Thursday, December 27, 2012

The Camp by Karice Bolton Cover Reveal

The Camp

by Karice Bolton
Cover by PhatPuppy Art
Expected Release Date: TBA


Synopsis:
Emma has always strove for perfection in her almost eighteen years of existence, but it has never been good enough. As she finds herself counting the days until she’s officially free from her parents’ reins, her stepfather hands her a plane ticket explaining that she must attend the Re-Boot Camp in the wilds of Alaska.
Once she lands in the middle of nowhere, she realizes the camp is nothing like she imagined, and she wants out immediately. That is until she meets Liam.
The camp is full of teens with dark pasts, but she finds herself drawn to Liam’s ability to see who she really is and who she wants to become. While Emma and Liam begin adjusting to a place neither want to be, frightening events begin to unfold. When people begin disappearing, it becomes apparent they can only trust one another as they fight for survival.



Author Bio:
Karice BoltonKarice Bolton is a paranormal romance/urban fantasy author living in the Pacific Northwest. All three books in The Watchers Trilogy are available now, Awakening, Legions, and Cataclysm. Lonely Souls, which is the first book in her new series Witch Avenue, was released in June 2012!

Karice married the love of her life who she met in high school, and she still can't get over how cute and funny he is. They have two English Bulldogs that are the cutest bullies in the world, and they use their cuteness to get what they want. Karice loves the snow and gravitates towards the stuff as often as possible! She enjoys skiing and tries really hard to snowboard, but often makes a nice little area to sit while everyone zips by on their board. She enjoys writing, and she also loves to read just about anything with print.
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Thursday, December 13, 2012

The Chronicles of Fire & Ice Blog Tour: Promo

The Chronicles of Fire & Ice
by L.L. Hunter
Published by Xlibris Publishing
Publication Date: November 9, 2012
Formats Available: Paperback, eBook

Synopsis:
Is love stronger than race?

The world is changeing as we know it, the human race is dwindling, but so are the angels. In order to preserve their bloodlines they have bred with humans, creating a new race called Nephilim. But there is one race that is more endangered than humans or Seraphim, Archangels.
As most people believe the Archangels have become extinct, rumours surface of a Legend; that a baby was born out of flame, the offspring of an archangel.

Dyston Blackbell is tasked to find and protect this child. He sends her strange dreams in hope that she will find him. When he discovers that she has enrolled at his family’s angel academy in Melbourne, he will do anything to protect Scarlett. But when he finds himself falling for her the Heavenly realm rejects him.

But 21-year-old Scarlett Porter realises that being half Archangel has some advantages. She has developed a unique trait, one that marks her as an Archangel. Will she keep it to herself or use it to fight back?

When an old enemy resurfaces, The Lucifites, Scarlett discovers that Dyston’s older brother Lakyn is at the helm of their sinister plans; to destroy the Nephilim race or use Scarlett for their own selfish purposes when they find out who she really is.

And when Lakyn discovers that Scarlett had only seduced him to rescue Dyston from his prison in the Realm of Light, it sends him on a journey of self-discovery and destruction. One that sees him venturing farther off course than his father would like. Will he choose a new life of love or his old life of darkness?



The Chronicles of Fire and Ice (The Legend of The Archangel #1)


Sounds like an interesting read! I must get this on my TBR pile at once! 

About the Author:
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I am an Australian author who began writing when I was fifteen or sixteen, originally song lyrics, but then moved onto fanfiction when I was nineteen. Having published over 20 stories online. One of which was nominated for an award. I have also written, directed and starred in two original plays entitled, “No Frills Airlines: Flight 123,” and the sequel, “No frills Airlines: Come Fly with Us.” The latter of which was a musical.

I have studied everything from veterinary nursing, forensic science anddramatic arts but have always known my true calling was writing.
My hobbies include, writing my books and scripts, reading, singing, acting, directing, watching movies, 50’s fashion and playing with my animals. When I am not writing I can be found reading somewhere comfortable with one or both of my‘furbabies’.

