Tuesday 27 May 2014

[COVER REVEAL] The Raven by Sylvain Reynard





The Raven 

by Sylvain Reynard



Blurb: 



From the New York Times bestselling author of the Gabriel Series comes a dark, sensual tale of romance in a city shrouded in mystery…

Raven Wood spends her days at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery restoring fine works of Renaissance art. But an innocent walk home after an evening with friends changes her life forever. When she intervenes in the senseless beating of a homeless man, his attackers turn on her, dragging her into an alley. Raven is only semi-conscious when their assault is interrupted by a cacophony of growls followed by her attacker’s screams. Mercifully, she blacks out, but not before catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure who whispers to her…

Cassita vulneratus.

When Raven awakes, she is inexplicably changed. She returns to the Uffizi, but no one recognizes her and more disturbingly, she discovers that she’s been absent an entire week. With no recollection of the events leading up to her disappearance, Raven also learns that her absence coincides with one of the largest robberies in Uffizi history – the theft of a set of priceless Botticelli illustrations. When the baffled police force identifies her as its prime suspect, Raven is desperate to clear her name. She seeks out one of Florence’s wealthiest and elusive men in an attempt to uncover the truth about her disappearance. Their encounter leads Raven to a dark underworld whose inhabitants kill to keep their secrets…




Release Date:
Early 2015


About the Author

I'm interested in the way literature can help us explore aspects of the human condition - particularly suffering, sex, love, faith, and redemption. My favourite stories are those in which a character takes a journey, either a physical journey to a new and exciting place, or a personal journey in which he or she learns something about himself/herself. 


I'm also interested in how aesthetic elements such as art, architecture, and music can be used to tell a story or to illuminate the traits of a particular character. In my writing, I combine all of these elements with the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the transformative power of goodness.


I try to use my platform as an author to raise awareness about the following charities: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation, WorldVision, Alex's Lemonade Stand, and Covenant House. For more information, see my Twitter account.

You can find Sylvain at 

         

Friday 23 May 2014

[RELEASE BLITZ] Guarding Abigail by T.E. Ridener



T.E. Ridener has a new book that came out and if you've been following my reviews lately I've been doing several blog tours for her other books. I've really liked all the books I've read by her and can't wait to give this one a try! All the links are in the post below. Let me know if you're going to be putting 'Guarding Abigail' on your TBR list in the comments!

Cover Designer: Double J Book Graphics-  Facebook
Tell me if you’ve heard this before.  A Guardian, a fallen angel, a sensitive, and a human walk into a bar…..
Abigail Gentry knew her life was going to change when her mother lost her battle with cancer, but she couldn’t have possibly anticipated what that change would entail.    He’s been a Guardian and protector of the human realm for thousands of years, and Cillian’s giving it all up for her.
     She will discover her purpose on earth; he will discover the simplest of human emotions.  Abigail always thought she was just an ordinary woman, but oh, how she’s in for a big surprise.  Everything she’s ever believed will be shattered and the truth will set her on a course of good, evil, near-death experiences, demon possessions, and real love.
T.E. Ridener entered the world in the magnificent year of 1985. She's an avid reader, crazy writer, and photoshop addict. She started writing stories at a young age, and will probably do so until she takes her last breath. Forever the daydreamer, not a day passes in which Miss Ridener isn't working on something book related. Her books may be a work of fiction, but there is a lot of truth in each one.
Creating relatable characters and believable storylines mixed in with make-believe is what she is best known for. She always includes a strong female lead, a compassionate male, and tons of every day events that readers will be able to connect with. Miss Ridener is a lover of music, movies, TV shows, and her family.
During the months of November and December, she participates in the charity she helped create called Random Acts of Christmas, an online program geared towards making Christmas happen for families in need. In 2013, they gave over $69,000 in gifts to kids who otherwise would not have had presents to open on Christmas morning. Coming from a childhood of poverty, T.E. understands that life isn't always easy and she has experienced living from paycheck to paycheck. This has fueled her drive to always lend a helping hand in every form possible. She is very active in the group "Books for Troops", a program designed to send ebooks and paperbacks to soldiers currently serving overseas.
T.E. Ridener is the youngest of 3 children, a surviving twin, and an extremely proud aunt. She claims to be married to her books and the characters she creates are her kids. Thus far, she has produced three ongoing series entitled Blood Betrayal (vampires), The Kadenburg Shifters Series (bear-shifters), and The Descendants (elementals). There are loads more and new ones popping up each day. She LOVES her fans and readers, and not a single one of them appear as a number to her. She knows that without them, she wouldn't be where she is today. Every day is a new possibility, a new adventure, and a new dream. Life doesn't get any better than that.
Social Links:
Be sure to head over to Facebook and join us for the Guarding Abigail Release Day Event for your chance to win some awesome prizes!

