Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Book Promo: The Keepers w/ Book Trailer




ABOUT THE KEEPERS:
Sixteen-year-old Isra Kalb has grown up starving in the slums of Islamabad. But hunger is only the beginning. When her father is mysteriously murdered and madness corrupts her mother's mind, she's left alone to fend for herself and her sister. Homeless and destitute, the only thing she has to remember her loving family by is a commonplace necklace--an amulet barely worth keeping.

Or so she thinks.

Swept into a web of lies, deceit and turmoil, Isra struggles to find a place for herself and Zaffirah, wondering if the strange creatures and visions she's seeing are indications of the madness that took her mother. But when Snatchers capture Zaffirah, Isra learns her amulet isn't so useless after all. Transported to Zarcane--the beastly garden where Adam and Eve were born--Isra comes face to face with her destiny. She's a Keeper, charged with protecting the borders of Zarcane and keeping the demon hordes lurking in the shadows from taking realms that are not their own. And she's not the only one; there's a second Keeper, a boy whose identity hasn't been revealed.

Now, in order to save her sister and fulfill her family's legacy as Keeper of the Amulet, she has to find the second Keeper and close the borders. Surrounded by betrayal, trapped between warring factions of angels, and desperate to save the only family she has left, Isra must decide:

Who can she trust when nothing is what it seems?



Check out the awesome book trailer!


ABOUT ANOOSHA LALANI:


Anoosha Lalani has always had an insatiable desire to escape reality. It was a childhood trait that never seemed to fade out. If Anoosha were to make one wish, it would be to have wings to journey off the face of this planet and into the worlds of her stories.

When she’s not writing, you may find Anoosha attending high school in Singapore. Having moved around so much, she has had the wonderful opportunity to be exposed to a vibrant range of cultures, which often seem to find their way into her stories. Anoosha was born in Pakistan, the setting of her most recent novel, The Keepers.

Connect with Anoosha on her website and twitter.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Book Review: Fire in the Woods + Giveaway




Fire-in-the-Woods-Cover
Title: Fire in the Woods
Publication date: September 2014
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Jennifer M. Eaton
When a plane crashes in the woods near Jess’s home, the boy of her dreams falls out of the sky— literally. But David’s not here to find a girlfriend. He’s from another planet, and if Jess can’t help him get back to his ship, he’ll be stuck on Earth with nothing to look forward to but the pointy end of a dissection scalpel.

But her father runs their house like an army barracks, and with an alien on the loose, Major Dad isn’t too keen on the idea of Jess going anywhere. Ever. So how the heck is she supposed to help the sweetest, strangest, and cutest guy she’s ever met?

Hiding him in her room probably isn’t the best idea. Especially since her Dad is in charge of the squadron searching for David. That doesn’t mean she won’t do it. It just means she can’t get caught.

Helping David get home while protecting her heart—that’s gonna be the hard part. After all, she can’t really fall for a guy who’s not exactly from here.

As they race through the woods with Major Dad and most of the U.S. military one breath behind them, Jess and David grow closer than either of them anticipated. But all is not what it seems. David has a genocide-sized secret, and one betrayal later, they are both in handcuffs as alien warships are positioning themselves around the globe. Time is ticking down to Armageddon, and Jess must think fast if she’s to save the boy she cares about without sacrificing Earth—and everyone on it.
add to goodreads




Review
SPOILER FREE

I enjoyed the premise of this story because I could easily imagine this story as a movie or TV series if it became popular. That's always a good thing because it's always a possibility.

I thought this story was fast paced and a super quick read. I usually love stories like this but I felt like it was more of a sprint than I would have liked in a story. I would have enjoyed it better it if there were a few points in the story where I could just take a minute to revel in the moment. Things just kept happening to the characters as I was still digesting what just happened to them. Don't get me wrong, I loved the pace for the most part because it rarely or never dragged for me but I think a few extra details might have helped slow it down. Still, this story will kept me reading till the end!

The character's were enjoyable and lovable for the most part. I liked Jess's voice, she was entertaining for sure. The language was well written and very much like a snarky teenager which I loved. I enjoyed David's innocence and naivety. He was sweet, cute, and attractive so you couldn't help but love him. I did like that the characters got together, but I'm not sure if how they got to that point was believable enough for me. I was a little reluctant at first because I'm not sure it's normal that Jess became so attracted to him so quickly without questioning his alien appearance. I don't mind too much since once they were together, their chemistry was hot and I wanted more of it.

I find that for such a superior alien race I expected that they would have better survival technology. I had hoped to see something more from his race or alien technology when he was around. He had a few special skills but I feel like they didn't use it enough. He wasn't extremely helpful except when running away or during a confrontation. I guess I wanted to see more interesting things from him but it was more minimal than I would have liked but I guess that's just the tech nerd inside of me. One of the things I did enjoy was the adorable alien customs which showed the alien affections. It was sweet and funny how they initiated that they were interested in someone. The little culture shock was entertaining and would have loved to see more of that.

At the end, I wished Jess did more than talk since it wasn't really helpful at all. I like her stubborn and hotheadedness but it would have been nice if she had some skills to help back that up. It wasn't that she was not helpful but she was like an average teen and I wanted to know more about what made her special. I just wished that maybe her photography skills would have been used to help save them in a situation. Plus, I really liked how her mind worked when she was in her photographer mode.

The conclusion overall was satisfying and concluded the arc. I guess I've been spoiled with the last few books I've read because they had more expanded conclusions which left me more fully satisfied than this ending. This ending was done as expected since I understand that there will be sequels to this story, which is great! But I think I would have liked an end which maybe hinted at what would happen with the characters a little more. It hinted at what the aliens were going to do but not really the relationship between the characters. It's only when I read the first chapter in the sequel, which was included in my ARC, that I discovered what happened next and I wholeheartedly approve.

Although, I like these types of stories, it was easy enough to predict the end. I would have enjoyed more of a twist or a more unique spin on the aliens and where they came from. I'm not sure if the story was a complete enough of an arc for me because it left it more open ended than I would have liked. I mean I knew what was going to happen but I kind of hoped it wouldn't end there and wanted more. Still the story is amazing and entertaining and I really look forward to the sequels!

If you like a fun quirky protagonist, hot alien boy, and sweet romance I recommend this for you! It's an extremely fast paced thriller that has you reading on the edge of your seat the entire time. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't read it all in one sitting!

3.6 out of 5 rating for me!


(An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.)


About the Author:

Jennifer M. Eaton


Corporate Team Leader by day, and Ranting Writer by night. Jennifer M. Eaton calls the East Coast of the USA home, where she lives with her husband, three energetic boys, and a pepped up poodle.

Jennifer hosts an informational blog “A Reference of Writing Rants for Writers (or Learn from My Mistakes)” aimed at helping all writers be the best they can be.

Beyond writing and motivating others, she also enjoys teaching her dog to jump through hoops—literally.

Jennifer’s perfect day includes long hikes in the woods, bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, and snuggling up by the fire with a great book; but her greatest joy is using her over-active imagination constructively... creating new worlds for everyone to enjoy.

Author Links: Website | Twitter Facebook | Goodreads




Giveaway
Giveaway Information: Winner will be drawn October 25, 2014


- One (1) custom made necklace (used as inspiration for the necklace in Fire in the Woods). Adjustable chain from 10 to 12 inches. T (US ONLY)
· Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Friday, September 26, 2014

Book Promo: 4 for Friday Blitz + Giveaway

4-for-Friday-Banner

Welcome to the 4 for Friday Blitz for Crown of Ice by Vicki L. Weavil, Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton, Avian by Nicole Conway, and Branded by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki, presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post.

Book Promo: A Soul to Take w/ Excerpt




A SOUL TO TAKE

By: Emily Taylor
Dying is the least of Elixia’s worries.

The world has changed. Demons are no longer legend, but part of life, integrated into our society . . . or so the Government claims. Things are never that simple, though, and neither side favors the new union. Agent Elixia Albelin knows the dark nature of demons firsthand, and will do everything in her power to protect the innocent from their wrath.

But when a mission from the Agency goes sour, Elixia finds herself in a predicament. Murdered, with her last living family-member kidnapped, her only hope is an offer from the very thing she despises: a demon. It’s no ordinary demon offering the contract, though, and his motive for such a deal is unclear. But if she’s to discover the truth and save her sister, she must commit the greatest taboo for an Agent:

Sell her soul.

Now, Marked and shackled to the terms of the contract, she must try to uncover the mystery of her sister’s abduction before her new “owner” comes to claim what is his. Her past may hold answers, but what happens when her investigation finds something far more sinister? Something not even the demons can condone?

Book Review: The Emissary + Giveaway




Title: The Emissary
Publication date: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Kristal Shaff
For hundreds of years, dark clouds covered the skies of Adamah, and an ageless king ruled. Those who emerged with one of six extraordinary Shay powers were forced into the king’s army, an unmatched force with inhuman Strength, Speed, Accuracy, Perception, Empathy, and Healing. With the army behind him, the king—a man who wields all six abilities—was invincible and unquestioned in his rule. To most, serving the king was an honor. But for others, it was a fate worse than death.

When seventeen-year-old Nolan Trividar witnesses the transformation of his brother from kind to cruel after entering the king’s army, he vows never to follow the same path.

So when his own power—the Shay of Accuracy—comes upon him at the Tournament of Awakening, Nolan conceals his emergence instead of joining the king’s ranks. For years, he traitorously hides his power, pretending to be only a gifted scribe. But when Nolan comes face -to-face with a deserter, the man discovers his secret.

To evade detection and a death sentence, Nolan escapes with the deserter and flees into a night filled with dark creatures who steal both powers and souls. He joins a resistance, a village hidden deep in the forest, filled with others who secretly wield a Shay. But his peace is short-lived when they discover that the dark clouds, undead creatures, their own decreasing powers, and even the king, are all connected.
Purchase Links:

Friday, September 12, 2014

Book Review: Gauntlet and SS: Jacks are Wild

Gauntlet by Ellery Prime
Illustrated by T2A

Happy to embrace her adult independence, Clio moves to the sprawling city of her dreams. The layered beauty of the metropolis lives up to her expectations…until one terrible night, when she discovers the dark world at its core. Clio is launched into a frightening labyrinth where everyone seems to be playing a different game. 

This hidden inner city blurs the line between reality and illusion, concealing both dangers and rewards–and Clio’s forced journey is complicated by friendship, sexual awakening, and betrayal. Clio’s search for the secret inside the gauntlet’s heart will leave her questioning who she is and what she really wants.

NO SPOILERS

I was fortunate to receive this light novel (similar to a serialized novella) from Sparkler Monthly in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given.

I actually really enjoyed this story. I couldn't stop reading once I got started. I'm glad I received this as a finished ebook because I know reading it chapter by chapter would have killed me in anticipation. Each chapter left us at a cliffhanger which I loved and hated it. Loved it because I needed to know more but hated it because if I were reading it by chapter I would hate to wait for the next chapter but I know it would be worth the wait. You know that's done with careful planning.

The pacing was good for the most part, although I did find myself skipping some of the more slow exploring parts. I was reading more carefully in the beginning but realized that not much of of the details were relevant to the rest of the story. However, whenever we got to the heart pounding scenes I found myself on the edge of my seat. I loved it when there was a revealing scene or a chasing scene because I read that as quick as possible and before I knew it, the scene was over.

I felt like this story knew how to intrigue a reader. The author artfully strung us along until the next heart stopping part of the story. This story, in my opinion, is definitely action driven. The main character does grow and learn but I don't know if she has changed enough for me to say it was character driven. The other characters are minor but they all helped the main character, which is fine. With the exception of a few characters, the others were not as significant to the story.

I do feel that the story was well written but I felt like it could have been made more of an impact. The intrigue and mystery was solid but there could have been more clues dropped in the story. I don't think there was enough to allow the reader to figure out what was going on in the Gauntlet because most of the time I felt clueless and confused.

