Tour Review: Food for a Hungry Ghost by Becky M. Pourchot

Title: Food for a Hungry Ghost

Series: Hungry Ghost # 1
Author: Becky M. Pourchot
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Ghosts, Psychic Abilities
Setting Location: Flagler Beach, Florida
Publisher: Laughing Tiger Publications
Format: PDF, 72 Pages
ASIN: B0088FCKD4
Release Date: June 1, 2012
Source: Tour Host (Promotional Book Tours)
Rating: 4/5

Purchase Here: Kindle 

Tagline(s): ~NONE~  

Summary: Life was pleasantly normal for Gala Rhyce...

...that is, until her mom moved the family to Flagler Beach, Florida. Now despite the palm trees, ocean breezes, and cute surfer guys, Gala is miserable until she meets Trista.

Trista makes a great friend, except there's a snag: she's a ghost. The girls learn to communicate, and through Gala, Trista finds a way to experience the world again.

Even as Gala’s romance with a heart throb poet begins to bloom, she enjoys her unlikely friendship with Trista—that is until the ghost wants more than Gala can give and things go horribly wrong. Filled with humor, romance, and horror, Food for a Hungry Ghost is about friendship, jealousy, and boundaries that get pushed too far. How much can Gala endure?

Will she survive the clutches of the Hungry Ghost?

Review:

Food for a Hungry Ghost was a really fun book to read! It made me laugh while giving me chills the next moment. The bird poop moment was so hilarious, and Trista's moods and tantrums can get downright spooky.

I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more romance between Gala and Cy. We get little teaser moments that suggest the beginnings of a relationship, but by the end  there isn't really anything concrete in that area.

It is hinted that Gala has great power and it seems by the end of the book she has some kind of psychic ability. That would definitely explain why Gala was such a great source of power and strength for Trista. But is also seems that Gala's interactions with Trista opened some kind of gateway, since she's seeing a shadowy figure. There is a sense of foreboding at the end of the book. I can't wait for the next book in the Hungry Ghost series.

About this Author:

Becky Pourchot is the author of two books: I Look Better in Binary and Food for a Hungry Ghost and had published over one hundred articles ranging in topic from haunted museums to burlesque dancers. Ms. Pourchot grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, but has spent her last year and a half enjoying the sand and surf in Flagler Beach, Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, and a grouchy parrot named Zoey.

Author Links:

http://www.hungryghostbooks.com
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5279861.Becky_Pourchot
https://www.facebook.com/Hungryghostbooks

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Tour Review: Farsighted by Emlyn Chand (Giveaway)

Title: Farsighted

Series: Farsighted #1

Author: Emlyn Chand

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction

Elements: Psychic Abilities

Publisher: Blue Crown Press

Format: Kindle Edition

ASIN: B005WXFG54

Release Date: October 17, 2011

Source: Tour Host {GCReading Book Tours}
Rating:

Purchase Here: Kindle // Paperback

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Alex Kosmitoras's life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead broke and insanely overprotective, and... oh yeah, he's blind.

Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, an enticing new girl comes to their small Midwest town all the way from India. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to "see" the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they suggest Simmi is in mortal danger.

With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex embarks on his journey to change the future.

Short Review:

Farsighted was an interesting book. I've never read a book from the POV of a blind person, much less a blind person who can see, so this was a new experience. This was a fun book to read, and it had a lot of sweet moments. I can't wait to read the next book.





About this Author:

Emlyn Chand emerged from the womb with a fountain pen clutched in her left hand (true story). When she's not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm Novel Publicity Best known for her Young Adult novels, she is also developing a small, but devoted, following to her children's book series and is beginning to dabble in other genres as well. Emlyn enjoys connecting with readers and is available via almost every social media site in existence. Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info. Don't forget to say "hi" to her sun conure Ducky!

Emlyn also writes romance under the pen name, Darby Davenport.

Author Links:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5130837.Emlyn_Chand
http://www.emlynchand.com/
http://www.twitter.com/emlynchand
http://www.facebook.com/emlynchand

GIVEAWAY:

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Tour Review: Touching Evil by Amber Garr (Giveaway)

Title: Touching Evil

Series: Leila Marx #1

Author(s): Amber Garr
Genre: New Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction

Elements: Psychic Abilities, Demons, Fae, Werewolves, Sorcerers, Witches, Vampires, Ghosts

Publisher: CreateSpace
Format: PDF, 134 Pages
ISBN: 9781480021594
Release Date: November 5, 2012
Source: Tour Host {iLuvTours}
Rating: 

Purchase Here: Kindle // Paperback

Tagline(s): With one touch she can see it all.

Summary: Leila Marx is trying to put her life back together after her fiancé is murdered. When Detective Garrick Pearson enlists her help with a difficult case, she is thankful for the distraction and the opportunity to use her talents as a touch clairvoyant. Leila and Garrick delve into the mystery behind a series of missing teenage girls and mummified corpses while discovering their own growing attraction to each other.

Conner Hoffman is an intriguing lawyer and striking half-demon who enters Leila’s life unexpectedly. Although her visions are terrifying, she is fascinated by his charm and his legacy. When it becomes evident that the murders are linked to a paranormal event, Conner introduces Leila to a world unbeknownst to ordinary society. She suddenly finds herself immersed in supernatural politics, sorcery, and danger as she becomes the killer’s next target.

