Review + Blog Tour + Giveaway: The Courlight Series by Terah Edun

Sworn to Raise

Series- Courtlight Series #1

By- Terah Edun

Genre- Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age

 Goodreads

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the empire. But beneath her empire’s seemingly idyllic surface lies a hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder—intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.

Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companion’s Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she’d never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.

But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.

This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with remarkable characters and unforgettable magic. Sworn To Raise is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Michelle Sagara, and Maria Snyder.

Review:

I'm sure you've seen this series up on my blog quite a few times lately and I am so glad I finally get a chance to read it because it really has intrigued me from all the posts about it. This is a High Fantasy piece at heart and as such the story to be told here is rather large. You have Royals and social structure to magic and other skills that really draw you into this fantastical world. Ciardis is a 17 year-old girl who has done nothing but launder her entire life. She is an orphan and from a very early age learned to take care of herself by working hard and long hours. However, that all changes when she meets Serena, a women of status known as a companion, and she takes Ciardis under her wing to become a companion herself. Sworn to Raise takes you on a poor orphan's journey through the court life of tricks and deception on her way to finding out more about herself than she thought possible.

Ciardis is a great female lead in my eyes. She comes from literally nothing, no family or stature and has made a living for herself no matter how meager, through hard work. You have to love a character that knows that a little elbow grease is required in life and she flourishes into a real woman by the end of the book. Her growth is visible and not all of it is because she is suddenly in the middle of the highest class of people, but of her own qualities that get to shine because of the opportunity present to her. Plus, between her own accomplishments and problems cleverly solved , such as her reading problem, this story balances overcoming odds with getting some much needed help along the way. Pair her with the cast of characters around her in Sworn to Raise and they really lead you on this great journey around a fantasy kingdom with a lot of drama going down!

That world is what my favorite part of the story comes from. Fantasy is a tough genre to write, I've said this before, simply because of all the world building that has to be done in order for a story to work. You can't be too vague because the reader can't understand what the environment that these characters are in is suppose to look like and if you just ramble on and on about scenery and other things around said characters, people find it boring. Sworn to Raise does this perfectly. I have to give the author huge props for showing me what this world looks like versus telling me. Little things like letting me know the carriages that Serena and Ciardis are traveling in away from her home are actually sleds let me know she comes from a where it is wintery or when they arrive at the Companions Guild, the fact that she mistakes it for the Imperial Castle makes you understand how high these woman are regarded. Subtle hints in a fantasy world without losing the enormity of it are what takes this story from being really good to great. These women are not to be trifled with and reminded me so much of the similar named companions of Sci-Fi fixtures like Dr. Who that I had a hard time finding this book anything but enjoyable to read! Sworn to raise will take you on a unique journey of a strong female character and show you a world you have never seen before. - My Opinion- Buy it!

Get it here:

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

iTunes 

Sworn to Transfer

Series- Courtlight Series # 2

By- Terah Edun

Genre- Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age 

Goodreads 

Blurb:

Eighteen-year-old companion trainee Ciardis Weathervane has won the friendship of the royal heir and saved his claim to the throne. Yet her interference in the inheritance rights leaves more harm done than good. The Ameles Forest lies unprotected and its inhabitants are dying.

As humans begin to die in gruesome deaths, the Emperor dispatches the royal heir to the forests with the solution to the kith concerns.

With enemies closing ranks in Sandrin, Ciardis can little afford to leave the city’s nest of vipers to take on a new task. But she’s given no choice when her loyalty to the crown and courts are called into question.

To keep the Companions’ Guild happy and the favor of the Imperial Court, Ciardis will be tested in frightening new ways, especially when she’s faced with an obstacle that could risk the lives of her friends and the family she never thought she had.

This second novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Raise.

Get it here:
Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

Sworn to Conflict

Series- Courtlight Series # 3

By- Terah Edun

Genre- Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age

Expected Publication Date- December 6, 2013

Goodreads 

Blurb:

Ciardis Weathervane fought for the living dead and won. But worse than taking on a mass murderer, was her discovery that she had been deceived by her friends. Now she needs to not only fight a war in the North and survive, but also decide where she stands in the midst of competing sides.

A threat to all she holds dear lies in the North and her heart is not the only thing she might lose. A massive army awaits in the mountain pass, surging closer to the gates of the southern lands. Nothing the Algardis army has done so far has dissuaded their march forward and Ciardis finds out that her powers to enhance are needed now more than ever.

