Winter Oranges by Marie Sexton Blog Tour Review

Hello, everybody. I'm Marie Sexton, and I'm here today to talk about my upcoming release, Winter Oranges. Winter Oranges is about Jason, a child star turned disillusioned B-movie actor who’s fed up with his failing career. Jason is in love with his best friend, tired of Hollywood, and plagued by tabloid photographers, so he buys a secluded house in rural Idaho, hoping to escape from it all. Instead, he encounters a man living in his guesthouse who nobody else can see or hear. Winter Oranges is a whimsical little friends-to-lovers tale with a magical twist, and I’m really excited about the way it turned out.

One of the fun things about writing Winter Oranges was getting to talk a bit about horror movies (including my own little rant over the 'found footage' fad). See, for the last few years, Jason's only roles have been in crappy slasher flicks, and he spends much of the book debating whether or not to reprise his role in a sequel. After all, no genre will run an idea into the ground and beat that dead horse for decades like horror.

I love horror movies. Despite the fact that my delinquent father traumatized me at the tender age of ten by showing me both The Shining and The Exorcist in a single night (I don't think I slept in my own bed for a solid year), I spent my teen years bingeing on fake blood. I especially love monsters, haunted houses, and the good old-fashioned psycho killers. And with the Halloween season just behind us, I thought this might be a good time to talk about some of my favorite horror franchises.

Before I get down to it, let me name a few franchises that aren't on my "best of" list, even though most people will probably argue they should be.

1. Friday the 13th – I know. How could I possibly talk about slasher flicks and not include one of the most successful franchises of all time? Admittedly, the first couple were fun, and I think the 2009 remake starring Jason Padalecki was decent, but too many of the original sequels were plain awful. Jason Takes Manahttan? Puh-lease. And Jason X? In space? No. Just… no.
2. Alien – Now, don't get me wrong. I absolutely LOVE both Alien and Aliens. The problem is, that's where the love ends. Movies three and four weren't good, and although those AVP spin-offs are watchable, they don't feel like they belong in the Alien universe. So while the first two movies rank high on my list of favorites, as a franchise, I think it falls short. Plus, being scifi, it doesn't quite feel like horror to me.
3. Evil Dead – I know I'll be crucified for admitting this, but I don't love these movies. I've seen the original, and the 2013 remake, and I've seen Evil Dead 2, but the truth is, none of them really did it for me. Maybe it's the juxtaposition from a fairly serious beginning to near-slapstick comedy? Maybe it's because I never got past the scene where a girl gets raped by a tree. Whatever the reason, they aren't among my favorites.
4. Jaws – Like Alien, I love the original, and the second one is pretty good too. The problem is, I don't consider Jaws horror. Entertaining, yes. But scary? Not so much. (Then again, how scary can a shark be when the nearest ocean is over a thousand miles away?)

I also thought I'd list a couple of truly worthwhile honorable mentions that are damn good movies but don't qualify as "franchises."

1. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil – If you like cheesy horror and you haven't seen this movie yet, go watch it right now. I mean RIGHT NOW! Do not pass go, and do not watch the trailer first (because it gives away all the fun). This movie is comic horror at its best. It's absolutely brilliant.
2. The Thing – Both the original and the follow-up (technically not a sequel, and not a remake) are good, old-fashioned, cheesy monster fun. I know others will disagree with me here, but I liked both of these movies.
3. The Changeling – No, not the one with Angelina Jolie. This one has George C. Scott, and it's a classic haunted house movie – slow-paced and creepy as hell. Who knew a rubber ball could be so scary?
4. Quarantine – Found footage and zombies, done right. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and I thought the sequel was damn good too (as far as sequels go).
5. Cabin in the Woods – Josh Whedon at his genius best, or ridiculous horror travesty? You decide.

So finally, I'll share my list of my favorite horror franchises ever. They may be cheesy. They may be ridiculous. But if they're on, I'll watch them, every single time. (And we'll count down backward this time, because that seems more dramatic.)

4. Nightmare on Elm Street – Okay, these movies haven't aged as well as I would have liked. When I watch them now, I find them downright goofy. But these were the movies that started my love affair with slashers. "One, two, Freddie's come for you…"

3. Scream – You have to love a movie that makes fun of the entire genre while still succeeding in said genre. Also, I get a kick out of the various cameos. My one big complaint about this franchise? The ridiculously long explanation we get whenever the killer is revealed. Good lord, stop talking and stab somebody already!

2. Final Destination – With the exception of the fourth movie, confusingly titled THE Final Destination, this franchise always delivers. I thought the fifth movie was far better than it had any right to be.

1. Halloween – Yes, an oldie-but-goodie takes my #1 spot. The original movie was shot in only twenty-one days on a budget of $300,000 (a shoestring budget, even by 1978 standards). The third movie (which isn't even about Michael Myers) is a joke -- it honestly might be the worst movie ever made -- but the rest of the movies provide solid entertainment. Even the Rob Zombie remakes have their fans (although I greatly prefer the original). And if you're a fan at all (and even if you aren't), you should check out Halloween: The Inside Story, a great made-for-TV documentary on the making of a classic. They say necessity is the mother of invention, and it definitely proved true on the set of this movie.

So, there it is! My picks for the greatest horror franchises ever. Let me know your thoughts. Am I crazy for leaving out Saw or Paranormal Activity? Am I a nut for ranking Halloween above Friday the 13th? Did I miss your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

And be sure to check out Winter Oranges, for a bit of non-scary holiday fun. ☺

About the Book

Jason Walker is a child star turned teen heartthrob turned reluctant B-movie regular who’s sick of his failing career. So he gives up Hollywood for northern Idaho, far away from the press, the drama of LA, and the best friend he’s secretly been in love with for years.

There’s only one problem with his new life: a strange young man only he can see is haunting his guesthouse. Except Benjamin Ward isn’t a ghost. He’s a man caught out of time, trapped since the Civil War in a magical prison where he can only watch the lives of those around him. He’s also sweet, funny, and cute as hell, with an affinity for cheesy ’80s TV shows. And he’s thrilled to finally have someone to talk to.

But Jason quickly discovers that spending all his time with a man nobody else can see or hear isn’t without its problems—especially when the tabloids find him again and make him front-page news. The local sheriff thinks he’s on drugs, and his best friend thinks he’s crazy. But Jason knows he hasn’t lost his mind. Too bad he can’t say the same thing about his heart.

Winter Oranges is one of Riptide's 2015 charity titles.

Twenty percent of the proceeds from this title will be donated to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) National Help Center.

Founded in 1996, the GLBT National Help Center is a non-profit organization that provides vital peer-support, community connections and resource information to people with questions regarding sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Utilizing a diverse group of GLBT volunteers, they operate two national hotlines, the GLBT National Hotline and the GLBT National Youth Talkline, as well as private, volunteer one-to-one online chat, that help both youth and adults with coming-out issues, safer-sex information, school bullying, family concerns, relationship problems and a lot more.

To learn more about this charity or to donate directly, please visit their website: http://www.glbthotline.org/

http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/winter-oranges

About the Author

Marie Sexton lives in Colorado. She’s a fan of just about anything that involves muscular young men piling on top of each other. In particular, she loves the Denver Broncos and enjoys going to the games with her husband. Her imaginary friends often tag along.

Marie has one daughter, two cats, and one dog, all of whom seem bent on destroying what remains of her sanity. She loves them anyway.

Connect with Marie:

• Website: MarieSexton.net
• Twitter: @MarieSexton
• Facebook: facebook.com/MarieSexton.author
• Goodreads: goodreads.com/MarieSexton

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Winter Oranges, Marie Sexton is giving away two titles from her backlist and a $50 Amazon gift card! Your first comment at each stop on this tour enters you in the drawing. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on December 5, 2015. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. Entries. Follow the tour for more opportunities to enter the giveaway! Don’t forget to leave your email or method of contact so Riptide can reach you if you win!

REVIEW

Winter Oranges by Marie Sexton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First, I want to say thank you so much to the author for writing this book, which I could not put down. It's a magical and consuming fairytale for adults (like Disney gone sexy). Winter Oranges is unlike anything that I usually read.

Jason has been in show business since childhood. He had a good run for a long time, but lately everything has been going downhill with his career and personal life. He hasn't gotten a decent script in forever. Everything he does that can possibly be construed in a negative way is caught by the paparazzi. He's been in love with his best friend and fellow actor for years, but his friend plays for both teams all over Hollywood and just considers Jason a friend with benefits.

Ben has been trapped in a snow globe since the Civil War. He can project a ghostly form outside of the globe that allows him to see and hear anything around the room he's in. He can't touch, feel, smell, open, close, taste, etc. anything. For the past 150 years, he has been bound to whoever and wherever the globe is. No one has ever noticed his presence until now.

Jason is a good person, but he’s jaded. Getting to know Ben brings rejuvenation to Jason's soul (and mine). Ben has remained a silent observer of life for so long that actually being included in the goings on blows him away. Ben is such a refreshing, upbeat, happy character, especially given the state he's in, that it's impossible not to love him. He appreciates every minute detail. When the romance between them took off, I fell as much as they did.

This is a tale of the miracle of love and an absolute must read. Winter Oranges is one of my top novels for this year and will also go in my all time favorites.

***copy given in exchange for an honest review***

FGMAMTC 

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents 

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Google+ / Pinterest / Goodreads / Tumblr / tsū

UNRAVELED by Dina M. Given Blog Tour Review

Title: UNRAVELED (The Gatekeeper Chronicles, #2)

Author: Dina M. Given

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Release Date: August 31, 2015

 

Blurb

Emma Hayes, a mercenary turned monster hunter, finds herself the secret savior of Earth as she attempts to battle creatures, called Monere, and keep unsuspecting humans safe.

Emma already has blood on her hands, and the tide of Monere keep coming. She quickly learns that not all battles can be won with a gun and she must decide whether to take up Sharur, the magical battle axe, which may trigger a latent and terrifying magical ability within her.

Emma’s monster hunting skills also catch the attention of a government operative who enlists her help to discover the identity of another hunter. This investigation leads Emma deep into the heart of a supernatural organized crime Syndicate, and all of her notions about the evil nature of these creatures are called into question when she meets The Syndicate’s leader.

Can Emma unravel the true nature of the Monere and come to terms with her own magical ability before the next gateway opens, threatening the future of humankind?

  

 

Excerpt

With this proximity, I could see each hard angle of Alex’s face and body. I had either never had the luxury of this kind of quiet downtime with him, or perhaps I had never allowed myself to really look at him before, but I did now.

His light hair was longer than usual and mussed from the excitement of the evening. A stray lock fell across one brilliantly green eye, the color of a lush rainforest. His body tensed, showing off every taut muscle through his thin T-shirt.

He was beautiful, but he didn’t know it, or if he did, he had never used his looks to his advantage. I had never seen him flirt, throw around an enticing smile, or pin someone with a smoldering stare. Although he could certainly do it, he probably thought that kind of influence was a form of cheating. He could be such a Boy Scout, but it was charming and made him trustworthy, and to trust someone was more important than a bad boy attitude any day.

This man sitting before me had sacrificed his own safety several times to save me. His job had initially been to keep an eye on me for Alcina and the Mage Council, and kill me if need be. Not only did he defy his orders, but he did so spectacularly when he saved my life in Citi Field and sided with a shifter to ensure my escape. He defied his people and his prejudice for me.

The sultry air in the subway car seemed to grow warmer and closer as these thoughts smoldered low in my belly. A rush of longing and gratitude swept through me. Alex must have sensed it because he chose that moment to lift his head, and our eyes locked. His expression reflected everything I was feeling, and I was consumed by a desire to see whether the Boy Scout would ever explore bad boy territory.

I stood slowly, as if trying not to spook a nervous horse that was on the precipice of bolting, before lowering myself onto the futon next to Alex. His eyes followed my every movement, sweeping across each curve of my body. His expression didn’t change, but his body stilled, all of that nervous fidgeting coming to a grinding halt.

I slid so close to Alex my thigh rubbed against his, and he reacted like I had electrocuted him with my touch, his leg jerking at the sudden sensation, but he didn’t move away from the physical contact.

“Thank you,” I said so softly it seemed as though all of the upholstered fluff in the room had absorbed the sound.

“For what?” Alex asked, his eyes now resting on my leg where the clothing had burned away to reveal the newly healed, creamy skin.

“For everything,” I said with a small laugh, and he looked up then met my gaze. “Seriously, you saved my bacon a few times now, and I don’t think I ever thanked you. I know you didn’t have to do it, and I know it went against your orders. You put yourself at serious risk for me.”

His warm hand slipped into mine, and I embraced the unexpected touch, wrapping my fingers around his. “Emma, no matter what happens I want you to know that you mean everything to me. You always have. Even though I may have lost my way, that truth will never change. I need you to believe that.”

The burning sincerity in his eyes was proof enough.

“I do,” I said, squeezing his hand gently for emphasis. It felt a lot like he was saying good-bye. Maybe all of this was just too much for him.

Tears sprung to my eyes, unbidden, and I turned away to hide them. Alex hadn’t missed them, though.

With his free hand, he cupped my chin tenderly and turned my head to face him again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” He looked on the verge of tears himself.

“You didn’t. It’s just that… Well, there haven’t been very many people in my life who have cared enough to want to help me, or to try to save me.” Even though I didn’t know exactly what Alex had meant by his last statement, I felt compelled to let him know I wanted to be there for him too. “If you ever do lose your way, I promise I’ll help you find it again.”

Our gazes were locked together in a need for connection. I became hyperaware of the sensation of my thigh pressed against his and the comforting touch of his hand in mine. My leg shifted minutely, as if it had a mind of its own and wanted to increase the sensation of that subtle touch, calling attention to it. It had the desired effect.

Alex watched me through heavy lids, and I could suddenly feel the air thicken with anticipation. We were so close. All I had to do was lean in a couple of inches.

I wasn’t sure if I moved, but Alex’s eyes darted to my lips, which I licked unconsciously. He sucked in a hard breath as his own lips parted, and I could see his muscles bunching under his thin T-shirt as his body prepared to move toward me.

Purchase your copy today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N

  Unhidden (The Gatekeeper Chronicles, #1)

It’s not always easy to differentiate between the good guys and the bad guys, especially when your heroine is a trained killer and she may be falling in love with her evil hunter…

Emma Hayes, a former military Special Forces Operative turned mercenary-for-hire, finds her tightly controlled world turned upside down when she is attacked by horrible monsters.

Emma must use every skill in her arsenal to stay alive as she tries to solve the mystery of why she has been targeted. Her list of enemies keeps growing - from Zane Shayde, an evil Mage, to a secret branch of the US government - and she doesn't know if there is anyone left she can trust.

To complicate matters further, Emma is inexplicably drawn to Zane in a way she doesn’t quite understand, even knowing her life is forfeit if captured. Who is he and why does he have this affect on her? How can she fight a being that calls to her, body and soul?

Emma is left haunted by questions, doubts and fears as to why she has been targeted, when they will come for her next, and how she will possibly be able to survive against an enemy she doesn't understand.

Amazon US | Amazon UK

 

About the Author

Dina Given lives in rural New Jersey – home of farms, horses and the largest hot air balloon festival in North America – with her husband, two crazy kids, and one rescue dog. She is an exercise enthusiast and avid lover of food and wine (hence the need to exercise). Dina also works full time for one of the largest healthcare companies in the world. She attributes her ability to juggle family, work and writing to her obsessive, hyper-focused, Type A personality.  

Connect with Dina

Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  

 

REVIEW

Unraveled by Dina Given

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love the action vibes that come from this book. Reading it got me totally pumped. The first novel established how formidable Emma's adversaries are and how she's totally up to that challenge. Just as in Unhidden, Unraveled is full of monsters and aliens. Some are the traditional fantasy like dragons and vampires. Others are more sci-fi such as brain-sucking parasites and creatures wearing humans.

To me this book gives a little more of the emotional side of Emma. The most important people in her life are being used against her because they're one of her few weaknesses. In my opinion, she seems to worry more about her actions this go around.

Several new characters and lots of background knowledge are introduced into an already explosive atmosphere. Questions of who's really bad or good and what's the actual source behind certain outcomes arise. Although, it's more action than romance, there's a bit of a love triangle going on also.

Fans of urban fantasy should definitely try this series. If you enjoyed the first installment, this one is just as volatile and fun. I'm looking forward to book three.

***copy given in exchange for an honest review***


toni

FangirlMoments and My Two Cents

View all my reviews