Book Blast! From Gods by Mary Ting

From Gods by Mary Ting
Genre: Young Adult (Fantasy Romance/Greek Mythology)
Date Published: October 17, 2013
Publisher: Self

Did you just see a flash of lightning across the sky on a clear sunny day? Don’t blame Mother Nature.

Skylar Rome should have been having the best summer ever, before heading off to college. Suddenly her whole life changes while visiting her cousin, and meeting the Grand brothers; Mason, in particular. Though she’s sure he is someone she should stay away from, the attraction was undeniable.

Strange things begin to happen, throwing Skylar’s life into turmoil. Implausibly, she gets caught up in a world where the descendants of ancient gods have super powers, and evil beings are after her. Not only are her discoveries difficult to accept, but now she is running out of time and running for her life, while trying to unravel the mystery of what they want from her. 

Forced into a battle set into motion long before she was born, will Skylar find the answers she seeks, or will she die trying?

Have you read the Crossroads Series by Mary Ting yet?

Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book-No Bullies Allowed. Check out my interview with Mary Ting!

To learn more about Mary Ting and her books, visit her website & blog.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

The Forgotten Ones Book Highlight & Giveaway!

The Forgotten Ones (The Danaan Trilogy #1) by Laura Howard
Genre: New Adult (Paranormal/Fantasy Romance)

Date Published: April 28, 2013
Publisher: Self

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity. Check out my review of The Forgotten Ones!

Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel. Check out a Guest Post by Laura Howard!

To learn more about Laura Howard and her books, visit her blog.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

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Tragic Love Tour!

Tragic Love (Sulfur Heights #2) by M.S. Brannon

Genre: New Adult (Contemporary Romance)
**Mature Content Warning** 
17+ for language and sexual content**
Date Published: November 6, 2013
Publisher: Self

“From the moment I locked eyes with hers, we've had this undeniable connection that was and will always be wicked. A love that would literally kill me if it didn't survive, but lately, could kill me if it did.” ~Drake Evans.

For Drake and Presley, life has handed them more challenges than any one person should ever face in a lifetime. Together, they've survived Presley’s captivity from her deranged uncle, but now they must learn how to live with the events that surrounded her time spent with him, while keeping the details of her rescue a secret.

For Presley Quinn, living the last two years has been practically unbearable, constantly drowning in nightmares put there by a man responsible for the violent images continually playing in her mind. She keeps moving forward, but is barely clinging onto the edge when she’s faced with another obstacle from her past that is so unavoidable, so tragic, it threatens to break her apart—herself.

Drake will do anything to protect Presley from ever feeling pain again. His love is irrefutable. He walks side by side with her, vowing he will never let anyone harm her again. However, when an unexpected event turns Presley against everyone she’s ever loved, Drake is faced with trying to save the only woman he’s ever loved or severing the only lifeline she’s ever had—himself.

**Mature Content Warning** 17 years and older for language and sexual content.

“It’s time to go, sir,” the overweight guard says to me as he opens the door to the parking lot. I ignore him and press my lips harder against hers. I don’t want her to forget how much I love her. “Sir, it’s time to go.”

“I love you so much, Drake. Thank you for the necklace. I promise, I’ll never forget,”

Presley says between the movements of our lips.

I break our kiss then move toward the door, keeping her fingers firmly entwined with mine. Her skin is soft and tender against my calloused hands and it’s killing me to let her go. The guard is standing over us, growing impatient.

I place a final kiss to her lips then I whisper, “You’re worth loving, Presley. Every second, every minute and every hour of my life, you will always be worth loving.”

Check out my review of Scarred Love, book one, by M.S. Brannon

M.S. Brannon was born and raised in the Midwest. She still resides there today with her wonderful husband and son. When she is not writing or reading, M.S. Brannon spends time with her family, watching movies, and discovering new music. She writes romance because she believes love and heartache is the rawest emotion one can experience.

To learn more about M.S. Brannon and her books, visit her blog.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

Book Review: Unreap My Heart by Kate Evangelista

Unreap My Heart (The Reaper #2) by Kate Evangelista
Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal Romance)
Published: October 30, 2012
Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Only a villain can save the day.

During his thousand year banishment in the Nethers, Balthazar thought of nothing but taking over the Crossroads from Death.

On the day he puts his plans into action, Balthazar finds the Crossroads on lockdown. Death has been stabbed by Brianne’s Bitterness, a blade that slowly leaches him of his powers. In order to challenge Death for his seat and prevent utter chaos, Balthazar is forced into a mission to find the Redeemer, the only being capable of pulling out the blade from Death’s chest. The only person who can identify the Redeemer is a human girl in the Crossroads whose soul is still attached to her body.

Meeting Arianne Wilson pushes Balthazar’s patience to the limit. In a deal he makes with Death, he must protect Arianne during their journey through the Underverse using all the resources available to him. He soon realizes the one he needs to protect is himself. For as much harm as it inflicts on Balthazar's body, trekking through the Underverse with Arianne is proving more dangerous for his heart and soul.

Can the villain remain a villain when love gets in the way?

Unreap My Heart is the second book in The Reaper series by Kate Evangelista. The unpredictability that I loved in the first book of this series continued on in this book too. There were many twists and turns. This book keeps you on your toes. I love the tension between Arianne and Balthazar. I know I shouldn't like Balthazar. He told us all through the story how he wasn't a good guy. Me thinks he doth protest too much. I mean, he is pretty bad. Don't get me wrong, and I probably like him a lot more than I should. But, I think there's hope for him. I love how he interacts with Arianne. Actually, his interactions with everyone can be pretty entertaining. After reading the book, the cover makes me giggle now. The look on his face and the stubborn stance is so completely Balthazar. He's a one of a kind character. I liked this series before, and now with Balthazar... I'm hooked. In fact, I updated my Top Books of 2013 list that I posted earlier in the week to include Unreap My Heart. I liked it that much!

The ARC of Unreap My Heart by Kate Evangelista was provided to me by the publisher for review. The opinions are my own.

“I bet you’re completely regretting saying yes to this now.”
She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have.”
“Yes, you shouldn’t have.” She’d backed herself into a wall and Balthazar reached her in two steps.  She flinched when Balthazar spread one hand on the wall beside her head. He shifted his weight there as he leaned over her and whispered, “You smell like roses.”
“I-i-it’s the bath water. They used rose oil,” she stammered. Having Balthazar so close frazzled her brain. He seemed bigger somehow. Like he’d grown ten feet since she'd last seen him. And so broad too. When did his shoulders and chest get so broad?
Balthazar touched the tip of his nose to the base of her neck and traced a line up to her jaw, inhaling as he went. The move sent Arianne slumping against the wall for support, her knees threatening to give way beneath her. She raised her shackled hands until they spread over the center of his chest. She clutched at the buckles there, the cool metal digging in to her palms. Balthazar tsked after he’d pulled away far enough to stare into her eyes—eyes now lined with kohl. She found herself shaking her head along with him.
“You shouldn’t have spoken over me the way you did,” he said with the softest threat. The kind that sent tingles down her spine.
“I didn’t.” At least she didn’t stammer anymore. Instead, her voice sounded breathy, which seemed so much worse.
He touched her lips with the tip of his finger. “Oh, but you did. I'd pretty much convinced Solara that you didn’t need to change for the Underball, but you had to go and ruin it by agreeing without my consent. Not that I’m complaining.” He raked his gaze over her body again. Like a bomb exploding, Arianne felt all her blood rise to the surface. “But something has to be done about this master/slave relationship we have here.”
“W-w-what do you mean?” Great, the stammering returned. The muscles in her abdomen quivered in the most delicious way. Arianne tried to ignore it and focus, but her body betrayed her more and more the longer Balthazar stood this close to her. She only noticed now, so close to him, that he smelled like sandalwood. The spicy earth scent brought her back to the time her mother burned incense around the house. She went through a whole New Age-y phase before Carrie got sick. Standing a nose away from Balthazar sent a sense of comfort surging through her body with a hint of something more. A feeling Arianne didn’t care to acknowledge. Hot. Drugging. Dangerous. She knew if she let herself cross the line she wouldn’t find her way back.
Balthazar moved his hand from the wall to her cheek. Arianne fought against leaning in to the touch. Even with the fingerless gloves, she could feel the warmth of his hand. The calluses on his exposed skin didn’t feel rough on her face at all.
“You put us both in danger if you don’t act like an obedient slave, Ari.” He whispered her name like the sweetest candy on the tongue. A part of her wished he’d say it again. The other part of her struggled to continue the conversation.
“I won’t disobey you. I promise.” And she meant it too.
“Remember when I said you shouldn’t force me into teaching you a lesson about what it means to have a master?”
She nodded. They’d had that conversation right before they entered the Voyeur mansion. Balthazar had warned her, yet she’d forgotten all about it the second Solara came into the room with her demons. Arianne thought she’d done something good by agreeing. Unfortunately, her good deed backfired in the most frightening yet insanely delicious way.
She hardly recognized the guy standing before her. The sarcasm and gruff nature had disappeared, leaving behind someone who oozed sex appeal like some cologne he’d sprayed on. Heat pooled inside her stomach, causing every muscle below it to clench. If Balthazar didn’t step away now, she’d find herself flat on the floor.
“You know what happens now, don’t you?” His eyes locked with hers again. His voice grew even softer.
She shook her head into his touch.
“I punish you.”
The way he said punish blew the last of her knees’ power to support her body weight. The second she began to slide down the wall, Balthazar’s other arm snaked around her waist and pulled her forward until her body fused against his. Every buckle that touched her skin made her shiver.
She looked up and Balthazar’s lips descended.

Check out my reviews of some of Kate Evangelista's books:

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today she lives in the Philippines and writes full time.

To learn more about Kate Evangelista and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

Top 10 of 2013: Books I’m Looking Forward to in 2014

Hosted by:

Fiktshun, Jaime from Two Chicks on Books, and Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads.

The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass
Genre: Young Adult (Dystopian/Fantasy Romance)
Expected Publication: May 6, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen

The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned.

Check out my reviews of the previous books in the series:

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Forever Summer (Summer #4) by C.J. Duggan
Genre: New Adult (Contemporary Romance)
Expected Publication: 2014
Publisher: Self

You see there’s this boy.

He makes me smile, forces me to listen, serenades me out of tune and keeps me sane, all the while driving me insane. He's really talented like that. But for the first time in since, well, forever, things are about to change. The question is, how much am I willing to lose in order to potentially have it all?

Enter a world of sweltering Aussie summers, fabulously addictive characters and sweet intoxicating romance in C.J Duggan’s FOREVER SUMMER

Adam and Ellie’s Story

Check out my reviews of the previous books in the series:

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Search (The Empire Chronicles #2) by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Genre: New Adult (Paranormal Romance)

Expected Publication: 2014

Publisher: Self

Blurb not available yet.

Check out my reviews of the previous book in the series:

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City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare
Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal/Fantasy Romance)
Expected Publication: May 27, 2014
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd

ΕRCHOMAI, SEBASTIAN HAD SAID. 

I am coming.

Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Nothing in the world can defeat him — must they journey to another world to find the chance? Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world changed in the sixth and last installment of the Mortal Instruments series!

Check out my reviews of The Infernal Devices Trilogy by Cassandra Clare:

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Bad Blood (Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter #3) by Nikki Jefford 
Genre: New Adult (Paranormal/Fantasy Romance)
Expected Publication: May 2014
Publisher: Self

Aurora Returns Spring 2014!

BAD IS THE NEW GOOD

Aurora returns from boot camp to a new assignment, an unwelcome roommate, and the increasingly amorous attentions of a certain vampire hunter.

College is starting, and so is Aurora’s undercover work at a network of swanky parties known as “Tastings” for high rolling vampires who like their blood laced with fine wine. But Aurora’s not the only one on the prowl. An underground investigation is under way to find out who killed one of Anchorage’s most prominent vampires… and Aurora is a prime suspect.

(Language, violence, and sexual situations.)

***Don't miss STAKEOUT, Vol. 2.5, a 53,000 word novella featuring Noel Harper and the entire Aurora Sky gang. Releasing January 2014.***

Check out my reviews of the previous books in the series:

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Cup of Life (Everlast #2.5) by Juliana Haygert
Genre: New Adult (Fantasy Romance)
Expected Publication: January 20, 2014
Publisher: Self

His existence would mean nothing without her.

**New Adult Fantasy Novella**

**This is a novella between book #2 and book #3 told from Micah’s POV.**

Check out my reviews of the previous books in the series:

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Taut: The Ford Book (A Rook and Ronin Spin-off) by J.A. Huss
Genre: New Adult (Contemporary Romance)
Tentative release date: January 20, 2014
Publisher: Self

Ford Aston is getting the f*ck out of Denver. He does not give a shit about blizzards, getting his old-ass Bronco over the Rocky Mountains in one piece, or a girl knocking on his hotel door looking to be saved.

Ford Aston is known for many things. Being an emotionless, messed up bastard, a freakishly smart social outcast, and a cold, domineering master who keeps “pets” instead of girlfriends.

And after Rook broke his heart, he plans to keep it that way.

******

Ashleigh is getting the f*ck out of somewhere, but she’s not quite sure where she’s coming from, let alone where she’s going.

Ashleigh is known for nothing, and that’s exactly what she’s got going for her. She’s broke, stranded in the mountains with a three month old baby, and Ford Aston is f*cking with her head.

Big. Time.

And she plans to f*ck with his right back.

****** 

It’s a coy game at first, filled with flirting, and innuendo—but Ford soon realizes something is not quite right with Ashleigh. In fact, something is seriously, seriously wrong and the closer they get to their final destination, the closer Ford gets to the truth.

One night of devastation, self-loathing, and emptiness turns into the best thing that ever happened to Ford Aston. But one day of in-your-face reality threatens Ashleigh's whole existence. Can Ford allow another woman into his heart and risk the possibility of being hurt, or will he walk away from Ashleigh just when she needs him most?

Check out my reviews of The Rook & Ronin Series by J.A. Huss:

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The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3) by Julie Kagawa
Genre: Young Adult (Dystopian/Paranormal Romance)
Expected Publication: April 29, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS 

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? 

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer. 

MONSTER 

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie. 

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

Check out my reviews of the previous books in the series:

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Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge 
Genre: Young Adult (Fantasy Romance)
Date Published: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

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Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy #3) by Anna Banks
Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal/Mythological Romance)
Date Published: May 13, 2014
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Blurb not available yet.

Check out my review of Of Poseidon: