Skinless Cover Reveal

Oh for the love of covers. I just saw this cover as I was posting it because I almost lost it in my email and oh my...I LOVE the cover art. It's so pretty! Alas my pretties this is the new cover for Skinless by L.M. Davis

Blurb

Looking at Luca, who’s just saved my life, I can’t respond. No explanation I might offer will satisfy after all of the extraordinary things he’s just witnessed. —Ankh

All I can say is when the girl I like looks at me with wide, freaked out eyes and then runs away, the only thing that I can do run after her. Even if she didn’t ask me, even if she told me not to, I’m not superman enough to fight the instinct to protect her — Luca

AnCaela Murphy's body is a ticking bomb that only her mom can defuse. The problem: her mother is missing and presumed taken by the Skinless, bogeymen from Ankh’s home world who've been hunting her family ever since they fled that world and certain death. With help from Luca, a boy whose touch confuses and who refuses to back down, Ankh races against time to find her mother before the bomb inside of her detonates, taking her life.  Tracking the Skinless across the country, the pair search for her mother and uncover the horrifying truth behind the generation's old war.

Bio:

L.M. Davis loves great storytelling. She needs nothing more than a good book and a comfy chair to be happy. She was born in the south, raised in the north, and has a few degrees under her belt. She doesn't like to admit it, but she may have something of a "shifter" fetish. She still hasn’t gotten her black cat, but she thinks about it everyday. Her thoughts go something like this: "I really should get a cat." For now, she contents herself with spoiling the pets of her friends and family.

She is the author of Interlopers: A Shifters Novel, Posers: A Shifters Novel, and skinless. 

Spellbinding by Maya Gold

Spellbinding

By Maya Gold

Book Synopsis

There's more than one way to be powerful . . .

It is during a routine school project that Abby Silva--sixteen and nearly friendless--makes a startling discovery: She is descended from women who were accused of witchcraft back in 1600s Salem. And when Abby visits nearby Salem, strange, inexplicable events start to unfold. Objects move when she wills them to. Candles burst into sudden flame. And an ancient spell book somehow winds up in her possession.

Trying to harness her newfound power, Abby concocts a love potion to win over her longtime crush--and exact revenge upon his cruel, bullying girlfriend. But old magic is not to be trifled with. Soon, Abby is thrust headlong into a world of hexes, secrets, and danger. And then there's Rem Anders, the beautiful, mysterious Salem boy who seems to know more about Abby than he first lets on.

A reckoning is coming, and Abby will have to make sense of her history--and her heart--before she can face the powerful truth.

“Abigal Silva, National Honor Society,

Abigal Silva, Science Fair silver medalist,

Abigal Silva: invisible.”

**That’s my kind of nerd, I was that girl. I won third place in the state Science Fair (behavioral science section) and some money for it my senior year…it was fun. No judgments here. After all I know it’s the nerdy girls that end up having all the fun.

My Review

4 Stars

First off I want to mention that the cover is what totally sold me on wanting to read this book. So good job Scholastic. I am a sucker for a pretty cover and Spellbinding’s cover definitely didn’t disappoint. The candles, lightening, the faded out strip of houses behind the young girl waist deep in water with her hair *clearly* blowing in the wind made me want to know the whole story. Can I offer up more than that as to why I love the cover, not really…it just calls to me and says “read me, you want to know why I’m powerful?” I was curious and the synopsis of Spellbinding only drew me in further. It sounded promising.

Spellbinding is a simple story. There’s never a whole lot going on at once and the entire story focuses on Abby’s one new discovery, step by step. There’s no sub plot or other things happening that the reader can think about or that Maya Gold could tie into the story as a whole. It’s just a story about a girl (Abigal Silva) who learns some truths about her past when digging into her family tree for a school project and what she does with her new powers. (That’s not spoilery if you read the synopsis, so I’m not telling you anything you couldn't figure out on your own by revealing Abby’s new found “powers”) Of course Spellbinding has the whole romance theme tied to it and not just with Abby’s obsession with her crush but with her new friend REM. Now a cool aspect of how Maya Gold presents Abby’s love intrests was cool because they didn’t instantly fall in love or write off their entire lives because of a crush. Which does happen in books and I usually don’t like them any less I just prefer the couples that have to work for it.

I enjoyed reading Spellbinding even though compared to other books in the genre its lacking a more in-depth plot and multiple twists within the story. Another positive note was it’s a complete story and there’s no cliff hanger or need to wait for book two. I do think the last “epic” moment could have been a little bit longer or maybe just more details. It wasn't a bad conclusion at all, I just feel like it could have been better by adding a few more sentences. Spellbinding had everything the synopsis claimed it would and Maya Gold executed it wonderfully. Even though the overall story is a simple one, the editing was spot on, there were no holes in the plot, no unanswered questions at the end and it was a smooth read that kept me wanting to read more. Overall, Maya Gold delivered a great fun paranormal read in Spellbinding.  

This is my favorite line that made me laugh out loud and even my best friend had to laugh when I just read it to her while reviewing my notes for this post, so obviously that meant I had to include it.

Abigal Silva: “Especially when he’s tawny and sun-kissed from working outdoors, and you look like a glass of skim milk.” 

