Books, Books, Books, and more Books. My favorite subject of any day! Today I am gonna keep it simple because life is very sweet right now and I want to get back to it.
2 Winners. One book each. Opens International/ World Wide. Come one, come all!
One electronic book (ebook) of winner's choice under $10 from Amazon or One book under $10 from The Book Depository.
OR
How to enter: Leave in comments...
1. Be a follower here!!=)
2. Email address. AT... DOT...com is okay if not in profile. Or any other way to contact you.
3. Tell me what you are currently reading in the comments.
There are more books on the tour so check them out and enter the ones you want to win! Then if you have time I have another giveaway going and maybe more as the early days near.
Riley Blackthorne is beginning to learn that there are worse things than death by demon. And love is just one of them…
Seventeen-year-old Riley has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father’s been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. As if that’s not enough, there's Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who’s made himself Riley’s unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective “friend” who acts more like a grouchy granddad. With all the hassles, Riley’s almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether.
But as Atlanta’s demon count increases, the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city’s “little” problem, and pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell’s attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever…
My Review:
Rating: 5/5 stars
Riley is at it again. Demon trapping is her job despite being only seventeen. With higher stakes and Riley at the ready anything can happen.
Riley is looking for her father and she will go the length to do just that. While some are pushing her away others are surprising her with their help and generosity but who is to trust and where can she turn? Soul Thief continues on with a great plot. There is a number of things going on but Jana Oliver remains quite organized. There is the Heaven and Hell situation, trappers and hunters, Holy Water, and always the Ex-boyfriend and current interests situation. I must admit I'm a romance addict at heart and do enjoy a taste of drama.
With Soul my appetite for more Beck has not been satisfied but I have a feeling there is more to come and I'm enjoying the buildup. At least J. Oliver does throw us a bone or two with a confession made on both Beck and Riley's parts.
Most impressive and most appreciated is the easily believable storyline within the realm of fiction. Riley drinks hot cocoa.... surprise! Surprise! Seems like most teenagers are drinking coffee and not just the fancy ones (you know the iced or smoothie kinds) but the hot coffee with two sugars please. It's become such a crunch on me that I've been thinking of writing a post entitled, "My favorite Characters are over-caffeinated!" Caffeine aside, I truly enjoyed the plot direction and can not wait for the next installment.
My recommendation remains the same as with book one. Those who love YA with a paranormal spin will enjoy The Demon Trapper's Daughter and Soul Thief.
My Review of Book One: The Demon Trapper's Daughter
Since this Review is apart of a Book Tour for Soul Thief I decided I really want to take this book along with me on my outdoor adventures for a real deal kind of tour. Of course, I had a little laugh when Hawai'i was mentioned on page 171 so even more so I was happy to play host. :-)
I took Soul with me on two trips (a day apart) to Makapu'u Lighthouse. For more info on this area click here.
Another trip with Soul was to Koko Head. For more information on the area click here.
I also took Soul up to the top of Diamond Head but I forgot to take pictures. Whoops! But my solution was to get a picture of Soul with Diamond Head in the background when I was at the top of Koko Head. See below. Info on Diamond Head click here.
I had a great time taking Soul Thief along with me. I did receive a few curious looks from people wondering why I'd be taking a picture of a book at each of the summits but oh well.
GIVEAWAY time!=)
CJ, Jana Oliver's Personal Assistant, notified me that Jana Oliver would be happy to giveaway a signed copy of either The Demon Trapper's Daughter or Soul Thief to one lucky winner. International entries are welcomed. If an international winner is selected then they will receive the copy that is available in their country. Note: UK titles and covers is different for both books but still the same awesomeness inside.
Opens World Wide. Ends Tues Sept 13th 2011 Midnight HST.
How to enter:
1. Leave a comment telling me where you would take one of Jana's books for a fun photo opp.
2. Leave a way to contact you.
Brooke Keller is a high school junior who has never spent much time living in one place. She is finally in a town long enough to almost snag the boy of her dreams, until her life is threatened after killing a fanged man in his attempt to kidnap her. Brooke begins a dangerous journey in an effort to find out who is after her and how to stop them. In a world with powerful and prejudiced vampires, Brooke must tap into the side of her that she never knew existed at the risk of losing her life in order to save it.
Jen's Review:
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
This review can be found through Jen's networks as well..
WOW What a way to end a book! Talk about major cliffhanger!!! And the book hasn’t even come out yet! YIKES! How am I ever going to find out what she tells Jaren at the end! WOW! That was harsh J
The book was pretty great though – I think I was more excited about the Pijawika (Vampire) coming to Utah – about a 20 min drive from my house! *Squeals!*
ANYWAYS – So – the book was pretty exciting – I almost can’t remember how it starts – because once they get to Utah – lol – A LOT happens!
SO we start the book with Brooke meeting her BFF Kaitlin in the mountains for their normal early fall hike – They started talking about every day things – but mostly about Jaren *sigh*
Because Brooke had been looking at Jaren for 2 whole years – but word says – he and Tiffany broke up – for good this time .. YEAH! But See Brooke is a little shy – she didn’t feel comfortable asking jaren out on a date –
But it finally happened –they were flirting in class like they usually do – and she told him about the meteor shower that was coming up – and then Jaren asked who the lucky guy was that was going wit her.
Kaitlin – being her BFF – and her fun sense of humor was all excited about Brooke’s date –
But all of a sudden – a Mountain Lion stalks into their path on the mountain – and they freeze …..
So 2 days later when Brooke and Jaren actually went out on their date – everything went perfect! It was like they hit it off right away!
We learn all about their family life – how Jaren’s parent got a devoice and his dad is the biggest jerk around – yeah – keep reading – he turns into a TOTAL Sleez of a dad! Seriously! I was really ticked off at him!
We also learn about Brooke – her dad was also a loser who took off when he found out her mom was pregnant – and her mom is scared of something because she freaks out over every little thing and takes off – they have moved
Everywhere in the past 16 years of Brookes life – and she is so happy she has finally stayed in one p lace for longer then 2 years – she is starting to feel confident that she will have a permanent home J
SO they make plans for the next night – after Jaren gets off work – he and his Friend David come over and Brooke, Kaitlynn and the guys hang out and watch a movie – Brooke and David hit it off pretty quickly J
Everything was fine and everyone was happy and together – then one day after school, Brooke went shopping with Kaitlyn and her mom – when she got home, she got a phone call from Kaitylnn saying she heard that Jaren was out walking in the park with Tiffany –
Ugh-oh – So Brooke stayed up all night freaking out that jaren and Tiffany were getting back together –
Next day – Jaren comes over to Brookes house and they go for a long silent drive – when they pull over and start talking – Jaren wanted to get out what he had to say before Brooke said anything –
Brooke was heartbroken and felt betrayed – sure they hadn’t made it official yet but she really though that they were going out together –
So jaren explains what happens – and even though Jaren was a jerk – he said he loved Brooke – and felt that they were meant to be – awe – worm fuzziness J
SO more dating goes on and once again everyone is happy and in love –
Then Jaren has his 18th birthday …. Remember when I said his father was a really big jerk – this is the part that confirms it the most –
SO Jaren packs his stuff to move out – Brooke helps him find his new place and they unpack and get him settled in –
That’s when the stranger comes to the house and pretty much DEMANDS that Brooke goes with him – Well she wasn’t going anywhere – and Jaren – being the Oh so Awesome boyfriend does what he can to protect her…
But does she really need protection?? When this stranger gets Jaren in a choke hold and jaren’s face starts to turn blue … Brooke feels some strange powers coming up to the surface .. she lets it all lose and kills the man!
She freaks out and calls her mom – and her mom tells her and Jaren to meet her –
That’s when we discover what Brooke really is
I wont give away any more details – but let’s say that since there is a strange Pijawika showed up at Jaren’s house – they realized that Brooke is no longer safe – so they make a few calls, Jaren is a little freaked out about all the new information – but then again, so is Brooke –
Jaren decides he needs a little break to figure things out – of course Brooke assumes the worse and can’t believe that Jaren would break up with her right now!!
So they find out they need to go to Utah to hide out – Brooke calls kaitlynn to let her know that she’s going away for a bit and that kaitlynn will be safer at home – but of course Kaitlynn is her BFF – there is NO WAY she is going to stay home when Brooke was in danger
And that’s how Brooke, Jaren, and Kaitlynn end up in Utah – with sexy Mirko at command post and Ace as security – this group goes through a LOT of ups and downs – physically AND emotionally –
Great book – I’m REALLY excited to read the next one now.
I've been out and about discovering my own backyard in Hawaii Nei! I've been training my body and really enjoying it. Jen has stuff going on as well. She's practicing for a big event to come soon. I'm still around and still reading but not blogging as often. But tomorrow I will be doing another small hike and I plan to take my current read (Soul Thief) along with to take a picture of it at the summit. Stay tuned and be sure to enjoy your backyard as well. And yes that is me below.
See the Left sidebar for the current giveaways and to see what is to come!
Meet Mel: Business owner. Dedicated mom. Natural-born Amazon.
It's been ten years since Melanippe Saka left the Amazon tribe in order to create a normal life for her daughter, Harmony. True, running a tattoo parlor in Madison, Wisconsin, while living with your Amazon warrior mother and priestess grandmother is not everyone's idea of normal, but Mel thinks she's succeeded at blending in as human.
Turns out she's wrong. Someone knows all about her, someone who's targeting young Amazon girls, and no way is Mel going to let Harmony become tangled in this deadly web. With her mother love in overdrive, Ms. Melanippe Saka is quite a force...even when she's facing a barrage of distractions -- including a persistent detective whose interest in Mel goes beyond professional, a sexy tattoo artist with secrets of his own, and a seriously angry Amazon queen who views Mel as a prime suspect. To find answers, Mel will have to do the one thing she swore she'd never do: embrace her powers and admit that you can take the girl out of the tribe...but you can't take the tribe out of the girl.
Review: My Rating: 3 stars
I've been much better at pulling books off my personal shelves to read. Amazon Ink, I've been dying to read because my all time favorite heroines are ones that are physically strong aka kick ass. Amazons are the embodiment of strong females. However, I was not ass impressed with Amazon Ink or perhaps my hopes were too high.
Melanippe or Mel is a wonderful character but I think I wanted something just a bit more. Honestly, it seemed like she was being rolled over at times. Her mother spying on her and the grandmother lying to her and revealing all so publicly. Mel is very strong. Her magic was going right before my eyes but her Amazon physical strength was something I wish was apart of the story more.
The mystery to the plot was steady but for me didn't spark until the ending. Mel is somehow connected to a murderer of young Amazon women. The murders bring the Amazon world back to her foot steps after she left it all behind. Then the police are sniffing around as to be expected. Frankly towards the end an off-shoot group of the Amazons make themselves known. (Sorry, trying to be vague here and not give any thing away.) The idea of this group that the Amazon themselves did not know about was the most interesting piece. I wish it was revealed earlier and they some how played a larger role in the book.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed this book but I was just waiting for the fireworks. I did read the blurb for book two and I must admit I am excited because "the off-shoot group to the Amazons" (like my vagueness attempt?) seem to have more of a role in it. But I am somewhat bummed because it seems that the heroine might change and I really want to continue with Mel. I'm very eager to learn of her love interest and how she deals and what she does about everything. Even though I was Eh about this book I really wanted to love it because I really enjoyed the story from Mel's side. In fact, now it seems like her story hasn't even begun. Hmm, Mel definitely deserves more story time.
Aloha Everyone. The idea of RIPI is easily said by Steph @ Paper Cut Reviews, "Used books need love to." So here is a title that I have read and would like to pass on. For more info on RIPI click on the image. Feel free to enter and/or host your own RIPI.
To Enter: 1. Email address. AT... DOT...com is okay if not in profile. 2. Must be a US Resident and be willing the accept Media Mail delivery which means it's cheaper shipping but takes longer. 3. Be a follower here!!=) 4. Comment on the review or why you'd like to read Amazon Ink?
A little something about Dirty Blood: I killed a girl last night. I did it with my bare hands and an old piece of pipe I found lying next to the dumpster. But that’s not the part that got me. The part that scared me, the part I can’t seem to wrap my head around and still has me reeling, was that when she charged me, her body shifted – and then she was a wolf. All snapping teeth and extended claws. But by the time I stood over her lifeless body, she was a girl again. That’s about the time I went into shock… And that was the moment he showed up.
Now, all I can do is accept the truths that are staring me in the face. One, Werewolves do exist. And two, I was born to kill them.
Dirty Blood has received a facelift! Check out the brand new cover for Heather Hildenbrand’s newest YA paranormal romance, now available as an ebook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and other major ebook retail outlets for just $0.99! Also available in paperback from Amazon or CreateSpace for $11 plus shipping, or visit her website at www.heatherhildenbrand.blogspot.com for more information or to order a signed copy.
Giveaway
A note from Heather: Thanks so much for all the support from readers and fans that have already made this book a huge success for me. I hope you love the new cover just as much as I do! As a thank you, I’m offering a giveaway! A free ebook (format of your choice) to a lucky winner. Also, thanks to my bloggers for helping to reveal the new cover in style! I couldn’t do this without you!
Be sure to check in with my blog for the cover reveal of Book 2: Cold Blood, which is scheduled for unveiling in September. Cold Blood is due to release in November.
Thanks for stopping by!
Leave a comment with a way to reach you and that's it. Giveaway will close Aug 29th HST.
Opens Worldwide.
J.D. Stroube is a debut Author with Caged in Darkness having been released Aug 1st 2011. J.D. has other books in the works so be sure to follow her. See the links below.
Where are you from?
My home town is Countryside, IL. However, I have lived in many towns across IL. I now live in Naperville, IL, which is an amazing town! I’m in love with the downtown area, but mostly the Riverwalk! It’s beautiful!
Tell us your latest news?
I just released Caged in Darkness and will be coming out with the second book in the series on October 14, 2011. It’s called Caged by Damnation! The covers and synopsis are up on my website. www.jdstroube.weebly.com
When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing before I knew how to write. I would scribble on the back of menus and then read my stories to my family. They immediately zeroed in on my writing talent and encouraged it. I can’t remember a time before people told me I would eventually be an author. I did take a break for a few years. In high school, I took a creative writing class and the teacher seemed to enjoy poems more than other writing. I am not a poet. It made me distaste writing anything. When I was 20 or 21, I woke up in the middle of the night with a sudden urge to write. It was something that occurred nightly when I was younger, but I hadn’t felt it in years. I got out of bed and settled back into my old ways. I’ve been writing ever since.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
It’s difficult to pinpoint the moment when my mind began to perceive me as a writer. I have always written, but being a writer is a commitment. I think it was around the time that I was drawn back into writing. That was when I realized that writing was a part of me rather than something I did.
What inspired you to write your first book?
90% of my books are inspired by my dreams or my life. The other 10% are inspired by random things, such as a commercial, book, something someone says, or an experience. The first book I wrote was inspired by an extreme urge to write that had been denied too long. The first book I published was inspired by a dream.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I tend to favor characters that have a darker past. I am extremely descriptive and I love to surprise my readers. In my Caged series, I write in alternating first person point of view, which I clearly label so that my readers know whose head they are in. However, sometimes I prefer to write in third person or first person. I tend to choose the POV based on what I think would enhance the plot.
How did you come up with the title?
Caged in Darkness… I threw around a lot of titles and the series title too. I kept coming back to caged; it just wouldn’t let go. Once I decided on Caged, it was a matter of the book title. Darkness stood out because Savannah is plunged into darkness repeatedly. It seemed right to name the book Caged in Darkness.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes. I have a lot of underlying messages in my book.
You can never truly live until you decide for yourself that life is worth living.
There is always a choice.
People see the world from their own eyes, which is one dimensional. Once they learn how others see it, their world will transform into a completely new reality. Nothing is as it seems.
How much of the book is realistic?
The characterization is realistic. However, this is a paranormal novel. How realistic each circumstance is would depend on each person’s point of view. If you believe in witches, than it would be realistic to you, but if you don’t…it wouldn’t.
What books have most influenced your life most?
The Banned and Banished series by James Clemens influenced the way I write. His series managed to surprise me whenever I thought that there couldn’t be any more surprises. I never knew what to expect and it made his books into the type of world I cherished. I can only hope that one day I will be as great a writer, as he is. In some ways, I consider him a mentor.
What book are you reading now?
I am reading the Game of Thrones, which I originally saw on television. After seeing the show, I couldn’t wait to read the series! It’s a phenomenal book!
What are your current projects?
I am working on editing Caged by Damnation, then Death’s Leash, and Caged in Spirit. Once I am done with those, I will move onto finishing some of my other books.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
My friends! I’m lucky to have some of the greatest people in the world as my friends. The supported me through the entire process and continue to do so.
Do you see writing as a career?
I would love writing to be my career, but it would depend on my readers. I plan to be a psychologist, but would love for writing to be a second career. It’s my passion!
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Hmmm… I would have made Willow more interesting. I feel like Izzy overshadowed her.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I was with my family at Pizza Joynt. They wanted me to be quiet and handed me the menu. I was bored and one of them told me to write a story on the menu. I of course scribbled out my story and read them what I “wrote”.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Writing the synopsis! I love coming up with the idea for the book and writing it. However, writing a synopsis that would pull readers in is difficult. I over think everything in the synopsis and usually get writer’s block. Once the first book is written, in each book I have to give a basic summary to remind the reader what happened in the previous books. I don’t enjoy that part.
Who designed the covers?
Regina Wamba designed my covers and I LOVE them. I would recommend her to anyone who needs a cover, website design, logo, or even wants her to turn a personal photo into a graphic work of art.
Editing! No matter how hard an author and their team tries, it is impossible to get the editing perfect.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
I think my advice is similar to the advice most authors would give. Write what you know! Yes, the fantasy genre is something that you obviously haven’t lived.
Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their Dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful–and passionate—of the Elder Races.
As the most feared and respected of the wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they’ve ignited in each other.
Pia Knows she must repay Dragos for her trespass, but refuses to become his slave-although she cannot deny wanting him, body and soul...
My Review: Rating: 5/5 Stars
Front cover, back cover, first page flap and the page after that is brimming with Author ravings and I can see why! Dragon Bound, book one in the Elder Races series is packed with heat.
Dragos Cuelebre, the only known dragon in existence has been alive far a long time and has found life all too comfortable at the top of the food chain. Pia Giovanni is just the person Dragos's been looking for and didn't even know it. "Pia was his mystery. No one else's." (p 167)
Pia is out on a limb. Desperate times calls for desperate measures. She is on the run and trying to cover her tracks but in a world dripping with magic and magic creatures hiding is not so easy. No one has ever broke through Dragos's barriers and wards much less steal something from his horde. Dragos wants that thief for more reasons then one... in fact, the letter left in place of the missing coin has his knickers in a twist.
The romance is hot and sweet. Is that possible? Yes, it is. Thea Harrison does a tremendously fine job writing her characters. Dragos's character achieves a total alpha male sizzling with dominance while still remaining to be cute because he's honestly clueless.
"This is an unexpected honor, my lord," she gushed. "What can I do for you?"
"There are plastic bags with zippers on them. I've seen them in commercials," Dragos said to her. He snapped his fingers, trying to remember the name. "You put food in them."
"Ziploc bags?" she asked in a cautious voice.
He pointed at her. "Yes. I want one." (page 37)
Pia knows all too well the animal within-the Wyr aspect of Dragos. She knows when to push and when to cool back but at the same time never letting him step on her toes. Their shared romance is a paranormal romance fan's dream read. The relationship begins with lust and the confusion of the parameters. Pia's suppose to be a slave to repay Dragos for her crime but something else is happening. I enjoy complex story lines like this because the author then has the challenge of proving to me that love really exists between the two and really make me believe the happy outcome. I call this 'relationship of forced circumstance.' It is my favorite element in romance story lines but also the easiest to mess up if not written with care. Kudos, Thea Harrison has made me a believe in Pia and Dragos.
All in all, Dynamite read. Loved every page and looking forward to the entire series!
There are only eight breeding female werecats left . . .
And I'm one of them.
I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.
Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.
I'd been warned about Strays -- werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.
This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back . . . for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever -- and whoever -- I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays -- 'cause I got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them . . .
Review: My Rating: 5 Stars
Emotional Roller-coaster. Stray is a fantastic read. There is so much going on that my mind is a cluster of excitement and this is round two of reading. Yes, re-reading. I've read the entire series already.
Faythe has her faults and I say that knowing ALL but she's also a paradigm to my ideal heroine. She's kick ass tough and independent. Faythe is also one of few females and in the shifter world being female is better the all the gold and riches. So when two other female shifters go missing Faythe is wanting to save them while those who love her want to protect her from potential harm. Haha, let me just say that those loved ones have their work cut out for them.
I can not NOT say this when speaking of the series... "Team Marc!" Whew, now that that's done there is definitely romance brewing. In fact, romance in epic proportions. Marc is someone that Faythe has intimate history with so you can imagine the unease that cause between the two when feelings have not be sorted and dealt with. Then there is harmless flirting with long-time friend and bff to her brother, Jace. But what happens when the harmless flirting is not so harmless any more.
All in all, fantastic start to a series. But be forewarned, as much as I LOVE this series it is not to be read lightly. This series will have you on edge the whole way. In fact, for those who do not like love triangles... Hehehe... you may want to approach with caution. Now that is coming from someone who can truly enjoy a good love triangle. For those who love paranormal romance and/or shifter books this one is a must read because the world is completely Rachel Vincent's own.
Be a follower here!!=) 
![[US Edition] August 30th 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin Soul Thief (The Demon Trappers #2) by Jana Oliver](http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5633629671_0f0f0bcebd.jpg)
