Book review - The Shadow Prince, a novella by Stacey O'Neale

I received a free ARC of TheShadow Prince, which did not affect my opinion of this novella in any way.

The Shadow Prince is a prequel novella for the author’s upcoming novel, Mortal Enchantment.

First, this isn’t the type of book I normally read, so if there are things I don’t “get” that’s why! I do like some fantasy/paranormals, but with a lot of grounding in our normal world. So for me, The Shadow Prince was a bit too removed. Yes, our world exists, but doesn’t play much of a part in this particular story. I also am not a connoisseur of faerie stories (I know, shoot me!) and because of that, I couldn’t tell if this was truly a faerie world or just used some fae aspects like glamour and allergy to iron. There were also wings and hell hounds and I didn’t know if that fit. So now you know my comfort zone wasn’t here!

But – and this is a big but – I LOVED O’Neale’s characters and that the primary paranormal aspect was Elementals. I love the concept of elementals, either in living, breathing form or in a source of one’s power, which is what drew me to The Shadow Prince in the first place. I was totally pulled in by Rowan’s character – yep, I’d love to have him watching over me at night, or the day! He cares about his people and those who serve the royal court, he’s strong and duh – hot!

The Shadow Prince introduces the reader to how Rowan ultimately (I expect) becomes protector and hopefully much more to Kalin, a young wind elemental whom others fear and want to kill. The novella left me wanting more, fae and all, and concludes with an introduction to Mortal Enchantment, which is written from the POV of Kalin. Given that, I thought it was a great idea to give us more about Rowan in the prequel. And yeah, I wanted to keep reading beyond the excerpt. Now I have to wait until May for that. Thanks a lot. Great job, Ms. O’Neale, it took some good writing to convert me.

 

Four of five stars - go check this one out!

Month9Books Reveal - BONESEEKER by Brynn Chapman - and giveaway

Whoa - love this cover!

 

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Boneseeker by Brynn Chapman

presented by Month9Books!

Arabella Holmes and Henry Watson embark on an archaeological dig to determine if a giant skeleton is Neaderthal or Nephilim. Someone or something does not want the riddle solved; they learn they are the second expedition deployed... and the first team...are dead.

Boneseeker by Brynn Chapman
Publication Date: June 18, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books

Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brynn Chapman is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love—not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger’s syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society’s downtrodden. In fiction, she’s a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. She also writes non-fiction and lectures on the subjects of autism and sensory integration and is a medical contributor to online journal The Age of Autism.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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T.A. Brock's FATAL blog tour - excerpt, review, and giveaway!

Here's an excerpt from FATAL, by T.A. Brock. Below is my review, and then if you behave yourself, a lovely rafflecopter giveaway.

“You need to back up,” he said, his voice strangled.
Her eyes roamed all around his face. She recalled last night when he’d been so tender with her, the way he’d looked. It had transformed him into something real—not the stony façade he so liked to wear. Now, gazing in his eyes, she could see it again. It was there just under the surface.
She didn’t back up. She didn’t shrink back at all. She inched closer.
His eyes widened, the brown-flecked green all she could see. His short breaths puffed between them. “If you come any closer I’m going to kiss you. I won’t be able to help it,” he said desperately.
The declaration shocked her, sent a jolt of anticipation straight through her. Even the rock beneath her felt warmer. And yet he sounded ominous, as if his words were meant as a warning.
What would it be like, she wondered, to be kissed by him? She was still reeling from the fact that he wanted to. She wanted the same thing. She’d wanted it last night. Maybe even from the first day. But then she realized he’d said “if.” That meant she had to do something first. What was it? Oh yeah, move closer.

My review:
I did receive a free ARC copy, which in no way biased my review.

A couple years ago I wondered if there was a way to write a story where zombies could be the love interest, the hot guy like some versions of Dracula, like sparkly Edward, like the truly hot Jacob. Vampires and werewolves, why not zombies. Ugh because they fall apart, right?

Well, I did manage to outline a story, but that’s as far as I went. However T. A. Brock saw her own vision and carried through in her novel FATAL.

Cori moved to the small town of Asher after her father died in an accident, and both she and her mom are still grieving. Amidst the difficulty of dealing with a new school, Cori makes a couple new friends. But the only person she really cares about is Grayson, a brooding (and of course hot) guy that no one likes. And with good reason, he drives them all away, dealing with his own demons and certain no one could ever like – or love – him.

But Cori breaks through his icy façade. And for good reason. They’re destined to meet. Or is it something more?

FATAL was a fun read. Especially because of  my own dabbling in the zombie world, but I enjoyed the depth of all the main characters and just how determined Cori was to first help anyone who needed it, but how she refused to be turned away even by someone who claimed he would – and did – hurt her.

I give FATAL 4 of 5 stars – definitely worth checking out.

Before you jump into the giveaway, please comment below - did you think it was possible to write a zombie love story?
 

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Book review - Shannon Messenger's Let the Storms Break

This review is based upon a free ARC copy, which in no way affected my opinion.

Let the Storms Break is the second book of Shannon Messenger’s Sky Fall series. The first book is Let the Sky Fall.

I’m a big fan of “elemental” type stories, although these are a bit different. In fact, I’ve never read anything that handles sylphs (air spirits) in anything but a passing manner. Not only are these beings able to manipulate how the wind blows, but each is part of one of four families representing Easterly, Northerly, Southerly, and Westerly winds. They are able to call the winds and weave them into shields and weapons as well as facilitate flight.

In the first book, Vane Weston discovers he’s a sylph and has been protected by Audra from those that seek to capture Vane since he’s the last Westerly and has been protected as the sylph king because of this. His enemies want the power of all four winds. Vane might be in love with Audra, but he has very little interest in being king or learning to fight.

Book two continues after Audra’s mother betrays all the good winds and the battle nears with the evil Raiden and his follower. Vane learns more of his strength while fighting to stay true to himself and save his adopted family and friends. This book is non-stop action and Messenger does an awesome job weaving sylph powers to unique weapons, both offensive and defensive. We meet new sylphs and learn more about the enemy Raiden who wants not only the power of the four winds, but to control and break all others through pain.

One thing I particularly enjoyed in this book was Vane’s voice. Perfect teenager being pushed to do something he doesn’t agree with. But he still managed to learn and grow and make good decisions. I look forward to his continued development in the next book.

Let the Storms Break ends with the ultimate battle still waging and the reader wanting more of Vane and Audra’s story, so you’ll have to wait for book three. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books and recommend readers to read the Let the Sky Fall first. You will love both and be eagerly waiting for the next as I was. You’ll never think about a wind storm the same way!

 

Four stars from me - recommended read with solid writing and a great story concept.

Review of Mike Mullin's Sunrise - conclusion to the Ashfall Trilogy

I won the ARC of Sunrise (expected release 4/14) in a drawing – but that in no way affected my review – cuz I was gonna read this book if I had to beg, borrow, or buy it.

I loved the first two books of the Ashfall Trilogy (Ashfall and Ashen Winter) and have waited too long for the conclusion – I do enjoy stories of survival through catastrophes.

In the first two books we follow Alex and Darla after the super volcano under Yellowstone explodes, leaving most of the US dark and covered in ash and snow. They try to reconnect with Alex’s family, deal with poorly run (try more like immoral) FEMA camps, avoid cannibals and gangs who trade girls for food. Darla is brilliant at engineering and invents many ways to help them and others survive. Alex won’t give up on anything and risks his life for others many times, eventually gathering a small group of survivors with the resources to eke out a dismal existence waiting for the government or the sun.

Mullin is an expert at “making it worse” for his intrepid survivors and the conclusion, Sunrise, delivers in a huge way. This is a long book, over 450 pages, but it is not at all a slow read. Sunrise is difficult to put down because you don’t want to leave Alex and Darla in jeopardy, but also in the less harrowing moments, the reader learns (feels) the struggle and joy of building a safe place to live and survive in a world with almost no sunlight, enemies who want to steal all your food, or worse – eat you.

I won’t give any spoilers, but this is a wild ride that you won’t want to put down – and when you do, you might be tempted to go buy a few items from your local hardware store and hide them in the basement. I recommend this series both for those who read YA, but also those who don’t. The main character might be a teen, but he has to grow up fast and make very adult decisions. For those who love a thoroughly researched “what if”, this is an excellent read.

Month9Books Friday Reveal and Giveaway! A Whispered Darkness by Vanessa Barger

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

A Whispered Darkness by Vanessa Barger

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

When a soul breaks, it isn’t pretty. The pieces are sharp; they cut and bite and rend at flesh. They seek blood, want vengeance. They congeal, become something more than they were, something dark and beautiful and terrible.

A Whispered Darkness by Vanessa Barger
Publication Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: Month9Books

She’s a middle grade and young adult author, represented by Jennifer Mishler and Frances Black of Literary Counsel. She teaches high school technology education in rural Virginia and is the slave to one cat, Molly. She spends all her free time writing. She’s a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). When not writing, she’s reading, and an avid movie fan. She also loves long walks on the beach discussing Shakespeare while sipping large fruity drinks with little umbrellas.

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Contest updates

For all who know and love Brenda Drake's Pitch Madness contest - now's the time to polish up your pitch. Today she's posted the slush readers. Submission date is March 10, just around the corner.

If you haven't done this before, it's a ton of fun with a different theme each time for the amazing round-up of agent to bid on your completed manuscript.

Now go, get ready!