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Reading

Strangely Normal Cover Reveal

Strangely Normal

By Tess Oliver

Book Description

A unique summer job lands eighteen-year-old Eden Saxon into a lifestyle completely different than her own. She becomes a companion for nineteen-year-old Finley King, the daughter of a rock legend. Finley suffers from severe anxiety, and her father fears her being alone. Eden leaves her loving, but wildly dysfunctional, parents and dreary apartment and enters a world where no luxury is overlooked. She instantly adores Finley and her charming, quirky personality. The whole situation has only one flaw– Finley’s older brother, Jude. Jude King is cocky, arrogant and irritating. Unfortunately, he’s also completely irresistible.

Eden realizes she’s underestimated the depth of Finley’s problems, and suddenly her dream job turns out to be a lot more than she’d expected. Eden soon finds herself in over her head . . . and her heart.

Teaser:

He placed down his pencil and walked across the floor toward me. The crackling energy I’d felt between us the night before when he’d stood over my bed returned now and grew with hot intensity as the space between us disappeared. I was not the only one noticing the sudden charge in the atmosphere between us. He stopped directly in front of me, and even with loud music bouncing off the walls, I could hear the unnaturally fast rhythm of his breathing.

He hesitated a moment and then his hand came up slowly and brushed the hair off my face. His fingertips had only grazed my cheek, but I felt the sensation of his touch through my entire body. He looked back at me as if he’d smoothed his hands over every inch of my skin. The air between us heated and what had started out as a casual session between an artist and his subject had somehow erupted into something completely different.

About the Author:

Tess Oliver is a teacher and writer who lives in California with her husband, kids, a small pack of pampered dogs, and the recent addition of three ridiculously cute pygmy goats. She loves horses, chocolate and Jane Austen books. She has a BS of Nutrition Science, and a MA in Curriculum and Instruction. She is also an author published by Barron's Educational Publisher.

Stalk her here: 

Website: http://www.tessoliver.com/

Blog: http://tessoliverauthor.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tessoliverauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4178161.Tess_Oliver

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Tess_Oliver

Faded Cover Reveal

Faded, Rock Star Trilogy #2

by: Mercy Amare

I left Hope – the only place I’ve ever felt at home. So now what? Where do I go from here?

When I left, I didn’t just leave my home. I left my friends, my sisters, and Stephan… I just found them. I can’t lose them now.

I know that I want to do MY music. I just need to remember WHY I wanted to play music in the first place. And the only way to get that is by firing my dad, but that may be harder than I thought.

On top of everything, I now have cameras following me around everywhere. Even my own home isn’t safe anymore.

I’ve come to realize that normal will never be an option for me.

Faded will be available June 6, 2013! Be sure to add this book to your to-read list!

Jaded, Rock Star Trilogy #1, is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords!

Author bio: I am a YA/ NA author, with an addiction to NOS & Red Bull energy drinks. My guilty pleasure is the TV series The Lying Game and The Vampire Diaries. I'm 23 years old. I currently live in St Louis, with my husband of 2 years. Find Me Online:  Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Mercy Amare

My Sweet New Discovery

Mercy Amare is an up and coming author in Na/Ya Romance genre. She's published three books You Got Me, Jaded, and Don't Tell. Don't Tell and You Got Me are both stand alone novels, which if you're like me, sometimes you want to read a book that's a complete story rather than starting a new series. However I do love me some series and Jaded is the first book in Mercy Amare's Rock Star's Trilogy.

So in sharing some of the love I've been shown since blogging I wanted to just make a post about Mercy Amare's new books since Faded will be making its debut soon. Keep an eye out for the cover reveal (always exciting) soon!

Roxy is broken

Aiden wants to fix her
No matter how hard Roxy tries to overcome her past, she can't. She writes on her arms to escape the pain, but nothing can soothe the ache that she feels.
Aiden didn't go to college to meet girls, he came to play football. Too bad that it is impossible for him to stay away from Roxy.
After meeting on the roof, they instantly feel connected, but neither of them are ready for love.
You Got Me is a story about new beginnings, and finding love when you least expect it.

**I like You Got Me's cover. Personally I'm a fan of covers that reveal a full picture if you open them like the picture.**

I could be surrounded by a million people, but I would still feel alone. I smile on the outside, but inside I feel like I’m slowly dying. I cry out for help, but nobody sees me, at least not the real me. They see a façade, a mask that I put on to hide the pain.

I pretend that I’m normal, but really, what is normal? Maybe what I’m feeling is normal. The hurt, the disappointment, the loneliness… it could be all just be a part of life. Maybe I will never know what normal is.

I put on long sleeves and makeup to hide the bruises, but they only mask the outside. What happens when I can’t carry my burden alone any longer? What would happen if I told somebody the truth?
Don't Tell is a YA Contemporary Romance about love, forgivness and hope

I'm Scarlett Ryan.
Yes, THAT Scarlett Ryan.
I live an extraordinary life: millionaire rock star, owner of exotic cars, pictures of me in every magazine, millions of fans, and a name that is recognized world wide. It's supposed to be my dream come true. But, my life IS a fantasy, and I want real. I want exciting. I want... NORMAL. So, I moved from California to Florida, hoping to obtain some normalcy. Instead I find...
Stephan Montgomery.
He's an arrogant jerk. Seriously, I hate him. I swear if he tells me one more blonde joke, I will punch him... again... Unfortunately I can't stop thinking about him, or his gorgeous green eyes. Trust me, I know that he's bad for me. If only my heart would listen.
I also find out that my parents have kept a LIFE CHANGING secret from me. I need to know the truth.
The harder I strive for normal, the stranger things seem to get.

