Novel Updates and Summer Sale

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My apologies for being MIA a lot. But I’ve been working hard on getting my next book ready to be published by the end of the year. And so far, everything is on track. I’m proud to announce that Death Island will be coming out December 2017! The synopsis, original trailer, and link to Goodreads are below (cover to be designed in September by Desiree DeOrto):

Death Island (Coming December 2017)

Her family name tainted by her great-grandfather’s crimes of piracy, Meriden Cummings is far from the typical 18th century woman. A social outcast, she works in a carpentry shop in a small village, where the people barely tolerate unconventional behavior.

However, her life takes a turn after a gang of pirates attack her village and her blood reveals an ancient map adorned with Mayan glyphs leading to Death Island. An island legends say is ruled by the Mayan god of the underworld, Ah Puch. Her great-grandfather had sought after the island before he vanished without a trace. Now, Meriden is about to journey across the sea to understand her family history.

There are only a few problems: her growing feelings toward a mysterious stranger linked to her great-grandfather’s past; a greedy band of pirates after her great-grandfather’s legendary treasure; and a contract she has unwittingly signed in blood with Ah Puch himself.

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Also, Descendants of Isis is on sale this summer until August 31st. Purchase all three e-books for under 3 USD dollars! You can find the buy links on the Descendants of Isis page.

{Cover Reveal} It was Always You by @kellyhashway

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Check out this cover for IT WAS ALWAYS YOU by Ashelyn Drake (AKA @kellyhashway)! Coming July 10th!

About It Was Always You: 

Aria Carmichael and Nate Dixon have the perfect friendship—completely ignoring the fact that they’ve been in love with each other for the better part of twelve years.

When a night filled with too many drinks lowers their inhibitions, they both question if they could take their relationship to a new level.

But a job opportunity threatens to put more than just physical distance between them. Will their romance end before it’s even truly begun?

Stay up to date on Facebook: facebook.com/KellyHashway

Sign up for Kelly’s newsletter! http://bit.ly/2pvYT07

You can read AFTER LOVING YOU by Ashelyn Drake for *free* in Kindle Unlimited now! Pick up your copy today! 

About After Loving You: 

When Mia Thompson and Jared Grande break up before #college, they think that’s the end for them.

But two years later, Mia is stalking Jared’s #Facebook page and he’s contacting her every chance he gets. Even though they’re both seeing other people, they can’t seem to say good-bye to the past they shared.

One way or another, they’ll have to figure out how to #love again. Is it time to get back together or time to move on?

Buy Link!

Amazon: http://bit.ly/AfterLovingYouAMZ

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╰☆╮Join Kelly’s Coven!╰☆╮

 

{Blog Tours} Excerpt and Giveaway: Diadem of Death by @br_myers

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Welcome to my stop on Diadem of Death blog tour hosted by YA
Bound Book Tours.  Click HERE to see the full blog tour schedule!

Diadem of Death (Nefertari Hughes Mystery #2)
by B.R. Myers
Genre: YA
Release Date: April 25th 2017
Blue Moon Publishers

Summary from Goodreads:

Nefertari “Terry” Hughes is looking forward to spending the school break with her boyfriend, but when her archaeologist father announces he’s working on a project that will take him to Egypt, all hopes of having a romantic summer are buried.
Terry accompanies her father to Alexandria where she’s reunited with her first crush, Awad—all grown up and an expert in translating hieroglyphics. He confides that the team is in a race to find Cleopatra’s lost tomb before a secret band of rebels steals Egypt’s last Pharaoh and her diadem.

But sabotage and a deadly accident put everyone on high alert, and Terry isn’t sure whom to trust. As the line between ally and enemy begins to blur, Terry has to keep her wits about her and figure out who wants the diadem badly enough to kill.

