Diary Of A Bibliophile

Review: Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren #Amreading @BeautifulBastrd

2013-04-21T12:00:00.005-07:00

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling.

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate--and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative--completely infuriating--creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules--or outright smash them--if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.

(Amazon product description)

Lots of women have fantasies of taming the asshole. Chloe Mills doesn’t necessarily want to tame Bennett Ryan--she just wants to survive the remaining months of her internship working under the brilliant and mercurial man. What I liked best about this story is that the author told it from alternating viewpoints. If the whole thing had only from been told first-person from Chloe’s POV, Bennett would have come across as nothing but a jackass. But the chapters from his POV added depth to his character, redeeming his nasty comments and short temper. The love/hate relationship developed beautifully.

Another thing that I liked about this book is how it highlighted the still-precarious position women in the business world. Even in 2013, women are held to different professional standards than men. If the truth of their affair were to come out, people would automatically assume any success she experienced in her career was earned on her back. It’s just not the same for men. If Bennett had been the intern and Chloe the boss, that element of the story would’ve been lost.

Before purchasing this book, I did what I always do and checked out the Amazon reviews. I try to take them all with a grain of salt and not put too much stock into what any one review thinks. There was one review that said this book finishes with a non-ending, that it simply cuts off. Let me assure you, this was not that case at all. It definitely felt like a complete book. There were also some reviewers who criticized the profanity and abundance of sex. This is an erotic romance. It is meant for adults who speak and act like adults. If you don’t like that sort of thing, then this book is not for you. Personally, I love steamy stories and have a tendency to pepper my own speech with f-bombs, so Beautiful Bastard was right up my alley.

Lastly, I actually listened to this book in audio book format. The narrator, Grace Grant, was fabulous! I have already been on Audible to see what other books she has narrated, so I can hear her work again.

Overall, I give Beautiful Bastard...

Plot - 4 bookmarks

Character Development - 4 1/2 bookmarks

Love Story - 4 bookmarks

Sex Scenes - 12 bookmarks (It’s my blog, and if I don’t want to stop at 5 bookmarks, I can.)

Cover Art - 5 bookmarks

Editing Quality - 5 bookmarks

Dream Cast (Otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) - Robert Pattinson (Bennett Ryan), Tatiana Maslany (Chloe Mills)

Review: MYTHOLOGY by @HelenBozz #5Stars #Amreading

2013-04-19T20:51:00.003-07:00

Mythology – Helen Boswell

5/5 stars

Hope Gentry doesn’t believe in Fate. Born with an unusual power to see the dark memories of those around her, Hope just wants to be a normal teenager. But on the first day of her senior year of high school, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to a transfer student named Micah Condie. At first glance, Micah seems like a boy that most girls would dream about. But when Hope's powers allow her to discover Micah's darkest secret, she quickly becomes entangled in the lives of mythical entities she never dreamed existed. Was this her destiny all along? And will her powers help her survive the evil of the Demon Impiorum?

Mythology isn’t just for English class anymore.

(Amazon product description)

Reviewer: Aprilelayne

Cover Art: B+ - Original artwork by Brian Hoover

Length: 418 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Quality of editing: No noteworthy issues.

Let me introduce you to my newest BFF: Helen Boswell (okay, so not really…she doesn’t know me at all, but after reading this, we are kindred souls.)

I won’t drag this out, I have stalled long enough on how to write a valid review without spoilers. The entire concept and imagery is downright “cool as $hit.” We have Hope, the main character that has grown to hate her natural born powers. She has a special ‘sense’ to see the memories of others, sadly they are the traumatic and negative memories. Time to cue the new student, aka, the potential love interest or villain? Hmm..it takes some time to decipher which way that goes. As we all hear from our girlfriends, it is that “if he’s too good to be true, he very well may be.”

So we have Hope with her powers and now this Micah cutie..I mean character who jumps into her world and together they end up finding out more about what really is out there. There is good and evil, and rules? What?? How else does it all go unnoticed by us mere mortals? The Guardians and the Demon Imporium have to keep the powers in balance and behind the curtain.

Oh but Jonathan and Micah both can get the reader to WANT to look behind the curtain!!

This isn’t a Team Jacob or Team Edward kind of favoritism, Boswell somehow created two men of polar extremes that both can make a girl tingly in her toes. Because we must admit, sometimes we want the bad and edgy, and other times we can’t help but want the reliable and good.

I don’t give 5 stars often, but when I do….it definitely worth it, hands down.

PS: Once you’ve read Mythology you may end up tempted to follow @MicahCondie and/or @JG_draper on Twitter!

Review: BRANDED by @kearytaylor #Amreading

2013-03-31T10:15:00.001-07:00

Branded (Fall of Angels #1)

by Keary Taylor

3.5/5 stars

Jessica's had the nightmares for as long as she can remember. Nightmares of being judged for people who have died, of being branded by the angels. Her friends and family think she's a crazy because of it all. Yet she carries the mark of the condemned, seared into the back of her neck, and hides it and herself away from the world.

But when two men she can't ignore enter her life everything changes, including the nightmares. The two of them couldn't be more different. She will do anything to be with one of them. Even tell him the truth about angels, why she never sleeps, and the scar on the back of her neck. But one of the two has set events into motion what will pull her toward her own judgment and turn her into the object of her greatest fear.

(Amazon product description)

Reviewer: Aprilelayne

Length: 347 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Quality of editing: 85% - misuse of words, repeated adjectives. Not blaringly annoying, but noticeable.

I have to admit this book got to me, well first of all, that cover!! That’s what drew me in! I didn’t realize until this past month or so how checking the cover out again after reading the book, makes the covers even more remarkable. This works both ways though, I have another book that I am about to give 5 stars to, but the cover is ‘eh.’ Branded though, is a solid cover….did you notice the reflective image in the bottom? Wonderfully executed!

Now onto the story itself. The story and world Keary Taylor creates in this paranormal novel is fascinating, new, and original. Angels, who would think you could change the conception and idea of what they truly are and their intents? Taylor pulls it off in creating this angelic world with great detail and development. She vividly describes and develops her ‘angels,’ I must say I was intrigued and thought ‘What would old-school Anne Rice think?’ of Taylor’s concept of angels and the role religion plays into this story.

The story starts off solid and really developed with its original concept and plotline, but then Taylor veered into the ‘romance’ content and for me it went downhill. I do give her credit to trying to toe the line with romance without sexuality, but it felt dry and immature. While the main character, Jessica, is 20yrs old and a socially timid person, she suddenly turned into Bella Swan in her sudden high school classic infatuation with not one but two men who randomly both met and instantly found her irresistible? Two opposing men? Again, is her name Jessica or Bella? Slipperly slope into Twilight-like flattery.

In fairness, the imagery and originality of the ‘angels’ story deserves five stars! I still want to learn more about the angels, Cole (the antagonist), and the whole system of their trials she witnesses.

As a whole though, the book deserves 3.5 stars. The flip into romance and its style just brought the overall book down several notches. I would suggest a stronger focus on emotional development of the characters and the romantic dialogue to bring this book back to a solid 4-5 stars.

The angels and trials and Jessica’s role could have developed into something really solid in the paranormal category. And these subjects may have been expanded in the following novels (two more novels plus a novella are in the arc) but for the moment I have decided to leave well enough alone at Branded.

