Flight Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt

Flight
The Crescent Chronicles, #1
by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Published on August 16, 2012
Genre: Mature YA, New Adult Paranormal Romance
Format Reviewed: eBook ARC ~55,000 words

Synopsis:
Sometimes you just have to take flight.

A summer in New Orleans is exactly what Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad’s invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind—until she sees Levi.

Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between following the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just save her.

Amazon (Kindle) | B&N (Nook) | Smashwords 

My Thoughts:

Allie has just graduated from high school and is staying in New Orleans working at her father's new hotel for the summer before she is off to Princeton in the fall. And this summer was going to be different. She has sworn off men after a disastrous breakup and just wants to have some fun with her friend Jess. However, after meeting the incredibly sexy Levi and his friends, Allie has to decide if that is what she really wants.  Allie was staying strong and resisting Levi's charms until one night of partying that went too far that made Jess go back home. Levi has worked his way into Allie's life and when he shares a secret with her, Allie can't control her feelings anymore and she is now part of a reality she had no idea existed. 

I wanted to hate Levi, I really did. I wanted Allie to stay strong and resist him...and then, I didn't. Levi is a mysterious, arrogant and seriously hot guy and he knows it, which just makes him just that much more infuriating. I love how Allie is able to catch him off guard and match his over the top come-on's with an ice-cold nonchalance. They are a great match for each other because they keep each other on their toes and challenge one another. I also like that there is no insta-love, lust yes, but not love or even like. Allie learns to tolerate Levi and their feelings grow from there. Allie makes Levi work for her trust and this is something I wish I saw more of from all my favorite female characters.

The trickling of information brought in throughout the story flows in a way that makes it so you can't put it down. There are big revelations at key points, but nothing is ever given away completely. I kept thinking I knew what was going on, that I had it figured out, but nope, I was wrong. I am not going to give away any secrets, but the supernatural elements were cool. I love the idea of a secret society run by supernaturals and the hierarchy is enlightening. I also like that there are creepy elements and that not everything or everyone is what they seem; evil exists in both worlds.

I can't express in words how much I loved this book! Alyssa Rose Ivy has created a story wrought with romance, suspense, secrets, and possibilities. Flight is unique and captivating and has made Alyssa one of my favorite authors! I can't wait for Focus, book two in The Crescent Chronicles to be released. I can't believe we have to wait until 2013!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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.

***Excerpt***:

Closing my eyes, I tried to block it all out. Convinced I was about to die, I was only partly aware of his arms around me.

“You said you wanted an adventure,” he said quietly, teasingly, as he tightened his hold.

My stomach dropped out as an intense and complete feeling of weightlessness engulfed me. The wind stung my face as memories flooded my mind. I thought of my parents, of all the things I wanted to tell them but never did, my friends from home, and the experiences I longed for. Quickly my thoughts changed to more recent memories, to Levi.

“Open your eyes,” he whispered, somehow knowing my eyes were clenched shut.

Against my better judgment, I listened. The scream died in my throat as we hurtled toward the water that had seemed so beautiful from the roof above.

About the Author:
Alyssa Rose Ivy lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Dancing with Death Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway!

Again, thank you to A Tale of Many Reviews for the opportunity to be a part of the Dancing with Death 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. 

Dancing with Death
(A Dancing Book #1)
by Andrea Heltsley
Published: August 10, 2012
Format Reviewed: ARC eBook

Synopsis:
Murders have plagued the woods in the past, making them a place of fear. Eighteen year old Wendy and her friends become worried when a new string of murders come to their high school. After a horrible car accident, Wendy returns to school, going from wallflower to popular overnight. As the murderer edges closer to Wendy she realizes things are changing. She is afflicted with nightmares that are all too real and she herself is undergoing unnatural changes. Learning the truth about her past, could be the key to saving her future.

Amazon     Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts:

"Run Wendy. Run as fast as you can. Death is coming and he is coming for you."

Wendy, a regular high school girl, is in a terrible car accident. If not for the mysterious stranger that rescued her - and her new boots - from the car, she would be a goner. But should she have died? After being plagued by nightmares and receiving cryptic messages from someone - or something - Wendy starts to think so. Not to mention that there is a murderer on the loose who just might have his sights on her. Wendy has to figure out what is going on and fast. 

This is the third book that I have read by author Andrea Heltsley and I have to say she has a great imagination! When I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I had to read it. While this is not my favorite novel from her, there are some things I really like about Ms. Heltsley's writing. For example, there is constant theme in all her books of the strength of friendship how every main character has a BFF sidekick that never waivers from their side. Also, all of her characters are strong females and use their individuality to their advantage.

In general, I am getting a little wary of the love triangle aspect in all of YA fiction. In Dancing with Death, the triangle is between a new kid that Wendy is immediately drawn to and the hot new school librarian. And even though Wendy is 18, I felt uneasy about the latter match - too student/teacher. But, I can't deny that the scenes between Wendy and her men weren't steamy. Some other things that I did not like was that the dialogue was forced in some places, and the characters, while fun, didn't have much depth. They were stereotypical teenagers and the girls spent a lot of time thinking and talking about what to wear. 

What I love about Dancing with Death is the paranormal twists and the mystery woven throughout the book. Who is the murderer? Why do they want Wendy dead? And what about her dreams, what do they mean? And the revealing of Wendy's family's secret history is a surprise and I am looking forward to seeing how that is expanded upon in the next book. Overall, I would say that this is a good start to a new series and those who like YA/Upper YA Paranormal Romance should add it to their shelves. 

★ ★ ★ ★

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.

Author Andrea Heltsley

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Review: Soulbound

Soulbound
Legacy of Tril, #1

by Heather Brewer
Published by: Dial
Publication Date: June 19, 2012
Formats Available: eBook, Hardcover ~306 pages

Synopsis:
What's worse than being blackmailed to attend a hidden school where you're treated like a second-class citizen? How about nearly getting eaten by a monster when you arrive? Or learning that your soulmate was killed in a centuries-old secret war? And then there's the evil king who's determined to rule the world unless you can stop him...
Meet Kaya, a young woman with the power to heal and the determination to fight. But struggle as she will, she remains tied to three very different men: a hero who has forsaken glory, a tyrannical ruler who wants to use Kaya, and a warrior who's stolen her heart. Kaya learns the hard way that some ties can't be broken...and blood is the strongest bond of all. -from Goodreads

The Cover: The cover represents the characterization of Kaya well. The katana is the weapon of choice for the Barrons and the Chainmail mask represents the importance of the mask Kaya must wear throughout the book. Girl Power!

My Thoughts: 

What would you fight for?

In the world of Tril, a war is being fought. An evil king is trying to rid the world of Healers because they are what stand in his way of killing Barrons- the warriors. Each Barron has another half, a Healer that they are Bound to that can heal them with just a touch. Soulbound couples are born. They are destined for each other and have a connection that rivals none other. However, in the unfortunate event that a Healer or a Barron has died, a new pair can be Bound, but the bond will never be as strong as a Soulbound’s. 

The premise for Soulbound is beautiful. The idea that there is someone out there that is made to fit you perfectly sounds like a dream. But that is all it is because life is never that clean cut and especially not love. After learning that her Barron died before she could meet him, Kaya is Bound to Trayton, a sweet but naive Protocol-loving Barron. Kaya finds that she has feelings for him and that those feelings are mutual, but he won’t let her be who she wants to be.

Enter Darius, the silver-haired young man with a definite dislike for Kaya. Hoping to find out why he treats her so badly, Kaya sneaks out in the middle of the night to confront him and finds two Graplars inside the school walls. After being bitten and barely surviving, Kaya decides that she will not stand back and let someone else fight for her.  Since Trayton would never betray Protocol, she finds someone else who will –Darius.  Although training is not easy and Darius seems to go out of his way to make it harder for Kaya, she never falters and never backs down. 

Kaya is one of my favorite female leads. She is an outspoken, strong-willed, stubborn, kick ass heroine. Kaya believes that just because she is a Healer it does not mean she can’t fight, can’t protect herself or those she loves. But to the Zettai Council, that is exactly what she and all other Healers are supposed to do. They are there to heal their Barrons and in turn their Barrons will protect them. In fact, at Shadow Academy this stereotype is enforced by the teachers and the headmaster. However, nothing will stop Kaya from learning to fight. The only thing that holds Kaya back at all is the promise of retaliation on her family. 

I am not a fan of Trayton. He is too concerned with the rules and has a zealous outlook towards the Zettai Council. When he is angry at Kaya, he acts like a teenage girl and tries to make her jealous. I understand that they have a bond, but he thinks too much of himself. This is demonstrated by the fact that he keeps repeating that he will protect her but has failed to do so multiple times. Darius, on the other hand, is no prize either. He is cocky and can’t handle a little competition. 

Soulbound is an amazing book. Between the great characters, the plot that twists around and around, and the beautifully crafted world, Soulbound is destined to be a new favorite in the YA Fantasy genre. The themes and issues that Heather Brewer ties into the story are so intricate and detailed that it left me thinking about it for days after I finished. As for the ending – I knew it, I knew it! I cannot believe the book ended where it did. There are so many questions left unanswered, but I have no doubt they will be addressed in the subsequent books. I will be waiting with baited breath for the next installment!

**Favorite Quote: "Loyalty to anything in such an absolute manner was dangerous." 

**Mini Excerpt: "It was almost an impossible thing to do, to stay focused, to stay in the here and now when my world was spinning and turning upside down, but I held on, nodding my promise to him..."

**Quotes taken from an ARC, not the final edited version.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

One of the best books I have ever read!!

FTC Advisory: I received this ARC for free through Goodreads First Reads and it was sent directly to me from the publisher.

Where to Buy:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iTunes

Stalk the Author:

Official Legacy of Tril Website

Legacy of Tril FB

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