A Review for Taste of Darkness (Healers #3) by Maria V. Synder

Posted by Donna
Release Date: December 31st 2013 
Finished Date: October 28th, 2013

Publishers: Harlequin MIRA
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Source: For Review

Format: eBook
Pages: 400

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

The Review: In Taste of Darkness, we see Avery searching for Kerrick after he mysteriously disappears. No-one knows where he is, he's vanished without a trace, but Avery remains hopeful that there is an explanation to his disappearance. In the meantime it's time to try and win the war against Tohan, however, Avery and the gang are quickly distracted by some of the soldiers becoming sick, and they fear the worse that a new plague has out broke. Can Avery figure out who is responsible for the new plague before it takes any more victims, and more importantly, can she find Kerrick and stop the war?

Maria V.Synder's final instalment to the Healer series is finally here and it's a truly a great read! I was worried before I started this, mainly because I didn't think the sequel was a strong squeal, especially compared to the first instalment Touch of Power. So, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one and how much everything came together to deliver us a great finale.

I’ve found what I enjoy from Maria's book is her keen eye for detail. She always manages to capture the beauty and the ugliness of the times that her stories are set in. I know with fantasy books there needs to be a lot of details, details like the clothes the people wear, to what the war was like…but every time I read one of Maria's books, I always feel she does it well. I find it very easy to imagine and very believable and I love that as a writer, she takes so much time to get the key and important facts across.

Another thing I love about Maria's work is her ability to write characters that people can relate too. Even though our main character has abilities that people don't really have (well, not that we're aware of anyway) but Avery still goes through normal day to day problems that we all have. What I love about Avery is how strong and brave she is. She faces death every day and doesn't have any hesitation to help anyone who’s in need. She has a fantastic support group who we, as readers, love just as much as she does and more importantly, Avery is a pretty kick ass character. I have to say I do prefer her from Zelena from the Poison Study series. And then we have Kerrick, swoon-worthy Kerrick. I love him! I think he’s one of my preferred male characters from a fantasy novel. He just seems to have this power to draw you in, that makes anyone love him. He has so many different qualities that make you love him, he’s broody, humorous, romantic, loving, generous, tough, and brave and you can really see why Avery loves him. They make a great couple and I was glad that we got so many times where they could just be together. 

The plot of Taste of Darkness really comes together and we see many loose ends tied up. I was nervous about how everything would come together, and while it’s very nerve-racking, it’s done well. All the way through the book you just know that something’s coming and when it does, it’s so, so good. The story flowed at a good pace with enough action, romance, suspense that was needed. And while I do believe that Avery’s journey is over, I do think it’s a possibility for Maria to re-visit this series in the future, like she’s doing with her Poison Study series. I’d be thrilled to have more from the Healer series. 

In all, a great finale!

A Review for How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 7th, 2013
Finished Date: November 11th, 2013

Publishers: Simon Pulse
Genre: YA, Contemporary 
Source: For Review

Format: eBook
Pages: 320

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

First she lost her heart. Then she lost her mind. And now she’s on a road trip to win back her ex. This debut novel’s packed with drama and romance!

Rosie’s always been impulsive. She didn’t intend to set her cheating ex-boyfriend’s car on fire. And she never thought her attempts to make amends could be considered stalking. So when she’s served with a temporary restraining order on the first day of summer vacation, she’s heartbroken—and furious.

To put distance between Rosie and her ex, Rosie’s parents send her on a cross-country road trip with responsible, reliable neighbor Matty and his two friends. Forget freedom of the road, Rosie wants to hitchhike home and win back her ex. But her determination starts to dwindle with each passing mile. Because Rosie’s spark of anger? It may have just ignited a romance with someone new…

The Review: “I know women are supposed to stand on their own and all. I get that. But every once in a while it doesn't hurt to wish for a fairy godmother, a little magic, and a happy ending.” 

I’ve been eager to read How My Summer Went Up in Flames since I first received it for review, mainly because I’m yet to find that road trip book that I could totally fall in love with. I was hoping that Jennifer Salvato Doktorski debut novel would be it, and while it wasn't, I certainly enjoyed reading it.

How My Summer Went Up in Flames starts with Rosie, a teenage girl who recently had a temporary restraining order put against her after she torched her ex-boyfriend; Joey’s car, when she discovered he was cheating on her. Rosie can’t quite get her head around all the trouble she is in, and still doesn’t abide by the law when she’s caught kind of stalking Joey. So, the only way her parents know how to deal with her is to send her on a road trip with her next door neighbour Matt and his friends, hoping she will discover herself along the way.

As I said before, I definitely enjoyed reading this story, it's an ideal read if you've just broke up from school for the summer and you're looking for that read that can take you the places you've always wanted to see. How My Summer Went Up in Flames certainly delivered with that aspect, with my favourite part being where the characters where visiting the Grand Canyon. I'd love to go there one day!

Rosie was a fun character - one who has her issues, but hey, what seventeen-year-old girl doesn't? I felt some of her reactions were way over the top but that's Rosie. I enjoyed how she started finding herself along the way of the trip, I didn't like how much she kept pining over Joey, but him cheating on her was the plot of the story. Now I loved Avery! I wouldn't mind reading a book all about her. And then we have the guys; Matty, Logan and Spencer. I really liked them all. Rosie didn't end up with the guy I thought she would but still, it was still interesting to see her figure things out.

The story itself was enjoyable at a good pace, there was enough entertainment through-out and enough laughs to keep the humour going. What I felt lacked and really did affect my overall rating of this book, was the romance. It definitely fell short and there just wasn't as much as I would have liked. At one stage you have no idea who the main character Rosie's love interest really is, because she has moments with all the three guys she's on the trip with. To me, that's too much, especially since the romance isn't the key factor of the story - it's all about the road trip and Rosie finding herself. I sometimes felt that Rosie was put into these moments with the guys just to fill the story....and the guy she kind of ends up with, she doesn't really get a lot of swoon-worthy moments with him, and I need that swoon in the story.

In all, even despite the minor issues I had with this story, I still enjoyed it. It's one I'd recommend to any road trip fan because they may enjoy it even more than me.

A Review for Angelsong (Dark Angel #3) by Hanna Peach

Posted by Melanie 
Release Date: October 18th, 2013
Finished Date: November 7th, 2013

Publishers: Gypsy Publishing
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance 
Source: For Review

Format: eBook
Pages: 282

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

Israel lies dying from demon poison. To save him, Alyx needs the recipe for the cure, supposedly contained within the Threads of Dark, and she needs Mayrekk’s knowledge of herbs to make it.

But Mayrekk remains imprisoned in Michaelea, being punished for his hand in Alyx’s escape, and Michael himself guards the key to Mayrekk’s freedom. The Threads of Dark is sealed within a secret chamber deep under the Archives of Urielos, a Seraphim city clinging to cliffs somewhere along the coast of Italy. Even if Alyx does manage to find a way into the city, the chamber is guarded by ancient riddles and deadly traps…

Can Alyx rescue Mayrekk and retrieve the Threads of Dark before Israel slips away?

The Review: 4.5 Flowers! 

"If he dies, I die"

As Israel lies dying after being stabbed with a demon poisoned dagger, Alyx must find a cure knowing that as his Guardian that if he dies, so will she – not that she would want to survive his death – he must live, not just for her but for the entire world. Thinking that her friend Mayrekk will have the answers, she risks contacting him only to find him in a bad way and held captive by Michael and after he tells her that the answer lies in the heavily guarded ‘Threads of Dark’, Alyx puts his rescue next on her ‘to do list’. Alyx and Jordan set about on a reconnaissance mission , determined to come up with the ultimate plan that will help them gather the items they need & rescue Mayrekk in one fail swoop but that will take them right into the centre of enemy territory where many things could go wrong and if they don’t succeed, they won’t even make it to the Archives of Urielos & to the ‘Threads of Dark’. When so many things can go wrong & the life of her beloved on the line, can Alyx make it? Can she overcome the many obstacles in her way?

I really enjoyed this instalment of the ‘Dark Angel’ series and thought it took on a more adventurous feel, especially towards the end. I thought we got to see a different Alyx in this, more open and she wasn’t restricted by something (it will make sense when you read it) and I liked this, a lot! It was great to see her interact with Jordan with this new attitude and it was a major plus for me, I loved how they were in this and I think not only Alyx’s character blossomed but also Jordan and I see him in a new light now as he lets his cold façade drop and we see a bit of the person underneath and he is definitely competition for Israel.

As I mentioned, the storyline took on more of an adventurous feel with lots of pieces needed to complete the puzzle and find the cure and they all came together brilliantly, I could just imagine them being chased through the sky, bursting out of protective shields, stealthily taking down opposition and battling with swords and daggers….they made a formidable team and totally bonded through their dangerous situations. I loved what happened when they get to Urielos and what they have to do, it mentions riddles and deadly traps in the synopsis and you had better believe it has that, like a fantasy Indiana Jones, solve the puzzles type vibe going on and it’s soo good….but it’s not all adventure, we begin to see what the enemy has in store, secrets are uncovered, unexpected problems arise but there are also some happy times, weird times & heartbreaking times for all of our characters and some are still dealing with the aftermath of the Aradale tragedy, reminding us that it’s not all about Israel but he is the hope of all and Alyx will be faced with more difficult decisions in her efforts to save him and in turn the world. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book.  

A Review for The Summer I Found You by Jolene Perry

Posted by Donna
Release Date: March 1st, 2014 
Finished Date: November 8th, 2013

Publishers: Albert Whitman & Company
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Source: For Review

Format: eARC
Pages: 256

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

All they have in common is that they're less than perfect. And all they're looking for is the perfect distraction.

Kate's dream boyfriend has just broken up with her and she's still reeling from her diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Aidan planned on being a lifer in the army and went to Afghanistan straight out of high school. Now he's a disabled young veteran struggling to embrace his new life. 

When Kate and Aidan find each other neither one wants to get attached. But could they be right for each other after all?

The Review: 3.5 flowers! 

The Summer I Found You follows Kate, a seventeen-year-old girl who has recently discovered she has type-1 diabetes and who has just been dumped by her boyfriend and Aidan, Kate’s best friend’s cousin, who just came back from Afghanistan after losing his arm on a patrol one night. Both Kate and Aidan feel disconnected from everyone, their lives are spiralling in directions they never wanted and it’s quiet hard for both of them to move on. That is, until they meet each other and for some reason they find peace with one another, that they’ve not been able to find with anyone else. But how do they plan a future when both their futures are tainted with pain – or is their hope for them after all? 

This is the first book I’ve read by Jolene Perry where she hasn't co-authored a book. I liked her work then, and I like her work even more now, so I’ll be definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her work. The Summer I Found You is an enjoyable contemporary romance story,  which deals with serious life issues. I got a slight hint from the synopsis that it was a story that was going to play with your emotions and it did. Not only was it a tad emotional, but I liked that Joelle Perry wrote a story about issues that are playing such a big part of people's lives nowadays. I'm a firm believer that there should be more books that bring people awareness things like diabetes, and I believe that Jolene did a good job with her story.

The characters have quite a journey because they have so much to overcome in their young lives – and for being 17 and 19, I believe they handled everything as well as could be expected. It wasn’t easy, there was hard times and good times, but in the end, they started making the right steps to make their lives easier. I admired them by the end for being so brave. I liked both Kate and Aidan - there was nothing not to like about them, I enjoyed their story, I enjoyed watching them grow as characters and I enjoyed their relationship, however I didn't love them...but this didn't make me enjoy the story any less.

In all, I did enjoy The Summer I Found You, I don't think it's a book that will rock your world, but I do think it's a good story that is worth a read. 

Book Blast for Sisters in White by Melissa Foster + INT Giveaway

Sisters in White 
by Melissa Foster
Release Date: September 6th, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Romance 
Buy:  B&N / Amazon US 

Danica and Kaylie Snow are about to celebrate the biggest day of their lives—their double wedding—on an island in the Bahamas. But no wedding is complete without a little family drama. The two sisters aren’t ready to face the father they haven’t seen since he divorced their mother and moved away to marry his mistress, and live with Lacy, the half sister they’ve never met.

While Danica has exchanged letters and phone calls with Lacy, Kaylie has fervently tried to pretend she doesn’t exist. Lacy is sweet, fun, and nearly a mirror image of Kaylie. To make matters worse, not only is Lacy looking forward to meeting her sisters, but she idolizes them, too. As the countdown to the wedding date ticks on, their parents are playing a devious game of revenge, and there’s a storm brewing over the island, threatening to cancel their perfect wedding. The sisters are about to find out if the bond of sisterhood really trumps all.

Melissa Foster

Melissa Foster is the award-winning author of four International bestselling novels. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine. Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family. Visit Melissa on The Women’s Nest, Fostering Success, or World Lit Cafe. Join Melissa and the YaYa Writer Girls at their annual in-person event. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

Twitter /  Facebook / Website

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A Review for Crown of Midnight (Thorne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Posted by Melanie 
Release Date: August 15th, 2013
Finished Date: October 21st, 2013

Publishers: Bloomsbury
Genre: YA, Fantasy 
Source: For Review

Format: eARC
Pages: 432

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful – the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King’s contest and became his champion, Celaena has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart. The slavery of the suffocating salt mines of Endovier that scarred her past is nothing compared to a life bound to her darkest enemy, a king whose rule is so dark and evil it is near impossible to defy. Celaena faces a choice that is tearing her heart to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death. Celaena must decide what she will fight for: survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all . . . And trying to may just destroy her.

Love or loathe Celaena, she will slice open your heart with her dagger and leave you bleeding long after the last page of the highly anticipated sequel in what is undeniably THE hottest new fantasy series.

The Review: Crown of Midnight was simply spectacular, a breathtaking fantasy adventure that even with lots of secrets still kept, manages to captivate its audience. We join Celaena a little while after becoming the King’s champion and she has already been sent on missions for the King, forcing her to adopt her assassin persona. She keeps at it, hoping & praying for her freedom one day. Having pushed Dorian away at the end of Throne of Glass, she continues to keep her friends at arms length for fear the King will use them against her but they have already made their impact and she can’t stop them caring for her. When she is given the name of a target from the King, things become complicated… she knows the target & whilst it will be an advantage, it will also be a hindrance when the time comes to do her duty. As she sets about her mission, she uncovers some information that could be to her benefit & put her in favour of the King, making her appear the ever faithful servant…. Only there are huge consequences for what she will uncover & more than her own life will be in danger. As she unravels secrets on the outside of the palace walls, she also unravels them inside and her discoveries will have far reaching effects if she can’t put the pieces together and work out what the future holds. I absolutely loved this, as I did the first book and thought the progression in both the story and its characters was perfect! Celaena has taken to her role as King’s champion with ease (not surprising considering her profession) but I like the changes that she went through whilst she was in Endovier and how she is putting them into practice here. She is a very cautious person and doesn’t trust easily which seems to serve her well, she’s well aware that things aren’t what they seem but because she let Dorian, Chaol & Nehemia in, she’s in it for the long run and I like the changes she has gone through because of those people she let in her life. She was stuck between Dorian & Chaol before but in this book she does lean towards one over the other and I loved the development in the romance department for her, the fact that someone can evoke those feelings in someone like her, really softened her character & we could see some vulnerabilities which was endearing. The storyline was all action & mystery because when she’s not trying to kill people, she’s trying to uncover secrets and clues to what is happening on a larger scale. She isn’t stupid and she knows something is amiss and she is so adept at discovering things that it drives her, she didn’t get where she is today by brushing things under the carpet and her character traits actually add to the story. I love the reappearance of magic, even though it is still undercover, I like how that guides her, I like how people are willing to die so that it is not forgotten and with the developments in this book it becomes apparent that not only is magic going to make a reappearance but it will have a massive impact on more than one of our characters. I also loved how the palace featured into this, what its hiding etc. we got a glimpse of it with Elena’s tomb but again…. there is more and it piques even more of my curiosity. The plot definitely thickens in this and we start to see more of the King’s plans, a budding rebellion and more than one of our characters has an interest in both worlds which leads to some precarious situations as Celaena finds herself in danger time & time again. There are secrets galore just waiting to be uncovered and by the end I had been excited, scared, anxious, curious, amused, elated & heartbroken but most importantly……..desperate for more! 

Blog Tour for Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4) by Miranda Kenneally; Review + Guest Post

Posted by Donna
Release Date: December 3rd, 2013
Finished Date: October 18th, 2013

Publishers: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: YA Contemporary, Romance 
Source: For Review

Format: eARC
Pages: 304

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…

The Review: "You are really pretty..." He drags a hand through his blond hair. "Bur you're kind of like a great book...you know, you pock up a book at a bookstore because it has a beautiful cover...but it's what's inside that pulls you in."

I always look forward to a new release from Miranda Kenneally because she is one of my favourite contemporary authors right now, and I believe with each book her work becomes stronger and stronger – and Racing Savannah is proof of that. 

Savannah is a girl that, unfortunately, doesn’t come from a wealthy family – her family are pretty poor because all their money had to go towards her mother’s health bills. When Savannah’s father decides to relocate and take a new job, it’s there that she meets rich boy Jack – the son of her father’s new boss. Jack is trying to prove to his father that he can take over the family business one day, and has been given the title of acting boss for the year. Jack gives Savannah the chance to prove that she can become a capable horse jockey, but the catch – she has to help him train one of the wild horses that somehow, she seems to have a connection with. It’s while working with Star (the horse) and Jack, that Savannah suddenly develops feelings for Jack, but how does Savannah stay away from a boy that seems interested in her too – even if she’s been warned to stay away? 

Here's another book that I absolutely loved wrote by Miranda Kenneally. This women doesn’t know how to disappoint – she’s a remarkable writer and as I said, I truly believe she’s becoming a better writer - I’m not saying she was bad to start with, I’ve loved all her books so far, but these last two I’ve just seemed to enjoy more and more. What I love about her books is how she weaves in the characters love of a hobby, and makes us readers aware of things that most of the time wouldn’t really interest us. Football baseball and horse racing aren’t my favourite things, and I find it really weird that I wouldn’t pay attention to these sports in real life, but while I’m reading Miranda’s books, I find myself completely compelled by these sports. That in itself proves how talented Miranda is, don’t you think?

Savannah (I adore this name by the way) and Jack were fantastic characters. I love a good story that involves two different characters from different worlds, it always makes it’s so interesting – and their story was. Savannah is a brave girl; she’s had to face so much in her life so far. It’s not until Jack enters her life that she finally decides she wants more with her life and he’s the one to give her the hope. I loved that Jack pushed her to want more, rather than being okay with what she had. Even Jack had struggles with his family but again, Savannah pushed Jack. The connection between the two was clear from the moment they met, sparks fly and it was touching and lovely to see their stories come together. 

What I always enjoy about Miranda’s book is her need to put appearances from her past characters, I love that, I love being able to see what Jordan, Sam, Kate etc.. are getting up too. And I also loved the new secondary characters that she introduced – Rory, Vanessa and Kelsey. 


Overall, Miranda Kenneally once again charms her readers with another heart-warming and lovable story from the Hundred Oaks series and I can’t help but want more. 

Guest Post with Miranda Kenneally.

Before I started writing Racing Savannah, I knew NOTHING about horse racing. Here's how I got the idea for the book. I was out to dinner with a big group of Washington DC-based writers. I wasn't sure which sport I wanted to feature in my next book, so everybody was throwing out ideas. Of course there were silly ideas like Synchronized Swimming and ping pong, but then Diana Peterfreund pointed out a horse painting on the wall. And then Jessica Spotswood and Andrea Lynn Colt said I should write a book about dressage. I said, "What in the world is dressage?" I guess it involves jumping horses over poles and pools of water. Anyhow, that didn't interest me so much. But what did interest me is horse racing. I've always enjoyed watching the Kentucky Derby every year, even if I never understood the ins and outs of the sport.

Writing Racing Savannah gave me the opportunity to learn about horses and horse racing, as well as write about a girl in a male-dominated sport again. I loved writing CATCHING JORDAN and I knew I wanted to write a strong, fun, snarky girl once more. 

If you are interested, this is how I researched horse racing, which was a lot more complicated that I thought. I knew I had about 8 months to write the book, so I dug in and got to learning. To research this book I:
                                                           
1.    -- Read “Horseracing for Dummies.” Yes, I really read it, cover to cover.

2.     --Watched the movies “Secretariat” and “Seabiscuit.”

3.     --Read the books SECRETARIAT and TRUE BLUE.

4.     --Talked to all my friends to see who knew what about horseracing and what their impressions were.

5.     --Watched a ton of past horseraces on YouTube.

6.     After I did all of the above, I took a trip to Hollywood Casinos in West Virginia to watch a real-live horse race! My husband hated the casinos and called it the “Fourth Circle of Hell.”

-       --I spent a lot of time walking around the track, reading the race program, talking to the people who work at the betting machines.

-       --I got to see the horses up close in the paddock and I watched them work with their trainers and jockeys.

-       --We watched 4 races and even bet some money. I came away with a profit of $2.40!

7.     --After West Virginia, I knew I hadn’t seen the best horses in the world. So I decided to take a trip to Kentucky, where I discovered the Queen of England keeps her racehorses. First I visited the Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, where I got a great tour.

-       --Over 1,000 racehorses live at the Thoroughbred Center, so I got to see lots of horses.

-       --I spent about 2 hours there, asking tons of questions. I made sure I had the lingo down and was using the right terms in my book. They seemed impressed I knew what I was talking about!

-       --I watched the racehorses exercising on the track and I even got to meet an Appaloosa Pony named Barley! Barley’s job was to chase down racehorses that escape and pin them to a fence, and when I was there, a racehorse did escape and Barley chased after him. Barley let me pet him.

-       --I wasn’t allowed to pet the racehorses because they would bite me.

-       --I met a racehorse named “Tell a Little Secret.” She was a beautiful mare who had won all sorts of races and was a descendant of the real Secretariat on both sides. She let me pet her and didn’t bite me. She did try to bite her owner, though.

8.     --While in Kentucky, I also visited two racetracks: Kentucky Downs and Keeneland, which are featured in my book. The owner of Kentucky Downs drove us around on a golf cart and answered questions for a couple hours.

-       --Kentucky Downs is one of the only racetracks in America where they race on grass instead of dirt. It’s European-style.

-       --I found out that Kentucky Downs is haunted!

-       --Kentucky Downs used to be the site of dueling grounds, so lots of people died where the horses now race.         

       Thanks so much for having me on your blog!

AUTHOR BIO

Miranda Kenneally is the author of CATCHING JORDAN, STEALING PARKER, THINGS I CAN'T FORGET, and RACING SAVANNAH. Her fifth book, most likely to be titled BREATHE, ANNIE, BREATHE, is coming out in July 2014. She enjoys reading and writing young adult literature, and loves Star Trek, music, sports, Mexican food, Twitter, coffee, and her husband.

Racing Savannah Pre-Order Gift Campaign - US/CAN only

From Sourcebook Fire.....

They’re from two different worlds, but Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules. . . get the next contemporary novel from blockbuster YA novelist Miranda Kenneally: RACING SAVANNAH!

Right before her senior year, Savannah’s father whisks the family off to Tennessee to work as head groom at fancy Cedar Hill Farms. Savannah finally sees it as the perfect opportunity to earn extra money as an exercise rider—no matter how many others don’t want a girl around the barn.  

But she’s also caught the eye of Jack Goodwin, the owner’s son. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries. 

With her dream of becoming a jockey, Savannah is not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack.

We’ve put together a fun campaign to thank readers for pre-ordering: send us your proof of pre-order and we’ll send you this fabulous horseshoe key chain!

A Gift for You, for Pre-Ordering RACING SAVANNAH by Miranda Kenneally

We have a special offer for U.S. and Canada YA fans for the release of RACING SAVANNAH by Miranda Kenneally in stores in a little over three weeks! If you pre-order the book, we will send you an exclusive horseshoe key chain—perfect for any busy teen on the go! You have until December 2 or until quantities run out. 

Here’s how to get your charm:

1. Pre-order the book (print or eBook) through any retailer (Barnes & Noble, Amazon, your local independent bookseller/Indiebound, Books-A-Million, Hastings, etc.)

2. Email your proof of purchase (receipt or picture of the receipt) to teenfire@sourcebooks.com Put “Racing Savannah Pre-Order” in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your home address (US & Canada only please) so we can send you the horseshoe key chain! If you’ve already pre-ordered this book—not a problem! Send us your receipt!

3. You will get an email back confirming when the items have been sent out. 

4. Enjoy Racing Savannah when it comes out in December!

Optional: take a pic of you and your horseshoe key chain and share it with Miranda Kenneally or Sourcebooks Fire on Twitter! You can find Miranda @mirandakennealy and Sourcebooks Fire @sourcebooksfire.

A Review for Wrath (Soul Savers #5) by Kristie Cook

Posted by Melanie
Release Date: August 16th, 2013
Finished Date: October 17th, 2013

Publishers: Ang'dora Productions
Genre: Paranormal, Adult
Source: For Review

Format: eBook
Pages: Unknown

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US 

Will a mother’s wrath make her cross the line?

I didn’t want to cry. For once in my life, tears evaded me. Perhaps because I refused to grieve this loss, because it wasn’t a loss in my eyes, in my heart. It was a call for war, yes. But not a loss. I wouldn’t allow it.

Besides, I was too mad to cry, even in my exhaustion, and anger would get me much further.

As I curled my body around Sasha’s, though, I realized the anger within me had changed. I no longer felt irrational and blinding fury that dulled all other emotions. But that was okay. I really didn’t want to be Psycho Alexis. This, what I now felt in every cell of my body down to the core, was better. My anger had condensed and solidified into a cold, hard stone settling within me. Something I could control and hold onto for the long term to keep me going and focused on the goal.

Wrath.

That’s what I felt. And there was nothing worse than the wrath of a pissed-off mother.

Wrath, the fifth volume in the bestselling, award-winning Soul Savers Series, will have you on the edge-of-your-seat-ravenously-devouring-junk-food as you experience the mysteries, magic, betrayals, and passion that you’ve come to expect from Kristie Cook’s writing.

**SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS**
 

The review: Wrath was another awesome instalment in the Soul Savers series….

Following the mega cliff-hanger that was Dorian being kidnapped, Alexis is consumed by anger & the need to punish those responsible, what lengths will she go to, to find him? Everything becomes about information, Where is he? Who has him? Why have they taken him now? How could Owen betray them like that? And she won’t stop until she has answers…. They say ‘hell has no fury like a woman scorned’ but what about a woman whose child has been taken? What would you do? Would you want vengeance? I know that I, as a mother, would stop at nothing, would do anything and woe betide anyone who got in the way of me getting my child back – even if it meant giving up everything and everyone, casting duty & my morals aside for the purest of loves and this is where Alexis hits a stumbling block…. The Amadis must not act in anger, they must forgive, they must always offer their enemy redemption. Not only that but Dorian isn’t a priority, it was inevitable that he would be taken because of his Amadis son status but not yet, so Alexis is not only battling the enemy but also her people, first & foremost is her duty to her people & the Amadis way of life which needs protecting now more than ever with potential war situations & a massive increase in Daemoni recruits. So she does her duty, she is to build an army, converting people to the Amadis way, but who said a little side project wouldn’t help their training - right?

So, as I said this was awesome, it is a series I always enjoy and have loved reading about Alexis & Tristan’s love & lives and their battle with evil. The previous book – Power - wasn’t as good for me because I felt that the drama in their relationship was starting to take over& needed to be done with, no more Tristan trying to kill her, someone draining his power, her power, their love….whatever..plus Alexis still hadn’t met her father/enemy, I needed the actual plot to move on - but that all changed towards the end and brought about a dramatic ending with equally dramatic discoveries and did make me excited for this book. I’m glad it picked up straight where it left off (which was a heinous cliffhanger!) because we needed to read about the immediate aftermath. I thought that the kidnapping plot helped me reconnect with Alexis as a character but on a different level, I think as a mother, it would be really hard not to sympathise with her plight and gave a different depth to her. I was always connected to her through her trials & her relationship with Tristan but never with her as a parent and this brought it home, how she changed, how she fought, how she adapted to not only do her duty but to not give up on her son as many Amadis matriarchs had before her, now I saw that she could be a catalyst for change, now I felt like she could lead her people. I’m always grateful for Tristan’s presence in these books too, their relationship –when its good & loving - brings a nice balance to the harsh reality & violence in their world, I want them happy, I want their love to be the only sure thing when the world is falling behind them, I believe in them & their love and believe it will conquer all.

The storyline was great, after the initial commotion, it lulled a bit as information about Dorian wasn’t forthcoming. We did get to see the beginnings of the Amadis army, how they would be brought into the flock, how they’d be converted etc. we also got to see some of what Lucas has been up to and he has been busy, not just in the supernatural world but also in the ‘norman’ world and I liked it, I’m really curious to see his game play out. It was filled with lots of revelations, more secrets & lies, some surprising things are uncovered, alliances formed & broken and even more characters are introduced but it’s so hard to know who to trust and who has their own agenda, we are beginning to see definite sides but I always feel like Lucas, Kali  & the Daemoni have the upper hand, always one step ahead & manipulating everyone. In this Alexis wonders when they’re going to catch a break and I have to wonder that too because by the end, there is no doubt who has the upper hand because that massive climax is definitely a game changer & I look forward to seeing if Alexis can put on her ‘big girl panties’ and rise to the challenge.

Book Blitz for Layers by Sigal Ehrlich + INT Giveaway

Layers (Stark #1) by Sigal Ehrlich
Release Date: October 10th, 2013

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Buy:  Amazon US / B&N

According to Hayley love is a subject of ridicule, a myth created by hopeless romantics.

When Hayley makes a resolution to declare her loose lifestyle era R.I.P, it’s all good in theory…

That is until she meets Daniel Stark, a well-respected, mid-thirties business man who is known for his short temper, lack of steady relationships as well as his strict preserve of his private life.

Opinionated, sharp tongued Hayley accidently steps into his office leaving Daniel resolved to put Hayley in her place and have her in his bed.

Both Hayley and Daniel can’t avoid the immediate instigation of the attraction between them.

In a unanimously agreed upon verdict by Hayley and her two best friends, Ian the gay self-absorb, aspiring model and Natasha the witty, borderline neurotic soul mate, Daniel Stark is to be Hayley’s pure physical attraction, emotions aside era closure.

Will it indeed be a closure, or a beginning to something neither Hayley nor Daniel ever bargained for… 

Excerpt from Layers by Sigal Ehrlich

There's a high-end coffee machine calling my name on the countertop across the room. A quick little coffee and I am out of here.

I press the green small-cup button and the machine awakens with the noise of evaporating steam. The oh-so-aromatic, roasted scent wafts toward me as the machine fills the cup with a rich chocolate-colored liquid. I'm thrilled, already anticipating the taste. When the machine signals that the cycle is complete, I grab the cup too hastily, and some of the coffee manages to spill on my white blouse.

Observing the damage with irritation, I murmur, “Fuck me,” under my breath.

“Is that a request?”

Shifting my stare back to see who has just spoken; I find myself holding on to the counter from a momentary loss of balance, as I take in the sight of the orator.

Heat spreads from the center of my skull through my throat, to the top of my cleavage. And I don’t do blushing. What the hell?

Standing there is the very picture of hot, tall and sinful. White tee, jeans, and the most alluring bad boy stance. Something in his crooked smile inexplicably leaves me dumbfounded. For the space of a moment, I am lost in him.

His eyes roam over me with a wicked glee, stripping off every layer of clothing I have on. The air escapes my lungs at the intensity of that gaze.

I gape back at him, my jaw slightly dropped. “Mmm… just made some coffee.” I mumble my lame excuse and follow it with a thin smile.

“So I assume it wasn’t a request, then?” His teasing eyes are on me, that sexy grin is still plastered on his face, and his expression insinuates pure sin.

“Too bad,” he murmurs, and I have to swallow hard.

“Is that your thing?” I ask, recovering.

He cocks an eyebrow. “Sneaking behind people and trying to engage them in salacious activities?” A low laugh, deep and hoarse, comes as a reply.

“No.” He scratches his amused lips with his thumb, looking at me with a slightly tilted head. “And just for the record, I believe it was you who started with the indecent proposals.”

I open my mouth, looking frantically for some clever comeback that doesn’t appear to come, and instead feel my face heat up. Again. Damn.

AUTHOR BIO

By teen age, Sigal already lived in three different continents where she had the luck to experience and visit varied places, meet unique people, which only helped fuel her overly developed imagination. Currently, Sigal calls Estonia home where she lives with her husband and three kids.

Not exactly sure where they will end up next…

When she is not hiding in her office, writing, she enjoys music, reading and taking care of her little clan.

With a great believe in "don’t wait for things to happen - make them happen," she enjoys anything exciting life has to offer.

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A Review for Wild Cards (Wild Cards #1) by Simone Elkeles

Posted by Donna
Release Date: January 2nd, 2014
Finished Date: October 7th, 2013

Publishers: Walker UK  
Genre: YA Romance, Contemporary
Source: For Review

Format: eARC
Pages: 288

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek "someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all

The Review: "Because I'm trying to push you away when all I want to do is hold you. I know you say you don't want a hero, but damn I'd like to be that guy who'll save you from spiders and whatever and whoever else hurts you."

Simone Elkeles was the very first writer to introduce to me to the wonderful world of contemporary romance, with her awesome Perfect Chemistry series. So when I heard she was writing a new series, I was stupidly excited. I wanted her to re-create the magic she did with her other series, but while I definitely enjoyed Wild Cards, I didn't think it was quiet as memorable as the likes of Perfect Chemistry or Leaving Paradise.

Wild Cards stars footballer player Ashtyn Parker. Ashtyn has been promoted to captain of the high school football team over her popular boyfriend, Landon. When Ashtyn's Sister turns up with her new step-son; Derek, Ashtyn reactions to Derek are somewhat uncalled for....it's pretty clear that she's hiding some attraction to him. But for some reason Derek always brings the worst out in Ashtyn, but what's a girl to do when she has a hot guy living with her?

Derek Fitzpatrick just got kicked out of school for pulling one of the most talked about pranks, so when he finds himself living with his step-mom's family, he's determined to find a way out. It's not until Ashtyn starts to get under his skin that he starts to realise he wants more than his carefree ways of life. Can Derek and Ashtyn really be good for each other under all of their own insecurities?

I definitely enjoyed Wild Cards, it's a quick read, one that's humorous and has a sweet, slow burning romance. It's got some very light hearted moments but then deals with some hard ones too. What I love about Simone's work is how easy it is to get lost in her work, and while I did with this, at times I couldn't help compare it to the Perfect Chemistry and I like I said before, I don't think it's quiet as memorable as it. I liked the characters, I liked the story, I liked the romance, but nothing really blew me away in Wild Cards, it didn't give me the feelings I remember having for some of Simone's other work. I went into the story with the impression that it would be very football based, but I don't think it was. The football was more of the back story and was left open. Maybe that was done on purpose because there are other books to come in the series, but I was expecting a bit more involvement with Derek on the football side.

Derek and Ashtyn together were actually very entertaining. Their banter at times, was hilarious. Derek having a southern accent always tried to rub Ashtyn up the wrong way, so by calling her "Sugar Pie" was one of them. It actually became quiet a cute nickname. Ashtyn being her fiery self, always seemed to rise to Derek and they found themselves in some funny situations. It was pretty easy to spot their attraction to one another, even though, it took them forever to figure it out themselves.

In all, Wild Cards wasn't a bad read but it didn't live up to my expectations. I still adore Simone and her work, and while this wasn't my favourite, I still urge everyone to go and read at least one of her books, because they can open up so many doors for you - like her work did for me.