NEW RELEASE: The Heart of the Ancients by Elizabeth Isaacs

The Heart of the Ancients, the third and final book in The Kailmeyra series is being released TODAY!

Pick up your copy today!

Exclusively on

The Kailmeyra Chronicles: Book Three—

Following Nora and Gavin’s defeat of the Dokkalfar, the kingdom has flourished and brought hope to its people.


But looks can be deceiving.


Like wisps of death, darker emotions seep into unexpected places. Now the nighttime holds fresh horrors for Gavin as Nora’s visions of the future invade her dreams. Though Nora can’t remember them, she knows Gavin sees her mind as clearly as his own. Noticing the affects her nightmares have on him, Nora warns Gavin of the dire consequences of altering fate. But she fears he’ll do whatever it takes to assure her visions don’t come true—even going against all he believes.


When Nora and Gavin discover Mia, the new Empress of the Dokkalfar, is growing stronger, they return to Earth sooner than planned. But Nora's old home isn’t what it used to be. Civilization has plunged back into the Dark Ages and the Earth is on the brink of annihilation.


As Nora and Gavin find themselves at the Edge of the World, doubt plagues them. Are they walking a path which alters fate or one elaborately planned by the enemy?

If you haven't read the Kailmeyra series, the first one is on sale this month for only $0.99! 

If Nora Johnson hadn't been on campus that day she would have never known her true destiny. Helping her friends move into the dorm that she wanted to call home, Nora accidentally collides with mysterious stranger, Gavin Frey. His very first touch sends flames through her heart. The world seems different--something within her has changed.


She tries to resume her mundane life, but she is now consumed with the one whose very presence ignited her soul, the one with eyes of emerald. Nora soon learns that an energy buried deep within has been unleashed. She now wields unimaginable power and has become Gavin's source, his strength.


Her newfound joy is shaken when she discovers that Gavin is not who he appears to be, and she has been thrust in the middle of a war of mythical proportions. Negativity allows all things evil to flourish, the earth is under siege. The fate of creation hinges on the power within her heart. Will she be strong enough to survive?


A gripping tale of unbounded love and ancient power, The Light of Asteria will take you on an epic adventure filled with war, treachery, and demons, as well as unimaginable delights.

Available on: 

In celebration of all the fun, Elizabeth is giving away a signed copies of the entire series and a $25 gift card! Just fill out the Rafflecopter below, and good luck! 

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~BLOG TOUR~NEW RELEASE & EXCERPT: Breaking Free by SM Koz

Title: Breaking Free

Author: S.M. Koz

Release Date: August 1, 2014
Purchase Links: AMAZON (FREE on AUGUST 1st)

Synopsis: 

Kelsie Sullivan’s life has changed forever. The once outgoing cheerleader has a secret to hide. The car accident that killed her best friend Jenna? She caused it. 

With an absent father and unforgiving stepmother, Kelsie has nowhere to turn. She manages her guilt and grief with razor blades. The fleeting release she experiences becomes an obsession and soon she can no longer hide it. Once her cutting is revealed, Kelsie’s parents enroll her in a Wilderness Therapy program designed to rehabilitate troubled teens, but North Carolina is a world away from California. 

Kelsie fights against everything the program has to offer until she befriends JC, a boy with a tortured past of his own. He’s also the only one who is able to ease her pain. The two grow close, but quickly discover that nature—both human and elemental—can easily rip them apart.

Disclaimer: This book contains adult language, sexual themes, and explicit self-harm behavior. Parental discretion is recommended for those under 15 years of age.

ADD TO GOODREADS

~MY REVIEW~

~TRAILER~

~EXCERPT~

~About the Author~

SM Koz was born in Michigan, but moved to North Carolina for college and never left.

She enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, photography, reading, spending time with foster kids who call her house home, and learning new things. When she’s not creating online training for pharmaceutical companies (her day job) or writing, Koz can be found at the local community college taking courses on various topics ranging from digital art to HTML to desktop publishing. Next in line are auto mechanics and cake decorating.

Being trained as a veterinarian, it’s not surprising that Koz and her husband were recently told they have a mini-zoo with their two dogs, fish, cockatiels, and foster cats. In the past, they have also had parakeets and a snake. Other than the fish, all the animals were acquired through rescue organizations, something Koz wholeheartedly supports.

Breaking Free is Koz’s third original novel and fifth overall, but the only one she feels compelled to publish at this time. Her hope is that individuals who struggle with cutting may be inspired by Kelsie’s story and find the strength they need to begin the healing process.

Connect with SM Koz: Facebook    Twitter

REVIEW: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Synopsis

There's something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia...

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family as fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walkers by. But this is nothing compared to what she's just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor... from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she'll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including the maddeningly stubborn yet handsome Daniel, the situation becomes dire. An now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

ADD TO GOODREADS

 
The Plot

Zombies are slowly taking over the country. For everyone in Philadelphia their perfect lives is about to change forever. Zombies have arrived in Philadelphia. And one of them attacks to deliver a note for Eleanor. A note that her brother has sent about being delayed.

When Eleanor realizes that her brother might be in danger she turns to the only people who might help her. The Spirit-Hunters that have arrived in Philadelphia. She is quickly thrust into the world of zombies and the Spirit-Hunters where she learns much more about herself and her will to find the answers to her questions.

Not only does she have to worry about finding her brother. She must also deal with an overbearing mother that if forcing Eleanor to find a husband, a royal that has his sights set on her, and a boy that sets her blood on fire. In Something Strange and Deadly, Eleanor learns to what extents she would go to save her brother and the people she cares about.

The Characters

Eleanor Fitts is the daughter of the once royal Philadelphia Fitts. With her brother missing she is charged with trying to save her family’s wealth. Even if that means potentially marrying someone she does not get along with. But Eleanor refuses to let anyone tell her what to do. She has a determination and stubbornness that is inflexible. When faced with the zombies and a city that is filled with evilness she willingly offers to help and learn. She is fierce and doesn’t let anyone bully her. Female leads like Eleanor make books much more enjoyable.

Joseph, Jie and Daniel are the Spirit-Hunters that Philadelphia has called upon. They are there for one purpose and one purpose only. To rid the city of the zombies. When Eleanor’s mother unleashes an evil spirit into the world, they are determined to help Eleanor send it back to hell. What they don’t count on is the lack of support of the city and the “hungry” zombies attacking nobles. As they try to find Ethan, find a way to kill the “hungry” zombies as well as regular zombies, and banish an evil spirit, the Spirit-Hunters come to realize that the problem is much more dangerous than they thought.

The Romance

Although there is a building romance in the book there isn’t much of it. Daniel and Eleanor are two different people with two different duties in life. Although their time together is sweet it is also infrequent.

The Wrap-up

Something Strange and Deadly was a pretty good story. I enjoyed the historical aspect as well as the zombie aspect to the story. There were parts I thought were slow but overall I liked the story woven. Because I live in Philadelphia I found myself imagining all the places the author portrayed in the book. Overall a pretty good read. I look forward to reading more about Eleanor’s new abilities and her relationship with the Spirit-Hunters. 

Happy Reading!!

REVIEW: Divine Vices by Melissa Parkin

Synopsis

Danger seldom leaves its victims unscathed in the ways of seduction, and this lesson is one that sixteen-year-old Cassie Foster now knows all too well.

Nine months following the traumatic accident that claimed the life of her mother and sister, this high school junior has at last found a fresh start in the quiet town of New Haven, Maine. In the company of her best friends, Ian and Gwen, she’s bracing the usual turmoil of adolescence and taking all in stride… until the new transfer student, Jackson Matthews, comes walking into her life. He’s arrogant, sarcastic, roguish, devastatingly sexy, and the very last thing Cassie wants to entertain. But when circumstances drive these two together, she finds herself a bit too close for comfort as their bond intensifies. Plagued by unexplainable events, a sudden string of disappearances, and even a cult-related murder, Cassie begins to fear for her life. Is it all just a coincidence that these happenings began when this Casanova strolled into town, or has she in fact fallen for a real lady-killer, or worse?

 ADD TO GOODREADS

 

(Thank you to the author for providing a reviewing copy.)

The Plot

Cassie Foster lives a semi-normal life. After a tragic accident claims the life of her mother and sister she only has her father. With her two best friends everything in Cassie’s life seems to be going pretty well. But when girls start disappearing and Cassie starts feeling like someone is hunting her, she attempts to get to the bottom of the mystery. Along with her best friends, and an unlikely ally, Cassie learns a little more about who she is and what real dangers surround her.

The Characters

I must say that Cassie is a pretty great heroine. Although she has her moments of jumping to the wrong conclusions she is pretty much a strong heroine. She is a wonderful friend to both Gwen and Ian considering their personalities are all different. She doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do and when she needs to speak up she does so without hesitation. The moment that Jackson Matthew walks into her life everything she has always thought she knew turns out to be so much more. He is infuriating and shallow but there is a part of her that knows there is so much more. The way she handles Jackson gives us a look at the real building of a relationship, I think. Although things pile up against him and he is arrogant and tests her temper repeatedly, she still gives him a chance, even if that chance might put her in danger.

