Pledged Tour: Cover, Blurb, Author Bio & Giveaway!

Cover - Synopsis - Author Bio - Giveaway

I'm part of the Pledged Tour. So to kick things off I have the cover, synopsis and bio of the author and a giveaway for you all. 

Cover & Synopsis:

Everyone has a soul mate. But what do you do when your soul mate would rather give his soul to the demons than be with you?

Seventeen-year-old Erin has a problem. Seth has been hers forever, but now an ancient promise is tearing him away. And Reuel, the demon to whom the promise was made, will stop at nothing to force Seth to forsake Erin and to worship him.

How can Erin win against a pledge so binding that it has damned countless others to the same fate she and Seth will face if Reuel wins – an eternity alone?

The answer lies in the past. To find it, Erin and Seth must risk all, travelling back in time to a dangerous world where love is forbidden, and life – and death – hang on a promise.

Follow Erin and Seth as they travel to ancient Shenaya to break the pledge that has plagued their families for millennia. Caught in a war between the Angelic Guardians and the Gefallen, the disembodied dead, they must fight to keep their souls in tact and their love untainted.

Author bio:

I have spent my entire life living in a parallel universe of make-believe characters, only coming back to reality for long enough to check that no one burnt the house down in my absence. A few years ago I decided to commit some of those ‘friends’ and their stories to paper. The Soul Wars Saga is the result of those efforts. Before that I co-authored two non-fiction travel books – The Complete Guide to 4x4 Trails and The Ultimate 4x4 Guide. Both books became instant best-sellers in South Africa where I live. And before that even, I studied a degree in African History and Politics at the University of Stellenbosch. When I’m not writing, I am a wife to Andrew and a mom to Stephanie, Erin, and Kate, our teenage daughters. My family and I live in a small town outside Cape Town with two dogs, a cat, a horse, and some neglected fish. Now that you know a little about me, I would love to get to know you. Please befriend me at:
Twitter: @GwynnethWhite
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gwynneth-White/172095512890074
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7360328-gwynneth-white
Blog: http://todayinshenaya.blogspot.com
Email: gwynnethwhite@4xforum.com 

And now on to the giveaway!

I haven't read the book yet, I will soon, but I have the feeling it's going to be amazing. 

There will be 5 winners! 

Giveaway will run from 06/29 - 07/13 

Open worldwide!

Good luck everyone. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting On Wednesday #22

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WOW selection:

Destroy Me (Shatter Me #1.5) by Tahereh Mafi

Expected publication: October 2nd 2012 by HarperCollins

Perfect for the fans of Shatter Me who are desperately awaiting the release of Unravel Me, this novella-length digital original will bridge the gap between these two novels from the perspective of the villain we all love to hate, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.


In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .


Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.


Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

Teaser Tuesdays #21

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

My teaser:

"I'm not really qualified to install a security system," said Dimitri.
"Really? There's something you can't do?" Adrian's voice was so soft that I could barely hear him, and he was sitting right next to me.

-page 95, The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

 Anyone can participate in Teaser Tuesdays. Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Giveways Worth Checking Out! ♥

Soumi @ Pages From My Thoughts is holding a new giveaway! + There is also an interview worth checking out.

Click here to go right to it!

What can you win?

A signed copy of  Struck by Jennifer Bosworth!

It's international! 

~

Jessica @ Books A True Story is celebrating the 1 year blogoversary of her blog with a fabulous giveaway!

Click here to go right to it!

What can you win?

One of the following books...

Also international!

Divergent, Insurgent (both by Veronica Roth), Wings, Spells, Illusions, Destined (all by Aprilynne Pike), Partials (by Dan Wells), or Insignia (S.J. Kincaid).

~

And of course don't forget to check out my own current giveaway:

Succubus Lost by Tiffany Allee (INT)

~Ends tomorrow!

More giveaways to come soon! :D

Cover Characteristic #3

Cover Characteristic is a weekly meme hosted on sunday by A Muggle's Magical Book Blog.The point of this meme is to find book covers that fit with the theme that the host each week selects. 

This week's cover characteristic;

Cats

#5 ~ The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt

#4 ~ Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

#3 ~ Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

#2 ~ White Cat by Holly Black

#1 ~ One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost

~

Showcase Sunday #9

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky @ Books Biscuits and Tea. The point of this meme is to showcase the books you bought, received or downloaded in the past week.

Bought:

Kiss Me, I'm Irish by Roxanne St. Claire, Jill Shalvis & Maureen Child (paperback) - from Fishpond.com

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead (paperback) - from The Book Depository

Magic Graves by Jeaniene Frost & Ilona Andrews (ebook) - from All Romance

Won:

  

 

Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore (paperback) - Thanks to A.L. Davroe & Shannon

Dreams by Daniela Sacerdoti (paperback) - Thanks to Anjana @ Kindle And Me & Publisher

Between by Mary Ting (ebook) - Thanks to Jean BookNerd & Mary

How To Date An Alien by Magan Vernon (ebook) - Thanks to Paperbook Princess

Bellyache: A Delicious Tale by Crystal Marco (ebook) - Thanks to Crystal

Existence by Abbi Glines (ebook) - Thanks to Unabridged Bookshelf

Songsbird by Angela Fristroe (ebook) - Thanks to Angela

Kings & Queens by Courtney Vail (ebook) - Thanks to Courtney 

The Queen Bee of Bridgeton by Leslie DuBois (ebook) - Thanks to Leslie

&

$10 GC @ All Romance - Thanks to Pants Off Reviews

For Review:

To Catch A Vampire by Jennifer Harlow - From publisher via NetGalley

What did you get this week?

Waiting On Wednesday #21

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang 

Expected publication: September 18th 2012

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t…


For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable–hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet…for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop!

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop!

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Uniquely Moi Books

June 20th - June 26th

For this giveaway hop I have one of my recent favorite books I've read and rated 5 stars!
So yeah, I enjoyed this book A LOT! 

A huge thanks to Tiffany Allee for donating her book Succubus Lost.

About the author:

Tiffany Allee currently lives in Phoenix, AZ, by way of Chicago and Denver, and is happil
y married to a secret romantic. She spends her days working in Corporate America while daydreaming about sexy heroes, ass-kicking heroines, and interesting ways to kill people (for her books, of course). Her nights are reserved for writing and bothering her husband and cats (according to them). Her passions include reading, chocolate, travel, wine, and family.

And now on to the good stuff!

a Rafflecopter giveaway And don't forget to hop by the other blogs! :)

Teaser Tuesdays #20

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Because I haven't really started the next book I'm going to read I will give a teaser from the book I recently finished.

Mind Over Monsters by Jennifer Harlow

“You're cute, but..."
He steps away from me, and I can breathe again. "Cute?" he spits. "For centuries women have wanted me, desired me. Royals requested me by name, and you think I am cute?”

 
Anyone can participate in Teaser Tuesdays. Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Character Interview with Costa (Succubus Lost by Tiffany Allee)

In honor of the Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop (which will run from June 20th-June 26th, where I (with thanks to the author) will give a copy of Succubus Lost by Tiffany Allee away, I have a character interview with Valerio Costa, the hot agent from Succubus Lost.

Find my review for Succbus Lost here.

&

find my review for Banshee Charmer (First book in "From the Files of the Otherworlder Enforcement Agency") here.

Enjoy! ;D

S: Stephanie
C: Costa

S: Thanks for agreeing to do this interview, Agent Costa. To break the ice, could you tell me where you grew up?

C: I spent my childhood in Italy, but moved to New York when I was still in grade school. I've moved around a lot since then.

S: Would you say your childhood was happy? Why? Why not?

C: My, aren't we curious? My childhood was a good one. Moved around a lot, but kids get used to that. Always had my parents and my brother, so I was set.

S: What is it like to be a salamander? 

C: Easier now that the relations between normals and oh-dubs have settled down. Not that being a salamander is the roughest otherworlder to be, hiding what I am is far easier than it might be for a vampire or a succubus. But it's definitely easier these days.

And I never have to look for a match.

S: How did you end up with The Otherworlder Enforcement Agency? 

C: I grew up traveling the world, and I always wanted to be a cop. The OWEA keeps me moving around a lot, which I enjoyed. But I think I'll try to say a little closer to home now. I hear they have an opening in the Chicago office for cases that will mainly keep me close to home.

S: What’s your greatest talent?

*grins*

C: Well my greatest talent out of the bedroom is my ability to light things on fire. Coincidentally, that's my greatest talent inside the bedroom too.

S: Do you have any regrets? What are they?

C: Hell, I have plenty of regrets. Most of which I'm not really enthused about sharing. If you must know, my biggest regret is treating Marisol badly when we first met because of something that happened long before I met her. But don't worry your pretty head about it. I make it up to her on a daily basis.

S: What is it like to be in a relationship with Marisol Whitman, a succubus?

C: It's hella frustrating and fantastic. She's a great woman, and her succubus nature makes her sexy as hell. Of course, that means I have to glare at other men a lot more than I used to. And I'm occasionally tempted to hit them for staring a little too long. But, I'm having the time of my life with her.

S: How was it like working with her on a case?

C: Maddening and invigorating. I was so on edge through the whole case. Half angry with her for things another succubus had done, half out of my mind attracted to her. But she's damn good at what she does, and I was lucky to work with her.

S: How would you describe yourself in one sentence?

C: Hot. *winks*

S: Last question. Are you on a case right now? Could you perhaps tell me something about it?

C: Sorry, but I can't talk about an ongoing investigation. And I'll kindly warn you not to press the issue.

Tiffany Allee currently lives in Phoenix, AZ, by way of Chicago and Denver, and is happily married to a secret romantic. She spends her days working in Corporate America while daydreaming about sexy heroes, ass-kicking heroines, and interesting ways to kill people (for her books, of course). Her nights are reserved for writing and bothering her husband and cats (according to them). Her passions include reading, chocolate, travel, wine, and family.

Purchase Succubus Lost on:

BooksOnBoard - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

Review: Mind Over Monsters by Jennifer Harlow

Title: Mind Over Monsters
Author: Jennifer Harlow
Series: A F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad Investigation #1
Publication Date: October 8th 2011
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Genre: Paranormal
Format: Paperback, 280 pages
Source: Review copy from author
Cover Rating: 4/5
Content Rating: 5/5

~synopsis~

Paranormal heroes take on zombies in this funny and thrilling debut.

Beatrice Alexander is no ordinary schoolteacher—she can move objects with her mind, an embarrassing skill she hasn’t yet mastered or embraced. After nearly killing her brother by accident, she joins the F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad, the Federal Response to Extra-Sensory and Kindred Supernaturals. This top-secret branch of the FBI combats ghosts, ghouls, and other monsters threatening humanity.

With her teammates—among them a handsome former-detective werewolf and an annoying Don Juan vampire who’s dead-set on seducing her—Beatrice investigates her first case. Disgustingly dismembered bodies have turned up, bearing bite marks of the undead. Someone—or something—is raising a horde of hideous, bloodthirsty zombies. Armed with Bette, her trusty machete, Beatrice takes on the master of the flesh-devouring corpses, who’s guarding a horrifying secret . . .

Featuring a team of monster hunters with unique paranormal abilities, the F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad Investigation series combines humor, suspense, and supernatural crime-fighting.

My thoughts: 

The author, Jennifer Harlow, contacted me to review this book. First of all, a huuuuuge thanks to her for that. If she hadn't I probably wouldn't have read this amazing book any time soon. I almost didn't accept the review request even, but the synopsis drew me in. And also because she sent me the print book had a lot to do with it because I usually only get ebooks because I love in Belgium. 

At first I wasn't sure I would like it, but after reading the guest post she send me, where she interviews the main character, Beatrice, I knew I would be hooked. The interview was really funny and cute too. Oliver *wink wink*
The thing that really hooked me about this book was how there's this team of monster hunters, who are people with paranormal abilities themselves, even a vampire and a werewolf! So of course I started reading it right away once I received it and it sure didn't disappoint!

One of my favorite aspects in the book was the action. Lately I'm all about action in the books I read, without it I feel like it's getting boring. But luckily, Mind Over Monsters had lots of it.
I have to say at first I couldn't really get into the characte of Bea, but that was maybe just some weirdness on my part because later I really liked her. She's funny. We really do have the same humor and she's also really brave. I wouldn't dare do half the things she did!
There wasn't really that much romance and even though I love my portion of romance in a book, I wouldn't have wanted it otherwise. There was some flirting, some eye contact that makes you see fireworks but no kissing, yet, which was fine by me. But it's obvious that there is or will be a love triangle. The werewolf and the vampire. Will and Oliver. Personally I love Oliver the most. I love the way he calls Bea "Trixie" but Will sure is something too.
Another thing that was just perfectly written were the zombies. I could practically smell them! 
I also loved guessing about who the bad guy was and I had a lot of theories myself, of course they were all wrong but still it was fun!
The end was so good! Just when I thought everything was over, BAM! something happens again. That was probably one of the major espects of me giving Mind Over Monsters 5 stars. I just love unexpected twists and turns.

The only slightly negative thing that bothered me was the way Bea curses. Like, "Oh, fudge." Maybe that's just part of Bea's character but I'm afraid it's just not my cup of tea. Other than that I really did like her though.

All in all Mind Over Monster was a fantastic read. Funny, cute, witty, action filled and well written. I am definitely looking forward to reading To Catch A Vampire, the second book in the series, which will be available on september 8th 2012.

~Favorite Quote~

“You're cute, but..."
He steps away from me, and I can breathe again. "Cute?" he spits. "For centuries women have wanted me, desired me. Royals requested me by name, and you think I am cute?”

About the author:

Jennifer Harlow spent her restless childhood fighting with her three brothers and scaring the heck out of herself with horror movies and books. She grew up to earn a degree at the University of Virginia which she put to use as a radio DJ, crisis hotline volunteer, bookseller, lab assistant, wedding coordinator, and government investigator. Currently she calls Northern Virginia home but that restless itch is ever present. In her free time she continues to scare the beejepers out of herself watching scary movies and opening her credit card bills.

You can find her on her Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

The Buzz for Mind Over Monsters

“Monstrously fun! Monstrously suspenseful! Monstrously good!” –Victoria Laurie

“A gritty, dramatic police-procedural with a compelling heroine and a fascinating group of sidekicks.”

               --Karen Chance

“Harlow offers treats for every paranormal lover to relish, with plenty of action, thrills, and laughter.”

             --Leanna Renee Hieber

“Mind Over Monsters is funny, scary, and creepy—and ridiculous amounts of fun!” –Kat Richardson 

~ Mind Over Monsters soundtrack ~

Magic to Do - Ben Vereen from the musical "Pippin"
Edge of the Ocean - Ivy
Cold - Annie Lennox
If It Wasn't For Bad - Elton John & Leon Russell
Shadows of the Night - Pat Benatar
Four Minutes - Madonna ft. Justin Timberlake
Tainted Love - Soft Cell
Say It Right - Nelly Furtado
Fields of Gold - Sting
Ordinary World - Duran Duran
Savin' Me - Nickelback
Precious - Depeche Mode
Home - Depeche Mode

Please download legally. All songs are available on iTunes

To check out the guest post by Jennifer Harlow on my blog, click here!

♥