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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Lost Prince (The Iron Fae: Call of the Forgotten #1) by Julie Kagawa

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them. 
That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for. 
Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.
This is Ethan's, Megan's brother, story. Ethan is now a teen and we have seen what having the sight has done to him. He is paranoid and keeps everyone at a distance. His harsh attitude isn't because he hates the world, it's because he doesn't feel that anyone is safe around him. He feels that he brings trouble and the people around him pay the consequences. He tries to lessen those consequences to himself alone. He discovers in his adventures, however, that you cannot control everything including the irrepressible Kenzie who can see past his own brand of glamor and finds the true Ethan.

I have to say that the character of Ethan did not connect with me directly. He kept everyone at arms length including me while reading his tale. How I did connect with him was through another character, Kenzie. Her spirit and no-nonsense attitude really drew me in and by consequence Ethan as well. Without her I don't think I would have connected to Ethan at all. She was my favorite new character.

Some of the characters are back from the Iron Fae series. Grim!!! You know I'm a total Grim fan so I squeed (excuse me) when he came onto the scene. Although less onery than in the past, he still had the same spirit that made me love him in the first place. We also get visited by Puck (who I wanted more but may get later) and, of course, a bit of Meghan and Ash. We also get new characters in Kerrian and Razor who happened to be my other favorite introduction. That little character had me smiling more than once.

The world of the Nevernever is as beautiful and deadly as ever. I still love the world in which Julie Kagawa creates. I was not disappointed here at all. The plot seemed a bit uneven but still flowed well and kept my interest. I would have liked to have really understood some of the "evil" characters better and Kerrian as well. I just didn't understand the motivations in the end. I understood somewhat but not completely. Let me just say that Kerrian baffled me in the end. I got his sympathy but not his actions. However, I do think some key information was given within his actions that will play out in the next book. Curious? ;)

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I wanted more information than was given and was a bit frustrated. I wanted to know the motivations of the primary and even more so of the secondary characters. So many questions I have now and no answers. I, of course, have to have the next book as I know these answers will eventually come. This is a series you really should start with the Iron Fae series. The return character's actions become more clear if read in that manner.
I received this eARC from Harlequin and NetGalley and no compensation for my review was given.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

A Trace of Moonlight (Abby Sinclair #3) by Allison Pang

Drinking from the waters of lethe and offering herself up as Faerie’s sacrificial Tithe . . . these just might be the least of Abby Sinclair’s problems. Abby’s pact with a daemon—whether or not she remembers making it—is binding, so she’d better count herself lucky that (in the words of a daemon who knows better) there’s nearly always a loophole. But her friends’ reckless attempts to free her, well intentioned though they may be, set off a disastrous chain of events. In no time at all, Abby turns her incubus lover mortal, then gets herself killed, cursed, and married to an elven prince whose mother wants her dead. On top of everything else, she’s lost the Key to the CrossRoads to her mortal enemy, who promptly uses his restored power to wreak havoc on the OtherWorld and put its very existence in jeopardy. Only one person can make things right again, but to find her, Abby must place her trust in allies of mixed loyalties, and conquer her nightmares once and for all.

This is the third book in the Abby Sinclair series. The first being, A Brush of Darkness and the second A Sliver of Shadow (check those reviews for some great quotes that will make you smile). These books should be read in order and seriously, this series rocks so hard why wouldn't you?

This book did not disappoint. All my fave characters are back including Phin the horny unicorn. Ion the daemon who I have a love/hate relationship with, I admit did not do that to me this time. Total love fest from me. :) Ah, and then there is Talivar the elven prince. Always a love fest for that one. *sigh* Oh yea, if you love books with amazing characters you are SO in for a treat. Even those you hate as well as those you feel lukewarm are also well drawn. Hm... can you tell I just love the characters in this book? I bet not. ;)

For those that do not like a love triangle, well, I hate to say it but this has a doozy. It was handled exceptionally well for a triangle, but I hated it only because you didn't want either one to be hurt. You also couldn't decide who would be best for her even if there tended to be one that was a winner. I think it is because both suitors are broken and Abby is the kind of person to accept them both as they are which encourages them to accept themselves. *sigh* You know that makes a good PNR and you have both. Hm... I don't mind keeping the one that gets away for her... ;)

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. You have adventure, a conclusion to all the main threads that were running around including the cliffie from the last. I have heard this may be the last novel (short stories may come) in this series and I sincerely hope that isn't the case. I does have a feel of completion but I am not ready to give up these characters yet.
I received this ARC from Pocket Books and no compensation for my review was given.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Madly in Love Tour for The Evolution of Mara Dyer


QUOTE:
He only ever shows you what he wants you to see.

QUESTIONS:
Mara, you have a very tight family bond - which of your family is the most important one for you?

You can't choose which of the people you love is most important to you. They're family. They're equally important. But I'm closest to Daniel.

Mara, can you share with us one quirk or habit Noah has that we don’t know about?

He won't watch movies or read books where the dog (or cat) dies. He'll abandon the book or walk out of the room.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer
Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past. 
She can’t. 
She used to think her problems were all in her head.
They aren’t. 
She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets. 
She’s wrong. 
In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

About Michelle Hodkin - website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | pinterest

At the age of sixteen, Michelle Hodkin lost the rights to her soul in a poker game with pirates just south of Natchez. Shortly thereafter, she joined an acting troupe and traveled the world performing feats of wonder and mischief. She has been seen on stages nationwide and earned rave reviews for her one woman performance of Titus Andronicus before writing The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, her first novel which is available now. The sequel, The Evolution of Mara Dyer, hits shelves October 23, 2012, and the third book in the trilogy, The Retribution of Mara Dyer, hits shelves Fall 2013. Michelle currently lives with her three pets and may or may not be a reliable narrator of her own life. 

