Kristina's Books & More: October 2012

Monday, October 29, 2012

Cover Reveal: Mystically Bound by Stacey Kennedy

Mystically Bound

Frostbite Book Three

Urban Fantasy Romance

Length: Novel

Heat Level: Sensual

Release date: COMING SOON

Goodreads link - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14624418-mystically-bound

Tess Jennings’ life is in chaos. Not only has her ghost lover, Kipp McGowen, crossed into the Netherworld, but she’s the newest member of a secret society. And they want her to start work immediately. Upon arriving in White Castle, Louisiana, she is presented with an offer she cannot refuse.

The Grand Master has been murdered and Tess must solve the crime by locating his ghost. The reward—a magical spell to save Kipp. But as Tess dives deeper into the case, the more danger surrounds her. Not everyone wants the murder solved, and she is caught in the crossfire.

Soon, Tess finds herself knee-deep in a hunt for a spell, a race to locate a killer, and a journey to the beyond. Will Kipp finally take a living breath, or will Tess take her last?

Happy Reading!

Kristina

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Liebster Award!

A big thank you to the wonderful Katy over at Book Dream Land Blog for picking me as one of her five bloggers! http://booktimeforlife.blogspot.com/2012/10/yah-thank-you-so-muchtiffany-from-sweet.html#comment-form

To participate:

1.Thank and link back to the nominator

2.Answer questions from award giver

3.Nominate 5 other bloggers with fewer than 200 followers

4.Ask questions for nominee's to answer

5.Post Liebster Award on your blog

********

My questions from Katy:

1. Can you tell me a bit about yourselves!?

I am a 21 year old Junior at a Texas University majoring in English. Once I graduate, I want to work in publishing- editing and marketing books. One day I'd like to write my own, too. I love reading and helping to promote great books and authors!

2. What is your top 5 books you’ve read this year!?

That's so hard! (Here are a few in no particular order)

1.) Morgan Kearns' Lucky 13

2.) Gracen Miller's Hell's Phoenix

3.) Deena Remiel's Relic

4.) AJ Sweeny's Of Blood and Pulse

5.) Kristine Cheney's Spartan Surrender!

(and you get one more!)

6.) Karen Marie Moning's Spell of a Highlander

3. What do you guys like to do when you’re not blogging!?

I think the more accurate question would be: What do you do when you're not studying? I have many passions besides reading and blogging. I have a great love for music, movies, and dance. I enjoy spending time with friends, traveling, and, like any other woman, shopping! I've also recently become addicted to The Voice and True Blood.

4. What made you decided to start blogging!?

I started writing reviews in June of 2011. The first few I posted through Goodreads got really good reception, like publishers tweeting my review, good reception. After a while I noticed that a lot of other reviewers would post their reviews on their blogs. So I decided to check some out and then decided it was probably a good idea that I do that, too. KB&M got its name because I wanted authors and blogger friends to easily recognize my blog/page and I also wanted to talk/post about more things that just books. I don't blog as much as I'd like, but I love when I do.

5. Last one…..Team Edward or Jacob? Tee-hee!

Neither! I'm not much of a Twilight fan anymore. I'm Team Eric or Team Alcide!

My Nominees:

1.) Sabrina @ http://sabrinasparanormalpalace.blogspot.com/

2.) Tawnya @ http://onemorechapterreviews1.blogspot.com/

3.) Andrea @ http://thesecretsanctuarybooks.blogspot.com/

4.) Tamara @ http://theindieshop.blogspot.com/

5.) Wendy @ http://lovetiggibookreviews.wordpress.com/

My Questions:

1.) When did you begin blogging and who/what inspired you to start?

2.) What blog (author, reviewer, etc) do you visit the most?

3.) What's been your favorite book/series this year and who wrote it?

4.) What is your favorite genre?

5.)Who is your literary crush?

Happy Reading!

Kristina

Friday, October 26, 2012

Lucky 13 by Morgan Kearns Review!

Synopsis:
Tragedy made it possible for Enrique Santiago to take over as Left Fielder for the Las Vegas Rockets.
Talent keeps him there, giving him everything a guy could want.
Except a woman to share it with.

A painful past with one very prominent reminder
molded Shayne Xavier into the woman she is.
She isn’t bitter or jaded, though. She’s a realist.
Men can’t be depended upon and only lead to
broken promises and shattered hearts.

Unaware of the demons of her past, Ricky tries to offer strength
as Shayne’s life spins out of control.
Sometimes Happily-Ever-After is too good to be true.
Will Shayne and Ricky ever be able to restore the luck of his Lucky 13?

My Review:
Big thanks to Morgan for providing the ARC for review! <3

Lucky 13, the 4th installment in Morgan Kearns Deadlines and Diamonds series, is a book that has been highly anticipated by many. Ever since finishing book three in July I've been ravenous for more. Lucky 13 exceeded my expectations and deserves the hype it's been getting from Morgan's fans and more. Because once again Mrs. Kearns tops her previous work, but that's no surprise since we're dealing with the Queen of Contemporary! Lucky 13 made me feel deeper, stronger emotions and completely captured my heart.

Enrique "Ricky" Santiago is every woman's dream! Loving, devoted, handsome, charming, rich, baseball player...let's not forget the tattoos either. Though he may be every woman's dream, he still has his flaws. Shayne Xavier fits nicely with him because her life is falling apart. Despite everything that has happened, and is happening, she's strong.That's what I admire most about her. Second is that she's a great mom. (Her relationship with Matt is so sweet.) Their chemistry, while it's passionate, was stronger in the sense that it was so much sweeter and beautiful. They fit together like two puzzle pieces. Matt is great in the story, too. He made me laugh a lot and has some great scenes with Ricky! All of our favorite characters make appearances. One of my favorite scenes involves Emma Pierce. What a hoot!

Like all of Morgan's books, you'll experience a range of emotions. Smiles and laughter are quickly followed up by tears.Chapters are so filled with action and high running emotions that they'll leave you drained for a time. The book is a roller coaster ride. When I got to the last few chapters I made myself put the book down because I did not want to leave these characters so soon.

I feel that Morgan's writing has strengthened even more in this book. She throws a few darker scenes into the story; a few of these that freaked me out, but did wonders for the story line! It not only strengthened the plot, but made the story that much more powerful! Kudos!

If you haven't picked up Lucky 13, or any of the other books in the Deadlines and Diamond series, I highly recommend that you do. Morgan is a wonderful storyteller, with stories that are touching, realistic, suspenseful, romantic, funny, and more. Everything you could want in a great book/series.

Lucky 13 is my new favorite in the series. All I can say is...

Bring on book 5!

5/5

Happy Reading,
Kristina

Night Thief Blog Tour: Interview and Giveaway with Lisa Kessler!

How has your life changed since writing The Night series? -

I have so many readers, some virtually and some in person, who consistently make my day with their kind words and excitement for my stories. That has definitely been the coolest change! :)

What's been your favorite moment as an author? -

Yikes! I have to pick just one??? Hmmm.... Probably the moment I walked into my first book signing and there were people waiting! I was SO relieved that I wasn't the only person there! LOL

Which of the books/novellas, Night Walker, Night Thief, or the highly anticipated Night Demon was the most fun to write?

Well they're all fun in their own way... I loved writing Calisto and the villain, Jose in Night Walker, and Kane and Rita from Night Thief had so much sizzle going on between them that the book wrote itself... But Night Demon was a super blast to write because I got to bring the entire cast of Night Walkers together at one time. It was a huge accomplishment to finish that one! :) I'm writing Night Child now and I'm having a blast too... Obviously I have a hard time choosing the "most fun"... :)

Which of the three was hardest to write? -

I'm guessing Night Child that I'm writing now will be the toughest. Not only do I have a large cast, but it's also the final book in the series so I want to be sure I tie up all the loose ends. And it makes it bittersweet for me, because I'm not quite ready to let them all go... *sniffle*

Out of all of your characters, who is your favorite? -

Ha! That's like choosing your favorite child... I can't! LOL

What do you want readers to take away from this series? -

Love is the strongest power of all, and it's worth fighting for...

This may be the hardest question ever, but which cover is your favorite? -

Oh that is tough! LOL My covers have been SO delicious!!! I guess so far, Night Thief is my favorite, because Kane hates shirts in the book and never buttons them, so the cover seems SO much like him... :) But on a YUM scale, Night Walker still wins for me... :)

Any update on Night Demon's release?

It should be out in the Spring, but I don't have the exact release date yet...

Do you have any plans for after the Night series? -

Yes! My agent is shopping my shifter series now, and I'm currently writing another single tile paranormal about a Slayer named Gabe... Such a fun book so far! :)

If you could visit any place or time in the world, where would you go? -

I would love to go back and see Mozart conducting his Opera The Magic Flute... :)

What book/series do you wish you'd written? -

The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice

What are you currently reading? -

I'm reading a book by an author friend for a cover blurb!

If you could be any creature from mythology, what would you be? -

Wow! Great question! Hmmm I think I'd want to be a fae from Celtic mythology. I would love to be magic!

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. with whom would it be? -

For a week? Hmmm... I think I would like to trade places with Jennifer Grey while they were making Dirty Dancing... I'm super uncoordinated myself, but if I could have been her for a week, dancing with Patrick Swayze! Wow! :)

Where do you see yourself in five years? -

I hope that I'm still writing full time and able to make enough money to eat... *fingers crossed*

Anything else you'd like to share? -
I'm a huge Disney fanatic, especially the Evil Queen...

Fun Questions:

Favorite color? - Purple

Favorite food? - Salt (Does that count?)

Favorite movie/TV show? - Rocky

Chocolate or Vanilla? - Chocolate

Favorite music? - I love all music, but country and rap are tough for me to listen to... :)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NzYwNzA3YTg0ZTE3OWY4MzU4MzYzMjIwZmI4Yzg3Ojg=/

Happy Reading!

Kristina

Monday, October 22, 2012

Sweet Heat Trick-or-Treat Tour!

Sweet Heat Trick or Treat Blog Tour

Trick or Treat

Gawd the Heat

Book Boyfriends are mental-sweets!

The word in the photo is your “treat”! Make sure you keep it in a safe place. “Visit” the Road to Hell series (http://madisonroadtohell.blogspot.com) tomorrow, and each day thereafter, to find the next “treat”! The Sweet Heat Trick or Treat Blog Tour ends October 31^st and on Halloween you’ll return to the Road to Hell series blog and receive your final word. Here’s the “trick”—you’ll have to arrange all the words you’ve received each day into a sentence and then provide the sentence in the rafflecopter provided. New entries will be added to the rafflecopter each day so be sure to check back at the Road to Hell series every day to increase your chances of winning!

I've never been a big fan of anything scary. Not movies, places, etc. However, my favorite 'treat' has always been books. Forget candy! Give me a good book any day!

(Night Walker by Lisa Kessler!)

(Dragon Wings by DC Grace!)

(The Keepers by Monique O'Connor James!)

(Creatura by Nely Cab!)

My favorite book memory took place quite a while ago, back when Borders was still in business. (It was my favorite place to visit. I'd browse the shelf while mom went off to find her a book or two, and would approach her with a stack that was usually 6 books tall. Mom would often make me put one back, but we'd make several Borders trips a month because I ran out of books so quickly.)

I was young, probably 11 or 12. My favorite author at the time was Meg Cabot. Of course, she wrote as Jenny Carroll then. The first book I picked up from her was titled 'Haunted'. That was actually book 5 in her Mediator series, about a high school girl that can see and talk to ghosts. Though reading the fifth book first didn't make much sense, I liked the writing, the story, and the characters. So, of course, I decided to get the rest of the books. Books 1, 2, and 4 were easy to get a hold of. # 3 was not as easy.

(the new covers!)

(Picture credits go to- http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&biw=1280&bih=890&tbm=isch&tbnid=nFhTbbqb_oeKKM:&imgrefurl=http://www.thecompulsivereader.com/2010/12/reading-rants-dont-overlook-these-books.html&docid=7ha0OmZ_W0tmGM&imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArdnwL55X_ccyg4BKsp5P9PS-je96jKvfA61QDGNXFbUegahrkI9gQU-CoOuQNCUd_od0EOibzgjp2fKNdddmGuey2sFdUIvlsU6r4jh2_YWZVB1xDPxEZ2ShSd7oX9TQD37yUV0EkkY0/s1600/The%252BMediator%252BSeries.jpg&w=948&h=250&ei=T7eEUKXvEsKf2QWbp4FI&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=522&vpy=350&dur=2306&hovh=115&hovw=438&tx=214&ty=49&sig=108735525188729171389&page=1&tbnh=62&tbnw=236&start=0&ndsp=36&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:0,i:105)

My mother eventually had to order the book online at Borders from a seller. I waited eagerly at the mailbox and was ecstatic when the package finally arrived. I rushed inside, ripped it open, only to find that the package was empty. No book, nothing. My heart was broken.

A few days later, in an attempt to cheer me up and to also ask about getting our money back, mom took me to Borders. She left me to my section so I could pick out a few books to take home while she chatted with a lady about what had happened. Despite several days having passed, I was still bummed about the empty package. It felt like I would never be able to finish the series because I could not get a hold of that blasted book. I was flipping through the books until............

Holy cow! There it was! One copy of Jenny Carroll's Reunion hidden among its fellow book brethren! Grabbing the book, I ran to my mother waving the book for her and the nice Borders lady to see. I remember both of them smiling at me. The Borders employee wrote our story down on a little piece of paper, signed her name, stuck it in the book, and told us to tell our cashier that the book was free. I left Borders that day with Reunion, and a few other paperbacks, happy as a clam.

I still have this book, along with a lot of other Meg Cabot books that I read around that age. She was my favorite author for quite a while, and I do still enjoy going back to reread her work!

Here is Meg Cabot's Amazon author page in case anyone would like to check out The Mediator series, or any of her other books. My FAVORITE series by her is here 1-800-Where-R-You series! <3

http://www.amazon.com/Meg-Cabot/e/B001IGQTK0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

What's your favorite book memory?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Reading!
Kristina

Friday, October 19, 2012

Power of the Moon Blog Tour: Interview with Mia!

Hi, Mia. I know you have a busy schedule so thanks for joining us.

Mia: You’re welcome, I’m glad to be here.

I recently read an interview with your love interest, Cole. He seems very smitten with you. What do you say to that since you fight him so much?

Mia: I’d say I’m a very lucky woman and he deserves better.

Oh, my---

Cole: Excuse the interruption. *glares at Mia* I deserve you.

Mia: What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be… resting.

Cole: *slides hand down Mia’s arm and threads his fingers through hers* I wanted to be with you.

Mia: I don’t need you to watch over me every second of the day… I mean night.

Cole: Yes you do. *grins*

Mia: Damit, Cole… this is my interview.

Cole: So, continue.

Mia: I--

*clears throat* I can ask you both questions.

Cole: No. I’m just observing.

Okay. So, Mia… how did people like Russell, shape your life?

Mia: Um…

Cole: *squeezes Mia’s hand* Slow your pulse, my love.

Mia: You really piss me off sometimes.

Cole: I know. *tilts head and locks into her gaze*

Mia: Don’t look at me like that.

Cole: Like what?

Mia: Cole! How am I supposed to slow my pulse if you’re looking at me like you want to eat me. I can’t even answer her damn question, now stop.

Cole: I do want to eat you, that shouldn’t be a question. Now, answer the lady so we can get out of here and I can do just that.

Mia: *blushes* I can’t believe you just said that in front of her. *looks at Kristina* I’m sorry. Your question was?

Russell… shape your life?

Mia: Oh, yeah. People like Russell … are just mean. Being teased all my life has had an effect on me. In some ways I think it’s made me stronger and in others vulnerable, maybe. I don’t do people. I don’t trust anyone…

Cole: That’s for sure.

Do you think it’s caused you to be so indecisive about Cole?

Mia: Wow… you’re not holding back with tough questions and here I thought this was supposed to be a fluff piece. I think people shouldn’t be so judgmental. I have… issues. More than you know. *squeezes Cole’s hand* And, as much as I love Cole, he also scares the shit out of me. Trust me… you don’t want to see him go full vamp.

Do you think you’re whiny?

Cole: *leans forward* I’ll answer that. I’m 163 years old. I’ve known many whiny women. Mia, isn’t one of them. *strokes a finger over Mia’s hand*

I love how you protect her.

Cole: I’ll always protect her, even if it kills me.

Mia: Ditto *winks at Cole*

That’s going to wrap it up… Thank you both for joining us. Especially you, Detective Barnett.

Mia: *glares* Careful who you flirt with…

LINKS:

Tina Carreriro

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tina-Carreiro/113900751973213?ref=ts&fref=ts
Web: http://tinacarreiro.com/

Twitter: @Tincarr

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author
/show/4833657.Tina_Carreiro

PoTM add to read list on Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16061207-power-of-the-moon

Blog: http://tinacarreiro.blogspot.com/

Giveaway!
One lucky commenter will win an e-copy of Power of the Moon! Please leave your email address so I can contact you if you're the winner! :)

Tour Schedule:

Monday Oct 15 Forbidden Reviews
Tuesday Oct 16 Road To Hell Series
Wednesday Oct 17 Page Flipperz
Thursday Oct 18 Dark Obsession
Friday Oct 19-Kristina's Books and More
Saturday Oct 20-Sassy Book Lovers & Paranormal Book Club
Monday Oct 22 Insane About Books
Tuesday Oct 23 Reading Lark After Dark
Wednesday Oct 24-Intoxicated by Books
Thursday Oct 25 Tsk, Tsk, What to read?
Friday Oct 26 Sapphyria's Steamy Book Reviews & Simply Moyer
Saturday Oct 27 Intoxicated by Books
Sunday Oct 28 Read Between the Lines
Monday Oct 29-Amethyst Daydreams & Passionate Book Divas
Tuesday Oct 30 Forbidden Reviews
Wednesday Oct 31 Tina Carreiro

Happy Reading!
Kristina

Friday, October 12, 2012

Flutter Blog Tour: Day 1

The Flutter Blog Tour is finally here! A lot of love and hard work went into this tour. We hope you have as much fun participating in it as we did planning everything!

A big thank you to all of the blogs participating! I could not have asked for a better group of people! A big thank you to Katy for all of your help, especially with the silly Rafflecopter stuff!

Melissa, thank you for allowing me to host Flutter's Blog Tour. I've both had a blast and learned a lot. The countdown is officially beginning for the release of Flutter. I cannot wait to finally read it! I know both you and the book are going to do great things! Congratulations, my friend! I wish you the best! <3

How did I come up with Flutter… It’s funny because I practiced answering this over and over in my head while writing Flutter in-case I was ever asked this question, in-case I actually finished Flutter. Haha. Now that I’m finally being asked it, I don’t remember the sparkly, polished, wow, answer I use to recite over and over in my head *insert face palm here*

Well the answer is still the same, just no bells and whistles this time! Flutter didn't come to me in a dream like Twilight did for Stephanie Meyer, nothing cool like that. I actually came up with Flutter in my car, on the way home from the store. I remember passing my daughter’s school and thinking how I wanted to do something different, something that hasn't been done before. Like Amanda Hocking did with her Trylle Trilogy. I ran over a bunch of different ideas, even going as far as Spanish fly, I know gross right! A split second after I thought that and quickly crossed it off the list, I came up with the idea for Flutter –what was that idea you ask?? Well I can’t tell you! It’s the very essence of Flutter and the big SECRET to what Sara is!

SO that’s my big ‘how I came up with Flutter’ story! Nothing fancy, no confetti or fireworks, but I will always remember that car ride home… *insert soft sigh, dreamy look off into space and cheesy smile here*

From start to finish, Flutter has taken a little over a year. The major hiccup I had with Flutter it my pregnancy LOL. I had horrible morning sickness and I did nothing, but lay in bed all day! It took a couple months to get over that and when I finally did, I spent that next few months with my girls. So it was very challenging trying to finish Flutter with a newborn, but I managed!

Sara

Sara's life is forever changed -

Waking up, buried & hidden deeply in the last place anyone would want to be, will do that. She is determined to find out how she ended up there & why, but when the only person who can help her, continuously lies to her, she finds herself forced to suffer alone. She can't ignore the strange things that begin to happen to her nor can she hide from the nightmares that haunt her sleep. And when her world collides with Adan - the mysterious boy whom she can't seem to stay away from, literally - she is consumed by the flutter that sparks whenever he is around and she is desperate to discover the reason why.

But the biggest discovery will come from the secret of what she is…

Adan

Adan’s mission to find Sara has finally begun -

It seemed simple: bring her back to the enchanted world that lives, breathes and survives because of her, but he quickly finds himself faced with an entirely new challenge. Immediately, Adan realizes that staying unknown to Sara is a task he will fail before he even begins; the pull to her is far too strong to refuse, and being with her will defy the very reason he existed. He was the key to her survival and loving her was not part of the path that he had been born to follow. Can he find it in himself too resist the urge to be with her and follow through with their destiny or will he destroy everything that had been left to Sara to protect and defend -

And the kingdom she is unaware she rules…

Flutter

As Sara and Adan struggle to overcome their own separate battles -

There is a far more determined evil that is stalking the shadows and waiting to annihilate them both.

Sara will figure out that not everything is what it seems and knowing what she can and can not trust will be the key to finding out the truth of what happened to her, the reason why she was buried alive and who she really is…

Sara and Adan will discover why she was the reason he existed and why he would be the reason she survived & together they will fight to change the rules and rewrite their fate.

Discover the Meaning,

Discover the Secret,

Discover

Melissa Andrea

I find it hard to sum up my life in a paragraph, but I’ll try.

Reading has always been a passion for me, and writing as instinctive as breathing. Every inhale is an idea; every exhale a creation. Flutter will be my debut release, and I couldn’t be more excited about it! The only thing I do better than writing you ask? Making beautiful girls. My daughter’s will always be my greatest accomplishment.

I was born in Denver, Colorado –but I will always think of sunny Arizona as my home. I don’t have a big family, but I’m close with my sister, brother & my mom. My mom is my hero, my inspiration, and I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing person to be raised by.

4 things you should know about me: I’m very girly, but I can get down and dirty with the best of them. I adore the color pink, I love things that sparkle (including vampires) and I like even numbers (hence 4 things about me, not 5)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Okay guys! To make the giveaway fair for everyone, we will be checking the entries to make sure
everyone is entering correctly. If we do find someone who hasn't followed through with the entry, we will pull you from the giveaway. So please, please make sure you've done each entry!

Blog Tour Dates:

Kristina

Kristina's Books and More

http://kristinasbooksandmore.blogspot.com/

10.13

Amber

Amber Supernatural YA Reviews

http://ambersupernaturalandya.blogspot.com/

10.14

Sabrina

Paranormal Reads Reviews

http://paranormalreadsreviews.blogspot.com/

10.15