New Update!

Hello everyone. All of my Reviews, that I have yet to write, will be posted sporadically during the summer. After the end of this summer, I will not be posting on here anymore, as you will see the info on the right side of the blog.
Thanks for your understanding.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Reading Addiction Blog Tour (Review/Interview/Giveaway) Talented (Book 1) By: Sophie Davis



Thank you for stopping by my blog today! I'm hosting for Reading Addiction Blog Tours, and today am featuring Talented By: Sophie Davis. You will see a Summary, My Review, Interview, and you have the opportunity to enter in a Giveaway to win a copy of this book, so please check it out and enter, because you just might win! (Giveaway is now closed)

*Here’s the summary: Talia Lyons is Talented.  Born after a nuclear spill, she is part of a new generation possessing special abilities; Talia can read the minds of others and manipulate their thoughts.  Whether Morphers, Light Manipulators or Telekinetics, the Talented are taught to control their abilities under the protective eye of the government- to use their Talents for good. But all Talia wants is revenge.

Talia joins the Hunters, an elite group of government operatives, hoping to one day kill Ian Crane - the man who ordered the execution of her parents. 
Ever since she witnessed their brutal deaths, Talia has spent her life honing her abilities, determined to settle the score.  But she still has a lot to learn before she can ease the pain inside. Talia turns to a boy who can mimic her Talents, a boy who truly understands her inner turmoil.  But even he can’t help Talia, when she’s forced to choose between saving herself and avenging the lives of her parents.

Talented is an action-packed adventure, about a group of teenagers who aren't afraid to embrace their fears and fight for what they believe in.

*Review: Honestly I did not know what to expect. I do not read many Dystopian novels, but am for sure glad I read this one. It was purely amazing! From page one, I was sucked in to this futuristic story. The first page is just so compelling as we enter in this new world that seems familiar but at the same time it’s still so mysterious. I liked that in the beginning chapters, we learn the main character’s goals; why Talia wants to become a Hunter, and who she is wanting to specifically hunt. So, there is a good amount of past information to learn about Talia’s current daily life, her current motives. I loved how in between chapters, there is a rich history of civilization after The Great Contamination occurred. I sometimes see books in my head as though it is a film. This one was definitely a film in my head, and those explanation chapters were seen as clear flashbacks with a narration. I just loved it! I think when Talia trains with either Erik and Henri or on her own, those would be some great scenes to see on screen too; they would definitely be filled with a lot of action! :)  

I love that this story was from Talia’s point of view except from one point in the story (not going to say when/where!). But through her POV, we feel her emotions, her sense of betrayal that can connect to readers; I know I felt the sense of shock and numbness, and then a bubble bursts and frustration and anger pours right in. You’ll see when those types of emotions play out. There are also the emotions of seeking revenge, and for really falling for someone that just feels right falling for. Speaking of falling for someone, there are two love interests that are actually pretty different. There’s Donovan and Erik. I loved Erik: his characteristics were just more appealing, and you’ll see why. Other characters are wonderfully presented by Davis including Henri, who felt like a big brother. I really enjoyed how this story flowed. Davis has a wonderful writing style, and I must admit I have attempted to start the second book in the series! This was a delightful and fantastic read, and I hope you have the opportunity to read it for yourself; I’m sure you’ll love it! :) 


My Rating: 5/5
My Audience Rating: PG-13 

*Interview: 
1. I want to say first, your creativity is just incredible. I loved the concept; this is definitely something I have not read before, and am glad I read your story because it was phenomenal! How did you come up with the idea for this story? 
- Thank you!  I am not sure exactly how the concept for Talented developed into the story that it became, but when I was younger my sisters used to tell me that a witch left me on the doorstep – nice siblings, I know.  So I grew up with them always teasing me about being a witch, I started to think of all the cool powers that I would want if I was actually a witch, and somehow that evolved into Talia’s story.
2. How long did this first book take you to write?
- I actually wrote the second book in the series first.  I started writing the story in my head about ten years ago, changing and editing scenes as I went.  But the very first written draft took me about seven months from start to finish.  Talented came about when I realized that Talia had a lot of backstory and I figured that it would be better to write it as a separate book instead of incorporating it in what became Caged.  I think it took me about five months to complete the first draft of Talented.  Of course the editing took another couple of months.
3. Which characters were the hmm... most fun writing? :)
- Penny was definitely the most fun to write in the first book, as the story continues though she has become the most challenging.
4. I admit, I just loved Erik, and without giving too much away by asking, will we see him in the second book? (I’ve so far read the first few chapters)
- Have no fear, Erik will show up in the second book.  Originally he had less page time, but at the suggestion of my helpful editors, I added a couple of scenes .  
...And here are just some random type questions...
5. What writers do you look up to? 
- When I was younger I was a huge fan of Mary Higgins Clark, James Patterson, Stephen King, and Dean Koontz.  I still read almost any book that any of them writes, but now my tastes have changed a little.  I really enjoyed Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy and Succubus series, and after falling in love with Rachel Vincent’s Soul Screamers series, have moved on to her others.
6. What are you’re favorite genres to read?
- Right now paranormal is my genre of choice, but I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers as well.  
7. What are you reading now?
- I am currently reading a couple of different books:  The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern; The Maze Runner; by James Dashner; and White Cat, by Holly Black.
8. And do you have a favorite film, and if yes, what is it?
- Hahaha, I definitely have a favorite film, and I am only a little embarrassed to admit that it’s Independence Day.
Thank you so much Ms. Davis for answering these questions! 
I look forward to the rest of the books in your Saga, as this first one was truly amazing! :)





Author Bio: Sophie Davis 
Sophie moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from Penn State University to pursue a career in the Sciences.  After deciding to actually write down one of the stories she makes up in her head, Sophie began the long journey towards her first full-length novel, Talented.  Caged is her second novel, and the second in the Talented Saga.  When Sophie isn't hunched over her computer, she can be found shopping in Georgetown, running in Rock Creek Park, or at the local dive bars in her Columbia Heights Neighborhood.



*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*







Sunday, May 27, 2012

Review: Gabriel's Rapture By: Sylvain Reynard


Gabriel's Rapture 
By Sylvain Reynard
Publisher: Omnific Publishing 
Release Date: -Available Now :)















Summary: Professor Gabriel Emerson has embarked on a passionate, yet clandestine affair with his former student, Julia Mitchell. Sequestered on a romantic holiday in Italy, he tutors her in the sensual delights of the body and the raptures of sex. But when they return, their happiness is threatened by conspiring students, academic politics, and a jealous ex-lover. When Gabriel is confronted by the university administration, will he succumb to Dante’s fate? Or will he fight to keep Julia, his Beatrice, forever?


In Gabriel's Rapture, the brilliant sequel to the wildly successful debut novel, Gabriel's Inferno, Sylvain Reynard weaves an exquisite love story that will touch the reader's mind, body, and soul, forever.


Review: First, I want to say thank you KLB and Omnific Publishing for us tour hosts to participate in this book tour. Gabriel's Rapture was just beyond phenomenal! I enjoyed reading every page. The story literally takes place the day after Gabriel Emerson and Julia Mitchell take the next step in their relationship, and yes they are still in the lovely Florence, Italy. It was just really refreshing to have the beginning flow nicely with scenes full of tender and passionate love between Gabriel and Julia. But of course, there is always something or some people that try to ruin their happiness once the two lovers come back to Toronto, and there is the tension and raw emotions. I explain this in my post below, but again, the writing is just beautiful. I was sucked back into this story from page one, and I realized how I missed this story, and how I was ready to return to it immediately! The writing style is just wonderful, and Reynard is very descriptive on the characters (their emotions/feelings), the setting including Florence and the other getaways that Gabriel and Julia go to. This is a Highly Recommended read. I don't want to give too much away, but if you have read the first book, this is a must read, you will be so happy you did! 
My Rating: (4.8/5)
My Audience Rating: R (I recommend Ages 18+)


Here I have the Author's information so take a look:

Twitter: @sylvainreynard

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Gabriel's Inferno By: Sylvain Reynard

First read the Goodread’s Summary: 
Enigmatic and sexy, Professor Gabriel Emerson is a well respected Dante specialist by day, but by night he devotes himself to an uninhibited life of pleasure. He uses his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm to gratify his every whim, but is secretly tortured by his dark past and consumed by the profound belief that he is beyond all hope of redemption. 

When the sweet and innocent Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student, his attraction and mysterious connection to her not only jeopardizes his career, but sends him on a journey in which his past and his present collide.

An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love and redemption, “Gabriel's Inferno” is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man's escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible...forgiveness and love.


My Review: I’m so glad that I have the opportunity to post this review. A reason I’m doing it now is because I’m participating in the current Blog Tour for Gabriel’s Rapture (that is already out by the way). My date is tomorrow, Sunday, so I should have that Review posted by later tonight and I will also provide a link that takes you to a list of other sites that are in the tour. Anyway...Gabriel’s Inferno...Gabriel’s Inferno...I.absolutely.loved.it!!! Really, it is a stunning debut by Sylvain Reynard. He is such an incredibly gifted writer. I just really loved his writing style. To me, it was like reading a poem, where each word has great meaning and significance; each sentence was just beautifully written, and I read everything clearly so I wouldn’t miss anything! Reynard is very descriptive with setting, characters etc. that it draws you into the story even more. 
I think the story itself is so intriguing; a forbidden romance that may be seen as wrong, but it’s so right at the same time. In the beginning there are obstacles that keep these two from not initiating a romance, but as the story goes along we see how Gabriel and Julia are so meant to be. There are many heart felt scenes where we see them connect even though they face the difficulty of keeping their consensual relationship quiet. The poetic type language, the Italian words and phrases, were wonderfully used and they flowed nicely in the story. I also liked and appreciated the references of different historical Italian literature especially concentrating on the famous writer: Dante, and his Beatrice. The inside information provided was just so engrossing, that it has made me want to look up more on Dante. Speaking of Dante and Beatrice; it reminded me, about a year or two ago, there was a Dante course provided at the school I was attending, and I almost took it, but it conflicted with another course I had to take; I wish now I would have taken it, because I think I would have really liked it. I have a friend that took it, and even though it was a morning class, she really loved and enjoyed it, so I’m curious and hope in the future I will learn more about Dante’s work.
I give this book a High Rating, highly recommend it, and you must read this before the second book (which is already out, just to remind you!). If you have heard of this story, read it! If you have never heard of this story, I advise that you get acquainted with it quickly because I think it is one that will be out there for quite a while, so take a look at the Amazon link I provide below, and hopefully you will buy and read this wonderfully written and captivating story, because it’s one that is not to be missed! 


My Rating: (5/5)
My Audience Rating: R 

Monday, May 21, 2012

Reading Addiction Blog Tour - I've Got You Covered (Book 1) By: Toni G. Sinns




First here is a quick summary:
Anistasia moves to Brooksville where she meets John. The duo hit it off almost instantly and become best friends before it grows into something more than friendship. While they blossom together they have to go through the daily routine of high school drama and jealous ex’s on John’s part and over bearing brothers on Anistasia’s part. But each struggle seems to hold the two together even more.

Along with the daily high school problems they also have to deal with the mafia hunting down Anistasia, John’s mafia father, and the every other weekend street races. Running from bad guys, keeping the cops out of the know how, and trying to stay undetected is proving to be more of a handful when the only person you can trust is also on the run.



Young Adult
Title: I've Got Your Covered
Author: Toni G. Sinns
Date Published: April 12, 2012

My Review: I enjoyed the storyline, and liked that the mysteriousness from both Anistasia and John’s past came out bit by bit; it definitely gave the story suspense. I liked that John and Anistasia started out as friends, even though a jealous girlfriend was committed to keep them apart, they manage to truly be friends until something else blossoms. Let me say, the cover is pretty awesome; I especially like the car seen in the background. I was excited to learn that there are car races involved as I am a car racing fan so those car racing scenes really interested me. This was just a really great story, and I hope you have the opportunity to read this one because Sinns has a great talent for writing us a pretty good story! :) 


My Rating: 3.5/5
My Audience Rating: PG

Author Bio:
Toni Sinns was born and raised in Western North Carolina before moving to Central Florida in 2011. She is an upcoming author/writer with a mind in multiple genres of novels and books. She is currently working on multiple novels that you can read about on her website.

Website

Links to Buy 
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Bewitched Book Tour: Stealing Breath By: Joanne Brothwell

This was an amazing story! I loved every page. One thing that drew me in was how Ms. Brothwell was just so descriptive. She has a beautiful writing style, very impressive. From page one, there are very good descriptions of the settings, the characters, and especially Sarah’s feelings, her sense of empathy; it was very well written out and understandable. The story is from Sarah’s point of view, and I really liked that, as again, we understand what she feels when she is feeling other people’s emotions. From the first chapter, we are sucked in an intense scene and it was great to be already in the action, and the first chapter has you guessing and intrigued, and on your toes with Sarah, as her empathy pulls her to something she would have never expected. What I also liked in this story was Evan Valente. He just seems like...Wow... I instantly, instantly liked him, but I also got that there was something mysterious about him, and you will see what he is holding back from Sarah. Their romance was hmm very electrifying. Brothwell writes some great scenes, that shows how well Sarah and Evan connect. I’m not assigned to post an excerpt, but I just have to share it, because it’s very much worth sharing and I can’t resist, so here’s an excerpt of Chapter 1:
I awoke to rustling outside my tent. The crunching of footsteps on gravel, twigs and branches snapping. Was that a voice? I lay motionless inside my sleeping bag, heart pounding, listening.

“Help.” A disembodied whisper. Was it right outside? I strained to hear but the throbbing pulse in my head drowned everything else out. I sat up. The atmosphere within the domed tent was wet, ripe with morning breath. The tip of my nose was cold as an icicle.
“Help.” The murmur came a second time, more audible than the last. I was sure it was a child’s voice. My heart skipped a beat. Could it be the voice of the eight year-old, Jessica Crow, who had gone missing from the neighboring Indian Reservation three days ago?
I thought of the drive out to the campgrounds when my friends, Amber, Kate, and I had been listening to the radio report on the status of the missing girl from the Wakina Reservation. 
Poor Amber. Once again, she’d cried at the reminder of her third cousin, Jessica, lost and alone in the forest. Everyone in the community, including Amber, had been searching for her night and day but had found nothing. I’d practically dragged Amber along camping, telling her she needed a night off from her worries. It was a hard sell, but she’d finally agreed.
I glanced at where Kate and Amber should have been laying, but their sleeping bags and pillows were missing. The last I’d seen them had been around the bonfire at two in the morning. They could have ended up crashing just about anywhere, and I wasn’t about to go peeking into random tents to find them. 
Having fallen asleep in my jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, I slipped on my jacket and shoes, pulled the ponytail holder off my wrist and wrapped my hair into a tight bun. I swallowed hard and took a deep breath. Then, unzipping the door flap of the dome tent, I stuck just my head out.
Nothing was out of place. Empty cooler bottles atop the picnic table, charred wood in the fire-pit, and the car we came in. Every campsite around us was nearly silent. The sounds of late-night make-out sessions, pounding music, and yelling were replaced by the occasional snore. 
Using my empathy, I focused on trying to pick up on the emotions of any lucid person around, hoping I would hone in on Jessica’s emotions. Normally, the waking feelings of others hit me like a gale force wind, without my even trying. In fact, it had always felt like a bit of a curse that I was a walking sponge for other people’s pain. But right now, all I felt was…nothing.
The voice had seemed right outside the tent. Could I have imagined it?
I slipped out. A low, white fog blanketed the earth, enveloping the world in silence. The temperature hovered around freezing, way too cold for camping. And last night’s vodka was no longer taking the edge off. I shivered.
After checking around the cars and circling the campsite, I started down the road. Inside the forest, the eerie glow of early morning and the cool fog blanched the world a ghostly white. The moist nip in the air sharpened the scent of pine needles that littered the camp ground. I continued down the road for about ten feet until it led to the mouth of a hiking trail. 
Now that I was half-frozen and shivering, the May long weekend at the campgrounds of Greater Slave Lake, North Dakota, seemed like a very stupid idea, even if it was the annual spring kick-off party.
“Help!” the diminutive voice called out again, this time, louder. 
The memory of Jessica’s face flashed through my mind when I’d met her last summer; honey-brown eyes and springy hair that always stuck up around her head with static, and her sweet smile, part baby teeth intermixed with adult teeth. She was such a sweet, innocent child. If she had survived this long, she could be dangerously close to death from cold. My heart battered against my chest wall, and I fought off the urge to start running, directionless, into the bush to find her. 
The voice had originated from further within the tree-line, I was sure of it. Closer now, yet still far away. I entered the trail and headed straight.
“Jessica?” I called out. No response but the echo of my own voice from the trees around me.
The trail was straight and narrow for well over a hundred feet, the trees like two solid walls of green on either side of me. Then the trail began to snake back and forth until it forked into several side-trails. I stopped to listen.
A dry crackle emerged from the trail to my right, and I immediately followed the sound. This far into the forest it was darker, the only light filtered through evergreens and fog. I looked back. The vapor had closed in behind me, obscuring the pathway like a curtain of white. Shivering transformed into shaking. 
Despite running these trails in the early morning numerous times, today it looked different. I cursed under my breath and shoved my hands into my pockets.
“Hello?” I called, my voice immediately diminishing, muffled by the woods. Other than the odd bird chirp and frog croak, the forest was quiet. If the voice really had been Jessica, she would need help and most likely immediate medical attention. I forced myself forward.
The trail wound to and fro, the brush dense, the fog almost material as it clung to the spruce needles. The path grew thin and sparse, barely enough room to place one foot in front of the other, with the way the underbrush encroached on the trail. I stumbled on twigs and logs as branches clawed my cheeks and pulled my hair. I began to trip, reaching out for something to hang onto. I fell, my hand forced into a thorny bush. 
Damn it! I stood up and peered at my scraped hand, blood beading out of paper-cut sized scrapes. I’d been out here for at least ten minutes, but still, I heard nothing but the crunch of my feet snapping the twigs underfoot and my breath echoing through my own head. Ready to turn around and head back to my tent, the high-pitched voice rang out once again.
“Help.”


My Rating: 4.5/5
My Audience Rating: PG-13


I hoped you liked that excerpt, and decide to read further into the story, read the whole story, because it was just wonderful, and I can't wait until the next installment! This is a highly recommended novel! If you are interested in buying this magnificent read, there a few links below, so take a look! :) 
Also if you are interested to see the other stops in this tour here is the link: 
http://www.bewitchingbooktours.blogspot.com/2012/05/now-on-tour-stealing-breath-by-joanne.html










Author Bio
Joanne Brothwell is the author Stealing Breath, a paranormal romance from Crescent Moon Press, who has also published Vicarious, the prequel to Stealing Breath. Joanne lives in the country with her family where her stories are inspired by the dead things that appear at her doorstep on a daily basis. You can find her online at www.joannebrothwell.com
Blog:
YouTube:
Twitter:
@JoanneBrothwell
Facebook:
Author Joanne Brothwell
Joanne Brothwell
Goodreads:

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Hurricane (Hurricane #1) By: Jenna-Lynne Duncan (Blog Tour!)


Something to start out:
Adriana couldn’t decide what was worse—that Hurricane Katrina was heading for New Orleans, or that she might not survive her kidnapping to see its potential effects. She had trusted Hayden, even fallen for him, and now he and his brother Luke were taking her deeper and deeper into the Bayou. 
Why had two of her classmates, the mysterious Boudreaux brothers, kidnapped her? 
Why had Adriana’s dreams started predicting the future? 
Most importantly, would she make it out of the Bayou alive…
My Review:
I'm so excited to be apart of this blog tour, put together by Bewitched Book Tours! Let me just say first...I absolutely loved this story! There’s a good mix of mystery, fantasy, and of course romance. Duncan did a wonderful and creative job writing and setting a paranormal story during the time of a real life event, and everything from the setting, characters, and situations; they all came together very nicely, very impressed! I really was intrigued with the Paranormal side to this story. You’ll see what I mean as I really don’t want to give too much. There were good descriptions of different places such as the high school, exterior locations including of New Orleans, and a creepy old residence that is vital to the story, and did sorta gave me the chills, which is good, because I love when the writing is that good, that you feel what the character feels. 

I really liked the character of Adriana; to me she seemed relatable in different ways from being a little shy but at the same time she can take care of herself, as she seems to do all the time, at her house, as her father is almost aways not present at home, or really in her life lately. Now I have to talk about the ‘mysterious’ Boudreaux brothers of course. I really liked both of them; they are in ways different: Hayden being like, hmm an older soul? And Luke...well he seems to be more of a mystery, reserved... but I was gladly surprised how he turned out....Anyways, this is Ms. Duncan’s debut novel, and it’s just wonderful, really enjoyed every page. I loved her writing story; every sentence flowed nicely. There were a few shockers here and there, story wise, and the ending definitely made me want to read more, so it's good there’s going to be a second book to the series, seriously can’t wait! :)
There’s still the giveaway going on, and below you will see the widget for it, so please do enter, you never know, you might win! I have also provided an amazon link if you’re interested in this great read...I hope you really do read it!


My Rating: 4.5/5
My Audience Rating: Between PG & PG-13


Check out the other stops that are in this tour:
http://bewitchingbooktours.blogspot.com/2012/05/now-on-tour-hurricane-by-jenna-lynne.html

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, May 10, 2012

A May Update!

Hello!

This week and early next, I will working through my finals, and thus I will be done with the semester! I'm pretty excited that I will be posting a lot of overdue reviews. Some include:

Beautiful Disaster and Providence (#1) By: Jamie McGuire (Loved loved both of these books, and I have the second in the series to still read, and I hear there's a third!)

Gabriel's Inferno By: Sylvain Reynard (This one was a page turner!)

Love Unscripted By: Tina Reber (Wow! Great story.)

  • Also I have two book blog yours I will be participating in thanks to Bewitching Book Tours:
  • - (May 17) Hurricane #1 By: Jenna-Lynne Duncan. (Review)
  • - (May 19) Stealing Breath By: Joanne Brothwell. (Review & Promo) 

~ Marissa 
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