YA Paranormal #Giveaway Hop- 4 Great Books

Young Adult Paranormal Giveaway Hop

February 21st - 27th

Hosted by I am a Reader, Not  Writer and Co - hosted by YA Between the Lines

Featuring Young Adult Books with Paranormal elements.

For this great giveaway hop I have  books 1 and 2 of the Shadows Series by Brandy Nacole, she was kind enough to donate each ebook to the winner. Book one is Uniquely Unwelcome, and book 2 is Blood Burden. I love this series, and if you like the Paranormal like me, I think you will too. I also have another good book for you, ebook copy of The Twelfth Keeper, again, thanks to Bell Malory for including this book in this giveaway. Also Our Own Worst Enemies by Jamie Canosa, a great short story.
I have an excerpt for each book for you under each Blurb. The Rafflecopter is at the bottom.

Uniquely Unwelcome (Book 1)

by Brandy Nacole

Published September 20th 2012 (first published June 1st 2012)

ASIN B009E96084

Add to Goodreads
My Review

Being unique isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
After searching all over the world for someone as unique as she is, Racquel finds herself back in her home town where she’s treated like a monster ready to kill. Racquel is one of the most unique beings ever created. Four of the most powerful beings in the Shadow World are intertwined within her, making up her unique DNA. But no matter how unique her bloodline is, she’s considered an outcast by the entire Shadow World.
Once arriving home, Racquel finds that greater evils exist and that the person she cares for most in this world, her half-sister Addie, has been kidnapped along with other Shadow World beings. Racquel finds herself facing horrible odds with those who would rather see her dead than alive.
As her journey continues, Racquel learns more about herself, what she is capable of, and that not every being looks at her as an abomination. Coy, a human captive that Racquel saves from the Vampires, starts showing kindness toward her. Racquel tries putting distance between her and the human boy but as they spend more time together it becomes harder and harder for Racquel to fight the affection she wants and needs.
But will Coy’s friendship and her new found discoveries be enough to help Racquel unravel the strangest mystery that has ever plagued the Shadow World?

Uniquely Unwelcome Excerpt

Chapter One (only part)

I tug on the ropes around my wrists again but I know it’s useless. I have been pulling on these ropes for hours. My wrists throb with pain. I can feel blood trickling down my hand and dripping off my fingertips.

“Let’s see how she likes this.”

My eyes go wide as the Vampire, Irving, unravels a whip. I want to scream, beg, and plead for them to show some mercy. I don’t. Even though my mouth isn’t gagged, I know better than to make a sound. It will only fuel their animalistic manner.

Ravyn laughs maliciously. Her blue eyes twinkle with a vile hatred as Irving advances on me. I glare at Ravyn. Earlier when Irving had ordered Ravyn to push wind up against me until I couldn’t breathe, she had laughed the whole time. Then when Irving had ordered her to back off, she kept pushing. She was enjoying the pain they were causing me way too much. I wonder what the Covenant thinks about her activities.

Ravyn’s laugh is infectious and the crowd behind her starts laughing too. Irving stops a few feet away from, twirling his whip at his side. As he stares at me with those pure black eyes, my heart beat picks up. I don’t show my fear but I feel it.

As Irving brings the whip up, I close my eyes and brace for the impact. The whip makes a crackling sound and just before it makes contact with my skin I jerk in my seat. I grab at the seat in front of me as I try to catch my breath. I hate reliving those horrid nightmares. It was bad enough living them.

Blood Burdens (Book 2)

by Brandy Nacole 

Published December 18th 2012

ISBN13 B00APNQXVM

MY REVIEW
Add To Goodreads

As someone with four Shadow bloodlines, Racquel is uniquely unwelcome even among her fellow werewolves, shape-shifters, vampires, and witches. Growing up, she was bullied and tormented for being a “hybrid,” a condition frowned upon by Shadow society. After saving her sister and a number of other kidnapped Shadows from a diabolical plot to create a Shadow army, many have found a new respect for Racquel, but she is far from accepted in Shadow society, and the evil is far from over.
To complicate matters, Racquel now finds herself torn between two brothers. Coy is caring and has helped Racquel through her struggles, and Micah, who Racquel has only met once but who is somehow, having dream conversations with him. Racquel becomes torn between following her heart while breaking it at the same time.
In the second installment of the Shadow World series, Racquel and her sister Addie face off with the Shadow leaders against a threat that could bring the world to its knees. Power will be pushed to its limit, hearts will be broken, and some will pay the ultimate price as Racquel and her group of Shadows fight against an ancient evil that is determined to make the earth bleed and Racquel with it.

Blood Burdens ( Book 2)

Prologue

I try controlling my breathing as my body trembles with pain. My blood courses through my body like lava down a mountainside, scorching my veins. My heart races as sweat rolls down my face. The pain has eased some since the first day, and it’s getting a little better by the day. I still wish for death, though. That would be better than the pain and fear.

A shiver runs down my spine as I listen to Cerelia and Edwin argue. They have been doing this for weeks since the others were taken. Cerelia’s main concern is how to proceed, while Edwin worries about his granddaughter. I know the Vampire has doubts about what they are doing but believes he is doing the right thing, nonetheless. Of course, Cerelia is only after an army to gain power. Her relentless need to control the Shadow World is unwavering.

“Edwin will you calm yourself? Everything is aligning itself for our success. Soon they will not know what hole to hide in or what rock to hide under.” Cerelia’s eyes gleam with joy. Her blood-red lips pull back into a menacing smirk.

My fangs extend as another wave of hunger hits. This has to be the most excruciating part. The thirst and hunger has been hitting me every few hours since I woke up in the laboratory. I came to with my throat and esophagus burning intensely. It had felt like I had thrown up stomach acid for hours. My stomach was in knots, sending stabbing pains through my abdomen, making me double over with the pain.

Cerelia tried reassuring me with her false smile and fake sincerity. She told me that everything would get better, that my body needed the blood to help finish the binding. Regular food didn’t offer enough substance, blood did but the binding burned through it so fast that I was facing hunger pangs every hour or so.

Edwin had brought along a few human girls that he’d captured in Greenland, but after I killed the first one, he decided to keep me on blood bags. Cerelia frowned on this, telling Edwin that I needed to embrace my true nature. That was another heated argument they held every time it was time for me to eat. Cerelia wanted me to embrace my true nature, Edwin wanted me to control myself, and I just wanted death.

I sigh with relief as Cerelia grabs a blood bag from the ice chest, bringing it over. Her eyes glisten with pride as she regards me. I hate the way she constantly refers to me as if I’m her child, someone she created and who she believes will do all her biding. I want to escape from that look, to fight them off and run away.

About this author

Brandy Nacole resides in Arkansas where her imagination runs wild. Reading is her passion and writing is her obsession. Whenever she's not reading or writing, Brandy is spending time with her family and friends, throwing around crazy ideas, and laughing through the crazy moments.

Blog | Goodreads Page

The Twelfth Keeper

by Belle Malory

Published January 22nd 2013

ISBN 148052725 (ISBN13: 9781482052725)

Add to Goodreads

When sixteen-year-old Kennedy Mitchell is proclaimed the world’s last keeper, she thinks it’s a cruel joke. Come on- her? Impossible. She’s no warrior. She isn’t wise beyond her years, or more importantly, capable of keeping Earth safe.
Except...no one will listen. And since all evidence says otherwise, the job is hers whether she likes it or not.
During the highly demanding training regime that follows, Kennedy struggles to fit in with Earth’s renowned protectors. Especially Phoenix Jorgensen, who openly despises her. Problem is, he may be the only one she can trust. The keepers have big secrets surrounding them. Secrets Kennedy isn’t comfortable knowing, much less being apart of. With Phoenix’s help, she’ll have to find a way out.
Either that, or die trying.

About this author

I don't consider myself a writer. I'm a storyteller.
My two great loves are books and coffee. If it weren't for books, my heart wouldn't feel as full. And if it weren't for coffee, I wouldn't know what mornings are. That being said, the guy at Starbucks knows me well. He sings to me sometimes.
I live in Orlando, Florida with my family and two rescue mutts. Their personalities are like night and day. One is gold. The other is black. The gold one doesn't like to sleep in. Before I've had my coffee, we are enemies.

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads Page

Excerpt From The Twelfth Keeper

Prologue

“You’re smiling.”

“That, I am.”

“You said you wouldn’t smile again until we found her.”

The general pressed a button. A three-dimensional image of a young girl appeared. Wild, auburn hair. Bright aquamarine eyes, glinting with all the colors and ferocity of a tidal wave. “Jorgensen, we have found her. This is the twelfth.”

Chilling tingles iced down Phoenix Jorgensen’s spine. He froze, paralyzed, stricken by disbelief. So many questions filled his mind, but he couldn’t push the words from his lips. He could barely remember to breathe.

All he could do was stare.

He stood motionless, breathless, staring at the girl’s image. 

It couldn’t be true. 

She couldn’t be the one.

She was just...a girl. Nothing special or extraordinary there. In her image, she looked pensive. Her mouth curved up just slightly. Almost a smile, but not quite. What do you find so fascinating?

Phoenix felt his hand twitch. He lifted it to her rosy cheek. Light splayed around his fingers, disrupting the image.

He pulled back, his stomach twisting. “Why did you send for me, General?”
A few moments passed before Phoenix heard an answer.

“I’ve chosen you to confirm this discovery, Jorgensen. I assume you’ll feel it when you’re in her presence?”

Of course. The feeling. 

It had been so long since he felt it, he’d almost forgotten. If the girl truly was the twelfth, he would feel it again. He would feel...whole.

“Yes, sir,” Phoenix answered. “I’ll know if it’s her.”

“Good to hear, Jorgensen.” The general clapped him on the back. “You leave at once.”

The sound of footsteps echoed down the hall as the general departed. Phoenix stayed behind, unable to turn off the image just then. Unable to watch those expressive eyes fade away. Unable to wrap his head around the girl standing before him. This was not how he imagined her.

Nothing special.

He sighed, giving into the belief that he just might be delusional.

Our Own Worst Enemies

by Jamie Canosa

Published January 2013 by Prose by Design

ASIN

B00B6BHE2O

Add to Goodreads

Zombies suck. Seriously. For the past year they’ve been making Callie’s life a living hell, and things are only getting worse. With the undead population on the rise and supplies becoming scarce something needs to give.
When rumors of an enclave that’s safe and well stocked reach Callie and her neighbor Josh, they decide to brave the dangerous streets in search of some long lost peace.
Will it turn out to be everything they’ve ever dreamed of, or will it be, as Callie fears, too good to be true?

About this author

Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Ravena, NY with her wonderful husband and three crazy kids . . . plus the dog, the bird and the rabbit.

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads Author Page

Our Own Worst Enemies By Jamie Canosa

Excerpt

Chapter 1 (only first part)

I slid under the kitchen table and held my breath. The damn thing was in the house. Unbefreaking-lievable. Anyone with half a brain would have actually brought the shotgun downstairs with them this morning, but oh no, not me. Now I was destined to be that cliché dumb blonde in every bad horror flick ever made, who goes running up the stairs when she should be heading out the front door. Except this wasn’t a movie. This was my life, and here the front door may actually have been the stupider of the two options.

A low, guttural groan came from the living room. It was getting closer, sniffing me out like some kind of macabre bloodhound. Well, not me in particular, that would really suck, just fresh meat in general. Any uninfected tissue was like a beacon to those things. It continued towards my hiding spot, bumping off of every object in its path and sending who knows what crashing to the floor. I was going to have to thank it later . . . with a shotgun round to the face.

Shuffling into the kitchen, it headed straight for me. Shoot, this was not working. Thanks to their super sniffers, hiding was about as useful as screaming like a little girl. Pathetic. I leaned back on the palms of my hands and thrust my legs forward as hard as I could. A kitchen chair went flying, hitting its mark with impressive precision. The wretched thing stumbled backwards and slammed into the counter. I didn’t stick around to see what it was going to do next. I shot like the bullet I was so desperately seeking up the stairs and down the hallway to the second door on the right.

My vision swept over the pig-pen in front of me. How exactly was I supposed to find anything in this mess? Great, my tomb stone could read Here Lies Callie Winter. Died Because She Was a Slob. On my second panicked sweep, the black metal barrel caught my eye propped between my bed and the wall. Great place for it.

I lunged for the bed just as the door slammed open behind me. One thing these things were not was subtle. It was a man in his late forties, or at least it had been at some point. Now he was nothing other than a carrier. His left leg was bent out at an awkward angle but he didn’t seem bothered by it. Nor by the sunken eye socket in his face. Long, gaping sores ran along his flesh which was blackened in some areas and his lower jaw hung oddly from the rest of his skull. Yeah, this guy, whoever he was, was long gone now.

All that remained was the damn parasite that came from God only knows where. We never had a chance to actually figure that much out before it ceased to really matter anymore. Half the population was infected, and the rest of us were just trying to survive. There was a technical name for it, of course. Something with a hundred letters that ended in itis and was utterly unpronounceable, but everyone who wasn’t a doctor or scientist simply referred to it as the ‘Zombie Disease.’ Easier to say, and let’s face it, that’s exactly what it was. It wormed its way into a host through any kind of exchange of bodily fluids and in essence took control. It started with a headache, nothing more serious than a migraine, and then progressed to full blown hallucinations. The final straw was the sores, raw bloodied sections of skin where the infection had already begun to eat away at the host from within in a matter of hours. The person the host used to be ceased to exist as the parasite used their animated corpses, all the while munching away on their brains like an in-flight snack. That was a major part of its genius. Shooting an invading parasite would be easy enough, but shooting a parasite masquerading as a loved one— your mother or brother? That is infinitely more difficult. Turns out we were our own worst enemies.

Be sure to visit all these great Blogs in this hop below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway