Brush Strokes by Janelle Stalder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
After being away for two years, Olivia is back home for her senior year of high school - something she is not looking forward to. Before she left she was the quiet, shy girl no one paid much attention to, except to make fun of for her. Now that she's back she just wants to get through this year, which doesn't sound so difficult. Until next door neighbor bad boy extraordinaire decides he's waited around in the wings long enough and it's finally time to go after what he's always wanted…Olivia.
I liked the characters in this book. Olivia is pretty down to earth. For the most part, she does not care much what other people think of her. She has her art and her best friend, Ella. What more could a girl ask for? Ella is a fun loving character and I am looking forward to reading her story. She is who she is and doesn't make apologies for it. She tells it like it is, and if she offends you, too bad. Then there is Colt. Colt thinks of himself as the bad boy type, and he is to a point, but he's also got this soft side, especially when it comes to Olivia. And I have to mention, Rannon. He is Colt's best friend. He brings a lot of fun to the story. I hope we get to see more of him later.
Overall this is a fun story with a lot of high-school drama, art, and swimming in cold lakes. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
A Twisted Romance ~ Grace Street (Chapter 8 #1) by Ella Dominguez
Grace Street (Chapter 8 #1) by Ella Dominguez
This is an adult contemporary erotic novel (Rated NC-17)
♥♥♥♥1/2
(Four and a half Twisted Hearts)
Book Summary
Warning: This is neither a conventional romance nor a traditional love story. There are no hearts and flowers on the pages of this book. The heroine doesn't always make wise choices and though I've tried to make her strong, she's often times weak in the face of the fierce hero. The hero is not a knight in a shining armor. He's broken and frequently cruel, and what every woman in the real world should avoid. What's contained in this book isn't real - it's fiction; dark, depraved and decadent make-believe. Contains detailed sexual encounters, uncomfortable situations and erotic elements including voyeurism, oral and anal. Intended for readers 18+. If you're down with that, then by all means... read on.
Obsession, possession, resilience, insanity...
Seeking solitude and reprieve from her past failed relationships, Elsa begins her life anew in Richmond, hoping to find the change that she so desperately needs. Things are looking up for her, a new job, new friends... a fresh start.
But Victor has different plans for her. From the moment he heard her voice and set his eyes on Elsa, she became next on his to-do list; his Chapter 8. A well-known and respected criminal profiler, his mind is as dark as the people he hunts down. It takes one to know one, after all. Under the guise of making his subjects stronger, he intends to break Elsa down using everything in his arsenal, including pleasure, pain, humiliation, and things unspeakable. Everyone is fair game in his book and he discriminates against no one when he chooses his test subjects.
Lonely, still on the mend from a bad break-up and longing for sexual attention, Elsa consents to an odd proposition, unaware of Victor's plans. However, she can't be broken so easily and what he puts her through only fuels the fire burning within her, a flame that begins to blaze out of control as she becomes obsessed with everything about Victor and peeling back his cruel layers in search of the real man hiding beneath his heartless facade.
In Victor's world, there is no such thing as happily ever after and Chapter 8 proves to be an infuriating challenger when she flips the tables on his selfish and twisted game, a game they both may end up losing their hearts and minds over.
Obsession, possession, resilience, insanity...
Seeking solitude and reprieve from her past failed relationships, Elsa begins her life anew in Richmond, hoping to find the change that she so desperately needs. Things are looking up for her, a new job, new friends... a fresh start.
But Victor has different plans for her. From the moment he heard her voice and set his eyes on Elsa, she became next on his to-do list; his Chapter 8. A well-known and respected criminal profiler, his mind is as dark as the people he hunts down. It takes one to know one, after all. Under the guise of making his subjects stronger, he intends to break Elsa down using everything in his arsenal, including pleasure, pain, humiliation, and things unspeakable. Everyone is fair game in his book and he discriminates against no one when he chooses his test subjects.
Lonely, still on the mend from a bad break-up and longing for sexual attention, Elsa consents to an odd proposition, unaware of Victor's plans. However, she can't be broken so easily and what he puts her through only fuels the fire burning within her, a flame that begins to blaze out of control as she becomes obsessed with everything about Victor and peeling back his cruel layers in search of the real man hiding beneath his heartless facade.
In Victor's world, there is no such thing as happily ever after and Chapter 8 proves to be an infuriating challenger when she flips the tables on his selfish and twisted game, a game they both may end up losing their hearts and minds over.
My Review
Talk about a twisted roller coaster of a romance if you can
even call it that. I love unconventional books that take on a new look on a
romance. More importantly, it has to be at least plausible. And quite frankly,
I’m sure there is a Victor and an Elsa out there somewhere. People do the
darnest things.
Okay, I digress. This story will make you want to slap Elsa
and punch Victor. And maybe that’s the draw between these two. They’re both so
f’ed up, they deserve each other. And the sex is HOT. It is hard not to stop
turning the pages and reading more when you have crap to do, lol.
I have my theories and I’m sure I’m dead on. But still, this
is an excellent read. If you like twisted romance stories, this book is for
you.
My book boyfriend Victor.
View all my reviews
*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Celebrate Hump Day with Brush Strokes!
Art student, Olivia Banks, was living her dream at an exclusive school when everything came crashing down around her. Now back in the small town she grew up in, she's forced to spend her senior year at her old school where she's known as the 'freak', all because she'd rather focus on her painting than the trivial drama of high school. But things aren't the same as they were when she left. And the one thing that is turning her life upside down the most just happens to be the resident bad boy, Colt Morgan. Her senior year was supposed to fly by so she could pack up and leave again, but what happens when there's suddenly a reason to want to stay?
In usual Diva Alana style, I had to be fashionably late to the party
Purchase Links:
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1pf2ZmmB&N: http://bit.ly/1mkZE0hAmazon: http://amzn.to/1puKJCF
Janelle Stalder was born and raised in
Brampton, Ontario. At an early age she developed a love for literature. Her
debut novel, Eden, was the first book in a series of four, released in
September of 2011. The second book, Eden-West, was released in July of 2012, and
the third book, Eden-South was released in March of 2013. The fourth book of
the Eden Series, Eden-East, will be release at the end of 2013. She is a strong
supporter of other independent authors, and loves to interact with her readers.
When she's not writing, Janelle is at home with her husband, two children,
Aiden and Elora, and her two furry children, Alice and Lily. She now resides in
a small town in Ontario in her old, possibly haunted, century home.
Publications:
THE
EDEN SERIES
Trapped within
the cruel world of hormones and bullies, fifteen-year-old Aiden is convinced
life has more to offer him. His instincts are proven correct on the night he is
awakened by a voice calling to him from outside his window. As he sleepily
peers into his yard, his eyes slowly focus on a woman who says she is there to
take him to Eden. Aiden is about to fulfill the life purpose he never knew he
had.
It is in Eden, a land on the brink of war, where Aiden will finally learn to trust himself and those around him. Accompanied by Wolf, his sidekick Logan, and the beautiful archer, Elisa, Aiden is soon thrust into a battle to save Eden. Meanwhile Elisa, the only girl in the King's Army, is in the midst of her own struggles. Betrothed to a man she has no intention of marrying, Elisa is caught between the need to prove herself and her desire for true happiness. And now that she has met Aiden, she is more confused than ever.
In this action-packed fantasy tale, romance, adventure, and intrigue surround Aiden as he learns just what he is capable of when he discovers confidence and courage.
It is in Eden, a land on the brink of war, where Aiden will finally learn to trust himself and those around him. Accompanied by Wolf, his sidekick Logan, and the beautiful archer, Elisa, Aiden is soon thrust into a battle to save Eden. Meanwhile Elisa, the only girl in the King's Army, is in the midst of her own struggles. Betrothed to a man she has no intention of marrying, Elisa is caught between the need to prove herself and her desire for true happiness. And now that she has met Aiden, she is more confused than ever.
In this action-packed fantasy tale, romance, adventure, and intrigue surround Aiden as he learns just what he is capable of when he discovers confidence and courage.
New beginnings,
new conflicts, and new adventures arise in the second installment of the Eden
Series, Eden-West.
