Monday, March 31, 2014

**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Captivate Me ~ S.J. Pierce**


Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for S.J. Pierce's Captivate Me. My stop includes all the pertinent details for the book, my review, and TWO giveaways!

You can check out other reviews on this tour by clicking here.

FYI, Captivate Me is **ONLY 99 CENTS** during the tour.


***
Captivate Me by S.J. Pierce
Publication date: April 1st 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Source: I received an eARC as part of the tour in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms

Synopsis:
“My mom had always told me – when you meet “the one”, you’ll know; they’ll captivate your heart the moment you lay eyes on them. I had always wondered, though, if my mom’s words of wisdom were finite – if they applied to everyone. Maybe those who had found their one great love were the lucky few, and maybe the rest of us would have to settle for less than earth-shattering.”

Seventeen-year-old Kat Walsh is a Gifted – a human with paranormal abilities. With her mom a former Angel and her dad a dream prophet, it’s always been in her genetic make-up to be extraordinary. Unfortunately for her, the world can’t handle the strange or unusual. So when she slips up and uses her powers at her high school in Ireland, the entire student body treats her like a freak – even the ones she thought were her closest friends.

Broken, but hopeful for a fresh start, she allows her parents to enroll her in a boarding school buried deep within the forests of a small Colorado town. At Midland Pines, School for the Gifted, she feels as though she can finally be herself; she makes new friends and even has the attention of the most popular guy in school – Levi. Everything feels normal again… or does it?

Not long after her arrival, weird dreams of an alluring boy whom she’s never met surface during the night, and the eerie, shadowy trees encircling their school seem to call to her. As these disturbing, yet enticing developments intensify, other bizarre occurrences happen – students and staff turn up missing, and mystery visitors leave gifts while she sleeps. With all of these other things vying for her attention, a desperate Levi has to fight even harder to keep her interest. But with the dreams of the attractive boy slowly captivating her heart, Kat has to make a choice – will she settle for ‘great’ Levi, or will she search for her elusive dream visitor, possibly stumbling across ‘amazing?’

From the author of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles, comes a refreshingly different Young Adult series with plenty of love, suspense, and a new take on the Paranormal.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.




Captivate Me is a YA spinoff of Ms. Pierce's Alyx Rayer Chronicles, although you don't have to read that series to enjoy Captivate Me. I quite enjoyed my introduction into Kat's world.

Kathrin Walsh has always been able to hide her special ability from the outside world. However, following an incident that was the result of a simple mistake made when she was running late, Kat now finds herself at Midland Pines, a school for the Gifted. Here she finds there are others like her, and she can finally be herself.

In the midst of making new friends and worrying over finding that special one, Kat begins to feel a pull to the woods beyond the school grounds. It is there she meets a young man. The young man that's been visiting her dreams. He introduces her to his small group he calls family, who share even more startling information about her life. As Kat tries to come to terms with this new information, as well as explore her pull towards Gabriel, students begin disappearing.

The story line is initially heavy on the romance - finding it, figuring out what true love might feel like. However, just as it was beginning to wear on me, the mystery and action kicked in. These elements amped up my pleasure. Once all the dust settles, Kat has some important decisions to make.

Kat, despite her ruminating on romance, is a likable heroine. Kat is smart and brave and I liked that Ms. Pierce gave her her father's artistic gifts. She's dealing with normal teenage things like making friends, finding the perfect dress for a school dance, and taking exams. She's also missing her family, whom she's close to, now that she's moved to the States. And she also is learning how to embrace her gift and those of others, along with how the information she learns from Gabriel. It's a lot for a teenage girl and it was gratifying to watch her handle it all.

The supporting characters are all likable as well. I'm curious to learn more about Sarah, Anna, Dawson, and Ronnie, Kat's friends at school. And I'm eager to find out more of Piper, Aubrey, Brad and Colton's history. We don't get to spend much time with some of them and I want to get better acquainted with them. Levi, Kat's first love interest, is sweet, compassionate and gentlemanly. I liked that he wasn't a typical boneheaded high school boy.

But it was Gabriel that stole my heart despite not getting to spend much time with him. Ms. Pierce did well in defining his character in a short period of time. I felt a pull to him as Kat did. He's charming, protective, and even though he wasn't initially completely honest with Kat, he rectifies that issue. I was able to feel the chemistry between he and Kat from the beginning. 

I'm fascinated with all that's been revealed to Kat and I'm excited to spend more time her her world. I want to see where she and her cohorts go from this point forward.





Susan James Pierce has a degree in Marketing Management, works for a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta, Georgia, and devotes her precious, spare time to writing Fantasy and Sci-fi novels. 

Even though her full-time career has nothing to do with books at all, she has always enjoyed complex storytelling with fascinating characters, and has had a penchant for the written word since grade school. As a matter of fact, her first publishing credit was a poem she wrote at the age of twelve. Why her love for writing never translated into a career, she can only attribute to 'life happens', but her wish is that she can redirect her career path into something that satisfies her creative inner-self.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

**Release Day Blitz & Giveaway ~ Dear Tabitha ~ Trudy Stiles**

Happy Release Day, Trudy Stiles!
Dear Tabitha is *NOW LIVE**

Dear Tabitha is the second book in Trudy's Forever Family series. If you haven't read Dear Emily yet, you can pick it up for **ONLY 99 CENTS**. If you missed my review of Dear Emily, you can read it here. My review of Dear Tabitha posts on Thursday. 

Today, I have the trailer and a few teasers for y'all, as well as an awesome giveaway!

This blitz is presented by Brandee's Book Endings.


Join the Release Day and Tour Event on Facebook here:

***

Dear Tabitha ~ Series: Forever Family #2 by Trudy Stiles

Genre: New Adult/Romance

Synopsis

You know me. You know who I am. What I am.
Damaged. Confused. Alone.
You feel sorry for me.
You pity me.You know what I’ve done. What I’ve given up. Who I’ve given up.
You try to understand what I’ve been through and how I can possibly go on with my life. But you can’t possibly understand.
I’ve lost too much. Sacrificed too much. Given up everything so that I can find myself.
Well I’m done.
I’m done walking away from everything that matters.
It’s time for me to heal. It’s MY TURN to earn…
Redemption.
Love.
Family.
Dear Tabitha is the second book in the “Forever Family” series.









 



a Rafflecopter giveaway




Trudy Stiles is a New Adult author, mom to two beautiful children, and married to the love of her life. She is the author of the Forever Family series including “Dear Emily” and “Dear Tabitha”. There will be many more stories from this series and you never know who may have a standalone or novella written for them. Stay tuned! Trudy is a music junkie and you’ll know that she’s writing when you see her plugged into her laptop with her earbuds in. Her playlist is unique and is a must for her writing sprints. When she’s not writing, she’s carting her children to their various activities while avoiding any kind of laundry or housework. She also loves to run along the boardwalk of the beautiful New Jersey shore.She’s always been an avid reader and frequently escapes into the fictional worlds of the many characters that she has come to love. Well, now there are some fictional characters in her head dying to get out!This first story is called “Dear Emily” and was released in December 2013. “Dear Tabitha” will be released in March 2014. The Forever Family series will continue with several companion/stand alone novels.

**Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged ~ #13**


Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged is a weekly meme, hosted by TalkSupe, where I share with you the books I have bought, borrowed, or bagged (gifted or won) plus a recap of the previous week's reviews, upcoming reviews, and any other bookishness I want to share. :)

Here's what was added to my ereader and/or my physical library this week:

BOUGHT

The Shadow Prince (Mortal Enchantment, #0.5)Sex and the Single Vamp

I didn't one-click much this week...thanks to being 'on vacation'. The Shadow Prince is a **FREEBIE** and is the prequel to Stacey O'Neale's Mortal Enchantment series. Sex and the Single Vamp is currently **99 CENTS**! 


BAGGED

Sisters In Love (Love in Bloom #1: Snow Sisters & The Bradens)The Wicked We Have Done (Chaos Theory, #1)The Resurrection of Aubrey MillerGUNS: The Spencer Book (Rook and Ronin Spinoff)

I won Sisters in Love on the Lost in Love Tour presented by AToMR Tours. I won The Wicked We Have Done from Teresa @Readers Live 1000 Lives! Yay!  

I received The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller and GUNS for review.




Upcoming Reviews
Captivate Me by S.J. Pierce
GUNS by J.A. Huss
Secrets of the Dark by 
Dear Tabitha by Trudy Stiles

Friday, March 28, 2014

**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Under the Orange Moon ~ Adrienne Frances**


Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Adrienne Frances' Under the Orange Moon. My stop includes all the pertinent details on the book, my review, a teaser, and a giveaway!

Join the Blog Tour Event by clicking the below link. 



This tour is presented by Brandee's Book Endings.


***
Under the Orange Moon by Adrienne Frances
Genre: New Adult/Contemporary/Romance
Release Date: March 20, 2014
Source: I received an ecopy as part of the tour in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms

Dylan Mathews grew up in a house that was always filled with good-looking guys. However, with four protective older brothers they never stood a chance.

Except for one.

Dylan knew she loved Ben McKenna from the first time she laid eyes on him. When he started sneaking in her room, she thought he felt the same way.

But just as their passion ignited, he left for college and never came back.

Until now.

Returning home after 5 years, Ben realizes Dylan has always been the one for him.

Can he win back her heart and finally find love under the orange moon?


You can read a sneak peek of the book at iBooks





Under the Orange Moon is a fantastic read! It is a well-crafted story that, despite primarily being about two characters, incorporated an entire cast beautifully.

The story revolves around the Mathews family and Ben McKenna, who for all intents and purposes, is also a Mathews. Dylan, the only girl in the Mathews' clan and twin sister of Jonah, has been smothered and teased her whole life - by both her overbearing four older brothers and Ben. The boys even nicknamed her Weed. At twenty-two, she's trying to figure out what's next in her life, how she can get some privacy, and whether or not she can get over Ben. Ben, whose family life has always been less than stellar, has returned home for a visit. He picks up with the Mathews clan as if he never left. And he seems determined that things be different this time with Dylan. However, he has to figure out if he can trust love.

I delighted in Ms. Frances' inclusion of the entire Mathews family as it went far in illustrating the importance of family and the strong foundation a loving and supportive family provides. This was an important element to the story. Ben's parents and his interactions with them broke my heart. It impressed upon me the power of words and their lasting effects.

Despite Ben's closeness withe the Mathews family, despite the love and support he's always received from them, his parents' words and actions left him feeling lake a bad person - unworthy of love. Especially unworthy of love from the one girl he's always desired it from.

There's a lot going on in Under the Orange Moon. I kinda feel as though the story belonged to them all. The antics of Brandon, Charlie, Hugh, and Jonah were fun. Linda, the Mathews matriarch, was the quintessential mom. Even Carl, the deceased patriarch, played an important role. It's how they all circle the wagons, so to speak, when Dylan was hurting that spoke to my heart. I even appreciated that Ben had caring professors surrounding him for support when he needed it. Under the Orange Moon is also about accepting love, realizing your own worth, and not letting go of the life you want.

Obviously, I rather enjoyed this story. It made me feel good although there were times when I was so frustrated - usually with Ben. :) The epilogue was the perfect ending. I don't know if we'll see more from the Mathews or not but I certainly wouldn't mind. The story flowed well and I adored her use of multiple POVs. Ms. Frances has written an impressive debut.






a Rafflecopter giveaway





Adrienne Frances spends her time as a writing consultant at a university near her home. In her spare time, she loves to be with her husband and two sons, who have made her exactly who she is today. Writing is a passion that she has appreciated for as long as she can remember. She believes that a wild imagination is a terrible thing to waste and should be captured and brought to life by all that are blessed to have one. This way of life is what led her to become a writer and later an author under Bandit Publishing. Her first celebrated novel, Under the Orange Moon, is set to release in March.


Thursday, March 27, 2014

**Release Day Blitz & Giveaway ~ The Lost One ~ Meg Collett**



Happy Release Day, Meg Collett!!
The Lost One is **NOW LIVE**

This is the second book in Meg's The End of Days Series, and I hope to read this series SOON! Y'all know I'm a sucker for angel stories. ;)


***
Title: The Lost One
Author: Meg Collett
Release Date: March 27, 2014
Genre: Paranormal Romance


Synopsis

They say some things must be broken before they can be fixed. But when Michaela hoped to cast doubt on the Aethere, she never thought things would fall apart like they did. Now the Aethere have turned their attention to the End of Days, and they won’t rest until they obtain the tools of Earth's final destruction: the Seven Seals.

The world is falling apart at the seams, and Michaela finds herself clutching the threads. She alone understands what will happen if the Aethere ever get the seals, and it’s the one thing she will fight to the death to prevent if she has to.

Even amidst the devastation on Earth, Michaela struggles to restore her faith in Gabriel. Together, they'll need to decide if their love is strong enough to erase the line she had fought so hard to draw between holy and fallen.

Michaela said she wanted a war, but when the End is looming, what will she fight for?








Outside, nearly all the Nephilim were gathered on the front porch. They stepped aside for Michaela as she made her way down the steps. It was easy to see what they were looking at.

The sky was growing dark, nearly black along the horizon of the farthest fields. But Michaela’s attention was on something else. She recognized them immediately.

The Archangels landed lightly on the gravel and walked toward the house. Their wings were white and brutally bright in the snapping air. Ophaniel’s beautiful platinum hair twisted in the wind. Michaela recognized Simiel’s easy smile. Raphael looked even more serious than usual, his bulk taking up twice the room as the others. Uriel stalked slightly behind the others, her hand wound tight around Zarachiel’s, who walked slowly with his head down.

It didn’t take them long to reach the group. The Nephilim watched the Archangels carefully, their weariness ingrained from centuries of being hunted. Their anxiety was only kept at bay by Iris, who stood among them, smiling and beckoning the angels closer. Raphael found Michaela in the crowd.

“You better get the livestock in the barn,” he said, the warning clear in his voice.

“Why?”

The Nephilim parted around her, outlining a clear path between her and the Archangels, who didn’t come any closer. They regarded her with empty faces. Even Simiel averted his eyes. Michaela had only
been able to guess up until this point, but now it was clear even her Archangels blamed her for releasing the hybrids and the chaos it had caused. If they knew about Gabriel signing over his soul, they likely hated her for causing that too. There was a divide between them as wide as a river. No one crossed.

Their hollow presence sapped any relief at their return. She squared her shoulders.

“Why?” she asked again.

Raphael glanced over his shoulder at the approaching wall of darkness. “Locusts.”



Meg Collett lives deep in the hills of Tennessee where there the cell phone service is a blessing and internet is a myth of epic proportions. She is the mother of one giant horse named Elle and two dogs named Wylla and Mandy. Her husband is a saint for putting up with her ragtag life. End of Days is her first series.













Purchase Her Other Book Today











Signed Paperback of The Hunted One and a set of signed book marks (US Only), ebook of The Lost One, $5 Amazon Gift Card and Michaela inspired candle made by Book Scents Candles (US Only)