Dead Perfect by P.G. Srhiver {Excerpt}

Author P.G. Shriver has stopped by today with an excerpt for the Dead Perfect Blog Tour hosted by Young Adult Novel Reader.

We strolled around the block, talking, laughing, getting to know one another. I had waited a lifetime, and then some, for the girl to come around, and she squeezed my hand at that very moment. Her soft chocolate hair doused in strawberry scents drove me insane. When her eyes crinkled up at me in question, or smile, the urge to embrace her overwhelmed my senses. I had never felt this way before. Even feelings of Joanie, as I dreamt she was mine, were never this strong. I had waited and waited for this since the race, and now she was here. I couldn't wait to tell Franky… And I would have to let her go. How could I let her go? I just knew that when she discovered the truth, she would leave me. The thought ripped at my heart, creating a pain so intense, my eyes glistened and I winced.

Book Blurb: 

MEL My lifelong dreams never included falling in love. Graduating top of the class, going to college somewhere far away and starting a life in a place where my alcoholic mother could never find me were the first three goals on my list. Then the unexpected auto accident with Mother, after her regular doses of vodka, altered all of that. With her gone, my life and my perspective changed forever. DAVIS Desperate to find Joanie so I could break free, I returned to my old school. The search led me to her, my Aphrodite, a familiar lost look in her soulful eyes. Fantasies of her forced reasoning from my mind. I had to meet her! Once fallen, would her love for me survive the ghostly secrets haunting us? 

About P. G. Shriver

Born in California, and raised in Minnesota and Texas, P.G. spent her early years writing poetry and winning poetry contests, while escaping the drama in her own childhood by reading great books for children. Ever since her earliest days, she loved story telling. She wrote numerous short stories in High School and her early college years, continually trying to relive that first experience at the age of seven of seeing her name in print in the local newspaper.

P.G. sought her education at the University of Texas, where she studied English, literature, and Education. During the entire process of earning her BA and M.Ed, she never stopped writing and trying to be published. It was during this time that her first children's book No More Stinkbugs! was accepted for publication by Castle Keep Press. Many of her stories develop from nature.

P.G. graduated college and began her career in education, another great world that offered real experiences to humor and delight through children's books. She watched children interact, bringing to surface her own experiences as a child and yet more events to write about. While teaching, she discovered many great books for young people, such as The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963, Maniac Magee, So. B. It and many more. She is a fan of Dean Koontz novels, too, and loves reading fantasy and paranormal books.

P.G. was married 20 years in March 2012 and has a bright, young daughter who has begun her own college career. She lives on a small farm in Texas with her family and animals. P.G. has experienced great love and loss throughout her life. Those her family has lost have dedications in her books.

P.G. has two young adult books published, Dead Perfect and The Gifted Ones: The Fairytale the first book in The Gifted Ones Trilogy. She also has several children's books written under Gean Penny, her pseudonym. P. G. has since dissolved her contract for her first book with Castle Keep Press and moved the title to her own imprint, Gean Penny Books.

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Mutiny by Jaqueline Gardner [Promo + Excerpt]

Book Blurb: 

Eric's life aboard a top secret stealth submarine as a member of the government’s M.E.R. program has been about discipline, cunning and survival. 

As both a soldier and a natural born regenerator, he can heal from any wound, but to stay alive he must accept a vein-burning serum that prevents his DNA from over-mutating. In exchange Eric must follow his Chief Commander’s every order. And never ask questions, no matter the assignment. 

When he goes ashore on his first solo mission he runs into a complication he didn't expect; Mariella, the target’s daughter. She’s about to change everything.

Author Bio: 

 Jacqueline Gardner works as a Story Editor for the production company, Labragirl Pictures. Her love of storytelling began at an early age when she would make up stories with her grandmother before bedtime. 

 In early 2010, she completed her first novel and has been stuck on writing ever since. She resides in Colorado and loves hiking, writing, fantasy fiction, and all things cupcake. 

 Website: www.jacquelinegardner.com 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorjacquelinegardner

 Twitter: @Writer_Jacque

Excerpt 

MARIELLA

From Chapter 2 - The Missing Guest"I can't believe she stuck her nose in my business!" My psycho stepmom was already trying to ruin my summer.
"Stepmoms suck, Elle. That's a fact." Carmen couldn't quite contain her laughter.
"Easy for you to say. Your mom doesn't force you to go to boring business parties."
"Just ignore her. Cynthia could care less."
"She'll learn not to cross me . . . eventually," I replied. Carmen grabbed the remote from my nightstand.
"So what do you have planned for tomorrow?" I looked up.
"Ugh! Don't remind me! I'm trying to forget about William's lame dinner party."
Technically, William was my father but you'd never guess it. We were completely different in every way possible. And yeah, his friends from work were incredibly dull. "I'm gonna try to get out of it."
"How?" Carmen switched on the television and found a comfy spot on my bed.
"Stomach ache, flu, I'll think of something . . ."
"You should threaten to dump laxatives in everyone's drinks," Carmen suggested.
"Remember when you did that to Marcy Jenkins in the eighth grade?"
"Too much work," I replied. "I'd have to sneak into the kitchen and distract the cooks . . . Besides, you wouldn't want me to miss our concert next weekend would you?"
"Fine." Carmen was rapidly flipping through channels.
A sudden banging on the door made both of us jump. My bedroom door swung open revealing Cynthia, the psycho step mom. Her cheeks were a fiery red. I bit my lip to prevent myself from laughing. I'd noticed our housekeeper, Rosa, doing a load of Cynthia's whites. I may have thrown in a bright blue sweater.
"What's wrong with you, Mariella?" Cynthia scowled. "Are you aware that you completely ruined my new cream blouse? I don't know how Rosa is going to get it back to a perfect shade of white? Mariella! Are you even listening?" I shrugged and bit my lip so hard that I pulled off a piece of dry skin. "Your father is sure to hear about this, young lady!"
"What makes you think it was me?" I asked. "I've been with Carmen all day." Carmen waved her hand for a brief second.
"We both know who did it. Your behavior these past couple weeks has been completely inappropriate!" Cynthia put a hand on her stomach and glared at me.
"Completely," I sarcastically agreed. "Maybe you should leave?" Cynthia shook her head.
"If this continues, I won't be the one leaving."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I don't need the extra stress right now," she complained. "I trust you haven't forgotten about tomorrow? Iris will be up in a minute with your dress."
"About that," I began. "I don't think I'll be able to make it. How about you tell everyone I have the flu or something." I looked down at the floor and waited for Cynthia to have a meltdown.
"Oh no you don't! Your father made it clear that you are to attend tomorrow." Cynthia smirked before turning to slam my bedroom door. "And that is exactly what you'll do!"
"Yikes," Carmen commented as Cynthia stormed out. "She hates your guts. I'm surprised she didn't have you locked in the wine cellar or something. What do you want to bet she bought you the ugliest dress money can buy?"
"Yeah, she probably did and I don't plan on wearing it. You know I hate dresses. What do think of jeans and a t-shirt?" Carmen smiled as she twirled a piece of her short black hair.
"That would really piss her off."
"I know," I smirked. Another knock at the door made Carmen sit up straight. She was anxious to witness another Cynthia attack. "It's just Iris."
"Afternoon, girls," Iris said as she entered my room with a plastic garment bag. Being my dad's assistant meant Iris had to put up with Cynthia's nagging. I could tell Iris detested my step mom just as much as I did. The difference was she had to be polite if she wanted to keep her job. Iris put the plastic bag on my bed and nodded at Carmen.
"Well, what did she choose this time?" Iris smiled and unzipped the garment bag. There was a small shimmer of something glittery and I knew right away that I would hate whatever Iris pulled out.
"Your brilliant stepmother requests that you try it on." I stared at Iris as she lifted my dress out of the bag.
"Yeah right," I muttered as I glared at the pink sequins. "So not wearing that."
"You haven't even tried it on," Carmen giggled "Give it a chance."
"Shut up." I held the dress against my shoulders and turned around to look in the mirror.
I looked ridiculous, and even Iris let out a sympathetic giggle. The pink sequins and poofy skirt made me look like some kind of deranged ballerina.
"It's not that bad," Iris tried to sound reassuring. I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah," Carmen continued. "After all, the pink matches the color streak in your hair." I
threw the dress to the floor and shook my head. The pink streak in my hair was the only amount of pink I could handle.
"There's no way I'm putting that thing on," I argued. Cynthia was crazy if she thought I'd actually wear something she picked out.
"You can't wear jeans, Mariella. This is a formal party." Iris looked worried – it was her responsibility to make sure I behaved.
"How about these?" I held up some fishnet stockings that went along with last year's Halloween costume. Iris was speechless.
"Ummm . . ."
"I'm only kidding!" I threw the fishnet stockings on the floor. The majority of my closet consisted of ripped jeans and small t-shirts.
"Why don't you wear that?" Iris pointed to the cream colored dress I hadn't noticed before.
"This?" I pulled the dress out and held it against my torso. "Where did this come from?" Iris smiled. I walked towards the mirror in my room and glanced at my reflection.
"Well, it's better than the pink one," Carmen said.
"Fine, I'll wear this one. Is that low key enough for you, Iris?"
"It's perfect." Iris put the sparkly pink dress back in its garment bag.
"Thanks," I said quietly.
"I'm sorry?" Iris was about to rush out of the room but she paused, confused.
"I said thanks," I repeated. Iris nodded before shutting my door.
"Looks like you're going then?" Carmen giggled as she stared at the TV. I stuck my tongue out and found a seat next to her on the bed. The only thing I could hope for now was the opportunity to pull some sort of subtle prank. It was much more fun to improvise. William's dinner parties always felt like they lasted for years. And I always left them feeling like I'd wasted a night of my life.
"I wish you could come with, Carmen. It wouldn't be so bad if I had someone to make fun of Cynthia with."
"You'll be fine Elle. You always are." Carmen was right, but sitting through party after party was starting to get old. I didn't want to start my summer that way.

Taste by Kate Evangelista [Excerpt & Trailer]

 Taste Blurb:

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

The Dawn of Angels by Vivieene Malynn & Sean Kade

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Title: The Dawn of Angles

Author: Vivieene Malynn & Sean Kade

Publisher: Sutherland Press (January 3, 2012)

Summary:

Left by her mother at a young age, Kyra has grown-up in the foster system, leaving her angry and hateful towards the world. The only person she can trust is Hammond, her case worker who has watched over her since the time her mother left. When Hammond places Kyra in a foster home located in a small town, strange things begin happening and Kyra starts unraveling the mystery of her past. When Kyra's life is threatened, she is saved by an angel, her guardian angel, Ashur, who falls from heaven to save her. Together, Ashur and Kyra must figure out why her life is in danger and stop a strange cult from bringing about the end of days.