Tour Review: My Boyfriend Merlin by Priya Ardis (Giveaway)

Title: My Boyfriend Merlin
Series: My Merlin #1
Author: Priya Ardis
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction,
Elements: Wizards, Witches
Publisher: Ink Lion Books
Format: PDF, 148 Pages 
ISBN: 978-0-9848339-0-0
Release Date: December 1, 2011
Source: Author {Priya Ardis} 
Rating: 5/5

Purchase Here: Kindle // Paperback

Tagline(s): If you can't trust your boyfriend, who can you trust? / He was a little older than he was letting on. By a few eons...

Summary: In this modern day Arthurian, 17 year-old Boston high schooler Arriane, aka Ryan, DuLac just found out the guy she's been crushing on, hot biker Matt, is a little older than he was letting on. In fact, he is really Merlin—the Merlin, King Arthur's Merlin, the greatest wizard who ever lived. Frozen in a cave for over fifteen hundred years, he's woken for a purpose. But Ryan's not impressed. Tired of being a relationship loser, she'd rather kick his legendary behind. 

Sure, the world has been crazy ever since the sword and the stone fell out of the sky like a meteor. But despite gruesome gargoyles, a deadly new world of magic, and the guy driving her crazy, Ryan knows that family is everything. Will Merlin sacrifice hers to save the world? Will she be able to stop him?


Review: 

Ryan DuLac had had a crush on Matt Emrys since she first saw him, but for reasons she doesn't understand, Matt broke it off before anything could get started. This makes things awkward between them, because even though Matt doesn't seem to care about her anymore, Ryan still has feelings for him. She just wants him to leave her alone, and it doesn't help when Matt is sending her mixed signals.

There are two things that complicate matters. The first is the sword in the stone and the fact that Matt is really the most powerful wizard in history, the famous Merlin. The second is Vane, Matt's brother. Vane has a past with Ryan that she didn't even remember until the Candidate test.

This love triangle really kept my attention. I would normally root for Matt in this case, but his hot-and-cold act really annoyed me. Although Vane seems like a bad boy through-and-through, like most bad boys Vane is pretty good on the inside, but still shelfish. He just doesn't show that side of himself that often. So I grew to really like Vane and I was rooting for him in the end.

Another great thing about My Boyfriend Merlin is the action. The action starts pretty early in the story with the Gargoyle attack. From deadly car chases to kidnapping and murder attempts, the action is non-stop. This keeps the story exciting and the romance keeps us swooning.

I am a HUGE fan of anything Arthurian, so I was really excited to check out this series. And I wasn't disappointed. There's love, hate, betrayal, sacrifice, and hope. Everything an Arthurian tale should have. In my opinion, Priya Ardis wrote an amazing story worthy of being in the Arthurian saga. This new modern take on a beloved classic is a story fans of the Arthurian legends shouldn't miss.

About this Author:

Priya Ardis loves books of all kinds—but especially the gooey ones that make your nose leak and let your latte go cold. She started her first book at sixteen, writing in notebooks on long train rides during a hot summer vacation in India. Her favorite Arthurian piece is the poem The Lady of Shalott by Lord Alfred Tennyson. A hopeless romantic, she's a longtime member of the Romance Writer's of America. When not living in her characters' world, she might be found at the local coffee shop—her nose buried in a book. 

Website: http://www.priyaardis.com 
Blog: http://merlinblogs.priyaardis.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/priyaardis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/priyaardis

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Tour Review: Promises by Amber Garr (Giveaway)

Title: Promises
Series: Syrenka #1
Author: Amber Garr
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Mermaids, Shapeshifters 
Publisher: CreateSpace
Format: PDF, 177 Pages
ISBN: 9781468006797  
Release Date: December 7, 2011
Source: Tour Host {Bookshelf Confessions}
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): Sometimes following your heart can end up destroying the ones you love.

Summary: When seventeen-year-old Eviana Dumahl is faced with the responsibility of an arranged marriage and clan leadership, she is forced to choose between the life required of a mermaid and one of a teenage girl simply infatuated with the wrong guy. Kain, her devoted fiancé would make a wonderful husband except that she’s been in love with Brendan, a shape-shifting selkie, ever since they were kids. Choosing to abandon her family, her clan, and her life with Kain will have dire consequences far beyond anything she could have imagined.

A war is brewing amongst the clans and Eviana unwittingly becomes a pawn in the intricate schemes of a twisted mastermind. With Brendan’s life on the line, she has no choice but to involve those who she once considered friends. Amidst encountering senseless tragedies and immense loss, Eviana discovers that she is more valuable as a clan leader than anyone ever suspected. Her survival is not only dependent upon the loyalty of her friends, but also on her acceptance of a life that she had so adamantly tried to escape.

Promises is the first book of The Syrenka Series trilogy following Eviana and her friends through the perils of growing up in a discrete world that inherently threatens human society.

Buy Links: 

Amazon      Smashwords    Barnes and Noble

Review:

For anyone in a young love relationship, nothing else matters and responsibility and duty fly out the window. It's no different for Eviana Dumahl, next in line as leader of the Dumahl Clan, one of the strongest merfolk clans in the world. Forced into an arranged marriage to Kain Matthew, next in line as leader of the Matthew Clan, another of the strongest merfolk clans, by her parents, Eviana plans to run away with Brendan, who is a shapeshifting selkie and her boyfriend. 

