Book Blitz : Deadly to Love by Mia Hoddell

Deadly to Love 
(Elemental Killers #1)
by Mia Hoddell
Release Date: February 2013

Genre: YA/Romance/Paranormal/Fantasy
ASIN: B00BDQ3QGA
ISBN: 978-1-291-41025-9

Blurb:
The world is dangerous – but love will kill you.

Little did Serena Jackson know that one simple, flirty remark to an anonymous guy online would lead to her world being changed forever.

She doesn’t know him, but inexplicably, is drawn. She knows it is wrong but she agrees to meet.

His real name is Kai. He is beautiful. And immediately Serena feels herself blindly falling for him even though she senses a lie. She knows he is hiding something and it terrifies her.

What she doesn’t realise is that her entire life has been built on secrets and lies. The people she loved left her in the dark for a reason.

She trusted them. She trusts Kai. But as he pulls her straight into the heart of the danger the lies and deadly secrets are revealed. They overwhelm her, and the person she once was no longer exists as she is thrown into a ruthless world of elemental forces. The price of truth is her life—and now the world wants her dead.

Available from:

Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Lulu
and only 99c / 77p on Kindle for September!

Praise:

“I couldn't put it down. So I finished it last night and all I can say is WOW! This book was amazing and different.” Brianna (Book Blogger)

“I loved how the author took a different approach to writing a love story in modern times with the paranormal element present. I thought it was absolutely wonderful and refreshing. Marvelous!” Kathy H (Amazon Reviewer)

“I will admit I scoffed at the way it started but in the end I had fallen in love with this story…completely untraditional it was a very original idea, not to mention modern. This story had such a good plot and the story structure was sound.” Kacii – The Kooky Bookworm (Book Blogger)

About the Author

Mia Hoddell lives in the UK with her family and two cats. She spends most of her time writing or reading and loves anything paranormal. Mia always had a love of writing but never reading. She was more interested in sports and hated sitting still - despite getting three poems published before the age of sixteen. Finally though, she found some novels that captured her interest and developed a love of reading which is now one of her favourite hobbies.

Mia began with poems before moving on to short stories. Although she enjoyed this, Mia found she had too much to tell with too little space, so later on she created her first series 'The Wanderer Trilogy' and from there other ideas have emerged. With a total of nine books planned at this moment, she is busy working on her second series 'Elemental Killers' before moving onto the next idea on her ever growing list.

Author Links

   

***Excerpt***

Happy with the amount of photos I had collected I started to head back out of the forest, still flicking through my shots. As well as close ups, I had taken a few landscapes and as I was almost at the edge of the forest I noticed something in one of the photographs that made me stop.

In the left hand corner was a figure that looked mostly human, but was blurred as if they were moving on the spot.

A cold shudder shot through me.

Looking over my shoulder I became slightly panicked and felt as if someone was following me.

My eyes flicked and searched the shadows. Even though there was no sign that anything had ever been behind me, the forest looked different now - dark and threatening.

Instinctively I broke away and ran, still clutching the camera that was displaying the freaky image. Surrounded by trees I didn’t stop until I was free of the forest and back in the open light and sight of my house.

Throwing open my door, I slumped against the inside of it, regaining my breath from the short sprint. Once I had recovered I looked down at the photo once more, just to make sure that I hadn’t been seeing things. The old saying “the camera never lies,” came into my mind and for the first time I wished it not to be true. Sure enough though, as I looked down at the screen, the figure was still there and this time I noticed a red and orange glow around where its feet should have been. The image almost looked like the person was on fire but I thought I would have surely noticed if there had been a burning man in front of me.

***GIVEAWAY***

Mia Hoddell is giving away an Amazon gift card this month only there is a slight twist: the more entries she receives the more money she will put on the gift card to giveaway! For example:

No matter what = $5

100 entries = $10

150 entries = $15

200 entries = $20

and so forth...

So if she gets 1000 entries she will give away $100, there’s no limit!

To enter all you have to do is buy or have bought Deadly to Love. It's only $0.99 or £0.79 on Amazon for the duration of the giveaway! This will also unlock extra entries for you so you can earn more points by sharing the giveaway. Remember the more entries she gets the bigger the prize for you so share!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Naughty Thoughts : Are Gingers as Hot as Their Hair

In my brooders or sun-gods post I drooled over the two male archetypes of romance novels. In the same thought, and for the first time, it dawned on me; what about the gingers? Why aren't there any sizzling hot red-haired heroes. Aren't they sexy too? Or have they been relegated to only the pale skinned, freckled face supporting role.

So I did a Google image search for sexy men with red hair and well....let's just say they're as hard to find as a virgin in a contemporary romance. Don't get me wrong, I found plenty of red-haired men, they were easy to find...but those that look like they belong on the cover of a heated romance novel...uh...not so much. Truth be told you don't see that many red-heads as leading men in movies so why would novels be any different right. That's a shame though. Kevin McKidd and Sean McGowan are two specimens that proves the red-heads can not only hold their own, but give Batman and Thor a run for their money. I'm not really sure just how into a red-headed male lead I am, but I'm willing to give them a try. None of my character in my House of Dragons series are red-heads but maybe later down the line.

