Author Ambush & Giveaway with Shawntelle Madison

Happy Friday Book Monsters and Literal Addicts!

Book Monster Reviews and LITERAL ADDICTION are happy to welcome author Shawntelle Madison back to our sites today.

Shawntelle Madison is a web developer who loves to weave words as well as code. She’d never admit it, but if asked she’d say she covets and collects source code. After losing her first summer job detassling corn, Shawntelle performed various jobs—from fast-food clerk to grunt programmer to university webmaster. Writing eccentric characters is her most favorite job of them all. On any particular day when she’s not surgically attached to her computer, she can be found watching cheesy horror movies or the latest action-packed anime. She lives in Missouri with her husband and children.

Shawntelle is the creator of the new paranormal romance series, COVETED.  The first book in the series, which is also named "Coveted" was released back in April, and now "Kept" the second book in the series, was just released on November 27, 2012. 

So ya'll don't miss out on this great new series, here's the blurbs for you to check out:

"Coveted"

COVETED series, Book 1

SOMETIMES WHAT YOU COVET IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP.

For werewolf Natalya Stravinsky, the supernatural is nothing extraordinary. What does seem strange is that she’s stuck in her hometown of South Toms River, New Jersey, the outcast of her pack, selling antiques to finicky magical creatures. Restless and recovering from her split with gorgeous ex-boyfriend, Thorn, Nat finds comfort in an unusual place: her obsessively collected stash of holiday trinkets. But complications pile up faster than her ornaments when Thorn returns home, and Nat and Thorn discover that old flames still remain intense.

Before Nat can sort out their relationship, she must face a much hairier problem. Her pack is under attack from the savage Long Island werewolves—and Nat is the first target in the turf war. Toss in a handsome wizard vying for her affection, a therapy group for the anxious and enchanted, and the South Toms River pack leader ready to throw her to the wolves, and it’s enough to give anybody a panic attack. With the stakes as high as the full moon, Nat must summon all her strength to save her pack, and ultimately, herself.

"Kept"

COVETED series, Book 2

Released on November 27, 2012

Fresh from defending her pack in battle, Natalya Stravinsky, a whip-smart werewolf with a lovable neurotic streak, wants a little rest and relaxation. Once an outcast, she’s now eager to rejoin the ranks of her New Jersey pack, and has even gotten a handle on her obsessive urge to hoard holiday ornaments. Yet Nat barely has time to revel in her progress before the next crisis comes howling at her door.

Nat’s father has suddenly gone missing, captured by the Russian werewolf mafia. And as Nat steps up to save her dad from a mob boss’s deadly game, two men step in to play another round for her heart: her gorgeous alpha ex-boyfriend, Thorn, and her new flame, the sweetly sensitive wizard Nick. With her life growing more harried by the minute, Nat must stay cool, calm, and collected . . . or else risk losing everything.

They sound incredible don't they?!  This is definitely a series you won't want to miss out on, but, before you head off to your favorite book retailer, check out Shawntelle's guest post below and enter the giveaway to win a copy of KEPT.  Happy Reading!!

First of all, thanks to Book Monster Reviews and LITERAL ADDICTION for having me here. I have a special treat today for the blog tour.

If you’ve read Coveted, you’ve met Heidi, the mermaid who is afraid of the ocean. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see into her head? How about a tidbit? I’m taking you back to Coveted, the first scene where Nat goes to therapy and  meets a ragtag bunch of anxious and enchanted creatures. But this time, you’re seeing the world through Heidi’s eyes…

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As a mermaid, I’ve been in therapy for too long. But, to be honest with you, I really needed it. Even I acknowledge that. On most days, like today, you wouldn’t catch me near the coastline. Yes, I’m a mermaid who is scared of the sea. Not the best condition to have, but I’ve dealt with it long enough to adapt. (Which might be my problem.)

Group therapy began like it always did. I got there on time for once. I’ve had all sorts of jobs in New York City. Making it on time to work wasn’t my strong point. I took a seat in one of the eight seats, which formed a circle. A few of the therapy members greeted me.

“Hey, Heidi.” One of my best buds, Abby waved at me. She’s a Muse. Really quiet, but that was okay. Most of the people I dealt with at the bar where I worked talked too much. Especially after the liquor flowed.

