{Blog Tour} The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy, #3) by Marie Rutkoski

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: March 24th, 2016
Finished Date: March 13th, 2016

Publishers: Bloomsbury Childrens
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: For Review
Format: Paperback

Pages: 484
Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Book Depo 

 

War has begun. Arin is in the thick of it with untrustworthy new allies and the empire as his enemy. Though he has convinced himself that he no longer loves Kestrel, Arin hasn’t forgotten her, or how she became exactly the kind of person he has always despised. She cared more for the empire than she did for the lives of innocent people—and certainly more than she did for him.

At least, that’s what he thinks.

In the frozen north, Kestrel is a prisoner in a brutal work camp. As she searches desperately for a way to escape, she wishes Arin could know what she sacrificed for him. She wishes she could make the empire pay for what they’ve done to her.

But no one gets what they want just by wishing.

As the war intensifies, both Kestrel and Arin discover that the world is changing. The East is pitted against the West, and they are caught in between. With so much to lose, can anybody really win?

The Review: The Winner’s Kiss is the fabulous end to the The Winner's Trilogy where we have seen a Romeo and Juliet-esque story about two young adults from two sides of a war come together to unite the realms for good.
The ending of book two was a shocker in which we saw Arin turn his back on Kestrel, not knowing the sacrifices she had been making for him and his people which led to her being imprisoned in a harsh work camp that could undo her. Rumours were then spread that Kestrel had died and she lost all hope whilst at the same time, Arin mourned her……
Kestrel is broken, after a failed escape attempt leaves her scarred, she is living to work and for the blessed medicine her captors give her but then someone rescues her, someone who thinks they have failed her but Kestrel is lost and doesn’t remember. When she is taken to safety, she finds her battle is just beginning; she must battle for her sanity, to remember what happened, who her rescuer is and just what side of the fence she sits. Can they ever really live free? It all ends here!
So, this series got off to a bumpy start for me and I wasn’t a fan of the first book but I’m glad I stuck with it because it built up into something amazing and something that will definitely stay with me. This book had a very metamorphosis feel to it, especially for the characters of Kestrel and Arin who have gone through so many changes. In this Kestrel is broken, it was really sad to see her like this considering she was so ‘together’ throughout the first book and forever the strategist. It was like Kestrel had to be remade after her stay in prison, she learned many a lesson after the betrayal that sent her there and with what she endured. Reading of her going through withdrawal was awful, she was so weak and pathetic whilst not knowing who had rescued her. I always routed for Kestrel and Arin but I didn’t totally get the love until he did what he did for her, his loyalty when he realised what had happened, his determination to get her back above all else – even a war! – was so admirable. He had his work cut out for him but he was steadfast in everything, including his love and understanding for Kestrel. They both had to get to know each other again, even though the bond was there, they were different because of the things they had each endured and the burden that was on them, plus they had to fall in love again with that knowledge. For all the story was all Kestrel and Arin, I have to say that I loved the secondary characters too especially the Prince Roshar, he brought some great comedic moments to a very harsh plot.
Speaking of the plot, the storyline was fab! The first part of the book was focussed on the realisation that Kestrel needed saving and I loved that it was Arin who did it, it spoke of their connection that he knew something was wrong. Then we had Kestrel’s recovery which was very sad but I sat reading with the hope that she would realise who Arin was to her and that she would find her fight again. The change to all of the characters was very satisfying, it was like watching someone grow up and become exactly who you thought they would be. Whilst that was happening, Arin popped in and out of the war giving us an insight into what was happening on that front and injecting quite a bit of action into the story. I love a story where the underdog triumphs over the oppressor and the series had definitely been heading toward a final countdown but what surprised me was the way it was done with not one big battle but a series of battles. I love seeing things come to fruition so the battles were great and I thought it was believable what they had to do and the amount of effort it took to get their foothold. Kestrel really came into her own, her war strategy was amazing – that girl could outthink anyone and could have practically ended that war alone! The battles were awesome, lots of action and the planning in them was great when put into action and some times, very brutal.

I really liked how Arin was tied to his god, it gave a little bit of mysticism to him and also that his people already saw him as a leader of worth. I also liked that even though Kestrel didn’t believe in his gods she was willing to believe in him and was willing to do whatever it took and in turn how Arin had complete faith in her. The betrayal by her father had hit deep and although she thought she wanted his demise her feelings were conflicted, that to me showed how far she has come from the girl we knew in the beginning. The ending was quite understated considering the battles they had waged but very fitting with the mood of the book and I was left very satisfied. I couldn’t recommend this series enough, it was definitely a grower for me and ended up being awesome. Give it a go – you know you want to ;)

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children's for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Excerpt from The Winner's Kiss.

HE TOLD HIMSELF A STORY.
Not at first.
At first, there wasn’t time for thoughts that came in the shape of words. His head was blessedly empty of stories then. War was coming. It was upon him. Arin had been born in the year of the god of death, and he was finally glad of it. He surrendered himself to his god, who smiled and came close. Stories will get you killed, he murmured in Arin’s ear. Now, you just listen. Listen to me.
Arin did.
His ship had sped across the sea from the capital. Now it nosed in among the fleet of eastern ships docked in his city’s bay, nimble sloops of war, flying their queen’s colors of blue and green. The sloops were Arin’s, at least for now. The Dacran queen’s gift to her new allies. The ships were not as many as Arin would have liked. Not as heavy with cannon as he would have liked.
But:
Listen.

Arin told his ship’s captain to sidle up along the largest of the Dacran sloops. After giving his captain orders to dock and find Arin’s cousin in the city, Arin boarded the sloop. He approached the commander of the eastern fleet: Xash,a lean man with an unusually high-bridged nose and brown skin gleaming in the late spring sun.
Arin looked into Xash’s eyes—black, always narrowed, and lined with the yellow paint that indicated his status as naval commander. It was as if Xash already knew what Arin would say. The easterner smiled slightly.
“They’re coming,” Arin said.

{Blog Tour} Conspiracy Girl by Sarah Alderson

Posted by Donna
Release Date: February 12th, 2015
Finished Date: February 10th, 2015

Publishers: Simon & Schuster UK
Genre: YA, Thriller, Romance
Source: For Review
Format: Paperback

Pages: 320

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Everybody knows about the Cooper Killings – the Bel Air home invasion that rocked the nation.
There was only one survivor - a sixteen year-old girl.
And though the killers were caught they walked free.

Now eighteen, Nic Preston - the girl who survived - is trying hard to rebuild her life. She’s security conscious to the point of paranoia and her only friend is a French Mastiff bulldog, but she’s making progress. She’s started college in New York and has even begun dating.

But then one night her apartment is broken into and the life Nic’s worked so hard to create is shattered in an instant. 

Finn Carter - hacker, rule breaker, player – is the last person Nic ever wants to see again. He’s the reason her mother’s killers walked free from court. But as the people hunting her close in, Nic has to accept that her best and possibly only chance of staying alive is by keeping close to Finn and learning to trust the person she’s sworn to hate.

Fleeing across a snowbound New England, frantically trying to uncover the motive behind the murders, Nic and Finn come to realize the conspiracy is bigger than they could ever have suspected. But the closer they get to the truth and the closer they get to each other, the greater the danger becomes.

To survive she has to stay close to him.
To keep her safe he has to keep his distance.

The Review: Another book from Sarah Alderson? Well that alone sold me the moment I heard she had another book coming out. You guys know how much I adore her work thus making this one of the books I was most looking forward to this year. And true to all her previous work, Sarah Alderson never fails to disappoint! 

The Cooper killings was such a high profile case that people are still talking about. Nic Preston, the sole survivor is trying to leave it all behind her but no matter what she can’t get rid of her OCD tendencies such as living in a highly secure apartment with every high tech security system. But when someone breaks through Nic’s fortress, she knows one thing….. The killers are back and they’ve come to finish the job. Teaming up with super computer hacker Finn Carter might be Nic’s only chance – if only she didn’t hate him. But with no other choice soon they embark on a mission to try and uncover the killers as well as running for their lives. 

I don’t read many young adult thriller stories but like I said before, anything Sarah Alderson writes I’m going to read it. And I really enjoyed Conspiracy Girl and probably more than Out of Control because I felt like it ticked all the right boxes for me. Hot romance – check! Awesome characters – check! A fast paced plot – check! And the most important one DUAL NARRATIVE – CHECK! You know I love dual narrative. Love it!

Nic and Finn are purely awesome characters. I liked them both from the start and I thought they complimented either other very well even at the start when they hate either other. It was interesting to watch their relationship grow and turn from hate to love. And they had so many special moments during the story that made me feel a number of different emotions. 

I can’t help think what’s next for Sarah Alderson? I would personally LOVE for her to try some YA contemporary romance – just romance. No thriller. No paranormal. I know she’s writing more under her pen name, Mila Gray which is New Adult. But you can’t beat a good YA contemporary story and I think Sarah would do an amazing, amazing job! 

In all, Conspiracy Girl is such a whirlwind ride that it’s impossible to not get swept up with the characters along the way. Read it, I guarantee you’ll love it. 

Thank you to Simon & Schuster UK for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Extract from Conspiracy Girl 

I find myself bent over the sink, sucking in air, gripping the edge of the basin, trying to ride the wave of pain in my shoulder. I can’t do this any more I think to myself. I’m so tired of running and hiding. I just want to stop.

A bang on the door makes me jump. ‘Nic?’ Finn calls. ‘Can I come in?’

He doesn’t wait for me to answer. He opens the door a crack and then seeing me standing up he lets it fall open and walks over to me. In his hand he has a first aid kit.

‘Here, let’s get this off,’ he says, laying the first aid kit down beside the sink and reaching for the scissors. He snips through the makeshift bandage and nausea rolls up my throat as he pulls it away from the wound. My eyes water.

Finn sets the scissors down and starts tugging at the bottom of my blanket poncho. Gently he eases it over my head then starts pulling up my sweater. When I have to lift my arm I let out a hiss through my teeth.

‘This isn’t going to work,’ he says, reaching for the scissors again. He eases his hand up under my T-shirt and sweater, his fingers grazing my skin. I jolt at his touch as licks of fire start tracing a new path across my stomach.

‘Sorry,’ he whispers.

I shake my head and he pulls the T-shirt away and starts slicing through both the T-shirt and the sweater. When he’s done, he peels the torn strips over my shoulders and tosses them to the floor. His focus goes straight to my shoulder. I glance sideways in the mirror. The back of my white bra is stained ghoulishly red.

I close my eyes and grind my teeth as his fingers start probing the skin around my shoulder blade. It feels like a scorpion has buried its tail in my flesh and is wriggling it around. Finn slides the strap of my bra down my arm and I grip the edge of the basin for support.

‘I’m going to undo your bra. Is that OK?’ he asks.

I nod, my eyes still closed. It’s soaked in blood anyway. Carefully he undoes the clasp and I shiver even through the pain as he slides the other strap off my arm and peels my blood-crusted bra away from the skin.

‘Here,’ he says.

I open my eyes and see he is handing me a towel. I take it and hold it against my chest. In the mirror I watch Finn. He hasn’t taken his eyes off my back but as soon as I’m covered up he glances at me in the mirror.

‘This is going to hurt,’ he says.

I nod at him. He gives me a weak smile in return.

I grip the basin with one hand and watch as Finn unsnaps his Swiss Army knife. He douses it in alcohol and then without any warning he sticks the tip of the blade into the flesh above my shoulder blade.

I let out a cry and then bite down on my lip, feeling tears burn like acid behind my eyelids. Pain flares through me obliterating all thought. All I see is blinding white light.

‘I got it,’ I hear Finn say.

I hear the clatter of something hitting the basin and look down. A small dull grey piece of metal sits there. That’s it? I think. It’s only the size of a dime. How can something so small hurt so much? Ribbons of watery blood splatter the enamel around it and snake down the drain. My vision starts to swim and Finn guides me to the toilet and makes me sit down.

‘I’m going to try butterfly stitching this,’ Finn says, ‘hopefully it will hold.’

I can’t talk. I can’t even nod.

His fingers move deftly. He swipes the wound with alcohol, again without warning, making me cry out as fireworks of light burst and pop on the back of my eyelids.

‘Sorry,’ Finn whispers under his breath, his voice strained.

It burns. The pain sears through skin and muscle all the way to the bone and a scream rises up in me that I have to fight down, but after a few seconds it dulls to a tight throb.

‘You want some help getting cleaned up?’ Finn asks when he is done applying the butterfly stitches and a bandage.

I think about raising an eyebrow at him. I can manage, but then I try to lift my arm and can’t.

‘Yes,’ I say, trying to fight back tears.

‘OK.’ He takes a towel from the rack and runs the hot tap as I sit down on the edge of the bath. Soaking the towel Finn gets down on his haunches and starts wiping the blood from my back. When he’s done he’s leaves the bathroom for a few minutes. When he comes back he hands me something.

 ‘Here.’

I glance upwards. He’s holding a clean shirt that he must have found in one of the closets. He helps me stand and holding the shirt he turns his head while I drop the towel and slide one arm into the shirt and then the other, grimacing with pain the whole time. Finn comes around and buttons it up, keeping his gaze fixed the whole time at my collarbone, as I stand there feeling like a small, useless child.

