Saturday, June 30, 2012

Review: The Ravenous Dead by Natasha Hoar

Title: The Ravenous Dead
Author: Natasha Hoar
Series: Book Two in the Lost Souls Series
Published By: Carina Press (July 16, 2012)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Paranormal 
My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads Description:
 This time the dead are hungry…

Rachel Miller doesn't just see dead people, she rescues them. As a member of The Order of Rescue Mediums, she spends most of her time helping stubborn spirits move on from the world. But after she learns the details of three brutal murders, she knows the culprit can only be a reaper, an undead monster that relentlessly stalks its victims to feed on their souls.

A reaper once consumed the soul of Rachel's mentor as she watched frozen in fear. Now, Rachel is in the role of teacher to Kit Elkeles, a rodach just learning to control his wraithlike powers. After Kit and Rachel rescue a half-vampire, they work to protect him while searching for a way to stop the reaper. But when Rachel realizes who the monster is really after—and just what kind of dark magic she'll need to stop it—will she be able to do what is necessary before it devours one of her friends…or even herself?

My Review:

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, The Stubborn Dead, while it too was a shorter read it was completely action packed and just an amazingly fun read, which is why I knew the sequel was going to be just as good and hopefully answer some of my questions and (meet my expectations) from the first one.

Of course I had nothing to worry about as far as meeting my expectations went, this story opens with Rachel and Kit (yay so glad we get more of him) training and trying to discover more about his condition as a rodach and of course to rid the world of the bad guys and there are some pretty nasty bad guys in this one..a reaper. Someone who feeds off of and steals others souls.

We get some new characters in this one as well. Luke, a half vamp who is very mysterious and not what he seems.

We also start to see a little something (maybe) develop between Rachel and Kit. Of course, that could have just been my wishful thinking too.

Once again this short story is chocked full of adventure and lot and lots of action. And while a few of my questions from the first book were answered in this one, I think I left with more questions than ever before and I can't wait until the next installment to see if they are answered.

I wanted this one to be longer! But it is the perfect read when you want something packed full of a little bit of everything that you can finish in a short amount of time.

I really enjoyed this one and look forward to the next.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Review: Wilde's Fire by Krystal Wade

Title: Wilde's Fire
Author: Krystal Wade
Series: Book One in the Darkness Falls Series
Published By: Curiosity Quills Press (May 13, 2012)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Paranormal
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Goodreads Description:
 “There is no pain in this death, only peace, knowing I am going to die with the one I love the most.”—Katriona Wilde.

Katriona Wilde has never wondered what it would feel like to have everything she’s ever known and loved ripped away, but she is about to find out. When she inadvertently leads her sister and best friend through a portal into a world she’s dreamed of for six years, she finds herself faced with more than just the frightening creatures in front of her.

Kate’s forced to accept a new truth: her entire life has been a lie, and those closest to her have betrayed her. What’s worse, she has no control over her new future, and it’s full of magic and horrors from which nightmares are made.

Will Kate discover and learn to control who she really is in time to save the ones she loves, or will all be lost?


My Review: 
  I don't always love the fantasy genre but once in a while I fill like I just want a great fantasy read. One that will pull me in and capture my attention and that is just what I found in Wilde's Fire.

Not only did I find myself being drawn into the story but I even found it hard to put down.

I had no idea this was Wade's first book. Everything was written very nicely and seemed to flow very well.

I really loved the unique storyline of a world overrun by deamons that were destroying all goodness around them, even the light until virtually everything was dying. The plants, animals, everything was shrouded in darkness. Their people were being slaughtered and very few of them were even left. 

It almost had a dystopian feel to it.

The characters were fun and loveable and I loved reading about them and getting to know them.

Their was a lot of character and world building but the story never seemed to lag for me like some first novels can do.

Overall this promises to be a really unique fun series that I will definitely be following.


Thursday, June 28, 2012

Review: Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

Title: Dark Companion
Author: Marta Acosta
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Tor/Macmillian (July 3, 2012)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher
Genre: YA Paranormal/Fantasy
My Rating: 3 Stars


Goodreads Description:
 When foster teen Jane Williams is invited to attend elite Birch Grove Academy for Girls and escape her violent urban neighborhood, she thinks the offer is too good to be true. She's even offered her own living quarters, the groundskeeper's cottage in the center of the birch grove.

Something's not quite right about the school -- or is it Jane? She thinks she sees things in the birch grove at night. She's also beginning to suspect that the elegant headmistress and her sons are hiding secrets. Lucky is the gorgeous, golden son who is especially attentive to Jane, and Jack is the sardonic puzzling brother.

The school with its talented teachers and bright students is a dream for a science and math geek like Jane. She also loves her new friends, including hilarious poetry-spouting rich girl, Mary Violet. But the longer Jane stays at Birch Grove, the more questions she has about the disappearance of another scholarship girl and a missing faculty member.

Jane discovers one secret about Birch Grove, which only leads to more mysteries. What is she willing to sacrifice in order to stay at this school...and be bound to Birch Grove forever?


 My Review:
  I can see why this book has some mixed reviews. I think it is one of those reads that a lot of people will either really enjoy or just not care for at all.

It begins with an event in Jane's life that she barely remembers. An event that adds an air of mystery to the story. One that intrigues you and makes you think.

However, the story doesn't really begin there. It begins years later when Jane is 16 and accepted into a prestigious school for girls.

The story almost has a Victorian Gothic feel to it as it begins and describes Birch Grove and it's residents, something I happen to adore in books but I can see why it wouldn't appeal to everyone. Being a lover of both the paranormal and historical, it is right up my alley.

I need to admit first off, that I had a hard time liking the main character Jane sometimes. She was so smart yet did some pretty stupid things sometimes. It was sad the lengths she was willing to go to sometimes just to fit in and just to make it in a world that she wasn't sure she belonged in. It made me feel both sad and angry for her and at her. I wanted to hug her one minute and knock some sense into her the next.

I will say this though, when I had almost giving up on her, she did turn her life around and grow a back bone and start seeing what was truly in front of her and start to really stand up for herself. I think if that hadn't happened, if she hadn't redeemed herself, then I would have had a really hard time liking this book at all.

I think this time it was the secondary characters that really made the story. Mary Violet was so fun and loveable and just a comic relief that the story needed. I really liked her character. She is someone I would have loved to have been friends with in high school.

Jack was pretty great too, weirdness and all. He wasn't your typical male heroine by any means. In fact he was just down right strange at times but his attitude and behavior just made him that much more appealing in a book already full of the unusual.

This was a very different take on vampire lore (among other things) and it was nice to see something new and fresh in the genre.

There were times this story was a little slow and it dragged a little but overall this was an interesting read and one that I am glad I took a chance one.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Indie Book of the Week; The Secret Life of Copernicus H. Stringfellow: Surreptitious Superhero by Lorin K. Barber

This week for my indie book of the week choice I bring you a very strange but very fun tale, The Secret Life of Copernicus H. Stringfellow by Lorin K. Barber.


 Synopsis:
Copernicus H. Stringfellow, a.k.a. Nick, is not your run-of-the-mill genius. His mind is so powerful it can stop a speeding automobile or stem internal bleeding. As Nick goes about quietly doing good, he discovers that his powers are greatly enhanced by the nutrients present in Twinkies. Follow Nick on his amazing adventures in this humorous and exciting action-packed book for all ages.









My Thoughts and Review:

This really was a fun read, the synopsis doesn't lie when it states that it will be a fun read for all ages. 

While Nick isn't your typical superhero or even man for that matter, it is hard not to fall in instant like with him and his quirky personality and fun loving attitude. 

There are parts in here that will make you roll your eyes and laugh out loud. There are others that will have you going "huh?" and looking up the ridiculously long word that was just spouted out of his mouth and have you scratching your head wondering at it's meaning.  And other parts that will make you wonder what in the world the author was thinking when they thought up the whole plot and yet, somehow that makes it all work and pull together wonderfully. 

