March 21, 2012

Guest Post & Giveaway w/ author Danielle Thorne!


DEATH CHEATER: Paranormal Trouble finds its way to Omega, Tennessee

It all started when Athena Gray ducked through the woods to take a shortcut home…

Well, for me, it started after I visited some prehistoric Indian burial mounds. It was a haunting experience, and the town of Henderson where I based my next novel, made a perfect small town setting.

When it comes to all things ghostly, I am the biggest chicken. I've never seen any film involving chainsaws. I refused to allow my young children to watch any kind of ghost hunting on television. Haunted houses are not on the top of my bucket list. I believe in spirits, and yes, I've had my own paranormal experiences, but writing about them didn't become a journey until my vacation to the mounds where I wondered how many ancient souls wandered through the nearby forest. I wondered what it would be like if I could see those spirits, and what would I do if there was contact?

Athena Gray lives vicariously through her sister because people in general avoid her. Whether it's strange things like dead butterflies fluttering to life, or the time she saved her dying grandpa just by willing him to live, Athena knows that she is different. The only person who doesn't seem to think so is Dan, the most popular boy on Omega High School's baseball team. But even Dan can't understand the reason she acts haunted, until a spirit roaming the local historic burial mounds takes an interest in people Athena cares about.

Athena is a strong, independent character who understands she doesn't have to fit in to be content with herself. She also knows that she has a gift. High school doesn't come easy though, because dealing with teen drama and her own social anxiety issues are as difficult as accepting her grandfather's death. With no parents to turn to and few friends, Athena has to dig deep when a dark angel enters her life at the worst time. And he doesn't just have information about who she is, he has demands.

Excerpt:
A low rumble echoed around me, and the tall, dark trees went still. Not even a leaf stirred. My heart hummed, and a tingle of apprehension made my palms damp. A snarl came from the shadow of a tangled thorn bush, and soft, padding footsteps shuffled in the late afternoon gloom. My breathing went ragged with fear. Maybe it was a raccoon or an angry squirrel.

Athena.

Whipping around, I stared hard into the murk. A voice. It sounded gentle, but at the same time it sent chills down my arms. I glanced up through the hooded canopy of tree branches and tried to see heaven.

God?

There was a growl, and the terror I'd been holding at bay zipped up my spine into my skull. I was sure my long hair stood on end, like when kids touched the electrostatic generator at the science museum.

Something was coming for me, and it wasn't something from the woods. It'd been following me all day. Maybe even my entire life.

Now don't be too concerned. Athena isn't left entirely to her own devices. Her older sister has her best interests in mind, and Dan Lipinsky, Athena's secret crush, seems determined to make her one of his closest friends.

Is there really such a thing as ghosts? Are there dark angels intent on making us miserable? How many of us have abilities we haven't embraced? DEATH CHEATER is an exploration into
forces from the other side and our power to choose what is right over what they would influence us to do. Meet Athena Gray today and find out more.

Giveaway!

Comment on this post for a chance to win a free ebook copy of DEATH CHEATER. OPEN INTERNATIONAL.

Can't wait to grab this adventure? Check out DEATH CHEATER at Amazon.

Happy Haunting,
Danielle Thorne
www.daniellethorne.com
Blogging at http://www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com


Bio:

Danielle Thorne is the author of sweet romantic adventure books, both historical and contemporary. She has published poetry, short fiction and novels. Danielle currently writes from south of Atlanta, Georgia. She was the 2009-2010 Co-Chair for the New Voices Competition for young writers, is active with online author groups such as Classic Romance Revival and EPIC, and she moderates for The Sweetest Romance Authors. Besides freelance editing and writing full time, Danielle has four sons with her husband, Rob. Together they enjoy travel and the outdoors. DEATH CHEATER is her first paranormal.

I would love to meet you!

Follow on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000700796495
Twitter: @DanielleThorne
Follow the Blog: http://www.thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com



28 comments:

  1. Absolutely fantastic sounding book. I love the cover too -- my favorite color is blue and I heart butterflies. :)

    As children, my sister and I weren't allowed to watch scary movies or any that involved paranormal entities. Now, we are addicted to paranormal books-adult & YA, and movies. My hubby and I are Ghost Hunter and Ghost Adventure junkies.