Goodreads | Amazon | Chapters/Indigo

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Excerpt

 It was the gap of unnatural quiet that made Terry look up from her phone, her thumb hovering over the ‘send’ button. She stayed crouched in the candy aisle, a bag of chocolate-covered gummi bears in one hand, her phone in the other. Maude’s text was waiting for a reply.
RU???!!!
Terry slowly lowered the bag of candy to the tiled floor. Every crinkle of the plastic sounded like cracks of thunder. She paused and listened again. There was only the hum of the fluorescent lights of the convenience store. Terry carefully stood and craned her neck around the aisle. Her heart pulsed adrenaline as she peeked around a towering display of two-liter pop bottles.
The young clerk behind the cash register stood like a statue, pale-faced with his mouth hanging open, staring into the face of a man in a ski mask. A pistol was pointed at the clerk’s nose.
“All of it,” the voice behind the mask demanded, motioning to the open satchel on the counter.
Here we go again, Terry thought. She took in a calculated breath, glancing around the area. The pop bottles were no use. Then a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. There, at the end of the opposite aisle, displayed with garbage bags and tubes of crazy glue, was the answer.
Slipping the phone into the back pocket of her denim shorts, she dashed, staying ducked down and keeping out of sight. It only took seconds to reach what she needed. And then, moving so quickly that neither the clerk nor the gunman turned her way, Terry struck the first blow.

GIVEAWAY
$25 Amazon Gift card and paperback copies of ASP of Ascension and Diadem of Death (US/CAN): Rafflecopter Giveaway

About the Author

I write YA, appreciate a design in my cappuccino, love shopping for vintage jewelry and dream in color. Coming from Nimbus Publishing, my contemporary coming of age novels, BUTTERFLIES DON’T LIE (SEPTEMBER 15,2014) and GIRL ON THE RUNJUST JESSE (Fall 2015). from Fierce Ink Press, ASP OF ASCENSION (July 2015).

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

Blog Tour Organized by:


YA Bound Book Tours

{Cover Reveal} KIYA Trilogy by @HamsteadKatie @yaboundtourspr

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Katie Hamstead’s bestselling trilogy is getting a new look! Check out the new covers below!

Hope of the Pharoah (KIYA Trilogy #1)

by Katie Hamstead
 
Summary:
 
When Naomi’s sisters are snatched up to be taken to be wives of the erratic Pharaoh, Akhenaten, she knows they won’t survive the palace, so she offers herself in their place. The fearsome Commander Horemheb sees her courage, and knows she is exactly what he is looking for…

The Great Queen Nefertiti despises Naomi instantly, and strips her of her Hebrew lineage, including her name, which is changed to Kiya. Kiya allies herself with Horemheb, who pushes her to greatness and encourages her to make the Pharaoh fall in love with her. When Akhenaten declares Kiya will be the mother of his heir, Nefertiti, furious with jealousy, schemes to destroy Kiya.

Kiya must play the deadly game carefully. She is in a silent battle of wills, and a struggle for who will one day inherit the crown. If she does bear an heir, she knows she will need to fight to protect him, as well as herself, from Nefertiti who is out for blood. 
 
 
Mother of a King (KIYA Trilogy #2)
by Katie Hamstead
 
Summary:
 
Nefertiti has forced Naomi to flee Amarna with Malachi and the three children. But even under the protection of Naomi’s family in Thebes, Nefertiti still hunts her and Tut. Nefertiti sends assassins to kill them, and while Naomi fights to protect the children, Malachi fights to keep her safe.

With three children in tow, one of which isn’t her own, she is labeled the harlot outcast wife of the pharaoh and is shunned. She isn’t safe among her own people, and flees from being stoned to death. Although her family protects her, she must find a way to survive.

While Naomi struggles to keep herself and Tut alive, old adversaries return as Smenkhkare takes advantage of Akhenaten’s ailing health. Naomi must rely on Horemheb’s promise to protect Tut’s birthright, but her feelings for Malachi could cause more problems with Horemheb than she expects. 
 
 
Rise of a New Dynasty (KIYA Trilogy #3)
by Katie Hamstead
 
Summary:
 
Tut has grown into his position as Pharaoh, but he is a wild young man. Naomi fears for him, not only because of his recklessness, but because he has put his trust in Ay—the man determined to destroy Naomi—despite her and Horemheb advising against it.

Meanwhile, death and slavery hang over Naomi and her family. With fear of the booming Hebrew numbers causing talk of enslaving them, conscription is reinstated and Naomi fears for the lives of her other children. Especially since Ay’s children are now adults, and just as dangerous as their father. They threaten to take Itani, conspire against Tut, and push for power.

But Tut is in trouble. While Ay’s daughter draws Horemheb’s attention, and Naomi deals with the struggles of her family, everyone’s distraction could spell death for the young Pharaoh. 
 
You can find the series on Amazon HERE!


The Author has signed copies of the original covers on sale! Check that out HERE!
 
About the Author
Born and raised in Australia, Katie’s early years of day dreaming in the “bush”, and having her father tell her wild bedtime stories, inspired her passion for writing.
After graduating High School, she became a foreign exchange student where she met a young man who several years later she married. Now she lives in Arizona with her husband, daughter and their dog.
She has a diploma in travel and tourism which helps inspire her writing.
When her debut novel, Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh, climbed into bestselling status, she believed she was onto something, and now has a slew of novels now available, and is published through Curiosity Quills Press, Soul Mate Publishing, and REUTS Publishing.
Katie loves to out sing her friends and family, play sports, and be a good wife and mother. She now works as an Acquisitions Editor to help support her family. She loves to write, and takes the few spare moments in her day to work on her novels.
 
Author Links:
photo iconwebsite-32x32_zps1f477f69.png  photo icongoodreads32_zps60f83491.png  photo icontwitter-32x32_zpsae13e2b2.png  photo iconfacebook-32x32_zps64a79d4a.png

 
Cover Reveal Organized by:

New Adult Scavenger Hunt: Joy Penny

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Welcome to New Adult Scavenger Hunt! This bi-annual event was inspired as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors…and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize–one lucky winner will receive one book from each author on the hunt in my team! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 96 hours!

Go to the New Adult Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. There are TWO contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I’m a part of the TEAM PURPLE-but there is also a TEAM BLUE for a chance to win a whole different set of books!

If you’d like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the New Adult Scavenger Hunt page.

***THE SCAVENGER HUNT***

Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve listed my lucky book number. Collect the lucky book numbers of all the authors on TEAM PURPLE, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator!).

Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.

Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by October 30th, at noon Eastern Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.

LET THE HUNT BEGIN!

***MEET JOY PENNY, AUTHOR OF TOUCH OF FONDNESS***

Joy Penny writes books, devours stories, and geeks out about everything from classic romance books to manga. When she’s not working as a freelance writer and book editor, she’s probably immersed in her favorite TV shows, period dramas, and anime series. She also writes YA speculative fiction as Amy McNulty, and one of her books, Nobody’s Goddess, won The Romance Reviews’ Summer 2016 Readers’ Choice Award for Young Adult Romance.

AUTHOR Website | Twitter | Facebook

***TOUCH OF FONDNESS***

Four friends. Four college grads. Four people figuring out that life doesn’t always turn out the way you expected.

Brielle Reyes may not have post-college life planned out like some of her friends do, but she figures she’ll work for her mother’s home cleaning service while job hunting for something that makes use of her history and philosophy degrees. It’ll work out as long as she doesn’t fall in love. Her last relationship was a disaster and she has no idea where she’ll be in a few weeks, let alone the rest of her life. Since the only guy in her age range she sees now on a regular basis is cantankerous if handsome client Archer Ward, she probably won’t have a hard time sticking to that vow. Probably.

Archer Ward likes very few things: illustrating as a somewhat-celebrated comic artist and his privacy. When his meddling mother hires him a cleaning service on an almost daily basis because she doesn’t fully trust her son to live on his own with his disability, he’s at first annoyed—even if his house cleaner is the most beautiful woman he’s ever spent more than a few minutes with. When he realizes her dreams may take her far outside of his restricted orbit, he has to decide whether to stifle his interest in her or risk messing up her plans to explore if there’s something more between them.

Neither can deny they’re growing a little fond of each other, even if falling in love just now makes no sense whatsoever. But how often does love ever make perfect sense?

AMAZON

To enter The grand prize giveaway, you need to know that MY lucky book number is 13.

Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on TEAM PURPLE and you’ll have the secret code to enter for the grand prize!

 

***SECOND GIVEAWAY***

Enter to win a $15 Amazon.com E-Card: Click here to enter (Rafflecopter).

***CONTINUE THE HUNT***

To keep going on your quest for the hunt, you need to check out the next author, Cadence Rae!

GOOD LUCK!!

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, San Jose, California

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The past week, I visited the Bay Area of San Francisco, and one of the places I went to was Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. According to their website, the buildings are all inspired by the Temple of Amon, and that this Museum holds the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in western North America–including items from pre-dynastic to Egypt’s early Islamic era (http://www.egyptianmuseum.org/). And in my opinion, it is one of the best exhibits I have visited so far.

Let’s start with the grounds, which are amazing! I can’t say it’s like stepping back in time like I have with many historical sites I visited in the past, but it’s close. It more brings a sense of Ancient Egypt to modern North America. It’s also very peaceful, especially the several gardens open to the public to walk. There are a few areas open only to members, but you can still admire the architecture and design from a far.

There are several buildings that are a part of this complex, including a planetarium and library. But my interests lied with the Egyptian Museum. I started in the section which basically depicted daily life in Ancient Egypt. Though, there was a small wing in this section which included Sumerian artifacts and depictions.  This display consisted of many trickets from papyrus writings to make-up and mirrors to Senet board games and different playing pieces to  offering alters to home deity statuettes. There is also a reconstructed Birthing Room. But my favorite in this section was a New Kingdom Mummy Box depicting Anubis, which held a small votive offering to the gods.

The next section I visited was on Ancient Egyptian funeral practices. Here, they even recreated the entrance of  a tomb. It’s surrounded by sarcophagi, mummies of animals, and miniature models of burial sites. In addition, there is a small false door on display, which has always been a interesting concept to me. Based on my research, these false doors are the link between this earth and the afterlife. Spirits were believed to walk through, giving them the ability to receive offerings the dead’s family leave and walk among the people.

And finally, at least in terms of Ancient Egypt, there is the Religion section. Here there are several depictions of the gods–mostly in miniature figurines and amulets which would be buried with the mummies of Egypt. There is also several potteries and larger statues. The most notable being a full size Sekhmet, the lion-headed goddess of war.

In mythology, Sekhmet was sent by Ra to punish man for their crimes. The goddess slaughtered thousands of ancient Egyptians under his command. And when she could no longer control her blood lust, Ra created a mixture of beer and pomegranate juice (which stained the beer blood red) and poured it in her path. She gorged on the “blood” and became so drunk she slept for three days. When she awoke, her blood lust had dissipated, and humanity was saved.

At the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, fake offering are laid at the goddess’s feet, depicting the traditional bread, fruit, honey cakes, meat, and wine offerings that were often placed in front of an Egyptian deity on a daily basis, along with offerings of natron. Every morning, priests would walk into the house of the god or goddess, preforming a ritual to awaken the god/goddess. They would bath and dress the statue, or proxy, of the god and offer food and drink for the spirit of the god to consume.

All in all, a wonderful exhibit of Ancient Egyptian artifacts! I loved exploring the museum and taking in the peace of the gardens. I would revisit the next time I’m in the Bay Area again.

Announcing the New Adult Scavenger Hunt Teams

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Hello Everyone! Hope you are excited as I am, because we have less than three weeks until the Spring 2017 New Adult Scavenger Hunt begins!

Here are the Spring 2017 #NewASH teams:

TEAM BLUE

Team Blue S2017

TEAM PURPLE

Team Purple S2017

The New Adult Scavenger Hunt begins at Noon Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 26th and runs through Sunday, April 30th. For more information, visit newadultscavengerhunt.com.