Tour Schedule:

Monday, October 15th - Supernatural Snark
Tuesday, October 16th - Mundie Moms
Wednesday, October 17th - The Book Swarm
Thursday, October 18th - Refracted Light Reviews
Friday, October 19th - Dazzling Reads

Monday, October 22nd - Candace's Book Blog
Tuesday, October 23rd (release day) - Bookish Type Reviews
Wednesday, October 24th - Page Turners
Thursday, October 25th - Pure Imagination
Friday, October 26th - Bewitched Bookworms

Monday, October 29th - Books and Things
Tuesday, October 30th - Alice Marvels
The tour is giving away 1 Copy of The Evolution of Mara Dyer and some epic Super Secret Swag of Awesome! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Winners! Link up Your Giveaways!

The winners for
are:

Alicia
Nicola
Kerrie M.
(all have been e-mailed their prize!)

Also, don't forget to link up your giveaways. This will also be shown on the Giveaways page listed below the header.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Fathomless by Jackson Pearce

Celia Reynolds is the youngest in a set of triplets and the one with the least valuable power. Anne can see the future, and Jane can see the present, but all Celia can see is the past. And the past seems so insignificant -- until Celia meets Lo. 
Lo doesn't know who she is. Or who she was. Once a human, she is now almost entirely a creature of the sea -- a nymph, an ocean girl, a mermaid -- all terms too pretty for the soulless monster she knows she's becoming. Lo clings to shreds of her former self, fighting to remember her past, even as she's tempted to embrace her dark immortality. 
When a handsome boy named Jude falls off a pier and into the ocean, Celia and Lo work together to rescue him from the waves. The two form a friendship, but soon they find themselves competing for Jude's affection. Lo wants more than that, though. According to the ocean girls, there's only one way for Lo to earn back her humanity. She must persuade a mortal to love her... and steal his soul.
Mermaid story? Oh yea, you know I wanted to read this one. In this book the mermaids were once human children. Something happened to them and they were suddenly able to exist under water. The sea as calming as it is fierce tends to strip away their memories. With those memories goes the last of humanity they try to cling. When at last they give up, they become something else. How, what and why are the questions that lead to the adventure in this book. It is a search for Lo and Nadia both who exist in the same body.

Yes, like her other stories, this one is also based on a faerie tale, this one is based on the original Little Mermaid story. Admittedly I haven't read that one, but I am familiar with the tale. There are distinct differences and she introduces other elements as well. We see hints of the 3 fates in the sisters that occupy the land half of this tale. We also get a bit of a bard in the love interest, Jude. Although I enjoyed these elements, I wanted more information. Why did the 3 sisters have powers? What was the mythology she was exploring? It's not all absent, but I wanted more. It wasn't enough for me to touch upon these tales but I admit it did preserve the mystery. Others would not have the same yearning I did after reading this story.

The ending has a twist I didn't see coming and the book does feel complete. I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I just wanted to know more of the world in which they inhabit. However, you are given no more information than the characters. I do have to say that in one way it is perfect that she does that. The darkness is preserved that way... but for those of us who like to shed light on that dark, it can be frustrating. :)
I received this book from Little, Brown Books and no compensation for my review was given.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Shadow City by (Horngate Witches #3) Diana Pharaoh Francis

The world is falling apart. The magical apocalypse has come. Now is the time to guard the covenstead against both raiders and refugees. But Max has been stolen by a powerful demi-god who is determined to force her to find a way to use a magical power she never knew she had—even if it kills her. Meanwhile, back in Horngate, a Fury is birthing. When the creature breaks free of the fragile bonds that enclose her, her rage will scour the covenstead from the earth. Max finds herself in the Shadow City, a place of mysteries and magic, where she must battle for her freedom or become a slave to creatures of dreadful greed and power. Back in Horngate, Alexander must swallow his anger and pride if he hopes to defeat the Fury, a creature that no one has ever successfully fought before. 
In the end, it will be courage, friendship, faith and loyalty that win the day. Or else so one will live to see tomorrow.
This is the third in the series. You really have to have read the second book to really get this one. Mostly because several threads that were left open are finished in this book. So, at least read #2 and #3 in order. Yes, I'm reading in order. Aren't you proud? ;)

In this book we alternate between 2 worlds. One where Max is fighting unusual magical beings in a world full of shadow. This is the main thread that was left open in the first book. The second world we are with her beloved Alexander and their new threat, an awakening fury. This problem is also connected to the last book, but no thread was left open. We just are discovering this problem now. I have to say that I really enjoyed the way the worlds flipped from one chapter to another. You were never left with a dull moment. When one winds down, the other picks up. So, for those who hate lulls, might really enjoy this one. Of course everyone comes together in the end but in ways I didn't expect. There is also a lot of character growth for more than our main heroine, Max. Some of the secondary characters grow quite a bit as well.

I want to quickly mention the different magical dogs presented in this book. They were so much fun and those of you who like intelligent puppy dogs will enjoy this one. Hey, they are large puppies (okay, deadly puppies...) but you know that they got to me and had me enjoying this tale (tail! *snort*) all the more. :)

I give this book 4 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed my time within the two worlds. It was so much fun and quite a bit of action. I recommend this book to those that really enjoy an adventurous UF book.
I received this book from Pocket Books and no compensation for my review was given.

Books in order:

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Magnificent Devices (Magnificent Devices Trilogy #3) by Shelley Adina

An air voyage to remember turns into a disaster no one may survive. 
With her orphaned charges, Lady Claire Trevelyan joins the Earl of Dunsmuir’s family on an airship voyage to the Americas. If she can stay out of Lord James Selwyn’s way until her eighteenth birthday, she will be of age and cannot be forced into marriage. What she doesn’t know is that Lord James is in the Americas, too, with Andrew Malvern closing in on him—and the wonderful device he stole. But when a storm cripples the airship and air pirates swoop in like carrion birds, Claire and the children must live by their wits to make their way across a harsh landscape. Will Andrew ever see her again and right the wrong he believes he has done? Will Lord James succeed in his monumental thievery? And how exactly does Rosie the chicken evade the soup pot? 
Tighten your goggles, pull on your gloves, and prepare yourself for stratagems and strangeness in the third book in the series, Magnificent Devices!
I read and reviewed book #1 in this trilogy, Lady of Devices, when I did Steampunk week last year (it was only last year? I swear that was longer...).  I had bought that book for myself and was very pleased with how it was written. Unfortunately I wasn't able to read the second book (you book bloggers know why that happens...) but was contacted to read the third in the series. I was hesitant to pick it up since I haven't read the second (I do plan on correcting that) but was assured that I could dive into this one without worry. So, those of you who know me... I took the plunge.

It did help that I read the first. As I was reintroduced to many of the characters, I was reminded of the quirky kids Lady Claire became introduced in the first book. And although I did feel like I was missing pieces of the puzzle, they weren't key pieces as I was able to really be fully engaged within the book. It is also a short book, but by no means without adventure. You are on an adventure from almost the start.

What I loved about this book and the book before were the characters. Even a chicken becomes part of the story and has a personality of her own. I think it was a fun addition to the characters although at times it might have gotten in the way. Not too much, but I would have missed it if it was left out. I just adored Rosie the chicken. The kids are also so ornery you can't help but love them. Definitely having a mind of their own, they take over the story and really bring life to the tale. Anyone who hates these kids becomes an instant enemy and anyone who loves them an instant friend. You had no doubt when that happened.

My biggest complaint was a small scene with what I assumed was a mountain lion. It was a personal niggle that wouldn't have happened in the way described. It really was the only part I didn't like. My second criticism is about the ending. It was too open. Not a cliffie, per se... but was open for another book in the series. The title reads trilogy, but NO! I have to know what happens! What is next. Not everything felt complete and I hope it goes on... perhaps planned in another way so the trilogy can be kept but a side series is born. One can hope.

I give this book 4 stars. It was a fun short book that I hope continues with the tale. I'll be getting that second book shortly and fill in the things that I became curious about.
I was given this book from the KLF and no compensation for my review was given.  

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Author Interview with Sarah Beth Durst


I loved Drink, Slay, Love. Are you planning on doing a series with these characters?

Thanks so much!  DRINK, SLAY, LOVE was planned as a standalone, but I have to admit that I miss my evil vampire and were-unicorn so who knows what the future will bring...

How did you come up with the concept for Vessel?

It was actually two ideas coming together.  I knew I wanted to write about this fantastical desert filled with wolves made of sand, nomadic clans, and gods and goddesses.  And I had an idea about a girl who had to sacrifice herself so that a goddess could walk the earth in her body.

For me, the concept behind a novel often comes from multiple sources fusing together.  Like drops of water coalescing into a lake.

I just love the flowing fabric and colors in the cover of Vessel. Did you have any input into the cover?

My input was to say "I love it!" while jumping enthusiastically up and down.

Seriously, all the credit for the cover goes to photographer Jaime Ibarra and the Simon & Schuster art department.  They really captured the tone of the book perfectly.

What is your favorite part of writing?

I love choosing the details that bring a world or a character or a moment to life.  And I love writing dialogue.  I also love writing the openings of chapters.  And the ends of chapters.  And the climaxes in the middle...  Okay, I love pretty much all of it.

Favorite setting for a book?

I love settings that are full of magic.  It can be overflowing with it, like the desert in VESSEL, or it can be a world like ours but with magic seeping through the cracks, like in my debut novel INTO THE WILD (which was about fairy tale characters in the real world).

Pretty much I love settings that make you feel like the world is full of wonder.

Who are your favorite reads this year?

Really loved THE UNNATURALISTS by Tiffany Trent and THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas.  Also just read and loved ETIQUETTE AND ESPIONAGE by Gail Carriger.  Very fun.

Any pets?

I have a somewhat-evil cat named Perni.  She tolerates me, but I'm fairly certain she's contemplating eating everyone else.

Any new projects besides Vessel you'd like to let people know about?

I am currently working on two projects:

SWEET NOTHINGS (coming fall 2013 from Bloomsbury/Walker) is about a girl in the paranormal witness protection program, who, haunted by dreams of carnival tents and tarot cards, must remember her past and why she has strange abilities before a magic-wielding serial killer hunts her down.  

THE LOST (coming fall 2013 from Harlequin/Luna) is the first in a trilogy about a woman running from her bleak life who finds herself trapped in a small town where all things lost -- luggage, keys, people -- are mysteriously deposited.

Thanks so much for interviewing me!

Sarah Beth Durst is the author of Vessel, Drink, Slay, Love, Enchanted Ivy, and Ice from Simon & Schuster, as well as Into the Wild and its sequel Out of the Wild from Penguin Young Readers. She has been writing fantasy stories since she was ten years old and holds an English degree from Princeton University, where she spent four years studying English, writing about dragons, and wondering what the campus gargoyles would say if they could talk. Sarah lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband and children. For more information, visit her at www.sarahbethdurst.com.


Vessel
Liyana has trained her entire life to be the vessel of a goddess. The goddess will inhabit Liyana’s body and use magic to bring rain to the desert. But Liyana’s goddess never comes. Abandoned by her angry tribe, Liyana expects to die in the desert. Until a boy walks out of the dust in search of her. 
Korbyn is a god inside his vessel, and a trickster god at that. He tells Liyana that five other gods are missing, and they set off across the desert in search of the other vessels. For the desert tribes cannot survive without the magic of their gods. But the journey is dangerous, even with a god’s help. And not everyone is willing to believe the trickster god’s tale. 
The closer she grows to Korbyn, the less Liyana wants to disappear to make way for her goddess. But she has no choice: She must die for her tribe to live. Unless a trickster god can help her to trick fate—or a human girl can muster some magic of her own.

