Reading in Wonderland Grand Opening Welcomes
Author C. J. Redwine

ReadingInWonderlandReading in Wonderland is thrilled to

welcome Author C. J. Redwine

to our Grand Opening Festivities!


Defiance_hc_cDEFIANCE by C. J. Redwine

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her. 

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared. 

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

PURCHASE: AMAZON


DeceptionCover2DECEPTION by C. J. Redwine

Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander’s whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father’s death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it’s up to Logan to become the leader they need—with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington’s army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.



But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone—possibly inside their ranks—is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn’t long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great—and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive. 


In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight.

PURCHASE: AMAZON


Deliverance hc cDELIVERANCE by C. J. Redwine

Everything hangs in the balance, and nothing is certain: Rachel has been kidnapped by enemy forces and is being taken to Rowansmark while Logan, imprisoned and awaiting trial, is unable to leave Lankenshire. Separated from each other and their Baalboden comrades, each must find a way to achieve what they desperately want: to rid their world once and for all of the Commander and the tech that controls the deadly Cursed One.

Fighting through her pain and embracing the warrior she’s become, Rachel will do whatever it takes to escape her enemies’ clutches and join Logan in his fight. But when she learns a secret that changes everything, she realizes that escaping Ian and his tracker friends is no longer an option if she wants to save the people she loves. Instead, she’ll have to destroy Rowansmark from the inside out—if she can survive the journey through the Wasteland.

Logan needs allies if he wants to thwart Rowansmark’s power grab and rescue Rachel. But securing allies will mean betraying his beliefs and enlisting the help of the man he hates more than anyone: Commander Jason Chase. Driven by his fierce love for Rachel and his determination to make their world safe, Logan may be just the weapon the city-states need to defeat the Cursed One.

But as Rowansmark bears down and uneasy alliances are tested, will Rachel and Logan’s love for each other be enough to surmount the unbelievable odds against them?

PURCHASE: AMAZON


WonderlandInterviews

Why YA/NA?

I love how adventurous YA is. We have steampunk, fairy tale retellings, sci fi, contemporary dramas, historical, cyborgs, comedies … if an author can dream it up and do it well, there’s a place on the YA shelf for it.

I also feel strongly connected to stories for teens. Books were my best friends as I was growing up. I didn’t own many, I was a library kid, but I often re-read my favorites several times a year. Those stories intrigued me, inspired me, and sometimes saved me. I wanted to be a small part of that for someone else.

 

When did you fall in love with writing?

When I was in second grade. I was assigned a one-page short story. I turned in a story that was four pages, back to back. It was like a light turned on in my brain, and I realized that stories were how I expressed myself best.

 

Do you have a favorite YA/NA series?

Not just one! I love so, so many. I am a fierce fan of the Harry Potter series … to the point that we own several copies of each movie (because special edition, and director’s cut, and … boxed set or whatever else they did that made me spend more money) but yet we still watch the movies on ABC Family when they do Harry Potter weekends. And I still re-read the books. I’m also a huge fan of Rae Carson’s GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS trilogy, MG Buehrlen’s THE 57 LIVES OF ALEX WAYFARE (incredible time travel!), Jodi Meadows’ upcoming THE ORPHAN QUEEN and so many more I hardly know where to start.

 

What is your favorite Apocalypse trope?

I love it all. I don’t care how you end the world as we know it, as long as it’s done well. Often I don’t realize that I’d love to read something until an author writes it, and then I think “Why yes, I really HAVE been dying to read a book set in space where people have been cryogenically frozen with blue goo.”

 

What is your favorite thing to do outside writing?

Watch movies! I go see several every month. My husband is a movie critic, so we often see sneak peeks of things. I’m not a chick flick kind of girl, though. Give me Marvel movies, The Hunger Games, and live action fairy tales FTW.

 

Name something you cannot stand.

Green beans. Seriously. Just the smell makes me start gagging. Which is really awesome when it happens in a restaurant because nothing says fine dining like sitting near a girl who sounds like she’s about to puke.

