Friday, June 1, 2018

A New Release!



The Nameless Soldier is book 4 in the Annals of Alasia young adult fantasy series. Haven't read all (or any) of the others? That's okay! The books can be read in any order, and each one can stand on its own.

Description:

What do you do when you’re the only survivor?

Nineteen-year-old Tarvic bears the name of a mighty hero from Alasia’s past. However, the young soldier feels anything but heroic when he regains consciousness to find himself the lone survivor of a brutal attack by invaders from the neighboring kingdom. 

Forced to leave his identity behind, Tarvic is thrust into civilian life in the role of protector to three war orphans. When the four of them encounter a mysterious stranger, he must choose between keeping the young girls safe and taking on a mission that could help free his kingdom. Can Tarvic live up to his noble name and find a way to balance his duty and his dreams?


Where to Get a Copy:

Click here to buy the ebook or paperback from Amazon. (The ebook is $2.99 just $0.99 through June 6th!)

Not sure if you'll like the story or not? Take a look at the first chapter and see!



The Nameless Soldier
Chapter One

      
Tarvic woke to the sound of a distant yell, abruptly silenced. He pushed his blankets aside and sat up, puzzled, but heard only the light patter of rain on the canvas. “What was that?”
Drevel, his roommate in the barracks and tentmate out on campaigns like this, stirred and rolled over. “What?”
“I heard something. Someone shouting.”
“It’s probably just another drill.” But Drevel sat up too, shoving his own blankets away, as Tarvic crawled over and untied the tent flap.
A blast of wintry air and raindrops greeted him as he leaned out, peering across the tent-studded hillside. Clouds hid the moon and stars, and on every side the thick dark of the forest leaned in from the edges of the large clearing. But the telltale flickering light of distant torches sent shadows leaping over tents and across the open spaces between them. Why would someone be using torches out here? Any soldier in camp had easy access to lanterns among the supplies.
Something was wrong. Very wrong. Tarvic pulled back into the tent and yanked on his breeches and jacket.
They both heard the next yell, closer this time, and then the unmistakable clash of swords. Both men snatched up their own swords, jamming their feet into their boots and fumbling for shields. From all around them, shouts of alarm erupted as men in their company woke up.
And then the enemy was upon them. Horses exploded through the camp, trampling tents and the soldiers just crawling out of them. Riders leaned low off their mounts’ backs, swinging swords and waving torches.
Halfway out of his tent, Tarvic threw himself flat on his face to avoid a slash that would probably have decapitated him. He scrambled to his feet, only to be knocked off them again by a blow that he barely caught on his shield.
Light, shadows, horses, blades, rain. Chaos raged through the clearing to the sound of crashing metal, pounding hooves, shouts of challenge and desperation. Tarvic regained his feet and fought as best he could from the ground while enemy riders thundered around him. Dodging and ducking, he aimed for the men’s legs and tried to keep out from under their horses’ hooves. With no idea who he was fighting or why, his only goal to stay alive for the next heartbeat, he dodged and darted through the tumult looking for spots where horses and enemy swords weren’t. All around him, men fought and ran and crumpled to lie as limply as the trampled tents.
Slipping and stumbling in the mud, Tarvic felt a surge of satisfaction as his sword met flesh and an enemy yelled in pain. And then the man wheeled his horse and charged back toward him, and Tarvic turned to flee.
He tripped on something soft that groaned. Pain shot through Tarvic’s wrist as he caught his fall, and only a quick roll saved him from being trampled as the man’s horse cantered over him.
Its rider wheeled again, and Tarvic rose to his knees, barely raising his shield in time to protect his face. The force of the blow threw him backward, jarring his already sore wrist.
Another horse leaped over him, and Tarvic cried out in pain as a hoof struck him on the shoulder. He stumbled to his feet, ducking low to present as small a target as possible, and ran through the melee.
He saw fewer people on foot now, more obstacles in the mud. Was it cowardly to flee from a battle you couldn’t win? Nothing in Tarvic’s eight months in the military had prepared him for this. Not counting occasional minor border skirmishes, the kingdom of Alasia hadn’t seen an actual war in six generations. Besides routine patrols, city peacekeeping, and the frequent drills and training, the military’s primary duties involved escorting merchant wagons through robber-frequented stretches of rural highway and keeping an eye on the sections of coastline where seafaring raiders were known to attack. Tarvic had never fought in a battle that involved more than a handful of opponents at a time, and none of those opponents had been anywhere near this organized — or this deadly.
If we escape, we can regroup somewhere safer and — A hard blow to the back knocked him to the ground again as another horse pounded over him. Giving up all pretense of courage, Tarvic scrambled to his feet once more and fled for the edge of the clearing and the relative safety of the trees beyond. I can’t do anything here. They’re going to slaughter us all!
He was practically there when another rider appeared in front of him, leaning low with sword outstretched. Tarvic almost impaled himself on the blade, raising his shield just in time. He fought back frantically as the man slashed, swinging his weapon again and again. I need my horse! Military training had included nothing about how to fight a mounted enemy from the ground. But Lightning was tethered in the row of makeshift stalls on the far side of the camp, probably prancing restlessly under his blanket and wondering why his rider didn’t come to spur him into battle.
Tarvic didn’t even see the blow that almost killed him. His ears barely registered the thudding of more galloping hooves from behind, nearly drowned out by the rain and the sounds of battle. But the world exploded in light and pain as something struck the back of his head harder than anything had ever hit him before.
He lurched forward, feeling his sword drop from limp fingers. Managing two steps before his legs buckled, he was just conscious enough to recognize the urgent need to crawl. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Or they’ll kill you out here. That was the only thought left in his mind as he pulled himself toward the concealing shadows behind the line of tree trunks. And then even that faded, giving way to darkness.

