Minutes
and hours stretch into days. How long can Sam survive being confined
in Hell? I have a plan… a plan with a lot of holes. I need someone
who can make up for my weaknesses, someone who possesses the power
that I lack. Riley is supposed to be off limits. He’s dangerous,
he’s mean and he’s not to be trusted. But I do.
Beelzebub
is on a tirade, bent on revenge. I took what he wants and sent him
into the flames. I will wear the scars of his punishments forever.
But scars don’t scare me anymore.
On
my way to free Sam I find my true path, a secret place and new
allies. But in Hell nothing is easy… and everything is cruel. The
only thing left to do
is survive.
Book Trailer!
Eeep! I am so excited to read this one, Cambria has once again done an outstanding job with the trailer and cover. I can't wait to read it!
I am so excited to be able to share a wonderful book with you by author Shawn Underhill. His book All Things Different is exactly what it says, a different great read that you really don't want to miss out on.
Not only do I get to share this book with you today (as well as my thoughts on it) but I also have a very special interview with the author and if that wasn't good enough, Shawn also generously offered to do a giveaway for an e-book copy of his book to one lucky winner.
But before I get to all of that, a little but about All Things Different.
Synopsis:
"I know that the night
is not that same as the day: that all things are different, that the
things of the night cannot be explained in the day, because they do not
then exist." ~ Ernest Hemingway
Late in the summer of
2005, starkly independent Jake Thornton was on the verge of turning 16,
expecting little more than his driver’s license in the fall, and the
continuance of the quiet life shared with his father. So when
14-almost-15 year old Sara moved in next door and began vying for his
father’s attention, Jake wasn’t exactly thrilled, and couldn’t quite
understand his father’s motives for allowing it. But certainly he never
anticipated the dramatic shift their lives would take as a result.
As
the summer fades and autumn takes over, friendship between the two
teenagers begins blossoming into a bond, until fate steps in once more,
threatening to tear them apart as quickly as they’ve come together. The
decisions that follow, and the emotive tale that results, opens Jake’s
eyes to the simple yet life altering truth, a truth that Sara has
understood all along: that love—not the feeling but the action—is the
most powerful force in the world.
Author Interview:
MGO: "Thank you so much Shawn for being here today! I really enjoyed your book and I want to help get the word out about it so, in 20 words or less tell us about it."
Shawn: "Boy
meets girl. Girl likes boy. Boy likes girl but doesn’t want to be
bothered. Things happen. Outcome? Unsure."
MGO: "When
did you first truly know that you wanted to be a writer?"
Shawn: "Right around age 20. I was still angry about the ending of A
Farewell to Arms,
which I was forced to read for school and hated with a passion. I saw
the film In
Love and War
and liked it, so I decided to give the book another try. Something
just clicked. From then on I’ve been obsessed with Ernest
Hemingway, reading everything I can by or about him, and trying
to write my own stories, which seem quite pathetic in comparison. But
I still love to try."
MGO: "What
was your inspiration for coming up with the idea and characters for
All Things Different? Are any of the characters based on people that
you know?"
Shawn: "Many different people and circumstances inspired the story. The first
was a Hemingway short story called My
Old Man. I
loved the flow and feel of the story, and I wrote a few pages (in
2005) and then didn’t know what to do.
A
few years later, in ’09, I couldn’t sleep one night and started
looking through some of the many abandoned story starts. I found the
My
Old Man
start, and off I went, planning and typing until I couldn’t keep my
eyes open. I used memories, friends, family members, stories I’d
heard, a variety of actual places, modified everything and put it all
together to form the 3 major characters and the setting. The first
draft took about 3 weeks.
Also,
I love the book Great
Expectations,
which I quote twice in ATD. I love stories about kids that span
years, where you can see them grow and watch who they become, and I
wanted to try and write something along those lines."
MGO: "What
made you decide to self publish?"
Shawn: "Necessity. Agents and publishers expressed interest in my books a few
years ago, but ultimately they turned everything down. I figured with
self-pub I could at least find out how it feels to sell a few copies,
and maybe get the writing itch out of my system. It hasn’t gone
away yet."