On the flip side of the same coin, when I paired sexy and red hair together in a Google search there was no shortage of gorgeous women with flame coloured locks of every shade. I guess when we think of sexy red-heads the first thing that comes to mind in a feisty female. I love the looks of Isla Fisher, Amy Adams and Emma Stone. It's like a cross between the fire we expect from a red-head tempered with a bit of cute innocence.

Another trait I've noticed when it comes to red hair characters is that when an author wants to make their heroine a spit fire with a temper to match, she's always a red-head. I've yet to read a novel with a demure, even-tempered, submissive heroines with a mane of fire. Not saying that brunettes or blondes are such, just that a red-head never is. I guess the personality come with the hair. I could be wrong.

I think I'm bios towards heroines with red hair. As soon as their physical appearance is described as such I think, '...huh she's going to give him hell...' and I like heroines who give their male counterpart a bit of trouble.

So I don't need to be told that female red-heads are sexy....my question is....are the men? Tell me your thoughts on whether or not they're leading man material.

And that's my naughty thoughts on fiery gingers.

Later Loveys

P.S. Don't forget to share this post if you liked it

Funny Ha Ha - Muddy Puddles

Whenever my three year old niece visits my home I have to carry her from the car to my front door on rainy days. She hates getting dirty, so she refuses to walk through the yard when its muddy. Now my niece loves Pepper Pig, and Pepper Pig loves to jump in muddy puddles. So of course you can guess. Now she loves to jump in muddy puddles. I can't get her through the yard without her asking if she can jump in muddy puddles.

Thayer and Kai from Eternal

Thayer
First Son of House Bratiana,
Premus of Bratiana Family.
Species: Dragon
Birth Year: 966
Age: 1047

Likes: Pie.
Dislike: Being told what to do.

Personal Quote: "...it would be a lapse in judgement to confuse my reticence for weakness..."

My duty in life is simple; protect the Family. I have been Bratiana's protector almost my entire life, it is all I know and it is a job I do well. But it was so much easier when I was just the Commander of my father's army. Life was so much simpler. I was just a warrior then. What I would not give to have those days back. Taking on the mantle of Premus of Bratiana Family at such a young age was a responsibility I was not ready for. I would rather face the barrel of a gun than navigate the cutthroat world of the Pairi. Now the Council is breathing down my neck. They think they can force me to their will. I paid a high price the last time I bent to another's will and I swore I would never do it again. If or when I seal myself again is now my decision and right now, the idea is not all that appealing. But the human who could pass for my dead mate stirs something in me. Something I never thought I would feel for anyone. I want her and I'm willing to go to war for her.

Kai Montgomery
Species: Human
Age: 23

Likes: I have a weakness for chocolate.
Dislikes: People who don't leave a tip.

Personal Quote: "...If you're a good enough card player 
you can change the hand you're dealt..."

I've been coasting through life since I graduated from college, which is probably why I haven't made much of an effort to use that fancy degree of mine. I'm still waitressing at the diner. The job's not all that bad, I met my best friend and room-mate working there and now there's this cute guy who keeps coming around. I'm not above flirting with him but I know nothing will come of it. I'm a realist and guys like him don't go for girls like me. But I can't help the attraction I feel for him. It's like I'm drawn to him. I should probably be afraid of these feels I have, hell I should probably be afraid of him. Behind his easy smile and piercing blue eyes, I know he's dangerous, but still....I can't help it. I've always had a weakness for bad boys, and even in his expensive suits, he just screams trouble.

Liebster Award

Yeah! It's exciting to be nominated for an award, especially when you're new to blogging. Thank you so much Marit TRH!

The rules are as following: 

1. Each nominee should answer the 11 questions by the tagger.
2. Choose five bloggers with under 200 followers to pass this award to link them in your post.
3. Create 11 new questions for your chosen bloggers.
4. Go to their page and tell them about the nomination.
5. No tag backs.

Marit TRH questions were:

1. What was the main motivation for you to start blogging? 

Self preservation. I needed an outlet for my thoughts and stories or my head would have exploded.

2. What blog post are you especially proud of?

My first, because it was the beginning.

3. What blog post are you now almost a little embarrassed having posted?  

I haven't posted enough to be embarrassed by any yet.

4. What do you serve the first time you invite your date for dinner at your place? 

I don't cook and I don't order in.

5. Chocolate or vanilla?

Vanilla.

6. Do you remember what was the first book you bought for your own money? And why did you choose that book? 

    I can't remember but I'm sure it was a historical romance. I like reading about knights with swords on horses, ladies in long flowing dresses and castles.

7.What's your favourite holiday?

Any day I don't have to go to work.

8. Describe how a blog post is usually written by you (I want to know the whole process). 

    I don't have process, except maybe, I just write what I feel.

9. Your favourite colour? 

Black.

10. What beauty product can't you live without? 

Shampoo.

11. Describe yourself with 3 words.

      Ambitious, loyal, reserve

My questions are:

1.  Why do you blog?

2 . What do you hate most about blogging?

3.  What do you like to do in your free time?

4.  Cake or ice-cream?

5.  Dog or cat person?

6.  Favourite book/author?

7.  Favourite movie?

8.  Favourite guilty junk food?

9. What country would you like to most visit?

10. Your opinion on The Immortal Instrument movie verses the book.

11. Your opinion on The Twilight movies verses the books.

My nominees are:

Laura @ Trips Down Imagination Road

Linda @ Twisted Bloodlines

Luna @ My Lower Case Life

Joy @ Aspiring Joy

Kimber @ Kimber Leigh Wheaton

My Naughty Thought : Who's Sexier - The Dark Brooder or The Golden God

In my love affair with romance novels, I've notice two types of heroes. The Batman type; dark, mysterious, tortured soul and the fun-loving, carefree, playboy sun god like Thor. So I began to wonder....just how rigid are us readers in what we find sexy in our hero. I've poured over many novels and can't remember a red-haired hero. Is a ginger sexy?

Me, I'm a Dark Knight chick myself. I like the smoky, mysterious look. A little darkness and danger in my leading man does it for me. Looks and personality, the darker the hotter. It's beyond sexy when the heroine finally breaks through his wall and makes the hero realize he doesn't want to live another moment without her in his life. I find myself having more of a connection to the hero that has a little more depth to who he is and why he is the way he is. I feel for him and the BS he's been through. I become so invested in him finally finding his happiness that I get frustrated when he screws it up. A hero who's had a perfect life seems a little shallow to me.

In all the romance novels I've read, only two heroes have really struck a chord with me. They both hail from the same series, The Black Dagger Brotherhood. I'm talking about Zsadist and Qhinn. If you've read their stories and didn't feel even a small twinge then you're just cold.

I guess my inclination towards the bad boys has coloured my writing and that's probably why all the male characters in my paranormal romance series have the darker personality. They may not all have the dark hair, dark eyes, but they all have a dark air about them. They all have issues in their pass that they're going to have to deal with.

Now my preference towards tall, dark and dangerous doesn't mean I don't like the other side of the coin.  I mean come on, Chris Hemsworth is droll over, to die for, drop dead gorgeous, and that accent...yum...anyway...Was I the only one who found Tim Hiddleston sexy as Loki in Avengers. I think I may have a thing for "bad" boys.

So when it comes to your taste in leading men are you the dark brooder type or the golden god?

And that's my naughty thoughts on hunky heroes.

Later Loveys

P.S. Don't forget to share this post if you liked it

My Naughty Thoughts : Sex Outside the Romance Novel

In my last post I posed the question as to whether or not we read romance novels for the sex or the story. Myself, I enjoy a good story. I find fulfillment whether or not the romance has sex, as long as I can connect with the characters and their story. But I would be lying if I didn't admit that the sex has left a mark on me.  It altered my perception of reality and what I should really have expected, outside the romance novel.

I was a naive, impressionable, virginal teenager when I began my foray into the romance genre. I kissed my first boy at the age of twelve and hadn't had my first sexual experience until I was eighteen. Somewhere in-between those years, after reading countless romance novels, I had given myself a false expectation of sex. Lesson learnt; virgins with over active imaginations shouldn't read romance novels.

What was I to think? with my innocent self. None of the heroines I have read about ever complained about the sex. Bad sex doesn't exist in romance land. Even when the hero was a virgin he magically seemed to know what to do to take the heroine to the heights of ecstasy. So forgive my naiveté for believing that sex was always good. No, not good, Tony the Tiger, grrrrrreat. 

I can't say I was disappointed when I finally took my nose out of the books. Just a little disillusioned. I thought after so much studying I would have been an A+ student. I thought my sex life would be like a romance novel, intense, fiery and a little dirty, but instead I found myself stiff and self-conscious.  It was a rocky road for me getting comfortable in my own skin. How do you go from being a virgin on one page to a freak in the sheets on another? After more than a decade I'm still not there yet.

Although I've never had bad sex, I've never had sex on the level of a really good romance novel either. Now am I talking about the physical bed play or the emotional connection that make for great sex. Does either even exist?

And am I setting up any future partner I'm with to fall short of my overly romanticized expectations? If he's not a strong, powerful man who's a force of nature in bed will he not measure up in my mind? Am I going to have something good, but still want for just a little bit more?

One more thing, have you ever noticed how in every novel fifteen minutes after they're done, the lovers are at it again. Is that even possible?

And that's my naughty thoughts on sex outside the romance novels.

Later Loveys

P.S. Don't forget to share this post if you liked it.