Book Release Blitz and Excerpt: The Prelude by Kasonndra Leigh!

Title: The Prelude
Author: Kasonndra Leigh
Published: March 31, 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance


Book Description:

After finishing design school six months ago, Erin Angelo left her tragic past behind in the States and started a new life in Milan, Italy. Burying the grief, silencing her demons, and living a life without any real attachments has worked well for her so far. But when Erin secures her first real job as a budding clothing designer, her controlled world is shaken to its core by the mysteriously sexy director of the local symphony.

Alek Dostov is a man who knows what he wants and how to get it. He’s successful, hot, the son of a millionaire, and women all over the world flock to see one of his performances. For Alek, Erin represents the ultimate challenge: sexy, smart, and unaffected by his charms…or so she thinks. Just like Erin, Alek avoids attachments that leave him emotionally vulnerable. But unlike Erin, his pursuit of all things pleasurable is ruthless. 

Knowing how wary they both are concerning any kind of committed relationship, Alek finds a way to pursue Erin, satisfying the intense attraction between them without sacrificing the freedom they both enjoy. Sometimes the deepest passion brings out the darkest emotions. And Erin finds herself completely unprepared for the forbidden world of the young maestro and his truths and even his secrets, as she struggles to deal with her own.

Music, passion, betrayal and forbidden love spun together in one of the most romantic cities in the world.

This novel contains sexual situations and mature language. It is intended for an audience at 17+ years of age.

*Amazon*B&N*

About the Author:

Meet your word sculptress...

Author of the Lost Immortals Saga and the Path Seekers Series. I’m also a mother, blogger, reader, gardener, home renovator, and a slayer of undead Egyptian mummies in Tomb Raider. I believe in karma, coffee, and seriously wish that the producers of Xena would bring my favorite show ever back.

Strange things about me: Everything. I am weird, odd, unusual, and generally tend to make people think I swooped down from another planet. I don’t know. Maybe I did. Who knows? I’m also a member of the #zombiesurvivalcrew on twitter. So if you need protection from the upcoming apocalypse, don’t hesitate to call on us.

I was born in the race-car city of Charlotte, NC, and now live in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, NC, when I’m not hanging out in Bardonia (Lost Immortals). Most of my characters are based on people that I’ve met throughout my travels and adventures. People tend to stop and start conversations with me as if I’ve known them my entire life. Does this freak me out? Not really. My mom says that one day I’ll get kidnapped by one of them. I told her that if it weren’t for these lovely people then I wouldn’t be able to create the stories that I do.


Author's Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/KaSonndra-Leigh/e/B0066W7GY4
Website: http://www.kasonndraleigh.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kasonndraleigh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaSonndraLeighBooks
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/alestasia/

Excerpt:

Alek’s POV

Erin Meets the Ex

“So, your mother was born in Dallas? That means you’re all mixed up, like me. Interesting,” Erin says and shakes her head as though she’s in deep thought.

She takes a bite of her focaccia, a type of yeast roll covered in garlic. Since we’re still well into the aperitivo, Milan’s happy hour, this is about all we’re going to be served for the time being. “It all makes sense now. I was wondering why Adriana doesn’t have a Russian sounding name. And how you got those…nevermind.”

“Don’t do that stopping mid-sentence thing. It drives me insane, yes. Finish. What do I have?” I lean over on the table, so I’m closer to her face. A rush of pink spreads through her cheeks. She blushes so easily. I enjoy watching it happen.

She shrugs and stabs at her food until I’m ready to snatch the plate away and eat the bread myself. I place my hand over hers. “Erin, you were going to tell me something, yes?” Our gazes meet, and she stares deep into my eyes.

“Your eyes. They’re not blue like a lot of Russians. That’s all. You don’t need me to be telling you things you’ve heard all your life, I’m sure.” She glances down at her plate and then over at my hand massaging the skin on top of hers.

“Look at me, Erin.”

“No. I mean, I’d rather not.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s—”

“What have we here? The two of you look cozy,” a familiar female’s voice says, ripping through our bonding moment. Nadya. I sit back and give her a hard look. She’s wearing fur in July, the same thing Mother likes to do. And she looks ridiculous.

“Nadya. You look warm today,” I say, smiling.

“I am. These Milan nights can get a little chilly. Especially when a girl sits at home alone more often than not,” she replies.

“I’m sure a woman of your means can easily find male companionship,” I say with a smirking grin. She turns to Erin.

“Hi there. I’m Nadya, Alek’s ex-girlfriend.” She holds out her hand for Erin to shake.



“I’m Erin. And I’m not the new girlfriend.” Shaking her hand, Erin passes a quick glance in my direction.

“Erin Angelo, the student designer who wooed and won the hearts of all three Martuccio brothers? I’m in awe. Tell me, what kind of sexual favors did you do in order to convince them to take you in and spend all that money for you?”

“Nadya. This isn’t the time or place for that shit,” I warn.

“Oh, Alek, this is girl talk. Obviously, Erin has what it takes to survive in the fashion capital of the world. I simply want pointers on how she managed to snag yet another successful man so very quickly. Has he taken you to the waterfall yet?” Nadya gushes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. I stand up and face her.

“I’m warning you, Nadya,” I repeat.

“No, Alek, it’s okay, really. I don’t mind helping Nadya out,” Erin says, a devious gleam in her gorgeous eyes. Easing back down to my seat, I get the feeling that Nadya is in for a surprise.

“First, I signed up for design school. This meant I actually had to use intelligence over sex,” Erin begins, using the sweetest voice I’ve ever heard on a female. “And then, my instructors noticed I had a sharp eye for identifying trends. You know what I mean, right? Real. Raw. Talent. Now, this doesn’t include shopping sprees and matching up the designer labels in all my outfits. I’m one of the people who actually sat down and created the design for that acrylic, also known as, fake fur vest you’re wearing.”

Erin beams a smile at Nadya and then glances at me just before she says, “Men can’t help but to notice someone who does this kind of thing. Right, Alek?”

“Damn right. I couldn’t help it, anyway,” I add, feeling more turned on by Erin than I’ll ever care to admit. She removes her shawl and exposes the way her dress dips low enough to show off her generous cleavage. I lower my head so neither one of them will catch me laughing.

“In fact, Alek told me that my ambitious nature outside of the bedroom turns him on so much that he can’t wait to get back and make mad, passionate love to me tonight,” Erin says with a smile. I almost choke on my saliva.

“Obviously. Have a nice dinner,” Nadya says in a flat voice and walks off toward a man standing near the bar.

“I cannot believe I just said those shitty things to her,” Erin says, shaking her head and gasping.

“She opened the door wide,” I answer.

“Can we have a subject-change moment, please?” she asks and moves on without questioning me about the waterfall statement Nadya made. I appreciate that she doesn’t question or judge me. Not yet.

Author Interview: Disconnect by Imran Siddiq

Today I have author Imran Siddiq here today to tell us a little bit about himself and his new book Disconnect as well as a short excerpt from his book.

Title: Disconnect
Author: Imran Siddiq
Genre: YA Fantasy/Sci Fi
Published: January 27, 2013

Book Description:

Dirtying fingernails in sewers is fast approaching worthlessness for Zachary, a 16-year old Underworld scavenger. When footage of an Overworld girl, Rosa, is discovered, his intrigue heightens at why she expresses sadness with a lavish lifestyle.

In meeting Rosa, Zachary is scorned by her opinion of the deprived. She pities him and provides a means for them to communicate. With time, friendship and something he’s never felt grows; love for another human. Knowing Rosa calls him when it suits her isn’t enough; he wants to meet her, but how? Relationships in Underworld are few, let alone the impossibility with those above the ceiling.

Underworld will suffer when plans to conquer Jupiter’s moon, Europa move ahead. Worse is Rosa’s father, a disgraced Overworld ambassador, approving the plan.

Zachary must defeat the prejudice of the worlds, sneak within opposing forces, lose friends and challenge Rosa’s sadness. In doing so, a twisted secret is uncovered that may devour the reason he lives; Rosa.

In space, love had boundaries.

*Amazon*

MGO: Thanks so much for being here today Imran!
 In 20 words or less tell us a little about your novel.

What if a scavenger broke the rules to meet a girl whose world lay above a ceiling shrouded in secrecy?

MGO: What made you decide to write in the genre that you choose?