Mercy Amare on Amazon


Mercy Amare on Barnes&Noble

Website:  http://www.mercyamare.com

Mercy Amare Twitter

Mercy Amare on Goodreads

Mercy Amare on Facebook

Happy Reading

The Seventh Layer, My Review

Today has been another wonderful day for me in the book world (not the real world) but that’s beside the point. I finished another great book which for me always turns the day around. Plus after I finished The Seventh Layer I went to my BESTEST friend’s house where I’m currently blogging about my read. This table is honestly my favorite place to write, she even lets me drag my coffee maker that I bought for her apartment into the living room and set it up if there’s a spare chair. Tonight however there is no empty chair all four are occupied (all by real people) so I’m forced to keep it in the kitchen. But I’m not complaining. I know they love me since they accept that my laptop and I are a pair. Where there’s one you’ll find the other. Luckily for me, I have great friends who understand there will always be a book in my hand or within six inches.

Now down to business and onto the good stuff. My review. : )

The Seventh Layer

By Rachel A. Olson

Book Synopsis

As if growing up Amish wasn't hard enough, Sarah Miller receives information just before her eighteenth birthday about a childhood she can't remember. Accompanied by long lost friends and a few unlikely relatives, Sarah learns of her supernatural destiny and the race to piece together the jigsaw of her life begins. Amidst the whirlwind of unanswered questions, one stands prominent: will the world meet the foreshadowing doom that lingers in the near future, or will Sarah complete the puzzle in time to save her people and ensure the continuance of mankind?

My Review

4 Stars

I dove into The Seventh Layer not really knowing what to expect. Everything about this book pleasantly surprised me, the characters, the plot and the way it was written. I really enjoyed reading the book even though there were some parts where I had questions. However Rachel A. Olson managed to know when and where my questions would pop up, because simultaneously Adonia (Sarah) would be questioning the same thing. So when she got answers so did I, and that didn’t take away from the story but kept me intrigued the whole way through.  

Another awesome aspect for me was that Sarah Miller starts out as a strong character and even when she’s thrust into the unknown, she remains strong and doesn’t all of a sudden change into a girl who needs to be saved. She’s backed by Nicoli, Ambrose, Gianni and more all of whom have their own distinct personalities and complement the story line, keeping you intrigued. Rachel A. Olson created some amazing concepts (which you’ll have to read to find out because I try not to do spoilers since I don’t think a review should be a summary) and I admire the time and effort she must have put into this debut novel.

My all-time FAVORITE part of this book was the description of rain in the very beginning. I read that part over and over again. I’ve never read another description of rain like how Sarah Miller saw it. The short passage about rain is going down in my book of all-time favorite and amazingly unique descriptions so that when I have Alzheimer’s I can read it again and again. The Seventh Layer was a great debut novel and I’m going to be keeping my eye on Rachel A. Olson so I don’t miss the chance to discover another good book. 

Amazon Link to The Seventh Layer

Barnes&Noble Link

Happy Reading! Check out my giveaway if you want :)

My Very Own Giveaway!

These past couple weeks have been AMAZING for me. I personally have had so many epic fangirl moments talking to authors and bloggers alike that inspire me and they've been so sweet! I've gotten my hands on some ARC's to review that I didn't think possible and even tweets from authors I adore, just so much more than I ever hoped for. I knew I had to share and hope to make some winners smile. So I sold my textbook and decided to make up a giveaway with my extra money to share my joy and start planning my next one!

**This sums up my reactions to tweets, emails and thank you's for reviews even though I could never thank all the wonderful writers who make reading magic for me. I really do geek out like this guy**

So for my first giveaway I have 8 ebooks up for grabs. I apologize for not having specified the format on my rafflecopter thing because it was my first shot. I've only been doing this for like 2 weeks, so I'm still learning the ropes (and I'm always open for suggestions or recommendations)

Here's the giveaway! Please feel free to share with your friends!

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Charmed Again's NEW COVER

So Lindy Zart released a new cover for Charmed Again, the second book in her Charmed Trilogy yesterday! Now I'm going to share it with you (Yay me!) Without further ado (I'll be rambling again shortly) here you go fellow bookies:

Once a Manang: a half-man, half-angel, now a full angel, Creed has darkness in him that threatens to take him over. If it succeeds, he will be forever lost. 

One woman has the power to take away the darkness, but she is held captive by an evil Creed alone can save her from. He only has to save himself first.

**I really like how you can see the relation between the cover and the story just by reading the synopsis and it leaves room for your imagination to wonder. Another thing I liked was the pair of wings at the top symbolizing book two**

Amazon link to Charmed Again

Barnes&Noble Link

<3 Another point I'd like to mention is that all her books have 5 star ratings on both sites. <3

Lindy Zart's Facebook Page

Tweet Her

Happy Reading Bookies!!!

