Showing posts with label virtual book tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label virtual book tour. Show all posts

Friday, June 6, 2014

BLOG TOUR: The Runaway Highlander by R.L. Syme

The Runaway HighlanderPlease join R.L. Syme as she tours virtually for The Runaway Highlander from May 14-June 13.


Publication Date: April 15, 2014 
Formats: eBook, Paperback 
Series: The Highland Renegades 

 Anne de Cheyne has a choice. She can play the dutiful daughter and allow her mother to sell her to a greasy English sheriff, or she can take control of her own life and find her own match. After a frightening run-in with her promised husband reveals a dark secret, she makes a desperate choice. Flight. Aedan Donne needs easy money and no-questions-asked. When Milene de Cheyne offers him enough to pay all debts, requests complete silence, and pays half up front, just for a simple recovery, he can't believe his luck… until he meets his mark. Anne’s beauty and passion ignite something Aedan can’t ignore, even as she leaves him in the dust. Suddenly, he finds himself wanting to capture the runaway Highland lady for himself.


The Highland Renegades Series

Book One: The Outcast Highlander
Book Two: The Runaway Highlander
Book Three: The Pirate Highlander -- Coming Soon!

My Review

My first impression of “The Runaway Highlander” by R.L. Syme was that it is definitely intriguing. Aedan comes across from the beginning as dark and mysterious. As a reader you are drawn to his story, and you want to know more about who he is and how he came to be this mysterious Scottish Highlander, working for an English Sheriff. Anne is also an interesting character. She’s strong willed and a little hard headed at times, but definitely a character that you care for and want to see succeed. Anne and Aedan make a great romantic duo in this novel. The connection and attraction is there from the beginning, and it leads to some good sexual tension between the two of them.

A lot of the story is unbelievable and far-fetched, but overall it’s a good, easy read. There’s not really a lot of depth to this novel, and at times I was completely confused and/or frustrated by certain character’s actions. I think that if you’re looking for an easy, quick read with some romance thrown in, than this is a good book to look into. However, if you want a historical fiction novel with depth, than you should probably look elsewhere.


I give this novel a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Buy the Book

Amazon UK
Amazon US
Barnes & Noble
CreateSpace

About the Author

Becca SymeR.L. Syme works at a youth theatre, teaching kids performing arts and musical performance classes/camps when she's not writing. Otherwise, she's putting her Seminary degree to good use writing romance novels. Let not all those systematic theology classes go to waste... For more information please visit R.L. Syme's website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Tour Hashtags: #RunawayHighlanderBlogTour #HistRom

Wednesday, May 14
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
  Thursday, May 15
Review at Bibliotica
  Monday, May 19
Guest Post & Giveaway at Susan Heim on Writing
  Tuesday, May 20
Review at A Bookish Girl (The Outcast Highlander)
  Wednesday, May 21
Review at A Bookish Girl (The Runaway Highlander)
  Thursday, May 22
Interview & Giveaway at A Bookish Girl
  Friday, May 23
Guest Post at Layered Pages
  Monday, May 26
Review at My Not So Vacant Bookshelf
  Tuesday, May 27
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time
  Thursday, May 29
Guest Post at Historical Fiction Connection
  Friday, May 30
Review at Lily Pond Reads
Review at From the TBR Pile
  Monday, June 2
Review at The Mad Reviewer
Review at Bibliophilia, Please
  Tuesday, June 3
Review at The Most Happy Reader
  Wednesday, June 4
Interview at The Most Happy Reader
  Thursday, June 5
Review at A Bibliotaph's Reviews
  Friday, June 6
Review at Historical Fiction Obsession
  Monday, June 9
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views
  Wednesday, June 11
Review at Fic Central
  Thursday, June 12
Review at Reviews by Molly
Interview at Books and Benches
Friday, June 13
Review & Giveaway at To Read or Not to Read

