Tuesday 30 April 2013

Review: Deus by Nely Cab


Title: Deus

Author: Nely Cab

Series: Creatura, #0.5

Publication Date: April 2013

Genre: YA, Fantasy

My Rating: 5/5


I received this book to review.



Goodreads summary:

It’s the dawn of time and Deus is in charge of creating the entire Universe…only, creating things for no one but him to see is a bit pointless and truly lonesome. Deus molds Starr as a companion, but she could care less about Deus’s creations, being oblivious to the importance of it all. As if he didn't already have the entire weight of the Universe on his shoulders—literally—now, he has to deal with an irritable and beastly girl. Deus might be immortal, but he fears Starr will be the death of him. In this never-ending love story, the fate of the future is anything but child’s play…or is it? 

Deus is a prequel novella that expands and enriches the realms in the Creatura Series by Nely Cab. The story will appeal to present fans and welcome new admirers to its world.

My Review

This is the cutest, sweetest book I have ever read. Simply beautiful.

The book takes place in the same world as Creatura. It tells the full love story of Deus and Starr. We get a glimpse of this in Creatura but now the fans can read the full story. I did not think that it was necessary to read Creatura to read Deus nor is it necessary to read this to read Creatura. But it is definitely worth the read.

Deus created the world or Terra as it is known and as he did not want to enjoy it alone, he created from himself a companion, Starr. However, this idea did not work out as he had planned as he soon discovers when he realises that Starr has a mind and will all on her own. He realises that he must not take this away from her, even though he can, because a person's feelings should not be manipulated.

Starr is affronted by the knowledge that she was created for the sole purpose of being the companion to Deus. She does not like that she had no choice in the matter and that there is no other meaning to her existence.

The story is told from both their perspectives, following the year in which they learn to live and love and grow, from the children they started out as to mature adults.

Nely Cab has a beautiful way with words. She creates an amazing world with poetic language that has no rival in modern story telling. In this story she uniquely portrays the creation of the world, it's gods and the existence of humanity.

I loved this book because of the adorable way in which Deus and Starr grew up together, learning and maturing instead of being instantly wise and all-knowing. I liked how they learned from humanity and had to figure out how to survive on their own.

In conclusion I give this book 5 stars, for the descriptions, language, originality and simply charming story. This is the perfect book for an afternoon read.

-T


RELEASE DAY BLITZ - The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard

The Forgotten Ones

The Danaan Trilogy

Book One

is now available exclusively on Amazon!


Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.




About Laura Howard

Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.


Connect with Laura:

COVER REVEAL - Just One Cup by Cassandra Giovanni

Title- Just One Cup
By-Cassandra Giovanni
Genre-New Adult
Publication Date-June 20, 2013

Blurb: 
Emma Walker was a writer who'd lost herself to someone else's anger--who had given up on ever feeling like herself again.
Evan Levesque was a rock-god--the one all the woman wanted, but he'd never gotten used to the loneliness between the stage and real life.
With just one cup of coffee they'll begin a journey of self-discovery at each others sides, but can Emma handle Evan's fame while dealing with her own demons? Emma's checkered personal past, a bad relationship that haunts the edges of her memories, threatens to make everything implode on them when Evan takes matters into his own hands.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words...they'll destroy my soul--Can Emma handle being put back together and facing who she's become because of it?

Links-



About the Author:

Cassandra doesn't remember a time when she wasn't writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since than Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character's stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. In 2012 she became a published Young Adult author, releasing In Between Seasons (The Fall, #1) and Walking in the Shadows. In 2013 she branched out by using her artistic illustrating talents to publish her first Children's novel, The Adventures of Skippy Von Flippy: Tales of Friendship (Skippy Tales, #1). Cassandra will also release her first New Adult novel, Just One Cup, in the Spring of 2013.
Cassandra is a freelance professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is the owner of Gio Design Studios, a photography and publication marketing company that designs covers and marketing materials for authors utilizing the company's photography. She is currently studying to receive her associates degree in Marketing. Cassandra is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England with the other loves of her life their dogs, Bubski and Kanga.


Links:

Saturday 27 April 2013

BOOK BLAST - Pawn by Sophie Davis


Dreams and Nightmares,
Screams and Sighs,
Fate Wakes the Girl
And Says She Dies....

When the Boy Gets in the Way,
Then the Nightmares Come to Play...

For her eighteenth birthday, Endora Lee Andrews receives the gift of dreams.  Nighttime slumber brings her visions of the future, a preview of things to come.  Endora’s unsettling new ability is seemingly harmless, until her dreams turn to nightmares.
When she meets the mysterious and swoon-worthy Kannon, he knows things about her that he can’t possibly know, and seems to be the key to uncovering the source of her ominous prophecies.  But Kannon has many secrets, some the essential difference between life and death for Endora.
Can she discover the origins of her nightmares and how to prevent destiny, before the harbingers of death come for her?   
Woven with love, mystery and mythology, PAWN is the story of a girl who was once brought back from death, only to face it again.  Because Fate may give you a second chance at life, but that doesn’t mean it’s yours to keep.
Click Here to Watch the Book Trailer for Pawn on YouTube!

To celebrate the release of Pawn, we're giving away :
**Kindle eReader**$100 worth of giftcards**
**books** swag**a necklace**a charm bracelet**FUN**


Sophie Davis
www.SophieDavisBooks.com 
Twitter:  @sophiedavisbook

******************************************************

Goodreads Author Page and Blog:
              www.goodreads.com/author/show/5753331.Sophie_Davis 
Talented:
              www.goodreads.com/book/show/13466202-talented 
Caged (Talented Saga #2):
              www.goodreads.com/book/show/13624476-caged 
Hunted (Talented Saga #3):
              www.goodreads.com/book/show/16037000-hunted


BLOG TOUR - Daughters of the Sea Series by Kristen Day (Review and Giveaway)


~ About the Books ~

Forsaken
Daughters of the Sea Series Book #1
By Kristen Day

Blurb: Once you’ve been touched by darkness, it never leaves you…

Abandoned by her parents as an infant; seventeen year old Hannah spent her childhood wading through countless foster families until being adopted by the Whitmans three years ago.
Unfortunately, Atlanta’s high society wasn’t quite ready for Hannah…or the strange events that plague her.
Chilling visions of murder, unexplained hallucinations, and  dark, mysterious guy who haunts her nightmares all culminate to set in motion a journey of self-discovery that will challenge everything she’s ever believed; not to mention her sanity.
Sent to live at The House of Lorelei on Bald Head Island, NC for ‘kids like her’, Hannah quickly realizes things are not what they seem. Her fellow ‘disturbed’ teens are actually the descendants of mythical Sea Gods and Goddesses. And so is she.
But when Finn, the ghost from her dreams, appears in the flesh; her nightmares become reality and her dark visions begin coming true. Inexplicably drawn to him, she can’t deny the dangerous hold he has on her heart. The deadly secrets he harbors will ultimately test her courage and push the boundaries of her love.
She must decide if she is ready to embrace the ancient legend she is prophesied to be a part of. The fate of all the descendants will forever depend upon it.




Awaken
Daughters of the Sea Series Book #2
By Kristen Day

Blurb: The sacrifices we make have the power to shift the very fabric of who we are, and ultimately who we are meant to be…

After learning of her true destiny as the intended Leader of the Tydes, Anastasia Whitman must now embark on a perilous quest to the Underworld before the age of eighteen in order to plant the seed of immortality and complete her essence to become a true Sea Goddess. But before she can make her legendary journey, an unexpected new student transfers to Lorelei; initiating a sequence of events that will unravel Stasia’s new life, and test the boundaries of her relationship with the mysterious, dark, and sexy Finn Morrison. The line between the Underworld and the Living begins to blur as gruesome ghosts, morbid reveries, and pure evil haunt her waking hours as well as her sanity. Once the details of Finn’s own startling destiny are revealed, the dangerous secrets he’s been hiding will threaten the very love Stasia believed to be indestructible. As time begins to run out, she will be forced to choose between the one she loves and the destiny she cannot escape.




4/5 
(Books #1 & 2) 

This series is the story of one girls journey to find out who she really is and her fight to fulfill her destiny. The author has created a a breath-taking world of Gods and Goddesses and has crafted a story unlike any I've read before.
In book #1 we are introduced to Hannah/Anastasia, who is sent to the mysterious House of Loreli, where she soon learns the truth behind her nightmares and blackouts. She, like the other students, is the descendant of a Sea Goddess, and a very powerful one at that. She must quickly learn to control her new found abilities if she is to embrace the legend which she is apart of.
Anastasia I thought was a brilliant character. So strong and brave and yet vulnerable at the same time. She is so easy to connect with. She has gone through a lot in her seventeen years and when she learns of her heritage she reacts in a very believable way. She doesn't believe in the legend that is supposedly based on her and she doesn't think she has all these powerful abilities. But she soon begins to trust and believe in herself. She grows a lot in the book. So used to shutting people out she is able to find friendship and love.  Her roommates are fantastic! I want to have friends like them. They are hilarious and so loyal to each other. They stick by one another through thick and thin. Finn I also loved. He is the typical dark and mysterious character which I am always drawn to. The chemistry between him and Stasia can only be described as intense. They are perfect together. We don't learn an awful lot about Finn in the first book however. By the end he is still pretty much an enigma wrapped in a layer of hotness.
The story in this series is one I haven't read about before. I loved learning about all the different Orders and the different Gods and Goddess. I would love to be descended from a Sea Goddess. How cool would it be to have an affinity for a sea creature or to manipulate the waves or to be able to breath underwater?! I have always loved everything about the sea so I think that's one of the reasons I loved these books. They just captivated me. The author describes everything so vividly; from the sandy beaches to the ocean world below. You can almost smell the sea on the wind. I won't go into too much detail about the actual plot but I can tell you that things just get more interesting and exciting as the series goes on. The story is not too fast-paced but never did I feel like it was in a lull or it was boring. There are so many things going on that you are just sucked in. Book 1 we are introduced to this world and we learn of the legend that Stasia is a part of. In book 2 we see what she must do to fulfill her destiny. You will be swept away by this story and won't want to come up for air until the very last page is turned. At the end of each book you will want to dive straight in to the next one. And believe me, after the end of book 2 you will definitely be begging for more. Beware of nasty cliffhanger! 
A truly breathtaking and stunning read that I recommend to all!. There is something here for everyone. Action, mythology, romance, the whole shebang! Seriously, if you haven't already, pick up this series! I am so glad that I got the opportunity to review them.



~ About the Author ~
I am a southern belle at heart with a crazy streak that desperately tries to escape at every opportunity. I love all things nostalgic, rustic, and quirky. I've been told I see the world through rose-colored glasses, but I prefer to think of them as kaleidoscope glasses - swirling and morphing reality into something I can digest (who hasn't pretended those pasty lima beans were really kiwi strawberry jelly beans?).
I am the author of the DAUGHTERS OF THE SEA trilogy, which includes FORSAKEN, AWAKEN, and CHOSEN (Winter 2012). I love all books, but really enjoy writing young adult, paranormal romances. I've loved to write for as long as I can remember. My first published work was my poem RED in second grade (you guessed it - it was a poem about the color red - life altering, I know) that won me 5 gold stars and a spot in my elementary school's poetry book. That's when my addiction to the written word officially began. I was the only kid in fifth grade that actually enjoyed diagramming sentences. Go ahead and laugh – it’s okay.
When I'm not writing I'm making jewelry, painting, drinking sweet tea, watching the discovery channel, or going on random adventures in the mountains of North Carolina with my amazing husband. I graduated from Appalachian State University and dream of becoming a full time novelist.

Author Links:

Buy Links:
Forsaken-


Awaken-


Chosen-



~ Giveaway ~




Thursday 25 April 2013

COVER REVEAL - Breaking the Reins by Juliana Haygert


Title: Breaking the Reins 
Author: Juliana Haygert 
Publication date: August 2013 
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:
Horses, mansions, tea parties, and lies are twenty-year-old Hannah Taylor’s life. To others, her family and her relationship with Eric is perfect. But she knows the truth. She lives it.

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

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

But the title isn’t enough for Leo. He wants Hannah too, and she can’t deny her attraction to him either. Somehow, she must find a way to break free from abusive Eric before he breaks every bone in her body.





Excerpt:


About the Author:

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

Author links:






Wednesday 24 April 2013

BOOK BLITZ - Ashes & Ice by Rochelle Maya Callen

Title: Ashes & Ice
Author: Rochelle Maya Callen
Release Day: February 4th, 2013
Genre: Young Adult
Blitz Host: Lady Amber's Tours 

Synopsis:

She is desperate to remember.
He is aching to forget.
Together, they are not broken.
But together, one may not survive.

​Jade wakes up with no memory of her past and blood on her hands. 

Plagued by wicked thoughts, she searches for answers. Instead, she finds a boy who doesn't offer her answers, but hope. But sometimes, when nightmares turn into reality and death follows you everywhere, hope is not enough. 

LUST. LOVE. LOSS. Sometimes, all that is left are Ashes and Ice





Author Bio:
Rochelle grew up dreaming up stories. When she entered high school, she tucked away her creative side and jumped head-first into academics, work, and service projects. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Political Science and Communication when she was twenty years old. After years away from her writing, Rochelle picked up a pen and started fleshing out a character sketch that she outlined when she was twelve. That sketch was the start of the Ashes and Ice story. Rochelle lives in the DC metro area with her husband and daughter. By day she works as a behavioral therapist. By night, she is a dreamer and is busy tapping out new stories on her keyboard.

Links:
Twitter: rockyiswriting

Buy Links:




Excerpt:

Jade

            The girl’s glassy, dead eyes stare into me, through me, pierce me with a fierce urgency, with a wicked accusation. The blood is still on my hands.
            Red hair, blue eyes, a constellation of freckles on pale skin. She was fragile and innocent, a lovely thing. That is what I think until I see the gashes on her wrists and throat. With her blood spilling out, she looks delicious. She’s mine. Possessiveness shocks me, stabs into me. I run, tearing away from a craving I don't understand.
            Breathless, I grit my teeth and run harder, faster.
             
            My feet pound against the earth, away from the lifeless body and toward the lights of the city lingering on the horizon. Rot and death linger in my nostrils. Unscarred skin stretches taut over my freezing bones. Echoes of an empty memory reverberate in my mind, taunting me. The ice chases me, clutches me, and bites at my heels, sending shivers up my spine. The ice wants me back, but I run forward, toward the lights, toward the heat, toward a world that burns me, because I have no other choice.
            The lights are so close. Heat scalds my skin.
            Images race through my mind, paralyzing me. I skid to a stop, my boots digging into the mud. The vision’s blurred edges materialize into solid shapes.
             I gasp.
            A new horror rakes my insides. Desperation propels me forward; the pictures nagging at my seams threaten to tear me apart.
            Scorching fire licks over my skin. In my vision, I contort like a vile, ugly creature, eyes as black as decay. My frame hunches over the small, dead girl, like a demon looming over a defenseless child. Her blood drips from my mouth.
            I lick my lips and taste only salty sweat.
            I run, desperate to trample the vision under my feet, to crush it deep into the ground.
            I refuse to believe the image, refuse to acknowledge the monster within me demanding to be unleashed—and the possibility it has already been unbound. An unrelenting tide of fear washes over me. Past the denial, the fear, and the hope, I think I can still taste her.
            The cold stillness inside me cracks open just as the lights of the city slam into me.





Waiting on Wednesday (#47)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine,
which spotlights upcoming books we can't wait to read.


My WoW for this week is:


Icons (Icons #1)
by Margaret Stohl

Goodreads Summary:
Your heart beats only with their permission.

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting.

Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid.

She's different. She survived. Why?

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy.

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths.

Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future.



My thoughts:
I'm really getting in to books about aliens and so when I read the blurb for this one I immediately added it to my TBR. I loved the Beautiful Creatures series so I am familiar with this authors writing and I know this one will be just as good. And I don't have long to wait to read it which is always a bonus!

Expected Release Date: May 7th 2013


What book are you waiting for?


Yvonne

Monday 22 April 2013

Review: Making Him Sweat by Meg Maguire


Title: Making Him Sweat

Author: Meg Maguire

Series: Wilinski's. #1

Release date: February 19th 2013

Genre: Romance, contemporary, adult

My Rating: 4/5

I received this book as a review copy from NetGalley.




Goodreads summary:

She's hitting below the belt…

Round 1
In this corner is admittedly romantic Jenna Wilinski, who’s inherited a rather seedy boxing gym from her estranged father. With it, she can realize her dream of launching an upscale matchmaking business…provided she can take on the very intimidating—and wickedly hot—boxer who stands in her way!

Round 2
In the far corner is former pro boxer Mercer Rowley. He’s the only one who can protect his “home”—even if it is a little run-down— from his determined and feisty little opponent. But man, once the gloves come off, his hands just want to touch her everywhere…

Round 3
This matchup is too close to call. But no matter which contender comes out on top, the other is sure to enjoy every minute of it....

My Review:

I enjoyed this book. The main characters were strong and knew what they wanted which I always appreciate in a book. Though people's decisions may change during the book I like that there was no drawn out pondering. My review for this is going to be fairly short as I don't have much else to say other than it was a good read which I always expect from Harlequin books anyway. Maguire added some realistic obstacles into the story but she created characters who could face them head on. I liked the background for their lives and  most of all I was grateful that there was a complete, solid story instead of just a complete romantic gooey book. Seeing characters face normal problems is always a good sign in a book.
I cannot wait to read the next book in this series