Sunday, March 31, 2013

A Vampire Revelation: Guest post by Ashley Stoyanoff

I'd like to welcome Ashley Stoyanoff back to Pure Jonel with a guest post about becoming a vampire. It's very enlightening stuff. A word of warning however, make sure that you read right to the end. Today is the last day to enter The Soul's Mark: Broken giveaways, and the rafflecopters are at the end.
Today I’m going to share my vampire revelation. Last week, I was chatting with a friend about my upcoming release of The Soul’s Mark: BROKEN, and he asked me: How do your vampires become vampires?

Of course, I wouldn’t tell him because, well, I didn’t want to spoil it, but the conversation spiraled from there, and it got me thinking ...

For those of you who have an author friend, you know that we think a lot. Ideas pop up, and we pick over them. For myself, I’ll spend weeks on one idea until it makes sense. Fiction needs to be more believable than real life, and if I don’t believe it happened my readers won’t either.

Anyway, back to the vampires … during my research for The Soul’s Mark Series, I read a lot of vampire books. One thing I found in a lot of them was that to become a vampire, you need to be bitten by one.

And now for my revelation … this doesn’t make sense.

Most books have vampires being around forever. The older books have vampires only eating human blood. So, if they’ve been around forever, and only eat people, then they would have to change or kill every person they bite. How long would the race actually survive doing this? Surely not thousands, upon thousands, of years.

Vampires are supposed to be crafty—survivors. However, how can they survive if they are changing/killing their food? Sooner or later, they would become extinct, or if not them, their food would. They would drain their resources.

This, to me, does not sound like crafty survivors. It sounds like a one-way ticket to disaster. Once they change all their food into vampires, what would they eat? Let’s say at this point, they adapt and move on to animals … would we then have a bunch of vampire animals? *Shudders* Now that would suck.

But, even if they did adapt, in the end, and at some point it would come to an end. The vampires would again drain their resources. If they are changing/killing everything, there would be no one left to produce more food for them, and they would eventually die off, too.

And those are my thoughts on why you cannot become a vampire by being bitten alone.

And now, don't forget to enter the 2 phenomenal The Soul's Mark: Broken Giveaways before it's released tomorrow!



The first is for participants in Canada & the US only.  Enter to win 1 papberback copy of The Soul's Mark:  Broken by Ashley Stoyanoff, coupled with a 'book cushion' (may not be exactly as pictured).





The second contest is open Internationally.  Enter to win one of 3 sets of The Soul's Mark series.  That's right, each of the 3 winners will win a copy of The Soul's Mark:  Found,  The Soul's Mark:  Hunted, and The Soul's Mark:  Broken.



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Saturday, March 30, 2013

Faerie Tales by Brandi Salazar

Title: Faerie Tales:  Misfortune of a Teenage Solicalite
Author:  Brandi Salazar
Published:   March 23rd 2011 by Brandi Salazar 
(first published 2010)
Page Count:  298
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Tossed into a world of magic she'd only ever read about in books, Valerie Williams goes from teenage drama queen to tooth faerie almost overnight. Struggling to maintain her social status in a high school where designer clothes and having the right boyfriend makes the person, she finds that what's on the outside doesn't always determine what's on the inside.

Having a hard time adjusting to the maturity she's been forced into, Valerie finds love and makes mistakes that could cost her everything. To make matters worse, she discovers that her employer, Enamel Wear, Inc., is hiding a secret that may just leave her future hanging in the balance.

My Review:

Awesomeness!!! This story took off running down a path that I’d never expected. Salazar has an interesting way with words. It makes you feel like you’re back in high school. There’s an easy flow to the novel while reading it. This novel definitely makes you giggle. It also makes you think about how you view life, about how you treat yourself, and about how you treat others. This is a book about personal growth and families. It’s about the things that teens go through while coming into their own, but at the same time, is remarkably light-hearted. It was a brilliantly fun read.

The characters in this story are loveable. They’re so real. You have to love each and every one of them. They have real issues that are dealt with in a funny, supernatural way. At the same time, they are so human that you can’t help but feel for them. Who didn’t deal with relationship confusion at that age? And who isn’t trying to figure out what they want to do when they grow up? Salazar highlights these issues and shows individuals dealing with them in amazing ways, with extra complications.

As a whole this was a brilliantly light-hearted tale that you can’t help but get lost in. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

Buy your copy online here today!


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Eliza's Shadow by Catherine Wittmack

Title: Eliza's Shadow
Author:  Catherine Wittmack
Published:   May 26th 2012 (first published March 26th 2012)
Page Count:  332
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal (with some Romance)
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Eliza Gowan's past has come back to hunt her. Since her mother's mysterious disappearance, Eliza has enjoyed a quiet life under the care of her aunt in the sleepy town of Port Rune. But the moment magnetic Ren Alden appears in her high school classroom, Eliza is thrust into the exciting world of magic and the path of danger. Menaced by an otherworldly enemy, Eliza embarks on a quest to solve the mysteries of her past and end the hunt for good.

My Review:

5 big honkin stars. That’s what I’ve got to give this book. 5 big stars. Bolded, underlined, italicized, 72pt font stars.

This is a mellow story. It is the captivating, well written storytelling that keeps you coming back, rather than action sequences stacked end on end. This story is very skillfully told with an amazing cast to round it out. It is an enchanting tale of self discovery and growing up with an enticing supernatural twist.

It is also extremely well written, flowing seamlessly from one section to the next. Wittmack builds a world that you can envision easily. Everything is clearly and logically laid out while keeping the reader captivated and satiated.

Wittmack uses a different, culturally based take on magic that doesn’t look towards the stereotypical pagan rites. It adds a uniqueness to this story that many authors don’t bother to look for. It is also an all encompassing view of magic. It’s not about wands, pointy hats, and capes. It takes the various different aspects of magic and combines them in a very down to earth, culturally based way to create a unified picture.

I really like how the author tells about the characters’ past in dreams and nightmares that also serve as a message for the main character. It helps keep the storyline flowing in a forward motion. She also incorporates theories and practices right into the storyline. By doing this, Whittmack has tactfully avoided long, drawn out narratives while still providing all necessary details.

I appreciate that Wittmack took the time to develop all aspects of her characters. All of the characters in this novel are real people. They are strong people, but also have self doubt. It makes them seem all the more realistic. They also have rich family histories that serve to enrich the storyline. I also appreciate the fact that these characters embrace their heritage, rather than trying to run from it. I was sad to see the characters go at the end, and am hoping that I get to encounter them again in the future.

Buy your copy online here today!



