Cover Reveal: Conjure by Jennifer Snyder

Available July 1, 2013

Sometimes to understand the present you have to conjure up the past...

The last thing Addison Harmon needed was to become tethered to the broody, often seemingly cold, Theo Van Rooyen, but that's exactly what happened.

Forced to partner up with Theo to figure out a way to break the tether, Addison soon realizes she may have bitten off more than she can chew.

(New Adult/Mature Young Adult: Contains sexual situations, language, underage drinking, and drug usage.)

Jennifer Snyder lives in North Carolina were she spends most of her time writing new adult and young adult fiction, reading, and struggling to stay on top of housework. She is a tea lover with an obsession for Post-it notes and smooth writing pens. Jennifer lives with her husband and two children, who endure listening to songs that spur inspiration on repeat and tolerate her love for all paranormal, teenage-targeted TV shows.

Blog: http://jennifersnydersblog.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jennsnyder04

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/760553.Jennifer_Snyder

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjennifersnyder

Review: Astarte's Wrath by Trisha Wolfe

Astarte's Wrath
By: Trisha Wolfe
Release Date: March 2, 2013
Series: Kythan Guardians #2

Description:
A tragic love story.

Two thousand years before Dez Harkly developed her secret powers, Guardian Astarte was vowed to protect by the binds enslaving her to the Egyptian pharaohs. Discover the prophecy that originated from a very different time, and spans generations to link two very different girls.

This is the beginning.

Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Actium, in the city of Alexandria, Star struggles with her guardian duties as her feelings for the newly named pharaoh of Egypt grow deeper. Not only is Caesarion her duty, he’s the son of Cleopatra, and he’s human. All of which makes their love forbidden.

But when a conspiracy linked to Caesar creeps into Alexandria, Star must choose between helping her fellow Kythan free themselves of their servitude, and protecting her charge—the last pharaoh—while Egypt burns around her.

New Adult/Mature YA: sexual content, drinking, drugs, violence, language, death, and other mature content intended for readers 17 and older. Astarte's Wrath is a companion novel to Destiny's Fire, but can be read as a standalone novel.

Review:
This book fascinated me in the best kind of ways.  Bringing back the beautiful scenery and stories, whether tragic or beautiful of the Ancient Egyptian time period when Pharoahs and Cleopatra were still around.  I've always been fascinated with this part of history and this book did not disappoint in the very least.  It made me more interested in Ancient Egypt overall and the people who lived in this time period.  I even had to look up a few gods here and there during reading this book because I wanted to learn more about them, but no worries as this great author gives you a tidbit on each character and place at the end of the book which I found very helpful and added to the fascination. 

The author says it best here in her preface:

The truth behind the fiction. This novel is a work of fiction, though many of the characters, geography, settings, scenes, and events are loosely based on a real people and a real time in history. Interlaced within the fictional text is the factual history as I’ve researched it through documentation, historians, and tomb hunters who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of discovery of these great people and this great time. I’ve taken creative liberties with the history to write a fiction that can weave seamlessly into an imagined world within my stories.

We meet Astarte who is the guardian to the new Pharaoh Caesarion (Xarion) and even though she is bound to him to be his protector as a slave she has grown up with him since they were both young.  They have started out as friends but through time their feelings for each other have grown deeper than a friendship which Astarte has tried to deny herself because they are not of the same race and he is her master.  It's all very old school but sometimes you just can't help who you love.  It's inevitable if the stars aligned and it's meant to be.  We start their story in turmoil though as they are in the midst of a war. Octavian is dead set on capturing Xarion to end his life so that he can overtake Egypt.

It's all very exciting throughout the book with the different Kythan races and the interaction between all the characters.  Even the appearance of Cleopatra and the strength at which she loves her son is well known and shown in this book, as she obviously wants him to survive.  The relationship between Xarion and Astarte finally give in to their passion and it's so worth the wait.  They obviously belong together uniting the different cultures of the slave and the royalty.   Their love is a beautiful story with stolen kisses and brief hand touches, it's all very romantic in a good way.  But still there is chaos going on around them.

I don't want to give too much away about the war and who it involves as I think you should definitely read the book because it makes it that more exciting, and believe me when I tell you if you are as intrigued as I was reading this book then you too will start searching through Wikipedia on different Egyptian gods and goddesses.  Even the name Astarte was interesting on its own.  Sometimes it really is enjoyable to be able to learn some history or something new when you are reading a book that is a true tragic love story.  This author did a great amount of research to try and tie the truth and her fiction into this book and I applaud her.  I was rooting for the couple in the end and for everyone to get what they so rightfully deserved. 

Overall the story was grand, interesting and should make you want to read more about Kythan guardians.  Make sure to check out the next book in the Series - Destiny's Fire, which I also thought was a really great book.  This author knows how to thrust you into a world deep within the underbellies of Ancient Egypt and makes you excited about history.  I also have to say that I absolutely love the cover and can completely picture the girl on the cover being Astarte.  Can't wait to read the next story! 

Disclaimer:
I received this book from NA Book Club on Goodreads and Trisha Wolfe, so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!

Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite
By Kiera Cass
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Series: The Selection #2

Description:
The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Review:
The first book was really captivating, and I'd have to say this book had me captivated as well.  The continuation of the Selection, it's so much more than this game show of who will marry the prince.  It's about America and her relationship to her family and friends, her feelings for Aspen and Maxon.  The different situations that occur with all the contestants that are remaining.  There is just so much more to this book and it even bought me to elation and tears right after.

We are back with America and Maxon, there is a struggle between the two whether America is sure she wants to be a Princess and marry Maxon.  There are obvious feelings between the two and it's exciting to see them grow and disappointing to seem the dissipate throughout the selection.  but I am a HOPEful person as that plays a big role in this book.  The idea of hope.  What are the rebels after? In due time all will be revealed I'm sure but how intriguing it all is, throughout the selection to constantly be attacked by people trying to bring the selection down. 

The relationship between America and Aspen is still very much in secret which is a good thing because apparently there are some very dire consequences to such forbidden relationships as is shown in this book, all very heart wrenching when I read through it.  But there is definitely a slight shift in their relationship, it's almost as if one wants things to go back to where they were before while the other is ready to move on in one way or another, but either way they are definitely not on the same page, thanks to Maxon. 

The plot thickens as Maxon starts spending more and more time with the other girls making America realize just exactly what it is that she wants, even though it's very back and forth with her I think I have a good feeling of where her heart lies and I can't wait to finally be there.  Maxon's character is also tested in this book, his integrity is questioned and it's intriguing to see how he really feels as opposed to the way he has been acting throughout the book.  We also learn a little more about the rebels which is also good, but I have a feeling they will be discovered in depth in the next book which I cannot wait to read.

Again this book bought thoughts of wonderful glamorous ball gowns of a time when things seemed more simple even though I know this is more in the future even though they've fallen into the past with the caste systems and all, what will happen now.  Will there be an uproar and who will take the lead?  Who will be the one?  I can't wait to find out how this story progresses.  The scenery, lavish lifestyle is all so fascinating, but it's the feelings that are withheld deep down each character that matter the most.  Even in the maids, what will happen to them and will they find happiness as I hope America does as well.

Go Team Maxon! And yet another beautiful cover as well.  What color will the next gown be, you know I've seen a lot of red heads on covers lately, makes you wonder if they are the ones who have the most fun!  On to the next one, can't come out soon enough.

Teaser Tuesday: The Elite by Kiera Cass

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: •Grab your current read •Open to a random page •Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page •BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) •Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's my teaser for the week:

But how was I supposed to decide between two good possibilities? How could I make a choice that would leave some part of me devastated either way? I comforted myself with the thought that I still had time. I still had time.

The Elite (Selection)
Cass, Kiera
(Kindle Locations 349-350).
HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

Top Ten Tuesday: Beach Reads

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. This feature is great because everyone loves lists, including me.

This week's Top Ten is:

TOP TEN BEACH READS

I'm actually going to the beach this year and I don't know if I'll have much time to read but this is what I plan on taking, or wishing I could get done.  I haven't had a chance to read these yet but I definitely have them available so since summer starts next week maybe I'll get to them sooner rather than later.

 

 

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
Golden by Jessi Kirby
The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller
Our Song by Jordanna Fraiberg
Faking It (Losing It #2) by Cora Carmack (this one might get read before summer lol)
All I Need by Susane Colasanti
Star Crossed (Stargazer #1) by Jennifer Echols
The Program (Program #1) by Suzanne Young
The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise    
Love Rehab: A Novel in Twelve Steps by Jo Piazza

What's on your Summer List?
 

Cover Reveal: Broken Dreams by Dawn Pendelton

Release August 1st, 2013

Dawn Pendleton is excited to announce the cover reveal of her second new adult novel: Broken Dreams!!

Broken Dreams, Book 2 of the Broken Series

Rainey Daniels has been keeping a secret since she left her hometown, three years ago. The death of a friend’s father, though, has her questioning whether or not running away from her past is what’s best for her future. Add sexy Chris Baker in the mix and she’s even more unsure. After all, life is short.

Baker is an all-around good guy with a great sense of humor struggling to keep his new bar afloat. And he always thought Rainey was hot, even when she carried a few extra pounds in high school. Hell, he thinks she’s too skinny now. He knows she’s hiding something, too, but when he pushes the issue, she pushes him away. He tries not to care; she only wants a summer fling, right? But when her life is threatened, he realizes he may just be in love with her… and then he learns her secret.

Can they find love together before it’s too late?

First in the series

For a limited time only, BROKEN PROMISES will be $.99

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Always Been Mine

Always Been Mine
By: Elizabeth Reyes
Release Date: May 25, 2011
Series: The Moreno Brothers #2

Description:
Contemporary Romantic suspense:
Contains adult content

After one heartache too many, Valerie Zuniga vows to never let Alex Moreno hurt her again. A year later, she is forced to reunite with him at a party where one unexpected sizzling kiss tells her she’s far from over him. No way will she allow herself to get sucked back into that torment. She’ll resist him even if that means using the one thing that’ll stop Alex dead in his tracks: another man.

Alex is coming off one of the worst years of his life. He spent so much time wallowing in self-pity, he never realized how much he’d missed Valerie. That is, until that kiss. Now, he’s determined to get her back one way or another, and no other man will stand in his way. Especially after discovering that Valerie may be in danger, a danger he blames himself for.

Review:
So I picked up this book because I needed some good comfort reading, and this book did not disappoint at all.  Eventually I will read all the books in the series, but let's take it one book at a time.  These brothers are a lot to handle and I couldn't even imagine living in their world, plus they are just too hot for words sometimes.  I mean, look at that guy on the cover and I can totally picture Alex there.  

We are back with the Moreno family, but this time the story is about Alex.  His brother Angel and his fiancé are finally getting married (they are the couple in the first book) and this means that after a year he finally gets to see the girl he's been subconsciously pining over.  He never did get over her, and the only reason they broke up is because he let his pride get in the way.  I'm telling you Latino men they are all the same.  Macho but yummy at the same time.   Valerie is ever the firecracker but has calmed down in her time away from the Moreno brothers, but at the same time she's just gotten herself into a little bit of a pickle by picking the wrong men to be with.  She has a stalker. 

Stalkers are just creepy in general, the amount of information they can find out on you and you don't even know they are doing it or watching you, seriously creepy.  Alex finally tries his hardest to get Valerie back in his life and it works for a while but there is always something in the way not to mention his machoness of needing to constantly protect her and trying to save her, all the while semi spying on her even if it wasn't his intentions.  It's all very I know what you're doing but you're not telling me and I'm mad about it, but really sometimes it would be easier if everyone was just out in the open with it, why keep the secrets in the first place. 

This book definitely did the job though, it kept me interested throughout the whole thing and I can't wait to read about the next Moreno family member.  These guys are all just rough and tough and yummy goodness.  They are also very real though because I know so many guys like this in general and I love that this book and this series is actually realistic.  Sure not everyone has a stalker that would just be wrong but still it could happen and it could happen exactly the way it happened in the book and you just never realize it.  Overall I think you should check out this series, yes it's a couple years old but sometimes it's good to get into the archives sometimes.

Team Moreno!!!