[Review] Vengeance Born by Kylie Griffin

Vengeance Born
by Kylie Griffin
Series: The Light Blade #1
Published: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Source: Author
Format: ARC
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not pure bred is virtually powerless. Until an unlikely champion is born...

Annika, half-blood daughter of the Na'Reish King, longs for more than her tormented life among her father's people. Conceived in hatred and bred as a tool of retribution, she's gifted with a special talent that can heal as well as destroy...

With the Na'Reish vastly outnumbering them, Kalan, a Light Blade warrior, knows the future of humankind depends on him alone. Incursions into human territory and raids for blood-slaves by the Na'Reish Horde have increased. As Chosen-leader, he faces the task of stopping the demons-and convincing the Council of aging Light Blade warriors that change is necessary for survival.

When Annika learns Kalan is a prisoner in her father's dungeon, her dream of escape seems within reach. She agrees to free him in exchange for his protection once they reach human territory. Now, marked for death for helping him, Annika must learn to trust Kalan as they face not only the perilous journey to the border but enemies within the Council-and discover a shocking truth that could throw the human race into civil war...

Review

Would you trust a person who was born to kill your kind? Will you trust a demon because she saved your life? A journey of trust, love and acceptance Kylie Griffin will hold you into your seat gasping for more!

From the very start of this novel I was really intrigued by the premise of this book. It got me awhile before I finish it because I don’t really want to end the novel so soon. It was an awesome read. A story back up with a great characters; I was totally in it!

The journey of Annika; a half-blood daughter of the Na’Reish King (Demon King) and Kalan a Light Blade warrior who was born to kill the Demon kind was an outstanding read! I was thrilled with the how Kylie has build this great story. I think the concept was really typical but it was told with a great voice. I was ecstatic on reading the journey of Annika and Kalan because you can feel the tensions as well as their attraction for each other. I rarely read Paranormal Romance but I think it’s safe to say that this is a great start of a wonderful series.

Character wise I was delighted on how each character developed throughout the book. Annika’s attitude toward Kalan was very instinctual and vice versa. They learned to trust each other toward their journey and thus they got to know each other more. Kalan is a very noble person, he believes in what he think is right and fights for it. Both character evolved as the stake got higher. Their attraction grows throughout the book which was big plus. Amidst the growing tension between the Light Blade Council and their love for each other it only proves that love prevails.

I can give the cover an A+ for the awesome! I love how the model has a pouch that quite essential for the Annika. I’m not really sure of the medallion but I think it’s definitely there. The tag line “Her lineage is both a blessing and a curse” is definitely eye catching and makes you want to get it.

Overall I was totally entertained and I cannot wait to read the next one. I recommend this to everyone who wants to read a Paranormal book but doesn’t know where to start. I suggest you start with this one. It’s a great start of an epic series you won’t get disappointed. Vengeance Born has the right mix of Paranormal and Romance it and that I think you will surely enjoy!

Ratings

I got this book from the author in exchange for an honest review it has no way affected my review of the book.

About the Author

Kylie Griffin’s obsession with all things paranormal/fantasy started at an early age, when she used to imagine the jacaranda tree in her front yard was a spaceship used to defend the world from invading enemies. Writing stories seemed a natural extension to her childhood adventures.

Today, she’s a primary school teacher sharing her love for the written word with young children. In her spare time, she writes and reads all things paranormal.

Kylie lives in a small rural village in outback New South Wales, Australia, where she volunteers in a number of emergency service organizations in her local community. Visit her website at www.kyliegriffin.com

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Shelfari

Get a chance to win Alliance Forge (The Light Blade #2) on Goodreads

Enter here

Read More

Random Act of Kindness - June

I'm joining RAK this month! What is RAK? It means Random Act of Kindness and it's hosted by the lovely girls over at Book Soul Mates. I haven't join for quite sometime and decided to join since I'm feeling kind lately. If you want to join RAK you can sign up here

If you feel kind this month you kind our wishlist here

Here are some recommendations for you if you feel like doing us a RAK

• Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

• Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

• Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins

• Legend by Marie Lue

To make it really RANDOM I'll be using this Random Number Generator to pick my RAK recipient!

If you are a RAK participant link up your sign up post on the linky list

I'll pick via the Random Number Generator one or two lucky participant

COMPLETE RULES RE-CAP:
Please read carefully & follow all rules! Thank you!

• Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).

• Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the right sidebar).

• Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog, etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.

• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.

• Once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to [rakbybooksoulmates@gmail.com] so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!

• E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble with Nook as well.

• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post. This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Easy peezy!!

Read More

[Review] Sebastian and the Afterlife by William J. Barry

Sebastian and the Afterlife
by William J. Barry
Published: February 23, 2011
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop
Source: Author
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Adult


Synopsis

Sebastian awakes to find himself in a mystical realm somewhere between the living and the dead. Unspeakable dangers lurk in this realm. The Grim Reaper and his loyal agents work to maintain the law, as the threat of soul pirates (the wicked harvesters of spirit energy) has been on the rise. The infamous leader of the pirates, Axis Red, has a treacherous plan to take over the realm and set himself as the supreme authority.

While Sebastian and his new-found friends learn to cope with the wonders and perils of this strange spirit realm, Sebastian finds himself longing for his lost love Sarah, who is still alive in the mortal world. Some things are forbidden; some lines cannot be crossed. What will Sebastian risk to be close to her again? Join them on the journey of a lifetime and beyond

Review

Who would’ve thought there’s a place between death and afterlife? (And a school we can go to, even!)

Who would've thought that the creepy Grim Reaper rules that place?

And who would’ve thought that a place filled with dead people would be also full of blasting energies?

Hah! Nope, I never really thought of those… until I read this book. It introduced me to ‘the place between places’ a.k.a Sapentia, where one’s dead soul would go to after his life on earth ends, and meet Grim Reaper who’s waiting patiently by the Archway which leads people to the afterlife. Yes, he carries his large scythe with him; no, he does not scare people out of their guts. He stands by the large gateway and guide souls whether they are ready to go or if they still have unfinished businesses on earth.Enter Sebastian, our main teen protagonist who just permanently exited the mortal realm and just found himself in Sapentia stuck with troubles of leaving his family behind, and the love of his life, Sarah. Tangle him up with his fellow newbies --a word geek buddy named Jack, and two chics named Onyx, you’re resident pretty perfectionist, and you’re ever sweet pumpkin Patricia, who both have hots for our Sebastian. Together they go to Sapentia and learn to untangle the must-avoided energy cocoon traps, travel everywhere using a compass, meet the ever famous agents of the Reaper, point out the traitors and pirates, discover their unfinished earthly missions and save the entire spirit realm!

Reading this book feels like being transported into a place where somehow you’re familiarized of hearing, but never really imagined of putting yourself into, considering of our scary notions of death and afterlife. What I like about it is that though it is described with a scary “no-day, all-night” with haunted forests, caves, and schools kind of setting, it was all interesting. Add up the quirky characters that made everything in the book glow. Also, one of the factors that made me turn the book pages rapidly is the way the author intertwined the doings of the protagonists from the spirit world to the lives of their beloved mortals here in earth. It made me think that maybe sometimes, our loved once who had passed away are our safety nets who guide us away from troubles and the ones that urge us to take chances and consider possibilities. Yep, it is also packed with moral lessons hidden in the actions of the characters, and realizations that its future readers might internalize. I must say this book is an out-of-this-world read!

Ratings

I got this book from the author in exchange for an honest review it has no way affected my review of the book.

Book Trailer

About the Author

I was born in Newton, New Jersey, but moved to Florida and then Georgia at a young age.

Growing up I attended a private Christian school (predominantly catholic) in Augusta, Georgia, for elementary through high school.