Eviana knows that it's selfish to run away from her family, her clan, her fiance, and her duties. She knows that her choice will hurt some and anger a lot. But what she doesn't know is that her choice has more dire consequences than she ever thought possible. An all-out war is brewing between the merfolk clans--and Eviana is unwittingly caught in the middle. Eviana will need to find the strength to rise to her place as leader of her clan and fight back--for all their sakes. 

Something I wanted to point out was how Eviana, once she was informed of the war and internal clan struggles, said that if she had known of everything from the beginning, she would have made a different choice. I personally don't think she would have. This statement was made by an Eviana who grew and matured from who she was when she chose to run away. Eviana knew how important her role and duties within the clan were, even without the finer details, and she still ignored it all and only thought of herself. That is not a good trait in a leader--a leader thinks of her people first and herself last. Though Eviana grew from her experiences, it was too little, too late to prevent the consequences of her choice. 

If I had to choose between Kain and Brendan, I would choose Kain, hands down. I felt so bad for him in the beginning, I wanted to give him a giant hug. It must be painful to love the girl you're engaged to marry and know that she'll never love you back. You know how in fairytales the princes has to be pure of heart to wake the sleeping princess? I like to think of Kain as being pure of heart, only his princess refuses to wake up. He tries to show Eviana the benefits of marrying him and the good it would do both their clans, but Eviana refuses to see. Kain is sweet, loving, and has so much strength. He really cares about his people--a great leader in the making! Toward the end, I felt Kain was right in his anger against Eviana--she ditched him on their wedding day! And what really irritated me was that she felt she had the right to feel hurt by his behavior toward her. I wanted to slap some sense into her. Though we don't see much of Brendan in Promises, I still feel I would choose Kain in the end. 

The war brewing is between a group of merfolk who feel it is their right to use the Legacy they were gifted with, and those who feel it is wrong to use it. What is the Legacy, you ask? It is a gift the merfolk have to basically control other sea creatures (selkies, water sprites, nixies, kelpies) and humans. Those who think it is right to use the Legacy view themselves above everyone and see themselves as gods. Now what does Eviana have to do with all this? Eviana discovers she has a very strong, if not the strongest, ability to use the Legacy. Now both sides want her on their side of the war. As Sutherland said, Eviana is the key to, not only the two strongest clans, but also to winning the war. 

The first chapter preview to book two, Betrayal, left me wanting to read more right away. I can't wait to see what happens next for Eviana and her friends, and the fate of all merfolk and sea creatures alike.  

Book Trailer:



About this Author: 

Amber Garr spends her days conducting scientific experiments and wondering if her next door neighbor is secretly a vampire. Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Florida with her husband and their furry kids. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell. She writes both adult and young adult urban fantasies and when not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.

Social Contact Links:

Website: http://www.ambergarr.com
Blog: http://ambergarr.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amber-Garr/232359720165110
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5374297.Amber_Garr

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PART OF....

Manga Review: Blue Exorcist Volume 5 by Kazue Kato

Title: Blue Exorcist Volume 5 
Japanese Title: Ao no Exorcist
Series: Blue Exorcist #5 
Manga-ka: Kazue Kato
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Older Teen Ages 16+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Advanced, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 183 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-4076-4 
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): Fight hellfire with hellfire!

Summary: In the late Edo Period, a demon known as the Impure King killed thousands of people. After defeating the demon, the Knights of the True Cross kept its left eye safely sealed away on Academy grounds--but now someone has stolen it! Hearing the thief has taken a child hostage, Yukio and Rin go to help. The investigation and pursuit will lead Rin and his friends to Kyoto and involve them even deeper in a sinister plot! But will his friends' knowledge that Rin is the son of Satan drive a wedge between them? 

Review:

Rin is still feeling the brunt of his classmate's feelings of betrayal and discomfort, but more important things are happening than hurt feelings. The left eye of the Impure King has been stolen and the right eye is next on the list. In an attempt to steal the right eye of the Impure King, the Kyoto Field Office was attacked, leaving many injured. Rin and company are sent with a group of Exorcists to help the injured and defend against another attack.

Rin's situation is the classic classmate alienation because he's misunderstood and they only see what they want in Rin. They see the half-demon son of Satan with his blue flame, so he must be evil, too, right? They don't see someone who watched as Satan killed his foster father, Father Fujimoto, but a demon who is uncontrollable. You would think that Bon, Shima, and Konekomaru would understand how Rin feels about defeating Satan and how determined he is to accomplish it. They've had family killed by Satan during the Blue Night incident, just as Father Fujimoto was killed by Satan when Rin came into his powers. I really think they need to give Rin a break and try to understand and get to know him. Rin has enough on his plate without his friends treating him like some kind of leper.

Going to Kyoto means going home for Bon, Shima, and Konekomaru. We learn about the connection between their families, Bon's father's abandonment of the Myodha and the failure of the temple that caused it to become affiliated with the Knights of the True Cross, Bon's determination to become and Exorcist and defeat Satan, and finally the conflict between the Shima and Hojo families. When the two families tasked with keeping order within the followers of Myodha, Shima and Hojo, are at each other's throats, things are bound to fall apart unless they can work together.

