Cover Reveal: Casted by Sonya Loveday

Casted 

by Sonya Loveday

Expected Release Date: June 7

“My mind absorbed everything in the spell book I clutched tightly to me. Pages ruffled inside of my head, urging me to remember things and then to forget them. Voices chanted with tempo rising at the breaking points of pain until the book vanished and words to an ancient spell scribed across my arms. Each stroke brought blood to the surface, imprinting words I could not read; words that would forever change who I was.”

Jade had spent the majority of her life running from the Triad. The Triad, are a powerful group, who would stop at nothing to obtain Jade and the missing spell book for leader, Lorenzo’s, nefarious plans. And now that she has absorbed the highly coveted magic contained inside the missing book, there is nowhere left for her to hide.

With the help of her friends, Jade steps out from the shadows and learns how to fight back. But no one is prepared for Elinor-the woman bound inside of the book that’s trapped in Jade’s mind. Now she not only needs to protect herself from the Triad, but from what’s hiding inside her mind as well.

Jade never expected the answer to it all would revolve around love.

Edge is dark, mysterious, and a sworn member of the Triad. He also hides a secret past that threatens the thin line he walks between good and evil. Lives are at stake when Jade and Edge’s two worlds collide. Can Jade learn to trust him when he says he is her pre-ordained and vows to do everything he can to protect her? But more importantly, can she trust herself and the woman in her mind?

 Sonya Loveday, first and foremost is a reader, an avid one. It is of that love that brought her to the realization that this was the answer to the nagging persistent feeling that ‘there’s got to be something more’.
The dream came alive in 2009 when she purchased her laptop and began the tedious step of becoming a published author.
When she’s not reading, she’s writing. When she’s not writing, she’s reading. And when she’s not doing either of those things she’s sleeping, shuttling her children back and forth to school, letting the dogs and cats in and out of the house for the umpteenth time in the last hour and dreaming of a clean house.

Facebook  - Goodreads  -  Twitter  -  Blog

The Witch Avenue Series Blog Tour: Review of Released Souls & Giveaway

The Witch Avenue Series Tour

Books 1-3: Lonely Souls, Altered Souls, Released Souls*(Review)*

by Karice Bolton

Hosted by AToMR Tours

Lonely Souls

It's two weeks before Triss turns 18, and her world is about to change into the most magical one imaginable as she readies herself to enter The Witch Avenue Order... that is until her mother's disappearance. Instead of celebrating her transformation, she finds herself spreading rose petals into her mother's empty grave.

When Logan, her best friend from junior high, moves back to town for college, he vows to help her find the answers she so desperately seeks surrounding her mother's disappearance. As they begin uncovering clues, it becomes apparent that the life of white magic they both grew up loving is not what the majority practices, and their lives are in danger.

With a haunting feeling that her mother may still be alive, she begins to hear a call to the wilderness. Triss realizes that in order to find the answers she needs, she must learn the ways of her ancestors and become the hunter, not the hunted before it's too late, and she becomes part of the lonely souls.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Altered Souls

The realm of Altered Souls brings nothing but unrest, deceit, and pain forcing Triss to come face to face with heartbreak from her past.

Facing a betrayal like never before, Triss questions everything she thought she knew about her family, coven, and abilities.

With the help of Logan, she embarks on a journey enabling her to confront the dark side of magic and the person who controls it. Realizing Triss’s ancestors have been seduced for centuries by the dark side, Triss and Logan must ensure no more in their world fall victim to the realm of Altered Souls, even if that means ending the ones they love.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Released Souls

Triss and Logan’s love is becoming stronger by the day as they harness the powers between them, but will that make them blind to the evil they’re facing? 
After uncovering startling information about her family, Triss is determined to right the wrongs of her ancestors. Triss and Logan uncover who has infiltrated the covens across the globe, and they realize the plans of the dark side are far more sinister than they’d ever imagined.

As the power of this hidden world is exposed, Triss learns her role in the covens. With Logan, Dace and Bakula’s assistance, Triss is now able to fully realize the abilities her ancestors have given her.

