Shadow Embraced Blog Tour: Review, Book Trailer, Excerpt, Guest Post, & Giveaway!

A huge Thank You to Dark World Books for the opportunity to be a part of this tour! Also, to the author, Cheree Smith, Thank You for the ARC and for writing such an awesome story! And a Thanks to NetGalley for the Galley - I knew I had to read this book even before I knew about the tour! 

**To my readers: make sure to check out all the goodies on this post: there is so much to see and read! And don't forget to enter the Giveaway!**

Shadow Embraced
(Haven, #1)
by Cheree Smith
Published April 29, 2013
Published by Dark Cherry Press
Genre: YA Horror/Paranormal
Format Reviewed: Galley from NetGalley
Formats Available: eBook, Paperback ~234 pages

Book Blurb:
No escape.
Those words haunt Scar's dreams. She thinks the creature that terrorises her while asleep isn't real, but when she's abducted and taken to a reform school meant to contain creatures too dangerous to function in society, she starts to wonder whether she isn't some monster.

She turns to an underground fight club full of vampires, werewolves and witches established by the students to control her urges, and who is she kidding, she loves to fight.

When fighters begin to disappear, turning Scar into the prime suspect, she must race to prove her innocence before her true nature is exposed.

The only problem is that she's not entirely sure she's innocent.

Amazon – Smashwords – Barnes & Noble

Like many books lately, this book, Shadow Embraced, was nothing like what I thought it would be. I mean, hello? An underground fight club for supernaturals? I have seen it before in various mediums - mostly on television, but in print it is just something different and something awesome! Scarlet, aka, Scar has a penchant for violence. She likes to fight and doesn't really know why and keeps ending up in clubs with her friend Alex and inevitably gets into a fight. Not only is she in fights, but after her brawls have ended - with both parties alive - her opponents are ending up dead. Who or what is trying to frame Scar? And why? Well, after one too many she is caught by her police officer of a father and is forbidden to see her best friend. And we all know how well that works out right? *Insert sarcasm here* Of course, she ends up sneaking out with Alex, but without knowing why, she grows fangs and attacks Alex.

The next thing Scar knows is that she is being sent to boarding school - Haven a so called reform school. Oh, how I love boarding school stories! And not any boarding school, one for monsters: Vampires, Witches, and Werewolves. But Scar isn't quite a regular vampire; she is a Dhampir and is technically not allowed to exist because this means a supernatural and a Non (non Supe) got together and had a child which is very frowned upon. And not only is she different, she hears things and feels things greater than most. The words "No Escape" keep running through her mind and have been since she lived with her so-called 'parents'. So now, not only has she lost the only family she has ever known, she is in a new place where she isn't exactly welcome. Sucks to be Scarlett!

As a character, Scar is one that needs some love, but she can't even reach out to the mother she thought she knew. She has all the teen angst she can handle and now she is thrust into a world she knows nothing about. But, there is much more going on than she realizes and must figure it all out. And she fights, a lot. The book starts with fighting and it doesn't just stop when she enters Haven. At first I did not like Scar, but she grew on me little by little. That is how the whole book Shadow Embraced was for me; a new surprise/twist around every corner. There are a few secondary characters that I liked, but mostly the focus was on Scar and her mission to find a rouge killer, but I wouldn't do this review justice if I did not mention the swoon worthy boys, mean girls and the obligatory hateful teachers. What school could function without them? Plus, I love how nothing is quite stereotypical.

Overall, I found Shadow Embraced to be an exciting and incredibly fast-paced read. I was left wondering more about certain things such as the background of Haven and the supernatural world and I would have liked to see a little more romance. And what are the Ghosts and Centurions??But, for those who like the Hex Hall series and the Vampire Academy series, should definitely give Shadow Embraced a try! I am waiting for book two and hoping that all my questions will be answered! A great first book in this new series by Cheree Smith! 

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

Guest post by athor Cheree Smith!

Soundtrack of Shadow Embraced

When writing I like to write against music. The write music can give inspiration as well as help drive the story and defeat writer’s block, and when I start a new project I like to create a new playlist based on themes that are present in the story and songs that could represent a character’s theme song.

Here are the songs that belonged on Shadow Embraced playlist:

1. Down with the Sickness by Disturbed
2. Monster by Skillet
3. Fight by Icon for Hire
4. Monster by Paramore
5. Pieces by Icon for Hire
6. Never Look Back by The Nearly Deads
7. It’s the Fear by Within Temptation
8. Faster by Within Temptation
9. Throwing Punches by Paramore
10. Fight Inside by Red

Chapter 1

_____________________

THE PALE GIRL KNOCKS ME BACK AGAINST THE fleshy wall of the crowd with a couple of hard smacks. I scramble away from a woman in a purple dress, my eyes on my opponent. Over the pulsing music, the crowd keeps up their tribal chant:

“Fight! Fight! Fight!”

This is my first time at The Basement – innovative name for a club set up on the second-storey. The dim lights and smoky atmosphere make the graffiti on the walls blaze. Between the pinball machines, sagging lounges, and the close-pressed crowd, there isn’t much room to manoeuvre.

“What are you waiting for?” the girl hisses. She could be Snow White with her porcelain skin and long, raven hair. “You started this. It was between me and her.” She extends one long finger towards my best friend, Alex.

Alex watches from the side-line. This is becoming the norm. Whenever we go out she always gets in trouble and I’m the one to fix it – usually with some bloodshed.

I don’t know what Alex did to piss this poisonous cow off, but now I want blood.

My opponent launches at me. I shield my face from her punches. It all comes down to waiting for an opening. She’s fast, almost as fast as me. It’s difficult to maintain my balance long enough to strike back.

I duck under a right hook and seize my chance. I throw an uppercut and knock her pale ass to the ground.

A single word roars through the room. “Scatter!”

The tight circle breaks and chaos erupts. The girl springs to her feet. The need to fight still blazes in her eyes, but there’s something else emerging as well. Her eyes change to a deep crimson. I stumble back, trying to suppress the cold fear swimming in my gut.

The woman in purple looms closer. Her dress drags along the floor as she moves. Grabbing my opponent by the arm, she whispers something in her ear.

The woman’s gaze meets mine. Her eyes are as white as quartz with a translucent glaze. I can’t take my attention off of her. I hadn’t noticed the long black stick she carries until now. Her body twists in my direction and she pushes people out of the way with her stick as she nears, dragging the girl – who thrashes and screams – behind her. The girl’s red eyes still focused on me.

I can’t move.

The room plunges into darkness, leaving only the faint bank of emergency lights marking the stairs.

“Come on, Scar. We have to get out of here.” Alex seizes my arm, forcing me back into reality. She pulls me towards the scattering of kids that remain from the mass exodus.

By the time we reach the exit, sirens howl above the noise. The only means of escape is cut off and people charge back up the stairs, taking refuge on the darkened dance floor. The cops block the exit and seal the room.

A strong hand grips my shoulder and jerks me backwards into a group of girls. I fall to the ground and heavy individuals trample on my legs. A cop forces my hands behind my back and secures them in cool metal cuffs.

He pulls me to my feet and leads me down the packed staircase.

“I’ve got it from here,” a familiar voice says as a hand clutches my shoulder. “I’m sure they still need your help inside.”

“Okay,” the cop says, relinquishing his hold of me. “If you’re sure.”

“I am.” The new cop takes me over to his car and unfastens the cuffs. Opening the back door, he says, “You know, I can’t keep doing this for you.”

I open my mouth to say something, but he cuts me off.

“I don’t want to hear it. We’ll talk about this at home.”

I slide onto the vinyl seat and close the door. “Sorry, Dad,” I whisper.

I lean my head against the cold window of the car door and wait for the car to start up. It takes about five minutes before Dad’s sitting behind the wheel and we’re heading away from the club.

An involuntary shiver creeps up my spine as the image of the woman in purple comes to mind. It really looked as if she was coming for me. I don’t even want to think about what she wanted. Turning my attention to the passing scenery, I shake all thoughts of that woman out of my head.

