The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel – a Review

Posted on November 7, 2014 by Barb

The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel – a Review

the book of ivy Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual.

This year, it is my turn.

My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and restore the Westfall family to power.

But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy.

Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him…

Review:

The Book of Ivy read like the Hunger Games of recompense by marriage; several young ladies vying for the chance at marrying Bishop, the prodigal son of the president himself. That honor goes to 16 year old, Ivy, only she has plans to incite a revolution by killing Bishop and revising life as they know it. Told in a fresh, energetic, thought-provoking fashion, Amy Engel not only inserts you in a divisive society plotting against and undermining the other, she immerses you in the culture of a dystopian society set in 2075 replete with impossible rules and demands.

I am different from all these girls surrounding me because marrying Bishop Lattimer has not fulfilled my destiny. My mission is not to make him happy and bear his children and be his wife. My mission is to kill him.

You hooked already?! You will be. It was fascinating to learn all the limits of this supposed utopia (formerly southern Missouri). The fallout of nuclear war dismantled society’s infrastructure (50 years later, they’re still contending with intermittent use of electricity); “traditional” female jobs (though having babies is favored) fall to those young girls who weren’t chosen in the wedding (and consequently shunned), etc…These poor kids are even discouraged to mingle with neighboring communities in an effort to prevent the awkwardness of arranged marriages. Crazy, right?! And while Ivy is willing to do her part for the movement (the rival faction), her own lines of right and wrong begin to blur. She begins to question if her family’s love depends upon the success of the mission. Bishop isn’t the calculating monster her father and sister profiled. In fact, Bishop alone would whirl any girl’s mind…

He just stares at me. In moments like this, it’s easy to see how he was born to be a leader. His is the kind of face that intimidates simply by existing, so handsome it’s almost scary.

Though born of privilege, Bishop isn’t a chip off the old block. He’s got ideas of his own with an inner core forged of steel that is set to pound and upend presumptions. Why at one point, Bishop was supposed to marry Ivy’s older sister. He sought a reprieve. Wait till you find out why (the how…wow!) Bishop’s an affable, but complex 18 year old. When all the other husbands are enjoying the “perks” of procreation, Bishop is restrained and respectful of Ivy’s innocence and anxieties about their marriage. What’s Bishop’s agenda – he’s too good to be true!? Ivy better get into his good graces to execute the plan (pun intended). She’s only got three months…and Bishop’s mesmerizing. Bishop is seriously swoon–worthy, my friends.

Romance? It’s here and it’s to die for! The building of trust, authentic interest in each other’s welfare, the attraction they can no longer deny. Ms. Engel does a brilliant job of keeping you on the edge. She tortures you with privileged Intel Ivy is collecting for her father’s cause (her own?), but simultaneously enchants with a budding, tender love story. Both compete for your complete attention and earn it gloriously.

What a finale! I was trembling with grief the second Ivy’s plan took shape (and shed more than a few tears in its wake). I inhaled this book and desperately miss the characters already. November 2015 is an inconceivable amount of time to wait for the sequel, The Revolution of Ivy, but wait (impatiently) I will.

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker – a Review

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Barb

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker – a Review

Beware of the Wild Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
It’s an oppressively hot and sticky morning in June when Sterling and her brother, Phin, have an argument that compels him to run into the town swamp — the one that strikes fear in all the residents of Sticks, Louisiana. Phin doesn’t return. Instead, a girl named Lenora May climbs out, and now Sterling is the only person in Sticks who remembers her brother ever existed.

Sterling needs to figure out what the swamp’s done with her beloved brother and how Lenora May is connected to his disappearance — and loner boy Heath Durham might be the only one who can help her.

This debut novel is full of atmosphere, twists and turns, and a swoon-worthy romance

Review:

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker is a dark scary gothic tale set in Louisiana. The star of this story is the creepy swamp that has all the town residents living in fear to go anywhere near the swamp. Our heroine is Sterling, who starts the book waiting for her brother, Phin to return. They had a fight, and he went walking into the swamp, from which he has not returned. Sterling keeps her eye on the swamp and in the dark, she sees a figure walk out.

When her mother calls her to come into the house, the girl from the swamp has made herself at home. Lenora May is recognized as her sister, the sister she doesn’t have. This is just the start of the book, and this haunting tale gets creepier by the minute. Because no one knows about Prin, he no longer exists to her family, or anyone in the town; only Sterling remembers her brother, Phin.

Though this is a dark story, it is so well written, that you keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. Sterling is a wonderful heroine, who will stop at nothing, including risking her own life to help find her brother. She is brave, determined, strong and despite the dire situation, Sterling will find someone, who secretly has gone through this. We meet our hero, Heath, and he too has lost his best friend to the swamp, whom no one remembers, except Sterling. The two of them team up in and exciting & chilling story, and a slow build romance starts between them.

The plot was well done, as Sterling, Heath, and even Lenora May must find a way to stop the swamp from luring innocents into the swamp, and also bring them back. I found myself liking Lenora May, and credit goes to Parker for giving us a possible villain, and end up being one of your favorites. There are a few surprises as who is really evil in this story. Very well done.

I was amazed at the writing of Natalie C. Parker, as she was able to take this story and hold on to us throughout. I understand this is her first novel, and all I can say is wow, an incredible start. Beware the Wild is a haunting mystery, that keeps you glued to your seat, and Parker has created some fabulous characters.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Edelweiss

Redeemed (House of Night #12) by PC & Kristin Cast-a review

Posted on October 18, 2014 by Sandy

Redeemed (House of Night #12) by PC & Kristin Cast-a review

Redeemed Oct 14

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About the book: Release Date October 14, 2014

In the final electrifying novel in the HoN series, Neferet has finally made herself known to mortals. A Dark Goddess is loose on Tulsa and the world. No single vampyre is strong enough to vanquish her – unless that creature has the power to summon the elements as well as the ability to wield Old Magick. Only Zoey Redbird is heir to such power…but because of the consequences of using Old Magick, she is unable to help. Find out who will win and who will lose in this epic battle of Light versus Darkness.

••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: REDEEMED is the final instalment in PC & Kristin Cast’s HOUSE OF NIGHT young adult, paranormal series focusing on sixteen year old fledgling vampyre/high priestess Zoey Redbird and her House of Night gang of misfit vampyres with affinities to the elements.

The final instalment focuses on the take down of the House of Night’s self-proclaimed goddess Neferet and the absolution of the Dark Winged Warrior Kalona. As Neferet terrorizes and destroys much of the city of Tulsa, Zoey and her fellow fledgling vampyres must devise a plan to stop Neferet’s reign of terror-once and for all.

As in the previous instalments, the language and text of the storyline is adolescent in nature but the series is directed at middle grade and young adult readers so perhaps it is to be expected but I felt is was a little condescending. My biggest disappointment was with Neferet’s speech, language and actions. The immature nature of the character did not equate with the age and power of the supernatural being. She reminded me of ‘the mean girl’ when she didn’t get her way would have a temper tantrum of epic proportion.

The level of violence has escalated in REDEEMED such that the graphic nature of the violence and the numerous killings was disconcerting; as the numbers climbed so did my disappointment with the story. I found the numerous violent incidents over the top and redundant, and not necessary to storyline.

I will add that the House of Night series had much potential in the early books but somewhere along the way, the authors may have erred in their storyline content and characterizations such that many readers lost interest and no longer cared. Perhaps it was the introduction of too many characters; too many villains; too many deaths; too many dead characters brought back to life; or the immature nature of the characters. Or perhaps it was the very slow build up of the series such that twelve books (and four prequel novellas) spanned less than a year in the series timeline but seven years to write and publish. Seven years is a long time and many readers-especially young adults and tweens- will walk away from a series where very little happens between storylines. Teens become adults and will eventually gravitate to more mature storylines and adult books. Or perhaps, YA novels are just that-young adult storylines and the more mature reader may have difficulty with some of the storyline content.

The final battle will see justice served but it will also see the loss of friends but a loss that is comforted by a happily ever after-for now -because although Neferet will get what she deserves, she is immortal and obviously very hard to kill. Is any character truly dead in a paranormal series?

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Althea & Oliver by Cristina Moracho – a Review

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Barb

Althea & Oliver by Cristina Moracho – a Review

Althea & Oliver

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Description:
What if you live for the moment when life goes off the rails—and then one day there’s no one left to help you get it back on track?

Althea Carter and Oliver McKinley have been best friends since they were six; she’s the fist-fighting instigator to his peacemaker, the artist whose vision balances his scientific bent. Now, as their junior year of high school comes to a close, Althea has begun to want something more than just best-friendship. Oliver, for his part, simply wants life to go back to normal, but when he wakes up one morning with no memory of the past three weeks, he can’t deny any longer that something is seriously wrong with him. And then Althea makes the worst bad decision ever, and her relationship with Oliver is shattered. He leaves town for a clinical study in New York, resolving to repair whatever is broken in his brain, while she gets into her battered Camry and drives up the coast after him, determined to make up for what she’s done.

Their journey will take them from the rooftops, keg parties, and all-ages shows of their North Carolina hometown to the pool halls, punk houses, and hospitals of New York City before they once more stand together and face their chances. Set in the DIY, mix tape, and zine culture of the mid-1990s, Cristina Moracho’s whip-smart debut is an achingly real story about identity, illness, and love—and why bad decisions sometimes feel so good.

Review:

Althea & Oliver by Cristina Moracho is a fast paced coming of age novel that bore some of the most intricate, lush details of any book I have ever read.

The story is about friendship – a friendship that spans ten plus years. A friendship so deep and profound that there isn’t much that one does not know about the other. They have been best friends since they were six years old. Now that they are in high school and older, feelings begin to bloom – feelings that neither one of them have ever felt before.

Do they dare to cross that invisible line that may change everything forever? Or do they fight to keep things the same, in the midst of all the changes happening around them. Their friendship compliments each other. They complement each other. You can feel just how true and real the friendship is.

But just when you are getting to know each characters, life gets complicated for Oliver when he starts to fall asleep for weeks at a time and is ultimately diagnosed with Kleine-Levin Syndrome. This disease propels Oliver into a deep sense of hopelessness and sadness that is palpable.

Althea isn’t happy that Oliver keeps having these sleep episodes and when they become more frequent and seem to be lasting longer than the previous ones – she realizes that as hard as it will be, she must tackle the world head on – without Oliver.

During one of Oliver’s sleep episodes, Althea makes a decision that will change their lives forever. Propelling them head first into a world of uncertainty. I found Althea to be quite selfish and all consuming. Yet it is completely relatable if you have ever been around teenage girls, or been a teenage girl.

Oliver is sweet and funny and compliments the harshness that at times seems to be Althea. As the feelings grow between them – the story becomes thick with emotions. The disease that Oliver is diagnosed with left me wanting to know more. And research just exactly what this disease was and does. Truly remarkable that this is real and people do suffer from it.

Althea’s anger and emotions begin to overtake her. The scene becomes set, but will they both decide to make the next step together, or will one decide to go out on their own and make the next step happen? This is where I want to say this is a classic friendship turn romance love story – but it doesn’t quite work out that way.

The teenage language is factual, the life and exploits are convincing. The one thing that truly set this book apart from others is that it is real. It is plausible. You can understand – the turmoil and tragedy that becomes these teens lives. At times I did not agree with the parents’ behavior in this book but it just added to the emotional onslaught that encompasses you throughout the journey.

I would recommend this book to anyone that loves explicit and absolute details. Wonderful writing!

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

Sacrifice (Elemental #5) by Brigid Kemmerer-a review

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Sandy

Sacrifice (Elemental #5) by Brigid Kemmerer-a review

Sacrifice

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 30, 2014

Earth. Fire. Air. Water.

One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time.

Michael Merrick understands pressure. He’s the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it in for his family, and he’s all that stands in the way.

His girlfriend, Hannah, understands pressure too. She’s got a child of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could put her life in danger at any moment.

But there are people who have had enough of Michael’s defiance, his family’s ‘bad luck’. Before he knows it, Michael’s enemies have turned into the Merricks’ enemies, and they’re armed for war.

They’re not interested in surrender. But Michael isn’t the white flag type anyway. Everything is set for the final showdown.

Four elements, one family. Will they hold together, or be torn apart?

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: SACRIFICE is the fifth full length and final(?) novel in Brigid Kemmerer’s contemporary, young adult Elemental paranormal series focusing on the four Merrick brothers. Although each of the storylines includes all four brothers and an ensemble cast of characters (including Sacrifice), SACRIFICE focuses on the eldest brother and earth elemental, twenty three year old Michael Merrick.

In the world of the supernatural Elementals-water, fire, earth and air-there is also a group known as the Guides. As with any paranormal storyline, the Guides are the requisite evil whose mission is to rid the world of all Elementals. The Merrick family has been targeted for destruction but the who and the how is a constant mystery. As Michael struggles to keep his family together, following the murder of their parents five years earlier, he is fighting a losing battle when the police and the fire department suspect one or all of the Merricks in a series of fires, explosions and deaths. The Department of Family Services has been notified and it is time for the Merrick brothers to find another home.

The romance aspect of the storyline is limited because the focus finds Michael striving to keep control of his element while all around him death and destruction thrive. As the body count increases, he becomes the number one suspect when the investigators find Michael at every crime scene. Michael has been set up but who is the one behind all of the threats.

The writing is simple. The storyline has some graphic violence and numerous deaths including someone close to the Merrick family. No one is safe when the Guides come hunting for the Elementals. The world building continues with the familiarity of the Elemental power and the continuous destruction by the Guides. Even those connected to the Merrick family will find themselves at a disadvantage and a target for destruction.

SACRIFICE is the supposedly the final instalment in Brigid Kemmerer’s young adult, ELEMENTAL series. It does not end on a happily ever after but a happily ever after –for now. There is no resolution to the family situation and Michael’s relationship with Hannah points in another direction now that the truth has finally been revealed. Brigid does not wrap up the series with a pretty little bow but with a ‘sh*t happens and everyone must move on’ kind of attitude. I would hope that there will be a few more novellas to wrap up the storyline-perhaps an epilogue that looks to the future and what has happened to the Merrick brothers in the intervening time.

The copy I received included the three Elemental Series novellas–ELEMENTAL (the introduction), FEARLESS and BREATHLESS (see review below).

Reading Order
.5 Elemental
1. Storm
1.5 Fearless
2. Spark
2.5 Breathless
3. Spirit
4. Secret
5. Sacrifice

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

____________________

BREATHLESS
(Elemental 2.5)
by Brigid Kemmerer

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 2013

Click HERE for our interview with AXEL JORDAN-the cover model for Breathless and Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

Too many secrets. Not enough time.

Nick Merrick is supposed to be the level-headed one. The peacemaker. Since it’s just him and his three hotheaded brothers against the world, that’s a survival tactic.

But now he’s got problems even his brothers can’t help him survive.

His so-called girlfriend, Quinn, is going quick as mercury from daring to crazy. Meanwhile, Quinn’s dancer friend Adam is throwing Nick off balance, forcing him to recognize a truth he’d rather shove back into the dark.

He can feel it—the atmosphere is sizzling. Danger is on the way. But whatever happens next, Nick is starting to find out that sometimes nothing you do can keep the peace

REVIEW: BREATHLESS is the third novella in Brigid Kemmerer’s contemporary, young adult (YA) Elemental paranormal series focusing on the four Merrick brothers whose powers specialize in the four elements-water, air, fire, and earth. Breathless is the introduction to Nick Merrick’s storyline and one that gives the reader a closer look at Nick’s reluctance to accept Quinn as his permanent ‘girlfriend’.

Brigid Kemmerer touches on a topic that can be controversial for young adult and teens. When Nick Merrick finds himself torn between what society expects and what he feels for another young man he knows that he isn’t the only one with similar feelings. Confusion about his new found attraction to Adam is the beginning of the next stage in Nick’s young life.

The secondary characters play a small role throughout the story but the focus is on Nick’s conflicted feelings. His emotional stability is dependant on his family and friend’s acceptance, and the acceptance of the young man who is the recipient of Nick’s new found feelings.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Jeaniene Frost – The Beautiful Ashes Tour – Interview, Review & Giveaway

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Barb

Jeaniene Frost – The Beautiful Ashes Tour – Interview, Review & Giveaway

The Beautiful Ashes
Broken Destiny series – Book #1
by Jeaniene Frost
Release Date: September 1, 2014

The Beautiful Ashes Aug 14 Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who’s bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn’t mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn’t: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…

Review:

The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost is the 1^st book in her new Broken Destiny series. I am a big fan of Jeaniene Frost and her Night Huntress/Night Huntress World/Night Prince series. The Beautiful Ashes is a different genre for Jeaniene, as it is listed as New Adult Paranormal.

We meet our heroine Ivy at the start. Ivy’s world has fallen apart, as her parents were killed, with the funeral the following day. But Ivy’s sister is missing, and that becomes her priority. Ivy has had strange visions all her life, having doctors give her medicines for what was perceived as psychotic episodes, so going to the police is not an option, as no one will believe her. As far as they are concerned, her sister went away with her boyfriend. It doesn’t take too long as Ivy discovers those visions were actually real. In search for her sister, she will embark on an adventure out of her realm, into a dark and dangerous world of evil.

Jeaniene Frost has done an excellent job of world building, which will include demon realms, angels, hounds, creatures, gargoyles, with the a storyline based on good vs evil. A nice historical twist, with Ivy being the last descendant of David, which makes her truly good, even if she knows nothing. Adrian is our hero, but he grew up in the demon realms, which could make him bad. This is supposed to be a forbidden romance, but all is not as it seems. Adrian hates his demon background, which he ran away from, and now he helps Zach, an Archon (angel). But destiny stands in the way for Adrian and Ivy to have a true romance. She is the one who must stop demons, as she tries to rescue her sister, and he is the one who prophecy says will betray her.

This is just the beginning, in what is a wild and at times very exciting storyline, which is spent mostly in the dangerous demon realms. Ivy and Adrian work together to find the weapon that will destroy the demons, at the same time looking for Ivy’s sister, who is held captive by demons. Adrian is hot, and at the same time secretive. Can he be trusted to help Ivy or will he end up betraying her.

I liked Ivy, and sympathized with her trying to understand what was expected of her, as she was being thrown into a world she knew nothing about. All she wanted to do was save her sister, not to be the messiah. I thought Adrian was good and protective of Ivy, but I wasn’t crazy about all the secrets he and Zach were keeping from her. Sending her into a vicious world, that was dark and dangerous, wasn’t fair to her, as she was risking her life. Both Adrian and Zach needed some ass-kicking.

I enjoyed this storyline, as it was somewhat different than other angel/demon storylines. There were some exciting scenes, and even some humorous ones, like when Zach glamoured Ivy, to hide her appearance. I liked Adrian, and he was swoonworthy; but his secrecy and moodiness drove me nuts at times. Poor Ivy. Though he was an angel, Zach, angered me even more, with with his inability to help Ivy and Adrian.

