Blog Tour: What the Heart Wants by Kelli McCracken

Do dreams foretell the future? Are there soul connections that go deeper than love?

He can sense her emotions at any place and time. Their bond is powerful but a mystery. One thing he does know: She's plagued his dreams for months. Maybe even longer.

Being involved with a celebrity is the last things she imagined...or wanted. Can she forget the pain from the past? Can he let go of his fears?

What the Heart Wants is a light, quick read. This is a story about fate and soul mates and learning to accept what is.

Dylan is a famous rock star, but he is growing weary of the lifestyle. To add to his weariness, he is losing sleep due to his dreams. He dreams of a woman he has never met. Both in his sleep and when he is awake, he longs for her. So much so, that he doesn't see any other woman. Every one he sees gets compared to his dream girl. Heaven is also having strange, vivid dreams about a mysterious man. These dreams leave her wanting and longing for him, even if he isn't real.

When they meet face to face, it is a dream come true for Dylan. He is determined to get the girl and won't let anyone stand in his way. Heaven is more resistant. While she feels a strong pull and connection to Dylan, she isn't sure she wants to get involved with a rock star and everything it entails. At their first meeting, he had to save her from the paparazzi, and she is also convinced he has a line of girls waiting to get into his bed. Dylan tries to be patient so that he doesn't scare her off. However, his longing for her becomes unbearable and he decides to make a move.

The author created very likable, realistic characters. While the two main characters had an instant connection, the road to their relationship was set at a good pace. They didn't rush into anything, though Dylan wanted to. This, aside from the soul mate connection, made their relationship more believable. All in all, I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the other books in this series.

As a curator of characters, you'll normally find Kelli McCracken sitting at her desk, working hard on her next novel. When she's not arguing with those persistent people inside her head, you can find her hanging out on Facebook, chatting with readers about books and upcoming writing projects.

"It seems like all I ever do is write...and listen to Layne. He's always whispering something naughty in my ear, like being dipped in chocolate. Now I'm craving a Kit-Kat. Welcome to my zany life, where sanity is optional, romance is required, and liquor is most definitely quicker. Jack Daniels keeps me sane, my characters, not so much."

Kelli lives with her husband, four children, and her German Shepherd fur baby in the Ohio Valley region in the United States.

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Blog Tour: Courage and Other Demons by Jill Daugherty

“It occurred to me as I stared into the darkness that it was probably a good thing it had taken so long for me to see Simon for who he truly was. If I hadn’t fallen in love with that sweet and kind boy, I wouldn’t have gotten on a plane with him to fly halfway across the world; I wouldn’t have trusted him enough to do what he was asking me to do. And as angry as I was, as much as I hated what my life had become, I knew I had to do what Simon and the others were asking me to do. It all came down to one inescapable belief. I would have to kill or be killed. There were certainly other pieces of the puzzle that were more complex and harder to understand, but that one piece was very clear and unrelenting and it drove me forward, even in those moments when giving up seemed like the most sensible choice I could make.”

The end of the world will start in the suburbs of Denver with a faery transfer student from Ireland. If you think that’s totally ridiculous, then you understand how Maggie O’Neill feels. In all of her sixteen years, faeries were something you read about in children’s books. They didn’t actually show up on your doorstep. They didn’t kiss you and make your knees go weak and whisper sweet nothings in your ear. Until Simon Brady, that is. Simon changed everything. He makes her heart race and her skin burn with excitement, but he has also changed her core beliefs about the world and made her see it as a dark and dangerous place filled with monsters that belong only in the lines of faery tales. There is no doubt in Maggie’s mind that she loves Simon, but can she see past who he is and find a place for him in her heart?

This story starts out ordinary. Maggie is an ordinary high school student. She has a popular boyfriend, who she is not sure about, an awesome best friend, and a supportive family (and sometimes annoying little brother.) The one thing that puts a hiccup in Maggie's life is Simon. She has an undeniable attraction to him and the more she gets to know him, the more she likes him.

There is just "something" missing, "something" she doesn't feel for her boyfriend. When something happens to sever the loose tie she has to him, Simon is there for her. They start as friends, but it quickly develops into more. Simon has loved Maggie since the first time he saw her. However, there is more at work than mutual attraction and affection. Call it fate or destiny, but these two are meant for each other and Simon already knows.