Months after his initial journey to Eden, Aiden is
learning to cope with his own transformation. His social status has changed,
his friendship with his best friend Ethan is in jeopardy because of it, and
worst of all, he has heard absolutely nothing from his new friends in Eden.
What has become of the world he fell in love with? Are his friends safe? Is the
war over? With no answers, and no hope for contact, Aiden decides to focus on
his life in his world. Just as he makes this decision, he encounters a familiar
bright light and thinks he knows exactly what it means. Except the light isn't
at all what he expects and neither is the person behind it. When Aiden returns
to Eden, it is to a whole new part of that special world, and a whole new set
of adventures.
Weeks after Aiden was returned to his own world, Elisa is
sent to Nysa, the revered Southern city, to retrieve the one thing she'd rather
avoid - Wolf. Captain Turk instructed her to get in and get out - but that is
easier said than done. When she finds her missing friend, she also stumbles
upon a great deal of trouble. This trouble goes by one name - Markus, the
leader of the Sun People.
Follow all your favourite characters as they ready
themselves for battle and fight for a world threatened to be destroyed.
The betrayal that
tore a family apart. Two brothers bent on destroying the other. A whole world
on the brink of war.
Aiden has been through his second battle in the magical world of Eden. The victory is short lived and Aiden is sent racing toward his friends in the Capital. After being back in Eden with the Riders, he is eager to reunite with Wolf, Elisa and Logan, although he doesn’t realize just what he’s returning to. Surprises await him when he arrives in the Capital; his close-knit group of friends is slowly falling apart. On top of it all, another battle is just around the corner, one that will change everything.
Rain has made her choice, and now she is in some unknown fortress with the feared sorcerer, Aziz. She wants nothing more but to please him, but being his Queen isn’t as easy as she thought. While trying to learn sorcery, and dealing with Aziz’s advances, Rain is finding her new life a bit overwhelming. Just when she thought it couldn’t get worse, she discovers a secret of Aziz’s, and it is nothing she could have expected.
Rose has supported Callum throughout their journey, but now that the final battle is just around the corner she is faced with a hard reality. Everything she has gained with him could be taken away. Is she willing to live the rest of her life without him? Can she just stand by while he destroys everything, including himself? Will he ever be able to find peace? Will she?
In the third installment of the Eden Series fates will be decided, and the battle between brothers that has been a decade in the making will finally come to an end. Only one of them can be High King.
The battle starts now.
Aiden has been through his second battle in the magical world of Eden. The victory is short lived and Aiden is sent racing toward his friends in the Capital. After being back in Eden with the Riders, he is eager to reunite with Wolf, Elisa and Logan, although he doesn’t realize just what he’s returning to. Surprises await him when he arrives in the Capital; his close-knit group of friends is slowly falling apart. On top of it all, another battle is just around the corner, one that will change everything.
Rain has made her choice, and now she is in some unknown fortress with the feared sorcerer, Aziz. She wants nothing more but to please him, but being his Queen isn’t as easy as she thought. While trying to learn sorcery, and dealing with Aziz’s advances, Rain is finding her new life a bit overwhelming. Just when she thought it couldn’t get worse, she discovers a secret of Aziz’s, and it is nothing she could have expected.
Rose has supported Callum throughout their journey, but now that the final battle is just around the corner she is faced with a hard reality. Everything she has gained with him could be taken away. Is she willing to live the rest of her life without him? Can she just stand by while he destroys everything, including himself? Will he ever be able to find peace? Will she?
In the third installment of the Eden Series fates will be decided, and the battle between brothers that has been a decade in the making will finally come to an end. Only one of them can be High King.
The battle starts now.
New life, new
deaths, and truths revealed. Everything ends now.
In the final installment of the Eden series, the King’s army prepares for their biggest battle yet. Aiden and his friends set out to find Aziz in his hidden mountain fortress and bring the war in Eden to an end. But secrets are being discovered along the way, and the weight of them could ruin lives. Aiden is coping with loss and the need for vengeance, as well as changes in himself he doesn’t quite understand. Thousands of lives are depending on him to stop Aziz once and for all, and this time Aiden is more than ready and confident he’ll be the one to do it. The stakes are higher than he ever anticipated on his journey east.
Elisa is embarking on a new phase of her life. She has the man she loves beside her, their group of friends have become stronger, and the end of war is in sight. Now she just needs to see it through so she can finally have her happily ever after. But she knows the truth that the others don’t, and it will test her loyalty and friendship more than anything ever has.
With two brothers side by side, and an army ready for war, the only thing left to be seen is who will live and who will die.
Welcome to the thrilling conclusion of your journey into Eden.
In the final installment of the Eden series, the King’s army prepares for their biggest battle yet. Aiden and his friends set out to find Aziz in his hidden mountain fortress and bring the war in Eden to an end. But secrets are being discovered along the way, and the weight of them could ruin lives. Aiden is coping with loss and the need for vengeance, as well as changes in himself he doesn’t quite understand. Thousands of lives are depending on him to stop Aziz once and for all, and this time Aiden is more than ready and confident he’ll be the one to do it. The stakes are higher than he ever anticipated on his journey east.
Elisa is embarking on a new phase of her life. She has the man she loves beside her, their group of friends have become stronger, and the end of war is in sight. Now she just needs to see it through so she can finally have her happily ever after. But she knows the truth that the others don’t, and it will test her loyalty and friendship more than anything ever has.
With two brothers side by side, and an army ready for war, the only thing left to be seen is who will live and who will die.
Welcome to the thrilling conclusion of your journey into Eden.
THE NEW WORLD
SERIES
All’s fair in
love and war.
Two thirds of the world's population has been wiped out, devastated by the worst war earth has ever seen. Still standing amongst the ruins is a mind reader who finds herself on the wrong side of the war. Everyone does what they must to survive. When the rebels bent on bringing down the New World leader start to rise up, it is her job to make sure they stay down where they belong. That is, until one rebel sneaks past her defences and into her heart. Love will blossom from the ashes, but will it be enough to save them, or will it mean the end of them both?
Two thirds of the world's population has been wiped out, devastated by the worst war earth has ever seen. Still standing amongst the ruins is a mind reader who finds herself on the wrong side of the war. Everyone does what they must to survive. When the rebels bent on bringing down the New World leader start to rise up, it is her job to make sure they stay down where they belong. That is, until one rebel sneaks past her defences and into her heart. Love will blossom from the ashes, but will it be enough to save them, or will it mean the end of them both?
Hatred
paralyzes life; love releases it.
New Berlin, 2040. Rebels prepare to fight against the New World Order, bent on bringing down the world’s greatest tyrant. One girl wanted nothing to do with it, content to keep her head down and make the best of this new world. That is, until she has no choice but to work with the rebels and infiltrate the NWO headquarters. Every moment she spends there puts her in danger, especially when one man, the second in command to the New World leader, continues to make his way into her every thought. She must stay focused and protect not just her mind and body, but also her heart. Will she be able to complete her task without being unmasked? Or will the one man standing in her way ruin it all?
New Berlin, 2040. Rebels prepare to fight against the New World Order, bent on bringing down the world’s greatest tyrant. One girl wanted nothing to do with it, content to keep her head down and make the best of this new world. That is, until she has no choice but to work with the rebels and infiltrate the NWO headquarters. Every moment she spends there puts her in danger, especially when one man, the second in command to the New World leader, continues to make his way into her every thought. She must stay focused and protect not just her mind and body, but also her heart. Will she be able to complete her task without being unmasked? Or will the one man standing in her way ruin it all?
Upcoming Projects:
Tested (Book Three, New World Series) – Spring/Summer 2014
Brush Strokes (Contemporary Romance) – Spring/Summer 2014
Elysium (YA Fantasy Spin-off of the Eden Series) –Fall 2014
Facebook: Janelle Stalder
Twitter: @jmstalder
Thursday, May 22, 2014
The Final Book in the series Released ~ Equity by Shannon Dermott
THE FINAL BOOK IN THE SERIES
EQUITY RELEASED!
The conclusion to the trilogy…
Caught in a deadly game, all Bailey’s mistakes seem like
mere useless moments. If she could to go back in time, would she make the same
choices? All these thoughts are hopeless if she doesn’t survive the game where
she is a mere pawn.
Kalen is resolute to save Bailey no matter the cost to his
bank account or his heart. He’s forced into a partnership with unlikely allies
and comes face to face with foes from his past. None of it matters if he loses
the woman he loves.
Can love balance the scales of two hearts torn asunder? Equity
is the difference between their assets and the liabilities they’ve created.
This installment is told from both POV of Bailey and Kalen.
Shannon’s
first love is reading, diving into other realities to explore and brave new
worlds. To share her writing is the best experience of all. She writes books
about teen romance whether paranormal or contemporary. She also has a steamy
adult series. When Shannon isn't writing she loves to shop and watch horror
movies that make turning out the lights seem like a stupid idea. You can
explore more about her at her website www.shannondermott.com, on facebook,
goodreads and twitter.
Website
www.shannondermott.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannon-Dermott/237824696261512Twitter: @shannondermott
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/5121644.Shannon_Dermott
Thursday, May 15, 2014
I LOVE THIS BOOK ~ Feral Sins (The Phoenix Pack #1) by Suzanne Wright
Feral Sins (The Phoenix Pack #1) by Suzanne Wright
This is an adult paranormal romance novel (Rated NC-17)
♥♥♥♥♥
(Five F'ing Hot Hearts)
(Five F'ing Hot Hearts)
Book Summary
When female wolf shifter Taryn Warner first encounters Trey Coleman, an alpha male wolf shifter with a dangerous reputation, she’s determined to resist his charms. After all, Trey—who was only fourteen when he defeated his own father in a duel, winning the right to be alpha of his pack—can’t have anything to offer the talented healer besides trouble, or so she thinks.
Taryn finds herself drawn in by Trey’s forceful demeanor and arctic-blue eyes, and she eventually agrees to enter an uneasy alliance with him. If the two succeed in convincing their respective packs that they’ve chosen each other as mates, Trey will win valuable political allies, while Taryn will escape an odious arranged mating.
But there are a lot of potential pitfalls to this plan—including the very real possibility that the wolf shifters, overwhelmed by their growing attraction to each other, will be unable to maintain the clear heads needed to pull off the deception.
Taryn finds herself drawn in by Trey’s forceful demeanor and arctic-blue eyes, and she eventually agrees to enter an uneasy alliance with him. If the two succeed in convincing their respective packs that they’ve chosen each other as mates, Trey will win valuable political allies, while Taryn will escape an odious arranged mating.
But there are a lot of potential pitfalls to this plan—including the very real possibility that the wolf shifters, overwhelmed by their growing attraction to each other, will be unable to maintain the clear heads needed to pull off the deception.
My Review
Oh my goodness. I don’t think I’ve been blow away by a story
like this in a while. For me this was a winner. I couldn’t think of one bad
thing to say about it. Everything about the story made since and was plausible.
The romance happened at a realistic pace.
And talk about HOT! Trey was one of the best book boyfriends
I’ve had in a long time. He was everything an aphla male should be and more.
OMG!
This book had me staying up to read (listen). I couldn’t
stop. I think I’m addicted.
All I can say is that the story had everything a PRN should
have, hot romance, action and great story line. If you love paranormal romance,
I’m highly suggesting this one.
Audio Review
Jill Redfield did a stellar job of narrating. I’ll be
looking to listen to her in future books.
My book boyfriend Trey.
*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Albaster Nights (A Josie Hawk Companion Novella) by Elle J Rossi
Alabaster Nights
(A Josie Hawk Companion Novella)
Book Description:A Vampire with a soul. A Huntress with a knife.
In Nashville, Blood equals Power. Will one taste of Josie Hawk cost Keller everything?
Read more of Josie and Keller in Crimson Beat (Josie Hawk Chronicles #0.6) and Indigo Dawn (Josie Hawk Chronicles #1)
My Review:
Alabaster Nights (The Josie Hawk Chronicles,
#0.5) by Elle J Rossi
We get to meet Josie and Keller, Josie is a huntress and Keller is a vampire.
Keller has had a hard transition as a vampire he still to this day cannot control his desires for blood. Josie who is a huntress and has some sort of magical blood has a few demons after her.
But meanwhile Keller knows that Josie is someone important to him and she may be his answer to help him calm his blood lust.
This is a short novel of opposites attract and it was a great prequel to a start of what I think will be a great series and a great romance.
I would recommend Alabaster Nights to anyone who loves the paranormal genre. The story is well written, the author has done a fantastic job in making me want to read the next book in this series.
I have rated Alabaster Night a 4 star rating. Fantastic Read!!
About the Author:
Elle J Rossi grew up in rural Indiana surrounded by great people, a huge family and more animals than she could count. But the sites and sounds of the world beckoned, so she left her small town to escape into a creative world full of music. As a full time singer she was able to lose herself in a thousand different songs in a hundred different places. After meeting the love of her life and settling down, she yearned to find a new and fulfilling creative outlet. Overly fond of the happily ever after, she wondered what it would be like to have her own characters lead her down dark and twisted paths. The very first word on the very first page sealed her fate. She’d found a new love. She’d found her escape. Now along with weaving haunting tales about the journey to love, she’s creating cover art for authors around the world and loving every second of it. For fun, she cranks country music to take her back to her roots, and sings karaoke anytime she gets a chance. Her husband, two children, and a cat that rules the roost keep her company along the way and guarantee she doesn’t get lost in the enchanted forest. She wouldn’t have it any other way.
Contact Info:
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Review: The Mark of the Tala (The Twelve Kingdoms #1) by Jeffe Kennedy
The Mark of the Tala (The Twelve Kingdoms #1)
by Jeffe Kennedy
Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: May 27th 2014 by Kensington
Queen Of The Unknown
The tales tell of three sisters, daughters of the high king. The eldest, a valiant warrior-woman, heir to the kingdom. The youngest, the sweet beauty with her Prince Charming. No one says much about the middle princess, Andromeda. Andi, the other one.
Andi doesn't mind being invisible. She enjoys the company of her horse more than court, and she has a way of blending into the shadows. Until the day she meets a strange man riding, who keeps company with wolves and ravens, who rules a land of shapeshifters and demons. A country she'd thought was no more than legend--until he claims her as its queen.
In a moment everything changes: Her father, the wise king, becomes a warlord, suspicious and strategic. Whispers call her dead mother a traitor and a witch. Andi doesn't know if her own instincts can be trusted, as visions appear to her and her body begins to rebel.
For Andi, the time to learn her true nature has come. . .
by Jeffe Kennedy
Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: May 27th 2014 by Kensington
Queen Of The Unknown
The tales tell of three sisters, daughters of the high king. The eldest, a valiant warrior-woman, heir to the kingdom. The youngest, the sweet beauty with her Prince Charming. No one says much about the middle princess, Andromeda. Andi, the other one.
Andi doesn't mind being invisible. She enjoys the company of her horse more than court, and she has a way of blending into the shadows. Until the day she meets a strange man riding, who keeps company with wolves and ravens, who rules a land of shapeshifters and demons. A country she'd thought was no more than legend--until he claims her as its queen.
In a moment everything changes: Her father, the wise king, becomes a warlord, suspicious and strategic. Whispers call her dead mother a traitor and a witch. Andi doesn't know if her own instincts can be trusted, as visions appear to her and her body begins to rebel.
For Andi, the time to learn her true nature has come. . .
Available on Amazon
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My Review:
4 out of 5 stars
I've read some other stories by Jeffe Kennedy, and while I liked them as well, this is by far my favorite. She has a knack for storytelling, and I enjoyed everything about this book. I don't read a lot of what I would consider epic/high fantasy books, and I'm not sure why because I thoroughly enjoy them. (I've been trying to figure out the difference between the epic/high labels but have only been getting conflicting answers to this question, so I've given up; however, IMO I would consider this book to be epic fantasy).
The Mark of the Tala is the story of Andi, the middle child. I loved how Ms. Kennedy portrayed the three sisters, because they reminded me of my own family. My oldest sister is much like Ursula – controlling, always has to be in charge. My middle sister is much like Andi (without the magic, of course!) – the quiet one, peacekeeper, unnoticed. And I find myself comparing myself with Amelia – babied, perhaps a bit spoiled (at least according to my sisters). I enjoyed the characterization in this story and am looking forward to seeing more of Amelia and Ursula in upcoming books.
I also thought the world building was fantastic. The history of The Twelve Kingdoms and Annfwn was interesting and thorough, and the Tala were an intriguing people. As the story unfolded, we found out that everything wasn't as it seemed. The pictures portrayed within the story were constantly changing to reveal something else entirely, and by the end of the book I was captivated by the story and the people. I am planning on reading the other two books in this trilogy as soon as possible to see where Ms. Kennedy takes the story!
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I've read some other stories by Jeffe Kennedy, and while I liked them as well, this is by far my favorite. She has a knack for storytelling, and I enjoyed everything about this book. I don't read a lot of what I would consider epic/high fantasy books, and I'm not sure why because I thoroughly enjoy them. (I've been trying to figure out the difference between the epic/high labels but have only been getting conflicting answers to this question, so I've given up; however, IMO I would consider this book to be epic fantasy).
The Mark of the Tala is the story of Andi, the middle child. I loved how Ms. Kennedy portrayed the three sisters, because they reminded me of my own family. My oldest sister is much like Ursula – controlling, always has to be in charge. My middle sister is much like Andi (without the magic, of course!) – the quiet one, peacekeeper, unnoticed. And I find myself comparing myself with Amelia – babied, perhaps a bit spoiled (at least according to my sisters). I enjoyed the characterization in this story and am looking forward to seeing more of Amelia and Ursula in upcoming books.
I also thought the world building was fantastic. The history of The Twelve Kingdoms and Annfwn was interesting and thorough, and the Tala were an intriguing people. As the story unfolded, we found out that everything wasn't as it seemed. The pictures portrayed within the story were constantly changing to reveal something else entirely, and by the end of the book I was captivated by the story and the people. I am planning on reading the other two books in this trilogy as soon as possible to see where Ms. Kennedy takes the story!
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Jeffe Kennedy is an award-winning author with a writing career that spans decades. Her fantasy BDSM romance, Petals and Thorns, originally published under the pen name Jennifer Paris, has won several reader awards. Sapphire, the first book in the Facets of Passion series, has placed first in multiple romance contests and the follow-up, Platinum, is climbing the charts. Her most recent works include three fiction series: the fantasy romance novels of A Covenant of Thorns, the contemporary BDSM novellas of the Facets of Passion, and the post-apocalyptic vampire erotica of the Blood Currency.
She is currently working on Master of the Opera and The Twelve Kingdoms, a fantasy trilogy.
Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, with two Maine coon cats, a border collie, plentiful free-range lizards and a Doctor of Oriental Medicine. Jeffe can be found online at her website: JeffeKennedy.com or every Sunday at the popular Word Whores blog.
She is currently working on Master of the Opera and The Twelve Kingdoms, a fantasy trilogy.
Jeffe lives in Santa Fe, with two Maine coon cats, a border collie, plentiful free-range lizards and a Doctor of Oriental Medicine. Jeffe can be found online at her website: JeffeKennedy.com or every Sunday at the popular Word Whores blog.
http://www.jeffekennedy.com/
http://www.jeffekennedy.com/category/blog/
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https://twitter.com/jeffekennedy
Thursday, May 08, 2014
Oh, I really like this one LOTS ~ Revelation (The Revelation Series, #1) by Randi Cooley Wilson
Revelation (The Revelation Series, #1) by Randi Cooley Wilson
This is a New Adult paranormal fantasy novel (Rated PG-13)
♥♥♥♥1/2
(Four and a half Heavenly Hearts)
Book Summary
A DIVINE SECRET,
A LOYAL PROTECTOR,
A FORBIDDEN LOVE.
Eve Collins starts her freshman year at college blissfully unaware that one revelation will challenge everything she’s believed to be true about her family, life, and future, and right in the midst of it all is Asher St. Michael.
Mysterious and aloof, Asher is appointed to protect Eve at all costs. Bound by his oath of loyalty to mankind, loving her is forbidden.
Dark and enigmatic, Gage Gallagher may be even more dangerous to Eve than the demonic army that hunts her.
Caught in the middle of a centuries old war, Eve must choose sides knowing that the wrong choice will cost more than just her life.
Can Asher and Eve fulfill their destinies or will their love destroy everything?
Revelation is a journey of self-discovery, love, and sacrifice.
This is volume one of a series
A LOYAL PROTECTOR,
A FORBIDDEN LOVE.
Eve Collins starts her freshman year at college blissfully unaware that one revelation will challenge everything she’s believed to be true about her family, life, and future, and right in the midst of it all is Asher St. Michael.
Mysterious and aloof, Asher is appointed to protect Eve at all costs. Bound by his oath of loyalty to mankind, loving her is forbidden.
Dark and enigmatic, Gage Gallagher may be even more dangerous to Eve than the demonic army that hunts her.
Caught in the middle of a centuries old war, Eve must choose sides knowing that the wrong choice will cost more than just her life.
Can Asher and Eve fulfill their destinies or will their love destroy everything?
Revelation is a journey of self-discovery, love, and sacrifice.
This is volume one of a series
My Reviews
Paranormal might not have been my first love in reading,
however, a lot of times I think it might be my favorite. I love reading a story
that isn’t reality. That’s what escaping into reading a book is all about. I
want to be swept away into another world that I could only dream about
existing.
This story takes me to college with an unassuming girl just
living life. She’s thrust into a world that she didn’t know about. What I like
most about Eve is that she doesn’t sit by. She demands answers and finds
courage in what she learns.
While the story of boy and girl that have obstacles to overcome
if they even attempt a relationship isn’t new, that’s not what drew me into the
story. Romance is an undercurrent of everything. It’s the new world with “paranormal
characters” I haven’t read about that had me hook.
Personally, I found myself so deep in the story, my ipad
followed me everywhere I went so I could sneak a second to read a page or two
just because I kept thinking about it. There is a MINOR cliffy at the end,
nothing that will keep you up at night. So pick this one up. I also believe the
next book should be releasing soon.
I had a tough time with choosing a guy. And no, there isn’t
a love triangle. It’s hard to explain. You’ll just have to read. Gage might
have been my first choice, in the end…
My book boyfriend is Asher.
View all my reviews
*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
Stella Approves of this Hump Day Post...
OK now... I'm a little late. Fasionably late, no less. But hey... that's Diva Alana for you, right? So, there is this book coming out soon (a real shocker, I know) that I have been eagerly awaiting to share with everyone!
ABOUT ALL LINED UP:
Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.
ALL LINED UP,
the first book in Cora Carmack's highly anticipated Rusk University Series!
ALL LINED UP is a New Adult Contemporary Romance novel published by William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins). It is due to be released on May 13, 2014!!
ABOUT ALL LINED UP:
In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.
Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.
But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.
Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.
Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.
And neither of them knows how to walk away from the attraction they feel.
“Laughter + heartache + hot sexual tension = the perfect Cora Carmack book.”
—Monica Murphy
Let's take a moment, shall we, to be introduced to Stella...
She may well be one of the best BFF's out there, I know I sure would have gotten into all kinds of crazy trouble with her. Goodness knows I got into it enough without her.
So, Stella has this 'Stamp of Approval' which is like the little devil sitting on your shoulder saying, "This is a GOOD idea." It's the perfect foil for Dallas, and her 'Stamp of Disapproval'.
I'm a big believer in not doing today what you can put off till tomorrow, or the next day, or next week...
And can I say, if you've never 'tubed' a river (see above photo) you are really missing out! But beware, you're drunker than you think and won't realize until you stand up out of the tube and try to walk. Yes, I know this from experience, and 'shhh!' with your disapproving eyebrows.
Yes, I may well know what this is like... in New Orleans... during Mardi Gras... and have a picture to prove it. No, wait, my friend from college still has that photo and has threatened to post it. Oh, well, it was college, right?
Yes, they ARE addictive. No, one is never enough. Neither is three.
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