Showing posts with label Daughters of the Sea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daughters of the Sea. Show all posts
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Sunday, April 7, 2013
'Daughters of the Sea' by Kristen Day Tour: Excerpt and Giveaway
Book Info:ForsakenDaughters of the Sea Series-Book #1By Kristen DayOnce you’ve been touched by darkness, it never leaves you…Abandoned by her parents as an infant; seventeen year old Hannah spent her childhood wading through countless foster families until being adopted by the Whitmans three years ago.Unfortunately, Atlanta’s high society wasn’t quite ready for Hannah…or the strange events that plague her.Chilling visions of murder, unexplained hallucinations, and dark, mysterious guy who haunts her nightmares all culminate to set in motion a journey of self-discovery that will challenge everything she’s ever believed; not to mention her sanity.Sent to live at The House of Lorelei on Bald Head Island, NC for ‘kids like her’, Hannah quickly realizes things are not what they seem. Her fellow ‘disturbed’ teens are actually the descendants of mythical Sea Gods and Goddesses. And so is she.But when Finn, the ghost from her dreams, appears in the flesh; her nightmares become reality and her dark visions begin coming true. Inexplicably drawn to him, she can’t deny the dangerous hold he has on her heart. The deadly secrets he harbors will ultimately test her courage and push the boundaries of her love.She must decide if she is ready to embrace the ancient legend she is prophesied to be a part of. The fate of all the descendants will forever depend upon it.
Amazon Kindle- http://www.amazon.com/Forsaken-Daughters-Sea-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B008N0A29I/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1365314122&sr=1-4
Book Info:AwakenDaughters of the Sea Series Book #2By Kristen DayThe sacrifices we make have the power to shift the very fabric of who we are, and ultimately who we are meant to be…After learning of her true destiny as the intended Leader of the Tydes, Anastasia Whitman must now embark on a perilous quest to the Underworld before the age of eighteen in order to plant the seed of immortality and complete her essence to become a true Sea Goddess. But before she can make her legendary journey, an unexpected new student transfers to Lorelei; initiating a sequence of events that will unravel Stasia’s new life, and test the boundaries of her relationship with the mysterious, dark, and sexy Finn Morrison. The line between the Underworld and the Living begins to blur as gruesome ghosts, morbid reveries, and pure evil haunt her waking hours as well as her sanity. Once the details of Finn’s own startling destiny are revealed, the dangerous secrets he’s been hiding will threaten the very love Stasia believed to be indestructible. As time begins to run out, she will be forced to choose between the one she loves and the destiny she cannot escape.
Goodreads-http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15767909-awaken
Amazon Kindle- http://www.amazon.com/Awaken-Daughters-Sea-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B009KFHQKS/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1365313382&sr=1-3
Book Info:ChosenDaughters of the Sea Series Book #3By Kristen DayPublication Date: January 29, 2013The essence of who we are lies not in what we have, but in what we are willing to give up. Because in the end, Time and Tide wait for no one.After sacrificing all that she had, the evil princess of the Underworld is still successful in her bid to tear Finn from Stasia’s life. In the midst of her search to reclaim him, Stasia is summoned to the island nation of Cyprus to take part in an age-old ritual; unveiling the missing pieces of her ancestry and re-igniting an ancient war. As she struggles to both save Finn’s soul and free Carmen’s mind, Stasia’s bravery and determination will be pushed to its breaking point. A dark storm is forming on the horizon, and the forces who are vying to destroy her may be much closer than she thinks. Destiny weaves a sticky web of evil, betrayal, and revenge that can only be undone by the purity of love and the soul’s unyielding will to survive. In the last installment of the Daughters of the Sea trilogy, the past will collide with the present as Stasia’s future hangs in the balance. The prophecy that paved the way for her new life may indeed be the very thing that strips her of the ones she loves the most.
Goodreads-http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15767912-chosen
Amazon Kindle- http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Daughters-Sea-3-ebook/dp/B00B73TO9C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1365313250&sr=8-3&keywords=Kristen+Day
Today we would like to share an excerpt from Chosen with you all-really if you haven't read these books yet, I don't know what you're waiting for!!
The sea’s crashing waves felt like a soft blanket on a cool night, surrounding my heart and energizing my muscles. I found the moonstone still in my hand and shoved it into my jeans pocket before diving underwater; swimming as fast as I could. I propelled myself through the water with incredible force and speed, surprising even myself. As the rain fell on the surface, a frenzy of energy swirled around me. Schools of fish suddenly came alive, darting back in forth with the cadence of the rain above. It was as if the sea was feeding off of the turbulent energy from above. I pulled from it and let it take over, filling every fiber of my being with its strength.
