Verna Loves Books: October 2014

Friday, October 31, 2014

The Relics 2 by John Dawson Jackson ~Cover Reveal~

BLURB

Chicago is in ruins. True evil has been unleashed upon the world, but no one seems to believe…

Milo and Killian attempt to free themselves from the madness David Wormwood left behind, but they quickly find themselves searching for the answer to an unknown riddle, something that has to do with a cult and the saying, “In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.”

The hunter is back from hell with the love of his life Laura, but has he really escaped the clutches of the demonic forces he sabotaged? He’ll find out somewhere in the bayous of Louisiana and inside the pages of a legendary book.

Abigail Williams has finally found the power she sought, but she doesn’t understand. Why doesn’t she feel good? Why doesn’t she feel immortal? And why does she keep pondering the question: Will the Pendulum swing towards who is right, or who is left?

John Dawson Jackson returns to the first book of his career with new stories, new characters, and plenty of bloodshed. If you were a fan of The Relics, prepare to be amazed!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in a ditch beside a busy highway, John Dawson Jackson never knew his parents. Taken in by wealthy philanthropists Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Elmo Jackson, he was trained from the age of two in classical piano. A horrible accident left his arm damaged, ending his dream before it began. He was forced to undertake control of his adopted father's oil business, a company that allowed him to travel the globe and explore the far reaches of civilization. As he studied the ancient carvings of the Mesopotamians, he realized just how much of our history has been covered up by powerful people. These findings have been collected into his new novel The Relics 2. Or maybe that's a lie...maybe this is true... John Dawson Jackson is an independent author based out of the Knoxville, TN area who has a broad spectrum of interests. Predominantly, his novels integrate the genres of fantasy, history, and horror with intriguing mind bending qualities. All of his works are based in the supernatural and exist within the same universe--a sometimes frightening, but always exhilarating place where Jackson enjoys playing with the interconnectivity of what is real, myth, and rumor. His most recent novel, The Relics 2, charts a path through history, blending both fact and fiction as ancient objects of power shape lives and bring together some of the most interesting and terrifying characters the world has ever seen as they realize their collective destinies.

LINKS

MEDIA LINKS:
FBhttps://www.facebook.com/jdjacksonauthor
Amazon Author page UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Dawson-Jackson/e/B00BADBRQM/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1414316746&sr=1-2
Amazon Author page USA  http://www.amazon.com/John-Dawson-Jackson/e/B00BADBRQM/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1 
Goodreads Author Page https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6942887.John_Dawson_Jackson?from_search=true
Twitter: @JohnDawsonJacks

John Dawson Jackson

Temptation by Steve Genis ~Blog Tour~

TEMPTATION BY STEVE GENIS BLOG TOUR 22nd October to 31st October

Hosted By Fallen For Books

SYNOPSIS

Temptation (Book 2)

ADD TO GOODREADS-https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22849721-temptation?ac=1

Life couldn’t get any more complicated for Rick. He's going through adolescence and coming to terms with his sexuality, which he hides from his parents.

Meet Mr Devereaux, Rick's PE and French teacher who Rick can't stop thinking about. To complicate matters even more, Mr Devereaux is married to the principal of the same school.

As Rick comes to terms with being a young homosexual man, he fantasises about what it would be like to be with an older man. After sneaking into his teacher's office and almost getting caught out, Rick realises that his fantasies and urges are beginning to take over his life.

One night, at dinner, Rick's father comes home and reveals some news that sends shockwaves through Rick. His father has just received a promotion at work and has been offered to relocate to London, England for one year, with all expenses paid.

Moving to London would mean that Rick would be away from his friends and Mr Devereaux and ultimately, he tries to convince his father to allow him to stay in Australia and live with relatives while he and his mother move to London. His father refuses, leaving Rick no choice but to pack up his life and go with them.

When they arrive in London things are far from easy for Rick. After finally settling into a new English school, Rick makes some new friends including Nate, who is openly gay.

Together Nate and his friends convince Rick to go to a local bar. There he meets Jared, the owner of the bar, who is drop dead gorgeous, gay and he happens to be an older man.

Rick starts spending a lot of time at the bar on weekends with his new friends, and soon, sparks fly between Jared and Rick.

With Mr Devereaux on the other side of the world, Rick has finally found another older man who happens to be gay, but is he the older man that he wants?

Rick's temporary life in London is cut short when he suddenly becomes seriously ill and must return to Australia to make a full recovery before he can return back to school. However, it takes Rick longer than anticipated to recover from his illness and unfortunately, having missed out on too much school, he must repeat the school year when he fully recovers, making him the oldest student in his class.

Will Rick finally have a chance with Mr Devereaux?

Temptation is the second book in The Obsession Series, and a prequel to Obsession.

SYNOPSIS

Obsession( Book 1) by Steve Genis

ADD TO GOODREADS-https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22849721-temptation

Life couldn’t get any more complicated for Rick. He's going through adolescence and coming to terms with his sexuality, which he hides from his parents.

ADD YOUR REVIEW HERE FOR BOTH BOOKS IF REVIEWING>

EXCERPTS

EXCERTS FROM OBSESSION

‘What’s your first name, Sir?’ I asked.

He looked at me and smiled.

‘It’s Jacques,’ he said in that accent of his.

‘Jacques,’ I repeated.

‘I hope you don't mind me asking sir, but do you have any children?’

‘Well, there is nothing for me back in London so I thought maybe I’d start a new life here in Australia, you know, make a fresh start and all that jazz.’

My heartbeat was racing, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. ‘Are you serious?’ I asked him, horrified.

‘Yes.’

‘Jared you’re a fucking idiot.’ That's all I could say.

‘Excuse me?’ he replied, completely flabbergasted.

‘Sorry, but you are, you gave up a perfectly good life in London for what? Why, Jared, why would you do something like that?’

‘What ze fuck are you doing, Rick?’ he asked me, obviously shocked.

‘I’m sorry, I really am. I don’t know what came over me,’ I said as I leant forward and kissed him again.

‘I’ve been wanting to this body for the past five years and now I finally get the chance.’ I started sucking again.

‘You know you were right about one zing.’

‘What’s that?’

‘You definitely can give a better blow job ‘zan my wife,’ he said as I placed his cock in my mouth and started sucking again. ‘Now I know what you’ve really been doing all ‘zose times you missed class,’ he continued.

‘Hey Kyle,’ I heard one of them ask. It was Josh’s voice,

‘Yeah?’ replied Kyle.

‘Do you reckon Rick’s gay?’

I froze as I sat there with my pants still down to my ankles listening to what they were saying. I suddenly looked down and realised I had left my bag on the seat outside. My heart sunk.

‘What?’ I heard Kyle reply.

‘Why would you say something like that?’

‘Well, just something I saw the other day at camp, that’s all,’ Josh said, as the two of them continued to urinate at the urinal.

‘What did you see?’

‘Well, while we were all in the main hall playing pool, I walked outside to go and use the toilets. I looked over and saw, Rick looking through the door to the bathroom in the cabin.’

‘So?’ Kyle replied as I heard him zip up his pants and flush the urinal.

‘He had his pants down to his ankles and he was jerking off.’ Josh finished and he, too, zipped up his pants and flushed the urinal.

TEASERS

BUY LINKS

https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/obsession/id847813045?mt=11

https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/temptation/id904322452?mt=11&ls=1

http://www.amazon.com/Obsession-Book-1-Steve-Genis-ebook/dp/B00KHU2IHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405426283&sr=8-1&keywords=Steve+Genis+obsession

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/obsession-90

iTunes Temptation https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/temptation/id904322452?mt=11
Barnes and noble Temptation http://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/temptation-steve-genis/1120038762?ean=2940046074246
Amazon Temptation http://www.amazon.com/Temptation-The-Obsession-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B00MRZUID0/ref=cm_sw_em_r_awd_Gh27tb0NDS9QN_tt

AUTHOR BIO

am an indie author from Melbourne, Australia. I never had a desire to be a writer, but after going through a major body transformation in late 2012 I decided to write an Autobiography about my struggles with bullying, self-esteem, and body image. After sharing my experiences with the world I set out on a journey and became a qualified Personal Trainer. After losing 35kgs I had a passion and thrive to help others achieve, it was then that I decided to write a book.

After writing my Autobiography One Step Further I had an idea for a story and set out on a difficult and daunting task to write my first novel Obsession which is part of the Obsession Series. I am currently in the process of writing the next 2 books in the trilogy Temptation (a prequel to Obsession) and the final installment Resignation.

In the very little spare time that I do have, when I am not writing, I work a regular Full Time job in retail. I'm also a Personal Trainer and motivational speaker, helping others reach their weight loss goals and defeat their personal and difficult struggles. I come from a European background and I am the oldest of three brothers.

Nashville Nights Series by Stacey Mosteller ~Blitz & Giveaway~

Save Me From Myself

Series: Nashville Nights, Book 1

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Purchase: Amazon, Nook, Kobo, iBooks

Add to Goodreads

Short Blurb: Drawn to Lyric despite her inability to trust, he’ll do anything to own her heart.

Will secrets and misunderstandings send Lyric running again? Or will David finally save her from herself?

Never Wanted More

Series: Nashville Nights, Book 1.5

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Purchase: Amazon, Kobo, iBooks

Add to Goodreads

Short Blurb: Peyton Williams is spoiled, entitled and a little too stuck up.

Wyatt Parker is the boy from the wrong side of town. Spending this semester tutoring a friends snobby roommate wasn’t what he envisioned, but Peyton quickly gets under his skin.

Peyton never wanted more until she met Wyatt, but is she willing to be what he needs?

Everything I Shouldn’t

Series: Nashville Nights, Book 2

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Purchase: Amazon, Nook, Kobo, iBooks

Add to Goodreads

Short Blurb: Now my life is full of secrets. The people around me have been affected by the choices I’ve made and the lies I’ve told. But what will they do when they discover the biggest secret of them all?

Jeremy is everything I shouldn’t want, and the person I can’t live without.

Everything I Need

Series: Nashville Nights, Book 3

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Purchase: Amazon, Nook, Kobo, iBooks

Add to Goodreads

Short Blurb: I’ve loved SarahBeth in one form or another her entire life. The steps that brought us closer together weren’t easy for me to take. After letting her dictate our relationship, I’ve found myself practically homeless and estranged from my closest friends.

Now I’m left trying to move on, finding a new place to live and getting everything I need in order, while she’s trying to mend her broken heart. There’s just one problem…SarahBeth’s still keeping secrets – and her secret just might change everything.

Pretending He’s You

Series: Nashville Nights, Book 4

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Coming soon.

Short Blurb: Terrified her friends are moving on without her, she’s’s determined to make things work with Emmett, her on-again off-again boyfriend since high school.

The only problem? Tyler isn’t ready to let her go. Despite her boyfriend and his girlfriend, these two are drawn together like magnets. When she’s with Emmett she wishes she was with Tyler and vice versa.

Will Livvie ever get tired of pretending and pick one guy? Or will she keep bouncing back and forth between the two of them indefinitely?

Save Me From Myself

Excerpt #1

Sebastian enters the room, and everyone straightens up. After calling the meeting to order, his eyes focus on me. “Ah yes, everyone,” he starts, “We have a new team member. This is Lyric and she’ll be covering all the local acts.” He motions towards me, and I smile shyly at everyone. I hate being put on the spot like this. “Tell everyone a little bit about yourself Lyric.” Great, so we’re back in high school.

I stammer, “Uh, well, hi. My name is Lyric, and I just moved to Nashville from Manhattan. I graduated in December from Columbia and I’m excited to be working with you all. I can’t wait to hear Nashville’s local talent!” Thankfully, after that lackluster description, Sebastian says nothing as I sit down. Ben must be silently laughing at me because his shoulders are shaking uncontrollably. I know it’s not because he’s crying for me!

I don’t have much time to dwell on Ben’s laughter or my own less than stellar introduction, because Sebastian quickly moves on to berating everyone for last week’s articles. Apparently, he’s convinced at least half of the staff lied about their journalism or english grades because “it was all crap.”

After spending almost fifteen minutes telling us how much we suck, Sebastian finally moves on to finish the meeting handing out everyone’s assignments. Because I’m new, I have nothing to write a review on this week, so he’s sending me out with Ben to “make some contacts” because there is a big concert this Friday. Ben’s got media passes for backstage at the Kings of Leon concert, and he’s doing an interview with the band. Sebastian asks me if I even know who they are, and I frown. Ben laughs, and tells him, “If she didn’t, I’m sure she’s read Fifty Shades, so she does now.” My face starts flaming, and I can’t say anything.

Sebastian snorts out a laugh, and begins giving everyone else their assignments. When he’s done, he calls the meeting to an end, and leaves us all sitting around the conference table. Once he’s out of hearing range, I turn to Ben and hiss, “Really? Did you have to put me and Christian Grey in the same sentence?”

Ben laughs harder, “Oh please, you know you read it. And if you haven’t, girl you better get on that! I’d leave Toby in a heartbeat for a night in the RROP” I am so not having this discussion with Ben, even if we do share a love of all things fifty.

I slap him, “Oh my God, Benjamin!”

He points a finger at me, “I knew it! You did read it! You dirty slut!” This whole exchange is surreal, but after that statement, I can’t do anything but laugh. I put my head in my hands and just let it out. Ben, however, thinks I’m crying, so he starts apologizing profusely. “Shit, L, I’m sorry! I was just teasing! You’re not a dirty slut at all!” At that, I can’t help but snort, and he knows I’m not upset.

“Bitch,” he mutters, “I was really worried!”

“Sorry Ben! It was funny though,” I tell him and bump his shoulder with mine before standing to walk out of the conference room.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Big Game: Hunted Love #1 by Aden Lowe ~Blog Tour & Giveaway~

Title: Big Game: Hunted Love #1 By: Author Aden Lowe Released On: September 15^th, 2014 Genre: Western Romance *Recommended for ages 18 and up due to sexual situations and some strong language* Synopsis: When a legendary predator decides prize horses should be on his menu, Kate takes the advice of her neighbor ranchers and hires a big game hunter to track the mountain lion and remove the threat. The hunter arrives to take up the trail, but instead of the seasoned older man she expects, he's young and impossibly sexy. Freshly back from deployment to Afghanistan as a special forces operative, Jakob needs to clear his head of the horrors of war. When his uncle is injured, Jakob steps in to fulfill the older man's commitment to hunt down a mountain lion on the other side of the state. The prospect of several days in the wilderness with only his horses and dogs for company sounds like the ideal opportunity. Except the infuriating female rancher insists on going along for the ride.

