Featured

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Book Blitz | Deviations by Anma Natsu | Giveaway




DEVIATIONS
by Anma Natsu
Published: February 14th, 2016
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
“We’re just deviants, that’s all. You, me, Taka. We’re deliciously, wonderfully deviant.”

Scarred
Seventeen-year-old Miho has spent years struggling to deal with the aftermath of a tragic accident. Between the nightmares, PTSD, depression, and her parents’ abandonment, the burden of being the sole survivor has her near her breaking point. The darkness whispers to her, promises of release from the pain, from being a burden, if she is willing to give up.

Battered
While the girls love classmate Shinji’s blond hair and blue eyes, to his father it’s all the proof he needs that his wife was unfaithful. Unwanted and unloved, Shinji is used to his mother’s hatred, his brother’s indifference, and his father’s violence. Male or female, he doesn’t care; his regular string of sexual partners helps him temporarily forget that he will soon have to leave the only person he loves, if he can survive that long.

Controlled
As the first-born son, Shinji’s best friend Taka has known from birth that his future was not his own. He’ll go to the right schools, get the right grades, take over the family business, and produce a perfect heir with a perfect wife, just as his father dictates. Taka’s wants and desires are irrelevant; he can’t change his fate nor escape it, any more than he can protect the only person who keeps him sane.

Attracted
Drawn to one another like moths to a flame, the three find themselves torn between what society deems acceptable and a happiness they never dreamed existed.



The next day, she had to work in the library, so we went to the arcade until the campus was getting ready to close before returning to the school. We waited across the street. This time of year, it was still sunny at the time she came out, but again she didn’t seem to notice us, so we followed along behind her for a few blocks.

Once she entered Hakodate Park, I called out to her. I thought for sure she was going to run since this time she looked scared when she glanced back at us. Thinking back on it now, it was kind of mean to do, considering she was a girl by herself in the evening, and we were two guys following her around.

I was having fun keeping her on edge, like a cat playing with its prey. Again with the cat analogies. I laughed to myself. Still, I hadn’t intended to freak her out, so I flashed my extra friendly smile that usually turns girls to puddles, the Charming Playboy mode I didn’t give her yesterday.

“Hey, sorry for startling you. I wanted to give you this, that’s all. To repay you for helping Mitsu.” I handed her the long pink box from the store we’d stopped at.

“Oh, okay.” She looked at the box as if it might bite her. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, take it.”

She politely took it with both hands before lifting off the top. Her eyes went wide when she saw the scarf inside. The one we picked out was nicer than that other thing she had, made of a soft fabric in a rich, deep blue with white flowers. It was pretty without being overly girly, something that would suit her since she didn’t seem to go for playing up her feminine side.

“This is really for me? I…” Tears filled her eyes as she lifted it out. “It’s so pretty. I…I don’t deserve this. I really don’t. I…”

Worried she might refuse it, I slipped it from her hands and wrapped it around her neck for her, tying it loosely like she’d worn the other one. “There, perfect.”

“Aww, man, you made her cry,” Shinji said as her tears left wet streaks on her cheeks. It wasn’t the reaction I’d expected. When most girls get gifts, they squeal and giggle while blushing.

“No, no, he didn’t,” she said as she wiped her eyes with the handkerchief he’d handed her. “It’s the first time anyone has given me a gift in a long time, and it made me all silly. I’m sorry.”

Her light-pink lips turned up slightly. It was a shaky smile, but I admit, it was kind of cute. She bowed deeply. “Thank you, Okamura-kun.”

I was surprised she knew my name. I’d watched her during the class breaks and stuff. All day yesterday and today, not a single person came over to say a word to her. She’d been alone all the time. A loner like that wouldn’t usually bother learning her classmates’ names. But she had known mine.

“You can call me Taka, if you want. Everyone does.”

“Oh, okay, um, Taka-kun.” Another uncertain smile, though she was looking less afraid now.

“Miho-chan, you busy? We were about to get some dinner if you wanna hang out with us,” Shinji said. I’m not sure who his invitation surprised more, me or her. I gave him a sharp glance, but he wasn’t giving her that look he usually had for a target. Nothing predatory or turned on at all, rather it was a kind of knowing look tinged with sadness. I couldn’t understand it at all.

