Character Interview with Giveaway: Blood Moon Magick by S.M. Blooding

Detective Paige Whiskey has a lot on her plate. A gate to Hell is permanently seared into her soul and she has no way of controlling it. She let a psychotic serial killing demon free in exchange for Dexx’s life. Her sister is about to have a baby and a whole world of crazy has opened in the Whiskey household. And, if that wasn’t enough, she and Dexx are trying to figure out their relationship.
They’re about to discover a world that has been hidden from the Whiskeys. A world of shapeshifters, werewolves, and vampires. A world that was hidden to end a bloody war. A war between shifters and witches.
Paige has to make a decision. Solve this murder and start a war? Or ignore it and keep her family safe?
But when Dexx is bitten, all everything changes. War? Or love?
Why is nothing ever simple?

Releases June 8

Goodreads/ Whistling Press Books / Amazon

(Free KU)

Interview:

Welcome to our blog tour for Blood Moon Magick. I hope you’re enjoying yourselves. Today, we have Leslie Mooney-Whiskey, Paige’s sister, with us. Please help me welcome her.

**Leslie waves to the audience, slightly slouched, her hands clasped between her knees**

Frankie: You look a little nervous.

Leslie: **chuckles** I am. I’ve never really been outside of your head like this.

Frankie: Well, don’t worry. People aren’t going to eat you or anything.

Leslie: Oh, thank goodness.

Frankie: Let’s start with something simple. What was it like being in Blood Moon Magick?

Leslie: Well, I was pregnant through most of it, so it was pretty miserable.

Frankie **laugh**

Leslie: I love bringing children into this world, don’t get me wrong, but I’m done. I could really be done.

Frankie: You have a unique gift in this series when you’re pregnant. Why don’t you share that?

Leslie: **holds up finger and straightens in chair** That’s what makes being pregnant miserable. I inherit the gifts of my kids.

Frankie: Oh, dear.

Leslie: Yeah. When I was, I don’t know, six months pregnant with Mandy, I set fire to something. I don’t even remember. I think it was bills, or something. I freaked out. Went screamin’ to Grandma to see what was wrong with me.

Frankie: How many things did you set fire to?

Leslie: We’re lucky we didn’t have to rebuild the house.

Frankie: But that’s a pretty cool ability, right?

Leslie: You say that when you’re the hormonal, cranky woman who sets fire to anything when she’s pissed, cranky, or balling her eyes out. We had to replace most of the kitchen stuff, my desk, a pillow, and some of Tru’s wardrobe.

Frankie: He could use a wardrobe change anyway.

Leslie: What? You don’t like his wrinkled Burmuda shorts and holy t-shirts?

Frankie: **laughs** No. I love them.

Leslie: You lie. You lie.

Frankie: Did you enjoy being in the story at all?

Leslie: Oh, heck yeah. I got to learn so much about shape shifters and other things. That was amazing. Shape shifters are cool! Did you know that wolfsbane really works? But only on the ones that were born that way.

Frankie: Did not know that.

Leslie: I Google while you sleep.

Frankie: I often wonder how you pull up information I don’t know.

Leslie: **smug look** I also really enjoyed getting into those old books. Grimoires. They were neat. And I got to go back to college to see my buddy who could translate them for me. Oh, boy. Made me remember some good times. And made me feel old.

Frankie: You’re younger than me.

Leslie: I think you need to math some more.

Frankie: Math is not a verb.

Leslie: I don’t care. You and I are the same age, dear.

Frankie: Oh. So…

Leslie: Those conversations between you and Mr. Dork? Yeah. You’re not too old to have a baby.

Frankie: If I wanted.

Leslie: You should use that argument more, then.

**Frankie sticks out tongue**

**Leslie smiles smugly**

Frankie: Fine. What’s it like being a witch in this book?

Leslie: Um, it’s cool. The magick is just very earthy and helpful. I love the connection we have through the All Mother, though that seems to have gotten stronger all of a sudden and I’m not sure why. But I like it.

Frankie: What can you tell us about the future books?

Leslie: Just…wow. The story just keeps getting better and better as we go along. Everyone’s going off in their own different directions. We’re all growing, and the other witches? They’re crazy. Just crazy. You’re—not you, Frankie, because you wrote it, but the readers—are really going to love it. I know I do.

Frankie: Thanks, Les. And thank everyone else for being here. If you have any questions for Leslie, please contact me on Facebook, Twitter, or in the comments section of this post. And thank you to our wonderful host for letting us take over her blog. Everyone, blessed be and have a wonderful day! 

Giveaway

Win a Signed Paperback of Blood Moon Magick and Necklace

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Book Tour

Book Review: Journey To Heaven by Anne Salisbury and Greg Meyerhoff

I received a free ebook for review

Book Description:
Crossing Over ... What Happens After Death?

Physsie showed up at the front door in her underwear in the middle of the night six months after she died. "I'm ready to get going on the book," she said. Anne Salisbury and Greg Meyerhoff were shocked. As intuitives, they weren't surprised to encounter Anne's mother in a vision. Before she had died, they had promised her that she would write a book with them from the other side that explains the afterlife--they just hadn't anticipated so dramatic a starting point.

The answers given by Physsie and the loving group consciousness All That Is, communicated telepathically through Anne, are revealed in Journey to Heaven.

This book is unique. As a medium, Anne shares with you the messages and experiences of those who have crossed over. As a channel of higher wisdom, Anne offers you insights into the deeper purpose of life on both sides.

If you have ever wondered about the afterlife, the transition of a loved one or your own crossing over, this is for you.
• Understand what death really is.
• Discover the realities of heaven.
• Learn how to create a better afterlife now. Anne Salisbury, PhD, and Greg Meyerhoff are award-winning authors, internationally known intuitives, and entertaining speakers who provide intuitive consulting and coaching for relationships, business, health, pets, and loved ones who have crossed over. Visit GoIntuition.com for your free eNewsletter.

My thoughts:
I enjoyed reading Journey To Heaven way more than I thought I would. I have always loved the idea that you get the decide what your life will be like before you are born. I liked reading about Physsie's experiences in the afterlife. What I got from this book is that life and even death is pretty much what you make it, and also you have to learn to love yourself. I give this book 5 stars!

I received a free ebook for review.

Buy on Amazon 

Book Review with Giveaway: Regina Shen: Resilience (Book 1) by Lance Erlick

I received a free copy of this book for review.

Regina Shen:  Resilience (Book 1)

Regina Shen is an outcast forced to fend for herself in a world that bans books and artifacts from before the Great Collapse. An approaching storm could be the least of her problems. The World Federation condemns Regina and her family to live on the seaward side of barrier walls. Those walls were built to hold back rising seas caused by abrupt climate change and as a place to dump outcasts.

A hurricane threatens to destroy Regina’s world, tearing her from sister, mom, and home. Now Federation agents claim she has unique DNA that could prevent human extinction. It's too bad she doesn't trust them enough to barter fairly, let alone with her life. Three-hundred-plus-year-old Grand Old Dames rule the all-female Federation using a rigid caste system. Their notorious Department of Antiquities, under the command of Chief Inspector Joanne Demarco, polices barrier walls, destroys knowledge from the past to suppress dissent, and pursues Regina for her genome.

Regina survives by her wits on swampy islands and thrives on salvage from sunken cities, including illegal print books from before the Federation. With her photographic (eidetic) memory, she defies Antiquities by consuming salvaged books not available in the Federation, which makes her an outcast even among her exiled peers. With Antiquities in pursuit, Regina fights to stay alive and avoid capture while hunting for her family. Does she have the resilience to survive both the storm and Antiquities?

​Buy the book:  Amazon   Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts:

It was love at first page! Seriously I loved everything about this book, I'm even in love with the book cover. I took this book everywhere with me so I could read it every little chance I got and couldn't wait to continue reading when I had to put it down for any reason. Resilience had all the things I want in a book especially my top 2 requirements of a great book which are great characters and plenty of action/adventure. The story reminds of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner (the movies because I have never read the books). 

Resilience is the first book in a series and that makes me happy because I'm not ready to leave Regina Shen's world yet, even though it's a world without men and that would be sad :(. I can't wait to read them all and find out what Regina and her friends get into next! I would recommend this book to EVERYONE! I give it 5 stars.

Author's Bio:

He was raised by a roaming aerospace engineer, growing up in various parts of the United States and Europe, as well as traveling through Asia. He took to stories as his anchor, including the works of Asimov, Bradbury, and Heinlein, and has been writing since age eleven.

Growing up, he was inspired by his father’s engineering work on cutting-edge aerospace projects to look to the future.

In an ideal world, Lance would find time loops where he could step out for a week at a time to read and write. Then he would return to the moment he left, without life getting in the way. Of course, since everyone would have the same ability, he suspects life would still sneak in.

Lance is also the author of short stories and novelettes.

Connect with the author:  Website   Twitter   Facebook   Goodreads

Giveaway:​

Win 1 signed copy of Resilience + $15 Amazon gift card + 2 sets of postcards / 2 winners will receive a signed copy of Resilience / a free ebook copy of The Rebel Within (open to USA)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Spotlight with Giveaway: Willem by Victoria Danann

Willem

The Witches of Wimberley

Book One

Victoria Danann

Genre: paranormal romance

Publisher: dba 7th House, Imprint of Andromeda LLC

Date of Publication: June 24, 2016

Number of pages: 265

Word Count: 64,000

Book Description:

Willem is an out of work actor. He gave himself ten years to make it and never got a single paying job. While waiting for what would probably be his last audition ever, the guy standing behind him in line gave him a card with a phone number and said, “If you’re definitely quitting, try the witches.”

He took the card for the sake of being polite and planned to throw it away. But he didn’t throw it away. He called the number, entered the annual competition to win a witch, and won. To his amazement, he got everything he’d ever wanted from life, but in the end would have to make a choice. What’s more important? Being happy or being free of commitment?

AMAZON     APPLE     NOOK     KOBO

Excerpt:

“Lyra, this is Willem.”

“Oh, yes. Willem. Are you having fun?”

“I, ah, yes. I just got here.”

“Have you had something to eat? We wouldn’t want you to be hungry and there’s so much food!”

“I’ll never forget the food.”

She barked out a laugh. “You hope!”

It took me a second to catch up and remember about the memory wipe thing.

“Well, yeah, I guess I do hope I remember.”

Her grin resolved into a smile. “So tell me what you’re going to do with your life if you win, Willem.”

“You know, that still sounds like one of those what-would-you-do-if-you-got-a-million-dollars questions. It feels too unreal to take seriously.”

She nodded. “A good solid honest answer. I like that.” After studying me for a few seconds, she said, “Okay. You passed my test. Let me introduce you to Lilith.”

She turned me around when she took my arm and, as she did, I happened to catch a heated look exchanged between Harmony and Raider. It was an, “Ah hah,” moment immediately followed by an, “Oh, crap,” moment when I realized that, if I won Harmony’s sister, Raider would be my brother-in-law. I understood why he was happy enough to star in the Orientation video and babysit inexperienced canoers on the river. She was a catch and he knew it.

I decided there are worse things than being in Raider’s family. He didn’t actually finish drowning me in the river, but at the time it felt like he was trying. On the other hand, he insisted on showing me to the ballroom. And he called me ‘hero’. Who couldn’t get used to that?

I was ushered from one beautiful woman to the next and each took measure of me in her own way. It was an interview, or audition, but it was the most pleasant I’d ever experienced. Or ever would, I was sure.

Still, after an hour or so, I was getting hungry. When Bless tried to walk me to another chat, I balked.

“Hey, could you maybe give me a couple of minutes to partake of some of the amazing feast stations? I haven’t eaten and that guy in the other part of the house carving that prime rib really spoke to me.”

Bless had a laugh that didn’t exactly sound like tinkling bells, but reminded me of them just the same. “Certainly, Willem. Would you like me to accompany you?”

“That would be…” I happened to look away and notice that most of the conversational groups in the room consisted of clusters of contestants, not a witch in sight. I realized that’s what I’d been seeing the whole time whenever I looked away from the woman I was talking with. “Bless, I hope this isn’t an inappropriate question, but am I getting special treatment?”

Bless treated me to an extra big helping of her tinkling bells laugh. “Willem, you’re quite perceptive. And you’ve passed my test.”

“You know, you’re the sixth or seventh person to say that to me. Is this a gauntlet of gorgeous women in sexy red dresses?”

Again the laugh. “I love that description. You’re quite a character, Willem. You would fit in around here.” As she smiled at me, she grabbed the elbow of another beauty passing by. “Glory, this is Willem.”

When Glory smiled, I knew how she was named. “Hi, Willem.”

“He’s hungry and headed in the direction of prime rib.”

“Of course he is. I don’t see a man like this eating watercress.”

“Yes, well, perhaps you’d like to accompany him while he dines.”

Glory seemed as ecstatic as if she’d won the prize herself. “Of course! Willem. I’d be honored.”

She slipped her arm in mind and walked me to the prime rib. “What would you like with that?” she asked. “While Raleigh is slicing your rib just the way you want it, I’ll gather up something to go with.”

“You sure?”

“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”

“Okay, then. Caesar salad. And did I see au gratin potatoes?” She nodded. “That should do.”

She pointed to a table at the rear of the room. “I’ll meet you right there.”

She was there with salad and spuds before I arrived with a hunk of prime rib that smelled so good it was all I could do to not face plant into the plate and tear into it with my teeth. Somehow I managed to preserve enough dignity to sit and take a few bites of salad before digging into my current reason for living with fork and knife.

Out of nowhere a waiter appeared on my right pouring red wine into my glass. That was followed with a delivery of ice water seconds later.

“You’ve eaten?” I asked Glory, who sat smiling with her legs crossed as if there’s nothing in the universe she’d rather be doing than watching me eat.

“Much earlier.”

Someone appeared with a mint garnished drink that I hadn’t heard Glory order.

“I’ve decided that Wimberley must have the best service in the world. I’m certain the queen of England is envious.”

She smiled. “Don’t you know you get what you pay for, Willem?”

“So I’ve heard. I’m just a middle class boy from Alabama so I wouldn’t have much personal experience in that department.”

“You don’t strike me as someone who thinks of Golden Bull Buffet as a special occasion.”

“I had some nice times courtesy of my agent.”

“Your agent? Oh, that’s right. You were an actor.”

“How is it that everyone seems to know me by name? And, obviously, some know more than just my name. Have you memorized bios on all fifty contestants? And come to think of it, why did you say ‘were an actor’?”

“First, yes. We look over incoming guests. Second, some of us just learn names, some of us read more and have good recall. Third, you told our people in L.A. that you’re done with acting. That puts it in the past tense, right?”

“Right. So, should I be asking questions about you?”

She grinned. “You’re funny, Willem.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because you have been asking questions.”

Hearing her say it out loud, I realized that was true.

“This prime rib is indescribable. And the wine, he didn’t ask me for a preference, but I’ve gotta tell you. It’s amazing.”

“If you win, you’ll eat whatever you want when you want it. As far as the staff goes, they’re very skilled at reading people and anticipating needs.”

“Or desires.”

“You’re quick, Willem. I like that. And you’ve passed my test.”

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of eleven romances. Victoria's Knights of Black Swan series won BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE SERIES THREE YEARS IN A ROW. Reviewers Choice Awards, The Paranormal Romance Guild.

Her paranormal romances come with uniquely fresh perspectives on "imaginary" creatures, characters, and themes. She adds a dash of scifi, a flourish of fantasy, enough humor to make you laugh out loud, and enough steam to make you squirm in your chair. Her heroines are independent femmes with flaws and minds of their own whether they are aliens, witches, demonologists, psychics, past life therapists. Her heroes are hot and hunky, but they also have brains, character, and good manners. **Usually.

Victoria lives in The Woodlands, Texas with her husband and a very smart, mostly black German Shepherd dog.

WEBSITE: http://www.VictoriaDanann.com    

MAIL LIST: http://bit.ly/1IfByBg   

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/VictoriaDanannBooks

    

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/vdanann

 

PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/vdanann

 

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5822912.Victoria_Danann   

Tour giveaway

3 signed paperbacks of WILLEM. Must be a subscriber of Victoria’s mailing list to be entered to win - Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1IfByBg    

Book Blitz with Giveaway: Such A Daring Endeavor by Cortney Pearson

Such A Daring Endeavor
Cortney Pearson
(Stolen Tears, #2)
Publication date: June 23rd 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Hope only fades if you allow it to…
Now that Talon Haraway has been taken captive by the Arcaians, Ambry knows it’s only a matter of time before he is executed. But to make matters worse, she must go against her once-best-friend, Gwynn Hawkes, to free him. Whether Ambry likes it or not, drinking those tears changed Gwynn. Not only is she subjecting her kinsmen’s magic, but with Tyrus preoccupied with his upcoming war, Gwynn is acting more and more in Tyrus’s stead, giving commands and leading skirmishes.

Ambry refuses to believe Gwynn is gone for good, however. Along with juggling with her forbidden feelings for Talon, her desire to free her people’s magic, and the ever-growing need to protect the tears from being drunk, the solution to stopping Gwynn means hoping harder than she ever has before. Hope can’t undo what magic has already done, but paired with action–and her newfound magic–Ambry’s hope in Gwynn might be just what her friend needs to leave the dark path she’s on.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks

Sequel to:



Join Ambry Csille in her quest to rescue a stolen vial of tears containing the most powerful magic ever shed. Ambry makes deals with sirens, plunges deep into love with a mysterious warrior before knowing the secrets of his past (including the very reasons she can’t be with him), and fights off soldiers who wield claws that can suck the very magic from her bones.

Get Such a Secret Place for only 99¢ – this week only!

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Scribd

—

EXCERPT:

“In the vision, I was sitting on a bench,” says Jomeini, her eyes distant. “The sunlight beat warm against the stone I sat on, but the wind that blew was brisk and harsh. A storm rode on that wind, a storm I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop. Afterwards, I drew this.”
Jomeini pulls another card from beside the others and hands it to Shasa.
“It’s a coat,” Shasa says, confused. She traces a finger over the handless, headless trenchcoat, drawn as though it’s blowing in the very wind Jomeini claims she felt during its vision.
“I assumed it meant that I wouldn’t be comfortable in my home much longer, that I would need protection from whatever storm was riding on that wind. I assumed it meant that Grandfather was taking me from my refuge, my home in Xavienke, and that I would need to find protection in Valadir. And it did, in a sense. But the drawing was also literal. Whose coat do you see?”
Chills brush across Shasa’s skin. “Color it yellow, and that could be Craven’s.”
Jomeini rubs her arms as if chafing away whatever memory fills her mind at that moment. Shasa wonders if it’s the same one she’s recalling, the sight of the dingy yellow trenchcoat Craven wore the day he snatched Shasa from right in front of the Triad Palace into an abandoned building and stole her magic then and there.
“What does the star mean, then?” Shasa asks. When Jomeini doesn’t answer immediately, Shasa continues thinking aloud. “Stars provide light in the night sky. They’ve held their places for years, giving sailors something to sail by.”
“But this one is a shooting star,” Jomeini says. “This one is setting off on its own course.”
“And you think it pertains to Tyrus?”
Jomeini shakes her head. “I thought so at first. I Saw Tyrus, yes. But I Saw others with him. Among his soldiers was a blonde woman I didn’t recognize.”
“A group of stars,” Shasa says inwardly. “With one straying from all the rest.”
“It means change is coming, and someone is at the center of it. I thought it was Tyrus, but now I’m not so sure. See the other star beside this? See how the bursts on the star go one way, so it looks like the star can be spearing to the left? But if you look at it this way…” Jomeini turns the card until it’s upside down. “Now the star could be shooting to the right.”
“So Tyrus isn’t leaving?”
“Not in so many words. It’s more complicated than I can explain, but something Tyrus is going to do will be as vast as the effort of crossing an ocean with no other guide but the stars. It’s going to change the world as we know it. And depending on what we do, that change is going to veer the races one way or the other. For good.” She holds the star picture one way. “Or for ill.” She turns it the other direction.
Shasa swallows and takes the card, experimenting. The star’s direction turns with each flip, more indecisive than the weather. It’s like the picture of a smiling man with a furrow in his forehead her mother used to draw. She would turn it upside down, and though the picture hadn’t changed at all, the man would look sad and menacing instead. All because of one or two carefully placed lines.
“So how do we get this change to veer in the direction we want it to go?” Shasa asks.
Jomeini doesn’t answer. Instead, she fingers the collar at her throat. The two girls sit in the boat in silence, bathing in the deep wake of their thoughts.




Author Bio:
Cortney Pearson is a mother, a musician, and a lover of all things pink and sparkly. She is the author of Phobic, about doors that shouldn't be opened, and the Stolen Tears series, about an enchanted vial of tears and the girl chosen to wield them. Cortney lives with her husband and three sons in a small Idaho farm town. She believes anything can be made better with a good attitude and a book tucked away for those just-in-case times.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Being a Captain is Hard Work: A Captain No Beard Story by Carole P. Roman

I received free book to review.

Book Description:
Captain No Beard is determined to travel to Dew Rite Volcano. He won't listen when Mongo predicts a storm or Linus indicates they are headed in the wrong direction. He insists Polly cook in the galley even though the seas are getting rough. What's a crew to do with a stubborn, know-it-all captain? Will they convince the captain he is barreling headlong into danger, or will Captain No Beard jeopardize both his safety and the crew’s with his single-minded determination to go where he wants?


My thoughts:
Being A Captain Is Hard Work is the first Captain No Beard story I have read. I read it to my 2 and 4 year old boys and it didn't hold their attention for very long. This book is meant for 5-8 year olds and I can see why. This book teaches children a lesson that no one knows everything and you have to learn to listen to others. It's a little adventure book with very cute pictures. I give this book 3.5 stars.

I received free book to review.


Buy on Amazon  Add on Goodreads

Review: Bonapiel Strech Marks and Scars Cream

What Bonapiel says about their product:

Discover the Key Treatment for Those Undesirable Stretch Marks!

Bonapiel Stretch Marks and Scars Cream bring you a complex blend of active ingredients that work against stretch marks. Our treatment boosts the elasticity and firmness of your skin.

If you are looking to fade away your stretch marks, Bonapiel Stretch Marks & Scars Cream is what you are looking for!
• Contains key ingredients: Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Organic Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Aloe, Rose Hip Seed Oil & Mango Butter.
• Applicable on affected areas - abdomen, breasts, hips, thighs, lower back, and buttocks.
• Hydrates skin and Absorbs easily.
• Suitable for all skin types. 
• Suitable for Men and Women.
• Free of harsh chemicals.

What are the benefits you can get?

Stretch marks occur when the skin is pulled or stretched. Those ugly marks can be caused by a fast growth, rapid weight loss, or rapid weight gained. Our specialized formulation with key ingredients will help you to fight against them by:
- Diminishing the appearance of already formed Stretch Marks (silver-pink or white lines).
- Helps prevent the occurrence of new Stretch Marks (reddish or purple lines).
- Nourishes and moisturizes the skin without blocking the skin pores.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

We offer a 60 days money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied, so buy with confidence!
Tips: For optimal results apply at least 2 times a day, stay hydrated, eat healthy, and exercise!
Order now to get rid of those Stretch Marks and Scars


What I thought about Bonapiel Stretch Marks and Scars Cream:
If you have stretch marks and don't already or have never used a stretch mark cream before I want to tell you that so far I haven't found one that makes the stretch marks completely disappear but I'm not really expecting that anyways. What I do expect is for my stretch marks to look less noticeable and this stretch mark cream does do that. I like the creaminess of this cream and the smell especially. It is a bit pricey though. Other than the price I'm happy. I would give this stretch mark cream 4.5 stars.

I received a free Bonapiel Stretch Marks and Scars Cream to review.


Buy on Amazon

Release Day Launch with Giveaway: Signs of Life by Selene Castrovilla

I'm thrilled to take part in the release launch for Selene Castrovilla's SIGNS OF LIFE (Rough Romance #2)! Check out the book's details and teaser, and be sure to enter the giveaway below!

Signs of Life (Rough Romance #2

Publisher: Last Syllable Books

Publication: June 21, 2016

The tables are turned with a vengeance in this tour de force love story. Nearly a year has gone by and now it’s Dorothy who is fragmented and lost, while Joey keeps the promise he had made her to better himself —even though she’s gone. Joey talks about what is happening in the present while Dorothy describes what happened before— in the moments and hours after the Glock dropped. This time the stakes are even higher, as Joey forces himself to move forward while Dorothy is frozen in place. But when he learns of a devastating decision, Joey races to find her before it is too late. Truth, consequence, repercussion and modern medicine collide as pieces converge in this psychological, thrilling story which begs the question: Can love really conquer all?

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Excerpt from Signs of Life

Joey — Now

I get to the church, and low and behold there’s a new message on its sign. The messages outside this church make my soul shudder. I try not to look at it, but then I always do. It’s like an accident on the side of the road. A really bad accident, where there’s nothing you can do to help—and there you are, staring. Helpless.

I think of this sign like an especially bad therapy session. Like it’s a shrink bringing up shit—no, topics—you don’t want to think about. But this sign is even worse, because it’s not just about me. It’s about all of us—and there ain’t a thing I can do about it.

I don’t know what’s up with this church always making people feel bad before they walk in—or maybe they’re trying to guilt you to come in and pray, to try and do something to ease the pain.

Maybe religion’s just another drug.

Tonight the sign says, “No good deed goes unpunished.”

I said that once myself, to Doll. I didn’t even know where it came from, it just blurted out without my even thinking about it. It was like the words were divinely delivered into my throat for me to say. When it was too late to do anything about them.

Typical God.

Makes you wonder what's up with him, causing all this grief. Maybe he’s toying with us.

But I still go to meetings and I still surrender. What else can I do? And anyway, I don’t have the the strength to fight anymore.

Never thought I’d see that day.

I salute ol’ Jesus still nailed up on that cross and head inside. Poor Jesus. If he had no chance, what’s gonna happen to the rest of us?

Dorothy – Then

The more we kissed the dreamier I felt, like that first

time. At the museum, by the Monet

paintings. When we floated among the

water lilies. We just drifted right in with

them. Now we were

floating in the water

below us, going with the

current, carried by the

tide. Nature, we could

trust.

But could we trust human

nature?

We were still holding

hands, he was clutching

me, so tight, but then he

let go of one

hand and

touched

my

hair. It made me feel like when his

dad touched me, and my entire body

shook. I pushed him off of me and

gasped, sucking in huge

breaths and yet still unable to

breathe.

“Doll …” he tried to touch me again and I

recoiled. I fell to my

knees on the

sidewalk, but I felt no physical

pain. It occurred to me to

pray

but the last time I did that I got

screwed.

“What is it?” he asked. He was bent down beside

me, but giving me distance

too.

I couldn’t

answer, but it really didn’t matter because I didn’t

know the answer.

“Do you need me to

get

help?”

My eyes were closed now as I

concentrated on calming

myself. Who needed God

anyway? Joey had been right about

him.

Maybe I was my

own

God, maybe we were each our

own

gods, and that thought made me

laugh. Then I was laughing and

breathing, and I was

okay. Which proved my thesis,

right? I opened my eyes and looked at

Joey, who was not getting the

joke.

“What the hell?”

He looked like he was about to fit

me for a

straight

jacket.

“I guess … I guess I have a little

PTSD. When you touched my

hair, I flashed back to your

dad touching

me …”

“I’m

sorry. Okay, I’ll

keep out of your

hair.” He gave me a crooked

grin.

I smiled

back. “For

now.”

“But … what was so

funny?”

“I surrendered to a higher

power that turned out to be

me.”

He stared at me for a few

beats. Then he said, “Whatever

works for

you.”

About Selene Castrovilla

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Goodreads

Selene Castrovilla is the award-winning author of multiple narrative nonfiction picture books and young adult novels. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School and a BA in English from New York University. She lives on Long Island with her two sons and too many cats. Visit her website: www.SeleneCastrovilla.com.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway