BOOK BLITZ: The Gatekeeper by J.A. Templeton

Welcome to the fun Book Blitz for The Gatekeeper, the first book of the Otherworld series, by J.A. Templeton!

Genre:

New Adult Fantasy

Paranormal Romance

Series:

Otherworld Series

Publish Date:

May 1, 2014

Synopsis:

Ever since I can remember, I’ve had strange dreams that always came true, and experienced terrifying powers that set me apart from everyone else.

It’s not until my eighteenth birthday do I begin to understand what those dreams mean. When my grandfather is attacked and left for dead, I am thrust into the Otherworld—a medieval-like land of beautiful immortals with amazing gifts. One of these immortals has stolen the key between the realms, and it is up to me, Brynne Davies, the next gatekeeper, to reach the key before the power struggle that exists in the Otherworld occurs on earth.

Complicating my task are the members of the Royal House of Parthas, especially the king’s brother, the handsome Murdoc, Warlord of the king’s army, and then there’s the charming Fae prince who seems to always be one step ahead of me.

Time is running out for me to find the key and close the door. If I don’t, the world I left will never be the same…because of me.

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*Excerpt*

The smithy was stifling hot. Gareth had thick and curly reddish-brown hair. Wet with perspiration, he was busy pounding out horseshoes as if his life depended on it. He abruptly looked up and his eyes widened. “My lord, I fear I do not yet have the sword ready.”

Murdoc smiled reassuringly. “I am not here for the sword, but rather to make a bracelet for Parthas’s newest arrival.” He motioned to me. “Gareth, this is Brynne. Brynne, may I introduce Gareth.”

Gareth appeared relieved as he glanced at me, and quickly hid a smile. “His lordship is quite skilled with iron and fire, Miss Brynne.”

“Aye, I believe you,” I nearly shouted, feeling ridiculous the second the words were out because Gareth’s brow furrowed. It didn’t help when he and Murdoc shared an amused smile.

To Gareth’s credit, he didn’t let his gaze move past my chin. I wished I could have changed into another gown because I looked a mess. Aside from my appearance, I was glad to be in Murdoc’s company.

“Do not boast of my skills too much, my friend,” Murdoc said, taking a leather apron from a spike on the wall. He tied it around his waist and then reached for my hand, sliding his fingers and thumb around my wrist.

His touch was electric and it stunned me. I felt that casual touch all the way to my toes.

“I need to measure for an accurate fit,” he said, and I looked up at him, at the way his long lashes cast shadows on those model-like cheekbones. I swallowed a sigh.

“Very delicate,” he said, catching me staring at him. He didn’t move, just watched me for a moment before letting his hand fall away.

I had to remind myself to breathe as he took a step away from me.

He immediately set into motion by grasping a set of tongs, then heating a rod of iron over the fire.

I stood watching for a few minutes, then feeling ridiculous, I decided to take a seat on a nearby bench. I had to admit—Murdoc intrigued me. He was a walking contradiction. Everything about him screamed intimidation, and yet here he was—Parthas’s ominous warlord—taking time out of his day to make a bracelet for a girl he had just met. Which made me wonder—did he have a woman? He wore no ring. Then again, I did not know Parthas customs.

Murdoc glanced up at Gareth, who kept his gaze averted, but the blacksmith’s lips quirked nonetheless. Gareth then turned away and made himself busy cleaning up the metal shavings in the work area, humming all the while.

A light breeze rushed through the smithy, and I watched as the wind ruffled Murdoc’s hair. The shirt he’d slid on hung loosely at his waist and over his butt.

And he had a nice butt. Once again, I forced my gaze away from his smoking-hot body.

I couldn’t afford to start crushing on anyone in Parthas. Time was ticking, and I had to get in and get out, and back to Pops.

But that didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy the eye candy while I was here.

Murdoc kept reaching for different tools off of a wooden rack to twist and bend the metal. It was amazing to watch him at work. After ten or so minutes of meticulous detail, the bracelet was finished and Murdoc set it to cool on a rack.

