long! I wrote a book and tried to get it published with little success. At the time, I had no idea what I was doing or even what genre I was writing. Then I entered an essay contest and won! My essay was published in a book and this fueled my desire to keep on writing. I realized then that I love to read young adult novels and decided to write the book I wanted to read. I outlined THE VOICE, wrote it in four months, revised it for almost a year, then sent it out to agents and publishers. I had several people interested in the story. I ended up going with a small publishing house that specializes in YA books and I couldn’t be happier!

*How did you come up with the idea for THE VOICE?

I kept having a reoccurring dream involving a girl that was locked in a cabin. At first I planned to have her guardian angel rescue her but then I realized that there were too many stories involving angels at the time. I liked the idea of telepathy, so I just kept playing around with the story until I had something that worked.

*How does it feel like being a debut author?

It’s an odd mixture of pure joy and complete and utter fear. I am so excited that my dream of becoming a published author is here! When I saw the advanced reader copy of my book with my picture and name on it, I cried! It was so surreal. But the thought of people reading and judging my work is hard. I really hope people enjoy the story. I’m trying to grow thick skin because I know not everyone will love it, and that’s okay (at least that’s what I keep telling myself). I get butterflies in my stomach just thinking about its release day!!

Giveaway: 

This give away is for one (1) Kindle copy of The Voice. Open internationally. Please use the rafflecopter form below to enter. 

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