Monday, 9 September 2013

Book Review of The Throne of Hades: A Short Book by Snow Flower by Ann Snizek



Synopsis:

Lynnton Wor watches as the world she loves dies around her. The demons are in control and hell bent on destroying it. Or so she thought. When a young and powerful demon appears in her apartment and tells her that everything she believes is a lie... and he has proof. He just needs her help to rid the world of evil.

Review:



The Throne of Hades (ShortBooks by Snow Flower)The Throne of Hades by Ann Snizek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I won a competition to have my name used in a short story. The author kindly sent me a copy of the book to read. I loved it!

Lynnton Wor is a wonderful character. She is a strong warrior type, who battles with her own demons, never mind the ones running around the world! She meets Lazaro, a demon prince, and her world gets turned upside down when he requests her help.

This is a fantastic short story. However, I found it too short! It was just getting interesting and it finished! There is so much I would like to find out about the Hadesian's and their planet. Lazaro is also an intriguing character, and I would be interested to finding out more about why he and his brethren were exiled on Earth. There was also the chemistry between Lynnton and Lazaro; it promised to get hot!

Ann Snizek has written a short story that I really enjoyed, even though it left me wanting more! I am looking forward to reading more books from this author, especially her full novels.

I recommend this book if you love paranormal or science fiction genres. - Lynn Worton

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Kindle Fire Giveaway brought to you by Frankie's Bookshelf!

FBB KF Giveaway Button

I love working with my authors and promoting their books! So, in celebration of my new website and to help my authors promote their books, we've come together to give away a Kindle Fire! Check out everyone's books! That's kind of the point of this whole thing. Then! Fill out the Rafflecoptor!


The World's darkest creature, will be their brightest hope!
While darkness haunts her, she craves the light. Christina is a demon, but she doesn't want to be. She is willing to sacrifice everything to change it. Only one person stands in her way, and he will stop at nothing to keep her the way she is. The greatest battle of light vs dark threatens every living creature, a battle that could destroy all. And the demon in love will only have one chance to save everyone.
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Award winning novelist
A.K. Taylor did something extraordinary with writing this story: Neiko's Five Land Adventure is a book which can encourage teenage girls to take their lives in their hands. This book can help them to try things which they usually wouldn't dare to think about. Neiko is a model of courage and power and she can easily be a model for all shy young teenage girls.
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A Hitman with a Conscience.
Assassin Antony Danic has never killed an innocent man. At least the corporation he works for has never given him a reason to think otherwise until now. Reeling from a series of demanding assignments, Antony is desperate for some downtime. As he sits on a beach in Tahiti watching his wife play in the ocean, a messenger from his employer delivers a death threat. Suddenly, the hunter has become the hunted. While Antony struggles to find a way out of his till death do us part contract, he's faced with the decision of a lifetime: kill another man who may be innocent, or do what's right even if it puts his family in jeopardy.

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Jewel is a djinni of the lamp, an enchanted slave, bound to her owner by dark magical cravings she can't resist. She burns for freedom, and when her lamp is stolen—by Tam, a hot and dirty bad-boy thief—she vows to be rid of her new master at any cost. Even as she plots Tam's demise, the lamp's dark fascination makes her long to claim him as her own. But the last thing Tam wants is a spellbound djinni who can't say 'no'. Cursed by a demon to suffer living death, he's tormented by undead longing for pain, pleasure, any sensation he can get. To have this exquisite, besotted Jewel at his bidding is pure torture… because Tam refuses to succumb to her magical allure.
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When a crippled young lord rescues a girl falling from a tree, it reveals a secret about himself and his mother's side of the family that could put him at the center of a war with beings he thought only existed in fairy tales. Tristan Gareth Smyth lived his entire life stuck at home at Waverly Park, left behind while his Grandfather makes trips to London, all because of his blasted wheelchair. Then an American heiress falls in his lap, literally, and he must find a way to keep her at a distance to protect not only his secret, but everyone around him from an assassin sent to kill him.
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Leonard, a computer programmer, has a unique gift: by words alone he can calm violent situations. Which is helpful with all these kids running around the streets behaving like zombies. He has his own set of sorrows to face, but he's prepared for anything. Anything except Tamar, and the thunderous inkling that she will be his wife. This doesn't make any sense to Leonard. She stole his wallet. And his heart. 

