BLOG TOUR Sacrifice by Stacey Rourke

Celeste Garrett has finally found a happy balance in her life as the Chosen One, thanks in large part to a certain hunky Irishman. But if there’s any lesson she should heed since receiving her calling it’s that everything can change in the blink of an eye. Soon a terrible new threat, unlike anything she’s ever encountered, causes her to make a gut-wrenching choice that will strip her of someone she holds dear.

As much as she’d like to have a pity party for one, there’s no time for that now because wedding bells are ringing in Gainesboro! In between dress fittings and rehearsal dinners Celeste will have to fend off attacking demons and leering pirates. As if the Dark Army wasn’t scary enough our heroine is faced with the horrifying trauma of attending a bachelorette party with her mom and watching Grams do Jello shots. Is a walk down the aisle even possible for a member of the Garrett family when the Dark Army is out to destroy them? More importantly, will the Dark Army Glee Club sing at the reception?

Raise your glass to the happy couple, and get ready for a wedding…Conduit-style.

GET TO KNOW ROWAN

Rowan has never been anything but honest about what he is … a pirate and demon that has found himself tangled with the Dark Army. For centuries his only motivation has only been his own self-serving needs. But changes are stirring within this seductive swashbuckler now that he’s met the Conduit. Meeting Celeste awakened a yearning within him to claim her as his own. Can he resist the temptation to use his ability against her when with a simple touch her mind can become his to bend and play with?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012. 

Stacey Rourke is the author of the Gryphon Series. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs. Stacey loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head. She is currently hard at work on the continuations of this series as well as other literary projects.

GET SACRIFICE FOR YOURSELF

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE 

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BLOG TOUR Shattered Promises by Jessica Sorensen

SHATTERED PROMISED BY JESSICA SORENSEN

**Mature Content Warning** 17+ for language and sexual content. (A re-imagining of The Fallen Star told as a New Adult Paranormal)

For twenty-one year-old Gemma, life has never been normal. She knows nothing about her past and has been haunted by the same monsters in her nightmares for the last few months. Unemotional and numb to life, she feels disconnected from everyone. Until the very first day she cries. After that, nothing in her life is the same.
Her emotions slowly surface and she starts experiencing love, happiness, and anger, feelings she never knew existed. But they leave her confused and she doesn’t know whether to embrace them or run away from them.
Her life only gets more complicated when she meets Alex. Sexy, arrogant, and secretive, Alex can get under Gemma’s skin like no one can. Yet she’s drawn to him by an invisible connection she has no control over. She’s also seen him before. In her nightmares.
Every part of Gemma’s mind is screaming at her to stay away from Alex, but every other part of her is begging to get close to him. But the closer she gets, the more she realizes Alex knows more about her than he originally let on.
As secrets about her past unravel, Gemma’s life becomes threatened. She needs to figure out what’s going on, before she winds up dead. But the only person she can turn to for answers is the one person she isn’t sure she can trust.

HERE'S WHAT I THOUGHT
I'll start of by saying The Fallen Star was the very first book I read by Jessica Sorensen and I have been a huge fan of hers ever since. When I heard that she was re-writing The Fallen Star into a NA series, I may have jumped up and down and clapped like the silly little fan girl I am. And then I waited....and waited...and then I begged for an ARC. And then I got it and I read it that day. Because, like I said, I'm a fan girl. And I fell so much more in love with all the characters I already knew so well! So I'm going to try and write this review without too much comparing between the two, but I can't promise anything.

You should know that you most definitely can read this book without reading The Fallen Star! You won't be missing out on anything(other than another great book) if you read this before or don't read the other at all.

Gemma has always known a life without the loving family and emotions that everyone else seemed to get. In fact, she doesn't ever remember crying. But one day, she does, and she begins to experience every emotion that she had never felt before. Happy, sad, tired, frustrated, hurt, and even lust, all coming at her hard and fast, leaving her little time to processes everything. On top of it, she meets Alex and she can't shake him out of her mind. But Alex is arrogant and downright rude to her, which may or may not only fuel her desire to be around him more. What Gemma doesn't know is the secrets that Alex holds might undo her entire outlook on her world, and his as well.

As Gemma starts to learn of a word full of Keepers, Witches, Foreseers,Vampires, Death Walks, Faeries, and so much more, so do you. You feel as if you're Gemma learning everything for the very first time, fitting together the missing pieces of the puzzle that is her life.

