Sale Blitz: The Cabin by Natasha Preston

THE CABIN by Natasha Preston
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: September 6, 2016


Synopsis
They think they’re invincible.
They think they can do and say whatever they want.
They think there are no consequences.
They’ve left me no choice.
It’s time for them to pay for their sins.
A weekend partying at a remote cabin is just what Mackenzie needs. She can’t wait to let loose with her friends. But a crazy night of fun leaves two of them dead—murdered.
With no signs of a forced entry or struggle, suspicion turns to the five survivors. Someone isn’t telling the truth. And Mackenzie’s first mistake? Assuming the killing is over…




Currently Reading

Current reads, there is something about them that sends chills down my spine, in a bittersweet way. I love to read, if I didn't I certainly wouldn't be writing a blog about books and reading experiences, but sometimes I find myself juggling between various books at the same time.
Like many literature lovers I know, besides my leisure reading, I also have to have time to read my university assigned reads. Sometimes the mandatory reads are something that I would already read on a leisure setting but still, the kind of reading and analysis the courses require can sometimes make the act of reading a daunting task.
I come here today to share with you a list of the books that I am currently reading! I hope you find some that you like and you can count on some of them being reviewed here on the blog.


28252551

Seventeen-year-old Maggie Ellmes is dogged by a case of chronic bad luck. She figures that’s just her lot in life—that is, until the psychic at Blackheath’s annual carnival reveals that Maggie’s problems are caused by more than just ordinary misfortune; she’s actually been cursed. 
Desperate to shake the hex, Maggie has no choice but to seek out the help of Joel Tomlins, a rebellious classmate who’s descended from Blackheath’s most powerful line of witches. After breaking all of his coven’s conventions to help her, Joel discovers that the curse isn’t as bad as Maggie fears. In fact, it’s much, much worse.




A Midsummer Night's Dream: The Oxford Shakespeare
Shakespeare's intertwined love polygons begin to get complicated from the start--Demetrius and Lysander both want Hermia but she only has eyes for Lysander. Bad news is, Hermia's father wants Demetrius for a son-in-law. On the outside is Helena, whose unreturned love burns hot for Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander plan to flee from the city under cover of darkness but are pursued by an enraged Demetrius (who is himself pursued by an enraptured Helena). In the forest, unbeknownst to the mortals, Oberon and Titania (King and Queen of the faeries) are having a spat over a servant boy. The plot twists up when Oberon's head mischief-maker, Puck, runs loose with a flower which causes people to fall in love with the first thing they see upon waking. Throw in a group of labourers preparing a play for the Duke's wedding (one of whom is given a donkey's head and Titania for a lover by Puck) and the complications become fantastically funny.



Literature's grandest evocation of life's journey, at once an ageless human story and an individual test of moral endurance, Homer's ancient Greek epic The Odyssey is translated by Robert Fagles with an introduction and notes by Bernard Knox in Penguin Classics.When Robert Fagles' translation of The Iliad was published in 1990, critics and scholars alike hailed it as a masterpiece. Here, one of the great modern translators presents us with The Odyssey, Homer's best-loved poem, recounting Odysseus' wanderings after the Trojan War. With wit and wile, the 'man of twists and turns' meets the challenges of the sea-god Poseidon, and monsters ranging from the many-headed Scylla to the cannibalistic Cyclops Polyphemus - only to return after twenty years to a home besieged by his wife Penelope's suitors. In the myths and legends retold in this immortal poem, Fagles has captured the energy of Homer's original in a bold, contemporary idiom.Seven greek cities claim the honour of being the birthplace of Homer (c. 8th-7th century BC), the poet to whom the composition of the Iliad and Odyssey are attributed. The Iliad is the oldest surviving work of Western literature, but the identity - or even the existence - of Homer himself is a complete mystery, with no reliable biographical information having survived.



Have you ever wished you could receive a little guidance from your favorite book boyfriend? Ever dreamed of being the Chosen One in a YA novel? Want to know all the secrets of surviving the dreaded plot twist?
Or maybe you're just really confused about what "opal-tinted, luminous cerulean orbs" actually are?
Well, popular Twitter personality @broodingYAhero is here to help as he tackles the final frontier in his media dominance: writing a book. Join Broody McHottiepants as he attempts to pen Brooding YA Hero: Becoming a Main Character (Almost) as Awesome as Me, a "self-help" guide (with activities--you always need activities) that lovingly pokes fun at the YA tropes that we roll our eyes at, but secretly love.
As his nefarious ex, Blondie DeMeani, attempts to thwart him at every turn, Broody overcomes to detail, among other topics, how to choose your genre, how to keep your love interest engaged (while maintaining lead character status), his secret formula for guaranteed love triangle success, and how to make sure you secure that sequel, all while keeping his hair perfectly coiffed and never breaking a sweat.


WELCOME BACK TO HOLLOW HILLS
The spellbinding continuation of the best-selling YA fantasy series, The Marked. Discover why readers are calling this series completely engrossing and downright addicting!
The steep descent into Hell is always paved with good intentions.
My name is Jemma Blackburn, and I'm a Slayer. Finding out I wasn't human was only the beginning of my problems. My best-friend, Taylor, is still missing, and so is the Immortal Amulet, and it's my job alone to get them both back. I don't know who I can trust, and I'm still not sure I'm cut out for any of this, but I'm determined to figure it all out, or die trying.
As if that wasn't bad enough, there's a new enemy in town and they've come bearing gifts—an ancient prophesy that is going to blur the very lines between good and evil. And, apparently, my blood is tied to the center of it. I don't have all the answers yet, but I’m getting closer and closer to discovering the truth. The truth about my bloodlines, and about who I really am.
And, believe me when I say, it's going to change everything.


Harry Potter è un predestinato: ha una cicatrice a forma di saetta sulla fronte e provoca strani fenomeni, come quello di farsi ricrescere in una notte i capelli inesorabilemte tagliati dai perfidi zii. Ma solo in occasione del suo undicesimo compleanno gli si rivelano la sua natura e il suo destino, e il mondo misterioso cui di diritto appartiene. Un mondo dove regna la magia; un universo popolato da gufi portalettere, scope volanti, caramelle al gusto di cavolini di Bruxelles e ritratti che scappano...







25558608A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2) by Sabaa Tahir

Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.
Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.
But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.
Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.


The OresteiaThe Oresteia (Ορέστεια #1-3) by Aeschylus

In the Oresteia—the only trilogy in Greek drama which survives from antiquity—Aeschylus took as his subject the bloody chain of murder and revenge within the royal family of Argos.
Moving from darkness to light, from rage to self-governance, from primitive ritual to civilized institution, their spirit of struggle and regeneration becomes an everlasting song of celebration.






The AeneidThe Aeneid by Virgil
Robert Fagles's award-winning translations of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey have sold more than a million copies and become classics in their own right. With this modern verse translation of Virgil's Aeneid, Fagles completes the classic triptych at the heart of Western civilization. Retaining all of the gravitas and humanity of the original, yet vibrant and contemporary, this seminal literary achievement of the ancient world is an unsparing portrait of a man caught between love, duty, and fate.

Book Highlight: Rise of Jotunheim (Odinsmal) by Sammy Zakaria



Book Blitz | Giveaway: Vices and Virtues: An anthology of the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Dark Virtues



Vices and Virtues: An anthology of the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Dark Virtues
Publication date: November 14th 2017
Genres: Adult, Horror, Supernatural, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Suspense/Thriller
Sins will weave you into their webs. They become the Vice you’re unable to shake. There are the values, taught from birth, which ride a razor’s edge. They turn into Dark Virtues, a twisted mockery of their true meaning.
Pride, envy, lust, gluttony, anger, greed and sloth all have their place in the tapestry of life. They are the Vices who lost sight of the Virtues: charity, temperance, forgiveness, humility, kindness, chastity and diligence.
Enter the worlds where the tales of the most sinful of Vices and the darkest of Virtues will entice and intrigue you…
…for even among the most devout there is a dark side.
On sale for $0.99 for a limited time only!
SNEAK PEEKS:
SINS OF THE FLESH (Gluttony)
BY STACEY BROADBENT

Throwing caution to the wind, I slipped my feet into a pair of runners and walked down the road, telling myself it was to clear my mind. But really, I was on the prowl for fresh meat. Someone vulnerable—easy prey. I had to be smart about it; it was broad daylight after all.
Every person who walked past became a possible target. In my mind’s eye, I pictured a computer log for each one, listing their attributes. Having limited knowledge on the ins and outs of cannibalism, I had no idea what the perfect body type was for consumption. Would it matter if they were male or female? Was it better if they were lean and muscular, or was a layer of padding more flavourful? How was I to choose?
Turns out, I didn’t need to think about it at all. On my walk back home, I was knocked off my feet by a man out for a jog. He’d been too busy flicking through the playlist on his phone to see me, and by the time we’d both looked up, it was too late. We collided, my forehead into his chin and mouth. My hands automatically went up, pressing against his chest and sending us both bouncing off each other, landing on our behinds. Apologising profusely, he offered me his hand and pulled me to my feet. The impact had left a red egg on my head and skinned my palms raw. He, however, came across a little worse for wear, sporting a newly chipped tooth, and fat, bleeding lip. As soon as I got a whiff of the blood on his breath, I knew, he was the one.
I pointed to my house across the street, inviting him in to clean up while he called the emergency dentist. It was the least I could do.

Ushering him into the bathroom, I had him perch on the edge of the bath while I rummaged through the cabinet for the first aid kit. I needed to knock him out somehow. There was no way I could do this without it… unless…

A MILLION CLAY WOLVES (Greed)
BY AMBER K. BRYANT

Do you remember Jamey? Has a tattoo of a whale on his right arm, wears a red and white striped tank top—Sound familiar?”
Mora nodded. “He juggled knives and guns.”
“That’s right. Jamey is my boyfriend and we’re very happy, only… He has this crazy idea that he should give up the troop, join the army instead. He thinks it would provide a better life for us, but he’s wrong. This is the only life I want and I don’t want it to change. I need you to change his mind.”
“What?” She took a step away from Dare. “I… I can’t do that!”
“You don’t realize it, but you can. I saw it in you. The ability to endow magic. You just needed a jumpstart, and yesterday…” she pointed to the feather, “I gave it to you.”
Mora stared at the feather, still crumpled in her hand.
“Tell the feather that Jamey’s place is with me. In the troop. Tell the feather it needs to change Jamey’s mind. Go on.”
Mora lifted the feather halfway to her face, then paused. This would never work. Clearly circus life had taken its toll on Dare’s mental health. Or perhaps unstable people were attracted to the quirky life the troop seemed to lead. It was silly to give in to Dare’s demands. Then again, if she didn’t do it, perhaps Dare would become so angry, she’d bust out of her purple corset and become a rage-fueled She-Hulk. Perhaps the simplest way out of this situation was to tell the feather to become a mind-changer and then get the hell out of there.
“Fine, whatever.” She brought the feather to her lips and blew words into it. “Change Jamey’s mind. Make him stay. Oh!” She jumped as a tingling sensation moved through her body, from the soles of her feet up her legs and spine, then out to the tips of her fingers and into the feather. “What… what just happened.”
Dare’s face went back to its friendly older sister mode. “Exactly what I thought would. Thank you, Mora.” She took the feather back from Mora and pinned it into her dark, shimmering hair. “Wiser people than me would tell you to be careful with this gift of yours. Magic can be used for good or for evil. It doesn’t care which, most of the time.”
Confused, Mora toyed with a stray thread from the hem of her t-shirt. “But you’re… not telling me to be careful?”
Dare grasped Mora’s chin and tilted it so their eyes met. “We don’t find out what we’re capable of through advice.” She gave Mora’s face a tiny squeeze and then let her go. “Trial and error, darlin’.

XBTBanner1

The Reader Diaries #17: On Fearing the Classics and Learning to Love Them


This year in my university course I decided to enrol in a class that is called "Cultura Clássica", which roughly translates to "Classical Culture". In this class, we learn about the classical world (Minoans, Mycenaeans, Greeks, and others) and our main support for that study is the literature of that time. This means that for the first time in my life I had to start reading Homer, Aeschylus, Virgil and many other authours. I knew from the start that this was going to be a though journey what I did not expect was that my fear of the classical texts would become love. 
The first book I picked up was The Iliad by Homer. I am not going to lie, this book contains a lot of violence and blood and things that might shock you but it was a great read. I took my time with it and actually needed a month to finish it but that made it so much more enjoyable. Better than the Iliad is The Odyssey, also by Homer,  it has so many more fantastical elements and is so much less bloody. Both these reads will certainly draw you in.
This story is only the starting point of what I have to tell you, it is how I learned to love these specific books but there are so many more classics that people are afraid to read. Take Jane Austen as an example. My favourite book of hers is Northanger Abbey, it is a story that has been able to draw me in from a very young age and I really enjoy rereading it. When I tell people that I enjoy reading Jane Austen's books I get a lot of side glances and weird comments. That does not mean that I am not in the right to love them all the same. The same happens when I talk about enjoying The City and the Mountains by Eça de Queiroz, a Portuguese writer.
What I do when first picking up classics has a certain method to it. That method allows me to only pick the best reads, which means, the ones I might actually enjoy. I start by perusing my book recommendations, whether they come from a friend, a book or a professor, I keep a list and, when I want something new to read I sometimes go back to it. I choose the book that seems the most interesting, if it is a mandatory read I have no choice but to read what I have to read. After that, I start looking for the best edition possible. That are many factors included in this step: the publishing house, the editor, the type of edition... If the book you are picking up is a translation, whether it is from Latin, Greek or a more modern language, you have to be very picky about the translator you choose. You should search for reviews and such in order to better make an informed decision. The final step is to choose a buying platform (every store counts).
After you have the book in your hands I have three words for you: write on it. When you start reading it keep a pad of paper, a pen, a highlighter and a pencil by your side and annotate! You can highlight different things in different colours and write the meaning of things you did not know.  Annotating will not ruin your book, it will make it more yours. Of course, I understand that you will not annotate your fancy hardback edition of any book, I also would not, so we are in the same boat.
Every time you pick up that classic you are trying to read make sure you are in a quiet environment, with snacks and beverages on hand, so you can completely immerse yourself in reading. Believe me, if you do are not in a quiet environment you will end up not understanding what you are reading and being confused, what will only discourage you.
Here is a picture of me chilling and reading the Iliad (I had cold tea right next to me)
Do not be scared by the size or the fame of a book, just pick it up and slowly read it. In the start it may seem hard and scary but, with a little effort, you might even enjoy it! Also, remember that if you are reading a book about a time or a culture that you do not know well there may be mentions of things you do not know. If this happens to you, you should not be afraid to ask someone or search the internet, remember: context is important!
I hope this post motivated you a little to try to read more challenging books and that the classics aren't big scary masses of pages. They are simple, delicate beauties that need your love as much as any other book.
Love, Ana

