New Release-Family Secret by Kay Lalone

Today I'm excited to share with you an upcoming release from Kay Lalone. This sounds like a great read just in time for Halloween. So, if you're looking for something a little spooky to add to your TBR pile, take a look at this!

***

Sixteen-year-old Thomas Patrick Henry is thrown into a web of secrets and demons after his mother’s murder.

On the road to solving his mother’s murder, sixteen-year-old Thomas Patrick Henry discovers a secret his father has kept from him for years. Tom thought Dad’s secret put him in danger, Mom’s secret is far worse. Magic. Witches. Ancient Book of Spells. Magical Amulet. Ghosts. Demons. Tom never thought these things existed until he is face to face with them. There is nothing else to do but destroy the demons before someone else Tom love dies. He already lost his mom and a close friend because this secret was kept from him. No one else will die. No one else will be possessed. Tom faces his demons. A mother’s love gives Tom the strength to slay his demons.

Excerpt:

“Ow.” Tom yanked the chain and dragged the burning amulet from under his shirt. Even the chain was warm, but there was no way he was going to take the stupid thing off. He let it drop to his chest and rest warmly on the top of his shirt as he stared at the demon.

“It’s not your grandfather,” Tom whispered. Anger rolled around inside him because of what this thing did to Sarah.

The dark figure stepped out of the shadows causing the boys to take two steps back. The demon looked like a man dressed in thunderous storm-like clouds from head to toe. Even his face was black and the eyes a dimly puke-yellow that churned Tom’s stomach. He felt Rob’s heavy breathing just inches behind him, but it didn’t stop a chill from shimmering up his spine like fingernails on a chalkboard.

“I know who you are.” Tom tried to sound confident even though his voice shook with fear. He swallowed hard. “What do you want?”

The demon raised a shadowy arm and then his stormy cloud-like body started to swirl like a mini tornado. In a gust of black smoke, the demon shot up into the air and zipped right over Tom and Rob’s heads. The boys ducked and laid flat on the wet grass, afraid the demon would consume them.

Tom turned his head to see the black smoke head toward Mr. Watson’s house. Tom got to his feet while Rob remained on the ground. The black smoke swarmed over the house and then drifted back down. It slithered around the house like a snake looking for a place to sneak in, circling several times before seeping through the crack in the window and disappearing inside.

Rob scrambled to his feet. “That thing is inside my grandfather’s house.” His voice was high-pitched in fear. “My…” He glanced toward the empty driveway. Then he sighed. “Mom must still be at the hospital.”

Tom touched Rob’s arm to prevent him from doing something crazy. He didn’t want another one of his friends to get hurt by this thing.

“We need to do something, but I don’t know what.” Tom glanced over to the tents in Granddad’s backyard, hoping Matt or Granddad would come running to save the day. But there was no movement over there.

Inside the house, Jake growled and then started to bark wildly. Before Tom could stop him, Rob dashed upon the back porch and flung the backdoor open. Jake continued his wild barking as if protecting Rob and the house. If only the dog could save the day, but Tom feared nothing would save them.

A cracking noise caught Tom’s attention, and he turned his head toward what he assumed was Mr. Watson’s bedroom window. The glass appeared pitch black at first, and then a face appeared. The same puke-yellow eyes stared at Tom and gave him an evil grin.



Author Bio:

I’m Kay LaLone author of Ghostly Clues, my first MG novel. Family Secret is my first YA novel. Both published by MuseItUp. I live in Michigan with my husband and teenage son (two older sons and a daughter-in-law and my first grandbaby live nearby) and two dogs. I love to get up every morning and write about ghosts, the paranormal, and things that go bump in the night. I write PB, MG and YA novels. No matter the books I write, I want my readers to feel like they have met a new friend. I’m an avid reader of just about any type of book (mystery, paranormal, and ghost stories are my favorites). I do reviews and post them on my website and blog. I love to collect old books, antiques, and collectibles. You can find many of my antiques and collectibles selling on ebay and at fleamarkets.

MuseItUp: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/young-adult/family-secret-detail

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostlyclues

Amazon Pre Order: http://www.amazon.com/Family-Secret-Kay-LaLone-ebook/dp/B014X7C59O/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1442342055&sr=1-3&keywords=family+secret

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00AGK32ZE

Blog: www.kaylalone.blogspot.com

Website: www.kaylalone.weebly.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kaylalone

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6580388.Kay_LaLone

#TBR Thursday: The Antique Love

Do you enjoy sweet romance? Then today's book recommendation is perfect for you. And...it's free on Kindle for a short time. So, what is the book?

A heartwarming, feel-good romance. Voted "Most Romantic Love Scene Ever" by readers of Love, Romances, and More 

One rainy day in London, Wyoming man Kurt Bold walks into an antique shop off the King’s Road and straight into the dreams of its owner, Penny Rosas. Kurt certainly looks every inch the cowboy hero…but he soon brings Penny’s dreams to earth with a thump. His job is in the logical world of finance – and as far as Kurt is concerned, romance is just for dreamers.
But when Kurt hires Penny to help refurbish his Victorian house near Richmond Park, it’s not long before the logical heart he has guarded so carefully is opening up to new emotions, in a most disturbing way…

If you enjoy The Antique Love, be sure to check out Helena's other books. 

#Inkripples-Patriotism

Welcome to this month's #inkripples post. Every month, Katie L. Carroll, Kai Strand and I use the second Monday of the month to write on a theme. This month's theme: Patriotism.

I can't think of a better month for this theme than July. With Canada Day on the 2nd, Independence Day on the 4th, and Bastille Day on the 14th, this month is filled with reasons to feel patriotic. And what better way to celebrate than with a book filled with the alpha men and women of the military?

Here are some of my favorite reads with military heroes:

Accidental Seal by Sharon Hamilton. I read this as part of the "Wrong Guy" box set. Ms. Hamilton did a great job with her Seal, and had some amazing military quotes in there.

The Hostile Operation Team Military Romance Boxed set 1-3 by Lynn Raye Harris. While the first book in this set was my favorite, the others certainly held enough heat, danger, and romance to satisfy.

Next up are three series of books by Tonya Burrows. I highly recommend each of these books. Tonya does an incredible job of writing these alpha males and the women in their lives. No whiny girls here, folks. Not for these hot guys.

HORNET:
Seal of Honor- This was actually the second book of the series that I read. And I couldn't believe I'd waited so long to read it.
Reclaimed Honor- I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. As my introduction to the series, I was hooked.
Broken Honor- Another great story in the series. And, to show how wonderful Tonya is, proceeds from the purchases were sent to

Wilde Security:
Wilde Nights in Paradise- This book was my introduction to Tonya's writing. She hooked me with this one story.
Wilde for Her- This book is my favorite (so far) in this series. There's just something about Cam and Eva.

D.I.E. Squadron:
Vision of Darkness- This series mixed the alpha military male with paranormal experiences. While I enjoyed this read, and look forward to more in this series, I wasn't as connected with the hero and heroine in this one as in the other books I've read from Tonya. I still recommend you read this, though!

Now, the books I've recommended feature men and women from the US military. And, while I read a lot of US military books, it doesn't mean I won't read about military members from other countries. So, my outside the USA friends...recommend your favorite military reads in the comments so I can find some more soldiers to cheer for :-)


Ripples in the Inkwell is a themed meme hosted by Mary Waibel, Katie L. Carroll, and me, Kai Strand. We post on the second Monday of every month. If you would like to participate compose your own post regarding the theme of the month, include any of the images displayed on this page, and link back to our three blogs. Feel free to post whenever you want during the month, but be sure to include #inkripples when you promote so readers can find you. The idea is that we toss a word or idea into the inkwell and each post is a new ripple. There is no wrong interpretation.

Themes:
July: Patriotism
August: Dog days/Things that drag you down
September: Fall/School
October: Fears/Things That Go Bump in the Night
November: Remembrance /Thankfulness
December: Celebration /Gifts

Canada Day and the 4th of July

Happy Belated Canada Day to all my friends up north!!! Hope you had a wonderful holiday yesterday. And Happy 4th of July to all my friends in the states. Hope you have a great day with friends, family, cookouts, and, of course, fireworks!

I'm taking a break from my usual #TBR Thursday post and asking you to recommend your favorite author/book with a military hero/heroine or a patriotic theme.

I'll be sharing my favorites on July 13th in my #inkripples post, so be sure to come back to see who/what made my list.

#TBR Thursday-The Dartmouth Cobras by Bianca Sommerland

**Note: this recommendation is for readers 18 and older.

Every day I get an email from Team Romance Reads with books on sale for $0.99 or free. (click the link and scroll to the bottom to subscribe if you're interested) I've purchased a lot of books this way over the last year...some that were just okay, and others that were OMG I can't wait to read more.

When I stumbled across as 3-in-1 series with hockey and BDSM for $0.99, I figured I'd give it a try. I LOVE hockey and enjoy a good romance with or without the kink.

I devoured the first three books. A book a day for three days, and I had to know more. So I bought the second trilogy and devoured them.

These books are intense. There's the couple relationships (and by couple I mean trio or more in some cases), the team dynamics, the games, family issues, management problems, and more packed into each novel. I felt like I read an entire season of a TV show in each book, and I couldn't wait to get more. So, what books are these?

The Dartmouth Cobra series by Bianca Sommerland.

Knights of ice and Masters in the bedroom, The Dartmouth Cobras struggle to save their franchise while losing their hearts to the only women who can handle how hard and fast they live. Between corrupt owners, pressure from fans and the media, and desires beyond the norm, they have to fight to make their mark as a hockey team. All the men share a common goal. Giving their all on the ice. And in love.
GAME MISCONDUCT (The Dartmouth Cobras #1)
DEFENSIVE ZONE (The Dartmouth Cobras #2)
BREAKAWAY (The Dartmouth Cobras #3)

Learn to play the game.

Knights of ice and Masters in the bedroom, The Dartmouth Cobras struggle to save their franchise while losing their hearts to the only women who can handle how hard and fast they live. Between corrupt owners, pressure from fans and the media, and desires beyond the norm, they have to fight to make their mark as a hockey team. All the men share a common goal. Giving their all on the ice. And in love.

OFFSIDE (The Dartmouth Cobras #4)
DELAYED PENALTY (The Dartmouth Cobras #5)
IRON CROSS (The Dartmouth Cobras #6)

So, if you love hockey and romances with multiple storylines, I recommend checking these books out. Books 1-3 are still available at $0.99 on Amazon and book 7 (Goal Line) releases 6/30/15. You can pre-order it for $2.99 on Amazon. 

Do you have a sports themed series you've loved? Share in the comments below!

#TBR Thursday- THE LOOKING GLASS WARS

As an author of twisted fairy tales, it stands to reason that I'd enjoy reading twists on familiar fairy tales and other stories. One of my absolute favorites is Frank Beddor's The Looking Glass Wars series. 

Based on the familiar Alice In Wonderland, this trilogy takes you to a new Wonderland, with amazing characters like Alyss Heart and Hatter Madigan.

When Alyss Heart, heir to the Wonderland throne, must flee through the Pool of Tears to escape the murderous aunt Redd, she finds herself lost and alone in Victorian London. Befriended by an aspiring author named Lewis Carrol, Alyss tells the violent, heartbreaking story of her young life. Alyss trusts this author to tell the truth so that someone, somewhere will find her and bring her home. But he gets the story all wrong. He even spells her name incorrectly!

Fortunately, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan knows all too well the awful truth of Alyss' story and he is searching every corner of our world to find the lost princess and return her to Wonderland so she may eventually battle Redd for her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts.

The Looking Glass Wars unabashedly challenges our Wonderland assumptions surrounding mad tea parties, grinning Cheshire cats, and a curious little blond girl to reveal an epic battle in the endless war for Imagination.

Alyss of Wonderland's rule has only just begun, but the Queendom and her White Imagination are already under threat. Someone has resurrected the brutal Glass Eyes, and they are attacking Wonderland on all sides. 

Has renegade Redd Heart freed herself and her assassin Cat from the prism of the Heart Crystal?

Can Alyss trust Boarderland's King Arch, as he extends a benevolent helping hand?

A battle is raging but who is the enemy?

 

The Heart Crystal's power has been depleted, and Imagination along with it. The people of Wonderland have all lost their creative drive, and most alarmingly, even Queen Alyss is without her powers. But at least the vicious Redd Heart seems to be similarly disabled. Amazingly, she is attempting to team up with her enemy, Alyss, in order to reclaim Wonderland from King Arch. Alyss might have no choice but to accept Redd's overtures, especially when she begins to receive alarming advice from the caterpillar oracles. . . .

Find out more about these amazing reads, and where to buy them, here:

Through the Looking Glass

Seeing Red

Arch Enemy

Do you have a favorite twisted tale? Share in the comments below!

#TBR Thursday-GHOST TOUCH

On Monday, LA Dragoni stopped by and shared the inspiration behind this week's #TBR recommendation.

If you missed it, you can read all about it HERE. This paranormal is about more than things that go bump in the night. It's a mystery, a love story, a redemption tale, and a glimpse at how one character deals with loss. Yes, there are ghosts, but I wouldn't mind meeting a couple of them sometime!

If you're looking for something more than a ghost story, I'd add Ghost Touch to your #TBR pile.

Tamara never expected to be the center of a love triangle, especially one involving a ghost. As she grows increasingly attracted to long-dead Cal, her co-worker, Dex, pays closer attention to her.

For fifteen minutes each night a portal opens in her barn and a horde of ghosts spills into her yard. She and Dex work together to find a way to help Cal and the thousands of spirits stuck in the void to cross over. When she learns she has the ghost touch—the ability to touch the ghosts as if they were corporeal—and she accidentally helps a little boy cross, she believes it might be possible. But not all the spirits play nice and when they learn they can sip energy from her ghost touch, they become greedy putting her life at risk.

Each time Cal has to pull her from the mass of ghosts, her touch restores him more and more until he is at danger of being stuck on earth—forever, which is very enticing to Tamara the better she knows him. Will she and Dex figure out how to help the spirits cross and if they do, 

will she be able to let Cal go?

#TBR Thursday- ELIXIR BOUND

One of the first books I ever read from MuseItUp Publishing was Elixir Bound, by Katie L. Carroll. Not only was this book an amazing read, but it was the beginning of what's become a wonderful online friendship. 

Katie has created a wonderful world in Elixir Bound, but knowing that this story came out of dealing with the loss of her sister makes it that much more of a touching read.

The cover is stunning (and just as lovely as a paperback!) But I know you're like me and a pretty cover isn't always enough to sway you. You need to see what that back cover copy says. 

Katora Kase is next in line to take over as guardian to a secret and powerful healing Elixir. Now she must journey into the wilds of Faway Forest to find the ingredient that gives the Elixir its potency. Even though she has her sister and brother, an old family friend, and the handsome son of a mapmaker as companions, she feels alone. It is her decision alone whether or not to bind herself to the Elixir to serve and protect it until it chooses a new guardian. The forest hosts many dangers, including wicked beings that will stop at nothing to gain power, but the biggest danger Katora may face is whether or not to open up her heart to love. 

Have a book you'd like to recommend? Share it in the comments below!

#TBR Thursday-THE BONE TREATY

Today's book is one I read many versions of. From the earlier drafts, right down to the final content edits. The author is one of my oldest critique partners and beta readers, and a very dear friend. I'm so happy to have been there along all the stages of her journey with this book.

With two guys to choose from-and believe me, even in the early days we both had problems picking which guy we thought should get the girl-a great cast of characters to fall in love with, and a story line that involves pirates and a biblical prophecy, what more could you want? What book am I talking about?

If the cover isn't enough to grab your attention, how about the blurb?

A power as old as King Solomon awakens when a seventeen-year-old girl marks the brooding hot abductor ordered to seize her. 

Addie Heaton’s not your average high school student. Orphaned at two, she’s spent most of her life reading the emotions of others. It’s a little trick she likes to call color-vision. But lately, a stranger has been trailing her, putting off shades of black and red—colors Addie hasn’t seen since the night her parents were killed—colors Addie never wanted to see again. 

But when Addie comes face to face with Conal Reed, owner of the terrifying shades, she learns her stranger’s a little different too. He’s brooding hot, mysterious, and all too elusive. Conal loves to materialize, and then vanish at all the wrong times. Nice. 

Not. 

After years of keeping her ability a secret, Addie’s found another person with gifts, someone who may know what she really is. But Conal’s not talking. He’s having more fun showing up uninvited, teasing her senses, and disappearing at all the wrong times. Instead of finding answers, Addie finds herself reconsidering ever being alone and naked again.

 







Have a book you'd like to recommend? Share in the comments below!

#TBR Thursday??-SUPER BAD

Have we fallen into an alternate dimension? Have you slept through the first three days of the week? Do you hear the theme from The Twilight Zone playing in the background? 

Don't panic. It's really Monday, but I needed to swap posts around on the blog this week for a special guest visitor on Thursday. 

So, on this mixed up week I'm suggesting a book that won't be out until Wednesday! See, let me break one rule and that isn't enough. I have to break more. Or am I? Remember I said that I'd only recommend books I've read. Well, I not only beta read this one (and had a blast with it!) I also was given an ARC from the author, who happens to be one of my closest writing friends. So, what is this book that has me breaking the rules?

Talk about a hot cover! How about the blurb?

The world is in chaos. Violence and thievery reign. And with the supers still balanced, it’s only getting worse. Without good versus evil, the supers care less and less. In order to restore purpose, the world needs its super heroes and its super villains, but the one who balanced them in the first place is missing.

Sandra’s concern over finding her brother, Jeff, isn’t her only problem. Her pathetic excuse for super powers has left her needing a new ankle. And though she’s still very much committed to her boyfriend, Source, she’s growing unreasonably attracted to Set, the boy who double crossed Jeff by stealing his girlfriend. 

When Sandra is taken and held as bait by some kids who want to unbalance the super world, it becomes the inciting event that changes things for supers everywhere and forces them to answer the question, “Hero or villain?” 

As you can see, this is part of a series. In fact, it's the final installment of the SUPER VILLAIN ACADEMY series (or is it?).  Be sure to stop back on May 14th for a special #TBR Thursday where you can learn about the rest of the books in the series and some behind the scenes things from the author.

#TBR Thursday-THE DEVIL TAKE YOU

This week I'm feeling a little nostalgic-probably because I just celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary. Anyway, because I'm enjoying remembering my past, I'm choosing my favorite Historical Romance for this week's #TBR. 

When I first read this book, I quickly fell in love with the hero and heroine. Man with tortured past trying to claim his birthright saves girl from a horrible fate, tying her to him without realizing that she could be the key to all that he wants.

Set in Scotland during the transition from King Edward I to King Edward II, this book takes you from the highlands and into England.

So, what book is it?

Need more information? Here's the book blurb:

Gard Marschand will stop at nothing in his pursuit to regain what is lost. Concealing his true identity, he will associate with his enemies, kill his own countrymen, even sell his soul to the devil if all else fails. He will lie, cheat, steal, rape and siege his way across two countries gaining power and reputation in his malevolent wake. His determination all consuming, until King Edward commands Gard to lay siege on Ross-shire holding, where Braelynn Galbraith obliterates his single-minded purpose.

Braelynn Galbraith wants peace for her beloved Scotland, marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Callum, and a house full of children. In that order. But evil incarnate in the form of Gard Marschand, turns her life inside out and destroys all hope of a decent marriage.

Can Gard abandon his deep-seated need of revenge for a love that might just save his soul, or will he succumb to the demons that hound him and surrender to the devil within?

I believe your stay in purgatory has only just begun...

If you're looking for a dark read, I highly recommend this one! 

Have a book you've read you want to recommend? Share in the comments below.

#TBR Thursday-CARTER REED

Here it is. My first TBR recommendation. And boy was this hard! With all the books one my shelves (both physical and electronic) choosing what to feature first was quite a difficult task. But one book kept popping up in my mind over and over. WARNING: This book is for 18+ only.  

So, what book is it?

If you like dark, gritty stories where a girl on the run for her life turns to a guy who may be more dangerous than the one chasing her, then this is a book for you.

I don't remember how I stumbled upon this book, but when I went to Amazon and clicked on the "Look Inside" feature, I knew I had to read more. I was caught from the first sentence:

"Douchebag's here."

What an opening line! Add in a murder, the mob, and and a smexy hero. This book kept me turning pages to see how things would work out between our hero and heroine.

Need more information? Here's the book blurb:

Emma decided to skip the gym and went home early. It was the last easy decision she made because she found her roommate being raped by the boyfriend. She had two choices. Call the cops and be killed by his family’s mafia connections or kill him first and hope to survive. There was no choice to her. She killed the bastard first and went to the one person who could protect her. Carter Reed. He’s a weapon for the rivaling mafia family, but he’s also Emma’s secret. Not only was he best friends with her brother, but she’s the reason he became that weapon in the first place. 

If you're looking for a dark read, I highly recommend this one! 

Have a book you've read you want to recommend? Share in the comments below.