Cover Reveal & GIVEAWAY: Cutlass by Ashley Nixon

We are super excited to reveal the cover for Cutlass, the upcoming YA Fantasy by Ashley Nixon.  Young adult? Check. Fantasy? Check. Pirates? Gimme gimme gimme.  I can't wait to read this one! Be sure to add it to your TBRs and scroll down to enter the giveaway for a $25 Amazon card!

Cutlass by Ashley Nixon 

(Cutlass Series #1) 

Publication date: April 23rd 2014

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:



Notorious pirate Barren Reed has one thing on his mind: Revenge against the man who killed his father. So kidnapping his enemy’s fiancé seems a perfect plan…until he actually does it.

Larkin Lee is more than a pretty face and fiancé to a powerful man. Her fierce personality is enough to make any pirate want to push her overboard.

But when the King of the Orient comes to Barren with a task—to find the Bloodstone, a powerful gem thought only to exist in legend, Barren sees another opportunity to destroy his enemy. Together, Barren, Larkin and a crew of pirates set off to find the stone, only to discover it caused the death of Barren’s own mother and Larkin’s, too. As his strongest allies turn into his greatest enemies, and the life of the girl he kidnapped becomes more important than he ever dreamed, Barren’s quest for revenge becomes a fight to save the Orient.


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18755539-cutlass?ac=1




a Rafflecopter giveaway ___________________________________________________________________________________

AUTHOR BIO:
Ashley was born and raised in Oklahoma, where the wind really does sweep down the plains, and horses and carriages aren't used as much as she'd like. When she's not writing, she's hard at work on her Master's degree in Library Science and Information Technology, working out, or pretending she's Sherlock Holmes. Her obsession with writing began after reading the Lord of the Rings in the eighth grade. Since then, she's loved everything Fantasy--resulting in an unhealthy obsession with the 'geek' tab on Pinterest, where all things awesome go.


Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5199530.Ashley_Nixon
http://www.ashley-nixon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ashleynixonauthor
https://twitter.com/Ashleymnixon

Review: The Sharpest Blade by Sandy Williams

The Sharpest Blade

Shadow Reader #3

Sandy Williams

Release Date: December 31, 2013

4.5/5.0 stars

It’s always hard for me to review the final book in a series.  We invest so much time in these series leading up to the big payoff finale that to say anything feels like I’m stealing some of that magic away from you. What I can say, without any hesitation, is that this was a fantastic ending to a much-loved trilogy.

The Sharpest Blade picks up a few weeks after the ending of the last book. Mackenzie has been leading a surprisingly normal life- living in a small apartment and working at the local library.  The Fae have stuck to their word and left her alone completely.  There is still the matter of her connection to Kyol (which she has no idea how to control) and Sosch, the kimki, isn’t exactly a normal roommate (sidenote: can I pleeeease have one?) but for the most part it’s as mundane and human a life as she could ever have.  This is what she’s always wanted so she should be happy- should being the keyword.  When she feels through their bond that Kyol is badly hurt she wastes no time rushing to his side in Faery and is caught up in their problems once again.

All the books in this series have been high action but this one is NON-STOP.  You get a nice peaceful moment in the very beginning then spend the rest of the book being tossed around like a ragdoll.  This is not a complaint. The pace was so breakneck and the action so vivid that I devoured this book page after page unable to pull myself away. 

There were plenty of twists and twists on twists that I never saw coming.  This book would build me up to these wondrous highs and then drop me to crushing lows in the span of a few pages.  I laughed, I cried, I even chanted “no-no-no-no-no-no” a few times.  The consequences in this book for all involved are enormous and some of the characters make huge sacrifices that just rip you to shreds.

I love these characters, each and every one of them.  They feel like old friends and saying goodbye to them was so bittersweet.  Is it too early to start begging for a spinoff series? Whatever Sandy Williams writes next will definitely be going on my reading list. 

Blitz: Giveaway and Excerpt: Infinity Unleashed by Sedona Venez

Book & Author Details:

Title: Infinity Unleashed
Author: Sedona Venez
Cover Designer: Mae I Design
Release Date: December 10, 2013
Series: Valkyries: Soaring Raven series
Genre: New adult paranormal romance - due to graphic language and sexual content this book is recommended for readers 18+.

Synopsis:

A new adult story of Betrayal. Sex. Addiction. Love. And Power...

