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Wednesday 29 July 2020

Cover Reveal - The Lost King by Frazier Alexander


The Lost King
(FyreSyde Publishing)
Author: Frazier Alexander
Publication Date: November 10th, 2020

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Book Description:
In an ancient place, in an ancient time…

King Athan vanishes at sea. His children, prince Thalos and princess Thara, drift apart with age, their kingdom falling into ruin. Thalos stubbornly clings to the past; Thara, resentful of her father, looks to the future. In the wake of this decline, a beautiful enchantress usurps the throne from the estranged siblings. She exiles Thalos to the edge of the world and slowly enslaves Thara’s mind.

In his exile, Thalos finds another castaway—an old comrade of his father. Together they begin a voyage in search of the lost king. Thara, meanwhile, resists the new queen’s coercive spells and finds a resistance of creatures still loyal to her father.

With a vast world of enchanted islands and beings between them, Thalos and Thara struggle to restore their family and rekindle the hope of the true king’s return.




About the Author
Along with creating his own mythological backdrop for his stories, Frazier is an amateur calligrapher, map-maker, and artist. He is currently working on his master’s in Medieval Literature at the University of North Texas.

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BOOK REVIEW: Open Minds (Mindjack: Kira Book 1) by Susan Kaye Quinn

Open Minds
Series: Mindjack: Kira Book 1
Author: Susan Kaye Quinn
Genre: YA Fantasy / Dystopian

Book Description:
When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.

Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can’t read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can’t be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf’s mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she’s dragged deep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.

Buy Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34798013-ash-born


MY REVIEW

Trying to fit into a world of mind readers isn't an easy task for Kira Moore, a zero who can't read thoughts or have her thoughts read by others. Ever the optimists, her family and her best friend Raf still think there's a chance Kira could develop her mind-reading abilities despite the fact that at the age of sixteen she is long past the usual age of transition. As Kira starts to accept the fact that she's destined for life as a zero, the unexpected happens: she jacks Raf's mind and controls his actions. This new-found ability terrifies Kira, who not only has a hard time trying to find her place in the world, but she now has to hide the fact that she poses a threat to everyone around her. Kira is determined to stay away from Raf and push her new ability to the side, however, Simon, a fellow pupil at her school, has other plans. Simon is also a mind-jacker. Feeling a little less isolated, Kira allows Simon to teach her the ropes but soon start to realise that keeping the secret of being a mind-jacker comes with no perks as it means she has to decide whether or not to pretend to be a mind-reader or a zero, which would mean betraying the trust of those she loves.

It's not long before Kira's secret life start to weight heavy on her, causing a disruption in her home and school life. When she discovers that she and Simon aren't the only mind-jackers in town and that Simon has been trying to recruit her to join an organisation rooted in keeping the identity of mind-jackers a secret in order to evade capture by an organisation her dad works for, she starts to wonder whether or not Simon is friend or foe and whether or not her she can trust her family.

I must admit, I have had this ebook in my library for some time now, and while it has taken me over two years to get to it, it was worth the read. It was a thrilling book full of action, drama and intrigue. It reminded me somewhat of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley with the whole concept of existing in a world where your thoughts aren't private. It's very intrusive and terrifying, the idea that everyone is sharing their mental space, yet what I found interesting was the fact that Kira's fear stemmed from the fact that society ostracises those who cannot read minds and not the fact that being a mind-reader would be mean losing one's identity in a sea of intercepting thoughts.

It was an enjoyable read with a formidable leading character. I loved that Kira wasn't perfect, neither were the other characters. They wee flawed and didn't pretend to be anything more or less than who they were. I should have liked Raf more than I did, being that he's Kira's love interest, but I found Simon more engaging as there were more levels and complexities to his character.

VERDICT


Award: Gold
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Source: Own copy

Sunday 26 July 2020

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Game Maker by Kitty Thomas

The Game Maker
Author: Kitty Thomas
Publication Date: July 15th, 2020
Genre: Adult Dark Romance

Book Description:
I was too isolated. I was about to be evicted. I made a final desperate call to the man who ruined my life, but he didn’t come for me.

Someone else did.

And then there was Seven. When I first woke in the cell, I thought he was my captor, but he is a pawn, like me.

Seven is beautiful and kind. I want him so much I can barely breathe. He wants to protect me from our captor, but he can’t.

