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New Release Book Tour: CAGED by J.A.Belfield Plus a #Giveaway! #Paranormal #romance #HollowayPack
Welcome to my stop on the CAGED Blog Tour. Thanks for coming by.
I cannot tell you all how excited I am about this particular release. Not only is the author, J.A.Belfield a good friend, but I have been trying to patiently wait for Ethan Holloway’s first tale with some relish. (He is just soooo dreamy — as you will see when you read it)
Anyway, here is the Low-down on the most recent release in the Holloway Pack series,
CAGED
by J.A. Belfield
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Publisher: J. Taylor Publishing
Blurb: If the meek can become deadly, the strongest can be weak.
For Ethan Holloway, his mission to find a missing werewolf should be simple. Crack a few heads, bust a few chops and the solution always reveals itself. Always.
Not this time.
Ethan’s reputation precedes him, and because it does, someone is ready. Waiting. Unbeknownst to Ethan, he’s about to go down. Hard. Against a foe he never suspected and in a world he never imagined could be real.
What awaits Ethan is a fight not only for his reputation, but also his pack, his female, and his life. If he survives, damage control will become priority number one.
If he survives.
Because even Ethan’s not sure he’s strong enough to take on an entire race all by himself.
Especially one hell bent on exposing who and what he is in the name of sport.
BUY LINKS:
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And if that isn’t quite enough to whet your appetite for Ethan, have a look at this trailer!
Excerpt:
“… from the Shropshire area. Following Carly McDowd’s disappearance on the fourth, and Andrew Doherty’s on the seventh, this is the third incident this month …”
I turned from the square-jawed newswoman on TV to Dad, where he sat in his corner armchair.
His attention remained on the screen, a frown across his brow.
“… the duo of friends were first reported missing late last night by their parents, after they discovered neither of the teenagers …” The newscaster’s voice infiltrated once more.
Images of a couple of lads flashed side by side on the screen. The one on the left had the appearance of any late teen, with shaggy overgrown hair and the twinkle of mischief in his expression.
From the other image, brilliant blue eyes stared out at me from beneath a shock of pale blond curls.
“Oh, shit!” I pushed to my feet, took a step forward. “That’s …”
“Nineteen year old Gabriel Lewis was believed by his mother to be staying at Colum Delaney’s since Friday evening, whilst Colum’s parents …”
Dad stood, his fingers retracting his mobile from his jeans pocket as I worked my own out. He paused, nodded to me. “Go on. You make the call, Ethan.”
Shelley Lewis’s number had been saved in my phone book since the beginning of the year, right after we met for the first time. I hit dial and paced to the window. September sunshine, of the early morning variety, blinded me as my phone rang.
It took only a few trills for her to answer. “Ethan?” Her voice held hope, as well as a heavy weariness and the thickness of tears.
“Is it true?” I’d promised to support her—a lone parent, a female no less, raising a werewolf son with no guidance. So far, I’d delivered on that promise.
The sob hitting my ear gave confirmation enough. “Oh, Ethan.”
“Hold tight, Shelley. I’m on my way.”
“I’ll come with you,” Dad said, as I hung up and spun to him. “Shout Sean, too—in case we need to do any scouting. I think I heard him stir upstairs.”
“What about Connor’s lot?” The Larsen’s made up the other half of our eight-wolf pack, but lived separately to us on the south side of the forest.
Dad shook his head. “I’ll update Connor whilst you deal with Sean—”
“And Jem?” I asked with a lifted eyebrow.
Dad’s lips twitched, but he continued as though he hadn’t noticed my reference to his buck-passing. “Just the three of us will go. Connor and his boys can spend the morning here and stay close to Jem and your mother unless we need them.”
* * * * *
Yup… gotta have it. And, the good news is that the author is giving you a few chances to WIN it. She is hosting a big group giveaway through Rafflecopter. SHe is giving away all sorts of SWAG prizes, so you should check it out. You can get in on that by clicking the link here: RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Also, I am giving away an eBook copy of CAGED and a signed Bookmark to one lucky visitor of this blog. To qualify for that prize, you just need to post a comment below telling me why you want to read CAGED (as well as your email address so we can reach you if chosen as the winner). One winner will be chosen at random on Friday, August 23rd from all entrants and announced here that day.
About the Author: One day, a character and scene popped into J. A. Belfield’s head, and she started controlling the little people inside her imagination, as though she were the puppet master and they her toys. Questions arose: What would happen if …? How would they react if …? Who would they meet if …?
Before she knew it, a singular scene had become an entire movie. The characters she controlled began to hold conversations. Their actions reflected the personalities she bestowed upon them. Within no time, they had a life, a lover, a foe, family … they had Become.
One day, she wrote down her thoughts. She’s yet to stop.
J. A. Belfield lives in Solihull, England, with her husband, two children, four cats and a dog. She writes paranormal romance, with a second love for urban fantasy.
She also book blogs over at Bookaroo-Ju.
Links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
During the Caged Tour, Blue Moon: Holloway Pack 2 is on SALE!
Grab YOUR copy for only $.99
Cover Reveal: Caged by J.A.Belfield (@jabelfield)
It’s been a while since I have had a chance to share my cover whore status and participate in cover reveal, and I have to say, my first one of 2013 is a real winner. I really, really LOVE this cover, and I can tell you, since I was a beta reader for this one in the beginning stages, the cover truly suits the story perfectly.
As a fan of the Holloway Pack stories, I am most excited about this next release as it focuses on one of my favorites, Ethan *yummy*
Caged
A Holloway Pack Story (#3)
by J.A. Belfield
Release Date: August 5, 2013
Target Reader: Adult
Keywords: Romantic, Urban Fantasy, Werewolf
Back of the Book
If the meek can become deadly, the strongest can be weak.
For Ethan Holloway, his mission to find a missing werewolf should be simple. Crack a few heads, bust a few chops and the solution always reveals itself. Always.
Not this time.
Ethan’s reputation precedes him, and because it does, someone is ready. Waiting. Unbeknownst to Ethan, he’s about to go down. Hard. Against a foe he never suspected and in a world he never imagined could be real.
What awaits Ethan is a fight not only for his reputation, but also his pack, his female, and his life. If he survives, damage control will become priority number one.
If he survives.
Because even Ethan’s not sure he’s strong enough to take on an entire race all by himself.
Especially one hell bent on exposing who and what he is in the name of sport.
URL: http://www.jtaylorpublishing.com/books/29
Other Novels in this series include:
Darkness & Light (#1)
Blue Moon (#2)
In-between release novellas include:
Instinct (#0)
Eternal (#.5)
Resonance (#2.5)
Make Believe Blog Tour: A Interview with Contributing Author, J.A. Belfield
Continuing with my Blog Tour posts for the MAKE BELIEVE Blog Tour, today I have managed to snag an interview with author, J.A. Belfield. Her story, Escort to Insanity is the featured tale in the anthology.
To see my full review of the anthology, go HERE.
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by, Ms. Belfield. I’ll try not to ply you with too many questions (yeah, right).
Which of the characters in your current release is your favorite? Why?
Ack. I dunno. I mean, I love Benjamin and Cole. Love how they gel and that they kind of get thrust together through circumstance beyond their control. But, if I were to look at the characters on a long term potential basis, I’d have to say I also love Cole’s best friend and housemate Kellie, for the light relief I know she’ll bring to intense aftermaths, and Rufus King, for the trouble I suspect he’d be capable of causing for the duo. 😉
Are any of your characters modeled after real people? If so, which ones?
Never. I sometimes study relationship dynamics and translate those to the page, but I never totally base a character on someone I know. It wouldn’t be fair. Though I did get pretty close in Blue Moon, my novel that just released, when a friend’s daughter asked me for a part in the book, so I made a character look like her and stole her name—but I’d never do that for a big part character who’s personality needs portraying to the max.
Morning person or grumpy bear?
Grumpy bear. Just ask my kids if you don’t believe me. And never expect conversation pre-caffeine.
Actually, the worst times are when Mr B decides we’re going to wake up at stupid o’clock to go on holiday so we’ll miss the traffic, and he wakes up all bubbly and excited and hyper and so damn annoying to someone who can only just about manage grunts and scowls and a whole lotta lip curling.
What is the one thing about the book publishing process that has surprised you the most?
I think the biggest surprise (and most likely not just to me) is discovering just how hard it is to gain a ‘reach’, to get that ball rolling so that folk are taking enough notice of your work to start spreading the word, and those folk start spreading the word, and so on and so on. It’s a domino run you need to make bigger, but getting hold of the dominos you need is the tricky bit. Once that starts happening, though, it’s pretty awesome. So persevere. No matter how big this obstacle seems.
What is next for you?
Well, I’m mostly known for writing the Holloway Pack series, and my short story for the Make Believe anthology was more of a side project for a change of scenery. However, although I still have a few Holloway Pack titles to write, I will admit I’m intrigued enough about Benjamin and Cole from Escort to Insanity that the early drip feed of ideas has started trickling through for a trilogy for the two of them. And it’s no secret, I’m also itching to try my hand at some YA. 🙂
Do you have any unique skills or talents? If so, what?
I can still do cartwheels at age 40. Does that count?
What is the oddest question you’ve been asked with respect to your story?
I haven’t had anything wonky for Escort to Insanity, but I have been asked a few times by peeps I know who’ve read Darkness & Light if I’ve based all of the intimate scenes on personal experience. They ask Mr B, too. His answer: Yep. My answer: 
Tell us something about your story in Make Believe we won’t find in the back cover blurb?
Um … it has way more paranormal elements than the blurb leads you to believe. But, hey, this is one of my stories we’re talking about. 😉
Here is the skinny on Ms. Belfield’s story, ESCORT TO INSANITY
Blurb: From a charity auction, to a stroll in the park, to the craziest night of her life. Nicole Harrington can’t help but wonder how a simple event went so drastically wrong.
Of course, the male escort she booked is wholly to blame. Not only charming but shrewdly intelligent, Benjamin Gold drags Nicole into a platoon of unimaginable problems—ones from which she’ll have to find the courage just to survive.
Author Bio: One day, a character and scene popped into J. A. Belfield’s head, and she started controlling the little people inside her imagination, as though she were the puppet master and they her toys. Questions arose: What would happen if …? How would they react if …? Who would they meet if …? Before she knew it, a singular scene had become an entire movie. The characters she controlled began to hold conversations. Their actions reflected the personalities she bestowed upon them. Within no time, they had a life, a lover, a foe, family … they had Become.
One day, she wrote down her thoughts. She’s yet to stop.
J. A. Belfield lives in Solihull, England, with her husband, two children, three cats and a dog. She writes paranormal romance, with a second love for urban fantasy.
Stalking Links:
J.A. Belfield Blog | Bookaroo-Ju Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Make Believe Blog Tour: A 4 Star Review! #anthology #review
Make Believe by J.A. Belfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars (4.5 Stars Actually)
Sacrificial Oath – Terri Rochenski (4 Stars)
After reading the entire anthology, I really feel this story is the perfect place to start out from. The story has a strong fable feel to it and I can definitely see where the cover image inspired the story. Some great references to the red so prevalent in the image throughout the tale. The well-written story follows the MC, Alesuela as she comes to grips with the sacrifice she has to make for the good of her father, the King, and their people. I don’t do spoilers in my reviews, so I wont give more plot detail than that, but I will say the internal conflict was well done, and Alesuela’s emotions really shine through. Overall, I would have preferred a bit more “action”, but this tale seemed to be more morality “fairy tale” based than most fantasy, which was a nice change of pace.
The Amulet of Ormisez – J. Keller Ford (4 Stars)
As most of you know, I am a huge fan of selkie tales, so I had a special place in my heart for this story. Like the opening tale, this one was set in a more traditional historical fantasy backdrop and focused on the story of two brothers, Elton and Cayden Fletcher. The author does a tremendous job with the characterizations of the two brothers, and as a reader, I felt drawn into the conflict unfolding and invested in the characters and their journey. The ending sweet and the potential relationship for Elton was a nice touch, though I did feel everything worked out a little too perfectly and fortuitously. Overall, a satisfying little story.
Birthright – Lynda R. Young (4 stars)
The third story in the anthology was decidedly different from the previous two, with a more “supernatural” feel to it, which was a nice surprise for me. The story held my attention and I was intrigued by the mystery of Christa’s heritage from beginning to end. I did feel some of the events in the story went a bit too quickly for me to really “believe” it, and I think I might have liked this one a little more had it been a bit longer and the story more drawn out. The author could have easily made this one into a satisfying novel, in my opinion.
Petrified – Kelly Said (4.5 Stars)
I really enjoyed this tale snuggled at the center of the anthology. Kelly Said does a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the world of her main character, a young healer named Locklyn. Here is another story in the anthology I think could have easily been made longer, mostly because the world building was so strong, the intrigue so intense, I wanted to know more about the world the author introduced to us here. I also felt the romantic relationship progressed a bit swiftly for my tastes, but the way the rest of the story was weaved more than made up for that small shortcoming. Plus, I just love me a strong female lead 🙂
Last Winter Red – Jennifer M. Eaton (5 Stars)
I think this has to be my favorite story in the book. I really enjoyed the more dystopian feel to this one, and I found the twist up at the end to be just perfect for the tale. It is rare to find a good dystopian in short form as there is generally so much world building necessary to really pull it off well. In this instance, I found the back story to be just enough to keep me intrigued and wondering while not boring me with useless details for the sake of story length. I would be interested in reading more about this world Ms. Eaton creates for us in this one.
Escort To Insanity – J.A. Belfield (5 stars)
The final tale in this anthology comes from the author of the Holloway Pack series, J.A.Belfield, and the story contains all the things I have come to expect from Ms. Belfield’s writing. The main character, Cole (short for Nicole) decides to hire an escort to take her to a party she doesn’t really want to attend. While this short does not involved the famed Holloway pack, it does involve shifters. The action and suspense were nicely peppered throughout the story and the voice is spot on. I really enjoyed this one despite thinking I would miss the focus of the story being on Jem and Sean from the Pack. A great ending to the anthology!
Cover Reveal: Resonance by J.A. Belfield (@JABelfield) #Coverreveal
Today I managed to score another fantastic cover reveal. This one is for J.A. Belfield’s newest release, the next book in her popular Holloway Pack series, Resonance.
Resonance
A Holloway Pack Story #2.5
by J.A. Belfield
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Target Reader: Adult
Keywords: Urban Fantasy, Werewolf
Back of the Book
Guilt is a heavy burden for the one carrying it.
Jem Stonehouse is no exception to this rule.
What if she’d acted sooner? What if she’d fully recognised the threat? What if she hadn’t allowed the male pack members to head into the witches’ ambush?
For one, youngest pack member Josh Larsen wouldn’t be trapped in the sleep of the dead.
Now, Jem is convinced it’s her job to bring him back to life no matter what it takes— learning more about her heritage, risking pack exposure, or travelling to places she couldn’t have imagined possible.
Even if the journey endangers her soul.
URL: http://www.jtaylorpublishing.com/books/27
Other Books in this series include:
Instinct (#0)
Eternal (#.5)
Darkness & Light (#1)
Blue Moon (#2) (Coming December 3, 2012)
I gotta say, I really, really like this cover. So much angst. Just can’t wait to dive in and see what Ms. Belfield has in store this time.
How about you? What do you think about the cover? Does it fit the story description? Can’t wait to see what you all think.
Could You Give Up Your Independence For Love? Guest Post by Julie Belfield (@Jabelfield) #blogtour #Eternal
In celebration of Independence Day here in America, I thought it would be sorta fun to lasso UK native author, Julie Belfield for a guest post on the basic theme of Independence. Ms. Belfield, always a good sport, readily agreed to stop in and share her thoughts on independence as it relates to her upcoming release, Eternal. 
Without further ado and delays, I present you with Ms. Julie Belfield.
COULD YOU GIVE UP YOUR INDEPENDENCE FOR LOVE?
Well, could you?
How about if that loss of independence was what kept you safe?
I’m talking about paranormal romance, of course.
I mean, a human woman meets a supernatural dude and suddenly finds herself thrust into a world where she’s seriously weaker than most she encounters … it would a dangerous situation to find yourself in.
Right?
And if said supernatural dude is worth his salt, he’d do his damnedest to keep you safe.
Right?
But just how much of the reins would you be willing to hand over to him when it came to protection? To lay that amount of your trust in one person would undoubtedly strip away a little of your independence, right?
But what if that was your best chance of staying alive?
What if that was the only way you could stay with the one you love?
It wouldn’t have to mean flinging yourself into his arms like a damsel in distress at every sign of danger. It wouldn’t have to mean being locked in a padded cell to avoid all possible self-damaging situations. Nor would it mean never seeing the light of day again, or being denied the right to pick up heavy boxes, or being refused time in the kitchen lest you break a nail, or answering the front door should somebody call, or getting to go shopping and spending quality time with friends or family …
However … just supposing you’d become the only female, living within pack of male werewolves who would go to the ends of the earth to protect you like the prized gem you are?
Meet Jem Stonehouse. I’ve just described her life. Yet, somehow, she’s still happy.
Could you be?
Or would living by rules you didn’t get to make drive you nuts?
Happy (belated) Independence Day to all the American folks, by the way.
~J
Makes you want to add the book to your Goodreads TBR pile right this second, doesn’t it? Well, what are you waiting for? Here’s the LINK — DO EET!
Thanks for visiting with us, Julie, and much success with the new novel in the Holloway Pack series.
You can learn more about Julie Belfield, and her fabulous books on her website.
Cover Reveal: Make Believe (Various Authors) #CoverReveal #eBook #Anthology
Make Believe
by J.A. Belfield, Jennifer M. Eaton, J. Keller Ford, Terri Rochenski, Kelly Said, Lynda R. Young
Release Date: December 3, 2012
Target Reader: Adult
Keywords: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Romance
Back of the Book
Sacrificial Oath by Terri Rochenski
An impetuous act unwittingly makes Alesuela the fulfillment of the Sovereign’s Blood Oath to their Goddess. In five days, she’ll be forced to make the greatest choice of her life: become the virginal sacrifice already promised, or force the man she loves most to die in her place.
With an impossible choice in front of her, she searches for ways to undo the oath, and in her quest, finds not everything in her life is as she expects.
The Amulet of Ormisez by J. Keller Ford
There is only one way to save Elton Fletcher’s brother from an insanity-ridden death.
After years away from home, fighting for his people, Elton returns to discover his only sibling, Cayden, possessed by greed and malice, and responsible for malicious, unthinkable deeds. Cayden, though, isn’t the only one afflicted by the Amulet of Ormisez, and Elton finds himself in yet another battle, where the price of failure could be his own life.
Birthright by Lynda R. Young
Christa can mask the pain and hide the scars, but running from a birthright is impossible.
She’s tried to escape her grief by fleeing to a small town in Florida. Much to her frustration, the locals think they recognize her even though she’s never been there before. To make things worse, a man named Jack spouts outrageous theories about her.
Both spur Christa to bolt, to start fresh yet again, but there’s something about Jack that intrigues her enough to stay. The only problem? Someone else wants her to leave, and they won’t stop until she’s dead.
Petrified by Kelly Said
A mysterious storm has replaced summer with winter, devastating crops and smothering Castle lands in snow. Prince Sterling August stands alone as a leader, lost in personal grief as well as a desire to help his people but with an inability to do either.
The answers he needs await him, but without Lochlyn, a woman who’s just as isolated as Sterling, he’ll never see what stands before him, cloaked in illusion.
Last Winter Red by Jennifer M. Eaton
Emily is a Red, a woman whose sole purpose in life is to produce offspring. When her husband dies and leaves her childless, she risks her life and forsakes the safety of Terra—a disease-free city born after the nuclear holocaust. Beyond its boundaries, she knows, survives a man with whom she can be properly paired.
The Outside, though, holds secrets the government struggles to keep, and what Emily discovers on her quest for a mate will change her life forever.
Escort to Insanity by J.A. Belfield
From a charity auction, to a stroll in the park, to the craziest night of her life. Nicole Harrington can’t help but wonder how a simple event went so drastically wrong.
Of course, the male escort she booked is wholly to blame. Not only charming but shrewdly intelligent, Benjamin Gold drags Nicole into a platoon of unimaginable problems—ones from which she’ll have to find the courage just to survive.
Cover Re-Reveal: Darkness and Light by J.A. Belfield (@jabelfield) #CoverReveal #Ebook #PNR
Darkness & Light
A Holloway Pack Story
by J.A. Belfield
Release Date: July 1, 2011
ebook Re-Release Date: June 1, 2012 (with bonus scene content!)
Target Reader: Adult
Keywords: Paranormal Romance, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Werewolf
Back of the Book
Jem Stonehouse, a housewife with a neurotic husband bent on keeping her in line, dreams about werewolves in, what she believes, is a bid to escape boredom.
Sean Holloway is a werewolf, living a charade within the human race, whose mind drifts to a bond he shares with a woman he hasn’t met — at least, not in this lifetime.
Apart, the two are safe but live unfulfilled lives.
Together, they’ll become prey to rival packs just as they have been for hundreds of years.
When their worlds collide, and not for the first time, instinct takes over. Dreams become reality. Futures are uncertain. To keep history from repeating itself, Sean must teach Jem about his heritage, convince her of her role, and win her love.
Can Jem accept her destiny before it’s too late, or is her inner wolf buried too deep to save her future with Sean?
Bonus!
The re-release of the Darkness & Light ebook will include three bonus scenes from Sean Holloway’s perspective.
Double Bonus!
For the month of June (June 1 – 30, 2012), Darkness & Light will be on sale for just $.99 USD.
URL: http://www.jtaylorpublishing.com/books/1
Other Books in this series include:
Instinct (#0)
Eternal (#0.5)
Blue Moon (#2)
You can find my review of Darkness and Light HERE
A review of Eternal by J.A. Belfield
Eternal by J.A. Belfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read Darkness and Light, the first novel in the Holloway Pack series, so I was really interested to see what this prequel novella had in store for me. I was not the least bit disappointed.
In this short, we meet the original Sean and Jem (circa 1800’s). If you read Darkness and Light, you understand what that means. I really enjoyed getting a look at the beginning of the Sean/Jem saga, and seeing how that first pair managed to “make it”.
I love the Sean in this one and how adorably gruff he is. I particularly liked the way he was so afraid of Jem’s mom when he was trying to muster the courage to ask for her hand in marriage. Ms. Belfield did a great job sinking the reader into the historical 1800s setting and dealt with the…
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Book Review: Eternal by J.A. Belfield (@jabelfield) #PNR #novella #hollowaypack
Eternal by J.A. Belfield
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read Darkness and Light, the first novel in the Holloway Pack series, so I was really interested to see what this prequel novella had in store for me. I was not the least bit disappointed.
In this short, we meet the original Sean and Jem (circa 1800’s). If you read Darkness and Light, you understand what that means. I really enjoyed getting a look at the beginning of the Sean/Jem saga, and seeing how that first pair managed to “make it”.
I love the Sean in this one and how adorably gruff he is. I particularly liked the way he was so afraid of Jem’s mom when he was trying to muster the courage to ask for her hand in marriage. Ms. Belfield did a great job sinking the reader into the historical 1800s setting and dealt with the moral codes (they are together and not married in the 1800’s — oh the scandal!!) and attitudes in the time period with an accuracy that rang true to me. The author throws in a stranger interested in the unique Jem (female werewolves are rare and coveted) to keep up wondering how it will all come out in the end. The suitor tries being nice and seducing Jem away from Sean, and when that doesn’t work… well that’s when things get complicated.
I’m not one to post spoilers in my reviews, so I will leave it at that. If you want to know more, pick up the novella and give it a read.
I was able to devour this is a few short sittings, which is perfect for my hectic schedule. I thoroughly enjoyed this love story and would recommend this novella to anyone who enjoys historical romance or anyone who has read any of the other books in the Holloway Pack series by J.A. Belfield.
Bex Book Nook 