MGO: "If
you could travel back in time, who is the one person you would love
to meet and talk to?"
Shawn: "I can’t do just 1 if I’ve got a time machine! Jesus first. Then
Alexander The Great. Two people that absolutely rocked the world.
Talking with them might be awkward, though, as I’m guessing they
wouldn’t understand English. :/ "
MGO: "Are
you currently working on anything new?"
Shawn: "I have my old starts but I’m not writing anything at the moment.
I’d like to do a comedy or a parody of some sort. Maybe a bumbling
detective novel. Who knows!"
MGO: " Thank you so much Shawn for being here today and answering all of my questions and of course for agreeing to offer up a copy of your book for a giveaway as well! I really appreciate it!"
Shawn: "Thanks
for having me on your blog! And thanks to anyone that gives my book a
try!"
My Thoughts and Review:
This is a
beautifully written coming of age story that I think any lover of YA
will really enjoy.
The author
managed to transform the reader right into the world he created using
rich detail that made you feel like you were right there breathing in
the mountain air and walking along side the characters as their story
unfolded.
The
characters in this story felt very real to me. They were all loveable
and endearing and made me wish I knew them too. I liked them all so
much, I am not even sure I could pick a favorite.
Jake and
Sara both grew a lot in this book mentally and emotionally. Nothing
was ever completely simple or carefree, they dealt with problems that
anyone of us could have. I love that even though Jake and his father
were strangers to Sara in the beginning that they all grew to be very
much a family unit.
And while
the romance aspect wasn't all that I hoped it would be, I still
really enjoyed the innocence and sweetness of it.
This story
was very detailed and descriptive (sometimes a little too much so)
but it was nicely written and I will be keeping my eye on this author
for any of their future work because I think we can expect some great
things from them in the future as well.
Overall
I give this one a very well rounded 4 Stars!
Can you give one guy your heart and another your soul?
The
last thing eighteen-year-old Breena Cross needs in her life is more
complications. It’s all she can do to balance studying, working, trying
to keep her foster-sister safe and drooling over the new guy at work.
But things go from complicated to crazy when a fit of rage ignites the
dark magic inside her and she finds herself fending off the supernatural
underworld.
Myles,
Breena’s drool-worthy coworker and vampire convict, is carrying a load
of secrets--one of which is that he’s fang-over-lip in love with Breena
and in danger of violating the terms of his sentence.
Orin
is a soul-hungry assassin sent to kill Breena. However, he takes one
look into her eyes and sees his own lost humanity. For once thinking of
someone other than himself, he chooses not to end her life, even though
it means risking his own.
Despite
a convict and an assassin fighting over her, all Breena wants is
custody of her sister. But to do this, she will need help from both
Myles and Orin. And if Breena doesn’t learn to control the darkness
within, she could lose her sister…forever.
WARNING: Contains strong language and some graphic content.
Author Bio:
Karen
Y. Bynum is an author of young adult paranormal fantasy. Her novel
Witch Way to Turn is published through Lyrical Press. She grew up in
Hickory, North Carolina where mountains and magic surrounded her. Even
as a child, she wrote her own faery tales and prattled incessantly to
her imaginary friends.
After
graduating from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media
Communications, she went on to become certified in culinary arts from
The Art Institute of Charlotte. But it wasn’t until her aerospace
engineer husband accepted a job in Virginia and they relocated that she
knew what she wanted to be when she grew up.
With
the support of family and friends, Karen embarked on a journey with the
voices in her head. They wouldn’t stop talking (yes, she does answer
back) and their stories took shape.
Karen
currently lives in coastal Virginia and enjoys reading, tweeting,
writing and spending time with her husband and their spoiled rotten
Vizsla named Rusty.
MGO: "How did you first come up with the idea for Witch Way to Turn?"
KAREN: "Great
question. It all started with a girl protecting her sister. I didn't
know what was happening at first... I just knew there was this blue
light and a power that couldn't be contained."
MGO: "Where any of the characters based off of people that you actually know? If so, care to tell us who?"
KAREN:"Hm.
There are certain quirks my characters have that I picked up from
observing people, but not necessarily based on anyone I know. The way
the main character--Breena--internalizes everything is actually
something I do though. lol"
MGO: "Who would you say has been the most influential person in your life?"
KAREN: "This
is really hard to narrow down. There have been so many influential
people in my life. I'm blessed to have family and friends who are great
influences."
MGO: "If you could go back in time, who is the one person you would love to meet?"
KAREN: "William Shakespeare. It'd be so awesome to see what he was like in his every day life. Was he really all romantic and tragic? ;) "
MGO: "If you could have any supernatural power what would it be?"
KAREN: "Can I
have all of them if I only use one per day? Hmm? Okay, if I must pick
only one... The ability to travel from one place to another just by
thought. I'd never be late again! teehee"
MGO: "Are you currently working on anything now?"
KAREN: "Yup! I'm writing the
second book in the Witch Way series. I'm a little over halfway through.
And I'm also working on a grim reaper story about a girl reaper who
hates death, ducks and dandelions."
MGO: "Hardback. paperback or e-book?"
KAREN:"Paperback releases October 1. The e-book releases August 6."
My Thoughts and Review:
If this novel doesn't suck you in right
after the first non stop action that is the first chapter, well, then
I don't know what will.
This novel is one of those books that
just get you turning the pages because so much is happening and going
on you don't want to miss a thing.
The characters are loveable and fun and
swoon worthy and you just don't want the excitement or entertainment
to end. It quickly becomes an addiction, getting absorbed into the
storyline.
It has all those lovely elements I love
in a really good paranormal, a witty heroine, two hot guys, one sweet
girl, lots of action, a fast moving storyline, prenaturals, vampires,
weres, witches...oh my!
Truly this was just a really fun read,
it read so nicely that before I knew it it was over and I was looking
at the last page wondering how it was over and wondering why the
sequel wasn't out already because I wasn't done yet. I wasn't ready
for it to be over.
If you want a fun action packed YA
paranormal that will keep you on your toes and is different enough
from others out there to stand out but still have all the good stuff
you love in a paranormal, then this is the book for you.
Title: Ember Author: Jessica Sorensen Series: Book One in the Death Collectors Series Published By: Borrowed Hearts Publishing (Aug. 29, 2012) Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Author (in exchange for an honest review) Genre: YA Paranormal My Rating: 5 Stars!!
Goodreads Description: What if you knew when someone was going to die?
For
seventeen-year-old Ember, life is death. With a simple touch, she knows
when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes
herself from the world. The only person who knows her secret is her best
friend Raven.
Then she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous,
mysterious, and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. So when
he pushes into her life, she doesn’t mind.
But when unexplained
deaths start to haunt her town, Ember starts questioning why she can’t
sense Asher's death and what he may be hiding.
My Review:
This is the first book I have read by
Sorensen even though I own a lot of her work, which, I bought based
on all the glowing reviews, I can promise you that this most
definitely won't be the last one.
And while I haven't read her other
books so therefore I can't validate the reviews, I can say this, from
reading this one, I can totally see why all the others have had
pretty amazing reviews.
This book rocked!
Seriously, it did. I loved everything
about it. The dark slight, goth feel to it, the creepiness, the
romance, the mystery, the absolutely fabulous characters. Everything.
Ember was a great character. I loved
how independent and strong and just true to herself she was. She
didn't have everything figured out, heck she had very little figured
out but she pushed forward everyday and she sought answers. She
didn't back down, to anyone..ever.
Asher and Cameron were both..well okay,
they were both pretty fabulous, each in their own way and darn if
this book didn't keep me on my toes about which one was good and
which was bad or even if there was a “good” and “bad”.
I never quite had this one figured out,
which I love. I hate it when I have all the answers and the story
isn't even half way through yet.
I am not even going to say anymore
because, quite simply, I don't want to give a single thing away. This
is one book you just need to experience for yourself.
Angels, reapers, death, murder, mayhem,
family secrets, love, sickness, betrayal. It has a little bit of it
all and it doesn't lack for anything.
This weeks Indie Book of the Week goes to Kat Heckenbach's novel, Finding Angel!
Synopsis:
Angel doesn't remember her magical heritage...but it remembers her." Magic and science collide when she embarks on a journey to her true home, and to herself. Angel
lives with a loving foster family, but dreams of a land that exists
only in the pages of a fantasy novel. Until she meets Gregor, whose
magic Talent saves her life and revives lost memories. She follows
Gregor to her homeland...a world unlike any she has imagined, where she
travels a path of self-discovery that leads directly to her role in an
ancient Prophecy...and to the madman who set her fate in motion.
My Thoughts and Review:
First I have to give a shout out to the cover of this book, it is just gorgeous! Something about it is just so appealing and eye catching. I love the details in the wood of the door and the heart charm, so pretty!
Heckenbach has managed to create a
loveable, fun magical world in Finding Angel.
I normally don't seek out fantasy reads
but this one has had such great reviews I decided I would give it a
go and I am glad that I did because this really was a delight to
read.
It did start off a little slow with a
lot of world and character building but it didn't feel too drawn out
and the characters and places were so much fun to learn about that
you really weren't bothered by it at all.
Heckenback managed to merge our every
day world into one that is very much like our own except for the use
of magic and dragons and elves and, well, you get the idea.
And although this is a fantasy read
Heckenbach did a wonderful job at making this feel pretty realistic
and not too far fetched or unbelievable.
Angel was a great character that was
very likeable and I liked how over time she grew into herself and her
powers and really managed to hold her own.
The best part is that this really was a
nice clean read (there is a part at the end involving animal
experiments that is a little rough to read but truly nothing too
horrible) that I think would be perfect for a younger audience as
well, which is so nice to find in the YA genre since it seems like
that just isn't something you find everyday anymore.
Overall I would give this one a very
solid 4 Stars and I look forward to reading more of Heckenbach's work
in the future.
Welcome to Edinburgh's unique psychic investigation agency, Serafina's.
Serafina
MacBride is psychic - but not strictly honest. While staging a
hilarious vampire attack at a client's party, Sera is stunned to
encounter a real vampire - annoying, gorgeous and inaudible to everyone
but her. When her client's son is found dead with puncture wounds in his
neck, she tracks the silent vampire to his lair.
But the amoral
and seductive Blair is also on a mission - to find and kill a nest of
young vampires who've invaded his territory. Soon Sera is drawn into the
bizarre world of the undead, where danger lurks in the shadows along
with forbidden sensual delights - and a murderous conspiracy to flood
the world with financially astute vampires who talk.
Supported and
hindered by Blair's eccentric, undead friends, and by her own motley
crew from Serafina's, Sera and Blair uncover surprising truths about
each other and about the mysterious Founder from whom all vampires are
descended.
In
the end, Sera draws on powers she never knew she had in a frantic fight
to defeat the forces of evil and preserve the strange, complicated
being she's trying so hard not to love.
Author Bio:
Marie
Treanor lives in Scotland with her eccentric husband and three
much-too-smart children. Having grown bored with city life, she resides
these days in a picturesque village by the sea where she is lucky enough
to enjoy herself avoiding housework and writing sensual stories of
paranormal romance and fantasy.
Marie Treanor
has published more than twenty ebooks with small presses, (Samhain
Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Changeling Press and The Wild Rose Press),
including a former Kindle bestseller, Killing Joe. Blood on Silk: an Awakened by Blood novel, was her New York debut with NAL.
Party
girl Meg Highbury wakes up the morning of her twenty-first birthday
with one hell of a hangover – and a walking corpse in her
apartment. Meg turns to her straight-laced neighbor Armando for help
and together they discover that Meg is a Valkyrie.
What’s
more, her first duty is to trade places with the corpse. But Meg is
being sent to her Death Duty too soon. In a race against time, Meg
frantically tries to find a loophole to her gruesome fate, but while Meg
is determined to live whatever the cost, Armando's strict moral
principles keep getting in the way of her plans for escape.
Can
Meg walk the 'right' and narrow path, possibly sacrificing her mortal
life, for love? And if she can, will Armando have the stomach to love a
rotting corpse of a girl who is falling apart in more ways than one?
Kristi
Jones spent her childhood exploring European castles, crumbling manor
houses and ornate cathedrals, always looking for secret passages and
hidden rooms. She holds a degree in European history and loves to throw
‘ordinary’ characters into extraordinary circumstances.
She
currently lives in south Texas with her husband and two children, who
inspire her daily. She is a member of the Writers’ League of Texas and
Romance Writers of America. She loves old movies, being a Mom, the feel
of paper in her hands and things that go bump in the night.
MGO: "I
think it is really fascinating that you got to spend a lot of time as
a child exploring England and checking out castles. Do you think that
because of that experience you had as a child, it may have helped
push you into becoming a writer?"
Kristi: "Absolutely!
It’s impossible to explore a dungeon, walk through the Black
Forest, or climb the heights of a cathedral without imagining who
walked there before you. Travelling also gave me the opportunity to
learn a new language and read many different pieces of literature.
Putting my experiences into words became a sort of obsession with me."
MGO: "Who
would you say has been the most influential person in your life?"
Kristi: "My
husband Bryan. Through his example, I learned that with hard work you
can accomplish anything. He didn’t bat an eye when I decided to
write full time, leaving us a single-income household. Also, he never
gave up on me…even when I was ready to give up on myself."
MGO: "How
did you come up with the idea for The Corpse Goddess?"
Kristi: "I’ve
always been fascinated with the belief systems involving Mother Earth
and the goddess. Spending a good chunk of my childhood in Germany
probably led me to the idea of a Valkyrie. I used to love the Asterix
comic books and tales of the Norse gods and goddesses. I started to
wonder how Valkyries would manage in this modern world of ours.
Suddenly Meg Highbury popped into my head and I built my Valkyrie
world around her.
So
I have to ask, if you could be any kind of supernatural being who
would you be and why?
Oh,
I’d be a Valkyrie, no question! You live forever, you roam
battlefields looking for gorgeous heroes and you look awesome in
armor…of course, there is that pesky Death Duty that Meg deals with
in The
Corpse Goddess…."
MGO: "Do
you have a favorite genre that you like to read?
I
love it all! Really, I read everything. The written word is how I
make sense of the world."
Kristi: "What
plans do you have next for writing? Anything new you are working on?
Right
now, I’m finishing up a paranormal romance about Raine Cunningham,
a no-nonsense scientist who is forced to seek the help of a hunky
medium when her Dad’s ghost shows up and won’t leave. Then I’m
diving into book two of The
Corpse Goddess,
to see how Meg handles her new adversary."
My Thoughts and Review:
I made the mistake of starting this
book while trying to eat lunch at the same time, lets just say that
didn't go so well.
If you have a weak stomach, this may
not be the book for you.
I admit, I haven't read very many
zombie books because the premises doesn't always appeal to me but I
can say that this book was very different from any of the other
zombies books I have read.
And while it was a little gross at
times, it was very unique in the whole zombie/Valkyrie approach as
well. Very creative and imaginative and really a really good
storyline that I couldn't help but be enthralled by.
My only big problem was that the main
character Meg, was pretty hard for me to like. I just didn't connect
with her and at times I didn't even care about her, she was that
unlikeable. She came across as a little selfish, mean to those who
were only trying to help and whinny and just, well, just not the
character for me.
But, if you took into account her
childhood, her parents and the secrets they kept form her, well her
attitude and behavior made sense and I found myself sort of liking
her despite it all. Sort of.
Really this book was not what I was
expecting at all and while I found myself being grossed out by some
of it, it really was creative and imaginative and for that alone, I
have to give it 3.5 Stars!
Title: Audrey's Guide To Witchcraft Author: Jody Gehrman Series: Book One in the Adurey's Guides Series Published By: Magic Genie Books (June 30, 2012) Source: Copy Provided by the Author (in exchange for an honest review) Genre: YA Parnormal My Rating; 3.5 Stars!
Goodreads Description: Falling in Love, baking
a magical cake, fighting an evil necromancer—it’s all in a day’s work
for Audrey Oliver, seventeen-year-old witch-in-training. When her mother
goes missing and her twenty-one-year-old witchy cousin shows up out of
the blue, Audrey knows something’s gone horribly, dangerously wrong. Now
it’s up to her to get her own magical powers up to speed before
everyone she loves is destroyed by the sorcerer intricately connected to
her mother’s secret past.
My Review:
I wouldn't be me if I didn't comment on
the cover of this book first. It is pretty eye catching. It has a way
of drawing you in and making you want to pick it up and stare at it
absorbing the details. At first glance I thought the dress was blood
and then I realized it was fire, which so happens to be very fitting
and well done for this story.
This book started off like most first
books in series do, a little slow with lots of setting and character
development but nothing that made me feel like the book was dragging
on excessively.
It is no secret that I love books with
witches in it, I have always been fascinated by the idea. Maybe that
goes back to my days of watching Bewitched on TV and wishing I could
crinkle my nose up like Elizabeth Montgomery could. Whatever the
reason, paranormal books about witches, are always something I am
willing to read and try out.
This wasn't your typical YA book about
witches. Some of the ideas and concepts were uniquely done and really
did make this an interesting fun read.
I never really felt a connection with
Audrey like I wanted but it didn't really seem like I had to either.
It didn't distract me from the story like it sometimes can if you
don't. She was a good character and her relationship with some of the
secondary characters actually made her character better. I really
liked Bridget and her made up words and eccentricities. Sadie was
pretty outrageous with her circus of animals and even Julian was
slightly endearing with his weird compulsion to be around Audrey.
They really helped lighten up the book and made for some real laugh
out loud moments.
This didn't have as much romance as I
normally like and everything wasn't answered and cleared up but then
again since this is just the first book in the series I wasn't really
expecting it to be.
I think it will be fun to see where the
second book takes the characters and where the story goes from here.
Author Interview:
MGO: "What made you decide to become a
writer?"
Jody: "I don't even know if it was a
conscious decision. I just can't stop myself from writing; I feel less alive if
I'm not working on a novel or a play of some sort. On the other hand, I
definitely made a choice to pursue writing as a career, to seek publication. Even
if I didn't do it professionally I'm pretty sure I'd do it for fun. The choice
to get a book or play out there is pretty simple: I'm a writer, so I crave
readers. I want to share the worlds that spring from my imagination."
Jody: "Witch, of course! I've
always felt a little pagan, ever since I was little. But I do love me some
fairies! Like the Tinker Bell kind more than the people-sized fey that have
become so popular in Urban Fantasy. I've yet to come across a YA novel with
tiny magical fairies, but I'd love to read such a book if it's done well. If
anyone has suggestions they should email me! (jodygehrman at gmail dot com)"
MGO: "e-book, paperback or hardcover?"
Jody: "Ooh, hard choice. They all have their
place. For me it's between paperback and e-book when it comes to actually
reading, though hardcovers look nice on one's shelves. I'm leaning towards
e-book lately, because I'm on the road a lot and I love knowing I have a
massive library in that tiny, light object. Also, I'm such a moody reader. It's
so incredible being able to download any book, anytime, anywhere. I sound like
a Kindle ad or something!"
MGO: "Ice cream, candy, or cake?"
Jody: "Cake--the dense, rich, chocolate sort--especially magical cake like the one Audrey bakes."
MGO: "Tell us something about the next book
in the series? What can we expect next for Audrey and the gang?"
Jody: "Eek! I can't. I'm very superstitious
about letting any information out before it's done. Lately I don't even tell my
husband what's happening until I've finished a whole draft. Only my cats know,
and they're not talking."
MGO: "How many books do you have planned
for the series?"
Jody: "It's a trilogy, so two more. My first
trilogy! But three is my favorite number, so I'm excited."
MGO: "Thank you so much Jody for being here today and letting us get to know you better and of course for the great giveaway you are offering as well!!"
Title: Silver Author: Talia Vance Series: Book One in the Bandia Series Published By: Flux (September 8, 2012) Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review) Genre: YA Fantasy My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Goodreads Description:
"As I step into the room, a silver flash blurs my vision. Before I can take a breath, the world falls away."