Want to know what happens to Tarvic? Click here to purchase the book and find out!


About the Author:


Annie Douglass Lima spent most of her childhood in Kenya and later graduated from Biola University in Southern California. She and her husband Floyd currently live in Taiwan, where she teaches fifth grade at Morrison Academy. She has been writing poetry, short stories, and novels since her childhood, and to date has published seventeen books (four YA action and adventure novels, five fantasies, a puppet script, six anthologies of her students’ poetry, and a Bible verse coloring and activity book). Besides writing, her hobbies include reading (especially fantasy and science fiction), scrapbooking, and international travel.
















Monday, February 12, 2018

Day 5 A special Valentine's release for you to win.


Happy Valentines Day (tomorrow). I hope your day is going well and that you have love in your life, or a hot book boyfriend. Sometimes those guys are more fun to have around anyway!

Today is the final day of Five  Days of Winning and I have a superfun-perfect-for-Valentine's Day-book for you to win! In fact, the talented Frankie A. Brown is giving away her newly released sweet romance, What Happened to Romance? 

I've read a couple of Ms. Brown's books and loved them and this one looks just as adorable!

If you read the back of the book you'd find this blurb:

For Mallory McKay, romance is dead, and it all started with a bad breakup that landed her in an anger management course. It figures that the heartthrob she ran into coming out of her class is her new colleague at work. If things aren’t awkward enough, the two must now work together to decorate for a charity Valentine ball. Max Collins’ life is full with a new job and a demanding recovering alcoholic mother. Despite his hectic schedule, he finds himself wanting to spend more time with Mallory. Though he shouldn’t, he’s taking it as a personal challenge to prove to her that romance is alive and well. With Valentine’s Day approaching, love is all anyone in Romance, Oregon can think about. How can Max convince Mallory love and romance can be hers?

Enter to win What Happened to Romance here!

Want to grab Frankie's new book now or check out her other books. Here are some links to connect you this talented author! If you read in Kindle Unlimited you can enjoy all of Ms. Brown's books.


 
Follow Frankie Brown! She'd love to connect.




Thanks for stopping by and good luck everyone!
 

 



Sunday, February 11, 2018

Day Four of Five Days of Giveaways

This fun week is flying! It's already Day Four in our Five Days of sweet romance Giveaways!
Today I'm welcoming author Audrey Rich to the blog to take part in our giveaways. Audrey has multiple books out and has graciously offered to giveaway Thinking About Love to celebrate the release of Five Days Five Kisses!

This story looks so fun. Here's what you can win...

Two teenagers. One life changing decision. Heartache and joy rolled into one bundle. Trina Weber believes she has the perfect life: model looks, great friends, and plenty of college credits right before she enters senior year at Stonehaven High School. Her plans to become a family doctor are set.
Even her relationship with Stuart Grant, her amazingly gorgeous, college boyfriend, is on track. They will blaze through and take the world by storm...together.
But everyone knows that life isn’t perfect.
The consequence of her one spontaneous decision disrupts their lives, forcing her to make choices that can bring them love or force them apart…forever.

