Thursday, February 27, 2014

Book Review: Crimson by Cheree Alsop


                    (Silver Series: Book 3)




BLURB


Crimson, the third book of the Silver Series, is about a teenage boy who dies in a car accident and awakens a werewolf. Burdened with heavy guilt over his sister’s death in the same accident, Kaynan escapes with a blind girl named Grace who gives him purpose and direction. They seek shelter with a pack of werewolves who brave dangerous odds to help them. Kaynan is given the ultimate chance to make up for his poor decisions, but dying again might be the only way to redeem himself.


3 STARS

My Review


The theme of the redeeming power of love continues to run through the Silver Series with the third installment, Crimson. Kaynan is a different sort of werewolf from the others in the series because he was turned into a werewolf rather than being born as one. This story follows his struggle to come to terms with what he's become and to find a way to leave behind the destructive behavior which led to his death. To help him along is Grace, yet another kind hearted and gentle female character whose main purpose seems to be supporting the male characters.


I don't have any problem with soft female characters, but the girls in this series are starting to blur together. The character I have the biggest problem with is Taye. She's an alpha female, and yet all she does is hang back with the other females waiting around to tend to the boys after a fight. Even Brock, a human, gets in on the action, but not any of the girls.


The main character in the next book is a girl, so I'm holding out hope she'll provide some much needed diversity among the female characters.


I still like the sweet romance in these stories and the idea that no matter how broken a person is, they can always be mended. These are good stories full of danger and heartbreak, joy and love, and everything in between.


Amazon








Monday, February 24, 2014

Feature: Lee French & Erik Kort, authors of The Fallen











No one keeps secrets from her...



The Fallen
by Lee French and Erik Kort

Publication Date: January 26, 2014
Series: The Greatest Sin #1
Genre: Fantasy


For hundreds of years, the Blaukenev clan has wandered across Tilzam, from one end to the other and back. Each wagon carries history, love, laughter, pain, sorrow, and secrets. Their greatest secret of all may be Chavali, the clan Seer.

Spirits 
claim 
use 
save 
damn her. 

With her gift/curse, nothing surprises her anymore, no one keeps secrets from her. She, on the other hand, has more than enough secrets to keep. Secrets of her own, secrets of her clan, secrets of the world, secrets she even keeps from herself.

There are always people who want secrets. 
Some will do anything to get what they want. 

The Fallen is the foundation of the story of The Greatest Sin, of a world adrift from its God that desperately wants Her back. Chavali's comfortable, predictable life will be ripped apart and burnt to ashes as she's forced into the middle of that struggle. Change, she hates it passionately. It hates her right back.




About Lee French and Erik Kort

Lee French lives in Worcester, MA with two kids, two mice, two bicycles, and too much stuff. She is an avid gamer and active member of the Myth-Weavers online RPG community, where she is known for her fondness for Angry Ninja Squirrels of Doom. In addition to spending much time there, she also trains year-round for the one-week of glorious madness that is RAGBRAI, has a nice flower garden with absolutely no lawn gnomes, and tries in vain every year to grow vegetables that don't get devoured by neighborhood wildlife.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Pinterest



Erik Kort abides in the glorious Pacific Northwest, otherwise known as Mirkwood-Without-The-Giant-Spiders. Though the spiders often grow too numerous for his comfort. He is defended from all eight-legged threats by his brave and overly tolerant wife, and is mocked by his obligatory writer's cat. When not writing, Erik comforts the elderly, guides youths through vast wildernesses, and smuggles more books into his library of increasingly alarming size.



Sunday, February 23, 2014

Book Review: Black by Cheree Alsop


                                     (The Silver Series: Book 2)


BLURB


Black, the second book in The Silver Series, is about a werewolf raised through the atrocities of a werewolf fighting ring. He is rescued and given the chance at a new life, but haunting reminders of his past follow him as he tries to make a fresh start. He has to confront his dark history in order to protect the girl he loves, or let himself be swept away into the pain and humiliation of the arena once more.


4 STARS

My Review




The first book in the series, Silver, was by no means light, but Black is way darker. Here, we follow Jet as he is stolen from his parents and raised in the brutal world of werewolf death matches. Forced to fight and kill from the age of seven, by the time Jet becomes a teenager is a deeply scarred and broken individual.


Jet's journey to find some way to live any kind of normal life is heartwarming and intense. The past keeps coming back to try and steal away what little happiness he can find, but his determination to hold onto what goodness is still within him will leave you cheering him on. This is a flawed person whose instincts to fight and kill have been deeply engrained, but through Jet's story we find that even the most broken souls can be redeemed.


If you enjoy YA paranormal with darkly intense themes and characters you can't help but love, then you'll definitely want to check this one out.


Amazon




Thursday, February 20, 2014

Feature: Amalia Dillion, author of Honor Among Orcs

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Designed by: Melissa Stevens (http://www.theillustratedauthor.net/)


Title: Honor Among Orcs

Series: Orc Saga #1

Publication Date: April 1, 2014

Genre: Fantasy

 

Synopsis

After nearly a decade as the king’s whipping-girl, Princess Arianna has no intention of going quietly into marriage to some treasonous noble, or serving obediently as the king’s spy until her death is more convenient. When she discovers a handsome orc, chained and trapped inside a magic mirror, Arianna cannot help but see a lasting freedom from her father's abuse.

Left to rot inside a mirror by the king, Bolthorn never imagined his prayers would be answered by a princess. Nor did he ever expect to meet so worthy a woman after knowing her father’s cruelty. He needs her help to escape the mirror before the king marches against the orcs, but all he can offer Arianna is ice and darkness in exchange for her aid. 

If Arianna can free the monster behind the glass, perhaps she might free herself, as well. But once they cross the mountain, there will be no return, and the deadly winter is the least of what threatens them on the other side. Romance blossoms in this gripping fantasy adventure.
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Author Bio


Amalia Dillin began as a Biology major before taking Latin and falling in love with old heroes and older gods. After that, she couldn't stop writing about them, with the occasional break for more contemporary subjects. She lives in upstate New York with her husband, and dreams of the day when she will own goats--to pull her chariot through the sky, of course. 


Amalia is the author of the Fate of the Gods trilogy from World Weaver Press, and the soon to be released Orc Saga, coming April 1, 2014. You can learn more about her work at www.amaliadillin.com


Social Media Links




 








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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Book Review: Silver by Cheree Alsop


(The Silver Series: Book One)


BLURB


Silver, book one of The Silver Series, is a coming of age story about a teenage werewolf whose father is murdered. He has to come to terms with his new life, new school, and new friends while trying to stop a killer. Attempting to make peace with the territory’s pack and falling in love make his new situation even more perilous.


3 STARS

My Review


Silver deals with a lot of heavy issues faced by the young protagonist, Jaze. This story is told from Jaze's perspective and has a very solid voice. The supporting characters are fully fleshed out and interesting. I'm not a big werewolf fan, but I picked this one up for free and was happy I did.


There is plenty of action and tension in this book, although some of the situations are resolved in what seems to me a rather quick fashion. However, the fights scenes are well done and exciting. Emotional scenes are also handled well. I like Jaze a lot, he feels like a real person. His romantic life is very sweet and not without some external tension of its own. But it's not the main plot of the book and I appreciate that.


All in all, this is a good read I would happily recommend to any fans of YA paranormal. I've already picked up the sequel and I look forward to reading it.


Amazon

Feature: Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki, authors of A Sinners Series


Purchase on Amazon              Purchase on B&N     

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Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best. Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.

 Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.

 Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

 The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.



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About Abi and Missy


  Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredible adventure.

Abigail Ketner

A4editcolor

Is a registered nurse with a passion for novels, the beaches of St. John, and her Philadelphia Phillies. A talented singer, Abi loves to go running and spend lots of time with her family. She currently resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband, triplet daughters and two very spoiled dogs.

Melissa Kalicicki

Missy Kalicicki

Received her bachelor’s degree from Millersville University in 2003. She married, had two boys and currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Aside from reading and writing, her interests include running and mixed martial arts. She also remains an avid Cleveland sports fan.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Book Review: Powers That Be by Anne McCaffrey & Elizabeth Ann Scarborough


(Petaybee Book 1)


BLURB


Strange things were happening on the icy planet called Petaybee. Unauthorized genetically engineered species had been spotted, while some people were simply disappearing. None of the locals were talking to the company, so the company sent disabled combat veteran Yanaba Maddock to spy. But a strange thing happened. With her relocation to the arctic planet came a return of Yana's health and strength. And the more she got to know the people of Petaybee, the more determined she became to protect her new home....


3 STARS

My Review


Powers That Be is a little strange, but interesting. I didn't find myself really connecting with any of the characters and I'm not sure why. Some of the elements of this story are definitely unique, at least in my reading experience. This is a nice, light science fiction story with a little romance and mystery thrown in for good measure. Not a bad book at all, but it simply didn't catch hold of me enough to make me want to buy the next book in the series.


AMAZON




Friday, February 14, 2014

Spread Some Indie Love Blog Hop

Indie Love Blog Hop


Welcome to the Valentine's Day Spread Some Indie Love Blog Hop. Today I'll be spotlighting independently published books by seven authors. So check it out, you might just find yourself a new favorite.



Caitlin Chance has never been good at knowing what was best for her. She is conscientious and hardworking, but she has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She hopes it'll all sort itself out at university, otherwise she'll resort to chocolate. Convinced she will never meet, let alone fall in love with, anyone she is shocked to the core when fate leads her into the hands of Steven Thorn.

Yet Caitlin is soon to discover that there's something not quite right about Steven.

Steven has a secret past destined to reveal itself and he is soon to become a stranger to everyone.

But first love is a powerful thing, and the connection forged between Caitlin and Steven is not easily broken.

The impossible is only the beginning...
http://www.amazon.com/Hybrid-Evolution-Trilogy-Vanessa-Wester-ebook/dp/B0081EV8Z8/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1391539984&sr=1-5



Dr. Clara Ackerman Branon, Ph.D., 58, is having the first of many home visits from holographic representations of five beings from the Many Worlds Collective (MWC), a consortium of planet and star systems all around the multiverse, over a thirty-year, increasingly utopian period. Earth is being invited to join, formally, and the December, 2012, visit is the first one allowed to be made public. Making the existence of the MWC public means many Earthers have to adjust our beliefs and ideas about life, religion, culture, identity and, well, everything we think and are. Clara becomes the liaison for Earth, the Chief Communicator, between Earth and the MWC. This Changes Everything relates the events partly from her point of view, partly from records of meetings of varying groups of the MWC governing bodies, and partly from her Media Contact, Esperanza Enlaces, employing humor, poignancy, a love story, family issues, MWC's mistakes and blunders, history, politics, paranormalcy and hope.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HFELTG8?tag=viewbookat0e-20





When Queen Eanndra calls the leaders of the Territories and their heirs to Star Mountain for a Conclave, none of them expect to have their lives changed forever by the repercussions of a war that ended three hundred years ago.

With the return of the Web of Light, chaos and destruction must surely follow.

Sides will be chosen.
Friendships won and lost.

For within every heart lies the dark seed of betrayal. 
http://www.amazon.com/Web-Light-Duology-ebook/dp/B00FV5TB4A/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1392385762&sr=1-1&keywords=web+of+light



Revenge has deadly consequences!

Rebecca Winters main goal for ten years has been to graduate high school and take down the people who killed her parents. When she stumbled upon a werewolf pack in the middle of Phoenix, Arizona she knew she found a way to make that dream come true. Instead of getting vengeance, an act of war has put her into a position of power and forces her to put her thirst for family justice on a temporary hold.

He is duty bound to protect her.

Lucian (Lucky) Lamont is a member of the Protectors, an elite supernatural police force that works for the Authority. Their main goal is to keep the humans in the dark about the creatures that live among them. Lucky is assigned to protect and manage Rebecca, despite her refusal of help. His cover is simple; he poses as the dutiful ‘pretend’ boyfriend in order to keep an eye on the new alpha wolf.

She is his mate.

Gabriel Black thought taking his pack back from the witch that was chosen as the new alpha would be simple. He thought wrong. His entire world was turned upside down the moment he met Rebecca at the Authority Council meeting and he was hooked the moment he kissed her to prove she was not dating his best friend, Lucky.

It’s like being torn between two lovers.

Rebecca is pulled in hundreds of different directions while she attempts to find a way to survive the supernatural world, protect her family, and discover who massacred her entire pack days before her first transformation. She doesn’t have time for romance, but the heart wants what the heart wants. And the wolf gets what the wolf wants – or so her alpha believes.

While Rebecca manages to keep her head above water as she unlocks political and family secrets that could destroy her, she loses sight of the most important people in her life and one of them pays the ultimate price.
http://www.amazon.com/Lone-Wolf-Rising-Winters-Series-ebook/dp/B00GSFQ5NM/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_dnr_2



The Kingdom of Soron is known for many things, its rolling landscape, haunting history, fiery sunsets, and its beautiful princess. Princess Madeline woke on her sixteenth birthday to realize that her future had been planned out, a life full of privilege, royalty, and boredom... a life with a husband and knight champion that she did not choose. Using her charm, strength and stubbornness, she defies the King at every turn, determined to keep her freedom on her terms.

Freedom quickly turns to disaster as she finds herself seized by a group of wandering bandits. With the kingdom in turmoil over her capture; her Knight Champion eager to prove himself, a group of dedicated suitors determined to win her hand, and a group of exiled wizards join forces in the hunt to rescue her. Follow Princess Madeline in this adventure full of twists and turns as she tries to find her freedom and answers to her questions about life and love.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Escape-Princess-Madeline-ebook/dp/B00A1Y87P0/



Take what you know about mythology and throw it out the window...

Do you have any idea what Zeus, Odin, Pandora's Box, Atlantis, Machu Picchu, Hera, Nike, Dragons, Vlad, Clones*, and Vampires have in common? Athine does!

The Daughter of Ares Chronicles follows Athine as she uncovers the secrets of her destiny while interacting with key figures from many mythologies. Athine is not your ordinary immortal born goddess. Learn of her mysterious origins, why Zeus hates her so much, find out where vampires come from, and learn what really happened to the dragons.  
http://www.amazon.com/Verses-Athine-Daughter-Ares-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00C0FZ53A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391544220&sr=8-1&keywords=verses+of+athine



Dr. Cass Baros is haunted by dreams of an alien world...

...and will do anything to find it.


Relentlessly, she works her science team--along with her co-project leader and fiancé, Dr. Julian Saunders--in order to create the first lab-contained wormhole. Their boss, Dr. Janson, has a secret agenda. He adds a military contingent, which expands their six person team to twelve and increases tensions between the members. Egos will clash, agendas will cross, and their worlds will be undone as they travel through the wormhole.

The team, unable to return home and facing numerous dangers--conflicting desires, burning suns, cannibalistic monsters--is plunged into an adventure beyond their control. They struggle to unravel millennia old secrets in an alien world where nothing is what it seems. While Captain Lewis' military leadership strengthens, Cass deals with her destiny as the brajj queen, and the alien, Jeamon, questions his lifelong beliefs and loyalties.

Cass and her team wrestle with her status as queen to the alien brajj, while being tossed between love and betrayal, genius and madness, and a jealousy frightening enough to cause the destruction  of worlds.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009XTVGNE






Books Up For Grabs!

Knowing Vera
Under Different Stars
Bubba the Bulldog Tries to Smile
Dangled Carat: one girl's attempt to convert the ultimate commitment-phobic man into a doting husband with a lot of help from his family and friends
Venice in the Moonlight
Starlet's Web
Starlet's Run
Starlet's Light
Pierced
Escaped
No Alligators in Sight
The Silken Edge
Illusions Begin: The Mysticseeker Series
The Hideaway
Meeting Destiny
Blood Debt
Destiny's Revenge
Centaur Legacy
Destiny's Wrath
Centaur Redemption
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