Book Blitz: Of Sea and Stone by Kate Avery Ellison

 

 

Book Details:

Of Sea and Stone by Kate Avery Ellison
Publication date: February 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:

All her life, clever Aemi has been a slave in the Village of the Rocks, a place where the sea and sky meet. She’s heard the stories about the fabled People of the Sea, a people who possess unimaginable technology who live below the waves in the dark, secret places of the ocean. But she never dreamed those stories were true.

When a ship emerges from the ocean and men burn her village, Aemi is captured, and enslaved below the waves in Itlantis, a world filled with ancient cities of glass and metal, floating gardens, and wondrous devices that seem to work magic. To make matters worse, her village nemesis, the stuck-up mayor’s son Nol, was captured with her, and they are made servants in the same household beneath the sea.

Desperate to be free, Aemi plots her escape, even going so far as to work with Nol. But the sea holds more secrets than she realizes, and escape might not be as simple as leaving…

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20456671-of-sea-and-stone

Purchase:

http://www.amazon.com/Of-Sea-Stone-Secrets-Itlantis-ebook/dp/B00I7LZV12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392928501&sr=8-1&keywords=Of+Sea+and+Stone+by+Kate+Avery+Ellison

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/of-sea-and-stone-kate-avery-ellison/1118470817?ean=2940148284543

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

 

 

I live in Georgia with my wonderful husband and two spoiled cats. When I'm not writing, I'm usually catching up on my extensive Netflix queue, reading a book, giggling at something funny online, or trying to convince my husband to give me just ONE bite of whatever he's eating.

Learn more about my writing and books at my blog (http://thesouthernscrawl.blogspot.com/), find teasers for upcoming works on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/kateaveryellison), and subscribe to my new releases newsletter to be notified of new novels as soon as they hit stores (https://tinyletter.com/kateaveryellison)!

SPECIAL MATERIALS (A SHORT INTERVIEW):

If you had to pick a shoe that represented your writing style, what would it be?

Have you seen those canvas shoes where an artist has drawn original artwork on the front and sides and is selling them online? I think my books are like that—in some ways they feel familiar, but they have their own surprises and twists that make them unique.

Who has been the most supportive person in your writing career?

My husband. About two years into trying to get published, I was ready to give up on my stories and get a job doing something tremendously ill-suited for me, like being a secretary (I am a very bad secretary. Very disorganized). He convinced me to give it more time, and he is probably the sole reason I am published today. He is my first reader, my strongest encourager, and my most reliable critic.

What books have you read and loved lately?

I am almost finished with Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta, and it’s an absolute delight. Witty, immersive, and utterly compelling fantasy that reminds me very much of my beloved Megan Whalen Turner books.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
This giveaway is Blitz-wide
Prizes:
 -$50 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Destiny by Cindy Ray Hale

Destiny Clark, a young Mormon girl living in Tennessee, is wildly infatuated with Isaac Robinson, the headmaster's son at her Baptist high school. When they're cast together in the school's production of Les Misérables, Destiny is horrified to find that she has to be publicly humiliated by acting out her true feelings of rejection onstage.

As their rehearsals begin, Destiny realizes the unimaginable: Isaac has developed deep feelings for her despite their religious differences and the fact that he has a girlfriend.

But will they be able to find their place amongst the backbiters of their ultra-conservative world?

Weaving around Destiny and Isaac's alternating viewpoints, Destiny is the first book in a series inspired by the characters of Les Misérables and explores heartbreak, self-discovery, intolerance, and love.NOTE: I received the book from the author in exchange of my honest review.

Okay, let me tell you something before I get to the real review. I was a bit biased when requesting the book. Why? Because Mormons. Sure, I'd heard of them, but do you think I had anything positive to say about them? Of course not.

No, I have not converted.

But I really enjoyed this novel, and I will look out for the next installments. To be honest, I got hooked to review it after reading several excerpts, which were just intoxicating.

So here we are now.

