Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Tasha Review: Katya's World

Katya's World (Russalka Chronicles #1) by Jonathan L. Howard
Publication Date: November 6, 2012
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Pages: 327


Summary

The distant and unloved colony world of Russalka has no land, only the raging sea. No clear skies, only the endless storm clouds. Beneath the waves, the people live in pressurised environments and take what they need from the boundless ocean. It is a hard life, but it is theirs and they fought a war against Earth to protect it. But wars leave wounds that never quite heal, and secrets that never quite lie silent.

Katya Kuriakova doesn’t care much about ancient history like that, though. She is making her first submarine voyage as crew; the first nice, simple journey of what she expects to be a nice, simple career.

There is nothing nice and simple about the deep black waters of Russalka, however; soon she will encounter pirates and war criminals, see death and tragedy at first hand, and realise that her world’s future lies on the narrowest of knife edges. For in the crushing depths lies a sleeping monster, an abomination of unknown origin, and when it wakes, it will seek out and kill every single person on the planet. 


This is a book that I loved the first two hundred pages or so and disliked the last hundred. The book dragged those last hundred pages. I know this is a weird way to start off a review but that was the biggest thing I took away from this book. Not the plot or it's characters, but  that it was a hundred pages too long.

Let's back up a bit. The plot is good. It revolves around Katya trying to survive an attack by an unknown enemy while trying to figure out if Havilland Kane, a deadly pirate, could be trusted or not. And in the wonderful world building and side plots it worked pretty good. But once again it was too long. It just felt like it was just going and going with no end in sight. Maybe if a few of the side plots, as much as I liked them, it would've been a better book with a better flow.

I wasn't much of a fan of Katya. She was just kind of there. I was a bigger fan of Kane. I was just something about not knowing which side he was on. I thought I knew like three times before the end of the book.  He was really well written. Petrov and Tasya were also entertaining. They helped make the two leads more three dimensional. 

This is the first book of a series. You can clearly tell. I kind of wish it wasn't. I think this story would've been better suited if this was a one off. It would've allowed it to tight up it's storytelling. And though I enjoyed the book, I don't know it I enjoyed it enough to pick up the next book.

3/5




Friday, December 19, 2014

{3x Cover Reveals + Giveaway} Breaking Series by Juliana Haygert

Breaking Free (Breaking #1) by Juliana Haygert
(formally known as Breaking the Reins)
Publication Date: August 14th 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
 
 
~Summary~
 
Horses, mansions, tea parties, and lies are twenty-year-old Hannah Taylor’s life. To others, her family and her relationship with Eric is perfect. But she knows the truth. She lives it.

After a fire takes her grandma’s life and kills her horse, Hannah’s immaculate life spirals out of control. Her father disapproves of her decision to run her grandma’s ranch instead of focusing solely on learning the family business; Animal Control brings her Argus, a mistreated horse that she can’t turn away even though she’s not ready for another horse; and her boyfriend, Eric Bennett, a world famous polo player, becomes possessive and authoritarian. Despite her best efforts to disguise it, Hannah grows wary of him.

Then, Leonardo Fernandes struts onto the polo scene. A cocky rookie with a messy life of his own, he’s drawn to Hannah and isn’t afraid of showing it, even when Eric makes it clear she is his and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Hannah suffers for Eric’s jealousy. The abuse only gets worse when Leo steals the title of best polo player in the world from Eric.

But the title isn’t enough for Leo. He wants Hannah too, and she can’t deny her attraction to him either. Somehow, she must find a way to break free from abusive Eric before he breaks every bone in her body.
 
 
 
 
 
Breaking Away (Breaking #2) by Juliana Haygert
(Formally known as Breaking Fences)
Publication Date: June 10th 2014
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
 
 
~Summary~
 
All Beatriz “Bia” Fernandes wants is to prove herself—to her family and friends—though it’s hard to prove anything with an overbearing father and three famous polo-playing older brothers. After her acceptance into college results in a heated family argument, the Brazilian girl leaves everything behind to find her own American dream.

College life away from home is perfect until the people she believes to be her friends turn on her. With lies and rumors threatening to suffocate her, Bia turns to her only freedom. Riding.

But one thing gets in the way of her escape. Garrett Blackwell and his bad cowboy attitude. Working at the ranch is his obligation, bugging Bia is his newfound hobby. His thick skin and easy grin don’t hide what Bia already knows—this misunderstood and lonely cowboy fights his own demons. Brushing horses’ coats and mucking out stalls shouldn’t be this sexy, and it isn’t long before he becomes a part of her distraction.

However, escaping won’t solve her problems, and it’s up to Bia to break down the fences around her and prove her strength—not to her family and friends, but to herself … and for Garrett. Because standing on her own doesn’t have to mean standing alone.
 
 
 
 
Breaking Through (Breaking #3) by Juliana Haygert
Publication Date: June 2015
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
 
 
~Summary~
 
From the outside, Hilary Taylor has it all—beauty, money, a caring family, good friends—but inside she’s struggling, full of fears. Events from the past forever changed her, and though years of therapy have helped, she still has a long way to go…. No matter how much progress she’s made, Hil isn’t sure she’ll ever be able to trust men again. Especially one who sees her as nothing more than a pretty face. But Hil knows it's time to face her fears, and the best way to do that is to start small.

To Guilherme Fernandes life is about three things: polo, parties and pretty girls—only one of which he takes seriously. Gui is too focused on his polo career to waste time on relationships, however he can’t help but be intrigued by the beautiful yet troubled Hil. So when she decides she'd like to learn more about horses, Gui is happy to find himself in the right place at the right time. But what was supposed to be a one time thing, soon turns into a weekly date.

As Gui helps her discover a new found love for horses, Hil’s guard begins to crumble. The more support Gui offers, the more she wants to accept...and the more the lines of friendship blur. Despite knowing better, Hil can’t help it as Gui slowly breaks through the walls she’s built. Now she has to decide if she’ll stop him there, or if she’ll finally let her fear go and allow Gui to reach for her heart.
 


~About The Author~

Juliana Haygert
 
New Adult author and contributor at NA Alley blog.

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Co-founder and contributor at NA Alley (www.naalley.com)

Subscribe to Juliana's newsletter to stay up-to-date with new releases: http://eepurl.com/CKsmX
 
 
 
~Giveaway~
 
I'm going to miss the old covers but I completely understand why Juliana had to give them a make over. Ladies and gentlemen, this was truly a case of Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover, she got many low rating reviews because a whole lot a horse lovers thought this was a horse book (it's good that she reached out to new readers but they just weren't the right ones). But in reality, if you'd read the summary, it's about a young women trying to survive and fight her way out of an abusive relationship- horses just happened to be a part of her world and her way of finding her voice along with a handsome new man.
 
I love the new look and can't wait to continue the series! Breaking Away is on my Christmas Wish List but if my daddy (yeah I'm 22 and still call him that) got me it, it'll still have the old look no doubt haha.
 
Here's my review on Breaking Free
 
Juliana I just love that the guys are on the covers now! Leo is still my 2014 book boyfriend! Let's see if any of the other men in this series can top him ;). It'll be hard to do but I'm sure you can do it!
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!


Tuesday, December 16, 2014

{Cover Reveal} Will Power (Djinn #0.5) by Laura Catherine

Will Power (Djinn #0.5) by Laura Catherine
Publication Date: January 26th, 2015
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
 
 
~Summary~
 
Ever wondered how Will, Pyke and Mia were given the job to find Kyra?
 
How did they track her down?
 
What was Will doing while Pyke and Mia watched Kyra at school?
 
Go back to the beginning and find out what Will’s life was like before he met Kyra. See the struggles he faced that no one knew about and get a better understanding for his relationship with Kyra.
 
See just how strong his will power truly is in this short prequel to the Paranormal Romance, Djinn.
 
 
~About The Author~
 
Laura  Catherine
 
Laura Catherine is Young Adult author focusing on Paranormal Romance, Dystopia, and Fantasy.

She writes stories full of action, secrets, and magic. She loves creating worlds where anything is possible and everyone has a story to tell. She has an over-active imagination, spends a lot of her time daydreaming, and wishes pokemon were real so she would have one.

Laura Catherine lives in Melbourne, Australia.
 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!


Monday, December 15, 2014

{Book Blitz} No Such Thing as Perfect by Sarah Daltry

 
 
No Such Thing as Perfect
No Such Thing as Perfect by Sarah Daltry
Publication Date: December 11th, 2014
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
 
 
~Summary~
 
College was supposed to be perfect. She was supposed to be perfect.

For Lily Drummond, life is about following the rules. To be specific, her mother’s rules. College fit into the plan – maintain perfect grades, date the perfect guy, and live the perfect life. On her own, though, Lily realizes that she doesn’t actually have a plan. Without being told what to think and do, she keeps making mistakes.

Away from home, the perfect facade is beginning to shatter. When Lily herself starts to break, it’s the support of an unlikely friend that teaches her how much of a lie perfect really is – and how to be whole on her own terms.
 
No Such Thing as Perfect was inspired by Sarah's Flowering series, but it stands completely alone as its own title. The same characters appear and some situations are similar, but this was written with a different goal in mind. There is NO on-camera sex in this novel and it is not a "romance" novel by most standards, but a story of growing up and being okay with who you are. 
 
 
 
~Excerpt~
 
The glow-in-the-dark stars look pathetic in the darkness. There are only about twelve and they don’t look like the night sky; instead they look like they got lost in the black and can’t find their way back to light.
Derek’s snoring, having fallen asleep quickly, but I can’t stop thinking. My mind is doing that thing it does when I overanalyze and make problems where there aren’t any and I want to turn it off. I want to be happy with my boyfriend’s arm draped over my body. I want the closeness to feel like it should.
Maybe I read too many books. I guess I always thought being in love would feel comfortable. It’s not that Derek doesn’t try, but sometimes I’m so afraid. If he pauses too long when I ask him if something looks okay or if his upper lip twitches like it does sometimes when I do something wrong, I can’t escape the doubt. Worry is like an endless ocean and my arms are just too tired to keep swimming.
I slip out from under his arm and head to the bathroom. I don’t really have to go, but lying in the dark room isn’t putting my mind at ease and so I pace the hall. The lights flicker, poor illumination because they’re an afterthought; dorm halls aren’t somewhere people spend their time. I consider going to find Kristen, or texting Abby even though I know she’s in some foreign city and it will cost too much and she’s probably doing amazing things. I even consider calling my parents to admit something is broken in me. But I can already hear the arguments. I’m fine. Everything is fine.
“Scottie dogs? What a fashion statement.”
Jack’s coming out of the elevator, carrying a guitar case. I almost start to cry knowing someone is seeing me like this.
“Sorry. I was just…” I look around. I wasn’t just anything. I’m standing in the dim hallway by the elevator in the middle of the night wearing my pajamas.
“Yeah, I was just…, too,” he says. “Want some coffee? I hear the lounge is lovely at this hour. There’s all the Styrofoam a lady could desire.”
“I-” I’m about to tell him I have a boyfriend, that I can’t just drink coffee with him, but that’s dumb. What’s wrong with coffee? Derek’s asleep, I’m restless, and it’s just coffee. It certainly beats standing around by the elevator trying not to cry. “Sure. Coffee sounds good.”
“Awesome. Let me just drop this off and grab some, okay?” He gestures to his guitar case and I follow him. He’s just down the hall – in the guys’ wing – and I make mental note of his room number. I don’t know why I do, but it’s etched on my brain before I realize what I’m doing. 401. Jack in 401.
“Did your roommate go home for the weekend?” I ask. He opens the door, tosses his case into a dark room, rummages loudly and knocks something over, and closes it again, coffee in hand.
“I don’t have a roommate.”
“Oh. I didn’t know there were singles here.”
He stops and looks at his door, then down at his shoes. “It’s… a long story. Anyway, coffee?” When he looks up, there’s a distinct change in his expression. It’s pain wrapped in fear of acknowledging it; I know the look well.
In the lounge, he makes coffee, but the machine is old and the water is from the fountain in the hall, so the coffee just tastes like heat. There is no flavor or pleasure in drinking it, except it’s warm and it’s quiet in the lounge. Jack is picking the Styrofoam cup apart as he drains it. I don’t know why it feels like normal. I thought I knew normal, but suddenly this feels like what it should have been all along.
“So you’re not a freshman?” I ask.
“Junior.”
“Your major?”
“Game Design. And you’re English.”
“How’d you know?”
He’s finished turning the cup into pieces and he swaps the pile between his palms, looking at me the entire time. His eyes have danced through every human emotion in the few short interactions we’ve had. I didn’t know anyone had the kind of depth I see in them.
“Lucky guess. Plus you’ve read Sense and Sensibility several times, which seems like an English major thing to do,” he says.
“Yet you know the character names,” I point out.
“Yeah, but I’m not…” He shakes his head. I don’t know what the sentence was supposed to end with, but he’s not continuing. “Besides, you came out of Joliet Hall, which is Humanities. I suppose you could just be taking a lit class, but it seemed a decent guess.”
“Well, you’re right. I’m predictable,” I say.
 
 
~About The Author~
 
 
Sarah Daltry is a varied author, known best for the contemporary New Adult series, 'Flowering', a six-title series that explores the complexities of relationships, including how we survive the damage from our pasts with the support of those who love us. Although the books are no longer in print, they are being rewritten and redeveloped for future publication. Please visit Sarah's website for more details.
 
As a former English teacher and YA library coordinator, Sarah has always loved Young Adult literature and 'Dust', an epic fantasy novel where romance blends with the blood and grit of war, is her second official foray into YA, following the gamer geek romantic comedy, 'Backward Compatible'. Most of Sarah's work is about teens and college students, as it's what she knows well.

Sarah's passion in life is writing - weaving tales of magic and beauty. The modern and vast social networking world is an alternative universe that she makes infrequent trips to, but when she does, readers will find her attentive, friendly and happy to discuss the magic of stories and reading. Please stop by and say hello anywhere Sarah is online! You can find these places at http://sarahdaltry.com

Sarah has moved back and forth between independent and traditional publishing. Her first novel, 'Bitter Fruits', is with Escape, an imprint of Harlequin Australia, and she signed with Little Bird Publishing in the spring of 2014.

Sarah has also written 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,' a reimagining of one of her favorite poems in a contemporary setting.

She is an obsessive Anglophile who spends more time watching BBC TV than any human being should, as well as a hardcore gamer and sarcastic nerd.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads


~Giveaway~
 
Thanks for stopping by!

{Cover Reveal} Descent (Soul Keeper Series #3) by L.A. Starkey

Descent (Soul Keeper Series #3) by L.A. Starkey
Publication Date: January 2015
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
 
 
~Summary~
 
From the final book in the Soul Keeper Series…

The path of truth lies hidden deep,
To find the light the climb is steep.
But in despair resolve is sound,
What once was lost will now be found.

All is lost and the prophecy seems null and void. Samantha is dead to the living world, and Marcus and Nicolas completely destroyed, but things aren’t always as they seem. To save the one they love, the boys will have to traverse the Descent, a darkness that all will enter and few will ever leave. The interference of gods and goddesses on the chessboard of blood has left the door open for a new player to enter the scene, and she holds the most powerful gift of all—sacrificial love.

Will the exit clause be invoked, dissolving of the chain that binds the trio together?

Will the Descent be the final setting for their love story or will they rise again?

As the curtain draws closed on this tale of old, who will rise and who will fall?

And what if their choice is no choice at all?
 
