BOOK BLAST: Shine Your Light by Lee Bice-Matheson & J.R. Matheson

Shine Your Light

Paige Maddison 

Authors:    Lee Bice-Matheson and J.R. Matheson

Published:  November 15, 2016

Publisher:   FriesenPress

Genre:  Supernatural

Content Warning:   No sex. Clean read for Ages 10+ No drugs, no alcohol.

Recommended Age:  10+

Paige Maddison is only 17 years old, but many know her spirit is ageless. She holds the gift of seeing beyond the layers of our reality, the courage to battle the evils that threaten to tear those layers apart, and the key to an ancient mystery that will decide the fate of the spirit realm, and our own, for another century.

In Shine Your Light, the third book of the Paige Maddison series, Paige finds herself precariously balanced between the mortal and spiritual realms, even while being haunted by events of the past. Surrounded by powerful allies, old and new, she discovers the true power of friendship―and the impact of its betrayal―as she faces her greatest challenge: the Prince of Darkness himself. The Ultimate Evil.

When a black moon looms over All Hallows’ Eve, and the battle for control of an ancient Grimoire threatens to destroy the world as we know it, Paige will be put to the test. Will love and goodness win the day? Will the strength and magic of her Celtic ancestry, the First Nations People, her Spirit Wolf family, or even divine intervention be enough to help her prevail?

Paige’s visions tell her that she is the Chosen One―chosen by fate, God, or perhaps the universe itself … but is she worthy? The ultimate battle between fallen angels, humanity, and the upperworld is about to be fought on Earth’s battlefield.

What if they’ve made the wrong choice?

Shine Your Light is on the Top 100 Best Seller for Teens and Young Adult Ghost Stories.

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Chapter One Excerpt

Snowflakes danced and swirled beyond the windowpane, capturing the sun’s rays, glistening like diamonds as they drifted, mesmerizing me as I stood by and watched without a care in the world. Mother Nature had trapped me tight within her grasp. I was drawn into her beauty and magnetic, overpowering energy. Snowflakes accumulated, forming small mounds and snow drifts, and I viewed the scene as if through the lens of time-lapse photography. I sensed danger was near, yet felt warm and peaceful inside. And then I sensed nothing at all.

***

My instincts snapped me into a state of high alert as I searched carefully inside a dimly lit room, arms outstretched, hoping I wouldn’t bump into something and wound myself.

I blinked my eyes repeatedly and as my vision returned, images penetrated my consciousness. Eyesight sharpened, I spied a shimmering, oval, mahogany table with twelve handsomely crafted wooden chairs with etched frames and deep-cushioned red-velvet seats. The table caught the sunlight peeking in from beyond the dining room, through the kitchen window with its tiny panes of glass and lattice framing. It was of a time long ago.

I approached the back door and peeked out through a tall, narrow side window. I gasped as I spied a dense forest filled with 100-year-old pine, birch, oak, and black walnut trees all coexisting as one, their branches intertwined. Something seemed familiar about this place. I found my courage and it urged me to continue exploring my new surroundings. I passed through a low-set hallway and noticed two bedrooms across from one another. Each room contained twin beds, and I assumed the children’s room was the one with colourful quilts adorned with patches of birds and animals.

There were carvings in that particular room which drew me in. One carving was of a beaver, another was of a moose, and the third a wolf’s head. It was much larger than the others, and it captured my attention, as the wolf was a kindred spirit to me. I ran my fingers along its nose and felt the etching on its face, wondering who had created this beautiful work of art.

About the Authors

Lee Bice-Matheson began her writing career as a storyteller, often weaving tales for her son, J.R. Matheson. Her stories parlayed into a writing career that was united with her son’s creative imagination, as a mom-son writing team. It was her dream come true! Lee is proud to say they have coauthored Destiny’s Gate, Book Two, and Shine Your Light, Book Three. Lee is also the author of Wake Me Up Inside, Book One, in the Paige Maddison Series. It was the recipient of the Literacy Award from the Readers’ Advisory Panel, Orillia Public Library, and the Paige Maddison Series continues to be included in the Battle of the Books, Simcoe County. Lee is passionate about spirituality, and all it encompasses. She loves spending time in nature, and canoeing and portaging into Algonquin Park with her husband. Lee has degrees in Honours History, Master of Library & Information Science, both from Western University. She has worked in public, medical, and corporate libraries, and now works proudly with her husband, Kevin, in their Chiropractic Clinic. 

