Guest Post & Giveaway: To the Fifth Power by Shirin Dubbin

To the Fifth Power

To the Fifth Power
Powers Trilogy, Book 1
Shirin Dubbin

Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC

Date of Publication: July 29, 2013

Number of pages: 120
Word Count:

Cover Artist: Pamela Sinclair

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     B&N     Sony     Kobo     OmniLit

Three years ago, Zola Noite's nemesis killed her sidekick and forced her to watch. The guilt drove her to hang up her cape. Zola knows one thing for certain. She will never be a superhero again.

Psychologist Dr. Arturo "Fort" Forte specializes in super-powered mental health. He’s the only reason Zola can once again call herself sane—although, truth be told, the heat between them is slowly driving her back to mad.

When three mega-villains escape the prison Fort oversees, all Zola's best laid plans go up in flames. Fort asks her for help, and she can't turn down the man she's secretly come to love. As battles ensue and clues add up, the one thing Zola trusts is called into question: Fort's true agenda and which side he’s on.

Guest Post: 

Confessions to the Fifth Power - Part Two, I Want It All

There’s something about a confession that really gets us going. If someone tells us they have a secret we automatically lean in, and our hearts start to pound. What will they say? Will it be sexy? Scary? Scandalous? We have to know. And we love confessions most when nobody knows the truth but us.

Then, there are the things we don’t want anyone to know. We hide our feelings, especially when those emotions revolve around forbidden love. Our boss or an employee, that sexy professor, or an exes’ hot sibling. We lie behind our smiles, hoping that person never notices how we burn for them.

With that in mind I thought it’d be fun to see what secrets Zola and Fort, the heroine and hero of TO THE FIFTH POWER, might reveal before the story begins. There are four secret sessions in total. Without question all four are sexy, scary, and juicy—like Fort and Zola themselves.

You’ll find the release schedule here.

And now, these are their confessions:

Session Notes
Therapy Session #: 54
Patient: Zola Noite
Designation: superhero
Supervising Physician: Dr. Arturo Forte

She’s doing her best to deceive me.

Not quite lying, more like hiding things. Zola excels at deception. It’s part of what makes her sexy. The words are carefully chosen, but I’m not hearing her. My gaze lingers on her mouth. The supple plumpness of her lower lip begs to be touched. And the fabric at the front of my slacks grows uncomfortably tight.

I look away, pushing unprofessional thoughts out of my mind. Instead of staring at her, and allowing the heat behind my gaze to blaze across her body, I pretend to jot down a note.

I am her psychologist, after all.

With most patients lies don’t bother me. They all lie. I eventually break through their defenses to their truth. But with her I want to get out of my chair and shake her. Mostly because I want to touch her. And I’ll justify it any way I can.

Frustration is a growl within my throat. I hold up my hand. Impatience makes the gesture rough. Her monologue outlining how much better she feels because of therapy trails off.

Our gazes meet and hold.

Who am I to be angry with her? I’m hiding so much more than she is. I want her. Not just physically. I want to take everything she has.

But I’ve yet to figure out how to have it all. So I hide behind a mask of professionalism.

My fingers curl around my pen, knuckles turning white. Aware she might notice, I say something to make her smile and hide what I’m feeling.

The doctor patient relationship between us is too precious. I am her psychologist, after all.

Maybe that’s the problem.

Perhaps our relationship has to end.

Giveaway: 

TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY

SUPERPOWERED LOVE – The Swag Pack
To celebrate the release of my new superhero romance, TO THE FIFTH POWER, I’ve matched the book up with an equally hard hitting, highflying, romanc-a-thon of a swag pack called SuperPowered Lurve. . .and there are snacks too!

Here’s what you’ll win:
The Amazing Spiderman see clip
First love’s first blush is so amazingly adorkable in this movie. There’s no doubt Spidey is one of the greatest to ever rock a mask, but the romance here starts off awkward then blooms. That love story and its growth center the movie. Plus, there’s spinning and skipping in this clip. D’aww.

The Avengers
TO THE FIFTH POWER is the first in the Powers Trilogy. In the series a team of superheroes break into duos to fight very personal battles, and to unwittingly fall in love. I chose The Avengers because it is the linchpin to the love stories in Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, and various versions of The Hulk (incredible or otherwise). And because it hints at a romance I’m anxiously hoping to see: Hawkeye and Black Widow.

Blink* - Doctor Who episode see clip
Whether you’re a Doctor Who fan or not, there’s no denying the genius of everybody’s favorite episode, Blink. It’s frightening, heartbreaking, and utterly magnificent. It also features the most perfect love story ever told in 10 minutes or less. Remember this line: “I have until the rain stops…”

Hancock
Uh huh, this is a movie about a FUBAR superhero. It’s also a story of epic love and sacrifice. The three main characters forfeit the most important things in their lives for each other. That’s amazing on its on. Also, sexual tension, thy name is Will Smith and Charlize Theron. Pure sizzle.

Hellboy 1
Never did the words “I love you just the way you are” “stay” take on more meaning than in the romance of Liz Sherman and Hellboy. She’s surly as hell and he’s from there. Yet somehow we adore them both. Not only does this team up get the job done, they get each other.

Megamind
There’s a line in TO THE FIFTH POWER, “So what? Even villains fall in love.” In Megamind, a super villain with a huge blue cranium and an ace reporter take us on a classic rock infused joy ride, showing us just how fun the fall can be.

Superman 2
If you’ve seen Man of Steel and enjoyed it you’ve got to watch Superman 2, starring Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. Actually, you’ve got to see Superman 2 whether you’ve ever seen another Superman movie or not. Reeve and Kidder have become the prototype for this iconic power couple. Their snappy banter reminds you of a 1930’s film and their chemistry will blow up your lab. Bonus: Terrance Stamp as the villain. Oh my Zod!

This Little Piggy* – Justice League Unlimited Episode
The Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series told some of the finest DC Comics stories to ever hit screens. I recommend watching both from beginning to end. But, if you’re only interested in the romance, Batman and Wonder Woman have a serious love thang going. It’s clutch your pearls worthy. In this episode Batman does things we never thought he would to save Wonder Woman from a bad case of being hogtied.

POWER UP SNACKS
I can’t set you loose on a marathon of such epic proportions without offering a few snacks. If you win, you’ll also power up with these:

Moose Munch or Popcorn Mix – Misfits TV Series
I’m sad I wasn’t able to include the love story of Alisha and Simon from the British television series Misfits. This snack is in honor of them and an ongoing joke about pick n’ mix (it’s an UK thing).

Tortuga Rum Cake – Hancock
I’ll let the movie’s hero speak for himself. Rail Crossing Crowd #2, “I can smell alcohol on your breath!” Hancock, “That's cause I've been drinking, b--!”

Chocolate and Banana Chips - Doctor Who
The Tenth Doctor, David Tennant, is featured in the Blink episode above. In his honor we have Endangered Species chocolate (he’s the last of the Time Lords, after all) and banana chips—his favorites.

There you have it. Have fun. But use your power wisely.
~Shirin Dubbin

* TV episodes to be delivered digitally through winner’s choice of Amazon or iTunes. Physical items open to US Shipping

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

July 29:
Spiced Latte - Guest Blog

July 30:
Kelly P's Blog

July 31:
Brooke Blogs - Review

August 1:
Reading In Twilight - Interview
Krystal's Enchanting Reads...

August 2:
Musings and Ramblings - Guest Blog
Storm Goddess Book Reviews

August 5:
BookwormBridgette's World

August 6:
Mythical Books

August 7:
Book Liaison - Review

August 8:
Books, Books & More Books
Sapphyria's Book Reviews

August 9:
Share My Destiny - Guest Blog
Faerie Tale Books - Review
Mousehead & Tales - Review

August 12:
Manga Maniac Cafe - Interview & Review
Urban Fantasy Investigations - Guest Blog

Author Bio:

Shirin Dubbin is often called a “chic geek,” and she likes the sound of it. Especially since she’s a closet wallflower (albeit one with a fabulous alter ego).When not working in graphic design or hosting The Fantastic Forum—a celebration of comics & speculative fiction—she writes stories inspired by the art, literature, international cinema, and anime she grew up with.

In her own storytelling, Shirin spins tales of sci-fi and urban fantasy with romantic edge. The battle between good and evil, humor, and break neck action are ink to her imagination.

Culturally, she’s half American, half British and very southern; right down to the accent and love of grits. Government reports show a residence in DC, but Shirin lives largely on the astral plane and hopes to meet you there.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads