Review: Witch Finder by Ruth Warburton

Title: Witch Finder
Author: Ruth Warburton
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Hodder Children's Books (January 2, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
My Rating: 3.5 Stars!

Book Description:
London. 1880. In the slums of Spitalfields apprentice blacksmith Luke is facing initiation into the Malleus Maleficorum, the fearsome brotherhood dedicated to hunting and killing witches.

Luke’s final test is to pick a name at random from the Book of Witches, a name he must track down and kill within a month, or face death himself. Luke knows that tonight will change his life forever. But when he picks out sixteen-year-old Rosa Greenwood, Luke has no idea that his task will be harder than he could ever imagine.

*Amazon*

Stories about witches have always been my most favorite. My first foray into the world of paranormal and will always hold a special place in my heart. Who wouldn't want to be magical? To conjure something up with the snap of a finger or in the blink of an eye or the wave of a wand?

It just so happens, a good rich historical setting is also one of my most favorite things to read but also sadly one that is seriously neglected. It is so hard to find a good young adult read set in historical times, let alone a paranormal one. To find one that combines the two, is always a treat and one I will undoubtedly pick up. One set in London? Even  better.

Despite all my knowledge of how women were treated and how hard life was for anyone without money or means, I still find this era in our history one that is fascinating and somewhat magical. With all the glorious dresses and balls, tea times and strolls through the gardens, it is hard not to fall in love with it all.

I loved that not only did this have that historic detail that I really do crave from time to time but it also had that paranormal aspect to keep it interesting and exciting too.

While this read didn't completely blow me away it did hold my attention and left me wanting to turn the pages to the very end. Luke and Rosa couldn't be more different or more the same if they tried. Two people from entirely different backgrounds, upbringing and social class, not to mention the element of magic they each possess. Yet these two people are both alone, both afraid and come together to save one another when they should be sworn enemies, I couldn't help but like them both. 

My only regret with the story was the ending. I just wish it would have had a little more umph, a little more story to tell. I have no idea if there will be a sequel, I looked but didn't see anything about one but I can only hope that there will be. I think there is more story to tell, more struggles to overcome and more romance that can blossom. 

Overall this was a fun read that truly helped get me out of a reading funk and leave me wanting to read more historic paranormal in the future because I really do enjoy them. I do have to warm you though, there are some harder to read moments in this that involve cruelty of animals and while not too graphic were still very difficult for someone like me that loves animals. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Blog Tour, Book Review and Giveaway: Cursed by Destiny by Cecy Robson

I can't even begin to explain to you how excited I am to be a part of this kick butt tour. For those of you that don't know I am a HUGE fan of not only Cecy's but of this amazing series as well. I would even go as far as to say it is by far my favorite out there right now. It has everything and I do mean EVERYTHING I love in a good urban fantasy. Action, love, humor, kick butt heroines, swoon worthy males and just so much more. 

This truly is one of those series that you will be kicking yourself over not trying sooner and one that I love you too will fall in love with. 

Title: Cursed By Destiny

Author: Cecy Robson

Series: Weird Girls, Book Three

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published By: Signet (January 7, 2014)

Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)

Book Description:

Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls—with one tiny exception: they're products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, weird…

Celia’s a girl in trouble. Her heart is bound to Aric, but he is a pureblood were who must deny her or risk condemning his species to extinction. And that’s just her love life. She’s also been called to take down a group of demon terrorists looking to overthrow the paranormal world. (No pressure.)

In order to bring them down, Celia must ally herself to Misha, the master vampire who has made no secret of his desire for her.

And if that weren’t enough misfortune for one girl, a clairvoyant’s prediction could destroy Celia and Aric’s love for good. The only way to protect the world from unbridled supernatural terrorism is for Celia to bind herself to her destined mate. And that doesn’t appear to be Aric… 

*Amazon*Barnes and Noble*Signed Copies*

About the Author:

Cecy (pronounced Sessy) Robson is a full-time writer, registered nurse, wife, and mother living in the Great Northwest. A member of Romance Writers of America, she attributes her passion for storytelling to the rough New Jersey neighborhood she was raised in. As a child, she was rarely allowed to leave the safety of her house and passed her time fantasizing about flying, fairies, and things that go bump in the night. Gifted and cursed with an overactive imagination, she began writing in May 2009. Her Weird Girls Urban Fantasy Romance series is published with Penguin Random House’s Signet Eclipse and released to stellar praise from reviewers including: Publisher’s Weekly, USA Today, and Romantic Times. THE WEIRD GIRLS: A Novella, SEALED WITH A CURSE, and A CURSED EMBRACE are now available. A CURSED MOON: A Novella, releases December 3, 2013, followed by CURSED BY DESTINY, January 7, 2014.

Twitter

Facebook

Website

We all have those authors that we absolutely adore and those series that we anxiously sit on pins and needles waiting for the next book to be released. Series that when we do get them into our hot little hands we want to weep for joy because we just know we are going to be blown away. Those books that we can't help but devour in one sitting even though we try like heck to make the story last but, we can't help it, we love the storyline and the characters way too much to not devour it, no matter how hard we try to make them last. 

Cecy Robson and the Weird Girls Series are one such author and series for me. I have loved every single book, every single novella and have yet, to fail to devour them within hours of receiving them. I can't help it, I am hopelessly drawn into the beautiful world and characters that Ms. Robson has created and they have weaseled their way into my heart and I feel like they have become family. People that I love and care about desperately. People that I want to see succeed and get their happily ever after.  I want each and every character to find love and happiness and peace. I want the best for them all, with, maybe the exception of good ole Mrs. M, but even she amuses me and I can't help but like the tough ornery old bird.

With the way the last book ended you would think that I would go into this with a little apprehension, with a little nervousness, even with a little fear, expecting my heart to break,  but you know what? I didn't. I didn't because I completely and wholeheartedly trust Ms. Robson to give me a good story. To make me laugh along the way, cheer at their triumphs and cry at their failures and yes, maybe even break my heart a little along the way. I know without a doubt, that she loves these characters as much as I do and no matter what happens in this book, I trust her, I really do. 

So it was with excitement and happiness that I opened the pages of this and dove right in and let me tell you, I loved this from page one all the way to the ending.

Once again Robson had me completely captivated and eagerly turning the pages. Celia is just as kick butt as always and maybe even more so now after the events in the last book. This girl is strong with a capital S but she is also loyal, loving and kind. Everything I want to be some day when I finally grow up. 

She had a lot of rough challenges in this and by the end of the book I felt a little raw and worked over emotional wise but I loved every single minute of it and I wouldn't change a thing because I know everything that happened will only make her stronger and more fierce than ever. And with another new person to take care of, I know Celia will only strive harder to get what she wants and to protect those she loves.

I really loved Aric in this, he really redeemed himself from the last book and my heart broke for hi for some many different reasons. 

Once again the wolf boys have captured my heart, I love Koda, Gem, Bren, Danny and Liam. They are just seriously good guys that you would love to have on your side.

Emma, Shayna and Taran are as kick butt as ever and they too are growing into pretty fierce strong warriors and fighters. I love them even more in this book because of it. How they are there for Celia when she needs them in whatever capacity that might be.

Misha, ah Misha, I can't help but have a spot spot for the little blood sucker. Yes he is a pain in the butt sometimes and yes he is a pervert and okay, he pushes Celia a little too much sometimes but I love him. I just can't resist his charm and the goodness I see in him.  Even the Catholic “school girls” are starting to wear on me!

This book was probably my favorite yet but also more serious than the others. Things are getting dangerous and complicated and I really really just want the next book NOW. It is going to be a super long wait for it and I will be at the edge of my seat waiting. 

Robson has once again created a master piece filled with longing, suspense, action, romance, danger, humor, friendship, family bond (in all forms) and kick butt heroines and heros that will work their way into your heart and mind and refuse to leave and that will be okay because you won't want them too.

I will be thinking about this one long after I have put it down, long after the review has been written and long after it's release. I hope you write fast Ms. Robson because I am so ready for the next!

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Cecy is offering this fabulous prize pack for one lucky US resident! The prize pack includes one signed copy of Cursed By Destiny, a lip balm, magnet and a bookmark!! 

There will be multiple blogs offering the same giveaway, for a chance to make it fair to everyone and for more people to win we are asking only one winner per blog tour please although you are more than welcome to enter each giveaway to increase your chances of winning. If you are the winner of two prize packs, another winner will be chosen instead for the second so you will only receive one prize pack and a second person will have a chance to win one as well. 

