Review Tour: Revenge by Sonya Weiss

Book Blurb:

Their love is a ticking time bomb.

Juliet Sawyer was born to save the world. Gifted with incredible powers, she’s the only one standing in the way of The Great Extinction, the prophesied battle between Supernaturals and humans. In order to keep her sister safe and avenge her father’s murder, she’ll have to infiltrate the ranks of the Supernatural leaders who wish to destroy her. But the one thing she didn’t count on was falling in love…with someone who wants her dead.

The gorgeous and dangerous son of one of the Supernatural leaders, Riley West is in charge of training the group for war—now including Juliet, whose father is responsible for killing his family. But the more they train together, the more intensely their passion for each other burns. The deeper Riley is drawn in by Juliet’s beauty, the closer he gets to the secrets she keeps: one that will challenge everything he believes in—and one that could lead to her death. Together, can their forbidden love help stop the war? Or will one of them be forced to make the ultimate sacrifice?

Release Date: December 22nd

2015 Lyrical Press

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My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Royal-Court, Space, Supernatural--

In the year 2034, an alien species lives among the humans on earth, welcomed after a space exploration destroyed their planet. But not everything is as peaceful as it seems, and a war is brewing where the aliens will get their revenge on the humans and take over earth. Juliet is an alien, but not quite, living her life full of secrets, with a greater purpose than anyone knows. She wants to stop the destruction of the humans, but it could cost her everything if she is found out.

I love myself some alien books, especially those with romance (ok to be honest, I prefer all my books to have at least some romance). I had been really excited to get the chance to read this title once I read the synopsis, and it doesn’t hurt that I find the cover appealing. The plot of the story was very unique and I thought it was interesting with an alien war and a genetically created character, as well as the laws against half breeds and all the different species. The romance I saw coming from a mile away but I still love a good love.

Juliet is the narrator of the story and I liked her well enough as a character. She is pretending to be this average human high school girl, when in actuality she is the linch-pin to a war between species and nobody is aware. She was a very mature character, seeming older than her 17 years, but I am sure that is due to the heavy responsibility she has been carrying pretty much her whole life. My biggest problem with her is that she did a 180 on her feelings for Riley after being around him for just a few hours. He shows some mild concern for her interspersed with telling her he hates her and wouldn’t mind if she dies, potentially saves her life, and bam, she thinks he is a great guy and not like what she previously thought. Uggh. Not buying it, that’s called close proximity lust. Add in the fact that she likes to be “straightforward”, which interprets as her picking away at Riley telling him she has feelings for him and that he feels the same way and won’t stop even when he gets mad. I wanted to shake her a little at how awkward she made the whole situation. Yes, honesty is swell, but I felt like she was acting a little like a desperate school girl and not the badass supernatural she actually was. I think I would have liked the book a little better is the story alternated between Juliet and Riley, that way I could have had a different insight into what was actually going on since Juliet’s world was so narrow.

I had a few issues with the book. For example, there was a strange inconsistency which is not a big deal but of course I focused on it because I can’t help it, was the mention of the actor Chris Pine. Juliet compares a character to him in looks, but this book is set in the future and Chris is in his 30’s now in 2015, so he would be aged but she doesn’t say that was what he use to look like or anything to show a time transition. So maybe not use references to people popular now, but stick to describing the character without a comparison. Also, it talks about Juliet’s mom watching the film Independence Day to pick apart the issues with alien life the film depicted, but that seems far reaching to me. Wouldn’t those typical aliens in the movie have a different life than the human looking aliens in the film? And, the aliens in the book were invited to earth so the invasion concept would be null. I kind of feel like the author was just throwing references around that did not fit. Yes I know I have issues, and most people wouldn’t care, but it was inconsistent with the premise.

Overall, I thought this was a good story that was not exactly what I expected and I liked that about it. The ending had a huge freaking cliff-hangery moment that means I need the next book asap.

I received this title from the publisher and YA Book Bound Tours in return for my honest review.

Read on for an excerpt from the book

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Mr. Sands approached us to show us what part to read next, and when he did, I got a weird feeling about him like I was in danger. Something in the teacher’s eyes reminded meof a Ragespawn’s eyes, an ancient enemy of ours, the Tazavorn species. I dismissed the thought as quickly as it came. That had to be impossible. Ragespawn lived only in our galaxy, not the human one. Surely the human authorities would not have granted asylum on Earth to our most vicious enemy.

Riley edged closer to the teacher, putting himself between Mr. Sands and me. “ Back off,” he said in a low, commanding voice.

The two locked eyes and Mr. Sand muttered, “ Get out of my way.”

A pulsating power as swift and deadly as a laser flew from the center of Riley’s palm. The power zipped past the teacher to a speaker high on the wall.

A low creak sounded above Mr. Sands’s head, and he quickly turned. The mounted speaker flew from the wall and knocked the teacher’s copy of Romeo and Juliet from his hand, pinning it to the floor in a tangle of wires and a cloud of dust. Most of the dust settled on top of his scrub brush hair while some of it coated the white cement walls.

Silence reigned except for the ticking of the clock.

Mr. Sands’s hands shook slightly, and he frowned, first at the yawning hole in the cement and then at me. Suspiciously. Like I’d caused the accident to happen. He took a step closer and pointed a finger at me, clenching and unclenching his jaw as he searched for what to say. Then he grabbed my arm tightly, his fingers biting into my flesh. I winced from the bruising grasp.

“ Don’t touch her.” Riley used his shoulder to bump Mr. Sands and released another jolt of his power at the same time, forcing the teacher to take a quick step backward.

My heart stuttered. While the humans knew we had power, they weren’t supposed to see it.

Our leaders had sworn to the human authorities that we would not use our power against them. Another lie waiting to blow up in the humans’ faces. The truth was the leaders didn’t want the humans to witness our power. They were afraid it would be photographed and uploaded onto social media sites where the human authorities would analyze it and devise a way to conquer us when the war came.

“ Juliet Sawyer!” Mr. Sands pulled the book from beneath the speaker with a grunt and dusted the cover off. He grabbed my arm again more painfully than before. “ You’re coming with me to the principal’s office.” It would be easier if I went along with Mr. Sands for now. That way,if I had to use my power to defend myself, no human bystanders would be hurt.

“ I’ll kill you,” Mr. Sands said, speaking low so that only Riley and I could hear him. His nasty breath wafted across my face.

Before I could react to the threat, Riley released a stronger jolt of power, and it wrapped around Mr. Sands.

His face paled, and his right arm flailed for the old metal desk, waving madly like it wasn’t part ofhis body. His torso did a crazy twist and arch.

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Author Bio:

Sonya Weiss is a freelance writer, ghostwriter and author. She's addicted to great books, good movies, and Italian chocolates. She's passionate about causes that support abused animals and children. Her parents always supported her bringing stray animals home although the Great Dane rescue was a surprise.

You can follow her on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter or her website

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Review: Link by Summer Wier

Book Blurb:

For seventeen-year-old Kira, there’s no better way to celebrate a birthday than being surrounded by friends and huddled beside a campfire deep in the woods. And with a birthday in the peak of summer, that includes late night swims under the stars.

Or at least, it used to.

Kira’s relaxing contemplation of the universe is interrupted when a piece of it falls, colliding with her and starting a chain of events that could unexpectedly lead to the one thing in her life that's missing—her father.

Tossed into a pieced-together world of carnivals and gypsies, an old-fashioned farmhouse, and the alluring presence of a boy from another planet, Kira discovers she’s been transported to the center of a black hole, and there’s more to the story than science can explain. She’s now linked by starlight to the world inside the darkness. And her star is dying.

If she doesn’t return home before the star’s light disappears and her link breaks, she’ll be trapped forever. But she’s not the only one ensnared, and with time running out, she’ll have to find a way to save a part of her past and a part of her future, or risk losing everything she loves...

My Review:

3 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Aliens, Another-World, Mystery, Space, Supernatural--

During Kira’s 17th birthday bonfire at the lake, something strange fell from the sky and hit Kira. She wakes up two days later in the hospital, where nothing was physically wrong with her, but she just would not wake up. While she had been asleep, she had been somewhere else, a place she thought she created in her subconscious where a strangely compelling boy named Evan lives. But when she goes back to sleep, she finds herself in that strange land again. Kira is certain something is going on and she is anxious to discover what is wrong with her.

This was a very fast read for me, I speed through it in about two sittings because the topic was interesting and the writing was simple and straightforward. This was a mix of an angsty teen novel with science and fantasy thrown in, which is not really what I had anticipated. I will admit at the start of the book that I was a little lost when the teens were talking about picking a major and that Kira liked astroarcheology. I can honestly say that I had never heard of such a topic before so I was not certain if this book took place on earth or in a fictional world. So I looked up astroarcheology and it is an actual science field, be it a far-reaching one that I as a person with a Bachelors of Science has never heard mentioned before, but still, it is a real thing. I had convinced myself that I was reading into things and I am sure it was just another country, but then Bam! I was justified in my second guessing. I wont go into it here, but the author put a nice spin on things and I liked the play on the planet name and the rearrangement of letters.

My absolute favorite part of the story was when Kira was in her “fictional” world. It was full of magic, temptation and mystery and I liked the creative aspects like the fair with the fortune teller and the boundary that creates energy as well as the shady people. As a fair warning, there is also a love triangle- Kira has a long time friend Zane who she has actual feelings for but is scared and then the intriguing maybe-imaginary Evan who she feels chemistry with. As a rule, I am not really a fan of love triangles in teen books, and this one reinforced my dislike of them. Also, Kira was kind of a "love the one your with" kind of girl, and each guy she spent time with she felt was the right one and so forth that I wanted to shake her. I liked Evan well enough and he was a good ally, but he was desperate for age appropriate female company and she was literally his only option and threw himself at her and she went along with it like a love starved silly girl. And then there was sweet supporting Zane who I loved, that she kept at arms length even though he would do anything for her, believes her crazy story and they have history. I had a hard time liking and agreeing with Kira at times during the book, which caused me to like the book less.

I liked the building mystery in the story, how so many random things seemed to actually be tied together in one way or another. I can honestly say that there were twists and turns I never saw coming, people who had ulterior motives that I could not predict and the end idea of the book was a surprise. The plot and multiple world build was really well done and an intriguing concept, I just felt that I was not 100% percent behind Kira as character which dropped my liking of the book down. It was an interesting idea and I would like to see what the author decides to do next with the story.

I received this title in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Surviving Ice by K.A. Tucker

Book Blurb:

Ivy, a talented tattoo artist who spent the early part of her twenties on the move, is finally looking for a place to call home. She thinks she might have found it in San Francisco, but all that changes when she witnesses a terrible crime. She’s ready to pack up her things yet again, when a random encounter with a stranger keeps her in the city, giving her reason to stay after all.

That is, until Ivy discovers that their encounter wasn’t random. Not at all…

My Review:

5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: New Adult, Mystery--

Ivy lives a transitory life, always on the move from place to place, never settling down anywhere and playing by her own rules. She has been in San Francisco longer than anywhere else, almost considering it home thanks to her beloved uncle whom she is staying. When her uncle is murdered right in front of Ivy, she feels like her world is unraveling. An appealing stranger shows up at the tattoo shop she has now inherited, who forces himself into her life. Ivy wants to solve her uncle’s murder, yet at the same time someone wants to stop her.

Every book that I have read in this series I have enjoyed more than the last, making this my favorite out of the 4. Each story has been about a different character, but they are all intertwined in some way, introducing the next books main character as a side character in the current book. This is my 7th K.A. Tucker book overall, and let me tell you, I am a complete fan. She has the ability to craft complex, flawed characters that seem so real. You root for them regardless of what misdeeds or actual criminal acts they participate in, and I think that is talent. The plots are well developed with big emotional upheavals and realistic conclusions that may not be a complete happily ever after but more of a “let’s play this by ear” kind of situation. I actually think that even though this book dealt with dark topics like murder, rape, torture, lies and betrayal, it had the happiest ending in my opinion.

I liked Ivy in the last book, where she is described as a tough yet loyal character that marches to her own drum. All that is confirmed in this book, and then some. The reasoning behind how Ivy turned out so prickly is explained. But I also like how Ivy develops here, though. Sure she is prickly, but she also can be sweet and kind as well as sensitive, things that were never hinted at before. I love her random friendships with the most odd assortment of characters who she accepts no matter what. Sebastion was an intriguing mix of protective, honorable, impersonal, closed off and hot. I liked his character almost from his introduction where he refuses to pay his hooker's pimp extra money. Seems like he would be a sleeze, right? Yet, he is not, just a very lonely guy who wants to be needed and serve a purpose. His life ends up crashing around him when truths are revealed, but he is able to cope as long as Ivy is safe. He is a swoon worthy hero in my eyes, and I loved the dynamic between the two and how they learned to be themselves together.

I really enjoyed the book and had a hard time putting it down. I know this is the end of this series but I would love to have a book about Dakota to see where she ends up. I can’t wait for more KA Tucker books.

I received this title from the publisher in return for my honest review.

Review: Unspoken by C.C. Hunter

Book Blurb:

Despite her superhuman strength and enhanced senses, Della Tsang's life as a vampire certainly hasn't been easy. Especially since she was reborn and bound to the mysterious, infuriating, and gorgeous Chase Tallman.

But if there's one thing that's always kept Della going, it's her dream of being an elite paranormal investigator. Her newest case is the opportunity she's been waiting for, but as Della tries to solve the twenty year old murder and clear her father's name. She uncovers secrets about the vampire council. And about Chase.

Feeling betrayed by all the secrets he's kept hidden from her, Della is determined to keep him as far away from her heart as she can. But she'll need his help to solve the case that will lead them into the darkest and ugliest vampire gangs in town and into the scariest reaches of her heart.

My Review:

5 Out Of 5 Hearts:

Genre: Ghosts, Mystery, Supernatural, Vampires, Werewolves, Witches--

Della is home with her family after her father was charged with the murder of his sister. Della wants to help, but keeps getting rejected by her father and she feels frustrated with the case. Also, Chase, her kinda sorta vampire bond-mate has been lying to her and she doesn't know what he wants from her or is she can trust him. Della is in over her head but refuses to give up.

I have absolutely loved this series. And as a warning, this is not a stand alone but the third in a spin off trilogy. I would recommend reading the Shadow Falls series to get a feel for the world and the side characters but at the bare minimum at least start with the first book in the spin-off reborn series because they all fit together as part of a continuous plot.

I dont't want to be too spoilerly since this is the conclusion to everything that has been building. I will say how much I love Chase and I have since he was first introduced in the books. He is attractive, sweet, strong, caring, fun and dominant, all things I love in my men even if they just so happen to be 18 year old fictional vampires. Whatev. Della stays true to her prickly self, not letting most people in but when she does she is fiercely loyal. There were a few moments when I wanted to strangle her for pushing you-know-who away and lying to herself, but all is forgiven now. All the side characters like Kylie, Miranda and Burnett make me happy and I liked that Della created her own family unit when she so desperately needed one.

I will gladly read whatever by this author because she writes good plots and even better characters. I hope to see more from Shadow Falls and all the other side characters who need stories. I honestly love everything about this book, be it the friendships Della has with her two best friends, the chemistry between Della and you-know-who, the complexity of the supernatural community the author created, as well as the mystery and the action. All the elements I enjoy separately, but all put together produces a great book to finish off a series I am in love with.

I received this title from the publisher in return for my honest review.

Review: Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

Book Blurb:

Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She has spent years keeping everyone at a distance---even her closest friends---and it seems as if her senior year is going to be more of the same . . . until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him.

What she doesn't know is that Luc is on a mission. He's been sent from Hell itself to claim Frannie's soul. It should be easy---all he has to do is get her to sin, and Luc is as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn't stand a chance. But he has to work fast, because if the infernals are after her, the celestials can't be far behind. And sure enough, it's not long before the angel Gabriel shows up, willing to do anything to keep Luc from getting what he came for. It isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just Frannie's soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay . . . for all of them.

My Review:

2 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Angels, Another-World, Audiobook, Supernatural--

Frannie is confused and filled with lust when gorgeous new student Luc comes to her school and starts showing her attention. Little does she know, but Luc is really a demon sent from Hell to tag her soul for Hell. Things get even more complicated when Gabe shows up, another attractive boy Frannie is drawn to who is secretly an angel trying to save Frannie’s soul. It’s a battle of good and evil with Frannie as the unsuspecting prize.

I am venturing into audiobook territory again so you get my opinion of the book as well as the quality of the book as an audio version.

I am not impressed with the story. There, I laid it out for you, complete honesty. I thought the plot had potential, but it took FOREVER to go anywhere. I was half way through before I even really understood what was happening except the fact a demon wanted to mark a confused teen girl for evil. The sad thing is that I wanted to read this book for a long time, so maybe my expectations were unrealistic. Sigh. I don’t know. I of course finished the book because that is what I do but I found myself more annoyed than interested most of the time.

The book alternates between Frannie’s (Mary Francis) point of view and Luc (Lucifer, yes really, and the strange part is nobody questions that his name is Lucifer. If I met a Lucifer, I would assume his parents were Satanists or something and would need clarification, but whatever.) I did not like either of them, not even a little bit. I did like Riley one of the best friends who was barely in the book as well as the angel Gabe, but that is a moot point I guess. To me, this was a book about an emotionally confused lust driven silly girl who I found to be very wishy-washy with no real personality. She talked a big talk but was no action. She says she swears off boys and then she falls all over them at ever chance. And if Luc mentioned smelling emotions and how delicious they were one more time I was ready to punch him. I get it, ok? Emotions have certain smells and all the girls lust after Luc. Once would have been enough for me, but I felt like the author was beating a dead horse with all his scent talks.

On the audiobook aspect, there is a male and female narrator, one for Frannie and one for Luc. I feel like the male one does an ok job, but the female narrator for some reason bugged me. At times she was just slightly too energetic about things and she had a lisp. I did see a study recently that said there is something in a woman's pitch while speaking on podcasts that annoys most audiences, so maybe that phenomenon applies here and I am a big jerk for being annoyed with her.

I was not really interested in the story and I think I lack motivation to continue on with the books. If someone gave me a copy of book 2 in a written form I might give it a go, but never on audio again with these narrators.

Book Blitz: The Insanity Series by Cameron Jace

Book Blurb:

The Insanity Series by Cameron Jace (The Complete Books 1-3)

A Top 100 Bestseller!

Amazon readers love it – over 500 reviews of 5* and 4* for the first book in the series.

‘Most absorbing fantasy read in years!’ W. McNaughton.

‘Insanity is A Summer Hit!!!’ Kindle Gram

‘An insane page turner’ – Kindle reviewer

‘Engrossingly fun!’ Rhonda Miller.

‘A truly twisted tale….fantastic!’ Sheri A. Wilkinsonon

Hannibal Meets Alice in Wonderland in this fantasy page-turning thriller.

After accidentally killing everyone in her class, Alice Wonder becomes a patient in the Radcliffe Lunatic Asylum. No one doubts her insanity. All but a hookah-smoking professor named Carter Pillar who believes he can prove her sanity by decoding Lewis Carroll’s paintings, photographs, and finding Wonderland’s real whereabouts.

Professor Caterpillar persuades the asylum that Alice can save lives and catch the Wonderland Monsters now reincarnated in modern day criminals. In order to do so, Alice leads a double life: an Oxford university student by day, a mad girl in an asylum by night. The line between sanity and insanity thins when she meets Jack Diamond, an arrogant college student who believes that nonsense is an actual science.

