Tag Archives: Books

Review: Renegade

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Renegade
Renegade by Cambria Hebert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At least he didn’t try to tell me it would be okay. We would have both known he was lying.

Sam and Heven are picking up the pieces, and trying to come to terms with all they’ve lost. Now everything is at risk as Beelzebub brings his war home. Can Sam and Heven win this war, or will they lose too much in the end?

Sam and Heven, along with the rest of the characters from the series, join a few more in an effort to save the world from Beelzebub’s lofty plans. The characters continue to drive this story (series) onward, and the growth of Heven and Sam shines in this book. There were a few places where the action dropped or got diverted, and a few things that might have been tied up more completely. But all in all, the characters and the world were well done, vivid, and complex — even the side characters introduced throughout the series had their say and were fleshed out.

The final book in the Heven and Hell series wraps almost everything up into a nice package. The story lines all have satisfying endings, if not the ones readers saw coming. The twists, deceptions, and triumphs keep readers turning the page, eager for more.

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Review: Hearts In Exile

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Hearts In Exile
Hearts In Exile by Mysti Parker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The alcohol has not dulled your sarcasm, I see.

Loralee Munroviel, daughter of Leogard’s High Priestess Arianne, is exiled to a hidden island by events out of her control. Captain Igrorio Everlyn, known as Sir Robert to his unit of Holy Paladins, had finally found peace in Loralee, only to have her ripped away from him. Now, ten years later, fate has caught up with them.

Like the other books in the Tallenmere world, the characters rule. Previously a minor character, Sir Robert comes into his own in this heartbreaking tale of how the knight became who he is. The development of the boy into the man transforms his bitter sarcasm into painful longing that readers were unaware of — until now.

Loralee is a wonderful compliment to Sir Robert. While Robert’s companion Sir Francis is his most trusted friend, Loralee gives Robert a peace and purpose that he had never known before, or after, her. Her own story is filled with complications, trials, and the desire to do good by others. She is fiery and passionate, yet gentle-hearted and kind, and no one can compare in Robert’s eyes.

Fantasy setting with a lot of romance, dragons, witches, demons — Hearts in Exile has it all. If you’re read the other Tallenmere books, you won’t want to miss this one.

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New Release: Hearts in Exile

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Happy Release Day to Mysti Parker! Her latest is Hearts in Exile, and it’s a wonderful addition to the Tellenmere world! You can check out my review, and don’t miss the excerpt below!

Hearts in ExileFINALBlurb:

In Tallenmere, fate has a way of catching up with you…

Somewhere, hidden in the waters of the Southern Sea, lies an island unlike any other. Within the amber glow of its pyrogem-laden cliffs, legend says the very heart of the dragon god Drae keeps the island, and its occupants, alive.

Loralee Munroviel, daughter of Leogard’s High Priestess Arianne, had no idea what she would face when she arrived by boat ten years ago and was left alone in exile. All she knew about Draekoria’s inhabitants was written in one tattered notebook. Now, her life revolves around keeping Drae’s descendants happy. Never in her life did she imagine being a Dragon Keeper.

Captain Igrorio Everlyn, known as Sir Robert to his unit of Holy Paladins, has faced his share of hell, battling the evils of Emperor Sarvonn’s tyranny and the dark god Tyr’s abominations. But none of that compares to the ten years of hell he’s been without Loralee, presumed dead.

One freak storm changes everything. Now the two of them must fight to reestablish the delicate balance of the island before the dragons take things into their own hands. Through it all, they discover the secrets that kept them, and their hearts, exiled for a decade.

Continue reading New Release: Hearts in Exile →

Blog Tour: Angelstone

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Angelstone (Dark Angel #2) by Hanna Peach

Title: Angelstone

Series: Dark Angel

Author: Hanna Peach

Available: May 31, 2013

Format: E-book

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal

Length: ~87,000 words

Review formats: .Mobi, .ePUB, .PDF

Blurb:

“Fans of The Mortal Instruments [by Cassandra Clare] will love this!”

After escaping from the Hollows and the Michaelea lightwarriors, Jordan takes Alyx and Israel to Aradale, a secret Rogue community, where they appear to be safe − for now. But did they bring the enemy with them? “Mini”, the strange and speechless young girl they rescued from the Hollows, is not as she seems. Why was Elder Michael keeping her locked up? What is she hiding?

Alyx and Israel are driven further apart as Israel continues to obsess over making Adere human and Alyx hides two secrets from him: that he may be part-demon and that she may be carrying his child, a tri-blood keye that can be used to unlock Hell.

Out in the mortal cities, pieces of Black Stone, the only material that can disrupt the angels’ healing abilities, continue to be stolen to make weapons for Samyara’s dark army. Alyx and her friends must stop them, but this means infiltrating holy and guarded places to steal the Black Stone − a monastery in remote China, a mosque in Saudi Arabia, an art gallery in Florence and a cathedral in Peru.

