Thursday, March 31, 2016

What's Next?

What's Next? 
Hosted by IcyBooks

I've been slacking at this post but April is a new month and I want to get back in the groove. 

I have a couple of interesting choices on my kindle this week that I want to read. 

Unexpected Alpha
by Bethany Wicker
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Synopsis
Female Alphas are unheard of in werewolf society, and the Sapphire Pack is no different. So when Lena’s father dies, no one is more shocked than she to discover that his Alpha powers have transferred to her. Lena has her hands full protecting her pack from hunters and rogue wolves, while simultaneously facing prejudices and power-hungry males who want to mate with her just to steal her title. 

But when the uber-sexy Kane enters the picture, Lena gets a lot more than she bargained for. He irritates her to no end, while giving her butterflies at the same time. With his interference and her new-found power bubbling under her skin, something inside her changes, leaving her confused as to what she truly is. She soon discovers that searching for answers is most difficult when the last person she can trust is the only one who has them.

Or 

Defects 
by Sarah Noffke
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Synopsis
In the happy, clean community of Austin Valley, everything appears to be perfect. Seventeen-year-old Em Fuller, however, fears something is askew. Em is one of the new generation of Dream Travelers. For some reason, the gods have not seen fit to gift all of them with their expected special abilities. 
Em is a Defect—one of the unfortunate Dream Travelers not gifted with a psychic power. Desperate to do whatever it takes to earn her gift, she endures painful daily injections along with commands from her overbearing, loveless father. One of the few bright spots in her life is the return of a friend she had thought dead—but with his return comes the knowledge of a shocking, unforgivable truth. The society Em thought was protecting her has actually been betraying her, but she has no idea how to break away from its authority without hurting everyone she loves.

Two great choices the challenge is picking which one is next. They both sound great. 

#DustOffYourBookshelf

#DustOffYourBookshelf

Dust off your Bookshelf was originally created to share books that have been on my “to read pile” for a long time. Some so long I’ve forgotten that they are there, and have purchased duplicate copies. Each week I will share on my blog as well as Instagram a new title. Some may be newer and some so old I have forgotten they are there. I do have issues with buying books and never reading them. I’m hoping that by share them I will be motivated to read them. Plus it’s always fun to find new books hiding within the bookshelves. Feel free to join in and share on Instagram or your blog. Just let me know so I can check out your choice this week too. Just use #DustOffYourBookshelf

This week I decided to go with a trio that I picked up but never seemed to get around to reading. I keep saying one day but haven't yet. 

My books this week 
Demons Not Included by Cheyenne McCray - Goodreads
Vampire Not Invited by Cheyenne McCray - Goodreads
No Werewolves Allowed by Cheyenne McCray - Goodreads

Meet Nyx. This half-human, half–Drow private eye investigates paranormal crimes by day and is an elite Tracker of demons by night. She prefers working solo—and playing rough. So when a terrifying force starts murdering innocent humans and paranorms, and leaving strange demonic symbols burned into their buildings, it’s a case Nyx takes very personally…

Meanwhile, Nyx’s fellow Trackers are being killed one by one—and a sexy new Tracker named Torin is shadowing her every move. Torin has powers Nyx can’t read, and sometimes she wonders whose side he’s on. Nyx’s instincts tell her something’s brewing in the city’s meanest supernatural streets, and that it’s ready to unleash hell on Earth. Who can she trust? Now it’s five minutes to permanent midnight…and Nyx’s last chance means risking everything—even her own life. 

Feel free to dig through your shelves and share what you find. 
Please leave a comment telling me where I can check it out.

Cover Reveal: Polaris

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Welcome to the cover reveal for
Polaris by Beth Bowland
presented by Tantrum Books!
Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!
Be on the look out for this fun upcoming MG title from Tantrum Books!
 
Polaris_1800x2700
Bixie, Montana is in the middle of nowhere, not connected to any place, and not needed to get to any destination. But one snowy evening, a lone visitor walking down an old country road changes thirteen-year-old Aaron Martin’s life forever. Aaron thinks he’s being a Good Samaritan by inviting the nearly-frozen visitor into his home, but he’s unwittingly initiated “The Game.”
A group of Elders, known as the Council of the Legend, come together from time to time to enjoy a rousing event they playfully call “The Game.” Now, Aaron’s town is the playing board and he and his fellow townspeople are the players. The rules are simple. Win. Because if Aaron loses, he won’t just lose his family. He’ll lose his very identity.
add to goodreads
Polaris by Beth Bowland 
Publication Date: August 16, 2016 
 Publisher: Tantrum Books
Available for Pre-Order: Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks
About-the-Author2
Beth Bowland
Beth Bowland, a native Ohioan, has always enjoyed reading and creating stories of her own. As a child she devoured every book she could get her hands on and spent numerous hours at the library each week. She loves writing stories for tweens and young teens and her characters are often described as quirky and fun, but always relatable. When she’s not writing, she loves watching HGTV. She has one daughter and resides in Arlington, Texas with her husband, Phillip.
 