I loved Gemma in this book. She was much different than in The Fallen Star. Now Gemma is a women and despite her unemotional upbringing, she doesn't let that phase her when it comes to her new emotions. She knows what she wants and what she needs and she'll do what it takes to get it. She doesn't back down and cower when new situations present themselves, and I admire that in a female character.

Alex was just as big a butthole in this book than in The Fallen Star, but he is still a favorite of mine. He has a mission is is sent to do when it comes to Gemma, but there's a pull that draws him to her. He breaks the rules, regrets it, and then does it again. It's a vicious cycle that he doesn't know how to fix. You can really identify with him throughout the book. You can't help but cheer him on to make the right decisions!

There's a few other characters that will capture your heart. Aislin is Alex's sister who is gorgeous and smart but with supernatural talents of her own. And then there's Laylen, who is by far my favorite character. He has a scene in the beginning when you first meet him that just confirmed everything I thought about him before. He embraces what he is in Shattered Promises  instead of being ashamed of it in The Fallen Star, which makes him even more appealing and loveable.

I need book two to be out already because I can't wait to see what is in store with this grown up Gemma and Alex. They're so much more compatible in this book and I loved every minutes of it!

I GAVE SHATTERED PROMISES

FIVE CUPCAKES

CHECK IT OUT, YO!

You can find Shattered Promises on Goodreads and Amazon.

You can find Jessica Sorensen on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog.

 

I RECEIVED A  COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST OPINION.

BLOG TOUR & TOP FIVE Wolf Spell by M.R. Polish

WOLF SPELL BY M.R. POLISH

With a death starts a new beginning...

Eighteen-year-old Esmerelda thinks she’s just a normal girl, but all of that changes the day of her mom’s funeral, when a warlock, intent on using her special powers, kidnaps her. Powers she didn’t know existed. Thrown in the middle of a magical battle, Es struggles to learn her magic while fleeing both vampires and warlocks, at the same time, hunting for the witches that can help defeat her adversary. The only problem is that they are dead.

Thankfully, she has the help of Jarak—her Guardian—who quickly captures her heart, but she wonders if she can win his? Just when she thinks Jarak is the one for her, Ian appears with daggers drawn to save Es from a vampire attack. Ian is cocky and rude, but there is something magnetic about him—something that attracts her to him. With her heart torn between two men, she faces the foes that are out for her blood. Can Es do the unthinkable and awaken them from their graves before time runs out?

HERE'S WHAT I THOUGHT
Witches, Vampires, Guardians and spirit wolves - OH MY. I've read a lot of paranormal books with all these types of characters in them, and I have to say, this storyline is still very unique! I felt like I was learning about a whole new world(can I telleport there, please?) and it sucked me in. I was up until 5 AM to finish reading!

Esmerelda lead a normal life growing up. It wasn't until her mom passes away that her life goes haywire. And it's not because of normal events that follow the death of a parent. It's the fact that she learns she's a very powerful witch and has a very important role to play in a world she knows nothing about.

Esmerelda immediately captured my heart. She was so naive and sweet. I wanted to hug her and make her my BFF. But as her adventure progressed, she matured so much. I loved that she still held onto that innocent eighteen-year-old heart, but she was more confident and really grew into who she was.

There was also a really great love triangle, which we all know I can't resist. I had tweeted M.R. that I was all about Jarak, Es's Guardian. He's so protective of her as he gets drawn to her more and more. They are both so sweet about it, lusting after each other but not knowing how to react to their feelings. And then comes Ian, Jarak's brother, and I jumped ships. I'm a total bad boy lover and he got me with his splash of sweetness, too. How lucky is Es to have two awesome Guardians pinning after you? I may have been a little jealous.

 In all, I'm itching for the next one. We were going full speed ahead and I want to know what happens! We are left with so many possibilities to ponder and it's killing me. But that just makes me love Wolf Spell that much more!

 

I GAVE WOLF SPELL

 FIVE CUPCAKES

TOP FIVE WITH M.R. POLISH

I got to ask the lovely M.R. Polish what her Top Five Guilty Pleasures were. I think we would get along just fine with some of these answers! Chocolate, half naked men, and dancing. Sign me up!

1. Symphony Milk Chocolate Bars

2. Historical Native American Romances... You know the ones with super hot throbbing, bare chested warriors that kidnap the white woman and they fall in love? Ya, those.... *Swoon

3. Love Michael Jackson songs. I turn them up and sing along every time.

4. Total Twilight fan =)

5. Dancing in the house (usually when no one can watch lol)

CHECK IT OUT, YO!

You can find Wolf Spell on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads.
You can find M.R. Polish on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog.

I RECEIVED A  COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST OPINION. 

BLOG TOUR I Am Alive by Cameron Jace

I AM ALIVE BY CAMERON JACE

Every girl dies - not every girl really lives.

Sixteen-year-old Decca Tenderstone feels captivated when she meets Leo, who is arrogant, silent, beautiful, and shoots almost every one he meets.

the usual boring girl meets badboy story... hmm... with a twist ...

They live in a dystopian future in Los Angeles where every sixteen-year-old is ranked on a scale from one to ten to determine their future. Outranks, who are considered a danger to society, are forced to attend the Monster Show, a brutal sacrificing ritual that is broadcasted worldwide on live TV, where rebellious teens are labelled Bad Kidz or Monsters and get to fight for their lives in deadly games.

To prove that you're still alive you have to scream I Am Alive every six hours. Lower your voice, and you're dead.

Decca doesn't need Leo's company. She has secrets of her own. While they both can't stand each other, she will find out why she doesn't fit into any rank.

Nothing will stand in her way as she has to make choices concerning love, life, staying alive, growing up, and finding out who she really is.

HERE'S WHAT I THOUGHT

I'm a Dystopian nut. What can I say? It's my roots of where I started reading as an adults and I absolutely love the idea of the future that's not like the Jetsons. When I read the blurb for I Am Alive, it caught my eye immediately. It takes place in Los Angeles, which I am very familiar with growing up in San Diego and I always love stories where I can relate to where it is happening. 

We start off by meeting Katie on ranking day. She's is pre-ranked to be middle class and seems to be okay with that. She's content she's not going to be lower than a five, which would make her an Outrank and have consequences for her family, but she has a whole hidden agenda. She wants to get into the Monster Show and she has an amazing plan with an even more interesting reason behind it. 

This may make me a morbid person, but I love the idea of the Monster Show. Not because innocent children are dying, but I love the suspenseful emotion that it fires inside me. You start to become everyone's cheerleader, but you also start to feel the conflicted emotions of what would you do if you were in that situation. It's nerve-wracking! I felt like I was there and it's creepy and intriguing all rolled into one. 

You also meet Leo, a rock star of his time, who is mysterious and also it's questionable if he's trustworthy. I liked him from the beginning but I wanted to know more. I wanted to know his story. I STILL want to know his story, even though you learn bits and pieces of it, but I will have to wait until the next book. In fact, there's a whole lot of things I still want to find out, which makes this book so awesome. You get so sucked into this new world that you are left wanting more.

Another favorite part of mine was all pop culture references. First it was the added Z's to words and then when I found out about The Breakfast Club, I about had a heart attack. Also, the Monster Show takes place where Disneyland used to be! And they ride on some of the old school rides and I kept thinking, "I've been there! I've done that!" It was pretty cool. 

Last but not least, there's a love interest in this book. It's sweet and not the whole story, but everyone needs someone to ship in books and you will definitely be a Leo and Katie shipper! Or else we can't be friends. Okay, maybe we can. Maybe! 

I GAVE I AM ALIVE

FIVE CUPCAKES 

CHECK IT OUT, YO!

You can find I Am Alive on Goodreads and Amazon,  

You can find Cameron Jace on Facebook, Twitter and his blog. 

I RECEIVED A  COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST OPINION.  

BLOG TOUR Exhale by Jennifer Snyder

EXHALE BY JENNIFER SNYDER

Inhaling in life is easy. It’s the exhaling—the letting go— that’s the hard part.

Katie Elliot has always known the Conner twins. For years she secretly pined after one, while playfully averting the advances of the other. Once upon a time, she was fine with that. Then came the moment when her twin of preference kissed her and changed everything.

As if realizing love can be complex—even when it’s reciprocated— isn't hard enough, tragedy strikes, tearing Katie and the boy she’s always desired apart. Finding herself torn between love and guilt, Katie must learn when it’s acceptable to let go—when it’s finally okay to exhale.

HERE'S WHAT I THOUGHT

The blur and the cover really made me excited to read this book. I grew up by the beach, so it's something that has always played into my heart's song. I also am a sucker for love triangles. Both of these things seemed to be present in Exhale just based upon looks alone.

Katie is a young girl whose two best friends are her twin neighbor boys. Derek is the strong silent type that Katie can't get out of her mind, while Kyle is the loud, obnoxious one that not-so-secretly pines after her. Derek and Katie finally let each other in on their feelings for each other, but then comes a tragedy that strikes the entire town, directly effecting Katie and Derek's relationship and themselves as a people.

Katie is your typical teenager. She has wants what she can't have while her best girlfriend is flirty and outgoing. Once she finally gets Derek, she falls deeply. Ah, the joys of young love. I also enjoyed Derek and Kyle throughout the book. Kyle was a great character who I thought added a lot of fun into their story. Derek was strong and protective and always did what he felt was right. I admired that.

That being said, I had to look past some things to really enjoy Katie's story. I felt like something was missing from the beginning of the book. It started off great and then just felt very rushed after that. I felt like Derek and Katie went from zero to thirty in five seconds flat. I understood it was young love, but I guess I didn't feel the character development before they got there. Katie seemed very one dimensional to me as the main character. I just couldn't feel that attachment to her, although I did feel it with Derek and Kyle. I would have liked to see some more development of the story before the night of the first party. 

In all, I liked the storyline and most of the characters. It was a sweet and painful tale of young love, which everyone has experience in one way or the other.

I GAVE EXHALE

THREE AND A HALF CUPCAKES

CHECK IT OUT, YO!

You can find Exhale on Goodreads, Amazon, Smashwords and Barnes & Noble.
You can find Jennifer Snyder on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog. 

DOUBLE THE GIVEAWAY

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I RECEIVED A  COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST OPINION.

BLOG TOUR Bloggers Love Bloggers

Today we get a special treat! An interview with another blogger. This blog tour rocks! So I'd like to introduce Brooke of The Cover Contessa. Unforurtunetly, Blogger decided to delete her blog for spam(even though she's anything but spam!), so she's been blogging over at Contessa at the Crossroads! You can also check her out on Facebook! She interviewed me in the very beginning of January and now it's my turn to return the favor! A big thank you to Brooke! It was lovely meeting you. Check your her blog and show some love!


Can you tell us a little about yourself? 
Well, my name is Brooke. I’m 41 years old and I have three young boys who are 9, 6 and 3. I am a nurse. I have been married to my husband, Jeff, for 11 years. We met through Match.com! And, of course, I LOVE books, or else why would I be blogging about them, right?

What are three unique, quirky, or silly talents or habits that you may have? 
Hmmm…interesting question. The first thing I can think of is my shower routine, I have to do everything in the same order every time I take a shower, or else I feel all discombobulated. Second thing I can think of is that I turn the tab of my soda can slightly to the right after I open it, so I always know what can is mine! Finally, I can’t stop reading a book in the middle of a chapter. I must finish the chapter or I feel incomplete!

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod(or you know, other musical device)? 
Funny, I really just listen to the radio, so it’s whatever comes on when I’m listening. Although, I tend to stay on the 80s music station on in my car. And if I had to choose something to listen to, it would ALWAYS be something by Duran Duran.

When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time? 
Free time, what the heck is that? I don’t have much of that, with my three rug rats running around, but when I do get some free time I spend it reading, of course!

What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up? 
The last book was Asunder (Newsoul #2) by Jodi Meadows. I had three times in the book where I got teary eyed, didn’t actually cry, tho. 

What’s your idea of an amazing meal?

 Anything Italian, really. I love love love eggplant parm or rolatini. A good Italian meal includes that, antipasti, bread and a glass of awesome red wine.

What story does your family always tell about you? 
My uncle tells the story of the first time he met me (he’s my aunt’s second husband). They pulled up in front of my building and all he saw was this little stick of a girl doing cartwheels down the street towards him. He says that his first impression of me was spot on: hyper, funny, fun, talkative and ALWAYS on the move!

NOW ONTO SOME FUN BLOG STUFF!

What book did you most recently read or are reading now? 
I just finished an ARC of Dualed (Dualed #1) by Elsie Chapman. Currently I am reading an ARC of Fire Country (Country #1) by David Estes.

What was the first book you read that you just knew you had to let the author know how much you loved it? 
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. I was flabbergasted with this book. It just floored me. I immediately sent her a note telling her how amazing it was. Since them I have come across many authors that I’ve sent notes: Christine Fonseca, A.G. Howard, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Julie Reece. L.S. Murphy, Emi Gayle, and my list could go on and on!

What genre do you like to read the best? 
I love the YA genre, and I’ll pretty much read any sub-genre of that, although I stay away from the really creepy stuff (it’s gives me bad dreams). I tend to gravitate towards the paranormal and dystopian books, tho.

Were you always a reader or is it something that you didn’t enjoy until later in life?
 I was a big reader when I was younger, through my 20s and into my early 30s. As a matter of fact, my first degree is in English! Then I got married and had kids and it kind of dwindled away having to deal with raising children, activities, work, and keeping a house together. I started reading again about a year and a half ago and I haven’t stopped since! I love reading and would rather be doing that than any other activity.

Out of all the books you’ve read which character do you relate to or see yourself in? Why? 
This is a hard one because most of the books I read focus on teens, and I’m a 41 year old woman! LOL! What I can say is that the characters who are the strongest are the ones I can relate to the most. A few I can think of off the top of my head are Alex from the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout and Mac from Emi Gayle’s After Dark (The 19^th year #1). These two characters are really strong and independent and that is definitely who I am.

Any books that you thought you weren’t going to enjoy, but ended up really loving? 
Splintered by A.G. Howard. It sounded quite good, but I’m not usually a fan or such macabre works. It’s based on Alice in Wonderland, but it’s much darker. I ended up truly loving it and now I’m a huge fan of Howard. Also, Laurie Faria Stolarz’s Deadly Little Secrets series. I picked up the first book because she was going to be at an author signing I was going to and I thought I should read her book. I tore through it in less than a day.

How you first got involved in with blogging?
 I wanted to share my thoughts and love of books. It really is something that I just do for fun. I don’t make money doing it. I have met so many great people and authors on Goodreads my blog has just kind of blossomed. Plus, I have become friendly with a few editors and publicists and that has really made blogging special for me (I feel like I’m really a part of helping authors get their books out there to be read and loved).

What do you do when you aren’t working on your blog? 
I am a nurse at a nursing home not far from my house. I don’t do direct patient care, but I still get to interact with the residents and families. When I’m not working, I’m taking care of my three small children and my house. Any other time I’m usually blogging, reading or finding stuff on the internet that has to do with books!

Name some of the bloggers whom you look up to and why?  
Kathy from I Am A Reader Not a Writer, because her blog is great. Jean Book Nerd because she has some of the most awesomest interviews and giveaways. The girls at WinterHavenBooks, because their blog is fun and spectacular. Kay Leigh from KBooks because she’s so helpful whenever I have questions and we’ve just become buddies. There are so many more I can list (and I’m actually compiling a list so I can thank everyone when my one year bloggaversary comes around).

Have you got to meet or interview anyone that has made you star struck?  
I got to meet so many authors this last year, I am not sure where to start! LOL! I met Jennifer L. Armentrout twice, and I am just awed by her and her ability to blast out books. I got to meet Tahereh Mafi last Spring and she is just so down to earth and funny. I just met Kate Brian over this last weekend and I’m amazed at how much she has written with having children and a life outside of writing! Cyn Balag and Jennier Murgia who organized a huge YA festival in Easton PA last year with over 30 authors. And pretty much every author I have met, which are so many to list here right now you’d be crossing your eyes! 

NOW FOR A FEW SILLY ONES! 
  
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? 
Invisibility. I don’t know why, to be honest. I just think it would be cool that no one could see me but I could see them. I love to people watch!

Craziest thing you've ever done? 
 Honestly, I don’t do crazy things. Probably skinny dipping in the ocean in Miami with my friend and her boyfriend.

What's the funniest prank you've ever pulled?
I’ll admit, I’m boring, I can’t think of a prank that has really been all that funny. I do remember calling my neighbors as a child to ask if their refrigerator was running. When they said yes I would shout “then you better go chase it!” and hang up!