Earth by Jessica Frances

Title:  Earth

Series:  Invision Trilogy #1

Author:  Jessica Frances

Published:  June 19/14

Length:  

Format:  ARC ecopy

Genre:  NA SciFi Romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★

Blurb:

Earth is being invaded. There was no warning and no time to stage any kind of defence. Instead countries started to go silent. They were no longer reachable and no one knew what was happening.

So when Canada went dark; everyone knew America would be next.

Mattie:

My name is Matilda, but everyone calls me Mattie. I was at college in Oregon when the attack began. By the time Canada went quiet, we’d had enough. So two of my friends and I decided to join the fight in Vancouver and find out what was really happening.

That is when everything changed. What we found was death, destruction and machines that were slaughtering humans. There would be no escape for us; no place to go where the machines couldn't reach us.

I had no future, but then I met him.

Marduke:

My name is Marduke and I’m part of the reason Earth is being invaded. I’m from a different planet and even though I look human, I’m not. But when Earth was invaded, I began running from my family and running for my life.

Then she saved me.

She made me feel something I’d never felt before. She saved my life and opened my heart to the possibility of love, she changed me forever.

What are the chances of finding your true love right when the world is ending? What kind of cruel fate places them together under those circumstances?

What is she supposed to do when he tells her he is not from Earth? When she finds out that he is one of the invaders?

What does she do when she finds out everything she thought she knew was wrong?

What does he do when he has to make a choice between protecting her and saving himself?

How can they overcome everything standing in their way?

Excerpt:

The truck moves again and this time we do topple over. Neither of us have put seatbelts on, so we both crash to the ceiling, my head taking most of the impact as my legs fall into the steering wheel.

I scream in shock, and as my mind catches up, I realise there is no way Hank and Lisa would be okay after being crushed into the road.

“Hank!” I scream out again, panicking as the truck is hit once more and we slide along the road. “Lisa!” I screech when we finally stop and hands grab hold of me, dragging me through the windshield which broke long ago.

It’s Hank, and as he drags me free, he quickly moves back to take hold of Marduke. Blood pours down from my forehead, but I don’t bother checking myself any further. My eyes first find the machine as it leers over us then I see Lisa off to the side, hiding by some bushes.

“We need to get out of here, now!” Hank has Marduke up and on his feet. The truck shakes as the machine shoots at it, and I’m half expecting a fireball to burst out at us.

“Take this!” I thrust the grenade into Hank’s hand and then wrap Marduke’s arm over my shoulder.

Hank begins shooting with the handgun, heading around the truck and jogging in the opposite direction to Lisa.

I stumble her way with Marduke, hoping Hank can keep the attention on him while we get away.

Marduke grunts in pain as he has to put heavy pressure on his knee, and I cry in shock when I feel his body jolt forward from the impact of a bullet hitting his back. He pushes me off him and I lose my balance, falling to the ground.

“Run!” he yells at me. But before I can even consider moving at all, an explosion erupts and everything goes black.
My Review:

This is a quick, enjoyable read that takes the dystopian genre in a refreshing direction. Her descriptions of earth from the views of an outsider were extremely accurate, yet made me giggle. Seeing yourself from the POV of an outsider isn’t always flattering. Frances writes this tale with a haunting voice that will leave you with chills. You can’t escape the impending sense of doom.

Watching these characters come to know one another allows you to get to know them in an intimate yet guarded manner. Also, by telling the story from both characters’ perspectives you get a well-rounded view of themselves and of the situations they find themselves in. Frances also adds an element of realism to these characters by allowing you into their innermost thoughts, as scatterbrained as they may be sometimes it makes them much more approachable. That said, I did find the male lead to be a bit whiny at times, especially for being a warrior prince. Not that he ever voiced this, it was his inner monologue that tipped you off to it, just enough to make you question his character.

Frances definitely things outside the box with this one. She has created an enjoyable read that makes you think.

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About the author:

Born and raised in South Australia, Jessica spends her days working in a bakery, afternoons catching up on lost sleep, and nights reading and writing. After having the Taken Trilogy taking up space in her head for years, she was relieved to have a break and her mind clear. But apparently the free rent was spoken to Mattie and her friends, because now she is hearing new voices and a whole new story. The Invasion Trilogy was then born.

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Elfineness by T. K. Varenko

Title:  Elfineness

Author:  T.K. Varenko

Published:  March 18/14 by Createspace

Length:  350pgs

Format:  ecopy

Genre:  fantasy

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Back to her own self and kingdom,
Luella's winning back her name
Securing her reign and freedom
With Derek, her re-found flame.

When things are looking up like never
And happiness is at her door,
The Elders want her, however,
Engaged in the impending war.

Can she refuse without facing
The consequences it may bring?
Will she be capable of tracing
The missing links she needs to win?

And this is all on the background
Of nanobots beyond control
Destroying down to the ground
The human race condemned to fall.

My Review:

There is a melodic flow to this story that keeps you thoroughly entranced in Varenko’s writing. It is reminiscent of the ancient poets, with a very modern twist. I enjoyed how Varenko seamlessly melded mythologies of multiple different backgrounds together. Norse, Greek, Egyptian, and many others make their way into this tale, drawing you further into the story. Her descriptions and narrative make this story vividly real yet completely fantastical. These characters find themselves on an old fashioned, futuristic quest. It is the best of all the worlds.

The characters in this novel are quite unique, yet standard all the same. The gods & goddesses meddle. The characters resemble heroes of old. Yet at the same time, they all have a unique, fresh air to them. They aren’t overly approachable characters, but that is what makes them who they are.

Overall, this was a shockingly unique tale that kept me captivated. It was an emjoyable change from the everyday.

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Guest Post with author Anna Frost

Today you all get to spend some time with author Anna Frost.

I'm excited!  Hope you guys are too.

Three Cool Places in Japan That Inspired My Work and One That Didn’t

Hi! My name is Anna Frost and I’m the author of The Kitsune Trilogy, a fantasy set in a world designed to mimic Japan’s feudal era. In this guest post I’d like to demonstrate why on-site research is the absolutely best way to find unexpected ideas and inspiration.

I wrote the first volume of the trilogy before I visited Japan and I wrote the second volume after. This quickly becomes obvious if you look at the places I visited and the ways they influenced the second volume’s plot. I hope you like pictures, because there will be pictures.

1. Kyoto Imperial Palace

During the feudal era, Kyoto was the capital of Japan. The old imperial palace is now empty and carefully preserved. Since the palace burned down several times during its long history, I couldn’t rely too much on the details or layout of its current incarnation, but I did come away with a feel for its zen elegance and a burning desire to use it as a setting in The Fox’s Quest.

2. Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

The museum’s main attraction is a true to scale reconstruction of a city section in the Edo Period. It’s a relatively small area (a main street and an alley) but it’s enough to submerge you into the past. The difference between the alley filled with tiny single-room homes and the rich merchant’s house is rather shocking!

This is the place that spawned my desire to write a chase scene on city rooftops in The Fox’s Quest, even though it portrays a different city and era than the ones I mimic. Rooftops are rooftops after all. :)

3. All the Castles!

I love castles of all kinds but I have to admit Japanese castles have a certain flair and elegance that European ones can’t match. They look badass from outside, they’re beautiful inside (polished wood floors! tatami!), and many are built on top of hills so the view from the top tends to be amazing. We visited several castles during our trip and I’m not quite sure which one this is, but just look at that architecture!

After seeing that, you shouldn’t be surprised to find out The Fox’s Quest features an old, seemingly abandoned castle that hosts a tiny shinobi clan (in other words, ninja).

4. Lost Opportunity: Nara

Nara is one of the oldest cities in Japan. It boasts seven different Buddhist temples, among them the Great Eastern Temple and the Great Western Temple. Both of these temples feature in my made-up world, but they bear very little resemblance to the real ones since I repurposed them as training grounds for ghost-hunting monks.

I already knew I wanted my characters to go to Nara at some point, so I should have made the most of our time there and visited the temples, shouldn’t I? Well, oops. You see, modern Nara is known for its tame sika deer. Its adorable, want-you-to-feed-them deer. So instead of doing research, I spent the day feeding fuzzy animals. I should feel ashamed, but they were really cute.

There’s an ancient historical structure behind me but I’m too busy feeding the deer to pay attention to it. Bad author, bad!

I’ve since finished the trilogy (the last volume is coming out next month!), but I hope to visit Japan again soon. :)

About the author:

Anna Frost is a Canadian girl who spends winters writing and dreaming of summer. An overdose of Japanese culture and media has led her to write fantasy inspired by Japanese mythology. In a shocking break with literary tradition, Anna does not live with cats. Instead she lives with chinchillas, which can be just as demanding and evil as cats.

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A bit about The Fox's Mask:

Demon hunter Akakiba keeps many secrets from his human companion. The fact he's a werefox isn't the worst one.