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Caged in Myth by J.T. Fairfield

Title:  Caged in Myth
Author: J.T. Fairfield
Series: The Bayou Zoo #1
Published: October 23rd 2012 
(first published October 22nd 2012)
Page Count: 109
Genre:  LGBT upper YA urban fantasy
Shelf: Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

*CAUTION : This title contains cursing, graphic violence, and references to sex.*

Abandoned as a baby and left in an orphanage for supernatural children, Octavian Julius McKellter— “Jay” to everyone who doesn’t want a punch in the face—now seventeen, is working full-time as a zookeeper at the Bayou Zoo and Aquarium while struggling to finish his GED.

The Bayou Zoo, staffed entirely by supernaturals, is one of many zoos across the country secretly housing magical creatures deemed too dangerous by the supernatural community to remain in the wild.

Jay ‘s job is made more complicated when accidents start happening too often to truly be accidents and habitats in Area Five—the covert section of the zoo which houses the magical creatures— are sabotaged, allowing some of the creatures to escape.

Working closely with Colin, a fellow zookeeper, to determine who’s causing the problems and why, is both a dream come true and a nightmare for Jay. Being gay isn’t something Jay’s prepared to accept with enthusiasm. Colin’s the first male he’s ever been attracted to, and the guy doesn’t even have the decency to be effeminate, which Jay thinks would somehow be easier to accept. Colin’s tall, strong, and everything that’s masculine. And Jay can’t stop thinking about what it would feel like to press their lips together or draw his fingers down Colin’s tightly-packed abs.

Because someone’s bent on exposing supernaturals to the world by releasing the Bayou Zoo’s magical creatures, even if it means a little death and destruction in the process, there’s little time for Jay to worry about the ramifications of his shifting sexuality or the way Colin looks without his shirt on.

Keeping his sexuality a secret seems like just as big a job as keeping the entire Supernatural community and its captive magical creatures shrouded from the human world. As the sabotage attempts escalate, Jay must juggle his budding relationship with Colin, discovering who’s behind the disruption in Area Five, and staying alive while capturing loosened, deadly Gryphons, Gnomes and Harpies.

My Review:

This is definitely the most unique and outstanding story that I’ve read in a long time. It was also very captivating. Fairfield takes a very touchy subject and makes it approachable. She also has the characters react realistically to these events and occurrences. Not only does she make the subject of gay relationships approachable and understandable to the reader, she superimposes it in a supernatural world, giving it an extra twist.

I love Fairfield’s descriptions. They’re very informative. Everything is made clear and imaginable. You can picture walking through this zoo and living the lives of the characters. The story is also very well written. Everything is laid out in a logical manner. The author describes and explains the things that need explaining in a manner that allows the story to continue moving forward, rather than stopping the storyline to fill in her readers.

The main character in this novel is very well developed. I enjoy the fact that you get to see his thoughts and actions, and how there is a discrepancy between them as there would be with a real individual. You get right into his head and get to know what he is feeling throughout. I also appreciate the fact that the supporting cast is developed to suit a specific purpose in the story, and the details pertaining to that are the ones provided, rather than bombarding the reader with many details that in no way pertain to the storyline.

Even though this was a novella, I was definitely hooked and the author told a very detailed and well rounded story. I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. And I’m not exaggerating. I’ve already tried to buy it...... Too bad it’s not out yet.

Buy your copy online here today!


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Friday, March 29, 2013

The Gatekeeper's Sons by Eva Pohler


Title:  The Gatekeeper's Sons

Author:  Eva Pohler
Series: Gatekeeper's Trilogy #1
Published:  August 13th 2012 by Green Press/Eva Pohler 
(first published August 12th 2012)
Page Count:  384
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Fifteen-year-old Therese watches her parents die. While in a coma, she meets the twin sons of Hades—Hypnos, the god of sleep, and Thanatos, the god of death. She thinks she's manipulating a dream, not kissing the god of death and totally rocking his world.

Than makes a deal with Hades and goes as a mortal to the Upperworld to try and win Therese's heart, but not all the gods are happy. Some give her gifts. Others try to kill her.

The deal requires Therese to avenge the death of her parents. With the help of Than’s fierce and exotic sisters, the Furies, she finds herself in an arena face to face with the murderer, and only one will survive.

My Review:

This novel was a phenomenal introduction into the Gatekeeper series and into the world of Greek mythology.

I have great respect for authors who do their research before writing fictional work based on fact or existing mythology. That said, I love the fact that this story is mythologically accurate. I also like the fact that Pohler includes a variety of Greek gods in her writing, rather than simply using the Olympiad as so many authors attempting to write about Greek mythology do. And Pohler doesn’t just attempt to wrote a world based on Greek mythology. She succeeds. Pohler has not only researched her facts with respect to mythology, but with her novel as a whole. Even the trail riding and equine aspects of this novel, where present, are factual. I appreciate the fact that almost everything that Pohler includes is very well researched and extremely detailed.

Pohler is very detailed in her writing. Everything is precisely worded to convey a specific thought, feeling, or image. Each and every word seems to have been carefully chosen to build a cohesive overall picture. Everything is vivid and extremely well laid out. She creates a world that you can imagine yourself walking into. I also appreciate the differentiation in writing style between Earth and Olympus. Everything on Olympus is much larger and more elaborate than Earth, as it should be. Her writing also sports an intensity rarely seen in a YA novel, while also giving you some very good laughs.

The characters in this novel are quite well developed. You may not know their entire life histories, but you do get to know everything that is pertinent to the story and to let you get to know the characters. It was very refreshing to read a story by an author who can differentiate between necessary development to create a well-developed character, and giving an entire life history that slows down the storyline because it isn’t actually relevant to the plot.

As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and can’t wait to tear into the sequel. Pohler manages to end this novel without a cliff-hanger but still needing to grab for the sequel to find out what happens next. Bravo!




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When Angels Fall by Stephanie Jackson

Title:  When Angels Fall
Author:  Stephanie Jackson
Published:   August 15th 2012 by S.O.S. Publishing 
(first published June 8th 2010)
Page Count: 260
Genre:  Christian Fiction
Shelf: Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Danielle Coulter had never believed in anything except her mother, hard work and heartache. She never had time for religious fairytales. But when her mother died, Dani was forced to believe…or die. Not only was she forced to accept that God and Lucifer are real, but also that she is the last living descent of God on Earth. An undeniable fact when the Archangel Gabriel fell to Earth to protect her.

Archangel Gabriel; banished from Heaven over four million years ago for refusing to kill his brother, Lucifer, was about to get a second chance to re-enter Heaven. He was sent to Earth on a mission from his Father to protect the last Daughter of God; the last woman to carry the Blood of God on Earth, and kill his brother, once and for all. Gabriel had never expected to feel anything for Dani, but he soon found himself willing to fight Heaven and Hell to keep her safe, even if it meant his own destruction.

My Review:

Jackson has given a very detailed and elaborate description of angels, demons, subspecies, and hierarchies without slowing down or breaking the flow of the story. This is worked right into the storyline to keep the reader engaged while filling them in on all of the necessary details. This novel has a very unique take on angels while simultaneously staying true to traditions.

Jackson’s descriptions were very captivating. You could picture everyone and everything that she wrote about. The story also had a very good flow to it. You never got hung up wondering who was supposed to be where, or what was going on.

The character development in this story is quite in depth. You get to know a great deal about the main characters, their lives, and their histories. The characters in this story are so real that it’s comical at times. You find yourself relating to characters, only to remember that they are supernatural. Jackson manages to write misunderstandings between characters that are somehow simultaneously heartbreaking and comical, while still seeming very realistic. I would have liked to see a bit more development in the supporting cast. For the most part, they seem to be simply names on paper.

As a whole, I absolutely loved this story. Unfortunately there were a few too many spelling and grammatical errors for me to give it the higher star rating that the storyline deserved.

Buy your copy of this novel online here today!


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The Dark Blood Brotherhood: The Choice

Title:  The Dark Blood Brotherhood:  The Choice
Author:  L.B. Shire
Series:  The Dark Blood Brotherhood #2
Published:  March 18th 2013 by L.B.Shire 
(first published November 14th 2012)
Page Count:  26
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Maddie and Ashtine have reached the Dark Blood Brotherhood, but Ashtine is immediately sent on one last quest per the order of the Brotherhood's elders. Maddie finds herself alone in this strange new land. To her disbelief someone she should fear and loath she finds may actually become a friend.

Sedric is misunderstood by most—those who don't bother to see past his rough exterior. A new friendship has formed between him and his rival's girl. Will his unnoticed charm cause her to stray?

Maddie's life will depend on one decision. What choice will she make?

My Review:

Short but fast paced. Informative but entertaining. That’s how I would describe this very endearing novel. In a matter of pages Shire manages to convey the trials and concerns faced by new couples embarking on their forever. Her descriptions are extremely detailed, allowing you to picture the surroundings and action perfectly. At the same time, Shire never attempts to fit too much into her story. Nothing is ever glazed over. Everything that she includes helps the storyline along.

I also love the main character even more after this installment in the series. You get to learn a great deal about her personality and what makes her tick. You also get an insight into the challenges that she is currently facing, and those coming in the future. The supporting cast is also very strong. They could all stand on their own in a novella. They are also quite intriguing characters that you want to get to know better, however, they don’t overpower the heroine.

As a whole, Shire captivates her readers with this supernatural tale. It’s a great change of pace to read something so well written and so entertaining in such a short period of time.


Buy your copy online here today!



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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Midnight Moon by Marilee Brothers


Title: Midnight Moon
Author:  Marilee Brothers
Series:  Unbidden Magic #5
Published:  December 14th 2012 by Bell Bridge Books
Page Count:  242
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Book Blurb:

The Trimarks are planning an invasion. And the only thing standing in their way is Allie and the moonstone . All Allie wants is a normal life - friends, boys, school dances. Right. Like that's going to happen.

In two weeks, during the summer solstice, Allie's going to face the biggest challenge of her life, fighting against time to save the world from a Trimark invasion. You'd think the world of weird might leave her alone to plan how she's going to survive. But nothing in Allie's world is simple or easy, especially when she's attacked by Trimarks trying to steal the moonstone. Then Sammie disappears into the faery world of Boundless, and Allie must follow and bring her home, only to find the fairy queen, Luminata, isn't about to let Allie leave. So, what's a girl with magical powers supposed to do?

Fortunately, she has a team to help her, a team with special talents of their own.

My Review:

Brothers has mastered the art of writing a series. I love that she puts just enough background info into the beginning of the novel to jump start your memory as to what happened last time, but doesn’t piddle around repeating details that you already know. She also picks up the storyline that she began but never repeats the same events twice. The characters stay the same throughout, only growing as they age or encounter various trials and hardships. Everything flows from the beginning of the first novel to the very end of the last, but she doesn’t rely on cliff-hangers to keep her readers coming back. Her phenomenal storytelling and immaculate writing does that all on its own.

Brothers has a very straightforward and approachable writing style that carries the readers easily through this novel. This story almost made me cry, and definitely made me laugh. Brothers never fails to bring the humour of real life into her work. Her phenomenal descriptions build multiple worlds with ease and clarity. I also appreciate the fact that she changes her writing style in minute ways between these worlds. It makes it very easy to differentiate between these worlds and to picture them clearly. I also must give Brothers kudos for having created an entire mythology upon which to base her story. She does pull parts from different places, but as a whole this mythology is unique and nearly flawless.

I absolutely love the characters in this series. By the end of this novel I felt like these were people that I was friends with in school. I can’t believe how real to life Brothers made these supernaturals seem. Each character was consistent with themselves, with the role that they had to play in the series, and with their age. I really appreciate the fact that the teens in this series didn’t get married, engaged, or vow to stay together for eternity. They realise that they’ve still got the rest of college and high school to go and that life with change a great deal throughout those times.

Now, I do have to say that I really didn’t expect the twisty, turney, topsey turvey racetrack of a trip that we took here but it was phenomenal just the same. It was the perfect ending to this series, but I am very sad that I now have to let the characters go.

Author Bio:

A former teacher, coach and school counselor, Marilee lives in Washington State and writes full time. Her books include Castle Ladyslipper, a medieval romance, The Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam, winner of the 2010 Booksellers Best award for romantic suspense, Moonstone, Moon Rise, Moon Spun, Shadow Moon, and Midnight Moon. Marilee is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Pacific Northwest Writers Association and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Connect with the Author online:

Website:  www.marileebrothers.com
Blog:  http://bookblatherblog.blogspot.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/marilee.author
Twitter:  @marileeb
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/MarileeB

Buy a copy of this book online today via Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

And now...... Enter the giveaway!





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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Interview with Ashley Stoyanoff

A big thanks to Ashley Stoyanoff for joining us on Pure Jonel today for an interview.

Q ~ Can you tell us a bit about yourself?Well, I live in Whitby, Ontario with my husband Jordan and two cats, Tanzy and Trinity.  When I’m not writing, I’m usually reading.  I will read just about anything, but my favorite would be romance with a supernatural twist.

Q ~ What is your most annoying habit? Your most endearing one?
Hmmm … my husband would say its reading.  It drives him crazy when I pick up a book because I won’t put it down until it’s finished.

My most endearing habit is my need to help people, or so I am told.  I tend to drop everything, no matter how important it is, when someone asks me for help.

Q ~ Tea or coffee? Milk or juice?
Definitely, coffee and juice.

Q ~ How did you begin writing? What sparked you to publish your work?
For as long as I can remember I loved to write. I’ve always found it therapeutic, whether it’s a diary entry, a story or just jotting down random thoughts.  As for publishing, I just woke up one day and decided to do it. 

