Wednesday 31 December 2014

Smolder by Kelbian Noel Review!

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Title : Smolder
Author : Kelbian Noel
Pages : 202  
Published : August 31st 2014
Reviewed by Ailsa
Purchase : Amazon  

The Blurb


“Calida Cevallos has never been special. In fact, as far as she’s concerned, there isn’t an exceptional bone in her body. But, this summer, she’ll discover extraordinary literally runs through her veins.

I’ve always been a burden. The girl people put up with, the one they tolerated. When I finally found someone who actually wanted me around, I couldn’t have be happier. But lately something’s been bubbling at the surface. Something wants to break free…and I’m afraid it’s me. 

I love him. And, for a time, I thought I needed him. Now I’m not so sure. These days, I get the feeling I’m the one who’s needed. By whom? I’m about to find out.”

Summary

Calida is an orphan. Her parents were killed in a fire. From the age of 13 she has bounced from foster home to foster home with no memory of her earlier years.
She meets Ramon who saves her from a burning building and from then on, they have been inseparable. 

Out of the blue, Calida is contacted by a solicitor. He has items that had been left by her family (a house, money and a small green book). As Ramon is away working, Calida decides not to tell him about any of this. She wants to explore this on her own. 

She visits the house which has been left to her and is surprised with how much she likes it. On one visit she is attacked by a cat, which from then on refuses to leave her side.

When he returns, Calida informs Ramon that she wants to look into her family and asks if he would be willing to visit Raleigh with her in search of any information about her family and who she really is. Ramon is unable to go, so Calida decides to go alone.

She boards a bus heading to Raleigh, but is distracted by the cat (which has somehow managed to get on the bus with her). She gets off the bus and the cat runs away. Calida goes searching for it, but gets lost and misses the bus. 

Now, Calida is stuck in a small town for days and upon exploring it she realises its special.
Follow Calida in her adventure, in discovering who she is, where she comes from and all about her family.

Ailsas' Thoughts

I loved the first two stories and was definitely looking forward to reading this third instalment to the Witchbound series.

Calida is a remarkable girl, who despite her life’s ups and downs she is able to overcome her fears of being alone and most importantly, being independent. 

With a slightly complicated love life and various family surprises along the way, Calida is in for one hell of a ride.

All I can say is if you are a fan of fantasy, romance, friendships, magic and more, then this is DEFINITELY the book and the series for you.

I would recommend this series to anyone from a Young Adult age and over. If you like Charmed and Witches of East End then this is the right series for you.

I rate this a  5 out of 5 for both the book and the series. 




Tuesday 30 December 2014

Deviation by Heather Hildenbrand Review!


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Title : Deviation
Author : Heather Hildenbrand
Published : December 30th 2014
Publisher : Alloy Entertainment
Source : Netgalley
Purchase : Amazon 

Until a month ago, eighteen-year-old Ven had never set foot outside the windowless warehouse where she was created. An Imitation of Raven Rogen, Ven spent her days confined in the lab, studying videos of her Authentic, all so she could step into Raven’s life at a moment’s notice. 

Now, Ven lives in Raven’s penthouse apartment, kisses Raven’s boyfriend, and obeys every order from Raven’s dad, Titus Rogen—the very man who created her. But Ven has a secret plan. She doesn’t want Raven’s life. She wants her own.

In the action-packed sequel of Imitation, Ven wages a dangerous war against Titus. First she’ll free herself, then she’ll free every last Imitation. . . . 

This is a new release of the previously self-published title.


My Thoughts : 

OMG, you guys. THIS book!!! I loved book one of this and impatiently waited for Deviation to come out. When I got an eArc of it, I dived straight in and I honestly didn't want to leave the book down. My poor heart! 

After what happened in Imitation, Ven is trying to bide her time and make Titus trust her. She is trying to be the best Raven she can. Appearances are everything but Ven has a secret agenda and is trying to free every Imitation from the lab. Can she pull it off from the all seeing Titus?? Just who can she trust?

What can I say about this amazing book!! Character wise, Ven is as awesome as always. She puts on a brave face but underneath is so strong yet so broken. She longs to free her Imitation friends and does everything she can to try, but Titus always seems to be one step ahead of her. She just wants to be free, free to live and love who she pleases.

Linc is as adorable as well. He is Vens rock and he has stolen some of my heart. He is such a sweetheart and exactly what Ven needs. 

The plot of Deviation is fast paced and action packed. Titus is such an evil power hungry person. He is swapping people for their Imitations just to further his goals. Could you imagine living in a world where you don't know who is real and who is an Imitation? If you don't agree with Titus then you can be pretty sure you will be replaced!! 

Anyway, Deviation was amazing. So much happens in such a small length of time that you are left reeling. Heather Hildenbrand is not afraid to toy with your emotions and believe me when I say that Deviation will do just that. My heart broke and I was left gasping at certain parts. I cant say much more because I will spoil it but suffice it to say that Heather is evil!!!! Lol. She put me through the wringer with Deviation and has left a gaping hole in my heart. I need book 3 like yesterday!!!! That ending was killer. 

So yes, I adored Deviation and can not recommend this series highly enough!!! It was such a roller coaster but one I wish I could read again for the first time. Ven, Linc and the gang are firmly in my favourite list and I can not wait for more from them. An amazing book from an even more amazing writer. She puts so much into her writing and characters, that you cant help but love them. I can sum up Deviation in a sentence, Its a NEED to read book!! If you haven't tried the series yet then what are you waiting for?? Go grab Imitation now and join Ven and Linc on their journey. You won't regret it.



Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander Release Day Blitz and Giveaway!


Welcome to Ashland, Oregon, home of the world-famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the setting for Ellie Alexander’s debut mystery MEET YOUR BAKER.

MEET YOUR BAKER is a culinary mystery centered in the fictional bakeshop, Torte, with a mother/daughter pastry duo. It includes original handcrafted recipes. Meet Ashland!


In Ashland you’ll find an eclectic community of artists, outdoor adventure seekers, college students, farmers, retirees and a constant stream of tourists. At nearly 2,000 feet in elevation, its Mediterranean summers make it the perfect spot to watch Shakespeare under the stars or hike one of the surrounding peaks. In the winter, Ashland becomes home to ski enthusiasts with nearby Mt. Ashland, and plenty of backcountry trails. ​

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a charming English village with Ashland’s Shakespeare-inspired pubs, restaurants and shops.



Meander through Lithia Park where you’ll pass ancient trees, grassy patches and picnic benches, and wild deer. Be sure to get a glimpse of the towering Oregon Shakespeare Festival buildings, and stop to drink from Lithia’s mineral spring fountains.





Take Shakespeare’s stairs to “the bricks” where theater lovers and actors gather before performances.



Finally, end your day with a sweet treat at one of Ashland’s many divine bakeshops.



Be sure to check out the blog tour that is filled with reviews, interviews and guest posts by the author! The tour starts January 5th and runs through the 16th. Check out the schedule!

About MEET YOUR BAKER:

Welcome to Torte—a friendly, small-town family bake shop where the treats are so good that, sometimes, it’s criminal…

After graduating from culinary school, Juliet Capshaw returns to her quaint hometown of Ashland, Oregon, to heal a broken heart and help her mom at the family bakery. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is bringing in lots of tourists looking for some crumpets to go with their heroic couplets. But when one of Torte’s customers turns up dead, there’s much ado about murder…



"Sure to satisfy both dedicated foodies and ardent mystery lovers alike."

―Jessie Crockett, author of Drizzled with Death

The victim is Nancy Hudson, the festival’s newest board member. A modern-day Lady Macbeth, Nancy has given more than a few actors and artists enough reasons to kill her…but still. The silver lining? Jules’s high school sweetheart, Thomas, is the investigator on the case. His flirtations are as delicious as ever, and Jules can’t help but want to have her cake and eat it too. But will she have her just desserts? Murder might be bad for business, but love is the sweetest treat of all…

"Alexander weaves a tasty tale of deceit, family ties, delicious pastries, and murder.” ―Edith Maxwell, author of A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die


About the Author:

Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter to learn more.

Links: 

Giveaway:
Paperback copy of Meet Your Baker, Chai Tea, designer baking liners and a Starbucks gift card.
Open to US addresses only.
Ends 1/6/15


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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

Friday 26 December 2014

Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly Nerd Blast and Giveaway!



Publisher: Candlewick Press,U.S.
Format: Paperback | 449 pages
Dimensions: 140mm x 208mm x 44mm | 440g
Publication date: 27 December 2011
Publication City/Country: Cambrudge, MA
ISBN 10: 0763658464
ISBN 13: 9780763658465

Synopsis 

They're out for your soul.
And they don't have heaven in mind...


Willow knows she's different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people's dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from.
But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems; least of all good and evil.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lee Weatherly was born in 1967 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. She lives with her husband in Hampshire, England, where she writes, goes on walks, tries out new recipes and has a cat named Bernard.

L.A. Weatherly is the pseudonym for Lee Weatherly. You can follow her on Twitter at @LA_Weatherly



--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

6 Winners will receive a Copy of Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly.



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Monday 22 December 2014

Merry Christmas!



Just a quick note to tell you that I'm going on a Blogging break from today till January 5th :) There is one or two posts scheduled but for the most parts, I won't be posting. I'm planning on spending the time with my family and reading. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!! See you all in 2015. 

Sunday 21 December 2014

Where Silence Gathers by Kelsey Sutton Nerd Blast and Giveaway!



Publisher: FLUX
Format: Paperback | 350 pages
Dimensions: 132mm x 201mm x 25mm | 340g
Publication date: 8 July 2014
Publication City/Country: Woodbury
ISBN 10: 0738739472
ISBN 13: 9780738739472


Synopsis 
In this companion novel to the critically acclaimed Some Quiet Place, Alex must choose between Revenge and Forgiveness.
For as long as she can remember, Alexandra Tate has been able to see personified Emotions, and she's found a best friend in Revenge. He's her constant companion as she waits outside Nate Foster's house, clutching a gun. Every night since Nate's release from prison, Alex has tried to work up the courage to exact her own justice on him for the drunk driving accident that killed her family.
But there's one problem: Forgiveness. When he appears, Alex is faced with a choice—moving on or getting even. It's impossible to decide with Forgiveness whispering in one ear . . . and Revenge whispering in the other.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelsey Sutton has done everything from training dogs and making cheeseburgers to selling yellow page ads and cleaning hotel rooms. She lives in northern Minnesota and received a BA in English from Bemidji State University. When Kelsey is not writing or trying out a new career, she can be found in the park with her dogs, ordering a coconut mocha at the local coffee shop, or browsing a bookstore.



--Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

2 Winners will receive a copy of Where Silence Gathers by Kelsey 
Sutton.




Toucan Trilogy By Scott Cramer Special Offer Promo!

tucanbanner (1)


I'm excited to share the Toucan Trilogy special offer. 1000 pages of pulse-pounding dystopian adventure for under $2. Normal price is $13 for all three books. This is a killer deal that can't be missed!

Follow the Leigh siblings, Abby, Jordan, and Toucan, after a catastrophic pandemic kills the world’s adults.


Book 1 - - Night of the Purple Moon -- #FREE (regular $2.99) Dec 19-23 http://bit.ly/Night_of_the_Purple_Moon

Book 2 - - Colony East --#99 cents (regular $4.99) Dec 19 – 25 http://bit.ly/colony_east

Book 3 - - Generation M --#99 cents (regular $4.99) Dec 19 – 25 http://bit.ly/generation_m

BONUS

“BOOK-A-DAY” PAPERBACK GIVEAWAY. 
This is a daily facebook giveaway with two complete sets of the toucan trilogy being given away Dec 25. Visit the pinned post in Scott Cramer's author page. Every day there will be a new pinned post, Check out the details on Scott Cramer's blog: http://nanonoodle.com/book-a-day-give-away-extravaganza/

What they are saying about the Toucan Trilogy?

“Be amazed, shocked, tortured, lost and loved along an amazing journey”

“All that could go wrong will go wrong, and the light at the end of the tunnel is purple. A wonderful story of family strength and love.”

“A post-apocalyptic survival tale with pirates, adventure, romance, suspense, betrayal, grief, evil scientists, and redemption”

“Would highly recommend these books for book clubs, but be careful they are highly addictive. The ending is so touching and shows the power of love”

“Touching, compelling, terrifying. Quite simply, one of the best books I've read all year.”

“I have read many series. This began strong and ended strong.”

Spread the word! 

Tweet the following and feel free to add the above image as well! 

#FREE High-emotion #DYSTOPIAN. 800 reviews/4.5 stars. #KINDLE #TRILOGY #BARGAIN bitly.com/toucan_trilogy1

#FREE Adults are dead. Can the kids survive? #Dystopian trilogy 800 reviews/4.5 stars. #KINDLE bitly.com/toucan_trilogy2

#FREE Pulse-pounding #DYSTOPIAN. 800 reviews/4.5 stars for #trilogy. #KINDLE bitly.com/toucan_trilogy3
 

15772644Night of the Purple Moon:

Abby, 13, is looking forward to watching the moon turn purple, unaware that bacteria from a passing comet will soon kill off older teens and adults. She must help her brother and baby sister survive in this new world, but all the while she has a ticking time bomb inside of her--adolescence.

23435737Colony East:

Book 2 of the Toucan Trilogy. When Abby's little sister, Toucan, contracts a new, deadly illness spreading among the survivors, they go on a dangerous journey to Colony East, an enclave of scientists caring for a small group of children. Abby fears that time is running short for Touk, but she soon learns that time is running out for everyone outside Colony East.

23440553Generation M:

The explosive conclusion to the Toucan Trilogy. Coldly implementing their vision of the future, CDC scientists allow a lethal infection to become an epidemic outside the colonies. Abby, her body wracked by the infection, begins a desperate journey to find her brother Jordan and her little sister Toucan, and save the lives of millions.







This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.


Saturday 20 December 2014

The Night House by Rachel Tafoya Blog Tour and Giveaway!



Title: THE NIGHT HOUSE Publication date: December 9, 2014 Publisher: Month9Books, LLC. Author: Rachel Tafoya


Bianca St. Germain works at a Night House, a place where vampires like the aristocratic Jeremiah Archer, pay to feed on humans, and she doesn’t much care what others think of her. The money is good, and at least there, she’s safe. Bianca also doesn’t care that the Night House is killing her. All she cares about is: nauth, the highly addictive poison in vampire bites that brings a euphoria like no drug ever could. But when Bianca meets James, a reclusive empath who feels everything she does, for the first time, she considers a life outside of the Night House and a someone worth living for. But Jeremiah has decided to keep Bianca for himself; he won’t allow her to walk away. As she allows her feelings for James to grow, she struggles to contain nauth’s strong hold on her life. If they are to have a future, James must make her see what she’s worth, what she means to him, before Jeremiah and nauth claim her for good.
Link to Goodreads:

Purchase Links:

ABOUT RACHEL TAFOYA:
Rachel Tafoya studied creative writing while at Solebury School and was published in their student run literary magazine, SLAM. She attended a writing program for teens at both Susquehanna University and Denison University, and the Experimental Writing for Teens class and Novels for Young Writers program, both run by NY Times bestselling author, Jonathan Maberry. Rachel is the daughter crime author Dennis Tafoya.>


Connect with the Author:  Tumbler | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway Information
·        Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of The Night House by Rachel Tafoya (INT)


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Where Dead Bodies Lie by Kat Cazanav Book Blitz and Giveaway!