We are both locked inside a game neither of us can ever hope to win, and even though it’s wrong, I’m starting to want both men, not just the good one… the monster as well.

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BOOK REVIEW - Dragon's Breath by Michael Gordon

Dragon's Breath
Author: Michael Gordon
Genre: Picture Book
Publication Date: 26 April 2017

Book Description:
What happens when a Dragon doesn't brush his teeth? Well…we all heard about the ''dragon's breath’’. That's why learning proper dental care is really important for a little boy and his friend Dragon Joe.

* Teach the importance of brushing teeth in a cute and fun way
* Create more positive attitudes in preschoolers
* Perfect book for kids who love dragons
*Solutions that help keep teeth clean and healthy

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MY REVIEW

George and his pet dragon, Joe, are the best of friends. They do everything together, execept one thing: Joe refuses to brush his teeth. When Joe's oral hygiene start to become a problem, George has to think up clever ways to convince Joe that brushing one's teeth is vital.

This was a jolly good read. I thought it was cleverly executed. George and the Dragon, Dragon's Breath ... Clever play on words. The book had a great message about oral hygiene, which is a common problem among youths, so it's a very important and relatable read. It's a book the whole family can read. Good illustration and rhythm continuity throughout.

VERDICT


Award: Gold
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Source: Own copy

Friday 24 July 2020

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Inherent Fate by Alicia Anthony

Inherent Fate
(Blood Secrets, #3)
Author: Alicia Anthony
Publication Date: July 21st, 2020
Genre: Psychological Suspense

Book Description:
A discarded asset stripped of her identity…

An emotionally scarred ex-agent…

An innocent life hanging in the balance…

Who would you trust if the world was out to get you?

Losing Liv Sullivan in a Bureau operation gone bad turned ex-agent Ridge McCaffrey into a broken man. So when fate reunites him with the woman he thought was dead, he’ll risk anything to make her part of his life again.

Liv Sullivan returned to the States with two goals: end the FBI’s corrupt GenLink psychic intelligence program and reclaim the life it stole from her. But when the case against GenLink exposes a threat against Ridge’s son, the cost becomes too great. Refusing to destroy more lives, she leaves Ridge, and the chance to reclaim her identity, behind. 

But as a new generation of GenLink closes in, once-trusted allies become enemies, and long-buried secrets threaten.

Can Liv and Ridge end GenLink before echoes of the past destroy their future?

Inherent Fate is the compelling third installment in the Blood Secrets psychological suspense series. For fast-paced, emotionally intense story lines that keep you up past your bedtime, and intricate plots laced with romance, this award-winning series is for you.

Book 3 of 3. Series is best enjoyed in sequence.

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Wednesday 22 July 2020

Book Blitz - Her Second Chance Cowboy by Makenna Lee



Her Second Chance Cowboy
Author: Makenna Lee
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Description:
Wealthy cowboy, James MacLachlan, is content running his massive family ranch and starting an equine therapy program for special needs children. After his mother died in childbirth, and witnessing his father’s destruction at the loss of true love, James sticks to casual affairs. Marriage and children are risks he won’t take.

Reese Turner visits Cypress Creek, Texas, to complete a photo assignment for National Geographic and buy back her grandparents’ cottage. After disastrous romances, she’s sworn off men to focus on her career. Marriage and the babies she longs for can wait. When she runs into an old flame, she decides she can live out a fantasy, then leave town to pursue her dreams. But love doesn’t play by the rules…

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Tuesday 21 July 2020

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Falling for the Innkeeper by Meghann Whistler

Falling for the Innkeeper
Author: Meghann Whistler
Published by: Harlequin Love Inspired
Publication Date: July 21st, 2020
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:
She’s the home he never expected to find.

A battle for a charming Cape Cod inn…

But what happens when romance checks in?

Single mom Laura Lessoway won’t accept her mother’s plan of selling her late grandmother’s inn without a fight. But when big-city attorney Jonathan Masters arrives to arrange an offer from his client, she’s drawn to him. And working together as he helps with repairs only brings them closer. With his career and her home on the line, can they ever find common ground?

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Sunday 19 July 2020

Book Blitz & Giveaway - The Aftermath of Drifting Away by Audrey Beaudoin

The Aftermath of Drifting Away
(Fate, #1)
Author: Audrey Beaudoin
Publication Date: July 15th, 2020
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Book Description:
We survived the plane crash. 

