Giveaway Winners...The Vampire's Curse & Shades of Gray

Hey,

Sorry for taking so long to post the winners of the giveaways but here goes!!!

The Vampire's Curse by S.J. Wright

Winner: latishajean

Shades of Gray by L.M .Pruitt

Winner: tanya1224

Your e-mail address have been passed onto Bel (aka The Bookish Snob) who will in turn pass them to the authors who will send you a copy of the books directly.

Thanks for taking part and stopping by!

Naomi

(Supernatural Bookworm)

xoxo

Book Excerpt: The Vampire's Curse by S.J. Wright

As part of the 'The Vampire's Curse' book blog tour hosted by The Bookish Snob Promotions, I have an excerpt from S.J. Wright to share with you all. You can find my review and links to where to purchase the book here.

(Don't you just want to lick this picture?)

In the centuries since I had become one of the undead, I had never wanted a mortal woman as intensely as I craved Sarah. She was the ultimate temptation. Not just the breathtakingly delicious blood that flowed through her veins. I had the pleasure of tasting a little of it when I healed the wounds that Alex had inflicted on her. What had me entranced was the strength of her convictions, the saucy way she tossed harsh words at those she feared the most. Her courage, her voice, her hidden insecurities.


Every little fanciful thought that had ever passed through my mind about the girl suddenly rushed over me as I stood there in the darkness on that road. She stood there, hiding nothing. The expression she wore tore holes through me with its honesty. I might have drawn her away at that moment. It would have only taken a gentle word or two, but I felt powerless.


I have had many women. In the beginning, it was always about the blood and satisfying that thirst that drives all vampires. But we are capable of much more. I learned how to use my words, my eyes, my hands and my mouth to bring the kind of pleasure to a woman that she had never before experienced. There were times when all I really wanted was the coppery warmth of blood in my mouth, flowing down my throat. However, I preferred to be discrete with my feeding. If a woman was rendered nearly unconscious due to the effects of an incredible orgasm, she was less likely to feel alarmed when my teeth sank into her flesh. Compulsion is one of my abilities, but I use it sparingly. Perhaps it is one of my few moral qualms.


Sarah’s sudden vulnerability left me stunned. When I crossed over the boundary and took her into my arms, it was the strangest sensation. No one who knew me would have believed how easily I tossed away my chance at freedom. The deadly vampire, Michael Graviano, drawn back into imprisonment due to the heartrending expression on the face of a human. Impossible."


I love this excerpt, it's quite a emotional scene and I love how Michael is so thoughtful in his feeding habit. I think this is where Michael really shows his true colours underneath his cold vampire exterior. Sarah is his weakness..what's yours?


Keep reading for your chance to win an e-copy of 'The Vampire's Curse' by S.J. Wright.

Thanks to you all for stopping by =)


About S.J. Wright


"None of it had gone as planned. I was to have made the call and then lured her outside of the boundary. I had been caught up in the hope that lit her entire face. None of the speech I had prepared made it past my lips. All I could do was question my own purposes as I watched her. Her hair fell around her face like a shimmering amber veil, lifting and undulating with the wind. Her eyes were wide with anticipation, glittering in the meager light of the evening.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, at a time when children were still not required to use seatbelts in a vehicle, S.J. Wright grew up as the sixth of seven sisters.  She moved around a lot as a child, spent a good deal of her time reading books about horses, roller-skating (in an attempt to find Xanadu), and daydreaming about becoming a novelist.

She now lives in Little Elm, Texas with her husband, two sons, and one Jack Russell terrier that follows her around the house like a shadow.  She is the prime caregiver to her youngest son, who has spina bifida.  She loves horses (and swears one day she’ll actually get the guts to ride one again).

In February of 2011, she released her first paranormal suspense/romance novel called The Vampire’s Warden.  She plans to release a total of four books for the series.  S.J. (Stephanie) also loves hearing from her readers!  Be sure to check out her website at http://www.sjwrightbooks.com/.

Connect with S.J. Wright at:

Blog: http://sjwrightauthor.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @SJWrightAuthor



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GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!

Here's your chance to win an e-copy of 'The Vampire's Curse'.

To enter:

- You MUST be a follower of my blog

- Leave a comment on this post with your e-mail address

And that's it, can't make it any easier. Competition will close at 6pm UK time on 4th September.

Tomorrow's the blog tour stop is with S.J. Wright and the chance to win $100 to spend on Amazon.com

Review: The Vampire's Curse by S.J. Wright

My Rating: VG, B, L

Published: March 2011
Publisher: Self-Published

Author's Website: sjrightauthor.blogspot.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Still reeling from having witnessed the vampire battle on her property that left her friend Alex a vampire himself, Sarah Wood is surprised yet again. This time, it's by a familiar face from the past.

Sarah's guilt pushes her into doing something unbelievable. Sarah's ex-boyfriend, Trevor, causes some trouble that will have lasting effects. Michael finds himself in the unusual position of saving a life instead of taking one.

Katie, the sister that Sarah wants to be protected at all costs, is in a new kind of danger.

Don't miss this new, longer look into the world of the Vampire's Warden, Sarah, as she confronts old enemies, new friends and new lovers.

The Vampire’s Curse is the second installment in the ‘Undead in Brown County’ series by S.J. Wright. This addition to the series is jam packed with excitement. There’s the unexpected appearance of Sarah’s undead mother, a steamy love triangle and a power struggle going on.

Sarah is coming to terms with the task, of being a warden, that was left to her by her father but I think she is beginning to become a little bit overwhelmed by it all. It’s all still surreal to her and she can’t believe that her mother is still alive. It really knocks her self esteem. She also has to deal with the guilt of making a life or death decision for her friend Alex. Her decision comes back to bite her on the butt.

Michael’s presence still makes Sarah pretty jittery but she begins to grow closer to him and begins to trust him. Not sure if it’s a wise decision but in the heat of the moment, she has to decide whether she can trust an incarcerated vampire under her watch or trust a vampire that she gave her all to and was nearly sucked dry because of it.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a great addition to the series and gives you a bit more of an insight into Michael’s past and how he came to be in the field. We learn more about Alex’s past and connection to Sarah’s mother that was mentioned in ‘The Vampire’s Warden’. I loved the scene with Sarah and Trevor. Her cocky attitude had me cheering for her in the background hoping she would wipe the floor with him.

I think my favourite moment was near the end between Sarah and Michael. It was at that moment that all charades between them were dropped. It was quite magical reading this scene. I loved that Sarah couldn’t help but dip back into her usual defensive cocky attitude with him though. It makes the interaction between the two characters much more entertaining to read.

Overall, loved the book and would recommend it to anyone who has read ‘The Vampire’s Curse’ and enjoyed it. It would be ideal if the reader read the first book before reading this one although S.J. Wright does give a good narrative that would inform readers of any important information that would be needed to comprehend what was going on in ‘The Vampire’s Curse’.

Disclaimer: I was sent this e-book for review as part of The Bookish Snob Promotions for a book tour. I have not been paid for this review and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

The Vampire Warden Blog Tour: Interview with S.J.Wright

Today, as part of a book blog tour, I have the pleasure of interviewing Stephanie Wright aka SJ Wright, author of 'The Vampire Warden' - first book in the 'Undead In Brown County' series, right here on the blog. But before we get started, here's a little info on the author. Books can be purchased at Amazon.co.uk in Kindle & Paperback format and also Barnes & Nobles in Nook & Paperback format.

I am a stay-at-home Mom with two growing boys, an overworked husband and a very devoted Jack Russell terrier named Shelby. I grew up in small city called Mishawaka, Indiana and the majority of my family live in the Indianapolis area. I now live with my wonderful boys, my husband and sort-of-annoying dog in Little Elm, Texas. The Vampire's Warden is the first book I have ever put up for sale.

Now..on with the interview =)


1. Describe ‘The Vampire Warden’ in one word.

Unique.

2. What was the best part of the experience behind writing your own novel?

When I started this book, I had a lot of anger inside me regarding my own life as a child. By channelling that repressed anger through Sarah, I’ve begun to let go of it and look at things differently.

3. Why did you decide to go down the route of self publishing?

When I saw what Amanda Hocking was able to achieve, I knew that I could make it work. I finally stopped giving in to my fear over what publishers or agents would think of my story and realized that there were probably readers out there who wanted a fresh perspective on the vampire genre.

4. How many books are going to be in the 'Undead in Brown County' series?

At the moment, I’m considering doing a total of three books for the series.

5. What is your favourite scene/chapter in ‘The Vampire Warden’?

My favourite scene is probably the first conversation that Sarah has with Michael in the meadow.

6. Which of your characters is most/least like you, and in what way?

Sarah is very different than I am, as far as her instinct to immediately push the envelope when she gets upset with someone. I tend to avoid confrontation. That’s another reason I really loved writing about her.

7. Are any of the characters in your book based on anyone from your life?

Yes. But I will refrain from naming names. Trevor Kincaid is based on an ex-boyfriend.

8. What is your favourite read of the year so far?

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. It’s beyond great. It’s better than Twilight.

Thanks Stephanie for taking the time to answer these questions!

To see my review of 'The Vampire Warden' click here

The next stop on the tour is Reader Girls.


GIVEAWAY TIME

Review: The Vampire Warden by S.J.Wright

My Rating: VG, B, L

Published: 2011
Publisher: Self Published

Author's Website: sjwrightauthor.blogspot.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

“I couldn't seem to contain the inferno burning inside me, being that close to him. Even knowing the danger he posed and the gruesome scenes that must have been caused by him, I still felt a burning inside me every time I heard his voice or felt his hot gaze on me.

But I was the Warden. He was one of the damned. We were destined to be at odds. Enemies. “

Sarah Brightman, having just lost her father to cancer, is stunned to discover that the mother she thought was dead is actually still alive. She also finds out that the legacy her father left her is a lot more than just an Inn on the outskirts of Nashville, Indiana. She has a frightening new responsibility.

The Vampire’s Warden is the first novel in the ‘Undead in Brown County’ series by S.J Wright. This book was a delectable and great read.

Sarah Brightman is an independent and strong willed young woman. Her mother left her and her sister when she was little and now their father has died. The family business, a bed and breakfast, has been passed over to Sarah whilst her sister, Katie, continues her studies at a college far from home.

After their father’s death, Sarah finds out a lot more than she thought she knew like the fact that she has been living right next two vampires her entire life. With the help of Nelly, her exuberant and serious employee, and Alex, a wayward stranger that seems to know a lot about Sarah’s missing mother, she finds out all about her heritage.

I really enjoyed this book. I’m not sure which vampire’s side I am on though. Both are gorgeous, charismatic, charming and endearing. Michael has this way of winning you over and making you think that he has done nothing wrong, whereas the other vampire has been nothing but helpful to Sarah but at the same time keeping a lot of secrets from her that she ends up figuring out on her own and blowing up about.

My favourite moments were the flashbacks that Sarah got. I also thought it was brilliant that Sarah wasn’t all too gullible to believe that vampire’s existed right off the bat. She needed some convincing which I found quite realistic. I know I certainly wouldn’t believe that vampires existed just because I read it in a book. Pretty sure if I did, people would think I was a lunatic and cart me off to the nut house. I can’t say I disliked any parts from the book. Everything seemed to flow easily and was a nice light read.

Overall, I would recommend this book to everyone except for young children. Excellent read for a teenager and young adult enthusiasts alike.

Disclaimer: I was sent this e-book as part of a blog tour via The Bookish Snob Promotions. I have not been paid for this review and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.