Where Dead Bodies Lie (The Body Dowser Series, #1)
Release Date: 12/16/14

Summary from Goodreads:

For as long as I can remember, I have been told to follow three important rules; Always guard my ability Never share my secret And pretend to be normal.
However, those three little rules don’t make my life easier. I still find dead people and deal with strange visions. Not to mention, an attraction to a boy who doesn’t exist. Whenever we cross path’s he mists away like smoke on a mirror. He drives me crazy, that Kaff Cooper.
As a flock of dead crows fall from the blackened sky, Kaff becomes the only one who can see the truth straight to the dark underbelly of who I actually am.
My hands feel the pull to extract the forsaken, the lost, the forgotten. It comes as naturally as breathing and there is no stopping it. 



Buy Links:
AmazonBarnes & NobleKobo Books

Excerpts:

“If you need tutoring, I’m available. I aced anatomy last year.”
“I don’t need tutoring,” I said under my breath.
“Really? Then tell me the most important body part.”
“Don’t be a perv.”
His mouth spread into a crooked grin. “ You’re blushing.”
“Eff off.” Lightheadedness hit me hard. All of a sudden I was praying the hottest boy I’d ever seen would leave me alone. “I’ll get detention if I keep talking to you.”
He didn’t budge. “The most important body part is the mouth.”
“A mouth isn’t necessary for survival,” I snapped.
He locked his doe eyes on me. “Lips are pretty important.”
I stared straight ahead out of fear I’d stutter if I looked him straight on. “You may think a mouth is important, but guess what?” I was clearly falling apart. “If you didn’t have a mouth you’d breathe through your nose, eat through a tube, and type words with your big toe.” 
He thought about this. “You’re missing the point. What about kissing?”
Kissing? Jezzzus. This guy was hard-core. His beautiful lips were important for kissing someone, just not me. I rubbed my sweaty hands on my skirt and scratched my throat to buy some time. “I usually don’t kiss guys I don’t know.”
He struggled not to laugh. “Thanks for the heads up but the point I was trying to make was without a mouth, nothing starts.”
“My throat tightened. “Starts what?”
“As an example? Well, ever heard the saying, ‘nothing starts without a kiss’?”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “No, I’ve never heard that.”
“Well, now you have.” And then he delivered the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen.
Guys like him went for shock value. They always did.

Author Links:
WebsiteGoodreadsTwitter

GIVEAWAY:

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Book Blitz Organized by:

Midwinters Eve Giveaway Hop!



Welcome to my stop on the Midwinters Eve Giveaway Hop! Thanks to BookHounds and I Am A Reader for hosting. For my giveaway one winner can choose a book of choice, up to 12 euro, or a 12$ Amazon GC. Im going on a blogging break from December 22nd till early January so I hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas. See you all in 2015 :) 

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Friday 19 December 2014

Thunderlight by Adrienne Woods Blog Tour and Giveaway!



Title: Thunderlight, Book Two Author: Adrienne Woods Series: The Dragonian Series Publisher: Fire Quill Publishing Release Date: 20 November 2014 ISBN: 9780992244613


Vibrant, scale swathed wings… Abilities that can be harnessed by a chosen few… Dragons… All this may seem like old news, but for seventeen year-old Elena Watkins the world of Paegeia is not finished revealing all its secrets. During a summer break intended for relaxation, she discovers that her harrowing adventure to retrieve the King of Lion sword wasn’t the destiny foretold by the cryptic Viden, a dragon with the ability to see a person’s true fate. The words inked onto the page of the mysterious Book of Shadows remains black and Elena must return to Dragonia Academy to discover their true meaning. Upon her return to the magnificent castle she has to face a challenge of a different kind, keeping her boyfriend Lucian McKenzie, the Prince of Tith and love of her life, away from the dangerous new student, Paul Sutton. As a Wyvern, Paul has made it his mission to claim Elena as his rider but he is proving to be more perilous than at first glance. Everyone knew that Wyverns were bad news, and just as evil as the darkness that lurked inside Blake Leaf, the Rubicon forced to fight against his inner nature every day. But Elena can see a small light lurking in the darkness, a destiny still unfulfilled; to prove that Wyverns can be claimed. Will Lucian’s dark secret about Wyverns and Elena’s need to prove their true nature cause their love to be torn apart? And which of Elena’s friends will be sacrificed this time if she is wrong?
Buy Links

Amazon / iTunes /  


Guest Post

Many have probably wondered why I chose to write about dragons. Well it's simple, if they were real, I think they would've been the most amazing creatures ever. Yes, there will be dark evil dragons like the Chromatics who might try to destroy human kind and the world, but I truly believe in the good too. The Metallics would have been there too.
I've read so many dragon novels and all of them are so unique in their own way. My favorite was Eragon. I just love how they brought Saphira to life.  Why they didn't turn more of those novels into movies, I don't know.
I obviously had to do so much research. I found amazing sites about dragons all over the net and I made up my own names for the different species there were to make them my own. Names are one of my strong points when it comes to being creative and before I knew it, an entire dragon race was born. I had plenty of beta readers telling me there were too many breeds, but c'mon how am I going to kill off a breed? All of them were unique and I just couldn't do it. So I took the chance and I kept all ten.
The Rubicon, the name I got from my favorite red wine. Yes, people Meerlust Rubicon is a wine, was my own creation. A dragon like that doesn't exist, but he does in my world. In every story good overpowers evil and I just had to be different, so that is why the Rubicon is created for destruction but there is always hope in worst case scenarios, so I had to give him some hope, some sort of light that it will be a hard fight to try and overcome his evil.
The Thunderlight, a dragon that makes her appearance in Book two, is also my own creation. To be honest, I delved into dragons so much that I'm sure ten more breeds could be created from all the dragon knowledge I gained. But it would be too much, even I know that.
Dragons are something that’s really close to my heart. I've always loved them and I totally freak out when a movie turns them into reality with special effects. I think they would've been majestic and very noble creatures and one fact that I loved, gained from a website about Dragons, was that they actually taught human how to speak. How awesome is that?
So the question remains, if dragons were real and you had the gene, what type of dragon would you've been?
 Me, I have no freaking idea, probably one that loves to tell stories and who loves to soar through the sky - A swallow Annex, perhaps.

Excerpt:

  The voice over the speaker introduced all the players on the team. There were four humans gliding on their raiders. Four dragons, a Copper-Horn, a Fire-Tail, a Moon-Bolt and a Night Villain, flew out from an opening in the cave wall and hovered in the air below their human team members.
  The next team, the “Yellow Hornets,” flew in from above our heads and the crowd painted and dressed in yellow blew on their horns. Around me yellow flags flapped in the wind created by the beating of the dragons’ wings.
  They came to a halt opposite the “Sapphires” and the voice introduced all of the players. One dragon blew a fire bolt into the crowd as a cheer rose, but an invisible wall blocked it before it could do any damage. The crowd rooted as the Sun-Blast dug in and dove into the air.
  Another team, this time wearing blue and black uniforms was introduced as “The Blue Raiders”. I noticed as each team received their introduction that the dragons all had abilities and almost every team had a fire-breather and a Swallow Annex.
  Two more teams, the “Red Crusaders” and “Black Leapers” were introduced to roaring cheers from the crowd. Last was the “Green Masquerades” and I was excited that it was finally our turn to cheer.
  Four humans dived out on their boards to a roar of applause. The one in front made a loop on the raider and was followed by a couple more.
  “That’s Blaze, she’s so amazing on that raider of hers!” Sammy yelled into my ear.
  “That’s a girl?” I yelled back.
  Sammy’s dimples dented deep into her cheeks. “It’s not just men participating. She’s been the captain of her team for the past four years,” she yelled. “She’s tried every year to get Blake on the team but the Council doesn’t want to budge, he can’t even participate in his human form.”
  “Why not?”
  “Multiple abilities, who knows.”
  That is so unfair. He’s not allowed to do anything. No fun. No wonder he did messed up things.
  The booming voice introduced the four humans. Blaze Trulip was the captain just as Sammy had said. She wasn’t afraid of anything, and she played the duty of soldier, which meant that she could be everywhere, score, defend, attack and help keep the other team from scoring. The guy next to her was Wilson DJ, who was introduced as the keeper. Richard, the diver, was one of the scorers with Baba Johnson. He bowed on his board which made the crowd cheer the loudest. The four dragons were Kyle, the Snow Dragon, Peter, the Sun-Blast, Dez, the Copper-Horn and Fick, the Green Vapor. They were the four attackers.
  Once the team introductions were made the five referees were introduced. They wore black pants with boots and white and black striped shirts. They each had flying goggles and a baseball cap on their heads. 
  Sir Robert and George growled at the same time when Peter McIntosh was introduced as one of the referees this year. “He’s a cheat,” George yelled.
  Clearly half the crowd didn’t like this Peter McIntosh dude, but he handled it well as the crowd booed at him and he bowed as deep as he could.
  “The Yellow Hornets are going to win this year for sure,” Sammy said. “He used to be their coach.”
  I shook my head. I’d never been into sports, exactly for that one reason. Dad hated it when they cheated at football. This would have been a game we could enjoy together. I could just imagine how he would’ve explained this one to me. I smiled as I imagined him babbling excitedly about scorers and attackers, the words coming from his mouth fast while he crouched on the couch, like he did whenever he got excited when his favorite football team was about to score.
  He must have missed this, I thought painfully. Knowing my father, this was definitely his sport. He used to yell at what patsies the quarterbacks and football players were whenever he used to watch the Sunday games. I still didn’t know what a patsy was, but the way he used it, it had to be something lame.
  I cheered along with Sammy and everyone else when the teams left the arena. The Yellow Hornets and Sapphires stayed behind for tonight’s game.
  The players each took their places in the field, if you could call it that. The two keepers stood in front of the two bells and we were in the perfect spot as each bell faced us on opposite sides. The rest of the players stood in a row in front of the keepers. They looked so small seeing them there, but the big screens captured each of their faces in turn.
  One of the referees, not the McIntosh dude, was chosen as the main ref for this game. The other four stood on the sidelines. When the whistle blew the four dragons dove down with the scorer and the two soldiers. Their main target was a huge axe that dangled in the air a few yards below them.  
  Fire, frost, and acid balls flew through the air in rapid succession. All of them bounced off the invisible shield that protected the crowd and everyone cheered again as one of the humans on the yellow team got to the axe first. His goal was to hit the huge bell on the opposite side. He ducked and dove on his board, and missed a couple of fire bolts, as a frost ball smashed into snowflakes right behind him.  
  The crowd hailed and it turned into what I knew as a wave. It was so fun to participate as it came our way.  
  When the man with the axe realized he was trapped, he threw it through the air to one of his teammates.
  Seeing an opportunity, one scorer from the Sapphire team went for it, and grabbed the axe before the other yellow scorer caught it. The Sapphire crowd jumped up in their seats and yelled with fists pumping in the air. 
  By the sound of Sammy’s rooting, I knew we were cheering for the “Sapphires” tonight.
  The scorer, which I assumed was Luke, twirled around on his board, ducking and diving through a couple of bolts and with a loud ‘gong’, he hit the bell with the axe. An animation of a dragon jumping up and down with a huge ‘3’ flickering behind him, appeared on all the big screens.
  Everyone I’d come with tonight whistled and yelled wildly. 
  Luke’s human team members congratulated him with high fives, slaps and everything you could think of to say well done.
  I laughed as one of them bumped him with their head.
  After the celebration was over, the players went back to their positions and the whistle blew once again. 
  The Yellow Hornets scored next and then the Sapphires were on fire, scoring three times in a row. Each time that animated dragon would come back, announcing the total points of the team who’d just scored. I now understood why Sammy was so crazy about Luke; he was really fast and always had a smile on his face.
  As the game progressed, the crowd drew in a collective breath as a fire bolt headed for one of the human players. It was too late to block it and the fire bolt struck the player. One of his teammates caught him as his board came smashing against the shield protecting us from the action. His teammate dropped him off at a Swallow Annex standing off to the side, who I assumed was there for medical reasons. 
  “This is why this game is really dangerous. You’ve got to pay attention,” Sammy said without taking her eyes of the commotion.
  The crowd cheered when the player got up, but he was way too disoriented to carry on and they had to make do without him.
  The game started again when the Yellow Hornets scored another point.
  Dragons flew in all kinds of directions, using their abilities on one another, while the scorers tried to gain extra points. 
  Suddenly, the crowd went completely silent as all the dragons in the arena froze in mid-air. As if on strings, they all turned their heads in unison in our direction and came charging at us with a venomous look in their fiery eyes.

