#RELEASE DAY: Walkin' On The Sun by Paul DeLisle

I could not be more excited to feature this new release! Who hasn't rocked out to the music of Smash Mouth?! Now you can go behind the music with a band that carried the spirit of a generation in Walkin' on the Sun; The Official Smash Mouth Biography. 

Blurb: 

Hello. My name is Paul DeLisle. I’m the guy who wrote this book. You've probably never heard of me. That's okay. Most people wouldn't know me from Adam. But, unless you've been living in a cloistered monastery for the last fifteen years, you have heard of my band.

So begins the memoir of the creation, rise, and current state of the multi-platinum recording artist Smash Mouth as told by bassist Paul DeLisle. Well known for their hits “All Star,” “Walking on the Sun,” “Then the Morning Comes,” “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby,” and “I’m a Believer,” the band carried the spirit of a generation, but didn't stop there. Enjoy this behind-the-scenes look from Paul’s unique, there from the start, insider’s view.

Excerpt:

There's an episode of Cheers where washed-up ball player Sam Malone, frustrated with either Diane or Rebecca, proclaims, "Y'know, most people don't know this ... but I’m famous!"

I love that line. I can totally relate. You see, I am a founding and continued member of the band Smash Mouth. Yet I am, proudly and alas, the bass player. I’m not famous. My band is.

From the beginning, Smash Mouth was set up as a democracy between four musicians and a manager, each player having an equal voice on band matters. Yet we were all fully aware and accepting of the fact that, as lead singer/frontman, Steve Harwell would be getting a disproportionate amount of attention. Seeing as he is the face and mouthpiece of Smash Mouth, you may be a little disappointed he didn't write this book.

But stay with me here. Because as you'll see, I have a unique vantage point: as one of only four original constituents, I’ve been involved in every aspect of the band since day one. Only Steve and I have trod every step of this Smash Mouth journey. Also, while traditionally under-recognized, the bass player himself sees everything. Plus I went to college. Who better to write a book about Smash Mouth?

That said, keep in mind this book is solely from my point of view. Steve, Greg, Kevin, and Robert would obviously have different takes on certain events. However, this book is simply intended as a comprehensive account of our rise to fame and continued success.

So without further ado ... here’s what happened:

EEP!!! How awesome is that! Pick up your copy of Walkin' on the Sun today and get your own "backstage pass" to the world of Smash Mouth! 

Buy Links: 

Amazon | B&N | Smashwords 

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#RELEASE DAY: The Plan by Tawdra Kandle

The Plan

A Crystal Cove Romance

Book 2

Available Now!

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Emmy Carter is a hard-working, no-nonsense woman. She's focused only on supporting her family and growing her pie business. Working weekend nights at The Riptide is just something she does to help pay the bills. When it comes to men--or love--she's not interested. Since the day her surfer-boy husband walked out the door to find bigger waves, Emmy's been determined never to give another man power over her heart. Cooper Davis agrees. He's been married--and divorced--twice, and he's got no desire to make it a trifecta. He has his carpentry business, which is his passion, and his teen-aged daughter to keep him busy. The posse, his best friends since boyhood, tease him about finding the right woman. But Cooper knows she doesn't exist. When Emmy and Cooper share a casual hook-up late one night, isn't a big deal. It's just a one-time thing. Until it isn't. And although neither of them will admit to themselves or each other that they want more, each encounter only brings them closer to the happily-ever-after they never planned to have. Like it or not. . .it's all part of The Plan.

***Special price for THE POSSE (A Crystal Cove Romance Book 1)***

***99 cents for a limited time only!***

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One women, three men, and a love story as unpredictable as the riptide . . .

Being a widow at the age of forty-four was never in Jude Hawthorne’s plans. After her husband’s death, she’s left with her family’s beach restaurant and two nearly-grown children. The last thing she’s looking for is another chance at love.

However, if her husband’s best friends, the Posse, have anything to say about it, love is just what she’s going to get. The Posse is determined to take care of Jude, and when they decide the best way to do that is for one of them to sweep her off her feet, three begin to vie for her affections. But only one can reach her heart. In a story of friendship, loss and second chances, Jude will learn her life is far from being over.

Coming August 25th

The Path

A Crystal Cove Romance

Book 3

Abby Donavan came to the small beach community of Crystal Cove to start over. After a painful affair broke her heart and derailed her burgeoning career, taking over management for the just-opened bed-and-breakfast was the safe choice. In this sleepy town, Abby figured she could bury her memories and forget the pain. When the chance to have her own hotel falls into her lap, though, she can’t resist the temptation. Making the old Riverside Inn into the showplace she’s always dreamed of running offers the second chance she never expected. Abby didn’t expect another kind of second chance to land on her doorstep at the same time. Ryland Kent wants to help her bring the Riverside back to life, and his passion for restoration is irresistible. But as much as she wants to ignore it, she can’t help seeing another spark in his eyes . . . one that offers to reignite her own flame. Sometimes the path to a happily-ever-after is anything but smooth. Pre-order here! iBooks/Amazon/Nook/Kobo/Google Play  

