Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Falling Kingdoms

Falling Kingdoms 1

Author: Morgan Rhodes
Pages: 412 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantsay
Release Date: December 11th 2012
Review Source: Purchase

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword. . . .

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

The cover for this book is absolutely gorgeous! It's haunting, mysterious, and dark, which I think is absolutely perfect. And with it's sequel finally out, I thought that it was time that I wrote a review for this book.

 I was completely drawn into this book from the very beginning. There was so much intrigue, and a pretty brutal scene right off the bat, but that just made me want to find out more. Including how each of the characters mentioned in the description would manage to interact.

Each character throughout the story is so clearly portrayed, their voices strong, and I loved that. It was easy to follow them throughout and not get lost on who was who. And even now I want to know more about them and how the rest of this series is going to play out.

Morgan has done such a fabulous job with this world and the four main characters. There are beautiful moments and brutal ones as well, it truly does have a Game of Thrones feel to it, but for teens.

And Rebel Spring, book two in this series, came out last week and I have a feeling I'll be anxious to get my hands on the next book.

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Poison

Author: Bridget Zinn
Pages: 288 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantsay
Release Date: March 12th 2013
Review Source:Publisher

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

Bridget's debut was such a fun read! I'm beyond sad that she's unable to experience all of the love her book has received, but I'm so glad that it's been published and her husband put so much work into getting the word out.

And, again, this was such a fun read. Kyra wasn't a typical 16 year old, and since she was on the run, her life wasn't very easy. I loved that we got background of how she'd learned all about poison's and who she'd worked with before the events of the book.

I think one of my favorite parts was the little pig that Kyra had with her. It was there to help her and it cracked me up at how annoyed she'd get with having to keep it safe and figure out how to do what she'd set out to. And, things didn't always go as planned, which is just par for the course.

I wish we could get more from this author, I have a feeling she'd only get better over time, but I'm more than happy that we got this one. And I know that you'll enjoy it too.

Blog Tour: Mr. 365 by Ruth Clampett + Giveaway

 Thanks to AToMR for hosting this tour. For the rest of the schedule go HERE.

Mr. 365

Author: Ruth Clampett
Pages: 267 pgs
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: November 19th 2013
Review Source: Author

When reality show producer Sophia is assigned to convince Christmas fanatic Will to be on their holiday special, she imagines him to be an oddball momma’s boy wearing a reindeer Christmas sweater. What she doesn’t expect is the handsome, mysterious man who captures her attention, and seems determined to win her heart.

Their attraction is undeniable, and as charming Sophia convinces Will to work with her, she slowly unwraps the secrets in his past that make this determined and soulful man still yearn for the childhood he never had.

When the chaos of production starts, will Sophia be able to keep her promises to protect Will from being exploited, or will the bitter truth of reality television be a runaway train of disaster for both of them?

Join Sophia, Will and his dog Romeo to enter the world of his enchanting holiday house where stars shine indoors and snow is always falling…365 days of the year.

I enjoyed Ruth Clampett's debut novel, Animate Me, and was excited to hear about her latest one. Being able to read it and participate in this blog tour has been so much fun.

Though I tend to like a bit more back story, or history, I enjoy how Ruth dive's right into the world and story she's created. You feel as though you are already a part of the lives of the character's as you watch things play out.

The relationship between Sophia and Will was sweet and full of romance. She took the time to build them up, allowing us as readers, and also her characters. to discover what they liked about one another. It was realistic, with problems and doubt, but always the hope of more.

Ruth has a great way of setting the stage and pulling her readers into the stories she creates, and I know that I can't wait for more from her.

*GIVEAWAY TIME*

(1) Signed print copy of Mr. 365, (1) metal Mr. 365 ornament, (1) embellished Studio Coffee tumbler, (1) studio keychain – US Only

(3) Signed print copies of Mr. 365  - International

(5) eBook copies of Mr. 365 - International

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Ruth Clampett, daughter of legendary animation director, Bob Clampett, has spent a lifetime surrounded by art and animation. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, her careers have included graphic design, photography, VP of Design for WB Stores and teaching photography at UCLA. She now runs her own studio as the fine art publisher for Warner Bros. where she’s had the opportunity to know and work with many of the greatest artists in the world of animation and comics.

Mr. 365 is Ruth’s second novel and is inspired by her varied experiences in the television world from winning big on a game show, to guest hosting on the QVC shopping network, to sharing a studio with a production team that produced early reality television. Her first novel, Animate Me, is a contemporary romance set in the animation world. She lives in Los Angeles and is heavily supervised by her teenage daughter, lovingly referred to as Snarky, who helps her plan and execute their yearly Christmas extravaganza.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday: Fragile Spirits by Mary Lindsey

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

(Coming January 2014)

Paul has always known he was a Protector, fated to serve a Speaker who could hear the voices of spirits lingering after death and help those souls find peace.

Vivienne ignores the voices of the dead.

Paul has always followed the Protector’s rule book, preparing diligently for the day when he’d be matched with his Speaker and fulfill his destiny.

Vivienne never does what she’s told.

So when Paul is matched with Vivienne, they both find the pairing less than satisfactory. But a kidnapping, a malevolent spirit and power stronger than both of them may just prove that they are two halves of the same whole.

In a stunning story about the beauty of fate and the power of secrets, Mary Lindsey returns to the world of Shattered Souls with a breathtaking thrill-ride of a novel.

First of all, I really love this cover! It's gorgeous and mysterious and really leaves me wondering what all is going to happen in this book. So amazing.

Second, I really enjoyed Mary Lindsey's first book and I'm so excited for this sequel (so to speak). It'll be fun to read about this world again and I hope she continues it. Yay!

What are you waiting on? 

New Release: Concealed by Victoria Michaels

Title: Concealed

Author: Victoria Michaels

Genre: Romance/Suspense

Release Date: December 10^th, 2013
Add: Goodreads

Buy: Amazon

Synopsis:

Life has been complicated for Sydney Ross. Desperate for a new start, she leaves home but, during her travels, witnesses something that will forever alter the path of her life. On the run for the last six years, Sydney finds herself living the life of a nomad until she one day stumbles into a small town and hopes she's finally found a place to put down roots. With a good job in a local diner and, for the first time ever, friends who feel like family, things start looking up for Sydney. The biggest shock of all is catching the eye of the town’s most eligible bachelor, the sexy sheriff, Wade Jenkins.

Sparks fly between them, and it's not long before Sydney believes Elton, Missouri could be the home she's always wished for. But Sydney's past and her secrets have a way of catching up with her. When a brutal murder shakes the small town, Sydney is terrified that the countdown has begun on her time in Elton.

Have the shadows from her past found her again? The people who mean the most want her to stay, but that would put everyone, including her daughter, at risk. Can Sydney put her faith in Wade or will she keep running from a danger that even she doesn't fully understand?

Book Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8VSWpOVE2U

READ A SNEAK PEEK OF CONCEALED!

Link to First Chapter: http://victoriamichaels.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Concealed_Excerpt.pdf

*GIVEAWAY*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Victoria Michaels:

Victoria Michaels is a wife and mother of many who lives her life in what seems like a constant state of motion. Kids’ sports, meetings, homework and general family fun take up twenty-seven hours of her day. In her thirty seconds of free time, Victoria likes to read, write and travel the country with her husband.

She most enjoys writing about love and laughter, two things that are central to her everyday life. If you would like to know more about what’s coming next from Victoria, please check back at victoriamichaels.net for updates, news and sneak peeks of future releases.

Connect with Victoria Michaels:

Website: http://victoriamichaels.net/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/534097.Victoria_Michaels

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoria.michaels.779

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vic_michaels

Cover Reveal: Client No. 5

For Mature readers: 18+

Title: Client No. 5
Author: Joy Fulcher
Genre: Erotic Romance
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.


~ Synopsis ~
Ally loves her job. She makes good money, has great work friends, and lives in the best city in the world.

Sure, being an upscale escort has its downfalls. The sex is usually bad, and it’s always about satisfying the client’s needs, not one’s own. But Ally didn’t end up in this business for lack of other opportunities. She’s good at what she does and is proud she can command a high price for it. What Ally really gets out of it, though, is a sense of freedom, of power and control that she severely lacks in her private life. She’s closed off from everyone around her, including herself.

Everything gets thrown into chaos, however, when she gets the call for a new client, her fifth of the night. Scott Walker is different. He’s a young go-getter executive accustomed to getting whatever he wants. And ultimately he doesn’t want Ally’s body; he wants her heart. But that’s the one thing she refuses to give up.

Ally is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: to stay in her comfort zone or step outside it for someone who might just be worth the risk.

If you think you've read every story about a hooker with a heart of gold, think again. Sexy and edgy, Client No.5 will seduce you into the intimate world of a high-class call girl, strutting its stilettos into the raw, erotic territory Pretty Woman feared to tread.

Add to Goodreads

~ A Note from the Author ~

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for participating in the cover reveal of my début novel, Client No 5. I love the cover and hope it has you all curious about the book. I've got a fun competition running over on my website - www.joyfulcherbooks.com - where you can win some great prizes. So, come on over and get your camera ready to participate.


~ About the Author ~
Joy is a fiery redhead who takes full advantage of the Australian lifestyle, sunning herself on tropical beaches and flirting with handsome lifeguards. She loves cats, books and chocolate, and of course the male physique. Joy started writing as a teenager and never stopped, although she writes about much more mature topics now. You can often find Joy browsing the shelves of her local bookstore or researching her favorite city, New York, in preparation of fulfilling her lifelong dream to live there one day.

Connect with Joy: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads