Waiting on Wednesday #98

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: 

The Fallen Kingdom (The Falconer #3) by Elizabeth May 
Publication Date: June 13, 2017

Synopsis:
The long-awaited final book in the Falconer trilogy is an imaginative tour-de-force that will thrill fans of the series. Aileana Kameron, resurrected by ancient fae magic, returns to the world she once knew with no memory of her past and with dangerous powers she struggles to control. Desperate to break the curse that pits two factions of the fae against each other in a struggle that will decide the fate of the human and fae worlds, her only hope is hidden in an ancient book guarded by the legendary Morrigan, a faery of immense power and cruelty. To save the world and the people she loves, Aileana must learn to harness her dark new powers even as they are slowly destroying her. Packed with immersive detail, action, romance, and fae lore, and publishing simultaneously in the UK, The Fallen Kingdom brings the Falconer's story to an epic and unforgettable conclusion. 

This conclusion has been a long time coming and I couldn't be more excited for it! The second book blew me away and that was well worth the wait, so I don't expect anything different with this one! Elizabeth May knows how to tell an extraordinary story, so I can't wait to see how the story ends. Plus, isn't that cover gorgeous??


Jocelyn's Waiting On: 

The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell 
Publication Date: July 18th, 2017 

Synopsis:

Stop the Magician.
Steal the book.
Save the future.

In modern day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic—the Mageus—live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Crossing it means losing their power—and often their lives.

Esta is a talented thief, and she's been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. With her innate ability to manipulate time, Esta can pilfer from the past, collecting these artifacts before the Order even realizes she’s there. And all of Esta's training has been for one final job: traveling back to 1902 to steal an ancient book containing the secrets of the Order—and the Brink—before the Magician can destroy it and doom the Mageus to a hopeless future.

But Old New York is a dangerous world ruled by ruthless gangs and secret societies, a world where the very air crackles with magic. Nothing is as it seems, including the Magician himself. And for Esta to save her future, she may have to betray everyone in the past.

Magic and time travel? Yes please! I have yet to read anything by Ms. Maxwell, but I've heard great things about her peter pan retelling, Unhooked. This seems like a book about classic magic, and I can't wait to see what The Last Magician has in store for us! Also, beautiful cover am I right?

Blog Tour: Groupie

About the Book:
Title: Groupie (Rock-Hard Beautiful, #1)
Author: C.M. Stunich
Publication date: March 21st 2017
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Synopsis: 

“Can one of these five rockstars fill the hole in my heart? Or will I stay broken forever?”
Young, dumb, and broke.
That’s what started everything. With five dollars in her pocket, and everything she owns stuffed in the back of her car, Lilith Goode’s life is over. Done. Destroyed.
Ten words. One text. That’s what it took to change the whole world.
A crumpled concert ticket. A chance encounter. That’s what it takes to start all over again.
Five rockstars. One girl. Six dark hearts, six withered souls.
But can one broken person really put another back together again?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Author Bio:

C.M. Stunich is a self-admitted bibliophile with a love for exotic teas and a whole host of characters who live full time inside the strange, swirling vortex of her thoughts. Some folks might call this crazy, but Caitlin Morgan doesn’t mind – especially considering she has to write biographies in the third person. Oh, and half the host of characters in her head are searing hot bad boys with dirty mouths and skillful hands (among other things). If being crazy means hanging out with them everyday, C.M. has decided to have herself committed.
She hates tapioca pudding, loves to binge on cheesy horror movies, and is a slave to many cats. When she’s not vacuuming fur off of her couch, C.M. can be found with her nose buried in a book or her eyes glued to a computer screen. She’s the author of over thirty novels – romance, new adult, fantasy, and young adult included. Please, come and join her inside her crazy. There’s a heck of a lot to do there.
Oh, and Caitlin loves to chat (incessantly), so feel free to e-mail her, send her a Facebook message, or put up smoke signals. She’s already looking forward to it.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Excerpt

***This scene is racy, so if you're not into the raciness (which is perfectly fine!) you can skip to the giveaway below***

(Sex Scene From Copeland's POV)

 I close my eyes, my skin achy and hot, my balls tight, my entire body this ball of energy that craves more of whatever this is, this twisted ball of four fucked-up souls.  We might just be bodies in motion, but there's something more here.  I can feel it.         The sex was good—it was great, actually—but it wasn't their be-all, end-all.  No, it was their outlet.  Whatever they did, however kinky, dark, twisted, or different, it was all just an expression of their love, a way to get as close as possible, to keep the blackness inside their souls at bay for another night, another day.  No, the touching, joining, rubbing of their bodies wasn't the answer to all their problems, but it was the symptom of their solution.         I blink past the swirl of literary porn inside my head and drive myself into Lilith harder, deeper, rocking the couch and everyone on it with each thrust.  A single movement of my hips drives my cock into Lilith, slides her pussy along Ran's shaft, pushes Muse deeper into her throat.  I control the entire thing, moving us in this strange, wild rhythm that shouldn't work but totally does.         It's Lilith that comes first, before all of us, screaming and arching her back, her lips temporarily falling off Muse's shaft as she digs her nails into Ran's shoulders and shudders around me and him both, squeezing us with her body.  It's intense and long, but I keep moving through it, even as she tries to collapse, holding her up by tightening my fingers on her hips.         As soon as she recovers a little, Lilith sits back up and wraps a hand around Muse, pulling him back to her mouth, squeezing the base of his dick as she swirls her tongue along the underside, teases the sensitive spot just beneath the head.         I enjoy watching that, moving faster and harder, feeling my pulse race inside my head, my skin tightening as an orgasm builds up quick and desperate inside of me.  Muse comes next, both hands on the back of Lilith's head as he makes these wild sounds low in his throat, making Ran buck and thrash beneath us.  I realize he's coming, too, and hold a steady pace, sweat dripping off my chin onto Lilith's perfect round ass.  Once I drop my gaze down to the joining of our bodies, I can't look away, watching her take both Ran and me, soothe away some of that darkness in our souls with the beauty of her own pain.         “Fuck, sweetheart,” Ran gasps, shaking and quivering again as Muse stumbles away and collapses into one of the swivel chairs.  But Lilith and me … we're not done.         Carefully and quickly, I pull out and toss my condom into the trash, putting a new one on and pulling the sweaty crying girl into my lap.  Because she is crying again, and that's okay.  She can cry as much as she wants.         I swipe a tear away with my thumb as I pull her onto my shaft, filling the space where Ransom just was and curling my arms around her waist as she rides me.  Those hunter green eyes finally meet mine, searching and tearing through me, asking me what secrets I have to uncover, making me actually want to spill them all.         It's her next orgasm that finally gets me, her body grasping tight, her face pressed into my neck, hot lips against my pulse.  Her bare breasts smashed up to my chest, I groan and we both end up screaming a little, making so much damn noise that Michael comes storming out of the hall to stare at us.         The look in his eyes … it's pure hunger.

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Book Blitz: Ensnared

About the Book:
Title: Ensnared
Author: Rita Stradling
Publication date: May 23, 2017
Genres: New Adult, Science Fiction

Synopsis: 

A Near Future Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

Alainn’s father is not a bad man. He’s a genius and an inventor. When he’s hired to create the robot Rose, Alainn knows taking the money is a mistake.

Rose acts like a human. She looks exactly like Alainn. But, something in her comes out wrong.
To save her father from a five year prison sentence, Alainn takes Rose’s place. She says goodbye to the sun and goes to live in a tower no human is allowed to enter. She becomes the prisoner of a man no human is allowed to see.
Believing that a life of servitude lies ahead, Alainn finds a very different fate awaits her in the company of the strange, scarred recluse.

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order

—

EXCERPT:

December 2, 2026

Alainn woke knowing someone was in her room.
Whoever it was sat behind her. Quiet, even breaths rasped through the air. Alainn’s eyelids peeked open. Moonlight cast a grayish glow, cutting deep shadows into the space around her bed.
“Good morning, Alainn,” Rose said in a quiet voice. When Alainn didn’t respond, Rose said, “I can tell from the change in your breathing pattern that you are awake.”
“Rose?” she whispered, not quite ready to let out a sigh of relief. Alainn twisted to look at her. “What are you doing here? Did you break my lock?”
“I picked it,” she said. “It is now locked again.”
“Oh, uh—” Her heart pounded in her chest; she sat up and faced the robot. “Why—why would you do that?”
The moonlight lit half of Rose’s face as she watched Alainn, expressionless. “Do not be alarmed. You are obviously having a fear reaction, but I was simply waiting for you to wake up.”
“Don’t you need to sleep—recharge?”
Now that Alainn faced Rose, she smelled the faint odor of her exhaust. Rose continuously exhaled the lightest tang of something sweet and acidic. The air in the room felt used, like a plane cabin after a cross-country flight.
“I was not completely forthcoming with you today. While what I said was true, I have for a time now believed that having Father imprisoned would impede my potential. While I have far surpassed his skills in software, there are times when I need assistance. I am limited by my need to stay near my charging station. Your brother is often absent for days at a time—and you, months.”
“Okay, wait—you’re going to go tomorrow?” Alainn scooted forward on the bed. A dormant hope resurged through her. Alainn would do anything—she’d worship at the robot’s feet if Rose agreed to go.
“No, you are going to go tomorrow.”
Alainn froze, staring at Rose. “What?” she whispered.
“I have calculated one way in which all parties can achieve their desires.”
“I’m sorry—I’m not understanding.” Alainn shook her head. A hard knot formed in her stomach.
“I am not surprised.” Rose reached out to pat Alainn’s hand. “You are not as intelligent as the rest of your family.”
“Spell it out in really simple terms, then.” She just managed to not growl the words at Rose.
Slowly, Rose looked up to the ceiling, moonlight slashing up the curve of her neck, her chin, and the line of her nose. “Earlier tonight, I arranged for you to be picked up by Mr. Garbhan through e-mail, writing as if I was Father. In one hour, a car will arrive outside to take you to his building. I have designed and created hardware for your body. If you are scanned, a chip in the hardware will communicate to the scanners that you have an organic circuitry system rather than a human brain.”
Alainn shook her head, hoping to dislodge some of the grogginess there. “I’m still not following—you’re saying you want me to pretend to be you and turn myself over? That you already arranged it?”
“Yes, you are following. That is exactly what I am saying.”
“I—I—” Alainn shook her head again. The air thinned around her.
“I have a working plan for the transplanting. You can assimilate easily into a life of servitude as you are already accustomed to the labor you will be asked to perform.” Rose lifted a hand, ghostly gray in the low light, and ticked off the chores on her fingers. “Cooking, housekeeping, and bookkeeping. Unless . . . is your concern that he might use you for sexual gratification?”
“What? No.”
“I believe that this would be a particular concern of yours.”
“I never even considered that he would do that to you—I, of all people, would never have tried to push you into going if I thought you’d be used that way.” Alainn blinked furiously. “Rose, do you really think that I would have let myself be the model when my dad printed your face and body if I thought Mr. Garbhan was going to do that to you?”
“It is highly unlikely that I was designed for this function. I have also been assured that there were documents signed to that effect addressed to Father.”
Alainn held out her palms to Rose. “Rose, it’s not just that. I can’t take your place. There’s no way that would work . . . and I can’t live in that tower for the rest of my life. I’m a human. I know that probably sounds callous to you, but you were created to not need sunshine and fresh air. And you don’t need exercise. Humans need those things, me especially. Everything I am,” she touched her chest, “is centered on being in the outdoors.”
“The duration will be seven to fourteen days, no longer.” Her head swung down, causing shadows to swallow her eyes. Two black hollows focused on Alainn. “When Mr. Garbhan pays Father, he and I will make the Rosette model; this process should only take a week, unless there are complications. And then I will devise a way to switch you with the new model.”

Playlist:

1)      Within Temptation - Shot In The Dark

2)     Dream - Imagine Dragons

3)     The Veronicas - Untouched

4)     Lenachka - Acoustic "Go Slow" By LENACHKA feat. Travis Atreo

5)     AMY LEE - Speak To Me (Official Music Video)

6)     t.A.T.u. - All The Things She Said

7)     Phildel - Beside You - The Disappearance of the Girl

8)     X Ambassadors - Unsteady

9)     The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This

Listen to the entire playlist here: Ensnared Playlist

Author Bio:

Rita Stradling is the author of The Deception Dance series, the Dakota Kekoa series and The Fourteen Day Soul Detox Novella Serial. She has a BA in Art History and a particular love for modern and medieval art.
Rita lives with her husband and son in Northern California.
She has an insatiable novel addiction and mostly reads young adult and adult: romance, paranormal, urban fantasy and high fantasy.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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~Cassie

Book Blitz/Review: Who She Was

About the Book:
Title: Who She Was
Author: Stormy Smith
Publication date: May 4, 2017
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis: 

Trevor Adler loathes the music he used to love, but it’s the key to his full-ride scholarship and the ticket away from his dysfunctional parents. To kick off their freshman year, Trevor’s roommate drags him to a frat party, where he ends up face-to-face with his childhood best friend and finds himself entrenched in memories he’d rather forget.
Unable to let Charlie go again without understanding the truth of why she disappeared from his life and chose to become the type of person they always hated, Trevor is relentless in his pursuit of the girl he once knew.
Charlotte (Charlie) Logan is broken. Under her perfectly-crafted exterior are the shards of a shattered heart. A handful of angry words changed her life completely and Charlie’s never been able to forgive herself for the truth she’s hidden from everyone.
While Trevor pushes Charlie to remember the music that lit her soul and the laughter they shared, they find themselves reverting to a banter-filled rhythm that feels all too familiar, yet different now. When Trevor’s own secrets come to light, it becomes clear he and Charlie both must face their tragic pasts if they have any hope at a future together.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Chapter One
Charlie
August
“Are you guys ready for this?”
The overly-excited frat boy in charge yelled into the microphone and the backyard of the Sigma Alpha house hit deafening levels. Inside their dingy kitchen, I shared a wary look with a few of the Kappa pledges.
“As much fun as we’re already having tonight, it’s about to get real! The fifth annual dating auction is about to start. That means the only thing standing between you and a hot little sorority pledge is your parents’ money!”
A petite redhead who barely looked fifteen, let alone eighteen, drew back the curtain of the kitchen window to peek out as he continued and then giggled.
“I can’t believe rush week is finally here and tonight is the auction!” She actually clapped her hands together and I forced my eyes not to disappear into the back of my head. “I hope Austin bids on me,” she gushed. “He’s so hot.”
“And you will be yet another notch on his freshman bedpost,” I muttered before I could stop myself. The girl behind me in line stifled a chuckle, and I smiled knowing there was someone else who understood how absurd this was.
“Your mom was a Kappa, too?” She asked.
I nodded. The line of sorority pledges filed forward through the kitchen to the back door as the emcee announced the next piece of meat up for bid. I kept my eyes forward and not on the half-filled keg cups and ripped open chip bags.
“Can you believe we have to go through with this just to pledge?” The girl twisted a piece of her hair and I didn’t miss the fear that flashed in her eyes. “The worst part was when I told my mom, she was actually excited.”
We took another step forward as I shook my head in disbelief. I hadn’t bothered to even tell my mother since it wouldn’t have mattered. Getting in was all she was worried about and Katie was the only one who ever mattered to her.
Then, I was next. I swallowed down my own anxiety and pressed my sweating palms down my skirt. It was tight and high-waisted, and my heels were higher than I was comfortable with.
Katie would have loved me in it.
I missed my Chucks.
My name came over the crackling sound system and I felt warm fingers encircle my own.
“You’ll do great, Charlotte,” she encouraged. I hadn’t even bothered to ask her name and she’d been astute enough to pluck mine from the bio being read to the crowd. I gave her a tight-lipped smile and returned the gesture even though I wanted to yank my hand from hers and wipe it off again.
I pushed through the torn screen door and pulled the humid August air into my lungs as I straightened my posture and put one foot in front of the other. My smile was so automatic it didn’t matter that I didn’t feel it anywhere but the shift in my cheeks—not too much teeth to seem fake, just enough for no one to ever think anything was wrong.
The emcee’s voice was lost in the cat calls. I heard bids of anywhere from five dollars to twenty as they commented on my rack or how my long hair would come in handy. My fingers tapped out a familiar rhythm onto my hip, one that I refused to acknowledge, but it was the only way I could keep circling the rickety stage.
I had to get into this sorority. It was what she wanted. It wasn’t optional.
“Two hundred and fifty dollars.” His voice silenced the crowd.
My smile didn’t waver as I let out a longer exhale and thanked whoever he was while also praying he wasn’t a psycho.
A sweaty, drunk guy helped me off the stage, and I was thankful when my heels sunk slightly into the ground because it was over and all the attention shifted to the next piece of cattle. I followed the turning heads in the direction of my bidder, who was still lost in the crowd.
The crowd shifted as their attention focused back on the next pledge up for bid. The light from the porch found him and he stood facing me, clearly waiting. For a split second, time stopped.
He smirked, catching my pause. The baby-face Trevor had the last time I saw him was gone. Instead, angular features and questioning eyes stared back at me.
I wanted to spin on my heel and run the other direction. Trevor was the slip knot of my life. The carefully intertwined ropes I’d wrapped around the person I used to be — the one he alone had understood and yet still abandoned — could be unraveled with one tug. He could destroy me and everything I’d done to atone for my mistake.
No one knew what I’d done. How it was all my fault. I’d never told anyone so he couldn’t know. It was a secret I desperately wanted to share so I no longer had to bear it alone, but knew I couldn’t.
“Fancy meeting you here, Charlie,” Trevor said as he pushed his thick-rimmed glass up his nose, failing to convince me he was any more comfortable with our impromptu reunion than I was.
I didn’t need him anymore. He was the who’d disappeared and left me all alone. It didn’t matter that he was the one who knew the rhythm I tapped out to get through the worst of times. Or that in an instant I remembered what real laughter felt like and the feel of ivory under my fingertips. It couldn’t matter. Not anymore.
I charged forward, auto-smiled and played the part I’d cast for myself.
“Charlotte,” I stated. “My name is Charlotte.”

If you’re ready to spend 99 cents to find out what happens next, click here. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Author Bio:

Stormy Smith calls Iowa’s capital home now, but was raised in a tiny town in the Southeast corner of the state. She grew to love books honestly, having a mom that read voraciously and instilled that same love in her.
When she isn’t working on, or thinking about, her books, Stormy’s favorite places include bar patios, live music shows, her yoga mat or anywhere she can relax with her husband, twin sons or girlfriends.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Review:

This is the first novel that I have read by Stormy Smith, and I was extremely impressed! I didn't know what to expect going into the novel, and was really surprised by how much I truly enjoyed Trevor and Charlie's story! I finished this book in one sitting because I had to know how everything would work out in the end. Right from the very beginning I connected to the characters, and I never wanted to stop reading. It's safe to say that I will definitely be checking out more from this author in the future.

Honestly, I thought this book was perfect from start to finish. Ms. Smith wrote this story excellently. The dual perspectives really made the reader connect to the characters on a different level. When they felt heartbreak, my heart was breaking...when there were some seriously swoonworthy moments, I was definitely swooning hard! Charlie and Trevor are very well written characters and their development over the course of the book is extraordinary. This book was very realistic and the relationship and bond that formed between Charlie and Trevor just felt natural. At it's heart, this book is all about moving on from your past and being the person you are meant to be (even if it's not in the way you might originally expect). The message is reinforced often while reading, and I appreciated Ms. Smith allowing readers to take the journey with these amazing characters.

If you couldn't tell, my favorite part of this book was all the amazing characters! Charlie, while a little aggravating at times (which is how she is supposed to be), was a very complex character that you can't help but love. At first, I was worried that I wouldn't like her because of how she was toward Trevor, but when you realize that it's all for show, and that she's constantly wearing a mask for the world to see...well, your opinion changes. I connected with her character a lot and I think a lot of readers will. I mean who among us hasn't felt the need to put on this "perfect" mask to make sure that we appear like everything is alright when really we're falling apart inside? I thought her growth over the course of the novel was magnificent and you could see the influence that her new friends had in her life. When Charlie finally allows herself to be herself, this amazingly radiant characters shines off the page, and I was so proud of the person she was by the conclusion of the story. Trevor...my boy Trevor is absolutely my new book boyfriend! Seriously, the amount of times he made me swoon was incredible. I love him so much and every girl deserves someone like Trevor in her life. He is so so sweet and supportive of Charlie, and he is always there for her when she needs him most (even if she didn't realize it at the time). But he too has struggles and definitely isn't perfect...which made me love him even more. Sam and Darcy were the perfect balance to Trevor and Charlie. I loved their energy and rounded out a perfect group of friends. 

The chemistry between Trevor and Charlie is off the charts, and the best part?? It's not insta-love!!! Can I get a HALLELUJAH!! This is 100% a slow-burn romance, and it is oh so good. I really appreciated that Ms. Smith took the time for them to become friends again before even thinking about moving on to something more serious. Again, this made their relationship--and it's progression-- much more natural and realistic. They were perfect for each other in every way. They could be absolutely crazy and goofy with each other and had the perfect banter. But even better...they were always clear about their feelings.

This is a definite must read of 2017, and it's one you won't want to miss out on! While this is NA due to the characters' ages, this is not your normal NA novel. There is so much more to this story than you originally think, and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to read it. 

Special thank you to Stormy Smith for giving me an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

Happy reading :)

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~Cassie

Waiting on Wednesday #97

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: 

Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2) by Cassandra Clare 
Publication Date: May 23, 2017

Synopsis:
Emma Carstairs has finally avenged her parents. She thought she’d be at peace. But she is anything but calm. Torn between her desire for her parabatai Julian and her desire to protect him from the brutal consequences of parabatai relationships, she has begun dating his brother, Mark. But Mark has spent the past five years trapped in Faerie; can he ever truly be a Shadowhunter again?

And the faerie courts are not silent. The Unseelie King is tired of the Cold Peace, and will no longer concede to the Shadowhunters’ demands. Caught between the demands of faerie and the laws of the Clave, Emma, Julian, and Mark must find a way to come together to defend everything they hold dear—before it’s too late.

Obviously no WoW is complete without Cassandra Clare's newest novel! I was seriously impressed by Lady Midnight and I hope that this one will be even better.  Cassie Clare is a master at writing, and I can't wait to see what's in store for my new favorite Shadowhunter gang (as well as getting some answers about our old favorites)!


Jocelyn's Waiting On: 

The Suffering Tree by Elle Cosimano 
Publication Date: June 13th, 2017

Synopsis:

“It’s dark magic brings him back.”

Tori Burns and her family left D.C. for claustrophobic Chaptico, Maryland, after suddenly inheriting a house under mysterious circumstances. That inheritance puts her at odds with the entire town, especially Jesse Slaughter and his family—it’s their generations-old land the Burns have “stolen.” But none of that seems to matter after Tori witnesses a young man claw his way out of a grave under the gnarled oak in her new backyard. 

Nathaniel Bishop may not understand what brought him back, but it’s clear to Tori that he hates the Slaughters for what they did to him centuries ago. Wary yet drawn to him by a shared sense of loss, she gives him shelter. But in the wake of his arrival comes a string of troubling events—including the disappearance of Jesse Slaughter’s cousin—that seem to point back to Nathaniel.

As Tori digs for the truth—and slowly begins to fall for Nathaniel—she uncovers something much darker in the tangled branches of the Slaughter family tree. In order to break the centuries-old curse that binds Nathaniel there and discover the true nature of her inheritance, Tori must unravel the Slaughter family’s oldest and most guarded secrets. But the Slaughters want to keep them buried… at any cost.

As a HUGE fan of supernatural novels, it's safe to say I can't wait to read this. I love the idea of ancestral magic so this seems like a perfect novel for me. Have you heard about this book yet? Is it on your TBR?

Blog Tour: Sonora and the Eye of the Titans

About the Book:
Title: Sonora and the Eye of the Titans
Author: T.S. Hall
Publication date: January 14th 2017
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:

The King is dead, and the capital city of Titanis has fallen. The world of Sonora is at war, and the only hope against the onslaught of the Titan army lies with the last royal descendant of Zeus, who is being covertly sheltered on Earth in the secluded mountain town of Sandy, Oregon.
Allora is a shy, intelligent sixteen-year-old, trying to get through the gauntlet of high school while coming to terms with her otherworldly origins. After getting into a fight at soccer tryouts, Allora’s emotions boil over, and her hands suddenly burst into flames. She has harnessed the power of hadrons at the highest level, but at extreme cost. The magical outburst projects an energy signature that is detected by a group of assassins tasked with killing Sonoran rebels.
To survive, Allora, Katie, Dax, and Tanner must find a powerful ancient artifact known as the Eye of the Titans. With the help of a guardian known as Sasquatch, they will have to fight off creatures, solve complex riddles, and navigate magical caverns, all while enduring advanced calculus, jealous girlfriends, and prom.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Author Bio:

I’m a writer, skier, and wanderer. I grew up in Portland, Oregon, but currently live in the beautiful mountain resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho. I love history, mythology, and the fantastical interpretations that have been incorporated in my debut young adult urban fantasy series called Sonora.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Review:

Despite some flaws, Sonora and the Eye of the Titans was a good first start to Mr. Hall's new series. The novel has an overall interesting storyline and it truly keeps you engaged. You can very easily tell that the author has a creative mind, and knows how to write a fun fast-paced story. However, there were several things that kept me from giving this book a higher rating. 

Overall, the plot was excellent and one that I greatly enjoyed. However, the book did seem a little choppy and was pretty slow in the beginning. The story definitely picks up about half way through the book, and from there on out, it's very fast paced and non-stop excitement. It did feel a little unoriginal at times but this could be because I've read a lot of fantasy novels, so things are bound to overlap. I did read this book in one sitting, and it was very obvious that there was a "flow" issue. There were a lot of gaps in the story, and again, this was especially prevalent in the beginning of the book. Personally, I think the choppiness came from the fact that this is the author's first novel, and I think that the story could have greatly benefited from having an editor go through and eliminate some of the gaps and the allowed the author to rework things a bit.

Don't let these few things discourage you though from reading! Because the second half of this book does a complete 180. For some this might not be desirable, but let me tell you, by the halfway point, the story (and the reading experience) changes. Whereas before, you struggled to connect to the characters, you begin to fully imagine these characters in your head, and feel as if you are right there next to them. Yes, the flow was still a little bit of an issue, but this improved as the story progressed. And while I said there was some unoriginal aspects to the novel, Mr. Hall does set himself apart from other fantasy novels in this second half. I did enjoy the interesting twists and turns that he threw in, and this helped the story move along at a quicker pace. There is exciting action, and I became excited to see how the novel would end!

Although there were some problems with this book, I did truly enjoy the story and am excited to check out the sequel! Keep in mind the couple things I mentioned, and you will easily find yourself a new favorite fantasy novel. There is some romance thrown in, but I did enjoy the fact that this book focused more on the fantasy/action elements (and I hope this is something that continues). The author sets up the next book perfectly, and I will definitely be continuing the series.

Happy reading :)

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~Cassie

Book Blitz: The Bodyguard

About the Book:
Title: The Bodyguard (Legacies of the Amazons, #1)
Author: Wende Dikec
Published by: Inkspell Publishing
Publication date: May 2, 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Descended from a secret race of Amazon Warriors, Ana Thermadosa is not like other girls. As a student at Artemis Academy, the training grounds for a mysterious company called Cerberus Enterprises, Ana has spent her life learning what is important. How to fight, how to win, how to kill, and, mostly importantly, how to follow orders and live up to the expectations of her powerful family.
Trained in the art of warfare since birth, now her skills are being put to the test. She’s been hired to defend Jordan Banks, the wealthy son of a nefarious businessman, from kidnappers.
She despises Jordan and all he stands for, but soon comes to realize that many things in the outside word aren’t as she’s been led to believe. She also discovers Jordan isn’t what she expected, and, against her better judgment, finds herself starting to care for him.
When disaster strikes, Ana is put in a difficult predicament. Keeping Jordan safe would mean betraying her own people and everything she believes in, but letting him die would mean betraying something even more important.
Her own heart.

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EXCERPT:

“If you’d like a demonstration, I am willing to provide it.”
“A demonstration?” Roman asked with a snort, but Ana could tell he was intrigued. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Philip suppress a grin.
“Me against them.” She looked at the three hulking bodyguards standing behind him. One of them actually had the nerve to giggle. She decided he would be the first to learn a lesson. Bodyguards should never giggle.
Melani had to bite her lip to keep from smiling. “You don’t have to do this, Ana.”
“Yes, I do.” She removed her black jacket, part of the standard issue uniform worn by everyone at the company, and placed it over the back of her chair. Beneath it, she wore a snug, black t-shirt, and comfortable pants. “There’s a sparring room next door.”
“Would you like them to come in one at a time?” Roman asked, trying to sound like a gentleman. Ana knew he thought she was going to get beat up, and she also knew he kind of looked forward to seeing it. He wouldn’t be so lucky today.
She studied the bodyguards, sizing them up from head to toe. All three of them grinned at her. She opened a door that connected to the sparring room ushered them in, leaving everyone else in the conference room.
“No. I can handle them all at once,” she said, shutting the door behind her.

Author Bio:

Wende Dikec has spent her life traveling the world, collecting stories wherever she visited. She majored in Japanese and International Economics in college and worked in import/export and as an ESL teacher before she committed herself full time to writing. She writes in several romance genres, and her books are quirky and fun. Wende is a Trekkie, a book hoarder, the master of the Nespresso machine, and the mother of three boys (probably the main reason for her caffeine addiction). A puppy named Capone is the most recent addition to her family, and she blogs about him as a way of maintaining what little sanity she has left. She is the author of TIGER LILY and STARR VALENTINE, and writes adult romance under the name Abigail Drake. She can be found on the web at www.wendedikec.com.

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~Cassie