Blog Tour- HAVEN by Mary Lindsey A Guest Post & Giveaway

Hey everyone! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the blog tour for HAVEN by Mary Lindsey! I adore Mary and her books!

I have a guest post to share with you today! And make sure to enter the giveaway below!

Haven't heard of HAVEN? Check it out!

Title: HAVEN

Author: Mary Lindsey

Pub. Date: November 7, 2017

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 400

Find it: Amazon, B&N, TBD, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play Books, Indiebound, Goodreads

Sometimes beauty is the beast…

"We all hold a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed."

Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere. He’s used to people judging him for his rough background, his intimidating size, and now, his orphan status. He’s always been on the outside, looking in, and he’s fine with that. Until he moves to New Wurzburg and meets Friederike Burkhart. 

Freddie isn’t like normal teen girls, though. And someone wants her dead for it. Freddie warns he’d better stay far away if he wants to stay alive, but Rain’s never been good at running from trouble. For the first time, Rain has something worth fighting for, worth living for. Worth dying for.


Early Praise: 

"Dangerous, dark and a definite page turner. Mary Lindsey rocks this book.” 
- New York Times bestselling author C.C. Hunter

“A smoking hot hero and spine-chilling mystery = total win.” 
- #1 New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout

"This electrifying tale will take you on an unexpected journey into a secret world of witchcraft and shape shifters. Romance, adventure, and magic! Lindsey leaves you breathless and wanting more." 
- Adriana Mather, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch

"This is not your mama's paranormal! Sexy, dark and intense. Unputdownable!" 
- Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling author of Firelight

"Lindsey writes a hero with fire and gasoline. Then she lights a match with break-neck pacing, and scorches a path to readers' hearts. Don't blink for a moment." 
- Victoria Scott, bestselling author of Fire & Flood

"Gripping and gritty, HAVEN had me glued to the pages from beginning to end! Rain is the best kind of hero -- tough, sexy, sweet, loyal. He charges through this action-packed tale that had me tearing up more than once, and I was perfectly happy to follow!" 
- Pintip Dunn, New York Times bestselling author of Forget Tomorrow.

"An utterly gritty and satisfying resurrection of the monster genre.Rain is an intense narrator and you won't know whether to scream or swoon. Haven is an instant classic!" 
- Courtney Moulton, author of Angelfire

"Darkly compelling and deliciously chilling, Haven hooks you from the first line and never lets up. Gritty, spine-tingling, and full of nail-biting tension.” 
- Amalie Howard, bestselling author of Bloodspell

"Dark, different, sexy, and edge-of-your-seat intense." 
- Shawna Stringer, bookseller

Now on to the post!

About Mary:

Mary Lindsey is a multi award-winning, RITA® nominated author of romance for adults and teens. She lives on an island in the middle of a river. Seriously, she does. When not writing, she wrangles her rowdy pack of three teens, two Cairn Terriers, and one husband.

Inexplicably, her favorite animal is the giant anteater and at one point, she had over 200 "pet" Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. The roaches are a long story involving three science-crazed kids and a soft spot for rescue animals. The good news is, the "pet" roaches found a home... somewhere else.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |  Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of HAVEN, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/23/2017- Twinning for Books- Review

10/23/2017- Flyleaf Chronicles- Review

10/24/2017- Blushing Bibliophile- Review

10/24/2017- Ex Libris- Review

10/25/2017- Omg Books and More Books- Review

10/25/2017- Novelties- Review

10/26/2017- Deep Dark Feminist Reviews- Review

10/26/2017- Mama Reads Blog- Review

10/27/2017- Kendra Loves Books- Review

10/27/2017- Why I Read- Review

Week Two:

10/30/2017- Bibliobakes- Review

10/30/2017- Betwixt the pages- Review

10/31/2017- For the Lover of Books- Review

10/31/2017- Kati's Bookaholic Rambling Reviews- Review

11/1/2017- Adventures Thru Wonderland- Review

11/1/2017- Tea With Mermaids- Review

11/2/2017- Hauntedbybooks13- Review

11/2/2017- The Best Books Ever - Review

11/3/2017- Portrait of a Book- Review

11/3/2017- Nerdophiles- Review

Cover & Excerpt Reveal- HAVEN by Mary Lindsey & A Giveaway!

Today Mary Lindsey and Rockstar Book Tours are revealing the cover and an exclusive excerpt for HAVEN, which releases November 7, 2017! Check out the gorgeous cover and enter to win an ARC!

On to the reveal! 

Title: HAVEN

Author: Mary Lindsey

Pub. Date: November 7, 2017

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 400

Find it: Amazon, B&N, TBD, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play Books, Indiebound, Goodreads

Sometimes beauty is the beast…

"We all hold a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed."

Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere. He’s used to people judging him for his rough background, his intimidating size, and now, his orphan status. He’s always been on the outside, looking in, and he’s fine with that. Until he moves to New Wurzburg and meets Friederike Burkhart.

Freddie isn’t like normal teen girls, though. And someone wants her dead for it. Freddie warns he’d better stay far away if he wants to stay alive, but Rain’s never been good at running from trouble. For the first time, Rain has something worth fighting for, worth living for. Worth dying for.

Early Praise:

"Dangerous, dark and a definite page turner. Mary Lindsey rocks this book.”

- New York Times bestselling author C.C. Hunter

“A smoking hot hero and spine-chilling mystery = total win.”

- #1 New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout

"This electrifying tale will take you on an unexpected journey into a secret world of witchcraft and shape shifters. Romance, adventure, and magic! Lindsey leaves you breathless and wanting more."

- Adriana Mather, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch

"This is not your mama's paranormal! Sexy, dark and intense. Unputdownable!"

- Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling author of Firelight

"Lindsey writes a hero with fire and gasoline. Then she lights a match with break-neck pacing, and scorches a path to readers' hearts. Don't blink for a moment."

- Victoria Scott, bestselling author of Fire & Flood

"Gripping and gritty, HAVEN had me glued to the pages from beginning to end! Rain is the best kind of hero -- tough, sexy, sweet, loyal. He charges through this action-packed tale that had me tearing up more than once, and I was perfectly happy to follow!"

- Pintip Dunn, New York Times bestselling author of Forget Tomorrow.

"An utterly gritty and satisfying resurrection of the monster genre.Rain is an intense narrator and you won't know whether to scream or swoon. Haven is an instant classic!"

- Courtney Moulton, author of Angelfire

"Darkly compelling and deliciously chilling, Haven hooks you from the first line and never lets up. Gritty, spine-tingling, and full of nail-biting tension.”

- Amalie Howard, bestselling author of Bloodspell

"Dark, different, sexy, and edge-of-your-seat intense."

- Shawna Stringer, bookseller

Exclusive Excerpt!

When Rain turned back to Freddie, he bit down a gasp of surprise. She’d stripped off her shirt and tipped her face to the moon, eyes closed, like one would do to the sun at the beach. And here he’d thought the landscape was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

The air was still. Eerily still, and her smooth skin appeared to glow from inside in the moonlight—her black lace bra sheer enough to make him a little dizzy.

Without opening her eyes, she said, “Take off your shirt.”

No way in hell was he going to argue with that. He yanked off his shirt, clutching it in his fist, waiting for his next instruction.

He forgot how to breathe when she opened her pale eyes and moved toward him. Her gaze wasn’t focused on his face, though. It was on his chest. Stopping in front of him, she traced her fingers over the ink.

“Raindrops?” she asked, finger outlining one of the shapes.

“Tears,” he replied, again light-headed as she ran her fingertips over his pec.

“For your mom?”

“No. For all of us.”

She stepped back and, for a long time, stared at the tattoo comprised of dozens of drops in a random pattern over his chest, spilling down his ribs.

She traced a scar on his side with the tip of her finger. One of many marring his body from fights. “Your life has been sad.”

And so had hers recently. Maybe that was why he felt so connected to her. Their shared grief, their shared stand against a harsh, unfeeling, screwed-up world. Their shared solitude.

She turned back to the moon and raised her arms. “Do you feel it?”

Well, that was a wide-open question. He was feeling lots of things.

“The moon,” she said. “It’s like aloe when you’re sunburned. Try it.”

He imitated her posture, head back, arms out, but felt nothing other than the throbbing hardness he always felt around her.

“So, what do you think about that legend your aunt told you?” she asked.

He opened his eyes to find her studying him. “That the rock can turn men into beasts?” His mind raced, wondering what would prompt that question and what answer she was looking for. Men were beasts. Horrible monsters at times. He’d seen it firsthand. “I believe we all hide a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed.”

