SUNNY: ARC BOOK REVIEW "Darkness Awakened" by Katie Reus

SUMMARY:
 Years ago he ended things between them to protect her…

As leader of one of the fiercest werewolf packs in the south, Finn Stavros is in full battle mode 24/7. He has no choice—he’s one of the few beings strong enough to fight the Akkadian demons, whose mysterious escape from hell threatens the entire world. With the battle turning bloodier by the second, Finn is ready for anything…until his vampire long lost love shows up on his doorstep in desperate need of his help, sending his heart into a tailspin. He agrees to help her, unaware that she carries a shocking secret that will turn his life upside down.

This time, he’s not letting her go…

Vampire Lyra Marius curses the day she met Finn. The ruthless werewolf promised to love her forever, but he rejected her instead—before she could share her life altering news. Pregnant, kicked out of her coven, and cast aside by the love of her life, Lyra struggled to raise their rare shifter-vampire daughter Vega alone among humans. When the 16-year-old is kidnapped and used to fulfill a frightening prophecy, Lyra swallows her pride and turns to Finn for help. But how long can she fight her feelings for him and keep him from guessing the truth about who Vega really is? As they race against the clock to save their daughter, they must defeat the lethal threat imposed by demons infiltrating the human world and a hell gate that could not only reveal their existence to mankind, but destroy the world in the process

REVIEW: 
Darkness Awakened is book 1 in Katie Reus' new Darkness series. It is a second-chance story between two clashing species, the shifters and the vampires. These two species have been long-time, violent enemies, and ultimately, that is what forced them apart 17 years ago. Now circumstances are such that she is forced to seek his help. In doing so, they are confronted with a larger conspiracy to wreck havoc in the world.

I thought the world-building in this book was intriguing. It is a setting of shapeshifting werewolves, vampires, dragons, and demons. The book revolves around the Romeo and Juliet-like story of Finn Stavros (I love the hint of Mediterranean background. It makes it much easier for me to envision what he might look like) and Lyra Marius. They are young lovers separated years ago by the dangers of two feuding species getting together. It is one of Finn's biggest regrets in life. As fate dictates, he gets a second chance at winning Lyra back. I enjoyed the idea of changing and evolving alliances and and the introduction a new species into the mix. Being a first book in the series, I can see how the story is foreshadowing future stories.

My critique of the book revolves around the second chance storyline. Normally, I am a sucker for these stories. I love books redemption themes. But this story left me a little cold. It felt like I was dropped into the middle of an on-going journey and never got a firm foundation from the past. I did not feel like I knew either character well enough to really understand their attraction to one another, or maybe I was a little skeptical of the initial attraction and why they became a couple in the first place. It did not ruin the book for me, but I felt a little less emotionally invested in the characters.

However, I am looking forward to the following books. There are lots of intriguing questions that need to be answered and, as a fan of this author's previous work, I am curious to see how and where she will take this story.  

Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Horde" by Ann Aguirre

SUMMARY:

The horde is coming.

Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they're not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn't run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade's love.

Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn't been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them.

This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.

REVIEW: 

I should trust Ann Aguirre more.  Her books fascinate and thrill me, but I feel like holding a little back,  fearful of investing too much emotion into her characters.  It never works, of course, because I am sucked right back into the vortex of thrill, fear, dispair, and hope. But in the end, she never disappoints. This book is stirring, shocking, tender, and in the end, very, very hopeful. 

The world is dark, dank, and dirty. The Freaks are amassing into a horde and looking to destroy what remains of humanity in this dystopia.  At the center, it is about the power of one.  Deuce is hard core, hard headed, and hard to defeat.  She simply will not give up.  The Horde is building a massive army and she is taking the fight to the Freaks.  As she states at the beginning of the first battle, "The enemy is sleeping, men.  Bring the pain."  (My favorite line in the book)

Ann Aguirre specializes in impossible situations, and yet, she manages to find the smallest sliver of hope during these circumstances.  I couldn't think of a more dire situation than the one facing Deuce, Fade and the rest of humanity.  It is positively crushing. As a reader, I am immersed in despair and Deuce's overwhelming responsibility to do SOMETHING.  I feel a part of Deuce's journey that takes the both of us to unexpected places and situations.  The victories are sweet and the losses are painful.  Deuce's ability to make a difference doesn't only rely on her prowess as a Huntress, but also by what she learns about herself and how she grows her character.  This makes the ultimate difference. 