Monday, December 10, 2012

The Hallowed Ones Blog Tour: Review

The Hallowed Ones
The Hollowed Ones, #1
by Laura Bickle
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: September 25, 2012

ISBN-10: 0547859260
ISBN-13: 978-0547859262

Format Reviewed: eBook sent from Author

Synopsis:
If your home was the last safe place on earth, would you let a stranger in?

In this captivating thriller, an Amish settlement is the last safe haven in a world plagued by an unspeakable horror…

Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers are free to experience non-Amish culture before officially joining the church. But before Rumspringa arrives, Katie’s safe world starts to crumble. It begins with a fiery helicopter crash in the cornfields, followed by rumors of massive unrest and the disappearance of huge numbers of people all over the world. Something is out there...and it is making a killing.

Unsure why they haven’t yet been attacked, the Amish Elders make a decree: No one goes outside their community, and no one is allowed in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man lying just outside the boundary of their land, she can’t leave him to die. She refuses to submit to the Elder’s rule and secretly brings the stranger into her community—but what else is she bringing in with him?


The Hallowed Ones



My Thoughts:
Amish life and vampires?? Ummm....Hell Yes! I have to say that I am completely in love with this book. Laura Bickle has brought the dystopian genre, vampires, and the Amish together in an incredible and thrilling book. But be forewarned, there is a lot of gore and it is not for the weak! The basis is given in the synopsis above, but I will add a few tidbits. The Amish, or Plain Folk as they refer to themselves are very different from the Outside or English world. Katie has to sneaks things like comic books and Coca Cola - both of which is unacceptable in her world. Katie is a fantastic character and is what makes this book great. She is obstinate, defiant, and yet has more backbone and morals than those of her community.

When the end of the world is upon them, the Elders close the gates - no one in and no one out. Something is happening outside, something that is killing people off in droves. No one knows what is really going on. When an Outsider is found just beyond the gates Katie saves his life by invoking "Gelassenheit" or God's will and saves him from being put down. She even goes as far as sneaking around and bringing him to her barn and hiding him. Then when she needs to get him (Alex) antibiotics desperately, Katie leaves and encounters the very thing that is tearing the world down. Vampires. And not your sparkly, brooding, sexy vampires; they are the 30 Day's of Night vampires who kill without remorse and are evil incarnate.

I could not put this book down. I enjoyed reading and learning about the Amish culture as well as some of the more fictional aspects of the book. I really liked the inclusion the Hexenmeister - or Amish wizard/witch. They are basically there to put markings on buildings to protect them or bring about fertility or a good harvest. Not many Ordnungs use them anymore so this showed just how strict and old school this community was. As for the more horrific parts of the book, well I have to say that the image of a pack of feral vampire cheerleaders is a favorite for me. The vampires are creeptastic and had me turning on my lights while reading about them.

Laura Bickle is a great storyteller and was able to bring in some difficult subjects with ease. She wove religion and faith together in a way that made me think and had the characters thinking about what is right and true and what that meant to them at what might be the end of the world. There is also a bit of romance for those who can't live without it, but it is not the overall theme. The book is over 300 pages, which is a little longer than some young adult books though it was paced well. There were times in the beginning where I wanted more, but the background and information was all there for a purpose. I am ecstatic that there will be a second book. It could stand alone with the ending that it has, but I am happy to know that we will be seeing more of Katie.


"Plain folk are taught that evil is spiritual. The absence of God."
Mrs. Parsall bit back a sob. "Well it seems as if God's left the building, and we're left to our own devices."

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review as part of a blog tour. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.


About the Author:

Laura Bickle's professional background is in criminal justice and library science. When she's not patrolling the stacks at the public library, she can be found reaming up stories about the monsters under the stairs.

She has written several contemporary fantasy novels for adults, and THE HALLOWED ONES is her first young adult novel. Laura lives in Ohio with her husband and five mostly-reformed feral cats. For more about Laura, please visit her website at: www.laurabickle.com.

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This tour of The Hallowed Ones is hosted by Bewitching Book Tours.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Shadow Slayer Blog Tour: Review & Trailer


Thank you to both SupaGurl Tours and author Laura A.H. Elliot for the opportunity to participate in the Shadow Slayer tour. At the bottom is a Rafflecopter link for a giveaway and check out the awesome trailer to the book!

**Shadow Slayer is the second book in the Shadow Series. In order to fully understand the series you will have to read the first book 13 on Halloween. My review of Shadow Slayer will have spoilers about book 1.

13 on Halloween
Shadow Series, #1
by Laura A.H. Elliot
Amazon

Synopsis:
Roxie has the best night of her life until the popular kids decide they want to celebrate her birthday in a way Roxie never expects––in her attic, with a gift that’s out of this world, and a pact to never tell a living soul what happens next.

Twelve-year-old Roxie wants to be like Adrianne, the popular girl who gets everything she wants––a flock to prowl around the mall with; invitations to parties; and for Hayden, the cutest guy in the eighth grade to, you know, notice her. When Roxie invites all the eighth grade peacocks (code word : popular kids) to her first ever thirteenth birthday party on Halloween, they all come and give her a gift that’s literally out of this world. Roxie astral projects to Planet Popular where she becomes seventeen instantly and gets everything she’s always wanted, but nothing is as it seems. Being a high school peacock is complicated and Roxie will risk everything to be who she thinks she wants to be. Oh yeah, there’s Prom, doppelgangers, a mysterious map, and lots of bad peacocks too.

13 on Halloween, (Shadow Series #1) is now available as an audiobook on iTunes, Audible or Amazon.

13 on Halloween (Shadow Series, #1)

Shadow Slayer
Shadow Series, #2
by Laura A.H. Elliot
Amazon

Synopsis:
Shadows will do anything to become human. You see their influence everyday. You say things you don’t mean or do things that aren’t like you. You look, different. Friends you’ve known forever suddenly never call.

As a freshman, Roxie just wants to fit in which is impossible because she barely runs into her friends at her huge high school. Adrianne’s disappearance and Hayden’s attention rock Roxie’s world. But nothing rocks it like the most gorgeous guy at school, Drew. And nothing is more important to Roxie than astral projecting back to Planet Popular to solve the mystery of the map. But that changes when Drew invites Roxie to Homecoming. Hayden warns her that something’s wrong. Why would a guy like Drew like Roxie anyway? Drew must want something. Hayden’s right. Drew is...different. Planet Popular was just the beginning. Part of a bigger world, the Shadow World. There’s a war brewing between the world of humans and the world of shadows. When the shadow invasion begins at Roxie’s high school, she’ll not only fight for her life but the lives of her family and friends, when she discovers she’s the Shadow Slayer, the one human who can save Earth from the shadow onslaught. But, Roxie can’t even kill a spider. Oh yeah, there’s an evil English teacher, an enchanted play, a sword of Sandonian steel, a homecoming of horrors, and seven magic words too.

Shadow Slayer (Shadow Series, #2)

My Thoughts:
Starting almost a year later from the first book 13 on Halloween, Roxie and Ally are now Freshman. Their first day of Oakdale High School to be precise. But now their friend Arrianne is gone and their is a freaky new girl and a boy that ranks as a 10 on the hottness scale. Not to mention that the old Enligh teacher is suddenly gone and a new definely non-teacher like guy with tattoos and long hair steps in. And to top it all of, Roxie suddenly has the urge to try out for the school play. 

Now for the first time since she visited Planet Popular does she feel special. Drew (the 10!) is interested in her and she actually got a prize part in the school play. It seems too good to be true. And according to Hayden it is. Hayden warns Roxie that Drew is a shadow, but she doesn't believe him and he is acting weird anyway. But things are not regular or normal in any way. When Drew tells Roxie that they are both Halloween Babies. As to what that means, well I will let you find out. But what I can tell you is that Roxie learns she has a calling. She is a shadow slayer and has a job to do on her 14th birthday. 

I wasn't sure throughout the entire book who was a good guy and who wasn't. There is so much suspense and intrigue. And top it all off with your typical teenage drama makes this book awesome. It is written towards the younger set (11-14) but can be read and enjoyed by all. If I had to compare it to anything I would say it is similar to The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith mixed with a little Buffy slayerness - but without the vampires. 

The Shadow Series is fantastic. I found the characters funny and reminscenct of my high school friends. And while there are some silly things like the name "Planet Popular" the story is not light. The themes are strong and intense - life and death, fate, and the question of who are your real friends. Roxie is a great heroine and I can't wait to see what happens next! 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review as part of a blog tour. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.





Book Trailer:




About the Author:
I love writing about enchanted road trips, shadow worlds, and alien romance while eating lots of popcorn. I live with my hubby and Oso, our aussie shepherd, in our tree house on the central California coast. After twenty-plus years as a freelance graphic designer/animator with clients including E! Entertainment Television and The Los Angeles Times, I crossed over into the world of publishing non-fiction and followed my heart to the world of fiction. Check out my other books at Laurasmagicday.wordpress.com or find me on Facebook or @Laurawriting!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Monday, December 3, 2012

Forever Fae Release Day Blitz


Happy Book Birthday! I have not read this book yet, but I am so excited to get my hands on it! The cover is stunning and between romance, fantasy, and the Fae - how could you resist? Here is the full jacket from the paperback copy. I am in love already...and it is only $0.99!!


~~~~~~~~~~Forever Fae~~~~~~~~~~


Forever Fae
by L.P. Dover
Publication Date: December 3, 2012
Formats Available: eBook, paperback ~318 pages
Genre: Adult Fantasy

Synopsis:


He leans down, lips parted, and then our lips connect……….We didn’t know that this one kiss has FOREVER changed the Land of the Fae.
            According to the Prophecy proclaimed many years ago, Princess Calista of the Summer Court is destined to change the Land of the Fae from the evil determined to destroy it.  Her powers are phenomenal, and she secretly trains for battle with her handsome warrior friend, Merrick, who unbeknownst to her protects her heart as well, in hopes of keeping it for himself.  At least, until the seductive Prince Ryder attends the Guardian Ceremony and instantly sends a fire burning through her veins and a connection so deep they both discover a love above anything imaginable.
            No one knows how Calista is destined to change the kingdoms, but there is one that does.  He not only craves Calista’s power, but her body as well, and his goal is to steal her power, make her his Dark Queen, and take over the Land of the Fae. 
            Will the evil succeed in claiming Calista’s soul?  Or will the two men that fight for her heart save her from despair, and help her fulfill her destiny to become what she was meant to be.  


Excerpt:
  “Ryder, I don’t know how or why it is happening so fast, but my heart does feel like it belongs to you, and when I saw you tonight, I felt it.  The connection is there, and I see it now, but what if it isn’t real?”  I pull away from him to walk closer to the crystal blue water of the lake. 
He looks at me bewildered.  “Why wouldn’t it be real?  It feels real to me,” he says while making his way towards me.  He’s coming closer and all I want to do is run into his arms and feel his body surround mine.  That is what my body is telling me, but how do I find out if that’s what my heart truly feels. 
I shrug and say flatly, “I just think we might feel this way because of the Prophecy.”  He wraps me in his arms again and tilts my chin up so my eyes settle on his.  His eyes look worried and the frown marring his face clearly shows the tension in the lines around his features. 
Ryder shakes his head and lets out an exasperated breath, “Why are you trying to fight this, Calista?  Whatever we feel is between me and you.  No Prophecy or any amount of magic is going to change the way I feel in my heart.”  He cups my face with both hands and brings his face closer to mine to where our foreheads are tenderly touching.  He breathes lightly against my face and whispers softly, “My heart tells me this is real, and if we can’t believe in our own hearts, then what can we believe in?”

About the Author:
I am an avid reader that loves my collection of books. Writing has always been a passion of mine and now I am glad I get to share my passion with the world. I live in North Carolina with my husband and two beautiful girls.  I absolutely love being a southern girl. I spent several years in college starting out with a major in Psychology and then switching to dental. I worked in the dental field for eight years and then decided to stay home with my two beautiful girls. I spent the beginning of my reading years reading suspense thrillers, but now I can't get away from the paranormal/fantasy books. I knew ever since then that if I wrote anything it would be in a paranormal aspect. Now that I have started on my passion and began writing, you will not see me go anywhere without a notebook and pen.
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