Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Love After Dark Release Day


Love After Dark features nine bestselling authors who create worlds and love within them. Not only will you find love between the pages but new content relating to their fabulous series! This bundle will include Brina Courtney, Ella James, Quinn Loftis, A.O Peart, Alivia Anders, HeatherHildenbrand, Julia Crane, Melissa Pearl and Beth Shelby.

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Reveal by Brina Courtney
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Shay could be the key to ending a war that humans don't know exist. Of a race of beings that aren't real, or are they? Shay Tafford's childhood has been fatherless, filled instead with memories of speaking to the dead. She is forced to hide her unique ability from those living around her. That's why it's been comforting to have Jeremy, a child ghost, as her confidante. But recently he's been absent, perhaps lost as her father is. When Shay meets Hugh, the guy she's had a crush on for weeks, and finds he can speak to ghosts too she's just starting to find a normalcy in her life. But as Hugh reveals the truth to Shay, about who she really is and about what it is she can do, he erases all chances she had at a normal existence. Turns out talking to ghosts is just scratching the surface of her genetically engineered gifts. Shay learns she may be part of an age old prophecy that could save the entire race of cryptids. But can she?

Here by Ella James
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Milo Mitchell's life used to be charmed, but that was before her family dissolved, she went a little crazy, and her best friends started acting more like strangers. Spending Saturday morning in a treehouse with a stun gun for company and a herd of deer for friends is the only exciting thing in her life...until she shoots a fawn and finds her dart stuck in a guy. Her gorgeous victim is dressed in a Brioni tux and armed with a hanky. He has no idea who or where he is. Afraid her dart caused his amnesia, Milo takes him in, names him Nick, and vows to help him solve his mystery. Soon the pair find Nick's face in a newspaper obituary, and Nick beings to have strange, ethereal memories of Milo--who is sure she's never met him. Suddenly Nick knows things he shouldn't know and is doing things he shouldn't do. When the Department of Defense shows up, Nick and Milo run--toward a shocking conclusion that could destroy both their worlds.

Illumine by Alivia Anders
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For the past five months Essallie Hanley has been trying to forget about the frightening murder of her boyfriend. Haunted by vivid nightmares and hallucinations of the event she does anything she can to pretend she's like every other normal girl in High School. Only Essallie is far from normal. Able to conjure blue fire and a shimmering silhouette of wings from her body, she seeks the only known solace left to her name; her first home in Belfast, Maine. But she soon realizes that her return home is only the beginning of a long and twisted road taking her as far from her humanity as possible, with Kayden, the demon originally summoned to slaughter her, leading the way. Unable to touch her but oddly curious, he joins Essallie in her search to find out just what she is. But neither of them were prepared for the secrets they've begun to unravel, secrets that will change Essallie and everyone around her forever.

Elfin by Quinn Loftis
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Before tonight Cassie Tate’s biggest concerns were whether she could pass Algebra and how she was going to keep Elora, her best friend, from dressing her in a skimpy fairy costume for Halloween. Her feet were firmly planted in suburban reality and she had no reason to believe her life would be anything but that of a typical teenager. That is until tonight, when Cassie saw something that no human was ever supposed to see; in the blink of an eye she was thrown into the world of the Light and Dark Elves. He comes from a realm where light and dark have fought for millennia. He is of a race known to humans only in myths and legends. The darkness that lives inside him is a part of both who and what he is and it makes him the most gifted spy and assassin in the history of his time. His life is not his own; he lives in the service of the Dark Elf King. He slays who he must, has mercy on no one, is relentless in his hunt, and never tires of seeing his prey fall. He is Triktapic, assassin, spy, most feared of the Dark Elves. Now, in the midst of his King’s complicated plans to expand the Dark Elves’ holdings into the mortal realm, for the first time, Trik finds his loyalties divided. For no Elf, Dark or Light, can turn away from their Chosen. Unbeknownst to the mortal realm, the battle between Light and Dark is being brought to their doorstep. The only one who can keep it at bay holds darkness in his heart like a lover, and the one who can sway that heart must decide if she can look beyond his black past, beyond his evil nature and see the man he is destined to be. The questions must be asked, does love really cover a multitude of sins? Can true love actually conquer all or will his darkness consume those around him until all that stands is an assassin with the blood of the mortal realm on his hands?