Two Awesome Covers (Paper Gods series)

When I wake up in the mornings the only thing I want or think about it coffee...So that's the perfect time to ask me to do things I don't want to do because I'll agree just so I don't have to listen to you. Believe me, after 5 hours of sleep a night max things when you first wake up are on another level. One I don't reach until I drink coffee.Sometimes I end up thinking that since I hate my class I can look up more book stuff, blogs or what not until its quarter till...















So this morning in an attempt to procrastinate taking my final exam in class, I sipped my coffee slowly and found a new cover for Shadow by Amanda Sun allowing myself just enough time to get to class before 9 (side-note my professor was 20 minutes late. Annoying). Which is actually a prequel to Ink in her Paper Gods series.   Plus I love cover art and these covers Harlequin chose are beautiful and intriguing. Onto the sharing part. Yay me!

And I really can' explain why I love them so much, but I do. Purple is my favorite color so that may be one point. Could also be the originality, so many covers have peoples faces plastered across them that it is nice to see a book without a couple on the cover.

Shadow Synopsis

Meet two teens whose worlds are about to change forever in this paranormal Young Adult novella, a prequel to Ink by debut author Amanda Sun…

Katie Greene’s worst nightmare comes true when her mother dies, and she’s devastated to learn that she will have to leave the only home she’s ever known. Desperate to find where she belongs, she must decide if she has what it takes to start a new life across the ocean.

For Yuu Tomohiro, every day is a nightmare. He struggles to control his strange ability, and keeps everyone at a distance so they won’t get hurt—even his girlfriend, Myu. At night, a shadow haunts his dreams, and a mysterious woman torments him with omens of death and destruction. But these haunting premonitions are only the beginning…(less)

ebook

Expected publication: June 1st 2013 by Harlequin TEEN

Yes, that's right. I love her so I just wanted to put her in my post BUT I'm about to put Ink's cover below and they tie together and follow the same theme nicely. Since this series is mixing Japanese themes and paranomal elements together I'm really excited to read it. The fact that the covers look like brush strokes fits the story line as well.

**FYI I am aware that this is the UK cover but its so much prettier than our cover. Which I'll share as well but the UK cover gets my vote.

Here's the US cover. Tell me what you think!

Now here's a little teaser from Ink for you:

I looked down at the paper, still touching the tip of my shoe. I reached for it, flipping the page over to look.

Scrawls of ink outlined a drawing of a girl lying on a bench.

A sick feeling started to twist in my stomach, like motion sickness.

And then the girl in the drawing turned her head, and her inky eyes glared straight into mine.

Gone with the Wolf

Gone with the Wolf

By Kristin Miller

Book Synopsis:

CEO and alpha werewolf Drake Wilder has given up the search for his one true love. When he discovers that she’s a secretary in his company, Drake’s primal instincts kick into overdrive.

What he wouldn’t give to have her fingers rake over his body instead of the keyboard…

Free-spirited bartender Emelia Hudson wants nothing more than to make her Seattle-based bar succeed. But when profits decline, she slips into a dress suit and secures a nine-to-five. After learning that her bar has become property of Wilder Financial, Emelia is determined to get some answers.

Two can play the ruthless business game. If only her attraction to the boss wasn’t so intense…

When Drake’s twin brother senses that Drake has found his match—and now inherits their father’s billion dollar estate—he hatches a plan to take Emelia out. Drake vows to protect her at all costs, but he might have to pay with his own life.

My Review

5 Stars

I absolutely loved Gone with the Wolf by Kristin Miller, I was addicted from the very first chapter. The descriptions of Emelia and Drake’s first encounter we’re so good I couldn’t help but smile and keep reading. Everything about Emelia screams independence and determination and Miller kept her true to her character throughout the entire book, not making Emelia sacrifice some key element of herself in order to catch her boss’s attention gave the story some bonus points. Even though Drake Wilder (who stole my breath from his swoon worthiness) could certainly be considered a Greek God and an alpha werewolf/CEO he changed throughout the story which only made him so much better.

^^^This was me from the very first chapter!

Gone with the Wolf held me captivated from the very beginning. I was absorbed into both Emelia and Drake’s lives devouring each word like it was the last with my kindle glued to my hands, heart clenching and full of anticipation until the very end. Gone with the Wolf is an easy read (I’m not saying that to knock Kristin Miller at all! I simply mean that it flows and will keep you reading) filled with exciting turn of events, amazing scenes and a flawless writing style that made the story magic.

Now I most certainly will be reading more books by Kristin Miller. This was the first novel by her I've read and I'm so excited that I did. I can only imagine how wonderful her other books must be.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Barnes&Noble Link

Add to your TBR shelf on Goodreads

The Siren's Secret

The Siren's Secret

By Heather Olster

** Side-note** I think this is a beautiful cover and matches the story's theme beautifully. It's one I'm definitely going to get for my bookshelf.  Plus make sure you come back on May 19th for my stop on The Siren's Secret tour!

Book Synopsis:

Julia's life has gone from complicated to nearly impossible! When Julia loses her shapeshifting powers and her appearance changes in alarming ways, she flees to Sirenity, where she learns an incredible secret about her mother. In this thrilling sequel, Julia must take greater risks and make bigger sacrifices as she discovers who she really is and what she can really become.