It won’t be long until the dark forces regain their strength, especially as their leader, Eben, continues his quest for a power that can never be revoked. Triss must stop him before it is too late.

I started reading this series because I love anything about witches and magic and this series had them in spades. I don't know what I am going to do when this series ends, but it hasn't yet so I will relish each and every word. Released Souls is the third book of the series and while I have seen some that think this was the last book - it isn't- WooHoo! Released Souls continues on with Triss and Logan as they grow in both their relationship and their magic. I love Triss and Logan together; they are one of my favorite literary couples. Logan is always by Triss's side and even though they don't get much time to breathe, they manage to steal away sweet moments in time. I wish that we could see a little bit more of their behind the scenes relationship (if you know what I mean), but that would mean upping the genre to Upper YA, which to me is totally feasible.

Triss has learns some things about her family and their past and wants to right the wrongs of her ancestors. This girl would take on the entire world if she could. She is stubborn and at some times overzealous in her pursuit of those who she is up against, but she feels that she has a duty to herself, her family and the covens. The covens were infiltrated across the globe and Triss and Logan uncover who it is, and it rocks their world. With the help of Logan, Dace and Bakula, Triss sets out to uncover the plans that Eben has created. Oh, and the plan that includes the fairies from Altered Souls (I knew they would be important!) and depending on who can can get to it first may determine the fate of every witch.

Triss matures so much in Released Souls. Even when she is faced with the possibility that some people may not be who she thought they were, she stays strong. She is finally coming into her own as a full witch and with each new power she accrues, she becomes a more formidable opponent. Especially a specific new power that makes her a very rare type of witch, which definitely comes in handy for what she encounters. I know I already said how much I love Triss and Logan, but I will say it again: they are great together and Logan lets Triss be herself and gives her strength without overpowering who she is and what she wants.

Overall, I would recommend the entire Witch Avenue Series to everyone. Released Souls is for anyone who likes magic, both light and dark, witches, warlocks, romance and a great plot. Plus, Released Souls is full of beautiful writing, action, mystery, curses, spells, evil witches, fairies, and sweet romance. What is not to like? Now lets talk about the ending, which I can't because no spoilers allowed, but just let me say this: WTH?!!!! Huge cliffhanger and just wow, I am speechless. I am waiting excitedly, and somewhat patiently(not!) for the 4th book which is supposed to be released sometime in the spring!! 

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review as part of a blog tour. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.

As a tour special Lonely Souls will be FREE on all purchase sites until the end of the tour! Go get yours, right now!

Karice married the love of her life who she met in high school, and she still can't get over how cute and funny he is. They have two English Bulldogs that are the sweetest bullies in the world, and they use their cuteness to get what they want. Karice loves the snow and gravitates towards the stuff as often as possible! She enjoys skiing and tries really hard to snowboard, but often makes a nice little area to sit while everyone zips by on their board. She enjoys writing, and she also loves to read just about anything with print.

Karice Bolton | Twitter | Facebook

********************************************************

There are two Rafflecopters to fill out. The first is the Grand Prize and the second is the Second/Runner Up Prize. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Thirteenth by G.L. Twynham Blog Tour: Review, Excerpt & Giveaway!

The Thirteenth
(The Thirteenth, #1)
by G.L. Twynham
Publication Date: November 20, 2009
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Formats Available: eBook, Audio Book, Paperback ~336 pages

Book Blurb: Imagine starting at the end and finishing back at the beginning. This is the story of a teenage girl called Valerie Saunders who is about to be thrown through time and space. Being bestowed with abilities beyond her wildest nightmares, she discovers that she not only has to deal with turning eighteen, her first job and an unwanted tattoo, but also magical powers and intense urges to fall in love. She envisaged she would spend her life blending into the scenery, not blowing it up!

Val has a calling, but which side is dialling her number?

Amazon Kindle - Amazon Print - Amazon Audio Edition

Valerie Saunders (Val) is about to turn eighteen and she just got her first job working for an antique/first edition bookstore. She also starts having vivid dreams and mysterious pain. Then a tattoo just happens to appear on her arm on her eighteen birthday: the Zodiac symbols in a circle with a backwards 'y' with a dot above it in the middle. Then after an encounter at the shop, she realizes she has powers. Val has no idea what is going on so she turns to her best friend Delta and the owner of a tattoo parlor for help (who she doesn't know). No one knows what is going on but they will try to find answers, but what they get are more questions. Why is this happening? Where did the powers come from? Who is behind it all?

The beginning of The Thirteenth started out with a bang and I was hooked. Everything that happened to Val came at a frantic pace and just as one episode ended another began. I really liked the premise of the story: a girl with powers that found her that she can't run away from, but there were time that the plot became somewhat predictable. Each challenge she faces is more extreme than the next, but each trial is so short and could have been better explained. It isn't until the end that I am completely surprised by the events. I am baffled by who the bad guys are! I am even more surprised at the origins of Val's powers - sorry no spoilers!

The characters are likeable, but not quite fleshed out. I would have liked to see more interaction with her Scooby Gang. Then there was the fact that Val seems to trust nearly everyone she meets with her secret (except her parents). Then they all turned around and believed everything she said - not quite realistic, but it did make it easier for the story to progress. I know that this is fiction, but you still want things to feel like they could happen. Val also accepted her "powers" really fast, but when everything keeps getting thrown at her one right after another, she would have to acclimate quickly. My biggest pet peeve was the grammar and copy editing. I don't mind a few mistakes here and there, but when they are so distracting that it pulls me from the story, that is when I get annoyed. The Kindle formatting isn't the best either so you have to be hyper aware of who is speaking as there aren't correct paragraph cuts.

Despite my misgivings, I could not put the book down. I had to see what was to come of Val and her friends and see who it was that kept tormenting her. There are some really good things about The Thirteenth. I like the author's ability to add humor to dire situations and her metaphors and sarcasms are hilarious. I also really enjoyed the tiny hints that are left throughout the book. Looking back I can see how well she tied certain aspects together, but until you read the ending they don't always make sense. So, the ending is a complete turning point and I am excited to see what will happen next. Not only were there huge revelations, but the whole genre of the book expanded! There are three books out in the series - The Thirteenth, The Turncoats, and Nyteria Rising - and one due out this spring. I will definitely be reading on to see more of Val's adventures!

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review as part of a blog tour. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.

Chapter 1

The Tattoo

A young woman stood alone looking up at the night sky, a cool breeze effortlessly caressing her slim frame as darkness closed around her. At long last it would be her turn to be part of something that had been her destiny since birth.

She moved on, passing the pond; she caught her reflection in the water and smiled. The time had arrived; the moon had reached the tops of the trees. On this particular evening, the shadows of the dense woods, mixed with the bruised sky made the adventure that lay ahead seem all the more exciting.

As she left the village behind and made her way into the woodland, her body filled with anticipation. She began to run.

Knowing instinctively where to go, she weaved like a needle in and out of the undergrowth, dodging the trees as if they were merely smoke trails rising in front of her.

She was moving swiftly when an unfamiliar sound suddenly stopped her dead in her tracks. A strange crackling in the air made every hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Something was very wrong. She span around, trying to find where it was coming from, but soon realized it was everywhere. Then, as suddenly as it had started, it stopped.

She had cautiously started to move forward again, when the silence was shattered once more by another wave of sound. In the confusion, her foot caught under a loose tree root, causing her to fall awkwardly into a pile of leaves. Before she had time to stand up, she heard violent screams coming from the distance. These weren’t joyful cries; the cries of pleasure and happiness she had been expecting. These turned her blood cold and left her paralyzed where she lay on the wet forest floor, her heart pounding.

After a few seconds, she gathered enough courage to slowly lift herself up and move forward again. She was suddenly very frightened, aware of the risk she was taking just by being there. She darted to an old oak tree, hiding for a moment in the shelter of its huge trunk.

Cautiously, she edged around it. Everything was quiet again so she leant the top half of her body out, to see if it was safe. In that split second a ball of light came towards her, travelling at amazing speed and growing as it came, until it seemed to be the size of a mountain.

When it hit her, its power engulfed her whole body and she was instantly lifted off the ground. She screamed helplessly as it raised her into the treetops.

