Friday, May 31, 2013

Review - Gallows book 2 - Demon Divided by Sharon Stevenson


Demon Divided
Gallows series book 2
by Sharon Stevenson

Goodreads blurb:  ***This is the second in the Gallows series of novels - the following description contains spoilers***

Twin demon trackers Shaun & Sarah Gallows are getting used to dealing with supernatural threats...

Six months after Sarah's reckless choice, she is struggling to deal with what she has done and trying to find a way to break free from the demon bond she has made. She finds out the vampire lied about his maker and she's faced with more difficult decisions.

Clueless to what his sister is going through, Shaun has been spending time in White Oaks on the pretence of training with his parents. He’s determined to find out who Elle’s working for, and he’s thinking about asking her out, maybe.

A new threat surfaces in White Oaks and the twins have to neutralise it before things get out of hand, and before the Council find out. It would just be another day's work, if Shaun wasn't being accused of murder and Sarah wasn't being driven to distraction by her demon...


Find the Author at her website or twitter


My Thoughts - 4 out of 5 unicorns - I really liked it!!
Okay this book was much better than book 1.  I didn’t feel confused liked I did during the first book.  This is not saying that it was predictable because it wasn’t.  The book was exciting as far as everything that was happening.  Poor Shaun is a victim of his sister Sarah’s trouble over and over, but she never does it on purpose.  I love how they are always there for each other whenever they get into trouble.  This is what I would hope for all twins especially since I do have twin nephews.  I don’t want to say anymore on what happens in the story because I do not want to ruin your journey.  I recommend this to those who love paranormal genre and especially if you liked book 1.  I think it will continue to get better with each book in the series.  I look forward to the next book and seeing what trouble the Gallows get into next :)


**received the book free from the Making Connections group for an honest review

Find my thoughts on book 1 here

Interested in the book, find it at Amazon & AmazonUK

Monday, May 27, 2013

Come join the fun Birthday and Book Launch all on the same day!!!

On Tour with Prism Book Tours...

Announcing a monumental day!

It is Kirstin's birthday and the LAUNCH of our Tour, plus...

We reveal the cover of The Battle of Princess Madeline... NOW ON SALE!!  


The Battle for Princess Madeline


The Battle for Princess Madeline
by Kirstin Pulioff
156 pages
Published May 29, 2013

The Kingdom of Soron bustled with activity as preparations for the Fall Festival began. Lively merchants, hardworking farmers, and musicians eagerly awaited this event of harvest and joy. This year’s festival was even more important, as they celebrated Princess Madeline’s betrothal to her knight champion, Daniel. 

Celebration quickly turns to disaster as Prince Paulsen returns with curious demands, either Princess Madeline will be his, or no ones. Rejection turns to obsession and battle is declared.

In a tense struggle to decide her future, Princess Madeline must choose where to put her trust… in the king’s tried and true plan, the wizard’s cryptic messages and maps, or her own sense of bravery. Follow Princess Madeline on this adventure as she battles evil in an attempt to create a future of love and magic.



The Tour:

5/27 – LAUNCH!  
-          I Am aReader, Not a Writer
5/29 - Geo Librarian - Review
-          Novels,News & Notes
5/30 – Dee’s ReadsReview
-          Tressa’sWishful Endings
5/31 – Green Mountain CoupleReview

6/2 – JoJo’s Corner - Review
6/3 – Mel’s ShelvesReview
6/4 – Books for KidsReview
-          TheBookish Daydreamer
6/5 – Books for KidsReview
6/7 –  Mel’sShelves  - Review

6/9 – Wonderings of One Person - Review
6/10 – Cassandra Lost In BooksReview
-          Jessie’sBook Place
6/11 – Backing BooksReview
6/13 – Fluttereal Flight - Review
-          MySeryneti
6/14 – Grand Finale Blast!


Happy Birthday Kirstin!!

Kirstin PulioffKirstin Pulioff is a storyteller at heart.   Born and raised in Southern California, she moved to the Pacific Northwest to follow her dreams and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Forest Management.  Happily married and a mother of two, she lives in North Plains, Oregon, and enjoys being a stay at home mom.  When she’s not writing, she is busy with her kids, church and the family business.




Madeline's story begins...

The Escape of Princess Madeline
The Escape of Princess Madeline
by Kirstin Pulioff
ebook, 66 pages
Published November 5th 2012 by Malachite Quills Publishing

Premise:

The Kingdom of Soron is known for many things, its rolling landscape, haunting history, fiery sunsets, and its beautiful princess. Princess Madeline woke on her sixteenth birthday to realize that her future had been planned out, a life full of privilege, royalty, and boredom... a life with a husband and knight champion that she did not choose. Using her charm, strength and stubbornness, she defies the King at every turn, determined to keep her freedom on her terms.

Freedom quickly turns to disaster as she finds herself seized by a group of wandering bandits. With the kingdom in turmoil over her capture- her Knight Champion eager to prove himself, a group of dedicated suitors determined to win her hand, and a group of exiled wizards join forces in the hunt to rescue her. Follow Princess Madeline in this adventure to find freedom and love.


Amazon:



**My reviews - Coming soon**
June 10th and 12th

Giveaway:

International Giveaway. Must be 13 to enter. See below Rafflecopter for more details. Available to WIN:

* Autographed set of both: The Escape of Princess Madeline & The Battle for Princess Madeline
* Autographed copy of The Escape of Princess Madeline
* Autographed copy of The Battle for Princess Madeline
* 5 eCopies of The Battle for Princess Madeline
* $25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 13 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced on Rafflecopter and Grand Finale posts as well as emailed and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kirstin Pulioff and  Burgandy Ice & Colorimetry as Prism Book Tours. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Review - Blood Bound by Sharon Stevenson


Blood Bound (Gallows #1)
by Sharon Stevenson

Goodreads blurb:  19-year-old twin demon trackers Shaun and Sarah Gallows are used to running into trouble - mostly the kind with fangs - but while Sarah embraces her powers to their fullest extent, trusting her instincts implicitly, Shaun distances himself from his abilities and can do little more than despair at his sister’s reckless nature and idly back her up.

When they come across 17-year-old Melissa Carling, a demon tracker who’s been torturing innocent super-naturals, they know they have to stop her. Sarah is desperate to punish Melissa for what she’s been doing but Shaun’s instant attraction to the girl points to a soul-mate bond stronger than anything he’s ever had to fight before…


Find the Author here:  Author website or twitter


My Thoughts - 3 out of 5 unicorns - I liked it!
I liked this story and especially both characters Shaun and Sarah.  I’m not sure yet what caused it, but I was confused on several occasions and still have many questions that I’m hoping the 2nd book will clear up.  This story is interesting, but I had no trouble when I needed a break putting it down.  I usually get this though with the first book in a series.  I know building a new world takes time. I’m looking forward to seeing where this series might lead since there is a lot of intriguing possibilities.
**received the book free from the Making Connections group for an honest review 

Interested in reading? Find at Amazon or AmazonUK


Saturday, May 25, 2013

Review - A Bite's Tale by Veronica Blade (YA Paranormal Romance)


A Bite’s Tale (A Furry Fable) by Veronica Blade


Goodreads blurb:  A Cinderella who spends her nights as a wolf. A prince with a taste for blood.

Seventeen year old Cydney struggles against her werewolf nature, trying to keep everyone around her safe. No way will she risk exposing the beast at the prince’s ball, no matter how her two cousins try to persuade her. Even as she attempts to get on with her life, Cydney can’t forget the boy she loved three summers ago — or what she did to him after losing control.

Turned into a vampire to save his life, the prince refuses to live up to his royal duties. He just wants to find the girl he loved and lost...the werewolf girl who bit him. But his father, the king, commands him to attend a ball where he must choose a wife. Can he find his Cinderella before he's forced to marry another? He doesn’t even have her real name, much less a glass slipper.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a novella, appx 155 printed pages

Find the Author here: her website or twitter
My Thoughts - 3 out of 5 unicorns - I liked it!
I liked this furry fairytale.  It is a werewolf and vampire equivalent of Cinderella and Prince Charming.  I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway and will be adding it to my classroom library to share it with my high school students.  And it is signed too!!

The cover is absolutely beautiful, and I love it!!!

I think it is a good story and an easy read which will appeal to my students.  I’m hoping that there will be more stories about Ile de la Paix the island country where supernaturals live together.  This world would make for a great series, and I think it could easily be crossed over to an adult series to explore the conflicts with the different factions or the threats to the kingdom. I recommend to YA lovers of paranormal romance.


Now I really want to read My Wolf’s Bane also by this author :)

Find the book:  Amazon, AmazonUK, and B&N

Monday, May 20, 2013

Review of Lizzy Speare and the Cursed Tomb by Ally Malinenko



Lizzy Speare
and the Cursed Tomb
by Ally Malinenko


Goodreads Blurb:  MEET LIZZY SPEARE…

…a normal twelve year old girl with a talent for writing, who has a very not normal family secret. And when Lizzy’s father vanishes, that secret will change her life in ways unimagined. (Spoiler Alert! It turns out that Lizzy, or Elizabeth S. Speare, is the last living descendant of William Shakespeare. Shhh! Don’t tell anybody!)