    Great guest post and tidbit about the book!

    Saph
    saphsbookblog at gmail dot com

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  2. Hi Saph,

    Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. I have to admit, I'm really (now) into the Ghost Hunter series, too. It all started out as "research," ha, but it is riveting to watch and listen to.

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  3. I, too, like the cover. The blue butterfly is so vivid--it pops.

    I don't see it noted here. Is this a YA book? I'm usually on the lookout for YA books that might appeal to young men here at my community college library.

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  4. Yes, this is the Young Adult genre. It's only available in ebook format at this time. Thanks for asking!

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  5. I'm glad to see a high school aged heroine who doesn't have self esteem issues. Sometimes that can be funny or interesting, but I know there are kids out there that have a strong sense of self.

    acm05atjuno.com

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  6. Thank you so much for the review and the giveaway. This story sounds amazing. cody(at)wilger(dot)com

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  7. Thanks for the giveaway. I really want to read this book. It sounds very good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  8. I've often wondered if there were really such things as ghosts or other supernatural things. I'm not one to completely dismiss them, tho. Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the chance to win it!
    puttputt1198eve@comcast.net

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  9. Following her, her ENTIRE life? Gosh I'm in! This sounds deliciously creepy!

    calbizzz_152(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  10. The cover catches your eye, and the story line sounds fantastic!
    wihockeycall(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  11. This book sounds really interesting. I'll have to add it to my to-read list on Goodreads when I get the chance. I really like the cover and blurb. It looks so interesting. 0.0

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  12. O. Are we supposed to put our email address down? Oops.
    serenenight827@hotmail.com

    My actualo comment should be right above. Hehe. I forget to add my email.

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  13. This sounds like a very interesting book. I really enjoy reading about ghosts and the supernatural. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance.
    peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  14. This sounds like a great book. I have lived with ghosties in my house for the two or so years, so I'm really into the supernatural and finding out why they are still lingering around. Thanks for the giveaway!
    laughs4life14@yahoo.com

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  15. Even though I am a bit old to be a YA I love the themes, ghosts, supernatural powers and dystopia. This looks like a good read. deanna_boocock (at) hotmail.com

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  16. This is intriguing, Danielle! Thanks for the intro and excerpt! I'm open to the possibility of a lot of things that we don't know much about and can't see... I'm easily spooked, but there are a lot of things in life that can be spooky whether you can see them or not!

    f dot chen at comcast dot net

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  17. I enjoyed the post and excerpt. The book sounds very good.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  18. The book sounds awesome. I love anything ghostly! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    Jaime
    jeepgirl529(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  19. That butterfly really makes the cover pop - I love it. This sounds like a good read. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway.

    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. Paranormal is very interesting. I find myself can't stop reading it. Somehow I am always curious about the dark and light side, vampires, fallen angel, werewolf,fairies. Their world is so excited. I am so amazed with the other world and keep wondering what it looks like to be one of them. Their secret, journey and fight makes they become like a normal creature like us.

    Julianaekin@yahoo.com

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  21. Oooh, sounds good. I love paranormal stories.

    lisa (at) vetteklisa (dot) com

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  22. Hi Danielle, This is an awesome basis for a story. You got my attention, and though I steer away from vampire and dark magic, I do love time travel and this type of story. Especially since I believe God gives certain people gifts like Athena's.

    I'll not sign up for the download. I'd rather have a paperback. BTW the cover is gorgeous!

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  23. Thanks for the visits and comments. It's nice to know there are a lot of readers interested in what's on the other side! :)

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  24. The book seems quite interesing, I'd love to check if it really is!
    dusia.koda@gmail.com

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  25. This book sounds fantastic! Thanks for the awesome giveaway! :))

    kristen10horses[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  26. Cover caught me eyes (yeah, still judging books by their cover..)
    But I read the summary, and I am in love with it! I hope I win. Good luck!
    vickilau17 (at)gmail (dot) com

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  27. The cover rocks, first. The summary of the book put tingles up my spine, second. I would love to win it, third. Thanks for the giveaway!
    georgette.coan@yahoo.com

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  28. I love books with such strong female characters.

    the imagine tree at aol dot com

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