Another attack is being planned by the end of Volume 5 for the right eye of the Impure King. Who is behind these thefts and what are they planning? I can't wait to see what happens in the next volume.

About this Manga-ka:

Kazue Katō (加藤和恵, Katō Kazue), born on July 20th, 1980 in the district of Shinjuku, in Tokyo, is a Japanese mangaka, author of shōnen manga. She is mainly known to be author of Blue Exorcist. She also created Robot to Usakichi ( ロボとうさ吉 ), for which she received the price Osamu Tezuka Award.

PART OF....

Tour Review: Skin Deep by Shanna Gekko (Promo)

Title: Skin Deep
Series: A Bandit Creek Paranormal Erotic Romance
Author: Shanna Gekko
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Shapeshifters, Warlocks, Dryads/Nymphs 
Publisher: Bandit Creek Books
Format: PDF, 72 Pages
ASIN: B006QWEHAU  
Release Date: December 27, 2011
Source: Tour Host {Bewitching Book Tours}
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Kai knows trouble has found him when a fiery pint-sized female shows up at his door, bringing news of gruesome animal sacrifices in the woods around Bandit Creek. She also brings a teasing scent that draws his attention and sends every protective instinct screaming for him to protect his mate.

Hazel is determined to stop the monster she’s been following for miles and she won’t let anything distract her from her mission. She teams up with Kai, but vows to keep a firm “no-touch” policy where the handsome Native is concerned. Her resolve doesn’t last long as the two are drawn together like lodestones, their every
touch igniting a passion neither has faced before.

Only, the trail of ritual sacrifices points to a greater threat than either first realized. They are about to face Kai’s enemy ancestor, a yee naaldlooshii—skinwalker—who will stop at nothing to destroy everything around him.

Review:

Kai Hunter, a veterinarian in Bandit Creek, Montana, goes about his regular routine--a morning run through the woods around his house and stopping for breakfast and a chat with Grandfather on the way to his office. But Grandfather leaves Kai with an ominous omen and minutes later Kai's brother, Dan, a forest ranger, comes to the vet office with news of skinned animal corpses being found in the woods. Only predators--ermine, coyote, and wolves--no prey animals have been found, always moving up in size, south of the mines, stinking of evil.

But the forest animals aren't the only ones in danger--Kai is a natural-born skinwalker who takes the form of a wolf--and Dan warns him to be careful on his morning runs and to check his rescue animals to make sure they are safe. Kai takes his brother's warning to heart and returns home to check on his animals, but what he finds there he never expected. Sitting outside his animal pens is a young woman with an alluring scent of nuts and sunlight who sets Kai's wolf howling--and she's more than a little angry.

Hazel Silva has been following the tortured screams of forest animals all the way up to the forests of Bandit Creek. During her search for the one responsible, Hazel come upon some animals penned behind a house in the woods. Infuriated, she waits for the owner to return home. She had not expected the gorgeous man who walks out the back door of the house. Their argument heats up and Hazel, being a tree nymph, uses her earth powers to influence the man. As the man shakes her off and proceeds to check on his RESCUED animals, Hazel, having nowhere else to go, waits for him to finish. When the man offers her his guest room, they accidentally touch and all conscious thought leaves them both as passion consumes them. Once they get a hold on themselves, Hazel knows that she needs to institute a "no-touch" policy, but things don't always go as planned.

Amid danger and death, Kai and Hazel find a passion and bond not easily broken. And when the yee naaldlooshii sets his eyes on Hazel, that very mate bond is what could ultimately save her life.

In Skin Deep, Shanna Gekko uses the Native American skinwalker legend that has risen in popularity recently. There are the natural-born skinwalkers, or shapeshifters, like Kai who prefers the wolf and his brother, Dan, who prefers the hawk. But then there is the yee naaldlooshii who does ritual sacrifice to gain the power and skin of the animal sacrificed. This unnatural-born skinwalker basically tortures the animal for it's skin. Shanna also uses tree spirits--dryads and nymphs. They ARE the forest and they bear witness to the pain and torture this evil skinwalker is causing.

Not only did I enjoy reading about these supernatural creatures, I also like the romance between Kai and Hazel. I have always like reading about the bonds created by a mating. It is a bond so strong that it can save or destroy those bound by it. It's the ultimate connection one could have with the person they love.

Bandit Creek is a very interesting town, with enigmatic people and mysterious events. I definitely can't wait to read more about this town, its people, and the mysteries that abound there.

About this Author: 

Shanna Gekko currently juggles writing with herding kids and pets, and a full-time job, among other commitments, and she truly doesn’t know how she does it. While she will read practically anything, her writing has strayed to the fantastic since she was in Grade 7. You can read some of her musings at www.talesfromtheashes.blogspot.com 

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Tour Review: When Destiny Knocks by Heather M. White

Title: When Destiny Knocks
Series: The Destiny Saga #1
Author: Heather M. White
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Demons, Ghosts, Angels, Vampires, Witches, Werewolves, Shapeshifters
Publisher: Heather M. White
Format: PDF, 95 Pages
ASIN: B006PTPZQY
Release Date: December 24, 2011
Source: Tour Host {SupaGurl Books}
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: 16-year-old Karlie has had a pretty normal life... But when her mom dies she is forced to move over 1,000 miles away to live with her dad. That's when things start getting wired.

She can't explain the earthquakes that nobody else feels, or why she no longer sleeps. But most of all she doesn't know why she trusts Shane so much, even though his dad wants her dead.

Suddenly, Karlie's normal life is turned upside down and she enters a world she never dreamed could really exist.

Review:

I've read quite a few books lately with the heroine having some kind of special destiny or purpose and they can tend to all run together because of their similarities. Although there are commonalities between When Destiny Knocks and those other stories, there's something about this story that stands out from the crowd. For me, what set When Destiny Knocks apart was the characters and their interactions and relationships with each other; as well as the intricacies and circumstances of Karlie's abilities and new job.

Karlie has had a normal life until her mother dies and she's sent to live with her father in Arkansas. Once she arrives strange things start happening--earthquakes no one seems to notice, she's not sleeping anymore, and she's having visions that show her that sinister things are afoot. She also has an instant attraction to Shane and she can't understand why she feels she can trust him, especially when her friends Savannah, Jessica, Jarrod, and Mark all warn her to stay away from him. Not to mention all the scary spooks of nightmares that are attacking her left and right, front and back.

Turns out that Karlie is the "chosen one" who is tasked with fighting and protecting the world from the evils of Hell. Creatures such as demons, vampires, werewolves and shapeshifters, are coming out of the woodwork, trying to kill Karlie before her seventeenth birthday when she will receive her full powers. Not only that, but Karlie's friends are actually her "protectors" and Shane is the half-demon son of the demon who wants her dead--and want Shane to be the one to deliver the deathblow! Karlie's simple life has just gotten a lot more complicated.

I'm not usually a big fan of instant love, but if there is something else added to it like some kind of adversity or another love interest, it's a lot more interesting and it adds some reality to the romance. Heather White does both in When Destiny Knocks. Because Shane is the half-demon son of the demon who wants Karlie dead, and wants Shane to be the one to do it, there's definitely adversity and controversy in their relationship. Karlie's family and friends want her to stay away for her own safety, if nothing else. Add in the fact that the angel in town falls in love with Karlie, and we've got ourselves a love triangle! I like to see the couple work toward being together. The love story is more gripping and intense, and the relationship is stronger in the end because of the work they put into it.

One character that I found really interesting was Serenity, the last "chosen one." She's now a ghost because, well, she's dead, and she also has a past with Alex (you could say that he's the "chosen one's" guardian angel). She helps Karlie learn her abilities, but her personality isn't at all what you would expect of humanity's guardian. She's a suspicious entity with questionable motives, and that's made all the more apparent by her actions at the end of the book. I can't wait to see what exactly she has planned.

About this Author:

Hi! I am Heather M. White, the author of the Destiny Saga, the Vampire Hunter Series and the upcoming novel Redheads are Soulless! It's so nice to meet you!

I am a returning resident to Arkansas. I just migrated south from Saint Louis, MO with my husband. We have been married a year. :)

I love to write. I have been writing since I was a kid - literally. I decided in the 2nd grade I would write a book. I wrote lots of stories and poems... And did I mention I wrote over 200 songs? (Yeah, I'm a musician too). So I wrote my very first novel at the ripe age of 14... My Mom still has it :-/. Ok, so maybe it wasn't my best work, but I had a LOT of fun writing it!

I started college at the young age of 17. (I graduated high school at 16). And my English papers were always a hit in my classroom. Somebody told me "you should make that story into a book". I pushed it to the back of my mind... Until recently.

I LOVE TO READ. Besides writing it is my absolute favorite thing to do.

I also love the TV series: Supernatural and Vampire Diaries... More like obsessed. I have seen every episode of Supernatural EVER. And I kind of have an obsession with Damon... And I'm watching American Idol this season because my friend Lauren Gray is on there! GO LAUREN!

I play music. I have played the guitar for 10 years, bass for 8 and drums for about 9. I use to play guitar in a band. We were actually good. But my bass player got pregnant and my drummer got engaged. And I decided music wasn't my "main" passion anymore.

 Tour Hosted by SupaGurl Book Tours

Review: Winging It by Deborah Cooke

Title: Winging It
Series: The Dragon Diaries #2
Author: Deborah Cooke
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Dragons, Shapeshifters, Mages, Deities, Ghosts, Werewolves
Publisher: New American Library, Penguin Group
Format: Paperback, 339 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-451-23489-6
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Zoë Sorensson yearns to come into her powers as the only female dragon shifter. But being part of two worlds is more complicated than she expected. It’s bad enough that she’s the target of the Mages’ plan to eliminate all shifters—she also has to hide her true nature from her best friend Megan, a human. For her sixteenth birthday, all Zoë wants is one normal day, including a tattoo and a chance to see hot rocker Jared.

Instead, the Pyr throw her a birthday party but ban Megan from attendance, putting Zoë in a tight spot. Things get even worse when Zoe is invited to the popular kids’ Halloween party and Megan’s left out. Zoë knows the party is a trap laid by the host, an apprentice Mage. When Megan gets a last-minute invite, Zoë must save the day—and her best friend—without revealing her fire-breathing secrets . . .

Review: 

Zoë's adventures continue in Winging It. When her two worlds collide, someone's bound to get hurt. Between fighting with her human best friend, pining over her rocker love interest, worrying about her parent's marriage, and being hunted by the Mages intent on destroying all shifters starting with her, Zoë's got a lot on her plate. No pressure. 