Mason's diabolical plan had actually worked.

In a matter of minutes he had kidnapped me, stripping me of everything...money, family, and freedom. It was humbling, depressing, and damn infuriating but I refuse to go down without a fight. I refuse to be defeated.

Boulder will find me. I didn't know how, but I felt it deep in my soul.

Boulder...the one man that made my body quake with just one look. It was madness. There was so much I didn't know about him. For that matter, there was so much that he didn't know about me…like the evil darkness lurking inside me, waiting to be unleashed.

Could he accept me without judging?

That's where most men failed. Accepting the real me. But after years of hardening my heart, and sealing it behind a steel cage, I was ready to give myself to him freely. Knowing, that he planned to take everything I offered with both hands, until all I thought of...and wanted...was him…

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17800668-infinity-unleashed?ac=1

Purchase:

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sedona-Venez/e/B00AT319OY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1386270284&sr=8-1-fkmr0

--B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/infinity-unleashed-sedona-venez/1117327561?ean=9780984499380

--iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/infinity-unleashed/id738303117?mt=11

----

AUTHOR BIO

Sedona Venez is the author of the New Adult Credence Curse series, and the New Adult Valkyries: Soaring Raven series. She is a NYC girl (go Brooklyn!) with a slight obsession with her iPad, Pinterest, and television shows Pawn Stars and Face Off. Her love of music, tattoos, rockers, alpha men and wolf-shifters inspires her edgy paranormal romance novels. She also writes Middle Grade/Young Adult under her real name, T.L. Clarke. You can find out more about Sedona and her novels by visiting http://www.sedonavenez.com

“Like” her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SedonaVenez
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLClarke_TLC
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/tlcauthor
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6535416.Sedona_Venez
Sedona’s website: http://www.sedonavenez.com 

----

EXCERPT:

His eyes narrowed. His sensual lips pulled into a thin line. Her heart raced, remembering how hard those lips were when he licked her own. When he kissed her neck, God, she shuddered… His lips and tongue were wickedly lethal. She bit back the lusty sigh before it slipped out.

“Ah, Querida.” His sinfully delicious voice was like a caress against her breasts.
She barely fought the delicious shiver that ran down her spine.
She hated and loved the way he stubbornly refused to stop using the Spanish endearment, Querida—darling—instead of her name.
His lips curled up into a smile as his eyes slid from her black stilettos to her long tanned legs, then her curves encased in her tight, caramel sheath dress.
“You look beautiful, as usual.”
Before she could protest, he pulled her close with one smooth move, sliding his hands up and down her body. Her sex clenched from the hottest frisk in damn history. Annoyed at herself, she smiled coldly before spinning away, stepping back quickly.
“Behave, Cortez. I’m not carrying a weapon on my body.” Technically true. It wasn’t her fault his cockiness prevented him from checking for the gun she stashed in her designer clutch. “Trust me.”
He laughed tauntingly before waving away his hovering enforcers. “Trust is something that must be earned, Querida, and you are far from earning mine.” He pulled her close, their lips almost brushing, millimeters apart.
She gazed up at him, desperately trying to tamp down the image of his hands on her body before stepping back, resisting the urge to run her fingers through his dark hair. She turned away, looking pointedly at the decked-out table set for one with lit candles. It was too romantic for her taste.
“Aw… the vampire did all this for me?”
He scowled. “Everyone has to eat.”
She cursed herself for noticing how ridiculously sexy his scowl was. “You’re a vampire. You don’t eat.”
“I do eat and well.” His gaze lingered on her body, sending a jolt of lust whipping straight to her sex. She squeezed her legs together, smothering the delicious pulsing.


----

GIVEAWAYS!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW: Defy by Sara B Larson

Defy
Sara B Larson
5.0/5.0
Publish Date: January 7th, 2013

"A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?"

I've gotta say, that this perhaps is one of the HARDEST reviews I've ever written because I really am so blown away all I want to do is jump up and down and squeal with delight at how much I loved this book....

even if it made me cry SOB ... a lot.

In all seriousness though, I have never connected with and fallen in love with characters as quickly as I did in this book. Within in the first few chapters she already had me so attached to charecters that I was bawling my eyes out over situations involving them. Seriously, at 10% I called Stacey, my blog partner, and was like "YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!!!!" Which I never, ever do. EVER. Usually, I have to be at least half way through the book before I'll even CONSIDER recommending it, but usually I have to be almost done before I'll give a final go on it.