Staying alive will mean relying on friends, accepting the unbelievable, and trusting in her heart again.

Short Review:

A must read! Touching Evil has a complex story that isn't complex. It's easy to understand and flows perfectly. This books features a lot of supernatural beings we all love, and mysteries to be solved. I can't wait for the next book!

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.

ABTB GIVEAWAY: 

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TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY:

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Challenge Review: The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Calling
Series: Darkness Rising #2
Author: Kelley Armstrong

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction

Elements: Shapeshifters, Psychic Abilities, Demons
Setting Location: Salmon Creek, Vancouver Island, Canada (fictional)

Publisher: Harper Teen, Harper Collins
Format: Hardcover, 326 Pages
ISBN: 9780061797057
Release Date: April 10, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 5/5

Purchase Here: Kindle // Paperback // Audiobook

Tagline(s): ~NONE~ 

Summary: Maya Delaney's paw-print birthmark is the mark of what she truly is -a skin-walker. She can run faster, climb higher, and see better than nearly everyone else. Experiencing intense connections with the animals that roam the woods outside her home, Maya knows it's only a matter of time before she's able to Shift and become one of them. And she believes there may be others in her small town with surprising talents.

Now Maya and her friends have been forced to flee from their homes during a forest fire they suspect was deliberately set. Then they're kidnapped, and after a chilling helicopter crash, they find themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness with nothing but their extraordinary abilities to help them get back home.

In THE CALLING, the sizzling second book in the Darkness Rising trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong pumps up the romance, danger, and suspense that left readers of THE GATHERING clamoring for more.

Review: 

Maya and her friends are being evacuated from a burning Salmon Creek when they notice something isn't quite right. Mayor Tillson is unresponsive and Maya finds signs that he's been drugged. The pilot is acting suspicious, and as the helicopter loses control, a friend is lost. Injured, but having escaped their kidnappers, they find themselves lost in the wilderness of Vancouver Island. As they make their way back to Salmon Creek, secrets and revelations are brought to light, some of which are better left in the dark. 

Project Phoenix is an experiment where the St. Clouds are trying to resurrect extinct supernatural types. Mina Lee had given Daniel a list of terms that included: benandanti, yee naaldlooshii, xana, and sileni. We know that the yee naaldlooshii were an extinct Native American skinwalker, and that that's what Maya, Rafe and Annie are. Sam reveals herself to be a benandanti and that she believes Daniel is one too. The benandanti were an extinct race of demon hunters who evolved into general evil hunters. Like the skinwalkers, the demon hunters hid their powers through intermarriage and the St. Clouds resurrected the genes to bring them back.

SPOILERS AFTER THIS POINT!!

Now, it isn't said in The Calling what the xana and sileni are, but I looked them up and found out what they are. The xana (ha-na) are female water nymphs or fairies. They are extraordinarily beautiful, usually small, slender, with long blonde or light brown hair. Their hypnotic voices can make one feel a sense of peace and love or feel suffocated and driven insane, depending on the purity of the soul. They can be kind, but are territorial. Serena, Hayley, and Nicole all fit this description. It would also fit with Sam's suspicion that Nicole was responsible for Serena's death. Nicole thought of Daniel as her territory and destroyed Serena for invading it.

Sileni were drunken followers of the Greek dog, Dionysus, who ruled over the grape harvest, wine, ritual madness and ecstasy (or possibly followers of his tutor, Silenus, the oldest, wisest, and most drunken of Dionysus's followers). Silenus was believed to possess special knowledge and the power of prophecy when drunk. I feel pretty bad for Corey in this case, because this fits him and the emergence of his powers. Corey is known for his drinking and it seems to help keep his headaches away. It is while he is drunk that his visions come.

There have been some developments in each of their powers, but it'll be interesting to see how much  more they could change in The Rising, especially when those who don't know what they are find out.

The man that held a gun on Maya and looked like her in The Gathering when they were escaping turns out to really be her father, like she suspected. But he's aligned himself with the Nast Cabal to search for her and her friends. He claims to have been searching for her and her brother ever since her mother ran off with them. Do I believe that? I'm not sure. Calvin Antone seems suspicious to me and like he's still hiding something.

Then they made it back to Salmon Creek, the town was completely deserted, their parents believing them to be dead. But the St. Clouds haven't given up on capturing them. Maya, Daniel, Corey, and Rafe split up. Rafe and Corey act as decoys so Maya and Daniel can get away and get help--they end up captured. As they are running, Daniel gets shot with a tranq and tells Maya to keep going. But Maya's not going to leave her friends behind and waits for her chance to rescue them. She Shifts into a cougar and...well...it's really awesome, she was amazing. But while Maya was able to free Daniel and Corey, they didn't make it in time to the helipad to get Rafe, Annie, Sam, and Kenjii.

Before all this happened, Rafe gave Maya a note, and it turned out to be memos on the Buffalo escape and the failed Genesis Project. Rafe left a contact his mother gave him and told Maya to find him and then come back for them. I believe this contact to be Simon and Derek's dad, Kit. The moment I've been looking forward to the most in this series is when the groups from the Darkness Rising and Darkest Powers series come together. I have a feeling it's going to be amazing.

