Pure Jonel ~ Confessions of a Bibliophile: March 2014

Monday, March 31, 2014

The Reason Series, Complete Collection by Zoey Derrick

Blurb:

The Reason Series, Complete Collection

All four books of Zoey Derrick’s touching paranormal romance: Give Me Reason, Give Me Hope, Give Me Desire, Give Me Love

Vivienne Callahan has known only hardship. As if growing up with an alcoholic, drug addicted mother wasn’t traumatic enough, she’s escaped from her physically and verbally abusive boyfriend only to struggle every day to make ends meet as a waitress in a Minneapolis diner.

Along comes Mikah Blake…

See my review of each of the instalments in this brilliant series

About the author:

Amazon Best Selling Angels, Demons & Devils and Paranormal Author of Give Me Reason - The Reason Series Book One comes from Glendale, Arizona. Zoey, was a mortgage underwriter by day and is now a paranormal, romance and erotica novelist full-time. She writes stories as hot as the desert sun itself. It is this passion that drips off of her work, bringing excitement to anyone who enjoys a good and sensual love story.   

Not only does she aim to take her readers on an erotic dance that lasts the night, it allows her to empty her mind of stories we all wish were true.  Her stories are hopeful yet true to life, skillfully avoiding melodrama and the unrealistic, bringing her gripping Erotica only closer to the heart of those that dare dipping into it.    

The intimacy of her fantasies that she shares with her readers is thrilling and encouraging, climactic yet full of suspense. She is a loving mistress, up for anything, of which any reader is doomed to return to again and again.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Sun Damage by Nikki Rae

Title: Sun Damage

Series: Sunshine #3

Author: Nikki Rae

Published: March 28th 2014

Length: 266pgs

Format: ARC ecopy

Genre: NA Paranormal romance

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Life wasn't what Sophie was expecting, so why should death be any different?

She’s come back from swimming between the two, and every problem she left is still there. And then some.

There’s the human world, where she has a brother on the verge of ruins, band mates all set to go on tour, and people she thought she wouldn't be seeing for a long time showing up.

Then there’s her new world, where she’s seeing and hearing things that should not be heard or seen. Where Myles knows more about her than she could have ever guessed. She still doesn't know exactly why Michael is tormenting her, but somehow, everything is connected.

The monsters are closing in on all sides and the question is, will Sophie be able to defeat them before it all ends?

My Review:

Rae has a way with words that invites you in and wraps you up in the world she has created. This is an enticing, fast paced read and it was easy to get lost in the pages of this wonderful story. I couldn’t put it down for a second. Rae presents her wildly imaginative story in a realistic light, allowing you to fully understand the possibilities behind the story. She also engages you emotionally, creating a web to catch you in. This novel definitely left me in tears at the end. The vivid descriptions in this novel make it so that you feel like you’re watching a movie rather than reading a novel. Each and every aspect pops right into your mind. The descriptions are a poetic interpretation of reality that are impossible to ignore.

We’ve come to know and love the characters in this series in the previous 2 instalments, but readers get to know them even better in this one. Their personalities really shine through, especially in the 2 main characters. The realism infused into these characters, be they human or immortal, really helps to shape the novel as a whole.

My overall thoughts? I devoured this book! It was fantastic. Rae’s personable writing draws you in from the get-go and holds on throughout. I’m sad to see this trilogy end, but oh what an ending. This is a novel (and series) everyone who enjoys the supernatural should read.

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Lessons in Love by Victoria Sinclair

Title: Lessons in Love

Author: Victoria Sinclair

Published: December 6th 2013

Length: 170pgs

Format: ecopy

Genre: contemporary romance

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Emily Peterson finally has finally had the chance to enrol in university after working for years to support her younger brother and sister, who were left in her care after their mother died six years earlier. There she meets the infuriating but devastatingly attractive Nicholas Cavanaugh, lecturer and successful, but ruthless, businessman.

Unfortunately, they get off on the wrong foot from day one, and although there’s a definite attraction between them there are just too many obstacles between them. Or are there? Despite their professional relationship Emily and Nicholas find it hard to stay apart, even when everything in their lives seems destined to drive a wedge between them.

