Saturday, August 25, 2012

Last week's new releases




Title:Softly at Sunrise (KGI #5.5)
Author: Maya Banks

Rachel Kelly has traveled a long, hard road in her journey back to her husband, Ethan, and the Kelly family. Now, as she and Ethan are poised to move into their new home, safe behind the walls of the Kelly compound, Rachel wonders if she’ll finally be free of the ghosts that have haunted her for so long and if she’ll step into the sun after a past steeped in darkness.

Available in ebook format at the following places: 

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 Title: Heaven (Halo #3)
Author: Alexandra Adornetto

Bethany, an angel sent to Earth, and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier, have been to Hell and back. But now their love will be put to its highest test yet, as they defy Heavenly law and marry. They don’t tell Beth’s archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, but the angels know soon enough, and punishment comes in a terrifying form: the Sevens, who are rogue angels bent on keeping Beth and Xavier apart, destroying Gabriel and Ivy, and darkening angelic power in the heavens.

The only way Bethany and can elude the Sevens is to hide in the open, and blend in with other mortals their own age. Gabriel and Ivy set them up at college, where they can’t reveal their relationship, and where there is still danger around each corner. Will Bethany be called back to Heaven – forever – and face leaving the love of her life?

Available at the following places:

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 Title: Shifter's Destiny
Author: Anna Leonard

Nothing can stop a shape-shifter from fulfilling his legacy…except a beguiling yet forbidden young woman on a quest to save her sister.There are some boundaries mustangs must never cross—even for true love.

Libby wasn't looking for anything but escape when she took her little sister and fled the malevolent cult they once called family. When a horse appears to carry them from danger, she sees only a ride—and not the horn set in its forehead.

Josh knows he wants Libby from the moment their eyes meet. Trouble is, his heritage demands that he claim a virgin bride—or else suffer dark consequences. But he can't turn away from a female in need, either. With "The Community" closing in, the unicorn-shifter will have to summon all of his strength to resist Libby's allure and protect the sisters from harm.

He may be no knight in shining armor, but he's got the hooves to back up his claim.

Available at the following places:

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  Title: Savage Redemption
Author: Alexis Morgan

Just when he's getting his life back on track, the woman responsible for ruining it arrives—in jeopardy—on his doorstep.When gunfire erupts just outside the gates of the O'Day estate, chief of security Conlan Shea is first on the scene. With bared fangs, the half vampire, half human gently turns the wounded victim over only to find himself staring into the exquisite turquoise eyes of the woman who ripped his heart out three years ago.

Kat Karr. The name still evokes such turmoil. One night of fierce passion had cost Conlan his life, his job and his heart. Now she's back, injured and desperate for help. Kat's in real danger, and Conlan is her only hope. With the enemy fast approaching, Kat is running out of time. Suddenly for Conlan, revenge doesn't seem so sweet….

Available at the following places:

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  Title: The Shadow Queen (World of Hetar #5)
Author: Bertrice Small

Mourn me but briefly. Then find your destiny, Lara, my love, my life. Now let me go…With those words, the spirit of Magnus Hauk, Dominus of Terah, departs his body—leaving the fate of his nation to his wife, the half faerie Lara.

While Lara's son Prince Taj is well loved by the people of Terah, he is too young to rule, so Lara must obey Magnus's dying command and govern in his stead. Yet some in Terah still believe that a female must never wear the crown…and Lara and her children will face old enemies who are not finished with their schemes for revenge. But one hope remains—Lara has a powerful ally in Prince Kaliq of the Shadows, though never was there a more seductive friend or foe….

Available at the following places:

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 Title: Widow's Web (Elemental Assassin #7)
Author: Jennifer Estep

I used to murder people for money, but these days it’s more of a survival technique.

Once an assassin, always an assassin. So much for being plain old Gin Blanco. With every lowlife in Ashland gunning for me, I don’t need another problem, but a new one has come to town.

Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but she’s really a dangerous enemy whose water elemental magic can go head-to-head with my own Ice and Stone power. Salina also has an intimate history with my lover, Owen Grayson, and now that she’s back in town, she thinks he’s hers for the taking.

Salina’s playing a mysterious game that involves a shady local casino owner with a surprising connection to Owen. But they call me the Spider for a reason. I’m going to untangle her deadly scheme, even if it leaves my love affair hanging by a thread.

Available at the following places:
BAM

Winner!

The winner of Clockwork Angel is Angie from Angela's Anxious Life! Congrats!!!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Review: Moonlight Mayhem by Sherry Soule

 Title: Moonlight Mayhem (Spellbound #2)
Author: Sherry Soule
Source: Received from author in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:

Otherworldly Creatures. Dazzling Magic. Fiery Romance.

Shiloh Ravenwolf thought she was getting used to the strange events in Whispering Pines, until the full moon brings another surge of supernatural threats to her coastal town. Ferocious wolves, deadly necromancers, and shambling zombies have descended upon the neighborhood, so Shiloh needs to gain control of her magical abilities—fast!

It sucks that she has a crippling fear of the dark, which for a demon hunter can be an epic problem. But she spends so much time wallowing in the darkness, how can she not become a part of it?

When her classmates are attacked by a mysterious creature and her father is murdered, Shiloh vows vengeance. Forcing her phobias aside, she forms an unlikely coven of supernaturally gifted teens to help her eradicate this menace. Except that’s not all Shiloh has to worry about. She’s battling a different monster within herself and struggling not to become the very thing she fights: evil.

But with demon blood inside her—anything can happen…




Review:







Moonlight Mayhem is the second book in the Spellbound series by Sherry Soule. Whereas the first book concentrated on ghosts and demons, this one was more about werewolves. I absolutely loved the first book in the series, but I didn't connect with this one as much.

There is still the creepy vibe like the first book had. There is literally danger creeping around everywhere in Whispering Pines. There are people being attacked or murdered left and right. I don't think I would be leaving my house if I lived there. After Shiloh's father is murdered, all she can think of is vengeance. She knows that these attacks aren't from regular animals like the town officials lead people to believe. It is Shiloh's responsibility to protect the town from supernatural threats, and that's a lot of pressure to put on a 16 year old girl.

At the beginning of the book, Shiloh and Trent are broken up. With Trent's uncle being Shiloh's mentor, they are bound to see each other. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of romance involved. They do have some nice training scenes together though. Some interesting secrets come out about Trent that I didn't expect.

For those that love action, you won't be disappointed. There are a lot of suspenseful, action packed moments. There are some new characters in this book that were interesting. I thought the book was a little predictable though. There were some loose ends but I'm sure they will be tied up in the next book. I just hope we see a little more of Trent and Shiloh's relationship. 

Find the author here:

Find this book at the following places:
Amazon (paperback)
Amazon (Kindle)

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Stone of Darkness Blog Tour

Welcome to my stop on the Stone of Darkness blog tour! I got the opportunity to interview author Resa Nelson. Keep reading to find out more about the author, her books, and a free mini ebook!


What inspired you to become a writer?

I knew from the time I was 8 years old that I wanted to be a writer. I come from a family of readers, so being surrounded by books and people reading was normal. I’ve always loved books. And after a group assignment in the 2nd grade to re-tell a classic children’s story in our own words, I was hooked.

How many books have you written?

I have four novels in print: a standalone novel about a modern-day society based on ancient Egypt and the first three books in my Dragonslayer series. My fifth novel (the last book in the Dragonslayer series) will be published this November. I’m getting ready to write a new standalone novel.

What's the biggest challenge of being an author?

It’s finding the readers who are really going to enjoy your books. I get wonderful feedback on my novels from my core group of fans and from bloggers, but about 99% of authors don’t have huge amounts of money being spent to promote their books simply because the smaller publishing houses don’t have the money to spend on promotion, and the publishing houses that do have a ton of money decide to spend it on the “sure thing” – typically, books they know are going to sell millions. So the rest of us (the 99%) have to figure out how to let readers know our books exist! The term I like that describes this challenge is “book discovery.”

What drew you to the fantasy genre?

When I was a kid, I loved the public library. The children’s section was in the dark, spooky, maze-like basement of the public library, which was pretty wonderful. I’ve always loved fairy tales and folk tales from all over the world. I think that led me into the fantasy genre.

What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?

I’ve always been interested in lots of things, so my answer changes all the time. Today my answer is I’d love to be an Egyptologist and go on archaeological digs in Egypt.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love spending a day or two doing as little as possible, usually lazing around reading or watching movies or TV. But I’m also a huge fan of museums and ballet and Broadway musicals.

What are some of your favorite movies/tv shows?

I love mysteries, so I’m a huge fan of The Closer – which ended recently! But it’s being replaced by Major Crimes, so that makes me happy. I’m also a big fan of Grimm, Once Upon a Time, The Walking Dead (although I “watch” the gross scenes by putting my hands in front of my face and barely peeking between my fingers), Drop Dead Diva, and The Amazing Race. I love movies. Most of the time, I try to rent two movies each week that I haven’t seen. I watch all kinds of movies. I really love finding independent or foreign movies I’ve never heard of that turn out to be really, really good.

What is a book that you're dying to read?

I’ve read The Hunger Games, and I have Catching Fire and Mockingjay stacked on my nightstand. It’s funny because I’m anxious to read them, but I’m putting it off because I don’t want the series to end.

Which of your characters is your favorite?

My favorite character is probably Astrid, the main character of my Dragonslayer series. She was chewed up and spit out by a dragon in childhood, which left her entire body covered in scars. And then her own family gave her away to a childseller. And then the childseller had a tough time getting rid of her and decided he’d have to kill her if he couldn’t sell her soon. And all that happens in just the first chapter! Astrid constantly faces tough situations but she’s very resourceful and resilient.

Do you design your own book covers?

No, but my publisher encourages authors to make suggestions, which is wonderful! The process is that when a book is accepted for publication, the author fills out a really long questionnaire, and part of that questionnaire includes a section where you can toss out ideas for cover art. The publisher works with the art director and the artist chosen to create the cover. When my first novel (The Dragonslayer’s Sword) was accepted, I had no idea what to suggest for a cover, so I asked my publisher to come up with something, and they did a great job. But I’ve had ideas for every novel since then, and when I fill out the questionnaire I try to give them two or three different ideas to choose from. I’m thrilled with all of my book covers!

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The Dragonslayer's Sword (Dragonslayer #1)
For Astrid, a blacksmith who makes swords for dragonslayers, the emergence of a strange gemstone from her body sets in motion a chain of events that threaten to destroy her life. Her happiness is shattered when her lover--the dragonslayer--disappears without a trace, and the life that she knows and loves implodes without warning.
Astrid lives in a world of shapeshifters whose thoughts have the power to change not only themselves but others. Everything Astrid knows to be true is called into question when she learns the truth about her past and the mysterious family from which she was separated as a child.
Reality turns inside out as Astrid gradually learns the truth about the people she loves as well as those she disdains. With the fate of dragons, ghosts, and slaves in foreign lands resting on her shoulders, Astrid faces the challenge of deciding who she is and how she will stand up inside her own skin. Will she withdraw and hide from the world that has disappointed her so much...or will she rise to lead others to freedom and peace?




The Iron Maiden (Dragonslayer #2)
Astrid is reluctant to travel the winter route beyond the Northlands, even though it’s her duty. She’d rather stay home in her village, surrounded by friends and neighbors. Ignoring the bonds of tradition, she decides to spend the cold winter months in the warmth of her blacksmithing shop. Why should she leave the comfort of her cottage to serve and protect foreigners who might raid and harm her native Northlands?
Everything changes when a traveling merchant steals Starlight, the first dragonslayer’s sword Astrid forged and her last link to her sweetheart DiStephan. Having no time to alert her friends, Astrid races in pursuit of the merchant, determined to reclaim Starlight as her own and return home in time for dinner. Instead, her quest leads her to new lands, unexpected friendships with foreigners, and a harrowing encounter with the damage done by the followers of a new god that considers women as nothing more than servants to men. All the while, she must be ready to face any dragon traveling the winter route.
In Book 2 of the Dragonslayer series, Astrid must learn that deciding who she is isn’t a decision she can make just once. It’s a decision she must make every day.



The Stone of Darkness (Dragonslayer #3)
In Book 3 of the Dragonslayer series, Astrid accepts her duty and follows the winter route--until she's bitten by a dragon. Everyone knows dragon bites are poisonous and deadly, so she reluctantly accepts her impending death. In a twist of fate, she survives. Desperate for an explanation, Astrid believes she has somehow been protected by the black stone she keeps with her at all times, a stone that emerged from the sole of her foot a year ago.

Determined to find out what the stone is and what kind of powers it possesses, Astrid begins a journey that leads her to alchemists and an army of men under the rule of the powerful warrior, Mandulane, the acting lord of the Krystr army. Mandulane's mission is to spread the word of the new god Krystr, which preaches the evil intent of women and the danger they pose to all men, who are entitled to dominate the world. Rumors about this new god and army have spread, but Astrid is the first Northlander to encounter them.

Soon, she stumbles upon a secret of a far-reaching and mind-numbing plot that will impact the entire world. Astrid must find a way to spread the news of this threat and protect her people and everyone else at risk. She's convinced the answer lies inside the Stone of Darkness, and she must find a way to understand the stone and the powers she's convinced it must hold before it's too late.


Book #4 coming November 2012

Where to buy Resa's books:
Mundania Press (get a 10% discount at checkout with the coupon code MP10)
Amazon
B&N

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About the author:
Resa Nelson has been selling fiction professionally since 1988. She is a longtime member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America) and is a graduate of the Clarion SF Workshop.

Resa was also the TV/Movie Columnist for Realms of Fantasy magazine for 13 years and was a contributor to SCI FI magazine. She has sold over 200 articles to magazines in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Her first novel, The Dragonslayer’s Sword, was nominated for the Nebula Award and was also a Finalist for the EPPIE Award. This medieval fantasy novel is based on a short story first published in the premiere issue of Science Fiction Age magazine and ranked 2nd in that magazine's first Readers Top Ten Poll. The Dragonslayer's Sword is Book 1 in her 4-book Dragonslayer series. Book 2, The Iron Maiden, was published last December, Book 3 was published in May, and the final book in the series is scheduled for publication in November.
Resa's standalone novel, Our Lady of the Absolute, is a fantasy/mystery/thriller about a modern-day society based on ancient Egypt. Midwest Book Review gave this book a 5-star review, calling it "a riveting fantasy, very highly recommended."
Resa lives in Massachusetts.

Find Resa at the following places:

Free “mini” ebook of Dragonslayer short stories:  http://www.resanelson.com/files

Goodreads giveaway going on HERE

Friday, August 17, 2012

Follow Friday

It's been awhile since I've joined one of these so I thought I'd participate this week! If you're a new follower, let me know and I will follow you back :)


This feature is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read


This week's question:

What blogger inspires you? It can be any kind, it doesn’t have to be a book blog.

I have to say that there are tons of great book bloggers. Parajunkee is one that first comes to mind that inspires me. She has great features and reviews. I really like the Blogging 101 feature - so many helpful tips!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

700 follower giveaway #1

To celebrate reaching 700 blog GFC followers, I am doing a few giveaways. The first giveaway is the hardcover book Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. NOTE: This book isn't brand new. It's been read once but is in great condition!

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length . . . everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.


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To enter, you must be a blog follower (GFC or email follower is fine). U.S. only - sorry! Please leave a blog comment with a way to get in touch with you in case you are the winner! Open through August 23rd.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Review: Forget Me Not by Belinda Boring

 Title: Forget Me Not (Mystic Wolves #2)
Author: Belinda Boring
Source: Received by author in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:

Only a fool would think they could steal from a werewolf …

Anticipating a quiet night alone with the man she loves, Darcy’s world is sent into a spin with the arrival of someone from the past—Mason’s. She is further shocked by the intruder’s claim she may not even be the true mate of the Mystic Wolves Alpha. Accusations start to fly, leading to her new enemy being granted asylum, and this is just the beginning of trouble.

Relying on the reassurances of Mason and the support of her friends and Pack, Darcy soon falls under attack. Suspicions are raised, and with no other choice, she must flee with Devlin to safety where hopefully they can untangle the lies hidden behind the use of magic. Time is quickly ticking away, leading to a showdown where everything is on the line.

They need to uncover the truth before it’s too late, or once again, Darcy will need to fight to hold onto her dreams.




Review:





Aack... Ok, so Belinda Boring is EVIL. That ending totally caught me by surprise and it's a total cliffhanger! Argh....When does the next book come out??? Ok, I'm getting ahead of myself. Forget Me Not is book #2 in the Mystic Wolves series. I was anxious for this book to come out because the last one ended in a major cliffhanger too (see, I told you the author is evil). In this book, a woman from Mason's past comes back to try to steal him from Darcy. She does everything you can think of, and is a character that you just want to strangle.

It's obvious to me that Darcy and Mason are soul mates. They are just perfect together. However, due to some issues, Darcy has to spend some time away from the pack. At this point, she stays with her old friend, Devlin. Devlin is a great guy too, and is a total gentleman around Darcy. I'm afraid to say that I see a love triangle developing in the near future though.

This book is sort of like a roller coaster ride. It's a fast paced story with all sorts of things going on. Just when you think things are going well, you get flipped upside down. There was plenty of drama, action, humor, and romance. I wish there could have been a little more in the romance department – as in more than just kissing. I know that great things are yet to come though. I just hope we don't have to wait too long for the next book! 

Find the author here:

Find this book at the following places: