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Hosted by Forbidden Passions Reviews & Walking on Bookshelves

*Please keep in mind this is my first time to host a blog hop so I'll do my best to work out any kinks.  All suggestions & help are appreciated.*

This is a hop mainly for blogs with less than 1000 followers.  However, that doesn't mean you can't sign up if you have 1000 or more.  The hop will run from April 16th through April 21st.

Rules for this hop:

• Each blog must host a give away on their site and is responsible for providing the prize and any shipping charges.
• The blog post must include the hop image and linky or link back to either one or both of the host blogs.

That's it.  Thanks for joining.

My Weekly Rant

I am so incredibly tired of book blurbs or descriptions describing the main character as unexpectedly drawn to another character.  No matter how it's said or described, I'm over it!  If I see that character "oblivious" was suddenly drawn to character "God-like gorgeous", I'm not inclined to read the book.  I might have been about 3 years ago.  I am much wiser, not older mind you, just wiser.  Reality is that yes we might find someone attractive right away, but it doesn't mean we're instantly in love with them!  If we are, well, we have "other" issues.  Seriously!  It took me at least a few months to know I was "into" my husband.

I've seen guys who are H-O-T hot, but the second they open their mouth, can I get a muzzle please?!  Am I a sucker for a man calling me "darlin'"?  Um...well yah.  But I digress.  A believable relationship takes time to develop.  The last few books I've really enjoyed had situations where the characters didn't even like each other at first.  So, if you're an author reading this, no disrespect intended.  However, take note.  Even in the paranormal genre some of us like our characters to be realistic.  

Another Reason why I am a Book Trailer Junkie!!

You have to see this!!

If you haven't read this book you need to!  

Review for Immortal Mine by Cindy C. Bennett

 

Description by goodreads.com

Niahm (pronounced Neeve) Parker is thoroughly content with her life in the small town of Goshen. Her parents, who travel frequently for their work, have raised a headstrong, independent teen. While her peers can hardly wait for the opportunity to leave, Niahm plans to stay forever.

When Shane Coleman and his nephew Sam move into town, it's the biggest event to happen in as long as anyone can remember. It’s quite remarkable for anyone to move into Goshen rather than out, but when it’s discovered that Sam is 17, it requires some serious burning of the phone lines. All the teen girls are thrilled to have a new hottie in town—all except Niahm. Sam Coleman represents a threat to her perfect way of life.

Sam is drawn to Niahm against his will. He'd prefer to not be bound to this angry, stubborn, unlikeable girl. Unfortunately, he has no choice. However, Sam didn't plan on falling for Niahm. For Immortals, love is not only forbidden, but dangerous for her. He finds himself in a fight not only for Niahm's heart, but to protect her from being harmed by those who seek to destroy Sam and those like him.

Niahm finds herself attracted to the tall, copper-headed boy, who becomes her friend and then her support when tragedy strikes. Soon, she begins to realize that there may be more to Sam than she ever suspected... much more. But what he truly is, she can't begin to imagine.

 5 out of 5

Ok, if I like a book I’ll rave about it a bit and tell you all the things I liked blah blah blah.  However, if I love a book I will gush.  Well watch out folks because I’m about to get my gush on!  This book was stupendous!  I have to say Cindy C. Bennett is one of my 3 favorite indie authors.  When I get word that she’s written something new I get giddy.  Her books Geek Girl and Heart on a Chain are two books I recommend on a regular basis. 

Immortal Mine is her first venture in the paranormal genre and she came through like a champ!  Cindy writes these characters that just grip you by the heart.   They are so pragmatic.  Niahm is no different.  Her reactions to things that happen to her are some of the same I think I would have in her situation.  Then there’s Sam.  Every girl should have a Sam.  Sam is the kind of guy that goes above & beyond for someone he cares about.  I appreciate that they don’t just fall in love the first second they see each other.  Cindy allows their relationship to grow and develop.  There are great supporting characters as well.  If you’ve read Geek Girl you’ll find a reference to the main characters in this book that I thought was fun.  The pace of the book was perfect for me.  She was able to move things along without getting wordy or drawing out any particular event.  Oh, and the Gaelic was such a neat touch.  I love all things Irish so that was so interesting to me.  I am going to have a difficult time waiting for the next book.  

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A SUPERB give away!

My friend Catie at Forbidden Passions Reviews is part of the Lucky Leprechaun give away and she is giving away some freaking FANTASTIC books!  So HOP on over, pun intended and put your name in that rafflecopter!!
http://forbiddenpassionsreviews.blogspot.com/2012/03/lucky-leprechaun-hop.html 

 

Review for Die For Me by Amy Plum

 

Description from goodreads.com

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art.  Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

4.5 out of 5

Original story - check

Proper dose of paranormal - check

Well written - check

Good pace - check

Drool worthy leading man - check

Insecure, emotionally wounded, female character - check

Entertaining & funny supporting characters (Jules & Ambrose) - check

So, as it appears, this book has all the ingredients for a good read.  I didn't really like Kate.  I had to try to think of her name just a few hours after finishing the book.  She started out a nice mixture of sweet and sassy.  I wish she would have held on to it.  She turned into a marsh mellow.  That didn't ruin the book for me at all.  Vincent and his "kindred" more than made up for it.  I think Kate's Papy knows more about the revenants than he's letting on.  I hope that's flushed out in the next book.  I recommend this read for anyone looking for something original in the paranormal genre.

Book Trailers You Love

I really, really love book trailers.  I think it's because I love to imagine my favorite books as movies.  What are some of your favorite book trailers?  Comment below.  I'd love to see if any new ones I haven't seen come up.

Review for Billy: Messenger of Powers by Michaelbrent Collings

"BILLY WAS ONLY THIRTEEN YEARS OLD THE FIRST TIME HE DIED."

And with those words the saga of Billy Jones begins with BILLY: MESSENGER OF POWERS.

Billy, like many of us, leads what he believes is a fairly normal life: trying to get through school, trying to deal with his first crush, and trying to avoid the bullies who seem intent on trying to prove he can be flushed down a toilet. But all that changes (or at least some of it) when Billy discovers that Powers walk among us.

These Powers (what you or I would call witches or warlocks) have divided into two camps: the Dawnwalkers, dedicated to the protection of humanity and the secrecy of the world of the Powers; and the Darksiders, who want nothing more or less than complete control of the world and the enslavement of all humanity.

For years the Darksiders and Dawnwalkers have lived in a state of uneasy truce: ever since the last War of the Powers, when the evil Darksider Wolfen was defeated and banished, cast out of the world of the Powers and ordered never to return.

But now there are whispers. There are stirrings. Portents.

Wolfen has returned.

The Darksiders are on the rise.

And Billy is the only one who can save the world.

Buy Now for Kindle

Buy for Other eReaders

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5.5           

Fantastic! Fanstatic! Fantastic!!  The story line is so unique.  It is a great read for both adults and kids. I'm very picky about what I read and what I let my kids read and I would have no problem giving this one to them. Collings has created such a fun world to get absorbed in.  The sarcasm cracked me up. Billy is such a likable character you can't help yourself from cheering him on.  I know this is geared towards a younger audience, but I was truly entertained.  I would recommend this for my teacher friends as well.  Keep in mind that if you've read Michaelbrent's other books, this is very different but written just as well.   It was, as I've said before, FANTASTIC!

Review for The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

In anticipation of Kady Cross's next book The Girl in the Clockwork Collar I wanted to post my review I did for The Girl in the Steel Corset.  I did this review last year for my good friend at Forbidden Passions Reviews.  I still LOVE this book and can't wait for The Girl in the Clockwork Collar.

Description from goodreads.com

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one except the "thing" inside her.

              

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch...

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits. Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help-and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her.

5 out of 5

This is another book I would LOVE to see turned into a movie!  It was like reading Sherlock Holmes meets Men in Black.  Kady Cross has written brilliant, fresh characters.  Finley was the perfect combination of sass and proper lady.  She's frightened of the darkness inside her and it's Griffin King (swoon) that makes her realize she can rise above it and be so much more.  Griffin is a man every girl needs on her side.  He's chivalrous with just the right amount of bad boy to compliment. The dialect between the characters was entertaining, never once stiff or boring.  There were several LOL moments.  If you like adventure and mystery you will enjoy this book!  

Cover Reveal for Taste by Kate Evangelista

How gorgeous is this cover?!!! I can't wait to read this one.  You can now add it to your goodreads TBR list!  Just click on the beautiful cover and POOF!

Review for Touch by Jus Accardo

Description from goodreads.com

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

4.5 out of 5

My super teenage rebellion meets X-Men.  That’s how I describe this book.  When I say it’s non-stop action, I’m not exaggerating!  This book hit the gas from the beginning and never slowed down.  Dez is a smart mouthed, semi-party girl who’s built up walls 6 ft. thick around her heart.  I LOVED her!  The sad thing is all she wants is her dad’s attention.  Can you say serious “daddy issues”?  Then she puts that energy into helping Kale.  Big bonus... helping Kale really ticks her dad off.  It might sound like Dez is just a needy brat, but her dad is one piece of work.  He’s cold to the core and deserves some bad karma back lash.  Kale comes off as a little robotic at first.  However, he turns into one drool worthy, heart throb by the end of the book.  The cover of the book really brings his image to mind perfectly.  The book was really well written.  I can easily see it turned into an action movie.  I hope the next book in the series is just as exciting. 

  It does bring into question:  If there’s no one around for the Sixes to fear, i.e. Denazen, then what’s to stop them from taking advantage of their gifts?  You’ll have to read the book to get what I mean.   

Sweeping Me's Blogoversary Give Away!!

A blog I LOVE to stalk, err I mean follow is having a blogoversary give away!!  Mary has blog that rocks my socks off!  So go on over and check her FANTABULOUS give away.  You can win a KINDLE or a Visa gift card!  Who wouldn't want either of those?!!  So click on that nifty little pic. below and POOF! you're there!

Review for Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Description from goodreads

Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

Review 5 out of 5

Finally!  I've been waiting weeks for a book I can rave about.  The world Veronica Rossi has created was so easy to get wrapped up in.  I could visualize all the different realms and worlds the people of Reverie were so dependent on.  I wasn't too sure about the switching POV, but it worked perfectly in this book.  I liked Aria from the beginning.  She was brave and even though she didn't realize it, she was a survivor.  She evolved beyond anything she or I thought possible.  I didn't really like Perry at first.  He seemed so cold and unfeeling.  That is, until I got to glimpse his life and his world.  He never let his ambitions over shadow his love for his family and the needs of the one he cared about.  

What I REALLY loved about this book is the not so instant love connection between Aria & Perry.  They didn't even like each other until the middle of the book.  That was so refreshing!  Watching their relationship evolve and the two of them grow out of their prejudices kept me glued to my Kindle.  While there isn't a dramatic cliff hanger, the twist at the end was fantastic!  It was one that never occurred to me.   Rossi has made sure to give us enough to hang on to until the next book, but I still can't wait!