As she faces her greatest fears on the battlefields and her heart is torn between her love of Sebastian and loyalty to her family, Ciardis must choose her fate carefully. For in her path, lies the destiny of the empire.

This third novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Transfer.

Get it here:

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

About the author:

Terah Edun is a young adult  fantasy writer born and raised in the Atlanta metropolitan area, who transplanted to the Northeast region for college, and has spent years living abroad in South Sudan and Morocco. She writes the stories that she always loved to read as a young girl.

Check her out:

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6517970.Terah_Edun

Twitter- https://twitter.com/tedunwrites

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/TerahEdunAuthor

Website- http://teedun.com/

NetGalley- https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/36428 

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Edge of Truth by Natasha Hanova is on SALE!

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY YOU CAN GET 'EDGE OF TRUTH' FOR 99 CENTS!!!! 

Edge of Truth

By: Natasha Hanova

Published: June 6th, 2013 by Sapphire Star Publishing

Citizens who report to work on time, obey the Overlord’s laws, and stay off the Synbot’s radar, live long lives. Long, dull, monotonous lives.

It’s not a bad plan for someone with a hidden, emotion-based ability to trigger earthquakes. In a world pitted against her, sixteen-year-old Rena Moon strives for a life beyond working herself to death at the factory. Seeing an alternative, she risks selling relics from the forbidden lands at Market. It becomes the worst decision she ever made. Someone kidnaps her best friend in exchange for the one thing that would end her oppression.

Driven by loyalty, Rena and seventeen-year-old Nevan Jelani, soulful composer, green thumb extraordinaire, and the secret love of her life, plot to rescue her friend and reclaim her salvage. Still, the thought lingers whether Nevan is a true hero or another thief waiting for his chance at her loot. Events spin wildly, deepening Rena’s suspicions and pushing her limit of control. With more than her chance for freedom at stake, she must decide if she’s willing to kill to protect what’s precious to her. For once, the Overlord isn’t holding all the power, but can Rena live with being reduced to what she’s trying so hard to escape?

   

  

 

About the Author-

Natasha Hanova is an award-winning author of young adult and adult dark fantasy/paranormal fiction. Her first novel, Edge of Truth, a YA dystopian, is now available from Sapphire Star Publishing.

   

Review + Blog Tour: Gemini the Heir by Kristen DaRay

Gemini the Heir

Series-Gemini Book # 2 

By-Kristen DaRay

Expected Publication Date- September 28th, 2013 

Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Goodreads

Blurb:

Just a year ago, I thought I was an ordinary human, and I gave up everything on Earth to save the people I loved. I have become the Lenai of Emréiana, making me the heir to the Emréian throne. It also makes me in charge of defeating the Bremoir, a race that has been consuming other worlds. If I can’t stop them, the universe is doomed.

Then there is Aaronmon, my betrothed. We have only known each other for a year, but our bond is strong. It’s that bond that makes it hard to know my true feelings. While I think I am ready for the ceremony, I wonder if I really love him like I loved Kyle, my ex- boyfriend who was murdered.

But none of my feelings matter. In order to rule Emréiana, I must go through with the bonding ceremony. If I don’t, then I risk losing the right as heir and I’ll have no power in the war against the Bremoir. Nobody wants them defeated more than me.

Get it here:

Kindle

Nook

Book Soundtrack:

Daylight- Maroon 5

Wide Awake- Katy Perry

Sleep- Poets of the Fall

Just give me a reason- Pink

Wake me up-Avicii

Demons- Imagine Dragons

Everything Has Changed- Taylor Swift

Radioactive - Imagine Dragons

Sky Scraper- Demi Lovato

Ghost- Blue Foundation

Check out Book 1 in the series too!

Gemini of Emreiana 

Gemini Series Book #1 

By Kristen DaRay 

Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Goodreads

Blurb:

My entire life has been a lie: My parents didn't die in a car accident. They're not even dead. I'm not American. I'm not even human. I have strange powers, and I'm the heir to the throne of the planet Emreiana. 

If I take the crown, I have to leave behind everything I have known here on Earth. I would have to say goodbye to my friends and leave behind Kyle, the boy I've loved since I was five. If I don't, then I risk the Bremoir finding me here on Earth and destroying everything I love.


Review:

Carson is a normal senior in high school applying to college, deciding what she wants to do with her future and keeping her relationship with long term boyfriend Kyle going. Of course when every college rejects you even though your the valedictorian and you start having strange dreams of worlds that don't exist, then something seems a bit off. Then comes a stranger that tells you everything you thought you knew about your life is false and in fact you are an alien. That's right alien. No ordinary alien either, but a princess in line for the throne of Emreiana and your mother, who you thought was dead, is actually alive and well and reigning Queen. Things get a little sticky.

My favorite part actually starts right there with the explanation. Carson doesn't immediately buy the fact she is an alien and a princess, which was great. Too many times have I read about normal human beings that suddenly find out something impossible and just automatically believe it. You or I wouldn't just jump on that alien train if someone told us they existed and I was one of them, you'd think they were crazy. For Carson to process this information and take her time coming to her own conclusion I thoroughly enjoyed. The same can be said for her feelings towards her new gaurdian and her boyfriend. No insta-love here, and she really had to figure out what she truly felt and where it was coming from before she made any definitive decisions for her life. That was a refreshing change from a genre that is saturated with said love stories.

In terms of this being an alien story, I really enjoyed that aspect. I thought the fact that it seemed to be starting as a normal human girl story and built into this otherworldly affair was what made this story go from cute to awesome. The problem with these kinds of books are that it takes a whole chunk of book to explain what this other world is like and what the people are like because of them being, well, not human. The author does a really good job of not making that boring or exceedingly long, which really helps the book move along. That is a tricky thing to navigate while still giving lots of descriptions and information so for that I applaud Gemini of Emreiana for succeeding in making a sci-fi story flow.- My Opinion- Buy it!

Get it here:

Amazon Paperback

Amazon Kindle

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

About the author: 

Kristen was born in Alabama in 1991 and still resides there today. She has been writing since the 6th grade. However, she did not begin to write fiction until she was 15. In 2009, Kristen had an idea that would spark the concept for Gemini of Emréiana that she would later write in 2011. During that time, she met her husband. They married in August of 2012. When Kristen is not writing, she spends time watching Korean Drama's or creating SIM's 3 stories. Kristen continues to write the next novels to the Gemini Trilogy. She also plans to release a new series later on in the year.

Check her out:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kristendaraybooks
Blog: http://www.KristenDaRay.blogspot.com
Goodreadshttp://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6967107.Kristen_DaRay 
Twitter- https://twitter.com/KristenDaRay 

Blog Tour + Giveaway: Quintessentially Q by Pepper Winters

Release Date: December 15th, 2013

Genre: New Adult Erotic Suspense Romance

Goodreads

Blurb:

“All my life, I battled with the knowledge I was twisted… fucked up to want something so deliciously dark—wrong on so many levels. But then slave fifty-eight entered my world. Hissing, fighting, with a core of iron, she showed me an existence where two wrongs make a right."

Tess is Q’s completely. Q is Tess’s irrevocably. But now, they must learn the boundaries of their unconventional relationship, while Tess seeks vengeance on the men who sold her. Q made a blood-oath to deliver their corpses at Tess’s feet, and that’s just what he’ll do.

He may be a monster, but he’s Tess’s monster.

Get it here:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Quintessentially Q is the second book in the Monsters In The Dark Series

Book 1 Goodreads

Get the first book here: Amazon US / Amazon UK / iTunes 

About the author:

Pepper Winters wears many roles. Some of them include writer, reader, sometimes wife. She loves dark, taboo stories that twist with your head. The more tortured the hero, the better, and she constantly thinks up ways to break and fix her characters. Oh, and sex… her books have sex. 

She loves to travel and has an amazing, fabulous hubby who puts up with her love affair with her book boyfriends. 

Her debut book Tears of Tess will be followed with Quintessentially Q. You didn’t think Q could stop so soon, did you? Her other two titles, Last Shadow and Broken Chance will be coming soon. 

Check her out:
Author's Website: http://pepperwinters.wordpress.com/

Author's Twitter: https://twitter.com/pepperwinters

Author's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pepper-Winters/539976006062848

Author's Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7151973.Pepper_Winters

Author's Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pepperwinters/

GIVEAWAYS!

There are two giveaways going on for this tour so take a peak at both of these pages!!

                              Facebook                                                              Goodreads

Best of 2013 Giveaway Hop!

 

My "Best Of" giveaway is

Goodreads

Blurb:

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners—and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage—in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

Set in the same world as the Parasol Protectorate, this YA series debut is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail Carriger's legions of fans have come to adore.

To win a print copy of Etiquette & Espionage just follow my blog in some way and leave me a comment on this post letting me know how you followed! All of the options are located on the right hand side of the blog and include everything from GFC and Twitter to Email and Linky apps. This giveaway is running from 12/11/13 to 12/18/13 and is open to US only!

I am looking forward to what the new year has in store for both books and beyond! Happy Holidays everyone!! Oh, and take a look at all the other blogs participating, there are over 200!!

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Book Blast + Giveaway: The Offering by Kimberly Derting

The Offering by Kimberly Derting 

 True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy. Charlie, otherwise known as Queen Charlaina of Ludania, has become comfortable as a leader and a ruler. She’s done admirable work to restore Ludania’s broken communications systems with other Queendoms, and she’s mastered the art of ignoring Sabara, the evil former queen whose Essence is alive within Charlie. Or so she thinks. When the negotiation of a peace agreement with the Queendom of Astonia goes awry, Charlie receives a brutal message that threatens Ludania, and it seems her only option is to sacrifice herself in exchange for Ludanian freedom. But things aren’t always as they seem. Charlie is walking into a trap—one set by Sabara, who is determined to reclaim the Queendoms at any cost.



  Praise for The Offering 

 "This was a truly epic ending to the series." --Crystal Perkins, Goodreads Review 

 "The final book in Kimberly Derting’s Pledge trilogy is a thrilling conclusion. I was immediately swept up into it and powered right through. It was pretty much what I wanted with a few surprises along the way." --Krys at Bibliopunkk Reads

 

Author Kimberly Derting Kimberly Derting is the author of the BODY FINDER series, THE PLEDGE trilogy, and THE TAKING (coming April 2014 from HarperTeen). She lives in the Seattle area, with her husband and three children, who often find the outrageous things they say either in the pages of her books or posted on Twitter or Facebook for the entire world to see.  


   

 

Tour Schedule

 

  BookBlast $50 Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/18/14 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

Review + Blog Tour: Embracing Death by D.T. Dyllin

 

Title: Embracing Death

Author: D.T. Dyllin

Series: The Death Trilogy #2

Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance

Expected publication: December 12, 2013 by Dragonfairy Press

Blurb:

All of Samantha Bevan’s memories have been returned to her. But instead of bringing her peace, they’ve only brought her more turmoil. She now recalls the dark addiction to feeling other people’s deaths and every day is a struggle to control her urges. At least she has Austin to help her… or does she? Samantha will discover that even with her memories, she doesn’t know the truth of her past, and those secrets may prove detrimental to her and everyone she loves. Will she be able to unravel the mystery of who’s been pulling her strings before it’s too late? Or will Austin be the one to suffer from her mistakes?

Goodreads

Review:

When I first started reading this series, I'll be honest, I was just plain confused. It took a long while into the first book to really understand everything that was going on with Samantha and the people around her. However, once everything was flushed out and you really saw everything that was the truth and what were lies, the story made sense and it got good real fast. Now heading into the second book Embracing Death, it really made this story better in my eyes. You understood who the characters were and what they can do, while still leaving a lot of question marks to be left solved in this book. The Embracing Death world is a hot and steamy one but it definitely has a lot of WTF moments in it.

Samantha is an empath, meaning she can feel everyone's emotions around her. She is part of a law enforcement team that is made up of people like her that have different gifts that allow them to solve crimes in a different way than normal cops. However, Samantha's power is starting to become dangerous. The dark side is that the feelings she gets from death, murder and pain are fueling something dark inside of her and she is on the edge of becoming something bad. On top of that she has to deal with a love triangle situation, along with the idea that the people she thought she knew deceived her and although she isn't going crazy yet, she might be well on her way there. Her attraction with Austin is heating up to nuclear levels, but even that relationship is in question at this point. Sam has a lot to deal with coming out of the first book and Embracing Death takes her on another emotional ride.

This is the fourth book I've read by D.T. Dyllin, and let me tell you, girl knows how to make it hot. You can feel the sizzle between Sam and Austin coming off the page. Add in some really great story telling about deception and supernatural abilities and you won't be able to put this book down. Plus, this book left me reeling for the third book, RIGHT NOW! I can't wait to see what happens next!- My Opinion-Buy it!

