Guest Post: Shannon Delany author of Weather Witch

Creating a new world

Shannon Delany

 

Sing it with me: "A whole new world..." I'm going to have that Disney tune stuck in my head now!

I loved building--well, really DISCOVERING--the world of Weather Witch. I think it is a process of uncovering something that already exists in the darkest recesses of someone's mind more than constructing something--at least in Weather Witch.

The Weather Witch world was unearthed thanks to my love of Philadelphia, storms, and ghost stories. I knew I wanted something that incorporated all those things so I found the bits of Philadelphia I love most (other than South Street), dug through the ghost stories, and asked myself: What if you could control the weather?

It's a pertinent question, especially for a farmer like myself. But the job of an author is to take it further.

What if people could control the weather? What are the risks and rewards? What would the government do?

What would the world become?

The answers are actually relatively simple--the danger of such control is HUGE. Your obnoxious neighbor's having a picnic? Rain them out. Mad at somebody? Strike them with lightning. Want to grow perfect roses? Provide just the right amount of rain even if it screws up the vegetable garden nearby.

And that's when the world starts to really develop.

Surely not EVERYONE should have such powers! They must be regulated and controlled to protect us from ourselves and each other, right? Luckily there is a government to do such things. And if control means controlling people a little more firmly than they might like... If it means enslavement... Well, surely it's for their own safety. For their own good. Right? I mean, it is only a FEW people that are Weather Witches, so what's the harm as long as you protect the majority? So what if you personally benefit? You have a hard job, finding Witches... You should be rewarded! Besides, they're only Witches...

And then you start to see the comparisons in your world and the real one. How many people said of the African slaves who helped build the farms of our country, "They're only savages..." How many said of the Irish slaving in the Pennsylvania coal mines, "Well, that just starve because of the potato famine back home..." How many stepped aside in the time of Hitler and said, "Well, it's only the gypsies. Only the homosexuals. Just the Jews. Austria. Czechoslovakia. Poland... Oh, crap!"

And suddenly you realize no matter how many different ways you try to trick out a fictional world that there's only really ONE world and it always starts here. With our world, our hearts, our souls and our fears.

That's how I unearthed Weather Witch--with what ifs. Simple enough! But what if EVERYONE could control the weather?

In a vastly different and darker Philadelphia of 1844, steam power has been repressed, war threatens from deep, dark waters, and one young lady of high social standing is expecting a surprise at her seventeenth birthday party–but certainly not the one she gets!

Jordan Astraea, who has lived out all of her life in Philadelphia’s most exclusive neighborhood, is preparing to celebrate her birthday with friends, family and all the extravagance they might muster. The young man who is most often her dashing companion, Rowen Burchette, has told her a surprise awaits her and her best friend, Catrina Hollindale, wouldn’t miss this night for all the world!

But storm clouds are gathering and threatening to do far more than dampen her party plans because someone in the Astraea household has committed the greatest of social sins by Harboring a Weather Witch.

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About the author:

Shannon Delany grew up in a community that was traditional and respectful of superstitions and old religions and was very creative. She was surrounded by arts, crafts, and other languages from a young age and enjoyed sampling everything that atmosphere had to offer. Her childhood directly impacted her fascination with myths, legends, and the paranormal and has enjoyed using that information to write her 13 TO LIFE and WEATHER WITCH novels and her short stories.

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•a signed copy of Weather Witch

•a Weather Witch coffee mug with special goodies (all connected to the story)

•signed copies of 13 to Life and Secrets and Shadows

•a handcrafted mask

•a special metal and crystal bookmark

•a mini top hat

•a silhouette of their own profile cut and matted by Shannon

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Girls Heart Books Tour: Intangible and Imaginable by J Meyers Reviews

Intangible

Series- Intangible # 1

J. Meyers

Publication Date-January 31, 2012

Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They’ve always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they’ve always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right. And he can’t do anything about it.

Review:
I am not sure what I was expecting when I started this book but I was surprised at how much I liked it. It was one of the few times I didn't read the synopsis so I went in blind.

The brother and sister dynamic was pure perfection. I liked most the characters instantly, especially Jonas. Actually I enjoyed all the characters except Fey. I just did not like her.

I liked the romance. It wasn't all syrup sweet like a lot of YA stories. I was not fond of Marc but Sera and his connection was pretty wow!

If you like YA and you like paranormal stories, you have to read this book. All the supernaturals in one story? Yes please. A story you will get lost in and zombify your brain by keeping you up late making you useless at work or school. This book will do that. When I read the last page I kid you not, I hugged my kindle. I hugged it so hard.

Read this book. Read it.

Cover Whore:
I love the cover. It is simple yet attention grabbing.