About this Author:

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

 

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Review: Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Title: Poison Princess
Series: The Arcana Chronicles #1

Author(s): Kresley Cole
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Supernatural Fiction

Elements: Zombies, Psychic Abilities, Magicians

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Hardcover, 369 Pages
ISBN: 9781442436640
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Source: Book Depository
Rating: 5/5

Purchase Here: Kindle // Hardcover // Free Preview

Tagline(s): She could save to world--or destroy it. But she can't do either alone. Who can Evie trust?

Summary: Sixteen year old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side….

Review:

Poison Princess begins with Evie meeting Arthur, a young man with a hidden (from Evie, at least) agenda, and recounting her story from 6 days before the Flash to 246 days after the Flash. There are a couple of things that make this dystopian tale unique. One is that we get to see the events leading up to the apocalyptic event. We see Evie's life before the Flash and the horrific end-of-the-world visions she has. Then the actual event itself that changes the world irrevocably. The other is the use of the Major Arcana of the Tarot. This is something that's never been used before. Evie is a part of a group of teens that represent one of the 21 Major Arcana and have the powers of that character. Evie is the Empress Card. So while there are a few general dystopian elements in Poison Princess, there are many that make this novel utterly unique.

As the Empress Card, Evie has power over plants. She can control them, use her blood to grow them, and she has thorn claws that are poisonous. Though she had visions of the coming Flash, that was not her power, but another Arcana's who wanted her to be ready. Evie is the Card that doesn't attack outright, but beckons her enemies to her and waits for that perfect moment to strike. One thing to watch out for if the Empress's connection to the Red Witch. It's important to Evie's development as the Empress.

Death is an enigmatic Arcana. Not much is known about him. He's very old, 21 centuries to be exact. He's the most beautiful boy Evie's ever seen. (Death always turns out to be incredibly gorgeous, though, doesn't he?). Now this is where is gets a little unclear. The Empress is the Card that Death covets the most. How exactly does he covet her? The relationship between the Empress Card and the Death Card can be confusing at times.

The other Cards that join Evie on her quest are Selena, the Moon Card; Matthew, the Fool Card; and Finn, the Magician Card. Aside from these three Arcana, Evie has met only one other in person so far, the Hermit Card. I won't say who the Hermit is so that it's not spoiled for readers. Out of these four, Evie is closest to Matthew. She only just met him in person, but feels are very strong bond with him. Besides Evie, Matthew is my favorite Arcana so far in the series.

One thing I'm really curious about concerning the Arcana is what the rain does, how it's supposed to affect them. According to Matthew, the rain weakens Evie, or the "good" Cards, and strengthens the "bad" Cards, like Death. Clouds on the horizon are a bad omen for Evie and her group.

Outside of all things Arcana is the relationship between Evie and Jackson. Before and After the Flash, they are at each other's throats. But as they struggle to survive in the newly dangerous and ruthless world, they learn more about each other and slowly grow closer. But when you think that they are finally going to take that last step and be together, something or someone comes between them. Evie and Jackson have a very bittersweet relationship that seems doomed from the start in this first book in the Arcana Chronicles. It'll be interesting to see where things go after the events at that end of this book.

I absolutely loved Poison Princess and I believe that it's a must read for any fan of dystopian fiction looking for something different from the usual in this genre. Kresley Cole did an amazing job writing her first Young Adult series. The Arcana Chronicles is a series that I'm going to be keeping a close eye on.

About this Author:

Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series and the young adult Arcana Chronicles. She has also written five award-winning historical romances.

Since her first novel was released in 2003, Kresley has published nineteen books with Simon & Schuster and has seen her releases translated into more than eighteen foreign languages. She has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. Two of her favorite places to visit include the rain forests of Central America and the Queensland area of Australia.

Cole’s trademark action, sensuality, and humor are exemplified in her popular Immortals After Dark Series, which revolves around the Lore, a secret stratum of hundreds of immortal creatures--ranging from Vampires to Lykae, Furies to Shifters, and Fey to Valkyrie--that each have their strengths, weaknesses, and age old prejudices against the others. Though they secretly live among humans, they constantly war among themselves, which gives her a lot of material.

In 2007, Kresley won the prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA award for best paranormal for her novel A Hunger Like No Other, and in January 2009, she became a #1 New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller with her sixth IAD installment, Kiss of a Demon King. In 2010, Kiss of a Demon King earned Kresley her second RITA award. 2011 brought Cole her second #1 NYT bestseller with Dreams of a Dark Warrior.

She lives in Florida with her husband and far too many animals. She spends any free time traveling and enjoys all things related to boats and water. You can learn more about Kresley at www.kresleycole.com.

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Challenge Review: Living with the Dead by Kelley Armstrong

Title: Living with the Dead
Series: Women of the Otherworld #9
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Genre: Urban Fantasy Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Psychic Abilities, Demons, Werewolves, Necromancers, Witches, Sorcerers, Ghosts, Angels
Publisher: Bantam Books, Randoms House Inc.
Format: Hardcover, 372 Pages
ISBN: 9780553806649
Release Date: November 2008
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Purchase Here: Kindle // Paperback 

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Robyn Peltier moved to Los Angeles after her young husband's sudden death, trying to put some distance between herself and her memories. Though she's still grieving, the challenges of her new life as the PR consultant to Portia Kane--the world's most famous celebutante wannabe--can sometimes be amusing, even distracting. But when her client is gunned down in the back room of a nightclub, Robyn is suddenly on the run as the prime suspect in the murder. And as more bodies pile up around her, it seems like only Hope Adams, Robyn's best friends, and Hope's somewhat spooky boyfriend Karl are on Robyn's side.

Hope Adams follows the kinds of stories whose headlines scream from supermarket checkout lines. But the difference is that Hope's stories are even weirder--and they're all true. Though determined to help Robyn, Hope knows it's only a matter of time before her best friend is caught. But it's not the police Hope is worried about. For Robyn has gotten herself  in the middle of a turf war between two powerful Otherworld cabals who'll spill any amount of blood--human and inhuman--to protect what they consider theirs for all eternity. And the only way Hope can keep her friend alive is by letting her enter a world she's safer knowing nothing about.

Review:

Robyn Peltier took a PR job representing Portia Kane in an attempt to leave the painful memories of her husband's untimely death behind. With help from her best friend, Hope Adams, Robyn is slowly getting back to herself. But when a clairvoyant paparazzo kills Portia for a photo she took on her cell phone, Robyn is accused of the murder and ends up on the run from the police--and the killer.

Adele Morrissey is a clairvoyant and a member of the Kumpania. The Kumpania strongly dissuades interaction with the Cabals, so when Adele discovers that Portia Kane has a photo with Adele meeting with Irving Nast in the background, she'll do anything to get that photo before anyone in the Kumpania can see it. Adele is ruthless--she kills anyone who gets in her way, and she uses and sabotages anyone to get what she wants. I didn't like Adele at all. I think she may be one of the worst villians in the Woman of the Otherworld series so far.

It was pretty funny how everyone thought that Robyn was a supernatural, just because she's friends with Hope. They're all asking, What kind of supernatural is she? Like, is it so inconceivable for a human and supernatural to be friends?

Just like in Haunted with the reference to Eliot Ness and the Untouchables, Living with the Dead has a reference to the policeman in The Fugitive who would not give up trying to capture Richard Kimble. That's who Damon compares Finn to, because of his relentless pursuit of Robyn.

Detective Finn is a necromancer who didn't know he was a "necromancer." Though he's a supernatural, he didn't know anything about that world until this case. Finn has help from Robyn's dead husband, Damon, with the case. He even gets a visit from Eve at one point. Finn was one of my favorite characters in Living with the Dead. I hope we get to see more of him in future books.

Hope and Karl appear in Living with the Dead. Aside from trying to help clear Robyn's name, we get to see how their relationship has developed. With Karl's birthday and their first anniversary approaching, Hope still fears that Karl will leave her, and she also fears how dependent she has become of him. When Hope receives a business proposal from Rhys, a clairvoyant mercenary, she knows she has a tough decision to make--and she has to make it herself. I really liked Karl's show of commitment. The infinity symbol charm for Hope's bracelet, with the engraving "No matter what" was so sweet. I love seeing that side of Karl. What I really want to know is if they ever made it to that cabin in the woods, LOL!

About this Author:

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

PART OF....

Review: Taken by Storm by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: Taken by Storm
Series: Raised by Wolves #3
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Genre: Supernatural Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Elements: Werewolves, Psychic Abilities, Ghosts
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Format: Hardcover, 314 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-60684-319-2
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4.5/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: In the eye of a storm stands Bryn, the alpha of the Cedar Ridge werewolf pack.

She is young. Female. Human. Physically weaker than any werewolf, she could never survive a battle with another alpha, the strongest, fiercest, and canniest of his pack.

Yet she cannot refuse a summons from the werewolf Senate, a gathering of the most powerful werewolves on the continent. The subject is a rogue werewolf, but Bryn knows the other packs want what she has.

Her territory. Her females. Her pack.

They want her death.

Werewolf law prevents the other alphas from making a direct attack. It also prevents her former alpha, the mysterious and powerful Callum, from coming to her aid.

But it doesn't prevent Bryn from knowing what she wants.

To keep her lands. To protect her pack.

To survive.

Review:

Still traumatized by causing Lucas's death when he challenged her and Maddy's absence from the pack, Bryn resents her weaknesses as a human leading a werewolf pack. The strength of the pack is the strength of the alpha, and the strength of the alpha is the strength of the pack.

Feeling as though her status as human is weakening her pack, Bryn went to Callum to ask the unthinkable. But seven long months have passed with no word from Callum, so Bryn takes matters into her own hands and tries to hone her abilities as a Resilient.

Things have been quiet, but they can't stay quiet forever. A storm is brewing and Bryn is smack in the middle. Will she come out unscathed or will the coming storm leave her battered and bruised?

When Shay called a Senate meeting to discuss a string of deaths caused by a female Rabid, it was the beginning of a very trying and painful journey for Bryn. Every future Callum could find was coated in blood, and that Bryn would need to be human for what was going to pass. But being human causes Bryn great heartbreak, because you can't trade a human's life for a wolf's.

Surprise revelations, unexpected allies, and enemies thought to be long dead arise. New bonds are formed, old bonds are broken, and hearts are left shattered. But revenge is sweet and a war is waged. A life forever changed by one fateful attack so many years ago, is changed once again by a leap of faith, courage, and hope.