I am fan of fantasy, but science fiction has always been my passion since a young child. Aged 5, in 1983, I saw Star Wars Episode IV boy, did my life change after that. There are still many avenues that YA SciFi can take, and I want to experiment with doing something different. Yes, Disconnect sounds like a traditional YA Dystopian about love, but I plead that you give it a chance - because a few agents did comment that the twists are spot on.

MGO: Why did you choose to self publish your work?

I've been attending festivals for the last 3 years, and have attended several. Agents like my style, but won't take a risk based on what they currently want for the market. Now on novel 6, I felt a little disheartened that my tales remained away from many (except the BETAs). So plucking courage I opted to Self-Publish. I'm not overly concerned about royalties; what matter more is coverage and readers wanting more.

MGO: Where did you get your inspiration while writing Disconnect?

Driving back from a Writing Festival, my mind was in a spin over a comment made by a Literary Agent that romance in YA Science Fiction was lacking. Boom - in an instant the final scene for Disconnect played out in my mind. As soon as I got hime, I scribbled down this idea of a poor scavenger who falls for a rich girl, but I had to make it different. And the twists and turns definitely do that. Think of Blade Runner, without Harrison Ford, Replicants, Sean Young, and the whole of Blade Runner Hmmm a weird one that?

MGO: When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?

I always knew. From the age of 9, my teachers commented on my ability to create worlds and characters and how much I believed in them. Then, during my teen years I did the unthinkable; I stopped writing. Damn me damn me.  In 2007, whilst hiding from giant ants in a Borneo jungle, I looked out to the sun, and realised what was missing in my life; writing. Haven't looked back since.

MGO: Disconnect will be a trilogy, are you currently working on the sequel or something else entirely?

Oh am I indeed! Part 2 to the Trilogy titled Disassemble will be released in June 2013, and on the same day (dare I do that ???) I will released Part 3: Disrupt. I don't want to keep fans of the first novel waiting.

Disconnect's tagline = In space, love has boundaries
Disassemble's tagline = Connections will be torn
Disrupt's tagline = All that's lost, will be found

MGO: Do you have plans in the future to write in a genre other than sci-fi?

Well, I'm keeping my foot in the YA Sci-Fi market, but hope to revamp a YA Techno-Fantasy novel that is a cross between Conan and LotR, but without wizards, elves and dwarves, and where the protagonist is a black cat. "meow"

MGO: Thank you again for being here today Imran and letting us get to know you and your latest book, Disconnect better!

Excerpt:

Zachary stopped at the clunk under his boot.

How had nobody seen the box? With a glance into the darkness of the Wastelands, he licked his chapped lips.

Taking the box, Zachary darted past heaps of tottering metallic sheets. So far today, he'd scavenged nothing that was worth shoving into the pockets of his knee-length coat. If there was one thing to beat today, it was the pride-crashing kick to the guts of returning empty-handed for a fourth day. As the shortest scavenger of the stall at five foot six, a barren run made him the easiest target for teasing.

The stalls heckles from the day before still chilled him. The quickest rat with the hunting skill of a slug.

But thoughts of leaving the vast Wastelands with only a handful of screws and two-inch nails drowned in his anticipation that the jingling in the box would be ratchets, fuses and battery cells.

Zachary sprinted along the ledge of the bay to an overhanging bank. Not even the sick rested amongst the rusty vehicles deserted here. Using his trusted titanium screwdriver, he teased off the knot of wires beneath the mesh. Why would anyone take trouble to wrap and then to discard this box?

Whatever, thought Zachary freeing the last clasp of the lid. Inside there was a folded note, a silver Intercom-transmitter, and an orange-tinted bracelet. Result! Twiddling his long, brown hair, he scrutinized the box for hidden compartments within the padded interior. The smooth texture couldn't have started life in Underworld, could it?

Locked away from light, Underworld was a murky pit in comparison to the rich nature of Overworld that few had seen, and finds such as these were rare here. Luck placed Zachary within easy access of the clutter that lay on the west side of Underworld, the Wastelands. Spending most of his day amongst the sewer pipes didn't bother him for it was far better than the dull lanes of District Two. No day was the same amongst junk. Every gush from the pipes revealed a new surprise.

