{Blog Tour} Review: Werewolves Be Damned by Stacey Kennedy plus #Giveaway

Welcome, lovely peeps, to my stop for the Werewolves Be Damned Blog Tour.

I’m very excited to be a part of this tour, just as I was very excited to receive a copy of this yummy-looking book for review. 

Let’s take a quick look at what enticed me so, shall we?

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Title: Werewolves Be Damned

Series: Magic & Mayhem #1

Author: Stacey Kennedy

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Publication Date: April 15th 2013

Source: Review received from publisher (thanks)

Nexi Jones—part witch, part guardian, and wannabe kick-ass warrior—can’t throw a punch or conjure the simplest magic. But that doesn’t stop her from hunting the werewolves who slaughtered her human family. She’ll have her revenge, but only if Kyden, the elite guardian, would get the hell out of her way.

Kyden can’t decide if Nexi wants to get herself killed or if she just has no clue what she’s doing. But her father made it clear: keep Nexi safe…or else. Of course, the more Nexi runs toward revenge, the more she needs Kyden’s aid, and as she grows into her power and confidence, so does his desire to protect her. The only problem? She’d rather he dropped dead.

But when a vampire paints a bull’s-eye on Nexi’s back, she’s hard-pressed to deny Kyden and the help he’s offering. Even if it means getting her revenge will be a little bit harder. At least it will still be as sweet.

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My Review

Werewolves Be Damned took me by surprise a little bit. Sure, I liked the sound of the blurb, and yup, the cover is pleasing to the eye—but I didn’t expect to enjoy it quite as much as I did. Because, whilst the beginning was a little rocky for the first couple of percent, it didn’t take long for me to connect with the characters, and to have a handle on the world Ms Kennedy had begun to build, and I very soon found myself rolling happily along for the ride.

Before I explain what I liked about it so much, let’s quickly get the yukkies out of the way. The biggest issue I had with the book had absolutely nothing to do with the story but with the writing. It’s not bad. I’m just a finicky blighter, and there were quite a few parts I felt were overwritten. And there were quite a few details that were repeated more than once, as though the author felt the need to drum it into our skulls. The bits that were overwritten? They were mostly in what I like to call the pondering paragraphs, where the MC is figuring stuff out, or trying to explain stuff to drip-feed the reader. These sections could’ve been tighter and the pace would’ve been faster—which would have made the writing more consistent throughout.

Because, in other sections, there were moments of pure brilliance in this writing. Like the fight scenes, for instance. All too often, I spend fight scenes frowning, trying to figure it out and follow, and I reach certain spots and realise I actually had NO handle on where all the involved characters were.

SO not the case with Werewolves Be Damned. Every single fight scene was nothing short of awesome. On top of those, we have the intimate—the ‘heated’—scenes.

Again, far too often in adult PNR, these end up being contrite and cheesy and my eyes start rolling around like they’re lost, at all the ridiculous dialogue asking if the other person ‘likes that?’ like the groans and writhing isn’t indication enough … wow, steering off track here.

Anyway, again, SO not a concern in Werewolves Be Damned. These scenes were placed in exactly the right spots. None of them seemed ‘convenient’ or unnatural, and those combined with the fight scenes, combined with the character development and the world building, make this into one rocking read.

And those characters I mentioned? Yeah, we get to see both Nexi’s and Kyden’s (ROAWRRR!!!!) POV, and I enjoyed that a lot. Both of them have credibility. Both of them are likeable and bondable from a reader perspective. Kyden is HOT AS HECK! It was a pleasure spending time with this duo, and I’m really looking forward to meeting with them again (because Kyden is HOT AS HECK!).

I’m also looking forward to seeing more of all the side characters. Do you think Ms Kennedy will consider giving me some airtime with a couple of those wolves if I bat my lashes enough? Worth a try, right?

On top of those, we also have the plot, which was great from the off. Everything was so smoothly looped together and so clearly expressed that I had no trouble following along and chasing the ‘mystery’ with them.

Not even the world building was an issue for me—and absorbing created worlds are the biggest hurdles for me in books. Rather, the world this author has given us felt fresh (to me) and solid and displayed with a clarity that tells me the author not only understands her world but knows what she’s doing when it comes to delivering it to the reader. This, aside from the kick-a$$ fight scenes, is the strongest attribute of the book, imo.

So, have I convinced you to give it a try yet?

Well, if you’re a fan of PNR with butt-booting heroines, hotness, and testosterone, you certainly should.

Because Werewolves Be Damned promises to be the start of a great series, which I believe will become a great addition to the genre.

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And if that’s not enough to grab your interest, then how about an excerpt of this wolfy tale?

Below:

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Teaser:

 

I’ve found you, fur ball.

Nexi peered from behind the large oak tree and spotted the small log cabin nestled in the thick forest. The porch light cast a warm glow into the night. Fog settled over the lush grass, and the night was dark, eerie.

Stepping away from her hiding place behind the tree, she strode forward and gripped the dagger tightly in her hand. Keeping the silver blade pointed outward, she climbed the cabin’s porch steps, taking each one slowly to avoid detection.

Once she arrived at the front door, she wrapped her hand around the door handle. Rich hunger for revenge burned in her veins and made her intent on one thing: to slaughter the werewolf who escaped the night of her parents’ murder. Not caring what awaited her, she stormed inside, dagger pointed, ready to kill.

The simple cabin had two large brown couches near a wood-burning stove, a kitchenette behind the living room, and a quilt-covered bed resting in the back. And that was it; there were no other rooms to investigate. No secret hiding places she could see.