Jackson was a good character. He was your typical swoon-worthy bad boy. He was very secretive throughout the whole book which made it difficult to connect with him. On top of that he was pretty distant most of the times which didn’t really make me life him much.

I have to mention Gwen and Ian because they were pretty integral to his story. Gwen was the best friend that wants to be popular and is chasing boys all the time. But she was pretty faithful to her friends and pretty smart when it came to attempting to solve a crime. Ian on the other hand was the best friend or boyfriend that every girl wants. Although he had his awkwardness he was comfortable in his own skin and didn’t let anyone being him down. He loved and protected Cassie and Gwen which made me adore him. He was definitely Cassie’s rock during this story. I for one can’t wait to read more about him and his abilities. I have to say that I loved his character, maybe even a little bit more than Jackson.

The Romance

I enjoyed the building on Cassie’s and Jackson’s relationship only because it was normal. They hated each other one moment and couldn’t get enough of each other the next. The witty comments between the two were definitely a part of this book that I liked. Jackson brings out the worse in Cassie, but in a good way. She comes out of her shell when he’s around and testing her patience.

The Wrap-up

Divine Vices was a pretty good read. It did have its moments where I just lost interest in the story because of the pace. There were also moments at the end which confused the hell out of me, I’m not sure if it was because the author had a hard time explaining what was going on or maybe too much was happening at once. At the end of the story I really didn’t understand what the heck was going on, other than that they were after Cassie. I think I would read the rest of the books in this series but I’m not anxiously awaiting them either. All in all I would say pick this book up and give it a try. 

HAPPY READING!

~REVIEW~ How To Date a Nerd by Cassie Mae

Synopsis

Zoe has a great pair of legs, perky boobs, and wears exactly what she needs to show it all off. She works hard for the easy sleazy ‘you only wish you were me’ reputation, burying who she really is—an all-out nerd.

The only time Zoe gets to be herself is when she hides under her comforter to read X-Men comics, sending jealousy stabs at everyone who attends Comic-Con. Keeping up her popular rep is too important, and she’s so damn insecure to care about the consequences. But when Zoe’s sister takes her car for a ‘crash and burn into a tree’ joyride, her parents get her a replacement. A manual. Something she doesn’t know how to operate, but her next door neighbor Zak sure as heck does.

Zak’s a geek to the core, shunned by everyone in school for playing Dungeons and Dragons at lunch and wearing “Use the Force” t-shirts. And Zoe’s got it bad for the boy. Only Zak doesn’t want Popular Zoe. He wants Geek Zoe.

She has to shove her insecurities and the fear of dropping a few rungs on the social ladder aside to prove to Zak who she really is and who she wants to be… if she can figure it out herself.

ADD TO GOODREADS

~My Review~

 “Erase the parts that make me unhappy. I guess that means emphasizing the parts that do.”

Zoe has all she’s ever dreamed of. Being popular has always been something Zoe has craved and since entering high school she is in with the “IT” crowd. It doesn’t matter to her that she's in emotionless relationships, is considered stuck up, and is known around school as a slut. Being popular means she isn’t made fun of anymore and doesn’t have to be humiliated. So she portrays the New Zoe.

But when no one is watching, Zoe is snuggled up under the blankets reading her coveted X-men comic books. And recently she's been daydreaming about Zak, her gorgeous but nerdy neighbor.

It isn’t until Zoe comes face to face with the truth of her actions that she realizes that New Zoe isn’t who she wants to be. But the humiliation of middle school stops her from changing anything. Not even Zak with his unwavering patience, charm and adoration can make Old Zoe come back.

The moment Zak threatens to walk away she really considers what a mess she's made with her life. With her "not so nerdy" knight's help, Zoe finds the courage to fight for what she wants more than anything in the world. To just be Zoe.

Read How to Date a Nerd to find out how this story develops and ends. It is a very cute and wonderful read filled with references to Harry Potter, Star Wars, X-men and many more great references! The cherry on top is the cuteness that is Zak, and the relationship between he and Zoe. 

I hope you will give it a try and enjoy it!

Happy Reading!

~Book Blitz~ NEW RELEASE: Haunted U by Jessica Gibson

Title: Haunted U
Author: Jessica Gibson
Genre: YA Paranormal
Blitz Host: Lady Amber's Tours
PURCHASE LINKS: AMAZON ~ B&N

Synopsis

Ezzie Lovegreen lives in a world where witches and ghosts are real. That doesn’t mean she’s not surprised when she’s suddenly being haunted by one at school.

With the help of her best friend Stella, her boyfriend Beau, and her grandmother Winifred, Ezzie must find out what happened to the ghost and set her free.

Secrets will be revealed that could change Ezzie’s life forever. Will Ezzie be strong enough to face the challenges set in her path?




~About the Author~

Jessica Gibson is a recovering bookaholic, she's down from four books a week to a more reasonable one. It was that love of words and creativity that made her dream about writing her first book. That dream was hidden for years, always put on the back burner, filed away in the "someday" section, until her husband Matt gave her the kick in the pants she needed to actually get off her butt and write.

Jessica and Matt live in Southern California and have a serious addiction to reality tv shows like Pawn Stars and American Restoration. They have one son and hope to add to the family in the near future.

Aside from writing, she runs an online event planning business called the Release Day Diva. In addition to novels, Jessica writes and maintains the blog Book on the Bright Side. Keep up with Jessica and her latest releases and events on her blog.

~Connect with Jessica~

Website ~ Blog ~ Book Blog  ~ Facebook ~ Twitter 

~Excerpt~

Ezzie pulled her Range Rover behind her dad’s vehicle. Beau parked right behind her in
his truck. He was at her door in an instant and held a hand to help her out of the car.

Addelyn was waiting for them in the open doorway, a huge smile on her face, and looking perfectly put together in a lavender shirt-dress and black heels.

“Why, Beau, you are getting so handsome. It’s been ages since we’ve had you over for dinner. How’s your mama?”

Beau smiled and kissed the cheek she offered him. “Thank you, Mrs. Lovegreen. You are looking as lovely as ever. Mama is great. I’ll tell her you asked after her.”

Addelyn nodded and turned back into the house. “Let’s go eat. Dinner should be ready right about now.”

“I need to drop my stuff in my room. You can come, or go find my dad. I’m sure he’s in his study.”

Beau gave her a look. “I think I’ll go with you.”

Heat bloomed in Ezzie's cheeks again. The look he had just given her was anything but platonic. She smiled shyly and led him back to her room but stopped at the door.

He had never been in her room before. No boy ever had. This was new territory for her.
She shook herself mentally and stepped over the threshold into her room. Beau stood in the doorway for a moment, looking around.

“You can come in,” Ezzie said softly.

He smiled and walked in, running his fingers across the surface of her desk.

“That was my grandfather’s.”

He nodded. “I remember seeing it in his study when we were kids.” Beau took a step toward her. He bridged the gap between them with his hands, drawing her the last few steps.

“Beau...” Her heart pounded in her chest.

He tipped her chin up and touched his lips to hers lightly. Ezzie lifted her hands up and around his neck, pulling him closer to her. She pressed her lips more firmly against his. She couldn't believe they were really having their first kiss in her bedroom with her parents just down the hall. Beau’s fingers wove into her hair. He finally pulled away a bit and laid his chin against her forehead, his arms still around her.

“Just so we’re clear, I want to be more than just your friend, Ezzie,” he whispered.

If Beau hadn’t been holding her up, she would have fallen to the floor. “I want to be more than your friend too, Beau,” she breathed.

REVIEW: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Book Description:

Orphan Tessa Gray, sixteen, crosses the ocean from New York to find her brother Nate in Victorian London, her only possession a clockwork angel necklace from her mother. She is ignorant of her power to transform; the Dark sisters are not. They kidnap her for the Magister, who wants to marry Tessa and claim her power.

Shadowhunters, warriors of angel blood, battle demons and keep the peace in the Downworld of vampires, warlocks and other supernaturals. Orphan teen Shadowhunters Jem, Will, and Jess rescue Tessa and agree to help save Nate. Vengeful vampire Lady Camille Belcourt and her current lover, warlock Magnus Bane provide entrée to the Magister's secret Pandemonium Club.

MY REVIEW

"If you have a soul of a warrior, you are a warrior. Whatever the color, the shape, the design of the shade that conceals it, the flame inside the lamp remains the same. You are that flame."

Clockwork Angel starts with Tessa Grey on her way to reunite with her brother after her aunt's death. But when she arrives and the Black sisters promise to take her to her brother, Tessa's world changes forever.

Forced to learn how to use her newly discovered power is what her existence consist of until her "knight" in shining shadow gear saves her. A "knight" that will later turn out to by a Shadowhunter. A nephilim who is in charge of protecting the humans against evil. Tessa is introduced to the world of Shadowhunters, Downworlders, The Clave and many more creatures she never knew existed.

Set on searching for her brother Tessa agrees to help the Shadowhunters find the villain who is killing innocent humans and are creating evil automatons. Throughout her search for her brother she learns to harness her power and her strength and will, which is tested many times. Sometimes by the evil surrounding her and others by the residents of the Institute of London.

Charlotte and Henry, who run the institute. Jessamine who is snotty and rude and wants to escape the world she was born too. Jem the sweet guy that shows her nothing but compassion but is dealt a sad hand in life. And Will, the jerk that tests her patience everyday and makes her feel everything at once.
During Clockwork Angel you will laugh, frown, yell and will fall in love. But most of all you will crave for MORE.

More of Tessa's heritage. More of Will's story and cheekiness. More of Jem's compassion and sweetness. More action. More loveable characters. But most of all more of Tessa and Will's romance!

Read this! Cassandra does not disappoint! She will set you on an adventure that will keep you turning page after page until the very end.

BUY: ~Amazon~ ~Barnes and Noble~

HAPPY READING!!

Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

Book Description:

Freshman Rose Zarelli has rage issues.
  First of all, her father lost his job, took work as a contractor in Iraq...and never came home.
  Second, she likes the wrong guy and his super-intense, scary cheerleader girlfriend is now her nemesis.
  Third, her fashionista best friend, Tracy, is suddenly infinitely cooler than she is—and talking about losing her virginity. (What?!)
  Rose is ahead when it comes to studying for the PSAT, but she’s so far behind socially that she might as well be moving backward. She needs Tracy’s help choosing the right clothes, she likes all the wrong extracurricular activities, and she can’t even make a decision about which photo of her father to put on the memorial website she’s making (and hiding from her adolescent-shrink mother).
  With her brother away at college and her mother always locked in her office with her messed-up teen patients, Rose struggles to get through each day without inflicting bodily harm on anyone.

Christina's BookReview

“Bad things happen whether you're scared or not, so you might as well not bother being scared. It's a waste of time.”

RECAP

Rose Zeller is your normal 14 year old girl starting off her freshmen year in high school. She is frustrated with the high school drama, frustrated with her family, and frustrated with her life in general. Rose Zeller is an angry girl. But she has the right to be. With a mother that’s detached, a brother that is gone for college, a best friend that’s as selfish as they come, the drama of starting high school and the lost of her father, Rose’s life isn’t so perfect. The only beacon of light which isn’t so much is Jamie.

Jamie is the schools bad boy and also dating the insane cheerleader of the high school. Jamie has been Rose’s’ secret crush since he played hockey with her older brother, Peter. But Rose knows that Jamie will never look at her as more than a friend’s little sister. Jamie is a Junior in high school and has his own issues to work out.

When Rose starts to notice that Jamie might want more she is exhilarated. But his hot and cold attitude and his crazy girlfriend isn’t something Rose thinks she can handle. Unfortunately for her, there’s no going back. High school is about to be hell on earth for Rose.

Rose has anger issues and a teenager with anger makes things a lot more complicated.

MY TAKE

(I received this book free on a read to review basis. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin)

I have to say that I was going into this ready to read about a really angry teenage who throws temper tantrums. I didn’t expect to NOT get it. It just makes sense, “Confessions of an Angry Girl” is the title of this book.

Rose is angry and in her predicament you would understand why. But although she does have a lot of resentment and does lash out at times she’s pretty considerate of people around her. I thought she would be a girl that had no filter and doesn’t care, but she’s conscience of what she says and feels bad. I wanted her to not have a filter and not put up with people’s bullshit. She had a really selfish best friend and was really patient with her when an angry person would have lashed out more. Rose puts up with a lot and surprisingly much more than girls would now and days.

Although I think the book has a romance it really doesn’t take precedent while reading. Jamie is a very standoffish guy and it’s hard to have any thoughts on him when he’s pretty much missing most of the time. If I had one wish for this book, it would have been to have him more involved or to at least feel the connection between the two.

I enjoyed reading this because it was filled with a lot of the normal things that happen now and days. The bullying in high school, the social outcast, lessons on safe sex, and the experience of starting high school. I think this is a great book for younger girls to read and it’s pretty educational about handling the whole sex issue.

I devoured this book in one sitting! I can't wait to read the next book in this series to see what happens next.