Bonus Excerpt

  ANGER, BETRAYAL, AND HATE turned my stomach to acid. It consumed my mind and I watched as bottles, papers and books on the desk flew off and crashed to the floor. 
  A maid rushed to my side. She didn’t say anything, but her eyes reflected fear in their watery depths. The dustpan in her hand trembled as she started to sweep up the jagged shards of glass. Rising, she began to straighten the books that had fallen to the floor in a heap. Every few seconds her eyes darted nervously in my direction as if a mere breath would make me lash out at her with my outstretched hand. 
  I touched her face gently until my hand reached her neck, tightening slowly as my anger began to rise once again. My grip tightened around her soft, shapely neck as I lifted her up from her position at my feet until her face was level with mine.  Listening carefully I heard her heart fluttering like a bird trapped inside a cage. 
  “How did I become this way?” I spoke, giving voice to my reality softly.
  She just stared at me with round, brown unblinking eyes. Her eyes were sunken deep into the surface of her face and her cheek bones were sharply defined. 
  Looking at her sullen face made me feel worse.  I lifted up my other hand and struck the woman hard across her cheek. 
  A cry left her mouth and I threw her from me as if she weighed nothing. She skidded across the floor landing in a heap against a wall of cold, unforgiving stone.  If I was a dragon I would blast fire, reduce this wretched place to a pile of insignificant ashes. 
  Two other maids, hearing the startled cry, rushed into the room. Their eyes were wide as they took in the room and the immobile heap near the far wall. “Sorry, m’lord,” the older one said, her voice slightly trembling. “She’s new, we will train her better.” 
  They picked up the maid who had come to and was sobbing. She clutched the side of her face, covering the huge, red handprint where I’d struck her.
  I nodded. The old maid knew her place well, although I still didn’t care for her name, she knew where she stood.
  I plunged myself down onto the chair and closed my eyes. A silent roar growled inside of me lighting a fire of rage deep in my core. 
  The girl had made it. 
  The Rubicon saved her life, so a part of him was still fighting me. I could still see her eyes searching mine. They bore into my soul, seeking answers. How was this possible! The wall wouldn’t allow any human to go to the other side. 
  Albert’s laughter echoed inside the castle; a startling reminder that good would always win. He would pay dearly for this. I would find a way, and I promised myself she wouldn’t live much longer. 
  I pushed myself up from the chair and rubbed my face hard. The emotion of my anger escaped my lips making a sickening sound. Rage that emanated from deep within me overpowered the haunting laughter and echoed throughout the entire castle.
  “Master,” Cain’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
  “Speak, my loyal servant,” I said out loud. “What is the news?”
  “Everything is in place. We won’t fail you,” his voice said in my head.
  I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and let it out hard. “We’ll see.”


Adrienne Woods was born and raised in South Africa, where she still lives with her husband and two beautiful little girls. She always knew she was going to be a writer, but it only started to really happen about four years ago. In her free time―if she gets any because moms don’t really have free time―she loves to spend it with friends, whether it’s a girls night out, or just watching a movie. She’s a very chilled person. Her writing career started with Firebolt, book one in the Dragonian series. There will be four books in total, including a further two to three books, which will be stories that take place within the Dragonian series. Her other series, Dream Casters, will be released mid 2015. She also writes in different genres, and her woman’s fiction, The Pregnancy Diaries, will be published under a pseudonym. And then, she has a paranormal series by the name of the Aswang series, which will consist of about ten novels. And if that wasn’t enough, there is another series, Guardians of Monsters, which will be released in 2016.
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