Spotlight: Wandering by Heather Sutherlin

Book Info-

Title- Wandering

Series- Wanderer Series Book # 2

By- Heather Sutherlin

Expected Publication Date- June 25th, 2013 

Blurb-

When you’ve travelled between worlds, there’s nowhere left to go but home.

Rory has never been so cold in her life. But the biting wind only reminds her of another pain that grows more intense with each passing day. Each night Jaron’s beautiful voice sings in her dreams, and each day her footsteps draw her closer to his side. Danger and intrigue at every turn, no distance is too far when you’re returning for true love.

Rin has spent the last five years searching for Rory across two worlds. Now a series of visions have him convinced he’s growing closer to finding her. But when Rory slips through another portal, taking his visions with her, he finds himself back at square one. To find her now he’ll need the help of an old friend and a little otherworldly magic.  This time he intends to bring The Wanderer home for good.

Buy Links-

Kindle- http://amzn.com/B00DK1DXC8
Nook- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wandering-heather-sutherlin/1115800670?ean=2940016568379
iTunes- https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id665683200

Spotlight: Witchling by Ari Harper

Title: Witchling

Author: Ari Harper

Series: Curse of Kin

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

Publisher: Lycaon Press

Release Date: 11/30/2012

Blurb

Nera is a normal teenage girl living in Ireland, or so she thought until she discovers the family secret.. Now her world is forever changed.

Descended from a long line of witches, she discovers is the one who has to stop the curse that has taken the life of every girl before her.

And if that isn't enough, she must learn to use magic from the man called Bones. He is the son of Mari, Queen of the Witches...and a god. It is Bones who has been entrusted to teach her the skills she needs to stay alive, which wouldn't be so bad if he didn't have an uncanny knack for pushing her buttons.

Can Nera succeed and resist the charms of the man who gets under her skin at every opportunity?

 Excerpt
"Witches did and still do exist. You know that wherever there is good there must also be evil to balance it out." He paused, took a deep breath, then continued. "That can take many forms, witches only being one of them. Not all witches are evil obviously, but Edrith O'Reilly was very evil. When Pria planned to elope with Edrith's youngest son, she placed a curse on them. She cursed me, and she cursed her own son. I know this is a lot to take in, Nera, but what I have told you is true. That is exactly what happened."

"Come on, Jasper. You really don't expect me, us, to believe this, do you?" It couldn't be true, yet parts of his story were settling into my heart and mind already, as if the words had been waiting to find a resting place within me.

"Yes, girl dear, I do," Jasper replied, gazing at me. "How did your daughter die, Jasper?" Sully asked, obviously remembering the other dream that I had constantly.

"Edrith slit her throat with a sword, Sully."

I felt the bile rise in my own throat and pressed my hand to my mouth in an effort to stop it. Breathe, I told myself, just breathe. I squeezed my eyes tight and fought for control. I could feel a hand on my knee, and when I looked up, Jasper was kneeling on the floor in front of me, his gaze full of pain.

"Was that the other dream you were having?" His beautiful blue eyes were shadowed and troubled.

I nodded my head. The words stuck in my mind, the bile forcing its way up my throat. I pushed past him and ran for the downstairs bathroom in the hallway. I leaned over and retched into the bowl. I gripped onto the sides to stop myself from collapsing to the floor. My knees had gone weak, and cold sweat was running down my face. I couldn't control the shaking and was past caring. Neither my body nor my mind could accept what I had heard. It wasn't possible. How could it be that Jasper is 800 years old and I am reliving his daughter's death on a nightly basis? No, it is not possible.

There was a light tap on the door, and Brie tiptoed in with a damp cloth in her hands. Her mouth was set into a grim line. She watched me as I struggled to stand and then handed me the cloth. I leaned against the basin, unsteady on my feet. I wiped my face and hands and looked up at her, my gaze searching her face for any trace of sympathy.

"I'm really going crazy, aren't I?" I hung my head, suddenly not wanting to see the pity in her eyes.

"I don't think you are," she replied, her voice gentle. She ran her hand down my arm before I pulled away. "I think what Jasper is saying is true. Why don't you come back into the library and we can discuss it more."

"You're kidding, right," I scoffed at her, ignoring the shocked look on her face. "You don't seriously believe this stuff. Does he look that old to you?" I leaned on the basin until the ground stopped moving under my feet.

"No, he doesn't." Brie brushed her hair back from her face and then licked her lips at the reflection in the mirror over my shoulder. "But he said that was part of the curse, Nera. Just listen to him before you decide you're crazy and he is lying."

"Whatever." I threw the cloth into the sink and pushed past her out of the bathroom.

Jasper and Sully looked up when I stalked back into the room. Brie followed me and hurried to sit with Sully on the couch. I opted to stand beside the fireplace, my arms folded.

"I don't believe you," I said, knowing that with the hitch in my voice I didn't sound convincing. I was acting like a petulant bitch, but I couldn't help it. The way the day was shaping up called for my worst side to come out and play and I really didn't care.

"Before you make up your mind, there's more, Nera." He pursed his lips, then continued. "When there is a curse, there is always a way out of that curse. Each third generation since that time has had one female child that has the ability to break the spell. Not all have had the faith in themselves or believed in me enough to do so. Maybe their connection wasn't close enough," he shrugged. "I don't really know. But you are third generation. You are stronger than any other female that has come forward. Because of who you are, Nera, you are the one."

Jasper watched me closely while I tried to process the information that he had given me. I nibbled on my bottom lip and pulled at my hair. "What are you trying to tell me?" I asked him.

"When you were born, I knew who you were." A small smile hovered on his lips. "You were born with a caul, a part of the birthing membrane, on your head, and that makes you a Caulbearer, girl dear. In the world of magic, this marks the child as unique and powerful, usually with psychic gifts, like second sight and the ability to soul journey. But we can talk about that later."

"Does that mean Nera is a witch?" Brie asked, her eyes wide as she looked at me, her face lighting up.

"I guess that depends on your definition of a witch," Jasper replied. "I believe there are people in this world who have special abilities. Some call themselves witches, some don't. It's just the way you perceive something, I suppose."

"So what does she have to do with the whole curse thing, then?" Sully asked.

Jasper's gazed met mine before he answered. "She is the one that can stop the curse and let me die."

"Are you crazy, Jasper? How can you even think I would let you die?" I jumped to my feet, the horror of what he was saying slamming into me. I paused for a breath, the fear gripping my chest like a vice which made such a simple task difficult. It was too much for me. I turned and fled to the kitchen and threw open the door to the garden. I gulped down a breath of cool air and lurched over to a grassy patch and sank to the ground. Hugo walked over to me and licked my hand before sitting down in front of me, his soulful brown gaze on my face.

"Oh, Hugo, what is going on?" I cried, pushing my face into his fur. Cradling his head in my arms for comfort, I leaned against his huge body. I felt movement, and Brie and Sully sat down beside me. They reached out and wrapped their arms around me. Most of what Jasper had told us was hard to believe, but what if it was true? Parts of my brain screamed at me that it was possible, but parts still balked at the idea of witches, gods, and demons—especially so close to someone I loved.

"Do you believe what Jasper said?" Sully leaned forward. He picked a blade of grass and ran it through his fingers before looking at me again."Do you think it could be possible?"

"I really don't know." I sighed, rubbing the back of my hand over my face. "It seems so farfetched."

"But it could be true." Brie leaned her chin on my shoulder. "What if you really are what he says you are? I've always said there was something special about you. Everyone thinks so, not just Sully and me."

"Yeah, Connor thinks I'm special, so special he wants to grope me every time he sees me," I scoffed.

"Stop being so pigheaded. You know you have something that no one else has. Do you really think we would hang out with you if you were normal?" Brie joked. Her smile faded quickly when I looked at her, and she pulled away from me. "I know you are trying to make me feel better, and I do appreciate it, I really do. But if this is even halfway true… It's so much to take in." Just pull yourself together, girl. This is getting you nowhere, tears over, deal with it.

Author Bio
Ari Harper never wanted to grow up.
To offset the limitations of growing old ungracefully, she created her own set of unique worlds where she can be and do whatever she wants. God, demons and witches surround Ari while she spins her magic, mainly doing what they tell her to do.
She likes to work amongst chaos when given a choice, which is good because she is generally surrounded by children, all clamoring for attention. Some of them end up in her stories, some of them even get to die grisly deaths or be cast away to another realm. Her favorite pet is a big black Labrador, Hugo. He stars as himself in the Curse of Kin series as Nera's faithful hound.

Links
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Website
All Romance eBooks
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Spotlight and Giveaway: The Color Keepers by Catriona Crehan

Book Info-
Title: The Color Keepers
Author: Catriona Crehan
Expected Publication Date-May 1st

Blurb-
Hoping to have a good change and good ending to go with it, Emily, a 16- year-old girl from Ohio, has moved to sunny California.
Moving to a new town can be scary, especially a new school. So when Sam, the most popular kid there, looks her way, she can’t believe this is happening to her.
Everything seems to be working out fine. That is, until her mother buys an enchanted mirror by mistake.
Suddenly, Emily finds herself in a whole new world, full of talking animals, magic and more change than she was hoping for.With the help of her new crush, Sam, and her annoyingly goofy 12-year-old brother James, Emily sets out to save their world and ours.

Excerpt

Damien flew through the window.
“Your Majesty!” I looked him over and saw his feathers ruffled dirty. His eyes were wide, and he sounded severely out of breath. “Yes, Damien? What have you seen?”
“Your sister! She hurt the Emily lady and the green keeper led her to safety. She has obtained the first key! What shall we do?”
“WHAT? She’s stronger than I thought! How could she have gotten the first key already? That’s impossible!”
“She has! She passed the green spirits character test! What are we going to do?”
"We’re going to have to intercept her at the Blue Spirit. That will most likely be her next destination. Let’s go.”I will find her and end it now. I cannot risk her getting another key. It will be my own undoing.

 Links

Kindle
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Blog
Author's Goodreads

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Stamford Author Event: Featured Friday with Author's Laura Howard and A.M. Hargrove and featured blog Love Between the Sheets

Hello my book lovelies and welcome to my new Friday post that will be running from now through August 9th.  I will be spotlighting all of the authors and official bloggers for the Stamford Author Event, giving you a closer look at them and their books.  Who knows I might have a few giveaways along the way too!

Let's meet our first Featured Friday author, Laura Howard.

Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children.  Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card.  Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High, and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings.  Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child.  It wasn't until the release of a little novel called Twilight, eight years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction.  Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known.  The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.  

 Laura has been kind enough to provide me with an excerpt from her JUST published novel The Forgotten Ones, for you guys to check out!

Excerpt

"What time do your get off work?" he asked.

I turned and narrowed my eyes at him.  "I close at six. Then I have to balance the register, so around six thirty."

Ethan looked down at his hands for a second, then glanced up at me through his thick lashes.  "You want to get something to eat when you're done?"

I licked my lips, his dark brown eyes pulling me in.  I tore my gaze away and tried to focus on the computer screen.  He didn't say anything for a few moments, and I fidgeted, knowing he was watching me.  When I turned towards him, his expression was so intense that my stomach somersaulted. 

"Just one time," he said quietly.  

"What?"

"Say yes, just one time."  Ethan slowly moved behind the counter, his eyes never leaving mine.

"If you don't have a good time, fine. But, I've been trying to get you to give me a chance for years.  Don't act like you didn't know."

I shook my head slightly as he approached, wanting him closer but afraid of what it would mean.  

He stopped, his brow creasing.  "I won't hurt you," he whispered.

His expression was so earnest my mind went blank for a moment.  

"Ethan," I began, my thoughts scrambled.  "You know I'd like to--"

"So say yes."

I looked up at the celiing.  I was tired of always pushing him away.  If I went out with him once, maybe then I could convince him too that this was a bad idea.  I covered my face with my hands.  "All right," I mumbled through my fingers.

"What was that?"  I felt the warmth of Ethan's hands as he pulled my own away from my face.

"I said all right," I repeated, my insides fluttering.  

He gathered my hands and pulled them close to his chest.  His scent, clean and fresh like sun warmed denim, made my knees go weak.  

With his head tilted back, he exclaimed in a mock reverent tone, "Yes!  Thank you!  Six-thirty on the dot.  Be ready.  I'm picking you up!"

About The Forgotten Ones

 Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother.  She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely no part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who cliams he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone.  Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan?  But truths have a way of revealing themselves.  Secrets will eventually surface.  And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

The lovely Laura has also graciously offered an e-copy of The Forgotten Ones for me to giveaway to a lucky reader!  Contest will run through midnight 5/10/13 and I will announce the winner on next Friday's Featured Friday post.  

Before we move on to our next Featured Friday author for this week, here are Laura's links so you can show her some love.

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Our next featured Friday author for this week is A.M. Hargrove, a YA/NA and adult romance novel writer. 

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A.M. Hargrove, realized her life was onfast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life.  So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase.  Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodgeball pro and had uber quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head.  Feeling a tad guilty about her near miss, A.M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what lap top out the window.  She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone and hit #4 on her speed dial.  

Boss:  Hello

A.M.:  Boss, is that you?

Boss:  Why yes, A.M. who else would be answering my phone?

A.M.: Er...right.  Well, I'm calling to let you know you can pick up my luxury Ford Focus at Starbucks near the interstate.

Boss:  Why ever would I want to do that?

A.M.:  Because I quit!

A.M. hit the end button and speed dialed her husband.

A.M.:  Hi hubs, can you pick me up at Starbucks?

Hubs:  Sure...Having some car trouble?

A.M.: Not at all.  I don't have a car to have trouble with because I just quit my job.

Hubs:  WHAT?!

A.M.:  It's time for a new career and I am going to be a very famous novelist.

So began A.M. Hargrove's career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer!  Her books include Kissing Fire, Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge, the series the Guardians of Vesturon (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, Beginnings, and the upcoming reEmergent) and Dark Waltz.  

For more information on A.M. Hargrove and her books check out her links.

Blog

Website

Twitter

Guardians of Vesturon Facebook

A.M.'s Facebook

Goodreads

For our final sement of this week's Featured Friday we have one of the official bloggers for the Stamford Author Event, Love Between the Sheets, and the lovely sisters who mastermind it, Natalie (aka Natalie #1 for the SAE event, I'm Natalie #2), Jennifer, Dina, and honorary sister and blogger, Meagan.

Blog Name:  Love Between the Sheets

Facebook

Email

Established:  February 17, 2013

Bio:

We are three sisters with a life long passion for reading.  We love to read, share and talk books with anyone who will listen.  Reading has always played a major part in our lives.  Our love of books started at a young age while cuddled up together on our mothers bed listening while she would read Judy Blume books to us and has grown from there.  

Natalie - aka The Blog Boss.  She is the founder and creative brains behind the blog.  A nurse by day and a book junkie by night.  She has a passion for books on the darker side, those that are shocking, disturbing, and oh so delicious.  She loves when a book makes her palms sweat, her heart pound, and leaves her with an amazing book hangover.

Dina - The technical brains behind the blog.  She loves to read paranormal romance and fantasy; anything with an angel, vampire, or a fairy and she is hooked.

Jennifer - The face behind our Facebook page.  She has an affection for contemporary romances and young adult novels.  Jennifer is all about the happily ever after.

Meagan - Our honorary blogger from another mother.  Megan devours books at an amazing pace and is our master interviewer.  She loves books that make her heart skip a beat or her lady parts a bit randy : )

From left to right:  Jennifer, Dina, and Natalie.

That wraps up our first Featured Friday post for the Stamford Author's Event.  Next week we will be featuring authors Beth Michelle, Liv  Morris, and Danielle Torella, and will be announcing the winner of this week's giveaway.

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Pretty in Pink Presents: Author spotlight, giveaway and interview with Theresa M Jones

Happy Monday ladies and gents!  Today I have a wonderful spotlight on Theresa M Jones author of the NA Descendant Trilogy and courtesy of the gals over at Girls Heart Books Tours.  She has also been kind enough to offer an e-copy of both of her books for a giveaway!

Book Info
Title:  Power
Series:  The Descendants Trilogy
By:  Theresa M Jones
Publication date:  February 2013

Blurb

Thousands of years after the battle between the angels, when Lucifer was defeated by Michael in the Heavens, the war is still being fought onEarth by the humans who have their Power, the Angel's Power.

Allison Stevens is a 21 year old single mother who gets throwninto the middle of this battle when Damien, the Leader of the Rising, decides to hunt her down and kill her because he fears she is the descendant prophesied to save the world.

David, a member of the Order, takes Allison under his wing in order to show her the ropes, and hopefully groom her into being the one they have been waiting for.  The only problem is that they start to grow more attached than a teacher/student relationship should allow.

