Book Blitz ~ Eternal Fires by Ally Shields

Description:

It started with the murder of a stranger. Then the crows appeared…

Ari and Andreas know the O-Seven will never leave them alone. Ari is carrying Andreas's mortal child, but the vampire elders are convinced the child will be the first vampire baby and are out to posses it. Or kill it. Either way, Ari and Andreas will do anything to keep their unborn child safe, even if it means Ari has to go into hiding and leave Andreas exposed to the O-Seven alone.

But then the O-Seven call on the Mahmo magic that can turn an elder into a winged killer, and each time Ari runs, they find her again. The only way to protect their child's future is to defeat the O-Seven, once and for all. And to do that, Ari will have to face the elders head-on in their castle stronghold deep in Germany’s Black Forest…

Excerpt:
 
Nothing like starting the day in a cold morgue room. Arianna Calin shook off her primal reaction to her surroundings—stark, white walls, sterile steel counters, drainable floors, and the heavy scent of chemicals that didn’t quite mask the odors of death—and studied the body on the table. The victim looked like a small human, a preteen child, but the magical aura that hovered around her even after death told a different story. The cherub features with the soft wisps of silver-blonde hair curling across her cheeks belonged to a nymph. She’d been cruelly assaulted, leaving gashes and puncture marks across her face and body. She seemed vaguely familiar, but it was probably just the hair, a color common to her race.

Ari curbed a flash of sadness. It wasn’t the worst she’d seen in her years as a supernatural cop for Riverdale’s Magic Council, but death never got easy. “What killed her?”

Dr. Onway paused his inspection of the victim’s left arm and pushed his glasses to the bridge of his nose. “Hard to say. She’s been struck or stabbed multiple times with an oddly shaped instrument, but none of the visible wounds killed her.”

“These look like claw marks.” Ari narrowed her eyes and pointed to three deep linear gouges on the victim’s upper arm. She leaned forward for a closer look, looping her blonde hair behind her ears to keep it out of the way.

Her human partner, Ryan Foster from the local PD, peered over her shoulder. “An animal did this? Is this postmortem damage by scavengers?”

“No, Lieutenant, there was extensive bleeding.” Onway pursed his lips and probed the wounds with his fingers. “Perimortem, I’d say. Part of the killer’s fatal attack. They weren’t made by mammal claws or human fingernails. Reptilian, maybe. Like a large lizard?”

He gave a deep sigh, straightened, and pulled off his gloves with a snap. “Or something I’ve never heard of. The puncture under the arm might be the mark of a fourth toe.” He made a claw of his hand with his thumb demonstrating the fourth toe position. “I’ve contacted the Magic Lab’s forensics people to take over. Perhaps they can give you a better cause of death. I don’t think my medical degree is going to explain this.”

Ari cocked her head and frowned. There weren’t any large predator lizards in the Midwest, supernatural or otherwise. Certainly nothing that would have attacked this childlike being or left such deep puncture marks. A thread of unease shot down her spine. The only creatures with three toes forward and one underneath that came readily to mind were the wereraptors who worked for the O-Seven, the brutal vampire elders who’d tried to kill her more than once. Ari dismissed her concerns as quickly as they’d risen. At seven or eight feet tall, the raptors were too big to have caused this damage. Besides, the pre-pterosaur creatures rarely left the O-Seven’s stronghold in Germany, and they certainly couldn’t wander around the American countryside without drawing attention.

Purchase Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo│iBook│GooglePlay│Etopia Press

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

Book Blitz Organized by:

Gates of Thread and Stone (Book #1) by Lori M. Lee

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Published: August 5th, 2014
Publisher: Skyscape
Pages: 335

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:
In the Labyrinth, we had a saying: keep silent, keep still, keep safe.

In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time. When Kai was eight, she was found by Reev on the riverbank, and her “brother” has taken care of her ever since. Kai doesn’t know where her ability comes from—or where she came from. All that matters is that she and Reev stay together, and maybe one day move out of the freight container they call home, away from the metal walls of the Labyrinth. Kai’s only friend is Avan, the shopkeeper’s son with the scandalous reputation that both frightens and intrigues her.

Then Reev disappears. When keeping silent and safe means losing him forever, Kai vows to do whatever it takes to find him. She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.

My Rating:

★★★★★

Review:

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

The cover is beautiful and this book is fantastic. I honestly don't think there is anything that irritated me in this book. The romance wasn't rushed, the characters were all done well and the plot flowed smoothly. My favorite part was when they were explaining the Gray's which are these automated animals that can carry people around town. I saw the book cover to the second book where it shows Kai riding one. I would love to own one that could go super fast like in the story. I definitely want to know more about this world, more about the Gargoyles, and more about the Infinite's. The Infinite's kind of remind me of the Greek Gods but with a twist, that I really enjoyed. 

Kai's character even though she is portrayed in the summary as a strong female that can manipulate time she still has her failings and drawbacks. She does grow through out the story which makes up for her not being so good at manipulating time and I think as she practices with it in time she will will become even better with the manipulation. 

I read through this book quickly the plot kept my attention and was very well done. The only part that was a little confusing was at the beginning but I expect that with most fantasies since you have to figure out the world and why it is that way. I can't wait to start reading the next book The Infinite and find out where the story goes from there. I knew some of the twists were coming but the thing with Avan I really didn't see that coming. 

I would like to know more about the magic element. Is it only blood magic that they can do like with the stones, or is there other magics that haven't been mentioned yet?

If you would like to know more about Lori M. Lee and her works please check out her blog here: http://www.lorimlee.com/

Random Questions Tag

I was tagged by the wonderful Britt over @ Tara Belle Talking to do the random question tag!

Do you like blue cheese?
I like blue cheese on salads as long as it isn't to much. I don't think I have ever tried it with anything else. I can deal with blue cheese dressing with wings but I prefer ranch.

Do you own a gun?
No I am against guns, I prefer swords and knives and what not. I will not have one in the house either only because I believe they are to tempting if kept around. I probably will one day learn how to shoot one but that is about it.

What flavor of Kool-aid was your fave?
Of the original flavors probably grape, lemon-lime, or strawberry... I wasn't a big kool-aid drinker.

Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
Depends on the doctor appointment but for a regular appointment like because I am sick or what not then no.

What do you think of hot dogs?
Don't really care for them. I will eat them sometimes but I'd rather have bratwurst.

Fave Christmas movie?
Nightmare before Christmas! Not Christmas enough for you you say? How dare you! Christmas is right there in the title. Fine I guess either Home Alone 1, 2, or The Grinch.

What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Milk or water.

Can you do push ups?
I used to be able to before I had a surgery I am going to be getting back into fitness and working on that soon.

What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
I don't really wear jewelry. I like my black and white diamond heart necklace, when I do remember to wear it that matches my engagement ring, when I remember to wear that also. Jewelry irritates me when I have to take it all off when I go to sleep and remember to put it back on when I wake up ... to time consuming lol.

Do you have A.D.D.?
No I don.... Ooooo something shiny! No I really don't I am just a smart ass :P

What is your favorite shoe?
Probably tennis shoes. I do have some high heeled boots that come up to  my knees that I like if I do wear high heeled shoes.

Middle name?
Gabrielle

Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.
Need to make my resume.
Need to pack up everything and get everything ready for the move.
What books I am going to be reading next.

Name 3 drinks you regularly drink.
Milk
Water
Juice

Current worry?
That this move is not going to go well I am either going to forget to do something or something isn't going to line up right or I won't have a job before I get down there.

Current hate?
Lots of things. But food wise I hate onions. I also currently hate waiting to figure out if everything will go right with the move in May.

Dumm da dummm dummm, what is that?
I can only think of the wedding march but that is because I keep thinking about Britt. having a wedding and I know that it isn't what this is. But what I think about when I see that is that Tums song where it goes Tum tummm tumm tummmmms.

How did you bring in the new year?
By working. Trying to keep my mind busy.

Where would you like to go?
I would love to go on another cruise either to Alaska (that's for Allen) or Panama Canal.

Do you own slippers?
No.

What color shirt are you wearing right now?
Green and black. Technically I am wearing two shirts right now since I am at work.

Do you sleep on satin sheets?
No I do have some still but I don't use them very often and I can never use the silk pillowcases since it will make my hair all statical and stand up.

Can you whistle?
Yes, but I don't really like it since it hurts my ears.

Favorite color?
Green and Black

Would you be a pirate?
Sure why not I could go for some loot and sword play, but only if I am captain!

What song do you sing in the shower?
Whatever I have playing on Pandora usually I put on music so I sing along.

What's in your pocket right now?
My phone.

Last thing that made you laugh?
Probably at something Allen said or did.

Best bed sheets as a child?
I love nature and animals so I had some jungle green looking sheets and the comforter had jungle cats on it.

Do you love where you live?
No it is why I am moving.

Does someone have a crush on you?
Probably, I dunno.

What is your favorite candy?
Good chocolate but if your asking just like candy not chocolate probably gummy bears.

Favorite sports team?
The Bears, Panthers, and Broncos.

Marked (Book #1) by Sarah Fine

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Published: January 1, 2015
Publisher: 47North
Pages: 332

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:
In a broken landscape carved by environmental collapse, Boston paramedic Cacia Ferry risks life and limb on the front lines of a fragile and dangerous city. What most don’t know—including her sexy new partner, Eli Margolis—is that while Cacy works to save lives, she has another job ferrying the dead to the Afterlife. Once humans are “Marked” by Fate, the powerful Ferrys are called to escort the vulnerable souls to either eternal bliss or unending fire and pain.

Unaware of Cacy’s other life, Eli finds himself as mesmerized by his fierce and beautiful partner as he is mistrustful of the influential Ferry clan led by the Charon—who happens to be Cacy’s father. Cacy, in turn, can no longer deny her intense attraction to the mysterious ex-Ranger with a haunted past. But just as their relationship heats up, an apparent hit takes the Charon before his time. Shaken to the core, Cacy pursues the rogue element who has seized the reins of Fate, only to discover that Eli has a devastating secret of his own. Not knowing whom to trust, what will Cacy have to sacrifice to protect Eli—and to make sure humanity’s future is secure?

My Rating:

★★★★☆

Review:

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

So the book starts off in a post apocalyptic setting. The only thing I didn't really like was that it didn't really explain how the world got that way. I am guessing many things happened like disease, war, famine, and weather changes; for the world to get that way but it didn't really state how. The story is set in Boston and part of the city is covered in water. It was interesting reading about amphibious vehicles you don't see that kind of thing in many stories. This seems like the only real way to travel since most of the streets are under water but there are still streets above water level which makes traveling all of one way tricky. 

I personally liked Cacy's character. She is tough and doesn't back down when challenged no matter how scared she is on the inside. The cover does a really good job of showing exactly what the scopes look like. When reading this that is the image I pictured in my mind. Again here she goes into the in between and helps souls go to heaven or hell, I wish there was a little bit more known about this in between place or about the shades. The plot touched on it a little bit but maybe they don't know much about them. I also liked Eli he is a very down to earth character and very sweet but if you mess with anyone he cares about, watch out!

I have to write a special section just on Moros because I am highly intrigued by him. I am hoping he gets his own book because I would love to know more about him and the way he thinks. He is king of the Kere which are basically like reapers they put the mark of death on a person when they die a family member of the Ferrys help that person cross over. The last chapter was from Moros point of view and I can't wait to see more. Everyone fears him since his touch is deadly but I can't wait for someone to stand up to him and be his equal. He talks about his sisters who are the fates and that they are the only ones that can hug him, which made me sad for him so I hope there is more for Moros in the next books.

Another thing I really liked was the mythology twisted into this book. The fates are mentioned and we even get to see a chapter with them and Moros. I love when books have a mythological aspect to the story the fates cousins are also mentioned a bit at the end so there might be even more to come. 

So far on Goodreads I see there are to be three books in this series. The second book Claimed is about Galena who is Eli's sister and Declan who is Cacy's brother. I do plan on reading this next book soon because man that plot twist I did not even see that coming. I thought it was going to go one way but it ended up going another, I did wonder if it would but my initial thought was wrong. After reading this book I am also wanting to pick up her Guards of the Shadowlands series

If you would like to check out Sarah Fine and her many other works that she has written please check out her blog here: http://sarahfinebooks.com/

Reaper Madness (Book #2) by Nessie Strange

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: Nov. 21, 2014

Publisher: Etopia Press
Pages: 223

Source: Red Moon Book Tours

Synopsis: 

This isn't the afterlife she expected...

Jen MacLellan can’t get the hang of being a reaper. She’s been separated from Jack, the man she loves, and is stuck with an annoying telepathic link to her ill-tempered mentor, Sam. Now Death is breathing down her neck, promising to remove that annoying link if she gives him what he wants. But when reapers begin to disappear back on earth, leaving behind walking, talking dead people, Jen and Sam are thrust into a dangerous mission to recapture the souls, and a passionate physical relationship that complicates everything.

Jack Norris has no memory prior to waking up on the half-demon Nulcifer’s couch six months earlier. As he begins to investigate his past, he discovers a string of past lives tied together by a beautiful, mysterious brunette. Who is she? And why does finding her seem like a life or death proposition?

When Sam falls victim to fate during a routine visit to earth, Jen’s devastated. Desperate to get him back, she runs smack into the man she never thought she’d see again—Jack. She tries to keep her distance, but there’s no time to be awkward if they want to save Sam. When sinister plots are revealed, and betrayals threaten everything, she’s forced to make some tough choices—and learns that life is just as difficult when you’re dead.

Buy Links:
Amazon │Barnes & Noble│ARe│Etopia Press│Kobo│iTunes

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. Living Dead Girl and Reaper Madness, the first two novels in her urban fantasy Living Dead World series, were published by Etopia press in 2014.

Author Links:

Blog│Facebook│Twitter│Amazon Author Page│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. I am very glad I could be a part of this book tour and if you would like to check out the rest of the blog tour here for the official schedule don't hesitate to do so. 