Inkitt launches a free program to help you turn your idea into a novel within 30 days

Have you ever thought about writing a novel? There are millions of people in the world who have ideas floating around in their heads that they want to write down but never find the time.
  • Free, 30 min private sessions with professional writing coaches (including the editor of The Martian)
Inkitt, the world’s first reader-powered book publisher, will be launching their first ‘Writers Write Program’  on November 1st to help you turn your idea into an original novel. The 30-day program is completely free and filled with special benefits such as:
  • Free, 30 min private sessions with professional writing coaches (including the editor of The Martian)
  • Events and tips with bestselling authors like Andy Weir, Lauren Kate, and Gayle Forman
  • A variety of community features such as the choice to get a writing buddy who you can exchange manuscript feedback with
“Our intention is to enlarge the writing community by encouraging more people to become writers,” said CEO of Inkitt, Ali Albazaz. “The program is completely free so for us this isn’t about making money; it’s about encouraging talented and committed writers to keep going and finish what they started.
If you are serious about taking on the challenge or want to finish (or start!) a manuscript then make sure to get your spot in the program now. There is less than a week left before it starts.


Review: The Book of Whispers by Kimberley Starr



Author: Kimberley Starr
27804013
Publisher: Text Publishing
Publication Date: October 3rd 2016
Source: ebook (given by Netgalley)
Rate:



Summary:

Tuscany, 1096 AD. Luca, young heir to the title of Conte de Falconi, sees demons. Since no one else can see them, Luca must keep quiet about what he sees.
Luca also has dreams—dreams that sometimes predict the future. Luca sees his father murdered in one such dream and vows to stop it coming true. Even if he has to go against his father’s wishes and follow him on the great pilgrimage to capture the Holy Lands.
When Luca is given an ancient book that holds some inscrutable power, he knows he’s been thrown into an adventure that will lead to places beyond his understanding. But with the help of Suzan, the beautiful girl he rescues from the desert, he will realise his true quest: to defeat the forces of man and demon that wish to destroy the world

Review: Trapped In Silver (Eldryn Chronicles #1) by Emily Sowden



Author: Emily Sowden
30294279Publisher: Oftomes Publishing
Publication Date: February 7th 2017
Source: ebook (given by the publisher)
Rate:



Summary:

Courage comes from a shadowed place in our hearts; a blurred line that straddles love and sheer stupidity.
To seventeen-year-old Ava, wild woodcats, hungry stragglers, and simple-minded townsfolk are the evils she’s grown accustomed to. But when Ethan, an unusual man with eyes of smoke and fire opal, enters her world she quickly understands that there are worse things out there than drunken men and carnivorous forest creatures. She’s a specialised liar and a hell of a fighter, but against a group of animalistic men called Berserkers she struggles to survive the encounter as the desperate swing of a dagger is all it takes to change her life for good.
Half-dead and hunted by the Berserker’s leader when he forms a monstrous obsession with her, Ava escapes his pursuit in an unfamiliar land full of impossible creatures, unlikely allies, and the man she doesn’t know whether to kiss or kill.
But after dreadful news of her missing brother surfaces, Ava becomes more involved in the centuries-long war and begins to unravel the reasons behind her relentless nightmares, discovering truths long-buried in a violent history of love, loss and betrayal.

Book Highlight: Legends of Eld: The Dragon of Elfwood by A.D. Greer

The Reader Diaries #16: Summer is over

This is not news for anyone, we all now that the Autumn has officially begun and with that school has also opened its doors. In my case, this means I have to get out of little lovely (well, not that lovely) town and go back to university in Lisbon. Even if I am sad to have to leave home I am actually excited for this new year. I know that I will - well I actually have already started... - have interesting class subjects, even though they have a massive workload.
This semester I am enrolled in Classic Culture, English History and Culture (16th to 18th centuries), English Literature (16th and 17th centuries), English C1.2 and Italian B1. As you can see by their names, these subjects require a hefty amount of reading. The worst thing is not to have a lot of things to study and study - I really love that part - my problem is that every professor wants me to finish reading all of the books by November. I am going to let you know that I have around 17 books to read and analyse.