Thanks Sarah Beth for coming on the blog and answering my questions. I loved this book (review can be seen HERE) and I can't wait to see what else you come up with in stories. So glad you are currently working on other things!
People... pick up this book! :)

Monday, October 22, 2012

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

In a desert world of sandstorms and sand-wolves, a teen girl must defy the gods to save her tribe in this mystical, atmospheric tale from the author of Drink, Slay, Love. Liyana has trained her entire life to be the vessel of a goddess. The goddess will inhabit Liyana’s body and use magic to bring rain to the desert. But Liyana’s goddess never comes. Abandoned by her angry tribe, Liyana expects to die in the desert. Until a boy walks out of the dust in search of her. 
Korbyn is a god inside his vessel, and a trickster god at that. He tells Liyana that five other gods are missing, and they set off across the desert in search of the other vessels. For the desert tribes cannot survive without the magic of their gods. But the journey is dangerous, even with a god’s help. And not everyone is willing to believe the trickster god’s tale. 
The closer she grows to Korbyn, the less Liyana wants to disappear to make way for her goddess. But she has no choice: She must die for her tribe to live. Unless a trickster god can help her to trick fate—or a human girl can muster some magic of her own.
Vessel is a unique YA tale which had me captivated from the beginning. We meet Liyana who is destined to give up her body to a goddess. Her goal is to go into the Dreaming while the goddess Bayla lives on. Something goes wrong and the goddess doesn't come. She is left out in the desert to die while the clan moves to another location in hopes of finding a more worthy vessel.

As we first meet Liyana, we wonder how anyone could give up their life even when it is for the good of the clan. We understand that the clan is going under hard times and the goddess would make things so much easier. However, we are still caught in the selfishness in wanting to keep living and hoping that Liyana gets that chance. As we travel with her and Korbyn, the trickster god, who seems to know what has happened we find ourselves with a deeper understanding as to why it is important for vessels to exist and why they must give their lives for the task. It does not mean that we don't wish another outcome, but the blinders are now off and we understand Liyana's journey that will end in her death.

I fully expected to not like Korbyn. After all, he is a trickster by nature, but within this journey we find someone that can think and feel deeply. We root for Korbyn and Liyana even though we know it would never work. Korbyn is a god and Liyana is only human.

We also meet the emperor. One we suspect has something to do with the missing deities, but we don't know how or even are we sure what he has to do with it all. I did find him arrogant and infantile at first and his character did grow, but I have to admit, it didn't feel organic to me. I just didn't get the emperor and I would have to say was my biggest problem in this story. I think I needed to know more about him and really get connected to his character for me to believe his growth. It just didn't happen for me.

I give this book 4 stars. It is a wonderful unique journey and vision. It was a read I had a hard time putting down because I wanted to know what happens next. I recommend this to anyone wanting something different and engaging. It's a good fantasy adventure about a woman who makes her own path.
I received this book from the publisher and no compensation for my review was given.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Winner! Link up Giveaways!


The winner for:
is..
Lacy T.
(confirmed)

The winners for:
are:
Jennifer GW
Muhammad I
Shari B

Congrats!

Don't forget you can still enter for:
Click pic to go to post! Win 1 of 3 pdf sets!

Also, Link up giveaways:
This list will also be seen on this page (linked under the header)

Don't forget others giveaways happening this month:

ParanormalHaven

Friday, October 19, 2012

The Demoness of Waking Dreams (The Company of Angels #2) by Stephanie Chong

Ex-cop Brandon Clarkson is an angel with an edge. His tough exterior is the perfect camouflage for his job—hunting down the most dangerous criminals on earth. A self-reliant and demanding lone wolf, Brandon is the perfect angel to track and capture demoness Luciana Rossetti. Beneath the surface of Luciana's cool, green-eyed beauty lurks the heart of a malevolent killer. In the winding streets of Venice, she lures Brandon into her dark world of pleasure. 
They are perfectly matched. Angel and demon. Man and woman. But only one can win the battle of wills, of strength and of desire.
 This is the second book in this series. Where Demons Fear To Tread is the first book. Luciana is the demoness we meet in the first book. One who seems evil to the core. Her perchant for poisons makes her as dangerous as any arch-demon not just for mortals, but for the immortals walking the earth. She has developed a poison that could even harm them. This is why she was targeted and became a top priority for capture. Unfortunately, it seems that some angels want more than her capture. Luckily for her, the one sent for her, Brandon, is an honorable angel and is unwilling to hurt her regardless of what he is told.

So, I thought this was an interesting twist. The demoness is the brooding evil one and the angelic redeemer is the sweet (albeit hot) male. Granted the male isn't innocent, but sweet enough to make him angelic. There is an insta-attraction between the two, but no necessarily love. This helped me accept it, but it still was a bit too fast for me, but not enough to detract from my enjoyment of their adventure.

With these types of PNR stories, we often have the evil one wanting to be redeemed and you can see their path clearly even with the hazards. However Luciana has no want of redemption and only revenge. Even though you see some of her veneer cracking I was never convinced of her want to become "good", and this bothered me at first. Then I started to understand that this was intentional. She was struggling but could not let go of her need for revenge. She would not, nor could not change until she found forgiveness for those that wronged her... including herself.

Ah... so you figure she found her forgiveness and then found her HEA? Let me just say that the ending is frustrating as it is perfect. If it was any other way I would not have liked it, but at the same time I wanted something different. Heh... I'll let you chew on that one for a bit. *evil laugh*

I give this book 4 stars. I did have some frustrations with the characters but some were minor and some were intentional. I found this interesting and I want the next book so I can find out what happens next. There is a big thread left open (no cliffie) and I want to know where things are heading. :)
I received this book from Wunderkind PR and no compensation for my review was given.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Reaper (Lightbringer #2) by K.D. McEntire

After the death of her mother, Wendy learns that she is part of a powerful and ancient family of Reapers. She has only a matter of days to unravel the mysteries her mother left behind and to convince her wary family to accept her as one of their own.









This is the second book in the Lightbringer series, the first being aptly named, Lightbringer. This is a series that I strongly advise NOT to read out of order. First, it picks up where the last left off and second because the world is a bit complicated you would become lost in the never and I'm not sure you'd find your way out. Now, don't let that scare you. By reading in order the complex world becomes much easier to understand. In other words, it is just so twisty you cannot jump in the middle to untangle this web. However, by starting at the beginning, you have a map in which to follow.

We were left with some holes in the information we sought in the last book and this book does provide some answers. You have to go through some twists and turns to get to those answers, but much greater understanding about Piotr and Wendy's mother Mary are given. However, that sigh of relief is hard to get and frustration on wanting that information does tend to get to you, but even so you are entertained by the adventure getting there. Unfortunately, not all answers are given that are sought. That brings me to my biggest complaint about this book...

Cliffie warning! Yep, this one has a big cliffie. One in which you know that our heros will get out of but not know how. You are also left with a thirst for more knowledge which is not fully quenched. Still, I have to say that this book is a necessity in this series and should not be missed. All the important information you were able to gather goes a long way in understanding the world as well as the adventure.

Now, I'm sure I may have scared a few of you who do not like complex novels. Seriously, if started in order it  isn't as complex as it seems at times. The book does flow and the engaging characters keep you interested and invested in the adventure. I give this book 3 1/2 stars (I deduct 1/2 star for the cliffie) and I do recommend it to the older YA crowd and those that really like a dark twisty world. I am really enjoying this adventure in the alternate world of Peter Pan.
I received this book from Pyr and no compensation for my review was given.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Shades of War by Sarah-Jane Lehoux: Review by AimeeKay

Sometimes the past can't be forgotten. Sometimes the truth refuses to be buried. And sometimes the dead won't stay dead.It began as a simple request: Journey to the Northern Jungles and bring a wayward son back to the safety of his farm and family before the racial tension that is building between humans and dark elves erupts into civil war. But life is never simple for Sevy, and she soon finds herself entangled in a bloody battle of good versus evil, love versus hate.Old friends and enemies reunite, familial bonds are broken, and loyalty is tested. And in the midst of the steamy, sultry jungles, the ghosts of a serial killer's victims come out to play. Sevy, as petulant and irascible as ever, must overcome her personal demons in order to expose a madman and bring peace back to the kingdom. But just how much of her sanity must she sacrifice to help her friends? And how can she save anyone when she can't even save her own soul?

So just finished reading Shades of War, Sarah-Jane Lehoux’s second novel chronicling the adventures of Sevy as she travels through her world. Seriously in love with the world she has created. In my review of Thief I had stated that I hoped to be able to explore more of her world, and in Shades I wasn’t disappointed.

Again, Sevy is still my favorite character, but I really enjoyed getting to know Revik and his wife as well. I really liked some of the new characters and got a kick out of finding out what had happened to ones from Thief as well. Also, as with Thief, the story is told from multiple characters points of view. I think it really let me step into their heads, so to speak, and figure out where they were coming from. It made them seem more solid and believable.

I really enjoyed the story too. Some things I suspected earlier on. Other parts completely took me by surprise and the book had me hooked until the final page. As with Thief, some aspects were bittersweet, but they just added so much to the story. (That’s the closest to a spoiler you’re getting on these two books.) Although I will say that finding out more about what happened to Sevy before she came to Eloria and also about Revik’s past was very interesting and enlightening.

While it is the second book, and there are references to incidents in the first book, I wasn’t lost as to what was going on in the story. But I still think that if you have the opportunity to read them in order you do just that. Because if you read Shades first it will pretty much give away the ending to Thief.

If you’re looking for a new series or just a good book or two to curl up with as the weather gets colder, I definitely recommend these two.

Til Next Time

Melissa's note:
To see the post by Melissa of My World in Words and Pages go HERE! To enter for the giveaway you can enter on that post or just enter in the rafflecopter form below. The giveaway is for both books in pdf format.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Thief by Sarah-Jane Lehoux: Review by AimeeKay

In the crumbling city of Eloria, there is one indisputable fact: everyone has a price. Protestations of morality and better judgment have little meaning when confronted with the chance to obtain the unobtainable. The only question remaining is just how much a person is willing to sacrifice in order to win their heart’s desire. 
Sevy has always been a quick study in the wicked ways of Eloria. She has no qualms about taking what she wants, and when the love of her life is mysteriously murdered, Sevy will stop at nothing to get him back. Elvish black magic, necromancy and demonic pacts are of little consequence if it means she can once again have her beloved at her side. But is she willing to murder her only friend to get the job done?

I enjoyed this book, it really drew me in. I really liked the world that Lehoux has created. The different races and how they interacted. I liked her characters as well. The different parts of the story told from different characters points of view gave me a chance to see inside their heads. I liked Sevy, she was strong and funny. At the same time she was very human, some of her choices just made me want to shake her.

Reading the story reminded me a lot of some of the fantasy novels I read when I was younger. It seemed familiar, but in a good way. I like to try to guess where a story is going while I’m reading it. Certain things I didn’t expect, and after specific events I had pretty much figured out how it was going to end. Even then, I wasn’t disappointed in the ending. Also even though it is the first in a series, it is a stand alone novel, so don’t be worried about cliffies or anything.

I do want to learn more about the rest of the world that Lehoux has created. Thief is the first book in the series. I am hoping that Shades of War, the second book in the series, delves deeper into the different races and cultures of her land. I’m also hoping it is as enjoyable a read as the first.

If you are a fan of traditional fantasy I definitely recommend this one. It was a fresh change of pace from the flood of YA fair that is out there today.

‘Til next time.

Melissa's note:
If you are interested in the book, I'm having a giveaway of the set. Tomorrow is AimeeKay's review of Shades of War the second book in this series. 
To see the post by Melissa of My World in Words and Pages go HERE! To enter for the giveaway you can enter on that post or just enter in the rafflecopter form below. The giveaway is for both books in pdf format.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Blogger Guest Post with Giveaway!

