A Life Through Books: July 2013

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Blog Tour: The Unofficial Story of Kyle B. Johnston

9:05 AM BY EverLeigh 0 Comments

Young Adult - Romance

Date Published: 5/22/2013

Companion Novella to The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club

Kyle B. Johnston is looking for a girl. A nice one. One who actually wants to be with him this
time. His friend, Emma Parker, offers to help him improve his image. in return he agrees
to set her up with a good guy. When Kyle starts to see Emma as something other than a
friend, he keeps it a secret.
But what Kyle doesn't know is that Emma's been keeping a secret of her own.

My Review:

I always love dual point of view books. Its just so great to not have to guess what one of the characters is feeling. I feel more connected to the characters this way.

I have read several books by J.C. Isabella and this one definitely holds up to the standard I have become used to with her writing. She really does have the Young Adult perspective down.

Comedy, Romance, and Drama all come together to make a wonderful Young Adult Contemporary Novel!

BUY LINK

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

J.C. Isabella is the author of Chasing McCree and The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club. Ever since she discovered romance novels in high school, she has been a self proclaimed fan. This led to penning her first YA . When she isn't thinking up new recipes for the cookbook she hopes to one day write, she is brainstorming a new novel and listening to country music. She lives in the tropics of Florida with her big fat Italian family and ornery feline companion.

Website

Twitter @jcisabellabooks

Facebook

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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: Dead Angels by Madelyn Serrato

2:00 AM BY EverLeigh 0 Comments

Horror/Urban Fantasy

Date Published: 3/16/2013

Early morning and a woman lies dead in the street, her end violent and strange.
A man loses his mother. A detective finds himself caught between, between the city and the underworld. A wolf wanders aimlessly in search of a killer, in search of an end. All
three are haunted by ghosts of half-remembered moments; all three, trapped in a city, this city that holds its secrets loose and its citizens tight. This city of dogs. This city of demons. Calderwood.

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Everything from the plot to the pacing was well executed. This is definitely on the darker side of Fantasy and has Horror elements like the Genre suggests. If you are interested in darker fantasy or horror, you will definitely want to pick this one up.

Link to Buy

Smashwords

Barnes and Noble

Kobo Books

Amazon

Madelyn Serrato was born in California and attended college in Washington, where she received a BA in Psychology.

She currently resides in Arizona and will start medical school by the end of the summer. When not writing, she enjoys boxing, reading, and watching terrible movies with friends. Wolves of Calderwood has been a labor of love for many years and is her first published novel. Join her mailing list at

http://eepurl.com/Bx6FL.

Contact information:

madelynserrato@gmail.com

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Monday, July 29, 2013

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: Master of Plagues by D.B. Reynolds

7:03 AM BY EverLeigh 0 Comments

YA Fantasy

Date Published: 8/16/2012

Mystical powers. Cosmic adventure. Universally dynamic forces. A gifted individual has been commissioned to take part in of all these phenomenal occurrences.

Stuart Duffelmeyer is an NYU student who is targeted by eight of his egomaniacal college classmates once they learn he wants to find a beautiful date for the night. His classmates lure him to a sleazy motel where they play out a heinous prank. His night ends in utter disappointment after learning that his classmates only used him for their perverted entertainment purposes. Stuart suffered severely as a result of their callous behavior and feels he must get even with his tormentors.

A chance encounter allows him to discover a magical Hebrew talisman with indescribable powers. Stuart is taken away from Earth and into the far regions of another galaxy once the talisman is consecrated. The spirit of his one-time chief advisor, Rabbi Irwin Wedemeyer, explains to him that the talisman will grant him miraculous powers over all the creatures and elements of the Earth. Rabbi Wedemeyer insists that Stuart not abuse the powers bestowed upon him. He returns to Earth and quickly seeks out his vengeance.

Stuart’s absolute domination over Earthly creatures and elements brings plagues of unspeakable horrors into the lives of his one-time tormentors. He finds closure once his former college classmates return to offer their apologies to him. He also finds fulfillment by using his powers to intercept the transgressive acts inflicted by the immoral people of society. This stirring tale delivers the purest message of magic and morality.

My Review

After reading the synopsis, I had hoped for a bit more from this in the way of connection. This really deals with a theme that everyone can relate to. We've all been done wrong by someone in our life and I don't think there are very many people who haven't thought about or engaged in revenge. In this story, its the ultimate revenge and that comes with major consequences for everyone. The one thing I was missing was a connection with the lead character. I understood his motives and where he went wrong, but with this being such a topic that most people can relate to, I expected more of a connection to him.

Overall it is a great story and I did enjoy the plot and underlying theme.

LINKS TO BUY

AMAZON PAGE LINK

KOBO PAGE LINK

Special Offer $.99 on Amazon and KOBO

PUBLISHER'S PAGE LINK

BOOK DAILY

YA BOOK CENTRAL

D. B. Reynolds is an author, screenwriter, computer expert, and a chartered member of the Writer’s Guild Association, the Writer’s Lab and the Writer’s Place. D. B. has published articles on various subjects in several literary magazines. In 2002, he made a guest appearance on the nationally-syndicated television show, The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, to talk about his experiences in foster care and the present state of foster care. His newly published fantasy novel, Master of Plagues, was written to enlighten readers about the powerful correlation between magic and morality. D. B. currently resides in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri.

Website: www.dbreynolds.net

Twitter: @SUCCESS4DR

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dewey-B-Reynolds/361082967241311?fref=ts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18104457-master-of-plagues

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Sunday, July 28, 2013

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: Crashing the Congressman's Wedding by Elley Arden

2:00 AM BY EverLeigh 0 Comments

Contemporary Romance

Date Published: 7/15/2013

Alice Cramer is tired of being pitied for her family’s transgressions, so she resolves to break out of the gutter and into the spotlight. As long as her local congressman can forget about their checkered past and help her secure a federal grant to open Harmony Falls Little Theatre, she’ll be the brightest star in town. But when Alice stands up in church and stops the congressman’s wedding, she dives headfirst into fresh scandal.

Why is Harmony Fall’s golden boy, Justin Mitchell, speeding down the interstate sans a new wife but with the local drama queen he’s been trying his whole life to avoid? Alice Cramer may have saved him the hassle of an arranged marriage to a woman he didn’t love, but she’s put a business transaction big enough to save an entire town in jeopardy–not to mention his reputation.

Soon Alice and Justin are dredging up and indulging in an attraction that threatens all their dreams and aspirations. But what if life together is the dream that matters most?

LINK TO BUY

Amazon

My Review:

This story started off a bit slow and confusing for me. The characters took a while to develop and the actual plot was a bit far-fetched. Now, those may sound like negative things, but I'm just being honest. The good thing about this book is that it really does speed up and everything starts falling into place around 25% in.

The humor in this story is amazingly executed. The laughs come at perfect times and there is even one particular scene where I was cracking up throughout. I had moments where I had to stop and relay a couple of lines to my husband ... he never finds them as funny as I do, but I guess you need the whole story/context for that.

All in all, this is a quick and easy read that is perfect for anyone in the mood for a good laugh.

Elley Arden is a born and bred Pennsylvanian who has lived as far west as Utah and as far north as Wisconsin. She drinks wine like it’s water (a slight exaggeration), prefers a night at the ballpark to a night on the town, and believes almond English toffee is the key to happiness.

Elley has been reading romance novels since she was a sixteen-year-old babysitter, sneaking Judith McNaught and Danielle Steele novels off the bookshelves of the women who employed her. She started her first manuscript when she was twenty-five, writing during babies’ naps. A total of three children and ten years later, the manuscript was complete. Little did she know, her journey to publication was only beginning…

Elley writes provocative contemporary romances for Crimson Romance.

elleyarden.com
Twitter - @ElleyWrites
Facebook

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Saturday, July 27, 2013

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: Precious Embrace by Dana Mason

8:22 PM BY EverLeigh 1 Comments

Romantic Suspense

Date Published: 7/11/2013

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing

A second divorce and a new baby wasn’t the vision Alison Hayes had for her future. Now a single mother with two young boys, she wants to focus on her kids and what’s left of her stagnant career.
When Detective Johnny Rhay Bennett breezes into her life with his country-boy accent, she wants to run. She doesn’t need another man in her life, or another reason to make people talk. But when her worst nightmare becomes a reality, Johnny is the only person who can pull Ali out of her despair, forcing her to stay strong and not give up hope of finding her missing child.

***

Who falls in love after a one-night stand? Johnny Rhay doesn’t believe it’s possible until it happens to him. With Nashville in his rear-view mirror, he’s determined to convince Alison she loves him too, even if it means moving to the West Coast.
Ali’s not easy, and she’s living on just this side of bitter after her divorce, but Johnny doesn’t care. He’s up for the challenge. At least, he believes he’s up for it until baby Micah is stolen right out from under his nose. Now Johnny has to keep it together and get that sweet little boy home safe before his dreams of having a family vanish too.

Link to Buy

Amazon Author Page

My Review:

While being a companion novel to Dangerous Embrace, you do not have to read book #1 before this one. It has its own HEA, which is my favorite type of series. I did enjoy a little info on the characters from the first book though!

The flow of this book is a little bit on the slow side, not really fast paced, but not too slow to where I got bored or anything. Towards the end things start unfolding and speeding up, but all in all Dana Mason does a great job of keeping a natural progression of events.

This novel succeed in being an emotional ride. I found myself tearing up on several occasions.

Definitely another great read from Dana Mason!

Dana Mason started writing to prove to her computer geek husband and her math & science geek kids that she actually has a brain; it’s just a right functioning brain instead of a left. She’s lived all over the country and uses that experience in her writing and character studies. Her debut novel, Dangerous Embrace, is the first in a contemporary romance series about a group of friends from Northern California who learn just how short life can be when you don’t hold on to what’s important. Second chances don’t come easy…but sometimes love is worth the risk.
When not writing, Dana specializes in professional development and training. She’s also a board member on the local Art's Council and does what she can to support the art community.
As an avid reader and movie watcher, she always requires a happily ever after ending.

Website

Publisher Author Page

Twitter - @danamason06

Facebook

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Thursday, July 25, 2013

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: Relentless by Molly M. Hall

9:54 AM BY EverLeigh 0 Comments

YA Paranormal

Date Published: 4/29/2013

Dark Prophecy, Book 2

"Out of the darkness and into the fire. The truth changes everything."
The discovery of who and what she is changed Kat Matheson's life forever, revealing a world she never knew existed. A world filled with ominous spirits, mystical beings and dark magic. And a powerful ruler who will stop at nothing to achieve his ultimate goal: her death. Now, in her fight to stay alive, and to protect those she loves, Kat begins the battle to take back what's hers.
Teaming with the enigmatic Lovell, Kat searches for the clues that hold the secret to her destiny. Clues that take her to places she never imagined, exposing her life—and her heart—to dangers she never saw coming…

My Review

Relentless picks up where Reckoning left off and now that we have been introduced to all of the characters and the world itself, this one really takes off.

The action is definitely present throughout the novel and that itself will keep you flipping pages, but Molly M. Hall manages to throw some definite curve balls and will definitely keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

A sequel that lives up to the first one and continues the story effortlessly.

Buy Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

I’ve spent most of my life in Colorado and currently live just outside of Denver. I write my books on a laptop perched atop a rather creaky desk, surrounded by two crazy and loving cats. I love to travel and have visited 27 of the 50 states, as well as Canada, Ireland and England. And there are still a lot of places I want to go.

I spent entirely too many years in the gray dullness of the corporate world, imagining something more exciting as I punched numbers on a keyboard. During that time, I worked on a degree in English Literature, but never quite managed to complete it. Mostly because I was too busy reading and creating fantasy worlds in my head. It’s actually my love of reading and imagining that led me to take up writing full time. I thought I should finally give all the characters in my head a voice.

Music is a huge part of my life and plays a big role in the creation of my books. Although I listen to everything from Johann Sebastian Bach and Dvorak, to Glen Miller and Bobby Darin, to Rihanna and Nox Arcana, as well as movie and video game soundtracks, there are two bands whose music is practically my lifeblood: Daughtry and Linkin Park. I will listen to or see them live anytime, anywhere.

I’m a fan of British television, Doctor Who (favorite doctor? David Tennant. Let the debate begin!), The Vampire Diaries, Japanese animé, Ghost Hunters, MI-5 and Eureka. And anything featuring James McAvoy. And I probably would never be able to unwind without That 70′s Show.

When I’m not reading and writing, you'll probably find me listening to music, practicing yoga, working on my very inadequate French, playing piano, enjoying a lovely glass of red wine or champagne, or looking for inspiring landscapes to photograph.

Contact Links

Website

Twitter - @mollymhallbooks

Facebook

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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Blog Tour Book Review

Blog Tour: Keeper of Reign by Emma Right

11:36 AM BY EverLeigh 1 Comments

Young Adult Fantasy

Date Published: 5/19/2013

Books written in blood. Most are lost, their Keepers with them. A curse that befell a people. A Kingdom with no King. Life couldn’t get more harrowing for the Elfies, a blend of Elves and Fairies. Or for sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze. Or could it?

For Jules, the heir of a Keeper, no less, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It was bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King’s Ancient Books, did not help ward off that anathema.

Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? Gehzurolle’s agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules doesn't get himself killed first.

My Review

This is a Fantasy that is mild and sweet. I'm definitely not saying that as a bad thing, its just sometimes Fantasy's can be a bit on the dark side. It is a quick and easy read that most young adults and even under the teen age could enjoy. Refreshing and clean with a well developed plot and interesting characters. I would recommend this to younger children/ young adults / and adults alike.

Links to Buy

Amazon

BN.com

Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. When she doesn't have her nose in a book, she is telling her kids to get theirs in one.

Right worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled down to have children.

Visit Emma Right at her home site and blog for tips and ideas about books, homeschooling, bible devotions, and author helps of various sorts: www.emmaright.com and follow her on facebook emma.right.author

Website: www.emmaright.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/emmbeliever

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emma.right.author

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17995764-keeper-of-reign

Librarything: http://www.librarything.com/work/book/98432219