About the author

Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books run from YA paranormal romance (THE KING SERIES), through NA paranormal and contemporary romance (THE SERENDIPITY DUET, PERFECT DISH DUO, THE ONE TRILOGY) to adult contemporary and paramystery romance (CRYSTAL COVE BOOKS and RECIPE FOR DEATH SERIES). She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair. Follow Tawdra here: Facebook/Twitter/Tsu/Pinterest/Instagram/Website/Newsletter/Amazon

#REVIEW: The Last Bookaneer by Matthew Pearl

Title: The Last Bookaneer

Series: none

Author:  Matthew Pearl

Published Date: April 28, 2015

Publisher: Penguin Press

Format: ebook

Pages: 400

ISBN: 9781594204920

Genre: historical fiction

Add to: Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 1 ½ stars

Synopsis: book'a-neer' (bŏŏk'kå-nēr'), n. a literary pirate; an individual capable of doing all that must be done in the universe of books that publishers, authors, and readers must not have a part in

London, 1890—Pen Davenport is the most infamous bookaneer in Europe. A master of disguise, he makes his living stalking harbors, coffeehouses, and print shops for the latest manuscript to steal. But this golden age of publishing is on the verge of collapse. For a hundred years, loose copyright laws and a hungry reading public created a unique opportunity: books could easily be published without an author’s permission. Authors gained fame but suffered financially—Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Robert Louis Stevenson, to name a few—but publishers reaped enormous profits while readers bought books inexpensively. Yet on the eve of the twentieth century, a new international treaty is signed to grind this literary underground to a sharp halt. The bookaneers are on the verge of extinction.

From the author of The Dante Club, Matthew Pearl, The Last Bookaneeris the astonishing story of these literary thieves’ epic final heist. On the island of Samoa, a dying Robert Louis Stevenson labors over a new novel. The thought of one last book from the great author fires the imaginations of the bookaneers, and soon Davenport sets out for the South Pacific island. As always, Davenport is reluctantly accompanied by his assistant Fergins, who is whisked across the world for one final caper. Fergins soon discovers the supreme thrill of aiding Davenport in his quest to steal Stevenson’s manuscript and make a fortune before the new treaty ends the bookaneers’ trade forever. But Davenport is hardly the only bookaneer with a mind to pirate Stevenson’s last novel. His longtime adversary, the monstrous Belial, appears on the island, and soon Davenport, Fergins, and Belial find themselves embroiled in a conflict larger, perhaps, than literature itself.

In The Last Bookaneer, Pearl crafts a finely wrought tale about a showdown between brilliant men in the last great act of their professions. It is nothing short of a page-turning journey to the heart of a lost era.

My Review: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my introduction to this author, and I was highly disappointed. This had to be the wordiest, slowest book that I have yet to experience this year. Trying to slog through this book was like trying to walk in the middle of a flood of maple syrup in the middle of February. It was always one of those books that I could easily put down, and completely forget about. I picked it because the blurb sounded so amazing: in reality, the characters are completely forgettable; the action is non-existent until the very end. I can’t see many people, unless you are one of the determined readers, to read through 400 pages, just to get to the action in the last 50.

I’m not sure I will be reading any more from this author.

#REVIEW: World After by Susan Ee

Title: World After

Series: Penryn and the End of Days #2

Author:  Susan Ee

Published Date: November 19, 2013

Publisher: Skyscape

Format: ebook

Pages: 336

ISBN: 9781444778540

Genre: post apocalyptic fiction

Add to: Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis: In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister, Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

My Review: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Most sequels fall flat. That’s the curse of the sequel. If you are really lucky, the author finishes the series before it is so horrible that readers just stop reading. It happened for Fifty Shades for me, it happened for numerous other series for me.

The first book in this series was dark, terrifying, and thrilling, all at the same time, and it ended in such a way that I immediately picked up the next book without taking a breath. The end of the first book was an emotional, heart-rending experience and I needed some sort of happy ending. Instead, I was tossed into a book where people think Penryn is dead in front of them, Paige is some sort of miniature Frankenstein, their mother is even crazier than before, and Raffe? Oh Raffe….

The more I think about it, the more it shows how, when push comes to shove, any society sees what is right in front of them only superficially and judges, not on the person’s inside, but on their appearance, basing the person’s morality on how they look. And aren’t we as a society so very guilty of that too?

This book did not succumb to the curse of the sequel; instead it was just different enough to not be a carbon copy of the previous book, but just as exciting. If I could have, I would have read it in one sitting. This book was just as dark, and emotional, and gripping as Angelfall, if not more so.

#BLITZ and #GIVEAWAY: Wicked Lucky by Shannon Maynard

Title:  Wicked Luck

Series:  Wicked Luck Trilogy #1

Author:  Shannon L. Maynard

Published:   June 23rd, 2015

Publisher:  Crimson Tree Publishing

Genre:  NA Romance

Content Warning:  Violence, Adult Themes

Recommended Age:  14+

Synopsis:  How can Ava Starr’s worst nightmare be Dax Miller’s dream come true?

For the past three years, Dax has been stranded on Lamarai Island with his stepsister and two tribes of cannibals. But now a beautiful girl named Ava has washed up on shore. After secretly reading her journal, he believes she is a perfect match to the girl of his dreams. He’s determined not only to keep her alive, but also to win over her heart by convincing her to forget about her past and the secrets that continue to haunt her.

Ava Starr has always been the epitome of bad luck, but she never imagined she would wake up and find herself on a cannibal-infested island with no memory of how she got there. The last thing she remembers is boarding a plane with her pilot boyfriend, Preston. But now he and his crew are missing, and she must find him before a tribe of hungry cannibals finds him first. But Ava’s troubles have followed her to Lamarai, where once again she’s surrounded by danger and people who want her dead. She finds herself caught in a web of deceit and soon discovers the answers to her mysterious past can be found in the most unlikely of places, and that no one is actually who they seem to be.

Excerpt for Wicked Luck by Shannon Maynard:

With a satisfied grin, I drop the book in my pocket and step out from behind the tree. 

“Well, well, well. What a predicament. Gives new meaning to the phrase ‘sticky situation’ doesn’t it?” My voice startles her and causes a sharp intake of breath as she opens her eyes. 

“Dax,” she says with a relieved exhale. 

“Hey princess.” I give her my best Cheshire smile. “Looks like your little escape plan didn’t work out so well, huh? Well, I hope you have better luck escaping from that pit of quicksand.” 

I turn to walk away. 

“Wait! Where are you going?” she asks, and despera tion oozes from her voice. 

I pause to get control of the amusement cracking away at my serious expression before turning around. “I don’t know. I think I’ll head back to the beach and wait for a hot blonde to wash up on shore.” Her mouth falls open right on cue. “Oh, and sorry to break it to ya’, but you didn’t get the part. Since it’s my fantasy, I was looking for someone friendlier, a little more trusting, a little less sassy, and what was the last thing? Oh, yeah. Someone who actually likes me. But don’t feel bad—you nailed the physical profile,” I say with a wink. 

“Stop being a jerk and help me,” she says, and then softens her tone. “Please?” 

I uncross my arms and rest my hands on my hips. I’m pretty sure she already regrets that last comment, but I can’t stop now. “Look, princess. I’m a lot of things, but a jerk isn’t one of them. And don’t worry; I’m sure someone else will find you soon. A hungry cannibal—or Roxy. And I’m starting to think you and her might make a good team. The pity-party duo. She’s hateful, complains constantly, and she’s also a member of the ‘I hate Dax club’, just like you.” 

I turn my back on her again and take a step. 

“Wait! I don’t hate you. Please don’t leave me. I’m sorry.” 

I’m a sucker for apologies but when I turn to face her, I can’t resist putting one hand behind my ear and tilting my head. 

“I’m really sorry,” she says again. “For running away and being so grumpy.” I wait for more, and she grits her teeth. “And for not listening to you.” 

This is the part where I know she expects me to jump to her rescue, but I lean against a tree with a cocky grin and pull a banana from my pocket. She stares while I peel it, take a bite, and chew slowly. I’m savoring the fruit but also my triumph in having the upper hand. 

“Aren’t you going to help me?” she finally asks with a hint of worry. 

“I’m still debating. If I leave you here, at least I’ll know where you are and won’t have to worry about you running off. I could even build a little hut around you and toss you food and water now and then. You’d be a lot less trouble that way.” 

“Very funny,” she says, but I think it is and I can’t keep from laughing.

Amazon | GoodReads

About the Author:

Shannon L. Maynard lives in Colorado with her five girls where she is a legal assistant by day and an author by night. In between working and writing she can be found driving kids to soccer, folding mountains of pink laundry, or eating her weight in chocolate. Other addictions include shoe shopping, reading YA, and Australian and British accents (which may be partly to blame for her massive crush on Thor). If she had one wish it would be for more hours in the day to spend enjoying all of the above. Okay, everything except the laundry.

Shannon studied art and criminology before getting a license in cosmetology, but eventually wound up an expert daydreamer; a skill that occasionally leads to getting lost while driving, but has been a huge asset to her love for writing. Her debut novel WICKED LUCK is set to release June 2015 and is the first book in the Wicked Luck Trilogy.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | GoodReads | Website

Crimson Tree Publishing Links:

(an adult division of Clean Teen)

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Giveaway Details:

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

• A bookmark swag pack and winner’s choice of any Clean Teen Publishing eBook.

Giveaway is International.