 

Name something you cannot live without.

My kids. I can’t even imagine life without them.

 

If you were a comic book character who would you be and why?

Ooh the possibilities! I know I said I love Marvel movies (except Green Lantern because WHAT. WERE. THEY. THINKING?), but my all-time favorite comic book character is Batman. I love that his back story reads like a potential villain’s. He’s got both dark and light in him, just as I do. The thin line between being a hero and being a villain is the choice he makes. Also I want an Alfred. And a cool car. And I want to be able to give people a steely glare and say “I’m Batman.”

 

iPad or Surface?

Um … what is Surface? (You are talking to a technoidiot here so … yeah.)

 

Netflix, Amazon or Hulu?

Netflix! Especially their original series. And the fact that I can binge watch Sherlock while waiting FOREVER for season 4.

 

Favorite TV Show?

Sherlock!

 

Favorite Dessert?

Lemon bars if they’re sour. Also pie. All the pie in the entire world.

 

What is the first thing on your bucket list?

I’ve already done it. 🙂 It was to publish a book.

 

Please tell us about your latest or upcoming release.

My upcoming release is DELIVERANCE, the third and final book in the DEFIANCE series. DEFIANCE is a post-apocalyptic fantasy with city-states, wingless dragons tunneling up from beneath the ground, conspiracy, courage, loyalty, loss, kissing, and sword fights. Here’s a link for the Harper-approved summary: http://www.amazon.com/Defiance-Trilogy-C-J-Redwine/dp/0062117173/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405449925&sr=1-1&keywords=defiance+c.j.+redwine

 

Will you be attending any conferences?

I usually attend quite a few events every year. Readers can see my upcoming schedule on my site: cjredwine.com

 

Where can your fans find you online?

http://cjredwine.com

@cjredwine on Twitter

C.J. Redwine on Facebook


Giveaway
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Reading in Wonderland Grand Opening Welcomes
Author Melissa Landers!

ReadingInWonderlandReading in Wonderland welcomes the wildly talented Author

Melissa Landers!


AlienatedALIENATED by Melissa Landers

Interplanetary relations have never been more exciting! The first in a funny, romantic YA sci-fi series.

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for.

Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.But when Cara’s classmates get swept up by anti-L’eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn’t safe anymore.

Threatening notes appear in Cara’s locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she’s fallen hard for him.

But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

PURCHASE: AMAZON


WonderlandInterviews

Why Why YA/NA?

I never made a conscious decision to write YA (or adult romance, for that matter, which I also publish under a pen name). I simply wrote the story of my heart and then figured out who the target audience was.

 

Do you have a favorite YA/NA series?

I’ll have to go with Harry Potter. It’s a hands-down YA favorite, even though it started as a MG.

 

What is your favorite thing to do outside writing?

I love reading, movies, hiking and going on quiet walks. Can you tell I’m an introvert? 🙂

 

Name something you cannot stand.

Am I allowed to say assholes? (If not, just ignore this answer.) Because I really can’t stand people who are mean simply because they think it’s amusing.

 

iPad or Surface?

Since I don’t know what Surface is, I’ll have to go with iPad.

 

Netflix, Amazon or Hulu?

Netflix! I love binge-watching my favorite shows, and I’m hooked on “Orange is the New Black.”

 

Favorite TV Show?

It’s a tie between “The Walking Dead” and “The Big Bang Theory,” two vastly different programs

 

Favorite Dessert?

Oh, this is easy. Chocolate lava cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting all over the plate. Mmm!

 

What is the first thing on your bucket list?

I’d love to visit Tahiti and stay in one of those little huts built on stilts right over the water. Sadly, I’m going to have to sell a lot more books before I can afford that trip.

 

Please tell us about your latest or upcoming release.

ALIENATED just launched this winter, and the sequel INVADED releases February 3, 2015. This series is light, romantic sci-fi that follows the adventures of valedictorian Cara Sweeney and her smoking-hot alien exchange student, Aelyx.

 

Will you be attending any conferences?

You bet! Check the “events” page of my website to see if I’m coming to a book fest near you.

 

Where can your fans find you online?

Website: www.melissa-landers.com

Instagram: @melissalanders

Twitter: @Melissa_Landers

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorMelissaLanders


Giveaway
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Reading in Wonderland Grand Opening Welcomes
Jennifer Estep!

ReadingInWonderlandReading in Wonderland welcomes the beautifully talented

Author Jennifer Estep!

We are beyond excited to have Jennifer Estep as our first guest. At this time last year Dani had the opportunity to meet Jennifer for the first time as her sister Ali interviewed her for Simply Ali at Authors After Dark!

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Jennifer is Author of the wildly popular Mythos Academy series. As you can see from the site that we are fans and there are several reviews from the series!  Take a look at this fabulous series!

first-frost

 FIRST FROST by Jennifer Estep

#0.5 Prequel E-Story

Genre: 

Type: 

Release Date: July 2011

I am Gwen Frost, and I have a Gypsy gift.  It’s called psychometry — that’s a fancy way of saying that I see images in my head and get flashes of other people’s memories off almost everything I touch, even guys.

My gift makes me kind of nosy. Okay, okay, maybe a lot nosy — to the point of obsession sometimes. I want to know everything about everyone around me. But even I don’t want to know the secret that a girl in my class is hiding or the terrible loss that will send me to a new school — Mythos Academy, where the teachers aren’t preparing us for the SATs, but to battle Reapers of Chaos.  Now I have no friends and no idea how my gift fits in with all these warrior whiz kids.  The only thing I do know is that my life is never, ever going to be the same …

Note: This e-story takes place before the events in Touch of Frost. It is available throughAmazonBarnes & Noble, iTunesKobo, and other online booksellers as a 99-cent download, not as a free story here on the website. You don’t have to read it to start or enjoy the series, but if you want to see exactly how Gwen winds up at Mythos Academy, you might enjoy it.

PURCHASE: AMAZON


touch-of-frost

TOUCH OF FROST by Jennifer Estep

Book #1

Genre: 

Type: 

Release Date: August 2011

 

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody’s head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I’m determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why — especially since I should have been the one who died …

PURCHASE: AMAZON


kiss-of-frost

KISS OF FROST by Jennifer Estep

Book #2

Genre: 

Type: 

Release Date: December 2011

 

Logan Quinn was trying to kill me. My Spartan classmate relentlessly pursued me, swinging his sword at me over and over again, the shining silver blade inching closer to my throat every time. A smile tugged up his lips, and his ice-blue eyes practically glowed with the thrill of battle …

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Academy, and I have no idea how I’m going to survive the rest of the semester. One day, I’m getting schooled in swordplay by the guy who broke my heart — the drop-dead gorgeous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invisible archer in the Library of Antiquities decides to use me for target practice. And now, I find out that someone at the academy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword — with Logan’s help — I just might die by the sword …

PURCHASE: AMAZON


dark-frost

DARK FROST by Jennifer Estep

Book #3

Genre: 

Type: 

Release Date: June 2012

 

I’ve seen so many freaky things since I started attending Mythos Academy last fall.  I know I’m supposed to be a fearless warrior, but most of the time, I feel like I’m just waiting for the next Bad, Bad Thing to happen. Like someone trying to kill me — again.

Everyone at Mythos Academy knows me as Gwen Frost, the Gypsy girl who uses her psychometry magic to find lost objects — and who just may be dating Logan Quinn, the hottest guy in school.  But I’m also the girl the Reapers of Chaos want dead in the worst way.  The Reapers are the baddest of the bad, the people who murdered my mom.  So why do they have it in for me?  It turns out my mom hid a powerful artifact called the Helheim Dagger before she died. Now, the Reapers will do anything to get it back. They think I know where the dagger is hidden, but this is one thing I can’t use my magic to find. All I do know is that the Reapers are coming for me — and I’m in for the fight of my life.

PURCHASE: AMAZON


crimson-frost

CRIMSON FROST by Jennifer Estep

Book #4

Genre: 

Type: 

Release Date: January 2014

 

For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes — the most hideous face I’d ever seen.  No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki — the evil god that I’d helped set free against my will.

I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming.  I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison — and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself …

PURCHASE: AMAZON


spartan-frost

SPARTAN FROST by Jennifer Estep

#4.5 E-Novella

Genre: 

Type: 

Release Date: July 2013

 

I’m Logan Quinn, the deadliest Spartan warrior at Mythos Academy. At least I was—until the day I almost killed Gwen Frost.

Professor Metis and Nickamedes say that I’m fine, that Loki and the Reapers don’t have a hold on me anymore, but I can’t risk it. I can’t risk hurting Gwen again. So I’m leaving Mythos and going somewhere far, far away.

I know Gwen wonders what’s happening to me, whether I’m safe.  I can’t tell her, but this is my story …

Note: This e-novella is around 14,000 words and takes place after the events of Crimson Frost but before those of Midnight Frost. It is told from Logan Quinn’s point of view. Even though Gwen is on the cover, this is a Logan story — not a Gwen story. Also, this does contain some spoilers for Crimson Frost. The e-novella is available for $1.99 as an e-book.

PURCHASE: AMAZON


midnight-frost

 MIDNIGHT FROST by Jennifer Estep

Book #5

Genre: 

Type: 

Release Date: August 2013

 

Here we go again …

Just when it seems life at Mythos Academy can’t get any more dangerous, the Reapers of Chaos manage to prove me wrong. It was just a typical night at the Library of Antiquities — until a Reaper tried to poison me. The good news is I’m still alive and kicking. The bad news is the Reaper poisoned someone else instead.

As Nike’s Champion, everyone expects me to lead the charge against the Reapers, even though I’m still hurting over what happened with Spartan warrior Logan Quinn. I’ve got to get my hands on the antidote fast — otherwise, an innocent person will die. But the only known cure is hidden in some creepy ruins — and the Reapers are sure to be waiting for me there …

PURCHASE: AMAZON


Killer-Frost

KILLER FROST by Jennifer Estep

Book #6

Genre: 

Type: 

Release Date: February 25, 2014

 

I’ve battled the Reapers of Chaos before–and survived. But this time I have a Bad, Bad Feeling it’s going to be a fight to the death … most likely mine.

Yeah, I’ve got my psychometry magic, my talking sword, Vic–and even the most dangerous Spartan on campus at my side, in Logan freaking Quinn, but I’m no match for Loki, the evil Norse god of chaos. I may be Nike’s Champion, but at heart, I’m still just Gwen Frost, that weird Gypsy girl everyone at school loves to gossip about.

Then someone I love is put in more danger than ever before, and something inside me snaps. This time, Loki and his Reapers are going down for good … or I am.

PURCHASE: AMAZON


 

WonderlandInterviewsWhy YA/NA?

JE: My YA books are similar to my adult fantasy books in that they contain a little bit of everything – magic, action, danger, adventure, strong heroines, romance. But I like writing YA books because they let me tell more of a coming-of-age story, about a heroine who is still figuring out her magic, who she is, and what she wants her place in the world to be.

 

When did you fall in love with writing?

JE: My mom used to take me to the library every Saturday as a kid, so that’s how I fell in love with books and reading in the first place. So I think that wanting to write my own stories grew out of all that.

 

Do you have a favorite YA/NA series?

JE: One of my favorite books is Beauty by Robin McKinley, which is a lovely retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale.

 

What is your favorite Apocalypse trope?

JE: I think that weather-based apocalypse stories are interesting.

 

What is your favorite thing to do outside writing?

JE: I love to read, watch movies/TV shows, and hang out with my family and friends.

 

Name something you cannot stand.

JE: Rude people

 

Name something you cannot live without.

JE: Books, of course. 🙂

 

If you were a comic book character who would you be and why?

JE: Good question! I will say Black Widow, just because I have enjoyed her character so much in all the Marvel superhero movies.

 

iPad or Surface?

JE: Neither, although I do have a tablet for reading e-books.

 

Netflix, Amazon or Hulu?

JE: Amazon

 

Favorite TV Show?

JE: Arrow

 

Favorite Dessert?

JE: Strawberry cheesecake ice cream is one of my favorite desserts.

 

What is the first thing on your bucket list?

JE: I’d like to travel to Alaska, Hawaii, and several other places.

 

Please tell us about your latest or upcoming release.

JE: My latest YA release is Killer Frost, the sixth and final book in my Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series.

The books focus on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old Gypsy girl who has the gift of psychometry, or the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it. After a serious freak-out with her magic, Gwen is shipped off to Mythos Academy, a school for the descendants of ancient warriors like Spartans, Valkyries, Amazons, and more.

In Killer Frost, Gwen and her friends have to figure out a way to finally defeat Loki and his Reapers of Chaos.

 

Will you be attending any conferences?

JE: I’ll be attending the Authors After Dark conference in August in Charlotte. Next year, I plan to attend the RT Booklovers Convention in Dallas.

 

Where can y0ur fans find you online?

JE: If folks want more info on my books, they can check out my website at www.jenniferestep.com or follow me on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.

 

Happy reading, everyone!

JENNIFER’S SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

 

Website: http://www.jenniferestep.com/

Blog: http://www.jenniferestep.com/blog/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JenniferEstepAuthor?fref=ts

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Jennifer_Estep  (@Jennifer_Estep)

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/580315.Jennifer_Estep


Giveaway

Jennifer is giving one lucky reader a copy of KILLER FROST! US Only

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GRAND OPENING BEGINS TOMORROW!

ReadingInWonderlandThe Reading in Wonderland Grand Opening is finally upon us!

Reading in Wonderland is a YA/NA site that will often feature reviews from Dani and Ali the owners and creators.  I (Miranda) will occasionally post reviews as well.  In addition to reviews we will feature news and other interests from the YA/NA Publishing world.

This week we will be hosting our Grand Opening and it will feature some of our favorite authors and giveaways! Check out the line up below!

8/5/14 – Jennifer Estep

8/6/14 – Melissa Landers

8/7/14 – CJ Redwine

8/8/14 – Gretchen McNeil

8/9/14 – Sophie Jordan

8/10/14 – Rachel Harris

The fun begins tomorrow!

 

Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Dark Paradise by Angie SandroDark Paradise by Angie Sandro
Published by Grand Central Publishing on 2014-07-01
Genres: Coming of Age, Mystery & Detective, Paranormal
Pages: 400

Reviewed by Dani

DARK LEGACY
 
Mala LaCroix has spent her whole life trying to escape her destiny. As the last in a long line of "witch women," she rejects the notion of spirits and hoodoo and instead does her best to blend in. But when she finds a dead body floating in the bayou behind her house, Mala taps into powers she never knew she had. She's haunted by visions of the dead girl, demanding justice and vengeance.
 
DEADLY SECRETS
 
Landry Prince has always had a crush on Mala, but when Mala discovers his sister, murdered and marked in some sort of Satanic ritual, he wonders if all the rumors about the LaCroix family are true. Yet after Mala uses her connection to the spirit world to identify his sister's killer, he starts to form his own bond to her . . . a very physical one. As they move closer to each other and closer to the truth, Mala and Landry must risk everything—their families, their love, and even their lives.

This book was a definite page turner, it was a fast paced murder mystery and I couldn’t wait to read what was going to happen next.  Mala LaCroix has spent her life trying to escape from her mom’s shadow.  Her mom tells her she is the last in a long line of hoodo women.  Mala has a hard time believing it. Mala tries her best to blend in but all that changes when she finds a dead body floating in the bayou behind her house.  She’s haunted by visions of the dead girl, demanding justice and vengeance. Mala is forced to tap into powers she never knew she had.

 

Then their is Landry Prince who has always had a crush on Mala.  She has no idea he does until they try to solve his sister’s murder. When Mala discovers his sister, murdered and marked in some sort of Satanic ritual he wonders if she could have done it.  All the rumors about the LaCroix family put her in danger but as they try to find out why Laney is haunting them he starts to form his own bond to her a very physical one. As they move closer to each other and closer to the truth, Mala and Landry must risk everything-their families, their love, and even their lives.  I loved Mala so much. She had so much more strength than she thought she did. And I found myself cheering her on when she was trying to get a point across.  At first I had a love/hate relationship with Landry until his true colors began to shine. I think he is a wonderful person even though he is a little rough around the edges. This book left on a cliff hanger and I would read the sequel.

 

dani signature

Giveaway! GIRL IN THE MIDDLE by Christine Bailey!

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[Read more…]

DISSONANCE by Erica O’Rourke

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

DISSONANCE by Erica O’RourkeDissonance by Erica O'Rourke
Published by Simon and Schuster on 2014-07-22
Genres: Music, Science Fiction, Social Issues, Young Adult
Pages: 496
Source: Publisher

Reviewed by Dani

In this inventive romantic thriller, Del has the power to navigate between alternate realities—and the power to save multiple worlds.Delancey knows for sure that there is more than one universe. Many more. Because every time someone makes a choice, a new, parallel world is spun off the existing one. Eating breakfast or skipping it, turning left instead of right, sneaking out instead of staying in bed—all of these choices create alternate universes in which echo selves take the roads not traveled. Del knows all of this because she’s a Walker, someone who can navigate between the worlds, and whose job is to keep the dimensions in harmony. But Del’s decisions have consequences too. Even though she’s forbidden from Walking after a training session goes horribly wrong, she secretly starts to investigate other dissonant worlds. She’s particularly intrigued by the echo versions of Simon Lane, a guy who won’t give her the time of day in the main world, but whose alternate selves are uniquely interested. But falling for Simon draws Del closer to a truth that the Council of Walkers is trying to hide—a secret that threatens the fate of the entire multiverse.

Synopsis: For Delancey Sullivan, alternate universes aren’t just a theory: they’re a way of life. Every time someone makes a choice—to eat breakfast or skip it, to sneak out or stay in bed—parallel realities are created, and echo versions of ourselves take the roads not traveled in the Key World. As a Walker, Del navigates between the Echoes, keeping the dimensions in harmony. But when her own choices go horribly wrong, she must decide between her heart and her duty—and live with the consequences.

I don’t even know where to start. This book was amazing! Del is a walker and a walkers job is to keep the key world safe. Del makes a mistake in one of the echoes and she is put on suspension. When Del realizes with the help of her friend Elliot that the mistake she made shouldn’t have happened she’s on a mission to find out what happened and how to fix it. The characters in this book are great. Del is a headstrong main character and will do things that are reckless if she thinks its going to benefit the people she loves. And Del’s love interest Simon was an interesting character. We don’t really get to know Simon at first but only his echoes Del sees in different dimensions. The romance between the two was sweet, I think they were a great couple. I really liked the secondary characters in this book and how they were treated. Elliot, Del’s friend, was such a sweet guy who was always their for his best friend. Addison, Del’s sister, came across as a perfectionist type snob at first, but we see deeper into her character as the book progresses and she proved to be a Walker who would do anything to ensure the safety of the Key World. I loved the relationship between Del and her grandpa Monty, who has a secret of his own. This book was a page turner, I was hooked. I’m ready for the sequel!

THE MONSTER WITHIN
by Kelly Hashway

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE MONSTER WITHIN  by Kelly HashwayThe Monster Within by Kelly Hashway
Published by Spencer Hill Press on 2014-04-08
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Greek & Roman, Legends, Myths, Fables, Young Adult
Pages: 296
Source: Author
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Reviewed by Dani

The moment seventeen-year-old Samantha Thompson crawls out of her grave, her second chance at life begins. She died of cancer with her long-time boyfriend, Ethan, by her side -- a completely unfair shot at life. But Ethan found a way to bring her back, like he promised he would. Only Sam came back wrong. She's now a monster that drains others' lives to survive. And after she kills, she's tortured by visions -- glimpses into her victims would have- been futures had she not killed them. Barely able to live with herself and trying to make things right, Sam ends up a pawn in a vicious game of payback within the local coven of witches. But when the game reveals what Ethan had to do to save Sam, she must make a choice that will change all their lives forever.

The Monster Within is about a girl named Samantha who comes back to life four days after she died from cancer. Her boyfriend is the one who brought her back, but whenever she asks how he did it he refuses to tell her. Samantha and Ethan move to a small town because they can’t go back home. The first night at there new place is when Sam realizes something isn’t right with her. To stay alive Sam has to suck the life out of other people. The book started out good, I was interested in finding out what Sam would do now that she has to drain the life out of people to stay alive as well as how Ethan brought her back. I did not like Sam at all. She made decisions that weren’t smart, and I can’t even keep track of how many lies she told. And it just bothered me that Ethan just wouldn’t tell her what he did to bring her back until the very end. I did like the fact that when she did kill someone she would get to see their futures and what their lives would have been like if she didn’t kill them. I found myself putting this book down a few times. I’m not sure if I would read the sequel.

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HEXED by Michelle Krys

I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

HEXED by Michelle KrysHEXED by Michelle Krys
Published by Random House on June 10, 2014
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Young Adult
Pages: 386
Format: Hardcover
Source: Author
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Reviewed by Dani

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?
 
Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.
Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid.

 

Hexed is about a girl named Indie who finds out she’s a witch, and has to learn fast. Indie has to get the Bible back before every witch on the planet dies. When I got this book I was so excited, because I haven’t read a book that involves witches since I read L.J Smith’s The Night World. I kind of feel let down because I thought more would happen in Hexed, but I guess I’ll just have to wait for the sequel to be released. I wasn’t a fan of most of the characters except for Paige, Indie’s neighbor and Jezebel, Bishop’s ex-girlfriend. I felt like Paige was the only one using common sense, and Jezebel just seemed like a strong female character in general. The reason I didn’t like Indie was because she was shallow, self-centered, and I just couldn’t relate to her. I felt like she should have done more in the book but she didn’t. And Indie’s “Love Interest” just treated everything like a game and it got annoying. Overall, I found this book to be a let down. I would read the sequel just to finish this series and because this book left off on a cliff hanger.

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MIDNIGHT FROST
by Jennifer Estep

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

MIDNIGHT FROST by Jennifer EstepMidnight Frost by Jennifer Estep
Series: Mythos Academy #5
Published by Kensington Books on 2013
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 372
Source: Reviewer Purchase
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Reviewed by Dani

Just when it seems life at Mythos Academy can't get any more dangerous, the Reapers of Chaos manage to prove me wrong. It was just a typical night at the Library of Antiquities--until a Reaper tried to poison me. The good news is I'm still alive and kicking. The bad news is the Reaper poisoned someone else instead.

After what happened in the last book with Logan, Gwen is hurt as she should be. But when Gwen is in her library she notices a reaper slipping poison in her water bottle, but Gwen is too late because Nickamedes already took a sip. Gwen and her friends must get find the cure. Gwen and her friends Daphne, Carson, and Coach Ajax go to Denver to start looking for the cure. In Denver Gwen meets her cousin Rory. Gwen’s cousin Rory isn’t liked probably because her parents did something they shouldn’t have… While on this trip Gwen finds out more about her family, and someone comes back from a little time away. I loved this book as I do with the rest in the series. You find out so much more about Gwen and her family in this book. I love how caring and determined Gwen is especially when it comes to keeping her friends safe. The sequel to this book is Killer Frost. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes urban fantasies.

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