FEATHERMORE Review by Jen at DREAM READS

**I wanted to thank Jennifer for such an amazing and thorough review. It certainly made my day and gave me that needed push to get Fallenmore started again. THANK YOU!! I loooove it**

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REVIEW



As ironic as it might sound, it is often rare to find a YA Paranormal romance with a lot of mystery to it nowadays. It often happens that the paranormal elements in the story take a back seat to the romance in a lot of the current Young Adult novels that are out right now. But, guess what, my fellow readers? That does not happen here. And it was refreshing. Lucy Swing manages to create quite a heart-wrenching story in Feathermore that is packed with suspense, intrigue, and mystery from start to finish. This book is just shrouded in mystery and there is more to every single character than meets the eye, not just the protagonist, which was really interesting.

 

Which leads me to the characterization of this novel. I just loved it. Jade, our female lead in this novel, has a great voice. She is a regular high school student - well, so she thinks - who likes to hang out with her friends and family. She may not be the most popular person in her town or school but she has quite a lovely personality because she is nice but not a pushover and she is incredibly funny and sarcastic. And as the story develops her reactions to things were refreshing. She has quite the sense of humor and instead of accepting the changes that are happening to her immediately, she freaks out and is resistant. Her feelings about things just felt authentic because how can a person take it lightly that their real background is supernatural and that they are not really human as they thought, right? That is enough to make any person even lose their mind. I also liked that Claire and Nate who are Jade's best friends, are also an integral part of the story, with their own hidden history and character struggles. It was great that the family and friends of Jade were really important to her life, it gave the story a realistic touch and it helped add dimensionality to Jade's life story.

Another aspect of Feathermore that I really liked was the world-building. It was intricate and complex and dark. Definitely dark and mysterious. And what I liked about it is that the author didn't quite reveal from the start what the true identities of the characters were and what was going on. The reader gets to learn along with Jade what she truly is, what is after her, who her friends really were and it was interesting. The title does give a hint but the lore behind it was surprising from what I've read in other angel centered books. It was unique. Speaking of complex angel lore, I loved that the villain in this book was not your typical stoic/machiavellic power thirsty villain with a little too much time on his hands. No. In Feathermore we have a lady villain and boy is she ruthless and vengeful and her identity was quite surprising. She is a prominent figure in angel lore/myth and I liked the twist the author gave to her story.

When it comes to the romance in Feathermore. I would have to say that it was sweet. As you're reading, it feels as if this book is gonna have your typical case of instantaneous love at first sight. And all you can think is, "well, okay, the guy is cute and nice and has charm but why does the protagonist like him so much if they've just met" BUT as the story develops, the reader soon learns that that is not the case. There is actually quite an immense reason for Jade's attraction to Avan which is the male lead in this story. And that reason was quite layered and unique. There also was another character in this book named Blake that I felt had an interesting connection to Jade, though, for those who hate love triangles, no worries. It never quite reaches that status in this book. The main love story is Jade and Avan. Although, maybe in book two there is potential for a love triangle with Blake in the mix? It's hard to tell since Blake's true identity was left as a mystery even until the end of the book, which, in my opinion, was quite cruel because his scenes in this book were the most fascinating. Who is Blake? - I was dying to know but I'm hoping book two will clear that up.

My advice: Read this book. It had an amazing cliffhanger. Did I say amazing? I shall repeat myself. It was good. The writing in this novel is very fluid. Lucy Swing definitely has a way with words. It was easy to get lost in her writing. Feathermore was dark but fun - due to Jade's amazing sense of humor as a character and it really felt like a paranormal book. It was full of mystery. It almost felt like an episode of the show Supernatural where everything starts off happy and blissful and then it all descends into madness, basically. I really liked this book.

Favorite quote in this book: "Once again, the vampire idea came to me. But it couldn't be. We definitely didn't drink blood, and we were perfectly fine in the bright sunshine - we didn't sparkle or go up in flames" - pg. 140 &141

Feathermore's Blog Tour Kick-off!

Today is the Blog Tour Kick-off! Below you will find the 3 blogs that will be hosting me. Also, don't forget to enter their giveaways, as well as the grand giveaway (signed paperback and necklace) that will be on every tour stop. The more stops you follow and enter, the more chances to win! Enjoy, good luck and thank you for participating.

**For  the next three days, Bloody Valentine, will be offered FREE, so download your copy! The first chapter of Feathermore is  there, too. **

Gothic Angel Book Reviews

Kira Saito

Guest post at The Bookish Babes

Exciting News!

I have finally received "Feathermore" back from the Editor! I am so excited for it to be ready to be published! If you wish, you can pre-order a signed paperback by clicking in the link below!

Name to be signed

"Bloody Valentine" is also live on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and Createspace (paperback). You can also purchase a signed copy of the novella by clicking on the link below.

Name to be signed

For all bloggers who would like to review "Feathermore", I will be sending ARCs this week. If you are interested, please send me an e-mail at authorlucywing (at) gmail (dot) com with FEATHERMORE ARC REQUEST on the subject and links to your blog, work, etc.

Thank you so much!!!

XOXO

Review: "Die for Me" by Amy Plum

The cover and its title had me diving head first onto the shelve at Barnes & Noble. I picked it up and slumped on the floor to read its blurb. Then I read the Prologue and i was hooked. I looked over at my husband and gave him the all knowing look. The one that says "go get your wallet, I am buying it."

"My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart--as well as my life and my family's--in jeopardy for a chance at love?"

I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed "Die for Me". I never, ever have read reviews before buying or reading a book. For some reason, half way through it I made the mistake of reading some low star reviews and then, as I went back to reading, those reviewer comments kept coming back.
To me "Die for me" was a mix of Twilight and New Moon all wrapped into one book. It does have many similarities that are hard to miss. The instant attraction and attention from a boy who hasn't loved anyone in so long. The distaste from another of the revenants against Kate. The father figure amongst their 'family'. I won't give more away...
I love the mythology of the revenants. I had read about them in Jessica Verday's "The Hollow Trilogy" but it was very little description and more up in the air. So I enjoyed getting to know what they can and can't do, etc.
I am definitely going to pick up "Until I die". I want to see how Vincent and Kate work through it all and what new adventures they come across.

"Carrier of the Mark" by Leigh Fallon

           I had been eyeing this book for quite some time. I know I say it all the time, but it is so true! The cover just grabbed my attention, the swirling blues made something inside of me flutter. Too pretty!
           I began reading "Carrier of the Mark" one chapter at a time. I had really enjoyed the first one and wanted to attempt to delay the inevitable. I read chapter one and put it down. I read chapter two and reluctanly put it down. I read chapter three and didn't stop until chapter eleven. Then it was all downhill from there.. I took the kids to the park, and even with the strong gusts of wind that kept wipping my pages around I finished it off.
           I was devastated.
           I had tried so hard! But it was too much.. I had to know what happened next, and next, and next.

          Anyway, here is the wonderful cover I was speaking off and the blurb to get you started:

"Their love was meant to be.

             When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRÍs.

            But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction."

          Ok, chapter 1-3 had some similarities with Twilight. Some being, Megan being told not to waste her time with the darkly handsome Adam and/or his family; Megan waiting outside the school to confront Adam; What she comes to find out about him and his true self. But then again, many books that I read at some point have something similar to another.
           The story follows Megan, a teenager that lives with her father, Caleb, and has gotten used to him switching jobs every time the anniversary of his wife's death comes around. She would never get the chance to create roots in one place as she knew it would not last long, but when they move to Kinsale, Ireland. She immediately connects with a girl, Caitlin, and soon after with her whole gang.
            If you finally found the one that makes everything make sense, could you give it up?
            That is what Megan is presented with. Her relationship with the handsome Adam begins rather abruptly but I have grown used to it by now in YA.
            I have recently read quite some bit on mythology YA's ("The Willows: Haven", "Knight Trilogy") and really enjoyed the theme of "Carrier of the Mark." It was very interesting to read about the elements. I also loved that we got to experience a different setting. I have been, for a long time, wanting to go to Ireland, and in some ways I feel like I know it a little bit better now.


             I was stunned beyond comprehension when I found out this was her DEBUT novel. Her writing was impecable, easy to follow and easy to get along with. Some books the writing doesn't appeal as much, but if I hadn't read otherwise, I would have thought she had been doing this for a lifetime.
            I cannot express how much I am waiting for the second book in the Trilogy, but Leigh told me today it won't be until late 2012, early 2013... Can she really make us wait that long? I guess so!

           So, if you haven;t read it yet, go to your local bookstore (or purchase online) and get it. I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.

XOXO


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I started out life in South Africa. A year later my parents moved home to Dublin, Ireland. When I was older and realized my parents had moved me from exotic Durban, to sedate Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, I was rightly ticked off. I fantasized about the amazing life I could have had in South Africa, and that fantastic accent that could have been all mine.

Instead, I got myself a fine Irish brogue growing up in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains where I went to a convent school and had to contend with uniforms, gabardines, and nuns.

During college I met a dashing sailor who swept me off my feet, all the way to Cork in the south of Ireland. I worked in corporate treasury and traveled Europe doing all sorts of fun finance stuff.
When I had my children I decided to take a career break, and soon discovered a love of writing. That career break became a career change when I wrote my debut novel, Carrier of the Mark.

I posted Carrier of the Mark on a HarperCollins website called inkpop. Within weeks it was voted into the top five books of thousands on the site, and was reviewed by a HarperTeen editor. Two months later that same editor offered me my first publishing contract.

My husband swept me off my feet again, this time in a westerly direction, we landed in Massachusetts, USA, where we now live with our four children and one double pawed cat.

Book Review - "Immortalis Carpe Noctem" by Katie Salidas

**Please note that this story contains some explicit material and it is better intended for audiences 18+**

"Becoming a Vampire is easy.

Living with the condition, that is the hard part."

"Walking back home through the badly-lit campus of UNLV, twenty-five year old Alyssa is brutally attacked by two savage men. By the time a handsome stranger intervenes, Alyssa has almost bled to death, and doesn't even struggle as her new protector sinks his sharp teeth into her neck.

Alyssa wakes to a harsh new reality, and to a raging thirst she's never felt before. Lysander, the sexy yet aloof man who turned her, must now teach her the way of the immortals - and with such a desirable teacher Alyssa starts to realize that her fate is not as dark as she first feared.

But, just as sparks begin to fly between the pair, Lysander is alerted that his enemies are on the move and determined to destroy them both.

Led by the cunning and ruthless, Santino Vitale, the fanatical Acta Santorum have vowed to hunt down and destroy every last immortal in God's name, and they have the vampires of Las Vegas in their sights.

Meanwhile, after seeing that Lysander has taken a new mate, the beautiful and pitiless Kallisto, is out for revenge. Alyssa soon finds out that hell hath no fury like a vampire scorned.

Together the pair must face two separate enemies determined to destroy them. It's time to, Carpe Noctem, or submit to final death."      

I have read multiple Vampire books over the years and as a huge "Twilight" fan (no, I do not approve of the retarded shimmery vampire shit Meyers wrote about) I completely adore anything Vampiresque. There are a million reasons and ways for them to be created, as well as a million ways for them to live.

I had read, quite some time ago, an excerpt that Katie Salidas had posted on her blog and had loved it. Not only her writing is exquisite, but the mystery that surrounded the story itself.
I have to admit that, "Immortalis Carpe Noctem" is THE best Vampire story I have read thus far. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the way she explained how Vampires came to be. She stuck to the myths and made it work so perfectly.

This story is packed with action, passion, romance and a lot of stubborness. Katie will have any reader on the edge of their seat. I actually found myself holding my breath multiple times as I read on waiting to see what would happen next
.
It is an extremely entertaining story that will keep you begging for more. You will not be able to put it down, let me assure you!

Here is a Sample Chapter:

    "Darkness surrounded me. A voice spoke softly in my head. Do not die, young one. Be strong. Do not die.

I became painfully aware of liquid pouring down on me, each drop like an icy hammer hitting my sore skin. Movement echoed in my ears, telling me that I wasn’t alone. Slowly, I opened my eyes. Harsh light blinded me. My mind was fuzzy. I struggled to recall any small detail that might clue me in to what had happened and where I was.

I reached up to wipe the splattering water from my face. I chanced opening my eyes again. As I looked up, I spotted the source of the water, a showerhead on the opposite wall. Confused by this odd location, I struggled to penetrate the blackness of my memory and figure out how I had ended up in a bathtub.

Where the hell am I?

I tried to focus on the bright, unfamiliar surroundings.

My vision, it seemed, had become remarkably sharp while I was unconscious. I couldn’t remember ever noting so many details in such simple surroundings as these before.

Cream-colored tiles covered the walls, each rippled with tiny imperfections. Each held an individual pattern, making them unique and special. Yellowing, porous grout, framing the tiles, appeared to be littered with dots from small air bubbles that had come to the surface, creating different patterns and shapes.

Even the plain white curtain that separated me from the rest of the room seemed unusually detailed and perfectly woven. I saw each tiny strand that had been tightly bound together to form this heavy, durable cloth.

Small specks of mold building up in the corners of the porcelain basin weren’t able to escape my new sight either.

The amazing level of detail I experienced didn’t hold my attention for long. Freezing water still poured down on me. I needed to reach the handle and end the cold assault, but it seemed so far out of my reach. I eased myself up to a sitting position, my muscles aching with each small movement. Looking down, I saw my beaten body. The water had washed away some of the grime, but what was left of my shredded clothes was stained and clinging to my skin.

“Uggh!” I moaned.

“Oh, good, you’re alive,” said a male voice from behind the white curtain.

The voice seemed strange and yet somehow familiar. I searched my fuzzy memories to place the voice with a face. A wave of fear came over me as I remembered the attack.

Had I been kidnapped? Was I a hostage of some kind? I struggled to recall the events of the evening.

“You’ve been out for a few hours. I was worried I might have lost you,” continued the voice.

“What?” I called, still not sure who I was talking to.

“It doesn’t always work. Some people can’t be turned,” the voice said matter-of-factly.

“Turned?” What the hell is that supposed to mean?

I again tried to run through my memories of what had happened. I remembered blood, and the feeling of my body burning from the inside.

“I’ll explain it when you’re done in there. I’ve left some clothes on the toilet. I hope they fit.” The voice trailed out of the bathroom.

I tried to stand. My muscles ached. Gripping the edge of the tub, I moaned as I pushed myself up. My legs didn’t want to cooperate; they shook as they tried to support my weight. It was as if I was learning to stand for the first time.

I felt weak and a little dizzy. I leaned against the wall, using it as a crutch to help me to balance while I removed what remained of my shredded and blood-stained clothes. I shuddered, seeing more of the wounds that covered my body.

I remembered the two men. Flashes of memory showed me images of the struggle: the man on my stomach laughing, the knife waving in front of my face, teeth biting me, a stranger drinking my blood.

Each bruise I saw invoked a terrible memory. I turned the shower handle to hot and let the water run down my back. The warmth soothed my sore skin. I rested my head against the wall and tried to rationalize what had happened. I blamed myself for walking alone. I knew better. I should have asked someone to walk with me or drive me. I cursed myself for relying on a stupid keychain of pepper spray as my protection.

Some of the events that flashed in my memory were so bizarre I could hardly believe they had happened. I saw myself lying on the ground, drinking blood from a strange man’s arm. 

What was his name? Was I really drinking blood? Why was I even alive? Did that man save me?

The thought of blood caused an ache in the pit of my stomach.

      I pinched myself a few times.

Maybe this was all just a really bad dream and I just needed to wake up.

None of it made sense

Maybe someone had slipped something into my coffee at the café. I hadn’t really been drinking blood, had I?

My mind wouldn’t stop focusing on the blood I had drunk. A sweet, sticky taste crept up from the back of my throat. I gulped at the water pouring down from the showerhead, trying to smother the flavor. My stomach retched as I swallowed, causing me to sputter and spit the water to the ground. I tried to ignore the nagging ache in the pit of my stomach. I needed answers first. I needed to know why I was here and where here was. I needed to know what the hell had happened to me.

I finished rinsing, turned off the water, and slid open the shower curtain. The light seemed brighter in the rest of this room. I squinted, letting my eyes adjust a little. The rest of the bathroom was small and narrow. Nothing more than a simple toilet, shower, mirror, and vanity sink. The only real color in the room came from the red towels hanging on the towel bar and the bath mat on the floor.

I grabbed one towel and wrapped it around myself and then noticed the clothes left on the toilet seat. They appeared to be new and for a brief moment, I wondered where he had gotten them.

“I guess this will have to do,” I mumbled as I pulled on a simple green spaghetti-strap tank top. I slid my legs into a pair of blue jeans and pulled them up. Fastening the button, I felt a small pinch in my back. I reached around, touched a hard scab, and winced, remembering the pain of the knife that had been stabbed into my back.

How was I even alive? I certainly shouldn’t have been after the ordeal I’d been through.

I checked myself out in the mirror. Most of my wounds were already healing. Bruises that weren’t covered by clothing had started turning yellow. The cuts on my back and face had scabbed over too. I noticed something on my neck. Brushing away the wet strands of my red hair, I saw a half-ring of small bruises and two very deep-looking holes.

Lysander, I thought, suddenly remembering the stranger’s name.

My memory flashed again. I remembered the pinch as his teeth sunk into my neck. I shuddered again as a chill danced down my spine.

      What…who was this Lysander? He couldn’t be a…No. That’s silly; they aren’t real.

I gave the rest of my body a quick once-over in the mirror and suddenly I stopped in shock.

     “My eyes,” I gasped. “Oh, my God!”

I couldn’t believe it.

How is this possible? Those are not my eyes.

All the color had disappeared. Large gray eyes stared back at me from the mirror. They were pale and cloudy with hints of blue, no longer the emerald green they used to be. These were the same eyes I looked into when I got my first glimpse of Lysander.

     Wondering what else had changed, I surveyed the rest of my face: ears, hair, lips, all seemed the same. Thinking of the bite on my neck, I opened my mouth. Gone was the five-thousand dollar, perfectly straight, smile —that had taken me four years to pay off. My eyeteeth appeared to have grown larger, crowding the surrounding ones. The new, slightly larger, canine-like teeth poked down below the others, reminding me of fangs— the kind vampires from Hollywood movies were famous for. I playfully licked at them, noting how much sharper they felt as they scraped across the surface of my tongue.
     "This can’t be possible.”

It was time to find this Lysander guy and get some answers."

The Immortalis Series goes as follows:

Book 1- Immortalis Carpe Noctem
Book 2 - Hunters and Prey
Book 3 - Pandoras Box

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am Super Mom!

Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, I can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons. I can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, I still find time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). I can do all of this and still have time to write my novels.

Sorry… I can’t even write that with a straight face.

Lies all lies.

Here’s the reality. I’m a sleep-deprived, overworked, mom who just doesn’t know the meaning of the word balance. I try so hard to do it all, (be super mom, wife, & author) and at the end of the day I fall face forward into the couch.

Yes, you read that right, I tend to sleep on the couch. It’s a point of frustration for my hubby and a thing of comedy for my daughter. Imagine waking up to your little child yelling, “Mom slept on the couch again!!!”
Because being supermom (or trying to) means a lot of time devoted to family, writing is often done when said family is peacefully snoozing away. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve fallen asleep with my laptop, on the couch. It just happens. Then, bright and early at 7am either my hubby (on his way to work) or my daughter (getting ready for school) wakes me up.

Writing is my passion. It’s a part of me. More than just a hobby, it’s a compulsion. I have to do it. If I don’t do at least one writing related thing each day I get cranky.

Hopefully, my passion can be your entertainment!

Visit Katie's own Publishing Rising Sign Books

"Storm Born (Dark Swan)" comic by Richelle Mead

Usually I do my reviews on Sunday's, but this one is a short one and unual at that! I was asked by Patrick from Sea Lion Books if I would be interested in reviewing Richelle Mead's Dark Swan "Storm Born". I was totally in!

"Eugenie Markham never asked for any of this. Until now, she's been content with her job as a freelance shaman, battling and banishing Otherwordly creatures. When a prophecy suddenly maked her the Otherworld's most popular bachelorette, Eugenie finds herself fighting off unwanted supernatural suitors, as well as the evils that begin emerging from her past..."

I was surprised when I received the attachments though... as it was a comic!! Mind you, this might have been the first time I actually read one. I was a little skeptical before I began, wondering if I should just back out, but oh man.. I read the first page and was hooked! I kept scrolling down like a maniac, mouth agape and eyes bulging out of their sockets!
I sooo want to be Eugenie Markham. She is not only totally hot but can kick serious ass as well. Who doesn't like that combination? I will say that this comic is more for an older audience as there is some X-Rated content.

I got to review Issue 1-4 and loved each on of them and wished I had some more. Comics are a really fun way to see your favorite books come to life. Apart from the crazy job she endures day and day out, Eugenie is a simple girl that tends to keep to herself. Her father left when she was little and her mother tries to avoid the topic at all cost. Her stepdad, who took her in and raised her as his own is also a shaman, although now retired. In Issue #1 she is presented with the dilemma of crossing to the Otherworld to retrieve a 14 year old girl that has been taken to be raped and mistreated. Eugenie is eager to go, but she knows crossing over is too dangerous and she has no idea what she may find. Her guts, as well as her stepdad, tell her not to take her job but can she live with herself knowing she did nothing to save an innocent child?