The characters were moving along and doing stuff but I had no idea why or for what reason. Maybe I didn't get the connections, and that's ok, perhaps it was planned that way so that the story was unpredictable and it sure was that way for me. Still, as a reader I was slightly frustrated that even now as I sit back and think about the story, I still didn't have many clues that could have led me to the conclusion at the end. There weren't enough hints as to what was going on until the big reveal at end. Then I realized the earlier half wasn't even entirely relevant to the story at the end. That felt like a waste of time and story to me because the earlier minor characters pretty much disappeared after that first half of the story.

Now, the ending was good, I liked how the climax of the story was written because it was clever. Not that it's my story to tell, but I could think of a different way for it to solve at the climax so that almost everyone was happy. There are a few loose ends that I wish were tied up, such as the relationships with a few of the protagonist's friends. Also more of an explanation of how Gauntlet was created and the roles of it would have been nice to understand. The story touches upon it a little but mostly leaves it to the imagination of the readers. I like the meaning behind it  the story, and without spoiling you, it does make you think. I think I've only read one other book that challenged this way of thinking for me. It was done decently but I just wish there were more hints about it because it would have made a better revelation in my opinion.

This story is fascinating and well written. It intrigues you until the end, so if you enjoy games, mysteries, and stories that follows a character's journey, then you'll want to read this book!


3.5 out of 5 rating for me!




Cherry Bomb - Gauntlet Short Story: Jacks are Wild


I actually also got to review a Cherry Bomb short story which is an exclusive story for mature audiences (18+), in this case, due to the sexual themes.

This story was set in Gauntlet, it revealed the alternate life of Clio if she did not make the life altering decision that she did in the Gauntlet. It shows a little more behind the scenes of Gauntlet and the roles the people played as well as the world she now lives in and the role she now plays. I loved that we got to see how each person plays their roles but I still don't quite get how they are forced to perform the roles or what the rules are for Gauntlet. Still it's interesting to see from a different perspective.

I enjoyed the little glimpses or parallels that the short story made to the book. I liked the love scenes and ended up laughing at the end when it revealed what really happened. I don't want to spoil it but I did find it immensely entertaining. I think if you like Gauntlet then you'll love the short story that goes along with it.

4 out of 5 rating for me!



Now as a disclaimer, I got to review these stories in exchange for honest reviews. I've known Sparkler existed for awhile but haven't quite had the interest in learning more about it until now. It has recently come to my knowledge that Sparkler is searching for new memberships to help them keep going so that they can continue doing what they love doing. Making and sharing quality stories.

They are currently doing a Membership Drive so unless they get 2,000 memberships by the end of Year 2, there will be no Year 3 for them. So check them out if you never heard of them! There's even a Year 1 sampler download for free

So help them get the numbers they need! Don't worry, I don't get a commission for sharing this information. I just wanted to help support a company sharing stories that I like which is why I made the plunge and bought a year membership. ^_~

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Book Review: Torn (The Fire Born #2) + Giveaway

Hey guys! TORN, the second installment of the Fire Born Novels by Laney McMann, has launched. Check out more of the tour at the end of the post. There is also a .99 cent sale going on for Torn right now! Got

PLUS, there's a Giveaway! You know you want in on this! lol

-Aisa



TORN (Book #2)
Torn, Book #2
Releasing September 8, 2014
For more info: J Taylor Publishing
Target Audience: Young Adult
Key Words: Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Mystery, Mythology
Find Max.

That’s all Layla cares about. Not healing from the Fomore attack. Not finding answers to how she survived a fall that nearly killed her. Nothing will stop her. She will find him. She’ll even pair up with an overbearing Fallen Angel who’s hell bent on making everything harder than it needs to be if she has to.

Protect Layla.

For Max, nothing else matters. Not the bruises covering his body. Not the pain radiating from his broken bones. Not even his hands tied behind his back. He will find a way to save Layla, and the Fomore will pay if they’ve hurt her.

Every. Single. One of them.

In the second installment of The Fire Born trilogy, a new breed of villain looms—one Layla and Max will never suspect, and this killer has nothing to lose. Better yet, with Max and Layla’s deaths, victory is in the grip of the enemy.

Will Max and Layla find each other in time, or is it already too late for them both?




NO SPOILERS

To be fair, I read the books nearly right after one another (a few days) so I had a more fluid transition between the two but I found myself easily immersing myself back in the world and picking up where I left off. I think anyone who picked up the first book will be able to jump into the second one without a problem.

Torn picks up where you left off from Tied (Book #1). I feel like I actually liked Torn even more than Tied just because we find more about the history of the Fire Born that we lack in the first book. The first one was a great read but it was all about discovering who Max and Layla were and what they were together. In the second book we dive deeper into understanding why things were the way they were and what is expected of the protagonists.

The author puts the characters through the ringer a bit which I liked. I could feel the pain that they experienced being apart and I like the twists that the author uses to have the characters change. While I didn't love it, I feel like it was done in an acceptable way. I couldn't find myself agreeing with the character's actions or reactions but I was tolerant and the pay off was worth it in my opinion. I was afraid that I'd find it more unbelievable to me that the characters could have a change of heart so easily. Glad to keep rooting for them.

I'm glad that all the characters had roles in the story. There aren't really any useless characters which is definitely a plus in my eyes since I loathe them. I did see the damsel in the distress trope in the story which isn't bad but I would have liked to see it only done once in the story. I do like the complexities of the characters that they aren't just black/white personalities. That they are variances of in between and the way the author handled that gained my admiration.

I found myself flying through this book. While I sped through both, I was near the edge of my seat in this book just to find out what happens with the characters. Thus, I believe the pacing was excellent. It definitely picked up towards the middle and end of the story which I loved. Also while I don't really care for episodic scenes in this story, which happens for flash backs, I do feel like it was handled better in this book than the previous because it wasn't as jarring to me as the prior book. I think wasn't as confused since I knew where these visions were coming from where in the first one it seemed as if the protagonist had gone crazy.

Like the first book, this book ended with a major cliff hanger and one that left me moaning in anticipation because I wanted to dive into the next part of the story. I highly recommend reading this story if you loved the first one. If you like Celtic myths and paranormal romances with battles that cross generations then I would pick this book up.


3.7 out of 5 rating for me! 


(An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.)


TIED, Book #1

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Normal people don't believe their nightmares stalk them. They don’t fall in love with boys who don’t exist, either.

Seventeen-year-old Layla Labelle, though, is far from normal. Her delusions walk the earth. Her hallucinations hunt her, and her skin heats to a burn every time her anger flares.


Or is that all in her head?

Layla doesn't know what to believe any more because if none of that’s true, Max MacLarnon must be an illusion, and her heart must still be broken.

No matter how much she wants to believe Max is real, doing so would mean everything else is, too. How, then, is that possible?

The answers lie in an age-old legend the supernatural aren’t prepared to reveal, and with a curse that could tear Layla and Max apart forever—if it doesn’t kill them both first.

In TIED, book one in the Fire Born trilogy, learning the truth will mean fighting an arsenal of demons, and being with Max will put Layla on a path toward her own destruction.

Just how far will Layla go to protect the one she loves?

The answer may never be far enough ... away.


AUTHOR: 


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With a passion for the supernatural and all things magical, Laney developed a voracious appetite for reading fantasy at a young age. A vivid imagination helped set the stage for creating her own worlds and placed her onto the writing path. By the time she reached her teens, she'd accumulated notebooks full of poems, which led to short stories and finally novels. Young adult dark fantasy, paranormal romance, and mythology are among her favorite genres. A former classical dancer and chef, she grew up in sultry Florida where she still resides with her family. 

You can find her on:
Her new website: Laney McMann
And by email at: laneymcmannyaauthor(at)gmail(dot)com



TORNBKBLSTUSE



GIVEAWAY!
Signed paperbacks of TIED (Book 1) &TORN (Book 2) to ONE winner, and E-book copies of TIED & TORN to ONE winner.

Enter Rafflecopter:

BUY LINKS:


iBookstore

BN-BuyNow

Kobo-buyNow

GOODREADS:

goodreads_icon_100x100


And until September 15th, TIED will be on sale in honor of TORN's launch.

Firebanner 7





Tour Schedule

September 8th -

September 9th -

September 10th -


Book Promo: Torn + Giveaway


Welcome to the Laney McMann Promo Event for the second book in her Fire Born Series. Continue below for the author's playlist and a awesome giveaway!


TORN (Book #2)
Torn, Book #2
Releasing September 8, 2014
For more info: J Taylor Publishing
Target Audience: Young Adult
Key Words: Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Mystery, Mythology
Find Max.

That’s all Layla cares about. Not healing from the Fomore attack. Not finding answers to how she survived a fall that nearly killed her. Nothing will stop her. She will find him. She’ll even pair up with an overbearing Fallen Angel who’s hell bent on making everything harder than it needs to be if she has to.

Protect Layla.

For Max, nothing else matters. Not the bruises covering his body. Not the pain radiating from his broken bones. Not even his hands tied behind his back. He will find a way to save Layla, and the Fomore will pay if they’ve hurt her.

Every. Single. One of them.

In the second installment of The Fire Born trilogy, a new breed of villain looms—one Layla and Max will never suspect, and this killer has nothing to lose. Better yet, with Max and Layla’s deaths, victory is in the grip of the enemy.

Will Max and Layla find each other in time, or is it already too late for them both?

Buy Links:

About the Author
Laney McMannWith a passion for the supernatural and all things magical, Laney developed a voracious appetite for reading fantasy at a young age. A vivid imagination helped set the stage for creating her own worlds and placed her onto the writing path.


By the time she reached her teens, she'd accumulated notebooks full of poems, which led to short stories and finally novels. Young adult dark fantasy, paranormal romance, and mythology are among her favorite genres. 

A former classical dancer and chef, she grew up in sultry Florida where she still resides with her family.




TORN PLAYLIST
=======================

Hide & Seek ~ Imogen Heap
Ivy ~ Active Child 
Wizard Motor ~ Mogwai
No Air ~ Jordan Sparks
All I Want Is You ~ U2
The End ~ Kings of Leon
After The Storm ~ Mumford and Sons
Running Up That Hill ~ Placebo
All That We Had Is Lost ~ Postiljonen
The Devil's Tears ~ Angus & Julia Stone



EXCERPT
=================

Layla

Sunlight seared my face, and my fingers dug into hot sand before a cool shade fell over me.

“Teine?” A soft voice called my name. Someone pulled on my arm.

My head lolled to the side, but my neck caught on a crick and refused to move further than a couple of inches.

“Teine? Can you hear me?” Soft wisps tickled my face, even as my head pounded above my left ear.

My eyelids opened and closed, scratching against the corneas like sandpaper—my mouth dry, like paste. Though blurry, a figure loomed over me.

“We have to go. Hold on to me.” A gentle squeeze of my hand made my fingers flex.

“Max ...” My voice cracked, word slurred; my tongue seemed too large for my mouth. I raised my arm, but it thumped to the ground at my side with the weight of a lead pipe.

“Shh. Do not let go.”

My heavy arms swung up on their own. I attempted to clasp my hands, to entwine my fingers, but they slipped back down to my sides with a dead thud. Vision refusing to cooperate, my eyes slipped in and out of focus. “What ... happened?”

“You will be all right.”

“Max?”

“Shh. Save your strength.”

Oh, god.

Max.

I fell ... We fell. It was so hot. Too hot, and ...











Friday, September 5, 2014

Book Review: Cephrael's Hand + Giveaway


"All things are composed of patterns..." And within the pattern of the realm of Alorin, three strands must cross: In Alorin... three hundred years after the genocidal Adept Wars, the realm is dying, and the blessed Adept race dies with it. One man holds the secret to reverting this decline: Bjorn van Gelderan, a dangerous and enigmatic man whose shocking betrayal three centuries past earned him a traitor's brand. It is the Adept Vestal Raine D'Lacourte's mission to learn what Bjorn knows in the hope of salvaging his race. But first he'll have to find him.

In the kingdom of Dannym... the young Prince Ean val Lorian faces a tenuous future as the last living heir to the coveted Eagle Throne. When his blood-brother is slain during a failed assassination, Ean embarks on a desperate hunt for the man responsible. Yet his advisors have their own agendas, and his quest for vengeance leads him ever deeper into a sinuous plot masterminded by a mysterious and powerful man, the one they call First Lord.

In the Nadori desert...tormented by the missing pieces of his life, a soldier named Trell heads off to uncover the truth of his shadowed past. But when disaster places him in the debt of Wildlings sworn to the First Lord, Trell begins to suspect a deadlier, darker secret motivating them. Honor-bound to serve the First Lord in return for his life, Trell continues on his appointed path, yet each day unveils new and stranger secrets that eventually call into question everything he knows.
Get Cephrael’s Hand through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.



SPOILER FREE

Wow, when I received this book I was glad I asked for a paperback because this guy was massive! This book has to be about an inch thick. Needless to say, it wasn't only because of the size that I was grateful to have received a paperback. I was glad because I needed to constantly flip from where I was reading to the front where there was a list of glossary terms and people in the stories. There is a lot of characters so for me this was useful. For me, I love being able to learn new foreign terms, even if they are made up, and you definitely get that with this book. You might want to know that this book isn't for a quick weekend read. It is an epic read and definitely took me at least a week to read thorough it.

The characters are rich and actionable. They are full of raw and pure emotions so it was easy for me to get into the minds of the characters and to understand their reactions. I found that they are passionate, clever, and interesting which are definitely traits I like in my characters. Through out the story there are three characters that we follow and each are different with unique personalities. It was easy for me to distinguish between each one. Sometimes I didn't enjoy the multiple switching of characters, I found that it sometimes distracted me and took me out of the story.

I did find the writing well written and eloquent. The only issue I have was the pacing. It wasn't bad but I like my plot points to emphasize a situation and move the story along while doing so. Although, some points did, it wasn't always meaningful enough for me to keep reading on the edge of my seat. I like plot points that are meaningful and also move the story along with me realizing. It is definitely more of a journey and traveling along with the characters and learning from their experiences.

I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't as much use of the magic in the story as I had expected. That was what first drew me in about the story. The unique magic sounded fascinating and I was hoping that they would use it in their every day lives. Unfortunately, the reader doesn't get much until more towards the middle/end of the story. The magic we did get to see was well executed.

While this story intrigued me, I'm not sure this story was for me, but if you enjoy a slower paced but extremely well written story with multiple main characters then this book is the one for you.

3.4 out of 5 rating for me!


(An ARC was provided for a Novel Publicity tour in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any other way.)



About the Book - About the Author - Prizes!!!

About the prizes: Who doesn't love prizes? You could win one of two $50 Amazon gift cards or an autographed copy of Cephrael’s Hand! Here's what you need to do...
  1. Enter the Rafflecopter contest
  2. Leave a comment on my blog
That's it! One random commenter during this tour will win the first gift card. Visit more blogs for more chances to win--the full list of participating bloggers can be found HERE. The other two prizes will be given out via Rafflecopter. You can find the contest entry form linked below or on the official Cephrael’s Hand tour page via Novel Publicity. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



About the author: 


Melissa McPhail is a classically trained pianist, violinist and composer, a Vinyasa yoga instructor, and an avid Fantasy reader. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, their twin daughters and two very large cats.


Connect with Melissa on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or GoodReads.


Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Book Promo: The Sun's Rival (Book Five of The Wilderhark Tales)

Hey everyone, got an awesome cover reveal for you! As you may know, Ms. Danielle Shipley is an awesome author and person in general so you know when I get excited about any news about her. Well, guess what? I've got her latest book cover reveal! Scroll down to see it! Believe me, it's darling, and on par to her other covers. ^_~

-Aisa



An enchantress’s curse turns a spoiled royal into a beast; a princess’s pricked finger places her under a hundred-year spell; bales of straw are spun as golden as the singing harp whisked down a giant beanstalk – all within sight of Wilderhark, the forest that’s seen it all.

You’ve heard the stories – of young men scaling rope-like braids to assist the tower-bound damsel; of gorgeous gowns appearing just in time for a midnight ball; of frog princes, and swan princes, and princes saved from drowning by maidens of the sea. Tales of magic. Tales of adventure. Most of all, tales of true love.

Once upon a time, you knew them as fairytales. Know them now as Wilderhark’s. 

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