Book review and giveaway: The Devil’s Kiss trilogy by Gemma James

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The Devil's Kiss trilogyTitle: The Devil’s Kiss trilogy

Author: Gemma James

Genre: Erotica BDSM

Published: May 8, 2013

Length: book 1: novelette; book 2: short novella; book 3: short novella

Rating: Novel Girl rating stars-4.5

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Description:

“Who am I, Kayla?”

I met his gaze—maniacal eyes possessing me—and shuddered. My heart feared him, but the gate of my sexual need was manned by him, owned by him. And he knew it.

“You’re my Master.”

Kayla Sutton faces a question no mother wants to face: what would you do to save your daughter? Broke and desperate, she siphons thousands from the company she works for in order to pay for her daughter’s life-saving treatment, but when Gage Channing discovers her theft, she is shocked to learn that her domineering boss has no intention of turning her over to the police. Instead he issues an ultimatum—submit to him, or go to jail.

As her daughter’s life hangs in the balance, Kayla must dig deep to find the strength to fully submit, to travel down the path of pain and pleasure. But when her past catches up to her, prompting a free fall into forbidden territory with a man she once fiercely loved, she knows her only recourse is to come clean about her transgression and beg her Master’s forgiveness . . . only she never imagined he’d have such a horrifying punishment awaiting her.

She faced sexual servitude in Ultimatum. In Enslaved she was seduced into craving it. Now she must find the strength to either accept the part of her that craves him still, or walk away for good . . .

NOTE TO READERS: THE DEVIL’S KISS TRILOGY is a novel with a BDSM edge and contains material that is only suitable for adult readers. If dark and edgy erotic fiction isn’t your kind of read, you might not enjoy this story. Approximately 52,000 words.

Ultimatum review

Book #1

Book #1

Rating: Novel Girl rating stars-4

Ultimatum, for 12,000 words, is a novelette yet so big in bang. I admit I went into it expecting whips and pain and erotic sex scene after scene with no story but…

…stupid me didn’t count on Gemma James planting a seed of a twisted, engrossing story that would take me through this trilogy.

It was a few things that got me hooked in this book. Mother, Kayla and terminally ill daughter, Eve are in a situation to make any person feel heavy and sad. This then is in the forefront of your mind when Kayla—ultimately—has no choice but to start a contract with Gage for cruel, twisted, sex for his own self-pleasing sexual desires because it gives her the money she needs. It’s crazy and Gemma made me squirm exactly how I think she intended me to. She also made me feel the confusing pleasure at times, when after the beating Kayla endured, she received sexual gratification.

Then there was Gage who had my emotions tumbling as if in a dryer. Man, he is a character I’ll never forget. He’s intense—sadistic and sexual, he’s damn intense.

A light read, Ultimatum almost made the coveted 5 stars, but was a tad short to completely satisfy me.

Enslaved review

Enslaved - Gemma James

Book #2

Rating: Novel Girl rating stars-5

If Ultimatum felt like a paper-cut, Enslaved was like a deep cut. So much more intense.

The sex was hotter, the BDSM was crueller, and so was Kayla’s feelings for her boss and Master, Gage. Her daughter, Eve received a large lump of money to help with cancer treatment in book one, but now comes a huge deal. There’s a new treatment available with extreme benefits to combat her cancer and give her a strong chance to live, but it’s a huge sum to pay.

Kayla has no choice. She goes right back into Gage’s torture dungeon (seems that way) and submits herself to his wicked ways. Meanwhile, when she’s out in the world afterwards, she keeps running into her ex, Ian, so she still loves.

This book is hot and capturing to read, and also a bit longer than Ultimatum, but it’s the huge twist at the end that had me choking on my breath and trying to tap away at my Kindle pages faster to devour every word until the end to find out what happened.

Enslaved is a huge step up from book one. It satisfied me and then knocked me off my feet in a good way and had me shouting at my lungs over social media for my friends to buy it.

Retribution review

Book #3

Book #3

Rating: Novel Girl rating stars-5

The title says it all really. It’s stepped up to the max in this last instalment. We finally see the prospect of Gage, her sexual torturer and pleaser, getting his comeuppance.

I love that Kayla now has the upper hand. I felt like chanting, “Go girl power!” in my head while reading, but it wasn’t all like that. Gage is evil through and through, and Kayla is questioning soon enough if she had any power over their contract and his hold on her at all.

In this last instalment, I really connected with the three main characters, Gage, Kayla, and Ian. Part of it was another bombshell that Gemma James hit me with, and I saw these characters becoming real in my head. With so much on the line between Eve’s recovery, Kayla’s choice to walk away from Gage or not, her retribution, more dark and dangerous secrets, and Ian’s presence in her life, I couldn’t help but chant, “perfect, perfect, perfect,” over in my head as I finished up this book.

Gemma James threw some crazy shit at me, and I feel proud I survived this book. My only disappointment is the ending. It’s not a cliff-hanger and given the type of series, it isn’t a sweet HEA; it’s something else. But it fitted the series.

***

The series

Wow. I am floored. All in all, the length of these books put together barely total a small novel, yet each standing on their own grow to a huge satisfactory read.

I highly recommend this series. I get peeved at features in BDSM erotica books, and this one had them, too, but as a non-reader of the genre I rate the series in total 4.5 stars and totally mind-blowing. LOVE. And highly recommended.

***

Author links:

Website/blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |

Ultimatum (book #1) links:

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |

The full trilogy links:

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |

***

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Rebecca Berto is the author of the Dark Contemporary/Literary novella, Precise and the New Adult Contemporary Romance,
 Drowning in You

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2,000 Facebook likes giveaway!

I actually made 2,000 likes on my Rebecca Berto (Novel Girl) Facebook page! Whoopee! Can you believe it?

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To say thanks, I’m giving away an eBook copy of Drowning in You. Entry is simple:

***2,000 likes giveaway***

Win an eBook copy of Drowning in You by:

  • sharing the cover and giveaway link on Facebook; and/or
  • sharing the cover on Pinterest!

Enter below:

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*NEW* Sign up to reveal Rebecca’s cover for her next release here.
Rebecca Berto is the author of the Dark Contemporary/Literary novella, Precise and the New Adult Contemporary Romance,
 Drowning in You

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Book review: “A Different Blue” by Amy Harmon

GUEST REVIEW BY TAMARA MCRAE

A different blue - Amy Harmon

TitleA Different Blue

Author — Amy Harmon

Age group — New Adult

Genre — Contemporary Romance

Published — March 27, 2013

Rating – Novel Girl rating stars-5

***

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Book description:

Blue Echohawk doesn’t know who she is. She doesn’t know her real name or when she was born. Abandoned at two and raised by a drifter, she didn’t attend school until she was ten years old. At nineteen, when most kids her age are attending college or moving on with life, she is just a senior in high school. With no mother, no father, no faith, and no future, Blue Echohawk is a difficult student, to say the least. Tough, hard and overtly sexy, she is the complete opposite of the young British teacher who decides he is up for the challenge, and takes the troublemaker under his wing.

This is the story of a nobody who becomes somebody. It is the story of an unlikely friendship, where hope fosters healing and redemption becomes love. But falling in love can be hard when you don’t know who you are. Falling in love with someone who knows exactly who they are and exactly why they can’t love you back might be impossible.

Tamara’s review:

The author

The author

“It’s all about perspective,” I said hesitantly, giving voice to my sudden revelation. “I don’t know what all of you see when you look at this,” I nodded toward my carving. “I can’t control what you see or how you interpret what you see any more than I can control what you think of me.”

“That’s the beauty of art,” Wilson suggested quietly. “Everyone has their own interpretation.”

A Different Blue was beautiful and touching. It was one of those books that whispered its secrets to me and begged me to look inside my own heart to discover how those secrets could help me unfold a little more of my own story.

This story snuck up on me. You may find it slow to start but stick with it, you will be glad you did. The author gently weaved the story of Blue with history lessons, Indian stories and wood carving. An odd mixture you might think but I was captivated by how she tied them all together. This was such a well written story; it is one of those books that you delve into on a deeper level. I took my time reading this, highlighting a lot of it and thinking about the underlying meanings and what I could take from them into my own life.

Blue is a lost soul who doesn’t know her roots. She hides her vulnerability and craving for love and acceptance under a tough exterior that most don’t take the time to look past.

“Most people who worked with wood liked to use soft woods because they were easy to carve and whittle, easy to shape into their own creation. Nobody carved with mesquite or mountain mahogany or juniper. The wood was too hard.”

Wilson, her history teacher, is the exception. His history lessons help her start on her path to self discovery and their growing friendship gives her the love and acceptance she desperately needs to grow and spread her wings. Before I read the book I was a little concerned as to where this book was going to go with regard to the student/teacher relationship. I don’t especially like books with those relationships and I was pleased to find that this book did not touch on any inappropriateness. I don’t want to share any spoilers but just wanted to clarify that for anyone who was not sure whether to read this book based on that aspect.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. If you enjoy stories of self discovery and the healing nature of love you will like this one.

***

Author links:

Website/blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |

Buy the book:

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  Smashwords  |

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*NEW* Sign up to reveal Rebecca’s cover for her next release here.
Rebecca Berto is the author of the Dark Contemporary/Literary novella, Precise and the New Adult Contemporary Romance,
 Drowning in You

Follow Novel Girl blog by the buttons in the top left corner of the home page to stay updated.

Order signed copies of “Drowning in You”!

If you didn’t notice on my Facebook, I received a stack of paperbacks of Drowning in You for signed copies! The below picture is only HALF of what I have.

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If you’d like a signed copy, please read on!

Step 1. Email Rebecca Berto at rebeccaberto [at] hotmail [dot] com with your request and whether you’d like a personalised message or regular signed copy, plus your mailing address.

Step 2. Pay your related below payment to Rebecca via PayPal to her email: rebeccaberto [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Step 3. Wait for your signed book to arrive!

Book cost and shipping:

Australian addresses: $18 (book cost + shipping)

Non-Australian addresses: $24 (book cost + shipping)

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*NEW* Sign up to reveal Rebecca’s cover for her next release here.
Rebecca Berto is the author of the Dark Contemporary/Literary novella, Precise and the New Adult Contemporary Romance,
 Drowning in You

Follow Novel Girl blog by the buttons in the top left corner of the home page to stay updated.

Huge up to 85% off Kindle sale on eBooks

I’ve pasted the most popular titles below. These books are self-published as well as traditional and are all amazing sales. Ends May 27, 2013.

Click on the image to be taken to the book deal page.

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Many more deals on Amazon here.

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DrowningInYou AMAZON<<< Buy Precise from Amazon for Kindle.

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Cover Reveal Sign Up: Being Kalli by Rebecca Berto

Being Kalli

Rebecca Berto

Publication date: August, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age group: New Adult

Cover designer: Najla Qamber Designs

Reveal date: Tuesday, June 11th, 2013 (after 12:01AM EST)

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Book description:

There are two things you should know about Kalli Perkins.

1. She’d rather do it in public than be alone with a guy.

2. She loves her little brothers more than her mom does.

Kalli doesn’t pretend to be a good girl. At nineteen, she’s never been in love and doesn’t ever intend to be. She has her issues handled. She’s managed to keep the secret of what happened to her nine years ago from her mother, although her mother’s usually high anyway and barely notices Kalli or her little brothers.

One night at a party, Kalli makes a bet with her friend, Nate, that could change everything. Their friend, Scout, tells them there’s no uncrossing the friendship line once it’s crossed—even though they were both drunk. But Kalli can’t imagine how anyone could want her damaged self for anything more.

She didn’t count on Nate. Nate’s very capable of satisfying her not only under her clothes, but in her heart, too.

She just doesn’t know it yet.

♥♥♥ 

If you would like to participate in this reveal, click here to go to the Xpresso Book Tours sign up page!

Book review: “Click to Subscribe” by L.M. Augustine

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE coverTitleClick to Subscribe

Author — L.M. Augustine

Age group — Young Adult

Genre — Contemporary

Published — May 6, 2013

Rating – Novel Girl rating stars-4.5

***

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Click to add to Goodreads

Book description:

135,789. That’s how many subscribers sixteen-year-old West Ryder has on his web vlog series. But he only has eyes for one of them.

As one of the internet’s most prestigious video bloggers, West talks about high school relationships under the name “Sam Green.” As far as he knows, no one from school, not even his best friend, Cat, has seen his videos. But the highlight of the whole thing is Harper Knight, who comments every day at exactly 2:02 in the afternoon. He doesn’t know anything about her aside from the occasional deep philosophical messaging on why pizza tastes so delicious, but as stupid as it sounds, he might be falling for her. So when they finally agree to meet in real life, West’s hope for romance seems more and more in reach. But that all changes as soon as he arrives at their meeting spot and sees Cat walking toward him, wearing the same “I <3 Sam Green” T-shirt Harper promised she’d have on.

To his alarm, West realizes he is falling in love with the best friend who has always been a sister to him.

My review:

LOL I love this graphic I made!

LOL I love this graphic I made!

Aw, what a different read! It’s outrageously funny (haven’t read something like it), it transported me back to my nerdy teenage days, and was wonderfully written for a YA audience.

L.M. Augustine was awesome with this book. I’m so glad I forced the author (totally kidding) to give me an early review copy. I’m buying it when it comes out.

So, what’s it about? I just can’t get over how similar I used to be as a nerdy teen to West (main guy) and Cat (the girl). The thing is, yes, there was back n forth with West about his feelings for Cat and he was incredibly frustrating at times being an ass to her when she poured her heart out, but he was true to his self. I was embarrassed and petrified of screwing things up as a teen, too. So, I get him. I know this isn’t meant to be a review of me, but author, L.M. Augustine just got me with this book. I connected instantly with it.
Cat? Well she was a good contrast. She’s West’s perfect best friend, matching his silly, crazy banter, but she’s also the strong one. Sorry, but West was a little weakling and he needed someone like her! Cat was strong and courageous enough to go for what she wanted.

However, I was sad that she wanted him so much when he didn’t treat her as good, considering how close they are. She poured her heart out, the poor thing! The one major thing that would make me love this book more is if West learned earlier in his journey, thus making the first kiss happen wayyyy earlier.

All in all, I’m excited I read this book. And even more excited to read more of the author’s books.

***

Author links:

Website/blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |

Buy the book:

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon CA  |  Smashwords  |  B&N  |

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DrowningInYou AMAZON<<< Buy Precise from Amazon for Kindle.

Buy Drowning in You for Kindle, too. >>>

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Book review and giveaway: “The Forgotten Ones” by Laura Howard

The Forgotten Ones - Laura HowardTitleThe Forgotten Ones

AuthorLaura Howard

Age group — New Adult/Adult

Genre — Contemporary/Fantasy

Published — April 28, 2013

RatingNovel Girl rating stars-4

***

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Click to add to Goodreads

Book description:

Allison O’Malley’s plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she’s been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison’s mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn’t trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother’s sanity.

My review:

I’m usually solid on my stars for reviewing but The Forgotten Ones has me stumped. For that reason I’m breaking down my reading satisfaction:

Writing: 5/5
Characters: 3/5
Plot: 3.5/5

I guess that evens out to about 3.5 – 4 stars. I’ll just go with that because I can’t pick!

For anyone who likes fantasy or has been bogged down in similar new adult books lately, this short novel is a good twist from the norm.

I’m going to try explain my feelings here. Okay, plot. The first half was almost a solid contemporary. Magic didn’t come into it until around 40%, I think. When we were introduced to the magic, it was like boom! and everything from there on out was all magic. So from the start we have a lovely story. It opened with the hint of a love story with Ethan and Allie’s problems concerning her mother’s health. The Forgotten Ones is the type of book you read a few paragraphs of and know it’s going to be one you like.

Then occurs the twist midway where the old folk Irish magic comes in and the developing love story between Ethan and Allie halts while she gets close with her dad and figures out some issues. Okay, my feelings here. I love a good romance so I was pretty sad Ethan and Allie as a couple slowed to the point it read like straight fantasy. However, we got to see her develop a relationship with her dad, which was all sorts of wonderful. She had disliked her dad previously but when the truth was revealed about why he was never around, it made me want to read more to see how Allie’s issues would pan out in the latter half of the story given that the pace picked up heaps and it was like a fantasy adventure.

Overall, the writing was magical. Laura Howard can write and it’s hard disagreeing with that. She has a beautiful voice, which makes you see everything vividly, and writing that hits you in the heart.

The Forgotten Ones quote.jpg

The quote banner I made!

My only thoughts about how I could have enjoyed this more is if a few more things were explained/expanded and if the story was longer. It would have helped to become more immersed in the rich detail of the fantasy aspect.

This novel is a great read. Anyone who loves both contemporary and fantasy novels will love it and with Laura’s talent to capture you with little words, it’s a recommended read!

3.5 – 4 stars

View all my reviews

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Author links:

Website/blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest |

Buy the book:

Amazon US | Amazon UK |

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Buy Drowning in You for Kindle, too. >>>

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Interview and giveaway: “A Life More Complete” by Nikki Young

Click to view full schedule

Click to view full schedule

Last year I found an awesome blogger, Natasha is a Book Junkie and I’ve followed her religiously ever since. When she announced a book tour for a book I had my eyes on, I jumped at the chance.

I have Nikki Young, author of A Life More Complete for her book tour stop today. Please enjoy and remember to scroll for the GIVEAWAY!

A Life More Complete_cover

Book details:

Title – A Life More Complete

Author – Nikki Young

Genre – Adult Contemporary Romance

Expected release date – May 3, 2013

Click to add to Goodreads

Click to add to Goodreads

Book synopsis:

Can you ever really outrun your past?

Krissy Mullins, an overworked, obsessive-compulsive publicist has been giving it her best shot for the past ten years. Throwing herself into her work and devoting all her time to her teenage starlet client, Krissy finds little time for anything else. But as fate would have it, her world is turned upside down when she falls in love with laid-back California native, Ben Torres. Unfortunately, her only frame of reference on love and marriage is her parents and they weren’t exactly the poster children for a happy relationship.

As Krissy attempts to navigate the precarious world of love, acceptance, and compromise, her past comes flooding back like she never expected. An ex-boyfriend returns from a life she has tried to forget, stirring up feelings in Krissy she had thought were long gone. Pulled in opposite directions as her past and present collide, she makes a rash decision that will forever change her life.

INTERVIEW!

Morning or night?
Neither! I hate to get up in the morning, I write late into the night and I love to sleep. Before I began writing, I rarely stayed up late. I can’t remember the last time I was up for the New Year. I’d stay in bed all day if it was possible.

Busy or quiet?
Quiet, most definitely. I spend my days with 25 eight-year-olds and I have two small kids of my own. It’s a rare occurrence that anything is ever quiet. I love quiet. Although I do talk a lot.

When do you do most of your writing?
I work full-time and I have two kids, so most of my writing is done in the evening. The late evening because I love TV. I watch a few hours of television, my husband goes to bed and then I write. Sometimes until two or three in the morning.

Do you have habits that get you in the mood?
I usually have music playing and I always have a never-ending bag of York peppermint patties to eat, thanks to my husband.

How did you come up with the idea for A Life More Complete?
I spend a lot of time driving to and from work, about 40 minutes each way. It’s the only time my car is quiet and after a few days alone in the car, I got bored. I started telling a story in my head that kind of just came out of nowhere. It might have been the music I was listening to at the time, but I don’t really know. A lot of my characters are loosely based on my friends.

When reading books, what’s your favorite feeling?
That depends in what mood I’m in. But generally, I enjoy books that are heavy on drama, yet I love a HEA. I go on long runs in one specific genre, only reading that genre for months. A few summers ago I read the entire Angie and Patrick series by Dennis Lehane. His books are all drama and heavy on death and violence. Very graphic but completely mezmorizing. I like books that make me feel many emotions throughout.

What feeling did you get when writing A Life More Complete?
To be honest, my feelings ran from elation to anger so many times that can’t say I had one specific feeling while I was writing. Obviously when my writing was going well, I was happy, content. But when I struggled, I’d get angry with myself, sometimes I even had to walk away for a while.

Any writing tips to share?
Walk away when you are turning out garbage. So many times I sat at my computer and wrote straight garbage over and over because I felt like I needed to finish a paragraph or a chapter. It only added to my frustration.

Share something
I love the Fast and Furious movies to the point of obsession. I have to stop what I’m doing when they are on TV and watch them. I couldn’t even tell you how many times I’ve watched them. The original is by far my favorite!

***

Nikki Young_picAuthor bio:

Nikki Young was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago where she still currently lives with her husband and two boys. She is a third grade teacher and spends her days forcing her love of reading and writing onto a group of poor unsuspecting eight year olds.

Author links:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |

Book links:

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon (paperback)  |  Smashwords  |

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Excerpt and giveaway: “The Haunting Season” by Michelle Muto

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You may know by now I am a HUGE Okay Creations fan. My cover for Drowning in You was created by that designer, and when I saw the cover for The Haunting Season by Michelle Muto I was intrigued. I later picked up the novel from Amazon and hope to read it soon.

Today I have a book spotlight and a chilling excerpt for you to read plus a GIVEAWAY, so scroll down!

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Book Details:

TitleThe Haunting Season

Author — Michelle Muto

Publication date — December 21st 2012

Genre — New Adult Paranormal/Ghosts

Click to add to Goodreads

Click to add to Goodreads

Book Description:

Be careful what you let in…

Siler House has stood silent beneath Savannah’s moss-draped oaks for decades. Notoriously haunted, it has remained empty until college-bound Jess Perry and three of her peers gather to take part in a month-long study on the paranormal. Jess, who talks to ghosts, quickly bonds with her fellow test subjects. One is a girl possessed. Another just wants to forget. The third is a guy who really knows how to turn up the August heat, not to mention Jess’s heart rate…when he’s not resurrecting the dead.

The study soon turns into something far more sinister when they discover that Siler House and the dark forces within are determined to keep them forever. In order to escape, Jess and the others will have to open themselves up to the true horror of Siler House and channel the very evil that has welcomed them all.

The book playlist (I love these things, being nosey for details ;) )

PlaylistHS

EXCERPT!

It was only when the crickets and frogs stopped that Jess awoke. She blinked, trying to adjust her eyes to the dark. She turned back over, expecting Allison to be either still sitting up, or asleep. But her bed was empty and Allison stood in front of the dresser, hands at her sides, staring at the mirror. Alarmed, Jess sat upright.

“It’s happening again,” Allison said.

“Huh?”

“The spirits. They’re back. I can see them.”

Jess rubbed her eyes as a spark of uncertainty and a moment’s worth of fear rustled somewhere deep inside her. “They’re there, in the mirror?”

“Yes.”

Jess got out of bed and tentatively stood next to Allison. She looked at the mirror, then behind her. Nothing. Uncertainty gave way to disappointment. The mirror cast back only the shadowy figures of Allison and herself, their faces made pale by the moonlight streaming into the room. They were alone, as far as Jess could tell.

Damn it! Why couldn’t she see the ghosts? Were they here? Disappointment gave way to a pang of envy.

“You don’t seem as upset as you were before,” Jess said. “If they’re back, aren’t you afraid they’ll take over? Possess you?” She wasn’t making fun of Allison. Something horrible had happened to her, and she was probably more sensitive to the supernatural than Jess was.

“Yes, I’m afraid,” Allison replied calmly.

The way Allison spoke seemed at odds with her words. The hairs on Jess’s arms tingled, but not because of any ghosts she couldn’t see. Right now, the only thing creepy in the room was Allison. The girl had been possessed, after all.

Allison turned her head to look at Jess, her expression unreadable in the shadows, even this close up. “He collects souls.”

Jess peered harder into the mirror, trying not to show Allison she was indeed afraid. “He? Who are you talking about?”

“He’s looking at you. I can’t make out what he’s saying. But see?” she pointed to the mirror. “He wrote his name.”

Fear and a healthy dose of agitation rose inside Jess. Fear, because someone staring at them from inside a mirror was downright scary. Agitated, because she couldn’t see anything, and Allison’s continual freak-outs were wearing on her. After a long day getting here, she was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.

“Allison, I don’t see anything! He? Who are you talking about?”

Riley,” Allison whispered.

“Riley? Who’s Riley?”

Allison stood just as still as she had upon Jess’s wakening. “He lives here. With the others.”

“Others?” Jess stepped closer to the mirror, leaning against the dresser to get a better look. Her breath fogged it enough to reveal a single name, written backward: Riley.

Michelle Muto picAuthor bio:

Michelle Muto lives in northeast Georgia with her husband and two dogs. She loves changes of season, dogs, and all things geeky. Currently, she’s hard at work on her next book.

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