Cover Reveal Sign-Up: Burning Bright by E.J. Stevens

I am organizing a cover reveal for BURNING BRIGHT, the third full-length novel in the Ivy Granger urban fantasy series.

The cover reveal is scheduled for Friday May 16, 2014 (after 12:01AM EST).  An email with the book cover, Rafflecopter giveaway link, media kit, and optional HTML for the blog post will be sent to all participants four days before the reveal on Monday May 12th.

Click Here to Sign Up!

Additional information below...

Burning Bright (Ivy Granger #3) by E.J. Stevens

Burning down the house...

Things are not going well at the offices of Private Eye. Jinx is having demon problems, the city is overrun with pyromaniacal imps, and Ivy's wisp powers are burning out of control, attracting the attention of both the Seelie and Unseelie courts.

Along came a faerie queen... It's the worst possible time for the Green Lady to call in a favor, but Ivy's bound by her deal with the glaistig. Too bad there's no wiggle room in faerie bargains.

Ivy must rid the city of imps, keep Jinx from murdering her one solid link to Hell, and fulfill her bargain with the Green Lady--with sidhe assassins hot on her tail.

Just another day's work for Ivy Granger, psychic detective.

Release Date: June 17, 2014
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Add to Goodreads.
Books in this series: Shadow Sight (Ivy Granger #1), Blood and Mistletoe (Ivy Granger #1.5), Ghost Light (Ivy Granger #2), Club Nexus (Ivy Granger #2.5).

About the Author

E.J. Stevens is the author of the Spirit Guide young adult series and the bestselling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series. When E.J. isn't at her writing desk she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.
Connect with E.J. on Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon, and on her Blog.

Cover Reveal Giveaway

Optional Rafflecopter giveaway.  We are giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner.  Giveaway begins Friday May 16th and ends Friday May 30th.  This giveaway is open to anyone who may receive an electronic Amazon Gift Card.  Giveaway winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter.

Thank you!

Guest Post + Giveaway: The Midnight Spell by Rhiannon Frater + Kody Boye

Please welcome today's paranormal guest authors Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye!  Rhiannon and Kody are coauthors of THE MIDNIGHT SPELL.  We have a special giveaway for you, but first, check out this fab guest post...

Magical Love Spells in Fiction

by Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye

Rhiannon’s Perspective

When Kody Boye and I decided to write The Midnight Spell, we immediately tossed back a few ideas about how the magic in the book would work. One of the things we decided was to take a few things from traditional lore (broomsticks, cat familiars, cauldrons), but also infuse the witches of our story with their own brand of magic. We were also in agreement that we would not use any real spells in the book or reference the Wiccan religion. Our witches are purely fictional, purely magical, and not tethered to any religion or belief system.

Of course, the fact that we decided to create our own magic was challenging and fun. We tossed back all sorts of ideas for spells, discussed what the magic would look like, and how we wanted it to contrast with the real world that Adam and Christy live in. No one knows Christy and her family are magical beings. Even Adam is skeptical when Christy comes out of the broom closet when he reveals his own sexuality. Christy and her family are not even from our world, but one that used to exist in its shadow. They’re evacuees from a magical world that no longer exists, so there is a lot about Christy’s mother and father that is swathed in mystery.

Though we did pull on legend and myth for various other parts of the book, especially our big bad monster, we had a lot of fun creating our own magical world.

Kody’s Perspective

A lot of the initial world building within The Midnight Spell was in regards to the magical system and how it interacted with the ‘real world.’ It seems commonplace to insert the Salem Trials (or even aspects of Wicca) whenever witches are present. While it is a helpful foundation to build upon in some cases, it becomes repetitive and, dare I say, boring. (At this point, I’d rather read about the actual happenings of the Salem Witch Trials rather than see them with magic.)

For that reason, we completely disregarded any traditional lore. We threw out anything that might connect it to any religion (pentagrams being the prime example) and completely created our own mythos. Christy was, and is, a completely magical being, completely unrelated to the modern world we are used to. For The Midnight Spell, we wanted to turn the tables on the traditional aspects of fantastic monsters, which is why we chose to only use inspiration from the legend (rather than the legends themselves) to create the flesh and blood (or not) creatures.

The Midnight Spell by Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye.

Adam and Christy have been best friends since kindergarten. Always the perpetual outsiders in their small town in Texas, they’ve always had to deal with nasty comments from their classmates. Adam is called “gay” while Christy is called “witch.”

On both counts the bullies are right.

Their junior year in high school seems destined to be the same old same old until Christy decides to cast a love spell for Adam at the midnight hour. The next day an alluring and mysterious new boy enrolls at school and sets hearts a flutter, including Adam’s. Meanwhile, Christy’s mad crush on the handsome Ian seems to be going nowhere fast. Struggling to capture the heart of Ian while trying to come into her full witch powers is tough enough, but when a great evil arrives in town that threatens everything they hold dear, she realizes that finding a boyfriend is the least of her and Adam’s worries.

Soon Adam, Christy, their potential love interests, and their good friends Drifter and Olivia, will have to battle a force of darkness that has killed in their town before, and will again.

Release Date: February 28, 2013

Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult

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Thank you Rhiannon and Kody for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Kody Boye and his books, please visit his website.  To learn more about Rhiannon Frater and her books, please visit her website and don't miss our 2010 interview with Rhiannon here at From the Shadows.

Dying to read The Midnight Spell?  We've got you covered.

***The Midnight Spell Giveaway***

We are giving away an ebook copy of THE MIDNIGHT SPELL to one lucky winner!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post and include your email address so that we may contact you if you win.  This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.  Giveaway ends May 17, 2014 midnight EST.

Good luck!

Sacrificed Ebook Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Mary P. the winner of our Sacrificed Ebook Giveaway here at From the Shadows!  Mary will receive an ebook copy of SACRIFICED by Desni Dantone.

Thank you to all who entered!

**Giveaway winner selected using Random.org**

Q+A with Amanda Ashley (Night's Promise)

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Amanda Ashley!  Amanda is the author of the Bound series (Bound By Night, Bound By Blood), the Vampire Trilogy (Shades of Gray, After Sundown, Desire After Dark), the Everlasting series (Everlasting Kiss, Everlasting Desire), Children of the Night series (Night's Kiss, Night's Touch, Night's Master, Night's Pleasure, Night's Mistress, Night's Promise).

Q+A with Amanda Ashley

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Amanda:  Gosh, I don't remember exactly. Probably in the late 70's.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Amanda:  Boredom :) I'd written a number of historical romances and I was getting kind of burned out. My agent at the time asked if I would be interested in writing a short paranormal story for an anthology titled The Topaz Man Secrets of the Heart, and I said yes. I wrote
"Masquerade" (now available as an eBook) and I was hooked on vampires. I've been writing them ever since.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Amanda:  Wow, that's a good question. I think being a shapeshifter because it would be the most fun.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Amanda:  Well...I like it If they're fans of the series, I think they'll like it because so many characters from previous books show up, like Mara and Edna and Pearl, real fan favorites. I think it's my favorite Night book. It has what I think is a cool twist and a yummy hero.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Amanda:  If only that would happen!!!! I would love to see my first full-length vampire book, Embrace the Night, made into a movie.

Casting, hmmm? I don't know. My favorite on-screen vampire is Frank Langella, but he's a little old for the role now. I love Ian from the Vampire Diaries, but I can't picture him as Gabriel. Maybe Chris Hemsworth? For the heroine, I don't know. It would have to be someone with some ballet experience, or at least someone who could fake it.

Night's Promise (Children of the Night #6) by Amanda Ashley.