If you want something a little different and a whole lot of fun and hey, even something that may extend your reading vocabulary then this is a read that you really need to try. 

Overall I give this one 4 Stars.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The Spirit Box by J.H. Glaze Blog Tour, Giveaway and Book Review!





Author Bio:   
When was the last time you saw someone working on a laptop while riding Public Transportation during rush hour? There is one Atlanta area author, JH Glaze, you may have seen. He would have been writing one of his novels on his way to ‘the day job’.

His first novel ‘The Spirit Box’, a horror/thriller about a man who inherits an ancient box from his deceased mother, was written almost 80% on the train. It was finally published in September 2011. Since then, he has completed a second novel in the series, ‘NorthWest’. This exciting cross-genre novel was 100% written on Public Transportation.

When asked why he enjoys writing on the train, he’ll tell you, “Riding on the train is the only time of the day when I won’t be distracted by email and other things that just seem to come up when I’m in my office. The atmosphere on the train also incites an atmosphere of uncertainty and excitement that can’t be duplicated in a home office environment. Anything could happen on that train at any time and my writing channels that energy!”

What does he say about his writing style? “I want to involve you in the stories, to bring you into my worlds and share with you the thoughts that inspire them. The stories originate with simple ideas, and I tell them in a way that carries you the reader, through it inside of your own mind.”

The writing style of JH Glaze has been called ‘Unique’ and has been well received by readers from a broad spectrum of genres. Readers and reviewers alike have given high ratings to both of the first 2 books in the series. The release of the third, ‘Send No Angel’, scheduled for release in Summer 2012 and is highly anticipated by fans of this author.

JH Glaze was born in Niles, Ohio and currently resides in Atlanta.  He lives with his wife and editor, Susan Grimm, their dogs, Harley and Jake, and JoJo, the Senegal parrot. To find more information, search the web for JH Glaze, The Spirit Box, NorthWest, Send No Angel and The Horror Challenge.






Blurb:
When Walt Turner’s mother died, he inherited her apartment and the antique shop below. After losing his job due to the treachery of a co-worker, The Spirit Box calls to him from the darkness of the shop with an offer of revenge.   

Lured by the promise of ultimate power and eternal life by the prisoner inside the box, Walt agrees to help it gather the final spirits it requires to return to human form.   

John Hazard is investigating a series of murders and missing persons in this otherwise quiet town. His perceptions of reality are about to be altered in a life changing confrontation that will force him beyond the boundaries of darkness and ancient evil.   

It is a spiraling descent into madness, where you may have everything you desire, if only you are willing to sacrifice all that you believe.    

When you look into The Spirit Box, be prepared to have more than your breath taken away.



My Thoughts and Review:

This book isn't my typical type of read, in fact I am not sure I would have picked this one up on my own if I had not been asked if I wanted to read and review it.

I really enjoy stories that catch you off guard and completely take you on a thrill ride that is unexpected. Both thrilling and terrifying and even gruesome at times.

This is a tale that is craftily done. A tale where you don't know who to root for, the good guy? The bad guy? Are there even good and bad guys in this tale to begin with? How do we decide who is right and who is wrong?

This is a tale that will caution that things aren't always black and white and aren't always what they seem and maybe, just maybe we should be careful what we wish for because you never know when it just might come true.

I give this one 3.5 to 4 Stars!

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Everworn by Hailey Edwards One Day Blitz!









Title: Eversworn
Author: Hailey Edwards
Series Title: Daughters of Askara
Release Day: June 26, 2012
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Buy Links

Amazon            B&N

Blurb:

Steal the salt. Bind the grimoire. Escape the male.

Daughters of Askara, Book 3

When an exchange of stolen goods in the Feriana marketplace turns sour, Isabeau stumbles from the encounter bruised and laden with new orders to complete an even larger heist. With her child’s life at stake, there’s no room for error—or allies.

Armed with a lethal book of spells, she strikes a dangerous bargain with Roland Bernhard. Steal a shipment of salt from the Feriana colony, and she’ll have her freedom—and her daughter. It’s all she’s ever wanted. At least it was…until she runs into Dillon Preston.

Dillon is out of commission after a mine explosion, and itching for a distraction. He gets it when the female who saved his leg arrives at the colony with nothing but flimsy excuses and even flimsier attire. She’s after something, but is it him—or the salt?

Trapped in a desperate bid to gain true freedom, Isabeau is willing to sacrifice her life for her daughter’s, but Dillon has other plans. He wants a package deal, and he’s not willing to lose either female, even if it means the future king of Sere’s head will roll.

Warning: This title contains a heroine desperate to save her daughter and a hero determined to make them a family. It also includes wings, horns and other assorted appendages. 

Author Bio:

Hailey is a wife turned mother turned writer, who loves her husband, her daughter and alone time with her computer. Whenever southern living strikes her as too ordinary, she can be found squinting at her monitor as she writes her next happily-ever-after or with her nose glued to her Kindle’s screen. Wings and/or cupcakes are usually involved…

She loves to hear from readers. Drop her a line here.

You can also swing by her blog or subscribe to her newsletter for all her latest news.

Author Links









Monday, June 25, 2012

Review: Once by Anna Carey

Title: Once
Author: Anna Carey
Series: Book Two in the Eve Series
Published By: Harper Collins (July 3, 2012)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher 
Genre: YA Dystopian
My Rating: 5 Stars!

Goodreads Description:
 Sixteen years have passed since a deadly virus wiped out most of the Earth’s population. After learning of the terrifying part she and her classmates were fated to play in the rebuilding of New America, eighteen-year-old Eve fled to the wilds and Califia, a haven for women determined to live outside the oppressive rule of the king of New America. However, her freedom came at a price: she was forced to leave Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. Eve quickly learns that Califia may not be as safe as it seems and soon finds herself in the City of Sand and the palace of the king. There she uncovers the real reason he was so intent on her capture, and the unbelievable role he intends her to fill. When she is finally reunited with Caleb, they will enact a plan as daring as it is dangerous. But will Eve once again risk everything—her freedom, her life—for love?

Brimming with danger and star-crossed romance, and featuring a vivid dystopian landscape, this electrifying follow-up to Eve, which bestselling author Lauren Kate called “a gripping, unforgettable adventure—and a fresh look at what it means to love” is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes adventure of The Hunger Games and the irresistible love story of Romeo and Juliet.


My Review: 
 
I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Eve, so much so that when I saw the second book in the series being offered as an ARC I (almost literally) jumped at the chance to read it early.

I couldn't wait to get more of this truly unusual take in the YA world of dystopian that Carey has managed to create. I wanted more of Eve and Caleb and all of their friends.

What I got was so much more than that.

Betrayals, lies, heartache, love, new friends, new enemies, lost family, death, deceit and almost everything in between.

Carey managed to make this newest installment one heck of a ride. There were so many twists and turns around ever corner. This book was packed full of adventure and action. I found myself melting one minute and angry the next as another lie or betrayal would happen.

I absolutely love how much stronger Eve has gotten in this one. She is not someone that is going to sit idly by and let things happen, she is going to charge in there head first and demand action take place. She has turned into quite the kick butt heroine and I love that.

I love how much stronger each new trial has made her and how determined she is to make things right, for her self, for her friends and for New America.

There was so much going on in this one that you truly have to experience it for yourself. I loved the first book but this one, well, this one simply rocked.

I can not wait for the next book to be out!

Well done Ms. Carey!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Writings From The Heart Blog Tour and Guest Post!



Today I get to bring you a very special Blog Tour, one that is dear to many of the authors that helped write the book that I am about to introduce to you.

I bring you, Writings From the Heart, an anthology by Beth Ann Masarik (editor), Erin Danzer, Jamie Danzer, Cat Dixon, Joel Allegretti, Robin Sussman, Alan D. Harris, Frank Cavano, April Avalon, and Danny B. Barbare,

Synopsis:
30 short stories and poems make up this unique anthology. Authors and poets from around the world joined together for one cause; to raise awareness of congenital heart disease in children. All proceeds from this collection will go to the Adult Congenital Heart Program at Cohen Children's Medical Center of NY for education and research in this area.












Guest Post!
 Thank you for hosting us on your blog today, Ali!  Hello everyone! My name is Beth Ann Masarik, and I am the publisher of the anthology, Writings From the Heart.  All proceeds will go to the Cohen Children’s Medical Center.  Today, I am taking a break with writing blog posts, and am handing it over to one of the anthology’s contributors, Jamie Danzer.

Take it away, Jamie!


Time has taught me many things; one that rates pretty high is that you never pass up an opportunity to do something to help others.  When I was invited to submit a piece for, Writings from the Heart, and knew the proceeds were going to help a very good cause I got straight to work. This was one of those opportunities that I couldn’t pass up; it told me this is a chance to help do some good.

My sister-in-law, Erin Danzer and the very inspirational, Beth Ann Masarik; both helped light a fire under my muse’s butt.  I looked into my heart to find something real; and unexpectedly real came with raw. The piece I submitted did come “from the heart” because it is inspired by events that took place in my life that are not easy to talk about. When the piece was ready though, I began to second guess it; but Erin being the insightful and supportive person she is, convinced me that this was the right piece at the right time.

Beth’s convictions and the way she stuck to her guns to pull the whole project together immensely  reassured me that the anthology was going to do more good than any of the 30 great literary artists from around the world could see.  I think my husband actually said it best months ago:

“Every artist involved is starting the “ball of good” rolling down the hill. It may not be big now, but just wait and see. Every person that purchases the book is going to add to that ball until it becomes a boulder of good that will have a positive impact for the pediatric cardiology unit at Cohen Children’s Medical Center.  Every person, no matter how small they think their involvement is, will make a bigger impact than any of us realize.”


Okay, maybe he does ramble a little but the point is still true that we all look at the whole picture verse just us so we end up feeling overwhelmed by it.  It is only when we step back and see everyone working with us that we know that “problems are large to a single person, but people together are bigger than any one problem will ever be.” Yes another quote from the hubby but I agree with it, we are strong together so others can become stronger too.

I really am looking forward to future anthologies, in hopes of doing more good.  Hopefully with more anthologies, it will bring out more writers and more good can be done for those that need it. 

Thank you all for reading this inspirational post!  I do hope that you all will support the book and the children’s hospital.  You can purchase the anthology through Amazon, Amazon.co.uk, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.  It is available in both digital copy and paperback.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Poe's Mother by Michael Meeske Blog Tour, Giveaway and Book Review






Today I get to bring you a very special Blog Tour Book Review for Poe's Mother by Michael Meeske.


Book Blurb:
 1975. A small, dusty town. A family who worships the great American author. A startling story of lost innocence, a dying town and the power of words, told from the viewpoints of a 15-year-old girl and Madeline Poe - Poe's Mother. Love will never be the same.



Author Bio:
 Michael Meeske writes across genres, including romance, mystery, suspense, horror and gothic fiction, a genre that blends horror and romance, and has its roots in some of the earliest novels ever written. Poe’s Mother is his latest release available exclusively on Amazon. com. 
From 2008 to 2010, he served as Vice President of Florida Romance Writers (FRW). He has been a member of FRW and the Romance Writers of America since 2002. He also was an active member of the Writers’ Room of Boston, a non-profit working space for novelists, poets and playwrights.
Michael’s writing credits include Frankenstein’s Daemon, a sequel to Frankenstein, offered through Usher Books. He also is the co-author of His Weekend Proposal, a tender category romance published in August 2009 by The Wild Rose Press under the pen name of Alexa Grayson (soon to be published in Greece); Zombieville, a short story included in a 2011 anthology by FRW writers, available at Amazon.com, and Tears, a short-story published in the Fall 2000 issue of Space & Time, a magazine of fantasy and science fiction. Usher Books will publish additional works by Michael in 2012 and 2013.
Some of his influences are Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Shirley Jackson, Oscar Wilde, Daphne du Maurier, Richard Matheson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and any work by the exquisite Brontë sisters. You can contact Michael at michaelmeeske@live.com.