Can Nicholas and Emily overcome their differences and find true love, or will they miss out on their one chance for true love?

My Review:

Sinclair has a very straightforward writing style that puts everything out in front of her audience. Her natural descriptions allow you to visualize the scenes without being over the top or cartoonish. The storyline is also quite unique. While on the surface it follows the clichéd student-teacher model there is so much more to it than that.

I really appreciated seeing the main character continue on with life after having overcome tragedy and hardship. She’s a strong, stand-up individual without being over the top. Everything about her is so real and you really feel for her and want to see her succeed. Conversely, I found that the male lead ran hot and cold. He’d go from happy-go-lucky to yelling at the flip of a switch. I found it really hard to peg his character down. It made it difficult for me to get fully on board with the story. The supporting cast was simply that, support for the main characters. They were developed only in the ways that would fulfill their roles in the story with little more. I also found that the dialogue in this story was a bit forced at times, making it even harder to get in touch with the supporting cast.

Overall, this was a nice story. I enjoyed the storyline itself but had some difficulties with the characters.

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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Sworn to Transfer by Terah Edun

Title: Sworn To Transfer

Series: Courtlight #2

Author: Terah Edun

Published: September 17th 2013 by Createspace

Length: 255pgs

Format: ecopy

Genre: Fantasy

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Eighteen-year-old companion trainee Ciardis Weathervane has won the friendship of the royal heir and saved his claim to the throne. Yet her interference in the inheritance rights leaves more harm done than good. The Ameles Forest lies unprotected and its inhabitants are dying.

As humans begin to die in gruesome deaths, the Emperor dispatches the royal heir to the forests with the solution to the kith concerns.

With enemies closing ranks in Sandrin, Ciardis can little afford to leave the city’s nest of vipers to take on a new task. But she’s given no choice when her loyalty to the crown and courts are called into question.

To keep the Companions’ Guild happy and the favor of the Imperial Court, Ciardis will be tested in frightening new ways, especially when she’s faced with an obstacle that could risk the lives of her friends and the family she never thought she had.

This second novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Raise.

My Review:

I absolutely love how this author writes. She’s so descriptive and melodic. You’re drawn right into the story at hand. I feel like I was right there with the characters. The author’s breathtakingly beautiful descriptions leave you with an image of the scene at hand. Edun mixes intrigue with action and suspense to create a very heady combo. This novel is definitely more intense and action packed than the first in the series, yet loses none of the beauty that we found there. The powerful storyline keeps you guessing and hopping throughout. I found myself wrapped back up in this world before the end of the first chapter. I definitely couldn’t put this down, nor could I stop thinking about it.

The main character in this story is absolutely perfect for her role. She keeps growing with her role, even if it isn’t always willingly. I found my heart breaking for her while at the same time knowing that she’d make it thru. She’s also backed up by an amazingly diverse yet well-developed supporting cast that both help and hinder her. The well-rounded cast really helps to make this amazing story even better. One of the best parts about this cast is the fact that many of them are coming of age and are still growing into their own. You get to see them morph and change based on the situations that they face, and 9 times out of 10 they become better people because of it.

This story was absolutely breathtaking. It was a very intricate and multifaceted tale that definitely left me wanting more. I can’t wait to get back with the 3rd instalment in the series.

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Magic Academy by Jillian Keep

Title: Magic Academy

Author: Jillian Keep

Published: December 9th 2013 by Createspace

Length: 332pgs

Format: ecopy

Genre: NA Fantasy

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Out of a young woman’s ambition comes a love triangle that could destroy more than her heart.

Firia has always wanted to be a witch, but even though she’s a natural in magic, there’s a problem: She’s human.

Considered by the elven elite to be inferior, Firia needs an edge to be accepted into the Magic Academy. Out of sheer desperation, she summons the demon Varuj, a terrifyingly gorgeous spirit who helps her win the entrance competition. But at what price?

As the commanding demon does everything he can to penetrate every aspect of her innocent life, Firia still finds herself drawn to her study partner, Mae’lin. Not only is the sweet elf completely different from the powerful Varuj, but their relationship is forbidden.

