Friday, October 31, 2014

Book Review: Conception Of Evil by Dorothy Dawson


BLURB

Three former college buddies that endlessly debated the existence of giants, or Nephilim, in biblical times are reunited for a mass murder investigation. They find that these slayings were not committed by men. The 'fallen ones' had come to claim the women who were worthy to bear their children, and once again, their offspring would bring terror to the Earth. Two Secret Societies had fought against each other for years. The Sodalitat had worked endlessly to prevent such a shattering event from taking place. The Camorra did everything in their power to bring upon the resurrection of the Nephilim, going as far as attempting to recreate the creatures in a lab using viable DNA from excavated bones. A young student gets caught in the crossfire when she is chosen. Women who are found unworthy are slaughtered. The government finds a gene marker that allows them to indicate if a citizen is a descendant of the Nephilim, and calls forth those with distinct characteristics to be tested. Pandemonium breaks loose across the world as citizens react to the news.

2 STARS

My Review

The premise of Conception Of Evil, fallen angels using human women to procreate, is not bad in and of itself, but the execution was way off. The plot was fast paced in all the wrong ways, rushing by so quickly neither the characters nor the plotline had any time to naturally develop. I had no time to become emotionally invested in the story at all. The only character I even halfway liked, Clementine, had such an abrupt and poorly explained reversal in her behavior that I lost what little interest I had in her.

The conclusion of the conflict with the fallen angels was unexpected and while it was partly the only bright spot in the entire novel, it was dimmed by the fact that it left a huge question hanging in the air.

While some may find this an entertaining read, it simply wasn't for me.

Amazon

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Book Review: The Splicing Project by Heather Dowell

(YAV #1: The Challenge)

BLURB

Set 200 years into the future, splicers live in compounds and follow the orders of the guards in charge of them. Other than the elders, no one is over the age of 18.

The answer to why will come as a shock when they're all rounded up and thrown into the backs of semi-trucks. Dying can only be the beginning. Living will send them on a treacherous journey they aren’t prepared for but will have to face head on.

3 STARS

My Review

The Splicing Project: humans intermixed with the genes of animals. When a group of young splicers are loaded up on trucks and hauled away for the Challenge, they find their very lives at stake. The only way to survive is to work together, but some may have other ideas.

I've always like the idea of humans genetically altered with animal DNA. The Splicing Project has a nice mixture of interesting and unique genetic alterations in its characters. These characters are engaging and clearly defined, though there are a lot of them for such a short novel, and each has their own special powers as a result of the tampering with their DNA.

The action takes right off from the beginning, when a group of friends are woken in the middle of the night for reasons beyond their knowing. Things get more dire as the story progresses and the friends find themselves thrust into a life or death situation.

I found this story thoroughly engaging and read it all in one sitting. I'd certainly be interested in the next installment and seeing where the story goes on from here.

Amazon



Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The First Paragraph: Books by Jacqueline Patricks



Product Details'Dreams of the Queen' book 1 of The Brajj

"Darkness and cool crisp air reigned in the subterranean passages. Her eyes shut as the alien voices chanting in the distance drifted to her. Weaving its usual peaceful atmosphere, the song ensnared and relaxed her. Cass always enjoyed this part of the dream, and despite the delicate balance of comfort and claustrophobia, she gave herself over to the strange voices. They enticed her, tempting her through the passageway, and she danced forward, heedlessly drawing her fingers along the roughhewn walls."

Product Details


"Nightmares of the Queen' book 2 of The Brajj

"Lewis unlocked the door to his randomly assigned Fort Bragg apartment.

“Captain Charles Lewis, this board of inquiry has decided…”

He stepped inside and shut the door behind him, making sure to lock it.

“…that due to the lack of supporting evidence, the massive loss of life to your unit…”

He ignored the wilted leaves of the philodendron—chosen by whoever had arranged his living quarters. Only the kitchen interested him, specifically the refrigerator’s contents.

“…and the loss of the entire team of scientists who were highly regarded in their fields…”

 

'Destiny of the Queen' book 3 of The Brajj (work in progess)

"Everything hurt. Lying flat on his back, his bare skin chilled against a cold metal floor, Lewis shivered and opened his eyes to find a dozen plus barrels of unrecognizable rifle-sized weapons pointed down at him. They were backed up by men and women of varying colors, sizes, and ethnicities, but all wearing the same military-style white jumpsuits with unfamiliar insignia, patches, and helmets with lowered visors. With a sweeping glance, he caught a few stitched-on name badges: Howard, Xian, Brummell, Sayed, and Mehta."

 

Product Details 

'Fairytale Apocalypse" book 1 of The Verge

The blight is spreading faster. The brown leaf crumbled in his fist. He uncurled his fingers. Its powder coated his black leather glove, releasing its final, crisp pungency before drifting away on the breeze. Kagan Donmall frowned as the dry bits scattered.

 
Image of Jacqueline Patricks
Books by Jacqueline Patricks can be found on Amazon


Tuesday, October 28, 2014

New Release: Pathogen by E.L. Loraine & Tim Frasier






  What if the government doesn’t want a cure? 
A blinding light in the Southwestern sky changed everything. Nothing worked anymore and all Alexis could do was hope that her boyfriend and fellow scientist Jackson would still head to New Orleans for their week end together. 

She couldn’t help thinking the worldwide pockets of viral outbreaks and this were
 somehow connected. If she and Jackson combined their efforts just maybe they could stop this before it became an epidemic. 

Now she was stuck on the road alone and it wasn’t long before she
realized it was too late; they couldn’t out run a virus. If the world was over run all they could do now all they could do was to figure out how to survive and keep the uninfected from becoming, mindless, flesh eating monsters. Now there’s something else, a mutation a strain of virus the government doesn’t want to cure and they want Alexis and Jackson to help them harness it. They aren’t about to let that happen. 

The world and character building of best-selling author E.L. Loraine with the specialty horror telling skills of Tim Frasier has combined in this
 dystopian – Pathogen. It’s chilling in an all too believable way. 
Amazon: 

 iBooks:

Smashwords:

B&N:


Here are a few short Teasers from Pathogen!!

Teaser #1
While Jackson’s exterior was the definition of calm and control, he was screaming inside. He had to get Alexis out of New Orleans. He approached the compound commander, Major Johnston, and made a calculated plea.
“I need to get to New Orleans. One of the world’s top pathologists is there, and would be invaluable in fighting whatever we’re up against.”


Teaser #2
Alexis frowned, gun at the ready, and continued up the stairs, alleviating further squeaking by positioning her feet on the extreme sides of the treads.
She stopped at the landing and stood there holding her breath, listening, trying to decide what to do. Moving to the door to her right, sure the whimpering sound was coming from that room, she slowly reached out to the knob.
In one movement she twisted the knob, and shoved the door hard. The door swung to her right, banging on the wall behind it. Lexy moved through the opening and into the interior of the room with her gun close to her body, rotating first to the left and then to the right.
Nothing.



Teaser #3
She moved further inside, aiming the pistol back and forth, as she looked through the room.
She gulped and took herself in hand, preparing inwardly for the next move.
Stepping to the closet door she took another quick breath, gripped the knob and pulled it open.

Immediately, something inside the closet screeched and Lexy dropped down to one knee, gun extended, with a screech of her own.


I grew up in a small northern Minnesotan town, married my high school sweetheart, had two beautiful children and as soon as we could, we moved to a warmer climate. I have worked with my husband building and decorating custom homes for years. After loving every kind of vampire book, movie, and series, I decided that I wanted to know more. I can write a book I thought, how hard can that be? Well….very hard. But I stuck to it and finished my first book Royal Blood Chronicles Book One, Katrina, The Beginning, in August 2009. There are now nine books in that series; The Protectors, The Dark Prince, Cain, the Quest, Bloodline and Legacy, Redemption and Destiny, and book nine Sabine, with book ten- Power of the Secret -out this fall.
I’ve also started to write mystery/suspense contemporary adult romances under my E.L. Loraine brand. The first release is Corporate Ties, A Silken Ties Novel, the second a sweeter romance – Western Escape. A second Silken Ties Novel will be released in August 2014.

The feedback has been great. I have also released Phantom Lives – Collier, and new paranormal series, book two of that series Phantom Lives – Power, book three to be out around Christmas. I also have just published book one of my Shifter Chronicles – Green River. My parents always told me that I could do anything that I wanted, work hard, study, and do it right. I believe that and live that way every day.

I started writing this new vampire series for teens and their moms because I myself wanted something different to read. I was tired of all the modern versions of vampire books, there had to be more to these long lived beings. Where had they been, what had they seen? I wanted, no I NEEDED to know more so Royal Blood Chronicles was born! Strong female characters and action and adventure mixed with romance, friendship and a historical backdrop. Phantom Lives continues with another strong female character, which is very important to me. Phantom Lives is a modern day, paranormal romance, filled with mystery, magical places and beings.


 Facebook:

Goodreads:

A Red Coat PR Interview!

RCPR: Your newest book, PATHOGEN releases onOctober 28th.  Tell us a little about it.
Elizabeth: I was invited to write a short story for an anthology and worked with Tim Frasier on a piece. We just clicked, and I asked him if he would write this story with me, an idea I’d had for a while. Two scientists, who are in a long distance relationship are set to meet each other again in New Orleans when the world suddenly changes. Pathogen has been released and an EMP has taken out almost all communications, electrical and power. Now the main characters, Alexis and Jackson are trying to get to each other. The government and other factions also want them to stabilize the Pathogen, if not cure it. Both sides want to control it for their own purposes. So they, along with a band of people who they’ve joined or helped along the way are on the run.
RCPR: I have to say, your cover is a mixture of stunning and freaky.  What inspired the idea for the cover and who was your designer?
Elizabeth: Conzpiracy Digital Arts does most of my covers, he’s amazing, but horror is his specialty. I only have to give him a concept and then get out of the way. This scientist has been infected. Because it’s true; you can’t run from a virus.
RCPR: Your tag line, “What if the government doesn’t want a cure” is amazing!  Do you personally believe in government conspiracies or does it just make for a good book?
Elizabeth:  Oh I love a good conspiracy and I believe they go on. Yes I believe not every faction of the government knows everything about the others. It’s scary, that’s what makes it good.
RCPR: PATHOGEN is a co-written venture that you partnered with Tim Frasier on.  How did you find the process of co-writing to be?
Elizabeth: It was amazing and while Tim wasn’t sure if it would work it has and our style and our imaginations mess seamlessly. It started out by Tim writing Jackson’s part and I wrote Lexy’s point of view. Once they were together however we just took turns, each writing around 1000 words a day and passed it back and forth. We had the first book done in six weeks, the second in an additional five weeks. We wrote a novella, a prequel next and will start the third book next week. I have to say it was soooo fun. It was like Christmas morning every day waiting to read what he’d written and adding to the story.
RCPR: Aside from the horror/thriller genre, what other genre’s have a dabbled in?
Elizabeth: I started writing YA fantasy and paranormal, but now I also write romance/mystery and thrillers too. I find it keeps writing exciting to try new things and engage a new audience.
RCPR: With the new year quickly on approach, are there any new writing goals that you’re thinking of setting for yourself in 2015?
Elizabeth: I am expanding my YA series Royal Blood Chronicles and Phantom Lives as well as my Lillian, a Vampire tale series. We will continue the Pathogen series or maybe a spin off or something new. Silken Ties, the adult romance/thriller series will get two novels next year as well.
RCPR: As an author, the more you write the better you become.  Have you ever been tempted to go back and re-work your first books?  Did you?
Elizabeth: I have been through all of them again yes, and may do it again. You’re always learning so I may do a re-write on the first books again. That’s what’s so great about self publishing, you’re in charge.
RCPR: Do you tend to do a lot of research for your books or do you like to create new rules and history?
Elizabeth: I do a lot of research, but it is fiction after all, so I mix the real history with my fiction. I do the same with anything I’m writing. If it’s about the FBI, the military, government, serial killers, whatever. I do the research. I really enjoy that part of writing.
RCPR: If you could spend a day in any time period in history, which would it be and why?
Elizabeth: I think I’d like to see the early West so mid 1800’s would be my choice, but all history fascinates me. Walk with Louis and Clark.
RCPR: What is your biggest writing pet peeve? Why?
Elizabeth: Writing the dreaded blurb! I hate condensing an entire novel into a two paragraph blurb and I know I’m not the only one.



 Did you know there is a Release Party for Pathogen on October 28th from 6pm-9pm EST? No you didn't well be sure to click the link below so you can join in the fun!










Monday, October 27, 2014

Blog Tour: The Empress Chronicles by Suzy Vitello

The Empress Chronicles

In this dazzling first book in the EMPRESS CHRONICLES series by the author of THE MOMENT BEFORE, one courageous girl seeks keys to the past to unlock the future…


BLURB

When city girl Liz is banished to a rural goat farm on the outskirts of Portland, the 15-year-old feels her life spiraling out of control. She can’t connect to her father or his young girlfriend, and past trauma adds to her sense of upheaval. The only person who seems to keep her sane is a troubled boy who is fighting his own demons. But all of this changes in one historical instant.
*
One-hundred fifty years earlier, Elisabeth of Bavaria has troubles of her own. Her childhood is coming to a crashing end, and her destiny is written in the form of a soothsaying locket that has the ability to predict true love. But evil is afoot in the form of a wicked enchantress who connives to wield the power of the locket for her own destructive ends.
*
When Liz finds a timeworn diary, and within it a locket, she discovers the secrets and desires of the young Bavarian princess who will one day grow up to be the legendary Empress of Austria. It is in the pages of the diary that these two heroines will meet, and it is through their interwoven story that Liz will discover she has the power to rewrite history—including her own…

Readers of books like Rachel Harris’s MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY will love THE EMPRESS CHRONICLES



About The Author

Suzy Vitello is a proud founding member of a critique group recently dubbed The Hottest Writing Group in Portland, and her short stories have won fellowships and prizes (including the Atlantic Monthly Student Writing Award, and an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship).

Twitter: @suzy_vitello

New Release: Blood Ring by Kailin Gow



Blood Ring (Pulse #9) by Kailin Gow 



BLURB

A Ring that Controls the Immortality of Vampires!

The handsomely devilish vampire Jaegar Greystone, one of the Vampire Guardians of the beautiful mortal girl Kalina Calloway, a rare Life Blood carrier, has pursued the evil Vampire Queen, Neriti, to the End of the Earth, and is about to enter the realm of magic where the Queen will be renewed and re-born into the darkest evil of all the worlds. Jaegar, Octavius, Stuart and the other vampires from the Consortium of Vampires who keep the order so vampires can exist with humans have sacrificed much to prevent the Queen from true transformation. The Queen has already crossed into the realm, but her true transformation could not take place without a ring known as the Blood Ring...which only the true rare carrier of Life Blood can make.

Jaegar thought he would never see Kalina again. He thought she would finally give one of the other Vampire Guardians her gift of mortality, but when he meets her again...everything changes. When it comes to love, he can't no longer be noble about what he wants...and he wants Kalina.

Purchase on Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1z5qpj2



Excerpt
His broad shoulders and confident stature reminded her of Octavius, yet his kind eyes brought Stuart Greystone to mind. As he stepped forward past the border of the Ring of Ice protecting the portal between Feyland and the Land Beyond the Crystal River, his shape became more solid and his voice boomed loud enough to announce his entrance. “I am Logan, the Wolf Fey Prince, and guardian of these borders.”

Jaegar’s blue eyes nearly bulged out of his sockets. “Damn, what do they feed you over there, genetically-enhanced dog food?”

Logan took one look at Jaegar and smirked. “More like ground minotaurs and an occasional vampire or dark fey, as we call you guys, over there.


Haven't started the Pulse Series yet?  The first one is FREE!





BLURB


17 year-old Kalina didn't know her boyfriend was a vampire until the night he died of a freak accident. She didn't know he came from a long line of vampires until the night she was visited by his half-brothers Jaegar and Stuart Greystone. There were a lot of secrets her boyfriend didn't tell her. Now she must discover them in order to keep alive. But having two half-brothers vampires around had just gotten interesting.




The Pulse Series

PULSE - It's Available for Free right now. Complete Novel.
Life's Blood (PULSE #2) - Complete Novel.
Blood Burned (PULSE #3) - Complete Novel.
Blue Blood (PULSE #4) - Complete Novel.
The PULSE Papers (PULSE #4.5) - Novella
Blood Bond (PULSE #5) - Complete Novel.
Blood Legacy (PULSE #6) - Complete Novel.
Blood Rights (PULSE #7) - Complete Novel.
Blood Curse (PULSE #8) - Complete Novel.









ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Website     Facebook      Twitter

Kailin Gow's life is sometimes more fascinating and stranger than fiction, which is being chronicled in a feature film based on a treatment optioned and in development for a release date of 2018. (IMDB.com - The Colorful Worlds of Kailin Gow 2018). Her true life experiences as a world traveler where she has traveled to over 25 countries, logging hundreds of thousands of miles, absorbing the cultures and collecting stories relating to places and the romance of the land, and incidents in her personal life, has inspired her to write and publish over 170 books with over 30 series.

She is noted as an indie pioneer, as one of the first to publish in 2001. Breaking stereotypes, her books has crossed traditional and indie lines, gaining recognition in schools and libraries, as well as the indie community. Her action adventure young adult fantasy series, The Frost Series, an ALA YALSA Reader's Choice Nominated book series - had been optioned by an international film company and is currently in development as a game and a film at http://www.facebook.com/thefrostseries. Five of her fantasy/action adventure series have been optioned to be made into worldwide games.

Kailin Gow has been known in The World Journal, an international newspaper, to be a phenomenon. She was profiled on the homepage of Amazon.com as an Author Success Story who overcame personal obstacles to become a bestselling author, appeared as one of Amazon's top authors for the Kindle Fire launch release, and is one of the earliest indie authors who have sold over a million books. She writes for Fast Company as a publishing expert, had appeared on a major network Television News as a bestselling author who writes fiction and non-fiction with a social conscious, and has made speeches and appearances across the U.S. and on top 15 national radio regarding self-esteem and issues relating to women.

Kailin Gow was an invited speaker and signing author at Book Expo America (BEA)2014.

Having experienced bullying firsthand and slander as a woman, Kailin Gow is an active advocate against bullying in the workplace and in schools. She has written Shy Girls Social Club Handbook Against Bullying and has helped launch Stories for Amanda where all proceeds go towards the Amanda Todd Foundation against bullying. She has written several books with the theme of abuse towards women and children, especially the steamy international bestselling The Protégé Series, which launched a book club initiative in battered women's shelters and won The Indie Excellence Awards at NIEA for Erotica in 2014.

She holds a Masters Degree in Communications Management from The University of Southern California, and degrees in Drama and Social Ecology.

She resides in the American West with her husband and daughter, but had lived for a decade in Texas, and briefly in England. Besides being a full-time author, she volunteers for many organizations, is active in church helping build homes for the homeless and visit orphanages. A voracious reader, when she is not writing, she loves reading an entire series in one sitting! She spends way too much time on Facebook than she is supposed to at http://www.facebook.com/kailingowbooks, but loves meeting new people from all walks of life.

She has over 30 Series, written under Kailin Gow, and more under her middle grade, women's fiction, and mystery pen names:

***For 16 and up***
The Frost Series - COMPLETED. Bitter Frost Series Consists of 8 full-length novels.
The Wolf Fey Series - COMPLETED. Consists of 2 full-length novels and one novella.
Fairy Rose Chronicles - age 13 and up.
The PULSE Series - Next Book - Blood Ring (PULSE #9), releasing due to readers' demand to continue the series. Consists of 9 full-length novels and one novella.
FADE Series - COMPLETED. ALL Full-length novels.
DESIRE Series - All Full-length novels. Last Book, FRENZY - 2015.
Fire Wars Series - All Full-length novels.
Alchemists Academy - All Full-length novels.
Wordwick Games - All Full-length novels.
Wicked Woods Series - COMPLETED. Consists of 5 full-length novels.
Steampunk Scarlett - All Full-length novels.
The Phantom Diaries - All Full-length novels. Last Book, DARK VICTORY - 2015.
Stoker Sisters - All Full-length novels. Last Book, SISTER OF THE STRIGOIS - 2015.
Beyond Crystal River - 2015 NEW SERIES.
SHADES - 2015 NEW SERIES. This is a high concept psychological thriller.

***For 18 and up (New Adult/Coming of Age)***
Loving Summer - All full-length novels.
The Donovan Brothers - All full-length novels.
Saving You Saving Me (You & Me Trilogy)- COMPLETED. Consists of 3 Full-length novels.
Never Knights - COMPLETED. Consists of 3 Full-length novels.
Rock Hard Love Hard - 1st book, Rock Hard Love Hard is now Available.
Sawyer House Chronicles (Spin-off of You & Me Trilogy) - Coming in 2015
Canvas - Coming in 2015

***For 18 and up (Adult/Steamy Romance)***
The Protege - COMPLETED. 3 Full-length novels.
Master Chefs - COMPLETED. Consists of 3 Full-length novels.
The Blue Room (Spin-off of Never Knights Trilogy) - Romantic Suspense.
Barely Legal (Spin-off of The Protégé) - Romantic Suspense.
The Oyster House - Artistic Romantic Thriller set in Hong Kong and England.
- Coming in 2015.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

The First Paragraph: Books by S. M. Knowles


Runaway

            THE NIGHT IS dark as Courtney tosses and turns, sheets twisting around her legs with every fling of her body. Another bad dream about her mother fills the darkness. Her emotions frizzled and life moving down a slippery slope any young adult would love to stay clear of. Sitting up, she reaches for a glass of water situated on the table beside her bed. She takes a gulp, feeling the cool water slide down her throat and into her stomach. The only satisfying feeling she’s felt in weeks, months, or years for that matter.

 

Unusual Awakening (Book 1):

EXQUISITE SHADES OF gold and orange adorn the tables and counters in the kitchen. Quaint little leaves outline the overlooks on top of the cabinets with a pattern of little twigs branching out. A large cornucopia is bursting out on the dinner table with spurts of fresh, bright vegetables and mouthwatering fruits. October has finally arrived. My mother’s seasonal decorating skills never fail.

 

Awakening Dream (Book 2):

             Darkness monopolizes the room. A putrid smell burns my nose hairs, shocking me with each inhalation of breath. The pungent odor of a dead animal, rotting, fills my lungs. I pull my t-shirt over my nose to filter out the odor, but no such luck. My hands are needed elsewhere, and my shirt falls back into place.

 

Dream Ending (Book 3):

            “ARE WE THERE yet?” both girls sing in unison.

“We will be there shortly,” Mom states matter-of-factly.

Continuing to look forward, I see Mom eyeing me from the side. My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I try to avoid it. I have a feeling something important is about to be said.

“You know,” she inhales while searching for her words. “This will be a fun experience for you.” Still looking at me, she opens her eyes fairly wide while lifting her eyebrows. “Rylee?”

I glance over to her before returning my gaze back at the front of the road. “Mom! Look out!” Covering my head, I cower closer to the door, peeking through my arm.

Ending Unusual (Book 4):

            THE GENTLE BREEZE blows in from a cracked window, bringing in the aroma of a crisp fall breeze as sunshine cloaks the chill in the air. A group of people sit around a massive, rough wooden table staring at each other. Tension continuously grows stronger amongst each member as everyone sits, scrutinizing each other. The gigantic room remains quiet and desolate from no sound. One could hear a pin drop and possibly jump from the torture of the little sound it’d make.

 

Summer Fling (Short Story):

            “Two tickets to Australia, please.” Lucretzia eyes the lady at the ticket counter, reaching her arm out with her credit card in hand.

With a stretched out smile, the woman looks at her with doe eyes. “Great. How many?”

“My friend and I.” Lucretzia thumbs back to Daenery, who is standing almost beside her.

“Perfect. I will just need to get your passports.”

Both girls dig in their purses, fumbling around for their ticket out of the United States. Just a long getaway for the two of them. Enough time to let heartache relieve itself and long enough for family drama to simmer down.

“Here’s mine!” Daenery holds her passport up in the air as she looks over her massive, Louis Vuitton sunglasses.

Lucretzia lets out a loud sigh as she continues digging. “Why didn’t I clean this damn purse out before we left today?”

The woman at the counter patiently waits on the final passport so she can book the flights. She eyes Lucretzia again, pulling her eyebrows together. “Have we met before?”

 

           

 

 S.M. Knowles
S.M. Knowles books can be found on Amazon

Friday, October 24, 2014

Blog Tour & Book Review: True Colors & Two Faced by Melissa Pearl

True Colors & Two Faced by Melissa Pearl
REVIEW BLITZ
October 20th to October 24th, 2014



BLURB

Caitlyn Davis always cruised through life, not being the type to ruffle feathers or involve herself in high school drama. That is, until a chance encounter with a strange, homeless man changes everything.

Suddenly, Caitlyn has the ability to see behind people's masks. She discovers that her life isn’t as simple as she imagined and high school is filled with secrets...some very sinister ones.

Unable to ignore her new gift, Caitlyn embarks on a mission to learn why one of her friends suddenly appears terrified, but masks her fear with a bright, smiling veneer. Will Caitlyn's new ability lead her into hot water? Or is her new found vision a blessing that will expose her friends' true colors?

Her quest will lead Caitlyn to lose friends, stand up for those in need, and even find love.

At Palisades High School every face tells a story...


3 STARS


My Review


What would you do if you suddenly had the power to see other people's true emotions, the ones they would prefer to hide? This is the question 18 year old Caitlyn Davis must answer after a strange encounter with a homeless man. Will she use her newfound gift to help those in need, or will her fear cause her to turn a blind eye?

True Colors is the story of an ordinary girl given an extraordinary gift. Caitlyn struggles with this gift throughout the story, as would anyone faced with such a huge responsibility. Her innate desire to help others coupled with this new ability leads her straight into a high school cheating ring being run by some very nasty characters. With several lives at stake, including her own, Caitlyn sets out to shut down the ring and save a friend from a bad situation. But even with a little help, this may be one challenge too tough for her to tackle.

I really enjoyed Caitlyn's character. She's a person with a good heart, but she isn't perfect. She can be far too meek one moment and completely reckless the next. Her intentions are always in the right place, but sometimes it causes more trouble than it helps. Her budding romance with Eric is intense. He's a guy with a lot of trust issues and insecurities of his own, which causes them butt heads more than once.

True Colors has a nice mixture of tension, drama, and romance, with plenty of hold your breath moments sure to have you anxiously turning the pages until the very end.


Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/TCBnN
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/TCSmash

(Mask Series Book #2)

BLURB

Caitlyn Davies has an unusual gift. She knows exactly what people feel. She sees their true reactions, every time. Everyone wears a mask, but she can see the truth hiding behind it. This ability has changed her life, both for the better and the worse. She can choose to ignore what she sees...but what happens when it involves the guy she loves?

Eric Shore knew getting involved with a girl who could read people was risky, but he couldn't help himself. Caitlyn is gorgeous and he loves being with her. Things have been going great...until she tells Eric that his step-brother and star basketball player, Connor, is doing drugs. Having looked up to the guy for years, Eric just can't buy it. Things only get worse when Caitlyn starts to question the true nature of Eric's favorite teacher at UCLA.

Their first year at college together was supposed to be amazing, but their relationship is off to a rocky start, especially when Caitlyn refuses to deny what she's seen in order to keep her boyfriend happy. As more and more masks are peeled away, Caitlyn is thrown into a dangerous world where secrets are exposed and Eric once again has to decide whether dating Caitlyn is worth the risk. It doesn't take long for the young couple to realize that even those closest to you can be two-faced. 

3 STARS

My Review

A star basketball player who may have been drugged without his knowledge. A college girl being blackmailed by a professor. A man whose death isn't as accidental as it seems. Could they all be connected? Caitlyn Davies thinks so and with her ability to see the truth behind the masks people wear, she's determined to find out just what that connection is. Even if it means putting herself in harm's way once again.

Two Faced is a sort of fantasy/detective story. It has all the components for a Veronica Mars type plot, but with the added dash of the main character having the special ability to see people's true emotions. The story is quick paced with never a dull moment. It has a nice mixture of action, story, and romance sure to please any fan of amateur sleuth novels.

Caitlyn is a solid three dimensional character whose need to right the wrongs she can't help but see is bound to get her into trouble. She and her boyfriend, Eric, have a tumultuous relationship as a result of her need, leading to anger, confusion, and misunderstandings. Watching the two of them interact and struggle to deal is as interesting and entertaining as the novel's main plot.



Smashwords: http://ow.ly/CCjAw


~*~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~*~
Melissa Pearl was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year. Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has continued to produce a steady stream of books. Recently she signed with Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book was released in February 2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her own name as well. She has six books releasing in 2014 and is excited about writing each and every one of them.

"I am passionate about writing. It stirs a fire in my soul that I never knew I had. I want to be the best writer I can possibly be and transport my readers into another world where they can laugh, cry and fall in love."