5 Star Harlequin ARC Review: Captive (Aimee Carter)

Hardcover, 304 pages
Expected publication: November 25th 2014 

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Author: Aimee Carter

ARC Provided by Publisher in exchange for an Honest Review

For the past two months, Kitty Doe's life has been a lie. Forced to impersonate the Prime Minister's niece, her frustration grows as her trust in her fake fiancé cracks, her real boyfriend is forbidden and the Blackcoats keep her in the dark more than ever.

But in the midst of discovering that her role in the Hart family may not be as coincidental as she thought, she's accused of treason and is forced to face her greatest fear: Elsewhere. A prison where no one can escape.

As one shocking revelation leads to the next, Kitty learns the hard way that she can trust no one, not even the people she thought were on her side. With her back against the wall, Kitty wants to believe she'll do whatever it takes to support the rebellion she believes in—but is she prepared to pay the ultimate price?

Pre-Order Captive Here!!!

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Aimée Carter was born and raised in Michigan, where she currently resides. Her first novel for young adults, THE GODDESS TEST, will be published by Harlequin Teen on April 19th, 2011. The sequel, GODDESS INTERRUPTED, will follow in January 2012.

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Some Moves Are Riskier Than Others....

When I first read the synopsis of Pawn (the first book in this series)...I immediately knew I had to read it. I love dystopian books and this book seemed to have it all...romance, suspense, and mystery. Well I was definitey right!!! I absolutely LOVED Pawn!! It was one of my favorite books of 2013. I could not wait to get the sequel, Captive, and see where Kitty's life has taken her.....

Not to mention the cover of these two books is PHENOMENAL.....I love how Kitty's gorgeous blue eyes are the main focus of the cover. (Especially since her eyes are the main reason that she was chosen to become Lila Hart.)

Captive picks up right where Pawn left off. Kitty is living in the Hart mansion, maintaining her existence as Lila Hart,  and is still engaged to Knox Creed. So many things begin to happen within the first three chapters and in order to not give any important twists away I am not going to summarize. 

"They buzzed around me, vying for a few moments of my time, but we all knew they were only here because of my name and face. I was Lila Hart, the niece of the Prime Minister of the United States and one of the few VII's in the entire country--which in a room full of VI's, made me more powerful than them all."

Ok so I just thought that Pawn was full of suspense and mystery.....but Captive has ten times the twists and turns that Pawn had!!! Usually sequels are just a "link" to the first and third books in a trilogy but Captive is in an entire league of its own!!! There are so many action-filled moments in this book and it kept me turning pages long into the night!!! 

Not only is there suspense but there are also some violent scenes that will make your mouth drop open in shock. I have not read a book with so much intensity since I read The Hunger Games.....and I enjoyed every moment of it. Kitty's life is in even more danger now...She is double-crossed at every turn and has no idea who she can truly trust.....

In Captive we are introduced to lots of new characters and some that I really connected with. As each  new character arises there are more troubles for Kitty. Who does she trust? Who is on the side of the Blackcoats? Who is loyal to the Prime Minister? 

I love the romance between Benji and Kitty. He is so loyal to her and still loves her even though she is Masked as Lila Hart. I love the fact that they have grown up together and loved each other for as long as they have known each other. 

Kitty's character is so strong and even when she is faced with heart-wrenching situations....she still stands strong and fights for what she believes in. So many secrets are revealed to Kitty in this book and yet she never gives up...

"Yes. Because no matter who you pretend to be, you're Kitty Doe. You put your life on the line again and again to protect the people you love, and you  would never let millions die just so you could live." 

Captive is an intense, action-filled, dystopian thriller that will keep you guessing until the last page is turned....I highly recommend this phenomenal book!!!! I cannot wait for the conclusion to this amazing trilogy!!!! Aimee Carter's writing style is just incredible...She writes her characters into the story with so much feeling and emotion...I cannot wait to read more books from her!!!! I know that I will love them just as much as I love The Blackcoat Rebellion series!!!!!

**The quotes from this book have been taken from an Advanced Reading Copy and are subject to change when the final book is printed. Please refer to the final, finished copy for exact quotes!**

**I want to say Thank You to Harlequin Teen for the opportunity to review this book!!**

My 5 Star Review of Pawn

5 Star Review: The Jewel (Amy Ewing)

Hardcover, 304 pages
Expected publication: September 2nd 2014 by HarperTeen
ARC Provided by Publisher for Honest Review

The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.
Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.
Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for. 

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Amy Ewing earned her MFA at The New School and her BA at New York University. She is a regular contributor on www.teenwritersbloc.com. She lives in New York City.

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"The Power To Choose Comes With A Price..."

This book had me the minute I laid eyes on it. I mean..what a cover! Seriously!! The cover of this book is breath-taking, beautiful, and absolutely mesmerizing. I am a complete pushover for a great cover! 

So of course the cover is amazing..but then I read the synopsis and KNEW I had to read this book.  "The Selection meets The Handmaid's Tale in this darkly riveting YA Debut, where all that glitters may not be gold...." Ummmm...YEAH!!!! and it did not disappoint. I LOVED this book. 

In this dystopian world young girls are tested and if they pass the "genetic test" they are brought into an surrogacy auction and sold to the highest bidder in order to bear children for royalty. Over the years Dr's have perfected the method of surrogacy in order to ensure that the children born are perfect in every way to keep the royal bloodline's pure. 

The Jewel is the center of the Royal's world and where only the richest Royal's live. Surrogates who are brought into The Jewel are treated with riches beyond their imagination. They eat the best foods, have the best clothes, and live rich lives.....as long as they conceive a child for their "master."

Violet is a young girl who has been brought into the world of a surrogate and is sold at the auction to the Duchess Of The Lake, who has been known to be mean and cruel. Violet has no idea what to expect when she enters the House of The Lake. At first she thinks she has walked into heaven. She has closets and closets full of clothes, a huge bedroom, and even a lady-in-waiting that is there to serve only her. But this is only the beginning...Violet soon discovers that the Duchess is evil and vindictive and cares about nothing except her line of succession.

"Why did she hit me?" I ask. My voice breaks and a tear spills down my cheek. 

"This isn't the Marsh, child. I didn't make the rules. But there are rules. You're her property now." Cora's lips press together. "She's not a bad mistress, really. There are worse, I promise you. But you're strong. I can see that. You'll be all right..." 

Violet faces so many disturbing and horrific experiences through out her time at The House Of The Lake. The only thing that keeps her going is Ash...Ash, a handsome young boy, is a "companion" that has been brought into the house to keep the Duchess's niece occupied. Violet falls madly in love with Ash and is determined to find a way for them to be together.

Ash stops at the door. "It would be easier to forget you," he says to me, "and these past few weeks we've had together. It would be easier if I could hate you. But the sad truth is, I will more than likely love you for the rest of my life."

This phenomenal debut YA novel has it all...Suspense, mystery, drama, and a breath-taking romance. I literally could not put this book down. I found myself flipping pages late into the night just to see what happened next. The world of The Jewel is so cruel and yet so fascinating.....I cannot wait for readers to experience all that The Jewel has to offer.....

Amy Ewing has entered the YA genre with a bang....and I for one will DEFINITELY be reading anything that she writes and am DYING to get my hands on the sequel to The Jewel......NOW.....

**The quotes from this book have been taken from an Advanced Reading Copy and are subject to change when the final book is printed. Please refer to the final, finished copy for exact quotes!**

Interview & Giveaway: Compulsion (Martina Boone)

Hardback, 320 pages
Expected publication: October 28th 2014 by Simon Pulse

Three plantations. Two wishes. One ancient curse.
When loss is all you know, how do you find true love?
Beautiful Creatures meets The Body Finder in this spellbinding new trilogy.

All her life, Barrie Watson has been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lived with her shut-in mother. When her mother dies, Barrie promises to put some mileage on her stiletto heels. But she finds a new kind of prison at her aunt’s South Carolina plantation instead--a prison guarded by an ancient spirit who long ago cursed one of the three founding families of Watson Island and gave the others magical gifts that became compulsions.
Stuck with the ghosts of a generations-old feud and hunted by forces she cannot see, Barrie must find a way to break free of the family legacy. With the help of sun-kissed Eight Beaufort, who knows what Barrie wants before she knows herself, the last Watson heir starts to unravel her family's twisted secrets. What she finds is dangerous: a love she never expected, a river that turns to fire at midnight, a gorgeous cousin who isn’t what she seems, and very real enemies who want both Eight and Barrie dead.

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Martina Boone was born in Prague and spoke several languages before learning English. Her first teacher in the U.S. made fun of her for not pronouncing the "wh" sound right, so she set out to master "all the words”—she's still working on that! In the meantime she’s writing contemporary fantasy set in the kinds of magical places she'd love to visit. 
If you like romance dripping with mystery, mayhem, Spanish moss, and a bit of magic, she hopes you'll look forward to meeting Barrie, Eight, Cassie, Pru, Seven and the other characters of Watson Island.

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What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

I wrote a short story for an anthology that ended up having some characters and history that I couldn’t stop thinking about, but it wasn't until I dreamed about a ball of fire drifting through the woods and setting a river aflame that I had the anchoring visual for the book. The rest all came from asking why the river was on fire and who was doing it, which involved a lot of research and brainstorming, and some twists that I’m still discovering. The history of Watson’s Landing is truly the history of the Charleston, SC area, and the real parts are no less amazing to me than the mythology I’ve stretched and bent to create the story. 

Who is your favorite character in the book?

Truthfully, I love them all for their good parts and their failings. I love Barrie’s naive first steps beyond her sheltered existence, and I love the strength she eventually finds in herself. I love Eight because, well, he’s Eight. I love Cassie because she’s got so much below the surface, and Pru because she has so much she has yet to discover about herself. Mark, though, was the character who came out of left field for me. He was supposed to have a small part, but he ended up sticking his size fourteen Louboutins in half the chapters. I love him immeasurably.

Which came first, the title or the novel?

A: The book has had three titles, and I love them all. My working title was FIRE CARRIER, and the reason for that is clear when you read the book. My brilliant acquiring editor, Annette Pollert, who edited the book all the way up to copyedits, came up with BEHOLDEN, which everyone loved, and that also suits the book perfectly. But COMPULSION fits several themes in the book and also conveys a sense of energy that I hope I've achieved in the plot. It's by far my favorite, and it carries through into the rest of the series.

What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

I have a lot of favorite scenes, but I love the first beach scene with the turtle nests and that first big jump in the romance between Eight and Barrie. That's followed closely by the fountain scene. And the sandbar scene where Barrie first gets a hint of her strength. And Mark. Any scene with Mark is my favorite. I have a few that I wish I could have put in the book. I may write them someday, just for fun.

Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?

I have two things. 

First, think bigger. My first manuscript was a rewrite of books I had read before done my way. But what I needed to write was a story that was wholly mine, and that came from always asking how could I do something differently, unexpectedly, and on a grander scale. 

Second, make your protagonist active. My first attempts at writing were based on things happening to the main character and her reacting to those things. In Compulsion, things happened, but I tried to make her decisions to those events active decisions. Right or wrong, she’s pushing the action instead of letting the action push her.

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5 Star Review: Sweet Reckoning (Wendy Higgins)

Paperback, 464 pages
Expected publication: April 29th 2014 by HarperTeen
ARC Provided by Publisher for Honest Review

It’s time.

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.
The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.
In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom. 

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After earning a Creative Writing degree from George Mason University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, I taught high school English until becoming a mommy. I've always had a heart for teens, and writing YA stories gives me the opportunity to delve into the ambiguities of those pivotal years before adulthood.I live in the D.C. area with my husband, daughter, son and puppy Rue.

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"I loved Kaiden Rowe, and he loved me. 

I loved Patti and my father, and I knew they were willing to die for me.

I loved the Nephilim, and wanted to set them free from the terror of their fathers.

I loved the inherent goodness in humanity and the potential for a better future on earth without demon interference.

For the first time ever, I didn't doubt myself."

First and foremost this is by far my FAVORITE book of the entire series. Wendy Higgins has raised the bar with this one. It has everything that a conclusion to a phenomenal series should have. It has drama, suspense, mystery, and unbelievable romance. I cannot rave enough about this book. 

Now onto the cover....LOVE LOVE LOVE all the colors on the cover of this gorgeous book. The light pink of Anna's dress is so subtle and somehow just fits this story so perfect. Anna looks so innocent and Kaiden looks over her should so protectively. It just FIT and fit perfectly. 

Kaiden and Anna are at the top of my favorite YA couples list and this book easily kept them at the top. Kai and Anna's chemistry is so addictive and I felt myself cheering for them throughout the entire book. Their love is one of the ages and Wendy knows just how to describe their relationship that just makes them so adorable. 

"I watched him swallow, then close his eyes as a shiver ran through his body. When he opened his eyes again, color poured through the air around him--the vivid, hot pink of passionate love."

There are several new characters that are introduced in this book and they each play a pivotal role in the end battle with evil.  Anna's father also plays an important role and is so dedicated to Anna at times I just felt like crying. It was the perfect father/daughter relationship.

Anna's character is so strong, good, and heroic. The Nephilim need a savior and she rises to the top in this book. She faces so many demons...both inside and in the real world and she must find a way to overcome both in order to defeat the Dukes.

Kaiden is so much more humble in this book and of course makes me swoon over him completely!! I love his dangerous, moody side but I also love to see him kind and good.  

Both Kai and Anna along with the other Nephs face so many challenges. I just found myself flipping pages so fast to see what happened next. Each chapter was filled with just as much suspense and secrets as the next. I don't want to ruin the conclusion for other readers of the Sweet series so I am not going to divulge to much in this review but just know that IT IS THE BEST OF THE SERIES and lots of questions will be answered.  I especially loved how Wendy chose to close out the story. It will forever hold a place in my heart. Yes it was that amazing....

**I want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to HarperTeen for the opportunity to review this phenomenal, incredible, AMAZING book!!**

**The quotes from this book have been taken from an Advanced Reading Copy and are subject to change when the final book is printed. Please refer to the final, finished copy for exact quotes!**

Review: Sea of Shadows (Kelley Armstrong)

Paperback, 416 pages
Expected publication: April 8th 2014 by HarperCollins
ARC Provided by Publisher for Honest Review

In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire’s worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.
Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.
Ambushed and separated by an ancient evil, the sisters’ journey to find each other sends them far from the only home they’ve ever known. Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls cross a once-empty wasteland, now filled with reawakened monsters of legend, as they travel to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court—one that will alter the balance of their world forever.

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Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

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First thing that grabbed my eye about this book was the fascinating cover. A dark forest with some type of red leaves encircling it creating a strange looking creature...possibly a winged animal...So mysterious...LOVE it!!

I have never read any of Kelley Armstrong's books but have definitely heard of her and have been told several times that I need to!! So when I started reading so many positive reviews on this book then I knew I had to try it!! 

The prologue of the book really grabbed me and caught my attention....

"#1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong takes an exciting new direction with this big, breathtaking trilogy that blends fantasy, romance, horror, and pulse-pounding action, perfect for fans of Graceling and Game of Thrones."

I then continued to read it and it got kinda slow for me but I just had a feeling that I needed to keep reading and that the best was yet to come!! and I was exactly right! Around the middle of the book I absolutely COULD NOT put it down. 

The main characters are twin sisters, Moria and Ashyn. They were marked and birth to be Seeker and Keeper of Edgewood. Their destiny is to lead a group into the Forest of the Dead each year to pay respect to the spirits who have passed and to help them to the next world. They are trained in fighting and secret rites of spirits which helps them to complete their mission.

I am not even sure where to start on describing this book and all of its awesomeness...It has a little bit of everything in it. It has romance, drama, action, and some serious horror and that is probably my favorite part. The forest is so creepy and mysterious and the obstacles that Moria and Ashyn face are at some points horrific. I found myself cringing and flipping pages so fast just to see what happened next. It seemed that their worst fears were all coming true and they were being tested at each turn. 

"The face of something from a nightmare, gray skin stretched over bone, jutting chin and nose and cheekbones. No lips, just a slash of a mouth. And teeth. Fangs. So big his mouth could close. He let out another of those terrible cries, his jaw stretching open until all she could see were the fangs."

Moria and Ashyn also have guards that assist them through this journey and of course I loved both of them. Strong, angry Ronan and quiet, mysterious Gavril were incredible characters that added immensely to the storyline. 

The twins also have their loyal "beasts" that are always at their sides and are born to protect them and stand by them till the day they die. I truly love this aspect of the story. I love when an author includes animals in the story and especially when they perform a specific function in the story line such as this. The animals are so important and cause many emotions throughout the story. Ashyn has Tova, a hound dog and Moira has Daigo, a wildcat. 

"Tova was a Hound of the Immortals, almost as much a creature of legend as those in her sister's tales. Raised in a secret location and given only to Seekers, a Hound of the Immortals lived as long as a human and was said to be the reincarnation of a great warrior from the First Age."

Again, I cannot express how much I loved this book!! Yes it was slow at first but hang in there because it was REALLY GOOD!!! I cannot wait until the second one comes out and I will read it immediately!! and now I want to go and read all of Kelley Armstrong's books because I love how much emotion she put into this book and I am positive her other books are just as good as this one!!

***I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to HarperCollins for allowing me to review this phenomenal book!!! and also to Melissa Murray for recommending it!! As always she was spot on that I would love it!!***

Waiting On Wednesday: Sea Of Shadows (Kelley Armstrong)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at

Breaking the Spine

and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


I am acutally reading this book right now and absolutely HAD to make it my Waiting On Wednesday because I want to get the word out that this is a phenomenal book and everyone needs to read it!!! It is INCREDIBLE!! Romance, Drama, Mystery, Horror.....You name it...this book has it!!!

Hardback, 416 pages
Expected publication: April 8th 2014 by HarperCollins

In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire’s worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.
Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.
Ambushed and separated by an ancient evil, the sisters’ journey to find each other sends them far from the only home they’ve ever known. Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls cross a once-empty wasteland, now filled with reawakened monsters of legend, as they travel to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court—one that will alter the balance of their world forever.

What book are you most looking forward to reading in 2014??

Special Message from Victoria Scott for all her fans of the Fire & Flood series!!!

OK first of all. I LOVE FIRE & FLOOD AND VICTORIA SCOTT!!! She is a phenomenal writer and I am utterly and completely obsessed with the Fire & Flood series!! It is my favorite book of 2014!! I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel. I am a member of V's Mafia and received a special message from her that she is allowing me to share with my readers! Check it out below!!!

A NOTE FROM VICTORIA SCOTT

I can’t believe how amazing these past couple of weeks has been. Fire & Flood is officially out in the world, and it’s an incredible feeling. To see it on shelves and hear readers’ reactions to some of my beloved scenes has provided me heaps of writing fuel. And this is good news since I’ve been elbow deep in revisions for book two. 

Ah, the second book. What can I tell you without spoiling the ride? Well, I can say this—I believe in packing each book with more action than the one preceding it. I believe in continually raising stakes, testing characters, and strengthening relationships. There are many scenes in book two that break my heart, and others that make me laugh. There will be frostbite and avalanches, oceanic storms and twisted new rules. There will be deaths of beloved characters, and new Pandoras to adore. And there will be fierce battles between Contenders and Pandoras alike over the one thing everyone wants—the Cure. For it all comes down to this: 

Who will be the one to cross the finish line first? 

The answer may surprise you. 

Now, let’s get on with what you’re here for—the first nugget of information about book two! The official title and release season are…

SALT & STONE

Click here for my 5 Star Review of Fire & Flood!!!!

Spring

5 Star Review: The Shadow Prince (Bree Despain)

Hardback, 512 pages
Expected publication: March 11th 2014 by Egmont

ARC Provided by Publisher in Exchange for Honest Review

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.
Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.
Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds. 

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The Short: Bree rediscovered her childhood love for creating stories when she took a semester off college to write and direct plays for at-risk, inner-city teens from Philadelphia and New York. She currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband, two young sons, and her beloved TiVo. The Dark Divine is Bree's debut novel.
The Long: As a kid, Bree would staple folded papers to make her own "novels." As a teen, she wrote stories in notebooks while her friends waited for the next page to be finished. Her teachers told her she should be a writer. But Bree thought only special people could be writers, so as the years past, she settled into the idea of becoming a lawyer or something else just as ordinary.
Bree rediscovered her childhood love for creating stories when she took a semester off college to write and direct plays for at-risk, inner city teens from Philadelphia and New York. With a renewed passion for story, and the young adult audience, she returned to Brigham Young University, filled her schedule with creative writing and literature classes, and started writing stories again. But regular life kicked in, and she soon found herself married with a new baby, working full-time, and with very little writing done.
That’s when the universe threw a pick-up truck in her path. The car accident left Bree with an understanding that life was too short to not do what you absolutely love. A few days later, her husband brought home a used laptop computer, placed it by her bedside, and said, “You’d better start writing.” Her life has never been the same since.

In a moment of karmic perfection, Bree received the offer to purchase The Dark Divine on the 6th anniversary of the car accident that put her back on the path to becoming an author.

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Wow...The Shadow Prince takes readers on a  riveting, incredible fantasy ride full of romance, suspense, and action!!! I loved every chapter of this incredible book!!Bree Despain is a rock star author! 

I love  all of the Greek mythology in this story! It just absolutely makes the story. It is so interesting and ...to me..romantic! Which is a huge plus!

The main characters, Daphne and Haden, are just absolutely incredible. I love how we follow the story from both point of views. It helps the reader to learn just how important each side is.... which in turn allows us to feel for both characters throughout the book. 

"There are many paths. And we choose our paths with the decisions we make. But escaping your destiny is not as easy as it seems. The moment you chose to leave the haven of Ellis, your and Haden's destinies became intertwined."

Daphne has been through so much in her life. She was abandoned by her father and raised by a mother who has kept her secluded in a small town and never allowed to leave. She feels smothered and yearns to be free. Her dream comes true when her father, a huge rock star,  just suddenly appears in her life and wants to take her back to his home to live. It is a whole new world for her full of money and the rich and famous and....lots of secrets. 

Daphne has an incredible voice and seems to take a lot after her father. She doesn't just sing...she feels the music. She knows she is different than everyone else she just doesn't know how. 

Haden is a disgraced prince of the Underrealm and dreams of earning his standing back as Prince of the Underrealm and ruling. He is chosen by the Oracle to complete a task that will change the fates of his people forever. He is told to go to the mortal world and bring back a young girl whose destiny is to help save their world. 

"And I am the infallible voice of the universe," the priest says, his voice echoing as the Oracle speaks through him once again. "I have chosen my Champion. The boy is the one who can save you."

Although I LOVE Haden and Daphne...my most favorite character out of this entire book is....BRIM, the hellcat!! I love animals and I love when an author includes them in a story because to me it feels like it brings softness and humanity to the story. Everyone has a weakness for animals and I find myself pulling for the animal in the story! LOL! Yes I am serious! and Brim's character is awesome. Brim is loving yet extremely protective and devoted. I love the events that occur with Brim throughout the story as well. I love how connected Brim and Haden are and how Brim can always find Haden no matter where he is. 

"I'm not surprised it is Brimstone that finds me...."

"As a runty newborn, she'd been tossed out of the nest by her mother, left to die in the Wastelands. That's why I'd saved her--and that's why she rarely left my side and could always find me no matter where I was---we'd both been rejected by the only family we'd ever really known. That made us kin."

From the very first page of this book to the very last...I was completely obsessed. I mean COMPLETELY obsessed. The connection between Haden and Daphne is so breathtaking. They are so drawn to each other and only Haden knows that their destinies are bringing them together. There is so much action and suspense throughout the entire book. There is  so much mystery and intense moments that I found myself cringing as I turned the pages....and I LOVED IT!!!! 

The synopsis from the book states "A pulsating romance of epic proportions" and I totally and completely agree.  This is one of my most favorite books of 2014 by far! I literally cannot wait to read the sequel and follow this incredible adventure with Haden and Daphne...and of course BRIM!!!! If you love ya fantasy, action, and romance then this book is definitely for you! It is just phenomenal!! Bree Despain...YOU ROCK and are at the top of my favorite authors list!!

**I want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to Egmont and Melissa Marie for the opportunity to review this phenomenal, incredible, AMAZING book!!**

**The quotes from this book have been taken from an Advanced Reading Copy and are subject to change when the final book is printed. Please refer to the final, finished copy for exact quotes!**

Book Nerd Tours Blog Tour, Review, & Giveaway: Tremor (Patrick Carman)

Click here for Tour Page and Schedule!!

OK First THANK YOU to Book Nerd Tours and Patrick Carman for allowing me on the tour for this phenomenal book!! I am obsessed with this series and Patrick Carman! Not only are his books incredible but he is a ROCKSTAR AUTHOR!! He is so awesome about responding to his fans! Authors like that make book blogging worthwhile!!! Also the publisher for this book, Katherine Tegan, is one of my most favorite publishers! She releases awesome books and is just as friendly and responsive as Patrick!!

In the year 2051, some people have a second pulse…
Like all who have “the pulse,” Faith Daniels and Dylan Gilmore have telekinetic powers—they can move objects with their minds. But there are five “second pulses” in the world who have an even greater power: Almost nothing can harm them. They are virtually indestructible.
Both Faith and Dylan have the second pulse. But the other side has second pulses, too, and they’ve been training for a war that has been brewing their entire lives. As Dylan executes a plan to infiltrate enemy grounds, he’ll have to face his only weakness, and a family secret that will threaten his very existence.
Together, Faith and Dylan are the only hope this world has left, but they must go their separate ways in order to accomplish their plan. Will their love survive?
With richly developed characters and heart-pounding action scenes, the second book in Patrick Carman’s Pulse trilogy continues the electrifying dystopian story of love and revenge.

    

Patrick Carman is the award-winning author of many books for young adults and children. He grew up in Salem, Oregon, and graduated from Willamette University. His birthday is February 27th, 1966. He spent a decade living in Portland, where he worked in advertising, game design, and technology.
Patrick Carman writes books for young adults and children for Scholastic, Harper Collins, and Little Brown Books For Young Readers. His bestselling books and series includes The Land of Elyon, Atherton, Elliot’s Park, 39 Clues, Floors, Trackers, Thirteen Days to Midnight, Dark Eden, Pulse, 3:15, and Skeleton Creek. Mr. Carman’s books have been translated into approximately two dozen languages.
Mr. Carman spends his free time supporting literacy campaigns and community organizations, fly fishing, playing basketball, golfing badly, doing crosswords, watching movies, dabbling in video games, reading (lots), and (more than anything else) spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

I am just absolutely fascinated with dystopian young adult novels. They all seem to have the perfect mix of romance, drama, and excitement and Tremor is HIGH on the list. WOW. I absolutely loved Pulse when I reviewed it so I knew I couldn't wait to get my hands on the sequel, Tremor and I was so right. Tremor is a phenomenally written young adult dystopian story. The characters are incredible and the plot is so full of twists and turns. I also love how technology has evolved so much in this futuristic world. Technology plays such a huge part in our society now and just the thought that one day it could affect us like it affects these characters is....WILD..

"EVERYONE FEELS THE TREMOR. FEW KNOW ITS POWER."

It is very rare for a sequel to overcome its predeccsor but Tremor does. I believe it was even better than Pulse and really brings you into the story and the characters lives. The characters are all so phenomenal and are so deeply woven into this story. 

"There will be five. Five second pulses, he had told her. No more, no less. It is ordained. Two will be twins, so really in a sense, there will be four. One of these two is a doppelganger, a black mirror, a balance. "

Faith is just a remarkable character who is strong, independent, and has overcome so many trials. She is a survivor who knows exactly the risks she has to take to overcome the evil in the world and help to bring justice to this new world. 

Dylan...ah where do I start with Dylan?? We really get to know him and his background in this story. If you read my review for Pulse then you know that this is exactly what I was hoping for. I wanted more Dylan and Faith and to know more about what has made them who they are today. Their love is just incredible. Patrick Carman writes their stories in such a way that I feel as though I am experiencing all these heartaches and emotions with them. I just love it. 

There are also some new villains that are introduced in this story and boy are they villains. Of course Wade and Clara are still evil and UGH they make me so mad. I am hoping that one day they get exactly what is coming to them...(that is all i will say about that) 

Of course, Hawk is back and he is one of my favorite characters. I love that he is so quirky and so intelligent. He plays an important character who is just fun loving and every reader will adore him. 

There is so much action and intensity in this sequel and I found myself turning pages deep into the night. I just had to know what was going to happen next. Patrick Carman is such a talented writer and his characters are so rich and phenomenal. I cannot say enough how much I loved this book!!! I am already itching for the conclusion! I have to know what happens next...like NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

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Tour Schedule

March 04th Tuesday: Vlog & Interview Jean BookNerd

March 05th Wednesday: Tens List & Spotlight Chapter by Chapter

March 06th Thursday: Guest Post & Spotlight Beauty and the Bookshelf

March 07th Friday: Review & Spotlight Curling Up with a Good Book

March 08th Saturday: 5 Random Things & Spotlight Me, My Shelf and I

March 09th Sunday: Review & Spotlight The Cover Contessa

March 10th Monday: Review & This or That TTC Books and More

March 11th Tuesday: Dream Cast & Spotlight Mother/Gamer/Writer

March 12th Wednesday: Guest Post & Spotlight Ex Libris

March 13th Thursday: Review & Spotlight Beneath the Cover

March 14th Friday: Review & Spotlight Nerdophiles

March 15th Saturday: Review & Spotlight Never Ending Stories

March 16th Sunday: Spotlight Deal Sharing Aunt

March 17th Monday: Music Playlist & Spotlight A Dream Within a Dream