Taken by Storm is the most emotionally charged book in the Raised by Wolves series. Bryn's strength as a leader, as an alpha, was tested physically in Raised by Wolves; mentally in Trial by Fire; and emotionally in Taken by Storm. As a human female alpha in a world where women are seen as prized possessions, Bryn had to work extra hard to prove that she could lead a werewolf pack in a society where only men ruled. She has more than proven that she has what it takes to be alpha.

I'm not sure if Taken by Storm is the final book in this series or not, but I really hope that there is more to come.

About this Author:

Jennifer Lynn Barnes (who mostly goes by Jen) was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has been, in turn, a competitive cheerleader, a volleyball player, a dancer, a debutante, a primate cognition researcher, a teen model, a comic book geek, and a lemur aficionado. She's been writing for as long as she can remember, finished her first full book (which she now refers to as a "practice book" and which none of you will ever see) when she was still in high school, and then wrote Golden the summer after her freshman year in college, when she was nineteen.

Jen graduated high school in 2002, and from Yale University with a degree in cognitive science (the study of the brain and thought) in May of 2006. She'll be spending the 2006-2007 school year abroad, doing autism research at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

Tour Review: Dreamwalker by Andrea Heltsley

Title: Dreamwalker
Series: Persephone's League of Immortals #1
Author: Andrea Heltsley
Genre: Supernatural Fiction, New Adult Fiction
Elements: Witches, Psychic Abilities, Fae, Vampires, Deities, Immortals, Nymphs
Publisher: Andrea Heltsley
Format: Kindle Edition 
ISBN: 978-0-9853224-1-0
Release Date: May 23, 2012
Source: Tour Host {SupaGurl Books / AToMR Book Tours}, Author {Andrea Heltsley}
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Noel Kennedy lost her boyfriend, her job and her dignity all in one week. Then something happened and she began to dream of this stranger she had never met. She couldn’t resist the man of her dreams named Jared especially when she met him in real life. Entranced, she slowly unraveled a world she was meant to stay out of. Her life was not what she thought it was once a sexy Boone stepped into the mix and shook things up. Can she escape a life of servitude or immortality for a chance at love?

Review: 

Noel Kennedy's life changed once she began dreaming of a blond-haired, gray-eyed stranger who seemed familiar to her somehow. Things took a stranger turn when Noel saw the stranger in real life. But the stranger, Jared Townsend, wasn't the only one who found Noel. A danger very real and very unbelievable has found her too. With surprise revelations and long-lost memories surfacing, Noel must come to terms with not only her new reality, but also who she really is and a very uncertain future.

I didn't know what to expect from Dreamwalker, and I'm glad that I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. In Dreamwalker, Persephone is portrayed as the villain and not the victim, which is how she's usually described in stories featuring her. Persephone's League of Immortals is a group of slaves to those immortals that serve Persephone in exchange for that immortality. Then there is the rogue group that fights against PLI to keep their freedom and mortality, and protects others from being victimized and enslaved by PLI. It's all kind of confusing at first, but as Noel learns about this world, we learn along with her. So it gets better as the story progresses.

Noel's power is that of a dream walker, a clairvoyant who can enter dreams, have visions, and even see the future with training. She shares this power with Jared and Samara. The only reason her powers awoke was because Jared was sent to awaken them and performed a ritual to do so. For Noel, who is untrained, this ability can be very inconvenient--when a vision is coming upon her she suddenly nods off. I would have to say that the dreams that Noel has and enters are the most descriptive parts of Dreamwalker, besides the Underworld, though that is more like a nicely wrapped nightmare.

Noel and Samara have the ability to magnify each others powers. This would make them the most powerful clairvoyants in the world. They would be able to manipulate their visions and see the future in its entirety. This is the power of the Maristolla  family. Members of the Maristolla family are highly sought after because of their extremely powerful abilities. Noel and Samara's power is what makes Persephone want them as her new initiates. Like they say, with great power comes great responsibility. But it also comes with great sacrifice, as Noel and Samara know very well.

Now if you were caught between having to choose Jared or Boone, who would it be? Noel finds herself in this very situation. Her soul says Jared, but her heart and mind tell her Boone. At the beginning, I was all for Jared. He was the mysterious dream guy. But then Noel met Boone, who is very much in the now. He was there for her whenever she needed him, and because of his abilities as an empath, he really seemed to understand her. So by the time she had to choose one or the other, I was hoping that she would choose Boone. As for who she chose, you'll just have to read Dreamwalker to find out. And believe me, it's worth it. There are some really steamy scenes!

With the conclusion of Dreamwalker, I am extremely excited for the sequel, which comes out sometime in 2013. With all the uncertainties and questions left up in the air, I can't wait to find out what happens next.

About this Author:

I am a biology nerd who loves reading just about anything paranormal and some chick lit. I love my Italian greyhounds, my family, sunshine and summertime and most of all books! When I am not writing, I am reading. I have been writing on paper and in my head since grade school. It is pretty bad when you are at your job and daydreaming about writing a scene. I have fallen victim more than once, so I decided to make a go of it :) I am an entertainment girl! I love all things books, music, movies and television. Coffee is my best friend and I think I should own a Starbucks by now..lol.

Social Media links:

http://andreaheltsley.blogspot.com 
https://twitter.com/andreaheltsley 
http://www.facebook.com/AndreaHeltsley 
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5766043.Andrea_Heltsley

Links to find/buy your book:

Buy here on Amazon

Buy here on Barnes and Noble

Buy here on CreateSpace

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September 10, 2012

July 14, 2012

Review: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Strikes
Series: Kate Daniels #3 
Author: Ilona Andrews
Genre: Urban Fantasy Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Bean sidhes, Vampires, Necromancers, Shapeshifters, Werewolves, Psychic Abilities, Mages 
Publisher: Ace Books, Penguin Group
Format: Mass Markest Paperback, 310 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-441-01702-7
Release Date: April, 2009
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it's a job for Kate Daniels...

Summary: Drafted to work for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems these days than she knows what to do with. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that's saying a lot.

But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games--an invitation-only, no-holds-barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament--she ans Curran, the Beast Lord, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community...

Review:

Curran's first law as Beast Lord was, "Don't touch the Games." The Midnight Games is a gladiatorial-style tournament where teams of supernaturals are pitted against each other. When Kate's friend Derek is found near death, all signs point to a team in the tournament called the Reapers. Determined to find those responsible, Kate and a small team of rogue shapeshifters infiltrate the tournament. But the tournament hold potential exposure for Kate, and those who work for her father are closer than she ever thought.

Kate's stepfather told her that having friends would be the death of her, and that may be so considering the number of times she's been near death because she was helping someone out. But I think Kate has also gained strength from having people she wishes to protect. The fact that Kate risks potential exposure at the tournament shows a change in her priorities and she's finally starting to live for herself. This sacrifice is significant in that she is starting to open herself to new friendships and relationships. And her loyalty to those she chooses as her friends is undeniable. But she still fears these relationships because she fears these people being caught up in her ever-approaching battle with her father. She has lost so many people in her life already because of who she is and she doesn't want to lose anymore. Derek's attack at the hands of the Reapers brings those fears into reality.

Curran's advances toward Kate reach the stalker-level in Magic Strikes. After the reeve attack in Magic Burns, Curran replaced her apartment door and kept a copy of the key for himself. He goes to her place once in a while, watches her sleep (and let's face it, he's probably the one who ate her apple pie), just to know that she's safe. And after Kate was attacked by some of the members of the Pack, Curran put out an order stating that anyone who attacks her will be punished. Then there is the Universe-explosive kiss that just leaves Kate wanting more. It's no wonder Curran thinks that they're mated. Though Kate will deny it, Curran notices her fear that there may actually be something more between them. I have to say that I would love to be stalked by Curran (who wouldn't?), and the verbal sparring between Curran and Kate is just too funny. The only thing holding Kate back is her fear that Curran will be killed because of who she is. With Curran's persistence though, Kate won't be able to hold out forever.

Kate's father, who we know to be the infamous Roland, hires the Reapers to take out the Pack. Curran's Pack is the second largest in North America and it's growing everyday, so Roland sees them as a threat to his growing empire. He has also sent Hugh d'Ambray, his Warlord, to oversee the job and make sure that the Reapers do as they were hired to. He goes so far as to lend them one of his personal weapons, forged of his own blood, the Scarlet Star. This is the risk to Kate. She is the only one who has the power to destroy Roland's sword, but doing so will expose who she really is. The fact that Kate risked her own life to protect them is not lost on her shapeshifting friends. This is Kate first big show of loyalty to the Pack. This is a very powerful and important moment in the Kate Daniels series so far. It's also a big moment for Kate, because she learns that she also has the same ability as her father to shape her blood.

Magic Strikes shifts from the usual Euro-Greco-Roman mythology of the first two books to Hindu mythology. There is mention of Hindu gods, creatures, and artifacts. And all of this informations is given to us by Dali, an Indonesian, vegetarian, were-tigress. I usually prefer Euro-Greco-Roman mythology to others, but the Hindu mythology used in Magic Strikes was a refreshing change since I don't know much about it.

Stand Out Quotes:

"You're screening your calls?"
"Why not? It saves me from conversations with idiots."
"Is that an insult?"
"You're not an idiot. You're just a deadly psychopath with a god complex. What is it you want?"

"The Beast Lord--my own personl stalker. Gee, every girl's dream."

"I had no idea you were a sausage expert."
Die, die, die, die....
"Is he choking?"
"No, he just needs a moment. Young bouda males. Easily excitable."

"You came for me."
"Always."

About this Author:

Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)

Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.

Tour Review: Shadow Sight by E.J. Stevens (Giveaway)

Title: Shadow Sight
Series: Ivy Granger #1
Author: E.J. Stevens
Genre: Supernatural Fictions, Urban Fantasy Fiction
Elements: Psychic Abilities, Demons, Witches, Fae, Unicorns
Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press
Format: ARC, 145 Pages
ISBN: 9780984247585
Release Date: July 24, 2012
Source: Author {E.J. Stevens}
Rating:

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Some things are best left unseen...

Ivy Granger's second sight is finally giving her life purpose. Ivy and her best friend Jinx may not be raking in the dough, but their psychic detective agency pays the bills--most of the time. Their only worry is the boredom of a slow day and the occasional crazy client--until a demon walks through their door.

Demons are never a good sign...

A demon attorney representing the water fae? Stranger things have happened. And things are about to get very, very strange as a bloodthirsty nightmare hunts the city of Harborsmouth.

There's blood in the water...

Kelpies have a reputation for eating humans. Unfortunately, Kelpies are the clients. When an Unseelie faerie this evil stalks the waterways of your city, you have to make hard choices.

The lesser of two evils...

Review:

REVIEW WILL BE POSTED LATER TODAY. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.

Chapter 2: Excerpt

     I sniffed the air and smelled a whiff of sulfur.  Oh, Mab’s bloody bones!  My hand snagged a crucifix off the desk and I started muttering the Lord’s Prayer.  I may not follow any particular faith, but Kaye had taught me a trick or two.  Ten to one odds my client wasn’t bothered by today’s intense heat.
     Color me pixed—the guy sitting on the other side of my desk was a demon.  My hand, the one holding the crucifix in a white-knuckled grip, was starting to shake.
     “You seem to have some inkling as to my lineage, however I am not here for myself,” he said.  “Hell has no interest in you…yet.  I represent a client, someone very powerful who requires your special services.”
     “You’re telling me that you’re some other dude’s lackey?” I asked.  My hand steadied as I held the crucifix out before me.
     “Attorney,” he said, shooting me a narrow eyed glare.
     “Lower than a lackey then,” I said.
     I was playing with fire, or brimstone.  I should order the demon to leave, but there was something intriguing about his story.  I couldn’t help becoming curious.  Someone had made a deal with a devil, literally, to gain my services.  I wasn’t sure if I should be flattered or die of fright.
     At least I knew my instincts were good—this was definitely going to be a long day and this really was a client from Hell. 

About this Author:  

E.J. Stevens writes poetry, urban fantasy, and young adult paranormal novels. E.J. is the author of the haunting collection of dark poetry FROM THE SHADOWS, the chilling collection of paranormal poetry SHADOWS OF MYTH AND LEGEND, the young adult paranormal SPIRIT GUIDE series (SHE SMELLS THE DEAD, SPIRIT STORM, and LEGEND OF WITCHTROT ROAD) and the IVY GRANGER urban fantasy series (SHADOW SIGHT).

When E.J. isn't at her writing desk she can be found blogging at From the Shadows, a paranormal book blog, or hanging out on Goodreads and Twitter.

E.J. is a graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.



Shadow Sight, the first novel in the Ivy Granger urban fantasy series, goes on sale in trade paperback and ebook editions July 24, 2012.

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Tour Review: Circus Summer by Kailin Gow

Title: Circus Summer
Series: Circus of Curiosities #1
Author: Kailin Gow
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Elements: Aliens, Psychic Abilities
Publisher: TheEdgeBooks, Sparklesoup Inc.
Format: ARC, 255 Pages
ISBN: 978-1597480352
Release Date: July 2, 2012
Source: Author {Kailin Gow}
Rating:  4.5/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: In post-apocalypse America, every season, the Circus of Curiosities visits the city, bringing with it the most fantastic circus acts that are beautiful, majestic, curious, and death-defying. Every season performers for these acts are chosen from the young men and women in each town, trained, and sent to perform in a live grand performance, performed literally to the death. Two performers from Sea Cliff, a beach town at the outskirts of The Center find themselves chosen to be in this Summer's Circus Act. Both must win at any cost, but could they ignore their feelings for each other? Leela Sinclair needs to win in order to get to The Center where she can get medical help from the best physicians for her ailing mother, plague with a condition no one have heard of. For Zachary Nile, his reasons for becoming a performer at the Circus is more mysterious. Only the ringmaster and the Circus of Curiosities owner Dex Hightower (Dr. Dex) knows what the touring Circus is really about amidst the magic and splendor. Despite the Great War and the poverty surrounding the land except for the towns fortunate enough to be near the Center, Dr. Dex and the Circus performers all know, "The show must go on."

Review: 

Leela Sinclair desperately wants to leave her small beach-side town for a better life in The Center and medical help for her ailing mother. When the Circus of Curiosities comes to town Leela, though hesitant at first, sees her chance to make it to The Center. Leela signs up as a volunteer performer, but when training begins she starts seeing signs that the Circus may be more dangerous than it appears to be. With help from fellow performer, Zachary, the boy she's been crushing on for years, they make it through each performance even as the others suffer life-changing injuries and horrible deaths. Leela knows that she'll eventually have to go up against Zachary and as the final curtain rises on the Circus of Curiosities, it's not only Leela's life at stake but her heart as well. But as all performers know, the show must go on.

The prologue to Circus Summer gives us a brief glimpse into the Circus of Curiosities and what to expect. It's not your average circus with clowns, acrobats, and animal tamers (though they are there to save face). There is something more sinister about this circus. The performers are dying and the spectators keep coming back for more, as if unfazed by these horrible acts. What could these young men and women want bad enough for the slim chance of making it to the grand performance in The Center? Exactly who is Dr. Dex? And what is the true purpose of his circus? We learn that and more as the story progresses. But let me tell you, it's not what you expect.

The alternating POVs of Leela and Zach add depth to the story. I always enjoy reading stories from multiple perspectives. This gives insight into other characters and the choices that they make that we might not receive otherwise. Most of Circus Summer is told from Leela's POV and every once in a while we'll see from Zach's POV. Zach's perspective shows us a different world that Leela doesn't know about and secrets are revealed. Though I liked reading from Leela's perspective, I would have liked to see more from Zach's.