Her ears filled with a piercing noise, like nothing she had ever heard before. Her whole body felt like it was burning up, yet still she kept rising and rising, until she was high above the trees.

Then the light and noise stopped as quickly and as it had started. Her upward flight came to a violent halt, and she began to fall. As she tumbled through the trees, the thick branches scratched aggressively at her clothes and face. The ground came towards her at terrifying speed. The scream that was struggling to escape her was silenced when she hit the ground with tremendous force. Her body filled with pain, the taste of warm blood filled her mouth, and she slipped into unconsciousness.

Born in Wellingborough in 1972, Georgia was brought up with her two older brothers in a sleepy Leicestershire village until at the age of fifteen, her parents decided to move abroad, taking her with them. A new country and a new language helped her come out of her shell and for eleven years, she lived and worked on the beautiful island of Menorca.
Georgia wrote short stories and poetry from an early age but her real passion for writing didn’t truly emerge until she was 31. Writing for her own web site and articles for magazines helped to support her and her daughter. After meeting her now fiancé, she was given the encouragement and opportunity to write full-time and the rest is history.
Georgia felt there was a need for a strong British female heroine. She also wanted a main character that had a normal family, with problems that most teenagers/young adults in this country might be experiencing and could relate to. And so Val Saunders, daughter to Mike and Susan Saunders, was born.
Georgia spends time with her daughter in their home in Leicestershire and her life is filled with promoting her books, writing and walking her dog Milly, the Jack Russell.

Website  -  Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Blog

********************************************************

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tell Me Something Tuesday

After a month long hiatus, Tell Me Something Tuesday is back! TMST is a weekly meme hosted by the fabulous author of the Heven and Hell series, Cambria Hebert. Each week bloggers get together and answers questions about anything and everything to get to know one another. If you would like to participate, visit her blog and grab next week's question and add your link. This week's question:

What kinds of paranormal creatures do you wish you could read more of? Are there any that you think are overdone?

This is a really difficult question because there are so many paranormals and supernaturals out there. I like all kinds of paranormal books from Fallen Angels to Fairies to Ghosts, but I love books about vampires. I am a huge Twilight fan and am addicted to The Vampire Diaries. Buffy is my go to DVD collection. I also have many books and movies that are all vampire-centric. I have always liked vampires so the current blast in vampire themed everything has been great!

I would like to read more about witches. I love Harry Potter and wish there were more magically inclined novels out there. The Sweep books are great, too. I haven't found a whole lot of YA books - especially with big publishers - out on the shelves. I read A Discovery of Witches and really liked it, but it was too adult and just not what I am looking for. I am looking for more witchiness - think along the lines of The Craft and the old 80's film The Worst Witch. Also, books that feature magic in a different way like the Gemma Doyle trilogy would be fantastic! If you know of any please let me know!

I am getting a little tired of werewolves. I know this may be sacrilegious to some, but they just aren't my cup of tea. The biggest problem I have is that they are shown as lower beings and aren't the greatest of humans when they shift. For example: the wolves in True Blood are straight up trailer trash. What exactly is hot about that? I prefer to see them like Kelley Armstrong writes - as elitist, strong, sexy and something to fear.

So what are your thoughts? What paranormals are you getting tired of and what do you want to see more of?

The Tragedy of Knowledge Tour

The Tragedy of Knowledge
(The Resistance Trilogy, #3)
by Rachael Wade
Publication Date: October 25, 2012
Format Reviewed: eARC (provided by author)

Synopsis:
The Battle Comes Home.

After arranging a hopeful but risky alliance during their visit to the Amaranthian realm, Camille, Gavin, and the resistance don’t have much time to recover from their failed mission. Forced to create a new strategy to achieve their goal, they embark on a different mission—one that possibly holds the missing key to their quest for victory, and their deadliest one yet.

As they attempt round two to restore peace and freedom for their kind, they must rely on help from the living, the bayous, and beyond to decipher allies from enemies, good magic from bad, and whether the source claiming to lead the way to their destiny can be trusted. Racing against the clock to solve the mystery of their fate, they find the battle has come right to their doorstep, and this time, everyone must pay a price.

Amazon     Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts:

The Showdown has begun. Everything that has happened in Amaranth and The Gates is now coming to a final and epic ending. With no way known to defeat the hybrid vampires, Gavin and Camille have little time to figure out what to do in order to defeat the evil King Gerard. Despite the fact that Gerard took Gavin's and Cam's main information source, Camille starts getting weird visions. Hoping that they will lead them to another source, they have to trust that these visions are helpful. And where the visions lead? Well, that is another place entirely. Cam and Gavin have to try to let someone else help them, but can they be trusted? 

With witches now on the duo's side, they must find out what part the Book of the Ancients will play in breaking the curse. However, they did not anticipate what parts they will have to play in the finale. Now doubtful of the outcome, Camille wonders if she will be able to help with the prophecy and end the curse or will everything be all for nothing? And after seeing Gerard and being given an ultimatum, they are as unsure as ever, but they have a plan and hope that it will work.

The ending to The Tragedy of Knowledge is heartbreaking and makes the title very apropos. I wanted to see something different, but everything was brought together and the finale was exciting and overwhelming. I was very happy to see that some of the vampires got what was coming to them (I won't name names) and that there were more twists and turns, surprises, and secrets revealed. Another thing I really love is that magic played a big part throughout the series. I love the idea of hoodoo and vampires and all the possibilities that it creates. And in this book, you won't be disappointed - magic is around every corner!

Wow! I could not put the entire series down. I read all three book within two days and did not want to come up for air! Rachael Wade is a master at world-building and she has created a story that is not only a great read, but that delves deeper into faith, magic, strength and friendship. The characters are genuine and are written so well that each person you read about, a bond is created. Good or evil, each character provokes emotion and one character was so creepy he gave me actual goosebumps. I am sad that this story is ending, but I am looking forward to what Ms. Wade has for us next. She is an amazing author and her books become a part of you. I recommend The Resistance Trilogy to everyone!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review as part of a blog tour. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.

Excerpt from The Tragedy of Knowledge:

***SPOILER ALERT: This excerpt includes spoilers from The Gates, book 2 of the series. If you haven’t read book 2 yet, you can pick it up here.***

 “All right. Look,” he said. “I’m going to come at you again from the same angle—when you’re not expecting it—and I want you to deflect my strike this time. All it takes is one stab of this silver, and you’re instantly slowed down, do you understand? It can mean the difference between living and dying. One strike will make it easier for your attacker to land another strike, and then another. Each one making you weaker. Which means seconds until you’re completely incapacitated. Then they can do whatever the hell they want to you. Think of it as paralyzing venom.”

“Gavin. I got it. We’ve been over this.” I pulled my hair tighter in the ponytail and wrapped it with an elastic tie, positioning myself in front of him again, knees bent, arms up, stance ready.

“Then get it together. I need you focused.”

“Did I mention I really don’t like your bossy side?”

“Did I mention I really hate that you don’t do as you’re told?”

He met my stance with an amused grin, rubbing his hands over his shoulders to push up his sleeves. My gaze caught the movement, zoning in on his defined arms. I swallowed, and managed, “Do as I’m told?”

“Uh huh.” He shuffled closer with slow, easy steps. “Out here, I’m not your husband. I’m not your lover. I’m your trainer. It’s my responsibility to show you how to defend yourself. And it’s your job to listen.”

“I am listening. You just make it difficult … to stay focused.”

“Oh, yeah?” He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my forehead, letting his fingers trail slowly over my skin while he peered down at me, licking his lips. “Why do I make it difficult for you to stay focused, love? Are you having a hard time keeping up?” Pushing the hair back behind my ear, he leaned in farther, grazing his nose against my cheek, smirking when he heard me exhale a low, shaky breath.

Damn him. “You know why.”

“Do I?” His grin widened.

“You do. And I won’t give you the satisfaction of hearing it come out of my mouth.”

“Cam,” he dragged his lips across my cheekbone to the base of my ear, “I can feel it, too. You don’t have to say it, because I’m in tune with your body like never before. We’re on the same level now. All that pent-up energy, trying to claw its way out of you …” Nipping my earlobe, he let out a low chuckle and skimmed his hand underneath the hem of my shirt, tracing the waistband of my jeans with rough, teasing fingers. My entire body came alive at his touch, blood singing, knees quaking, mouth watering. His scent was divine and his lips called to me like some wicked, elemental magic.

He knew exactly what he was doing. The bastard.

More than willing to play along, I inhaled a sharp breath and reciprocated, dragging my fingers down his torso, then back up, stopping just above his navel. His mouth still near the base of my ear, his breath hitched against my skin at the contact. Encouraged, I headed south again, rubbing and teasing, feeling him grow beneath my fingers, tilting my head to the side to expose my neck. He moaned and grazed his teeth over my shoulder and down to my collarbone, dropping his blade to the ground with a loud thud.

“You make me crazy. Do you know that?” He gripped my hips and pressed me against him. “Do you feel what you do to me?”

“It’s too intense,” I whispered, my voice breathy. I was already panting when he moved to the other side of my neck, nudging my head to tilt it in the opposite direction.

“I warned you. You had a taste back in Amaranth, right after you changed.” He started on the buttons of my shirt.

“But the pull is even harder to fight now. When you touch me … I have no self-restraint. Sometimes I feel like … like I can’t handle all the extra energy. Like I’ll detonate if I don’t act.”

“That’s part of the fun.”

“Gav … we’re in an open field.”

“Hasn’t stopped you yet.” He popped two more buttons. “I know you want me. Just relax and let me make you feel good, baby. That panic lessens when you give it an outlet.”

Shutting my eyes tight, I leaned up on tiptoe and wrapped my arms around his neck to kiss him hard, then released him and slowly sashayed in the other direction, challenging him from underneath coy lashes, the need to run singing in my veins. “Fine. And I know you want me, but you’ll have to catch me first.”

His mouth fell open and his brows raised, a surprised smile pulling at the corner of his lips; he was ready to take the bait. I surged forward into a turbo-charged sprint, clear across the field toward the woods ahead, feeling him feet behind me, fast on my trail. I blew through the edge of the brush and into the thick marsh, lifting off my feet into flight, deeper and deeper into the bayou.

Other Books in The Resistance Trilogy:

About the Author:

Twitter    Facebook     GoodReads     Website

Rachael Wade is the Amazon #1 bestselling author of the paranormal romance series, The Resistance Trilogy, and the contemporary romance, Preservation. When she's not writing, she's busy learning French, watching too many movies, and learning how to protect wildlife and stop animal cruelty. Visit her at www.RachaelWade.com and www.LightsOnOutreach.com, or come chat with her on Twitter via @RachaelWade.

Bruxa: The Secret Within - Tour & Contest

Thank you for visiting my stop on the Bruxa Tour hosted by Bewitching Book Tours. Please check out my review as well as an excerpt from the novel. Also, a Thank You to A.F. Costa for providing the the code for the book to review. To celebrate the tour, Bruxa will be on sale for $1.99 on Smashwords with the code: XD36B. In addition, there is a contest for a custom made bracelet! See below for details on where to go to enter!

Bruxa: The Secret Within
by A.F. Costa
Published: April 25, 2012
Genre: Paranormal YA
Paperback: 400 pages
ISBN-10: 1463704275
ISBN-13: 978-1463704278

Format Reviewed: eBook (code provided by author)

Synopsis:

Gabriella is no ordinary seventeen-year-old girl. She is the last to carry her mother’s rare bloodline of Bruxa, an ancient secret order of witches.

Settling into her late father’s estate, she is welcomed by a phantom presence that resurrects within her, a secret curse her father took to his grave ten years ago. Gabriella finally finds a sense of belonging and gains the affections of high school’s most desired boy, Joey Davale. Her newly found life becomes derailed when she learns her whole existence has been a lie, and the boy she’s falling for, is designed to destroy the very thing growing inside of her.

Forced to conceal this truth, Gabriella embarks on a secret life that will drive her into the arms of Alvero, the embodiment of her darkest fear. Her newly found heritage traps her in a dangerous web of lies between two worlds and two loves. Her life will become more dangerous than she ever imagined. As the age-old battle between witches and vampires collide, will she fall prey to her heart or welcome the predator inside?

The Intense and stylized, A.F.Costa’s debut is an alluring live wire full of intrigue and forbidden love. Bruxa: the secret within, powerful vision of witches and vampires will challenge your understanding and leave you craving more.

Smashwords  Amazon

My Thoughts:

Gabriella is sent to live with her Godmother while her mother makes last arraignments with her latest sale. She finally gets to attend a normal school with both boys and girls. Previously she only attended an all girls Catholic boarding school and has had no social interaction with boys. Now she lives next to one of the hottest guys in school, yet he seems to be completely put off by her. Not to mention that she may have outed her secret to him. Oops! But things are not always as they appear and she learns that Joey isn't as normal as she had thought. And come to find out, she isn't who she thought she was either.

Bruxa is a very original story. The author A.F. Costa has woven witches, vampires, Christianity, and the Knight's Templar together into something completely different from anything I have ever read. There aren't many books where the witches believe in God, but in Bruxa God created the witches for a very specific purpose. I had a hard time making this idea stick because it is just not done, but what Ms. Costa has written is definitely interesting and I kept reading.

I felt for Gabby as she came to terms with what she is and the secrets that were kept from her. She is a very naive character, but that just makes reading about her that much more fun. Seeing her fall for a guy for the first time was cute and you can't help but root for her. I don't know if I love Joey, I think there is more than he is letting on... As for Alvero, well you will have to find out for yourself.

There are a few issues with copy editing and formatting, mostly grammar issues with incorrect word usage i.e. whose instead of who's. And where there should be a break, it only changes paragraphs. I had to go back a few times to make sure I didn't miss something. However, the issues were minor and did not take away from the story.

I am looking forward to seeing what will happen when Gabby turns 18! I really enjoyed this unique take on witches and the paranormal genre. I am hoping that in book two there will be more magic and more romance!

★ ★ ★ ★ ½

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review as part of a blog tour. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.

An Alvero Exclusive:
I should have never tempted fate, like a magnetic pull, I had this eternal desire to see her in the flesh. It had been year since I last seen this child, the thought of Matthias creating life saved me from my never-ending darkness.

I could always sense her as I quietly watched from a distance, with her mother’s protective magic gone, I leaped at the chance to see her. I knew she had grown-up, nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to catch sight of. In all my 600 years I have never desired anything more, the very thing I use to hunt and kill has possessed me fully.

I can destroy her at any giving moment, but she welcomes me, it’s as if she hold my soul. She has bewitched me. Her very essence quenches my thirst and I have no desire to feed, I feel alive and human again, when I am near her. It kills me to hide in the shadows as another gains her affections, I hate that I can’t bring myself to face her. I fear she will remember, the night I first saw her 10 years ago, the night that forever changed our worlds.

Bruxa Playlist:

The Requiem- Linkin Park

Rusted Wheel- Silversun pickups

Secrets- OneRepublic

The Royal we- Silversun pickups

Dark side- Kelly Clarkson

Leave out all the rest- Linkin Park

Runaway – Linkin Park

Catch and Release - Silversun pickups

Valentine’s Day- Linkin Park

Contest!
Bruxa: The Secret Within Tour
Discover the Secret at www.af-costa.com for
Contest rules
Four lucky wins will receive one these custom-made Bracelets
Contest ends November 28 2012

Happy readings,
A.F.Costa

About the Author:

Website      Twitter      Facebook
A.F. Costa has been creating vivid, imaginary worlds before she could even pick up a book, so it was only natural for her to put a pen to paper the moment she learned to write. Growing up with rich Latin superstitions and strong spiritual beliefs sparked her interests for the paranormal world.

Captivating small audiences with her campfire stories resurrected her passion for writing, but seeing her same passions for reading and writing developing in her son has inspired her the most.

Toronto, Ontario-based stylist A.F.Costa has been showcasing her creative abilities for over sixteen years, working with some of the best in the industry. As it is with her visual creativity, A.F. Costa brings the same passion to her writing. In Bruxa: the Secret Within, you‘ll discover an innovative world of witches and vampires like no other, blending Latin, Portuguese and Hebrew folklore into a modern day love story with an unforgettable twist.

