A Review for Anathema by KA Tucker

Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie
Published Date: July 15th, 2011
Finished Date: December 7th, 2011
Source: For Review from Author
Format: Kindle
Pages: 284
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The Blurb from Goodreads: Evangeline has spent her teenage years in obscurity. Her foster parents have the emotional aptitude of robots and her classmates barely acknowledge her existence. About to turn eighteen and feeling like a social pariah, she is desperate to connect with someone. Anyone.

 When Evangeline meets Sophie after literally stumbling upon her café, she believes she’s found that connection. Willing to do anything to keep it, she accepts a job as Sofie’s assistant and drops everything to fly to Manhattan, where she is thrust into a luxurious world of Prada, diamonds, and limitless cash. With such generosity and kindness, it’s easy for Evangeline to dismiss certain oddities... like Sofie’s erratic and sometimes violent behavior, and the monstrous guard dogs. She’s even willing to dismiss her vivid dreams of mob-style murders, beautiful homeless people living in caves, and white-eyed demons that haunt her each night as figments of her imagination—especially when one of those figments is the gorgeous Caden. When she wakes up with bite marks on her neck, the fairy tale quickly turns into a nightmare. She slowly unravels the mystery surrounding Sofie and friends, and the reality of the bites and the “dreams.” What she discovers is far more mysterious and terrible than anything she could have imagined. In a world where everyone has motive to lie for personal gain, Evangeline must decide which deception is least likely to get her killed.

The Review: Evangeline is a loner having been tossed from one foster parent to another for the last five years following the death of her mother. Lately she has been volunteering at the homeless shelter whilst she looked for a job, Until one day, walking home she stumbles into something, an expensive something and it smashes to pieces. Then she meets that somethings owner who is less than impressed but invites her into her café out of the rain to get herself together. Sofie, the café owner wants recompense and the only thing that Evangeline can think of is to offer to work off the debt . . . slowly. It surprises her when she is taken up on the offer but what is more surprising is the pay and then even more surprising is when she turns up to work the next day to find that Sofie is closing down the café and moving to New York and that she wants to take Evangeline with her. Having accepted, they arrive at their destination and she is treat like a princess rather than an employee but she just goes with the flow . . . .  Then strange things start to happen. The dreams start, but are they really dreams? Every night they come, They seem so real and so do the people she meets in them, especially Caden with his sparkling green eyes and why does she wake up in different clothes and marked from things that happen to her in these dreams? Had she really travelled to another place in time? Everything is so surreal and nothing is as it seems, can Evangeline figure out what is really going on and save herself in the process? And who can she really trust?

To be honest, I wasn’t really looking forward to this book, the cover was kind of nice but the blurb didn’t really do it for me so you can imagine my surprise when I became engrossed in it and read it really quickly, so unexpected. It wasn’t predictable in any way and had me questioning everyones motives regarding Evangeline. She was a bit of a flake in the beginning, like a little puppy dog starved of affection and craving some attention from anyone who would give it and that’s how she fell in with Sofie so easily, especially since her mothers death. Sure, she had her doubts but kept her unease to herself and easily talked herself round, that is until she started to understand what was going on and how manipulating people are. Then she started to get a backbone and we start to see the kind of young lady she can blossom into given the things she had gained and what in turn she could lose, making a more determined Evangeline who is starting to learn to fight for what she wants. It was hard to trust any of the other characters, I kept expecting the worst as we are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as Evangeline discovers the depths to which some people will go to for what they most desire.

As I said this is a surprisingly good read with twists and turns galore that left me wondering what was coming next, a lot! I like the idea of the different worlds with the different problems and the way the author got that across without overly complicating things, how I had to question everything because I never knew what was coming next and the ending that just left me needing the next book immediately and wondering what the bleep is going to happen next.

Author Interview & eBook Giveaway with Author Emma Raveling

Find Emma on: Emma Raveling Website - Blog

Find Emma on: Facebook - Goodreads - Twitter

Our Review for Whirl - HERE

Buy the E-Book - Amazon UK - Amazon US - Barnes & Noble - Smashwords

Buy the Paperback -  Amazon US

Whirl (Ondine Quartet #1) 
Seventeen-year old Kendra Irisavie is an ondine, a water elemental caught in the middle of an ancient war. The Aquidae are immortal dark demons who will stop at nothing to destroy the fragile balance of the Elemental world. Fierce and independent, Kendra has always played by her own rules. Gifted with the powerful magic of Virtue and trained to be a deadly fighter, she has spent her life breaking hearts and getting into trouble. When her life explodes one violent night in a northern California city, a dark stranger appears, promising answers to her mysterious past. Alone with no one to trust, she must now navigate through a dangerous new world, face the temptations of a forbidden romance, and remain true to her duty and destiny. All the while the Aquidae continue to hunt her down, in the hopes of eliminating her forever.
An edgy urban fantasy/paranormal romance, Whirl is recommended for older teens and mature readers due to strong language and sexual situations. 

Favourite Food: 

Japanese or French food

Favourite Season: 

Late fall/early winter (holiday season)

Favourite Quote: 

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi

1- How did you come up with the idea of Ondines ? Personally ive never heard of them so i'm curious as to where you had heard of them from etc.

As someone who reads a great deal of European mythology, I’d seen ondines mentioned several times as a type of water elemental/water nymph, especially in the works of alchemy. But the inspiration forWhirl and the entire series was actually a piece of classical music. The French composer Maurice Ravel composed a work for solo piano called Gaspard de la Nuit. This music was based upon a series of poems by Aloysius Bertrand.

The first movement of Ravel’s work, entitled Ondine, is based upon the poem of the same name by Bertrand. I included this poem as the epigraph in Whirl. Based upon an old French myth, the poem tells the story of Ondine, a water nymph who sings to a mortal man, attempting to lure him to her. He rejects her love and pleas to join her in ruling the water world. Rejected, Ondine fades away, disappearing beneath the waves.

I heard a live performance of Ravel’s Ondine and a haunting image flashed into my mind of a teenage girl standing in the ocean. There was something so lonely about her. But her eyes were powerful - the eyes of a fighter or warrior. Intrigued, I started exploring that idea in my mind and the Ondine Quartet was born.

I do recommend readers of Whirl to listen to Ravel’s Ondine if they get a chance. It beautifully captures the dark, atmospheric, and romantic essence of Bertrand’s poem, and the intricate music immediately calls to mind the tragic image of Ondine. 

2- Did you do a lot of research into the Ondines?

No. Other than studying the basic mythology behind selkies, I didn’t delve much into water elemental/ondine myths because I very much wanted to create my own original mythology for this series. Before I started writing Whirl, I spent a great deal of time creating the Ondine Quartet world, which included everything from the history of the society, magic and special powers, politics and government, the different races of water elementals, and societal and moral values.

I also researched French etymology and the Anglo-Norman historical connection. This was the basis behind many of the terms and names used in the book (race names, location names, character names, etc.), all of which were constructed out of specific meanings and particular word roots.

3 - What was the most challenging thing for you when writing this book ?

There were two things that were quite challenging - writing requires a tremendous amount of time (writers never really stop working) and demands total concentration. I was often surprised at how physically and mentally exhausted I’d get, especially at the end of an intense writing session. Most people don’t realize that writing is not just about the time you spend in front of the computer getting the words out. Part of constructing a novel involves a great deal of thinking time away from the desk.

When I’m in the middle of writing a new work, I’m thinking about the stories and the characters all the time. Even when I’m not writing. Whatever I do during the day (cleaning the house, going out with my husband, cooking, watching a movie, etc.) the story is constantly on my mind. It does make me rather absent-minded. : )

Writing a novel takes everything out of me. Absolute concentration while writing, and full absorption in the story 24 hours a day as you try to work out what you need to write.

4- How long did it take you to write ?

Whirl was my debut book so there was a learning curve that made the process a bit longer. I have a day job and I usually write anywhere from 3 to 6 hours a day. The entire process, from the moment I came up with the concept of the Ondine Quartet to the day it was published, was roughly seven months. After taking notes and outlining the entire series, I completed the first draft of Whirl in approximately three months. There was another three months of revisions, which was much longer than I intended it to be because of complications from my everyday life. The book spent another month with beta readers and my editor before it was released.

5- Who is your favourite character and why ?

