Showing posts with label Book Tours. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Tours. Show all posts

Monday, May 2, 2016

4 STARS | Daughter of the Sun by Zoe Kalo

Title: Daughter of the Sun
Series: Cult of the Cat #1
Author: Zoe Kalo
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology
Elements: Deities, Shifters
Publisher: Zoe Kalo
Format: Kindle Edition
ASIN: B01DRDUQW8
Published: May 1st, 2016
Source: Xpresso Book Tours
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★




Sixteen-year-old Trinity was born during a solar eclipse and left at the doorsteps of a convent along with a torn piece of papyrus covered with ancient symbols. Raised by nuns in the English countryside, she leads a quiet life until she’s whisked away to the Island of Cats and a grandmother she never knew.

But before they can get to know each other, her grandmother dies. All that Trinity has left is a mysterious eye-shaped ring. And a thousand grieving cats. As Trinity tries to solve the enigma of the torn papyrus, she discovers a world of bloody sacrifices and evil curses, and a prophecy that points to her and her new feline abilities.

Unwilling to believe that any of the Egyptian gods could still be alive, Trinity turns to eighteen-year-old Seth and is instantly pulled into a vortex of sensations that forces her to confront her true self—and a horrifying destiny.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Daughter of the Sun. The mystery of who Trinity really is and the history of her family really pulls you in. Then there's the strange things happening to her and and around the Island of Cats. It was heartbreaking that Trinity never really got to know her grandmother before she died. I really liked the friendship that forms between Trinity and Ara. At first they seemed so different, but they really fit well as friends. There's a little romance, not a lot, but enough to make some steamy scenes between Trinity and Seth. But it's all kinds of complicated too. I absolutely loved Slugger. That cat is just all kinds of awesome. I'm not usually a big fan of Egyptian mythology, but I found what was shared in Daughter of the Sun to be interesting. I liked how it really brought the whole story together. There's a lot of surprises and shocks. And the ending has left me wanting to know what's going to happen next. I really need to know.

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A certified bookworm, Zoe Kalo has always been obsessed with books and reading. Reading led to writing—compulsively. No surprise that at 16, she wrote her first novel, which her classmates read and passed around secretly. The pleasure of writing and sharing her fantasy worlds has stayed with her, so now she wants to pass her stories to you with no secrecy—but with lots of mystery…

A daughter of adventurous expats, she’s had the good fortune of living on 3 continents, learning 4 languages, and experiencing a multicultural life. Currently, she’s working on a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature, which she balances between writing, taking care of her clowder of cats, and searching for the perfect bottle of pinot noir.

Friday, April 8, 2016

4 STARS | Trial by Fire by Chris Cannon

Title: Trial by Fire
Series: Going Down in Flames #3
Author: Chris Cannon
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Elements: Dragons
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Format: Electronic ARC
ASIN: B01CXOYMFO
Published: April 4th, 2016
Source: YA Bound Book Tours | NetGalley
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★
Series Reviews: Bridges Burned





Bryn’s hopes for a peaceful new semester at school go up in smoke when someone tries to kill her—again. She’s not sure which is scarier, facing the radicals who want to sacrifice her for their cause, or her impending nightmare-of-a-Directorate-arranged marriage to her nemesis, Jaxon.

The one bright spot in her life is Valmont, her smoking-hot knight who is assigned to watch over her twenty-four hours a day. Is what she feels for him real, or just a side effect of the dragon-knight bond? At this point, stopping the impending civil war might be easier than figuring out her love life.
Trial by Fire has a lot of secrets and mysteries that are revealed. The attacks are still happening at the Institute and it turns out that there are more Hybrids that no one knew about until now. I'm loving the direction that this series is going. The relationships are one of my favorite things in this series. I love how close Bryn is becoming with her grandparents. They aren't as cold and stony as we thought. I'm really enjoying the interactions between Bryn and Jaxon. They make a really great team. And Valmont! The dragon-knight bond is stronger than ever and I'm hoping that they never decide to break it. There's just so much to love about this book. I wish I had the next one right now!

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Chris Cannon lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and her three dogs, Pete the shih tzu who sleeps on her desk while she writes, Molly the ever-shedding yellow lab, and Tyson the sandwich-stealing German Shepherd Beagle. She believes coffee is the Elixir of Life. Most evenings after work, you can find her sucking down caffeine and writing fire-breathing paranormal adventures or romantic comedies.

4 STARS | Bridges Burned by Chris Cannon

Title: Bridges Burned
Series: Going Down in Flames #2
Author: Chris Cannon
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Elements: Dragons
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Format: Kindle Edition
ASIN: B00R69XNHU
Published: January 19th, 2015
Source: YA Bound Book Tours | NetGalley
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★






Don't just fight the system…burn it.

Since discovering she is a shape-shifting, fire-breathing dragon on her sixteenth birthday (surprise!), Bryn McKenna’s world has been thrown into chaos. Being a “crossbreed”—part Red dragon and part Blue—means Bryn will never fit in. Not with dragon society. Not with the archaic and controlling Directorate. And definitely not when she has striped hair and a not-so-popular affection for rule-breaking…

But sneaking around with her secret boyfriend, Zavien, gets a whole lot harder when he’s betrothed to someone else. Someone who isn't a mixed breed and totally forbidden. And for an added complication, it turns out Bryn’s former archnemesis Jaxon Westgate isn’t quite the evil asshat she thought. Now she’s caught between her desire to fit in and a need to set things on fire. Literally.

Because if Bryn can’t adapt to the status quo…well, then maybe it’s time for her to change it.
Bridges Burned is the second book in the Going Down in Flames series and starts right where the first book left off. After the attack at her grandparent's house, Bryn begins having problems with her boyfriend, Zavien, and the attacks have followed her to school. Between fighting for her life, playing nice with her grandparents, trying to figure out her love life, and evading an arranged marriage, Bryn has her work cut out for her.

The Institute is attacked by rogue dragons acting out against the Directorate, injuring many of the students. Dragon Society is on the brink of war, each attack is launched a different clan's power, so who's really behind the attack is unclear, but everyone is suspect until proven innocent. We see more of how Dragon Society functions and runs. There is a lot of upheaval in Bridges Burned, both societal and personal for Bryn. We really get to see how people really are in this book. Those Bryn thought friends turn out to be enemies and those she thought enemies turn out to be friends. Love and loyalty are tested in this book.

Bryn is a character that I can't help but love. She goes through so much in this book. Zavien turns out the be a jerk, Jaxon isn't as bad as she thought he was (although she still finds him annoying), her relationship with her grandparents improves after something that happens with her parents, and people are still trying to kill her. But even through all of this, she's still the same feisty, strong, resourceful girl she was in the first book. I was so disappointed with Zavien. I loved him in the first book, but he was such a jerk in this book. Like Bryn, I wanted to lob a fireball at this head. I actually really liked Jaxon in this book. He and Bryn have kind of become frenemies. And he's definitely more reliable than Zavien. Then there's Bryn's knight Valmont. He has a lot bigger role in this book and I loved seeing more of the knight-dragon bond. Clint and Ivy have proven to be really loyal friends and have stayed by Bryn's side through everything.

I really liked how Chris Cannon continued Bridges Burned right where Going Down in Flames ended. It gives a really nice flow to the story that I really liked. There's a lot of feels in this book. There's heartbreak, loss and tragedy, love and friendship, bonds are broken while others are forged stronger than ever. Tensions are rising to a fever pitch. Dragon society is in upheaval. And Bryn seems to be in the middle of it all. I'm looking forward to seeing where Chris Cannon takes us and the story in the next book!

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Chris Cannon lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and her three dogs, Pete the shih tzu who sleeps on her desk while she writes, Molly the ever-shedding yellow lab, and Tyson the sandwich-stealing German Shepherd Beagle. She believes coffee is the Elixir of Life. Most evenings after work, you can find her sucking down caffeine and writing fire-breathing paranormal adventures or romantic comedies.

Monday, November 4, 2013

3.5 STARS | The Dearhart Clan Series by Eri Nelson



Title: The Call from Within
Series: Dearhart Clan #1
Author: Eri Nelson
Age Group: Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Erotica, Romance
Elements: Werewolves
Publisher: EAN
Format: PDF
ASIN: B005FYSXI2
Published: August 3rd, 2011
Source: Bewitching Books Tours
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★


From the unorthodox author Eri Nelson comes an introduction into the dark primal world of the DHC (Dearhart Clan Series). Where an adult tale creates the foundation for untamed passions no longer bound by humanity but unleashed under the push of extinction.

An unknowing waitress by the name of Kristen Still slips of to sleep with her illusions of normality. Only to be awoken by heated dreams for an unknown traveler's face who had visited the diner in which she works. Although as the dream subsides her reality is disrupted by a wolfly protector unmasking a deadly mistake in which held Kristen against her will.

Under uncontrollable duress the wolf unfurls to, Owen, the man from her dreams. With fear and doubt discarded under their hastily following pursuers, Kristen flees with Owen's guidance only to learn more than she had ever bargained for let alone the desires she and Owen create.

Title: Double Call from Desire
Series: Dearhart Clan #2
Author: Eri Nelson
Age Group: Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Erotica, Romance
Elements: Werewolves
Publisher: EAN
Format: PDF
ASIN: B006GV7Z50
Published: November 30th, 2011
Source: Bewitching Books Tours
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★


From the unorthodox author Eri Nelson comes the second look into the dark primal world of the DHC (Dearhart Clan Series). An adult tale that continues with the moon's induced passions that surpass humanity's logic in favor of not meeting a beckoning demise.

As Kristen and Owen come to grips with a chosen destiny gifted by the moon, a scout is ushered off in search of a rogue wolf. Thomas chosen by Owen to survey for a troublesome wolf discovers a howly formed desirable temptation that he had never wish to unearth.

Not long after Thomas leaves on his scouting mission, Owen himself is persuaded by his highest of confidants to go in search of Kristen's past. Since she is their hopeful future, Owen is forced to depart only to find that soon after he is gone a misstep by Kristen finds her griped by a revenging hand's fury.

Title: Heated Calls from Change
Series: Dearhart Clan #3
Author: Eri Nelson
Age Group: Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Erotica, Romance
Elements: Werewolves
Publisher: EAN
Format: PDF
ASIN: B00BYAKU4Q
Published: December 10th, 2012
Source: Bewitching Books Tours
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★


From the unorthodox author Eri Nelson comes a third glimpse into the dark primal world of the DHC (Dearhart Clan Series). With an adult laced premise, this dark tale once again leaves humanity's reasoning aside in support of fast-paced desires that imprint their futures against a looming extinction.

With maddening revenge toward his creator, Wash holds the kidnapped key to Owen's heart. However, her forced captivity is just a small obstacle to Kristen finding her way back to Owen.

Waging the war of inner turmoil Owen travels back to the pack where Kristen was last seen. Although he is not the only one who seeks the home of the clan, for four others travel now as well. Along with Thomas who brings his unwanted imprinted, Bry invades the wolfly space with an Ink that not only writes an ancient prophecy but leaves the clans alpha in peril.
I thought that the first book, The Call from Within, was missing something. Maybe it was just the length of the book, but I thought that we learned more about Wash than the two main characters, Owen and Kristen. Although when I read the second book, Double Call from Desire, it all started to make more sense to me. I also really liked how there were more characters add, mostly Thomas and Julia. It all comes to a head in Heated Calls from Change, where the members of the Dearhart pack come together and the danger is higher than ever. I liked how through each book, the threat of extinction for the pack and well as werewolves in general, just steadily rose higher and higher. And you have no idea what's going to happen until it does. As a whole, the Dearhart series was a really enjoyable read.

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Eri Nelson born Erica Walcott is a Indie Author and the youngest of three in a family of five. Erica became Eri (airy) from her mother who called her that for as long as she could remember. The short take on her name took on a more solid base with the love of her life and husband, Jeff Nelson.

Together they have been for the past twenty years. Within that time they were able to raise one daughter and endless amount of pets.

Eri Nelson is a nontraditional indie author who manages all areas of her fiction, fantasy, paranormal, action, adventure and sometimes-erotic writing. Eri handles all the groundwork of her books, even the editing. Because of this Eri strives to improve her abilities along with trying to explain to readers her far from traditional sentence structures. However, she will openly admit that typos follow her.

Writing is a passion for her and an abundance of never ending joy. Only one thing tops that for Eri... and that is when a reader enjoys the read......

Join Eri and her shadowy side of writing as she takes you along to explore new desire hunger filled worlds where your mind can share in the heat of the read.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2013 to my book blog, A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

5 STARS | Until November by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Title: Until November
Series: Until #1
Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds
Age Group: New Adult
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Suspense
Publisher: Aurora Rose Reynolds
Format: Kindle Edition
ASIN: B00FAYSNAK
Published: December 26th, 2013
Source: Aurora Rose Reynolds
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★★





November is looking forward to getting to know her father and the safety of a small town. After leaving the big apple and her bad memories for Tennessee, November starts working for her dad at his strip club doing the books. The one time she’s allowed there during club hours she runs into Asher Mayson. He’s perfect until he opens his mouth and makes assumptions. November wants nothing to do with Asher but too bad for November fate has other plans. Asher Mayson has never had a problem getting a woman that is until November. Now all he can think about is making November his and keeping her safe.
THE STORY:

UNTIL NOVEMBER revolves around a young woman named November trying to make a new life for herself and forget the hurts of her past. The source of her pain is her abusive mother and cheating ex-fiance. She finally feels free once she moves to Tennessee to live with her dad. Meeting her estranged paternal family and the frustrating Asher Mayson, help her begin a new, happier life. But that happiness is disrupted when her past invades her present, and it's not only November in danger this time.

It's really hard to talk about the story without giving something away, so there might be some tiny spoilers here. November was attacked in an alley in New York, and when she starts receiving threatening "presents" from some creepy stalker, she feels that the two events are connected in some way.

There are two main story lines in UNTIL NOVEMBER. There is the search and capture of November's stalker, and the love story between her and Asher. So on one hand you have suspense and on the other you have romance. Aurora Rose Reynolds wove these two aspects perfectly. Add in a cast of characters that I couldn't help but love (except the baddies), and UNTIL NOVEMBER quickly won my heart.

I loved how November termed all the women that the Mayson brother were involved with as their "harem." And it's no exaggeration, either. There are so many women flocking to them and that they've been involved with that they really could create their own harem. And if you think about it, whether they realize it or not, they did. This "harem" creates some interesting interactions between various characters.

The family aspect and the "Mayson Curse" are parts of the story that I really liked. The Mayson family is really close, and I liked how they all took care of each other, and opened their arms wide to November. It's really close-knit family and that's something that really drew me into the story too.

THE CAST:

The Guy: Asher Mayson is the oldest of the Mayson boys, and although he seems like what you would think of a playboy as, he's had his fair share of pain in his life. A lot of women just like the status of having been with a Mayson, and would go to deceptive means to make that happen. Asher has had run-ins with false pregnancy claims, entrapment, and women cheating on him with one of his brothers. He knows that when he meets the right woman, he needs to make her stay. I really liked Asher. He is Alpha in all it's definition. He's possessive, assertive, and easily jealous. But he's also really sweet, sincere, and devoted. And I think that he's the kind of man that November really needed in her life after what happened with her ex-fiance.

The Girl: November has had a tough life. Her mother was mentally and emotionally abusive to her as she was growing up. Constantly making her feel less than what she is. But I really liked that even though her mother was a terrible parent, that November still became a strong woman. She doesn't take crap from no one. She's also been unlucky in love. Her ex-fiance cheated on her with her mother. I mean, who does that? Only a sick and depraved man would cheat on his fiance with her mother. But then she meets Asher once she moves to Tennessee, and though she has some insecurity in their relationship, she knows that Asher is not like her ex-fiance and that she can trust him. November surprises Asher and his brothers. She's not like any of the other women they've been with. She's not prissy, and has no problem getting muddy or rolling around with her dog, Beast. I think that is one of her traits that really drew Asher in.

THE VILLAIN:

This is definitely the section I can't say too much about without giving away who the baddie is. All I'll say about who it is, is that it's someone from November's past. The baddie does your classic stalker terrorizing things. Her place in broken into, she's left creepy poetry, and flowers. Once she feels like she's free of this baddie, something else shows up. So November is definitely always on edge, and that's one of the goals of such terrorizing activity. I honestly don't know how she would handle it all without her family and Asher helping her.

THE ROMANCE:

This is where the "Mayson Curse" comes into play. Apparently one they first lay eyes on The One, it's like, BOOM, instant love. And for Asher, that is November. And he does everything in his power to make her his.

Their first meeting was one of my favorite scenes in UNTIL NOVEMBER. November had gone to her father's strip club to get the lay of the back office, since she'd be working for him doing the books, and Asher saw her there with her father, "hanging all over him and calling him 'Daddy!'" as he put it. When he finds out that November really is Big Mikes daughter his reaction is priceless and November enjoys the moment immensely since he was being so rude to her. I was cracking up just imagining Asher reaction. The moment was just to hilarious and ridiculous. Asher allowed his anger and jealousy to cloud his senses.

November and Asher both have past relationships that ended because of deception and mistrust, so they both have trouble at first really trusting each other. Asher is bossy and pushy, but November has none of that, although she does seems to be manipulated into doing what he wants in the end.

I loved how November didn't allow the women in the "Mayson harem" to get to her. Asher has women throwing themselves at him all the time, and it does annoy November, but it doesn't really make her jealous. She even tells one particular women where to shove it, when she attacks November's father and his business.

I just really loved the dynamic between November and Asher. They compliment each other and I really do believe that they were meant to be together as the "Mayson Curse" dictated.

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Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat whose husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She's married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires its beauty.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2013 to my book blog, A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books; and originally posted in 2014 to my book blog, Booksniffer Book Reviews.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

5 STARS | What Endures by Katie Lee

Title: What Endures
Author: Katie Lee
Age Group: New Adult
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Sports
Publisher: Katie Lee
Format: Kindle Edition
ASIN: B00E7JO69G
Published: July 28th, 2013
Source: YA Bound Book Tours
Events: Book Tour
Rating: ★★★★★






Jason Kincaid is young, hot and successful.

An All-Star outfielder for the Seattle Mariners, he finally had everything he ever wanted, including a second chance with his high school sweetheart, Megan Williams.

But their hopes for a ‘happily-ever-after’ are dashed by tragedy.

A horrific car accident wipes out most of Jason's memories. Unable to recall anything from the last fifteen years of his life, Jason is suddenly adrift, his once charmed life now in ruins.

Megan finds herself in the untenable position of having to deal with the fact that the man she’s helping to rebuild his life may look, and even act, like her beloved fiancĂ©, but in reality, isn’t any longer.

Trying to protect herself, as well as Jason, Megan fights the attraction between them. . .to no avail. As their potent connection inevitably draws them closer, Megan wonders,

With the memories of their relationship gone, can love endure?
Stories like What Endures are always kind of heartbreaking, but in What Endures there is a ray of hope that Jason will be able to remember Megan. Emotionally charged stories have always been my favorite, especially when I'm drawn into the story and am able to really feel the emotions of the characters. And What Endures does exactly that. I really enjoyed this book very much!

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Katie Lee has had a lifelong love affair with books. She fell in love with her first book in the second grade and hasn’t looked back since. She first took up writing as a hobby, wanting to craft her own magical adventures, and through the love and encouragement of family and friends, decided to get serious about writing and share her stories with the world.

She currently resides in Maryland in the United States. She works for the government during the day, and her spare time is devoted to writing. She gains inspiration from all sorts of things, but mostly from the fun and adventurous trips she takes when she can.

She loves hearing from her readers so drop her a note! She can be found in the following places (when not writing or curled up in bed with a good book!)


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2013 to my book blog, A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.