DARK SACRIFICE **RELEASE DAY**

Today is the release of the second installment in the DARK PARADISE SERIES. DARK SACRIFICE, and I am thrilled to be hosting this day for  the awesome Angie Sandro.  I am currently reading Dark Sacrifice and can not wait to post my review. So far I can tell you guys this is a must read!!! A page turner like the first book Dark Paradise. 

DARK SACRIFICE

Angie Sandro

August 5, 2014

Grand Central Publishing/ Forever Yours

GOODREADS

                                                                               A GIFT AND A CURSE


Mala LaCroix sees dead people -really. After using her psychic gifts to catch a killer, she's locked in a psych ward and must strike a deal with the devil to secure her release. Apprenticed to a dark arts practitioner, Mala vows to free herself and save her loved ones from danger. But she doesn't know who to turn to when her crush on Landry Prince turns into something more serious.
                                                                     

                                                                               A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH

Landry has sacrificed everything to protect Mala. A near-death experience changes him forever, and now he, too, possesses supernatural powers he doesn't understand. Mala and Landry must band together to defeat the dark forces-both human and otherworldly-who would use their abilities for evil. Even as they fall for each other, they must prepare to battle for their very souls . 



EXCERPT:

On Saturdays, the local farmers set up a market in Paradise Park. I plan to do my veggie shopping there since I didn’t get my garden planted this year. The streets bordering the park are packed. I’m lucky to find a spot in the parking lot of First National Bank kitty-corner from the Memorial Rose Garden. Colorful tents are lined up in orderly rows in the square. Each section is separated, with the organic foods in one row and regular folk who want to sell extra produce in the other. Local shops also set up booths selling everything from pastries, coffee and tea, handmade clothing and soaps, fresh eggs, organic meat, and toys and games. A freaktastic clown stands on the street corner with a tank of helium and a gaggle of kids around him. I’m tempted to buy Landry a balloon to cheer him up.

The passenger door slams shut as soon as I shut off the engine. Landry wastes no time coming around to open my door and lift me to the ground before I can squawk in protest. He strides off while I grab my cloth shopping bag, leaving me to stare after his retreating back in shock. When he’s halfway across the street, he pauses and turns around.

“This is your idea. Hurry,” he yells. 

“I’m coming.” I shut the door and run to catch up. When I reach him, he moves around me until I’m on his blind side. He starts forward again, but slows his steps so they match mine. If I didn’t know him so well, I’d think he didn’t have a care in the world, but I do. He walks like he did in jail—shoulders back and tight, chest slightly raised. He scans the area, alert for a threat.

I take his hand, squeezing when he tries to pull away.

We blend into the crowd, strolling up and down the rows. It’s a mix of people of all ages. A few people say “hi.” Most don’t. A large percentage of them stare. I feel like I’m at the mercy of paparazzi.

“Smile and wave,” I mutter from the corner of my mouth, jabbing Landry in the side with my elbow.

“Huh?”

“You’re acting like you’ve done something wrong, but you haven’t. Don’t let these fools see you sweat. Weakness breeds violence. Like a silverback gorilla in the jungle, you need to beat your chest and fling your poop at someone.”

His snort-laugh doubles him over, and I pat him on the back. “That’s perfect,” I say. “No worries.”

He turns and lifts me into a breath-stealing hug. “Thanks,” he whispers in my ear and presses a brotherly kiss to my forehead. Wish he’d move his lips a little lower. Would a few inches kill him?

My voice comes a little thick and raspy too, and I cough to clear my throat. “No problem.”

How long has he been standing here holding me? We have an even larger audience than before. Now we really are the object of paparazzi-like behavior as people snap pictures of our embrace with their phones. I wrap my arms around his neck and press my cheek against his. “Cheese,” I say, grinning for the cameras.

A couple of high school kids start to laugh.

One yells, “Give her another kiss, Landry.”

“Yeah, Landry. Give me a kiss.” I bat my eyelashes, whispering in his ear, “I swear if you drop me on my ass in public—”

I don’t have to finish the threat.

His mouth steals across mine.

 I lean into him, head tilting. My arms tighten around his neck. His lips are soft and juicy, like peaches. Yum. My thoughts scatter and swirl, leaving only the sensation of his mouth on mine.