No damned werewolf.

She cursed, shut the front door behind her, then trotted down the steps to return to her hiding spot. On her way across the yard, she glanced at the space to the right of the tree, which looked much like a heat wave, indicating that the portal to the Otherworld remained.

In some places around the world—or the Earthworld, as supernaturals had called it—there were permanent portals to the supernatural realm. This portal had only appeared because Nexi had travelled to this cabin from the Otherworld. Once she passed through the portal again, the gateway would vanish.

Magic had its perks. Quick travel was one of them.

Nexi shook her head at how normal all this magical stuff seemed now. Just over a month ago she’d never believed in anything that went bump in the night. Now she knew all those things existed, and in fact, she was one of them.

To her horror, she had learned that her birth mother, Tillie, had been murdered by a power-hungry vampire, Lazarus.  All those years ago, her birth father, Drake, had protectively decided to block Nexi’s supernatural abilities. He had planned for her to live and die as a mortal. Now with her return to the Otherworld and the removal of the block on her true identity, there was no going back.

She was no longer plain, human, Nexi Jones.

She was Nexi Jones, part guardian, part witch.

Looking away from the portal and to her hiding spot until the werewolf returned, she hurried her steps. She wasn’t ready to return to the Otherworld yet. Not until she had the werewolf’s head as her wall ornament would she dare go home.

Just as she neared the tree, a woodsy scent that had nothing to do with the forest mixed with the citrusy aroma of aftershave. A blink of an eye later, the dagger she held was now at her throat, a hard body closed in on her back.

“You smelled lovely when you arrived.” The low voice by her ear held a faint English accent. “But I never imagined you’d be so pretty.”

The blade pressed into her skin, not drawing blood, but implying that if the werewolf chose, she’d be destined for the grave. “I’m…”

“Going to explain yourself.” He lowered the dagger, took hold of her arm, and jerked her forward.

In a few short strides, the werewolf tossed her through the threshold of the cabin, and slammed the door behind them. He sauntered to the couch, sat down, and regarded her. “Now then, darlin’.” His olive skin was stunningly flawless, and his chocolate-colored hair was spiked tall. “Why would a pretty lass like yourself plan to attack me?”

“Don’t move.” That charm wouldn’t fool her. “Stay right where you are.”

“My mouth is the only thing moving.” His slanted amber eyes raked over her. “Would you like me to stop talking?”

“No.” She hesitated then added, “Only your mouth can move. Nothing else. Tell me what you know.”

He gave her a long look. “I’d be glad to tell you anything you’d like, love.”

His kind face and soft voice wouldn’t trick her. He was a werewolf. She was certain, which was another oddity.

After the block on her supernatural abilities had been lifted, she could identify a supernatural creature as if knowing the difference between a brunette and a redhead. “Tell me why you killed my family.”

“That’s an interesting accusation.” He cocked his head, studying her with a frown. “But I think the more important question is who are you?”

She lifted her chin. “The lass who’s going to cut off your furry wolf balls.”

~~~~~

Oh-hody-ho, she sounds like my type of lass to hang about with.

If I’ve convinced you at last, you can check out Werewolves Be Damned at all the following places:

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

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But wait … because there’s more!

Yup, it’s …

And there is an awesome $100 Amazon Gift Card up for grabs!

All’s you gotta do is hop across to the RAFFLECOPTER FORM!!!!

Good Luck!

~~~~~

Stacey Kennedy is an urban fantasy lover at heart, but she also enjoys losing herself in dark and sensual worlds. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who gave her a happily-ever-after. Together, they have two small children who can always make her smile, and who will never be allowed to read Mommy’s books. If she’s not plugging away at a new story, you’ll find her camping, curling up with the latest flick, or obsessing over Sons of Anarchy and Game of Thrones.

Visit her here: Website | Facebook | Facebook Fan Page | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour: A Surefire Way by J.T. Bock + #Giveaway

Roll up, roll up, and welcome to my tour stop for A Surefire Way by J.T. Bock.

Let’s take a look at the book in question.

• A SUREFIRE WAY BY  J.T. BOCK

• ISBN: 9780988836204
• 393 pages (approximate on e-reader), 119,000 words
• Paranormal romance with elements of romantic suspense and humor

UltraAgent Surefire’s plan is simple: Capture the transhuman thief Raven. Win back the respect of her father. Get a raise.

Easy, right?

Except Surefire just broke the number one rule of her employer, UltraSecurity, a niche security firm that solves crimes committed by genetically enhanced humans like Raven. She trailed Raven into a warehouse without backup. And something more powerful than any transhuman is waiting inside.

Raven’s plan is simple: Atone for his past crimes. Return stolen spiritual artifacts to restore the world’s balance. Don’t get caught by UltraSecurity.

Easy, right?

Until a spunky UltraSecurity agent is suddenly on his tail, although Raven wishes she was on … well, never mind … he can’t get distracted from his mission. Because she’s followed him into a warehouse filled with his reclaimed relics, and Raven’s ex-partner in crime is about to unleash a supernatural-sized complication into his plan.

His old partner has accidentally summoned an Aztec god who will destroy the world unless Raven stops this spirit with a superiority complex. To do this, Raven must team up with Surefire and reveal the truth about his powers, exposing her to a force that can either save the world or destroy them both.

Following Raven into that warehouse throws Surefire into a surreal world filled with moody gods, day-glo skulls, dizzying dimensional portals, maniacal half-roach magicians, and a sexy thief who is more than he appears under his snug t-shirt. Is Raven a criminal, or is he working for a higher power? Surefire needs to be certain, because if she joins him on this mission, she’ll have to surrender everything she believed in for a surefire way to save the world, discover her destiny and find true love.

~~~~~

J.T. Bock’s A Surefire Way, the first tale of the UltraSecurity force, delivers the following:

• a group of superhumans (UltraAgents) joined to protect citizens from evildoers—for a pre-contracted fee
• a kick-butt, rookie agent with daddy issues who doesn’t follow the rules
• a quick-tempered boss annoyed with his rookie agent for not following the rules
• a flawed, yet incredibly attractive, hero afraid of bugs
• a half-roach villain with an ego problem
• a self-absorbed, vengeful god set to destroy the world (What else would a god do with his time?)
• a sexy goddess with a personality disorder
• a forbidden romance and even more forbidden sexytime
• loads of action and adventure like running, jumping, shooting guns and things, traveling to alternate worlds, battling cranky gods, bouncing a head around, searching for creepy Aztec skulls, and other fun stuff
• did we mention forbidden love?

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Sound like your cup of tea?

Well, then lucky you, because J.T. is giving away an ecopy of A Surefire Way–as well as some secret extras.

All’s you gotta do is hop across to the Rafflecopter Form!

Good Luck! And cheers for stopping by.

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When J.T. Bock was a child, she wanted to be James Bond or Indiana Jones or a vampire hunter or Wonder Woman. Whatever brought her the most action, adventure and romance while play acting on her stage—otherwise known as her grandmother’s basement. Now J.T. has assembled her own team of action heroes, supernatural creatures and maniacal villains and set them on adventures far from her basement to exotic lands and alternate dimensions.

From a secret location outside of Washington, DC, J.T. conjures these pulse-pounding tales to share with those kindred readers looking for an exciting escape. Her alternate identity enjoys spending time with her workaholic husband and their sidekick rescue dog, traveling to interesting locales (San Diego Comic-Con), and enjoying life to the fullest with an amazing group of family and friends and a good glass of wine.

Check out J.T.’s latest adventures on her website (www.jtbock.com) or find her by flashing her initials in the sky, opening up her favorite bottle of Pinot Noir.

@jtbockcom | Website | Amazon page

Book Blast: Tiger’s Quest by Colleen Houck

Welcome to the Nerd Blast for Tiger’s Quest by Colleen Houck.

Back in Oregon, Kelsey tries to pick up the pieces of her life and push aside her feelings for Ren. But danger lurks around the corner, forcing her to return to India where she embarks on a second quest–this time with Ren’s dark, bad-boy brother Kishan, who has also fallen prey to the Tiger’s Curse. Fraught with danger, spellbinding dreams, and choices of the heart, TIGER’S QUEST brings the trio one step closer to breaking the spell that binds them.

 Winner of a Parent’s Choice Award!

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You can purchase Tiger’s Quest at the following Retailers:

1 Winner will receive a Tiger’s Curse Series Box Set by Colleen Houck.
2 Winners will receive a Signed Paperback Copy of Tiger’s Quest by Colleen Houck.

RAFFLECOPTER!

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Colleen Houck’s New York Times bestselling Tiger’s Curse series has received national praise with the fourth book, Tiger’s Destiny, debuting September 2012. Colleen is a lifelong reader whose literary interests include action, adventure, science fiction, and romance. Formerly a student at the University of Arizona, she has worked as a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter for seventeen years. Colleen lives in Salem, Oregon, with her husband and a huge assortment of plush tigers.

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour: Read an excerpt of Night Demon by Lisa Kessler

Welcome to my stop for Lisa Kessler’s Night Demon Blog Tour!

Do I have a treat for you with a real cute and *almost* steamy excerpt from Ms Kessler’s latest title–one that had me smiling from the very first line.

But, first, let’s take a look at the book in question.

 

Deep within the Yucatan jungle a demon has awakened…

Gretchen Finch’s job would be much easier if she weren’t alone in the jungle with a brilliant recluse whose every glance sets her on fire. But the more she focuses on her work, the closer she gets to unlocking the mysteries of a terrible creature – the Night Demon – that threatens the world as she knows it. Though her scientific mind tells her it’s impossible, she’s beginning to believe the ancient Mayan tales as the sinister jungle comes alive around her.

Lukas Smith has spent hundreds of years searching for answers to his immortal Night Walker nature. As a series of ancient glyphs become clear, he’s about to find out more than he’d ever hoped, but the more he learns, the more his fate intertwines with the Night Demon, and the harder it becomes to hide his immortal secret from the beautiful, intelligent Gretchen.

Together, they must find a way to stop the inexplicable violence and mass destruction surging across the earth before the Night Demon destroys more than just mankind.

Dunno about you, but I think this sounds seriously cool.

Don’t forget to add it to your Goodreads before you leave, by clicking on the coverart image.

And now for what you’ve been waiting for. The awesome excerpt.

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“Tell me something.” His voice was soft and low, like the tide. “Why haven’t you ever been married?”

“I had bigger plans than a wedding.” Gretchen shrugged, unsure where the conversation was headed but encouraged that Lukas finally asked about something unrelated to work. “I had a couple boyfriends in college, and I dated one of my professors after my doctorate, but relationships don’t travel well, and I like to travel.” She hesitated for a second, glancing his way. “My mom left us when I was little, and a few years ago I lost my dad suddenly. He used to love to take me places camping…” She let out a small sigh. “I feel closer to him when I’m out exploring, I guess.”

Lukas smiled at her, and her stupid heart fluttered in her chest. “Your father raised an amazing woman.”

The brief moment of light was quickly extinguished, though, and his features smoothed back into the chiseled mask of a tormented man.

“What about you?” Gretchen asked. “You’re a good-looking, intelligent guy. Have you ever been married?”

“No.” He clenched his fists, and his forearm muscles contracted. Gretchen did her best not to think about his strong hands as he went on. “I would never wish my life on anyone I loved.”

“You need to look in a mirror, Lukas. Your life is not so bad.” Gretchen straightened up, her brow furrowed. “Maybe you’d notice that if you didn’t waste all your energy pushing everyone away.”

He shook his head, still staring out at the water. “This isn’t what I want.” He stood up and took her hand, sending a jolt of electricity through her body. His gaze demanded hers, and her breath caught in her throat seeing the hunger in his dark green eyes. “There are sins in my past that can never be forgiven, Gretchen. My only solace is to find answers. Anything beyond that…love, passion…it’s all an illusion for me.”

He leaned toward her, and Gretchen’s chin tilted up instinctively, aching to taste him, to heal his wounded spirit. The moment his cool lips brushed hers, her pulse jumped. His kiss, like rich chocolate, infused her senses, making her hungry for more.

A moan escaped her throat as his tongue swept along the crease of her lips, enticing her to open her mouth and surrender to the passion she’d been trying to bury. His fingers slid into her hair and awareness bloomed through her body, forming a pool of heat in her belly. Gretchen let her hands explore his chest, living the fantasy she’d harbored for months, when he suddenly took a step back, breaking the contact.

“T’fu! Dammit.” Lukas shook his head, cursing under his breath. A rich undercurrent of a Russian accent flavored his words. It reminded her again that “Smith” was probably not his real last name.

He released her hand. “Forgive me. I usually have more self control.”

Gretchen wished he had a lot less. Her legs felt rubbery, her senses on overload, and he apologized for it? She thought he’d finally given up keeping a “professional” distance, but no, Lukas was like an onion with never-ending layers. Would he ever let her in?

~~~~~

See, I told you it was awesome.

And if, after reading that, you just have to have a copy of Night Demon NOW! fear not, the buy links are below:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Cheers for stopping by.

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Lisa Kessler is an award winning author of dark paranormal fiction. Her debut novel,Night Walker, won a San Diego Book Award for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror as well as the Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal and Best First Book.

Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.

When she’s not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego.

Website – Facebook – @LdyDisney

 

Early Review: Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Apollyon

Series: Covenant #4

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Publication date: April 9th 2013

Source: Received an ARC for review from SHP.

From Goodreads: 

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

My Review

Now, there’s every chance the following review will be full of random ramblings due to the fact I have merely minutes ago finished reading Apollyon before sitting down to write. However, I shall do my best to stay focused and make at least a little sense.

First up, here are my feelings on certain aspects of the book.

Aiden. *Le sigh* ‘Be still my beating heart.’ Gush. Mush. Kissy-kissy. To be honest, I don’t normally lean toward Mr Perfect. And make no mistake, Aiden St Delphi is certainly that. He’s strong. He’s loving. He’s protective. He’s (to quote Alex) a ninja. He’s (did I mention?) loving. But I am totally and utterly Team Aiden and have been since Deity.

Seth. Initial thought: Seth is nothing short of a silly w****r! Hopefully though, if one looks deeper, as I have somehow managed to do throughout most of the series, and just as Alex is obviously able to, you have surely got to see the truly messed up and lonely guy within the f’d up exterior. He believes himself strong. ‘Well, I see your weaknesses, Seth baby.’ Because he’s nothing short of 100% vulnerable without even realising it. And I ‘feel’ for the guy, even though I probably shouldn’t. Just as I still hope for redemption for the guy, even though I probably shouldn’t.

Alex. I enjoyed Alex’s character development in this a lot. And whilst my head is arguing with itself a little because it believes her loosing Seth’s hold on her came a little too easily & too soon with not enough after-glitches, it was also relieved when I realised I wouldn’t have to spend half the book with the frustrating & deluded Alex that was stuck in the cage. And by the end of the book? Yeah, she’s bad-a$$. She believes herself a failure for what happened. I’m hoping she’ll eventually recognise her heroics for what they truly are—seeing as she really did ‘take one (or twenty) for the team’ (and not in the sexual sense of the term).

The god behind it all. I’m not going to name him and this is as much reference as I’m spilling to avoid as many spoilers as possible. But, let’s just say: I had my suspicions from pretty early on. It might have been subtle but the foreshadowing was there and I’d tied all the dangling threads together to create the bigger tapestry, so the reveal didn’t come as that much of a surprise. Just as I already knew who the visitor was pre-glimpse, and what he would turn out to be.

So, why the 4* rating? Normally, I wouldn’t consider a 4* worthy of questioning, but as I raved and raved about Deity, for Apollyon, it is. And I think Deity is wholly to blame for the 4*. Because, whilst most of my reads and how I view them are rated in comparison to other books out there, for some reason, I can’t help but compare JLA’s books to others in her own series. I did the same when I reviewed Opal (Lux #3), and I know I’m doing it again but can’t seem to help myself. Because as far as pacing and excitement goes, Deity leaves Apollyon choking on its literal dust. I get not all books in a series can hold the exact same level of action/intensity/pacing/whatnot, but Apollyon didn’t tear me through it like Deity did. Plus, the writing wasn’t as clean/crisp/tight as it has been in previous books in the series (BUT [disclaimer for the author/publisher]: this WAS an ARC, and so not a finished copy). But the comparisons aside, there’s absolutely no denying Apollyon was a great read, and a great addition to the story of this series. Not to mention, the pacing which hadn’t been particular speedy throughout suddenly went epic at about the 85% mark, and the excitement ratcheted up, and my a$$ was being hauled toward the finish line without warning. But then, whilst I felt the book ended in the ‘right place’, and it couldn’t exactly have been wrapped up tight because the story is far from over, I do love the cliffhangers JLA so often tosses at her read7ers and I kinda missed that. That being said, I’m still 100% totally and undoubtedly looking forward to Sentinel with a major case of the eager beavers.

Have you read this title? What’d you think?

Cover Reveal: Tied by Laney McMann

Title: Tied

Series: Fire Born #1

Author: Laney McMann

Publication date: September 9th 2013

Genre: young adult pnr/uf

And here’s the blurb:

Normal people don’t believe their nightmares stalk them. They don’t fall in love with boys who don’t exist, either. 

Seventeen-year-old Layla Labelle, though, is far from normal. Her delusions walk the earth. Her hallucinations hunt her, and her skin heats to a burn every time her anger flares. 

Or is that all in her head?

Layla doesn’t know what to believe any more because if none of that’s true, Max MacLarnon must be an illusion, and her heart must still be broken.

No matter how much she wants to believe Max is real, doing so would mean everything else is, too. How, then, is that possible?

The answers lie in an age-old legend the supernatural aren’t prepared to reveal, and with a curse that could tear Layla and Max apart forever—if it doesn’t kill them both first. 

In TIED, book one in the Fire Born trilogy, learning the truth will mean fighting an arsenal  of demons, and being with Max will put Layla on a path toward her own destruction.

Just how far will Layla go to protect the one she loves?

The answer may never be far enough … away.

There’re a lot of hints on this cover as to what might be happening between the pages, no? I’m left wondering which is the strongest element of the plot. And very intrigued by it–especially by what looks like a boy/teen suspended by some kind of firiness (word?). Either way, I’ll defo be checking this one out.

How about you? Sound like something you’d like? Add it to your Goodreads shelf.

Early Review: Silent Echoes by Aimee Laine!

Title: Silent Echoes

Series: Games of Zeus #2

Author: Aimee Laine

Publisher: J.Taylor Publishing

Publication date: March  11th 2013

Source: ARC received from publisher.

From Goodreads: 

For years, Ian Sands has enjoyed his life as a bachelor, taking advantage of singlehood and exploring his own definition of passion—whoever she may be. Blonde. Brunette. Tall. Short. Hot. Not. Five months ago, all that changed.

Ian’s been celibate, frustrated and desperately seeking answers to why one woman, who doesn’t play by girls’ rules, haunts his every waking moment.

As a renovations specialist, Taylor Marsh lives, works and breathes construction—a profession her southern belle of a mother would rather Taylor not touch. The same goes for Ian; Mama Marsh would never approve of him.

Like Ian, though, each time he and Taylor draw near, something compels her to get closer.

Something else tells her to run away.

Fast.

As much as their histories suggest they shouldn’t be together, neither Taylor nor Ian can deny the pull, and the two succumb, indulging in a relationship that brings pleasure to body, mind and soul.

Doing so, though, also ushers in a series of events both should have foreseen as well as one final outcome neither expected.

Cover comment:

The covers for this series are frickin’ awesome. I loved the Hide & Seek cover and didn’t think it could be topped, but it certainly has met its match with the Silent Echoes cover.

My Review

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Ms Laine’s writing, and I’m certainly a big fan of the first book of the Games of Zeus series: Hide & Seek. To be honest, when I picked Silent Echoes up to read, I was somewhat concerned about it living up to the first book. Because Tripp Fox is pretty much my ultimate book boyfriend and has been for a while. However, I needn’t have worried, because Silent Echoes turned out to be everything I wanted it to be and then some. I would even go so far as to say Tripp almost had a replacement—almost (come on, this is Tripp!).

Yep, SE has a lot going for it, and I shall attempt to organise what I think that it in my words.

Strong MC’s. Check. Taylor is tough whilst being vulnerable, relatable, charming, and there were a good few moments where I wanted to be her (I’ll let you guess which ones). And Ian? Oh, yeah, baby. Bear with me whilst I ramble (coz I’m always all about the guys). We get an introduction to Ian in Hide & Seek, and he comes across as sarcastic, a little brash, maybe conceited but not in an unattractive way, and if he hangs around with Tripp Fox, then he has to be cool and hot (in my head, anyway). In Hide & Seek, he was kinda Tripp’s witty sidekick. In Silent Echoes? Yeah, total role reversal, because Ian 100% holds his own in the spotlight.

Mystery and intrigue. Check. Yep, there is mystery throughout this book that unfolds slowly, with twists and turns, and the reader can’t help but trying to figure it out right up till the very end.

Thriller-ness. Check. Tying in with that mystery, there are a few moments of revelation that lead to excitement and action and keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Romance. Massive check. That mystery and intrigue and thriller-ness I mentioned? Yep, the romance is all a-tangled up in every bit of that because the romance aspect of it is the biggest mystery of all … until everything becomes clear. And boy, does Ms Laine know how to write romance. She’ll have you swooning and mooning and sighing and … you get the picture.

Ian. What? He deserved another mention.

To wrap it up: Silent Echoes is a GREAT addition to this series and has left me mightily eager for more.

Have you read this title? What’d you think?

Blog Tour: Soul Avenged by Keri Lake: Review + Excerpt + #Giveaway

I am sooooo jiggety happy to be included in the blog tour for Keri Lake’s Soul Avenged. I’m even more jiggety happy that I get to use this opportunity to share my thoughts of this great read with you.

So, I guess I better do exactly that.

Below (in my usual form of review).

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Title: Soul Avenged

Series: Sons of Wrath #1

Author: Keri Lake

Publication Date: February 6th 2013

Source: ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest opinion.

From Goodreads:

Passion is blind in vengeance and love …

Ayden’s suburban home was invaded by a pack of Lycans.

The brutal attack is the only memory she carries of her former life.

Now, one motive burns in her soul.

KILL THEM ALL.

The Sons of Wrath—a brood of vengeance-dealing warrior demons—band with Ayden to hunt the Lycans on Detroit’s most deadly feeding grounds.

Kane Walker should’ve been her easiest kill.

Unfortunately, the newly bitten Lycan has something she wants—clues that may finally lay her past to rest. To reach them, she must be willing to submit to the sensual pleasures awakened by his touch.

Time is running out.

In seven days, Kane will become what Ayden despises most. She can halt his transformation but the antidote requires the ultimate sacrifice. As the beast takes hold, Kane becomes more of a threat.

Ayden must choose between her lust for revenge, or surrender to her enemy and discover a horrible truth.

Sons of Wrath

Never gamble with vengeance.

My Review

Man, where to start?

Well, you know when you’ve been that a warned story this way is coming, and it sounds freaking awesome from the description shared, and you seriously cannot wait to get your paws on it, yet at the same time you’re a little scared in case it doesn’t live up to those expectations you’ve built inside your head?

Yeah, I needn’t have had any of those latter-mentioned worries where Soul Avenged was concerned.

Because I loved it.

Being fortunate enough to be a beta reader for this title, I dove into with a critical mind, and in a mode I have trouble switching off if I’m being asked for feedback: Tear this sucker up. However, I truly hadn’t expected to fall in love with the characters quite as much as I did. And, boy, are there a good few characters for the reader to fall in love with.

Because Ayden is ‘staying’ with a houseful (mansionful?) of demons. All of them somewhat appealing—in their own way, of course. All of them somewhat (translate: totally) buff. And all of them with enough individual personalities to identify them by that alone, which means you have a whole trolley-full of differing reasons for why you can’t wait for each of them to get a spotlight and show you just what they can really do/be.

However, they’re not the focus in this delicious title, Ayden is—and she’s mean, she’s tough, she can kick your a$$ with a toothpick if need be, at the same time as being scarred and vulnerable, and so heartbreakingly lost that the reader will have a hard climbing out of her tortured head.

And whilst the male who stars alongside her isn’t one of those said yummy demons, he certainly has more than enough appeal of his own to keep a girl hoping for delivery of a whole vanful of goods. Plus, he can growl. And I love a male who growls.

So, is it just the characters who grabbed my attention and made me rave like a lunatic: Buy this book!

Nah, it also has a decent plot, HOTness, some brilliant world building, HOTness, more than a few surprises—some I may have saw coming; some not so, requisite creepy-egotistical-quite possibly insane-bad guy, HOTness, and Lycans galore. And those lycans? Yeah, not the lovey-dovey-stroke-their-furry kinda wolfiness depicted in a whole lotta books, but mean, rabid, saliva-dripping monsters who you most definitely would reconsider the idea of curling up with under the covers.

Except for one. And he’s one of the surprises. And totally hot. And dude: CAVE SCENE!<<That’s all I’m saying.

Is that everything? Hmmm, I guess so, because I really don’t want to tell you too much about this one, other than: READ IT! And then you’ll want more, and will be able to join my army of nags who’ll demand Ms Lake get her fingers out and provide it.

That is all.

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So, what about you guys? Think it sounds like your cup of tea? Need more convincing?

How about a sneaky peek at the opening excerpt then?

Below.

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Ice water.

The frigid sensation sliced through Ayden’s veins, leaving a numb trail in its wake as she stepped through the remains of the abandoned factory—one of many havens for the crack addicts and prostitutes. The old Packard Plant had become no more than a ghostly haunt for tormented souls.

Shitholes were cropping up everywhere, much more rapidly than ever before.Detroit, once a thriving city, brought to ruins. Gray and lifeless like the suffocating overcast that loomed during daylight.

A vile stench assaulted her nose,a potent blend of piss, sex and rotted meat, as garbage crunched beneath her boots. Foundation had collapsed all around where she stood, crumbled as if the building would fold into the depths of hell.

The graffiti spattering the walls gave the impression that gangs were the real threat—‘We don’t die, we multiply.’

Right. Like gangs own any part of this city, anymore.

A Beretta, loaded with silver bullets and a silver parrying dagger rested at one of Ayden’s hips, a silver bullwhip at another, as she moved past comatose bodies and decaying corpses.

Feeding grounds, like a bait pile.

Deadened eyes slowlytracked her movement in the darkness,squinting, as though craving the light that hers didn’t need to see. Humans so strung out on drugs, they failed to recognize the half-eaten carrion were once their own kind.

Not that knowing would stop them. They’d apparently chosen to face danger rather than kick their addiction, roaming the streets every night in search of their next high.

Lambs.

They were already dead. Death just hadn’t come to collect yet.

The blissful sigh of a hopped-up junkie reached her ears. She snarled her lip. “Enjoy it while it lasts, asshole.”

It’d be one thing if they were homeless. Hell, she might’ve fired a warning shot to evacuate.

The homeless didn’t come here, though.

Neither did the police—making it the perfect spot to get wasted and hustle some money.

Shots fired would’ve been nothing more than a momentary distraction before their minds slipped back into their ignorant state of euphoria.

Screw ‘em.

For any other girl, the place promised very bad things—an opportunity for a sadist to live out wild fantasies without ever getting caught.

For Ayden? Humans posed no threat. Their fragile bodies would shred like paper dolls against the work of her hands. Luckily for them, she sought something else to sate her thirst for bloodshed, something far more threatening than their most psychopathic criminal—and she’d tracked it right to the surrounding cornucopia of human flesh.

A thin, black mesh hoodie beneath her jacket concealed her face while the shiny black leather covering her body acted as a beacon in the moon’s light.

Full moon.

It didn’t matter.

Contrary to the fairytales and movies, they didn’t need a full moon to change.

Werewolves, some called them—like a supernatural Bigfoot on the loose. Nothing more than fodder for the tabloids, not to be taken seriously.

Lycans is how those ‘in the know’ referred to them.

The bastards could transform at will. In the middle of the day, if they wanted. Though, like a true predator, they’d evolved throughout the centuries, eluding humans by hunting them at night, catching their prey in their most vulnerable state.

Ayden reached a door in a darkened corner. The stubborn panelheld stiff against the push of her palm, giving way only beneath one heave backed by exceptional strength. Beyond, a spiral of stairs wound above and below. Visualsflashed through her mind as she imagined the stairwell bustling with men in suits who passed each other with carefree visages—everyone of them ghosts that roamed the destruction.

A quick scan showed no movement.

She tipped her head back and inhaled the repugnant scent the beasts had left behind.

They’re close.

Her feet took light steps, hardly making a sound against the concrete as she descended further into the pit of hell otherwise known as the lycan’s lair.

With each step, she wished her heart would pound wildly in her chest, or that her pulse rate would surge—both human reactions to fear. Neither of them did.

What fragmentsof her human soul remained had been stripped bare the night the Alexi made her one of their own. Even that, as tortuous as the unrelenting pain that seared through her body while it underwent its transformation, was a memory she could hardly summon anymore. Only a silent blackness dwelled in the place where snapshots of her life would have roamed free, a void that she couldn’t see beyond, separating her present from past.

She’d become one of them: an Alexi soldier. A cold and remorseless killer designed to eradicate in one sweep.

A noise piqued her sensitive ears.

Two flights below.

It could’ve been the skittering feet of a mouse beating against her skull like a base drum.

The thirst for blood moved like a dark storm cloud through her veins, a mix of raw adrenaline and something else—the something that came with her transformation.

Destroy.

Her feet moved on impulse, carrying her closer to whatever it was,rendering it nothing more than a thread-width away from its death.

In the corner of a landing,he sat hunched over on himself,body convulsing.

A grin skated across her face as she approached her first kill of the night.

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Now you’re convinced, eh?

You can add Soul Avenged to your Goodreads by clicking on the cover image above.

And if I have persuaded you to head out and buy this sucker, you’re gonna wanna go to one of these:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Plus, you should go check out Keri Lake, too. Just because she’s pretty cool.

Keri Lake is a married mother of two living in Michigan.  She writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy and loves a good, tragic love story.  Though novels tend to be her focus, she also writes short stories and flash fiction whenever distraction manages to suck her in to the Land of Shiny Things.

When she isn’t toiling away on plots and protagonists, she enjoys reading, music and travel.  If she could create mystical powers for herself, she’d have the ability to flash to anywhere in the world.  And if she could flash to anywhere in the world at this very moment, she’d be staring at the ocean from her adirondack chair on the shores of North Carolina.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

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Soul Avenged Blog Tour “Fire & Ice” Giveaway

Grand Prize:  (Valued at approximately $280)

1-Kindle Fire HD (approximate value $199)

1-Signed Paperback Soul Avenged (Sons of Wrath, #1)

1-Sons of Wrath t-shirt

1-Sons of Wrath coffee mug

1-Soul Avenged Notebook

1^st Runner-Up:  (Valued at approximately $75)

1-$25 iTunesgiftcard

1-Signed Paperback Soul Avenged (Sons of Wrath, #1)

1-Sons of Wrath t-shirt

1-Sons of Wrath coffee mug

1-Sons of Wrath notebook

2^nd Runner-Up: (Valued at approximately $35)

1-Signed Paperback Soul Avenged (Sons of Wrath, #1)

1-Sons of Wrath t-shirt

Simply follow the below link to enter: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks for stopping by.

See the tour schedule for more stops on the tour & chances to win.

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Title: Everneath

Series: Everneath #1

Author: Brodi Ashton

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication date: January 24th 2012

Source: Gifted a copy.

From Goodreads: 

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned–to her old life, her family, her boyfriend–before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance–and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.

Everneath is a captivating story of love, loss, and immortality from debut author Brodi Ashton.

For the record:

I read this one back when it was released, but am only just getting around to posting my review here.

My Review

Okies, so I’d seen Everneath about. Liked the cover. Hadn’t read the blurb—nothing unusual there. And a friend offered to send me a copy, so of course I said YES!

And then I started reading.

Now … to be honest, the opening didn’t really wow me. Actually there were a few things that bugged me about the book, so I’m thinking I might just get those out of the way before I head forward into ‘why I ended up enjoying this book’ territory.

Here goes.

POV breaches. Though most of them were fairly subtle, POV breaches are one of my biggest eye-twitching bugbears, and there were a LOT of POV breaches to someone who knows what even the most subtle ones look like. Way too many times, the MC assumed to know the motivations of other characters. She also, on a few occasions, knew what other characters were doing right after telling us she was looking down, or she didn’t look up, or whatever. These bugged me.

The HUGE mentioning of mythology right in the opening. At the time I thought we were being given a massive foreshadowing moment sans shade about what was about to come. I even ranted to a couple folk about it. I’ll forgive the story for this, though, because the connection to the foreshadowing at the beginning was nowhere near as straightforward as I initially imagined it might be (not yet, anyway), and so I ended up being happier about it. But I still think it shouldn’t have been there, and we should have learnt AS she did without those clues. Because that wasn’t the only time we get a big slap of what might be coming up, and thanks to that *cough* Meredith *cough* I already knew exactly how the book was going to end before I got there.

The openings of each scene. I didn’t have an issue with telling us WHEN it was (like: Then/Now), but I did have an issue with us constantly being told WHERE she was. So we’d get an opening of X weeks left alongside something like ‘In Jack’s car’ and then the opening sentence of the scene would tell us she was in Jack’s car. It bothered me.

However, let’s nudge those niggling bits aside for a moment and discuss what kept me reading.

Nikki. I liked her. I was floored by her ‘voice’ but I liked her character, and her character development.

Cole. I kinda like how the reader has no idea what to make of him for a little while. He shows up on the Surface fairly early on, and I wasn’t expecting him to be there (because we don’t have a full understanding of how it works at that point), and I’m already wondering if this is going to be a love triangle and if I’m going to end up falling for both fictional guys. Whilst Jack was convinced Cole was in love with Nikki, I kinda couldn’t help but wonder if it was a love of power Jack was seeing in Cole’s face, because he’s definitely manipulative, and he certainly has his own agenda, and when that appears more important to the guy than the girl herself then I’m going to be questioning the honesty of his love. See?

So what about Jack I just mentioned? Dude. Loved him. From the word go. I felt a little sick when I suspected he might have behaved in a manner he needed a good beating for, but the more I got to know him and learned about him, the more I realised it had to have been a misunderstanding. And it was. Phew. Because I didn’t want to end up hating on this guy. His behaviour, from start to finish, his patience and quiet determination? Yeah, he won me over, for sure.

Now, what about the storyline? I liked it. In the end, I did kinda like it, even though the foreshadowing did ruin what I’d have preferred to be a surprise (because I love surprises when I read). The plot was certainly original (to me, anyway) and fresh, and didn’t just go the straightforward route it so easily could have. The world building was pretty neat, too—clear, concise, and easily understandable. Even the back and forthing between timeframes was cool once I’d gotten over the jarring feel of it, and seemed to add depth to the weaving of the tale.

So yes, I enjoyed it. And I shall most likely read on.

Have you read this title? What’d you think?

Review: Hide & Seek by Aimee Laine!

Title: Hide & Seek

Series: Games of Zeus #1

Author: Aimee Laine

Publisher: J.Taylor Publishing

Publication date: March 1st 2012

Source: I own a copy.

From Goodreads: 

Lie, cheat or steal, no one can catch Tripp Fox. Except one woman.

Lexi Shepherd’s knack for finding whatever is asked of her isn’t sheer luck. It’s a gift from the Greek god Zeus.

That Lexi doesn’t use her ability to search for “Mr. Right” comes from one of many personal rules she has set for herself. Number one is not to let fate dictate her future.

Falling in love with Tripp breaks all the others.

Despite her principles, Lexi’s unable to stay away from the bad boy, and she finds herself toeing the grey line of the law for him.

Zeus, though, didn’t give Lexi and Tripp their talents to make their relationship a simple, easy alliance. He designed it to be exactly the opposite. Impossible. Always.

With their separation, Lexi expects Tripp to forfeit love in favor of destiny. He, on the other hand, intends to beat Zeus at his own game. With a plan in place, Tripp challenges Lexi to take the one action no one else can.

Find him.

The question isn’t can she … but will she?

For the record:

I read this one back when it was released, but am only just getting around to posting my review here.

My Review

Some books? It’s just impossible to review them without sounding like a blathering imbecile. Most the time that happens to me, it’s because I’ve fallen hook, line and sinker for the main male character and still have starry eyes whilst trying to write my review.

Everyone has a favourite type of male character who’s their ultimate fictional guy. Tripp Fox is mine.

MINE, I say! *cough*

Anyway, Hide & Seek may not be due out for a little while, but I’m the lucky sucker who had an early sneak preview. This is one of those books I can read, read again, and then read again and still not be bored of Tripp (<<see a pattern emerging here?). I don’t even know what it is about him that has me sighing and crying and sighing and smiling and sighing and … you get the picture? It might be his slightly Alpha-male ways. Or his total romantic side that shows its face. Or it could be his abilities that have the potential to make an intimate relationship with this guy a little more exciting than … (that’s enough of that spoiler). Who knows? All I do know is Tripp Fox is my sort of man. 100%.

Tie him in with Lexi, who I actually wanted to win the guy (which is saying a lot considering how I feel about him), and this novel is a definite winner.

I’m not going to say too much, due to my hatred of spoilers–especially for works so new still to the world–but just know love must, can, will, and does conquer all.

For those who love a dose of PNR, but are looking for something other than supernatural creatures to give you a fix, then this just might be a decent choice for you.

Have you read this title? What’d you think?