In feudal Japan, magic is dying. As a demon hunter, Akakiba finds this problematic. The evil he's been trained to destroy is disappearing and, along with it, the shape-shifting abilities of the clan he left behind. With his only companion, a determined young human named Yuki, Akakiba traverses the country slaying demons and performing odd jobs.

But when an army of demon possessed humans masses to exterminate his clan, Akakiba must put aside old feuds and protect his family–all while hiding an important secret from Yuki. Will they find a way to defeat the demon possessed before it's too late? With magic dwindling, will it matter either way?

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Almost Forgotten by Carey Decevito

Title:  Almost Forgotten

Series:  Broken Men's Club #2

Author:  Carey Decevito

Published:  Feb 4/14

Length:  328pgs

Format:  ecopy

Genre:  contemporary romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Jake had it all: women, money, great looks. For all intents and purposes, he was happy.

A series of women and an unexpected appearance by a ghost from his past cause him to re-evaluate his life.

She'd broken his heart, all those years ago, and Jake chose to live the life of a bachelor there on out. Along with his fast-paced career, he ran a fast-paced social life. It's what worked for him. Or he'd convinced himself it did.

The loneliness his large home presented the minute the housekeeper went home and the women that warmed his bed deserted him, left him wanting. Could he have what so many of his friends already did: the woman, the family, the house with the white picket fence? Maybe. But just because he desired these things, things he'd sworn off ages ago, doesn't mean that they were destined for him.

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:

This is definitely a different take on a contemporary romance. Decevito takes off from the get-go and keeps you captivated with her mesmerizing writing and enchanting storyline. Not only did the storyline shock me, but Decevito’s inviting writing drew me in and invited me to join this world. I thoroughly appreciated the hard knocks that the characters lived through, and came out on the other side all the stronger for. Decevito doesn’t simply rely on her characters and their love to bring her story to life (even though this would do it all on its own). She is a very visually descriptive author who mixes romance with suspense and a bit of intrigue. Life takes precedence and shines through.

I thoroughly appreciated the fact that most of the major players in this story accepted what they couldn’t change, and fought to change what they couldn’t accept. It drew them together while also making them stand out amongst a veritable sea of romance characters. You get right into the main character’s head with this one. It was such a trip to be living life from his perspective. You can easily love these characters, even though their flaws are apparent to anyone.

Overall, this was an absolutely brilliant story. It could easily be read as a standalone, but also fits in nicely with the series as a whole. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to romance enthusiasts anywhere.

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Walls for the Wind by Alethea Williams

Title:  Walls for the Wind

Author:  Alethea Williams

Published:  April 1/14

Length:  300pgs

Format:  ecopy

Genre:  Western Historical

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★

Blurb:

Can an angel survive Hell on Wheels? When KIT CALHOUN leaves New York City with a train car full of orphans from the Immigrant Children’s Home, she has no clue she might end up as adoptive mother to four children in rip-roaring Cheyenne, Wyoming. At twenty-two, Kit has spent most of her life in the Children’s Home. Now she acts as one of America’s first social workers, serving as liaison between the home, the courts, and the children of the streets.

Kit has little doubt she is easing the plight of the homeless children, until the transcontinental railroad begins to span the country and she is chosen to accompany orphan trains to distribute city children as fast as the rails are laid and farms are carved out of former Indian lands. Eastern cities are overrun with homeless children, their parents sick with consumption or dead of accidents and disease. The farmers who take in the children are required to sign a pledge to clothe, feed, and educate them in return for their labor. Is this distribution of urban children to rural environs beneficial, as the churches that sponsor the dissemination insist? Kit begins to have misgivings.

Family ties are deliberately broken so that single children will have a better chance of being placed. Even so, Kit swears an oath to a dying woman that she will keep her son and daughter together. But when their train passes beyond the last settlements in Nebraska, Kit is left with no other choice. HANNAH and HELMUT, and teenagers CONNIE and THOMAS, become Kit’s sole responsibility.

The first time handsome PATRICK KELLEY lays eyes on Kit inside the Casement Brothers store where he works in Julesburg, Colorado Territory, he wants her for his own. But circumstances, and a spectral-looking demented gambler as well as Kit’s certainty no one in his right mind would want her cobbled-together family, conspire to keep them apart. When Patrick and Kit and her brood ride Hell on Wheels into Cheyenne, they’re all forced to leave behind everything they knew and find ways to survive and thrive in the raw new American West.

