Thursday, October 4, 2012

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: Tempest (Hurricane #1.5) by Jenna-Lynne Duncan



Title: Tempest (Hurricane, #1.5)
Author: Jenna-Lynne Duncan
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal romance/urban fantasy
Expected Release: Late November  2012
Cover Design: No cover designer specified by the author
Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours



Summary

Hayden Boudreaux couldn't decide which was worse— that he was falling in love with a mortal or that the only way to break his family's centuries-old curse would be to kill her. Of all that he was certain was the more time he spent with her, the more he knew he would do anything to protect Adriana Alexander, including sacrificing his eternity. What he wouldn't expect was that Luke - his brother that hated Ana, who wanted to kill her - would decide he would want her as his own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


                  Hayden: Luke:



Bio:
Jenna-Lynne Duncan graduated from the University of St. Thomas with degrees in Political Science, International Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies. Hurricane is her debut novel and she is planning a series.


BOOK REVIEW: Holding On and Letting Go by Scarlett E. Decker



She wants to forget... He wants to remember...


She spends her nights drinking and partying, trying to forget who she is.
He spent 4 months in a coma and does not remember the last 2 years.
She wants to erase her past and start over
He would do anything to remember his...

The struggle of two young people, trying to move forward when everything is holding them back. As they learn to understand each other, they also find something they didn't know they needed to let go of their past : love.

A story about letting go of the things that hurt you and holding on to everything else.


My Thoughts:
I first came across Holding On and Letting Go when the author sent me a link to read a teaser from the beginning of the book before it was actually published. I really liked the whole premise of the story. It had that boy saves girl and she saves him back feel to it. And once I read the teaser I liked the little bit of dark that was associated with the female lead Skye. So I was definitely eager to read more.

Skye drinks to forget things that have occurred in her past and Noah would do anything to remember his. Skye was quite a dark character in the fact that she had so much dislike for people and really struggled with letting people get close to her and I have to say that there were times when I had to question what Noah actually saw in her. Because she constantly pushed him away. But by the end of the book I really liked the sense of family that had been reached by not just the main characters but some of the supporting ones as well.

This story is told firstly from Skye's point of view and then it switches and we get Noah's perspective during the same period of time. And while Noah traces back over parts of his story that don't contain Skye, during the parts that did I felt like I was just rereading the same story. We then switch to part three which is told in alternating chapters from both characters points of view. And I think the story may have worked better if it was done that way from the start.

This story contained a lot of grammatical errors. Missing letters from words or missing words and I think that impacted on how well the story flowed. I still maintain that I enjoyed the premise of the story after reading the whole book and I think that if it had an editor go through and iron out some of the errors it would make it a much more well rounded and enjoyable read and I would love to get my hands on that for a reread.

3/5 Stars!

Buy Links: Amazon 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

BLOG TOUR: Trinity by C.J. Bolyne (AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT, BLOG POST & GIVEAWAY)



Young and beautiful hairdresser, Payton, thought she had a normal, everyday life, no different from anyone else. When a mysterious man suddenly appears, he shatters her world by telling her that her entire life has been a lie. She is a god among many having lived for thousands of years. She is a key member of the Guardians! The Guardians seek only peace, unity and balance between all good & evil but the Anords want full control. To protect her from the Anords, the Guardians replaced her memory dropping her into her not-so-normal life. Now, the Anords know where she is and he needs to protect her at all costs.

Payton holds the key to bringing all of them together as one, working together for the good of humanity. However, a mysteriously familiar woman complicates everything.




Blog Post:
Hi everyone! It’s Day 7 of my very first virtual book blog tour and I’m thankful that you are here to join me for it. I appreciate you being here. I would like to express my thanks to Tracey for having me in her author spotlight today.

My name is CJ Bolyne, and I am a first time author.

Trinity is my first book. It is about a young Payton who thought she had a normal life, but after an extraordinary encounter with a stranger, finds herself in another world, a world she does not remember. The Guardians wiped her memory in order to keep her safe from the Anords and the only one who can restore it is the stranger she meets in the beginning of the story.

My work is in the fantasy, SciFi, thriller genres. They always will be. I simply find them more exciting.

When I had the idea to write Trinity, I wanted to write about ancient gods. But I didn’t want to use the usual Roman, Greek, and Egyptian gods. I did some research online, and found them! (I make it sound like that was a really fast and simple process, no?) In fact, the hardest part of writing this book was the research, and the fact that I simply could not write fast enough. I wanted to put it all down at once! However, I was able to find some information on the gods I wanted to write about. The Gods of Gwynneth. As soon as I saw them, I knew this was it. After that, the story came rushing out faster than I could write it!

Of course, this book is entirely fiction. The only similarity to real life is that the main character’s first occupation is the same as one I used to have – a hairdresser.

I have two favourites characters in the book, Payton and Lilith. They represent the two different sides of all of us. The good and the evil/bad. We all have good in us, but we all have evil in us also. No one is exempt.

I identify with the main character, Payton. Not knowing who you really are and trying to find yourself. Your real self and not letting anyone stand in your way.

I would love to make writing my career. It has been my secret dream for many years. I am hoping for the best in my first attempt.

My hope for Trinity is that people who like to read fantasy enjoy the story. I feel that books can lead you to a world where we can escape real life for a short while and make us smile.

After reading this book, the message I would want my readers to grasp is that we all know what’s right and wrong. But sometimes there is a gray area: It’s up to each of us individually to do the right thing.

Right now I am working on the second book to the Trinity series. I am very excited about this one as the story continues and Payton faces new challenges in her journey to her real fate.


About CJ Bolyne:
CJ Bolyne is a first time author and Trinity is her first book.
Born and raised in Southeastern Manitoba, Canada, CJ was an avid reader dreaming of the day she would write her own fantasy / sci-fi book.
When she’s not writing, CJ spends her time on her farm with her husband and multiple pets. She runs a full-time pet grooming business.
Her first book, Trinity, is the first in the series.

Links: Website l Facebook l Twitter
Buy Links: Smashwords l Amazon l Lulu

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RELEASE DAY PROMO: THE BEAM - Book two of the Chrysalis series by Michel Prince



When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.-Corinthians 13:11
 
There comes a time in everyone’s life when they must put aside their childish ways. In the past year, Ellie Chisholm has fallen into the security of her relationship with Oscar Jeffreys, emerging with a stronger sense of herself.  BUt now Ellie's mother has started inserting herself into Ellie’s life, treating her as if she were a child even though Ellie has begun to make very adult decisions for her future.  Having finally consummated her relationship with Oscar, Ellie learns the powers inside of her stretch further than vaporizing demons.
 
Maria, the demon bent on revenge, has been reigned in by God but that doesn’t stop her from disrupting and threatening those around Ellie and Oscar.  Ellie becomes off balance as Maria switches strategy and attempts to destroy Ellie from the outside.  Now the gauntlet has been thrown down.  Ellie must help her family achieve positive change and finally break the tie between her mother and Gaap or risk losing everyone she loves.
 
Can Ellie maintain her sanity while walking the last steps as a child?

To Be Released October 3

Author Bio:
Michel Prince is an author who graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes young adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

With characters yelling "It's my turn damn it!!!" She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you. 

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found at a scouting event or cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel is a member of RWA Pro and Midwest Fiction Writers. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, cat and new puppy.

Links: Goodreads l Website l Facebook l Twitter l Amazon l Barnes & Noble 

Michel is also having a facebook release party for The Beam which you can find HERE and there is also an awesome giveaway on her page which you can check out HERE.
You can also read my review of book one in the series Chrysalis HERE. This is a fantastic read!! If you haven't grabbed yourself a copy then make sure you give it a read!!

Touching Eternity by Airicka Phoenix Scavenger Hunt Rules!!!



LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

Welcome to The Hunt! This event will run for the entire length of October. The rules are simple. Airicka will post 3 blog links on her Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/airicka.phoenix) every morning. Your job is to go through each one of the blogs and find the blog with the button (sample button provided below). Only one blog will have a button each day and it will be hidden in one of their 2012 posts. Each button has a letter that will, in the end, spell out a message. (You might want to save each letter to win a separate prize if you guess the message before the game is over). When you find the button, copy the link above and go to Airicka’s website (http://airickaphoenix.com/Author/?p=1967) and put the link into the raffle-copter. Easy right?


Don’t want to go searching through posts and blogs? Well, there is an app for that… no I’m kidding, but there is a free pass.
Follow each blog, leave your name and email address on their rule post in the comment box and the person who has the button will email you back with the link. Then, all you have to do is go to Airicka’s website (http://airickaphoenix.com/Author/?p=1967) and drop the link into the raffle-copter.


Now for the really important rules.

RULES


~ Everyone & anyone can participate.
~ The link MUST be put PRIVATELY into the raffle-copter on this page. Do Not publicly display anywhere else! if I find that people are sharing the buttons/letters/links, they will be disqualified from the games.
~ Do NOT share the link with anyone. Same as above.
~ Do NOT tell anyone which blog you found that day’s button on. I’m repeating myself? I know. This is the biggest deal breakers for me.
~ If you guess what the letters spell before the game is over, please do NOT share the answer. Privately message me and collect your prize!
~ Please DO tell others about The Hunt.
~ Please DO ask questions if you have any.
~ Most importantly, HAVE FUN!


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

BLOG TOUR: My Merlin Series by Priya Ardis (REVIEW & GIVEAWAY)


My Boyfriend Merlin

He was a little older than he was letting on. By a few eons...

In this modern Arthurian, 17 year-old Boston high schooler Arriane, aka Ryan, DuLac just found out the guy she's been crushing on, hot biker Matt, is a little older than he was letting on. In fact, he is really Merlin—the Merlin, King Arthur's Merlin, the greatest wizard who ever lived. Frozen in a cave for over fifteen hundred years, he's woken for a purpose. But Ryan's not impressed. Tired of being a relationship loser, she'd rather kick his legendary behind.

Sure, the world has been crazy ever since the sword and the stone fell out of the sky like a meteor. But despite gruesome gargoyles, a deadly new world of magic, and the guy driving her crazy, Ryan knows that family is everything. Will Merlin sacrifice hers to save the world? Will she be able to stop him?





Author Bio:

Priya Ardis loves books of all kinds—but especially the gooey ones that make your nose leak and let your latte go cold. She started her first book at sixteen, writing in notebooks on long train rides during a hot summer vacation in India. Her favorite Arthurian piece is the poem The Lady of Shalott by Lord Alfred Tennyson. A hopeless romantic, she's a longtime member of the Romance Writer's of America. When not living in her characters' world, she might be found at the local coffee shop—her nose buried in a book.




Review:
I have to admit to not really being up to scratch on my knowledge of the Arthurian legend. King Arthur and Merlin have not really peaked my interest to delve into learning more than the basics. Even when everyone was raving about the TV series Merlin, I wasn't really interested enough to watch it. But since having my review blog I've really tried to read a whole range of books outside my normal interests. So when My Boyfriend Merlin became available for review, while I jumped at the chance, I went in not really knowing whether I would enjoy it as much as I would something else.

Arriane, or Ryan as she likes to be called is still crushing on the hot biker boy Matt in her class who dumped her after just a few dates. But her life gets a whole lot more complex when a perceived earthquake turns out to be King Arthur's Sword that has dropped from the sky. It soon becomes incredibly clear that Matt is much more than what Ryan first perceives. Matt has no choice but to reveal the secrets that he's been keeping from Ryan and this in turn leads her to Avalon Academy. But Ryan embraces everything that is placed in her path with such fierce determination and she proves to be an incredibly strong and capable lead character. She stands up for what she believes in and is more than willing to make sacrifices for the people that she cares about.

I really enjoyed the tension between Matt and his brother Vane. And while this leads to a love triangle with Ryan I was a little bit torn about which brother I liked more. Each had qualities that I loved. But I will say that the romance side of things was not one of the main focuses of the book. The action and adventure were much more in the foreground of the story than the romance. And all of the action was fantastic!! The story didn't just contain a build up to the action, is was placed throughout the whole book, but there was a definite escalation of it to the peak of the story.

So did I end up enjoying this read? Most definitely!! Priya Ardis has created a wonderful tale interspersed with history, fantasy, romance and plenty of action. Her writing and storytelling flowed smoothly and I've already purchased book 2, My Merlin Awakening. And the ending in book one definitely left me needing to know what happens next for all the characters in this incredibly enjoyable series.

4/5 Stars!


Buy Links: Amazon l Barnes & Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can check out the rest of the stops on the tour which is being hosted by AToMR Tours at the links below.


Monday, October 1, 2012

BLOG TOUR: To be Maria by Deanna Proach (PROMO POST)



Seventeen-year-old Anya Preschnikov wants to become a famous actress but she's faced with two problems. Her father ignores her and doesn't have any money to support her. At school, she's bullied on a daily basis, yet she believes that she will gain her stepping-stone to stardom if she's accepted by her peers.

All of this changes when Maria Hernandez--an immigrant from Spain--comes to Peach Valley Senior High. Maria knows what it takes to fit in. She's assertive, confident and she dresses suggestively, characteristics that all of the popular kids admire. Yet she sees in Anya what no one else sees: beauty and talent.

When Maria extends her hand of friendship, Anya is elated. Her rise to popularity is about to become a reality, but it ends at a house party when a boy's rude comment sends her into a rage. 

Desperate to belong somewhere, Anya and Maria seek new friends outside of school. They meet Alex and Marissa, a young couple who eagerly welcomes them into their world of parties and drugs. Anya and Maria soon find out that Alex is a drug dealer, but they are so lured by his wealth, good looks and aggressive confidence that they can't resist his friendship. They don't know that Alex's gang is at war with a rival gang--one that's run by Anya's older brother, Adrik--until one incident puts their lives in danger's path. To make matters worse, Alex won't let Anya and Maria out of his sight. The two teens are forced to make a decision that's a matter of life or death.






Deanna Proach is also the author of Day of Revenge (Inkwater Press), a historical fiction set in 1793 France, and she's an avid reader and blogger. When Proach is not writing, she's actively involved in her local theatre community as an actress, and she's learning the art of Medieval sword fighting. You can learn more about her at http://desstories.blogspot.com.
Links to Purchase:
You can check out all the stops on the tour at the links below.
October 1- YA Book Addict Promo Post, http://youngadultbookaddict.blogspot.com.au/
October 2-NightlyReading Promo Post, http://nightlyreading.wordpress.com/
October 3- Up All Night Review & Character Interview, http://upallnightreviews.blogspot.com/
October 4- Happy Tails & Tales Promo Post & Author Interview, http://magluvsya03.wordpress.com/
October 5- A Bibliophile's Thoughts on Books Promo Post, http://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/
LovLivLife Reviews Review & Promo Post http://www.lovlivlifereviews.com/


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