There it was again. That strange warm pull in his chest while she studied him. Like she totally got him—something no one else had ever bothered to do. He’d never been understood or accepted. People saw his size and found out his background and immediately wrote him off as dangerous or not worth the trouble. Not Freddie.

She obviously found his answer acceptable, because she wound her fingers in his hair and hauled him against her for another kiss. Raw, open-mouthed, and hungry. He’d never met anyone like this, who made him burn so hot he thought he might die from need. Recovering from surprise, he placed his hands on either side of her bare rib cage, feeling her body expand and contract with each quick breath. Bones and hard muscle working beneath smooth, soft skin. Skin he wanted to touch all over.

“I like you, Rain Ryland,” she said, dragging her nails down his back.

“Like” didn’t even come close. He was on fire for her. Had thought of her night and day since he first saw those eerily pale eyes and badass attitude. She was smart, strong, and terribly, terribly dangerous, which turned him on like crazy. “I like you, too.”

“How much?”

Something was going on here. Something other than foreplay. “More than I’ve ever liked anyone.” Which was true and unexpected. This was more than physical, which was a terrifying thought for him. Maybe this time he could stay. Maybe this time he’d actually found a home and wouldn’t have to leave everything behind.

He kissed her again, not wanting to think about legends, or leaving, or anything else for that matter. He wanted to just live in this moment as long as it lasted. Running his hands lower, his thumb brushed the unmistakable shape of a condom in her back pocket. He froze, and she smiled against his lips.

“You scared, Sprinkles?”

“Yes.”

“Of me?” It was like she wanted him to fear her.

“No.” He pulled back, amazed at how her eyes reflected the moon like clear glass. “Of this.” He gestured to the space he’d put between them. “Of whatever this is.” The intensity of it. The urgency. And worse, much worse—the potential loss of it. He’d never feared losing something before because he’d never had anything worth keeping. This girl, though. She was different. And he wanted her.

About Mary: 

Mary Lindsey is a multi award-winning, RITA® nominated author of romance for adults and teens. She lives on an island in the middle of a river. Seriously, she does. When not writing, she wrangles her rowdy pack of three teens, two Cairn Terriers, and one husband.

Inexplicably, her favorite animal is the giant anteater and at one point, she had over 200 "pet" Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. The roaches are a long story involving three science-crazed kids and a soft spot for rescue animals. The good news is, the "pet" roaches found a home... somewhere else.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest |  Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

5 winners will receive an ARC of HAVEN, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour- THE WINTER PEOPLE by Rebekah Purdy and a Giveaway!

Hey y'all! I'm super excited to have Rebekah Purdy here here today as a part of THE WINTER PEOPLE blog tour! I asked Rebekah for a scene from one of my favorite characters in the book, Gareth, and she was more than happy to share! Make sure to stick around to win a copy of the book!
Haven't heard of THE WINTER PEOPLE? Check it out!

THE WINTER PEOPLE

Author: Rebekah Purdy

Release Date: September 2, 2014

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pages: 320

ISBN: 978-1622663682

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble

An engrossing, complex, romantic fantasy perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore or Maggie Stiefvater, set in a wholly unique world.
Salome Montgomery fears winter—the cold, the snow, the ice, but most of all, the frozen pond she fell through as a child. Haunted by the voices and images of the strange beings that pulled her to safety, she hasn’t forgotten their warning to "stay away." For eleven years, she has avoided the winter woods, the pond, and the darkness that lurks nearby. But when failing health takes her grandparents to Arizona, she is left in charge of maintaining their estate. This includes the "special gifts" that must be left at the back of the property.
 
 
Salome discovers she’s a key player in a world she’s tried for years to avoid. At the center of this world is the strange and beautiful Nevin, who she finds trespassing on her family’s property. Cursed with dark secrets and knowledge of the creatures in the woods, his interactions with Salome take her life in a new direction. A direction where she’ll have to decide between her longtime crush Colton, who could cure her fear of winter. Or Nevin who, along with an appointed bodyguard, Gareth, protects her from the darkness that swirls in the snowy backdrop. An evil that, given the chance, will kill her.

Now on to the excerpt!