Nobody knew how thick the ceiling was or why its creation blocked Underworld from the world above. Often Zachary pondered what exactly sat above the ceiling. He guessed unlimited power, droids with abilities that dwarfed the functions of humans, and a life that didn't require working in muck. Short hours. Free time.

An eerie chill climbed his spine at imagining the scattered giant steel support pillars dropping aside? Would Overworld add to the mess of Underworld? Could the two worlds of the Galilei Research Base co-exist? No chance.

What did it matter? Underworld's builders had left it to rot.

Zachary squinted in the darkness at the unbroken chain links on the bracelet and the deep dent in its centre. Components of music-playing Harmon bracelets weren't difficult to locate, though one as complete as this? He clicked his teeth thinking of when a working bracelet had last been handed to the stall. Longer than five years at least. There was a harsh rattle as he shook the bracelet. If he fixed this, it could be enough to save him another day of shame.

More than that, he could show his dad that scavenging wasn't a deadbeat job by putting some good food on the table.

The Intercom-transmitter, a communication device he'd often see in the hands of a ruthless looter, felt light in his palm. If this find functioned  he held his breath  then mushrooms for supper would become a memory. Zachary squirmed. Adjusting to the slimy, vomit-wrenching taste of mushrooms that thrived in abundance was at the bottom of his to-do list.

He rubbed his back against the carcass of a vehicle, his heart thumping. Maybe the Master of the stall would let him look behind the curtain?

Zachary's hazel eyes reflected off the Intercoms shiny shell. He rubbed the recognition pad underneath, not sure what to expect. Dull lights clicked along the screens circular pattern. Blue tinted static formed in the air a foot above the Intercom.

What in Europa! Zachary swiped the image. Signs of energy were a signal to the greedy. If any of the gangs roaming the dry deluge saw this, they'd seize the Intercom and snap his skinny limbs apart.

Coat over the Intercom, Zachary sunk deeper into the bank. He paused before returning his thumb to the pad. The blue static burst out again, accompanied by a disturbing cackle. A human head with long hair formed in front of him. The image rotated, showing blurs where the eyes and mouth should have been. An incomplete android? Or an Overworlder?

About the Author: 

Imran Siddiq may have tried to leave Leicester a few times, but it's become his place to wake up to, freeze when the heating is off, and serve two cats and, most of all, get down to writing.

At the age of 29, during a night in the jungle (of his mind –he is a writer, after all), Imran’s writing bug awakened, and for the last 5 years, he’s been sacrificing every second that he can to writing. A veteran of writing festivals, a constant presence on Twitter, and one who is still able to gobble up all forms of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, Imran hopes he can bring a smile to others through his stories.

Imran’s preferred genre is YA Sci Fi. He has a tendency to throw a droid into every novel –literally every novel.

New Cover Reveals and Excerpt: The Bad Boy Series by M. Leighton!

Title: Everything To Us
Author: M. Leighton
Series: Book Three in the Bad Boys Series
Published: September 3, 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Us-Bad-Boys-Novel/dp/0425269868/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364571344&sr=8-1&keywords=everything+to+us

Book Description:

When it comes to passion this hot, it’s all or nothing. 

Olivia Townsend’s wealthy cousin Marissa had everything a girl could ask for—a great job, a privileged life, and all the friends she wanted. Or, at least, all the friends money could buy. But one case of mistaken identity has turned her privileged world upside down.

An abduction gone wrong lands her right in the lap of the sexiest, most dangerous man she’s ever met. To Marissa, he’s an enigma, but one to whom she’s irresistibly, inexplicably drawn.

With him comes a new world of freedom and passion, of dark shadows and dangerous secrets, a world where nothing is what it seems—except for the blind passion that Marissa can’t escape—or maybe even survive.

Excerpt:

“They’re just parts, like any other woman’s,” she replies breathlessly, trying to be casual. 

“I’d be willing to bet your parts are exceptional.  In fact, now might be a good time to warn you that if we come back to this library, I’ll find out for myself.  In this very spot.  I’ll push you up against the books in the corner and I’ll put my hands on you.  I’ll do things to you.  In the quiet.  And you won’t be able to make a sound.  Not a whimper, not a moan.  You’ll have to bite your lip to keep it all inside.  And you know what?” I ask, reaching up to trace my index finger along her full, trembling lower lip. 

“What?” she whispers, her pupils two dilated dots of excitement.

“You’ll love every second of it.” 

With a wicked grin, I take the books from her arms and turn to walk back the way I came.

Title: Up To Me
Author: M. Leighton
Series: Book Two in the Bad Boys Series
Published: January 4, 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

Happily ever after doesn’t come easy. But for love, it’s always worth the fight.

Olivia finds bliss unlike any she’s ever known in Cash’s arms. He sets her skin on fire and melts her heart right inside her chest. Unfortunately, their happily ever after is short-lived when a shadow from Cash’s past threatens to turn their world upside down.

Dangerous people from his father’s world have discovered that Cash holds information that could put them away for a very long time. And they’re willing to do anything—and hurt anybody—to get it back. Giving it up means Cash must choose between the life of his father and the life of Olivia.

Having nearly overcome her wariness of bad boys, Olivia’s trust is shaken when this new threat arises. Now she finds that Cash is not only a danger to her heart, but his family has associations that are a danger to her life as well. She soon discovers that there are some situations in life where trust is a girl’s only option. And this is one of them. If she’s to live, she must trust Cash with her life. But to Olivia, that’s much, much easier than letting go and trusting him with her heart.

*Amazon*

Title: Down to You

Author: M. Leighton

Series: Book One in the Bad Boys

Published: September 21, 2012

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

The scorching tale of one girl, two brothers and a love triangle…that’s not. Olivia Townsend is nothing special. She’s just a girl working her way through college so she can return home to help her father run his business. She’s determined not to be the second woman in his life to abandon him, even if it means putting her own life on hold. To Olivia, it’s clear what she must do. Plain and simple. Black and white. But clear becomes complicated when she meets Cash and Nash Davenport. They’re brothers. Twins. 

Cash is everything she’s always wanted in a guy. He’s a dangerous, sexy bad boy who wants her in his bed at any cost. He turns her insides to mush and, with just one kiss, makes her forget why he’s no good for her. Nash is everything she’s ever needed in a guy. He’s successful, responsible and intensely passionate. But he’s taken. Very taken, by none other than Marissa, Liv’s rich, beautiful cousin. That doesn’t stop Olivia from melting every time he looks at her, though. With just one touch, he makes her forget why they can never be together. 

Black and white turns to shades of gray when Olivia discovers the boys are hiding something, something that should make her run as far and as fast as she can. But it’s too late to run. Olivia’s already involved. And in love. With both of them. Both brothers make her heart tremble. Both brothers set her body on fire. She wants them both. And they want her. How will she ever choose between them?

*Amazon* 

About the Author: 

I was born and raised in the United States, and I’ve lived in several of the fabulous fifty. Though I currently live in the deep South, I spent much of my childhood up North and hope to return there one day. A few other things about me: I believe that sometimes you have to look really, REALLY hard to find the good in people, but it's there. I believe that I'm shrinking (I swear five years ago I was two inches taller). I believe my husband is quite possibly one of the most amazing men in the entire world (I can't be sure because I haven't met all of them). I believe coffee and chocolate, when combined, could be the basis for world peace. I believe that Jesus rocks and communism doesn’t. I believe that white makes me look fat and black collects lint. I believe summer's too hot, winter's too cold and fall was made for football. I like dogs better than cats and the first movie in a trilogy is invariably the best. But most of all, I believe that love conquers all.

Website: http://mleightonbooks.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mleightonbooks

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/M-Leighton/189192087759491?ref=stream

Review: Moonset by Scott Tracey

Title: Moonset
Author: Scott Tracey
Series: Book One in the Legacy of Moonset Series
Published By: Flux (April 8, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 3.5 Stars!

Book Description:
Justin Daggett, his trouble-making sister, and their three orphan-witch friends have gotten themselves kicked out of high school. Again. Now they’ve ended up in Carrow Mills, New York, the town where their parents—members of the terrorist witch organization known as Moonset—began their evil experiments with the dark arts one generation ago.

When the siblings are accused of unleashing black magic on the town, Justin fights to prove their innocence. But tracking down the true culprit leads him to a terrifying discovery about Moonset’s past . . . and its deadly future.

Purchase Links: Amazon/B&N

My Thoughts and Review:

This is the first book by Tracey I have read so I wasn't sure what to expect. Really I picked up this book because of the synopsis. Who doesn't love a good story filled with mystery, danger, curses, ghosts and witches? I couldn't of picked a better book to try by this author because I truly enjoyed it. I really liked his writing style and the fact that this was told from the male POV of Justin. I have said this before but it bares saying again, there just aren't enough books in the YA genre told through the male POV.

I liked Justin, I liked being inside his head. He had a strong voice without being overbearing or too loud. He felt very real to me. I could see his protective side when he was with his siblings and although he didn't know it, I could see the leader in him too. I love how his character grew throughout the story and the strong leader he became by the end.

This had a few twists I didn't see coming and few that I did. I enjoyed all of the chapters starting off with either a journal entry from one of the members of Moonset, from a Counsel member or from a news article. It added something interesting and sometimes insightful to the storyline.

My only real complaint is that I wish there would have been a little more background info on the world Justin lives in. I knew most humans didn't know about the existence of magic and witches, but did the government? Did higher ups at the schools? It wasn't anything huge just something I wondered throughout the story and was never made clear. I am guessing they didn't but, again, I may be wrong since that is just a guess.

I do wish there would have been a little more background on Justin's parents, especially is father but again, that is something we seem to be learning along the way right along with Justin. And as Justin has already found out, some of the things he is learning are things he never guessed possible. Things that may change how he looks at them forever.

Really I think this was done well and I will definitely be continuing on with the series. I was intrigued enough to want more and to find out all the questions that were left unanswered about Moonset, covens, the Counsel and Justin's parents in general. Plus, with an ending like that one, how could I not want to find out what happens next?

Blog Tour and Book Review: Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Title: Going Vintage
Author: Lindsey Leavitt
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Bloomsbury (March 26, 2013)
Genre: YA Contemporary

Book Description: 

When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy, is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off boys. She also swears off modern technology. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage" and return to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn't cheat on you. She sets out to complete grandma's list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous. But the list is trickier than it looks. And obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how good Oliver (Jeremy's cousin) smells. But with the help of her sister, she'll get it done.

Purchase Links: Amazon/B&N

About the Author:
Lindsey Leavitt is a former elementary school teacher and present day writer/mom to three (mostly) adorable little girls. She is married to her high school lab partner and lives in Las Vegas. She is the author of the PRINCESS FOR HIRE series (www.princessforhire.com), SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD and GOING VINTAGE
Visit her on the web at www.lindseyleavitt.com




My Thoughts and Review:

I loved Mallory. She is the best part of this whole book, well maybe Ginnie too, she was pretty fabulous as well. But since this is Mallory's story, I will go with Mallory being the best part.

I loved her quirky sense of humor. I love that she wasn't perfect. I love that this was one of the best coming of age stories that I have read this year. I love that this wasn't all rainbows and sunshine but yet it still managed not to be depressing or angst ridden. I love...okay, that is a lot of things to love but I can't help it.

Really, I shouldn't be surprised, I absolutely loved Leavitt's novel Sean Griswald's Head and this one was just as good. Maybe not as emotional but definitely just as fantastic.

Leavitt has a way of creating a character that you can't help but fall in love with and care about right from the start. Someone real and flawed and someone that you can completely relate to. Mallory was strong in ways even she didn't know and she could have jumped right back into things that were safe and comfortable for her but she didn't. She did things that were out of her comfort zone and even a little scary and you know what? She shined through them. She grew so much. I can't help but love stories like these.

I devoured this book and was very pleased with how it all came together. Leavitt will forever be on my auto buy list. I just love her writing and her characters.

I give this one 4.5 Stars!

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop!!

I love this time of year. Spring is in the air, the winter chill is slowly going away and little green buds can be seen all over the trees. 

What better way to celebrate spring and this special time of year than with another fantastic Hop hosted by I am A Reader Not a Writer and Read Now Sleep Later?

I have been trying to come up with an Easter themed read and I just can't so, instead I thought I would offer up a few good paperbacks instead.

This giveaway is open international so good luck to everyone who enters!

For a full list of all the blogs participating in the Hop, please click HERE. 

First up, In Your Room by Jordanna Fraiberg

Lock and Key by Sarah Dressen

Eternal by H.G. Nadel (this is an ARC copy)

Hopefully you see something you like!

Also due to a number of people following and then "unfollowing" after the giveaway is closed, I will be checking all entries to make sure you are a follower of this blog. If I find out that you won and then "unfollowed" I will be disqualifying you from all future Giveaways and Hops. 

I hate to do this but it is upsetting to see it happen. I hope you all understand. I appreciate all my followers and hope to be participating in many more Hops and Giveaways in the future. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Renegade by Amy Carol Reeves

Title: Renegade
Author: Amy Carol Reeves
Series: Book Two in the Ripper Series
Published By: Flux (April 8, 2013)
Source; ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Paranormal Suspense Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!

Book Description:
The Conclave—a secret group with twisted ideals and freakish practices—has been wiped out, thanks to Arabella Sharp. Now there’s a new malevolence afoot. Fishermen are getting killed, their partially devoured bodies washing up on the shores of Scotland. Is the Ripper responsible? Or have the Conclave’s sinister experiments left behind something more monstrous? Abbie fears the worst when her beloved Dr. William Siddal vanishes. To save the man she loves, Abbie must comply with the Ripper’s dreadful orders—and put her own life in grave danger.

Purchase Links: Amazon/B&N

My Thoughts and Review:

One of the things I like most about this series is the strong female character that is Abbie. She isn't some damsel in distress (that is quite common to the era of this book) that needs to be saving, in fact, during Ripper (the first book in the series), the girl kicked butt and took names and that doesn't chance in Renegade. Once again we get the strong, intelligent and fierce girl that loves with her whole being and wants to do right by everyone. The girl like no other. She defies the laws and restrictions of what it means to be a women in her time and doesn't take no for an answer.

What first drew me to this series was the author's ability to blend the paranormal with a very realistic historic feel that is old world London in the 1800's. Really the mixing of the two was pretty flawless. I got both the paranormal I seem to crave along with the regency era I most adore.

Throw in a little love triangle, a notorious murderer still on the lose, a legend about a monster that seems to be real and a secret Conclave that might very well still be alive and you have one heck of a story line.

And I am happy to say that Reeves pulled it off again. She seamlessly blended the two genres and created something heart pounding and page turning. Full of mystery and intrigue, the inner workings of a mad man, that although I hate to admit it, I am fascinated by and a cast full of characters that are truly unforgettable.

I loved Abbie even more. She is still that headstrong stubborn girl we got in Ripper but now even more fierce and determined to do what needs to be done. She is one tough cookie!

Simon, ah Simon, how I love him. Once again, I fear that I may be falling in love with the wrong guy and will get my heart broken from it. I can't help it though. He is strong, patient, kind, caring and truly loves Abbie. He is everything she should be wanting in a companion. He would let her do what she wants most in life and would never stand in her way. He would support her faithfully and yet, and yet her heart belongs to another.

I am so thrilled with the way this one played through. Even though I love Simon so much, I can't help but love William as well. He is sort of a bad boy for his time. A little reckless, makes stupid mistakes and is even a jerk at times but you can't help but see that he does love Abbie. Their love is slightly destructive and probably not at all healthy but there you have it.

I love that we saw more of Richard in this one as well. There is so much to that sneaky butler. I really hope eventually Reeves will give us his full story.

And then we have Max. The mysterious, evil Max. I really hope we get his story. I know he is out there doing nothing but bad and I want to know what the little fiend is up to.

The ending left me wanting more. Not only do we get a mysterious letter addressed to Max but also the added mystery of one of the Queen's elite too.

I can't wait to see what Reeves has in store for the rest of the series. I am just as pleased with this sequel as I was with the first and I know that it will continue to get better and better as it goes.  

Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop Winner!

And the winner is.....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations Annah!

A huge thank you as always to everyone who entered!!

I will be in contact with the winner soon!

Blog Tour and Book Review: Eternal by H.G. Nadel

Title: Eternal
Author: H.G. Nadel
Published: Jan. 2 2013
Genre: Time Travel/Historic

Book Description:
A love story that spans across continents and centuries.

Julia Jones is an eighteen-year-old science prodigy with a big secret. After landing a prestigious internship with brilliant but eccentric Dr. Caleb Bertel, she is finally ready to move on from her mother's death. But after Julia revives Dr. Bertel from a near-fatal electrocution, strange things start to happen.

Without warning, Dr. Bertel disappears. Then Julia receives threatening notes on her car, and someone has her followed. The young police officer assigned to the case, Austin Moore, believes the events are connected and asks her to help him solve the mystery of Bertel's disappearance. Instantly attracted to him, Julia agrees. Still, she knows that she has seen Austin somewhere before, if only she could put her finger on it.

Will Julia uncover the mystery of Bertel's disappearance before it's too late, and does she dare trust Austin with her heart?

*Amazon*

About the Author:


My Thoughts and Review:

This is going to be hard to review without giving too much away but I will say that the history nerd in me really loved how this story wasn't just about any couple in time, about any reincarnation of sorts, but rather about a very famous couple in French history. A classic french tale of a Romeo and his Juliet, the tale of Abelard and Heloise.

I don't want to give anything away but, their tale is very much a tragedy and one that still involves a lot of mystery and intrigue to this day as very little is really truly known about their relationship. All that is left of their tale are some “love letters” and a man claiming to be their son and a whole lot of maybes.

This is so much more than just a tale of reincarnation though or even the tale of Pierre and Heloise. Yes it is about Austin and Julia, their current life and what brings them together once more. But it is also about science (which is funny considering that is what Pierre and Heloise discussed most in their letters to each other in real life) and two people brought together, both grieving and both dappling in something that was probably better left alone. Something that not only brought Julia and Austin together but something that has changed the lives of many around them.

Again, I don't want to say too much but there is definitely a paranormal element to this. One involving past lives, demons, possession, ghosts, old grudges, conspiracies and so much more that I can't even get into without giving away too many spoilers.

This really wasn't what I was expecting from this read at all, I was expecting just another average story about two people reunited over time. A tale about destiny and meant to be's.

I really loved the author's take on Heloise and Pierre and the obvious research she did into their story while make it true to the actual story but still giving it (obviously) a different twist in time (both then and now). It was different but in a good way. It made the story interesting and kept me wanting to read on. There were twists I didn't expect and things I didn't see coming.

As for the ending, I am not sure what to think of that, other than maybe a sequel is in the works? I can only hope that is what it means.

Review: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Title: Walking Disaster
Author: Jamie McGuire
Series: Book Two in the Beautiful Series
Published By: Atria (April, 2, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: NA Contemporary
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Can you love someone too much?
Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

*Amazon*Barnes and Noble*

My Thoughts and Review:

I am been dying to read this since learning about it. I adored Beautiful Disaster, not just adored, loved. Travis and Abby are two of my all time favorite couples and will forever be that way. There was just something so messed up yet beautiful about their love. It was flawed and messy and chaos most of the time, but really, aren't most good love stories? Thankfully theirs didn't end in a tragedy.

The prologue of this just about did me in. Gah! So emotional and I barely made it through the first couple of pages! I knew this was going to be one heck of a ride. I grabbed a box of tissues and strapped myself in for the ride of my life, the inside look into the mind of Travis Maddox.

This was just fabulous. Really I am so glad that Jamie gave us this look into Travis' head. I already loved him but after reading this one I loved him even more. And even more importantly, I felt like I understood him better. Where his anger came from, the deep love he had for Abby, his craziness, all of it.

I loved all the extra glimpses we got of Trent too. The bond the two had was a really nice touch to the story and of course a great glimpse into him since we all know Jamie's next book is going to be all about this hot Maddox bad boy. I have a feeling there will be many people loving him just as much as they love Travis.

The extra ending to this and the epilogue were fantastic and had me tearing up. I absolutely love that Jamie gave us this. It was what I needed to really feel like I could finally say that there wasn't anything more I could of asked for. Nothing more needs to be questioned or asked about Travis, Abby and their love. I think even those that didn't love Travis in the first one, will love him after reading this one.

Once again Jamie has managed to blow me away with her writing. The amount of depth and emotions that go into her characters that breath life right into them and make them feel so real you can't help but fall in love with them.