How is she supposed to choose between the demon she owes her life to and the innocent elf who makes her a better person?

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:

I must say that I’m definitely all for female empowerment, and this novel has it in spades. Keep also works a social commentary on multiculturalism into this one of a kind fantasy tale. This multi-faceted novel definitely keeps you on your toes. It starts out quite strong, but then there’s a big lull in the middle before picking up again at the end. It definitely jerked me right out of the story when this happened. I also found that for a novel marketed as YA, it got quite racy and explicit at times.

The characters in this novel are quite well developed. I enjoyed getting to know them. I appreciated that all of the major characters were developed in both the past and the present, giving you a well-rounded knowledge of who they are. It allows you to connect with and identify with them much more easily.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, if somewhat disjointed, novel that kept me on my toes.

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Friday, March 28, 2014

Guest post with author DJ Swykert

Today I'm handing things over to author DJ Swykert.

Let's give him a big welcome.

Like my character, Jack, I have always been attracted to the great mysteries of life. While Quantum Mechanics continues to search for a Theory of Everything, so have I. And I can write with authority about addiction, rehabilitation and jail. If you add the desire for a real and loving relationship into the equation you come up with the story of The Pool Boy’s Beatitude. Though it is fiction, it’s perhaps the most cathartic piece of writing I have ever produced. Not only does Jack discover anomalies to the large physical world we exist in, but also poignant truths about his own personal little universe.

In his search for the God particle Jack Joseph has lost control of the most important particle of existence, himself. Jack’s intellect may have expanded at the speed of light, but his emotional development is mired in the darkness of addiction. Without change Jack is accelerating towards a personal collision that would render his interest in the cosmic one irrelevant.

Jack is a drop-out physicist cleaning swimming pools to support a lifestyle of addiction and detachment. He has a wife divorcing him, a wealthy woman seducing him and the justice system convicting him. Jack’s personal cosmos is spiraling out of control. When he met Sarah his universe further expanded. The Gravitational Constant he studied at university lacked the velocity with which their galaxies rushed toward one another. It was a life changing Big Bang. A new and brighter Jack was created and he found his supreme happiness. But there was a lot of space junk in the form of addiction and legal consequences standing in the way of his quest towards bliss.

This is a brief excerpt from the book:

I believe God thinks in numbers. Most of what I know best can be described with an equation, numbers predicting an outcome, relating the position, velocity, acceleration and various forces acting on a body of mass, and state this relationship as a function of time. And isn’t that what we are, what everything is: accelerated particles in space time.

And this velocity of motion is what creates gravity and holds everything together. But what creates the motion? I think about this shit all the time. Until I feel like I only know one thing: nothing.

I sat out on the grass and opened a bottle of Mad Dog 20-20. Drank it to the bottom, sucked it in like a black hole swallowing light. Alcohol goes through the brain in stages, first the cerebral cortex, the thinking brain. A friendlier, more daring person emerges, and becomes ever more creative, imaginative, as the drug continues deeper into the brain. Last to go is the limbic brain. That’s when you go numb.

I got ultimate this night, left the past, present, and flew into my future. It was brilliant, until in the morning, when I stared into the eyes of a cop. I realized I had evolved, I was homeless. Passed out on the lawn I had merged my present into my future and lost the past. I had become what I refused to change. There are no corners in a round expanding infinite universe. But I had turned one.

The Pool Boy’s Beatitude can be ordered at bookstores or purchased direct at: Rebel epublishers, Amazon , Magic Masterminds.

About the author:

DJ Swykert is a former 911 operator. His work has appeared in The Tampa Review, The Detroit News, Monarch Review, Lunch Ticket, Zodiac Review, Barbaric Yawp and Bull. His books include Children of the Enemy, The Pool Boy’s Beatitude, The Death of Anyone, Maggie Elizabeth Harrington and Alpha Wolves You can find him at: www.magicmasterminds.com. He is a wolf expert.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Damsel in Distress by Lee French

Title: Damsel in Distress

Series: Ilarius

Author: Lee French

Published: 3/20/2014

Length: 242pgs

Format: ecopy

Genre: fantasy

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb:

Given the burden of safeguarding a precious treasure at a tender age, Sabetia is placed squarely in the middle of a fantastical legend. Swords, demons, magic, a curse: it has everything a great epic tale should. All she needs to do is face the danger that could threaten the world if left unchecked. If only it were so simple. A hero could solve this problem, but she doesn't happen to be one.

A good wife is obedient, patient, obedient, quiet, obedient, doting, and above all, obedient. Sabetia was raised to be a good wife. It makes her perfect prey, a perfect damsel in distress.

My Review:

This novel was definitely very easy to get into. French’s brilliant descriptions place this world directly before your eyes. Everything became so vividly real. It is also an emotionally charged novel that draws you in without letting go. I was a little worried at the beginning, not because of the writing but because I feared the direction the story was taking (side note, there is some content that some readers may find disturbing, but the author deals with it in a very unique way throughout the story). That said, holy smokes. Did this author ever put some twists and turns in the story, keeping me on my toes throughout. I was completely engaged. I also found myself chuckling at the irony of some of the situations the main character found herself in. French takes the fantasy genres stereotypes and turns them on their heads. I love that French has developed an entire intricate world as well as a complete religion for this novel. The binding ceremony that these characters participate in is so fulfilling and so uniquely complete that you can’t help but visualize it.

I was so connected to the main character that I could easily visualise myself in her place. Her struggles and aches became mine. It was a surreal experience. This character was a definite case of nurture over nature. Being young and easily moulded into the image that those around her wanted to see she became that individual. When allowed to grown on her own she rose to the occasion. This character was vividly real. I loved her. The supporting cast falls into 2 main groups. Those you love and those you hate. I thought I hated the mother and that she was the evil ice queen until I got to know then husband. This is also one of those stories where bad things happen to good people, that is, until those good people are willing to stand up. By melding all of these things together French created the ultimate cast for this fantasy tale.

Overall, this was a brilliantly intriguing read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to others. I’ll definitely be following this author much further. Can’t wait for more in this series.

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About the author:

Lee French lives in Worcester, MA with two kids, two bicycles, and too much stuff. She has written several books, including the Maze Beset superhero novel trilogy. In addition, she is an avid gamer and active member of the Myth-Weavers online RPG community, where she is infamous for finding unexpected ways to use squirrels. She also trains year-round for the one-week of glorious madness that is RAGBRAI, has a nice flower garden with absolutely no lawn gnomes, and tries in vain every year to grow vegetables that don’t get devoured by neighborhood wildlife.

And now, enter the tour wide giveaway!

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

No Alligators in Sight by Kirsten Feldman

Title: No Alligators in Sight

Author: Kirsten B. Feldman

Published: November 25th 2013 by KBFeldman Books

Length: 232pgs

Format: ecopy

Genre: coming of age fiction

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In this coming of age novel, Lettie and Bert squeak by in a tiny town on Cape Cod, one parent an alcoholic and the other absent. After a string of bad decisions on Lettie’s part, their father ships them to their barely remembered mother for the summer, where they will learn hard lessons about themselves, their family, and their future by way of the Florida swamp. Throughout Lettie keeps her biting humor flowing, her razor-sharp pen at the ready, and her eye on her quest for a “normal” life.

My Review:

I love the way that Feldman presents her story. Her writing is approachable and fun, melding with her storyline. This is an in depth and intelligent novel. This author’s writing makes the story easy to visualize without literally painting a picture for you. The story is heartfelt and personal, making it really easy to get into. It is also an emotionally engaging tale, keeping you coming back for more. Feldman also had me laughing out loud more than once with this one.

The characters in this novel are so real and natural that you can’t help but get to know them intimately. I really appreciated the various dialects that are found in the dialogue. It helps the minor characters stand out from one another. It also adds a great deal of diversity to the cast.

Overall, this story is well put together and written. It was vivid and intense without being in your face. Feldman brings the perfect amount of snark to coming of age and to bring her characters to life. This was an intriguingly captivating novel.