My Review:

This novel definitely shows the hard hitting realities of life in the western frontier. Williams transplants you into the time period via her writing style, tone, and storyline. Time does flow without breaking and jumping ahead or stagnating. This novel had a very mellow pace. I did, however, find that this lead to the story lagging at times. Even though there was a great deal going on in the story, I found that it meandered somewhat.

Williams develops her characters into individuals who fit where and when they live as well as their backgrounds, without simply being a stereotype. I found I could form an emotional attachment to some of the characters, while others remained aloof. The prim and proper demeanour of the main character shines through the author’s writing. I enjoyed how the main characters were well developed individually before they ever met.

As a whole, the characters in this novel lived the adventure of a lifetime. It was an intriguing look at the railway expansion into the western frontier.

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About the author:

Alethea Williams: Western history has been the great interest of my adult life. I've lived in Wyoming, Colorado, and Oregon. Although an amateur historian, I am happiest researching different times and places in the historical West. And while staying true to history, I try not to let the facts overwhelm my stories. Story always comes first in my novels, and plot arises from the relationships between my characters. I'm always open to reader response to my writing.

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Guest Post with author Lisa Regan

Today I'm handing things over to Lisa Regan.

Enjoy all!

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Being a Published Writer

Writers work tirelessly, often for years with little encouragement and little hope, dreaming of the day they’ll be published. Then one day it happens. Here are ten things that might surprise you about being on the other side of your dream:

1. Selling books is hard. Really hard. Even a really great book can be hard to sell. You can have 5 authors who are equally talented all published in the same way (i.e. by a Big 5, a small press or indie) and even if they all did the same things, only one of them might sell enough books to buy a cup of coffee. It is a total crapshoot and you cannot be in this for the money.
2. You’re going to get bad reviews and they are going to cut you.  That’s just the way it is. You can’t please everyone.  The good news is that after awhile, they don’t really bother you anymore.
3. There will be mistakes in your book and readers will call you on them. Yes, even after a very exhaustive editing process, some mistakes can still sneak in and readers will definitely let you know.
4. You’re going to need your writer friends more than ever after publication—to commiserate, to bounce scenarios off one another, for advice and for help with promotion.
5. On occasion, you will get a very personal, very heartfelt letter/email from a reader that will make your entire struggle worth it.
6. You need to have swag on you at all times! Invest in bookmarks and carry them with you all the time so you can give them out or leave them places when the opportunity arises. It really can help with sales.
7. Nearly 80% of your time will be spent not on writing, but on social media. Invest some time in a Hootsuite account or another site similar to it to stay organized and pre-schedule important posts or tweets.
8. Some genres just don’t sell as well as others. Period.
9. Books don’t sell themselves. They need to be promoted. No promotion equals no sales.
10.  Writing becomes a lot more work post-publication. Suddenly you’ve got deadlines and promotion to keep up with, a brand to build and maintain. But it is totally worth it!

About the author:

Lisa Regan is a crime fiction author. Her first novel, Finding Claire Fletcher won Best Heroine in the eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards 2013. It was runner-up for Best Novel. It was also a Digital Book Today Best of 2013 ebook selection. In December 2013, Finding Claire Fletcher and her second novel, Aberration were #1 Amazon bestsellers in the Kidnapping and Serial Killers categories, respectively.

Lisa is a member of Sisters In Crime. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter.

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A bit about Hold Still:

Three men are viciously assaulting Philadelphia's prostitutes, and it's up to veteran detective Jocelyn Rush to stop them. She catches two, but they won't betray their partner, the most dangerous of all, and the attacks continue, striking closer to home. Jocelyn's only real clue comes when a monster from her past resurfaces--now she must race to connect the demons of her past with the villain of her present--before the sadistic attacker sets his sights on her.

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Fatal Desire by Valerie Twombly

Title:  Fatal Desire

Series:  Guardians #2

Author:  Valerie Twombly

Published:  March 12th 2014 by Resplendence

Length:  250pgs

Format:  ecopy

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★

Blurb:

Caleb is dark, hot, and commanding in human form. As a dragon, he’s a force to be reckoned with. When he witnesses the slave Lileta being beaten by his Overlord Odage, he nearly comes unglued. Without understanding why, he asks to take the slave as his own, but soon realizes his longing is more than an attraction to a beautiful woman. In a sick twist of fate, the gods have given him a demon as his mate—one he can never touch unless he wishes his own death. His only choice is to grant her freedom.

Lileta wanted to kill Caleb, but when she is freed by this tempting male, her anger turns to a desire that can only prove fatal. Even if she could claim him as her own, her dark past makes her unworthy of his love.

When their paths continue to intertwine, spiraling them to the brink of passion, can they resist the yearnings burning within them, or will they submit to their fatal desire?

Excerpt:

Odage stood under the full moon; the desert wind blew through his hair and grains of sand danced past his boots. Finally, he’d found the other half of the amulet of Tobor.

“I am extremely pleased, Odage. You have done well and will be rewarded. However, you know this journey has only begun,” a sinister voice echoed through the night air.

“Yes, My Lord. I’m aware of what is to come next.” Odage sneered. He knew the dark demon wanted the amulet. The harmless stone tucked in his curled fingers would somehow open Hell’s Gate when combined with the blood of a guardian’s mate. His master would then be set free to rain terror on the earth’s occupants.

“Good. Then you will start preparations. I am most anxious to leave this realm.”

“Of course, My Lord.” Odage shoved the amulet in his pocket and headed toward Caleb’s tent. He wondered how the slave Lileta fared with his second-in-command. He’d been surprised when Caleb had asked for the slave himself. Odage planned to kill her for her betrayal but decided Caleb deserved a gift so had agreed. He grinned, knowing the other Draki could be as brutal as he was. She might die yet.

When he reached the tent, he flung open the door and entered. Caleb sat at the table gnawing on a chicken bone. Odage’s gaze moved across the room where Lileta was handcuffed to the bed. Her tight pink T-shirt showed every curve, causing his desire to stir. She pinned him with a death glare. It really was a shame their species were incompatible. She was a beautiful female, with flowing raven hair, golden eyes, and hips that would fit nicely in his grip. Fortunately for her, the gods saw fit to make her species, the Kothar Demon, poisonous to a dragon.

Caleb rose. “My liege, how may I assist you?”

“Sit; finish your meal.”

Caleb took his seat. “May I offer you something? Wine?”

“Yes, a glass of wine is in order.” Odage waited while Caleb got up and procured another glass, filled it halfway with the red liquid then handed it to him. He raised it. “A toast.” Caleb extended his glass. “To finding the amulet.” Odage pulled the red stone from his pocket and placed it on the table.

“My liege, this is wonderful news. I know how long you’ve been searching for it.” He leaned in closer. “What happens next? Do you sell it to the highest bidder?”

Odage smirked. “Perhaps.” He would keep his master’s plans close to his chest, not even Caleb would be entrusted with the information. “But first, we must rid ourselves of the vampires. Prepare to burn down Vandeldor if you must.”

Caleb tipped his head. “Wouldn’t it be wise to find their queen’s murderer? I’d be honored to clear your name.”

Odage narrowed his gaze. “Fuck them. They dare accuse me, Queen Daria’s closest ally, of killing her? You know as well as I that they will never stop hunting me. Even if they were successful in catching me, they wouldn’t stop there. They will massacre our race.”

“Perhaps, but we are stronger than they are.”

“Yes, but I fear they have the gods on their side.”

Caleb furrowed his brows then nodded. “As you wish then. I will devise a plan to take them out.”

“Good, I knew I could count on you.” He raised his glass again. “To the death of our enemies.”

My Review:

When I started reading this novel I was still on a high from the first book in the series, I didn’t think it could get much better, but it definitely did. Twombly’s descriptions are even more vivid and the story even more captivating. Emotions run high throughout. I felt my heart break for the characters. Twombly’s writing makes it very easy to visualise the scenery and the events throughout the novel. This would have easily been a 5 star novel if the author had gone for another round of editing. There were a few times where I was tripping over the grammar and spelling which detracted from the story a bit.

The main characters in this novel were even more vivid than in the first novel in the series. They were also even more memorable (if that’s possible). They may just be my favourite lead couple in a series. The supporting cast is also perfectly developed. They are so much more than secondary characters. They are family and friends, and amongst the worst of enemies. It makes for a brilliant tale.

This is a brilliantly crafted story that kept me captivated throughout. I cannot wait to see what the future will hold for this series.

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About the author:

As a child, Valerie would often get into trouble for peeking at her mother’s favorite TV show, Dark Shadows. She can still hear her mother saying, “It will give you nightmares.” She was right of course, but that did not stop Valerie from watching. As an adult, her love of the fanged creatures never waned. She would watch any vampire movie she could find.

Being a true romantic, Valerie was thrilled when she discovered the genre of paranormal romance. Her first read was one of Lara Adrian’s, Midnight Breed Series and from there she was hooked.

Today, Valerie has decided to take her darker, sensual side and put it to paper. When she is not busy creating a world full of steamy, hot men and strong, seductive women, she juggles her time between a full-time job, hubby and her two German shepherd dogs, in Northern IL.

Valerie is a member of Romance Writers of America and Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Romance Writers. She is also a member of Coffee Talk Writers and the Coffee Talk website –a site designed to support established writers and foster new talent.

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Eternal Flame by Valerie Twombly

Title:  Eternal Flame

Series:  Guardians #1

Author:  Valerie Twombly

Published:  October 18th 2013 by Resplendence Publishing

Length:  272pgs

Format:  ecopy

Genre:  paranormal romance

Shelf:  Review

Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A woman he cannot have, a man who is only a dream...

When guardian Marcus Dagotto, discovers the gods have gifted him with a mate, he is pissed. He has no room for love and even less for a human who has no idea he exists.

Cassandra Jensen, has a shattered heart and has given up on men. Only one man can set her body on fire, but he is a fantasy that haunts her sleep.

Two worlds, one desire. When the two collide, fate will rip them apart and test their resolve. Will darkness and evil prevail? Or, will love conquer all?

My Review:

This novel has it all: romance, suspense, paranormal, and a connection to its readers that will leave you in awe. This well written novel will capture your imagination. Twombly’s tone sets the feeling of the novel in a way like I’ve never seen before I could feel the darkness emanating from the novel. I could also see the light trying to peek through. There is an intensity to this novel that will leave you breathless.

I really enjoyed the fact that Twombly’s characters weren’t simply humans with supernatural abilities. They were more than human, without becoming unrecognizable. Twobmly’s character development allows the reader a glimpse into their souls without giving everything away. You get to know them without knowing everything about them. It was brilliant. I cannot believe how easy it was to form a connection with these characters. I feel like I’ve been to hell & back with them.

This was a great read. Twombly’s mix of mythology, demonology, and the paranormal, along with a twist of her own creates a uniquely unforgettable read.

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Fallen Eyes by J.K. Walker

Title:  Fallen Eyes

Series:  Salt Lake After Dark #4

Author:  J.K. Walker

Published:  Feb 22/14 by Create Space

Length:  321pgs

Format:  ecopy

Genre:  paranormal romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Jazz needs to get away. With her shapeshifter status outed to anyone with an internet connection, she’s being hounded by reporters, protesters, and fanboys alike. With her birthday fast approaching, all she wants is a steamy weekend with Logan, away from… well, everything.

But something’s killing people in her territory. The local pack and the police are looking to her for answers—or an arrest. As alpha and enforcer, Jazz needs to shoulder the responsibility of protecting her community and finding the real monsters. If she can’t, she risks losing respect in a pack where her leadership is already in question.

As the investigation progresses, it becomes evident that old enemies have returned. They’re out for revenge, more powerful than before, and targeting those who’re most important to Jazz. The patterns are too familiar. The targets are too close to her heart. Jazz can’t be everywhere at once—can’t protect everyone at once.

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 love how all of the separate elements of this multifaceted story meld together into one incredible life. This novel is also a melding of supernaturals. Not only does Walker incorporate multiple types, but some are a little of this, a little of that. It’s the UN of supernaturals. Walker takes all of this and has her readers on a fast paced journey from beginning to end. You can visualise the fight scenes in real-time. I felt like I was standing there watching rather than reading it in a novel. Walker had me tied in knots trying to guess what would come next, but she also had me in tears with this one. Emotions run high in the novel, and Walker easily translates that to her readers.

I am completely hooked on the cast of this novel. Jazz’s animal side really shines through in this one. It’s priceless. She’s really becoming who she’s meant to be. The evolution of this character throughout the series really allows the reader to connect with her. I also love Loki in this one. I love how he goes from being a house cat to a full character in his own right. The rest of the cast is also there, in full form. Those that we’ve met before continue to grow based on their experiences, while the new characters are fully developed and a great addition to the story.

This series is crafted in such a way as to create an incomparable experience for the reader. Walker is definitely an author to watch.

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Avenge Me by Maisey Yates

Title:  Avenge Me

Series:  Fifth Avenue Trilogy #1

Author:  Maisey Yates

Published:  May 27/14 by Harlequin Presents

Length:  272pgs

Format:  ARC paperback

Genre:  contemporary romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

TEN YEARS AGO ONE DEVASTATING NIGHT CHANGED EVERYTHING FOR AUSTIN, HUNTER AND ALEX. NOW THEY MUST EACH PLAY THEIR PART IN THE REVENGE AGAINST THE ONE MAN WHO RUINED IT ALL.

Austin Treffen was born into a world of privilege, but behind its gilded doors lies a corruption so sordid New York's elite would never believe it—especially as his infamous philanthropic father is at its core! With everything he believed in shattered, how can Austin take down his father—risking his family name and those he loves—without any proof?

Until one earth-shattering night with Katy Michaels unlocks not only their deepest, most passionate desires but also the key to bringing Jason Treffen's reign to an end. But with an intense sexual attraction that combines a heady mix of exquisite pleasure and sublime pain, will they satiate their thirst for revenge and each other…or lose themselves forever in the darkness?

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:

Yates had me hooked right from the prologue of this novel. I found myself guessing and second guessing what would happen next. Yates had my pulse racing throughout, both from the suspense and the heat created between the main characters. I devoured this novel.

This author’s creativity and ability to charm her audience are put together in a well written package that you won’t be able to put down. Not only is this a brilliantly crafted story, but it is also a hard hitting tale. This novel is so much more than just your typical romance, and the romance itself also has an extra shot of adrenaline added in. Yates uses narrative & description to her advantage, painting this world before her readers’ eyes. She also packs a very powerful message in this captivating novel. It was a very refreshing thought.

The main characters’ actions spoke louder than words in this novel. Yates has created the perfectly imperfect couple to take this story forward. The raw realism in their characters makes them oh so human and impossible to ignore. Even if you can’t relate to one of the characters Yates’ development makes them very easy to understand.

Yates combines eloquence, sass, and spice to capture your heart, mind and soul. She has created a novel that stands out in a sea of literature. This is definitely a must read.

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Active Minds & Gray's Domain by Eva Pohler

Twenty-four amazing authors have joined forces with Eva Pohler Books and over a dozen outstanding bloggers to raise money for Active Minds, a non-profit organization devoted to mental health awareness and suicide prevention in young adults. In addition to donating their books, swag, and gift cards, many of these participants have also given cash donations directly to the organization. This coalition of authors and bloggers wants to help eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness and let young adults know there are people who care and to never give up. You can help, too! One of the entry options on the rafflecopter giveaway is to donate $1 or more to Active Minds. The link will take you directly to the foundation's website, and it's so easy to do!  Click on the Active Minds logo above to find out more about this organization.

Here is the list of prizes you can enter to win!

 Mercy Amare and K.T. Smith's Legacies 

Casey Bond's Reap 

Jacinda Buchmann's Indigo Incite 

Nely Cab's Creatura Series, Books 0.5-2 

Amy Evan's Clicks plus jelly bean kisses 

C.R. Everett's I Loved That About Her 

A.M. Hargrove's Tragically Flawed 

Susan Holmes's Deadly Ties: A Waterside Kennel's Mystery 

Laura Howard's The Forgotten Ones 

Amy Jones's A Zebra Like Me 

Allana Kephart and Melissa Simmons's Uprising 

Carlyle Labuschagne: Winner's Choice of any of her books 

Quinn Loftis's Grey Wolves Series 

Quinn Loftis's Elfin Series 

Quinn Loftis's Call Me Crazy 

Kelly Martin's Big Is Beautiful 

Jo Michaels's Lily (Mystic Vol. 2) 

Jennifer Miller's Pretty Little Lies 

J.D. Nelson's Night Aberrations 

Alison Pensy's Custodian Novels Boxed Set 

Eva Pohler's The Gatekeeper's Saga 

C.W. Stokes's Second Chances 

Felicia Tatum's Intoxicating Passion Boxed Set 

Becca Vincenza's Damaged 

K.A. Young's The Nephilum Warrior Boxed Set 

K.A. Young's The Elise Michaels Series Deausha Kitty's YA Book Blog: 

$5 Amazon GC Lisa's Book Lair: 

Swag The Bookworm Blog: 

$1.99 ebook Supagurl Books: 

Swag Wicked Women Book Blog 

$3 Amazon GC Kat's Indie Book Blog:

 Rachel M Raithby's Lexia The Deadwood Hunter Series, Book 1 

Along with the rafflecopter for the prizes above is a tour celebrating the release of Gray's Domain, the second book in The Purgatorium Series. If you are need in therapy, this is the series to read! It tells of an island off the coast of California where Dr. Gray and her staff use experimental methods on clinically depressed and suicidal patients sent their by family members who have no other hope. Seventeen-year-old Daphne is their newest patient.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

And now, let's find out some more about Gray's Domain.

Title:  Gray's Domain

Series:  The Purgatorium #2

Author:  Eva Pohler

Published:   June 1st 2014 by Green Press/Eva Pohler

Length:  296pgs

Format:  ARC ecopy

Genre:  YA 

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

After enduring Dr. Hortense Gray’s experimental therapy on an island off the coast of California at a compound known as The Purgatorium, seventeen-year-old Daphne is delighted to learn she will now have a chance to have revenge on her parents and boyfriend by participating in their therapy. It’s payback time, and Daphne can’t wait to begin.

Dr. Gray defends her dubious methods by claiming that all treatments come with risks, but when real bullets fly and lives are at stake, Daphne decides she wants no part of it and hatches a plan to save her family.

My Review:

This novel was spooky and eerily entertaining. Pohler’s phenomenal descriptions of the natural world leave you breathless while her fantastically imaginative storytelling keep you hooked. The story’s smooth forward flow pulls you in. The symbolism behind various aspects of the story adds an extra layer to the tale. Not only is this story suspenseful and grippingly entertaining, it also has a huge psychological impact on the reader. It opens your eyes to the possibilities and realities around you. I repeatedly asked myself if the end justified the means. I found myself laughing regularly. Even when events seem a bit over the top it’s still easy to see and feel the real possibility behind it. Pohler also had me crying towards the end of the story. I will warn you, however, that this novel picks right up where the last left off. As a reader you’d be missing a great deal by not reading the first novel in the series first. And it’s worth the read.

I really appreciate how the main character grows and an individual. Pohler really lets you get inside her head. You see her weighing the pros and cons, battling her demons, and becoming a more rounded and understanding individual (even if I may not always agree with her decisions). The supporting cast is so varied that there is someone for everyone to connect with, and for everyone to throw a bucket of water at. Everyone was uniquely yet fully developed to create a well rounded cast.

This novel may have been written with teens in mind, but it’s so compelling and is perfect for adults as well. I couldn’t put this one down. The story and theories behind it will stay with me for the long haul.

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Sufficient Ransom by Sylvia Sarno

Title:  Sufficient Ransom

Author:  Sylvia Sarno

Published:  March 21/14 by Savvy Scribe Press

Length:  326 pgs

Format:  ecopy

Genre:  thriller/suspense

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

"The role of religion in tragic circumstances is given a well-crafted twist in this intriguing thriller." ForeWord Clarion Reviews

What a mother wouldn't do for her child. Ann Olson takes her life for granted until her young son, Travis, disappears from the backyard one evening. Searching for her son, Ann throws caution to the wind. Soon, she finds herself enmeshed in the seedy world of Mexican drug dealers who operate just across the border in Tijuana. Does Ann, an atheist, embrace Christianity despite her husband warning that her pastor friend is more interested in converting her than in finding Travis? Does she make it out of the drug tunnel alive, or is her rashness her downfall? And is Travis’s disappearance related to that of other recently missing children in San Diego? A story of a mother’s love, courage in the face of evil, and her unexpected journey of self-discovery along the way.

My Review:

Holy cow. The symbolism of this novel’s title is astounding. It really made me sit back and thing, while making the entire story hit home with a vengeance.

I’ve got to admit that I was a bit worried at the beginning of the book. I couldn’t quite figure out where this was going. After a few chapters, however, I was hooked. Sarno develops her story with a tact and grace rarely seen in a debut work. The story is very religious at times and very action packed at others, with a suspenseful undercurrent throughout. Of course, the infusion of religion into this story definitely makes it stand out from other thrillers.

I found the main character to have gone from a strong, if scatterbrained, individual to one who waited for others to act on her behalf. It almost seemed backwards to what one would expect in her situation. In fact, it was the opposite of what she expected from others. She verges on whiny quite a few times. Her son is missing, people are dying, yet somehow she still makes it all about her. That said, Sarno makes this characters seem so real that I found myself talking to her as if she were sitting next to me. I found myself so connected to this character that everything was vividly real. The husband was perfectly cast, in my opinion. I found him easier to understand and to connect with. This in turn made the main character more palpable.

I will admit that the main character in this novel is right. I don’t have kids, I don’t understand, not fully. That said, this author made me feel this situation as if I were living it myself. The author got my pulse racing and had me thinking in a different light. There were just parts of the novel that seemed upside-down compared to the rest. Everything all tied together nicely at the end. I’d definitely recommend this to those who want a work of suspense that is outside the mainstream.

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Connect with the author online:

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And now, for the part you've all been waiting for!

Enter to win 1 of 5 ecopies of this shocking novel.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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