Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Excerpt and Giveaway Retrieved by Amber Polo




Please help me welcome author Amber Polo to A Buckeye Girl Reads! Valentine's day is tomorrow and she's here with a special Valentine's excerpt! There is also a blog tour wide giveaway at the end of the excerpt! 


Title: Retrieved
Author: Amber Polo 
Genre: Urban Fantasy 
Series: Shapeshifters Library Book Two 
Publisher: Blue Merle 
Number of Pages: 294












Dog-shifters once again face the book-burning werewolves of Shipsfeather in this charming second installment of The Shapeshifters’ Library series. Godiva Anglesey, Chocolate Labrador, and the ruggedly handsome English Mastiff Cynerik are forced to team up against power-hungry werewolves when Cynerik discovers an ancient Ohio mound that may hold answers to their shifter history. Knowing the mound’s secrets could benefit the dog-shifters in the ongoing contest for power, ambitious werewolf pack Alpha Sybilla challenges timid Godiva to a battle for the territory. Already faced with a malicious book-worm infestation and a censorship threat to ban all anthropomorphic books in her library, Godiva, who has no interest in battling anyone, must turn from running her small town library to train for a challenge she believes she has no chance of winning. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, Godiva’s mother announces that family tradition dictates that Godiva must be married by Summer Solstice… to a Druid. Godiva doesn’t even know any Druids. Godiva wants to run her library, retrieve books for library patrons, and keep people happy. She’s no hero. She doesn’t have what it takes to face down werewolves or save the world. Cynerik, however, believes differently. Together they must defeat the werewolves, save the town and its library, protect the most important archeological discovery in dog-shifter history… and, just maybe, find love along the way.

Godiva ducked under a web of red streamers to navigate across the staff lounge. She sneezed at the sickening sweet smell of tropical punch and cheap chocolate that overwhelmed her sensitive nose. She moved a plate of heart-shaped cookies to get to the water for her hot chocolate. She’d forgotten Valentine’s Day was a big deal in the public library. Downstairs, the academy kitchen staff made heart-shaped dog biscuits and frosted them with red-tinted liver paste, but that was about it.
After library school at Kent State, she’d come directly to work in the shifter academy research library. She didnt understand the celebration of Valentine’s Day in public
libraries. To her, it was just another holiday.
At the door to her office the sight of a vase filled with two dozen red roses caused her to stop so fast, a dollop of her precious chocolate sloshed onto the floor. She hurried to look for a card and found a huge box of her favorite Godiva chocolates next to the roses. The typed note read, Godivas for the Library Diva. With loving affection from your biggest admirer.” She closed her eyes, leaned close to the crimson petals, and inhaled the heady sweet aroma. He’d waited for Valentine’s Day to surprise her. What to do now? Bliss would know.
She looked into Griswalds office across the hall. He was reading an academic journal and pretending to ignore her while he ate a red-frosted cupcake. She smiled at his casual
manner. Rather than disturb him, she walked upstairs. Bliss seemed intuitive when it came to affairs of the heart. She’d offer good advice.
Garlands of hearts and cupids draped the circulation desk. How sweet,” she told Taxi with a smile.
He held his hands up in a what-can-you-do gesture as Rebecca pushed a booktruck past, a red heart-shaped balloon tethered three feet above the heart-covered cart.
In the YA Room Julianna rearranged a display of romance novels. The black-haired vampirish librarian wore a crimson scarf over black slacks and a sweater. She looked up
from copies of Love Story, Pride and Prejudice, Gone with the Wind, Jane Eyre, and The Outlander. Her broad smile showed the successful dental work that changed her face from a frightening copy of her vampire father’s dentition to her librarian mother’s sweet smile. Hi Diva. Will you come to watch Cecils Smoochiest Moments in Film’ collage with my teen movie club?
Gris approved that?
Not exactly. Cecil told Mr. G. that Liberty approved his list of events for the entire year.”
Godiva raised her eyebrows and continued on her quest for Bliss. She found the childrens librarian cutting out paper hearts.
Dont you love pagan holidays? Bliss gushed. “Before Valentine’s Day was Christianized, ancient Romans celebrated a fertility rite from February 13 through 15. And not until Chaucer was Valentine’s Day mentioned.”
Interesting.” Godiva looked around to be sure the room was empty. Actually I came for some personal advice.”
Bliss set down the hearts. I could tell your fortune with runes.”
No, thanks. What if…a girl, a woman likes a boy...man. And he gives her flowers and really, really good candy for Valentine’s Day?
Bliss giggled. I saw the florist deliver those gorgeous roses. You are so lucky to have a great boyfriend.”
“But what if this boyfriend is too shy to talk to me.”
There’s only one thing to do. You must make the first move.”




Author Bio:
A love of books drew Amber Polo into a career as a librarian. A greater love turned her into a writer. The Shapeshifters’ Library series is an urban fantasy filled with books, librarians and dogs and a library everyone will love.









 Where to find Amber:



Tour Stops:

February 1 
Arias Dark Muse Review
February 2 
Wanted Readers Excerpt
February 4 
My Cozie Corner Review
February 5 
Over A Cuppa Tea   Review/Author Interview
February 6 
Forget The Houswork I'm Reading  Review
February 7 
Known To Read  Review/Feature
February 8 
Hanging With Bells  Guest Post
February 9 
Books, Etc. Review
February 11
The Wormhole Review/Guest Post
February 12 
Melissa's Mocha's Mysteries And More Author Interview
February 13  
A Buckeye Girl Reads  Excerpt
                   
Tales of Topaz-Book Spotlight
February 14 
A Book Obsession Review
February 15  
Literati Literature Lovers Excerpt/Author Interview
February 16th 
Amys Booket List Guest Post