Larson is amazing. The descriptions of the world and the situations are so vivid. You can feel the anguish, the fear, the unease, the... passion... ;) It's absolutely brilliant. I've never felt so "IN" the world while reading the book. She managed to make me feel everything from utter disgust to butterflies in this book.

Additionally, her characters are phenomenal. I adored Alex. I loved that she was written as a really strong female lead, but that she was still allowed to show fear, and doubt, and question everything and everyone. She was flawed enough to be real. Even when I was SCREAMING at my Kindle for her to STOP questioning things and just GO with it, I still understood WHY she did.

As far as the love triangle went, I thought it was really well done. I don't really mind a love triangle, as long as I can understand why the main character would be torn. I could totally understand being torn between Damien and Rylan, because I'm still torn between the two. I love them both so, so much. Damien is sharp, and witty, and infuriating at times. Rylan is sweet, protective, and her best friend. They are both amazing in their own ways, and they are both beautifully (swoontastically) flawed.

This is definitely going on my list of favorite reads this year. It was a breath-taking, exhilarating ride, and I can't wait to get back on for book 2!

Also!  Sara Larson has a post up on her blog right now for a chance to win a FREE SIGNED ARC of Defy.  I'm entering just because this is definitely a book for my "keeper shelf" and I would love nothing more than a SIGNED copy of it!  So hurry up, don't let me steal all your fun!  Get to entering!

ENTER HERE

GIVEAWAY AND EXCERPT!!! Fallen by Laury Falter

Book & Author Details:

Fallen by Laury Falter
Publication date: April 1st 2009
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Fallen – the first book in the bestselling Guardian Trilogy…

Maggie is unaware of the terrifying fate that awaits her. It isn’t until she lands in New Orleans for a full year at a private high school and her unknown enemies find her does she realize that her life is in danger.

As a mystifying stranger repeatedly intervenes and blocks the attempts on her life, she begins to learn that there is more to him than his need to protect her and that he may be the key to understanding why her enemies have just now arrived.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8376729-fallen?ac=1

Purchase:

--Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Guardian-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00280MFEY/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1358172824&sr=1---B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fallen-laury-falter/1030634673?ean=2940012375438
--Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/274357

----

AUTHOR BIO:

Laury Falter is a bestselling author of young adult romantic suspense and urban fantasy. She has three series out: the Guardian Trilogy, the Residue Series, and the Apocalypse Chronicles.

To learn more about Laury and her novels, visit her at:
Website: lauryfalter.com
Twitter page: twitter.com/LauryFalter
Facebook page: facebook.com/pages/Laury-Falter/196033543803745
Goodreads page: goodreads.com/author/show/4061922.Laury_Falter

----

Excerpt:

 

“I apologize for the delay, Abaddon.”

I turned my head to find Eran standing beside me, no more than a few inches away.

Excitement swelled inside me, so powerful I couldn’t have contained it if I’d wanted to. The nervousness now displayed on Abaddon’s face gave me even stronger encouragement.

I wanted so desperately to reach out and wrap my arms around Eran, wanted it more than anything in the world. My desperate yearning was only being held back because I still couldn’t move.

I’m not sure Eran would have allowed it anyways. He was a warrior, and he was now engaged in battle. Besides, I was nothing more to him than someone to save.

Eran didn’t look my way but kept his focus on Abaddon, who stepped back a few paces, his confidence faltering.

It was Sarai who strolled forward, self-assured, placing herself in the middle.  

As she strolled by Abaddon, she mused, “Don’t worry, I believe I can handle this one.” Her face curled up into a hideous grin as she continued her approach.

I knew then what she planned…but it was too late.

“Eran, so good to see you again…” she whispered in a low drawl.

“No!” I screamed enraged, waiting for Eran to fall to the ground, whimpering with desperation as Rufus had done.

Eran remained standing.

A moment passed and Sarai’s face contorted, confusion setting in. Her state of shock became more defined, deepening further when he finally replied.

“You don’t work on me, Sarai…” I watched in disbelief as his gorgeous smirk, the one I missed so deeply, rose up. Eran turned and his stunning eyes settled on me, concentrating so intently I could not have mistaken his message. “I’m already in love.”