Although I love all my characters, the main character, Kendra, has a special place in my heart. From the beginning, I knew the series was going to be told in first person through the eyes of my heroine as she embarked on this extraordinary adventure. Therefore, I knew that the voice of my protagonist was one of the most important elements of the narrative.

Kendra has never failed to surprise me, and she continues to do so even as I write the next step in her journey. She’s complex, difficult, and possesses both a fierceness and vulnerability that make her a challenge to write. Her exterior toughness and confidence mask a tremendous loneliness that is fascinating for me to explore.

6- Who is your favourite love interest and why ?

Aah! This is a difficult question to answer. I love Julian and Tristan equally for very different reasons. Both connect with Kendra in unique ways and both men appeal to very different sides of her. The one thing I can say is this - in my own humble opinion, I think the choice a YA heroine makes in love interests is essentially a choice of what kind of adult she wants to be.

Kendra is seventeen. Her journey is not just one of magic and danger, but also one of difficult choices. She must come to terms with responsibilities, life, emotions, and beliefs as she makes the transition to adulthood. Love, in all its forms, is an important part of that journey. It is infinitely complex and not an idea or word I toss around easily in my writing.

7- Have you put any traits of yourself or people you may know into any of the characters ?

No, not consciously. But I do think writers tend to take bits and pieces of things they’ve perceived or experienced with people and these little pieces unconsciously filters into their work. So certain aspects of my characters were probably influenced by things I’ve seen in my life.

Kendra’s personality is very, very different from mine. But I do relate to her rebelliousness and I definitely went through a defiant, difficult stage as a teenager. At the same time, I don’t think that feeling is unique to me. Teenagers, in some form or another, push rules and boundaries as they begin to question things about their lives. It’s just part of what it means to grow up.

8- If the book was made into a movie, who would be your dream cast ?

 I’m terrible at casting *laughs*. Please bear in mind that my answers to this are based on looks alone, and that my image of my characters may not be the same to all readers!

- Kendra: Lily Collins, with lighter hair.

- Chloe: Elle Fanning

- Aubrey: Emma Stone (with short hair)

- Tristan: Ben Barnes (but much more bulked up)

- Julian: Ian Somerhalder

- Ryder: Alex Pettyfer

- Marcella: Marion Cotillard

- Gabriel: Mehcad Brooks

- Naida: Jodie Foster

- Rhian: Helen Mirren

9- Have all four books been completed? If not do you have a timeline for releases ?

I had all four books completely planned before I began writing Whirl. However, they have not been written yet and I’m currently working on the first draft of the second book, Billow. Ideally, I’d love to have each book out every few months (I’m hoping to get Billow out in early 2012), but it depends on whether or not my life agrees to cooperate! I’m not the fastest writer in the world. Although I can produce a first draft in a decent amount of time, I’m very meticulous about revisions and that’s really where the bulk of the work is (for me, at least). 

I’m working as fast as I can to bring the next installment to readers. But I do think time is required to produce something of quality and there’s just no cutting corners with it. : )

10- Any teasers you want to share ?

I’ve been having a very hard time finding teasers from Billow that aren’t spoilery for Whirl! Here’s a short one (note: first draft, may be edited, revised or cut, etc.):

“I have to try.”

“So you have something else to punish yourself with?”

I froze.

His dark eyes flashed. “I’m not going to stand by and let you do it.”


A huge thank you to Emma Raveling for joining us today! Interested Whirl? Why not watch the trailer below and enter the giveaway. 

E-book Giveaway of Whirl!
Two lucky winners could win an e-book copy of Whirl. 
Want to enter? All you need to do is fill out the rafflecopter form below. 
The giveaway is international BUT is only open to people above the age of 16 due to strong language and sexual situations. Closes on December 24th. 
Extra entries are not required to win but of course, it gives you more of a chance.
Good Luck! 

A Review for The Beginning (LS #1) by Kelvin O'Ralph

Posted by Donna
Published Date: June 15th, 2011
Finished Date: December 1st, 2011
Source: For Review from Author
Format: Kindle
Pages: 316 

The Blurb from Goodreads: A handshake between strangers has never held so much promise for discovery. When Stephen Wilson meets Lisa Morgan at his new school in Sloutenville, it is the simple act of extending his hand in greeting that flips both of their worlds upside-down. With the gesture, both discover that in some way they are connected, and that they share the ability to manipulate the elements, fire and water. Though their abilities vary, they share the gift of telepathy allowing them to communicate without words, which creates a bond between them stronger than either had expected. As the two begin to spend more and more time together, David, Lisa's ex becomes wild with jealousy, launching multiple attacks on Lisa. In the fight against the dangers that await them around every corner, Stephen and Lisa soon discover that they are up against much greater odds than they had originally known, and that their struggles are far from over.

The Review: The Beginning was one of them books that you knew was going to be good, you just didn't know how good. Well, I honestly thought it was very enjoyable and liked the direction author took with this novel.

The story follows Stephen Wilson who moves to a new school in Sloutenville. When he meets Lisa Morgan one day, they shake hands and from that moment his life suddenly changes. Both Lisa and Stephen soon discover they are connected and that they can manipulate the elements, fire and water. Stephan and Lisa soon become fast friends but when Lisa's ex becomes jealous, this only leads to dangerous things.

It's not often I read books from the male prospective and I have to say I do usually prefer a female one because I feel more connected to them. Hey, I'm female...so it's expected BUT I have to say I think Kelvin O'Ralph did a great job with Stephen. He created a really likeable character that was easy to connect too and had a great personality. I really enjoyed the emotions that Stephen had when he first connects with Lisa and I definitely enjoyed how his feelings developed for her.

The general storyline itself was at a good pace with a great mix of excitement and romance, with a few twists and turns. There were a few questions that weren't answered in this book but leaves me interested to read book two.

My only complaint with the book is I would have of liked a bit more dialogue and depth from the characters, however I could over look that because it was a good read and I'd recommend anyone to try it.

Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Destiny Blog Tour & eBook Giveaway (The Chosen One Trilogy) by Mireille Chester

Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie

Published Date: December 1st, 2011

Finished Date: November 20th, 2011

Source: From Author to Review

Format: Kindle

Pages: Unknown

The Blurb from Goodreads: Rainen looked up in time to see my horse come crashing into the ground just a few feet away from her. Her eyes widened as she gazed into the sky. “Hayden! Shield!”

I threw my shield out to cover everyone who was closest to me. I felt my energy touch Rainen’s and I glanced at her before looking up to see what had made the screeching sound in the sky. My first thought was about dropping my shield and to welcome the dragon flying over us. My second thought was that this was no dragon. The creature in question had to be to same size as Faren, the fire dragon I was bonded to, who was about thirty feet long. Well, the same length as Faren. Whatever this was it was lacking the bulk of a dragon. It looked more like a snake with wings and ten sets of legs. It was covered from head to tail in oily looking brown feathers. I felt the push of magic come from up above and I pushed against it with my own. The energy receded as the creature flew past us. I started to pull back my shield and felt Rainen doing the same. The screeching sound came again. Rainen swore under her breath.

As the final battle draws near, Hayden must deal with personal loss, unexpected good news, and the usual attempts on her life. Was the prophecy right and can she do everything that is expected of her? Can she go through with her plan when just one mistake could wipe out everyone she loves?

The Review: After the events of book 2 Hayden and Jasper head to where they need to be as instructed by Damien to fight for their lives against Rainen but what they find isn’t the fight they thought they would be fighting, it is a fight and rescue and it leads to an uneasy truce with Rainen setting into motion an alliance of all shifters. They then must travel to Howel so that Hayden can try to help Damien and come to an understanding on how the Maj will help in the war against Braw and the humans. Some unexpected good news turns sour as Hayden and Rainen are forced to unite when they are attacked by dark forces; little do they know what they will be up against in their attempt to help Damien.

As preparations are made and plans drawn up things seem to be going ahead fine, that is if Hayden can stop being kidnapped. The pack faces some personal losses; discover atrocious acts and start having premonitions of devastating things to come that will affect them all. As they journey to the final battle Hayden finds help from an unexpected source who helps them in ways they never expected but when it comes down to it , Can she do it? Is she really the chosen one?

I knew I was going to love this, I really liked books 1 & 2 so it was obvious this was going to be the best, I had a feeling it was going to be epic . . . and it was! A lot of action going on in this book especially at the beginning and end as the plot gets going and the pieces slot nicely into place, just when you think things are going smoothly something pops up and makes you think ‘how much more can they go through ?’ 

The middle part of the book was where we really got into the characters again as they go through lots of ordeals that made you feel all the more for them and I was sad that I knew it was coming to an end. The things they went through here were quite sad and the losses where devastating, I had tears a couple of times, I feel like I’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster with them so of course I wanted my Happy Ever After.  For all it all boils down to one final battle that wasn’t the focus for me, It was the journey. . . the trials and tribulations they all went through so that they themselves could get to the point where they knew there was no other way and they weren’t only fighting for themselves and what had been done to them but for everyone, their way of life and what they really believe in.

Hayden is one inspirational lady who has dealt with everything thrown at her no matter how damaging it was to her, always thinking of the greater good and other people, truly selfless and a true heroine. She went from a loner type young woman to an inspiring leader with an amazing sense of justice and what was right and Jasper, what wouldn’t I give for a husband like him, loyal, protective, loving . . .  you pick a good trait and he has it! A stoic warrior and pack leader who followed his queen’s orders without question, transformed by love and the knowledge that things weren’t right within his world made him an excellent mate for Hayden. They deserve each other and I’m sad this is the end. I have loved these books, loving the imagination of the author that has took me on this fantasy journey, the world she has created and the Characters and species. I have loved the romance, the family dynamics, the morality of it and I would love to see this trilogy made into a movie, it’s that good! I would recommend them to anyone; these books are hidden gems that I’m so glad I discovered.

PS. Although Hayden and Jasper’s story has come to an end it is not the end for Quelondain and some of the characters I have come to know and love, there are chapters in the back for a new adult book AND a young adult book that will definitely be going on my ‘to be read’ list.

A huge thank you to Mireille Chester for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Author Bio:
Mireille  Chester was born in Ottawa, Ontario in 1979 and moved to Saskatchewan when she was eight. Writing is one of her many passions which also include reading, drawing, painting, animals, and the outdoors. She is a stay at home mom and wife.
Mireille's first series, The Chosen One Trilogy, is made up of three novels, Crossover, Journey, and Destiny. These stories follow the adventures of Hayden Carlson when she suddenly discovers a world filled with magic and finds herself caught up in a war that could wipe out almost every being that lives there. She is also working on a Young Adult series titled Tales of Quelondain and a follow up series to The Chosen One Trilogy titled The Witteck Chronicles.
Mireille now lives in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan with her husband and their three children as well as multiple animals. She hopes to keep readers entertained with the world of Quelondain and all of its amazing beings.

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E-book Giveaway! 
One lucky winner will win a complete set of The Chosen One Trilogy! 
Want to enter? Fill out the Rafflecopter form below. 
Extra entries are optional but of course, it gives you more chances to win. 
The giveaway is international and will end on 14th December 2011. 
Good Luck!!!

My Book Boyfriend (#26): Take them home for Christmas special + Giveaway: Featuring the Poughkeepsie brothers

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly meme, hosted by Missie at The Unread Reader. What is My Book Boyfriend you might ask.  Well it is a weekly meme where we talk about a literary crush including stats, a picture of what you imagine he looks like and some quotes from him that make you swoon.  If you are interested in participating please check out the My Book Boyfriend Introduction Page over at Missie's blog The Unread Reader.

Alright ladies (and gentlemen if there are any). I have a Christmas special for you today.  I'm going to triple team you all today (I mean that in the most non sexual way ever). I have three special boys-men-for you. They are foster brothers,  Beckett Taylor, Cole Bridge, and Blake Hartt. And these three foster brothers all come from Debra Anastasia's new novel Poughkeepsie. So here they are...:

Beckett Taylor
Description: Tall, muscular and tattooed. He's s a mobster. Even though he's a little bit evil he has a kind heart towards children and his foster brothers. He goes all out to try and protect his brothers and the people they love. Including murder. His personality is magnetic, and if he even looks at you, you blush. 
Quote: "Beckett wasn't ready to leave. Cole and Blake might never understand

how much he hungered for their monthly meetings. He loved feeling like
Poughkeepsie he had a family. He was so used to watching his back and striking first. The easy camaraderie they shared was a balm on his frazzled nerves. Their matching
tattoos were the only ones any of them had.

Beckett pulled himself up into the Hummer. He’d wait a little longer,
just in case. There were a lot of illegal, deadly things stored in Beckett’s car,
but the only thing he kept hidden was the cd he now pulled out from under
the driver’s seat. He slipped it in the player and turned on the power, letting
the classical music sweep over him like a cool breeze. It was the soundtrack
of his boys. The music that saved them. Blake’s music."

My model for Beckett today is Australian ex-rugby star turned model, Daniel Conn. I found that Beckett was a hard one to picture. When I think of mobsters in fiction I always seem to picture them Hispanic (no disrespect to any Hispanic followers). So I emailed Debra and told her, I was having trouble thinking of Beckett. She gave me a few suggestions, and most of them were pretty good. But they weren't dark enough for me to use as Beckett. So I went on a hunt and came across Daniel who is, lets face it, extremely sexy, and I decided that he would be my Beckett, because Beckett is extremely sexy and manly! So there you go, Daniel Conn is foster brother number one, Beckett Taylor.

A Review for My Soul to Keep (Soul Screamers #3) by Rachel Vincent

Posted by Donna

Published Date: April 15th, 2011

Finished Date: November 29th, 2011

Publishers: Mira Ink

Source: For Review

Format: Paperback

Pages: 348

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The Blurb from Goodreads: Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them. Until something does. Demon's breath. No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow, the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends—one of whom is already hooked. And when the epidemic hits too close to home, Kaylee will have to risk everything to save those she loves.

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The Review: Wow, what a ride My Soul to Keep was. After reading My Soul to Save I was a little bit disappointed that is wasn't as good book one but Rachel Vincent is definitely back.

In this instalment we see Kaylee go through a whole new challenge. When her friends at school get a hold of the deadly Demon's Breath, they soon start becoming addicts and of course Kaylee takes it upon herself to try and sort out the problem. With the help of Nash and Tod, Kaylee battles through the Neverworld yet again but when she finds out the person closet to her is also an addict.....Kaylee's world is turned upside down and now it becomes a battle to save the one she loves most.

My Soul to Keep was a perfect example of why I enjoy Rachel Vincent’s work. It was thrilling, dangerous and FULL of emotions and I loved every minute it. It's safe to say I definitely felt more connected with this novel than book two. I feel the reason for this is because this time around, the danger is surrounding Kaylee’s close friends and loved ones rather than someone we didn't really know and I loved it all the more.

Kaylee this time around, I felt grew as a character and she truly stands up for what she believes in. It is sad to say that this time, her journey is a sad one because she is trying to save Nash who is addicted to Demon's Breath and that opens up a can of worms for their relationship. Kaylee feels betrayed because Nash doesn't confide in her about his problem and there are things that she just can't get over, so they do break up. I can totally understand why she feels like this but I couldn't help feel sorry for Nash. It's not his fault he was exposed to Demon's Breath, it was just his fault he hid it and lied about it. My heart honestly broke for him, I love Nash...honestly love him and I seriously hope he gets back to his normal self and him and Kaylee work on their problems.

Despite all the sadness in this book, it was good to see Tod interact more with Kaylee. I've already heard of a potential storyline that might happen between them and I'm not sure how I feel about it at the moment but for now, I did enjoy getting to know him better and I loved how he supported Kaylee. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Thank You to Mira Ink for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Guest Post with Author Belle Whittington and E-book Giveaway

Cicada Holiday Companion Story

By Belle Whittington

            Christmas in our small, inconsequential, southeast Texas town is usually a cold and rainy time of the year.  In retrospect, the snow and sleet that covered everything, including the haunted forest, in a blanket of white must have been a harbinger that everything was about to change.  However, at the time we thought it was a good omen.  At the time we thought that all the sadness of losing our father and brother would finally disappear and we could recall the memories of Christmases past without shedding tears or hiding the pain under a pillow at night when all the rest of the world had fallen asleep, dreaming of sugar-plums and Santa Clause.
            And so we filled Sprinkles with the spicy, sweet aromas of Christmas, drawing in customers with candy canes painted on the front windows and strings of twinkling lights swirling around the shrubs in front of Mom’s bakery.  Giant gingerbread men dangled from the branches of the Norfolk pine tree that Andrew had bought at the Willis Boy Scout Christmas tree lot, and strands of popcorn and gumdrops adorned the tree, forming giant Ws from the blinking star on the top to the piles of the deceptively-wrapped empty boxes stacked beneath the decorated boughs.
            Mom closed the bakery early on Christmas Eve.  Most of the regular customers had already picked up their boxes of decorated, spicy gingerbread men or bags of sugar-sprinkled Christmas cookies, so there was no reason to stay open when we had a party to prepare for at home.
            I’ll always remember how weird Everett had behaved the days leading up to Christmas.  Well…weirder than usual, I should say.  But it was a good kind of weird, just like all of his weirdness was.  When Mom and I arrived at home from the bakery, he was already there, attempting to shovel the newly-fallen snow from the driveway and sidewalk.  Mom tooted the horn on the van, and he spun around, raising a hand to wave at us.  He slipped on the ice and tumbled off the top step onto the snowman he and Andrew had made earlier.
            “Bug Boy, you’ve killed the snowman!” I giggled, bounding out of the van and offering to give him a hand. 
            “I’ll build a new one…just for you,” He pulled me down into the snow with him.  Tumbling off the mound that had formed the base of the snowman, I landed on my back and Everett on his elbow above me.  “I’d do anything for you,” his blue eyes blinked behind his foggy, snow-covered glasses.
            I caught myself stroking the side of his face with my gloved hand and a strange sensation sprang to life inside of my stomach, twirling and growing rapidly.  “Everett…” I whispered, my breath hanging in the air around us like a mysterious fog.        
            Before I could say anything else, a snowball thrown by Andrew plastered across the side of Everett’s head. He was immediately on his feet pulling me up with him.  The snowball fight that followed was epic!
             By the time we were frozen to the bone, Mom was calling us to come inside for hot chocolate topped with fluffs of whipped cream and crushed candy cane bits.  A fire burned brightly in the fireplace, and the twinkling Christmas tree lights reflected blurred colorful dots across the walls and ceiling.
            “The guests will arrive soon,” Mom said as she plopped a platter of cookies on the coffee table in front of us.  “Better grab a cookie while you can.  They are fresh out of the oven!”
            Everett shoved a chocolate chip cookie in his mouth and mumbled something that sounded like, “omnomnomnom…”
            “I better go clean up before everyone gets here,” Andrew said, looking down at his sweatshirt smudged with motor oil from working on his pickup truck.
            After he left the living room, Everett rushed to the stack of presents under the tree and plucked a small one from behind a very large green-foil-wrapped gift that was in the obvious shape of a guitar.  The tag on the larger present proved what I was thinking.  It was to Andrew from Everett.  I giggled and shook my head as he made his way back to the couch and sat down next to me.
            “This is for you,” he pushed his glasses up with his index finger and handed me the small present that had been concealed behind the large, foil-wrapped guitar.  “Open it.”
            “Now?” I looked at the square present bundled in striped paper and bound with a bundle of ribbons way too big for a box that size.
            “Yes!”  He nodded, smiling.  “While we’re alone.”
            I untangled the ribbon that had been wrapped around the package multiple times and ripped the paper off.  Before I could register what it was, Everett blurted out, “It’s an iPod!  You said you wanted one, remember?  A few months ago…we were at the mall and someone walked by with headphones in, and you said you wanted one.”
            “Oh, my gosh!  Everett!  But it cost so much!  You didn’t have to do this!” I said while opening the box to reveal the shiny mp3 player.
            “Turn it over,” he said, while guiding my hand.  “I had it engraved.  See?  It says ‘To Blair.  From Bug Boy.  And I just had that little heart put on there.  It’s no big deal.  Just a little heart.”  He pushed his glasses up again and smiled.
            That weird sensation swirled again in my stomach, like fireflies fluttering around a glowing candle.  “It’s so pretty, Everett!”  I turned it over in my hand once more, stroking the engraving and the little heart.  “It’s perfect.  Thank you.”  Those last two words were almost a whisper.
            I meant to turn my face back toward him and hug him.  But he was quicker.  He placed one hand on my right cheek and his lips found their way to my left one, kissing me once…twice…moving closer to my lips…when…Andrew walked in and cleared his throat, completely ruining the moment.
            “Uh…it’s snowing again and David and Natalie just pulled in,” he ran his hand through his ruffled brown hair and stammered awkwardly.  “Just thought you’d want to know.”
            “Oh, okay,” I blushed, looking anywhere but at my big brother.  Andrew walked out, leaving Everett and me alone once more.
            “You have to wait to open my present,” I smiled, looking up into Everett’s bright eyes.
            A wide smile blazed across his face, speaking more than I could discern.  It contained a double-meaning that I couldn’t figure out.  So I did the safe thing and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and turned to go to the kitchen where the guests were beginning to congregate.
            David’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hargrave, arrived shortly after he and Natalie.  Mrs. Hargrave was carrying a large, red poinsettia, and Mr. Hargrave had a bottle of wine in one hand and a box of cigars in the other.  They were Grandpa’s favorite cigars, and he slapped Mr. Hargrave on the back while inviting him into the living room for a smoke.
            Grandma, dressed in a Christmas sweater and jingle bell earrings, poured more hot chocolate into mugs while shaking her head.  She’d been trying to get Grandpa to stop smoking for years, and she had recently gotten him to cut way back on the cigars.  He’d usually chewed on a short cigar without ever lighting up.  But judging by how quickly he retrieved a lighter from his shirt pocket, it looked like he planned on lighting one up.
            Natalie was carrying a brightly-decorated gift bag stuffed with tissue paper and a small stack of Christmas cards, each decorated with a candy cane.  She hugged me and stuffed the handles of the gift bag into my hand telling me that it was for me.  Then, the excitement got the best of her, and she blurted out that she’d gotten me a manicure kit and some holiday-scented bubble bath.  I hugged her and thanked her, knowing that I must appear to be a complete heathen compared to her perfectly-manicured self.
            Everett’s dad, Mr. Forster, arrived just as Mom was getting the ham out of the oven.  He exclaimed how he was starving and was glad that he’d arrived just in time and plopped a tattered paper bag on the counter just before the bottom ripped open.  He reached into the bag and pulled out a vegetable tray, a fruit tray, and a bottle of apple cider.  He’d just made a stop by Kroger on his way to our house from the university where he taught history. 
            As Mom was crumpling the tattered paper bag to toss it into the kitchen trash, Mr. Forster reached into his coat and quickly produced a leather-bound book. He slipped it into Mom’s apron pocket as if to keep from calling attention from the others in the room.  Too late.  Even though no one else noticed, I did.  And I also noticed how Mom nodded and left the room, with her hand stuffed into her apron pocket, and headed for Dad’s study.  I made a mental note to search for that little book as soon as I got the chance.
            Andrew began singing Deck the Halls really loud and snapped me back into the moment.  Before I knew it, David had joined in and Mom, Grandpa, and Mr. Hargrave had returned to the kitchen, singing along.  So I had no choice but to add my voice to the chorus, however out of tune it was. I glanced behind me to see that Everett was still wearing that same broad, goofy smile on his face while singing. 
            I giggled, knowing there would be a time when I would hold onto that memory.  Knowing that one memory, surrounded by loved ones in the kitchen on Christmas Eve, with that smile on Everett’s face would get me through a tough time…
            Little did I know that it wouldn’t be that far in the future that I would grasp onto that one memory to keep me in the present and give me hope.  Little did I know on that snowy, wintry Christmas Eve, that one day, a year from now, I would find myself lying bloody and broken on the jungle floor in South America, grappling with whether I should give up or try to fight for my life.  Little did I know that one memory would make me choose to fight…

Want more details on Cicada....here's the blurb:
Summertime had always been carefree and fun for Blair Reynolds and her friends--until they came upon something that was not human. As the group of friends band together in a fight for their lives, Blair's true love becomes something more than human.....something unnatural. And their existence relies on their ability to keep a secret. 

E-Book Giveaway of Cicada!
One lucky winner could win an e-book copy of Cicada. 
Want to enter? All you need to do is fill out the rafflecopter form below. The giveaway is international and closes on December 24th. Extra entries are optional.
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So that's it guys! Belle has wrote a awesome guest post and I hope you are all excited about Cicada! Please leave us your thoughts below and a huge thank you to Belle for hosting this giveaway. 


Happy Reading & Happy Holidays!