For beautiful heiress Sheree West, vampires are more than a fantasy. They are an obsession. Night after night, she dresses in black and immerses herself in L.A.'s goth club scene. Searching for a lover who is more than a man. A creature of the dark who lusts for her blood. A legend who lives in the shadows and not just her dreams. Then, one fateful night, she meets him. . .

Derek Blackwood is no ordinary vampire. Descended from a bloodline as old as Cleopatra, and blessed with unearthly powers of seduction, he is everything Sheree wished for—and more. When he takes her in his arms, she is powerless. When he kisses her neck, she is his. But when the full moon rises—and passions flare—something is unleashed in Derek that he's never felt before. Something wild. Something dangerous. Something no vampire can control or stop. . .even for the woman he loves.

Release Date: February 4, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
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Thank you Amanda for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Amanda Ashley and her books, please visit her website.

Q+A with Nessie Strange (Living Dead Girl)

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Nessie Strange!  Nessie is the author of LIVING DEAD GIRL.

Q+A with Nessie Strange

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Nessie:  I started writing at a very young age—I can remember coming up with stories when I was in grade school and receiving praise for my imagination. Having always been an avid reader, I guess it felt natural for me to want to craft my own stories. It wasn’t until my early twenties, however, when I finished my first novel, that I thought of trying to publish my work.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Nessie:  I could probably blame my family for that, haha. I can remember my dad watching horror movies and those monster movies from the 1950’s when I was a kid. He also had lots of Stephen King books on the shelf. That being said, I’ve always been interested in things that stretch the imagination, and I think paranormal fits that bill. Quite simply, I write things I would like to read, and I love reading about real world situations that have a touch of the magical or the unknown. With writing fiction you can make anything happen, while you must also make it appear believable enough that a reader will buy into it. Vampires, zombies, werewolves, dragons—it doesn’t really matter what the creature is—our job as writers is to bring them to life. That can be a huge challenge, especially when you want to bring something unique to the table. So much has already been done. How do we as writers make it new? How do we keep it interesting? It’s almost like solving a puzzle.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Nessie:  I think shape-shifting would be pretty cool, especially if you could change into whatever you wanted. The possibilities are really endless. I think it would give a whole new perspective on life.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Nessie:  I hope that readers will appreciate that it’s unique. Living Dead Girl is unusual in that it’s not your typical urban fantasy, and it doesn’t follow any genre conventions. Actually, the paranormal aspect doesn’t come into play until the mid-point of the book. I really wrestled with that when I was writing it, the fear that UF fans would get impatient, but it was the way I envisioned the story and I told it the way it needed to be told. My hope is that UF fans will come into it with an open mind and see it for what it is—Jen’s story. That, and it’s a slightly different take on zombies than we’re used to seeing, as there’s no virus and no dystopian setting.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Nessie:  I’ve been asked this before, and to be honest, I have no idea! I’m so picky about so many little things, and I can’t say that there are any specific actors or actresses that make me say OMG IT MUST BE YOU. I think if it was ever made into a movie, I’d be more concerned that the actors or actresses were able to capture the essence of the characters themselves.

Living Dead Girl by Nessie Strange

Jen MacLellan has hit a dead end…

Jen knows tattooed, blue-haired Jack Norris is trouble the minute he opens his front door. And being a mortician in the avante garde East Side of Providence, Jen has seen a lot. Jack has recruited Jen’s teenage brother Drew to play drums for his less-than-respectable punk band, and Jen has no choice but to follow their gigs to keep her little brother out of trouble. But when Drew goes missing, she finds herself in the awkward position of asking for Jack’s help. Shocked that he agrees, Jen decides she may have misjudged him. Worse, she might even like him.

But when Jen is brutally attacked, she awakens in the hospital where a Sid Vicious look-alike greets her with the news: she’s dead, and he’s the reaper assigned to take her away. Yeah, not so much. Refusing to leave, Jen’s spirit watches helplessly as her loved ones suffer, powerless to ease her family’s grief or prevent the police from accusing Jack of her murder. Desperate to help them, Jen convinces the reaper to bring her back. But reanimating corpses isn’t as easy as it looks, and neither is finding a killer before it’s too late…

Release Date: January 17, 2014
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Thank you Nessie for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Nessie Strange and her books, please visit her Goodreads page.

