Saturday, February 16, 2013

The Lost Immortals Saga Book Tour Review and Giveaway!


When Silver Moon Rise(The Lost Immortal #2)
Author: KaSonndra Leigh
ISBN:
1482000121 (ISBN13: 9781482000122)
Release Date:
January 20th 2013
Genre:
Young Adult, Dystopian
Paranormal Romance, Fantasy

Series:
Lost Immortals #2  


 





Summary

Facing an unstable future, Chela Prizeon leaves Castle Hayne and crosses over to enemy territory in pursuit of Faris--the boy of royal blood who is cursed by a bitter rival. But soon Chela learns that he has been taken deep into the treacherous frozen prisons--a majestic, but deadly place where people enter and are never seen again. To find the boy she loves, Chela must join forces with one of her greatest enemies. And even though she pulls strength from the good in her powers, she finds herself drawn to the dark side's temptation as well.

Narrated from both Chela's and Faris's point of view, this enchanting sequel to When Copper Suns Fall will take them on a voyage into unknown lands, where the dark, twisted, and revengeful wait to make this their most dangerous journey ever.

Please Note: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language.

Review

Where do I start with this awesome second book to the “Lost Immortals” series? It had action, some twists and turns and I started to like a person I never thought I would like. Damn Seth for having a good side with his bad boy attitude!

The author knows how to write her plots. I loved every moment of it and I wasn’t bored not once throughout this story. While Chela is in search for Faris, things happen which cause her to split up with her friends. When she gets into trouble, she's saved unexpectedly by Seth. Hello! Seth actually saving someone! Faris is trapped, and while he’s tormented you get to read about his past. You learn more about his sister Asa and even more about Seth. The past explains also how the three of them first get their curses. What makes this book even more interesting is the fact that now people with angel in them, which are being captured and drained of their blood. This makes it a lot worse for our gang and hoping everyone turns out find in the end is what you hope for till the very end of this book.

Chela is just as strong as ever. She never backs down from a fight, and she always stands up for herself and what she believes in. Even when she doesn’t want to stand up for someone, she does it anyways because it’s the right thing to do. We don’t see much of her powers in this book, but by the end of the book something happens and she gets a all new strange power. What surprises me most is her reaction towards Seth. Sure she’s weary of him, but that doesn’t last long and I feel that there is something between the two. I know that she loves Faris, but I just don’t know with how this book will end. Chela’s mind is a mystery and I do hope it gets more interesting in the next few books.

Don’t mind me if I say that Seth has gotten so much more appealing in this book then in the last. He has a bad boy attitude, willing to hurt people without caring. This book shows his his more intimate moments and other emotions. Chela is the one that brings this positivity from him. What I would give to be with a guy like him and calm his damage heart. I always end up falling for the second guy of any book and I can’t wait to see more of his and Chela’s adventure together, with Faris in the mix!

Faris spent most of his time in this book locked up. I couldn’t believe how strong he is. His strength comes from wanting to reunite with Chela, and I think this is romantic. I still don’t understand why he’s so scared of his beast self. Twice now he has turned into his beast form around Chela and NOT ONCE HAS HE HURT HER. Sure, she’s standing right there and could have told him that, but in this rare moment of her not asserting her views, he continues to think his beast form is bad. If anything, I just want to go up to him in his beast form and lay against him petting him. That’s how cute I find him, not scary in my eyes at all.
Rating
4 out of 5 Howling Wolves



Giveaway
Okay, now on to the giveaway! There will be two winners for the entire tour (One Domestic and One International) along with the bloggers who have the winning entry. Here are the details on the prizes!

1) Signed copies of Dark Seraphine and Lost Immortals Book One! (Domestic winner only)

2) Ebook Copies of Dark Seraphine, Lost Immortals, Silver Moons, and Morbid Seraphic to both the Domestic & International winners.


3) $15.00 gift card for each winner

4) Surprise gifts for the blogger(s) who has the winning entry.
5) Digital music from the Glitch Mob 


-OR-

Lisa Gerrard's Silver Tree



USA Only Giveaway
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International Giveaway
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Monday, February 11, 2013

Darkmoon by SM Reine Review

Darkmoon
(Seasons of the Moon - Cain Saga #5)
Author: SM Reine

ASIN:
B00B0H3CB6
Release Date:
January 19th 2013
Genre:
Young Adult,
Paranormal, Romance
Series:
Seasons of the Moon: Cain Chronicles #5   


 





Summary

Rylie Gresham has survived becoming a werewolf, going crazy from silver poisoning, and being hunted by her fiance's family. But that was nothing compared to the challenge Rylie faces now: being pregnant...with twins. And it definitely doesn't help that her fiance's brother has declared himself the father, either.

The brothers, Seth and Abel, are at each other's throat over Rylie, even as the twins are fast approaching term. But it may be too late for all of them. The government has revealed the existence of werewolves, threatening everything that Rylie holds dear. And the evil werewolf Cain is preparing for his final act of revenge: destroying the pack and stealing Rylie's children.


Review
Where to begin with this awesome ending to the series. I just couldn’t stop reading it, and I loved every moment of this book. S.M. Reine knows how to make people love her werewolves. The ending was a total shocker, and I never saw it coming. At least it is a (sorta) happy ending.


The setting, of course, took place at the Gashham ranch, where it was a werewolf sanctuary for a while now.


The plot was amazing, and I’m glad the author decide to make this volume the longest one, instead of four parts. It made me enjoy the book all that much more. Rylie is becoming more pregnant by the day, and she’s only 19. Not only that, but the government has begun a crack down on demons, angels and Werewolves, no longer treating them like normal beings. Who, may you ask, is behind this? Well, none other then Cain, the half brother of Abel and Seth. If that’s not stressful enough for Rylie, there is the added bonus of having to make her final decision on who she wants to be with, because of course she can’t have both brothers. We also get to meet a few new characters who help Rylie and the pack. It left me guessing about who they really are, and wanting to learn more about them.


Rylie has grown over the time between 'The Cain Saga' and the 'Season of the Moon' series. She grown from a normal teenage girl, to a werewolf, to the 19-year-old Alpha of a pack, and now a soon to be mother. She is strong and brave, and in this book you kind of see a side to her which you haven’t seen since she was a human. That is her scared side. Scared of what’s going to happen when she gives birth. Although, any first time mom, especialy a young mom, would be scary for anyone. With her being pregnant, she can’t deal with normal pack stuff, like acting like an Alpha. The stress for her would be too much. She is told to let someone else handle the pack, and I don't blame her at all for being angry at the order. She finally picks a brother, which I'm glad about, but come on! She dragged those two along for almost the whole 'Cain Saga'. I wanted to slap her and tell her pick already, and stop leading them by the chain (dog joke for werewolves haha!).


Seth gave me one surprise after another. First, I find out he isn’t all what I pictured him to be. Second, how stupid can you get for thinking everything would be fine in your relationship, only coming home once in a while and only staying in the bedroom with your girlfriend. Third, you so had it coming with your brother wanting to snatch your girlfriend away. Besides all that, he is really a great character. He too has grown since I’ve read about him in the 'Season of the Moon' series. He has become a better hunter, and even found a new liking for the werewolves. He also has a kind heart, so when it was time for him to choose between Rylie being with him, or letting her make her own choices, he let her make her own choice. I was happy with which ever choice she made. All in all, a great guy, and hopefully he has a happy ending soon.


Abel is a great character and I’ve grown to like him a lot more in 'The Cain Saga' then in the 'Season of the Moon' series. He has more of a role in this series too, being a wolf and Alpha. Abel is tough when he needs to be, and despite being an Alpha, he tends to be alone most of the time. He is also a very nervous type of father. It was funny when I read how he freaked out, not knowing what to do when Rylie started having contractions, and he ran off wanting to get help right away. He got help, but it left him feeling bad about leaving Rylie. He was about to let her go, which pissed me off. If I could, I would tell him to fight for her and forget about your mistakes, because they’re nothing if you love her enough. I almost freaked out at the end, when I thought the worst. I’m glad Rylie was there for him.


Levi caught my attention a while back when (SPOILER!!), I found out he was gay. I had always thought of him as a kind, quiet werewolf. He's proved that he’s far from it. All throughout 'The Cain Saga', he has been after Rylie’s pack, wanting to own it. I can see why, when the one person he loved had to leave because he had to care for another werewolf who was in trouble. That was no reason to treat so many pack members badly though. He tries to get back together with Tate, after finally meeting him after all this time. I was all for Levi and Tate getting back together, though I hated how dimwitted Tate turn out to be. Tate ended up going something bad, that effected the entire pack, and he thought that everything would turn out fine. I hope that Levi can have his own short story, maybe his own spin-off series. (Hint, hint).
Rating
5 out of 5 Howling Wolves




Kodoku na Tonakai Manga Review


Author: Saori
Artist: Saori
Genra: Romance, Shoujo,
Supernatural  
Year: 2012
Original Publisher:
Shueisha
Volumes: 
  1 Volumes (Complete)
 Licensed (in English)
No
English Publisher







Summary
A short story of a reindeer who becomes human in order to find the boy who called her "pretty" five years ago.

Review
Very cute manga I enjoyed reading this very much.

They never really call her by her name but she is called Sempi by a newbi santa clause. She really is a nave girl but then she wasn't really a human girl to start with she's a reindeer. She has been wishing for so long to meet a boy who had called her pretty 5 years ago that the first boy she meets she automattically thinks it's Inoue. Don't worry the real Inoue appears and helps her stop crying.

Short but very sweet and cute story that I wished was much longer then it really is.

Design
This mangaka style of artwork reminds me a bit of another's author's work. Though she has her own uniqueness added to this style. Yes this is the girl and she does have weird hairstyle only because she's hiding her antlers. The mangaka does put detail in her characters and background which makes it eye catching enough to want you to read this manga. I believe I shall check out this mangaka's other work.















Rating
3 out of 5 Howling Wolves

Friday, February 8, 2013

Winter Eve Review Tour


Winter Eve
(Ashwood Falls, Prequel )
Author: Lia Davis

Release Date: 
December 18th 2012

ISBN: 1623220165
(ISBN13: 9781623220167)

Genre:
Romance,
Paranormal, Fantasy

Series:
Ashwood Falls 0.5



 
 

  


 
Summary
There comes a time when setting your differences aside isn’t just necessary, it’s a means of survival. After losing over half of their dens to a group rogue shifters, the wolves and leopards merged as one Pack, but living together is much more of a challenge then they expected.

Danica Welsh was born to be the leopard pack healer. An accident involving a drug induced youth left her badly burned and scared—emotionally and physically. Without the ability to heal by touch, she secludes herself to the edge of town, away from Ashwood Falls’ overly concerned citizens. All hope of mating and family become a distance dream. When she finally starts to accepts the long, lonely existence ahead of her, a stranger crashes into her life, and her heart.

After Nevan Mathews’ fiancé died three ago, he submerged himself into his work, cutting off all reminders of a life he dreamed of with the woman he loved. He lets his step-mother talk him into taking the first vacation in five years to visit for the holidays. But an accident delays his travel plans, sending him to Danica’s doorstep and raises a need he thought he would never feel again.
Can they tear down the walls around their hearts and submit to the passion before another claims Dani for his own?

Warning: Contains a shifter who's scars run deeper than skin, a human who has the heart of a shifter, and a snow storm that's sure to have them both reaching for warmth.


Review
My final thought was, “THAT’S IT!” I wanted this to be longer, but being a prequel, I can see why it would short. It ended very suddenly though. One minute I was in the middle of reading, and the next it just ended. If you didn't know any better, you'd think that a chapter was missing. It's not a writing technique I like, so I hope gaps are filled in the next book

"Winter Eve" takes place in Ashwood Falls. I can say this for sure, this is an interesting plot for shape shifters. The book features a human town where a pack of two different shifters live together. The reason is because of something that happen about 200 years ago. I wish there was more depth of this part of the story, but I’m just going to hope there will be more of this in the first book of the series. It seems weird, to have a prequel that gives little details about the past. The way the author writes about the characters is great and detailed, especially with their painful pasts. I did find one point of this story useless; Jared (a shifter) was after Danica, and he saw how much Danica and Naven loved each other, but still challenged Naven for Danica. To me, this felt like pointless filler, and it would have been better filled with details about the people who attacked the shifters 200 years ago. I guess this was meant to show who Jared really was as a person. I found the ending to be weak, but I did enjoy it, and I want to read the next book in this series.

Danica is both strong and weak as a character. She stands up for herself when it comes to her love for Naven, but she doesn't like the way she looks. She doesn't want to show anyone, nor does she want to see people's pity towards her. I can see why she wants to hide, but she is a shifter. I would expect  her to lift her head and take it. When she meets Naven, she begins to change, and it’s really sweet.  I wish there was more of her story, but I was happy with this.

Naven is a human, but there is a twist to him being a human. His family isn’t normal, and he can feel the feelings of people. His depth of character is interesting, and how he stands up to people who are a lot stronger then him, all for love. He doesn’t let him being human slow him down.

The romance in this book is a bit fast, so it disappointed me a bit, but it wasn’t totally bad. They fell for each other fast, but I found the love triangle to be useless. I can see how Nevan and Danica fell for each other right away, but it would have been a lot better if it was slower. As a prequel book, it was alright.

Rating
3 out of 5 Howling Wolves




Author


Lia Davis is a mother to two young adults and two very special kitties, a wife to her soul mate, a paranormal romance author, graphic designer, and co-owner to Fated Desires Publishing, LLC. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers. But it’s her home and she loves it!



An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very activity imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She ventured into the world of writing and publishing in 2008 and loves it more than she imagined. Writing and designing are stress relievers that allow her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world that she created, leaving real life where it belongs.



Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.



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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Dominion Book Tour Excerpt!

 


Dominion
Author: Melody Manful
ISBN: 0615739458
ISBN13: 9780615739458
Release Date: February 16th 2013
Genre:
Young Adult, Romance,
Paranormal, Fantasy

Series:
Guardian Angels #1

 
 
 



   
 
Summary
I Dare You.
Look Over Your Shoulders.
Do You See Them?
They are behind you...
They are always behind you.

Abigail Cells had a nightmare the day before she met Gideon, the new guy in school who has every girl drooling just to be near him. In her nightmare, she was murdered by a magical creature. As she gets to know Gideon, she begins to remember pieces of her nightmare, and was shocked when Gideon turned out to be the creature from her nightmare. Who is Gideon really? Should Abby allow herself to fall completely for him, or is he the next disaster waiting to happen?

Excerpt


“I’m going to divide you into groups for our Titanic memorabilia speech, which if you all remember, is this week.” Mr. Bernard said. “Speeches are due before the week is over.”
One of the students murmured, “Oh, no.”
“Mr. Silas, you and Miss Cells will be group one,” Mr. Bernard said, looking at Tristan and me. “Miss Tate, you and Mr. Duran are—” Mr. Bernard was interrupted by the sound of the door as it busted open. Everyone looked toward the noise.
Standing in the doorway was the guy I bumped into. The moment I saw him, my heart dropped. I prayed he was lost and wasn’t in our class. Frankly, I didn’t understand my uneasiness upon seeing him. He gave me bad vibes.
“You must be Mr. Chase,” Mr. Bernard said, and the boy walked toward him.
“I am,” he answered. He looked around the classroom, and his gaze stopped on Tristan.
To my surprise, Tristan looked like he knew the boy because he gave him a half-hearted smile.
“You’re late,” Mr. Bernard said, and the boy looked at the clock on the wall.
“I was actually here before the bell rang.” His eyes moved to mine. “Miss Cells can vouch for me.” I froze at the mention of my name. I wondered how he knew my name, but then I remembered I was known pretty much everywhere—the price of being famous. “She bumped into me and ran off.”
Someone please shoot me now. A few people chuckled. Jake cast a backward glance at me and grinned.
“You’re excused this time, Mr. Chase. Find a seat. I’ll assign you to a group.”
“Mr. Chase can join Jake and me,” Danny volunteered. I wasn’t surprised.
“It’s Gideon,” the boy said. “Gideon Chase.”
“What?” I blurted out in surprise at the mention of his name, and then all eyes turned to me.
Gideon? His name was actually Gideon? Why Gideon?
“Miss Cells, are you all right?” My outburst had obviously startled Mr. Bernard. Gideon stood beside him, confused, but the moment his eyes met mine, he smiled as if he knew why I was scared.
“I—I’m sorry, I didn’t—” I looked down in humiliation.
Maybe it was just a coincidence. This guy couldn’t be the same Gideon from my nightmare.
“Well,” Mr. Bernard continued, “take a seat, Mr. Chase.”
My first impression of Gideon was that he was hot.
My second impression of him was dangerous.
My third impression of him was murderer, because if he was anything like the guy from my nightmare, he was going to kill me.



Author
 
Melody Manful was born on June 8, 1994, in a town in Ghana called Tema. She started writing at a very early age and has been doing it ever since. Melody has two siblings and lives in Denmark with her family. She loves music, reading, and writing, and she puts a great deal into making her friends happy.








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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

For the Love of Hades Book Tour and Review

 

 

For the Love of Hades
(Loves of Olympus #2)
Author: Sasha Summers

ISBN:  978-1-937254-83-4
ASIN: 978-1-937254-84-1
Release Date:  January 2013
Genre:
Mythology,

Fantasy, Romance
Series:
Loves of Olympus #2

 
 
 



   
 
Summary
Hades, God of Death, has no heart. Persephone is determined to prove otherwise…

Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, has no patience for living things or his Olympian brethren. His purpose is order, administering justice to those who enter his realm, and keeping the balance decreed by the Fates. Meeting Persephone sways his focus, her gentle sweetness threatening his control. But he will not be tempted.

Poseidon’s scheming wreaks havoc upon Persephone. Hades has no choice – he must rescue her.

Hades awakens something within the Goddess Persephone. She feels no fear from his brooding presence. In truth, she’s never felt so alive. Every stolen moment together only confirms her instinct: he is meant to be hers. Such a powerful union suit will face opposition – from Olympus, her troubled betrothed, the Fates, even Hades himself – but she is determined to win his heart.

Excerpt

For the Love of Hades           

Hades glanced at the lily propped atop the mantle. The blossom was bright white against the black silk to which it was pinned, light against the darkness. He reached up, tracing one petal with an unsteady finger. He saw the tremor, cursed it, and clenched his hand, drawing back from the flower as if it had burned him.
Turning abruptly from the fire, he made his way to his chair and sat heavily. There was a sweetness to his burden, but it was no less a burden.
He leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees and covered his face with his hands.
What had he done? How could he make amends now that his heinous act had been hidden so long? Using his powers to aid a mortal would seem trivial in comparison with the offense he’d committed against Demeter. Against Olympus.
And yet, he felt whole.
The raw emptiness that he’d held at bay, for nigh on an eternity, no longer threatened to consume him. Having her here, with her constant laughter and endless conversation, had changed his world irrevocably.
If not for her, he would have remained bitter and angry. He would not have interfered at Cyprus. He would never have thought to champion the mortal, Ariston…
“My lord.” Her soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
He lifted his head from his hands, surprised.
Persephone stood, beauty to behold, watching him with wide green eyes. In the blazing firelight her hair glowed copper, warm and rich. Her face, normally alight with smiles and laughter, was drawn. Was she not fully recovered? Or did the tension between them tire her as well?
His voice revealed nothing. “Persephone.”
Her steps were cautious, but she made her way to him. “Aphrodite?”
So she had seen Aphrodite. “Has gone.” And she should have gone with her fellow Olympian. He should have insisted she do so. He swallowed against the lump in his throat, ignoring the tightening in his chest.
“I thought as much.” She stood so close he could see the front of her tunic. The fabric trembled, thundering in time with the rapid beat of her heart.
Was she disappointed? Was she ready to leave him… his realm?
She should go. She should have gone weeks ago. He knew it was right. Yet knowing it did nothing to soothe his agitation. He clutched the arms of his throne, clinging to control.
“I’ve not asked you for anything in my time here.” She paused. “Have I?”
He shook his head once. No, she’d seemed happy, though he had little knowledge of true happiness, he supposed. His gaze found shadows beneath her eyes and a tightness about her mouth. He was a blind fool.
Have you been miserable? He could not ask the words aloud, fearing her answer.
Her voice was no steadier than her pulse. “Nor would I trouble you now, if my need were not so great.”
“What is it?” he asked. His voice sounded harsh to his own ears.
She sank to her knees, glancing at him with an almost timid gaze. Her hands lifted, wavered, and covered his hands. He stiffened, stunned by her actions. She touched him… He swallowed. The feel of her hands upon him squeezed the air from his lungs.
“Show me mercy. Show me the same mercy you’ve bestowed upon the mortal… the soldier Ariston.” Her hands clasped his tightly.
He would not reach for her, he could not. No matter how he might want to.
“Have I been cruel, that you feel the need to beg for anything from me?” His words were a harsh whisper. She shook her head and he continued, “Then why do you kneel before me?”
“It is a selfish request, one that may turn you from solicitous to,” she paused, her cheeks growing red, “… sickened.”
Was it possible for him to feel so towards her?
He stared at her hands, wrapped about his. He would not meet her gaze. He would not reveal his damnable weakness to her. He could not risk losing himself in the fathomless depths of her green eyes. “Ask me,” he murmured as his traitorous eyes sought hers.
            She drew in a wavering breath, ragged and labored. Her whispered words were thick.
            “My lover… Release him. Release the man who loves me, please.” Her eyes sparkled, mesmerizing him while his heart, so newly discovered, seemed to shudder to a stop once more.

Review
(Review coming soon it's being edited)


Author
Sasha Summers is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, and travel. It's no surprise that her books visit times past, set in places rich with legends and myth. Her first play, 'Greek Gods and Goddesses' (original title, right?), was written for her Girl Scout troupe.

She's been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she's doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

Sasha is an active member of RWA and several Texas Chapters. A self-proclaimed movie-addict, she is full of all sorts of useless movie tidbits and trivia.