Ever since I was in grade school, I wrote stories to pass the time. At the age of 12 I started taking classical guitar followed by classical voice lessons at the local college. I continued to write short stories on occasion. In the 10th grade I checked out a book of Edgar Allan Poe’s complete works from the school library. His pages were full of inspiration for me and to this day he is still my favorite author.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads

Read More

[Cover Reveal] The Collector by Victoria Scott

When I receive this from my email I was totally squeeing! I'm here to bring you this awesome and definitely HOT cover of The Collector by Victoria Scott! Big Thanks to Victoria and Heather of Entangled Publishing for letting us be part of the cover reveal.

The Collector

by Victoria Scott

Expected publication: March 2013 by Entangled Teen

The cover is a bad-ass, just reading the synopsis oh yes this is definitely Dante Walker here. It definitely fit what was described on the synopsis plus with that short blurb "He makes good girls... BAD." It's enough to sell me this book. and it's blurbed by Mary Lindsey, how awesome is that? This is definitely a must wait. Make sure to add this on your 2013 TBR list cause Dante is coming out March next year!

Make sure you grab the Countdown Widget
<center><script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.widgetserver.com/syndication/subscriber/InsertWidget.js"></script><script type="text/javascript">if (WIDGETBOX) WIDGETBOX.renderWidget('07329dce-2408-44d8-9842-ca597648a5e0');</script> <noscript>Get the <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/i/07329dce-2408-44d8-9842-ca597648a5e0">Countdown Creator Pro</a> widget and many other <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/">great free widgets</a> at <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com">Widgetbox</a>! Not seeing a widget? (<a href="http://support.widgetbox.com/">More info</a>)</noscript> </center>

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE COVER? SHARE US YOUR THOUGHTS.

About The Collector

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence has made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple, weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal opportunity collector and doesn’t want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within 10 days.

Dante doesn’t know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky, Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect—he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector, and uncover emotions deeply buried.

About the Author 

Victoria Scott is a YA writer with a die-hard affection for dark and humorous books. Her work is represented by the fabulous Laurie McLean of Larsen-Pomada literary agency. She has a master’s degree in marketing, and is a member of the Writers’ League of Texas and Teen Shiver.

Her first YA book, THE COLLECTOR, will be published by Entangled Teen in 2013. And her short story, FOUR HOUSES, is available now through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

She currently lives in Dallas with her husband, Ryan.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Read More

[Review] My Soul To Lose by Rachel Vincent

My Soul To Lose
by Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamer 0.5
Published: July 1, 2009
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Bought
Format: Kindle Copy
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy


Synopsis

It was supposed to be a fun day, shopping at the mall with her best friend. Then the panic attack started and Kaylee Cavanaugh finds herself screaming, unable to stop. Her secret fears are exposed and it's the worst day of her life.

Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.

She tries to convince everyone she's fine--despite the shadows she sees forming around another patient and the urge to scream which comes burbling up again and again. Everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, that is. Another patient with some special abilities....

"An eBook exclusive prequel to Rachel Vincent's SOUL SCREAMERS series." 

Review

I decided to read My Soul To Lose because I recently got the first book of the Souls Screamer Series. I was contemplating on joining the Soul Screamer Reading Challenge so I decided to read the short prequel first so I could get a grasp what the novel is all about and whether I’ll like it or not.

After reading it, I can say that I did LIKE it but then I have so many questions and left me wanting for more. In this short prequel we met Kaylee Cavanaugh and her best friend Emma. Kaylee was a very normal teenager, she has a best friend and of course teenage dilemmas. Talk about plotting revenge with the help of the best friend. Everything was fine until she had this weird feeling. Her panic attack started happening and she started seeing this black figure and then she started screaming. When she woke up she was in the Mental Health Centre.

I have to commend Vincent for the vivid writing. I imagined Kaylee hysterical and screaming. I was caught with the moment and ask myself what just happened? The aftermath of the commotion got me angry with Aunt Val and the whole situation. The ending had me so many questions. Questions that I think only the first book will answer.

Nothing much to entice me but my questions are burning for answers. I hope to read the next book to know more!

Favorite Quotes:

“I was seconds from losing control over the scream building inside me, and once it broke free, I wouldn’t be able to make it stop unless I could get away.”

“Dr. Nelson: “Do you have any family history of mental instability?” Me: “Yes. My cousin thinks she’s twenty-one. My aunt thinks she’s eighteen. I’d call them both mentally unstable.”

 Have you read the series? What do you think about it? Should I continue the challenge and continue reading the series? Share your thought!

You can download My Soul To Lose for FREE here
Read my Soul Screamer Participation Post here

Ratings

About the Author

Rachel Vincent is the author of the Shifters series, from Mira books. Stray, Rogue, Pride, Prey, Shift, and Alpha are available in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, and are being published in Turkey, Norway, Sweden, Finland, India, France, and Italy.

Also, look for the Soul Screamers books, Rachel’s young adult series! My Soul to Take, My Soul to Save, My Soul to Keep, My Soul To Steal, and If I Die are available now, and Before I Wake will be on the shelf in the US and Canada on June 26, 2012. The Soul Screamers series is also being published in the UK, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Vietnam, Thailand, and Spain.

Rachel’s new adult series Unbound debuted with Blood Bound on August 23, 2011 in the US and the UK, to be followed by Shadow Bound on May 22, 2012.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Read More

[Book Blast] Betrayed by Ednah Walters + Amazon GC G!veaway

Betrayed
by Ednah Walters
Published: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:

Lil isn't just an average teenager. She's one of the Nephilim--the descendants of humans and angels--which gives her some serious psi skills and a mission for redemption. Just when Lil thinks she's found a balance between her normal life with human friends and her training to become a Guardian, she's warned that someone close to her will betray her. When the boy she loves starts acting strangely and one of her human friends acquires a supernatural ability, Lil begins to realize that someone is manipulating the people she loves... and won't stop until she's been lured to the dark side.

Starred Reviews

Ednah Walters has captivated me once again with her amazing characters and wonderful storytelling. With even more action, heartache, trouble, mayhem, betrayal, and angst than Awakened, Betrayed has definitely exceeded my expectations! - Shari

2 words, baby: Utter brilliance.This book takes all angelic novels a whole league up, and it was more than i expected after reading AWAKENED and more. Seriously people, you have got to read this or you're really missing out on life. - Cyp

After reading Awakened I was eager to dive into Betrayed and it didn't disapppoint.In fact I think this book is even better than the first book. What I loved the most was the fact I was kept guessing of who done it's or who is behind this or that. I normally can figure or nearly figure out who it is but this one I for the life of me figure who the traitor was or why her friends were now acting so strangely and very rude. - Donna Newman

Read what Era has to say on Awakened

Book Trailer

 

About the Author

I grew up reading Nancy Drew and Hardy boys mysteries and fell in love with books

I enjoy good love stories, tingly mysteries and epic adventures. When I finished my college and decided to be a stay-at-home mother, I devoured books like they were going out of production, until reading just wasn't enough. So I started to write.

I've written picture books (unpublished), contemporary and romantic suspense (under the pen name E. B. Walters), and finally YA fantasy (as Ednah Walters).

AWAKENED (2010) is the prequel to the YA series about the Nephilim, The Guardian Legacy series. BETRAYED(book # 1) is now available wherever books are sold, HUNTED(book # 2) will be released in February 2013 and FORGOTTEN(later in the year 2013).

My adult contemporary with or without suspense is about a west coast Irish-American family series. I've published four Fitzgerald books: SLOW BURN (April 5th 2011), MINE UNTIL DAWN (June 29th 2011), KISS ME CRAZY (Sept 25th 2011) and DANGEROUS LOVE (Jan 29th 2012)

When I'm not writing, I do things with my family, five children and my darling husband of 18 years. I live in a picturesque valley in northern Utah, the setting for my YA series.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

The E-Book Nation Infographics

ePublishing is really popular these days with the ever growing technology that we have people who reads eBooks is definitely getting high over the years. Here's a cool infographics for you:

Brought to you by: OnlineUniversities.com

"Americans prefer e-books when they want a book quickly and are on the move, but they say printed books are better when it comes to reading with children and sharing"

eBooks are definitely a go to when you're on the go, as much as eBooks are getting popular you can never really replace the enjoyment of a real book. Both have their perks but I think in terms of accessibility I would definitely go for eBooks.

Do you read eBooks? What eReader/s do you own? Do you think that eBooks will replace the customary books we have today? Share us your thoughts.

credits to Reading Diva

Read More

[Book Spotlight] Feeding the Urge by Jeffrey Kosh

Book Spotlight

Feeding the Urge
by Jeffrey Kosh
Published: January 26, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre:Horror


Synopsis

In Prosperity Glades, a small town on the shores of Lake Okeechobee, you can run across Dr. Axel J. Hyde, the County’s Assistant Medical Examiner. He’s an eye-catching man, yet hides a dark secret from the age of ten. He’s a remorseless murderer with a weird twist: a ‘Rider’ urges him to hunt and dismember ‘people who feeds on fear’. Sexual killers, rapists, pedophiles - none escape his cold fury. However, when someone begins ‘poaching’ into his territory, Axel is caught between the urge to find and kill this kindred soul or greet another of his ‘species’. Is the Rider a real spiritual entity or just the product of a kid’s scarred psyche? Do you dare to find out?

Feeding the Urge is a novel exploring a traumatized man’s inner struggle between feelings and urges. It is Will alone stronger than Demons?

If you enjoyed Showtime’s Dexter or Thomas Harris’ Hannibal, Feeding the Urge can be a pleasant alternative to the modern horror genre of zombies and vampires. Jeffrey Kosh’s debut novel was the first set in the fictional town of Prosperity Glades, and established the setting for his successive short stories collection ‘Spirits and Thought Forms: Tales from Prosperity Glades.

What People Are Saying

“This book has so much going on within the pages that once you start it you will never have to worry about your mind wondering off in a different direction. In the beginning it is a story about Dr. Axel Hyde but it becomes so much more. There are so many different stories within this book it is crazy, but it all works and flows so well together.
This book does have some very adult situations and it does have some very taboo subject matter that a lot of people my want to turn away from the book but I can assure you that this book is very well thought out and written in a way that some of the subject matter is never to overwhelming. The characters are so well written that it is very easy for them to become real in your mind. You are able to feel the pain and hate and fear of each and everyone of them and that is what made this book so amazing for me.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good captivating read and as much as you wouldn't think it being in a book like this, there is a bit of romance and a hot and steamy part.” – Jenn

“Riveting-fascinating-delightful! Like Dexter's Dark Passenger, but with more flavor, spiritual horror, and metaphysical impetus, for fast pace, graphic horror, and good characterizations, "Feeding the Urge" is nearly unbeatable. The author's own brand of metaphysics blends with Native American traditions and modern psychology to create an inimitable backdrop to this novel. The descriptive settings of South Florida imagery, its flora and fauna, are very well done and propel readers into the story's suspension of disbelief.
Author Kosh knows how to reach inside his characters and pull their internal selves out into the open. What he does with Axel Hyde, and with Cheri, is incredible. Mr. Kosh juggles a large character set, and manages to delineate each one, mixing first person point of view (Axel Hyde) with third-person for other characters. Still, the story runs smoothly because the reader is enrapt with the action and with the characters' plights.” – Mallory Anne Forbes

“Mr. Kosh doesn't just tell you a story, he takes you on an adventure. He straps you in and takes you through the swamps from one moment to the next keeping you on tenterhooks just longing for the next reveal. Feeding the Urge is one of his many amazing works. I loved it, and you will too!” – Jaime Johnesee (Author of Oh, the Horror!)

Excerpt

She felt his lewd hands on her, followed by his foul, stale breath on her face. And instinctively reacted. Fast, very fast. Her left hand struck the man’s neck at the Adam’s apple, sending him backward with pain and surprise. The punch was followed by a kick with the point of her right boot, between Jay’s legs, with a lightning elbow strike to his nose. In less than five seconds Jay Fraser was down, his face a mix of running blood, dead leaves, dirt, and mucus. She came slowly, but resolute toward him, her beautiful hips moving with the grace of a wild animal in the hunt, her blue-green eyes transfixing him, shining like gems in the darkness of the abandoned campground. For the first time in his life, Jay was really scared by a woman. She could feel it, and she smirked.

“Look what you did to me!” Jay cried out, trying to convey a sense of threat in his words, but ending to sound more like a scared boy, in his trembling voice.

What in hell was this woman up to? What did she want from him?

He had met her at the Roughhouse, the biker’s watering hole of the town. She had appeared suddenly from nothing, turning the heads of local customers, distracting them from their beverages for the first time in the evening.

An angel out of Hell, the woman was tall, sporting a wonderful developed body under her tight, denim clothes. The skin as pale as the moonlight, her eyes the color of the sea, Jay could not believe himself when she came straight to his table, sitting in front of him with a smiling face.

She had beautiful flowing night-black hair, running down to her waist, which seemed to have a life of their own, when she sat down, running left and right at her shoulders. Black jeans, black duster with silver medallions, black cowboy boots and hat over long black hair. Except for the silver highlights of her accessories, and her skin, everything was black on that woman. The body moved with arrogant grace, swinging an ass you could bounce a quarter off, and yet something was oddly chilling about her. Maybe it was her smile, or her jewel-like eyes. She said she was looking for company, and she had chosen him.

They had some rounds of beer, Jay could not remember how many, then she was on him, never too close, never too far, teasing him in a way Jay Fraser, the leader of local Aryan Brotherhood Bikers, had never experienced with a mysterious gal like that.

Jay was 55 by now, originally sent down for grand theft auto, he had quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Having taken an early beating on entering prison society, he had had his revenge by slipping ground glass into his would-be oppressor's food in the cafeteria. As the prisoner choked out, coughing up blood, all eyes had turned to Jay who calmly drank a toast to the dying con.

From that point on, no one wanted to mess with him. Jay was then quickly accepted into the Aryan Brotherhood gang in the prison, rising through its ranks through a process of political deals and violent takeover. When he had finished his stretch, he was considered one of the gang's rising stars. The reason the gang was in town was the senior members of the Aryan Brotherhood had spotted the chance to capture new market for drugs that opened with the construction of the prison.

The task of smuggling in narcotics and looking after the interests of the cons was given to Jay. He was ideally suited for this job. Unlike most of the Brotherhood's members, he relied on brain rather than raw brawn. However, that night, he had fell in the trap of this predatory woman like a 16 years boy would fall in the clutches of an expert hooker.

“Look at me, Jay...” She whispered, while extracting the wicked blade from under the jacket. Jay saw the gleaming of metal in the moonlight, and reacted in the only way, he knew; by entering combat mode. An adrenaline surge flowed in his body, subduing the pain, and giving him the strength to regain his feet.

Too late!

The She-devil was already on him, plunging the knife’ sharp point toward his neck.

Jay instinctively raised his left arm upward, trying to deflect the lethal strike, but the blade carved into the top of his shoulder in a downward stabbing motion, catching between the bones of Jay’ shoulder and arm and wrenching it out of alignment. Blood flowed profusely from the deep wound, bathing the swampy, putrid, overgrown ground. He reacted with blind fury, mixed with fear, swung a balled up fist which smashed into her lip, crushing it against her teeth and splitting it open, making the woman drool blood. Jay smiled amidst his own bloody face, while preparing himself for a second strike, enjoying the small victory he had achieved.

Nobody was going to off him, especially a broad!

Reversed, the blade stabbed up into his stomach and carved up towards his sternum before being pulled free, Jay’s entrails exposed to the air as blood coursed down into his lap. Fraser couldn’t believe it, the girl had acted fast, allowing herself to be hit, luring again him into a trap, as a way to gain a clear spot to slice into his abdomen. He staggered backward, gazing with shock at his dark blood, flowing copiously from the jagged, irregular, slash in his belly. Then, raised his eyes in time to see the smiling monster, which had been a gorgeous woman, lift her left leg, smashing it into the side of his jaw, grinding Jay’s teeth against each other and snapping his head violently to one side. The man staggered again, spitting out splintered fragments of a shattered tooth. A second blow, so fast Jay believed someone else had struck him out of nowhere, caught him in the knee, dislocating it with a crunch, and sending the man kissing the ground.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00748C43C

Lulu link: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/JeffreyKosh

Smashwords link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/151935

Available in paperback, Kindle, Nook, iTunes, Kobo, Diesel, Sony, and Baker-Taylor formats.

About the Author 

Jeffrey Kosh is the pen name of an American horror author now living in Thailand. He had various art experiences, before discovering his love for writing fiction. His various careers have led him to travel extensively worldwide, developing a passion for photography, wildlife, history, and popular folklore. All these things heavy influenced his writing style. Extroverted in public, he is very private in his work, preferring complete isolation to ‘tune’ his mind to the ‘Great Tales Radio’. He believes stories are already out there, waiting to be put on paper. Jeff currently lives in Ao Nang, with his wife and the mandatory three cats. Plus a lot of geckos.

He loves kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, and never relaxes ...

Blog | Facebook | Facebook | Goodreads

Read More

Soul Screamers Reading Challenge

I'm a Participant of the Souls Screamer Reading Challenge!

Did you guys know that Rachel @ Fiktshun is doing a Soul Screamers Reading Challenge? It actually started January and will end June but I believe in the saying "better late than never" so I'm joining the challenge on the its last few days. I've been wanting to read the Soul Screamers Series by Rachel Vincent but it's just recently that I got a copy so I'm starting this now. Can't wait to share my thoughts on the series. I hear nothing but good things about it especially about this "Tod Hudson"? If you guys were around in the YA Crush Tourney, I think you know who I'm talking about? I have no clue whatsoever about the series and all I know is that there's a Grim Reaper involved, well this is kind of pre-empting my reading pleasure but then I shall give it a try. I'm starting with the Prequel: My Soul To Lose and then the first book My Soul To Take I hope to add more if I have time and if I like how the story goes.

If you guys are interested to join the challenge know more about it here

Read More

[Blog Tour] Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein - Interview and G!veaway

I'm part of the Pretty Amy Blog Tour and today I bring you an Interview with none other than Lisa Burstein today we talk about her journey to publication and more about her book Pretty Amy. So with out further I do, here's Lisa Burstein.

Author Interview with Lisa Burstein

Thank you Lisa for dropping by the blog, How are you doing today? 

Good :)

To start of let’s talk about your journey to publication. How it all started? Was it a rough road? Tell us about it. 

Rough, yeah and long. For this book it actually happened fairly quickly within 6-8 months I had an agent and contract, but I've been trying to get published for eight years. I had another agent and two other books that I wrote before I got one published.

When did you realize that you have the passion for writing? 

Second grade. I tell this story on my website, but it's true. My first short story was a Thanksgiving tale from the point of view of the turkey from freezer to oven to plate. I wrote it in second grade and my teacher went nuts for it, because it was so different from what anyone else did. Her approval of my creativity was the start, for sure. But I went to college for writing and also to grad school, so I really, really wanted to make it my career. It still isn't my full-time career, but I'm so glad I have the opportunity to share my work with others.

Let’s talk about your debut novel, who/what inspired you in writing Pretty Amy? 

I was arrested during my senior year of high school, not for the same reason Amy was, but that was where the kernel came from. I also knew I wanted to write a "shocking" book from a teenage girl's point of view. I feel like you can get away with your character being a murderer, or a jerk, or just a smart ass more easily if your book isn't contemporary and I wanted to try to break that mold with PRETTY AMY. I also wanted to write a contemporary YA book that was about what real teens go through. I feel like teenage girl's lives are complex and I hoped to show that in PRETTY AMY.

What message do you want to convey in writing this novel? 

I write YA because I felt like I still had all these things to say from when I was a teenager that I never got a chance to say. I also feel like teens need books in a way adults don't. At least I know I did, I looked to books to help me make sense of what I was feeling. I guess I hope teens will use PRETTY AMY in the same way.I was a lot like Amy. Just like her I had such a desire to belong, to fit in, to have people who understood me. I wanted that so badly and I guess I never felt like adults understood that. It was most of the reason I wrote PRETTY AMY. If I'd had it when I was in high school I feel like I would have been able to understand my feelings better. I wouldn't have felt so alone. That feeling was something I never admitted to anyone, not even my friends and I want to let teens know it's okay to feel lonely even surrounded by friends and family.

What do you think is the edge of Pretty Amy among other novels? 

I think it's edgy because it's true. One of the things I pride myself on in my writing is not holding back. I say things that make people uncomfortable, but I think that's what writing it about.

Any last message you want to tell our readers? Please invite them to read Pretty Amy!

Just that I hope they enjoy reading PRETTY AMY as much as I enjoyed writing it.

About the Book

Pretty Amy

by Lisa Burstein

Published: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Genre: Contemporary YA

Synopsis

“A coming-of-age story without the comfort of padding…a relatable and compelling character [with] a lot of wonderful snark.” —New York Journal of Books
Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

About the Author

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Fiction from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University and is glad to finally have it be worth more than the paper it was printed on. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. Pretty Amy is her first novel. She never went to her senior prom.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

Want a chance to read Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein? Here's your chance to win an eBook of Pretty Amy! There's also a Giveaway running on Goodreads check it out here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read More

[Review] Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

Pretty Amy

by Lisa Burstein

Published: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Genre: Contemporary YA

Synopsis

“A coming-of-age story without the comfort of padding…a relatable and compelling character [with] a lot of wonderful snark.” —New York Journal of Books
Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

Review

Reading this book had me on a whirlwind of emotions, the fact that this book is very moving and touching makes me want to cry. I’m such a cry baby when it comes to tear jerker books this one almost made me cry. Pretty Amy is a very realistic novel about lives up and down, realizations that will entice readers even after reading it.

My first impression about this book is that “it’s very disturbing”. The main character is suffering major teen issues which I think is very common nowadays. Reading this book is an eye opener on how teens are like these days. Having major family and friend issues along with heavy profanity this book is quite a shock to me. It has a realistic take on how life is at present times and I think the author did an excellent job telling the story.

I can commend the Lisa for having such great characters. They are unique in their own way and very significant throughout the whole story.  Amy the protagonist is a character that you’ll be able to relate to with her story. Her story is quite tragic but in spite the hardship she learned from her mistake and raise above it. What she went through was very difficult and that had me feel for her character. I learned a lot reading this novel. Especially being a strong person. This is a very inspiring novel for teens and teens alike.

If you are looking for a poignant and realistic novel you are definitely looking for the right book. I would recommend this to readers who are looking for a new breath of YA Contemporary. I did say that I find it disturbing and I think it’s very different from your normal read.

Favorite Quote:

“That’s the way you’re presenting yourself. Silent, sullen, misunderstood. Without words, you are the very rebellious teenage girl in the world.”

Ratings

I got this book in participation of the Blog Tour and has no way affected my review of the book.

About the Author

Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Fiction from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University and is glad to finally have it be worth more than the paper it was printed on. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. Pretty Amy is her first novel. She never went to her senior prom.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Make sure to check out my Interview with Lisa and get a chance to win an eBook of Pretty Amy!

Read More