The streetlights forge speech bubbles of illumination in the air. A faint glow from the moon casts eerie shadows behind the dark clouds. The early morning streets of Sydney are still packed with people coming and going from clubs. Most of the girls look like they borrow all their clothes from their little sisters. The guys, on the other hand, choose a different style; fighting hard to keep their pants from falling down. For some reason, they think it’s an appealing look.

I turn my head to face the back of Dad’s seat. His messy auburn hair pokes out from beneath his blue hat. He takes an occasional glimpse at me from the central mirror.

The car slams to the right as we turn a corner and my heart jerks against my ribs. We stop at the curb in front of an aging two-storey redbrick townhouse. Dad gets out and moves around to my door. He opens it and waits for me to get out – without saying a single word to me.

I glance at the house. Mum stands in the open doorway, and she doesn’t look happy. She still has her nurse uniform on. Strands of tangled sandy hair fall free of her ponytail.

I stop in front of her. “Hi, Mum.” My voice comes out as a whisper.

Mum stares at me with puffy hazel eyes for a moment before turning around and going back inside.

“You’d better get to your room.” Dad enters the apartment and leaves me standing in the doorway. “Your mother and I will speak with you later.”

I force my legs to continue moving, staring at the brownish carpet that lines the floor.

Gripping the banister, I launch myself up the stairs. The scent of lavender and bleach drifting around me brings a nauseous wave to my stomach.

I rush to my room, ignoring the loud conversation coming from my parents’ room, and close the door behind me. All the movie stars and bands from the posters covering my walls watch me with accusing eyes.

Wiping the tears away, I throw myself onto the bed without even bothering to pull the sheets down. Feeling the soft mattress beneath me, I draw my eyes shut. I can only muster enough strength to kick my shoes off before the endless abyss of sleep overtakes me.

* * *

The scene plays out as if I’m watching a movie. I stand in a church. Don’t ask me why – I’m not religious, and I’m not even sure if I’ve set foot inside a real one. Thin streamers of light drift through the dirt encrusted stained glass, making spider webs glisten high up in the rafters. The few pews that remain standing sag. The rest is kindling strewn across the floor.

I move down the aisle. The floorboards creak beneath my feet. Each step launches billows of dust through the air. I can see it. A single mirror stands at the far end beside a pedestal that holds a golden chalice. Believe me, I don’t want to be anywhere near it, but my feet have a mind of their own.

The mirror is not normal. Its surface casts no reflection. All I can see beneath the glass is a vast sea of jet-black nothingness, and yet, I know something is hiding there within the shadows. Something that waits for me, watching me. That’s what scares me the most.

‘No escape,’ a voice that doesn’t sound human sneers.

A scent drifts past my nose and makes my mouth water. It smells like cinnamon and honey, but I know it isn’t. My gaze dances around the hall, coming to rest on the chalice.

As I reach out, every nerve screams I must have it. Using my other hand, I try to stop myself. I don’t want it, I only have to tell my mutinous hand that. It won’t stop. I grip the smooth stem. It pulsates with warmth. The thick crimson liquid swirls within the bowl. I raise the cup to my mouth and my heart races as the warm liquid touches my lips.

‘No escape,’ the voice repeats in a low growl.

Cheree Smith lives in a country town in Australia as a high school English teacher where she writes paranormal, horror and dark stories for young adults. She enjoys listening to and learning about legends and myths, watching scary movies and dreaming up new worlds where monsters can come alive. When she is not in her writing cave she can be found listening to music, even dabbling in the occasional writing of music or reading.

Website – Blog – Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads

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5 swags composed by a gorgeous silver locket, rack card, sticker, button, magnet, and a delightful solid perfume!

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Runes Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway!!

Thank you NetGalley and Firetrail Publishing for giving me a chance to read and review Runes. Also, thanks to Xpresso Tours and Ednah Walters for the opportunity to be a part of the Runes Tour.
Readers: please make sure to check out the Giveaway!

Runes
(Runes, #1)
by Ednah Walters
Published: May 20, 2013
Published by Firetrail Publishing
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Formats: eBook, Paperback ~245 pages

Book Blurb:
Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.

Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.

Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about Torin. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only are she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.

Amazon Paperback  -  Kindle (US)   -  Kindle (UK)  -  Kindle (CA)

Barnes&Noble  -  Smashwords

Raine (Rain with a silent 'E') Cooper's life has been difficult lately. Her father has been missing for three months after a plane crash that left many dead and some alive. The problem is, is that her father's body is among neither of the two categories. He is missing. Raine's mother believes he is fine and will be home any day, but Raine is starting to lose hope. He is supposed to be there when she turns 17, make her breakfast, and watch her wear her "Never Been Kissed" shirt that Raine and her best friend Eirik made a pact about years ago. Now everything seems to be falling apart.

Ahh, Eirik. Raine's best friend since they were practically toddlers together. She has the biggest crush on him, but he never has made any move so they are in the friend zone. For now, that is...
Enter Torin, the new next door neighbor with the sapphire eyes and chiseled body. The first time Torin and Raine meet he instantaneously makes her irritated and a lust bunny at the same time. But she loves Eirik and tries to stay away from the boy/man who makes her insides quiver. But things are never that simple and there is something about him that is off. He can make things happen - or unhappen - without anyone knowing. And after he heals her after she is attacked, she must know what he is and why he is there.

I was intrigued by the book's title. I love books that deal with runes and runic mythology and Runes is nothing I could have imagined it to be. Once I started the book, there was nothing that was going to get in my way from finishing it and finding out the secrets for myself. Ms. Walters did a great job of bringing each character to life. Cora, Raine's other BFF is hilarious and yet has a very serious and protective side. All the characters are very relatable and I never felt that they were not well rounded and genuine.

I also love her use of Nordic mythology, it is the pantheon I know the most about and I still could not figure out what Torin was. I was frustrated that it took 80% of the book to find out the big secret, but the buildup was done in a way that I was not bored along the way. And the bad guys, well they are bad, but there are also things unseen that I can't discuss without giving things away. But, there is so much going on and no one is ever who they seem. There is a love triangle, but it wasn't as infuriating as most are in YA fiction. And I know who I hope Raine ends up with, but I will keep my mouth shut until I read the second book.

The ending...I just don't even know what to say about it. It ripped my heart out and made me want to crumple to the ground and cry. However, the second book, Immortals, will be coming out soon and I must have it ASAP! There was nothing about this book that I did not love. NOTHING. At first I was irritated by the spelling of Eirik's name, but then when it was explained why, I was placated. There is romance, friendship, love, death, and real emotion throughout. Ms. Walters has written a book that I thought was going to be good, but I was pleasantly surprised that it is great! Anyone who likes mythology, romance, and a story that will suck you in and never leave, then Runes is the book for you! 

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

EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.

Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, will be released April 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN.

Ednah also writes New Adult paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. She is presently working on book 2, IMMORTALS.

Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published four more books in this series. She's presently working on book six. You can visit her online at www.ednahwalters.com or www.ebwalters.com.

Website  -  Goodreads  -  Facebook  -  Twitter

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Tour Grand Prize (INTL)

1st prize: A choice of signed copy or e-book of Runes and $25 gift card from Amazon

2 prize: A choice of signed copy or e-book of Runes and $10 gift card from amazon.

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Fractured Soul by Rachel McClellan Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway!

Fractured Soul
(Fractured Light, #2)
by Rachel McClellan
Publication Date: February 12, 2013
Published by: Cedar Fort
Formats Available: eBook, Hardcover ~335 pages

Book Blurb:
Llona will do whatever it takes to protect her new found friends and home, but the dark plot that is threatening Lucent Academy, a school that’s supposed to be a safe place for Auras, may be too powerful for even Llona to defeat.

This fast-paced tale of love, loyalty, and overcoming the darkness will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page!

Amazon - Barnes & Noble

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

Llona and May are now at Lucent Academy, a school for Auras and the few Furies left. Despite her previous adamant refusals to attend, she realized there was so much that she didn't know about herself and her powers as an Aura. But Lucent isn't what she expected. Lucent only teaches Auras how to stay safe and hide from the world. They believe that all Auras are equal and there should be no competition or anything that could lead to hurt feelings. (The P.E. class scenes were ridiculous!)  They also believe that they are never to defend themselves, that a guardian should fight for them. So now Llona has to attend a school with pampered princesses who instantly dislike her and she flaunts the rules at every turn. She desperately needs to get away so she climbs out of her window and runs through the woods surrounding the school where she finds more trouble...and Christian who was supposed to be in Oregon.