“I…” She hesitated, her hands fidgeting with the edges of the scarf. She didn’t seem afraid, but more like Shinji’s gaze made her uneasy. “I wish I could, but, um, it’s my turn to make dinner at home tonight. My parents will expect me soon, so, um, I should go. Thank you again, Taka-kun.”

She took a few steps back. I half expected her to bolt, but she paused, to look at Shinji. “Um, Shinji-kun, we…that is, um, we got a new book in you might like. I kept it behind the desk for you.”

“Oh, cool. I’ll be by tomorrow to check it out. Thanks.”

She smiled another shaky smile then turned to leave. Once she was out of sight, I laughed. “Man, she is a jumpy little thing, eh? Wonder if it was her first time talking to guys or something. Wouldn’t surprise me if she was a virgin. Hell, the way she always wears those bulky, hot clothes, you wouldn’t even know she was a girl except for the skirt. I don’t think she has any tits at all, poor thing.”

Shinji didn’t join me in my mirth, though. He kept looking in the direction she’d gone.

“Shinji?” I prompted.

“Hmm? Oh, sorry. Mind wandered a moment,” he replied with a self-deprecating grin. “Miho isn’t that bad-looking, and she has some. I’ve seen them, when she has to stretch to shelve books. Not huge, but enough to have fun with. So, you planning to do her?”

“Her? Ha, have you lost your mind? Girls like that would be super clingy and expect romance and love and all that crap. I was just repaying my obligations, and she is kind of fun to tease.” As we headed out of the park, he looked back one more time. “What about you? You seem interested in her.”

“Oh? No, not like that. It’s more…” His voice trailed off. The silence stretched between us before he suddenly shook his head and gave me a grin. “It’s nothing. Come on, I’m starving.”

I felt like I’d missed something important in that exchange with Miho, as if the two of them had had an entirely separate conversation right in front of me without me realizing it. But what was it? What had they said with their eyes that Shinji felt he had to keep from me? We never kept secrets, not ever. So why was he lying to me now?


Author Links: Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+Newsletter

Anma Natsu is a Texas-based writer of stories that explore love in its various forms, including how it can be both good and bad parts of our lives, sometimes at the same time. Her not quite conventional stories span a range of genres but rarely follow the standard fare.

When she isn't writing, writing, voraciously reading manga and light novels, playing too many video games, and hosting her own podcast, Anma works as a web developer and steals all the free time she can to snuggle with her sweetie and her pets.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Graphic Novel Spotlight | Tokyo Ghoul, Vol. 6 by Sui Ishida

TOKYO GHOUL, VOL. 6
by Sui Ishida
Expected Publication: April 19th, 2016
Pre-Order Purchase: Amazon
Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way—except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers.

Things heat up in the Ward Eleven as the CCG investigates the high rate of Investigator deaths. Kaneki has an explosive run-in with Aogiri Tree, the Ghoul Gang, run by a Ghoul known only as the Sekigan King.


Sui Ishida was born in Fukuoka, Japan. He is the author of Tokyo Ghoul and several Tokyo Ghoul one-shots, including one that won him second place in the Weekly Young Jump 113th Grand Prix award in 2010. Tokyo Ghoul began serialization in Weekly Young Jump in 2011 and was adapted into an anime series in 2014.



Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Book Tour | Nobody's Obligation by Rebecca Barber




NOBODY'S OBLIGATION (Swimming Upstream #2)
by Rebecca Barber
Published: December 15th, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Sports
Ava Jacobs is a shy accountant by day, aspiring romance writer by night—and her first novel just got published…

Romance isn’t a big component of Ava’s life. That is, her real life. As the monotonous nature of crunching numbers and drawn-out board meetings slowly eats away at her, the only bright side to her otherwise mundane routine lies on the black and white pages of her debut romance novel. Her inspiration? A long-time infatuation—Tyler Andrews.

Until the Olympic swimmer read her novel and connected the dots…

Tyler Andrews is used to being the center of attention. But when his sister throws a romance novel in his lap, he’s surprised to be the inspiration for the hot, hunky hero. He has no idea who Ava Jacobs is, but he’s not at all happy with her using his likeness to spice up her steamy scenes. When he finally tracks her down, it’s her likeness that intrigues him.

It takes just one romantic dance at a company banquet to spark disaster…

When Tyler’s manager arranges a daring publicity stunt and offers him as an auction item at Ava’s fundraising banquet, the bids come in quick and hot. Little did Ava expect the winner, a work colleague, to donate Tyler as Ava’s date. With all eyes on the Olympic athlete, Ava can’t refuse a romantic dance. But even though Tyler was the inspiration for Ava’s steamy novel, she refuses to accept his attention if it’s not real.

Will Tyler lose the one woman who caught his interest? Or will Ava push him away in an effort to prove she’s…

Nobody’s obligation.








Tyler slumped in the oversized chair wringing his hands nervously, wishing he was anywhere but here, but he couldn’t walk away now. No. It was his fault she was hurt and he would do the right thing. He would stay until he knew she was okay. Until he had the chance to apologise.

“I don’t get it,” he admitted. “What’d I do? I didn’t even speak to her.”

“It’s not you, Tyler,” Christopher assured him with a sly smirk.

Tyler found himself wondering if Christopher had any other faces. In the ten minutes that he had met him, Christopher had half smiled more times than anyone Tyler had ever known. It was the kind of half grin that said ‘I know something you don’t know,’ and Tyler was desperate to discover what was behind it. There was a quiet confidence that Christopher exuded that intimidated the hell out of Tyler and he wasn’t sure where it came from.

“What is it then?” he almost begged, not recognising his own whiny voice. Tyler watched as the men exchanged glances. They were silently debating how much to tell him and how much to keep to themselves. In a way he understood, but he was about to burst with frustration. “Please! Someone just fucking tell me.”

Michael signed heavily, then looked at Christopher, who barely nodded before he began to speak. “It’s not you, Tyler. And it is you.”

“That makes no sense!”

“Tyler, Ava might look like the tough ‘nothing can hurt me’ ice queen, but that is so far from the truth I doubt she can even see reality anymore. Ava is a romantic in every sense of the word. And it’s worse than that. She’s an optimistic romantic. But life has beaten her down so many times that by hiding behind the tough as nails disguise no one can get close enough to hurt her. No one can scale the walls she’s built. No one except you,” Michael explained.

Tyler’s mouth fell open unconsciously as the words sunk in. “B-But she doesn’t even know me,” he mumbled.

“But she does. Tyler, for as long as I have known Ava, you have been her hero in every sense of the word. You’ve been her inspiration. Her guiding light. You were the one thing that was able to pull her from the darkness when it closed in and threatened to swallow her whole,” Christopher added, his voice soft and soothing.


Author Links: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Instagram | Amazon

Rebecca, one of four kids to her parents who are both primary school teachers, was born in Wollongong on the south coast of Australia before moving to the country with her family. After a few years of embracing all that country life had to offer, the family relocated to Port Macquarie with its white sand beaches. After a brief period enjoying the sun and the surf they finally settled in Canberra where Rebecca still lives today. But all through her childhood a notepad and a book where never far away. These days Rebecca is an avid reader, and when she isn’t buried in a book or cheering on her beloved football team she’s spending time with her husband Robert and their overly spoilt dog Levi.





Book Blitz | Alone by Kate L. Mary | Giveaway




ALONE
by Kate L. Mary
Published: March 29th, 2016
Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Romance
For the past two years, Jules has floated through life.

When the virus was released it changed everything about the world. Jules lost her mom and her home, forcing her to live with the father she barely knows. Now, even as society works to rebuild, Jules still feels like she doesn’t quite fit in.

Then she meets Roman.

Even before the zombies, he only had himself to depend on. Brooding and rebellious, Roman isn’t anyone Jules would have pictured herself with before the zombies came. But now she finds herself willing to give up everything to be with him.

The attraction is too strong for either one of them to ignore, but Roman and Jules soon discover that the uncertainty of their new world extends much farther than just the zombies. When disaster strikes, Roman must race against the most terrifying clock imaginable to save Jules, or once again end up alone.






