Cover Reveal: Illusionary

About the Book:
Title: Illusionary
Author: Desiree Williams
Publication date: April 4th 2017
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis: 

Dorothy got sucked into a tornado.
Alice fell down a hole.
Wendy flew to Neverland.
Kamryn? She tripped down the stairs.
Now, Kamryn Kensington finds herself in a strange new world. Within minutes of her arrival, she dodges an archer’s arrow and avoids getting sliced up by a cosplay reject holding a dagger to her throat. And that’s before the storyteller’s breath brings stories to life.
Home is the mission—to return to her family and pursue her life’s dream of art and travel. Yet the longer she’s in the Land of Ur, the harder it is not to feel for the people she meets. Even her artistic side can’t help but breathe in the beautiful wonder and magic of this new world. So when the Oracle hands her a different quest, she takes it on the condition he sends her home afterward.
No one thought to warn her of a jealous queen and her dragon minions. Or that, by helping her, the cute storyteller would go crazy. Or that her heart would rip in two when she left. Those would’ve been great facts to know ahead of time.
Considering that nothing in Ur is what it seems, the mission proves to be more than she ever imagined. But more than her own future will be in jeopardy if Kamryn doesn’t succeed.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks

Author Bio:

Desiree Williams is a dreamer by day and chocoholic by night. She lives in the beautiful state of Kentucky with her husband and daughter, where she juggles life as a wannabe supermom. Desiree is a lover of food and avoider of dirty dishes. She delights in making people laugh and strives to bring hope and love with her wherever she goes.
You can find out more about Desiree and her books at www.desireewilliamsbooks.com

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~Cassie

Spring Fever Giveaway Event

Welcome to the Spring Fever Giveaway Party!
A dozen authors over at YA Author Rendezvous have put an awesome giveaway together – with over TWENTY chances to win!

One grand-prize winner will walk away with a signed, first edition hardback of Witch and Wizard which just so happens to be written by one of the biggest names in fiction – JAMES PATTERSON! On top of that, they get a $100 amazon gift-card!

And all if takes is a minute or two and a few clicks of the mouse.

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE!

Check out these other amazing prizes they have for you here.

Spring Fever Giveaway!

Blitz hosted by:

~Cassie

Blog Tour: Awakening Bloodline

About the Book:
Title: Awakening: Bloodline Book One 
Author: Tiera Rice
Publication date: October 12, 2016
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal

Synopsis: 

Being royal comes with lots of expectations. Born into war as a Vampyre Witch, she has to battle the ultimate enemy: her own blood. When she has a terrifying Vision, Antanasia fights harder than ever to prevent it from coming to pass. Will she succeed? Or does she die trying?
∞
Nadia is an average teenager celebrating her nineteenth birthday. But her day turns upside down when she starts developing unusual abilities that make her question everything she knew. Searching for answers to her predicament, she finds herself trusting Nicolae, a stranger with a familiar presence. Why does she feel so drawn to him? Will Nadia find answers to the questions about her past and take on her new role willingly? Or will she choose to remain in the dark and deny her destiny?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Author Bio:

Tiera Rice was raised in Rockland County, New York and is a realtor in Rockland, Westchester, and Orange Counties. She earned her degree in criminal justice from Temple University, is the founder of Laughter and Lemonade: a project that focuses on motivational posters for those experiencing a chronic illness, and co-founder of #26forTiera: a foundation that provides financial resources to single parents battling life-threatening illnesses.
A creator of poems and short-stories for many years, Tiera challenged herself by leaping into the world of novels. Having recently survived a battle with cancer, Tiera decided to use her writing to entertain and motivate her readers. When not writing or selling houses, Tiera can be found spending time with her friends and family, especially her young daughter, fish, and kitty cat. Her other interests include singing, drawing, and dancing.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Special Excerpt

CHAPTER SEVEN
Bran, Wallachia
1480
 

I lurked in the woods, peering through the trees at the tavern before me. I had knowledge from our spies that much of the Order frequented this place. It was pouring rain, which made it easier for me to hide by muffling any sounds and limiting sightlines. I was drenched with water, but the weather reflected my foul mood. I’d travelled all night and well into the day, hiding within the trees, to get to this city, and I wasn't leaving until I got what I’d come for: vengeance.

During my journey, I decided to take out all the key players, picking them off one by one until I got to Mihnea. I chose to start with Raz—the team leader and knight who killed Luca. I could see him through the window, drinking ale and palming the bum of the whore, Ileana, who was sitting in his lap. He was laughing at something one of his companions said, and raised his mug in a toast.
A growl sounded at the back of my throat. How dare he sit there enjoying the company of friends when only days before he’d slaughtered an innocent babe and countless others with no remorse? Luca would never know the taste of ale or the feel of a woman’s touch. I would stop at nothing to avenge him and the people of both our villages.
I watched the scene intently, waiting for the poison to take effect. I’d paid Ileana generously to keep Raz entertained, and to pour the poison mixture into his mug whenever she brought him a refill to mask the taste. I provided her with the poison ring and specific instructions on how to administer the mixture in just the right amounts. She was more than happy to complete the task—she had her own vendetta against this lot.
Raz and a handful of his knights were known to be rough with the women. Ileana, who was younger than I, had left the tavern more than once bloodied and bruised. She told me of a time that she was unable to work for days because she needed to heal. I pursed my lips together, growing impatient. Come now!
As Ileana stood up, Raz slapped her on the bum with force. She winced but still managed to put on an inviting smile. He downed the contents of his drink in one gulp and smirked at his companions before taking Ileana’s hand. He stumbled, and laughter filled the tavern. She held him up to stop him from landing on his face and he slapped her away, embarrassed.
Ileana clenched her jaw and flared her nostrils. She glared at Raz, but he took no notice as his steps became more unsteady. He flopped to the floor and the patrons nearby howled with mirth. This time, he didn’t turn away from Ileana’s help, and she practically carried him up the stairs behind the bar.

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~Cassie

Blog Tour: Finding Paradise

About the Book:
Title: Finding Paradise
Author: V.P. Ortiz
Publication date: September 24, 2016
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

Mila Quinn is ready to finally move out of the college dorms into an apartment with her longtime boyfriend, Ethan Lowe. But when Ethan reveals a big secret, her world is suddenly turned upside down, stirring up old memories of love and loss. Completely torn apart, she boards a plane to Hawaii to escape for the summer.
Even though Mila wants to spend her time in paradise in isolation, fate has other plans when it drops sexy local Gage Madden in her lap. Hesitant at first, she agrees to let him take the reins on her island exploration. As Mila discovers the wonders of Oahu with Gage, it becomes harder for her to fight the budding attraction between them.
But behind the curtain of island adventures and undeniable chemistry, trouble is brewing where Mila least expects it. Secrets begin to bubble to the surface that could destroy her all over again. Will Mila find her paradise? Or will she leave Hawaii with another broken heart?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Author Bio:

V.P. Ortiz lives, works, and breathes in sunny/snowy/beautiful Colorado with her loving husband, their two beautiful children, and their three fat cats. While her home may be in the Rocky Mountains, she left her heart somewhere on the island of Oahu, where she plans to retire someday in a tiny house with an avocado tree and free-range chickens. Besides reading any book in sight, her hobbies also include eating, dancing, lip syncing, and occasionally running until her husband has to pick her up eight miles away because she got lost and has a leg cramp.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Review:

Wow, wow, wow! This book blew me away! I found it difficult to put down, and honestly I never wanted to stop reading it. For debut author, V.P. Ortiz, this is sure to be a hit among fans of contemporary romance, and you will not want to miss out. Her writing is excellent and how couldn’t you love a story that takes place in the gorgeous setting of Hawaii?! With a beautiful backdrop and amazing characters, Finding Paradise is a book you have to check out now!

