1 Year Blogoversary Day 31 Heather M. White Guest Post, Review & Giveaway

My Final Day of the Celebration! Day 31 brings you Author of ...

When Destiny Knocks

Heather M. White

Heather has stopped by to leave you with an AWESOME Guest Post, so off you go...

Warning label: this advice is only intended for protection again zombies. It will NOT work against werewolves, vampires, demons, or any other supernatural creature. Results may vary.

Have you ever thought about what you would do if zombies ever came?




Picture this: You're standing in your kitchen, looking through your fridge for the hundredth time. You're not really hungry, mostly bored, and wanting a snack. (Miraculously food cures boredism). And suddenly, you hear this low grunt from outside. You wonder for a moment, but then just shrug your shoulders. No, you were mistaken. You turn back around to stare at the left over piece of birthday cake… Then suddenly, BAM! Your front door breaks down and in walks a zombie... Conveniently, it wants a snack too... Only it wants to eat YOU as a snack!




“What now?” you ask.




Well, I’m glad you asked! The zombie eats you! Mwahaha… OK, just kidding! Maybe they WOULD eat you – but I’m going to show you how to defend yourself against zombies! *ahem* (clears throat). You’re welcome!




“Oh, thanks,” you FINALLY mumble.




Better… So the zombie has you backed in against the fridge. You’re looking for a weapon. The only thing you can think of: CAKE! So you take the last piece of cake and shove it into the zombie’s eyes. Good thing zombies are stupid, because the only thing you did was temporarily blind it. You think hard… A knife! Cause you’re in the kitchen. So you grab one and start to cut off the zombies head… Suddenly, you’re wishing you would have spent more time at the gym! This is harder than it looks!




Finally, the head is off and bleeding all over your mom’s kitchen… No, DON’T clean it up. You have to GET OUT OF THERE before any more zombies come!




“What should I pack?” you ask running franticly through the house.




PACK!? HA, haven’t you seen a zombie movies? You break into dead people’s houses for clothes, soap, etc! You grab ONLY weapons: Baseball bat, gun, sword, a shovel… Anything you can find in 60 seconds or less, and you LEAVE TOWN!




“What about my boyfriend?” you ask with tears running down your face.




Boyfriend? Forget about him - haven't you read enough zombie books to know you get a new hot guy? ;)




Tips: Hairspray and a cigarette lighter make a great flame thrower… Use the heel of your stilettos to put a hole through their brain! (Now, now, it is NOT the time to be worried about fashion). Stay out of cities and large towns. Only use a gun IF necessary, the noise will just bring more zombies. And as always, AIM FOR THE HEAD!

Thank you so much Heather for stopping by I LOVE it!! *also I feel like I'm talking to myself when I say Heather LOL*

Kindle Edition, 200 pages
Published December 24th 2011

16 year old Karlie has had a pretty normal life... But when her Mom dies she is force to move over 1,000 miles away to live with her Dad. That's when things start getting weird.


She can't explain the earthquakes that nobody else feels, or why she no longer sleeps. But most of all she doesn't know why she trusts Shane so much, even though his Dad wants her dead.


Suddenly, Karlie's normal life is turned upside down and she enters a world she never dreamed could really exist.

Find Heather on the web: Goodreads | Blog | Twitter

Review:

This is one of those books that has you guessing what is going on here, but also keeps you flipping the pages to find out. When you do well, it's not a let down! When Destiny Knocks is an exciting, action packed romance. 

The characters are well developed and likable. Karlie: I really liked her and cannot wait to see what's in store for her next. Check out literature classes at an online school to learn how to develop compelling characters for a novel.

Shane: brooding, loner oh how I adore you. I cannot tell you much more on either of them without giving stuff away :( so READ IT! 

Even the secondary characters *and some not so secondary* are a great part of the story. The world itself is weird, fun, exciting and more. 

GIVEAWAY!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1 Year Blogoversary Day 30 On The Bight Side and Tempest Giveaway!!

Day 30 of the Celebration brings you..

2 Giveaways!! 

One from Author Julie Cross

and

One from Author S.R. Johannes

As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is quick to discover that Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven, is a far cry from the Pearly Gates. Here, SkyFones and InnerNets are all the rage. At her first Bright ceremony, G.O.D., the automated assignment system, spits out Angela Black, Gabby’s arch nemesis and longtime fencing rival. As a Bright, Gabby has to protect Angela, her assigned mortal, in order to move up through the training levels of heaven.


Back on earth, Angela starts hitting on Michael, Gabby’s crush and should-have-been boyfriend. Gabby’s pranks to quell the love are harmless at first until the school dance sabotage gets completely out of control. Then, Celestial Sky Agent, Lawrence, who happens to have anger management issues of his own, steps into reveal that Angela has big problems, and what she really needs is Gabby’s help.


Determined to right her wrong and ease her mother’s grief, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to earth for just one day. But if Gabby’s not careful, her well-meaning mission just might shift the very foundation of Heaven, Earth, and every place in between, causing the danger of the dark side to roam free.

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



a Rafflecopter giveaway

1 Year Blogoversary Day 29 Leanna Hieber Guest Post & Giveaway

Day 29! The Celebration is almost at an end but today we have Author of ...

Darker Still *A Novel of Magic Most Foul*

Leanna Hieber!!

Natalie Stewart's favorite five places in the world? 

--


Natalie Stewart, heroine of DARKER STILL: A Novel of Magic Most Foul, shares her five favorite places in the world.


Hello, my name is Natalie. I'm seventeen years old and I live in the greatest city in all the world, New York City, in the year 1880. I'm spirited, opinionated, and fascinated by the supernatural. I also suffer from Selective Mutism due to a childhood trauma. So while I do not speak, I can Sign and I tell my surprising, adventurous, scary and romantic tale through my diary. I hope you'll enjoy it, and while I'm sure you'll fall in love with my hero, the handsome and dashing Lord Denbury, he's mine.


My favorite places in the world:


5. Central Park - the whole of it. I've specific favorites inside this treasure, but the whole park itself deserves my love. It's perhaps the most magical and wonderful 843 acres ever imagined. As loud and as hectic as the city can be, inside the park you can't help but relax in the very heart of the world.

4. Immanuel Lutheran Church - out of respect for my mother, who was very active in the congregation, I attend services here and while my lack of speech distances me from the congregation, it is a sacred place and always will be.

3. Grand Central Depot - it may be full of steam and coal dust, but it reminds me an adventure somewhere across the country is just one train ride away. (I hear in the future you call it Grand Central Terminal- terminal and not station, as trains terminate there- and that it's gorgeous. In my day we've a suitable station, but it'll soon outgrow itself as New York City grows each day.)

2. The Angel in Central Park - the Bethesda Terrace boasts a gorgeous angel fountain in an elegant tiled promenade. I visit my angel when seeking beauty and a bit of grandeur, the best of this Victorian age.

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art - my father is a curator here and this elegant building is responsible for bringing the man I love into my life. The soul of handsome, dashing young Jonathon Whitby, Lord Denbury, is trapped inside a painting. Only I can save him. The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides a beautiful and safe place from which I can unravel his frightening mystery.


I hope you'll enjoy my tale, it continues with two more novels in the Magic Most Foul saga. Please connect with my authoress, Leanna Renee Hieber at her site http://leannareneehieber.com and on the book of faces at http://facebook.com/lrhieber and she offers brief bird-like notes here: http://twitter.com/leannarenee - cheers!

I was obsessed.


It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen--everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable...utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.


There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.


I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked--bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still.(less)
Paperback, 317 pages
Published November 8th 2011 by Sourcebooks Fire

Leanna has offered up a Giveaway for the celebration!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1 Year Blogoversary Day 28 J.F. Jenkins Guest Post/Promo/Excerpt & Giveaway

On day 28 I bring you Author of ...

Vala Agendas 

J.F. Jenkins










J.F. Jenkins has taken the time to stop by and give us a sneak peak at the places she would want to visit... Off you go.

The Five Places I Want to Visit:

My list might seem a little bizarre to some people. There are so many places in the world to see and so much to experience it was hard to come up with only five. These aren't in any particular order, and I'm sure if you were to ask me again on another day I'd have different answers too.

JAPAN

I've heard so many great things about this country and it looks so beautiful. There's a lot I want to see. The city, the countryside, everything. I love the culture and the food. Plus the people there seem super cool as well. I've had several friends go out that way before and they have only come home saying wonderful things. I don't know a word of Japanese, but it'd still be fun to go and experience such a culturally rich place. For more information
about this amazing country, check out online schooling for history courses that can teach you the social and cultural history of the 20th century Japan.

LAS VEGAS

This one might seem weird. Out of all the places in the world to go see, Vegas? But the observer in me geeks out at the idea. I want to see things, watch people, explore, and there is a lot of that to do out in Vegas. There are things to be seen that can't be seen elsewhere. It's not a place I'd like to stay for a long period of time. A handful of days should be more than enough, but what a great place to go people watch!

ROMANIA

I read this book called “The Historian”. It's about the historical evidence of Dracula. Needless to say, it resonated with me, and Romania was a big part of the story. I want to go and see all of the old buildings and the history described in the novel.

DUBAI

Seeing pictures of this city is enough to sell me on going there. It's gorgeous! The tall skyscrapers, the beautiful beach, and all of the man made islands in the cool shapes? What's not to like? Plus there would be more interesting culture to explore. And it looks a lot like how I picture one of the cities in my Dragon's Saga series.

THE ROSE RED MANSION

I kind of have this thing for Stephen King. After seeing the movie Rose Red, I found out it's an actual house that's out in Washington. Naturally, I have to go visit it. I don't think I'd be able to sleep there even though it's a hotel. The images from the movie are too vivid in my mind to handle something like that, but I'd love to take a tour and step through its glorious halls. Plus it kind of makes me think of what I imagine the school in Vala looking like. 

WOW those are some awesome places! I especially LOVE Rose Red House! I used to dream of a house like that when I was younger and still have it sometimes...Always changing while I'm running around in it. Thanks so much for stopping by!!


Find J.F. Jenkins on the web: 
Goodreads | Website | Twitter |

Vala Agendas
By J.F Jenkins


Blurb:


Cheyenne Loveless was just a boring sixteen-year-old girl. Then Denver Collins bit her and everything changed. Her plants start talking to her, she finds out she’s a Nymph, and a witch and the angel of death show up at her doorstep to take her away to the prestigious Vala School and Seminary. Oh, and she has no choice in the matter.


All she wants to do is blend in and return to being invisible, but the more time that passes, the harder that becomes. Plus she’s a daughter of the Divine, an exclusive secret society which rules the world of myth, and discovers she is a key ingredient to an ancient covenant created before she was born. A covenant that will reshape the order of the world.


Adjusting to a new school is difficult enough, but adding on everyone else’s hidden agendas is the icing on the cake. Cheyenne must learn to see through the lies in order to find her place — and possibly even love — in this new world.

Excerpt:

“Can I help you?” she asked, shielding herself protectively

with her arms.

“Sorry, you smell good,” he murmured, practically purring

in her ear as he pulled away. He still maintained his close

proximity.

“I smell...” She frowned and was about to sniff at her arm,

but she stopped herself. “…good?”

“You smell good. Kind of like lilies of the valley, actually.

Let me guess—you use that for your scented body wash?”

“I just use Dial.” Her entire body tensed more as he moved

in again, his face dangerously close to her neck. “I don’t mean to be

rude, and while I’m flattered you’re so fascinated with my body,

you’re also making me uncomfortable. If you’re just trying to butter

me up so I’ll go home with you, you should stop now, because

that’s not going to happen. Back off before I make you.”

He moved away once more with a smug smirk. “I thought I

smelled fire, too.” He extended his hand to her for a polite and

friendly handshake. “My name is Denver. Yes, like the city in

Colorado. Last name is Collins, and I’m sorry if I made you

uncomfortable. I don’t usually meet someone with that kind of

scent. It’s strong. I knew there was a reason I noticed you.”

Is this guy high or something? “Apology accepted. I'ʹm

Cheyenne. I'ʹve seen you around school these past few weeks, but I

don'ʹt think we'ʹve ever been formally introduced until now. You'ʹre

new, right?” Cheyenne shook his hand nervously. He had a strong

and confident shake. He seemed to be a genuinely nice person,

outside of his odd behaviors. If anything, it made her look good in

front of her classmates to be talking to the new cool kid, and a

young, attractive male. She felt a little less like a freak.

“I'ʹm temporary. I haven'ʹt been formally introduced to

anyone. You'ʹre the first, and it'ʹs only because you smell so nice I

can'ʹt stay away.”

“Do you use that line on everyone? It’s unique. A little

creepy, but unique.”

“No.” He sat back and proceeded to grab a napkin off the

bar and fold it in front of him multiple times. He didn'ʹt have much

of an attention span, apparently. “I actually don’t pick up women

often. I just made an exception for the blue--‐ eyed beauty in front of

me.”

Cheyenne’s face flushed again. “I wasn’t aware you knew

the color of my eyes, seeing as how you’ve been staring at my

breasts the entire time.” It came out a lot harsher than she intended.

In fact, she wasn’t meaning to say it at all. “Sorry, I—”

“You’re right. I was, but I remember you from earlier. I

noticed your eyes when you were looking across the school yard at

me.”

“You do remember that.” She shrank in her chair a little,

officially wanting to hide under a rock.

“It’s a little hard not to when you’re so cute.” He moved

closer to her, not quite as close as before, but enough to cause

butterflies in her stomach. “You don’t like it here. I don’t like it

here. And since we both don’t like it here, maybe we should head

out and find something else to do. Maybe we can go someplace we

both like.”

Now for the Giveaway!! 1 E-Book Copy of Vala Agendas 

*My Review is coming soon but yeah it's a 5 star!!*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of Released by Megan Duncan

Paperback, 260 pages
Published April 1st 2011 by CreateSpace


After a demon apocalypse kills their parents and everyone they know, 17-year old Abby Phillips, her brother, Carter, and friend, Max flee their home to travel through what has become the wastelands of America. When radio transmissions of a resistance offering shelter and safety cease, Abby is tempted to give up. Struggling to overcome life-threatening obstacles in their dangerous journey, Abby and her companions quickly discover there are much worse things lurking in the dark than they could have ever imagined.

Find Megan on the web:  Goodreads | Blog | Facebook | 

Review: 

Post apocalyptic, demons running loose and teenagers fighting for their lives! Sign me up!!  The world Megan has created here is Fierce and dangerous. While going through the story you can really get a feel for it and put yourself there. There is a bit of it all...Action, horror, romance, and family! Great world building!!


Abby, I really like her. She is just doing her best to be the same person she has always been. She is not an all out hardcore Alice *RE mention* but she can hold her own without a doubt. She keeps it together *for the most part* better than most while still remaining human.


Carter her brother is the brain of the group! he has his own way of dealing with the world as it is. He's a great brother to Abby and watches out for her.


Max... Ok, I'm going to gush here :) Strong bold protective. He does great dealing with what is delt to them and keeps it moving. He can make you laugh too and mostly keeps his cool. Just WOW! I would want him around if I were stuck in this world. Just Sayin.


The people/things met in the book are so what I would be worried about *although there are things I didn't see coming* I love that :) This book delivers an amazing adventure it's a must read!!

1 Year Blogoversary Day 27 Deanna Chase EXCLUSIVE Excerpt and Giveaway!

Today I have on the blog Author of..

Haunted on Bourbon Street and the upcoming Witches of Bourbon Street

Deanna Chase!

Deanna has taken a moment to stop by with an excerpt from the upcoming Witches of Bourbon Street!! Away we go...

Happy Blogoversary, SupaGurl!

First off, thanks for letting me stop by and be part of your celebration. For those of you who do not know me, I am Deanna Chase, author of Haunted on Bourbon Street. SupaGurl was kind enough to review Haunted back in October (much to my delight, she took a liking to it.) *grin*. So when she asked if I wanted to be part of her blogoversary, I jumped at the chance.

In honor of the celebration, I am giving away three (3) eversions of Haunted on Bourbon Street and one (1) signed paperback.  Eversions are available in .mobi, ePub, and PDF. I’m also willing to ship the paperback worldwide. Just comment on this post and SupaGurl will announce the winners on Feb. 7th.

Haunted on Bourbon Street

Jade loves her new apartment--until a ghost joins her in the shower.

When empath Jade Calhoun moves into an apartment above a strip bar on Bourbon Street, she expects life to get interesting. What she doesn't count on is making friends with an exotic dancer, attracting a powerful spirit, and developing feelings for Kane, her sexy landlord.

Being an empath has never been easy on Jade's relationships. It's no wonder she keeps her gift a secret. But when the ghost moves from spooking Jade to terrorizing Pyper, the dancer, it's up to Jade to use her unique ability to save her. Except she'll need Kane's help--and he's betrayed her with a secret of his own--to do it. Can she find a way to trust him and herself before Pyper is lost?

But that’s not all. The second in the series, Witches of Bourbon Street, is launching in just a few short weeks. And you, SupaGurl readers, are the first to get glimpse of the opening. If you want to be notified of the official release date you can sign up here. In the mean time, here's the first chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 1



I sat cross-legged in Bea’s cheery, yellow living room, trying not to scowl. White witch, my ass. After two hours of trying to manipulate my so-called power, I was ready to tell Bea and her nephew, Ian, exactly what they could do with their magic lessons.

Only, I couldn’t.

While battling with an evil spirit three months ago, Bea’s energy had been compromised, and she’d never recovered. For some ungodly reason she was convinced I was a witch and the answer for a cure.

I took in the dark circles rimming her eyes and her pale, waxy skin. The vibrant southern lady I’d come to admire had been replaced by a tired shell of an elderly woman destined for a retirement village.

All my irritation vanished. I had to do something. Anything.

Determined this time to get it right, I held one hand out to Bea and the other to Ian. Sweat trickled the length of my nose. It clung to the tip before landing silently on the patchwork area rug. For the hundredth time that day, I opened my senses, trying to harness Ian’s energy and hold it in my awareness long enough to transfer it to Bea. Ian’s anxious anticipation pressed against my skin, making me flinch.

“Focus, Jade,” Bea said. “Remember what I said about compartmentalizing.”

Stop focusing on what Ian is feeling, and focus on his essence.

When I’d given her a blank look, she’d gone on to explain: The essence of an individual is made up of both their soul and spirit. Spirit is basically life energy, while the soul is what gives a person the ability to feel compassion, love, and all the things that make one human.

Okay. Essence. I could do that. I’d done it before, only I’d thought of it as emotional energy. Somewhere in the corner of my mind I closed the door on my empath ability. The three of us sat there holding sweaty hands as I tried to mentally connect with Ian. As usual, nothing happened. All right. Time for a new tactic. Instead of trying to get into his head, I concentrated on his heart. Slowly, the threads of Ian’s inner light started to tickle my senses. I imagined a siphon attached to a glass beaker and focused on capturing the essence Bea needed to be strong again. A swirly mist started to fill my beaker.

Success! After weeks of instruction, I’d finally grasped the technique Bea insisted I had the skill to master. Elation caused me to redouble my efforts.

With a full container of mist, I turned my attention to Bea, intent on sending her nephew’s strong energy into her being. Instantly, my imaginary beaker exploded. Ian’s hard-won healing essence evaporated into nothing.

“Damn it!” I growled.

“Negativity won’t help anything, dear.” Bea slumped back against her sunflower print loveseat.

Argh! I yelled in my head and looked at Ian helplessly.

He wiped his face with a cloth handkerchief and stood. “I’m getting some more tea. Anyone else?”

“Please.” I pulled the shirt away from my body and leaned toward the oscillating fan to my left.

Ian studied his aunt. “Bea? Tea or water?”

“No, thank you. I’m fine.” She rose gracefully to her feet then settled into the loveseat under a ray of sunshine. She tilted her face, warming it in the light. With each passing day her ability to stay warm diminished. Despite the stifling heat she wore black slacks and a long-sleeved shirt, topped with a cardigan sweater.

Just looking at her raised my internal temperature ten degrees. I stood. “I’ll be outside. I need a break.”

“I’ll meet you out there,” Ian said from the kitchen.

With effort, I managed to not slam the French door behind me as I escaped to the screened-in patio. The overhead fans rotated full force, showering me with a steady stream of much-needed air. I sat directly beneath one and stared out onto the perfectly manicured lawn, edged with a vibrant bed of hibiscus plants. What else would one expect from a carriage home in the Garden District of New Orleans?

While it was still beautiful, I missed the variety of colorful annuals that had long since given up in the summer heat. I’d offered to help Bea with the fall garden, but she’d waved me off, saying I had better things to do with my time.

Like figure out how to energy meld. After banishing Roy—an evil spirit who used to haunt the club in my building—Bea had never fully recovered, leaving her cold and weak. When her doctor didn’t find anything wrong, he’d prescribed a vitamin regimen. It wasn’t helping, though Bea had said all along she knew it wouldn’t. Her essence had been zapped, and there were only two ways to restore it: time or the help of another witch. But not just any witch. Apparently it took a white witch. Something both Bea and Lailah—her shop assistant—insisted I was. I didn’t agree. I’m an empath, someone who can read other’s emotions, not a witch. Or at least not a powerful one, judging by my lack of ability to transfer Ian’s energy to Bea.

The doors squeaked and Ian’s frustration reached me before he did. “It’s not working.” He handed me a tall glass of sweet tea and sat down opposite me, stretching out his long, gangly legs.

“I told you not to get your hopes up.” I took a long sip and didn’t make eye contact.

“If you had a better attitude, it would help.”

My head snapped up. I opened my mouth, ready to let him know exactly what I thought of his opinion, but closed it. The fatigue etched around his pale blue eyes gave him a hollowed-out, almost ghostly appearance. If he hadn’t been so worried about his aunt, it would have been funny, considering his obsession with ghost hunting.

I breathed deeply, trying to release some of my bottled-up frustration. “I’m trying.”

“Shit. Sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I only meant positive energy flows more freely and all that crap.” He ran a large hand through his sweat-dampened, sandy blond hair.

I laughed. “All that crap?”

He shrugged, giving me the first real smile I’d seen on him in days. I searched for a resemblance of the man I’d met three months earlier, after a ghost scare in my apartment. That day he’d been all smiles, easygoing, and dressed in all black, looking very much like a pro skateboarder. Today he wore khaki shorts and a pinstriped, button-down, short-sleeved cotton shirt. Only the Converse shoes remained from his previous persona.

“What’s with the makeover? I thought T-shirts and jeans were all you owned,” I teased.

He glanced down at his shirt, looking pained. “I’m a little behind on laundry. Plus, with the heat in there, this is a little cooler.”

Sobering, I leaned in. “She’s getting worse, isn’t she?” It seemed each time I saw her, Bea got a little paler and a little thinner. If I couldn’t master the energy meld soon and transfer some healthy energy to her…I didn’t want to finish the thought.

Ian nodded. “I’ve been noticing her decline for the last few weeks. But I don’t understand it. Enough time has gone by that she should be getting better.”

I bit my lip. “Maybe it’s her age. Older folks don’t bounce back as easily.”

“She’s not that old. In her sixties, I think. She makes sure none of us know what year she was really born in.”

I smiled at that. Bea owned a new age shop in the French Quarter. From the outside it often embodied everything you’d expect a tourist shop to be. But one foot inside from someone with knowledge of the craft, and you knew she was one powerful witch. With that kind of skill, Bea could be eighty and no one would be the wiser. In fact, I’d guessed she was in her fifties. “Either way, with how strong she was, this doesn’t make sense.”

Ian rubbed his temples. When he dropped his hands, he looked me dead in the eye. “Ready to try again?”

No. My shirt was practically soaked through. I had plans with my boyfriend, Kane, in a few hours, and I’d promised to call my aunt Gwen before I went out. I pushed my chair back and grabbed my empty glass. “Let’s do it.”

Ian held the door for me. I set my shoulders and walked willingly back into the sauna that used to be Bea’s living room. After a stop in the guest bathroom to splash my face with cool water, I took my place on the area rug.

Bea slid to the edge of her seat and with shaking arms, carefully lowered herself to the floor. The small effort left her winded.

I took her hand and peered into her eyes. “Tell me again why I can’t just transfer some of my own energy?” In the past I’d been successful in replenishing both my own strength and the strength of others by tapping what I used to think of as emotional energy. I’d thought it was just part of my gift. But when Bea had explained the energy meld she was trying to teach me, she’d said I wasn’t transferring emotions at all. I was taking and receiving pieces of the inner essence we all possessed.

“Remember how weak you were the last time you loaned your strength to someone? Didn’t you tell me you’d drained yourself to the point you’d become bedridden?”

“But I can give you just a little, to at least help you feel a bit better.”

“No.” Her voice was full of conviction. “You don’t have control yet and that’s why you exhaust yourself. Use Ian. You’ll learn something and you’ll both recover fast.” She held her hand out to her nephew and gave him a pointed look.

Joining our circle, he shot me a look that implied I’d better get to work.

With their hands in mine I once again concentrated on Ian. His familiar essence flowed easier this time and before I could devise a new way to capture it, the weight of it settled into my bones. I sat straight up as my nerve endings tingled, overflowing with the urge to move. It was too much. The energy meld had worked, only I’d accidentally absorbed it instead of transferring it to Bea.

“Release it now!” Bea commanded.

My head snapped in her direction. Ridged and ready to jump out of my own skin, I stared her down. She met my gaze, and suddenly my back arched as Ian’s essence was pulled from me.

Ian’s hand went slack in my death grip, but I couldn’t move my fingers to release him. I sat frozen, locked in Bea’s gaze until every last tingle faded to numbness. My body slumped forward. I sat there half-lying on the floor until Ian’s strong arms lifted me back into a sitting position.

“You okay?” he asked.

I lifted my weak head, giving him a small nod.

He cradled my head on his shoulder and whispered, “Look.”

Bea stood over us, her cardigan sweater shed, fanning herself with a book. “When did it get so warm in here?”

I smiled. “It’s about time you noticed.”

A low chuckle vibrated in Ian’s throat.

“Can you turn the temperature down now? Some of us don’t prefer a slow roast,” I teased. Though, for once I wasn’t sweating. My hands and feet were still numb and the rest of my body had started to tremble.

Ian’s arm tightened around me. “Don’t worry. Bea has a special vitamin that will pick you right back up.”

“Huh?”

“It kick-starts your inner strength.”

Right. I’d never heard of this so-called miracle pill. “Is it altered?”

He laughed. “It’s spelled, if that’s what you mean. Bea keeps them around for emergencies.”

I pushed myself away from his embrace. “No, thanks. I’ll recover on my own.”

Ian sat back and crossed his arms. “This again? You just did a spell. You’ve been trying to master it for how many days—no, weeks, now? And yet you won’t take a pill that will have you feeling right in no time because a witch enhanced it? I hate to tell you this, Jade, but you’re a witch, too. A white one. A very powerful one and, to be honest, you can’t afford to be drained.”

“Wha—”

“Don’t sass the girl. She just cured your aunt.” Bea handed me a tall glass of sweet tea and pointed the fan at Ian.

“Thank you.” I gulped down three-quarters of the liquid before coming up for air.

Bea’s smile turned to a grin. “No point trying to force a pill down her throat when tea will work just as well.”

I tilted my head in confusion then frowned as my nerve endings started to come back to life, reviving my extremities. My body started to hum, much in the way it did after a good workout at the gym. “Bea! Tell me you did not just drug me without my knowledge.”

“Oh, heavens no. I wouldn’t do that. I did crush up an enhanced vitamin though. You needed it after that impressive display of energy work.”

Her satisfied smile made me want to scream. But as I took in her rosy cheeks and the glint that had been missing from her eyes, I softened and shook my head. “You know I don’t like to be manipulated.”

“Who does?” Bea called as she headed toward the back door. “I had to do something after you botched the essence transfer.”

“Botched? What do you mean? Looks like it worked to me. You’re upright, looking better than you have since the exorcism.”

“Yes, botched.” She opened the back door. “I’m not saying it didn’t work. In fact, I’d say it worked better than anyone expected it to. But I also told you not to transfer any of your essence. Too bad you don’t take direction well. Don’t worry—we can work on that.” The French door shut with a soft click.

I glanced at Ian. “I didn’t mean to. It just happened.”

He patted my hand as if I were a five-year-old then got up and headed for the kitchen.

“I didn’t do it on purpose,” I called.

Ian poked his head back into the living room. “I know. This is why you need to study.”

I clamped my mouth shut and glared.

“That’s what I thought you’d say.” He disappeared again, leaving me alone with my jaw clenched and arms folded tightly against my chest.

“A thank-you would have been nice,” I said to no one.

Thank you so much Deanna! 

Really You need to read Haunted on Bourbon Street if you haven't and get ready for Witches of Bourbon Street.

Now to enter her Awesome contest... 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1 Year Blogoversary Day 26 April from Sim-Sational Reviews Guest Post & Giveaway

WOW It's Day 26 of the Celebration and I have...

April from Sim-Sational Reviews

Now on with the awesomeness that is April!!

TOP TEN BOOK BOYS WHO MELT MY BUTTER.. in no particular order

Edward Cullen – Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer

I figured we would get this one out of the way first… Unless you’re anti Twilight,   you’re probably feeling Mr. Edward, or wishing that you were. I know, he can be a bit of a wuss with a capital P, but let’s face it, he has some dreamy qualities too. He’s very protective, drop dead gorgeous, he will never get fat on deer blood, and he’s pretty darn loaded. Even if he doesn’t make me sparkly someday, I could just be his sugar human for a while… maybe I’d get a bullet proof car out of it.

Zachary Moore – Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

I have only read the first book in this series, but already Zachary has stolen my heart. He’s patient, smart, and has an adorable accent. I can’t say that I have a kilt fetish… they never really did it for me… but picturing Zachary in one adds a whole new appeal. I want to tell him to forget Aura! Here’s a wanna be Milf waiting for you! Of course he won’t listen, but I can dream right?

Delvin – from the Wicked Lovely Series by Melissa Marr

This series has a ton of characters, there are many hot guys to choose from. Delvin mostly makes his appearance in Radiant Shadows. There is just something about him… he’s bad ass. He’s the assassin to the High Queen, but he has a sensitive side too. Just trust me on this… He’s totally crush worthy.

Harry Potter – from the Harry Potter series, duh.. by J. K. Rowling

Okay, before you all start thinking, eww this girl is a total Pedi.. I am crushing on the Harry (Post puberty). I’m gonna be honest here. It’s really just the glasses.. You see, I have this thing for a guy with glasses.. If he has dark hair too, that’s a plus.. So Glasses and Dark Hair = Happy April, not so ironically it also = Aprils Husband. Lol. But as if this all wasn’t enough… Harry and I have matching scars. Yup.. I have a lightning bold scar above my lip from my surgeries as a baby. (I was born with Cleft Lip & Pallet) So I feel that Harry and I are meant to be.

Callum – from the Raised by Wolves series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I love him. Oh my gosh I love him… he’s not exactly the love interest in these stories, though he plays a huge part.. He’s more like the father figure to Bryn the main character. I’m very proud of this choice.. Because he’s an adult! Notice how I listed this one after Harry Potter to make myself look good.. Did it work? :oP Anyway, I would like to have his wolf babies. Not until we are dating a while, both have secure jobs, and possibly married with a house. ßAfter school special comment of the day!

Etienne St. Clair – Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

What is there to say? He’s foreign, adorable, and funny. Funny is huge for me. That’s usually one of the first non physical things I’m attracted to. I read this book not to long ago, so I’m still a little flustered.. He’s just the kind of guy you want to be with. He’s real.. Flawed a bit.. He’s not perfect; he makes mistakes just like anyone else.. But in the end, he will turn you into a puddle.. *sigh*

Alex – From Delirium by Lauren Oliver

First off, this book is amazing. I loved the concept.. Imagine being cured of love. That’s insane.. Life is nothing without love.. Lena is about to be cured.. when enter Alex… and she falls in love.. She’s not the only one. I fell in love right along with her. I don’t think Alex had any specific endearing qualities that did it for me.. I think it was more the Authors writing that had me desperately clinging to his every word… It was written in a way that had me falling in love again for the first time. As I’m typing this, I couldn’t even tell you what Alex looked like. I don’t remember, and I don’t care. It’s who his is, and how he made me feel that has me all gushy when thinking about it.

Adam – from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

He’s hot.. He just is. I hope that if I ever do something bad in life, and get thrown in jail… the government will be kind enough to drop a lovely specimen like him into my cell. After hundreds of days in seclusion..  getting a cell mate like that.. I would be eating him up like a thanksgiving dinner. What I wouldn’t give to eat some candies yams off that set of abs. Delish

Ash – from the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa

Ooooh, Ash.. He’s the perfect man.. from book one I have been smitten, and through every book, I have grown to love him more and more. I just finished the final book, and I’m at a loss for words. Let’s just say.. It’s a good thing my daughter can’t shoot icicles from her fingers, or I would have some serious explaining to do.

Dimitri – from The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead

I feel like his picture should be in the dictionary next to sexy because holy crap he’s sexy. I can’t even explain, if you have read this series.. then you know what I’m talking about. Thank you to Mead for creating this yummy forbidden fruit… the hot instructor/teacher you shouldn’t dabble with, but totally want to. Oh but they shouldn’t, Oh but they want to, ect. The chemistry in these books was insane. I want Dimitri . I would give up cupcakes for the rest of my life if I could have him. That’s hard core, because I love cupcakes. LoL.

So that was my current top ten. I have a bunch of books on my shelf I haven’t read yet, so this list is subject to change someday. Haha! Hope you all enjoyed my hormone induced rambling! Thanks for stopping by.    

Oh, How I love that girl!! Thank you so much April for being a part of my Celebration!! 

There has been a change in prize totally my fault make sure to read below!

Now April has a giveaway for you!!  **A book of your choice from Any of the Series Mentioned in her Guest Post** from the Book Depository Super Easy - Raffle Copter Leave a Comment!

a Rafflecopter giveaway