RM Gilmore's Birthday Bash Blog Tour!

I'm so glad to be a part of an awesome Tour by RM Gilmore!

Here's the Guest Post that she wrote... (I loved this one! Give it a looksie! ;) )

5 Random Thoughts

At a loss as to a topic for this guest post, I, along with the votes of some awesome folks, decided I'd comment on the top 5 random thoughts I've had today. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Cheez-Its stink, but they taste so good

During lunch today, I opened a ziploc bag full of white cheddar Cheez-Its I had so lovingly placed in there this morning. I was instantly hit with the sickening smell of cheese. My stomach churned at the stench, but my mind knew the truth. Those little cheesy squares are flavor packed shapes of deliciousness! From afar one could reasonably assume the little orange ( or white) crackers were a mishmash of Parmesan cheese and feet. But they would be wrong. Oh, so, wrong. They are wonderful four-sided bundles of cheesiness! And at the center, the hole. A pocket for holding extra flavor! Cheez-Its, a wonderfully stinky snack that will knock your socks off.  

2. Guys with flat hair - The Cesar cut

Anyone who has stepped outside at all since 1993 knows what I'm talking about. Young men choose to lather on the hair gel and slick their hair forward, creating teeny tiny mini-bangs that curl strangely on the forehead. When the coif dries to maximum strength a thick crunchy helmet is created allowing the style to withstand the elements for hours on end. One of the more popular styles of this 'do is the bleached out to the max version rocked by Eminem call the Slim Shady. It's mashed down, gelled out, mini-bangs for boys. Before the Bowl cut, the Faux Hawk, and Emo bangs, boys rocked the Cesar. I should mention, I HATE this! 

3. B-movies on Chiller - Free fun at a huge cost.

Biggest waste of time you will ever find in your life, but will leave you with so many witty remarks it'll have your head spinning. If you are the type of person who enjoys laughing at the expense of others (Like me) you are the type of person who could benefit, psychologically, from the hour and a half of the idiocy a really bad B-Movie can provide. You will laugh, you will yell, you will release all of that pent up aggression you've been holding onto all week. Everyday, all day, unless they are playing reruns of Buffy The Vampire Slayer (in which case you have already won) the Chiller channel airs "horror" movies. This is not a movie channel, you don't have to pay for this, it's just there, always. Anytime, day or night, you can flip it over to Chiller and catch your daily dose of hilarious ridiculousness. Then, the best part I think, you can tell your friends how awesome the movie was and laugh at the fact they will be forced to endure an hour an a half a crappy dialogue, horrible story lines, and hilarious special effects at your recommendation. The movies may be free, but the fun will cost you your sanity. All in the name of cruelty. 

4. Butt Dimples.

Probably the sexiest thing I've seen in my life. A man, or woman, who was blessed with these adorable little dimples are blessed indeed. These two little divots sit just above the cheeks and just below the back. Can be seen when naked or rocking a pair of low rise jeans. On occasion you may be exposed to butt dimples because the man sporting them is also revealing his butt cleavage. This is NOT the prime view zone. Wait until you have de-clothed this man and look again. (Best viewed when standing.)

5. Come get me later. I'll be right here. 

There comes a point in ones day, whether it be a fun day shopping with friends or a night out with the boy, you are in all ways finished. Your feet burn and ache from walking all day (or night), your eyes are nearly closing with little regard to your feelings or thoughts on the matter, and to make matters worse your body has decided you are too old and fat to move anymore. At all. It is at this time you are forced to make a choice. Man up and stick it out or find a nice gutter to lie down it. If you stick it out you run the risk of getting trapped into further excursions, but you could find your second wind. If you find a nice place to hang until it's time to go home there is always a chance someone might mistake your half limp body for a dehydrated homeless person and drag you to the shelter against your will, or you could get the rest you need and find your second wind. I say, pull up a piece of curb and have a sit down. "Come get me later. I'll be right here." 

No one, ever, should be exposed to the thoughts in my head. Because of this I am considering offering counseling to those affected by this post. Of course, I will be providing this service myself so you might reconsider before requesting provided counseling. 

X's 

~R

Here are some stalker links for you all!

www.RMGilmoreAuthor.com

@RMGilmoreAuthor

http://www.facebook.com/RMGilmoreAuthor 

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5756901.R_M_Gilmore 

http://www.shelfari.com/authors/a1002673717/R-M-Gilmore/ 

http://pinterest.com/rmgilmoreauthor/ 

And if you want to check out her amazing books!

Published Works:

Dylan Hart's Odyssey of The Occult:  The Scene (Kindle Edition) (Available now)

Lynnie Russel Novella Series: Becoming (Kindle Edition) (Available Now)

Dylan Hart's Odyssey of The Occult:   Endless Night (Late 2012)

Here's the whole Birthday Bash Blog Tour Schedule so that you can catch up on the ones you missed and follow the next ones! ;)

The Line Up

August 18th  Novel d'Tales 

August 19th Bex 'n' Books

August 20th Sassy Book Lovers 

August 21st Book Readers Addicts 

August 22nd Paranormal Reads

August 23rd The Curiosity Key 

August 24th Thousand Lives Book Blog

August 25th Totally Bookalicious 

August 26th One More Chapter Reviews

August 27th My Home Away From Home

And now the GIVEAWAY!!! :D

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Till later! Take Care all!
oxox

PS - Wish RM a Happy Birthday!! ;)

Elissa Daye Blog Tour: Guest Post

I love blog tours!! They are so much fun.. You get to know your authors better, Get a chance to read a little bit of their work, and of course free goodies! ;)
So anyhoo.. Here's the guest post by Elissa Daye!

The Roads I’ve Traveled

By Elissa Daye

Reading started me down the path to writing. I was an avid reader from the moment I could read my first words. I read everything I could get my hands on. I loved reading and escaping into other worlds. My favorite books when I was a child were written by C.S. Lewis, Judy Blume, and Jean Craighead George. I very much wanted to live on my own and survive in the forest.

As a writer, I started early. In second grade I remember getting a notebook as a prize from a teacher and I started writing poetry where every line had to rhyme. Something like “The little kitten lay, fast asleep in the hay.” In Middle School I constantly entered the Young Authors contests with my poetry. I remember when my mom attended a parent teacher conference for 8^th grade. My English teacher told her how impressed she was with my writing and told her that I wrote like a 20 year old. It was the best compliment I had ever received at the time and it made me want to do even better.

When I entered high school I started writing short stories, mostly for school assignments. By the time I was a junior in high school, my English teacher encouraged me to enter for a chance to attend the Illinois Summer School for the Arts. At that point in time I had already been writing longer short stories, one of them being a ghost story, which I entered as an example of my writing. I won a scholarship to attend the two week summer camp and had the time of my life. That summer allowed a whole new door to open for me, and while my journey through that portal has not been without challenge, it has certainly been worth it.

 The Destined Series started after I had completed my first two books, and while it was not the first completed, it had been in my head for many years. First it was a series of scenes that I thought would work well together. Then I discovered that there really were no limitations for what I wanted to do. A story with magic? Absolutely, no problem. Add some werewolves? Ok, why not? A steamy love story? Of course, what other kind is there? When I let go of all my preconceived notions of what should and could be involved in a romance novel, writing it was easy. It was passionate, it was uplifting, and it was freeing.

 

In Flames is the first in the series, and perhaps the easiest to write, for the beginning is just a starting point in the world. Connecting each story and growing the world in each has been more of a challenge. Each book has to be able to build on the other and stand on its own. With book one, I introduce Lysandra, who enters the story with pretty much the worst case scenario thrown at her from the beginning. She channels the power of love through her journey and becomes quite a striking heroine. Aiden is our love interest, a man who really has no interest in love at all. He lives with the curse of his people, a curse that becomes a blessing in disguise.

In Flames is just the first leg of the journey. My goal is to create a diverse series that shows the empowerment of women, and how the world could work in balance. I hope that my readers will appreciate these stories and get a break from their world, if only for a moment.

Here are some stalker links for you all! ;)

http://daenira.wordpress.com

http://www.amazon.com/Elissa-Daye/e/B008K1YK48/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com/author-elissa-daye.html

Twitter @daenira

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Elissa-Daye/167094080042272

And finally..... The GIVEAWAY!! :D

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Till later!!
oxox

Freebie Friday: The Brown House by Cristy Sloat

Jump aboard Anchor Group Publishing's Friday Freebie. Check out Christy Sloat's book The Brown House. It is a fabulous read for Freebie Friday. Freebie Friday's are sponsored by Anchor Group. And remember, while you're downloading, click the:

Each like, tag, or review helps the author out. Your small chance to pay it forward. Happy reading!

“I look forward t more from Ms. Sloat and highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a great ghost story to read over thesummer. ”abowling3  |  10 reviewers made a similar statement

“This was story has twists, turns, a few surprises and much more. ”JaimeCr  |  11 reviewers made a similar statement

“Just as things begin to fall into place the ending will leave you wanting more. ”sanders  |  7 reviewers made a similar statement Some secrets should never be revealed…

Brylee Branson begrudgingly made the excruciating move with her family from the warm sandy beaches of California to small town living in New Jersey. As if she wasn’t miserable enough, they’ve moved into a creepy old house that everyone in the area claims is haunted. Brylee dismisses the idea of ghosts and hauntings, until she begins to see and hear things that can’t be explained…

Brylee has no choice but to seek the help of new friends to unlock the secrets of this place she now calls home. But some secrets should never be revealed. Can the teens find a way to release the spirits imprisoned within the walls? Or will the curse claim them, too? Download the book HERE!Christy Sloat can be found on Facebook, Goodreads, or at her Blogspot.
Till later!!oxox

Freebie Friday: More Than Magic by Elizabeth Kirke

 Jump aboard Anchor Group Publishing's Friday Freebie. Check out Elizabeth Kirke's book More than Magic: Semester Aboard. It is a fabulous read for Freebie Friday. Freebie Friday's are sponsored by Anchor Group. And remember, while you're downloading, click the:  

Each like, tag, or review helps the author out. Your small chance to pay it forward. Happy reading!

5.0 out of 5 stars So good I could not put it down. I love reading and I enjoy many different kinds of books, mostly paranormal YA romances. At least lately. The market is flooded with vampire books, werewolf books. Read more

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Crusin I loved this book. I would hope there will be a second book to this one .. I want to know if anything happens with jen and thomas . ts and dani and the others. Read more

5.0 out of 5 stars FAST PACED< VERY WELL WRITTEN I loved this book! It had everything paranormal possible in it!! Vampires, Witches, Werewolves, Mermaids, Fire Elemental, Water Elemental, Wizards, just everything you can think... Read more

Jen is looking forward to spending an entire summer studying abroad on a cruise ship and she knows the experience will change her life. Then she sees something she wasn't supposed to see, something she can't explain. Jen finds herself thrust into a world she never knew existed and her life will change more than she imagined. That is, if she can survive the dangers lurking on the ship.

Download your free copy: HERE.

You can follow Elizabeth Kirke via Facebook, Goodreads, or her Blog.

Till later!
oxox

Embrace by Stacey Rourke Blog Tour

I’m super excited and so so very glad to be a part of the Embrace Blog Tour!! The Gryphon Series is now one of my favorite series and I would encourage everyone to read it! Doesn’t matter if you are a teen or an adult! Its an amazing read and you will fall in love with it as I did! :)

The blog stops on the Blog Tour:

August 1^sthttp://www.delphinareadstoomuch.com/ (Review)

August 2^ndhttp://andisyoungadult.blogspot.com/ (Review)

August 3^rdhttp://youngadultbookaddict.blogspot.com.au/ (Author interview)

August 4^thhttp://paranormalbooks.blogspot.com/ (Character interview)

August 5^thhttp://www.curiositykey.blogspot.com/(Review)

August 6^thhttp://addicted2bookreviews.blogspot.com/ (Review)

August 7^thhttp://jennswiger.blogspot.com/(Character interview)

Here is my review for Embrace by Stacey Rourke:

"I guess you're unaware of my official title; Conduit of the Gryphon and killer of romance"

Embrace is the second book in The Gryphon Series. I absolutely loved The Conduit and the bar had been set high. Embrace does not disappoint! This book was beyond amazing...  There’s just so many amazing moments in the book that I don’t really want to spoil it for you all! So just a teeny tiny description will have to do...

Celeste has come to terms of her being the Conduit and having her sacred duty just because her ancestors made a pact centuries ago.  Her siblings seem to be able to adjust to performing their sacred duties and have a normal life too. Celeste is unable to get over Alec and find love again... Enter Caleb and all that is about to change. Add to that Rowan the bad boy pirate demon and everything she knows, she has to question. Who should she trust? What should she do?

This book was just too good if not better than its predecessor. The plot was amazing and it kept me guessing as to what would happen next. There was not a single dull moment in the entire book and it had me hooked right from the start. What I loved most about this book is that its believable. Not everyone is perfect as its always shown in the books. But Celeste’s character shows that even though she is super strong and the fabled “Chosen One” she still is vulnerable – That to me just makes the story that much more better for me. She is the superhero and still needs her family and friends as we all do.

And as last time there were so many lines that I absolutely loved! I just included one of my favs on the start of the review! ;)
I’ll just say that this is an amazing book and you all should definitely give it a read!! :D
And the cover!! *-* Isn't it just amazing?!

Author Bio –

Writing is something I have always done.  I can remember in elementary school creating stories that I would stand up and read aloud to my classmates…whether they liked it or not.   As I grew older I didn’t flaunt my writing as freely.  It became something I did just for me  to vent my teenage angst, or chronicle my journey to adulthood.  I never thought about becoming a writer because that title prompted the visual of a grey-haired man in a tweed smoking jacket with suede elbow patches, slaving over an old fashion typewriter while puffing away on a pipe.  No way was that stuffy kind of life for me.  (Plus tweed is itchy.)  Instead I wanted to be in the spotlight!  I wanted to be–pause for dramatic effect–an actress!  I gave it my best shot, too.  Got about as far as any aspiring actress can get in Flint, Michigan.Which is exactly no where.  But I did get two great things out of my time delving into the theatrical world; I gained the ability to act out the scenes I write to make sure they’re believable (yes, I really do that and no, you can’t watch) and I met my amazing husband.

My theater ambitions behind me, I decided to do the “mature,” “grown up” thing and went back to college.  As I worked toward my Bachelor’s degree in marketing I did a lot of writing.   Essays, research papers,  PowerPoint presentations. All of it mandatory, none of it what I would ever call fun.  Even then, becoming a writer never entered my mind.  No, then I was going to be a business tycoon…or somethin’.

Truth be told, I never picked writing.  It picked me.  During my time as a stay at home mom I needed an outlet to give me a mental break from diapers, formula and midnight feedings.  That’s when my hands found their way back to the keyboard.  Story ideas began coming at such an incessant rate that my rapidly clicking fingers couldn’t keep up.  Post-It notes and scrapes of paper with story ideas decorated every inch of our house.  In mid-conversation with my husband I would dart off to jot down things that would come to me.  Sweet guy my hubby is, he would just shake his head at my obvious rudeness and hold my place in the conversation.

My first book was completed for an entire year before I told anyone about it.  I outed myself as an author and then sent out my first round of query letters to literary agents.  Surely, it would be picked up immediately and become an overnight success!  Yeah, not so much.  For two years I got rejection, after rejection, after rejection, after rejection…you get the idea.  Thankfully with the ever increasing pile of rejections came feedback.  I digested all the suggestions and applied the usable ones to my manuscript.  Little by little, the rough edges were chipped away and the diamond shone through.  The work paid off when I received an email from a publisher offering me a contract on The Conduit.

It’s been a long road, and it ain’t over yet.  But now, at thirty-mumble, mumble years old I finally know what I wanna be when I grow up–-a writer.

Here’s some stalker links for you all! ;)

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/staceyrourkeauthor

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5309409.Stacey_Rourke

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rourkewrites

Website - http://www.staceyrourke.com/

Blog - http://www.diaryofasemi-crazyauthor.blogspot.com/

Buy Links for Embrace

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-The-Gryphon-Series-ebook/dp/B0080GLL5Y/ref=as_li_tf_mfw?&linkCode=wey&tag=phenoparanrev-20

B&N - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embrace-gryphon-series-book-2-stacey-rourke/1112134874?ean=2940044697713

Smashwords - http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/170451

And now what you all are looking forward to! The GIVEAWAY!! :D

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you all for stopping by! And oh Happy Friendship Day!! :D

Till later!

oxox

Freebie Friday: Embrace by Stacey Rourke

Its that time again Freebie Friday!!! :D This week one of my FAVORITE books is up for grabs!! Go get your copy now! :D

 Jump aboard Anchor Group Publishing's Friday Freebie. Check out Stacey Rourke's book Embrace. It is a fabulous read for Freebie Friday. Freebie Friday's are sponsored by Anchor Group. And remember, while you're downloading, click the:  

Each like, tag, or review helps the author out. Your small chance to pay it forward. Happy reading!

Fifty-one 5 star reviews:

“I can't wait to read the next book in the series which will be out November 2012. ”Leslie D.  |  31 reviewers made a similar statement

“It is such a great continuance from The Conduit with new added characters and no lack of humor. ”Crystal Clifton  |  24 reviewers made a similar statement

“There is plenty of adventure and twists and turns to keep the reader on their feet...and not wanting to put the book down. ”Melissa R  |  19 reviewers made a similar statementSynopsis:Whether she likes it or not, eighteen year old Celeste Garrett has come to terms with being the Chosen One. She knew having a “normal life” would be tricky, between intense training sessions and epic demonic battles, but she didn’t know at what cost it would come. That is, until a dear friend is harmed by the malicious forces hunting her. Now, she’d like nothing more than to retreat into a hermit lifestyle to prevent anyone else from getting hurt. But startling revelations, amazing new abilities, and mortifying moments in front of insanely hot guys won’t allow time for that. Soon, Celeste finds herself surrounded by darkness and wondering who she can trust—if anyone.
Download your free copy HERE!You can follow Stacey Rourke via Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads.