Spirit Guide Series Spooky Summer Giveaway

Take your favorite quirky Spirit Guide series characters to the beach this summer with this super cute tote bag filled with fab books and swag!

** Spirit Guide Series Spooky Summer Giveaway **

We are giving away one Spirit Guide Series tote bag filled with signed copies of She Smells the Dead and Spirit Storm, bookmarks, two sets of romance trading cards, signed She Smells the Dead, Spirit Storm, and Legend of Witchtrot Road postcards, and one XL "I Smell Dead People" t-shirt.  Everything you need to make a spooky splash poolside or at the beach!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post including your email address (so we may contact you if you win).  You do not have to be a follower to enter (though I always appreciate a follow!).  US mailing addresses only.  Giveaway ends July 26 midnight EST.

Guest Author Interview: Joann I. Martin Sowles + Vampire Bookmark Giveaway

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Joann I. Martin Sowles.  Joann is the author of Laney: The Brookehaven Vampires.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Joann:  I began writing about eight years ago. I was really just playing around with the idea. I didn’t believe I could actually write a book. Once Laney planted herself in my head and wanted out I had a moment where I thought to myself, “Would I rather look back at my life and regret that I never tried or be thankful I gave it a chance.” The answer to that is obvious and I’m pretty happy I pushed myself to try. BTW, That original story I began eight years ago has yet to be finished, but it will be. :)

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre? 

Joann:  It’s the genre I’ve always read and I’ve always been fascinated by vampires and all mythical creatures.  

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Joann:  I would love to be one of my vampires or have magical powers like in the Harry Potter series. Could you imagine having all that magic? I’d use it to clean my house like Mrs. Weasley does. :)

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Joann:  I think readers will enjoy Laney’s story because of the of the love story that is involved between her and Oliver. I also think they will enjoy finding their way through the Brookehaven world through Laney’s eyes.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Joann:  I could see Hayden Christensen as Oliver – It’s that smile and his hair. I have no idea for Laney. My daughter, who is 9, says she’s going to play Laney if it’s ever made into a film/TV show.  Not sure how I feel about that… I could see Bradley James as Carter and Jaime Ray Newman as Professor Amber. I would have to put a lot of thought and research into the rest. I imagine, as time goes by, I’ll discover others I think should fill those spots.

Laney (Brookehaven Vampires, book #1) by Joann I. Martin Sowles

In a small college town in Northern California, Laney Alexander leads a regular, uneventful life–that is, until the charming and alluring Oliver Knight enters her world. Who is this gorgeous and mysterious stranger? Or, rather, what is he?

As Laney’s sophomore year of college begins, so does an unbelievable adventure–including a love she didn’t know she longed for. She soon learns that Oliver is not ordinary, nor is the rest of his family, including a sister who openly hates her and a brother who will stop at nothing for revenge. As she fights for her life, and Oliver’s love, Laney discovers that the fictional world of vampires isn’t so fictional after all. Nobody is safe, especially Laney, Oliver’s most important priority, and he will stop at nothing to protect her. With her mortality at risk, and a commitment revealed that she, without a doubt, knows she wants, Laney’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn…


Don't miss E.J.'s review of Laney: The Brookehaven Vampires here.

Thank you Joann for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Joann I. Martin Sowles and her books, please visit her website.

**Brookehaven Vampires Bookmark Giveaway**

We are giving away gorgeous The Brookehaven Vampires bookmarks to three lucky winners!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post including your email address (so we may contact you if you win).  You do not have to be a follower to enter (though I always appreciate a follow).  This giveaway is open to US and Canadian mailing addresses only.  Giveaway ends June 24th midnight EST.

Book Review: Laney (The Brookehaven Vampires)

Laney (The Brookehaven Vampires #1) by Joann I. Martin Sowles.

What would you give to be with the one you love?  Would you give it all, including your life?

In a small college town in Northern California, Laney Alexander leads a regular, uneventful life–that is, until the charming and alluring Oliver Knight enters her world. Who is this gorgeous and mysterious stranger? Or, rather, what is he?  As Laney’s sophomore year of college begins, so does an unbelievable adventure–including a love she didn’t know she longed for. She soon learns that Oliver is not ordinary, nor is the rest of his family, including a sister who openly hates her and a brother who will stop at nothing for revenge. As she fights for her life, and Oliver’s love, Laney discovers that the fictional world of vampires isn’t so fictional after all. Nobody is safe, especially Laney, Oliver’s most important priority, and he will stop at nothing to protect her. With her mortality at risk, and a commitment revealed that she, without a doubt, knows she wants, Laney’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn…

Review:

Leaves you dying to sink your teeth into book two.  Laney is the first book in the The Brookehaven Vampires series by Joann I. Martin Sowles.  This is an exciting new vampire series, but beware...do not judge this book by the opening chapters.  Laney begins very slowly.  The first half of this book is setting the stage for the events to come, with a gradual build up to the breakneck, edge of your seat action and suspense of the final chapters.  Delaney "Laney" Alexander is a fairly normal college Sophomore.  She's of average intelligence, average height, average weight, and average motivation for school, but when her overachieving roommate has a fainting spell moments after meeting the hottest guy on campus Laney's life becomes anything but average.  Laney and hot new guy Oliver Knight have an unnatural magnetic attraction that quickly becomes an obsession...for both of them.  Some readers may see parallels with another popular vampire series (there are vamps and an overprotective stalker type boyfriend), but I found myself completely sucked into the second half of Laney and cannot wait for book two.  The chemistry between the characters, though not always healthy, works.  Young adult paranormal romance fans will love the steamy tension between Laney and Oliver and there is just enough scary "oh my god do not do up that alley" suspense and fang action to thrill urban fantasy fans.  A wonderful beginning to a promising new vampire series.

I recommend Laney (The Brookehaven Vampires #1) to readers of paranormal romance, young adult, urban fantasy, speculative fiction, and especially to fans of vampire fiction.  Laney may appeal to fans of the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, the Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz, the Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick, and Soul In Love by Vone Savan.

Source: This book was provided by the author or publisher for honest review.

Don't miss our Q+A with author Joann I. Martin Sowles June 9th!


Laney: The Brookehaven Vampires on Amazon.
Laney: The Brookehaven Vampires on Goodreads.

Spirit Guide Series Romance Trading Cards

Romance trading cards are the new big thing (click here to learn more about RTCs) so I decided to design character cards for each book in the Spirit Guide series.  A limited run of physical cards will be available later this year.

She Smells the Dead (Spirit Guide #1)

Front:

Back:

Spirit Storm (Spirit Guide #2)

Front:

Back:

Legend of Witchtrot Road (Spirit Guide #3)

Front:
Not yet revealed

Back:

More cards coming soon.

Book Review: Jekel Loves Hyde

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey.

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents rules;especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father's office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.  To improve her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen's sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill's accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything, even Tristen's love just for the thrill of being . . . bad.

Review:

The word is about, there's something evolving
Whatever may come, the world keeps revolving
They say the next big thing is here
That the revolution's near
But to me it seems quite clear
That it's all just a little bit of history repeating 

-Propellerheads

It's all just a little bit of history repeating...  What if the story of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson were true?  What if the formula that Doctor Jekel created really worked and altered the course of the Jekel and Hyde families forever?  This is the basis for Jekel Loves Hyde and Fantaskey, author of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, does a fabulous job of reeling the reader in from the very first page.  Jill Jekel and Tristen Hyde's lives are about to take a bizarre turn, but they are both so filled with realistic flaws and feelings that the entire scenario feels utterly believable.  Jekel Love Hyde will take you on a thrilling ride of danger and young romance.  A suspenseful paranormal read that young adult paranormal romance fans will drink up like the elixir within its pages.  A heady draught both bitter and sweet.

I recommend Jekel Loves Hyde to readers of young adult, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, paranormal mysteries, and especially to fans of paranormal suspense.  Jekel Loves Hyde may appeal to fans of The Hollow by Jessica Verday and Nevermore by Kelly Creagh.

Sensitive reader warning: mild violence, sexual situations.

Source: This book was purchased by E.J. for review.


Jekel Loves Hyde on Amazon.
Jekel Loves Hyde on Goodreads.

Guest Author Interview: Vone Savan + Bookmark Giveaway

Please welcome today's guest author Vone Savan!  Vone is the author of Soul in Love.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Vone:  The majority of my life. But I began seriously writing about three years ago after reading a few original ghost stories during a camping trip and getting excellent reception from my family and friends.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Vone:   My natural interest—even as a little kid—in ghosts, goblins, and most things paranormal.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Vone:   That’s easy—to fly. The sensation to soar through the sky on a warm, breezy, spring day would be absolutely amazing; very freeing.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Vone:  It’s a different take on paranormal romance—based on the YA novels I’ve read so far. The romance is between a girl and her dead boyfriend’s lingering ghost. Also, I think my book is full of controversial surprises—all the way to the end.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Vone:  For Amber Olive, I would cast Mia Wasikowska. Her face is simple, beautiful, and elegant; and her acting skills are sublime. For London Bliss, it would have to be Aaron Johnson. He has bright eyes, translucent skin, a sexy appeal, and he also acts amazingly well. In addition, I think these two would have great on-screen chemistry. I would also love the movie to be directed by Ang Lee. 

Soul in Love by Vone Savan.

Soul in Love is a fictitious paranormal romance that centers on a seventeen year old girl named Amber Olive. One evening, after spending time together, Amber and her boyfriend, London, end up in a horrible car accident in which she somehow survives, but her boyfriend does not. Then, while Amber mourns his death, she begins to see and feel London again. At first, she questions her sanity, but then starts to believe in him. Through this newfound belief, she takes a metaphysical journey which ultimately answers the questions to London's appearances and her own reality. This book deals with the issues of loss, grief, and love. It challenges the idea of how far we will go to try and get back the person we once loved; even after something as profound as death. Soul in Love also raises questions relating to what each of us will truly believe after something tragic happens-spiritually and otherwise.


Thank you Vone for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Vone Savan and his books, please visit his website.

**Soul in Love Bookmark Giveaway**

We are giving away Soul in Love bookmarks to three lucky winners!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post including your email address (so we may contact you if you win).  This giveaway is to US mailing addresses only.  Giveaway ends February 25th midnight EST.