Thanks everyone for understanding!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mini Review: The First Midnight Spell by Claudia Gray

Title: The First Midnight Spell
Author: Claudia Gray
Series: Prequel to the Spellcaster Series
Published By: Harper Teen (November 5, 2013)
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Paranormal
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
In this suspenseful companion novella to New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray's Spellcaster, learn the tragic origins of the dark witch Elizabeth.

It's 1695, and Elizabeth Cooper is a young witch in Fortune's Sound, Rhode Island. She spends her days perfecting spells with the local coven and dreaming about one day marrying Nat Porter. But Nat is the son of Widow Porter, another witch and the leader of their coven. According to the First Laws of the Craft, Elizabeth is strictly forbidden to marry him.

Elizabeth never imagined dabbling in the dark arts, bringing herself close to serving the One Beneath. But as she feels Nat slipping away from her, she will do anything to secure his love. How much harm could she do with one single spell, even if it is black magic?

*Amazon*Barnes and Noble*

I have meaning to start this series for a very long time now and when I saw this novella I decided now was the time to start. Dark magic, witches, forbidden love, spells gone wrong, all set in the late 1600's, what's there not to love?

This was a delicious look into the series, into Elizabeth and what made her who she became, into first loves, friendship, the darkness of jealousy and the mysteries of youthful thinking.  

I can say with absolute confidence that I will be continuing with the series. This was everything I love in a good paranormal. Magic, mayhem, darkness, lightness, suspense, intrigue and good fleshed out characters (especially for a novella). I can't wait to pick up the first book and dive in.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Mini Review: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Marie Landry

Title: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Author: Marie Landry
Series: Stand Alone Novella
Published: November 5, 2013
Source: Purchased
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 3.5 Stars!

Book Description:
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, right? At least that’s what twenty-year-old Ginny Bailey’s grandmother always told her, and Ginny believed it until Grama died. She even put on a brave face the following two Christmases, carrying on Grama’s traditions and decorating her house and café with Grama’s favorite decorations.

But Ginny can’t pretend any longer. When she finds out she’s going to be alone for the holidays this year, her Christmas spirit goes out the window, along with her luck. Everything that can go wrong does, and Ginny just wants to spend the holidays hiding under the covers...until Dean Riley comes back into her life. With their shared past, old feelings begin to resurface almost immediately, and Ginny thinks Dean might just be the Christmas miracle she’s been waiting for to help her remember why Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year.

*Amazon*Barnes and Noble*

I love this time of year if not for all the excitement, festivities and the feeling of love and giving in the air, then because of the many sweet, fun, and heartfelt books and novellas that come out each year that I tend to devour. 

This is one such novel set in the atmospheric and homey feeling of a small town, where everyone is friendly, everyone knows and cares about one another and where those good life lessons about hard work and helping one another are still in full force. 

This was a sweet tale about a young woman named Ginny who is still trying to get over the death of her beloved grandmother (Grama) and still stay true to the holiday spirit around her.

I picked this one up after reading a couple of other reviews on it from trusted bloggers and friends and really, I am so glad I did. Not only was this filled with all the good stuff it was the perfect length to cozy up in front of the fireplace on a cool winter night and get that perfect does of romance, fun, and holiday spirit. 


This was my first book by Landry and I really enjoyed the story, the characters as well as her writing style. I will definitely be picking up another of her books in the future. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author. I was not compensated for this review.*

Special Holiday Sneak Peek From Sourcebooks: Fat Boy vs. The Cheerleaders by Geoff Herbach

Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders

by Geoff Herbach

Sourcebooks Fire

MEMORANDUM

From: Henry P. Rodriguez, Attorney at Law

Submitted To: Seventh District Court, Otter County

Re: Case No. 1745321—Gardener et al v. MLA Independent School District

SHORTLY BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON JUNE 15, GABRIEL JOHNSON, A SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD FROM MINNEKOTA, MN, WAS APPREHENDED OUTSIDE CUB FOODS BY OFFICER REX McCOY. JOHNSON POSSESSED $17.75 IN SMALL BILLS AND CHANGE, WHICH HE CONFIRMED HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE VENDING MACHINE AT MINNEKOTA LAKE AREA HIGH SCHOOL.

POLICE SUGGESTED THE ALLEGED ROBBERY WAS RELATED TO A LARGER CONFLICT INVOLVING ASSAULT, VANDALISM, AND DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER THAT HAS COME TO BE KNOWN AS THE SPUNK RIVER WAR.

THE FOLLOWING TRANSCRIPT IS GABRIEL’S VERBATIM ACCOUNT, RECORDED IN A CONFERENCE ROOM AT THE MINNEKOTA POLICE DEPARTMENT BETWEEN 10 A.M. AND 5:40 P.M. ON JUNE 16.

WE SUBMIT THIS DOCUMENT AS CONTEXT FOR THE ABOVE NOTED CASE. THERE IS A SPECIFIC HUMAN COST WHEN THOSE IN POWER WIELD POWER ARROGANTLY. THIS CASE SUPPORTS A TEENAGER’S FIGHT FOR DIGNITY, OPPORTUNITY, AND FAIRNESS.

Chapter 1

Ripping off the pop machine last night wasn’t meant to be funny. It was my duty to all the geeks, burners and oddballs in school, because that machine sucks. Robbing it was serious business, okay?

Why are you laughing, Mr. Rodriguez?

I did it myself. I robbed the machine all by myself.

There were sheep in the school this morning? Real sheep?

How—? Oh, wait, I remember now. I must’ve let them in there by accident. Whoops. Like, left the door open after I robbed the machine and all those sheep wandered in by themselves.

No, it’s not funny, sir. Really.

I’m telling you, I’m the one who stole the money. It was eighteen dollars, but I lost a quarter when Officer McCoy roughed me up. Look at my chin! I have scrapes all over my stomach and knees, too.

That stupid pop machine. Stupid pop! It all started with that stupid…

Yeah I hate that machine! For so many reasons.

For instance, in May, me, Justin Cornell and Camille Gardener did this pop study for health class. The study was Camille’s idea, because she turned into a health nut when her dad started organic farming last year (they grew like two tomatoes and a one giant zucchini—they’re not the best farmers). Anyway, out of Camille’s concern for student health, she got us to study usage of the pop machine, her theory being that unhealthy kids would be the heaviest users.

Big, bad study, sir. Mr. Luken, our Health teacher, gave us passes to hang out in the cafeteria all day. We made a chart of jocks, brains, music geeks, gamers, burners, and “others” (sad sacks who are hard to categorize because they have no social connections to anyone) and we took note of who purchased a product from the pop machine and what specific product they purchased.

Almost nobody paid attention to us while we took notes. Only a couple said stuff like, “What are you staring at, dorks?” Seth Sellers, a jock, made fart sounds when he saw me.

This pop project was eye-opening, sir.

After school that day, me, Camille and Justin went to Bitterroot Coffee Shop down on

Main Street to tally things up.

“Nick, Gamer, purchased three Pepsis in four hours,” Justin said.

“Kendra, Burner, four different pops in five hours,” Camille said.

“She’s pretty overweight,” Justin said.

“Not as big as Tiff, Other, who bought four bottles of Sierra Mist,” Camille said.

“Oh Lord Mother of all Balls,” I said.

Camille plugged the data into a spreadsheet, squinting.

Justin shook his head, sucked his latte and was all like, “Whoa.”

Then Camille sat back, sipped her green tea and was all like, “Just as I suspected.”

I smiled and said, “Holy Mother of all Balls, right?” I drank a mocha with whipped cream, which has a million calories, by the way.

Here’s the scoop, sir: Purchasers of pop at Minnekota Lake Area High School are fat asses, trailer park kids, addicted gamers, and burner chicks who eat cigarettes for breakfast. Dozens and dozens of these kids. Most of them went for second rounds later in the day. Some for thirds. A couple, fourths (me, for instance). Very few jocks purchased pop from the machine. (Seth Sellers bought one bottle of Pepsi late in the afternoon, so he was able to greet me with the aforementioned fart sounds.) Two cheerleaders purchased from the machine, but they both bought diet. That diet stuff will kill you, but not make you fat on the calories.

What does that tell you, Mr. Rodriguez?

I tried not to show my concern, but Justin and Camille were clearly concerned.

“You drink a lot of pop, Chunk,” Justin said. “Could be part of the problem,”

“Oh, is there a problem?” I said. “I wasn’t aware of a problem!” I smiled big and raised my fat mocha like I was making a toast.

“There’s a problem, Chunk,” Camille said. “A big problem.” She didn’t smile. She didn’t toast me.

“I’m just sayin’,” Justin said.

Yeah. Really. A problem. I drank a hell-ton of Code Red Mountain Dew every day—four bottles, five bottles—and the only pants that fit me were stretchy pants (elastic waistband, sir).

I knew it, too, knew pop was part of my issue. But, see, I also thought it was part of my success! I was winning by buying all that pop! All the vending machine money went to fund the band! I’m a trombone player, you know? That’s one badass, hilarious instrument, right?

Trombone! Awesome instrument. I love band so much so I figured I was paying myself by drinking all that pop. Winning it huge.

No. Stupid.

The truth is, I’ve gained a load of weight in the last couple of years. Kids call me fat ass, sausages, fudge balls, butter balls, cake balls, lard ass, 8 Butt Johnson. All kinds of names. I laugh and go along with it, but those names hurt my feelings.

Even my stupid gym teacher calls me names!

The day after our pop study, I was depressed, so it took me a long time to get to school, so I was late to gym class, so Mr. McCartney ordered me to “orbit,” which means run laps. I didn’t want to get detention (McCartney had been threatening me with detention, because I make jokes and I’m quote unquote mouthy). So I did what I was told.

While I was jogging around the gym, Seth Sellers shouted, "Planet turd in orbit!"

I smiled. “Yeah, watch out, planet earth. This shit ball might crash out of the night sky!” I faked being out of control and weaved off course like I was crashing.

McCartney got pissed. “This isn’t a joke, Chunk,” he said. “This is a punishment.”

“Okay,” I said. “Sorry.” I jogged on, but when I got to the far end of the gym, Janessa Rogers, this nasty cheerleader, said, “Shake it, Chunk! Shake it!”

I puckered my lips duck-face style and started shaking my ass while I jogged.

Everybody laughed.

Everybody except McCartney. He freaked. Way out of control. His face turned dark red and sweat streamed down his forehead. He started yelling, "You wanna be a clown, Chunk? You wanna disrupt my class? Oh, you’re real hilarious!”

I stopped my ass shaking,

“God, I’m sick of it,” McCartney shouted.

I stopped jogging all together. Stared at him, because he was screaming. Everyone else stopped whacking their birds (we were in a badminton unit).

McCartney walked toward me fast. “I’m so sick of your baloney. Sick of your face.”

“My face?” I asked, because I was surprised, because I always thought McCartney sort of liked me, even if I annoyed him.

“Your fat face! Get out of my gym, you sack of shit. Get your fat ass out of here."

Everybody stared. Everybody’s mouth hung open.

I swallowed hard. Stared at McCartney for a second. Then said, "Okay.” I put my head down and bumbled out of there as fast as my fat legs could carry me.

Terrible. Teacher verbally assaults you like that?

Hey. Why are we talking about this, Mr. Rodriguez? Shouldn’t we be talking about how…how you’re going to keep me from going to jail or something? I’m a little nervous about my crime.

The whole story, huh? Okay. You asked for it. I can talk forever.

Pop. The night after I was kicked out of gym, I pulled five empty bottles of Code Red Mountain Dew out of my backpack (there isn’t recycling at school, so I bring my empties home). One bottle didn’t have a cap on it. A little Code Red dribbled out onto my bedroom rug. It made a little stain. I squinted at it and my heart beat hard.

This stain reminded me of Doris our cleaning lady back when Dad was trying to pick up the pieces after Mom hit the road (Mom ran away to Japan while I was in eighth grade, by the way).

Doris was a tiny old lady. She spilled dirty mop water on the carpet. She said, “Better laugh than cry.” She broke a lamp when she whacked it off a side table with the duster. “Better laugh than cry.”

Poor Doris! She was terrible. She could barely lift a broom, she was so old. Dad had to fire her, which made him cry (serious sobbing breakdown, which he did a lot back then), but what was he going to do? She plugged the toilet with Clorox wipes. She broke a whole set of plates. She fell off a stool and ripped down our shower curtain. Dad had no choice. But when the taxi dropped her off at our place on the day he actually fired her, he broke down like a weak-ass baby. “I’m sorry,” he cried. “I’m so sorry, Doris.”

Doris shrugged and smiled and put her coat back on. I was so nervous about how she would react. What if Doris cried about getting fired? What would we do then? But she didn't seem to care at all. "Better laugh than cry," she said. Then Dad drove her home.

And I exhaled. I relaxed. And I thought: Doris has it right, right? Better laugh than cry. I don’t want to be a fool sobbing mess like my dumb dad, who can’t deal with his wife leaving him (my mom left me, too, and I wanted to cry, but seriously, better laugh than cry). That became my whole way of dealing.

A couple years later, there I was, ass dancing in the high school hallway while Seth

Sellers mocked me with fart sounds. Laughing all the way, man.

But I stared at that Code Red stain on my rug and my heart beat and I thought, that’s not funny. For the first time, sir, it occurred to me that my total lack of dignity is not remotely funny.

That feeling continued into the night.

Grandpa, who you met this morning, moved in with me and Dad last summer to help us out. He cooks really well and sort of cleans—better than Doris, I guess. After he got too old to be a professional body builder, Grandpa ran a diner in town and the dude can make comfort food like nobody’s business.

Yes, you heard me right, body-builder.

Why are you laughing?

Everybody in town knows about Grandpa. He was Mr. Minnesota 1977, Mr. Rodriguez. I'm serious. The ladies loved him. Grandpa was Arnold Schwarzenegger's main competition back in the day.

That's what he told me and I believe him.

Long story short, sir, that night Grandpa cooked up some steaks and a bunch of mushrooms in butter sauce and mashed potatoes and green beans and fixed us salads. The deal is I never ate the green beans or the salad part. I doubled up on mashed potatoes, because oh balls, yes, do I love the awesome flavor of my grandpa's cream cheese infused mashed potatoes.

While I was sucking down the potatoes, Grandpa stared at me. He said, "Boy, the lack of roughage in your diet accounts for that big gut of yours.”

I looked up, stared back at Grandpa’s pinched face. I remembered Mr. McCartney calling me a fat ass in gym. My heart sank. My chin quivered. "Big gut?" I asked.

"You heard me," he said.

I swallowed hard, thought I might cry, because all these names… But then my Doris philosophy kicked in. I said, “I’m out of here!” I put the rest of the potatoes in my mouth—a giant wad—jumped up from my chair and ass-danced out of the dining room.

“Sure love the spuds, don’t ya, ya Chunk,” Grandpa called after me.

“Ha ha ha!” my dad laughed.

Back downstairs in my room, I stared at the stain again. What the hell is so funny? Am I really just a joke? I pictured Doris’s quivery arms and unsteady gaze and her wrinkled old face.

Then it hit me! Oh man, I thought. Crap! You’re not Doris, you idiot.

Total realization, sir. Doris couldn’t help it that she was so old. What was she going to do? Cry about living so long she no longer had control of her body? Better laugh than cry makes sense for her. I, on the other hand, have a choice. I’m a powerful young buck. Ass dancing isn’t the only option, right?

Don’t get me wrong, sir, I like being funny. But I don’t like…

You asked for it! The whole story! This totally has to do with the pop machine.

See, I was already pretty crabby that last week of school. Because I tried to limit my Code Red intake to three bottles a day, because I didn’t want to be a victim anymore, didn’t want to just laugh it all off. I wanted to do something for myself. I’d become dependent on the sugar and caffeine in the freaking pop, okay?

Justin and Camille both commented on my bad mood.

“Why so sad?” Justin asked while driving me to school.

“Someone hit you with the sad stick?” Camille asked during chemistry.

“Bah,” I replied to both of them. “Screw everything.”

See? I was already evolving the attitude that caused me to become the criminal I am today.

Then, Wednesday that last week of school we had the first tiny event of what has since come to be known as the Spunk River War.

What a stupid name. Spunk. That’s a bonehead name.

Sure thing, sir. Go ahead and get coffee. I’ll be here when you get back. Not like I can go anywhere.

Cover Reveal: The Underworld King by Ranjit More

Today we're excited to bring to you the cover reveal for the fantasy novel,  The Underworld King by Ranjit More. While this is an adult fantasy, it is appropriate for YA readers.

Book Description:

60,000 miles below the surface of the earth thrives a kingdom inhabited by daityas – giant, fanged beings of the night who sometimes travel to the surface above and eat humans in the hearts of grim forests. Their four-armed king, Drumila, faces a new peril, and this time it is advancing upon him not from the heavens, where his eternal enemies reside, but from the darkest depths of creation. The naagas –giant, flame-breathing serpents– are traveling towards the capital of daityas, intent upon reducing them to ashes, and Drumila must do everything in his power to thwart them. For no matter how strongly he detests his subjects' lifestyle and nature, it is his duty to protect them as king.

 Moved by Drumila's plight, the powerful sage, Shukracharya, swims down into the underworld upon the back of his giant crocodile and convinces his disciple-king to migrate to the surface of the earth.

What follows is an epic exodus to the world above and a strange encounter with a beautiful girl thereupon. Nandini seems to be human, but all signs point towards her having descended from the heavens, the least of which are a delicate waist and long eyes extending up to her ears. But is this a trick of the gods? Drumila will find out soon enough, when the battle begins.

THE UNDERWORLD KING is the tale of the emperor of Paataal, the Hindu underworld, and the goddess of Svarg, the Hindu heaven, and their quest for endless power, lust and each other's destruction.

Here's an excerpt for your enjoyment:

A sage called Shukracharya emerged from the limpid waters of a lake upon the back of a giant, green crocodile. Swiftly had they shot through the reservoir, the sage and the crocodile, like a divine shaft released by Shambhu[1] from the underworld, and had arrived on the banks of the lake, which lay within a myterious island. Yet, it was early, as far as their fixed arrivals at the secret site were concerned, for the sun-globe was still visible in the sky and had yet to redden the earthly firmament.

Churning the life airs[2] within his body, Shukracharya heated the surface of his skin and dried off the water running over it. Then he got down from the crocodile upon the golden sands of the bank and surveyed the forest around him. 

A thousand times over had he seen these woods, which were the residence of his beloved deity, Nataraj, Who produced blazing fires from His third eye and scorched the cosmos until it became devoid of life and matter. Fanning those flames with His destructive dance, Nataraj then destroyed the twelve worlds and their denizens at the end of every divine millenium, and created the worlds anew.

A thrill ran across Shukracharya’s body as he recalled his Lord’s destructive activities, which, although terrific and frightening to most living beings, were necessary for the balance of nature. It produced in him a great desire to see the white Lord immediately, but alas, it was not possible. There were rules to be followed, regulations to be observed, in the divine jungle of Shiva-Shankara. Shukracharya controlled the urge, and turned the other way, for Nataraj didn’t expect his services for one and a half muhurt[3] yet. 

Of course, idols normally didn’t expect anything, seeing as how they were made of gold, stone, wood or jewels (Shukra’s idol was made of jewels) but this particular statue managed to express such things nevertheless, and more. Shukra believed it was due to the divine mystic power of the forest-island than any miraculous result of his own devotion, but he was glad about it either way. Only, whenever Damstra, the crocodile, accompanied him to His sacred grove, did the deity remain lifeless. Otherwise He talked and laughed with Shukra in the most astonishing way.

Since he had time to spend, Shukracharya looked in the direction of south, where he hoped to find something that would occupy him. As though in response, a cool breeze imbrued with many sweet fragrances blew from the direction, beckoning him. 

‘I can smell the scent of the champaka flower in there somewhere,’ he thought, as the fragrances passed him by. ‘And even a hint of bilva!’ Both trees were exceedingly dear to Nataraja; with their flowers and leaves finding extensive use in His worship.

 ‘If not, he thought, at least I’ll get some fresh flowers to tuck in my hair.’

Like most divine sages, Shukracharya had matted hair upon his head, tied in a manner that resembled a large beehive. Due to swimming so rapidly through the waters of the lake, all the flowers and leaves had washed away from it.

Shukracharya turned to his crocodile. “Damstra,” he said, “stay here.” 

The crocodile nodded his heavy, green head but Shukra continued to look upon him. “Last time I saw you, you were holding one of the reptiles from the forest in your mouth.” He narrowed his eyes. “It looked like you were about to swallow the poor creature. May I ask why? At the time I had some important matter pressing on my mind, and I didn’t say anything to you. But now that I remember, I demand to know the meaning of such behavior.” 

The giant crocodile tossed his scaly head as though shaking it in denial. “I never was going to eat it, maharaj[4],” he said in a heavy voice, looking grumpily at the spot where this event had occurred. “But the crocodiles took me to be an ordinary reptile like themselves and came to challenge me. I had to expand my body and display my strength. Would you rather me sit still and do nothing? Your mount?”

“Of course not,” Shukra said at once. “You must defend yourself and your self-respect at all times… I only ask that you don’t kill anything here, on this sacred island.”

“Of course, maharaj,” Damstra said. “I won’t.”

“Very well. Rest awhile.”

Damstra then nodded and began to lumber away lazily on his four, bent legs.

Shukracharya gripped his golden stick firmly and began to walk towards the southern forest, treading upon fine gravel in his wooden sandals. He passed palash trees laden with startling red flowers and groves of kadamb trees, which lent a sweet fragrance to the air, and caused fat bumblebees to buzz lazily around his matted hair.

He must’ve walked for a long time, because when he turned back, the lake, the crocodile and the forest had disappeared from view. As he looked around he only saw tiny shrubs and standing plants growing in large clusters here and there. It was a most wonderful thing. 

Where trees had been at least a yojan[5] tall near the lake, now appeared to be of the mere size of his thumb... If he wanted, Shukra could’ve uprooted a tree with his two fingers by exerting only a bit of force, but he restrained himself. 

‘What strange wonder is this?’ he thought. ‘Everything is so small!’

Shukra looked closer and was astonished even further. Verily, surrounding him on all sides, were hills and mountains…growing to the height of his waist!

He could have sat upon them like a throne, or beat them to crumbling rocks with his stick.

There was no mistaking it. 

Shukracharya had entered the dimension of the humans. 

The Underworld King is now available for purchase for only .99 cents for a limited time! (Regular price: $3.99)

Smashwords | Amazon | Apple | Kobo

Goodreads

Find the author:

Website |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Giveaway:

The author is generously giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky person!

(INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This cover reveal was organized and put together by CBB Book Promotions.

 

Review: Needing Her by Molly McAdams

Title: Needing Her
Author: Molly McAdams
Series: Companion Novella to the novel From Ashes
Published By: William Morrow Impulse (December 23, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
She’s the Girl Next Door

Maci Price isn’t really into relationships. Having four very protective older brothers has always made having a boyfriend very difficult, anyway. But her friend is set on finding her the perfect guy – and thinks the mysterious Connor Green is the perfect pick.

He’s Her Brother’s Best Friend

Connor Green is trying to find himself again. He loved then lost and it’s time for him to pick up the pieces. His brooding is making his friends crazy, but, Maci Price, who has grown up into a gorgeous and incredibly sexy woman, is about to break the spell.

They’re Made for Each Other

When Maci starts up old pranks to get Connor out of his slump, an all out war leads to a night that will break all their rules, and a relationship they must keep hidden. Together they’re electric. Apart they’re safe. And soon they’ll find they’re exactly what the other needs.


A fabulous, fun, and sexy, New Adult novella from New York Times bestselling author Molly McAdams. If you loved Connor in From Ashes, this is the story for you.

*Amazon*Barnes and Noble*

I feel like I need to clarify something before really starting this review, the description of this one may say that it is a novella but really it reads like a book, it is at over 300 pages, a book. 

Everything is fleshed out and well written and while part of a series, completely a story all it's own. In fact, confession time. I read this completely out of order and I don't regret it at all. In fact, I love Connor and Maci and am so glad I read their story when I did. 

I love that this was done in dual point of views. I seriously am loving that in this genre because it adds so much depth to the characters, to their thoughts and feelings and just to the story in general. 

Molly McAdams is a fantastic author, and while all her stories might not have a happily ever after ending, they are all fantastically written, hard to put down and have characters that you come to care about and feel something for, whether that be love or contempt, she knows how to bring about the emotions in a story, in a reader, and she does it well.

I adored both Maci and Connor and this story as a whole. It made me smile, laugh, sigh, get teary eyed and it made me fall in love with it.

I want more with the whole Price bunch and I am really looking forward to reading more about them all. Even though this was a long novella, I truly wasn't ready for it to be over. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*