Novelist Audrey Rich fills the conclusion of Thinking About Love with all the feels of a teen couple forced to navigate adulthood prematurely and make the difficult decisions. It's tough to learn about adult responsibilities before being ready. You’re bound to fall in love with Trina, Stuart, and Rich’s entire cast of characters, as you step into the Stonehaven High world.

Ready win this adorable sweet romance? Enter an easy-peasy rafflecopter giveaway here

Don't want to take your chances. Grab Thinking About Love or any of Audrey's books at Amazon by clicking HERE

To learn more about Audrey and her work. Here are some links to connect!

https://goaudreyrich.wordpress.com/

https://twitter.com/goaudreyrich

https://www.instagram.com/goaudreyrich/

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/audrey-rich-f8a63865-ecf4-4583-a0ca-e21f65633ff3

I know I was excited to be introduced to Audrey's work and am so glad she took part in our Five Day celebration. If you missed days, one, two, or three, jump back up to the previous blogs and put your name is the raffle for three great books.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tomorrow is our last giveaway and I can't wait to share it with you. See you tomorrow!


Saturday, February 10, 2018

Day Three of Five Days of Giveaways!.

Welcome to Day Three of  Five Days of Giveaways. We are celebrating the release of  my new release, Five Days Five Kisses by giving away five fun romances just in time for Valentine's Day.  Today Author Beth Rodgers is sharing two Sweet Romances and a fabulous giveaway!
What can you win? Here are the blurbs for her books, Freshman Fourteen and Sweet Fifteen.

Freshman Fourteen Blurb:

Navigating the halls of Kipperton High should be easy for someone like Margot Maples. She's smart, sweet, and ready to start fresh. But with her best friend moved away, she's stuck wondering just how to fit in. Making her transition more difficult is Max, who always knows how to push her buttons, Walter, her geeky suitor, Cassie, the girl who seemingly has it all, and Peter, her first true crush. So, life doesn't go just the way she hopes. Join Margot on a journey through the beginning of ninth grade – a time when your reputation is determined by the most trivial of matters, including where you eat, how many friends you have, and – most notably – who you kiss.

 


Sweet Fifteen Blurb:

Sophomore year starts off on a positive note, with Margot Maples enjoying a circle of new friends, an influx of confidence, and the attention of the oh-so-cute new basketball player, Kirk. But she quickly finds herself stuck in a rut, battling mean girls, and getting caught up in Kirk's past. Margot's friendships, heartaches, and presidential campaign lead her on a path to self-discovery, making sophomore year one to remember.

Come along on Margot's journey in this sequel to Freshman Fourteen that has new faces, backroom politics, and a few twists and turns along the way.

 


These sound like a great beach read:)

Ready to enter to win Freshman Fourteen? Enter Rafflecopter Giveaway Here! And, if you  want to check out Five Days Five Kisses, here's the Amazon link. Link for Five Days Five Kisses

Now that you've discovers Beth and her books, here's where you learn more. Stalk her. She loves it and read on to learn about Beth's awkward dating moment. Is it worse than yours?

Links:

Website/Blog: BethRodgersAuthor.com


Twitter: @bethrodgersauth


Amazon Links: amzn.com/B00PIWYU92 (Freshman Fourteen) and amzn.com/B01MTSHL0H (Sweet FIfteen)

 Now we get to hear about Beth's awkward dating moment, and it's so easy to envision! Take it away Beth...

I was once on a study abroad trip before my senior year of high school. There was this boy who I liked and I was super excited every time we crossed paths. We knew each other from home, so it was normal for us to say hi and talk to each other. I think it was also pretty obvious that he knew I liked him. I was never too good at hiding my crushes.

There was this one time when we were on a beach. He was with at least one other guy, and I was with another girl. We all knew each other, and he asked if I could put some suntan lotion on him. I probably blushed way too much, and knowingly embarrassed, I rubbed the lotion on his back. When I was done, he asked if either me or my friend needed lotion. Like an idiot, I immediately responded that we had already put it on before we got to the beach. My friend gave me this look, and I knew immediately that I had given the wrong answer. I instantaneously regretted my decision, and obviously do to this day since it's still on my mind.

So I learned a lesson: when a cute guy asks to rub lotion on you, even if you already have it on, you just let him do it again!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check back in tomorrow for another incredible giveaway!

Friday, February 9, 2018

Day 2 of 5 Days of Sweet Romance Giveaways!

Happy Day Two of Five Days of Giveaways.





I'm having so much fun introducing you to new authors and Five AMAZING giveaways! Today Laura L. Walker is sharing a short story called The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine, written just for the season of L<3VE.


Laura, take over....

Happy February! I'm so excited for this month to arrive. As you may have guessed, I absolutely adore love stories! And as such, I've been busy writing and publishing another clean romance for those of you who, like me, just can't get enough of them. This one is called The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine. It's the story of Penny Merrill, who needs a fake boyfriend to help her save her sweet shop from falling into the hands of her money-hungry mother and conniving stepfather. So she enlists the help of commercial contractor Preston Ames, who frequently visits her sweet shop and is secretly sweet on her. He's got another secret, though. Preston is actually the heir to a multi-billion-dollar fortune.

As part of author Angela Carling launch for her new release Five Days Five Kisses, I am participating with four other authors, including Angela in a special Valentine's Day giveaway. Enter 
HERE for a chance to win an e-copy of The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine.
 
Also, Angela asked me to share an awkward or embarrassing story about when I was dating my husband. So here goes: I was actually almost a jilted bride. Can you believe it? Knowing my husband and how steady and kind he is, I wouldn't believe it either, if I hadn't experienced this for myself.


Rob and I lived six hours apart at the time because I was finishing my student teaching. On the eve of our wedding, we agreed to meet at the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple to look at the Christmas lights and display. We would be married inside the temple the next day. I arrived early and began looking around. I enjoyed the lights and music from various choirs, but as time passed and Rob didn't come, I began to get worried. Cell phones were a rarity in those days, so I waited . . . and waited . . . and waited until, almost breaking down in tears, I decided to go to the hotel where my parents and I were staying.

My mom encouraged me to call Rob's grandmother's house where he would be staying that night, but it was already ten-thirty and I worried about waking people up or disturbing them. Finally, my mom said to me, quite frankly, "Laura, you're supposed to get married in the morning. You have every right to find out where your fiance is. Get on that phone and call him right now!"

So I did. It turns out that he got delayed at his younger brother's high school basketball game in northern Arizona and didn't arrive in Mesa until quite late. Our marriage the next morning took place without a hitch! Ha! And now you know how I was almost a jilted bride.
Whew! That sounds stressful! Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check tomorrow for another fantastic giveaway!

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Five Days of Winning to celebrate Five Days Five Kisses!


Hi all.





It's time to celebrate the release of the fun, nostalgic, sweet romance Five Days, Five Kisses. So.... I'm hosting Five Days of Winning starting on February 9 and ending on the day of romance, Valentines Day! Five amazing authors will be hosting a giveaway of one of their books and you could win them all!






Here are the books you can enter to win...

 
 



 I'll be posting a reminder to enter on my Facebook and twitter feed. Follow me on Twitter Angela's twitter  and you'll get all the updates...or you could just check back here to read more about these fabulous books up for grabs. One each wonderful day!

Before I tell you about the first book up for grabs, I wanted to let you know that Five Days Five Kisses is at an introductory price of .99 but only until Valentine's Day, then the price goes up! Grab your copy now at ITunes  Amazon  Barnes and Noble
 
 Today, I get to start the winning with one of my most popular sweet romances called Becoming Bryn that you can win through an easy Amazon Giveaway. This sweet romance is all about sisters, twin sisters actually. Here's the blurb and Cover.
 




 For months, Jesse has been envious of her twin sister Bryn and even has a crush on Bryn’s gorgeous, popular boyfriend, Quinton. When Jesse awakens from a coma to learn that everyone thinks she is Bryn, the option of actually taking over her sister’s life is beyond tempting, but there’s a downside. She’d have to give up her relationship with Ethan, her best friend and the only person she trusts. Could she actually live s Bryn for the rest of her life? And if her family and friends found out, would they ever forgive her?


You can win Becoming Bryn Here in the AMAZON GIVEAWAY and there are multiple copies up for grabs!
 
If you want to know more about this book or check out any of my work and see other's reviews, you can drop by Angela's AMAZON page here
 
Thanks for stopping by and make sure to check back tomorrow for another chance to win sweet romance!

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Five Days Five Kisses is here!

Hi everyone!
Thanks for dropping in. Today is a big day around here. Five Days Five Kisses is officially out and it's all kinds of sweet and awkward and a little nostalgic. And it all starts with a terrible, embarrassing breakup. If you read on, you'll learn about my worst break up and it's a doozy!!

Do you like the cover? It was custom made by a very talented cover artist that I will definitely use again for the other two books! I love how it captures the vibe of this fun feel-good romance!

 
Here's a teaser:)
 
 
Where can you pick up your copy? Here's the links to grab your copy for .99...but only until Valentine's Day. After that, the price goes up to 3.99, so grab it now:)
 
If you want to keep with my new releases and books that go on sale or are FREE, join my newsletter.
 
 
Here's me...
 
Now about my break up story....
 
When Nikola's boyfriend dumped her in such public way it was easy for me to relate to her confusion and embarrassment. Fresh out of high school, I had an equally embarrassing breakup, minus the entire graduating class gawking at my humiliation. My sweetheart of two years had gone on vacation  with his family. They were camping(and it was the late 80's with no cell phones, so I didn't worry when Mickey didn't call for a couple of days). After five days of silence, I began to worry that something bad had happened to him and no one thought to inform me. The following morning I got in my car and drove three and a half hours San Diego, California. It was a gorgeous day and I found their beach campsite with no problem. Sitting on the sand, I waited for Mickey to come out of his tent. Forty five minutes, then two hours and finally three hours went by. Ah, the patience of young, stupid love. Finally, his mom came out and told me that the relationship was over! Yep, it was that brutal. I was dumped by my boyfriend's mother. Hold on. It actually gets worse!
 
The next night I didn't sleep. How could I? The love of my life had changed overnight. Surely he was having a moment of insanity and had just forgotten his undying love for me.  
 
I was such a teenager, oh the drama! So I did what any love struck teen would do who was full of optimism and longing, I drove to San Diego again and waited on the same beach. Now looking back, my boyfriend who hated conflict must've struggled for hours watching me, knowing he had to face me! Haha, it kind of makes me laugh. Finally, he showed up. Looking very uncomfortable he came to me and confirmed that he was breaking up with me. No warning signs, no fight. It was just over.
 
To me, the funny part of this story came later when I arrived home to my Dad. I was raised by a single father who had to be both mom and dad. He is a good man, but at that moment, he was not comfortable with his role. As he watched an endless trail of tears stream down my face, he said, "I'm sorry honey. I know you....' He paused struggling to say the word that no father wants to think about let alone say to his daughter. Then he said, "Llloved" him sounding like the word itself might choke him to speak aloud. It was kind of wretched, but somehow made me smile through my sorrow. In a little time, Mickey and I became friends again and years later on Facebook he said he didn't remember the entire break up scene....Hmm.  So there it is, my oh-so embarrassing break up story and maybe somewhere in the back of my mind, the inspiration for Nikola's gut-wrenching day that led her straight into the arms of five strangers...or so she thought.   
 
What's the most awkward romantic moment that you've ever experienced?  Tell us about it!
 And I hope you love Five Days Five Kisses!
.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, January 26, 2018

Cover Reveal for Five Days Five Kisses and giveaway

It's here! The cover reveal for my upcoming release Five Days Five Kisses!

I have to confess, writing this book was so fun.I have a feeling reading it will leave you with that same feel-good feeling! Even my mother-in-law liked it:)
What's this book about? Here's the blurb you'll find of the back of the book:


 
 
Before the reveal I want to give credit to the cover artist who took my book concept and created a custom cover just for Five Days Five Kisses. Krysten from
www.dropdeaddesigns.com you're the best.
 
Without further delay, here it is!
 

Watch for Five Days of Winning coming in Early February. I release a book, you will meet five new authors and have a chance to win one of their books! Until then I've a giveaway going for another awesome sweet romance called Becoming Bryn. Win Becoming Bryn, a sweet romance here!

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you win!


Tuesday, January 9, 2018

What's a coming....

Hi all! I hope the new year is treating you well. I know this is going to be a big year for me. I'm sending my first child to college in mid January and I'm pretty sure my heart is going to break when he leaves for good! Also, there are good book things coming. Last year I published the final book of the Secret Keeper series and fans are loving it! When I hear people say that they are sad to see the series end, I'm not going to lie, it kind of makes me want to do a happy dance.
 I love making my readers happy so I wrote another book that will also turn into a series!

The name of the new book is Five Days, Five Kisses and it is a lot of fun. Next week I'll post the cover but for now here's the blurb:
Five Days, Five Kisses comes out in early February and to celebrate there will 5 days of WINNING!

I CAN'T WAIT! Until next week, may your book boyfriends be wonderful!