Review: IMMUNE by @TheShannonMayer 5 stars!!!! #AmReading #UrbanFantasy

2013-03-18T20:06:00.000-07:00

Immune (Rylee Adamson #2)

**Warning** I'm so sorry Mom, this one will be no good for you to read either. There is a full on sex scene (nipples and everything), violence and well, lots of bad words. You know-- the ones you used to wash my mouth out with soap for? Consider yourself warned.

Underestimating demons is a bad idea, and it's a mistake Rylee may pay for with not only her life, but the life of a child who has gone missing.

That is, unless she allows O'Shea to help her; trusting the man who once sought for a way to bring her down.

If only life were that simple. And in Rylee's world, it rarely is.

(Amazon product description)

This series is so freaking amazing!

Immune is the perfect follow up to Priceless. It was funny, sexy and action-packed. I actually laughed out loud so much my cat got up and left the bed.

Finally, a heroine who doesn’t annoy me. Rylee is the perfect combination of loyal, intelligent, compassionate and kick-ass. Many times, the heroines in urban fantasy novels tend to be so tough or snarky that they come off as unlikable. Rylee is a smart-ass for sure, but she isn’t insulting. Well, I guess the she gets a little sassy with the bad guys, but then it’s just hilarious. (The seven dwarves comment was the best!) The other cool thing about Rylee is she is not afraid of a little gore. Blood , guts, troll crap...nothing fazes her. Good thing too, because that girl can’t stay clean.

Priceless fans will be glad that we get a lot more of O’Shea’s character in this book. From the beginning of Priceless to the end of Immune, he goes through the most character growth and change. It makes me excited to see what Mayer has in store for him in the third book. I sort of wish his scenes would’ve been written in first person like Rylee’s. I felt a little bit distant from him even when we were in his head. It wasn’t a bad thing, just noticeable. I’m sure there is a reason for it. Readers will love the way the relationship between him and Rylee develops in throughout this book.

Alex the submissive werewolf also has an expanded role in this book. I don’t like dogs, but I want an Alex so bad!!!! He is sweet and unintentionally hilarious. I would love to know more about him. Perhaps if enough readers pressure the author, maybe she will give us a short story of Alex’s transition someday. (Hint, hint.)

As with Priceless, the only character I didn’t like was Milly. Thankfully, her role in Immune is pretty small. I have my fingers crossed that Eve, the thousand pound harpy, sits on her in book three.

Much of this review focuses on character because that is the most important thing to me in most books I read, but I wouldn’t be doing the book justice if I didn’t mention the non-stop action. I felt like I was on a roller coaster from the first chapter until the end of the book. Rylee finds herself battling vampires, demons, werewolves and trolls. To help her in her quest is her posse made up of O’Shea, Alex, and the orphaned harpy, Eve. Then there are those characters who are not totally #TeamRylee, but who aid her for their own reasons. The combination adds depth to the story.

Overall, I give Immune...

Plot - 5 bookmarks

Character development - 12 bookmarks (It’s my review. If I want to give 12 out of 5, I will!)

Love story - 5 bookmarks

Dream cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) - Gemma Arterton (Rylee), David Boreanaz (O'Shea), Blake Lively (Milly), Frances McDormand (Giselle), James Marsters (Doran), “Stone Cold” Steve Austin (Dox), Selma Hayek (Louisa)

REVIEW: Only In Time by @Kelli_McCracken. #AmReading

2013-03-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

Only In Time (A Mystique Antiques Novella)

by Kelli McCracken

Time doesn't always mend a broken heart.

Jonah McCabe made a horrible mistake six years ago that cost him his chance at happiness. Then fate interceded.

A last minute favor has him coming face to face with his past. Every beautiful inch of it. Her laughter still echoed in his mind. As did the pain in her voice the day she left.

Can he make things right in a race against the clock, or will time continue to work against him?

(Amazon product description)

Most of us have that person in our past that could have been The One if only X had happened. In our introspective moments we might even find ourselves daydreaming about the possibility of a second chance. Most of the time though, when we meet our What-If person we find they have gained 50 lbs., developed an alcohol problem and have been living in their mother’s basement since their last divorce. Not pretty.

I think this is why Only In Time appealed to me so much. It’s the fantasy-made-true of two people who botched their first attempt to come together and are given a second chance six years later. Time has changed both Jonah and Ally, but in this case, change is a good thing. As young adults with their future opportunities spread out before them, they both felt a relationship with each other would hold the other one back. But when they meet again, the both have had the opportunity to grow into the adults they are meant to be. It really is a beautiful idea.

I also love the concept of this Mystique Antiques series. The books are based on the idea that the objects sold in this one antique shop in Savannah, GA are enchanted to find their owners. In this case, Ally is gifted a watch which helps her to see the truth of her past with Jonah. The magical elements are light--not an elaborate paranormal world--which is just right for a novella length story.

Overall, I give Only In Time...

Plot - 4 1/2 bookmarks

Character Development - 5 bookmarks

Writing & Formatting - 4 1/2 bookmarks (The writing was well edited. There were a few odd space breaks in the formatting. Not annoying really, just several of them. I had no problem reading right through them.)

Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) - Kit Harrington (Jonah- mostly because I would love to see him rock a guitar), Diana Argon (Ally)

Another great GIVEAWAY over at #BestSellingReads. 1st prize is a Kindle Fire! #AmReading

2013-03-13T18:10:00.000-07:00

The best authors in New Fiction at BestSellingReads.com are celebrating the arrival of Spring with a March promotion:

BestSelling Reads Kindle Fire Giveaway

Prize for winning reader entry: Kindle Fire 7”, LCD Display, Wi-Fi, 8GB

2nd & 3rd place winners: $25 Amazon gift card

Enter at

http://www.bestsellingreads.com

Winners will be chosen March 26th by Rafflecopter. No purchase necessary but always welcome.

REVIEW: Sweet Serendipity by @Elena_Gray. Super cute romance! #Amreading #Kindle

2013-03-07T20:47:00.000-08:00

Silence is golden. Honesty...not so much.

Gwen Palmer's saucy mouth gets in the way of her heart's desire...again. Just when she is about to trade her baker's hat for a nun's habit, she comes face to face with her idol, Ethan Reynolds.

Ethan isn't immune to Gwen's loose lips. Nor her quirkiness. And something about her smile tugs at his heart. Will he look beyond her outrageous remarks and see the truth inside? Or will Gwen lose her one chance at true love?

(Amazon product description)

Oh, I sooooo identify with this main character! I have a tendency to blurt out things that sound fine in my head, but somehow the words completely change when they fall out of my mouth. Gwen is a normal, intelligent woman, but somehow, when she is in the presence of a single man her brain malfunctions and her mouth operates like it has a mind of its own. In the scenes where Gwen and Ethan meet, her humiliation just builds and builds with every word. It is so funny!

While most men are turned off by Gwen’s running mouth and biting honesty, Ethan finds it refreshing. As a famous celebrity chef, Ethan is fed up with disingenuous people who want to ride his coat tails. At least with Gwen, he knows where he stands. The romance that builds between the two felt realistic. It was quick, but no insta-love. The pacing was perfect for a novella length story.

I really liked the elements of magic in this story. In a novella, it is hard to build an elaborate paranormal world. The hints of magic reminded me a little of an Alice Hoffman novel. Just perfect.

The writing quality in this book was strong. (There is nothing worse than downloading an e-book that is riddled with errors.) Ms. Gray’s use of dialog was brilliant, and the book was well edited. This was a fun, short read.

Overall, I give Sweet Serendipity...

Plot - 5 bookmarks

Character development - 4 bookmarks (Probably would have been 5 if it had been a full length novel and the characters had more time to grow.)

Paranormal elements - 5 bookmarks

Dream cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) - Curtis Stone (Ethan - I know his coloring doesn’t match the character, but when I think of hot celebrity chef, my mind goes straight to Curtis), Carey Mulligan (Gwen), Carol Kane (Eliza)

Get your Kindles ready on 3/6/13! IMMUNE the sequel to PRICELESS by @TheShannonMayer releases!

2013-03-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

Mark March 6th on your calendars, folks!

I am so excited this week for the release of IMMUNE, the sequel to Shannon Mayer's best selling urban fantasy novel PRICELESS. Shannon Mayer was one of my new favorite authors in 2012. PRICELESS had strong characters, an exciting plot, a healthy dose of comic relief and the coolest take on werewolves I've ever read. (If you would like to check out my review of PRICELESS, here is the link.)

About Immune

*Warning* I’m so sorry Mom, this one will be no good for you to read either. There is a full on sex scene (nipples and everything), violence and well, lots of bad words. You know— the ones you used to wash my mouth out with soap for? Consider yourself warned.

Underestimating demons is a bad idea, and it’s a mistake Rylee may pay for with not only her life, but the life of a child who has gone missing.

That is, unless she allows O’Shea to help her; trusting the man who once sought for a way to bring her down.

If only life were that simple. And in Rylee’s world, it rarely is.

****

To help celebrate her new release, the author is running two giveaways on her blog with incredible prizes.

Shannon, why don't you tell my readers about the giveaway?

*turns blog over to Shannon Mayer*

Reader & Fan Appreciation Giveaway

Because my readers and fans are so incredibly loyal, I want to show you JUST how much I appreciate all of you! What do you say to a GIVEAWAY?

THREE winners will receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card AND a SIGNED copy of Priceless

All you have to do is enter the Reader & Fan Appreciation Giveaway on my WEBSITE HERE. I'll just ask you to like my Facebook page, share on Facebook & Twitter etc. Easy stuff for some GREAT prizes!

Reviewer Appreciation Giveaway

Okay, so you didn't think I would forget about my AMAZING reviewers, did you?? Do you think you all deserve a special giveaway for the extra work you put in for me? Well I do...so here's what I've got for you! You could win:

ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER: iPAD Mini or $250 Amazon Gift Card, a SIGNED copy of Priceless & the winner's name will appear in the THIRD book

In Addition to the Grand Prize Winner, the following prizes will also be up for grabs:

TWO winners will receive a SIGNED copy of Priceless AND their name will appear in the THIRD book

TWO SIGNED copies of Priceless

ONE SKYPE Chat with Shannon Mayer

All you have to do is enter the Reviewer Appreciation Giveaway on my WEBSITE HERE by writing your review, posting to your blog, Amazon etc. and entering it's link in the giveaway. A valid link to your review is REQUIRED to be eligible for the Reviewer Appreciation Giveaway. All in day's work for you all for some INCREDIBLE prizes!

About the Author

Shannon Mayer lives in the southwestern tip of Canada with her husband, dog, cats, horse, and cows. When not writing she spends her time staring at immense amounts of rain, herding old people (similar to herding cats) and attempting to stay out of trouble. Especially that last is difficult for her.

Social Media links:

Blog: http://shannonmayer.blogspot.com/

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

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5172000.Shannon_Mayer

Happy release day to @AlexiaPurdy for her new book EVER WINTER! #AmReading #RBTL

2013-02-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

Such a pretty cover!

Sizzling love stories, paranormal worlds & intriguing characters! 5 great books #FREE 2/27-28 #FebFreebies

2013-02-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

Five top rated Kindle books FREE

February 27th & 28th!

Night Visions by Elena Gray - http://bit.ly/egNVis

Soul Search by Amber Scott - http://bit.ly/acSoUl

What the Heart Wants by Kelli McCrackin - http://amzn.to/kmWTHW

Untitled by Jackie Chanel - http://bit.ly/jcUnTlD

Arcadia's Gift by Jesi Lea Ryan - http://bit.ly/jlrARC

FREE BOOK on 2/22! Immortalis Carpe Noctem by Katie Salidas @QuixoticKatie. Excerpt here! #Vampires

2013-02-22T01:00:00.000-08:00

Who likes FREE books?

How about FREE books with VAMPIRES?

Duh, who doesn't?

Summary:

Explore the emotional upheaval that is the transformation from human to vampire. Bleeding to death after brutal mugging on the campus of UNLV, Twenty-five year old Alyssa, is rescued by the cold and aloof, vampire, Lysander. Taking pity on her, he shares the gift-and curse-of immortality. She awakens as a vampire and is soon devastated by harsh realities of her new way of life: An unyielding thirst for blood as well as the loss of her friends, her independence, and her humanity. As if having her humanity stripped away was not enough to make life interesting, Alyssa finds out her "turning," did not go unnoticed by the rest of undead society. Old enemies; an ancient sect of vampire hunters, known as the Acta Sanctorum, as well as a powerful Vampire mistress, each set plans in motion to destroy both Alyssa and Lysander. Only by accepting her new-found immortality, seizing the night, will Alyssa hope to survive. She and Lysander must fight together against two sets of enemies bent on destroying them both.

About the author:

Katie Salidas is a Super Woman! Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, She can get the munchkins off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons. She can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, she still finds the time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). She can do all of this and still have time to write.

And if you can believe all of those lies, there is some beautiful swamp land in Florida for sale…

Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mother, wife, and author, she does try to do it all, often causing sleep deprivation and many nights passed out at the computer. Writing books is her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of entertainment.

Want to learn more about Katie and her fascinating Immortalis books? Just click on the links below.

Exerpt:

He patted the space next to him on the loveseat. “Don’t leave. I thought we were going to get to know each other. You need more champagne.”

“Yeah, more champagne,” Jessie blurted out, pretending to be drunk. She grabbed the bottle of champagne and put it to her lips as if drinking. “Mmmm, have a drink, Lyss,” she said with a wink.

She leaned in, handing the bottle to me, and whispered, “Have a little fun. Don’t you want him?”

Jessie didn’t give me time to answer. She immediately returned to her hypnotic gyrations. Erick watched me, so I too lifted the bottle to my mouth, pretending to drink the bubbly beverage.

I used to like champagne, when I was mortal. Now, just the smell of it made me want to retch. Bubbles tickled the tip of my tongue. My stomach flipped, threatening to heave if I swallowed so much as a drop. I lowered the bottle with a fake smile plastered on my face. “Mmm, we need some more of this.”

Erick got up and pulled me close to him. He pressed his hard body to mine, rocking side to side with the beat of the music. “You’re absolutely right. Let’s get some more.” Erick’s advances became more sexual the more he drank. Halfway through the second bottle, he pulled us both on top of him on the love seat.

I must admit, I savored the delicious warmth of his hand as he squeezed my butt. He lavished attention on both of us, alternating between kissing Jessie and me. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t help myself. I let my hands explore his body as he claimed my mouth. Under his loose, silky shirt was a perfect washboard stomach. I traced each ripple down to his obvious arousal, cupping the tent in his jeans.

He moaned into my mouth. I knew I should stop. The beast inside roared to life, begging for just a small taste.

Erick’s hand slid down between my legs. His fingertips traced the outline of my sex through my thong.

“Ah, hmmmm.” I sighed, enjoying his touch.

It had been so long since I had had the pleasures of a man, and his gestures were quite tempting.

I lingered too long. I should have stopped myself, but his smell, his touch, his heartbeat, his warmth—it was all too tempting. I wanted so badly to taste him. I needed to taste him. Just one taste wouldn’t hurt, right?

My thirst, my hunger, the nagging sensation won. I concentrated on my desire to have Erick. I needed to have him, a taste of him. I left his hot mouth and moved my kisses down towards his neck. His succulent vein thumped against my lips; blood pulsed below the surface of his skin, just begging me to take it.

I tried one last time to fight the urge. No, he’s an innocent. He’s done no harm to anyone. He doesn’t deserve my deadly kiss.

His fingers slid underneath my thong, dipping slowly into my wet opening.

I lost control, giving in to my desire. Opening my mouth wide, I sank my teeth into his neck, severing the vein. My reward was a satisfying rush of hot blood, flooding my mouth.

He moaned, a pleasurable sound. I hoped he was caught in the moment and had not realized what I had done. I didn’t need him knowing I was sucking the life out of him.

His hands still explored my nether regions, confirming my suspicion.

Don’t fight it, let me take you. I willed my desires on him as I drank in his blood. I wanted him, all of him. Every drop of his blood was ecstasy.

His hand went limp beneath me.

Shit!

A moment of clarity hit me. I have to stop myself. He’s an innocent!

I hoped I’d realized this before I was too close to ending his life. I pulled away and rested my head on his chest, trying to regain composure. I listened for the sound of his heart. The soft, fading beat told me I was too late. I had taken too much blood. His heart struggled as it slowly came to a stop. No!

Erick was dead.

Valentine's Day sucks! Have a #DateWithABook instead! #amreading 2/12&13 #FreeBooks

2013-02-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day. Is there a more universally hated holiday? Single people feel lonely and miserable. Those who are in a relationship dread having to buy the right present to convey their feelings for their significant other. It's an all around suckfest.

Flowers die. Chocolate makes you fat. And scoring dinner reservations are a nightmare. Luckily, I have a cure for what ails you.

FREE BOOKS!!!!!

That's right. On February 12th & 13th, these six great books are available for free on Amazon. Something for everyone!

Allegiance by Derek Blass

Who do YOU pledge allegiance to?

After exposing one of the most notorious rings of police corruption in history, lawyer Cruz Marquez planned on starting a new life south of the border. That plan unraveled when an extremist group of Minutemen captured and tortured him and his wife.

The Minutemen aren't his only problem. Cruz will have to navigate the waters with Mexico's most powerful drug cartel, Los Punos, to escape the grips of the Minutemen. But, will he just find himself indebted to an even worse master?

Find out as Cruz is forced to spell out his allegiance. To his country, to his freedom, or to cold, hard vengeance. Will Cruz pledge allegiance to do right, or will he do anything to serve up revenge?

Fearless by Tawdra Kandle

Tasmyn Vaughn didn't expect much when her dad’s job moved them to a small town in Florida; it was just another new school. But there is more to King than meets the eye, and soon Tasmyn’s ability to hear others' thoughts is the least of her worries. Entangled in a web of first love, quirky and secretive townsfolk, magic and blood rituals, she discovers the town’s secrets aren’t just bizarre, they’re deadly.

Dark Waters by Shannon Mayer

The bond between sisters is stretched to the limit as they are thrown into the world of the Fae. As they learn their places in this new world, secrets and dangers from the past emerge setting them on a dangerous path; one that would see them face off not as sisters, but enemies. Add in a wicked love triangle and you have the start of a new twist on classic Irish lore.

Raindrop's World by Carl Pettit

Raindrop’s World is a collection of illustrated vignettes that come together as a whole story. The individual stories, which include The Imaginary Armadillo, Raindrop and the Kapok Tree, The Beetle and the Tree Frog, and The Explorer's New Home, tell the tale of two leafcutter ants and one very determined little beetle venturing out into the Amazonian Rainforest. They’re searching for an extremely old, and wise tree frog. Raindrop, the tenacious ant in charge of the expedition, urges her friends on. She has a long list of questions that she wants to ask this tree-dwelling amphibian, but with the onset of night, she might be disappointed. It’s up to Little Clay, the lone beetle among the ants, to carry on and find this enigmatic frog. When at last he does, the advice he gets isn’t what he’d expected at all.

A Murderous Game by Patricia Paris

Betrayal. Passion. Second Chances. When Murder's a game...Be Careful how you Play.

Abby Carpenter is a woman with a few problems: a little red diary that has a way of showing up at the worst times, a creepy coworker trying to sabotage her career, and a philandering ex-husband who won't stay dead---and now, the CEO of the largest account to land on the doorstep of the marketing firm she works for, happens to be a man she made a complete fool of herself over fourteen years ago. Abby's convinced if he recognizes her the firm could lose the account, and she could lose her job.

Gage Faraday can't shake the feeling his new account manager, Abigail Carpenter, reminds him of someone, he just can't place who. As he begins working with her to develop a marketing plan for his company's new development, he realizes they've run into a snag---he's developed a major attraction for his new business associate---but, he's a man who goes after what he wants, and he wants Abby.

Just when Abby begins to think things may finally be going her way, her ex turns up dead---very dead---and she becomes the primary suspect in the murder investigation. Now she's being pursued by a relentless detective, a sleazy tabloid reporter, and a man who won't take no for an answer. Will the forces working to tear Abby and Gage apart prevail, or will destiny have its' due? Find out in this sexy, sassy, romance with a touch of suspense.

Arcadia's Gift by Jesi Lea Ryan (ME!!!!)

Most people who experience death don't live to tell about it.

When sixteen year old Arcadia "Cady" Day wakes in a hospital after experiencing what can only be called a psychic episode, she finds her family in tatters. With her twin sister gone, her dad moved out, her mom's spiraling depression and her sister's boyfriend, Cane, barely able to look at her, the only bright spot in her life is Bryan Sullivan, the new guy in school. When Bryan's around, Cady can almost pretend she's a regular girl, living a regular life; when he's not, she's wracked with wild, inexplicable mood swings. As her home life crumbles and her emotional control slips away, Cady begins to suspect that her first psychic episode was just the beginning...

So forget the hearts and flowers! Book boyfriends are better anyway. Enjoy your #DateWithABook!!!!

Cover Reveal!!! DARK SALVATION by Katie Salidas @QuixoticKatie #AmReading

2013-02-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

I have a special treat for you today! Katie Salidas has a new book from her Immortalis series releasing on April 1st 2013, and she has graciously provided us with a sneak peak of the cover!

Oooh...sexy! I'm always on the lookout for new paranormal romances. :) Here is a little more about Dark Salvation:

A gathering storm of violence is on the horizon. Whispered threats of the Acta Sanctorum’s return have the supernatural world abuzz. Only recently aware of the other world hidden behind our own, Kitara Vanders has barely scratched the surface of what being supernatural truly means. A special woman in her own right, she possesses unique telepathic abilities, gifts that have recently come under the scrutiny of the Acta Sanctorum, a fanatical organization whose mission is to cleanse the world of anything supernatural. Targeted, and marked for death, Kitara’s only hope lies with the lethally seductive yet emotionally scarred warrior, Nicholas.

Knowing full well the atrocities the Acta Sanctorum is capable of, Nicholas is all too eager for the battle to begin. Fueled by pain and rage from the loss of his mate, he’s itching for a fight, but one thing stands in his way, Kitara: a beautiful dark-haired woman with unique psychic abilities and an unusual link to the Saints. Despite his resolve to remain focused on his mission, a purely physical relationship binds them together in a way neither of them expected. And when her life hangs in the balance, Nicholas finds his own is teetering on the edge too.

About the author:

Katie Salidas

And if you can believe all of those lies, there is some beautiful swamp land in Florida for sale…

Want to learn more about Katie and her fascinating Immortalis books? Just click on the links below.

Reviewer @Aprilelayne1's take on GUIDED BY A GYPSY by @LeslieBRamey #FridayReads #amreading

2013-02-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Happy #FridayReads, folks! Looking for a fun short read? Aprilelayne has reviewed this Kindle treasure for you today. Look at that gorgeous cover! I'm always on he lookout for good reads, so leave us a comment to let us know what you're reading this week. ~Jesi Lea

Guided by a Gypsy – Leslie Ramey

3 Stars

Lilly’s life is turned upside down when she wakes up to discover her boyfriend doesn’t know who she is. Her past has caught up with her present and she is forced to reconnect severed ties to save him. But first, she must gain an ally in his womanizing childhood friend. Rich was content with his life of rotating women. Unfortunately for him, his life takes a drastic turn when the girl he’s secretly fawning over shows up at his house in tears. Now he’s forced to sacrifice his desire for her to save his best friend. The clock is ticking and if Lilly and Rich don’t find a way to get along they just may lose everything.

(Amazon description)

Publisher: Self Independent

Length: 146 pages

Content Information: Strong sexual content, adult language

I don’t exactly recall how this book ended up on my kindle, but it was there. It has a beautiful cover and ‘gypsy,’ I probably snagged it simply based on those two factors and not really researching or reading the synopsis or reviews.

This is not my typical genre, but it was a quick read. I had high hopes of this story, it starts out strong and at first I didn’t realize how short it was given the gravity of the events that occur in the first four chapters. It jumps right into the triggering event that starts Lilly on her journey with her man’s best friend, Rich.

I honestly loved the gypsy world Lilly had run away from. This story could have been a solid introduction to a full length story or arc for the author Leslie Ramey to develop if done correctly or to stay in the paranormal romance category. Unfortunately (for me) Guided by a Gypsy quickly turned into a quick and dirty “romance novel” (aka: a sexual tryst) that just wasn’t what I thought I was getting into. Granted, if I was more prepared for the type of novel, I would have enjoyed it!

The writing style, other than the unnecessary or misplaced cursing, was ripe for a great editor or mentor to veer Ramey into a larger or more marketable audience with some changes if the intent was the same as my want. But that perhaps is my preference, not for Ramey or all.

If interested in a “quick and dirty” sexual romance, then yes….Gypsy is perfect.

Reviewer @Aprilelayne1 reviews BREATHING FIRE by Rebecca Lilley #amreading

2013-02-05T19:24:00.000-08:00

Oh, I am a bad. bad blogger! It has been forever since I've had a new review to post. Thankfully, my wonderful new Twitter friend, @Aprilelayne1 is keeping me supplied with fresh material. Do her a favor and follow her on Twitter. She's awesome! So check out her latest review below. :)

~Jesi Lea Ryan

Breathing Fire – Rebecca Lilley

4 1/2 stars

Sometimes a head start has a price...

Jillian and her sister have been on the run for longer than either will ever admit to (a lady never tells her age) but sometimes even the most dedicated fugitives have to stop running, and start fighting.

I was already having the day from hell when two angry druids stormed into my shop. Druids in my shop was bad. Very bad. Their presence in my place of business was a disaster no matter how you looked at it, but the fact that I knew these two druids in particular was an outright catastrophe. The fact that they happened to hate my guts certainly wasn't going to help matters, though it was hardly surprising. Even druids who didn't know me cursed at the sound of my name...

(Amazon review)

A random, freebie supernatural book? Sure, why not!

Mysterious supernatural beings, humor at naïve humans, and a small perk of sensuality thrown in.*

An awesome story with wicked humor and personality? Oh yes!

The story is told by Jillian 95% of the time, a mysterious supernatural being who has lived her life with her sister on the run. Pretty typical for any being, but their true age undetermined. All the various supers in this tale are public, they have their established hierarchies and us-them battles between species as the others, but Lilley carefully interwove two species lives and cultures into an elaborate dysfunctional relationship. The transition between current date and the memories of years past is well written and easy to follow, luckily so, because the history is vital to the story.

Plot and story is well developed, the action ebbed at a solid pace throughout. I admit a large anticipated and feared fight scene left me feeling that it was anticlimactic, but the resulting action justify the lackluster or rushed feeling I felt the scene had.

There is suddenly one chapter told from another view, not one you’d expect and it caught me off guard at first. After completing the book, I look back and think it may have been filler or a hint into another story line.

The synopsis on the internet really doesn’t do it justice though….there is so much more to this story, I’m itching to find out when a second book is due!!

* Contains sexual content

And the winner of the $100 Amazon gift card is...

2012-12-23T08:55:00.003-08:00

The winner of the $100 Amazon gift card is...

Sweet Falene!!!!!!!

Thank you to all who participated. I was able to accumulate ten new reviews for Arcadia's Gift. You have no idea how these reviews help to boost my book and get it out in front of new readers. I truly appreciate your support.

**** Winner chosen by Random.org.

Wouldn't you like a chance at winning a $100 Amazon gift card? There's still time! #YAlitchat #TeenReads

2012-12-10T20:22:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!

Last week I held my first free promotion since enrolling in KDP Select. I can’t believe how successful it was! I held the #1 spot in three categories and made it to #24 in the Kindle e-store. Coming off of free, I’ve decided to keep Arcadia’s Gift at only 99¢ for the remainder of my review drive in order to make it easy on readers to enter.

Speaking of... there is still plenty of time to read and review Arcadia’s Gift in order to be entered in a drawing for a $100 Amazon Gift Card!!!!

Reviews must be posted on Amazon by midnight Central time on December 20, 2012 in order to qualify. Please make sure you send me your contact information (so I can contact the winner). You may email me a link to your review at jesilea@charter.net or tweet me at @Jesilea.

Like #YAlit? Want to win a $100 Amazon gift card? #YAbooks #Kindle

2012-12-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

What sells books? Honest reviews. How does an author get honest reviews? Begging. Pleading. Tears can work.

AND SO CAN GIVEAWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Between now and December 20th, anyone who reads Arcadia’s Gift and posts a review on Amazon will be entered in a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card!!! All you have to do is buy the book from Amazon, read it and write an honest review. (Five stars are nice, but I’d rather them be earned fairly.)

However...

To make this easier for you, Arcadia’s Gift will be FREE on December 4th & 5th!

Yes, you read that right! Download Arcadia’s Gift for free, read, review and have a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. It can't get any easier! However, as with everything in life, there are a few rules:

1. You must read the book. I know, I know, sounds like a no-brainer, but we all know there are people out there who post reviews on books they never read, either to sabotage the author or to unfairly pump the book up. While there is no way for me to know for sure that you have read the book, if your review mentions rabid zombie squirrels or some such, I will assume you never read the book.

2. You need to email me a link to your review. This is mainly so I will have your contact information if you are the winner. My email is jesilea@charter.net.

3. You cannot be related to me by blood, marriage or adoption. Sorry, Mom, but it would not be fair of me to stack my review list with those written by people who love me, or at the very least, are afraid of getting a lousy Xmas gift.

Reviews must be posted by midnight December 20th, central time.

International reviewers are welcome!

Brenda Margriet (@brendamargriet) reviews The Emotion Thesaurus by @AngelaAckerman

2012-11-27T16:44:00.000-08:00

The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression

By Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisis

One of the biggest problem areas for writers is conveying a character's emotions to the reader in a unique, compelling way. This book comes to the rescue by highlighting 75 emotions and listing the possible body language cues, thoughts, and visceral responses for each.

Written in an easy-to-navigate list format, readers can draw inspiration from character cues that range in intensity to match any emotional moment. The Emotion Thesaurus also tackles common emotion-related writing problems and provides methods to overcome them.

This writing tool encourages authors to show, not tell emotion and is a creative brainstorming resource for any fiction project.

(Goodreads description)

Review

This is an amazingly helpful, well thought out book that every writer should have handy.

We all know we're supposed to show, not tell. Don't tell "Joe is sad." Show "Joe's shoulders slumped and his eyes brightened with unshed tears." And that's a prime example of how writer's can easily fall into the cliche trap when showing.

THE EMOTIONAL THESAURUS lists emotions, and then gives all the physical signals, mental responses and internal sensations associated with that emotion. It includes cues for if the emotion is acute or has been felt over the long-term, and suggests other connected emotions. It even gives tips on what a person might look like if they are suppressing that emotion.

What this does is lift you out of the usual descriptions, and helps you brainstorm new ways of portraying that feeling.

It is truly one of the most helpful writing books I've ever come across.

About the Reviewer

Brenda Margriet's first novel, Mountain Fire is currently available on Kindle. It will be released January 9, 2013 by The Wild Rose Press for other e-formats. She lives in Northern British Columbia with her husband, three children (all of whom are taller than her) and various finny and furry pets. By day she is Creative Director at the local television station, and by night she pecks away at her works in progress. Find out more at www.brendamargriet.com.

Arcadia's Gift only 99¢ on #Kindle through #CyberMonday!

2012-11-23T23:18:00.001-08:00

I'm new to the whole KDP Select thing, and trying out some new promotion methods. For my first baby step, I decided to place my novel YA paranormal romance, Arcadia's Gift, on sale for 99¢ during Thanksgiving/Black Friday/Cyber Monday. So far it has been going beautifully! I owe much of the success to my family and friends for promoting me on their Facebook and Twitter pages. I have the best Street Team ever!

There is still time to get your copy before the price goes back to the normal retail price. Get it while it's hot!

Most people who experience death don’t live to tell about it.

When sixteen year old Arcadia “Cady” Day wakes in a hospital after experiencing what can only be called a psychic episode, she finds her family in tatters. With her twin sister gone, her dad moved out, her mom’s spiraling depression and her sister’s boyfriend, Cane, barely able to look at her, the only bright spot in her life is Bryan Sullivan, the new guy in school. When Bryan’s around, Cady can almost pretend she’s a regular girl, living a regular life; when he’s not, she’s wracked with wild, inexplicable mood swings. As her home life crumbles and her emotional control slips away, Cady begins to suspect that her first psychic episode was just the beginning…

"Cady--short for Arcadia--is an appealing heroine, and I enjoyed cheering for her as she confronted the tragic death of her twin sister, the collapse of her family, the vicissitudes of teenage romance, and the amazing discovery of her gift." --Mike Mullin, Author of ASHFALL.

"Arcadia's Gift" is a poignant story of loss, love and hope. A must read for all young adult paranormal romance fans!" -- Charlotte Abel, author of Kindle bestsellers, Enchantment and Taken

Five star review: Cleanse Fire by Anastasia V. Pergakis @avpergakis

2012-11-22T16:25:00.000-08:00

Cleanse Fire

By Anastasia V. Pergakis

Complete the mission, no matter what...

Captain Derac Vidor has served Kinir for nearly twenty years. It's his life, his blood. And then his Commander betrays everything Derac holds dear. Now he has to focus on his own life and his team instead of saving the citizens of Kinir.

Treason is only the beginning...

Fueled by rage, the team chases the source to their Commander's betrayal - a powerful wizard bent on revenge. The wizard seeks to destroy the Kinir Elite, in both mind and body. No place is safe, even among their allies.

The past holds the key...

Derac's tragic past may be the key to saving the team. But can he face the gruesome nightmare in time?

(Amazon description)

I have to admit, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this book. I don’t read a lot of high fantasy. Not because I have any particular problem with it, I’m just not drawn to it the way some people are. But I have been hearing a lot about this book, so I thought I’d give it a shot. Turns out, that was a good call!

For me, a good book is one that I can connect to emotionally. The book opens with a highly emotional scene where Derac, the Captain of an Elvin military unit called the Kinir Elite, loses his wife in a fire. The visual of this scene was so disturbing I immediately became emotionally connected with Derac.

The story picks up ten years later--Derac is still the successful Captain of the Elite, but he has never really been able to move on from his guilt over the loss of his wife. When he first begins to feel attraction to Kie, an archer in his unit, he is hesitant to act on his feelings. I found the love story that grew up around these two characters refreshing in its slowness. There was no insta-love. These were two adults who acted like adults. Their mission came first at all times. They might have wanted to rip each other’s uniforms off, but they help off, prolonging the sexual and romantic tension.

While I am always sucked in the love story, the main plot of this novel was a military story, full of strategy, battles and intrigue. I loved the way the author described the battle communication among the members of the group, made up of a mixture of hand signals and whistles. Something about it felt so...elfish, maybe? Almost like how animals might communicate when coordinating an attack. Not that these characters are animalistic in any way, but it was a subtle reminder that they were not humans, dependent on speech and electronic devices to communicate. Very well done.

The characterization was also great. Each member of the Kinir Elite had a distinct personality and skill that added to the group. Derac, as Captain, is a natural leader. He is smart, strategic and brave. Rakan is the experienced veteran soldier in the group, rough around the edges, but trustworthy and tough. Tyn is Derac’s best friend. Without him, I think Derac might have become so overcome in his grief after the loss of his wife, that it might have rendered his useless. Tyn prevents Derac from taking himself too seriously, constantly teasing him and drawing him out. I would love to see a future book which revolves around Tyn. Jardel is the young soldier, full of youth and spirit. While he is very good in a fight, he also is a bit like a naughty puppy. Too cute to really get angry at when he is bad. Aeli and Kie are the two women in the group and are opposite in every way. Aeli is vain and feminine, but also smart and loyal. She is easily under estimated. Kie is a tom-boy with a troubled past. I appreciated that the author did not make her too angsty or snarky. She doesn’t have a chip on her shoulder. Instead, she bravely faces the things that frighten her most.

My only semi-criticism of the book is that a few times I felt like things worked out a little too easy. For example, when Aeli’s loyalty is questioned, Derac decides to trust her right away, not really exercising the caution that I think he should have. Of course, it turned out that she was loyal to the group, but Derac didn’t know that.

Cleanse Fire is the first book in the Kinir Elite series. It was very well written, and I will definitely be reading the next book when it releases.

Overall, I give Cleanse Fire...

Plot - 4 1/2 bookmarks

Character development - 5 bookmarks

Love Story - 4 1/2 bookmarks

Dream cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) - Henry Cavil (Derac), Keira Knightly (Kie), Sean Patrick Flanery (Tyn), Rosamund Pike (Aeli), Sean Bean (Rakan), Armie Hammer (Jardel)

5 Stars for PRICELESS by Shannon Mayer @TheShannonMayer #Kindle

2012-11-20T21:01:00.000-08:00

When children go missing without a trace, there is only one person who can find them.

Welcome to the world of Rylee Adamson, a woman with unique abilities, some wild friends and a unstoppable drive to save those who can't save themselves.

But when the details of a missing child duplicate that of her worst case, things start to get freaky. And not in a good way.

(Amazon description)

So my hubby walked in last night to find me laying on the floor of the living room laughing over my Kindle. If that isn’t the sign of a good book, I don’t know what is.

Priceless is the perfect blend of everything I like in a book--a kick-ass heroine, intriguing mystery, an assortment of paranormal creatures, well-timed comic relief and a red hot lust/hate relationship.

Rylee is my kind of heroine. She has supernatural talent, yet is fallibly human. I like that things don’t always go her way...well ever. But whether she is leading high speed car chases running from the law, fighting harpies with her trusty blades or going toe-to-toe with magic wielding kidnappers, she’s somehow able to maintain her softness--or maybe a better word is compassion. After having been abandoned first by her biological parents and again by her adoptive parents, Rylee knows what it’s like to be alone in the world. As a result, she has dedicated her whole life to helping those in need. It goes deeper than just rescuing missing children; she is like a beacon to those in need. This adds a surprising amount of emotional depth to the story.

Regular readers of my reviews know I’m all about the love story. My favorites are those that are able to balance lust, affection and antagonism. The relationship between Rylee and Agent O’Shea has all of these elements. Our first introduction to O’Shea is as the FBI agent who has been trying for ten years to prove Rylee murdered her little sister. She didn’t do it, but O’Shea is too haunted by the unsolved case to see past his prejudice against Rylee. When the tables turn and he is forced to place his trust in her, O’Shea finds everything he has even known about the world turned upside down. I loved the way the author handled this relationship. There is no insta-love here, more like a slow burn. This is a love story that is meant to roll out over the course of a series, not wrap up with a nice tight bow at the end of the book. I am so excited to see what happens with this couple.

One of the other strengths of this book is the use of humor. The dark subject matter and gruesomeness of this story could have caused the book to be too heavy. Witty dialog and Rylee’s sidekick, Alex the werewolf, keep the book from taking itself too seriously. Remember my husband walking in on me laughing at my Kindle? Yeah, that was Alex.

About the only character that I didn’t like was Rylee’s best friend Milly. She’s a witch--literally. Even though the two are as close as sisters, she dumps Rylee because her Coven doesn’t want her to associate with people outside their group. (This isn’t really a spoiler. It happens right at the beginning of the book.) I found Milly to be weak and annoying. Her efforts to redeem herself at the end of the book fell flat with me. I assume as the series goes on Milly will either develop a spine or do something so stupid Rylee will sick Alex on her.

All in all, Priceless is an amazing start to a fun new urban fantasy series. I can’t wait to see where this is going!

Plot - 5 bookmarks (lots of action!)

Character development - 4 1/2 bookmarks (Lots of depth to Rylee. Now we need to see where O’Shea how O’Shea is going to grow.)

Action - 5 bookmarks

Love story - 4 1/2 bookmarks

Dream cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) - Gemma Arterton (Rylee), David Boreanaz (O’Shea), Blake Lively (Milly), Frances McDormand (Giselle)

Reviewer @Aprilelayne1 gives 5 stars to Wander Dust by Michelle Warren, @MMichelleWarren.

2012-11-19T14:54:00.000-08:00

Wander Dust

By: Michelle Warren

Ever since her sixteenth birthday, strange things keep happening to Seraphina Parrish.
The Lady in Black burns Sera’s memories.
Unexplainable Premonitions catapult her to other cities.
The Grungy Gang wants to kill her.
And a beautiful, mysterious boy stalks her.

But when Sera moves to Chicago, and her aunt reveals their family connection to a centuries old, secret society, she is immediately thrust into an unbelievable fantasy world, leading her on a quest to unravel the mysteries that plague her. In the end, their meanings crash into an epic struggle of loyalty and betrayal, and she’ll be forced to choose between the boy who has stolen her heart and the thing she desires most.

(Barnes & Noble description)

My first ever true YA book, I won it in a giveaway and was hesitant to even start it until the blogger egged me on to jump in. I had always read adult, action, gritty and sexy paranormal books with cursing and violence (not erotica), so this book was a big departure. The blogger, Jacque, had basically challenged me to broaden my interests and this book was her ammunition for the challenge.

I had to fold and admit defeat before 25% into the book. She was right…and yes it stings to say/type that out loud. This book amazed me, it had the hints of supernatural senses AND reminders of Michael Crichtons’ science driven, but historical fiction of Timeline. The main characters are high school aged, which let the language and style of writing be easy and a quick read for an adult reader. I wish I could have read this type of book when I was Sera’s age. The high school friendships, crushes, jealousy and cliques all apply in Sera’s new world just like everywhere else. High school is still high school even at special schools or special powers. Just ask Harry Potter, sometimes being in high school sucks no matter what.

Back to Wander Dust though! In typical fashion, the main character, Sera, is dumped by her father to live with the quirky Aunt and only blood connection to her passed mother. Yes, its been done before time and time again, but the tale that gets woven forwards and backwards was fascinating. It truly is one of the books that once you read the end, you want to re-read the beginning now that you know the end? “Fight Club,” “Matrix,” “Sixth Sense?” Yep, that kind of awareness that makes you want to start it again to find the hints that you didn’t know were there the first time around! (No, Sera is not unknowingly dead, a prophet, or have split personalities…oops I guess I did spoil the movies! But not the book!!) She is a solidly written character with a world that could grow with her for many years and books.

A definite read for younger readers, Wander Dust has elements of science fiction, supernatural, and your everyday teenager rites of passage.

About the Reviewer

Aprilelayne, yes all one word, touts herself as a 'Jane of all trades.' An Army brat who ended up in Austin, Texas, she has two full-time jobs --motherhood and work-work (aka: the paying gig). She spends her time trying to master any one of her many hobbies, but really loves to read anything off the beaten path--especially the dark and twisty ones. On any given day you'll likely find her in the kitchen with a toddler hanging onto a leg sneaking peeks at a book while stirring something on the stove. You can currently find Aprilelayne on GoodReads and Twitter @Aprilelayne1.

Reviewer @Aprilelayne1 gives 5 stars to Witchy, Witchy by @_WendyBird_

2012-11-18T14:41:00.000-08:00

Witchy, Witchy By: Penelope King

When Calista McCoy moves from the slums of the Louisiana Bayou to an illustrious beach community in California, she knows her life is going to take a drastic turn. But once she arrives at the beautiful mansion by the sea, dark secrets are revealed...secrets that become even more complicated when she meets the gorgeous neighbor boy, Nicholas, and she feels an unexplainable--and undeniable--attraction.

Her new life seems almost too good to be true. But as everyone knows, when something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

(Amazon description)

...And in Calista's case, it could be deadly.

This was one of the highlights of the year for me, seriously I just read the book a couple weeks ago and can already see myself reading it again!

Penelope King has poetically created an enchanting world of Calista McCoy, her lovable but naïve father, and her new found life at a new school with new friends, and new secrets. I fell in love not only with the characters, but with the style, pace, and overall sense of writing. Witchy,Witchy is one of very few YA books I’ve read lately that I truly agree with the genre classification and would encourage young girls to read this. Just like the beautiful but modest cover, there is an innocent feel in the writing and maturity in the characters. Her new found friends and their bond does pay homage to the “Charmed” television show, but for a younger generation reading this book it definitely works.

If you are looking for YA angst and true sexual tension, look elsewhere. The limited sexuality is bland, another reviewer called it ‘vanilla,’ which is true and one of the best things I enjoyed in this book. I have since read another YA book involving a 16 year old and fought my discomfort with the amount of sexuality for the age. I had no qualms or discomfort in reading this book, the ‘vanilla’ sexuality is just right for the main character’s age (or at least my comfort as a reader and parent.)

Witchy, Witchy is a gem of a story that I would encourage young ladies as young as 12 to jump into. There is magical action, sisterly friendships, and the appropriate amount of romance that a story of a modern world 16 year old should have.

About the Reviewer

Guest Reviewer Brenda Margriet (@brendamargriet) reviews Defending Jacob by William Landay

2012-10-30T20:52:00.000-07:00

Defending Jacob

by William Landay

Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than twenty years. He is respected in his community, tenacious in the courtroom, and happy at home with his wife, Laurie, and son, Jacob. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: His fourteen-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student.

Every parental instinct Andy has rallies to protect his boy. Jacob insists that he is innocent, and Andy believes him. Andy must. He’s his father. But as damning facts and shocking revelations surface, as a marriage threatens to crumble and the trial intensifies, as the crisis reveals how little a father knows about his son, Andy will face a trial of his own—between loyalty and justice, between truth and allegation, between a past he’s tried to bury and a future he cannot conceive.

Award-winning author William Landay has written the consummate novel of an embattled family in crisis—a suspenseful, character-driven mystery that is also a spellbinding tale of guilt, betrayal, and the terrifying speed at which our lives can spin out of control.

(Goodreads description)

Andy Barber has done his best to keep his small town safe. When a boy in his son's school is killed, he automatically assumes leadership of the case, until the evidence points at his son, Jacob.

I thought the anxiety and the tension around Andy's belief in his son was very well done. Jacob insists he is innocent, and Andy trusts him implicitly. Yet the reader is forced to keep see-sawing back and forth. We want to believe in Jacob because Andy does. But the evidence, while circumstantial, is potent.

Laurie, Andy's wife and Jacob's mother, wants to believe in her son. But her conflict is much greater. She at least considers the notion he may be guilty, while Andy absolutely refuses to. She wants him to get help, if he needs it.

The author draws you into the agonizing days spent waiting for the trial, the strain of trying to keep things 'normal'. It is painful to read how this family tries to hold it all together, despite being deserted by people they thought were best friends. Even a trip to the grocery store becomes an ordeal. And because we live in Andy's head, we see how the facade of 'normal' develops cracks, and starts to crumble.

Much of the time, I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading. Not because of any skill lacking by the author, but because of my own fear of how the book would end. You want Andy's faith in his son to be redeemed, but you are never sure it will be. It is a masterwork of suspense in that way.

This is the type of novel where nothing much happens "on stage". Almost everything of moment happens off the page, and we find out about it from the narrator. There are a couple of odd subplots. One is about a "murder gene", because Andy's father and grandfather were both murderers. His estranged father does play into the plot, but disappears about three quarters of the way through. Also there is a psychiatrist's report that pretty much says Jacob 'could' have been the murderer, but nothing much is done with that.

All in all, a thought provoking book, and one I had to finish, despite everything.

Special offer from reviewer

Brenda Margriet!!!!

Brenda Margriet's first novel, Mountain Fire is being offered FREE on Kindle, October 31 to November 3, 2012. It will be released January 9, 2013 by The Wild Rose Press for other e-formats. She lives in Northern British Columbia with her husband, three children (all of whom are taller than her) and various finny and furry pets. By day she is Creative Director at the local television station, and by night she pecks away at her works in progress. Find out more at www.brendamargriet.com.

Diary Of A Bibliophile

Review: Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren #Amreading @BeautifulBastrd

Review: MYTHOLOGY by @HelenBozz #5Stars #Amreading

Review: BRANDED by @kearytaylor #Amreading

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Get your Kindles ready on 3/6/13! IMMUNE the sequel to PRICELESS by @TheShannonMayer releases!

About Immune

****

To help celebrate her new release, the author is running two giveaways on her blog with incredible prizes.

Reader & Fan Appreciation Giveaway

Because my readers and fans are so incredibly loyal, I want to show you JUST how much I appreciate all of you! What do you say to a GIVEAWAY?

THREE winners will receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card AND a SIGNED copy of Priceless

All you have to do is enter the Reader & Fan Appreciation Giveaway on my WEBSITE HERE. I'll just ask you to like my Facebook page, share on Facebook & Twitter etc. Easy stuff for some GREAT prizes!

Reviewer Appreciation Giveaway

ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER: iPAD Mini or $250 Amazon Gift Card, a SIGNED copy of Priceless & the winner's name will appear in the THIRD book

In Addition to the Grand Prize Winner, the following prizes will also be up for grabs:

TWO winners will receive a SIGNED copy of Priceless AND their name will appear in the THIRD book TWO SIGNED copies of Priceless ONE SKYPE Chat with Shannon Mayer

Happy release day to @AlexiaPurdy for her new book EVER WINTER! #AmReading #RBTL

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Cover Reveal!!! DARK SALVATION by Katie Salidas @QuixoticKatie #AmReading

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Reviewer @Aprilelayne1 reviews BREATHING FIRE by Rebecca Lilley #amreading

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Brenda Margriet (@brendamargriet) reviews The Emotion Thesaurus by @AngelaAckerman

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Five star review: Cleanse Fire by Anastasia V. Pergakis @avpergakis

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Reviewer @Aprilelayne1 gives 5 stars to Wander Dust by Michelle Warren, @MMichelleWarren.

Reviewer @Aprilelayne1 gives 5 stars to Witchy, Witchy by @_WendyBird_

Guest Reviewer Brenda Margriet (@brendamargriet) reviews Defending Jacob by William Landay

TWO winners will receive a SIGNED copy of Priceless AND their name will appear in the THIRD book

TWO SIGNED copies of Priceless

ONE SKYPE Chat with Shannon Mayer