REVIEW of A Job From Hell and Black Wood by Jayde Scott

I was lucky enough to review TWO great books from Jayde Scott!

A Job From Hell

Summary: Enter a world of forbidden love, rituals, dark magic and ancient enemies...

An ancient bond draws Amber to the immortal Aidan shortly before her eighteenth birthday when she starts her summer job in Scotland and unknowingly wins the deadly prize in a paranormal race, turning her from a mere mortal into a priceless commodity. With every immortal creature hunting her for her new ability, Amber's life will never be the same again, unless she searches the Otherworld to retrieve what everyone wants.

But to do so, Amber must die.

Review: This book was such an exciting read!! Its filled with romance, friendship, humor, and tons of action that will keep you turning pages way past your bedtime. As a mother of two small children, that says a lot. Characters Amber, Aidan, Clare, Kieran, Cassandra, and Dallas are intoxicating. And as amazing as Aidan is...I may have a small crush on Kieran. *blushes* Who doesn't like a cocky pretty boy once in a while? The questions that you 'll be asking yourself as you read will make you want to keep going to the next chapter. Who's good? Who's bad? Will Amber ever be able to go back to her old life? Does Amber give in to the bond between her and Aidan? Oh how I wish I could give you all the details, but I'm a spoiler free kind of gal ;) This is truly a wonderful story that I wish never ends. I would definitely recommend this book!

Black Wood     

Summary: Witches, trolls, nymphs and Silverfurs are surely the figment of one’s imagination. That’s what Emily Jones used to think until she moves to Scotland shortly before her fourteenth birthday to live in her deceased grandmother’s manor. Ravencourt Manor's just as creepy as she remembers it with plenty of creaking noises, rattling doors and a hunched shadow that roams the manor’s garden at night.

In the hope to bring her separated parents back together, Emily opens a portal to Black Wood; a world of dangerous and alluring nymphs dwelling beneath the streams ready to drown her, where the sinister guardian and keeper of the Black Heart and cursed trolls are waiting, desperate to be released. And so Emily’s long and dangerous fight against the evil Muriel begins.

Will Emily learn to use her grandmother's legacy in time before the evil Muriel regains her full powers to summon and unleash her deadly servants on the world?


Review: I honestly wasn't sure how I would like this book since it was targeted for a younger audience. However, I am so glad that I read it, because it awesome! I would love to get into the mind of Jayde Scott for a day to see how she comes up with her ideas and concepts. The way the story is described really takes you in.  Emily is a strong, courageous 14yr old who has no choice to fight Muriel in order to save her world. There are only few to help her as she learns about this crazy new world and magic that exists. She fights to save her family and friends who are slowly being cursed.  This story was adventurous and creepy. It's definitely going to be loved by teens everywhere. I didn't want this story to end....and I am left hanging to see the fate of Emily's world and family. I believe anyone of any age will enjoy this story. I sure did :)

♥ Shelby

Review of the enchanting love story "Hawthorne" by Sarah Ballance

Summary courtesy of Amazon.com:
Help out the tsunami Japan victims! 100% of the proceeds from the this book go to Japan relief!

After a terrifying encounter with the unexplained, it took ten years and the news of her grandmother’s passing for Emma Grace Hawthorne to return to her childhood home. She sought peace in saying a proper goodbye, but what she found was an old love, a sordid family history, and a wrong only she could right.

Living in the shadow of Hawthorne Manor, Noah Garrett never forgot about Emma Grace. In a house full of secrets, his search for missing documents revealed a truth that could cost him everything. What he found gave Emma the freedom to walk away from the mansion, her heart free and clear, but at what price to Noah?

Review:
I was so mesmerized by this book, from the very beginning it really drew me in.  This was so well written, it only took me a few hours to finish it because I just couldn't stop reading.  I had such a vivid picture in my mind of the characters and the setting, I felt as if I was at the old Hawthorne manor myself.  It is a hauntingly original love story with such a sad, lonely ending.  It touched my heart in such a special way.  It is the perfect book if you are looking to get away from reality for a few hours and fall in love; not just fall in love with Noah or Emma Grace, but fall in love with the old mansion and the web of mysteries that lie within it's walls.  This was a five star read and I believe that I will probably be reading the book again very soon.
~ Amy

Review of 3479

3479

Author: XchylerConn

Summary from Smashwords:

The Kings actions have set a war into motion, his people bound by magic to fight for his wrongs. James did not always live his life in the dark, though his life pointed him in that direction. Join Sammie and Ryder as the choose their path and what journey to take, as they learn the true history of their King.            

