Saturday, May 31, 2014

Tasha's Review: Prodigy

Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu
Publication Date: January 29, 2013
Genre: YA Dystopian
Pages: 371
Source: Bought




Summary

Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?


I was a big fan of  the first book, Legend. I did have problems with it, but still loved the book. That is pretty much how I feel about Prodigy. But to a lesser extent as I like Legend more. And the thing is that more time that pass since reading Prodigy, the more I only remember the things I disliked.

The plot, like Legend, was kind of generic and predictable. There were some nice surprises, but overall it was predictable and very much like any other dystopian. And I wasn't the biggest fan of what was done to Tess's character. I mean seriously, does she really have to be in love with Day? Can't they just be friends and treat each other like family? Would that have been so bad? Now that I'm done complaining about that, I will say the book was still entertaining and a pretty easy read. And the author did a good job at not making everything black-and-white and having consequences to the characters actions.

One problem I had with Legend was that it was sometimes hard to tell the narrators, Day and June, apart. That was partly fixed in Prodigy, though they both seemed a bit too perfect. That was good because it made me like June a lot more. Though how she could instantly tell how long a room was or type of weapon someone was using was pretty annoying at times. With Day, I found the opposite happening. I just found him agnsty and overall kind of dislikable. The side characters were fine, but somewhat forgettable. I already complained about Tess. Which was regrettable as I truthfully say when she was not fawning over Day, I really liked her.

Overall, Prodigy was an entertaining book and a good sequel to Legend. I had some problems with it, but I can say the same thing about Legend. If you enjoyed Legend you will enjoy this book, too. And I recommend you check out this series. And though I'm giving Prodigy 3.5/5, it is almost a 4 but I just can't do that.


Sunday, May 25, 2014

{Book Blitz: Guest Post + Giveaway} Mary Hades (Mary Hades #1) by Sarah Dalton

 
 
Mary Hades (Mary Hades #1)
Mary Hades (Mary Hades #1) by Sarah Dalton
Publication Date: June 2014 
Genre: Young Adult Horror
 
 
~Summary~
 
Not many seventeen year old girls have a best friend who’s a ghost, but then Mary Hades isn’t your average teenager. 
 
Scarred physically and mentally from a fire, her parents decide a holiday to an idyllic village in North Yorkshire will help her recover. Nestled in the middle of five moors, Mary expects to have a boring week stuck in a caravan with her parents. Little does she know, evil lurks in the campsite…

Seth Lockwood—a local fairground worker with a dark secret—might be the key to uncovering the murky history that has blighted Nettleby. But Mary is drawn to him in a way that has her questioning her judgement.

Helped by her dead best friend and a quirky gay Goth couple, Mary must stop the unusual deaths occurring in Nettleby. But can she prevent her heart from being broken?

The first in a series of dark YA novels, Mary Hades follows on from the bestselling Kindle Single My Daylight Monsters. A spine-tingling tale with romance, readers will be shocked and entertained in equal measure. 
 
 
 
~Giveaway~
 
 
~About The Author~

 
Sarah grew up in the middle of nowhere in the countryside of Derbyshire and as a result has an over-active imagination. She has been an avid reader for most of her life, taking inspiration from the stories she read as a child, and the novels she devoured as an adult.

Sarah mainly writes speculative fiction for a Young Adult audience and has had pieces of short fiction published in the Medulla Literary Review, PANK magazine and the British Fantasy Society publication Dark Horizons. Her short story 'Vampires Wear Chanel' is featured in the Wyvern Publication Fangtales available here:

Sarah's debut novel The Blemished is a fast paced young adult dystopia set in a fractured Britain. It follows the events of Mina Hart, a young Blemished girl who has a dangerous secret, as she tries to escape the dreaded Operation and get out of Area 14.
 
 
 
~Guest Post~
 
Five ways Mary Hades is different to your average YA series
 
 
I'm pretty excited about this project. I find Mary the easiest character to write because she is such a free spirit. However, there's a part of me that's nervous about this series. I've mixed things up. Mary Hades doesn't follow a formula. 
 
Here are five things you can expect, and five examples that are a little different to most YA books.
 
1. It’s not a trilogy:
 
At the moment, the series is open ended, which means I’m planning to keep it going for as long as I enjoy writing it. To me, this is almost like a long-running television series, where each book will focus on a specific challenge. I will be bringing in long-arc storylines at some point, but the first few books are almost standalones.
 
2. Each novel is a snapshot:
 
Like the novella that started it all—My Daylight Monsters—each novel, and each story, is a snapshot into Mary’s life. That means that not all the books will link on from each other. The first book has a resolution and no cliff-hanger, but it sets up the rest of the series, because it shows Mary what she wants to achieve with her life. This is going to continue throughout the series. Think of them as brief instalments into her very interesting life. Characters will come and go. Not all of the novels will be set in the same place. There is a lot of scope for the series. It could go on as Mary goes to University, or a spin off with different characters could occur. There are no set rules here. Think of it as an urban fantasy series, but more contemporary.
 
3. The novels are short:
 
The main reason I write Mary Hades at a shorter length is because the tone is very deep first person POV present tense. The books are meant to be all-encompassing. I want the reader to be drawn into Mary’s world, and that is an intense ride. These sorts of novels are almost always short. Think of the wonderful How I live Now, or the engrossing Never Let Me Go—they are both short novels and that suits them very well. The first instalment of Mary Hades will be about 280 pages. On the plus side, shorter novels means I can write the instalments quicker, so you won’t have to wait long for the next book. And, as the books are shorter, I’ve decided to charge less for them, so you won’t be paying more for a shorter novel. However, quality almost always beats quantity. ;)
 
4. This is dark fiction:
 
When I started writing My Daylight Monsters, I was very influenced by Gothic literature. That’s a very broad brush. I always loved Victorian Gothics, like Dracula and The Picture of Dorian Grey. These novels always have a supernatural element and always have some sort of dark, looming presence. In My Daylight Monsters, that presence is the hospital, and the deepest fears we harbour there. In Mary Hades, that looming presence is the Yorkshire moors—of course, inspired by Wuthering Heights. Other influences could include Daphne Du Maurier. I had a few scenes from Jamaica Inn playing in my mind as I wrote this book. Mary Hades is much more grown up than my other novels. In the past, my books like The Blemished and White Hart have been more suited to younger YA. Mary Hades is best for older teens and adults.
 
5.Horror AND Romance?
 
Yup, you better believe it. In the midst of fighting a really scary ghost, Mary manages a holiday romance. Hey, call me a romantic, but I think a girl needs to take some time off from her ghost hunting once in a while.
 
In all seriousness, I want the books to be scary AND uplifting. There’s a definite contemporary feel to the writing, and hopefully that ties in with the romance.
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
 

Saturday, May 24, 2014

{Recover Reveal} Mind Static by Jen Naumann

Mind Static by Jen Naumann
Publication Date: August 2013
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
 
 
~Summary~
 
Keyanna Sanders is about to get everything she could ever wish for on her 18th birthday: a hot guy who’s really into her, the sports car she’s always dreamed of owning, and the party of a lifetime that no one will forget any time soon.

But before long, she’ll understand these wishes are more than a coincidence, and that they come at a steep price. Keyanna is more than just an average high school senior, her best friend is more than the innocent boy next door, and her sudden good fortune isn’t just by chance. When her estranged father suddenly re-enters her life, she’ll have to decide who to trust, and whether or not the man she loves has become the enemy.
 
 
~Giveaway~
 
 
~About The Author~
 
Jen Naumann
 
Jen Naumann grew up in southern Minnesota as an addict of such flicks as Indiana Jones and The Goonies until she discovered John Hughes, and spent her high school days locked away writing love stories with a sci-fi twist. Married to a farmer in southern Minnesota, she tries to follow the madness of her four active children while balancing an imagination that never shuts down. As the author of CHEATING DEATH, SHYMERS, AND PARANORMAL KEEPERS, she writes stories with strong female leads who have a good sense of humor and tend to fall in love despite their better judgment. For more on Jen visit her website www.JenNaumann.net.
 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

{Book Trailer Reveal} Carrier (The Line #1) by Anne Tibbets

Carrier (The Line, #1)
Carrier (The Line #1) by Anne Tibbets
Publication Date: June 16th 2014
Genre: New Adult Dystopia
 
 
~Summary~
 
Twenty-two -year-old Naya has spent nearly half her life as a sex slave in a government institution called The Line. When she’s kicked out after getting pregnant with twins, she’s got no way to earn a living and a horrifying choice to make: find someone to replace her, or have her babies taken in her stead.
 
A doctor with a history of aiding ex-Line girls, Ric Bennett, wants to help. He runs a team of rebels that can delete Naya’s records and free her forever. But when The Line sniffs out his plan, things get bloody, fast. Naya means more to them than just a chance at fresh faces—her twins are part of the government’s larger plan.
 
As they hide from government search parties, Ric comes to admire Naya’s quiet strength. And Naya realizes Ric might be a man she can trust. If they make it off the grid, they could build a new life. But first they’ll have to survive the long, vicious reach of The Line.
 
 


 
 
~About The Author~
 
Anne Tibbets
 
Anne Tibbets is an SCBWI award-winning and Smashwords.com Best Selling author. After writing for Children’s television, Anne found her way to young/new adult fiction by following what she loves: books, strong female characters, twisted family dynamics, magic, sword fights, quick moving plots, and ferocious and cuddly animals.

Along with CARRIER, Anne is also the author of the young adult fantasy novella, THE BEAST CALL and the young adult contemporary, SHUT UP.

Anne divides her time between writing, her family, and three furry creatures that she secretly believes are plotting her assassination.

Find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AnneTibbetsAuthor or on Twitter @WriteforCoffee. To contact Anne, visit www.annetibbets.com and click the ‘CONTACT’ tab.
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Ashley's Book Review: Ghoulfriends Just Want to Have Fun (Ghoulfriends #2) by Gitty Daneshvari

 
Ghoulfriends Just Want to Have Fun (Ghoulfriends, #2)
Ghoulfriends Just Want to Have Fun (Ghoulfriends #2) by Gitty Daneshvari
Publication Date: April 2nd 2013
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Pages: 272
Format: Hardcopy
Source: Gifted
 
 
~Summary~
 
GFFs Rochelle, Robecca, and Venus begin to settle in at Monster High and are having a fangtastic time getting involved in the student body. Rochelle is tutoring the trolls, Robecca is blasting onto the Skulltimate Roller Maze team, and Venus is starting a compost pile with Lagoona Blue! The ghoulfriends are even recruited to help Toralei and Cleo plan the Hex Factor Talent Show.

 But during Mr. Mummy's Catacombing class, the ghouls find hints of a new threat to the school. And when white cats start showing up around the Creepateria-a bad omen for monsters!-the GFFs begin to wonder if their fun is over. Is Toralei playing pranks? Or is something more sinister haunting the halls of Monster High?
 
 
~My Thoughts~
 
Sometimes I’m just lost for words. I enjoyed Ghoulfriends Just Want to Have Fun, it was fun reading something that isn’t completely serious once in a while and I love how well in tuned this writer is with Monster Highs world. But (y’all sensed that huh) I felt like this was mainly just a build up for the next book, which it was.
In the first one, Ghoulfriends Forever, it was action packed and made you sit on the edge of your seat as you read along. This one had some good action but after a while you could sense that it wasn’t going to go anywhere until the next book. Which saddens me cause I was hoping we would have figured out more on who’s trying to scare the monsters high students, who was trying to take over the school in the first book, but we get nowhere with that. Except for a little bit at the end, but again, build up for the third book.
Which makes me feel like this book has sequel syndrome, it only being build up. I don’t mind books being build ups but when you go from a fast paced first book to a slow paced second book then it kind of bugs me. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Another thing which kind of bugged me was that I felt the author made the original characters take the spotlight away from Rochelle, Robecca, and Venus. I was happy to see a lot more of the originals but I think they took away from the story. If they showed up less then I think that would have helped as every time they came into a scene I felt like they took the shine away from the three main gals. Other than that I was happy to see a couple new characters being brought in from Scaris, though I wished we got to see them a lot more. Hopefully in the next book.
 
Will disturb your being
 
 
Sweet Readings Everyone!


Friday, May 16, 2014

{Cover Reveal} Chrysoprase (Chalcedony Chronicles #2) by B. Kristin McMichael

Chrysoprase (Chalcedony Chronicles #2) by B. Kristin McMichael
Publication Date: June 2014
Genre: Young Adult Time-Travel
 
Designed by Gothic Fate
 
~Summary~
 
Mari’s return to the present was not exactly what she expected. As the goddess predicted, there are always consequences to going into the past. Now, with the help of her friend Ty, Mari must find a way to get her loved ones back. Unfortunately, it may require the assistance of an ex-boyfriend whom she never wished to see again. He just might be the key to learn how to time travel on her own, or he might have another motive. Mari is left to decide, can he be trusted to help?
 
 
~Sequel To~
 
Carnelian (Chalcedony Chronicles, #1)
 
 
 
~About The Author~
 
B. Kristin McMichael
 
Originally from Wisconsin, B. Kristin currently resides in Ohio with her husband, two small children, and three cats. When not doing the mom thing of chasing kids, baking cookies, and playing outside, she is using her PhD in biology as a scientist. In her free time she is currently hard at work on multiple novels. Every day is a new writing adventure. She is a fan of all YA/NA fantasy and science fiction.
 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

{Cover Reveal} Mosaic (Dragonfly #4) by Leigh Talbert Moore

Mosaic (Dragonfly, #4)
Mosaic (Dragonfly #4) by Leigh Talbert Moore
Publication Date: June 2014
Genre: New Adult Romance
 
Designed by Christi Curtis
 
~Summary~
 
The future never goes as planned.
People are never what they seem.
Time changes everything.


So you want to know what happened to Anna and Julian? Well, listen up, because I’ve got the whole scoop. I’m Jules, btw, and I am an artist, as you already know if you’ve read Watercolor. What you might not know is I inherited my mother’s cute little newsy nose, thank you very much.

It’s high school reunion time, and everyone’s coming back to Fairview—everyone who’s not already there, mind you. What went wrong, who’s fault it was, and why the heck nobody knew about me… it’s all coming out.

Long-distance relationships rarely last, and a lot of water has passed under that bridge. Big Secrets will be exposed, and in the end we’ll know if that old saying is true: Love is stronger than time.

> Mosaic, the exciting conclusion to The Dragonfly series, coming June 2014!
 
 
 
~Dragonfly Series~
 
Dragonfly (Dragonfly, #1)Undertow (Dragonfly #2)Watercolor (Dragonfly, #3)
 
 
 
~About The Author~
Leigh Talbert Moore
 
Leigh Talbert Moore wrote her first graphic novel at the age of nine--about a lady scientist burned by acid. Sadly, the text of "Fury Woman" was lost, and Leigh's novelist aspirations went on hiatus.

Then, after a decade working in journalism, editing, marketing, and public relations, she began writing books again, and in 2009 completed Dragonfly. Today, Leigh is the author of several popular young adult and new adult novels, all with a strong romantic slant.

She lives with her husband and two young children in the middle of the country, where she conjures new worlds, characters, and situations while playing chauffeur, chaperone, group activity leader, and referee.

And she's still trying to remember the plot of Fury Woman...
 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

{Cover Reveal} Karma by Charity Ferrell


Karma by Charity Ferrell
Publication Date: June 2014
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
 
 
~Summary~
 
I’m cursed. Yes, you read that right and this isn’t some paranormal fantasy. This is my real life. Karma has decided to lash out on me. I’ll never find my true love and I’m learning to accept that. The only problem is: he isn’t. He’s starting a war with karma and everyone knows karma always fights back with a vengeance.

After deciding to take a year off from school, Gabby Taylor’s forced to intern for a Crisis PR firm. On her first day, she runs into the one guy she’s been fighting to avoid. The guy whose family despises her and she’d drunkenly given her virginity away to. How’s she supposed to fix other people’s problems when she can’t even manage her own? 
 
 
~About The Author~
 
 
Charity Ferrell was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana and still resides there with her future hubby, two Yorkies (who run the house), and cat. When she's not writing, you can find her reading, spending time with her crazy family or watching too much TV.

You can interact and find more information at:
facebook.com/authorcharityferrell
twitter: charity_Ferrell instagram: charityferrell
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!


Monday, May 12, 2014

Ashley's Review: Ascend (Trylle #3) by Amanda Hocking

Ascend (Trylle, #3)
Ascend (Trylle #3) by Amanda Hocking
Publication Date: April 24th 2012
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Pages: 326
Format: Paperback
Source: Gifted
 
 
~Summary~
 
Wendy Everly is facing an impossible choice. The only way to save the Trylle from their deadliest enemy is by sacrificing herself.  If she doesn’t surrender to the Vittra, her people will be thrust into a brutal war against an unbeatable foe.  But how can Wendy leave all her friends behind…even if it’s the only way to save them?

The stakes have never been higher, because her kingdom isn’t the only thing she stands to lose. After falling for both Finn and Loki, she’s about to make the ultimate choice…who to love forever. One guy has finally proven to be the love of her life—and now all their lives might be coming to an end.

Everything has been leading to this moment.  The future of her entire world rests in her hands—if she’s ready to fight for it
 
 
~My Thoughts~
 
I was satisfied with how this series ended, with how everything tied up nicely, and with whom Wendy choose to be with but honestly I think Ms. Hocking could have shorten this story and could have made an awesome duelogy!
Yes, I loved the first one but now after reading Ascend, Switched was really just world building with an unnecessary buildup to a love triangle that really didn’t get anywhere (I’m so happy the trend of love triangles is dying down) and thank god!
Finn, ugh what can I say, he was a total ass! He seemed charming in the first book however throughout the series he turned into a total douche! I was rooting for him but he changed making me hate him and I wanted to slap him right off the pages! Even Ms. Hocking seemed like she wanted to get rid of him but he just kept coming back.
So I got annoyed when Finn just comes out of nowhere and puts his charms on Wendy. Rolled my eyes when Ms. Hocking gave Wendy not two guys but tried to give her a third one too. Wendy was just making out with everyone! So that irritated me but I guess it was a way to make things interesting even though it was hard to believe Wendy when she said she was in love with Loki (the swoon worthy man that won my heart!).
But other than that never ending sub plot and the lust lack of defeating the evil king, I enjoyed this fantasy tale! I fell into this world and didn’t want to leave. I love Ms. Hockings storytelling and I can’t wait to see what other stories she’ll be publishing for us fans! I’m sad to see this world end and I’ll soon be sad that I’ll be finishing the Watersong series, please tell me you’ll have more for us soon!
Overall Ascend was the perfect ending and it put a smile on my face, making me crave more of Wendy’s world. I’m so glad these paperbacks came with exclusive new short stories or I would have died with how Ascend ended haha.
 
Gives you a good haunting
 
 
Sweet Readings Everybody!


{Cover Reveal} Calling California by J.P. Grider

Calling California
Calling California by J.P. Grider
Publication Date: June 2014 
Genre: New Adult Romance
 
 
 
~Summary~
 
Cali Parker is poor. She has a lot on her plate – her father is dying, she’s working to help pay the rent, and she’s two-years behind in college.

Griffin Brooks is rich. He has not a care in the world – he’s acing his engineering courses, his hobby is restoring his fifty-thousand dollar classic car, and he has a different girl on his arm every week.

When Cali sees Griffin on her first day of class, she’s immediately smitten and thinks she’s found the perfect guy. When Griffin sees Cali at the bank, he immediately forgets the blonde he was with that morning. Then they meet, and their worlds collide.

Cali doesn’t belong in Griffin’s world, and he doesn’t understand hers. But just when Griffin convinces Cali that their two different worlds can blend, a secret is revealed that tears them apart.

Is their love strong enough to bring them back together, or will their worlds drift further apart? 
 
 
~About The Author~
 
J.P. Grider
 
J.P. Grider is a Young Adult and New Adult author. She is the author of six novels. Her young adult series The Honor Trilogy consists of A Touch of Honor, A Man of Honor, and A Heart of Honor, while her first two novels - Unplugged (A Portrait of a Rock Star) and Maybe This Life - are standalone adult contemporary novels. Her most recent release is the new adult romance Calling California, which is the first in her Hunter Hill University series. The next book in the series – Mending Mick – will be released in October, 2014. All the books in the Hunter Hill University series will be standalone books and can be read in any order.

You can follow J.P. on Facebook at J.P. Grider, Author, on Instagram and Twitter @JPGrider1, and on her blog at jpgrider.com.
 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!


Sunday, May 11, 2014

Tasha's Review: The Eternal War

The Eternal War (TimeRiders #4) by Alex Scarrow
Publication Date: July 14, 2011
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Pages: 419
Source: Bought



Summary

Liam O’Connor should have died at sea in 1912.
Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010.
Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2026.

But all three have been given a second chance—to work for an agency that no one knows exists. Its purpose: to prevent time travel destroying history...

A time wave has struck that alters the entire history of the American Civil War. Abraham Lincoln has followed Liam into the present from 1831and now the world is in a dangerous state of limbo...

If the TimeRiders can’t return Lincoln to the past, the Civil War will never end. Can Maddy persuade two colonels on either side of no man’s land to cease fire long enough to save the future?

I love the TimeRiders series and this book didn't disappoint. Being the fourth book in the series I knew what to expect.  But this book just felt darker. It wasn't the plot or the writing. It just felt like a darker tone. And I liked it. If a series after four books can shift tones and do it well, I think that is a great series.

Like I said before, the plot is the plot. It's fun and easy to get into.  The ending did set up something interesting for the future and I really liked that. But the best thing about this books is the characters. And most get some serious character development . Bob and Becks becoming more human. And Maddy having to go through a lot and I'm definitely curious to see how she grows. Sal, who usually gets the least amount of development, probably gets the most development. She seems to finally get how dangerous the job is. And she is part of the end that does set up for the future and I look forward to that. Liam is the only character that doesn't get much development but he did get the most in the first three books. And I loved the secondary characters, especially the two Colonels. The scene at the end with the two of them was great.

Overall, I liked the book. If you've read any other TimeRiders book, I don't see why you would really enjoy this one. And if you haven't gotten into this series, I completely recommend that you do.


Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Ashley's Review: Untamed Hunger (Alpha Colony #1) by Aubrey Ross

Untamed Hunger (Alpha Colony, #1)
Untamed Hunger (Alpha Colony #1) by Aubrey Ross
Publication Date: May 4th 2013
Genre: Adult Paranormal Erotic
Pages: 81
Format: Kindle
Source: Free from Amazon
 
 
~Summary~
 
Major Sasha Young has been stationed at Alpha Colony for the past three years, part of an elite military team assigned to maintain order and resolve conflicts between the shapeshifters. She has watched the hostile morphs, secretly fascinated by their predatory grace and animal magnetism. The colonies were established to protect defenseless humans from these genetic anomalies. So why does she feel like the morphs are the ones being victimized?

Grayson Evans, a rare white-tiger shifter, is frustrated and appalled by how little their human keepers understand the average “morph.” After an especially violent altercation between leopard and tiger shifters, he decides it’s time to educate them. He’s had his eye on Sasha ever since she arrived, and introducing the feisty beauty to the full potential of a felidae-morph is going to be his pleasure -- and hers!
 
 
~My Thoughts~

Untamed Hunger has a good premise however I feel like it didn’t quite satisfy me. I like the story, the background story to the characters but when it came to the erotic part of the book it just made me feel, meh. Not saying some of it wasn’t hot but when foreplay comes out of nowhere and kind of aggressively I didn’t really have a real connection with it, with them. The couple seemed right and I did like getting to know them a little bit before the “fun” began but I don’t think I was able to truly feel connected to them to feel satisfied.
Some of the erotic seemed cheesy and there was one point where the main gal spoke what she wanted him to do to her and then the author described it, showing us after telling and I lost any little connection I had with the book.
Now for the other part of the story, the main gal trying to figure out what happen between the tiger and leopard, was interesting. It pulled me in and I like how we got to see behind the eyes of the man that committed the crime. It was an interesting tale about government and their experiments, so if you love those then you’ll enjoy this one. But for me things just didn’t feel balanced and didn’t flow just right, so this was a meh read for me. Just happy it was short, I would have hated to stop in the middle, I’ve been doing that a lot.
 
It will make you shrill
 
 
Sweet Readings!


{Blog Tour: Guest Post + Giveaway} Mine To Spell (Mine #2) by Janeal Falor

 
 
Mine to Spell (Mine, #2)
Mine To Spell (Mine #2) by Janeal Falor
Publication Date: May 5, 2014
Genre: YA Fantasy
 
 
~Summary~
 
Cynthia has always hidden from her father’s hexes behind her older sister. When her family gains independence unheard of for women, she’s relieved that her days of harsh punishments are over. But as her seventeenth birthday approaches—the typical age to be sold to a new master—death threats endanger her sisters. She now faces two options: run or meet society’s expectations.

For once, Cynthia isn’t going to let her older sister shield her from the problem. She’s going to prove to herself, her sisters, and society that her family isn’t a threat to their traditions. She willingly chooses to be purchased by a new master. A bold step that takes her somewhere she never thought she would go and to a man she might possibly fall in love with. With his help, she may just find a way to save her sisters while discovering how to stand up for herself. If she lives long enough.
 

 
~Guest Post~
 
Despite being a writer, it doesn't come very natural to me. Story telling I can do, the writing part, well, we don't always get along. This means I have a bazillion errors in my rough drafts. Even my later drafts are riddled with them. Thank goodness for critique partners, beta readers, editors, and proofreaders. It really does take a whole team working together to make all 94,000 words in my book make sense.
The amazing team helping me out keeps me from doing things like having a character with more than two ears, or having my main character eat an entire cake herself. Though I don't know, she's having a bad enough day I think she could probably eat the whole thing and not even feel bad about it.
This is a tiny glimpse of some of the errors that plagued my latest book. (And yes, I kept typing acutual instead of actual)

TYPO: I don't care what these mean are doing.”
ACTUAL: “I don't care what these men are doing.”
At least the men in this world are usually mean? So really, I could have just left it alone, right?

TYPO FUN: “I drop his head.”
ACUTAL: “I drop his hand.”
Heads aren't that important anyway.

TYPO FUN: “Her words are so faint they can barely be herd.”
ACTUAL: “Her words are so faint they can barely be heard.”
Her words may be faint, but they're so many it's like a herd of elephants. No, words! Don't trample me!

TYPO FUN: I help her into a sofa.
ACTUAL: I help her onto a sofa.
Though she'd probably need the help more if she was actually getting into the sofa…

TYPO FUN: “A fuzz teases my thoughts.”
ACTUAL: Watch out! There's a lint in my thoughts!
Fine. I don't really know what this was actually supposed to be. Who knows where my crazy brain was going with this.

Do you ever find funny typos in the things you write?

~Mine Series~
Mine to Tarnish (Mine, #0.5)You Are Mine (Mine, #1)
Mine To Tarnish (Mine #0.5)- Free on Amazon May 5th - May 10th
You Are Mine (Mine #1)- .99 cents

~About The Author~
Janeal Falor

Amazon best-selling author Janeal Falor lives in Utah with her husband and three children. In her non-writing time she teaches her kids to make silly faces, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and attempts to cultivate a garden even when half the things she plants die. When it's time for a break she can be found taking a scenic drive with her family, fencing, or drinking hot chocolate.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Amazon Author Page

~Giveaway~
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Thanks for stopping by!


Sunday, May 4, 2014

Tasha's Review: The Bane

The Bane (The Eden Trilogy #1) by Keary Taylor
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
Genre: YA Dystopian/Science Fiction
Pages: 352


Summary


Before the Evolution there was TorBane: technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter. It had the ability to grow new organs and limbs, to heal the world. Until it evolved out of control and spread like the common cold. The machine took over, the soul vanished, and the Bane were born. The Bane won't stop until every last person has been infected. With less than two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction.


Eve knows the stories of the Evolution, the time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. But she doesn't need memories to know this world is her reality. This is a world that is quickly losing its humanity, one Bane at a time.



Fighting to keep one of the last remaining human colonies alive, Eve finds herself torn between her dedication to the colony, and the discovery of love. There is Avian and West – one a soldier, one a keeper of secrets. And in the end, Eve will make a choice that will change the future of mankind.


To be honest, this quite possibly will sound like a negative review. But it's not. I promise you, I really did like the book, and do recommend it. But, it's easier to pick things apart than praise them.

The book had a good premise. And the plot had good bones. But, I feel most of that was overshadowed by the love-triangle. It felt like there was a lot added just so that Eve could ponder about who she loved. Half of that could have been taken out and the romance would've been still intact. And the plot was slightly predictable and not completely original. 

And the characters were characters. They, like the plot, were predictable and not too original. I really didn't even like Eve till the near the end. Maybe that was by design, but I just wasn't a big fan of hers. The only character I can honestly say I was a big fan of was Sarah.

Overall, the book had it's problems but I liked the book. It was a fun little read. And I'm curious about were the story will go.