BLOG TOUR: Release by M.R. Merrick

After uniting the shifters and calling in reinforcements,Chase has to face his toughest challenge yet: learning to control his emotions.But as tensions rise and his powers grow, controlling his emotions becomes theleast of his problems.

Terrorized by a multi-shifter who is hell-bent on turning him, Chase questionsjust how far he’s willing to go to stop his father. Meanwhile, Tiki’s virtuousnature has placed him in the middle of Vincent’s past, leaving Chase to opposea senate of vampires and defend a demon he hates.

Trying to balance his friends, his enemies, and his inner demons, Chase is leftsearching for answers about the Mark, his destiny, and where he can find thenext soul piece. Stopping Riley is his top priority, but as more obstaclesarise, he finds himself doubting all the decisions he’s made - especiallyregarding Rayna.

One thing is for certain: Chase has finally realized that he doesn’t knowanything. The light doesn’t always quell the darkness, the monsters don’talways stay in the shadows, and the past doesn’t always stay in the past -sometimes, the demons inside are the hardest to fight.

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer, and author of Exiled, the first installment in The Protector Series. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer, between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.

When I Knew I’d Madeit as an Author

Have I? When do you know? I think this is different forevery author. Some just want to see their book published, others want to hitone of the prestigious best seller lists, and some want to sell a millioncopies. For me, I had a goal in mind, and when I reached that goal, that waswhen I would know I had gotten a hold of my dream.

Like most authors, I worked a day job for years, using anymoment of free time I had to write. I've always had what I like to call “CareerADD.” What I mean by that is, I was all over the place. I worked for ten yearsin restaurants, mostly as a cook and kitchen manager.  I switched restaurants every 6 - 18 months,moving on to something new. After that, I worked in sales, warehousing, projectmanagement, and the list could go on. I kept searching for…something, and thatsomething was different each time I chose a new career path. In hindsight, Irealize I just hadn't found my something—thatthing that I looked forward to doing when I woke up every day. And then I foundwriting.

Writing for me was the escape I needed from the daily grind.It was something I enjoyed and looked forward to, to the point where I wasactually sneaking writing time in at work. When I decided I wanted to try andbecome a published author, I didn't have much for expectations. I hadoutlandish dreams, of course, and few people believed in me, but I wasrealistic in what I knew could be reasonably achieved. And I always told myselfthat if the opportunity came where I could write full-time, that would be whenI would know I’d made it.

Like everybody, I had qualms with the place I worked, and I didn't  agree with some of the practices they enforced, but I had bills to payand I was determined not to quit this job and run off to some other job that Iwould end up hating in a year. So I stuck it out, until finally, I couldn't  Ileft that job in frustration, but knowing I was doing well enough with my booksthat I could survive for a few months, so I was in no hurry to find somethingnew. After a few months passed, I realized that I didn't really need to go back to the Monday to Friday9-5. For now, I was okay, and I wanted to see how long I could go before havingto return to the workforce. Now, seven months later, I’m still writingfull-time (or sometimes anyways), and trying to keep my dream alive.

I haven’t had some epic moment of realization where I saidto myself “I’m the real deal.” I’m just trying to write books that I would wantto read, and entertain as many people as I can along the way. I know that atthis moment, I’m a full-time writer. The thing about publishing is, you neverknow how long that might last. I reached my dream of being a full-time writersooner than I had planned or expected, and although I’m here, I’m still notsure I have made it. Maybe my goals and/or expectations change, or maybe Idon’t want to jinx myself, but right now, I’m doing what I love, and that’swhat’s really important to me. 

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With all the talk about books 1 & 2, Exiled andShift, I knew that jumping on board for book 3, Release, would be something Iwanted.  Eager to read this series, Isigned up for the blog tour and BAM... Knew right away why everyone was ravingabout these books...

You are immediately drawn in to the main hero Chase'slife.  He is a strong well-developedcharacter that you immediately connect with. Emotionally charged, wearing his feelings on his sleeves, this leads uson through the ups and downs of his life through this series.  He is accompanied by great friends, thattruly bring about the growth we see him attain in Release.  With Rayna, Willy, Tiki, and Marcus..they areall there in some form or fashion providing support and even some smallguidance in Chase being The Protector.

What is he having to Protect?? Who is he fighting?  Does it resolve?

These are questions with so much info attached that Ijust don't think I could answer without being spoilerish (especially with thisbeing book 3)..BUT... Nonetheless...

Release is action-packed, filledwith suspense, all the while keeping you intrigued with the creative and unique world built byMerrick.  So many elements have yousaying "OMG" or "oh crap!" Or "no he did not just dothat"... But you are enthralled from page one and held captive til thevery end... Brilliantly written, you are whisked away in to this imaginativetale in which as the book comes to an end... You are saddened to leave...

Release is a MUST READ... Add it to your TBR today!!!

Grande Prize Pack (3 Winners)

3x Signed paperbacks (Exiled,Shift, Release)

3x Signed 8x10 posters(Exiled, Shift, Release)

5x Bookmarks

1x Notebook (Winner’s choiceof cover)

1x Magnet

Runner-up Prize Pack (5Winners)

1x Signed paperback (Winner’schoice of Exiled, Shift, or Release) with signed poster

1x bookmark (Winner’s choice)

1x Magnet

Secondary Prizes A (10Winners)

Release eBooks

Secondary Prize B (10Winners)

1x bookmark (winner’s choice)

1x The Protector magnet

Winners will be chosen asfollows: First 3 names drawnfrom Rafflecopter will get the grand prize. The following 5 namesget the runner-up prize. The following 10 names win ebookcopies of Release, and the final 10 names win the swag pack.

There will also be multipleopportunities to win signed paperbacks, signed posters, notebooks, swag packs,and bookmarks throughout the tour on both Twitter (@MRMerrick) and my  Facebook Fan Page

a Rafflecopter giveaway