In Flying Blind, Zoë was just coming into her powers, and I found her to be quite immature. She was letting herself be ruled by her emotions, and wasn't leading the way she could have. But in Winging It, Zoë has experience and she leads intelligently, and uses her intuition to help her make decisions. She's definitely to be admired in this book. Not only does she have personal family and friend drama being dumped on her, but she also has the Mages coming at her too. She's in a stressful position, but she keeps her cool and does what needs to be done. 

I did find Meagan, Zoë's best friend, a little annoying for most of the book. The way she was always getting upset when Zoë didn't tell her every...little...thing just really irked me. It's totally unreasonable for Meagan to expect Zoë to tell her about things that Zoë clearly stated she could not talk about. Everyone has something they can't or won't tell someone else about, and being a very private person myself, I was just really irritated by Meagan's attitude and treatment toward Zoë.

I loved the addition of the love triangle between Jared, Zoë, and Derek in Winging It. While Zoë is waiting for some kind of commitment from Jared, Derek makes his way in and is there for Zoë when Jared is not. Derek's dependability is what could sway Zoë to finally give up on Jared. The thing is, Jared doesn't know about Derek. I have a feeling that this triangle could potentially be painful for one or all of them. It'll be interesting to see what direction Deborah will take it all. 

About this Author:

Deborah Cooke also writes under the names Claire Delacroix and Claire Cross.

Deborah makes her home in Canada with her husband. When she isn't writing, she can be found knitting, sewing or hunting for vintage patterns. Deborah Cooke has always been fascinated with dragons, although she has never understood why they have to be the bad guys. She has an honors degree in history, with a focus on medieval studies. She is an avid reader of medieval vernacular literature, fairy tales and fantasy novels, and has written over thirty romance novels under the names Claire Cross and Claire Delacroix.

Tour Review: Forgiving Trinity by Liz Reinhardt (Giveaway)

Title: Forgiving Trinity
Author: Liz Reinhardt
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Liz Reinhardt
Format: Kindle Edition, 190 Pages
ASIN: B006PU8NBW
Release Date: December 23, 2011
Source: Tour Host {Letters Inside Out}, Author {Liz Reinhardt}
Rating: 4.5/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: At seventeen, Trinity McCabe has already made enough mistakes to fill a lifetime. Especially the one where she got high, drove a car, and almost killed a dog. And then let her friend Aidan take the blame.

She’s clean now and desperate to fix the messes she’s made, but first she’s going to have to get out of her pajamas.

As Trinity struggles to stop sleepwalking through life, she faces the painful, tingling sensation of waking up. It’s sometimes embarrassing (she really didn’t want to have lunch with Aidan’s mom), sometimes terrifying (group therapy is beyond intimidating), and sometimes, amazingly enough, pretty romantic (who’d have though Aidan would be such a great kisser?)

Trin is lucky, though—luckier than she deserves, she’s sure—and she doesn’t travel this road alone. Her family, her therapist, and her new friends are all pulling for her. And it turns out, some of them have made pretty big mistakes, too.

But before she can embrace her new life completely, Trinity has to be forgiven by the one person who is holding out the hardest: herself. It’s not easy changing everything, especially when you don’t think you deserve a second chance. Trinity might make an even bigger mess of things before she figures that out.

When the smoke clears on her latest disaster, will anyone still be standing there?

Review:

Forgiving Trinity is a much darker and serious book about addiction that I've read up to this point. There are points when the story is pretty slow, but I think that works best with the seriousness of the story. Forgiving Trinity is a really interesting story, and I loved reading from Trinity's POV as she struggles to come to terms with the events of her past and start living life again. We see this from a psychological viewpoint and what goes through the mind of a person recovering from addiction.

I really liked that Trinity wasn't the only character that needed to overcome past events. Aidan also struggles with recovering from addiction, and Ruth struggles with recovering from an assault. The fact that the two people that are closest to Trinity aren't seemingly perfect and can understand and relate to her was also appealing. In other books I've read about addiction the people closest to the one recovering seem too perfect and the one recovering feels ostracized. That's not the case in Forgiving Trinity. Trinity, Aidan, and Ruth can all find strength in each other and their commonalities.

Aidan and Trinity's relationship was really beautiful, but also really fragile. The fragility is what makes it feel real. I think that they became too close to each other too soon. Aidan was looking for an emotional connection and Trinity was looking for a physical connection, but they ended up offering each other the opposite of what they wanted. There were points when they were completely in sync, but then something would happen to put them out of sync. In the beginning of the book, Trinity and Aidan moved too fast; wanted too much and didn't offer enough. The disruption in the middle of the story is probably the best thing that could have happened for their relationship; it put things in perspective for them. By the end, they slowed down and I'm sure that they can appreciate each other more now.

Though I absolutely loved this book, this story, and these characters; this is definitely not a book for everyone. But I believe that it's worth it to give this book a shot, whether you end up liking it or not. Liz Reinhardt is an amazing writer and I look forward to checking out her other works.

About this Author: 

Liz Reinhardt was born and raised in the idyllic beauty of northwest NJ. A move to the subtropics of coastal Georgia with her daughter and husband left her with a newly realized taste for the beach and a bloated sunscreen budget. Right alongside these new loves is her old, steadfast affection and longing for bagels and the fast-talking foul mouths of her youth.

She loves Raisinettes, even if they aren't really candy, the Oxford comma, movies that are hilarious or feature zombies, any and all books, but especially romance (the smarter and hotter, the better), the sound of her daughter's incessantly wise and entertaining chatter, and watching her husband work on cars in the driveway.

You can read her blog at www.elizabethreinhardt.blogspot.com, like her on Facebook, or email her at lizreinhardtwrites@gmail.com.

 Links:

http://elizabethreinhardt.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/lizreinhardtauthor

https://twitter.com/#!/lizreinhardt 

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5189109.Liz_Reinhardt

Tour Wide Giveaway:

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Tour Schedule:

3/26  

Fire Star Books - Guest Post  

Respiring Thoughts - Review  

3/27  

Insightful Minds - Review & Author Interview  

Reading in Winter - Review  

Addicted to Books - Guest Post from Trinity 

3/28  

A Diary of a Book Addict - Review & Character Interview w/ Trinity  

Nose in a Book - Guest Post 

3/29  

Book Briefs - Review  

A Written Rhapsody - Guest post 

3/30  

Kindle Fever - Guest post  

Reviewing Shelf - Review  

It's a PenPal World - Review & Author Interview 

4/2  

Rondo of a Possible World - Guest Post  

Nose in a Book - Review  

(Love of Books) - Guest Post 

4/3  

Sweeping Me - Guest Post  

Kindle Fever - Review 

4/4  

Catch The Lune - Top Ten  

Simply Infatuated - Review & Character Interview w/ Aidan 

4/5  

Catch The Lune - Review  

A Tale of Many Reviews - Author Interview  

The Book Barbies - Guest Post  

4/6  

Actin' Up With Books - Guest Post  

A Daydreamer's Thoughts - Review  

Addicted to Books - Review  

4/9  

Forbidden Passions - Review  

A Book & A Latte - Guest Post  

4/10  

A Daydreamer's Thoughts - Guest Post  

Reviewing Shelf - Author Interview  

Zodiac Book Reviews - Review  

4/11  

Nyx Book Reviews - Guest Post  

Never Too Fond of Books - Review  

4/12  

My Shelf Confessions Guest post  

Reading in Winter - Author Interview  

Seeing Night - Review  

4/13  

Ed and Em's Reviews - Review & Author Interview  

My Life With Books - Guest Post

Tour Hosted by Letters Inside Out

Tour Review: Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield (Giveaway)

Title: Hunted
Author: Cheryl Rainfield
Genre: Supernatural Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Elements: Psychic Abilities
Publisher: WestSide Books
Format: eBook, 370 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-934813-62-1
Release Date: December 15, 2011
Source: Tour Host {JKSCommunications}
Rating: 5/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where having any Paranormal power is illegal. Caitlyn is on the run from government troopers, who can enslave, torture, or even kill her, or make her hunt other Paranormals. When Caitlyn settles down in a city, she falls for Alex, a Normal (someone without Paranormal powers), which is dangerous because he can turn her in. And she discovers renegade Paranormals who want to destroy all Normals. Caitlyn must decide whether she's going to stay in hiding to protect herself, or take a stand to save the world.

Review:

In a world full of fear and hate, Caitlyn and other Paranormals are persecuted for their abilities. On the run since the Riots that took her father and brother from her, Caitlyn only has her mother. When they finally settle in a city, it's one of the most dangerous towns they could have chosen. What Caitlyn doesn't expect is the support she gains in Alex and Rachel. And when someone from her past resurfaces, Caitlyn's going to need all the help she can get.

In quite a few dystopian stories I've read with supernatural elements that paranormals are out in the open with acceptance or mild persecution., but in Hunted the persecution is anything but mild. The world of this book is  brutal; Paranormals are enslaved, beaten, killed, and even forced to turn on their own if they want to live.

I admired Caitlyn's strength in the face of adversity and her determination to do what's right. Even when she's pressured by her long-lost brother to help in a revolt that would turn the persecution on to the Normals, Caitlyn refuses to cause that kind of pain for someone else, even a Normal. She knows that not all Normals hate Paras, which is evident in her friendship with Alex and Rachel.

Something that I really enjoyed in Hunted that made the story unique was how it was sibling VS. sibling. It's not very often you see siblings fighting such a deadly battle against one another. Caitlyn's fight with Daniel is really bittersweet and emotional.

Hunted is chock-full of action and emotion. I really loved this book and I think that with the way it ended it could easily be made into a series. I'm left wondering what kind of changes were brought about by the events at the end of Hunted.

Book Trailer:

 
About this Author:

I love to read. Books nurture me, helped me survive the abuse I endured as a child and teen. I also love to write. I write fantasy books and edgy, realistic fiction for teens.

My fantasy books often hold hope that I need, and feel others might need, too, while my realistic fiction is gritty, intense, and emotional. All of my books have fragments of the abuse I experienced. I write about some of the harsh things teens go through...things that I think shouldn't be hidden. But I also write about healing, hope, and love, and finding courage and strength.

In SCARS (WestSide, 2010), Kendra must face her past and stop hurting herself before it's too late. It's my arm on the cover. There's a lot of me in SCARS; like my main character, Kendra, I am an incest survivor, I used self-harm to cope, and I'm queer. In my teen paranormal fantasy/dystopian, HUNTED (WestSide, Oct 2011), Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where that is illegal, and she must choose between saving herself or saving the world. Like Caitlyn, I know what it's like to have my life threatened, to face oppression, to experience torture, and to break free from cult or from a group of oppressors. And I know what it's like to have to decide between hiding my true self or being who I am, even if that means danger to myself. I drew on my experience with cults and ritual abuse in creating the world that Caitlyn lives in.

In STAINED, my upcoming YA novel from Harcourt (2013), Sarah, who has a port wine stain and some body image issues, is abducted and must find a way to rescue herself. Like Sarah, I was often imprisoned for long periods of time as a child, had my life threatened, and had to rely on my own strength to survive.

Books were my survival during my childhood, and my journey into myself. Books give me hope. I hope mine will give you hope, too, or something that you need.

Giveaway:

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Tour Hosted by JKSCommunications

Review: Deadly Little Voices by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Title: Deadly Little Voices
Series: Touch #4
Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Psychic Abilities
Publisher: Hyperion Books, Disney Book Group
Format: Hardcover, 343 Pages
ISBN: 978-142313161-8
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 5/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Camelia Hammond thought her powers of psychometry gave her only the ability to sense the future through touch. But now she has started to hear voices. Cruel voices. Berating her, telling her how ugly she is, that she has no talent, and that she'd be better off dead. Camelia is terrified for her mental stability, especially since her deranged aunt has just moved into the house. As if all of that weren't torturing enough, Camelia's ex-boyfriend, Ben, who has similar psychometric abilities, has started seeing someone else. Even her closest friends, Kimmie and Wes, are not sure how to handle her erratic behavior.

With the line between reality and dream consistently blurred, Camelia turns to pottery to get a grip on her emotions. She begins sculpting a figure skater, only to receive frightening premonitions that someone's in danger. But who is the intended victim? And how can Camelia help that person when she is on the brink of losing her own sanity?

Review:

In Deadly Little Voices, Camelia's psychometric powers are stronger than ever and the voices that come with this latest premonition are mean and malicious. As Camelia struggles to differentiate what's real and what's not, she feels her sanity slipping and all the while someone is in serious danger. Camelia must find who she can trust to help her before it's too late--for herself and the girl in trouble.

Laurie Faria Stolarz's Touch series has a creepy factor to it's suspenseful story, and she doesn't disappoint with Deadly Little Voices. If anything, I'd say she upped the creepiness. Not only are the voices and visions scarier, but in this book, there's a sort of theme with Jack and Jill. There are two people--the victim and the victimizer--who write letters or diary entries telling their parts of the story and signing them Jack and Jill. Also, the victimizer sings these rhymes that he's made up to the Jack and Jill tune, which like I said is creepy, but not unusual for a psychopath.

(Possible spoilers in the next paragraph.)

When it comes to Camelia and Ben, I have to say that I'm kind of glad that they broke it off. Camelia deserves someone who will make her happy and she's just not getting much of that from Ben. Although, Ben's moment with Camelia--she's unconscious--that we see through the last diary entry of "Jill's," when he takes Camelia's hand and places it over the tattoo on his thigh and swears to love her forever, is really sweet. The only problems are that Camelia was unconscious, Ben lets Adam take credit for the rescue and then walks out of her life again. I'm glad that, in the end,Camelia choose to be happy with Adam.

A big thing that Camelia realizes in this book is that she has choices. She can choose how to handle her psychometric ability. She can choose how to be happy and live her life. She learns that there is always a choice and it's up to her how to make those choices.

Excerpt (Pages 4-5):

"You're just one big, fat joke," the voice hisses. The words echo inside my brain.

I cover my ears, but still the insults keep coming. And suddenly I'm six years old again with my doll clenched against my chest and a throbbing sensation at the back of my head.

I look toward my parents' closed bedroom door, feeling my stomach churn. I reach out to open their door, but I can't seem to find it now. There's a swirl of color behind my eyes, making me dizzy. I take another step, holding the wall to steady myself; the floor feels like it's tilting beneath my feet.

On hands and knees now, I close my eyes to ease the ache in my head.

"Just do it," the voice whispers. It's followed by more voices, of different people. All trapped insides my head. The voices talk over one another and mingle together, producing one clear-cut message: that I'm a waste of a life. Finally, I find the knob and pull the door open, but my palms brush against a wad of fabric, and I realize that I haven't found my parents' bedroom after all.

It's the hallway closet. A flannel sheet tumbles onto my face.

Instead of turning away, I crawl inside, and remain crouched on the floor, praying for the voices to stop.

But they only seem to get louder.

I rock back and forth, trying to remain in control. I smother my ears with the sheets. Press my forehead against my knees. Pound my heels into the floor, bracing myself for whatever's coming next.

Meanwhile, there's a drilling sensation inside my head; it pushes through the bone of my skull and makes me feel like I'm going crazy.

"Please," I whisper. More tears sting my eyes. I shake my head, wondering if maybe I'm already dead, if maybe the voices are part of hell.

About this Author:

Laurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.

Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.

StolarzBIFN" series have sold over 500,000 copies collectively.Stolarz has also announced a graphic novel entry into the series titled Black is for Beginnings, which she published in summer 2009.

Review: Magic of the Moonlight by Ellen Schreiber

Title: Magic of the Moonlight
Series: Full Moon #2
Author: Ellen Schreiber
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Werewolves
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, Harper Collins
Format: Hardcover, 229 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-198657-4
Release Date: December 27, 2011
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4.5/5

Tagline(s): Beware of a bite under a full moon... It will complicate your love life.

Summary: Celeste has more to worry about than a secret romance with a hot guy from the wrong side of town. That guy, Brandon, is a werewolf. With gossip and hostility swirling at school, it's time to find a cure for his nocturnal condition, and perhaps the one person who can help is his scientist father. But what if a "cure" makes things worse and Brandon becomes a werewolf full time?

To keep Brandon's secret safe, Celeste must hide her relationship with him from her best friends, but with the Moonlight Ball approaching, she must make a choice. Her dream is to go with her one true love--Brandon. But once the sun goes down, the clouds separate, and the full moon appears, could she really walk into the dance on the arm of a werewolf?

In this installment of the sumptuously romantic Full Moon series, Celeste faces her fears and her friends and finds out whether she's strong enough to stand up for herself and her one true love.

Review:

In Magic of the Moonlight, Celeste struggles with wanting to have a relationship she doesn't have to hide and wanting to protect Brandon and his werewolf secret. It's made even harder with Nash fighting to win her back. Ellen Schreiber has created a story that's just as compelling as her nocturnal werewolves.

I'm going to be completely honest and say that I like Ellen's Full Moon series better than her Vampire Kisses series. There's something about this story and these characters that seems more believable. The story just pulls me in and doesn't let go, whereas with Vampires Kisses, I'm pulled in but the line snaps and I'm let go until it hooks me again.

I love Celeste and Brandon. They are just the cutest, sweetest couple. I thought it was adorable how Celeste, at the very least, wanted to eat lunch with Brandon and hold his hand. I also liked that in this book, the female character, Celeste, is the most protective. I mean, there's absolutely nothing wrong with a hot, protective guy, but it was a nice change to see how protective Celeste is of Brandon.

Then there's Nash. It seems like every character I read that's named Nash ends up being a jerk in some way. Threatening and blackmailing the girl you supposedly love and her current boyfriend is no way to win her back. I just found Nash to be really annoying in this book.

And I was totally not expecting the twist toward the end. I mean, when you're given a warning saying, "Beware of a bite under a full moon. It will complicate your love life," it's going to make you anxious. But what actually happened wasn't what Celeste--or I-- was expecting. I don't want to say too much and give something away, but this little twist really is going to complicate things for Brandon and Celeste.

About this Author:

Ellen Schreiber was an actress and a stand-up comedian before becoming an author; she was also a real-estate agent. She studied Shakespearean theater at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and comedy at The Second City of Chicago, which is where she lived for five years. As a novelist she has had several works published in Europe and America. Her brother, Mark Schreiber, is also an author. He helped her start her writing career. The Vampire Kisses series was her real break. The "VK" series stars Raven, a unique goth girl who has wanted to be a vampire since she was little and Alexander Sterling, the vampire that loves to paint. Ellen says that "Raven is a blast to write for, because when I'm writing about her rebellious exploits, I feel the excitement of the rebellion too."

Recently Ellen announced an new series called Once in a Full Moon about "romantic werewolf!" The first book in the series was released December 28, 2010.

Review: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Prince
Series: The Infernal Devices #2
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Demons, Werewolves, Vampires, Fae, Warlocks, Nephilim
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon and Schuster Inc.
Format: Hardcover, 502 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-4169-7588-5
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4.5/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street--and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister knows their every move--and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will--the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Review:

In Clockwork Prince, Cassandra Clare takes us on the continued search for the Magister and shows us the political intrigue of the Clave; while still enthralling us with heart wrenching romance and taking us deeper into the relationships of the characters.

The Magister is more elusive than ever, always seeming to be one or ten steps ahead of the Shadowhunters. Charlotte's job is made even harder when the Magister knows their weaknesses--Will's family, Jem's illness, etc. And with betrayals within the Clave and close to home it may be impossible to catch the Magister before it's too late.

"Master Will has always been the brighter burning star, the one to catch attention--but Jem is a steady flame, unwavering and honest."

The triangle between Will, Tessa, and Jem is more intense in Clockwork Prince. Will's walls are crumbling and he's changing; Jem is becoming more honest and forward; and Tessa, caught in the middle, is more confused and torn then ever.

Depending on what team you're on, Team Will or Team Jem, you'll either be overjoyed or completely heartbroken. Both boys completely open themselves up and bare their hearts to Tessa. One's heart will be healed  and the other's will be completely shattered.

There is so much that happens in Clockwork Prince, but Cassandra meshes it all together to seamlessly that it's not overwhelming and you can breeze right through the book. The prologue draws you in with a glimpse of Will's inner turmoil and you'll be desperately wanting more after the surprise ending. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll never want to leave this world of Shadowhunters and demons.

Book Trailer:

 
Dirty Sexy Balcony Scene: 

 
About this Author:

Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilogy and a New York Times bestseller. Cassandra lives with her fiance and their two cats in Massachusetts.