Madison Carter - Fifth Grade Music Teacher and Reluctant Sorceress - Talks to Christine Amsden About Learning to Trust Herself and Finding Love

I would very much like to welcome both Christine Amsden, author of the paranormal romance, Madison's Song and Madison Carter - a fifth grade music teacher and reluctant sorceress - to Emeraldfire's Bookmark. Ms. Carter may have played a minor role in The Cassie Scot Series, but she has certainly come into her own and shines in Madison's Song.Thank you so much for stopping by Emeraldfire's Bookmark, Ms. Amsden and Ms. Carter and I wish you all the best now and in the future!

Meet Christine Amsden

Christine Amsden has been writing fantasy and science fiction for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and relationships, and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.

At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, a condition that effects the retina and causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get in the way of her dreams. (You can learn more here.)

In addition to writing, Christine teaches workshops on writing at Savvy Authors. She also does some freelance editing work.

Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. They have two beautiful children.

Synopsis of Madison's Song: 

Her voice is enchanting; his soul is black…

Madison Carter has been terrified of Scott Lee since the night he saved her from an evil sorcerer – then melted into a man-eating monster before her eyes. The werewolf is a slave to the moon, but Madison’s nightmares are not.

Despite her fears, when Madison’s brother, Clinton, is bitten by a werewolf, she knows there is only one man who can help. A man who frightens her all the more because even in her nightmares, he also thrills her.

Together for the first time since that terrible night, Scott and Madison drive to Clinton’s home only to discover that he’s vanished. Frantic now, Madison must overcome her fears and uncover hidden strengths if she hopes to save him. And she’s not the only one fighting inner demons. Scott’s are literal, and they have him convinced that he will never deserve the woman he loves.

*Stand-alone companion to the Cassie Scot Series

Coming to Amazon and Barnes and Noble on October 15, 2015!

Meet Madison Carter

Hi, I'm Christine Amsden, author of the new paranormal romance novel, Madison's Song. I'm pleased to be here with Madison Carter at the beginning of her adventure. (So no spoilers!)

A few things you should know about Madison: She doesn't know that her life is about to get turned upside down. She's a bit on the shy side, so if she seems nervous during the interview, that's why. But she's creative, talented, and fiercely loyal. I'm not sure that she would describe herself that way, but as the author, I get the final say. :)

And now, without further ado, here's Madison!

Christine: Hi, Madison, thanks for being here today.

Madison: No problem. I'm not sure why I'm here, though. Are you sure you didn't want to talk to my best friend, Cassie?

Christine: I'm sure. Cassie's story is over, but people are still very curious about you.

Madison: Why?

Christine: For a lot of reasons. But let's start with the obvious: Were you or were you not nearly killed two years ago?

Madison (shudders): Do we have to talk about that?

Christine: No, but I don't feel like we ever got the full story there. I know Scott saved you, but now you keep your distance from him. Why? 

Madison: He's a werewolf.

Christine: I see.

Madison: He nearly killed me, after he saved me.

Christine: Ah. Well, werewolves aren't exactly overgrown puppies, are they?

Madison: No. I burned a couple of werewolf romance novels after that night. Can we talk about something else? Anything else?

Christine: Okay, I understand that a year ago you lost your fiance and your unborn baby on the same night.

Madison: Okay, maybe not anything else. (Bites her lip.)

Christine: You do that a lot, don't you? Bite your lip?

Madison (blushes): Only when I'm nervous.

Christine: Why did your fiance leave you?

Madison: Because he found out that I was Victor Blackwood's biological daughter and he was at war with the Blackwoods at the time. He thought I knew, that I was some kind of spy! But that's not what really hurt.

Christine: What really hurt?

Madison: My dad, the man who raised me, sold the information for $10,000. That's how much I was worth to him, in the end.

Christine: Were you really in love with Nicolas?

Madison: Maybe not. It probably would have hurt more if I had been. Can we talk about something else? Again?

Christine: Okay. Let's talk about your life right now, is that okay?

Madison: Sure. What do you want to know?

Christine: What are you up to? What are your hopes and dreams? 

Madison: I'm a music teacher at Eagle Rock Elementary. I love my kids; this is the best job. I know many people who major in music want to perform, but not me. I'm happy just sharing music with my kids. This is what I want to do. What I want to be.

Christine: So you're happy?

Madison: Well...

Christine: What's wrong?

Madison: Nothing, probably. I haven't heard from my brother, Clinton, in a few weeks. I'm getting worried. 

Christine: Are you two close?

Madison: As close as we can be. Out mother died when we were young and our father...well, he claims to love his “real” child but he was never that great a dad. Mostly, all we had growing up was each other.

Christine: That sounds lonely.

Madison: Yeah.

Christine: What do you want, Madison? What do you want more than anything else?

Madison: A family. It's hard to trust, though, when you've been betrayed so many times.

Christine: I can imagine.

Madison: Can I ask a question now?

Christine: Okay.

Madison: Does this interview mean that something bad is going to happen to me? I mean, nobody wants to read the exciting adventures of a grade school music teacher.

Christine: Maybe not, but we'd probably want to listen if we could hear you sing. Your voice is enchanting.

Madison: It's not my fault. It just happens. I mean, when I sing, whatever I feel, other people feel it too.

Christine: It's a gift.

Madison: My dad didn't think so.

Christine: And your dad isn't getting a happily ever after.

Madison: Am I?

Christine: We'll have to read the book to find out. Thanks so much for being here, and good luck!

May you read well and often

Fiona Ingram - The Search For the Stone of Excalibur

32. The Search For the Stone of Excalibur by Fiona Ingram (2014)
The Chronicles of the Stone Series Book 2
Length: 353 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started: 17 September 2015
Finished: 28 September 2015
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 16 July 2015
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and Fiona Ingram is a new author for me.

Cousins Justin and Adam Sinclair have just recently returned from Egypt after spending several months desperately searching for the illustrious First Stone of Power - one of seven ancient stones that were lost centuries ago. After such a harrowing adventure, both boys are looking forward to going home and taking a well-deserved break from saving the world. Yet, before they've even thought about putting their feet up and taking a deep breath, Adam receives an urgent letter from his Scottish archeologist friend, James Kinnaird.

James reveals that the Second Stone of Power quite possibly has been found. This stone might be  embedded in the hilt of a recently discovered sword dating from the early sixth century A. D. Based on the location of the find: deep in a bog somewhere near Cornwall, archeologists seem fairly certain that this particular sword is truly exceptional - the legendary sword of battle belonging to King Arthur: Excalibur.

As Adam and Justin prepare to fly from their home in Durban, South Africa to James' ancestral home of Strathairn Castle in Scotland, they have no way of knowing that their long-standing nemesis, Dr. Khalid is intent on following them. Neither do they realize that another deadly society known as the Eaters of Poison are searching for them as well. The members of this particular society have their own private mission to complete, but don't have any qualms about how they accomplish it.

Time is apparently running out for the cousins as the confluence of the planets draws ever closer. Can Justin and Adam complete this second adventure in time? Will they find the second Stone of Power and survive? And why on earth would their poor, harried Aunt Isabel suddenly foist a mysterious twelve-year-old girl on them?

Justin and Adam must find the second Stone of Power and make sure that such an amazing artifact doesn't fall into the hands of the greedy Dr. Khalid. Their quest quickly expands to include locating and securing the safety of the mysterious Scroll of the Ancients, a secret document which holds important clues to the seven Stones of Power. As their adventure unfolds, the boys learn many things and face dangers that make even their perils in Egypt look tame. And how annoying for them that Aunt Isabel's surprising last-minute choice of traveling companion, Kim, seems to have such good ideas when they are both stumped.

I must say that I have always enjoyed reading anything having to do with the legend of Arthur or with Camelot itself. I love reading about the magic of that legend, although I will also say that I prefer reading stories based around an historically accurate representation of the legend of Arthur and the creation of Camelot. In my opinion, while I would have personally preferred to read the first book in this series, it is not absolutely necessary for the enjoyment of the second book. There was enough of a filling out of the background from the first book for me not to feel disconnected from the second book. I would give this book a definite A!

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Christopher G. Nuttall, bestselling fantasy author of the Schooled in Magic Series installment Trial by Fire, discusses his desire to create strong, yet believably flawed characters

Meet Christopher G. Nuttall

Christopher Nuttall was born in Edinburgh, studied in Manchester, married in Malaysia and currently living in Scotland, United Kingdom, with his wife and baby son. He is the author of twenty novels from various publishers and thirty-nine self-published novels. His books have sold over 100K copies in the last year. His latest book, Trial by Fire (Schooled in Magic Book 7) is currently an Amazon bestseller.

Connect and Socialize with Christopher!

Website * Blog * Facebook

Synopsis from Amazon:

After a brief visit to the Blighted Lands, in hopes of recovering something useful from Shadye’s Dark Fortress, Emily returns to Whitehall for her fourth year, bracing herself for the exams that will determine her future. But as she resumes her education, she discovers that the shadows of the past are hanging over the school. A teacher wants to break her, some of her friends are acting oddly and, worst of all, a boy intends to court her.

But as she struggles to come to terms with her own past, she discovers a plot to kill her and a deadly threat that may destroy the entire school...and a fight she cannot win, but dares not lose.

Coming to OmniLit on 12 July 2015 and Amazon on 13 July 2015!

Read the Prologue and First Four Chapters of Christopher G. Nuttall's Trial by Fire here!

I would like to welcome Christopher G. Nuttall, author of Trial by Fire, the seventh installment of his bestselling fantasy series Schooled in Magic, to Emeraldfire's Bookmark. Mr. Nuttall was kind enough to write a guest post for me and here it is below in his own words:

'Creating Sympathetic Yet Flawed Characters Within a Fantastic World'

by Christopher G. Nuttall

The Schooled in Magic series draws on so many different inspirations that it’s hard to say just when and where it jelled into its current shape. It started as a combination of a desire to do a ‘wizard school’ story and a ‘time-traveling expert’ story – the latter generally covering a person being thrown back in time and using modern knowledge to reshape the primitive society facing him. (The classic example is Lest Darkness Fall.) I played around with the idea of having the universe set in the distant past, then decided to put it in a very different universe instead – both to escape the Harry Potter connection as much as possible and to allow more room for storytelling. If I created the universe myself, I could make it be whatever I wanted.

Designing Emily (the heroine) was a more complex task. I wanted a flawed personality, to allow her room to grow and be shaped by her new world as much as she shaped it herself. I drew on my own experiences at school, then researched mental conditions and their impact on teenage children; Emily, although she doesn’t know this because she has never been tested, is autistic. This is partly because her parents were emotionally abusive; Emily simply never had the socialization that most people take for granted. But it also gave her a good reason to step into another world and never look back.

This makes her appallingly bad at social cues, for example; she completely misses the fact that some boys (and even a girl) are interested in her. To meet this lack, I crafted two friends for her; Alassa originally started life as a bully, then wound up as one of Emily’s first real friends. Imaiqah was one of her victims, then became Emily’s other friend. Together, they help make her stronger.

May you read well and often

Book Spotlight For Trial by Fire by Christopher G. Nuttall

Hello Everyone! I hope that you're all having a wonderful day today. I'm so glad to welcome bestselling fantasy author Christopher G. Nuttall author of Trial by Fire - Book 7 of the Schooled in Magic Series - to Emeraldfire's Bookmark. This is also my twenty-second Book Spotlight post ever, but I still hope that I do Trial by Fire by Christopher G. Nuttall justice.

About Trial by Fire:

Three years ago, Emily killed the Necromancer Shadye before he could sacrifice her and destroy the Allied Lands. Now, the shadows of the past hang over Whitehall as Emily and the Grandmaster travel into the Blighted Lands to recover anything Shadye might have left behind, before returning to Whitehall to start the fourth year. For Emily, it is a chance to stretch her mind and learn more about new and innovative forms of magic ... and to prepare for the exams that will determine her future as a magician.

But as she starts her studies, it becomes clear that all is not well at Whitehall. Master Grey, a man who disliked Emily from the moment he met her, is one of her teachers - and he seems intent on breaking her, pushing her right to her limits. In the meantime, her friends Alassa and Imaiqah are acting oddly, Frieda seems to be having trouble talking to her and - worst of all - Caleb, her partner in a joint magical project, is intent on asking her to go out with him.

As she struggles to cope with new challenges and to overcome the demons in her past, she becomes aware of a deadly threat looming over Whitehall, a curse that threatens her very soul. And when she makes a tiny yet fatal mistake, she finds herself facing a fight she cannot win, but dares not lose...

Purchase Your Copy From Amazon and OmniLit!

Meet Christopher G. Nuttall

Christopher Nuttall was born in Edinburgh, studied in Manchester, married in Malaysia and currently living in Scotland, United Kingdom, with his wife and baby son. He is the author of twenty novels from various publishers and thirty-nine self-published novels. His books have sold over 100K copies in the last year. His latest book, Trial by Fire (Schooled in Magic Book 7) is currently an Amazon bestseller.

Connect and Socialize with Christopher!

Website * Blog * Facebook

May you read well and often

Blog Tour For Twisted Sisters by Kimber Leigh Wheaton From December 7, 2015 to December 23, 2015 - Come Join Us!

Hello Everyone! I am extremely happy to announce that Kimber Leigh Wheaton will be touring the blogosphere to promote her young adult Paranormal Mystery Twisted Sisters - Book 2 in her thrilling Orion Circle Series. This virtual book tour is being hosted by the author herself and will last from December 7, to December 23, 2015!

Ms. Wheaton is also doing an awesome host-only giveaway - starting on December 7, 2015, she is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner at the end of her Blog Tour. Be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and I wish you all the very best of good luck in taking part!

Twisted Sisters Blog Tour Information:

Meet Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a bestselling YA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. In addition to writing, she works as an editor for two publishers, as well as select indie authors. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs and lots of dragons. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, video games, superheroes, villains, and chocolate - not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) Winner of the 2014 Rising Star Award at the BTS Red Carpet Awards in NOLA & a Silver Medal for YA Mystery/Horror in the 2015 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.

Connect and Socialize with Kimber!

Website * Twitter * Facebook

About Tortured Souls:

Sometimes Rest in Peace isn't an option

Kacie Ramsey sees ghosts - and it's ruining her life. Her mother left, her father blames her, and no matter how hard she tries, she can't keep the ghosts away. Now a new power has emerged. Nightly visions of grisly murders and a relentless predator draw her to the brink of insanity. 

When the phantom appears at a party, Kacie's longtime crush, Logan, saves her. He invites her to join the Orion Circle, a group of supernatural hunters with chapters in schools all over the country. Through the Circle, Kacie learns to embrace her spiritual powers, and for the first time in her life she feels in control rather than a victim. 

But the Foxblood Demon will not give up so easily. A demented serial killer in life who trapped the souls of the thirteen children he murdered, imprisoning them within the walls of his mansion. Now in death, he plots his return while drawing power from the pure souls of the children. He recognizes something in Kacie he's never seen before - a medium powerful enough to provide a vessel for his tainted soul.

Kacie can't ignore the tortured souls of the children crying out to her every night. With Logan at her side, she will fight the Foxblood Demon. But can they banish this powerful phantom, or will Kacie lose not only her body, but her eternal soul to the monster.

About Twisted Sisters:

It’s a child’s toy - what could go wrong?

While playing with a spirit board, two sorority sisters summon the vindictive spirits of three women brutally murdered by a psychopath. Join Logan, Kacie, and the rest of the Orion Circle as they delve into the disturbing events of the past to find the key to freeing the spirits.

But this isn’t any ordinary haunting. These ghosts were banished before, and now they have returned more powerful than anyone could have imagined. Anger breeds hatred and hatred leads to darkness - these phantoms are on the verge of losing their last spark of humanity and becoming completely lost to the shadows.

Can Logan and Kacie convince the tortured souls to embrace the light and move on, or will the spirits succumb to the hypnotic pull of evil, leading to an eternity of torment and suffering?

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Enter for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Twisted Sisters Book Publicity Tour Schedule:

Monday, December 7th - Book Spotlight and Excerpt at Sunshine Book Promotions
Monday, December 7th - Book Spotlight, Excerpt and Top 10 at The Cover Contessa
Monday, December 7th - Book Review at Amy's Review Obsession
Tuesday, December 8th - Book Spotlight and Excerpt at Itching For Books
Tuesday, December 8th - Book Review, Excerpt and Giveaway at Happy Tails and Tales
Wednesday, December 9th - Book Review at The Phantom Paragrapher
Wednesday, December 9th - Author Interview at Deal Sharing Aunt
Thursday, December 10th - Book Spotlight at Excerpt at Amy's Review Obsession
Friday, December 11th - Character Interview and Playlist at Amy's Review Obsession
Friday, December 11th - Book Spotlight and Excerpt at Susan's Book Bag
Saturday, December 12th - Excerpt, Author Interview and Giveaway at Tesairie's Book Reads

Sunday, December 13th - Book Review, Book Spotlight, Excerpt and Giveaway at United Indie Book Blog
Monday, December 14th - Character Bios and Giveaway at Little Book Heaven
Monday, December 14th - Character Interviews and Character Bios at Emeraldfire's Bookmark
Wednesday, December 16th - Book Review at Emeraldfire's Bookmark
Wednesday, December 16th - Character Guest Post at Ann Gimpel
Thursday, December 17th - Book Review, Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway at Unabridged Bookshelf
Friday, December 18th - Top Ten, Excerpt, Book Spotlight and Giveaway at Urban Fantasy Investigations
Saturday, December 19th - Book Spotlight, Excerpt, Book Review, Guest Post and Giveaway at Archeolibrarian
Monday, December 21st - Excerpt, Book Spotlight and Book Review at Stressed Rach
Tuesday, December 22nd - Excerpt, Book Spotlight and Book Review at The Avid Reader
Tuesday, December 22nd - Book Spotlight, Excerpt, Character Interview, Playlist and Book Review at Nay's Pink Bookshelf
Wednesday, December 23rd - Guest Post, Excerpt and Giveaway at Fundimental
Wednesday, December 23rd - Book Spotlight, Book Review and Excerpt at A British Bookworm's Blog
Wednesday, December 23rd - Excerpt, Book Spotlight and Book Review at Girl With Pen

May you read well and often

Introducing Monsterland by Michael Phillip Cash!

So, back in June of 2014, I had the pleasure of reading Schism: The Battle For Darracia by Michael Phillip Cash and here is my review. Schism: The Battle For Darracia is actually the first book in The Battle For Darracia Series and is the first book of an award-winning science fiction series. I have just recently received a copy of Mr. Cash's newest release: Monsterland. My mother had received it from Mr. Cash's publicist, Red Feather Publishing, and she passed the book on to me to read.

Meet Michael Phillip Cash

Born and raised on Long Island, Michael has always had a fascination with horror writing and found footage films. He wanted to incorporate both with his debut novel, Brood X. Earning a degree in English and an MBA, he has worked various jobs before settling into being a full-time author. He currently resides on Long Island with his wife and children.

Connect and Socialize with Michael!

Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter

Monsterland by Michael Phillip Cash (2015)

Length: 208 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon!

Monsterland Blurb: 

Welcome to Monsterland - the scariest place on Earth. All guests can interact with real vampires in Vampire Village, be chased by an actual werewolf on the River Run, and walk among the dead in Zombieville. Wyatt Baldwin, a high school student and life-long movie buff is staring bleakly at a future of flipping burgers. 

Due to a fortuitous circumstance, Wyatt and his friends are invited to the star-studded opening of Monsterland. In a theme park full of real vampires, werewolves and zombies, what could possibly go wrong?

Monsterland Book Trailer:

May you read well and often

Calling All Book Reviewers!

Hello Everyone! I was delighted to learn recently that The Ice Bridge and Blood Forge by Kathryn Meyer Griffith were recently released as audiobooks. I've had the pleasure of reading approximately eighteen of Ms. Griffith's twenty-two currently published books. Of those twenty-two books, twenty of them have been released as audiobooks distributed by Audible.

The two newest releases are, of course, The Ice Bridge and Blood Forge by Kathryn Meyer Griffith. The Ice Bridge is narrated by Ashley Arnold and Blood Forge is narrated by Marilyn Ghigliotti. I haven't had the pleasure of reading either book as yet - although I hope to at some point in the very near future.

Meet Kathryn Meyer Griffith

Since childhood I’ve been an artist and worked as a graphic designer in the corporate world and for newspapers for twenty-three years before I quit to write full time. But I’d already begun writing novels at 21, over forty-two years ago now, and have had twenty (ten romantic horror, two horror novels, two romantic SF horror, one romantic suspense, one romantic time travel, one historical romance and three murder mysteries) previous novels, two novellas and twelve short stories published from Zebra Books, Leisure Books, Avalon Books, The Wild Rose Press, Damnation Books/Eternal Press; and I’ve self-published my last five novels with Amazon Kindle Direct and my dinosaur novels are my best-sellers.

I’ve been married to Russell for thirty-six years; have a son, James, and two grandchildren, Joshua and Caitlyn, and I live in a small quaint town in Illinois, which is right across the JB Bridge from St. Louis, Mo. We have three quirky cats, ghost cat Sasha and Cleo, and live cat Sasha (Too), and the five of us live happily in an old house in the heart of town. Though I’ve been an artist, and a folk singer in my youth with my brother Jim, writing has always been my greatest passion, my butterfly stage, and I’ll probably write stories until the day I die…or until my memory goes.

2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS *FINALIST* for my horror novel The Last Vampire - Revised Author’s Edition ~ 2014 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS *FINALIST* for my thriller novel Dinosaur Lake.

Connect and Socialize with Kathryn!

Website * Facebook * Goodreads * Amazon Author Page

The Ice Bridge by Kathryn Meyer Griffith (2011)

Length: 254 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon and Audible!

The Ice Bridge Blurb:

She’ll fall in love again…with a man and the island. Charlotte returns to her Aunt Bess and Mackinac Island, a quaint retreat that welcomes summer tourists and allows no cars to renew herself and write about the island’s ghosts.

She’s come to help Bess with her heartache, an ended love with Shaun, and to renew a friendship with neighbor Hannah.

In winter Mackinac closes down and everyone looks forward to the ice bridge that freezes across the Straits of Mackinac.

Until Hannah disappears into the icy waters crossing it.

Everyone says it’s an accident. But Charlotte and her admirer cop friend, Mac, don’t think so. Something isn’t right. Hannah was too smart to go off the path.

So it’s murder…but why…how…by whom? In the end, it’s Mac - and perhaps Hannah’s ghost - who saves Charlotte and Bess’s lives when the killer decides they’re too close to the truth and tries to kill them, too.

Blood Forge: Revised Author's Edition by Kathryn Meyer Griffith (2012)

Length: 248 pages

Purchase your copy from Amazon and Audible!

Blood Forge: Revised Author's Edition Blurb:

This gun was forged in hell…and brings hell to anyone who touches it. An ancient evil is trapped in the bowels of darkness deep below ground, enduring an eternity of loneliness and torment. Then it discovers a way, an escape, back into the world of men…in the form of a seductively beautiful .357 Colt Python revolver.

Forged in the damned fires of the underworld, hammered from the strongest but cursed steel, the gun and the entity that inhabit it are capable of immeasurable destruction and insidious evil. Anyone who comes in contact with it, even touches it, will find themselves staring into the muzzle of a loaded and sinister gun…and into the mouth of hell.

May you read well and often

Book Excerpt For Never Been Texted by Linda Joy Singleton

Hello Everyone! I hope that you're all having a wonderful day today. I'm so glad to welcome Linda Joy Singleton, author of the Contemporary young adult Fantasy Never Been Texted, to Emeraldfire's Bookmark. Ms. Singleton is currently on a Book Release Blitz Blog Tour with Leap Books lasting through early September. This is also my twenty-first Book Excerpt post ever, but I still hope that I do Never Been Texted by Linda Joy Singleton justice.

The author is also doing an awesome giveaway - she is giving away five (5) ebook copies of Never Been Texted and a $10 Amazon Gift Card to six lucky winners at the end of her Book Release Blitz Blog Tour. Be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and I wish you all the very best of good luck in taking part!

About Never Been Texted:

When Ashlee’s stepdad completely forgets her birthday she takes matters into her own hands to get the one thing she really wants: her own cell phone. But text messages start rolling in from a broken-hearted boy, and though Ashlee knows not all stories end happily, she’s determined to make hers the best it can be.

Purchase your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and I-Tunes!

Meet Linda Joy Singleton

Linda Joy Singleton has published over 35 young adult and middle grade books about Goths, psychics, mermaids, aliens, cheerleaders, clones, parallel worlds, spies, dogs and ghosts. Her Young Adult series, Regeneration, The Seer and Dead Girl, were honored as YALSA Popular Paperback/Quick Picks. Her series for younger readers include, Strange Encounters and her 2015 release, Curious Cat Spy Club.

When she was 8, she wrote animal stories and by age 14 she was writing mystery novels. In 1986, she had the unique experience of co-writing a mystery, The Talking Snowman, with her favorite childhood author, Margaret Sutton (Judy Bolton Mysteries). Her goal was to have a mystery series of her own that that happened in 1994: My Sister the Ghost Series (Avon Camelot Books). Recently she’s crossed genres to publish her first picture book, Snow Dog, Sand Dog (Albert Whitman 2014).

When Linda isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, movies, country walks, camping, bowling and reality shows (she’s never missed a season of Survivor, Amazing Race or Big Brother). She also collects vintage girl series mysteries like Nancy Drew, Judy Bolton and Trixie Belden and in 2014 spoke at a Nancy Drew convention. She’s a longtime member of Sisters in Crime and SCBWI, and enjoys speaking at school, libraries and writing conferences.

She lives with her husband, David, in Northern California, in a country home where she’s surrounded by horses, peacocks, dogs, wild turkeys and demanding cats.

Connect and Socialize with Linda!

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Win Five (5) Ebook Copies of Never Been Texted and a $10 Amazon Gift Card From Linda Joy Singleton!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Never Been Texted Book Excerpt:

“I’m training Toffee.” I hesitate, biting my lip. “Because there’s this thing" 

“Thing?” he lifts a brow.

“A talent competition.” I reach down to scoop up Toffee, who licks my arms and wiggles her golden tail. “I’ve taught Toffee some tricks. She’s really good, and I can show you if you, um, want to see.”

He glances at his watch then shakes his head. “There’s a dog food shipment arriving in an hour, and inventory will keep me late tonight. I’ll have free time tomorrow and I’d like to see what you’ve taught Toffee. Can she roll over and jump on command?”

​“Much more than that. She can dance.”

​“Are you sure she’s not just jumping to the music? That’s natural for Q-Bees.”

​“She does real steps,” I say defensively. “Ballet, cha-cha, and rumba. She jumps through hoops, too, and somersaults. She’s the smartest dog ever.”

May you read well and often

J. L. Clark - The Avalon Relics: Lilith Links

31. The Avalon Relics: Lilith Links by J. L. Clark (2014)

The Avalon Relics Series Book 1

Length: 315 pages

Genre: Fantasy

Started: 16 August 2015

Finished: 2 September 2015

Where did it come from? Many thanks to Dorothy at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 27 July 2015
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and J. L. Clark is a new author for me.

Sophia Bennett is having the best summer ever: interning with a genome laboratory, cultivating bacterial colonies for eight hours a day; going to sappy movies with her best friend Angie every weekend; and daydreaming about her high school crush Jake the rest of the time. The only thing Sophia looks forward to more is her eighteenth birthday and celebrating with Angie. In fact, after graduating high school and enjoying the last days of a particularly glorious summer, preparing for college and occasionally catching Jake's eye are perhaps the most important issues on Sophia's mind.

And, indeed, those are the only things that cause her any particular worry...at least, until the night of her birthday party. Suddenly, Sophia is thrust into a world that she never knew existed, and finds herself being swept into the middle of the eternal struggle between good and evil. Time is apparently against her as she and her new friends seek to take possession of an anciently powerful magic before it falls into the wrong hands. 

Drafted into a war that she initially had no idea was being waged, will Sophia be able to solve the mystery of the Lilith Links in time to save her loved ones, or will the enemy ultimately triumph and destroy everything that she cherishes? When everything she knows about her life is subsequently challenged - Sophia must decide what she is truly fighting for - living an authentic life, or living the kind of life she has always wanted.

I must say that I really enjoyed reading this book. Sophia and her friends were so well drawn and I could really sympathize with their plight. I was immersed in the plot right away, and found myself immediately swept along into the story. In my opinion, this was a well-developed story filled with several unexpected plot twists. I have always loved reading books featuring the Fae, and am wondering where the next book in the series will lead. I would give this book a definite A!

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Reading Wrap-up For August at Emeraldfire's Bookmark

Hello everyone out there and I hope that you all had a terrific reading month for yourselves. I am known as Emeraldfire around the Internet and this is my new personal reading blog.

Anyway, I started out August with about two hundred unread books lying around the house and ended the month with...umm...uncountable amounts of books unread. All of the books that I acquired this month came from Bookmooch, authors and Amazon.

Let me try to break down the influx for you:

Changes to the TBR pile

Read from my TBR pile (Yes! I am a reading machine :))
- A Keiki Mystery: Warrior Dog by Emily Kimelman
- The White Knight, the Lost Kingdom and the Sea Princess by Judy Carlson

Added to my TBR pile (oh well, you win some and you lose some! :))
- Torn Roots by Scott Bury 
- Jet: Stealth by Scott Bury 
- Pokergeist by Michael Phillip Cash
- Princess Eyes Part I by Lucas Kana
- Princess Eyes Part II by Lucas Kana
- Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels With God by Deanna Nowadnick

Taken off my TBR pile and sent to a new home (Yay! Happy Dance! :))
- A Keiki Mystery: Warrior Dog by Emily Kimelman
- The White Knight, the Lost Kingdom and the Sea Princess by Judy Carlson
- Eleven Winters in Purgatory: A Short Story by Shannon Celebi
- 1: 32 P. M.: A Short Story by Shannon Celebi
- Papa Was a Gypsy: A Short Story by Shannon Celebi

Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, a very good reading month for me, considering. Here's a further breakdown:

Books Read: 2
Pages Read: 509
Grade Range: A+! to A!

So, there you go! The reading month that was August. I hope that you all had an equally good reading month; if not a little better. :) See you all next month! :)

May you read well and often