Putting the tools away, he brushed a hand through his hair just as another strong breeze blew through the shop window, and a stray lock fell over his right eye.

I don’t know what possessed me, but I stepped close, reached up, and brushed the strand away. Murdoc’s hand flew up and caught my wrist in a firm grip.

I gasped, surprised by his reaction. “I only wanted to get the hair—”

He immediately loosened his grip. “I apologize, Brynne. I am not accustomed to being touched.”

Not accustomed to being touched? Was he serious? Something in his eyes made me believe he was completely serious…and why did I find that so sad? Maybe because my grandfather had never let me go to bed without tucking me in with a kiss on the cheek and telling me that he loved me.

Murdoc stared at my lips—almost as if he was going to kiss me.

“My lord,” a guard yelled from the door.

Murdoc blinked and took a step away from me. “Aye, Cameron. What is it?”

“There is a caravan coming, and they are flying the colors of the House of Zaphyr.” Cameron flashed a grin. “Your betrothed will be at the castle gate within the hour!”

Your betrothed? As in fiancée?

Murdoc was engaged.

~~~~~

**About the Author**

J.A. Templeton

I wrote my first young adult novel over ten years ago, and took a slight detour from writing YA to publish nineteen adult romances. Now, I'm following my heart and writing in the genre I've been passionate about for so long, and about characters who don't exactly fit into any specific box.

Aside from writing and reading, I'm obsessed with history, love research, traveling, and riding motorcycles with my hubby, my first and only love, who stole my heart when I was fourteen and he was eighteen (yes, he robbed the cradle). I am also a medium, which gives me a unique perspective when writing about the paranormal and characters like Riley, who can see, hear, and feel spirits.

I'm passionate about books, and I'll never tire of writing love stories.

Stay connected with J.A. Templeton

Website

   

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Enter the Goodreads Giveaway for J.A. Templeton's The Gatekeeper!

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***The Giveaway***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by

FLASH GIVEAWAY Time via Eden Butler!

In preparations for Eden Butler's upcoming summer novel, Thin Love, she's having a Flash Giveaway on her Facebook page!

*About Thin Love*

Genre:

Contemporary Romance

Expected Release Date:

Summer 2014

Synopsis:

Love isn't supposed to be an addiction. It isn't supposed to leave you bleeding.

Kona pushed, Clarice pulled, and in their wake, they left behind destruction.

She sacrificed everything for him.

It wasn't enough.

But the wounds of the past can never be completely forgotten and still the flame remains, slumbers between the pleasure of yesterday and thought of what might have been.

Now, sixteen years later, Clarice returns home to bury the mother who betrayed her, just as Kona tries to hold onto what remains of his career with the New Orleans Steamers. Across the crowded bustle of a busy French Market, their paths collide, conjuring forgotten memories of a consuming touch, skin on skin, and the still smoldering fire that begs to be rekindled.

When Kona realizes the trifecta of betrayal—his, Clarice's and those lies told to keep them apart—his life is irrevocably changed and he once again takes Clarice down with him into the fire that threatens to ignite them both.

~~~~~

**About the Author**

Eden Butler is an editor and writer of New Adult Romance and SciFi and Fantasy novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum. Her debut novel, a New Adult, Contemporary (no cliffie) Romance, Chasing Serenity launched in October 2013.

When she’s not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden edits, reads and spends way too much time watching rugby, Doctor Who and New Orleans Saints football.

Stay connected with Eden Butler

Website

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway is Open Internationally

Prize:

(5) e-book copies of the Seeking Serenity Series.

Rules:
If Eden Butler's Facebook page reaches 2,000 followers, she will release a sneak peek of Thin Love.
So...head on over to Eden's Facebook page and send your friends!

Like Eden Butler's Facebook page, here.

Flash Giveaway ends 5/8/14

 

BLOG TOUR: Fragile Line by Brooklyn Skye

Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for Fragile Line by Brooklyn Skye!