Writing style:
Clean, flows well and makes you want to devour the book. I don't remember seeing anything that bothered me.

Story line:
Destiny and her family are Mormons. She and her siblings go to a Baptist school, where everyone whispers behind their backs, and more or less hates them. Isaac is the son of the school's principal, so naturally he's forbidden to have anything to do with Destiny. Things get messy when those two teenagers' worlds collide.

Themes:
- Being different - does it mean fitting in or standing out?
- Keeping your faith steady even under enormous pressure is admirable
- Can you judge a person's character by the nature of their beliefs (even though you've got no clue what those beliefs are)?
- And of course, can love conquer any obstacle?

Characters:
Destiny is the odd person in every situation, in every conversation. She isn't shy, but nobody really wants to talk to her because of her faith. It's as if she's got a pandemic virus and any mild contact would cause it to spread. Nobody really wants to know her, but they're pretty happy with pointing fingers. It's weird how those who claim to be real believers, real Christians, do nothing to prove it. They only find it in themselves to hate and spread animosity.
I was surprised that Destiny was above all that. Sure, it got on her nerves, but it wasn't like she was stuck on it. She accepted her family's conversion, she understood what it was about and she was firm in sticking to it.
Too bad she wasn't supposed to fall in love with a non-Mormon.

When there is a damsel in distress, Isaac is the perfect guy for the job. Except, the damsel is not distressed at all, and he's sticking his nose where he has no business. Which, of course, leads to a series of cascading rippling events that ultimately lead Isaac into Destiny's willing but uncertain embrace.
At first, I thought that Isaac was just shallow. And narrow-sighted. But it turned out that he was massively brain-washed to not believe anything that didn't come out of his father's mouth.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we should all go and convert to be Mormons. Or anything that isn't what we truly believe. What I'm saying is that we shouldn't be hateful just because someone has a different understanding of Christianity. Or other religions.
Which is why I liked Isaac. He wasn't like the rest of his circle. He wanted to know what was going on before he could decide what was right and what not.

Isaac's cousin, Hannah, was sort of the catalyst to all those events. She took a liking to Destiny and befriended her. And she didn't care what Destiny did or did not believe. I liked her spunk, her energy.

In conclusion, I took this novel to heart, because it teaches of the harm religious bigotry can cause in the community. It was an enjoyable read, and I will definitely be waiting for the next installment.

My rating is

Waiting on Wednesday #8

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blog post by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights releases we're eagerly awaiting.
My pick this week is:

Title: Illusion
Series: Chronicles of Nick, Book #5

Genre: paranormal romance
Audience: YA

Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Release date: April 1st, 2014
Publisher:  St. Martin's Griffin

Summary:

Be careful what you wish for…

You just might get it.

Nick Gautier is tired of his destiny. He doesn’t want to be the son of a demon who’s fated to end the world. Nor does he want to see another demon or other preternatural creature who wants to kill or enslave him. He just wants to be normal and have normal problems like everyone else.

But normality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. When he gets sucked into an alternate reality where his mother has married his mentor and his Atlantean god best friend has become a human geek, he begins to understand that no life is free of pain, and that every person has a specific place in the universe… Even the son of a hated demon.

Most of all, he sees that his powers aren’t the curse he thought they were, and that the world needs a champion, especially one its enemies can’t imagine rising up to defend the ones he should destroy.

Old enemies and new friends square off for a major battle that will either restore Nick to his real world, or end him forever.

 Why I want to read it:

Okay, honestly? I haven't read this series. I have, I think, a couple of the first books, but with all the review titles I have, there is no time for the books I want to read for myself. But! This cover is really good, and I just couldn't help it :)

So how about you? What amazing book are you waiting on this week?  

 

 

 

Book Details:

After the Curtain Falls by Ainsley Shay
Publication date: January 31st 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Erik never had to be anything other than a freak…until now.

Two hundred fifty-three days is a long time to fake being normal when night after night you perform miraculous feats on stage in a freak show. Thousands have paid to witness the miracle, suspecting nothing more than a hoax. But it is very real and it is slowly destroying him. Erik is weakened to the point where he’ll stop performing and start going to school for the first time ever—in his senior year. His only goal is to rebuild his strength so he can return to the stage and perform doing what he loves most in this world. What he didn’t plan for was the appearances of beautiful Addison and mysterious Naya. Now, unfamiliar feelings and bizarre new friendships threaten to unbalance Erik’s future as a miracle-performing freak.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20617601-after-the-curtain-falls?ac=1

Purchase (book is on sale for 0.99c during the blitz!):

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/after-the-curtain-falls-ainsley-shay/1118400664?ean=9781939588029

http://www.amazon.com/After-Curtain-Falls-Ainsley-Shay-ebook/dp/B00I4HE1L0/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1392927507

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AUTHOR BIO:

 

Ainsley Shay avoids insanity by living mostly in the fiction world. She believes surrounding herself with positive people, and strives for balance in everything. She owns more jeans with rips and holes than without; and has recently found the magic of patches. For her, reading or writing the perfect sentence is better than the smoothest piece of dark chocolate melting in her mouth. She is a deltiologist for pure enjoyment, not for the study of. She longs to move north one day, even though she hates the cold. (Go figure!) So, for now, she continues to live in warm south Florida with her incredible husband, three beautiful daughters, and two lazy cats. (We won’t mention the dog.)

Author Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7789269.Ainsley_Shay

http://ainsleyshay.blogspot.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/ainsley.shay

https://twitter.com/ainsleyshay

 

Here's an excerpt to get you ticking:

 

   The moment is perfect to lean in and kiss her. And I badly want to put my hand on her cheek and bring my lips to hers.
     Addison looks at her wrist, my fingers still there. “I should go,” she says shattering my thoughts.
     I slide my hand from her wrist, along her palm, lingering on her fingertips with my own. Looking up into her eyes, I ask, Are you sure you want to?”
     She meets my eyes. “No.” Her voice whispers the simple word I was hoping she would say. “But they’re expecting me down there.” My stomach aches when she starts to get up. “Thanks for catching me when I fell.” She brushes the sand off her dress and walks through the wheat grass toward the shore.

 

Cover Reveal: Tattoo by Cambria Hebert

MY THOUGHTS:

Never read a book by this author, but it doesn't matter. I'm judging the cover. So... 

... okay, I'm not a tattoo kind of person. I just don't want to mess up my pretty color skin with all sorts of images, no matter how beautiful they look...


... but ...

... I can't say they don't look sexy sometimes. 

So, even though I'm sort of tired by the covers that feature almost naked models, I guess I like this one. And the inverted title is fresh.


BOOK INFO:

Tattoo by Cambria Hebert
(Take It Off #7)
Publication date: March 10th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:

***This is a new adult contemporary novel and contains sexual content and graphic language. It is not intended for young adult readers.***

A tattoo gets them in trouble… He will get them out.

After years of cultivating an undercover identity, Brody West is finally off the case and free to live a life of his own. All that time spent in the company of criminals and killers left him a little jaded… and with an identity crisis. He isn’t sure who he is anymore, or who he wants to be.

To give him time to think, he takes a few days off to go fishing. On his way out of town, he makes a routine stop at the bank and finds himself flirting with the girl behind the counter.

But his flirtation is cut short when criminals burst into the bank and shoot her right before his eyes.

In attempt to administer first aid, Brody reveals a tattoo on his upper arm. A mark that will drag him and the girl into the kind of situation he was trying to get away from. But he can’t walk away because he’s the only thing capable of keeping Taylor alive and bringing down the guys who shot her—guys who are seriously dangerous.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/109142-take-it-off

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AUTHOR BIO:

 

Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series, the new adult Death Escorts series, and the new adult Take it Off series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com

Author Links:
“Like” her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cambria-Hebert/128278117253138
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambriahebert
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/cambriahebert/pins/
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5298677.Cambria_Hebert
Cambria’s website: http://www.cambriahebert.com

Book Blitz: Unraveled by Julie Daines

Book Details:

Title: Unraveled
Author: Julie Daines
Publication date: February 2014

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.

Genre: YA Fantasy/Fairy tale

Summary:

When sickness swept through Bronwen’s family, it took the life of her father, brother, and sister, and left her permanently crippled. On the stormy eve of her sixteenth birthday, a faerie-witch gifts her a pair of enchanted shoes. Bronwen slips them on and is healed--but only when the shoes are on her feet. Her grace and beauty catches the eye of the king’s son--Urien, a handsome young man who prides himself on having everything perfect.

When Rhys, an old acquaintance and Captain of the Guard, recognizes Bronwen, he threatens to tell Urien her secret. Desperate to keep her deformity hidden and not to lose the love of handsome Urien, Bronwen quickly finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit.

Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Unraveled-A-Tale-True-Love/dp/1621086275/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1389196600&sr=8-5&keywords=julie+daines

B&N (audiobook): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unraveled-julie-daines/1118081116?ean=9781621086284

Covenant Communications: http://www.covenant-lds.com/UnraveledATaleofTrueLoveSoftcover

Author Bio:

Julie Daines was born in Concord, Massachusetts, and was raised in Utah. She spent eighteen months living in London, where she studied and fell in love with English literature, sticky toffee pudding, and the mysterious guy who ran the kebab store around the corner.

She loves reading, writing, and watching movies—anything that transports her to another world. She picks Captain Wentworth over Mr. Darcy, firmly believes in second breakfast, and never leaves home without her verveine.

Author Links:

Twitter: @juliedaines

Facebook: Julie Daines Author

Blog: http://www.juliedaines.com

Book on Goodreads: Unraveled

Author on Goodreads: Julie Daines

A special extra for my readers:

Favorite Snacks

Popcorn (especially movie theater with butter flavored grease and salt)

French Fries

Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips

Pistachio Gelato

Cheese

Giveaway details:
ONLY OPEN FOR FEB 24-25th! MAKE SURE TO SIGN UP!!
-Prize: $50 Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz: Resistance by Jena Leigh

 

 

Book & Author Details:

Resistance by Jena Leigh
(The Variant Series #2)
Publication date: February 11th 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Alexandra Parker might be the most powerful Variant the world has ever seen—but even that won’t get her out of finishing her junior year of high school.

The challenge of keeping her abilities under wraps during class is daunting enough, but throw one surly, sandy-haired Jumper into the mix, and things can get downright complicated.

Declan’s new job? Watch over Alex while she’s at school and do everything in his power to keep her from losing control. But as sparks of every kind begin flying between Alex and her new bodyguard, she's left feeling more unstable than ever.

When avoiding her abilities results in a surprise visit from her parents’ killer, Alex’s worlds collide with a bang that nearly levels Bay View High.

With her freedom now squarely in the Agency’s crosshairs, Alex will be faced with the fight of her life... and a decision that could forever alter the course of her destiny.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20501456-resistance?ac=1

Purchase:

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Resistance-The-Variant-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B00ICQ41O0/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_tnr_1

--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/resistance-jena-leigh/1118601429?ean=2940148191841&itm=1&usri=2940148191841

--Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/407114

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AUTHOR BIO

Jena Leigh is the author of the Variant Series novels REVIVAL and RESISTANCE. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, she spent ten years in the mountains of North Carolina before returning home to the lightning capital of North America. A shameless geek, she loves coffee, loud music, bad sci-fi movies, Skittles, and shenanigan-filled road trips to faraway concerts. 

Author Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6581096.Jena_Leigh

http://blog.jenaleighbooks.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jenaleighbooks

https://twitter.com/jenaleighbooks

Blitz-wide Interview:

How did you come up with the idea for the Variant Series?

The inspiration for the Variant Series as a whole came from many different places, but the original spark for Revival came in the form of my morning coffee. One day at the coffee shop, the barista had drawn the shape of a phoenix into the foam on my latte. The image set my mind to wandering and I spent the next half hour writing out a scene where a young girl was being chased by a wall of flames through a burning bookstore. That piece would eventually become the opening scene of Chapter Four in Revival.

Can you give us a hint to what we should be expecting in your second book?

In Resistance, book two in the Variant series, the stakes are raised even higher for Alex and the gang. As Alex struggles to get a grip on her newfound powers, she’s faced with a far more daunting assignment—survive the last few months of her junior year without accidentally losing control and leveling Bay View High.

But the risk of outing herself and the Variant population at large would be a lot easier to handle if the Agency wasn’t still breathing down her neck… and if Declan weren’t quite so distracting in his newfound role as Alex’s bodyguard. As sparks of all kinds start flying, Alex is left struggling to keep her head above water and her heart in one piece. And when her freedom lands itself in the Agency’s crosshairs, Alex will be faced with the fight of her life.

Where do you like to write?

Anywhere and everywhere. I seem to do my best work in unfamiliar places. I’ve written on planes, at the mall, in doctor’s office waiting rooms… If I have my computer or a journal with me, I’ll usually try to get a few words on the page. There’s something about traveling that helps me to tune out distractions and focus, while at the same time inspiring my writing.

Do you decide character traits before you sit down to write the book, or as you go along?

Character traits are usually decided on as I write. I very rarely have an entire character in mind when I sit down at the keyboard. I usually start with a few random traits—a name here, a face there, a quirk or two to distinguish them, an important bit of backstory that forever changed their life or altered their personality—and then the personalities of my characters become clearer to me as I make it further into the story.

Who is your favorite character in the series, and why?

Oh, that’s a tough one! It seems to change from day to day. Right now I’d probably have to say that Declan’s sister Kenzie is my favorite. She’s sassy, sarcastic and I can always count on her for a witty rejoinder. Kenzie’s scenes are always enjoyable to write.

Tell us about the biggest challenges you face in your writing process.

I think the biggest challenge I have is in plotting out a story. When it comes to my writing, I’m a total pantser and I despise outlining. Writing only feels natural to me when my characters are the ones telling the story. I love being just as surprised as my readers are when something unexpected happens in the narrative. When you’re working on a series, however, that doesn’t always work. You need to have some idea of where the story is headed before you begin, otherwise it’s very easy to write yourself into a corner.

If you could give a young writer any tip, what would it be?

Write constantly and read everything you can get your hands on. It seems like such an obvious piece of advice, but it’s quite possibly the most important things you can do to improve your writing.

If you weren't writing, what would you want to be doing for a living? What are some of your other passions in life?

Rock star! I mean, really. Who hasn’t wanted to be one at some point? Aside from writing, I’m incredibly passionate about music. I love it, but I haven’t got a lick of talent (although that doesn’t stop me from singing at the top of my lungs in the shower every morning). If there’s not a song playing in the background somewhere, I usually don’t know what to do with myself.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Prize - Open INTL:
- $50 amazon gift card
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz: Getting By by Claudia Y. Burgoa

Book & Author Details:

Getting by ~ A Knight’s Tale I by Claudia Y. Burgoa 

Publication date: February 18th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:

When Emma Anderson arrived at San Francisco International Airport, she regretted accepting the distinction of being the maid of honor to Gaby’s—her childhood friend—wedding. It had been years since the last time she set foot in Menlo Park, where her parents had been killed. The rug where she had been shoving her feelings since that day looked bumpier than a camel’s hump. Who could blame her; if she hadn’t been selfish they’d still be around. Ever since that fateful day, Emma has been perfecting the knack of Getting By.

Cade’s wedding in Menlo Park—a city close to San Francisco—might be the perfect place for Jake Knight to shake the memories of his ex, Emma Anderson for good. Single, available women galore for an entire week was the perfect medication, one he intended to take three times a day for an entire week to return to his player days. It was a plan the former spy thought flawless until he came face to face with the maid of honor. Jake’s perfect retreat turns into a flight, fight or hide week of celebrations.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19305020-getting-by-a-knight-s-tale-i

Purchase:

Will be found here come release day:

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Claudia+Y.+Burgoa+&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AClaudia+Y.+Burgoa+

--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/claudia-y.-burgoa

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AUTHOR BIO

Claudia lives in Colorado with her family and three dogs. Two beagles who believe they are human, and a bichon who thinks she’s a beagle. While managing life, she works as a CFO at a small IT Company. She’s a dreamer who enjoys music, laughter and a good story.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.claudiayburgoa.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7202946.Claudia_Y_Burgoa

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yuribeans

For this BLITZ EVENT, Claudia answered several questions.

Q: Did you use an outline or did you just wing the first draft?

C.B.: I just wing for the first draft. My stories start with an idea and the first words are a scene… any scene. From there I start sculpting it.

Q: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

C.B.: Modern: I’d say it’s a tie between Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot and Nora Roberts.

Classic… I’d like to think that throughout the years I have learned from Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Cervantes, Wilde, Asimov, Dickens and Austin. Let’s not forget Shakespeare, who wrote about Italy without ever visiting the country.

Q: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

C.B. My friends, and also my social media friends. Members of Facebook I met five years ago and now from twitter, the community of indie authors is amazingly supportive. Not only with my writing, but on a personal level too.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Prizes - Open INTL: 
- $50 amazon gift card 
- $25 amazon gift card 
- 3 signed paperback books 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book review: Witch Finder by Ruth Warburton

NOTE: I received the book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

When I requested Witch Finder I was super thrilled. The cover and summary had me hopeful that I was getting my hands on something beautiful. On a story worth reading and committing to memory.

No such luck.

Which is why, we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover I guess. Pity, that. It has a beautiful cover.

Anyhoo, let's get to it already.

Writing Style:
The writing was good enough. It was captivating to a point, but not so much that I'd go head over heals with it. I guess I was expecting a bit more, what with the suspense in the summary.

Story line:
Hmm, I'm fairly certain this story could've done a lot better if there was more action and more decisiveness in the characters. But the ones we were supposed to like were meek, fearful and impossible to relate to. Also, everything was kind of obvious from scene to scene and I'm fairly certain that's one reason why I couldn't really get to enjoy the book more.

Themes:
- The evil must be uprooted;
- The weakness of a girl in a time when men reigned;
- The power of the select few;
- Being different can be dangerous;
- Commitment to any cause could jeopardize your life.

Characters:
Beginning with Alexis, Rosamund's drunken brother, I believe that I can say he paints a horrible picture of all males of the witch kind. He's a selfish, mean, rude brute. He's a spoiled brat who cares about nobody else but himself.

Mama, Rosa and Alexis's mother, was a horrible, selfish woman. She was pushy, commanding and cares only about money, power and Alexis. To her Rosa is only a means to accomplishing status and nothing more.

Luke is a boy with nothing special about him but the fact that he can identify a witch when he sees one. He sees their auras, basically, and that makes him useful for the brotherhood of people who do the witch hunts. Since the horrible murder of his parents, Luke's on a mission to find the person who made him an orphan, even though he knows the man is a witch. A powerful dark witch. And nothing, not even a girl with a strong passionate red in her aura could make him change his mind. Or could she?

Rosa, despite what everyone wants to believe, is an innocent girl with dreams of freedom and a kind heart. She yearns for love compassion and kindness but gets none of those things. At least not from her family. Which is why meeting Luke is such a new experience for her. He is gentle, he is careful, he is different. And she can't stop her heart from beating for him.

Sebastian was the ultimate bad boy. Or actually he was a grown man. And he was really evil and black hearted. I actually think he killed his own father. Anyway, people admired this guy, as if he was this superior being. Alexis and Mama were quick to bow to him if he as much as twitched a finger. Gosh! Sebastian was a heartless bastard and I hated him instantly. His air of superiority got on my nerves from the very first time I met him on the page.

In conclusion, I don't even know what to say. It was an okay book, but I'm not sure I can recommend it.

My rating is

Book Review: What a Boy Wants by Nyrae Dawn

NOTE: This review may and probably does contain spoilers.

Okay, so I read What I Boy Wants in my free time. It's not a review title, so I'll be quite short in what I write.

This is the first YA title I read by Nyrae Dawn. I'm not sure what I expected exactly, but perhaps it was more than what I got. Not that 4 stars isn't a good rating, but you know. We always strive for more.

Anyways, I liked the story line. The coincidental e-mail to the Hookup Doctor was just cute. Of course, I knew (just like everyone else who read the book probably) exactly what was going on from the very beginning, but that didn't make it less entertaining. Just too predictable.

Sebastian was the person behind the Hookup Doctor alias, who gave advice to females about dating/hooking up. He had where to learn from, seeing how his mom had numerous screwed up relationships. Anyway, he was cocky and selfish, and funny. And oblivious to the signs that he was supposed to be able to recognize about females' body language.

Aspen had no idea what she was getting herself into when writing to the Hookup Doctor. And how could she possibly know her best male friend was behind the alias? Her secret crush for many years, whom she'd finally started to find the strength to uncling from? Gosh, no. And when she found out... she was furious. She was disappointed. And she was confused.

With all of it getting out of control. With all the mistakes that Bastian managed to get himself do, this story has a beautiful happy ending. Not that I'd expected anything else, but I have seen weird things happen in the end of books.

So, if you're looking for a light, funny read, What a Boy Wants is just your thing.

My rating is

Book Trailer Reveal: Soul Betrayed by Katlyn Duncan

I am super excited to be able to share the trailer for Katlyn Duncan's SOUL BETRAYED, the third and final book in The Life After trilogy, coming February 27, 2014 from Carina.

The covers for each book in this series are gorgeous and the trailers are just as amazing.

If you haven't yet heard about this awesome series, available in eBook format, just check out the descriptions below.

And if you'd like the chance to win an Amazon eGift Card, the author has offered one up for giveaway. Just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter.

Now, without any further ado, let me present to you...

The Soul Betrayed Trailer

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About Soul Betrayed

COMING FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Series: The Life After #3
Publisher: Carina
Print length: 223 pages
Format: eBook

Summary:

The final installment of The Life After trilogy...

A Life for a Life

The battle between Shadowed and Guard has brought destruction and terror to Gate Seven and now Maggie wants revenge. As the only after-life being who can save the souls from ultimate death Maggie comes face to face with her own human body, preserved for a century, waiting for just this moment to arrive.

Yet, how far will Maggie go to exact her revenge on the Shadowed? And when she comes face to face with her past, how will she survive the onslaught of memories she thought long gone?

For when the truth comes out all is not what it seems and Maggie has finally run out of time... She must choose her destiny or watch all she has perish in the fight for her life!

AMAZON | GOODREADS

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About Katlyn Duncan

Katlyn Duncan was born and raised in a small town in western Massachusetts. Her overactive imagination involved invisible friends, wanting to be a Disney Princess and making up her own stories. Her bibliophile mom always encouraged her love of reading and that stayed with her since. Even though she works full time in the medical field Katlyn has always made time for books, whether she is reading or writing them.

Katlyn now lives in southern Connecticut with her husband and adorable Wheaten Terrier and she is thrilled to finally share her stories with the world.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | TUMBLR | G+ | GOODREADS

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The Giveaway

This reveal includes a giveaway for a $15 Amazon eGift Card to one winner, ending on February 28th.

Enter in the Rafflecopter below...

a Rafflecopter giveaway