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And now......

This giveaway is open internationally from 4:00am Mar 26/14 until 11:59pm Apr 9/14.

Winners will be drawn Apr 10/14.

Winners will be notified via email and have 72 hrs to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn.

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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Pan's Conquest by Aubre Dionne

Title: Pan's Conquest

Author: Aubre Dionne

Published: February 24th 2014 by Entangled: Covet

Length: 200pgs

Format: ecopy

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★

Blurb:

Syrinx pulled a fast one on Pan to escape his raging lust. The God of Chastity wasn't about to break her vows and succumb to his temptations. Transported to the twenty-first century, she runs a florist shop - fulfilling her fake, mortal life. Until the breathtaking Parker Thomas hires her to decorate his grand estate for a gala. Five hundred roses? Easy enough. Except Parker makes her feel things she can't ignore...

As the God of Fertility, Pan is used to maidens flocking in droves to his pastures. So when Syrinx denies him, he's determined to win the one that got away. He poses as a mortal to get close to her, but he doesn't count on falling hard for his conquest - hard enough to make a life and stay.

But Syrinx is falling in love with a man that doesn't exist. Can Pan hide his identity forever, or will the truth tear them apart?

Excerpt:

“Come now.” He winked, and her heart skipped a beat. “I’d hardly call my pursuit of your chastity tragic.”

“Not tragic for you.” Syrinx scrounged up her willpower and inched toward the falls. She glanced at his muscular legs, then wished she hadn’t. A blush burned her cheeks. “Breaking my vow destroys everything I stand for.”

He gave her a suggestive smile and stepped forward. “I’ll make it worthwhile.”

She bet he would. Her mind wandered, wondering what those sinister lips tasted like and how it would feel to be claimed by him. He’d saved the girl, so he wasn’t as evil as she made him out to be. Yet he could have done it just to gain her confidence. Underneath his sly flirtatiousness, who was he? A child of the forest—wild and untamed, fickle and cold as the wind. She’d have him for a day, then he’d be on to his next conquest, and she’d have nothing. Not even her pride.

She didn’t trust him, and she couldn’t trust herself.

Syrinx backed toward the falls. The surge of water roared at her back.

“Please.” Pan held out his hand, and the pain in his eyes tugged on her heart. “Give me a chance.”

“And sacrifice my eternal honor for one night?” She laughed bitterly. “You can never make it worth it.”

Without another word, she spread her arms and fell back, sailing down the falls like an angel falling from the heavens. Adrenaline rushed through her, along with a bubbling sense of freedom and a strong pride in herself. She would not give in to her temptations. She was the goddess of chastity and she reigned supreme.

My Review:

This story definitely presents a very unique take on the Greek myths. It is well written and an enjoyable read. By the end of this novel I was definitely completely wrapped up in the story. I needed to know how it all ended. It was so sweetly romantic. It definitely made me smile. I really appreciated how Dionne brought her story to life, allowing you to feel with and for her characters while seeing the action take place.

Dionne presents her audience with characters that remain somewhat superficial throughout. They are written with the assumption that the reader knows Greek mythology well and therefore are able to determine their histories. Unfortunately I found that since I really didn’t get to know the characters in an in depth manner the story was a bit hard to get into at times. That said, I found Syrinx to be the ideal character type for a god playing the mortal. It shines through in her slips to formal language in dialogue and in her actions.

This really was a uniquely entertaining read. Being a reader who is deeply dependent on characters to bring the story to light I would have liked to see a bit more development but overall did enjoy reading it.

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About the author:

Aubrie Dionne is an author and flutist in New England. Her books have received the highest ratings from Romance Times Magazine, as well as Night Owl Reviews and Two Lips Reviews. She has guest blogged on the USA Today Happily Ever After Blog and the Dear Teen Me blog and signed books at the Boston Book Festival, Barnes and Noble, and the Romance Writers of America conference. Her writings have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Astraea Press, Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Publishing, Inkspell Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. When she's not writing, Aubrie teaches flute and plays in orchestras.