Larger than life characters, intricate mysteries, engrossing fun, and intriguing historical locations. Insanity will thrill you, makes turns pages, and stay with you forever.

Warning: intended for insane audience only.

Publication date: October 28th 2015

Genres: New Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

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Read an excerpt from the book

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The rabbit hole, the Garden of Cosmic Speculation

Time remaining: 12 hours, 01 minute

I wake up to a continuous beeping on my phone.

Eyes still blurry, I reach for it blindly until I clasp it by accident from the floor. When I bring it to my face, I am shocked by its size. It looks as big as a plasma TV.

How so, when I am gripping it in the palm of my hand?

The pain in the back of my head attacks me, and I remember that I am under the influence of the pink drink in the bottle.

Did it really shrink me, now that I think I am smaller than my own phone?

But I’m gripping it. What kind of mind-bend is this?

Through my hazy vision, I realize that almost everything around is much bigger than me. Or I am much smaller than them.

Even the small door at the foot of the wall.

Then again, when I reach for it, I can touch it as if it’s small, not big.

The phone keeps beeping.

I push the overly big answer button—the one that is also small—and find more than a hundred messages from an anonymous number.

It must be the Hatter.

What you’re experiencing now is no hallucination—although it is in a way. It’s a medical condition, induced by the pink drink. It’s called the Alice Syndrome."

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Author Bio:

Cameron Jace is the bestselling author of the Grimm Diaries and Insanity series. A graduate of the college of Architecture, collector of out-of-print books, he is obsessed with the origins of folk tales and the mysterious storytellers who spread them. Three of his books made Amazon's Top 100 Customer Favorites in Kindle 2013 & Amazon's Top 100 kindle list. Cameron lives in California with his girlfriend. When he isn't writing or collecting books, he is playing music.

Sign up for his mailing list here: http://bit.ly/1sxp3p1

You can also find him on his website, Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter

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Review: Winter Wolf by Rachel M. Raithby

Book Blurb:

Katalina Winter was prepared for life to change when she turned eighteen—but she never expected to actually change.

Learning that her birth parents were purebred wolf shifters is shocking enough. Now she’s expected to take her place in their unfamiliar world. Caught between two warring packs, Katalina must learn fast. One pack, led by the father she has only just met, wants to control her—and the other one wants her dead.

However, there is one bright spot to shifting, and his name is Bass Evernight. Tall, dark, and oh-so-handsome, Bass is the wolf that Katalina craves. He’s also strictly forbidden: a member of Dark Shadow, Bass is the son of her father’s mortal enemy. Yet deep down inside, Katalina’s new primal instincts howl that Bass is her mate. Can their love bring an end to the brutal war that has raged for so long, or will it spark the fighting around them into an all-consuming fire?

My Review:

4 out of 5 Hearts

Genre: Romance, Supernatural, Werewolves--

Katalina was having a great 18th birthday with her parents when they were attacked and her parents were killed. The strangest part is that it was wolves who were involved. When Katalina sees a wolf change into a boy right in front of her eyes she has no idea what is going on. It seems that she has fallen right into the middle of a war between werewolves and she is the prize.

I love werewolf stories, especially ones that use the mate bond. Nothing makes me happier than a good werewolf story that has mates. Maybe I am a sucker for lurv, but the idea of finding your lobster (Friends reference) and forever being together just makes me all warm and tingly inside. I was not familiar with this author when I started the book but I jumped at the chance to read the book based on the description and the pretty cover. Yes, I know you should not judge a book by it’s cover, but I do and I am not sorry, so there. It is human nature to be drawn to attractive things. Anyway, this was a new werewolf world that I was able to enjoy with a swoon worthy romance that made me ever so happy (every girl needs a Bass).

I found this to be a good start to what I hope is a potentially long series, where each book is about a new pack member or the conflicts that Bass and Kat have to face in their new world. I am intrigued by Kat's lack of interest in following Jackson's orders, I wonder what that means in the long run about Kat. I would also like to see more from Cage who seemed like a good guy and Toby who I love, as well as Nico finding the place he belongs. At times I found the writing to be a little simplistic in the way that conflicts were resolved so quickly, but I guess that is no a terrible things since it cut down on the potential for angst which I an not a big fan of. Overall I liked the book and look forward to more from this author.

I received this title from the author in return for my honest review.

Cover Reveal: Souless

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Book Blurb:

@theunconventionaldamsels who rock piercings, refuse to conform to society’s rules, and aren’t obsessed with labels, check out the “Once Wicked” series. Happily Ever After doesn't define the misunderstood evil villains we love to hate. Their story is so much deeper than their fairy princess counterparts, yet were never told. That's a damn shame. They aren't always as wicked as they are made out to be. Well, not all of them. So until the clock strikes midnight and the (other) glass shoe drops, enjoy these not-so-Prince-Charming book boyfriends in this modern series, #OnceWicked.

Soulless (#1 of the Once Wicked Series)

We don't get to pick who we fall head-over-heels for. Sometimes they are the Mr. Right’s. Sometimes they are the White Knight’s. But sometimes they are the vilest of men. I just happen to fall in love with a monster. In doing so, I became one myself. But I never regretted the night I met Rumpelstiltskin.

Priceless (#.5 of the Once Wicked Series)

The first time Piper and I would meet wouldn't be coincidental, but rather a series of debts that'd unite us. I am a high-roller. However, it was her mother who gambled away Piper's freedom for her own screw-up Happily Ever After. Nevertheless, Piper is my prize. And when the time is right, I will collect my winnings.

***Priceless can be found in Fairy Tale Confessions, a collection of fairy tales by fourteen bestselling authors.***

Publication date: February 23rd 2016

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Fantasy

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Author Bio:

Sarah J. Pepper specializes in dark, paranormal romance - think "happy ever after" but with a twisted, dark chocolate center. Real-life romance isn't only filled with hugs, kisses, bunnies, and rainbows. True-love can be more thoroughly described in times of darkness and tribulation. It's in those harsh moments where you see what a person is truly capable of - both the good and bad. Sometimes prince-charming isn't always on time, and the glass slipper is a little snug. However, it doesn't mean Charming is not Mr. Right, and who says every shoe is the perfect fit? Get a glimpse inside her head at www.sarahjpepper.com

You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook and Twitter

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Book Blitz: Dark Siren Series by Eden Ashley

Series Synopsis:

Torn between saving their family and saving the world, Rhane and Kali are faced with impossible choices…and devastating consequences. Because sometimes, a little evil is necessary to protect what is loved most…and sometimes, even that may not be enough.

Book 1: Dark Siren

To survive, their bond must be unbreakable.

When the mysterious and passionate Rhane rescues Kali from an attacker in the theater parking lot, they form an immediate, smoldering connection. But Kali doesn’t remember Rhane or anything from their past. As far as Kali knows, she’s just a seventeen-year-old kid coping with an insatiable hunger for the “spark” or energy of others, feeding on classmates to survive.

A unique artifact—one that may hold the key to returning Kali’s memories—is uncovered by the archaeology firm where she works part-time, sending Kali and Rhane on a dangerous journey that leads them to the Forbidden City, into the unforgiving Gobi, and into the ruins of Rhane’s ancient homeland. As they fight for survival, Kali begins to discover who she really is and the true power she possesses.

But Rhane still harbors a secret that could destroy Kali…unless old enemies kill her first.

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Read an excerpt from Dark Siren book 1

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Rhane looked at her like she was nuts. “You just met me. What makes you think I’ll let you take my truck?”

Moving toward him, Kali rested one palm against his cheek. His eyes were translucent in the sunlight, two seas of emerald bordered with flecks of amber. She leaned in close, wanting to drown in them and nearly did so. Her lips brushed softly against his as she spoke. “You won’t refuse me.” She felt him tremble.

A long moment passed. “I think you’re right,” he finally said, and held up a key.

Snagging it, Kali smiled gratefully. Then she walked away, throwing her hips deliberately because she knew he watched her. “Don’t worry,” she called to him. “I promise to thank you later.”

Placing one foot on the runner, she hauled herself into the truck. The dark grey leather molded to her form as sank into it. Kali sighed, remembering how Rhane’s lips and hands felt against her body. She wriggled in the seat.

“You might need this, Kalista.”

Startled, Kali jumped about four inches. She adjusted the shoulder belt in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. Her cheeks were flaming, but she found the nerve to look at him.

Rhane was holding her purse.

“Oops, I almost forgot. Thanks.” She took the bag and started the truck. The engine came to life with a purr, and the time displayed on the clock. Six a.m. was approaching fast.

She was already ridiculously late. A few more minutes wouldn’t hurt. Besides, Kali was curious about him. Such a nice suit had to mean Rhane had been headed somewhere. And it certainly wasn’t to deliver pizzas.

“Will you be late for work?”

“Not really, it was a business meeting.”

“Will you make it?”

He shrugged. “It’s via satellite and can’t happen without me. I’ll reschedule.”

She nodded, wanting to know more but lacking the time to pry. She put the gear in drive but kept a foot on the brake. “How did you fix Greg’s car so fast?”

“I know a guy,” he answered vaguely. “And I threw a lot of money at him.”

“You loaded or something?”

“You could say so.”

“I really wish I had more time to finish this conversation.”

He scratched his head. “I’m glad you don’t,” he said and smiled.

Kali grinned back and was about to go, but stopped again. Her smile faded. “Rhane?”

“Yeah?”

“I usually don’t do this. Go around kissing strange men I’ve just met.” They’re usually teenage boys, she amended silently.

His expression was unreadable. “I surely hope not.” He leaned into the window. “Are you free tonight?”

“Can’t wait for that thank you?”

He winked. “That, and I’d like my nice, shiny and new truck back.”

“Then it’s a date.” With an earsplitting grin pasted across her face, she pulled out into traffic. Looking into the rearview mirror, she noticed Rhane watching her until he was a tiny dot in the distance.

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Author Bio:

Cynic, realist, and hopeless romantic all rolled into one, Eden was born and raised in a small, sunny town in South Carolina where thunderstorms helped inspire her best ideas. There are few things she loves more than curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee on a rainy day (except maybe chocolate cake, she loves cake), often reading into the wee hours of morning when something really grabs her. Eden enjoys reading or watching anything with supernatural elements, so writing paranormal and fantasy romance is a natural fit.

Her first novel, Dark Siren, is best described as paranormal romance artfully wrapped within a plot chock-full of action, adventure, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, while the series has evolved to become a journey of redemption and second chances as two characters understand that sometimes committing evil is necessary to protect what is loved most. Eden took the siren from Greek mythology (and borrowed a little from mermaid lore), creating an entirely different creature, with its own mythology, and one that Publisher's Weekly praised for its passion and complexity. This is not just another werewolf/shapeshifter romance or vampire romance. This is a story that both adults and teens can enjoy, full of great characters to fall in love with!

You can follow her on her website, Goodreads, Facebook and Twitter

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Review: Slashed by Tracy Wolff

Book Blurb:

Do nice guys always finish last? In the new Extreme Risk novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Tracy Wolff, a burnt-out underdog and a vulnerable tomboy defy the pressure to be perfect and go after what they really want.

Bighearted and easygoing, Luc Jennings is falling behind in a family of serious overachievers. While he may be decent enough at snowboarding to turn pro and rack up some sponsors, he’s never topped any podiums—unlike his friends Z, Ash, and Cam. Luc’s always been head over heels for Cam Bradley, but she’s never seen him as anything more than a friend. Now, after years of coming in second, Luc can’t take it anymore—especially if it means watching Cam chase another guy.

Cam hangs out almost exclusively with dudes, and that’s fine by her. She’d much rather be shredding at the Olympics than primping in the mirror. Cam’s wildest dreams have a way of coming true—except when it comes to getting her longtime crush and best friend, Z Michaels, to notice her. Then her mother suddenly shows up after being gone for, like, ever, and Cam’s whole world comes crashing down. Desperate for a place to lay low, she turns to the one person who’s always had her back.

My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Hearts

Genre: New Adult--

Luc has always been madly in love with Cam, even though she just treats him like a friend while she moons over their mutual friend Z. After a drunken night together that Cam tries hard to forget, Luc wants to distance himself from her, even going so far as to stop being friends. When Cam’s long lost mother shows up, Cam finds herself needing Luc. But are they able to get over their personal demons to really see each other?

I have really enjoyed this series. The books are technically stand-alones but they share the same group of characters and the events from previous books are mentioned in the next book so I recommend reading them in order. The stories are really quick reads, like one sitting kind of reads, and the writing so well paced and engaging that it makes my hour on the treadmill fly by which honestly I can say is hard to do. I really like this series and now that all the main characters have had their stories I wonder what will happen next because I am sad to say goodbye (especially to Z because he is my favorite). I hope there is another book so I can get a peak at the people I like so much.

