The Literary Noob.: paranormal romance

Monday, February 9, 2015

[BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY] Phasms: Captive Potential, by Barbara Garren

Book: Captive Potential

Author: Barbara Garren

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Goodreads Book Link

Ahhh, finally! The return of "Phasms Spasms" as I like to call it, for good reason. My lovely friend Barb has given birth to another delicious baby.

Okay, that just sounds weird. But you know what I mean, I hope.

We have the return of our sexy heroes from book one, to include some interesting surprises.

I have to say that I really enjoyed the revelation of "loose-canon Aiden". Seems like everyone's got their little secrets though, and (without giving too much away), it's as though every chapter has at least one WTF moment. It was both interesting and surprising to discover and unlock the reasons for distrust and mis- (or lack of) communication. It was scary and shocking to learn all this new weird shit, and now I'm even more wary of the power of dreams (and wondering whether or not it makes a difference if they're drug-induced :P)

I have to say that I'm a fan of the casual references to current pop culture as well. Definitely makes the story more relatable and connects it with a modern readership.

It's been said before and I'll say it again, but Barb has a pretty awesome way of crafting a unique paranormal story that isn't your standard, run-of-the-mill paranormal. I've honestly never read any other book that involves anything like "phasms" or even a similar concept.

(Okay I just googled it and apparently a phasm is some weird D&D creature...but I promise you, Barb's phasms are WAY different - and way sexier!)

Well done! Read on for some juicy tid-bits....

(Also, no joke, I think I have about 2 or 3 copies of this book now in various forms.)

Synopsis

Everything in Kelsi's life feels more like The End, rather than the Happily-Ever-After she anticipated with her prince, Aiden Hardt. She and Aiden are fighting. Again. His daughter Bryn wakes them screaming every night. By day Bryn is bright and bubbly, but at night her dreams are filled with a distant land, a dark-haired man, and a threat Kelsi couldn't foresee. Even her best friend Sarah is miserable.

Tossed between multiple planes of existence, Kelsi must overcome the barriers in her heart and mind to save those she loves: her friend, her lover, and the child she thinks of as her own.

Even if providing them a chance for their own Ever After spells the end for her.

Excerpt

“My love for Aiden is a deep, red pulse, burning with a slow and steady warmth that assuaged my loss, seeping to my very core, bleeding into every pore, every fiber of who I am, until I can’t breathe, can’t move can’t be without him near.”

Author Bio

I'm a writer, a reader and a frequenter of the more charming sites in town, namely pubs. I've travelled a bit. Lived a few places. Known a few men. It all ends up in a story sooner or later.

San Diego is home these days and my life is ruled by Charlie the Dog, a Valkyrie muse named Prue and a husband who buys me scotch. What more can a girl ask for?

Social Links

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter:@bak229

Buy Links

Amazon US

Amazon UK

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Infinite Potential

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Giveaway

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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

[BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY] Phasms: Infinite Potential, by Barbara Garren

Book: Infinite Potential

Author: Barbara Garren

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Kelsi always knows when bad things are coming, but even she never thought she’d lose her husband at only twenty-three. Since he died, she’s been living her worst nightmare. Her nights are filled with dreams of a Dark Haired Man, but her days are full of guilt, because the Man fills her with longing and confusion, promising to give her all she needs, all she wants, all she feared she’d never have again. If only the dreams would stay in her head where they belong. Kelsi starts seeing the Dark Haired Man in her waking life, shadowing her wherever she goes. And when her mysterious new neighbor, Aiden Hardt, knows about the Man in her dreams, Kelsi worries she can’t trust her own mind. "He’s not what he seems." But even Aiden’s cryptic words don’t frighten her as much as the way she feels around him. Kelsi must sort through her emotions and figure out what’s real before she can ever hope to have a normal life again.

I'm a writer, a reader and a frequenter of the more charming sites in town, namely pubs.

Born and raised in Southern California, I left to explore the world courtesy of the U.S. Navy. I've lived in San Francisco, New York and Norfolk, Virginia, but prefer to call San Diego home these days, with my husband, Henry (the inspiration for all the romance).

When not working on my next novel or reading a good book, I can be found running after my grandchildren, my dog and my sanity.

I believe a well-rounded diet consists of coffee, scotch, chocolate, popcorn and Luna Bars - in that order - and have been accused of violating grammar and etiquette rules in at least seven countries. My Muse is a Valkyrie named Prue, so look out.

Okay, I was asked to share the top 5 things you never would have guessed about me. This might be painful, but here goes:

1 I’m deathly afraid of clowns, puppets, masks and heights. Not in that order. I don’t know where the fear of clowns, puppets and masks comes from. I have a friend who is a psychologist and she says it’s a combination of my complete transparency, coupled with the difficulty I have seeing past the subterfuge of others. I’m not sure – I used to love the clowns at the circus. As for the height thing – that’s interesting, considering fact number 2…

2 I learned how to fly an airplane before I learned how to drive a car. Flying doesn’t affect my fear of heights. I love flying. I grew up flying with my Dad and he taught my brother and I how to fly as soon as we were able to see over the nose of the plane! So, maybe it’s not really a fear of heights, but a fear of being on the edge, teetering on the precipice?

3 I began my career in the Navy as a welder. Really! I was darn good at it too! My grandfather taught me how to weld (a little bit) when I was a little girl and I love the magic of joining metal together. I’m a bit of a metal geek (okay, a LOT of a metal geek) and the whole process still fascinates me. I quickly moved on to inspection and testing after suffering a nasty burn welding on a pipe on a ship in the Bay of Oman, but that’s a story for another day!

4 My iPod would probably have you scratching your head in confusion. I have opera, operetta’s (Gilbert & Sullivan), classical music, country, pop, rap, new wave, rock and roll, heavy metal – you name it. Most of my playlists are a real mash-up of genre, rhythm and tone. Whatever sets the mood best! I tend to gravitate toward darker, more melancholy songs when I’m really in “writing” mode. It helps me reach all those feelings!

5 I am possibly one of the most socially awkward and shy people you will ever meet, I’ve just learned to hide it well. I drag my husband to all the professional social functions I’m required to attend and he pushes me into other types of events, but I’m quite the wall-flower at heart. I can never figure out what to say or do and am terrified of glomming on to the ONE person who talks to me and never letting them go! With that said, once I know you and feel comfortable with you, I’m a firm believer in tackle hugs!