My Thoughts and Review:
 
I went through a stage in my high school life that I had to devour all of Poe's work. It started with a simple English assignment to read the ever famous Raven and just went down hill for me from there. I really can't say even now what drew me into his writing. Was it the darkness and the angst of being a teenager at the time? Was it that I saw through to his tortured soul and felt sorry for him? Or was it something else entirely?

The lure of the lost love? The heartbreak, the longing?

I truly can not say.

But appeal to me he did and so began my brief fascination with his work.

So maybe as an adult, years later, seeing this story, well for whatever reason, I found myself being drawn to it and wanting to find out what it was all about. To get a glimpse into the life of (another)Poe, however fictional it may be.

And this was a story worthy of Poe. A little unusual and a little dark. And full of weird.

To be honest, I think I am still trying to process it all. Still trying to figure out the reality of the story from the non-reality. And yes, this was a little creepy. Okay a lot creepy and a lot eww too to be honest. Maybe a little too ick for me.

There is a lot going on in this story and it is indeed dark and twisted and something worthy of Poe himself.

If you like tortured souls and lots of darkness, this would be the tale for you.





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Friday, June 22, 2012

Blood Jewel by Georgia Gates One Day Blitz!


  

About the Author:

I reside in rural Mississippi with my wonderful husband, Jeff, and our two beautiful daughters.

I spent thirteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before I decided to pursue my dream of becoming an author.

Blood of Anteros, Book One in The Vampire Agápe Series, was my first novel and it was released in September 2011.

I decided to step away from the paranormal genre to try my hand at a young adult romance and I loved it. It was so much fun, I plan to do it again in the near future.  
Links




Blood Jewel (Book 2)
by Georgia Cates

With the mystery of Chansey Leclaire and Curry Brennan’s connection solved, they are free to explore their newfound love for one another. Or so they thought...

When Marsala uses a witch and black magic to discover Curry’s whereabouts, he and Chansey are left with no choice. The newly engaged couple is forced to relocate away from their families at the new compound in Savannah, which causes some major changes in the plans for their upcoming wedding.

Relocating to Savannah might have saved Curry and Chansey from being discovered by Marsala, but it doesn’t stop her attempts to reach Curry or her efforts to harm Chansey through the use of black magic. As Marsala closes in, Curry faces the decision he never wanted to make. Will he keep Chansey human or condemn her to eternity as the thing he hates most? 

As Curry waits for his hand to be forced, a newly turned vampire arrives at the Savannah compound in need of help. Not only is she a fledgeling in transition, she brings reports of escaping from a vampire cult still in possession of her sister, a human. Any attempt to save the captive human from a cult of vampires puts everyone in jeopardy. Can they risk entering a large cult to save one human being? And is so, how could they possibly do it successfully?

Love will grow. New mysteries will arise. A battle will ensue. A Blood Jewel will be found.


10 Things No One Knew About Blood Jewel
Georgia Cates

  1. Blood Jewel is written from a male vampire’s POV, which is quite different from the ordinary human female love interest’s POV.
  2. The entire “scene” of Marsala reaching Curry through Black Magic in Club Infinity was inspired by the song “Sleep Alone” by Bat for Lashes.
  3. Chansey’s striptease scene was inspired by “Nasty Naughty Boy” by Christina Aguilera.
  4. Chapter 3 “Seekers, Swans and Dolls” opens up a whole new plot for Book 3, “Blood Doll.”
  5. Solomon’s character stepped up to the plate in “Blood Jewel” because we will be seeing a lot more of him in the future.
  6. Although a Blood Jewel was discovered in Book 2, the explanation behind it won’t be revealed until Book 3, “Blood Doll” because of spoilers.
  7. The setting in Pascagoula is a place I frequently vacation to visit my favorite aunt.
  8. I have been to all of the settings in “Blood Jewel” with the exception of Savannah. I wanted to make a quick trip over so I could get a feel for it, but couldn’t find the time. That’s why there is little to no description about Savannah aside from being inside the compound.
  9. Very little in “Blood Jewel” is random. Most everything has a reason for being included and you might not realize that until you read “Blood Doll.”
  10. Chansey’s grandmother plays a bigger role in this plot than the reader knows and the reader may be shocked to find out what Granna has been up to.







Cover Reveal: Determinant (Book 3 in the Guardians of Vesturon Series) by A.M. Hargrove!


Determinant
By: A.M. Hargrove
Series: The Guardians of Vesturon 
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal with Sci Fi Elements
Heat Level: Hot


 
Synopsis of Determinant

January St. Davis, on her own since the age of sixteen and struggling to stay in college, thinks she’s scored in a major way when she lands a paid summer internship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. One evening, after working an especially long shift, a chance encouter with a group of mysterious men alters the course of her life.

Rykerian Yarrister, a Guardian of Vesturon with unearthly powers and impossibly gorgeous looks, finds himself at odds over the human female he recently saved from certain death. When it seems he is on the verge of winning her over, she is ripped from his hands by a strange and powerful being, threatening to destroy her if his demands are not met.

Do Rykerian and the Guardians have the ability to meet this fierce barbarian’s ultimatums, or will January suffer a horrid demise?



 Expert:
I was lost in the events of the day and the amount of work I had and I was still nursing my wounded ego as I headed out of the lab. As I made my way down the corridor, I noticed six men advancing toward me.
It wasn’t their actions I noticed so much or even the way they walked. And though it was an oddity for them to even be here at all, it was their attire that captured my attention. They were dressed identically, in an extreme fashion, much like members of a gang or secret society. Large and muscular, they wore black vests and their bare arms were almost completely tattooed with tribal symbols of a sort. Metal bands criss-crossed their chests and their legs were tightly encased in leather. Knee high boots and black gloves finished off their ensembles.
As I neared them I felt my flesh tingle and the hairs on the back of my neck come to attention. Gooseflesh erupted and alarms started clanging in my head. I sucked in my breath and as I did, my eyes connected with the apparent leader. I say this because he was in the front of the formation as they plodded along.
Time stood still as our eyes connected. His were an uncanny shade, lavender with hints of indigo and specks of silver. It was a hue I was unfamiliar with but they were intriguing and fascinating. The alarms were still ringing in my ears and the air felt electrically charged around us.
Halt!”
I turned into stone. I couldn’t move a muscle. He cocked his head as his eyes bore into mine.
Breathe!”
I distinctly heard his command in my mind and I was helpless to disobey him. I felt myself take a deep cleansing breath. I questioned him with my eyes. He flicked his head toward his men and they stepped back several feet.
Who are you? Why are you here?”
I was confused by the demanding questions swirling in my brain but felt compelled to answer him. I had never used mind reading to communicate, but I was sure he would hear my answer.
I’m January St. Davis. I’m here working on an internship for college credit.”
You are human?” he asked with incredulity.
I wasn’t sure what he meant by that. Why would he want to know if I was human? What a ridiculous question!

You can try the first book in the series, Survival for free right now on Amazon and Smashwords!


A Little About Me (A.M. Hargrove):
 
One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase. Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodgeball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head. Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what lap top out the window. She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone and hit #4 on her speed dial.

A.M.’s Boss: Hello.
A.M: Hey Boss, I'm calling to let you know you can pick up my luxury Ford Focus at Starbucks near the interstate.
A.M.’s Boss: Why ever would I want to do that?
A.M.: Because I quit!

A.M. hit the end button and speed dialed her husband.

A.M.: Hey hubs, can you pick me up at Starbucks?
A.M.’s Hubs: Sure...having some car trouble?
A.M.: Not at all. I don't have a car to have trouble with because I just quit my job.
A.M.’s Hubs: WHAT?!
A.M.: It's time for a new career and I am going to be a very famous novelist.

So began A. M. Hargrove's career as a young adult paranormal romance author of self-published ebooks. Her series, The Guardians of Vesturon, centers around a family of six siblings and is a mix of humor, mystery, suspense and of course, love. Survival and Resurrection are her first and second full length novels, and Beginnings is her prequel novella to the series. Determinant, her third in the series will be released 6/30/12.
(It didn’t really happen like that, but you get the idea!)

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Review: Shadow Of Night by Deborah Harkness

Title: Shadow of Night
Author: Deborah Harkness
Series: Book Two in the All Souls Trilogy
Published By: Viking (July 10, 2012)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Historical
My Rating: 5 Stars!!

Goodreads Description:
 "Together we lifted our feet and stepped into the unknown"—the thrilling sequel to the New York Times bestseller A Discovery of WitchesDeborah Harkness exploded onto the literary scene with her debut novel, A Discovery of Witches, Book One of the magical All Souls Trilogy and an international publishing phenomenon. The novel introduced Diana Bishop, Oxford scholar and reluctant witch, and the handsome geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont; together they found themselves at the center of a supernatural battle over an enchanted manuscript known as Ashmole 782.
Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.
Deborah Harkness has crafted a gripping journey through a world of alchemy, time travel, and magical discoveries, delivering one of the most hotly anticipated novels of the season.


My Review:

I think I may have squeeled with joy when I was accepted to get an ARC copy of this book. I absolutely fell in love with the first book in this series, A Discovery Of Witches. I loved the beautiful writing and the historical feel to it. I truly loved everything about it.
In fact it was one of my top 10 favorite reads from last year, so you can see why I was so very eager to read the next installment in the series.

And thankfully it did not disappoint...at all!

Once again we are swept away in a whirl wind of secrets and half truths and mystery as Matthew and Diana step back into time into the 1590's.

We learn so much about Matthew in this one. So many of his secrets and his past are uncovered and revealed as Diana steps into his world over 500 years before she met him in her's. I love that his possesiveness towards Diana has finally come out and his love for her as well. There are a lot of tender moments between him and Diana that I just loved.

So many worthy quotes that sent my blood singing and heart soaring. I truly wouldn't have time to type them all down or sadly, to even remember them all but I felt the need to share some of my favorites.

“...And you are my life.”

“You mean wife.”

“My life,” he repeated. “You are not just my heart but its beating. Before I was only a shadow, like Goody Alsop's fetch.”

I have to say, I fell in love with Phillipe. I wasn't sure about him at first but he eventually won over my heart as we really get to know the man that raised and loved Matthew.

She isn't the only new character in this story, nor the only one that managed to sneak their way into my heart. This one is once again full of amazing friends and characters that are unforgettable and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Gallowglass, Jack, Mary, really too many to name.

There is so much going on in this book, as always the writing is beautiful. The descriptions of the town, people, attire and setting are wonderfully done. You feel as if you are there with them experiencing it too. Harkness really brings it all to life in a way that other authors can't.

She makes it all feel so real and tangible.

We finally get to learn more about Diana and what kind of witch and powers she truly has. Why her parents did what they did to her when they bound her powers and kept it from her.

We get more of the elusive Ashmole 782 and even learn some of its secrets as well, not all of them are good. Some are down right horrific.


This was such a great sequel. I can't even express how wonderfulyl written it was and how Harkness has such a way of unfolding events and tying them together again.

I truly look forward to the last book in the trilogy. I know it too will be wonderful.