Now this is what I am talking about! I was intrigued by this book because it was about reapers and for some reason or another I seem to have picked up many books that are about reapers lately. I was sad that, though the summary of the first book hinted to her being a reaper that didn't happen closer to the end but here in the second book she is one and now we get to see her in all her grim reaperness! Or not... Come to find out she isn't very good at the whole thing, and Sam doesn't let her forget it.

This book was a whole mess of feels for me. Since the first book was mostly about Jack and Jen I became team Jack and Jen. But in this book man do things take a turn, now Sam is interested in Jen and he isn't all what he seems to be either. I felt like I was on a roller coaster when it came to Sam. At first you hate him and his snide remarks then you see how kind he can be in a moment then he is back to being a jerk and then he opens his self up to Jen and he is sweet again and so on and so forth, and now I am stuck in the middle and am as confused as the main character is. I definitely can't wait to find out more about Sam and who he really is and I am even intrigued as to what is going to happen to Jack.

For the most part the love triangle seems to be a major point of the plot you do get to see her in her job as a reaper but I hope in the next book we will see even more of her job and hopefully she gets better at doing it.

I have so much to say but I don't want to ruin this series for anyone who hasn't started it yet and since this is the second book that can easily happen. The first book was also good I rated it four stars and can't wait to see where this series is headed. So far the author is working on a third book and she hints that there also might be a fourth book. She also has some short stories that are a part of this world that I can't wait to get my hands on.

Book Tour Organized by:

February Wrap-Up

Okay I got eight things read for the month of February. Did that month fly by for anyone else? These next two months are going to be busy for me since I am working on moving at the moment but I will keep you guys up to date and have at least weekly posts. Other things though I might get behind on though... hopefully not. We have chosen a place to live now we just have to file paper work send money and work out dates to move and start packing. Ugh so much work and I am already stressing and I have two months to make it all come together. Anyway on to the books that I have read for the month of February!

The Last Olympian by Rick Rioridan
Rating - ★★★★☆
This is the fifth and final book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Very good wrap up to the series. I definitely want to continue on to the Hero's of Olympus series or the Kane chronicles.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Rating - ★★★★☆
This is the second book in the Mara Dyer trilogy. I read this for a buddy read with Melissa and Britt. I didn't mind this book to much I think the reason behind that is because I wanted to know what was going on and didn't really care about the relationship part of it. The mystery is what kept me reading. Though I still have a problem with no one listening to her, and they just think she is crazy. Other than Noah that is.

Living Dead Girl by Nessie Strange
Rating - ★★★★☆
This is the first book in the living dead girl series. I read the first book in the series so that I could get to the second one for an upcoming blog tour I am doing. This first one in the summary it says that she dies and becomes a reaper, but that doesn't happen till like the very end of the book. So I was kind of disappointed that we didn't get to see reaper Jen in this one but it was still pretty good. If you don't like things dealing with zombies, this is not the book for you. She becomes a zombie like thing before becoming a reaper.

Of Shadow & Stone by Michelle Muto
Rating - ★★★★☆
I am unsure if this book will be turned into a series or not. Right now it is written as a stand alone book. I have a review of this book up on my blog here: Review. Love the cover art work and the story was pretty good. Kind of different from the normal Urban Fantasies I read, I definitely would pick up a sequel if there were one in the future.

Burned by Karen Marie Moning
Rating - ★★★★☆
This is the seventh book in the Fever series. *pouts* There was barely any Dani in this book. *Smiles* but there was plenty of Barrons! Who is my favorite anyway. Ryoden just rubs me the wrong way for some reason. Maybe he will grow on me like Barrons did. I am super excited for the next book I can't get enough of this world.

The First Kiss by Julie Kagawa (short story)
Rating - ★★★★☆
This is a short story with in the Iron Fey series this book is technically 1.25 so needs to be read in between book one and two. A short little snip it that is told in Ash's point of view. Of a scene that was from the first book. It definitely needed to be longer but it was kind of nice to see his point of view.

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
Rating - ★★★★☆
This is book two in the Iron Fey series. So a lot went down in this book and it does not look like it is going to slow down either. By the end of this book I have a feeling about some things but I will have to keep reading to find out. I am not sure if I will get to the third book next month or not but I have the book of short stories coming in the mail so I will read those for sure next month.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Rating - ★★★☆☆
This is the first book in the Outlander series. Okay finally got through this humongous book! I did enjoy it for the most part, though there were some parts that were hard for me to read. I am amazed at how much Diana Gabaldon probably had to research for this book, it is amazing how much information is in this book. It's just hard for me to read because if I was in the same situation I have a feeling I would not survive.


Have you read any of these books? If you have let me know what you thought of them.

Okay that is all I have for my February wrap-up now its time for me to get working on the apartment application and many of the other tasks I have to get done.