Can they win this deadly race against the Darkened?

Continue reading Blog Tour: Angelstone →

New Release: A Whisper in the Jungle

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Check out this new release from author Robert Mwangi!

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Blurb

We grew up reading our fathers books. Now its time for us to put down our stories for the next generation.

Deep in the African jungle where even the bravest are afraid to venture, lies a truth that will propel James through his improbable American journey, if he can come out alive.  James a village boy in Africa receives a scholarship to go and study in America and he becomes the envy of the whole village. His girlfriend Janny is however skeptical of what a long distance relationship can do to love. But when Janny vanishes from the village, James and his dog Simba plunge into the belligerent forest at the risk of his life and his American dream.  Love transcends all. ‘A Whisper in the Jungle’  is a suspense story full of love, humor and adventure.

Continue reading New Release: A Whisper in the Jungle →

FMB Blog Tour: Moonlight: The Big Bad Wolf

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 Moonlight-The Big Bad Wolf Banner

MoonlightCover300x400Title: Moonlight: The Big Bad Wolf

Series: The Order of the Black Swan, #4

Author: Victoria Danann

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance, Scifi Romance

Publisher: 7th House

Format: Ebook

Length: approx. 90,000- 100,000 words

Release Date: May 25th 2013

Book Description:

The Order of the Black Swan series is also a serial saga that must be read in order. For that reason, the first book – My Familiar Stranger (nominated for BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE OF 2012 by Reviewers’ Choice Awards) has been made permafree everywhere.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR LOVE?

The fourth installment reveals the shocking truth about the origins of the vampire virus. The Order solicits the assistance of an Incubus demon to avert an interdimensional crisis. And desperation drives Stalkson Grey to embark on an adventure beyond his wildest dreams in a bid to save his werewolf tribe from extinction. In the process he learns that true love can find you in the strangest places, even when you’re far, far from home.

COLLECTEDTALES300X400
GIVEAWAY INFO:

The giveaway is tour-wide.
•7 eBook copies of The Order of the Black Swan COLLECTED TALES, Books 1-3

Please use the Rafflecopter HTML below:

Moonlight: The Big Bad Wolf Giveaway

Blog Tour: Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy

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Writers Workshop

 

Writers WorkshopTitle: Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy

Editor: Michael Knost

Page Count: 210 pages

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Published: April 18th, 2013

Publisher: Seventh Star Press

Synopsis:

Writers Workshop of Science Fiction and Fantasy is a collection of essays and interviews by and with many of the movers-and-shakers in the industry. Each contributor covers the specific element of craft he or she excels in. Expect to find varying perspectives and viewpoints, which is why you many find differing opinions on any particular subject.

This is, after all, a collection of advice from professional storytellers. And no two writers have made it to the stage via the same journey-each has made his or her own path to success. And that’s one of the strengths of this book. The reader is afforded the luxury of discovering various approaches and then is allowed to choose what works best for him or her.

Featuring essays and interviews with:
Neil Gaiman
Orson Scott Card
Ursula K. Le Guin
Alan Dean Foster
James Gunn
Tim Powers
Harry Turtledove
Larry Niven
Joe Haldeman
Kevin J. Anderson
Elizabeth Bear
Jay Lake
Nancy Kress
George Zebrowski
Pamela Sargent
Mike Resnick
Ellen Datlow
James Patrick Kelly
Jo Fletcher
Stanley Schmidt
Gordon Van Gelder
Lou Anders
Peter Crowther
Ann VanderMeer
John Joseph Adams
Nick Mamatas
Lucy A. Snyder
Alethea Kontis
Nisi Shawl
Jude-Marie Green
Nayad A. Monroe
G. Cameron Fuller
Jackie Gamber
Amanda DeBord
Max Miller
Jason Sizemore

This edition also includes several full page illustrations from award-winning artists Matthew Perry and Bonnie Wasson.

Amazon Kindle | Amazon Print | Barnes & Noble | GoodReads

Michael Knost~ About the Editor ~

Michael Knost is an award-winning author, editor, and columnist in the Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Supernatural Thriller genres.

He has written several books and dozens of short stories, edited a number of anthologies, including the Legends of the Mountain State series, and he currently writes a column for Shroud Magazine.

He recently won the Bram Stoker Award in the United Kingdom for his book Writers Workshop of Horror, a collection of articles and interviews on the craft of writing.

He is currently working on a Mothman novel due to hit bookshelves later this year.

Michael has worked in the radio, television, and newspaper industries, and currently lives in Chapmanville, West Virginia with his beautiful wife and daughter.

Seventh Star Press~ About the Publisher ~

Seventh Star Press is a small press publisher located in Lexington, KY.  SSP specializes in speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, and horror).  The company was established in October of 2008.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog | Seventh Star Soundoff

 

Rafflecopter Code: Knost Giveaway

Free Read: Skankenstein

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Free read!

Friday, May 17th to Tuesday, May 21st we will be offering our debut novel, Skankenstein, for FREE in the Amazon Kindle Store.

Interested readers can access the Kindle edition at http://www.amazon.com/Skankenstein-ebook/dp/B005UTD0KS.

Skankenstein CoverBOOK DESCRIPTION:

Sometimes the ugliest monsters come in the prettiest packages…

Victoria Frank is the picture of teen perfection – she’s talented, witty, and ruthless – but being queen of tiny Geneva, NY isn’t enough. Tired of merely designing the perfect outfit, she sets out to design the perfect person. But by the time she realizes beauty is only skin deep, she’s already unleashed her monster on the world. Now it’s a race against time to stop the vile creature from destroying her life, and she has to do it in the most evil place of all – high school.

After ditching her horrifying creation in L.A., all Victoria wants is the perfect senior year, but it becomes impossible when the dreaded beast shows up in her own backyard. Armed with a new body, a new attitude and a new name, M turns the school hierarchy on its head. But when M suffers the embarrassment of a lifetime and sets her sights on revenge, our queen bee finds herself pitted in a cat fight to the death where kid sisters, boyfriends and tiaras are all fair game. It’s a twist on Frankenstein unlike any before, with an ending so explosive it’ll leave your bowels quaking.

Continue reading Free Read: Skankenstein →

Cover Reveal: Angelstone

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Check out this awesome cover reveal! It’s so pretty!

Angelstone (Dark Angel #2)

By Hanna Peach

About Angelstone:

After escaping from the Hollows and the Michaelea lightwarriors, Jordan takes Alyx and Israel to Aradale, a secret Rogue community, where they appear to be safe – for now. But did they bring the enemy with them? “Mini”, the strange and speechless young girl they rescued from the Hollows, is not as she seems. Why was Elder Michael keeping her locked up? What is she hiding?

Alyx and Israel are driven further apart as Israel continues to obsess over making Adere human and Alyx hides two secrets from him: that he may be part-demon and that she may be carrying his child, a tri-blood keye that can be used to unlock Hell.

Out in the mortal cities, pieces of Black Stone, the only material that can disrupt the angels’ healing abilities, continue to be stolen to make weapons for Samyara’s dark army. Alyx and her friends must stop them, but this means infiltrating holy and guarded places to steal the Black Stone: a monastery in remote China, a mosque in Saudi Arabia, an art gallery in Florence and a cathedral in Peru…

Can they win this deadly race against the Darkened?

Release Date: 31 May 2013

Release Sale

For 31 May & 1 June only, Angelstone will be priced at US$0.99 at Amazon!

And if you need to catch up, Angelfire (DA #1) FREE from 28th May – 1st June!

Follow out more at

www.hannapeach.com

www.facebook.com/AngelfireBooks

FMB Blog Tour: No Greater Illusion

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No Greater Illusion Banner

Title: No Greater Illusion

Author: K. Baskett

Genre: Dystopian

Publisher: Self-published

Format: Ebook, Paperback

Length: 318 pages

Book Trailer

Buy Links: eStore | Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle) |

Book Description:

In the very near future, surging advancements in technology have afforded American citizens with a number of conveniences. Of these, most notable is the SmartTag, a microchip embedded under the skin between index finger and thumb, housing all manner of personal information such as bank account details, medical history, voter registration and more.

This tightly-woven tale follows the lives of several very different people – Tealia, a free-spirited and intelligent photographer battling with conflicting emotions for her ex-lover; Mercer & Viera Scott, a power couple barely holding on to their marriage as the priorities of success and parenthood slowly become skewed between them; impoverished single mother, Naria, content with her reliance on both her current lover and government assistance to make ends meet; and the Holton family, wealthy beyond measure, enjoying carefree days of privilege and luxury.

Their status quo, however, is about to be undermined as America reacts violently to the brutal assassination of a highly esteemed female presidential nominee on the evening of the debates. As the entire nation struggles to make sense of the ensuing chaos, fear and distrust ramp up to dizzying heights. The end result is a series of grave consequences that will drastically alter life as they know it, making them all wonder how much of their world is but an illusion.

A captivating story that is at once gripping and dark, this brilliantly painted picture of a dystopian America cautions against the power of technology and the folly of taking anything for granted. Haunting and lyrical, No Greater Illusion is an astounding debut novel with a powerful message that lingers long after the final page is read.

Continue reading FMB Blog Tour: No Greater Illusion →