About the Author

  

Cynical-Optimist. Chocolate-holic. Sarcasm Addict. Paranormal Believer. Self-Imposed Insomniac. Sci-Fi Geek. Animal Lover. Writer…are just a few words to describe D.T. Dyllin. She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and two very spoiled GSDs.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Book Blitz: The Possess Saga by J.A. Howell

Possess

The Possess Saga # 1

By-J.A. Howell 

Stumbling off the bus in Midtown, Harley Martin thought she found an escape from her old life. 

She soon realizes it was anything but that. 

Low on cash and options, she manages to find herself a cheap but surprisingly nice apartment. The catch? The last tenant, Brody Walsh, killed himself. 

Or did he? 

As disturbing dreams and hauntings start to occur, Harley realizes there may be much more behind the previous tenant’s death than a simple suicide. She finds her life further entangled with his when she learns that her new boss, Nolan, was also his best friend. Could this handsome but evasive pub owner have something to do with Brody’s death? 

Trying to piece together the events surrounding Brody’s death proves to be a daunting task, but Harley can’t give up. Brody won’t let her. He is still in the apartment with her, trapped in limbo until she finds his killer.

But he’s not waiting for revenge.

Harley’s next.

  

The Untimely Death of Brody Walsh

The Possess Saga # 2

Brody Walsh’s life is left in disarray when his girlfriend is found brutally raped and murdered. But it completely shatters when his best friend, Nolan is arrested for the crime. 

Even as the media is portraying him as a monster, Brody knows Nolan isn’t capable of murder. 

That leaves the question: Who is? 

Once the trial begins, Brody discovers just how little he knew about his girlfriend, spurring him to dig into her past for possible answers. And as Aggie, his long time confidant and childhood crush, stands by his side through all of this, he finds his own past resurfacing when his feelings for her reignite. But as the media and the prosecutors close in on Nolan, ready to convict him for a crime he didn’t commit, Brody will be forced to make a choice. 

A choice that will lead to his untimely death.

  

Possess My Heart

The Possess Saga Book # 3

By J.A. Howell

"You can't leave me because I'll only ever love you."

What was supposed to be a final goodbye turned into one last piece of unfinished business for Brody Walsh.

As long as Aggie Walker's heart still belongs to him, he's destined to remain in limbo, watching over her.

But when her family decides to send her to Scotland for the summer and she meets Camden MacTavish, it seems despite their constant head-butting that there may be something more between them.

That is, if she is willing to let Camden in.

As Aggie finds herself torn between her lover lost and her lover anew, it becomes clear that she cannot hold on to both. If she decides to let Camden into her heart, she will have to let Brody go. And if she can't let Brody go, she risks losing Camden-and a second chance at love.

Forever.

 

To Have & To Haunt

The Possess Saga  #4

By J.A. Howell 

Ghosts aren't the only thing that can haunt you...

Nolan and Harley have been in paradise for the last year, head over heels in love. When Nolan proposes and they find out Harley is expecting, it seems they both will have everything they ever wanted. 

Or will they? 

Nolan’s kept the horrors of his past locked away. After all, he has Harley and Finley’s Pub is doing great. None of it matters anymore, right? But when the news of nuptials and babies has the opposite intended effect with his estranged mother, the ghosts of his past come rushing back, and the memories of them are terrorizing him nightly. But he can’t tell Harley. On the verge of marriage and parenthood, Nolan must figure out a way to deal with his past, or let it consume his future with Harley. 

Harley’s always known she wasn’t normal. Seeing Brody’s ghost only confirmed that. But now a killer is on the loose in Midtown and she’s having visions of each victim’s death. Will she be able to help them and accept just how different she truly is? Pregnant, engaged, and contending with an overbearing mother-in-law, Harley isn’t sure she can take on the responsibility and the future laid out in front of her.

They say love conquers all. But as Nolan and Harley struggle with their own secrets, will their love be enough to keep them together?

Or will the things that haunt them finally tear them apart?

  

About the Author-

J.A Howell is an office drone by day, and a writer by night. Her love of writing took off when she was eleven years old and decided to fill a composition notebook with stories to read to her friends. Many years (and notebooks) later, not much has changed. She still loves writing and sharing her works with others. When she isn’t writing, she can often be found trying her hand at whatever artistic pursuit strikes her fancy. J.A. Howell resides in Apopka, FL with her husband and their menagerie of animal children.