Feature and Follow #34

Feature & Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. The purpose is to meet new people and gain more followers in the book blogging community. If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers — but you have to know — the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

Here’s this week’s question:

Is there a song that reminds you of a book? Or vice versa? What is the song & the book?

One song in particular gets me everytime.... and that is "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard. It is the music that sets a scene in Down To You by Michelle Leighton. If you have read it you will know it, but it involves Olivia and Cash, salt, a shot of Patron and a slice of lime.... oh, did I forget to mention.... BODY SHOT!!! Oh yeah!!

What do you think?

What's your FF?

To play along visit Parajunkee & Alison Can Read.

Follow them, follow their Featured Blogs and then visit as many blogs as you can, posting your answer.

And don't forget to leave your link in the comments section below!

Swoon Thursday #39 – Hope by Theresa M. Jones

The fabulous girls over at YA Bound created this super HOT meme. Here's how it works.

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! I want to know & so do the chicks at YABound!

I read the first book, Power, and thoroughly enjoyed it. When Theresa contacted me about reading the second book, I was super excited to do so!! Here's a tease from it...

Hope

Theresa M. Jones

The Descendant Trilogy #2

Then his lips went wild. Not just on my lips, but on my neck, trailing a fire path down from my ear to my collarbone. I was on fire everywhere.

My hands were no longer in my control, they moved of their own accord, lifting his shirt above his head and then to the floor. And then I stopped, stunned by the sight. David was gorgeous with clothes on, but with a bare chest, my insides coiled waiting for release. I let my fingertips trail down his chest, to his lower belly. And he shivered under my touch.

My shirt was next, and though I have always been fairly shy and modest, all my modesty was gone. I was not scared or nervous with him. I was not embarrassed at having a man look at my naked body, not with him. He lifted the cotton shirt up and over and let his eyes rake over my tummy and chest..

Kindle Loc 1204

Did you get swooned this week?

What did you think of mine?

Leave me a comment!

Review – Dark Wolf by Kate Douglas

Title: Dark Wolf

Author: Kate Douglas

Series: Spirit Wild #1

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Erotica

Expected Publication: April 30^th 2013

Book Description

Sebastian Xenakis is still coming into his power as a wizard. He can shapeshift by magical means and runs as a wolf using the power he draws from the elements. But young women are dying—raped by a human and then slaughtered by a wolf. Suspicion falls on the shapeshifting Chanku, but Sebastian wonders if he might somehow be guilty of the crimes.

Then he meets Lily Cheval, the uncrowned princess of the powerful Chanku, and realizes he will do whatever it takes to clear his name and win her love. But evil walks where Sebastian goes, and there are mysteries neither Lily nor her father, the powerful wizard, Anton Cheval, cannot unravel. Is Sebastian the perfect mate for Lily, or is he instead, one she should fear?

Buy Now – Amazon* l Barnes & Noble *

My Review

This is the first book I have read of Kate Douglas and what a whirlwind journey it was! She is able to blend a serious storyline and a romance into one intriguing plot! And a Paranormal story as well, makes it my kind of book!

Both of the main characters in this story have that Alpha vibe about them. Lily is the daughter of two very powerful parents so has been destined to be an important figure in the Chanku clan. I liked her a lot as she is a very independent and confident person and will do anything to protect her family and the pack. So when girls are being murdered, she is willing to put herself out there to find the killer.

Sebastian has lived a sheltered life with his mother and only pursued his father, against his mothers wishes, after she died. He has lived in-between two of his fathers’ houses learning more about the magical abilities he possesses. He has a very strong Mage, but doesn’t understand the depth of magic that he has until he meets Lily.

There are forces out there that are manipulating Sebastian and together Lily and Sebastian use their abilities to find out who that is and to discover who is conducting the murders. Sebastian is able to learn a lot about the pack and how close they are and finally he may be able to find acceptance.

Dark Wolf was a fun read and I must admit I was drawn to the cover first. Seriously, look at that hot guy! The story was very fast paced and the relationships between the characters build quickly! The bedroom scenes are raunchy and not always limited to one partner and in some cases mixed couples. It is the first book of a steamy new paranormal series and I look forward to future books!

I received a copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Waiting On Wednesday # 37 – Crown of Midnight By Sarah J. Maas

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine where I have the chance to spotlight an upcoming release that I’m eagerly anticipating.

