Monday, December 3, 2012

Symbol of Hope Series by Marisette Burgess ~ Book Tour




It is my pleasure to welcome Marisette Burgess to my blog today! She is the author of two novels...Men of the Cave and Jar of Pandora!

About the Author


MARISETTE BURGESS is a mother, wife, and teacher. She was born in Los Angeles, California to immigrant Cuban parents. She grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida then moved to Orlando to attend the University of Central Florida. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Creative Writing. She’s an extreme Florida girl who’s never seen snow. Marisette lives in Florida with her husband and son. She has enjoyed the art of storytelling since she was ten. Her first book, Men of the Cave, débuted May 2012.






Title: Men of the Cave
Series: Symbol of Hope Book 1
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Author: Marisette Burgess
Published: WRB Publishing - May 2012
Word Count: 59,000

Synopsis:
Raised by unorthodox parents, Kasey Reese has always struggled to be invisible, to not be noticed, to avoid conflict. Running from a broken relationship, Kasey flees to Spain on a scholarship, to restore the comfort she finds in anonymity. Destiny, however, has other plans for her - a life threatening, life-altering journey into the supernatural when she meets the men of the cave.


Excerpt from Men of the Cave – Book One:

“Tell me what happened,” he said serious.
I recalled his brother lying dead on the forest floor. I didn’t want to cry, “I must be crazy.” My voice sounded distant even to me. Had I lost my voice?

He looked at me and smiled, “You are not crazy. I promise.”

“You know what I saw, don’t you?” I challenged.

“Why not tell me what you saw, and we will go from there.”

Still uncertain, but wanting to trust him, I took a deep breath and explained what I had seen.

He interrupted before I finished, “Did you see any blood?”

“What?” I snapped.

“Did you see any blood?” he asked again in the same monotone voice.

I summoned up the memories of the gladiator fight. I tried to remember and realized he was right. It was a very clean scene, no blood.

“I don’t understand how…” I whispered.

“Kasey, the world as you know it, is not what it seems.” He stared across the ocean.

“What do you mean? What’s going on Dion?” I demanded.

“Kasey, before I explain what you saw there are a few things you need to know.”

*****************************




Title: Jar of Pandora
Series: Symbol of Hope Book 2
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Author: Marisette Burgess
Published: WRB Publishing - November 2012
Word Count: 73,000


Synopsis:
Kasey Reese ran from a life of responsibility to study abroad in Deia, Spain. She hoped for an adventure, but what unfolded in Spain was beyond the imaginable. In that remote little village she met the love of her life, Dion - a twenty-year-old immortal saint.

Kasey and Dion return to America only to realize their love is challenged by their opposite virtues and Kasey’s dysfunctional family.

Unique and action-packed, in this book Kasey learns that Pandora is her immortal grandmother. Determined to find her and to uncover many truths, Kasey sets out with Dion on a deadly journey. But answers come with a great cost - a three thousand year old prophecy, a feud of the gods and death.




Excerpt from Jar of Pandora – Book Two:

Artemis’eyes narrowed her lips rose in a half smile. She resembled a mischievous fox. “They will kill her, then nothing can stop us.”

Shock, dread, and every bad feeling that I could muster did within me. Tired of playing games with this has-been goddess, I swung aggressively then kicked my foot behind hers. I knocked Artemis onto her back. With the tip of my foot I threw her blade into the water. I straddled the woman, my knees holding her arms down. My sword’s tip positioned above her heart. My hand around her neck gripping tightly. She coughed.

“Kill who? Who are you after?” I pressed her head into the dock.

She resisted me, choked and smiled. She whispered, “Pandora’s granddaughter of course.”

With petrified shock, I squeezed her neck tighter. “Who is after her and why?” I yelled inches from her wretched face.

She began a maniacal giggle, then maneuvered her left arm free, and before I could gain control of it again she gripped the handle of my sword and pulled it into her heart.




GUEST POST 
Marisette, your book has just been contracted to become a movie. Who would be your first choice to play the lead role(s)?

I have a few characters in mind for the brothers, but have had a difficult time deciding for sure on actors for them. As for Kasey, my husband suggested Molly Quinn when I finished Men of the Cave and I think she would be perfect.  Here is a list of some of the others we came up with:
(I haven’t really come up with anyone for Dion)
Robbie Amell – Sam
William Mosely – Teal
Claire Danes- Pandora
Darren Criss- Max
Steven Straight- Antony
David Henrie- James


Thank you Marisette for visiting!!! Your books sound amazing and I can't wait to read them. Just choosing characters like Claire Danes and Steven Straight...going on my list!!!

GIVEAWAY TIME:


XOXO,
  

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Breaking the Nexus by Lindsay Avalon~ Blog Tour



It is my GREATEST pleasure to have Lindsy Avalon on my blog today! Her debut novel Breaking the Nexus releasing December 12, 2012!!!


About the Author:
I am a wife, a programmer, and now an author. I have an adorable mini Schnauzer and more books than I have room for. I love reading romance because no matter what may be happening in my life, I can always count on my books to end happily ever after. The day I met my husband was the day I truly began believing in happily ever after. After hearing me complain a few too many times that I had “nothing” to read despite the hundreds of paperbacks scattered around the house, my husband began suggesting I write my own stories. When I finally took his advice I discovered that although I enjoy my day job as a software engineer, my true calling is to be an author.
My sister drilled into me an appreciation for fantasy and mythology, something I try to bring to my books. My debut novel, Breaking the Nexus started as a book written for NaNoWriMo and has grown to so much more. It was the conduit that introduced me to a fantastic group of independent authors who have changed my life in unimaginable ways.
When I’m not writing, I’ve found a passion for blogging and interviewing fellow authors. I also love reading (of course!), baking, crochet, sewing sock monkeys, playing video games, and all sorts of random crafts. I have an incurable love of rubber duckies and stuffed animals, and I believe nobody should have to grow up if they don’t want.


Blurb: 
Throughout history, myths and legends of extraordinary creatures have been told and retold. Fantastic tales of demons and banshees, gryphons and dragons, and of course, magic. Stories that every child grows to learn are nothing more than fantasy…or are they?

Beyond the world you see lies a hidden realm, the Mythrian Realm, inhabited by all of the creatures you’ve been told are mere fiction. Only one thing lies between humans and the truth: the Nexus. A magical barrier erected millennia ago to separate the two realms, it has stood the test of time. Until now.

For Mythrian Sha Phoenix, magic is nothing new. But when she stumbles upon a portal on the verge of collapse, her fate will forever change. Pulled through the portal into the Human Realm, she lands in the middle of Detective Connor Flynn’s brutal murder scene. Soon it is obvious someone is using blood magic to try to bring down the Nexus. Together, Connor and Sha must work to unravel the secrets before the barrier falls and the realms collide.

The Nexus is breaking and all hell is about to unleash…literally.


A Snippet from Breaking the Nexus:

“Seriously? What is up with your fascination with all things Human, Sha? It’s not natural. They don’t have gifts or magic or anything that makes them remotely interesting. They’re boring.” 
She rolled her eyes. Her partner shared the opinion of most Mythrians. He was glad the Nexus had been erected millennia ago to separate the two realms. As far as he was concerned, the humans could live their quiet, little lives and continue believing their legends, myths, and fairytales had no basis in reality.
Shrugging, she continued in the direction of the apparent epicenter of the blast. “Considering it is our responsibility to make sure no one can get through the Gateways in the Nexus, I would think it’d be advisable to study the humans.” She snuck a glance at him, wondering if he’d bought the rehearsed speech and grateful it was a moonless night as she felt her cheeks begin to burn. 
More times than she could count, she’d cursed the fact that she hadn’t inherited her father’s complexion. That would have made life so much easier. But no, she had to take after her mother with skin so pale that during training she had been nicknamed The Ghost. Well, until she’d flattened the other trainees with a flame surge. Her lips quirked at the memory. Never underestimate one of the Infernum

 And now...an interview with Lindsay!!!


When did you first start writing?
I started writing poetry in junior high and high school but it wasn’t until I was a couple of years ago that I really knew I wanted to be a writer. My husband encourage me to write my own books after I kept complaining I had nothing to read, and finally I took his advice.

      What books do you have published?
I have a novella called Song of the Abyss published in the anthology Once Upon A Twisted Time.
  
      What do you need when writing? Music, candy, silence, etc.
I need epic music primarily. Other than that, I can write just about anywhere from covert writing at work to holding conversations with my husband.
  
      How did you go about building your world and characters?
This is a tough one. Most of my ideas come out when I’m in front of the computer so there’s not much of a process lol. But I do draw from existing myths and legends or I bounce ideas off of my writer friends to help build my worlds. Mostly though, it’s my own bizarre imagination.

     Do you have a favorite character? Why?
I think my favorite is Sha. She’s so sarcastic, funny, impulsive, and all around badass. I also love Connor though because he’s the kind of sexy alpha male I love in books.
  
     Are you working on any new projects?
As soon as Breaking the Nexus is done, I’ll begin work on the sequel Waking the Phoenix and last night I came up with the ending for that book which will likely result in this being a trilogy.

     Any advice for aspiring authors?
Don’t give up if this is what you really want to do. It takes an immense amount of time and effort to promote yourself and it’s not easy. There’s also no guarantee you’ll make money right away so write because you love it, not because you think you’ll get rich quick.
    
     What are you hoping fans will take away from your books?
I hope they get a sense of magic and adventure mixed with a nice dose of romance. I’ve always wished magic was real, and I try to convey this in my books.

Fun stuff:

Best Movie ever watched: This is such a hard question. Toss up between Boondock Saints and Princess Bride.

Worst Movie ever watched: I honestly can’t think of one

Favorite drink: Diet Cherry Pepsi

Food you won’t eat: Onions. They make me gag

This or That: (Which do you prefer)

Day or night? Night

Coffee or Tea? Tea

Ocean or Pool? Ocean!

Beef or Chicken? Chicken

Vampires , Werewolves or Zombies? Werewolves


 Awesome answers, Lindsay!!! I can't wait to read Breaking the Nexus, and I wish you much success on your release!!!

Join Lindsay HERE:  

Blog Tour and Release Day Party Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/events/174143076057719/



Lindsay is ALSO having an AWESOME GIVEAWAY! Click the link below to enter! Good Luck!



XOXO,