J.R. Matheson has been writing fantasy and horror since he was old enough to hold a pen. Collaborating on the Paige Maddison Series has reignited his passion for creative writing. When he’s not weaving tales with his mom and coauthor, Lee Bice-Matheson, he can be found drowning in scientific publications and talking incessantly about his research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Ontario, where he is a pharmacology PhD student. Some may claim that science and the creative arts are at odds, but J.R. feels they are one and the same.

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Giveaway Details

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

A print copy of Shine Your Light

Giveaway is US only. Ends January 10^th, 2017

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK BLAST: If You Wish by Cassandra Sage Briskman

 

 If You Wish

Author:   Cassandra Sage Briskman

Published:  September 14th, 2016

Publisher:  Waterside Productions

Genre: Young Adult

Recommended Age:  12+

Synopsis:

Ella Jackson is an ordinary teenage girl whose father just happens to be a rich and famous film director. Her life must be awesome, right? Not exactly. Her father is always working and her stepmother and two step sisters basically live to make Ella miserable. Life sucks, until Ella meets Julian. But, instead of falling in love with him, she finds herself falling in love with the hottest boy at school…her step sister’s boyfriend. In a remarkable coming of age story written by a real teenager, If You Wish confronts bullying, drug abuse, and LGBT rights in a story that is anything but a fairy tale.

Amazon | GoodReads

Excerpt:

Usually fairy tales start off once upon a time, blah, blah, blah. I guess I could start off my story that way, but then the story wouldn’t be right. The truth is, I’m not a princess. And this really isn’t a fairy tale. There is no magic fairy godmother who goes around turning poor girls into princesses and pumpkins into carriages. So if you want that kind of story I suggest you read something else. This story is going to be about me, Ella. Just plain old boring me. I’m just a normal 16-year-old girl. I’m not special or different in any way at all. That is, I never thought I was special, until I met Julian. But he comes in later. You’ll have to start from the beginning. So go on. If you wish…

About the Author:

Cassandra Sage Briskman is a 16 year old YA author, who splits her time between Los Angeles, California and Brooklyn, NY. If You Wish is her debut novel.

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Giveaway Details:

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

• $15 Amazon gift card.

Giveaway is International.  Ends November 13th at 11:59 PM EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



 

REVIEW: Being Medusa by A. Lynn Powers

Being Medusa

A. Lynn Powers

WENEEDDIVERSITY

I must start off by saying that the cover of this book really doesn't capture what the character looks like in the book. I look at the cover and get thrown off once I started reading the book.

But aside from that....

WOW, what an amazing read! This book was extremely hard to put down. This author has a way with words that will keep you in suspense and wanting to read more. I love how the author took a Greek Mythological creature and threw her into modern day society. Medusa was an awesome character!! She went through a lot hardship in this book, but she just kept going. I know what its like to be made fun of or teased or put down because you are different and so I could relate with this character on a personal level, even though I never had snakes growing out of my head. I am extremely excited to read more about Medusa and what will happen next to her. Fair warning, be prepared for a shocking ending too. I highly recommend this story to all to read and remember that just because someone else is different then you doesn't give you the right to be a bully!!  

Juniper Grove Book Solutions Reviews provided me with a digital ARC copy of the book for review purposes only. No remuneration was exchanged.

BOOK BLITZ: Wickedly They Dream by Cathrina Constantine

Wickedly They Dream

Series: The Wickedly Series, Book 2

Author:  Cathrina Constantine

Published:  Feb. 20th, 2016  

Publisher:  CHBB

Genre:   YA Fantasy

Recommended Age:  14+

Evil never rests.

Jordan hoped her life would change after the fiery death of the devious sorcerer, Asa Trebane. She was wrong. The Black Order of the Cult is gearing up to select a new Supreme Leader, and Lucifer will be judge and jury.

The aberrant half-breeds scheme to impregnate an influential psychic to create a prodigious creature with exceptional powers to overthrow the Order. After her mom, Seeley, is possessed with an exponential curse, even the priests can’t find a solution to defeat the evil that is devouring her. Jordan is sick of delaying the inevitable and takes matters into her own hands. She must dig deeper into the Satanic realm and guardedly joins forces with an old friend and a wicked witch. Against Markus’s direct orders, Jordan offers herself, body and soul in a blood covenant to rescue Seeley from the clutches of hell.

Jordan knows her guardian angel will not leave her to fight alone. The formidable Markus always has her back. But a circumstance beyond her control drives her angel away. There’s trouble in paradise, and Markus has been reassigned.

Can Jordan defeat her internal and external demons to win him back? Or, this time, is he gone for good?

Amazon | GoodReads

Excerpt 

Slammed onto the altar with no regard for how much pain it caused her, Jordan’s arms and legs were spread and tied. She immediately searched for traces of awareness in her mom’s face. Even in the dimness, she spied a slash of blue peeping from Seeley’s half-closed lids. A cloaked person, appearing more like the grim reaper, breezed to the altar. The figure shoved Seeley aside and bowed over Jordan.

Shadowed by the figure, Jordan squinted, attempting to recognize him. Peering into the hooded black abyss, a bone-searing weakness overcame her, as if the thing was draining the life out of her body. Her heart revved to a phenomenal rate, like a Ferris wheel gone haywire. Then the pain came. She moaned. Her insides twisted like a rag mop. The grim reaper drew his cloaked arm over her. She recoiled as skeletal fingers splayed within inches of her heart.

About the Author

Cathrina resides in Western New York with her husband and five grown children. She has a penchant for too much coffee and chocolate. When not with her family or stationed at the computer, you’ll find her walking in the forest with her dog conjuring up a new tale.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

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Giveaway Details:

There is a tour wide giveaway. 

Prizes include the following:

• $10 Amazon gift card
• Wickedly They Come ebook
• Wickedly They Dream ebook

Giveaway is International.

Ends March 2nd at 11:59 PM ET.

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BLOG TOUR: The Hunter Awakens by J.R. Roper

The Hunter Awakens

The Morus Chronicles Book 1

Published:  July 6th, 2014

Publisher:  Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing

Genre:  Middle Grade Action/Fantasy Awards:

2015 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Winner

Winner Best Children’s Novel 2014: Preditors & Editors Readers Poll

Literary Classics Seal of Approval: Highly recommended for home and school libraries.

Synopsis:

When thirteen-year-old Ethan Morus is forced to stay on his grandparents’ old farm, he expects to find weathered barns, rusty tools, and a creaky house in need of fresh paint. What he doesn’t expect is to hear a legend placing his family at the center of an ancient treasure hunt. Or find burial chambers protected by poltergeists, or a secret lair guarded by an ancient beast. And least of all, Ethan doesn’t suspect that powerful sorcerers are watching his every move.

They’ve found Ethan and believe he is from a line of treasure hunters who possess a rare instinct to locate powerful artifacts. Whether he has the instinct or not, Ethan is faced with a choice–search the Morus property and find what they want or lose yet another family member.

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Be sure to grab your copy of The Hunter Awakens for the special tour price of only 99 cents!

Excerpt from The Hunter Awakens by J.R. Roper

Mel closed her eyes and drew in long breaths as he passed. A hint of the sorcerer was all she smelled. He was alone.

The Hunter Awakens by J.R. Roper She waited for him to near the summit, and when he was close she dropped to the ground and approached from well within the forest. When she reached the top, it was clear he’d already begun his conjuring.

The sorcerer stood in the middle of the hilltop, held his staff in front of him and spoke softly in the old tongue. He lifted the staff and slammed it into the ground. The earth groaned.

He looked to the sky. “Reveal.”