He breaks free first and lowers me to my feet. He avoids my gaze. “Did it work?” he asks, running his fingers through his black hair so it falls forward to shield his eye again. He shifts from his forward foot to his back which somehow puts distance between us without him having to move.

I laugh, playing off the hurt. “Yeah, we gave our fans a titillating bit of new gossip to take the place of the old. Rumors about our relationship will be flying through town before lunch.” I glance around to be sure. The crowd drifts away, realizing there’s nothing more to see. Even better, nobody hurls insults or throws dead animals at our heads. “Let’s go.”

GET YOUR COPY AT:

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Angie Sandro was born at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Within six weeks, she began the first of eleven relocations throughout the United States, Spain, and Guam before the age of eighteen.
Friends were left behind. The only constants in her life were her family and the books she shipped wherever she went. Traveling the world inspired her imagination and allowed her to create her own imaginary friends. Visits to her father's family in Louisiana inspired this story. Angie now lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and an overweight Labrador.

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DARK PARADISE RELEASE DAY BLITZ w/DARK PARADISE AND BEAUTIFUL CREATURES SERIES GIVEAWAY

I am so excited to announce the release of Angie Sandro  debut novel. I have had the pleasure of reading this thriller and let me just say it's a must read. Get your copy today.

About DARK PARADISE:

DARK LEGACY

Mala LaCroix has spent her whole life trying to escape her destiny. As the last in a long line of "witch women," she rejects the notion of spirits and hoodoo and instead does her best to blend in. But when she finds a dead body floating in the bayou behind her house, Mala taps into powers she never knew she had. She's haunted by visions of the dead girl, demanding justice and vengeance.

DEADLY SECRETS
Landry Prince has always had a crush on Mala, but when Mala discovers his sister, murdered and marked in some sort of Satanic ritual, he wonders if all the rumors about the LaCroix family are true. Yet after Mala uses her connection to the spirit world to identify his sister's killer, he starts to form his own bond to her . . . a very physical one. As they move closer to each other and closer to the truth, Mala and Landry must risk everything-their families, their love, and even their live

BUY LINKS:       B/N                                 KOBO                   iTUNES                      AMAZON

EXCERPT: 

Landry’s truck sits in the driveway when I stroll out of the house at a quarter to eight in the morning. I’m in such a glorious mood that I don’t bother trying to sneak off without him catching sight of me. It would’ve been easy, I learn upon climbing on the bumper and sticking my head through the truck’s open window. He has the seat pushed back and his legs stretched out kitty corner across the passenger seat. Snores, loud enough to scare a bear, echo through the cab.

            I reach in and poke his shoulder a few times. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”

            Landry’s thick lashes flutter then open to meet mine. “I’m supposed to be woken with a kiss, not a jab.”

            I snort. “I don’t kiss slimy critters. You’re playing double duty as a frog, and I throw them in a frying pan with a little butter and garlic.”

            “Oh, so now you’re trying to butter me up?”

            The heat of a blush rises. “Saints, boy. You’re fraying my last nerve.” I plant my hands on my hips, toe tapping. “What are you doing here? In case you forgot, I’m mad at you.”

“No you’re not.” He grins and runs his fingers through his thick hair. My breath catches as my brain stutters. I shake my head to dispel the wave of pheromone-induced stupidity that washes over me. My noses twitches. Why does he have to smell so good? Like cinnamon and brown sugar. “Did you forget yester—”

An oily paper bag flies in my direction. I grab it out of the air before it drops to the ground. It’s warm in my hands, and the smell makes my mouth water. “Ooh, cinnamon rolls,” I mumble around the melting mouthful of cinnamon-y goodness. “I love these.”

“I know,” Landry says, throwing open the truck door.

I hop off the bumper with a scowl. The arrogant jerk thinks he has me eating out of his hands; all he has to do is flutter those insanely long eyelashes, smile to show off his pearly whites, and tempt me with fresh, warm buns.

“These are mine?” I clutch the bag to my chest as I eye him in suspicion.

“Yeah, they’re your favorite, right?”

“Mmm hmm.”

Landry props his elbow on the open window and ducks his head. Black hair tangles across his face, hiding his eyes. “I hoped you’d be more accepting of my apology if I bribed you with sweets. Forgive me for being an ass yesterday?”

Lucky guy. He figured out the fastest way to soften my heartstrings—sugar. Wait how does he know they’re my favorite? Stupid question. It’s like him knowing my nickname and my job. He pays way too much attention to me, and I’m kinda scared to ask why. I stare at my sticky fingers, then lick the icing off one by one. Landry’s gaze draws my attention. He’s staring at my mouth. My gut tightens in response, and I slowly lick my lips. Get a grip. Don’t trust him just because he says he’s sorry.

            I concentrate on the mouthful of cinnamon roll. Each chew echoes the rapid patter of my heart. God, why does my body react like this when I’m around him? Why? He’s still staring at me. Can’t he tell I’m uncomfortable? Oh, I get it. He’s irritating me on purpose so I can’t totally ignore him.

I pass the empty bag to him. “You’re not going away, are you?”

“Nope.” He smiles.

DARK PARADISE ***BOOK REVIEW***

DARK PARADISE by Angie Sandro

Release date: July 1, 2014

Grand Central Publishing/ Forever Yours

Genre: NA Southern Gothic

DARK LEGACY

Mala LaCroix has spent her whole life trying to escape her destiny. As the last in a long line of “witch women,” she rejects the notion of spirits and hoodoo and instead does her best to blend in. But when she finds a dead body floating in the bayou behind her house, Mala taps into powers she never knew she had. She’s haunted by visions of the dead girl, demanding justice and vengeance.

                                                                    DEADLY SECRETS

Landry Prince has always had a crush on Mala, but when Mala discovers his sister, murdered and marked in some sort of Satanic ritual, he starts to wonder if all the rumors about the LaCroix family are true. Yet after Mala uses her connection to the spirit world to identify his sister’s killer, he starts to form his own bond to her . . . a very physical one. As they move closer to each other and closer to the truth, Mala and Landry must risk everything—their families, their love, and even their lives.

***WARNING*** MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!

MY THOUGHTS:


To say I was excited to get my hands on a copy of this book, is a major understatement. I have been anticipating the release date since Angie made her cover reveal. So, when I spotted a post on twitter stating,  I could get my hands on a copy before it's release, I hurried over and snatched it up.


So let's get into it, Dark Paradise, if you don't know by now is Angie Sandro's debut novel. And let me tell you it does not disappoint. Malaise LaCroix is one heck of a heroine.  Angie weaves a story that boast mystery, suspense, with witch craft and love that unfolds in the dirty South. I love it.

All things Mala...

Mala (as she's called)  was born into a family of voodoo/hoodoo women and to a alcoholic prostitute, none of which she's able to live down. Just like in all small town someone has to be the source of gossip, and Mala gives the town folk a lot to gossip about.

When she finds the dead body of Lainey Prince in the bayou on her land,  and reports it to the police. The right thing to do right... wrong. She's not only on her mother's hit list, but she just added  satanic ritual murderer to her infamous list of short comings for gossipers.

Things heat up when Landry Prince, Lainey's brother enters the scene seeking her help to solve his sister's murder, while believing she maybe the killer he's searching for.

Lainey wants to avenge her death from the grave. So like a normal ghost she haunts the two people capable of helping her Mala and Landry.

Angie takes the reader on a ride that leaves you begging for mercy. There were times my stomach was in knots and I  cried uncle. The story is paced well, and the twist at the end is unexpected.

Character:


Mala is great she's everything you'd expect from a heroine, she's strong calculated and she has heart. She's learned to be guarded because of she is and the rumors, but not to guarded where she doesn't let anyone in.

Jasmine I absolutely love, as a Southern girl I can identify with this mother(abuse, alcohol and prostitution aside) the flavor she brings jumps off the page. I personally would have loved to have seen more of her. She's one of those parents you'd pat on the head thinking if only she knew better. Love her.

Landry although gorgeous and sexy, I didn't find him to be too arrogant, which you'd expect. However I thought most of the time he fell a little flat. I needed more from him, a little more depth. I was happy that he didn't have that you know you want me attitude, and he wasn't afraid to be in love with her. This is what drew me to him.

Aunt Magnolia, Yeah baby bring it on. She's kick-a** and scary as hell, and it's because of her I can't wait for book 2. She's a rich 3 dimensional character that I believe will ooze drama, suspense, fear and excitement in the next installment.

Georgie...I don't know about him I'm still forming my opinion. Let's see what he brings to the table next...


What I loved

Angie drops you in the rich Creole cultural and holds you there until she's ready to release you. There is no doubt of the bayou and the dangers it brings, or the hatred that lingers at Mala's door. Not just from her being a descendant of a slave master, but from townie's who she thought where friends.   Keep you friends close and your enemies closer, rings true in the pages of Dark Paradise.

My all time favorite things were saying's such as "liver lips" that brings back memories of my own childhood. I love the rich Southern feel this novel has. I also loved that Angie left us with a cliffhanger, but Dark Paradise is a complete story that didn't leave me frustrated at having to wait for the next installment.  But eagerly anticipating it's arrival.


Dark Paradise is one I don't think you should sleep on. I rate this debut novel 5 kick-ass stars!!!
Kudoos Angie Sandro!!!

ANGIE SANDRO:

Bio:

Angie Sandro was born at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Within six weeks, she began the first of eleven relocations throughout the United States, Spain, and Guam before the age of eighteen.

Friends were left behind. The only constants in her life were her family and the books she shipped wherever she went. Traveling the world inspired her imagination and allowed her to create her own imaginary friends. Visits to her father's family in Louisiana inspired this story.

Angie now lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and an overweight Labrador


Author Links:

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Stacey Nash ***Blog Tour****

Forget Me Not

by Stacey Nash

Title: Forget Me Not (Book I in the Collective series)

Author: Stacey Nash

Release Date: February 17, 2014

Publisher: Entranced Publishing, Rush

Genre: YA speculative fiction

Blurb: Since her mother vanished nine years ago, Anamae and her father have shared a quiet life. But when Anamae discovers a brooch identical to her mother's favorite pendant, she unknowingly invites a slew of trouble into their world. When the brooch and the pendant are worn together they're no longer pretty pieces of jewelry -- they're part of a highly developed technology capable of cloaking the human form. Triggering the jewelry's power attracts the attention of a secret society determined to confiscate the device -- and silence everyone who is aware of its existence. Anamae knows too much, and now she's Enemy Number One.

She's forced to leave her father behind when she's taken in by a group determined to keep her safe. Here Anamae searches for answers about this hidden world. With her father kidnapped and her own life on the line, Anamae must decide if saving her dad is worth risking her new friends’ lives. No matter what she does, somebody is going to get hurt.

GOODREADS

What Others Had to Say:

"I certainly won't be forgetting Nash's debut, FORGET ME NOT! A vividly fast-paced tale with adventure, secrets, and kissing!" -Kimberly P. Chase, Author of THE APOLLO ACADEMY.

"Vivid, fresh, and unforgettable!" - Kimberly P. Chase, Author of THE APOLLO ACADEMY.                                                                

Buy Links:

GIVEAWAY CODE

About the Author:

Stacey grew up in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. It is an area nestled between mountains and vineyards. Full of history and culture, it provides wonderful writing inspiration. After dabbling with poetry during her teen years, Stacey stopped writing until after university when she was married with young children. Now she loves nothing more than spending her days with her children and writing when inspiration strikes.

Social Media Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

Excerpts 

The gas meter beeps when he reaches the top of the staircase. Coming upstairs seems kind of strange. I mean, surely gas leaks would have to be a kitchen thing. The beeping sets my teeth on edge, and I just want it to stop. Maybe there’s something wrong, but here in the upstairs hall?

“That doesn’t sound good,” I mutter.

“It means there is indeed…”

He twists, angling himself toward my open bedroom door, and his gaze locks on my dresser. The back of my neck prickles, a sure sign something about this just isn’t right. What the…I step past him and pull the door closed, but he pushes me aside and slams it open. Panic shoots through me, but I’m fast enough to dart around him. Turning my shoulder and reaching for the box.

He lunges toward me, grabs me from behind, and his arm pins my neck to him with a shoulder crushing grip. He pushes me against the dresser, and the box falls open, its contents spilling across the top. Heart pounding, my throat burns with a scream. I’ve got to get him out of here. He must know about my pendant, the brooch. Dammit. I wriggle to escape his vice-like grip, but it’s no use -- he’s too strong.

My hand darts toward the pendant. I snatch it, but he grabs my wrist. Adrenaline tries to pound my heart right out of its home in my chest. If only I can get the jewelry on, I might be able to make its magic work and hide.

“Tech breech confirmed,” he speaks into his collar in a matter-of-fact tone; then he turns his gaze to me. “Give me the pendant.”

There’s a tiny ripping sound, like velcro torn open. A young guy in a black leather jacket flickers into my bedroom. A sharp gasp leaves me. I can’t escape one attacker, let alone two. Where the heck are these men coming from? I’m not going down without a fight, so I kick at my captor’s shins. The leather jacket guy wrenches the man’s grip from my shoulders and punches him square in the chin, knocking his head to the side. Shaking his head, the gas man stumbles backward.

The jacket guy raises his knee and drives a foot into the other man’s stomach. The straight, hard kick makes a loud thud and forces the dude to double over and curl in on himself. The leather jacket guy crouches and drives his fist straight up into the man’s chin. It knocks him flat on his back like a felled tree.

My chest rises and falls with my quickened breath. My heart thuds like a booming drum. The mysterious rescuer turns toward me, holding my gaze with intense, steady jade eyes. He grabs my assailant by the arm, and they both flicker out of my room.

My mind spins.

Legs, arms, body -- I can’t move, but it doesn’t matter. Moving is the least of my worries. Who were they, and what just happened? The meter seemed to lead him straight to Mom’s pendant. Gas man, my ass.

I clutch my head in an attempt to stop my mind spinning, but my hand slides off my sweaty forehead and falls against my tightened stomach. What if they come back? The guy in the jacket…

What was that? The brooch, the pendant…my disappearing reflection. They wanted it. Damn.

Sweat trickles down my forehead and into my eyes. I wipe it away with a trembling hand. Questions hurtle through my mind, all jumbling together as they race faster and faster in my mind. Seconds, minutes, hours I don’t know, but a single thought emerges through the haze of my mind.

 Will.

Dark Paradise

DARK PARADISE ***COVER REVEAL***

DARK PARADISE

Angie Sandro

July 1, 2014

Grand Central Publishing/ Forever Yours

BOOK BLURB:

DARK LEGACY

Mala LaCroix has spent her whole life trying to escape her destiny. As the last in a long line of “witch women,” she rejects the notion of spirits and hoodoo and instead does her best to blend in. But when she finds a dead body floating in the bayou behind her house, Mala taps into powers she never knew she had. She’s haunted by visions of the dead girl, demanding justice and vengeance.

DEADLY SECRETS

Landry Prince has always had a crush on Mala, but when Mala discovers his sister, murdered and marked in some sort of Satanic ritual, he starts to wonder if all the rumors about the LaCroix family are true. Yet after Mala uses her connection to the spirit world to identify his sister’s killer, he starts to form his own bond to her . . . a very physical one. As they move closer to each other and closer to the truth, Mala and Landry must risk everything—their families, their love, and even their lives.

GIVEAWAY:

Angie is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

ANGIE SANDRO:

Bio:

Angie Sandro was born at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Within six weeks, she began the first of eleven relocations throughout the United States, Spain, and Guam before the age of eighteen.

Friends were left behind. The only constants in her life were her family and the books she shipped wherever she went. Traveling the world inspired her imagination and allowed her to create her own imaginary friends. Visits to her father's family in Louisiana inspired this story.

Angie now lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and an overweight Labrador


Author Links:

 PRE- ORDER ON AMAZON

ADD ON GOODREAD

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

HACHETTE BOOK GROUP

BLOG

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

PINTREST

WELCOME 2014

                          WELCOME 2014!!!!!!






              HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What does Pace have to do with it?

By now you all know I have been editing my current novel. It's been an uphill battle and I have learned so much along the way. One thing that has made a tremendous difference in my story is 'pace'.

 I get so excited to put it on paper I forget to  delay the Conclusion and build suspense.  I use to think a this actually slowed down the story and could possibly frustrate the reader. But when done properly it will not only keep the reader hanging on but keep them satiated until I deliver the climax. When you think about it, for the reader pacing is what keeps the pages turning as it thrust the story  forward. The reader wants to know if the heroine jumps out of the car just before it plunges over the cliff.

So, now I am doing another pass through my manuscript revising my pace. Something that has helped with that is dialogue. I found that I spent a lot of time on voice and making it more life like and this left me with a lot of useless jargon. Now my focus is still keep it real but snappy quips back and forth between my characters deleting every word I can do without. Huge difference.

I didn't want this post to be long but I wanted to share some of the things I've learned about . Maybe I will continue with tips for pacing in a later blog if there are any newbies who want to improve their skills.

Until next time...