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Monday, March 24, 2014

Blind Mercy by Violetta Rand

Title: Blind Mercy

Series: Blind #2

Author: Violetta Rand

Published: February 12th 2014 by Soul Mate Publishing

Length: 150pgs

Format: ecopy

Genre: historical romance

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★

Blurb:

The Sigurdsson family legacy continues…

A woman who prayed for a hero…

Orphaned at a young age, Rachelle Fiennes prayed for a hero to rescue her from her tragic life in England. When her only kinsman goes missing after the Battle of Stamford Bridge, Rachelle braves the aftermath of the battlefield to find him.

A man who lost everything…

Damned by the gods for surviving the bloodiest defeat in Norse history, Jarl Tyr Sigurdsson is still determined to get home. Hiding until nightfall so he can escape to his ship, his dangerous endeavor is disrupted when he’s accidently discovered by a beautiful Saxon.

Brought together by war, Rachelle and Tyr face many obstacles. Can sworn enemies find peace through love, or will fate tear them apart?

Excerpt:

Since the first day they’d met, Tyr had been embroiled in strife and violence. Standing in this holy place, he seemed vulnerable, almost normal. Only once before had she seen this level of tenderheartedness in him. The degree of compassion he showed his deceased brother when he prepared him for funeral rites still haunted her. Of course, what man wouldn’t be moved by such tragedy? This was decidedly different. Baffled by this transformation, she watched him closely.

“I thank you for this kindness.”

He embraced her. The motivation behind his touch had changed, she felt it.

“I swear on this holy ground, I’ll never hurt you again,” he said.

He’d pledged it before. Could she be foolish enough to believe again? Didn’t he understand she couldn’t get past the fact he was holding her for ransom? Could she ever really forgive him for deceiving and shaming her? Caution did little to help her cause. Jolts of lust shot through her. It felt wonderful to be touched by him; but as welcome as those feelings were, they must stay hidden forever.

“I want to believe you,” she said.

He tipped her head upward. “I make no promises I can’t keep,” he assured her. “If there’s anything I can do to ease your pain, ask me.”

She remained silent. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, a place existed where happy thoughts thrived. She pictured how it would be if he dropped on his knees and declared his love. All of this was quickly swept aside.

“I’ll leave you now,” he announced. “My men are aware of your situation and will not disturb your observances. When you are ready, they will escort you back to the house.”

My Review:

Rand is back and she thrusts us right back into the world of drool worthy Norse warriors, and English maidens with more than their fair share of spunk. This novel is much more intense and suspenseful than the first in the series, but just as enjoyable. Rand`s fantastic storytelling draws you deeply into this world, allowing you to shut out modernity for a while, living vicariously through her characters.

The main characters in this novel definitely made me giggle. They stuck to their beliefs to the point that they were blockheaded. Acted the way they felt they should while wanting to do the opposite. They It was completely charming. Having her characters speak in their native tongues makes them seem just that much more real. I quite enjoyed seeing the main characters come beyond seeing stereotypes to seeing the person within.

As a whole this was a very enjoyable novel. I read the whole thing in a single sitting and can`t wait to see what Rand comes up with next in this phenomenal new series.

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About the author:

Violetta Rand holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy and a master's degree in Environmental Management. Serving as an environmental scientist in the state of Alaska for over seven years, she enjoys the privilege of traveling to remote places few people have the opportunity to see.

Violetta has been "in love" with writing since childhood. Struck with an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age, at five, she wrote short stories illustrated by her best friend and sold them in her neighborhood. The only thing she loves more than writing is her wonderful relationship with her husband, Jeff. She enjoys outdoor activities, reading whatever she can get her hands on, music, and losing herself in the fictional worlds she enjoys bringing to life.

Ms. Rand’s debut historical romance series, The Blind Series, is set in the fascinating world of 11th century Vikings. Her New Adult romance series, The Devil’s Den, is edgy and evocative, and explores the sexy world of exotic dancers.

Title: Blind Allegiance

Series: The Blind Series #1

Author: Violetta Rand

Published: June 26th 2013 by Soul Mate Publishing

Length: 219 pgs

Format: ecopy

Genre: historical romance

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

She’ll always fight for what she believes in…

Betrayed by a brother she hardly trusted before the bloodthirsty Viking, Jarl Randvior Sigurdsson, attacks her home, Noelle Sinclair is conveniently bartered as a means to save her cowardly sibling’s skin. Forced to leave her homeland and accompany the petulant Viking to the untamed wilderness of central Norway, Noelle is ever-aware of the burgeoning dangers around her—including her weakening resolve to resist Randvior.

Should Noelle surrender to his resplendent charms and seduction, or fight with every ounce of strength she possesses to get home?

My Review:

Rand is a visually descriptive author who lays this old world out before her readers in a vivid yet natural manner. I appreciate how she avoids the use of modern slang without making her writing forced and overly formal. There is a very approachable flow to the story that allows you to immerse yourself in the tale being told and travel back in time with the characters. Rand keeps her story firmly placed in the past while keeping readers enthralled in the present. She also weaves Norse mythology throughout her tale, enhancing the story even further.

This pair of main characters captured my heart and soul. They were extremely well put together and approachable. They were also stand up individuals who held true to their beliefs and morals while learning how to come together.

This novel is a clash of cultures, of religions, of civilizations, and of personalities. But it is also a tale of love and acceptance. It warmed my heart and enthralled my mind. This novel will definitely stay with me for a long while.

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Sunday, March 23, 2014

Guest Post with Author Nikki Rae

Let`s welcome Nikki Rae to Pure Jonel, as I hand the reins over to her for the day.

On Ending A Series

Ending a book is weird. I’ve been writing books for a long time, and I don’t think ending them will ever be something I get used to. So ending an entire series is extremely bizarre.

In the indie world, people think I’ve been a writer for only about a year, but I started the first book in The Sunshine Series, Sunshine, when I was fifteen years old. I’m twenty five now. In the span of those ten years, a lot has happened, in life and in the books.

I lost my step father, I wrote the first draft. I moved out of my house, I queried agents. I started college, I gave up on trying to traditionally publish.

Sunshine was deleted twice. Once on purpose and once on accident.

Then I uploaded it to Amazon, and people for the most part, really liked it.

So I wrote another.

And life continued.

I got a new job, I wrote Sun Poisoned at night. I got my associate’s degree, I edited. My cat died. I uploaded the next book.

Then more people liked it.

I started to write a new book in between.

I wrote half of Sun Damage and got stuck.

I took a break.

Wrote some other things I didn’t finish.

I got depressed.

I wondered why on Earth people were reading what I made up. I wanted to know what made me worthy of their praise. Then I kept writing.

My dad died. I edited.

I took a break from school. I edited. I asked people to help me with a blog tour.

And then I finished it.

People ask me a lot how I know when something is “done”. I don’t have a clear answer. Things are done when they need to be. You’ll just know it when it’s finished.

I feel like there isn’t a better time to finish The Sunshine Series. These characters carried me all throughout high school. Here I am, about to graduate college, and I have to say goodbye.

It’s scary, and exciting, and sad.

I’m going to miss them so much. It’s going to be strange working on new stories and getting to know new characters. But I guess moving on is a part of life. I think, as a writer, I’m supposed to say something in my work that helps people go through life. That’s why I started writing Sunshine in the first place.

I can only hope that I did everything I could to give these characters the best send off I could have possibly given them. Although I can’t wait for the new things that are coming, these characters will always be my firsts. First loves, first heartbreaks. First everything.

I learned a lot about myself as a person and a writer during these ten years. There will be more books, more series to begin and end.

But for now, I’m still figuring out how to say goodbye.

A bit more about the book:

Life wasn't what Sophie was expecting, so why should death be any different?

She’s come back from swimming between the two, and every problem she left is still there. And then some.
There’s the human world, where she has a brother on the verge of ruins, band mates all set to go on tour, and people she thought she wouldn't be seeing for a long time showing up.

The monsters are closing in on all sides and the question is, will Sophie be able to defeat them before it all ends?

And now, enter the tour wide giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Amulet of Elusion by Katie Lynn Johnson

Title: Amulet of Elusion

Series: The Lost Amulet Chronicles #1

Author: Katie Lynn Johnson

Published: December 2013 by CreateSpace

Length: 380pgs

Format: ecopy

Genre: YA fantasy

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Alexa Costa has a life-altering secret…only she doesn’t know it yet.

Confined by law to the kingdom of Alvair until the age of eighteen, Alexa has lived a sheltered existence under the watchful eye of her sword-wielding guardian, Ivy. Her love interest, Caleb Whitman, is exactly the opposite. A merchant sailor and seeker of rare artifacts, Caleb has lived a life of adventure in nearby San Lucero, the long-time rival of Alvair.

After her eighteenth birthday, Alexa’s quiet existence becomes tumultuous, and she realizes she does not need to seek to find adventure. Myths become real, legend becomes fact, and Alexa discovers that she possesses rare abilities which make her a target for both sides in a centuries-old struggle for power. She must use every resource available to her—including her talents with the supernatural Amulets—to help her friends, rekindle her romance with Caleb, and save her island home from destruction.

My Review:

With this novel Johnson takes the YA fantasy genre and develops a one of a kind story that sparks your emotions and keeps you intrigued. Although this novel was well written and descriptive on a visual scale I found the storyline itself a bit difficult to get into. The story was all there but was presented in a manner that I found to be somewhat superficial at times. I was rarely fully in the story. That said, the further into the story I got the more I enjoyed it. It was definitely a unique read.

The main character in this novel was fairly well developed. You get to know her on multiple levels, really getting in with her. The majority of the rest of the cast had quite skeletal development. They were there to fill out the novel and fulfil certain roles but little else.

Overall, this was a fairly enjoyable, fluffy read that was written for all levels of readers.

| Goodreads | Shelfari |

| Amazon |

Saturday, March 22, 2014

The Echoes of Love by Hannah Fielding

Title: The Echoes of Love

Author: Hannah Fielding

Published: December 6th 2013 by London Wall Publishing (first published January 1st 2013)

Length: 360pgs

Format: ebook

Genre: contemporary romance

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Set against the breathtaking beauty of Italy, The Echoes of Love is a passionate, heart-breaking romance to ignite the senses and rekindle your belief in the power of love. Seduction, passion and secrets... Venetia Aston-Montagu has escaped to Venice to work in her godmother's architectural practice, putting a lost love behind her. For the past ten years she has built a fortress around her heart, only to find the walls tumbling down one night of the carnival when she is rescued from masked assailants by an enigmatic stranger, Paolo Barone. Drawn to the powerfully seductive Paolo, despite warnings of his Don Juan reputation and rumours that he keeps a mistress, Venetia can't help being caught up in the smouldering passion that ignites between them. When she finds herself assigned to a project at his magnificent home deep in the Tuscan countryside, Venetia not only faces a beautiful young rival but also a sinister count and dark forces in the shadows, determined to come between them. Can Venetia trust that love will triumph, even over her own demons? Or will Paolo's carefully guarded, devastating secret tear them apart forever?

My Review:

What a story. Fielding somehow mixes description with narrative with information and background to create a complete whole. The story is fully rounded and uniquely developed to provide all aspects to the reader. At the same time, your imagination runs wild while you read this. There is almost a mystical or ethereal quality to this story. The author enchants you with her storytelling. She also gives you chills with her storyline. This is a brilliant mix of many styles and genres, yet the author seamlessly brings it all together into an unforgettable whole.

I really enjoyed the main characters in this tale. I found myself both falling and rooting for them. Watching their relationship develop from a chance meeting to a relationship was heart-warming and thought provoking. The characters themselves are also quite genuine. They’re the type of people that you want to get to know. Also, the mix of English and Italian in their speech patterns makes them that much more enchanting.

As a whole, this was a very approachable love story that kept me on my toes. It’s also going to stay with me and haunt me for a while. Could you just imagine? I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys romance and foreign countries (unless you’re Italian, in which case ‘foreign countries’ doesn’t apply).

| Goodreads | Shelfari |

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