Mel followed his gaze. A faint shadow swooped through the clouds and she retreated behind a thick tree. It was the thunderbird—the harbinger of conjured storms.

From his messenger bag, a red orb rose into the air and wisps of wood fastened it to the top of his staff.

Mel glanced above and readied her throwers. She’d put out the thunderbird’s eye if it attacked.

The sorcerer gripped his staff with both hands and pointed the end toward the setting sun, the direction of Roseville. He lowered it slowly and spun, drawing a wide circle where grass shriveled. The smell of scorched earth forced Mel to hold her breath. She hated the smell of anything burnt and the old rock beneath the grass smelled like the burning of ancient bones.

Within moments, clouds rolled overhead. The orb’s red light pierced the early dark. The sorcerer grasped for the sky with his left hand and spoke an incantation that the wind swept away.

The last sliver of sunlight winked out, as if a shawl had been drawn over the sky. A fog chased up the hill like a tidal wave and clouded Mel’s view. The fog moved upward and the sky rippled with a surge of power. All heavenly lights darkened and Mel aimed a thrower in the direction of the sorcerer.

If he knew she was here and came looking for her, it’d be his last act on Earth. She feared no one. She was Hellish Mel.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

How did you start your writing career?

I fell in love with Harry Potter and when the series ended, I decided to start writing stories to capture the imagination of other reluctant readers. Books for reluctant boys have become my mission and I hope to bring as many to the love of reading as possible. The BEST is getting a message from a parent telling me that their child devoured my books despite not being a frequent reader.

Has someone helped or mentored you in your writing career?

One of my critique partners, Cheryl, has been a fantastic mentor. She has an MA in speculative fiction and has been a reader her entire life. She is the queen of cutting words and adding sensory detail and she has essentially taught me to write.

Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

I have both! And I love them all dearly. I have been part of two critique groups and when I’m not in season (I coach track) I meet as much as I can. The group that has been instrumental is a small group of dedicated fantasy writers. When we all have chapters to critique, we share a chapter every other week and meet in person to discuss the work. Sometimes we just meet for dinner to discuss our current projects and stay in the habit of meeting.

My first beta reader is my amazing wife. She is amazing and honest and has helped me polish most of my published pieces. Writer friends I have made throughout the years also help with beta reading.

What one word best describes you?

Persistent!

You’ve just become President. What’s first on your agenda?

An office and library for Shelley Custer.

Is there something unique about your writing style?

I love the keep the pace fast and the writing lean.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?

I do! I love soundtrack music. My favorite group is Two Steps from Hell. They record much of the music used for movie trailers and some documentary music.

What was the scariest moment of your life?

My oldest son stopped breathing when he was a month old. My wife was holding him and felt him go still. She was able to keep him alive long enough 

through CPR until paramedics arrived and thank 

God they revived him. He has had no lasting issues 

and is a bright four year old now.

Thank you, J.R., for stopping by a letting us get to know you, it has been fun!!

About the Author:

J.R. Roper is the author of The Morus Chronicles, a fantasy series for middle grade readers. The first two books, The Hunter Awakens and The Spirit of Steel are now available along with a collection of short stories titled Mel & the Black Rider. Roper’s work has appeared in ChildGood Magazine, Families First Monthly, and in anthologies by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing, Horrified Press, and Thirteen O’Clock Press.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Website

Twitter | Facebook | Website

Giveaway Details:

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

• $25 Amazon gift card
• 5 Kindle copies of The Hunter Awakens

Giveaway is International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BLOG TOUR: Into the Myth by R.L. Weeks

Into the Myth

R.L. Weeks

Published:  August 27th, 2015  

Publisher:  Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing

Genre:  YA Urban Fantasy

Recommended Age:  13+

 “Your myth, my reality”

College can’t come soon enough for Lily. That is until Kyle, the new transfer, shows an interest in her. Except, since he’s been in town, strange accidents have been happening. Accidents that Kyle seems to be insinuating are Lily’s fault.

When she learns the truth, she is thrown into a world she didn’t believe to be true, but she is in danger. There are many forces against her, ones she has to try and protect herself and her loved ones from. The problem is, the biggest threats could be concealed in the lies of the people she loves. She has to quickly decipher who she can trust and who’s against her, if not, she could lose a lot more than her life.

 Read FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

“So there is no actual proof. I mean, they say that’s what happens, but it could be a fairy tale to prevent people from doing those rituals. Her lover could have been miserable because she died and he loved her.” Everyone in the class is now staring at me, their mouths open a little. I raise an eyebrow to my perplexed professor. “Umm… I…” he splutters, looks at the picture of her then back to me. “You could be right.” He presses his lips together and manages to produce a half-smile. “But it would be unwise for someone to try and prove those theories wrong.” He pauses, everyone stares at him. I follow the bead of sweat trickling down the side of his head. “As there’s a good chance they could be right.”

“I would never attempt to do black magic. I was just making a point,” I lie. He nods and turns his attention back to the class. He recites a script written by one of her lovers. I sit at the desk, a little amused. Although I feel a little happier knowing it hasn’t actually been proven, his words still echo in my mind. They could be right, the theories. I spend the rest of the lesson admiring the picture of the woman who risked everything to bring back the one she loved. I wonder if there’s a way to find out if she really did damn herself to an eternity of pain in the underworld. I doubt it. I wonder how many sorcerers have tried and failed to find out.

“Produce a six-page essay on her years between twenty and twenty-five. Most of her spells were created within this time. Bonus points to anyone who can find out what ritual she created, that later affected the King of England, Henry the Eighth,” he hollers, bringing me out of my daydream.

What was that about Henry the Eighth? Never mind. The professor steps back and picks up several books, everyone gets up.

“That was awesome,” a guy says from behind me. I turn and look up at a tall muscular man with pale brown eyes.

“Umm… thanks.”

I smile nervously and go to walk out the door. I spot Miles just in front of me.

“Miles.”

“What’s your name?” The muscular guy interrupts me and Miles disappears out of view. I allow three girls to pass me, all of whom shoot Mr. Muscles a flirtatious smile. Then look at me with annoyance or envy, I can’t tell.

“Lily,” I say and look out the window. I can’t see Miles anywhere.

“Pretty name. I’m Sean, Sean Pelletier,” he says, extending his hand. I shake his hand and pull my fingers out of his tight grip.

“Nice to meet you. Wait, Pelletier, isn’t that?”

“Yes, my ancestors founded the society,” he says proudly. His surname is engraved on almost every wall in the building.

“Awesome.”

“So, how are you finding it here?” he asks. He glides his hand through his raven black, shoulder-length hair. I follow him out onto the courtyard and spot Miles on one of the benches.

“Things are going great.”

His face splits into a grin as he eyes up my bear necklace. “In good with some Berserkers?” How does he know?

Rebecca is an author living in Exeter, UK. She grew up in Devon, surrounded by local folklore, which she incorporates into her writing. She doesn’t believe there are enough books for teens with strong female protagonists tackling real issues whilst incorporating the fantasy elements that offers teens the ‘escape from reality’. Her first book, a new adult dark fantasy was published in August 2015 by A-argus publishing. Into the Myth, a young adult urban fantasy, the first in a series of four, is set to release on the 27th August 2015 by CHBB publishing. As well as writing full-time, Rebecca works part time as a support worker. Editing others works, studying for her psychology diploma, blogging about various supernatural news and writing tips for other authors, are among the other things that Rebecca enjoys doing in her spare time. She hopes to write novels that inspire and help young people, in the same way, as she believes fantasy books helped her through tough times.

         

      

 

Giveaway Details:

The author is hosting an awesome giveaway where you can WIN a bunch of prizes! Up for grabs are 2 Kindle Paperwhites with cases, 8 signed copies of Into the Myth, 15 bookmarks, 5 pens, 3 chapsticks, 2 Iphone 5/5s cases, 1 Into the Myth keyring and 5 fridge magnets. 

Enter the two giveaways at the links below:

http://goo.gl/forms/YHB2k9hfFb http://goo.gl/forms/DIWxogceQC