Monday, October 31, 2016

BLOG TOUR: Iniquity by Melody Winter


We are thrilled to be one of the sites to kick off this exciting Blog Tour for Melody Winter's Iniquity, the first book in The Ascent series! On our stop today, we will be sharing an excerpt from the book! Plus... there's a tour-wide giveaway! Follow the tour, HERE!

Genre:
New Adult
Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Series:
The Ascent, #1
Publish Date:
October 25, 2016

Synopsis:
Athena Harrow is about to turn twenty-one, but there will be no celebration. What is there to celebrate when the world is ruled by demons?

She hates the darkness the demons brought with them and longs for the light to return to the world—a world she only vaguely remembers. The people in her forest village blindly accept the life the demons forced upon them, even tolerating the yearly ascension ceremony where all the girls who have turned twenty-one are either sent away to serve the Master Demon or left in the village and forced to procreate.

But Paymon, the assigned village demon, selects a different role for Athena, a role that pits her against the village. While she adapts to her new life, Erebus, a younger, more powerful demon, arrives, and Athena must play a dangerous game with his emotions in return for information about the demon’s reign of darkness.

As Athena’s dreams of restoring the light begin to fade, her life with Erebus takes an unexpected turn, and this time it’s her life being put to the test.

Set in the forest around Buttercrambe in North Yorkshire, England, Iniquity explores the frightening, darker side of romance and the uncontrolled emotions it can unleash.



    

*Excerpt*
          With heavy, shuffling footsteps, I wandered to the window that overlooked the distant village. Through the thin veil of darkness, it shone like a beckoning light, offering a welcoming and friendly arrival. I sighed—it didn’t offer either of those to me now, and I doubted that it ever would.
          I stared out of the window for a long time, not really seeing the village, just gazing, unfocused, with my hands clasped tightly together. What would happen tonight? What caused the noises I was so used to hearing but never witnessed? 
          It was only when Paymon knocked on my door that I moved.
          “Time to go,” he said as he stepped into the room. “We don’t keep the Master waiting.”
          I was unwilling to rush to a ceremony that I’d feared for years. The fact that I wasn’t to be taken away didn’t do anything to slow my racing heart or calm my fluttering nerves.
          Paymon followed me along the corridor and down the stairs. He didn’t speak to me, probably well aware of my heightened emotions. He insisted I wore his cloak over my dress for warmth as we prepared to leave the house. He wore a thinner looking one, reassuring me that he didn’t need the cloak for warmth—he was already running at a temperature far above what was necessary to withstand the cold.
          Odin flew above us as we walked to the village. He joined a few other ravens as they swooped and glided across the sky.
          “Does he have a family?” I squinted into the dark, trying to follow his movements.
          “Probably. But his real family is here, isn’t it? You and me. He views himself as one of us, not a bird.”
          As we neared the edge of the village, Paymon’s stride became unsteady.
          “Why are you limping?” I asked. His eyes informed me he was full, therefore strong.
          Paymon scowled before replying, “What would the villagers say if I seemed to have been miraculously cured of my limp? I can’t have them sensing the importance of your presence to me. It would show a weakness, and that’s something I will never let them see.”
          He viewed the village with narrowed eyes before pulling the hood of his cape over his head.
          “You never did tell me what caused you to limp.”
          “No, I don’t believe I did.”
          “Will you tell me?”
          He turned his head to face me. “Not tonight. There will be more than enough happening to keep that curious mind of yours occupied.”
          We stopped walking when we reached the centre of the village. There was no one around, not even at the fire, which was usually overseen by the older men. It was only just alight, the embers coughing out their last remnant of heat and struggling to glow.
          I swallowed nervously as the people drifted from their homes into the central area of the village. Faces I’d known all my life stared back at me, fear etched into their darkened, dirty features. My heart was screaming, telling me to insist they understood that I was still the same person they had always known, that I’d never change. But as I glanced at my luxurious dress and shoes, I saw what they did. I was married to the village demon, dressed in clothes they could only ever dream of. I was clean, my face free of smudges of ash and dirt. I’d already changed. I wasn’t one of them anymore.
          “Don’t let them worry you,” Paymon said, bending to whisper the words in my ear. “Their emotions run higher than normal tonight. They fear everything about this ceremony.”
           As if to wake them from their trance, Paymon clicked his fingers. He blew the resulting flame into the dying fire, and it roared to life, burning brightly and lighting the open area in its warming glow.
          The villagers were silent. Usually they chatted, joked and laughed, but not even Paymon’s trick of relighting the fire stirred them to speak.
          “When does it all start?” I whispered, not wanting to break the silence that surrounded us.
          Paymon lifted his gaze to the sky. “They are almost here.”


~~~~~

**About the Author**
Growing up, Melody Winter showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but ended up working in finance. Melody is convinced the methodical times she spends working with numbers fuel her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.

Melody Winter lives in York, North Yorkshire, England with her husband and two sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip to the nearby beaches at Scarborough and Whitby. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading and writing about such creatures.

Stay connected with Melody Winter
   