Blades of Magic Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Grace Z. the winner of our Blades of Magic Giveaway at From the Shadows!  Grace will receive an ebook copy of BLADES OF MAGIC by Terah Edun.

Thank you to all who entered.

**Winner selected using Random.org**

Gift of the Phoenix Excerpt + Giveaway

Today we have a fun excerpt from GIFT OF THE PHOENIX by Donna Cook and a giveaway!

Gift of the Phoenix by Donna Cook. 

When three strangers are brought together by the discovery of a common enemy, they must fight to keep the magic of the Phoenix out of dangerous hands before their world is destroyed forever. The Three must learn to unite in spite of what separates them, and unlock the magic of three stones that seem to harm as much as they help. But uniting will not be easy for Nicolai, the simple peasant with a powerful secret; Marcellus, the warrior prince who’s no longer heir to the throne; and Corren, a gifted wizard whose ambitions threaten to ruin them all. 

Full of magic, mystery, and a touch of romance, Gift of the Phoenix is an epic fantasy that takes the reader deep into the heart of a wondrous world and the three men destined to defend it.

Release Date: September 19, 2012
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
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Excerpt

The man’s eyes narrowed and he leaned in. “Have you ever seen the waters swallow an island?”

“What?” Nicolai asked.

He pointed to what Nicolai knew to be the Pearl and Crescent Islands, only a few miles out from the coast. They were uninhabitable rock for the most part, notable only because one island was shaped like a crescent moon while the other circular shaped island sat within its gulf. Only Nicolai didn’t see two islands. He saw only the crescent-shaped island.

“What happened?” Nicolai asked.

“I’ll tell you what happened. The Pearl is gone! Sank right into the sea it did!”

Nicolai tried to imagine an island in the cove of Crescent Island’s bay, then tried to imagine that island sinking into the sea.

“My brother says a monster ate it!” the little girl said.

Her mother hushed her. “Don’t listen to his tales.”

“It was an earthquake,” the first man said kindly, bending his reddened face down to her. He put his hands together and slid them back and forth. “The earth shook under the water and made the water come sloshing up over the edge. Just like shaking a cup.” She looked at him skeptically. Nicolai gathered she thought a monster sounded more credible.

“It wasn’t a monster,” said a frail voice. They all looked around to see a withered woman resting on a bench next to the wall. “It wasn’t an earthquake either. What took that island was the same thing that made it.”

Giveaway

Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash.

To enter, use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below.  This is a book tour giveaway and winners will be selected by the author or publisher.  Giveaway ends April 31, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

What did you think of the book excerpt?

Shadow Fire Book Blast: Excerpt + Giveaway

Kimber Leigh Wheaton, author of SHADOW FIRE, is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal cash.  Keep reading for a chance to win!

Shadow Fire Book Blast

Shadow Fire (The Light Chronicles #1) by Kimber Leigh Wheaton.

Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.

Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.

Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.
All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.

Shadow Fire - adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal

As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power? 

Release Date: February 24, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult
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Want to learn more about Shadow Fire?  Don't miss our interview with author Kimber Leigh Wheaton coming May 15!  Now for a fun book excerpt...

Excerpt

When we reach the deck, everyone stops to stare at me. Trying to ignore the blatant curiosity, I follow Hanna down the aft stairs to the brig. Zane and Taranis occupy cells across from each other. They’re both sitting on the floor glaring daggers at each other. Hanna hands the key to me and slips away. Inching closer, I’m careful to remain out of reach of the two prisoners. As soon as they see me, both men jump up and start talking over each other.

“Ashlyn! How are you feeling, Love?” Zane asks.

“Ashlyn, my fiery angel, you are a ray of sunshine in this dank prison!” Taranis says.

“I’m gonna let you both out, if, and only if, you promise to behave,” I threaten. Both men nod their agreement. “That means no fighting. It also means we never, and I mean never, speak of what happened last night.” When I get no argument, I free Zane first and then Taranis.

“Do you even know what happened last night?” Zane asks, taking me into his arms. I stand rigid in his embrace, not sure if I’m ready to forgive him quite yet.

“Only what Hanna told me,” I snap at him.

“I saved your virtue from this raving lunatic,” Taranis says, pointing at Zane.

“Then you decided to take it for yourself!” Zane yells back at him.

“Did you not hear me?” I shout. Pulling myself from Zane’s embrace, I back up and glare at both men. “No speaking of last night. Period. End of discussion.”

“Yes, Love,” Zane replies.

“Yes, virtuous virgin,” Taranis replies.

“Taranis!” I release a menacing growl, and wince when my right eye starts to tic. “Yes?” he asks, eyes full of mock innocence.

“Run,” Zane says.

Taranis listens to Zane’s advice and takes off up the stairs to the deck with me hot on his heels.

Giveaway

The author is giving away winner's choice of a $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal cash!

Please go to the Rafflecopter form to enter.  This is a book blast giveaway.  Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  Giveaway ends May 5, 2014.

Good luck!

What did you think of the book excerpt?

Lockstep Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Anastasia F. the winner of our Lockstep Book Giveaway here at From the Shadows!  Anastasia will receive a hardcover copy of LOCKSTEP by Karl Schroeder.

Thank you to all who entered.

**Giveaway winner selected using Rafflecopter**

Q+A with Desni Dantone + Sacrificed Book Giveaway

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Desni Dantone!  Desni is the author of IGNITED and SACRIFICED.

Q+A with Desni Dantone

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Desni:  I started writing when I was eleven. That summer, I found one of my mom's Dean Koontz books and read it in one day. When my mom told me he came from the same hometown as me, I was totally inspired and wanted to be just like him. I started writing little horror stories and gave them to my mom to read. I'm sure they weren't as good as she led me to believe they were at eleven, but that was the start of my passion.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Desni:  I honestly never thought about that. I went through phases of writing horror, then drama, then contemporary romance, but I never really got to the point that I was ready to publish any of those books that I wrote. Young adult paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels are typically what I like to read, so when I started writing the first book in the Ignited Series, I think it came more naturally to me. For the first time, I completed a novel that I was completely happy with and ready to publish. I guess it's true that you should write what you love.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Desni:  The life of a vampire or demon hunter sounds exciting and dangerous, and they usually have some pretty cool talents. If I could have any talent, it would have to be supernatural speed, so I could actually accomplish everything I need to in a day...and land a kill shot without breaking a nail.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Desni:  Fans of the Ignited Series are going to enjoy the element of mystery that continues in Sacrificed, as more pieces of the big picture are put into place. The romance that was just starting in Ignited picks up in Sacrificed, with a lot more sizzle that I know Nathan fans will be happy with. The paranormal element picks up in this book as well, as the main character, Kris, discovers more of what she's capable of.

There will be mysteriously magical elements intermixed with action and romance, a fast paced story line, a fun gang of characters that will make you laugh and cry, and twists that will leave readers guessing what's next.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Desni:  For Kris, I would choose Erin Moriarty. She plays Vince Vaughn's daughter in "The Watch." She has this natural beauty thing going on, and her strawberry blonde hair is a perfect match for Kris.

For Nathan, I would choose a cross between Theo James for his rugged handsomeness and Chase Crawford for his boyish good looks and blue eyes.

For Alec, Luke Grimes because he's hot...and looks like he just might be trouble.

Sacrificed (Ignited #2) by Desni Dantone.

Kris Young is no normal seventeen year old.

She’s the worst thing to come along since the black plague, and she will do anything to alter the destiny she was made for. Failure is not an option. But if the shadows of evil overcome her…

Only one person can stop her.

When she meets Micah, she doesn’t expect him to save her life, or to offer his help. They were born enemies after all. Though he boasts noble intentions and a belief that, together, he and Kris could swing the tide of the war to the side of good once and for all, Kris can’t help but suspect that he is hiding something.

They have a plan…

Strengthened by new allies, Kris and gang take their fight to the Skotadi. As they discover shocking secrets and grow closer to learning of the evil-doers ultimate plans, Kris worries that time has run out. Struggling with her inner demons, she does the only thing she can to protect the ones that she cares about most, even if it tears her heart in two.

Question is, where will her heart lead her?

Release Date: April 1, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Add to Goodreads.

Thank you Desni for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Desni Dantone and her books, please visit her website.

***Sacrificed Book Giveaway***

We are giving away an ebook copy of Sacrificed by Desni Dantone to one lucky winner!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post and include your email address so we may contact you if you win.  This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.  Giveaway ends April 25, 2014 midnight EST.

Good luck!

Book Excerpt + Giveaway: Blades of Magic by Terah Edun

Today we have a special BLADES OF MAGIC book excerpt and ebook giveaway for you!

Blades of Magic Book Excerpt

Sara Fairchild stared at the three men and two women who surrounded her with hard eyes. They had cornered her in an alley. But only because she wanted them to. She was having a bad day, might as well end it right. Feet planted firmly in the dry dirt, she called out to the group arrayed in a semi-circle around her,

“Nice day for a fight, isn’t it?”

The woman to her right wore a raggedy scarf around her hair and her ears were covered in at least five earrings per a lobe. She glared and said, “You think you’re funny, girl?”

Sara watched as the woman spit into the dirt before her in disgust.

“Your da was a disgrace,” the woman continued. “You’re just like him. A coward.”

“And a cheat!” said the man directly in front of her. He nervously fingered a blade in his hands. It was a poorly crafted one. That Sara could tell from five feet away. She stood in front of him with her back-up against the wall. She wasn’t carrying her broadsword but she did have one fine long knife at her waist, a dagger on her thigh, and a baton she’d lifted from a city patrolman in her right hand.

“Is that so?” Sara said directing her voice at the man in front of her, “And what, pray tell, did I cheat you of Simon Codfield?”

Her tone was level. Even surprised. He shifted warily. He was nervous even with four of his friends to back him up. When the people standing with him began to look at him oddly, he stiffened his back. Simon licked his lips and said, “Cards. I know you had an extra ace in your belt. Admit it now and we’ll only beat you two ways until Sunday.”

She titled her head, “And if I admit it later?” Even he couldn’t miss the derision in her voice.

“We’re trying to go easy on you,” said Simon Codfield – his voice dipping into desperation. He might be a liar as well as a thief, but he was no fool. Sara knew the only reason he and his crew had followed her into this alley was because if he didn’t accuse her, he would have to take the fall for loosing over forty shillings in a card game that started off over a bet of five. She knew and he knew that he didn’t have forty shillings to give. That was one month’s pay for a dockworker, never mind a ne’er-do-well like Simon who hadn’t worked an honest job a day in his life.

“Tell you what. Why don’t you drop those trousers of yours? Then we’ll call it even,” said the thief lord in charge of the west district of Sandrin. She turned to face the man who had spoken. He rubbed a hand over his two-day old beard with a grin.

Sara brought up the long knife in her left hand, “Why don’t you drop yours, Severin, so that I can cut off your balls for you?”

Anger flashed in the thief lord’s eyes. Anger and passion. Sara smiled. She wasn’t joking. If she got close enough to him, she’d make him a eunuch without batting an eye. Simon Codfield gulped and took a step back. He knew she wasn’t playing around.

What do you think of the excerpt?