I couldn't have asked for a better ending to this trilogy.  After reading Outpost, I wondered how Ms. Aguirre was going to bring this story to its conclusion.  All I can say is that I am completely and wholly satisfied.  (And by the way, I finally find out why this series is called Razorland.)

IN A NUTSHELL:
I think this series is one of Ann Aguirre's best work - bringing the dark into light and making us believe in the power of one person's ability to make a difference and change the world. If you haven't started it, you need to pick it up, and start at the beginning.  You don't want to miss the whole journey. 

SUNNY: ARC BOOK REVIEW "My Lady Quicksilver" by Bec McMaster

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SUMMARY:
Determined to destroy the Echelon she despises, Rosalind Fairchild is on seemingly easy mission. Get in. Uncover the secrets of her brother's disappearance. And get out.

In order to infiltrate the Nighthawks and find their leader, Sir Jasper Lynch, Rosalind will pose as their secretary. But she doesn't count on Lynch being such a dangerously charismatic man, challenging her at every turn, forcing her to re-evaluate everything she knows about the enemy.

He could be her most dangerous nemesis—or the ally she never dreamed existed

REVIEW:
My Lady Quicksilver is book 3 in Bec McMaster's London Steampunk series.  I simply love this series!  First a rebel, then a shape shifter verwulfen, and now Ms. McMasters gives us a law man.  This story is so delicious it made me giddy with happiness.  What's not to like?  You have two "outsiders" who represent the extremes of the system - one, a female rebel looking to disrupt the strict caste system, and the other, a man of law and order but not one of the elite.  I love Rosalyn because she is spunky, brave and kick-ass (not surprising as former assassin).  Jasper is so dreamy, not only because he is a man of the law because also he is a man of conviction, compassion, intelligence, passion and principle. 

The story is a cat and mouse game expertly played out in the narrative. Outwitting and outplaying each other, I love how Rosalyn and Jasper develop a begrudging respect for one another that blossoms into full fledged love.  There is a constant level of temptation - "Dangerous. So dangerous. But that old thrill was there again, tempting her to madness."  As the story develops, the characters unravel. I like how Ms. McMasters brings depth to Rosalyn and Jasper.  On the surface, Rosalyn is the implacable leader of the resistance, but underneath there is a girl who desires to be "normal."  Jasper soon discovers he has more rebel in him then he is willing to admit.  

Normally, I am not a huge fan of steampunk.  However in this story, the steampunk setting is an essential part of the book and contributes to the dark and dangerous context - steam engines, mechanical objects, and a dystopian world.  It works!

IN A NUTSHELL:
The best in the series, this book is NOT TO BE MISSED! Can't wait to see what's next!


Thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

SUNNY: COVER REVEAL, FIRST LOOK AND GIVEAWAY "Fast Forward" by Marion Croslydon

Author: Marion Croslydon

Genre: A New Adult Contemporary Novel

Series:  Second Chances, #2

Expected release: December 19^, 2013

Cover designed: Claudia at PhatPuppyArt

 
Welcome to the cover reveal and giveaway for Marion Croslydon's Fast Forward, book 2 in her Second Chances series.  Oh, how I love a book about second chances.  Can't wait!

BLURB:
Cassie learned the hard way: Love forgives… in the end. In No Reverse, Josh and Cassie’s epic love story went from the brink of destruction to a fragile new beginning. Now they must mend their broken family and win back the son they gave up five years ago. But second chances need to be earned and the road ahead is rocky. With Cassie on tour and Josh trying his hand at a political career, the struggle becomes clear. When the adoption takes a bad turn, Cassie and Josh are prepared to give up everything for the fight of their lives. Will this young family finally heal the years of heartache, or will they be torn apart for good? There is no cliffhanger.    

Can’t wait to begin reading? The author has made available the first chapters for download here!

  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 
Marion loves to share happy vibes, talk book crush, fictional boyfriends and sexual chemistry with like-minded people. And because she spends most of her days on her own deep inside her writing cave, you are welcome to come and say “hello” from time to time. Just to make sure she doesn’t sink into insanity. Her friends, family and arch-enemies (there are quite a few) will be forever grateful for your help.  

Website | Facebook |Twitter 

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

SUSAN: BLOG TOUR - BOOK REVIEW "Love Lessons" by Heidi Cullinan

SUMMARY:

Love doesn’t come with a syllabus.

Kelly Davidson has waited what seems like forever to graduate high school and get out of his small-minded, small town. But when he arrives at Hope University, he quickly realizes finding his Prince Charming isn’t so easy. Everyone here is already out. In fact, Kelly could be the only virgin on campus.

Worst of all, he’s landed the charming, handsome, gay campus Casanova as a roommate, whose bed might as well be equipped with a revolving door.

Walter Lucas doesn’t believe in storybook love. Everyone is better off having as much fun as possible with as many people as possible…except his shy, sad little sack of a roommate is seriously screwing up his world view.

As Walter sets out to lure Kelly out of his shell, staying just friends is harder than he anticipated. He discovers love is a crash course in determination. To make the grade, he’ll have to finally show up for class…and overcome his own private fear that love was never meant to last.

REVIEW:
Wow. I REALLY did NOT expect to LOVE this book THIS much!!!! It was just SO GOOD!

Is it sweet? YES.
Is there angst? Minor. Very minor.
Is there smut? Minor. Very minor. 
Is it the typical YA formula? On the surface it might seem it, but it actually goes much deeper. I wouldn’t call this “YA”. 
Is it emotional? Yes, at times.
Is it HEA? See question 1.

This is a really different book than I’m used to from Heidi Cullinan. Honestly, the woman knows how to write a HOT story. Love Lessons, however, is more about the emotional connection and the growth from friends to lovers of 2 young men dealing with their pasts, figuring out their presents, and planning their futures. It’s a sweet, lovely, yet powerful story about finding yourself, finding your partner, finding your joy. 

Kelly is a college Freshman, a virgin, and pretty much the MOST ADORABLE KID EVER! He will join my "House of Huggables" (with Ryan from ICoS, Parker from American Love Songs, Conner from Social Skills, and Elliot from Catch My Breath…the HoH is getting crowded!) And though the story starts with him and his issues, it develops into him as a source of strength for his boyfriend and his family. Oh, and he LOVES Disney…so, duh…he’s awesome. 

Walter is a player, a commitmentphobe, a bit of a rebel rouser. He immediately takes to Kelly, befriends him, and does what he can to look out for him. This protectiveness is SUPER attractive and makes me want to be besties with him. When he finally realizes he’s in love and he can count on Kelly…gah…open the floodgates…what a beautiful part of the book. I loved it. 

The two of them as a couple make me HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TINY, minor, the-only-reason-this-isn’t-5-stars beef with the book: the epilogue. Goodness knows I love me an epilogue…but this one was almost…well…just…you’ll see…

IN A NUTSHELL:  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you can handle the sweetness! 

Purchase Links:  Samhain, Amazon, ARe, Booksamilion

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Heidi Cullinan has always loved a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. She enjoys writing across many genres but loves above all to write happy, romantic endings for LGBT characters because there just aren't enough of those stories out there. When Heidi isn't writing, she enjoys cooking, reading, knitting, listening to music, and watching television with her husband and ten-year-old daughter. Heidi also volunteers frequently for her state's LGBT rights group, One Iowa, and is proud to be from the first midwestern state to legalize same-sex marriage. Find out more about Heidi, including her social networks, at www.heidicullinan.com.

Social Media Links: 

Website | Blog | FB Author Page | Twitter: | Goodreads: | Pinterest: | Youtube: |

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Giveaway: 

1 ecopy of LOVE LESSONS

1 Car Charm

1 Keychain

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

SUNNY: BOOK RELEASE and Guest Post "Off Chance" by Sawyer Bennett

Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett has released her latest New Adult Contemporary novel in the Off Series! We have a guest post and giveaway below to help celebrate!

Release: October 21, 2013

He is seeking absolution.
Flynn Caldwell has a hero complex and it’s one of the reasons he joined the New York City Fire Department. He has spent his entire professional career trying to atone for that one person he failed to save. Because, if he can do that, then perhaps he can be worthy of love again.
 

She is seeking escape.
Rowan Page’s life is nothing short of a disaster. Always immersed in trouble, she has only herself to depend on. She’s determined to pull herself out of this mess and make something of her life, despite the hard years she has lived on the streets of New York.
Together, they have the chance to become complete.
 

Flynn and Rowan’s worlds exist miles apart, but when a chance meeting brings them together, neither of them can deny the instant pull that connects them to each other. What starts as a tiny spark eventually flares into a fire so hot, it refuses to be extinguished.
 

Both are willing to jump feet first into the flames to see where it takes them, despite the risk of being burned.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Goodreads
 
 

Each book in the Off Series can be read as a standalone.

 TOP TEN GUEST POST BY FLYNN CALDWELL

1. Favorite movie/actor/actress?  

Milla Jovovich… she is freaky in really hot way in The 5th Element.
 