Painful circumstances ripped family and stability from Tamar's grasp, but with gutsy tenacity she faces life head on. Meeting the gorgeous and single Leonard changes everything. But surely a guy like him would never fall for a girl of the streets like her.  Amazon US   Amazon UK


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KEITH struggles to balance his double-life while attending college and executing missions for VELUZ on the side. The further KEITH delves into the workings of VELUZ, the more he regrets letting them save his life. With each passing VELUZ mission he learns his purpose goes far beyond that of a corporate pawn or mercenary-for-hire. His creation and his purpose are other worldly, not just alien, but something bigger. Amazon US    Amazon UK


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 Demon warrior, Slade Aesus, is determined to destroy the werewolves controlling his cousin. But a beautiful elf, consumed by her own vengeance, finds the wolves first. Botching her assassination attempt, Annwyn has the most powerful Packs in the world biting at her heels. Both fiercely independent, can the two join forces long enough to fulfill their missions and stay alive? Amazon US   Amazon UK


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In a world governed by the opposing forces of the mystical House of Tarot and the tribal Great Families, Synn is caught in the crossfire. He witnesses the slaughter of innocent people, and the devastating murder of his father. This act awakens his Mark of power, a Mark greater than any the world has seen in a very long time. Queen Nix thought she won a great prize when she destroyed Synn’s father, the leader of the strongest Great Families. She had no idea she’d be doubly blessed by capturing his son. However, before Synn can become her treasured weapon, before she can use him to bring the rest of the world to its knees, she must break him and bind his soul to hers. She does her job with brutal brilliance. Synn’s mind is broken and his soul is seared to hers in an unbreakable bond. Amazon US   Amazon UK


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Saturday, 7 September 2013

Book Review of The 12th Year Awakening; Amelia Maylock (Amelia Maylock books #1) by Jason Ellis



Synopsis:

The first book in the 'Amelia Maylock' series. Little did Amelia know that as she dressed for school on a normal Friday morning at the beginning of March, her life would soon change forever. 'You are here because you are the only one who can defeat her. I don't know when you will meet her or where but I know it will happen. We found out your whereabouts only recently when an ancient book was discovered, telling us about the twin of Erryaz and where she could be found." Amelia was definitely not expecting an explanation like that. She didn't know what to say or do. The 12th Year Awakening is the first book in the Amelia Maylock series. Amelia is a happy twelve year old girl who discovers one day that she is very special and has powers. She has an evil twin sister, Erryaz, and Amelia must learn to defeat her while searching dimensions for jewels to aid her in the final fight for good.

Review:


The 12th Year AwakeningThe 12th Year Awakening by Jason Ellis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fantastic YA fantasy for children! I loved it!

Amelia Maylock is a fantastic character. She is a normal young girl, or so she thinks, but she soon finds out that she isn't; she is a witch and has powers she never knew she had. I really liked this character as she struggles to accept that her whole life has been turned upside down. She is courageous and brave, but also extremely confused and frightened.

I had previously read another book series by this author and loved it, so I knew that I would enjoy this one. I was correct! This is an exciting start to a series; I found myself hooked from the first page! There are some great characters in this book. I really enjoyed meeting Anin and the old hag (her real name!). The old hag thinks she's a comedian! I must admit that I did snigger at a few of her comments, they were quite witty! However, it's not all fun and games in this story. There is danger in the form of Amelia's twin sister, Erryaz. We only get to meet her once, but once was enough! She's quite scary! I'm not sure how she became so evil, but I hope to find out by reading the other books in the series.
The story is told with young readers in mind, so there are no big words to confuse them as they journey with Amelia to fantastic worlds (dimensions) and meet new friends and a scary enemy. The story has a blend of fantasy and reality that will appeal to youngsters and keep them entertained. I am now looking forward to reading the next book in the series to find out what happens next!

Jason Ellis has written a fast paced story that flowed well and kept me turning the pages! I really enjoy his writing style, as it allowed my imagination to take flight!

I highly recommend this book (and series) to not only boys and girls aged between 9 to 14, but to adults who love the younger YA genre. - Lynn Worton

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Friday, 6 September 2013

Book Review of Crossroads by Chandler McGrew



Synopsis:

Sheila Bright talks to the dead including the ghost of her mother who wants to move to California. Kira Graves can produce money out of thin air. The two of them, Shape Shifters, Pookas, Lost Boys and more all inhabit the Crossroads, where good and evil collide.
When Kira's family and everyone else in their carnival are murdered by unearthly creatures called Grigs, Kira and her constant companion, Jen, flee toward a half-mythical place of safety called Graves Island, but they fail to reach it when Kira is drawn through the looking glass to another world. The planet of the Creators is swiftly deteriorating from a world of dreams into one of nightmares, and the only way to stop the Empty-Eyed Man from turning the entire universe into chaos is for Kira to destroy the tool he most desires, but what she must sacrifice to do so may be worth more to her than the prize.

Review:



CrossroadsCrossroads by Chandler McGrew
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

This is an intriguing and thrilling story. I loved it!

Kira Graves is a wonderful character. She is a young girl living with her family in a carnival. She has a special ability - she can make money by just thinking about it (I wish I had that ability!). I really liked her spirit and courage when faced with imminent danger. She is one plucky kid! She has a best friend called Jen, and they are as close as sisters. However, Jen is a Pooka, a magical being that can only be seen by a few people. When danger threatens the carnival, Kira and Jen embark on a journey that will take them to a magical realm where evil lurks and danger is ever present.

Sheila Bright is another fantastic character. She is a psychic, who doesn't want to be. I liked her very much.

This is an extremely dark, but exciting read. I struggled to get into the story at first, but as I continued to read, and the action hotted up, I was hooked! The story had a feeling of foreboding and suspense that flowed throughout, and the Grigs scared me to death; I shudder even now thinking about them! The Empty-Eyed man is a chilling and scary character, and he made my skin crawl!
This story has several points of view by different characters; I found this extremely exciting, because it gave depth to the characters and made them come alive. The story has several twists and turns, which kept me on the edge of my seat! I loved the ending, and now look forward to reading more books by this author.

Chandler McGrew has written a fast paced tale that thrilled and chilled me! I loved the mix of horror, suspense and fantasy that the author used to create this story. He has found a fan in me!

I recommend this book if you love horror, thrillers, suspense, paranormal or fantasy genres. - Lynn Worton

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Love and other Demons - The Witching Pen Blog Tour

Today, I have pleasure in hosting The Witching Pen Blog Tour.  Dianna Hardy has very kindly set up an amazing giveaway!  Anyone that comments on the blogs participating in the tour will be automatically entered to win one of 3 Swag packs. Dianna will pick the three winners once the Blog Tour has finished :)
 
The Swag packs include each:
 
- 1 signed M'Angeal Fridge Magnet
- 1 Witching Pen Omnibus Keyring
- 1 Witching Pen Omnibus Bookmark
- 1 Witching Pen Omnibus Postcard
- 1 The Last Dragon Coming 4th October postcard

Therefore, please comment on my post (and all the other posts in the tour) for a chance to win!!

Love and other Demons - The Witching Pen Blog Tour

If you have not yet read The Witching Pen series, these posts may contain mild spoilers, as we are now on the last book!


With The Last Dragon released on 4th October, we’re having a little recap at everything that’s happened in this paranormal fantasy romance series so far. In the last two posts, we met / remembered Elena and Karl. Now, we’re taking a look at Amy Langdon, the shifter-witch with the quirky sense of humour and the big smile.

Elena knows her as the person who runs a Wicca group she attends once a week, and Elena’s always thought she wasn’t that nice. Turns out, she had her figured out wrong, but is she hiding something after all?

The independent and impatient witch is much more powerful than anyone might think, but her power, aside from witchcraft and dormant shifter abilities, comes from a compassionate nature that is able to forgive. That’s not to say that forgiveness is easy – sometimes it has to be fought for.

However, she is thrust onto a life path (or two) in very quick succession, and forgiving others may prove to be much easier than forgiving herself…

Meet Amy Langdon



Occupation: Never stated / runs a Wicca group – full-time witch?

Appearance: Blonde, blue eyes, big smile, perfect teeth, could have stepped out of a shampoo commercial.

Age: Twenty-eight

Her greatest achievement: It’s still to come…

Favourite Quote: Impatience is the mark of independence, not of bondage. (Marianne Moore)

Book one of the series, The Witching Pen, is currently FREE to download across most retailers! See here for download links: http://www.diannahardy.com/the-witching-pen.html



BLURB
It's hard being the most powerful witch on the planet. It's even harder when you're a twenty-five year old virgin who'll lose all of that power the moment you sleep with someone ... that's why Elena's never slept with her best friend and flatmate, Karl, despite the true feelings they harbour for each other.

Elena's about to discover that there are even more difficult things in life to deal with. One of them comes in the form of a pen she discovers one day, a pen that allows anything she writes to come to pass...

Suddenly, it's not just her powers or her heart that's at stake, but her very soul, as a dream demon with a seductive pull uses the pen to try and turn her away from her reality, and from Karl.

But the pen is just the beginning. Everything Elena has believed in is a lie, and her world is about to fall apart... 


The entire series can be viewed here: http://www.diannahardy.com/the-witching-pen-novellas.html and mark 4th October on your calendar to know how it all ends with The Last Dragon.

Author Bio:



Author of The Witching Pen and the international bestselling Eye Of The Storm series.
Dianna combines a titillating mix of paranormal romance and urban fantasy into her writing to bring you stories that are action-packed, fast-paced and not short of heat, with the focus on both character development and the plot. She writes both full-length novels and short fiction. All further info can be found at diannahardy.com

The Witching Pen website: www.thewitchingpen.co.uk



Wednesday, 4 September 2013

Results of my Birthday Bash Giveaway!

 


I have pleasure in bringing you the results of my Birthday Bash Giveaway.  Without further ado, here are the winners!  I am in the process in contacting the winners by e-mail.  There are a lot of you, so please bear with me!

GIFT BUNDLE #1 - SOUL PROTECTOR BY AMANDA LEIGH COWLEY & SWAG



Tina Brimlow

GIFT BUNDLE #2 - TWIN FLAMES BY DEBBIE CHRISTIANA & SWAG



Joseph A. Hawkshaw

GIFT BUNDLE #3 - POISON HEART BY S.B. HAYES & SWAG



Cindy J. Smith

GIFT BUNDLE #4 - WRECKED BY ANNA DAVIES & SWAG



Ana Neves

I LOVE BOOKS BOOKMARKS



Tammy Poole Romine
Karan Harvey
Amanda Hervey
Tiffany Webb
Vicki Lefler
Jacky Edmonds
De Ann Townes
Shades April
Ana Neves
Timetrius Janee Godlock

OF DARKNESS & LIGHT BOOKMARKS



Heidi Meyer
Shades April x 2
Holly Craft
Claudia Hathcock
Chris Bails x 2
Tiffany Webb
Tiffany Dubuque
Amber Dawn Meek
Ana Neves
Meghan Stith
Ann Drake
Angie Edwards
Vicky Limbert x 2
Jessica Millar
Vicki Lefler x 2
Dawna Newman
Lacy Daniel x 2
Missy Morrison Goodsell
Janet Octavo
Patricia Moran Arnold
JoAnn Palmisano
Love Luna
Chuya Vizcarra-Salgado
Cheryl Nasca
Kirsty Still
Ashleys FreelanceEditing
Brenda Tetreault
Deborah Ann
Alisa Jenkins
Yvonne Cline Simpkins
Kami Bryant
Crystal Schroth
Lora Musikantow
Katie Ruffley
Ann-Marie Wilson

$10 AMAZON GIFT CARD FROM ME
Ashley's FreelanceEditing
Emily Bowes
Angie Edwards
Lynn Clifton

£10 AMAZON GIFT CARD FROM ME
SPBC Room
Anna-Marie Coomber
Jessica Millar
Carol Hodson

$10 AMAZON GIFT CARD DONATED BY AUTHOR NIKKI SEX
April Warren

$5 AMAZON GIFT CARD DONATED BY AUTHOR DANIELLE-CLAUDE NGONTANG MBA
Sarah Rosario

E-BOOK OF BE ALL DONATED BY MARIE WATHEN



Autumn Nauling

E-BOOK OF AMANDA'S EYES DONATED BY KATHY DISANTO



Bobbie Ann Bohn
Dawna Newman

E-BOOK OF THE DEVIL YOU KNOW DONATED BY ADRIAN LILLY



Jennifer Zorko-Legan
Michelle McCormick Oxrider
Love Luna

E-BOOK OF RED HAZE DONATED BY ADRIAN LILLY



Ashley Ryan Snyder
Kirsty Still
Michelle McCormick Oxrider

E-BOOK (OR PRINT) & SWAG OF AGENT COLT SHORE: DOMINO 29 DONATED BY AXEL AVIAN



Yvonne Cline Simpkins
Jennifer Bryson
Sara Long Butler

E-BOOK OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN OUR SONG (A COULDA WOULDA SHOULDA SONGS SERIES #1) DONATED BY DANIELLE-CLAUDE NGONTANG MBA



Laura Voss
Nisa
De Ann Townes
SPBC Room

SHORT BOOK BY SNOW FLOWER (PRINT) DONATED BY (AND PAID FOR) BY ME
Christiana Abrahamson

E-BOOK COPIES OF WACKY STORIES WITH TWIST ENDINGS VOLS 1-4 & SCARY STORIES FOR WOMEN VOLS 1 & 2 DONATED BY JOHN M.W. SMITH



Vickie Rochon Milizia
Donna Reynolds
April Warren
Lora Musikantow
Charisse Hall
Jocelyn Sanchez
Jessica Millar
Stefanie Nix
Melissa Boutsy
Tonya Albert Schenck
Terri Pletcher
Tina Brimlow
Carolyn Johnson
Sarah Rosario
Vicky Limbert
Katya Ray
Chundra Hill
Brenda Tetreault
Kami Bryant
Michelle McCormick Oxrider
Kyla Stein
Claire Taylor
Autumn Nauling
Niki Thomas
Crystal Schroth
Maureen H. Di Brienza
Jeannette Joyal
Amanda Hervey
Ann Drake
Kelly Burrier Kline

Congratulations to all the winners!

I would like to thank all the authors who have generously donated gifts to this giveaway! Without you, this wouldn't have been as exciting an event as it has been! THANK YOU!!

Tuesday, 3 September 2013

Book Review of Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles #1 by Kevin Hearne



Synopsis:

Atticus O'Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old - when in actuality, he's twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he's hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power - plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a sexy bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish - to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.


Review:


Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #1)Hounded by Kevin Hearne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review 6******

This is the first book in the Iron Druid Chronicles. I was recommended this book by Amazon, so I thought I would give it a try. I'm glad that I did, because I loved it!

Atticus (Siodhachan) O'Sullivan is a fascinating character. He is a druid and has the ability to shape-shift. I really liked him a lot. He has a very dry sense of humor, which appeals to me; and a gorgeous Irish Wolfhound called Oberon whom I have fallen in love with! I love their conversations!

This book was an exciting read from page one! I found myself swept along into an adventure full of danger and magic. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing to get involved with not one but three goddesses, but Atticus does and the consequences causes more than a few problems! The Morrigan is the goddess of death, but she seems to have a soft spot for the druid. Flidais is the goddess of the hunt and has designs on getting the sword. Brighid is the goddess of poetry, fire and the forge and is determined that Aenghus Og (Atticus's nemesis) should not have the sword.
There are several other characters that stand out and bring this book to life, including a vampire and a werewolf pair of lawyers, and a very scary Hindi witch possessing the body of a barmaid, but I loved widow MacDonagh! Her Irish spirit had me giggling in places.

Although I have not read any of Jim Butcher's "The Dresden Files" series, I have watched the TV series based on them. This book definitely has similarities, but there is also a uniqueness all of it's own. I am now looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

I loved the flow of the story and, although I struggled a bit with the Celtic words and names (there is an index to help with pronunciation), Kevin Hearne has written a fast paced read that has captured my imagination and turned me into a fan!

I highly recommend this book if you love YA (14+ due to some mild violence), Fantasy and Action/Adventure genres. - Lynn Worton

View all my reviews