Q ~ Who is your biggest inspiration?My biggest inspiration and influence would have to be my Mom.  If it wasn’t for her, I probably would have never finished any of The Soul’s Mark books.  When I got stuck on a plot twist, or a character name, or really anything I needed to talk through, she was there. She encouraged me along the way, and her belief that I could write always pushed me through all the bumps in the road.

Q ~ Can you tell us a bit about your writing style? Do you write from an outline or just whatever pops into your head? Do you have any writing rituals or quirks?
I’m a plotter and I’m crazy obsessive in the planning stages.  I create outline after outline after outline until the story is sound.  And then, once I’m happy with it, I’ll create another outline with new twists and turns. 

But all these outlines pay off because once I get to the actual writing the words come easily.  I know where the story is going, and I can just let myself go and get lost in the characters and the plot.

Q ~ What is the best writing advice that you've ever been given? Who gave it to you?The best advice I received on writing was from On Writing by Stephen King. 

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut.”
― Stephen King, On Writing

Q ~ The Soul's Mark: Broken is about to be released, how excited are you about that?Like jump up and down and do cartwheels excited!  It’s always such a rush to see one of my books available.

Q ~ What else should we expect from The Soul's Mark series?Well, I’m currently working on a Soul’s Mark novella featuring a fan favorite, Eric Carter.  It will be out Spring/Summer this year.  There will also be at least one more book in the series, but right now it’s in the crazy outline stage.

Q ~ Do you have a favorite character in the series?
This is a tough one because I love all the characters, but I guess aside from Amelia and Mitchell, Eric would have to be my favorite.  He has a wicked sense of humor and a heart of gold. 

Q ~ Are any of your characters based on people that you know or have met?
Definitely. Amelia’s grouchy morning personality and Angelle’s overly chipper attitude were actually built around my morning coffees with one of my nauseatingly sunny co-worker (and a very close friend).

There was one morning, in particular, that started it. I woke up in a horrid mood. The sun was shining. The birds were chirping but no matter how wonderful everything around me was I felt like a crazy person. Of course, when I got to work, my co-worker was in her usual good mood. It was absolutely sickening how happy and bubbly she was at 7:30 in the morning and all I wanted to do was yell and stomp my feet and tell her not to be so bloody cheery.

When I finally sat down to write that day, I found myself thinking about how my co-worker knew she was driving me crazy but still kept pushing until I smiled at one of her absurd jokes. Before I knew it, I had weaved that experience into my characters’ lives.

Q ~ Do you have anything planned after The Soul's Mark series?
I have a few other things on the go, but they are still in the secret planning stage.

Thanks so much for joining us again today Ashley, and I must say, I'm excited to see what your secret planning stage brings about.

Now, lets take a look at the giveaways for The Soul's Mark: Broken to tide us over until it's release on April 1st.




The first is for participants in Canada & the US only.  Enter to win 1 papberback copy of The Soul's Mark:  Broken by Ashley Stoyanoff, coupled with a 'book cushion' (may not be exactly as pictured).





The second contest is open Internationally.  Enter to win one of 3 sets of The Soul's Mark series.  That's right, each of the 3 winners will win a copy of The Soul's Mark:  Found,  The Soul's Mark:  Hunted, and The Soul's Mark:  Broken.



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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Shadow Moon by Marilee Brothers

Title: Shadow Moon
Author:  Marilee Brothers
Series:  Unbidden Magic #4
Published:  November 2011
Page Count:  230
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Allie Emerson is hoping for a few quiet months to catch her breath after a summer that included the discovery she is not only a twin and of faery blood, but also destined to play a pivotal role in faery world. School has barely begun when Allie must kiss her hope of a normal year goodbye.

She can't escape her unfinished business with the fae, the Trimarks, or Junior Alvarez, who is making it clear he plans to win her back. Signs, portents and whispers are pushing Allie to "find the girl" before it's too late. Hoping her twin can help her solve the riddle of their destiny, Allie uncovers old secrets and begins a cross-country journey that puts her in more danger than ever before. If she succeeds, she may just find the answers that can save everyone she loves.

My Review:

I don’t know how Brothers keeps coming up with so many new ideas to put in her books. She never reuses ideas from one book in the series to the next. That said, all of the books flow into one another very nicely and all of the characters and settings stay remarkably consistent.

Brothers’ impeccable writing is out in full force again with this step in the saga. She works her immaculate descriptions throughout everything in the novel. Each and every section of the novel has descriptions and background written right into it. This aids the storyline and world building rather than slowing it down. Everything is vividly real. I also enjoy the increased suspense in this novel, as opposed to its predecessors. Some parts of this novel are comically suspenseful. It’s great.

The characters continue to grow and become more real and developed throughout this novel. I appreciate that the character development is spread out among the characters in the novel, not just based on the main character. I really enjoy seeing the main characters thoughts in comparison to what she actually says and does. It’s very unique in a book, but true to real life. Brothers also introduces some new characters in this installment. They are very unique and well developed characters, but fit very well into the story, further enriching it.

I loved this installment in the Unbidden Magic series. I think that it’s my favorite so far and can’t wait to see how it all wraps up. But I think I’m going to miss the world’s best guardian angel in the final installment of the series.

Buy your copy online here today!



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Jump by Cindy Paterson

Title:  Jump
Author: Cindy Patterson
Series: The Senses #1
Published:  November 19th 2011 by Cindy Paterson
Page Count:  314
Genre:  Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Shelf: Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Centuries of loyalty

His code of honor was respected without question, until he consumed the blood of an enemy in exchange for a mortal woman to be set free from certain slavery.

He can’t forget her

Despite knowing, he will be imprisoned and put to death if caught, Balen, a fierce Senses Tracker, returns to Toronto to find the mortal woman, Danielle, he left behind two years ago. Haunted with memories of the torture they endured in the hands of a Senses enemy, Balen’s determination to see her again, drives him to risk everything. But when he does, a new enemy comes into play, one he can’t defeat.

To conquer the wrath of fear

Determined to find some sort of peace after her abduction, Danielle finds solace in painting a man from her nocturnal unconsciousness. When he comes knocking on her door, her world is shattered and Danielle must face her worst fears in order to survive what is coming after them. It won’t stop. It can’t. For the ancient spell has no compassion.

A journey of tenacious desire that refuses to fade even though that is what will destroy them. Because—in order for Danielle to live, first she must die.


Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.


My Review:

What a rush. This novel grabs you from the get go and never lets go. You are constantly on the edge of your seat with all of the twists and turns that Patterson throws at you. And she keeps you on the edge of your seat with the good kind of suspense. There’s never a moment where you’re wondering what’s going on based on lack of detail or background information. The suspense is built into a very solid storyline that keeps you hooked so deep that you couldn’t get out, even if you wanted to. And trust me, you won’t want to.

Throughout the novel Patterson employs very clear and detailed descriptions that are true to life and that flow with the storyline. Everything in this novel is very vivid, but in a realistic way. Even though this is a supernatural story, it never becomes over-the-top or cartoon-like. Patterson also works some very unique interactions and relationships between supernatural species, and between those species and humans. It all just seems so real.

Everyone in this novel is very well developed to suit a specific purpose or personality. They are all such distinct people that you can’t help but identify with at least a couple of them, if not all of them in some little way. I also love that her paranormal characters are ‘human.’ Sure they have supernatural abilities, but they also look, act, talk, and feel like a human does. Because of this, the story doesn’t seem farfetched at all. You can really see this all happening in your own neighbourhood because you’d never know that your neighbours aren’t actually human. The characters that Patterson developed for this phenomenal story are the kind who will stay with you forever.

This story was a much bigger rush than I’d expected when I first picked it up. I couldn’t put it down at all. I also really appreciate the fact that this novel can stand on its own. Everything is completed within the parameters of the novel itself. That said, I really can’t wait to grab the sequel and dive into it.

Buy your copy online here today!



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Moon Spun by Marilee Brothers

Title: Moon Spun
Author: Marilee Brothers
Series:  Unbidden Magic #3
Published:  July 1st 2010 by Bell Bridge Books
Page Count:  246
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Junior's back from Mexico with his movie-star entourage. Beck's using his half-demon charms to "heal" a new girl. Mom's still wacky and now she's dating Principal Hostetler. High school is still an obstacle course of drama queens, bullies and nutjobs. The Trimarks are still a menace, and the moonstone pendant has revealed even more mind-boggling powers. In other words, Allie Emerson's life as the Girl Voted Least Likely To Save The World From Evil has gone from Weird to Super-Charged Super-Weird, and it's about to get even weirder. You're a faery princess. So says the mysterious Ryker, whose handsome talents include turning himself into a hawk. By the way, he and Allie are destined to marry. In faery land--Boundless. If they can save it from forces even more deadly than Trimarks and high school. The third book in the Unbidden Magic series plunges readers into a rich other-world of danger, humor, romance, fable, fairytale and magical destiny.

My Review:

Every time I pick up a book in this series, I get drawn further and further into this amazing world. Brothers pulls you in with her phenomenal storytelling and keeps you captivated with suspense, romance, and more than a few laughs. I honestly don’t remember the last time that I laughed as hard as I did about a few of the things that happened in this novel. By the next page I was back on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. Everything flows so fluently in this novel that never once did these types of transitions seem jumpy.

Brothers continues with her very vivid descriptions and settings in this novel. I appreciate the fact that there is a very concrete distinction between the descriptions of the human world and of Boundless. Everything in the human world is quite realistic, while in Boundless everything is larger than life.

I really appreciate the fact that the characters stay true to form from instalment to instalment, even the ones who don’t appear in every novel. Even though the characters are consistently themselves, they aren’t always the same. They continue to grow and develop based on their circumstances, challenges faced, and the fact that they are teens in high school on the road to becoming adults.

I love that the 16 year old protagonist doesn’t know which boy she wants to be with. It’s refreshing to read a young adult story where teens aren’t bonded or mated for life. The relationships portrayed in this novel are on par for the age range of the characters. Even though they may face some farfetched challenges, their reactions to these things and to each other are quite accurate.

I very much enjoyed this novel on its own and as part of the Unbidden Magic series. I also love the fact that each installment is a story in and of itself, still working to help tell the overarching tale of this very interesting heroine.

Buy your copy online here today!


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Monday, March 25, 2013

Seduced by Innocence by Kimberly Kinrade


Title:  Seduced by Innocence
Author:  Kimberly Kinrade
Series:  Rose's Trilogy #1
Published:  January 28th 2013 by Daring Books 
(first published January 1st 2013)
Page Count:  190
Genre:  Young Adult Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Book Blurb:

Seduction comes in many forms.

"Liquid fire poured into me, filling me with the intimate sense of him as he leaned in to claim my lips with his own. I reached for him, needing him closer, but my arms couldn't close the distance between us, which grew wider with each hitched breath. So close to finally feeling something real, something carnal and deep, I cried out in frustration, dropping my hands as he disappeared. My cries deepened into a frenzy of panic and my eyes flew open. I clutched my blanket and stilled myself to calm my racing heart.

"Just a dream. Always just a dream."

Rose Wintersong didn't have an ordinary upbringing. Raised in what most would call a hippy commune, but what is actually a powerful coven of witches, she never questions the life fate chose for her.

Until she meets Derek O'Conner.

Derek challenges everything Rose believes and forces her to see the secrets hidden beneath the whitewashed walls of her idyllic country life.

Rose knows she should walk away, that the sexy martial arts instructor is bad news bred to create discord in her tight community… but the animal magnetism between them is impossible to fight.

Caught between the passion of first love, and the steady beat of the life she's always known, Rose must choose between the innocence of her youth or the pleasures of womanhood—but lost innocence comes at a price, and Rose harbors a dark secret that could destroy everyone she loves—including Derek.

Submit to the Seduced Saga as Derek and Rose face their future while unraveling the mysteries of their past.

Look for these books in 2013.

January -Seduced by Innocence
February -Seduced by Power
TBA-Seduced by Pleasure
TBA-Seduced by Pain
TBA-Seduced by Love

My Review:

What a phenomenally unique take on witches, weres, and druids. I can honestly say that I’ve never seen them combined in such an intriguing way before. Kinrade also gives her reader a story with heartaches galore, but that somehow has an overall heartwarming effect on the reader, giving you hope. As a whole, I can’t believe how captivating this story was. I couldn’t put the book down.

Kinrade has such a laid back, easy to follow writing style that you can very easily immerse yourself in the story itself. The story is also very well and fluently written. Each section flows into the next without pause. She even manages to flow from one character’s perspective to the next, always in the first person, without as much as a blip in this flow. This story is flawlessly written with enthralling descriptions. I also love how she has woven Romeo & Juliet throughout the story. They are not random quotes thrown out, but rather passages that enrich the storyline.

Although the cast of characters in this novel are supernatural, they are also all real individuals with human emotions and idiosyncrasies. I really appreciate the fact that Kinrade developed such well rounded characters for this novel, and the fact that the development is not just skin deep. Even just within the first installment of the series you get to know what makes the characters tick. This is even apparent in the supporting characters. You may not have their entire histories laid out for you, but you get a very large hint into who they are and why they act the way that they do. She also weaves a very sinister feel around certain characters, while others exude a feeling of warmth, comfort, or goodness. This not only helps the reader get a feel for the characters but puts you on the correct track to figure out the mystery alongside the characters.

Everything that Kinrade puts down on paper aids in the forward progression of the story or in building the characters and setting. She weaves everything together into an amazing climax that leaves you reaching for the next installment in the series.

Author Bio:

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes fantasy and paranormal stories for all ages and still believes in magic worlds. Check out her YA paranormal series The Forbidden Trilogy, her lower grade fantasy series The Three Lost Kids, and watch for her New Adult romance and fantasy books coming in 2013 including The Seduced Saga, Sunrise and Nightfall, Death by Destiny and The Fallen Trilogy and her next YA fantasy adventure, The Reluctant Familiar. You can find her books on Amazon, B&N and Goodreads among other fine retailers.

When she's not writing, she runs Daring Books Design & Marketing with her husband, Dmytry Karpov, where they help authors with all manner of marketing, editing, and design needs until such a time that their brilliant children take over the business for them.

She lives with her three little girls who think they're ninja princesses with super powers, her two cats who think they're gods (and probably are), her two dogs who think they're humans and her husband, also known as the sexy Russian Prince, who is the love of her life and writing partner.

Connect with the author online:

Website:  http://KimberlyKinrade.com
Twitter: @KimberlyKinrade
Facebook: /KimberlyKinrade
Amazon: http://Amazon.com/author/kimberlykinrade

Buy your copy of this book online here today!


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Sunday, March 24, 2013

The Soul's Mark: Broken (Excerpt & Giveaway)

Title:  The Soul's Mark:  Broken
Author:  Ashley Stoyanoff
Series:  The Soul's Mark #3
Expected publication: April 1st 2013 by Ashley Stoyanoff Books
Page Count:  160
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Advance Review Copy
Rating: ★★★★★

Let's take a look at an excerpt from The Soul's Mark: Broken.

The witch smiled, and the air in the room suddenly became thick, stale, and crushingly heavy. “I’m not scared of you.” Her voice held a laughter that was almost musical.

The air became thicker, pressing against him from all sides, and the crackle of magic was deafening, ringing through his ears. She locked dark eyes with him challengingly, as if she was daring him to make a move, and in that moment, he couldn’t. He couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t even blink. Her smile widened then, and just like that, the air around him regulated, and he sucked in a burning breath.

“You probably should be,” Mitchell said in a matter of fact kind of tone, except, right now he wasn’t so sure if that was true. Clearly, this…this…whatever she was, could protect herself. Her magic was lethal. Even now, he could still feel it in the air coiled like a snake ready to strike.

“I can see through your act, Mitchell.” She unplugged the boiling kettle and began pouring the water into the mugs, adding tea bags with it. “You won’t hurt me. You’re just a big old teddy bear.” She poured a dollop of milk and a teaspoon of sugar in each mug, stirred, and removed the tea bags. Then she carried them to the island, set the mugs down, and took a seat.

Astonished. That was exactly how Mitchell felt as he watched Sally sip her tea. Did she realize he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown here? If she did, she obviously didn’t care. He could hear the sound of breathing behind him, and he knew that the others were there. Most likely, they were just as confused as he was.

“Who is that?” Eric asked, his voice wound as tight as a clock spring.

Mitchell didn’t answer. Instead, he sat down across from Sally. He had a hunch that this (whatever this was) was bigger than he was, than all of them. It was the only thing he could think of to explain this woman’s sudden appearance and Amelia’s disappearance. And he knew without a doubt that he would need the psychic’s help. He took a deep breath, attempting to control his raging emotions, and said, “Tell me where they are.”

“Mitchell, you can’t go after them yet,” Sally said. “Amelia has to find her way through this.” Sally took another long sip of her tea, taking her time in swallowing, before she continued, her expression changing to ominous and stormy. “And I’m afraid if you follow her now, you’ll end up dead. The paths of destiny have been crossed.”

There was a chorus of gasps and a low growl, presumably from Eric. Mitchell’s heart shattered again, and he was sure he looked every bit as broken as he felt. “No,” he whispered, clutching the cup of tea that had sat in front of him untouched. He was hoping the warmth would help, but it didn’t. “They can’t cross. Not now. I just found her.”

Sally sighed and cast her eyes down to her mug. “You have no one to blame but yourself.”

“How is fate my fault?” he asked, but it was a pointless question. Who else could there be to blame? Everything had changed after the lifetime Amelia had been burned as a witch, and that was also his fault. He should have saved her then, but he hadn’t.

As if Sally could read his mind, she sighed and then said, “There are some things you need to know about Amelia. About her past lives after she was burned.” Sally looked past him, and smiled a sad kind of smile to his family. “You all might as well sit. This affects all of you.”



Are you guys excited yet? 

Here are a couple of giveaways for The Soul's Mark: Broken to tide us all over until it's release on April 1st!


The first is for participants in Canada & the US only.  Enter to win 1 papberback copy of The Soul's Mark:  Broken by Ashley Stoyanoff, coupled with a 'book cushion' (may not be exactly as pictured).





The second contest is open Internationally.  Enter to win one of 3 sets of The Soul's Mark series.  That's right, each of the 3 winners will win a copy of The Soul's Mark:  Found,  The Soul's Mark:  Hunted, and The Soul's Mark:  Broken.



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Saturday, March 23, 2013

Moon Rise by Marilee Brothers

Title:  Moon Rise
Author:  Marilee Brothers
Series:  Unbidden Magic #2
Published:  July 22nd 2009 by Bell Bridge Books
Page Count:  254
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Her mom's still dating losers. Her boyfriend's gone back to Mexico. Dad still hasn't told his wife and kids that she exists. At school, the drama queens and bullies still rule. But worst of all for Allie Emerson--aka the Star Seeker of an old Gypsy prophecy--is that her powers have taken a hike. She can't read minds anymore. She can't move stuff just by looking at it. The other Star Seekers are counting on her psychic gifts more than ever, and the evil Tri-marks are closing in, eager to snatch her magic moonstone necklace while she's helpless. The hot new guy at school is ready and willing to fight her battles, but he comes with some wicked baggage. Dear Diary: I'm a little worried. My new BF is a demon. Welcome again to Allie Emerson's funny, scary, amazing, and always unpredictable life, as the girl voted least likely to save the world from evil.

My Review:

What a brilliant follow-up to Moonstone, and extremely well written. There is enough background to refresh the reader on what happened in Moonstone (or to fill new readers in) without simply regurgitating it or dragging the story back into the past. It follows very nicely in the series, but at the same time is a very different story. I really appreciate that the author doesn’t just make this series one long story with breaks between stories, which seems to have become the norm. Brothers takes many stand alone stories and weaves them together into a series that flows well from one to the next. There is an overarching story to tell in the series as a whole, but so far, each novel can also stand on its own.

