Review: Raining Embers (Book #1) by Jessica Dall

Genre: Fantasy
Published: November 3, 2015
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing, LLC
Pages: 280
Source: Sage's Blog Tours / Author
Synopsis:
Palmer Tash always follows the path of least resistance. He has an unusual disability involving his hearing. But in theocratic Latysia, being different isn’t a good thing, so he conceals his problem.

Brier Chastain’s malady is even more debilitating, and she often must take to her bed for long periods. Her days are spent in meaningless pursuits as she awaits an arranged marriage.

When Palmer and Brier are kidnapped on the same night, they meet and discover that their so-called disabilities are actually budding powers. They are the incarnations of Order and Chaos. With their country on the brink of war, the two must step into their predestined
roles and learn to take control of their own destinies.

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Google│Red Adept Publishing│Kobo│iBooks

About the Author:

Jessica Dall finished her first novel at the age of fifteen and has been hooked on writing ever since. In the past few years, she has published two novels, The Copper Witch and The Porcelain Child, along with a number of short stories that have appeared in both magazines and anthologies.

In college, Jessica interned at a publishing house, where her “writing hobby” slowly turned into a variety of writing careers. She currently works as both as an editor and creative writing teacher in Washington, DC.

When not busy editing, writing, or teaching, Jessica enjoys crafting and piano, and spending time with her friends and family. She can most often be found at her home in Maryland with a notebook and her much-loved, sometimes-neglected husband.

Author Links:

Website│Twitter│Facebook

My Rating:

★★★☆☆

Review:

I received this book from Sage's Blog Tours for the book tour, all reviews and opinions are my own. If you would like to check out the rest of the blog tour click here for the official schedule. 

The plot is what hooked me from the beginning, I mean who wouldn't want to read about Order and Chaos. I really enjoy books with gods in them so this one was right up my alley. The beginning of the story was a bit slow for me which I expect in the fantasy genre since you are building a whole world basically from scratch. So I could have overlooked that but the characters seemed a bit flat at least in the beginning. As the story progresses the two main characters loosen up a bit and show a bit more emotion and of course the action gets really good near the end.

The relationship between Brier and Palmer was confusing, at times it seemed that Briar was playing with Palmer and at others seemed like she really liked him. I understand for some of their time together it was under duress but when they were in the clear and had time together they could have talked about it a bit more, also for Palmer who is supposed to be omniscient sure has no clue when it comes to Brier or anything happening with women. Like I expressed above they do loosen up a bit and you do see some emotions between them and I think Rosette did a lot just by being there which kept them together and made them seem closer.

Rosette is one of my favorite characters, she brings people together without trying to hard. She also has some wicked powers that I would like to know more about. Is she the embodiment of another god or are her powers just randomly given to her. I can't really say to much about her and the ending because spoilers but she is so wicked and awesome when helping Brier. I am glad she is part of the group and a help even though she is a little kid.

I hope to see more of Rosette and her family with Brier and Palmer in the books to come. I think this series could turn into something fantastic. Though the first book didn't leave off on a cliff hanger it is the first book in a series, so I am intrigued on what is going to happen next.

Review: Confessions of a Punk Rocker (Book #0.5) by Nessie Strange

 

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published: September 22, 2015
Publisher: Etopia Press
Pages: 183
Source: Red Moon Book Tours
Synopsis:

Jack Norris just lost his best friend—who also happened to be his band’s drummer—to a drunk driving accident. As he navigates the uncertainty of the band’s future, as well as his own personal demons, his life spirals out of control. To make matters worse, his dead friend is back, and it’s wreaking havoc on Jack’s sanity. When a new acquaintance not only hooks him up with a drummer, but promises to help get rid of his ghostly stalker, Jack’s life does a one eighty.

Drew MacLellan, the new drummer, is helping to bring the band back from the dead. He’s also got an insanely hot older sister who is definitely not Jack’s biggest fan. Jen MacLellan is nothing like the women Jack’s dated in the past, but the more he gets to know her, the deeper he falls. The only problem is, she’s got a boyfriend. Caught between his growing attraction and the desire to do the right thing, Jack does everything he can to keep things as just friends. The longer it goes on, the more he realizes it isn’t possible. Can Jack win the heart of the woman he’s fallen for? And can he figure out how to help his dead friend rest in peace...permanently?

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo│Google│iBooks│All Romance E-Books│Etopia Press

About the Author:

Nessie is a Massachusetts native and mother of two who has dabbled in everything from abstract painting to freelance sports reporting. She also loves a good story, whether it's reading or writing one. The first two novels in her Living Dead World series--Living Dead Girl and Reaper Madness--were published in 2014

Author Links:

Website│Blog│Facebook│Twitter│Amazon│Goodreads│Pinterest

My Rating:
★★★★☆

Review:

I received this book from Red Moon Book Tours for the book tour, all reviews and opinions are my own. If you would like to check out the rest of the blog tour click here for the official schedule.

I also have a review of the second book here.

This was really good and I am glad that we get to see from Jack's point of view on how some events happened and what he was thinking. The whole first book is only from Jen's point of view so I am so happy to read it from his. And now by the end of this one we understand some things that happen in the first book, it all makes sense after this one. Why he can see his dead best friend and then what he does in the end to make things different so he can't see them anymore.

Even though some times Jack is a mess and messes up his life he is still sweet and a good guy, I liked how Jen's best friend PJ was always in Jacks corner egging him on and pushing him towards Jen. I would like to see her later on in the story or a short story of her as well, she seems like she has and interesting background.

I do not like Jacks family or his brother very much I feel he kind of set things in motion for how they ended up in the first book. He needs to go jump off a cliff or something I am wondering if he will also make a appearance in future books or are we done with him and that life of theirs that they left behind?

This was very good and now all I can think about is the next book in the series. I need more! I hope this is just a taste of more to come. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

My eyelids strain against gravity. Last night’s binge hangs in the back of my throat, threatening to reappear. Maybe. All I know is the inside of my mouth tastes like a used tissue and my head throbs, right between the eyes. I don’t even remember how I got home.

“Hey, Jack, get up.” The door swings open and my brother Ashton pokes his head in. A beam of light cuts through the darkness and stabs me square in the face. Am I still drunk? Groan. I shouldn’t have had those last three beers. Or that shot of whiskey to top it off. Right now, any sudden movement would be a bad idea.

“Dude?” Ashton widens his eyes at me and jerks his head to the side, a move that’s one part impatience, but mostly asshole.

I fold my arms behind my head to show him I’m not in a rush to do anything. This will piss him off even more, I’m sure of it. It’ll also give me time to scrape the fuzz from my brain. “What.”

“Uh, funeral?” He looks at his watch. “It’s nine-thirty and we need to be there in forty-five minutes.”

As if I could forget something like that. My buddy Eben got tanked a few nights ago and lost control of his car. It flipped over, skidded across the median, and smashed into the concrete barriers on the other side. They say he died instantly.

“And?”

His eyes look like they’re ready to roll back into his skull. “And you need to get your lazy ass out of bed. Now.”

Right. Get out of bed. It doesn’t seem possible that I’m burying one of my closest friends today. A wave of dizziness washes over me as I try to sit. My eyes snap shut. That’s it, I’m never drinking again. “Chill the fuck out. I’m getting up.”

“Yeah, well, get a move on.” He stands in the doorway with his arms folded across his chest and watches me. Could he be any more annoying?

“What?”

“If I leave the room, you’re just gonna sit there instead of coming out to the kitchen. Where the rest of the band is already waiting, by the way.” He cocks his head to the side. “They’re pretty much always waiting on you, aren’t they?”

“Go fuck yourself,” I mumble while I untangle my legs from the blanket. I’m holding my breath now. It’s funny how smells like stale air and dirty laundry seem magnified when you feel like you’re gonna puke.

Ashton shakes his head. “Grow up.”

I shoot him a dirty look, but don’t answer.

“Sometime today.”

“Do I at least have time to shower, or are you gonna stand there with the stopwatch if I do that too?” I grab a towel from the floor and brush past him, slamming the bathroom door behind me.

“Hurry up, Jack.” His voice is thankfully muffled by the door.

The shower turns cold after the first couple minutes. I stay under the water anyway, tilt my head back and focus on the mosaic of peeling paint and mold spots above me. Man, I never realized what a luxury hot water was until I moved in with my brother. I’m shivering to the point my teeth chatter together by the time I get out, but I couldn’t possibly be more awake.

Review: Banewolf (Book #2) by Eden Ashley

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Published: November 19, 2013
Publisher: Eden Ashley
Pages: 394

Source: Xpresso Book Tours / Review
Synopsis:
New enemies are made.

New allies must be forged.

 Kali is beginning to regain her memories. In doing so, she discovers old secrets and betrayals that threaten to unravel her present and shake the foundation for Rhane's belief in her innocence. While her maturing abilities present unique challenges, a bigger problem arises when Kali learns her ex-boyfriend has made a misguided deal with the enemy in order to win her back-a decision that may ultimately cost him his humanity.

Keeping Kali safe has become a full time job for Rhane. And struggling to gain control of the immortal Banewolf isn't making that task any easier. The power to eliminate the growing threat against Kali lies at Rhane's fingertips, but using it means risking his friends to the insatiable blood lust of a monster. So Rhane is forced to forge a shaky alliance with creatures he has sworn to destroy. Despite these new allies, the danger pressing on their borders intensifies, culminating in a heartbreaking and shocking finale.

The strength of the bond between young and ancient lovers will be tested...and if Kali and Rhane are to survive, they must find a way to be unbreakable.

My Rating:

★★★★☆

Review:

I received this book from Xpresso Book Tours for a review opportunity, all reviews and opinions are my own. 

I also have a review of the first book here.

It is a slow beginning but it more than makes up for that with that ending. Man oh man this book is a good one, it sets up for an epic third book with so many secrets left for one to wonder about. Kali and Rhane are back with even more problems than they had in the first book. Kali is learning more about her past which is something I really liked, how you got to see her re-experience her past lives and how they fit together to help her with what was currently going on.

I liked also how much Kali trains to get better and stronger instead of sitting around for Rhane and the group to save her, I know that is what they say they are there for, but I also understand Kali not wanting to be weak and wanting to do something for herself. We also learn a little bit more about Rhane and what he is all dealing with that the Banewolf is not all it is cracked up to be.

The only thing I keep getting hung up on is that Rhane is so much older than Kali. I know, I know they were lovers in Kali's previous life and age shouldn't matter but she is seventeen, that has to be effecting her judgement some what. Though I will say Rhane is a good guy he could use their past as an excuse to do almost anything he wanted but love doesn't take advantage of stuff like that so it is done well.

So now I am really excited to read the next one because of all the unanswered questions and it basically left off after an epic battle. I must know what happens next.


Favorite Quote of all Time:

"Rion, your balls taste wonderful."
Rion's face turned a bright shameful red. "Dude, you gotta get the terminology right. It's rock candy."

Review: Pure Justice (Book #2) by Liah Penn

Genre: Dystopian, Mystery

Published: September 18, 2015

Publisher: Etopia Press

Pages: 345

Source: Red Moon Book Tours

Synopsis:
Human trafficking. A kidnapped partner. Ina's case just got a whole lot darker. 

In an uncertain future where the Impures—genetic defectives—are banished to a ghetto territory, Detective Ina Stone and her rookie partner, Sam Fujimoto, constantly fight for survival. But when a murdered Impure is discovered in the projects with only a business card in his pocket, the clues lead them into the shadowy underworld of black market trade and human trafficking. After Sam is kidnapped by the Yakuza crime syndicate, Ina must hide her own defect to go undercover as a human trafficking victim. Accompanied by a Tebori master and a new detective with her own secrets, Ina must find a way to free Sam without exposing his role in the investigation, or getting herself killed in the process.

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes and Noble│Kobo

About the Author:

Award-winning author Liah Penn is an attorney who practices law near New Orleans, Louisiana.  A former prosecutor, she has worked in a major metropolis, an Indian reservation and on the Mexican border.  She is an accomplished artist and is active in numerous arts organizations and boards in the New Orleans area.

Author Links:

Website│Twitter

My Rating:
★★★★☆

Review:

I received this book from Red Moon Book Tours for the book tour, all reviews and opinions are my own.  If you would like to check out the rest of the blog tour click here for the official schedule.

I also have a review of the first book here.

All I have to say to begin with is man that ending definitely will hit you in the feels, but I don't want to give to much of it away so on to other things. This one starts basically where the last one left off give or take a little time. More problems keep happening between the Pure and Impure people, which leaves Ina to clean up after everyone. Ina is in it by herself for the beginning since Sam is still recuperating from the end of the first book. So we see her dealing with the beginnings of pregnancy and trying to hide it for a little while until she can figure out what to do.

Her and Sam I feel have a lot to work through emotion wise. They seem like they will work it out but I feel they have to have a big conversation to get on the same page and unfortunately that didn't really happen this book since it was mostly about him getting captured and just Ina working to get him back. Though they do realize that they both still want and need each other when it all comes down to it, no matter the emotional problems. Ina is still working with the reason why she is an Impure, I know she doesn't let it hinder her physically but emotionally there is a block there and I think that is keeping her from being happy. Sam is happy with who he is and what is happening and I just think he is a little over excited and needs to take a step back and have some understanding that Ina won't want that all pushed on her at one time. I know these two are going to make it they just have to work through the differences like any normal relationship.

I do feel the ending was kind of rushed a lot of different things seemed to come full circle the last couple pages. I think two of them would have been fine but the third one could have been left for the next book possibly. The third point I am talking about is something that happened from the first book leads to something in this one but not till the end and it just kind of ends abruptly with out much of a fight or problem, it just seemed like filler that wasn't needed or needed to be flushed out a little more. Other than that the plot was really well and like I said the main ending will hit you with all the feels.

~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

He lay face down on the pavement, his shoes missing, blood staining the concrete and forming an unlikely halo around his head. It was a fresh kill, and I was surprised it had been called in so quickly. A death like this could go unnoticed for hours, if not days, especially down here in the Rainbow Alley projects.

I felt a movement at my elbow. Melker had arrived with a new tech, Roselli, and they scurried to place screens to protect the integrity of the scene. I looked down at my feet. I hadn’t even put on protective footwear. I stepped back gingerly.

“Couldn’t wait for me, eh?” Melker tugged me gently out of the way. “Get your suit on before you contaminate my crime scene.”

He was right, of course. I should have waited until his arrival. I stepped over to the open tailgate of the Death Examiner wagon and dug into a supply box, pulling out a paper suit, shoe protectors, and a face mask. It was the middle of the night and I was dead tired. I perched on the wagon’s tailgate and put on the protective gear. My stomach churned while I waited for Melker’s permission to return to the body.

I felt the bile in my throat rise and I bolted around the side of the van, where I heaved my dinner into the gravel and dirt. I then pressed my cheek against the cool glass window and took several deep breaths. Damn, that was close. I swiped my mouth with my sleeve.

The two patrol guys who had answered the call were standing at the tailgate, waiting for me. They gave me a funny look as I emerged from behind the wagon.

“You OK, Ina?” Officer Jim Lee asked, his notebook in hand.

I nodded but I didn’t feel fine. My hormones were raging. I was only a couple of months in, but this pregnancy was knocking my socks off. I tucked my withered hand into a pocket. “What’ve you got?”

Lee looked down at his notes. His expression was passive, as if he saw this kind of thing all the time. “Called in at one o’clock, about an hour ago. I was here within four minutes of the call. Chuy was right behind me. The guy wasn’t dead yet.”

“He wasn’t?” I was surprised. I had been called out as a detective to an Unattended Death. “No paramedics?”

“By the time they got here, he was gone.” Lee fingered the pages of his notepad, then closed it with a snap of his wrist.

“So they left? I must have just missed them. I was here…”

“Within ten minutes,” Lee said, “I know. They got a radio call and took off. Sorry.”

I glanced over at Melker. Hadn’t he finished with the screens yet? The aged streetlight only partially illuminated the scene, coloring everything with an amber hue. I saw the new tech setting up a spotlight. It would be a few more minutes before I’d be allowed back over to examine the body.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Ecstasy Unbound (Book #1) by Setta Jay

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotica
Published: January18, 2014
Publisher: Createspace
Pages: 302

Source: Netgalley
Synopsis:
As one of the twelve Guardians, Urian has spent the last several centuries in a constant battle to keep the inhabitants of Earth’s Realms under control. Humanity has to evolve, hell beasts need to die, and Immortals need mates. But lately, Uri's mind is overrun with thoughts of when his sexy voyeur will find him again, watching him from the shadows, continuing their wicked game. All Guardians are forbidden contact with the little goddess and her brothers, but his need for her escalating, he finds it increasingly difficult to keep from pinning her down on the nearest surface and making her his.

Alexandra has managed to evade the Guardians and being cast out from the human Realm for centuries, ever since the Creators sent the Gods to sleep for their sins against humanity and banished all Immortals. Always sensing that she was needed on Earth, only once has Alex gone against her instincts and the price she paid will forever haunt her. It is for that reason she forces herself to stay away from the only male who has ever truly enticed her. The only one who has ever made her long for what she knows is dangerous.

 In a desperate need to help her beloved brother, she will have to go to the enthralling Guardian, her dark obsession, and even though he will surely attempt to exile her, she won't go easily…

Warning: This book contains explicit and sizzling sex scenes with big dominant males. MFM, ménage, and light bondage.

My Rating:

★★★☆☆½

Review:

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review, all reviews and opinions are my own.

Warning this series is not for everyone, but it is definitely hot and heavy! Which of course my boyfriend did not mind in the least :P. I am glad the author has a warning that comes with her books because this is definitely a book that needs a warning, kind of like the males inside of the novels. I would have given this book a solid four stars if there was a bit more to the plot it just seemed like the plot was coming to something by the end of the book. I know first books usually set up for the rest and man do I mean it when I say I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.

The Mythology is a nice touch to the plot line and I am excited to learn more about the Gods/Goddesses and about the Guardians past. This kind of reminded me of Sherrilyn Kenyon's books  at least with the Mythology aspect and the mating aspect of it. So I think that is why I really will like these books once I get deeper into the story.

I liked how at the end of this book it sort of sets up for the next one and now makes me excited to read about Gregoire. I really liked Uri and Alex they worked together pretty well and when Alex was feeling unsure in what to do next Uri reassured her and helped her bloom, in more ways than one. I am excited about getting to the next book in the series.

Review: Cross Keys: Revelation (Book #2) by Ally Shields

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Published:  August 7, 2015
Publisher: Etopia Press
Pages: 267
Source: Red Moon Book Tours
Synopsis:

If everyone keeps secrets, no one will survive…

Six months after the nightmare in Cross Keys, Kam Ryndel is enjoying her freedom in New Orleans and doesn’t miss the constraints of Elven society. She’s immersed herself in working missions for the CIA, even if it means less time to spend with her boyfriend, Seth. Seth’s not so happy about that. Having shouldered the responsibility of his family’s obligations, he’s losing patience with Kam’s lack of commitment to her own—and to him. 

Then a guild worker is attacked by an invisible assailant, and everyone suspects another portal breach by rogues from Elvenrude. As Kam and Seth look for answers, a gang-related CIA mission interrupts the investigation, and Kam is taken to a place she never knew existed—beyond the Louisiana bayou.

Angered by Kam’s new mission, Seth enlists the help of his cousin Rhyden to solve the mysterious guild-worker attack. Instead of an assailant, they discover reports of ghost sightings all over town. Not that unusual for New Orleans, but these seem…different. In a mission complicated by gangsters, feuds, failing magic, and old enemies—and the uncertain loyalty of the Elven king—Seth learns something even worse. Kam is missing. And he isn’t sure if she’s alive or dead…

Buy Links:

Amazon│Etopia Press Bookstore│Barnes and Noble│Kobo │All Romance Ebooks│GooglePlay│iBookStore

About the Author:

Ally Shields grew up in the Midwest, taught school on the East Coast, has visited forty-two of our states, and currently resides near Des Moines, Iowa, with her miniature pinscher, Ranger. Writing has always been a part of her life, and in late 2008, after  a career in law and juvenile justice, she turned to full-time fiction writing. Her first urban fantasy novel, Awakening the Fire, was published in 2012, followed by six additional books in the series. She loves to travel in the US and abroad and incorporates many of those settings into her books. Ally enjoys talking with readers and is active in social media.

Author Links

Website│Blog│Facebook│Twitter│Goodreads│Amazon Author Page│Google+│Newsletter│Book Trailer

My Rating:
★★★★☆

Review:

I received this book from Red Moon Book Tours for the book tour, all reviews and opinions are my own.  If you would like to check out the rest of the blog tour click here for the official schedule.

I also have a review of the first book here.

You know what is better than elves in a novel? That is right you guessed it more elves! Like in the first book Kam is having a problem settling down and being tied to her family business. She does take responsibility when she has to and she does like working for her families business most of the time but she is like a free bird and doesn't like to be still to much. In this second installment there is a lot of non-stop action, no sleep for those weary travelers here.

You see a lot of the characters that were in the first book make a come back in this one. Ryden and Esty help Kam and Seth out and you get a sense that there is more between Reyden and Esty then even Ryden lets on. I wonder if Esty is going to have to reel him in nice and slowly so as not to scare him or if she will be a bit more pushy. Esty is having a lot of character growth I believe she is a lot more open and talkative about what she wants to do and won't let her big sister push her around anymore.

Crain the CIA agent seems to be getting to pushy for my liking. He knows he has a secret on these two and can use it against them at a moments notice though Crain does seem to understand that he is being pushy most of the time I can see this being a problem later on down the road. I hope he doesn't push them into a corner that they have to either fight to get out and cause damage or do something where they have to cease coming to the earth plane.

All the things I liked in the first book, made it to the second one as well. I loved how everything had a time to slowly build whether the action or the love interests it was done very well. I also liked that nothing came easy to the main characters but they fought to get a handle on things even when everything was stacked against them. I am highly anticipating the third installment because this one left on some what of a cliff hanger. You will have to read the book to find out what I am talking about and then let me know what you think.

What would you do if you found out there were these beings with a whole different world? Would you want to know more about them and where the come from, or would you think it to dangerous to take a chance? 

~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

Swamp water lapped against the small watercraft, rocking it gently. Kam shifted on the hard seat of the airboat’s cramped quarters, pushed a strand of dark hair away from her face, and studied the forty-something man across from her.

Noah Crain, senior agent, CIA. Sweat beaded on his forehead from the unrelenting humidity of the late July night. He wiped it away and squinted at the bundle of American one-hundred-dollar bills in his hand. The single dim lantern barely lit the enclosed cockpit—a rarity on swamp boats—but Crain was a covert operative. He didn’t like doing business in the open.

He flipped through the bills and looked up at her. “Counterfeit. As I expected. They flood our country with drugs to support their terrorist activities and then add to the insult by paying their pipeline with funny money.” With a soft plunk, he dropped the currency next to two identical packets on the extra seat beside him. “Thanks for bringing this. We’ll take it from here. Another great job, Kam. There’ll be the usual deposit to your account.”

She shrugged. The money was immaterial. Born into the wealthy Ryndel family in Elvenrude, she’d never lacked for anything. The CIA missions were merely small challenges for an Elite dark elf, amusing adventures. “I need to go. I’m late.”

“About that…” Crain frowned at her. “Rescuing the girl wasn’t part of your assignment. You could have been caught.”

“But I wasn’t. I either do these missions my way or not at all.” How could he expect her to leave a fourteen-year-old girl in the hands of the Mexican drug lords? Yes, she’d had to deactivate the invisibility magic and reveal her presence in order to lead the girl out of that stinking hole. But it had been worth it. Kam relaxed her shoulders and took the edge off her tone. “I’ll be more careful in the future.”

He sighed and shook his head. “I wish I could believe that.”

Two minutes later, Kam leaped off the boat and sped across the swamplands of southern Louisiana, headed for New Orleans. She was glad to be going home and drew in a deep breath of the moist, earthy air. Her feet skimmed the ground as she watched for alligators or vipers or unstable ground. Even at her magically enhanced speed, a misstep into a watery hole or on the wrong head or tail could lead to disaster.

Kam swung her head toward a dim flash of light, a blurry movement on her left. Alligator hunters? She wound her fingers around the invisibility amulet dangling from her neck and invoked the magic, then paused on a patch of solid ground. Now that she couldn’t be seen, she took her time peering around. Alert for any furtive movements out of sync with normal swamp activity, she had almost given up when something whipped past a few feet away, leaving only the faintest ripple in the marshy grasses.

A chill crept across her neck. A whiff of magical energy. A ghost? A vampire? She’d heard stories of all kinds of strange sightings in and around New Orleans but never seen anything supernatural except her own people. She waited. A minute crawled by. And another. When nothing else occurred, she continued toward the city.

Every sense was on edge, but she reached the outskirts without a repetition of the puzzling magical trace. As the density of buildings increased, Kam used the ancient magic in her silver wristband to leap onto the rooftops and run across the cityscape.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Dark Heart of Magic (Book #2) by Jennifer Estep

Genre:  Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Magic, Supernatural
Published: October 27, 2015
Publisher: Kensington
Pages: 368
Source: NetGalley and The Fantastic Flying Book Club
Synopsis:
Something Wicked This Way Comes...

As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there's no escaping the spotlight—or the danger.

Even though he's my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what's supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious "accidents," it looks like someone will do anything to win—no matter who they hurt.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone's going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing's for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else...

Black Blade Series:

Book Links:

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository│ iTunes│Kobo

About the Author:

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea. 

Jennifer writes the Elemental Assassin adult urban fantasy series for Pocket Books in the series are Spider's Bite, Web of Lies, Venom, Tangled Threads, Spider's Revenge, By a Thread, and Widow's Web. Thread of Deat, an e-novella, is also available.

Haints and Hobwebs: An Elemental Assassin short story can be found in The Mammoth Book of Ghost Romance.

Deadly Sting, the eighth book, is set to be released on March 26, 2013.

Jennifer also writes the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington.

Books in the series are Touch of Frost, Kiss of Frost, and Dark Frost. Crimson Frost, the fourth book, is set to be released on Dec. 24, 2012

First Frost, a prequel e-story to the series, is available as a download. Halloween Frost, an e-short story, is available in the Entangled e-anthology.

Jennifer is also the author of the Bigtime paranormal romance series. Books in the superhero-themed series are Karma Girl, Hot Mama, Jinx, and Nightingale. A karma Girl Christmas, an e-story, is also available.

Excerpts, free short stories, and more information on Jennifer's books can be found at http://www.jenniferestep.com.

Author Links:

Website│Blog│Facebook│Twitter│Goodreads

My Rating:

★★★★★

Review:

I received this book from The Fantastic Flying Book Club for the book tour, all reviews and opinions are my own.  If you would like to check out the rest of the blog tour click here for the official schedule.

I also have a review of the first book here.

This novel picks up right where the first one left off except a few weeks may have passed by. This time there is a friendly competition between the houses that takes a turn for the worse right off the back. I liked this part because we get to see how the different magics are used to help the user in a fight to win. The only bad thing I thought again is like in the first book there was the lochness monster in this one there is only one real monster that is seen through out. A land filled with monsters one would expect to see more than just the one.

I love how Devon and Deah are slowly coming together, one hears that over and over again when reading about instant love, that does not happen in this series. They still work really well together even though Deah tries to keep Devon at arms length. If they work well now how well will they work if or when they get together?

Lila is another story we get to know here a bit more about in this second installment but I am happy with where it is going and hope it may solve the little problem with Felix. Katia is a new character thrown in to the tournament and we learn about her as well since she and Felix used to have a thing. It was funny seeing Lila deal with the jealousy that she clearly didn't want to/ couldn't feel because of their complicated feelings/ relationship.

I am highly anticipating the third and final book of the Trilogy. Will Victor finally get what he deserves? Will Deah get caught with all her sneaking around? Will we hear about more monsters in this next installment or maybe figure out why Deah is so good with the monsters?

Some of my favorite quotes I picked below because they were just to funny to pass up. The one that is just basically description I had to put in as well because it mentions the Pork Pit from the Gin Blanco series and I am loving that series as well.

Favorite Quotes:

"I am not a monster whisperer." He rolled his eyes. "Did you or did you not feed three guys to a lochness a few weeks ago?"

"So you'll do your best in the tournament, and Felix will do his best to juggle two girls at once," Devon snarked. 

I laughed and we got in line in front of the stand that Reginald and the Sinclair pixies were manning, with Oscar fluttering over to help them out. Tonight's menu was barbecue, which meant meat and lots of it. Pulled pork, pulled beef, smoked brisket, and lots of grilled sausages slathered with this spicy barbecue sauce Reginald told me he'd gotten from a restaurant called the Pork Pit. 

"Please," I scoffed. "You couldn't beat me on your best day. And trust me. Today isn't that day."

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Storm (Book #2) by Virginia Bergin

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia
Published: October 1, 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 336

Source: NetGalley / Bought
Synopsis:
DEADLY TO THE LAST DROP .

Ninety-seven percent of the population is dead. And the killer rain keeps falling. Ruby's not sure she can make it on her own much longer. So when a chance encounter leads her to a camp with the last boy she may ever kiss (it's not easy to date during an apocalypse), Ruby gratefully accepts the army's protection.
But safety comes with a price: If Ruby wants to stay, she must keep her eyes-and her mouth-shut.

Except Ruby stumbles across a secret she can't possibly keep. Horrified, she flips out and fights back-only to make the most shocking discovery of all...

Praise for H2O:
"Creepy and realistic. H2O left me thirsting for more." -Kristen Simmons, author of Article 5 and Breaking Point

"Ruby's candid, addicting narration brought this terrifying and wholly plausible story to life. This is a book you'll devour all at once-from the safety of your umbrella!" -Jessica Khoury, author of Origin and Vitro

Sourcebooks Links:

Twitter│Facebook│Instagram│Tumbler

About the author:
Virginia Bergin works as a writer for TV, eLearning, and corporate projects. Most recently, she has been working in online education, creating interactive courses for The Open University. She lives in Bristol, England.

Author Links:

Website│Twitter

My Rating:

★★★★☆

Review:

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review, all reviews and opinions are my own.

I liked Ruby a lot more in this one than I did in the first book. She seems to have grown up some and tries to act like an adult to the Princess when other adults are acting out and just minding their own business not worried about the children or what they do. Don't get me wrong Ruby still goes on rants and acts like a kid and even goes crazy a couple of times but she always pulls it together when it matters the most.

Apocalypses will make you find out what sort of person you are real quick, and I think Ruby finds that out by the end of this book. Some for the better others for the worse, and finds out sometimes adults aren't always in the right. She is on that precipice from kid to adult through out her travels and even though she may make some mistakes she owns up to them and tries to do better in the future.

This is the second and final book in the duology and I think it wraps up pretty nicely. I liked how through the whole book she makes it seem as if this will be turned into a movie or hopefully will be. I think this would be a good book to make into a movie. I can just see it now when she writes how she wants it done it shows that then cuts to the reality that is her. Many of the characters you read about in the first book will make an appearance in this one as well, which I liked because then you could see how these people are doing the longer they are left to their own devices.

I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us.

a Rafflecopter giveaway