Book Blogger Hop: June 29th

Book Blogger hop hosted by CrazyforBooks 
Hop on over and join in the fun!

This weeks question:
Do you have a keeper shelf for books you loved? What books are on that shelf and why? 

HMMMM, well.....

My Answer: I have tubs, crates and boxes of books! I have Thief's Covenant & False Covenant by Ari Marmell, Grave Mercy, Harry Potter series, Starters, Beverly Jenkins historical romance novels, Of Poseidon, Lies Beneath, Snowfall by Sharon Sala, Karen Chance's Cassandra Palmer series(on my Kindle)and so many more! I could go on an on, literally. These books I love them, the characters, the worlds...the connection is why they are special to me. When you can truly feel that you are a part the world you are reading, you have experienced its essence and that is something that lasts forever. At least for me it does.


What about you? What book is on your shelf? Why?

Freedom to Read Giveaway Hop!

It's your choice! Free to choose whatever book you fancy up to $12! So enjoy....




 a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be sure check out my other giveaways!

Gone Blog Tour: Giveaway & Guest Post with Author C.R. Hiatt

Author Bio:CR HIATT is a writer of screenplays and an author of YA action-mystery novels. The daughter of a military veteran, CR grew up in a small town where she became an All-American athlete. CR knew early on that she wasn't cut out for the nine to five type of job - her tendency to day dream about adventures often got in the way. But, being the daughter of a Navy Veteran she also knew one had to do what was necessary to be secure, so she disciplined herself to push those dreams aside and settled on working in the entertainment legal field. When those dreams invaded her world once again, CR finally gave in and set out to write her own adventures. What the heck, right. If you can't live 'em, you might as well write about them. The McSwain & Beck series are works of fiction, only based on real life events. Gone at Zero Hundred 00:00 is the first in the series, and available now. Fireworks on the 4th will be released in late June, just before the 4th of July holiday season.

Website| Blog |Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

What does your office look like?

I am somewhat of an odd ball when it comes to having an office. Meaning; I don’t really have one (by choice) - at least not the kind of office that everyone would consider normal. I love the outdoors, and don’t like being confined to a room, with a desk and a computer, and four walls closing in on me. Instead, I bought myself a portable laptop desk that I can move around to wherever I decide to plant myself for the day. The portable desk has compartments for all my accessories, phones, Kindle and USB cords. The legs can be folded underneath, and placed on my lap, or I can put the legs down and sit in a comfortable chair.

If the weather outside is poor, I park myself in front of a large window in the summer cottage, where I can look out at the ocean while checking emails, Twitter, my blog, and my Facebook pages. Now that summer is creeping up on us, the temperatures have been warm, so I move the portable desk out on the screened-in deck, or sometimes, even down by the water. A lot of writers need quiet, or solitude, in order to write. I’m an odd ball there, too. I need noise. If I’m stuck inside, I have the TV going, or the top hits in music. 

If I find myself down by the water, I can people-watch and come up with some great ideas. There is a bike path right along the water that attracts walkers and die-hard bicyclists. For the most part, they are friendly, so I sometimes pick up some cool character traits. Once in a while, you’ll come across a strange individual that has you riveted to know more about him, or her. The view is the most appealing attraction, though. 

A large number of boats pass by during the day. They could be anywhere from a small 24-footer to a huge cruise ship. I’ve seen small fishing boats on up to the large fishing vessels with a full crew on board. Huge oil tankers being led by a Tug boat also travel back and forth throughout the day. And, the private Yachts and Sailboats that travel through these parts on their way to their vacaction destinations, or just out for a day of sun and fun on the water; are to die for.

Then, there are days when the Coast Guard and military - whose bases are nearby - are out on the water for several days of training exercises. Helicopters fly overhead on those days, making the newbies to the area wonder if something crazy is going to happen. Those of us who have been around a while just laugh.

When we hear a fog horn sounding in the distance, we know to get our cameras ready. We just might see a cruise liner with all its guests standing on the deck and waiving at us down below.

Do you know what it’s like to see a cruise ship motor right up next to you?

It’s a magnificent sight.

About the Book
"McSwain & Beck kick ass" says @Fyrinstructor04
"Their lives are in the hands of two 18 year-olds..."
Sydney Marie McSwain - a tomboy who yearned for a father.
Cody Beck - a wannabe filmmaker, wisenheimer and flirt.
Jaden White - the star who led the high school hockey team to two championships, and was now on the A-list for NHL scouts.
Sydney Marie McSwain loves her mom, Anna - a private investigator in the coastal city where they live - but they had a major issue between them. Anna refused to give Sydney the identity of her father. On the day of her high school graduation, they were battling it out, once again. An hour later, Sydney, Cody and Jaden were at the local café, and watched as Anna was gunned down.
Faced with immediate responsibility, Sydney and Cody agreed to take over the agency, only they changed the name to McSwain & Beck. At the same time, Sydney convinced Sutter Beach Detective, Ace Carter, to help her track down her father.
Then out of the blue, a model walked in and hired them to follow her step-brother. While Cody was busy editing a trailer to solicit new clients, Sydney settled into her lemon-yellow pickup to do surveillance, and wound up staking out a secret club called The Devil’s Door whose suspicious members wore the tattoo of a devil.
That same night, Sydney received a call from one of her mom’s former clients, but the client was gunned down at the location where they agreed to meet. The mysterious discovery of a DVD revealed the possibility that teenagers were being abducted, only nobody reported them missing.
On the hunt for the victims, McSwain & Beck were chased by men in ski masks, nearly gunned down by a members of a drug cartel called the outlaws, Sydney’s precious pickup was broken into; then the step-brother they were hired to follow, was found dead and Sydney was the number one suspect.
If things weren’t bad enough already, they had to figure out how to crash a red-carpet Mardi Gras bash being held on a private cruise ship, before it sailed off into the sunset, where they just might meet the devil, himself.
Now, the clock was ticking…
And time was running out…
How was she ever going to find her father, now?

Giveaway Time!!The Author is giving away two e-copies of her book, many thanks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Royally Beswitched Blog Tour: Review&Guest Post with Molly Snow

Author: Snow, Molly

Title: Royally Beswitched

Publisher:Breezy Reads

Publication: June 10, 2012

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Paranormal

Audience: 12 and up

Rating: 4.5 out 5

Website |Blog|Facebook | Twitter

Source: Author/Blog Tour

Purchase: Amazon 

My Thoughts: I certainly wasn't expecting some of the things that happened in this one, so I was in for an interesting surprise. Snow has once again combined humor, wit and romance so effortlessly that as a reader, it's hard not to love the characters and the story which she has created. We meet up with Surla and Jax after they have been banished by his father back in time to the year 1730 and they find themselves with the task of getting Prince Nicholas to fall in love with the maid, Noella. This particular switching is different from the other two as it's not so much about the switching but the mystery surrounding the Morreau family. I was intrigued by how the events unfolded and perplexed by a genealogical aspect that I will not tell you about because of it's importance to the story. Now, in the previous books Surla doesn't see what all the fuss is about being human and can't wait to get back in her cat skin but her feelings for Jax are complication and she finds herself having very human feelings of jealousy, envy and longing. The story is an easy read and the characters are lovable and realistic, even the crazy witch Idis. In essence this is a good read about love and family.


For those aspiring writers, Molly is sharing her Three tips to Writing Juicy Secrets:
1.) Outline in advance.
Before ever writing a story, I outline main events. This keeps me focused and the plot stays strong. Of course, I may deviate a bit from the plan, but overall it stays the same. With outlining in advance, surprises at the end will make more sense; I’ve laid the foundation and prepared the reader.
2.) Foreshadowing.
Giving hints at what may come in subtle ways is great. The key to making sure secrets stay secrets is to not give away too much. The author needs to be in charge of the grand revelation. The clues will be just enough so that when they are hit with the surprise, they will recall different points in the story that makes them think, “Oh yeah…”
3.) Make it juicy.
Okay, so that’s redundant to the title of this post, but the secrets can’t just be “blah.” Really do make them juicy; there’s no sense in keeping a secret that doesn’t “wow.” With my stories I like to have fun with the climaxes. I want the turning points and revelations to be exaggerated as much as possible within the realms of believability. We can learn a lot from soap operas :)

Book Blogger Hop!

Book Blogger hop hosted by CrazyforBooks 
Hop on over and join in the fun!

This weeks question:
Do you immediately write a review upon finishing a book or do you wait and write multiple reviews at once?

HMMMM?

My Answer: It depends on how much I have to read or what kind of mood I'm in that moment. I have been reading tons of books and going back and writing the reviews later. However, I feel that my freshest reviews are those that I write immediately after I read the book but sometimes there are books that I just have to marinate on and fully collect my thoughts to decide how I really feel about it. So, to completely answer the question....a little bit of both.


What about you? Do you write a review when you finish or do you wait a few days or weeks?

The Darkening Dream:Giveaway&Guest Post by Andy Gavin

Meet Sarah Englemann: Our Protagonist

Sarah thinks of herself as a normal seventeen year-old. Well that's not exactly true, she's pretty sure she's exceptional, but only when it comes to school and books. The rest of it: fitting in, boys, that doesn't come as easy.

And she certainly doesn't believe corpses can leave their graves and try to kill you!

But the undead can be convincing. Not to mention that she keeps having these horrible visions.

The bookish thing, that she gets from her father. And he isn't exactly Joe cool either — even if he is named Joseph. But things are clearer for him. He doesn't have to fit in, he's got his Rabbi cronies from the old world to hang with. But this is 1913, and Sarah's a modern woman. No way she's going to put up with corsets, no vote, and popping out a big brood.

Again, none of this takes into account what happens when something really old takes an interest in her. A sorcerer who was ancient when Sarah's people crossed out of Egypt has turned his evil eye her way. And Papa Joseph has his secrets too. Turns out the family wasn't the only thing he brought to Massachusetts from Europe. But he's sure all that is ancient history.

However the dead have all the time in the world. The vampire Nasir has been sent to sniff around. And he loves a good hunt.

To further complicate things, this is finally the year when Sarah meets that boy.

A Vampire Novel with Actual Bite! 
As the modern world establishes itself and pushes the supernatural into the shadows, the supernatural fights back. The Darkening Dream is a chilling new dark fantasy novel by Andy Gavin, creator of Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter. The book has received rave reviews and is on sale for only 99 cents on Amazon Kindle from June 25th-29th! Download your copy here. In addition, Andy is doing a big giveaway, including a $100 gift certificate to Amazon, signed copies of his books, video games, posters, and more! The Darkening Dream Rafflecopter Giveaway Tweet, like, follow, share, blog and grab a copy of his book to enter.

Get your 99 cent copy of The Darkening Dream today on Amazon only.

Long-time readers of dark historical fantasy (Tim Powers, Guy Gavriel Kay, Katherine Kurtz) will appreciate the weaving together of mythology, occult, and religion, while younger readers and fans of HBO dramas (True Blood, Carnivàle) or urban fantasy (Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison, Jim Butcher) will be drawn to the twisted imagination, graphic action, and romantic tension.

Read the first two sample chapters here.

About The Darkening Dream 

Even as the modern world pushes the supernatural aside in favor of science and steel, the old ways remain. God, demon, monster, and sorcerer alike plot to regain what was theirs. 1913, Salem, Massachusetts – Sarah Engelmann’s life is full of friends, books, and avoiding the pressure to choose a husband, until an ominous vision and the haunting call of an otherworldly trumpet shake her. When she stumbles across a gruesome corpse, she fears that her vision was more of a premonition. And when she sees the murdered boy moving through the crowd at an amusement park, Sarah is thrust into a dark battle she does not understand. With the help of Alex, an attractive Greek immigrant who knows a startling amount about the undead, Sarah sets out to uncover the truth. Their quest takes them to the factory mills of Salem, on a midnight boat ride to spy on an eerie coastal lair, and back, unexpectedly, to their own homes. What can Alex’s elderly, vampire-hunting grandfather and Sarah’s own rabbi father tell them? And what do Sarah’s continuing visions reveal? No less than Gabriel’s Trumpet, the tool that will announce the End of Days, is at stake, and the forces that have banded to recover it include a 900 year-old vampire, a trio of disgruntled Egyptian gods, and a demon-loving Puritan minister. At the center of this swirling cast is Sarah, who must fight a millennia-old battle against unspeakable forces, knowing the ultimate prize might be her very soul. 


The Reviews Are In 
"A vampire novel with actual bite." ~The Kirkus Reviews "
A gorgeously creepy, strangely humorous, and sincerely terrifying tale." ~Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) 
 "Mr. Gavin has brought something refreshingly new to a genre now suffused with poorly-concealed bodice-rippers which have more in common with Fabio than Bram Stoker: depth. His big baddies are scary, not romantic interests, and the added religious lore is complex and engaging. Don't expect another Twilight -- the story can get downright creepy, so be prepared for a return to the old horror sensibilities of supernatural fiction." ~Amazon Review 
 "With Mr. Gavin's video-game pedigree, I was expecting something aimed squarely at the 18-25 year old fanboy contingent; what I got in The Darkening Dream was something wholly unexpected: A period novel with a female protagonist, a crash-course on Judaism in the colonial years, and multi-layered series of plot arcs featuring a crazy cast of natural and supernatural characters populating turn of the century America." ~Amazon Review "
…A perfect blend of mystery, magic and myth. A grown-up Grimm's fairy tale... emphasis on grim." ~Amazon Review

About the Author

Andy Gavin is an unstoppable storyteller who studied for his Ph.D. at M.I.T. and founded video game developer Naughty Dog, Inc. at the age of fifteen, serving as co-president for two decades. There he created, produced, and directed over a dozen video games, including the award winning and best selling Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter franchises, selling over 40 million units worldwide. He sleeps little, reads novels and histories, watches media obsessively, travels, and of course, writes. Find out more here. 
 

Review: The Sounding by Carrie Salo

Title: The Sounding
Author: Carrie Salo
Publication: September 23, 2011
Publisher: 23 House
Rating: 4 out of 5
Source: Friend
Website |Goodreads|Facebook

Amazon
Synopsis:

In the Book of Revelation, a man named John has a prophetic dream. He dreams of the final prophecies that will come to pass – and the seven archangels that guard them. Each angel waits to sound their trumpet at God’s appointed time, preparing humanity to fight and win the final battle.

2,000 years later, Father Chris Mognahan is a member of the Hetairia Melchizedek, a secret society within the Catholic Church that studies Biblical omens. The society asks Chris to investigate an unusually grotesque crime – a murder on a college campus where the killer's hand literally burned off the victim's face.While the killing seems isolated at first, the society ties the murder to the final Biblical prophecy and a terrifying omen that the order of the prophecies is about to be disrupted. The final battle is coming too soon – long before humanity is prepared to win it.

Suddenly, Chris finds himself fighting against time and hell to keep the prophecies in order and stop an early Armageddon. He is joined by a band of unlikely allies, and together they find themselves in Rome above the Vatican Necropolis – the city of the dead – where the future is revealed to them in ancient texts.
They are not alone, however; an evil as old as time itself hunts them. As they travel across continents on their mission, the demonic force follows relentlessly, waiting in every shadowed corner, and every dark place.
As Armageddon descends, Father Chris finds that his only hope lies in a young woman within the group who has a secret gift – and their belief that God Himself may have sent her to keep the final angelic trumpet from sounding out the early end of the Earth.


Review:It took some time for me to get through this book as the author had the tendency to go into great detail of biblical and architectural background aspects. It is for the most part relevant to the story, however for me it was distracting and drawn out sometimes. Now, what I love about this book was the story itself. The action, intrigue and mystery make this an absolutely fantastic story. Elise, the reincarnate of the angel Remiel, struggles with her acceptance of who she is and what that means for her purpose in the world. She has to re-learn and understand some things as far as religion is concerned but once she makes the connection,she realizes where she stands with secret society and what they expect her to do. In addition to all this new information, Elise has an attraction towards Father Chris that neither can act upon because of his vows, though temptation is a test in itself. Even though, he is a priest, I wanted them to be together because I was able to feel the connection between them. The interactions between them were so sweet. Elise is easy to relate to , she is young, uncertain and just wants to live a normal life, yet no matter how she tries, her destiny just won't let her be. Especially, the dark evil that is hunting her down to stop her from saving the world from its early apocalyptic demise. What she discovers is that evil lurks in many places and is much closer, deadly and sinister than she could ever have imagined. Sometimes, you have to be careful, who you put your trust in. This book is really good, the semi-romance, action and mystery all make it worthwhile.

RABT: Host Blog Hop - My Favorites!

My Favorite Tour so Far! 

Telesa by Lani Wendt Young

I wasn't able to read this one, but I plan to read it very soon! It sounds good. I absolutely heart the cover, it's just makes me think.... WOW!

Synopsis:
Leila returns to the land of her birth in search of family and instead discovers she is heir to a fiery elemental birthright...all while navigating through the drama of a new high school with the help of her new best friend "Simone daahling" - a boy with flawless makeup and the catwalk style of Kate Moss. She is introduced to the national sport of rugby and meets an irritating boy that would be much easier to hate if he didn't have chipped emerald eyes that are always laughing at her and a glorious golden smile. (The glistening, bronzed abs and Pacific warrior tattoos don't help either.) There's hate, love, jealousy, volcanoes and lots of delicious Samoan food in Leila's coming-of-age journey as she realizes that ancient Pacific myths of elemental spirit women Telesa, contain more truth than fiction. Secrets are revealed and things get blown up as Leila must choose between sisterhood and the boy she loves. Can their love stand against the Covenant Keeper? 

There are many different kinds of love. All of them require sacrifice. Who will give everything for the one they love?

A thriller-romance with a difference. If you enjoyed Twilight, then you will be enthralled by Telesa as it blends the richness (and humor) of Pacific mythology into a contemporary young adult love story that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.

" Tired of vampires and werewolves? TELESA has a supernatural element but a unique one... Like Air Benders and X-Men combined. Way cool. The Telesa women are an environmental terrorist group that wield their elemental powers with a fierce beauty and devastating impact..." 

I'm looking forward to...

Dead Radiance by T.G. Ayer  

Now, this one sounds fantastic and the cover is just so visually appealing! Can't wait to read this one! I love YA Fantasy and Paranormal books.
  

Synopsis: Bryn Halbrook had always seen the glow. But it is only when her best friend dies that she discovers the meaning of those beautiful golden auras - Death. Alone, lost in the foster system, she struggles to understand who she is and why she was cursed with the ability to see the soon-to-be-dead.The new foster kid, Aidan, isn't helping any. Mr. Perfect seems to fit in no matter what, making her feel even more pathetic. But when his affections turn to her, Bryn finds him hard to resist. Impossible actually. A mystery himself, Aidan disappears, leaving behind a broken heart and a mysterious book that suggests Bryn might not be entirely human. Bryn stands at the threshold of a journey of discovery. Will destiny help her find herself, find her purpose and her place in a world in which she'd never belonged?

Promo Blitz: Dead Radiance by T.G. Ayer

Author: T.G. Ayer
Title: Dead Radiance (Valkyrie Series #1) 
Publication: 2/25/12
Genre:Young Adult Paranormal 
Synopsis: 
Bryn Halbrook had always seen the glow. But it is only when her best friend dies that she discovers the meaning of those beautiful golden auras - Death. Alone, lost in the foster system, she struggles to understand who she is and why she was cursed with the ability to see the soon-to-be-dead.
The new foster kid, Aidan, isn't helping any. Mr. Perfect seems to fit in no matter what, making her feel even more pathetic. But when his affections turn to her, Bryn finds him hard to resist. Impossible actually. A mystery himself, Aidan disappears, leaving behind a broken heart and a mysterious book that suggests Bryn might not be entirely human. Bryn stands at the threshold of a journey of discovery. Will destiny help her find herself, find her purpose and her place in a world in which she'd never belonged?

Author Bio: 

I have been a writer from the time I was old enough to recognise that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Poetry was my first foray into the art of the written word. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse but this part of my personality is impossible to practise given I have two teenage daughters, who are actually my friends, my tea-makers, my confidantes… I am blessed with a husband who has left me for golf. It’s a fair trade as I have left him for writing. We are both passionate supporters of each other's loves – it works wonderfully…

My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands – I shall forever remain cross-eyed.

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A peek at Dead Radiance
I was cold, like the roses on Joshua’s casket, like the muddy dark-brown soil waiting to embrace the lifeless remains of the boy who was my friend.
My fingers curled around the stem of a butter-yellow rose, knuckles tight. I blinked away the liquid burn stabbing my eyelids. I had to get out. Give him the rose. Then get the hell away.
I tried to squeeze past the old woman who guarded my route to the center aisle, glaring. Her stares slithered down my neck as I passed. I shuffled by, careful not to touch her. But she huffed, her shoulders stiff and unimpressed with my rudeness. Her disapproval slid down my back.
I straightened my pencil skirt and short coat, scraped my wet hands on my hips. I knew the cool black silk wouldn't dry my sticky palms, but I did it anyway, needing to do something with my hands other than clutch the dead flower.
The slim heels of my pumps sank deep into wet ground. I jerked them free and swallowed, my throat aching with tears.. My best friend would soon be entombed within this sodden mush, to lie beneath Craven forever. Until his flesh fell off his bones and he turned to dust.
A cool hand tapped my shoulder.
"Bryn Halbrook. " She spat my name, each syllable harsh, and dripping venom to match the tiny emerald flecks in her hazel eyes. "You've got some nerve coming here." Cherise Barnes knew she looked good, even in drab funerary garb. She stood, a bony hip jutting out, one foot forward. The Cherise pose.
The last thing I needed was a bitch-match. Not here. I straightened, pulling my jacket closer in the face of this poisonous storm. Her eyes widened as I drew to my full height. Guess Cherise forgot it wasn't easy to intimidate a person who was a full head taller. I stared down at her.
Waiting.
"Perhaps you should leave." She tapped the foot. "Now."
"I am leaving, as soon as I pay my respects. You are holding me up."
A streak of red colored her cheeks. She avoided my eyes, then addressed my ear. "You shouldn't have come in the first place. You aren't welcome here."
She wasn't backing off and I knew why. Cherise was The Body here in Craven. Not the body to die for, though, as most guys didn't need to go that far to sample Cherise. Joshua had belonged to her, and she'd lost him. Lost him to me. Or so she thought.
I brushed past Cherise, had no patience for her any more. I fingered the bandage on my temple, touched the braid tied at my nape so my deep red hair wouldn't tangle in the stitches on my scalp. The slight movement shifted my hair and the wound stung, releasing a flash of memory.
White light, blinding, sears my eyes.
Brighter now. Bright enough to hurt.
Tires squeal, harsh screams rip at my eardrums.
I swallowed a gasp, shoving the memory out of my head.
I had to get a grip.
I'd survived and he hadn't. It didn't matter anymore. The only person who'd supported me had died on me.
I'd known he would die. And I'd done nothing to stop it.
As I neared Joshua's parents, they threw me weak and teary smiles, which made the dam of tears inside my own heart yearn to burst free. Even in their time of grief, they'd been so concerned about me, asking if I'd recovered enough to get out of the hospital, if I'd grieved enough, let it all out.
No one shared their concern, not last week and not today. Claws of ice scraped up and down my back. Again. More accusing stares. Too many eyes. More heads turning. Whispers. I ignored them. Concentrated on anything else but those voices. Cars passing by at the bottom of the hill. People going about their daily lives, neither knowing nor caring that a friend and a son and a brother was about to be consigned to the dead earth of Craven.
Stepping closer to the coffin I sucked in a sob; the hollow in my gut grew harder, more painful, as I stared at the shining black casket.
Roses trailed the ebony lid, droplets of color scattered across its gleaming surface by a careless yet artful hand. Eternity crept by while the box descended into the dark mouth of the grave.
The rainbow of color shivered, slim green stems entangled on the curve of the lid. One rose, bright, blood red, slid off, as the coffin moved deeper and deeper.
Ice sliced through my veins.
Piercing to the bone and to the soul.
Blank, grey afternoon skies shed occasional tears for Joshua O'Connell. The casket lurched, then continued its descent. I gave in. Better give him the rose, a little piece of me to take with him.
I choked on a breath, swallowing a wave of nausea.
Metal shrieks, grating in a lurid embrace. Deafening.
Sparks spit, ozone coats the back of my throat.
Gasoline fumes creep up my nostrils, burning, suffocating.
I stopped at the edge of the gaping wound in the earth. Something felt wrong. Inside the grave, the black box came to rest within deep grasping shadows. Darkness simmered, broken by a line of glimmering, golden light that seeped through the edges of the casket.
He still glowed and I was still helpless.
My fingers uncurled their desperate grip on the rose and it fell, tilting, to drop head first onto the coffin, twirling as it descended into the eerie depths. It hit the lid and shattered. Petals flew in all directions and everywhere yellow scraps of the dismembered flower reflected Joshua's iridescent light.
I turned, eager to flee.
Not possible. Not in heels, which sank into the mushy soil as if the soft earth itself yearned to claim me. Not when mourners had risen from their seats and were lining up to toss soil and tributes onto the casket. I struggled for breath, my heart knocking double, triple time like an angry jackhammer abandoned in my chest.
I steered a path through the crowd. Ignored a young man in the middle row whose skin held the first yellow specks of iridescence. Who was he? Did it even matter who he was? I sighed. It wouldn't be much longer for him anyway. I ignored the woman with the red-rimmed eyes, holding onto his arm. I didn't want to see him patting her pale hand and giving her that watery smile.
Will she be alone, like me, when he's gone? Who will pat her hand then?
Turning away, I kept walking. Didn't want to look anymore. Didn't want to see any more glowing people.
I breached the throng and paused to breathe.
To wait for my erratic heartbeat to slow down.
To forget I left my friend behind, alone in the unforgiving ground.
***
Be on the lookout for the the Dead Radiance tour complete with reviews and giveaways from July 2-27th. 

Review: Rapture by Lauren Kate

Author: Lauren Kate
Title: Rapture
Publication: June 12,2012
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages:464 pp
Audience:Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.5 out 5
Source:Publisher via Netgalley
Website | Twitter | Goodreads |Facebook
Amazon| BN| Book Depository

Synopsis:
The sky is dark with wings . . . . Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn't know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again. Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen. For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they've borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters. In the fight for Luce, who will win? 


Quotes:

" She will die...She will never pass out of adolescence-she will die again and again and again at precisely the moment that she remembers your choice. You will never truly be together."

" There is no darkness as dark as a great light corrupted" 

My thoughts: I really liked this one, might even say it's my favorite in the series because I finally get to know why Luce and Daniel have been cursed. The truth is so not what I expected, well at least some of it isn't and it is interesting indeed. I like the way the author weaved in the biblical aspects into the story plot as it works successfully with the entire series. In the previous book Luce went through the announcers to find a way to break the curse and she also learns about her past lives with Daniel and how each death was not necessarily triggered by whether they kissed or had physical contact or not. In this book, the true cause of her previous death's is revealed and quite enlightening. The plot is set around Luce, Daniel and the other Fallen angels racing to stop the Fall from happening again and locating the site within nine days before the clock is reset. In order for them to find the Fall site they must search for three relics that will guide them to their destination. So, many people are after Luce and are trying to stop her from succeeding at her task. The pace was steady as Luce begins to understand the role she plays in the curse and why she is the key to stop it. I have read each book in this series and though I'm sad to see it end, the ending was satisfying. 

Thief's Covenant by Ari Marmell

Author: Ari Marmell
Title:Thief's Covenant
Publication: February 14, 2012
Publisher: PYR
Pages: 273 pp.
Audience:12 and up
Rating: 4.5 out 5
Source: Publisher
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Synopsis:Once she was Adrienne Satti. An orphan of Davillon, she had somehow escaped destitution and climbed to the ranks of the city ’s aristocracy in a rags-to-riches story straight from an ancient fairy tale. Until one horrid night, when a conspiracy of forces—human and other—stole it all away in a flurry of blood and murder.
Today she is Widdershins, a thief making her way through Davillon’s underbelly with a sharp blade, a sharper wit, and the mystical aid of Olgun, a foreign god with no other worshippers but Widdershins herself. It’s not a great life, certainly nothing compared to the one she once had, but it’s hers.
But now, in the midst of Davillon’s political turmoil, an array of hands are once again rising up against her, prepared to tear down all that she’s built. The City Guard wants her in prison. Members of her own Guild want her dead. And something horrid, something dark, something ancient is reaching out for her, a past that refuses to let her go. Widdershins and Olgun are going to find answers, and justice, for what happened to her—but only if those who almost destroyed her in those years gone by don’t finish the job first.


Thoughts: Intriguingly witty and fantastic read. Marmell did an excellent job of creating a sly but intelligent character in Adrienne Satti/Widdershins. She may be a thief but she is a righteous one, who just happens to talk to a god, Olgun, that is currently inhabiting her head. It's great to experience a story that is not about romance between two or more characters but rather building a relationship with the reader to want to envelop and invest themselves in the story. I loved experiencing the world through Adrienne's eyes because she has an innocence about her that's....inviting for a lack of better word, though this is not what I'm thinking. She is curious and reckless at times when she should just sit herself down somewhere. Now, this book is not all light and fluffy as it contains murder, mayhem, and lots of deception. However, it has many witty and comical moments as well. The plot was set in the present and would go back in the past to give background on how Widdershins got that point or how this character relates to a current event that is taking place in the now moment. Some people may not like this aspect of this book but personally it works fine and doesn't take away from the story at all. The characters are well detailed and developed effectively to bring this story to life. I like that Marmell has no qualms about killing off his characters, so don't get too attached, someone may go before you know it. But who is the question?I think this will be a great book for those that are into action-packed science fiction and fantasy novels with strong-willed female leads.

Caged Moon Blog Tour: Review

Author:Rachel Deagan
Title: Caged Moon
Publication: January 18, 2012
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: YA Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 264pp.
Rating: 3.5 out 5
Source: Author via Blog Tour
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Purchase:Amazon

Synopsis:
Haunted by an animal attack, seventeen year old CHARLOTTE feels she is being followed. When she runs into a mysterious boy while camping, she’s afraid. Nothing seems right about him. Despite trying to stay away, there is an unmistakable draw to be near him. Even his scent smells familiar. But the closer she gets, the faster the secrets begin to unravel. Not only may he be a killer, he’s a werewolf. Evidence shows she should be one too, be never turned into a wolf.When someone destroys her bedroom, leaving claw marks across her furniture, LIAM claims she can control the shifts of other wolves, and that someone wants her dead because of that power. Torn between love and fear, Charlotte must decide if she can trust him to keep her safe.
My Thoughts: The concept of this one is good, however there are some similarities to other wolf books or maybe nods to others is this genre such as Shiver and New Moon perhaps. I say this because the female lead was bitten by a wolf as a child and that made me think of Shiver and the wolf boys made me think of those cute Quillette boys in the Twilight series. Charlotte is stubborn and in denial about the evidence right in front of her and then I'm really curious about her friend Ty, she goes from wolf paranoid to something else entirely. Who is she? How did she get to that point? I don't feel there is a sense of time in the plot and I'm still like what just happened. Charlotte meets Liam and he's all "I love you" in the next second, seriously dude, you just sniffed her like two seconds ago. Apparently, there is something about Charlotte that is special and this makes her a wolf magnet. Her uncanny ability to attract them also sparks her interest as she begins to search for the truth and she is quite adamant that she herself is not a werewolf. Liam, seems like a sweet, cute guy but he has some serious stalker tendencies. Overall, this book has me curious about what will happen next and why certain things happened. 

Print is US only and e-books are International.

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Giveaway&Excerpt: Telesa Blog Tour with Author Lani Wendt Young

Synopsis:
YA Fantasy Romance
Leila returns to the land of her birth in search of family and instead discovers she is heir to a fiery elemental birthright...all while navigating through the drama of a new high school with the help of her new best friend "Simone daahling" - a boy with flawless makeup and the catwalk style of Kate Moss. She is introduced to the national sport of rugby and meets an irritating boy that would be much easier to hate if he didn't have chipped emerald eyes that are always laughing at her and a glorious golden smile. (The glistening, bronzed abs and Pacific warrior tattoos don't help either.) There's hate, love, jealousy, volcanoes and lots of delicious Samoan food in Leila's coming-of-age journey as she realizes that ancient Pacific myths of elemental spirit women Telesa, contain more truth than fiction. Secrets are revealed and things get blown up as Leila must choose between sisterhood and the boy she loves. Can their love stand against the Covenant Keeper? 

There are many different kinds of love. All of them require sacrifice. Who will give everything for the one they love?

A thriller-romance with a difference. If you enjoyed Twilight, then you will be enthralled by Telesa as it blends the richness (and humor) of Pacific mythology into a contemporary young adult love story that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.

" Tired of vampires and werewolves? TELESA has a supernatural element but a unique one... Like Air Benders and X-Men combined. Way cool. The Telesa women are an environmental terrorist group that wield their elemental powers with a fierce beauty and devastating impact..."

A Piece from Telesa:The Covenant Keeper. By Lani Wendt Young.
 
“No … please … how to stop it? How can I stop it?”

I burst into useless tears. Tears that fizzed and hissed in a heartbeat of heat. No amount of crying would help now. I wrung my hands, no way out of it. It was hopeless. In a few minutes I would be a mass murderer. A killer. In my mind’s eye, I could see it now. People on fire running in circles, frantically beating at the hungry flames. The smell of flesh scorching, peeling off ashy bone. Screams. Pleas for help. I sank to my knees, drained dry of strength. Unwilling to watch the carnage but unable to take my eyes away. I was drowning in a sea of fiery despair. Suffocating in a red night of terror.

A clear, calm voice spoke from beside me. “Leila. Call it back. You can do it. Call it back. Call it back NOW.”

I looked up, eyes glistening with molten tears. He stood as close to me as he dared, shielding his face from the heat with his hands, the edges of his clothes singed and charred.

“I can’t.” Abject despair in my voice. “I don’t know how.”

“Yes you can. You have the power. You know you do. You spoke to it before. It listens to you. Call it back now before it’s too late. Please.”

It was the ‘please’ that did it. That snapped me out of the depths. He wanted me to call the fire. He believed that I could. And I wanted him to believe in me. Slowly, I raised myself from the ground, closed my eyes and willed that fiery beast to come home.

To listen to me – its mistress. To return and feed instead on my molten core. I trembled at the very thought of the blaze finding its way back. How could I possibly summon it all when it had grown so exponentially as it fed? But this was my fault. I had to find the strength from somewhere. I opened my eyes and shuddered at the majesty of the sight before me.

Directly ahead of me was a massive wall of fire. It had stopped advancing across the field and now it stood waiting; the beast waited for my command. Now – it asked – what would you have me do? Opening my arms, every ounce of my being quivering with fear, I summoned it home.

I burned. Inside and out. I burned. There was indescribable pain and the knife edge of pleasure. It was ecstasy and hell all at once. Then, as swiftly as it had begun, it stopped.

I was empty. A dried husk scorched beyond belief. Withered and dead. I fell.

The steaming darkness claimed me.

Author Bio
Blog
I was born and raised in Samoa.  I went to university in the USA and New Zealand, studying English Literature, Women's Studies and  Education. Back in Samoa I worked as a secondary school English teacher for 7 years and did lots of writing in between for the local newspaper and for myself. My short fiction has been published in Samoa, NZ, Australia and the UK. My collection of short stories "Sleepless in Samoa" won the 2011 USP Press Fiction Award. I also write stories for children that are used in primary school reading programs. In 2009 I was commissioned by Hans Joe Keil to research and write the narrative non-fiction book 'Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi'. The book was funded by the Australian Govt Aid program and all book sale profits go back to tsunami survivors who were interviewed for the record. My book 'TELESA The Covenant Keeper' is the first in a YA urban fantasy series and  it was launched in Oct 2011.  I'm married to Darren Young (who is probably the most patient and most hottest man alive) and we have five children ranging in age from 4 to 16yrs. We are now based in New Zealand but get to go home to Samoa enough to keep me brown. (and broke.) I blog about the misadventures of a (slightly demented) Domestic Goddess over at Sleepless in Samoa.

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