But Simon isn't who he seems. He isn't a normal high school guy, falling in love with a girl. Simon is a faery and he regrettably has to pull Maggie in to his world so that she can fulfill her destiny. Now Maggie is a bit leery of who to trust, even Simon. She knows she loves him, but she is angry and bitter. She has to find courage in herself and trust in Simon and the rest of the faeries before it is too late.

I really enjoyed this story. The author delivered a well thought out, solid story line. She slowly eases the reader into the world of the faeries. Maggie isn't suddenly dropped in. Since we experience her "normal" life, you can feel her longing for it when it is no longer hers. We are able to better experience her fear for her family and her sadness over her loss of her friends and old life.

The characters were all pretty awesome as well. I really grew attached to a lot of the characters. I was involved. I cared. To me, that is what makes a story awesome. I can't wait until the next book in this series comes out. No, it isn't a cliffhanger per se, but Maggie and Simon's story is far from over. I am excited to see what their next adventure entails.

Jill Daugherty lives in Denver with Bailey, the world’s cutest puppy. By day, she works with gifted children and their teachers, but somewhere on the drive home every evening, she transforms into a writer. When she’s not working, writing or cleaning up Bailey’s latest mess, she likes to...uh, no, that’s pretty much her life. 

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10 ebooks (Int) 

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Cover Reveal: Of River and Raynn: The Catalyst

They found me when I was five; a little girl sitting on a bench in Grand Central Station, soaking wet, asking about the rain.

I remembered nothing about how I got there, or who my parents were. I couldn’t even remember my name. I was tagged, labeled and doomed to cycle through state care for the next twelve years; moving from one family to another. They all rejected me as the dreams began to come, the memories began to return, and things around me began to explode.

Now my mind is full of a world of shadows, things that my heart pleads with me to be true, that I hope are only fantasy. That the disturbing past I see is not mine.

When I sleep I hear whispers of magic, and of evil queens, and a world that exists alongside our own. Things that could never be. But, there is one thing I know to be true. That there was a boy who was torn from me. A boy that I know means more to me than a brother, or than a lover. But what he is to me, I am not sure. I hear him cry for me in my dreams, I hear people call him The Catalyst.

I know I need to find him.

I wouldn’t have tried, if I would have known that finding River, would have made all my dreams turn into a haunting reality.

Have you met River and Raynn yet? 

It’s time to get lost in a new world.

Check out Rebecca Ethington's YouTube page for some live interactive videos of River & Raynn

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwKr4zggGMlbSzTqQGaYVCA

Check out the Of River & Raynn officail website

http://riverandraynn.com/

Rebecca Ethington is a story teller and author from Salt Lake City, Utah. She has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then in stage with years of theatrical performances. Rebecca’s first stint into the world of literary writing, The Imdalind Series, was released in October 2012 and since its release each book has been found in several top 100 lists on Amazon. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her crazy family.

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Rebecca Ethington is also a featured author at Chapter by Chapter BookRave in NY on September 20th! YA BOWLING, ADULT/NEW ADULT Mingling party! Get your tickets today! Book Signing FREE and open to the public. 

For the full author list visit: www.cbcevent.com

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Blog Tour: Locks: Rapunzel Unhinged by Sarah J. Pepper

Gunned down by the hottest killer in the history of the Badass Archives wasn’t exactly Rapunzel’s end-game. But when her reputable extraction skills fail, she uses unorthodox methods to gain her freedom from the Mercenary, whose icy blue eyes have serious panty-dropping capabilities. Even though most girls wouldn’t fall for their would-be assassin, Rapunzel isn’t like most dames. Her major girl-boner for the Mercenary is so pathetically intense it verges on cliché.

Regardless, Rapunzel’s hands are tied. Love chooses its victims, not the other way around. She isn’t the stereotypical Damsel in Distress. Her Bad-Boy Prince Charming is a renowned mercenary, and her “Happy Ending” plays out like a bad movie. However, she is determined to find her freedom—love be damned—and she’ll do it in a fabulous pair of heels.

Locks is a retelling of the story of Rapunzel. However, this story is anything but tame. It is jacked up with darkness, magic, betrayal, and love. This is definitely not a Disney movie!