The Beautiful Ashes is a nice world building, a romance we want to see more of, and so many possibilities for the continuation of this series. I will be continuing this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Promoter

excerpt

Excerpt 1:

A familiar song was playing, but I couldn’t remember the name. That bugged me enough to open my eyes. A wall of black met my gaze, slick and smooth like glass. I reached up to see what it was, and that’s when I realized my hands were tied.
“Silent Lucidity” by Queensryche, my mind supplied, followed immediately by, I’m in the backseat of a car. One that was well taken care of, going by that flawless, shiny roof. With those details filled in, I also remembered what had happened right before I’d passed out. And who I was with.
“Why are my hands tied?” I said, heaving myself into an upright position.
For some reason Adrian didn’t have a rear view mirror, which was why he had to glance over his shoulder to look at me.
“Does anything make you panic?” he asked, sounding amused. “You’re tied up in the backseat of a cop-killer’s car, but I’ve seen people get more upset when Starbucks runs out of pumpkin spice flavor.”
Anyone normal would panic, not that it would do any good. Besides, I ran out of “normal” a long time ago, when I realized I saw things no one else did.
Speaking of which, why wasn’t I in pain? The lump where Mrs. Paulson had whacked me was gone, and my shirt was red from blood, but aside from a mild kink in my neck, I felt fine. When I pushed my shirt up, somehow, I wasn’t surprised to see smooth, unbroken skin on my abdomen. Well, that and a bunch of crumbs, like I’d eaten a dessert too messily.
“Why does it look like I have angel food cake on my stomach?” I wondered aloud.
Adrian snorted. “Close. It’s medicine. You were injured.”
“You can tell me how I’m not anymore,” I said, holding out my bound hands, “after you untie me.”
Another backwards glance, this one challenging.
“You may be the calmest person I’ve ever been sent to retrieve, but if I tell you now what you want to know, that will change. So pick—the truth, or being untied?”
“Truth,” I said instantly.
He let out a laugh. “Another first. You’re full of surprises.”
So was he. He’d just admitted that he regularly kidnapped people—which was how I translated “retrieve”—so I should be trying my damnedest to get free. But more than anything, I needed answers. Besides, I still wasn’t afraid of him, and somehow, that had nothing to do with him magically healing me.
“Truth, Adrian,” I repeated.
He turned once again and his gaze locked with mine, those odd blue eyes startling me with their intensity. For a moment, I could only stare, all thought frozen in my mind. I don’t know why I reached out, awkwardly touching his arm to feel the hard muscles beneath that bulky jacket. If I’d thought about it, I wouldn’t have done it. Yet I couldn’t make myself pull away.
Then I gasped when his hand covered mine. At some point, he’d taken off his gloves, and the feel of his warm, bare skin sent a shock wave through me. The touch seemed to affect Adrian, too. His lips parted and he edged over the back of the seats—
He yanked on the steering wheel, narrowly avoiding another car. A horn blared, and when the driver passed us, an extended middle finger shook angrily in our direction. I leaned back, my heart pounding from the near collision. At least, that’s what I told myself it was from.
“Dyate,” Adrian muttered.
I didn’t recognize the word, and I was at a loss to place his accent. It had a musical cadence like Italian, but beneath that was a harsher, darker edge.
“What’s that language?” I asked, trying to mask the sudden shakiness in my voice.
This time, he didn’t take his eyes off the road. “Nothing you’ve heard of.”
“I picked truth, remember?” I said, holding up my bound hands for emphasis.
That earned me a quick glance. “That is the truth, but you don’t get more until you meet Zach. Then we can skip all the ‘this isn’t possible’ arguments.”
I let out a short laugh. “After what I saw on Detective Kroger’s face, my definition of ‘impossible’ has changed.”
Adrian swerved again, but this time, no other car was near.
“What did you see?”
I tensed. How did I explain without sounding insane? No way to, so I chose to go on the attack instead.
“Why were you in my hotel room? And how did you heal me? There isn’t even a mark—”
“What did you see on his face, Ivy?”
Despite his hard tone, when my name crossed his lips, something thrummed inside me, like he’d yanked on a tie I hadn’t known was there. Feeling it was as disturbing as my inexplicable reaction to his clasping my hands.
“Shadows,” I said quickly, to distract from that. “He had snakelike shadows all over his face.”
I expected Adrian to tell me I’d imagined it, a response I was used to hearing. Instead, he pulled over, putting the car in park but keeping the engine running. Then he turned to stare at me.
“Was that the only strange thing you saw?”
I swallowed. I knew better than to talk about these things. Still, I’d demanded the truth from Adrian. It didn’t seem fair to lie in return.
“I saw two versions of the same B and B earlier. One was pretty, but the other was old and rotted, and my sister was trapped inside it.”
Adrian said nothing, though he continued to pin me with that hard stare. When he finally spoke, his question was so bizarre I thought I’d misheard him.
“What do I look like to you?”
“Huh?”
“My appearance.” He drew out the words like I was slow. “Describe me.”
All of a sudden, he wanted compliments? I might have finally met someone crazier than me.
“This is ridiculous,” I muttered, but started with the obvious. “Six-six, early twenties, built like Thor, golden brown hair with blond highlights, silvery blue eyes…you want me to go on?”
He began to laugh, a deep, rich baritone that would’ve been sensual except for how angry it made me.
“Now I know why they came after you,” he said, still chuckling. “They must’ve realized you were different, but if they’d known what you could see, you never would’ve made it out of that B and B.”
“You can stop laughing,” I said sharply. “I get that it’s crazy to see the things I do.”
Lots of kids had imaginary friends growing up. I had imaginary places, though at first, I didn’t know I was the only one who could see them. Once my parents had realized that what I kept describing went far beyond childhood fancifulness, the endless doctor visits and tests began. One by one, diseases and psychoses had been crossed off until I was diagnosed with a non-monoamine-cholinergic imbalance in my temporal cortex.
In other words, I saw shit that wasn’t there for reasons no one could figure out. The pills I took helped a little, though I lied and said they got rid of all my hallucinations. I was sick of doctors poking at me. So whenever I saw something that no one else did, I forced myself to ignore it—until Mrs. Paulson and Detective Kroger had tried to kill me, of course.
Adrian did stop laughing, and that unblinking intensity was back in his gaze.
“Well, Ivy, I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is, you’re not crazy. The bad news is, everything you’ve seen is real, and now, it’ll be coming for you.”

Interview-RED

Hi Jeaniene. Thank you for taking the time to visit us again at The Reading Cafe, and to give us an update as to what you have upcoming, as well as what to expect in 2015.

Jeaniene: Thank you so much for having me!

TRC: You have a new series that just debuted, Broken Destiny. This is a different genre than you have written before…..a New Adult paranormal romance series. What can you tell us about this new series, and how you came up with the idea?

Jeaniene: As you mentioned, it’s a New Ault paranormal romance. The NA designation means that at least one protagonist is between the ages of 18 – 25, so it’s meant for an older audience than traditional YA (Young Adult), but the characters aren’t as old as what you’d usually find in an Adult novel. I came up with the idea for The Beautiful Ashes around the time that my debut novel released in 2007. Ironically, it came to me the same way that my idea for the Night Huntress series did – through a dream. In the dream, a young woman who’s had hallucinations her whole life realizes that her “visions” are real, and the one person who can help her is also destined to betray her.

TRC: Would you please give us a brief description of The Beautiful Ashes? How many books are you planning for this series?

Jeaniene: The Broken Destiny series will be a trilogy, and my “elevator pitch” would be that it’s about Ivy and Adrian, two star-crossed lovers with opposing supernatural destinies who get caught in a war between angels and demons. *grin* Now you see why I had such a hard time with query letters before I was published. I am awful at boiling down a story to a few, concise lines, so let me copy the back cover description below, which does a much better job:

In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. The one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who’s bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn’t mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn’t: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side, Adrian on the other, and nothing but ashes in between…

TRC: In The Beautiful Ashes, I found it extremely interesting that you had a Biblical twist, using descendants of both King David and another significant Biblical figure. Did you have to do a lot of research on this?

Jeaniene: Not really, lol. In all seriousness, I’ve already read the Bible cover-to-cover several times, so I’m very familiar with the more famous stories from it. Plus, David and Goliath have transcended religion to become a cultural and social anecdote. When you hear someone say they’re in a “David versus Goliath” situation, most people know that means an underdog facing almost insurmountable odds. The other Biblical figure I use has also crossed over from religious to common social consciousness. For example, if you referred to someone as a *censored for spoilers*, most people know exactly what you mean. I also used Biblical references in my Night Huntress series by deriving my vampire origin story from “the mark of Cain,” so you could say that I have a track record for mining the Bible for ideas 🙂

TRC: I loved Adrian and found him to be so very swoonworthy. I also loved him and Ivy together. But he drove me nuts, as did Zach, with them keeping secrets from poor Ivy. Will she learn all these secrets in the next book to help her be an even stronger heroine?

Jeaniene: Short answer: yes :). Longer explanation: Ivy starts The Beautiful Ashes as a mostly-normal twenty-year-old, which means she’s in no way prepared to be dropped into a war between supernatural creatures that she doesn’t even believe in. She also really wasn’t ready to learn that part of her destiny is to tip the scales in that battle, so Adrian – though he made me want to smack him, too – is actually trying to protect Ivy by doling out these and other secrets instead of hitting her with everything at once. Zach’s primary occupation is a messenger, so he’d have delivered all the details without caring if Ivy could handle it or not. Adrian intervened, essentially muzzling Zach, to give Ivy a chance to adjust. Adrian meant well, but like most guys and their good intentions, there were dangerous, unintended consequences. By the end of The Beautiful Ashes, Ivy knows almost everything, and she’s grown both emotionally and in her supernatural abilities, so she’s far better equipped to handle what comes next.

TRC: Another question regarding The Beautiful Ashes. This series is listed as New Adult Paranormal. I had a feel of Urban Fantasy. What genre best describes the series?

Jeaniene: That answer is probably in the eye of the beholder. For years, I’ve heard my vampire novels described as urban fantasy or paranormal romance with equal conviction depending on who is speaking. From early reviews, I’ve seen The Beautiful Ashes debated between YA and NA and between paranormal romance and urban fantasy. The truth is that all my books tend to straddle genre lines. I consider The Beautiful Ashes to be New Adult paranormal romance, as I consider my vampire novels to be Adult paranormal romance, but those aren’t the only themes in either series. My vampire novels have lots of urban fantasy elements and even some horror, too, which is why their genre is often debated. In comparison, The Beautiful Ashes has some YA themes, but it also has very adult situations and lots of urban fantasy elements, too. So what is it? My opinion doesn’t trump readers’ opinions, so the easiest explanation is that it’s a hybrid, with the ultimate genre depending on the viewpoint of the reader.

TRC: Your final book in your wonderful Night Huntress series, Up FromThe Grave, was a fantastic finale. I have been a huge fan of this series from the start. I totally love Cat and Bones. What made you decide to end it now, and will we ever see Cat & Bones again, perhaps in novellas?

Jeaniene: I’m so glad that you enjoyed Up From The Grave! In many ways, it was as nerve-wracking for me to finish the Night Huntress series as it was to start it, but I had come to the end of Cat and Bones’s story. At the final page of Up From The Grave, Cat and Bones were at the place in their lives that I’d always envisioned them being, so it was time for me to close the door and walk away. If I’d dragged their story past that point, it would have been an insincere effort on my part. I’ve often said that it’s out of my hands if readers enjoy a book I write, but I can promise that I won’t write a story unless I love it and believe in it. The Night Huntress series might have come to a close, but if it’s any consolation, one day, I’d love to write a story about Katie when she’s grown so that I can showcase C&B in the side role of parents. Also, Cat and Bones make a brief cameo in Bound By Flames, so readers will get to glimpse them in their new life as I continue with Vlad and Leila’s story. Finally, if readers haven’t seen this yet, I posted a free alternate “middle” version of Destined For An Early Grave on my website, showing what would have happened if Bones had lost his memory of Cat. It will only be up for another couple weeks, so check it out if you’re interested:

Part 1: http://jeanienefrost.com/2014/07/alternate-middle-version-of-destined-for-an-early-grave-part-1/
Part 2: http://jeanienefrost.com/2014/08/alternate-middle-version-of-destined-for-an-early-grave-part-2/
Part 3: http://jeanienefrost.com/2014/08/alternate-middle-version-of-destined-for-an-early-grave-part-3/
Part 4: http://jeanienefrost.com/2014/08/alternate-middle-version-of-destined-for-an-early-grave-part-4/

TRC: Would you like to share with us anything else that you may have upcoming in 2015?

Jeaniene: I think I already jumped the gun on this with my last answer, heh. Bound By Flames, Night Prince book three, comes out January 27^th. Then, later in 2015, book two in the Broken Destiny series will release. That’s still untitled as of now, but it will continue Ivy and Adrian’s story, picking up pretty close to where The Beautiful Ashes left off.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Jeaniene: If you haven’t seen the book trailer for The Beautiful Ashes, here is the link to it on YouTube: http://youtu.be/PWiOBIY_4z4

And since I’m a big fan of “try before you buy,” I’ve also posted several excerpts on my website here: http://jeanienefrost.com/brokendestiny/the-beautiful-ashes/

TRC: Thank you, Jeaniene for giving us an update on what we can look forward to in 2015, and we wish you the best of luck with The Beautiful Ashes.

Jeaniene: Thanks so much again for having me! It’s always a pleasure, and I’m delighted to talk to you and your readers about what’s out now and what’s coming next.

About The Author

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Jeaniene Frost is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, and the upcoming Broken Destiny series. To date, foreign rights for her novels have sold to twenty different countries. Jeaniene lives in North Carolina with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. Aside from writing, Jeaniene enjoys reading, poetry, watching movies with her husband, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her.

For information on Jeaniene’s books, reading the first 20% of each book free, book trailers, deleted scenes, creature mythology, and more, please visit: www.jeanienefrost.com

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giveaway

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Jeaniene is graciously offering a $25 Gift Card (Amazon or Barnes & Noble) to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5) by Richelle Mead-a review

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Sandy

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead (Blood Lines Series #5)-a review

Silver Shadows July 14

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

About the book: Release Date: July 29, 2014

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

Review:

Very few times have I ever sat down to write a review and can’t come up with the first line. I literally have too many thoughts going through my head about this one. The story picks up shortly after The Fiery Heart ends. Those familiar with the story know that Sydney was taken against her will by the powers that be within the Alchemist organization for becoming too “chummy” with the Moroi (the vampires). If they only knew………….

Sydney was held, and basically tortured psychologically for months. Once she is released from the “cleansing” cell, she knows that she has to play along in order to make the Alchemists believe that she is on the mend and on the path to redemption. She finds herself in the ultimate game of cat and mouse and knows that if she doesn’t play her cards right, she’ll never see the light of day.

Adrian is utterly devastated that he hasn’t been able to contact Sydney in their dreams. Unfortunately, for Adrian, he falls back into his old habit of drinking to numb the pain. He begins to lose hope, and then there’s a knock at the door. I don’t know who was more shocked when he opened the door, him or me!! He is whisked back to Court and tries to enlist the help of their queen and his friend, Lissa and her guardian, Rose. But, Lissa knows that it’s a slippery slope and can’t risk her fragile reign to go up against the Alchemists when it isn’t one of her subjects in danger.

Despair descends on Adrian and he soon descends into a routine that he knows all too well: drinking and partying. Thankfully, the pity party doesn’t last long and he’s able to finally connect with Sydney and knows that she is alive! However, the one thing he needs to know is very elusive. He needs to know where she is and she has no idea. Adrian springs into action and heads back to Palm Springs and a plan is formed. He enlists the help everyone who will listen to him, and soon enough, the plan is enacted. Will they truly be able to get to Sydney in time? Will their crew be able to get in and get her out? Oh my friends, you’ll have to read to find out. Because as fans of this series know all too well, there isn’t always a happy ending…………

Richelle Mead is a phenomenal author. Her YA series, Vampire Academy (which Bloodlines spun off of), is one of my absolute favorites and I never thought that I’d like this particular series as well as that one. Well, I’m a big girl and can admit that I was wrong!! She has a different spin on vampires and the world and it more than works. It works WELL! Her supporting characters, all of which we get to see in Silver Shadows, are such an integral part of the story, but you never feel overwhelmed with the amount of information that IS this story. I wish that I could share more about some of the things that happened in this one, but don’t want to spoil it for anyone. You also don’t have the quintessential love triangle in this series as you normally get in a lot of YA series. At least, not with the main characters.

All of Mead’s books grab you on the first page, and this was no exception. This one was a bit brutal in the Alchemist’s treatment of Sydney and her fellow detainees, but was necessary to portray just how far the Alchemists will go to get what they want. If you’ve not read Mead, you are missing out on a fabulous ride. And, even though it’s YA, I can’t fathom anyone who is a fan of paranormal with a twist not liking this series. The downside? I have to wait on the next and I cannot wait. Well done Richelle Mead, very very very well done!!

Reviewed by Vickie M.

Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout – a Review

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Barb

Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout – a Review

Opposition
Lux series – Book #5
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: August 5, 2014

Opposition Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.
She can’t believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.
Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.
They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.
War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing

Review:
Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout is the 5th and final book in her wonderful Lux series. Let me start off by saying I have so much respect for Jennifer Armentrout, as a writer, and for giving us such wonderful exciting and befitting end to the Lux series. For anyone who needs a refresher on this series, you can find my earlier reviews under the review tab (Barb’s reviews, Jennifer Armentrout).

When we last left off in Origin, the Luxens had arrived in full force, and Daemon, Dawson and Dee disappeared seemingly to join with the Luxens. At the start of Opposition, Katy waits by the window praying for them to return. Beth is pregnant and only Archer and Luc are there with Katy. With the world being attacked, they needed to stay inside to be safe. But Katy is never one to listen, and she and Archer go out to find some things to help Beth. Of course, Katy is eventually captured, and wakes up surrounded by Luxens. To her shock, she sees a distant Daemon standing by the Luxen leader, as they plan the destruction of the human race, including the hybrids (which she now is). Dee is also mean and unfriendly to Katy. Has Daemon, Dee and Dawson changed, betraying them?

Since I do not want to give spoilers, what follows is an incredibly thrilling action packed story from start to finish. This is a war, and the Luxens, with help from the traitors are winning this battle. With nowhere to go, and hope slowly evaporating, they must turn to an enemy for an unlikely truce. I loved when Katy, losing her temper, angrily goes into a tirade; since the beginning of time, there have always been differences, & hate throughout the world. But when there is a common enemy they will join hands; when all is said and done, they can go back to being enemies. Katy has grown so much in this series, and in Opposition, she turned into a kick-assed heroine. Perfect for our Daemon. I loved that Jennifer gave us a glimpse of Hunter again. Very cool.

The Lux series may be considered YA, but make no mistake, this series is a wonderful read for everyone. Jennifer Armentrout not only gives us a believable story of aliens living as humans in our world, but she has given us a fabulous young couple, whom we spent the entire series totally invested in what happens to them. Armentrout also gives us such wonderful secondary characters that we can worry, cry, or laugh with. Daemon & Katy were one of the best young couples in any YA or NA world, as they were so perfect together, not to mention totally hot. Ohhhh we will miss our Daemon.

Again, I must say that when I was anticipating reading Opposition, I was worried. After what happened in another series that I loved by another author, I was scared what will happen here. But thank you thank you, Jennifer, you have made me so happy. Opposition had such an awesome ending that allowed us to be happily content to move on. That’s not to say that I hope one day, when she is not buried with all the books she writes, she can write a novella giving us an update to the lives of Daemon, Katy, and all their friends who survived this epic adventure. Bravo Jennifer! This was a fantastic ride, and Opposition was a classic thriller, with an epic ending.

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The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel – a Review