~~~~~

***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open in U.S. & Canada

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Friday, October 28, 2016

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: The Blessed Knights by Mary Ting


We are over the moon to celebrate the release of Mary Ting's The Blessed Knights, the second book in The Angel Knights series! This is an exciting spin-off series from the Crossroads Saga! We are celebrating its book birthday with a cool giveaway!

***Silver Medal Winner for Readers' Favorite International Book Award for Young Adult-Fantasy 2016***


Genre:
Young Adult
Paranormal Romance
Series:
The Angel Knights, #2
Publish Date:
October 28, 2016

Synopsis:
Above a small hill lay a home.
And green men peer out under the dome.
Thirteen crisscrossing arches behold,
with angels singing must be told.
Cubes like teeth thus showed,
pierce one and the door shall glow. 
Part the sea like Moses, 
to see the bundle of red roses.
Only then you shall see,
what is destined to be free.
But beware, if you are not the heir,
for damnation you shall declare, 
for the false burden you shall bare.


Eli, Lucia's half-demon love interest, has been stabbed with a true-cross dagger and captured by Cyrus, master of the possessor demons.

The Chosen Knights must work together once again not only to save Eli, but also to decipher a clue to find the second missing page of Jacques de Molay's journal. Meanwhile, Uncle Davin informs Crossroads Divine Elders of the danger ahead and learns there is much more to fear.

Countless children are being taken from all over the world to be turned into demons.

Michael, one of the Divine Elders, has no choice but to intervene. The Chosen Knights track down Mortem, the demon who is the key to finding Cyrus, and learn they must travel deep into the pit of a Hawaiian volcano.

When they astral travel to the past in search of a clue and follow Jacques de Moley to Roselyn Chapel in medieval Scotland, what they find will rewrite history.


    


~~~

Don't miss the previous titles in The Angel Knights series!
 
(covers link to Goodreads)

    

*Excerpt from The Angel Knights, a prequel to The Chosen Knights*
“Why, look here, Michael. I caught me another dove.” The Fallen grinned triumphantly. “Won’t the master be proud of me that I’ve killed two more?” His tongue glided across his lips at the same time he caressed my face. I grimaced and jerked my head away. “This one is beautiful. I think I’ll have my way with her and then rip out her heart.” He leaned into me, pressing his face to my hair, and touched my cheek with his. I wanted to throw up.
I shivered, mentally blocking out the vision of his words from my mind. Fear would not take me. I had created my situation and it was up to me to get out of it. Knowing I had backup, my courage grew. The Fallen pierced his dark, devious eyes into mine as if he could reach inside my soul. His brows were thick, nose sharp, and his lips so thin they were hardly there. His ghostly pale skin revealed a long scar running from his temple to his chin on his left cheek.
“Please, let her go. You have me,” I stammered.
“Oh, this one is so brave. What a great combination. Maybe I’ll brainwash her and train her to be on our side.” He hissed at me, showing me all of his abnormally sharp teeth. They appeared as if he’d purposely sharpened them.
My team had gotten closer, but where were Uncle Davin and Zach? Knowing we were outnumbered three to one didn’t give me much hope, but I had to remind myself we were stronger than we thought. Father and Uncle Davin were with us, the greatest demon hunters of their time.
“I’m giving you one last warning,” Father stated with authority.
The Fallen laughed again, mocking Father. “You’re giving me a warning? Let me tell you my name so everyone will remember it when they die. I’m called Mortem…meaning death.” Trailing the dagger down Victoria’s neck, he nicked it. Crimson liquid seeped from the wound, creating a red line down the front of her. “Beautiful. I love this color. I can’t wait to see more of it…on her.” Then, with a wicked grin, he plunged the sword into Victoria’s heart.



~~~~~

**About the Author**
International bestselling author Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl.

When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Hence, Mary's pen name, M. Clarke? She tours with the Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.

Stay connected with Mary Ting
      

~~~~~

***The Giveaway***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day Blitz Organized by

PreORDER PUSH: Tru Blue by Melissa Foster

Today we have a new book from Melissa Foster, Tru Blue! This is a sexy standalone romance! Tru Blue  comes out this November but is available for preorder now! Check out this exclusive excerpt and preorder your copy today!

Genre:
New Adult
Contemporary Romance
Publish Date:
November 9, 2016
Publisher:
World Literary Press

Synopsis:
Imagine falling in love with a man, then finding out he was a killer...Tru Blu is a sexy, dark stand-alone novel written in the same loving, raw, and emotional voice romance readers have come to love, and the deeply emotional literary prose women's fiction readers have come to expect, from New York Times & USA Today bestselling, award-winning author Melissa Foster.

He wore the skin of a killer, and bore the heart of a lover...

There's nothing Truman Gritt won't do to protect his family--Including spending years in jail for a crime he didn't commit. When he's finally released, the life he knew is turned upside down by his mother's overdose, and Truman steps in to raise the children she's left behind. Truman's hard, he's secretive, and he's trying to save a brother who's even more broken than he is. He's never needed help in his life, and when beautiful Gemma Wright tries to step in, he's less than accepting. But Gemma has a way of slithering into people's lives and eventually she pierces through his ironclad heart. When Truman's dark past collides with his future, his loyalties will be tested, and he'll be faced with his toughest decision yet.


           


*Excerpt*
TRUMAN GRITT LOCKED the door to Whiskey Automotive and stepped into the stormy September night. Sheets of rain blurred his vision, instantly drenching his jeans and T-shirt. A slow smile crept across his face as he tipped his chin up, soaking in the shower of freedom. He made his way around the dark building and climbed the wooden stairs to the deck outside his apartment. He could have used the interior door, but after being behind bars for six long years, Truman took advantage of the small pleasures he’d missed out on, like determining his own schedule, deciding when to eat and drink, and standing in the f**king rain if he wanted to. He leaned on the rough wooden railing, ignoring the splinters of wood piercing his tattooed forearms, squinted against the wetness, and scanned the cars in the junkyard they used for parts—and he used to rid himself of frustrations. He rested his leather boot on the metal box where he kept his painting supplies. Truman didn’t have much—his old extended-cab truck, which his friend Bear Whiskey had held on to for him while he was in prison, this apartment, and a solid job, both of which were compliments of the Whiskey family. The only family he had anymore.

Emotions he didn’t want to deal with burned in his gut, causing his chest to constrict. He turned to go inside, hoping to outrun thoughts of his own f**ked-up family, whom he’d tried—and failed—to save. His cell phone rang with his brother’s ringtone, “A Beautiful Lie” by 30 Seconds to Mars.

“F**k,” he muttered, debating letting the call go to voicemail, but six months of silence from his brother was a long time. Rain pelleted his back as he pressed his palm to the door to steady himself. The ringing stopped, and he blew out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d trapped inside. The phone rang again, and he froze.

He’d just freed himself from the dredges of hell that he’d been thrown into in an effort to save his brother. He didn’t need to get wrapped up in whatever mess the drug-addicted fool had gotten himself into. The call went to voicemail, and Truman eyed the metal box containing his painting supplies. Breathing like he’d been in a fight, he wished he could paint the frustration out of his head. When the phone rang for the third time in as many minutes, the third time since he was released from prison six months ago, he reluctantly answered.

“Quincy.” He hated the way his brother’s name came out sounding like the enemy. Quincy had been just a kid when Truman went to prison. Heavy breathing filled the airwaves. The hairs on Truman’s forearms and neck stood on end. He knew fear when he heard it. He could practically taste it as he ground his teeth together.

“I need you,” his brother’s tortured voice implored.

Need me? Truman had hunted down his brother after he was released from prison, and when he’d finally found him, Quincy was so high on crack he was nearly incoherent—but it didn’t take much for f**k off to come through loud and clear. What Quincy needed was rehab, but Truman knew from his tone that wasn’t the point of the call.

Before he could respond, his brother croaked out, “It’s Mom. She’s really bad.”



~~~~~

**About the Author**
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the  World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

Stay connected with Melissa Foster
   





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