Rapunzel (Zel) is locked away in the Spire tower by the Master of Time sorceress, Taryn. Only when Tayrn needs a hit of Zel's healing magic does she visit her.  She is tired of being locked up, so she escapes the tower, only to be caught by the Mercenary, also known as Flynn. Flynn works for Taryn, or so it seems on the surface, so back to the tower Rapunzel goes.

She is once again locked away and chained in her tower, but unknowingly becomes the face and voice of a rebellion. Rapunzel is defiant. She is does not willingly give the Master what's she wants and fights her every step of the way. Flynn teaches her how to fight and think in sticky situations. You see, he is also part of the rebellion. He wants Taryn dead, but works for her so he can get her trust and inside information. Rapunzel isn't the only person with a special power that Taryn has enslaved, tortured, and used, there are hundreds more.

If you are looking for something a little different, I highly recommend that you pick up a book by Sarah J. Pepper. Her writing is so clever,and she has a knack for taking well known characters and making them her own. They are witty, charming, a bit off center, and very original. She is truly a talented author. 

Flynn was a lot of things—an excellent henchmen, a loyal subject, and a man’s man. Yet, he was so much more than job descriptions, even if he didn’t believe it himself. He was about more than vengeance. He couldn’t have been entirely emotionless.

“If I asked you to kill me, would you do it?” I asked, testing my theory.

The ferocity in his gaze could not be replicated by the most cruel bête noire in known existence. Gazing into his eyes was like catching a glimpse of his soul. Flynn wasn’t perfect, even though my eyes begged to differ. He was corrupt and had been ruined God-knew-how-many lifetimes with his vehemence.

“Taryn wouldn’t have a way to rejuvenate herself, unless she found another theurgist,” he said. “She manipulates time, but the more sorcery she uses, the more it takes a toll on her.”

“Ironic, isn’t it?”

As much as I fought my feelings for him, I couldn’t deny I wanted him in every way I could get. I couldn’t predict how long I’d live, but I refused to be blindsided by death. I would face it straight on. I reached around to grab his Glock. He was faster, so much faster than me. In a blink of an eye, he had the weapon aimed at my chest. If this was going to be the end, I’d embrace it so I stepped so close to him that the barrel grazed my shirt.

“One bullet will solve all your problems,” I said.

I specialize in dark, paranormal romance – think “happy ever after” but with a twisted, dark chocolate center. Real-life romance isn’t only filled with hugs, kisses, unicorns, and rainbows. True-love can be more thoroughly described in times of darkness and tribulation. It’s in those harsh moments where you see what a person is truly capable of – both the good and bad. Sometimes prince-charming isn’t always on time, and the glass slipper is a little snug. However, it doesn’t mean Charming is not Mr. Right, and who says every shoe is the perfect fit?

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Cover Reveal: Dreaming in Moonlight by M. Stratton

Ghosts are real. They are all around us. Most of the time they are satisfied to watch us go by and not interact. When a couple was cursed to spend three hundred years in death searching for the one living couple that could release their bounds they search for centuries to find a love that will make time stand still. If they fail they will be sent to Hell to live out the rest of eternity.

Demons are real. They are all around us. Their one goal is make our lives a living hell. They will stop at nothing to destroy our minds and bodies. With the curse rapidly approaching its end the deepest darkest demon is summoned to make sure they don’t succeed.

Kate O’Malley fell in love with the old two story farm house in Maine at first sight. She had to live there. Spending all of her savings she was able to buy it and moved right in. The very first night strange things happened. Her dreams aren’t her own. Looking for answers she calls on a friend who puts her in contact with a ghost hunter, Sawyer Hamilton. Neither knew what was in their future, neither knows if they are going to survive it.

Dreaming in Moonlight when your sleep is filled with passion and your nightmares are real.

M. Stratton is an International Amazon bestselling author in the romantic suspense and mystery suspense categories for her debut novel After the Storm. She is a self-proclaimed dork that loves to make people laugh and can trip over nothing. Her inner rock star is always on stage performing to a sold out crowd but is quiet and shy on the outside.

She lives with her husband and son in Arizona, which is a big difference from where she grew up north of Chicago Illinois. As an only child she learned to tell herself stories to make the long winters go by quicker while dreaming of summer vacations. Now as an adult she still makes up stories to pass the time, but now she writes them down to share with other people.

When not writing you can find M. watching football (Go Bears!), NASCAR, or classic movies, watching her husband and father restore classic cars, and seeing who can be sillier, her or her son, and of course reading.

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