Wednesday 23 December 2015

Pawn of the Phoenix Cover Reveal Competition

Welcome to the cover reveal of Pawn of the Phoenix (The Memory Collector #2) by Jamie McLachlan.  This blog contains one of the six pieces of the cover.  You have to collect these images and sort out the puzzle pieces to get the final cover.  The first 7 winners those who collect all the cover images and send the author the final image will be entered to win this awesome giveaway.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Terms: 

Send the final cover of Pawn of the Phoenix to authorjamie@outlook.com.
Winners will be chosen on first come, first serve basis.
The giveaway closes on December 24th, 2015.

Giveaway Prize:

3 paperback copies of Mind of the Phoenix or Pawn of the Phoenix.
4 ecopies of Mind of the Phoenix or Pawn of the Phoenix.


So, hurry to win this awesome book.  It already has raving reviews in Amazon.  Below are the blogs that contain the cover.

Here is one of the puzzle piece:


Check out the other sites/blogs for collecting other pieces in the puzzle.  The below blogs doesn't contain the cover pieces in the same order.  You have to find and sort it out to complete the final image.  You could visit any one of the sites in each division below.

Puzzle 1:

Puzzle 2:

Puzzle 3:

Puzzle 4:

Puzzle 5:

Puzzle 6


Also, check out the first book of The Memory Collector Series.


ABOUT MIND OF THE PHOENIX:


Moira is a powerful empath, a psychic graced with the ability to read emotions and memories. Her skill is as much a curse as a gift, for in the harshly stratified city of Braxton empaths are slaves. Clever and beautiful, Moira has learned to rely on no one but herself. Determined to escape life as a concubine, she kills her master, and is imprisoned for the crime.

This could be the end for Moira, but the government has need of her skills. A mysterious serial killer known as the Phoenix has been planting suggestions in his victims’ minds that drive them to murder and suicide. To gain her freedom, Moira partners with Keenan Edwards, a handsome young detective, to stop the killer.

Hunting the Phoenix will bring Moira on a more dangerous road than she imagined, forcing her to confront dark minds, twisted moralities, and her growing feelings for the detective.


GOOD LUCK!

Monday 14 December 2015

Betrayed by Amber Lynn Natusch Release



 

Purchase on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1RN9B8N
Add it on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1GnOjvB

They’re gone…
When Ruby discovers what really happened the night of Alan Beauchamp's murder, one thing becomes very clear: time is running out for the people she loves. As she unravels the web of lies and deceit around her, Ruby reveals an unthinkable truth. One with dire repercussions for all.
Can Ruby pull together all the supernatural aspects of her life to foil a diabolical plot, or will she fall victim to an evil unlike any other she has faced?


Haven't started the Caged Series yet? Caged is currently FREE!



FREE on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1M9YPWC
FREE on iBooks: http://apple.co/1M9YVxf

"I stood in the middle of the room, unmoving – I barely breathed. My life had just become surreal, impossible, and one enormous lie. I needed to go, to run somewhere, anywhere to beat back the reality that was rapidly closing in around me. The image of him was burned into my retina, flashing over and over again like a warning. He was trapped somewhere between human and decidedly not, and I realized that was my new reality. I was too."
After the death of her parents, Ruby awakens from a lifetime of shadows and finds herself alone, thrust into a world of lies, deceit, betrayal and the supernatural. As her quest for truth continues to come up short, she realizes that maybe some questions really are best left unanswered. When her true identity is finally unveiled, she is forced to choose between two of the mysterious men who continually seem to crop up in her life.
She chooses poorly. Now abandoned, Ruby must learn to call on the darkness within to survive, or spend a hellish eternity imprisoned because of it.

About Amber Lynn Natusch



If you're dying to know more about me, allow me to put you at ease. I'm a sharp-tongued, sarcastic cancer, who loves vegetable smoothies, winter storms, and the word "portfolio". I should NEVER be caffeinated, and require at least eight hours of sleep to even resemble a human being. At thirty-four, I just now feel like I can keep a straight face while saying the word "rectum" (which is actually a huge lie because I just laughed out loud while reading this to my husband). I live with my iPod firmly affixed to my body, drive too fast, and laugh/cry at inappropriate times.


Saturday 12 December 2015

Dark Siren Book Blitz


Dark Siren
Eden Ashley
(Dark Siren, #1)
Publication date: July 4th 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
To survive, their bond must be unbreakable.
When the mysterious and passionate Rhane rescues Kali from an attacker in the theater parking lot, they form an immediate, smoldering connection. But Kali doesn’t remember Rhane or anything from their past. As far as Kali knows, she’s just a seventeen-year-old kid coping with an insatiable hunger for the “spark” or energy of others, feeding on classmates to survive.
A unique artifact—one that may hold the key to returning Kali’s memories—is uncovered by the archaeology firm where she works part-time, sending Kali and Rhane on a dangerous journey that leads them to the Forbidden City, into the unforgiving Gobi, and into the ruins of Rhane’s ancient homeland. As they fight for survival, Kali begins to discover who she really is and the true power she possesses.
But Rhane still harbors a secret that could destroy Kali…unless old enemies kill her first. 
The complete series: 
18130885 21952768 23352899 24946854