I stare at him, standing so close, taking in the day old stubble flecking his jaw, the dark sweep of his lashes, as well as the stubborn set of his mouth, and have to resist the urge I have to stroke a hand through his hair and press my lips to his.

I swallow and focus on the burning sensation in my shoulder hoping it will distract me from his closeness. But it doesn’t. I’m not sure at this stage if anything short of losing a limb could. Certainly the thought that at any moment people could come bursting through the door firing guns isn’t enough.

When Finn finishes buttoning up the shirt, his hands stay there, holding the shirt bunched at my hips. He doesn’t make a move and for a moment neither of us speaks. I’ve stopped breathing.

My stomach flips. The atmosphere in the bathroom is electric, flammable. I swallow again, loud enough to be heard. I don’t want to move in case he drops his hands and I don’t want him to do that. In fact, I want him to undo the very buttons he just did up and run his hands over my body, as gently as he did just now with the towel.

My breathing speeds up and my eyes fly to his face. Finn is staring down at his hands which are still gripping the shirt together at hip level. His jaw is pulsing as though he’s fighting some inner voice or instinct. But then he looks up and our eyes meet and in that split second he stops listening to whatever warning the voice is giving him. He pulls me against his chest, his hands sliding around my back, and I reach up on tip toe and in the next second we’re kissing.

The pain in my shoulder evaporates and there’s just the heat of his lips instead. Though his hands are gentle, holding me, there’s nothing gentle in this kiss. It’s desperate, hungry, unguarded, and I respond in the same way.

I can’t lift my arms so I make do instead with sliding my hands under his T-shirt, laying my fingers over the hard ridges of his stomach. I’m unable to focus on anything other than his mouth on mine, the feel of his lips, and the pressure of his fingers as they skim the skin of my lower back, lighting trails of fire. It’s like there isn’t enough oxygen in the world. My head spins and whirls, lights dancing behind my eyes, and from a very long way away I hear Finn whispering my name.

AUTHOR BIO

Sarah is the author of Hunting Lila (winner of the Kingston Book Award), Losing Lila, Fated, The Sound, Out of Control and Conspiracy Girl (all Simon & Schuster).

Having spent most of her life in London, Sarah quit her job in the non profit sector in 2009 and took off on a round the world trip with her husband and daughter on a mission to find a new place to call home (a journey that was documented on this blog and which is shortly to be turned into a book).

After almost a year spent travelling the world, they settled in Bali where they lived for five beautiful years before the vagabonding urge became too great and they decided to embark on Can We Live Here part two. They are currently located somewhere between India, London, Canada and the US.

As well as writing young adult novels and screenplays, Sarah also writes adult fiction for Pan Macmillan (Simon & Schuster in the US) under the name Mila Gray.

Her first adult novel, Come Back To Me, was published in June 2014. The second, This One Moment, will be out in August 2015.

Sarah has co-written the Hunting Lila screenplay, which is currently in the early stages of production, and continues to blog about her life and travels.

Author links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Alderson/1458660991035521?fref=ts

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4573983.Sarah_Alderson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahalderson

Website: http://sarahalderson.com/ 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Excerpt + INT Giveaway} Come Back to Me by Mila Gray

Come  Back to Me 
by Mila Gray 
Release Date: October 23rd, 2014 

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Home on leave in sunny California, Marine and local lothario Kit Ryan finds himself dangerously drawn to his best friend's sister, Jessa - the one girl he can't have.

But Kit's not about to let a few obstacles stand in his way and soon Jessa's falling for his irresistible charms.

What starts out as a summer romance of secret hook-ups and magical first times quickly develops into a passionate love affair that turns both their worlds upside down.

When summer's over and it's time for Kit to redeploy, neither Kit nor Jessa are ready to say goodbye. Jessa's finally following her dreams and Kit's discovered there's someone he'd sacrifice everything for.

Jessa's prepared to wait for Kit no matter what. But when something more than distance and time rips them apart they're forced to decide whether what they have is really worth fighting for.

A breathtaking, scorchingly hot story about love, friendship, family and finding your way back from the edge of heartbreak.

To celebrate the upcoming paperback released of Mila Gray's Come Back to Me in the UK on 23rd October and Australia's release in November, were here today with a few exciting treats. 

Firstly though, we'd like to congratulate Mila Gray (aka Sarah Alderson) and the fantastic news that Come Back to Me beat Fifty Shades in the erotica listing on Amazon and also reached #8 in the bestseller charts in WHSmith here in the UK! Woohoo! 

Anyway, back to the awesome part of the post. You can read a little teaser below of the upcoming release and have your chance at winning a goodie bag from Mila herself! Good Luck!

Excerpt from Come Back to Me by Mila Gray 

‘I didn’t know you could cook.’

‘I have many, many skills. As you will soon discover.’

He catches my eye and I totally do not misread the look he’s giving me. My stomach flip flops and heat rises up my neck. If he’s that good a kisser I can only imagine how good he might be at the other stuff.

After I’ve eaten at least six of the cakes Riley stands up and shakes off the blanket of all the crumbs then he lays it down on top of me again. ‘You OK?’ he asks, ‘Not cold? Tired?’

‘You’re such a gentleman,’ I say, as he sits back down beside me and puts his arm around me.

‘I have four aunts and fifteen female cousins. I had manners beaten into me.’

‘Not by your dad?’ I ask, twisting to face him. My dad still yells at us if we put our elbows on the table or start eating before he’s done saying grace.

‘No,’ says Kit smiling. ‘He was browbeaten by all the women in the house. My mom and all her sisters. He gave up trying to win against an ocean of oestrogen.’

I like the image of Kit’s dad being overwhelmed by his mom and her sisters. It’s easy enough to picture. Whenever I’ve met Kit’s family I’ve never been able to get a word in edgeways.

‘What else did they teach you?’ I ask.

‘To put the toilet seat down.’

‘Always a good habit. Could they teach Riley you think?’

‘I’ll ask.’ He twists a strand of my hair around his finger. ‘I can braid hair too.’

I narrow my eyes at him. ‘You can braid hair?’

‘Oh yeah. French braids, normal braids, you name it. Just don’t tell anyone in my Unit becuase my reputation is on the line here. If they ever found out that’d be it for me.’

‘OK, I promise,’ I say. ‘Though you might have to make it worth my while.’

‘What? Buy your silence?’ he asks, sliding his eyes in my direction. ‘With money?’

‘No,’ I whisper. ‘Maybe some other way.’

‘Some other way?’ he asks, his lips now against my ear. ‘I can think of a few ways that might work. Except,’ he pauses, his voice so low it gives me chills. ‘I’m not sure you’d be able to stay silent.’

My whole body arches towards him, my skin contracted in a shiver so tight it’s painful. Just his words make my breathing speed up in aching anticipation. Is he going to follow through? But he doesn’t. He just links his fingers through mine and turns to face me so we’re nose to nose.

‘I meant it when I said I was thinking about you a lot when we were away,’ he says. ‘I couldn’t get you out of my head.’

Cold desert air fills my lungs as I draw in a huge breath. ‘Me neither,’ I whisper. ‘I mean, you. Out of my head.’

‘Truth?’

I nod.

Kit lifts his hand and traces a finger along my cheekbone and then my lips. ‘Since when?’ he asks.

‘Last time you were back. You remember? That time at the beach . . .’

He stares at me for a moment in disbelief before his face cracks into a grin. ‘Oh I remember all right. You were wearing a yellow bikini. It’s burned on my retina.’ He rolls his eyes to the sky and rubs his hand across the bridge of his nose. ‘Man, what I would have done to kiss you back then.’

He liked me back then? ‘You should have,’ I say. If only he had. We wasted so much time, that’s all I can think.

‘And I wouldn’t be alive today if I had. Your brother would have had a piece of me.’

It’s the first time either of us has mentioned Riley, though I’m certain Kit must have been thinking about him too.

‘You okay with this?’ he asks when I don’t say anything. The grin has gone and his expression has turned deadly serious. ‘I realize I’m putting you in a difficult situation. I mean, neither your dad or Riley are going to be happy if they find out about us.’

‘Well, we’ll just have to keep it a secret won’t we?’ I say, leaning closer so my lips are just a milimetre from his.

‘Are you sure? That’s what you want?’ Kit murmurs. ‘Because if you’re not sure . . . if you don’t want to get in trouble, I’ll understand if you just want it to be this one night and nothing more.’

I kiss him before he can say anything else.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AUTHOR BIO

Mila Gray is the pen name for Sarah Alderson, author of Hunting Lila, Losing Lila, The Sound, Fated and Out of Control.
Originally from London she has lived in Bali for the last four years with her husband and daughter.
As well as writing young adult fiction under the name Sarah Alderson and adult fiction under the name Mila Gray, she also writes screenplays.

You can find out more at www.milagray.com and on facebook: www.facebook.com/sarahjalderson

{Blog Tour} Divinity by Michelle L. Johnson

Divinity 
by Michelle L. Johnson 
Release Date: September 23rd, 2014

Publishers: Spence City 
Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance

Pages: 384

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

When Julia climbs into a flaming car to save a trapped child, she's left wondering why either of them survived. Then she learns that her father is the Archangel Gabriel, and that she is half human, half Archangel. With guidance from Michael, the most powerful Archangel, Julia sets out to discover her own history and explore her angelic powers. But her journey is cut short when an evil force, invisible to human and angel alike, tears her world apart. Now Julia must fight through her despair, harness her newfound gifts, and risk her very soul to stop the A'nwel and protect the family she never knew she had. What she doesn't know is that Archangels have secrets too."

EXCERPT:

"Your attempt on your life did serve a purpose. It made you realize that you are here for a reason. It made you start to become open to the reasons why that might be the case.”

Julia could only nod. She’d survived enough carbon monoxide poisoning to kill six people. There had to be a reason for it. Michael’s wording struck a nerve, though. He said she started to ‘become open’ to it. Gabriel had said that crazy people were ‘open’ to alternate realities. Did that mean she went crazy? And how would she know if she did?

“Michael,” Julia said with a tremor in her voice as she gazed at her breathtaking reflection, “am I crazy?”

“You are not crazy.”

“But, Gabriel said…”

“What he said was true – for your mother, and for others like her. You are not crazy. You are half human and half Archangel. That alone is reason enough for you to be able to see and believe.”

Julia lifted her wings, curling them outward at the tips. A sense of peace spread over her. “I’m not crazy.”

“No, you aren’t.”

“If I need to remember things in my own time, then why are you helping me?”

“Because it is your time.”

Michelle L. Johnson is the author of DIVINITY, a supernatural urban fantasy, and the author of THE FOOTLOOSE KILLER, a mystery. She's also a literary agent, a coffee lover beyond reason, and has a fascination with the workings of the human mind.

Her key influences have been Stephen King, Anne Rice, and C.S. Lewis, but is inspired by every author to put pen to paper.

Michelle lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her muse and her rambunctious Cocker Spaniel, Sammy.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Divinity-Michelle-L-Johnson-ebook/dp/B00MK3MJO0

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/divinity-michelle-johnson/1119325816

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/divinity-8

Apple iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/divinity/id908946701?mt=11

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22117059-divinity

Follow the author on FB! https://www.facebook.com/MichelleL.Johnson

Stalk the author on Twitter! https://twitter.com/mjsretweet

Visit the author’s Website! http://www.michelleljohnson.us/

{Book Blitz + Giveaway} The Prophecy of Arcadia (Arcadian Wars #1) by M. H Soars

The Prophecy of Arcadia
(Arcadian Wars #1)
by M.H. Soars
Release Date: January 17th, 2014

Publishers:  Flyingsaucers 22 Publishing
Genre: YA Sci-fi, Paranormal, Romance 
Source: For Review

Pages: 430

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

Being a teenager is tough, especially when you have to pretend to be something you’re not, and you’re in love with someone you shouldn’t. 115 years ago, a small planet called Arcadia was invaded by a vicious alien race and nearly destroyed. Cut off from their resources, the Arcadians turned to Earth for help. A group of Arcadian explorers discovered a Prophecy that claimed their salvation lay in the hands of two children from Earth. To ensure their safety, the Arcadian Council sent their most gifted youngsters to Earth to act as protectors. Samantha is one of them.

To succeed in her mission she must learn to control her Arcadian powers and keep her true identity from her best friend, and the girl she swore to protect, Alexia. But Samantha will soon realize that nothing is as it seems. Someone is trying to prevent the Prophecy from taking place and the prophecy boy hasn't been found yet. There is also a new drug circulating at school that is turning students into freakishly strong menaces.

To make matters worse, distractions keep getting in her way. Such as her love/hate relationship with her “cousin” Matthew. Or her confused feelings toward popular and mysterious Julian. She wants nothing more than to be free to live her life. But the survival of Arcadia depends on her and her friends. Free will is not an option.

*Note from the author: Due to strong language and mature content this book is recommend to readers 17+. This is a Sci-Fi/Paranormal Romance novel.

Excerpt from The Prophecy of Arcadia 

The conversation with Alexia had made me edgy. I walked toward the middle of the room, getting closer to Sam so I could have a clear look at her face. Even though I could tell she was trying to be stoic, I wanted to see if there was any sign that she still cared.

She closed the book she was pretending to read and sat up on her bed, looking at me like I was a nuisance. “You know I don’t want to talk to you. Why do you insist?”

She stood up suddenly, throwing her book on the bed with such force that it bounced and landed on the floor. My gaze followed the book’s trajectory and stayed on it for a few seconds as I tried to control my rampant emotions. Sam’s question hurt, and it subdued my anger a little. I took a deep breath and found her face again.

“Do you even have to ask? How many times do I have to say I’m sorry for what I did to you seven years ago?” My voice came out strained. I was sure she had noticed, but her angry posture didn’t change.

“Just tell me what really happened then. Just tell me, Matt.” She used my nickname — something she only did when she forgot she was supposed to be mad at me. Her voice had a pleading tone to it now, and it gave me hope. I looked into her eyes and saw all the hurt there. I wanted to tell her, I truly did, but I just didn’t know what to tell her.

“Sam,” I said as I carefully approached her. She gasped as I placed my hands on her arms. I looked deep into her eyes. That close, I could see little gray specks in a sea of dark blue. “I, I, can’t tell you,” I finally said.

She pushed me away from her with a powerful shove and I had to take several steps back to regain my balance. “You can’t, or you won’t, Matthew?”

Her own anger fueled mine. I didn’t want to lose it with Sam, but I also wasn’t able to walk away from this conversation now. She had balled her hands into fists, and that did something to me.

I hesitated to tell her the real reason because she probably wouldn’t believe me. But the swell of emotions within me just made me want to yell the truth at her. But how could I tell her that looking at her after the accident made me feel like the most despicable person in the world?

“I can’t tell you because I don’t know why!” I watched her expression change from anger to disbelief and back to anger again in a matter of seconds.

“Bullshit!” she said.

Sam was ready for a fight. Her muscles were tight with anger. The air around us felt charged, like the calm before the storm.

Ignoring the signs that we were escalating this argument beyond our control, I moved closer to her again. But now my movements had a menacing quality to them. I was letting her know she wouldn’t be able to push me away this time as I pleaded my case.

“Why can’t you believe me? Why is it so hard for you to trust me and forgive me?” My temper was rising, and I was starting to feel feverish. I opened and closed my hands, trying to control the rage boiling inside of me. My entire body shook and I knew I had awakened the Phoenix. It didn’t take much these days. Sam had the power to evoke feelings in me that I would rather keep buried.

She took a few steps back until she reached the edge of her bed and couldn’t retreat further. “Because you won’t trust me!” 

AUTHOR BIO:  I like to call myself a United Nations child. I was born in the United States but grew up in several different countries which gave me a broader perspective of life. I've always been passionate about books and stories and at a certain point had a comic book series going. With a background in fashion design I always thought I was going to follow that path. But the characters in my head kept begging to be set free. So I decided to write their stories. A couple of years and a baby later, the first installment of my Arcadian Wars series is finally done. I currently reside in New Mexico with my husband and baby daughter. I love to read novels in the YA, PNR, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and Chick Lit genres. When not devouring said novels, you may find me shopping online (I'm an expert), blogging about fashion, or trying to teach my daughter to walk (even though she's too young for that). If you would like to learn more about me and my projects, visit my Facebook page. Or you can also 'friend' me on Goodreads.

http://www.flyingsaucers22.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Book Blast + $100 Giftcard Giveaway} A is for Abstinence (V is for Virgin #2) by Kelly Oram

A is for Abstinence (V is for Virgin #2)
by Kelly Oram
Release Date: May 12th, 2014
Genre: Romance, Young Adult

Buy: Amazon UK /  Amazon US / B&N

Six-time Grammy Award wining musician Kyle Hamilton has it all—money, fame, talent, good looks, and a job he loves. His only regret in life: walking away from a certain notorious virgin because he was too prideful, stubborn, and even afraid to give her the only thing she asked of him—his abstinence.

Four years and a broken heart later, Kyle realizes that sex isn’t everything, and he suddenly can’t stop thinking about the girl that got away. Virgin Val Jensen got under is skin like no one else ever has. He wasn’t ready for her then, but things are different now. He’s grown up, he’s learned a few things, and he’s finally figured out exactly what he wants, or, rather, who he wants.

Kyle Hamilton wants a do-over, and this time he’s willing to do—or not do—whatever it takes.

Excerpt from A is for Abstinence by Kelly Oram

I’d never seen Val so upset before. I’d flustered her on a regular basis back in the day. I’d always pushed her to her limits on purpose, trying to get her strong façade to crack and she never once had. She was the strongest person I’d ever met. It said something about her emotional state of mind that she’d asked for a few moments to collect herself before having to do the signing with me.

I knew she probably wanted these few minutes alone, but I couldn’t pull myself away. I couldn’t leave her like this. I cleared my throat to gain her attention, and she jumped at the intrusion. She whirled around, hastily wiping away a tear or two as she forced her emotions down and reverted back into the calm, controlled woman I’d seen onstage.

She opened her mouth as if to explain herself but shut it again, realizing that there was no hiding what I’d just witnessed. Instead she decided to ignore it. “Kyle Hamilton.” It was a warm greeting and a sigh at the same time.

Her smile was sincere, and her eyes held genuine pleasure, but there was a wariness about her that made me afraid to approach her. We stared at each other in silence, both cataloging the changes four years had brought. I wasn’t sure what to do or how to break the silence between us, so Val took the initiative. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” she said with a small shake of her head.

“Me, either.” I finally broke from my stupor and managed a small smile. “Hug for an old friend?”

I held out my arms, still not taking any steps further into the room, letting her come to me on her terms. It took her a moment to decide, but eventually she pushed her smile up into her eyes and crossed the room to me.

We sank into the embrace and simply held each other as the tension left our bodies. Her arms were low around my waist and mine tight around her shoulders. Thanks to her heels she was only a few inches shorter than my six-foot-three inches, putting her at the perfect height to rest her head on my shoulder, which she did with the smallest sigh. My eyes drifted shut and I enjoyed the moment. It was a long time before I whispered, “Are you okay?”

She sucked in a sharp breath and pulled herself out of my arms. “I’m fine.”

I didn’t believe her. The words sounded too much like a personal pep talk. “Val, if you’re not up for sticking around to sign autographs with me, I’ll understand. I’ll tell them you’re not feeling well.”

Val gaped up at me, stunned by the offer. She was shocked that I’d let her off the hook. Normally I wouldn’t, but the image of her crumpling to pieces alone in this room was not one I was going to forget anytime soon.

“The thing about surviving fame,” I told her, “is knowing when to say no. The public will always take everything you give them. They’ll take and take and take, and it will never be enough. You have to remember that ultimately you come first. If there’s ever something you need, you have to put your foot down.”

For instance, not singing your most popular song again no matter how much it pisses people off and lets them down. I didn’t voice the thought, but I wondered if she was thinking about that, too.

“If you’re not up for it today, then go.”

Val studied me for a moment, and her nerves melted away. Giving her the chance to say no had apparently been what she needed to say yes. “It’s okay, Kyle, I don’t mind staying.”

She sounded much more confident, but I still asked, “You sure?”

“I’m sure,” she promised. A smile crept over her face, reaching all the way up into her eyes and she said, “I can’t let you go out there alone. Who knows what kinds of rumors you’d start. I’d probably wake up tomorrow and learn that I’d been hospitalized after going into severe shock when you kissed me backstage.”

 Surprised, I burst into laughter. “That does sound like something you’d do,” I teased.

She laughed with me and we headed back to the main studio and our waiting fans. “It may have been four years, Kyle, but that doesn’t mean I don’t remember how you operate.”

I snatched her hand as she reached to open the door to the studio. I wasn’t ready to end this moment alone with her. “You don’t think I’ve learned a few things since then?”

She smirked and shook her head. “New tricks. Same dog.”

It was impossible not to take her words as a challenge. I pushed her back until she was pinned against the door and leaned in close enough that our breaths mingled. Her eyes snapped wide the same way they always had whenever I’d invaded her personal space, and I watched, satisfied, as she sucked in a lung full of air and held it.

“That mentality will be your downfall this time around, Val.” I leaned in, letting my lips linger at her jawline for a moment too long before bringing them to her ear. “Same old tricks,” I whispered. “New man.”

With that, I kissed her cheek and breezed past her into the studio, leaving her flustered and in need of another moment to collect herself all over again.

Author Kelly Oram

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She’s obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.

Twitter * 

Facebook * Blog * 

Goodreads

           

 Blast Giveaway $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/16/19 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  
a Rafflecopter giveaway