Excerpt: Continuing her wide circuit of the rig, Kate's attention fell to the custom crates built into the bed of the pickup. That explained it. Dog kennels meant the hunter had arrived hours earlier than she expected. But why bring his own horses? As far as she'd heard, most only brought their dogs, and the rancher was expected to provide whatever transportation the hunter preferred, whether it was horses or ATVs. She'd already had two heavy duty ATVs prepared, packed with provisions and extra fuel, in expectation. And where was the hunter, anyway? Turning, she looked down by the barn, expecting to see a stranger poking around. Nothing. Puzzled, she examined the truck closer. Surely he hadn't slept in it? No one deliberately slept in a truck the night before hitting the trail with days in the saddle ahead. And yet, where else could he be? She approached the driver's door carefully and stretched to try and see through the dark tinted window. Nothing visible, of course. A tap at the window should wake anyone inside, so she gave it a try, and stepped back to wait. A heavy hand dropped onto her shoulder and she jumped hard, biting back a surprised yelp, and swung, her knuckles landing solidly on a hard jaw. The deep male grunt confirmed she'd landed a good blow. Long fingers circled her wrist in a grip that promised to easily crush the small bones if she resisted. Frozen in place, Kate glared up. And up, past a strong throat, beard-shadowed jaw, unsmiling mouth, and straight nose to meet a startlingly green glare. "I'll let go if you promise not to hit me again." Kate nodded willingness to comply and took a fast step back as soon as she was free, while her lower body clenched in sudden tense awareness. "Who the hell are you? And why are you parked by my house?" Dammit, she sounded flustered and breathless, rather than stern and commanding. Damn hormones picked the most ridiculous and inconvenient times to wake up and kick her ass. His lip quirked a little, as if he could read her thoughts as clearly as the newspaper. "Sorry to startle you, ma'am. I'm Jakob Barger. We spoke yesterday evening I think?" He waited for her nod of recognition. "I pulled in after two and didn't want to disturb your stock, so I parked up here. I hope that's okay?" The combination of gravelly voice and contrite attitude set more hormones on the rampage by way of thundering her pulse through her pelvis. "Kate Holt. Sorry for the… uh," she brushed a hand over her own jaw to indicate the reddening mark on his. "I don't normally go around hitting perfect strangers." The same long fingers that had circled her wrist gently probed the red mark. "Couldn't prove it by me." A sudden sheepish grin broke the tension. "I don't normally go around startling harmless women either, so I guess we're even. If you'll show me where to park my rig, I'd like to let my animals stretch their legs while I get everything ready." "Of course. Can I hitch a ride? I'll help you unload." No way he'd get that big-ass rig parked without someone directing him either, but she didn't say that. "Thanks." He efficiently loaded his animals back into the trailer, then rounded the front of the truck in long easy strides and opened the passenger door and stood waiting. Evidently he meant to hold the damn door for her to climb in. Kate gave a little shrug. Whatever floated his boat, as long as he caught that lion, made no difference to her. Except he stood there watching her. "You know you don't have to hold the door for me, right? I can manage that little task for myself." Annoyance crept into her voice. Reacting to what he probably thought was her resistance to being taken care of in any way by a man, Barger raised his hands and stepped away from the truck. "Suit yourself." He crossed back to the driver's side. Kate took advantage of his attention being elsewhere to get to the passenger door. Now why the hell did she need to hide her limp? She never bothered with it, and he would see it sooner rather than later anyway, while she helped him park and unload. Certainly not vanity—she'd long ago given that up, settling for neat and clean, or hardworking when that wasn't possible. So what on earth had her hiding her weakness from Jakob Barger? It wasn't like she had even a remote chance in hell at getting his attention, or even truly wanted to, despite the uproar he'd put her hormones into. Still, it might be nice to have a man like him of her own. Tall and solid with muscle, handsome in a rough sort of way, and evidently quick witted. Kate shook the nonsense from her head and climbed into the passenger seat of his truck, realizing the error too late. The warm musky scent of healthy male blended seamlessly with horse, leather and hay, and stood up to introduce itself, much to the delight of her libido. Oh shit, she was in serious trouble here. Thoughts of a week or more on the trail alone with owner of that scent did something funny to her stomach. He climbed behind the wheel and started the truck, and blasted the interior of the truck with a combination of hard beat and screaming guitar. He hurried to turn the volume down. "Sorry, forgot it was so loud." At least his scent no longer consumed her awareness. "What the hell was that anyway?" Jakob glanced at her as he backed the trailer slowly toward the split in the driveway. "What do you mean? You've never heard Metallica?" When she shook her head, he stopped the truck a moment to fiddle with the CD player. "This is called 'Enter Sandman'. One of my favorites. Listen?" When she nodded again, he turned it up to just above normal listening volume for her. The catchy tune quickly gave way to the hard beat from earlier, and a growling voice blended perfectly. "Say your prayers little one, Don't forget my son…" Kate listened, captivated, as something in that voice reached into her and gripped a part of her she hadn't known existed. By the time the last notes trailed away, she knew without a doubt, she'd found something entirely new and unexpected. Jakob watched her, not hiding his knowing smile. "Gotcha." His exact duplication of the growl on the CD sent a shiver down her spine. "Not what you expected?" His voice had gone back to normal, but her newly trained ear picked up the sinister growl hiding within the gravelly tones. The shudder of appreciation wasn't easy to conceal, but Kate thought she managed it fairly well. "Not at all. I've never been interested in that kind of music. Always just turned the dial as quickly as possible." "Hang around me a while. I'll show you something far more interesting than what you're used to." The way his gaze swept over her features, paused at her breasts, and continued downward said he fully intended the double meaning. Okay, she really needed to change the subject. The lane to the barn appeared, offering the perfect opportunity. "Go forward and bear left here. You'll round the barn to the right and pull around back. I have a shed back there if you'd rather park under cover, or you can park just to the side of the shed." The truck stopped and Jakob nodded once before putting it in gear and following directions. "Do I get an answer now? Or do I have to wait until I catch you a lion?" "An answer to what?" "Will you hang around me enough for me to show you some interesting things?" Oh…boy. Every more severe epithet she'd ever known fled right out of her head. So much trouble. "That—" She had to pause and clear her throat to get the breathy, wanton tone out of her voice. She tried again, "That depends." Better. "On what?" The grin he flashed her way said he knew all about the pulse that suddenly pounded her core. "I haven't decided yet." It was a good thing he'd stopped the truck behind the barn, waiting to see where he should go next. She opened her door and bailed when self-preservation demanded she get the hell away from all that overwhelming maleness. The man absolutely oozed sex at the moment, and she wasn't equipped to deal with that sort of assault on her senses. Nothing in her life had prepared her for that.