EXCERPT – Dark Siren:
The stranger shifted, leaning over until his mouth was within a millimeter of her left ear. He spoke softly, his lips brushing against some serious nerve endings, “Is this seat taken?”
With a nervous shiver, she blinked long and slow, savoring the low and sexy quality of his voice. Then she edged away to put at least an inch between his lips and her ear. If he touched her like that again, Kali was very likely to embarrass herself. Just as she was about to answer his question, the room brightened with light from the illuminated screen. What Kali saw made her jaw drop.
If an eighty-year-old grandmother had been sitting next to her when this guy had shown up, Kali would have politely asked the old lady to move so the stranger could sit down. He was absurdly good looking. Silver lighting accented every perfect line and angle of his face. Several locks from his thick mass of hair fell idly across his forehead, slightly curling at the ends. There was softness to his features that suggested he could be a keeper.
The stranger returned Kali’s stare with an intensity that took in every part of her. But his eyes never left her face.
Realizing she had been staring at him stupidly for far too long, Kali struggled to find something to say. “I’m…” She cleared her throat. “It’s yours.”
He finally looked away. Whatever tied her to him was loosed, and Kali pulled her gaze away. They didn’t speak again for a long time, but Kali was constantly aware of him. She kept stealing furtive glances in his direction because the sight of him was more enthralling than anything the movie had to offer. Growing bolder, Kali watched him from the corner of her eye at increasingly longer intervals. Apparently, the stranger was not as bothered as she was. Relaxed in his seat, he sat observing the screen with languid interest, doing a pretty good job convincing her that he’d forgotten anyone was beside him. Kali was so immersed with watching him, and was completely startled when he spoke.
“It’s not polite to stare,” he murmured softly without taking his eyes from the screen.
Kali jerked and turned away. But she wasn’t fast enough and was mortified to see the beginning of a satisfied smile appear on his face. She slid down into the chair, grateful for the darkness that concealed a blush spreading across her cheeks. From then on she tried to concentrate on the movie. But it was useless. She gave up and watched the screen absently, all the while thinking about the guy sitting next to her and how he probably thought she was an absolute dork. She didn’t get it. Boys never had this affect on her. For the past two years, it had always been them falling helplessly at her feet.
A mutated mix of human and creature launched itself from a quiet scene, growling and snarling into the camera. Several audience members jumped in surprise, and Kali was one of them. She made a noise that sounded like a strangled bird.
“Do these things frighten you?” the stranger asked. He was clearly enjoying her discomfort.
Kali cleared her throat. “Why would they? This stuff isn’t real.” This time, she didn’t look at him.
After a long moment, he spoke again. “Right,” he slowly agreed.
Series Facebook banner


Author Bio: 
Cynic, realist, and hopeless romantic all rolled into one, Eden was born and raised in a small, sunny town in South Carolina where thunderstorms helped inspire her best ideas. There are few things she loves more than curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee on a rainy day (except maybe chocolate cake, she loves cake), often reading into the wee hours of morning when something really grabs her. Eden enjoys reading or watching anything with supernatural elements, so writing paranormal and fantasy romance is a natural fit.
Her first novel, Dark Siren, is best described as paranormal romance artfully wrapped within a plot chock-full of action, adventure, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, while the series has evolved to become a journey of redemption and second chances as two characters understand that sometimes committing evil is necessary to protect what is loved most. Eden took the siren from Greek mythology (and borrowed a little from mermaid lore), creating an entirely different creature, with its own mythology, and one that Publisher's Weekly praised for its passion and complexity. This is not just another werewolf/shapeshifter romance or vampire romance. This is a story that both adults and teens can enjoy, full of great characters to fall in love with!


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Tuesday 1 December 2015

Sweet Ruin by Kresley Cole


Sweet Ruin (Immortals After Dark, #15)

*ARC received for an honest review, thank you 

An immortal assassin is caught between desire and duty...

A foundling raised in a world of humans

Growing up, orphaned Josephine didn't know who are what she was-just that she was 'bad', an outcast with strange powers. Her baby brother Thaddeus was as perfect as she was flawed; protecting him became her entire life. The day he was taken away began Jo's tranistion from angry girl...to would-be-superhero...to ruthless, enchanting villain. 

A lethally sensual enforcer on a mission

A threat to the Møriør has brought archer Rune the Baneblood to the mortal realm to slay the oldest living Valkyrie. Whether by bow or in bed, he never fails to eliminate his target. Yet before he can stroke, he encounters a vampiric creature whose beauty conceals a dark heart. With one bite, she takes his forbidden blood...and jeopardises the secrets of his brethren. 

A boundless passion that will lead to sweet ruin

Could this exquisite female be a spy sent by the very Valkyrie he hunts? Rune knows he must not trust Josephine, yet he's unable to turn her away. When Jo betrays the identity of the one man she will die to protect, she and Rune become locked in a treacherous battle of wills that pits ultimate loyalty against unbridled lust. 

My Review

Book Number 15 in the Immortals After Dark Series and they just keep getting better and better. I don't know how this is, since every single book right from the very start has enchanted and left me begging for more. 'Sweet Ruin' follows the story of Rune and Josephine, opening the world of the Immortals to more worlds and ever expanding boundaries. This story kept me reading until very early in the morning, unaware of how time flew though desperate for it never to end. I just absolutely love all of the characters in Cole's universe, making me giddy when there are 'guest' appearances and overflowed with intrigue to see how these different personalities interact with eachother. However, this makes choosing sides super hard because of how much I love them all. No character is simply good or evil, all having their own weaknesses and strengths, hates and loves, and this is what makes this book, as well as this series, so unbelievably fantastical. I seriously hope these books never stop coming, and if you haven't started this series, I suggest you get onto it because you are missing out on a whole lot of mischief, mayhem, laughs and tears. 'Sweet Ruin', yet another spectacular achievement and great addition to one of the best series I have had the pleasure of reading. 

Rating: 5/5 

Friday 27 November 2015

Mystical by Michael Weekly Giveaway!


Mystical: Michael Weekly
(Mystical, #1)
Published by: Limitless Publishing
Publication date: December 8th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy
When Eliza Rose found out she was a witch, she thought she’d be casting spells…
However, it turns out Eliza is on her way to becoming a mystical assassin. But first she has to start college with her best friend Dawn Roberts and her feline familiar Jared. If you think college is stressful, try finding your best friend being seduced—nearly to death—by a venomous fairy. Something is horribly wrong, and Eliza must find out what it is. Knowing who’s who in the Mystical world can be a burden—or save her life… 
Murderous mermaids, seductive fairies, and manipulative elves are terrifying enough, but pure witches can become corrupt…and they’re the most dangerous creatures of all. Eliza struggles to discover the source of this chaos, but is repeatedly attacked—and saved by a shadowy figure. On a very personal note, Eliza must learn whether corruption is beginning to claim her mother. Her strongest ally might be handsome, enigmatic Donovan—but he is hiding a shocking secret… 
Donovan wants nothing to do with his old gang—not after the things they’d made him do. But when he meets Eliza, he’s both frustrated by her amateur skills and impressed by her emerging strength, and he feels compelled to help her grow into the assassin she’s meant to be.
Every answer has a price, and there are beings born to corrupt the pure. 
Eliza fights to master her skills before it’s too late, while Donovan must determine whether Eliza can be saved…or if she must die to keep her out of the hands of those who would use her powers to reign over all of Mystical.

EXCERPT:

I attempt to move and save her. Instead, I clench my hands into a fist, my throat is dry, and my heart drops inside of my chest. My hands are shaking, and I’m struggling to breathe properly. I can’t lunge forth. I’m too nervous. I press my lips together. Anxiously, my eyes slide from left to right as I try to think of what I can do to save this innocent girl. I glance down as soon as I hear something moving below me. Gravel on thin strands of weeds puckers out of the ground slowly and slithers up my calves. I cringe as the feeling of the moist dirt on my skin stings my legs. The sweet wind his wings create brush against my face, intoxicating me and causing my neck to numb. I become drowsy, my vision becomes blurry, and I forget about trying to save her. I’m paralyzed in this peaceful reverie. The smell of fresh roses controls my thoughts and actions. My eyes daze and, though I blink twice to wake myself up, I don’t want to fight against this calm feeling.
It feels amazing.
The weeds continue to wrap around my legs, holding me in place. I shake my head, trying to fall back into reality. I press my lips tightly together and focus on cutting off the weeds slowly. With each slash, it feels like my movement and reactions are slowing down. It must be the scent causing the nerves in my body to act strange. I cover my nose and continue cutting the strands of weed silently. Each cut increases the growth beneath me. The mud from the gravel thickens, gluing me further in place. The girl moans in pleasure while the weeds attach to me and cling onto the fabric of my clothing. The noise she is making and the weeds from underneath me are overwhelming me. My heart picks up frantically, and my lips feel dry. The strange creature caresses his prey’s bruised body. There are glowing hickeys all over her skin. He allows the weeds to slither around her neck slowly. He leaves another colorful hickey on her skin. He kisses her neck, eventually pulling on her skin with his sharp teeth. The scent of his tongue sliding slowly on her neck flows over to where I’m being held captive. My lips part as her eyes roll back into her head. I can feel my mind and thoughts drifting away with her. I want the creature’s lips on my skin just as much as his prey does.
Think, Eliza, think. Stay focused.
I shudder as the cold wind tickles the tiny hairs on my skin. The guy stops kissing the girl and the moans fade away. He looks up and scans his setting. His eyes lock on my hiding place. I increase my cutting movement as fast as I can. He smirks at me with colorful drool dropping to the ground from his white blade-like teeth. His red lips glimmer in front of me in the shadows.
He lets the weeds take over the girl’s body, preserving his meal for later. She is still stuck in ecstasy. Her eyes slide in my direction. Even though she must be in pain, she’s smiling. Weeds form around her body, slither up, and then slap across her eyes and mouth. The creep holding her captive flutters toward me slowly. He reaches out as weeds beneath the ground and roots spring up and wriggle around my ankles and neck. They travel up against my thighs and then slap across my mouth, preventing me from screaming. I am lifted up against the wall, just how the girl is in front of me. I raise my dagger to try and cut the weed covering my mouth, but I lose my grip and it falls to the ground. I panic, struggling to breathe, but the same scent crawls into my nostrils. Its sweet taste overpowers my senses. My heart beat slows down drastically as my eyes follow the monster, who is floating in front of me, grinning wickedly. He touches my skin with his soft hand, sizzling and calming my emotions. My heart skips a beat.
It’s finally my turn.

Author Bio:
Michael believes he is a mad scientist experimenting with his own imagination. He enjoys world building and having alluring conversations with his stubborn characters.
He is your author of The Mystical Trilogy, Casso and TESTED. Specializing in many genres such as Fantasy, Urban Fiction, Dystopian, Young and New Adult. Most of his inspirations come from fairy-tales, music, and his curious what ifs.
You can find him anywhere to snuggling in a comfy seat with hot cocoa Netflix binging, or taking a soothing walk along the forest lines. Possibly diving in a tank with sharks, but that would be too insane.
He is a shopaholic east coaster living in Virginia with his fury companion Coco.
Where the two live happily ever after.


GIVEAWAY!
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Saturday 21 November 2015

Heartblaze by Shay Roberts


*ARC received for an honest review, thank you!

In your past life you were a legendary figure in a passionate relationship with a vampire. Now your enemies from the past have found you, determined to make you pay a terrible price for a life you lived more than 200 years ago. 

Emma Rue is an eager college freshman. For reasons she cannot understand, she attacks her professor in front of her stunned classmates. Desperate for answers, Emma goes to a psychiatrist who uses hypnotic regression to explore her troubled childhood. But when the regression goes too far, back into her past life, a remarkable revelation emerges that shatters Emma's world. Suddenly on the run from powerful forces, Emma seeks out a shadowy figure from her past life. 

Julian St.Fluer is the 18th century vampire who transformed Emma's soul. The beautiful and enigmatic Julian holds the key to Emma's past, but will he help her? Two hundred years of lonliness have twisted him into a wicked creature and his reunine with Emma is unlike anything she could have ever imagined. 

Stefan Hildebrand is a werewolf with legendary combat skills who is posing as a fellow student. Stefan's feelings for Emma are real, but his powerful masters have ordered him to kill her. As the mystery of Emma's past unravels, Stefan must make a choice, sacrifice Emma or listen to his heart. 

Who do you trust, Julian or Stefan? Or do you go your own way?

My Review:

The many twists and turns throughout the book kept me intrigued until the very last page, the mysteries and darkness entwined within the pages making for a novel that I did not want to end. However, while the characters eventually grew on me towards the end, I still felt that there was a bit of a disconnect between the reader and the characters, this disappointed me a bit because I really wanted to become fully engaged in their lives, but there was just something missing that made this a challenging thing to accomplish. Nevertheless, I became invested in the story of Cassandra and Emma due to the mystery and gothic element surrounding their past and present. There was something not quite right within the story and I was determined to figure out what that thing was, and while we eventually figure it out, I wanted more to read at the end! Overall, 'Heartblaze' is an interesting read filled with mystery and madness that will leave readers needing the next one like now!

Rating: 3.5/5

Thursday 12 November 2015

Betrayed by Amber Lynn Natusch Cover Reveal


 
   

Releases on December 15, 2015
Add it on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1GnOjvB
They’re gone…
When Ruby discovers what really happened the night of Alan Beauchamp's murder, one thing becomes very clear: time is running out for the people she loves. As she unravels the web of lies and deceit around her, Ruby reveals an unthinkable truth. One with dire repercussions for all.
Can Ruby pull together all the supernatural aspects of her life to foil a diabolical plot, or will she fall victim to an evil unlike any other she has faced?


Haven't started the Caged Series yet? Caged is currently FREE!



FREE on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1M9YPWC
FREE on iBooks: http://apple.co/1M9YVxf
"I stood in the middle of the room, unmoving – I barely breathed. My life had just become surreal, impossible, and one enormous lie. I needed to go, to run somewhere, anywhere to beat back the reality that was rapidly closing in around me. The image of him was burned into my retina, flashing over and over again like a warning. He was trapped somewhere between human and decidedly not, and I realized that was my new reality. I was too."After the death of her parents, Ruby awakens from a lifetime of shadows and finds herself alone, thrust into a world of lies, deceit, betrayal and the supernatural.
As her quest for truth continues to come up short, she realizes that maybe some questions really are best left unanswered. When her true identity is finally unveiled, she is forced to choose between two of the mysterious men who continually seem to crop up in her life. She chooses poorly.
Now abandoned, Ruby must learn to call on the darkness within to survive, or spend a hellish eternity imprisoned because of it.

About Amber Lynn Natusch
If you're dying to know more about me, allow me to put you at ease. I'm a sharp-tongued, sarcastic cancer, who loves vegetable smoothies, winter storms, and the word "portfolio". I should NEVER be caffeinated, and require at least eight hours of sleep to even resemble a human being. At thirty-four, I just now feel like I can keep a straight face while saying the word "rectum" (which is actually a huge lie because I just laughed out loud while reading this to my husband). I live with my iPod firmly affixed to my body, drive too fast, and laugh/cry at inappropriate times.

Monday 2 November 2015

Rare Form by Jen Crane



*ARC received for an honest review, thank you!

Fiery redhead Stella Stonewall can't decide between a margarita and a manhattan. The rest of her life? Please. Stella has never really fit in, and her pretty world comes crashing down when she learns it was never her world at all. Rowan Gresham is domineering, brooding, and as sexy as chocolate-dipped sin. When he transports Stella to the magical realm of her parents she recognises her rightful place immediately. Gresham's motivations aren't as clear. 
The enigmatic Gresham aids in Stella's metamorphosis and their chemistry ignites, though a long time girlfriend and a significant age difference stands in the way. Stella's life fast-tracks extraordinarily when she enrolls at Radix Citadel for Supernatural Learning, an enchanted college whose students turn fury on the regular. As Stella learns to navigate the new world of Thayer she must find her animal form, a task as elusive as her ancestory. Stella soon faces and even bigger challenge: stay alive long enough to learn to manipulate an animal form she never knew she possessed.

So first thing first, I really enjoyed this book, I loved the characters, I loved the story and I loved the original idea behind it. However, it was so short! I wanted this book to go on forever and ever, learn more about the characters and the awesome world that this author created. I just don't feel like there were enough pages to really go in depth with the characters, and because of this, while I did enjoy all of them, there was just an extra something missing for me. It was all a bit shallow, no amazing descriptions of this new world that I want to know more about, no amazing dialogue between characters that shows their inner conflict and demons. I loved this book, but I really just wanted more from it. That being said, I could have read 500 pages of it and it still would not have been enough. Jen Crane weaves an intriguing story of magic and shapeshifting, different dimensions and people that will leave readers begging for more. 

Rating: 3.5/5

Saturday 17 October 2015

Landon by E.A. Knight

LANDON

*ARC received for an honest review, thank you!

Can one night change your life?
I never thought so.
But can one night with the right man change everything? 
I am about to find out...

Fearful of exposing the secret she's hidden for years, Celeste Adams never lets feelings seep into her relationships with men. But when one sinful night introduces her to a gorgeous stranger she cannot simply forget, her resolve to remain unattached is threatened...
She resists the temptation to seek out more, while forging ahead plans to recreate herself as a graduate of the university of Chicago. And she does just fine, until that very same stranger waltzes back into her life as the very sexy, and very unattainable...

Professor James Landon. 


...Suddenly our lives are thrown together on a collision course of the deepest passions. Neither of us know how far this will lead. How powerful these feelings will become. 
Or, that our love is doomed from the very start. 

My heart has been crushed and ripped apart right in front of my eyes, in fact, it hurt so much that it would have been a lot less messy of E.A. Knight had ripped it from my chest herself rather than have me drown in all of these painful emotions! I did not expect this book to kill me from the inside out, everything was going just fine until that twist at the end and omg I will never get this painful stab out of my heart. Landon was supposed to be a fun and beautiful and easy read and, while it was beautiful, it was anything but fun and easy to read. Not many books can lead me to tears, but E.A. Knight, you have succeeded where many have failed, and that ending was not ok. Anyway, about the book...I sat down with the book, and when I finally looked up, the sky was dark, I was crying out my soul, and I had successfully read for entire day without once looking up or eating. The language is beautiful and deeply touches your soul, the emotions so real that they capture the reader and leave them at the mercy of an evil writer. I fell in love with Celeste and James' story, their love transcending all of the painful trials they must endure, never failing to come back to each other. This is definitely a story everyone (above the age of 18) must read, E.A. Knight weaves a story of passion, love and battling fate, I fell in love, and you will too. 

Rating: 5/5 

Friday 2 October 2015

Mind of the Phoenix by Jamie McLachlan


*ARC received for an honest review, thank you

Moira is a powerful empath, a psychic graced with the abilities to read emotions and memories. Her skill is as much a curse as a gift, for in the harshly stratified city of Braxton, empaths are slaves. Clever and beautiful, Moira has learned to trust no one but herself. Determined to escape life as a concubine, she kills her master, and is imprisoned for the crime. This could be the end for Moira, but the government has a need for her skills. A mysterious serial killer known as the Phoenix has been planting suggestions in his victims minds that drive them to murder and suicide. To gain her freedom, Moira partners with Keenan Edwards, a handsome young detective, to stop the killer. Hunting the Phoenix will bring Moira on a more dangerous road than she imagined, forcing her to confront dark minds, twisted moralities, and her growing feelings for the detective. 

I don't know where to start it was such an amazing ride! I typically don't read many mystery novels because I usually guess the ending before I manage to get halfway, but 'Mind of the Phoenix' kept me gripped right until the very end. Set in a world where those with special empathic abilities are kept as slaves in the early 19th century, readers are taken on a ride filled with mystery and forbidden romance. My favourite aspect of this story was the main character Moira, a strong yet damaged girl way too snarky for that period of time, but it absolutely worked. While this story has some dark and disturbing themes throughout, the budding romance between the two main characters brought some much needed lightness to the story, while not being cliched enough to make me roll my eyes. The dialogue flows tremendously well and it never feels as though the author just forced these two people together, making for a beautiful romance that had me wanting this story to not end omg how long do I have to wait now noooooo! 

Rating: 5/5


Sunday 6 September 2015

Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep



*ARC received for an honest review, thank you!

Something wicked this way comes...
As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there's no escaping the spotlight-or the danger. Even though he's my competitor, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what's supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious 'accidents', it looks like someone will do anything to win-no matter who they hurt. As if I didn't have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone's going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing's for sure, sometimes humans can be the most monstrous of all...

Wew, another awesome book from one Jennifer Estep, master of turning thiefs and assassins into the most kick-ass protagonists out there in the Urban Fantasy genre. 'Dark Heart of Magic' kicks off where 'Cold Burn of Magic' left us, with gathering dark forces and a tentative spark of love between two characters you can't help but fall in love with yourself. I swear, waiting for the next book in an amazing and heart-pounding series is the worst part of being a book reviews and passionate reader. But luckily, the wait is always worth it, just as it was for this one. Estep takes you on a whirlwind of a story filled with monsters, magicks, mayhem and humans, who sometimes turn out to be the worst monsters of them all. Cloudburst Falls is like the magical equivalent of Las Vegas, where not only can you gamble away all your money, you can also marvel at the pixies flitting around, and get eaten by a bigger and badder monster if you wander too far into the woods. I love the characters, the setting, the plot, the everything, and I once again cannot wait until the next book! 

Rating: 4/5


Tuesday 25 August 2015

Bound by Duty by Stormy Smith



*ARC Received for an honest review, thank you!

Amelia grew up in a world of half-truths. She knows she's an elder, but has no idea what that means. Her father reminds her daily that she must remain in control, but he refuses to say why. Even worse, she's betrothed to the prince of the immortals and doesn't even know his name. Finally breaking free to live a few years at a community college, the last thing Amelia expects is to find her best friend in a cheeky southern girl, or fall for a self-assured human who sees her for who she is, not what she will become. As she learns more about herself, Amelia realises that there is a thin line between love and duty. As her powers continue to increase exponentially and her questions are slowly answered, Amelia must make the ultimate choice. The questions is, will her head win the battle, or her heart?

Bound by Duty is a beautifully intense story about a young woman who must make the ultimate choice between a powerful love, and a duty to her people now under the reign of a sadistic and murderous Queen. I loved the world-building of this novel, especially the intriguing stories behind the characters who call themselves mages. I fell head over heels in love with Amelia and her tragic story of always having to do the right thing by her people, even though it destroys her to tear away from those she has come to love throughout the story. I don't know whether I would be as selfless as her. The characters are interesting and make me laugh and cry, and isn't that all you want from a story; for it to be engaging and emotional and make you immediately want the next book like now! A beautiful story, Bound by Duty will leave you needing more. 

Rating: 4/5


Sunday 16 August 2015

The Carnelian Legacy by Cheryl Koevoet



*ARC received for an honest review, thank you! 

Marisa MacCallum always believed that the man of her dreams was out there somewhere. The problem is-he's in another dimension. After the death of her father, eighteen-year-old Marisa's life is on the verge of imploding. She seeks daily comfort on her daily ride through the woods of Golden Hill, but when a mysterious lightening storm strikes, she is hurled into the ancient, alternate dimension of Carnelia where she is discovered by the arrogant but attractive nobleman Ambassador Darian Fiore. Stranded in a world teeming with monsters, maniacs and medieval knights, Marisa is forced to join Darian on a dangerous mission to negotiate peace with his cousin and archenemy Savino De Rocha. Along the way she starts to see Darian's softer side and finds herself falling in love. But once she learns he is locked in an arranged marriage, her heart shatters. When Savino falls for her charms and demands her hand in exchange for peace, Marisa is faced with an impossible choice: marry the enemy of the man she loves or betray them both and become the catalyst for a bloody war. 

Lately I've been moving away from the High Fantasy genre. Too many strange names to remember, too many different rules of politics, marriage, magic and so on. So I was a little bit wary when starting to read, hoping that I wouldn't be turned off it near the start and have to drag myself to the end. But I was enchanted with this story from the first time Marisa set foot in this new mysterious and intriguing land filled with monsters and rather charmingly handsome knights. I'm such a sucker for fantasy books! Luckily for me, there weren't too many challenging things to remember, apart from the whole line of royal ascension...did she end up marrying her cousin? That's the only thing I'm a bit confused about. While I really ended up enjoying the new fantasy world, some of the characters just didn't do it for me, and the plot was a bit obvious, I guessed it pretty early on but continued reading it in the hopes that I would be wrong...but I wasn't, so the climax really wasn't really, well...climatic. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the story, but probably wouldn't continue the series.

Rating: 3.5/5

Wednesday 12 August 2015

Curse of the Sphinx by Raye Wagner


*ARC received for an honest review, thank you!

How long can a monster hide in plain sight?
Seventeen-year-old Hope Nicholas has spent her entire life on the run. But no one is chasing her. In fact, no one even knows she exists. With her Mum, she's travelled from town to town and school to school, barely staying long enough to meet anyone, let alone make friends. And she'll have to keep it that way. It's safer. When her mother is brutally ripped away from her, Hope's life shatters. Is this the fulfilment of Apollo's curse? Is Hope, too, being hunted? Orphaned and alone, Hope flees again. but this time there's no one to teach her who to trust-or how to love. 
Set in a universe where mythology is alive and well in the modern world, Curse of the Sphinx irresistibly blends action, suspense and romance. 

I wouldn't have minded a bit more action to have taken place within the story, I was a bit let down in that aspect, but I instantly fell in love with Hope and Athan. They were both very interesting and unique characters, however, there was an added depth that I felt was missing from their personalities that would have taken this story from the 'great' category to the 'omfg-give-me-the-next-one-now' category. But I was very taken with the universe the story was set in, how mythology is something as well known as history and taught as much as maths in schools. For me, this is what made in gravitate towards the book, and I was not disappointed by what I found within its pages. 'Curse of the Sphinx' is a heart-wrenching story that had me reading for a solid four hours before it sadly ended way too soon. I cannot wait to see where this series takes the characters and readers both, I can tell that this is the start of something awesome. 

Rating: 3.5/5

Monday 3 August 2015

Gambit by C.L. Denault


*ARC Received for an honest review, thank you

In Earth's battle-ridden future, humans have evolved. Those with extraordinary skills rise to power and fame. Those without live in poverty. Sixteen-year-old Willow Kent believed she was normal. But when a genetically-enhanced military officer shows up at her village and questions her identity, long buried secrets begin to emerge. With remarkable skills and a shocking genetic code the Core and its enemies will do anything to obtain, Willow suddenly finds the freedom she craves slipping through her fingers. Greed, corruption and genetic tampering threaten everything of her existence as she's thrust, unwillingly, into the sophisticated culture of the elite Core city. To ensure peace, she must leave the past behind, marry a man she's never met, and submit to the authority of a relentless officer with hidden agendas of his own. Her life has become a dangerous game. How much will she sacrifice in order to win?

Gambit was exciting and entertaining, never leaving me bored or wanting to skip pages. I was quickly thrust into a world crossing the lines between a utopia and dystopia, making me question everything about this world of genetic engineering and power, as well as questioning the consequences of what could happen if humans play with nature to this terrifying extent. The world building was amazing and I was thoroughly entranced with all of the interesting and unique characters that came in and out of the pages. I'm sure that this is going to be an amazing new series that will spread like wildfire. 

Rating: 4/5


Friday 31 July 2015

Unbound by Emily Goodwin


*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

The world of ghosts and spirits is nothing new to Anora Benson; she's spent her whole life trying to ignore them, trying to be normal. But when the Pricolici, a group of ancient bounty hunters, are sent after her, Anora realises she is more than just a medium. As a witch she has power, power she doesn't know how to use, power that makes her vulnerable to the demons that desire her gifts. Anora is alone and scared, forced to face the darkness on her own. Then she meets Ethan, a handsome and and mysterious stranger who shows up in her life right along with the magic, and he seems to know quite a bit abut her and the Coven she hails from. Will she risk everything in trusting him or risk fighting alone?

A bit of a sappy love story, but I admit that it had me in sighs and smiles throughout the book, just as well, as it helped to soften the scary-ass-shit that went down! I really did not expect it to keep me up at night shivering under my blankets, but ghosts make me uncomfortable, and demon dogs make me terrified. I really don't know if Anora's powers were worth the hell that came with them, literally. Anyway. While the plot was a little bit generic and not too captivating or inspiring, I still enjoyed it because dammit I love cliched love stories! I don't really know what else to say about this book, I mean, nothing about it really stood out for me, but I didn't dislike it either, and I was engaged throughout the entire story. If you want a break from life for a day, I'm sure there are better books you could be reading, but I don't think you would be disappointed in picking this one up either. 

Rating: 3/5


Tuesday 14 July 2015

The Girl's Guide to the Apocalypse Cover Reveal




Author: Daphne Lamb
Release: Fall, 2015

Blurb:
Welcome to the Apocalypse. Your forecast includes acid rain, roving gangs and misplaced priorities, in this comedic take on the end of the world as we know it, from debut author Daphne Lamb.
As a self-entitled, self-involved, and ill equipped millennial, Verdell probably wouldn’t have ranked very high on the list of those most likely to survive the end of the world, but here she is anyway. Add in travelling with her work addicted boss, her boyfriend who she has “meh” feelings for, and a handful of others who had no businesses surviving as long as they have, and things aren’t exactly going as planned. But despite threats of cannibalism, infected water supplies, and possibly even mutants, Verdell is willing to put in as little effort as she can get away with to survive.

Saturday 4 July 2015

Frost by E. Latimer Cover Reveal

Frost Front Cover

Frost by E. Latimer

Expected: August 25, 2015 by Patchwork Press

Megan Walker’s touch has turned to ice. She can’t stop the frost, and the consequences of her first kiss are horrifying. When her new powers attract attention, Megan finds herself caught up in an ancient war between Norse giants. One side fuelled by a mad queen’s obsession and an ancient prophecy about Ranorak, the other by an age-old grudge. Both sides believe Megan to be something she’s not. Both sides will stop at nothing to have her. Fire or frost. It’s an impossible decision, but she’ll have to act soon, because the storm is coming.  

 
Pre-Order Links:
About E. Latimer: Erin Latimer is a young adult fantasy writer who currently resides in Vancouver, BC. She writes books, makes silly vlogs about writing with the YA Word nerds, and reads excessively. She has had an article featured in Chicken Soup For the Soul, and another in the Dear Teen Me online anthology. But mostly she writes about murderous queens and the magical teens who fight them. You can find her online at elatimer.com/


This Cover Reveal was organized by Patchwork Press.
 

Tuesday 16 June 2015

Koven Blog Tour

Koven Blog Tour

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Release Date: June 11 , 2015
Genre:  FICTION / Romance / Paranormal  ISBN e-book:    978-1-61213-385-0
Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH


~~SUMMARY~~
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When Celeste was kidnapped a century ago and turned against her will by a cruel vampire fighter, she expected to spend her doomed eternity as his slave, chained in the darkness, and she questioned her ability to survive. But things don’t always go as expected.
Just ask her kidnapper.
He never expected Celeste to learn how to fight.
He never expected Celeste to become the best warrior he had ever seen.
He never expected the secret hidden away in her blood,
And he certainly never expected to become a victim of his own sword.
Tormented by her past and the dreams she can’t explain, Celeste now roams the earth slaying the creatures she loathes—other vampires like herself—and seeking revenge against those who would harm innocents in the name of bloodlust.
Until she crosses paths with Striker, the handsome vampire leader weighed down by his own tortured story.
In his quest for answers about the stunning Celeste, Striker finds out more than he ever thought possible—about himself, his true origins, and his destiny. But the secret Celeste is keeping from him might be the one thing that keeps them apart for good—a secret even more dangerous than a new, powerful enemy they never saw coming.
As ancient mysteries, forgotten prophecies, and cruel eras collide, Celeste must confront her past as well as her future. Fighting her inner demons and letting Striker beyond the wall she built around her heart haunts her, even more than her captive past.
Enter a supernatural world of passion, lust, sexual obsession, and power that the unsuspecting humans never knew existed, until now . . .