The story itself is a pretty quick read, but you will love every second of it. There were some parts I found predictable, but it’s enjoyable nonetheless. If I’m being honest, it was actually very refreshing to read a story such as this because everything felt very natural in the story. There was no moment that I felt the story or the characters’ actions were forced or unrelatable. Everyone, especially Mila (our MC) was relatable and made me love the story even more. I can’t imagine a better setting for this story to take place than in Hawaii. And let me tell you, Ms. Ortiz truly made Hawaii come alive (and made me want to book a flight there as soon as I got done reading)! 

Mila is an excellent main character to follow. She is very strong and willing to go the extra mile for others. But in this story, she learns that sometimes she needs to put herself first and take risks. There are so many times that we are hesitant to do something crazy or adventurous because we don’t want to break out of our little box. But sometimes that’s exactly what we need to make us come alive again, move on from whatever is holding us back, and become who we are truly meant to be. And that is exactly what Mila does in this book. I truly admired Mila’s ability to adapt to her new surroundings and cope with the events in her life. The romance is sweet and light, and very well done. Gage often seems too good to be true (*hint hint there’s a twist with his character**) but it’s easy to fall in love with him. I did like that they started off as friends, and even though it progressed somewhat quickly, it was still believable. There were some very cilche moments with their romance, but it didn’t make me love this book any less. 

Overall, I would highly recommend checking out this book as it is one that you don’t want to miss! V.P. Ortiz writes an amazing story that will easy sweep you off your feet and have you desperate to go to Hawaii as soon as possible. It was a quick read that was sweet and exactly what you need in the middle of winter. Add this to your TBR right away!

Happy reading :) 

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~Cassie

Waiting on Wednesday #88

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Cassie's Waiting On: 

Aequus (The Royal Protector Academy #2) by Randi Cooley Wilson 
Publication Date: March 30, 2017 

Synopsis:

Serenity is being with the one you love.
Despair is being kept apart.
After the rain comes the war.

What if the person you were meant to be with could never be yours? For Serena St. Michael and Tristan Gallagher, this is reality. Tristan has accepted his impending nuptials. He’s returned to his realm and his betrothed. Their unification will create peace. Serena is still struggling with her protector’s choice. With a firm resolve, she will forsake her own future in order to save him. Their love will trigger an ancient war. Can Serena and Tristan rewrite their destinies? Or will the Vergina Sun prophecy be fulfilled, and the lovers fall to fate? Welcome back to the Royal Protector Academy.

Aequus is the second novel in the Royal Protector Academy series. This dangerously exciting and darkly romantic tale will take your breath away. It can be read as a stand-alone trilogy, or after the bestselling Revelation series. Intended for mature readers 18+ due to language, mild violence, and sexual situations.

So it should be no surprise that this book (and author) is one of my WoWs! I honestly can barely contain my excitement for this book and even though I know that my heart is going to be broken and shattered, I just need more Tristan and Serena!!

Jocelyn's Waiting On: 

Warcross (Warcross, #1) by Marie Lu 
Publication Date: October 3, 2017 

Synopsis: 

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.

I have a confession, as of right now, I have never read a Marie Lu novel. *GASP* I know! I couldn't tell you how long I've been meaning to read the Legend Trilogy and The Young Elites. Besides that, I am so excited to read this book. It kind of reminds me of a book I really love, The Eye of Minds by James Dashner. I'm really intrigued by these sci-fi hacker novels lately, and I am excited to see the jump that Mari Lu makes from dystopia to science fiction! 

Blog Tour: Deliciously Smooth

About the Book:

Title: Deliciously Smooth (Naked Brews #1)

Author: KB Jacobs

Pub. Date: March 3, 2017

Pages: 214 

Amazon | Goodreads

List Price: $.99 for pre-order and first week of release. Increases to $2.99 after that.

Synopsis:

My parents were conmen and I was their tool. I learned how to cheat, connive, and charm my way out of any circumstance. But now I’m respectable...kind of. Yeah, my life is still a lie, but that’s because I have no choice. My best friend, who’s also my boss, needs me to lie to keep our billion-dollar charity going. It’s complicated.

But all the lies are about to end. I just have to finish one final task...taking over a brewery. Easy, right?

Not so much. Because that brewery is part of a custody battle between mother and daughter. The mother owns it. The daughter thinks it should be hers. I’m caught in the middle. Not normally a bad place to be when it comes to two feisty women.

But I’m falling for the daughter and when my lies come to light, everything is going to unravel. And then my future with the brewery and the girl will be shot to hell.

My boss probably won’t be too happy with me either...

Author Info:

KB Jacobs is the pen name for two fabulous, best-selling authors. Obsessed with the 3 B’s...books, brews, and bodies...specifically male ones with a ladder of abs leading down to the treasure trail…

Ahem, sorry, we digress.

These two authors decided to pool their obsessions and discovered a whole new destination to whet their imaginations. Welcome to Naked Brews, one amazing microbrewery set in the middle of the Rockies, run by three women, who much like our authors, know what they want...those 3 B’s again. Side eyes the men...oh, yeah, they have very nice obsessions.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Author Central | Goodreads

Review:

KB Jacobs have combined their writing powers for good and have stepped onto the scene with this brand new series...and it's delicious. I loved every single second of this book and I was really blown away by how much I enjoyed this story. There is a lot to love about the story and you will never want to stop reading. You're sucked into Lake and Walsh's story and it is sinfully good. And let me tell you, this is definitely a bar I wouldn't mind going to!

The writing is a brilliant mix of humor and romance, swoon-worthy males and strong female characters, and fierce friendships. The plot itself was interesting and it was palpable how much this bar meant to Lake. I admired her tenacity in wanting to keep her father's memory alive, and the fact that she was surrounded by a group of people that wanted her to achieve that goal was even more spectacular. However, the one thing that I liked the most was Lake's core group...her girlfriends. They are all strong, independent women that constantly build each other up and are there for each other through all of life's ups and downs. It's very rare today to have a strong lady friendship as is the one in this book, and I applaud these two authors for featuring such a great group of ladies. I want each of them to get their own happy ending because they are amazing in their own right. I also appreciated that the authors never let the side characters (mainly Lake's friends) fade into the background. The played a role throughout the entire story, and that's what I like to see!

Now onto the best part of this novel...LAKE AND WALSH! I loved every single second of their relationship. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and even though you could say they got off to rocky start, I loved how they were together during the story. They had a great banter and ultimately were adorable together. And the more steamy moments between the two...well that was just off the charts with sparks flying in every direction! Walsh has a huge secret, and I was literally yelling at him to just tell her so that she wouldn't find out in a less than ideal way, but did he listen to me...no of course not! You can pretty much guess where things go from there. But I'm not going spoil anything, you'll have to find out if there's a HEA. 

Now, KB Jacobs, we must talk...how could you give me that ending??? Suffice to say, they excised some of their evil author powers in the last moments of the story. To say it's a cliffhanger ending is an understatement. I definitely need the next book in the series ASAP! 

Deliciously Smooth is an excellent start to the Naked Brews series, and KB Jacobs are definitely authors to watch! You need to check this out if you are a fan of contemporary romance novels. I honestly can't wait to check out the second book in this series and find out what is in store for all of our characters in the future!

Happy reading :)

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A.G. Henley | Abbie Roads | Adele Hart | Ali Parker | Alyna Amorosi | Amanda Roberts | Amy Brent | Amy L Gale | Amy Lamont | Anabelle Bryant | Andie M. Long | Ann Omasta | Anna B. Madrise | Anna Rose Leigh | Anne Stone | Annie Anderson | AO Peart | Brandy Dorsch | Brandy L Rivers | Brinda Berry | Candace Knoebel | Christa Simpson | Colleen Charles | Debbie White | Demelza Carlton | Diana Quincy | DJ Bryce | Elisabeth Grace | Elizabeth Ellen Carter | Em Petrova | Emily Murdoch | Emma Nichols | Erica Reeder | Gina Drayer | Heather C. Myers | Holly Cortelyou | Jane Hinchey | Jennifer Rose McMahon | Jo Noelle | KB Jacobs | KB Winters | Kelli McCracken | Kelly Collins | Kennedy Morgan | Khardine Gray | Kira Blake | Laxmi Hariharan | Lena Bourne | Lexi James | Linda Joyce | Liz Gavin | Lizabeth Scott | M.M. Chabot | Mary Hughes | McKenna Jeffries | Melissa Pearl | Miranda Martin | MJ Summers | Piper Rayne | Rachel Star | Renea Mason | Rissa Blakeley | Ruby Snow | Ruth Anne Scott | S.M. Schmitz | Sammi Starlight | Sarah J. Stone | Scarlett Metal | Sheila Kell | Sidney Valentine | Simone Sowood | Skye Jordan | Skye Warren | Stephanie Witter | T.L Smith | Taige Crenshaw | Tia Lewis | Tracy Ellen | Vivienne Hunt | Ysa Arcangel | Zane Morrow

Make sure you enter this awesome giveaway at this link: http://lovekissedbookbargains.com/more-than-luck-giveaway/

~Cassie

Book Review: The Romantics

About the Book:
Title: The Romantics
Author: Leah Konen
Pub. Date: November 1, 2016
Publisher: Amulet Books
Pages: 336
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Synopsis:

Perfect for fans of Lauren Myracle and Rainbow Rowell, The Romantics will charm readers of all ages. Gael Brennan is about to have his heart broken when his first big relationship crumbles on the heels of his parents’ painful separation. Love intervenes with the intention of setting things right—but she doesn’t anticipate the intrusion of her dreaded nemesis: the Rebound. Love’s plans for Gael are sidetracked by Cara, Gael’s hot-sauce-wielding “dream girl.” The more Love meddles, the further Gael drifts from the one girl who can help him mend his heart. Soon Love starts breaking all her own rules—and in order to set Gael’s fate back on course, she has to make some tough decisions about what it means to truly care. 

Review:

We've all heard the verse: Love is patient, Love is kind...well Love kinda got distracted and messed up the love life of 2 people that were supposed to be together forever. So the only logical thing to do, fix the love life of their son. Nothing could go wrong, right? The Romantics is a fun, quick read that will leave you laughing out loud and enjoying every second of reading. The book is fast-paced and well written, and I loved the unique twist of Love being the narrator of the story. The plot is lighthearted and cute, but predictable (only reason I gave it 3.5 stars instead of a full 4). I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the story, and I'll definitely be checking out more from Leah Konen in the future!

Having Love as our narrator added some hilarious commentary but also very relevant advice to all those who are dating. I did like the change of having the MC looking for love be male instead of female. It was a refreshing way to read a contemporary story, and I liked the different perspective. Gael was a great lead character for the story. You see he's a romantic, not the guy that's into romantic comedies or that mushy gushy stuff (he's actually the exact opposite); no, he's the guy that falls hard and falls fast...in other words he says those 3 big words way too quickly. He was definitely cute and I could easily tell who he was going to end up with in the end. Love's interventions in his life (without Gael knowing of course) caused some pretty spectacular moments in the book, and kept the story fun and unexpected.

I definitely recommend checking this out if you're looking for a quick, cute read that takes a different perspective than your classic love story. Even though the plot is sort of basic and predictable, it didn't make reading the story any less fun! Based off of the ending, I would love to see a sequel to this focusing on other characters. Leah Konen has a great talent for storytelling and she is one to watch!

Happy reading :)

~Cassie