My Review

4.5 Stars

In the second book The Siren’s Secret, Julia finally discovers who she is at her very core. In The Shapeshifter’s Secret, Olster took readers on Julia’s journey finding out what she was and some truths about her mother. This time The Siren’s Secret follows Julia down the hardest road anyone ever travels. The road that reveals parts of yourself you never knew existed and it was no different for Julia Levesque. The Siren’s Secret connected beautifully to The Shapeshifter’s Secret and will definitely make reader’s want more.

In the beginning of this book on multiple occasions I really wanted to slap Julia for her choices and way of thinking, but I had to consider the multitude of obstacles Julia was facing and how her fear at that point was really in control. Olster did an amazing job describing things and aspects of Ossai that played into Julia’s fear and showing her personal growth throughout the story. Her imagery throughout the entire book enabled me to see what was happening even though I was just reading and the further I read the more I felt like I was pulled into Julia’s world.

In The Siren’s Secret, you see Julia use the skills she learned in the first book, the truth ring Caleb gave her, and of course Sierra and Gabe standing by her side. Some of my favorite parts were the aftermath of a plot twist that stole my breath and kept me turning the page. I enjoyed how as Julia’s story progressed things became more intense between the characters, the plot lines and the decisions Julia had to make before Olster wrapped it up with a bang, which left me wanting to know more.

I will be waiting patiently for the next installment because I’m officially hooked on Julia. The way she grows throughout The Siren’s Secret put me on her cheer team and I can’t wait to read her next journey.

The author and publisher have allowed me to review this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781462112234

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Incorporated/CFI Distribution

Publication date: 6/11/2013

Pages: 320

Amazon Pre-Order Link

Barnes & Noble Pre-Order Link

Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Ink by Amanda Sun *Cover Reveal*

The Mira Ink Blog: Ink by Amanda Sun *Cover Reveal*: Ink is book one in The Paper Gods series by Amanda Sun, and it's out in July. We're really excited about this book because it&#39...

The White Aura. Let's Break the Ranks!!

This is an awesome series that I personally fell in love with instantly! The wonderful Felicia Tatum has marked down the price to 99cent for the entire week! Help her break into the top 1000!! There's a giveaway at the bottom, you know you want to enter. I know that because I'm a sucker for them too.

How do you live with the gut clenching truth that the one you love will die if you meet them? Twenty year old sorcerer Scott Tabors is learning how. After seeing seventeen year old Olivia Whitehead outside of a coffee shop, his heart will never be the same. He longs for her, he wants her, and he knows she will be his. They are heart mates. …but due to a curse on his family, he can’t meet her. Not yet. So for now, he visits her in her dreams. Her dreams where he can tell her everything but his name.
Olivia Whitehead is a typical junior in high school. She and her best friend are having the time of their lives, but she can’t help but notice the changes happening to her. Especially the changes in her heart after she begins dreaming about a mysterious dark haired young man. But what will happen when the school heartthrob decides he wants Olivia? Will she realize the dream man is real or will she move on?

Buy here on Amazon

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This is what customers are saying about The White Aura:

“This debut novel takes readers on an amazing journey! Flawlessly written Felicia Tatum delivers an epic journey where you can watch as secrets are revealed and nothing is ever as it seems.”

               --HopeWasHere, 5 star review

“I love how Felicia wrote it from two characters perspective, it made me anticipate what was coming up more. I really love the whole story line and how she put it together. It was unique and thrilling.”

               --Ashley Dunning, 5 star review

“The White Aura by Felicia Tatum is a wonderful start to a new YA series. Felicia Tatum even used a side of paranormal rarely seen, Sorcerers! She successfully creates a love triangle, drama, and suspense, all while keeping an almost seamless flow with 2 POVS.”

               --Justine at Bex n Books, 4 star review 

Tour wide giveaway, paperbacks and swag packs!

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The Cover Contessa: Cover Reveal: Crossroads (A Demos City Novel) by J...

The Cover Contessa: Cover Reveal: Crossroads (A Demos City Novel) by J...: Werewolf. Bar bouncer. Dad. Standard traits for any self-respecting, reformed criminal, living under the radar in Demos City. For L...

The Vessel, My Review

The Vessel

By Felicia Tatum

Book Synopsis

Scott and Olivia survived the dreaded dance, only to be faced with the aftermath of their meeting. Now, they are on the hunt for the descendant of Devlin Hart, the sorcerer who originally cast the curse on the Tabors family, while making the best of every moment they have together. With everything that's happening, will their love be able to make it?

Olivia’s happiness with Scott is cut short. When unexpected events thrust her in an interesting situation, she must make the best of what she has, while trying to save herself. She loves Scott, but can’t shake the uneasiness of what’s happening. When her parents are taken, her brother comes back to town, and mysterious men start following her, Olivia must reach deep inside to find her true self.

Scott is on the mission to break the curse on his beloved family, but will he also have to fight for Olivia's heart? When an interesting situation is thrown into their relationship, he must fight his jealousy and continue to woo the woman he loves. With the stress of the descendant and The Crimson Calamitous, will Scott be able to show Olivia just how much he cares for her before he loses her forever?

My Review

5 Stars

The Vessel is the second book in Felicia Tatum’s The White Aura series which follows Olivia Whitehead and Scott Tabors continues their exciting journey through ancient evil, curses and holding onto love. Where The White Aura ends after the high school dance from hell, The Vessel picks up during the aftermath. The first chapter was nothing like I expected after thinking about where Tatum would take the story. It shocked me, I re-read it to make sure it wasn’t my imagination playing tricks on me. Repeatedly throughout reading The Vessel, I found myself asking “Oh my God, did that really just happen?”

Felicia Tatum brings the gang back together for a fast paced intense plot, where so many truths are revealed I feared my Livvie may break. Mr. Sexy (Scott) got to show us a whole different side where his jealousy and snide comments lead Olivia to question herself in more ways than one. Sadie, who was one of my favorites from The White Aura had a bigger role this time around and I really enjoyed reading the scenes with her putting everyone in their place. To me, she seems to do a good job of keeping everyone focused and relaxed which was definitely needed after all the news and circumstances the characters had to face in this book.

Overall after learning whom Devlin’s descendant was I will be anxiously awaiting the final book in this series. Felicia Tatum kept me turning the pages till the wee hours in the morning with all her exciting twists. Every time I thought I had something figured out another bomb was dropped and I was left in the wake forced to keep reading because I needed to know what happened.

**You can read my review for Felicia Tatum's first book, The White Aura here

Amazon Link

Barnes & Noble Link

Add to Goodreads TBR List 

The Memory of After Review

The Memory of After

By Lenore Appelhans

Book Synopsis

In this gripping exploration of a futuristic afterlife, a teen discovers that death is just the beginning.

Since her untimely death the day before her eighteenth birthday, Felicia Ward has been trapped in Level 2, a stark white afterlife located between our world and the next. Along with her fellow drones, Felicia passes the endless hours reliving memories of her time on Earth and mourning what she’s lost—family, friends, and Neil, the boy she loved.

Then a girl in a neighboring chamber is found dead, and nobody but Felicia recalls that she existed in the first place. When Julian—a dangerously charming guy Felicia knew in life—comes to offer Felicia a way out, Felicia learns the truth: If she joins the rebellion to overthrow the Morati, the angel guardians of Level 2, she can be with Neil again.

Suspended between Heaven and Earth, Felicia finds herself at the center of an age-old struggle between good and evil. As memories from her life come back to haunt her, and as the Morati hunt her down, Felicia will discover it’s not just her own redemption at stake… but the salvation of all mankind.

My Review

3 Stars

This book was formerly published as Level 2 but due to readers automatically assuming it was the second book in a series Simon & Schuster Books decided to pick it up and re-release it with a new title and cover. For me covers and titles are what make me want to pick up an unfamiliar book in a store so I completely agree with Simon & Schuster’s revamp. By no means do I consider myself a book snob and only read the ones with cool covers, I’m just trying to point out how effective they can be. Compared to The Memory of After’s counterpart Level 2, the new cover is way better.

After reading the synopsis on Pulseit I knew I wanted to read it. I like to try out books with themes I haven’t read before to see where the author goes and figure out what they may have been thinking when they came up with the idea. Lenore Appelhans tells Felicia Ward’s story by starting with a glimpse of Felicia trapped in the all-white expanse with other drones, all forced to replay memories of their lives on earth. Then to help the reader understand Felicia’s way of thinking and who she is we get to travel back and witness all of her memories she chooses to relive throughout the book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the parts that were her actual memories. When I was, I found myself really liking her and eager for the next moment, but then they would end and I’d find myself back in her reality on Level 2. This really didn’t pull me into the story and left me confused in some places wondering what was going on and how the Morati and Rebels even played such a big role.

Once I got a little over half way through The Memory of After, I found myself turning the pages a lot faster and re-reading some parts because I wanted to feel that moment again. More details about Level 2 were shared and the dots started to connect so I could understand what was so important that Felicia just had to get involved. The story line picked up the pace and finally had me in its grip. So many things happened to challenge Felicia and Julian (the guy she knew in life) that it totally changed the entire scope of the story, making it worth reading. I will be reading the second book in Appelhans Memory Series because I was left intrigued and curious about what Felicia Ward’s going to have to face after everything that happened in The Memory After. 

On a side note here, just because I found the beginning of the book to be slow moving and its only redeeming qualities were the glimpse into Felicia’s memories doesn’t mean that you’ll agree. You may love this book from the start, my sister has different opinions on what makes a great read and we don’t always agree. Therefore you may not always agree with me either and that's okay. 

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Half Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Half Blood

By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Book Synopsis

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

My Review

5 Stars

It’s official. I am addicted to this series. Hook, line and sinker.

Immediately after reading Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout I started in on Half Blood because I needed to know more. So I hoped it was as good as its prequel and I’m happy to report it was even better. Half Blood pulls you in from the very first page and will keep you reading until the bitter end. Armentrout picks up the story right where Daimon leaves off (and if you read Daimon there’s no way you forgot that cliff hanger) with the same candid and witty dialogue along with descriptions that make you feel like your right beside Alex.

Alex is now back at the Covenant and thrown into the mix with a few wonderful new characters. Daimon exposed her for being a softie underneath the “tough as nails” mask she used to adjust to her new experiences. So it was nice to see her back with her friends, frenemies, and Aiden of course her swoon worthy pure blood crush. Which is forbidden and throughout the book they have some very heart wrenching moments that make you wish for immediate results. Caleb’s is another half-blood brought in as Alex’s number one partner in crime who totally is a friend I’d want to have. The way Armentrout keeps their way of conversing to just them was amazing and added another element to the book and their friendship. Of course there’s the girl you love to hate back at the Covenant to add some flair and give Alex an outlet for frustration and sarcastic comments.

Half Blood has a lot of similarities with Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series. The illicit and forbidden love, the Covenant and the Academy, even the cool set of friends and off course Daimons but Jennifer L. Armentrout definitely takes her plots up a notch. I enjoyed reading Daimon and Half Blood a lot more than Vampire Academy. This series is certainly at the top of my reading list. As long as she keeps telling her stories flawlessly with creative backstories and exciting plots, I will always be a fan.

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The Unexpected Path: Why Can't More Be Left To Our Imaginations?

Jennifer Thompson posted an article I really enjoyed (and totally agreed with) so I thought I'd share it. Check out her blog while your there

The Unexpected Path: Why Can't More Be Left To Our Imaginations?: I just finished watching Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides , and I must say, my favorite part of that movie is the relationship ...

Breathless Anyone

Although this title is not yet available to be purchased, it's worth putting on your Goodreads To Be Read Shelf so you remember to check it out! This is a series worth some attention. It's written with vivid descriptions, swoon worthy male characters and a lot of sass.

Breathless

An Elementals Series Novella

By Brigid Kemmerer

Book Description

Too many secrets. Not enough time.

Nick Merrick is supposed to be the level-headed one. The peacemaker. Since it’s just him and his three hotheaded brothers against the world, that’s a survival tactic.

But now he’s got problems even his brothers can’t help him survive.

His so-called girlfriend, Quinn, is going quick as mercury from daring to crazy. Meanwhile, Quinn’s dancer friend Adam is throwing Nick off balance, forcing him to recognize a truth he’d rather shove back into the dark.

He can feel it—-the atmosphere is sizzling. Danger is on the way. But whatever happens next, Nick is starting to find out that sometimes nothing you do can keep the peace.

My Review

Novella’s as a part of a series do excite me like a little kid in a candy store. Usually because I get attached to my series characters (like the swoon worthy Merrick brothers), so when extra short stories are thrown in the mix, I’m all over it. Brigid Kemmerer’s Breathless allows readers into Nick (Gabe’s twin) Merrick’s mind and his out of control girlfriend. I give Kemmerer kudos for writing a series that mainly focuses on strong young men as the protagonist. Granted I do enjoy my kick ass heroines, its nice to see a supernatural series that boys can be less afraid of getting caught reading.

Nick is a well-rounded teenager struggling to keep it together after his parents died, while living up to his twin’s and other brothers expectations along with his confusing relationship with Quinn and coming to terms with his own sexuality. Especially since Brigid Kemmerer writes his view in such a way that you can feel how torn he is between being who he is and who others want him to be. Teenagers and all kids strive to make their parents happy, making Quinn the perfect pairing for his story because she struggles with her family relationships to the point of very bad decision making. I really enjoyed how Adam was written to be a little pushy at times with Nick because I felt he needed to be challenged. Plus in reality not everyone is nice or behaves like a perfect person. Adam was definitely given his own unique personality while remaining a strong influence on both Nick and Quinn.

However, one thing that I didn't particularly care for was that there was no clear definition between Nick and Quinn’s viewpoints seeing as how they’re pretty much together through the entire book; it wasn't always a clear transition. I believe the story would have been stronger if those sections blended together better or there was a page break, just something to warn readers that the story is about to change point of views.

In the end Breathless reminded me why I loved the Merrick brothers and young adult books. It was beautifully written and sent me back to the days when I was a teenager with an identity crisis. Brigid Kemmerer definitely leaves readers excited and begging for more of Nick’s story. We want to see him in his full glorified potential. Breathless, is a compelling, engaging, and intense read making it a wonderful addition to The Elemental’s series.

My Review: 4 Stars

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Daimon, A Prequel to Half-Blood

So a couple days ago I read Daimon and Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout and then I got sucked into a couple books I’m reviewing for Netgalley and on Pulseit. Reading I’m telling you in an addiction. It’s so bad even my college professors have given up trying to get me to quit reading during classes and on breaks. However, I do have a 4.0 which leaves them little room to talk. After all I am the one that’s paying an arm and a leg. I listen when I need too and read the remaining time. I am halfway done with my 5^th book for this week and my to-read stack is only growing bigger.

Onto the point of this post, my review for Daimon: a prequel to Half-Blood.

Daimon

By Jennifer L.Armentrout

Book Synopsis

"Love in my world usually ended up with someone hearing 'I smite thee ' as she was cursed to be some lame flower for the rest of her life." For three years, Alexandria has lived among mortals--pretending to be like them and trying to forget the duty she'd been trained to fulfill as a child of a mortal and a demigod. At seventeen, she's pretty much accepted that she's a freak by mortal standards... and that she'll never be prepared for that duty. According to her mother, that's a good thing.But as every descendant of the gods knows, Fate has a way of rearing her ugly head. A horrifying attack forces Alex to flee Miami and try to find her way back to the very place her mother had warned her she should never return-the Covenant. Every step that brings her closer to safety is one more step toward death... because she's being hunted by the very creatures she'd once trained to kill. The daimons have found her.

