Book Blitz + Giveaway: Taking Back Forever by Karen Hooper

Welcome to my stop on the Taking Back Forever Book Blitz hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. 

Taking Back Forever (The Kindrily Series Book Two)
by Karen Hooper

Publisher: Starry Sky Publishing
Publication Date: May 31, 2013

Forever is worth the fight.

Maryah erased all memory of her past lives, but she couldn’t erase her soul mate Nathan, or his undying love. Now, Maryah and Nathan have a second chance at a future together, but first Maryah must remember the person she used to be and embrace her supernatural gifts—more than one kindrily member’s life depends on it.

Maryah’s power is Harmony’s best hope of finding her kidnapped soul mate, Gregory. But Harmony isn’t big on asking anyone for help, and she’s tired of waiting, so she’s taking matters into her own hands. Heaven help anyone who stands in her way. 

 

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Excerpt

“Shiloh, you know he has the ability to see clearly in the dark, and that he sees light and color differently than the rest of us.”

I nodded.

“Well, he swears he can still see your star in the sky.”

“You said my star fell. That it was gone.”

“I know. And I can’t see it. As much as I’ve tried and hoped to see a flicker of light where your star used to shine, I still see nothing. But Shiloh doesn’t lie. And he swears he can see something.”

I lifted my face and scanned the cloudless sky above us. “What does that mean?”

“It means you erased, but you aren’t gone. We know that’s true because you have remembered glimpses of our past. It gives me hope that you’ll remember more. I wanted to tell you what Shiloh sees so you could share that hope. Your star didn’t fall from the sky like I originally believed. Erasing caused it to burn out, but I believe you can reignite it.”

I looked at the sky again. I wanted to see the stars. I wanted to see my star. I wanted to burn so brightly that other galaxies could see me. But wanting and doing were very different things. Doing, I thought. It was up to me to do something. No one could make my star shine except me.

Nathan did give me hope. According to Shiloh, I still had a place in the heavens. I was determined to turn on the light so that everyone could see I was home again. 

***

About the Author

Karen was born and bred in Baltimore, frolicked and froze in Colorado for a couple of years and is currently sunning and splashing around Florida with her two beloved dogs. She's addicted to coffee, chocolate and complicated happily-ever-afters.


Karen has been making up stories for as long as she can remember. In high school she discovered her passion for putting her thoughts onto paper, but it wasn't until her late twenties that she wrote her first novel. Due to her strong Disney upbringing, she still believes in fairytales and will forever sprinkle magic throughout all of her novels.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter




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Giveaway

Kindrily prize pack including a signed paperback of Grasping at Eternity and Taking Back Forever with other kindrily themed gifts. (Us/Canada Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One (1) ebook bundle of Grasping at Eternity (book 1) and Taking Back Forever (book 2)

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Cover Reveal: Nikki (Angels of the Knights #3) by Valerie Zambito

Angels of the Knights- Nikki
Book Three of Angels of the Knights Series

by Valerie Zambito

Coming Soon!

Summary not available yet...

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Angels of the Knights - Fallon 

(Angels of the Knights #1)

by Valerie Zambito

Summary from Goodreads:

When Fallon Angell died at the age of sixteen, her life changed forever.

The hallowed world of Emperica is everything she had ever hoped for as a mortal—immeasurable beauty, unconditional love and light. But, with affection for humankind still burning within her, she joins the Knight Caste to train as an angel warrior. As a Knight, she will give up her wings and return to the place that killed her to use her unique powers to search out and destroy the evil Kjin that roam the earth. As a Knight, she will stop at nothing to protect the mortals in her care.

The elders warn her that the path she chose will be a solitary one. That she will not have the same bond with humans as she once did. But, as far as she knows, the elders had never met Kade Royce.

When her duties place her in the path of this handsome former cop, emotions buried long ago rise to the surface and she is powerless to ignore the depth of her feelings for this young man. She knows instinctively that she has found what most people search their entire lives for.

Ignoring the risks, she invites him into her world of danger, but soon their lives collide with explosive consequence. As a result, Fallon realizes with heartbreaking despair that she can no longer hide from the painful truth. In order for Kade to live, she must destroy him.

E-book is currently free!

 


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Angels of the Knights - Blane 

(Angels of the Knights #2)

by Valerie Zambito

Summary from Goodreads:

Once the hunter, now the hunted. As the war with the Kjin rages, Blane Romero must lead the Paladin Knights against their mortal enemy while trying to protect the young, Juliet Hunter, who unwittingly finds herself entangled in their sinister schemes. Juliet cares only about shielding her young sisters from harm, but finds herself drawn to the enigmatic man who offers her much more than either he or she was prepared for.

Ostracized by the families they loved, Blane and Juliet find they have more in common than they thought as they battle demons both real and personal to stay together. But, will it be enough when the powerful Cesar Grant decides he wants Juliet for his own?

Book Two in the Angels of the Knights paranormal fantasy series.

Buy Links:

 



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About the Author

I am Valerie Zambito, and I live in upstate New York with my husband and three sons. After having been involved in a busy sales career for fifteen years, a great love of world building, character creation, and all things magic led to the publication of my first adult epic fantasy series, ISLAND SHIFTERS, in October of 2011. Since then, I have added two additional books to this series and wrote the first book in a new teen paranormal series called ANGELS OF THE KNIGHTS.

My reading preference is fantasy as well and I devour in copious amounts. In my opinion, there’s nothing like it! Great fantasy grants us entry into a world beyond our own that is filled with adventure, mystery and danger. How exciting to enjoy a front row seat to human struggles of epic proportions. Struggles that tug at our heartstrings and elicit real emotion.

I gravitate to fantasy with heroic elements. I like strong, confident men who never back down from a fight against evil. The kind who will not hesitate to throw himself between a woman and a fire-breathing dragon. I like strong women, too. The kind who will appreciate the offer, but is more inclined to push the man out of the way and take care of the dragon herself. ;)

Website│Twitter│Facebook│Goodreads

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Giveaway

(1) Print or e-book copies of books 1 & 2 in this series plus $25 Amazon Gift Card

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Cover Reveal Organized by:

Review: Fall of Night by Rachel Caine

Title: Fall of Night

Series: Morganville Vampires Book 14

Author: Rachel Caine

Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Rating: 3 Stars

Thanks to its unique combination of human and vampire residents, Morganville, Texas, is a small college town with big-time problems. When student Claire Danvers gets the chance to experience life on the outside, she takes it. But Morganville isn’t the only town with vampire trouble...

Claire never thought she’d leave Morganville, but when she gets accepted into the graduate program at MIT, she can’t pass up the opportunity. Saying good-bye to her friends is bittersweet, especially since things are still raw and unsettled between Claire and her boyfriend, Shane. 

Her new life at MIT is scary and exciting, but Morganville is never really far from Claire’s mind. Enrolled in a special advanced study program with Professor Irene Anderson, a former Morganville native, Claire is able to work on her machine, which is designed to cancel the mental abilities of vampires. 

But when she begins testing her machine on live subjects, things quickly spiral out of control, and Claire starts to wonder whether leaving Morganville was the last mistake she’ll ever make...

 

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My Thoughts

I don't know what to feel about this book. It was too out of the norm that I just don't know what to think.

It doesn't take place in Morganville. Claire is doing the college thing at the start, without Shane. Something happened to Shane (there is ALWAYS something going on with that boy. He seriously needs a break!) There were way too many new characters, so had to adjust to that. I kinda like Jesse, but she needs to back off from MY Myrnin xD And then the things that actually take place, they were not pretty.

Usually there is always too much going on with these books, but most of the time that works and they usually get a bit of a reprieve in between. Not so much with this one. Claire hasn't settled in completely when there are stalkers and creepy spy people breaking in and stuff. Then there isn't enough Shane, Eve, and Michael at the start and too much Nick. I get why Claire needed this, but I don't have to like it.

We just get introduced to so many creepy people in such a small amount of time, all of which are completely new to the reader. Yes they have a history with some of the characters and Morganville, but not the reader. Therefore this reader, felt very overwhelmed. The things Claire and Shane had to do to save themselves and their friends was unsavory to say the least. My biggest problem isn't even all of that, it was the ending. They haven't finished with one thing when they get thrown into another problem. It was all just TOO MUCH. 

This review came out to be kind on the negative side, sorry for that, it's just I'm used to really loving these books and the last couple haven't quite done it for me. Even with that I was still entertained for most of the book and I still did like it. How can I not when it has Myrnin, Shane, and Michael? xD

Review: Pwned by Shannen Crane Camp

Title: Pwned

Author: Shannen Crane Camp

Publication Date: April 29, 2013
Rating: 3 Stars

Reagan West has a perfect life. She’s at the top of the high school food chain as co-captain of the cheerleading squad and she’s best friends with the most evil girl in Albany, Tawny Perez, which means she’s never on the receiving end of her wrath. The only trouble in Reagan’s perfect life comes from the constant threat of her dirty little secret leaking to her fellow classmates and casting her into a lifetime of ridicule. 

Reagan West is a closet gamer and hates her role as the evil cheerleader.

But, as any well versed teenager knows, it’s better to suppress your own nerdy tendencies than to submit to a lifetime of being shoved into lockers and so, Reagan bravely soldiers through life as a reluctant bully… until a boy from her guild moves to her school and becomes Tawny’s next target. The newcomer threatens to reveal Reagan’s nerdy little secret and force her to come to terms with who she truly is. Now Reagan has to decide if she’s going to defend her fellow geeks, or if she’ll continue to be a total troll.

 

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My Thoughts

This was a short, kinda fun read. Not as good as I was hoping in regards to the actual plot. Reagan took too long to start acting. The whole thing was kind of trite. I really wasn't expecting anything new, but still not quite so stereotypical either. The only thing that saved it was the nerdy humor. That was really great, which is really why I picked it up in the first place anyway. So it did deliver xD

The surprise on the last chapter was a bit too much. Even though I kind of did see it coming, since it did explain a couple of things, it just didn't still quite work in my opinion. Major spoilers ahead, really shouldn't read it if you plan on reading this one. (view spoiler)

As I mentioned before the nerdy humor was really the saving grace for this book. Without it I would have given it 2 stars, but it gets a whole 3rd one just for the references. My favorite one:

"Sovay, I'm starting to think you're sabotaging us on purpose!", he yelled, starling us enough to make us pull away quickly. "You're a rogue! You don't pull a Jenkins and run into the dungeon before we're ready!"

I was laughing out loud at that one. If you don't get what's so funny then you are not going to really get the rest of it. Which means you'll be missing out on the best part of the book. Therefore, if you get the nerdy humor, by all means read this one, you'll end up enjoying it. If not, you could always give it a go anyway.

Book Trailer: In The After by Demitria Lunetta

Wow, second trailer in less than a week that's actually pretty good! I hope they keep getting better and better.

Title: In The After

Series: In The After Book One

Author: Demitria Lunetta

Publication Date: June 25, 2013

They hear the most silent of footsteps.
They are faster than anything you've ever seen.
And They won't stop chasing you...until you are dead.

Amy is watching TV when it happens, when the world is attacked by Them. These vile creatures are rapidly devouring mankind. Most of the population is overtaken, but Amy manages to escape—and even rescue “Baby,” a toddler left behind in the chaos. Marooned in Amy’s house, the girls do everything they can to survive—and avoid Them at all costs.

After years of hiding, they are miraculously rescued and taken to New Hope, a colony of survivors living in a former government research compound. While at first the colony seems like a dream with plenty of food, safety, and shelter, New Hope slowly reveals that it is far from ideal. And Amy soon realizes that unless things change, she’ll lose Baby—and much more.

Rebellious, courageous, and tender, this unforgettable duo will have you on the edge of your seat as you tear through the pulse-pounding narrow escapes and horrifying twists of fate in this thrilling debut from author Demitria Lunetta.

 

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Book Trailer

Zombie book that actually looks like it will deliver! So excited! Are you guys planning on picking this up? Are you a zombie fan?

Review: Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Title: Sweet Peril

Series: The Sweet Trilogy Book Two

Author: Wendy Higgins

Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Rating: 3.5 Stars

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things. 

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

 

***

My Thoughts

I'm gonna be the odd man woman out here and give it the 3 stars instead of 5. While I do love my romance, I expect a plot to go with it, and not a crappy plot either. 

In regards to the plot, this book suffered the middle book syndrome. There was development at the start and in the end. Which means 10% of this book actually dealt with the plot the other 90% was just dealing with the romance issues, not that it was badly done or anything, it was awesome, but still. I wanted my plot.

This was kind of a letdown for me. The big selling point of Sweet Evil was the unique take on the whole demons and angels thing with the Dukes and their Neph kids and unfortunately besides the new development at the start of this book we get nothing really new afterwards. I had been expecting something more, in line with Sweet Evil, and when I finally did get it it was the end of the damn book. I was not a happy camper.

On the other hand the romance here was scorching. I loved seeing them finally moving forward. And it wasn't just seeing Anna and Kaiden finally working out their problems it was the rest of the gang as well. We see all of their relationships. Ginger and Blake, Marna still hung up on Jay, and even Kope might be getting someone. I am so glad that Kope is getting his own partner, because I really didn't want him to suffer because of the almost love triangle.

There were so many great Kaiden and Anna moments once they finally did get to see each other, but at the end of the day, it was just that, and I wanted more. I wanted my epic romance with awesome plot line as I had gotten with Sweet Evil and I just didn't get that here, not fully. This series is still a must read, and I can't wait to see the conclusion to this great trilogy.

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Other books in the series:

1. Sweet Evil (May 1, 2012)
2. Sweet Peril
3. Sweet Reckoning (Coming May 2014)

Book Spotlight: Blood Rush by Ash Krafton

Welcome to my stop on the Blood Rush Virtual Book Tour hosted by Bewitching Book Tours. 

Blood Rush (Demimonde Book Two)
by Ash Krafton

Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Pink Narcissus
Publication Date: May 14, 2013

Sophie doesn't believe in happily ever after. These days, she'd settle for alive after sunrise.

Advice columnist and newly-appointed oracle to the demivampire, Sophie Galen has more issues than a Cosmo collection: a new mentor with a mean streak, a werewolf stalker she can't shake, and a relationship with her ex's family that redefines the term complicated. And then there's her ex himself, who is more interested in playing leader of the vampire pack than in his own salvation.

Becoming a better oracle is tough enough, but when Sophie encounters a deadly enemy - one she never dreamed of facing - it will take everything she's ever learned in order to survive. 

 

***

Excerpt

I don't believe in happily ever after. These days, I'd settle for alive until sunrise.

I never thought I'd become a nine-to-fiver. Certainly never thought I'd be too pre-occupied to make fun of myself for being one. Sometimes the irony was too great to appreciate.

While I waited for the elevator to arrive at The Mag's foyer, I smoothed my scarf along the back of my neck and hefted my tote bag a little higher on my shoulder. Every chime increased my trepidation, tightening the fist of anxiety in my chest and the sensation of bees swarming in the top of my stomach. I hated quitting time.

More underappreciated irony. Why not?

People chatted around me but I fidgeted with my zipper, keeping my gaze lowered and my mouth closed. Leaving at five in the afternoon meant more than crammed elevators and crowded buses; it meant the light would fade soon and with it my peace of mind. The autumn wasn't a happy golden foliage time of year for me anymore.

Although it was only early October, already the longer nights and shorter days made me feel nervous and brittle. Bad enough I didn't have a sweetheart to share the long nights but even worse now that I knew what came out when the sun went down. Although I hadn't had any problems with vampires over the last year, the threat never left my mind.

Vampires were out there. It was just a matter of time until I had to deal with them again.

Halfway during our descent, I felt a vibe. It was a mild one but, over the past year, my empathy had become sensitive to the point of being squirrely. The thin thread of power wound its way around each of the passengers as the DV who owned it checked out who else was in the car. When it reached me, it felt like a poke on the arm. I glanced over my shoulder, catching the eyes of an older dark-eyed woman near the back. She sent a tiny pulse of apology-ladened power and lowered her eyes.

I smiled politely and concentrated on tugging my scarf loose. The DV didn't approach me in public where any old human could see. We kept our dealings distant and private. That was the way I preferred.

The door opened and I flowed out with the crowd, sunglasses on and scarf over my hair. I hoped everyone would more or less continue on together today so I could hide in the crowd a bit longer.

Without turning my head, I saw a rail-thin guy, his scruffy head and jeans out of place amongst the exiting office employees. He leaned against the wall, scanning the people emerging from the other elevators. Seemed to have missed me—good. Taking shelter behind a taller woman and her chatty companion, I hustled out the front doors.

Outside, my luck ran out. My camouflaging crowd of co-workers suddenly scattered like roaches when the kitchen light is turned on. I hesitated, taking too long to pick a direction.

It was all he needed to spot me. I looked back through the glass into the foyer of The Mag's building. He was on the move, eyes locked onto me.

I bolted.

Startled faces blurred past as I hurried through the five o'clock exodus, bumping into one man, dodging another, and rounding the corner at a speed unfitting for heeled pumps. Steve Madden would be horrified if he knew what I did in his shoes.

Well, Steve could kill me later. Right now, I was facing a much more immediate threat.

At the corner, a bus was loading and at this point I didn't care if it was mine or not. An elderly lady with a big shopping bag struggled on the steps and I danced behind her like a first grader with a full bladder. Once she cleared the last step I leapt up, slamming my token into the fare box.

The door closed behind me just as my pursuer caught up. For once I was glad for the driver's rude efficiency. The bus leveled and lurched forward. I grabbed the bar, almost swinging into the laps of the front seat passengers. As we pulled away from the curb, I met the man's stare through the grimy glass of the door.

Rusted-orange eyes with wide pupils.

Non-people eyes.

Werewolf eyes.

I sank onto an empty seat, heart thumping, gradually slowing. Glancing up at the sign over the driver's seat, I realized I'd ended up on the round-about route. Close enough for me. I tugged my necklace out of my shirt and kissed the pendant, my good luck charm, and offered a silent thankful thought to whatever divine powers had saved my behind, yet again.

Reaching into my bag, I pulled out a book of poetry and readied for a long ride home. Ironically, when I'd flipped to a random page, I opened to one of Dylan Thomas's poems.

Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

I had no energy left for rage. All I could muster was a thankful thought because at least today's escape had gone better than most.

***

About the Author

Ash Krafton writes from the heart…of the Pennsylvania coal region, that is.

She is the author of the Books of the Demimonde (Pink Narcissus Press).

BLEEDING HEARTS (Demimonde #1) is a six-time RWA finalist and was voted "Reviewer Top Pick" by Gravetells.com. Ash continues the story of Sophie and her Demivampires in her latest release BLOOD RUSH (Demimonde #2). She's hard at work (when she isn't watching Doctor Who) writing the third book, WOLF'S BANE.

Ash Krafton's poetry and short fiction has appeared in several journals, including Niteblade, Bete Noire, Abandoned Towers, and Silver Blade. She's a member of Pennwriters, RWA, and Maryland Writers Association. She lurks near her blog and contributes to the QueryTracker blog.

Ash lives with her family and their German Shepherd dog deep in the Pennsylvania wilds, awaiting the day the TARDIS appears in the driveway (the dog most likely keeps the Doctor away. What a beast.)

Until then, she writes.

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Releases of the Week #26

Here are the releases for the week of May 27 - June 2, 2013

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Saturday, June 1, 2013