Links-

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 Imaginable

Series- Intangible # 2

J. Meyers

Publication Date- April 16, 2013

Twins Sera and Luke Raine’s unusual abilities are growing. Sera is healing vampires now, making them human again. And, at times, Luke can actually change the future he Sees.

But Sera’s healing has dangerous consequences, and though Luke is altering the outcome of more visions, he can’t control them yet.

Now Sera is in danger as the dark creatures of the Realm seek to use her.

As Luke struggles to master his gift in order to save his sister, he discovers even more about his powers. And what he learns just may put him in greater danger than Sera has ever been.

Review:
This book started off faster than Intangible and I loved it a little more. Jonas was full of awesome and the twins came to grip with their powers more. We really got to see who Luke was more than last book.

Sera is actually put in a tough situation involving her gifts. I also love her ability with vampires. I love it. I love the book. I had an issue with Sera's lack of follow through when she was trying to imprint on people she was healing but then she just stopped trying. What? I couldn't hurt to try, right?

I still love the super natural creatures. I love the story and I love the chemistry between Luke and Fey even though I hate Fey. I love the chemistry between Sera and Jonas! Hell I just love Jonas. Love Love. Love so hard I ran out (Okay I actually just say on my ass and clicked the screen of my kindle) and bought Indomitable. I had to know more about this great character. I admit, he is my current book boyfriend.

This book has insured  J. Meyers place on my auto buy list. What ever she is selling, I am buying.

Cover Whore:
Another great cover though this one is also simple and keeps with the series but I was hoping for a little more.

Links-

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New Cover Reveal for Few Are Angels and Awakened by Inger Iversen

After a fatal hit and run accident, Ella Monroe fears that she’s lost more than her beloved parents. Horrifying visions of a past life and a disturbing voice in her head have psychiatric professionals convinced that she’s lost her sanity as well. But when Kale–a dark and handsome stranger with a mysterious past–reveals the true meaning of her visions and the tremendous power she wields through them, Ella must come to terms with the devastating truths of her own past, while eluding an ancient Dark Prince who seeks to control not only her future, but all of mankind’s, by means of abilities that Ella is only beginning to understand.


Enter the shrouded world of an age old battle between an ancient race known as the Immortals and their bitter enemy Laurent, the so-called Dark Prince, who commands an army of half-breed vampires known as Chorý. Both sides have been desperately searching for the prophesied emergence of the Arc, a clairvoyant with unparalleled power to recall the past and a soothsayer with clear vision into the future.

The Council of Immortals has sworn to protect the Arc, whom they have identified as young Ella Monroe, a college freshman from Virginia living quietly and unaware of her powers or her past. But a renegade Chorý has other plans for the protection of a girl he has loved through the ages. Can Kale convince Ella of who she is, what she is destined to become, and what he once meant to her? Is he truly the best protector to shield the world from the devastating misuse of her powers that Laurent is bent on controlling? Or will the forbidden love they share and Kale’s cursed condition as a wretched and hated Chorý be used against them both?


This paranormal romance told from the heroine’s perspective builds in intensity and intrigue to a finale you won’t see coming. Heart pounding action mixed with heartwarming friendships and heartbreaking romance will leave you breathless and begging for more.

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Smashwords

What must he overcome to protect her?


With no clue of what to do next and the responsibility of looking after Alex and Mia as promised, Kale is up to his ears in problems and no solutions. How will Kale save Ella, keep Alex and Mia safe, control Jace as well as control the Bloodlust that creeps beneath the surface waiting to be released? Will Kale be Ella’s savior or will he convict her to a fate worse than the one Laurent has already promised her?

What truths will she learn?
Ella knows that the choices she makes affects not only her but everyone else around her, but what about the choices made to find her? Ella learns the truth about the death of her parents, learns that the ones she thought she could trust aren’t so trustworthy after all.

How will Ella handle these betrayals, and will she be able to sacrifice what is necessary to obtain eternal life?

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Inger Iversen lives in Virginia Beach with her tree-hugging boyfriend Joshua and her overweight lap cat Max. When not reading or writing she spends her time watching reruns of True Blood or killing zombies in Call Of Duty.

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Release Day! Black Water Bayou by Monique O'Connor James

Gabe was raised to trust his intuition and rely solely on himself. Troubled and alone, he’s spent his life haunted by night terrors, and turmoil over where he came from rages in his soul. Always the lonely hero, he never saw Frannie coming. Under the fury of a southern storm, she blew into Gabe’s life and changed it forever.

Can she tear down his walls? Can he save her from herself and the demons that are after her family?

As the past catches up to the present, long kept secrets are revealed and families are salvaged while evil pours into the waters of an abandoned bayou. No one could have seen the dark forces true power, but one man was marked to battle them.

Can Gabe make amends with his past, or will the devil win his soul?

Doesn't this book sound awesome. Make sure you go grab your copy today. Black Water Bayou

Monique is the mother of two beautiful children and lives in a small community outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. On her eighth birthday, her mother bought her a journal and said "write whatever you want, just write." And so, a love affair with words was born.


Her collection of novels and short stories is ever growing as writing is her first true love. Her desire to help other authors gain exposure and hone their craft grew as she navigated the publishing world alone. It is her hope that Bayou Brew Publishing will become a safe place for other writers to share their talents with the world. She believes that any dream is possible if you have the support of a great team.

Release Day Event: Awakened by Inger Iversen

Stacey Rourke's Blog Tour!

The Litter Box…Scoop Daily is lucky to be hosting the last tour stop before Stacey Rourke’s special post on her own blog. She decided to bring her friend with her. Yes, I know her characters are make believe but let’s all pretend she isn’t talking to herself in public okay ;-) Let’s all welcome Stacey and the awesome sidekick Kendall. (We all know sidekicks are the best part of any story, right? Without a good one or two, you are just another crazy person with super strength.) Now let’s get to it!

Stacey-Thank you all for being here! Today as my guest I have Kendall Garrett, one of the stars of The Gryphon Series. Kendall, thanks so much for joining us!
Kendall-(big beaming grin) Thank you for having me! This is so cool. I feel like I’m on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Stacey-Well our audience may be smaller but no less fun.
(Crowd hoots and applauds. Kendall gives them doe eyes over her shoulder—toothpaste commercial grin still in place.)
Stacey-(suddenly serious) But let’s get down to the real story here Kendall. According to The Gryphon Series you’re a creature of love that is practically incapable of being mean or nasty to anyone. Is that true?
Kendall-(blinking rapidly in obvious confusion) Uh…yeah. I thought we were gonna talk about stuff like who I want to play me in The Conduit movie, because I’m thinking Ashley Benson from Pretty Little Liars could totally rock playing me.
Stacey-(waves hand dismissively) Yeah, no one cares. What people really wanna know is how deep this “creature of love” thing goes. I mean are you able to get angry at people?
Kendall-(shrugs) Sure, I can get angry but then I remember pretty quick that all people are basically good inside and it passes.
Stacey-(leans back in her chair and folds her arms over her chest) That’s…annoyingly optimistic. So you never get so ticked off that you just fly off the handle at anyone?
Kendall-(With a smile so sweet it causes cavities) Nope. Not really.
Stacey-(Her eyes narrow) Even the fact that I openly refer to you and your brother as “sidekicks” in my new novella The Sidekick Chronicles? That doesn’t bug you at all?
Kendall-(Blonde hair bobs around her face as she shakes her head) Not at all. Gabe gets bent out of shape by that, but I’m happy to help our little team in any way I can. I don’t care what title I go by.
Stacey-(leans forward with her elbows on the desk.) Your boyfriend Keith breaks your heart in the novella. That didn’t make you want to unleash a little fury on him?
Kendall- (Presses lips together and considers this before again shaking her head.) Not really, we’re young. This is the time in our lives when we make silly mistakes that we learn from.
Stacey-What about when people cut you off in traffic?
Kendall-Clearly they have somewhere important to be! I just hope they arrive safely.
Stacey-The Kardashians are stupid.
Kendall-(sucks in a shocked breath then struggles to regain her composure) You are…ahem…entitled to your own opinion about that wonderful family.
(Audience erupts in a taunting “oooooooooooooo”)
Stacey-(with a victorious smile) So you can be rattled!
Kendall-Cannot!
Stacey-Can too!
Kendall-Cannot!
Stacey-I’m going to give you an awful hair day in Sacrifice, book 3 of the Gryphon Series.
Kendall-(gasps and hisses through her teeth)You witch! You wouldn’t dare!
Stacey-(to the audience) And there ya have it folks! Well that’s all the time we have for today! Thanks so much Kendall for being here…
Kendall-(huffs) Way to go, you proved to the world you’re, like, annoying enough to tick off even a creature of love.
Stacey-And thank all of you for joining us! Look for Kendall and the rest of the Garrett gang in The Gryphon Series available now in print and ebook!
Kendall-You know my brother morphs into a lion, right? Totally telling him you called him a sidekick. (grumbles) Purposely give me a bad hair day? Un-uh! I’ll make sure he bites you.

**

About the Author

Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012.

Stacey Rourke is the author of the Gryphon Series. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of this series as well as other literary projects.

Find the Author Here

Visit her at www.staceyrourke.com

Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacey-Rourke/

or on Twitter @Rourkewrites.

Book Feature

The Conduit

All 18-year-old Celeste Garrett wants is to head off to college and make those fun, yet ill-advised, choices college kids are known for. And maybe to spend some time with the hot cameraman she just met. Instead, because of a pact her ancestors made in the 17th century with a mythical creature, she has to save the world.

While normal kids are slamming energy drinks and cramming for exams, Celeste will get her adrenaline rush fighting a fire breathing dragon. She wants to meet friends in the quad to exchange lecture notes, but first she must exchange blows with a shapeshifting demon on the rooftop. Life isn’t always fair for a superhero, but at least she doesn’t have to do it alone. With her brother and sister as sidekicks, they alternate between saving lives and getting on each others’ nerves. Together the trio encounters unspeakable odds, mystical forces and comes face-to-face with an image that will haunt them forever—their grandmother in a leopard print bikini.

"Okay, little side note here. If a psychopathic killer asks if you want to see a trick, say no. That’s the smart thing to do. I, on the other hand, responded, 'Bring it'."

-excerpt from THE CONDUIT

Embrace

Book Two in the Gryphon Series

Whether she likes it or not, eighteen year old Celeste Garrett has come to terms with being the Chosen One. She knew having a “normal life” would be tricky, between intense training sessions and epic demonic battles, but she didn’t know at what cost it would come. That is, until a dear friend is harmed by the malicious forces hunting her.

Now, she’d like nothing more than to retreat into a hermit lifestyle to prevent anyone else from getting hurt. But startling revelations, amazing new abilities, and mortifying moments in front of insanely hot guys won’t allow time for that. Soon, Celeste finds herself surrounded by darkness and wondering who she can trust—if anyone.

The Sidekick Chronicles (A Gryphon Series Novella)

Celeste isn't the only member of the Garrett family whose life changed when destiny called. Every sidekick has their tale and in this Gryphon Series short the spotlight is turned on Kendall, Grams and even Gabe. Get an inside look at the hilarious stress that goes along with being a...sidekick.

Sidekicks...ya can't live with 'em and you'd probably die horribly without 'em.

Sacrifice (COMING SOON)

Celeste Garrett has finally found a happy balance in her life as the Chosen One, thanks in large part to a certain hunky Irishman. But if there’s any lesson she should heed since receiving her calling it’s that everything can change in the blink of an eye. Soon a terrible new threat, unlike anything she’s ever encountered, causes her to make a gut-wrenching choice that will strip her of someone she holds dear.

As much as she’d like to have a pity party for one, there’s no time for that now because wedding bells are ringing in Gainesboro! In between dress fittings and rehearsal dinners Celeste will have to fend off attacking demons and leering pirates. As if the Dark Army wasn’t scary enough our heroine is faced with the horrifying trauma of attending a bachelorette party with her mom and watching Grams do Jello shots. Is a walk down the aisle even possible for a member of the Garrett family when the Dark Army is out to destroy them? More importantly, will the Dark Army Glee Club sing at the reception?

Raise your glass to the happy couple, and get ready for a wedding…Conduit-style.

Book Purchase Links

The Conduit- http://www.amazon.com/The-Conduit-Gryphon-Series-ebook/dp/B007H7UMR0/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2

Embrace- http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-The-Gryphon-Series-ebook/dp/B0080GLL5Y/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

Sidekick Chronicles- http://www.amazon.com/Sidekick-Chronicles-Gryphon-Novella-ebook/dp/B0099S7J9O/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2

For the Nook- The Conduit- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-conduit-stacey-rourke/1107395872?ean=2940044687929

Embrace- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embrace-gryphon-series-book-2-stacey-rourke/1112134874?ean=2940044697713

Sidekick Chronicles- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sidekick-chronicles-stacey-rourke/1112860418?ean=2940015291629

Cover Reveal: Few Are Angels by Inger Iversen

One of our favorite books has gotten a cover revamp and I LOVE it. The original cover was great but this revamp is breath-taking. Last month whe had a guest post by the amazingly talented Inger Iversen so when I saw on facebook her new cover I knew I had to share it with you all. I hope you love it as much as I do.

It goes much better with book two's AMAZEBALLZ cover which is due out on my birthday (Feb 14th)...coincidence? I think not.

Review: Conjure (The Hoodoo Apprentice) by Lea Nolan

Conjure by Lea Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Before Conjure came out I was lucky enough to be a part of the cover reveal. The cover was gorgeous but more on that later.

Now is the time when a lot of YA mistake/misrepresent strong heroines for/as hard-headed and stubborn I was leery of reading a novel from a new author. It is always a bit like Russian roulette. I loved Emmaline (LINE not keen or Lynn). She was such a realistic character. Young but already a glimmer of the person she will grow into. That person will make mistakes but is more times than not, awesome. Emma has a twin brother who I wanted to kill and their best friend, Cooper. Oh what can I say about Cooper that won't have me gushing? Nothing because the boy is all a YA swoon worthy guy should be. Hot, maturing and only has eyes for Emma. I loved them. Whenever they were together even just hanging out I would squeal. Their chemistry was just hop off the page sparks. I was originally concerned about their young age. I may have groaned when I read how very young they were. I was like how can this be entertaining, and appropriate? I'm going to be bored to tears! I was not! I was enthralled and entangled (Heehee.) The age worked for the story and adds more sweet innocents and was kept very appropriate for their age and younger readers while still keeping us young at hearts on the edge of our seats.

On to the plot. This plot was very interesting and unique. It is like nothing I ever read but can't figure why nobody thought of this genius plot this far. There is a message in a bottle (though never explained why the message was put there.) There was treasure, hoodoo and a wicked curse or two. If that doesn't get you then let me continue.

It is summertime, the time of year when Emma and her twin Jack come down to visit their dad on a Gullah island of the coast of North Carolina. It is also the time of year when Cooper comes home and they can all hang out. This year Emma is harboring a raging crush on Cooper and you will quickly get why. Jack gets them into deep crude and his actions forces Emma to delve deep into the world of Gullah magic. In this strange, odd, scary and magical new world of Emma's she learns some big century long family secrets. The end is satisfying but will have you lying awake for weeks after wondering...what's going to happen to this kids next.

Cover whore:
Breath-takingly gorgeous. I loved the font of the title. The atmosphere of the cover effectively set the tone of the book.


View all my reviews

Review Coming Soon...

How to Date an Alien by Magan Vernon


My rating: 4 of 5 stars





CatholicKittie's thoughts as she read. Status updates:
07/26 100.0% "Awesome book if you get past the misuse of Romeo and Juliet. As well as the overkill of the Romeo and Juliet thing."


07/26 87.0% "the Romeo and Juliet thing again. oye."

07/18 52.0% "Seriously, Wtf is wrong with Riley! What's her deal?"

07/18 47.0% "Okay now she is obsessed. But I understand...I miss Ace too."

07/18 46.0% "So good only 2 things that rub me wrong. I wish they'd stop bringing up Romeo and Juliet every other chapter. And Alex keeps saying Ace has been there for her more than her dad...um Ewl Ace is your boyfriend. Daddy issues for 1000 please."

07/17 13.0% "So far...helloooooo Ace."

07/17 9.0% "Im giggling all over the place. I will be up reading this for awhile."
View all my reviews

Review: Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout

They're not like us...

Starting over sucks.


When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don't kill him first, that is.


The Review:
Pure delicious awesome sauce. Okay this book will make anyone obsessed with finding aliens. If they are as insanely hot as Daemon, then I will take 2. (oh Dawson, duh.)


The writing was flawless, easy to follow and flowed like water. The characters were likeable when they were supposed to be and loathsome when it was appropriate. Either way, they were realistic.

Daemon was an asshole for like 90% of the book with mini flashes of a guy who's passion burned hot and bright. It was enough to keep hope that he was worth the work. I would hate to think that his hotness made me stick with him with false hope. There is a back story and you pretty much get why he is an ass. There is a novella all about what makes Daemon how he is. Shadows is a must read too.
Katy was super awesome (most the time.) She do a lot of dumb things but nothing out of the relm of teenage girl. She is a book blogger that gets geeked over new releases, books and swag. So I thought she was awesome. She has a smart mouth, she is funny and she cusses mildly...so I LOVE her.
There was a treasure trove of other awesome characters the only character I had real issue with was Katy's mother. My issue is that she was supposed to be likeable but I found her annoying and stupid. Like, pimp your daughter out to a strange boy because he was hott. Which is another issue. Her drooling over a kid her own daughters age was just...Wtf EWWW.

I have been on pins and needles waiting for August 14 when Onyx comes out for my Daemon-Katy goodness.

 

Cover Whore:

I have seen two covers for this book the one I posted is the awesome version. Pepe and Sztella are supre gorgeous people and I think of them as Daemon and Katy. Now, when I see them on other covers (which is often) I can't see them as anyone else. The cover is great. The other version has cheesy, weirdish bubble hive lettering for the title but either way this series so far has covers full of win...and yes Pepe's hottness doesn't hurt.

Cover Whore: Conjure by Lea Nolan COVER REVEAL!

Cover Reveal:

Synopsis:
Emma Guthrie expects this summer to be like any other in the South Carolina Lowcountry--hot and steamy with plenty of beach time alongside her best friend and secret crush, Cooper Beaumont, and Emma’s ever-present twin brother, Jack. But then a mysterious eighteenth-century message in a bottle surfaces, revealing a hidden pirate bounty. Lured by the adventure, the trio discovers the treasure and unwittingly unleashes an ancient Gullah curse that attacks Jack with the wicked flesh-eating Creep and promises to steal Cooper’s soul on his approaching sixteenth birthday.



When a strange girl appears, bent on revenge; demon dogs become a threat; and Jack turns into a walking skeleton; Emma has no choice but to learn hoodoo magic to undo the hex, all before summer—and her friends--are lost forever.  

Cover Whore:
At first sight, I would buy this book! The cover is all that I look for in a book. It has paranormal all over it. The word "Hoodoo" cracks me up but effectively shares the aptmostphere of the story. I can't wait to read this book.




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  CONJURE on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13425130-conjure Lea's website: http://www.leanolan.com/
Lea on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lea_Nolan

Review: Branded by Keary Taylor

Jessica's got a secret...she becomes dead people.

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


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


This was a good Indy book. I make that distinction because there is a difference between mainstream and indie, and it's not hard to tell them apart. But that's not the point the point is, it is a good book.

The story took a little too long to get to the meat and potatoes. the filling part wasn't until a little after half way almost to the 3/4ths mark. As this book was about sleep I kept finding myself in need or wanting to take a nap.

The the slow pace had me putting down the book, often times yawning the characters had me picking the book back up. Alex was a perfect YA boy and I enjoyed the Insta-love. Yes, the book has insta-love. It doesn't bother me and I rather enjoy the trope if you do have an issue with insta-love and you push through the slow build of the story once you get to about the 85% mark of the book, you won't be able to put it down. And if you do, the characters and story will stick in your mind. The plot is a very unique twist and addition to the angel theme. I liked it.

Like all great YA novels the boys carry it. Cole and Alex are perfectly awesome. Jessica was almost not memorable, I even had to go back to the book to find her name for this review. I am hoping she comes into her own in the next book or I may start to wonder what Alex or Cole sees in her.

Cover whore: The cover has been redone. I like old cover, which is why I bought book. I am glad my book marks are of the old cover or I'd burn them. New cover? I hate. If it had this cover when I found it, I wouldn't even look twice at it. It actually makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little bit.

Review: Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

A boy who can see the world’s secrets and unravel spells with just a glance.

A boy who can see the world’s secrets and unravel spells with just a glance.

Braden’s witch eyes give him an enormous power. A mere look causes a kaleidoscopic explosion of emotions, memories, darkness, and magic. But this rare gift is also his biggest curse.

Compelled to learn about his shadowed past and the family he never knew, Braden is drawn to the city of Belle Dam, where he is soon caught between two feuding witch dynasties. Sworn rivals Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe will use anything—lies, manipulation, illusion, and even murder—to seize control of Braden’s powers. To stop an ancient evil from destroying the town, Braden must master his gift, even through the shocking discovery that Jason is his father. While his feelings for an enigmatic boy named Trey grow deeper, Braden realizes a terrible truth: Braden may be destined to kill him. **I deleted a line from the blurb because I felt it ruined one of the shocking plots. So if you buy the book DO NOT READ the back blurb, it should have a spoiler alert warning.**

The Review:
What I am about to say next may cause a shock induced heart attack to this who know my book peeves. CAN I GET A LOVE TRIANGLE IN THIS BITCH!


I hate Trey. He is a wimp. Braden deserves better. Braden is the perfect book hero so in my opinion he needs an equally awesome non bitch hero. Helloooo Drew. From the first time he entered the story I was like HIM, he is Braden's match. I never connected with Trey like that.

This book was character heavy which I liked because that adds more surprise factor. You never know who is going to do what and throw a wench in the plans and cause a "dun dun dun" twist.

I cannot wait for Demon Eyes because I never wanted to leave Braden's world.



Cover Whore:
This is a new section of the review where I rate the cover.

Witch Eyes is a book that gives great cover. So far the entire trilogy does. I have seen the first 2 covers. It is the type of cover everyone wants. Once it is seen you will remember it and it will NEVER be mistaken for another series. (Though it has floaty eyes, much like Shannon Delany's 13 to Life) they are easily not mistaken for one another. If you see this cover once you will always remember what book it is when seen again. I lust for this cover. It has so much umf. The feel and tone of the book is in the cover.


Trailer:

Interview with Dylan from Midnight Dragonfly Series

A few months ago, the awesomely wonderful author of the Midnight Dragonfly series asked for volunteers to interview a few of her characters. I love that series so if course I was all over that opportunity like a cat on the book you are trying to read! I have been aching to ask Dylan a few questions since he first entered the scene and stole my heart in Shattered Dreams. It’s took a lot of prodding from Ellie and I (rumor has it that Ellie had to hunt him down, wrestle him and tie the boy down.) Whatever the case he answered and I have the answers here. Enjoy and swoon.

Casse: "Allez" You sure know how to make a first impression and an entrance. So what is up with the creep beast dogs? Did you train them yourself and why?



Dylan: It’s never a good idea to let your guard down, especially given the kind of work my dad did. He’s not exactly a popular man. He taught me early on to expect the unexpected, stay one step ahead, and to realize the biggest mistake a man can make to believe the past (or anything) is really over. Before and after are illusions. It’s always now. That’s why we keep the dogs. They’re brothers. My dad and I trained them together.



Casse: You really are a man of mystery, is that by design or merely happenstance?



Dylan: Life unfolds day to day. My grandfather taught me that. You can try to divert or dam a river, but the results aren’t usually that good. All things have to run their course. Who am I to try and change that? There is a time for everything. I learned patience early on. I don’t need to force things. I can wait.



Casse: If you were up for judgment with the possible outcome execution and your words about you were the only thing that could save you, what all would you tell us?



Dylan: You can’t yank the sun from the sky just because it burns.



Casse: Okay, now narrow it down. If you could say only one thing about yourself to a person before they were to form an opinion about you that would define who you truly are and the outcome of rather the feel they knew you would save everyone you loved what would you say? The most important thing about you that the judge should know.



Dylan: Fear doesn’t matter, only what’s on the other side of it.



Casse: Okay, last day on earth, what would you eat?



Dylan: Trust me, cher. Food is the last thing I’d be thinking about.



Casse: What does a girl have to do to get a stray cuddly kitten out of you? Heck I'd even take a puppy. (You can't train it though lol)



Dylan: Which would you prefer, sweet Casse, a kitten or a puppy—or maybe a dream catcher? Do you have any of those? Dreams? Nightmares? Life is only as complicated as you make it.



Casse: One last question, perhaps most important, what is your middle name? (Purely for notebook heart doodling’s sake.)

Dylan: Michael, after my father’s father. He was David Michael. We share the same initials: DMF.

What’s yours?

Casse: It’s Rose

Dylan: Just like Trinity :)

There it is my interview with Dylan. Thank you Ellie for your time. I tried to get him to give me a picture for this post (okay no I didn’t. I didn’t want him to think I was a stalker.) Also I am sure he is very busy with all that is going on in Fragile Darkness. You can follow Ellie James on FB https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Midnight-Dragonfly-Books-by-Ellie-James/154988421236309

P.S I think Dylan was flirting with me, don’t you?

Click here for review of  

Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Can there truly be love after death?

I'm just going to say it, the cover is so freaking gorgeous. I admit that is the reason I bought this book. It's much like the cover of  Die For Me, which I also bought due to the cover and LOVED!

I really liked this book. The first 3/4ths more than the ending, which dragged. I loved Amelia, I adored Joshua and I even liked Eli.

I do feel some characters could use some fleshing out: Ruth, Jillian, Eli, hell Joshua and Amelia for that matter. So I guess all the characters could. I am not saying they were all flat but most lacked motivation that I (a reader) could sympathize or relate to. I'm sure they had it. I'm sure they felt strongly about it but why? Why did Ruth hate Amelia? I know seer/ghost but why so passionately? Prejudice? Why was Jillian a huge bitch?

At the end I also felt the author just made Eli do crazy bad shit so we didn't like him? Because the entire time I am sure we all felt like he was kinda annoying but if we just understood why he was like that. Why he was obsessed, besides lonely, he could be likable. We didn't know why Amelia was dead(teehee no pun intended) set against even attempting to befriend him so at the end the author had Eli go bat shit Cray Cray without us fully getting his motivation but only so we wouldn't care what happened to him?

I am hoping book 2 gives us more and goes deeper. I recommend this book.        

Review: The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

A family destroyed. A love threatened. An enemy returns.

The tag line should truly read: These mofos just keep lying for no reason...lol seriously everybody that claims to love one another lies to each other. Why? There is no why as far as I can see but that frustration aside...
This is truly one of my werewolf series! I know I'm hard on Grace but she really is a great character. I still hate Jude he is such a simp. He is truly worthless, a simpering idiot and pretty much has no point other than give Grace something new to save. April grew on me. I think I only hated her in Dark Divine because of her attachment to Jude, same for Grace I suppose. Daniel is still great but less so than last go round and that is partly due to his lying habit and largely due to...enter Talbot- I swoon!

A highly recommended read. I enjoyed this book so much. It made me giggle, it made me angry, it definitely made me swoon, but more importantly it kept me panting and coming back for more.

Review: Beloved Purgatory by Katherine Pine

Sometimes God has a good reason for breaking your heart.

I was really excited when I bought this book on Christmas. I loved the first book in the series and was anxious to read what was going to happen to Devi and Oz.

I admittedly enjoyed After Eden more but Beloved Purgatory was a good follow up. I only grew extremely tired of how Devi was constantly getting gross looking and dirty. Or how self-loathing she was and feeling undeserving of anything and her constantly “not getting it” and saying “I don’t understand.” How many times and ways can someone explain the same thing to her? I wish she was a little less dense.

I get not wanting a heroine to be like catnip to guys but there has to be a happy medium. She doesn’t have to be drop dead gorgeous but can she also not be covered in puke and hideous?

Back to how much I loved the story. I like all the twist, the scheming and betrayal. I think dealing with Angels, the Fallen, devils and Demons would involve all those things. You’d never know who to trust and Beloved Purgatory shows that extremely well. I mean seriously, can there truly be good guys when dealing with devils and demons?

A good book leaves you sighing with resolution and reeling with questions anew…Book 2 in the Fallen Angels series does that swimmingly.

Review: Shattered Dreams by Ellie James

Okay, I guess I should let the world know one fact about me first...I have a huge thing for bad boys. Now, for fact number two, my love of bad boys is eclipsed only by my soft spot for the mysterious good guy who had no idea he is good. This story had both and I was in delicious heaven I tell!

The story was pure brilliant, the setting brilliant (made me text my sister and ask her to move to NOLA with me), Pitre (bad boy I am sure I wasn't supposed to puddle over) and Dylan (can I just say O my frakkin Gawd, right now) those 2 lovely boys made my heart all a flutter. Those were the good points that made me race to read this story at a break neck pace and read much too late into the night. Trinity, our heroine, was interesting enough and she had some awesome traits I like in my YA girl. Angst, the angst, I love the angst! She also had some inner turmoil going on that made her hop off the pages but boy was that chic so flip floppy, I was often annoyed and Chase is so bland and wishy washy I can't figure what anyone would see in him. I think it was because the story started at a good point but their connection was already established and they had already started falling for each other so I didn't get to nosey in on it.



This book left me anxious waiting for the next installment and praying for more Pitre and Yes, oh yes...more Dylan.

Review: The Catastrophic History of You And Me by Jess Rothenberg

Admittedly, I have been a very absent blogger.  I have been neglectful, but ever looking for a book to pull me from my book funk.  I had grown weary of Paranormal…so weary of the genre.  The gggggrowly alphas, the bumbling heroines, I even got sick of the YA variety.  But I was still hopeful.  That hope was rewarded.

My daily browsing of the Walmart book section paid off big this weekend.  I often buy books from there (it’s the only story we have in my city.) but rarely do I buy the book, rush home, crack it open and never stop until the end.  It has been a while that I fell in love so fast and so completely.

I guess it is time to tell you the title of the book that ‘woke me up inside.’  The Catastrophic History of You And Me by Jess Rothenberg.  The book is amazing, beautiful, funny, heart breaking (heehee) and romantic.

 Brie's life ends at sixteen: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart - literally. But now that she's in heaven, Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend knows a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost - and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul who's been D&G (dead and gone) much longer than she… and who just might hold the key to her forever after. With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on… but how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

The book is full of music references that just made the book completely fun to read.  I looked forward to see how the lyrical chapter titles tied into what was going to happen next.  Brie was very likable, relatable and understandable.  It was easy to be swept into her emotions and feel them like they were your own…because we all have felt this way before or easily can.  There was only one time that seemed a little off to me.  Brie was in the middle of her dark moment with Patrick and she realized see was acting insane and regretted it but then went further and KEPT DOING IT!  It felt like it was done to push the two into the next plot but really didn’t make a lot of sense with what she was thinking, her realizing what she was saying, the regret and wanting to take it back but then the next second say more stupid crap. It was the only real wtf moment and though it was enough to piss me off, it wasn’t enough to ruin the story.

Die For Me by Amy Plum

I stumbled across this book browsing emusic and decided to download a few sample chapters from Amazon. I can say I am hooked right away. I instantly told my book buddy about the book before I even reached chapter 3.

I downloaded the full version and the audio for when I can't sit and read. I find myself wishing I had more time to just devour this book. I also find myself wish I wrote this book! It is amazing!

The cover is breath-taking.  The hero, Vincent, is so damn wonderful.  Kate is one of the less annoying YA heroine but she has her moments or it wouldn't be YA.  Its like an unwritten rule, that YA girls must make you want to strangle her.  But so far I can't stop reading.

GET IT NOW! READ IT! You will thank me forever.



Synopsis

“In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.”

“When Kate Mercier’s parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life—and memories—behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate’s guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he’s a revenant—an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.