Focus by Alyssa Rose Ivy Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway!

Focus
(The Crescent Chronicles, #2)
by Alyssa Rose Ivy
Release Date: January 23, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Age Range: New Adult - Mature YA

Book Blurb:Freshman year of college is hard even when you're not tied to the future king of a supernatural society.
Allie dives into college head first with Hailey as her roommate and the city of New Orleans as her backyard. As things within The Society heat up, Allie realizes that whether she’s with Levi or not, she's in far too deep to turn back.

***Warning - If you have not read the first book in the series, Flight, then you should not read this review as it has some major spoilers from book one!!***

Find my review of the first book Flight here.

After reading Flight and being completely stunned by the ending I could not wait to read Focus. Once again, I was thrust into the world that Ms. Ivy has woven with Levi and Allie at the center of it. Last we heard, Allie said something to Levi that was simply outrageous and untrue. I was really angry with her for acting like a brat. Yes, I know she was tricked into being Levi's mate, but he loves her and though that doesn't make up for what he did, she needs to get over it! Levi is arrogant, infuriating, and extremely sexy. Allie is independent and stubborn and tries to push down her feelings to make Levi pay for the deception.

Now it is a new day in Focus and Allie and Hailey are at college trying to have a normal life. Well, as normal as a Pteron princess and a small entourage could muster. All she wants is a fresh start and some space from all of the drama surrounding Levi, but Levi being who he is, just can't stay away. Actually, most of the time it is Levi doing something to try and win her back and Allie being stubborn and refusing to budge. Like I said, I get that she should be mad, but it is almost too much with her. I found myself getting really annoyed with her at times. (They reminded me of Rory and Logan in Gilmore Girls - how he would do these elaborate gestures and she would just ignore them.) But despite Levi and Allie's constant bickering, they have a chemistry between them that oozes sexuality. Especially since they kiss so much! And she does give finally let him in a little.

Since Levi couldn't actually let Allie go to school alone, he along with Owen and Jared have tagged along. I like that we get to see more of the guys and see a progression of character, especially in Jared who I disliked in Flight. Along with the Pteron males and Hailey, Allie makes some new normal friends in Tiffany and Anne. One of whom may be a love interest of Jared?? Ms. Ivy has really created dynamic characters that evolve and grow. Even her secondary characters are well written. In addition, Ms. Ivy's creativity in building the paranormal underground and secret society is fantastic. We get to learn more about Levi's role in the society and his duties as prince.

Allie whose ice is finally melting towards Levi finds out that he has been keeping another something from her - a Big something. I am not quite sure what to think about it: is he trying to ease her into things so she won't run again - or something else? From what Levi knows about Allie I think he should just be up front with her. Then we get to the ending! Total and complete twist that I never saw coming - and I usually have at least an inkling of an idea of what is to come - nope not this time! And really? Another freaking cliffhanger?? Alyssa Rose Ivy has written a sequel that is just as exciting, sensual, and action packed as the the first book Flight. Focus is amazing and I am dying to read Found!!

Scorching Hot Read! Left me completely breathless!

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.

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a Young Adult and New Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. 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. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.
Find her on:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Find Focus on:
Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Found by Alyssa Rose Ivy & Giveaway

Found

(The Crescent Chronicles, #3)
by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Expected Release Date: Summer 2013
New Adult Paranormal Romance
Once Upon a Time Covers

Synopsis:
Levi might be hot, strong, and have a cool set of wings, but it's not enough to make up for keeping Allie in the dark. 

Allie's tired of being left with more questions than answers. She's tired of loving a guy who refuses to level with her. Most of all, she's tired of her life spinning out of control.
Desperate to save Jess no matter the personal cost, Allie has to face the possibility that the only one she can trust is herself.

About the Author:

Website     Twitter

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a Young Adult and New Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. 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. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

My Thoughts:

I am seriously in love with this cover. Serious hotness and I am loving the wings! I think that this is my favorite of all the covers in this series. Definitely.

Giveaway!!!

One lucky winner will get win either Flight or Focus courtesy of the author through Smashwords. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment telling me what you think about this cover and all the covers in this series. Please leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win. I will use a randomizer and choose a winner. Here are the links below to check out the covers. Please follow me through one of the options: GFC, Networked Blogs, Linky. Giveaway ends on February 7!

Flight (The Crescent Chronicles, #1)

Focus (The Crescent Chronicles, #2)

Cover Reveal courtesy of AToMR.

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 |

Promo Tour & Giveaway: Flight by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Flight

The Crescent Chronicles, #1

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Genre: Mature YA/New Adult Paranormal Romance,

Publisher: Self-Published

Ebook & Print Formats (print available soon)

Words: 55,000

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 | 

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 |

***Tour Wide Giveaway***

a Rafflecopter giveaway