Thursday, October 31, 2013

Making Connections Blog Tour ~ Crimson Midnight ~ Not Your Mother's Fairy Tale


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Crimson Darkness Blurb:

London is in the grip of an unnatural darkness. Rose is in the grasp of an unrelenting power and Raven and Thistle, along with their supernatural allies, are battling to survive and find a way to restore their home city.  

For the fey, the song remains the same. They must return the power to Faerie or die. Unfortunately for them, the task has been superseded by an even more important one - help save Earth or perish along with it! For Rose, the stakes are even higher as she is forced to make a terrible deal that will damn her if she does and damn her if she doesn’t.  

Now enemies must work together as allies if they are to save their worlds from an ancient threat…  

This Book Is Intended for Adult Audiences Only.

 

Review:

This will probably sound weird... but this book both reminds me immensely of the Fever series but at the same time it's a completely unique story.  It's dark, sexual, almost raw and primitive in the utter dark reality that London remains in the grip of.  For the remaining residents, life is unlikely at best and slow torture of being eaten alive at it's worst.  Even on a re-read, knowing what will happen, it still is riveting.

  So rarely when authors use an ensemble of characters do you find such a well-rounded group with such distinct 'voices'.  I love (and sometimes hate) each one of them, even sadistic Faye is enthralling despite her actions causing me to shudder.  And the mythology in this is still unique, and the interesting names assigned to the unknowns are almost fun (that's SO not the right word but I can't think of a better one) to learn.  Like the fever series, not just the supernaturals but the 'other' are so varied and numerous it almost makes my mind spin.  If you are a fae lover like me, you'll get your desire and then some, but you might get a little more than you bargained for.  These are NOT fairy godmothers, NOT some cute barbie doll that will grant wishes, but rather honest and both light and dark (with maybe some more emphasis on the dark).  These are not your fairy tales from your youth.

  While we are discussing characters... it MUST be mentioned.  Roman is a doucecanoe of epic proportions in this book, but there IS method behind this madness.  Have faith, even if I found that task difficult at best.  Damn asshat.  Too sexy for his own good too, and he even uses it as a weapon.  *Shiver*  Not sure yet if it's a good shiver or a bad shiver- maybe both at the same time.  Rune sure does go far as a balm for my shivers, though.  These pages are just teeming with every brand of book boyfriend a paranormal lover could be looking for- of either persuasion!

  This is not a world I want to find myself living in, but in the comfort of my favorite reading nook it's a dark pleasure to slip into.  Might make you feel a hair dirty, make you need to take a cold shower, and leave you vibrating with anticipation on the last pages... but it's worth every. single. second.
 
 

Be sure to also check out my review from Book #1, Crimson Midnight!

(also includes pictures of my 'fantasy cast')

Diva Terri's Review of Crimson Midnight

 

Amos Cassidy

Author Bio:

Amos Cassidy - a team of two. Amos is a 29 year old Diva and Cassidy a 36 year old mum of three. Aside from a passion for writing and a love of reading they also share an addiction to coffee, love anything Joss Whedon and are constantly playing tug of war over Jensen Ackles. They have been writing together for four years and are currently working on the third book in their Crimson Series. 

 

Social Media links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amos-Cassidy-World/172592816124684 Twitter: https://twitter.com/amoscassidy  

 

Blogs:

http://amoscassidy.wordpress.com/ http://crimsonseries.wordpress.com/
 

 

Book buy links:

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crimson-Darkness-The-Series-ebook/dp/B00EVA5R7Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1379323033&sr=1-1&keywords=crimson+darkness  

 US: http://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Darkness-The-Series-ebook/dp/B00EVA5R7Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1379323078&sr=1-1&keywords=crimson+darkness

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!

Check out ALL the stops of the tour for more fun things! Interviews, Reviews, and More!
Oct. 29th ~ Bookaholic
Oct. 30th ~ Judith Leger
Nov. 1st ~ Novel Worms

Monday, October 28, 2013

Light in Mourning Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway

LIM Release date ~ October 18th 2013
 *Synopsis
They say that madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results...but what happens when the very person that brought your heart back to life has the ability to shatter it with one confession?

After an explosive affair left their hearts shattered and scarred, Georgia and Tristan are trying for a fresh start. She is determined to take it slow and not repeat the mistakes of the past, while Tristan is willing to throw caution to the wind as long as he has his dark-haired girl in his life...and in his bed.

But Georgia and Tristan can't shelter their love from the outside world, and the moments of exquisite passion they share aren't enough to sustain the relationship. When scars from the past resurface—will their hearts meld together as one? Or will outside forces tear them apart, leaving an empty shell where love and passion once thrived?

Blog Tour Info Page http://wp.me/P3N9eN-f9


My Review:

I simply adore this series, although it is a slighter darker romance due to the first book.  Thought The Mourning After (book one) gives essentially a HEA, this book is NOT a rehash of book one.  I think a reader really needs the first book to fully understand the characters in this book for maximum enjoyment.  Their past, rife with 'cheating', in addition to their skeletons in the closet is a perfect foil to their all-encompassing love.

Officially, my rating is only 4½♥'s.  I feel absolutely confident of rounding up to 5 stars in this case, because my slight issue with the story lies with my own, somewhat similar experience.  I don't want to go into specifics of my past, but my own past colored the book a bit just due to reminders of personal not-so-happy moments.

I LOVED getting to see inside Tristan's mind (as well as still hearing from Georgia.)  Being able to know exactly what he was feeling and thinking provided such insight and really added a more rich layer.  I had no difficulties remember who's head I was inside at any given time.  I think the dual narrators was absolutely perfect for this book, and would have suffered with it's absence.

The characters you know and love from book one all make appearances in this, including one of my not-so-loved characters, Kyle.  *rolls eyes*  Douchebag once, douchebag always.  But sometimes you need to have the experiences with the douchebags of this world to really recognize the diamonds you run across, the loves that are worth fighting for.

These books have confirmed my 'fandom' of Adriane Leigh's writing, she's achieved 'auto-buy' status in my 'book'.

I received a free ARC eBook in exchange for my unbiased review


*Author Bio
woman.lover.mother.writer.
Born and raised in a snowbank in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and now lives amongst the sand dunes of the Lake Michigan lakeshore.
Graduated with a Literature degree but never particularly enjoyed reading Shakespeare or Chaucer.
Married to a tall, dark and handsome guy, and plays mama to two sweet baby girls. Also a voracious reader and knitter.

*Author Links


*Book Links for THE MOURNING AFTER
Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/17PY2EC

*Other Books by Adriane Leigh ~ Steel and Lace (Amazon Bestselling Erotica)

INTERVIEW

What are you reading right now?  (Other than this question.) 
I'm in between books-- I'm either starting Wethering the Storm or Worthy of Redemption tonight. 

Do characters or stories (plots) drive your writing?

I start with the story and once I have a good sense of the characters they take over and drive the ship :)


What color is your toothbrush? 

white + green


What's your favorite quote (from any source)
 
"She reads books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live" is tattooed on my arm, so I would say that one!

How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop? 

Depends on how talented you are ;)
 
Are you a morning person? 

Not in any way whatsoever!
 
Which, if any, big screen production of a literary work are you looking forward to? 
 
Obviously, Fifty Shades! Even if it's terrible I'll see it again and again!

What is the average airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? 

This feels like a science queston, and I don't do science. Or math. If it's outside of reading or writing it's not my forte.
 

What would we find in your refrigerator right now? 

Juice, feta, and half empty condiment bottles. I need to go shopping!
   
You can take a road trip with anyone (living or dead, fictional or real), who would you take and
where would you go?
 
I'd go to the North Carolina beach with Tristan! I want that golden hair and lopsided smile in person!
 
Blog Tour Giveaway Code
 
Blog Tour Giveaway Link

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Sophie's Birthday Week ... It's a Sunshine Day!

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18 year old Sophie Jean is pretty good at acting normal. Sure, she’s not exactly happy, but happiness is nothing compared to being like everyone else. She can pretend she’s not allergic to the sun. She can hide what her ex-boyfriend did to her. She can cover up the scars she’s made for herself. Ignore anything. Forget anything. Then Myles enters her life, and he has more than a few secrets of his own. When accident after accident keeps happening to Sophie, she can’t help noticing that he’s everywhere. That he knows too much. That she’s remembering too much.   

It’s one thing covering up her own dark past, but does she really need to worry about people finding out just how much Myles likes her? Or that despite how much she doesn’t want to repeat past mistakes, she kind of likes him back? Not to mention the fact that she now has to conceal that Myles drinks blood-that he says he’s about four hundred years old.  

She almost forgot about that part.

But Sophie has no plans to ruin the normal life she has created for herself. She can deal with this little glitch, no problem. Even if word has gotten around to the wrong vampire about Sophie and Myles, even if she’s putting the few people she loves at risk. Suddenly, those who were monsters before are just people, and the monsters? They’re real. Now being a normal human being is the least of her problems.  Now she has to stay alive.

