Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Blog Tour Stop: Flutter by Melissa Andrea



Welcome to the next stop on the Flutter blog tour!!!!  I am so happy about this book finally releasing.  I have been waiting a long time to get my hands on it!!!The cover itself is just gorgeous.  Melissa is an AMAZING author and an AMAZING person!!!




Title: Flutter
Author: Melissa Andrea
Publication: October 30th, 2012
Pages: 376


 Excerpt

“I’m a big girl Adan. I knew what I was doing.” I looked at him through my eyelashes.
“And what were you doing?” he asked.
“Playing with fire.”
“Me, being the fire?”
“You, being my fire.” I looked up at him coyly, waiting for his reaction.
I heard the low growl rumble through his chest, and his eyes blazed a stormy blue.
“You have no idea, how much I like the sound of that.”





Sara

Sara's life is forever changed -
Waking up, buried & hidden deeply in the last place anyone would want to be, will do that. She is determined to find out how she ended up there & why, but when the only person who can help her, continuously lies to her, she finds herself forced to suffer alone. She can't ignore the strange things that begin to happen to her nor can she hide from the nightmares that haunt her sleep. And when her world collides with Adan - the mysterious boy whom she can't seem to stay away from, literally - she is consumed by the familiar flutter that sparks whenever he is around and she is desperate to discover the reason why.
But the biggest discovery will come from the secret of what she is…

Adan

Adan’s mission to find Sara has finally approached -
It seemed simple: bring her back to the enchanted world that lives, breathes and survives because of her, but he quickly finds himself faced with an entirely new challenge. Immediately, Adan realizes that staying unknown to Sara is a task he will fail before even attempting. The pull to her is far too strong to refuse, and being with her will defy the very reason he existed. He was the key to her survival and loving her was not part of the plan that he had been born to follow. Can he find it in himself too resist the urge to be with her and follow through with their destiny or will he destroy everything that had been left to Sara to protect and defend -
And the kingdom she is unaware she rules…

Flutter

As Sara and Adan struggle to overcome their own separate battles -
There is a far more determined evil that is stalking the shadows and waiting to annihilate them both.
Sara will figure out that not everything is what it seems and knowing what she can and can not trust will be the key to finding out the truth to what happened to her, the reason why she had been buried alive and who she really is…

Sara and Adan will discover the hidden meaning to why she was the reason he existed and why he would be the reason she survived & together they will fight to change the rules and rewrite their fate.

Discover the Meaning,
Discover the Secret,
Discover
Flutter



About the Author 




Melissa started reading in high school when she found her mom's romance book collection and has been hooked on books every since. She became a complete book-a-holic, starting her own collection and improving her reading skills. Most of the time she could finish a book walking around the store, while her mom shopped.

She wrote her first short story in high school for a competition in her writing class. It was a child's book called 'Arnold' - it was about an ant who believed he could do anything. Oh by the way, she won!

She has written many stories since then, but this will be her first YA paranormal/fantasy and the first book she will have published.

She lived in Mesa, Arizona with her husband of six years, and her 3 beautiful daughters. They are her biggest fans and they inspire her everyday. She enjoys spending time with her family, weekend dates with her mom & taking vacations. Hawaii anyone??


Important Links to find Melissa and Flutter!!!! 




 Flutter Quote Trailer!!!!

Waiting on Wednesday: Sever by Lauren Destefano


 Waiting on Wednesday #2



 Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that lets us spotlight upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating!!!!
There are so many books that I can't wait to release.  The book I choose to spotlight this week is:



Sever (The Chemical Garden, #3)


Title: Sever
Author: Lauren Destefano
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication: February 12th, 2013
Pages: 384



Goodreads Synopsis

 With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.

In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered.


 Fever left off with a huge cliffhanger that I have been wanting to read this really bad.  I can't wait to see what happens with the characters in the final book of the Chemical Garden trilogy. 