Genre:

Young Adult Contemporary

Publish Date:

April 21, 2014

Publisher:

Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

It can happen in a flash. One minute she’s kissing her boyfriend, the next she’s lost in the woods. Sixteen-year-old Ellie Cox is losing time. It started out small…forgetting a drive home or a conversation with a friend. But her blackouts are getting worse, more difficult to disguise as forgetfulness. When Ellie goes missing for three days, waking up in the apartment of a mysterious guy—a guy who is definitely not her boyfriend, her life starts to spiral out of control. 

Perched on the edge of insanity, with horrific memories of her childhood leaking in, Ellie struggles to put together the pieces of what she’s lost—starting with the name haunting her, Gwen. Heartbreakingly beautiful, this poignant story follows one girl’s harrowing journey to finding out who she really is.

   

Amazon CA | Amazon UK

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*Excerpt*

The balcony off the living room is tiny. About the size of a closet with a wooden railing and a bucket half filled with old Marlboros. There’re no chairs—not even room for one—so I stand with my elbows on the railing, splinters prodding the skin through my shirt.  

Light from the glass door behind me spills onto the wet grass below. It shimmers like…

“Who broke this?” He moves closer, a shard of glass pinched between his fingers. The sunlight shining makes it sparkle like diamonds. “Was it you?”

With each heavy step he takes,

closer,

closer,

closer,

my heart pounds

faster,

faster,

faster.

The sound of denim scuffing and scraping fills the room as his fat thighs scour each other.

“Did you break the window?”

“No,” I say, trembling. “It was—”

“Godamnit, girl!” He yanks me off the chair, tears up the back of my shirt. “Don’t you ever listen? I said don’t horseplay!”

Lines of fire score into my back. I don’t scream. I don’t cry. And I don’t say it was him who broke the window last night.

I sniff away the memory. Wipe the single tear clinging to my eyelashes. I can’t believe I’m crying because of that assfuck. Slowly I twist the cigarette in my fingers, wave the burning tip from wrist to knuckles. Back and forth. Heat teases my flesh and, like a lawnmower, singes away each tiny hair. One by one they hiss and complain, and it burns but I don’t pull away.   

“I’ve never seen you cry before.” The voice is behind me. Low and soft and not angry at all. I flick the cigarette to the grass below and turn, my back against the railing. If I concentrate hard enough, I can feel the exact spot where those gashes healed into gnarled welts. They became infected—I remember that. I also remember not being treated until I was sent to Millerton.

“Because I don’t,” I say without looking at Griffin. When I cried, he turned into a monster. When I cried, a rainy day became the perfect storm. It was a long time ago; Griffin doesn’t need to know this. “It’s pointless,” I add, pulling the sweatshirt’s hood over my head so he can’t see my face.

Moths flit about in the yellowy glow near the door. A mini swarm, bashing one by one against the glass. In the distance, cars whisper down Huntington. I bury one set of freezing toes under the other. Griffin clears his throat.

“I didn’t tell you on purpose. About Meg and I being through,” he says, folding his arms over his stomach. The hood mutes his voice, making him sound like he’s standing on the neighbor’s balcony rather than six inches away. “I wanted you to be jealous. And hurt…like I was.”

Meg said it, too: I haven’t talked to him in…

I glance sidelong at him. “That’s really mature, Grif.”

“Tell me about it. Like high school all over again.” Beyond the hood’s edge, his black boots scuff the gritty balcony floor. He’s not inching away. Not telling me it’s time to go now. Words are on his lips, waiting.

“Well,” I prompt, “you got what you wanted.”

“No.” He steps in front of me, blocking the light from inside so all of a sudden he looks like a big, black shadow. His face moves closer. Hot words caress my face. “I didn’t.” With his hands he gently sets me up on the railing, my eyes level with his. In the absence of moonlight, they look like puddles of ink.

Ten feet below, my cigarette fizzles out. My hands rest on my thighs and he grips handfuls of sweatshirt to steady me.

I tilt my head. “You want me.”

“That’s the thing...” He slides the hood off my head, traces a thumb over my lips. “I don’t know what I want anymore. You make my thoughts so f—”

I take his face in my hands and press my lips to his. I make his thoughts fucked up. That’s what he was going to say. And I should tell him his fucked-up thoughts are nothing. If he wants fucked up, he should jump into my head.

He pulls away slightly, keeping his mouth next to mine. “I’m sorry I yelled at you.” One hand slips beneath my sweatshirt. His fingers walk up my spine, notch by notch, until they reach my shoulder blades. Then retreat south.  

Cold air tickles my waist, and I shrug. “I’m sorry I brought a crack head into your house.”

~~~~

**About the Author**

Brooklyn Skye grew up in a small town where she quickly realized writing was an escape from small town life. Really, she’s just your average awkward girl who’s obsessed with words. Her Best-Selling New Adult debut, Stripped, is out NOW! Represented by Bree Ogden of D4EO Literary Agency.

Stay connected with Brooklyn Skye

Website

  

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***The Giveaway***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Organized by:

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH: Girl Lost by Nazarea Andrews

It is time to celebrate the release day for Girl Lost by Nazarea Andrews!

Genre:

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publish Date:

May 1, 2014

Publisher:

A&A Literary

Warning:

Not suitable for readers under 17

Synopsis:

A romantic contemporary retelling of the boy who never grew up.

Northern was supposed to be a fresh start—a place where people didn’t know who I was or how I had spent years in and out of mental institutes. People didn't know about my parents death or the island no one heard of. But when Peter sits next to me in lit class, I can’t stop the memories, and I don’t want to. He looks too much like the boy from the island, and despite my best intentions, coaxes my secrets from me.

 He’s gorgeous, irresistible, a little mad, and completely lost—we are a pair of broken cogs in a world neither of us truly fits into. And he listens when I talk, about the past and the terrifying future. He is somehow gentle and fierce, heartbreaking in his devotion and savage in his defense. 

 When Belle, his best friend, shows up, pale and lovely and sick, Peter pulls away from me, a startling withdrawal. It’s a relationship that scares and confuses me. She is at times warm and friendly, and other times is violent and unpredictable.

 Peter says that he wants me, but refuses to let himself get close. And there are secrets, surrounding both of us, that border on nightmares. As the memories close in, as Belle gets sicker and more violent, I’m torn between what is true and what I believe, and what this magical boy knows about my mysterious past.

 

~~~~~

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**About the Author**

Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolates and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog.

Stay connected with Nazarea Andrews

Website | Blog

  

"The Infects" Street Team

https://www.facebook.com/groups/427502530700422/

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***The Giveaway***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day Launch Organized by

COVER REVEAL: Whatever It Takes by Ashley Simone

It is an exciting day, today, since we get to reveal the cover for Whatever It Takes by Ashley Simone! And....here it is!

Genre:

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publish Date:

May 2014

Cover Design by:

damonza.com

Synopsis:

What would you do if you got a second chance at life?

Nicky is not having a great year. After her mother’s sudden death, she’s forced to deal with the family finances, move away from the small town she grew up in, and drop out of college. Her bank balance dwindles, her landlord evicts her and she’s just about to become homeless…

Could a twist of fate give you everything you ever dreamed of – or make things so much worse?

When Nicky seems to have won a jackpot, her financial woes appear to be over… until her ex-boyfriend, Aiden Weilz walks into the room and claims that her future is dependent on him.

Is he telling the truth, or is this all a ploy to keep her from moving on with her life? How much worse do things have to get before they get better?

~~~~~

**About the Author**

Ashley Simone tries to write stories that reflect the  intricacies of life. She likes her fictional men to be handsome, strong and intelligent, and the women to be superheroes in disguise. Just like most real-life women are.

Despite her flaws, sarcasm and inappropriate laughter, Ashley manages to be happily married to the love of her life. Without her husband's constant and occasionally annoying encouragement, her books would not exist.

Stay connected with Ashley Simone

Blog

  

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***The Giveaway***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal Organized by