2. Favorite song/singer?  
I hate to admit this but my cousin, Renner’s boyfriend has a really great song I listen to all the time called Walking On Treetops. God, I hope he doesn’t read this and think that I actually like the dude.
 
3. Favorite place you would love to visit?  
I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand. Maybe one day with my girl.
 
4. One item you can not live with out?  
Coffee… it is like oxygen to me.
 
5. Who would you like to meet?(dead or alive)  
Martin Brodeur
 
6. Favorite hobby?  
Xbox… especially playing with Tim’s son, Sam. But that little monster kicks my butt all the time.
 
7. Guilty pleasure?  
Rowan… but there’s no guilt about it.
 
8. Favorite author and/book? 
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
 
9. Do you collect anything? 
Dog hair… since Capone moved in.
 
10. Favorite color?  
Gray. Read Off Chance and you’ll understand why. 

About the Author
USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.
 

Author social media links:  Website │Twitter│ Facebook

 GIVEAWAY

(1) $50 Amazon gift card
(5) Swag packs – US only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

SUNNY: COVER REVEAL "Magic Afterdark" various authors

Limited Time Offer!

This bundle will be on sale for $0.99! 

Regularly priced at $9.99

Dive into six different worlds of vampires, demons, fae, fairy godmothers, mages, and all things magic. 

Prepare for a wild ride, whether you're looking for nail-biting drama, mystery, intense action, humor, new breeds of paranormals, or passionate romance. 

Indulge in this amazing boxed set 

from six bestselling urban fantasy authors:

SM Reine 

Sacrificed in Shadow

Marie Hall 

Crimson Night, Dark

Deanna Chase

Influential Magic

Danielle Monsch

Fairy Tales and Ever Afters

Kate Danley 

Maggie for Hire

Dannika Dark

Sterling

Release Date

October 28, 2013

Book Blurbs: 

SACRIFICED IN SHADOW by SM Reine

Lincoln Marshall is a small-town deputy with a very big problem. Six members of his church have been found dead, killed by a rogue werewolf. He'll have to make a deal with the Devil to save victims that have gone missing -- maybe literally. Elise Kavanagh, preternatural investigator and exorcist, is the expert when it comes to violent deaths at the jaws of evil. She's also among the most powerful demons that Hell has spawned. Elise jumps at Lincoln's case, and it's not just because of his down-home charm. Someone's laid a trap for her in Northgate, and she wants to find out who....

  

CRIMSON NIGHT by Marie Hall 

Welcome one and all to Carnival Diabolique- my name is Pandora, and I'm a Nephilim. What does that mean? I'm half demon, what's my other name? Lust. But I'm not all bad. I fight for light, for goodness and truth. But people are starting to disappear and lately I've felt a dark presence lurking around me. I think it might be a death priest and that's really bad. This should have been easy, me killing fanged freaks, getting rid of my pesky priest problem, but I'm about to be betrayed by the one person I thought I could trust with my life and before the night is through I'll be covered in crimson... -Dark Urban Fantasy

INFLUENTIAL MAGIC by Deanna Chase 

Welcome to the Crescent City, the home of Willow Rhoswen, faery and magical baker extraordinaire. While fighting for her life, Willow is caught between two gorgeous men as she navigates the corruption of a powerful vampire organization and her own supernatural government agency.

FAIRY TALES AND EVER AFTERS by Danielle Monsch

If you like your fairy tales just a little twisted, this is the series for you! Three tales follow our fairy godmothers as they figure out ways to help the damsels - and mansels - in distress, all the while making sure every couple gets their happily ever after. 

MAGGIE FOR HIRE by Kate Danley  

When monsters appear on earth, Maggie MacKay is on the job.  No one is better at hauling the creepy crawlies back where they belong… no one except her dad, who disappeared mysteriously in the middle of an assignment.  When an elf named Killian shows up with a gig, Maggie finds herself at the center of a plot to turn the earth into a vampire playground.  The only hope for survival is tracking down two missing statues and a secret that disappeared with Maggie's father.

Warning:  This book contains cussing, brawling, and unladylike behavior. Proceed with caution.

   

STERLING (MAGERI SERIES: BOOK 1) by Dannika Dark 

Follow the journey of a young woman's claim to immortality and her own identity. Zoë Merrick's human life ends when she is brutally attacked by a Mage who gives her the gift of immortality. She soon discovers they are not magicians, but powerful beings who can manipulate energy. Justus De Gradi steps forward to act as her Ghuardian, teaching her how to fight to protect the light within her. Will she learn to accept her fate and trust those around her? Urban Fantasy Romance Series.

About The Authors

DEANNA CHASE
Deanna is a native Californian, transplanted to the slower paced lifestyle of southeastern Louisiana. When she isn't writing, she is often goofing off with her husband in New Orleans, playing with her two shih tzu dogs, making glass beads, or out hocking her wares at various bead shows across the country. For more information and updates on newest releases visit her website at www.deannachase.com
Sign up for my newsletter to be informed of new releases and giveaways. 

Author Links:

Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter |Goodreads

SM REINE

SM Reine is an author of paranormal and urban fantasy from Reno, NV best known for "The Descent Series," which is about an exorcist on the run from God. She likes long walks on the beach, overcast days, total mayhem, and kittens.

Author Links:

Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter

DANIELLE MONSCH

Born to the pothole-ridden streets of Pittsburgh, PA, Danielle Monsch started writing in a time long ago, a time when there were not enough vampire stories to read and she had to write her own to fill the void. Yes, such a time of darkness did indeed exist.

Danielle writes stories full of fantastical goodness and plenty of action, but always with lots of romance (and a bit of woo-hoo!) mixed in. Vampires and Werewolves and Demons and Angels, Sword & Sorcery, Fairy Tales, Updated Mythologies and the like - if it's out of the ordinary, it's fair game for her stories.

Go to www.DanielleMonsch.com for one-stop shopping with everything to do with Danielle - there you can join her newsletter (highly encouraged as it contains all info about upcoming books, plus lots of random surprises) follow her on twitter, and like her on facebook. Just want to send Danielle a quick email? Easy enough, that's Dani@DanielleMonsch.com.

Facebook | Twitter |Goodreads

KATE DANLEY

Kate Danley's debut novel, The Woodcutter (published by 47North), was honored with the Garcia Award for the Best Fiction Book of the Year, the 1st Place Fantasy Book in the Reader Views Literary Awards, and the winner of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy category in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Other titles include: Queen Mab, the Maggie MacKay: Magical Tracker series, and the O'Hare House Mysteries.

Her plays have been produced in New York, Los Angeles, and DC Metro area. Her screenplay Fairy Blood won 1st Place in the Breckenridge Festival of Film Screenwriting Competition in the Action/Adventure Category. Her projects The Playhouse, Dog Days, Sock Zombie, SuperPout, and Sports Scents can be seen in festivals and on the internet. She trained in on-camera puppetry with Mr. Snuffleupagus and recently played the head of a 20-foot dinosaur on an NBC pilot.

She lost on Hollywood Squares.

Author Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter |Newsletter |Blog

MARIE HALL

Marie loves books that make you think, or feel something. Preferably both.
And while she's a total girly girl and loves glitter and rainbows, she's
just as happy when she's writing about the dark underbelly of society.
Well, if things like zombies, and vampires, and werewolves, and mermaids existed. (Although she has it on good authority that mermaids do in fact
exist, because the internet told her so.)

She's married to the love of her life, a sexy beast of a caveman who likes to refer to himself as Big Hunk. She has two awesome kids, lives in Hawaii, loves cooking and occasionally has been known to crochet. She also really loves talking about herself in the third person.

If you want to see what new creations she's got up her sleeves check out
her blog: www.MarieHallWrites.blogspot.com or contact her personally at mariehallwrites@gmail.com

Facebook | Twitter |Goodreads

DANNIKA DARK

Dannika Dark was born on a military base in the U.S. and traveled the world before she was nine. Now she is rooted in the south, but her head is planted firmly in the clouds. She began writing seriously around age twelve and focused on post-apocalyptic storylines. After that, poetry became her obsession and she later wanted to become a lyricist/rockstar. Dannika now works as a full-time author, creating a unique spin on fantasy that began with her bestselling Mageri series. She writes within the Mageri Universe and her new Seven Series begins this October, which focuses on Shifters.

In addition to writing, Dannika designs all of her covers and promotional images. She also enjoys sci-fi and fantasy movies, heaps of chocolate, humiliating herself bowling, Tex-Mex food, dominating board games, and unleashing her dark side.

Author Links:

Website |Facebook |Pinterest |Newsletter

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SUNNY: GIVEAWAY Ghoulish Giveaway with Jessica Hawkins and Friends

Join us along with fellow bloggers - A Dirty Book Affair, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Journeys Into Pure Imagination, Not Everyone's Mama, and SBookLover Reviews and fabulous author, Jessica Hawkins - for a Ghoulish Giveaway.  Celebrated the Halloween season with a $40 Amazon Gift card.  Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway below.  Good luck!

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