Then Lizzy and her best friend Sammy are kidnapped, awakening in the faraway land of Manhattan. Their host is Jonathan Muse, whose job is to protect Lizzy from becoming the latest victim in a family feud nearly five hundred years old. Could that be why the mysterious, eye patch-wearing Dmitri Marlowe is after her? (Spoiler Alert 2—he’s the last living descendant of Christopher Marlowe, a friend and rival of Shakespeare’s. But keep it to yourself!) Is Marlowe after Lizzy’s family fortune rumored to be kept in Shakespeare’s tomb? Does he seek artistic immortality? Or Revenge (with a capital R) for a death long, long ago?

In a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, Lizzy and Sammy are thrust into the realm of the mythical and fantastic—from satyrs and Cyclopses to Middle Eastern cab drivers and Brooklyn hipsters—in what is truly “an improbable fiction” as the Bard himself once wrote.



About the Author:  Ally Malinenko, a self-proclaimed Bardolator, took her first pilgrimage to Stratford-Upon-Avon in 2009 and hasn’t been the same since. Lizzy Speare and the Cursed Tomb is her first children's book. Her poetry book, The Wanting Bone, was published by Six Gallery Press. She blogs at allymalinenko.com. Ally lives in Brooklyn with her husband.
Find her on her website or twitter!!!

My Thoughts - 4 out of 5 unicorns - I really liked it!
Kept me engaged through the entire story, I loved how Shakespeare was nicely entwined into this story.  The creativity in this book is awesome because it is has everything.  It is like Shakespeare meets mythology in today’s world.  I love mythology, and I have always liked Shakespeare, but this took it to a whole other level.  There is mystery, lies, intrigue, revenge, plays, love, and so much more I can’t wait to see where Lizzy’s adventure leads her next.
My only concern is will it keep a child engaged who is 12 like my son.  I plan on re-reading this with my son to see what he thinks.  I definitely see high school kids and adults loving this book, but I’m not sure about middle grades yet.  I will let you know :) If my son loves it, I will whole heartedly give it 5 unicorns!!  :)
**Gifted to me by the author for an honest review**

Find book at Amazon or AmazonUK

Saturday, May 18, 2013

ARC Review of Unleash by Felicity E. Heaton


Unleash
Vampire Erotic Theatre Book#6
by Felicity E. Heaton


Goodreads blurbA powerful vampire lost deep in his bloodlust, Snow is a savage animal, mindless with rage and a thirst for violence, and trapped with no hope of awakening from an endless nightmare… until a song draws him up from the abyss, restoring his sanity but leaving him haunted by the sweet feminine scent of lilies and snow, and fragmented familiar lyrics.

When the mysterious and beautiful songstress reappears in Snow’s room at Vampirerotique, she awakens a fierce protective streak and stirs dark desires that drive him to claim her as his female, even when he knows his touch will destroy her innocence.

A single forbidden taste is all it takes to unleash emotions in Aurora that she shouldn’t possess, tearing her between duty and desire, and luring her into surrendering to her wildfire passion and embracing hungers that burn so hotly they threaten to consume them both.

One act of kindness can lead to one thousand acts of sin though, each a black mark against the bearer’s soul and another grain of sand that slips through an hourglass. The clock is ticking and time is almost up. Can beauty save the beast?

About the Author:  Felicity Heaton writes passionate paranormal romance books as Felicity Heaton and F E Heaton. In her books she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons!

If you're a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, Felicity Heaton's best selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series she writes as F E Heaton or any of her stand alone vampire romance books she writes as Felicity Heaton. Or if you're looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try Felicity Heaton's new Vampire Erotic Theatre series.

In 2011, five of her six paranormal romance books received Top Pick awards from Night Owl Reviews, Forbidden Blood was nominated as Best PNR Vampire Romance 2011 at The Romance Reviews, and many of her releases received five star reviews from numerous websites. In 2012, she received the GraveTells Author of the Year Award and her vampire romance novel, Heart of Darkness, was selected as a 2013 Epic Ebook Awards finalist in the paranormal romance category.

To see her other novels, visit: felicityheaton.co.uk
Follow the author on:
Her blog - felicityheaton.co.uk/blog/
Twitter - twitter.com/felicityheaton
Facebook - facebook.com/felicityheaton

My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 unicorns - I loved it!!!
This is the long awaited story of Snow.  This story is the first to be a full length novel, and this made me very happy because I wanted to know all about the mysterious Snow.  This story was a beautiful story of being saved several times and on many levels and had me engaged throughout as Felicity’s stories always do!  I laughed, cried, got mad, and so much more while reading about Snow and Aurora’s journey over their lives together.  Felicity has a way with words that draws you in and always keeps you guessing because her stories are never predictable.  This story has everything from babies, brotherly love, vampires, werewolf, angels, stories of hell, Snow’s back story about what he did to his family, bloodlust, and so much more!  If you love Paranormal Romance, you must read this series!! 
**This story was gifted to me for an honest review by the author!!**

See my reviews of the other books in this series HERE!