We survived days on a raft in the middle of the ocean. Right when all hope to get rescued crumbled, we shared a kiss that left me heartbroken―my first and last kiss.

Or so I thought. Because we didn’t die. 

My plan is to never see Chris Ross again. To keep hanging out with his sister without crossing his path. Getting my life back together and working on my goals are the only things that matter. I have plans, and they don’t include love. 

But then he shows up at my workplace, asking for my friendship. When I learn something that changes everything, I’m determined to stay away and not let myself fall for him.

Too bad he’s persistent. Too bad I can’t stop thinking about the damn kiss. Too bad it’s nice having him around and being his friend.

If things were to change, they could get really complicated…

The Aftermath of Drifting Away is a sweet contemporary forbidden romance. It is the first book in the Fate series that can be read as a stand-alone.

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Wednesday 15 July 2020

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Where Loyalties Lie by Jill Ramsower

Where Loyalties Lie
Author: Jill Ramsower
Publication Date: July 15th, 2020
Genre: Adult Romance / Suspense

Book Description:

Tamir
My neighbors and students know me as a self-defense instructor.
Israeli ex-patriot. Former special forces. Retired soldier.
They see what I allow them to see.

Reality is far less attractive.

I still do the job that I love.
Something much uglier than teaching Krav Maga.
Only now, I work for myself instead of the government.
An independent contractor, if you will.

For those wealthy enough to hire me, my resume reads:
Israeli ex-patriot. Former special forces. Professional assassin.

Emily
There is absolutely nothing remarkable about me.
At least, that’s what my friends would say.

Waitress. Loner. Tequila connoisseur. Krav Maga student.

What they don’t know is an ugly secret forced me to abandon my past.
I left my family and everything I knew.
Hid myself away where no one would find me.
I thought I was safe. Untraceable.

I was wrong.

Now, there’s only one thing I can do if I want to stay alive.
Run.

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Sunday 12 July 2020

BOOK REVIEW - Screamcatcher: Dream Chasers by Christy J Breedlove

Screamcatcher: Dream Chasers
Author: Christy J. Breedlove
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: 24th March 2020

Book Description:
Seventeen year-old Jory Pike knows a thing or two about Indian lore from her half-blood Chippewa ancestry. She can trap, hunt and fish with the best of them. She has a team of three other teens friends called The Badlands Paranormal Society. Instead of bagging groceries or playing on I-pods, they think they can excel at banishing evil spirits. They hope to cleanse houses and earn fat paychecks for their services.

Dream catchers aren't just the chic hoops tourists buy at novelty shops--they work. And sometimes they clog up with nightmares until they collapse under their own evil weight, imploding and sending the dreamer into an alternate world. Jory uses her worst nightmare to enter the dream catcher world. She’s pulled her teammates in deliberately. Everything goes right on schedule but they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. Now Jory and her friends are there, trapped between the people who have confessed their sins to the Great Spirit and are seeking a way out, and the monsters and evil spirits, which are happy to keep them trapped in the web world forever.

They were once considered Seekers in the dream world. Now they’ve become vigilantes and call themselves Pathfinders. Is it spiritual enlightenment they after? Or have they now become fatally reckless?

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MY REVIEW

Jory Pike and the gang have returned with a mission that is quite literally a nightmare. As The Badlands Paranormal Society, they offer a service to all those in need of banishing evil spirits. Why? Because if they don't, who else is going to get their hands dirty and come to the rescue of those in need of help? As prepared as they believe they are, however, there are just some things one cannot prepare the mind for. Will they survive this time around? Only time will tell.

This was certainly an improvement from the previous book, particularly in character development. The dynamics of the characters and their relationship with one another was much more noticeable and their personalities came across a lot more, especially the supporting characters. I still couldn't relate much with characters and didn't connect with anyone other than Jory, but I did appreciate that the supporting characters had more of a presence. The characters appeared younger than their age, which would explain some of their releckless and immature behaviour in certain scenes. I got a Scooby Doo meets Goosebumps vibes a few times, which I believe was mostly down to the way the characters were portrayed. This did help lighten the mood as the characters did encounter some dark and dangerous missions.

It was definitely an exciting book that compels one to broaden their imagination. It's adventurous and intense and delves into a fascinating mythology that hasn't been explored enough. A good read indeed.

VERDICT


Award: Gold
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: Author

Thursday 9 July 2020

Book Blitz & Giveaway - A Spectacle of Souls by Jessica Julien

A Spectacle of Souls
(Circus of the Stolen #1)
Author: Jessica Julien
Published by: Bleeding Ink Publishing
Publication Date: July 7th, 2020
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Book Description:
Caitlyn always thought she was just your average small-town waitress, but she’s anything but average. Suffering from frequent headaches and vivid daydreams, her oddities mask a secret hidden deep within her mind—one that could defeat even the cleverest of psychics.

When a mysterious circus arrives in town, Caitlyn is immediately drawn to it. While visiting the hypnotic show, she meets a seer who warns her of a gruesome future and urges her to stay away. But soon, Caitlyn finds herself ensnared in the show and the Ringmaster himself.

Recognizing Caitlyn’s powers for what they are, and believing they are the ones he has been searching for, the Ringmaster is determined to claim them as his own. Trapped within the circus and the Ringmaster’s devious grip, Caitlyn realizes that to escape the seer’s foretold fate, her only choice is to fight. Banding together with Bevier, an imprisoned psychic, Meg, an eccentric seamstress, and Daniel, a handsome magician, Caitlyn falls into the Psychic Realm to thwart the Ringmaster and stop the show before they succumb to his control and are trapped forever in his spectacle of souls.

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Monday 6 July 2020

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Kaps by Christina Bauer

Kaps
(Angelbound Offspring #5)
Author: Christina Bauer
Published by: Monster House Books
Publication Date: June 30th, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy

Book Description:
Sometimes, you just have to punch a shape-shifting vampire Nazi. Like tonight, for instance.

Meet Princess Kaps: renegade, dragon shifter, and general pain in her royal parent’s backsides. Although Kaps pretends to love rock and roll, she’s actually obsessed with fighting the Audax, a group of shape-shifting vampire Nazis. And to slay herself some vampires, Kaps collects magical dragon relics.

Enter the L’Griffe–AKA the shifter mafia–who also hunt down supernatural artifacts. Kaps gets in their way and ends up with a price on her head. And things get tricky.

A bounty hunter named Mack comes to collect. Although he’s human, Mack knows all about shifter ways. And what he lacks in shifting power, Mack more than makes up for with a lethal combination of looks, strength, and smarts. After luring the princess away with an epic kiss, Mack slaps some supernatural handcuffs on Kaps, tosses her in a van, and heads off to L’Griffe headquarters with his quarry.

The fact that Kaps is really dragon royalty doesn’t bother Mack in the slightest. And the Audax don’t frighten him, either.

But that kiss with Kaps? It might be a problem.

“I am super intrigued by Kaps! She is independent, snarky and adventurous, and just a hint jaded. I can’t wait to see what terrible mischief she finds herself in during her own book!” – Smada’s Book Smack

Angelbound Offspring
1. Maxon
2. Portia
3. Zinnia
4. Rhodes
5. Kaps
6. Huntress

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Thursday 2 July 2020

Cover Reveal - Damned When I Didn't by Cherie Colyer


Damned When I Didn’t
Author: Cherie Colyer
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: Winter 2020
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance,

Book Description:
Death isn’t the end for eighteen-year-old Avery Williams, and her final resting place isn’t beyond the Golden Gates. No, the Queen of the Damned has plans for her and, unbeknownst to Avery, fought hard to gain possession of her soul. As Hell’s newest succubus, Avery is expected to siphon life from the living. It only takes a long, meaningful kiss, but for a virgin like Avery, kissing guys she barely knows isn’t something she’s comfortable doing. Avery focuses on the upside of her fate—she’ll be returning home, or so she thinks. When the Queen of the Damned cuts her off from her old life, Avery is determined to find a way back to her family and friends, even if it means facing Hell’s fury if she’s caught.




About the Author
Cherie Colyer is the author of Challenging Destiny and the Embrace series. When she's not getting the fictional people in her life into trouble, she can be found solving network issues at work, spending time with family and friends, reading, or exploring the great outdoors.

Cherie lives in Illinois with her family.

To learn more about Cherie and her novels visit www.CherieColyer.com

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Tuesday 30 June 2020

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Fireborne by McKenzie Hunter

Fireborne
(Raven Cursed #1)
Author: McKenzie Hunter
Publication Date: November 1st, 2019
Genre: NAUrban Fantasy

Book Description:
My magic isn’t just a curse – it’s an addiction. I crave it the way some people crave chocolate. But, chocolate doesn’t kill – my magic does.

I’m Raven Cursed. When I borrow magic from someone, they die. That’s always been the case—until I met my client, the devilishly handsome and enigmatic Mephisto. He has his own brand of unique magic and a mysterious past he’s determined to keep to himself.

He knows that I’m the one to call anytime a curse goes wrong, a magical object is lost, or a rogue supernatural needs apprehending. So he offers a trade. He’ll give me his magic, and in return, I accept a job from him.

It seems like a simple deal until all hell breaks loose. We have to team up to stop a god from unleashing destruction upon the city. It leaves me to wonder: can I battle a god with the devil at my back?

Buy Links:

Sunday 28 June 2020

BOOK REVIEW: I'm Possible (I Can Book 2) by Anitha Rathod


I'm Possible
Author: Anitha Rathod
Series: I Can
Genre: Picture Book
Publication Date: 3 June 2020

Book Description:
Julia loves to play with the letters. The letters teach her new words that keep her hooked to the world of books. She enjoys playing scrabble and cross words. The letters make words and the words make sentences and these sentences make the wonderful books. Julia collects news words and hangs them up on her wall and learns their meanings. The joyful letters are happy to jump around on her wall. One day, Julia comes across a word that acts strangely on the wall. They refuse to stay together as a word and want to stay apart unless Julia promises to change their meaning. Learn how Julia discovers the new meaning for the word, 'IMPOSSIBLE.'

In the last book, "The silent T," Julia learns that the letter T is silent when one says, 'I can't' and now in this book she discovers the new meaning to the word, 'Impossible.' A captivating book that teaches young kids that nothing is impossible if one has the determination and the will to follow their dreams. A book that inspires never give up attitude.

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MY REVIEW

Julia loves to learn, especially when it comes to learning new words. She comes across a dilemmma one day as the new word she is learning decides it wants to change its meaning. Julie comes to learn that there could be more than one meaning to a word and you can turn something negative into something postive as long as you are determined to never give up and willing to try new things. There's a great lesson here for young minds that I think was very well delivered. Julia's will and determination came across well and not forced, which I think is very important when it comes to garnering a child's full attention for them to truly capture the essence and theme of the book.

I loved the illustrations and the playful imagination throughout the book (Julia riding a letter, for instance). This was a very engaging read indeed.

VERDICT


Award: Gold
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Source: BookSirens

Friday 26 June 2020

Book Blitz & Giveaway - Betting on Sin by Maria Ann Green


Betting on Sin
Author: Maria Ann Green
Publication Date: June 26th, 2020
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Description:
Greta has been here before. Like, literally. She was just in this Las Vegas penthouse a couple months ago. Back then she was meeting Finn, the handsome bachelor looking for love, on The Lock—the most popular reality dating TV show around. But when she was here last time she was dumped, and went home alone instead of engaged. Life sucks sometimes.

But, other times, that same life has a beautiful way of showing you why it sucked so hard before – so you can appreciate what comes next even more. Because now Greta is the next lucky bachelorette to have thirty or so men worshiping her while she breaks up with them one at a time. It’s weird to be recognized in public, and even weirder to have so many dudes fighting over her. Actually after just a couple days it’s kind of exhausting, especially when she’d rather send all but a couple of them home. Be careful what you wish for, right?

Throughout the whirlwind Greta spends more time with her personal cameraman, Oliver, than she does on Trysts with the guys she’s supposed to be falling in love with. And the more time she spends with Oliver the less she wants to spend with anyone else. Anyone. Even the guys here for her. It gets worse too. The fact that he’s behind the scenes instead of on the big screen…it’s not the only problem. He also has a girlfriend. And that’s a line Greta won’t cross. But she can’t stop wishing she’d met him before all of this craziness.

Will Greta get her head together long enough to focus on following the rules of the show, or will she screw up this second shot at love too?

*Content Warning: sex, alcohol use, and language*

If you like reality dating TV shows, romances with steam and heart, female leads with no time for conflict or bullshit, and redheads, then Betting On Sin might be your next favorite book. It has plenty of awkward moments, friends to lovers, and promises the most dramatic season finale yet. It’ll keep you up way too late, reading just one more chapter all night.

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