Buy Links Amazon US Amazon UK Smashwords Barnes & Noble Exclusive Blog Tour Interview with Jakob

We're here with Jakob Barger, main character of Big Game: Hunted Love #1, by Aden Lowe, to get a little insight on the book and what might be in store for Kate and Jakob in their second book, at the end of the Hunted Love series.

**Jakob, I gathered you spent a lot of time with your Uncle Frank as you were growing up. Were you close to your parents at all?

Jakob: My dad was killed when I was ten. He was a firefighter. But yes, I was close to him. After he died, Uncle Frank sort of stepped in to help my mom. She was devastated without my dad. I grew up hearing stories of how much they loved each other.

**What were you thinking when you first realized you were falling for Kate?

Jakob: Part of me was terrified. I knew she was at least attracted to me, but I had no idea if it was more than that for her. I was also relieved in a way, to know that the kind of love I'd heard of all my life actually could happen more than just that one time. I'd always been afraid it was some kind of fluke or something, and certainly never expected to care that much about anyone. A lot of people go through life without even hoping that can happen to them. Hell, most of the guys I know don't even give a damn, and I probably wouldn't either if I hadn't heard those stories as a kid.

** What was it about Kate that initially got your attention?

Jakob: Hahaha, her fist. Seriously, I'm not really sure. I think it was partly her strength, but she was also this really odd mixture of innocence and experience… It's hard to explain. The closest I can think of is when people say someone is 'wise beyond their years'. Only with her, it didn't apply only to the big 'life lesson' things, but to every single facet of her. I have a thing with puzzles, can't resist them, and to me, she presents the ultimate puzzle. I'm willing to spend the rest of my life trying to figure her out.

And there you have it. Don't miss the next installment of the Hunted Love series, Bounty, due out in a couple of weeks.