Find book here:  Amazon, AmazonUK, Kobo, iTunes


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I.O. Book Tours Review Blitz - Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective by Christine Amsden



Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective
by Christine Amsden

Goodreads blurb:  Cassie Scot is the ungifted daughter of powerful sorcerers, born between worlds but belonging to neither. At 21, all she wants is to find a place for herself, but earning a living as a private investigator in the shadow of her family’s reputation isn’t easy. When she is pulled into a paranormal investigation, and tempted by a powerful and handsome sorcerer, she will have to decide where she truly belongs.

“When sorcerers call the shots, what’s a girl without powers to do? Get ready for a ripper of a murder mystery full of romance and intrigue, where magic potions bubble, passions spark and vampires are definitely not your friend. Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective grabs you by the heart and won’t let go until the very last page. Well written, immersive and unputdownable. This is urban fantasy at its best. More please!”

–Kim Falconer, bestselling author of The Spell of Rosette, Quantum Enchantment Series


About the Author:  Christine Amsden has been writing science fiction and fantasy for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.

Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. They have two beautiful children, Drake and Celeste.
Find her via her blog here or on twitter!!


My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 unicorns
- I loved it!!
I loved this story :) It is easy to read, and I got sucked into the story.  It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster too which is always a plus because it means I’m fully engaged in the story.  First, her name matches mine (Cassandra), YAY! I love Cassie :) as a character because she is strong and independent, but also vulnerable which makes her more real to me as a reader.  It is also set near where I live another bonus.  This story has magic, murder, mystery, intrigue, and vampires. I totally cried with Cassie when I was reading.  I hope and pray this becomes a series because I want more of Cassie and her world and what happens next with Evan. If you love the paranormal genre, you will definitely want to read this :)

Found out from author:  Cassie Scot is a *complete* 4-book series all under contract. Book 2 expected to come out in the fall! <--YAY!!

**received this book free for an honest review as part of the I.O. Book Tours

Pick up this book:  Amazon, AmazonUK, B&N

Monday, May 13, 2013

New Release & Arc Review - My Reluctant Warden by Kallysten



My Reluctant Warden by Kallysten

Goodreads blurb:  When her boss brought her to the party of the season, Mr. Ward’s birthday bash, Angelina thought she had slipped on Cinderella’s shoes.

Now that she is compelled to remain in the mansion, trapped with a host who was only pleasant to her in a shared fantasy, the dream abruptly turns sour.

Under other circumstances, she might enjoy staying in an opulent guest suite, with a butler waiting on her every desire. But her cage, as gilded as it may be, remains a prison, and her host, even if he wishes she were gone, is still her warden.

As she struggles to get used to the situation, she can’t figure out what to think of Morgan Ward, a man who claims to be a vampire, who at times ignores her and at times shows himself unexpectedly thoughtful. A man she’s attracted to despite her better judgment.

However, an unexpected conversation with her boss may give her no choice but to get much closer to Morgan than she’s ready for…  (29,000 words)


About the Author:  Kallysten is a writer of romance novels and short stories, most of them with paranormal elements.

Her first eBooks were published by Linden Bay Romance in 2005. The defunct Venus Press subsequently published a few of her short stories. Because so many of her stories are linked as series and part of the same universe, she decided it would make sense to have them all in the same place, which is why she self-published, first with the co-op Alinar Publishing and now on her own. When she sees calls for submissions that speak to her muse, she sometimes tries for them, and was published this way by Samhain and Torquere.

She has a website here and twitter.

My Thoughts - 4 out of 5 unicorns - I really liked it!
Ok I really liked this short story.  It is the 2nd in this series and about 67 pages, but I wished it was longer and that I was able to figure out more about Morgan.  Right now I’m not sure if Angelina is just dreaming or if Morgan is bipolar.  I can’t stand that I have to wait to see what happens next, but I will :) I just may whine about it! :)  Kallysten writing style is easy to read, and I like characters Angelina, Morgan, and Stephen.  If you like paranormal romance with an unknown element, you will really like this story.  It is keeping me guessing, not sure where it will go next.

**gifted to me by the author for an honest review :)

Buy it now on Amazon or AmazonUK

Friday, May 10, 2013

Book Blast Giveaway for Fern by Amy Richie

Summer is coming and you need start putting together your reading list.
Young adult paranormal fantasy author Amy Richie hopes you will pick up her Blood Vine series.
She's offering a Prize Pack to one lucky reader, which includes a signed paperback copy of Fern.



Join Amy Richie for a Twitter Party
May 10 at 11 am eastern
Use the hashtag #Fern

Connect with the author: website  *  Facebook

About the author:  Amy Richie has lived in a small town her entire life. She lives with her three kids and their pet rat Jasper. She began writing in high school but never took it seriously until a few years ago. She enjoys writing because it takes her out of her everyday life and gives life to the people in her head. Amy says: “When I was little I wanted to be a mermaid, then when I was in high school I wanted to be a vampire; now as an adult I’m a writer, which is better because now I get to be both.”


“It’s strange how fast life changes. Just when you think you have it all figured out, a council man hands you six werewolves to take care of.”
Willow and her pack had barely settled into their new town when the council shows up again. Only this time it’s to ask for their help - to save Gage. How can Willow refuse?
Suddenly, Willow is thrust into a world of childhood nightmares. The Ancient City. But it isn’t at all what she thought it would be. In fact, Willow soon realizes that not many things are what she thought they would be and she has to figure out for herself which things are worth fighting for.

Buy the book at Amazon.


Giveaway:
A tote bag, various swag, and 25 dollar Amazon Card.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

A GWR Publicity promotional event paid for by Anchor Group Publishing. Giveaway is sponsored by the author.

More on from this series :)

Book 1 in the Blood Vine series:


Goodreads blurb:  “Being a werewolf is harder than it looks. Everyone thinks it’s just morph at the full moon, kill, morph back. That’s not true. It’s a lot harder than that. Especially if you are seventeen years old.”

Willow has the worst luck. First she has to deal with her narcissistic foster mother, Bella; then of course there’s her horrid little sister Ivy; not to mention the pack of werewolves that belong to Bella. Now, they have to move and start a new school - again.

Just when Willow thinks things can’t get any worse, Blake shows up from a council she never knew existed to name her leader of a pack she never knew existed. How was she supposed to teach a bunch of teenagers how to be wolves when she herself hated everything about her life?

My Thoughts - This series looks like it is in my wheelhouse :)  I'm going to have to try to get my hands on them this summer if I have time :)  I love shifter books :)  Thanks for checking out my post, please leave a comment with your thoughts!!  :)

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Review - Blood Thirst by Tate Jackson



Blood Thirst
(Blood Thirst Book2)
by Tate Jackson

Goodreads blurb:  The continuing story of Beck Jaxon and her family...

The Young/Jaxon family won the battle, but Elderson escaped, again. Now, Beck and her family have to deal with the losses they suffered during the battle with Elderson’s clan. They bury their dead and morn the loss of their family members. But there would be no rest for them. Elderson may have escaped this time, but he will be back. He wants Beck dead and will stop at nothing to make that happen.

Will Elderson succeed, or will Beck and her family finally rid the world of Royal Elderson and the evil he has unleashed for centuries?


My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 unicorns - I loved it!
I loved this story just as much as the first one. It had more humor, time travel though not planned, the family of vampires and hunters, out of body experiences, archangels, demons, old family turning up with rekindled problems, new friends, all sorts of changing of species, love, and so much more.  This book kept me guessing, but also laughing so much.  The humor is this book reminds me of when I first started reading Shelly Laurenston, and I was laughing out loud with everyone asking me what is so funny.  I love books that make me laugh, cry, fume, and wish for the love found is books like this.  If you love paranormal romance, then you will love this story. Only thing not to love is the cliffhanger ending and having to wait for the next book.

**received the book free from the Making Connections group for an honest review

Interested? Amazon, AmazonUK, Smashwords, & B&N

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Cover Reveal for Endure by M.R. Merrick

Available June 5th 




YA Urban Fantasy
Final book in The Protector Series

Wrapped in darkness and woven with defeat, every action Chase has taken since being exiled from the Circle has been met with a devastating response. Now he's been burdened with a quest that seems impossible, and he needs to evolve into something more something greater than he ever thought he could be.

Armed with magic, friendship, and an unbreakable will, Chase must build an army and find a weapon capable of defeating the ultimate evil. But he knows that nothing great comes without sacrifice. Blessed by the very gods who have abandoned him and carrying the fate of all the worlds on his shoulders, Chase Williams is about find out just how much one man can endure.




 Book 1 - Exiled is FREE!




About the author:

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer, and author of Exiled, the first installment in The Protector Series. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer, between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.