I’m still grinning when we step outside. The wooden porch sags beneath my feet, feeling a little less than sturdy, but that isn’t what makes my heart almost stop. My smile melts away and my feet stop moving, and within seconds I’m shaking like a leaf.

There are three zombies in the yard. Three of them. I haven’t come this close to one since the first few months of the outbreak, and now there are three.

Roman steps in front of me and shoves the shoebox into my hands as he pulls his knife out, all in one fluid movement. “It’s okay.”

It doesn’t feel okay. It feels the complete opposite of okay.

Roman steps off the porch, and one of the zombies spots him right away. The thing groans and moves toward him, chomping his mouth. Gray skin stretches across his face, and the deep gashes that cut across the decaying flesh ooze with black goo. Thankfully, the other two creatures are facing the other way and haven’t caught wind of us yet.

Roman doesn’t seem afraid in the slightest as he walks toward the dead man. His knife is held firmly in his hand, but he’s steady. Sure of himself as he walks in a big arc around the zombie. He was right. They are slow. But it’s still terrifying, and I’m still shaking, gripping the box of batteries so hard the cardboard bows under the pressure. Just as Roman reaches the back of the first zombie, the other two notice him and head his way. My heart jumps to my throat and I reach out like I’m trying to stop them, but no sound comes out when I move my lips.

I try again, and this time his name comes out like a strangled cry. “Roman!”

He smiles like all of this is nothing, then drives his knife into the back of the first zombie’s skull. The thing drops to the ground, and Roman spins to face the others. He charges the second one, a sad-looking woman whose nightgown is stained and tattered, her gray skin barely clinging to her bones. Roman dodges her arms and loops around her back, then jabs his knife into her skull just like he did with the first one.

Two down, but my heart is still pounding wildly.

The third one is so tall that Roman’s head only goes up to the zombie’s shoulders. Next to him, Roman looks like a child. Even worse than his size is the fact that he seems to be faster than the other two. Less decomposed, even, like he’s just recently died.

Roman circles him, but the zombie spins too. His hands reach out to grab Roman, but Roman ducks out of the way. His face tenses, and his eyes dart over to me. I watch, frozen in terror from my place on the porch as Roman tries to get behind the zombie again. He could stab him in a different location, but with as tall as the decaying man is, it wouldn’t be safe. Only no matter how many times Roman tries to get behind the corpse, it doesn’t work. The thing is too fast and too hungry. Determined.


Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Award-winning author of WHEN WE WERE HUMAN and the Amazon best-selling BROKEN WORLD series, Kate L. Mary writes everything from post-apocalyptic tales of the undead to new adult contemporary romance. A mother of four and an Air Force wife, her days are divided between keeping her household in order and creating new worlds for readers to get lost in.




Goodreads Book Giveaway

Alone by Kate L. Mary

Alone

by Kate L. Mary

Giveaway ends April 07, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter Giveaway



Cover Reveal | EXRATED by Stevie J. Cole

EXRATED
by Stevie J. Cole
Expected Publication: May 2nd, 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Tyler Westbrook, better known as Johnny Depth, is taking the adult film industry by storm. With his playboy looks, it’s no surprise a few coworkers have attempted to take things off set and into the bedroom, but Tyler refuses to blur the lines between work and play…until the new assistant to the director walks in.

Jemma Morgan was recently fired from a lead role on a kid’s TV show that was supposed to be her big break. Unable to get another acting gig, she's accepted a job in an industry she never expected to be a part of. Although she anticipates being shocked her first few days on set, nothing could prepare her for the moment she's asked to hold the reflector as her ex-boyfriend plows through a woman like a Kansas cornfield.

In a world of butt-plugs, lube, and fake moans, is there a place for a second chance? Exes and some serious ohs…the term ex-rated just took on a whole new meaning.











Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Stevie J. Cole is a secret rock star. Sex, drugs and, oh wait, no, just sex. She’s a whore for a British accent and has an unhealthy obsession with Russell Brand. She and LP plan to elope in Vegas and breed the world’s most epic child.



Copyright © 2015 Once Untold
| Distributed By Gooyaabi Templates