Showing posts with label Stephanie Nelson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stephanie Nelson. Show all posts

Thursday, March 22, 2012

BLOG TOUR # 8 - AWESOME GIVEAWAY - DECEIVED by STEPHANIE NELSON - GWEN SPARKS # 2 - BOOK EXCERPT


Welcome one and all to my stop of the Gwen Sparks Blog Tour. Today I have 3 enticing excerpts from 'Deceived',  book 2 in Stephanie Nelson's series plus a giveaway below.
I also have 'CRAVED' book 1 review below, either just click on the highlighted link or scroll down until you get to next posting.
I will have 'Deceived' review up in a few hours.



The vampire drug, brew, nearly ruined Gwen Sparks’ life. Just when things started to get back to normal between her and Aiden, she is summoned by the North American Witches Council to their central city of Moon. A war is imminent between vampires and witches, and Gwen’s experiences with brew are being used to fuel the fire. She is about to discover just how powerful she is with the help of the ruggedly handsome Angel of Death and just how far some people will go to get what they want. Gwen is going to learn exactly what it means to be Deceived.


STEPHANIE NELSON
Unlike a lot of authors, Stephanie Nelson didn't dream of becoming an author. It wasn't until she jumped on the bandwagon and read about the sparkly vampire, that she fell in love with the paranormal genre. Books quickly became her addiction and the bookstore her favorite place to visit. Devouring one book after another, a story began to form in her head. Ignoring the characters that seemed to speak to her didn't work. Eventually she gave in, and began to write. After countless attempts of starting and trashing stories, Stephanie gave up. A year later, she found herself sitting in front of her computer again and made a promise to herself that she would finish a full length book. Seven months later her first book, Craved was published and ended up reaching #1 on Amazon's bestsellers list and #6 on the Barnes & Noble bestsellers list.

While she's not writing about a new adventure, Stephanie enjoys watching movies, spending time with her family and traveling. She resides in the Midwest with her husband and furry children.






BOOK REVIEW:
Dorian Hade..... and that is all I really need to say.....nah just kidding I can say more. Well, if Dorian didn’t swoop in and steal my heart?
I must have a thing for reapers, I am Team Tod in the Soul Screamers series and I am waving Dorian’s flag like a fan girl. I LOVE the way Stephanie writes this guy. I love the angst and the tense moments. I really enjoy the moments Gwen and Dorian are together as it’s not about bonking, it’s much more. Gwen and Dorian just ‘feel’ suited.
Aiden , I love your uber smexi wham bam moments, I’m not complaining about the bonking , but I am having trouble still, finding some depth with his character. He ticks all the boxes of gorgeous guy, but I want more. I did learn a thing or two about the humble ice cube........yowzer! See who needs to visit the adult shop and buy expensive things? Nobody answer that..ha!
Dorian is deliciously laid out on a silver platter for me, I think all boxes are ticked even though he hasn’t christened/checked that *&^......look I was going to say it,  but that would be a terrible pun to use. 
Oh the back stabbing that goes on...deary me, who can Gwen trust?
Gwen is off to ‘Moon’, no not the moon or to moon somebody....hehe!! I couldn’t help myself, sorry, but to a place called Moon, to train and learn her witchy ways. She is after all,  the person needed to end the war that is brewing ( sorry I couldn’t help myself) between Vampires and Witches, because of ...well some Brew that was brewed. ( sometimes Michelle you can use one too many puns)
I don’t think I personally ‘felt’ the whole danger of the war. I felt the danger of Dorian and Gwen getting it on.
Ian , is being Ian and using his mind mojo/bond to do some quite over the line things to Gwen. It was a tad uncomfortable reading those bits, as it was a tad over the line.
I did enjoy the slew of new sub characters that came our way. Some of the sub characters from ‘Craved’ just dropped away. I would put that down to being no longer in Flora, but now Moon.
Stephanie throws in a twist or two in this book, which I liked and a few spanners are thrown into the works...* waggles eyebrows *
Fiona is being a tad distant and I am not sure why?
There are secrets that Dorian and Kye are especially keeping close to their heart. No we don’t know what they are, maybe ‘Coveted’ will enlighten me.
Speaking of ‘Coveted’, I am really looking forward to more Dorian, and seeing where Stephanie takes the storyline.
Another easy, fun read with uber smexi, gorgeous lads, betrayal, back stabbing, murder and mayhem, lust and tension.
I still want a wonderful publisher to grab hold of this series with two hands, pass it on to a super editor to wrap their arms around it and give it a cuddle.







At the end of this digital book , there was a short excerpt for Stephanies new series, ‘Anna Avery Series’, titled , ‘Taming The Wolf’. I just want to say how awesome the cover is. If you keep looking you see more things. Stephanie has very, very nice covers to her books. I am looking forward to reading this book.





BOOK EXCERPT









Teaser Excerpt 1: 
 I quietly grumbled. I knew he was right, I should learn who I really was. A small part of me was afraid to though. Reading the memories of the dead was creepy enough, but at least I was helping people when I did it. Dorian wanting me to connect with the darkness just to learn it scared me. Kye’s insane sister flashed in my mind and gave me enough reason to want to study to be a spirit walker. I didn't know why she had gone insane, but I didn't want to end up like her. “Alright, teach me, old wise one.” My sarcasm tended to show itself when I was scared or pissed, at the moment I was a little bit of both.
“Close your eyes.” Dorian instructed, ignoring my cynicism. My eyes snapped shut, and I waited for him to tell me what to do next. I heard the squeak of vinyl, and his body press along the side of me. Dorian slipped his hand underneath mine and made me to jump.  “Keep your eyes closed.” I did as told, but my heart beat faster at our closeness. It seemed too intimate for a lesson. 
Teaser Excerpt 2: 
Once our skin made contact, the air grew thicker around us. I could feel the weight of it pushing against the entirety of my body. I watched as it took on a gray tint, molding against Dorian and me. My fingers clutched his hand tight as my eyes strained to see past the darkening air. Cold replaced the warmth of the day, causing a shiver to tremble through my bones. My teeth rattled against each other, my muscles constricting from the change in temperature. A slight breeze blew against my face, causing my eyes to water. I hung my head and closed my eyes to stop the singing sensation of the wind.
 “Open your eyes, Gwen,” Dorian said, but to me it sounded distant and distorted like a dream. I worked on controlling my breathing and calming my heartbeat before I worried about anything else. After a handful of deep breaths and I was satisfied I wouldn’t have a heart attack, I peeked at my surrounding through one eye. The daylight had disappeared and been replaced with gloom. Lifting my head, I opened both eyes and realized I wasn’t in Kansas anymore. Dorian and I were still in the graveyard, but not in our reality—in the realm of the dead. Everything was washed in varying shades of gray and black. Shadows clung to everything and the warmth of the sun was replaced with the icy coldness of death. 
Teaser Excerpt 3 :

He regarded me with a look I’d seen a few other times, an expression I tried to ignore, but at the moment, I couldn’t look away from. I was a woman who noticed attractive men, but I would never act on those feelings. I loved Aiden as sure as the night is long. But Dorian stirred something deep inside of me, and we connected on a level I hadn’t with Aiden. It wasn’t easy to ignore something that profound, especially when it was staring at me like I was the sexiest girl in the world.

Dorian took a step forward. His arms hung limp, but I could tell he was nervous about what was happening between us. The tightness in his jaw and triceps betrayed the cool confidence he was trying to portray. An inch of icy air separated us. I lifted my eyes to his, and we stared at each other. No words were needed; our body language spoke for us. Dorian brought his arm up and with the back of his hand caressed the side of my face with more gentleness than I imagined. My eyes closed against the feel of it. A shuffle of feet enticed my eyes open just in time to see Dorian bending forward and toward my eager lips.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THOSE TEASERS








BOOK 3 - RELEASE 2012

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY
STEPHANIE IS GIVING AWAY......

 1X Kindle Touch


or

$100 giftcard if the winner already has a kindle.

HOW GOOD IS THAT!!?

You know the drill with Rafflecopter.

Enter what it says and Good Luck!!

Leave a comment below with your fave teaser.








BOOK REVIEW - CRAVED by STEPHANIE NELSON - GWEN SPARKS # 1

THE COVER GIRL I THINK
REPRESENTS GWEN VERY WELL.
By: Stephanie Nelson
Published By : Self Published
Released : Available Now
Details : Digital Book, 263 Pages

Book Blurb : Taken From Goodreads

WITCH FOUND DRAINED
Gwen Sparks just wants to live a peaceful life in the supernatural town of Flora, but from the moment she read about the first murdered witch, all hope of peace was abandoned. Possessing the rare ability to read the memories of dead, she volunteers to help catch the culprit behind the string of drained witches. Gwen has to team up with the one man who broke her heart, deal with a ghost who pulls her into the deathly realm at will, and a fight off the advances of sexy but frustrating vampire who not only craves what runs through her veins—he wants her heart.

BOOK REVIEW:
Stephanie Nelson has fun with her debut novel, ‘Craved’ the first book in her Gwen Sparks series. Sure there were a few writing issues, but I am going to overlook them. Just innocent little things that didn’t stop the book being fun, but things the reader picks up on. I think being consistent with her characters witch powers and following them through would be an example. I enjoyed the storyline Stephanie fed to us and look forward to seeing where she takes us in ‘Deceived’.
We first meet the persistent 6 foot vampire, Aiden Blake, body of a swimmer with jet black hair, in Gwen’s potions and enchantments shop, aptly titled ‘Broomsticks’. 
Aiden, has known Gwen for a couple years and has been patiently waiting for her to be ‘mine’. If all else fails let those knickers be ripped to shreds to seal the deal.....errr I am getting a little ahead of myself....rewind.
Aiden wants Gwen but she is all hung up and sad and emotionally broken over Micah, her ex Wolf beau who is also a Detective with the FPD = Flora Police Department.
Micah, I love his character. He is a bit of a mixed up cookie with his love for Gwen, wanting his cake and eating it. I did however like how his character was written.
Gwen volunteers herself to help both Micah and Wyatt (the brother of Micah and next in line to be Alpha of the pack and also a rather dishy chappy...errr wolf) using her witchy mojo and her pussy cat, Aura.  Gwen’s cat gives her the extra oomph she needs to use her witch mojo to see the last moments/memories of the witches who are turning up dead, hoping to get a look at the killer through the eyes of the deceased.
Witches are being drained of their blood, it is being sold under the name ‘Brew’ a drug that gets young vampires high. I really liked the whole ‘Brew’ idea.
The one murder she should have grabbed her pussy cat and worked her mojo , she didn’t, I was rather puzzled by this as this person meant a lot to Gwen.
I think as the reader we have to also overlook some of the naivity of Gwen’s character. Gwen finds love in Aiden , yet he went MIA for a while and that was kind of overlooked. The guy did go to a lot of smoozing effort with flowers and a dress and an invitation, then, did a no show. Having Ian as stand in, was a bit dodgy as far as plot. Aiden pulled out all the stops and then did not make an appearance. I would have been looking for him asap!
I did like Aiden but sometimes I thought he could have been written better and with more emotion. Hot smexi is..well...hot, but it needs to be in context. I like to believe in the hunk of a man that is presented to me on a silver platter.
When Ian turns up out of the blue, you can’t help being suspicious, because, well, he turned up out of the blue with certain claims. Again I couldn’t help feeling Gwen was a little naive here.
Now,  onto the knickers......
Oh let the knickers fly in this book..hehe!! Gwen, aided by Aiden her now, vampire boyfriend, had an assortment of knickers ripped off her booty rather exuberantly.
If you want some hot smexi, at the most funnily timed moments...lol!!! This book caters very nicely.  Hey I am not complaining...the stake out I think was the funniest , when opportunity knocks...well , hey , why not  make ourselves some busy time, as really, stake outs are a tad boring.
This was a fun, smexi debut novel for Stephanie with murder, mystery, exploding knickers ( well tearing, ripping off....) ex love, new love, inbetween love, great sub characters, vampires, witches, hot lads ( the more the merrier) and a thing or two Gwen finds out about herself.
I am about to crack open ‘Deceived’ and see where Stephanie takes the handsome lads and the witches of Flora.


Michelle