 
~Sequel To~
 
Deceived (Soul Keeper Series 1)Destroyed (Soul Keeper Series #2)
 
 
 
~About The Author~
 
 
Laurie Starkey is the author of the upcoming Soul Keeper Series, a supernatural young adult series, and The Liarus Detective Series, a supernatural middle grade series. She lives in Houston, Texas with her husband, Jacob and three beautiful kiddos.

She is a CPA by trade, a church planter and entrepreneur at heart; however, writing and reading are passions she just can't help but indulge in. With more ideas than one person should be allowed, she is blessed to have a muse that doesn't seem to take a vacation and more energy that one might consider healthy.
 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!


Sunday, December 14, 2014

{Book Blitz: Teasers + Top Songs + Giveaway} Infinity & Infinity Unleashed (Valkyries: Soaring Raven #1 & #2) by Sedona Venez

 
 
Infinity (Valkyries: Soaring Raven #1) by Sedona Venez
Publication Date: January 17th 2013
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
 
 
~Summary~
 
Infinity is a superstar singer, who has always had everything at her fingertips—until her world unravels. Her foretelling dreams have haunted her, and a part of her believes them to be true. 

Although a preternatural world filled with vampires, wolves, tiger-shifters, and Valkyries surrounds her, Infinity doesn't know that others are after her or that any of them even exist. They want her for the ultimate power that she can give them, yet she doesn’t realize the extent of the force she holds within herself.

When the truth of her dreams comes to light, Infinity risks losing not only her own life, but also the lives of those she’s always loved.

In a war between the supernatural beings, there is no telling who will survive.

***WARNING: Infinity is intended for mature audiences. Recommended Reading Age 18+***
 
 
 
Infinity Unleashed (Valkyries: Soaring Raven #2) by Sedona Venez
Publication Date: December 10th 2013
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
 
 
~Summary~
 
As the war between supernatural beings is brewing, Infinity awakens in the midst of her kidnapping. Instead of facing her captor, she meets someone who takes her into the past where she learns secrets that change everything she’s always known. 

After recently discovering that vampires, wolves, tiger-shifters, Valkyries, and otherworldly entities exist around her, Infinity must quickly adapt to her new reality while facing the fact that she no longer knows who she can trust. 

Each species wants her, but there’s only one person she is meant to be with…and he might be the only one she loses forever.

***WARNING: Infinity Unleashed is intended for mature audiences. Recommended Reading Age 18+***
 
 
 
~Teasers~
 
 

 
 
~About The Author~
 
Sedona Venez
 
Sedona Venez is the New Adult romance author of the following series: Dirty Secrets, Credence Curse, and Valkyries: Soaring Raven. She’s a NYC girl (go Brooklyn!) with a slight obsession with her iPad, Pinterest, Pawn Stars, and Face Off. Her love of music, tattoos, rockers, and alpha men inspires her novels. She also writes as T.L. Clarke. You can find out more about Sedona and her novels by visiting http://www.sedonavenez.com
 
 
 
Top 10 songs from the INFINITY UNLEASHED Playlist
1.      I See Fire - Ed Sheeran
2.      Trumpets - Jason Derulo
3.      Flawless - Beyonce
4.      Waves - Mr. Probz
5.      This Is How We Do - Katy Perry
6.      Stay With Me - Sam Smith
7.      Clique - Kanye West
8.      You & I - One Direction
9.      All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor
10.  This Is What It Feels Like - Banks
 
~Giveaway~
 
Thanks for stopping by!


Saturday, December 13, 2014

{Book Blitz: Excerpt} The Token (A Breed Apart #1) by Natasha Rogue

 
 
The Token (A Breed Apart, #1)
The Token (A Breed Apart #1) by Natasha Rogue
Publication Date: December 2nd 2014
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
 
 
~Summary~
 
Callie Michaels isn’t pretty or popular, but her singing more than makes up for all she lacks. And as long as she focuses on what’s really important, she can survive high school. But how can she focus with all the drama? Between her best friend’s odd issues and a daily dose of weirdness from the social elite, she’s starting to wonder if she’s the only normal one around.
 
He pulled the front door open. “That’s how it’s done.”
 
I rolled my eyes and made my way through the crowd that had spilled into the hall, muttering. “That’s how it’s done. Yeah? Where? In the jungle?”
 
“Yeah.” James’ breath on my nape sent a chill down my spine. “Something like that.”
 
Just as her life begins spiraling out of control, the answer comes to her in a dream. In exchange for a token of blood, a demon will give her everything she desires. She says “yes.” From that point on, she finds herself changing, becoming something far from normal. Something dangerous.
 
No one is what they seem—least of all her. While the supernatural creatures around her struggle to maintain their humanity, Callie slowly loses hers. She doesn’t even know what’s important anymore. Friendship, the future, love? And is there anyone who can make her care?
 
 
 
~Excerpt~
 
Before I made it two steps, James was out of the car. He slid across the hood and swept me off my feet. The sliding didn't stop there. Solid on his feet as he usually was, James underestimated the slickness of the snow. He fell on his back with a loud grunt. I landed softly on my side, with his stomach to cushion my fall. My elbow in his gut drew another grunt from him.

Dropping his head back into the snow, James held up his hands. "Okay, I give. No more corny lines."

"You'll save them for the other girls?" Hands pressed to his chest, I held myself up so I could look down at him.

"What other girls?" He arched up and pressed his lips to mine, just a soft pressure, a gentle massage on my bottom lip, and a little brush of his tongue on the crease, giving me just a hint of his sweet taste. Not the consuming, addictive taste of Nick's kisses. This was something welcome, still burning with the risk of being overwhelming, but a risk I was willing to take. A risk I wasn't taking alone.

Still, the kiss had crossed a line that we'd skimmed along before. I liked it, but it would take some getting used to. There was also the fact that James was trying so hard to be smooth. I decided to point it out. "That was a line."

The snow melted though the material of my jogging pants as I slid back on my knees and tried to stand. James sat up and held my hand until I was firmly on my feet. Not letting go of my hand, he stood beside me, swiped the sleeve of his jacket over the hood of his car, picked me up, and set me down on the edge. Hands braced on the car at either side of my hips he leaned his forehead against mine. "That was not a line. Not that it matters. You're not going to believe a thing I say, are you?"

"Things are real easy to say." I reached up and toyed with the zipper of his jacket, sure it was about to get awkward between us.

James caught my hand. "We don't have to say anything then."
 
 
~About The Author~
 
Natasha Rogue is a Canadian author who's been writing for most of her life. After penning novels behind math textbooks all through high school, she attended Dawson College in Creative Arts with dreams of becoming a screenwriter. The best teacher she ever had took her aside and told her to go back where she belonged. To her roots with the books she loved to write.

Eternal Neverland (Steps Before the Fall) was one of her first complete novels. There are seven books in draft form completed in the series, but they gathered dust until experience and contacts with the right editors and crit partners gave them what they needed to be shared. However, A Breed Apart: The Token, was released through a small press in 2012. The book will be rereleased shortly.

You may find Natasha at several signings throughout the year as she writes multiple genres. Don't worry, she doesn't bite. But she will happily chat with you about the hotties who do. And shamelessly admit to liking Charlie way more than she should.
 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!


Friday, December 12, 2014

{Ashley's Review} Beast (Beast #1) by Ella James

Beast, Part I (Beast, #1)
Beast (Beast #1) by Ella James
Publication Date: August 18th 2014
Genre: Adult Erotic Romance
Pages: 65
Format: Kindle
Source: Free on Amazon
Read: November 24 to December 05, 2014
 
 
~Summary~
 
FROM HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY...

At twenty-one years old, third-generation movie star Cal Hammond was on top of the world. He had more money than God and more women than any man could need. But when a night of debauchery ends in tragedy, he forfeits a life of luxury for a ten-year prison sentence at La Rosa, California’s most violent prison.

TO BRUTAL BEAST.

Eight years later, a ruthless, cunning man runs La Rosa from the inside. He is known simply as Beast. All the wardens fear him. All the gangs obey him. He speaks to no one but his inner council. What he says is law.

ONLY SHE CAN SAVE HIM.

Annabelle Mitchell’s stepfather is the warden at La Rosa. He deals as dirty as his trustees, and after years of smooth relations with Beast and the gangs he runs, Holt lands on the powerful prisoner’s hit list. That very afternoon, Annabelle pays a surprise visit to La Rosa, hoping to use her new counseling license at a place she thinks she could make a difference. When Beast sees her, he releases the warden and grabs the nameless girl who played a starring role in the worst night of his life. The price for the warden’s error is not death. It’s his precious Belle.
 
 
~My Thoughts~
 
Honestly I'm a little hesitant to read the other stories I downloaded for free from Ella James (that's saying something) after reading this one. I originally download the first book in her Hansel series- which sounded very twisted, intriguing, and a little fabulous- and while checking out what other reviewers had to say, they spoke a little about her previous works. So what do I do, well go check them out of course! 
 
There I find a Red Riding Hood & Beauty and the Beast retelling- the first ones both free in their series- and I couldn't have been more excited to see how she rewritten the Beast because that's my all time favorite fairytale! The concept drew me in, it sounded like it was going to be intense and those 4 & 5 star reviews got me more excited! But in the end my dear friends, I honestly don't know what book those reviewers were reading. Sadly to say, this will not be a 4 or 5 star rating from me. 
 
Like many of the lower ratings they comment on the writing being "choppy" and boy was it. Sentences would start and then end quickly, for example- "When I look behind me to navigate my way in, I feel kind of dizzy." Then the author goes in telling us things that could be making Annabelle dizzy but after the paragraph ended I felt like that sentence was just left hanging, like it wasn't tied up in a nice little bow. Or it just might me being picky? Who knows, but it bugged me.
 
Anyways, this writing style was very choppy and the author didn't really give you a lot of detail, just the basics. And honestly from the very first page I just didn't really care about these characters. All I knew was that Annabelle came up with this plan to loose her V card to her favorite celebrity and that was her and her friends mission this one evening that would eventually turn into a nightmare. She met him and they went off to have a steamy make out session because she just wasn't yet ready to loose it like she thought and I don't know, it seemed pretty unreal to me. This whole story seemed pretty unreal, especially the ending. The ending was more like, What The F*** just happened.
 
Overall, I felt like I didn't really connect to this story. It just didn't flow as well as I would have liked. The story felt cheesy and again, so unreal! And at the end she finally gets a piece of him. That was seriously weird, not really hot for me but Annabelle certainly enjoyed it even though she shouldn't have. It was all very weird and I wished the execution of the story was so much better, to say the least I am quite disappointed. From the summary I thought it was going to be a strong, intense story but the disconnection and the writing style made it not for me. And the only parts that were, were the accident and the ending. With the few details I got I was able to imagine it. But even those details were a little iffy.
 
 
It will make you shrill
 
 
Sweet Readings Everybody!
    


{Book Blitz: Dream Cast + Excerpt + Giveaway} The Lebrus Stone by Miriam Khan

 
 
The Lebrus Stone
The Lebrus Stone by Miriam Khan
Publication Date: November 28th 2014
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
 
 
~Summary~
 
 When Eighteen-year-old orphan, Crystal Valdez, accepts an invitation to the small town of Blacksville, West Virginia, she hopes to have a summer to remember and a chance to learn more about her parents, to also get to know the family she never knew existed.

But the Lockes begin to act strange and erratic; eerie movements in the night fuel her vivid and gruesome nightmares. To complicate her summer further, she becomes attracted to the menacing yet handsome Cray Locke: her none blood related cousin who seems determined to keep his distance. The only bonus seems to be the Housekeeper and Gardener.

And when a local informs Crystal of the secrets buried at Thorncrest Manor, the kind consisting of a forbidden relationship and a war between hidden worlds, and witchcraft, she must decide whom to trust. Even if it means leaving behind those she has come to love.
 
 
 
~Dream Cast~
 
Crystal
 

Cray Locke
 
 
Gal Locke
 
 
Zella Locke
 
TJ

 
~Excerpt~
 
I lay back and tried not to over think things to calm the storm in my head, but a knock on my door moments later interrupted it.

"Come in!" I called out, sitting up to retrieve my book.

Syd entered, carrying in what looked like a sandwich and a glass of her homemade lemonade.

I could have done with a hot soup.

But I blew a sigh of relief it wasn't one of the Lockes.

"Isobel said to make sure you had some lunch by now," she said, placing the tray on my bedside cabinet.

"Thanks, Syd."

"Any reason why you're hiding in here?" she asked as she sat on my bed.

I tensed. Being told I was hiding annoyed me, but I wasn't annoyed at Syd, just at myself. I had come too far in life to start acting like a coward, especially over something clearly in my head.

I fingered the dog-eared cover of my book.

"I think I just need a quiet day to myself. It could be some type of…delayed jet lag." It could be partly true, I thought. It had taken two flights to get from Salt Lake City to Blacksville; six hours in total. I smiled, pleased with the conclusion. Exhaustion could have been why I had such a freakish dream.

"I see," Syd said, seeming unconvinced. "Well, do you think you'll be joining the Lockes for dinner?"

"Do I have to?" No matter how much I was becoming fond of Syd, she worked for the Lockes. They could try and make her tell me what do.

"No." She chuckled. "But I think you should try to interact. Cray's alright, by the way. A little scratch like that won't do a boy like him any harm."

Boy like him?

So, I had hurt him. My chest tightened.

"Oh, don't look so beat up about it, honey. The boy is as tough as old boots." She chuckled again. "And luckily for you, he's not as vain about his looks as you would think. He won't hold what happened against you." She patted my hand.

I gulped. "Has he…said something?"

"No. He left early this morning. He didn't say where he was going, and Isobel never dares ask these days. He's a very private person, as you've probably noticed. She respects that. We all do." She looked lost in thought for a moment, then smiled in her sad little way, and asked, "So, are you ready to talk about what happened last night?"

My mouth felt too clamped to begin

"I have to say, not many girls would have left home to meet so many strangers. I admire your courage."

Her comment only made me sound irresponsible. I gritted my teeth.

"I don't feel very courageous," I admitted. "I feel pretty stupid right now."

Thanks for the added comment to make me feel even more naive, I wanted to add.

"I don't think five months was long enough to think this through," I said.

She nodded. "Maybe. But everything happens for a reason. You followed your heart. It's all you can do in life. It's your only real compass."

I wanted us to keep talking. When Syd wasn't nicely pointing out my flaws, she had a way of calming me until I felt optimistic about my trip again. But she had dinner to prepare, so she reluctantly left me after insisting I get ready to face my evening with the Lockes.

Something about her was becoming familiar. It could have been the warmth in her eyes and how they reminded me of Selma. She had always been as hospitable and over helpful.

I still missed her. Talking to Syd was like getting back something that had been cruelly taken away, too. It wasn't just my parents I'd lost, but my pride, self-worth, my best friend, at times my composure. It had been an uphill struggle this past year or so. But I was finally feeling on top of things…I think.

I sure wasn't going to let it keep me down.

Coming to Blacksville was my new start as the new and improved me. I really had to keep believing that.

 
~About The Author~
 
Miriam is from Cheshire, England and a family of six siblings. Her love for creativity led to acting at her local theatre before being a lead vocalist in rock bands. During those years, she often found solace penning her thoughts and feelings through lyrics or poetry. She chose not to continue singing in 2006, and two years later she woke up with the idea for The Lebrus Stone and began typing. revising and editing it for the next six years. She is now eager to see what readers will think.
 
 
~Giveaway~
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