Blades of Magic (Crown Service #1) by Terah Edun.

It is not a peaceful time in the Algardis Empire. War is raging between the mages and seventeen-year-old Sara Fairchild will be right in the middle of it.

She just doesn’t know it yet.

Sara is the daughter of a disgraced imperial commander, executed for desertion. Sara is also the best duelist and hand-to-hand combatant in Sandrin. She lives quietly with her family’s shame but when challenged about her family’s honor, her opponent inevitably loses.

On the night she finds out her father’s true last actions, she takes the Mercenary Guilds’ vows to serve in the emperor’s army. Using her quick wits and fierce fighting skills, she earns a spot in the first division.

There she discovers secrets the mages on both sides would prefer stay hidden. Dark enemies hunt her and soon it’s not just Sara questioning the motivation behind this war.

While fighting mages, blackmailing merchants and discovering new friends, Sara comes across something she’s never had before – passion. The question is – can she fight for her emperor against a mage who has unwittingly claimed her heart?

This is year one of the Initiate Wars. Sara is hoping it doesn’t become the year she dies.

Release Date: March 31, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Add to Goodreads.

***Blades of Magic Giveaway***

We are giving away an ebook copy of Blades of Magic by Terah Edun to one lucky winner!

To enter, leave a comment on this blog post.  Please include your email address so that we may contact you if you win.  This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.  Giveaway ends April 19, 2014 midnight EST.

Good luck!

Q+A with Angela Dennis (Shadows of Fate)

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Angela Dennis!  Angela is the author of Shadows of Fate.

Q+A with Angela Dennis

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Angela:  I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t write. I was always the kid with her nose in a book, or scribbling in her journal.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Angela:  I have always been drawn to books with paranormal/fantasy elements. Writing in the genre was a natural transition for me.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Angela:  Teleporting. I would love to be able to visit anywhere, during any time, with only a thought. Can you imagine the possibilities? And it would cut down on my commute.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Angela:  Shadows is a supernatural thrill ride. Aside from the primary conflict/relationship between the main characters, I believe readers will also enjoy the diverse cast. There is definitely something for everyone.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Angela:  To be honest, I've never really thought about it. But I would probably choose Jessica Chastain for Brenna and Ian Somerhader for Gray. They are both dynamic and multi-faceted actors, not to mention they look the part.

Shadows of Fate (Shadow Born #1) by Angela Dennis.

Redemption lies beyond the veil between truth and lies.

After witnessing her husband’s brutal murder, Brenna Baudouin lost control of her Shadow Bearer powers and wreaked havoc on her home world. Her penance: one hundred years policing hordes of supernatural misfits that spilled onto the Earthly plane after a cataclysmic war.

She’s on a routine exorcism run when she learns she’s been assigned a new partner. But there’s something about this Shadow Bearer that sparks her suspicions. Particularly when people closest to her start turning up as piles of ash.

Gray Warlow holds tight to the glamour that allows him to get close to the woman on whom he plans to wreak vengeance for betraying his people. Yet as he skillfully manipulates his way past her distrust, he begins to see her not as the heartless monster he was led to believe, but a strong, vulnerable woman.

As they work to put together the pieces of a killer’s macabre puzzle, an attraction deeper than blood and bone flares between them. And they must reveal their deepest secrets to avoid becoming the final targets,

Product Warnings
A thrill ride of supernatural proportions. Contains violent battle scenes, nail-biting suspense, crazy hot sexual tension, and enough twists and turns to make your head spin.

Release Date: April 8, 2014
Add to Goodreads.

Thank you Angela for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Angela Dennis and her books, please visit her website.

Best Maine Author: 2014 Reader's Poll

Vote for E.J. in the Portland Phoenix: The Best 2014 reader's poll!

Go to the Best Maine Author category, type in E.J. Stevens, scroll down and click submit.  Easy peasy!

Thank you so much for voting!  I will let you all know the results when the winning names become public.