Then there is the fact that she killed the Vyken who murdered her mother with her light (and got bit during the fight), but she doesn't understand why it is such a big deal to the council. Or why their history books only go back to the 1930's. And there are more things that Llona doesn't understand: why is she drawn to the darkness, why does she crave violence, and why is her temper and anger so flammable? She can't go to her aunt Sophie who has made it clear that she is just like her mother and will end up dead. (I really disliked Sophie!) After another run throughout the woods she meets Liam, who was also bitten by a Vyken, and helps her learn to suppress the darkness and learn what she has become. Then she learns that the council has been infiltrated and that there are things happening that will bring about a huge battle, one that in order to win, she will need more help than  she knows.

After reading the first book Fractured Light, I was intrigued. This was a new concept, was exciting and captivating. I knew I wanted to read the second book to see where it was going to go, but I had no idea that I would love Fractured Soul so much more than the first book. I don't use this word very much, but the ending was epic. I love Llona's character. She is spunky and courageous - if not a tad impulsive - and is very relatable. She has been through so much with loosing both her parents and friends and when she finally has something solid, she fights with everything she has to not let it go. I like that all the characters are fully formed and not just wallpaper. The romance is sweet and agonizing and I really liked Christian and Llona's chemistry. Thankfully, there is not a love triangle and between the two books the relationship blossoms, but is not the main focus.

Rachel McClellan's writing is engaging and she was able to pull you into Llona's world seamlessly. She is able to draw out emotion and make you feel everything Llona feels. I do wish though that the various types of beings were more elaborated upon, I really like the various species that are introduced; they are not the typical fantasy/paranormal/supernatural creatures. There is so much going on in Fractured Soul and I was never bored. The plot builds up at a steady speed and there is something happening at every juncture. I was so engrossed in the story that I had to know what was going to happen and read until I could no longer keep my eyes open. Book three needs to be out tomorrow!

5 Brightly Lit Candles for Fractured Soul!

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

Check the first book in the series: Fractured Light

Amazon  -  Barnes & Noble

Rachel McClellan was born and raised in Idaho, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she's not in her writing lair, she's partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel's love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was...

Facebook  -  Website  -  Twitter  -  Blog

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Games of Fire by Airicka Phoenix Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt

Games of Fire
by Airicka Phoenix
Published: February 14, 2013
Formats Available: eBook ~475 pages
Format Reviewed: eARC
Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours
Buy Link: Amazon 

Book Blurb:
Sophie has enough problems in her life without Spencer turning her blood to fire, without his eyes freezing and burning her, without his hatred of her. Since his migration into the house next to hers, Sophia Valdez isn’t sure whether she wants to toss him under a bus or kiss that smirking mouth of his. But even as the temperature rises around them, leaping flames of passion, want and desire,everything either has ever known will be shattered by the lurking shadow hounding their every step, wanting revenge.

Spencer Rowth moves to the sleepy town of River Port with his mother and twelve year old sister, Suzy, to escape a deceitful father, an unfaithful girlfriend and a life crumbling much too fast for him to grapple onto only to be smacked upside the head by the last thing he wanted again. Sophie was everything he refused to want. Her temper, her wit, her laugh, her smile, the way her entire body goes up in flames under his hands are things he would rather slam a lid on and forget. Instead, he finds himself falling for the smart-mouth next door. But how long will he have before the evil chasing them catches up? How long before the very thing he never wanted becomes his only thread to sanity? And who is after them? What do they want and why do they want Spencer and Sophie dead?