"Storm Born (Dark Swan)" will be equally interesting for men and women, so do not pass up the chance to read them. They are incredible!

Below are the first 3 pages of "Storm Born (Dark Swan)"

"Here" Review and Giveaway!

Hello there and happy Sunday Funday to everyone.

This past week I began reading a new book from my good Twitter friend @deniseMSwank called "Here." When she sent me the blurb a few weeks ago I instantly told her I just had to read it! I was so hooked by only the blurb it was no surprise when I couldn't put the book down.

BLURB:

Here – YA Science Fiction On the Otherside series Book One

"Sixteen year old Julia Phillips buries herself in guilt after killing her best friend Monica in a car accident. Julia awoke in the hospital with a broken leg, a new talent for drawing and false memories of the accident, in which she dies and Monica lives. The doctors attribute this to her head injury, but no one can explain how a bracelet engraved with her name ended up at the scene of the accident. A bracelet no one has ever seen before.

Classmate Evan Whittaker paid Julia no attention before the accident, let alone after. Now suddenly he’s volunteering to tutor her and offering to drive her home. She can’t ignore that his new obsession started after his two-day disappearance last week and that he wears a pendant she’s been drawing for months. When the police show up one night looking for Evan, he begs Julia to run with him, convincing her that Monica is still alive. Julia agrees to go, never guessing where he’s really from."

Now tell me you're not completely hooked! She's good at that.. I know your secret Miss Swank!

It should however, be conisdered a Mystery as well, as until close to the end you are still biting your nails wondering what the heck is going on (in a good way.) It truly had me on edge the whole time I read, thinking I knew what was going on and then BAM! You didn't see that one coming!

The Sci-fy side of the story (my reviews give nothing away and i barely write about the story per se, so you will have to read it to see what's up) is great and makes you wonder how much truth could there really be behind it all.

The Romance... oh God, do not get me started! I still do not know who I am rooting for. I fell in love with both male characters and they are both equaly amazing and HOT! At least that is what I see in my head *blushes* She had me longing for both boys, wanting to throw my arms around who ever was feeling left aside. However, something deep in me cried for Reece. I don't know what it was, maybe because she was somewhat expected to be with Evan..? Anywho, she can keep Evan and you can mail me Reece.. I make the same comment all the time, dont I? haha, i just love these guys! I am making my own little army of YA hunks ;)

"Here" had me laughing, crying my butt off to the point I had to put it down and on the edge of my seat wanting to finish it right then and there.

Denise Grover Swank has really done it with this one! It is an excellent read and will not disappoint.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Denise is a single mom who lives in Lee’s Summit, Missouri raising five of her six kids. (The oldest has gone off to live on his own.) She loves to embarrass her children whether it be spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen or making her teens’ friends think she’s funny/cool. *gasp* (Even if its in her own mind.) On rare occasions, she is known to post stories about her crazy life on her family blog There’s Always Room for One More.
She keeps her sanity by creating worlds to escape to and characters to hang out with.
 


To Purchase "Here" or any of her other sure to be amazing books go here.

 

 

"The Forest of Adventures" Review and Giveaway

I am so excited! I finally finished reading Katie M. John's "The Forest of Adventures." This is book #1 from the Knight Trilogy. Now, not because it has taken me a few weeks to read it, does this say anything bad about the book itself. As said on my blog I usually eat books up in a day or two, but unfortunately many things happened in my life from the moment I picked up said book for review. I have also been working on an Anthology for "Death by Chocolate" which I recently finished. I have to be completely honest and say, when I wasn't reading it, I was THINKING about it. The need for more constantly nagging at me.

Blurb:
"When seventeen year old Mina Singer falls in love with the devestatingy handsome new boy at college, she finds herself catapulted into a fairytale realm.
But Fairytales aren't for children and magic can be deadly - especially in the hands of a jealous Morgan Le Fay. At the heart of an ancient prophecy, Mina risks destroying those she loves the most.
Caught between two worlds ... Torn between two hearts."

Katie created an amazing Arthurian Realm and wonderful characters that is very unlikely not to fall in love with. Especially Blake *swoons*. It seems to be that I absolutely love a good ol' fashion boy/man. The fact that he would always be courteous to her, giving her her time and always waiting for her. As Edward Cullen did it for me a few years back, Blake Beldevier has done it for me now. So my only question to Katie is.. where can I order me some Blake????

"The Forest of Adventures" writing is exquisite and utterly believable, nearly impossible not to picture it all in your head down to the smallest detail. It flows easily and in my case at least, there was always that longing for more. That said, I cannot wait to read book #2!! When I finished reading it was as if it were impossible the book could be over. I am sure if I had a paperback copy in my hands I would have looked at empty pages wondering where the writing had gone.
Now, I have a few inklings as to the way it ended and who a certain someone is.. and I cannot wait to see how wrong or right I am!

I give it a whopping 5 STARS!!!

Book #2: "Immortal Beloved"

A little bit about Katie M. John:

Katie lives in London with her husband and three year old daughter. She was born in Yorkshire, raised in Lincolnshire and has spent her adult life living in the London suburbs.
Writing has always been a part of her life She started writing poetry from the age of fifteen and worked on a collection 'Mythologies' as part of her English University degree.
Katie started writing 'The Knight Trilogy' in 2008. 'The Forest of Adventures' is her debut novel.




GIVEAWAY!!
2 lucky winners will receive a set of both the "Forest of Adventures" & "Immortal Beloved" in e-book form  and 1 winner will receive a "Forest of Adventure" bookmark!

Enter your e-mail address and Twitter to be considered in the giveaway!

Sweet Tooth- short stories by Philip Ellis

Hello All!

How are you doing? I am so ready for Monday to roll around and I can have some free time to write. Having the kids home from school is great and a lot of fun, just not when you have a million things to do and they keep interrupting.

This is a review that has been WAY over due and I apologize for that Philip!

"Everybody wants to be loved; it is the nature of the beast."

Sweet Tooth dives under the skin of the twenty-first century animal to bring you stories of love, loss, desire and revenge. An unearthed diary yields terrible secrets; a lonely young man tells a lie that spirals out of control; a trip to Italy goes horribly wrong for two lovers, and a little girl hears screams from the house next door...
At times funny and poignant, at others chilling and provocative, 'Sweet Tooth' is Philip Ellis's page-turning debut collection of fictional tales that will leave you wanting more.




TITLES:

Black Rabbit
Strange Candy
Changeling
Something Blue
Mouthwash
Anthony's Breakfast
Nine Lives
The Girlfriend
Can't Go Back
Local Haunts
Toffee
Night Light
Brown Eyed Boy
Sable
Nobody's Cub
Vlad

"Changeling" *My favorite!

I was clinging on every word. I needed to know who this girl is, why is the child forbidden and what the heck is going on. I would absolutely love to see this story made into a book or a novella, at least. When I had finished reading it I just stared at the computer wishing there was more. So intriguing. Does what it is supposed to do, keep you wanting more. And that is what it did to me, It definitely kept me wanting more, much more

"Something Blue"

We all know about 'cold feet 'before your wedding, but did you ever imagine for it to come with a ghost too? That is what Fiona goes through the night before her wedding to Carl, but what does this ghost want?

This story had a nice way in showing how people sometimes settle without even knowing it, but will you be strong enough to do what is needed to do?

"Strange Candy"

I loved this story until I got to the end. Not because it wasn’t good, but because I had simply expected a different ending. I felt as if the story kept growing into this darkness that was this girl and the things she did and then, ended a little too fast and with no “WOW” factor. This is another story that I would love to read more about, with a slightly different ending.

*******

"Sweet Tooth" consists of sixteen short fiction anthology stories. I have read them all in one sitting. It is hard to finish a story and not be intrigues on what the next one will bring, to see what kind of trouble his characters will come across.

This is perfect for anyone that loves reading but may not have the time to invest in a novel or a book. The stories are short enough to read before bed, during lunch, or simply while waiting for the kids to get out of school. Whatever your case may be, I guarantee you will love them. Philip Ellis definitely has a little bit for everyone to enjoy.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Philip Ellis is an award-winning British fiction writer. After graduating from Aberystwyth University with an English and French degree, Philip travelled to Canada where he worked as a teacher, before returning home to England. Philip now works as an SEO content writer for a multi-site online retailer but has plans to become a full time author, as this is where his true passion lies.





If you would like to purchase Philip Ellis's Anthology, please click here.

To check out his blog, click here.

His Twitter Acct is @philip_ellis, so go on and stalk him!