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Blog Tour Stop: Reaping Me Softly








Title: Reaping Me Softly
Author: Kate Evangelista
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Publication: October 30th, 2012
Format: eARC
Pages: 220
Rating: 3/5 Stars


Synopsis

Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.

At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?



My Review 

Ari is always optimistic.  She believes that everything will turn out okay.  After everything she faces in this story, will she continue to battle thought it? When Niko reaps someone she loves more than anything, will she be able to forgive Niko?  Will she be able to save Niko from himself and from Death?

  
I really liked Arianne as a character, because I was able to relate to her  She was strong and loyal to her friends and family.  She always put them first and I loved her because of that.  Arianne has the ability to see souls.  The souls appear completely nude so that lets her know who is actually dead and who is not.  I loved her friendship with Ben.  They were very close, like brother and sister.  I loved how well they knew each other and how comfortable they were together.  They had each others backs no matter what.  I definitely would have been Ben's best friend!!!

Arianne has it tough in school.  She is constantly bullied by Darla.  Anyone who tries to help her out, gets bullied as well.   This aspect had a huge, shocking twist.  I so did not see that coming!!!    I had to read the page a couple of times, because I was shocked speechless.  I love when books do that.  Darla gets worse and worse through the series.  She kinda goes crazy when Arianne gets even with her.

I also loved the relationship between Arianne and her sister, Carrie.  Carrie was such a strong character as well.  She is really sick in the hospital, but she was so strong willed, that she didn't let that get her down.  I felt the hope that both sisters had. It was truly touching.

Niko pretty much gave up on life.  He was so depressed and questioning his purpose of existing.  As a reaper, he retrieves souls to be processed.  That is all he does.  All the lives, he has lived, he has never been truly happy.  He got so depressed, that he started to let himself fade.  He believed his angel, Arianne, saved him by stating a simple quote.

Arianne always had a huge crush on Niko.  He didn't know she even existed until they got put together as lab partners.  I loved their relationship even though it borders on insta-love.  It was just too fast.  One minute he didn't know her and the next, he was fully entranced.  Don't get me wrong, I loved watching the things he would do for her or things he said to her, but I would have loved watching their relationship grow and build as they hung out.

I loved the book until the ending. I absolutely hated the ending.  I love my happy ending, and this one doesn't end happy at all.  One minute I am happy and the next I am crying, ready to throw my Nook.  I thought it was a little too much at the end.  So many things went wrong at the end.



                                                               About the Author

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing.


Kate Evangelista
Social Media links:
Twitter: @KateEvangelista

Links to find book:




Giveaway

 10 ebooks!!!  Enter below for a chance to win one!!! 

 
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Cover Reveal: Realm of Secrets


Title: Realm of Secrets
Author: Marylynn Bast
Publisher: Werewolf Tails Publishing
Publication: October 26th, 2012

Schadoh Aphenithea has always looked up to her older sister and willingly follows in her footsteps, venturing out into the new realm where humans and other strange creatures exist.
Unexpectedly, Schadoh meets Dakota who turns out to be her best friend and protector. With the threat of vampires invading Loxy and Earth, she will need all the help she can get when the portal to her realm is closed. She is forced to remain in the earth realm and live as a human. Something she finds is not quite as easy as it looks from the wall of mists. Schadoh must learn to co-exist in the earth realm while keeping the secret that other realms exist.




 
About the Author

MaryLynn Bast moved to Las Vegas in 2010 from Texas, where she grew up. She works as a consultant with a contractor for the US Military, traveling from base to base across the US and around the world. Whenever possible, MaryLynn enjoys spending time with her husband, children and friends. In her free time she writes paranormal fantasies, loves to read and travel.


   
Contact Links:
Website:  http://heartofawolfseries.blogspot.com/ 
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16098425-realm-of-secrets
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/MaryLynnBast  
 http://www.facebook.com/pages/MaryLynn-Bast-Heart-of-a-Wolf-Series/290060734343947 http://www.facebook.com/groups/276906255723856/  



I want to thank Anna and Marylynn let me be apart of this cover reveal.  The cover is unique and beautiful.   The picture of the little girl on the cover is Anna's daughter which makes it even more special!!!  The book releases tomorrow everyone!!!  Check it out!!!!


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Blog Tour: Body and Soul by Jamie Loeak


Welcome to the next stop on this blog tour.  On my stop, I am sharing my review of Body and Soul along with the author's bio.  I hope everyone is enjoying the tour so far!!!  Thank you for stopping by.





Title: Body and Soul
Author: Jamie Loeak
Publisher: Jamie Loeak
Publication: August 25th, 2012
Format: ebook
Pages: 288
Rating: 5 Stars



Goodreads Synopsis

Kate, the daughter of a lawyer and marine biologist, has just moved to a small beach town in Florida. She’s forced to start over in the middle of the summer, but is used to it by now, since she’s moved around her entire life. When Kate meets Rico and Adriana on her second day at the beach house, everything changes. Kate is introduced to the world of Light and Darkness, and is thrown into the middle of it when a mysterious being attacks her one night. As Kate’s nights continue to get weirder, her friendship with Rico and Adriana grows stronger, and for the first time Kate has real friends. When Rico sits Kate down to tell her what is really happening to her, things start to click for Kate, and she is forced to make a decision to quit or fight for her body and soul.



My Review

 When Kate moves to Florida, her whole life changes.  She learns that demons really exist, and that they live on Earth with the humans.  Demons want to possess human souls so they can feel emotions that the humans possess.  They want to feel love.  Kate realizes that Kern and Erik are both after her soul for some unknown reason.  When Kate starts having visions, she keeps most of them to herself.  She doesn't want anyone to think badly of her so she investigates this mystery on her own.  Of course, Rico, Adriana and Donovan are also looking for information as well.  Will Kate be able to figure out why her soul is so important to them?  Will she be able to save her body and soul?

Words can't describe how much I loved this book.  I was truly captivated with Body and Soul.  I was hooked from the very beginning.  Once I started reading Body and Soul, I couldn't put it down.  For one thing, the story is beautifully written.. I felt like I was right there with the characters through everything they faced, rooting them on.  Jamie filled this story with adventure, mystery, tragedy and romance.   


Relating to the characters is what makes stories magical.  I loved all the characters in this book.  Well, except Erik.  I hated him.  I don't like the evil characters in the books.  Kate was a true heroine in this story.  She didn't know anything about demons really existing so she was very inquisitive.  She was always seeking information.  I also loved to see Kate grow gradually through the story.  I loved how she put other people before herself.  Who could now love Rico?  Black hair, cobalt blue eyes.  He was one of my favorite characters in the story. I loved watching him grow as well.  He was very set on keeping Kate at arms length.  He didn't want to fall for her because of who and what he is.  He also didn't want to fall for her due to what could happen in the future.  He is immortal and one day, Kate would die.  He couldn't live without her if he lost her.  It was very sweet.  I love my romance. Donovan was like the father of the group the protector.  Adriana was a great friend.  She helped Rico and Donovan see that can coexist with  humans without possessing their souls.  

When I finished this book, I was utterly shocked and surprised.  There were a few events that I didn't see coming.  I really surprised with what happened to Donovan at the end.  I was so excited and happy for him.  It changes everything they believed in.  What happened with her father tore me to pieces.  I had to quit reading for a few so I could quit crying.  I did learn a little as to why Kate's soul is so important.  But for what he truly plans to do with her, is still unknown.  I was shocked to learn what Rico, Adriana, and Donovan truly were.  I knew something was different with them, because they couldn't touch her.  I just didn't know what.  This story isn't one of those happily ever after stories.  I am hoping the series ends with a happily ever after though.  There are still a lot of answered questions that I have so I can't wait to read the sequel The Key's Keeper.

Favorite Quote/Scene

He began to turn away when Kate turned around suddenly.  She walked toward Rico and stopped on the first stair.  From here, she was a little taller than he was, and Rico looked up at her, curiosity burning behind his cobalt eyes.  Kate reached her hand out, touching Rico's face.  Her soft fingers traced his jaw, his neck, his collarbone.  Her grey eyes were dark and serious.

Kate leaned forward and pressed her mouth against Rico's.  He froze for a moment, then melted under her warm touch.  He leaned in and kissed Kate back.

Rico's lips were soft ans sensuous against Kate's.  The kiss was a spark that ignited a fire deep within her soul.  The kiss started out gentle, each of the frightened of what could go wrong.  However, Kate's body heat spiked when they kissed, Rico's cooler lips balanced it out, and he let himself really kiss her.  

This was just one of the many!!!

  

Check out the cover!!!  It is simply stunning!!!

  
 
                                                      About the Author


 Jamie Loeak is an aspiring YA author. She has written and published her first novel and continues to work toward finishing the trilogy, while new ideas for more novels pop into her ever changing mind. Jamie resides in Florida, where she is a middle school teacher. Finding time for writing is difficult within the world of lesson plans, assessments, and students; however, Jamie makes sure to make time for all of the things that she loves in life, including her students, pets, and loving boyfriend. When Jamie isn't writing or grading papers, she is forcing her sister into photoshoots or playing her guitar. Her current goal is to finish the Body and Soul Trilogy so that she can let her other ideas escape.

I want to thank Krystal Clear Books for hosting this event and letting me participate.  I also want to thank Jamie for sending me an ecopy of this book.  It truly was AMAZING Jamie!!!!

Below is a list of the other blogs that are participating in this tour.  Check them out to learn more about Jamie and Body and Soul.

October 20th- www.vampandstuff.com
November 16th- www.rbtlreviews.com


 

Friday, October 19, 2012

Blog Tour Stop: Elemental series by Shauna Granger: Review and Giveaway






Release Date: 05/01/11
Paperback/e-book


Earth (Review)



Goodreads Synopsis

Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their small magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start.

Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it's only a ploy to draw her out; she can't let someone die because of her.





                                                                                
                                                                  
  Air (Elemental #2) 
  By Shauna Granger 
  Release Date: 10/31/11
   Paperback/e-book
  
 Air (Review)


Goodreads

Synopsis It was a rough start to the school year for Shayna and her friends, Jodi and Steven, but thankfully summer break is near. Trying to sort out her feelings for the new guy in town, Shayna agrees to let Jensen join her on a group date with her friends. While out they end up at a local coffee house where their classmate, social outcast Jeremy McCormick, is humiliated by his baseball star brother. When Jeremy runs away from the jeering crowd, Shayna and Jodi hear the unmistakable sound of a thousand wings chasing after him, but no one else seems to hear them. These are not like any air elementals that Shayna or Jodi have ever encountered before and they fear Jeremy has gotten himself tangled up in something too dangerous for him to handle. But when Shayna tries to help Jeremy control his magical abilities she realizes it might be the biggest mistake of her life.





Release Date: 06/19/12
Paperback/e-book

 Water (Review)


Goodreads Synopsis


Shayna's first surfing session of the summer is interrupted by the screams of a mother who has lost her little boy in the water. Without regard to her own safety, Shayna swims out, rescues the boy, but must escape the clutches of something far worse than she could have ever imagined – mermaids.

Compelled to answer the sirens' call, the boys of Shayna's town are drawn to the sea, but when they return are afflicted by an unknown illness, a sickness which is draining them of their life force. Unable to tell anyone about the mermaids, Shayna and her friends are forced to solve the mystery before it's too late, and in doing so, Shayna will finally have to face the full force of her powers. Whether she’s ready or not, she will have to face her true nature.




Earth links: (PS, the kindle version of Earth is free for a limited time only!)


Air links:



Water links:


Fire, book #4 in the Elemental series is coming soon!






                                                                   Author Bio

I don't do well talking about myself. So as basics go, I have recently self-published the first two books in my Elemental Series, Earth and Air, Young Adult Urban Fantasy novels. Look for the third installment, Water, coming in 2012!

I have been working on the Elemental Series for the last four years and plan for it to be a 5 book series. It was a hard decision to self-publish but it's been an exciting and terrifying ride.

You can find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shauna-...

And to my readers (or fans of my covers), I have beautiful bookmarks that I would love to share with you. If you'd like one, drop me a note with your contact info and I'd be happy to send you one!


Goodreads:
Blog:
Twitter:
Facebook:


Giveaway!!!
 

Grand Prize:
There is a signed copy of each paperback, Earth, Air and Water and a matching bookmark for each. There is a mini Jack-o-lantern (that I carved) and an awesome, sparkly candle (electric) and some fun Halloween treats that include candy, stickers and copy of one of my favorite Halloween movies, Monster House. (US only)

3 other winners will also receive a ebook from the series, winner’s choice from Earth, Air or Water.  (Open Internationally)




 



  

Blog Tour Stop: Water by Shauna Granger: Review








Title: Water
Author: Shauna Granger
Publisher: Shauna Granger
Publication: June 19th, 2012
Format: ebook
Rating: 3 Stars




Goodreads Synopsis

Shayna's first surfing session of the summer is interrupted by the screams of a mother who has lost her little boy in the water. Without regard to her own safety, Shayna swims out, rescues the boy, but must escape the clutches of something far worse than she could have ever imagined – mermaids.

Compelled to answer the sirens' call, the boys of Shayna's town are drawn to the sea, but when they return are afflicted by an unknown illness, a sickness which is draining them of their life force. Unable to tell anyone about the mermaids, Shayna and her friends are forced to solve the mystery before it's too late, and in doing so, Shayna will finally have to face the full force of her powers. Whether she’s ready or not, she will have to face her true nature.



My Review

  At the beginning of the story, Shayna saves a boy from the clutches of mermaids, or at least she is guessing they are mermaids.  Since she isn't a hundred percent sure, she and her friends do a lot of research.  Steven is very afraid of the water, but he tests it out, because he is the only guy in the group.  When he steps in the water, he does hear their call.  So it seems that the guys are being targeted since the females can't hear it.   Two guys from their town come out of the water acting strange.  They lost their souls and don't have much longer to live.  The question is, can their souls be placed back in their bodies if the auras are missing?  Can the souls be taken away from the beings in the water if Shayna and the trio kill them? 

This book was very interesting.  The Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney movie.  I didn't realize how different the movie was from the book by Hans Christian Anderson.  That alone captured me.  I was hooked from the beginning of the book.  I had to see what was going to happen.  The characters grew on me in this book.  Jodi finally realized how she was treating her friends.  She didn't realize what she was doing and she promised them to work on it.  Shayna still worries too much.  She seems to have to be perfect at everything.  She hates asking for help, but in this book, she finally goes ask Deb for help.  She is growing as well.  Steven is still the same old Steven.  His powers are progressing slower than the other two, but he doesn't let that get to him.  I loved Jodi's new power in this book.  Being able to control lightening is full of awesomesauce!!!  The details Shauna used to describe this was beautifully written.  I loved it!!!  I also learned a little more behind Shayna's black wings.  I also liked how there was a bigger battle in this book.  It lasted longer as well.  That was my favorite part out of this book.  That took a surprising turn.  I am very interested in seeing what happens next.

I am even more confused on the relationship between Shayna and Jensen.  I think I am going to quit trying tot figure that one help.  They seem to take one step forward, then several steps back. I wish their was more of a love story in this series. I love my romances.  But it is still a great series!!!

Shauna seems to capture my attention more with each book.  Her descriptions are beautifully written, and I can't wait to read more of her work.   I can't wait to read the sequel Fire!!!!

 

Blog Tour Stop: Air by Shauna Granger: Review










Title: Air
Author: Shauna Granger
Publisher: Shauna Granger
Publication: October 31st, 2011
Format: ebook
Rating: 3 Stars




Goodreads Synopsis

It was a rough start to the school year for Shayna and her friends, Jodi and Steven, but thankfully summer break is near. Trying to sort out her feelings for the new guy in town, Shayna agrees to let Jensen join her on a group date with her friends. While out they end up at a local coffee house where their classmate, social outcast Jeremy McCormick, is humiliated by his baseball star brother. When Jeremy runs away from the jeering crowd, Shayna and Jodi hear the unmistakable sound of a thousand wings chasing after him, but no one else seems to hear them. These are not like any air elementals that Shayna or Jodi have ever encountered before and they fear Jeremy has gotten himself tangled up in something too dangerous for him to handle. But when Shayna tries to help Jeremy control his magical abilities she realizes it might be the biggest mistake of her life.


My Review

 The trio and their dates decide to go out for a fun night.  They go to a coffee shop where Jeremy gets up to read some poetry.  His brother starts making fun of him, and Jeremy gets really mad.  All of a sudden, Shayna and Jodi hear faerie wings .  Lots and lots of faerie wings.  At least they guess that they are faeries.  They chase him down the street, and his anger brings them back.  The trio again decides to figure out what is going on before something bad happens.   With the aide of the faeries, will the trio figure out what is happening to Jeremy?  And will they find a way to save him before it is too late?

I liked this book a little more than the first one.  I have always loved reading books about faeries so I really liked that this book involved them.  In this book I got to meet this cute faerie guy  named Tegan.  I absolutely loved Tegan. I couldn't wait to continue the story just to read more scenes with him in it. Faeries are sweet and mischievous. I just wanted to hug him.  I was glad the story wasn't as predictable as the first one.  I was also trying to figure out what was aiding Jeremy in his destruction.  I felt really bad for Jeremy in this book.  He was just so broken with his father and brother constantly making fun of him.  I also like how there is something going on with Shayna that I am still trying to figure out.  She keeps seeing herself with black wings.  I can't wait to see what becomes of this.  

Shayna still got on my nerves in this one.  She was still really bossy with everyone including her friends.  She did what she wanted to do.  Jodi annoyed me at times too.  She always tried to better than her friends.  To me that isn't a true friend.I still don't like the relationship between Shayna and Jensen.  She just wants a casual relationship, but it obviously isn't just casual.  She also started that they can't be anything more, because Jensen doesn't understand her.  He hasn't known her long enough to understand her.  Having powers is going to scare him a little.   She should be their helping him, but she tosses him aside and only goes to him when she needs him.  I really want to slap her.  Steven is by far the most realistic character out of the three of them.  I just couldn't connect with the characters.  I also didn't like how it ended.  It didn't say anything about what happened to Jeremy.  I was kinda disappointed.

I will continue reading the series to see what becomes of Shayna and her friends.  I hope some of these loose ends are fixed in the next book.  Great story though.   I can't wait to read Water.

Blog Tour Stop: Earth by Shauna Granger: Review








Title: Earth
Author: Shauna Granger
Publisher: Shauna Granger
Published: May 1st, 2011
Format: ebook
Rating: 3 Stars




Goodreads Synopsis

 Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their small magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start.

Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it's only a ploy to draw her out; she can't let someone die because of her.



My Review

Shayna, Steven, and Jodi have been friends since they were little.  They trained together to learn to control their powers more.  All of a sudden, two new guys showed up to town.  Twins as a matter of fact.  As soon as Jensen's ans Shayna's eyes locked, everything else faded away.  After these two twins entered town, bad things started happening.  Dead animals used as blood sacrifices were found near circles that were created.  Shayna starts having nightmares that are very real.  Will Shayna and her friends find out who is causing this trouble and stop them before they use a human as a blood sacrifice?  

There were many aspects of this story that I liked, but there were also a lot of aspects I didn't like.  I really liked how the story focused on three friends being able to control the four elements.  I found it very interesting of the stuff they were capable of with these powers.  The friendship between the three friends was my favorite part through the story.  No matter what, they were always there for each other.  I have to say that Steven is my favorite character.  I couldn't help but love him. 

I didn't like the relationship between Shayna and Jensen.  Don't get me wrong, I love Jensen, but the relationship just seemed force.  It wasn't very believable.  They hardly knew each other and it was an "I can't live without you" romance.  I wanted to see more to the relationship.  I wanted to see it build.  There just wasn't many scenes with them two together for them to feel that way.  I also didn't like Shayna at times.  She always got very bossy, and something about her really annoyed me. I can't put my finger on it yet.  The story was also very predictable.  I knew from the beginning who was causing all the mischief.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series called Air.  I recommend this to anyone who likes stories about magic!!!


 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Blog Tour Stop: Iridescent by Carol Oates: Review






Title: Iridescent
Author: Carol Oates
Publisher: Omnific Publishing 
Publication: October16th, 2012
Format: eARC
Rating: 4 Stars





 Good reads Synopsis

Candra Ember used to dream of saving the world one person at a time. She never expected to become an angelic weapon and the last hope in the battle against ultimate darkness.

Falling for a Nephilim wasn’t part of Sebastian’s plan. Distraction is something he can’t afford when his rival, Draven, wants what Sebastian has.

Lies, manipulation, and corruption are twisting the lives of the citizens in Acheron. The Arch is missing from Heaven, and a demon is intent on claiming the city. At a time they should be growing closer, grief and paranoia is driving Candra and Sebastian apart.

If the price of restoring the Watchers to Heaven is a human soul, who deserves to be saved?



My Review

 This was a great sequel to Ember!!!  Iridescent picks up right where Ember left off.  So of course, I cry some more.  The whole thing with Ivy is just very sad.  Candra gets home and finds a woman in her bedroom.  She thinks it is Ivy, but it turns out it is Lilith.  Lilith feeds on souls which turns out she has Ivy's soul.  This just tears Candra up even more.  What sacrifices will Candra be willing to make to save Ivy, the angels, and Acheron?

I fell in love with the characters even more in Iridescent.  I enjoy seeing the characters grow through each book.  The choices and sacrifices each character makes in this book are unselfish.  They base their decisions on the people around them and not on themselves.   Which is pretty much what happens through both books.  A lot of the characters gave up everything to protect others.  The decision that Sebastian made with Ananchel made me mad.  I understand why he did.  He was putting Candra before him, but I still didn't like it.  The sacrifice Candra made at the end was scary.  She is a very strong character.  I don't know if a lot of us would have been able to do that. 

I was shocked several times in this book.  Candra finally learns about who and what she is.  That surprised me big time.  I also learned how and why she has a soul.  Lilith obviously can't be destroyed so the method to do that was scary.  The person that created Lilith for revenge wasn't entirely shocking, but I still didn't suspect it. 

It took me forever to finish the end of this book.  I could not quit crying for the life of me.  I was torn to pieces  I didn't even want to finish it.  I had a little hope though so I kept going.  The ending, WOW!!!  Carol Oates knows how to shock us with endings.  Perfect ending for me.  I am hoping there is a another sequel, because there were a few things at the end that I still need answers to.  The way it ended though, I don't know if there will be another sequel.. 

There were a lot of surprises in this sequel.  I laughed, cried, wanted to throw the book at times, but over all, I loved it.  I really enjoyed it.  I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.  It took me on an emotional roller coaster ride.  I can't help but to love the characters in this story. I recommend this book to everyone!!! This is a must read!!!   


Favorite Quote/Scene

"I will find you again." he whispered.  "I swear.  Even if I have to cross time and space, if I must claw my way from the bowels of hell or endure a thousand life times of nothingness.  It's no more than I deserve.  I have committed despicable atrocities, the worst of which was denying my heart."

"This can't be the end.  I don't believe that anymore.  What I feel for you is too strong to fade away to nothing.  I will have my moment before the Arch.  I must be good...I must be worth saving, because you loved me."


Good reads link:

 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13614229-iridescent
  

Giveaway: 

The publisher is giving away (7) ecopies of IRIDESCENT. Please use the below Rafflecopter code if you would like to offer your readers the tour giveaway. 

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