    

This is my first book by Airicka Phoenix and I have to say I am impressed. When I started Games of Fire I thought it was going to be a paranormal romance type book, but it wasn't and that was a good thing because it was different, but no less exciting. The beginning, while it hooked me was very similar to Twilight and I'll tell you why. Girl meets boy, boy is a jerk. Girl is almost killed by a car, boy saves her. Girl tells boy, "You regret saving me, don't you?" But thankfully, this is where the similarities with Edward and Bella end and Spencer and Sophie's story begins. This is a love story with kick. Sparks fly every time Spencer and Sophie are together, no matter if they are arguing or kissing. Then add in a psycho stalker who wants to possess Sophie for himself and will stop at nothing to get her. Definitely a book I didn't want to put down!

The characters are well drawn and dynamic. Even creepy little Suzy who gives me the heebie-jeebies every time she was around. Can you say Children of the Corn? Actually, Spencer's whole family is broken in one way or another. Spencer is complex and has so many layers to get through to see the real boy hiding underneath. What I love is that nothing happens instantly and Sophie takes her time getting to know Spencer. My favorite statement by Sophie is, "You can have all of me or none of me," meaning that if they are going to be together it is mind and body and nothing in between. No insta-love here, only a real mature relationship that takes time and effort for it to work. Sophie is great and realistic character too. She has friends who are hilarious (the point system!) and does not ditch them at the first sight of a boyfriend. She has real parents and a regular family dynamic; meaning parents are in charge and not the other way around.

Ms. Phoenix's writing style is perfect for the Young Adult/New Adult genre. This is for those over 16/17 due to some seriously hot scenes. She is witty, funny, and can make a scene pop off the page. She also has a knack for creating suspense. The way the book is written is genius. Not only do we get to see the aftermath of the stalker's threats and attacks, but we get cut-aways into the head of the stalker, and the workings of the mind of the stalker gave me serious chills. And while I kinda thought I knew who the stalker was, I had to keep reading to find out if I was right!

The copy-editing was near flawless and I read an ARC. I was very impressed with the story that she wove. Each character had a story and everything happened for a reason - even the smallest of conversations or glances. My only pet peeve was the ending, it was so abrupt. With the book being almost 500 pages, the ending was condensed into about 7% of the book. I wanted more explanations and more 'what happens nexts' but, overall I was extremely happy with Games of Fire. I shall be reading all her books as soon as my TBR pile allows!

Smoking hot read! Almost 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.

“I won’t bite,” he said, probably meaning it as a joke.

“Oh if only that were my only problem,” she sighed under her breath.
“What?”
She shook her head. “Nothing.”

She took his hand, slipping her icy fingers through his. The electric sparks tore a fiery path down the length of her arms, nearly melting the ice beneath their feet. She shivered involuntarily and felt his fingers flex.

“All right?” Had his voice always been so husky?
She dampened her lips. “Yeah…” The single word died in her throat as she was pulled towards him. Her heart tripped. Her lungs stilled. The heat of his body rushed over her with the subtle scent peppermint, leather, spices and smoke.

A soft mist blew around them. Raindrops glistened in his hair, shimmering under the pale glow of the light post. His eyes were shadowed beneath wispy fringes, but the silver in them glinted like pools of liquid mercury. Her breath caught. It must have made a sound because his fingers tightened. His shaky exhale caressed her flushed face.
“This,” he whispered so quietly she almost didn’t hear him. “Is why you are so bad for me.”

Airicka Phoenix is the best-selling author of the Touch Series with short stories in Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology and Midnight Surrender Anthology. When she's not hammering away at the keyboard, she can be found banishing pirates or crawling through the attic looking for lost treasure with her kids. She loves baking, gardening and reading. She also likes to travel and take pictures of everything she comes across. When asked, Airicka describes herself as a sarcastic basket case that has an unhealthy addiction to chocolate, old movies and really bad jokes. She loves to laugh, make friends and write. If she could have one wish granted, it would be to spend one day as a fly-on-the-wall inside Stephen King's mind. If she could have two wishes granted, she would ask for a castle dedicated entirely to her overwhelming collection of books.
For more about Airicka, also on how to win giveaways, read author interviews and reviews, visit her on all her sites.

Website  -  Twitter - Facebook - FB Airicka's Mystical Creations - Goodreads - Pinterest

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.
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