Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Book Review: Torn by K.A. Robinson



New Adult Contemporary
Date Published: 5/7/2013

Two people with battered souls are thrust together unexpectedly, leaving a profound impact on each other’s lives.
In K.A. Robinson’s USA Today bestselling debut novel, Torn, Chloe hasn’t had the easiest childhood. With a mother who was absent most of the time, she practically had to raise herself. Determined to start a new life and leave her demons behind, she heads to West Virginia University with her best friends Amber and Logan. On the first day of classes, she spots a student who takes her breath away. Drake is a pierced, tattooed bad boy, and no matter how hard she tries to fight it, he’s all she can think about.

Drake has never cared about anyone other than himself, but when Chloe takes the empty seat next to him in class, he is instantly drawn to her. Drake is left wondering whether this girl can take his cold, womanizing heart and alter him forever.

Falling for each other was never a part of their plan, and when it happens, things do anything but fall into place. Long-hidden feelings are revealed and friendships are tested to the brink as Chloe and Drake become helplessly entwined in each other’s love.

My Review:
I really enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters in this story. There was so much emotional baggage for both of them and that caused most of their problems, but the chemistry was always undeniable. I liked the fact that they truly did start out as friends, even if it was only because of their issues and they both wanted more. They were able to create a foundation and make memories without them all being romantic.

Some of my favorite moments were those when they had the sexual tension, yet it was pure and chaste. That tattoo scene was amazing and I loved the way that Drake pushed Chloe out of her comfort zone. They really did both compliment each other so well. 

This story will have you going through so many different emotions. There is a bit of a Love Triangle and while I do really love Logan and think he is an amazing friend and rock for Chloe, they just didn't work for me romantically. Drake blew him out of the water in that department. 

I'm interested to see where the Author takes their story next. 

*I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review from Atria Books via NetGalley*


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Book Review: Touching Melody by RaShelle Workman



New Adult Romance
Date Published: 5/14/2013

Maddie Martin's first weekend at college is nothing like she's used to. It's wild, like the wilderness on which the University of Bellam Springs sits. Roped into going to a fraternity party, she literally runs into Kyle Hadley. The boy she's loved since she was nine. The boy she promised all of her firsts to. But that was before his father killed her parents.

Determined to stay away from him, she throws herself into her music. Practicing piano eases her heavy heart, calms the sadness, and pushes away images of Kyle's face.

Until it doesn't.

Her music professor asks her to play a duet for their annual Winter Gala. Doing so means she'll be assured another full ride scholarship. It's an opportunity she can't pass up.

But Kyle is the other half of the duet. And that means hours and hours of practicing.

Weeks of seclusion - just the two of them. And it's more than just music. It's passion like Maddie never believed was possible.

The inevitable happens. She falls in love with him all over again.

But, will loving him be enough to erase all the hate in her heart for his father? Can she look at him, and not see the evil in his family tree?

And maybe it's all a set up. Maybe Kyle is only pretending to care so he can finish what his father started, and kill her too.

*Due to its heavy subject matter, this book is recommended for ages 17+*

My Review:
Maddie has been through an extremely traumatic experience in witnessing the man responsible for her Parents Murder leaving her house the night she found them dead. Unfortunately for her, not only did she lose her parents that night, but she also lost her best friend and the boy who she promised all of her firsts to. (I absolutely loved how the "firsts" play into the story. 

The mystery aspect of the story was well done. It keeps you guessing. 

I really liked how involved in music they both were, you could really feel their feelings through their playing and how it helped both of them to cope. 

I really enjoyed the flashbacks that allowed us to witness Maddie and Kyle's interactions when they were younger. I think they were great insight into how powerful their friendship really was. They are a great example of a love that started from such a young age. The mere fact that over the years and separation neither one of them has been able to forget anything about their moments together or connection speaks volumes, and it was very believable the way RaShelle Workman let the story unfold. 

I did however feel like the ending was a bit abrubt. I would have liked a smoother transition. It was kind of like bam, bam, bam. But overall a great New Adult read! 


*I Received a Complimentary Copy in Exchange for my Honest Review from RaShelle Workman via NetGalley*

Monday, May 27, 2013

Blog Tour: Haedyn's Choice by Jennifer L. Oliver


Paranormal
Date Published: 5/15/13

There's always a choice.

Haedyn is the last Unnamed and the demon Azazel's personal assassin - his most prized servant. It's not a title she wants, but it keeps her alive and that's all that matters. But when she is tricked into protecting Lex, the same human her master is hunting, she learns of Azazel's terrifying plan to create an army of evil souls - and that Lex isn't the only one slated for sacrifice.

Can Haedyn accept the truth of her past and face the demon who molded her in his image, or will she risk the losing the souls of those she loves?

My Review:
Haedyn is a Kick A** Heroine. I loved her character. She is tough and doesn't take anyone's sh**.  I just really liked her journey as a person and her realization that she is meant for bigger and better things and deserving of things she never thought possible. 

This story definitely keeps the reader on their toes. I was a bit confused at points but it all came full circle and made sense in the end. 


Jennifer L. Oliver was born and raised in North Carolina and now lives on Florida's gulf coast with her husband, two cats, a Royal Bahamian Potcake dog, and multiple fish. She is the author of dark urban fantasy and paranormal thrillers. When she's not writing, you can find her giggling with her granddaughter and enjoying time with her family and friends. For more about Jennifer, visit her website at www.jenniferloliver.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLOliverAuthor

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Jenn_L_Oliver

PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/jennlewisoliver/

GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6561912.Jennifer_L_Oliver

WEBSITE: http://jenniferloliver.com



Saturday, May 25, 2013

Blog Tour: The Long Way by Aaron Redfern


Young Adult
Fantasy/Adventure
Published by BookRix: 5/19/2012

In a move that defies all logic and likelihood, a young boy named Spiff is called upon to carry
out the most important quest that has ever been undertaken. His mission drags him headlong
across the face of the world, through a veritable pantheon of hardships and threats that are at once
chilling and baffling. Along the way he meets dragons and madmen, and learns that the lovable
and the monstrous are two sides of the same coin.

Conceived as a darkly whimsical loose retelling of the Tolkien saga, The Long Way poses the
question that high fantasy rarely cares to ask: Why?

My Review
Fantastical. For fans of Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings/etc. This is an outright Fantasy Adventure. I think even though it is a YA novel it can be enjoyed by anyone who likes those types of books.

The descriptions were enough to draw me into the world without the novel feeling like it was bogged down and dragged on. 

I think Euclid really enhanced the experience and was a great asset to the characters in the novel. All of the characters were very well developed.

The plot flowed smoothly and definitely kept me flipping pages until the very end. Great novel from Aaron Redfern

Aaron Redfern has been reading and writing fantasy since a time when he could count his age on his fingers. He went to Williams College and studied English, a language in which he was already proficient, and although he learned almost nothing from the English professors, dead poets and novelists taught him a great deal. While at college, he fell thoroughly in love with New England. He has decided never to leave and currently resides near Northampton, Massachusetts.

Aaron has written three novels, including The Long Way and its sequel, The Forgotten Way. His short-fiction titles include Stories About the Rain and Crawl.


GIVEAWAY


Thursday, May 23, 2013

Blog Tour: Blood in the Valley by J.K. Hogan


Paranormal Romance
Date Published-  5/2/13

The daughter of a Las Vegas hustler, Raven Sabatier grew up trusting nothing and no one—she doesn't even trust herself to stay in one place for longer than a minute. When her quest to find out the secrets of her past leads her to the mountains of North Carolina, she’s set on a collision course with the one man she thought she'd never see again.

In Appalachia consulting on an archeological dig, Anthropologist Dr. Drew Deveraux comes face to face with the indomitable beauty who broke into his apartment a year ago, tilting his carefully cultivated world on its axis.


Engaged in a fight with their demons, both imagined and real, the last thing either of them expected to find was love. Together, they must unravel the mystery of Raven's past and her connection with an ancient race of witches, in order to save their future—and all of the souls hanging in the balance.



My Review
I didn't read book #1 in the series and I didn't feel like I was too terribly lost. From what I got it has some of the same characters and alludes to what happened in book #1, but it was about new main characters, the way I like my series.

My favorite part of this book would have to be Dr. Drew. I really thought he was such a great male lead. Swoonworthy and smart to boot! 

I liked the journey both main characters went on and the evolution of their characters in dealing with their past. 

I felt it was a bit slow in parts, but overall was a great Paranormal Read.


BUY LINK



J.K. Hogan has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, beginning with writing cast lists and storylines for her toys growing up. When she finally decided to put pen to paper, magic happened. She is greatly inspired by all kinds of music and often creates a “soundtrack” for her stories as she writes them.
J.K. resides in North Carolina, where she was born and raised. A true southern girl at heart, she lives on a farm with her husband and young son, a cat, and two champion agility dogs. If she isn’t on the agility field, J.K. can often be found chasing waterfalls in the mountains with her husband, or down in front at a blues concert. In addition to writing, she enjoys training and competing in dog sports, spending time with her large southern family, camping, boating and, of course, reading!
J.K. Hogan is a member of The Romance Writers of America.
Website- http://jkhogan.com
Twitter- www.twitter.com/jk_hogan
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/KristenHDavis?fref=ts


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Blog Tour: Laying Low in Paradise by Kristy K. James


Romance
Date Published: 5/14/2013

Laura Keane and her son have been spending summers at their chalet on Bois Blanc Island since her husband was killed in the war. She never let anyone else in after the chaplain delivered the sad news four years ago, so it’s just the two of them, and she wouldn’t change it for the world.

Cameron Rafferty and his friends were keeping secrets. Dangerous secrets, and they’d hoped the little island paradise would be a safe place to hide out. The plan to keep a low profile quickly unravels when an accident changes everything. Cameron soon finds himself becoming more involved with the Keane family than he’d intended -and wishing for things he shouldn’t.


My Review

I think the overall of this book was wonderful. Sometimes it takes a little longer to get invested in the characters and that really happened here for me. You had a wounded woman who felt like she had lost her one and only love, and a man who is hiding out from something that you could not possible imagine. While the connection did finally come, it took a bit longer and made the beginning of the book seem a little slow. 

In a book where there is so much emotion, I really loved the comic relief from the boys. I always love when a single mom meets a single dad and their children get along. ; ) 

I think overall this was a sweet romance of new beginnings and overcoming things in life.


LINKS TO BUY


Kristy K. James' first goal in life was to work in law enforcement, until the night she called the police to check out a scary noise in her yard. Realizing that she might someday have to check out scary noises in other dark yards if she continued on that path, she turned to her other favorite love… writing. Since then, her days have been filled with being a mom and reluctant zookeeper (7 pets), creating stories and looking for trouble in her kitchen.

Website: http://kristykjames.net/ 

blog: http://kristykjames.net/blog/ 

Twitter: @KristyKJames

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristykjames



Riverbend by Tess Thompson


Riverbend - PROMO Blitz
By Tess Thompson
Contemporary Romance
Date Published: 5/14/13


“Tag. I found you.”

Just as Annie Bell’s reputation as one of the best chefs in the Pacific Northwest grows to new heights, she receives a threatening phone  from her abusive ex-boyfriend. Marco is out on parole and hungry for revenge, blaming her for his ten-year imprisonment. Fearing for her life and that of her young son, Annie reluctantly accepts help from Drake Webber, a cold and wealthy recluse hiding a dark history of his own. Supported by the gang of misfits from their restaurant Riversong, Annie forges ahead despite her growing terror that Marco will appear at any moment and make good on his threats.

Author Tess Thompson reunites the colorful cast of endearing small town characters from her bestselling novel Riversong and takes you on a journey that will renew your faith in love, friendship and the power of community – even in the face of seemingly insurmountable grief and fear. You’ll find yourself once again cheering for the residents of River Valley, especially the big- hearted and compassionate Annie Bell.

Escape with a blend of love, laughter, friendship, suspense and gourmet food while remembering it’s never too late for second chances.


EXCERPT

Two days later, the first Monday she was to start work for Drake Webber, Annie dreamt of a man chasing her down the streets of Los Angeles as she carried baby Alder in her arms. Was it Marco? She couldn’t be sure. At a bump in the sidewalk, she tripped and fell. Blood spilled onto the cement. Then, there was a phone ringing, an old-fashioned ring tone like phones from her childhood.

With a start, she awakened, sitting up in bed, the blankets tangled around her legs and her pajamas soaking wet from perspiration. The ringing continued; it was her cell phone. She’d recently changed the ringtone to that of the old rotary phones. Rubbing sleep from her eyes, she reached for the phone on the bedside table. What time was it? Not yet six a.m. Who would be calling this early? It was probably her mother with news of another boyfriend who left her penniless and unable to pay rent. This happened every year or so and Annie always sent money. And her mother always found one more loser to move in with a short time later.

“Hello,” she said, fully prepared to be annoyed that her mother had awakened her so early.

“Tag. I found you.”

Her stomach, like it might during a sudden five-story drop in an elevator, sank below her knees. Marco. His voice was rough, hard—she would recognize it anywhere.

Was she still asleep? Please, God, let this still be my nightmare, she prayed silently.

She trembled, the sweat-soaked pajamas cold on her skin. Her hand twitched, as if in a move to hang up the phone, but he spoke again. “What? Cat got your tongue?” She continued her silence, frozen. “Listen, bitch, I know it’s you. You’re all over the Internet these days.

All you have to do is put your whore name into Google and there’s a dozen articles on you. You’re looking good, especially compared to what a cow you used to be. I’m coming to town. Shouldn’t be hard to find you. And then you’ll pay for what you did to me.”

She dropped the phone like it was hot and stared at it. Then she picked it up and punched the hang-up button before tossing it back on the bed. She folded her knees, wrapping her arms around them and rocking back and forth for several minutes. Oh no, no, no, no, a roar in her head.

Tess Thompson

Tess Thompson is a novelist and playwright with a BFA in Drama from the University of Southern California. Her first novel, Riversong, became a bestselling ebook in 2012, reaching #1 on Nook and spending over a month in Amazon’s Top 100. On May 14 she will release her third novel,
Riverbend, the second book in the River Valley Series. Tess regularly blogs about her journey as a mother, author and friend at www.tesswrites.com.
Like many of the characters in the River Valley series, Tess is from a small town in Oregon. She currently lives in Seattle, Washington with her two young daughters, Emerson and Ella, and their puppy Patches, where she is inspired daily by the view of the Cascade Mountains from her home office window. Tess is working on her fourth novel and regularly blogs about her journey as a mother, author and friend at www.tesswrites.com.
Author Links

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

 

Links to Buy

 **Special** 2 ebooks for only $2.99 (limited time only)*


Thursday, May 16, 2013

Blog Tour: ICE Blue by Susan Rae


Romantic Suspense
Date Published: 3/15/13

When lives are on the line, sometimes the wrong thing is the right thing to do.
Born into a Chicago cop family, Angela DeLuca gets her rush from saving lives while her brothers get theirs from catching the bad guys. A tough beauty with a heart perhaps too big, she champions the underdog because, as the youngest of six siblings, she often felt like one.
ICE Special Agent Troy Deavers became a cop to prove he wasn’t like his father—a southern politician who brought his family down with greed and corruption. He doesn’t suffer victims well. At first intrigued by Angela’s passion, he soon fears that the fire in Angela’s heart will be her undoing.
What happens when Troy falls in love with the lovely but infuriating Angela, the Chicago paramedic who insists on protecting a young witness and her unborn baby—a witness who could break his case wide open?
You met the DeLuca family in heartbeats, now come to know them even better in ICE blue.



My Review:
Touching on an important topic that while most know about, people seem to push it to the back of their minds and act like it isn't happening. Human Trafficking. 

There is mystery and suspense along with action in this crime drama. The Romance between the main characters is steady and believable and helps to lighten the mood of the book.


I write, basically, because I just can’t help myself.  I can't resist the challenge of taking the intriguing characters and storylines that pop into my head and fleshing them out into compelling manuscripts.  Romantic suspense is a natural to me, because it allows me to combine a sexy, passionate love story with a gritty suspense tale—in my opinion, the best of both worlds. It also lets me express my appreciation for the outdoors in the settings which I recreate on the page.
Freefall, my second novel, takes place in Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine Forest and beautiful Door County. ICE blue returns to the busy streets of Chicago and the shores of Lake Michigan to continue the story of the DeLuca family which began in my award winning first novel, heartbeats. I am currently working on the third book in the DeLuca series, TRUE blue, due out in 2014, where it seems my characters must take a trip to Montana’s majestic Glacier National Park.
When I’m not sketching characters or working out plot problems, you might find me on the golf course working on my handicap. I also enjoy traveling around the country seeking out new settings for my novels with my husband and my empty nest puppies, Ginger and Nikute.  To read more about my novels and the writing life, please visit my website/blog atwww.susanrae.com




Blog Tour: The World Below by Mike Phillps


Horror/Urban Fantasy
Date Published: 4/1/2013

In ancient times, magical creatures inhabited the earth. They lived on mountaintops, in trees, at  the bottom of lakes and rivers. But that was long ago, before the human race declared war on the creatures they feared and hated. Now the enchanted peoples are all but gone. Those few that remain fear being stretched out on an examination table in some secret, governmental facility. 
The only place they can hide from the ever increasing number of satellites and smart phones is in the World Below.  Mitch Hardy is going through a hard time in his life. In his early twenties, he was working his way through college when he suffered an accident that left him flat broke and physically deformed. When Mitch decides to make a fresh start in a new town, things start looking up. He finds a place to live, a decent job, good friends. He even meets a nice girl. Unknown to Mitch, his new girlfriend is one of the Elder Race, what some call the Faerie Folk. Mitch doesn’t know that Elizabeth is looking for a father she never knew. The key to finding him is somehow tied up with the mysterious Blade of Caro. Desperate, she steals the Blade from its protector, the despotic ruler of the World Below, the Dragon of Worms, Baron Finkbeiner. When Elizabeth is kidnapped by the Baron, Mitch is pulled into a world or magic and monsters he never imagined. 



My Review:
This is a great Urban Fantasy read. There are several kinds of monsters and a Goblin King. The Author uses a great mix of Mystery, Suspense, and humor throughout the story. The characters are well developed and keep the readers engaged. I found myself entranced by the world that Mike Phillips created. 


LINKS TO BUY

Mike Phillips is Offering a the book for 50% off during the tour. 
 and use the code at checkout: 50worldbelow


Author Bio: Mike Phillips is author of The World Below and Reign of the Nightmare Prince. His short stories have appeared in ParAbnormal Digest, Cemetery Moon, Sinister Tales, Beyond Centauri, the World of Myth, Mystic Signals and many others. Online, his work has appeared in Lorelei Signal, Kzine, Bewildering Stories, Midnight Times, and Fringe. He is best known for his Crow Witch and Patrick Donegal series.
 Website: mikephillipsfantasy.com



Sunday, May 12, 2013

Blog Tour: The Tale of the Valiant Hero Kenta


Fantasy/Romance/Historical/Action-Adventure
Date Published: March 22, 2013

Kenta Takeyama is a 16 year old martial artist who possesses superhuman  strength and abilities and the Takeyama -ryuu fighting art. He desires to become the most  powerful shogun on the Nikkoujima (Sun Light Islands), as there are much more powerful  men in the world. He lives with his father Tesshin, who trained him in the martial arts, and  his mother Amaya, who is the former princess of a royal family and master fighter; his little  sister Mana, who wants to become a famous play actress and open her own production studio,  as well as his pet bear Kumomori, whom he had since he was 4. Kenta finds that it’s time to  follow his dreams of becoming a great and powerful shogun (using his power to protect people  and build more homes and villages, help the poor and starving, rather than just for pomp and  circumstance. He wants the people to live in peace and prosperity with no fear, as the world is  already entering another age of war. Essentially, he wants to change the country). And so, with  his parents’ permission, he decides to travel to Senkyou to enlist in the military and become  a true samurai warrior. He feels confident that the can do so after going through many trials  and travels through his childhood, and training under the tutelage of his father in his family’s  martial arts styles.
During the first part of the novel, after a little love fiasco with his childhood friend  Yumine who has a crush on him and sparring with some buddies, he travels the lush and vibrant  island and helps many different people out. As Kenta reaches Senkyou, he meets new rivals  and friends, such as Natsumi, a new love interest and Hayate, a mysterious ninja who wants  to raise up his own organization of ninja mercenaries. During basic training, he discovers that  the capital is being attacked by powerful youkai. The powerful beasts appear and disappear in  a flash, even the temple priests are having trouble. Does the Great Tengu King of the Gogonji mountain territory  know anything about these attacks? Do our heroes stand a chance against  these swift and powerful foes?  What is the reasoning behind all of this carnage?


Note: The genre is apart of the 'wuxia' (martial arts fiction) works of literature. It is a ancient style originating from Tang Period China (5th century AD). The style places great attention to detail during fight scenes (punches, kicks, combinations, throws, etc.) as well as giving attacks exotic names, a convention originating from Chinese martial arts. It may take some getting used to, yet will very quickly become easier to follow as you read. -Ezra


Buy Link:

My Review:

Okay, so the synopsis is a bit long winded and that could be a bit of a put off for some readers, but this really is a tale of triumph and growth. The main character is extremely likable and his journey is an impressive one. The sheer detail to the Martial Arts and the fight scenes is unlike anything I have ever read before. Anyone who is into martial arts and the actual moves themselves will without a doubt love it. I was blown away with the detail. Great story overall!