tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18511781007660398722020-06-23T01:54:24.905-04:00SHORTIE SAYS...Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.comBlogger1248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-39501905772059617932020-06-10T00:00:00.000-04:002020-06-10T00:00:06.440-04:00Waiting on Wednesday - #31<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKSM_vC-d9g/Xt0QtexZI6I/AAAAAAAANmw/iJbZU7hsNz8WZu9YiiYT4o6vGRE4LtN2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/waitingonwed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="930" height="115" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKSM_vC-d9g/Xt0QtexZI6I/AAAAAAAANmw/iJbZU7hsNz8WZu9YiiYT4o6vGRE4LtN2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/waitingonwed.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--NuXueYoQq4/Xt0TW1zYNTI/AAAAAAAANm8/_ExGxklguyAVEh39weUrkCRfx8PzhdXhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/crush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--NuXueYoQq4/Xt0TW1zYNTI/AAAAAAAANm8/_ExGxklguyAVEh39weUrkCRfx8PzhdXhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/crush.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Crush by: Tracy Wolff</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Genre</u>: YA Fantasy<br /><u>Series</u>: Crave #2</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Publication</u>: September 29th, 2020 by Entangled: Teen</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Jaxon and Grace’s story continues in New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff’s captivating sequel to Crave. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m in the fight of my life. For my humanity. For Jaxon. And for the world I’ve only just begun to be a part of. I’m all in, even if saving the people I love means I risk losing myself forever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52778570-crush" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="41" data-original-width="130" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kw_-qgZItR4/UQtJZzg79kI/AAAAAAAAIpo/5T_AJcAAnucy8nwAXLWeZcVK54a0SNKaACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/AddtoGoodreads.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pre-order not yet available.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5SuWuKSvNN8/UUfTVztc-kI/AAAAAAAAJDw/ZBwI7wF9XtsLDfriA8BA6S_0zON5BMDogCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="425" height="27" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5SuWuKSvNN8/UUfTVztc-kI/AAAAAAAAJDw/ZBwI7wF9XtsLDfriA8BA6S_0zON5BMDogCPcBGAYYCw/s320/divider.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Other Books in the Series!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45892228-crave"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39vTaAQB4yg/Xt0VvHQnCRI/AAAAAAAANnI/3qiUgLE43VUgIJi0yk9smX135KgN1U_yACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/crave.jpg" width="133" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Click to add to Goodreads!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Buy a copy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1640638954/ref=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1640638954&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/crave-tracy-wolff/1132544792;jsessionid=CB72635535D64B3B5BCF6F7A60EC5458.prodny_store02-atgap10?ean=9781640638952&st=AFF&2sid=Goodreads,%20Inc_2227948_NA&sourceId=AFFGoodreads,%20Inc">B&N</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-20924161124422175742020-06-07T12:41:00.000-04:002020-06-07T12:41:50.220-04:00Review - Fable by: Adrienne Young<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BlVsKahVGFA/Xt0YilLXxvI/AAAAAAAANnU/CblntIyd15w1chP7V88NdNll_zUFxy99QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="309" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BlVsKahVGFA/Xt0YilLXxvI/AAAAAAAANnU/CblntIyd15w1chP7V88NdNll_zUFxy99QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/fable.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><b><i>Synopsis:</i></b> Welcome to a world made dangerous by the sea and by those who wish to profit from it. Where a young girl must find her place and her family while trying to survive in a world built for men.<br /><br />As the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home seventeen-year-old Fable has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father.<br /><br />But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn't who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they're going to stay alive. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aF2Arnarsfw/UUk2eg0dxTI/AAAAAAAAJFQ/frO7ACl-b3wp043mno6q_VI4Y55dcBqZwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="425" height="33" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aF2Arnarsfw/UUk2eg0dxTI/AAAAAAAAJFQ/frO7ACl-b3wp043mno6q_VI4Y55dcBqZwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/divider%2Breview.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Oh my gosh. This is the BEST book I have read this year, hands down. Adrienne Young weaves secrets, darkness, haunting moments, dangerous seas, and essentially glorified pirates all in one. <i>Fable</i> is fast-paced and vicious and I lived for every second.<br /><br />The world that<i> Fable</i> is set in is just so gritty. There’s really no other word for it. It is definitely a eat or get eaten type of world. I adored the islands, the sea, the trading, and everything in between. Yet at the same time, you have so much hope for Fable and our characters throughout the whole book. <br /><br />Adrienne Young also has the perfect way of weaving sexy tension without there being any action. There are so many read between the lines moments that just made my blood boil in the best way. I adored each and every character we meet, even the ones that you’re supposed to hate. They’re all developed so perfectly and meticulously into the story. <br /><br />I had a feeling the ending would be something like we got. I’m super curious, slightly devastated, and way too excited for <i>Namesake</i>. Adrienne crushed this novel and everyone should be pre-ordering this yesterday!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scTzc9nFHSg/UUkzxsLsAzI/AAAAAAAAJEo/2rwsxzUUaTw2aj7jRuFNM4K4-rVIFWnoQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/5splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scTzc9nFHSg/UUkzxsLsAzI/AAAAAAAAJEo/2rwsxzUUaTw2aj7jRuFNM4K4-rVIFWnoQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/5splats.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- 5 out 5 splatters - </i></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-1691365282170280542020-05-31T09:01:00.000-04:002020-05-31T09:01:11.864-04:00Crave by: Tracy Wolff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oy5q0JH8IyY/XtOpgUAt_ZI/AAAAAAAANmI/X22HKxj21EEJAYWotGRtGh2nXa4vT1tAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/crave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oy5q0JH8IyY/XtOpgUAt_ZI/AAAAAAAANmI/X22HKxj21EEJAYWotGRtGh2nXa4vT1tAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/crave.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><b><i>Synopsis:</i></b> My whole world changed when I stepped inside the academy. Nothing is right about this place or the other students in it. Here I am, a mere mortal among gods…or monsters. I still can’t decide which of these warring factions I belong to, if I belong at all. I only know the one thing that unites them is their hatred of me. <br /><br />Then there’s Jaxon Vega. A vampire with deadly secrets who hasn’t felt anything for a hundred years. But there’s something about him that calls to me, something broken in him that somehow fits with what’s broken in me. <br /><br />Which could spell death for us all. <br /><br />Because Jaxon walled himself off for a reason. And now someone wants to wake a sleeping monster, and I’m wondering if I was brought here intentionally—as the bait. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OHpwYtEg2A/XUMOdyAPMsI/AAAAAAAANYw/bPHPXuaJHJIfSR-opgBZAF3NXxDAe7uNgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OHpwYtEg2A/XUMOdyAPMsI/AAAAAAAANYw/bPHPXuaJHJIfSR-opgBZAF3NXxDAe7uNgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Such a fast-paced swoon-worthy paranormal read. <i>Crave</i> is a book you will definitely want to take a bite out of.<br /><br />Our main character, Grace, is shipped off to the middle of nowhere Alaska after her parents pass away in an accident. She’s excited for a fresh start in a new place, however everything at Katmere Academy seems not quite right. Plus the most unattainable guy can’t seem to stay away from saving her when trouble strikes. Grace needs to figure out what’s going on and quick, before she ends up like her parents. <br /><br />I really enjoyed this story and the characters we are introduced to. Grace is your average, insecure teen just trying to figure how to start over after the loss of her parents. Jaxon is our brooding bad-boy we all love. Plus you get characters like Macy, Mekhi, Flint who all make for a perfect round up of characters. <br /><br />The awesome thing about crave is you get a little taste of every paranormal “species”. I was so excited to see dragons thrown into the mix. I really hope in future books Tracy lets us see all the lore a bit more. <br /><br />Overall <i>Crave</i> was a delicious page-turner and I am super excited to get my hands on the next book.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkOS42JEih4/V5EYHbvY5cI/AAAAAAAAMzA/jh2FGO8un38-j9nVQN7EjA3slPicOELdgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/4splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkOS42JEih4/V5EYHbvY5cI/AAAAAAAAMzA/jh2FGO8un38-j9nVQN7EjA3slPicOELdgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/4splats.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- 4 out 5 splatters -</i></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-55636074166695073212020-05-31T08:52:00.000-04:002020-05-31T08:52:20.918-04:00The Burning Shadow by: Jennifer L. Armentrout<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9KIFCq1cjRg/XtOoNT_OY6I/AAAAAAAANl8/6JFbYvog2ZkiKQ_Itq85_QI425kC78X1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/tbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9KIFCq1cjRg/XtOoNT_OY6I/AAAAAAAANl8/6JFbYvog2ZkiKQ_Itq85_QI425kC78X1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/tbs.jpg" width="263" /></a><b><i>Synopsis:</i></b> When Evelyn Dasher crossed paths with Luc, she was thrown headfirst into the world of the Lux—only to discover that she was already far more involved in their world than she ever suspected.<br /><br />Because the Luxen aren’t the only ones with a hidden past. There’s a gap in Evie’s memory, lost months of her life and a lingering sense that something happened, something she can’t remember and nobody is willing to tell her. She needs to find out the truth about who she is—and who she was. But every answer she finds only brings up more questions.<br /><br />Her search for the truth brings her ever closer to Luc, the Origin at the center of it all. He’s powerful, arrogant, inhumanly beautiful, extremely dangerous…and possibly in love with her. But even as Evie falls for him, she can’t help but wonder if his attraction is to her, or to the memory of a girl who no longer exists. <br /><br />And all the while, a new threat looms: reports of a flu-like, fatal virus that the government insists is being spread by Luxen. A horrifying illness that changes whoever it touches, spreading panic across a country already at its breaking point. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OHpwYtEg2A/XUMOdyAPMsI/AAAAAAAANYw/bPHPXuaJHJIfSR-opgBZAF3NXxDAe7uNgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OHpwYtEg2A/XUMOdyAPMsI/AAAAAAAANYw/bPHPXuaJHJIfSR-opgBZAF3NXxDAe7uNgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Burning is an understatement. This book is full of ashes. Overall, another amazing ride from JLA.<br /><br />It is nice to see Luc and Evie growing together and getting some answers on what Evie is. Also, I must say Grayson intrigues me. I really want to know more about him and follow him into that snarky head of his. Hoping we see more of him.<br /><br />I hate to have to admit this but, I was somewhat disappointed in this installment. It hurts my soul a little to say that since I am such a Jennifer L. Armentrout fan. However, <i>The Burning Shadow</i> I felt like it built very slowly. Usually JLA is the type to hit the ground running, however I don’t think it really happened until about 50-60% of the way through the book. Also, I know cliffhangers are nothing new but this one just felt flat to me. Almost like if a movie cut off in the middle of a scene... it just didn’t feel “ended”. <br /><br />It still is a super enjoyable story. Plus, I still love Luc and Evie’s story and will be anxiously awaiting the next book in the series! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkOS42JEih4/V5EYHbvY5cI/AAAAAAAAMzA/jh2FGO8un38-j9nVQN7EjA3slPicOELdgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/4splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkOS42JEih4/V5EYHbvY5cI/AAAAAAAAMzA/jh2FGO8un38-j9nVQN7EjA3slPicOELdgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/4splats.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">- 4 out of 5 splatters - </div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-36314286105675756312020-05-30T21:52:00.000-04:002020-05-30T21:52:05.463-04:00The Shadow Wand by: Laurie Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D3Ju_g1COxs/XtMNbF5TDmI/AAAAAAAANlw/7iQEoLzHKtQMqHnrkYbWrm4vPdm3LDaywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/TSW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D3Ju_g1COxs/XtMNbF5TDmI/AAAAAAAANlw/7iQEoLzHKtQMqHnrkYbWrm4vPdm3LDaywCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/TSW.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><b><i>Synopsis: </i>HER WORLD-ALTERING SECRET CAN’T BE HIDDEN MUCH LONGER </b><br /><br />Elloren Gardner hides the most powerful secret in all Erthia—she is the Black Witch of Prophecy, and destined to triumph…or be used as the ultimate weapon of destruction. <br /><br />Separated from everyone she loves, isolated and hunted, Elloren must turn to the last person she can trust—her fastmate, Commander Lukas Grey. With the Mage forces of Gardneria poised to conquer all of Erthia, Elloren has no choice but to ally with Lukas and combine their power to keep herself out of the hands of Gardnerian leader Marcus Vogel…the holder of the all-consuming Shadow Wand. <br /><br />With just weeks to train to become a warrior, and no control over her magic, Elloren finds unexpected allies among those under orders to kill her. It’s time to step up. To fight back. And to forge onward through the most devastating loss yet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Nb-l-OjGuw/XPpWE24puUI/AAAAAAAANVo/7BiWx1KO95kPfwUwIjpq2Se5XLx8O-wCACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Nb-l-OjGuw/XPpWE24puUI/AAAAAAAANVo/7BiWx1KO95kPfwUwIjpq2Se5XLx8O-wCACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Man, oh man! This series just keeps getting better. This book was amazing. <i>The Shadow Wand</i> is darker, sexier, and even more magical. <br /><br />Elloren is finally starting to prove herself strong in this book. I’ve seen tremendous growth in her character and I adored every second of watching her come into herself. With our fellows, I have always been on the fence if I am team Lukas or team Yvan because they both have such great qualities and are very different. However, even though Lukas is more harsh I have always leaned towards him. Yep, this installment just solidified it for me. Do I still love Yvan? Oh absolutely. Do I love Lukas a bit more? Oh heck yes.<br /><br />Keeping with all of our amazing characters, we finally get to see some new faces and territories in this book. It was super exciting and awesome chapters to read... I really enjoyed these sections! At the same time, they build the story perfectly. <br /><br />Other than that, I am super happy to see all our main characters maturing more. In the first book most of our main characters were around 17-20 age wise and I felt they were a little naive. I’m happy to see so much growth. <br /><br />The fact that I have to wait a year for the fourth book, which the name changed and I LOVE it, will definitely be too long of a wait! There is definitely a cliff hanger at the end of <i>The Shadow Wand</i> and I cannot wait to see what happens next!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qc2RAhvI50Q/V4ELBXAgfTI/AAAAAAAAMxg/un1xfSLLi_UXjDbQSyryCsOZuXrDCiJxQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/5%2Bsplats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" height="78" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qc2RAhvI50Q/V4ELBXAgfTI/AAAAAAAAMxg/un1xfSLLi_UXjDbQSyryCsOZuXrDCiJxQCPcBGAYYCw/s400/5%2Bsplats.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>-5 out of 5 splatters -</i></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-18068484888781664042020-05-30T21:20:00.000-04:002020-05-30T21:20:54.665-04:00The Iron Flower by: Laurie Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyBA_BF9nMU/XtMGEfazMGI/AAAAAAAANlk/KjbYSUOfCusHwf0kUWyj4qbQDM3XiL0zwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/TIF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyBA_BF9nMU/XtMGEfazMGI/AAAAAAAANlk/KjbYSUOfCusHwf0kUWyj4qbQDM3XiL0zwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/TIF.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><b><i>Synopsis</i></b>: Elloren Gardner and her friends were only seeking to right a few wrongs, but their actions have propelled them straight into the ranks of the realm-wide Resistance against Gardnerian encroachment. As the Resistance struggles against the harsh rulings of High Priest Marcus Vogel and the Mage Council, Elloren begins to realize that none of the people she cares about will be safe if Gardneria seizes control of the Western Realm. <br /><br />With tensions heating up in Verpacia, more and more Gardnerian soldiers continue to descend upon the university…led by none other than Lukas Grey, now commander of the newly rebuilt Fourth Division base. Though Elloren tries to keep him at arm’s length, Lukas is determined to wandfast to her, convinced that she has inherited her grandmother’s magic—the prophesied power of the Black Witch. As his very nearness seems to awaken a destructive power inside her, Elloren finds it more and more difficult to believe that she’s truly powerless, as her uncle always claimed. <br /><br />Caught between her growing feelings for the rebellious Yvan Guriel and the seductive power offered by Lukas Grey, Elloren must find a way to stay true to what she knows is right and protect everyone she loves…even if that means protecting them from herself. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OHpwYtEg2A/XUMOdyAPMsI/AAAAAAAANYw/bPHPXuaJHJIfSR-opgBZAF3NXxDAe7uNgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OHpwYtEg2A/XUMOdyAPMsI/AAAAAAAANYw/bPHPXuaJHJIfSR-opgBZAF3NXxDAe7uNgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><i>The Iron Flower</i> is such a great second installment in the Black Witch series! So many things in <i>the Iron Flower</i> get even more intense, more heartbreaking, and more severe. Honestly... I loved it.<br /><br />Our main character, Elloren, really starts to see the world is not as simple as she once thought. She’s starting to see the dark parts and choosing a side in a fierce battle that we know is imminent. With our side characters, you really start to adore Yvan, the lupines, Wynter, Ariel and the whole gang. Watching all of them grow as a team makes the story even more close knit. We don’t see a ton of Lukas in this book, which as harsh as he is I found myself missing his presence.<br /><br />Speaking of the men, we finally start to get some swoon-worthy moments and I was living for it! The ending of this book was tough and heartbreaking and I cannot wait to see where our gang all ends up in <i>The Shadow Wand</i>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkOS42JEih4/V5EYHbvY5cI/AAAAAAAAMzA/jh2FGO8un38-j9nVQN7EjA3slPicOELdgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/4splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" height="78" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkOS42JEih4/V5EYHbvY5cI/AAAAAAAAMzA/jh2FGO8un38-j9nVQN7EjA3slPicOELdgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/4splats.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>- 4 out of 5 splatters -</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-20079299739323058352020-05-30T12:48:00.001-04:002020-05-30T12:48:25.931-04:00The Black Witch by: Laurie Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmJfvZ2qqC8/XtKOKBFyixI/AAAAAAAANlM/-DMNliE-n6oBVkJUcVea17zvrjIrOQzmACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/theblackwitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmJfvZ2qqC8/XtKOKBFyixI/AAAAAAAANlM/-DMNliE-n6oBVkJUcVea17zvrjIrOQzmACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/theblackwitch.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><i>Synopsis:</i></b> A new Black Witch will rise…her powers vast beyond imagining.<br /><br />Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last prophesied Black Witch, Carnissa Gardner, who drove back the enemy forces and saved the Gardnerian people during the Realm War. But while she is the absolute spitting image of her famous grandmother, Elloren is utterly devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else.<br /><br />When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at the prestigious Verpax University to embrace a destiny of her own, free from the shadow of her grandmother’s legacy. But she soon realizes that the university, which admits all manner of people—including the fire-wielding, winged Icarals, the sworn enemies of all Gardnerians—is a treacherous place for the granddaughter of the Black Witch.<br /><br />As evil looms on the horizon and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, everything Elloren thought she knew will be challenged and torn away. Her best hope of survival may be among the most unlikely band of rebels…if only she can find the courage to trust those she’s been taught to fear.</blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OHpwYtEg2A/XUMOdyAPMsI/AAAAAAAANYw/bPHPXuaJHJIfSR-opgBZAF3NXxDAe7uNgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OHpwYtEg2A/XUMOdyAPMsI/AAAAAAAANYw/bPHPXuaJHJIfSR-opgBZAF3NXxDAe7uNgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>The Black Witch</i> has so many amazing aspect to offer. The story has such creative world building, a fantastic journey to follow, romance, magic, and all of the names of the characters are unique. I may even be stealing some for a future baby... no, seriously.</div></div><br />I will say some moments during the story felt choppy to me. There are certain events that happen too fast or out of no where. I think in those spots I was looking for a bit more development of the scene or character. I also think there were moments where Elloren was a little too naive. I understand that she is learning a whole new world, but she is 17 and did not really act it in my opinion.<br /><br />On the other hand, Laurie does an amazing job of making you hate the villains. Their evil and rudeness just eats at your emotions. With our other characters, I adore the all the different types of “people” we get to meet. You see magic, dragons, werewolves, elves, plus many more and they all work very seamless into the story. It really makes your heart ache at the elaborate injustice created in this story.<br /><br />It’s definitely a story of a sheltered girl coming into her own and learning who she can be. I’m super excited to continue reading because this story is addicting and I need to know what happens next! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEwg9eFMHtQ/VrPkTj7DGvI/AAAAAAAAMlE/VeB10hPB_q8_O8dJRado1ch0blUjHMhHwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/4splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" height="78" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEwg9eFMHtQ/VrPkTj7DGvI/AAAAAAAAMlE/VeB10hPB_q8_O8dJRado1ch0blUjHMhHwCPcBGAYYCw/s400/4splats.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>- 4 out of 5 splatters - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-23553180782286414372019-08-01T12:10:00.000-04:002019-08-01T12:10:21.023-04:00Review - Storm and Fury by: Jennifer L. Armentrout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uzi_C2jzbFo/XUMOlNz_aMI/AAAAAAAANYs/_TENUTtU12IQW3BvjCKatA6yueaW4iscwCLcBGAs/s1600/storm%2Band%2Bfury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uzi_C2jzbFo/XUMOlNz_aMI/AAAAAAAANYs/_TENUTtU12IQW3BvjCKatA6yueaW4iscwCLcBGAs/s400/storm%2Band%2Bfury.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers.<br /><br />When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…</blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OHpwYtEg2A/XUMOdyAPMsI/AAAAAAAANYo/FZZWH2UhT6cAgzQ1d-vhrvJnZZY7w1irQCLcBGAs/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="320" height="33" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OHpwYtEg2A/XUMOdyAPMsI/AAAAAAAANYo/FZZWH2UhT6cAgzQ1d-vhrvJnZZY7w1irQCLcBGAs/s320/divider%2Breview.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>When I started reading <i>Storm and Fury</i> my best friend goes, “Man you love her” and OH man I really, really do. Jennifer L Armentrout never has a shortage on adventure, angst, romance, family and everything in between. This story is absolutely no exception and I loved every moment.<br /><br />Zayne is back and he is everything I expected and more. Even though in <i>The Dark Elements </i>series I was Team Roth, I am so excited to see Zayne. He is fierce, tough, loyal and I couldn’t get enough of him. Him and Trinity are literally one of the strongest duos out there and I adored watching their interactions... especially when Roth was involved.<br /><br />I am really excited to see where JLA takes this series as some things have definitely gotten complicated... and I couldn't love it any more! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv6B0v5NYW0/USGgadNlKRI/AAAAAAAAI0w/GcQ285mgoggBqmdu5RhmD_PBijax3EYxACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/4splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" height="62" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv6B0v5NYW0/USGgadNlKRI/AAAAAAAAI0w/GcQ285mgoggBqmdu5RhmD_PBijax3EYxACPcBGAYYCw/s320/4splats.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>- 4 out of 5 Splatters - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-66515781223488798592019-08-01T11:49:00.001-04:002019-08-01T11:49:29.345-04:00Review - Soul of the Sword by: Julie Kagawa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNgzNE18Pl0/XUMJ7vMAtwI/AAAAAAAANYc/oiExxQIhHbc7AIyApUlEIJP6mO70TkjMACLcBGAs/s1600/SotS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nNgzNE18Pl0/XUMJ7vMAtwI/AAAAAAAANYc/oiExxQIhHbc7AIyApUlEIJP6mO70TkjMACLcBGAs/s400/SotS.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><i>Synopsis: </i>One thousand years ago, a wish was made to the Harbinger of Change and a sword of rage and lightning was forged. Kamigoroshi. The Godslayer. It had one task: to seal away the powerful demon Hakaimono.<br /></b><b><br /></b><b>Now he has broken free.<br /></b><br />Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has one task: to take her piece of the ancient and powerful scroll to the Steel Feather temple in order to prevent the summoning of the Harbinger of Change, the great Kami Dragon who will grant one wish to whomever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. But she has a new enemy now. The demon Hakaimono, who for centuries was trapped in a cursed sword, has escaped and possessed the boy she thought would protect her, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan.<br /><br />Hakaimono has done the unthinkable and joined forces with the Master of Demons in order to break the curse of the sword and set himself free. To overthrow the empire and cover the land in darkness, they need one thing: the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. As the paths of Yumeko and the possessed Tatsumi cross once again, the entire empire will be thrown into chaos. </blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAQriZJUtKU/XUMJfOCSEjI/AAAAAAAANYU/z0KGvAsAGUMQQWE_SOMKZ6q8WPOCh7tdQCLcBGAs/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAQriZJUtKU/XUMJfOCSEjI/AAAAAAAANYU/z0KGvAsAGUMQQWE_SOMKZ6q8WPOCh7tdQCLcBGAs/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><i>Soul of the Sword</i> was even better than the first book in my opinion. Like the first one, it had a long journey and it was a fiery beast. I was so happy to see all of the characters we love back and growing stronger than before. <br /><br />I loved the character development we get to see in this second installment. I thought Yumeko still sounded very naive throughout most of the book. At the end she seems to grow immensely and I was happy to see it. Also, I was very happy with Tatsumi’s end-game in this. It was unexpected, but I’m super curious to see how it plays out in book three. <br /><br />We also get to see more of the world and empire which is always super fascinating. I loved getting to see more of the shadow clan and how mysterious and sneaky they actually are. I would even mind a spin-off of a character growing up in that clan. It would be dark and absolutely entrancing. <br /><br />Overall, I am SO happy with where this story is going. Julie Kagawa continues to slay the fantasy world, and I cannot wait to read the next installment!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv6B0v5NYW0/USGgadNlKRI/AAAAAAAAI0w/GcQ285mgoggBqmdu5RhmD_PBijax3EYxACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/4splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" height="62" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv6B0v5NYW0/USGgadNlKRI/AAAAAAAAI0w/GcQ285mgoggBqmdu5RhmD_PBijax3EYxACPcBGAYYCw/s320/4splats.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>- 4 out of 5 Splatters - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-44642012676959382132019-06-10T00:00:00.000-04:002019-06-10T00:00:12.495-04:00Review: A Dress for the Wicked by: Autumn Krause<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxguiJJIoCs/XPpcNCnx7bI/AAAAAAAANV8/CzIUJtQtf78vCuBCuYkqvTbCj2uY7ggEQCLcBGAs/s1600/adtw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxguiJJIoCs/XPpcNCnx7bI/AAAAAAAANV8/CzIUJtQtf78vCuBCuYkqvTbCj2uY7ggEQCLcBGAs/s400/adtw.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br /><br /><i><b><br /></b></i><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><b>Synopsis:</b></i> Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Shy in Avon-upon-Kynt. And for eighteen years, Emmaline Watkins has feared that her future held just that: nothing.<br /><br />But when the head of the most admired fashion house in the country opens her prestigious design competition to girls from outside the stylish capital city, Emmy’s dreams seem closer than they ever have before.<br /><br />As the first “country girl” to compete, Emmy knows she’ll encounter extra hurdles on her way to the top. But as she navigates the twisted world of high fashion she starts to wonder: will she be able to tailor herself to fit into this dark, corrupted race? And at what cost? </blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Nb-l-OjGuw/XPpWE24puUI/AAAAAAAANVo/24NtF6xNLRUpTeA4BxJKtoOPp0FfAjBkQCEwYBhgL/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="320" height="41" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Nb-l-OjGuw/XPpWE24puUI/AAAAAAAANVo/24NtF6xNLRUpTeA4BxJKtoOPp0FfAjBkQCEwYBhgL/s400/divider%2Breview.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i>A Dress for the Wicked</i> took fashion to a whole new and almost toxic level. I loved the premise and harshness of this beautiful world. It had an amazing mix of historical, competitiveness, dystopian, romance, and fantasy all mixed into one.<br /><br />The fact that an older world placed such an emphasis on fashion and beauty was refreshing. I adored this aspect of the world. These lady competitors are held to the upmost standards and actually respected for even making the competition. To be dressed by the best is all that seems to matter in this world, at least if you live in the city.<br /><br />The only thing I wanted more from was the romance aspect. I’m not sure if it needed more development or just that the two felt disconnected. I was happy that there was some present and Emmy had someone to interest her like Tristan but I just couldn't get fully engrossed in it. It somewhat felt forced.<br /><br />Overall, this was such an exciting read and so different from other stories I have read. <i>A Dress for the Wicked</i> really kept my interest throughout and I would highly recommend it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv6B0v5NYW0/USGgadNlKRI/AAAAAAAAI0w/GcQ285mgoggBqmdu5RhmD_PBijax3EYxACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/4splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" height="62" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv6B0v5NYW0/USGgadNlKRI/AAAAAAAAI0w/GcQ285mgoggBqmdu5RhmD_PBijax3EYxACPcBGAYYCw/s320/4splats.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>- 4 out of 5 Splatters -</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-28491825845446961332019-06-07T08:22:00.002-04:002019-06-07T08:22:56.017-04:00Review: Stay With Me by: J. Lynn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_X1nwFYHKvQ/XPpW7vNkQ7I/AAAAAAAANVw/Jt-LcyMVSHQcUYp1CW2iGg90TwD3txvGQCLcBGAs/s1600/stay%2Bwith%2Bme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_X1nwFYHKvQ/XPpW7vNkQ7I/AAAAAAAANVw/Jt-LcyMVSHQcUYp1CW2iGg90TwD3txvGQCLcBGAs/s400/stay%2Bwith%2Bme.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><b>Synopsis</b></i>: At 21, Calla hasn’t done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.<br /><br />But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she'd left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.<br /><br />Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn’t give them her mom. </blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Nb-l-OjGuw/XPpWE24puUI/AAAAAAAANVk/6kvwbXq3k28ziXl4qkipsjDjR4sut7KDwCLcBGAs/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="33" data-original-width="320" height="41" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Nb-l-OjGuw/XPpWE24puUI/AAAAAAAANVk/6kvwbXq3k28ziXl4qkipsjDjR4sut7KDwCLcBGAs/s400/divider%2Breview.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />J. Lynn (a.k.a. Jennifer L. Armentrout) never lets me down. Jax and Calla burn through every scene they’re in. They’re both absolutely electric together <br /><br />I’m not quite sure how JLA does it every time. She always seems to be able to wrap up intense, sexy, thrilling, and comical all into one amazing story. <i>Stay With Me </i>particularly had a lot of sexy and a lot of intense moments. <br /><br />The setting of this story also stole my heart a bit since she wrote about a town very close to where I live. Where I also have gotten to have dinner with the amazing Jennifer herself. To top that, she named Jax’s sister with my name. For those, I cannot thank her enough. Not only did this story blow me away, but I was so surprised to see all these details. It pretty much made my life. <br /><br />Like I said above, Jax and Calla are pretty much so hot they burn through the pages. Many moments had me biting my lip, or leaning my book away because of who might see the scandalous pages. Yet, I loved every argument, every sexy scene and every little laugh. <br /><br />This story did not let me down, and I cannot wait to devour more contemporary amazingness from J. Lynn.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsAVd6Uyf-k/U6oksZe2ZEI/AAAAAAAAMDc/ilViPwR53ogyKvnOd4r9aLLuH648qKywwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/5%2Bsplats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" height="62" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsAVd6Uyf-k/U6oksZe2ZEI/AAAAAAAAMDc/ilViPwR53ogyKvnOd4r9aLLuH648qKywwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/5%2Bsplats.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>- 5 out of 5 splatters -</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-78005360803350096882019-03-08T08:00:00.000-05:002019-03-08T08:16:26.291-05:00Blog Tour - SCALES - Excerpt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="155" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vj_722fDBWo/XIJkE4d-7lI/AAAAAAAANSg/aVflT9EMczAupUHPKilZPnT3BkoFDcpAwCLcBGAs/s400/SCALES.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Title:</b> SCALES (Spirits of Chaos, #1)</div><b>Author: </b>Nicole Conway<br /><b>Pub. Date</b>: March 5, 2019<br /><b>Publisher:</b> Owl Hollow Press<br /><b>Formats: </b>Paperback, eBook<br /><b>Pages:</b> 300<br /><br /><b>Synopsis: </b>When New York City faces the threat of an ancient evil, a teenage boy must use a magical bracelet to transform into a monster-slaying dragon superhero.<br /><br />Koji Owens is the new kid … again. As the only son of an Air Force F-16 pilot, he’s learned to adapt and survive every time they move. It’s not easy starting over with new friends and schools every two years, but when the Owens family makes their final move to New York, Koji finally has hope for a normal high school life—that is, until he finds a strange bracelet in his locker.<br /><br />Transformed into a storm-summoning dragon warrior, Koji finds himself caught up in a world of ancient powers, secret identities, and colossal monsters threatening to destroy his new home. But these awesome powers come with strings attached, and revealing his true identity could mean losing everything he loves. With his family and friends now in mortal danger and New York City in flames, Koji must find the courage to become the hero they need and face down an enemy hiding in plain sight.<br /><br />A comic-obsessed teenage misfit embraces his inner hero in this action-packed adventure that will leave you ready to get your scales on!<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7313d-YulQw/XIJlD76Ao_I/AAAAAAAANSs/KoJXrjTkUe0fZ-zqbfusbYuGc8TmnGgxgCLcBGAs/s1600/coollogo_com-7569818.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="350" height="135" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7313d-YulQw/XIJlD76Ao_I/AAAAAAAANSs/KoJXrjTkUe0fZ-zqbfusbYuGc8TmnGgxgCLcBGAs/s320/coollogo_com-7569818.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><center><div style="background-color: lightblue; color: black; font-family: sans-serif; height: 500px; overflow: auto; padding: 10px; width: 400px;">CHAPTER 1<br /><br />Ever had a bowl of cereal call you a loser? <br /><br />That’s how my day started. <br /><br />Sitting alone at a table in the hotel lounge, I stared down into my bowl of Alphabet Puffs. There it was, plain as day. L-O-S-E-R. The soggy cereal bits floated innocently in my milk, like none of this had been planned ahead of time. Talk about bad omens. <br /><br />I tried to ignore it. It was probably just a coincidence, right? I mean, who ever heard of divining the future out of a bowl of cereal? Cereal wasn’t going to ruin this day for me. <br /><br />“Morning, Koji,” my dad called across the lobby as he strolled through the revolving glass door. His outfit drew a strange look from the receptionist as he made his way over to join me at the table. He wore his standard, olive-green flight suit with matching green combat boots—the same uniform I’d seen him in since…well, as long as I could remember. Tucking his navy blue flight cap into the big pocket on the leg of his suit, he flashed me a quick grin as he sat down. “Got everything packed up?” <br /><br />I nodded to the two giant rolling suitcases next to my chair. “Yup. Ready to go.” <br /><br />“Excellent.” Dad sat back and yawned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “The traffic is murder out there. It’s going to take some getting used to. Good thing we’re close enough to your new school you can walk. It’ll take me an hour just to get to the university. And that’s on a good day.” <br /><br />“Did you see our new place?” <br /><br />He smiled again. “Sure did. I think you’ll like it. Your room has a great view. And, hey, no more sharing a bathroom. You’ve got your own this time.” <br /><br />“Sweet!” I sprang out of my chair and seized one of my rolling bags. “Let’s go.” <br /><br />Dad followed, chuckling and rolling my second bag. After checking out of the hotel, we made our way into the chilly, early morning air and caught a cab. It took a minute or two to cram my stuff into the trunk, but then we were on our way, headed for Yonkers, where our new life was supposed to begin. <br /><br />The streets of New York churned and buzzed with early morning activity as they slid past the back window of the cab. I caught a glimpse of the cabbie eyeing my dad curiously in the rearview mirror. Dad had been getting those kinds of looks basically since we stepped off the plane. Growing up as a military brat, I’d always seen Dad wear flight suits. It was the standard outfit he wore to work every day. In fact, it was weirder if he wasn’t wearing it. <br /><br />My dad flew F-16s for the majority of his twenty-year career in the Air Force. Basically, that meant two things. One, we moved a lot—more than ten times in all. And two, Dad worked nonstop. He’d always come straight from work to catch the end of my soccer or basketball games, to PTA meetings, or to pick me up from a friend’s house after school. He was usually late, but I didn’t mind it much. It wasn’t because he forgot or didn’t care. Dad worked hard to keep things going for us. <br /><br />But here, Dad had promised me things were going to be different. This was going to be his last post, his “twilight tour,” before he retired from the Air Force for good. As the Detachment Commander for the Air Force ROTC program at his alma mater, he was supposed to have a much less stressful schedule. That meant no more long night-flying weeks when we didn’t see each other because he couldn’t get home before three in the morning. No more weekends spent doing my homework in the squadron bar, eating a lunch of jalapeño popcorn and guzzling down Gatorade while he caught up on whatever mission he needed to plan to fly the next day. No more being babysat by my grandparents or living as an awkward houseguest with another family in the squadron while he went on TDY trips to Alaska or was deployed somewhere overseas. <br /><br />This was our chance to finally get comfortable, get into a routine that would last, and build a life that I wouldn’t have to say goodbye to in a few months. <br /><br />Not that my life had been the norm for a military kid. All I had to do was take a look around and see that things were… different for Dad and me. Nearly all of the other families in our squadrons had moms at home. They brought in food and fresh meals for everyone at the office, hosted big parties over the holidays, cooked delicious dinners, came to every school play and sporting event to cheer on their kids, and made sure the family landed on their feet after the chaos of every move. <br /><br />I didn’t have that. <br /><br />It wasn’t all bad though. And it’s not like I was bitter about any of it. This was the way things were, and I was comfortable with it. Sure, the moves were rough. We ate a lot of fast food, lived in hotel rooms until we found a good place to rent, and I had to overlook the few minutes here and there where Dad might come dashing in late because he’d gotten hung up at work again. I had to start over every time with a new school, new teachers, and try to build some semblance of a social life from scratch. But I knew Dad had always done the best he could on his own. We were a team. And things here were going to be different—that’s what he’d promised me. <br /><br />This time, there’d be no looming expectation of another painful goodbye when it was time to leave for the next base. <br /><br />This time, it was forever. <br /><br />It was six o’clock when our cab pulled up to the front of a narrow, red brick house with a big cement staircase out front. It stood on a quieter street traffic-wise, but there were still people strolling the sidewalks in both directions. Our new house was tall, narrow, and had three levels. A big, circular window looked out from the top floor. <br /><br />I unloaded the bags while Dad paid the driver. Then, together, we walked up the front steps and opened the door. It swung in slowly, creaking on rusty hinges. Inside, dim morning light trickled through the wood blinds. The air had a funky, stale smell, like no one had been in here in a long time. <br /><br />“Not bad for a rental, huh?” Dad said as he closed the door behind us. “There’s plenty of space. Kitchen and living room are down here. My room is on the second floor, yours is on top. There’s a little courtyard out back, too. Pretty cool, huh?” <br /><br />“Yeah,” I replied, peeking into the kitchen. <br /><br />It was pretty nice. Old but cozy. The dark floors were weathered, and little bits of plaster had chipped off some of the walls, but everything looked clean. At least, as much as I could see through our mess of stuff. Cardboard boxes were stacked from floor to ceiling in every room like giant, brown building blocks. The couch and both recliners still had plastic wrap around them. <br /><br />We had a lot of work to do. <br /><br />Dad rolled my suitcase to the base of the stairs. “I had them put your stuff up there for you and grabbed a few things from the supermarket around the corner.” He glanced down at his watch. “You’ve still got a few hours before school starts if you want to start settling in, but I need to get going.” <br /><br />“Right,” I recalled. “One-hour commute.” <br /><br />He groaned, his shoulders slumping and head rolling back with dread. “Anyway, you’ve got all the information for your school, right? Think you can handle it?” <br /><br />I nodded. <br /><br />Dad dropped a set of house keys into my hand, snagged an arm around my neck, and pulled me into a gruff hug. “Good. You watch out for yourself today, okay? This place isn’t like Arizona.” <br /><br />“No kidding. I haven’t seen a single cactus yet.” <br /><br />He was smirking when he let me go. “All right, I’m gone. Give me a call if you need anything. Oh, and lock up when you leave.” <br /><br />I waved a hand dismissively. “I’ve got this.” <br /><br />His expression softened and I caught a hint of sadness flickering in his eyes. “I know you do. Have a good first day, Koji.” <br /><br />“You too.” <br /><br />I waited until I heard him shut the front door before I let out a sigh. The bad cereal omen had me worried. It didn’t matter how many times I’d been the new kid—another new school filled with strangers was still daunting. And I always did something extraordinarily stupid on the first day that sealed my fate. It never failed. Sometimes it seemed like the universe was out to get me, although this was the first time it had taunted me by sending messages in my food. <br /><br />I gnawed the inside of my cheek as I climbed the stairs to my new room. A new school meant a new chance and a clean slate—which normally would have been a good thing. Not for me, though. Cereal omens aside, I didn’t need any extra help making myself look stupid in public. Whether it was tripping on stairs, falling out of busses, spilling mustard down my shirt, walking into the wrong classrooms, or going the whole day with my shirt on backwards, I had a long-standing track record of terrible first days. And this was my last chance, so I couldn’t afford to screw it up. Whatever impression I made here was going to stick. <br /><br />No pressure, right? <br /><br />My new room was at the very top of the stairs, just where Dad had said it would be. Long and narrow, the room’s far wall was dominated by the huge round window I had seen from outside. It had a pretty awesome view of the city. The place was bigger than my room in Arizona, which was nice, and the tiny bathroom across the hall was all mine too. <br /><br />The movers had already assembled my bed frame and plopped the mattress on it. My computer desk, rolling chair, and bookshelves sat against the opposite wall. Somehow the movers got the positioning just how I liked it, with the desk in the middle and the shelves on either side. Dad must have insisted on that. I still had plenty of leftover wall space to display my vintage Marvel posters and Gundam Wing wall scrolls. <br /><br />A grin wriggled across my lips as I cracked open the first two boxes, surveying all my pristinely wrapped collectable action figures. The other boxes held my comic books and graphic novels. As soon as school was over, I could start setting everything up. Visions of gaming grandeur danced in my head as I pictured my TV mounted on the wall right above my dresser. I could set up my consoles, display my inventory of classic and vintage games, and Dad could help me set up the surround sound. This place would feel like home in no time. <br /><br />Weaving my way through the towers of boxes labeled KOJI’S ROOM, I looked around for one that might have clothes in it. I used the house keys to cut open a few boxes and dug around to find a nice pair of jeans, a shirt that wasn’t too wrinkled, and my favorite navy blue canvas jacket. It all smelled like cardboard and packing paper, of course, but at least it was clean. <br /><br />The hot water in the shower took some finesse to figure out. The handles were ancient, and I couldn’t tell which one was hot or cold because the lettering had been rubbed away probably decades ago. The old pipes made weird groaning noises when I turned them on, and I got a few blasts of ice-cold water to the face before I got the balance of hot and cold right. With that trust bridge officially in embers, I made a mental note to test the temperature with my hand before getting in next time. <br /><br />I dried off with a beach towel since I couldn’t find the normal bath ones and hurried to get dressed. My favorite pair of black-and-white converse sneakers—the ones with my lucky Dragon Ball Z laces—was the perfect finishing touch to my “first day of school” ensemble. I wiped a few smudges off the toes before I went fishing through the boxes again to find my old school backpack. Lucky for me, it was in the second one I opened. <br /><br />I dropped the bag on my bed and double-checked to make sure I had everything I needed: a few blank notebooks, a calculator, pens, pencils, my wallet, a spare phone charger, a little cash just in case. That should get me through the first day. I zipped up all the pockets, grabbed my phone off the desk, and charged for the door at full steam. <br /><br />This was it, day one of my sophomore year, and there was no way I was going to screw it up. Look out New York: Koji Owens has arrived. <br /><br />I threw open my bedroom door and immediately tripped. My face met the hardwood floor with my backpack smacking me in the back of my head on the way down. For a few seconds I just lay there, asking myself if this was the cereal again. <br /><br />“No!” I declared and pushed myself up to my knees, whipping around to figure out what I’d tripped over. An uneven floorboard? A nail? One of my precious collectable action figures that had fallen out of a box? <br /><br />Nope. <br /><br />Dead center in my bedroom doorway, like someone placed it there for me to find, sat a little package about the size of my fist, tied up neatly in a purple handkerchief. A gift? Who would leave me something like this sitting on the floor? <br /><br />“Very funny, Dad!” I yelled down the stairs. “You could’ve just handed it to me!” <br /><br />No answer. Dad had already gone. There was no one else home. <br /><br />A tingly, nervous, swimming feeling rose in the pit of my stomach. It was a prank. It had to be. Dad had obviously snuck back into the house while I was in the shower and left it for me. I’d just missed it on my way back to my room. Right. That explained everything. <br /><br />Picking up the package, I tossed it into the top drawer of my desk to open when I got home. If today went anything like all my previous first days at a new school, I might need something to cheer me up later. Then I could give Dad a hard time about making me trip. <br /><br />I slid the drawer closed and bounded for the stairs, opting to slide the last few steps on the railing before I jogged for the door. <br /><br />* * * <br /><br />The front of Saint Bernard’s Catholic School appeared through the tapestry of modern buildings like an ancient monument to a bygone era. The high, Gothic-style towers, stone archways, and tall stained glass windows were a stark contrast to the sleek, urban area surrounding it. It was like something straight out of a superhero movie—an academy for gifted kids that could walk through walls and shoot lasers from their eyeballs. I expected to see a charming old guy in a wheelchair waiting just inside the door, ready to hand me a spandex suit and ask me what my secret superpower was. Somehow, I doubted cereal divination counted. <br /><br />I hesitated on the curb across the street, watching as a bunch of other high school students about my age wearing gray-and-red uniforms filed up the steps and through the front doors. <br /><br />My mouth scrunched. Dad hadn’t said anything about uniforms. <br /><br />Actually, he hadn’t said much about this place at all. Only that it was supposed to be a really good school and I was lucky to have gotten in with my grades. Dad grew up in New Jersey, not far from here, so he knew a few of the admissions council members from when he was in college. <br /><br />A couple of guys dressed in the school’s uniform walked past close enough to get a good look at my future attire. Pleated slacks? A blazer? They carried the same bags and even had their hair parted and combed in the same exact style. Freaky. <br /><br />I swallowed hard. Was I joining a cult? My sweaty hands curled into fists. Whatever happened, I had to stay positive. This was going to work. It had to. <br /><br />I took a deep breath and started toward the front steps. <br /><br />A loud, scraping crash behind me made me come to a flinching halt. I turned back, staring down at a girl who’d just tumbled onto the sidewalk from the backseat of a slick black sedan. She wore the same red-and-gray uniform, and a big, oddly shaped case lay on the ground next to her. <br /><br />“Hey, are you okay?” I immediately stepped over and offered a hand to help her back up. “That looks kinda heavy. Need any help?” <br /><br />The girl blinked up at me in surprise. The second our eyes met, my heart started racing like I’d been electrocuted. She was gorgeous. Lengths of thick golden blond hair fell down her back in loose, shining curls, and her wide, upturned eyes were a dark, stunning shade of bluish green. She was like something cut straight out of a magazine—almost too flawless to be real. <br /><br />She hesitantly put her small, slender hand in mine and let me help her to her feet. While she stood there, dusting off her pleated gray skirt and examining a fresh tear in one of her stockings, I darted over to grab the huge, hard plastic instrument case. <br /><br />“I can manage it—really, you don’t have to do that,” she protested and leaned in to try to stop me. Her hand brushed mine again. <br /><br />My throat went dry. Had she felt that? Our hands touching for just a moment? <br /><br />I stared at her, trying to remember how to talk while my face flushed like someone had lit my hair on fire. Alarm bells screamed in my head. I had to say something—now! Before it was too late. Something cool, something suave… <br /><br />“A-are you sure? I really don’t mind,” I croaked. Okay, not my best line, but at least it wasn’t embarrassing. Progress! <br /><br />She studied me for a moment, those enchanting, catlike eyes darting over my features like she was trying to read my thoughts. Then I saw the corner of her mouth twitch with a brief, faint, but glorious smile. “Okay. If you insist.” <br /><br />“No problem. I was, uh, just on my way inside, too. Lead the way.” I grabbed the case and started lugging it along, following her up the stairs and into the school. <br /><br />“I’ve never seen you around before. Is this your first day?” She flicked those dazzling sea-green eyes back at me again, taking another hard look at my clothes. <br /><br />“Uh, yeah. Actually it is.” <br /><br />She opened the door to let me by first. “Welcome to Saint Bernard’s, then.” <br /><br />The school’s main hall was unbelievable. My eyes roamed the domed glass ceilings, marble floors, shiny fixtures, and sloping, red-carpeted stairs, and I slowly set her case down just inside the door so I could take it in. It was like a scene from a Victorian era film. Everything was so elegant and steeped in a sense of elegant antiquity. Basically, the last place in the world a guy like me should be going to school. <br /><br />Seriously, what was I doing here? Dad was out of his mind if he thought I would ever fit in at a school like this. <br /><br />I was so busy turning in circles, my jaw still slack as I took it all in, that I didn’t notice the group of students watching me. That is, until one of them giggled. I stopped short, almost crashing into the golden-haired girl who had paused to watch me gaping. Embarrassing. <br /><br />“You’re late.” A short, sprightly looking girl swaggered up to us with a coy smile playing over her features. Her auburn red hair was arranged into long, silky smooth pigtails, and her light brown eyes glittered with a few flecks of gold. “What happened? I thought you were going to let me copy your notes.” <br /><br />The blond girl beside me ducked her head slightly. “I’m sorry. Mom and I were…” Her brow furrowed slightly as she stole a peek at me out of the corner of her eye. “It doesn’t matter.” <br /><br />The redhead nudged my new acquaintance and tipped her chin in my direction. “Claire, who’s this? A friend of yours?” <br /><br />Claire—so that was her name. <br /><br />She blushed and shook her head, making her golden curls swish. “No. I mean, we only just met. He’s new.” <br /><br />“So I see.” The redhead gave a sly little smirk as her eyes traveled down to my sneakers. “Nice shoelaces.” <br /><br />Somehow, I got the impression that wasn’t really a compliment. <br /><br />“Thanks,” I answered anyway. <br /><br />“You should probably go to the main office and let them know you’re here,” the blonde suggested quickly. When she reached for the handle on case, her hand brushed mine again and I got a warm, tingling feeling in the pit of my stomach. Had she done that on purpose? No—surely not. <br /><br />“I can handle it from here,” she added quietly, avoiding my gaze. “Thank you very much for your help. The main office is down that hall and to the left.” <br /><br />I opened my mouth to reply, maybe offer my name and ask for hers, but she was gone with her redheaded friend before I could get a word out. I watched them walk away and join another group of students like I didn’t even exist. The redheaded girl’s laughter echoed around the room as they climbed the stairs and disappeared. No one looked back. <br /><br />Well, so much for that. <br /><br />I stuffed my hands into my pockets and followed her directions until I found the office where the headmaster’s secretary sat behind a claw-footed mahogany desk. She peered at me over the rim of her narrow reading glasses as I walked in. Once again, I got the full-body scan—like they’d never seen someone in street clothes before. She also seemed to take a similar interest in my shoelaces. <br /><br />I blushed and looked down at the floor. “Uh, hey. I’m supposed to be starting today. I’m Koji Owens.” <br /><br />The secretary stood and waved me over to her desk. “Yes, we were expecting you. Right this way. The headmaster would like a word with you. When you’re finished, I’ll have your materials ready and you can go get fitted for your uniforms.” She guided me to a door at the back of the room and opened it, standing by with what seemed to be a forced smile. <br /><br />I hesitated, staring at the gold placard hanging on door that said HEADMASTER in gold letters. <br /><br />“You’ll be just fine.” The secretary’s brow arched, as though she could sense my apprehension and wanted me to hurry up. “This meeting is routine. We are a small school, and Headmaster Ignatius likes to go over our rules and policies with new students personally.” <br /><br />“O-okay.” That didn’t sound so bad. I managed to smile back at her before I went in. <br /><br />The secretary shut the door behind me, and suddenly I was alone in a dimly lit office. Heavy shades covered the bay windows on the far side of the room, grand bookcases arranged with leather-bound tomes lined the walls, and polished wood plaques, awards, statuettes, and weird little figurines under glass cases were displayed throughout the room. A few of them looked like the kinds of old artifacts you’d see in a museum. Some of them even looked like they might be Egyptian, not that I was an expert. <br /><br />Behind another big claw-footed desk sat a stiff-looking man in a tailored suit and tie. The clear block of glass on the edge of his desk had the name GERARD IGNATIUS engraved on it in swirling letters. He was probably around my dad’s age, but his cold, severe expression made him seem much older—like his features had been chiseled out of stone. His dark eyes glittered in the gloom as he scanned me from head to toe, finishing with disapproving snort. I guess he had noticed my shoelaces, too. <br /><br />“Mr. Owens, I presume?” He beckoned for me to sit in the chair directly across from his. <br /><br />The expensive leather squeaked as I sank into it. “Yes, sir.” <br /><br />He opened a thick dark red folder with a golden crest leafed onto the front and studied its contents with a pursed lip. “I understand your father is a colonel in the Air Force?” <br /><br />“Yes, sir,” I repeated. <br /><br />“Average grades at a public high school. Below average scores on your placement tests. Average IQ, average SAT score, below-average athletic ability. Hmm,” Headmaster Ignatius murmured as he flipped through the pages. Pausing, he looked up with narrowed eyes. “Your father has quite a few friends on the admissions board, I understand. That is the only reason I can logically use to justify your presence here.” <br /><br />My palms started to sweat. <br /><br />The headmaster shut the folder and placed his hands on top of it. “Let me be clear: this school is not a joke. Not to me, and not to any of the students or teachers. There are expectations for your conduct and performance, and regardless of who your father knows, you’ll be expected to meet those expectations.” <br /><br />“Y-yes, sir.” <br /><br />“You will arrive every morning on time, no exceptions, unless you have a doctor’s excuse in hand. Even on those absent days, you’ll be responsible for making up whatever work you miss. We enforce a strict dress code and infractions will not be tolerated. No jewelry apart from a modest wristwatch or conservative religious medals is allowed. No absurd hair colors or styles. Only black dress shoes are permitted; absolutely no sneakers or tennis shoes.” He paused there, as though making a point about my footwear choice today. “You’ll be given four sets of uniforms, which are to be clean, properly ironed, and without any tears or stains. These uniforms are to be worn whenever you are on school property or attending a school-related event. There are no exceptions unless another faculty member or I give you explicit permission.” <br /><br />I was starting to wonder if I should be writing any of this down. <br /><br />“You’ll be issued a bag to carry your things in. Please have it monogrammed with your name in gold as soon as possible. Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be left in your locker during school hours. We have a firm policy on this. The first time you’re found using a phone in class, it will be confiscated and returned only after you’ve served an hour of detention. The second time will result in a meeting with your father. The third time will be suspension. Do you understand?” <br /><br />I swallowed hard. “Yes, I understand.” <br /><br />“Excellent. It goes without saying, Mr. Owens, that we are one of the finest private high schools in the country, and we intend to keep it that way. I expect you to behave like a mature, mentally competent individual.” The headmaster pulled a piece of paper out of his desk drawer, folded it crisply in half, and handed it over to me. “This is your class schedule. You’ll be required to take at least one elective class of your choosing per semester. Be aware that some of these classes also hold meetings or require practice sessions that take place outside normal school hours, and you will be expected to attend. You have until the end of the day to decide your elective. Once you’ve chosen, come back and let my secretary know.” <br /><br />I glanced at the schedule quickly. Geometry, Chemistry, Economics…it all looked pretty standard. That is, until I spotted elective stuff near the bottom of the page. Fencing? Debate Team? Chess Club? Ballroom dancing? Robotics Club? Tennis? <br /><br />“You are fairly tall for your age—perhaps you would perform well on the swim team,” the headmaster suggested. <br /><br />I folded up the paper again and tucked it in my coat pocket. “Oh, uh, actually I can’t swim.” <br /><br />He raised an eyebrow. “Not at all?” <br /><br />“No, sorry.” I chewed on the inside of my cheek. <br /><br />Luckily, he didn’t seem to care enough to ask why. “Well, there are plenty of other options for you to choose from.” <br /><br />I assumed that was it and the meeting was over. But when I started to get up, the headmaster spoke again. “I understand you were involved in a physical altercation at your last school?” <br /><br />I froze. <br /><br />Headmaster Ignatius leaned forward to rest his elbows on his desk. He laced his fingers together and let his chin rest on them, watching me with an ominous, probing smile. “The other boy involved was sent to the hospital. You were suspended for a month. In fact, the only thing that spared you from being expelled altogether was the fact that, according to bystanders, you had been taunted and physically assaulted previously by this particular student.” <br /><br />My shoulders tensed. I hung my head and stared at the floor, my heart pounding so hard I could feel it in my fingertips. I should’ve known this would come up again. <br /><br />“There are police reports, reports from the other students who saw the fight, and even one from your father. But you didn’t make a statement,” he said. “So in your own words, I want to know what happened. Why did you beat him so badly? You certainly don’t strike me as a fighter. Or at the very least, not an instigator.” <br /><br />My pulse roared in my ears. Every beat made my skin feel hot and my breathing become deeper. I focused on the tops of my sneakers as I fought not to let my mind go back to that day. <br /><br />“Mr. Owens?” <br /><br />“He kept getting in my face and calling me names,” I growled in spite of myself. “He told me to go back to…” I stopped, setting my jaw as I tried to keep my voice steady. “I-it doesn’t matter. He said a lot of things. None of it matters now.” <br /><br />“So you hit him?” <br /><br />“No. Dad told me just to ignore it; some people are just like that. But I saw him doing the same thing to another girl from our class. She’d just moved from Korea and didn’t speak much English yet. He kept grabbing her and trying to scare her. I told him to stop. So he punched me in the stomach and spit on me.” Slowly, I lifted my gaze to meet the headmaster’s. “Then I hit him.” <br /><br />The headmaster and I stared at one another from across his desk while the seconds ticked by, counted noisily by the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. Every muscle in my body drew tight, and heat bloomed through my chest like wildfire. I didn’t understand what this had to do with anything. It was one fight more than a year ago. I’d never gotten into a situation like that before then, and I hadn’t done it since. <br /><br />At last, Headmaster Ignatius leaned back in his seat and nodded slowly. “I see. While you may believe your actions were justified, you should take note that I will not tolerate any physical altercations like that at this school. Any infraction, regardless of the reason, will result in anyone involved being expelled.” <br /><br />I squeezed the straps of my backpack until my knuckles turned white. “Yes, sir. I understand.” <br /><br />“Heroics are best saved for outside the school, Mr. Owens. I can’t allow street justice to prevail here,” he said as he waved me off. “You are dismissed.” </div></center><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mj0XNkva8M0/XIJn9_w77tI/AAAAAAAANS4/zLfZ0Nb_JlsyqHm9pJG9qbK2Qy6k6ta9wCLcBGAs/s1600/coollogo_com-65169.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="731" height="64" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mj0XNkva8M0/XIJn9_w77tI/AAAAAAAANS4/zLfZ0Nb_JlsyqHm9pJG9qbK2Qy6k6ta9wCLcBGAs/s320/coollogo_com-65169.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDTZAEBvXsA/XIJoSZG8OkI/AAAAAAAANTA/lfPMsV4aH4AVtwUEhn_3R4eEKjFaxThEwCLcBGAs/s1600/NicoleConwayPhoto-300x204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDTZAEBvXsA/XIJoSZG8OkI/AAAAAAAANTA/lfPMsV4aH4AVtwUEhn_3R4eEKjFaxThEwCLcBGAs/s1600/NicoleConwayPhoto-300x204.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div>MY NAME IS NICOLE CONWAY and I love to write stories! I've been writing books since I was very young, and am blessed beyond measure to be able to do it now as a full time career. Although I sometimes step out into other genres, I primarily write Fantasy for teens and middle graders. <br /><br />I graduated from Auburn University in 2012, which is also where I met my husband. As a military family, we move frequently and have lived numerous places all around the world. We have one very energetic son, Ethan. We also have two dogs (French Brittanys) named Joey (currently 5 months old) and Phoebe (4 years old) and a ball python named Noodle Nagini. <br /><br />For inquiries on how to book me for a school visit, presentation, or interest in my future or current projects, please contact my amazing literary agent, FRAN BLACK, of Literary Counsel. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.authornicoleconway.com/nicole-s-newsletter">Subscribe to Nicole’s Newsletter!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.authornicoleconway.com/">Website</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/anconway">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/authornicoleconway">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://instagram.com/authornicoleconway/">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://nicoleconway422.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a> | <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/anconway/">Pinterest</a> | <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nicole-conway">BookBub</a> | <a href="https://amazon.com/nicole-conway">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16856092.Kristin_Ping">Goodreads</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJov7M_co5E/XIJojaUgwAI/AAAAAAAANTI/i7l7mEQR7AoMrz6fIt3Vfp_alB0HUPDVACLcBGAs/s1600/coollogo_com-142421165.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="418" height="113" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJov7M_co5E/XIJojaUgwAI/AAAAAAAANTI/i7l7mEQR7AoMrz6fIt3Vfp_alB0HUPDVACLcBGAs/s320/coollogo_com-142421165.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Giveaway Details:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2 lucky winners will win a finished copy of SCALES, US Only.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e2389ba2903" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2903/" id="rcwidget_6m47epu7" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpAKjG1barM/XIJo5IEWMRI/AAAAAAAANTQ/vrlkb-NwnX84YbvatPFn-aYL6nBc3nhigCLcBGAs/s1600/coollogo_com-573767.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="592" height="80" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpAKjG1barM/XIJo5IEWMRI/AAAAAAAANTQ/vrlkb-NwnX84YbvatPFn-aYL6nBc3nhigCLcBGAs/s320/coollogo_com-573767.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Week One:</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">3/4/2019- <span style="mso-field-code: " HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/www\.bookhoundsya\.net\/\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022 ";"><span class="MsoHyperlink">BookHounds YA</span></span>- <i>Excerpt</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 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mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">3/15/2019- </span><span style="mso-field-code: " HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/kellyatx\.blogspot\.com\/\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022 ";"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Kelly P's Blog</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- <i>Excerpt</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-49228327608626739152018-11-19T15:22:00.000-05:002018-11-19T15:22:12.531-05:00Review - The Winner's Crime by: Marie Rutkoski<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WXY70-WULA4/W_MbBCdfP1I/AAAAAAAANQM/1aOAB7npUU8B6a5VQC_SABMHdj1TSul7QCLcBGAs/s1600/TWC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WXY70-WULA4/W_MbBCdfP1I/AAAAAAAANQM/1aOAB7npUU8B6a5VQC_SABMHdj1TSul7QCLcBGAs/s400/TWC.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><i>Synopsis:</i></b> Book two of the dazzling Winner's Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love.<br /><br />The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement... if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.<br /><br />As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them. </blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvMJVrOCFGk/UTlkas6IrHI/AAAAAAAAI78/WKjepO53VNYmKZDDvvophIn9XCAkv1aigCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="425" height="41" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvMJVrOCFGk/UTlkas6IrHI/AAAAAAAAI78/WKjepO53VNYmKZDDvvophIn9XCAkv1aigCPcBGAYYCw/s320/divider%2Breview.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />That ending. Dang! I absolutely loved <i>The Winner's Curse</i> and was so excited when I finally got a chance to read <i>The Winner's Crime</i>. I needed more Kestrel and Arin and couldn't wait to see another part of the this world. <br /><br />The beginning of the book leaves right off where we ended in <i>The Winners Curse</i>. I absolutely loved seeing the new characters, the constant tension, and the frightening turns that seemed to flow to each page. I will admit that about half way through the book started to drop for me, and I thought the ending was abrupt. Of course, that could be the evil way that authors love to leave us hanging ;). <br /><br />Overall, it was a fantastic continuation of a fantasy world that I adore being in. I love the constant suspenseful moments and the world building between the different areas. With how the book ended, I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vYEFx9lJRhg/UTlqilY2rfI/AAAAAAAAI8o/Nw1ecwdBQNsIxYNVPuUvZXlMIxa6w_XXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/4splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" height="62" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vYEFx9lJRhg/UTlqilY2rfI/AAAAAAAAI8o/Nw1ecwdBQNsIxYNVPuUvZXlMIxa6w_XXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/4splats.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- 4 out of 5 Splatters -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-78072136199830175172018-11-08T08:00:00.000-05:002018-11-08T08:23:45.708-05:00Cover Reveal + Giveaway - Scales by: Nicole Conway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MxEgC-dkXdA/W-OJLwVKgpI/AAAAAAAAagM/MCSmfmEJNksGNsN89Uu-TWhhh3igXDJzwCLcBGAs/s1600/COVER%2BREVEAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="155" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MxEgC-dkXdA/W-OJLwVKgpI/AAAAAAAAagM/MCSmfmEJNksGNsN89Uu-TWhhh3igXDJzwCLcBGAs/s400/COVER%2BREVEAL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Today Nicole Conway, Owl Hollow Press, and Rockstar Book Tours are revealing the cover and an exclusive content for SCALES, her new MG/YA Fantasy Book which releases in 2019! Check out the awesome cover and enter the giveaway!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">On to the reveal! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ccWG1aJZRO0/W-OJVTh4c8I/AAAAAAAAagQ/wG6Z2OTJqlsJCASnt51FGlxBUXNqU_8qACLcBGAs/s1600/9781945654213.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="823" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ccWG1aJZRO0/W-OJVTh4c8I/AAAAAAAAagQ/wG6Z2OTJqlsJCASnt51FGlxBUXNqU_8qACLcBGAs/s640/9781945654213.png" width="410" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Title:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> SCALES (Spirits of Chaos, #1)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Author: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Nicole Conway<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Pub. Date:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Owl Hollow Press<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Formats:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Paperback, eBook<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Pages:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> ?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Find it:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42432937-scales">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">When New York City faces the threat of an ancient evil, a teenage boy must use a magical bracelet to transform into a monster-slaying dragon superhero.</span></b><br /><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Koji Owens is the new kid … again. As the only son of an Air Force F-16 pilot, he’s learned to adapt and survive every time they move. It’s not easy starting over with new friends and schools every two years, but when the Owens family makes their final move to New York, Koji finally has hope for a normal high school life—that is, until he finds a strange bracelet in his locker.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Transformed into a storm-summoning dragon warrior, Koji finds himself caught up in a world of ancient powers, secret identities, and colossal monsters threatening to destroy his new home. But these awesome powers come with strings attached, and revealing his true identity could mean losing everything he loves. With his family and friends now in mortal danger and New York City in flames, Koji must find the courage to become the hero they need and face down an enemy hiding in plain sight.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A comic-obsessed teenage misfit embraces his inner hero in this action-packed adventure that will leave you ready to get your scales on!</span></blockquote></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Pl31WUfbuo/W-Q3yMRU7pI/AAAAAAAANPw/Q33bhFoLiHYmiKtg2W_NYZ4z5WcEf1dzwCLcBGAs/s1600/coollogo_com-12445346.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="317" height="119" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Pl31WUfbuo/W-Q3yMRU7pI/AAAAAAAANPw/Q33bhFoLiHYmiKtg2W_NYZ4z5WcEf1dzwCLcBGAs/s200/coollogo_com-12445346.png" width="200" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Piercing light bloomed from the totem scale. It swept over me and took away my pain, molding and stretching me into my full dragon form. The instant the searing energy coursed through my body, I launched myself into the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I didn’t have a single second to waste.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Now that I was a beast of comparable size, I crested the skyscrapers in a few powerful beats of my wings. From a few blocks away, the wyvern spotted me. It let out a howl of fury as it surged straight for me. I answered with a battle cry of my own, driving more and more power into every beat of my mighty black wings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Two F-22 fighter jets rolled in on either side, joining me in aerial formation. Their engines roared, and both pilots gave me a confirming thumb’s up. They were following me in for the attack.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I’d never felt so cool in my entire life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I clashed with the wyvern in the air over Central Park, clamping my jaws around his throat. I prepared to give him a taste of my lightning, the same way I had the crocodile monster. One good jolt and maybe I could bring him down.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Before I get a good grip, he swung his spiked tail and whacked me across the eyes. I let go, snatching back with a roar.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dove at me; his toothy mandible jaws open wide to rip my throat out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A sudden plume of fire scorched his hide and sent him reeling. I drew back, wary of the blistering flames.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another giant dragon clashed in battle, had scales as red as fresh blood and a ridge of tall, slender black spines all the way down her back. My breath caught. Madeline? She’d gone full-form, too?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">She attacked the wyvern mercilessly, pinning him under another blast of her fiery breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaking off the blow to my head, I charged headlong back into the fight, lightning sizzling and popping off my open jaws. We had to get him on the ground. If we could pin him there, he’d be within range of ground fire and an easier target for our air support. We could contain the damage to the rest of the city, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So I went for one of the wyvern’s wings full-force.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fyurei had him distracted. He never saw me coming. I swooped in to break one of his wings at the shoulders with a single powerful crunch of my jaws and sharp jerk of my head. The creature screeched and kicked, floundering with his one good wing and swinging his tail like a medieval mace. The bulbous, spiky tip struck one of the F-22 jets and sent the aircraft flipping through the air end over end. Not good. I watched the aircraft fall, waiting for the pilot to eject.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t hesitate—I dove straight after the jet, summoning every bit of speed I had. The jet spiraled, smoking and streaking toward the ground. I threw myself the final distance with a desperate cry, jaws open wide.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I caught the tail of the jet in my teeth about a hundred feet shy of the ground. As soon as my jaws clamped onto the metal, I reared back, kicked my legs out, and flared for an emergency landing right in the middle of the park.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It took a second for the dust, snow, and trees to settle.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Picking the jet carefully out of my mouth, I held it up to my huge dragon eyeball like a little kid’s toy. Inside the cockpit, the tiny pilot was giving me a shaky thumb’s up. He was okay.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I gave him my best dragon smile, terrifying as it probably was, and placed his jet, right side up, on a grassy spot in the park. Then I turned around to get back to business. I still had some wyvern rear end to roast and an evil headmaster in dire need of reeducation.</span><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rs7ddurQ98g/UT6XuQrVevI/AAAAAAAAI-Y/_b32pNY5oiQDw8lvMcnIIGgIvt-LNJBOQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Bauthor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="63" data-original-width="425" height="58" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rs7ddurQ98g/UT6XuQrVevI/AAAAAAAAI-Y/_b32pNY5oiQDw8lvMcnIIGgIvt-LNJBOQCPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider%2Bauthor.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">About Nicole:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BGw7Ql9Su10/W-OJajR-FPI/AAAAAAAAagU/HgZoC_AzuYggf9nMHKavRdsZ9pX0qkSBgCLcBGAs/s1600/NicoleConwayPhoto-300x204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BGw7Ql9Su10/W-OJajR-FPI/AAAAAAAAagU/HgZoC_AzuYggf9nMHKavRdsZ9pX0qkSBgCLcBGAs/s1600/NicoleConwayPhoto-300x204.jpg" /></a></b></div><b><o:p></o:p></b><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MY NAME IS NICOLE CONWAY and I love to write stories! I've been writing books since I was very young, and am blessed beyond measure to be able to do it now as a full time career. Although I sometimes step out into other genres, I primarily write Fantasy for teens and middle graders.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I graduated from Auburn University in 2012, which is also where I met my husband. As a military family, we move frequently and have lived numerous places all around the world. We have one very energetic son, Ethan. We also have two dogs (French Brittanys) named Joey (currently 5 months old) and Phoebe (4 years old) and a ball python named Noodle Nagini.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">For inquiries on how to book me for a school visit, presentation, or interest in my future or current projects, please contact my amazing literary agent, FRAN BLACK, of Literary Counsel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.authornicoleconway.com/nicole-s-newsletter">Subscribe to Nicole’s Newsletter!</a></span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.authornicoleconway.com/">Website</a></span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> | <u><a href="https://twitter.com/ANConway">Twitter</a></u> | <u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleConway/">Facebook</a></u> | <u><a href="https://instagram.com/authornicoleconway/">Instagram</a></u> | <u><a href="http://nicoleconway422.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a></u> | <u><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/anconway/">Pinterest</a></u> | <u><a href="https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nicole-conway">BookBub</a></u> | <u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Conway">Amazon</a></u> | <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16856092.Kristin_Ping">Goodreads</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Giveaway Details:</b></span></div><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">One lucky winner will win an ARC of SCALES, US Only.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e2389ba2841" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2841/" id="rcwidget_ml1z6e3y" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-49859310927577807542018-11-06T15:00:00.000-05:002018-11-06T15:00:10.445-05:00Review - Just Pretending by: Leah and Kate Rooper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QDBAmZvVaZw/W-Hyv-PrM6I/AAAAAAAANPg/vi0PgPImEHspJsvF-hos0qGiyhbrgSTzgCLcBGAs/s1600/justpretending.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QDBAmZvVaZw/W-Hyv-PrM6I/AAAAAAAANPg/vi0PgPImEHspJsvF-hos0qGiyhbrgSTzgCLcBGAs/s400/justpretending.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><b>Synopsis:</b></i> It's not easy being royal. Sixteen-year-old Evangeline wears her crown proudly, but between her duties and her overprotective big brother, the idea of romance is just a dream. But a chance encounter in Chicago changes all that….<br /> <br />Sure, seventeen-year-old Tyler Evans loves playing hockey, but he's more concerned about providing for his dad and little sister. Then he meets Eva--and falls head-over-heels in love—and he has two more problems. One, she's his best friend's little sister. Two, she wears a crown.<br /><br />But then Eva accidentally mistakes Tyler for a visiting prince, and for the first time, Tyler doesn't feel like a nobody. He knows he has to tell her the truth…but not yet.<br /> <br />His plan? To keep up the royal charade as long as it takes to convince Eva he’s the guy for her. Even if he’s lying to everyone…including himself.<br /><br />Disclaimer: May cause disillusionment. Those girls looking to find their Prince Charming might consider scouting out hockey rinks.</blockquote><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvMJVrOCFGk/UTlkas6IrHI/AAAAAAAAI78/WKjepO53VNYmKZDDvvophIn9XCAkv1aigCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Breview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="45" data-original-width="425" height="41" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvMJVrOCFGk/UTlkas6IrHI/AAAAAAAAI78/WKjepO53VNYmKZDDvvophIn9XCAkv1aigCPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider%2Breview.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I will start off by saying this is the first book in The Chicago Flacons series I have read. If you're looking for a super cute fairy tale story, then this is for you!<br /><br />With the plot, I did like the fact that we got to see Chicago but also another country all together. I wish the author would have explored these a bit more or focused more on one location. With the art aspect, I really enjoyed that as art is something I also love. Speaking of parts of the story line, I really enjoy that the authors chose to speak about a disability. Disabilities are extremely common in our society and I feel a lot of time in books they are pushed under the rugs. So, I really commend Leah and Kate for willing speaking about a topic in their story.<br /><br />As far as characters go, my favorite character was Madison. I love how helpful and upbeat she is. She always seems to see the good in every situation. Also, the real Tiberius was hysterical and he was a perfect comic relief. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with our main characters. With Tyler, I thought he was too hard on himself and a bit of a cry-baby. The one thing I really enjoyed about him was how he was with his sister Millie. With Eva she was a bit too "royal" for me and didn't really break down even around Tyler whom she supposedly loves. Then, there's Daniel who I love the over-protected older brother thing, but he took it a bit far for me most times.<br /><br />Overall, <i>Just Pretending</i> was a super cute read with an ending you know and want coming. I think Kate and Leah Rooper on are their way to creating swoon-worthy contemporaries!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thank you to Entangled and Netgalley for the copy.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yKFIZ6ryWuM/UYXveWVZbFI/AAAAAAAAJog/kQuS2TWt6s0vMN81h3wsWeP_w-NL1lRBQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/3splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" height="62" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yKFIZ6ryWuM/UYXveWVZbFI/AAAAAAAAJog/kQuS2TWt6s0vMN81h3wsWeP_w-NL1lRBQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/3splats.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- 3 out of 5 Splatters -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br />Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-57935368802790154892018-10-29T07:00:00.000-04:002018-10-29T14:38:18.874-04:00Trick or Treat Blog Tour<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHbVC46Zbms/W9ZF5jDudoI/AAAAAAAANNU/fxC-M1HQ1vckCpO9RVYmyWemzo2QE1rAACLcBGAs/s1600/halloweenbanner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1000" height="160" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHbVC46Zbms/W9ZF5jDudoI/AAAAAAAANNU/fxC-M1HQ1vckCpO9RVYmyWemzo2QE1rAACLcBGAs/s400/halloweenbanner2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Welcome to the First Annual “Trick or Treat” Blog Tour hosted by </span><a href="http://www.moonlitreadss.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Moonlit Reads</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">!</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This tour is the first to come of many. It takes place during the last 13 days of October leading up to Halloween Day. Trick or treat along the tour finding giveaways, interviews, blurbs, and more! You can find the start of the tour and its schedule </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><a href="http://moonlitreadss.blogspot.com/2018/10/13-days-of-halloween-day-1-trick-or.html?m=1">here</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ae41761a-7fff-c2fe-4532-11f0d15c8017"></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Now, let the spooky begin!</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I am so excited to be a part of this tour! I love Halloween, and am so excited to be slowly getting back into the book world. It's been way too long!</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Today, I was lucky enough to get to interview Shannon M. Parker who wrote </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The Rattled Bones</i>. PLUS, I even scored an interview with Rilla from the story! This stop is definitely a TREAT on the tour</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> and if you're lucky there may even be a giveaway... BOO!</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-URUwX5AcMxE/W9ZLLENZ_3I/AAAAAAAANNg/s1_s3jLZ4kMKu3djC4o1x_7IFaiI7nACACLcBGAs/s1600/halloween-dividers-png-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="800" height="102" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-URUwX5AcMxE/W9ZLLENZ_3I/AAAAAAAANNg/s1_s3jLZ4kMKu3djC4o1x_7IFaiI7nACACLcBGAs/s400/halloween-dividers-png-2.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Igzo6EXM8vk/W9ZQhqo1NbI/AAAAAAAANNs/s-CcPK2Z1EAg0PjkH_FjTCAPHr8ahuWuQCLcBGAs/s1600/coollogo_com-148165.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="575" height="115" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Igzo6EXM8vk/W9ZQhqo1NbI/AAAAAAAANNs/s-CcPK2Z1EAg0PjkH_FjTCAPHr8ahuWuQCLcBGAs/s400/coollogo_com-148165.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hi Rilla! I am so excited to have you here today! So, i<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">t's Halloween, what do you dress up as? Have any parties planned?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So…I’m being haunted by a ghost who scratches messages into my windowsill and sings to me from the sea. Every day is scary so I’ll pass on Halloween or parties. </span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You live in Maine, what is your favorite spot to go to? What do you do there? I absolutely love Acadia State Park!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My favorite place to be is on my lobster boat, hauling traps from the Gulf of Maine. It’s the work my family’s done for generations, though I’m the first girl to take the helm. </span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It seems like you have a love for the ocean, what draws you to the sea? Personally, the beach is my happy place.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ocean is another world. With its own temperament. I was taught to respect the sea and her changing will, all while drawing up food from the depths, feeding my family. But nothing beats watching the length of a fin whale rise alongside my boat, or racing a pod of dolphins through the open channel. </span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><style><!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-520092929 1073786111 9 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Tahoma; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-520082689 -1073717157 41 0 66047 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; 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I won't keep you from your boat any longer!</span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8StU9TazX4s/W9ZSGwDsyFI/AAAAAAAANN4/E4z244pHJP8zPeQGiLEChyxSbqebRSOHQCLcBGAs/s1600/candy-apple-clipart-black-16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="1600" height="52" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8StU9TazX4s/W9ZSGwDsyFI/AAAAAAAANN4/E4z244pHJP8zPeQGiLEChyxSbqebRSOHQCLcBGAs/s400/candy-apple-clipart-black-16.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rilla seems like such an awesome woman, and now lets talk to the author who brought her to life... Shannon!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hi Shannon! I'm so happy to have you here today. <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Your book <i>The Rattled Bones</i> has an eerie premise to it. Do you enjoy anything horror? Why did you decide to go that route?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m a big fan of being scared by stories—either written or told around a campfire. Gruesome horror isn’t for me, but I’ll curl up with any book that makes my skin shiver when shadows dart across the room! In <i>The Rattled Bones</i>, my contemporary protagonist is forced to deal with unsettling issues from the past—and her family’s suspected role in the horrors—so I needed a way to bridge today with a hundred years ago. Insert the haunting :) </span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In your bio, it says you've traveled to over three dozen countries. Which one was your favorite and why? Pictures to make me jealous is always welcome, too. :)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Australia! No contest. It’s where I held a koala and kissed a crocodile (a baby one, but still)</span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">HELD A KOALA?? Yep, you're winning for sure! ...In the book <i>The Rattle Bones</i> it seems to have a focus on the ocean and an island, do you have a love for the sea as your character Rilla does?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I do! The ocean is my home. I live on the coast of the bold Atlantic and my favorite thing to do is kayak to an island populated only by trees and seabirds. Or dive into a crashing wave. </span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*sigh* Me too, I love the ocean and hope to move closer to it one day. Alright, fun question! If you could dress up as ANYTHING for Halloween, no cost, no limitations, what would you be?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Six-year-old me. Just to remember what it was like to believe that anything (and everything) was possible. And magical.</span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "tahoma"; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>SPEED ROUND!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- Dress up or pass out candy? Dress up, eat candy</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">- Haunted house or haunted hay ride? HAUNTED HOUSE ON A HAUNTED HAY WAGON!</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">- Freddy Krueger or Michael Myers? Freddy</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">- Werewolf or vampire? She-wolf</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">- Pumpkin spice anything or candy corn? Candy corn. Candy anything.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> 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mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, I thought that last was fun... but you just made me feel all the feels! I agree, going back to believing in all the magic of the world would be perfect. Thank you SO much for stopping by, Shannon. It's been such a pleasure!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ePaQyeZV61c/W9ZXraBCc7I/AAAAAAAANOE/lS6Qe2SgFs0IEaC-zYv-4K11UX38IZM3gCLcBGAs/s1600/coollogo_com-290701136.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="1044" height="62" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ePaQyeZV61c/W9ZXraBCc7I/AAAAAAAANOE/lS6Qe2SgFs0IEaC-zYv-4K11UX38IZM3gCLcBGAs/s400/coollogo_com-290701136.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1bHQw3N0aI/W9ZZxjZzAeI/AAAAAAAANOQ/lL2vvehXH6MZgGf5tGq6SXQjJb8LWGTLgCLcBGAs/s1600/smparke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1bHQw3N0aI/W9ZZxjZzAeI/AAAAAAAANOQ/lL2vvehXH6MZgGf5tGq6SXQjJb8LWGTLgCLcBGAs/s1600/smparke.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Shannon Parker lives on the Atlantic coast in a house full of boys. She’s traveled to over three dozen countries and has a few dozen more to go. She works in education and can usually be found rescuing dogs, chickens, old houses and wooden boats. Shannon has a weakness for chocolate chip cookies and ridiculous laughter—ideally, at the same time. Find her at </span><a href="http://www.shannonmparker.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #00635d; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">www.shannonmparker.com</a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KmAnVPflNmM/W9ZZ5dcqaGI/AAAAAAAANOU/0Yw7XRxz0RE8WIuIRvLNXuxAbzLmOjP2wCLcBGAs/s1600/coollogo_com-2934483.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="524" height="101" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KmAnVPflNmM/W9ZZ5dcqaGI/AAAAAAAANOU/0Yw7XRxz0RE8WIuIRvLNXuxAbzLmOjP2wCLcBGAs/s320/coollogo_com-2934483.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYIjUMjyqaI/W9ZaM93Di9I/AAAAAAAANOc/L9P8YJgXLfEQYnX0b99f73a-qbM54snYQCLcBGAs/s1600/therattledbones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYIjUMjyqaI/W9ZaM93Di9I/AAAAAAAANOc/L9P8YJgXLfEQYnX0b99f73a-qbM54snYQCLcBGAs/s400/therattledbones.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">Unearthing years of buried secrets, Rilla Brae is haunted by ghostly visions tied to the tainted history of a mysterious island in this haunting novel from the author of The Girl Who Fell.<br /><br />Maine-bred, independent Rilla Brae is no stranger to the deep. She knows the rhythms of hard work and harder seas. But when she experiences the sudden death of her father, the veil between the living and the dead blurs and she begins to be haunted by a girl on a nearby, uninhabited island. The girl floats a song over the waves, and it is as beautiful as it is terrifying. Familiar and distant.<br /><br />Then Rilla meets Sam, a University of Southern Maine archeology student tasked with excavating the very island where the ghostly girl has appeared. Sam sifts the earth looking for the cultural remains of an island people who were forcibly evicted by the state nearly a hundred years ago. Sam tells Rilla the island has a history no locals talk about—if they know about it at all—due to the shame the events brought to the working waterfront community. All Rilla knows for sure is that the island has always been there—an eerie presence anchored in the stormy sea. Now Sam’s work and the ghostly girl’s song lure Rilla to the island’s shores.<br /><br />As Rilla helps Sam to unearth the island’s many secrets, Rilla’s visions grow—until the two discover a tragedy kept silent for years. And it’s a tragedy that has everything to do with Rilla’s past. </blockquote></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32033642-the-rattled-bones?ac=1&from_search=true"><img border="0" data-original-height="41" data-original-width="130" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kw_-qgZItR4/UQtJZzg79kI/AAAAAAAAIpo/5T_AJcAAnucy8nwAXLWeZcVK54a0SNKaACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/AddtoGoodreads.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msy1IqV4-7o/W9Za0ntoRFI/AAAAAAAANOo/kNISEIM58AM70JRyH3eWF3UArCfkonlcwCLcBGAs/s1600/coollogo_com-13644645.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="547" height="97" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msy1IqV4-7o/W9Za0ntoRFI/AAAAAAAANOo/kNISEIM58AM70JRyH3eWF3UArCfkonlcwCLcBGAs/s320/coollogo_com-13644645.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kmy0195m3Hs/W9Zj81VnbfI/AAAAAAAANPE/YkKqB3wnHo8ev930_cOjGADdbjW7-w7mgCLcBGAs/s1600/964D47AD-7EE2-4B16-9CC4-FC63C12F2B65.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kmy0195m3Hs/W9Zj81VnbfI/AAAAAAAANPE/YkKqB3wnHo8ev930_cOjGADdbjW7-w7mgCLcBGAs/s200/964D47AD-7EE2-4B16-9CC4-FC63C12F2B65.jpeg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3_Fp1Ba_AM/W9Zj0iII50I/AAAAAAAANPA/b4sTKfu60d4ODCDmSN7TDXlLXYXztCeHACLcBGAs/s1600/59B78C65-EDC1-4384-94D7-125B78C9F470.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3_Fp1Ba_AM/W9Zj0iII50I/AAAAAAAANPA/b4sTKfu60d4ODCDmSN7TDXlLXYXztCeHACLcBGAs/s200/59B78C65-EDC1-4384-94D7-125B78C9F470.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One winner will win a HC or PPBK of The Rattle Bones and a $10 Amazon gift card! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- US Only</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- One winner</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Giveaway will run until 11/5 at 12am.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Entrant must be willing to give their address and email to claim their prize.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Winner must respond within 48 hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="d26b7a7b1" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d26b7a7b1/" id="rcwidget_e5sqjg4i" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ISN3fWWSdAE/W9ZhGKAqVNI/AAAAAAAANO0/gI0EB-qbN1oUDWkw9sfb_3rGqWIBWnl1QCLcBGAs/s1600/coollogo_com-20291212.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="979" height="67" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ISN3fWWSdAE/W9ZhGKAqVNI/AAAAAAAANO0/gI0EB-qbN1oUDWkw9sfb_3rGqWIBWnl1QCLcBGAs/s400/coollogo_com-20291212.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Oct 19-<a href="http://moonlitreadss.blogspot.com/2018/10/13-days-of-halloween-day-1-trick-or.html">Moonlit Reads</a> (intro/excerpt)<br />Oct 20- <a href="https://auburnreads.wordpress.com/2018/10/20/moonlit-reads-trick-or-treat-blog-tour/">Auburn Reads</a> (interview)<br />Oct 21- <a href="http://thebookbratz.blogspot.com/2018/10/24-of-our-favorite-spooky-reads.html">The Book Bratz</a> Scary books!<br />Oct 22- <a href="https://shirleycuypers.blogspot.com/2018/10/this-or-that-halloween-tag-with-amelinda.html">Shirley</a> (Blurb)<br />Oct 23- <a href="https://thebibliophagist.blog/2018/10/23/trick-or-treat-blog-tour-moonlit-reads/">The Bibliophile</a> (artist feature)<br />Oct 24- <a href="https://aimeealways.com/trick-or-treat-blog-tour/">Aimee, Always</a> (Listy)<br />Oct 25- <a href="https://thelittlemissbookworm.wordpress.com/2018/10/25/trick-or-treat-blog-tour-excerpt-from-the-iron-flower/">Little Miss Bookworm</a> (excerpt)<br />Oct 26- <a href="https://writingfollies.wordpress.com/2018/10/26/author-interview-zoraida-cordova/">Writing Follies</a> (interview)<br />Oct 27- <a href="https://betweenfoldedpages.wordpress.com/2018/10/27/trick-or-treat-tourinterview-with-bookbookowl-and-giveaway/">Between the Folded Pages</a> (artist feature)<br />Oct 28- <a href="https://theperksofbeingnourablog.wordpress.com/2018/10/28/13-days-of-halloween-top-ya-villains/">Perks of Being Noura</a> -Villians!<br /><i><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">Oct 29- Shorty Says - You're here!</span></b></i><br />Oct 30- Browsing for Books (excerpt)<br />Oct 31- Ohana Reads (interview)Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-15982982935778492152018-10-24T08:00:00.001-04:002018-10-24T08:03:08.572-04:00Review - The Darkest Star by: Jennifer L. Armentrout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QKFSkLYMmKU/W89RqnJgqII/AAAAAAAANNI/OVndPPLSeuonUMorp3Re8m2V55mc4VVvQCLcBGAs/s1600/tds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="196" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QKFSkLYMmKU/W89RqnJgqII/AAAAAAAANNI/OVndPPLSeuonUMorp3Re8m2V55mc4VVvQCLcBGAs/s400/tds.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Synopsis:</span></i></b></blockquote><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></b><br /><span style="font-size: large;">When seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher is caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxen can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initially assumes is a Luxen...but he is in fact something much more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she'd only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head...</span></span></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Sy4C1kiG8/UTlocR4OZXI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/p4W1qoW5hg01yppnc5Ki2-IVWrYpOmoqgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="425" height="33" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Sy4C1kiG8/UTlocR4OZXI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/p4W1qoW5hg01yppnc5Ki2-IVWrYpOmoqgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Being back in the world of Luxen is everything. I mean come on, she writes about sexy aliens. How can you not just be in complete awe? <i>The Darkest Star</i> was everything I wanted and more. I devoured this book like a $2 taco on taco Tuesday, no joke. There’s instant action and angst right in the first chapter. The sparks don’t stop there though, they continue right through the whole book until you’re swooning at the last page and kicking yourself for finishing it so fast.<br /><br />There are so many surprises and secrets in <i>The Darkest Star</i> and yet by the end of the book I still have many questions. I know Jennifer is going to continue to pack the punches (literally and figuratively) with this series and honestly I cannot wait to get my greedy little hands on it. Well, is it greedy if you love it so much? <br /><br />At first with our main characters you meet Evie and Luc and think well here’s another innocent girl meets bad boy story. However, not really. Yes, Evie is ultimate good girl however we see her finally start breaking rules right in the beginning...busting out of her shell so you can say. Luc on the other hand is absolutely cocky however you quickly find out an all-around amazing guy. I highly enjoyed these two together and ship them all the way. <br /><br />Overall, Jennifer L. Armentrout hit another one out of the park. I am really not sure she’s capable of disappointment. Drama, laughs, and sexy times are all present in her books and<i> The Darkest Star </i>is no exception. You absolutely want to grab this one when it comes out next week!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6x-GprX9HE/UTLUAw3gywI/AAAAAAAAI6M/2WnJCjhFRVkU79A80A6cmhIKLK7Tt_DBgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/5splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" height="78" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6x-GprX9HE/UTLUAw3gywI/AAAAAAAAI6M/2WnJCjhFRVkU79A80A6cmhIKLK7Tt_DBgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/5splats.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>- 5 out of 5 Splatters -</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-7956278650309481732018-10-10T07:00:00.000-04:002018-10-10T07:00:00.197-04:00Blog Tour - The Halves of Us - Excerpt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0siXbWvp8Bo/W7ubsx23ftI/AAAAAAAAaKo/FYwxRM793HEg86ZdAOoSTjTUwQvr3gF8gCLcBGAs/s1600/THE%2BHALVES%2BOF%2BUS%2BRDB.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="155" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0siXbWvp8Bo/W7ubsx23ftI/AAAAAAAAaKo/FYwxRM793HEg86ZdAOoSTjTUwQvr3gF8gCLcBGAs/s400/THE%2BHALVES%2BOF%2BUS%2BRDB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><h2><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">About the Book:</span></b></h2></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2o4XKN1Ta4/W7ub1ItgtaI/AAAAAAAAaKs/58CdNrex_QgdOAwSSa92iy_985SWyWQ9gCEwYBhgL/s1600/unnamed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2o4XKN1Ta4/W7ub1ItgtaI/AAAAAAAAaKs/58CdNrex_QgdOAwSSa92iy_985SWyWQ9gCEwYBhgL/s400/unnamed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Title:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> THE HALVES OF US (The Halves of Us Trilogy #1)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Author: </span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Sydney Paige Richardson<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Pub. Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> October 9, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The Parliament House<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Formats:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> Paperback, eBook<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Pages:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> 480<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Find it:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> <u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37654484-the-halves-of-us?ac=1&from_search=true">Goodreads</a></u>, <u><a href="https://amzn.to/2OUaWgS">Amazon</a></u>, <u><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-halves-of-us-sydney-paige-richardson/1129538276?ean=9788828307273">B&N</a></u>, <u><a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-halves-of-us/id1437060382?mt=11">iBooks</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Twin Sisters: one destined to rule, one cursed to destroy. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Some say blood is thicker than water. But for twin sisters, Adie and Aura, their connection runs even deeper than blood.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">After investigating a surprise attack carried out by dark souls controlled by the Wicked Willow, an evil residing in a neighboring region, Aura uncovers a family secret: she is the fulfillment of a curse placed upon her family centuries ago.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">While Aura is destined to destroy their planet, Thindoral, Adie is fated to follow in their mother’s footsteps and become Ruler, but even Adie’s path comes with revelations. Dangerous premonitions plague her dreams, all depicting Thindoral’s demise at the hand of her sister.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">As darkness takes control of her mind, Aura must determine whether defying fate and time is the choice that will seal her destruction, or if self-sacrifice will save all she holds dear. Meanwhile, Adie is faced with an impossible decision: save her sister, or protect their world? </span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pKGkklrAQps/W70KtbKsfsI/AAAAAAAANMs/HQTufHUzYukOGlld0JzHGPAOqy6EkjSCACLcBGAs/s1600/coollogo_com-12445346.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="317" height="119" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pKGkklrAQps/W70KtbKsfsI/AAAAAAAANMs/HQTufHUzYukOGlld0JzHGPAOqy6EkjSCACLcBGAs/s200/coollogo_com-12445346.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">1<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">AURA AND ADIE<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">AGE 12<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">A canvas of dark indigo filled Thindoral’s night sky, and the silver light of the stars reflected the mischief in Aura’s eyes. She counted them one by one, waiting for the Guards to finish their rounds. Waiting for the moons to rise high in the sky. Waiting for the right moment, when the palace was asleep and she could use the stolen key.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">As the residents of the Dome grew quiet and Aura could no longer hear the hustle and bustle from the Town Square below, she tiptoed toward the door adjoining her room to her sister’s. Reaching into her pocket, she ran her fingertips across the roughly carved key to the Holding Room which she’d stolen from her Uncle Gossamer earlier that evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She shivered as the cold brass handle of the door met her palm. The wooden door creaked as she eased it open.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The thin white silk of the bed’s canopy fell in folds as it twirled down the dark wood of the bedposts. Aura tiptoed across the room and looked at her twin. Adie slept peacefully. The moonlight cast through the windows of the double doors leading out to their shared balcony. Aura knelt on the floor beside the bed and tugged on one of her sister’s scarlet braids, a replica of her own. She hid, crouching down as Adie rustled awake.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie sat up, her eyes still heavy with sleep. Aura jumped up onto her sister’s bed, giggling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Aura!” Adie said, throwing a pillow at her sister. She lay back down and covered her face with another pillow.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Come on!” Aura pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“It’s the middle of the night. Let me sleep,” Adie begged, her voice muffled beneath the plush fabric.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Look what I have . . .” Aura’s voice trailed off as she pulled the key out of her pocket. Chiseled from petrified wood, the key’s intricate design cast shadows from the moonlight onto Adie’s bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie raised her head, her sleepy eyes growing wide as intrigue filled them. She crawled across the bed, taking the key from Aura. “How did you . . . when did you—” She stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura failed at hiding her smile. Adie always made her thieving ways feel like grand accomplishments. “We have to go tonight,” she whispered, taking the key back from Adie and putting it in her pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She motioned for Adie to follow her as she made her way to the door leading out from her sister’s room and into the hall. She could hear Adie’s hesitant footsteps coming up beside her. She signaled Adie to stay back as she reached for the door handle.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura tucked a crimson curl behind her ear and tried to steady her breathing before peeking out. Her heartbeat drummed in her ears, nearly drowning out the nearby footsteps as Michael, Security Major of the Guard, paced the hallway as he did every night. The gold emblem of Thindoral’s sacred pendant, the Rokis, shimmered on the back of his dark blue uniform beneath the dim light cast from the lanterns on the walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She spun out of view when Michael glanced over his shoulder, and she silently begged Adie to stay quiet. They held their breath, and Aura swore the beating of her heart was now loud enough to give them away. Closing her eyes, she prayed he hadn’t seen her. If he had, he would never leave his post again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">After pleading to Fate herself, Aura’s gaze shifted out her bedroom window as she waited. Two silver rings lined Thindoral’s largest moon, reflecting bright light through her windows and creating a soft hue around a worried Adie in front of her. Michael’s footsteps faded down the granite hallway as he continued the last of his rounds throughout the Dome, and a grin stretched across Aura’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Are you sure we should do this?” Adie’s voice peaked as she stepped back toward her bed. “Mother always said the Rokis must never be touched by anyone but the Ruler, and—”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura stared at her. “Mother says lots of things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“What about Michael?” Adie frowned as she stepped out of bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“He just finished his rounds. Come on!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura opened the door and searched both directions of the hallway. Michael was nowhere to be seen. She took Adie’s hand as they moved down the lonely hallway, followed only by the sounds of their bare feet pitter-pattering across the granite floors and the light scratching of the designs etching into the walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura released her grip on Adie’s hand and stopped to watch the pencil-like lines swirl around one another, forming mesmerizing odd shapes and letters. Her mother always told her these were secret messages left by the Designers, the godly beings who created the universe and all life within. Those worthy of their secret messages could decipher them. But to this day, none knew what the messages meant. Some areas of the walls repeated, and some changed as someone touched them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura reached out to touch a design, and a flower bloomed where her fingers had just been. As the petals grew larger, her breath caught when the corners became black and shriveled, ultimately falling away from the stem and fading back into the colors of the wall. Her brow furrowed as she skimmed her hands along the rough lines of the walls. The texture moved under her palm like worms through thick dirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Aura! Come on!” Adie whispered, breaking Aura from her trance as she grabbed her hand, pulling her farther down the dimly lantern-lit hallways.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They peeked down where the corridor ended at the Holding Room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“No Guards!” Aura smirked, looking to Adie.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They squeezed each other’s hands tighter as they walked toward the towering silver door.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Are you sure it’s in there tonight?” Adie asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura nodded. “Every fortnight, Mother leaves it in here for one evening. She says something about it being too heavy to sleep with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They stopped in front of the door, looking up as far as they could. Even though the dark of night had taken over the Dome, the door to the Holding Room still glowed. The silver designs carved into its surface reflected in their eyes. An even brighter golden light draped the sacred design of the Rokis which hung above it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“You did make sure you got the right key, didn’t you?” Adie asked. Her head remained tilted back, examining the door as she fidgeted with her braid.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura turned and faced her sister. A mirror image of herself nervously smiled back as she retrieved the key from her pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She handed it to Adie, but she shook her head. “You open it,” Adie insisted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They walked forward, hand in hand. As they approached the door, Aura broke free from her sister. Adie waited a few steps behind, sneaking glances back down the hallway.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura’s hand trembled as she slid the key in the door and twisted. The loud click of the door unlocking hung in the air, and Adie ran toward her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Shhh!” Adie hushed. Aura shrugged and grinned as she twisted the handle. They gazed over their shoulders, peering down the hallway. Adie sighed heavily, relieved as she looked back at Aura and nodded. They were still alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Together, they gritted their teeth and pulled at the door with all their strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Keep pulling,” Adie whispered as it creaked open and she slipped in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura pushed her way through the opening, and the door closed behind them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Plush velvet curtains gathered at the sides of the stone walls around the perimeter of the room, revealing exquisite stained-glass windows. The moonlight poured in, bouncing off the tall ceilings, and a deep rush of color danced across the floor. Aura looked at her blue dress, which now took on a deep red, mimicking the lighting. She twirled around and smiled as the ends of her dress broke the kaleidoscope of colors reflecting on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Aura!” Adie whispered as she pointed to the stairs in the center of the room, leading up to a pedestal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Hand in hand they marched up the four giant stone steps. There lay the Rokis given to them by the Designers, who harnessed the power of a star in its center gem to protect them from the evil residing on their planet. The gem radiated a bright blue light, and twelve golden triangles jutted outward around it, reflecting a ray of sapphire on their faces.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Touch it!” Aura said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“No! Mother says I have to wait,” Adie replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Come on! We didn’t come here just to look at it. I mean, it’ll be yours one day, anyway.” Aura stood tall and struck a pose, mimicking their mother. “The Rokis belongs to the youngest born, the future Ruler.” She giggled and covered her mouth as the sound echoed throughout the Holding Room. “What’s wrong with touching it now?” she whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura watched her sister’s brow crease in thought as she stared at the Rokis, entranced by its beauty. The light of the center gem captured the jade color of her eyes. Adie shivered suddenly and looked back up at Aura with hesitation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Together?” Aura asked, taking her sister’s hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie gulped and nodded slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">As they brought their hands above the center of the Rokis, Aura could feel Adie’s tremble below hers. She closed her eyes and lowered their hands onto the blue gem. As soon as she felt their palms reach the center, a surge of light burst throughout the room, throwing Aura down the steps.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The bright light rose higher, climbing up the walls. Pain coursed through Aura’s elbow as it smacked on the floor. Clutching her arm, she tried to stifle her tears. Taking a deep breath, she moved from her stomach to a sitting position and looked around, searching for her sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Her bottom lip trembled. “Adie?” she whispered. “Adie!” she whispered louder.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">A blue light collected around the ceiling, swirling above her. Silent tears fell down her cheeks as her trembling evolved into shakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The light came together into a ball in the middle of the ceiling, and Aura froze. It shot down toward the ground, and she shielded her eyes with the back of her hands. Once she felt the light dissipate, she let her hands fall and opened her eyes. Motionless, Adie lay on the floor a few feet in front of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Adie! Adie! Wake up, you must wake up!” Aura ran over to her twin, hushing her voice as she heard the Guards coming down the hallway.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie groaned and opened her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura gasped and stepped back. “Adie, your eyes! They’re blue!” She wiped her tears and looked over at the door as the voices on the other side grew closer. “Come on, we have to get you up. We need to go!” Aura said, helping Adie to her feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They ran over to the curtains and hid behind them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Stand still and don’t make a sound,” Aura begged.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie leaned against Aura’s shoulder as they both peeked out from behind the curtains.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“The key. Where’s the key?!” Gossamer shouted from outside the Holding Room door.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Sir, it’s open . . .” replied one of the Guards as they eased into the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura pulled the curtain back over them, listening to Adie’s heavy breathing. She tried to calm her down, hoping the Guards wouldn’t discover them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“I was making my way back to my room, when I saw a bright light come from behind the door. That’s when I discovered my key missing . . .” Gossamer’s deep voice bellowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“We were on guard, sir, but saw nothing,” another Guard replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura peeked out from the curtains once more. Gossamer walked up the tall steps to the pedestal, a puzzled expression on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“The Rokis is still here, unharmed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“It could’ve been the stained glass windows reflecting the light, sir,” suggested the short, squatty Guard.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Gossamer spun around to face him, and Aura quickly stepped back behind the curtain.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Have the other Guards stand directly outside the entrance. We’ll begin a search for the key.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Minister, could you have possibly misplac—” the Guard began.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“The keys are always on me.” Gossamer pulled on the iron loop around his belt. Hundreds of keys dangled atop one another and clinked together as he released the loop. “They never leave my side. And remember, no one is to touch the Rokis but the Ruler herself. Its powers are far more than we can comprehend. Have the Guards check all the exits. Make sure everyone is accounted for. The last time this happened . . .” He paused, his hands still in fists. “Double the Guards around the Ruler and Adie and Aura’s chambers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie gasped, and Aura quickly covered her sister’s mouth. She narrowed her eyes at Adie in a silent plea to keep quiet. She frowned upon seeing her sister’s eyes remained bright blue. They stood perfectly still as Gossamer and the Guards quieted. Aura prayed they didn’t come any closer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Sir, I don’t think we should alarm the staff. We haven’t had an intrusion in years.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“We take no risks!” Gossamer shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura peeked out as her uncle walked toward the entrance. His face reddened as he took a few long breaths. She’d never seen him this angry.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Check the exits. Do not wake the Ruler. I will inform her myself. Keep Guards at the door until the key is recovered,” he ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">THE DOOR CLOSED BEHIND THEM, and Adie removed Aura’s hand from her mouth. She peered out into the empty room. “We have to get out of here!” Adie’s stomach churned as her nerves took over.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura stepped out from the curtain and ran after Adie, hugging her tightly. “What happened? I thought you were gone!” She pulled away from Adie, wiping away new tears. “And why are your eyes blue?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“I don’t know . . .” Adie tried to hide the welling in her eyes. “But if Uncle Gossamer finds us in here, we’ll be in terrible trouble. We have to get back to our rooms.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura nodded in agreement. “I’ll leave the key here. He’ll think he dropped it.” She knelt and carefully placed the key on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“I suggest we pretend this never happened.” Adie bit her lip to hide its trembling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Agreed.” She made her way to Adie, hugging her again. “You had me so worried. Where did you go?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Her sister’s arms clung tightly to her. A warm tear fell down Adie’s cheek. “I don’t know. Let’s worry about getting out of here first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura pulled away from their embrace, heading toward the entrance of the Holding Room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Wait! The Guards?” Adie stepped in front of her, blocking her way toward the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura tugged Adie’s braid. “Those are the same Guards who were sleeping through their shift. How do you think we got in here without being detected?” Her mouth curled into a mischievous grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“No! No! Aura, what if they are on the other side?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“We can’t hide in here forever,” Aura replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Maybe we just confess . . .”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“And explain to Mother what happened?” Aura said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie froze, holding her breath as Aura cracked the door and glanced through the opening.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She closed the door slowly and turned toward Adie. “There are two Guards with their back to us. We’re going to count to three and make a run straight out of here. Got it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie nodded back at her and finally breathed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Hey,” Aura said as she reached for Adie’s hand. “They’re on the other side of the door, toward the left. We can make it. Count with me. One . . .”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Two,” Adie replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Three!” they whispered as they slipped out of the tiny opening of the door and darted down the corridor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“They didn’t see us!” Aura said, but Adie dared not look back.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They continued to run down the hallway and dashed into Adie’s room. Adie shut the door quietly behind her as they heard footsteps coming down the hallway.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Quick! Into bed!” Aura whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They both jumped into Adie’s bed and huddled together.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Close your eyes!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Shh!” Adie responded.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Her bedroom door creaked opened, allowing a sliver of light halfway into the room. Adie squeezed her eyes shut as she heard Gossamer sigh and close the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura pushed the covers back and jumped out of bed, listening to his footsteps disappear down the hall. Adie opened her eyes and turned over, clutching one of her pillows as Aura got back in bed with a satisfied grin on her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Adie, your eyes aren’t blue anymore!” she exclaimed. Her smile grew wider.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie stood and walked over to the dark wood vanity by her bed. She examined herself in the mirror. Emerald eyes stared back at her. She pulled at the puffy, tired skin beneath them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Now are you going to tell me what happened?” Aura asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie’s hands dropped to her side. She continued to stare at her reflection. She blinked and froze as the whites of her eyes vanished and went black. She blinked again and the emerald color returned. Taking in a deep breath, she walked back over to the bed, shaking her head and lying down.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“I don’t exactly know, but I think we should promise to never talk about it ever again. If Mother were to find out—”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“She won’t, but I must know!” Aura begged. “Adie, you disappeared—”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie looked at her sister, frizzy red ringlets framed her face. She sighed, sitting up and facing Aura. “I don’t know where I was, but there was this tall beautiful tree.” Her eyes grew wide at the vivid memory. “It had long, thin branches that swayed in the wind. They filled the space around me. There was so many I couldn’t see past them! I walked closer to the trunk of the tree, but I had to tilt my head to see the top.” She hesitated.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Her sister’s curious expression was opposite of the worry in her own.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Then there was this gust of wind, and I turned as a black cloud of smoke came straight toward me. The branches started to lose their leaves, and what I could see of the sky was changing to red.” She paused, fearing her heart would beat straight out of her chest. “So I started running. The next thing I knew, you told me to get up . . .” Adie trailed off.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Why didn’t I see the tree?” Aura asked, looking down at her hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“I don’t know. Maybe I just imagined it all.” Adie said, trying to convince herself nothing happened. She looked at Aura, whose eyes remained down, deep in thought. “Now promise,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Promise what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“We never talk about it to anyone. We pretend it never happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“What if your eyes turn blue again?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“They won’t. Just promise, please. Okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Promise.” Aura agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie hugged her sister. She closed her eyes, remembering the dark cloud coming toward her. She could never tell Aura the rest of what she’d seen. She buried her face in her sister’s embrace, trying to remove the image from her mind, but the memory flashed across her eyelids, mocking her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She remembered hearing Aura’s voice and turning to see her sister standing a few feet away, hiding in the thin branches of the tree. A dark smoke-like cloud came from around Aura, charging toward Adie. Aura’s black eyes and haunting smile made Adie shudder.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She must never tell anyone.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fP83eO1rjBM/UTlvSUGW_MI/AAAAAAAAI9A/I8NO3hCA0K0LyG_bJWOVK8owU-Tm-11qACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Bauthor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="63" data-original-width="425" height="47" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fP83eO1rjBM/UTlvSUGW_MI/AAAAAAAAI9A/I8NO3hCA0K0LyG_bJWOVK8owU-Tm-11qACPcBGAYYCw/s320/divider%2Bauthor.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38YDer3u_nA/W7ucSMUowiI/AAAAAAAAaK4/sfWsImsswRoQpkTHuMsDBnJowpZgDLjNQCLcBGAs/s1600/Sydney-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38YDer3u_nA/W7ucSMUowiI/AAAAAAAAaK4/sfWsImsswRoQpkTHuMsDBnJowpZgDLjNQCLcBGAs/s320/Sydney-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">About Sydney: </span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Even before I could hold a pencil in my hand, I was making up stories in my head. I wrote my first book in the second grade, Girls [sorry Lena Dunham], about me and my best friends in college [because college was super cool when you were 8] who went on treasure hunts and fought bad guys with our super powers. My second grade teacher was so impressed with me, she laminated a cover and bound it. That will forever be the moment I dreamed of holding a copy of my own book and placing it on a shelf.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Now all grown up, my head still stays in the fantasy world, fashioning worlds where the power of a star can be harnessed and used for time travel, flying is just as easy as walking here on earth – and my best friends are fairies. My characters are dark and lost individuals, but your love for them will grow when you realize not everything is black and white. I am represented by Rebecca Angus at Golden Wheat Literary.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">I have a three book deal with The Parliament House with Book One of my current trilogy, The Halves of Us, scheduled to be published in 10/9/2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://sydneypaigerichardson.com/">Website</a></span></u><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> | <u><a href="https://twitter.com/sydsayingthings">Twitter</a></u>| <u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sydneypaigeauthor/">Facebook</a></u> | <u><a href="http://www.instagram.com/sydneypaigedecides">Instagram</a></u> | <u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17525132.Sydney_Paige_Richardson">Goodreads</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9y3xFJEtPc/UT6X4Dy_mhI/AAAAAAAAI-o/VEkBx17RUdEg9n2efNdj1LcaOhy5vL_nwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Bgiveaway.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="68" data-original-width="425" height="51" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p9y3xFJEtPc/UT6X4Dy_mhI/AAAAAAAAI-o/VEkBx17RUdEg9n2efNdj1LcaOhy5vL_nwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/divider%2Bgiveaway.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Giveaway Details:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">1 winner will win a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e2389ba2815" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2815/" id="rcwidget_gpck82bv" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br /><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><b>Check out the rest of the tour!</b></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><u>Week One:</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">10/8/2018- <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.bookhounds.net/&source=gmail&ust=1538687942253000&usg=AFQjCNFRRSj3e_u-OL76WuyQ5_42a0Q3qQ" href="http://www.bookhounds.net/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">BookHounds</a>- <i>Interview</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">10/9/2018- <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://popthebutterfly.wordpress.com/&source=gmail&ust=1538687942253000&usg=AFQjCNGbCWcBCDjFMcq3yJFzZMZtI2obMA" href="https://popthebutterfly.wordpress.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Popthebutterfly Reads</a>- <i>Review</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">10/10/2018- <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.shortie-says.com/&source=gmail&ust=1538687942253000&usg=AFQjCNHsw-G8dcUtTKHThYztkxiaZFqw6w" href="http://www.shortie-says.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Shortie Says</a>- <i>Excerpt</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">10/11/2018- <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://randombookishbanter.wordpress.com/&source=gmail&ust=1538687942253000&usg=AFQjCNF0MtI0iKyCr2JDVhVVfpedVsk9Vw" href="https://randombookishbanter.wordpress.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Random Bookish Banter</a>- <i>Review</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">10/12/2018- <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.ohheybooks.com/&source=gmail&ust=1538687942253000&usg=AFQjCNEFeRNBXnrjv9Aixz4vcxINzGGGuA" href="http://www.ohheybooks.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Oh Hey! Books.</a>- <i>Interview</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><u>Week Two:</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">10/15/2018- <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.doyoudog-ear.com/&source=gmail&ust=1538687942253000&usg=AFQjCNGqtrqI-5FtI1MV6-M4axs62shFWw" href="https://www.doyoudog-ear.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Do You Dog-ear?</a>- <i>Review</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">10/16/2018- <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://acereadsblog.wordpress.com/&source=gmail&ust=1538687942253000&usg=AFQjCNHQLsSsuL0D_Sllc9Px9zHE1v-Jmg" href="https://acereadsblog.wordpress.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Ace Reads</a>- <i>Excerpt</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">10/17/2018- <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/&source=gmail&ust=1538687942253000&usg=AFQjCNEgp90Py8kR_PvhisS4t_Y8i3wSrw" href="http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Rockin' Book Reviews</a>- <i>Excerpt</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">10/18/2018- <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hereiswhatireadblog.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1538687942253000&usg=AFQjCNEXPoJZLmFqaH3VXMAppHSpLug-9Q" href="https://hereiswhatireadblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">here is what I read blog</a>- <i>Excerpt</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">10/19/2018- <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.twochicksonbooks.com/&source=gmail&ust=1538687942253000&usg=AFQjCNEWpSewh9Sx5EqgoZlSKsbwM1jMqw" href="http://www.twochicksonbooks.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Two Chicks on Books</a>- <i>Review</i></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-6320082163284837452018-10-09T00:00:00.000-04:002018-10-09T00:00:07.881-04:00Release Day Blitz: The Halves of Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0siXbWvp8Bo/W7ubsx23ftI/AAAAAAAAaKo/FYwxRM793HEg86ZdAOoSTjTUwQvr3gF8gCLcBGAs/s1600/THE%2BHALVES%2BOF%2BUS%2BRDB.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="155" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0siXbWvp8Bo/W7ubsx23ftI/AAAAAAAAaKo/FYwxRM793HEg86ZdAOoSTjTUwQvr3gF8gCLcBGAs/s400/THE%2BHALVES%2BOF%2BUS%2BRDB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I am so excited that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">THE HALVES OF US </b>by Sydney Paige Richardson is available now and that I get to share the news!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author Sydney Paige Richardson, be sure to check out all the details below. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International, courtesy of The Parliament House and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">About the Book:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2o4XKN1Ta4/W7ub1ItgtaI/AAAAAAAAaKs/58CdNrex_QgdOAwSSa92iy_985SWyWQ9gCEwYBhgL/s1600/unnamed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z2o4XKN1Ta4/W7ub1ItgtaI/AAAAAAAAaKs/58CdNrex_QgdOAwSSa92iy_985SWyWQ9gCEwYBhgL/s400/unnamed%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Title:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> THE HALVES OF US (The Halves of Us Trilogy #1)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Author: </span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Sydney Paige Richardson<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Pub. Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> October 9, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The Parliament House<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Formats:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> Paperback, eBook<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Pages:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> 480<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Find it:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> <u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37654484-the-halves-of-us?ac=1&from_search=true">Goodreads</a></u>, <u><a href="https://amzn.to/2OUaWgS">Amazon</a></u>, <u><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-halves-of-us-sydney-paige-richardson/1129538276?ean=9788828307273">B&N</a></u>, <u><a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-halves-of-us/id1437060382?mt=11">iBooks</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Twin Sisters: one destined to rule, one cursed to destroy. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Some say blood is thicker than water. But for twin sisters, Adie and Aura, their connection runs even deeper than blood.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">After investigating a surprise attack carried out by dark souls controlled by the Wicked Willow, an evil residing in a neighboring region, Aura uncovers a family secret: she is the fulfillment of a curse placed upon her family centuries ago.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">While Aura is destined to destroy their planet, Thindoral, Adie is fated to follow in their mother’s footsteps and become Ruler, but even Adie’s path comes with revelations. Dangerous premonitions plague her dreams, all depicting Thindoral’s demise at the hand of her sister.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">As darkness takes control of her mind, Aura must determine whether defying fate and time is the choice that will seal her destruction, or if self-sacrifice will save all she holds dear. Meanwhile, Adie is faced with an impossible decision: save her sister, or protect their world? </span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><br /></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">1<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">AURA AND ADIE<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">AGE 12<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">A canvas of dark indigo filled Thindoral’s night sky, and the silver light of the stars reflected the mischief in Aura’s eyes. She counted them one by one, waiting for the Guards to finish their rounds. Waiting for the moons to rise high in the sky. Waiting for the right moment, when the palace was asleep and she could use the stolen key.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">As the residents of the Dome grew quiet and Aura could no longer hear the hustle and bustle from the Town Square below, she tiptoed toward the door adjoining her room to her sister’s. Reaching into her pocket, she ran her fingertips across the roughly carved key to the Holding Room which she’d stolen from her Uncle Gossamer earlier that evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She shivered as the cold brass handle of the door met her palm. The wooden door creaked as she eased it open.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The thin white silk of the bed’s canopy fell in folds as it twirled down the dark wood of the bedposts. Aura tiptoed across the room and looked at her twin. Adie slept peacefully. The moonlight cast through the windows of the double doors leading out to their shared balcony. Aura knelt on the floor beside the bed and tugged on one of her sister’s scarlet braids, a replica of her own. She hid, crouching down as Adie rustled awake.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie sat up, her eyes still heavy with sleep. Aura jumped up onto her sister’s bed, giggling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Aura!” Adie said, throwing a pillow at her sister. She lay back down and covered her face with another pillow.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Come on!” Aura pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“It’s the middle of the night. Let me sleep,” Adie begged, her voice muffled beneath the plush fabric.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Look what I have . . .” Aura’s voice trailed off as she pulled the key out of her pocket. Chiseled from petrified wood, the key’s intricate design cast shadows from the moonlight onto Adie’s bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie raised her head, her sleepy eyes growing wide as intrigue filled them. She crawled across the bed, taking the key from Aura. “How did you . . . when did you—” She stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura failed at hiding her smile. Adie always made her thieving ways feel like grand accomplishments. “We have to go tonight,” she whispered, taking the key back from Adie and putting it in her pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She motioned for Adie to follow her as she made her way to the door leading out from her sister’s room and into the hall. She could hear Adie’s hesitant footsteps coming up beside her. She signaled Adie to stay back as she reached for the door handle.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura tucked a crimson curl behind her ear and tried to steady her breathing before peeking out. Her heartbeat drummed in her ears, nearly drowning out the nearby footsteps as Michael, Security Major of the Guard, paced the hallway as he did every night. The gold emblem of Thindoral’s sacred pendant, the Rokis, shimmered on the back of his dark blue uniform beneath the dim light cast from the lanterns on the walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She spun out of view when Michael glanced over his shoulder, and she silently begged Adie to stay quiet. They held their breath, and Aura swore the beating of her heart was now loud enough to give them away. Closing her eyes, she prayed he hadn’t seen her. If he had, he would never leave his post again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">After pleading to Fate herself, Aura’s gaze shifted out her bedroom window as she waited. Two silver rings lined Thindoral’s largest moon, reflecting bright light through her windows and creating a soft hue around a worried Adie in front of her. Michael’s footsteps faded down the granite hallway as he continued the last of his rounds throughout the Dome, and a grin stretched across Aura’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Are you sure we should do this?” Adie’s voice peaked as she stepped back toward her bed. “Mother always said the Rokis must never be touched by anyone but the Ruler, and—”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura stared at her. “Mother says lots of things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“What about Michael?” Adie frowned as she stepped out of bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“He just finished his rounds. Come on!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura opened the door and searched both directions of the hallway. Michael was nowhere to be seen. She took Adie’s hand as they moved down the lonely hallway, followed only by the sounds of their bare feet pitter-pattering across the granite floors and the light scratching of the designs etching into the walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura released her grip on Adie’s hand and stopped to watch the pencil-like lines swirl around one another, forming mesmerizing odd shapes and letters. Her mother always told her these were secret messages left by the Designers, the godly beings who created the universe and all life within. Those worthy of their secret messages could decipher them. But to this day, none knew what the messages meant. Some areas of the walls repeated, and some changed as someone touched them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura reached out to touch a design, and a flower bloomed where her fingers had just been. As the petals grew larger, her breath caught when the corners became black and shriveled, ultimately falling away from the stem and fading back into the colors of the wall. Her brow furrowed as she skimmed her hands along the rough lines of the walls. The texture moved under her palm like worms through thick dirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Aura! Come on!” Adie whispered, breaking Aura from her trance as she grabbed her hand, pulling her farther down the dimly lantern-lit hallways.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They peeked down where the corridor ended at the Holding Room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“No Guards!” Aura smirked, looking to Adie.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They squeezed each other’s hands tighter as they walked toward the towering silver door.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Are you sure it’s in there tonight?” Adie asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura nodded. “Every fortnight, Mother leaves it in here for one evening. She says something about it being too heavy to sleep with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They stopped in front of the door, looking up as far as they could. Even though the dark of night had taken over the Dome, the door to the Holding Room still glowed. The silver designs carved into its surface reflected in their eyes. An even brighter golden light draped the sacred design of the Rokis which hung above it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“You did make sure you got the right key, didn’t you?” Adie asked. Her head remained tilted back, examining the door as she fidgeted with her braid.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura turned and faced her sister. A mirror image of herself nervously smiled back as she retrieved the key from her pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She handed it to Adie, but she shook her head. “You open it,” Adie insisted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They walked forward, hand in hand. As they approached the door, Aura broke free from her sister. Adie waited a few steps behind, sneaking glances back down the hallway.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura’s hand trembled as she slid the key in the door and twisted. The loud click of the door unlocking hung in the air, and Adie ran toward her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Shhh!” Adie hushed. Aura shrugged and grinned as she twisted the handle. They gazed over their shoulders, peering down the hallway. Adie sighed heavily, relieved as she looked back at Aura and nodded. They were still alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Together, they gritted their teeth and pulled at the door with all their strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Keep pulling,” Adie whispered as it creaked open and she slipped in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura pushed her way through the opening, and the door closed behind them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Plush velvet curtains gathered at the sides of the stone walls around the perimeter of the room, revealing exquisite stained-glass windows. The moonlight poured in, bouncing off the tall ceilings, and a deep rush of color danced across the floor. Aura looked at her blue dress, which now took on a deep red, mimicking the lighting. She twirled around and smiled as the ends of her dress broke the kaleidoscope of colors reflecting on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Aura!” Adie whispered as she pointed to the stairs in the center of the room, leading up to a pedestal.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Hand in hand they marched up the four giant stone steps. There lay the Rokis given to them by the Designers, who harnessed the power of a star in its center gem to protect them from the evil residing on their planet. The gem radiated a bright blue light, and twelve golden triangles jutted outward around it, reflecting a ray of sapphire on their faces.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Touch it!” Aura said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“No! Mother says I have to wait,” Adie replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Come on! We didn’t come here just to look at it. I mean, it’ll be yours one day, anyway.” Aura stood tall and struck a pose, mimicking their mother. “The Rokis belongs to the youngest born, the future Ruler.” She giggled and covered her mouth as the sound echoed throughout the Holding Room. “What’s wrong with touching it now?” she whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura watched her sister’s brow crease in thought as she stared at the Rokis, entranced by its beauty. The light of the center gem captured the jade color of her eyes. Adie shivered suddenly and looked back up at Aura with hesitation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Together?” Aura asked, taking her sister’s hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie gulped and nodded slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">As they brought their hands above the center of the Rokis, Aura could feel Adie’s tremble below hers. She closed her eyes and lowered their hands onto the blue gem. As soon as she felt their palms reach the center, a surge of light burst throughout the room, throwing Aura down the steps.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The bright light rose higher, climbing up the walls. Pain coursed through Aura’s elbow as it smacked on the floor. Clutching her arm, she tried to stifle her tears. Taking a deep breath, she moved from her stomach to a sitting position and looked around, searching for her sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Her bottom lip trembled. “Adie?” she whispered. “Adie!” she whispered louder.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">A blue light collected around the ceiling, swirling above her. Silent tears fell down her cheeks as her trembling evolved into shakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The light came together into a ball in the middle of the ceiling, and Aura froze. It shot down toward the ground, and she shielded her eyes with the back of her hands. Once she felt the light dissipate, she let her hands fall and opened her eyes. Motionless, Adie lay on the floor a few feet in front of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Adie! Adie! Wake up, you must wake up!” Aura ran over to her twin, hushing her voice as she heard the Guards coming down the hallway.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie groaned and opened her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura gasped and stepped back. “Adie, your eyes! They’re blue!” She wiped her tears and looked over at the door as the voices on the other side grew closer. “Come on, we have to get you up. We need to go!” Aura said, helping Adie to her feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They ran over to the curtains and hid behind them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Stand still and don’t make a sound,” Aura begged.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie leaned against Aura’s shoulder as they both peeked out from behind the curtains.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“The key. Where’s the key?!” Gossamer shouted from outside the Holding Room door.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Sir, it’s open . . .” replied one of the Guards as they eased into the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura pulled the curtain back over them, listening to Adie’s heavy breathing. She tried to calm her down, hoping the Guards wouldn’t discover them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“I was making my way back to my room, when I saw a bright light come from behind the door. That’s when I discovered my key missing . . .” Gossamer’s deep voice bellowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“We were on guard, sir, but saw nothing,” another Guard replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura peeked out from the curtains once more. Gossamer walked up the tall steps to the pedestal, a puzzled expression on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“The Rokis is still here, unharmed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“It could’ve been the stained glass windows reflecting the light, sir,” suggested the short, squatty Guard.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Gossamer spun around to face him, and Aura quickly stepped back behind the curtain.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Have the other Guards stand directly outside the entrance. We’ll begin a search for the key.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Minister, could you have possibly misplac—” the Guard began.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“The keys are always on me.” Gossamer pulled on the iron loop around his belt. Hundreds of keys dangled atop one another and clinked together as he released the loop. “They never leave my side. And remember, no one is to touch the Rokis but the Ruler herself. Its powers are far more than we can comprehend. Have the Guards check all the exits. Make sure everyone is accounted for. The last time this happened . . .” He paused, his hands still in fists. “Double the Guards around the Ruler and Adie and Aura’s chambers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie gasped, and Aura quickly covered her sister’s mouth. She narrowed her eyes at Adie in a silent plea to keep quiet. She frowned upon seeing her sister’s eyes remained bright blue. They stood perfectly still as Gossamer and the Guards quieted. Aura prayed they didn’t come any closer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Sir, I don’t think we should alarm the staff. We haven’t had an intrusion in years.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“We take no risks!” Gossamer shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura peeked out as her uncle walked toward the entrance. His face reddened as he took a few long breaths. She’d never seen him this angry.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Check the exits. Do not wake the Ruler. I will inform her myself. Keep Guards at the door until the key is recovered,” he ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">THE DOOR CLOSED BEHIND THEM, and Adie removed Aura’s hand from her mouth. She peered out into the empty room. “We have to get out of here!” Adie’s stomach churned as her nerves took over.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura stepped out from the curtain and ran after Adie, hugging her tightly. “What happened? I thought you were gone!” She pulled away from Adie, wiping away new tears. “And why are your eyes blue?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“I don’t know . . .” Adie tried to hide the welling in her eyes. “But if Uncle Gossamer finds us in here, we’ll be in terrible trouble. We have to get back to our rooms.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura nodded in agreement. “I’ll leave the key here. He’ll think he dropped it.” She knelt and carefully placed the key on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“I suggest we pretend this never happened.” Adie bit her lip to hide its trembling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Agreed.” She made her way to Adie, hugging her again. “You had me so worried. Where did you go?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Her sister’s arms clung tightly to her. A warm tear fell down Adie’s cheek. “I don’t know. Let’s worry about getting out of here first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura pulled away from their embrace, heading toward the entrance of the Holding Room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Wait! The Guards?” Adie stepped in front of her, blocking her way toward the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura tugged Adie’s braid. “Those are the same Guards who were sleeping through their shift. How do you think we got in here without being detected?” Her mouth curled into a mischievous grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“No! No! Aura, what if they are on the other side?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“We can’t hide in here forever,” Aura replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Maybe we just confess . . .”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“And explain to Mother what happened?” Aura said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie froze, holding her breath as Aura cracked the door and glanced through the opening.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She closed the door slowly and turned toward Adie. “There are two Guards with their back to us. We’re going to count to three and make a run straight out of here. Got it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie nodded back at her and finally breathed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Hey,” Aura said as she reached for Adie’s hand. “They’re on the other side of the door, toward the left. We can make it. Count with me. One . . .”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Two,” Adie replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Three!” they whispered as they slipped out of the tiny opening of the door and darted down the corridor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“They didn’t see us!” Aura said, but Adie dared not look back.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They continued to run down the hallway and dashed into Adie’s room. Adie shut the door quietly behind her as they heard footsteps coming down the hallway.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Quick! Into bed!” Aura whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">They both jumped into Adie’s bed and huddled together.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Close your eyes!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Shh!” Adie responded.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Her bedroom door creaked opened, allowing a sliver of light halfway into the room. Adie squeezed her eyes shut as she heard Gossamer sigh and close the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Aura pushed the covers back and jumped out of bed, listening to his footsteps disappear down the hall. Adie opened her eyes and turned over, clutching one of her pillows as Aura got back in bed with a satisfied grin on her face.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Adie, your eyes aren’t blue anymore!” she exclaimed. Her smile grew wider.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie stood and walked over to the dark wood vanity by her bed. She examined herself in the mirror. Emerald eyes stared back at her. She pulled at the puffy, tired skin beneath them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Now are you going to tell me what happened?” Aura asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie’s hands dropped to her side. She continued to stare at her reflection. She blinked and froze as the whites of her eyes vanished and went black. She blinked again and the emerald color returned. Taking in a deep breath, she walked back over to the bed, shaking her head and lying down.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“I don’t exactly know, but I think we should promise to never talk about it ever again. If Mother were to find out—”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“She won’t, but I must know!” Aura begged. “Adie, you disappeared—”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie looked at her sister, frizzy red ringlets framed her face. She sighed, sitting up and facing Aura. “I don’t know where I was, but there was this tall beautiful tree.” Her eyes grew wide at the vivid memory. “It had long, thin branches that swayed in the wind. They filled the space around me. There was so many I couldn’t see past them! I walked closer to the trunk of the tree, but I had to tilt my head to see the top.” She hesitated.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Her sister’s curious expression was opposite of the worry in her own.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Then there was this gust of wind, and I turned as a black cloud of smoke came straight toward me. The branches started to lose their leaves, and what I could see of the sky was changing to red.” She paused, fearing her heart would beat straight out of her chest. “So I started running. The next thing I knew, you told me to get up . . .” Adie trailed off.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Why didn’t I see the tree?” Aura asked, looking down at her hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“I don’t know. Maybe I just imagined it all.” Adie said, trying to convince herself nothing happened. She looked at Aura, whose eyes remained down, deep in thought. “Now promise,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Promise what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“We never talk about it to anyone. We pretend it never happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“What if your eyes turn blue again?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“They won’t. Just promise, please. Okay?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Promise.” Aura agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Adie hugged her sister. She closed her eyes, remembering the dark cloud coming toward her. She could never tell Aura the rest of what she’d seen. She buried her face in her sister’s embrace, trying to remove the image from her mind, but the memory flashed across her eyelids, mocking her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She remembered hearing Aura’s voice and turning to see her sister standing a few feet away, hiding in the thin branches of the tree. A dark smoke-like cloud came from around Aura, charging toward Adie. Aura’s black eyes and haunting smile made Adie shudder.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">She must never tell anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">-----------------------</span></div><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38YDer3u_nA/W7ucSMUowiI/AAAAAAAAaK4/sfWsImsswRoQpkTHuMsDBnJowpZgDLjNQCLcBGAs/s1600/Sydney-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38YDer3u_nA/W7ucSMUowiI/AAAAAAAAaK4/sfWsImsswRoQpkTHuMsDBnJowpZgDLjNQCLcBGAs/s320/Sydney-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">About Sydney: </span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Even before I could hold a pencil in my hand, I was making up stories in my head. I wrote my first book in the second grade, Girls [sorry Lena Dunham], about me and my best friends in college [because college was super cool when you were 8] who went on treasure hunts and fought bad guys with our super powers. My second grade teacher was so impressed with me, she laminated a cover and bound it. That will forever be the moment I dreamed of holding a copy of my own book and placing it on a shelf.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Now all grown up, my head still stays in the fantasy world, fashioning worlds where the power of a star can be harnessed and used for time travel, flying is just as easy as walking here on earth – and my best friends are fairies. My characters are dark and lost individuals, but your love for them will grow when you realize not everything is black and white. I am represented by Rebecca Angus at Golden Wheat Literary.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">I have a three book deal with The Parliament House with Book One of my current trilogy, The Halves of Us, scheduled to be published in 10/9/2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://sydneypaigerichardson.com/">Website</a></span></u><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"> | <u><a href="https://twitter.com/sydsayingthings">Twitter</a></u>| <u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sydneypaigeauthor/">Facebook</a></u> | <u><a href="http://www.instagram.com/sydneypaigedecides">Instagram</a></u> | <u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17525132.Sydney_Paige_Richardson">Goodreads</a></u><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;">-----------------------</span></div><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Giveaway Details:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">1 winner will win a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e2389ba2815" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2815/" id="rcwidget_gpck82bv" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-47137379256978800242018-10-02T00:00:00.000-04:002018-10-02T00:00:07.675-04:00Review - Alex Approximately by: Jenn Bennett<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6UNlmIKMNk/W7LaR40L2kI/AAAAAAAANMQ/FkpCVgBv-X4LkJ6hWysWlKyDL9ZdicAcwCLcBGAs/s1600/alex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="271" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6UNlmIKMNk/W7LaR40L2kI/AAAAAAAANMQ/FkpCVgBv-X4LkJ6hWysWlKyDL9ZdicAcwCLcBGAs/s400/alex.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><i>Synopsis:</i></b> Classic movie fan Bailey “Mink” Rydell has spent months crushing on a witty film geek she only knows online as Alex. Two coasts separate the teens until Bailey moves in with her dad, who lives in the same California surfing town as her online crush.<br /><br />Faced with doubts (what if he’s a creep in real life—or worse?), Bailey doesn’t tell Alex she’s moved to his hometown. Or that she’s landed a job at the local tourist-trap museum. Or that she’s being heckled daily by the irritatingly hot museum security guard, Porter Roth—a.k.a. her new archnemesis. But life is a whole lot messier than the movies, especially when Bailey discovers that tricky fine line between hate, love, and whatever it is she’s starting to feel for Porter.<br /><br />And as the summer months go by, Bailey must choose whether to cling to a dreamy online fantasy in Alex or take a risk on an imperfect reality with Porter. The choice is both simpler and more complicated than she realizes, because Porter Roth is hiding a secret of his own: Porter is Alex…Approximately.</blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Sy4C1kiG8/UTlocR4OZXI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/p4W1qoW5hg01yppnc5Ki2-IVWrYpOmoqgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="425" height="33" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Sy4C1kiG8/UTlocR4OZXI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/p4W1qoW5hg01yppnc5Ki2-IVWrYpOmoqgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Well, shoot. This book is all of the feels. I absolutely adored this book and could not put it down. I have to thank Brooke, over at <a href="http://www.brooke-reports.blogspot.com/">Brooke Reports</a>, for giving me another favorite book boy. <i>Alex, Approximately</i> has every little detail you're looking in a young adult book.<br /><br />We start off with Mink, who doesn't have the best background when it comes to her relationship with her parents. Though, lets face it... what amazing story doesn't start with some sort of emotional baggage? However, Mink has a little secret of her own, she has someone she confides in, shares laughs and emotions with but the catch is, she doesn't actually know him in person.<br /><br />With the world the way it is today, online relationships are becoming more and more common, whether it's a friend or something more. What makes this so relatable is the constant struggle between real life and her world online.<br /><br />Honestly, I was absolutely enamored with Jenn Bennett's ability to tell an addicting and utterly cute story. I was loving every smile, secret, and every heart-warming moment. Fantastic story and I cannot wait to read more by her.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HnJsc9i-Ph0/URm6Q71at4I/AAAAAAAAIyU/1lrBlB9elo8MCvGHPXjw5qzEB5_s_750wCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/5splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HnJsc9i-Ph0/URm6Q71at4I/AAAAAAAAIyU/1lrBlB9elo8MCvGHPXjw5qzEB5_s_750wCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/5splats.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">- 5 out of 5 splatters - </div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-59495447274343800262018-09-17T08:00:00.000-04:002018-09-17T08:00:04.297-04:00Blog Tour - Zero Repeat Forever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRJQ9HxEJPM/W57yQhqBx_I/AAAAAAAANLg/MDray3vW4lY-Agcfw8m2LIk2Q5qgpck0gCLcBGAs/s1600/ZEROREPEATFOREVER%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRJQ9HxEJPM/W57yQhqBx_I/AAAAAAAANLg/MDray3vW4lY-Agcfw8m2LIk2Q5qgpck0gCLcBGAs/s400/ZEROREPEATFOREVER%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Title:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> ZERO REPEAT FOREVER<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Author:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/null" name="_Hlk491596214">Gabrielle Prendergast</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pub. Date: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">August 29, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pages:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> 496<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Formats: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hardcover, eBook, audiobook<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Find it: </span></b><a href="http://amzn.to/2hKyDMD"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amazon</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/zero-repeat-forever-g-s-prendergast/1125685841?ean=9781481481847"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">B&N</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><a href="http://amzn.to/2vFiHRq"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Audible</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><a href="https://linkmaker.itunes.apple.com/en-us/details/1227595075?country=us&mediaType=books&term=zero+repeat+forever"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">iBooks</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Zero-Repeat-Forever/9781481481847/?a_aid=twochicksonbooks"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">TBD</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28945665-zero-repeat-forever"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.6667px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Description:</span></b></div><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><blockquote><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">He has no voice, or name, only a rank, Eighth. He doesn’t know the details of the mission, only the directives that hum in his mind.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dart the humans. Leave them where they fall.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">His job is to protect his Offside. Let her do the shooting.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Until a human kills her…</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sixteen year-old Raven is at summer camp when the terrifying armored Nahx invade, annihilating entire cities, taking control of the Earth. Isolated in the wilderness, Raven and her friends have only a fragment of instruction from the human resistance.</span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Shelter in place.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Which seems like good advice at first. Stay put. Await rescue. Raven doesn’t like feeling helpless but what choice does she have?</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Then a Nahx kills her boyfriend.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Thrown together in a violent, unfamiliar world, Eighth and Raven should feel only hate and fear. But when Raven is injured, and Eighth deserts his unit, their survival comes to depend on trusting each other… </span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fP83eO1rjBM/UTlvSUGW_MI/AAAAAAAAI9A/I8NO3hCA0K0LyG_bJWOVK8owU-Tm-11qACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Bauthor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="63" data-original-width="425" height="58" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fP83eO1rjBM/UTlvSUGW_MI/AAAAAAAAI9A/I8NO3hCA0K0LyG_bJWOVK8owU-Tm-11qACPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider%2Bauthor.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EAkTOeIWy2s/W57zTjl0YFI/AAAAAAAANLs/uy66yY4p5TEwxaxV8fsDIgAHp0-yKGJ5gCLcBGAs/s1600/headshotgpnov16-color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="305" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EAkTOeIWy2s/W57zTjl0YFI/AAAAAAAANLs/uy66yY4p5TEwxaxV8fsDIgAHp0-yKGJ5gCLcBGAs/s1600/headshotgpnov16-color.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>About Gabrielle</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gabrielle is a writer, teacher and designer living in Vancouver, Canada. You can read about her books </span><a href="http://angelhorn.com/my-books-2/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">. She is represented by Barbara Poelle at the </span><a href="http://www.irenegoodman.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Irene Goodman Literary Agency</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 2014 she was the Writer in Residence at Vancouver Public Library. In 2015 she was nominated for the BC Book Prizes and chosen to tour the province to promote BC Books. In 2017 Gabrielle took part in the TD Canada Children’s Book Week Tour. She has also been nominated for the </span><a href="http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/books-video-music/books/award-winners/award.jsp?awardYear=2015&listId=0AgLJAUL-ax5RdGVhLWt2VHZsSXhnWlJkMGZPbzM3R1E&yearId=ocx"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">White Pine Award</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">and the </span><a href="https://www.cla.ca/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&CONTENTID=15002&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CLA Award</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gabrielle won the </span><a href="http://wfa.yolasite.com/past-winners.php"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Westchester Award </span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">for Audacious. Audacious was included in CBC’s list of </span><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/books/books100ya.html"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">100 YA Books That Make You Proud to be Canadian.</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> A poem from </span><a href="https://angelhornpages.wordpress.com/my-books-2/audacious-capricious/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Capricious</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> was chosen for the 2014 </span><a href="http://books.bc.ca/2014-poetry-in-transit/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Poetry in Transit </span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Program. </span><a href="https://angelhornpages.wordpress.com/my-books-2/pandas-on-the-eastside/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Pandas on the East Side</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> was chosen as an Ontario Library Association Best Bet for Junior Fiction in 2016. 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| </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorgsprendergast/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> | </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gsprendergast/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Intstagram</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> |</span> <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/petal65/">Pinterest</a>| <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5093254.Gabrielle_Prendergast"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Goodreads</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><!--EndFragment--><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Sy4C1kiG8/UTlocR4OZXI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/p4W1qoW5hg01yppnc5Ki2-IVWrYpOmoqgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="425" height="33" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Sy4C1kiG8/UTlocR4OZXI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/p4W1qoW5hg01yppnc5Ki2-IVWrYpOmoqgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fan Videos and Reviews</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9yi8AdMEwAg" width="450"></iframe> <br />There's one amazing review! Check out many more <a href="https://www.zerorepeatforever.com/videos">HERE</a>!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72ExiK436BY/UTlkgWyXZaI/AAAAAAAAI8E/CdVzav0dx446U0V3SPxDD6Zg930n6C1PgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Bgiveaway.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="68" data-original-width="425" height="63" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72ExiK436BY/UTlkgWyXZaI/AAAAAAAAI8E/CdVzav0dx446U0V3SPxDD6Zg930n6C1PgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider%2Bgiveaway.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EDUEvJ7iHF0/W571R7n3f1I/AAAAAAAANL4/QtW2FOhii34iBjDrY_k6iI_q_6OuB1gtwCLcBGAs/s1600/Giveaway.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="434" height="283" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EDUEvJ7iHF0/W571R7n3f1I/AAAAAAAANL4/QtW2FOhii34iBjDrY_k6iI_q_6OuB1gtwCLcBGAs/s320/Giveaway.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Giveaway Details: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1 winner will receive a grand prize of a signed copy of ZERO REPEAT FOREVER, a tote bag, & a swag pack, US & Canada Only.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:RelyOnVML/> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> 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gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9 winners will receive ZERO REPEAT FOREVER Swag Packs (stickers, signed bookplate, tattoo and bookmark), US Only & Canada.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e2389ba2796" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2796/" id="rcwidget_1vwd5wbv" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script> </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Sy4C1kiG8/UTlocR4OZXI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/p4W1qoW5hg01yppnc5Ki2-IVWrYpOmoqgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="425" height="33" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Sy4C1kiG8/UTlocR4OZXI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/p4W1qoW5hg01yppnc5Ki2-IVWrYpOmoqgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Follow The Tour!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 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mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Week One:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9/10/2018- </span><a href="http://www.herestohappyendings.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here's to Happy Endings</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Quiz</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9/11/2018- <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/null" name="_Hlk524107025"></a><a href="https://agingerlyreview.wordpress.com/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk524107025;">A Gingerly Review</span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk524107025;"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk524107025;"></span>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ways to win or buy swag</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9/12/2018- </span><a href="https://trendysimplelife.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Trendy Simple Life</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fan art</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9/13/2018- </span><a href="http://www.twochicksonbooks.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Two Chicks on Books</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deleted Scenes</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9/14/2018- </span><a href="https://novelnovice.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Novel Novice</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bookclub Questions</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Week Two:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9/17/2018- </span><a href="http://www.shortie-says.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Shortie Says</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fan videos/reviews</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9/18/2018- </span><a href="https://simplydanielradcliffe.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Simply Daniel Radcliffe</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A "Find Your Sci-Fi Title" Meme<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9/19/2018- </span><a href="http://never-anyone-else.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Always Me</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">An FAQ/fan forum</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9/20/2018- </span><a href="http://www.bookhoundsya.net/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">BookHounds YA</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Character descriptions</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">9/21/2018- </span><a href="https://thehermitlibrarian.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Hermit Librarian</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The pitch for book 2!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-86806076018938124102018-09-10T05:00:00.000-04:002018-09-10T05:00:07.491-04:00Music Monday #67<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Monday, lovelies!!<br /><br />Two weekends ago, I spent my weekend in NYC and actually got to take pictures with the Marshmello mural, which pretty much made my life. So of course one of the songs will be that one.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpsqKXDJWlc/W5AWML9H_rI/AAAAAAAANLA/4j8GbEs-nMYXut3I7A3iITnAZqPSXoQVgCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-09-04%2Bat%2B6.54.38%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1180" height="332" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpsqKXDJWlc/W5AWML9H_rI/AAAAAAAANLA/4j8GbEs-nMYXut3I7A3iITnAZqPSXoQVgCLcBGAs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-09-04%2Bat%2B6.54.38%2BPM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />However, I hope everyone had an amazing weekend! Enjoy this week's picks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujVSADXN_FE/V5tcaKvq66I/AAAAAAAAMzY/ywqpm2VuhTEfgMZJBH29L5CbDxnD40R6gCLcB/s1600/divider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="33" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujVSADXN_FE/V5tcaKvq66I/AAAAAAAAMzY/ywqpm2VuhTEfgMZJBH29L5CbDxnD40R6gCLcB/s400/divider.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1) Marshmello ft. Dan Smith from Bastille - Happier</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"I want to raise your spirits. I want to see you smile."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RE87rQkXdNw/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RE87rQkXdNw?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2) Rufus Du Sol - Underwater</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This song has all the feels lately.<br /><br /><i>"Save me now before I give up. Help me out before I drown."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/v8H7O-1RBKY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v8H7O-1RBKY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3) Benny Blanco, Halsey and Khalid - Eastside (Acoustic)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I absolutely adore this song. I also adore Halsey.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/32MoxgA7_20/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/32MoxgA7_20?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujVSADXN_FE/V5tcaKvq66I/AAAAAAAAMzc/vV1qKRdtjZAxrGtg5B8pncEftdNcEcQ9wCEw/s1600/divider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="33" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujVSADXN_FE/V5tcaKvq66I/AAAAAAAAMzc/vV1qKRdtjZAxrGtg5B8pncEftdNcEcQ9wCEw/s400/divider.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So what do ya think? Comments? Suggestions? Love notes?!</div><div style="text-align: center;">PS. If you want to see more of what I'm listening to check out my hash tag on twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jenasplaylist">#JenasPlaylist</a>! :) </div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-38246600803435852152018-09-04T19:29:00.000-04:002018-09-04T19:29:14.915-04:00Review - The Cruel Prince by: Holly Black<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DfLAyQqfOQc/W48UqEHCgwI/AAAAAAAANK0/UOWP2zpge8QSxsktSruPAYbyCXdBmo00ACLcBGAs/s1600/TCK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DfLAyQqfOQc/W48UqEHCgwI/AAAAAAAANK0/UOWP2zpge8QSxsktSruPAYbyCXdBmo00ACLcBGAs/s400/TCK.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><i><br /></i><i><br /></i><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>Synopsis: </i>Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.<br />And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.<br /><br />Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.<br /><br />To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.<br /><br />As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself. </blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Sy4C1kiG8/UTlocR4OZXI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/p4W1qoW5hg01yppnc5Ki2-IVWrYpOmoqgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="425" height="33" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Sy4C1kiG8/UTlocR4OZXI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/p4W1qoW5hg01yppnc5Ki2-IVWrYpOmoqgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I don’t even know where to start. I absolutely loved every vicious aspect and every perfect piece of this book. There are no words for how much I loved this story. <i>The Cruel Prince</i> is one of those books where so many scenes just keep playing over in your head. Scenes with hateful intentions, horrifying occurrences, and ones that makes your heart race faster all blur like a whirlwind constantly.<br /><br />Each character in this story has something to offer and I love each so much that I don’t even know who to start with. So I’ll start with Ghost because I love each sneaky part of his role and the fact that he’s half human. Then there's the characters you love to hate, which in this story there are many. I'll keep names out so I do not spoil anything.<br /><br />With our protagonists... there's Jude. Jude is unlike any character I’ve ever read. She’s a human with flaws through and through however she is also cruel. Her behavior really got to me sometimes. Not because she’s ruthlessly badass and harsh but because she almost does it with a blankness, like a shell of someone she doesn’t even know. It's almost horrifying to watch in the most delicious way.<br /><br />Then, there’s Cardan who also seems to have multiple personalities of his own. You never quite know where you stand with him, yet he’s the most honest person in the whole story. I totally fell in love with him, and cannot wait to see where his and Jude's story goes. <br /><br />There are so many twisted puzzle pieces that put this story together, each more cruel than the other, and it was honestly, in my eyes, perfect.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4atCkdFNF0/USmsPZkSp9I/AAAAAAAAI2U/DnSWFZv7HfwamQcL7WtgTiY46y5o3fDTQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/5splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" height="62" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e4atCkdFNF0/USmsPZkSp9I/AAAAAAAAI2U/DnSWFZv7HfwamQcL7WtgTiY46y5o3fDTQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/5splats.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- 5 out of 5 Splatters - </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-61479212595533056212018-08-20T18:34:00.000-04:002018-08-20T18:34:21.576-04:00Review - Shadow of The Fox by: Julie Kagawa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-in9Srn82gfs/W3s_VGYePlI/AAAAAAAANJA/9WLK0Uxs_WEJoMBPj17nRTFhXmiqm-TewCLcBGAs/s1600/shadowofF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-in9Srn82gfs/W3s_VGYePlI/AAAAAAAANJA/9WLK0Uxs_WEJoMBPj17nRTFhXmiqm-TewCLcBGAs/s400/shadowofF.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><b><i><br /></i></b><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b><i>Description</i></b>: <b>One thousand years ago, the great Kami Dragon was summoned to grant a single terrible wish—and the land of Iwagoto was plunged into an age of darkness and chaos.<br /></b><br />Now, for whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, a new wish will be granted. A new age is about to dawn.<br /><br />Raised by monks in the isolated Silent Winds temple, Yumeko has trained all her life to hide her yokai nature. Half kitsune, half human, her skill with illusion is matched only by her penchant for mischief. Until the day her home is burned to the ground, her adoptive family is brutally slain and she is forced to flee for her life with the temple’s greatest treasure—one part of the ancient scroll.<br /><br />There are many who would claim the dragon’s wish for their own. Kage Tatsumi, a mysterious samurai of the Shadow Clan, is one such hunter, under orders to retrieve the scroll…at any cost. Fate brings Kage and Yumeko together. With a promise to lead him to the scroll, an uneasy alliance is formed, offering Yumeko her best hope for survival. But he seeks what she has hidden away, and her deception could ultimately tear them both apart.<br /><br />With an army of demons at her heels and the unlikeliest of allies at her side, Yumeko’s secrets are more than a matter of life or death. They are the key to the fate of the world itself. </blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Sy4C1kiG8/UTlocR4OZXI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/p4W1qoW5hg01yppnc5Ki2-IVWrYpOmoqgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="425" height="33" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Sy4C1kiG8/UTlocR4OZXI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/p4W1qoW5hg01yppnc5Ki2-IVWrYpOmoqgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Wowza. Not even sure where to begin with this one. The amazing Japanese lore, world building and characters just make this book into a total adventurous package. Julie Kagawa definitely nailed this one!<br /><br />With our protagonist, Yumeko, she's young and very shielded from the world for good reason. I will say she came off very naive, almost baby-like, and while it annoyed me a bit in the beginning, I began to understand that she was growing with the story and becoming who she finally needed to be. She's the type of character you become proud of.<br /><br />On the other side, I adored all of the side characters. Okame, Daisuke, and especially Tatsumi. Okame is the perfect character relief you’re always looking for. While much larger of a role is Tatsumi. He is our other main character on a journey of his own that quickly becomes tied to Yumeko. I adored his darkness and constant internal conflicts. He’s every bit the brooding protector and I loved every part of his story. <br /><br />Overall, the world building and information on the accident Japanese demons and empires were out of this world. It look me a bit to get into the story, but once it took off, it really took off. I adored the last 40% of the book and honestly could NOT put it down. Absolutely fabulous read and cannot wait for the next book in the series.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vYEFx9lJRhg/UTlqilY2rfI/AAAAAAAAI8o/Nw1ecwdBQNsIxYNVPuUvZXlMIxa6w_XXACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/4splats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="40" data-original-width="205" height="60" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vYEFx9lJRhg/UTlqilY2rfI/AAAAAAAAI8o/Nw1ecwdBQNsIxYNVPuUvZXlMIxa6w_XXACPcBGAYYCw/s320/4splats.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>- 4 out of 5 Splatters - </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1851178100766039872.post-58915000555934154492018-08-17T00:00:00.000-04:002018-08-17T00:00:06.400-04:00Blog Tour - Unleashed by: Bella Jacobs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SpobW0R7QDQ/W3A5SEROdpI/AAAAAAAANII/d_MPPBxiEDArTxE-7Nu6PI4tyrFscRG5QCLcBGAs/s1600/UNLEASHED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="615" height="155" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SpobW0R7QDQ/W3A5SEROdpI/AAAAAAAANII/d_MPPBxiEDArTxE-7Nu6PI4tyrFscRG5QCLcBGAs/s400/UNLEASHED.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jLiG5OO-jTU/UUFIahBDodI/AAAAAAAAJA0/jvqzu7NWSx0AwFdqztGUuy9brT79pLZDwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="425" height="33" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jLiG5OO-jTU/UUFIahBDodI/AAAAAAAAJA0/jvqzu7NWSx0AwFdqztGUuy9brT79pLZDwCPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p-cqHrooLeE/W3A7zR8yI8I/AAAAAAAANIk/SPhxta4YQPAygC0gHvf7r74RgVGhJhCgwCLcBGAs/s1600/Jessie%2BEvans.Dark%2BMoon%2BShifters.Unleashed.ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p-cqHrooLeE/W3A7zR8yI8I/AAAAAAAANIk/SPhxta4YQPAygC0gHvf7r74RgVGhJhCgwCLcBGAs/s400/Jessie%2BEvans.Dark%2BMoon%2BShifters.Unleashed.ebook.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><b>Title:</b> UNLEASHED<br /><b>Author:</b> Bella Jacobs<br /><b>Pub. Date:</b> August 17, 2018<br /><b>Publisher:</b> Bella Jacobs Books<br /><b>Formats:</b> Paperback, eBook<br /><b>Pages:</b> 298<br /><b>Find it:</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40721361-unleashed">Goodreads</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/2OW1sC6">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://amzn.to/2nf8XYi">Amazon UK</a><br /><b><br /></b><b>Description:</b><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">One woman on the run. Four dangerously sexy bodyguards. And a war brewing that will change the shifter world forever…<br /><br />I’m living on borrowed time, fighting for survival against a deadly new virus that has no cure and a cult doing its best to brainwash me. But when a mysterious note shows up on my windowsill one night, its chilling message--Run, Wren--launches me out of the frying pan and into the fire.<br /><br />Within hours, everything I thought I knew about my life, my family, and my origins is obliterated, and I'm racking up enemies at an alarming rate. Between the cult I've just escaped, a violent shifter faction out for my blood, and an ancient evil who eats "chosen ones" like me for breakfast, my last hope is to join forces with four dangerous-looking men who claim they were sent to guard my life.<br /><br />Luke, a werewolf with a rap sheet. Creedence, a lynx shifter who never met a mark he couldn’t con. Kite, a bear kin with a mean right hook and heart of gold. And Dust, my childhood best friend and dude voted least likely to be a secret shape-shifting griffin.<br /><br />But are these men really what they seem?<br /><br />Or are my alpha guardians hiding a secret agenda of their own?<br /><br />I’m not sure, but one thing is for certain—choosing the right allies will mean the difference between life and death. For me, and everyone I love.<br /><br />UNLEASHED is book one in the Dark Moon Shifter’s series. It is a true reverse harem featuring one woman and her four mates. </blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQRQDTfAnwQ/UWTpwkp2MII/AAAAAAAAJUg/ji86QL4IH7AWhrM7sxUNOLejAjv462PdACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="37" data-original-width="425" height="33" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQRQDTfAnwQ/UWTpwkp2MII/AAAAAAAAJUg/ji86QL4IH7AWhrM7sxUNOLejAjv462PdACPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oq04RCfSsAA/W3A7eAISYXI/AAAAAAAANIc/8BwZLCfgYLgZ565hQpFA2jwJE0NyPMBNwCLcBGAs/s1600/coollogo_com-12445346.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="317" height="119" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oq04RCfSsAA/W3A7eAISYXI/AAAAAAAANIc/8BwZLCfgYLgZ565hQpFA2jwJE0NyPMBNwCLcBGAs/s200/coollogo_com-12445346.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><blockquote class="tr_bq">Kite lifts one big hand, gently smoothing my hair behind my ear, securing it against the breeze. “It’s okay. You do the best you can. That’s all any of us can do.”<br /><br />“I just wish I had more energy,” I say, the words out before I can stop them. I never talk about my condition with Kite. I don’t want to remind him that I’m not the shiniest apple in the barrel. Fair to him or not, I want him to pick me.<br /><br /><br />At least for a little while.<br /><br />His jaw tightens and something that looks a lot like rage flickers across his features before the expression is gone, but it still leaves me speechless. I’m so shocked by that glimpse of something other than the gentleness I’ve always seen in Kite that I flinch as he cups my face in his hands and says, “Things can change and they will change, Wren. I promise you. As long as there’s breath in my body, you’re not going to die. You’ve just got to be ready when the time comes.”<br /><br /><br />I tip my head back, bringing my lips terrifying, thrillingly close to Kite’s as my eyes go wide. I swallow hard, thoughts swarming in a mixture of confusion and longing. “What are you talking about? Ready for what?”<br /><br /><br />His brow furrows as he searches my face with an intensity that makes my stomach flip. “I’ve already said things I shouldn’t. Just promise me you’ll keep that beautiful mind of yours open, okay?”<br /><br />“Kite, I don’t—”<br /><br />“Do you trust me, Wren?” he asks, using my given name for a second time in just a few minutes, making me realize how rarely he uses it and how rarely I’ve seen him with this kind of fire in his eyes.<br /><br />“I…” I hold his gaze, but no matter how deep I look, I only see concern. Caring. Maybe something even stronger than caring. Maybe something close to the way I feel when I’m in his arms and the world suddenly makes more sense than it did before.<br /><br />I exhale, heart slowing as I say, “Yes, I do. I trust you.”<br /><br />His shoulders sag with a relief that makes me feel like I’ve done something much more important than answer a question. “Good. Keep trusting me, Bird Girl, and I’m going to show you a whole new world. A world where you can be the powerhouse you are on the inside.”<br /><br />The backs of my eyes begin to sting, but I’m smiling when I say, “There’s no cure, Kite. I might never go back into remission, let alone get better.”<br /><br />He pauses, seeming to debate something silently before he whispers, “But then again, you might.” Before I can assure him that hope is a lost cause in this case, he leans down and presses his lips to mine and I’m the thing that’s lost.<br /><br />My eyes slide closed as my heart lights up, each warm, sweet brush of his lips against mine making my body fill with magic. Electricity floods my nerve endings and my pulse races so fast I know I would fall over if Kite let me go.<br /><br /><br />But he doesn’t let me go, he wraps me up in his strong arms, hugging me close as he lifts me off my feet, bringing our lips onto a level playing field as he takes charge of holding us both steady. With a soft sob of gratitude for this kiss, this miracle, this moment of feeling like the luckiest girl in Seattle, I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him with everything in me, not caring if I use up all the energy I’ll need to get home.</blockquote><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> 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1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} </style></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fP83eO1rjBM/UTlvSUGW_MI/AAAAAAAAI9A/I8NO3hCA0K0LyG_bJWOVK8owU-Tm-11qACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Bauthor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="63" data-original-width="425" height="58" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fP83eO1rjBM/UTlvSUGW_MI/AAAAAAAAI9A/I8NO3hCA0K0LyG_bJWOVK8owU-Tm-11qACPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider%2Bauthor.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b><b>About Bella:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />Bella Jacobs loves pulse-pounding action, fantasy, and supernaturally high stakes, mixed with swoon-worthy romance and unforgettable heroes. She's been a full time writer for over a decade and hit the USA Today Bestseller list multiple times in contemporary romance under her other pen name. She writes as Bella for her trips to the dark side and can't wait to take you on her next adventure. xo! <br /><br /><a href="https://www.bellajacobsbooks.com/"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Website</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> | </span><a href="https://www.subscribepage.com/q9t2v1"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Newsletter</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> | </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BellaJacobsBooks/"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Facebook</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> | </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bella-Jacobs/e/B07G8RBPH5/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1">Amazon Author Page</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72ExiK436BY/UTlkgWyXZaI/AAAAAAAAI8E/CdVzav0dx446U0V3SPxDD6Zg930n6C1PgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/divider%2Bgiveaway.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="68" data-original-width="425" height="63" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72ExiK436BY/UTlkgWyXZaI/AAAAAAAAI8E/CdVzav0dx446U0V3SPxDD6Zg930n6C1PgCPcBGAYYCw/s400/divider%2Bgiveaway.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Giveaway Details:</b></div></div><br />1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International.<br />1 winner will win a signed paperback of UNLEASHED, US Only.<br />1 winner will receive a Moon Charm (photo below), US Only. <br /><br /><br /><center><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e2389ba2783" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2783/" id="rcwidget_3kxm0tch" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></center>Jenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01799258621946735462noreply@blogger.com0