My Review

I downloaded this book onto my kindle in order to see if I would want to read the actual series. Daimon was a great peek into the world of Alexandria Andros and the Hematois. Hematois are the result of Gods having children with mortals and the Half-bloods spawn from a Hematois having a child with a mortal. Alex (Alexandria) is a half-blood, her mother a powerful Hematoi and Daimon introduces Alex’s story in Miami, three years after her mother forced her to leave their world behind without so much as an explanation.

Immediately after starting the book, Armentrout had me hooked with her witty dialogue, fast plot and a pretty badass heroine. The story she weaves about the Gods and their relationship with the Hematoi’s and Half-blood’s is intoxicating. 

Usually prequels are just a hint at what’s to come, but in sixty five pages Daimon had me hooked and downloading Half-blood within seconds. The cliff-hanger at the end made my heart fall out of my chest and I HAD to know what happened next.

This book is an amazing prequel that promises a fantastic series. If you enjoy books with edgy and entertaining writing accompanied by an awesome heroine, then I’d recommend this book to you. If Daimon is any reflection on the rest of the series, then Jennifer L. Armentrout promises to bring us more badass characters, amazing writing and plot lines that will keep you on your feet until the very last page.

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Crush.Candy.Corpse

Crush.Candy.Corpse

By Sylvia McNicoll

Book Description

Paradise Manor is depressing -- the smells are bad and the residents are old. Sunny would much rather be doing her volunteer hours at Salon Teo, but her teacher won't let her. Who says volunteering at a hair salon doesn't benefit the community?

But working with the Alzheimer's patients has a surprising effect on Sunny. Along with Cole, the grandson of one of the residents, she begins to see that the residents don't have much more choice about their lives than she does: what they eat, how they are treated by staff, even what they watch on television. So Sunny does what she can to make the residents happy -- even if she has to sometimes break the rules to do it.

When tragedy strikes at Paradise, Sunny's left to make the decision about whether or not to honour a promise that Cole made to his grandmother about her life...and her death.

My Review

I requested this title from Netgalley to review. Being granted an eBook to review from James Lorimer & Company (the publisher) has no way influenced my opinion of the book.

What caught my eye about this book was the cover and then the title. The young girl’s gaze called to me and I found myself drawn in by the look on her face and pink hair. Crush.Candy.Corpse intrigued me in its own right and combined with the short description provided I had to know more. After reading the book I can say that the unique title and cover picture fit the book perfectly and I can’t imagine a better match. To me they were both the perfect choice.

 Sonja Ehret known as Sunny throughout the book is a seventeen year old girl struggling to figure out what she believes in and who she is, something every young adult and even older adults can relate too. When she meets Cole Demmers, the grandson of one of the resident’s parts of Sunny’s true personality and character emerge showing her in a different light to readers. She introduced quite a few residents and minor characters that actually made the story better. They provided different types of interactions allowing you to really get to know Sunny and who she was as a person. I enjoyed how Sylvia McNicoll used situations and moments of stress in a way to let readers develop their own feelings about the characters and who they were. Instead of saying Sunny is good or Donovan is bad. McNicoll made the readers judge Sunny, Cole and the rest of the characters based on their actions and not what they were being told to think.

Another aspect that I loved about this book was how McNicoll made the decision to start the story in a courtroom with Sunny facing charges of manslaughter. She proceeds to fill in the blanks using mandatory journal entries from her community service at the nursing home that lead into scenes from the previous year. I worked in an assisted living facility so I found myself locked into the story and remembering all the old people I met during my own experience and remembering how it broke my heart to watch them deteriorate before me and some even pass away. I could sense Sunny’s struggle to come to grips with understanding along with trying to help the residents. Her unbreakable desire to make them happy touched my heart in so many ways. Not only do you get to know Sunny through flashbacks but also through the witnesses called to the stands and her friends.

Crush.Candy.Corpse packs a punch. Hands down, this is a book that should be required reading for students. McNicoll weaves such a heart wrenching story that you’re forced to contemplate your own beliefs, to question parts of yourself that are easily pushed away and rarely confronted. While reading this book you will have no choice but to think about how you feel about what’s happening to Sunny. After all, she could be you. The way the story unfolds introducing different elements and parts of Sunny’s character and personality through bits and pieces adds to the total effect.  Sunny is not portrayed as perfect by any means and doesn't even walk away from the story a saint. Through the story she even admits that time and time again. But between the covers you grow with her and understand her pain. At the end of the story you won’t be the same, it is bound to touch you in some way.  

This coming of age story had me entranced from beginning to end. Just when I thought she couldn’t cut my soul anymore, she slid the knife in deeper. Sylvia McNicoll uses similes and metaphors throughout the book that add a certain depth along with a “detachment” in the beginning. Who wouldn't want to see the courtroom as something else when you’re standing trial for manslaughter and possibly facing your future? Honestly I tried to find something that I could point out and say could possibly have been better. However when I was reading this book my heart was pounding and the only thing that mattered was the next page. I was completely drawn in, not just by Sunny but the unique plot as well. I haven’t read another book quite like this. Crush.Candy.Corpse made me question my own feelings about facing death. Even when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. Sylvia McNicoll made all the right choices from beginning to end. 

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