Thursday 15 May 2014

[BLOG TOUR + REVIEW] Chartreuse by T.E. Ridener

Chartreuse by T.E. Ridener
Published:
 April 2014
Age Group: New Adult

Copy provided by T.E. Ridener in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

This is the third book I've read by T.E. Ridener and it's probably my absolute favourite. I also have to commend the author for writing such an amazing book.  I was apprehensive at first when I realized that the story was an m/m romance (male/male) as oppose to the generic heterosexual relationships. I've never read any same sex stories and I wasn't really sure what to expect with the story line or the character relationships   Chartreuse showed me that regardless of sex, a story can still be beautiful if it's solely focused on the love of two people.

Chartreuse follows the story of a shy, barely legal boy called Kasen who hides himself and his sexuality. Then there's the older, new resident of Chartreuse, Rowan who is much more comfortable with his sexuality and accepting it.  They meet while both dog walking. Let's be honest they're basically two different people that are practically perfect for each other. You have the domineering, more masculine Rowan , and the innocent, wide-eyed Kasen who takes the place of the more feminine role. The two characters do somewhat reflect a stock character feel but their romance is genuine in the story and not forced which is very hard to find in some books. 

"No place appreciates the summer like Boston, because Boston knows in its bones what the alternative is" - Living in Canada I can completely understand. But this quote not only pertains to the weather but for me the idea of accepting life and running with it because the alternative of living a closed, sheltered, and worried life is far worse. Possible foreshadow of the story? I think so.

For those apprehensive about the "sex scenes" in new adult and adult romance novels I can tell you that this story isn't as explicit as other stories. All actions are implied and described very loosely. Which I appreciate. It makes the focus of the story on the budding romance rather than the sexual attraction between the two characters that way you truly feel their connection grow and bud into a true romance. 

Where the story started to get predictable was when the townspeople started hating on Kasen and Rowen. Let's be honest there had to be some drama. I think the only flaw in the story for me is the change of pace for the last few chapters. No longer was the time gap several days but rather several weeks. Scenes were rushed and seemed hurried as opposed to the drawn out romance game that encompassed the first part of the book. The ending also seemed much too optimistic. A HEA in a way. Maybe I'm being a cynic but I can't fully accept it as turning into reality, it just seemed too fantastical. 

"The thing that's so screwed up about humanity is that people are taught to fear what's different. They think they have to question it instead of just accepting it." - This is as true a statement as any other and I completely agree with it. It is very common to fear the unknown, I'm guilty myself as I'm sure many are as well, but sometimes taking the plunge and just accepting something is a lot of better than not. 
BUY

BLOG TOUR


Cover Designer: Double J Book Graphics-  Facebook
Kasen Reed was a lonely guy with hardly any friends. Sheltered by his domineering, cynical mother, he never gained much of a social status and he’s never known true affection. At the age of 19, he finally moves out to start his own life and he has no idea where he’s going from here. Rowan Kelly moved to the tiny town of Chartreuse, Alabama in hopes of starting anew. After a messy breakup that lingers over his head, and his heart, he believes he’s finally found the perfect place to open his clinic and do what he loves best; helping animals. Despite how picture perfect the quaint little town seems, the 26 year old feels like something is missing….. Two lonesome hearts will have a chance encounter in a town that doesn’t seem to be ready for the acceptance of love equality, but will it stop them from being together?
100 % of proceeds made during the blog tour (May 10 - May 23) will be donated to The Trevor Project and the Ronald McDonald House Charities
  
    
T.E. Ridener entered the world in the magnificent year of 1985. She's an avid reader, crazy writer, and photoshop addict. She started writing stories at a young age, and will probably do so until she takes her last breath. Forever the daydreamer, not a day passes in which Miss Ridener isn't working on something book related. Her books may be a work of fiction, but there is a lot of truth in each one.
Creating relatable characters and believable storylines mixed in with make-believe is what she is best known for. She always includes a strong female lead, a compassionate male, and tons of every day events that readers will be able to connect with. Miss Ridener is a lover of music, movies, TV shows, and her family.
During the months of November and December, she participates in the charity she helped create called Random Acts of Christmas, an online program geared towards making Christmas happen for families in need. In 2013, they gave over $69,000 in gifts to kids who otherwise would not have had presents to open on Christmas morning. Coming from a childhood of poverty, T.E. understands that life isn't always easy and she has experienced living from paycheck to paycheck. This has fueled her drive to always lend a helping hand in every form possible. She is very active in the group "Books for Troops", a program designed to send ebooks and paperbacks to soldiers currently serving overseas.
T.E. Ridener is the youngest of 3 children, a surviving twin, and an extremely proud aunt. She claims to be married to her books and the characters she creates are her kids. Thus far, she has produced three ongoing series entitled Blood Betrayal (vampires), The Kadenburg Shifters Series (bear-shifters), and The Descendants (elementals). There are loads more and new ones popping up each day. She LOVES her fans and readers, and not a single one of them appear as a number to her. She knows that without them, she wouldn't be where she is today. Every day is a new possibility, a new adventure, and a new dream. Life doesn't get any better than that.
Social Links:

Tuesday 13 May 2014

[BLOG TOUR + REVIEW] Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren

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Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren
Published:
 May 2014
Age Group: New Adult
Series: Wild Series #1
ARC courtesy of Gallery Books, provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much!

I've never read any of Christina Lauren's books. (Now before you start raging at me to read the Beautiful series let me tell you that IT IS ON MY TBR LIST! So with that let's continue with the review.

I think the story of Mia and Ansel's story is a dream situation for most people. Find a really hot guy/girl that you're insanely attracted to and instantly connect with. Then accept said persons invitation to spend the summer with them in the city of love, Paris.  The story started up slow but once it took off it was really good. 

The story didn't feel forced and was soon swept into the budding romance of Mia and Ansel.  Then we get to Paris and there is so much hope that their 'true love' situation will last but alas there wouldn't be a very interesting story if it did. The disconnection between the two characters starts the rift in the romance. Ansel is an up and coming lawyer who has to put in endless hours in the office. Mia wanders Paris alone and starts to realize the gaping hole between her and Ansel and how much she really knows about this man - which is really not that much. Add in Ansel's past life and you get a lot of drama and not enough aww moments. 

I'm not a fan of all these role playing situations in the book. I think it takes away from the actual story line and the development of these character's romance. Yes, I know they reveal more to each other through these role playing roles but I personally feel like these situations are only in the book so the characters would reveal information about themselves. I just think it could have been written differently and more embedded in the story. 

I think both characters could be explored more. There just seems to be a lot more to them that the story doesn't reveal. Like what the readers know is only the bare minimum for the story to be read coherently. 

Personally, I feel like this story has much more potential to become a series rather than changing narrators in each book in the series. The story line was rushed with little development in the true romance of the characters and the character itself. 


MEH

Blog Tour Info

Summary

One-night stands are supposed to be with someone convenient, or wickedly persuasive, or regrettable. They aren’t supposed to be with someone like him.

But after a crazy Vegas weekend celebrating her college graduation—and terrified of the future path she knows is a cop-out—Mia Holland makes the wildest decision of her life: follow Ansel Guillaume—her sweet, filthy fling—to France for the summer and just…play.

When feelings begin to develop behind the provocative roles they take on, and their temporary masquerade adventures begin to feel real, Mia will have to decide if she belongs in the life she left because it was all wrong, or in the strange new one that seems worlds away


Bio / Social Media

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Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, bestie to a shoe-stealer, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.
Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. Married to the cutest boy in school, she has a thirteen year old daughter, is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter, and also likes to steal Lo’s shoes.
You can follow their shenanigans at:
@lolashoes (Lauren) & @seeCwrite (Christina) on Twitter. On Tumblr! where we post kissing gifs and writerly stuff and Wattpad for short stories and sneak peeks!
For official information about their books, events, interviews, movie news and more, follow @beautifulbastrd.


Buy Links


Monday 12 May 2014

[PROMO] The Book Splash! Order Now!




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The Book Splash

2015

Come sail away in Feb. 2015 with For the Love of Books and your favorite authors on The Book Splash, a 4 night Royal Caribbean Bahamas cruise!
What could be better than meeting your favorite authors? How about going on a vacation and hanging out with them for 5 days! Come join us for an author panel, author signings, and more exclusive events for The Book Splash attendee’s only! You will also get to visit the beautiful port cities of CoCoCay-Royal Caribbean’s private island, and Nassau, Bahamas!
Attending Authors AJ Warner  /  Amy Miles  /  AnnaLisa Grant  /  Ashley Piscitelli  /  Aurora Rose Reynolds  /  Chanda Hahn  /  Chelsea Cameron  /  Dawn Pendleton  /  Dawn Robertson  /  Dawne Walters  /  EK Blair  /  Emily Snow  /  Erika Ashby  /  Felicia Lynn  /  Gail McHugh  /  Hilary Storm  /  Jay Crownover  /  Jennifer Foor  /  Jordan Deen  /  Magan Vernon  /  Michelle Valentine  /  MJ Carnal  /  MS Willis/Lily White  /  Rachel Van Dyken  /  S Moose  /  Shantel Tessier  /  SK Hartley  /  Skye Turner  /  Tabatha Vargo  /  TH Snyder Also, let me introduce you to the Boys of Book Splash!
Cover Models Frankie Guerra  /  Jacob Wilson  /  Joshua Sean McCann  /  Lance Jones  /  Sam Coy

Booking cabins now! 

Tickets & Reservations Erica, at Big Peach Travel, is ready to take your reservations. You can reach her at (678) 699-3602 or email erica@bigpeachtravel.com Cabin Prices
****FOR A LIMITED TIME!!***
Book now and you get 50% off your event fee AND 50% off the 2nd passenger in your cabin!!
These prices are for the entire length of the trip and include food, water, and juice. Alcohol and Soda are extra but package deals are available on the cruise ship.
Superior Balcony (Double) $439 per person SOLD OUT next stateroom class up starts @ $459
Ocean View (Double) $329 per person
Inside Stateroom (Double) $279 per person
Taxes and Fees $74.72 per person
Gratuities $48.00 per person 
Deposit of $200.00 per stateroom due at booking.
Final Payments are due no later than 11/10/2014 
Event Fee
(Book now and you get 50% off your event fee AND 50% off the 2nd passenger in your cabin!!)
This includes a swag bag, entrance into all of our events, 2 raffle tickets, and $20 Splash dollars.*
The event fee will be $150 and will be billed in June and due by August.
*Splash dollars will be used as currency during the signing.
Sponsors
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for The Book Splash, you can email us at thebooksplash@gmail.com
For more information and to stay up to date on the event, go like   The Book Splash on Facebook! Or check out Our Webpage


Disclaimer: This is a PROMO post only for the Book Splash event.

Friday 9 May 2014

[REVIEW] The One by Kiera Cass

The One by Kiera Cass
Published: May 2014
Age Group: YA
Series: The Selection [end]
FINALLY The One's released. This is probably my most anticipated book of the year and one of the many series that are coming to an end in 2014 as well. 

The One concludes the story of America and Maxon and the revealing of the winner of the Selection: "The One"

The story picked up with the same atmosphere as the second one ended with. The rebels are attacking the palace and people are running around trying to find safety. The remaining girls each have their own personality and how they deal in dangerous situations which is very consistent of their behaviour throughout the series. I like how the story didn't waste time reintroducing characters and went right into the story line. The only downfall is that I'm sure there will be many who will find themselves very confused if they haven't read the first two because there is no re-introductions or explanations. Past events and thoughts start showing up and if you forgot what happened before it makes it really hard to continue reading the book. I found myself in that situation at first. Granted it was around 2AM when I first started the book so perhaps my brain was already taking a long time processing information but I had to pause and take some time to think through the situation before continuing. Simple things like a mention of America's stint on the Report may leave readers confused. One of the many pivotal scenes in the Elite, America's presentation at the Report is the reasoning for many of the changed character's relationships and dynamic. Without understanding what she started with that results in not understanding how the society is changing and turning into this revolutionary place.  

The story was very focused on the romance. I liked the transition of America's main goal. At the start she's still very dedicated to her goal - eliminating the castes and freeing society from the current oppressive king. But subtly throughout the story the focus shifts. No longer is America so concerned about how the people must feel but more focused on her relationship with Maxon and if she's willing to take that final plunge into finally declaring her love to him. Of course her concern for the citizens is still there but not in the forefront anymore. 

I was always rooting for Maxon but he becomes less and less admirable. I didn't like him in book 2 and that detest continues into the third book. He use to be so innocent, so endearing. But then it's like the closer we get to the end of this the more he starts to grow up and take on that ruler role and his behaviour changes. Of course there are still glimpses of the old Maxon from the Selection but they are few compared to the times he's not. 

The One was like a crescendo. It started up slow and soon the story took off, which I suspect is Kiera Cass' writing style. No complaints here. I love fast paced stories. The ending was very predictable though. Satisfying but predictable.  It was a classic happily ever after. I do question some of the author's decisions and I won't explore these in depth just because I want to make this a non-spoiler review. 

I also question whether this series should be marketed as dystopia lit or as romance. The Selection was more leaning towards the romance side whereas The Elite was very dystopia  heavy. The One though makes it very clear which side this story stands on. It's a series that borrows the dystopia landscape and platform to tell a love story. The ending and the character development has hints of dystopia in it but at the end it's a ending geared towards the romance side. 

I have a lot of unanswered questions. Mainly because certain facts or scenes are used for one purpose and that's it. It makes the story very stagnant in my opinion when there isn't any further development or reveal. I think if the story was written in a way that everything contributed to a giant surprise at the end I would appreciate them more. It's like the end to a great mystery or magic trick. Why was this person a part of this group? Why was this person there at that time saving this person and where are they now? Why would that person be involved and to what extent are their behaviours influenced by their affiliations. I'm a rather curious person and question a lot of things but I find that unanswered questions stem from incomplete stories, to say it bluntly.  

Overall The One left me content. I think this is a very good series. The finale didn't live up to it's predecessors but then again they were really really good and hard to match let alone beat.



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