Book Tour: Black Abaddon by Sasha Hibbs- Excerpt & Giveaway

Today the Book Tour for Black Adaddon by Sasha Hibbs thanks to YA Bound Book Tours! I'm a big fan of this series and I'm so happy to help Sasha celebrate Black Abaddon's release. Black Abaddon is the best book in the series yet; an awesome shocker I loved as you can see from my 4 star review that was posted yesterday. Below you'll find a fan-freakin-tastic excerpt between my favourite character Marik and Ally as well as the tour wide giveaway :)

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Ally Watson struggles to live with the choices she made, the worst of which resulted in her soul mate's death. Michael’s sacrifice to save the girl he loved may have reversed the Apocalypse, but not the permanent damage inflicted by living with his loss.

Ally begins a journey where she soon discovers that death is not always the end, but sometimes the very beginning. With old friends, she journeys to the Nosferatu Nation where she meets with new alliances willing to help her in her quest to defeat the Devourer. At every turn, Ally unearths secrets that threaten to destroy those she loves.

The second installment of The Vulcan Legacies series will put Ally to the ultimate test, forcing her to face her fears and the true destiny she will fulfill as Azrael, the Seraph of Death.

Add on Goodreads or check out my 4 star review!

Purchase:

Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Smashwords

 

 

.....From Black Abaddon....

“Will you hold me?” Ally asked. She didn’t know where these
feelings were coming from. There were no romantic urges going
through her, just the pleasant thought of someone holding her together
when she wanted to be strong and not fall apart.

Marik looked down at her, opened his arms and drew her into
him. Ally laid her cheek against his bare skin as his arms circled
around her.

Ally couldn’t help but think about how this would have felt
with Michael. Suddenly tears sprang up in her eyes. She tried to hold
them at bay, not wanting her tears to fall on Marik’s chest. The harder
she tried, the more her tears welled. Was Marik’s kindness towards
her evoking this tormented feeling? Her tears built and built until she
could finally hold them no more. They ran hot down her face and she
knew they landed on Marik’s bare chest. If he felt them, he never
moved, never said anything.

She could feel his chest rise and fall a bit more sharply.
Staying where she was, she reached one hand up to his cheek. Her
fingertips were wet but not from her tears, from his. Keeping her face
buried in his chest, she gently brushed his tears away.

Here she laid in Marik’s arms, her dead soul mate's brother,
isolated from all her friends and family. They lay there clothed,
tangled up together, silently crying, and holding each other together in
such a way words were not needed. They seemed to know what each
other required without needing to say it.

“I hurt too, Ally,” Marik whispered, pulling her closer to him.
“I hurt too.”

By age 5, Sasha Hibbs' favorite movie was Gone With the Wind. By age 12, she completed her 7th grade book report on the sequel, Scarlett. By 18, she met and married her very own Mr. Rhett Butler and as it turns out, she never had to worry about going back to Tara to win the love of her life back. Fortunately, he stuck with her.  

With a love of all things paranormal, the ambiance of the South with its gigantic antebellum mansions and canopies of Spanish moss, and a love for her husband’s rich storytelling of blacksmiths and the mythology surrounding their origins, it wasn’t long until the world of her debut novel, Black Amaranth, was born.

When not working her day job as a nurse, you can find Sasha dreaming of her next beach trip, reading the latest YA novel, and drinking more white chocolate mocha than she should.  

Sasha lives in mountainous West Virginia with her husband, Tim, and their two daughters, Aeliza and Ava. She is currently hard at work on book two in The Vulcan Legacies series.

Visit Sasha:

Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

***GIVEAWAY***

$50 gift card to Evernight Teen (INT) a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Blog Tour Organized by:
YA Bound Book Tours

 

Book Shelf: Black Abaddon (Vulcan Legacies #2) by Sasha Hibbs

Ally Watson struggles to live with the choices she made, the worst of which resulted in her soul mate's death. Michael’s sacrifice to save the girl he loved may have reversed the Apocalypse, but not the permanent damage inflicted by living with his loss.

Ally begins a journey where she soon discovers that death is not always the end, but sometimes the very beginning. With old friends, she journeys to the Nosferatu Nation where she meets with new alliances willing to help her in her quest to defeat the Devourer. At every turn, Ally unearths secrets that threaten to destroy those she loves.

The second installment of The Vulcan Legacies series will put Ally to the ultimate test, forcing her to face her fears and the true destiny she will fulfill as Azrael, the Seraph of Death.

More info on Goodreads....


Review:

Black Abaddon is the second book in the Vulcan Legacies series by Sasha Hibbs and is in my opinion even better than the first! Rife in danger and darkness, Black Abaddon is an addictive and heart pounding story with more shocking twists than you’ll know what to do with!

I have to say, Black Abaddon blew me away and I thoroughly enjoyed this book; more so than even the first instalment! Black Amaranth was a lot about learning about the world and meeting the characters. Hibbs focused a lot about introducing her beings and the histories of the characters, whereas in Black Abaddon, we’re forced to witness the evolution of some of the characters as the storyline steadily progressed.

At this point in time I really feel like I know the characters and Hibbs only enhances this as she writes some big developments into her storyline involving our main character Ally and those around her. Personally I really like all the characters in this book, admittedly some more than others, but regardless I think each brings something very different but intense to the character dynamic within the story.

