Monthly Archives:: January 2014

Review: Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan

January 31, 2014 Uncategorized 24

Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan

Published
January 28th 2014
by HarperTeen

Hardcover, 384 pages

Series: Uninvited


Genre: Young Adult Dystopia
Heat Rating: Kissing

Source: I got a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
Amazon | The Book Depository |  Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads


The Scarlet
Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s
chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her
genetic test proves she’s destined to become a murderer.

When
Davy Hamilton’s tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency
Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend
ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her
bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn’t feel any different, but genes
don’t lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS
carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe
he’s not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The
first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions
about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times
bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s trademark mix of gripping action and
breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James
Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.



Ho Boy… Where to begin?
I waited too long to review it I think, but it’s because this book kind of left me in a jumble of a lot of emotions and I was riding a different kind of hype when I first read it versus how I feel about it after thinking it through. I didn’t spend too much time pondering, but enough to let the exhilarating feeling to settle down and for me to be able to right an honest and fair review instead of regretting what I said later.
So for those of you that have not read this book yet, it’s about a society that is able to test for HTS (DNA test? blood test? Written? Did I miss that part?) or the kill gene. So when a very rich, smart, talented and sheltered girl Davy Hamilton’s test comes back positive for it, her world is ripped apart and she loses everything.
The premise of the book was interesting. I liked the idea, but I had to separate myself, take a step back and realize this is fiction, it is just a story. The other part of me is curious on many levels. How is this possible? How are they finding this gene? What made them consider finding it. Because the people who are running this operations, are monsters on their own level. I hope Jordan has a bigger plan for the story that I don’t see coming yet, because as far as I see it, the book could be interesting on a psychological level.
Davy is this very sheltered girl who goes to a private school, is very talented and has not hurt a hair on anyone’s head and all the sudden she is accused of being capable of murder. I found her reaction and attitude realistic. I expected her to come off a bit judgmental after meeting the rest of HTS labelled people, especially a few questionable and rowdy characters in her class. Thought I hope as she went on she realized that maybe they did not start out that way? But it is the way that society has expected them to perform?
I did like Sean, even if their relationship is not at all a very healthy one but he was an interesting character. He comes from a life where I guess HTS would be expected and his fiercely loyal and protective. Him dealing with some stuff is once again questionable, but not very unexpected.
I did enjoy the writing and the fictional part of the story. It is after all a story. Jordan’s way of words did have me hooked until the very end, as I found myself blowing through the pages. I am looking forward to her next novel, and I do hope what she has planned is something more then just what it is. Because I don’t understand how the people who run this program aren’t HTS positive, with everything they put these kids through. Are you really going to tell me that they would just sit back and take being attacked if they weren’t HTS positive?
Other weird points..
- This feels like a mild dystopia to me…Outside of the HTS finding capability, it feels like it could take place in the modern world..
- Why is this the second book I read in the past few weeks that starts out as -Insert and old and irrelevant title here- meets -another old and irrelevant title-. If this was meant for kids how many of them today know what a Minority Report is or The Scarlett Letter?

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Xpresso Book Tours: Layers by Sigal Ehrlich

January 28, 2014 Uncategorized 13

Layers by Sigal Ehrlich 
Publication date: October, 2013
Genres: Adult, Contemporary,

Romance

Mature Content Advisory, must be 18+ 


According to Hayley love is a subject of ridicule, a myth created by hopeless romantics.

When Hayley makes a resolution to declare her loose lifestyle era R.I.P, it’s all good in theory…

That
is until she meets Daniel Stark, a well-respected,
mid-thirties business man who is known for his short temper, lack of
steady relationships as well as his strict preserve of his private life.

Opinionated,
sharp tongued Hayley accidently steps into his office leaving Daniel
resolved to put Hayley in her place and have her in his bed.

Both Hayley and Daniel can’t avoid the immediate instigation of the attraction between them.

In
a unanimously agreed upon verdict by Hayley and her two best
friends, Ian the gay self-absorb, aspiring model and Natasha
the witty, borderline neurotic soul mate, Daniel Stark is to be Hayley’s
pure physical attraction, emotions aside era closure.

Will it indeed be a closure, or a beginning to something neither Hayley nor Daniel ever bargained for…

There’s a high-end coffee machine calling my name on the countertop across the room. A quick little coffee and I am out of here.
I press the green small-cup button and the machine awakens with the noise of evaporating steam. The oh-so-aromatic, roasted scent wafts toward me as the machine fills the cup with a rich chocolate-colored liquid. I’m thrilled, already anticipating the taste. When the machine signals that the cycle is complete, I grab the cup too hastily, and some of the coffee manages to spill on my white blouse.
Observing the damage with irritation, I murmur, “Fuck me,” under my breath.
“Is that a request?”
Shifting my stare back to see who has just spoken; I find myself holding on to the counter from a momentary loss of balance, as I take in the sight of the orator.
Heat spreads from the center of my skull through my throat, to the top of my cleavage. And I don’t do blushing. What the hell?
Standing there is the very picture of hot, tall and sinful. White tee, jeans, and the most alluring bad boy stance. Something in his crooked smile inexplicably leaves me dumbfounded. For the space of a moment, I am lost in him.
His eyes roam over me with a wicked glee, stripping off every layer of clothing I have on. The air escapes my lungs at the intensity of that gaze.
I gape back at him, my jaw slightly dropped. “Mmm… just made some coffee.” I mumble my lame excuse and follow it with a thin smile.
“So I assume it wasn’t a request, then?” His teasing eyes are on me, that sexy grin is still plastered on his face, and his expression insinuates pure sin.
“Too bad,” he murmurs, and I have to swallow hard.
“Is that your thing?” I ask, recovering.
He cocks an eyebrow. “Sneaking behind people and trying to engage them in salacious activities?” A low laugh, deep and hoarse, comes as a reply.
“No.” He scratches his amused lips with his thumb, looking at me with a slightly tilted head. “And just for the record, I believe it was you who started with the indecent proposals.”
I open my mouth, looking frantically for some clever comeback that doesn’t appear to come, and instead feel my face heat up. Again. Damn.

AUTHOR BIO 

By teen age, Sigal already lived in three different continents
where she had the luck to experience and visit varied places, meet
unique people, which only helped fuel her overly developed imagination.
Currently, Sigal calls Estonia home where she lives with her husband and
three kids.

Not exactly sure where they will end up next…

When she is not hiding in her office, writing, she enjoys music, reading and taking care of her little clan.

With a great believe in “don’t wait for things to happen - make them happen,” she enjoys anything exciting life has to offer.

Tour wide giveaway
Prizes: 
-5 signed paperbacks (INTL)

-A Kindle

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Entangled Covet Blast

January 27, 2014 Uncategorized 11

Covets have all the sexiness, emotion, and happily ever after that readers have come to expect and love from Entangled. They are firmly grounded in the contemporary world, but each novel brings in supernatural twists, breaking the contemporary and paranormal rules, alike. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books you’ll be coveting next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, LIKE their Facebook page, and join the Book Club.
Also, make sure to hop on over the Entangled in Romance blog to join in the fun as Covet challenges readers to share their worst date stories. The worse, the better, hold no punches!
Today I’m happy to be featuring Covet’s January releases:

Love at Stake by Victoria Davies


Abbey is the lone human working for Fated Match, a company that pairs members of the supernatural community with their eternal mates.

To snag a young vampire socialite as their next client, Abbey journeys to the home of Lucian Redgrave, the oldest vampire on the East Coast. But he’s not willing to allow his vampire daughter to use the agency… unless Abbey can first find his perfect match in a month.

As Abbey coaches Lucian through his dates, she can’t deny the chemistry between them. But humans are toys for vampires, and risking her heart isn’t a part of the plan.

Haunt Me by Heather Long

Recently divorced author MacKenzie Dillon has lost her writing mojo. When she inherits her great aunt’s haunted house in Virginia, she is determined to make a new start. The creepy old house provides inspiration but at what cost?

Successful architect and paranormal skeptic Justin Kent returns to Penny Hollow to fulfill his father’s dying wish of revitalizing their small town. To do that, he needs the allegedly haunted estate at Summerfield. Mac, the new owner, may be gorgeous and spunky, but she refuses to sell.

These two have a dangerous history that spans the ages, but will they discover the truth in time to save their lives?


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Review: Cruel Beauty (Cruel Beauty Universe) by Rosamund Hodge

January 27, 2014 Uncategorized 28

Cruel Beauty (Cruel Beauty Universe) by Rosamund Hodge 

Expected publication:
January 28th 2014
by Balzer + Bray

Hardcover, 352 pages

Series: Cruel Beauty Universe?


Genre: Young Adult Retellings/Fairy Tales
Heat Rating: Kissing

Source: I got a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
Amazon | The Book Depository |  Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads


Graceling meets
Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl’s journey
to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing
her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and
the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest
desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx
has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a
foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in
training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx
resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for
wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx
abandons everything she’s ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal
Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break
the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex
is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles
her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As
Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex’s
secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could
bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to
kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important:
the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.



Oh gosh I been on a total kick in reading Fairy Tale retellings lately and I love the variety that has been coming out these days, so it’s not it’s the same Fairy Tale over and over again.
Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorites, so when I saw the announcement of Cruel Beauty I just knew I had to get my hands on it one way or another. Boy, I wasn’t disappointed. Rosamund Hodge just knew how to weave her words perfectly enough to pull me in, tug on the strings around my heart and leave me clutching the book in embrace afterwords.
Step into the darker side of Beauty and the Beast and leave everything that you know when you read Cruel Beauty. Nyx has known all her life that her father has made a big bargain with the Gentle Lord, who is a demon and she must marry him and join him in his castle for the rest of her life. Ever since the bargain was made, Nyx has been trained from a very little girl how she could possibly kill the immortal Ignifex and free Arcadia from his shadows.
Nothing is as easy as she expects. Upon meeting Ignifex, Nyx finds that the lord is charming and she is unexpectedly drawn to him. But even love might not be enough to keep her from her duty of saving her kingdom.
Gosh I loved the story. Nyx was an interesting character with a lot of battles inside her heart. Knowing that her duty is to rescue her hometown as everyone expects her too, but falling in love with Ignifex had left her with a raging battle between right and wrong. I didn’t think Nyx was as evil and dark as she had painted herself to be and blamed herself over and over in the book. I thought her reaction towards her entire situation was very human. 
I loved the world that Hodge had created and the imagery she had painted of the castle and it’s magical rooms that natural Nyx finds herself drawn to as she explores the castle in hopes of finding it’s hearts.
Top it off with a sprinkle of romance and the bickering dialogue between Nyx and Ignifex. Thrown in a bit of twists and darkness and you have yourself an essence of The Beauty and the Beast. Thought yes, this had some darker elements to the story, it just added to the overall feeling but it wasn’t too bad at all!

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Review: Ruined (The Eternal Balance #1) by Jus Accardo

January 25, 2014 Uncategorized 13

Ruined (The Eternal Balance #1) by Jus Accardo


Published
December 30th 2013
by Entangled Embrace

Ebook, 325 pages

Series: The Eternal Balance


Genre: New Adult Paranormal
Heat Rating: Steamy-ish

Source: I got a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Amazon |  Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads


Hell is looking for a way to break loose…

Jax
lost the genetic lottery. Descended from Cain, the world’s first
murderer, he’s plagued by a curse that demands violence in exchange for
his happiness. He left everything behind, including the girl he loved,
but thriving on the pain of others is lonely… And it’s killing him.

After
a series of heartbreaking losses, Samantha put rubber to pavement and
headed for college as fast as her clunker could carry her. But she can’t
outrun her problems. When an attack at school drives her back home,
she’s thrown into the path of a past—and a guy—she’s been trying to
forget.

Sam strains Jax’s control over his darkness, but running
isn’t an option this time. Someone—or, something—followed her home from
school: a ruthless monster with a twisted plan centuries in the making.
Forced together to survive, and fighting an attraction that could
destroy them both, Jax and Sam must stop a killer bent on revenge.



For Jax, Demons are real and not just something that haunts him from his past. Jax has lost the lottery and because of his family history he has descended from Cain and has a demon living inside of him. The demon wants nothing more then to murder his own brother. Unable to do it, Jax leaves everything behind including happiness and the only girl he ever loved.
 
Heartbroken, Samantha  run away for college as soon as she could. Hoping to escape all of her problems, but instead she only encountered more. After being attacked in College, she finds herself home once more facing the only man she did not think she would ever seen again.
This was my first book by Jus Accardo, and I have heard a lot of great things about her earlier writing so I was very curious. That and the fact that Entangled Teen has been putting out some very interesting books.
Although I did enjoy the overall story, the ending had both thrown a few curve balls and surprises that kind of left me scratching my head. I think I am getting ahead of myself here, so here is a few things I liked and did not about this book.
  • The writing was great! I really loved the way Jus Accardo can tell a story, it really pulls you in. She had created a bunch of great characters in an interesting world that had you guessing until the very last page…like literally. Thought the pace was slow in some parts, I enjoyed the general picture.
  • Jax and Samantha. Really very polar opposite. Samantha is kind of sweet and confused. She wants answers, she wants to know why Jax had dumped and left her after that earth shattering kiss and even after learning his secret she doesn’t give up. Of course finding out your ex-boyfriend/friend is a demon brings out a new different kind of disbelief and terror, but she manages to work through it. I did enjoy the romance between them, it was very realistic, given the situation. Really, I couldn’t help but connect with them.
  • The plot. I feel like demons can be a hard subject to write correctly much less alone get it write and Jus Accardo made it readable and done a fairly well job with it. I liked that Jax had all these struggles inside of him with this thing that was as much a part of him as he was a part of the demon. Two different souls in one body, fighting for all kinds of control with emotions.

 

What made me er…
 
  • The book was slow in some places and maybe even dragged a little for me. But the good storyline did keep me very immersed so I was able to come back to it easily, unfortunately this did take me longer to finish the book then I originally wanted to.
  • Thought I enjoyed the romance I think there was too much tugging and pulling between Jax and Samantha that at times left me kind of frustrated.
  • The ending… The ending really left me scratching my head. I don’t want to go too much into it for the people that did not read it, but the whole deals part left me kind of “huh…who…what…when did this happen?” and Jax was suddenly involved in it too with Heckle? I was so confused… I thought it was only Samantha… besides the fact that we never even see it coming or get a hint, it was just.. random. 

 

Overall I am curious to see where this story goes, especially with everything that has happened in the end. It was a lot to chew on, but it seems to set up book two nicely.
 
 


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Xpresso Book Tours: The Appeal of Evil by Pembroke Sinclair + Giveaway

January 23, 2014 Uncategorized 11



The Appeal of Evil by Pembroke Sinclair 
Publication date: January 17th, 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Romance,

Young Adult
Katie wants to invest her heart and soul in love, but she may lose both to Hell.

Katie,
a senior in high school, is torn between loving the “good” guy, her
childhood friend Wes who makes promises he doesn’t keep and abandons her
when she needs him the most, and the “bad” guy, the new kid at school
Josh who is also a real demon from Hell. Katie wants someone who pays
attention to her and puts her first, but what is she willing to give up
to find him?


AUTHOR BIO:

I have had several short stories, novels, and novellas published. My
story, “Sohei,” was named one of the Best Stories of 2008 by The
Cynic Online Magazine. I have novellas and a short story collection
available from Musa Publishing and eTreasures Publishing. I have a
novella, The History of My Wishes, published by MuseItUp Publishing. My
novels, Coming from Nowhere (adult, sci fi), Life After the Undead (YA,
horror), and Death to the Undead (YA, sequel to Life After the Undead)
are available from eTreasures Publishing. Life After the Undead was a
Top Ten Finisher in the Preditors and Editors Reader’s Poll in the YA
category and the cover art category.

In April, I have a middle
grade novel called The Ifs coming out, which will be published by Little
Devil Books. I also have two picture books that will be available from
eTreasures Publishing. All of the children’s titles are written under
the pen name J.D. Pooker. Under Pembroke Sinclair, I also have an adult
urban fantasy novel entitled Wucaii that will be published by
MuseItUp Publishing.

Under my real name, Jessica Robinson, from
March 2008 to January 2011, I wrote scientific articles for
Western Farmer-Stockman. I have a nonfiction book, Life Lessons from
Slasher Films, published in July 2012 from Scarecrow Publishing (an
imprint of Rowman and Littlefield).

I have my Master’s in
English, and I am a freelance content editor for Musa Publishing, as
well as a former content and line editor for eTreasures Publishing.

(1) ebook copy of Knowing Jack

. Open internationally
Must be 13+ or older to enter


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Xpresso Book Tours: Escape from Eden by Elisa Nader

January 21, 2014 Uncategorized 22

Escape from Eden by Elisa Nader 
Publication date: August 18th 2013
Genres: Thriller, Young Adult

* I got a copy of this book from the tour organizer in exchange of an honest review.


Since the age of ten, Mia has lived under the iron fist of the fundamentalist preacher who lured her mother away to join his fanatical family of followers. In Edenton, a supposed “Garden of Eden” deep in the South American jungle, everyone follows the Reverend’s strict but arbitrary rules—even the mandate of whom they can marry. Now sixteen, Mia dreams of slipping away from the armed guards who keep the faithful in, and the curious out. When the rebellious and sexy Gabriel, a new boy, arrives with his family, Mia sees a chance to escape.

But the scandalous secrets the two discover beyond the compound’s façade are more shocking than anything they ever imagined. While Gabriel has his own terrible secrets, he and Mia bond together, more than friends and freedom fighters. But is there time to think of each other as they race to stop the Reverend’s paranoid plan to free his flock from the corrupt world? Can two teenagers crush a criminal mastermind? And  who will die in the fight to save the ones they love from a madman who’s only concerned about his own secrets?

Terrific! Not at all what I expected. Mia has been living for the past few years in Edenton, a small community of people that is ‘ruled’ by a preacher who has been luring people into his fanatical followers. Edenton is suppose to be a new start, help people and provide a safe sense of security and religion. First of all, Escape of Eden is not a religious book, far from it. Elisa Nader knows how to take you for a ride. Escape from Eden was both thrilling and exciting. It’s gripping from the very start and kept me indulged and entertained the whole way.
The story itself took me by surprise, and the secrets that Mia found and revealed along the way came unexpected. Thought Edenton is ruled by a preacher who rules with an iron fist and brings his teachings from the bible, the real face of Edenton is ugly and horrible. Mia wants nothing more then to escape this ‘perfect’ community, so when she starts to question the rules of Edenton she catches the eye of the wrong men.
Gabriel came to Edenton with his family, in hopes that Edenton and the preacher would save him after a horrible tragedy It’s the last place he want’s to be. Outspoken, proud and defiant, he gives Edenton security a run for their money. When he meets Mia, he knows there is something different about the girl and together they question the community and why do these so called protectors carry guns, why no one was able to leave Edenton and what Prayer Circle really is.
When the preacher starts to show his true colors, escaping from Edenton will be the hardest thing they have ever done.
Really enjoyed this one. Was something different. Could not put it down. I really liked Elisa’s story telling and writing. It was surprising, and it flowed really well. I am glad this one gave us a well rounded ending and not ended up with one of those cliffhangers.
There was romance, and secrets, and mystery that kept me guessing and wondering until the very end. There had been some moments that made me pause and question it, but the rest made up for it. I am looking forward to more books from this author.


AUTHOR BIO 
Hi. I’m Elisa. I like cheese and reading and TV show marathons. Writing is scary, but not as scary as, say, Civil War amputations. I’m an Aquarius. Uh… let’s see… I’m not very good at writing my own biography. Or autobiography. I guess this is reading more like a slightly incoherent personal ad.
Tour wide giveaway
Prizes: (US only - picture attached!)

-Signed copy of ESCAPE FROM EDEN
-Silver Dogtag Necklace
-Green Snakeskin Pop Phone headset for for Mobiles

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Xpresso Book Tours: Knowing Jack by Rachel Curtis

January 21, 2014 Uncategorized 4

Knowing Jack by Rachel Curtis 
Publication date: January 17th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Amazon | B&N

I am not a slut, although I’ve been called one often enough. Yeah, I spent three months screwing one of my college professors, but I was crazy about the guy. Then he broke up with me.

I am not a bitch, although people like to say I am. I kept our relationship secret. I’m not responsible for telling the university administrators about it, but a lot of students still blame me for getting their favorite professor fired.

I am not a drama queen, although everyone thinks I am now. When I got a few nasty messages, I just deleted them. When I got the threat, I assumed it was someone being stupid. I still think that’s all it was. My parents worry, though, so they hired me a bodyguard. Now Jack follows me around, intimidating everyone who approaches me and looking obnoxiously hot.

This is what I am. I’m Chloe. I’m a twenty-year-old art history major. Kind of shy, although I pretend not to be. Stubborn enough to stay here for my senior year, even though everyone hates me.

And I’m stuck with Jack.

He calls me “Princess,” but I’m not a princess either.

Knowing Jack is a New Adult contemporary romance and includes adult content and language. The plot of the book is fully resolved at the end, but the last page includes a hanging teaser for the next book in the series.

AUTHOR BIO:
(No author picture available)
Rachel is a writer, a teacher, a romance reader, and a dog-mom. She loves animals and art and hot men with soft hearts under a tough exterior. She tries to write love stories that feel real, even in unlikely circumstances.
(1) ebook copy of Knowing Jack

. Open internationally
Must be 18+ to enter.


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ARC Review: Fragile Spirits (Souls #2) by Mary Lindsey

January 18, 2014 Uncategorized 16

Fragile Spirits (Souls #2) by Mary Lindsey 


Expected publication: January 23rd 2014 by Philomel
Hardcover, 311 pages

Series: Souls


Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Heat Rating: Kissing

Source: Thank you Penguins-Philomel for providing me with a physical ARC in exchange of an honest review.
Amazon | The Book Depository |  Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads


Paul has always known he was a Protector, fated to serve a Speaker who could hear the voices of spirits lingering after death and help those souls find peace.

Vivienne ignores the voices of the dead.

Paul has always followed the Protector’s rule book, preparing diligently for the day when he’d be matched with his Speaker and fulfill his destiny.

Vivienne never does what she’s told.

So when Paul is matched with Vivienne, they both find the pairing less than satisfactory. But a kidnapping, a malevolent spirit and power stronger than both of them may just prove that they are two halves of the same whole.

In a stunning story about the beauty of fate and the power of secrets, Mary Lindsey returns to the world of Shattered Souls with a breathtaking thrill-ride of a novel.

**Note from author: This book begins one month after Shattered Souls leaves off. Lenzi and Alden are featured in this book, but reading Shattered Souls is not a prerequisite.



First I wanted to say that I absolutely love the cover of this book, it is simply gorgeous. Second, I dove into this book not realizing at first that it was part of a series. Luckily for me and my mistake, thought the first two characters are featured in this book you do not need to read book 1 in order to realize what is going on.

Paul is a protector, he has always known he is a protector who is fated to serve another person called a Speaker. Speakers can hear the spirits that are unable or have not moved on from their death and their own faith is to help them resolve what’s anchoring them to earth and help them move on.

It took a while longer but Paul finally get’s his speaker Vivienne who at first wants nothing to do with him. Vivienne comes with a lot of baggage, and the girl is nothing he had seen before. Hot pink hair and black clothes put up a tougher front, but underneath is a scarred girl who simply wants revenge for her mother and aunts deaths.

With a malevolent spirit out there powerful enough to wreak havoc, it’s going to take the two of them working together in order to defeat the man and put him to rest once and for all.

Loved this story, so much fun, entertaining and totally engrossing. I had a hard time putting Fragile Spirits down. I have been in the mood for ghosts stories lately and this had me attention from the start. I love the idea behind Fragile Spirits, and the world that Mary Lindsey has created. Original, fast paced that leaves you wanting even more.

I was so sad when I hit the end of the book, but I was happily surprised that unlike other young-adult books out there it did not end in a cliffhanger!

Lindsey does a wonderful job with characters, especially Paul and Vivienne, I loved how realistic the characters sounded and they weren’t perfect. Not even Paul. The relationship starts of shaky, and the bickering between them pulled a smile more then once.  The build up to trust was slow and emotional for, but well worth it in the end. I had to remember several times that they are teenagers when Vivienne acted irrational, but it was fun to see her change through the book.

The budding romance between Paul and Vivienne was sweet but I am glad that it didn’t cloud and take away from the story as I was more engrossed about the resolutions of their Speaker/Protector relationship and ghosts.

That being said, I also absolutely loved Race. I hope he get’s his own book soon as well, I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us especially with Maddie. I couldn’t stand Cinda, I thought she was the worse. I know she was just trying to help but she didn’t listen and completely endangered the entire crew at the end of the book after they told her to stay behind when they went to take on the powerful spirit. Plus, I guess part of the animosity towards her comes from the fact that I really liked Maddie and Race.

Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this beautiful story. It had everything I could ask for. Great storyline, wonderful characters, and quiet an emotional ride in between. It held my attention until the very end and didn’t let go until it was sadly, over.


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Xpresso Book Tours: All I Ever Wanted: An Abbott Springs Anthology by Marilyn Brant, Rhonda Helms, Caisey Quinn, Lexi Ryan

January 18, 2014 Uncategorized 4

All I Ever Wanted: An Abbott Springs Anthology by Marilyn Brant, Rhonda Helms, Caisey Quinn, Lexi Ryan 
Publication date: January 13th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, Anthology
Amazon

ALL I EVER WANTED, a new adult winter anthology
Winterfest is heating up in Abbott Springs…
As the town’s yearly festival kicks off, cold days
turn into steamy nights, new flames will be ignited, and old romances will be
rekindled.
All About Us by Marilyn Brant—All Sami
Abbott ever wanted was permission to be herself. At home, she aims to be the
perfect daughter but never measures up. At college, she’s the bold girl who had
a one-night stand with sexy musician, Alex Hamilton. When he arrives
unexpectedly in Abbott Springs, her worlds collide and she must reconcile the
girl she tries to be with the person she really is.
All I Need by Caisey Quinn—All pink-haired
rocker chick Everly Abbott thought she wanted was acceptance in her
straight-laced hometown. But her best friend and bandmate Justin Cohen is about
to show her that what she thinks she wants isn’t necessarily what she needs.
All for Love by Rhonda Helms—All Maya
Monterey ever wanted was to belong. Happiest with the Abbott family, Maya’s
been secretly in love with sexy pastry chef Oliver Abbott for years. With a
flirty new look, she’ll pull out all the stops to get him to notice her. And if
her plan fails, she’ll walk away from the only home she’s ever known—and
Oliver—for good.

All or Nothing by Lexi Ryan—After years of
placing the wrong bets, all Aubree Baxter wanted was someone to take a chance
on her. Golden boy Kennedy Hale plays it safe in life and love, but to keep
Bree in Abbott Springs, he’ll have to go all in.

Author Bios



Marilyn
Brant is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of eight
novels to date, writing in the genres of contemporary women’s fiction, romantic
comedy, and new adult/mystery. Recently, the Illinois Association of Teachers
of English selected her as their 2013 Author of the Year. As a former teacher,
library staff member, freelance magazine writer, and national book reviewer,
Marilyn has spent much of her life lost in literature. Her books have been
featured by the Doubleday Book Club, Book-of-the-Month Club, Literary Guild,
BOMC2, and Rhapsody Book Club, and they’ve won awards such as the Romance
Writers of America’s Golden Heart, the Booksellers’ Best, and the Aspen Gold
Reader’s Choice. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her family, reads a lot
of Jane Austen, and loves chocolate, old movies, and road trips with music
blaring and the windows rolled down. Please visit her online at www.marilynbrant.com or find her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/marilyn.brant and Twitter @marilynbrant

Caisey Quinn lives in a suburb outside of
Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, daughter, and other assorted animals. She
wears cowgirl boots most of the time, even to church. She is the bestselling
author of the Kylie Ryans series and writes New and Young Adult books about
country girls finding love in unexpected places. She can be found online at www.caiseyquinnwrites.com
or on Twitter as @CaiseyQuinn where she spends entirely too much time chatting
with readers, writers, and anyone who’s willing.

Rhonda
Helms started writing novels several years ago and loves teen and New Adult
romance. She has a Master’s degree in English and a Bachelor’s degree in
Creative Writing. She also freelance edits (visit rhondaedits.com to learn more about her services). When
she isn’t writing, she likes to do amateur photography, dig her toes into the
sand, read for hours at a time, and eat way too much cheese. Rhonda lives in
Northeast Ohio with her family, dog, and a very loud cat. Visit her at rhondahelmsbooks.com for details about her and her books.
You can also find her on twitter @rhelmsbooks or Facebook at facebook.com/rhondahelmsbooks.

A New
York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author, Lexi Ryan
considers herself the luckiest chick she knows. Her books have been described
as intense, emotional, and wickedly sexy. When not writing, she enjoys watching
football, perfecting her chocolate martini, and reading her way to the title of
Biggest Romance Fangirl Evah. A former college professor, her biggest fears
include faculty meetings and large stacks of ungraded freshman composition
papers. She now writes full-time from her home in Indiana, where she lives with
her husband and two children and their neurotic dog. You can visit Lexi at her
website www.lexiryan.com or find her on Twitter @writerlexiryan
or Facebook at facebook.com/lexiryanauthor. 
(Open internationally):
-4 Amazon/B&N $10 gift cards


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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