RELEASE DAY BLITZ: The First Life of Vikram Roy by Laxmi Hariharan

About the Book:

His family is being held to ransom by a deadly mastermind. 

Vikram never should have left his family, but when Vikram's father brings his half-brother Vishal home, life will never be the same. Vikram thinks things will be better now that he's gone. He's met the love of his life, his future looks bright and then everything is shattered. Now, his family's life is hanging in the balance, and only Vikram can do what needs to be done to save them. From the bestselling dystopian fiction author with over 200 reviews and ratings of her dystopia books across Goodreads, Amazon and other retailers. 

If you’re looking for books like Hunger Games, then this dystopia romance series, The Ruby Iyer Series is it.


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An exclusive excerpt and GIVEAWAY from The First Life of Vikram Roy

The Ruby Iyer Series—by Laxmi Hariharan

Ash and I have agreed whoever shows up late for cricket practice has to roll out the pitch—and roll it back up after practice. And so, here I am, on the pitch— just rolled out by Ash—ready to bat. I watch her run in for the next ball. When she raises her arm her shirt stretches firmly across her chest, outlining her breasts. I can't see the shape of her nipples at this distance, but torture myself for a second imagining what they would look like, if she wasn't wearing that shirt. The ball hits the uneven pitch and bounces at me. I manage to duck just in time so it flies over me rather than at my face. I look up to find Ash grinning. 

"Well played." She gives me a thumbs-up sign.

"You mean well avoided, right?" I walk across the pitch to hand over the bat and the batting pads we wear to protect our legs. "I don't get why we don't wear helmets during practice?"

"Scared, Vik?" She dares me to contradict her. 

She likes pushing me to my limit. Constantly testing me. As if she's seeing how much I can take before I hit back. It turns me on. Or maybe I just like being tortured by her. 

"No. Just being careful," I reply.

I take the ball from her and grip it between my fingers the way she's been teaching me. 

"Wow, you sure like to live by the rules, don't you?" Her voice is bored.

"No, just don't want to be stupid." I try to raise an eyebrow at her. It's something I have picked up from Tenzin. I've seen him use the same expression with great effect. It makes him look cool and aloof, yet sexy. Or so I've heard the girls whisper.

"What are you trying to do?" She looks confused.

"Uh! Nothing." I obviously need to practise more in front of a mirror. I walk to the end of the clearing in preparation for my run-up. "Ready?" I yell to where Ash is taking guard. 

When she nods, I run onto the pitch and bowl. The ball bounces off a rough patch and goes full tilt at her. Ha! Ash is getting a taste of her own medicine.

The next moment, I am running towards her fallen figure. The ball has grazed her head, before flying over the wickets and into the woods beyond. No. No. I didn't mean for that to happen. I hope she's okay. Please, please let her not be hurt. My heart is beating so fast now I can hear the blood pump in my ears. 

"Ash!" My voice comes out all choked. 

Dropping to my knees, I pat her cheeks lightly. Is she unconscious? She's not dead, is she? A thin stream of blood trickles from her temple. I bend closer, bring my face parallel with hers and place a finger below her nose. When I feel her warm breath brush over my skin, I heave a sigh of relief. 

"Ash. Ashley, can you hear me?" I ask again, with more urgency, patting her cheek again. She doesn't move. 

Should I try giving her the kiss of life? Not that I know how to do that. Or perhaps press down on her chest? I place the heel of my right hand in the centre of her chest. 

"What are you doing?" I feel the rumble of her voice through my palms.

"Ash!" I cry in relief. 

She looks at my face, then down to where my palm is still resting on her chest.

"Oh!" I remove my hand. "Sorry, I thought you were dying."

"You are such a pussy, Vikram."

"What do you mean?" My face warms at her words. 

"Here I was hoping for some mouth-to-mouth … You know?" She blinks her eyelids at me coyly.

It only maddens me further. "You mean like this?" I touch my lips to hers, and desire slams painfully into my groin. 

Giggling, she pushes at me, so I sit back on my heels. 

"Too late now, dummy." So saying, she springs to her feet, dirt clinging to her jeans, her white T-shirt splotchy with grass stains. Bits of mud stick to her braid. That's when I completely, utterly, crush on her. 

"Ash …" I whisper.

"Come on." Still smiling, she holds out her hand, and taking it, I rise to my feet. "Let's head back, shall we?" 

We're still holding hands as we enter the school building.

Dad was right. I really do need to work on my timing.

Want to find out what
happens next? Click here

About the origins of Ruby Iyer:

Growing 

up in Bombay, my daily commute to university was inevitably nightmarish. It's 

just how public transport is here. The man behind you on the bus will brush up 

against you. You know you are going to be felt up on a crowded train platform. 

All you can do is accept it and get on. Or so you think. I did too, until, a 

young photojournalist was raped in the centre of Bombay in broad daylight.  It made me furious. Nothing had changed in 

this city in all these years. Then, I had a vision of this young girl who would 

not back down; who would follow her instincts, stand up for herself regardless 

of consequences.  Thus Ruby Iyer was 

born. Make no mistake, Ruby’s her own person. She leads. I follow. You can 

download the RUBY IYER DIARIES, the prequel novelette in the series free HERE

About The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer

2015 Readers' Favorite (Bronze) YA Action

 YA 

Finalist 2015 IAN Book of the Year Award

Finalist 9th Annual Indie Excellence Awards

When 

her best friend is kidnapped, Ruby will stop at nothing to rescue him. 

Criminals run the streets of Bombay. Jam-packed 

with the worst degenerates. The city is a shell of the pride and joy it used to 

be. Ruby knows something must be 

done, but it isn’t until her best friend is kidnapped by the despotic Dr 

Braganza that she knows that she and she alone must save city, save her best 

friend, save the world from total destruction. Armed only with Vikram, a 

cop-turned-rogue they are about to embark on a road they may never return from. If you’re looking for fast-paced books 

like Hunger Games or dystopia fiction like Angelfall, 

the Ruby Iyer series is perfect for you. 

DOING MY BIT

All SEPTEMBER earnings
from the RUBY IYER SERIES will be donated to SAVE THE CHILDREN: SUPPORT
CHILD REFUGEES OF SYRIA. All the RUBY IYER books with their brand new
covers, are on SALE all this month at 99p/c & Rs 69/49. Click HERE to buy them. 



YOU can also donate to SAVE THE
CHILDREN directly HERE 

About the Author:

She almost died. But when dystopia romance author Laxmi Hariharan had a near death experience, she was told to write. Laxmi is the creator of dystopian romance series, RUBY IYER SERIES (The MANY LIVES OF VIKRAM ROY - FINALIST Indie Excellence Awards, the bestselling The RUBY IYER DIARIES , The FIRST LIFE OF VIKRAM ROY, The SECOND LIFE OF RUBY IYER & VIKRAM ROY, PANKY's FIRST LIFE), and the Amazon bestselling, eLit Gold winner, The Destiny of Shaitan (Bombay Chronicles, 1). If you're looking for books like Divergent and Angelfall, you'll love the RUBY IYER SERIES.

Laxmi writes books similar to Hunger Games while listening to electronica & progressive rock, and downing innumerable cups of extra sweet ginger-chai. She is also an avid photographer of street art and believes she was a tree -- a redwood -- in her past life. London is where she creates. Bombay is what fires her imagination. 

Receive a free copy of THE RUBY IYER DIARIES when you sign up to her Newsletter 

GIVEAWAY

The First Life of Vikram Roy, The THIRD book in the RUBY IYER Series, launches this month. To celebrate the launch of the FIRST LIFE OF VIKRAM ROY I am giving away a $30 gift card. Winner will be drawn, Oct 1, 2015, and announced in my next newsletter.

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RELEASE DAY CELEBRATION: Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson (+Giveaway)

I am so excited that WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER by Rae Carson releases today! This is one of my most anticipated releases of the year and I can't wait to read! To celebrate the release, I'm participating in a giveaway! Scroll down to enter!

About The Book:

The first book in a new trilogy from acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Rae Carson. A young woman with the magical ability to sense the presence of gold must flee her home, taking her on a sweeping and dangerous journey across Gold Rush–era America.
Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety? Rae Carson, author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, dazzles with this new fantasy that subverts both our own history and familiar fantasy tropes.
Walk on Earth a Stranger, the first book in this new trilogy, introduces—as only Rae Carson can—a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance. Includes a map and author’s note on historical research. 

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Read Chapter 1 of WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER annotated by Rae Carson HERE!

About The Author:

Rae Carson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy. Her next book, Walk On Earth A Stranger, will be available September 22, 2015. She lives in Arizona with her husband.

Connect with the Author:

 Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a set of the 3 GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS series (in paperback format). US Only.

Ends on September 30th at Midnight EST!

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BLOG TOUR: Destiny Rising by Siobhan Davis (Interview + Giveaway!)

This is my stop during the blog tour for Destiny Rising by Siobhan Davis. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 1 till 21 September, you can view the complete tour schedule on the website of Lola’s Blog Tours.

The True Calling series is a fantastic, action-packed, sci-fi trilogy that I highly recommend! Today I will be featuring the third and final book, Destiny Rising! Scroll down to learn more about the series, see my interview with Siobhan Davis, and enter the giveaway!

Every choice has a consequence.



Once again, the world is on the brink of momentous change. As revolutionary organization Saoirse prepares to battle the government for control of Earth and Novo, Ariana and those she loves must join humanity’s fight for justice and freedom.



As haunted memories resurface, old discoveries and new realities conspire to shatter her world forever.



Torn in one direction by her unique connection to childhood sweetheart Zane, and pulled in the other by a relentless passion for her fiery fiancé Cal, she must make the hardest decision of all. While embarking on a road to self-discovery, her psychic gift evolves and the full extent of her powerful ability is revealed.



Then fate lands another savage blow and she faces the most horrific choice of all. Forced into striking a deal with the enemy, she must make the ultimate personal sacrifice or risk everything she holds dear.



When destiny finally rears its head, what will the future hold?

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Interview

Do you have any odd writing habits? 

I’d love to appear really interesting and eccentric and tell you that I can only write in the bathtub, fully clothed, immersed in water and bubbles, with a glass of Pimms by my side, a years’ supply of Oreos, and loud rock music pounding my ears. But nothing could be further from the truth! I’m actually very structured and pretty organized when it comes to my writing, like I am about most things in my life. 

 What character(s) did you have the most fun writing about? 

Gosh, there were so many that were fun to write. Cal Remus because he is such a contradiction as a character, and he gave me a good few laughs while writing his part in Destiny Rising. In True Calling I enjoyed writing about Isla Munroe as she’s so snarky and snarly even though she’s quite vulnerable underneath the surface. Jax and Gil are also noteworthy mentions: Cheeky charmers the pair of them! 

What is it about young adult fiction that appeals to you? 

I love the blending of action, adventure, swoon-worthy romance and life–or–death type scenarios that are typical of the YA books I read. I enjoy science fiction, dystopian and fantasy YA more so than contemporary YA, in the main. I also tend to really enjoy the writing style of the many talented authors who write in this genre. 

 Are are you are Plotter or Pantser? 

I’m a hybrid! I could never sit in front of a blank screen and start writing a book without having a decent outline of the story in advance. As I mentioned earlier, I am quite structured in my approach to my craft so I do a fair amount of background work before I actually sit down to write. I map out the world, the back-story, draw locations and maps, conduct vital research, and create my character bible, before I sit down to work on the plot. I usually write four to five pages summarizing the plot and then break it down chapter by chapter. However, when I sit down to write the first draft the story always goes off on a tangent I was not expecting and the plot develops organically. Also, as I’m immersed in writing a book, my mind is churning with ideas all the time and I’ll often think of additional sub-plots or some new suspense or conflict I can add to the plot, when I’m driving, walking, listening to the radio, on excursions with my kids, in the shower, etc.  

 What book(s) defined your childhood? Or got you into reading?  

I was a voracious reader when I was a teenager and indulged on a daily basis; I constantly had a book in my hand. One of my favorite series was the ‘Flowers in the Attic’ by Virgina Andrews. I remember being totally engrossed in those books— not for the scandalous sex—the themes were just so dark and twisted, and completely foreign to me, that I was totally enthralled. They made a lasting impression on me; just goes to show what an incredible job the author did. Some of the others I remember reading were: Sweet Valley High, Nancy Drew, Anne of Green Gables, the Anne Frank story, Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven and Famous Five, everything and anything by Judy Blume.  

How were you inspired to write this series? 

It all started with a dream—just not my own. Like a lot of my generation, I got hooked on Twilight in 2009 and was fascinated to hear how Stephenie Meyer felt compelled to write the series on the basis of the now-infamous dream. Dreams have always captivated me and I started thinking a lot about their meaning and whether our dreams have the power to change our lives (not just metaphorically speaking). 

I wondered a lot about her ‘meadow dream’; probably more than was normal. Who sent her that dream? And why? And did someone (or something) plant that seed knowing full well that it would lead her on a path to a significant life-altering experience? And what are dreams anyway? A malfunction of our brain? An unconscious message from our inner selves? A medium for receiving messages from others? My thoughts jumbled around like this for weeks, and my idea started to grow from this silent analysis and developed from there.  

  What was your favorite scene to write? 

Countless scenes spring to mind but at this particular juncture I’m going to say the Epilogue in Destiny Rising. I was brimming with emotion writing that part and I couldn’t have been more pleased with how things wrapped up. I am also very fond of the last few scenes in Light of A Thousand Stars. It tugged on my heartstrings in a major way and it was so powerful that it actually made me cry. That was a first for me in this series.  What made you want to become an author? 

I’ve always loved reading and writing and books are my favorite form of escapism. English and History were two of my best subjects in school and I studied History in college. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been daydreaming and imagining stories in my head. In some ways, I think I’m much more comfortable in the fictional world than in the real world. Anyway, I got caught up in my career, and then after I got married I was also juggling a hectic family life, so my ambitions had to take a backseat, though, I was always writing – whether it was connected with my corporate life or as a hobby. I actually wrote True Calling years ago and never did anything with it until last year when the timing finally felt right to pursue my dream. 

Random Questions: 
Cats or dogs? Neither. I’m not an animal person. 
Unicorns or zombies? Definitely Unicorns. Zombies scare the beejesus out of me. 
Favorite color? Pink. Hands down, I’m a girly-girl. 
Favorite movie/TV show? Titanic. (‘Don’t let go, Rose.’ Ah, seriously, who didn’t love Jack?) 
If you had one superpower, what would it be? Invisibility. Not sure what that says about me!

Thanks for answering my questions, Siobhan! :)

First two books in the series:

Two Different Worlds. One Shared Dream.



Planet Novo, nestled in space twelve hundred miles above the surface of the Earth, is the new home of 17-year-old Cadet Ariana Skyee. Confused by the government-sanctioned memory erase and distressed at her impending forced marriage and motherhood, Ariana’s plans for the future are thrown into complete disarray.



As the traumatic events within her family life enfold, Ariana grows increasingly alarmed at the authorities apparent pre-occupation with her and feels progressively more isolated and alone.



Her growing feelings for fellow Cadet Cal Remus intensify as the recently announced pageant, ‘The Calling’, gets underway. Struggling to comprehend the continuous, inexplicable dreams of the mysterious Zane, discovering the past helps shape her future, with devastating personal consequences.

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Some secrets are worht fighitng for.



Back on Earth, Ariana is caught in a dangerous crossfire between clandestine rebel organization Clementia and the power-hungry government. Refusing to divulge the location of the secret information entrusted to her by her late father, she desperately tries to bargain for her Mom, Lily, and Cal’s rescue. She’s fighting a losing battle, and the clock is ticking.



Presented with evidence of her fiancé Cal’s apparent betrayal, she loyally defends him despite her concerns. With her emotions in turmoil, matters become even more complicated as she grows closer to her ex-boyfriend Zane.



When the stakes are raised, a succession of shocking revelations rocks her world, setting her on a path that will not only change her destiny but the fate of humanity.



Confronted by a memory so abhorrent comes a truth she would do anything to forget.



But some things just can’t be undone.

***

Beyond Reach is the gripping second novel in the True Calling trilogy, continuing the story of Ariana Skyee in the weeks after she arrives back on Earth.

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About the Author:

Siobhan Davis is the author of YA science fiction romance series True Calling.

A self-diagnosed ‘teenager forever’—at least when it comes to books, music and movies; Siobhan is totally addicted to teen fiction and superhero/blockbuster movies. Siobhan loves baking, crime novels, shoes, bags, make-up, anti-wrinkle cream, anything pink, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, and Robert Pattinson (definitely Team Edward).
Siobhan has forged a successful corporate career, in Human Resources, over the last twenty years.

Siobhan resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.

Contact Siobhan at: www.siobhandavis.com

You can find and contact Siobhan here:

Website/ Blog/ Facebook/ Twitter/Google +/ Goodreads/ Amazon/ Newsletter

Sample chapters, quotes, reviews and book excerpts are all available to download from the authors website

Join Siobhan's mailing list to receive a free copy of Lovestruck.

Giveaway

• e-copies of the whole True calling series by Siobhan Davis. Which is the following books: True Calling, Lovestruck, Beyond Reach, Light of a Thousand Stars and Destiny Rising.
•  one 10$ amazon gift card

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:

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