The differences between all the characters, from their species to their personalities, to their relationships, are something I find very interesting in this series. Everyone from our main character Ally to Jessica, Dave, Eli, Lucy, Brandi, Uncle Argyle, Parthenia, Elizabeth, the gypsies, the Nashoba and especially Marik in Black Abaddon all managed to have an effect on me; I’m invested in all their relationships and lives. Even those we’re just meeting, like Mariah and the Nosforatu Nation intrigue me and those who aren’t what we first thought like Marik have me needing to know more.

At the end of Black Amaranth, Ally suffered a tremendous loss and is still reeling from this in Black Abaddon. She’s in pain and we see a great deal of agony from Ally in this book. Heartbroken and struggling to go on, Ally really struggles with her self belief in this book. Hibbs still continues to keep us on our toes, as Ally’s destiny is still unknown and revelation after revelation changing what we know about her and what she’s meant to do.

Relationships between some characters change, including the one between Ally and Marik. He may have been the big evil in the previous book, but Sasha Hibbs pulls a rabbit out of her hat with him and manages to explore him with some shocking revelations that will change the way Ally, and we see him in Black Abaddon. Honestly, this guy just breaks my heart! I’m so head over heels for him and completely absorbed in his own story. Marik is a very layered character. He’s made mistakes, but everything he ever did was for his family and those he loves; he was used by a great evil, and is now unable to move on.

I’m going to be honest here…I never felt Ally and Michael’s relationship in the first book. I wanted to, but I didn’t. I feel for Marik though and the way he feels for Ally. He truly cares about her and it saddens me that she doesn’t quite feel the same. She loves him, but not as deeply as he cares for her. I do wonder what Hibbs has in store for their relationship. I’m not really a fan of any love triangles, especially when a heroine seems set on one person, but I do actually love Marik. I think he deserves some happiness!

Black Abaddon races towards a jaw-dropping conclusion that is in no way expected. Honestly, I’m shell shocked by how the novel has concluded. Hibbs throws in some unexpected developments, but none more so than the final chapter! Believe me—Black Abaddon will have you begging for more!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review thanks to YA Bound Book Tours and the author (Thanks Nereyda and Sasha!)
Format: Kindle ebook
Buy it: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon(Paperback) | Smashwords
My Recommendation: This series is awesome and if you want an angel tale with a difference then this is it!
Cover: I think it's beautiful---and goes with the first one perfectly!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: YES!!

Book Tour: Son of Set by Kelsey Ketch- Excerpt & Giveaway

 

Welcome to the Book Tour for Son of Set by Kelsey Ketch I'm super excited to be participating in the book tour for second book in Descendants of Isis series, having being a part of the tour for the first book Daughter of Isis when it was released. Yesterday I posted by 4 star review for Son of Set and today I have a fantastic excerpt and the tour wide giveaway to share with you guys.

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“. . . the Sons would never just let him go—alive.”

Seth O’Keefe has broken the laws of his god. He never thought he would sacrifice his own future to protect a Daughter of Isis. But when the Sons of Set discovered Natti is the Secret Keeper, he had no choice. Now, Seth and Natti are on the run from his father, who wants nothing more than to see Seth dead. With no allies, Seth turns to the Daughters of Isis for help, hoping they would protect Natti. But when they meet the Daughters, he discovers a secret that puts both their lives in more danger. Low on options, Seth sees only one possibility for survival. He must help Natti solve an ancient puzzle and find the secret name of Ra.

Natara “Natti” Stone is having a hard time swallowing the truth. She can’t believe what she has learned in the past twenty-four hours: Seth is a Son of Set blessed with charm; she is a Daughter of Isis blessed with a sliver of Ma ‘at; the locket her grandmother gave her holds an ancient Egyptian secret linking to Osiris and Isis. That along with being tortured and brutalized by the Sons of Set, she can hardly hold herself together. Thank God for Seth’s touch! That warm, tingling sensation that drowns it all out. Yet her heart struggles to stay focused. She must quickly embrace her destiny before the secret name of Ra falls into the wrong hands.

Add on Goodreads or check out my 4 star review!

Purchase:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | The Book Depository

 

.......From Son of Seth.....

Seth wrung a blood-soaked hand towel until the fabric pinched the flesh of his aching palms. Droplets of Natti’s diluted blood trickled into the running water. When the cotton began to dry, he drowned it again and wrung it out even tighter. Yet, no matter how sore his hands were, the haunting bloodstains on the towel wouldn’t wash away. Exhausted and frustrated, he tossed the towel into the basin. He slammed the faucet off, leaned over the counter, and stared at his reflection. Dark circles and black kohl accented his turquoise eyes. Large, swollen bruises coated his lightly tanned skin, each screaming with the slightest movement. Dry blood encrusted his wrists. His back ached and his knees were coated with grime. Even so, his injuries carried little pain compared to the memories he was still trying to process: his own father, Sean, drawing Seth’s Glock 38 on him at the hospital; being chained down in Set’s Temple and listening to Natti’s screams while his father dosed her with synthetic scorpion venom; watching Sean enslave her essence; seeing the ceremonial dagger poised over her breast. Seth shoved his fingers through his copper hair, trying to force the images out of his mind.

A soft moan, a harsh groan, and then a scream echoed from the next room. Seth’s overwhelmed system surged with adrenaline. He raced into the bedroom of the hotel room. Natti had her back pressed against the pillows and headboard as she manically swiped at the old, floral bedcover. She abruptly withdrew her hand with another scream and began to cower, her knees brought up to her chest.

“I don’t know,” she bellowed. “I don’t know.” 

“Natti?” Seth rushed to her side. He stared at the bedcover, trying to determine who or what she was shouting at.

Natti turned her glassy eyes to him with a gasp. She scrambled sideways, and Seth had to catch her before she fell over the edge of the king-sized bed. Her panicky screams transformed into desperate cries for help. Afraid someone would hear her, Seth quickly covered her mouth. She struggled against him for a brief moment before she finally went limp in his arms. Her silver-violet eyes were filled with fear.

“Shh,” Seth cooed, trying to keep his own heart from leaping out of his chest. He stared into the eyes that had bewitched him on the first day they met. When she looked back at him, it was like she was gazing at a stranger. He swallowed a lump that formed in his throat and slowly raised his fingers from her lips.

“I don’t know,” she whimpered. “I don’t know. I swear, I don’t know.”

“Natti, it’s me,” Seth whispered, mentally begging the gods to help her. “It’s Seth. We met at school in mid-September. I rescued you at the festival. I helped you escape from the temple. Don’t you remember?”
Her body tensed under his hold, and her gaze went wild while she scanned the room. “Oh God, please. . . . I don’t know.”
“Natti.”

She wasn’t paying any attention to him. Her eyes were beginning to dilate, and her body vibrated with fear. Seth finally called on his blessing from Set, his magical charm, to try to calm her, but her mind was too wired and her veins throbbed under his touch. She suddenly screeched and thrashed violently in his arms.

“No. No, stop. I don’t know.” Her anxiety was building. Grabbing hold of her flying fists, Seth pinned her down on the bed. Her back arched and her legs kicked while she attempted to wrench herself from his grasp.

“Natti, stop,” he ordered. “Stop!”

Go back to where it all began!

The first book in the series, Daughter of Isis is currently on sale for $.99 during the week of the tour! Be sure to snag you copy while you can!

Purchase:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords
 

During her high school years, Kelsey Ketch could always be found tucked away in a little corner of the hall or classroom, writing her fantasy worlds and creating illustrations and maps. Today is no different, except now she’s writing in the break room at her office building or at the tables of the Barnes and Noble Café in Cary, North Carolina. She is also an avid reader, a part-time book blogger at Ketch’s Book Nook, and lives with her two orange tabbies and awesome and humorous flat-mate.Daughter of Isis is her debut novel. For more information, please visit her site at kelseyketch.com.

Visit Kelsey:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

 

***GIVEAWAY***

One lucky winner will get a was scepter pendant (created specially by SilverspotStudio), a hieroglyphic tote bag, and a Son of Set journal (INT) a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Blog Tour Organized by:

YA Bound Book Tours

 

 

Book Shelf: Son of Set (Descendants of Isis #2) by Kelsey Ketch

“. . . the Sons would never just let him go—alive.”

Seth O’Keefe has broken the laws of his god. He never thought he would sacrifice his own future to protect a Daughter of Isis. But when the Sons of Set discovered Natti is the Secret Keeper, he had no choice. Now, Seth and Natti are on the run from his father, who wants nothing more than to see Seth dead. With no allies, Seth turns to the Daughters of Isis for help, hoping they would protect Natti. But when they meet the Daughters, he discovers a secret that puts both their lives in more danger. Low on options, Seth sees only one possibility for survival. He must help Natti solve an ancient puzzle and find the secret name of Ra.

Natara “Natti” Stone is having a hard time swallowing the truth. She can’t believe what she has learned in the past twenty-four hours: Seth is a Son of Set blessed with charm; she is a Daughter of Isis blessed with a sliver of Ma ‘at; the locket her grandmother gave her holds an ancient Egyptian secret linking to Osiris and Isis. That along with being tortured and brutalized by the Sons of Set, she can hardly hold herself together. Thank God for Seth’s touch! That warm, tingling sensation that drowns it all out. Yet her heart struggles to stay focused. She must quickly embrace her destiny before the secret name of Ra falls into the wrong hands.

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

Son of Set is the second instalment in Kelsey Ketch’s rich Descendants of Isis series and picks up almost instantly where the first book left off, again drawing the reader into a story where romance and attraction blend together with Ancient Egyptian gods and their ways to create a tantalizing and fast paced story you’re sure to love!

The Descendants of Isis series has been really fun to read so far. Personally, I really loved the first book and found I enjoyed Son of Set as equally as much. As a lover of all things Ancient Egyptian, Ketch appeals to this side of me that adores exploring their ancient myths and ideology; managing to take something so lush and weave it together in a modern setting with likable characters.

Son of Set is told in the third person, with the both Natti and Seth our focal points. Seeing the story unfold through both their eyes is an enlightening experience at times. We see both their individual struggles and fears, and I found it really interesting to see the others perception of certain events. Ketch does a good job writing conflicting characters that are deeply layered; especially where Seth is concerned and I loved struggling with my own perception of Seth and his actions.

Natti is a very likable character and she’s always been a strong one to follow. I truly like her as she is, but it was interesting seeing a different side of her in Son of Set. The abuse she suffered in her short time at the hands of Seth’s father Sean has had quite an impact on her physique and she is a very fragile young woman at the beginning of the book. Obviously this changes over the course of the story, but Natti struggles with whether or not she can truly trust Seth. Her questioning over his intensions and his ability to control her emotionally are something that are quite a focal issue for her. And really it’s quite understandable; Natti has strong feelings for Seth, physically and emotionally, but how much is actually her as opposed to what he makes, and sometimes forces her to feel?

The conundrum that is Seth O’Keefe continues to intrigue me in this book. Seth is one of those characters where it would be so easy to dislike him based on some of the things he does to get his way; either by force or coercion, but at the same time, the internal struggle he puts himself through make it really hard to do so. Seth has grown up his whole life holding himself in higher regards than the mere mortals around him. Those of influence in his life, especially his father, are cruel and manipulative; uncaring about others and constantly taking their free will away from them in the name of their god Set. And Seth’s always been told this is alright. Is it any wonder he continues to struggle as he does, at times giving in to his darker nature?

It’s not until Seth began to care about Natti as more than a mere sexual conquest in the first book that he began to question the world around him and go against what he’s been taught his whole life. Seth’s still making mistakes and still seems to fall into his old patterns at times, but I honestly feel like he’s trying. And it’s this attempt to better himself that tends to win my good graces—I just really like that Seth is so complex. It makes reading about him more powerful and exciting. I feel like I struggle along with Seth and sometimes want to scream at him when he makes a wrong choice, but as Seth’s decisions are becoming more and more for Natti’s benefit, I’m loving Seth more.

It goes without saying that Natra and Seth have a romantic relationship throughout the series, but this is something they struggle with a lot. Natti’s internal battle over whether or not she can trust Seth makes it difficult for her to accept Seth’s constant advances. Seth knows what he wants---Natti—and doesn’t shy away from trying to win her affections. Granted sometimes he doesn’t go about things the right way, but Seth truly cares deeply for Natti and may already be in love with her. Natti on the other can cares for Seth, but spends a lot of her time afraid what she feels isn’t real.

Personally, I love the tension and attraction these two exhibit together and I honestly feel when you strip everything all back and take away all the unnecessary issues they face they’re a great couple. Ketch likes to keep us on our toes with this will-they-or-won’t-they thing they have going on, but I can’t wait to see this resolved indefinitely.

The sexual aspect and tone of Son of Set is a much darker aspect to the story than anything else and I’m not sure if I like it. I understand it’s inclusion by Ketch and think it is clever to have her characters feature such a sexual nature but at the same time the dark attitude of some of the characters doesn’t sit well with me. Many of the male characters, mostly the Sons of Set have so little regard for women; they’re cruel and merciless; turning women senseless and using them for their own sexual gratification. This is rape in so many ways and I can’t get over the unease I feel when reading about it.

Sexual issues aside, Son of Set is a fantastic read. The characters are likable and the storylines endlessly intriguing. Kelsey Ketch’s ending of Son of Set was just plain cruel though. I mean, really?!?! How can it end like that?!? Seriously! I’m not going to give any spoilers away, but to race through a heart stopping and tension filled story just to have it end in the manner in which it did is so very cheeky. I’m very much looking forward to the next instalment and if you’re a fan of Ancient Egyptian tales or want something different then I highly recommend this series!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by YA Bound Book Tours and the author (Thank you Nereyda and Kelsey!)
Format: Ebook
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | The Book Depository
My Recommendation: Fans of Ancient Egypt with want to read this!
Cover: I think it's lovely.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: I'm very much looking forward to the next book!

Monday Madness Giveaway- May 2014 *CLOSED*

Welcome to the May edition of Monday Madness! This month the book I was most mad about was Disruption by Jessica Shirvington! I simply adored the book BUT because it's not available at The Book Depository I'm giving away a copy of any of her other books instead. Winners choice :D

Here's a little bit about what I had to say about Disruption.......

"Excellent world building and pace make Disruption an addictive and beguiling read. You'll find Disruption hard to put down and Jessica Shirvington skillfully builds on every moment in this layered and surprising story to leave you breathlessly wanting more. Starring a kick-ass heroine and an electrifying storyline, Disruption shapes up to be one of the must-reads of the year and is a brilliant start to what promises to be a sensational new series from Shirvington! Mark this on your to-be-read lists, ladies and gentlemen--you won't regret it!"

What if a microchip could identify your perfect match?
What if it could be used against you and the ones you love?

Eight years ago, Mercer Corporation’s M-Bands became mandatory. An evolution of the smartphone, the bracelets promised an easier life. Instead, they have come to control it.

Two years ago, Maggie Stevens watched helplessly as one of the people she loves most was taken from her, shattering her world as she knew it.

Now, Maggie is ready. And Quentin Mercer – heir to the M-Corp empire – has become key to Maggie’s plan. But as the pieces of her dangerous design fall into place, could Quentin’s involvement destroy everything she’s fought for?

In a world full of broken promises, the ones Maggie must keep could be the most heartbreaking.

Add on Goodreads or check out my 5 star review!
 

**NOTE: As I previously mentioned, Disruption is not available at The Book Depo so the winner of Monday Madness for May will win a paperback copy of their choice of book in Jessica Shirvinton's Embrace series, also known as the Violet Eden series by us Aussies :)

Details:
· You MUST be a follower to enter!
· Giveaway is INTERNATIONAL or wherever The Book Depository ships to.
· Giveaway will run from today (May 26th) until the June 9th (2 weeks time!)
· Simply comment below with a way to contact you to enter
· Extra entries are available but are in no way necessary by:
+1 Letting me know what you think Jessica Shirvington's books and which book you'd like in the series!
+1 For Tweeting, Facebooking or Sharing!

Book Shelf: Resist (Breathe #2) by Sarah Crossan

The sequel—and conclusion—to Sarah Crossan's Breathe. Three teen outlaws must survive on their own in a world without air, exiled outside the glass dome that protects what's left of human civilization. Gripping action, provocative ideas, and shocking revelations in a dystopian novel that fans of Patrick Ness and Veronica Roth will devour.

Bea, Alina, and Quinn are on the run. They started a rebellion and were thrown out of the pod, the only place where there's enough oxygen to breathe. Bea has lost her family. Alina has lost her home. And Quinn has lost his privileged life. Can they survive in the perilous Outlands? Can they finish the revolution they began? Especially when a young operative from the pod's Special Forces is sent after them. Their only chance is to stand together, even when terrible circumstances force them apart. When the future of human society is in danger, these four teens must decide where their allegiances lie. Sarah Crossan has created a dangerous, and shattered society in this wrenching, thought-provoking, and unforgettable post-apocalyptic novel.
 
More info on Goodreads......

Review:

Resist is both the sequel and the conclusion to Sarah Crossan’s thrilling and at times shocking, Breathe duology and is an electrifying end to this dystopian read that will leave you breathless!

I must admit it’s taken me a little while to actually read this series, and now having finished it, I can’t for the life of my figure out why it took me so long! Breathe has been a thoroughly enjoyable series to read. With only two installments in the series, it’s gone fast, but both books have been well written, well thought out and deeply intriguing. I can’t think of a moment where the characters, the story and the pace haven’t been to my liking and not enough to keep me entertained.

Resist picks up exactly where Breathe left off, with The Grove destroyed by Ministry forces and Quinn and Bea on the run for their lives in the pod. The Resistance has been almost eradicated and those who’ve survived have been displaced, with nowhere to go. Resist sees Alina, Silas, Maude, Bruce and other Resistance members heading off in search of sanctuary from another group of rebels, discovering along the way that not everyone supports their way of thinking and may have even more dangerous plans in motion for those who live in the pod.

In the meantime, Bea and Quinn are attempting to find them and instead find others from the pod who surprisingly share their feelings on the assisting the remaining Resistance members. New friends and surprising allies arise, with the mayor's son Ronan taking on a leading role in Resist, and Quinn’s dad making different decisions from the previous book.

Now told through the POV’s of Alina, Bea, Quinn AND Ronan, Resist is very fast paced. This whole book is about our characters fight for survival and a better life, and sees the characters struggle to survive not only from the elements (i.e lack of oxygen) but those who want to shut down everything they’ve worked for (the Ministry). There were tonnes of twists and turns to keep me entertained and some startling shocks including the unexpected loss of one of our main characters at the very end of the book that blew me away. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but it’s a massive loss.

The inclusion of Ronan was interesting to the character dynamic and was a great addition to the story. I worried about a potential love triangle between him, Bea and Quinn, but Crossan handles this all well. Bea, Quinn and Alina are all the fantastic characters they were from the first book, even if the stakes are dire and see them do things they wouldn’t otherwise do. Minor characters, such as Maude Blue add that special something to the book to give it life, and just manage to make me smile time and time again.

Huge stakes and surprising developments keep Resist moving forward. The ending is explosive and hopeful, if not bittersweet, and leaves me feeling mostly satisfied, even if I wasn’t ready for the series to end. Featuring a fast paced storyline and likable characters, Breathe is a series you’ll not want to miss!


Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Bloomsbury Australia (Thank you Sonia!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: A wonderful blend of sci-fi and dystopian, this series is absolutely worth a read!
Cover: Goes perfectly with the cover of the first book!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: This is the last book in this series, but I look forward to reading more written by Sarah Crossan

Book Blast: Steam and Sensibility by Kirsten Weiss- Excerpt & Giveaway

Welcome to the Book Blast for Steam and Sensibility by Kirsten Weiss presented by Book Monster Promotions! Yesterday I posted my 4 star review of Steam and Sensibility and today I have a great excerpt as well as the tour wide giveaway to share with you all!

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team rising. California Territory, 1848. Gold has been discovered, emptying the village of San Francisco of its male population. Steam-powered technology is still in its infancy.

At 19, Englishwoman Sensibility Grey has spent her life tinkering in her father’s laboratory and missing the finer points of proper British life. But when her father dies in penury, she’s shipped to San Francisco and to the protection of an uncle she’s never met.

The California Territory may hold more dangers than even the indomitable Miss Grey can manage. Pursued by government agents, a secret society, and the enigmatic Mr. Krieg Night, Sensibility must decipher the clockwork secrets in her father’s final journal, unaware she’ll change the world forever.

Magic, mayhem, and mechanicals. STEAM AND SENSIBILITY is a pre-Steampunk novel of paranormal suspense set in the wild west of the California gold rush.

Add on Goodreads or check out my 4 star review!

Purchase:

Amazon (Kinde) | Amazon (Paperpack) | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

 

.....From Steam and Sensibility.....

A pebble rattled down the slope of the hill, and the flesh on her back twitched.

“You are being ridiculous,” Sensibility muttered. She had never started at shadows before. But never before had she alighted into an abandoned village, alone and in the dark of night. 

A cold blot of worry penetrated her chest. Why hadn’t her uncle come for her? This was a tiny village. By now he must know her ship had arrived. Had her final letter gone astray? Had he sent word that he’d be gone, and she’d missed his correspondence? 

Perhaps she should go look for him after all? Rising, Sensibility gazed down at her trunk, bound in leather straps. She did not wish to leave it and her few remaining possessions.

Annoyed, Sensibility whirled, skirts flaring, and sat again upon the trunk. She flipped open her pocket watch. The ruby-colored planet Mercury edged upwards to nine o’clock. 

She would wait another quarter hour. After that, she must abandon her trunk and find someone who knew the whereabouts of her uncle. 
A hand clapped over her mouth, crushing her lips against her teeth. 
Something hard and sharp pricked the pulse in her neck. Horror sparked through her body. A cry escaped Sensibility’s throat in a muffled squeak.

“Hsst! Stay quiet and come with me if you want to survive the night,” a woman’s voice said.

Sensibility spasmed. 

The tip of the knife dug more deeply into her neck. 

And then the pressure released and the knife trailed upward, pressing into the tender flesh beneath her chin. The blade was a point of fire, the pain a lance to her brain, driving her to her feet. Sensibility’s heart slammed against her stays. She couldn’t think. Couldn’t plan. The world collapsed to the point at her throat. 

A hand grasped her hair, jerking her head back and pulling her around the trunk. She stumbled backward through a darkened doorway. 

The woman shoved her, spun her away. 

Sensibility fell against a rough plank wall. 

Her attacker struck a lucifer, sending out a shower of sparks. Head tilted, she held the outmoded match before her face. Harsh shadows flickered across high cheekbones, refined features and tumbled, chestnut-colored curls. Her eyes glowed cobalt in the reflected light of the flame. Little older than Sensibility, her attacker wore a fashionable blue and white-striped gown and tight blue jacket bodice. She jammed a cigarillo between her teeth and lit it, puffing contentedly.

Sensibility shoved herself away from the wall, fear pulsing up her throat. Gulping it down, she smoothed the front of her bodice. “Will you be so kind as to tell me what you want? If this is a robbery, I’m afraid you’ll be sadly disappointed.” But she became conscious of the weight of the silver coins she’d sewn into the hem of her skirt. They weren’t much – part of the collection taken up by her father’s English circle of friends in Lima. But if she lost them, she would be destitute.

The woman canted her head. From the top of a wooden crate, she retrieved a lantern and lit it with the tip of her cigarillo. “You got something worth stealing?”

 

Kirsten Weiss is the author of the Steampunk novel, Steam and Sensibility, and the Riga Hayworth series of paranormal mysteries: the urban fantasy, The Metaphysical Detective, The Alchemical Detective, The Shamanic Detective, and The Infernal Detective. 

Kirsten worked overseas for nearly fourteen years, in the fringes of the former USSR and deep in the Afghan war zone.  Her experiences abroad not only gave her glimpses into the darker side of human nature, but also sparked an interest in the effects of mysticism and mythology, and how both are woven into our daily lives.

Now based in San Mateo, CA, she writes paranormal mysteries, blending her experiences and imagination to create a vivid world of magic and mayhem.

Kirsten has never met a dessert she didn’t like, and her guilty pleasures are watching Ghost Whisperer reruns and drinking good wine. You can connect with Kirsten through the social media sites below, and if the mood strikes you, send her an e-mail at kirsten_weiss2001@yahoo.com

Visit Kirsten:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Google + | Pinterest

 

GRAND PRIZE: Signed copy of Steam and Sensibility

RUNNERS UP: 3 runners-up will each receive an eBook of Steam and Sensibility

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Book Shelf: Steam and Sensibility (Sensibility Grey #1) by Kirsten Weiss

Steam rising. California Territory, 1848. Gold has been discovered, emptying the village of San Francisco of its male population. Steam-powered technology is still in its infancy.
 
At 19, Englishwoman Sensibility Grey has spent her life tinkering in her father’s laboratory and missing the finer points of proper British life. But when her father dies in penury, she’s shipped to San Francisco and to the protection of an uncle she’s never met.

The California Territory may hold more dangers than even the indomitable Miss Grey can manage. Pursued by government agents, a secret society, and the enigmatic Mr. Krieg Night, Sensibility must decipher the clockwork secrets in her father’s final journal, unaware she’ll change the world forever.
Magic, mayhem, and mechanicals. STEAM AND SENSIBILITY is a pre-Steampunk novel of paranormal suspense set in the wild west of the California gold rush.

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

A well depicted steampunk novel set in the Wild West during the California gold rush, Steam and Sensibility by Kirsten Weiss is a detailed and authentic feeling steampunk tale that blends murder and mystery with excitement and just the perfect hint of romance!

Steam and Sensibility is described as steampunk with paranormal suspense, and although the paranormal aspect wasn’t overly there and prominent like I expected, I still enjoyed this story. Personally I wouldn’t head into the novel expecting a focal paranormal aspect; because it’s rather a small, minimal undertone to the rest of the story. And yet I feel this small hint instead complimented the book and allowed other aspects to shine.

Following nineteen year old Englishwoman Sensibility Grey, who moves to San Francisco after the death of her father to live with her estranged uncle, I will be the first to admit that it took a while for me to truly become absorbed in Steam and Sensibility. There wasn’t anything wrong with the story; it just took a while until my attention caught. That being said, I breezed through this well depicted story and by halfway, I was thoroughly caught up in the mysterious goings on our heroine found herself in involved in.

I found the setting for Steam and Sensibility to be a perfect blend of Wild West and British high class. Cowboys mixed with English noblemen and women in a setting right out of the old west that featured lovely hints of steampunk amongst the story. The plotline within Steam and Sensibility was very mysterious and exciting once we got into the very heart of things.

As we’re introduced to a bunch of different characters, all with their own plans and agendas, I found that following Sensibility was quite a nice experience. Obviously she is a typical young English woman; cultured and a bit sheltered but Sensibility is also extremely intelligent and this is something that sets her apart from others. With an inventor for a father, a love of tinkering with things is something she appears to have inherited and as the novel progresses this becomes more evident with the way she approaches things. Personally, I really like this about Sensibility and thought she was a nice heroine; the perfect blend of fragility and innocence with bravery and unexpected strength. Sensibility grows quite a lot throughout the novel, although she still has a long way to go.

Throughout Steam and Sensibility we are introduced to a range of unique and different characters, including the rash and biting Miss Jane Algrave; a government officer who doesn’t play by anyone’s rule and the enigmatic and proud Mr. Night; a young lawyer who after a disastrous initial meeting, manages to set Sensibility’s heart a flutter, although not without a few difficult moments. As Sensibility learns who she can trust and who is out to deceive her, I really liked determining who was lying and out for themselves as apposed to noble and good.

Steam and Sensibility introduces us to an intriguing steampunk world that I honestly believe author Kirsten Weiss has big plans for. The introduction we have is sufficient for this story but I foresee a lot of world building and development in future stories.

Rich and proper, but with a western twist, Steam and Sensibility is an entertaining read that has me ready to read the next instalment!

Rating:
Source: Sent for by Monster Book Promotions and the author (Thank you guys!)
Format: Kindle ebook
Buy it: Amazon (Kinde) | Amazon (Paperpack) | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
My Recommendation: Fans of steampunk will enjoy this
Cover: I think the cover is pretty kick-ass--I love it!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Yes, I'd like to read more

Book Blast: A is for Abstinence by Kelly Oram-Excerpt & Giveaway

Today I'm super, super excited to be participating in the Book Blast for A is for Abstinence by Kelly Oram, the second book in V is for Virgin series thanks to I Am A Reader, Not A Writer! I ADORED V is for Virgin and was beyond ecstatic when Kelly decided to write a sequel in Kyle's POV--personally I'm dying to read it!

Be sure to check out the amazing excerpt from A is for Abstinence as well as the tour wide giveaway :)

________________________________

Six-time Grammy Award-winning musician Kyle Hamilton has it all—money, fame, talent, good looks, and a job he loves. His only regret in life: walking away from a certain notorious virgin because he was too prideful, stubborn, and even afraid to give her the only thing she asked of him—his abstinence.

Four years and a broken heart later, Kyle realizes that sex isn’t everything, and he suddenly can’t stop thinking about the girl that got away. Virgin Val Jensen got under his skin like no one else ever has. He wasn’t ready for her then, but things are different now. He’s grown up, he’s learned a few things, and he’s finally figured out exactly what he wants, or, rather, who he wants.

Kyle Hamilton wants a do-over, and this time he’s willing to do—or not do—whatever it takes.

Add on Goodreads!

Purchase:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

 

....From A is for Abstinence.....

I’d never seen Val so upset before. I’d flustered her on a regular basis back in the day. I’d always pushed her to her limits on purpose, trying to get her strong façade to crack and she never once had. She was the strongest person I’d ever met. It said something about her emotional state of mind that she’d asked for a few moments to collect herself before having to do the signing with me.

I knew she probably wanted these few minutes alone, but I couldn’t pull myself away. I couldn’t leave her like this. I cleared my throat to gain her attention, and she jumped at the intrusion. She whirled around, hastily wiping away a tear or two as she forced her emotions down and reverted back into the calm, controlled woman I’d seen onstage.

She opened her mouth as if to explain herself but shut it again, realizing that there was no hiding what I’d just witnessed. Instead she decided to ignore it. “Kyle Hamilton.” It was a warm greeting and a sigh at the same time.

Her smile was sincere, and her eyes held genuine pleasure, but there was a wariness about her that made me afraid to approach her. We stared at each other in silence, both cataloging the changes four years had brought. I wasn’t sure what to do or how to break the silence between us, so Val took the initiative. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” she said with a small shake of her head.

“Me, either.” I finally broke from my stupor and managed a small smile. “Hug for an old friend?”

I held out my arms, still not taking any steps further into the room, letting her come to me on her terms. It took her a moment to decide, but eventually she pushed her smile up into her eyes and crossed the room to me.

We sank into the embrace and simply held each other as the tension left our bodies. Her arms were low around my waist and mine tight around her shoulders. Thanks to her heels she was only a few inches shorter than my six-foot-three inches, putting her at the perfect height to rest her head on my shoulder, which she did with the smallest sigh. My eyes drifted shut and I enjoyed the moment. It was a long time before I whispered, “Are you okay?”

She sucked in a sharp breath and pulled herself out of my arms. “I’m fine.”

I didn’t believe her. The words sounded too much like a personal pep talk. “Val, if you’re not up for sticking around to sign autographs with me, I’ll understand. I’ll tell them you’re not feeling well.”

Val gaped up at me, stunned by the offer. She was shocked that I’d let her off the hook. Normally I wouldn’t, but the image of her crumpling to pieces alone in this room was not one I was going to forget anytime soon.

“The thing about surviving fame,” I told her, “is knowing when to say no. The public will always take everything you give them. They’ll take and take and take, and it will never be enough. You have to remember that ultimately you come first. If there’s ever something you need, you have to put your foot down.”

For instance, not singing your most popular song again no matter how much it pisses people off and lets them down. I didn’t voice the thought, but I wondered if she was thinking about that, too.

“If you’re not up for it today, then go.”

Val studied me for a moment, and her nerves melted away. Giving her the chance to say no had apparently been what she needed to say yes. “It’s okay, Kyle, I don’t mind staying.”

She sounded much more confident, but I still asked, “You sure?”

“I’m sure,” she promised. A smile crept over her face, reaching all the way up into her eyes and she said, “I can’t let you go out there alone. Who knows what kinds of rumors you’d start. I’d probably wake up tomorrow and learn that I’d been hospitalized after going into severe shock when you kissed me backstage.”

 Surprised, I burst into laughter. “That does sound like something you’d do,” I teased.

She laughed with me and we headed back to the main studio and our waiting fans. “It may have been four years, Kyle, but that doesn’t mean I don’t remember how you operate.”

I snatched her hand as she reached to open the door to the studio. I wasn’t ready to end this moment alone with her. “You don’t think I’ve learned a few things since then?”

She smirked and shook her head. “New tricks. Same dog.”

It was impossible not to take her words as a challenge. I pushed her back until she was pinned against the door and leaned in close enough that our breaths mingled. Her eyes snapped wide the same way they always had whenever I’d invaded her personal space, and I watched, satisfied, as she sucked in a lung full of air and held it.

“That mentality will be your downfall this time around, Val.” I leaned in, letting my lips linger at her jawline for a moment too long before bringing them to her ear. “Same old tricks,” I whispered. “New man.”

With that, I kissed her cheek and breezed past her into the studio, leaving her flustered and in need of another moment to collect herself all over again.

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She’s obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.

Visit Kelly:

Blog | Goodreads | Twitter  Facebook | Google +

          Blast Giveaway $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/16/19 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  a Rafflecopter giveaway
I simply ADORE Kelly's stories, as I've previously mentioned and urge you ALL to seek them out--you won't regret it!

Book Shelf: Black Amaranth (Vulcan Legacies #1) by Sasha Hibbs

Eighteen-year-old Ally Watson arrives home from high school graduation, more than a little annoyed that her Uncle Argyle—Ally’s legal guardian and only surviving relative—didn’t even bother showing up. But instead of berating him for his forgetfulness, Ally finds him in a life-or-death battle with a monster. Argyle manages to kill the creature, and gives Ally a parcel containing a destiny she never knew existed.

Ally, along with her best friends Michael, Jessica, and David, hurry to Georgia to uncover the truth of Uncle Argyle’s secrets, and the meaning of the mysterious marks that Ally bears. Are the marks related to the blacksmith mythology of her ancestors? Who are these heavenly warriors who show up in the oddest of places? And will an ancient gypsy curse destroy the very things Ally fights to save?

Black Amaranth: a simple flower, a symbol with an ancient legacy, a conduit for prophecy…while faith and hope are essential to the journey, Ally soon discovers that love is the most powerful force of all.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Black Amaranth is the first book in the Vulcan Legacies series by Sasha Hibb and weaves together danger, darkness and the power of love and friendship in this unique twist on the traditional angelic tale.

I have to say, Black Amaranth was a real roller-coaster of information and mythology for me. Author Sasha Hibb’s impressed me with her different take on vampires, angels and werewolves in this book. I honestly feel like Hibb’s has made a very real attempt to take something we’ve all seen so many times and shake them up. And she does a decent job in doing so.

In Black Amaranth we are presented with a number of different beings: Seraphs; angels, Blaxxmiths; the result of Seraph’s breeding with mortals, Nosferatu: vampires, and werewolves. We also have gypsies making an appearance too. Weaving them all together, Hibb’s introduces us to Ally, a seventeen year old teenage girl who shockingly learns she is actually a Seraph, an angelic being, and more importantly is one that was long ago prophesized to either save the world or destroy it.

Hibbs also goes to great length to detail the history of the beings within her world, and while I appreciate this, it also left me very, very confused at times. So much sits on our heroine’s shoulders and as we learn just who, and what, she is, the way in which Hibbs explains her heritage and role within the prophecy had me very confused at times. I think its brilliant how everything is interconnected, and Hibb’s reveals things exactly when she should for maximum effect, but even as the first few chapters of the story ended, there are still a few parts where I don’t think I completely comprehended what is going on.

That being said, I did enjoy the story. Ally is a decent main character and the story progresses nicely. It felt a bit rushed in the beginning and towards the end, but Sasha Hibb’s managed to hold my attention regardless. I like the supernatural elements mixed together with the strong themes of love and friendship in the book. Ally has some true friendships and I loved the romantic elements Hibb’s has added in. Personally I didn’t quite feel the connection between Ally and her love interest Michael, but her best friend Jessica’s love/hate relationship with warrior Eli, as well as the connection shared by their siblings Dave and Lucy has me all excited to see where they would go.

Overall Black Amaranth is a worthy read. Hibb’s mixes all the elements for a good supernatural read together with some unique lore. Plenty of shocks and twists will keep you on your toes, as well as the discovery that no one is as they seem. Black Amaranth ends on a cliffhanger that shakes everything up that has me eager to read the next book!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by the author (Thank you Sasha!)
Format: Kindle ebook
Buy it: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | The Book Depository | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords
My Recommendation: If you love unique fantasy and angel lore, this will be perfect for you.
Cover: I think it's absolutely beautiful; breathtaking!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Yes