A Book Obsession..

Fireborn Blog Tour

, by KT

*Welcome back to A Book Obsession! So, what's it like to be closing one series soon and starting this new one?

Thanks for having me back!

I love having a brand new series out. While I still adore the world of Riley Jenson and the Dark Angels--and have indeed left it open for a return to that world with brand new characters if the fledgling idea I have blossoms into a full story--I’ve now spent 16 books in it, and that’s a long time. It’s nice being able to go back to the beginning and create something completely different.

*Why a phoenix? (Not that we're complaining!)

Why not a phoenix? To be honest, I just wanted a break from vamps and weres, so I trawled all the different myth and legends websites, looking for something that sparked an idea. And that’s what happened when I came across the phoenix--the idea of a non-human who is able to be reborn from the ashes of her past just has endless story possibilities!

* How many books are planned for the series? Any hints for what's next?

I’m contracted for two books at the moment, but I dare say there will be more. I’m not really known for writing short series these days! Lol. As to hints--well, over the course of the next couple of books we’ll find out what is going on with Sam, and also more about the virus--and who stole it. And given that Emberly and Jackson are now running a PI agency together, each book will also feature a separate case for them to investigate.

*If Fireborn was to be made into a movie, who would be your top picks for the cast?

I have no idea! And really, as long as they could act, and the script was great, I really wouldn’t care.

*Last time you were here you chose Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffrey, Jacqueline Carey, Katherine Kerr, Raymond E Fiest, Andre Norton, and CJ Chrerryh for your favorite paranormal authors. Have you any new recommendations?

Can I recommend a mate? M J Scott has the terrific Half-Light City series, and I just love them J

*Do you have any passions or hobbies outside of reading or writing?

Totally! I have a great big garden that I love to potter around in, but I’m also something of a wanna-be photographer, and can often be found out and about taking pics.

*Just for fun. If you were stranded somewhere by had electricity, what three things other than basic survival supplies, would you have to have?

If it has electricity, then definitely my computer! I can’t survive without it. I’d also take a microwave to heat water for my cuppa tea, as well as cook food (I love open fires, but they’re too much hassle to cook on!), and a fridge to keep the chocolate cold in (because chocolate is a basic survival supply!)

*Finish this statement: "You'll like the Fireborn if...

I hate these things! Ummm... if you like great action, fabulous characters, and a different type of paranormal creature!

Thanks Keri!

Author info:

The Unofficial Bio
I’m a born and bred Melbourne (Australia) gal, and grew up sharing my life with dragons, elves, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters and the occasional talking horse. Which worried my family to no end. Of course, now that I’m actually make a living sharing my life with the above mentioned creatures, they no longer contemplate calling the men with the little white coat. When not at my keyboard, I can be found at the gym, sitting front of the TV, or taking my two dogs for a walk.

The Official Bio
Keri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson Guardian series, has now written more than twenty-eight novels. She’s received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and has won RT’s Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives with her daughter in Melbourne, Australia.

Past day jobs
Clerk at the Bureau of Meteorology, Cook at the MCG, Function and Desert cook at the Essendon Football Club

Current Job
Full time writer and mum.

Find Keri Online:

Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook

Book Info:

From New York Times bestselling author Keri Arthur comes a brand new series featuring heroine Emberly Pearson—a phoenix capable of taking on human form, and cursed with the ability to foresee death…

Emberly has spent a good number of her many lives trying to save humans. So when her prophetic dreams reveal the death of Sam, a man she once loved, she does everything in her power to prevent that from happening. But in saving his life, she gets more than she bargained for.

Sam is working undercover for the Paranormal Investigations Team, and those who are trying to murder him are actually humans infected by a plague-like virus, the Crimson Death—a by-product of a failed government experiment that attempted to identify the enzymes that make vampires immortal. Now, all those infected must be eliminated.

But when Emberly’s boss is murdered and his irreplaceable research stolen, she needs to find the guilty party before she goes down in flames…

Amazon The Book Depository

Tour Schedule:

SCIFI CHICK http://scifichick.com/ Monday, 6/23

I SMELL SHEEP http://www.ismellsheep.com/ Tuesday, 6/24

ON STARSHIPS AND DRAGONWINGS http://www.onstarshipsanddragonwings.com/ Wednesday, 6/25

MANGA MANIAC CAFÉ http://www.mangamaniaccafe.com/ Thursday, 6/26

FANG-TASTIC BOOKS www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com Friday, 6/27

TYNGA'S REVIEWS http://www.tyngasreviews.com/ Monday, 6/30

RAMBLINGS FROM THIS CHICK http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/ Tuesday, 7/1

URBAN FANTASY INVESTIGATIONS http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com/ Wednesday, 7/2

A BOOK OBSESSION http://www.abookobsession.com/ Thursday, 7/3

RABID READS http://rabidreads.ca/ Friday, 7/4

WICKED 'LIL PIXIE http://wickedlilpixie.com/ Monday, 7/7

A GREAT READ http://jessica-agreatread.blogspot.com/ Tuesday, 7/8

MY BOOKISH WAYS http://www.mybookishways.com/ Wednesday, 7/9

SUPERNATURAL SNARK http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com/ Thursday, 7/10

NOT YET READ http://www.notyetread.com/ Friday, 7/11

HEAS ARE US http://heasareus.blogspot.com/ Monday, 7/14

LIVE TO READ http://livetoread-krystal.blogspot.com/ Tuesday, 7/15

THE BOOK PUSHERS http://thebookpushers.com/ Wednesday, 7/16

PARANORMAL BOOK CLUB http://www.paranormal-bookclub.com/ Thursday, 7/17

AWESOMESAUCE BOOK CLUB http://www.awesomesaucebookclub.com/ Friday, 7/18

NYX BOOK REVIEWS http://www.nyxbookreviews.com/ Monday, 7/21

LITERAL ADDICTION http://www.literaladdiction.com/ Tuesday, 7/22

SUPERNATURAL SNARK http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com/ Wednesday, 7/23

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Kirsten Reviews: Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot: To Obey by Mickey Zucker Reichert

, by KT

I Robot: To Obey by Mickey Zucker Reichart

2. A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

2036: Robotic technology has evolved into the realm of self-aware, sentient mechanical entities. But even as humanity contends with the consequences of its most brilliant creation, there are those who have their own designs for the robots: enslavement…or annihilation.

Susan Calvin is about to enter her second year as a psych resident at the Manhattan Hasbro teaching hospital when a violent crime strikes her very close to home.

When she was young, Susan lost her mother in a terrible car wreck that also badly injured her father. She now believes the accident was an attempted murder by government powers who wanted her parents dead. Susan has always known that there was a faction of the U.S. government that wanted to hijack her father’s work for military use. Now, it seems that faction is back.

As she struggles to overcome her pain and confusion as well as deal with her studies, Susan finds herself hunted by violent anti-tech vigilantes who would revert mankind to the dark ages—and at the same time watched very closely by extremists who want high-tech genocide. Somehow she must find a way to stop them both.

Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot: to obey by Mickey Zucker Reichert is, as the title suggests, a sequel to Asimov’s classic work.

The plot is centered around Susan Calvin, who is about to begin her second year as a psych resident at Manhattan Hasbro when she learns that the government faction who may have killed her mother, have returned. Susan has long-suspected that the government has an interest in making use of her father’s research in order to use it for military applications, and it seems that they are back to take what they can, no matter the human cost.

Susan attempts to deal with anti-tech vigilantes, high-tech extremists, her studies, emotional upheaval, and has to figure out a way to balance it all, and protect herself.

As this book follows the events in I Robot, the characters of Susan and Kendall should be familiar to anyone who’s read the previous book, and that’s helpful as events quickly snowball, and getting an education is the least of Susan’s concerns. While Susan is able to excel in areas of medicine, she is out of her depth when it comes to the Winter Wine Facility. It should be noted that there are not a large number of robots, and the government and the Society for Humanity cast far larger shadows over the story.

As this book is part of a series, the consequences of having advanced robots and conflicting segments of society should play out as Susan matures, and is hopefully better equipped to handle them. In any case, there are a number of plot threads left hanging, and there are no easy answers that will resolve them without further stories.
(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:

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Other Reviews:

Previous Books:
1. I Robot: To Protect

Release Day Review: Rebel Nation by Shaunta Grimes

, by KT

Rebel Nation by Shaunta Grimes

Viral Nation #2

Sixteen years ago, a plague wiped out nearly all of humanity. The Company’s vaccine stopped the virus’s spread, but society was irrevocably changed. Those remaining live behind impenetrable city walls, taking daily doses of virus suppressant and relying on The Company for continued protection. They don’t realize that everything they’ve been told is a lie…

Clover Donovan didn’t set out to start a revolution—quiet, autistic, and brilliant, she’s always followed the rules. But that was before they forced her into service for the Time Mariners. Before they condemned her brother to death, compelling him to flee the city to survive. Before she discovered terrifying secrets about The Company.

Clover and the Freaks, her ragtag resistance group, are doing their best to spread the rebellion and stay under The Company’s radar. But when their hideout is discovered, they are forced, once again, to run. Only this time, The Company has special plans for Clover, plans that could risk her life and stop the uprising in its tracks…

I had really high hopes for Rebel Nation as I loved Viral Nation, and lucky it lived up to those expectations. In my review of the last book I wrote about how it was dystopian at its finest as the world was obviously broken and massively controlled, yet the people had no idea things were so bad. Of course in Viral Nation, the main cast of characters get their eyes opened and things get a little crazy. REBEL NATION is the fallout of that chaos and the choices Clover and the rest made, and boy was it a ride. Granted, you could tell it was a middle book in the series due to just a bit of stalling rather than huge movements forward, but honestly I was okay with that. It allowed for more character development and plot thickening rather than a continual rushed feeling. And frankly aside from well developed characters and romance, plot pacing is pretty high up on my most important list for books, so this one is a win for me.

I fell in love with Clover in Viral Nation, and that was only further cemented in REBEL NATION. Her autism made her so real, for lack of a better word. She's just so raw and well real. There's this lack of falsehood to the point where you know that everything she says or thinks will be brutally honest. Sure that makes it a bit hard for her to interact with others, due to her lack of social niceties and a filter. It also makes me care for her all the more when she continues to try and work with the others despite her social issues. Frankly, in their situation, her lack of filter and unique way of looking at things are invaluable, but I still enjoyed seeing her trying to find her way with Jude in a romantic sense. There's just something so innocent and honest about it that I loved, and it made for a very sweet read.

I'm always on the lookout for a new and great dystopian read, and I'm happy to say that this series, and REBEL NATION specifically more than pleases the dystopian fan in me. If you are looking for a great read with plenty of action and great characters, look no further than REBEL NATION.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:

Order Links:

Other Reviews:
Reading with ABC
Cold Tea and Crumbs
Word Spelunking

Previous Books:
1. Viral Nation

Early Review: Fireborn by Keri Arthur

, by KT

Fireborn by Keri Arthur

Souls of Fire #1

From New York Times bestselling author Keri Arthur comes a brand new series featuring heroine Emberly Pearson—a phoenix capable of taking on human form, and cursed with the ability to foresee death…

Emberly has spent a good number of her many lives trying to save humans. So when her prophetic dreams reveal the death of Sam, a man she once loved, she does everything in her power to prevent that from happening. But in saving his life, she gets more than she bargained for.

Sam is working undercover for the Paranormal Investigations Team, and those who are trying to murder him are actually humans infected by a plague-like virus, the Crimson Death—a by-product of a failed government experiment that attempted to identify the enzymes that make vampires immortal. Now, all those infected must be eliminated.

But when Emberly’s boss is murdered and his irreplaceable research stolen, she needs to find the guilty party before she goes down in flames…

Can I just start off by saying I absolutely love Keri Arthur's books. There's just something about them that really works for me. In fact, I've re-read her Riley series several times, they are that good. So, you can imagine just how excited I was to see a brand new series coming from her. And a phoenix to boot? Well, there just wasn't a chance I wouldn't be reading this book. So bear in mind that I'm more than a little biased. So that being said, I had very high hopes for FIREBORN, and I'm happy to say that it more than lived up to my expectations.

I absolutely adored Emberly. She's so strong yet incredibly vulnerable at the same time. Her life is incredible and extraordinary in her abilities, but they come at a very steep price. The curse phoenixes are under are harsh and frankly staggering. To be bonded to another with your very existence dependent upon them yet be unable to love them is just utterly heartbreaking. And the fact that they fall in love with someone outside of their fated partner each life cycle, yet cursed for that love to end badly, is just cruel in my opinion. And yet through it all Emberly stays strong and continues to push on. There were several times throughout where it would have been so easy to walk away from the circumstances she had been forced into, but she doesn't and I loved her for it. I also loved the dynamic she had going with her life mate, Rory, and despite the lack of romantic love, they loved each other all the same, and somehow that made all of the other romantic mess easier to bear.

Of course after all this gushing, you may be wondering why I didn't rate this a 5 if I loved it so much. That's mostly due to giving the series a bit of room to grow, but also the frustration that comes from starting a new series and having to learn that new world and all the frustration that goes with that. I will say that Keri handled things mostly well in this department, but I think I would have preferred just a bit more world building or explanation as even after finishing this first book, I feel a bit muddy about what's going on. I'm sure it will build over time and after several installments are out, and I have more knowledge, this will be a 5 star re-read, but for the first time through to be fair, I just can't quite give it the highest marks. Putting that slower world building aside, FIREBORN is an excellent star to a fresh new urban fantasy series that will please fans of the genre and Keri's writing alike. This one will definitely be staying on my keeper shelf!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:

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Review: Pia Saves the Day by Thea Harrison

, by KT

Pia Saves the Day by Thea Harrison

Elder Races #6.6

In the latest story of the Elder Races, two mates face their deadliest challenge yet—each other…

Pia and Dragos’s magical young son Liam (the Peanut), is growing at an unprecedented rate, and if that isn’t enough, he is also exhibiting new, and unpredictable, magical gifts. To protect him, the concerned parents decide to move to upstate New York.

Both Dragos and Pia relish the idea of leaving behind the city. They finally have the space to indulge their Wyr side, and Liam can grow in safety. It’s a breath of fresh air—literally—but their idyllic situation is shattered when Dragos is injured in a freak accident.

Stripped of his memory and bereft of Pia’s taming influence, there’s nothing holding back Dragos’s darkest side. And in order to restore her family and save her mate, Pia must confront the most powerful menace in Elder Races history.

It’s going to take more than a penny to fix this…

When I finished this novella, I was left scratching my head just a bit as things were anything but settled, and typically with outtakes like this there aren't any huge game changers. Only, in this case there was, and that caught me off guard and probably would have upset me if it had not of been for the note from the author about the third book in this mini out-take series. Hopefully that will bring a little more resolution to things.

Getting more into the actual story, I have to admit I'm not the biggest fan of the amnesia trope, so that did lessen my enjoyment of this novella just a bit. That being said, as it was Dragos and Pia, it wasn't too hard to overlook as I love seeing them together, and this gave a nice throwback to the initial tension and massive push/pull between them. Just when I thought there couldn't be any risks or danger to their relationship, this huge wrench was thrown into things, and I love how Thea keeps the readers from becoming complacent. I can honestly say I never know what to expect next in this series, and I love it.

I haven't read anything from Thea Harrison that I haven't enjoyed, and Pia Saves the Day is no exception to that. I highly recommend this to any Pia and Dragos fans, trust me you won't want to miss this.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

Rating:

Order Links:

Other Reviews:
Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
Tome Tender

Previous Books:
1. Dragon Bound
2. Storm's Heart
3. Serpent's Kiss
4. Oracle's Moon
5. Lord's Fall
6. Kinked
6.5. Dragos Takes a Holiday

Select 6/24 Releases & Giveaways

, by KT

Whether you’re looking for a romance that makes you laugh, makes you ‘walk the plank’, keeps you guessing, or stars your favorite paranormal, look no further. Select books have the single-title stories you crave, and the longer length you need to really get ‘lost’ in a great book. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.

Today I'm happy to be featuring Select's June releases:

Queen of Wands by Katee Robert

Available in Print and Digital!

Never in Mac Flannery’s wildest dreams did he imagine Jenny O'Keirna would be the one sent for him. He sees beyond the mad grin the sexy princess of Hansarda presents to the world, and that combination of vulnerability and wicked humor is a siren call he can’t resist. But Sanctify is after them. On the run—and unable to keep their hands off each other—Jenny and Mac devise an insane plan: kidnap the leader of Sanctify, and stop this war once and for all. Unfortunately, they’ve just played right into his hands…

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Giveaway

Crimson Hearts by Heather McCollum

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Highland warrior Searc Munro's dark, killing magic must never be known. But when his father’s life is threatened, Searc’s secret is revealed. When Elena Seymour's lineage as the illegitimate daughter of King Henry VIII is discovered, she runs for her life. Teaming up as exiles, Elena and Searc seek refuge in Edinburg. With a series of ritual killings haunting the city and a traitor attempting to assassinate Scotland’s regent, suspicion turns to Searc. Now the two must find a way to trust each other, despite their secrets, before it’s too late.

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Giveaway

By Jove by Marissa Doyle

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Going back to graduate school to study ancient languages and mythology is a dream come true for Theodora Fairchild. Falling in love with Grant Proctor is an added bonus. But then Theo discovers that being chosen for the prestigious program has more to do with who she is than what she knows. When evil forces threaten Grant’s life in an effort to tear the two apart, Theo must rely on her wits and wisdom to save her true love and survive the semester.

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Giveaway

Curse of the Phoenix Bundle by Rachel Firasek

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Book One: The Last Rising

Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how Phoenix Ice imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great. When the mysterious Ice comes into Turner Alcott's life, he knows she’s the one. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.

Book Two: The Last Awakening

Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperately wants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him. Arabella's been gifted her mortality and long-gone voodoo magic. She must save her next soul within a week without using magic, or she’ll lose her power forever. When Greyson is confronted by a waif of a woman who forces him to face the truth about his past, he runs fast and hard. Now one will have to give up everything so the other can have peace, but will love’s magic withstand the loss?

Book Three: The Last Beginning

Though she’s always hated being a phoenix, Sadie has to admit immortality has its advantages. She’s seen and done more in the last 150 years than she’d ever dreamed of, but she can’t get past the fact that Osiris has done nothing but manipulate her and her fellow phoenixes. Sun god Osiris is ashamed of his role as ruler of the Underworld, but unless he can figure out how to save Sadie, that’s exactly where she’s going to end up. Permanently. He'll help her the only way he can—even if it means she’ll hate him forever.

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Giveaway

Rebel Nation Blog Tour

, by KT

*Where did you get the inspiration for the Viral Nation series?

Hmm...a couple of places. First, I was inspired by my two oldest kids to write a story about autism, and about the relationship between siblings when one has a disability. When I was writing Viral Nation, in 2009, a bunch of bad stuff was happening all at once. The US economy was tanking, everyone was terrified of the pig flu or the bird flu or both, no one could find a job, wars were raging. I started to wonder what would happen if just one of those things went to its worse case scenario—I went with virus, and Viral Nation was born.

*How many books do you have planned in the series? Any hints you can give us for what's in store next?

There will be one more book in this series. The second in the trilogy, Rebel Nation, comes out on July 1 of course, which I'm super excited about! I'll also be releasing a prequel novella as an e-book in the next couple of months. Follow me on Twitter (@shauntagrimes) for updates. The novella is a story about the start of the Bad Times told through the point of view of Leanne Wood, who becomes Clover's trainer.

*If your books were to be made into a movie, who would be your top picks for the cast?

I'm not a very visual person, so it's hard for me to answer this one. If Viral Nation and Rebel Nation were ever made into movies, I think I'd be so excited, it wouldn't matter to me at all who they cast. I think it would be cool if someone who really does have autism was cast as Clover, though.

*Could you tell us a little about the ups and downs you have experienced in publishing?

Even the downs are ups, if that makes sense. Writing books is my dream job. I love working with an experienced, talented editor, copy editor, design team. Sure, there a few frustrations, but even when something doesn't go exactly how I wanted it to or hoped it would, it's completely overwhelmed by the incredible joy of being able to do what I love as an actual job someone's willing to pay me for.

*What are some of your favorite books in the paranormal or dystopian genres?

Oh, wow. I have so many. Stephen King's book The Stand is my favorite book of all time, followed closely by David Birn's The Postman. I loved Hugh Howley's book Wool. Of course, I loved The Hunger Games series. I also really enjoyed Jeffery Hirsch's book The Eleventh Plague. I love City of Embers, and The Giver, and Nancy Farmer's book The House of the Scorpion. Dystopian is my favorite.

*If you could tell readers one thing about yourself or your books, what would that be?

That, at heart, I'm a storyteller, and telling a good story is my happy place. I hope that when you read my books you feel like you've been told a good story.

*What is the craziest or at least most interesting thing you have ever done?

When I was 24 years old, I was a newspaper reporter in a tiny little rural Nevada town. My first day on the job I was sent to start covering a murder trial for two 15 year old boys named Kyle and Colby. They killed Kyle's family. In a lot of ways, covering that trial shaped the kind of writer I am today. It made me want to tell the truth of a story, not just the sensational parts. It made me learn, fast and on the job.

*Just for fun. If you were stranded somewhere but had electricity, what three things other than basic survival supplies, would you have to have?

Either a fan or a heater, depending on where I was. My Kindle, fully loaded. (That's not cheating, right? LOL) And a fridge.

*Finish this statement: "You'll like the Viral Nation series if...

You'll like the Viral Nation series if you like dystopian books, but want a different angle.

Thanks Shaunta!

Author Info:

Shaunta Grimes has worked as a substitute teacher, a newspaper reporter, a drug court counselor, and a vintage clothing seller. No matter which direction she strays, however, she always comes back to storytelling. She lives in Reno with her family, where she writes, teaches, and perpetually studies at the University of Nevada. Viral Nation is her debut traditionally-published novel.

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Book Info:

Sixteen years ago, a plague wiped out nearly all of humanity. The Company’s vaccine stopped the virus’s spread, but society was irrevocably changed. Those remaining live behind impenetrable city walls, taking daily doses of virus suppressant and relying on The Company for continued protection. They don’t realize that everything they’ve been told is a lie…

Clover Donovan didn’t set out to start a revolution—quiet, autistic, and brilliant, she’s always followed the rules. But that was before they forced her into service for the Time Mariners. Before they condemned her brother to death, compelling him to flee the city to survive. Before she discovered terrifying secrets about The Company.

Clover and the Freaks, her ragtag resistance group, are doing their best to spread the rebellion and stay under The Company’s radar. But when their hideout is discovered, they are forced, once again, to run. Only this time, The Company has special plans for Clover, plans that could risk her life and stop the uprising in its tracks…

Amazon The Book Depository

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

6/23/2014- A Book Obsession- Review

6/23/2014- Word Spelunking- Interview

6/24/2014- Reading with ABC- Review

6/24/2014- Pieces of Whimsy- Guest Post

6/25/2014- bookaholics anonymous online- Review

6/25/2014- Fire and Ice- Interview

6/26/2014- Cold Tea and Crumbs- Review

6/26/2014- Such a Novel Idea- Guest Post

6/27/2014- modern-assassin- Review

6/27/2014- Page Turner Blog- Interview

Week Two:

6/30/2014- Buried Under Books- Review

6/30/2014- Bookhounds YA- Guest Post

7/1/2014- The Demon Librarian- Review

7/1/2014- Library of the Seen- Interview

7/2/2014- Crystal in Bookland- Review

7/2/2014- the Windy Pages- Guest Post

7/3/2014- My Dear Bibliophage- Review

7/3/2014- The Book Monsters- Interview

7/4/2014- Books, Bones & Buffy - Review

7/4/2014- Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, and Romance- Guest Post

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Early Review: Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper

, by KT

Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper

Author of the beloved Half Moon Hollow series of vampire romances (Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs), Molly Harper has created a standalone paranormal romance in which a dilapidated haunted house could bring star-crossed lovers together—if it doesn’t kill them first!

When Nina Linden is hired to landscape a private island off the New England coast, she sees it as her chance to rebuild her failing business after being cheated by her unscrupulous ex. She never expects that her new client, software mogul Deacon Whitney, would see more in her than just a talented gardener. Deacon has paid top dollar to the crews he’s hired to renovate the desolate Whitney estate—he had to, because the bumps, thumps, and unexplained sightings of ghostly figures in nineteenth-century dress are driving workers away faster than he can say “Boo.”

But Nina shows no signs of being scared away, even as she experiences some unnerving apparitions herself. And as the two of them work closely together to restore the mansion’s faded glory, Deacon realizes that he’s found someone who doesn’t seem to like his fortune more than himself—while Nina may have finally found the one man she can trust with her bruised and battered heart.

But something on the island doesn’t believe in true love…and if Nina and Deacon can’t figure out how to put these angry spirits to rest, their own love doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.

Molly Harper is on my auto-buy list. Hands down anytime I see a new book coming from her you can guarantee I'll have it pre-ordered. I just love her style of writing and her humor. That being said, I do have to admit this one was a bit slower for me to get into at first as things were told in several points of view rather than the first person narrative that is in most of her books. These split narratives made it take a bit longer for me to grow attached to the characters than I would have liked. But as I prefer the first person narrative, I wouldn't say the slower attachment was any fault on the author's writing, just on how I like my stories. I will say though that following the multiple different perspectives did open things up a whole lot further than they could have been with just Nina at the "helm," and I especially enjoyed seeing Nina through everyone else's eyes. Made for an interesting and open perspective on things.

This is a cute and fun read, precisely what I expect each time I pick up one of Molly Harper's books. She has this way of making even the most mundane things suddenly become downright hilarious. While this book had a bit of a different feel than her previous books due to the multiple points of view, it was still fun and light hearted all the same. I really love how despite parts of this book being rather dark and well, scary, it never once lost that fun feel. Seriously, we're talking close calls, murder, and some really spooky events, yet the wimp in me never had a single problem because I was too busy laughing at what was going on otherwise. Trust me, if you are looking for a solid block of entertainment in the form of a humorous read, BETTER HOMES AND HAUNTINGS is a must buy for the perfect afternoon read.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Kirsten Reviews: The Given Sacrifice by S.M. Stirling

, by KT

The Given Sacrifice by S.M. Stirling

Emberverse #10

Praised as a truly original combination of postapocalyptic sci-fi and military-oriented medieval fantasy, S. M. Stirling’s Novels of the Change depict a future without technology, where people must master skills from ages past in order to survive. Now, to ensure that survival for all he cares for, a king faces his greatest challenge in the latest chapter of the New York Times bestselling saga....

Rudi Mackenzie has won the battle that expelled the enemy from the new High Kingdom of Montival. Now he must free the people who live in the state once known as Idaho from occupation by the legions of the Church Universal and Triumphant and pursue them to their lair over the mountains. There he will finally confront the forces behind the Church—the Powers of the Void.

Yet even a victory will not end the conflict forever. The Powers of the Void are malevolent and infinitely patient, and the struggle is one that involves the entire world. They threaten Rudi not only in the present, but also in the future represented by his children, Órlaith and John. Rudi knows this.

And as his heir Princess Órlaith grows up in the shadow of her famous father, she also realizes that the enemy will do anything to see that she does not live to fulfill her parents’ dream....

The Given Sacrifice by S.M. Stirling, a novel of the Change, is the conclusion of the saga begun in The Sunrise Lands. But, one of the themes of the series is that everything is connected, and the challenges faced by characters in this book are, in fact, played out on a far grander scale, and so, in a sense, it will never be over.

However, at least for one character, the journey is over, and Rudi Mackenzie’s arc ends, as he and his allies finally close in on the Church Universal and Triumphant. The plot covers what are to be the last battles against the Cutters, glosses over their defeat, and then introduces characters that will be the focus of later books.

One weakness of this book lies in the fact that although there is a lot going on, the focus is more on shifting from Rudi to Orlaith, his heir. Not only that, but the fate of Rudi isn’t given a climactic scene, but rather feels as though it’s been slotted in so that readers won’t wonder what happened, while at the same time, making sure they are aware that Orlaith is the new protagonist. As a result, Orlaith gets more in depth development, and feels more relatable, not being an Arthurian-esque figure whose destiny and importance are brought up repeatedly, so that the reader can’t forget how important he is, instead of using his actions to the same effect.

Overall, the book wraps up Rudi’s story and effectively shifts the narrative to Orlaith, although readers may find that the way it’s handled leaves them unsatisfied.
(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Previous Books:
1. Dies the Fire
2. The Protector's War
3. A Meeting at Corvallis
4. The Sunrise Lands
5. The Scourge of God
6. The Sword of the Lady
7. The High King of Montival
8. The Tears of the Sun
9. Lord of the Mountains

Early Review: Shaman Rises by C.E. Murphy

, by KT

Shaman Rises by C.E. Murphy

Walker Papers #9

Joanne Walker has two choices:

Defeat the enemy…or lose her soul trying.

For over a year, Joanne has been fighting the Master—the world's most abiding evil. She's sacrificed family, friendships, even watched potential futures fade away…and now the Master is bringing the final battle to Joanne's beloved Seattle.

Lives will be lost as the repercussions of all Joanne's growth come to her doorstep. Before the end, she'll mourn, rejoice—and surrender everything for the hope of the world's survival. She'll be a warrior and a healer. Because she is finally a Shaman Rising.

Whooo boy, was this one heck of a roller coaster ride from start to finish. There was an incredible amount going on in this book, it was almost frantic. Granted that did make it just a bit hard to follow at times, but I tell you, Joanne and the rest of the characters were put through one heck of a ringer. There wasn't a dull moment, that's for sure. What's even better yet was that despite me feeling like I had everything figured out by now considering this is the ninth installment, there were more than a few curve balls thrown into things that I never would have guessed were coming. There was one massive shock that, wow, just wow. I loved that twist and I have a feeling other readers will too. Definitely a high point in the book.

And now onto Joanne, the star of the show. Never could I have imagined the gal who annoyed me terribly in the first few installments due to her refusal to accept who she was magically, would turn into who she is today. Not only has she fully embraced her magical heritage, but she's consistently at the front lines fighting with her all. There was a point in this book where it would have been so easy for her to give up and run away like the old Joanne, but she never once faltered and I fell for her all over again. (and I think Morrison did as well, but that's just a bonus.) Seriously, Joanne Walker has earned herself a place on my top 10 favorite heroines, and I don't see her being dethroned anytime soon.

It's always very bittersweet to say goodbye to a loved and long running series like this. So, I was both eagerly anticipating and dreading reading this installment in equal amounts. On one hand, I was dying to know how everything turns out for Joanne and crew, but on the other I knew that I would have to say goodbye and that they may not get the send off I had hoped for. Now that I've finished, I can largely that I'm happy with the way everything turned out. Granted, I would have preferred a bit more solidity on the personal front with Joanne, but that was addressed in a short story part of No Dominion, and since the actual action and plotline with the Master was tied up well, I can't really complain. Too much. I'm a sap for a good romantic happy ending and I do like everything to be very settled, but that wasn't the case here, and in the long run I'm fine with that. The author brought us to the part where the characters can now start their real lives and be settled however they choose, leaving that largely up to the reader's imagination. So that being said, I think fans will be largely pleased with Shaman Rises' send off, and after nine books, that's an impressive feat for any author. So bravo to you Ms. C.E. Murphy, bravo!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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