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#REVIEW: Angelfall by Susan Ee

Title: Angellfall

Series: Penryn and the End of Days #1

Author:  Susan Ee

Published Date: August 28, 2012

Publisher: Skyscape

Format: ebook

Pages: 288

ISBN: 9781444778519

Genre: post-apocalyptic fiction

Add to: Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis: It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.
Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.
Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.
Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

My Review: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a dark look at angels, but it was so enjoyable, I didn’t want to put it down, and I talked about it at work. From one of the very first scenes, the author sets a dark and fearsome image of bloodthirsty, furious, condescending angels. Angels who aren’t cherubic, who despise humanity, and see themselves as so much better than us that they see us as “monkeys”.

Despite that, Penryn, a 17 year old girl who is on a mission to save her handicapped little sister from the angels who kidnapped her, makes a very uneasy alliance with Raffe, a warrior angel whose life she saves. This leads to an adventure that is a rollercoaster of emotions and crazy violence and desperation. There is nothing more desperate than seeing someone who eats kitty kibble without a second thought.

The last 1/3 of the book makes the book. There is so much action going on, so much heartbreak going on, so many feels going on, it just drags you kicking and screaming and crying to the end. And then you NEED the next book….which thankfully I had!

#REVIEW: Kantara by Katy Walters

Can you see them? Do you fear them? Are they truly what they seem? Crossed love, intrigue, suspense and terror, set against a canvas stretching over the centuries, from the pyramids of ancient Egypt to the high rises of modern London. Kantaramtep, Great Royal Queen of the first vampire family, is cast aside by her beloved Pharaoh. Over the centuries Kantara grows in power, yet no-one can replace her first love. London, present day, she meets Darius, an enigmatic vampire. Despite Kantara’s reluctance, they join forces to quell an insurgence when trouble breaks out amongst the fledgling vampires. The shocking truth they uncover threatens both the existence of mortals and the very nature of the vampire.

Buy on Amazon US / Amazon UK

 RATING: 3 1/2 STARS

My Review: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a fascinating, different take on vampires. It was 180 degrees from Edward Cullen, Lestat and Dracula.This was an Egyptian take on the myth of vampires. Because it was so different from what popular vampires, I loved the uniqueness of the backstory. It made it so much easier to read, instead of reading the same old tired vampire. This book injected new blood into it (pardon the pun). Because it was so different, it took me about 1/4 of the book to truly get into the new atmosphere and understand it.
I loved the Egyptian gods and culture in the book. I loved seeing the religious beliefs in their gods and goddesses. This was my favorite part of the book. I consider myself a relatively religious person, and I love seeing the differences in religious beliefs and how the characters acted out those beliefs in the book.
Despite all this, there was one part of the book I did not like, and it was the conversations between the characters. For me, the conversations seemed very stilted, choppy. Definitely not flowing and natural and this made it difficult for me to read during the conversation parts.
The characters were well-written, but I just didn't feel the passion between Kantara and Darius. It felt flat for me.
If you are looking for a new, fresh take on vampires, then you really should check this book out!

About the author:

My main loves are writing, painting and singing. I began work as a PA but to my joy was spotted by an agent in London and had an exciting career as a singer, meeting and singing with some wonderful people. Singing meant a lot of travelling both in the UK and abroad. At one time, I toured Germany and Turkey singing for the American troops, which was a fantastic experience. But then, my husband and I wanted a family, so I said good-bye to the singing career, although I did the occasional gig. Having children is such a precious time, and I would say to anyone, treasure it, it goes so quickly and before you know it, you’re waving them off to Uni or pursuing their own dreams and their own homes. I have always had a deep interest in psychology for various reasons, and especially the area of neurosis arising from abuse. Later, I was to study how we could use our body, mind and spirit to relieve pain and overcome some life-threatening diseases. One important thing here is, I always told my patients to continue with medical treatment along with the complementary and spiritual methods, for I believe medical research and medication is also a gift from God, Spirit or the Universe, as each of us wishes to name it. I have loved writing from a child and during the years of study, research and treating some wonderful people, whom I called my friends, I would write at night, mainly short stories, and reams of poetry. I wanted to learn how to write self-help books for my clients, so I took creative writing courses at university, which led to writing a novel. So self-help novels turned to fiction but even so, I hope the novels help the reader through their own challenges, as the characters experience love, loss, passion, jealousy, illness, joy and conflict, even the threat of death.

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Reading Alley Grand Opening Celebration! #ReadingAlleyEvent

AN INVITATION

Calling all passionate book reviewers!

Reading Alley is officially launching and we are marking it in a big way with our Grand Opening event! Take part in a variety of site activities, such as our weekly contests, review challenge and referral program. The more active you are, the higher your chances of winning in our Grand Draw. Lots of irresistible prizes, including an Amazon Kindle and gift certificates, are up for grabs.

On June 19, Week 2 of our Weekly Contest goes live. Answer 3 questions and get a chance to win an Amazon Gift Card! Each week, we will have different winners, for a total of 12 winners by the time the party is over.

So don't wait! Click here to join now.


WHAT IS READING ALLEY?

Reading Alley is a site that caters to passionate book reviewers. Book reviewers get the chance to read the latest books in the market for FREE. In exchange, the only requirement is for them to submit their honest, unbiased review afterwards.

We feature a variety of books from different genres such as Romance, Mystery and Thriller, Erotica, LGBTQ, New Adult, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Young Adult, and more. These books are from both known and up-and-coming authors. Examples of books currently up for review at the site are:



Authors are welcome to set up their books for review at a reasonable price. By joining Reading Alley, authors gain instant access to this community of reviewers who can share their thoughts and recommendations, leading to greater awareness and exposure of their books.

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#COVER REVEAL: Before I Break by Alec John Belle

COVER REVEAL

Before I Break 

by 

Alec John Belle

Coming August 7th 2015... 

Synopsis: 

When religiously raised Cyril Hayes begins his junior year at East Hill High School, every choice he makes suffers a greater consequence.  While facing challenges of friends, family, and love, he learns that hate and intolerance are also a very large part of our world today. 

Cyril Hayes is seemingly just like any other male his age. He has the perfect girlfriend, Melissa Summers, his best friend, Jake Rivers, and a lawyer father who brings home enough money to support his family and then some. When Cyril begins his junior year, he doesn't expect his life to spiral out of control when he meets Avery Branson, the new kid in school who has a big secret: he's gay. At first, Cyril doesn't handle this truth well, due to the way he was raised, but as the story progresses, he ventures deep into the reality of homosexuality and begins to accept Avery for who he is. 

Not everyone is happy with Cyril's new friend, including Jake, who believes that homosexuality is a sin and is refusing to budge his beliefs. But Avery isn't the only one at East Hill with secrets. Soon a tragedy will strike, knocking Cyril's world completely off balance and leaving a scar on his heart that will change his view of humanity all together.

Click Here to read FREE short stories from other Before I Break character's point of view.

About the Author: 

Alec John Belle is an online high school student that resides in the state of Massachusetts. At the age of 16 he wrote his first novel, Before I Break. His hobbies include reading, writing, and obsessing over Pretty Little Liars. He writes about tough topics that many are too afraid to talk about like suicide, homosexuality, self harm, cyberbullying, anxiety disorders, addiction, among other teenage issues, and he often blends these ideas with the paranormal.

Social Media: 

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"Alec John Belle’s bold debut novel, Before I Break, introduces a 

courageous new author with a voice unafraid to tackle tough social issues."

— Alex Sanchez, Author of Rainbow Boys and The God Box

Request a copy of Before I Break to review before it goes live on August 7th

#REVIEW: Detached by Jill Cooper

 

  What you do tomorrow, you'll pay for today. Life was easier in the cage, now Lara Crane’s life is under a microscope. She thought she was out, ready for a normal life, but with the Feds endless questions and tests, Lara realizes she might never be free. Things would be worse if not for Donovan. They promise to ride it out together as Lara is fitted with a time travel restraint, designed to not only stop her, but to save her life as her mind spirals out of control. No more second chances. No more time travel to revert everything back the way it was once before. As the danger increases, so does Lara’s headaches and nightmares. Her brain is desperate to be free, loose, and as the future begins to flash all around her, Lara is terrified the end might be near. And maybe she doesn’t have a future at all.

Buy on Amazon

Rating: 4 stars

My Review: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have absolutely loved this series and I am upset it is over, but it had to end some time didn't it? It's a different take on the idea of a time traveler, which really helped to spark my attention. From the very first book, Lara has been a character I have been able to be empathetic towards, and understand where her motives are. As a mom, I found myself cringing that any 17 year old would have to bear so much responsibility on her shoulders. One of the good things, is the author happened to mention that in the book a few times, so it wasn't completely ignored. Donovan hasn't really changed much, though with his privileged status crumbling in front of him, he really dug deep and realized that his money and status don't mean much without love. The new character Cassidy was a good twist and we were able to experience the future society through her eyes.
From the beginning of the book, the author kept the reader engaged through enough action to pull the story line along, and enough description that a future society won't confuse us too much. It was easy to understand the characters motives. The story line wasn't so tangled that it was a hopeless mess to understand, which can happen in time travel stories, but neither was it so transparent that you could guess what the next plot twist would be.
If you're looking for a time travel series that sin't completely like every other time travel series, then you need to try this one out for size!

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#REVIEW and #GIVEAWAY: Faerie Song Trilogy by Michelle Barrow-Belisle

Book 1 Adventure wasn’t something Lorelei was interested in. Gifted with two otherworldly talents for singing and healing, she’s always shied away from her gifts, preferring anonymity, over attention. But when she meets Adrius, with his dangerous mystique and eyes that peer into her soul, her uneventful life becomes irrevocably altered. Adrius knows more about her than any newcomer should, including the condition of her mother’s mysterious illness. Accepting his offer to help leads her into a terrifying world, where Elves are even hotter than Legolas, and Faeries.... are nothing like Tinkerbell. The two magical beings are fire and ice opposites. One Lorelei can’t help falling for, and the other she's compelled to be with. Now she’s trapped in their world, expected to prevent a war between witches and faeries, or forfeit her mother’s life. As secrets unravel, Lorelei must fight to save much more than her mother’s life. One mistake could put the fate of his world- and her soul, in jeopardy. Buy on Amazon

RATING: 4 STARS

REVIEW: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It's Phantom of the Opera meets Julie Kagawa's Faerie series. That's the best way I can describe this book. Lorelai is written wonderfully, a character that I don't think will leave my memory for awhile. She starts out as this weak girl, fainting at the sight of blood, getting so much stage fright in spite of her beautiful voice that she has been known to puke, and having an inordinate amount of bad luck when it comes to fitting in with the "in-crowd" at school.
And then Adrius shows up, and it is immediate love at first sight. Of course, considering he's an elf along the lines of Legolas from Lord of the Rings, it's not too far of a stretch. Along the way, they send up in the world of faeries, elves, and power beyond your wildest dreams. It's terrifying and beautiful, deadly and magical.
I loved every minute of the book. I loved how Lorelai didn't suddenly become this all-powerful person, she kept her insecurities and weaknesses despite being put in some nightmarish situations.
The author did a great job at describing the places and action, letting me see it in my mind's eye and really feeling like I was a part of the story.

_______________________________________________________________


Book 2 To save the Faery world and her mother’s life, seventeen year old Lorelei sacrificed everything, and the dangerous bargains she made in Nevermore had lasting repercussions. Now safely back in her own world, Lorelei seems the same to her high school friends and her supernatural boyfriend, despite the dark magic growing within her. Love across dimensions is complicated, especially when an invisible veil between the two worlds is sealing, threatening to separate Lorelei and Adrius forever. Determined to find a solution, Lorelei resorts to exploring her new found powers. But when her friends fall ill, and her healing touch only makes things worse, Lorelei can’t help but wonder if she's responsible. Nightmares from the Nevermore tighten their icy hold when someone arrives determined to destroy Lorelei’s world, starting with those closest to her. Once again she’s forced to choose between her family… her friends… and a love that was ill-fated from the start. Buy on Amazon

RATING: 4 STARS

REVIEW: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story continues with Loreleai, and now they are back home, but with her love, Adrius, beside her as much as possible. Lorelai's mother is more in this book, which provides an interesting backdrop of normalcy despite the fact that Lorelai is learning all sorts of things about her lineage from both Adrius, her elf, and the source of her vocal talent, Zanthiel, the dark fae.
The author now adds into the story a shadowy human aspect in the form of Mr Peterson and the group he represents, and now, despite the fact Lorelai's back in the world we are all comfortable with, her safety is anything but assured.
The first part of the book where they are in the normal world iseemed to drag a little for me, but once the scene changed to the faerie world, the action seemed to pick up to the speed of lightning.

I truly enjoyed reading both of these books, and can't wait for the next in the series.

BIO A dreamer at heart, Michele BarrowBelisle has always lived with one foot in this reality and one foot in another, one of her own imagining. So it follows that she would grow up to write about the characters from those enchanting worlds she knows and loves so well. A fan of all things romantic, her young adult novels are populated with scintillating witches, vampires and fey. Her bestselling debut book series Fire and Ice (Faerie Song Trilogy) was optioned for a major motion picture this year. Michele resides in southern Canada with her hubby and son who indulge her neverending obsession with reading, writing and most importantly… chocolate.



SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Website: www.michelebarrowbelisle.com (join my mailing list)
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#BLAST and #GIVEAWAY: Unforgiven by Stephanie Erickson

Mackenzie Day is reeling from the death of her best friend, Maddie. She's lost her rock, her partner in crime, and her only family in one fell swoop. With that loss, Mac has lost track of herself, and the things she cares about, including her mind-reading abilities. When the opportunity for vengeance arises, she becomes so blinded by her hatred that she no longer recognizes the person she's become. As her empathy towards others slips away, even she can't believe how far she is willing to go to claim justice for Maddie. Without her moral compass and her sense of self, how can she possibly stop a group of mind-reading terrorists from killing tens of thousands of people? Can she see past her anger to care about anything besides retribution? How can she save her newfound family, when she can't even tell the difference between herself and those who are truly unforgiven?

Put Unforgiven on your TBR list here.

 

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About the author:

Stephanie Erickson has always had a passion for the written word. She pursued her love of literature at Flagler College, in St. Augustine, FL, where she graduated with a BA in English. She has received several honors in her writing career, including recognition in the 72nd Annual Writer’s Digest Competition. After graduation, she married and followed her husband in pursuit of his dream. The Cure and The Blackout were written to reignite Stephanie’s passion, when she found the time. Now that he is settled in his career, it’s her turn to devote more time and energy into writing. Stephanie currently has 4 projects planned for 2015. Unforgiven is book 2 in the Unseen trilogy. The trilogy will be complete in September with the release of Undivided. Stephanie, of course, loves to read and write. She also enjoys living on the beach on the Florida’s Treasure Coast. Most of all, she and her husband are in love with their baby girl.

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#BLITZ and #GIVEAWAY: Population Morpheus by S.G. Basu

Title:  Population Morpheus

Author:  S. G. Basu

Published:  June 8th, 2015

Genre:  Science Fiction

Synopsis:

c.2566. The signs are clear. The time to evacuate Earth is now.

Summons are sent. But not to everyone. Only a handful will be picked to be part of the future colonies.

– A gifted teen for a way to escape her average life. She gets an offer that is hard to refuse. Will she dare to pay the price? – The sole survivor of the worst megatron collapse in history doesn’t know what to do–celebrate this second chance at life or become a tool of vengeance . . . – A boy raised within a cocoon of segregation faces his biggest challenge – standing up for someone who looks nothing like him.

Thrust into an unfamiliar world held in place by a harsh set of rules, will humanity make it? Strangers meet. Bargains are made. Only one thing is a given–survival depends on forging the right alliances.

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Excerpt from Population Morpheus by S.G. Basu:

Balik could be brutal. He demanded respect–for him, for the massive organization that was HS, for our cause. And he demanded wins. That was the hard part–fighting the GG forces that were far better equipped than us, surviving their raids and assaults and winning in the end–didn’t happen that easy. 

“My best soldier,” Balik showed me a chair as he stretched on the red silk-wrapped couch at the corner. “What new plans have you got? Give me some good news.”

That was what I wanted to share with him–my next venture–the “Smokescreen.” Once Balik approved it, I had to start setting the smaller wheels in motion, and then build it up until in a few months–

“You want to shut down their ventilation system?” Balik whispered gawking, as he pulled off those dark glasses he always wore. His eyes, one brown and the other a pale gray, shone with excitement. “Sure you can pull this off?”

I nodded. “I’ve to start by rerouting the terminator boxes on Coogan’s Hill. I’ll load most of the malcode from there.”

“All right. When can you begin?”

“Day after tomorrow. Have to lay my father first.”

“Oh, yes. Go do it.”

“Okay.”

“And I don’t need to remind you this, but don’t get identified. I won’t have a marked operative back among us.”

“Understood.” 

He didn’t have to remind me of the consequences, he knew I’d never forget Dobin.

About the Author:

S.G. Basu likes to call herself a middle aged host to a forever-young heart–a heart that is addicted to dreaming.

Being an engineer by training, the worlds of futuristic fantasy that she weaves in her books spring from her interest in science and her love of engineering.

She enjoys traveling to faraway places–her writing inspired by the people she meets in these beautiful lands. Her stories are also a celebration of the influences from her travels around the world.

Ms. Basu is also an avid nature photographer. When she is not busy writing, she enjoys gardening, music and spending time in the outdoors with her family.

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Giveaway Details:

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

• A signed, print copy of Population Morpheus

Giveaway is US only.

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#BLITZ and #GIVEAWAY: On the Accidental Wings of Dragons by Julie Wetzel

Title:  On the Accidental Wings of Dragons

Series:  The Dragons of Eternity #1

Author:   Julie Wetzel

Published:  June 9th, 2015

Publisher:  Crimson Tree Publishing

Genre:  NA Romantic Fantasy

Content Warning:  Violence, language, sexual content

Synopsis:  When Michael Duncan is sent to investigate the disappearance of several dragon subjects, he finds himself in a bind. Locked in a dungeon, his only hope lies wrapped in a bundle of cloth tossed at his feet. One kiss and his life is changed forever. Hunted by his own people for crimes he didn’t commit, Michael has to learn a whole new life at the hands of a beautiful woman. Can she help him clear his name, or will just being in her presence get him sentenced to death?

Carissa Markel doesn’t know who this man chained to the wall is, but he’s her only chance for escape. She has power, but, born without a voice, she lacks the means to wield it. One choice, made in desperation, sends them running for his life. Does she have the strength to help him clear his name? And what will her brother, the King of Dragons, do if he finds out what she’s done? That’s immaterial, the real question is… can she keep her hands off him long enough to find out?

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About the Author:

Originally from Ohio, Julie always dreamed of a job in science. Either shooting for the stars or delving into the mysteries of volcanoes. But, life never leads where you expect. In 2007, she moved to Mississippi to be with her significant other.

Now a mother of a hyperactive red headed boy, what time she’s not chasing down dirty socks and unsticking toys from the ceiling is spent crafting worlds readers can get lost it. Julie is a self-proclaimed bibliophile and lover of big words. She likes hiking, frogs, interesting earrings, and a plethora of other fun things.

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Crimson Tree Publishing Links:

(An adult division of Clean Teen)

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• A bookmark swag pack and winner’s choice of any Clean Teen Publishing eBook.

Giveaway is International.

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#TOUR: Kantara by Katy Walters

Can you see them? Do you fear them? Are they truly what they seem? Crossed love, intrigue, suspense and terror, set against a canvas stretching over the centuries, from the pyramids of ancient Egypt to the high rises of modern London. Kantaramtep, Great Royal Queen of the first vampire family, is cast aside by her beloved Pharaoh. Over the centuries Kantara grows in power, yet no-one can replace her first love. London, present day, she meets Darius, an enigmatic vampire. Despite Kantara’s reluctance, they join forces to quell an insurgence when trouble breaks out amongst the fledgling vampires. The shocking truth they uncover threatens both the existence of mortals and the very nature of the vampire.

Buy on Amazon US / Amazon UK

 

About the author:

My main loves are writing, painting and singing. I began work as a PA but to my joy was spotted by an agent in London and had an exciting career as a singer, meeting and singing with some wonderful people. Singing meant a lot of travelling both in the UK and abroad. At one time, I toured Germany and Turkey singing for the American troops, which was a fantastic experience. But then, my husband and I wanted a family, so I said good-bye to the singing career, although I did the occasional gig. Having children is such a precious time, and I would say to anyone, treasure it, it goes so quickly and before you know it, you’re waving them off to Uni or pursuing their own dreams and their own homes. I have always had a deep interest in psychology for various reasons, and especially the area of neurosis arising from abuse. Later, I was to study how we could use our body, mind and spirit to relieve pain and overcome some life-threatening diseases. One important thing here is, I always told my patients to continue with medical treatment along with the complementary and spiritual methods, for I believe medical research and medication is also a gift from God, Spirit or the Universe, as each of us wishes to name it. I have loved writing from a child and during the years of study, research and treating some wonderful people, whom I called my friends, I would write at night, mainly short stories, and reams of poetry. I wanted to learn how to write self-help books for my clients, so I took creative writing courses at university, which led to writing a novel. So self-help novels turned to fiction but even so, I hope the novels help the reader through their own challenges, as the characters experience love, loss, passion, jealousy, illness, joy and conflict, even the threat of death.

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#REVIEW: Scales: A Falling In Deep Collection Novella by Pauline Creeden

 

Verona is a bottom feeder. She is the one mer in her clan who is considered the ugliest and least intelligent. Growing up with the constant bullying and abuse wasn’t the worst of what her kind had in store for her. At seventeen years old, she must now endure “The Reckoning.” The scales will measure her worth to her clan. Will she endure thirty days as a land-walker to gather information and knowledge to appease her clan and return a valued member? Will she wait three years, until she is twenty, and find a mer of her kind to accept her and marry her? Or will she suffer exile for the rest of her life? Genre: YA

Buy on Amazon Available May 26th

RATING: 4 1/2 stars

My Review: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have learned that Pauline Creeden is an amazing author, very versatile in her writing. She doesn't stick to one genre or setting. I have read science fiction Christian from her, steam punk adventure from her,  and now an underwater  possible romance. Pauline is the type of author that knows no boundaries. She writes in such a way that you are part of the world she has written about.
This novella was amazing, it was the first mermaid story I have read that wasn't The Little Mermaid, and I had no issues with the new world or culture. The author has made it so easy to be able to believe that such a culture could indeed exist. It is so easy to be transported by her words into an underwater fantasy in Verona's life.
The only drawback that I had was that the reader doesn't really know Verona's name until much later in the book, unless the reader is familiar with Romeo and Juliet.I wonder if this is going to be the story that this book parallels. Is it going to be a star crossed lover type story between Verona and her defender?
The story addresses the very real issue of societal bullying that we see every day, people being shunned for being less than what society has deemed "acceptable" or "worthy". Racial issues, gender identity, sexual orientation and financial worth are all things that we face on a daily basis with bullying in society. I truly felt for Verona, and wish I could have defended her. I hope as the story continues, Verona finds her self-worth is not decided by her society but by herself.

Pauline Creeden

Pauline Creeden is a horse trainer from Virginia, but writing is her therapy. In her fiction, she creates worlds that are both familiar and strange, often pulling the veil between dimensions. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long.   Follow Pauline Creeden: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter  

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#COVER REVEAL: Walkin' On The Sun by Paul DeLisle

Hello. My name is Paul DeLisle. I’m the guy who wrote this book. You've probably never heard of me. That's okay. Most people wouldn't know me from Adam. But, unless you've been living in a cloistered monastery for the last fifteen years, you have heard of my band.

So begins the memoir of the creation, rise, and current state of the multi-platinum recording artist Smash Mouth as told by bassist Paul DeLisle. Well known for their hits “All Star,” “Walking on the Sun,” “Then the Morning Comes,” “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby,” and “I’m a Believer,” the band carried the spirit of a generation, but didn't stop there. Enjoy this behind-the-scenes look from Paul’s unique, there from the start, insider’s view.

Launching in June! Will be on sale for only $0.99 for a LIMITED time!

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