{Release Day} Rise of the Magi #giveaway

It’s finally here!  Rise of the Magi, the final installment of Lila’s story, is now on virtual shelves everywhere.  I hope you love it as much as I do.

Today kicks off my month-long blog tour.  To see all of the amazing folks who are participating, please click my tour button above.

First, Lila faced the Glass Man, the egocentric king of the fae who had been hunting her since she was thirteen.

Second, Lila dealt with the Shadowborn and the near-loss of Liam.

Now she’s about to discover her entire purpose, why she lived the horrors she did, like losing her entire family and what the prophecy about her is really about.

Here’s the deets on the book, and at the bottom, check out the giveaway.

Back of the Book

In a battle of wills, who is strongest? The one who hates or the one who loves?

In a test of faith, who will fight the hardest? The one who has everything to lose or the one who believes only in herself?

For Lila Gray, the answer is both. For the Magi, the questions are pointless since they can’t lose, and they’ve been waiting since before Lila’s birth for this one moment. Lila only needs to find them to understand her entire purpose in life. This time, though, instead of protecting her people, Lila may be leading them all, including her unborn child and the man she loves, to their deaths — and not by accident.

In the ultimate trial of heart and soul, and the conclusion to the Lila Gray series, Lila will learn that the greatest weapon of war is herself, with one ultimate unknown. For which side will she fight?

Series:  Lila Gray, book #3

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Publisher:  J. Taylor Publishing

Keywords:  fae, faeries, elves, selkies, fantasy, urban fantasy, romance, romantic, dryads, paranormal.

Goodreads

GIVEAWAY – INTERNATIONAL

What can you win?  Only the entire set of Lila Gray paperbacks.  Signed.  Neat, right?

What do you have to do?  Simply click on the rafflecopter link below and follow the instructions on the page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by to help me celebrate this epic day where Lila and Liam’s story is finally all told.  Here are some links if you would like to pick up a copy.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

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{Excerpt} Rise of the Magi #lilagray

*wiggles*  I get to share my first taste of Lila Gray’s final installment, Rise of the Magi.  Yes!  In only four and a half months or so, you’ll all know how her story ends.

I already miss Lila.  She was the easiest of all my characters to write because, essentially (without the fae powers of course and a few other aspects I made up) she is me.  My voice, my aversion to touchy-feely hug everything in sight, suffer in silence type.  She will always be my first, and I’ll never forget her.  Yeah, yeah, I know she’s fiction!

It’s possible I’ll revisit her world again some day but for now at least this will be your last chance to escape with Lila, Liam, Brigh, Cas and the rest of the gang.

I’ll leave you today with this tease.

Excerpt – Chapter 1

I choked on the black fear unfurling in my soul, brought on by what would come, what always assaulted me the moment I slipped into unconsciousness. It was stupid to think I could run from it for a third night, but shreds of hope were all that had kept me sane. Primal, cold and so dark it blotted out my Light.

Sleep, more terrifying than anything I’d faced yet, claimed me again.

Standing on the balcony of the new fae castle, I gazed over winding rows of ancient shifter houses, each quiet and seemingly content in slumber, in a night that wasn’t dark. Dark and light all at once—a perfect balance, as if the world hadn’t yet decided which side would win, until the red clouds rolled and curled across the sky like blood spilled into water. Flames, intelligent and ravenous, spread from the east, ready to consume everything and everyone until nothing but ash remained. Heat licked at my skin, growing hotter. Knowing it was only a dream didn’t keep sweat from pearling along my face and neck or the blue streak of profanity from escaping to color the air. Heart thundering, I gripped the railing while I stared at the coming storm, brain frozen with the puzzle I hadn’t yet solved.

What are you trying to tell me? What am I missing?

From below, shrieks invaded my ears, thundering across the land until they rose into a deafening clatter of sound. The houses came alive with light, moaning as fae spilled into the cobblestone streets and stared skyward before scattering, each filled with agony and despair deep enough there would be no escape from it. Dying. They were dying. My own scream built in my throat, to tell them I would fix it somehow, that I would save them, but it couldn’t find an escape. Nor would my body obey my commands to move, to help them. To do something. Anything.

The scene changed as it always did. I stared down from far above, my limbs turned to torches of white fire. A globe of light around me cast a white wash over the city, over the fae who still ran in every direction.

From me.

I am the storm.

Wings pounding against the wind reached me a moment before a giant snowy owl arrived to hover before me, those golden eyes shining with rage and fear, both inducing immense relief that Liam had come and blinding horror with some distant knowledge that he should have run, too.

My scream pierced the silence as a wail let loose from his beak.

No. No!

“Wake up, Lila. Please, wake up!”

Warmth on my arm jerked me awake.

Damn near hyperventilating, I scrambled out of bed and landed on my hands and knees on the hardwood without a stitch of clothing on, unsure if the room spun or if I was just dizzy. When Liam approached, his eyes haunted and glassy, a chilled realization hit me and stalled my breath until my lungs ached with need. What if the storm hadn’t been a dream?

{Book Review} Iced by Karen Marie Moning

Hmm, where to begin.  I think you all know I’m a big fan of Ms. Moning by now since I so often sing her praises, but I think she’s outdone herself this time.

Here are the deets of the book:

The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.

~~~

When I picked this book up, I didn’t have high hopes since the main character, Dani, a sarcastic and highly talented Irish girl, is only fourteen.  Now, I have no issue with young adult stuff and there are lots of works out there I love in that genre, but I prefer adult stories, the darker and grittier the better.

Somehow, this story had all of the adult content I wanted while still being tame enough for a younger crowd.  By the time I’d made it to chapter three, I was already giddy about this book and its rainbow of fascinating characters.  Dani is definitely unique in talent and in voice.  A warrior, bold and confident to the point of endangering herself, but still has a heart of a scared young girl who wants to do the right thing.  She survived a cruel childhood and isn’t afraid to put herself in harm’s way to save her beloved Dublin.

Enter Ryodan, who was introduced a few books back, and the intrigue goes through the roof.  He’s … whatever Jericoh Barrons is.  Badass, immortal, grouchy, and sexy as freakin’ hell.  The best thing about him is that for a while I wasn’t sure whether to love or hate him, and I have no idea where the story’s going from here, only that I want to know … like … now.

So Dani “Mega” O’Malley ends up becoming an unwilling partner solving some strange happenings in Dublin, and on top of it, Christian-turned-Unseelie-Prince has taken a shine to her.  She’s running from Mac, who Dani’s convinced wants to kill her, and barely escaping whatever is turning her city into a freezer, all while being entertaining as hell.  Bravo on this one.  Another five stars for this one.  Heck, I’d give it six or seven if I could.

Pick it up.  Read it.  It won’t disappoint.

{Review} The Immortal Highlander

Wow.  The power of Karen Marie Moning’s writing always has me in awe every time I finish one of her books.  As soon as I start on page one, the characters crawl into my heart and eat away at me until I’ve learned their entire story from start to finish. 

The last of the Highlander series, The Immortal Highlander, was no exception.  In fact, I think Adam Black’s story is my favorite of the whole lot.  I finished it two days ago and I’m still thinking about it.

Here are the deets courtesy of Goodreads:

Back of the Book:

Enter a world of timeless seduction, of ancient intrigue and modern-day passion. Enter the dazzling world of Karen Marie Moning, whose acclaimed Highlander novels have captivated readers, spanning the continents and the centuries, bringing ancient Scotland vividly to life. In a new novel brimming with time-travel adventure and sensual heat, the nationally bestselling author of The Dark Highlander delivers a love story that will hold you in thrall—and a hero you will most certainly never forget.

BEWARE: lethally seductive alpha male of immense strength and dark eroticism, do not look at him. Do not touch him. Do not be tempted. Do not be seduced.

With his long, black hair and dark, mesmerizing eyes, Adam Black is Trouble with a capital T. Immortal, arrogant, and intensely sensual, he is the consummate seducer, free to roam across time and continents in pursuit of his insatiable desires. That is, until a curse strips him of his immortality and makes him invisible, a cruel fate for so irresistible a man. With his very life at stake, Adam’s only hope for survival is in the hands of the one woman who can actually see him.

Enter law student Gabrielle O’Callaghan, who is cursed with the ability to see both worlds: Mortal and Faery. From the moment she lays eyes on this stunning male, Gabby is certain of one thing: He could be her undoing. Thus begins a long, dangerous seduction. Because despite his powerful strength and unquenchable hungers, Adam refuses to take a woman by force. Instead, he will tease his way into Gabby’s bed and make her want him just as he wants her.

Now, no matter how hard Gabby tries to avoid him, Adam is everywhere, invisible to all but her—perched atop her office cubicle in too-tight jeans, whispering softly from behind the stacks of the law library, stealing her breath away with his knowing smile…all the while tempting her with the promise of unimaginable pleasure in his arms. But soon danger will intrude on this sensual dance. For as Adam’s quest to regain his immortality plunges them into a world of timeless magic and the deadly politics of the Faery queen’s court, the price of surrender could be their very lives. Unless they can thwart the conspiracy that threatens both mortal and Faery realms…and give them a shot at a destiny few mortals ever know: glorious, wondrous, endless love.

Cover

The cover is appropriate and tasteful, with bold colors.  It’s nothing out of the ordinary, but it’s still somehow eye-catching and very fitting to Adam Black’s story.

Review

Adam Black.  I could leave the review right there and say all I needed to, only add a little whispery sigh when you say his name, and there you have it.  The delicious fae blacksmith has appeared through out the series as somewhat of an antagonist, a wild card, and damn sexy in every last one with his shining black locks and body to die for.  He’s arrogant and full of himself, so sure of his effect on women and sexual prowess. 

KMM really ripped him a new one in this book, starting right off with a bang right after the last book ended.  He’s not the same, having suffered a punishment by the fae queen for defying her yet again.  He meets his match in Gabrielle, a Sidhe-Seer who is the only one anywhere who can see him, and the only one who doesn’t want to.

The way the relationship progresses from two stubborn heads butting together, to sexual tension almost unbearable to take is so natural and believable, I was nearly shouting at the characters to shut it and get naked already!  There were sweet moments, too, and misunderstandings between them that made the story all the more interesting.  There are some seriously hot scenes in this one, even hotter than in book one with Hawk.

Loved.  Every.  Page.

Five stars, as usual.  I’m not a sappy romance kind of person, yet this one really lit my fire.  Hard won relationship, hot alpha male who is far from perfect, and a heroine who I could identify with put this book in a class above the rest.

Teaser Tuesday – The Glass Man

Here’s a teaser from my debut novel, The Glass Man.

“Stay with me tonight.” Liam took his fingers away from my lips and kissed me, lightly at first. Breathless, he crushed his mouth against mine. I stiffened for a moment before some instinct, long dormant in me, awakened and took over. Primal sounds came from us as we ate at each other’s mouth, hands exploring.

Liam came up for air, chuckling. My legs wobbled beneath me. The sky outside rolled with clouds, and the wind pushed against the window.

“I need to go.” I edged closer to him.

“Why?”

I thought long and hard. “I don’t remember. Something bad. Something bad is coming.”