I like stories that make me literally feel something, kind of like a song that you can feel in your very being, and what I felt from Circus Summer was intensity, desperation, and fear. But in Leela and Zach I could feel a hope, a white light that shines through, and possibilities of a better future.

I found Circus Summer to be a very interesting and intriguing tale. I can't wait to read the sequel, Circus Autumn, to learn more about the war, the Invaders, the Circus, and the future of this series world and inhabitants. 

About this Author:

Kailin Gow is the author of over 100 books, with the majority of them for young adults. Her most popular series are:  The Frost Series, PULSE Series, Desire Series, Wicked Woods, Steampunk Scarlett Novels, and more.  A full-time author, she is also a producer, having worked in radio, television, and film. She grew up in Southern California, lived in Texas and England, and had traveled extensively around the world. 

Links:

Website: www.KailinGowBooks.com

Blog: http://KailinGow.Wordpress.com

Twitter: http://Twitter.com/KailinGow

Facebook: http://Facebook.com/KailinGowBooks

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/KailinGow

All books on Amazon:
 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_tc_2_0?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3AKailin+Gow&keywords=Kailin+Gow&ie=UTF8&qid=1337442917&sr=8-2-ent&field-contributor_id=B002BMAEH4

All books on B&N:  

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/kailin-gow?keyword=kailin+gow&store=allproducts

FROM KAILIN:

I really appreciate all the excitement and enthusiasm for this upcoming tour of Circus Summer!  I wanted all the hosts to know that if they are are able to generate the most buzz or sales of Circus Summer (by having whoever buy Circus Summer email their receipt to info(at) theEDGEbooks(dot)com) with a comment in the body that says who and which blog they heard about the book from, the host with the most buzz wins a $75 Amazon Gift Card.

If anyone buys Circus Summer from reading my review, could you help me out by following the directions Kailin provided in her message? I would  really appreciate it! ~Christina  

Tour Hosted by SupaGurl Book Tours

Tour Review: Redheads are Soulless by Heather M. White (Giveaway)

Title: Redheads Are Soulless
Series: Red Trilogy #1
Author: Heather M. White
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Psychic Abilities, Immortals
Publisher: Heather M. White
Format: Kindle Edition
ISBN: 9781475227611
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Source: Tour Host {SupaGurl Books}
Rating: 4.5/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: High school senior, Sofia Black, has had a very hard life. Since her father's death 7 years ago, she has had to look after her drug addicted, alcoholic mother. School isn't any better for her either. The other kids constantly tease, and ridicule her. All she wants is to get out of her small hometown in Alabama.

When new student, Jason, shows up, Sofia's world is turned upside down. She doesn't understand why he wants to befriend her so badly... And, just when she thinks she can trust him, trouble appears.

Jason's twin brother, Robbie, moves into town, and things go haywire. Sofia is now running for her life - and Jason is forced to share hidden secrets with her. She learns the truth about her father's death, and finds out that she may not be as "human" as she once thought. She struggles to accept her fate, while fighting for her life.

Review: 

Throughout history redheads have either been cursed or worshiped, reviled or revered. Some legends say that redheads are soulless, where others say that they have special powers. Sofia Black definitely has special powers, but is she soulless? 

Sofia Black is just trying to get through her senior year so that she can leave the horribleness that is her life behind. Her mother is an alcoholic and addict. Her classmates are relentless in their teasing. And her teachers treat her with pity. But everything changes one day when Jason Morgan walks into the room. He takes an immediate interest in Sofia and she can't figure out why he's being so persistent. 

Jason's persistence pays off though and Sofia's walls come crumbling down. He's sweet, romantic, and most of all, understanding. But just as everything seems to be falling into place, Robbie, Jason's twin brother, moves to town. Sofia's world is once again turned upside down. Now she's wondering which brother is the good one, and which wants her dead. 

Living in a small town isn't easy when your mother is an alcoholic and everyone knows it. But Sofia doesn't let all the whispers and murmurs drag her down. Sure, it's hurtful, but it also makes her more determined to leave it all behind when she goes off to college. I loved how strong Sofia was in such a crappy situation. And even when she can't take anymore, breaks down for a good cry, she picks herself back up and moves on. 

Then there's the steamy love triangle between Sofia, Jason, and Robbie. Who doesn't like twin brothers vying for their attention? But there's more than a hint of danger when one of them wants Sofia dead. Which one that is, Robbie or Jason, you won't find out until the end of the book, but it's totally unexpected and you get to enjoy some really steamy-hot make out sessions. I'll leave it up to your imagination as to who those sessions are with. ;) 

Though there isn't much information on the different types of immortals given except for the color of their hair, I thought that it was an interesting and new concept. Roggeras are all redheads, Quartheras all have black hair, and then there's the Hortribue, which we're not really given any info on except that they are extremely dangerous and to be avoided at all costs. They all have supernatural abilities, and those abilities can be dangerous, especially when used the wrong way. Sofia is a Rogerra, Jason and Robbie are Quartheras, and Adrianne (the enemy) is a Hortribue. Supposedly they are the last of their kinds after the war that took place. I hope that we are given more information about these immortals in future books.

I thought that some things could have used some refining, but I really loved this story and its characters. I can't wait to read about what happens next!


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.

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