Brothers’ descriptions continue to enthrall you throughout this novel. Not only are you caught up in the suspense of the storyline but also in the beauty of the writing and of the world created by this talented author. I really appreciate how thoroughly developed everything in this story seems, while somehow still leaving room for further development in future installments. This avoids any downtime in the storyline where the author is either regurgitating something from a previous novel or a lack of detail because everything has already been said.

In this story we see further development of the main character. Not only does she grow as a person because of her experiences, but the reader also learns more about her past and what makes her tick. We also learn more about some of her friends in this installment. The increase development in the supporting cast gives the story an even more well rounded feel. To top this all off, when new supernatural characters are introduced into the story we get to know about them as people, as well as learning about their species. This leads to a very complete sense of each character.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Brothers threw some twists at me that I didn’t see coming while simultaneously staying true to everything that was developed and laid out in Moonstone. And I must say... I definitely didn’t expect Junior’s latest venture, but am lovin, it all the same.

Buy your copy of this novel online here today!


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Buried Secrets by Brandi Salazar

Title:  Buried Secrets
Author:  Brandi Salazar
Published:  February 4th 2012 by Brandi Salazar
Page Count:  192
Genre:  Contemporary Fiction
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

How do you live with yourself when you don't even know who you are?

On a chill October night, a girl goes missing setting the small town of Oakridge on edge. James has spent the last five years running from a past that still haunts him to this day. Now he finds himself thrust back into a life he thought he left behind. Finding out his new home may be haunted and reconnecting with an old friend while being thrust into a murder mystery, James finds himself trying to figure out which end is up while questioning his own sanity.

My Review:

What a different take on literature. I can’t believe how amazingly and accurately well Salazar put this story together. Not only is this an exceedingly well written story, but it is also medically accurate. It is so real that it’s scary. I couldn’t put it down for a second.

Through her amazing narrative and description style Salazar lead the reader to the story’s conclusion before the main character himself got there. Never once did Salazar set aside the progression of her storyline to create suspense, but suspense was there in abundance. This story was so well written that it carried itself.

The main character in this story was phenomenally well developed. As a reader, you get to know him inside and out, even if he didn’t know himself. Not only do you get to know his personality, but also his situation and station in life, and you really feel for him. The supporting characters were also quite well developed.

Salazar took a very touchy subject to create this phenomenal work. She supported that with an amazing cast of characters. She then combined this all together to create an unfathomable story that not only
tugs at your heart, but at your conscience. It was sheer brilliance.

Buy your copy online here today!


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Moonstone by Marilee Brothers

Title:  Moonstone
Author:  Marilee Brothers
Series: Unbidden Magic #1
Published:  Bell Bridge Books (first published August 1st 2008)
Page Count:  186
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Shelf: Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

MOONSTONE A Fictionwise Fantasy bestseller Young Adult A sickly mom. A tiny house trailer. High school bullies and snarky drama queens. Bad-guy dudes with charming smiles. Allie has problems. And then there's that whole thing about fulfilling a magical prophecy and saving the world from evil. Geez. Welcome to the sad, funny, sometimes-scary world of fifteen-year-old Allie Emerson, who's struggling to keep her and her mom's act together in the small-town world of Peacock Flats, Washington. An electrical zap from a TV antenna sets off Allie's weird psychic powers. The next thing she knows she's being visited by a hippy-dippy guardian angel, and then her mysterious neighbor, the town "witch," gives her an incredible moonstone pendant that has powers only a good-hearted "Star Seeker" is meant to command. "Who, me?" is Allie's first reaction. But as sinister events begin to unfold, Allie realizes she's got a destiny to live up to. If she can just survive everyday life, in the meantime.

My Review:

Oh my goodness. What a brilliantly cute introduction to the Unbidden Magic series. Brothers pulls you further and further into the story in so many different ways and with so many different techniques that this story truly is magical.

This story is very well set up. It progresses in a logical fashion from beginning to end while keeping the reader completely captivated with the many different twists found in the story. Not only are there many different twists and turns in this novel, but they also come in many different shapes and sizes. They are found in the plot line, in the actions of the characters, and in the personalities of the characters themselves. Brothers also uses phenomenal descriptions to round out her plotline. They are very detailed without being longwinded or choppy. In adds to the fact that this novel is very well written.

I love how well you get to know the characters in this novel, while still leaving room for their personal growth in future installments. You get to know the main characters so well that they become real people rather than simply characters on a page. You see how they see themselves, who they want to be, and the person that the world sees them as. It was amazing how well Brothers captured this all on paper. She created characters that you don’t just read about, but rather identify with and fall in love with.

This story has some heartfelt moments, some edge of your seat moments, and some absolutely hilarious moments. As a reader, you still feel for the characters even when you are caught up in the mystery and intrigue of the plot. Brothers never sacrifices one for the other, but rather weaves them together brilliantly for a well rounded story and a phenomenal first installment in this series.

Buy your copy online here today!!




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Friday, March 22, 2013

Guest Post with Ashley Stoyanoff: So, you're ready to self-publish your masterpiece


Today we're welcoming Ashley Stoyanoff, author of The Soul's Mark series, to Pure Jonel with her advice on self publishing.


Okay, you’ve created a story. You’ve spent countless hours at the computer breathing life into it and bleeding your soul into it, and now you’re ready to take the next step, publishing it. But … are you really ready? The truth is, probably not.

The first and probably most important thing to consider before making your masterpiece available in the marketplace is finding an editor. Did you know that in the traditional publishing world, most manuscripts are edited by a content editor, a copy editor, and then a proof reader? Not only that, but in between each round of edits, the author also reviews all the recommended changes, and at the very end, they will still find the odd errors.

Here’s an interesting Self-Publishing statistic: “Respondents who paid professionals for services like story-editing, copyediting and proofreading earned on average 13% more than those who didn’t.” - Published at epublishabook.com (Click here to read the full article)

So, what will an editor do for you? Well, my editor completes two to three reviews of my manuscript before sending it back to me. In those reviews she fixes my spelling, grammar, reviews content issues, plotting, structure, and really, she points out anything that makes her scratch her head. When I get the file back, I approve her changes (or reject them) and complete a bunch of rewrites, and then I send it back to her for more rigorous editing. And I can tell you that since finding her, the reviews I've received have been much better.

The next thing to consider is hiring a professional cover designer. The cover of your book is your best marketing piece. I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover,’ but we all do it. Most people won’t even bother reading the back blurb if the cover doesn’t spark their interest.
Here’s another interesting Self-Publishing statistic: “Hiring a professional cover designer earned them on average 18% more.” - Published at epublishabook.com (Click here to read the full article)

Sounds great, right? More earnings in your pocket, and all you need to do is hire an editor and a cover designer. Well, here’s the thing… When you self-publish, these editing costs come out of your pocket before you make a single cent in royalties. But I can assure you, it is worth every penny, and it doesn’t have to be crazy expensive either.

Personally, I spent a fortune on my first editor, and surprise surprise, even after spending that fortune, I was still finding issues. I also tried to design my own covers, and well … that was a disaster. It took me awhile, but I did find a wonderful editor and cover designer who are very reasonably priced, and they both do a fantastic job. 

I know this all sounds expensive, but really, it doesn’t have to be. Here is a list of great sites that I like to use to find the professional I need to make my masterpieces marketplace ready.

Editing Services
This site can be used for pretty much any job you can think of. You can create a free account and post a job. Once your job is posted, you’ll have access to freelancers all over the world who will place bids, competing for the chance to work with you. This is great, because instead of you spending your time scouring the internet for an editor, you’ll get the editors coming to you. :) Make sure you ask for samples and for their credentials before hiring.

   Cover Design

www.freelancer.ca
www.ebookindiecovers.com
I have used both these sites for covers. The covers for The Soul’s Mark books were all done by a freelancer from www.freelancer.ca. She provided me with unlimited revisions, searched for stock images, and put the covers together in just a few days. Also, I recently found ebook indie covers. You will find a bunch of pre-made covers for $40.00 each here. Melody also does custom covers. Her prices are very reasonable and she is a pleasure to work with.

   Publishing

www.smashwords.com
www.createspace.com
kdp.amazon.com
Each of these sites are free to use. You’ll need to do your own ebook and paperback formatting but these sites do provide step by step instructions on how to do it.
But don’t forget, it doesn’t matter how awesome your masterpiece is, or how breathtaking your cover is, if nobody knows about it then they can’t buy it. So make sure to get out there and spread the word.

   Marketing

www.blackliontours.com
Black Lion Tours offers a wide range of blog tours. There is one there for every budget. To sum it all up … You’ve spent countless hours writing your story, so give it the love it deserves. Don’t sell yourself short. Spending a little money now, will help you in the long term.


Now, don't forget to enter the 2 amazing giveaways with Ashley Stoyanoff and The Soul's Mark: Broken.


The first is for participants in Canada & the US only.  Enter to win 1 papberback copy of The Soul's Mark:  Broken by Ashley Stoyanoff, coupled with a 'book cushion' (may not be exactly as pictured).





The second contest is open Internationally.  Enter to win one of 3 sets of The Soul's Mark series.  That's right, each of the 3 winners will win a copy of The Soul's Mark:  Found,  The Soul's Mark:  Hunted, and The Soul's Mark:  Broken.



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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Seduced by Pain by Kimberly Kinrade

Title: Seduced by Pain
Author:  Kimberly Kinrade
Series: The Seduced Saga, Rose's Story #2
Published:  February 14th 2013 by Daring Books 
(first published February 12th 2013)
Page Count:  166
Genre:  New Adult Paranormal Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  ★★★★★

Book Blurb:

Their passion will destroy them.
Only true love can save them. 


"Hope is a fragile thing, yet strangely enduring. It hides in the crevices of pain, burrowing deep until unseen, for fear that sorrow, in its rage, will devour hope's desperate hold on the heart.

It can live there for years, silent and waiting. Or, it can be slaughtered with a word-- mankind's most powerful weapon.

They say that universes are created with words.

And with words, they are destroyed.

Just as mine has been."


***

In the sequel to Seduced by Innocence, Derek and Rose face even greater threats to their love as Derek fights to protect the core of his family's power while Rose struggles to control her own dark gift.

***

Recommended for 17+ due to explicit sexual content. This is a new adult paranormal romance with erotic content and includes shifters, demons and witches.

**Rose's story is a trilogy, not stand alone books. The first two books have cliffhanger endings. Her complete story in one book will be available as "Seduced" when the author finishes writing all three books and they are out. If you do not like cliffhanger endings, please consider waiting to purchase until Seduced the omnibus edition is out.**

Submit to the Seduced Saga as Derek and Rose face their future while unraveling the mysteries of their past.

Look for these books in the Seduced Saga coming 2013.

Seduced by Innocence (Rose's Story, Book 1)
Seduced by Pain (Rose's Story, Book 2)
March 2013- Seduced by Power (Rose's Story, Book 3)
TBA - Seduced by the Sea (Ocean's Story)
TBA- Seduced by Love (A Surprise!)

My Review:

Kinrade definitely threw me for a loop with this one. It was a brilliant loop, but I definitely didn’t expect this turn of events. Not only were there twists and turns galore in this novel, but it kept me even more captivated and enthralled than its predecessor.

I greatly appreciate the fact that Kinrade uses the same writing style and tone in this novel as she did in the first of the series. Being that the first ended in a cliff-hanger and that this one picked up where it left off, this consistency in style allows for an easy flow and transition on the reader’s part. She also works captivating descriptions into this novel that bring everything to life in a very vivid reality. And Holy Hannah, some of it is very inviting and extremely enticing. Because of Kinrade’s way with words things become so real that you literally feel like you are standing in the middle of the scenes, watching the action take place.

Not only is the writing style consistent with that found in Seduced by Innocence, but so are the characters. Kinrade takes the phenomenal characters from her first novel and continues to develop them into even more approachable people. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a very sinister feel to some of the characters, but these characters are more blatantly sinister in this novel. Kinrade also delves deeper into the powers wielded by her characters. This greatly heightens the supernatural aspects of the novel and provides a greater understanding into the plight faced by some of the characters.

As a whole, this was a phenomenal sequel to Seduced by Innocence. It draws you further and further into this world, while still leaving a great deal of mystery to be solved in the final novel of the trilogy. It also leaves you yearning for the sequel (and a couple of the characters themselves....).

A word to the wise...  Pop back on March 25th for my review on Seduced by Innocence, the 1st novel in the Rose's Story trilogy.

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Author Bio:

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes fantasy and paranormal stories for all ages and still believes in magic worlds. Check out her YA paranormal series The Forbidden Trilogy, her lower grade fantasy series The Three Lost Kids, and watch for her New Adult romance and fantasy books coming in 2013 including The Seduced Saga, Sunrise and Nightfall, Death by Destiny and The Fallen Trilogy and her next YA fantasy adventure, The Reluctant Familiar. You can find her books on Amazon, B&N and Goodreads among other fine retailers.

When she's not writing, she runs Daring Books Design & Marketing with her husband, Dmytry Karpov, where they help authors with all manner of marketing, editing, and design needs until such a time that their brilliant children take over the business for them.

She lives with her three little girls who think they're ninja princesses with super powers, her two cats who think they're gods (and probably are), her two dogs who think they're humans and her husband, also known as the sexy Russian Prince, who is the love of her life and writing partner.

Connect with the author online:

Website: http://KimberlyKinrade.com
Twitter: @KimberlyKinrade
Facebook: /KimberlyKinrade
Amazon: http://Amazon.com/author/kimberlykinrade


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