The world changed for me at that moment. As Eran’s confession hung in the air, I felt the passion and the power in me swell. Nothing was impossible now.

Sarai’s mouth fell open, a shaken sigh escaping. She then looked at me, her eyes narrowing in fury as Eran’s words sunk in.

Eran flippantly disregarded her, turning to address Abaddon. “You are outnumbered. You are overpowered. You have allowed yourself to be cornered. Shoddy work, Abaddon.”

As I watched their interaction, it dawned on me that Eran was enjoying this moment and that it appeared to have been long overdue. I felt a smile on my lips, nearly causing me to giggle.

It was then Abaddon released me. I fell to the ground, hitting it hard but overwhelmed with relief. I glanced up, wondering what power Eran had over Abaddon to give up his hold on me.

In an instant, I realized what had happened.

Abaddon had let me go willingly. He needed his energy – all of it – for another reason…

Leaning forward, Abaddon’s arms extended, his feet sweeping up from the ground, as he lunged for Eran.

----

GIVEAWAY !!!!

 

REVIEW: Counting Shadows - Olivia Rivers

Counting Shadows
Olivia Rivers
Publish Date: July 1, 2013
3.5/4.0


This is one of those books that is really hard to rate.  The first half of the book is very set-up heavy.  You learn a lot of back story and are very much in Faye's head.  The majority of the first half is set in Faye's rooms while she mopes over her dead lover and plots her revenge on the person who got him killed.

It doesn't really pick up until Lor finally convinces her to leave her rooms and then all hell breaks loose Then things get really freaking interesting, really freaking fast.

The first half of the book was around 3 stars for me, but when it got going, it shot up to a 4.  So, since I was torn with what to give it, I just split the difference and called it a 3.5.  I don't want that to discourage you from reading it though, because I have a feeling book two is going to be REALLY interesting.

Overall, its a good story, and I understand why the beginning was the way it was.  In this case, you are going into a story where the love interest is dead.  The beginning is meant to show you how much she cares about him, and all that he gave just for her.  It's meant to help you feel the connection between them and help you understand why Faye is so hellbent on finding his killer.

Unfortunately, while I can imagine how horrendous her loss is, I have a hard time connecting with a character who is dead.  So while I felt for her, and I understood her motives, I really didn't care about him.

Lor on the other hand... HOLY HELL!  Lor can call me sweetheart any damn time he likes.  He is seriously sexy with his cocky lines and tattooed self.  *drool*

I absolutely adore his random fears as well.  They seriously cracked me up.  Although, I'm still not sure what is up with his nervous twitch.

Oh well, he's hot anyway.

Overall, I'm still recommending this as a read, because although the first half of this book is kind of slow, I have a feeling that book two is going to be awesome.

Especially after the cliffhanger she threw in at the end that left me making this face (minus the fur):

I'm totally psyched to read book two!

Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

These Broken Stars

Starbound #1

Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Release Date: December 10, 2013

5.0/5.0 stars

This book should seriously come prepackaged with smelling salts because you’re gonna swoon so hardcore you just might need them. If I had to describe this book in only one word, that would be it: swoon. You will swoon for the cover, you will swoon for the writing, you will swoon for the characters, and you will most definitely swoon for their relationship.

This book is told from the dual points of view of Lilac (the spoiled and overprotected daughter of one of the richest and most powerful men in the universe) and Tarver (a young, decorated war hero who comes from an everyday working Joe type of family). They are both traveling onboard the Icarus, which is a monstrous spaceship owned by Lilac’s father. Something happens to pull the ship out of hyperspace and the ship begins to crash. People, of course, panic and even trample each other in their haste to reach the escape pods. Unfortunately, due to an electrical surge the escape pods do not function properly and will not launch. Thanks to Tarver’s quick thinking and protective nature and Lilac’s own intelligence they manage to launch their own escape pod and land on a nearby partially terraformed planet. They expect to be rescued quickly but when no rescue team shows up they are forced to figure out how to survive on this desolate planet by themselves.

While this book does contain some nice sci-fi elements it should be noted that this is really much more of a survivalist story. That being said the entire crash scene was awesome! It was intense and the wreckage afterwards was horrifying enough to make me feel queasy. There are also some well played creepy moments along their journey that gave me anxiety.

The real strength of this novel is the characters. I don’t know if I have ever read two characters who felt more real to me. I felt so connected to both of them. Their struggles and triumphs resonated so deeply with me. It makes me so sad the next book won’t be following them.

Lilac in the beginning had some brat moments when they first arrived on the new planet that made me not instantly love her but given her background it’s understandable. She was completely out of her element and is used to being protected and shielded by her father’s name. She does grow as a character as they travel and it wasn’t long before I absolutely adored her.

Tarver – book boyfriend alert! He was strong, solid, courageous, kind, and took no shit from anybody. As a soldier, he is much more prepared for the situation they find themselves in and doesn’t have as much issues adjusting. I liked him in the beginning but he just kept growing on me more and more as the story went on. It was refreshing to see a strong, confident male lead that didn’t cross into arrogant territory.

Their relationship is a bit prickly in the beginning and neither of them trusts one another for obvious reasons. Watching them slowly start to become friends and open up to each other was a thing of beauty. Their dialogue and interactions felt so true and not at all forced. I roll my eyes at a lot of romances but this one had me hooked.



This is one of the best books I have read all year. I will most definitely be buying the hardcover for my keeper shelf. They say never to judge a book by its cover but in this case go ahead. This book is as stunningly beautiful as its cover, maybe even more.

COVER REVEAL: Lost Hope by Frankie Rose

We are so excited to be a part of the cover reveal for Frankie Rose's latest book Lost Hope!!!  She is one of my favorite authors! If you haven't checked her out before, I highly recommend that you do!

Title: Lost Hope (Hope #3)

Author: Frankie Rose

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Expected Release Date: January 15, 2014

Hosted By: Love Between the Sheets

Add to Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/ book/show/18012687-lost-hope

Synopsis

“How Many Miles To Babylon?” “Threescore and Ten.” “Can I Get There by Candlelight?” “Yes, and back again. If your heels be nimble and light, you may get there by candlelight.” London 1891 Two boys meet in a foggy, darkened alleyway in London. Poised to fight, they recognise a quality in each other that stays their hands: they’re different. Not human. Well, not entirely, anyway. The universe, God, Kismet…something brought them together, forged a bond between them as strong as brothers’, and even they know it has to be for a reason. London Present Day Daniel and Kayden are cut from the same cloth. Their lives, their histories are so intertwined and tangled together that the last fifty years they’ve been at each other’s throats have seemed like an eternity. For Kayden, it’s been a punishment. For Daniel, a painful burden. Now that circumstances have drawn them back to London once more, repairing the bridges they’d once burned to the ground is taking time. Time they don’t have. Farley Hope is used to things going wrong. Epically wrong. A dead mother; a half-brother who recently went on a killing spree and refuses to come out of his room; a friend whose body has been hijacked by a malevolent, powerful being… All of that would be bad enough, but considering her brooding boyfriend hasn’t brought up the fact that she agreed to marry him in weeks…her run of bad luck is really starting to take its toll. Things had better start looking up, otherwise her new-found powers are going to be put to use, and there’s no guaranteeing what will be getting blown up.

This is where it all began.

Where chance meetings set an unstoppable

chain of events in motion.

How a prophecy came to be realised.

How Lost Hope was found.

About the Author

Frankie Rose was born in the United Kingdom, but now lives with her husband in sunny Australia.

She officially makes things up for a living, and when she's not doing that, she is generally making paper birds out of receipts and old lists or taking photographs that make her smile.

Connect with Frankie

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Other Books in the Hope Series

Sovereign Hope (Hope #1)

Add to Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13645671-sovereign- hope

Buy the Book for Only $0.99

Amazon

Everyone has a soul

Some are just worth more than others

Farley Hope was seventeen when her mother disappeared. In the last six months not much has changed, except that her eighteenth birthday came and went and still no sign of Moira. Her life is just as complicated as it always was. Since her father died in a car crash before she was even born, she’s officially parentless, and to top it all off she’s still suffering from the hallucinations. Mind-splitting, vivid hallucinations- the kind prone to induce night terrors and leave you whimpering under your covers like a baby.

The last thing on her mind is boys. Farley is on break from St. Judes’ when she meets Daniel. It’s not some casual run in at a party, or even a blind date with friends, though. Daniel is the guy following her in his 1970′s Dodge Charger; the guy standing at her window in the LA lunch hour traffic, trying to persuade her to leave everything behind and follow him. And he's hot as all hell. 

The moment Farley lays eyes on Daniel, everything changes. He is cold and withdrawn, but there are cracks in his harsh veneer- cracks that betray the secrets he is trying so hard to hide. Farley is drawn into a world that will shake apart everything she thought she ever knew. There are truths out there that she must learn: that a person’s soul is their only real currency, and there are people who would do anything to take hers; that loving someone can hurt so much more than hating them; but, most importantly, when your future is predestined, there is little you can do to change it.

Farley Hope is prophesied.

Her coming has been awaited for hundreds of years.

She is destined to end the tyranny of the Soul Reavers.

To do so she must die.

Eternal Hope (Hope #2)

Add to Goodreads

https:/ /www.goodreads.com/book/show/15741338-eternal-hope

Buy the Book for Only $0.99

Amazon

He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me

When your friends go missing and you don’t know if they’re dead or alive; when you tie your soul to the one you love; when you kill to protect and your family suffers, there’s only one thing you can do:

Move to Montana.

Farley Hope is special. She was prophesied to kill the forebears of her bloodline- a race of cold-blooded Reavers, men who steal the souls of the living to gain power. The Quorum had counted on Farley ending her own life in the process, but when Kayden came to her aid and helped save both her and Daniel, he undid their plans. Now the Quorum are displeased, not only with Kayden, but with Farley and Daniel too. Though her father is now dead, Farley’s troubles with the Reavers are far from over. An ancient Immortal, trapped for a thousand years, wants Farley for himself, and he will stop at nothing to claim her.

With secrets that lead to anger and pain, that turn friendship to dust, the group must overcome the problems within their own circle before they have a hope of fighting off the powers that threaten their lives.

Review: The Last Bastion of the Living - Rhiannon Frater

The Last Bastion of the Living
Rhiannon Frater
4.0/5.0

Ok.  So I really don't know what it is with me and zombie books lately.  Somehow I keep volunteering to read stories about zombies even though they leave me utterly terrified.  I'm really starting to think there might be something wrong with me.  HOWEVER, you aren't here to read about my issues, you're here to see what I thought of the book?  Right?  I thought so.

I really enjoyed The Last Bastion.  I think Rhiannon Frater did a phenomenal job of coming up with an interesting take on zombies.  I thought it was pretty unique (granted, my experience in zombie novels is fairly limited, but *I* thought it was different).  I absolutely loved and appreciated the whole idea of virus mutation creating different types of zombies, some of which were far more terrifying than others.

I also really loved the whole set up of humanity being in a crisis. All that is left of the human race is trapped within the walls of a dying city that is quickly running out of food and resources.  Their only hope lies in one last military push in a last ditch effort to destroy the Infiri Scourge (zombies).  To do so they have to become the one thing they hate most.  It was very intense to say the least.

Frater doesn't stop there though.  In addition to all the craziness going on with the zombies and the city dying, she throws in some political craziness too.  You spend the entire book trying to figure out what is truth, what is a lie, and what the deal is with the political figures in this book.

It was all quite stressful.  Which is why I loved it.

Well, that and the characters.  I absolutely adored Maria.  She is one of those smart, strong, badass book women that I can't help but adore.  However, just because she was a badass didn't mean that she didn't care deeply for those she loved.  I actually kind of appreciated that Frater wrote in the whole concept of wanting a family, and marriage, etc.  I thought it was kind of cool to have it in a story like this.  It's not usually something books in this genre have.  Additionally, the cover model for this book was the perfect representation of Maria.

I really loved the Maria's little group of Infiri Boon as well, especially Denman.  There was just something about him that I couldn't help but adore. 

I couldn't really connect with Dwayne.  I mean, I liked him well enough, and I don't think he's a *bad* guy, I just didn't love him.  Not sure why, just didn't.  I'm thinking it may have something to do with the age difference or that I came in questioning his intentions.  He definitely proves himself by the end of the book, but i dunno, like I said, I just don't *love* him.

Overall, it's a GREAT book, and I highly, highly recommend it.  I loved it, flesh-munching zombie gore and all.

GIVEAWAYS and EXCERPT - Forever Jack - Natasha Boyd

We are super excited about the upcoming release of Forever Jack by Natasha Boyd.  It looks like it is going to be filled with all kinds of sexy tension and excitement.  Can't wait to get my hands on a copy of it!

 

 Make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom and enter BOTH (that's right TWO) giveaways! 

Book & Author Details:

Forever, Jack by Natasha Boyd

(Eversea #2)

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

A feisty small-town girl and the Hollywood star who broke her heart
An all-consuming love threatened by fame
One last chance at FOREVER
Keri Ann Butler’s life changed on the night she met movie star, Jack Eversea. She thought she knew a Jack that was very different to the man adored by fans the world over. In the wake of his betrayal and abandonment, Keri Ann has had to pick up and move forward with the life she was supposed to live and has put off far too long.
Suddenly Jack is back, and his explanations for why he left seem more and more plausible, and his declarations more seductive. But being Jack’s latest tabloid accessory isn’t on Keri Ann’s career agenda, no matter how much she is attracted to him. And how can she can ever trust him again?
Jack knows he let the only ‘real’ thing that ever happened to him slip through his fingers. And his hands have been tied to try and stop it. Until Now.
Jack is now fighting to save his relationship with Keri Ann, even as his crazy life threatens to tear them apart. Again. The question is, can he convince her she can have it all? And have him? Forever?
Read how it all began in “Eversea “…

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18077900-forever-jack?ac=1

Purchase:

—Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Jack-Eversea-Natasha-Boyd-ebook/dp/B00GXKW1D0/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1385507211&sr=8-14&keywords=eversea+2

_______

Forever, Jack (Eversea #2) by Natasha Boyd

EXCERPT

Jack wasn’t wearing his ball cap, and the breeze ruffled his darker, longer

hair.

It seemed laughable now, that I would have waited until tomorrow morning

to find out what he was doing back here. I cocked my head. “You realize this

qualifies as seriously creepy.”

I thought I saw his mouth lift slightly on one side.

“I couldn’t sleep and thought walking would help. And well, I ended up

here.” Jack shrugged, his hands still wedged in his jeans. His soft, deep voice

that I knew so well, that the world knew so well, was a smooth melody over the

jagged rasping of the cicadas. “I didn’t know you’d be awake.”

You just showed back up in my life, how could I be

sleeping? I bit down, holding my teeth together to keep from inviting him in.

“Why couldn’t you sleep?” I asked eventually.

“Why couldn’t you?” he returned.

My skin got warm. “I was sleeping.”

Barely.

I imagined I saw his eyes narrow. “But Jazz texted and woke me,” I added.

Not technically a lie.

Jack nodded, pursing his lips and rocked back on his heels. I could see

more details now that my eyes were accustomed to the night and the clouds

continued clearing the sky. He was wearing dark jeans and a snug dark t-shirt.

His eyes hadn’t left me. I reached up and smoothed my hair, tucking an errant

strand back in the direction of my messy braid, wondering what on earth I looked

like after tossing and turning for the last few hours.

“Stop.”

I paused.

“You’re beautiful.”

My blood pressure rose. I clamped my jaw tight again. My upbringing

dictated I thank him, but a wave of anger, no ... make that pure and utter pissed-
off-ness, almost choked me. “You can’t even see me,” I snorted. “Nice try. What

do you want anyway?”

“I don’t need to see you to know you’re beautiful.”

Well, didn’t that knock an oyster out of its shell? What was he playing at?

“Seriously, what do you want, Jack? You need someone to buy your groceries or

something?” My acidic tone left no doubt about how I felt.

His shoulders moved almost imperceptibly, and I had the thought he’d

either let out a long sigh or he was at a loss as to what to say, and was about

to give up and turn around. “Can I come in?” he asked so quietly, I almost didn’t

hear him. “I’d like to talk to you.”

Oh yes... let him in girl!

_______

AUTHOR BIO:

Natasha Boyd is a writer with a background in marketing and public relations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and lives in the coastal Carolina Lowcountry, complete with Spanish moss, alligators and mosquitoes the size of tiny birds.  She has a husband, two sons and a host of scared relatives that worry the next book will be about them.  She is a member of Georgia Romance Writers, Romance Writers of America and Island Writers Network, where she has been a featured speaker. Forever, Jack is the sequel to her award-winning and first full-length novel, Eversea. 

https://www.facebook.com/authornatashaboyd

http://pinterest.com/lovefrmlowcntry/

twitter @lovefrmlowcntry

http://www.natashaboyd.com

http://eversea.tumblr.com

instagram @lovefrmlowcntry

a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

BLITZ: GIVEAWAY AND EXCERPT - COUNTING SHADOWS BY OLIVIA RIVERS

Book & Author Details:

Counting Shadows by Olivia Rivers

(Duplicity #1)

Publication date: June 30th 2013

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

 

Synopsis:

Two hearts, one kiss…

…Nothing left.

Faye’s soul-mate is everything she should hate—an Angel, an outcast, an enemy. Ashe is just one more imperfection in her life that somehow makes everything… perfect.

Until he’s murdered.

With the only person she loves ripped away, Faye sets out to avenge Ashe’s death. The task seems impossible, until she finds Lor—an Angel who looks nearly identical to Ashe’s killer. Arrogant and hot-headed, Lor is everything Ashe wasn’t. But Lor is connected to her soul-mate’s past, and Faye needs him to find the killer—even if Lor is potentially deadly.

But when Faye discovers that Ashe’s past isn’t as black and white as she thought, she faces an impossible choice: Give up the hunt, and risk the lives of others. Or continue pursuing Ashe’s murderer, and forfeit the lives of everyone in her family—including herself.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18132530-counting-shadows?ac=1

Purchase:

—Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Counting-Shadows-Duplicity-Olivia-Rivers-ebook/dp/B00DQIBZLQ

_______

Excerpt: Counting Shadows by Olivia Rivers

I face a dark cell, one far from any window and trapped in shadows. I take a step toward it, and then back, unable to see anyone in the darkness.
Then a figure steps forward into a faint patch of light, and I let out a choked sound.
It’s him.
Young, about my own age. Tanned skin. Muscular and well-built, but taller than any Irradorian. Sharp facial features, strong jaw, and the scar that runs from his right eyebrow down to his bottom lip—
The scar. It’s not there. I frantically scan the man’s face another time, but the scar is still missing.
The man in front of me raises an eyebrow and leans against the bars of his cell. “You like something you see?”
“No,” I blurt out.
I don’t like this. I hate this. This man looks exactly like Ashe’s killer, but… he’s not. As I look over him a second time, I notice a few more subtle differences; this man is a little taller than Ashe’s killer, a little younger, and he has a tattoo on his collarbone. I can only see a portion of the black ink, but it’s enough to prove this isn’t who I’m looking for. Ashe’s killer didn’t have any tattoos.
But maybe he just got the tattoo after he killed Ashe. Maybe… No. He could gain a tattoo, but he could never lose a scar.
This isn’t the man I’ve been searching for.
The man in the cell hisses in a breath, reminding me that I said something offensive. “Ouch.” The way he speaks reminds me of Farren’s sarcastic drawl, only this man’s is much more practiced. He has a slight accent that somehow manages to make his husky voice sound elegant, but it just makes me shudder. His voice sounds so much like Ashe’s killer’s. “That hurts, sweetheart. Like an arrow through the heart. Words can kill, you know.”
My chest constricts, knowing how right he is. Knowing he knows how right he is. It was words that killed Ashe, just a few whispers in the ear of Father. And, somehow, this man is tied to that.
I glare at him, doing my best to look intimidating, despite the shivers crawling over my skin. “What’s your name?”
He bows deeply, the motion even more sarcastic than his words. “My name is Lor. At your service, sweetheart.” He looks up and winks. “Any service.”
“I’m not here to play games with you,” I growl.
“Too bad.”
“I want to know right now. What part are you playing in this? How do you know my Guardian’s killer? What did you have to gain from his death?” I gasp in air, suddenly out of breath.
Lor tilts his head and stares at me for a long moment, his eyebrows raised in amusement. “You know,” he says, his voice softening to a tone that’s darkly patronizing. “Where I come from, it’s considered rather rude to come barging into someone’s prison cell and accuse them of murder. That’s usually done before the whole incarceration thing.”

AUTHOR BIO:

Olivia Rivers is the author of five novels, ranging in genres from Epic Fantasy to Contemporary Romance. Along with being a writer, she’s a freelance digital artist, a literary agent assistant, and a high school student. She’s a nerd at heart, and is a hopeless fan-girl for Doctor Who and Pokémon. Olivia lives in California with a dog who thinks he’s a cat, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and a kitten who is just generally confused. 

Author Links:

Website: http://oliviarivers.blogspot.ca/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6548741.Olivia_Rivers

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiversOlivia

a Rafflecopter giveaway