As the bottom changed from sandy to rocky, I knew I was close. Allowing my instinct to guide me, I darted toward shore. The grass covering the boulders below danced in the chaotic rhythm of the waves and I could feel the excitement every living being fell victim to at the falling rain. It was if the sea was celebrating. Celebrating a part of itself returning after a long journey.
As I made my way on shore, I realized I had lost my shoes at some point during my swim. I clamored over the rocky shoreline that swept the area. The pouring rain made it impossible to see and even more impossible to walk. It hadn’t been raining in my vision, but what about when the rain let up? What about tomorrow? The next day? I strained to remember if there was any trace of rain in my vision, but I couldn’t remember. The more time that went by, the hazier the memory of my visions became.
My feet slipped on the slippery rocks of the beach and I tumbled sideways, landing hard on my side and scraping my leg. I pushed myself back up and continued, only to slip again. This time a pair of arms caught me mid-fall, securing me and softening the landing as we both tumbled onto the rocks. I felt the pain of several more bruises as my legs slammed into a couple sharp ones.
“Nice night for a swim,” Finn’s sarcastic voice tickled my ear, momentarily hypnotizing me.
“Let me go, I have to find them!” I yelled back at him, attempting to stand back up. Unfortunately, he easily overpowered my efforts.
“You’re not finding anybody in this weather.”
“I have to try!” I struggled against his strong arms to no avail.
“Stasia, calm down.”
“I’ll calm down when I figure out why the hell I keep having visions that don’t make sense!” I yelled at him, tears burning behind my eyes. “I have to watch a bunch of people have their souls ripped out of their bodies with no clue as to who they are, where they are, or most importantly when they are!”
“Just because you have a vision about something doesn’t mean you are supposed to hunt to the ends of the earth to find it and prevent it,” he said calmly. “Some things are meant to happen. Fate and destiny are stronger than any vision, any essence, or any ability.”
“Then why do I have them? Why can’t I have a vision about something good? Why do I have to watch people die!?”
“Careful Pasha, you never know what you might be capable of.” He grinned, leaning towards me and nuzzling my neck. “Burnt-to-a-crisp-Finn was not on the menu for tonight.”
“I’m pretty sure I can’t control anything that powerful,” I laughed his comment off and shivered at the feel of his breath on my neck.
“I beg to differ,” he whispered in my ear.
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As the bottom changed from sandy to rocky, I knew I was close. Allowing my instinct to guide me, I darted toward shore. The grass covering the boulders below danced in the chaotic rhythm of the waves and I could feel the excitement every living being fell victim to at the falling rain. It was if the sea was celebrating. Celebrating a part of itself returning after a long journey.
As I made my way on shore, I realized I had lost my shoes at some point during my swim. I clamored over the rocky shoreline that swept the area. The pouring rain made it impossible to see and even more impossible to walk. It hadn’t been raining in my vision, but what about when the rain let up? What about tomorrow? The next day? I strained to remember if there was any trace of rain in my vision, but I couldn’t remember. The more time that went by, the hazier the memory of my visions became.
My feet slipped on the slippery rocks of the beach and I tumbled sideways, landing hard on my side and scraping my leg. I pushed myself back up and continued, only to slip again. This time a pair of arms caught me mid-fall, securing me and softening the landing as we both tumbled onto the rocks. I felt the pain of several more bruises as my legs slammed into a couple sharp ones.
“Nice night for a swim,” Finn’s sarcastic voice tickled my ear, momentarily hypnotizing me.
“Let me go, I have to find them!” I yelled back at him, attempting to stand back up. Unfortunately, he easily overpowered my efforts.
“You’re not finding anybody in this weather.”
“I have to try!” I struggled against his strong arms to no avail.
“Stasia, calm down.”
“I’ll calm down when I figure out why the hell I keep having visions that don’t make sense!” I yelled at him, tears burning behind my eyes. “I have to watch a bunch of people have their souls ripped out of their bodies with no clue as to who they are, where they are, or most importantly when they are!”
“Just because you have a vision about something doesn’t mean you are supposed to hunt to the ends of the earth to find it and prevent it,” he said calmly. “Some things are meant to happen. Fate and destiny are stronger than any vision, any essence, or any ability.”
“Then why do I have them? Why can’t I have a vision about something good? Why do I have to watch people die!?”
“It just takes time-“
“I don’t have time!” I yelled back at him. “All of this! You’ve had time to figure all of this out! I’ve had months, Finn! Months! And each day I’m closer to my eighteenth birthday. Each day I’m closer to confronting Keto. Each day I’m closer to-“
“I don’t have time!” I yelled back at him. “All of this! You’ve had time to figure all of this out! I’ve had months, Finn! Months! And each day I’m closer to my eighteenth birthday. Each day I’m closer to confronting Keto. Each day I’m closer to-“
“…fulfilling your destiny.” Finn interrupted. “Why can’t you see how special you are? If your mother didn’t believe you could do this, she wouldn’t have Chosen you.”
“Well being Chosen isn’t as great as it’s cracked up to be, if you ask me.”
“Welcome to my life,” Finn muttered and chuckled in spite of himself. “Being Chosen isn’t supposed to be fun or easy. It’s hard - it’s very hard…which is why it’s not given out freely. Only those who can handle it are given the responsibilities and pressures that come along with it.”
“I feel like my abilities work against me half the time. They distract me or backfire on me! How can I concentrate on what I’m supposed to do when I’m having visions constantly about people dying and horrible things happening? How can I concentrate on what I’m supposed to do, when I know Nadia is out there, waiting for me to stumble so she can kick me when I’m down?”
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but you’ll figure it out. Once you begin to control and harness your abilities, it will all begin to fall into place,” Finn explained. “You have to trust me on that. When we return to Lorelei, Mom will make sure your only priority is to practice your abilities. I have a feeling the new Maven will not disagree.”
I gave up my fight and sagged against him, leaning my head back on his shoulder. I let his darkness wrap around me and soothe my heart. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I murmured.
“You’d probably have a broken leg,” he joked. “These rocks are no joke. Let’s get you someplace dry.”
He helped me up and we delicately made our way across the rocky beach, toward a rock that was shaped like a giant letter ‘n’ stepping into the ocean; one leg on the beach, while the other was underwater. Beneath its arch the waves were slowly crawling toward the other leg, so that the sand beneath was wet, but we were still shielded from the rain. I sat down on the wet sand and stretched my legs out, allowing the water to slosh over them again and again.
“We could be in one of those Giorgio for Men cologne commercials right now, and not even know it.”
“I was in a commercial like that once,” Finn contemplated.
“You were!?”
“No,” he smirked.
“I hate you,” I splashed water up at him.
“Aw, you don’t mean that,” he mewed, moving closer to me. I inched away from him and crossed my arms.
“Oh yes I do.”
“I bet I can change your mind.”
“I doubt it,” I retorted, instantly regretting it when I saw the knowing look in his eye.
“Challenge accepted.” He grinned at me like a panther about to go in for the kill, and I was fully aware I was the kill. What I wasn’t aware of was the fact that it had started to storm. Lightning struck nearby, sending a shockwave across the beach that lit up the night with its flash. I shrieked out and instinctively moved towards Finn, who pulled me close.
“I knew I could change your mind,” he chuckled. I didn’t miss the smug smile on his face. “You didn’t know I could control lightning, did you?”
“I hope the next one hits you.” I rolled my eyes at his phony claim, inwardly relishing the feel of his arms and the comfort of his body beside mine. As if on cue, another bolt of lightning shot across the sky and sent the resulting thunder over the water and onto the beach; rattling my insides with its tenor.
“Well being Chosen isn’t as great as it’s cracked up to be, if you ask me.”
“Welcome to my life,” Finn muttered and chuckled in spite of himself. “Being Chosen isn’t supposed to be fun or easy. It’s hard - it’s very hard…which is why it’s not given out freely. Only those who can handle it are given the responsibilities and pressures that come along with it.”
“I feel like my abilities work against me half the time. They distract me or backfire on me! How can I concentrate on what I’m supposed to do when I’m having visions constantly about people dying and horrible things happening? How can I concentrate on what I’m supposed to do, when I know Nadia is out there, waiting for me to stumble so she can kick me when I’m down?”
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but you’ll figure it out. Once you begin to control and harness your abilities, it will all begin to fall into place,” Finn explained. “You have to trust me on that. When we return to Lorelei, Mom will make sure your only priority is to practice your abilities. I have a feeling the new Maven will not disagree.”
I gave up my fight and sagged against him, leaning my head back on his shoulder. I let his darkness wrap around me and soothe my heart. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I murmured.
“You’d probably have a broken leg,” he joked. “These rocks are no joke. Let’s get you someplace dry.”
He helped me up and we delicately made our way across the rocky beach, toward a rock that was shaped like a giant letter ‘n’ stepping into the ocean; one leg on the beach, while the other was underwater. Beneath its arch the waves were slowly crawling toward the other leg, so that the sand beneath was wet, but we were still shielded from the rain. I sat down on the wet sand and stretched my legs out, allowing the water to slosh over them again and again.
“We could be in one of those Giorgio for Men cologne commercials right now, and not even know it.”
“I was in a commercial like that once,” Finn contemplated.
“You were!?”
“No,” he smirked.
“I hate you,” I splashed water up at him.
“Aw, you don’t mean that,” he mewed, moving closer to me. I inched away from him and crossed my arms.
“Oh yes I do.”
“I bet I can change your mind.”
“I doubt it,” I retorted, instantly regretting it when I saw the knowing look in his eye.
“Challenge accepted.” He grinned at me like a panther about to go in for the kill, and I was fully aware I was the kill. What I wasn’t aware of was the fact that it had started to storm. Lightning struck nearby, sending a shockwave across the beach that lit up the night with its flash. I shrieked out and instinctively moved towards Finn, who pulled me close.
“I knew I could change your mind,” he chuckled. I didn’t miss the smug smile on his face. “You didn’t know I could control lightning, did you?”
“I hope the next one hits you.” I rolled my eyes at his phony claim, inwardly relishing the feel of his arms and the comfort of his body beside mine. As if on cue, another bolt of lightning shot across the sky and sent the resulting thunder over the water and onto the beach; rattling my insides with its tenor.
“Careful Pasha, you never know what you might be capable of.” He grinned, leaning towards me and nuzzling my neck. “Burnt-to-a-crisp-Finn was not on the menu for tonight.”
“I’m pretty sure I can’t control anything that powerful,” I laughed his comment off and shivered at the feel of his breath on my neck.
“I beg to differ,” he whispered in my ear.
I am a southern belle at heart with a crazy streak that desperately tries to escape at every opportunity. I love all things nostalgic, rustic, and quirky. I've been told I see the world through rose-colored glasses, but I prefer to think of them as kaleidoscope glasses - swirling and morphing reality into something I can digest (who hasn't pretended those pasty lima beans were really kiwi strawberry jelly beans?).
I am the author of the DAUGHTERS OF THE SEA trilogy, which includes FORSAKEN, AWAKEN, and CHOSEN (Winter 2012). I love all books, but really enjoy writing young adult, paranormal romances. I've loved to write for as long as I can remember. My first published work was my poem RED in second grade (you guessed it - it was a poem about the color red - life altering, I know) that won me 5 gold stars and a spot in my elementary school's poetry book. That's when my addiction to the written word officially began. I was the only kid in fifth grade that actually enjoyed diagramming sentences. Go ahead and laugh – it’s okay.
When I'm not writing I'm making jewelry, painting, drinking sweet tea, watching the discovery channel, or going on random adventures in the mountains of North Carolina with my amazing husband. I graduated from Appalachian State University and dream of becoming a full time novelist.
Author Links:
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Review: Awaken by Kristen Day
AwakenDaughters of the Sea #2By: Kristen DayPublished: October 2nd, 2012(Self Published)The sacrifices we make have the power to shift the very fabric of who we are, and ultimately who are meant to be...After learning of her true destiny as the intended Leader of the Tydes, Anastasia Whitman must now embark on a perilous quest to the Underworld before the age of eighteen in order to plant the seed of immortality and complete her essence to become a true Sea Goddess. But before she can make her legendary journey, an unexpected new student transfers to Lorelei; initiating a sequence of events that will unravel Stasia's new life, and test the boundaries of her relationship with the mysterious, dark, and sexy Finn Morrison. The line between the Underworld and the Living begins to blur as gruesome ghosts, morbid reveries, and pure evil haunt her waking hours as well as her sanity. Once the details of Finn's own startling destiny are revealed, the dangerous secrets he's been hiding will threaten the very love Stasia believed to be indestructible. As time begins to run out, she will be forced to choose between the one she loves and the destiny she cannot escape.
...Can I be honest with you all? I hate sequels. I hate them. Especially when I really enjoyed the first book, because my expectations go through the roof and suddenly, nothing the author--no matter how talented and wonderful--does will be what I had hoped for.
That is not the case here.
Though I will warn you, if you follow our reviews and take our recommendations, you will need a punching bag and several boxes of tissues. Yes, boxes.
Who'd've thought that a mere 300 pages could cause such emotional turmoil to a person? Awaken doesn't insult Forsaken at all---in fact, it flows right with book 1, keeping the pace and the action steady (with romance and humor thrown in for good measure, of course). I honestly have no words to tell you how amazing this is. The only word I have is "*keyboardsmash*" and...well, it's really not a word. And the only way you'll really understand is if you pick up this book and read it for yourself.
I don't think I've ever read a book this quickly. Day keeps the action and romance rolling in Awaken and I am now on the edge of my seat, desperate for Chosen. January can't come fast enough. *sigh* Fantastic, 5-star-worthy trilogy. You definitely wanna check this out!
My Rating:
Kristen Day is a southern belle at heart with a crazy streak that desperately tries to escape at every opportunity. She loves all things nostalgic, rustic, and quirky. She’s been told she sees the world through rose-colored glasses, but she prefers to think of them as kaleidoscope glasses - swirling and morphing reality into something she can digest (who hasn't pretended those pasty lima beans were really kiwi strawberry jelly beans?).
She is the author of the DAUGHTERS OF THE SEA trilogy, which includes FORSAKEN, AWAKEN (Oct 2012), and CHOSEN (Winter 2012). She loves all books, but really enjoys writing young adult, paranormal romances. She’s loved to write for as long as she can remember. Her first published work was her poem RED in second grade (you guessed it - it was a poem about the color red - life altering, right?) that won her 5 gold stars and a spot in her elementary school's poetry book. That's when her addiction to the written word officially began. She was the only kid in fifth grade that actually enjoyed diagramming sentences. Go ahead and laugh - it's okay.
She is the author of the DAUGHTERS OF THE SEA trilogy, which includes FORSAKEN, AWAKEN (Oct 2012), and CHOSEN (Winter 2012). She loves all books, but really enjoys writing young adult, paranormal romances. She’s loved to write for as long as she can remember. Her first published work was her poem RED in second grade (you guessed it - it was a poem about the color red - life altering, right?) that won her 5 gold stars and a spot in her elementary school's poetry book. That's when her addiction to the written word officially began. She was the only kid in fifth grade that actually enjoyed diagramming sentences. Go ahead and laugh - it's okay.
Follow Kristen Day:
Saturday, November 10, 2012
November Author Appreciation: Spotlight on Kristen Day & Giveaway
First off, Lana and I wanted to let you guys know we realize we are way behind in our monthly author appreciation duties, but in our defense, we have been insanely busy. We're ready to make it up to you guys though. This month, we are dying to tell you all about an author we both absolutely adore. Kristen Day, author of the Daughters of the Sea trilogy, is one of our new favorite authors and we were lucky enough to snag an interview with her to share with you guys!
Kristen Day hooked me from the very first line of Forsaken (Book 1 in the Daughters of the Sea trilogy) and she hasn't let me go yet. I am now eagerly awaiting the final book in the series. Her storytelling is enchanting and her characters are completely captivating. I dare you to read these books and not fall in love with them and their brilliant author.
Now without further ado, I give you our interview with Kristen Day!
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us, Kristen. We really appreciate it!
*Can you start by telling us a little about yourself? I’m 34 years old, but my soul is approximately 1,270 years old. I live in North Carolina and graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Marketing. I have an unhealthy obsession with Sharpies, scrapbook paper, buttons, old books, and most recently Hobby Lobby. I love painting, jewelry making, sewing, and just about anything else I can create with my hands. I’ve been writing my entire life, only to keep my works hidden (until now). The written word has always been my outlet and reading has always been my escape. Those worlds collided when I decided to write the Daughters of the Sea trilogy and it’s been a terrific ride thus far!
*Where did you get the inspiration for the Daughters of the Sea series?
It’s a beautiful marriage of my true passions: the beach and history, or more specifically, mythology. I started by doing a TON of research about the different sea gods and goddesses. I knew I wanted to have a boarding school with different ‘types’ of students. That’s where the research came in. Depending on the different qualities I wanted each ‘type’ to have, I was able to choose a god or goddess for them to be descended from. I love symbolism, so the traces and stones were a no-brainer. The story just continued to grow and grow. Before I knew it I had an entire notebook of characters, a foundational plot, and plenty of scene ideas!
*If you attended Lorelei, which Sea God or Goddess would you want to be descended from?
If I attended Lorelei, I would want to be descended from Charon, however being that there are no Daughters of Charon, that’s not really an option. So my second choice would have to be Amphitrite. She is extremely pure and wise, but also very powerful. She’ll be introduced in Chosen. *wink, wink* (don’t you HATE it when I do that!? GAH.)
*If you could spend a day with any character from the literary world, who would you choose and what would you do? Well, every sizzling, sexy male character (Patch) from every series (Lucas) I’ve ever read (Four) just popped into my head (Daniel), but in an effort to keep this PG13, I’ll refrain from using them as my answer. With that in mind, I would have to choose Minny from The Help. It might sound like an odd choice, but she is the epitome of strong women who has seen a great deal in her lifetime. I’d love to go to church with her, chat about her life, and then have her show me how to cook that mouthwatering comfort food!
*Are any of your characters based on people you know, or are they completely made up? Actually Stasia and her roommates are all little chunks of my own layered (and slightly weird) personality. I pulled from my sarcastic side to create Carmen, my airheaded gullible blonde childlike side for Phoebe, and my dreamy, idealistic side for Willow. Stasia was pulled from my logical, strong side. So as you might imagine, coming up with conversations sometimes sounds like the different voices in my head on a daily basis. Nadia was actually inspired by a real person from my past (she-who-must-not-be-named) and Finn has many uncanny similarities to my own husband… And finally, Kira was inspired by my mom - she lives by the beach, loves to laugh, and is infinitely supportive.
*If you could only recommend one book to us, which book would you choose? Why Men Marry B*tches. No, seriously. As a southern lady who was taught to be sweet, tolerant, and utterly selfless; this book had a profound effect on how I viewed myself, my husband, and my relationships as a whole.
*Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
I would to tell aspiring authors to write ONLY because they love, love, love to write. Not because they want to make money, not because they want to see their name on the front of a cover, not because they want their book to become the next Twilight Franchise, but because they have an obsessive and undeniable need to put their thoughts into words. That passion can be felt by your readers and its absence speaks louder than any critic.
*Is there any chance of a spin off from Daughters of the Sea series? One that maybe focused on one of Stasia’s roommates?
There is a very good chance of this, but I’ve decided to wait until Chosen comes out so that I can get some feedback on who everyone would like to know more about. And I still have to decide if I want to write more of a prequel or a true spin-off. So, stay tuned!
*Lana and I both have an obsession with really good cheesecake; is there a dessert you can’t turn down?
If you would have asked me this question a year ago, I would have said, without a doubt, apple crumb pie (my grandma’s recipe of course), but there has been a new contender in recent months that rivals even the best crumbly, sweet, cinnamony (that’s right, cinnamony) apple pie straight from the oven. This little slice of heaven is called strawberry shortcake cheesecake; also known as the best dessert *in my best nasally Taylor Swift voice* like..EVER. I discovered it at Epic Chophouse in Mooresville, NC. It begins with a graham cracker crust, one layer of cheesecake, a thin layer of strawberry yumminess, a layer of shortcake, and topped with a layer of strawberry mousse. DELISH!
Thank you again, Kristen!! We cannot wait for Chosen!!
Thank you again, Kristen!! We cannot wait for Chosen!!
And because Kristen ROCKS, she's having a giveaway with the Awaken Blog Tour! You can see some of the goodies being given away below! Enter NOW and Good luck everyone!
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Friday, November 2, 2012
Friday Fever: Awaken by Kristen Day
This week I simply had to share a steamy scene from Awaken, the second book in the Daughters of the Sea series by Kristen Day! The chemistry between Finn and Stasia is downright electric. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Oh my goodness it just became a little warmer in here! If you guys haven't checked out these books yet I am telling you now, you really NEED to! They are phenomenal!I bent down to kiss him softly, but I should have known that would be a futile effort. He latched onto me with an urgency that was mirrored in my own movements. Instantly on top of him, the feel of his body beneath me sent a surge of longing that could not be silenced no matter how close I was to him. Somehow I managed to pull his shirt off and couldn’t resist kissing every inch of warm skin I could get to. He rolled us over so that I was now beneath his weight, causing every cell in my body to explode with need. As he buried his mouth into the crook of my neck he simultaneously thread his fingers through mine and pulled my hands above my head, securing me where I was. It was all I could do to not wrestle out from under his grip and continue touching him.Knees on either side of me, he sat up and tugged off the t-shirt I had been wearing in a split second; tossing it on the floor as I fumbled with the button of his shorts. Surprising myself with my own boldness, I unzipped them and practically ripped them off of him. He did the same with the already loose gym shorts I was wearing, and I watched as his breath visibly caught in his throat when he looked down at me. Watching me carefully as if I might disappear into thin air, he wrapped an arm around me; picking me up enough to pull back the covers beneath me.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
'Awaken' by Kristen Day Blog Tour: Review
Awaken
Daughters of the Sea Book #2By Kristen DayPublication Date: October 2, 2012(Self-Published)
The sacrifices we make have the power to shift the very fabric of who we are, and ultimately who we are meant to be…After learning of her true destiny as the intended Leader of the Tydes, Anastasia Whitman must now embark on a perilous quest to the Underworld before the age of eighteen in order to plant the seed of immortality and complete her essence to become a true Sea Goddess. But before she can make her legendary journey, an unexpected new student transfers to Lorelei; initiating a sequence of events that will unravel Stasia’s new life, and test the boundaries of her relationship with the mysterious, dark, and sexy Finn Morrison. The line between the Underworld and the Living begins to blur as gruesome ghosts, morbid reveries, and pure evil haunt her waking hours as well as her sanity. Once the details of Finn’s own startling destiny are revealed, the dangerous secrets he’s been hiding will threaten the very love Stasia believed to be indestructible. As time begins to run out, she will be forced to choose between the one she loves and the destiny she cannot escape.
Awaken is the second installment in Kristen Day's fabulous Daughters of the Sea series. As some of you may remember, Lana and I both absolutely LOVED Book 1 in the series, Forsaken. So when we found out that Young Adult Novel Reader was putting together a tour for the sequel, Lana and I jumped at the chance to be a part of it. I know I have been eagerly awaiting this sequel since the moment I finished book one.
Awaken picks up shortly after Forsaken ends and I was pulled right back in from the opening lines. Day knows how to keep us hooked and I read this book in less than a day. I couldn't put it down. I found myself completely wrapped up in Stasia's story once again and the end came entirely too soon for my liking. Of course, along the way, my husband thought I'd lost my mind since I was randomly laughing out loud, gasping, and crying; sometimes all at once. I was an emotional wreck by the time I finished it.
Awaken is packed with suspense, romance and a few twists I definitely didn't see coming. I cannot find the words to tell you exactly how much I loved this book. It exceeded my every expectation. Day has created a fantastically quirky cast of characters for us to fall in love with and in doing so she has made it impossible for me to stop reading these books. I cannot wait to see how things wrap up in Chosen, due out in January 2013.
My Rating:
Kristen Day is a southern belle at heart with a crazy streak that desperately tries to escape at every opportunity. She loves all things nostalgic, rustic, and quirky. She’s been told she sees the world through rose-colored glasses, but she prefers to think of them as kaleidoscope glasses - swirling and morphing reality into something she can digest (who hasn't pretended those pasty lima beans were really kiwi strawberry jelly beans?).
She is the author of the DAUGHTERS OF THE SEA trilogy, which includes FORSAKEN, AWAKEN (Oct 2012), and CHOSEN (Winter 2012). She loves all books, but really enjoys writing young adult, paranormal romances. She’s loved to write for as long as she can remember. Her first published work was her poem RED in second grade (you guessed it - it was a poem about the color red - life altering, right?) that won her 5 gold stars and a spot in her elementary school's poetry book. That's when her addiction to the written word officially began. She was the only kid in fifth grade that actually enjoyed diagramming sentences. Go ahead and laugh - its okay.
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Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Awaken by Kristen Day: Release Day Blitz
Awaken
Daughters of the Sea Book #2
By Kristen Day
Self-Published
Published on: October 2, 2012
The sacrifices we make have the power to shift the very fabric of who we are, and ultimately who we are meant to be…
After learning of her true destiny as the intended Leader of the Tydes, Anastasia Whitman must now embark on a perilous quest to the Underworld before the age of eighteen in order to plant the seed of immortality and complete her essence to become a true Sea Goddess.
But before she can make her legendary journey, an unexpected new student transfers to Lorelei; initiating a sequence of events that will unravel Stasia’s new life, and test the boundaries of her relationship with the mysterious, dark, and sexy Finn Morrison. The line between the Underworld and the Living begins to blur as gruesome ghosts, morbid reveries, and pure evil haunt her waking hours as well as her sanity. Once the details of Finn’s own startling destiny are revealed, the dangerous secrets he’s been hiding will threaten the very love Stasia believed to be indestructible. As time begins to run out, she will be forced to choose between the one she loves and the destiny she cannot escape.
Prologue:
The
familiar call of seagulls diving for fish amongst the crashing waves pulled him
from his restless slumber. His tired,
bloodshot eyes opened and gazed upon that same weathered stone ceiling looming
above. As they roamed down the sloped
wall where he kept count, he pushed back the agonizing hopelessness encasing
his heart. Another long night behind him
simply meant another long day before him.
He swung his legs over the side of his cot and gently placed his worn
feet on the stone floor. It was always
bitterly cold in the morning. He
shivered as he glanced down at his too-skinny legs and the dirt that clung to
his calloused feet. His ragged, cotton
shorts now hung low around his emaciated waist and his faded blue shirt had
been discarded long ago; traded for a sunken-in, bare chest. He smoothed down his gray hair and thick
beard; wondering if today would be the day.
Sighing,
he stood and collected the conch shell he kept hidden within a crack in his
counting wall. He found the last mark
and bent down to add yet another. He
never counted days; only nights. The
darkness always brought out his worst nightmares and he was continually amazed
he had made it through so many.
Thousands of marks littered the wall before him; a diary of solitude and
sheer will captured forever in stone.
As he did
every morning, he padded over to the window and looked out over the rolling
sea. The lone window of his small room
faced east, allowing him one pleasure amidst the hell that had become his life. Sunrise.
At first each sunrise brought only tears to his eyes while the slow ache
in his chest grew, threatening to rack his body with a sadness no man should
bear. What those brilliant colors
dancing across the sky stood for only served as a reminder to his unending
loss. Another night bereft of her loving
arms. Another day without her magical
presence. Over the years the pain had
receded, but her memory never faded.
Neither did the seed of hope she had planted so long ago. It grew every day, branching out and becoming
the only thing that kept him alive. Many
nights he had peered out of his window at the white sand far below. He thought of how easy it would be to end
this torture and return to her. But he
knew he had a bigger purpose and he would not let her down. He would endure and wait until his heart beat
no more.
Once a
week he was allowed to stroll along the beach and speak to the others. But it was only a brief illusion of
freedom. They could feel the eyes that
watched their every move. The others had
become his only companions. For years
there had only been seven. But a couple
of months ago, a newcomer had arrived.
He could hear her anguished cries at night and her deep despair was
evident in the scratches along her arms; the victims of her own
fingernails. She too finally succumbed
to the seclusion and hopelessness; becoming void of emotion and as hollow as
the rest of them. His thoughts moved
back to the present and the brilliant ball of light inching its way above the
horizon. This is when he felt closest to
her. He closed his eyes and called upon
the memory of her ever gentle, loving eyes.
“My love,
I have lived to see yet another dawn cast its light upon this retched spit of
land. Thankfully, this dawn brings new
hope for my weary soul. You appeared to
me in my dreams once again last night, but for the first time I heard the sweet
melody of your voice. You spoke to me
and breathed life back into my withered heart.
You told me to be patient; to remain steadfast. You assured me the hour is growing near and I
know the words you speak are true.
Indeed, it is almost time.”
Kristen
Day is a southern belle at heart with a crazy streak that desperately tries to
escape at every opportunity. She loves
all things nostalgic, rustic, and quirky.
She’s been told she sees the world through rose-colored glasses, but she
prefers to think of them as kaleidoscope glasses - swirling and morphing
reality into something she can digest (who hasn't pretended those pasty lima
beans were really kiwi strawberry jelly beans?).
She is the
author of the DAUGHTERS OF THE SEA trilogy, which includes FORSAKEN, AWAKEN
(Oct 2012), and CHOSEN (Winter 2012).
She loves all books, but really enjoys writing young adult, paranormal
romances. She’s loved to write for as long
as she can remember. Her first published
work was her poem RED in second grade (you guessed it - it was a poem about the
color red - life altering, right?) that won her 5 gold stars and a spot in her
elementary school's poetry book. That's when her addiction to the written word
officially began. She was the only kid
in fifth grade that actually enjoyed diagramming sentences. Go ahead and laugh
- its okay.
When she’s
not writing she’s making jewelry, painting, feeding her addiction to sweet tea,
watching the Discovery Channel, or going on random adventures in the mountains
of North Carolina with her amazing husband. She was born in Boone, NC and
graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Marketing in 2001.
Follow Kristen Day:
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