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Sophie’s life has changed. She’s moved to New York, she’s playing music for new people, and she’s making new friends. Then there’s Myles, and the fact that he is now her boyfriend—and everyone knows it. There are a lot of new things to take in, but Sophie has no problem adjusting.

She’s not exactly normal, living in a half-human, half-vampire world, but she’s finally, truly happy. But some parts of Sophie and Myles’ old life still hide in the dark, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.

Sophie’s having nightmares again, but they aren’t about her; Myles is hiding something that she’s not sure she wants to know.

And one lie will change everything.

No matter how hard she tries to cover up the marks her monsters have left behind, they never truly go away, and Myles’ monsters are no different.

Once again, Sophie’s caught between life and death, but this time, only she can save herself.


  
Nikki Rae is a student and writer who lives in New Jersey. When she is not writing, thinking, or reading, she is most likely hanging out with her gecko, Neil Gaiman, drawing in a quiet corner, or drinking tea by the gallon. Sunshine is her first book.

Check Out Diva Terri's Review of Sunshine at Passionate Book Divas!

 
 

Friday, October 18, 2013

Light in Mourning Release Day Blitz + Giveaway!


LIM Release date ~ October 18th 2013


*Synopsis

They say that madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results...but what happens when the very person that brought your heart back to life has the ability to shatter it with one confession?

After an explosive affair left their hearts shattered and scarred, Georgia and Tristan are trying for a fresh start. She is determined to take it slow and not repeat the mistakes of the past, while Tristan is willing to throw caution to the wind as long as he has his dark-haired girl in his life...and in his bed.

But Georgia and Tristan can't shelter their love from the outside world, and the moments of exquisite passion they share aren't enough to sustain the relationship. When scars from the past resurface—will their hearts meld together as one? Or will outside forces tear them apart, leaving an empty shell where love and passion once thrived?

 

Blog Tour Info Page http://wp.me/P3N9eN-f9







*Author Bio


woman.lover.mother.writer.
Born and raised in a snowbank in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and now lives amongst the sand dunes of the Lake Michigan lakeshore.
Graduated with a Literature degree but never particularly enjoyed reading Shakespeare or Chaucer.
Married to a tall, dark and handsome guy, and plays mama to two sweet baby girls. Also a voracious reader and knitter.
 



*Author Links





 

 

 




*Other Books by Adriane Leigh ~ Steel and Lace (Amazon Bestselling Erotica)


 
 
 

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Tragically Flawed Blog Tour ~ More than just 10 Reasons....



Riviera Benson’s past has been nothing but horrific. It’s filled with secrets that she intends to keep tightly locked away...terrifying secrets that keep her awake at night...that prevent her from getting close to anyone...anyone that is, until her work as a muralist drives her into the arms of the hot and sexy Shan. 

Benjamin Shandon, owner of Shandon Homes, works like a thousand demons are chasing him...because perhaps they are. His business has boomed, ever since the forest fire swept through the canyon and destroyed hundreds of million dollar homes. He demands excellence in everything...from his employees to his women. He slows down for nothing, keeping a schedule that no sane person would want. But Riviera interrupts everything, twisting his guts inside out, and wedging her way into his heart, destroying a promise he made to himself. 

Will they let their pasts control their future, or will they decide to let go and allow their hearts to discover each other’s? 


 This book contains mature content and is not intended for younger readers.


As this is an adult book, please understand this is an 'adult' review.

OK, guys.  I need to warn you straight off, I really enjoyed the book.  However, I also really thought the main hero is an asshat... you know, those swoony douchebag heroes?  (And I mean this in the BEST possible kind of way.)  Isn't it NICE sometimes to have the characters not be perfect - have them make bad choices, gets angry for the wrong reasons, misinterpret another person's emotional state, just be more, well - REAL.  On one hand, books - especially romance, it just comes with the territory.  Either you'll have these perfect guys with rock-hard abs, they can dance perfectly, and can use their mouths for more than just talking; or it'll go the other way and it's all doom and gloom, alpha caveman, or hero so tortured they can only find solace in sex.  Yeah, yeah, I'm oversimplifying and stereotyping  but my point (I swear there is one, bear with me)... Shan has the abs, he avoids monogamy or even dating someone more than once (it seems), he's a perfectionist on the job, did I mention- he's fuckin' loaded, and he even has a a specific haunting tragic event in his past.  But- the best part- and don't even try to question the oddity of this being the best part, Shan is a fucking douche.  By his own admission:

"But then I saw you and I was so attracted to you that I think I developed a severe case of assitis just to make myself think I wasn't affected by you."

Somehow... that damn ass won me over.  And the opening scene, hell yes, the opening scene.  Now that opening scene makes you try to fall for him immediately, but I really think that subsequent asshat behavior just made him so real.  He's NOT perfect, and that makes him all the more irresistible.

And Riviera- great name, and even greater explanation behind the name- she wasn't JUST some sappy female stuck in an abusive relationship.  She had her tender moments, her vulnerable moments, her strong moments, her bad decision moments.  She wasn't static and stuck in a rut, she was constantly changing and growing and blossoming with Shan.

Here I am going on and on about the characters, but I really think that's such a strength in this book.  It does show (some) abusive relationship, and it does NOT sugar-coat it.  There is darkness in this book, but it is well balanced by the light and warm-fuzzies (or even hotter) moments.

Something else that is common (for me) in A.M. Hargrove's books: there are almost always side characters I 'fall for' (or at the very least am VERY interested in) as much as the main characters.  Shan may have started some juices flowing... but I would NOT be opposed to a little more Wolf.  *Raises eyebrows*  Oh, yeah.

Alright- nutshell time.  There is sex.  Many different kinds (nothing that makes you think 'I-can't-believe-they-went-there') and there is, like I said, darkness.  Violence.  Abuse.  Blood.  If you can put on your big girl panties and still like a swoony romance, and a reason to fall for a douchecanoe (Shan is quite a lovable douchcanoe, it's a term of endearment for him) than I'd recommend "taking the plunge" (and in this case pun IS intended.)


Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/14wIgQ0
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/19qMpVb
Smashworks: http://bit.ly/18MPgf1

A.M. Hargrove's Bio:
One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life.  So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase.  Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head.  Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what laptop out the window.  She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss and quit her job.  Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).

So began A. M. Hargrove's career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer. Her books include the following: Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge and Kissing Fire (The Edge Series); The Guardians of Vesturon series (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, reEmergent and Beginnings); Dark Waltz and Tragically Flawed.

Other than being in love with writing about being in love, she loves chocolate, ice cream and coffee and is positive they should be added as part of the USDA food groups.

Author Links:
A.M. Hargrove's Blog
@Amhargrove1 on Twitter
AMHargroveAuthor on Facebook
A.M. Hargrove on Goodreads
TRAGICALLY FLAWED Goodreads
Pinterest A.M. Hargrove1

BUT WAIT!  THERE'S MORE!

Top Ten Lines that Brought a Smile to My Face 
and a Laugh in My Heart, 
(but not in the way you'd expect):

10. "Shit, she had a rack on her and an ass to match that would melt the fuck out of the polar ice cap.  Talk about global warming."

9.  "Who the fuck did that kind of stuff?  Pervs you read about, that's who."

8.  "Yeah, right.  That would make a great impression... just like his volcanic dick had."

7.  "Are you always an asshole?"  "No, I'm usually a lot worse."

6.  "'Dick,' she blurted out.  'Dick, dick, dick!  There!  Do you feel better?"

5.  "I'd walked into that room, my ass would've been naked faster than the speed of freakin' sound."

4.  "He was beginning to wedge himself into all kinds of places, and she needed to figure out how to handle it."

3.  "Gee, I'm sorry you were molested when you were twelve" was so inadequate."

2.  "The man's junk will be twitching.  Mark my words."

1.  "You actually saw him Yankeeing the doodle?"

(Starts humming Yankee Doodle Dandy...)


Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Death and Mr. Right Blog Tour ~ Dance with Death


It is March 32nd, the day that doesn't exist, and Death, the agent of nightmares, has been demoted and exiled to live among mortals for the rest of his unnaturally long life. Everyone knows They don't look lightly on important items getting lost or an agent falling in love.

Can the diva-like Death navigate the modern world, recover what was stolen from him (the names of the damned ooops!) and get his job back? Or will he fall in love with Lola, the pretty thief who got him into all this trouble in the first place?

~

I am still in the midst of reading this book, but there were several reviews GUSHING about this book.  I don't want to make snap judgments based upon only a 45% reading... so the review will have to wait.  
But, if you are a member of Goodreads, you can enter a giveaway that is open until October 31st - HERE

Description of Book in Giveaway:

"Death and Mr. Right is a campy, colorful comedy in the style of Douglas Adams or the movie Hot Fuzz. The adventure story follows bumbling but loveable diva "Death", the former agent of nightmares, as he navigates Boston, reapers, bad coffee shops, German arthouse freaks and a beautiful thief named Lola Lane, all the while attempting to get his job (and title) back. Death and Mr. Right is a modern take on mythology, with plenty of laughter and action to keep you reading!"



Monday, October 7, 2013

Empath Blog Tour ~ Even Empathy Can Be a Curse




Empath (Flawed Book One)

Supernatural empathy isn’t a gift, it’s a curse. Anywhere she goes, Jade’s emotions are replaced by those of the people around her.
Jade grew up in a suburb of Colorado Springs, protected from other people by her parents. Now she faces college—and the world—with nothing to shield her from unwanted feelings.
When Cam, a classmate with a major crush on her, unintentionally hijacks her emotions, Jade struggles to keep from being carried away in feelings of attraction. When Ethan, a psychopath with a thirst for fear, fixates on her, the emotional impact could be lethal.
Caught in a deadly trap, Jade must untangle the emotions and find a way to use her empathic curse to overcome this killer or be overcome by him.

~

My Thoughts

I have to admit, the blurb and cover hooked me with the premise, and made me eager to read it.  When I cracked the cover, I was surprised.  It somehow was NOT was I anticipated.  Not in a bad way, that sounds more negative than I intend... it's well written just... let me try and explain all this in a moment.  Overall rating I decided upon was 4♥'s, and it was not an easy rating to pin down.

I can't say enough how eye-catching the premise was.  The only empath character I can think of off the top of my head (that I was familiar with) is Deanna Troy from Star Trek the Next Generation.  Empath is not a sci-fi story by any means, but Jade is nowhere near able to 'function' at the level Deanna was.  The simple act of trying to attend a class was nearly debilitating at the beginning of the book; Jade was an absolute mess.  But then, she was able to function shortly later, and I didn't 'get' how that happened.  I guess, I wanted more... just more everything except being overwhelmed from Jade.  I wanted more sass, more empowerment, more assertive 'ownership' of your life and gift/curse; more of a feeling she was steering the ship in her life rather than being drug by the current.

*Sigh* The serial killer, Ethan.  I think this actually is a personal preference thing.  I've read books with killers before; after all, I do have a horror background initially.  But I've never been overly fond of being inside the serial killer's head.  At all.  I have never read a Dexter book, or even anything about Hannibal Lector and such.  I can only think of one book where I saw into a killer's sadistic head that I loved.  I didn't quite realize there are sections actually told from Ethan's perspective, and I was just horrified by him and his cruelty.  This was all made worse because of his own abilities used (along with a disability) to lure in more victims.  *Shudder*  It's just not my bag, baby.  And *big* issues for me.  Spiders.  Freaking spiders.  Well written enough to leave me cringing and flipping out, damn spiders.

The menagerie of characters and abilities and uniqueness was good.  There were some I liked more than others, and I wish the readers learned much more from certain ones.  They did all work in concert to resolve the plot, but I just felt it was... I don't know, like too many people won some sort of genetic lottery of something.  It seemed like the kismet of lives crossing all with their own little 'special' was just outside of the line of really likely, or possible .

There are 'mystical', like kind of greater power (God) touches in the book, but it doesn't brow beat.  However, just as with Jade seeming more a spectator rather than master of her fate, I didn't feel like the characters were driving the plot.  But I cannot deny that this is well written.  It made me squirm, but wasn't gory by any means. *damn spiders*   I was really leaning at 3½♥'s by the end, but in my wisdom decided upon only full hearts on my blog.  Silly me.  So I was debating back and forth on to slide up or down.  Ultimately, for those that do enjoy a more thriller aspect, getting into the twisted head of killers as well as others, and don't mind a paranormal 'slant' to the story, I think this would be right up their alley.  

I received an eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review.


Empath Purchase Links


During the Empath Blog Tour (September 16th - October 20th), the first book in the Flawed series will be on sale for a discounted price of $0.99. Grab it for cheap while you can!
Amazon US | Amazon UK  | Amazon CA  | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo
  ~

Author Bio

Becca J. Campbell is the author of the New Adult Romantic Science Fiction novels Foreign Identity and Gateway to Reality, New Adult Romantic Paranormal Thriller Empath (The Flawed Series #1), and  Sub-Normal, a series of Science Fiction short stories.
An avid lover of stories that tiptoe the line between fantasy and reality (even when they plunge off one side or the other), Becca looks for new angles on bridging the gap between the two. She holds a special place in her heart for any story that involves superpowers or time travel. Her passion is defying the limits of her own creativity. You can find her on her Author BlogFacebookTwitterGoodreads, Pinterest, and Amazon.