Review: Here They Lie (The Bloodstone Legacy #1)

Here They Lie (The Bloodstone Legacy #1) by D'Ann Burrow
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Southern Gothlic, Romance
Release Date: October 5, 2015
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Reese Everett’s aunt picked a bad time to die. Just weeks after a car accident left Reese’s mother unable to travel, her aunt’s house needs to be emptied and sold, leaving Reese as the only member of the family who can do the job. She typically wouldn’t balk at the opportunity to sift through her aunt’s collection of antiques, but when she arrives in Devil’s Vale, Georgia, she discovers the family house in a state of disrepair she won’t be able to handle alone.

Colton Waters is back in Devil’s Vale – whether he likes it or not. After he loses his acceptance to medical school with no explanation, he’s left with a single job offer…one that will return him to the hometown he’d hoped to escape. When an errand to help his sister ends in a meeting with Reese neither will easily forget, Colton takes a job as her temporary handyman.

The longer Reese stays in town, the more she realizes the condition of her aunt’s house isn’t the only thing she hadn’t expected when she made the trip to Devil’s Vale. Reese isn’t the only gifted member of the family – her aunt Kate has been practicing the family business…the business Reese has been sworn never to discuss.

After a ghostly visitor arrives one night, Reese and Colton learn Kate wasn’t the only one practicing the darker arts. They begin to uncover secrets that refuse to stay buried.

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“How do you stop something that started almost two hundred years ago?” – Reese ‘Here They Lie’

Something wicked this way comes…or was it already there to begin with? Here They Lie by D'Ann Burrow follows Reese Everett who’s made her way to Devil's Vale, Georgia to help settle her Aunt Kate’s estate. Originally her mother was supposed to handle things after her aunt’s death, but after a car accident Reese gets roped in to heading to Devil’s Vale all by herself leading to the discovery of a mystery and ties to a town and it’s people that she never knew existed.

Blog Tour: Dark Siren (Dark Siren #1)

Dark Siren (Dark Siren #1) by Eden Ashley
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: July 4, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

To survive, their bond must be unbreakable.

When the mysterious and passionate Rhane rescues Kali from an attacker in the theater parking lot, they form an immediate, smoldering connection. But Kali doesn’t remember Rhane or anything from their past. 

As far as Kali knows, she’s just a seventeen-year-old kid coping with an insatiable hunger for the “spark” or energy of others, feeding on classmates to survive.

A unique artifact—one that may hold the key to returning Kali’s memories—is uncovered by the archaeology firm where she works part-time, sending Kali and Rhane on a dangerous journey that leads them to the Forbidden City, into the unforgiving Gobi, and into the ruins of Rhane’s ancient homeland. As they fight for survival, Kali begins to discover who she really is and the true power she possesses.

But Rhane still harbors a secret that could destroy Kali…unless old enemies kill her first.

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Excerpt:

The sound of her screams reached him as he neared the dorm. Pausing at the threshold, the man stepped inside. Death and the wind were at his back. Dozens of hollow-eyed students turned to observe his presence. Fear had twisted their youthful faces into horrific masks. A few of them wept. Others clung together as another scream echoed into the night. The man flinched. Then he steeled himself against all emotion. His kind was supposed to feel nothing.

He made his way through the crowd, students eagerly shuffling aside to let him pass. It was as if somehow they sensed in him the power to end her suffering. When a young man dressed only in boxers and a lettered shirt stepped forward from a cluster of solemn dorm mates, the man stopped. He recognized the boy.

“You are William. You are the one who called.”

“Yes, sir,” the young man said while nodding. His eyes were wide and frightened as he pointed ahead to a closed door painted prison grey. “She’s in there, sir.”

The man looked at the door, and then back at the boy. “Is she alone?”

Book Blitz: Docked (Docked #1) & Anchored (Docked #2)

Docked (Docked #1) by Rachael Wade
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 26, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

It’s not water that paralyzes Anya Banks—it’s the ocean. Tumultuous and powerful, sleek and unpredictable, it’s just like Tanner Christensen, owner of Trident Voyager, the cruise ship she’s been talked into boarding by her vivacious, foodie fanatic best friend and co-worker, Lana. Tanner exudes confidence, and his raw masculinity is hard to resist. But Anya came aboard to work, face her demons, and then get the hell back to dry land.

Until Tanner convinces her to take the plunge.

She quickly dives into a fun, carefree arrangement with him and embraces her goal to be brave, no matter how loudly her shaky knees tell her to abandon ship. For twelve days, Tanner’s all hers. For twelve days, she’s his goddess. Once the cruise is over and the ship docks, she won’t be the same. But being brave always costs something, and this time, it might cost her heart.

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Docked (Docked #1) by Rachael Wade
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date:
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

Tanner and Anya’s story continues…

Choosing to put aside her reservations about spending more time with Tanner Christensen, Anya said to hell with her instinct and agreed to another cruise. She agreed to take the risk. But now she’s stuck.

Stuck on Trident Voyager.

Stuck with Tanner Christensen, and the woman hell bent on making her pay.

What was supposed to be a fun, careless fling turned out to be something else entirely. Something she wasn’t prepared for and something she certainly can’t take back. The damage is done, and this time, Lana and Brie aren’t by her side to help her weather the storm. There are no escape routes, only ship decks, miles of white sand, and one very self-assured, dominant cruise ship owner determined to get her attention and set things straight.

Lana might still be her partner in crime, but it’s Anya who must fight for—and protect—her heart when all is said and done.

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Excerpt:

My hair blows wildly as Tanner flies down the road, The Neighbourhood’s “Sweater Weather” blaring loudly through the speakers. The road curves and we wind around, little glimpses of the water flashing in between the thickets of palm trees that line the shoulders. We cruise farther and farther from any signs of tourist activity, leaving the cabanas and guest beach in the dust. A few minutes pass and we speed around another corner, peeling onto a long, dirt driveway that leads deep into the tropical brush. A small turquoise house comes into view, its shutters weathered, the paint peeled along the slats.

“What are we doing here?” I finally ask as Tanner brings the car to a stop.

He reaches over and turns the radio off, then flicks the ignition. The windows are still open, and the purr of the smooth machine we’re sitting in dies. “You’re here to learn some more Tanner Christensen 101,” he says matter-of-factly, yanking me over the console and onto his lap. A surprised yelp sends the wind rushing from my lungs. When I collide with him, he finally tears his shades away and tosses them on the passenger seat.

I grip his shoulders, my eyes wide.

Review: RecruitZ (Afterworld #1)

RecruitZ (Afterworld #1) by Karice Bolton
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Post Apocalyptic
Release Date: December 27, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

Scientists are the new rock stars. The infection has been contained for nearly three months, and the world is celebrating. 

But humans are still dying. Rebekah Taylor has seen it firsthand. Her husband was killed right in front of her by the very creatures that humans were told they no longer had to fear.

Rebekah is determined to find out who is responsible for the death of her husband and the obvious cover-up. 

Fueled with revenge, she begins to find answers that lead to one frightening conclusion. The apocalypse might be over, but the battles are just beginning.

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Oh my god Karice Bolton is an evil genius!

RecruitZ follows Rebekah on a mission to find out what really caused zombies to attack and kill her husband in a world where the zombie population is supposed to be under control. I really enjoyed Bolton’s style of writing. It was fast paced from the start and the thing I loved most was that it wasn’t your typical zombie book.

There was a lot more substance than I was initially expecting, which is awesome. This book really surprised me. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but I say that in the best way possible. Bolton throws a lot of twists and turns at the reader and just when you think something is going one way, it veers to left field and you’re just like oh my god what just happened?!

Review: Unbound (All Good Things #1)

Unbound (All Good Things #1) by Georgia Bell
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: November 2, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

After her father dies, Rachel realizes she is scared and stuck. Scared of heights, of cars, of disasters harming the people she loves. Stuck in a life that is getting smaller by the minute. Stuck with a secret she has kept all her life: Someone has been watching over her since birth. Someone who tends to show up when she needs him the most. Someone she believes is her guardian angel.

Eaden is a 1,500-year-old immortal who wants to die. Drained by a life stretched too thin, he has requested his final reward – a mortal sacrifice bred specifically to bring him death. But something went wrong. Rachel’s ability to grant death has mutated in ways that threaten to upset the uneasy alliance between mortals and immortals. And utterly beguiled, Eaden discovers that although Rachel is the key to his death, because of her, he no longer wants to die. And he will do anything to protect her.

Swept into a world of legends, caught between the warring political factions of immortals, and carrying the future of mortal kind in her flesh and bone, Rachel must risk everything to save her world and the man she loves.

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Unbound by Georgia Bell follows Rachel, a shy 18-year-old, who lives with her mom and grandmother and works at a library. She has one friend, Lacey, and doesn’t really have much of a social life. That being said, she does have a secret. Ever since she was a little girl, Rachel has known someone was watching over her. But she doesn’t know who or why.

Honestly I have mixed feelings about Unbound.  The story is incredibly well-written and I really enjoyed the plot. It’s rare to have an immortal in a book who isn’t a vampire, so that was a really nice change in pace. I also loved the lore or mythology of how the immortals were created. The way most of the immortals lived sort of reminded me of the Observes from Fringe before they went super power hungry and evil. It was awesome.

Blog Tour: Lover, Divine (Mythos: Gods & Lovers #1)

Lover, Divine (Mythos: Gods & Lovers #1) by A. Star
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Mythology, Romance
Release Date: February 25, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

Born into one of the wealthiest families in Ireland, Siobhan Law has status, privilege, and a secret: The Greek gods of Olympus and their kingdom in the clouds are real, and her family acts as one of their agents on Earth.

When the beautiful immortal celeste Liam Argyros shows up claiming to have come to Earth to deal in the affairs of the divine, Siobhan finds herself unable to resist his charms. New to the game of passion and seduction, she quickly ends up in over her head, sinking deeper with every attempt Liam makes to win her over.

But Liam’s divine mission is far more complex than she ever imagined and nothing is truly as it seems. Because Liam has a secret of his own: He is Apollo, Olympian god of the Sun, and his mission will never be complete until he has claimed Siobhan’s heart forever.

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Excerpt:
Liam slanted his mouth over mine and brought our lips together. At first, he was gentle. Our lips performed a slow rumba that was as intense as it was tender. His tongue was like a tease, begging for permission but not daring to enter even when permission was given.

This went on for a minute or two, until I could hardly stand it another second and moaned out of frustration. “Wha’ are you waitin’ for, Liam?” I whined against his mouth. He chuckled, but he understood what I wanted and he gave it to me.

Blog Tour: The Sowing (The Seeds Trilogy: The Sowing All)

The Sowing (The Seeds Trilogy: The Sowing All) by K. Makansi
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Science Ficiton, Dystopian
Release Date: August 19, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon ♥ B & N

Book Description:

Remy Alexander was born into the elite meritocracy of the Okarian Sector. From an early age, she and her friends were programmed for intellectual and physical superiority through specialized dietary regimes administered by the Okarian Agricultural Consortium. But when her older sister Tai was murdered in a brutal classroom massacre, her parents began to suspect foul play.

They fled the Sector, taking their surviving daughter underground to join the nascent Resistance movement. But now, three years later, Remy’s former schoolgirl crush, Valerian Orleán, is put in charge of hunting and destroying the Resistance. As Remy and her friends race to unravel the mystery behind her sister’s murder, Vale is haunted by the memory of his friendship with Remy and is determined to find out why she disappeared.

As the Resistance begins to fight back against the Sector, and Vale and Remy search for the answers to their own questions, the two are set on a collision course that could bring everyone together—or tear everything apart.

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Excerpt:

“Valerian Orleán, welcome to the Okarian Sector’s Database Library.”

The voice is female, soft, low—and not just a little sexy. I smile and look around the room as if someone could be watching.

“Hello,” I say, feeling a little stupid.

“I am your guide, but before we begin exploring, tell me how you want me to address you.”

“Vale, just Vale.”

“Very good, Vale, just Vale.” I think I detect the hint of a smile in her reply and remind myself I’m talking to a computer. “Now, you must name me,” she says. “What will you call me?”

Review: Witch Fall (Witch Song #3)

Witch Fall (Witch Song #3) by Amber Argyle
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Release Date: January 15, 2014
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

With the magic of their songs, the Witches control the seasons, the storms, even the sea. 

Secure in their supremacy, they have forgotten the unmatched destructiveness of mankind. 

For the world has begun to covet their power, seeing them as weapons to be controlled instead of rulers worthy of obeisance.

Born of witches but raised among their enemy, Lilette searches for a way to heal the rift between mankind and the witches. But it may be too late to save either. For if there is one thing Lilette has come to know for certain, it’s that all things fall.


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“With complete power comes pride. Pride breeds corruption. Corruption begets vulnerability, which pride refuses to see. And so begins the vicious cycle of destruction.” –Jolin

Witch Fall by Amber Argyle is the prequel to Witch Song and the story of how the witches sealed their fate long ago by abusing the powers given to them by the creators. I’ve read this entire series of books over the past two weeks and I have to say this is absolutely by far the best book yet.

Lilette is my favorite character in this book, for she is brave, strong of heart and character, wise beyond her years, quick-witted, and yet still manages to keep an air of innocence within that does not break despite everything she has gone through.

Argyle did an amazing job with this book. All the questions I had after Witch Song and Witch Born were answer in Witch Rising and Witch Fall. The story she wove came full circle and I guess that’s fitting since she wrote about witches.

Review: Witch Rising (Witch Song #2.5)

Witch Rising (Witch Song #2.5) by Amber Argyle
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Release Date: December 11, 2013
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Brusenna thought it was finished. She defeated the Dark Witch, saving the Haven Witches from imprisonment and death. She found love and a place to belong. 

A ship burns, sinking into the dark sea. There is only one survivor—a child hunted for the power of her song. Hidden away on an isolated island, Lilette buries her power deep, convinced it caused the deaths of those she loves.

But she can’t run from who she is. And when her secret is revealed, the only thing that can save her is her song. It’s time to rise up and become what she was always meant to be: the most powerful witch ever born.

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Poor Lilette!

Witch Rising by Amber Argyle in a prequel to the prequel. I know that sounds weird, but this little nugget of awesomesauce was so good. I find myself liking Lilette more than I liked Brusenna as a main character. The scene on the boat where they were attacked and she lost her parents hurt my heart.

Argyle did an exquisite job of painting both the scene and the pain. Witch Rising is just as well written as Witch Song and Witch Born. The part I like most is it takes us back to before the wars started and lets us see how it all began. I wish we knew more about Fa and what his story was and how he knew the things he knew.

Review: Witch Born (Witch Song #2)

Witch Born (Witch Song #2) by Amber Argyle
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Release Date: September 5, 2012
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

Brusenna thought it was finished. She defeated the Dark Witch, saving the Haven Witches from imprisonment and death. She found love and a place to belong. 

She was wrong. Haven is not the sanctuary it appears to be. Even love is in danger of slipping away like water through cupped hands. Some things can't be saved.

A new threat merges with the old as the Witches' dark history begins to catch up with them. Only Brusenna knows the extent of the danger and how to stop it, though doing so might cost her everything. Including her life. Will Brusenna be required to make the ultimate sacrifice?

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First things first, the cover of Witch Born by Amber Argyle, the second book in the Witch Song series is gorgeous!

And full throttle onto my thoughts. Witch Born took the history of the witch’s to a whole other level and definitely raised the stakes in the book. Argyle did an amazing job of building that history and having Brusenna slowly discover what the witches were keeping from her and how it all fit together.

The plot is solid, fast paced, and interesting. The problem is some things get kind of repetitive. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the book, but I am seriously getting tired of everyone ragging on Brusenna. Throughout the entire first book we had to see people putting Brusenna’s down, trying to kidnap her, succeeding in kidnapping her…at some point there’s got to be an end to it.

Review: Witch Song (Witch Song #1)

Witch Song (Witch Song #1) by Amber Argyle
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Release Date: September 1, 2011
Buy Links:

Amazon

Book Description:

The Witch Hunters have come for Brusenna, for she is the last. All the others have been captured by the Dark Witch. And without their magical songs to control nature, the world is dying.

Though young and untrained, Brusenna must succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the Dark Witch. Fight her. Defeat her. 

If Brusenna fails, there will be nothing left to save—for the Witches, for mankind, or for the young Guardian who has committed his life to protecting hers.

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Witch Song by Amber Argyle is the first in a series following witchling Brusenna as she travels through lands near and far in search of the knowledge to defeat the Dark Witch and save the Keepers, the witches who keep balance in the world.

I’ve always loved witches and the great thing about Witch Song is these were different than any witches I’ve previously read about. I thought the plot for this story was pretty awesome. Argyle did a great job of describing this world she created, showing the reader the ins-and-outs of how magic works and what the witches do for the earth.

I thought Brusenna was a great main character. The change in bother her demeanor and attitude and the amount of growth she went through during the duration of the story was pretty great. Argyle did such a nice job of showing us how a lot of Brusenna’s innocence and nativity was lost along her journey, but her strength of heart never once wavered.