Dreamwalker Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway!!

Thank you A Tale of Many Reviews for the opportunity to be a part of the Dreamwalker Tour. Also a big thank you to Andrea Heltsley for stopping by and for providing the book to read and review. Make sure to check out the Linky below to see the other stops on this tour.

Dreamwalker

Persephone's League of Immortals, #1

by Andrea Heltsley

Published May 23, 2012

Formats Available: Paperback, eBook ~434 pages

Synopsis:

Noel Kennedy lost her boyfriend, her job and her dignity all in one week. Then something happened and she began to dream of this stranger she had never met. She couldn’t resist the man of her dreams named Jared especially when she met him in real life. Entranced, she slowly unraveled a world she was meant to stay out of. Her life was not what she thought it was once a sexy Boone stepped into the mix and shook things up. Can she escape a life of servitude or immortality for a chance at love?

Amazon      Barnes & Noble      CreateSpace 

My Thoughts:

First, let me say how gorgeous this cover is! I have a love affair with all of Andrea's books. The cover makes me swoon; it sparkles and is ethereal and I just want to pet it. Another beautiful creation by PhatPuppy. 

After having read another book by Andrea Heltsley, I was hesitant going into Dreamwalker. Boy were my fears unfounded! While I couldn't get into the last book, I was instantly sucked into Noel's story. Just within the first chapter Noel's heart is broken and I felt every bit of her hurt. Noel is told by her boyfriend - of three years - that she just isn't the one for him. He wants someone more adventurous and she just doesn't cut it. Understandably, Noel spirals into a deep depression, even ditching work. One night Noel starts having these really crazy, vivid dreams. A sexy man who is the epitome of her dream man. She even thinks that she sees the man in her dreams on the street, but when she looks again, he is gone but a coin is left in his place. That coin turns out to be a magical item of protection. One that Noel needs, but why?

Then, while Noel and Autumn were out blowing off steam, Noel meets him, Jared, the man from her dreams. But then he disappears. Then a new totally sexy man, Boone, (Jared's partner) shows up and asks Noel if she knew where Jared went. After that the plot really starts to unfold. Not to mention a love triangle, that will have you choosing teams! Noel is part of something bigger and more important than she could have ever imagined. And her dreams? Not really dreams, but real events. She is a Dreamwalker and can enter into people's dreams. A whole new world is opened up and supernatural creatures are everywhere and they are out to get her because Persephone wants her for her Dreamwalking abilities. 

Noel is not who she thought she was either. Not only is she a Dreamwalker, but she has a life that doesn't remember because her memories were wiped by a witch (who is someone she knows) when she was just a girl. She also has a sister that she hasn't seen in years and is reunited with. Along with some rogue agents from Persephone, Noel, her sister and the witch work together to win their freedom from the underworld and from becoming a slave to Persephone herself. Wow! There is so much going on in this book and I could not put it down until I knew what was going on!

There were a few quirks that could have been fixed; grammar issues, POV changes were not clear, and dialogue was lacking. Another problem is that characters are not fully fleshed out, but they were so much better than the first book I read by the author. Despite the cons, I still felt that Andrea created a very imaginative twist on the Persephone myth. Where most of them are focused on Persephone's plight, in Dreamwalker we see the Queen of Hell that she really is. I loved that there were so many types of supes used in the story: witches, fae, goblins, greek mythological creatures and so many more. I can't wait for more! I really found the imagery, especially that of the underworld, breathtaking. 

★ ★ ★ ★ ½

I am totally Team Boone!!

FTC Advisory: I was given a copy of this book from the author for an honest review as part of a blog tour. No backroom deals or whispered promises were made.

About the Author:

I am a biology nerd who decided it was more fun writing than dissecting. I have written two novels and my third will be out this summer. I live on coffee and read like a robot. My husband and two italian greyhounds usually have to tear me away from the computer...imagine that. :)

Blog     Twitter     Facebook     Goodreads     Pinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway


a Rafflecopter giveaway