My biggest complaint is that I felt like the book was over too soon. I wanted some more of a resolution but it was just a cut off. Yes, I can guess the drift of what the author wanted, but I like things spelled out for me and an epilogue never hurt anybody. There was one part where the story fast forwards 3 months and has a big crisis and then like 20 pages later it was over and I wanted more. I think this book was like 120ish pages and I could have easily had another 100 pages of story, but I guess this way the angst was kept to a minimal which was nice. Also, a lot of the conflict in the story was brought on by lack of communication, which I hate when that is used as a plot device, but I will let it go this time because I like the authors writing style and engaging characters.

I honestly did not like Cam even a little bit in the first two books in the series, but here I have a better understanding for her and even now I can actually say that I like her. I am so glad she was able to realize that her feelings for Z were not real and that she became friends with Ophelia made me ever so happy. She was a little oblivious when it came to dating and boys but what do you expect when you have no female role model. Luc I have always liked, so I was glad to see him have a story, but man did he screw things up pretty fierce repeatedly. Also, I can’t believe he was sleeping around in the 3 months they did not talk. He gets out of bed with a girl he doesn’t remember the name of and then expects Cam to fall into his arms later that same day after not speaking for 3 months. He was a little bit of a typical idiot man, but I forgive him.

Overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from these extreme athletes. I may have to branch out and try some of the author's other series if I can't get more from these guys.

I received this title form the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Blitz Tour: Coming Home Series by Meli Raine

Book Blurb: 1 - Return

MY HEART WANTS A KIND OF JUSTICE THE LAW CAN’T GIVE

On a dark, rainy night I drove my overstuffed junker car back to a town I never expected to see again.

And when I needed a rescue by the side of the road, a six-foot tall piece of hot, unfinished business named Mark was what the universe sent me.

Three years earlier I’d fled town (and Mark) to follow my wrongly-convicted father to his federal prison, working crappy jobs to stay afloat and visit him every second I could.

But now Dad’s dead and I’m mysteriously offered the best job of my life at the college where his life blew up when he was accused of a crime he didn’t commit.

Someone wants me here. Desperately.

I’m hoping it’s Mark.

Because if it’s not, I’m in more danger than I ever imagined.

And if it is?

Mark may be the most dangerous choice of all.

Book Blurb: 2 - Revenge

Everything I know about my life is a lie. The more I dig into my father’s death the more I find myself in peril.

Mark turns out to be a liar, someone I thought I could trust. He’s not what he seems, and worst of all, a part of me can’t let go.

My boss might be an international drug lord disguised as a dean at one of the top five universities in the country.

Like anyone’s going to believe me if I try to out him?

But I can’t help myself. I should learn to keep my mouth shut.

Someone’s decided to do that for me.

Make me quiet once—

And for all.

Book Blurb: 3 - Reunion

You can think you’ve had everything stolen from you. That there’s nothing left to lose.

You would be wrong.

My best friend’s been kidnapped. I was just captured. What I thought was a massive drug operation run by a man who killed my father turns out to be ten times more horrific.

I’m trapped. My best friend may be dead.

And Mark has no idea where to find me.

Some secrets should remain buried, my captors tell me.

And it looks like I will be, too.

Buried alive.

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Read on for an excerpt from Book 1 Return

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It’s him. Mark. My ex-boyfriend. 

I can’t look. I just...can’t. Too many memories are in that face. That rugged, handsome face. My heart jumps up like an excited puppy, wagging in my chest, eager to be acknowledged and touched. The rest of me shoves it down. 

  Officer Mark Paulson stands in front of me in uniform, soaking wet, his hat making the rain fall in streaks in front of him. The curtain of water catches my eye. It’s easier to watch it than to stare at him. If I did stare, though, I know what I would see. 

  Broad shoulders under that crisp black uniform shirt. A thin scar running under his jaw, where he was knifed in a fight when he did a tour in Afghanistan. Wet, blonde hair I used to love to stroke. Gentle hands that once cupped my face. Eyes that could draw me in with a hot breath. The tender taste of lips meant only for me.

He speaks, pulling me out of the memory. Stop it, Carrie, I think. Stop with the dreams you destroyed.

“You okay?” he asks, looking around swiftly. He’s worried. That’s really touching. It’s nice to know he cares. Three years is long enough for him to stop hating me, right?

And I know he hates me.

He has to. I disappeared one day and never said goodbye to him. When you do that to someone, they tend to really resent it. Especially if they love you. 

“I’m, uh...” My voice fails me as I watch the water fall in sheets down his cap. “My tire blew.”

He thumps his hand on the car door. “She’s still around, huh?” I know he means the car, but it feels like a dig. Like he’s cutting into me for leaving.

Like he’s still hurt.

If he’s still hurt, that means the feelings haven’t faded, and if his feelings are still that strong, then mine make more sense. I thought when I left town I would shed so much damage and hurt. Because leaving town meant I could leave behind so much pain.

But leaving Mark? That meant the pain came with me.

I start to shiver. It’s not from the cold and the rain. Those arms. The rain drops gather and ripple down his taut muscles, dotted with a sprinkling of dark hair. I remember when I was in those arms. 

I remember every single time he touched me.

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Author Bio:

Meli Raine writes romantic suspense with hot bikers, intense undercover DEA agents, bad boys turned good, and Special Ops heroes -- and the women who love them. Meli rode her first motorcycle when she was five years old, but she played in the ocean long before that. She lives in New England with her family.

Visit her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/meliraine

Join her New Releases and Sales newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/beV0gf

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Blitz Tour: Sunset Rising Trilogy by S.M. McEachern

Book Blurb:

Sunset Rising Trilogy by S.M. McEachern (Sunset Rising #1-3)

Limited Time Preorder price of just $4.99! Have it delivered December 25th!

Special edition of the ebook set of the Sunset Rising Trilogy, which includes: Sunset Rising, Worlds Collide, New World Order, and—available in ebook format for the first time—all seven satellite stories!

Sunset Rising: Born a slave inside a government biodome, seventeen-year-old Sunny O’Donnell becomes a pawn in a political plot that sparks a rebellion. Accused of treason and facing execution, she escapes with a man she considers an enemy and discovers she not only has to work with him to survive, but also lead the revolution. A Readers Favorite 2015 Book Award Gold Medal winner!

Worlds Collide: Sunny and Jack must continue a life of subterfuge in order to stay alive and find a way to free the Pit. But in their attempt to save the urchins, they uncover the horrifying truth about President Holt and the evil he could unleash on the world.

New World Order: While Sunny and Jack struggle to find each other in the lawless post-apocalyptic world, tensions between the Pit and the Dome escalate. In the action-packed conclusion of the Sunset Rising Trilogy, friends will become enemies and enemies will become friends on a journey that will lead to a new world order.

Satellite Stories: For the first time in ebook format, the seven satellite stories are included with the trilogy. Find out what’s happening in the Pit between books one and two, and get a closer look at some of the other people in Sunny’s life.

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Read on for an excerpt from Book 1:

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I went at him as fast as I could, and when I saw the nose of the gun come up, I pushed it down and used it to give me balance. I raised my leg and kicked him in his side. His grip on the gun loosened for a second, and I grabbed it with both hands while swinging my leg in a backward arc that brought me behind him. I brought the gun up under his throat and held it there. I heard people clapping and looked up to see them staring at me.

“You do catch on quickly,” Jack said, smiling.

I loosened my grip on the rifle, and he lowered it. “Am I scaring you, Jack?”

Suddenly Jack’s hands were on me, and he threw me over his hip. I hit the floor with an ungraceful flop.

“A little bit.” He stepped away and left me to pick myself up. “It’s going to be lights out soon, so we should wrap it up,” he said to the room.

“Can we try again tomorrow?” Raine asked.

Jack looked around the room to see if anyone else was interested. Most people wanted to come back. Jack asked the guards, and they agreed as well.

“You were amazing tonight,” Jack said once we were alone. “You blew me away.”

“I guess it went well.”

“You were great, but we only had maybe fifty people in that room, not nearly enough to take on the few hundred guards that patrol down here. I told you before, power comes with numbers, and we don’t have numbers.”

“I don’t think we stand much of a chance anyway. I expect someone in that room will gladly turn us in for the four hundred credits Holt is offering.”

When we arrived at our apartment, I scanned my hand across the lock and went in.

“I know. I think that too.” Jack shut the door behind him. Then he picked up one of the chairs and put it under the doorknob. I gave him an inquisitive look. “At least it will give us a little notice if someone comes.”

“I’ve always known we’ll be caught eventually, but now that it might be real, I’m scared.”

I didn’t want to die now that I had found a reason to live. I wanted to see this rebellion through and free Summer from Holt; have the chance to find my father if he was still alive; help liberate the Pit from centuries of slavery. I wanted time to finish what we started.

“You’re scared?” he asked in surprise. “I can’t believe the girl who stood up on a chair and convinced an entire room to start a rebellion is scared.”

“And you’re not?”

“Terrified. Hey, what was wrong with Raine’s wife? She seemed a little out of it.”

“Women get that way after they’re sterilized.”

“After they’re what?”

“Sterilized.” He had an odd look on his face. “You must know about the Sterilization Program. Your government came up with it ten years ago. If a couple doesn’t qualify to have a child, the woman is sterilized, and whatever they inject her with makes her go… blank. The injection changes a woman. She’s not as full of life as she used to be.”

Jack was staring at me with a horrified look on his face when the lights went out, leaving us in darkness. Maybe he didn’t know about that program.

“We should get some sleep,” I said.

“I’ll take the chair.”

“No. We shared last night, we can do it again tonight.” Considering the way I responded to his kiss this morning, it probably wasn’t a good idea. But we both needed a decent sleep. Jack was exhausted from sleeping in the chair, and I couldn’t afford to be tired and sloppy with Madi as my supervisor.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Just stay on your on side of the bed.” But I didn’t really mean it. I walked toward the bedroom.

“That bed isn’t big enough to have sides.” He stumbled after me, knocking a chair over.

“You really can’t see, can you?”

“And you’re surprised? It’s pitch black in here.”

I took him by the hand and guided him toward the bedroom. He took off his t-shirt and flopped down on the bed. Since he was blind in the dark, I stripped off my vest and put my t-shirt back on before I climbed in.

“It’s not pitch black in here. The guards use nightlights, and it leaks into the apartment.”

He opened his eyes as wide as he could and looked around the room. “I guess you have to born in the Pit to find light where there isn’t any.”

I rolled that thought over in my mind and realized just how true it was.

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Author Bio:

S.M. McEachern (also known as Susan) comes from the rocky shores of Canada’s East Coast. As a resident of Halifax during her early adult years, she attended Dalhousie University and earned an Honors Degree in International Development Studies with a focus on ocean development. Throughout her academic studies and early career, Susan had the privilege to study and work with Elizabeth Mann Borgese (daughter of nobel prize winner, Thomas Mann). An author in her own right and a political activist for world peace, Mrs. Mann Borgese played a significant influence on Susan’s view of the political world stage.

Sunset Rising is Susan's debut novel, which was published in November 2012. The second novel of the series, Worlds Collide was released in March 2014 and she is currently working on the third book of the series titled, New World Order, due to be released January 2015. For writing inspiration, Susan likes to go on long walks with her iPod (Keane and Moby are among her favorites). A few fun facts about Susan: she loves lattes, red wine, snorkelling, hiking and talking about herself in the third person.

If you'd like to read some satellite stories on the Sunset Rising series, visit her website: http://smmceachern.com/category/satellite-stories/

You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads

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Review: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Book Blurb:

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

My Review:

3 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Another-World, Mystery, Space, Zombies--

Told through interviews, government documents, and graphics come the tale of Kady and Ezra's romance as they escape their home planet during an attack. The creative way the story unfolds helps to piece together the events that led to the sketchy attack as well gives insight into who the characters are.

Disclaimer here: I think this book would be best if read on an actual book. I read the story on my ereader and I feel like something perchance special was lost in translation in the creativity of the images. I thought the book was very creative and had an interesting plot idea, but I think I missed out on some of the fun aspects since I did not get the 2 pages spreads that some of the images needed which bums me out a little. Also, I could not see some of the images or words that were written with white on a black background and I could not enlarge the font large enough to read the passages that were written in a design pattern. That being said, I can honestly say I have never read a story that was told in this way. Sure I have experienced books with random tidbits and reports to help create a visual, but never a book compilation of reports and texts and flyers to tell the complete story. The book was very visually pleasing (after I stopped at the book store to look at the actual book version to see what I missed) and I would like to own a physical copy to sit on myself so I can look at it again and again just to see the oddities that live inside.

The good aside, I was not really feeling the actual content of the book. Like I said, it was visually pleasing and very creative, but I just felt kind of whatever about the content. And maybe this makes me a big jerk, but I absolutely hate text speak. Most of this book was text speak and it got on my nerves from the atrocious grammar and spelling issues, as well as all the text words and futuristic slang I felt like I needed a translator to get the entire message. Half the time I didn't care if I understood the whole message because I was barely engaged with the story. I feel like character development worked out moderately well in favor of Ezra, I got an idea of who he is as a person and I could have liked him. Pretty typical teenage guy who just so happens to be living in outerspace and survive an attack, you know, the norm. On the other hand, Kady was not really too detailed. I feel like her reports were more about her actions and less about how she felt or who she was. I got the gist that she was tough and capable but that was about it. I wish the book was not built around their “romance” as main characters, and instead just focused on the virus outbreak because that was my favorite part of the story and the most engaging. I found everything else to be be blah and it took 70ish pages before the outbreak was even mentioned to snag my drifting attention.

I feel bad saying this, but I thought the execution of the book was only ok. I love the concept and the creativity, I just was underwhelmed by the characters. I am sure others will be blown away by the uniqueness of this novel.

I received this title from the publisher in return for my honest review.

Blog Blitz, Review and Giveaway: House of Royals by Keary Taylor

Book Blurb:

House of Royals by Keary Taylor (House of Royals, #1)

If you loved BRANDED, you won’t want to miss HOUSE OF ROYALS, Keary Taylor’s newest dark, romantic read.

Every town has its history and skeletons, but Silent Bend, Mississippi’s are darker than most. Ruled from the shadows by the House—the immortal Born and their aging, enslaved Bitten—everyone knows not to go out after dark and that the police will never look into crimes involving blood.

Alivia Ryan didn’t know the man who claims to be her father through a will even existed until she inherits the Conrath plantation. Instead of the sleepy house she expects, she finds a mansion and a staff who look at her with fear in their eyes.

Ian Ward tried to kill Alivia the first time they met, and then insisted he train her to defend herself against the House, who he claims will try to manipulate and take her in for their own political reasons. And the growing attraction between them will threaten their lives—Ian is a sworn enemy of the House.

In Silent Bend, people disappear, the threat of a demented King and the legend of his resurrecting Queen hang over everyone’s heads, and proving loyalty means far more than blood. You’d better watch who you trust in this town…

Publication date: June 21st 2015

Genres: New Adult, Paranormal

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My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Hearts

Alivia has just inherited a large estate and money from the father she never knew even existed. She decides to move to the south and claim his property since she has nothing else going on in her life. When she gets there though, it is so much more than she could ever have imagined, including her own staff and personal assistant. But something strange is going on with the town. People give her looks of fear and everyone is indoors by dark. Alivia thinks they are just strange people in a small town, that is until the night she gets attacked.

I have read the Bane series by Keary Taylor and really enjoyed it, so when I saw that she had a new series I was intrigued to read it. I do enjoy a good vampire supernatural story and this one lived up to my hopes. The world the author created and the history of her vampires was like nothing I had read before and I liked the twist. There are vampire hierarchies and civil wars and royalty, different kinds of vampires and hunters. Not only was the supernatural interesting, but the characters were well developed. And there was a touch of blossoming romance of the angsty/doomed lovers feel too it. I feel like this was the whole package and it left me wanting more, especially with the big freaking surprise that was the ending.

Alivia “Liv” is the main character and the story is narrated through her, but the side characters have so much depth that I feel like I know them just as well. She is a multi-dimensional character who has flaws and strength and a personality that made me like and root for her. Ian is awesome and I loved his devotion to his family and his surprising concern for Liv. It doesn’t help that he was gorgeous, ripped and sarcastic. Elle was super cute with her hidden dangerous skills. Rath was a great stand-in father figure who Liv had to figure out. And the villains of the story were multi faceted as well, with evil deeds and likes, yet real feelings and motivations behind their actions. It made it hard to know who was really evil.

The author set up so many potential storylines and twists that the series could go really in any direction. I can speculate as to what I think will happen, what I want to happen and then whatever the author will actually do. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book in the series to see how more of the story plays out and what Liv will do with her “surprise”.

I received this title from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Read on for an excerpt from the book

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“What are you doing here?” he hisses, pulling me close. His lips tickle my ear. His hand on my waist slips low and his fingers dig into my skin just a little.

The breath catches in my chest and every nerve ending in my body goes crazy. The music surges, and this night suddenly feels too big for me to breathe.

“I’m not lying down and taking a fate I didn’t ask for,” I manage. My fingers cling hard to Ian’s shoulder. I can feel the muscles beneath his clothes tense and tighten. And suddenly, I’m back to the days at his cabin, when he’d come walking out of the shower with only a towel and I pretended not to look. I know what his bare skin looks like, and I’m craving another glimpse.

“They won’t care about a show of good faith,” he says. “Do you have any idea what this party is even for?”

My silence is his answer.

“They throw this party once a year and offer massive amounts of alcohol so that people won’t remember the blackouts that come from being fed on.”

My eyes dart to that door at the back of the room. The blood on the woman’s shoulder. The blood in the corner of the man’s mouth.

“They’re feeding on the party attendees,” I say.

Ian nods. His scratchy cheek brushes mine. “The bite numbs and makes you forget, but people tend to realize they blacked out. A party like this with this much booze, you brush it off. It’s the one time a year they feed freely upon the townspeople. It’s the only way to keep people from asking too many questions.”

“It’s bad, but I have to do something, Ian,” I breathe.

“Walking into the fire isn’t the way to do it,” he whispers into my ear.

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Author Bio:

Keary Taylor grew up along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where she started creating imaginary worlds and daring characters who always fell in love. She now resides on a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their two young children. She continues to have an overactive imagination that frequently keeps her up at night. She is the author of THE EDEN TRILOGY, the FALL OF ANGELS trilogy, and WHAT I DIDN'T SAY. To learn more about Keary and her writing process, please visit www.KearyTaylor.com.

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Blog Blitz and Giveaway: The Seventh Hour by Tracey Ward

Book Blurb:

When the Earth’s rotation slowed to a crawl mankind was plunged into a harsh world of burning hot days and endless, arctic nights. Some fled to the mountains for shelter. Others took to the seas, sailing forever in the perfect gold between the night and the day; a place known as the Seventh Hour.

Liv was raised aboard a ship chasing the Seventh. She’s never seen the night, never known true cold, and when a storm destroys her home she’s on land for the first time in her life. She’s alone, surrounded by strangers and perils she couldn’t have imagined in her worst nightmares. Her only chance at survival is Grayson.

He saved her. He’ll protect her. He hates her.

Old grudges run deeper than the sea, and Liv and Gray will have to overcome them together to make it to morning.

To survive the longest night.

Publication date: January 6th 2016

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

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Author Bio:

Tracey Ward

"I don't write romances, I write relationships. One is pretty and perfect and all consuming. The other is real."

I was born in Eugene, Oregon and studied English Literature at the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) I love writing all kinds of genres from YA Dystopian to New Adult Romance, the common themes between them all being strong character development and a good dose of humor.

My husband, son, and snuggly pitbull are my world.

You can find her on her website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads

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