Summer Reads Challenge 2013

This is a fun project I just found out about and it seems really fun. I am going to copy and paste some of the info about it but for more details just visit http://www.amberleafpublishing.com/summer-reads-2013.html. I get the feeling the giveaway mentioned is going to be a US only one but still I love the challenge and I'd love to discover some new authors I wouldn't find otherwise.

Broaden your horizons with ALP. Join our summer reading program and discover some amazing new authors along the way.

Rules: From June 15, 2013 until September 15, 2013, pick any five books from the Author/Reading List below then Read, Review, and Win.

After reading your selected five books, fill out our contact form to let us know what your selections were, along with a link to your Goodreads profile. We will check for your reviews and upon verification you'll be entered into the Grand Prize Giveaway which will include books and swag from all the participating authors. See the full prize listed below.

Official Author/Reading List:

Paranormal Romance:

• The Rose Trilogy (NA PNR): Scent of a White Rose, Blood of a Red Rose by Tish Thawer (Discount coupons available, contact ALP for details.)
• The Ovialell series (Adult PNR): Aradia Awakens by Tish Thawer (Discount coupons available, contact ALP for details.)
• Charlie Davidson series (Adult PNR): First Grave on the Right, Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones
• Prophecies of The Nine series (Adult PNR): Entasy, Redemption by Brynn Myers (Discount coupons for available, contact ALP for details.)
• Forever Fae series (Adult PNR): Forever Fae, Betrayal of Spring, by L.P. Dover
• Xander's Chance (Adult PNR) by Lizzy Ford
• Mystic Wolves series (Adult PNR): The Mystic Wolves (currently FREE), Forget Me Not, Testing Fate by Belinda Boring

Urban Fantasy:

• Lian & Fig series (Horror UF): Voodoo Dues, Vampire Blues by Stephany Simmons
• Zoey Rogue (Adult UF) by Lizzy Ford

Fantasy/Sci-fi:

• Broken series (Fantasy/Sci-fi): The Broken Destiny by Carlyle Labuschagne
• Shadow Quest series (Fantasy/Sci-fi): Demon Possession, Demon Slave, Demon Retribution by Kiersten Fay (Discount coupons available)
• Pretty in Black series (Dark Gothic Fantasy): Pretty in Black, Black Satin, Raven in the Grave by Rae Hachton

Erotica:

• Playing Patience (Erotica) by Tabatha Vargo
• The Bellum Sisters series (Erotica): Chains of Frost (currently FREE), Bonds of Fire, Ties That Bind by T.A. Grey
• The Black Stone Affair series (Erotica): Naked, All In, Eyes Wide Open by Raine Miller
• Chasing Moonlight (Paranormal Erotica) by Cora Zane

YA:

• Transcend Time series (YA/Contemporary Romance): Remembrance (currently FREE), Vengeance, Timeless by Michelle Madow
• Heven & Hell series (YA PNR): Masquerade, Charade, Tirade by Cambria Hebert
• Dark Summer (YA PNR) by Lizzy Ford
• Darklight series (YA PNR) : Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones

My 5 Books

I am not sure which 5 books I am going to read but they are going to be from the list below.

• Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones
• Voodoo Dues, Vampire Blues by Stephany Simmons
• Pretty in Black by Rae Hachton
• Remembrance, Vengeance  by Michelle Madow
• Dark Summer by Lizzy Ford
• Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones

Summer Reading List 2013

Hello everyone, this is the second time around I do a summer reading list. It was really fun making one last year and try to stick to my goals and since summer is, hopefully, going to bring less work and more fun I decided I should do one once more. This time though I will narrow it down to non-review books and only a top ten, with no special order.

Here it goes, my Summer Reading List of 2013.

Release Day: Heven & Hell Anthology

Title: Heven & Hell Anthology

Series: Heven and Hell

Author: Cambria Hebert

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

Release Date: June 10, 2013

Formats: Ebook and Print

Goodreads: Add it

Here is some info about the Anthology:

The Heven & Hell Anthology features the entire collection of Heven & Hell short stories:
Before, Between, Bewitched, & Beneath. Plus never seen before bonus content:
A special excerpt from Jason (Heven's father), Rules of a Hellhound, and
a Heven & Hell yearbook - featuring cast photos, bios and more!

Heven & Hell Series order:
Before (#0.5) <--(start of the series intro)
Masquerade (#1)
Between (#1.5) <--( about Logan)
Charade (#2)
Bewitched (#2.5) <--(about Kimber)
Tirade (#3)
Beneath (#3.5) <-- (about Gemma)
Renegade (#4)
Heven & Hell Anthology (Includes Before, Between, Bewitched, Beneath + Bonus Content)

*Buy Links*

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

*Author Bio*

Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series and the Death Escorts series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor's degree, couldn't pick a major and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting any of the links below.

*Stalker Links*

Website | Facebook | Twitter

A Shade of Blood (A Shade of Vampire #2) by Bella Forrest

This book was awesome. It was perfect in so many ways.

A Shade of Blood picks right at the end of A Shade of Vampire. When I read the first book I was sure I knew how it ended, what decision Sofia made but then came this book and I realised I was wrong. Sofia decides to leave the Shade with Ben (why girl, why???). They go back to their old lives and try to be normal, even date (which I though was a waste of time...) in the mean time Derek's life at the Shade goes through some major changes. Without Sofia there he turns into something darker, more dangerous even a little scary at times.

We finally get to learn more about the background of the characters and the Shade. I didn't realise it until I read this book, but in the first one we didn't get to learn anything. I didn't know about Sofia'a parents and Ben's family, or even what happened for the Shade to be created. Especially with the Shade, we get to learn a lot of vital info about it. About the human living in it and how everything works. We even got to visit a lot of places, since once Sofia gets back (and of course she gets back) she visited the whole island.

We also learned more about Ben and what he went through during his time at the Shade with Claudia (by the way that vampire is craaaaazy). I did like him more and I do understand why he is doing the things he is but still I didn't want him and Sofia together. I still believe that he is going to turn sides by the end of the series.

This book had a lot of swoon worthy moments, lots of passion and so so many mind blowing revelations. I love how everything is grey. The Hunters are supposed to be the good guys (and they are doing good) but they are also just like the vampires they try to kill in so many ways. On the other hand the vampires, and especially Derek, are doing some horrible things, but still you can't help loving them. I loved that Sofia realiised that too and she is fighting hard to make a change in the Shade. I know she will finally manage that.

So, all in all, I loved it. Can't wait for the next one, especially after the Epilogue. I mean, come on... Bella Forrest you just blew my mind.

★★★★★

Showcase Sunday #5

Inspired by Pop Culture Junkie and the Story Siren, the aim of Showcase Sunday is to highlight our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders each week. For more information about how this feature works and how to join in, click here.

~Vicky @ Books Biscuits and Tea

Welcome back to another Showcase Sunday. Last week had been hectic for me. I am closing in to the end of my semester and that means projects, projects and projects. I's say I can't wait for the semester to be over but that would mean I ahve to start my master thesis and be done with it till October, so I don't know what's worse. Instead I am gooing  to say, I can't wait for November.

Anyways, this week I only got one book. I am saving up for a guitar so I don't think I'll be getting many books or any for the next weeks.

Bone Key (Supernatural, #3): I am a huge fan of the tv series and been eyeing these books for the longest time. I finally found one of those in a bargain and decided to give it a try. I've heard mixed things about them, so I hope I like it. If you read any Supernatural book please let me know what you thought.

Leave me links to your new hauls.

Ralease Day: Double Star by Cindy Saunders, Interview & Giveaway

Double Star by Cindy Saunders

(YA- Paranormal Fantasy- Available Now)

She fell into his world, unaware of the key she carried and the doors it opened; a world where darkness waited to be set free ...

The wait is over

Do You Believe?

Amazon Link: Double Star

When Cepheus, a dark god, forces seventeen-year-old Ally Ashworth off an isolated overlook, she has no idea she's falling into his world, or that the necklace she’s wearing is actually a key -one with the power to ignite the next world war. But she’s carried beyond his reach and into the one place where he’s powerless ... the forest of Gilgamesh.

Ally’s never been Miss Popularity, but her outsider status takes on new meaning when she’s rescued by Liam Cheveyo and his peculiar friends. After seeing them shape-shift into their freaky humanimal counterparts, Ally smacks hard into a few truths: magic really does exist and, although getting here took no effort, finding her way back might be impossible.

Feelings between her and Liam begin to grow along with the realization that, in this world, she’s stronger, better ... until she’s caught in a trap set by the creepy spider-boy Cepheus sends to retrieve her. But Ally’s not going down without a fight, not after learning the horrible truth about the passageways.

The survival of both worlds depends on it.

About Cindy Saunders:
CINDY SAUNDERS was born in Lowell, MA. She moved to RI almost twenty-five years ago and now considers the Ocean State her home. She graduated from Bryant College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. When she’s not reading, writing, spending time with her two teenage children (how did that happen?) or working, Cindy tracks down one of her favorite local bands and enjoys a glass of wine. She completed her first novel, Double Star, a YA fantasy, in October 2012 and is currently working on the second book in the series.

Double Star is her first novel.

Website: http://www.cleanteenpublishing.com/cindy-saunders
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doublestarbook

INTERVIEW

1. Describe your book in 3 words.
A fantastic read (she laughs!)

Do you believe ...

2. What inspired you to write Double Star.
I’ve always been fascinated with the possibility of other worlds existing either in the heavens or running parallel to our own. I was looking around one day and thought ... “What if ...?”

I remembered a vortex site I visited on a trip to Sedona a few years back and discovered that vortexes are thought to be gateways to other worlds. As a matter of fact, Stonehenge and The Great Pyramid of Egypt are thought to be centers of vortex activity and again, thought ... “What if ...?” At that point, the ideas started to flow. I’ve always been interested in Greek mythology and wondered what if the gods really had existed? What if they still do? Then, I began thinking of love (if you have experienced it, you know what I’m talking about it. If not ... wait for it. It’s the most unbelievable feeling!). What if you found yourself in another world and this ‘soul mate’ was there? What if there were other forces, as well? Ones which threatened everything you believe in? What would you be willing to do? What if all the craziness in this world right now (the violence, the wars, the devastating weather, etc.) was being caused by something or someone traveling into our world? What if you had the power to close that door?

I started to write down all these ‘what ifs’ and my story was born. I actually told my daughter about my ideas and she said, “Mom, how about the name Double Star?” I wanted the story to be based on a Greek goddess (I made up Ascencia) who died in swan form. When I did some research, I discovered that Cygnus (the swan) actually has a double star in the constellation and figured it was meant to be!

3. Where do you usually write? 
Quite honestly, I write wherever I come up with an idea. I’ll wake in the middle of the night with an epiphany and jot it in the notebook beside my bed. I also carry one in the car and in my purse. I have lots of notes written on scraps of paper! My desk at home is in front of large picture window overlooking our lake. I love just having music playing and allowing my mind to go. I do have a very comfortable, ergonomic friendly chair though because I spend a lot of time sitting on my rear!

4. What is the one thing (or multiple) you always have with you while writing?
I would, absolutely, be lost without my thesaurus!

5. Which are your top 3 favorite series/books of all time?
The Talisman, The Gunslinger Series, The Harry Potter Series

6. Your favorite movies of TV shows?
I love the Showtime original series’ The Big C, Dexter, Homeland and The Borgias.

7. What should we expect from you in the future?
A short story I’ve written is included in the Wonderstuck Anthology, an amazing collection of drabbles, short stories, novellas, etc. by authors around the world and Double Star II, of course! I don’t think I’m one of those writers that can put the story aside and work on something else. The characters are alive in my head and I don’t want to lose that. They need closure, too! I’m hoping it will be available by the end of 2013. Quite honestly, I’m not entirely sure what’s going to happen! I didn’t know where the story was going in the first book until I got there. What I do know is that the group will find two others who complete the star. They will confront Cepheus ... but there is an alliance, a trinity of evil so to speak, that is stronger than anyone could have imagined. And if good is to conquer evil, it will not be without casualties.

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Magician's End (The Chaoswar Saga #3) by Raymond E. Feist

I can't believe it's over. I know it's been 30 books but I just love the world Feist created. I love Midkemia and all the characters that lived in it (and died in it). This is not going to be one of my normal review, 'cause I just can't possibly review this book the normal way. It is just going to be me, raving non stop about how awesome Feist is and how awesome this series is and how sad I am it's over. 

When I first got the book I was like this...

   

 And then I started reading and fell right back in love with the story. The are two main wars going on at the moment the book starts. The magic war: magicians vs Dread and the human war aka war for the next king. I loved both for different reasons. I loved all the tactics and attacks and battle scenes in the human war but when there is a threat that could end the whole universe and you get to learn more about it and how to stop it then the matter of how will be the next king just kind of seems small.

This book had everything we came to love in the previous books, even some characters that were dead!!! And then there were the dragons...

Not that kind of dragons... more like those...

Since this was the last book I was expecting a lot of characters to die but thankfully almost none did. Besides some that I was certain they will. After all it is called Magician's End.

And yes, there were some moments that were slow, especially when they kept on analyzing the Dread and what was going on and I was waiting for the battle to begin.

Then I realised that this was it, the end! I tried to read as slow as possible but still the end came. And it left me such a bittersweet taste. And yes, I cried! I was cry reading Feist's books.

There is really nothing more that I can say at this moment. Just...Again! I want to read the whole series again!!!

★★★★★