12 Authors of Christmas: Rebecca Hamilton

On the 11th day of Christmas Rebecca Hamilton gives to you: 

The Forever Girl

"Whatever you do, fight."

Sophia's family has skeletons, but they aren't in their graves.

At twenty-two, practicing Wiccan Sophia Parsons is scratching out a living waiting tables in her Rocky Mountain hometown, a pariah after a string of unsolved murders with only one thing in common: her.

Sophia can imagine lots of ways to improve her life, but she'd settle for just getting rid of the buzzing noise in her head. When the spell she casts goes wrong, the static turns into voices. Her personal demons get company, and the newcomers are dangerous.

One of them is a man named Charles, who Sophia falls for despite her better judgment. He has connections that might help her unveil the mystery surrounding her ancestor's hanging, but she gets more than she bargains for when she finally decides to trust him.

Survival in his world, she learns, means not asking questions and staying out of the immortal council's way. It's a line she crossed long ago. If Sophia wants to survive the council and save the people she loves, she must accept who she is, perform dark magic, and fight to the death for her freedom.

The Forever Girl is a full-length Paranormal Fantasy novel that will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, witches, vampire fiction, ghost stories, paranormal mystery, and paranormal horror.

http://www.amazon.com/FOREVER-Fantasy-Paranormal-Romance-ebook/dp/B00729GQ0A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1355160444&sr=8-3&keywords=rebecca+hamilton

Her Sweetest Downfall

*Her Sweetest Downfall is a short story/novella of 30,000 words. This is not a novel/full-length read, but works as a companion novel to THE FOREVER GIRL, Rebecca Hamilton's bestselling paranormal fantasy debut.*

Ophelia's been successful at hiding her true identity, until the mark of the serpent appears on her neck—a death sentence, should it be seen by anyone in her town. Hiding the mark might save her from falling victim to the witch hunts of her era, but the scorching sensation it carries can’t be ignored.

When the mysterious Ethan is sent to collect her for a life of something more, she learns concealing the mark is the least of her worries. She’s destined to don a new mask—to join a dark, supernatural world and protect the future of people she may never meet.

What she doesn’t know—what she learns too late—is that her initiation won’t be complete until she kills the man she loves.

Set in an alternate Regency England, "Her Sweetest Downfall" is a standalone novella in the "Forever Girl" series, written as a gift to fans of the Forever Girl series.

HER SWEETEST DOWNFALL will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, fantasy, and vampire fiction.

http://www.amazon.com/SWEETEST-DOWNFALL-Paranormal-Romance-ebook/dp/B008NAFU9A/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1355160444&sr=8-5&keywords=rebecca+hamilton

12 Authors of Christmas: Jen McConnel

On the tenth day of Christmas Jen McConnel gives to you:

The Burning of Isobel Key

When Lou travels to Scotland, she’s a mess. She’s twenty-six, unemployed, and unsure of herself. It doesn’t help that she’s traveling with Tammy, her best friend, who is everything Lou is not.

At first, the trip pushes Lou towards the brink of depression, but then she meets Brian, a handsome local tour guide. When Brian tells the tourists about the countless witches burned in Scotland, Lou starts to listen. And when she discovers information about Isobel Key, one of the victims of the seventeenth century, Lou finds renewed purpose.

She sets out to learn the truth of the condemned witch, but she isn’t prepared for the knowledge that waits for her. Lou must face her demons if she has any hope of righting the wrongs of the past.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Burning-Isobel-Key-ebook/dp/B009DP4WXE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1354490460&sr=1-1&keywords=Jen+McConnel

12 Authors of Christmas: N.R. Wick

On the ninth day of Christmas N.R. Wick gives to you: 

Land of No Angels

The Ascension marked a demon apocalypse that decimated the human race and forced survivors into hiding. Sixteen year old Rebecca Ashford and her younger sister, Errol, have spent the last year hidden in their family's tornado bunker. When the sound of a screaming baby wakes them in the middle of the night, they attempt to save the infant and Errol is poisoned by a demon.

With only a week until the poison consumes her, Rebecca must trust a mysterious survivor named Fox to help her find a cure. Together, they confront demons and other monsters while Rebecca struggles to learn magic that will help them locate the ingredients needed to save her sister.

http://www.amazon.com/Land-Angels-Dark-Ascension-ebook/dp/B0054E2F32 Show More

Show Less

12 Authors of Christmas: A.D. Trosper

On the eighth day of Christmas A.D. Trosper gives to you:

Embers at Galdrilene

*Newly updated, redesigned and professionally edited. Re-released as of 11/17/2012*

“A ray of light, a stain of shadow, shall endure to breathe life and death into the future”

The war between the Guardians and the Shadow Riders ended in total devastation. The final battle killed all the dragons and left nothing but fields of ash. A small clutch of dragon eggs was all that remained to provide hope for the future.

Five hundred years later, the ability to use magic is a death sentence and dragons are remembered as a curse. But the unhatched dragons sing for their riders...and soon six lives will be changed forever.

The elements of magic are drawn together as the dragons’ call leads them on an epic and dangerous journey of discovery. They soon learn everything they've been taught to believe about magic and dragons is wrong.

With the last of the dragons and the world at stake, they will risk everything to heed the call.

But an evil from the past soon threatens their discovery and new found joy. Shadow Dragons ride the dawn once more...

http://www.amazon.com/Embers-Galdrilene-Dragons-Call-ebook/dp/B0080R4LPK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1354490343&sr=1-1&keywords=A.D.+Trosper#_

12 Authors of Christmas: Kayla Curry

On the sixth day of Christmas Kayla Curry gives to you:

Obsidian

Ava Tanner finds herself in a world without satellite technology in a time of GPS, Smart Phones and Tablets. When she discovers that a corporation headed by vampires with a sinister motive is to blame, her world is turned upside-down. After a narrow escape, she learns a mystical secret about herself that could aide her in her fight against the vampires. Unfortunately, the vampires see her either as a valuable asset or a target for destruction.
When the world is on the brink of complete social and technological devastation, one must ask themselves: Would I give up my blood for the modern ideal way of life, or will I wage war with the overlords of chaos?

Show More

Show Less

http://www.amazon.com/Obsidian-Mystic-Stones-Series-ebook/dp/B008RANXC2/ref=sr_1_3_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354489996&sr=1-3&keywords=Kayla+Curry

12 Authors of Christmas: Beck Sherman

On the fifth day of Christmas Beck Sherman gives to you:

Revamp

FOR THREE DAYS, IT WAS DARK.
News reporters scrambled. This was the biggest story to come along in weeks.
They called it a blackout.
The last one was in New York City in 2003, but this one was different, special, because the grids in six major cities across the country had been fried, kaput, see-you-next-Sunday. Everyone with some jurisdiction blamed each other, and when there was no one left to blame, terrorism rode in on its gallant steed.
It was the media’s fault. They were so busy stuffing fanatical Muslims with a penchant for Allah and decapitations down the American citizen’s throat, that they never saw it coming. I guess I shouldn't be too hard on them.
They were partially right.
It was terror after all, but a whole new kind. And when the lights came back on, things had changed.
The dark had brought us visitors.

http://www.amazon.com/Revamp-ebook/dp/B007Q4LK9I/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354489937&sr=1-1&keywords=Beck+Sherman

12 Authors of Christmas: Riley J. Ford

On the fourth day of Christmas Riley J. Ford gives to you:

Into You

What if you could know exactly what your friends are thinking? High school student Winter Reynolds can, but there's a catch . . . She can only read people's thoughts when she's kissing them. When a member of the track team is murdered, Winter has an opportunity to use her special ability to find the killer. Trouble is, kissing everyone on the track team isn't such a good idea when you have a new boyfriend. Talk about complications! Should Winter persevere using her secret power to catch the murderer still in their midst, even if it means risking her relationship with her one true love?

INTO YOU is:

• A teen paranormal romance with a twist
• A young adult romantic comedy that will tickle your funny bone with its offbeat humor
• A murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end
• A YA fantasy book that explores ESP and mind-reading
• An exploration of social issues that teens face
• A must-read that has already hit the teen best sellers lists

Disclaimer: Mild profanity and a graphic murder scene. While humorous, this book also explores the underbelly of teen life. May not be suitable for younger teens.

http://www.amazon.com/Paranormal-Murder-Mystery-Romance-ebook/dp/B008GONF4A/ref=sr_1_3_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354489717&sr=1-3&keywords=Riley+J.+FOrd

Carpe DiEmily

Emily Keane has her life all planned out. She's played by the rules and never stepped outside her box, and now she will finally be rewarded with everything she always dreamed of: a job promotion, a fiance, and a future she can count on. But when her perfectly planned world falls apart, Emily is plunged into the wildest year of her life.

From the beaches of California to Jamaica, New York, and Europe, Emily finds herself on a madcap race against time, running from an unscrupulous organ broker who wants her dead, all the while checking items off her unusual bucket list. On top of it all, she's falling in love with the most unlikely person, a man who can never return her feelings . . . but will his friendship be enough?

Confronting one hilarious misadventure after another, Emily finally learns who she really is and how to seize the day . . .

• Carpe DiEmily is a raunchy, fearless comedy in the same vein as the movie Bridesmaids, to which it has been favorably compared. Both female and male readers will enjoy this zany comedic adventure.

http://www.amazon.com/Carpe-DiEmily-Parts-Adventure-ebook/dp/B00ABMSZPY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354489717&sr=1-1&keywords=Riley+J.+FOrd

12 Authors of Christmas: Rachel McClellan

On the third day of Christmas Rachel McClellan give to you:

Fractured Light

Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. But she never felt ready to face them---until now. Defying the Auran Council and everything she's been taught, Llona must learn to use her power over light as a weapon if she wants to survive.

http://www.amazon.com/Fractured-Light-ebook/dp/B007A5NPOG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1354489317&sr=1-1&keywords=Rachel+McClellan

Fractured Soul

Llona will do whatever it takes to protect her newfound friends and home, but the dark plot that is threatening Lucent Academy, a school that's supposed to be a safe place for Auras, may be too powerful for even Llona to defeat. This fast-paced tale of love, loyalty, and overcoming the darkness will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page!

http://www.amazon.com/Fractured-Soul-Rachel-McClellan/dp/1462111807/ref=la_B005RFFM9M_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354489404&sr=1-1 Show More

Show Less

Confessions of a Cereal Mother (Available for Pre-order)

In this narrative you'll discover several mind-saving rules, which include:

• Don't throw your pregnancy test away before the full three minutes is up.

• Unless there is a rush on the grocery store pending a zombie-virus outbreak, never take your kids shopping.

• If your toddler is going to chew on a Band-Aid, hope it's one found inside the community swimming pools chlorinated pool and not one found in their locker room.

• Never throw up in a cookie sheet.

• Things can always get worse. You could discover your child playing with a used tampon applicator. It's not a whistle, sweetie.

• And most importantly, the moment one of your children is seriously ill, forget about everything else. You have the greatest honor in the world - being a Mom.

http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Cereal-Mother-Stories-Craziness/dp/1462111157/ref=la_B005RFFM9M_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354489448&sr=1-3

12 Authors of Christmas: Wynne Channing

On the second day of Christmas Wynne Channing gives to you:

What Kills Me

An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race.

So when 17-year-old Axelia falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire bladesmith Lucas, must battle to survive.

How will she convince the empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?Show More Show Less

http://www.amazon.com/What-Kills-Me-ebook/dp/B0089H01VO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1354489238&sr=1-1&keywords=Wynne+Channing

Review: THE FOREVER GIRL by Rebecca Hamilton

This is a book by my good friend Rebecca Hamilton a.k.a. @inkmuse on Twitter. (Though we became friends after I read this.) She's a great person.

Premise: Sophia Parsons is a young women in  who has to deal with diversity because she is a Wiccan. Not only that, but she also has a constant static in her head that drives her to distraction. To try and stop this static Sophia does a ritual. However, all it does is release the skeletons in the family closet and introduce her to the supernatural world hidden beneath the mortal one.

The Good:
Wicca: A book with  Wiccans. There need to be more of these!

Style: Rebecca seamlessly combines Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance with Literary elements into a new genre called Paranormal Fantasy. Well, at least I felt there were Lit qualities, but I don't read a whole lot of Literary Fiction.

Worldbuilding: Rebecca brilliantly twisted the myths of already existing creatures and created her own critters that have me intrigued. I love the use the five elements in relation to creatures. Her world pulled me in to the point I regretted having to leave when the book ended.

Characters: I loved Sophia. She was intelligent and strong willed. Even though she had a lot to be afraid of, she didn't give in to her fear. Also she had this humorous voice that wasn't over the top. Lately, in a lot Urban Fantasy books I am seeing a trend with a overly snarky first person voice. Sophia did not have this. She was funny but it didn't saturate the story. Also, I was drawn into Sophia and her emotions. The supporting characters are well rounded and multidimensional. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses.

The Bad: I only have one small nitpick. There are points in the story I felt could have been elaborated, but for the pacing and length's sake, I can understand why they weren't.

Overall: I loved this book. For a while I have been struggling to find books in Urban Fantasy that have kept me interested. I have stopped reading  several novels from the major publishing houses because I felt they were bland and overdone. The Forever Girl kept me hooked until the very end.

Check out The Forever Girl at Rebecca's page here.