But that isn't all.  Damien wants to open the Seven Seals and bring about the apocalypse and it's up to Allison to not only save herself and her family, but save the worls, all while trying to keep her heart from breaking.

No problem... right?

POWER is the first book in a New Adult (Mature YA) Paranormal Romance Trilogy and is the debut novel for author Theresa M Jones.

Links for Power

Goodreads
Kindle

Power is also free for the duration of Theresa's tour with Girls Heart Books Tours!

Book Info

Title:  Hope
Series:  The Descendant Trilogy
By:  Theresa M Jones
Expected Publication Date:  April 29, 2013

Blurb

Allison now understands who she is and where she comes from, but will it be enough to save the world?  She went through a dangerous journey, dragging her young daughter along for the ride, in an attempt to stop the evil Rising Leader, Damien, from opening the Seven Seals and bringing about the Apocalypse.

But she hasn't succeeded yet.  The Rising still thrives and Lilith has made it her mission to open the remaining Seals so that she and her minions can rule the Earth.

David and Allison hope that love can conquer all, but in reality, love is never enough.  Will they, along with the rest of the gang back at the Compound, be able to stop the Rising?

And where is the Descendant that is prophesied to save them all?

Links to Hope

Goodreads
Kindle

About the Author

Theresa M Jones is just a regular small town, Texas girl.  When she isn't at work at a local Medical Equipment provider, you can find her at home with her husband and two beautiful (and rambunctious) kiddos.

In her spare time- as if there ever was such a thing as "spare time"- she reads and reviews books on her book blog, and writes paranormal romance novels.

POWER (The Descendant Trilogy #1) is her debut New Adult (Mature YA) Paranormal Romance novel.

Author's Links

Goodreads
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Amazon Author's Page

Sounds like a really interesting series!  Here's a little more from the fabulous Theresa M Jones herself on writing, her guilty pleasure, and the all important question, pepsi or coke!

1.  First off, pepsi or coke?  Answer wisely!  lol
Coke!

2.  What inspires your writing?
Many things!! Other books, my children, my life.

3.  Do you have a routine or any quirks that you HAVE to do before you can write?
No.  Well, I HAVE to have my kids taken care of.  I cant write with my kids around, so they either have to be in school, or in bed, before I can write at all.

4.  What are your guiltypleasures?
Chocolate for sure.  And Sangria, Im a fruity wind kinda gal.

5.  How do you handle rejection and/or bad reviews?
Well, so far I havent received a negative review (Knock on wood and Keep your fingers crossed for me) But, before I self-published, I did Query agents, and obviously was rejected... and in that situation, I decided it just wasnt meant to be yet.  I know that I can only go up from here!! :)

6.  Any words of advice for aspiring writers?
Write!! Make time to write.  Write when you dont even know what to write about!
Also... what really works for me is making an outline (sometimes 2 or 3 outlines) before I even start writing a book.  That may help.

7.  If you could live in any period of time when would it be and why?
Here and now.  I dont have the urge to do any kind of manual labor like they used to.  I have no urge to live without air conditioning or radio.  I rarely wear dresses and would hate to wear them all day.  I would never be ok with being considered less than a man merely because I'm a woman. So... I like this time.

8.  What is coming up next for you?
Well, I'm working on the final book in The Descendant Trilogy, which should be out late this year.  AND I've also started a new YA series about Fairies.

9.  If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be and why?
I love where I live.  Proud to be an American and all that.  Plus I live in Texas, and it's almost like Heaven on Earth (except in the summers when your skin practically melts off your body) I would love to visit Italy and Ireland though!!

10.  Any last thoughts, words of wisdom etc you would like to share?
Thank you! Thank you for taking the time to interview me.  And thank you to your readers who took the time to read this interview!!! I hope everyone enjoys my books! :)

Thank YOU Theresa for giving us some of your time, and for writing what sounds like an awesome series!  Can't wait to read it!  Also, big thanks for offering up your books for a giveaway, I know my readers will love the chance to win one of your books!  Best of luck with your writing and look forward to having you back on Pretty in Pink Books and Reviews again in the future!

OK folks, I have an e-copy of Power and an e-copy of Hope to giveaway to 2 lucky readers!  Giveaway will run through 05/06/2013 at 12a and winner will be announced later in the day on 5/6/13.  Good luck!  a Rafflecopter giveaway