Thursday, November 17, 2016

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Immortal (Dragonrider Chronicles #4) by Nicole Conway

Destiny has called.

With Jaevid Broadfeather forever lost to the depths of Luntharda, Felix Farrow struggles to stand on his own. He begins a violent downward spiral which causes him to abandon his post as a dragonrider, hiding in the halls of his family estate. His one hope for redemption lies within the heart of someone from his past—and the very last person he ever wanted to see again.

And now the time has finally come.

Hovrid, who has ruled Maldobar as a tyrannical imposter, is preparing to make a decisive assault against Luntharda that will destroy what remains of the elven race. Only Jaevid, Felix, and their trusted friends are able to stand in his way. They have only one chance to end the war, and only one hope to absolve the curse that threatens to destroy their world. The stage is set. The plan is in motion.

What began as one boy’s adventure will now end in blood.

I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author.

This has been such a delightful series! I have always adored dragons and I gobble up stories that have dragons in them. This series is no different in that regard, I gobbled it up!

The thing that I like most about this book (and the series) is that it is very fun to read. The story is engaging and there is enough suspense to keep the reader wanting to read what comes next. The series did not end how I expected.

The world building was sufficient, but I felt that it could have been more defined. I enjoyed the characters and I could really get a sense for them from their dialogues.

Overall, this is a very fun book that keeps the reader engaged and wanting more! If you love dragons and lots of action in your stories then you should pick this one up! I plan to reread this series to my children and I look forward to what comes next from this author.

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Find the series on Goodreads.

Nicole is the author of the children’s fantasy series, THE DRAGONRIDER CHRONICLES, about a young boy’s journey into manhood as he trains to become a dragonrider. She has completed the first two books in the series, and is now working on the third and final book.

Originally from a small town in North Alabama, Nicole moves frequently due to her husband’s career as a pilot for the United States Air Force. She received a B.A. in English with a concentration in Classics from Auburn University, and will soon attend graduate school.

She has previously worked as a freelance and graphic artist for promotional companies, but has now embraced writing as a full-time occupation.

Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, shopping, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves watching children’s movies and collecting books. She lives at home with her husband, two cats, and dog.

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

One (1) winner will receive a scrabble tile book cover charm (US ONLY)

Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of the Dragonrider Chronicles (Books 1-4) by Nicole Conway (INT)

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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Forget Me Always (Lovely Vicious #2) by Sara Wolf

Title: Forget Me Always
Series: Lovely Vicious #2
Author: Sara Wolf
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Publication Date: November 01, 2016
Pages: 250
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: ARC
Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk

All warfare is deception. Even in high school.

It’s been three years, twenty-five weeks, and five days since Isis Blake fell in love, and if she has it her way, it’ll stretch into infinity. Since then, she’s punched Jack Hunter—
her nemesis-turned-maybe-something-more—in the face, survived a brutal attack by her mom’s abusive ex thanks to Jack’s heroics, and then promptly forgotten all about him.

The one bright spot for Isis is Sophia, the ephemeral girl who shares Isis’s hospital stay as well as a murky past with Jack. But as Isis’s memories return, she finds it harder and
harder to resist what she felt for Jack, and Jack finds it impossible to stay away from the only girl who’s ever melted the ice around his heart.

As the dark secrets surrounding Sophia emerge, Isis realizes Jack isn’t who she thought he was. He’s dangerous. But when Isis starts receiving terrifying emails from an
anonymous source, that danger might be the only thing protecting her from something far more threatening.

Her past.

I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author.

This series has gotten so much better with this second installment. After reading the first book in 2016, it stuck with me. Which is saying a lot since contemporary books don't tend to light my fire as much as a good fantasy or science fiction read. But this one stuck around. I finally decided to delve in and finish the series after a reread of the first book. I devoured the first book in one sitting, and this book was no different in that respect.

As I said in my review of the last book, this book is all about the characters. There is not much world-building, but enough to get the gist of where the characters are and what is going on in the story.

The characters are the reason that the reader is sucked into this story. The characters have really great development and they only get stronger as the series progresses. They have so much growth and I found myself falling in love with all of them. Even some of the side characters. (Knife Guy, anyone?)

The series plot really thickens in this book. It has a much more serious tone than the first book. So many things are brought to light, and there are lots of things that are creatively kept hidden to make the reader want more. While there were some things that I saw coming, there were definitely plot twists that I didn't foresee. I couldn't place the intentions of certain characters which made the read enticing and exciting.

This series has a lot of sensitive issues buried within. Topics such as rape, abuse, underage prostitution, self-harm, mental illness, PTSD, and more are present.

Overall, I am really liking this series. The characters really stick with you after reading. I would recommend this book to those that enjoy contemporary romance with a hate to love vibe. I wouldn't only recommend this to a more mature young adult audience because of the sensitive issues that are presented. I can't wait to see what happens in the final book!

FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES

Title: Love Me Never
Series: Lovely Vicious #1
Author: Sara Wolf
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Publication Date: April 5, 2015
Pages: 304
Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Don’t love your enemy. Declare war on him.

Seventeen-year-old Isis Blake hasn’t fallen in love in three years, nine weeks, and five days, and after what happened last time, she intends to keep it that way. Since then she’s lost eighty-five pounds, gotten four streaks of purple in her hair, and moved to Buttcrack-of-Nowhere, Ohio, to help her mom escape a bad relationship.

All the girls in her new school want one thing—Jack Hunter, the Ice Prince of East Summit High. Hot as an Armani ad, smart enough to get into Yale, and colder than the Arctic, Jack Hunter's never gone out with anyone. Sure, people have seen him downtown with beautiful women, but he's never given high school girls the time of day. Until Isis punches him in the face.

Jack’s met his match. Suddenly everything is a game.

The goal: Make the other beg for mercy.
The game board: East Summit High.
The reward: Something neither of them expected.

Previously published as Lovely Vicious, this fully revised and updated edition is full of romance, intrigue, and laugh-out-loud moments.

Read my review of Love Me Never (Lovely Vicious #1) here.

Sara Wolf is a twenty-something author who adores baking, screaming at her cats, and screaming at herself while she types hilarious things. When she was a kid, she was too busy eating dirt to write her first terrible book. Twenty years later, she picked up a keyboard and started mashing her fists on it and created the monster known as the Lovely Vicious series. She lives in San Diego with two cats, a crippling-yet-refreshing sense of self-doubt, and not enough fruit tarts ever.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Blog Tour & Review: The Lost Codex (The Collectors' Society #4) by Heather Lyons

Title: The Lost Codex
Series: The Collectors' Society
Author: Heather Lyons
Publisher: Cerulean Books
Publication Date: November 07, 2016
Pages: 411
Genres: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Reimaginings, Retellings, Paranormal
Source: ARC
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iBooks

Allies, once inseparable, splinter until they break apart.
An insidiousness carves its way through Wonderland, challenging the land’s very existence.
Battle lines will be drawn as pages, long languishing in darkness, are finally illuminated.
Swords will clash, blood will be spilled, and lives will be lost.
For what is written can still be erased.

I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author.

OMG, I can't believe it's done! This has been an incredible ride, and now it comes to a close. The end of this series did not disappoint. Lyons really know how to leave you begging for more.

The ending to this series could not have ended better. It really was a work of art. The plot throughout the entire series has been magnificent. It was delicately crafted. So much time and effort must have gone into this plot. How each plot point connects from each book is just flawless. And even better, it is done in a way that leaves the reader guessing. I can honestly say that I was surprised at every turn throughout the series, which isn't easy to concoct. Leaving bread crumbs for the reader and not giving anything away is clearly Lyons' strong suit.

Being surprised does not just lie with the plot of the story either. Characters' identities are brought to light in The Lost Codex that we have been musing over since book one. And each time, I was not expecting the outcome. We also got to see much more character growth which brought things full circle. Once again, the chemistry between characters in this book is a delight to read about. The characters have such deep camaraderie, deep rooted bonds, and intricate relationships with one another that I feel I am a part of their world.

This book has just the right amount of action, intrigue, and surprise. The balance is undeniably perfect throughout this book and the rest of the series.

The ending of the book was rather perfect, but we only get to see it through the main characters. I would have loved to find out what happened to all of the side characters that I love so much. And was it just me, or was anyone else rooting for something to happen between Jack and Marianne? I would have loved to see that.

Overall, this was an outstanding finale to an amazing series! In the series the Caterpillar told Alice (and I am paraphrasing here) that our heart is made up of those that we love and so we carry them in our hearts. So although I bid farewell to all of the characters that I have loved in this series, it isn't really a goodbye because I will keep them in my heart. This series is definitely a new favorite, and I can't wait to visit it again in the future. I very much recommend this series. (But keep in mind this series is an adult series with mature content.)

PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES

THE COLLECTORS' SOCIETY

Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks | Kobo

THE HIDDEN LIBRARY

Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks | Kobo | Nook

THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAIN

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Kobo | Nook

So what do you think? Of all the villains that you have encountered through books, which one stands out most to you? Which villain should live in our world? I have loved a great many villains, but one of my most beloved villains has always been the Queen of Hearts from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The Queen of Hearts makes an appearance in The Collectors' Society series as well, and her portrayal in this series is most brutal. In The Collectors' Society series the Queen of Hearts proves time and again how she reigns supreme in the villainy department. I was extremely entranced by Lyons portrayal of the Queen of Hearts. She couldn't have written her any better.

Heather Lyons is known for writing epic, heartfelt love stories often with a fantastical twist. From Young Adult to New Adult to Adult novels—one commonality in all her books is the touching, and sometimes heart-wrenching, romance. In addition to writing, she's also been an archaeologist and a teacher. She and her husband and children live in sunny Southern California and are currently working their way through every cupcakery she can find.

If you have read any books in The Collectors' Society series, what are you thoughts? If you could get lost in any book timeline, what would it be? What character from a book would you most like to meet?

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Review: The Forgotten Mountain (The Collectors’ Society #3) by Heather Lyons

Title: The Forgotten Mountain

Series: The Collectors’ Society #3
Author: Heather Lyons
Publisher: CeruleanBooks
Publication Date: June 25, 2015
Pages: 320
Genres: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Reimaginings, Retellings, Paranormal
Source: Amazon Kindle
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BD

After years spent in Wonderland, Alice Reeve learned the impossible was quite possible after all. She thought she left such fantastical realities behind when she finally returned to England.

Now Alice has become a member of the clandestine Collectors’ Society, and the impossible has found her again in the form of an elusive villain set on erasing entire worlds. As she and the rest of the Society race to bring this mysterious murderer to justice, the fight becomes painfully personal.

Lives are being lost. Loved ones are shattered or irrevocably altered. Each step closer Alice gets to the shadowy man she hunts, the more secrets she unravels, only to reveal chilling truths. If she wants to win this war and save millions of lives, Alice must once more embrace the impossible and make the unimaginable, imaginable.

Sometimes, the rabbit hole leads to terrifying places.

MY REVIEW

Oh my stars, I am right on the edge of my seat! I don't know how Heather Lyons makes each book in this series better than the last, but she is good at it!

The plot building in the latest book in The Collectors' Society series is fan-freaking-tastic! Seriously, so many things come to light. This book is full of mystery, danger, love, suspense, action, just everything you need in a good book. What I like most about this series so far, is that it leaves me guessing. Nothing is predictable. When something new happens or something new comes to light, it is not what I was anticipating at all. The story is mapped out incredibly well. The way that all of the dots connect is brilliant. With each book, more things become clear, while not giving anything away. The writing is a delight. The story never gets boring, and the writing itself is very smooth. The end of this book was so climactic, I simply cannot wait to find out what happens next.

There is so much more character growth. Each character's true nature really shines bright in this book. We get to delve deeper into some of the characters as well. We also get to meet some new characters this time around that add some more dynamic to the story.

The romance is just so touching yet again. The relationship between Alice and Finn is just so beautiful. The way that they are so selfless and want nothing more than to protect the other is still one of the main focuses in the story. Alice goes through so much to keep Finn safe this time around. We also learn more about just how deep their true love is, and how it will affect the outcome of the story as a whole. Again, this series is an adult/new adult series, so it is for a mature audience.

Overall, this book is the strongest yet in The Collectors' Society series. This series is a roller coaster ride from beginning to end. It is thrilling, full of action, and will leave a touch of itself upon your heart. If you have not started this series yet, then you are missing out on something truly phenomenal.

If you have read The Forgotten Mountain, what are you thoughts? If you could get lost in any book timeline, what would it be? What character from a book would you most like to meet?

Book Blitz, Interview & Giveaway: The Cursed Trilogy by Amy Braun

Title: The Cursed Trilogy
Author: Amy Braun
Publication Date: November 6, 2016
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy
An urban fantasy series for fans of the “Supernatural” TV show, CURSED tells the story of Constance Ramirez, a hardened young woman determined to protect her adopted sister, Dro, from the bloodthirsty demons hunting her– and from Dro’s own deadly powers. As the sisters cross paths with demon slayers, psychics, and angels, they become tangled in a dangerous web that brings Constance’s past back to haunt her. Protecting her sister and her new allies will test Constance in ways she never imagined– though she may be too human to survive it.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Smashwords

Q&A: Amy Braun and Demon’s Daughter

Q: How did you come up with the idea?

A: Like most of my inspirations, it just came to me one day. “What would I do if I had an adopted sister who wasn’t human?” While I am an older sister of a very human brother, I admit that it was fun to put myself in another mindset. Given that I’m a fan of strong family-dynamic fiction, whether it’s from the Supernatural television series or the Cal Leandros and The Chimera series’ by Rob Thurman, I wanted to write a story about the powerful bonds of family– two people who would literally die for each other. I also wanted to delve deeper into the mysteries of angel and demonology. The more I learned about them, their types and hierarchies, I knew they were the perfect creatures for my story. I think they presented some intense challenges for Constance and Dro, and writing about them was as informative as it was exciting.

Q: What was the biggest challenge writing Demon’s Daughter?

A: The research. While I love demons and angels, I’m not religious. I know that fiction writing, especially urban fantasy, allows you to bend the rules, but I wanted there to be some truth to what I was writing. Nothing is more embarrassing than writing about a topic you’re not an expert in. So I spent countless hours online, checking and re-checking my facts until whatever concept I was reading about made sense and wasn’t going to offend anyone. I think I succeeded. Other challenges involved finding information on Mexican drug cartels (so it’s a good thing I have a strong stomach) and locations/supernatural history in Texas. It’s tricky to write about a place you’ve never been to, so I spent a lot of my time looking at GoogleMaps and Google Images to make sure I wasn’t making random buildings out of thin air.

Q: Why did you choose to make the main character a criminal?

A: At first, it was because I wanted someone strong. No matter what you may say about them, you don’t get to be a high ranking member of a drug cartel without being ruthless and tough. But as I built Constance and learned more about her, I realized that I didn’t just want her to be tough and skilled at fighting. I wanted her to be damaged. I wanted a character that would develop PTSD from the things she saw and endured. I wanted her to showcase strength, when in reality she’s terrified at every turn. Constance has had a rough life, but she made her choices to protect the person she loves above everything else. She was at the end of her rope, desperate, and did the only thing she knew would work. How she deals with the guilt weighing on her conscience as her past catches up with her will be a key element in the future books, but I wanted readers to get a taste of her internal struggle before things really start hitting the fan.

Q: Who is your favorite character and why?

A: Constance, of course. I love books with strong female leads who know how to help themselves, and one of the highlights of writing Demon’s Daughter was putting Constance in situations where she had no one to help her. Constance is human, but she fights like a machine. She refuses to back down to anyone, is stubborn and angry, and viciously loyal to those who earn it. At the same time, she’s a compressed bottle of pain and fear. It takes a lot of hard work to earn her trust, though she makes it worth the effort. As much as I love Constance, Dro, and the rest of the characters, my second favorite is Sephiel. His backstory is heartbreaking, and like Constance, his loyalty is unwavering. As soon as I started writing him, I kind of fell in love with him. I think readers will really enjoy reading about the mysterious angel, and I hope there’s a lot of feedback about him as a character.

Q: What can we expect from the sequel?

A: Insanity, if I’m being honest. The sequel, titled Dark Divinity and scheduled for a December 2015 release, runs at the same full throttle speed as its predecessor. I delved a little more into the angels, and Constance’s past plays a vital role. It’s definitely darker than Demon’s Daughter, and my beta reader has told me that there are some heartbreaking moments in the sequel. There will be new demons and old enemies, and choices that will have devastating consequences. If readers enjoy Demon’s Daughter, they will love Dark Divinity.

Amy is a Canadian urban fantasy and horror author. Her work revolves around monsters, magic, mythology, and mayhem. She started writing in her early teens, and never stopped. She loves building unique worlds filled with fun characters and intense action. She is the recipient of April Moon Books Editor Award for "author voice, world-building and general bad-assery," and the One Book Two Standout Award in 2015 for her Cursed trilogy. She has been featured on various author blogs and publishing websites, and is an active member of the Writing GIAM and Weekend Writing Warrior communities. When she isn't writing, she's reading, watching movies, taking photos, gaming, and struggling with chocoholism and ice cream addiction.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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Friday, November 11, 2016

Review: The Hidden Library (The Collectors’ Society #2) by Heather Lyons

Title: The Hidden Library
Series: The Collectors’ Society #2
Author: Heather Lyons
Publisher: Cerulean Books
Publication Date: February 26, 2015
Pages: 285
Genres: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Reimaginings, Retellings, Paranormal
Source: Amazon Kindle

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BD

Sometimes, the rabbit hole is deeper than expected . . .

Alice Reeve and Finn Van Brunt have tumbled into a life of secrets. Some secrets they share, such as their employment by the clandestine organization known as The Collectors’ Society. Other secrets they carry within them, fighting to keep buried the things that could change everything they think they know.

On the hunt for an elusive villain who is hell-bent on destroying legacies, Alice, Finn, and the rest of the Society are desperate to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. But the farther they spiral down this rabbit hole, the deeper they fall into secrets that will test their loyalties and pit them against enemies both new and old.

Secrets, they come to find, can reveal the deadliest of truths.

MY REVIEW

“Someone should write a book about how Alice Liddell from Wonderland falls in love with Huckleberry Finn. I might rather want to read that book.” ― Heather Lyons, The Hidden Library

This quote from the book rings so true! The Hidden Library was a million times better than the first book, if that's even possible! I have so many emotions right now and they are all colliding and freaking out.

The plot get so much thicker in the second book of The Collectors' Society series. We get more glimpses into the mysteries from the first book. We get some of our questions answered, but so many more have surfaced in their wake. I am very impressed with how integrated and complex the plot is in this series. It really is a joy to read because I literally had no idea who the bad guys were, or what was coming next. The clues were there, but ever so hard to put together because of the complexity of the story. I loved that there was not much predictability in the plot.

The world building is just as vibrant as ever. Plenty of details and vivid descriptions make this world one that I want to live in. I mean, really, being able to visit different timelines from books? Yes, please.

There is more trust blossoming between the two main characters, Alice and Finn. Their romance has been just delightful. The lengths that each of them is willing to go to for the other to keep them safe is so endearing and so beautiful. Within the pages you can just feel how much they love one another. It's truly magical writing.

There were some things discovered about some of the side characters that was extremely surprising. Again, things I did not see coming at all. My emotions are just all over the place right now. So many shocking things happen, especially towards the end of the book, that I have been left in a sort of shocked state. I feel like Alice did at the end of the book.

Overall, this book was mind blowing! If you liked the first book, you will love this one even more. If you have not read the first book yet, then I can't recommend it enough! Seriously, you need this series in your life! I am immediately moving on the book three in this series. This series is one that I cannot put down!

Read my review for Book 1 in The Collectors’ Society series here.

If you have read The Hidden Library, what are you thoughts? If you could get lost in any book timeline, what would it be? What character from a book would you most like to meet?