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Monday, April 7, 2014

BLOG TOUR AND GIVEAWAY: The Eagle and the Swan by Carol Strickland

Tour Hashtag: #EagleandtheSwanTour

Publication Date: November 7, 2013
Erudition Digital
eBook
ASIN: B00GIR54MI

Blurb:


For 1,500 years she has been cruelly maligned by history. Labelled as corrupt, immoral and sexually depraved by the sixth-century historian Procopius in his notorious Secret History, the Byzantine Empress Theodora was condemned to be judged a degenerate harlot by posterity. Until now. Due to a conviction that its contents would only be understood by generations of the distant future, a manuscript that has remained unopened for a millennium and a half is about to set the record straight. It will unravel the deepest secrets of a captivating and charismatic courtesan, her unlikely romance with an Emperor, and her rise to power and influence that would outshine even Cleopatra. This historical novel traces the love affairs, travails, machinations, scandals and triumphs of a cast of real characters who inhabit an Empire at its glorious and fragile peak. It’s the tale of a dazzling civilization in its Golden Age; one which, despite plague, earthquakes and marauding Huns, would lay the foundation for modern Europe as we know it.


Praise for The Eagle and the Swan



“It’s a book rife with detail and passion. If you like historical fiction this book hits on all cylinders. The level of detail in terms of prose and historical relevance is engaging. And THEN the plot is what’s moving. The love and lust combined with a compelling story, taking on universal themes from a cross section of history, makes for a gripping work.”



“Carol Strickland has written a masterful epic. It is beautifully crafted and impossible to put down.”



“Beautiful storytelling. Fascinating and well-developed characters. What an interesting time in history! This book was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. The Eagle and the Swan is a must-read!”


My Review:

The Eagle and the Swan is an absolutely fantastic work of historical fiction. It caught and held my attention from start to finish. I loved how the narrator told the story as Theodora and Justinian’s biographer. It was really interesting to set it up that way, and it really helped with the overall flow of the novel. The author’s writing style is amazing, and the character’s were well written. I really felt as though I knew Justinian and Theodora as I read their stories. The time period is also brought life with great imagery for me. I was able to picture the green versus blue competition, the hippodrome, the bribes used in elections, etc. Everything was so well described but without bogging the reader down with unnecessary details.

The connection between Justinian and Theodora is perfect, and as a reader you want them to be together and stay together. You can tell how much they love each other, and you really get an idea of what caused Justinian to go against so many people in order to marry her. They had a passionate love that the author really brought to life in this novel.

I would, without a doubt, recommend this novel to lovers of historical fiction. I think that even readers who preferred a different type of genre would enjoy this novel as well. It’s a passionate love story that is really brought to life for the reader, and definitely worth sitting down to read.

I give this novel a FIVE out of FIVE stars.

Buy the eBook



About the Author


Carol Strickland is an art and architecture critic, prize-winning screenwriter, and journalist who’s contributed to The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, and Art in America magazine. A Ph.D. in literature and former writing professor, she’s author of The Annotated Mona Lisa: A Crash Course in the History of Art from Prehistoric to Post-Modern (which has sold more than 400,000 copies in multiple editions and translations), The Annotated Arch: A Crash Course in the History of Architecture, The Illustrated Timeline of Art History, The Illustrated Timeline of Western Literature, and monographs on individual artists.

While writing on masterpieces of Byzantine art (glorious mosaics in Ravenna, Italy featuring Theodora and Justinian and the monumental Hagia Sophia basilica in Istanbul built by Justinian), Strickland became fascinated by the woman who began life as a swan dancer and her husband, an ex-swineherd.

Knowing how maligned they were by the official historian of their era Procopius, who wrote a slanderous “Secret History” vilifying them, Strickland decided to let the audacious Theodora tell her story. She emerges not just as the bear-keeper’s daughter and a former prostitute who ensnared the man who became emperor, but as a courageous crusader against the abuse of women, children, and free-thinkers.

