Blog Blitz: After Alex Died by Dakota Madison

Welcome Dakota Madison for a Blog Blitz...

"Don't be someone who defines her life by someone else's death."

Dee Dee DeMarco's brother, Alex, was funny, free-spirited and creative. He was also gay. Tormented by bullies, Alex killed himself on his 15th birthday.

Two years later, and now in college, Dee Dee believes getting a summer job working with a college-prep program for disadvantaged high school students is a stroke of luck, until she discovers that the guy assigned to co-lead her group is Cameron Connelly, a star basketball player and one of the bullies who tormented her brother to death. How can Dee Dee possibly spend the entire summer working so closely with one of the boys she blames for her brother's death?

On sale for .99 cents (US) and reduced (UK)

from January 1 - January 6, 2014

Buy Link Amazon US 

Buy Link Amazon UK

Excerpt

I could feel my heartbeat quicken as I entered the auditorium. The kids were talking and messing around as they waited for the class to begin. The other counselors, with the exception of Cameron, were also seated in the audience with the kids. Cameron was standing at the podium with Dr. Jones.
When Cameron saw me walk in, he winked at me. I didn’t know whether to slap him or hug him. Therein was the problem.
Dr. Jones waved her arms to get everyone’s attention. “Quiet everyone. We have a special presentation today. Cameron is going to talk to you about bullying and how it impacted his life.”
“Who would bully him?” one of the kids cracked and the other kids laughed.
“Enough,” Dr. Jones reprimanded. “I expect you to give Cameron your attention and utmost respect.”
Cameron took the podium. “Thank you, Dr. Jones. I’m here today to talk about bullying. Not because I was bullied when I was your age but because I was a bully. And it ruined my life.”
When I looked out over the sea of faces, all eyes were trained on Cameron.
“I thought I had everything. I was one of the school’s first string basketball players. We were all-state champions. I already had a full basketball scholarship to Penn State. I was popular. I had tons of friends. I could get a date with any girl in the school. And I lost it all.”

About the Author

Dakota Madison has been writing since she learned to read and fell in love with books. When she's not at her computer creating spicy new romances, Dakota is traveling to exotic locales or spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.

Author Links

Facebook author page 

Blog

Hush Money: Talent Chronicle Review

5 Stars: I absolutely loved Hush Money! The characters and secrets caught my attention. I couldn't stop reading to find out who is who and why they are doing these things. My favorite character has to be Joss because she seems so much like me. This was one of the best stories I have ever read. 

I recommend this book to anyone over the age of 11. The language isn't appropriate for anybody under that age. I hope you read this because it is one of my must reads! Have a great day!

Buy Links:
Amazon

B&N



Blurb:
They call their abilities Talents, and that’s what they call themselves as well. Talents are people born with supernatural powers, feared by the population at large. Possession of an “unregistered ability” has become illegal, and those who are discovered are forcibly removed to government-run research facilities. They do not return. 

And so the Talents try, as best they can, to keep their abilities secret–some more successfully than others. For some, keeping that secret begins to define who they are. That’s where Hush Money begins…
Be normal, invisible. Don’t get close to anyone. Those are the rules to live by for seventeen-year-old Joss. She spent years as an outsider, hoping to hide what she is, until the new girl, Kat, decides she’s friend material. Kat doesn’t realize her mistake when she stands up for Joss against Marco, a guy who’s been giving Joss a hard time since freshman year. Joss is horrified when these heroics lead to the reveal of Kat’s Talent. Now she has an unasked-for best friend, who is the victim of an extortion plot by the school bully, who used to like Joss. And if all that weren’t complicated enough, Dylan, Joss’s long-time crush, is finally starting to talk to her. But as Marco’s best friend, can Dylan be trusted at all? Can Joss keep her secret and still save her friend? And what’s more important, staying safe or doing what’s right?
Hush Money is a novel of approximately 50,000 words, and is rated PG-13 for strong language and one suggestive scene. It is recommended that parents read the sample provided by their retailer before purchasing this book for tweens/younger teens.

Dirty Blood: Dirty Blood Series review

4.5 stars: Dirty Blood was a very good werewolf story. It's a good story because of it's characters, plot, and action. The characters were amazing and so was the action. The plot was exciting! I just couldn't stop reading to see what would happen to the characters.
 I recommend this book to anyone that wants to read it. I really enjoyed it and I hope you do too. Don't forget you can always tell me what you think about the books I review.


Buy Links:
Amazon
B&N





Blurb:
I killed a girl last night. I did it with my bare hands and an old piece of pipe I found lying next to the dumpster. But that’s not the part that got me. The part that scared me, the part I can’t seem to wrap my head around and still has me reeling, was that when she charged me, her body shifted – and then she was a wolf. All snapping teeth and extended claws. But by the time I stood over her lifeless body, she was a girl again. That’s about the time I went into shock… And that was the moment he showed up.

Now, all I can do is accept the truths that are staring me in the face. One, Werewolves do exist. And two, I was born to kill them.

Runes: Runes Series Review by Ednah Walters

5 stars: I'm back from my hiatus and thought I'd review one of my favorite reads from this fall.

This was a really great book. I liked Runes because of all the mystery, suspense, and action. The characters are phenomenal, very well written and the romance was cute. The best parts of this book are the magic, action, romance, and friendships.

I suggest this book to anyone over the age of 11 or 12 because some of the language may not be appropriate for anyone younger. I really enjoyed it and hope you consider reading it.

Buy Links:
Amazon


Blurb: Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her. 

Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.

Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about him. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only is she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.

Apologize for lack of reviews

I would like to apologize to my followers about the lack of reviews and posts. I promise that there will be a lot more than I am posting now. Also,  thank you all for reading the reviews and posting comments on my blog. I'll be around more often now. School was brutal this fall. Lastly, I would like to start posting your guess' point of views on the books that I review.

To the authors that check me out, I thank you for sending in review requests. If you do want me to review one of your books I will gladly do that, all of the info is under the Review Policy tab.

Thank you and see you soon,
Bridget

Review Ethereal Influence: The Inquisition by Lana Bradstream

2.5 Stars: I honestly got so lost reading this book. In the beginning there were two main characters and one dies. By the middle there were three main characters. In the end there are five main characters, or what I thought there were. Two of the main characters disappear and die. I would have liked this much more if  the story had focused on fewer characters to keep the book from becoming so chaotic.

The writing was really fluid. I thought the pacing was good. The storyline was unique and really interesting. I just found myself trying to keep track of the characters and wondering who was next to be axed.

I didn't really like this book, but that doesn't mean you won't. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Buy Link:
Amazon

Blurb: The Inquisition is a time of turmoil and fear. It is a time of horror and atrocities, when the faith of people waiver. Inquisitor Nikolaus is experiencing a lack of faith as he orders torture and death for scores of people - some of whom he believes were innocent. Lorenz, an angel of God, is sent to restore his faith and bring him back to God. But, the fallen angel Jakob is intent on capturing Nikolaus' soul with the aid of Ayla, a real witch who has surrendered her own soul.

I know.... I know... sci-fi isn't paranormal, but a girl has the right to like stuff. LOL And, sure these books aren't YA either, but, come on... movie quotes? I couldn't pass it up. For once I get to bug other people with sci-fi quotes instead of the other way around. I mean, seriously... I live with a bunch of sci-fi geeks. Star Wars, reruns of Star Trek and all the Galaxy Quest I can handle.

For my giveaway of a $15 GC to Amazon or B&N 

leave me a comment. Not just any comment. I want to know your FAVORITE sci-fi movie AND your favorite quote from it. Oh, and don't forget to leave me your email addy...

Good luck... now onto the fun Grand Prize info:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you know your sci-fi movies? Books? Each stop has a quote and you get to figure out which book or movie it is from and enter the GRAND PRIZE giveaway. Check it all out at the end of this post...

Kane Epps divides his life into two distinct parts—before the alien invasion and after. Before the invasion, he had a pregnant wife and a high-powered job. After the invasion, he’s left with only himself and his hatred for all things alien. He channels his bitterness by captaining a vessel of renegade humans—space pirates who don’t think twice about taking what they need.
Princess Sa’Mya is on the run. She and a few trusted advisers fled her home planet only to be captured by the sexy, dangerous Captain Epps. He claims to hate aliens but can’t seem to resist touching her or kissing her…everywhere. As Kane introduces Sa’Mya to ever-increasing, unimaginable realms of pleasure, the princess becomes determined to earn his trust. She’s used to getting what she wants. And this time, what she wants is Kane Epps.

Ellora’s Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/dangerously-yours.html
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dangerously-Mine-ebook/dp/B00AO5CWSY/
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerously-yours-am-griffin/1115474805?ean=9781419945243

GRAND PRIZE

A.M. Griffin Swag-tastic pack:

Tote bag

Shirt

Coffee mug

Mouse pad

Flash drive

Notebook

Signed cover flats for all 3 books

Trading cards

Bookmark

Pen

eBook copy of Wired in Sin from Lea Barrymire

$10 Amazon Gift Card from Danica Avet

Swag pack from The Jeep Diva

eBook copy of Arctic Destiny from Anya Richards

eBook copy of an Alien Affairs book from Kate Hill

$10 Amazon Gift Card from Booked and Loaded Blog

Guitar Pic Ribbon Bookmark from Free eBooks Galore

$20 Amazon Gift Card from eBook Indie Covers

Handmade Ribbon Bookmark & $5.00 Amazon or B&N Gift Card from Bookworm Bridgette's World

Blog Hop Sci-Fi Quote Instructions:

Each stop contains an awesome quote from a science fiction book or movie. They are all found on out-of-this-world photos. 

Figure out what movie or book the quote is from and post in the Rafflecopter. 

DON’T post as a comment on the blog stop! That’ll give away the answers.

Have fun and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway