Seeing Night Reviews

{Excerpt + Giveaway} The Liberator by Victoria Scott

2013-05-24T02:30:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from THE LIBERTOR

By Victoria Scott

When I open my eyes, the sun is trying to murder me. It’s shining on my face and making my head pound. Or maybe it’s my hangover that’s giving me the headache, but nonetheless—me and the sun?—we’re not on friendly terms.

Charlie murmurs beside me. My arms are still wrapped around her waist, and I suddenly realize I must have crashed out in her bed last night. If Grams wakes up and finds me here, she’ll run me a bath…and toss in the toaster.

“Morning, babe,” I whisper.

“Morning, hot stuff,” a distinctly male voice responds.

I whip around, my heart racing, and find Max sitting in a chair across the room. “You look so hot when you first wake up,” he says. He raises a hand to his hair. “Got that whole sexy bed head thing going on.”

Charlie doesn’t even move from her place, but I feel her laughing against me. “Your friend is kind of creepy, Dante,” she manages.

“Max, what the hell are you doing in here?” I ask, pulling the covers farther up even though I’m (regretfully) fully-clothed.

“Real question is, why did I wait so long to join you guys?” Max stands from his chair and cocks his head. A mischievous smile crawls across his face.

“No,” I say, trying to appear serious. “Don’t even think about it, dude.”

Max starts running in place, his smile widening farther until he looks deranged. “Ready or not!” Before I can stop him, Max races toward the bed and dives on top of us. “Oh! Oh it feels even better than I imagined.” He rolls back and forth across our bodies as Charlie laughs and I wonder why I’m friends with such a raging idiot.

With all my strength, I grab Max’s shirt and rotate him toward the edge. He falls off the side, his arms pin-wheeling. There’s a loud thud, and then nothing.

I wait for several seconds before leaning over to search for him. Max is lying face down on the floor, his arms and legs curled like a dead spider. “You’re not really hurt,” I say.

“I think you gave me spinal bifida. You need to call someone.”

“That’s a genetic disorder,” I respond with a sigh, collapsing back onto my pillow. A second later, he raises his head very, very slowly up from the side of the bed. It’s one of the more unsettling things he’s ever done. “Max, is there a purpose to this visit?” I ask. I want so badly to act like he’s annoying me. But he knows, and I know, that we both love this game: the one where I pretend he’s a pain in my ass, and he acts like a damn circus clown.

He stands up, crosses the room, and plops back down in the chair. “Valery sent me.”

I throw an arm across my eyes. “Of course she did.” Beside me, Charlie moves to get up and I immediately reach for her. She squeals and wiggles out of my grasp.

I watch as she walks around the bed and ruffles Max’s hair. The twenty-eight year old pants like a dog. It’s a bit disturbing considering Charlie’s seventeen. She eyes me with a grin. “I’ll make waffles.”

My face lights up.

“Yes,” she continues. “And bacon.”

I glance at Max and nod toward Charlie. “That’s my girl.”

“Damn straight,” he says.

“I’m still making breakfast for your birthday,” I call after Charlie. Then, looking at Max, I add, “My girl’s going to be legal soon.”

Max says, “Boom.”

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{Review} of Demon Slave by Kiersten Fay

2013-05-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

Demon Slave by Kiersten Fay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Science Fiction Romance
THEME: Demon, Paranormal
RECEIVED: Author
AUTHORS BLOG: Kiersten Fays' Site

BLURB:

Marik Radkov believed the only thing left from his tortured past was the physical scars that adorned his body. But when he is stranded on a foreign planet, and held captive by an enticing blue eyed stranger, he is forced to face his past once more. To survive, he must subdue his lust, while keeping the mysterious and sexy woman from snaring his heart.

After escaping a violent assault of her home planet, Princess Nadua has been hiding on the cold planet Undewla for four hundred years, all but losing hope that her people will return for her. When the threat of a rebellion arises, Nadua must decide if she can trust the ruthless demon who strokes a desire she thought was long dead.

REVIEW:
It’s been a while since I read the first in the shadow quest series but as soon as I started, I immediately was drawn back in the world of demons and space pirates. I loved Sebastian and Anya’s story so much and was thrilled to read about them again even as secondary characters. This time around we get to follow Marik, a crewmember from Sebastians ship who is trying to track down Anya’s long lost sister. As always Fay creates lots of friction, romance, an alien planet and some great secondary characters.

Demon Slave follows Marik who is thrown right in the middle of a battle when his ship lands on a new planet. Trying to track down his captains mates sister, he is captured by a strange group who is lead by an exotic woman they know as their Queen, whom Marik cant resist. Not long after he discovers that the one he’s looking for is right in front of him, he must convince her that his Demon side means her no harm. But these two not only have to start trusting each other but also watch their backs from the danger that’s close to home for this tough Queen.

Marik is a damage guy and demon, but he has a warrior’s heart. He was once s slave and sadly is afraid of losing control and blacking out in the moment of his Edge. I felt bad for this guy as Fay digs deep into his past, the readers get glimpses of his tougher days. He was great in this plot, with his smoking hot charm and the chemistry that sizzled whenever he was near Nadua. I also got frustrated along with him because Nadua just didn’t make things easy for him even though he clearly wasn’t trying to hurt her. But anyways I loved his protectiveness and how when he fights he just goes into warrior mode and takes care of business.

Nadua was not my favorite heroine; I was a bit frustrated with her especially since I adored Analia in the first book. Nadua is tough, untrusting and doesn’t seem to want to understand what happening around her. I didn’t like how she treated Marik coldly one minute and then fall for him the next and then changed her mind again. I wanted to shake her and just take Marik for myself. But in the end I think she started to become a character I could like, she opened up and realized that Marik was trying to help her.

Overall I enjoyed this second installment, even though it wasn’t as strong as the first book, I loved reading about the old characters and tying in the storyline from the first with this one. Plus the readers get a bonus plot happening with Sonya and Ethan, which I’m dying to read more about these two! As always with Fay she knows how to steam up the pages with her character, while also creating an intriguing plot that keeps you on your toes. I look forward to reading about these memorable characters.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult novel with lots of sexual content that is for mature readers. If you’re a fan of Ann Aguirre Sirantha Jax series or Larissa Iones’ Demonica series, you will love this!

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{Spotlight of the Week} The Experiment in Terror series by Karina Halle

2013-05-22T03:30:00.000-07:00

This weeks spotlight of the week is the EIT Series by Karina Halle. A mix of paranormal, horror, romance and character that just keep getting better and better!

If you haven't read a book by Karina Hall your missing out...badly. She is a fantastic character writer and she gets down to the nitty gritty of things. her Experiment in Terror series is my absolute favorite horror/romance/paranormal, I cant get enough of Dex and Perry. Come Alive which releases in June is book 7 and I cant wait to see what ghostly troubles Dex and Perry get into next.

Quoted on Goodreads:
In a large, flaky nutshell, the Experiment in Terror Series is an eight-part sci-fi/fantasy/horror series that revolves around a pair of ghost hunters. Well, aspiring ghost hunters, anyway. After filming a creepy experience in her uncle’s dilapidated lighthouse, 22-year old Perry Palomino becomes a YouTube and internet star overnight. She attracts the attention of Dex Foray, a producer and cameraman for a site that specializes in various webisodes, who convinces her to be a host for a low-budget ghost hunting series. The only problem is, neither Perry or Dex are entirely “with it” — I mean, they see ghosts, after all. And when the duo isn’t wrestling with their very notion of reality, they’re grappling with a working relationship that’s deep-cut with sexual tension. As the series moves on, leading Perry and Dex to new locales and supernatural situations, their lives become more and more intertwined, where they discover that ghosts aren’t the only things that can haunt them.

Come Alive: EIT #7 (June)
BLURB:
It’s one thing to bring the woman you love back into your life. It’s another to try and keep her there. For Dex Foray, convincing Perry Palomino to open herself to their burgeoning relationship has been more challenging than hunting ghosts, battling demons and stalking Sasquatch combined. Add in the fact that the only way they can keep their Experiment in Terror show running is to take on a third partner in the form of the mysterious Maximus Jacobs — all while investigating a sinister voodoo sect in New Orleans — and you’ve got the perfect Southern storm and a recipe for disaster. Luckily, Dex has never been one to back down, even when his life –and heart — are on the line.

Come Alive is told from Dex’s POV.

Karina Halles Site

{Review} of Dare You To by Katie McGarry

2013-05-21T03:30:00.000-07:00

Dare You To by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Young Adult
THEME: Contemporary Romance
RECEIVED: NetGalley
AUTHORS BLOG: Katie McGarrys' Site

BLURB:

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

REVIEW:
I applaud McGarry, she has done it again, creating a story of two young teens who find out that they need each other and help pull through all the hardships with their families’ lives. I thought nothing could top Pushing the Limits but Dare You To comes in neck and neck. Even though I was not a fan of Beth, after reading her story and understanding why she is the way she is, I was able to like her and root for her to find happiness.

Dare You To follows Beth, a damaged young teen whose family life is anything but perfect. Her mother is a mess and the man she’s seeing hurts her and Beth any chance he gets. Luckily Beth’s uncle comes in and tries to help repair the damage that is Beth’s life. But as always she doesn’t make it easy to help her. After meeting Ryan, Beth starts to slowly open up, see’s what life might be like if she had people that cared for her. Ryan too see’s that his life has always been what his family wanted and not his choice, but Beth changes his way of thinking. Together trying to fix the broken pieces in each other’s lives.

Beth is one infuriating and emotional character, as the reader, finding out about her past and family troubles, I can seriously not blame her for being so negative and untrusting. She is so full of hate and doesn’t want to let anyone in, she has so many issues that I was happy that her uncle fought to find a way through all her layers to see if she’ll let him in. My only major issue was Beth’s insistence in helping her mother, that women seriously didn’t deserve a daughter who was so devoted to helping her. I wished that she would of thought things through a little better, it some instances it got annoying with her obsession of helping her mom. Her relationship with Isaiah, was focused on as well, not forgetting everything he’s done for her. Between Ryan and Isaiah it was an interesting dynamic, both these characters are a future and past, Beth has to find out what she really needs and wants.

Ryan has a lot of ups and downs in his family; know where near as bad as Beth but enough to hope that he finds a way to get through it. He’s a smart kid and a seriously amazing athlete. I felt bad for this guy as well, he is trapped, his family makes the decision and his father (who is super frustrating) only wants Ryan to have the life he (his dad) wants. I loved how Beth helped Ryan see reason with his family problems, as he helped her. I liked how Ryan was so opposite of Beth, the chemistry was off the charts, the banter was perfect, the perfect guy with the imperfect girl.

Overall this is a heavy story, the emotional sides of both characters, the readers will be rooting for these two to have some happiness. There are so many other characters that helped make this story amazing and I’m hoping the readers will connect with them again in the next books. I can’t wait for Isaiah’s story I already know its going to be one heck of a book.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel with romance and majorly tough family situations. Fans of Jennifer Echols Such a Rush and Lara Zielin’s The Waiting Sky should read Dare To You by Katie McGarry a.s.a.p!

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{Cover Reveal + Giveaway} of Michael (Sons of Old Trilogy, #2) by Annabell Cadiz

2013-05-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Seeing Night is happy to reveal the cover for Michael the second installment to the Sons of Old Trilogy by Annabell Cadiz.

Michael (Sons of Old Trilogy, #2)
Author: Annabell Cadiz
Genre: New Adult, Supernatural, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Estimated Publication Date: August 2013
Goodreads

BLURB:

Zahara Faraday looks like a normal eighteen-year-old and lives in a quiet neighborhood with her overprotective parents. She works at a bookstore and hangs out with her best friend Becca King on a daily basis. But underneath the normal lies a secret life filled with dangerous supernaturals. Zahara belongs to a world made of Light Witches, rogue Imagoes (supernatural creatures with super strength, speed), fallen angels, and Nephilim (hybrid children born half-human, half-angel). Where her father Solomon Faraday is human, her mother Mia and her Aunt Catalina are Light Witches. They help protect the human world by hunting down rogue supernaturals who commit heinous acts against humans.

What they never expected was the possibility of having to hunt down the one rogue coven they had befriended and come to trust in their battle against Lucifer. Rekesh Saint-Louis is the leader of the most powerful Imago coven in Florida and now he’s the most wanted. Supernatural bodies are starting to pile up with an ancient ritual long forbade being used to murder them and the symbol, one large cross with four smaller crosses around it, which represents Rekesh’s coven, being left behind. Rekesh and the Elders of his coven set out to find who is behind the murders and clearing his name before a war between the covens begins. To make matters more difficult, Rekesh also has to deal with the return of someone he would rather preferred stayed away.

Meanwhile, Zahara and Becca are spending more time brushing up on their training, knowing an attack from Lucifer can come at any moment. Between patrolling neighborhoods and hanging at the boarding school created by Charles Stephens—a fallen angel who created the school to protect the children of rogue supernaturals—they are introduced to an old friend of Charles, Michael. Zahara begins to develop a closer bond with Jason as they train and chase down clues to clear Rekesh’s name. Jason also starts to develop a close bond with Michael, protecting a very powerful secret.

But Rekesh’s coven being set up isn’t the only danger. A new powerful and lethal drug has emerged from the shadows of the supernatural world called Inferi. A side effect of the drug: it leaves the supernatural hungering for blood—both human and supernatural.

Lucifer is on the move and he will stop at nothing to get his hands on Zahara and complete the first act of his plan.

A battle is about to begin.

One that may cost the Faraday family everything they hold most dear.

AUTHOR BIO:
Annabell Cadiz was born in the sweltering heat of South Florida. She was raised surrounded by Puerto Rican chefs and band of siblings that weren’t all related to her. A self-proclaimed nerd and book-a-holic (her room does hold much evidence to prove her claims are justifiable), she created TeamNerd Reviews to showcase her EXTREME love for novels where, along with her best friend, Bridget Strahin, she hosts book reviews, interviews, giveaways, Indie Shoutouts and much more. She also blog tour services for authors. She also had the pleasure of being published in three separate issue of Suspense Magazine. She also adores Cinnamon Teddy Grahams, has an addiction to Minute Maid Orange juice, and is a proud Jesus Freak. She is working on getting LUCIFER, the first book in SONS OF OLD TRILOGY ready to be published.

Where to Find the Author: Website/Goodreads/TeamNerd Reviews/Twitter/Pinterest

FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTERS BELOW TO ENTER BOTH GIVEAWAYS

Sons of Old Trilogy Giveaway

**Opened to U.S. and International Fans**

**Must be 13 or older to participate**

**Winner will be selected on MAY 31, 2013 and have 24 HOURS to respond before another winner is selected**

Ten Lucky Winners Will Receive E-Copy of Lucifer (Sons of Old Trilogy, #1) and ARC of Michael (Sons of Old Trilogy, #2) (once its ready)

One Lucky Winner Will Receive
E-Copy of Lucifer (Sons of Old Trilogy, #1) by Annabell Cadiz
A cupcake keychain
Body wash from Bath and Body Works in the scent of Pin Chiffon
Girls Rock Wristband & Mini Notebook

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{Review} A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper

2013-05-17T03:30:00.000-07:00

A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Paranormal Romance
THEME: Witches, Vampire, and Shifters
RECEIVED: Edelweiss
AUTHORS BLOG: Molly Harpers' Site

BLURB:

Nola Leary would have been content to stay in Kilcairy, Ireland, healing villagers at her family’s clinic with a mix of magic and modern medicine. But a series of ill-timed omens and a deathbed promise to her grandmother have sent her on a quest to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky, to secure her family’s magical potency for the next generation. Her supernatural task? To unearth four artifacts hidden by her grandfather before a rival magical family beats her to it.

Complication One: Her grandfather was Mr. Wainwright and the artifacts are lost somewhere in what is now Jane Jameson's book shop.

Complication Two: her new neighbor, Jed Trudeau, who keeps turning up half naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn't need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially when he’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard—can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?

REVIEW:
I adored Molly Harpers Naked Werewolf series, I’m always looking for paranormal romances with a great sense of humor and Harper is the go to author for that. I hadn’t read the first in the Half Moon Hollow series but was easily pulled into this fun and humorous world without feeling lost. This series does mention many characters from the Jane Jameson series, fans of that series will be excited but don’t worry the new characters are the main focus.

A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses follows Nola Leary, a witch who travels to Half-Moon Hollow to keep her promise to her grandmother. She is searching for special artifacts that will secure the magic in her family for the next generation. But she has a couple of obstacles in the way; one being a rival family of witches, two that the artifacts are hidden in who knows where in town, and three her very attractive new neighbor. Nola has a time limit, the clock is ticking and the enemy is getting closer.

Nola is such a fun character that is definitely overwhelmed with trying to keep a secret from her boyfriend, meet long lost relatives and accidentally ending up with two jobs. As always in Harpers books the humor is my favorite and Nola has some great one-liners and scenes. I loved her friendship with everyone she meets in town, especially her neighbor Jed. What frustrated me the most was she obviously wasn’t feeling that connection to her boyfriend; he doesn’t even like her family, I wanted her to see that this guy wasn’t for her a little sooner. But nonetheless I adored Nola as characters on a mission and her journey as she discovers more about herself and that her enemies may surprise her.

Jed was a unique character; I knew he was up to something and that he was a supernatural in some manner. This guy will surprise you in every way, I had know idea there was going to be such a shocker with his character. He always seems to catch Nola at some funny moments; of course she can’t seem to get this guy off her mind. The relationship between the two was paced well with lots of banter and chemistry that made me love this couples development.

Overall Harper does a fantastic job introducing characters into an already evolved town from another series. I didn’t feel that I needed to read the other series to understand because Nola was the focus. I loved every character, they all brought something special to the plot and of course humor. In the end I’ll definitely be coming back to this world and can’t wait to see what happens next with Nola and what new characters Harper introduces.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult novel with lots of humor, steamy moments and unforgettable characters. Fans of authors Katie MacAlister and Lynsay Sands will love this series.

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{Blog Tour} Review + Giveaway for Terra by Gretchen Powell

2013-05-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

Seeing Night Reviews is the next stop in the Terra Blog Tour for Gretchen Powell.

Terra by Gretchen Powell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Dystopian
THEME: Science Fiction, Romance
RECEIVED: Blog Tour
AUTHORS BLOG: Gretchen Powells' Site

BLURB:

A broken and desolate Earth. A young girl struggling to survive. A lost boy with a powerful secret.

A discovery that will change everything.
In the distant wake of a plague that has decimated the Earth's population, humanity is split in two: The rich and powerful live in skycities that float overhead, while those who remain on the ground have gathered in settlements strewn across a dying planet. Eighteen-year-old Terra Rhodon is a terrestrial--a denizen of the barren groundworld--who makes her living as a scav. Long abandoned by her father, her caregivers gone, Terra supports herself and her younger brother, Mica, by scouring the earth for discarded scraps and metals to recycle for profit. One day, while on a routine scavenging run, she discovers something that shocks her home settlement of Genesis X-16. When the value of her discovery is revealed, Terra's world is turned upside down.
Terra suddenly finds herself asking questions no one will answer. Her search for the truth leads her to Adam--a beguiling skydweller unlike any she has ever met. But Adam has secrets and a quest of his own, and with him by her side, the world Terra thought she knew begins to unravel. Soon her discoveries unearth a terrifying conspiracy that has the potential to shatter everything--a revelation that will test the bonds of loyalty, family, and love.

REVIEW:
Even with the heavy amount of dystopian novels that have come out recently I was excited to read Terra because it focuses on science fiction. The characters are easy to connect too, the plot has many surprises and the romance is sure to hook the readers.

Terra follows a young terrestrial girl named Terra; she is the sole provider for her and her brother Mica. Meaning she must put herself in danger each day to scavenge for anything that she collect to trade for money. But on one scavenge she discovers an unusual object that changes everything. Being apart of the poor people that live on earth she never seen much money until she trades in the object. With that she begins to ask questions, until she meets someone who has all the answers.

Terra fits the bill to most dystopian female protagonist, with her tough exterior and survival instincts. She is the main caretaker and will do anything to keep her brother safe. Taking on a role as the provider, it was interesting to see how she and her brother Mica interact. Their relationship is strong, even though he gives her a hard time at some moments. He’s only thirteen but extremely smart and knows that his sister is taking in a lot on her shoulders. She is someone who wants answers to everything, especially when collections day comes and she’s given more money than she could ever dream of for some scrap she found. Her questions lead her to danger and that where she meets Adam.

Adam is one big mystery; he’s also the most fascinating character and my favorite. He clashes with Terra a bit in the beginning, she slowly begins to trust him after he helps her a couple of times. I do have a pet peeve about characters relationships going from banter to insta-love; I wish it was paced a little more evenly to evolve. But nonetheless I loved their interactions and how Adams secret give her one heck of a wake up call. In the end the readers will find out how important Adam is and that Terra might be in a little over her head now that she’s met him.

Overall get ready for a science fiction thrill ride, the plot may have that dystopian aspect that sounds familiar, but the science fiction twist adds a punch to excite any reader. With mystery, romance, conspiracy, family love and great character development this is a story that I was glad to read. What I found interesting was how the rich and poor were divided by sky and land; it was original along with the plot that kept me reading in one sitting. The ending isn’t so much a cliffhanger as it’s a beginning to something big and exiting. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Terra, Mica and Adam.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult science fiction novel with some minor violence and kissing but overall a book for everyone. Fans of The Host by Stephenie Meyers and Taken by Erin Bowman will enjoy Terra by Gretchen Powell.

View all my reviews

About the Author
Half-Chinese and the daughter of a US diplomat, Gretchen Powell spent her childhood growing up in far-off places. She made it all the way to her mid-twenties whilst maintaining her deep-seated love for young adult novels, so she decided to write one of her own.

Her creative process involves copious amounts of Sour Patch Kids and sleeping fitfully. Her many interests include anything with polka dots, Harry Potter, and playing the ukulele.

When she isn't crafting devastated futuristic worlds and fiery heroines, Gretchen also writes a healthy living blog, entitled "Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen!"

She lives in Northern Virginia with her two adorable miniature schnauzers. They wear many sweaters.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK| GOODREADS |

WEBSITE/BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

GOODREADS | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Chapters 1 & 2 are available to read online

A signed copy of the book and three signed bookmarks to ONE WINNER.

The giveaway is US ONLY.

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{Blog Tour} Review of The Watcher by Lisa Voisin

2013-05-14T03:30:00.000-07:00

Seeing Night Reviews is the next stop in The Watcher blog tour for Lisa Voisin.

The Watcher by Lisa Voisin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Paranormal
THEME: Angels, Demons, Romance
RECEIVED: Author
AUTHORS BLOG: Lisa Voisins' Site

BLURB:

Millennia ago, he fell from heaven for her.
Can he face her without falling again?

Fascinated with ancient civilizations, seventeen-year-old Mia Crawford dreams of becoming an archaeologist. She also dreams of wings—soft and silent like snow—and somebody trying to steal them.

When a horrible creature appears out of thin air and attacks her, she knows Michael Fontaine is involved, though he claims to know nothing about it. Secretive and aloof, Michael evokes feelings in Mia that she doesn’t understand. Images of another time and place haunt her. She recognizes them—but not from any textbook.

In search of the truth, Mia discovers a past life of forbidden love, jealousy and revenge that tore an angel from Heaven and sent her to an early grave. Now that her soul has returned, does she have a chance at loving that angel again? Or will an age-old nemesis destroy them both?
Ancient history is only the beginning.

REVIEW:
I was thrilled to be asked to be apart of The Watcher tour; I’m always looking for new and exciting series in the paranormal genre, especially with some romance mixed in. The Watcher is filled with mystery, romance, and paranormal tidbits with angels and demons that will make the reader fly through the pages.

The Watcher follows Mia a young girl who is always on edge after a frightening incident and shadowy figures chased her in the woods. After seeing a mysterious boy in the woods after everything that happened, it surprised her even more to find out he attends her school. Mia can’t seem to get it out of her head that she’s met Michael before and the closer she gets to him the more dangerous her life becomes.

Mia was a little hard for me to connect too; these days I feel all the lead female characters are starting to sounds repetitive. She does get a bit whiney at times and unfortunately that’s one of my pet peeves. Mia faces many challenges and is trying to put the pieces together of how she knows Michael and why she’s drawn to him. I really enjoyed unfolding Mia’s past; there is so much about her character that will surprise the reader. I also liked that even though the story focused highly on her relationship with Michael she stayed a true friend to Heather and Fiona. Mia’s relationship with Michael is complicated but has so many sweet and insanely hot moments that the readers will be rooting for these two all the way through.

Michael I felt was the more complex character and the readers will definitely enjoy the history and unfolding mystery behind his presence. He’s the broody type at the beginning but slowly Mia peels back the wall and finds her way to get him to open up to her. I loved every scene with them together, even though it frustrated me with Michael pushing her away and sometimes I felt he really needed to explain more to her.

Voisin creates a well thought out angel and demon history, that ties both Mia and Michael together. Where Michael is a fallen who is trying to recover from his past mistakes, Mia is the one piece of the puzzle Michael can’t let go. It’s a story of forbidden love between and angel and human and a darkness that doesn’t want them to be happy.

Overall I enjoy The Watcher, each character is well developed with a detailed history that will shock the reader but creates an interesting twist in the plot. The villain is both intriguing and dangerous, actually one of my favorite characters in the book. He adds some fun and complications that will keep the readers guessing on just how bad he is. My only issue was that a lot happens in the last half of the book, where the first half was a bit slow; I wished it were a more even pace. But nonetheless I enjoyed the romance; plot twist, angel lore and a great start to a new series.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult paranormal novel that brings to life a unique angel love story. Fans of The Collector by Victoria Scott and the Hush Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick will enjoy The Watcher by Lisa Voisin.

View all my reviews

AUTHOR BIO:
A Canadian-born author, Lisa Voisin spent her childhood daydreaming and making up stories, but it was her love of reading and writing in her teens that drew her to Young Adult fiction.

A self-proclaimed coffee lover, Lisa can usually be found writing in a local café. When she's not writing, you'll find her meditating or hiking in the mountains to counteract the side effects of drinking too much caffeine!

Though she’s lived in several cities across Canada, she currently lives in Vancouver, B.C. with her fiancé and their two cats.

Find her: Twitter | Facebook | Website | Blog

Lisa Voisin and Inkspell Publishing are giving away print (US/Canada/UK) and eBook (INT) copies of The Watcher as well as this lovely angel wing necklace.

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{Spotlight of the Week} Q&A + Giveaway of Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

2013-05-13T09:17:00.000-07:00

This weeks spotlight of the week is Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness to celebrate the release of the paperback on may 28th. Check out the must read Q&A plus enter the giveaway!

A CONVERSATION WITH DEBORAH HARKNESS

Q: A Discovery of Witches debuted at # 2 on the New York Times bestseller list with publications following in 37 countries. What has been your reaction to the outpouring of love for A Discovery of Witches? Was it surprising how taken fans were with Diana and Matthew’s story?

A. It has been amazing—and a bit overwhelming. I was surprised by how quickly readers embraced two central characters who challenge our typical notion of what a heroine or hero should be. And I continue to be amazed whenever a new reader pops up, whether one in the US or somewhere like Finland or Japan—to tell me how much they enjoyed being caught up in Diana’s world.

Q: Last summer, Warner Brothers acquired screen rights to the trilogy, and David Auburn, the Pulitzer-Prize-winning writer of Proof, has been tapped to pen the screenplay. Are you looking forward to your novels being portrayed on the big screen? What are your favorite casting ideas that you’ve heard from friends and readers?

A. I was thrilled when Warner Brothers wanted to translate the All Souls trilogy from book to screen. At first I was reluctant about the whole idea of a movie, and it actually took me nearly two years to agree to let someone try. The team at Warner Brothers impressed me with their seriousness about the project and their commitment to the characters and story I was trying to tell. Their decision to go with David Auburn confirmed that my faith in them was not misplaced. As for the casting, I deliberately don’t say anything about that! I would hate for any actor or actress to be cast in one of these roles and feel that they didn’t have my total support. I will say, however, that many of my readers’ ideas involve actors who have already played a vampire and I would be very surprised if one of them were asked to be Matthew!

Q: SHADOW OF NIGHT opens on a scene in 1590s Elizabethan England featuring the famous School of Night, a group of historical figures believed to be friends, including Sir Walter Raleigh and playwright Christopher Marlowe. Why did you choose to feature these individuals, and can we expect Diana and Matthew to meet other famous figures from the past?

A. I wrote my master’s thesis on the imagery surrounding Elizabeth I during the last two decades of her reign. One of my main sources was the poem The Shadow of Night by George Chapman—a member of this circle of fascinating men—and that work is dedicated to a mysterious poet named Matthew Roydon about whom we know very little. When I was first thinking about how vampires moved in the world (and this was way back in the autumn of 2008 when I was just beginning A Discovery of Witches) I remembered Roydon and thought “that is the kind of identity a vampire would have, surrounded by interesting people but not the center of the action.” From that moment on I knew the second part of Diana and Matthew’s story would take place among the School of Night. And from a character standpoint, Walter Raleigh, Christopher Marlowe, George Chapman, and the other men associated with the group are irresistible. They were such significant, colorful presences in Elizabethan England.

Q: In SHADOW OF NIGHT, we learn more about the alchemical bonds between Diana and Matthew. In your day job, you are a professor of history and science at the University of Southern California and have focused on alchemy in your research. What aspects of this intersection between science and magic do you hope readers will pick up on while reading SHADOW OF NIGHT?

A. Whereas A Discovery of Witches focused on the literature and symbolism of alchemy, in Shadow of Night I’m able to explore some of the hands-on aspects of this ancient tradition. There is still plenty of symbolism for Diana to think about, but in this volume we go from abstractions and ideals to real transformation and change—which was always my intention with the series. Just as we get to know more about how Elizabethan men and women undertook alchemical experiments, we also get to see Matthew and Diana’s relationship undergo the metamorphosis from new love to something more.

Q: SHADOW OF NIGHT spans the globe, with London, France, and Prague as some of the locales. Did you travel to these destinations for your research?

A. I did. My historical research has been based in London for some time now, so I’ve spent long stretches of time living in the City of London—the oldest part of the metropolis—but I had never been to the Auvergne or Prague. I visited both places while writing the book, and in both cases it was a bit like traveling in time to walk village lanes, old pilgrim roads, and twisting city streets while imagining Diana and Matthew at my side.

Q: Did you have an idea or an outline for SHADOW OF NIGHT when you were writing A Discovery of Witches? Did the direction change once you sat down to write it?

A. I didn’t outline either book in the traditional sense. In both cases I knew what some of the high points were and how the plot moved towards the conclusion, but there were some significant changes during the revision process. This was especially true for SHADOW OF NIGHT, although most of those changes involved moving specific pieces of the plot forward or back to improve the momentum and flow.

Q: A Discovery of Witches begins with Diana Bishop stumbling across a lost, enchanted manuscript called Ashmole 782 in Oxford’s Bodleian Library, whose secrets Diana and Matthew are still trying to uncover in SHADOW OF NIGHT. You had a similar experience while you were completing your dissertation. What was the story behind your discovery? And how did it inspire the creation of these novels?

A. I did discover a manuscript—not an enchanted one, alas—in the Bodleian Library. It was a manuscript owned by Queen Elizabeth’s astrologer, the mathematician and alchemist John Dee. In the 1570s and 1580s he became interested in using a crystal ball to talk to angels. The angels gave him all kinds of instructions on how to manage his life at home, his work—they even told him to pack up his family and belongings and go to far-away Poland and Prague. In the conversations, Dee asked the angels about a mysterious book in his library called “the Book of Soyga” or “Aldaraia.” No one had ever been able to find it, even though many of Dee’s other books survive in libraries throughout the world. In the summer of 1994 I was spending time in Oxford between finishing my doctorate and starting my first job. It was a wonderfully creative time, since I had no deadlines to worry about and my dissertation on Dee’s angel conversations was complete. As with most discoveries, this discovery of a “lost” manuscript was entirely accidental. I was looking for something else in the Bodleian’s catalogue and in the upper corner of the page was a reference to a book called “Aldaraia.” I knew it couldn’t be Dee’s book, but I called it up anyway. And it turned out it WAS the book (or at least a copy of it). With the help of the Bodleian’s Keeper of Rare Books, I located another copy in the British Library.

Q: Are there other lost books like this in the world?

A. Absolutely! Entire books have been written about famous lost volumes—including works by Plato, Aristotle, and Shakespeare to name just a few. Libraries are full of such treasures, some of them unrecognized and others simply misfiled or mislabeled. And we find lost books outside of libraries, too. In January 2006, a completely unknown manuscript belonging to one of the 17th century’s most prominent scientists, Robert Hooke, was discovered when someone was having the contents of their house valued for auction. The manuscript included minutes of early Royal Society meetings that we presumed were lost forever.

Q: Unlike Twilight’s Bella and Edward—hormonal teenagers who meet in the halls of a high school—your leading characters Matthew and Diana are established academics who meet in the library of one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. This is a world where vampires and witches drink wine together, practice yoga and discuss philosophy. Are these characters based on something you found missing in the fantasy genre?

A. There are a lot of adults reading young adult books, and for good reason. Authors who specialize in the young adult market are writing original, compelling stories that can make even the most cynical grownups believe in magic. In writing A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES, I wanted to give adult readers a world no less magical, no less surprising and delightful, but one that included grown-up concerns and activities. These are not your children’s vampires and witches.

SHADOW OF NIGHT picks up exactly where A Discovery of Witches left off: Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont, a witch historian and vampire geneticist respectively, have timewalked to Elizabethan England on their hunt for a magical alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782—its sudden appearance and sudden disappearance have upended the delicately ordered world of magical creatures (witches, vampires, and daemons), threatening to unleash unprecedented metaphysical chaos.

LINKS: Web | Twitter | Facebook

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{Review} of Once by Dana Michelle Burnett

2013-05-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

Once by Dana Michelle Burnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Fantasy
THEME: Magic, Mystery
RECEIVED: Author
AUTHORS BLOG: Dana Michelle Burnetts' Site

BLURB:

Beautiful. Secretive. Magical. You envy their freedom, but you are distrustful of their ways. A strange carnival has come to Corydon, Indiana and the Irish Travellers have captured the small town's attention--but it's Harmony who's attracted theirs.

Harmony sees the Travellers everywhere and just like everyone else in town she's curious. But once she meets the mysterious and captivating Kieran, Harmony's life takes an exciting and chilling turn.

Up until now, Harmony never believed that fairy tales or myths were real, but Kieran and his family belong to an ancient tribe called the Tuatha de Dannan and someone else has discovered their secret.

An ancient battle is about to begin again, and now no one is safe, especially Harmony. Can Kieran resist the urge to be with her or will his feelings put her in the crossfire?

REVIEW:
Once is a quick read with a magical touch and romance that the readers will remember. This is the first book in the Gypsy Fairy Tale series, so there is no doubt that I can’t wait to read the next book after the ending left me wanting more.

Once follows Harmony a young woman who has just lost her grandmother and the only person left in her family. She takes over her grandmothers feed store in her small town and tries to move forward. But when the carnival comes to town, it not only brings light to her lonely life but Kieran the one man who changes her life forever.

Harmony has lost enough in her life and is easily intrigue by the carnival and the people apart of it. But she doesn’t know that she’s caught the eye of one of the performers. She is just a normal girl trying to keep her business, the only thing has left afloat. Harmony can’t help but fall for Kieran, the carnivals magician, who is keeping a big secret from her. I loved watching their romance grow and the mystery behind who Kieran is comes to light. Kieran is a character full of mystery and charm. The readers will easily be capitated by him and his fellow travelers. The town people themselves are great secondary characters, with the gossipers and stories they spread, add to Harmony’s intrigue.

This story I felt was more of a novella, with how quickly is moved through the plot. I wished it was a little bit longer, but the details and characters did get enough page time that I didn’t feel like it was rushed. Harmony’s character is put in a difficult situation and a war that is unknown to many, I feel this will be a great start to move into the next book. I don’t want to get into much more detail as I feel with the length of this book; I will give away too much. If you’re looking for romance, magic, mystery and characters that will grasp your interest right from the start, then this is the book for you.

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{Review} of The Mist-Torn Witches by Barb Hendee

2013-05-10T03:30:00.000-07:00

The Mist-Torn Witches by Barb Hendee
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Fantasy
THEME: Magic, Mystery, Adventure
RECEIVED: Publisher
AUTHORS BLOG: Barb Hendees' Site

BLURB:

In a small village in the nation of Droevinka, orphaned sisters Céline and Amelie Fawe scrape out a living selling herbal medicines in their apothecary shop. Céline earns additional money by posing as a seer and pretending to read people’s futures.

But they exist in a land of great noble houses, all vying for power, and when the sisters refuse the orders of a warlord prince, they must flee and are forced to depend on the warlord prince’s brother, Anton, for a temporary haven.

A series of bizarre deaths of pretty young girls are plaguing the village surrounding Prince Anton’s castle. He offers Céline and Amelie permanent protection if they can use their "skills" to find the killer.

With little choice, the sisters enter a world unknown to them — of fine gowns and banquets and advances from powerful men. Their survival depends on catching a murderer who appears to walk through walls and vanish without a trace — and the danger around them seems to grow with each passing night.

REVIEW:
This was my first book by Barb Hendee and definitely won’t be my last. The Mist- Torn Witches is her latest series that dives deep into a creatively mysterious fantasy world that was not only wonderfully written, but also brought to life many memorable characters to which I cant wait to follow in the next book. I love stories that surprise me by easily hooking me right at the start, before I knew it was was half way through the book and didn't want it to end.

The Mist-Torn Witches follows sisters Celine and Amelie from a young age of loosing their mother and learning to survive on their own. Celine follows in her mother’s footsteps as an Apothecary and so-called seer. Though her mother had the true gift, Celine pretends to be a seer to keep her sister and she afloat. But that is until one reading changes everything and Celine soon realizes she’s not pretending anymore.

Celine takes over her mothers Apothecary shop with her sister Amelie, they both have learned how to keep each other safe and stay away from trouble. Celine has a vision that changes everything. She is a go with what her gut/vision type of girl. I enjoyed watching Celines character mature, she has a lot to learn about herself and her gift. She isn’t perfect but she is follows the rules and tries to do what is best and help when she can. The only true person she trusts is her sister and their dynamic, and differences were so believable. For me having a sister myself I was able to connect to them both.

Amelie is the opposite of her sister; she is the more tomboyish one and always read to battle. Throughout the story she and her sister learn a lot about their mother and their family history, it was interesting to see how she connects to the magic and mystery behind their family. I liked how Amelie was never wanting to get all dressed up, she had the tougher attitude and she beat all the men in a game of cards.

There is a lot of magic and mystery, the plot take some interesting twists; the sisters must help a young prince who is surrounded by a darkness. There was action and spooky moments, I never knew who was behind all the terrible occurrences, but the sisters kept on helping until they could find out the truth. There are slight hints of romance; just attractions between the sisters and two men that I feel may get focused on in the next book. Hendee knows how to hook her readers with beautiful detailed settings, and. This could be read as a stand-alone since the story ends at a solid note and a great beginning to enter into the next book. After reading this in one sitting, I will gladly be continuing this series and look forward to reading more from Hendee.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a fantasy series that will allow you escape to another world while you read it. Fans of Robin LaFevers His Fair Assassin series and M.J. Scott’s The Half Light City series will love The-Mist Torn Witches series by Barb Hendee.

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{Book Blitz} Guest Post + Giveaway for Shucked by Megg Jensen

2013-05-09T03:30:00.000-07:00

Seeing Night Reviews is excited to spread the word about Shucked by Megg Jensen. A Young Adult Contemporary novel. Don't miss the guest post by Jensen and a giveaway.

The experts always say, “Write what you know.” That’s a tip I’ve largely ignored during my writing career. I mean, really, who wants to read about the things I know? My life is boring! That’s one of the big reasons I’ve always stuck with writing fantasy.

But Tabitha’s story in Shucked is really a reflection of what I know – because I grew up on a farm and went to school in a tiny farming community. I didn’t live with my grandparents or have a globetrotting archaeologist mom, but the flavor and lifestyle in Shucked is 100% authentic. It’s what I know and what I treasure most from my childhood.

In Shucked I wanted to convey the hilarious realities of farm life while mixing in the toughness that comes with growing up in a place where everyone knows everything about everyone else. There’s little privacy, but there is a whole lot of love.

And speaking of love…I wanted to give Tabitha an unusual, unexpected love interest. In the Midwest, you’ll occasionally find adoptees. They stick out because most people in small farming communities are whiter than bleached underwear. It’s not about prejudice, it’s usually just generations of the same families for hundreds of years. There isn’t much movement, or new blood, trickling into these communities.

Alex stands out to Tabitha. As a Korean adoptee, he looks completely different from every other boy in the school. Yet Tabitha, who grew up traveling around the world with her archaeologist mom, is used to guys who are exotic. Seeing him the first day school turns her attitude on its ear. She has a lot of expectations for what school will be like, mainly because her only exposure to American teens has been through reality TV. She finds out fast that while some of her expectations are completely wrong, unfortunately a few are true.

Tabitha has a lot to learn about life, American teens, and, especially, herself. Her layers are stripped away one by one as she learns to trust people. It’s not just because she’s new to attending school or hanging out with teens. Every kid goes through this process in one way or another while in high school. It’s part of the experience. Tabitha just happens to come from a totally different world of experience.

Shucked by Megg Jensen
Publication date: April 14th 2013
Genre: YA Contemporary

Synopsis:
Suburgatory meets Indiana Jones...on a farm

Fifteen-year-old Tabitha has had the kind of life that would impress even the greatest adventurers. She's escaped a croc attack in the Amazon, walked the length of the Great Wall of China, and earned a black belt in taekwondo in Korea. She owes her worldly experience to her mother's career in archaeology, but when her mother takes on a dangerous new assignment, Tabitha is devastated to learn she can't tag along.

Instead, she's forced to live on a midwestern farm with her grandparents where she'll have to attend a full year of public school. It's Tabitha's greatest nightmare, because despite all her adventures, she has no practical experience with the one thing that frightens her the most - other teenagers.

Her math teacher is her mom's old high school boyfriend, she can't tell the friendly girls from the mean ones, and she develops a major crush on a boy she knows she can't trust. And just when she thinks she'll never get the hang of this normal teenager thing, an attack brings the danger of her previous life right up to her midwestern porch. Who could have ever guessed getting totally shucked would bring her face-to-face with her most exciting adventure yet?

Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon/Kindle | Barnes & Noble/Nook | iBookstore/iPad | Kobo

AUTHOR BIO

I've been a freelance parenting journalist since 2003 and began writing YA novels in 2009. I co-run DarkSide Publishing, am a member of SCBWI, and I blog about writing while juggling freelancing, volunteering, and family life. I live in the Chicago suburbs with my husband, two kids, and our miniature schnauzer, Ace.

Author Links: Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

(1) ebook copy of Shucked (Mobi or ePub only) & 3 bookmarks

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{Book Tour} Review + Giveaway of Playing Hooky by Rita Webb

2013-05-08T04:30:00.000-07:00

Seeing Night Reviews is the next stop in the Playing Hooky blog tour for Rita Webb.

Playing Hooky by Rita Webb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: New Adult Fantasy
THEME: Romance, Magic
RECEIVED: Publisher
BLURB:

Valentine’s Day.

And my 21st birthday.

Whoop-de-doo.

Just another college day full of classes and more homework than is humanly possible.

…until Jason, my best-friend-since-kindergarten, shows up to take me out for the day.

Like old times: the two of us on a wacky adventure, playing hooky from real life. With his lopsided grin and tickets to a circus full of misfits and monsters, he introduces me to a whole new world—one full of magic and mystery—and turns my reality upside down.

Except nothing goes as planned, and we end up running through the city to find a missing siren before someone brews a love potion with her blood.

Sirens and love potions, witches and elves, and Valentine kisses. Nothing will be the same for me again.

REVIEW:
Playing Hooky follows Emma on her 21st birthday, as always she’s excited to spend this day with her best friend Jason on some sort of adventure. But Jason has a special day planned for her that she’ll likely never forget.

Emma is a typical college girl; she’s not perfect and seems to be the total opposite of her pretty and perfectly sweet sister. But her friend Jason, likes her for who she is. Which is rough around the edges and ready for adventures. Jason introduces her to what he’s grown up knowing is real, magic. Emma actually takes the news of his secret with stride and not as many questions as I would have. But I guess it might have to settle in a bit more.

Jason has been best friends with Emma since they were kids, always harboring a soft spot for her. On her birthday he wants to tell her one of his big secrets and introduces her to a world he’s tried to tell her about for forever. But things take a turn when a mystical creature goes missing and they set off looking for it. I loved how much he cared for Emma, they had some cute moments of chemistry and you can just see the sparks.

The hard part about this story is that since it’s a novella, the readers only get a sneak peak into this magical world. We do learn a little backstory about Jason and of course some great chemistry with Emma and him. Luckily this is only the beginning, as with this being a series, I can’t wait to find about more about Jason and this world he’s brought Emma too. I don’t want to say much more since it will spoil the story.

Overall this was a great introduction, I can’t wait to see more chemistry bloom with Emma and Jason, plus get more of a background story. There were a lot of unique characters introduced that I can already tell they’ll be coming back in the future books. We do get a very shocking villain and I so can’t wait to get more detail about that one. In the end a fast read with mystery, romance, magic, and a promising start to a new series.

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Playing Hooky by Rita Webb
Series: Paranormal Investigations #1
Publication: January 21st 2013
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella (100 pages)

GOODREADS | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

AUTHOR BIO
Leaving the house to go to school, I had schoolbooks spilling out of one hand, the other holding my place in a Nancy Drew novel, and bunny slippers still on my feet. My mom was a wee bit upset.

I haven't changed much. Still always have a book (or two) in my hand or creating stories in my head, and although I don't have any bunny slippers, I love writing in my jammies and snuggly slipper socks.

When I grow up (maybe a hundred years from now), I'd like to be a superhero, but for now, saving the day, one page at a time, suits me just fine.

With my husband TJ (my own cuddly werewolf), I home-school our three girls, who keep us busy with art, science projects, books to read, dance classes, and walks about the park.

Author Links:
Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

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{Review} of Bronze Gods by A.A. Aguirre

2013-05-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

Bronze Gods by A.A. Aguirre
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Urban Fantasy
THEME: Steampunk, Fae
RECEIVED: Publisher
AUTHORS BLOG: A.A. Aguirres' Site

BLURB:

Hy Breasil is grimmer than it used to be.

Before the Architect closed the door, there were regular crossings, and a great war decimated both humans and Ferishers. The native fae who refused to treat with the invaders faded; their bodies withered and died, stranding them as hungry, angry spirits that haunt the countryside.

That means there’s always trouble brewing in Dorstaad.

Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko work for the Criminal Investigation Department, keeping citizens safe from things that go bump in the night. He’s a hardboiled cynic with an uncanny sixth sense; she’s determined to justify her promotion as the first female detective in her division. Together, they’re trying to keep a black tide from drowning the city.

But when the second body surfaces, murdered with the same type of infernal device, the entire CID must face the truth. There’s a madman on the loose, twining magic and blood… and only Mikani and Ritsuko can unravel the intricate, lethal conspiracy before the Royale killer completes his macabre plan, unleashing old, forbidden magic on an unsuspecting populace. If the maniac succeeds, it could mean the end of everything…

REVIEW:
Aguirre has done it again! She has sucked me into another one of her creatively detail edworlds and two lead characters that carried so much spark. This is one heck of a mystery story with lots of steampunk elements mixed with some Fae folklore and magic.

Bronze Gods follows Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko, two CID inspectors who have been brought in on a missing persons case. But when the case take a turn for the worse and both inspectors began a hunt for a madman that has created an unusual machine that has now killed. With magic and chaos missed in they will stop at nothing until they catch this murder, even if it means they maybe come face to face with death.

Janus Mikani is one heck of a charmer with the ladies but also a fine inspector who has an unusual sense that helps him with cases. He’s definitely the act first aggressor, while his partner Ritsuko does all the logical thinking. His ability helps him see impressions and heightened sense while at crimes scene or when interviewing. It was an interesting dynamic with Mikani and Ritsuko, she is his number one supporter and always understands when he needed her.

Celeste Ritsuko is one smart girl who is trying to do a “mans” job. She is the calmer half in the duo, making sure to smooth things over when her partner steps on some toes along the way. Both of them are work alcoholics and determined to take down this murderer. I like how she becomes more independent the longer shes around Mikani, he makes her stronger and feel safe.

What I loved most about these two working together was that they really enjoy their work, they want to stop the bad guys, but they have such great respect for each other. The humor and sarcasm create such a fun dynamic between the two and some intensely great scene of chemistry. The possibility of romance is hinted, kind of like the television show Castle, its focused on and they both are trying to figure out their true feelings.

The folklore, the backstory is brought to life through dreams in each chapter. The main point is that ships with humans came to the land that was once ruled by the Ferishers aka Fae people. But a war came that needed to be stopped and the compromised was of a fae prince and human married. This created the Houses and those who have some Ferisher blood with unique abilities (Like Mikani).

Overall I loved this intense mystery, the steampunk is very lax and only focused on with the machine the murder created. I loved that the mystery took so many twist and turns, introducing many secondary characters that took the reader more into the Fae storyline. There is a lot of humor, romantic chemistry, fantastic mystery, and one heck of an ending. This of course is only the beginning of the series and some questions still need to be answered, I can’t wait to continue on the next mystery adventure with this entertaining duo.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is adult urban fantasy with lots of mystery; fans of Rachel Vincent’s Unbound series and Kim Harrison’s Hollow series will love Bronze Gods by A.A. Agurrie.

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{Spring Blog Carnival} Mythology Booth

2013-05-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Seeing Night Reviews and the Mythology Booth for the 2013 Spring Blog Carnival!

The carnival is hosted by the fabulous Angela from Reading Angel and Candace from Candace’s Book Blog. I have a great challenge for all you mythology readers!

Its simple and fun.

RULES:

There are 5 images below each square is a small piece of a mythology book cover all you have to do is name each book and your entered to win!

- Name of book only author not needed

- List number to go with title

-Answer in Rafflecopter

- USA/Canada: Print / International: ebook (1 winner)

What you win: The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test, #3)

345

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{Review} of Zenn Scarlett by Christian Schoon

2013-05-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Zenn Scarlett by Christian Schoon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Science Fiction
THEME: Aliens, Space
RECEIVED: Publisher
AUTHORS BLOG: Christian Schoons' Site

BLURB:

Zenn Scarlett is a resourceful, determined 17-year-old girl working hard to make it through her novice year of exovet training. That means she's learning to care for alien creatures that are mostly large, generally dangerous and profoundly fascinating. Zenn’s all-important end-of-term tests at the Ciscan Cloister Exovet Clinic on Mars are coming up, and, she's feeling confident of acing the exams. But when a series of inexplicable animal escapes and other disturbing events hit the school, Zenn finds herself being blamed for the problems. As if this isn't enough to deal with, her absent father has abruptly stopped communicating with her; Liam Tucker, a local towner boy, is acting unusually, annoyingly friendly; and, strangest of all: Zenn is worried she's started sharing the thoughts of the creatures around her. Which is impossible, of course. Nonetheless, she can't deny what she's feeling.

Now, with the help of Liam and Hamish, an eight-foot sentient insectoid also training at the clinic, Zenn must learn what's happened to her father, solve the mystery of who, if anyone, is sabotaging the cloister, and determine if she's actually sensing the consciousness of her alien patients... or just losing her mind. All without failing her novice year....

REVIEW:
It’s always great to find a young adult story that finally get’s away from the love triangles, vampires, werewolves, and fae plots. This is a science fiction story, the characters are living on a different planet and aliens are real! I read some other reviews on this book and I felt a lot of people just couldn’t understand or were too stuck in the paranormal world to get into a science fiction story. I really enjoyed Zenn Scarlett, the complex alien life forms, the strain in politics with humans and alien, and one girl being stuck in the middle of a conspiracy.

Zenn Scarlett follows Zenn a young girl who lives on Mars in one of the many colonies from earth. Following in her mothers foots steps she strives to become an exoveterinarian (an alien veterinarian). At the moment she is studying and hoping to pass all her test, but for some reason things aren’t going her way. Zenn starts to realize something is happening at the cloister (animal alien clinic), someone is targeting her home and mysterious disappearances with transport ships may be connected. Zenn is put right in the middle of it all.

Zenn is a determined and smart young girl who lost the one person whom she strives to be like. Her mother’s death took a toll on not only her but also her father. He leaves her uncle in charge of the cloister while he goes off on his own mission, leaving problems behind and Zenn worried. I felt for Zenn, the readers could feel her concern for her father and the problems in debt that the clinic has. She wants one thing to go right not only for her but for her uncle until her dad returns. Zenn’s character development is great even though she struggles with her test; she realizes something is happening to her. A connection to the alien animals that has hurt her testing and confused her, I hope we get more insight on this in the next book on why this ability is happening to her.

There are many colorful characters that go on this wild adventure of mystery with Zenn. A fellow student name Hamish who is an intelligent alien described to be an insect type alien. He becomes good friends with Zenn helping her with the many strange occurrences, also learning along with Zenn about taking care of alien animals, and how to be his own person. Then there is Liam a human that doesn’t understand the importance of alien animals like Zenn does. He has a lot to learn and makes plenty of mistakes, but Zenn is someone who helps teach him why to care about these creatures. I also sense a hint of a possible romance, which I’d love to see.

Overall Christian Schoon does a fantastic job creating unique and memorable alien creatures and beings. It will give you the sense of what life Zenn has grown up knowing. It makes me wonder how Schoon came up with the many alien creatures; they’re so detailed in where they are from, what they eat, their personalities, and the whole shebang. I do hope in the next book we get more details about Mars. I loved getting sucked onto planet Mars and taken on an adventure with Zenn, Hamish and Liam. I can’t wait to continue this journey especially after the suspenseful ending. I applaud Schoon for a great debut.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is young adult science fiction novel that will take you on a great adventure that’s out of this world, literally. Fans of the Unraveling series by Elizabeth Norris and The Host by Stephenie Meyers will love Zenn Scarlett by Christian Schoon.

View all my reviews

{Blog Tour} Character post for Zenn Scarlett by Christian Schoon

2013-05-05T11:23:00.003-07:00

Today on Seeing Night Reviews please welcome author Christian Schoon who gives us some insight on his lead character Zenn Scarlett in his upcoming novel. Stay tuned for my review tomorrow!

Hi and thanks to Kristen for signing on for Zenn’s blog tour and giving me the chance to stop by and talk a little about my heroine and her world.

Basically, as soon as Zenn Scarlett was old enough to understand the word “exoveterinarian,” she knew she’d become one someday. Her mother Mai was an exovet who did her training at the same Ciscan Cloister Exovet Clinic and school that Zenn has grown up in. So, from infancy, Zenn was surrounded by and on familiar, often friendly terms with a menagerie of exotic life forms brought to clinic from the dozen planets of the Local Systems Accord.

At 17, Zenn is already well along in her academic progression. In fact, as she starts her novice year of exovet training, she knows almost as much as a third-year exovet acolyte. This isn’t that surprising. Zenn’s uncle Otha Scarlett is the cloister’s director-abbot, and Zenn has accompanied both Otha and her mother Mai for many years as they made their daily round attending to the clinic’s patients. Lately, Otha has even allowed Zenn to assist him in surgeries and other treatment programs on some of the animals.

The cloister where Zenn spends all her time is situated in a two-mile-deep canyon on a colonized Mars, traces its roots back to ancient Earth’s medieval religious monasteries and other similar societal refuges from the “outside world.” And, while the Ciscan’s on Mars have evolved into a science-centered life style at the cloister, the compound is still organized along the old, Dark Age architectural lines. Within a thick, high mud-brick wall ringing the compound, are a scriptorium or library/study hall, a clerestory meeting hall, a refectory dining area and kitchen and so on. Added to this are the various infirmary and surgical theater buildings, huge open pens and enclosures and a string of nesting pools and treatment ponds for the various animal patients.

Currently, Zenn is neck-deep in her end-of-term tests. So, when she isn’t in her dorm room bent over v-films and holo-texts cramming for exams, she’s either trying to finish her endless list of chores around the cloister compound, or she’s running through the control panel layout of the in-soma pod, a streamlined, personal-sized medical vehicle that exovet’s use when doing internal exams or other work inside the largest patients. Yes, inside the patients. The exovet lies down in the pod, seals herself in, and then the huge animal is encouraged to swallow it. The exovet then travels through the creature’s interior to conduct whatever procedure is required. Most students would never even imagine doing an in-soma pod insertion until their fourth year. But, as I mentioned, Zenn is advanced well beyond her novice-second-order classification.

Another important fact about Zenn’s world: for the past two decades, Mars has been cut off from all contact with Earth, due to a total trade and communication embargo known as the Rift. Consequently, enrolment at the cloister school has dwindled until now, Zenn is the only remaining student. And, on top her being isolated physically, Zenn also finds herself separated from people outside the cloister in another way. Because of events in the distant past, most of the colonists on Mars, and on Earth for that matter, have a deep, profound suspicion of all alien life forms, both sentient and animal. So, the villagers in nearby Arsia City regard the animals housed at the clinic as “diseased, dangerous monsters.” By association, Zenn too is seen as a less-than-desirable life form that they’d just as soon ignore or avoid. And that makes it all the more baffling to Zenn when one of the towners, a boy named Liam Tucker, takes an interest in her. She really doesn’t quite know what to make of this. And besides, her logical, scientifically trained mind tells her she can’t afford to be distracted. Not when her all-important tests often place her and her animals in situations where a lack of focus can result in utter and irrevocable disaster.

So, that’s just the barest glimpse into Zenn’s world. And I didn’t even get why her mother and father are no longer in the picture. Or why her best friend is an eight-foot-tall, easy-going beetle-like insectoid named Hamish. Or how, lately, she’s become convinced that she’s periodically “sharing” the thoughts of some of her alien patients. And this, of course, cannot be. Zenn is a scientist. She knows there’s no evidence for ESP in humans or other sentient species. But something bizarre is happening to her. Or maybe all the stress of her novice year is just driving her a little crazy. Either way, it’s just one more thing she can’t allow to become a distraction.
If you’re curious to know more, I hope you’ll chose to come spend a little time on Mars with Zenn. We’ll leave the cloister gate unlocked for ya.

Christian Schoon Bio
Born in the American Midwest, Christian started his writing career in earnest as an in-house writer at the Walt Disney Company in Burbank, California. He then became a freelance writer working for various film, home video and animation studios in Los Angeles. After moving from LA to a farmstead in Iowa several years ago, he continues to freelance and also now helps re-hab wildlife and foster abused/neglected horses. He acquired his amateur-vet knowledge, and much of his inspiration for the Zenn Scarlett series of novels, as he learned about - and received an education from - these remarkable animals.

Pre-Order Zenn Scarlett on Amazon | Christian at Goodreads | Blog | Twitter | Publisher’s website

{Book Blast} for Demon Untamed (Shadow Quest #4) by Kiersten fay

2013-05-03T03:30:00.000-07:00

Seeing Night Reviews is happy to spread some book love to the Shadow Quest series by Kiersten Fay. Demon Untamed released last month as the 4th installment.

Below I have a special excerpt from Demon Untamed and if your new to the series which has romance, science fiction goodness and some paranormal touches then check out Fay's site (Click Here).

EXCERPT:

Ethan gazed down at the black haired female demon in his arms. He’d managed to catch her before the sedative had sent her crashing to the ground. Why he had even bothered? The wench had taken out four of his men and wounded three others.

Her horns still glowed with the fury her kind called the Edge. Amazing. He never could have imagined it would take a triple dose to subdue such a tiny thing.

He plucked free the two darts in her right arm and the one in her left hip.

He may have just tranqued her team for now, but that didn’t mean they were saved from death. That would depend if they were the ones the king had warned him of.

Before Ethan had set out on his mission to find the Faieara princesses, King Alastair informed him of the terrible fate that had befallen Princess Analia. Naturally, Ethan assumed these demons were the culprits. After all, he knew their kind to rejoice in barbarity.

But after hearing the way Princess Analia had yelled out her warning to the captain, Ethan now had doubts. There had been a desperate concern in her tone and Ethan’s magic had picked up on her strong protective intent.

Ethan looked over to where Princess Analia lay unconscious, draped over Sebastian’s body.

“Damn,” Ethan muttered, then yelled at his brood, “Whose dart was that!”

Ion stepped forward, jutting his chin. “It was mine.”

“Had I not ordered the princess be untouched? It will take days for the serum to leave her system!”

“I thought it best to take them all down and sort them out later. What does it matter if she sleeps a few days?”

It mattered greatly. Not only would he have a harder time smoothing things over with her, but he would have to wait to get to the king’s next instructions. He was sick of waiting.

“The problem with that sentence, Ion, is that you used ‘I’ and ‘thought.’ I am the leader, and I do the thinking.” Ion shrugged.

This wasn’t the first time Ion had challenged his authority, but it would be the last. Ethan would not risk the life of the princess now that he’d finally found her.

Ethan gently settled the female demon on the rough ground, then stood, drawing his sword. Ion pulled his blade as well, and other Denaloid backed away.

Ethan stood still, using his Faieara gift to anticipate Ion’s first strike. Ion’s swing was swiftly executed with well-trained arms, but Ethan simply stepped out of the way.

Ethan swiped his bade out so swiftly it left a ghostly trail behind as the metal slashed into Ion’s neck. Ion shoved his hand against the thick gash, but blood spurted from between his fingers. His gurgled gasps echoed off the bare cavern walls as he went to his knees. His sword fell to the ground in a clatter.

Ethan sheathed his sword and stepped away. He could quicken his foes death, but that was not the Denaloid way. They would wait for his last breath before celebrating the victor.

Ion’s torso dropped to the ground, and after a few moments more, choked on his last breath. The Denaloids erupted in cheers. Ethan’s second in command, Oxnel, came forward to drag Ion’s body out of sight.

Ethan faced his men. “Put the captain and his crew in a cell together. Do it quick. We have no idea how long the demons will remain under. Their metabolism is unique. My bet is they will be the first to wake.”

The Denaloids rushed to obey.

Ethan crossed the room toward Princess Analia. Her blond hair tumbled in waves over the dark ground. He pulled the dart from her shoulder and lifted her in his arms. Her hair fell aside to reveal one of her pointed ears, the only obvious Faieara trait.

For a moment he considered putting her in his bed while she recovered—respectfully, he would take the couch—but he had no doubt that when she regained consciousness she’d be disoriented and afraid and would most likely try to escape. And, if he and the king were correct in their assessment of her magic, she would need a special cell with a lock that her gift could not breech.

He disliked the idea of locking her up, especially considering what he knew of her past, but he would do what he could to make it as comfortable for her as possible.

Unbeknownst to her, their courtship had already started.

BLURB:
Demon Untamed takes readers on a sensual journey that weaves through the first three books in the Shadow Quest series.

Struggling to survive in an unforgiving universe, Ethan has sacrificed his life in pursuit of a single goal: Follow his king’s orders and save their people from the ravenous Kayadon overlords. For so long, he’s maintained his title and dark reputation as a notorious pirate to put into motion his king’s intricate plot. He thought of nothing else…until he met her—the fiery demon who tempts him like no other.

After witnessing her father’s brutal murder by the hand of pirates, Sonya has developed a special kind of hatred for their kind. When Ethan, otherwise known as the Pirate King, boards her ship and invades her space with his encompassing presence, she finds herself fighting to keep her distance. Yet she wonders if she even wants to—when he threatens to seduce her mind, body, soul…and most frightening of all, her heart.

Amazon buy link

Follow Friday {63} Give us a sneak! What are you reading?

2013-05-02T20:25:00.002-07:00

Question this week from Parajunkee and Allison Can Read.

How does this work? You follow a blog, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

Q: Give us a sneak! What are you reading? Tell us about a fun or fail scene in your current read.

I just started Bronze Gods by Ann Aguirre today, whom is one of my favorite authors.

This takes on steampunk, fae and magic with some very strong characters. So far I like the dynamic.

Janus is a ladies man who has a special gift connected to the fae and his partner Celeste is a proper but very observant woman who never leaves a rock unturned at a crime scene. My favorite scene is when they are looking over the room of their missing person case and Celeste knows when Janus is using his gift to look for any reading of something being off in the girls room. They work together with ease and find the smallest of clues working together.

What about you?

{Review} of Blood Shadows by Lindsay J. Pryor

2013-05-02T03:30:00.000-07:00

Blood Shadows by Lindsay J. Pryor
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Paranormal Romance
THEME: Vampires, Werewolves
RECEIVED: Author
AUTHORS BLOG: Lindsay Pryors' Site

BLURB:

For vengeance - would you trust a vampire?

For justice - could you betray your family?

For love - are you ready to question everything you believe in?

Gifted with the ability to read the shadows of 'third species' beings, Caitlin Parish is the Vampire Control Unit's most powerful agent. Despite that, her mission to hunt down Kane Malloy - a master vampire - comes with a death wish. Many have tried, but few have survived.

For Caitlin, tracking Kane is about more than just professional reputation. With her parents both mysteriously killed 7 years apart to the day, Caitlin knows that without Kane's help she is next.

She has four days to make a deal with the wicked, the irresistible, the treacherous Kane Malloy. The vampire who despises everything she stands for. Or die.

Blood Shadows is book one in the Blackthorn series, brought to you by Lindsay J. Pryor - a British Paranormal Romance author who writes dark, intense and passionate stories.

REVIEW:
I have to say I was not prepared for this story, nor can I believe that this was Pryor’s debut novel. Blood Shadows blew my mind not only because the characters were emotionally intense and complex, but also the plot was a perfectly carved creation that’s twist and suspense kept me speechless.

Blood Shadows follows Caitlin Parish, who works for an agency called the VCU. They keep the vampires in check and at this moment are trying to track down a master vampire known as Kane. Caitlin wants him not only because the agency does but also he may be the key into finding out what killed her parents. But getting close to someone like Kane isn’t going to be easy because he’s been waiting for her too.

Caitlin is an act first and thinks later type of girl, getting herself into some sticky situations and in trouble for not following orders. She is also someone who has constant shields up, not only for her having a special ability but with the lose of her family and the possibility of her having the same fate; she doesn’t open up. I loved the chemistry she has with Kane, she fights so hard to be this tough unbreakable person, but she’s so fragile and Kane slowly peels those layers. They had such an interesting dynamic and intense connection that scared them both. She also never backs down on her goal; she wants answers and will fight hard to get them with what time she has left.

Kane right off knows the agency is following him, he’s been waiting and mostly for Caitlin. He needs her as much as she needs him. He has a terrible reputation and is wanted for crimes of many innocent lives. Caitlin is special to him and pretty much has stalked him for some time. It was interesting reading about his character, finding out the real story behind his actions; he is just as emotional as Caitlin but takes matters into his own hands with a little force. I fell for this guy, even though he is not the sweet charming type, his rough demeanor makes him something special.

Overall this was one heck of a story, extremely detailed all though out. The plot is complex to a point where the author can do so much and keep her readers hooked for many books to come. There is of course romance, hot and heavy to the max, but it also gives the readers insight to these two broken characters. Blood Shadows has a lot of kick, action and gets down to the nitty-gritty of things. I highly recommend it, this isn’t your sweet romantic vampire book that your use to; this has one heck of a bite.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is a paranormal romance story that contains sexual content meant for a mature reader. Fans of Keri Lakes Soul Avenged and Jeaniene Frost’s Night Prince series will want to get their hands on Blood Shadows by Lindsay Pryor’s Blood Shadows.

View all my reviews

{Book Blast} for Hellhound by Kaylie Austen

2013-05-01T03:30:00.000-07:00

Hellhound
Author: Kaylie Austen
Print ISBN: 9781939865304
E-Book ISBN: 9781939865311
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Suspense
Release Date 05/01/2013
Buy Now
Description:

Selene is the Hellhound, a powerful and ruthless descendent of the Greek gods. She is bound by tradition and tied by bloodlines to lead her people against the mortals. Although she is arranged to marry Nathanial, she falls for Demetrius, the self-professed Black Angel, and things take a bitter twist. When she stumbles across the corpses of her father and Nathanial, all eyes move in on Demetrius. Selene must take the assignment to hunt down her accused lover. Facing the untrustworthy cerebral chamber, powerful shape-shifting sentinels, superhuman archers, and a deceitful Council, the Hellhound must work quickly to uncover the truth before she is forced to annihilate her lover.

About the Author

Kaylie Austen was born in India, and raised in Austin, Texas where she attended the University of Texas. Her multi-cultural upbringing fueled her desire for languages, cultures, and travel. Kaylie is perhaps best known for her sudden and infectious laugh. She enjoys anything science fiction and fantasy related, and writes in both genres for adults and young adults.

Kaylie began writing at the tender age of ten, and completed her first novel at the age of sixteen. Throughout her school years, her writing earned trophies, awards, publication in scholastic magazines, and scholarships. Kaylie currently lives in beautiful Washington State with an amazing husband. She loves to hear from readers, so feel free to contact her.

website | blog | twitter | facebook

Also World Castle Publishing is putting together a Blog Tour for HELLHOUND by Kaylie Austen. Digital ARC's will be provided to participants wanting to review Kaylie Austen. Click Here

{Review} of Immortal Eclipse by Sherry Soule

2013-04-30T03:30:00.000-07:00

Immortal Eclipse by Sherry Soule
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Paranormal
THEME: Romance, Immortal, Witches
RECEIVED: Author
AUTHORS BLOG: Sherry Soules' Site

BLURB:

A devoted fashionata and practical New Yorker, Skylar Blackwell doesn’t believe in the supernatural—until she inherits Summerwind Mansion. . . .

When her uncle is brutally murdered, and the cops seem uninterested in following up the case, Skylar journeys to California to seek answers. Her search for clues is soon overshadowed by haunting nightmares of a young woman also murdered in the house.

Now the inhabitants of Summerwind are mysteriously dying, leaving no evidence as to how or why, and Skylar finds herself in a deadly race against time to expose the killer—before they strike again.

The problem is . . . whoever it is may not be human.

Armed with only wit and Pradas, Skylar begins questioning the servants, but the growing list of suspects includes the sexy and brooding caretaker, Dorian, a man desperately trying to forget his tragic past. And a major distraction for Skylar.

Determined to play detective—instead of the fashion police—and unravel the dark history of the mansion, Skylar is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. As the boundaries between reality and dreams blur, Skylar’s greatest challenge is to stay alive long enough to learn the truth.

REVIEW:
After finishing this book I felt it reminded me so much of one my old favorite shows my dad and I use to watch called Dark Shadows (And I don’t mean that horrible remake). The twisted plot lines, the creepy mysterious characters, the confusing secrets and the romance. Soule created a unique storyline that was not only spooky but also had me trying to figure out which characters were innocent in all the unusual deaths that occur. I would say this novel felt like going back in time to the classic mystery horror stories that give you the chills.

Immortal Eclipse follows Skylar a young fashion photographer that seems to have hit a snag when it comes to her career. She decides to head to California after the loss of her favorite uncle who left her his estate. But with his mysterious death comes more questionable occurrences once she arrives. The staff is unusual and she doesn’t feel welcomed. She will stop at nothing to find out what happened to her uncle, but at what cost?

Skylar is an interesting character; she is portrayed as a fashionista type girl, who loves Photography. I really felt bad for this girl in the beginning with the many losses in her life; Soule created this lonely sad character that needed a little happiness. I liked her determination to unfold the mystery behind her uncle’s death, as the story moves forward I try to put the pieces together along with her. I did find it a bit hard to connect to her, the answers were in front of her constantly and she just ignored them. Plus the whole fashion obsession was a little too over detailed in the story, it could have been left out. Even though that part frustrated me, I still liked the mystery of what the real reason for her being there was. Which once you read it you’ll find out. Her family has an interesting history as well as the family that once lived at the estate.

Dorian is the tall dark and handsome guy with lots of charm, secrets and mood swings. He of course was my favorite; I figured out his character pretty quickly and enjoyed watching him frustrate the heck out of Skylar. I however wished he would of opened up a little more because I feel that the plot would of moved a little quicker. Ever scene with Skylar and him were great, I loved the chemistry and the banter.

Overall I feel the best part of this story was the creepy vibes of the estate. The details Soule illustrated with the spooky noises, unusual staff and overall just how mysterious everything was is what made me enjoy the plot. The side characters and villains will definitely creep up on the readers, each have an importance to the plot and I loved how it unfolded. The whole back-story was well done and everything came together in the end nicely.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult paranormal novel that you may need to leave the lights on when reading, as there are many scary bits that will sneak up on you. Fans of Dark Companion by Marta Acosta and Silence by Michele Sagara will enjoy Immortal Eclipse by Sherry Soule.

View all my reviews

{Cover Reveal} of Hope's Reign by Selina Fenech

2013-04-28T07:48:00.002-07:00

Here is the official cover reveal for Hope's Reign. What I love most about Selina Fenechs' novels in the series is that she does all the amazing cover designs and character illustrations. Amazing! What do you think?

Hope's Reign by Selina Fenech
Book 2 in the Memory's Wake Trilogy (Goodreads)

Release Date: May 10th
Book 1: Memory's Wake will be on sale the May 10th -28th

BLURB:
Everything is slipping away from Memory. The bond of friendship between her, Eloryn, Roen, and Will, that was formed while running for their lives is tearing. In a world that doesn’t feel like home, with a mind filled with nothing but questions, Memory struggles to be true to herself… whoever that is. When her past self starts haunting her, she knows her sanity could be the next thing she will lose.

{Blitz Tour} Excerpt + Giveaway for FOUND By Stacey Wallace Benefiel

2013-04-27T02:30:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Stacey Wallace Benefiel’s 3rd Indieversary, FOUND (Penny Black #1) is only 99cents April 20-27!

Amazon Barnes and Noble

From Stacey Wallace Benefiel, the author of the Zellie Wells trilogy, comes a new NA trilogy set in the Society world.

Penny Black hasn’t had it easy. Just about everything you’d expect to happen to a harassed foster-kid turned junkie has happened to Penny. Add in the mysterious power to rewind time, conducting events around her, and it’s a wonder she held up on the streets for so many years. Now, at seventeen, the New Society has found her. Finally, Penny is where she belongs. But that doesn’t stop the visions, or the need to protect the victims shown to her.

Wyatt Adams is excited and intrigued when his sister Melody assigns him to be Penny’s Lookout. Being the youngest, and hopelessly ordinary in the family that created the New Society, has left Wyatt feeling like he has a lot to prove -- and Penny is a big deal. She’s got abilities that surpass any he’s seen before…and pretty much every quality he looks for in a girlfriend, but no one needs to know about that, especially Penny.

*The Penny Black trilogy is a companion to the Zellie Wells trilogy and not a continuation of the series. (PBT is set 18 years in the future with a new cast of characters.)
*Due to language and sexuality, FOUND is recommended for older teens (Most of the characters are out of high school and preparing for college.)

Also available at: Kobo | Smashwords | Apple

Haven't read the Zellie Wells trilogy yet? Pick up all three novels together for $6.99 at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and iTunes. Or get the first novel, Glimpse, for FREE at all e-book retailers.

Excerpt:

The caseworker hoists my red hemp-fiber backpack out from underneath her desk and drops it at my feet. I stretch forward to pick it up and nearly wince at the pain that shoots up my side, but I hold back. I can’t go to the doctor. A doctor might have more time or obligation to care about me. A doctor might ask the right question, the one that makes me break down and blab about my dreams.

I get a hold on the worn straps of my pack and stand, slinging it on. Before I turn to walk out the door and go meet my supposed uncle, I reach back and feel for my knife in one of the side compartments. It’s there.

A man with dark hair who’s wearing a fitted black t-shirt and moss green trousers gets up from one of the chairs in the waiting area. He comes at me, his hand extended, his brown eyes trained on mine.

I should think he’s creepy. But I don’t. His palm hits my palm and then we’re shaking hands.

“The resemblance to her mother is remarkable,” he says to the caseworker, who nods back at him with stars in her eyes. “Well…” He hooks his left index finger under my chin and turns my face from side to side. “Her mother didn’t have all of these piercings or model her hairstyle after Emo Brite, but it’s there. In the eyes.”

This statement isn’t true. At all. I look more like my olive skinned, brown-eyed dad than my fair skinned, blue-eyed mother. The caseworker would’ve known that if she’d bothered to check my file and seen the two crime scene photos that have followed me no matter how hard I’ve tried to get away from them. Still, I don’t care. “Ready to go, Uncle…?”

“Christopher.” He places his hand on the back of my left arm and guides me toward the parking lot. “Thanks for all of your help,” he says over his shoulder to the caseworker.

“Anytime,” she practically purrs.

Uncy Christopher’s fingers tighten around my arm as we exit the juvie center. He’s not hurting me, but he’s definitely got a good grip. Panic flares in my chest. I twist away from him and swing my backpack off, going for my knife.

“Hold on,” he says in a soothing voice. “You can trust me, Penny, I promise. I’m like you.”

Like me how? I leave the knife in the side pocket. “You’re a seventeen-year-old girl?” I give him an exaggerated once over. “That sure is one hell of a believable ‘middle-aged-man-aging-gracefully’ get-up you’ve got going on there.”

“My car’s over here.” He takes my arm again and walks me to a silver two-door Toyota with Arkansas plates. Arkansas being the state I was living in prior to Virginia. The dreams plagued me something awful there.

“You’ve been looking for me,” I say. He lets go of me as the passenger side door slides open.

“Not just me, Penny. The New Society has been searching for you since you disappeared off our radar seven years ago.”

I toss my pack into the back seat and get into the car. I…don’t know why. I’m just not threatened by him or suspicious of him and that doesn’t ever happen. I’m a damn bueno judge of character. Eerily bueno. “I don’t have the first clue what you’re talking about, man. I think you’re going to have to spell it out for me. The New Society? Does that mean there’s an Old Society?” I joke.

My door slides shut and Christopher goes around the front of the car, climbing into the driver’s seat. He pushes the ignition button. “Actually, there is an old Society, but most of its members have made their home in Europe for the past eighteen years. We’re not affiliated with the other branches any longer.”

“Naturally.”

Christopher programs in our destination (the Sheraton by Dulles International) and puts the car in autodrive mode, presumably so he can focus less on driving and more on telling me WHAT THE FUCK IS UP. I’m not getting any bizarro vibes from him, but this whole scene, this whole New, Old, whatever-the-hell, Society deal is out there.

The car backs up, exits the parking lot, and enters the flow of traffic gracefully. We’re on our way. “I know you have a lot of questions. Perhaps a visual aid?” Christopher takes his Ret-Tech off of his head and hands it to me. “I assume you don’t have one of these?”

I give him a “duh” look and then strap the Ret-tech on. This is only the third time I’ve ever used one, and it takes me a second to remember how it all works.

“Be careful with your blinking, the New Society won’t spring for the latest model until the end of next month, so the commands are a little touchy.”

I close my left eye in order to steady the gaze of my right. “What am I looking for exactly?”

“Blink on the video icon.”

A clip appears on the microscreen, the text at the bottom reading Camera 58, Hwy. 66 with a scrolling digital timestamp next to it. 3:21, 3:22, 3:23.

Cars whizz by, semi-trucks, bio-buses, all headed into Washington DC. The traffic is light. Well, as light as traffic in a metro area can be. The highway is ten lanes wide and a clunky station wagon swerves from lane six into lane seven. This is familiar to me. I fist my right hand and push it against my stomach to keep from throwing up.

“My dream,” I whisper to Christopher.

AUTHOR BIO

Stacey Wallace Benefiel is the author of the Zellie Wells trilogy, FOUND, the Day of Sacrifice Omnibus, The Toilet Business - a collection of humorous essays, and multiple short stories. Look for her upcoming New Adult Contemporary Romance, CROSSING, Spring 2013. She sometimes goes by S.W. Benefiel or Reina Stowe, but knows she's not foolin' anybody. Stacey lives in an orange house in Beaverton, OR with her two kids and their old, smelly dog. When she's not writing, thinking about writing, or driving her kids somewhere, Stacey is at CrossFit lifting heavy things and cursing the inventor of burpees.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

(1) signed Zellie Wells trilogy e-card (Zellie Wells is companion to the Penny Black series and this card allows a download for the complete Zellie Wells trilogy). Open internationally.
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{Review} of Manhattan Ten series Temptress and Ivory by Lola Dodge

2013-04-26T03:30:00.000-07:00

Temptress by Lola Dodge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
GENRE: Fantasy
THEME: Superhero, Romance
RECEIVED: Author
AUTHOR BLOG: Lola Doges' Site

BLURB:

Kiss your powers goodbye.

Kidnapping a super-powered suspected felon from a Vegas bachelor party is another day at the office for Jenny Ray, alias Temptress. With one kiss, any naughty supe’s powers are hers. Except this time she’s caught by her mark’s boss, who’s no ordinary superhero.

It’s Thinktank, leader of the toughest hero crew around. One destroyed men’s room and near-toilet-drowning later, Jenny’s forced to steal an innocent hero’s powers.

For a super brain, Tank’s feeling pretty idiotic. First, he let Jenny close enough to get to him. Second, he’s helpless against the tide of desire that rises in him every time he kisses her. Which he’s doing a lot, since she’s trying to give him back his power—only it’s not working. As he shadows her on her various freelance casino security jobs, he realizes she’s no she-demon—she’s a time bomb. Her acquired powers are shredding her, body and soul.

As they give in to desire, a shadowy figure from Jenny’s past surfaces with a kidnapping plan of his own. Jenny will do anything—even level Las Vegas—to rescue the man she loves. But there may not be anything left of her when the dust settles.

Product Warnings
Contains high-stakes poker, high-end cocktails, and high-flying over Las Vegas skies. Never drink and fly!

REVIEW:
I finished Temptress book one in Manhattan Ten series in one sitting, I love superhero stories, and this short story focuses on strong female super who is actually the strongest character in the novella. As a comic book fan I loved stepping into this comic type setting. I decided to post both reviews in one post since they are both shorter stories.

Temptress follows Jenny known in the superhero world as Temptress; she has the ability to take powers from other supers. She is assigned a job with the local police trying to bring in one of the Manhattan ten heroes who is accused and has to be brought in to the authorities. But her job goes very wrong when she ends up stealing the powers of the leader known as Thinktank, who was innocent and trying to help his friend. Now they are stuck together until Jenny can find a way to give him back his powers while dealing with the problems in Sin City.

Jenny Ray aka “Temptress” was a bundle of spunk and seriously one strong girl. Her powers make her probably the most powerful super but it comes at a cost. She is also a normal girl at heart, someone who would rather stay in and relax. Her life seemed a little sad though as Thinktank (Jason) started to see how she was living. She uses her ability to help people but does seem to have a bit of a lonely life. In the end she’s a girl that wants to do the right thing, but gets stuck with some drama from her past along with her chemistry with Jason. The best part about her character is that even though her name is Temptress she only used that persona for her job and never really cared about being the “hot” girl, she’s just a real kind of girl.

Jason aka ThinkTank is my kind of superhero; I love the strong and mellow type of guys. He really is just a super good guy, looking out for his friends, being their leader, and not a playboy like the others. I enjoy the ever-growing chemistry with Jenny and how they worked together despite the lack of his powers. Even though he’s a hero he’s such a sweet guy, one that will cook you breakfast and look adorable doing it.

Overall I loved this superhero duo and the introduction to the members of the Manhattan Ten. We get some fun insight on the humorous personality of the other guys and their powers. The plot reels the reader into to one super action packed battles along with some mystery, humor and of course romance. I highly recommend this novella to readers needing something different than the usual vampire, werewolves and fae genre, this was such a fun and steamy read that I jumped right into the next book Ivory.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult novel with adult content meant for mature readers. Fans of Phenomenal Girl 5 by A.J. Menden and Holding out for a Hero anthology will love Temptress by Lola Dodge.

View all my reviews

Ivory by Lola Dodge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Fantasy
THEME: Superhero, Romance
RECEIVED: Author
AUTHORS BLOG: Lola Doges' Site

BLURB:

That cold day in hell? It’s here…

Manhattan Ten, Book 2

If Ivory’s fellow flight attendants whisper that she has ice in her veins, they’d be right. She’s spent years ruthlessly suppressing her dangerous ice powers, pretending she didn’t grow up wild on the tundra.

Her legendary coolness has held solid—until a crazed attacker snaps her composure, unleashing her ice beast and blowing her cover. And she’s not sure if the man who defuses the situation is any less dangerous.

When Panther’s trans-Atlantic catnap is interrupted by Ivory’s ice spear through his mark’s gut, he doesn’t hesitate to claim her as one of the Manhattan Ten. It’s the only way to shield her from prosecution. It doesn’t hurt that the Nordic beauty puts his inner cat on the prowl.

Panther tempts Ivory in every smoldering way, but to let him melt her resistance is a risk she can’t afford. But when her past rises up to claim her, Pan is caught in the crossfire…and the only way to save him is to let the beast claim her, body and soul.

Product Warnings
Contains one smoldering ice vixen and the sexy beast man who wants to get his claws all over her. Make sure your icemaker is in tip-top shape before reading. Mukluks optional

REVIEW:
I’m definitely in superhero mode after finishing book one of this series; I loved jumping right into Ivory, which has a unique female warrior superhero that is very different from the rest of the supers. This novella actually takes place before the first book Temptress and even though it’s book two I would say read Ivory first, but you can read both as a stand-alone.

Ivory follows Valdis aka Ivory who is just trying to make it through a hectic flight as an attendant, dealing with ventilation issues and angry passengers. Luckily she has a secret, her ability with ice helps cool off the passengers, but also catches the eye of Panther a superhero of the Manhattan Ten. After a serious incident on the flight, Panther brings her into the headquarters and tries to help her with control and keep her from running.

Ivory was such a different heroine, she reminded me a bit of Wonder Woman with her exotic background belong to a tribe. Her abilities were controlling ice and most of the time she never has control. It was great to follow a character with many flaws and seeing how she can cope with being around other superheroes like her. I loved watching the chemistry between Ivory and Panther start to evolve, they are such wild characters having tribal backgrounds. I feel Dodge did these two justice with pairing them up and creating such a fantastic dynamic and passion.

Panther is a lot like Ivory in the sense they are both hunters, as I said before “wild”. He has the ability to shift into a Panther. He is a big flirt and tries very hard to get Ivory to open up to him and also help her with control.

In the end I loved these two together, they were so very opposite but had such similar instincts that it was destined for them to connect. There is a lot of action and suspenseful scenes that it felt like I was reading one of my comic books. This is a quick read that doesn’t leave out details but gets right to the character plot twist and keeps the readers hooked with the steamy romance.

RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult novel with adult content meant for mature readers. Fans of Phenomenal Girl 5 by A.J. Menden and Holding out for a Hero anthology will love Ivory by Lola Dodge.

View all my reviews