 I'd like to welcome Melissa (no, not me...) of My World in Words and Pages to da blog! She wanted to share a bit about an author she found and the series that captivated her. Melissa and the author is also giving away 3 sets of ebooks! Too cool, right? Well... Melissa... take it away...
~~~~~~~~~
Sevy is a thief living the harsh life in a thief’s world. This is a fantasy series of two books in, Thief and Shades of War, while the third will be released soon, Masquerade. Sarah-Jane Lehoux is daring in her writing style, and I’ve enjoyed it. She takes steps in the first book that many authors may not, and I liked seeing that. Then in the second book we visit a part of the world where we learn more of the Dark Elves and ghosts of different forms make an appearance to Sevy.

Sevy is in no way the perfect “person” as a character, she is flawed and that is what catches my eye with her. She has a dark past that will surface in Shades of War. This is a fantasy read with a dark side, and an adventure to take you on.

Sarah-Jane Lehoux surprised me at the end of Thief with Sevy, and then in Shades of War showed me more of her shocking history and the skeletons in the back of Sevy’s mind.
I have reviews up for both Thief: http://melissa-melsworld.blogspot.com/2011/06/book-review-thief.html and Shades of War: http://melissa-melsworld.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-shades-of-war.html Sarah-Jane Lehoux has brought a rainbow of emotions through me with these reads; surprise, tears, and worry.

If you are curious about Sarah-Jane Lehoux and her works, she can be found:
On her site: Sarah-Jane Lehoux ~ http://www.sarah-janelehoux.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SarahJaneLehoux
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/26083976275/

Thief
In the crumbling city of Eloria, there is one indisputable fact: everyone has a price. Protestations of morality and better judgment have little meaning when confronted with the chance to obtain the unobtainable. The only question remaining is just how much a person is willing to sacrifice in order to win their heart’s desire. 
Sevy has always been a quick study in the wicked ways of Eloria. She has no qualms about taking what she wants, and when the love of her life is mysteriously murdered, Sevy will stop at nothing to get him back. Elvish black magic, necromancy and demonic pacts are of little consequence if it means she can once again have her beloved at her side. But is she willing to murder her only friend to get the job done?
Shades of War
Sometimes the past can't be forgotten. Sometimes the truth refuses to be buried. And sometimes the dead won't stay dead.It began as a simple request: Journey to the Northern Jungles and bring a wayward son back to the safety of his farm and family before the racial tension that is building between humans and dark elves erupts into civil war. But life is never simple for Sevy, and she soon finds herself entangled in a bloody battle of good versus evil, love versus hate.Old friends and enemies reunite, familial bonds are broken, and loyalty is tested. And in the midst of the steamy, sultry jungles, the ghosts of a serial killer's victims come out to play. Sevy, as petulant and irascible as ever, must overcome her personal demons in order to expose a madman and bring peace back to the kingdom. But just how much of her sanity must she sacrifice to help her friends? And how can she save anyone when she can't even save her own soul?
~~~~~~~~~
This series is really getting a lot of attention. Check out Melissa's reviews of these book... they really are quite awesomesauce. :) It's also gaining some great reviews on Goodreads! I can't wait to read it myself!!
3 lucky winners will get the set of books from Sarah-Jane Lehoux! They are PDF format, so the giveaway is INTERNATIONAL! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter. Good Luck!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Winner! Also Link up your giveaway!


The winner for the choice of book in the Immortal Guardian series is...
Karen R.!

Don't forget you can still enter at Dianne's site for:
Just go HERE to get the deets!

You still have time to enter for:
Fathom
Click pic to go to post! 3 ebooks!
and
Click pic to go to post! US only
Don't forget to also check out the giveaways listed on the side bar and up top for those hosted by others, but you can enter them here.

Do you have a giveaway? Don't forget to list your giveaways on this page (and here... link below) and check out the holiday links to other's giveaways like...
ParanormalHaven

Got a giveaway you want to list? Just make sure it's book related (this will also show up on the giveaways/contests page) Also try to put end date so I can delete it when the contest is over. For example: Name of Giveaway (US or Intl) end date. (this will be seen on the giveaways/contests page listed below the header)

Friday, October 12, 2012

Author Guest Post: The Home for Halloween Giveaway

Enter the Rafflecopter to win your choice of a Kindle Fire, Nook HD, or Kobo Glo, (two winners total!) as well as signed books and audiobooks in the Home for Halloween giveaway from author Scott Nicholson.

The giveaway celebrates the launch of paranormal thriller The Home. Experiments at a group home for troubled children lead to paranormal activity—and the ghosts are from the home’s dark past as an insane asylum. In development as a feature film, it’s available in ebook at Amazon US, Amazon UK, BN.com, Kobo, and Smashwords.

The Home
When twelve-year-old Freeman Mills arrives at Wendover, a group home for troubled children, it’s a chance for a fresh start. But second chances aren’t easy for Freeman, the victim of painful childhood experiments that gave him the ability to read other people’s minds. 
At Wendover, Freeman and the other children are subjected to more secret experiments, organized by a shadowy organization called The Trust. But the experiments do more than open up clairvoyant powers--the electromagnetic fields used in the experiments are summoning the ghosts of the patients who died at Wendover back when it was a psychiatric ward. 
Now a new scientist has been brought into the project, an unstable and cruel pioneer in ESP studies who performed most of his work on a very special subject: his son, Freeman Mills. 
EXCERPT: THE HOME
By Scott Nicholson
(From Chapter 30)

Freeman couldn’t concentrate on the history lesson. Ever since group homes had been turned into charter schools, with shrinks and teachers teaming up to make a bad situation worse, education had become yet another weapon the system used against you. Take the history teacher, for example. He might as well have “This space for rent” stamped across his pasty forehead, but he got to decide who was smart and who had a future and which kids were failures. All because he wore a necktie.

Leave it to a loser to be able to pick out the other losers. The teacher’s voice was like chalk on a blackboard as he talked about patriots sneaking onto somebody else’s ship and dumping tea into the Boston harbor. Creepy little vandals. And now they were hailed as heroes.

People sure didn’t know much about heroism back then. The patriots even dressed up as Indians, that’s how pathetic they were. The teacher was calling them Freedom Fighters. If you did that kind of thing today, you’d be called a terrorist and locked up for observation with no attorney. Or shot on sight.

Well, the winning side always wrote the history books and freedom was subjective. Being confined in a group home with barbed wire around the perimeter, right here in the Land of the Free that God had blessed above all other countries, didn’t seem a bit contradictory to the teacher. Having Social Services telling Freeman where to live wasn’t exactly what the Constitution meant by the “pursuit of happiness.” The First Amendment didn’t prevent shrinks from getting an endless ride inside his head.

To Freeman, it seemed the only people who got to do what they wanted were the grownups and the ghosts.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Author Blog Post: Merrie Destefano with Giveaway!

Walking on the Dark Side 
By Merrie Destefano 

The sun goes down, the sounds of the city grow quiet, and the rest of the family nestles, safe and sound in a world of incandescent light. Meanwhile, one person huddles alone in a darkened room, face turned toward a screen, eerie blue light carving shadows on her face while her fingers slowly tap out a message, letter by letter.

A writer is writing.

October winds blow outside her window, leaves gather in shadowed corners of the yard and nearby trees sway, branches creaking.

The writer is writing a scary story.

Why do some writers always return to the dark side of literature, spinning out tales that make readers sit on the edge of their seat? Perhaps an even better question, and one that I’d like to discuss here, is why do some people love to read scary stories?

While, I can’t answer this question definitively, I can offer some suggestions.

1. ADRENALINE RUSH: This is my favorite answer, although many of the others are just as good. We read scary stories so we can experience artificial situations of “fight or flight.” These scenarios, whether real or imagined, get your body ready for action by giving you an extra dose of adrenaline. Your heart beat speeds up, your breathing increases and your blood pressure increases—in other words, it’s like an instant dose of caffeine combined with heavy exercise. You’re ready to leap over tall buildings in a single bound, although you may be screaming “Mommy!” all the way.

2. FAMILIARITY: You’ve been here before and you liked it. You’ve been reading scary stories for years, you have a list of favorite authors and you’re waiting in line, with sweaty palms, when his/her next book releases. You stay up late (reading these stories is always better at midnight, right?), turning pages while everyone else is asleep. But the truth of the matter is you can’t sleep, can you? Not until you know what happens next…

3. A VISCERAL REACTION: The desire to feel something strongly—no matter what the emotion is—can drive readers to these books. Detailed descriptions of eviscerated body parts in zombie stories may not get you excited, but there are plenty of readers out there who live for this stuff.

4. TO FEEL ALIVE: Similar to the answer above, books that put you on the edge remind you that you are alive. You’re not watching some soap opera at lunch time; you’re hunched over a novel wondering if the heroine is really strong and smart enough to survive that demon horde that’s been chasing her for the last twenty pages.

5. TO CONQUER THE DEMONS: We all have our demons, things we’re afraid of but don’t want to admit. Things like clowns (It), menacing dolls (Chucky), the end of the world (The Stand), rampant pestilence (Contagion), rabid dogs (Cujo), vampires (Interview with a Vampire) and serial killers (Darkly Dreaming Dexter). By vicariously facing your fears in a novel, you’re able to tame them, or at least, imagine that you’ve tamed them. Until they show up the next night, waiting for you in the closet.

6. TO EXPLORE THE UNKNOWN: There are boundless supernatural realms, where wonder and horror walk side by side—realms where people rise from the dead or where someone learns the future in their dreams or where someone is giving an extraordinary power. There’s just enough enchantment and mystery to make you want to know more, and just enough danger to make you glad this is fiction.

7. TO FEEL STRONG EMOTIONS: Anger—hatred—fear—love—surprise—terror—repulsion—empathy…Scary stories have all these emotions and more trapped between the pages, just waiting for an innocent reader to come along and release them. Before you know it, you’re experiencing the same emotions. Again, this is similar to Number Three, but I felt that it needed to stated again. (It is my list, no?)

8. TO PROVE WE CAN SURVIVE: Isn’t that what it’s all about? You’re secretly taking notes, so if X, Y or Z ever really happens, you’re ready. Doesn’t everyone know what to do in a zombie/alien apocalypse by now? And if so, why? Because you’ve all been making a list and checking it twice while watching The Walking Dead or Falling Skies.

9. SATISFACTION WHEN TERROR IS OVERCOME: There’s an unbelievably sweet moment when the heroine finally plunges a stake through the heart of the last vampire—almost instantly, your muscles relax, you slump backward in your chair and then breathe a well-deserved long sigh because, without realizing it, you’ve been holding your breath and sitting on the edge of your seat, ready to run.

10. TO PROVE THAT DRAGONS NOT ONLY EXIST, BUT THAT THEY CAN BE DEFEATED: What? Scary stories can give you hope? To quote someone more knowledgeable on this subject than me: “Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”― G.K. Chesterton. Watching a character deal with the monster in the closet can give you the courage to face up to your own monsters. Yes, tales of terror can actually be uplifting, when written with that purpose in mind.

Which of these categories do you think you fall into? And what book did read recently that made you feel this way?
~~~~~~~~

Bio:

With twenty years’ experience in publishing, Merrie Destefano left a 9-to-5 desk job as the editor of Victorian Homes magazine to become a full-time novelist. Her first two novels, Afterlife: The Resurrection Chronicles and Feast: Harvest of Dreams were published by HarperVoyager. Fathom is both her first YA novel and her first indie published novel. When not writing, she loves to camp in the mountains, walk on the beach, watch old movies and listen to alternative music—although rarely all at the same time. Born in the Midwest, she now lives in Southern California with her husband, their two German shepherds and a Siamese cat.

Links:
Fathom

Author website:

Author blog:

Twitter:

Facebook:

Author’s HarperCollins micro author site


Fathom
Everything is changing . . .

Turning sixteen can be hell, especially if everyone in town thinks your mother killed herself and your sister. All Kira Callahan wants to do is swim, hang out with her best friend, Sean, and ignore the kids who torment her at school. That is, until one day when she gets invited to a party. For three minutes her life is wonderful—she even kisses Sean. Then somebody spikes her drink and some girls from out of town lure her into the ocean and hold her underwater.

Kira soon discovers that the group of wild teenagers who have come to visit Crescent Moon Bay are not as innocent as they seem. In fact, nothing is as it seems—not the mysterious deaths of her sister or her mother, not her heritage, not even her best friend. And everything seems to hinge on the ancient Celtic legends that her mother used to tell her as a child.
 Merrie is graciously giving away 3 ebooks to 3 lucky winners! And since they are ebooks... it's INTERNATIONAL! Whee! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter!
Good Luck!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Fathom by Merrie Destefano

Everything is changing... 
Turning sixteen can be hell, especially if everyone in town thinks your mother killed herself and your sister. All Kira Callahan wants to do is swim, hang out with her best friend, Sean, and ignore the kids who torment her at school. That is, until one day when she gets invited to a party. For three minutes her life is wonderful—she even kisses Sean in the driveway. Then somebody spikes her drink at the party and some girls from out of town lure her into the ocean and hold her underwater. 
Kira soon discovers that the group of wild teenagers who have come to visit Crescent Moon Bay are not as innocent as they seem. In fact, nothing is as it seems—not the mysterious deaths of her sister and mother, not her heritage, not even her best friend. And everything seems to hinge on the ancient Celtic legends that her mother used to tell her as a child.
Fathom is a selkie tale steeped in lore and mystery. Kira is a typical teen girl who feels invisible but has a couple of great friends she can depend. She has never felt secure in herself ever since when she was 6 her mother went crazy and killed both herself and her sister. When she turns 16 she feels the whispers of a legacy she would rather forget especially when she looks in the mirror. Everyone notices she looks exactly like her mother.

I have to say that for most of the book, I was connected to Kira on a level, but it wasn't very deep until much later in the book. I think this is because there was so much mystery surrounding Kira, I was more involved in learning what was going on. The mystery was the consuming factor and I didn't mind it at all.

As we move along in the story we start finding out little tidbits, crumbs for us to follow. As frustrating as learning only tiny bits of mystery could be, it was also captivating and I wanted to know more. I wanted to just read faster. While this is happening, I was becoming more connected to Kira and I wanted to solve the mystery for her. We also get hit with a couple of plot twists. One I really didn't see coming!

I did have a couple of small criticisms. One was the potential love triangle. It really never came off totally like that, but it did threaten to rear it's head. In the end there is no complete love but yet not one absent either. It was nice, to be truthful and although anything can change in the books to come, nothing felt too forced... at least with Sean. Now, Caleb was another matter. Although they became friends, I just didn't get that connection. We were told this happened, but did not witness it. I would have liked more information on how that organically grew. Other than that, I enjoyed Caleb as well. Mostly because he helped solve a big portion of the mystery.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I recommend it to those that love lore and mythology especially those of the fae. I'm curious as to where this series goes in the next book.
I received this eARC from the author an no compensation for my review was given.
Bloggy note:
Come back tomorrow for an author blog post by Merrie Destefano and giveaway!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Ghost Town by Jason Hawes, Grant Wilson, and Tim Waggoner

From the stars of the SyFy network’s popular show Ghost Hunters, the second novel in a new spine-tingling supernatural series. 
When Amber, Drew, and Trevor are invited to a paranormal conference in the most haunted town in America, they confront a murderous ghost called the Dark Lady and her human servant: Amber’s abusive ex-boyfriend Mitch. The three friends must stop the Dark Lady before she destroys the entire town, and they'll have the help of a surprising and spooky ally…
 This is the second book in the series. The first being, Ghost Trackers. I enjoyed that one and so was excited to get this one. We follow the same characters we do in the first, so I would say to read that first book. You are able to then get the references placed in this book about their adventure in the last. You also get a better feel for the characters. You could read this one first, but like I said, the enjoyment would be more if read in order.

In this book we also get to see the relationship of Amber and Drew in a better light. Mostly because Amber is much more confident in herself. She also has a great sense of self that may throw a few since she was so broken in the first. However, this didn't bother me at all. I just enjoyed the more confident Amber.

Amber is also thrown by a reemergence of an old abusive boyfriend. One who is hellbent on making her pay for dumping him. Of course the paranormal gets involved and what was dangerous becomes even more harrowing. The friends have to figure out what is going on, what they are up against, and what to do before more people die. How are they able to fight something that can draw from illusion and you can't touch? It's an interesting conundrum.

I have to say that this adventure was fun. It wasn't scary to me (I'm a big chicken) because the scariest thing wasn't the Dark Lady (although she was a close second) but the abusive ex, Mitch. Probably because I can see that as more of a danger IRL than who or what the Dark Lady represents. Still, the adventure was suitably dark. I also have to say that I was pulled out of the sense of dark by Drew's psycho-analytical observances. It had a tendency to shed light into the darkness so it was much less scary than if he didn't do that. I must say, however, I did like his analysis so this really isn't a complaint. Just an observance myself. :) Still, it may bother some people who are looking for an extremely dark novel.

I think my biggest criticism of the book is the secondary characters. I have to admit, I was not a fan. Still, as long as the main characters are interesting, I really don't mind as much. I just hope that the next book finds these characters a bit more exciting and confident. Confidence in something evil makes it seem much scarier, IMO. Plus, it would be great to see more confident females as well.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed the story but it wasn't as dark as I feel it was leaning toward. I enjoyed Amber and Drew's romance and I like the main characters. I think this is a continuing series so I guess I'll end with (and those that enjoy Ghost Hunters will recognize this:) "On to the next..." ;)
I received this book from the publisher, Gallery Books and no compensation for my review was given.