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Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!
 
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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday
Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the list and onto our wonderful shelves. 
Hosted by Pen to Paper

This one has been on my wishlist for ages but never seemed to get around to it. The cover is stunning and the synopsis sounds interesting. 

My choice this week is:


Twisted 
by Elizabeth Montgomery
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Who could’ve known one pair of shoes could cause so much trouble. 
Dee’s lost the sparkly red heels, and when she befriends a witch to help her find a way home, she finds herself down the rabbit hole. With the veil between Wonderland and Oz torn wide open, things go awry.
The flying monkeys are loose in the Kingdom, Hatter is lost on the sun-colored brick road, and betwixt a battle of the worlds, the Red Queen seeks power, but all Dee wants is to go home.

What's on your wishlist? 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday 
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating. In my case not so patiently waiting for the new releases, which I lack. 

This weeks book sounds amazing. I'm anxiously waiting to check it out. 

My choice this week is....

The Dark Crowns
by Kendare Blake
Expected Publication September 20th 2016
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Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.


If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest.
What are you waiting on this week? I can't wait to see what you have this week!

Book Blitz: Remembrance


Remembrance (Transcend Time #1)
Genre: YA Romance
Release Date: July 27th 2011
Dreamscape Publishing

Summary from Goodreads:
Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from 1815, England ... but she doesn't realize it until she meets her soul mate from the past and he triggers her memories to gradually return.

When Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie's high school, she feels a connection to him, like she knows him. But he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching Drew is more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can't she get him out of her mind?

Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, but fighting fate isn’t easy, and she’s determined to unravel the mysteries of the past.

Remembrance is now FREE!
BUY LINKS:

Want to read the entire Transcend Time series for FREE? Sign up for the author’s newsletter!


About the Author
Michelle Madow grew up in Baltimore, graduated Rollins College in Orlando, and now lives in Boca Raton, Florida. She wrote her first book in her junior year of college, and has been writing novels since. Some of her favorite things are: reading, pizza, traveling, shopping, time travel, Broadway musicals, and spending time with friends and family. Michelle has toured across America to promote her books and to encourage high school students to embrace reading and writing. Someday, she hopes to travel the world for a year on a cruise ship.

Author Links:
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Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Book Reviews: Boys that Bite


Title - Boys that Bite
Author - Mari Mancusi
Series - Blood Coven Vampire #1
Genre - YA paranormal
Published - April 4th 2006
Publisher - Berkley
Format - Kindle
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Find it on Amazon
Two sisters—as different as the sun and the rain. For one, getting into the Blood Coven is to die for. But for the other, getting out could be lethal...

When Sunny McDonald gets dragged to Club Fang by her twin sister Rayne, she doesn't expect to find anything besides a bunch of Goth kids playing at being vampires. But when some guy mistakes Sunny for her dark-side-loving sister and bites her on the neck, she finds out that his fangs are real—and deadly. 

Now, Sunny has less than a week to figure out how to reverse the bite, or else she's going to end up as the perpetually undead. And not only will she be a vampire, she'll also be bonded to Magnus—the bloodsucker who bit her—forever. And forever is a really long time...

Review
Sunny’s sister has convinced her to join her at a goth club little did Sunny know that the guy flirting with her really was a vampire. Or that his bite would start the transformation into becoming a vampire was meant for her sister. Not only does Sunny have to worry about becoming a but there is also a vampire slayer out there who could be after her. At least Bertha the slayer has seen better days so she should be able to avoid her.

The only chance to change Sunny back into a human is to drink from the holy grail which happens to be in England. While Sunny may not be on the up when it comes to vampire her twin sister is having a blog all about it. At school at last Sunny has drawn the attention her long time crush he even asks her to prom. Now I only they can find the cup and get back to town before Prom.

I like Sunny a lot while more than I do her twin sister, but maybe that’s because her sister doesn’t have a big role in this book. I like that even though Sunny is tossed into the supernatural world she handles it well accepting her fate and dashing off with a strange vampire to stop the transition. I like Magnus when we learned the truth behind how long he’s waited for a blood mate my heart went out to him. I also like the way things worked out for both of them.

I’ve had Boys that Bite on my kindle for so long I forgot that it was even on it. I’ve been craving a YA vampire novel so I decided to give it a shot and wasn’t disappointed. While the vampire concept isn’t original the author has added her own unique spin creating a captivating paranormal romance. I really loved the characters I found Sunny easy to connect with after all she’s just like I was back in the day as a teen. This isn’t the first book I’ve read by the author so I knew I would love her writing style which I did. I love all the pop culture references scattered throughout the book. A fast paced action packed whirlwind adventure that I found hard to put down. I enjoyed every moment of Boys that Bite it’s a beautifully written story. I look forward to reading the rest of the series the next one is on my kindle. 

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday 
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

~Grab your current read
~Open to a random page
~Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on the page
~BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! ( make sure that what you share doesn't give away too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)


~Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

I'm currently reading a book that has been on my kindle forever. 

Boys that Bite by Mari Mancusi
Add to (Goodreads)

Teaser

"So how is that not grounding?" I demand.

She shrugs. "I guess it is. I just always hated the term. It sounds so ...totalitarian." 

"Then why be a fascist dictator?" I try.

"Sunny, please." My mother rubs her temples with her forefingers. 
"It's late. I'm tired. You have school tomorrow. Go to bed."
What's your teaser this week?


Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday!
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke And The Brookish. Who doesn't love lists. They make life easy! And fun!! It's always a never ending topic.

This week's topic: 

Top Ten books of our latest 5 star reads

I decided to go with my top 5 of March since I've read some amazing ones. 

1. The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel - One of my favorites of 2016 so far. I'm addicted to dystopian novels and this one reminded me a little of The Selection and Pawn which are two of my faves. 

2. Dissension by Adrienne Monson - A Beautifully done captivating vampire story.  

3. Forbidden Alpha by Missy Lynn Ryan - I loved every moment of the book the gypsy concept was well done. 

4. Ashes in the Sky by Jennifer M Eaton - Another well executed installment in the Fire in the Woods series. 

5. Lost by Alyssa Rose Ivy - OMG amazing installment in the Allure Chronicles. I can't wait to read the next one. 

This one is kind of tough because I talk a lot about the book I love. I did come up with 6 that I feel are well deserving of some love. A mixed variety. 


I'm curious to see what everyone else's sharing this week. 
What are you top ten this week?

Book Blitz: Say Something



Say Something…

T.A. Roth
(Speak #1)
Publication date: March 25th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Twenty–two-year-old Ari Munoz prefers to keep men at an arm’s length. So when her best friend Vonne guilts her into going to a frat party, she couldn’t think of a worse way to spend her night. That’s until she sparks the interest of love’em and leave’em Ben Rodriguez. She knows she shouldn’t trust him, but the electricity she feels when they lock eyes is something she’s never felt before.

Twenty-two-year-old Ben Rodriguez has it all, and his senior year marks the beginning of even bigger things to come. He’s a football star, fraternity president, and his endless pick of beauties makes him the envy of all of his frat brothers. So why is a pair of long legs and hazel eyes making him want to throw out his rules?

Ari has her secrets.

Ben has his rules.
What happens when both your pasts threaten your future?
Say Something…


*This novel contains adult themes and language. 18+ please. This is book one in a series and contains a cliffhanger.
SNEAK PEEK:
Every word is a whisper across my lips. I want him to kiss me so bad. I even start to chant it like a mantra. Repeating the words over and over in my head. kiss me . . . kiss me . . . kiss me. . . All it would take is a small tilt of my head. The closer he gets to the end of the song the more desperate I become. F*ck it! I tilt my head up unable to resist any longer and bring his juicy bottom lip into my mouth. I gently suck and he releases a moan that I feel vibrate throughout every inch of my body. His right hand slides up the back of my neck and he fists a handful of my hair. He gently pulls away and holds my stare, his golden brown eyes to my hazel green. His breath is coming out in quick pants. He looks like he’s fighting himself to make a decision. I’m blinking quickly, saying a silent prayer that he doesn’t make the wrong one.


Author Bio:
T.A. Roth is a wife and mother of two funny and crazy kids. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she couldn't imagine living anywhere else. When she's not beautifying clients as a stylist/make-up artist at her day job you can find her reading, fangirling her favorite authors, or singing along to the radio. After getting the opportunity to read the debut novel of a then client now friend something clicked. Her "what the hell" attitude kicked in and a year later, here we are.
Say Something... A new adult romance is her debut novel.

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Book Blitz: Dodging Trains



Dodging Trains
Sunniva Dee
Publication date: March 29th 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

I was twelve when a stranger at a train station taught me the meaning of ugly. He forced himself on me and threatened to kill my family if I told.
I stayed silent and the ugliness grew.
Now, that word rolls in film clips through my mind. All I’ve done since my best friend, Keyon Arias, left town is cement how ugly I am. Ugly on the inside—deep down to my core. On the outside… I am a Vixen. I flash men a smile and make them moan out pleasure I control.
Not them. Never them.
After five years of being away, my beautiful boy has come back to town for his father’s masquerade ball. He’s different. Hard muscle supersedes the skin and bone of his once boyish frame. One thing hasn’t changed though: the murderous look in his eyes when he slaughters his opponents. In the ring, I see the bullied boy, all grown up, dominating in ways he couldn’t in high school.
He’s the mayor’s son. The rising MMA fighter. The beautiful one.
I’m not the Paislee Cain of before, not the sweet girl he once knew, the one who chased away his bullies. I’m the town slut. The dirty girl whose shame will never fade no matter how many men I use. He’d disown what I’ve become.
Because beautiful can never love ugly.
DT weight cut teaser
EXCERPT:
I’ve been on a one-track rail to landing Paislee in my bed since she got off the plane. Not that it’s been planned, but I convinced her that Pizza Pazza in Tampa is better than Mamma Lucia’s in Calceth. I told her about Simon during dinner, one thing led to another, and here I am unlocking the door to my duplex and letting her enter first.
She hasn’t commented on how we took my car from her hotel, how she’s basically dependent on me and my whims. But hey, I’m fucked too; it wasn’t my choice to have someone fill my head, and I didn’t ask that person to come to Florida.
We haven’t talked about tomorrow’s schedule, but I’m going to the rich dude’s house with her. He could be a total freak for all I know, so she’s not facing him alone.
“Oooh,” she whispers through a reverent puff of air like she’s never seen a cat before. Simon’s playing it up too, slinking around the corner with all the grace in the universe, stroking the doorjamb with a hip before he meanders over to us. “He’s soooo beautiful.”
“He’s just a regular old black street cat,” I say, but by the wink she shoots me, she doesn’t buy it. She read me back when too. “’Kay, fine: Simon’s awesome. Straight up the best pelt ever.”
“Pelt? You ass,” she giggles as she pets him from the top of his head and down the length of his body to his tail. Simon lifts it, happy. Any minute now, he’ll crank the volume on his purr-machine.
“Wow, he purrs loud.”
And there. For a cat, he’s being unexpectedly predictable.
“He loves the ladies,” I say, which makes her giggle more. I love to make her giggle. When she stands up again, I pull her in with one arm, fingers splayed across her spine. Firm breasts press against me, and I groan a little.
She puffs another laugh, all Simon’s fault. He’s gotten to the part of the agenda where he’s going to cramp my style. His purrs reach us from the floor, and he’s scissoring in and out between both of our legs.
“Never mind him. Look at me,” I whisper. Let my thumb and forefinger slide over her chin. The amusement recedes from her eyes when she sees that I mean business. I’m hardening. She yelps. Then she laughs out loud.

“Simon, quit it!” I say, exasperated, and bend to unhook his claws from the fabric over her knees. “I’m sorry. You see how it is now, right?
Simon’s the ass in this house. I should sell him to the highest bidder. Fifty cents flat will do. Come to think of it—I’ve got fifty cents in my pocket,” I say, kissing her down the corridor. “I could pay someone to take him. ‘Perfectly good cat with a year’s worth of free cat food.’”

Obviously, I’m digging my own grave here. There’s no hot lovemaking when your girl’s laughing so hard she’s about to pee herself.
DT blitz teaser 1

Author Bio:
Between studies, teaching, and advising, Sunniva has spent her entire adult life in a college environment. Most of her novels are new adult romance geared toward smart, passionate readers with a love for eclectic language and engaging their brain as well as their heart while reading.
Born in the Land of the Midnight Sun, the author spent her early twenties making the world her playground. Southern Europe: Spain, Italy, Greece--Argentina: Buenos Aires, in particular. The United States finally kept her interest, and after half a decade in Los Angeles, she now lounges in the beautiful city of Savannah.
Sometimes, Sunniva writes with a paranormal twist (Shattering Halos, Stargazer, and Cat Love). At other times, it's contemporary (Pandora Wild Child, Leon's Way, Adrenaline Crush, Walking Heartbreak, and Dodging Trains, coming in late March 2016).
This author is the happiest when her characters let their emotions run off with them, shaping her stories in ways she never foresaw. She loves bad-boys and good-boys run amok, and like in real life, her goal is to keep the reader on her toes until the end of each story.

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