REVIEW:

If you need a great quick read that will leave you wonder whats next, then this is your book. It follows the  lives of young adults getting ready to decide whether or not they should risk their lives for a King and a war that started before they were born. Sammie is one of these adults who has to make this decision. Her father gives her a journal wrote by her grandfather that may help her with her choice. The journal was all about the life of King Zexni and how he came to power. As Sammie reads, she gets consumed by the story of the King and his rise to fame. How he started from nothing, set out to make a name for himself, saved Princess Niomee, and discovered the magical strength he had within himself.

Not only is this a great read, but you get TWO stories in one! I loved the story within the journal and I can't wait to read more. The only issue I had with this book is that it was over too soon for me! Dang it! So I shall now wait patiently for book two to find out more about the other characters, and continue on with this new world that I have encountered.

♥ Shelby

AND THE WINNER IS.....

CONGRATS TO DAWN HAGEN!

You are the winner of our Rock 'N' Roll is undead by Rose Pressey! Your email address will be forwarded to Rose and she will send you your ebook! Thanks so much for your support! Check back for more giveaways this month!

Review of Spellbound by Samantha Combs

SUMMARY :
Logan Daniels has always led a sheltered life in sleepy, predictable Lancaster, New Hampshire. But when beautiful Serena suddenly appears at school one day, his comfortable existence becomes anything but as he finds himself falling in love with her. There’s something special about Serena Starr. He realizes what it is when he sees her unleash her spells. Soon, a mysterious and foreboding presence settles over his placid home.

Logan and Serena find themselves battling darkness and evil with an ominous mission: it wants Serena and will stop at nothing to have her. Tearing apart Logan’s town, threatening his friends, even causing harm to his family, the demon will spread its doom over every facet of Logan’s once placid life. Logan matures in ways he could never have imagined as he struggles to protect those he loves, including Serena. But he can't do it alone.

Serena hails from a long line of able and powerful women who will aide in the battle and perhaps settle a score of their own. The strength of the coven and Serena's love will be behind him, but ultimately this is Logan’s fight to win. But, will he?

REVIEW:

Oh man...Samantha Combs, when does the next book come out??? Seriously! I can't wait for it!!!! This book was the most entertaining I have read in awhile! Romance,  friendship, action, excitement, and paranormal elements combine to form what I would call an ideal read!  Logan and Serena, the main characters, develop a love so deep that only most of us dream about....seriously! Logan opens doors like a gentleman, and is so strong and brave. Who doesn't want that? Don't get me wrong though, Serena knows she can take care of herself perfectly well.  Logan, who has lived a "normal life" is suddenly thrown into new world of Serena and her abilities. Instead of being scared off, he embraces her and her way of life. *sigh* He soon finds out that this was all part of destiny's plan.

 But that's not all!!! I loved the friendships...old and new. I loved the extended family that was developed and the coven of women who all had their own unique talents.  This book was so inviting to me as a reader. I really felt a part of the experience as I read. Every time I thought I knew where the story was headed, I was completely wrong. Another twist and turn would be added, and I was kept on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens next. I could go on and on but that would mean giving away spoilers. SPOILERS = BAD! I read this book in less than a day. I stayed up late last night hoping to finish, but when the words started blurring together I knew this story would just have to continue into my dreams. Then today there was the agonizing wait till my daughters nap time to finish the book. Argh! I knew I HAD to finish this book today. I did. Then I raced on over to the blog to type up this review. I hope you enjoyed it!  If you haven't already read this book...GO! NOW! It is such a beautiful story and I know you won't be disappointed.

♥ Shelby

Review of the *amazing* new book Sleepers by Megg Jensen!!

Summary:
An adoptee raised in a foreign land, sixteen-year-old Lianne was content with her life as handmaiden to the queen, until a spell cast on her at birth activated. Now she's filled with uncontrollable rage and access to magic she thought had been bled from her people years ago. Even her years of secret training in elite hand-to-hand combat and meditation can’t calm the fires raging inside her.

Her heart is torn between two boys, the one she’s always loved and the one who always ignored her. But when the kingdom threatens to tear itself apart due to rumors surrounding the queen’s alleged affair, who will Lianne protect and who will she destroy?


Review:  

I truly enjoyed the first two books I have read by Megg Jensen; Anathema and Oubliette, but Sleepers really takes the cake for me. I definitely give it five stars because once I began reading it I couldn't put it down. Unfortunately, I have strained my eyes and given myself a head ache but it was well worth it. Sleepers features this amazing character named Lianne going through changes that all teenagers go through, but she also begins to change in ways that normal human beings do not. She was adopted by a family who never showed her love and became a maid for a queen who shows her nothing but love and friendship. She finds love along the way with a boy she thought she has been in love with most of her life only to be swept away by the surprisingly intense feelings she gets when she is with a different boy. This book gave me chills, made me fall in love, and made me sad all at the same time. Jensen really shines through in this novel and the way she describes certain situations really made me feel like I was experiencing all of the things Lianne is experiencing. It was so easy to picture the scenes of this book playing out, and sometimes I could even feel the grass, smell the flowers, and hear the baby's soft coos. I will recommend this book to anyone and everyone and I will be anxiously awaiting for the second book to follow.

~  Amy

Review and Author Interview w/ Rose Pressey...oh and did we mention GIVEAWAY??

Rock ‘N’ Roll is Undead by Rose Pressey

　


Summary:
Veronica Mason—lead singer of the rockabilly band The Voodoo Zombies—discovers her vampire bass player staked through the heart. A vision of the murder flashes in Veronica’s mind and she wonders if she’s going bonkers. Up until now her supernatural skills consisted of a few botched love spells.
Using her sexy voice and pin-up style has paid off, she’s about to land a record deal. But suspicion soon turns to her when another vampire turns up as nothing more than a pile of ashes a vacuum would have a hard time sucking up. Veronica has another vision, and she has to hone her paranormal powers or lose her deal—and possibly her life.
When an utterly delicious mystery man steps in as the new bass player, Veronica can’t figure out if he’s there to help or cause more problems. What she does know is she can’t resist his good looks and sex appeal. She wonders if they’d make rockin’ music together. But helping the undead could stop her from finding out and leave Veronica dead—permanently.

Review:

I just finished reading “Rock 'n' Roll is Undead” written by Rose Pressey. The book was a perfect quick read that I would recommend to anyone looking for something they could just sit down and read in a night or two when you need to just 'escape' from reality for a little bit. Veronica Mason is an easy character to relate with; she has the same insecurities as most people do but I can't help respect and admire her for her perseverance. I can't help but smile when I think of all of the lipstick Veronica is stuck with, she really keeps her mom and her best friend Kitty stocked up on many different shades. Veronica is a witch, unfortunately not a very good one. She is the lead singer of a Rockabilly band with vampires. I love the idea of 500 spf sun block so that vampires are able to walk in the daylight. Pressey really has some fun ideas and I enjoyed the book very much. Looking forward to reading more of her work.

♥ Amy

 

Now for the Interview!

Q: How do you come up with the ideas behind your books?

I start with the character. She just pops into my head. I develop the plot around her.

Q: Do you have any college background in writing? 

I’ve never taken a writing specific class. I read a lot and study books on the craft.

Q: What advice would you give to someone wanting to begin writing YA or paranormal romance novels?

Read, read, read, and write, write, write. Don’t be afraid to show your work to others and ask for help.

Q: Who is your favorite character out of all of your books?

That’s a tough decision. All the characters are unique and have different qualities that I love. I guess I’d have to pick Veronica Mason from Rock ‘n’ Roll is Undead. I love her attitude.

Q: If you had a supernatural power what would it be?

I’d love to perform magic like Elly in No Shoes, No Shirt, No Spells.

Q: What is your favorite book/author?

I have so many. I love Gone with the Wind. Another favorite book of mine is A Summer Place by Sloan Wilson.

Q: Do you have anything specific that you need to before you write? Like a certain pen, notebook, or writing place?

I like to eat. Ha-ha. If I have a full stomach, I’m more creative. Of course, I can’t always eat before I write, but if I can time it right, it works out perfectly. Other than that, I have my laptop. I love notepads and pens for little notes.

Q: Anything you would like readers to know about you?

Lately I’ve tried to get the word out about my autoimmune disease. I suffer from psoriatic arthritis. I have artificial knee joints and I’m getting new hips soon. Too bad the doctors can’t take down the width of them a little when they’re in there.

GIVEAWAY:

Rose has so kindly offered a e-copy of Rock 'N' Roll is Undead. Thank you so much Rose for the interview and giveaway!

TO ENTER:

1. Be a follower

2. leave a comment WITH a valid email.

Winner will be announced Wednesday August 10th.

AND THE WINNER IS.....

Congrats Savanna Ucinski!! 

You have won our 50 Follower Giveaway! Your prize is a new copy of The Pull of Gravity w/swag from the author Gae Polisner!!!! We hope you enjoy this book as much as we did! Thank you for your support and we hope to see you back for more giveaways! Winner has until Wed, Aug 3rd to reply or another winner will be chosen.