My copy of the Iliad by Homer and my note-taking notebook.
This week I have started to make a dent on my copy of the Iliad and have developed a method to make my study more efficient: I read it a canto at a time and while I do that I take notes of the main things (and which lines they're at) in my pretty simple A5 lined notebook. I also write in my book, mainly my reactions and the meaning of the words I do not understand. I believe this will make my life a lot easier when it comes to revising. I already have one canto and a half down... there's only 23 and a half left... and 16 other books.
Even though I am starting uni with a lot of work I can rejoice while remembering my amazing vacation!

I camped, I slept under the stars, I walked amongst deserted paths, I read, I laughed, I lived and I learned! I met new people and got out of my comfort zone. I did so much but it still feels like I did so little. 
This summer I had the opportunity to visit London and even visited the Bodleian Library in Oxford. I experienced new things in a country I had never been to and I made plans for the future, I dreamt of new goals to achieve and thought about the way I face day to day life.
Being lost in art and in new streets always inspires me so I took my little sketchbook and I drew what I saw and felt. I met wonderful people and daydreamed in Hyde Park. I ripped my pants in the middle of Oxford Street and I read a book on the Oxford Tube. I also brought a suitcase full of tea... Yes, I know I have an addiction.
Now is time to turn my game on and start building my future career with knowledge and good grades. It is time to bury my head in books and get lost in them. It is time to revel in learning and living. It is time to worry about my health and actually try to do sports and eat well.
This is the time for a new me. I wish you all a very happy start of classes and my heart is with you on this journey. I leave you with a very appetizing pile of brownies that I baked.
Love, Ana

Review: The Restorer (Graveyard Queen #1) by Amanda Stevens



Author: Amanda Stevens
11037963
Publisher: Mira
Publication Date: April 19th, 2011
Source: ebook (bought)
Rate:



Summary:

My name is Amelia Gray. I’m a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I’ve always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.
It started with the discovery of a young woman’s brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I’ve been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims— lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I’ve vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

Cover Reveal Blitz + Giveaway: Haven by Mary Lindsey


Today Mary Lindsey and Rockstar Book Tours are revealing the cover and an exclusive excerpt for HAVEN, which releases November 7, 2017! Check out the gorgeous cover and enter to win an ARC!
On to the reveal! 

Title: HAVEN
Author: Mary Lindsey
Pub. Date: November 7, 2017
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 400

Sometimes beauty is the beast…"We all hold a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed."Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere. He’s used to people judging him for his rough background, his intimidating size, and now, his orphan status. He’s always been on the outside, looking in, and he’s fine with that. Until he moves to New Wurzburg and meets Friederike Burkhart.Freddie isn’t like normal teen girls, though. And someone wants her dead for it. Freddie warns he’d better stay far away if he wants to stay alive, but Rain’s never been good at running from trouble. For the first time, Rain has something worth fighting for, worth living for. Worth dying for.
Early Praise:

"Dangerous, dark and a definite page turner. Mary Lindsey rocks this book.”
- New York Times bestselling author C.C. Hunter

“A smoking hot hero and spine-chilling mystery = total win.”
- #1 New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout

"This electrifying tale will take you on an unexpected journey into a secret world of witchcraft and shape shifters. Romance, adventure, and magic! Lindsey leaves you breathless and wanting more."
- Adriana Mather, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch

"This is not your mama's paranormal! Sexy, dark and intense. Unputdownable!"
- Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling author of Firelight

"Lindsey writes a hero with fire and gasoline. Then she lights a match with break-neck pacing, and scorches a path to readers' hearts. Don't blink for a moment."
- Victoria Scott, bestselling author of Fire & Flood

"Gripping and gritty, HAVEN had me glued to the pages from beginning to end! Rain is the best kind of hero -- tough, sexy, sweet, loyal. He charges through this action-packed tale that had me tearing up more than once, and I was perfectly happy to follow!"
- Pintip Dunn, New York Times bestselling author of Forget Tomorrow.

"An utterly gritty and satisfying resurrection of the monster genre.Rain is an intense narrator and you won't know whether to scream or swoon. Haven is an instant classic!"
- Courtney Moulton, author of Angelfire

"Darkly compelling and deliciously chilling, Haven hooks you from the first line and never lets up. Gritty, spine-tingling, and full of nail-biting tension.”
- Amalie Howard, bestselling author of Bloodspell

"Dark, different, sexy, and edge-of-your-seat intense."
- Shawna Stringer, bookseller

Exclusive Excerpt!

When Rain turned back to Freddie, he bit down a gasp of surprise. She’d stripped off her shirt and tipped her face to the moon, eyes closed, like one would do to the sun at the beach. And here he’d thought the landscape was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
The air was still. Eerily still, and her smooth skin appeared to glow from inside in the moonlight—her black lace bra sheer enough to make him a little dizzy.
Without opening her eyes, she said, “Take off your shirt.”
No way in hell was he going to argue with that. He yanked off his shirt, clutching it in his fist, waiting for his next instruction.
He forgot how to breathe when she opened her pale eyes and moved toward him. Her gaze wasn’t focused on his face, though. It was on his chest. Stopping in front of him, she traced her fingers over the ink.
“Raindrops?” she asked, finger outlining one of the shapes.
“Tears,” he replied, again light-headed as she ran her fingertips over his pec.
“For your mom?”
“No. For all of us.”
She stepped back and, for a long time, stared at the tattoo comprised of dozens of drops in a random pattern over his chest, spilling down his ribs.
She traced a scar on his side with the tip of her finger. One of many marring his body from fights. “Your life has been sad.”
And so had hers recently. Maybe that was why he felt so connected to her. Their shared grief, their shared stand against a harsh, unfeeling, screwed-up world. Their shared solitude.
She turned back to the moon and raised her arms. “Do you feel it?”
Well, that was a wide-open question. He was feeling lots of things.
“The moon,” she said. “It’s like aloe when you’re sunburned. Try it.”
He imitated her posture, head back, arms out, but felt nothing other than the throbbing hardness he always felt around her.
“So, what do you think about that legend your aunt told you?” she asked.
He opened his eyes to find her studying him. “That the rock can turn men into beasts?” His mind raced, wondering what would prompt that question and what answer she was looking for. Men were beasts. Horrible monsters at times. He’d seen it firsthand. “I believe we all hide a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed.”
There it was again. That strange warm pull in his chest while she studied him. Like she totally got him—something no one else had ever bothered to do. He’d never been understood or accepted. People saw his size and found out his background and immediately wrote him off as dangerous or not worth the trouble. Not Freddie.
She obviously found his answer acceptable, because she wound her fingers in his hair and hauled him against her for another kiss. Raw, open-mouthed, and hungry. He’d never met anyone like this, who made him burn so hot he thought he might die from need. Recovering from surprise, he placed his hands on either side of her bare rib cage, feeling her body expand and contract with each quick breath. Bones and hard muscle working beneath smooth, soft skin. Skin he wanted to touch all over.
“I like you, Rain Ryland,” she said, dragging her nails down his back.
“Like” didn’t even come close. He was on fire for her. Had thought of her night and day since he first saw those eerily pale eyes and badass attitude. She was smart, strong, and terribly, terribly dangerous, which turned him on like crazy. “I like you, too.”
“How much?”
Something was going on here. Something other than foreplay. “More than I’ve ever liked anyone.” Which was true and unexpected. This was more than physical, which was a terrifying thought for him. Maybe this time he could stay. Maybe this time he’d actually found a home and wouldn’t have to leave everything behind.
He kissed her again, not wanting to think about legends, or leaving, or anything else for that matter. He wanted to just live in this moment as long as it lasted. Running his hands lower, his thumb brushed the unmistakable shape of a condom in her back pocket. He froze, and she smiled against his lips.
“You scared, Sprinkles?
“Yes.”
“Of me?” It was like she wanted him to fear her.
“No.” He pulled back, amazed at how her eyes reflected the moon like clear glass. “Of this.” He gestured to the space he’d put between them. “Of whatever this is.” The intensity of it. The urgency. And worse, much worse—the potential loss of it. He’d never feared losing something before because he’d never had anything worth keeping. This girl, though. She was different. And he wanted her.



About Mary: 


Giveaway Details:


Mary Lindsey is a multi award-winning, RITA® nominated author of romance for adults and teens. She lives on an island in the middle of a river. Seriously, she does. When not writing, she wrangles her rowdy pack of three teens, two Cairn Terriers, and one husband.
Inexplicably, her favorite animal is the giant anteater and at one point, she had over 200 "pet" Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. The roaches are a long story involving three science-crazed kids and a soft spot for rescue animals. The good news is, the "pet" roaches found a home... somewhere else.

Giveaway:
5 winners will receive an ARC of HAVEN, US Only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine

23398607Author: Rachel Caine
Publisher:  NAL
Publication Date: July 7th 2015
Source: ebook (bought)
Rate:



Summary:

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.
Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.
When his friend inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn…

Review:
The library has taken over the world. Once a small organization,  now the Library of Alexandria rules the world. There are no more paper books for the common folk, only scholars can access them on the Library's buildings and only after obtaining a certain degree within its ranks.  People generally only have access to books (the ones that Library lets them read) in their Codex, a portable electronic device that lets you research and read, among other things.
Jess Brightwell was born in a family of smugglers in London. Contrarily on what the reader might be expecting, they sell books. Why would books be on the Black Market? Because they are illegal. Unlike most people, Jess values original copies, the smell of ink on the parchment pages. Even believing in the value of the library, most of his knowledge comes from the illegal books his family sells.
Jess's father sends him to the library. Having one of the Brightwells inside the library is supposed to be an advantage, maybe Jess can smuggle some books out and increase the profits. So he embarks on a journey to the Great Library of Alexandria to be trained and join the Library's Ranks. He finds a world of knowledge and order but he also realises that not everything is what it seems.
When a friend inadvertently commits heresy by doing something that would lead to the spread of printed books Jess finally sees what the Library is really able to do.
This is a book full of adventure and very interesting details. The thing that actually called to me the most of all was the underlying warning to the world. I am not going to disclose what this warning is but this book packs a punch. It has a deep meaningful message and, at the same time, it tells the tale of a brave group of teens that discover the world's horrors as they go along.
Another aspect to point out is that this book has a lot of representation for the various ethnicities in existence. That makes it a good and inclusive stories for younger audiences, helping the message of acceptance.
Even though all the characters in the main group come from different backgrounds each one of them knows different kinds of hardship and they all have something to teach one another. They teach the reader that everything that makes people successful requires effort and dedication. They teach the reader to accept and work hard and that life is not always fair.
The overall story has some holes in it, some parts are very slow and a bit tedious. Besides this, the characters all have their own voices and the story has an actual focal point and message.
I would advise everyone to read this book, it will teach you something meaningful. I really believe that this story touches a lot of people's hearts.

Book Blitz: The Dark Mermaid by Christina L. Barr


The Dark Mermaid
Christina L. Barr
Publication date: September 5th 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
“True love is not a myth. It’s mystic. It’s a force in the universe that draws two people together, resulting in incredible power, for either good or complete chaos.”
On the day Luna proves that she is powerful enough to be her father’s heir, she is banished for saving the life of an enchanting human boy. Her father, the king, gives her two options: kill Ian and regain her honor by the time she comes of age, or be destroyed.
Luna finds shelter in forbidden waters and comes under the protection of her father’s greatest enemy, the Sea Witch. As her ward, Luna becomes a fearsome warrior, but struggles with the fear of turning her powerful magic dark.
With only days remaining before her seventeenth birthday, Luna finds Ian sailing the seas in search of answers. Luna is determined to escape her father’s wrath, and the Sea Witch’s plot of revenge, but dark forces won’t allow her to live a human life without making an impossible sacrifice.
Want to receive a free song inspired by the book that Christina sang herself?
Fill out this form here before Sept 9th!
EXCERPT:
True Love
When I returned to the lair, the Sea Witch was much too distracted gutting her catch of shark to care much about my adventures. She had no idea that I had found Ian and kissed him. I wanted to keep it that way. For all she knew, I spent my day with Napa, and I most certainly didn’t fight my sister to the almost death. I made sure to heal my wounds before she saw me.

I hid the pendent, dagger, and lock of hair in a satchel and hoped the Sea Witch wouldn’t be able to sense the magic. I also had to hope that she wouldn’t sense any special magic in me. It was odd that I wasn’t fatigued from my battle. Instead, I felt energized. My magic was leaking out of my body. I tried to keep my movements limited and to remain completely calm.
Unfortunately, somewhere between the chewing of our dinner, the Sea Witch cocked her brow at me in suspicion. “Did Napa bring you a new gift?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I sense new magic.”
I panicked on the inside, but I would not allow that panic to the surface of my thoughts. Of course, she would have been able to sense the pendent. I reached into my satchel and handed it to her without any fuss, and I hoped she didn’t ask any questions about the other item of interest. “Napa didn’t know any better.”
“Interesting.” It only took a moment for the Sea Witch to analyze what it could do. I don’t know why I was so surprised when she disappeared. “This would be more useful on the surface world.” She tossed it back to me and became visible once more. “Quite interesting.”
“Very.” I grinned hard and continued feasting, but I had the sense that she knew I was hiding many details from her. It’s not that I didn’t trust her. I just wanted to make sure she would take the news well, so I didn’t have to worry about her killing everyone outside of our immediate sphere.
It wasn’t easy. I wanted to tell her about Ian’s infatuation with me. It was flattering after my father threw me away. I wanted to tell my mother how his smile enchanted me, and now, I was under his spell. I tried to get him out of my head, so the Sea Witch wouldn’t find out, but while I brushed my hair and stared into the broken mirror Napa gave me, I began to imagine that I was staring at myself from his point of view, and I knew I was truly as beautiful as he made me feel. The thought of never seeing him again was crushing my heart and suffocating my insides. There had to be a way to see him again beyond tricks, smokes, and mirrors.
“Luna, what’s wrong?”
I saw Ian’s face too clearly in my mind. She must have known that I was thinking about him, but that wasn’t so strange. I could still hide the truth for a little while. “Why would something be wrong?”
She floated in front of me with a furrowed and curious brow. “Because you never sing.”
I hadn’t even noticed. I was singing the same song I sang to Ian when I first said goodbye. If he had his hooks in me that deeply, was there truly any escaping him? “You’ll think I’m being a fool.”
The Sea Witch surprised me and held me by my shoulders from behind. “Out of the two of us, I’m the one that made a blood oath with your father. You could be foolish for a thousand lifetimes and not end up as foolish as I once was.”
Perhaps I was being unfair to her. If she were trying to be a real mother, she deserved a chance. As my elder, she might have sound advice to put my mind at ease. “Napa told me that humans believe in true love. I know it sounds childish, but I think I’m experiencing it. I’ve found true love.”
I was so embarrassed that I kept my eyes focused on the teeth of the comb in my hands. I was responsible for ruining Ian’s childhood, and I delayed his life afterward. I didn’t deserve to feel such a consuming joy, especially if Ian were the root cause.
“I’ve heard of true love.” The Sea Witch nicked my chin up with her finger to force her eyes into mine. “The humans teach it like a fairytale, but true love is not a myth; it’s mystic. It’s a force in the universe that draws two people together, resulting in incredible power, for either good or chaos.”
“Chaos?” I laughed. Frankly, it was difficult to believe that there was an actual explanation to how I felt. Napa referred to love as “irrational logic”. I wasn’t sure if having a legitimate reason was worse or better. “How can what I feel ever lead to destruction?”
“I’m not saying that it will, but true love is a dangerous magic.” The Sea Witch got uncomfortably close to my face. I tried to back away, but she swam around to observe me fully. Nothing about me had changed physically, but I’m sure she wasn’t seeing with her natural eye. “I can sense it on you. Your magic is stronger.”
I thought of how quickly I defeated my sister, but then, I quickly pushed that out of my mind. “How is that possible? Is it just because I have feelings for Ian?”
“No. That would be ridiculous, but it is possible that you’re drawn to each other for a reason.” She, once again, became agonizingly uncomfortable. I didn’t back away or cower from her glaring and curious eyes. I tried to be firm while I blanketed my mind with thoughts of training battles, meditation, and the past few lonely years of my life. I would not think of Ian, and I certainly wouldn’t think of the kisses we shared!
Except, I completely did.
I don’t know if my sudden memory of Ian’s kiss was vivid enough to burrow into her brain, but she certainly seemed more suspicious after I indulged in it. “You must have seen him again!” I covered my face. I would have hidden in my clam, but she was already inside of it with me. She grew impatient and pulled my hands away from my flustered face. “I did. Napa found Ian, and I went to see him. He gave me the dagger I had been searching for, and we spoke.”
“That’s not the only thing you did.”
I straightened out my body and tried to look a little taller and mature than I had been acting a moment ago. “We did share a kiss, yes.”
Instead of lecturing me, she twirled around the cavern, shrieking in delight. I hadn’t seen her genuinely happy or excited over anything, so I was a little terrified. “Did he have magic?”
“He didn’t seem to have knowledge of having magic.” “Perhaps he’s an amplifier,” she suggested with much intrigue. “What do you mean?”
“They are extremely rare, but an amplifier can increase your magic, even without being able to use it.” She swam to me and clasped onto both my hands and smiled. “If you were to mate, you could create new magic for your offspring and leave your own power intact. If that’s true, you should definitely mate him.”
“Uh…” My mouth opened in shock. The desire to feel and be more of an adult was ripped away from me. “I’m not ready for this conversation.”
“Why? Do you love him?” “It’s preposterous that I love him!” “But you do!” She chuckled. “I see it in your eyes. I feel it through your magic. He’s made you more powerful. If Fate is pulling you to love this man, don’t push back. There’s no sense in fighting what will be.”
Was it truly possible that Ian made me feel stronger? Was he the reason why I could use my magic to fight my sister so effortlessly? Even if it were true, what did it matter? I only wanted to control my magic so it wouldn’t accidentally go dark. I had no desire to be the greatest sorcerous in the world.
It was silly to think that I could take human form and live with Ian. I hardly knew him. But, for some reason, the thought of leaving to discover the world with him began to fill my chest and gut with a ticklish light that turned into a glorious rumbling. I clutched onto my chest as I felt it vibrating. My entire body was radiating heat. I tried to convince myself that I was merely embarrassed, but my hands were tingling.
“The thought of escaping with that human is causing your magic to burst from you,” the Sea Witch said. “You can’t deny what you want or may very well need.”


Author Bio:
As the daughter of sci-fi enthusiasts and a pastor, Christina L. Barr has been taught to believe that anything is possible. She's been a serious composer as far back as twelve-years-old, and has had the opportunity to sing her songs around the world.
In 2007, she graduated from Holly High School number nine in her class and attended College for Creative Studies. She started a pop culture website called The Gorgeous Geeks with her two older sisters, and was even featured on Times Magazine.
Her addiction to writing emerged when she was eighteen and started her first novel. To date, she has nine novels published, fourteen completed, and her goal is to finish thirty books by her thirtieth birthday.
She is currently a Creative Director and spends her days making graphics and videos.

XBTBanner1