While I sat there, the thirst hit me again. A tingle at the back of my throat—like feathers brushing against the most sensitive part of your hand. I chugged another bottle of water—my fifth one this morning. While others helped themselves to the fresh coffee and donuts on the small end table, I eyed another bottle of water like an alcoholic craving his next sip. If I didn’t often drink up, I got twitchy and bitchy. (Let’s not go into the dried out fish problem either.)

Tyler, the dwarf who looked hot enough to bed on any occasion, and Abby sat down.

Dr. Frank followed not long after. I’ve know Dr. Frank for years—the man didn’t tolerate any BS and I loved him for it. Whenever I had an excuse not to go into the ocean, he had plenty of reasons I should. You know, like seeing my family, reconnecting with my home.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” Dr. Frank said. “Nick told me he’s running late so let’s sit down and get started with introductions since we have a new member.”

We all looked at the newest person in the room. A werewolf named Natalya. Raj, the Indian deity and I had met her before in the past. Natalya gripped her purse and crossed her legs. She was the nervous sort, but she was nice enough.

The good doctor sat down in one of the free seats and placed his hands on his knees. I looked forward to his greeting each and every time, but we’d have to wait I bit, I sensed a spellcaster coming down the hallway toward the room. His energy vibrated through the walls, humming against my dry skin.

“I can sense high anxiety in the room, so let’s relax for a bit before we go through introductions.”

As expected,  the door opened,  and Nick, the white wizard joined us. He was a regular in group therapy. The nice dependable type: black hair, decent-enough appearance with a black trench coat and clothes. Not my kind of type though. Nick was too soft around the edges for what I preferred. (Give me a sharp knife any day, I say.)

Nick murmured a brief, “Sorry,” before he sat down into a seat.

Dr. Frank worked his magic—like he always did before the session. A wave of calming energy flowed from the psychiatrist through the room. It was like being bathed in the most luxurious waters—smooth and flowing like silk over skin.

 “Good,” Dr. Frank said, “that didn’t take long. We have someone new among us today.” He smiled in Natalya’s direction. “Natalya, could you introduce yourself to everyone?”

Natalya told everyone her name, and then we did a round of introductions from Tyler the dwarf to Abby the Muse. Abby didn’t say much, but I knew she opened up with her closer friends.

Lilith, the succubus, didn’t have any problem introducing herself to the group. As a gal who sucked out the souls of dudes, she wasn’t exactly working with her “A” game these days. She’d asked a couple of times to hang out at my bar, but when guys started turning me down in her presence, I told her she needed to change tactics. She didn’t seem to appreciate my advice.

As usual, Dr. Frank began therapy with a question. “Last week, we talked about urges and how we suppress them to prevent anxiety. Does anyone have any success stories to talk about or incidents they want to get off their back?”

I offered to go first. Might as well toss the fishing pole line into the water. “Friday didn’t go too well.”

Dr. Frank nodded to offer encouragement.

“I had an offer for a date from a really nice guy I’d met at the fish market. But after I learned he was a fisherman, I dropped him like bad bait off a crooked hook.” Working at a bar had its perks—unless the guys you meet happened to work in the one place you wanted to avoid at all costs. I had the worst of times when Navy officers came through. Those gorgeous morsels of hot muscled-flesh were practically good enough to eat—just not on my menu unfortunately.

Lilith smirked at me. “At least someone asked you out.”

Anger stirred under my skin. Like I said before, I had offered in the past, but she didn’t like being the wingman and complained all the time.

“I’m not in the mood for your negativity today, Lil,” I snapped.

Lilith stared at the ceiling while I continued to discuss how my fear of the ocean had led to relationship issues. “I haven’t seen my family in decades, and the medication isn’t working. I’m wondering if I need to consult a water witch for suggestive hypnosis.”

I popped enough anti-anxiety medication to convince tuna to willingly leap into a cannery. It didn’t do squat.

“How have the exercises gone?” asked Dr. Frank.

I frowned. “Poorly. I think I need a partner for the next one.”

“I don’t mind helping you out, Heidi,” said Raj.

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I hope you had fun seeing the world through Heidi’s eyes! She plays an important role in Kept and I hope you’ll take a look at it to see more of her.

Shawntelle is giving away a paperback of KEPT to one winner at Book Monster Reviews (due to death in Chelle's family, this will not be posted at LITERAL ADDICTION today).

Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

Good Luck and have an amazing weekend!!

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