Bakumatsu Rock Overview

Synopsis

The story is set in the Bakumatsu era, at the end of the shoguns' rule over Japan in the middle of the 19th century. The Tokugawa shogunate uses the brainwashing Heaven's Songs by the top idols in Shinsengumi to subjugate the country and its people. In this Japan, writing or singing any songs besides the Heaven's Songs is a capital offense. Sakamoto Ryouma and the other rockers rise up and change the world with rock 'n' roll for freedom and justice.

Tokyo Ghoul Overview

Tokyo Ghoul (Tōkyō Gūru) is a manga series by Sui Ishida, serialized in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Jump since September 2011. The story follows Ken Kaneki, a young man who receives organ donations from a "Ghoul" after he is nearly killed. Ghouls are creatures that look human but need to eat human flesh to survive. Kaneki soon realizes he is now half-human and half-ghoul. The manga has been collected in twelve tankōbon volumes as of June 2014. An anime television series adaptation by studio Pierrot started airing on Tokyo MX on July 3, 2014.

Funimation has licensed the anime series for streaming and home video distribution in North America.  
Characters

Ken Kaneki (Kaneki Ken) Voiced by: Natsuki Hanae

The protagonist of the story, he is a 18 year old university freshman, that receives an organ transplant from the deceased ghoul, Rize who was trying to kill him before she was killed by a fallen i-beam. After the operation he develops ghoul like tendencies and characteristics, and his rationality begins to wane. As one that is now both ghoul and human he struggles to keep his ghoul identity secret always fighting against his ghoul side while trying to continue to live like a normal human. He later works as a waiter for Anteiku under Yoshimura's guidance. After his fight with Amon he gains the name "Eye patch" because of his mask's design and becomes somewhat famous after a ghoul saw him defeating Amon. He loves to read and is normally quiet and reserved. He has a bad trait of easily trusting strangers which sometimes puts him in life threatening situation. After being kidnapped by a ghoul run organization known as Aogiri Tree, he is mercilessly tortured by a sadistic ghoul and later develops similar traits like his torturer. While being tortured he has hallucinations of Rize as she mocks him about his mother which leads to him finally embracing his inner ghoul. His personality gets darker and he becomes a ruthless anti-hero.

Tōka Kirishima (Kirishima Tōka) Voiced by: Sora Amamiya

A sixteen year old ghoul of the 20th ward, that works part-time as a waitress in Anteiku and attends high school. She blends in well with human society and believes that keeping ones ghoul identity is of top most priority. She is sometimes vindictive and is usually a very rash and reckless individual with violent tendencies. She also isn't afraid to let anyone know when she is not fond of them. She later becomes Kaneki's training partner, and their movements become in synch when fighting as a team. She is a good fighter and is more than a match for either Tsukiyama Shū or Nishio Nishiki on even grounds, though not nearly as strong as Yomo. She later becomes to be known as "Rabbit" after her attack on some investigators, killing one of them in the process. She takes up the role as Hinami's guardian after her parents are killed by investigators. She appears to have ornithophobia.

Rize Kamishiro (Kamishiro Rize) Voiced by: Kana Hanazawa 

Rize is a girl with glasses that Kaneki encounters, and triesto eat him after luring him out on a date with her. Her organs are transplanted into Kaneki after she is killed by a fallen i-beam. Before the i-beam incident Rize was a very powerful, fearless and merciless ghoul, often preventing other ghouls from hunting in areas she stole from them. Before she came to the 20th ward, she wreaked havoc in the 11th ward attracting the Anti-Ghoul Investigators to the ward. Before leaving she killed the ghouls that were in charge and caused a shift in power. She is known as the "Binge Eater" by investigators and like Kaneki she was very fond of reading.

Nishiki Nishio (Nishio Nishiki) Voiced by: Shintarō Asanuma 

A ghoul that is a second year student that attends the same university as Kaneki. He is arrogant and hates whenever his juniors back talk at him. He is very territorial and is hostile to other ghouls that invades his space. His hunting grounds was stolen from him by Rize after a fight which he lost and he tries to reclaim it after her death, but is stopped by Toka. He is a loner and fairly good fighter that even small groups of ghouls tend to avoid him. Like Toka he blends in well with human society and is well known at the university.

Yoshimura Voiced by: Takayuki Sugo

The manager of Anteiku, he is a very kind and reasonable ghoul that provides aid and food to ghouls that are incapable of hunting on their own like Kaneki and Hinami. He takes Kaneki in after he becomes a ghoul and teaches him the ways in which ghouls can blend in with humans.

Renji Yomo (Yomo Renji) Voiced by: Yūichi Nakamura

Yomo is quiet and reserved and usually helps Yoshimura out by collecting food for Anteiku. Before working on the behind the scene for Anteiku he used to have very violent tendencies much like how Toka is now and would often fight with Uta making the 4th ward uninhabitable. Regardless of his cold demeanor his does genuinely care about those around him. He is good friends with Uta and Itori.

Uta Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai

A ghoul that owns Hysy ArtMask Studio, in the 4th ward, he makes mask for both ghouls and human customer alike. Despite his appearance he is a very calm ghoul, and speaks very kindly, he is also close friends with Renji Yomo and Itori. In the past he would often get into fights with Yomo and this caused the 4th ward to become uninhabitable.

Hinami Fueguchi (Fueguchi Hinami) Voiced by: Sumire Morohoshi 

Hinami is a 13-14 year old ghoul that came to the 20th ward with her mother after her father was killed by ghoul investigators. She is very shy and yearns for knowledge as she isn't allowed to go to school. She meets Kaneki in Anteiku and becomes attach to him, seeing him as an older brother after he helps her with learning Kanji. She begins living with Toka after her mother was killed by Mado. She enjoys books from one of Kaneki's favorite author and loves learning new things. She is shown to a have a heighten sense of smell, even more powerful than regular ghouls.

Shū Tsukiyama (Tsukiyama Shū) Voiced by: Mamoru Miyano 

He's one of the most troublesome Ghouls of the 20th Ward to the point where even some ghouls wouldn't get involved with him. He is known as the "Gourmet" by investigator and is one of the most difficult ghouls to capture. He is a part of the "Ghoul Restaurant" under the alias MM. He is a very powerful, conning, smug and fashionable ghoul and was also an acquaintance of Rize, like both Kaneki and Rize he is an avid reader. He sometimes says words or phrases in either English, Spanish, French or Italian and develops an obsession for Kaneki. He is very athletic and proficient in martial arts.

Hideyoshi Nagachika (Nagachika Hideyoshi) Voiced by: Toshiyuki Toyonaga

Nagachika is Kaneki's best friend. He has a sharp intuition. Kaneki tries to keep his ghoul identity hidden from him.

Kureo Mado (Mado Kureo)

He's an Anti-Ghoul Investigator with the rank of Senior Investigator. A very experienced and ruthless fighter, he is more than a challenge even for the physically superior ghoul and always trusts his intuition, which is never wrong. His ultimate down fall came from the fact that he is obsessed with ghouls (or rather dissecting them) and while fighting Toka and Hinami let his guard down by his fascination with the latter and is killed by them.

Kōtarō Amon (Amon Kōtarō) Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi

He's a Rank 1 Anti-Ghoul Investigator and a friend of Mado. He has a very skewed sense of justice and believes that he must make this 'Wrong World' right by killing the ghouls. He is very dedicated to his job and begins to work even harder after Mado is killed. He fights Kaneki but loses, however Kaneki lets him go.

Debbie Mason's Christmas in July Blog Tour with Spotlight and Excerpt

 

I am so excited to have Debbie Mason here at Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews with a Spotlight and Excerpt.

Thanks Debbie and Hachette Book Group for allowing me to join your Christmas in July Blog Tour!

Please take it away, Debbie!

About the author:

Praised as a "writer to watch" by RT Book Reviews, Debbie Mason also writes Scottish-set historical paranormals as Debbie Mazzuca. Her MacLeod series debuted in April 2010 and is said to "combine the passion of Hannah Howell's Highand romances with the seductive fantasy of Karen Marie Moning's bestsellers."

Social Media Links:

Website
Facebook
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Goodreads

CHRISTMAS IN JULY by Debbie Mason (June 24, 2014; Forever Mass Market; $6.00)
 

Grace Flaherty had given up hope of ever seeing her husband again. After all, it's been over a year since he went missing in combat. So when he strides through the door of her bakery in downtown Christmas one sunny afternoon, she can hardly believe her eyes. But her happily-ever-after is going to take some effort - because Jack has no memory of his family.

All Jack Flaherty remembers about Christmas is that he couldn't wait to leave town. Now he's a local hero with a wife and son he doesn't know. Even as he struggles to rekindle the romance with his wife, he knows in his heart what he wants: a second chance at love.

Buy Links:
 

B&N
IndieBound
iTunes
Amazon

Excerpt

He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms as he studied her. The movement pulled the white stretchy fabric tight across his broad chest, and she found herself paying more attention to the corded muscles in his arms than the flicker of concern in his laser-blue eyes. “You always have a problem sleeping or is it more recent?”

This was ridiculous. She couldn’t think straight. He doesn’t feel anything for you. He doesn’t want you, she reminded herself sternly. The thought had the same effect as standing under an ice-cold shower. At least she could think clearly again. “Jack Junior took a while before he learned nighttime was for sleeping. I think it messed with my internal clock,” she answered, adjusting the temperature on the oven. In truth, she hadn’t slept through the night since Jack went missing. She’d been able to deal with the fear during the day, but it haunted her at night. But like her lusting after him, it wasn’t something he needed to know.

“What do you do to help you sleep?”

Pray. Imagine what it would be like when you came home. Figure out how I’ll go on if you don’t. “Warm milk with a banana.”

“I’ll have to remember that.”

She wondered if he meant for her or for him. If he was having trouble sleeping, it was something she needed to know. Despite how peaceful and sweet they’d look lying together in the big bed, Grace knew enough about PTSD to be cautious and had returned Jack Junior to his crib. The military trained their warriors to cope with being captured. And Jack was one of their best. But that didn’t mean warriors didn’t break. He hadn’t been fine when he left.

“Are you having trouble sleeping?” she asked, placing the pie in the oven. He didn’t answer right away, and she glanced over her shoulder.

His gaze slid up her legs to her face. As if embarrassed to be caught checking her out, he uncrossed his arms and shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. It was somewhat heartening to discover he wasn’t totally immune to her.

“No, not at all. Why?”

“So you’re not having nightmares or flashbacks?”

“Is that why you didn’t leave Jack Junior in bed with me?”

“No, of course not. I didn’t want him to fall out or for you to roll over on him.” He raised a brow and held her gaze. She sighed. “Okay, so the thought crossed my mind.”

“If you were worried about it, you should’ve asked me. For the record, I don’t have PTSD.”

“It’s a little early to say that for sure. There can be a delay in symptoms.”

“We’ll have our pie, and then we’ll talk about —”

Stunned, she interrupted him. “You want to talk about it?” She’d begged him to open up to her last time, to help her understand what was going on with him. But every time she did, he’d shut her down.

“Honestly? No. I’m one of the lucky ones. I survived. I came home. But you have legitimate concerns, and we should discuss them.”

This was the man she’d fallen in love with, the one she’d prayed would come back to her. At that moment, the desire for him to remember her, to remember them, was painful. She had to remind herself she was lucky to have him home at all. She forced a smile. “I appreciate that. Thank you.”

Opening the cupboard, she took out a plate. He reached around her and took out another one.

“I said we’ll have our pie and talk. That’s the deal. Take it or leave it,” he said when she went to object.

“I told you —”

“Yeah, I know what you told me, but I don’t believe you. I’m home now. You don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

“How did you know?”

“Let’s just say you wouldn’t make a very good poker player.”

“Is that right? Well, how do you explain the fact I beat you every time we played?” She grinned at his shocked expression.

“Huh. I wouldn’t have taken you for a poker player. What did we play, Five-card stud, Texas Hold’em?” he asked as though he didn’t believe her.

She took the pie out of the oven. “Strip poker.”

“Sorry, I missed that.” He leaned into her, his warm breath ruffling her hair. “What did you say?”

“I think you heard me just fine,” she said in a breathy voice, trying not to melt into his lean, muscled body.

“Maybe I’m in shock. You don’t strike me as the strip-poker type.”

“What type do I strike you as?” she asked, placing first his slice of pie, then hers, on the plates. She handed him his. “I have ice cream if you’d like. Häagen-Dazs dulce de leche.” She wondered if he remembered the brand was his favorite.

“Do you even have to ask?”

“You remembered.”

“Yeah, I remembered,” he said quietly.

As she took the container from the freezer, he said, “Bridge. I would’ve figured you for the type of woman who played bridge. When I first saw you, that’s who you reminded me of—wealthy women who do lunch and are involved in good causes. Elegant and refined, polite and cultured.” Grace kept her back to him so he wouldn’t see the face she made. He could be describing her mother. “You’re also sweet and have a great sense of humor. And you’re a wonderful mother. Our son is lucky to have you.”

She blinked back tears, pretending to fight with the ice cream lid. She didn’t want him to see how his words had affected her. “Thank you.”

They were lovely words, but that’s all they were. She didn’t think the qualities he ascribed to her would be enough for him to fall in love with her again if his memory didn’t return. 

 Giveaway

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Waiting on Wednesday

Please list the books/manga/manhwa/yaoi manga from your wishlist that you are hoping to add to your shelves in a comment, thanks.

#1 New York Times–bestselling author Catherine Coulter returns with the newest full-throttle adventure in the FBI series featuring Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock.

Natalie Black, the U.S. ambassador to the Court of St. James, has returned to Washington, her job in jeopardy. Her fiancé, George McCallum, Viscount Lockenby, has died in a car accident, and mysterious rumors begin that she’s responsible begin to surface: she broke off the engagement and, heartbroken, he killed himself. Then someone tries to force her off the M-2 outside London. Again, rumors claim it was a sympathy ploy. When she returns to the United States, she’s nearly killed when a car tries to mow her down while she’s out for a run. No one believes her except FBI Special Agent Davis Sullivan.

Meanwhile someone is following Sherlock. A stalker? Then someone tries to shoot her from the back of a motorcycle, but the assailant gets away. Sherlock next gets a call from an Atlanta mental hospital warning her that Blessed Backman has escaped. This is not good news. Blessed is a talented psychopath out for revenge against the agents, primarily Sherlock, whom his dying mother begged him to kill since she and Savich brought down her cult.

How to find out who’s trying to kill the ambassador to the U.K.? How can they get their hands on Blessed Backman before he succeeds and kills Sherlock? The clock is ticking and the danger intensifies.

Everyone in Painters Mill knows the abandoned Hochstetler farm is haunted. But only a handful of the residents remember the terrible secrets lost in the muted/hushed whispers of time — and now death is stalking them, seemingly from the grave.

On a late-night shift, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder is called to the scene of an apparent suicide — an old man found hanging from the rafters in his dilapidated barn. But evidence quickly points to murder and Kate finds herself chasing a singularly difficult and elusive trail of evidence that somehow points back to the tragedy of that long ago incident. Meanwhile, Kate has moved in with state agent John Tomasetti and for the first time in so long, they're both happy; a bliss quickly shattered when one of the men responsible for the murders of Tomasetti’s family four years ago is found not guilty, and walks away a free man. Will Tomasetti be pulled back to his own haunted past?

When a second man is found dead — also seemingly by his own hand — Kate discovers a link in the case that sends the investigation in a direction no one could imagine and revealing the horrifying truth of what really happened that terrible night thirty-five years ago, when an Amish father and his four children perished — and his young wife disappeared without a trace.

And, as Kate knows — the past never truly dies in The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo.

A sizzling story of everyone’s favorite couple from amazing Stephanie Evanovich’s New York Times bestseller Big Girl Panties: hunky professional baseball player Chase Walker and his sassy wife Amanda.

When pro baseball player Chase Walker first meets Amanda at her restaurant, it’s love at first sight. While Amanda can’t help noticing the superstar with the Greek-god-build, he doesn’t have a chance of getting to first — or any other — base with her. A successful entrepreneur who’s built her business from scratch, Amanda doesn’t need a Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. And a curvy girl who likes to cook and eat isn’t interested in being around the catty, stick-thin herd of females chasing Chase and his teammates.

But Chase isn’t about to strike out. A man who isn’t interested in playing the field, he’s a monogamist who wants an independent woman like Amanda. His hopes rally when she discovers that squeaky-clean Chase has a few sexy and very secret pre-game rituals that turn the smart, headstrong businesswoman on — and into his number one fan.

Then a tabloid discovers the truth and turns their spanking good fun into a late- night punchline. Is Amanda ready to let loose and swing for the fences? Or will the pressure of Chase’s stardom force them to call it quits?

Manga:

The paths of one evil god, two rival empires, three unlikely bishops and seven brave ghosts converge in the destiny of Teito Klein, a boy who vows to master a powerful artifact known as the Eye of Mikael in order to lay bare the secrets of the world’s and his own murky past.

Bishop by day and something sinister by night, Frau has managed to hide his “real job” from Teito…until now. On the Hawkzile race that will take them to Hoburg Fortress, Frau loses control and pulls Teito into darkness. Meanwhile, at Hoburg itself, an insurrection fueled by greed draws an older, more terrifying turncoat to reveal himself.

New Releases 2014 (July 1)

 

New Releases

The war is on

Counted among the fiercest Andarion warriors ever born, Hauk is one of the five founding members of the Sentella: an organization that has declared war on the League. They rule the Ichidian universe with an iron fist and terrify it with an army of well-trained assassins. Hauk’s enemies are legion, but he fears nothing and no one. He will do whatever it takes to survive and protect his Sentella brethren.

Sumi Antaxas is one of the best assassins the League has ever trained. In her world, failure is not an option and she has never met a target she couldn’t execute. So when she’s assigned Hauk, she believes it’ll be a quick and easy mission.

But nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and Hauk is far better skilled than any she's faced before, in Born of Fury from #1 Bestselling Author Sherrilyn Kenyon.

From New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart comes a captivating and heartwarming new novel in her beloved Chesapeake Diaries contemporary romance series — perfect for fans of Barbara Freethy, Robyn Carr, and Susan Mallery.

Carly Summit’s name couldn’t be more fitting, since in life she always lands on top. She grew up wealthy and privileged in a tony Connecticut town, opened her own gallery in New York City, and is about to make art world history displaying previously unknown works by a prominent twentieth-century painter. No wonder she possesses a can-do attitude that can’t be soured. Ford Sinclair is another story. A military career in war-torn Africa, where he witnessed unspeakable violence and suffering, has left him haunted and deeply cynical. Now he’s looking for a way to forget and a place to belong. He hopes to find both back home in St. Dennis.

When Carly is forced to move the premiere of her new exhibit from her Manhattan gallery to St. Dennis, and Ford agrees to temporarily take over the town’s paper, the two cross paths. While Ford is confounded by Carly’s unflappable good cheer, he can’t help being drawn to her. And undaunted by Ford’s restless heart, Carly sees a man worth caring for. But when a late-night phone call sends Ford back to Africa, Carly’s left to wonder if the pull of the past and its ghosts will prove stronger than the promise of their future together. 

From New York Times bestselling author Keri Arthur comes a brand-new series featuring heroine Emberly Pearson — a phoenix capable of taking on human form and cursed with the ability to foresee death.

Emberly has spent a good number of her many lives trying to save humans. So when her prophetic dreams reveal the death of Sam, a man she once loved, she does everything in her power to prevent it from happening. But in saving his life, she gets more than she bargained for.

Sam is working undercover for the Paranormal Investigations Team, and those who are trying to murder him are actually humans infected by a plaguelike virus, the Crimson Death — a by-product of a failed government experiment intended to identify the enzymes that make vampires immortal. Now all those infected must be eliminated.

But when Emberly’s boss is murdered and his irreplaceable research stolen, she needs to find the guilty party before she goes down in flames.

The Vipers Motorcycle Club has strict rules for their brotherhood and the women who enter it. Now one Viper is about to find out how much trouble one woman can be.

Former Army Ranger Christian Cage Owens joined the Vipers Motorcycle Club for its sense of brotherhood. In return, he pledged to live outside the law, protecting club members and their families, as well as keeping other MCs out of Skulls Creek. But when Cage discovers that a rival MC — one Cage has an all too familiar past with — plans to push meth into his town, he calls an old Army buddy turned private investigator who’s helped the Vipers in the past. By doing so, Cage endangers both his friend and Calla Benson, a woman who works in the PI’s office. Now he’s made it his mission to track Calla down and do whatever it takes to protect her.

Thanks to the phone call with Cage, Calla knows she’s formed a deep connection to a dangerous man. She quickly discovers that although he may live by a different set of rules, Cage is an honorable man who wants to be more than her protector—if only she can accept his dangerous lifestyle. But Calla comes to Skulls Creek with her own set of secrets - secrets that threaten to tear her and Cage — and the Vipers MC — apart. As they put their newfound love to the ultimate test, Cage will risk everything he cares about to save her.

Miko is a shrine maiden who has never had much success at seeing or banishing spirits. Then she meets Kagura, a sexy demon who feeds off women’s feelings of passion and love. Kagura’s insatiable appetite has left many girls at school brokenhearted, so Miko casts a spell to seal his powers. Surprisingly the spell works — sort of — but now Kagura is after her!

Final volume!

Shrine maiden Miko has sealed the powers of the sexy incubus Kagura, who has vowed to protect her. Kagura has been losing his powers ever since Miko’s father cast a spell to prevent Kagura and Miko from making love. The spell must be broken for Kagura to survive, but will Miko’s father relent?

In a futuristic city, augmented reality Duels are all the rage. Duelists, using devices called D-Gazers, can interact with their environment and their opponents as never before. With more awesome monsters and unbelievable cards, the future of Yu-Gi-Oh! starts right here!

The Numbers War heats up as Yuma and the Numbers Club track down more of the powerful cards. Kaito’s past comes into play as Yuma tries to find out why this expert Duelist is seeking the Numbers cards. A duel between Kaito and Yuma’s old rival Shark may lead them all to a surprising alliance!

Card included with the first printing only.


 

Sad at the thought of spending Christmas alone, Kurumi Sagara goes out for a walk. While she's crossing the street, a boy bumps into her, and a rein suddenly appears that binds them together. The overjoyed boy tells her she's his master and that she's a Santa Claus. Kurumi dismisses him as a crazy person, but then he transforms into a reindeer?

Spring is in full bloom, and the rein connecting Kurumi and Kaito has turned red. Kaito is in the midst of his mating season, and all human females are susceptible to his charms. Just as Kaito has been bewitched by her, Kurumi now finds herself bewitched by him!

Kaya Satozuka prides herself on being an excellent secretary and a consummate professional, so she doesn't even bat an eye when she's reassigned to the office of her company’s difficult director, Kyohei Touma. He's as prickly - and hot - as rumors paint him, but Kaya is unfazed until she discovers that he's a vampire!!

Kyohei has finally admitted that he loves Kaya, and he's even stopped feeding on other women. But even though they've worked out their personal issues, their dual roles as boss/secretary and vampire/human are still a huge hurdle to overcome. Can Kaya and Kyohei stand up to the disapproval of the business world and the vampire world?

Takeo Goda is a giant guy with a giant heart. Too bad the girls don’t want him! (They want his good-looking best friend, Sunakawa.) Used to being on the sidelines, Takeo simply stands tall and accepts his fate. But one day when he saves a girl named Yamato from a harasser on the train, his (love!) life suddenly takes an incredible turn!

Takeo Goda is a GIANT guy with a GIANT heart.

Too bad the girls don’t want him! (They want his good-looking best friend, Sunakawa.)

Used to being on the sidelines, Takeo simply stands tall and accepts his fate. But one day when he saves a girl named Yamato from a harasser on the train, his (love!) life suddenly takes an incredible turn!

Takeo can hardly believe it when he crosses paths with Yamato again, and he finds himself falling in love with her. But with handsome Sunakawa around, does Takeo even stand a chance?

High school student Maron Kusakabe has a secret: she’s Phantom Thief Jeanne. She sneaks into private art collections to steal paintings in which demons reside. Jeanne’s task is to seal the demons before they can devour human hearts. So far she’s been able to evade the police on her midnight outings, but now another thief has come onto the scene — Phantom Thief Sinbad — and he’s trying to take the paintings before she does!

A stranger has witnessed Jeanne’s transformation, and Maron worries that the police will soon find out her real identity. Chiaki again asks Maron to go out with him, but she refuses because they are on opposing sides. But if Chiaki is truly her enemy, why is he asking his partner, Access, if he’s been working for the Demon Lord?

July Releases

1st
Born of Fury - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Fireborn - Keri Arthur
Vipers Run - Stephanie Tyler
On Sunset Beach - Mariah Stewart
Demon Love Spell Vol. 6 - Mayu Shinjo
Yu-Gi-Oh Zexal Vol. 5 - Shin Yoshida
Sweet Rein Vol. 3 - Sakura Tsukuba
Midnight Secretary Vol. 6 - Tomu Ohmi
My Love Story Vol. 1 - Kazune Kawahara
Phantom Thief Jeanne Vol. 3 - Arina Tanemura

8th
Power Play - Catherine Coulter
The Dead Will Tell - Linda Castillo
The Sweet Spot - Janet Evanovich
07-Ghost Vol. 11 - Yuki Amemiya

15th
Sight Unseen - Iris Johansen
Monster Vol. 1 - Naoki Urasawa

22nd
Inu x Boku SS Vol. 4 - Cocoa Fujiwara

29th
The Hexed - Heather Graham
Deserves to Die - Lisa Jackson
The Perfect Stranger - Wendy Corsi Staub
Shifter's Claim - A.C. Arthur

Jessica Sorensen The Destiny of Violet and Luke Blog Tour with Book Spotlight and Giveaway

I am so excited to have Jessica Sorensen here at Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews with a Book Spotlight and Giveaway.

Thanks Jessica and Hachette Book Group for allowing me to join your The Destiny of Violet and Luke Blog Tour!

Please take it away, Jessica!

Jessica Sorensen is the author of The New York Times and USA Today Bestsellers, The Secret of Ella and Micha, The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden, and Breaking Nova, which are New Adult Contemporary novels. She also writes Paranormal series, including the Fallen Star Series, Shattered Promises, Darkness Falls, and the Death Collectors. She loves writing and reading and is an avid watcher of TV series The Vampire Diaries and Modern Family. An immense music lover, Jessica immerses herself in her music as she writes. She has a broad taste in music, and a list of favorite songs that goes on for miles! A few of her current favorite bands are Chevelle, Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Brand New, Death Cab for Cutie, Flight 409, and Nirvana. Some of Jessica’s favorite “watch it over, and over again” movies include Anywhere but Here, Juno, Pride and Prejudice, The Hangover, and Bad Teacher.

Network with Jessica! Follow her here:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jessica-Sorensen/165335743524509
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/jessFallenStar
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4601855.Jessica_Sorensen

Excerpt

Luke

She reaches for my fries with an undecided look on her face. “So I have a question.”

“Okay…”

“About you.”

I slowly chew my food. “I’m not really sure I want to hear your question now.”

She picks a pickle off of her burger, pulling a repulsed face. “Well, I’m still going to ask it.”

I grab a handful of fries from the tray that’s on the table between us. “Go ahead and ask but it doesn’t mean I’ll answer.”

She props her elbows onto the table with her burger in her hand. “Why haven’t you ever talked to me before? I mean, we’ve walked past each other probably a hundred times, but never so much as acknowledged each other and then suddenly you’re stalking me.”

I pick up my soda and sip from the straw. “First off, I’m not stalking you. I just can’t seem to get rid of you.”

“You didn’t have to stop to pick me up.”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Why? You don’t know me—you’re in no way obligated to help me.”

“I know, but I wanted to.”

“Why?”

I shrug, setting my drink down. “Why not?”

She gives me a funny look, like I’m the most confusing person in the world, when really she should be looking at herself like that. “I don’t get it. Why would someone like you help someone like me?”

I open up the bun of my chicken sandwich to pick the tomato off. “What do you mean someone like me and someone like you?”

She points at me. “You as in a football player who has friends.” Then she points at herself. “And me as in the loner girl who could probably kick your ass.”

I choke on a laugh and my mouth full of food almost shoots out of my nose. “You could not kick my ass,” I cough, and then take a swallow of my drink.

She scans me over while scooping up some fries. “I beg to differ. I think you’re not as tough as you try to look.”

“Do you really?” If only she knew what really lay inside me. “Because most people think I am and for a good reason.”

“I think it’s all for show,” she replies nonchalantly and I can’t tell if she’s being serious or not. “I think that deep down you’re just a softy.”

“Are you trying to pick a fight with me right now?” I set my sandwich down on the tray and crack my knuckles. “Because I’m not going to fight a girl.”

“That’s such a typical guy answer.” She hurries and takes a drink, but I detect a hint of a smile before her lips wrap around the straw.

“You know what I think?” I cross my arms on the table and lean in, cocking my head to the side as I observe her closely. “I think you like arguing with me and that’s why you’re bringing this up.”

Her shoulders lift and descend as she takes a bite of her hamburger. “Maybe, but maybe I’m being serious.”

“You know that as a football player I have to tackle guys, right? It takes strength to do that.”

“Maybe you just run, though,” she counters. “Maybe you’re just good at running.”

The way she says it reminds me so much of my past and it’s like a kick to the stomach. “Maybe I’m not, though. Maybe I suck at running.” I sound choked and I decide it’s time to cut this conversation short, my brain seeking that potent taste of Jack and Tequila mixed with nicotine. I glance at my watch, pretending to check the time. “I just remembered that I have to meet Kayden somewhere in like a half an hour, so I’m going to have to take you back.”

She balls up the wrapper for her hamburger, acting nonchalant, but her shoulders are stiff. “Sounds good to me. I was done anyway.” She seems irritated and I have no idea why, other than she seems to be able to read through my bullshit and test me, which most people can’t and won’t even try. I’m supposed to be a closed book. A mystery. That way no one can see who I really am. It’s the way I’ve been living for years and it’s comfortable. Not ideal, but nothing is ideal.

We don’t talk as I collect our garbage and then walk next to her as she limps out to my truck. I try to offer her my arm and open the door for her, but she denies my offer, moving to the opposite door and pushing it open.

During the car ride, she barely says two words to me. I should be happy about it. That way there’s no room for sudden questions and statements that will set me off, however I find myself missing the bantering thing we had going and the way she pushed my buttons. By the time I drop her off, all I want to do is ask her to stay, talk some more, let me get to know her. But I don’t understand why. I’ve never wanted to get to know anyone before. I’ve never even been out on a date. Each woman I’ve been with, I’ve only been with once. Just sex. That’s all it’s ever about. And I’ve never wanted anything more.

Until now.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Ever After of Ella and Micha comes a story of scars, courage, and new possibilities.

Luke Price's life has always been about order, control, and acting tough on the outside. For Luke, meaningless relationships are a distraction - a way to tune out the twisted memories of his childhood. He desperately wishes he could forget his past, but it haunts him no matter what he does.

Violet Hayes has had a rough life. When she was young, she was left with no family and the memory of her parents' unsolved murders. She grew up in foster homes, living with irresponsible parents, drugs, and neglect, and trying to fight the painful memories of the night her parents were taken from her. But it's hard to forget when she never got closure - and she can't stop dreaming about what happened that tragic night. To make it through life, she keeps her distance from everyone and never allows herself to feel anything.

Then Violet meets Luke. The two clash instantly, yet they can't seem to stay away from each other. Although they fight it, they both start to open up and feel things they've never felt before. They discover just how similar they are. But they also discover something else: The past always catches up with you.

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of The Destiny of Violet and Luke by Jessica Sorensen.

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Angie Sandro DARK PARADISE Blog Tour with Spotlight

I am so excited to have Angie Sandro here at Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews with a Book Launch.

Thanks Angie and Hachette Book Group for allowing me to join your Dark Paradise Blog Tour!

Please take it away, Angie!

About Angie Sandro:

Angie Sandro was born at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Within six weeks, she began the first of eleven relocations throughout the United States, Spain, and Guam before the age of eighteen. Friends were left behind. The only constants in her life were her family and the books she shipped wherever she went. Traveling the world inspired her imagination and allowed her to create her own imaginary friends. Visits to her father's family in Louisiana inspired this story. Angie now lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and an overweight Labrador.

Angie’s SM:

http://anjeasandro.blogspot.com/
http://facebook.com/pages/Angie-Sandro/253044268078356

@AngieSandro

Buy links:
B&N: http://bit.ly/1rImn9K
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1jWBWFM
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1lVTNkk
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1rImtOy

About DARK PARADISE:

DARK LEGACY

Mala LaCroix has spent her whole life trying to escape her destiny. As the last in a long line of "witch women," she rejects the notion of spirits and hoodoo and instead does her best to blend in. But when she finds a dead body floating in the bayou behind her house, Mala taps into powers she never knew she had. She's haunted by visions of the dead girl, demanding justice and vengeance.

DEADLY SECRETS
Landry Prince has always had a crush on Mala, but when Mala discovers his sister, murdered and marked in some sort of Satanic ritual, he wonders if all the rumors about the LaCroix family are true. Yet after Mala uses her connection to the spirit world to identify his sister's killer, he starts to form his own bond to her a very physical one. As they move closer to each other and closer to the truth, Mala and Landry must risk everything-their families, their love, and even their lives.