~~EXCERPT~~
Koven-3D-Paperback-1The vampire silently watched from a balcony near the top of a shiny glass-covered skyscraper, enthralled, as the assassin neatly dispatched three Lore with brutal efficiency.
Two of the three had been beheaded before they’d even known what was happening.
Impressive, really—hard as it is to sneak up on a vampire, let alone deprive one of its head.
Granted, the three Lore rogues had looked young and inebriated—no doubt fresh from snacking on some of the drug-addled humans wandering around the club district in the very early hours of the morning. The chemical-or alcohol-laced blood of high humans was a favorite pastime of the younger generations of vampires, many of whom were reticent to leave human vices behind after their turning.
The third vampire looked shocked and tried to run as his friends met their absolute death, but the assassin was faster—considerably so. The Lore was killed quickly, neatly, and efficiently, without undue blood or relish.
He narrowed his dark brown eyes as he surveyed the assassin’s graceful movements.
The vampire didn’t kill for the thrill, which often happened because psychopaths were common within their species. No, given the calm efficiency, the assassin killed for some other reason that he couldn’t yet fathom.
He had hidden far enough away that the low clicking of his compact digital camera couldn’t be heard.
He zoomed in and refocused, the shutter softly snapping open and closed as the assassin wiped a bloody sword on one of the unfortunate vampire’s clothing before sheathing it.
He stuck around long enough to ensure all Lore—vampires turned by another vampire—had disintegrated into dust. The cold, late-winter wind whistling through the city would eventually scatter their remains across several gray city blocks. He was grateful they hadn’t been hybrids. They left a mess when killed, and a cleaning crew would have been necessary to dispose of the remains before any humans stumbled across them.
Pressing a few buttons, he examined the camera’s small screen critically. The leathers covering the assassin from head to toe made any facial features unidentifiable in each of the shots, but they were tight enough to leave no doubt.
A female assassin?
He was surprised and a little excited. Female vampires were increasingly rare, let alone one who fought as well as she did.
The wind moaning between the high-rise and its tall neighbor wasn’t enough to muffle the soft thud of footfalls from his sharp ears. He didn’t turn, however, because the intruder’s scent was familiar.
“Striker, are you following her again?” Bradford, Striker’s second-in-command, asked.
Striker reluctantly pulled his gaze away from the camera’s screen and turned slowly. “Yes. What of it?”
Bradford raised an eyebrow. “Surely you’ve got enough evidence against her to report to Kouncil by now. Why the extra surveillance?”
Striker folded his arms and remained silent.
Bradford ran his hands through his wavy red hair before shrugging his heavily muscled shoulders. “I’m aware it’s not my job to question—”
“You got that right.”
“Just wondering if you can afford the extra time. Kovens don’t run themselves, you know.”
Striker shrugged, slipping the camera into the pocket of his leather jacket. “I find her . . . fascinating.”
Bradford snorted. “Don’t let your never-ending drive for pussy cloud your judgment. The executioner’s noose is over her head, and you know it. Kouncil wants blood. She risks exposing us all with her activities.”
“You should see how she fights. She’s quick, effective . . . deadly,” Striker said, waving toward the female, who was scooping up empty clothes and placing them in a nearby dumpster. “And she’s cleaning up after herself, as you can plainly see. She poses no threat to us. On the contrary, she could be useful.”
Bradford stared at the woman, wrinkling his fair, white brow. “How old do you think she is?”
“She is too fast to be a hybrid. She doesn’t appear to be able to fly yet, so Lore less than a century old is my guess.”
“Less than a century?” Bradford narrowed his ruddy-colored eyes. “Good. She should be easy to capture and destroy, then.”
Striker clenched his fists. “Do not be so quick to destroy that which you don’t understand, brother. She could be a valuable asset.”
Bradford scoffed. “There is no way Kouncil will ever allow a female to join Koven. Nor will they forgive her for such . . . unseemly pursuits.”
“As much as they might like to think otherwise, it’s not up to Kouncil. It’s up to me who joins my Koven. Besides, fifty years ago they said the same thing about the hybrids, and now they are becoming members of our ranks as fast as they mature.”
Bradford let out a single bark of laughter. “Yes, you went against their wishes and allowed hybrids into Koven, and Kouncil is still pissed off about it! Because of you, they were forced to relax the ban on human and vampire relations, as well as the half-breeds sometimes resulting from them. All to boost our ranks. Vampire numbers are dwindling lower than ever before, and you know from personal experience that the turnings don’t always take, particularly for wome—” Bradford glanced at Striker and winced but pushed past the awkward moment quickly. “Don’t mistake their tolerance of hybrids after centuries of culling them with acceptance. They cannot stand the mongrels. They still call them Tiks, for fuck’s sake! They move about the sunlight without any discernable loss of strength, unlike Kouncil themselves.” Bradford shook his head. “It would be unwise to anger them so soon after a significant loss of face. They’ll never join the rest of us in the twenty-first century. They’re marred too deep in the old ways and prejudices. I often wonder why we sacrifice our strongest vampires to protect them. Would we be so much worse off if we let nature take its course?”
Striker shrugged. “My maker used to ask me the same thing, and I honestly have no good answer. Tradition, maybe? Koven has been the right hand of Kouncil for millennia. But they’ll join us in modern society if I have to drag them kicking and screaming myself. You’ll see.”
Bradford huffed and cut his gaze sideways at Striker, clearly irritated. “Sadly, brother, I think you will see, and when you do, you won’t like it.” Running for the edge of the high-rise, he jumped, disappearing into the dark sky.
Striker turned back to his contemplation of the female.
He noticed she had returned everything to it pre-slaughter state, and resolving to follow her, he launched himself into the sky and flew above as she darted on foot through city alleys and quiet streets. He tracked her easily and hoped she would lead him to her keeper. It would allow his men to find her much easier later, should he wish to arrest her.
His mind raced.
Kouncil had sent him specifically to identify and gather evidence against the lone assassin killing rogue vampires—Lore and hybrid alike—indiscriminately and without permission. His instructions had not included rescue or engagement.
But something about her . . .

~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~
Vanessa Skye has always had a love of words and spent her school years writing poetry, speeches, and fictional essays.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism and studying psychology at Charles Sturt University, Vanessa got a job at Rural Press—Australia's largest publisher of regional and agricultural news and information—where she worked as a journalist in the Central West of New South Wales for four years.

Thousands of stories later, Vanessa decided to move back to Sydney and try her hand at public relations while studying for her master’s in communication.


Skip forward a few years, and Vanessa once again found herself joyfully studying various psychology subjects while managing a Sydney public relations firm. Enthralled with examining the motivations behind people’s actions, Vanessa realized what she really wanted to do in life was combine her love of words with her fascination for human behavior. So Ms. Skye quit public relations to begin the significantly more impoverished life of a professional writer.



Inspired by a recurring dream, Vanessa wrote her crime fiction debut, The Enemy Inside, which challenges the concept of justice, asks if the need for vengeance sometimes justifies murder, and explores whether you can ever heal from childhood abuse. The second book in this series, Broken, was released in February 2014, and the third, Bloodlines, was released in January of 2015. The first book in a paranormal series, Koven, will be released in June 2015. In her spare time, Vanessa wrote a short story, The Piece, which was published in February 2012 by Dark Prints Press as a part of the One That Got Away dark fiction anthology.

Vanessa now works as a freelance writer, lives on Sydney’s northern beaches, and tries to immerse herself in salt water at least once a day.
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