Brianna
has always felt invisible. People stare right past her, including the
one boy she can't resist, Blake Williams. But everything changes at a
house party where Brianna's charm bracelet slips off and time stands
still. In that one frozen, silver moment, Blake not only sees her, he
recognizes something deep inside her she's been hiding even from
herself.
Discovering she is descended from Danu, the legendary
Bandia of Celtic myth, Brianna finds herself questioning the truth of
who she is. And when she accidentally binds her soul to Blake, their
mutual attraction becomes undeniable.
But Blake has his own secret, one that could prove deadly for them both.
Bound
together by forbidden magic, Brianna and Blake find themselves at the
heart of an ancient feud that threatens to destroy their lives and their
love.
My Review:
It is always so nice when you find a
book that just blows you away with just how great and unexpected it
is.
When you get a storyline and characters
that are completely unparalleled to what else is out there in the
world of YA paranormal.
I loved that I didn't have all the
answers with this one right away. That there was so much mystery
involved in just what the heck was going on. That normally bugs me
with stories, when I don't even have a clue who is good or bad or
what is even happening with everyone but some how it just worked with
this story.
It was filled was some pretty amazing
male characters, Blake, Austin Joe. I have a hard time deciding who I
liked more and if they were even good or bad. In fact I frequently
changed my opinion about them from chapter to chapter. It was
fantastic!
Even the main character Brianna was
hard to pin point exactly. Was she really evil? Was she good? Was she
going to turn evil?
This was a roller coaster of twists and
turns and plots and myths and lies and half truths and....well, you
get the idea.
Title: Hacienda Moon Author: KaSonndra Leigh Series: Stand Alone Published By: TriGate Group (July 28, 2012) Source: Copy Provided by the Author (in exchange for an honest review) Genre: Paranormal Romance My Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads Description: Love, obsession, and
betrayal, the most powerful human emotions, are spun together in this
gothic novel. Tandie Harrison is a police medium who has just suffered a
divorce after losing both her psychic visions and her daughter in a car
accident. When she leaves New York City to start a new life near her
hometown, she moves into the alluring plantation house, Chelby Rose, and
falls for its charismatic caretaker, Eric Fontalvo. Their burgeoning
affair ignites a centuries old curse, ensnaring them in a web of danger,
deceit, and intrigue. Soon Tandie learns that in placid Bolivia, the
worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected.
Hacienda
Moon is a seductive tale of one woman’s journey to confront the demons
of her past and find the courage to face her future. It is a mesmerizing
novel that explores the deepest depths of human nature, and the
characters will hold and haunt you long after you have read the final
chapter.
My Review:
I love a good dark gothic read once in
awhile and that is exactly what I got in Hacienda Moon.
Leigh managed to weave an intricate
tale full of intrigue, curses, ghosts, witches, possession, love and
even death. All while sweeping you not only into the present but also
into the past with creepy tales of murder and mystery and a deadly
family legacy centuries in the making and a love that couldn't be
killed with time.
And while this story may have moved a
little slowly the first half, it certainly didn't lack for anything
during the last half. The slow build up to not only the mystery but
the romance was well worth the anticipation and craftily done.
Anyone that loves a good ghost story and romance, really needs to give this one a try.
This was very well executed and I give
it a very solid 4 Stars!
I am so excited to be participating in this cover reveal because not only is the cover beautiful but this series seriously rocks and I am so excited that a new novella will be out October 5! If you haven't tried this series then you are missing out and I highly recommend it. Cambria is amazing and her work is just wonderful. She truly is a talented writer and this is a series you must try.
So without further ado, I give you Bewitched!!
Title: Bewitched (Heven and Hell #2.5)
Genre: YA paranormal
Publisher: Cambria Hebert
Release date: October 5, 2012
Format: Ebook only (for now)
Bewitched Blurb:
For years, I accepted that Heven was
more popular than me. I never liked it but I lived with it. I walked
in her shadow, I stood by her when no one else would. When I finally
thought her spotlight was mine things began to change. She began to
change. Now she hardly ever calls me back, she spends all her time
with her hot new boyfriend and everyone at school thinks she’s back
on top. She had it all. But apparently she wants more. She wants Cole
– my boyfriend. What’s worse is that it looks like she got
him. I’ve had enough and she’s going to be sorry. Why?
Because I am bewitched.
Sneak Peek into Bewitched!
Working
out was for jocks. Homework was for nerds and I wasn’t a jock or a
nerd. Yet, here I was, sweating through my favorite Victoria Secret
yoga pants and tank with a headache the size of Macy’s. Learning
about my powers was hard work. I thought it would come naturally. My
brain was hurting from concentrating and my muscles were actually
sore from effort. I thought longingly of the potion in the green
bottle that Hecate had given me—a little sip would make it that
much easier to use my powers, but she took it away. Apparently, I had
all the power she wanted me to have. It kind of pissed me off.
In
fact, I was feeling pretty disgruntled all around.
I
was hot, I was sweaty, my head hurt and my hair was frizzy. Not to
mention I had been wearing sneakers far too long. Thank goodness
Hecate was gone. I actually had been glad not to be alone after the
“bone incident,” but now I was ready for some alone time. I felt
stronger.
Feeling
strong plus feeling disgruntled equaled somebody was gonna get hurt.
I
was standing in my yard near the lake and I glanced up at the moon
before heading inside. It was low and swollen tonight—a haunting
moon. It sent a shiver up my spine. I thought briefly about going to
Heven’s and treating her to a little of what she deserved. I even
looked toward the driveway as I walked, but I wasn’t going anywhere
looking like this.
I
went into the house and began climbing the stairs. Halfway up, I
heard a noise in the kitchen and I paused. My parents were still out
of town. It wasn’t the maid’s day to be here… unless she came
early. Another thud in the kitchen had me spinning on the stairs to
see what it was.
No
one answered, and the noises in the kitchen fell silent. I stopped at
the bottom of the stairs and listened, wondering if I had heard
anything at all. “Hello?” I called again, this time more unsure.
This time a fine chill raced up my back.
Suddenly
being alone in this big house was scary.
Clink,
clink, clink.
Okay,
I wasn’t hearing things. Someone was there.
I
stepped off the stairs and walked through the foyer in the direction
of the kitchen. I heard the cat hiss and I paused again. Clover was
too lazy to hiss at a mouse. Something in my stomach turned cold and
hard.
I
looked over my shoulder at the massive front doors to the alarm
keypad and the distress button.
But
it was too late for pressing buttons.
Clover
burst around the corner with a hideous screech and barreled into me,
hitting me in the knees and causing me to stumble. The cat didn’t
even stop. I could hear his claws scraping frantically across the
tiles. “What the…” I began as I straightened, but then
something lurched around the corner after the cat.
It
was hideous.
It
stood about a foot taller than me with wide shoulders that were
uneven looking—one was lower than the other—and a wild mane of
bushy orange hair that seemed to create a cloud around its pasty,
white face. Its lips were black and it had a nasty row of teeth that
had seen a lot of decay. It had large purple circles around its eyes,
which seemed to have no color at all.
It
looked like a psychotic clown.
I
screamed and took a step backward, and the thing grinned. I went
running but it lunged and caught me around the wrist, pulling me
back. I struggled, kicking out, but it was no use, his grip was too
strong.
Without
any warning it reached up and snatched my silver pendant right off my
neck. “Hey!” I screamed as it shoved me away. I fell onto my butt
and stared up at the glittering silver heart as it dangled from the
nasty clown’s hands.
Cole
had given that to me. It was the last gift he had given me before we
broke up.
Anger
surged into my chest, making me hot. “Give that back.”
Freaky
Clown gave me another frightening grin and ran back into the kitchen,
disappearing from sight. I ran after it, running into a solid wall
of… offensiveness.
Minutes
and hours stretch into days. How long can Sam survive being confined
in Hell? I have a plan… a plan with a lot of holes. I need someone
who can make up for my weaknesses, someone who possesses the power
that I lack. Riley is supposed to be off limits. He’s dangerous,
he’s mean and he’s not to be trusted. But I do.