The cover was revealed for this one last week and as I live in Australia, we will probably get this cover....

Crown of Midnight

By Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass #2
Expected Publication – August 20th 2013

Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful – the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King’s contest and became his champion, Celaena has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart. The slavery of the suffocating salt mines of Endovier that scarred her past is nothing compared to a life bound to her darkest enemy, a king whose rule is so dark and evil it is near impossible to defy. Celaena faces a choice that is tearing her heart to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death. Celaena must decide what she will fight for: survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all . . . And trying to may just destroy her.

Love or loathe Celaena, she will slice open your heart with her dagger and leave you bleeding long after the last page of the highly anticipated sequel in what is undeniably THE hottest new fantasy series.

What are you waiting for? Please leave it in a comment below or leave me your WoW link so I can check out yours too!!

Have a great Wednesday!!

Review – The Promise by Kim Carmichael

Title: The Promise

Author: Kim Carmichael

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

Published: February 24^th 2013

Book Description

Demon Dolan Ciar exists on three simple words: desire, denial, and destruction. Every four years, he is allowed one night of earthly passion to punish a deserving female. By the time he is finished, his victims are left as willing receptacles for demons yet to come.

Since she was four, a demon has been the only constant in Leora Desmond's life. He saved her life, and then guided her, teaching her how to seize control, to never give up, and to take whatever she wanted. At twenty-four, her self-centered existence is focused on one thing. She wants Dolan, and she won't be dissuaded.

A mistake brought Dolan to Leora. A promise bound him to her. Returning once again to ask for his freedom, he is faced with Leora demanding to be his next conquest. The ultimate retribution would be to take from her the ultimate symbol of her selfishness.

Now, Dolan must decide if he can doom her to life in living hell or face his own set of unearthly consequences, while Leora must choose between her pleasure and her heart.

The Promise blurs the line between good and evil, desire and love, and promises and commitment.

Buy Now – Amazon*

My Review

The Promise is a fast read that I accomplished in a few hours that I thoroughly enjoyed!! Unlike other books of Kim’s that I have read, this has a bit of a Paranormal element in it and I found it to be an captivating read.

Each chapter is titled and set 4 years apart. The first chapter is of their initial meet and how Dolan made the Promise to return to see Leona every four years that he returns to earth. He is able to see the drastic changes in Leona each time he returns and how she grows into a beautiful woman.

I enjoyed the journey that the two characters had. How two different beings were able to find one constant every four years that slowly bought them together. When they get together, as it is inevitable that they will, they come together with a BANG!! And boy was it Hawt and steamy!! Another fabulous read Kim!!

I received a copy of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author

Kim Carmichael began writing eight years ago when her love of happy endings inspired her to create her own. She has a weakness for bad boys and techno geeks, and married her own computer whiz after he proved he could keep all her gadgets running. When not writing, she can usually be found slathered in sunscreen trolling Los Angeles and helping top doctors build their practices.

You can find Kim online at-

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Other books that I have reviewed by Kim Carmichael

Hands On Me l Closure

Teaser Tuesdays #38 – Crossroads By J.J. Bonds

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Crossroads

By J.J. Bonds
Crossroads Academy #1
Published November 2011

“I’m not planning to quit, Nik. You give yourself a little too much credit. I’m planning to find a new trainer.”

“Good luck then,” he says pushing his chair back from the table. Before he goes, he leans in close, leaving me with one final seductive message. “But you won’t find anyone here better than me.”

Kindle loc 1604

Get it now – Amazon* l Barnes & Noble*
Crossroads is currently free at Amazon .... Get it while it's hot!!

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks for stopping by!!

Review/Spotlight – Birthright Bestowed by Erika M Szabo

Welcome to my stop on the Birthright Bestowed book tour which has been brought to you by Reading Between the Lines . Here you can read a summary of the book, an excerpt and learn a little more about the author Erika M Szabo. Don't forget to visit the other blogs on this tour for more information about this book and the author.

Title: Birthright Bestowed

Author: Erika M Szabo

Series: Ilona The Hun Trilogy

Genre: Fantasy/Magical-Realism/Romance/Mystery/Urban fantasy

Release Date: October 18 2012

Blurb/Synopsis

Ilona is an emergency room doctor, born into an ancient Hun tribe which still exists hidden amongst us with its strict and fiercely enforced rules. She doesn’t know much about her Hun heritage besides legends, customs and rituals that she continues out of respect for her parents whose sudden death ten years before devastated her. She plays her tune on her birthday given to her by her grandmother.

Elza – Ilona’s housekeeper - explains the purpose of the tune is to let the elders know she had come to age. Her mother didn’t have a chance to explain her inherited powers, but after her 29th birthday when she is considered as an adult by Hun standards, she begins to remember the forgotten instructions concealed as rhymes her mother was teaching her since she was a small child. Ilona discovers she can heal with her bare hands; she can rearrange the human body to its healthy state. This ability is exciting as well as frightening. She is conflicted between having confidence in her intelligence and inherited abilities while having no confidence as a woman.

Her insecurity created barriers which keep others out, and I also keep her caged in. She’s been in love with her unsuspecting best friend Bela, when a dashing stranger explodes into her life. The sudden magnetic feeling frightens her and discovering evil in him doesn’t help either. A sinister dark man appears Ilona connects his presence with the series of mysterious deaths around her. Zoltan saves her life by jeopardizing his, which prompts Ilona to start fitting the puzzle pieces together and discovering the ancient tribal secrets that not only can change her future but the future existence of the Huns as well.

My Review

Ilona takes her job seriously and she is a caring person. She is always looking out for other people; her adopted family and her patients at the hospital. She has always wanted to know about her heritage and often is confused by it. The life of a Hun is very secretive and you find out the details when you reach 29, usually from your parents. Ilonas parents died 11 years ago and she is unable to talk to anyone about it, as those who know about being a Hun suffer if they try to talk about it.

On Ilonas 29th birthday, things start to become complicated. She starts to see things differently and her powers start to descend on her. She doesn't understand at first but after time she understands what is happening. With trial and error she is able to figure out how these powers work and use them to help others. She also has an instant attraction to a stranger and finds her feelings are conflicted and is surprised by the connection.

I enjoyed this story as it is told in diary format where the main character, Ilona, is reflecting in detail about her past. A few times we changed POV's as Ilona asks Zoltan and Elka to describe what they remember in her diary. The plot built slowly as we discovered the details along with Ilona and I found the journey to be entertaining. What happens next in their lives will be interesting!!

I received this book from the author for an honest review

Purchase Links

Amazon l Barnes and Noble

iTunes l Createspace l Goodreads

Author Info

I’ve been publishing Alternative Medicine related books. I love healing as passionately as I love to read. Growing up with a father who was a closet reader (having a macho image allowed him to read only in secret which he shared with me after I caught him reading my book ‘The lady of the camellias’ and he left a few teardrops on the pages) he introduced me to many great books.

The inspiration to write a novel came from my daughter. I’m an avid reader, and she was yelling at me to stop whining when I didn’t have anything to read. She said, “If you don’t have a book to read, than write one”. The idea shocked me a little at first, because English is my second language, but then I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

The history of the Huns always fascinated me, they were my ancestors. I was playing with the idea of writing a fantasy story peppered with historical facts, and then I decided that it was a stupid idea after I started reading about how to write a fiction book. 'I am not a literary genius, I have no idea how to create a good story line or form characters and make up a plot.' I thought, but the idea didn’t leave me alone. I kept adding events and dialogs in my head to Ilona’s story. Not knowing how to do something properly had never prevented me from a accepting a good challenge before, so I sat down by the computer and I began writing. I've never been good at following rules or formulas, therefore I discarded the instructions and I made up my own rules. I began writing Ilona's story as a diary.

'Just for my own enjoyment, writing down the ideas that are swirling in my head is far better than being hunted by them.' I thought. I kept writing for months, and soon I realized that I never had so much fun doing anything in my life before. Somehow the characters came to life on their own, and they developed under my furiously typing fingers. Pretty soon I realized that I wrote about four hundred pages already. I gave the manuscript to my friends to read, and they urged me to publish it.

I was elated when I received the publisher’s review about my story that said “I want to give you my overall impression of your work: You have a terrific writing style. You have obviously done a significant amount planning and preparation in crafting your work. Your prose is nicely written with details that capture the reader. Right from the start your plot was very engaging. You do a nice job of slowly making your way through the story with details and a certain voice that allows your reader to really interact with the characters (who are all round and very nicely developed). The greatest value in fiction, it seems to me, lies in what we can learn about our own lives when we take time to analyze someone else’s — even if that someone else is just a character in a story. Characterization is one of the most important elements of any successful story. I always love it when I leave a story feeling like I know the characters. This is true for your prose. So many authors rush through their stories without really developing them. Not you. Your book read like a movie in my mind. You have crafted a quality piece of writing.”

Social Media Links

WEBSITE: http://www.authorerikaszabo.com

FACEBOOK PAGES:

AUTHOR page: http://www.facebook.com/Erika.M.Szabo.ND.Author

ILONA THE HUN NOVELS page: http://www.facebook.com/IlonaTheHunNovels?fref=ts

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/#!/erikamszabo

LINKEDIN: http://lnkd.in/N64qzw

Click on the banner to view the rest of the Tour Schedule

Stacking the Shelves/Sunday Post #33

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. It is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

The cool weather may have finally arrived here in Australia!! Whoo hoo!! However, I have had a quiet week in the reading department… A netball injury has left me unable to read… Hmmm… It is funny, now… lol!! Anyway, this is the result of my quiet week!!

Purchased

I read this book for a review for the author and decided to pick up a finished version for only 99c

Hell'sGate

by Benjamin Daniels

That’s it for Stacking the Shelves this week, what did you get?

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news and to post a recap of the past week on your blog,showcase some books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up in your blog for the week ahead.

This past week on the blog I shared:

Sunday – Re-Release and New Cover - Hell's Gate by Benjamin Daniels

Monday- Review – Dreamer by Jane Susann MacCarter

Cover Reveal – Shadow Embraced by Cheree Smith

Tuesday- Character interview/Excerpt – The Soother by Elle J Rossi

Wednesday- Excerpt/Giveaway – Night Hawk by J.E. Taylor

Thursday- Guest Post/Giveaway – Take Me by T.A. Grey

Friday- Review – Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Saturday- Release Day/Review – Sudden Hope by Mira Garland

I also did my usual Meme’s that I participate in Teaser Tuesdays,

Waiting On Wednesday, Swoon Thursday and Feature & Follow Friday

This week there will be:

Monday- Review/Spotlight – Birthright Bestowed by Erika M Szabo

Tuesday- Review – The Promise by Kim Carmichael

Wednesday- Review – Dark Wolf by Kate Douglas

Friday- Guest Post/Giveaway – 24 Bones by Michael F. Stewart

Saturday- Review – The Collector by Victoria Scott

There are still some giveaways running… Click on the links at the top of the blog to enter!

What did you receive this week? What’s happening in your neck of the woods? I’d love to know!!

Release Day/Review/Giveaway – Sudden Hope by Mira Garland

Today is the Release Day of Sudden Hope by Mira Garland!! Whoo hoo!! I am so excited for my friend Mira and that the release day of her book has finally arrived that I decided that I would share my Review of the book with you and offer up my own giveaway for your chance to read CC's journey. Congrat's Mira!!

Title: Sudden Hope

Author: Mira Garland
Series: Hope #1

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

Published: 20th April 2013

Book Description

When your nightmares become reality and you can’t wake up, what do you do?

Celeste is a normal teenage girl. After the loss of her father her life seems to be in constant turmoil. She realizes her worst nightmares are occurring while she's still awake.

Just as it looks like her life is on the right path; things go terribly wrong and leave her in a spiraling whirlwind of emotion.

Trying to find her father’s killer and dealing with an ex that will do anything to get revenge; she feels like she is falling.

The only thing that is holding her together is her support system; her friends and Danny.

Celeste loves Danny more than life itself, although now is just not the time to be with him. He is the answer to her dreams, he is her one true love, and most importantly, her hope.

Only life isn't fair and doesn't play by the rules.

Buy Now – Amazon

My Review

The main focus in Sudden Hope is how one girl lives her some-what normal life, attending school, hanging with her friends and doing what normal teenagers do. Celeste (or CC as she is known to her friends) is how I imagine a 17 year old girl to be; she has all the drama of boys, parties and school. She is a popular girl and is as focused as she can be on her final year of school. She has a tight group of friends and they have been like that for as long as she can remember. I really liked her character, trying to always be the good girl and to keep out of trouble. She is very compassionate and cares deeply for those who are close to her, including the bubbly Ms Gina!

CC has crushed on her friend Danny since they were little kids but has never acted on those feelings as he seems to be happy to just be her rock, the one person she can turn to when she needs that steady person in her life. He has supported her through everything, the death of her father, her mother and creepy husband moving in and also her break up with her ex. Danny is a good guy, but I thought he was a bit impatient which seemed a little out of character for him. It felt like he has sat on the sidelines for so long and now that he is focused on what he wants, he doesn’t have the patience to ride it out and seems willing to throw it all away. He is very supportive of CC, and does his best to be there for her, but there is only so much he can handle.

The underlying storyline is what ties the whole book together and that is the death of CC’s father. It starts in the Prologue and pops up throughout the story and I was hoping that we would find out the details by the end. The death of her father has shaped Celeste to be the girl that she is and she needs that closure. She relives some horrible moments and has awful nightmares, but each day she is willing to get up and move on. She has no real support at home, but she gets by with the help of her friends. I was often on the edge of my seat, wondering what was going to happen. And the friends that she has are just awesome!! They gave great depth to the story and I loved how tight they all were.

The story is told from a 17yo girl’s POV who lives in NY and attends public school and the author stuck to that writing style. How CC reacted and how she approached the dramas in her life, is how I could imagine a 17yo to behave. The author is very descriptive in regards to surroundings, but was not over the top as not every teenager would take in too much detail about her surroundings. I found the whole book to be one massive rollercoaster of emotion and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride!!

Author Bio

I was born in Jackson, MI but now live on Long Island in NY. I have four beautiful daughters whom I live and breathe for. I began writing as a hobby, but realized very quickly that it was an outlet to explore my deepest dreams. I love to read and have a problem with honesty when I write reviews, although I do not have a problem if you tell me I'm wrong about it. My debut novel is “Sudden Hope” and will be released in April of 2013. Welcome to my reality and I hope all your dreams come true.

Stalk Mira online at

Blog – http://mirasgreatbooks.blogspot.com.au/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mira-Garland-Author/219966164795420?fref=ts

Twitter – https://twitter.com/MiraGarland

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7011786.Mira_Garland

Facebook @ Great Books – https://www.facebook.com/Mirasgreatbooks

Giveaway

Today I am giving away a eBook of Sudden Hope by Mira Garland from Amazon to celebrate the release day! Fill out the Rafflecopter for your chance to win!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review – Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Title: Walking Disaster

Author: Jamie McGuire

Series: Beautiful #2

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Published: April 2^nd 2013

Book Description

Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Can you love someone too much?

Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

Buy Now – Amazon * l Barnes & Noble * l Book Depository *

My Review

Fans of Beautiful Disaster are going to love this story just as much as I did!! While reading it though, I did pull out my copy of Beautiful Disaster so I could cross reference the story. To read some of the same scenes from different both POV’s, was so engaging!!

Being inside of Travis’s head was an interesting twist into his and Abby’s relationship. I was able to get a different perspective and it was still just as awesome. The amount of passion that Travis has is just amazing. Travis treated woman as play toys before meeting Abby and discarded them just as quick as he picked them up. He changed drastically once Abby caught his eye. He thought he found someone worthy of being in his life but they both had issues in their lives that kept them apart.

I really do love Travis!! He has that serious front, but it all just a cover. He is compassionate, but it just takes the right person to find the true Travis. He may fire up easily, but it is usually to defend those he cares about. However once all of his faults were out, I still couldn’t help but love him!! I saw Abby a bit differently through Travis’s eyes too, the way that idolised her from the start and the feelings he had, whilst Abby was trying to deflect him.

Some of the Travis’s POV’s that I was hoping to see weren’t actually in the book and were simply glossed over, but it still didn’t take anything away from the amazing story it was. Those who haven’t read the first book will probably struggle with how the story unfolds, so I do recommend you read Beautiful Disaster first. The Epilogue… OMG!! Loved it!! It was fantastic to see something new in the world of Travis and Abby, which had so much emotion and little surprises!! I cannot wait to see more of the Maddox brothers in the future books!!

Thank you to Simon @ Schuster Australia for the copy of Walking Disaster that I won through you guys!

I also received a copy of this book from Atria via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.