Dirty Blood by Heather Hildenbrand
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I killed a girl last night. I did it with my bare hands and an old piece of pipe I found lying next to the dumpster. But that’s not the part that got me. The part that scared me, the part I can’t seem to wrap my head around and still has me reeling, was that when she charged me, her body shifted – and then she was a wolf. All snapping teeth and extended claws. But by the time I stood over her lifeless body, she was a girl again. That’s about the time I went into shock… And that was the moment he showed up. Now, all I can do is accept the truths that are staring me in the face. One, Werewolves do exist. And Two, I was born to kill them.

Anna by Julia Crane
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Follow Anna from Keegan's Chronicles on her own adventure! Seventeen-year-old Anna is an unskilled, natural witch still seeking a way to access her magick. When she moves to Seattle for college, she encounters two powerful witches who need her as much as she needs them. For the first time, Anna believes she's found someone who can help her explore her own magick. Her dream quickly turns into a nightmare. Creatures of the Light have gone missing, and the witches she admires so well are a part of the mystery. Before she knows it, Anna is knee deep in the disappearances and trying to forge a relationship with a certain soldier named Tommy, all while trying to find her way. Will she have time to save the creatures of the light or will she become the next victim?

Forged by Greed by A.O. Pert
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Two Seattle 16-year-olds, Jatred and Jasmira, are not your typical star-crossed lovers. They are not even your typical Shape Shifters. Sure, they try to live an ordinary life. At least, as ordinary as the Prince and the Princess of the rivaling ancient Races--the Winter wolves and the Summer leopards--can live. But eventually they learn that not much about their existence can be normal. Especially when the Races' two commanding Goddesses are involved. One of the Goddesses is on a quest to tilt the scale of power to her side. The other will never let it happen, even if it means kicking Jatred and Jasmira's love to the curb. Nothing is off limits, including removing Jatred's memories of Jasmira. To complicate things even more, there are the Universe's powers to consider. They are trapped in an ancient Amulet in order to protect the stability of the world. But the Universe has a mind of its own, and when the powers are unleashed, the forces of nature are disturbed; earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions shake the Earth. All Shifters of both Races are summoned by their respective Goddesses to fight in the name of, or against, the normalcy of the world.

Set In Stone by Anna Cruise
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Fifteen year-old Valerie is used to losing things–she lost her dad to his job ages ago and her best friend moved with no warning...and hasn't been heard from since. During a weekend camping trip with her emotionally distant parents, she stumbles upon a hidden, mysterious stone and she finds herself desperate to keep it, to possess it. Two strange and beautiful boys have other plans, however. They follow her home–Leo, warm and seductive, who covets the stone and will stop at nothing to get it; and Noel, dark-haired and wise, who pledges to protect her and keep her safe. As she delves deeper into the magic of the stone and the Celtic lore that surrounds it, Valerie realizes that she's losing. Again. But this loss might involve more than a magical stone – this time, she just might lose her heart.

Golden Blood by Melissa Pearl
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Gemma Hart never knows when her father is going to whisk her back in time. Her toes start tingling and she has a few minutes to find a secret haven where she can disintegrate and appear in another time and place. While “across the line,” her training and skills are put to the test as she completes a mission that will change history for the lucky few her father has selected. Gemma's parents are adamant that secrecy is paramount to her family’s safety. If people knew what they were capable of, they could be "used and abused", as her mother always says. Afraid she might accidentally utter the truth and break the ancient oath of her people, Gemma spends her school days as a loner. Only one thing can throw her sheltered life askew... Harrison Granger. Harrison never expected to talk to the strange Hart girl, but after a brief encounter he can't stop thinking about her. He begins a campaign to chisel away her icy veneer and is met with unexpected consequences. As he slowly wins this girl over, he enters a surreal world that has him fighting to keep his newfound love and his life.
   


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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

The Girl by Lola St. Vil

The Girl (Guardians #1) by Lola St. Vil
YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Rating:  1 Star



Emmy - a bookish, witty student - is rescued by six teenaged angels with powers, called Guardians. They've been sent to elicit the secret from her before the demons can. Emmy later learns that her name is the only clue to locating a sought-after bridge that for centuries, Evil has plotted to destroy; this would in turn bring about the end of humanity.

Things get worse when Emmy falls madly in love with Marcus, the well-intentioned but obstinate leader of the Guardians. He eventually confesses that he is in love with her as well. Unfortunately, Marcus has been warned by his clairvoyant and omniscient guide that should he and Emmy get together, the mission will fail and humanity will perish.

My Thoughts: I chose to read this book because of the cover. Even I can admit I fell for it. I was both amazed and disappointed by that choice. Amazed because I was able to be deceived once again and disappointed that someone got away with it. The cover is the best part of this whole novel and probably the only good part of the novel.
            The plot of this story is in second place. I love the idea but that is as far as it goes. The idea was there but the execution of it was not. I truly believe that angels are the new vampires. Just because that is true does not mean everyone needs to jump on the boat and sink us. You have an angel idea? Great! How about we actually give this idea what it needs. For a novel to stay afloat you need to have likeable characters and something to keep the story moving forward. You had the story moving forward but I hated the characters.
            Here we have a bunch of angels who act like a bunch of children. Just because your angels are technically teenagers doesn’t mean they have to act like them. They are angels, they should have a sense of maturity. Characters have flaws, that’s obvious, but there are some flaws that are not acceptable for angels to have and that is what ultimately turned me off about them. Then there is Emmy. She was not likable whatsoever. She had spunk but to me that was the only quality I liked. She is immature and a whiner. But if you think about it, what teenager isn’t? Teenagers don’t like a reality check of that though. I hate thinking about how I was at that age and I sure hope I was nothing like Emmy. When writing a novel you want not only likeable characters but also relatable and there was no way for me to relate to her.
            Overall, I love the cover. I like the idea. I hate the book. This is one I can definitely say I will not continue reading the series. It was hard enough to read through this one I can’t imagine reading the others.
             

Cover: 4/5
Writing: 2/5
Characters: 1/5


Overall Score:


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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead

Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X #1) by Richelle Mead
Science Fiction/Dystopia/Mythology
Rating:  5 Stars



In a futuristic world nearly destroyed by religious extremists, Justin March lives in exile after failing in his job as an investigator of religious groups and supernatural claims. But Justin is given a second chance when Mae Koskinen comes to bring him back to the Republic of United North America (RUNA). Raised in an aristocratic caste, Mae is now a member of the military’s most elite and terrifying tier, a soldier with enhanced reflexes and skills.

When Justin and Mae are assigned to work together to solve a string of ritualistic murders, they soon realize that their discoveries have exposed them to terrible danger. As their investigation races forward, unknown enemies and powers greater than they can imagine are gathering in the shadows, ready to reclaim the world in which humans are merely game pieces on their board.

My Thoughts: I have never heard of this series but I have heard of the author. Richelle Mead is famous for her series The Vampire Academy and Bloodlines. She is one of my absolute favorite authors out there. So, when her book popped up on NetGalley I jumped at the chance. Only it was the second book that is on NetGalley so I had to read the first one before I read that one.
            This book is a confusing rollercoaster that I hope is going somewhere. You know that feeling on a rollercoaster when you are being jerked back and forth over and over again. One second you are moving to the right and then SLAM! You are going to the other direction. That is how it felt. It was all a good feeling though. I definitely enjoyed the ride.
            First off, this book is deeply enriched in religion that can be bad depending on the reader. To me it felt like the author did fantastic research and that I love. You can definitely tell how much love and attention goes into the work when you understand how much research went into a novel. Research is probably my favorite part in the writing process. The only part I didn’t like was the jumping from character to character without warning. That is why I love it when the authors add some kind of header to make sure the reader can keep up.
            There is a huge part of this story that can be creepy or helpful. It depends on how you see it. This new world is run electronically. That part isn’t so bad. You wouldn’t have to carry around money because your nice little device will pay it for you. The bad thing about all this technology is that each human in the RUNA are required to be chipped. Personal data is stored on the chip and it tracks you wherever you go. This is the creepy part. As a person, you would have no privacy but I think this kind of control would bring the crime rate way down.
            Justin March. What an arrogant @$$!! Okay, so he has his flaws but no matter how much I want to hate him I love him at the same time. How can someone be so awesome but all so full of himself? The most unlikable thing about him is the fact he sleeps with any woman that is breathing. Mae Koskinen is a lot more interesting. You know something big is coming to her early in the story so it builds drama and anticipation.
            Overall, I love this book. The rollercoaster actually made me love it even more. It wasn’t just a straight, narrow ride it was an enjoyable one. The good thing is that I already have the second one on my Kindle Fire already. I can’t wait to dig in for another ride.
             

Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Characters: 4/5


Overall Score:


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