Author Links



Virtual Book Tour Schedule


Thursday, March 13
Review at Flashlight Commentary


Monday, March 17
Review at Reading the Ages


Wednesday, March 19
Review at Unabridged Chick

Thursday, March 20
Interview & Giveaway at Unabridged Chick

Monday, March 24
Interview & Giveaway at The Maiden’s Court

Tuesday, March 25
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, March 26
Guest Post at Kelsey’s Book Corner

Monday, March 31
Review & Giveaway at Peeking Between the Pages

Wednesday, April 2
Review at Book Drunkard

Friday, April 4
Review at Just One More Chapter

Monday, April 7
Review & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Obsession

Wednesday, April 9
Review & Giveaway at Confessions of an Avid Reader

Thursday, April 10
Review & Giveaway at Curling Up By the Fire

Friday, April 11
Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views

Monday, April 14
Review at Oh, For the Hook of a Book

Tuesday, April 15
Guest Post & Giveaway at Oh, For the Hook of a Book

Wednesday, April 16
Review & Giveaway at Broken Teepee

Thursday, April 17
Guest Post & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Connection


ENTER GIVEAWAY!

Fill out Rafflecopter for as many chances as you can in order to win!
TWO people will be chosen to win an eBook of "The Eagle and the Swan"!



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Friday, March 28, 2014

BLOG TOUR: The Collector of Dying Breaths by M.J. Rose


"It is with irony now, forty years later, to think that if I had not been called a murderer on the most frightening night of my life, there might not be any perfume in Paris today. And that scent—to which I gave my all and which gave me all the power and riches I could have hoped for—is at the heart of why now it is I who call myself a murderer."  


From The Collector of Dying Breaths



"Perfume puts the finishing touch to elegance - a detail that subtly underscores the look, an invisible extra that completes a woman's personality. Without it there is something missing." ―Gianni Versace 



Publication Date: April 8, 2014
Atria Books
Hardcover; 384p
ISBN-10: 1451621531


Tour Hashtag: #DyingBreathsTour


Blurb:

From one of America’s most imaginative storytellers comes a passionate tale of love and treachery, spanning the days of
Catherine de Medici’s court to the twenty-first century and starring a woman drawn back, time and again, to the past.
In 1533, an Italian orphan with an uncanny knack for creating fragrance is plucked from poverty to become Catherine de Medici’s perfumer. To repay his debt, over the years René le Florentine is occasionally called upon to put his vast knowledge to a darker purpose: the creation of deadly poisons used to dispatch the Queen’s rivals.

But it’s René’s other passion—a desire to reanimate a human breath, to bring back the lives of the two people whose deaths have devastated him—that incites a dangerous treasure hunt five centuries later. That’s when Jac L’Etoile—suffering from a heartache of her own—becomes obsessed with the possibility of unlocking Rene’s secret to immortality.

Soon Jac’s search reconnects her with Griffin North, a man she’s loved her entire life. Together they confront an eccentric heiress whose art collection rivals many museums and who is determined to keep her treasures close at hand, not just in this life but in her next.

Set in the forest of Fontainebleau, crisscrossing the lines between the past and the present, M.J. Rose has written a mesmerizing tale of passion and obsession. This is a gothic tale perfect for fans of Anne Rice, Deborah Harkness, and Diana Galbadon.

Praise for The Collector of Dying Breaths

“History, mystery, ambition, lust, love, death and the timeless quest for immortality…a riveting tale of suspense.” – B.A.Shapiro, New York Times bestselling author of The Art Forger

“Mysterious, magical, and mythical…what a joy to read!” – Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author.

My Review:

“The Collector of Dying Breaths” is a sweet love story with some very intriguing twists. I liked that the mysterious aspect of the novel is introduced early, the reader is kept guessing, and as you get closer to the end, you’re definitely on the edge of your seat with some of the twists that take place! I really liked that the point of view switched between Rene in the 16th century and Jac in the 21st century. I’m usually not interested in reading novels that have a paranormal aspect to them, but the paranormal was introduced so subtly that it helped to make it more believable for me.  Jac’s story is great, and I love how the author created such a believable and interesting personality with her. I also loved her connection with Griffin, it literally stands the test of time and is so sweet that as a reader you really care about them and are rooting for them to make it. Also, the overall intrigue of any novel dealing with the De Medici family is fascinating, and it really brought the historical aspect of the novel to life for me, which was definitely my favorite part.

I wish that more time was spent on Rene’s life. The majority of the novel is spent in the present, and as a historical fiction fan, I wish more time would have been spent describing his life in Catherine De Medici’s court. I was able to get lost in time while reading the parts of the novel that took place during that time period, and I definitely would have enjoyed reading more about it.

Overall this was a great read. I loved the historical fiction aspect of the novel, and I also really enjoyed the intrigue. I was able to suspend my disbelief when it came to the paranormal aspects of the novel, and I ended up really liking the paranormal parts of the novel. I would defnitely recommend this novel to anyone interested in paranormal fiction or in historical fiction.



I give this novel a FIVE out of FIVE stars.

Buy the Book

About the Author

M.J. Rose is the international best selling author of fourteen novels and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her fiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews including Oprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio. Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the ’80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors – Authorbuzz.com. The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose’s novels in the Renincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of International Thriller Writers and runs the blog- Buzz, Balls & Hype. She is also the co-founder of Peroozal.com and BookTrib.com.

Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

For more information on M.J. Rose and her novels, please visit her website. You can also find her on FacebookTwitter and Goodreads.



Wednesday, March 26, 2014

BLOG TOUR: A King Ensnared by J.R. Tomlin

Publication Date: November 22, 2013
CreateSpace
Paperback; 244p
ISBN-10: 1493786598



Blurb:

On the dangerous stage of medieval Scotland, one man–in an English dungeon–stands between the Scots and anarchy.
Robert III, King of the Scots, is dead, and Scotland in 1406 is balanced on a knife’s edge. As he eyes the throne, King Robert’s ruthless half-brother, the Duke of Albany, has already murdered one prince and readies to kill young James Stewart, prince and heir to the crown.
James flees Scotland and his murderous uncle. Captured and imprisoned by the English, he grows to be a man of contradictions, a poet yet a knight, a dreamer yet fiercely driven. Hardened by his years in the Tower of London and haunted by his brother’s brutal murder, James is determined to find some way to recover his crown and end his uncle’s misrule. But the only way may be to betray Scotland and everything he believes in.

Purchase the Book

About the Author

J. R. Tomlin is the author of five historical novels: A King Ensnared, Freedom’s Sword, A Kingdom’s Cost, Countenance of War, and Not for Glory. She has also co-authored several fantasies with C. R. Daems: Blood Duty, Talon of the Unnamed Goddess, The Shadow Ryana, The Shadow Gypsy, and Women of Power.

She has close ties with Scotland since her father was a native Scot, and she spent substantial time in Edinburgh whilst growing up. Her historical novels are set in Scotland. You can trace her love of that nation to the stories of the Bruce and the Good Sir James her grandmother read her when she was small and to her hillwalking through the Cairngorms where the granite hills have a gorgeous red glow under the setting sun. Later, her writing was influenced by the work of authors such as Alexander Dumas, Victor Hugo and of G.R.R. Tolkien.

For more information visit J.R. Tomlin’s website. You can also connect with her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.


My Review:

"A King Ensnared: Book I of the Stewart Chronicles-An Historical Novel of Scotland" by J.R. Tomlin was an absolutely fantastic work of historical fiction! I was hooked three pages in, and couldn't tear myself away from reading it. The author definitely brings James I life and the history of that time to life with this novel.  The physical descriptions and the personalities of the character’s involved during this time in history are so clear that you can picture them as if they were walking around today. I felt like I really 'knew' these historical figures after reading this novel. It's obviously a well-researched novel, and the author stayed as close to what had actually happened as possible. However, the author makes sure that the reader does not get bogged down with boring details, and keeps the novel interesting. The battle descriptions are also detailed, and the imagery used to describe the battles put the reader right there in the midst of the battle.

I learned so much while reading "A King Ensnared". I had never read a book strictly about James I, so it was great to learn more about this king, while enjoying myself the entire time. I really liked how the author depicted James I relationship with England's king at the time, Henry V. It was interesting to read about how these two had a complicated love/hate relationship during James I captivity in England.

This book is a great read for any lover of historical fiction. It brought to mind N. Gemini Sasson's novels about Robert the Bruce, and was definitely just as well written. This novel is the first in a series of three, and it left off leaving me hungry to read the next one! I can't imagine that any historical fiction fan could possibly be disappointed in this novel. It is the perfect historical fiction novel.

I definitely give "A King Ensnared" a FIVE out of FIVE stars! 

Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Monday, March 24
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Spotlight & Giveaway at HF Book Muse-News

Tuesday, March 25
Interview at Flashlight Commentary

Wednesday, March 26
Review at Historical Tapestry
Review at Historical Fiction Obsession
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Thursday, March 27
Review at Confessions of an Avid Reader
Guest Post & Giveaway at Historical Tapestry
Guest Post & Giveaway at Let Them Read Books


Friday, March 28
Interview at Confessions of an Avid Reader
Guest Post & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Connection



Saturday, March 8, 2014

BOOK BLAST & GIVEAWAY: The Frost of Springtime by Rachel L. Demeter

The recent release of The Frost of Springtime, by debut author Rachel L. Demeter, transports readers to the war torn streets of nineteenth century Paris. Driven by paradoxical characters, steamy encounters, and a compelling storyline, it’s a bittersweet tale of revolution, redemption, and the healing power of love. Described as “poignant,” emotionally devastating,” and “beautiful,” The Frost of Springtime is sure to please historical and romance readers alike. Available now in both eBook and paperback. Currently Amazon Prime members can read the Kindle edition for free!


Blurb:


Publication Date: February 14, 2014
Black Lyon Publishing
Formats: Paperback, Kindle eBook

Genre: Historical Romance/Historical Fiction

To rescue her was to rescue his own soul.
On a cold Parisian night, Vicomte Aleksender de Lefèvre forges an everlasting bond with a broken girl during her
darkest hour, rescuing her from a life of abuse and misery. Tormented by his own demons, he finds his first bit of solace in sheltering little Sofia Rose.
But when Aleksender is drawn away by the Franco-Prussian war, the seasons pass. And in that long year, Sofia matures into a stunning young woman—a dancer with an understanding of devotion and redemption far surpassing her age.
Alongside his closest friend, Aleksender returns home to find that “home” is gone, replaced by revolution, bloodshed, betrayal—and a love always out of reach. Scarred inside and out, he’s thrust into a world of sensuality and violence—a world in which all his hours have now grown dark, and where only Sofia might bring an end to the winter in his heart.
Inspired by the 1871 Paris Commune, The Frost of Springtime is a poignant tale of revolution, redemption, and the healing power of love.

Read an Excerpt

The heat of their bodies mingled as one. With each breath, Aleksender drank in the sweet essence of his beloved ward. His mind swam with unorthodox visions and desires. He inclined his head, lost to the power of her nearness, entranced by everything that was Sofia.
“Alek, my Alek …”
Each word infused Aleksender with a delicious and undeniable warmth. Intoxicated by roses and wintertime, he found it difficult to speak, difficult to think. Breathless, he swallowed and met the haunting depths of her eyes.
“Please,” she dreamily murmured, “I want you to kiss me again…”



READ SAMPLE PROLOGUE & FIRST TWO CHAPTERS ON GOODREADS.


The Frost of Springtime


Watch the Book Trailer: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oqKUTaESvTE 




Praise for The Frost of Springtime:

“I am astonished at this being Rachel L. Demeter’s debut work, for in form and style, it is very much a tour de force. A riveting story of love and courage in the aftermath of a brutal war, the author brilliantly juxtaposes the hazing splendor of French nobility and the impassioned elegance of two people in love, despite all the world’s oppositions. The title is, in a sense, a representation of change: the beginning of a new spring with La Belle Époque and the transition into a new era, for the world and our protagonists. The wistful loveliness of the setting paints a picture of a crying France, blending in with the dynamic romance perfectly. Or rather, it does not merely blend in the background as much as glitters like the brightest jewel, shining with a vibrancy that makes one want to relieve the halcyon days of grand old Paris. I was captivated by the setting, the lush writing of Rachel L. Demeter, and the subtle expressiveness of the characters, which all compelled me to research more of the historical background, of the 1871 Paris Commune, through which this story is made more infinitely dearer.” – Buried Under Romance 


“We are in awe. The Frost of Springtime is a MUST HAVE! Despite that we loved the true facts, we fell instantly in love with the story. It was dark, emotionally devastating, and sensual. The innocence between the two main characters was beautiful and their love grew so strong throughout the story with such grace. One of us even cried while reading The Frost of Springtime. We loved the cover, we loved the writing style, and we adored the characters. We fell in love, really hard.” – Divas Book Blog 


“This novel is intricately detailed and wonderfully written! Opening with a heartbreaking scene, I was immediately drawn to the story of Aleksender and his Sofia. Of course, as the story moved on, other enchanting characters helped to make this poignant book complete. The author has blended historical facts with fiction skillfully, and presented several narratives flawlessly. It’s beautiful! I loved it!” – Romancebookworm’s Reviews 


“I absolutely love this book. The Frost of Springtime shows how love and tragedy go hand in hand and that love can actually be more powerful than anything. I have found that most books do not hit this point right on the nail like this one does. It’s a Historical Romance and let me just tell you this is one book I couldn’t put down.” – Magic Within The Pages 


“WOW!! The Frost of Springtime is a powerful, epic love story unlike anything I’ve ever read before. The emotional and visual/sensory depth is astounding. I felt Aleksender and Sofia’s connection from beginning to end. Aleksender’s path to healing was at times breathtaking and heartbreaking. This is a hero who loves his woman with every last breath, every fiber of his being… and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for her. AMAZING cast of secondary characters as well… a ‘villain’ who actually leaves you morally torn! Beautifully written (loved the vivid imagery and descriptions!), dark, unusual, rich with history, epic scope, and a soul deep love that only comes once in a lifetime… Brava!!!” – Sivonna, an advanced reader Buy the Book Amazon (Kindle eBook) 



Buy the Book

Amazon (Kindle eBook) *Amazon Prime members can read the kindle edition for free!
Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble
Black Lyon Publishing




About the Author

Rachel L. Demeter lives in the beautiful hills of Anaheim,
California with Teddy, her goofy lowland sheepdog, and high school sweetheart of ten years. She enjoys writing dark, edgy romances that challenge the reader’s emotions and examine the redeeming power of love. Imagining stories and characters has been Rachel’s passion for longer than she can remember. Before learning how to read or write, she would dictate stories while her mom would jot them down for her. She has a special affinity for the tortured hero and unconventional romances.
Whether sculpting the protagonist or antagonist, she always ensures that every character is given a soul. Rachel strives to intricately blend elements of romance, suspense, and horror. Some common themes her stories never stray too far from: forbidden romance, soul mates, the power of love to redeem, mend all wounds, and triumph over darkness.
Her dream is to move readers and leave an emotional impact through her words.

Get your e-book signed by Rachel L. Demeter



Author Links


SIGN UP FOR RACHEL L. DEMETER’S NEWSLETTER.

Book Blast Schedule

To enter to win one of the following prizes please complete the Rafflecopter form below.

2 – Kindle Ebooks of THE FROST OF SPRINGTIME (open internationally) 

1 – Signed Paperback of THE FROST OF SPRINGTIME (open to US residents only) 
1 – $15 Amazon Gift Card (open to US residents only) 

Giveaway will run from March 3-9. You must be 18 or older to enter. Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter on March 10 and notifiied via email. Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Rafflecopter Giveaway 



Click HERE to go to the Rafflecopter Giveaway!!!