First of all, I want to thank Jaime for having me on the blog today. She was one of the first people to ever read this story and has been such a cheerleader for The Winter People since Entangled Teen picked it up. One of our favorite characters from the book is Gareth. So when Jaime asked if I’d write something from his point of view, I immediately said yes. So this really short scene below is written specifically for this blog post, from Gareth’s POV (and you won’t find it anywhere else). This particular part takes place when Salome first meets/sees Gareth in the coffee shop. Hope you enjoy! Thanks again, Jaime, for allowing me to stop by and do a guest post ((HUGS)).

The bell above the door in the coffee shop jingled. I lifted my gaze to see two girls walking in. Salome Montgomery. I’d never seen her this close up before. But even so, I recognized her. Her long blond hair cascaded passed her shoulder. Her arms were drawn tight against her chest like a shield, as if she was trying to protect herself against something. As she raised her hooded gray-blue eyes, a slow smile spread across my face.

We all had a part to play. Today, I needed her to see me as dangerous. To get a sense of exactly what stalked the woods around Starlynn Village. Of what lay hidden in the wintry landscape. I took a step closer to the counter.

My coworker waited on Salome’s friend, leaving Salome to me.

“And what can I get you?”

Her glance shifted from my face, to the tattoos on my arms. It was now or never. She needed to be aware of her surroundings. The skin on my arms prickled and I watched her carefully, seeing the color drain from her face.

She buried her head in her hands, visibly shaken by the sight of my tats.

“Salome, hey are you okay?” her friend asked.

“S—Sorry, I’ll have a caramel cappuccino,” Salome said, lifting her head once more.

“Coming right up.” I leaned closer to her. Fear seemed to emanate from her like perfume. Perhaps I’d taken it too far.

“Gareth?” she said aloud, reading my nametag.

“Yeah.” My name on her lips caused goose bumps to break out along my arms. What the hell was wrong with me? Her gaze seemed to undo me. I definitely didn’t need her affecting me like this. I had a job to do and I couldn’t afford to let her get under my skin, pretty face or no pretty face.

“That’s an interesting name.” She stared at me.

She had no idea who I was or what I was doing here. Which was probably for the best. While my coworker Simeon and her friend exchanged numbers, I handed her a cappuccino and a napkin.

“Try and take care of yourself,” I said. My fingertips brushed hers and a strange jolt went through me. I stiffened. Shit. The last thing I needed to do was lose focus of why I was here.

“Um—thanks.” She gave an awkward smile.

“I’ll see you around,” I said.

“Maybe.”

But there was no maybe about it. I would see her again. She had no idea what was going on around her or the threat that lurked nearby. The darkness that was about to be unleashed within the frozen woodland.

“I think I can see why you’re keeping an eye on her.” Simeon’s gaze slid over Salome as she walked out of Perky Joe’s.

My hand shot out and I gripped him by his shirt. “I have my orders. And if you do anything to interfere with her, so help me I’ll make you regret it.”

Simeon pulled free, his lips turning up at the corners. “Just don’t forget what’s at stake here.”

“Like he’d let me forget.” I was well aware of what I had to lose should I fail. My fist clenched at my side, the scent of Salome still hung in the air like a deadly reminder that our clock was ticking—slow, steady chimes, bringing us closer to the end.

Thanks for stopping by Rebekah and I loveeeee this scene!!

About Rebekah:

Rebekah was born and raised in Michigan (just look for the mitten-shaped state on the map). She’s lived there most of her life other than the few years she spent in the U.S. Army.  At which time she got a chance to experience MO, KS, SC, and CA.

She works full time for the court system and in her free time she writes YA stories. Pretty much any genre within the YA realm is game for her, but her favorites are fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, thrillers, light sci-fi, and some time travel.

She also has a big family–she like to considers them the modern day Brady Bunch. When her hubby and her met and got married, he had 3 children from a previous marriage, she had 2 and  have 1 together. It’s a lot of fun though.

And she can’t forget her other family members–yep, they’ve got some pets: 4 dogs, 3 cats,  and 1 turtle. Everyone in the family has one…she won’t bore you all with their names (unless you really want to know). Okay, you talked her into it! Jack, Pearl, Grr…(yes that’s her dog’s name), Callie, Shadow, Mooshoo, Grouchy, and Sorbert. Other than writing some of her other hobbies include: reading (mostly YA of course), singing, swimming, football, soccer, running, camping, sledding, church, hanging with her kids, and traveling.

She belong to a fabulous writing group called YA Fiction Fantatics (YAFF) and you guessed it they all write YA!

REPPED by Jennifer Mishler and Frances Black of Literary Counsel.

And that’s her in a big ‘ol nutshell.

Website /Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

2 Winter Emergency Kit. It will have a $10.00 Amazon gift card, coffee mug, hot cocoa, chapstick, flashlight, gloves and some signed bookmarks. US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the rest of the blog tour schedule HERE!

Release Day Party! THE WINTER PEOPLE by Rebekah Purdy and a Giveaway!

Today is release day for THE WINTER PEOPLE by Rebekah Purdy we’re here to celebrate with a giveaway and an excerpt! Help us celebrate the release of this amazing book and enter to win a Winter Emergency Kit! I loved this book and I can't wait for everyone to read it!

THE WINTER PEOPLE

Author: Rebekah Purdy

Release Date: September 2, 2014

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pages: 320

ISBN: 978-1622663682

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble

An engrossing, complex, romantic fantasy perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore or Maggie Stiefvater, set in a wholly unique world.

Salome Montgomery fears winter—the cold, the snow, the ice, but most of all, the frozen pond she fell through as a child. Haunted by the voices and images of the strange beings that pulled her to safety, she hasn’t forgotten their warning to "stay away." For eleven years, she has avoided the winter woods, the pond, and the darkness that lurks nearby. But when failing health takes her grandparents to Arizona, she is left in charge of maintaining their estate. This includes the "special gifts" that must be left at the back of the property.
 


Salome discovers she’s a key player in a world she’s tried for years to avoid. At the center of this world is the strange and beautiful Nevin, who she finds trespassing on her family’s property. Cursed with dark secrets and knowledge of the creatures in the woods, his interactions with Salome take her life in a new direction. A direction where she’ll have to decide between her longtime crush Colton, who could cure her fear of winter. Or Nevin who, along with an appointed bodyguard, Gareth, protects her from the darkness that swirls in the snowy backdrop. An evil that, given the chance, will kill her.

Exclusive Excerpt!

The pond water rippled while the trees bent beneath the strong gusts. Soon, everything became so white I couldn’t see the house. In the distance a strange tinkling sounded, like dozens of wind chimes. Not the chimes. Not the chimes. Not the chimes, I repeated over and over in my mind.

What had the shrink told me to do?

Ten, nine, eight. Breathe. Seven, six, five. Shit! I held my head in my hands for a long moment. Get it together.

Panic stole my thoughts and I raised my head, backing away from the pond as the flurries swirled toward me. Chasing me.

I bumped into something—something that felt quite human. A firm chest, arms, hands. Not something, someone. A shriek tumbled from my lips and I spun around to face my captor.

“It’s okay. I won’t hurt you,” a soft masculine voice said, pale hands clinging to my arms as he kept me from falling.

My gaze followed those long fingers, then up black leather sleeves, to the most gorgeous face I’d ever seen. My breath caught in my throat. I was gawking. But I couldn’t help it. His raven hair was shot with strands of blue, his face was pale and perfect, like an ice sculptor had chiseled it into existence. His eyes—oh God, his eyes. They were the palest blue I’d ever seen. Glacial. He had to be over six feet tall, muscles evident through the tight shirt he wore beneath his unzipped leather jacket.

His mouth turned up at the corners as if enjoying my scrutiny. A cocky grin that made my cheeks warm and my whole body buzz. “You’re trespassing.” I tried to keep the tremble from my voice. “This is private property, or can’t you read the signs?” Bravo. I’d scare him off with my bitchiness. 

He chuckled. And it sounded like the low song of chimes. “Doris doesn’t mind me coming around. In fact, I’ve met you before, Salome.”

My name on his lips made my knees go buttery. I groaned inwardly.

 About Rebekah: 

Rebekah was born and raised in Michigan (just look for the mitten-shaped state on the map). She’s lived there most of her life other than the few years she spent in the U.S. Army.  At which time she got a chance to experience MO, KS, SC, and CA.

She works full time for the court system and in her free time she writes YA stories. Pretty much any genre within the YA realm is game for her, but her favorites are fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, thrillers, light sci-fi, and some time travel.

She also has a big family–she like to considers them the modern day Brady Bunch. When her hubby and her met and got married, he had 3 children from a previous marriage, she had 2 and  have 1 together. It’s a lot of fun though.

And she can’t forget her other family members–yep, they’ve got some pets: 4 dogs, 3 cats,  and 1 turtle. Everyone in the family has one…she won’t bore you all with their names (unless you really want to know). Okay, you talked her into it! Jack, Pearl, Grr…(yes that’s her dog’s name), Callie, Shadow, Mooshoo, Grouchy, and Sorbert. Other than writing some of her other hobbies include: reading (mostly YA of course), singing, swimming, football, soccer, running, camping, sledding, church, hanging with her kids, and traveling.

She belong to a fabulous writing group called YA Fiction Fantatics (YAFF) and you guessed it they all write YA!

REPPED by Jennifer Mishler and Frances Black of Literary Counsel.

And that’s her in a big ‘ol nutshell.

Website /Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

1 Winter Emergency Kit. It will have a $10.00 Amazon gift card, coffee mug, hot cocoa, chapstick, flashlight, gloves and some signed bookmarks. US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour- MIRROR X by Karri Thompson and a Giveaway!

I adore Karri Thompson and MIRROR X I've been with her since the beginning of this story and I love what it has become and I'm so happy that she wrote a scene from Michael's POV for this post! I loveeeeee Michael! Ooh and we have awesome giveaway too!
Haven't heard of MIRROR X? Check it out!

Title: MIRROR X

Author: Karri Thompson

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pub. Date: June 23, 2014

Find it: Goodreads|Amazon|Barnes & Noble|iTunes

In this timeless new trilogy about love and sacrifice, a princess must find her place in a reborn world.

In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.

On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assasin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.

Now on to the post!

A note from Karri: Yes! This was too fun to write. I love Michael! Yeah, he has his issues, but he’s still my book boyfriend.

        

  I stood and took a seat on the edge of Cassie’s bed, my weight upon the mattress rocking her toward me. When her thigh hit my knee, I held my breath, and my heart jolted in my chest. Dead or alive, she was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

          “Before you were awakened,” I said, “I spent hours at your bedside imaging what you were like, how your voice would sound, how you looked when you smiled. When your red lips pulsed, when your chest heaved, and you took your first breath, I kept my emotions in check. But now that you’ve ‘awakened,’ everything is different. I’m jealous and angry. I can’t sleep. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

          She tilted closer to me, and a strand of her dark hair fell over her shoulder. She parted her soft, pink lips, and I studied the curve of her jaw and neck. Being just tight enough to reveal the contours of what lie beneath it, even in a plain, white tunic, she was sexy.

“I feel the same way, too,” she said rocking closer and closing her eyes. The dim light of the room cast blue shadows across her cheeks. She took a breath, and in the next moment, my lips were against hers, kissing hard as the hot urge to meet her skin with my tongue brought my mouth to her neck.

“Not yet,” she said, drawing away.

But the room was free. No one would know. My forehead hot and wet with sweat, my palms sticky, I inhaled deeply, but it wasn’t enough to calm my heart and quell my longing for her.

She was right, though at that moment, I didn’t want to believe it. “I know,” I said, rising from the bed. Running the sleeve of my uniform across my head, I backed away, and dropped into the chair. She diverted her eyes to the floor and brought a trembling hand to her lips. “I can’t . . . we can’t. We can never . . .” I said quickly. “It’s against protocol. I should go.”

Brushing the wrinkles from my uniform, I rose stiffly from the chair and hurried to the door, hoping that once I entered the hall, my eyes wouldn’t hold the story of what just happened. With the sweep of my foot, I enabled the obscuras, and left her room. 

What I needed now was a cold shower.

This is awesome! Thanks Karri!!!!

About Karri:

Karri’s debut YA novel, Amateur Angel, was released May 1, 2012. The next book in that series, Hollywood Angels, came out September 1, 2013. The first book in her upcoming dystopian trilogy, The Van Winkle Chronicles, will be released by Entangled Publishing Summer 2014.

Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

5 Prize Packs of  back straps for cell phones (phone in photo not included), romance trading cards, mini-book charms, and bottle-cap charms. US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/7/2014- Pieces of Whimsy- Excerpt

7/8/2014- The Cover Contessa- Guest Post

7/9/2014- K-Books- Excerpt

7/10/2014- Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, and Romance- Interview

7/11/2014- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

Week Two:

7/14/2014- Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf- Interview

7/15/2014- A Book and a Latte- Excerpt

7/16/2014- Step Into Fiction- Interview

7/17/2014- Addicted Readers- Excerpt

7/18/2014- Mom With A Kindle- Interview