M9B Friday Reveal: Author Spotlight with Julie Reece (Giveaway)

Mar20

M9B-Friday-Reveal

Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!

This week, we are spotlighting Julie Reece, author of

The Artisans

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Julie_Reece_Image_3-253x300

Get to Know Julie Reece in 10 Questions or Less!

Twitter or Facebook? -Both

Favorite Superhero? –One hero to rule them all: Thor

Favorite TV show? -Sherlock (British)

Sweet or Salty? -Ice cream is a food group.

Coke or Pepsi? -Tea (I’m a rebel)

Any Phobias? –Sharks and, ew, spiders … oh and drowning.

Song you can’t get enough of right now? –Caroline (or anything) by Kill It Kid *dies*

Who is your ultimate Book Boyfriend? ‘Weaver’ from May Webb’s, Precious Bane *swoons*

What are you reading right now or what’s on your TBR? -Saving Francesca , by Melina Marchetta

Fall Movie you’re most looking forward to? –OMG! Crimson Peak and Mad Max:Fury Road

Born in Ohio, I lived next to my grandfather’s horse farm until the fourth grade. Summers were about riding, fishing and make-believe, while winter brought sledding and ice-skating on frozen ponds. Most of life was magical, but not all.

I struggled with multiple learning disabilities, did not excel in school. I spent much of my time looking out windows and daydreaming. In the fourth grade (with the help of one very nice teacher) I fought dyslexia for my right to read, like a prince fights a dragon in order to free the princess locked in a tower, and I won.

Afterwards, I read like a fiend. I invented stories where I could be the princess… or a gifted heroine from another world who kicked bad guy butt to win the heart of a charismatic hero. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? Later, I moved to Florida where I continued to fantasize about superpowers and monsters, fabricating stories (my mother called it lying) and sharing them with my friends.

Then I thought I’d write one down…

Hooked, I’ve been writing ever since. I write historical, contemporary, urban fantasy, adventure, and young adult romances. I love strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure… which must include a really hot guy. My writing is proof you can work hard to overcome any obstacle. Don’t give up. I say, if you write, write on!

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

They say death can be beautiful. But after the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old RAVEN WEATHERSBY gives up her dream of becoming a fashion designer, barely surviving life in the South Carolina lowlands.

To make ends meet, Raven works after school as a seamstress creating stunning works of fashion that often rival the great names of the day.

Instead of making things easier on the high school senior, her stepdad’s drinking leads to a run in with the highly reclusive heir to the Maddox family fortune, Gideon Maddox.

But Raven’s stepdad’s drying out and in no condition to attend the meeting with Maddox. So Raven volunteers to take his place and offers to repay the debt in order to keep the only father she’s ever known out of jail, or worse.

Gideon Maddox agrees, outlining an outrageous demand: Raven must live in his home for a year while she designs for Maddox Industries’ clothing line, signing over her creative rights.

Her handsome young captor is arrogant and infuriating to the nth degree, and Raven can’t imagine working for him, let alone sharing the same space for more than five minutes.

But nothing is ever as it seems. Is Gideon Maddox the monster the world believes him to be? And can he stand to let the young seamstress see him as he really is?

The Artisans is a delectably rich, layered and dark YA Southern Gothic inspired by Jeanne Marie Leprince de Beaumont’s classic Beauty and the Beast.

“The Artisans has all the elements I love – spooky intrigue, strong friendships, and a romantic tension to be savored.” ~ Wendy Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of the Sweet Evil trilogy.

Title: The Artisans
Publication date: May 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Julie Reece

Giveaway

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

The book will be sent upon the titles release.

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M9B Two for Thursday Book Blitz: Gabriel Stone series by Shannon Duffy

Mar19

Hello and welcome to this week’s Two for Thursday Book Blitz #T4T
presented by Month9books/Tantrum Books!

Today, we will be showcasing two titles that may tickle your fancy,
and we’ll share what readers have to say about these titles!

You just might find your next read!

This week, #T4T presents to you:

Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta (Gabriel Stone #1)
and
Gabriel Stone and the Wrath of the Solarians (Gabriel Stone #2)
by Shannon Duffy

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Gabriel-Stone-1

Gabriel Stone is a twelve-year-old boy still reeling from the unsolved disappearance of his mother. With a dad who’s hard to relate to, and mounting pressures at school, Gabriel lets off steam by hiking in the place where his mother was last seen. There, Gabe and friends find a crystal that proves not only beautiful, but magical beyond their wildest dreams. Only, magic and beauty come with a price: in order to return home, they must save the dying world of Valta.

Available for Purchase:

What Readers are Saying:

“Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta is a fun-filled adventure filled with talking monkeys, flying tigers, magical powers, and three best friends who are smart, funny, loyal, and above all, authentic.” –Rachel Harris, New York Times bestselling author.

“…this is a book that triggers the love for reading books.” – Alexander – Book Reviewer

“A truly magical and entertaining read!” – Lauren Hammond – Author

Gabriel-Stone-2

Gabriel Stone is back from Valta, but the adventure is just beginning! His friend Tahlita is trapped in Willow Creek with no memory of Valta. Gabe, Piper, and Brent are determined to reunite Tahlita with her father. Yet even as they do, Prince Oliver arrives asking for their help. Menacing forces known as the Solarians have kidnapped the Empress and Princess and are threatening the lives of humans everywhere. Along with talking tracker monkey, Finley, the friends battle vampire mermaids and a living, blood-filled lake in their quest to save the Empress and Princess. Even with cool new powers, Gabe discovers their strongest weapon is their friendship as they battle the Solarians and rescue a cursed white witch—who may be the only one who can save Valta.

Available for Purchase:

What Readers are Saying:

“Reading this book brought me back to a time when magic and zero worries filled my life.” – Reviewer from A Leisure Moment

about-the-author

Shannon Duffy

Shannon Duffy grew up on the beautiful east coast of Canada, and now lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and son, Gabriel. She’s mom to one boy, and several pets. Shannon loves writing, reading, working out, soccer, and the sport of champions: shopping.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway

Complete the Rafflecopter for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Red by Alyxandra Harvey

Mar17

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Red by Alyxandra Harvey
Published by Entangled Teen on March 10, 2015
Pages: 198
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

Bad girls burn hot…

Red is the color of Kia Alcott's hair.
It's her temper, which blazes hot and always gets Kia into way too much trouble.
And it's the color of fire. Fires that Kia can start…just by thinking about them.

When her latest “episode” gets her kicked out of school, Kia is shipped off to her grandmother, who works for the wealthy Blackwoods. It's an estate shrouded in secrets, surrounded by rules, and presided over by a family that is far from normal…including the gorgeous and insolent Ethan Blackwood.

Ethan knows far more about the dangers of the forest surrounding the estate than Kia can ever imagine. For this forest has teeth, and Ethan is charged with protecting the outside world from its vicious mysteries.

But inside, even the most vibrant shade of red doesn't stand a chance against the dark secrets of the Blackwood family…

I’m a huge Alyxandra Harvey fan, so when I got an email from Entangled Teen, informing me I could sign up to review her new book, Red, I shrieked and pounced! It sounded so epic, I couldn’t wait to read it! I’ve read all of Harvey’s currently published books (The Drake Chronicles, The Lovegrove Legacy books, Haunting Violet and Stolen Away). And though The Drake Chronicles will always be my most beloved Harvey read, Red definitely comes in at a close second! I loved the plot, the characters, the writing, everything!

I loved Kia right away. She was snarky and sarcastic. I laughed out loud when she made fun of herself and cliches and stereotypes. I loved the way she stood up for herself; she didn’t let anyone push her around and she snapped back when they tried. She also wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty; she resorted to snooping and spying to get the answers she needed. I loved her ability and the way she fought to gain control of it. She was a very realistic, relatable character and I loved her personality and her growth from beginning to end.

I loved being inside Ethan’s head! Usually, it’s the girl who has this epic destiny and the guy is along for the ride. But this time, it was the guy who had dangerous family secrets, with a future his father planned out for him, one he was told he couldn’t run from. Though he accepted that he couldn’t fully escape his destiny, he also fought against it, refusing to do exactly as his father wished. He took what he viewed as sad and barbaric and turned it into a great thing. I’d love to see what happens next with the changes he made!

I totally and completely shipped Kia and Ethan. They were hilarious together and I loved their banter. Ethan had his moments in the beginning where he was really mean and pushed Kia away, but in the end, they worked really well together and complemented each other. Again, I’d love to see what the future holds for them.

My absolute favorite character (outside of Kia and Ethan) was Sloane. I loved her personality, her attitude and the way she embraced Kia as a friend. There were two major twists with Sloane. One twist, I loved! It was so cool and epic and it fit her personality perfectly. The second twist broke my heart and had me screaming at my iPad. But then that ending!!! I definitely didn’t see that coming and I’m very pleased with the way Sloane’s story ended. I’d definitely like to read more and see what happens next!

Another character I loved was Abby. She’s so fierce, kind and protective. I loved the revelations she shared with Kia and I loved the twist at the end with her. Clare and Sara were great characters, as well, though we didn’t see as much of them. And Tobias wasn’t too bad.

I couldn’t stand Justine in the beginning. She was so mean and horrible. I understand why she behaved the way she did, though, and she redeemed herself in the end. Justin always seemed to be in the background. I felt really bad for Colt, though. That was heartbreaking! And, of course, I couldn’t stand Holden, Ethan’s father. I can’t even really explain why, because he was really nice to Kia in the beginning. But I just didn’t trust him at all. I think part of that was because I hated how he treated Ethan and his friends. It was obvious the Cabal had consumed Holden. Plus, he had a little bit of a power trip fueling his actions.

The major twist at the end was epic, but I also figured it out pretty early on, mostly because I’m a huge fan of Charmed and recognized the big bad creature for what it really was. It was heartbreaking to see Ethan come to terms with it, though. But it was very well done and even though I figured it out, I still enjoyed seeing it play out. The other major twist at the end (which I briefly mentioned earlier) shocked and saddened me, but I loved the way it played out, as well.

Like I said, I’ve read all of Alyxandra Harvey’s books. And I must say (Again, despite being a HUGE Drake Chronicles fan), Harvey’s writing in Red was her best yet. It flowed so nicely and I never felt confused or lost. The plot was epic and (at least for me) very original and intriguing. I especially loved all the mythological creatures and supernatural elements! I would REALLY LOVE to see a sequel for this! The ending felt a little rushed and, considering where all the characters left off at the end of Red, I’d love to see what happens next for all of them.

I absolutely, highly recommend this book. If you’re already a fan of Alyxandra Harvey, you’ll love it! And if you haven’t read any of her books, I’d suggest starting with this one or The Drake Chronicles.

Spotlight Post: Slumber by Christy Sloat (Excerpt + Giveaway)

Mar16

Hey everyone! I’m so excited to be a part of the Book Blitz for Slumber by Christy Sloat! I have an excerpt of Slumber to share with you, as well as an awesome giveaway! First, here’s the cover and synopsis:

Title: Slumber
Author: Christy Sloat
Genre: YA Fantasy

Not all princesses get their happily ever after…

They tell me I killed my boyfriend Phillip in cold blood. I stabbed him twenty one times. I’m only seventeen years old, and I am serving life in Spindle Ridge Asylum for the Criminally Insane.

I don’t remember killing him, so it’s really hard to believe I’m capable of murder. In fact I don’t remember anything before I came to Spindle Ridge, not even my boyfriend.

I can only grasp onto my realistic dreams while the madness of the asylum threatens to pull me under. I dream I’m a beautiful princess and there is an evil faerie named Maleficent who is bent on my destruction. The dreams are the closest thing I have to memories of my life, except they aren’t real.

I’m crazy. I’m not a princess.

They’re the mad illusions of an irrational teenage girl, right?

They’ve assigned me a new doctor, and she says I can trust her, and that she’ll help me see the truth of who I really am.

When she arrived she brought a new patient, Sawyer, who is everything Spindle Ridge isn’t: exciting, mysterious and beautiful. He promises he’s here to rescue me. Trusting either of them frightens me.

Could it be possible that my dreams are more than just the imaginings of a delusional girl? Could they be truth?

Goodreads
Amazon | Amazon UK
Amazon CA | Smashwords

And now here’s the excerpt!

Chapter 2

Dr. Altman

“The patient seems to be developing more symptoms. Her dreams are showing no improvement. May need to look into her medication and alter it slightly—”
“Dr. Altman?”

Dr. Altman hit stop on his recorder as a nurse walked into his office.

“Ah, Nurse Mary, how can I help you?” he asked the nervous nurse standing in his doorway. She bit her lip as she opened the door further.

“I’m just checking on Rory’s progress. I was sent by the director,” she informed him.

He swiveled his chair around, looking out onto the grounds below. He had been working for the Spindle Ridge Asylum for one year now, and he was constantly asked about certain patients by the director. It’s a part of his job he was used to, yet normal routine would be the director waiting until he was done with his reports. He would then hand deliver them to the director and wait for her to schedule a meeting. This director had more say, an annoying approach. After each session with a patient, either Nurse Mary or one of the other many nurses came to his office and interrupted his recording sessions.

“Doctor, did I come at a bad time again?” Mary asked. She knew how impatient he could be. She stood there waiting for his reply.

Finally he turned his chair and stood up. He walked to Mary and patted her on the shoulder. “No. I’ll go to the director myself, Mary. Save you a trip.” Accordingly, he walked out the door and up the flight of stairs leading to the director’s office, leaving a confused Mary in his wake.

He reached the door of the director of the asylum. Her office sat on the top floor overlooking the ocean view that sits just outside the asylum walls. She, by far, had the best view of the place; even better than his view of the gardens. He knew she was unprepared for his arrival, but he knocked anyway.

“Come in, Mary, you idiot—” She stopped short seeing Dr. Altman at the door. “Oh, I am terribly sorry, Dr. Altman. Do come in.”

Dr. Malisa Fenwick, or Dr. M for short, was a tall woman with raven black hair that she kept pulled so tight that he feared for the safety of her eyes. She smiled at him. It was always a disturbing smile, never quite reaching her eyes.

“I came about my session with Rory; you wanted to know about it. So instead of sending nurses to my office, I will come to you,” he said matter-of-factly. “I feel it’s better this way.”

Her smile faded fast, and she nodded her head motioning for him to take a seat. He did but kept his eyes steady with hers. Dr. Altman was not scared of Dr. M, not for a second. The staff may flitter around her like scared little children, but he was a man of science and would not be intimidated by her.

“Well?” she said impatiently.

“Rory’s progress is slow. I can tell you that much right now. I was in the middle of my recordings when I was interrupted by Mary. I was going to give you the full report after lunch,” he explained.

“Peter, let’s be frank, shall we?” she asked even though she really didn’t want an answer. “Just tell me what your suggestion is.”

She sat back into her plush, white leather chair. It matched all the other pure white furniture in her office.

“Okay then, I think you have an unhealthy obsession with my patient,” he blurted. “You can’t wait for my official report, ever. It’s not fair to me as a doctor and it’s unfair to the patient.”

Dr. M stood fast, her chair flying out from behind her. She was mad and that anger had no problem reaching her eyes. They flared with hatred for him as he sat in front of her.

“How dare you come in here and diagnose me! You know what that girl did! I am merely keeping track of her progress. Progress that she is apparently not making, according to you.” Dr. M stopped, took a deep breath and continued. “I’m afraid that if you can’t make some sort of progress with that girl within two weeks’ time, I will be asking you to step down as her doctor. Do you understand?”

She said this as calmly as she could.

Dr. Altman’s face turned red with fury.

“You’d take her away from me after all this time? Do you know what that would do to her? What that would do to me? She trusts me!” he shouted.

“Dr. Altman, I’m not worried about her missing you when you’re no longer her doctor. I am, however, worried about whether or not she starts remembering why she is here in Spindle Ridge. It’s detrimental that the girl gets better and understands what she did to land herself here.”

“This is not a jail, Malisa. This is a hospital for the criminally insane. She doesn’t need to remember the awful things she did. She just needs to understand that what she did was criminal and the difference between right and wrong.”

“And you have two weeks to get her to do so. Now, Peter, leave my office and never come here unannounced again,” she said as she fixed her skirt and recovered her chair.

“I’ll do my best, Malisa.”

Just before he slammed her door he heard her say, “You’ll do your best or you’ll be sorry.”

And don’t forget to enter the awesome giveaway (2 Signed Bookplates for print books. 2 winners; open to US/CA only) we have for you! To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below:

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About the Author:

Christy Sloat is a SoCal born girl who resides in New Jersey currently with her husband, two daughters and Sophie her Chihuahua. Christy has embraced the love of reading and writing since her youth and was inspired by her grandmother’s loving support. Christy passes that love of reading, writing, and creativity to her daughters, family, and friends. When you do not find Christy within the pages of a book you can find her being mommy, wife, crafter, and dear friend. She loves adventurous journeys with her friends and can be known to get lost inside a bookstore. Be sure to venture into her Past Lives Series, The Visitor’s Series, and watch for many more exciting things to come.

Website | Blog | Twitter
Facebook | Instagram |Amazon Author Page

M9B Friday Reveal: Author Spotlight with Amy McNulty (Giveaway)

Mar13

M9B-Friday-Reveal

Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!

This week, we are spotlighting Amy McNulty, author of

Nobody’s Goddess

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Amy McNulty

Lightening Round Questions
Twitter or Facebook? Twitter
Favorite Superhero? Storm
Favorite TV show? Breaking Bad
Sweet or Salty? Sweet
Coke or Pepsi? Neither!
Any Phobias? Panic (I’m afraid of being afraid. It makes no sense to me, either.)
Song you can’t get enough of right now? “Flyers” by BRADIO
Who is your ultimate Book Boyfriend? Edward Rochester
What are you reading right now or what’s on your TBR? The Fading Dusk by Melissa Giorgio (out this summer)
Fall Movie you’re most looking forward to? Mockingjay Part 2

Amy McNulty is a freelance writer and editor from Wisconsin with an honors degree in English. She was first published in a national scholarly journal (The Concord Review) while in high school and currently spends her days alternatively writing on business and marketing topics and primarily crafting stories with dastardly villains and antiheroes set in fantastical medieval settings.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Nobody's Goddess

In a village of masked men, each loves only one woman and must follow the commands of his “goddess” without question. A woman may reject the only man who will love her if she pleases, but she will be alone forever. And a man must stay masked until his goddess returns his love—and if she can’t or won’t, he remains masked forever.

Where the rest of her village celebrates this mystery that binds men and women together, seventeen year old Noll is just done with it. She’s lost all her childhood friends as they’ve paired off, but the worst blow was when her closest companion, Jurij, finds his goddess in Noll’s own sister. Desperate to find a way to break this ancient spell, Noll instead discovers why no man has ever loved her: she is in fact the goddess of the mysterious lord of the village, a Byronic man who refuses to let Noll have her right as a woman to spurn him and who has the power to fight the curse. Thus begins a dangerous game between the two: the choice of woman versus the magic of man. And the stakes are no less than freedom and happiness, life and death—and neither Noll nor the veiled man is willing to lose.

Giveaway

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

The book will be sent upon the titles release.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons

Mar12

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons

The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons
Series: The Collectors' Society #2
Published by Cerulean Books on February 26, 2015
Pages: 284
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

Sometimes, the rabbit hole is deeper than expected . . .

Alice Reeve and Finn Van Brunt have tumbled into a life of secrets. Some secrets they share, such as their employment by the clandestine organization known as The Collectors’ Society. Other secrets they carry within them, fighting to keep buried the things that could change everything they think they know.

On the hunt for an elusive villain who is hell-bent on destroying legacies, Alice, Finn, and the rest of the Society are desperate to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. But the farther they spiral down this rabbit hole, the deeper they fall into secrets that will test their loyalties and pit them against enemies both new and old.

Secrets, they come to find, can reveal the deadliest of truths.

Heather Lyons has done it again! And no, I’ll never get tired of reminding you guys what an epic, amazing, wonderful author and person Heather is! I’ve loved all her books and I think you should go read them all right now. Like, if you asked me to pick a favorite, I think I’d break down in tears because HOW CAN I PICK A FAVORITE?!? *Clears throat* Anyway… As with The Collectors’ Society, The Hidden Library spoke to my book nerdy soul. I loved being back in this world with these characters. It felt like no time had passed between reading The Collectors’ Society and picking up The Hidden Library; I fell right back into the story, no problem.

Alice is one of my all-time favorite characters. First of all, I’m obsessed with Alice in Wonderland and Wonderland retellings. So it should come as no surprise that I love this Alice. I said it in my review of The Collectors’ Society and I’ll say it again: Alice is a kick-butt, take charge character. She’s no damsel in distress and can stand on her own and fight her way through any problem. I still got a kick out of her fumbling through modern technology and couldn’t help but speak in a British accent for all her parts. Alice can also be scary at times.. *Gulps.. sneaks away*

Finn!!! My poor, poor Finn went through hell in this book! I absolutely loved learning about Finn’s past finally, but I felt so bad for him and everything he’s had to deal with in his life. He’s also super hilarious and sarcastic and I found myself snickering during a lot of his parts. Of course I shipped him and Alice beyond any doubt. They’re perfect together, they understand each other and they work so well together. They’re one of my Top 5 Favorite Ships of all time. And then that ending… !!!!!! I nearly had a heart attack – twice!!!! I kept trying to flip pages to read more because I couldn’t believe that was it! MY POOR FINN!!!

Now let’s talk about Jace… I didn’t talk much about him in my review of The Collectors’ Society because it was too much of a spoiler. But I think it’s impossible to review this book without talking about him. So… Jace (AKA The White King). I don’t even know where to begin. He’s epic and amazing and swoony and I know this technically isn’t a love triangle and I truly do ship Alice and Finn but… When Alice and Jace get together, I feel all the feels! Like, ALL THE FEELS!!! I just adore Jace so much, even if he and Alice can’t be together, I still want him to get his happily ever after. With everything he’s done and all that he’s sacrificed, he deserves it… *Glares at Heather* Hear that?!?! HAPPY ENDING FOR JACE!

I still love Mary. She’s like my third favorite character (After Alice and Finn). I love her character in general, but I also love the classic she’s from, so that fuels my desire to read about her and learn more about her. I also ship her and Victor like crazy!!! Victor was also awesome and hilarious in this. I worried for him, though. I’d love to see him back in his original timeline. I have a feeling it would be just as.. explosive.. As Finn in his timeline!

Other notable characters are Brom, Wendy, The Librarian and Marianne. I love them all, I want to get to know them all more and I can’t wait to see where their stories are taken in book three!!

As I mentioned in my review of The Collectors’ Society, the villains in this book are epic. They’re insane and show no remorse for their actions and I hate them for that, but they’re also so.. Brilliant. And twisted. Especially the one villain.. In this classic character’s story, this person is beloved. So to see this person as evil.. It was kind of awesome yet insane at the same time. I can’t wait to see where things go in the third book with this particular villain!

And Gabe… Oh, Gabe… I didn’t trust him from the very beginning. Not for a second. Weirdly enough, I pictured him as Simon Baker in his The Devil Wears Prada role, being a total stuck-up, self-absorbed jerk… I really can’t stand Simon Baker, by the way. So that tells you how I felt about Gabe.. Grrrr. But still, as much as I didn’t trust him, that ending was still mind blowing and I can’t wait to see what devious plots he throws at our beloved characters in book three!

And then that ending!!!!!!! That crazy, insane, MEAN, cliffhanger of an ending!!!! I was reading the eBook of this and I kept swiping my iPad, trying to read more, praying there was more!! And then… There wasn’t… And I was sad.. And gasping.. And BOOK THREE NOW PLEASE!!! I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!!

So… *Clears throat* I’m pretty sure that was my least professional review ever. But I can’t help it when it comes to Heather’s books. There’s so much epic and swoony and crazy, it’s hard to form coherent thoughts to write a review. But anyway… I HIGHLY recommend this book (plus the first one, if you haven’t read it). Plus all her other books. All of them. Like.. Go read them all right now. I’ll wait… *Sits, stares creepily at you…*

M9B Two for Thursday Book Blitz: Praefatio by Georgia McBride and Of Breakable Things by A. Lynden Rolland (Giveaway)

Mar12

Hello and welcome to this week’s Two for Thursday Book Blitz #T4T
presented by Month9books/Tantrum Books!

Today, we will be showcasing two titles that may tickle your fancy,
and we’ll share what readers have to say about these titles!

You just might find your next read!

This week, #T4T presents to you:

Praefatio by Georgia McBride and Of Breakable Things by A. Lynden Rolland

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Praefatio-Cover

Seventeen-year-old Grace Ann Miller is no ordinary runaway…

After having been missing for weeks, Grace is found on the estate of international rock star Gavin Vault, half-dressed and yelling for help. Over the course of twenty-four hours Grace holds an entire police force captive with incredulous tales of angels, demons, and war; intent on saving Gavin from lockup and her family from worry over her safety.

Authorities believe that Grace is ill, suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, the victim of assault and a severely fractured mind. Undeterred, Grace reveals the secret existence of dark angels on earth, an ancient prophecy and a wretched curse steeped in Biblical myth. Grace’s claims set into motion an ages-old war, resulting in blood, death and the loss of everything that matters. But are these the delusions of an immensely sick girl, or could Grace’s story actually be true?

Praefatio is Grace’s account of weeks on the run, falling in love and losing everything but her faith. When it’s sister against brother, light versus darkness, corrupt police officers, eager doctors and accusing journalists, against one girl with nothing but her word as proof: who do you believe?

Available for Purchase:

What Readers are Saying:

“With Praefatio, Georgia McBride proves that you can take any genre to a higher level. This is teen fantasy at its most entertaining, most heartbreaking, most compelling. Highly recommended.” –Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author.

“This story kicks ass. No joke, all nepotism aside, I’m an angel convert after having read Praefatio. This proves my theory, by the way, that if a story is written well it can reach across the aisle and grab even the most cynical or perhaps reluctant reader.” – Caroline – Author

“An intense, but powerful young adult fantasy that you utterly become immersed in from the moment you start reading it.” – Grace – Books of Love

“You’re in for a wild ride. This was worth the time, for sure.” – Cassie – Happy Book Lovers

about-the-author

Georgia McBride

Georgia loves a good story. Whether it’s writing her own, or publishing someone else’s, story is at the heart of everything Georgia does. Founder of Month9Books, YALITCHAT.ORG and the weekly #yalitchat on Twitter, Georgia spends most of her days writing, editing, or talking about books. That is, of course, when she is not blasting really loud music or reading. She lives in North Carolina with four dogs, a frog, a parrot, 2 kids, parents and a husband. PRAEFATIO is her first novel.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook

cover_V1

A captivating debut about the fragility of life, love, and perspective.

When Chase dies tragically, Alex embraces her own mortality. What she didn’t expect was that she’d have to make a choice: forget the years of pain and suffering once and for all, or linger as a spirit and get another chance at life and love.

Alex doesn’t hesitate to choose; she’d follow Chase anywhere. But the spirit world is nothing like she expected, and Alex finds she’s forced to fight for her life once more. For even in a world where secrets are buried much deeper than six feet under, a legacy can continue to haunt you—and in a place this dangerous, no one is resting in peace.

Available for Purchase:

What Readers are Saying:

“The final chapters had me at the edge of my seat!” – Victoria – Goodreads Reviewer

“Of Breakable Things is a story of hurt, raw emotions, love, and incredible strength of mind and soul.” – Bèbè – Spiced Latte Reads

“The ending itself was so intense and action packed I really wish there was more of that throughout the book!” – Ang – Ang is Good with Books

about-the-author

A. Lynden Rolland was born and raised in a picturesque town obsessed with boats and blue crabs. She has always been intrigued by the dramatic and the broken, compiling her eccentric tales of tragic characters in a weathered notebook she began to carry in grade school. She is a sports fanatic, a coffee addict, and a lover of Sauvignon Blanc and thunderstorms. When she isn’t hunched behind a laptop at her local bookstore, she can be found chasing her two vivacious children. She resides in Maryland with her husband and young sons.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway

Complete the Rafflecopter for a chance to win!

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Cover Reveal: Dragons are People, Too by Sarah Nicolas (Giveaway)

Mar11

Today, I’m revealing the cover for Dragons are People, Too, a young adult contemporary fantasy by Sarah Nicolas releasing April 28th from Entangled Teen. Read all the way through and scroll to the bottom for a giveaway

So, are you ready to see the cover??

Are you sure?

It’s gorgeous!

Okay, ready?

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Here we go!

Isn’t it gorgeous?!?!? I LOVE it! And now here’s more about the book!

Never judge a dragon
by her human cover…

Sixteen-year-old Kitty Lung has everyone convinced she’s a normal teen—not a secret government operative, not the one charged with protecting the president’s son, and certainly not a were-dragon. The only one she trusts with the truth is her best friend—and secret crush—the über-hot Bulisani Mathe.

Then a junior operative breaks Rule Number One by changing into his dragon form in public—on Kitty’s watch—and suddenly, the world knows. About dragons. About the Draconic Intelligence Command (DIC) Kitty works for. About Kitty herself.

Now the government is hunting down and incarcerating dragons to stop a public panic, and a new shape-shifting enemy has kidnapped the president’s son. Kitty and Bulisani are the last free dragons, wanted by both their allies and their enemies. If they can’t rescue the president’s son and liberate their fellow dragons before getting caught themselves, dragons might never live free again.

Add it to Goodreads

About the Author

Sarah is a 30-something YA author who currently lives in Orlando with a 60-lb mutt who thinks he’s a chihuahua. She believes that some boys are worth trusting, all girls have power, and dragons are people too.

She’s a proud member of the Gator Nation and has a BS in Mechanical Engineering, but has switched careers entirely. She now works as an Event Coordinator for a County Library and as a freelance book publicist and author’s assistant.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr

Giveaway

Since Sarah couldn’t have written any of this book without coffee, she’s giving away a $10 Starbucks Gift Card! (Open anywhere Starbucks Gift Cards can be used). To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below!

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~*~*~

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Dragons Are People, Too

by Sarah Nicolas

Giveaway ends April 27, 2015.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Book Trailer Reveal: Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee (Giveaway)

Mar10

Hey everyone! I’m excited to share with you the book trailer for Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee (Flux, April 8th, 2015). First, here’s the cover and synopsis:

A Sci-Fi Thrill Ride Set in the Action-Packed Sports Arena of the Future

A rising star in the weightless combat sport of zeroboxing, Carr “the Raptor” Luka dreams of winning the championship title. Recognizing his talent, the Zero Gravity Fighting Association assigns Risha, an ambitious and beautiful Martian colonist, to be his brandhelm––a personal marketing strategist. It isn’t long before she’s made Carr into a popular celebrity and stolen his heart along the way.

As his fame grows, Carr becomes an inspirational hero on Earth, a once-great planet that’s fallen into the shadow of its more prosperous colonies. But when Carr discovers a far-reaching criminal scheme, he becomes the keeper of a devastating secret. Not only will his choices place everything he cares about in jeopardy, but they may also spill the violence from the sports arena into the solar system.

Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Now, here’s an introduction from the author, Fonda Lee!

This isn’t your usual book trailer. Instead, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite parts of writing Zeroboxer: envisioning and depicting the sport of zeroboxing. How would a combat sport work in the absence of gravity? Check out what these martial artists and fighters have to say about it.

Then enter the giveaway for a chance to win a prize pack (pictured below) of six science fiction and fantasy books from Flux / Llewellyn, including an ARC of Zeroboxer, which releases on April 8!

And now here’s the trailer! Enjoy!

As mentioned in her introduction, we also have a giveaway to share with you, thanks to Fonda! To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below:

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About Fonda:

Fonda Lee writes science fiction and fantasy for teens and adults. Her debut novel, ZEROBOXER, will be published by Flux in April 2015.

Enamored with science fiction and fantasy from an early age, Fonda wrote her first novel (about a young dragon and assorted magical companions on a quest for a magic pendant) in fifth grade during the long bus ride to and from school each day. Many years later, she cast her high school classmates as characters in her second novel, a pulpy superhero saga co-written with a friend by passing a graphing calculator back and forth during biology class. Fortunately, both of these experiments are lost to the world forever.

Fonda is a long-time, avid martial artist in karate and kung fu. She goes mad for smart action movies (think The Matrix, Inception, and Minority Report). She loves a good eggs benedict. A corporate strategist by training, Fonda has advised or worked for a number of Fortune 500 firms (including a certain global sports company). ZEROBOXER is inspired by all of these things, except the eggs benedict.

Born and raised in Calgary, Canada, Fonda has lived in Toronto, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Portland, Oregon—the city she and her family now call home.

Website
Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

Review: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Mar9

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #5
Published by Razorbill on July 29, 2014
Pages: 380
Format: Hardcover
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-half-stars

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

Fair Warning: If you haven’t read the Bloodlines series, this review does contain mild (or major, depending on how you feel about it) spoilers. Don’t read on if you don’t want to be spoiled. You have been warned!

As the penultimate book in the Bloodlines series, Silver Shadows had a big job – It had to entertain and stand on its own, but it also had to set up for the final, epic book. And it definitely did NOT disappoint! The books in this series have gradually shifted to darker, heavier plots. But Silver Shadows took a brutal, tragic turn. It put our beloved characters in terrifying, hopeless situations. Though the first half was a bit slow, the second half blew my mind! Silver Shadows had an epic plot, character’s we’ve come to love and the amazing writing that we’ve come to expect from Richelle Mead.

Poor Syndey. Our strong, fierce, Sydney went through hell in Silver Shadows – mentally, physically and emotionally. Most of my status updates while I was reading said just that, “Poor Sydney!” The things that Sydney went through would have cracked a normal person, but our girl stood strong in the face of psychological and bodily torture. She used thoughts of her friends, Adrian especially, to keep herself sane. Some of Sydney’s punishments were really hard to read. And with how long she endured them.. I don’t know how she kept her mind. And I know our girl is strong, but.. I’m definitely expecting some psychological consequences from everything she went through. We saw some at the end of Silver Shadows, but I’m guessing we’ll see more in The Ruby Circle.

As bad as Sydney’s situation was, I almost felt worse for Adrian. Adrian is strong, but Sydney makes him stronger, makes him a better person. Between the reason for her disappearance and the lack of her good influence, Adrian slipped back into old habits. And in a major, epically huge way. Between alcohol and spirit, Adrian let his old vices break him down and take him over. He spiraled so far down, I didn’t think he’d ever come out of it. I definitely breathed a sigh of relief once he and Sydney were reunited.

Despite Sydney and Adrian being apart for over half the book, my Sydrian feels were all over the place. Like.. Richelle Mead messed with our minds and our hearts in this one, more so than any other book in the series. She put our poor Sydrian through an epic, insane, crazy, emotional roller coaster!!! Basically, I got to a point where all my status updates were along the lines of, “Noooo!!!! Haven’t they suffered enough already?!?” and “!!!!!!” So, yeah… But then near the end of the book… OMG THE CRAZY SYDRIAN FEELS!!!!!

I really missed the Palm Springs crew in Silver Shadows. We didn’t see them for the majority of the book. They made small appearences, but I’ve come to love them so much, I really missed seeing the gang all together.

One of my favorite new characters was Duncan. I really liked him a lot, right from the beginning, though I was slow to trust him. I cringed every time Sydney confided too much in him, especially when it came to her thoughts and feelings on Adrian. I was always waiting for Duncan to turn on her. I’m hoping we see a bit more of him in The Ruby Circle, but based on how Silver Shadows ended and the description of The Ruby Circle, I doubt it. I was also very leery of Sydney’s roommate, Emma. Some of the things Sydney said and did in front of her just seemed reckless. And just in general, I couldn’t stand any of the Alchemists, be they the ones in Re-education or the ones in charge of Re-education. But I especially couldn’t stand Sheridan and Harrison. I really, really wanted to punch the crap out of both of them.

This whole book was intense, but the end was ridiculous!!! I seriously wanted to pick up The Ruby Circle right away but, alas, I have to be responsible and read some review books first! *Sobs!!* But the first chance I get, I’m absolutely reading it! Because that ending… *Cue epic fangirling.*

Overall, obviously, I loved Silver Shadows. I don’t think I’ve ever met a Richelle Mead book I don’t like and I don’t think I ever will. She’s an amazing writer and I love this world and these characters so much! I definitely, highly recommend this book and this series and everything Richelle Mead has ever written.. Or will write in the future.. Okay? Okay. *Hugs Adrian*