Audiobook Review: The Scattered and the Dead by Tim McBain.

• Written by: Tim McBain, L.T. Vargus
• Narrated by: Tim McBain
• Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins 
• Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-04-16
Publisher: Smarmy Press


Loneliness drives an agoraphobic shut-in to write a letter to the girl in the apartment across the hall, trying to strike up a friendship. Unfortunately, a series of apocalyptic events interrupt this attempt at human contact. Now he watches out the window as the world gets cut to pieces by plague and riots. There are even rumors of zombies. Getting to know someone could be harder than he thought, let alone surviving in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. He might even need to leave the apartment.


My Thoughts: 


This is told in letter form, which reads like a journal almost. Decker is the MC and it is his story we are following. He has a crush on the girl across from him but has never told her. Now with the apocalypse happening, he writes her letters and tells her about his days. How can an introvert survive in a cruel world?


I wasn't sure what to expect going into this because I'd never heard of it before, but I know I didn't expect to become invested in the character! Decker was such a believable character that it was hard not to root for him. He captured my heart and his journey became mine. My heart broke for his loneliness but rejoiced with his overall development from a quiet introvert to a self sufficient man that knows what he has to do. It was awesome watching him evolve. 


Now, don't go into this expecting an action packed zombie book. This isn't it! This is one mans tale of the "before" and the "after". Zombies are just starting to appear but all this man sees is society crumbing with violence. This just wets the appetite for the series to come, and I can't wait!!


This is the first time I've listened to a book that both the author and narrator are the same. I wasn't sure if it would work, but in this instance, it totally does. The author was able to bring Decker personality to life. It's often hard for a reader to totally "get" the MC but since it's the author narrating, he does and so was able to portray Decker perfectly.


*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affected my thoughts.*

Audiobook Review: Redfall by Jay J Falconer.

• Written by: Jay J. Falconer
• Narrated by: Gary Tiedemann
• Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins 
• • Series: American Prepper, Book 1
• Unabridged Audiobook


Release Date:03-11-16
Society will collapse in days...and that's the good news.Former special ops and survivalist Simon Redfall has lost everything: his wife, his fortune, and his future. Despite being hunted by angry mobs and his own bankrupt government, Simon arrives in Washington, DC, to attend the first ever pay-per-view execution of someone he loves.Then red storm clouds appear and begin to spread their potentially toxic rain across the planet. The mysterious weather phenomenon grounds all travelers, knocks out communications, and threatens to take down the grid, sending civilization back to the Stone Age.As society tumbles into chaos, Simon joins a group of like-minded preppers to unlock the secrets behind a terrifying global conspiracy. What he and his band of freedom fighters soon learn will put their lives - and the lives of everyone else on the planet - at risk.For humanity, time is running out.... When the red rain stops falling, it will be too late to stop what's coming next.
My Thoughts:

This book was awesome!!! I absolutely devoured it. 

We start with seeing Simon Redfall at his wife's execution. She is being put to death for terrorism. He is in disguise so no one knows who he is. The execution is a major  event that has the  feel f a carnival! It's also televised. Simons wife maintains her innocence right up to the end, and Simon suffers through it, never quite believing she did what she is accused of, but also wondering how is she innocent? He tries to leave quietly but is recognised by a reporter, angry people turn and start chasing him. He runs but is trapped when suddenly red rain starts falling, the crowd is distracted when a van with some kids come and save him. What follows is a plot of mystery, intrigue subterfuge and the lengths people go to to win. 

Character wise, this has a lot of different ones but they were all well written and developed. I particularly liked the group of youths that have the compound in the Amish country called Pandora. It's refreshing to have a book that has young people as preppers and not just the adults. These kids are also incredibly smart and capable. They know there's a conspiracy afoot and are willing to do what's needed to uncover the truth, the first being finding Simon Redfall!!

The author has definitely captured my attention with this book. It sets the scene for what seems to be an amazing series.  He has created a unique an addictive book and one that will bring you on a roller coaster, edge of your seat ride! One thing though, be warned that this ends in a major cliff hanger, not even a cliff hanger per say, it kinda just ... ends! We are warned about it at the start, but it still feels abrupt. Yet despite me not liking cliff hangers, I didn't mind this because it has made me want book 2 even more. I've become invested in this story and can't wait to see where it goes.

This is the first book I've listened to being read by Gary Tiedemann and it won't be the last. He was so easy to listen to and really brought the story to life. He had plenty of distinct tones for each character and knew when to bring the extra tenseness needed to make it thoroughly enjoyable. 

*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affected my thoughts.* 

Audiobook Review: Wolf Hunt 2 by Jeff Strand!

• Written by: Jeff Strand
• Narrated by: Scott Thomas
• Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins 
• Unabridged Audiobook
• Release Date:03-29-16
Publisher: Jeff Strand
George and Lou used to be thugs for hire. Now they're living in a shack in Costa Rica, hiding from the crime lord who wants them dead. Their last job, to deliver him a werewolf in a cage, went...badly.
But they can't hide out forever, and when they're finally captured, it seems as if George and Lou's ultimate fate will involve being doused in gasoline and set aflame. Instead, they're given a second chance. There's another werewolf out there. This time, it's Ally, a 14-year-old girl.
Kidnapping a teenaged girl is a major conflict with George and Lou's moral code, but they also aren't fans of being brutally executed, so they agree to the job. After all, the crime lord doesn't want to kill Ally - he just wants her to bite him. They'll snatch her, deliver her as promised, and then do everything they can to return her home safely. She doesn't even know she's a werewolf; it's not as if she'll create any complications by transforming.
Of course, this is George and Lou, so there are many, many complications.
The worst of which is that they've now enraged three other extremely nasty werewolves....
My Thoughts:
Having loved book 1, I couldn't wait to dive back into this world. And boy was I in for a rip roaring, heart breaking and utterly compelling ride!! 

George and Lou are back!! When they are found and forced to take another job, they are naturally reluctant after the event of the last time! It's worse this time though, their target is a teenager who is a suspected werewolf. Even without the fact that another werewolf is involved, the boys don't like the fact that they have to abduct a girl. But, it's that or being murdered! What follows, of course, is another fast and furious, often times hilarious, often times heart breaking, adventure that you don't want to miss!

Once again, Jeff Hunt manages to create a darkly delicious read and one I devoured!! George and Lou are as amazing as last time, though this edition really pushes them both. It's darker than book 1, but I think it needed to be. The boys know more now than they did in book 1 so a lot of the levity is gone, yet there are still plenty of laugh out loud moments involving them. Then when they are introduced to a memorable character, the laughs come a little more often. 

Also, damn Jeff Hunt!!! He ripped my heart out at a certain point. I was listening to it and was like NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! How could you!!!!!!! My poor heart couldn't take it. If you've read it, you know what part I'm on about, if not then go read these books NOW!!

Anyway, in all, this was an amazing sequel and I pray we haven't seen the last of these characters!! I went and bought some of this authors other work to see how they are, because if this series is anything to judge by, then I know I'll love the others. Highly recommend.

Again, Scott Thomas was amazing! He really brings each character to life. Every single character had their own tone and "personality" and it was extremely easy to follow who was talking at any one given time. 

*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affected my thoughts.* 

Clarity 5: Loving Liam by Loretta Lost Book Blitz and Giveaway!

Clarity 5: Loving Liam
Loretta Lost
Publication date: April 26th 2016
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense

Happily ever after isn’t always easy…
Helen and Liam are engaged to be married and their relationship is stronger than ever. But when Helen encourages the young doctor to mend fences with his estranged family before the wedding, she unintentionally opens a dangerous can of worms.
A devastating secret from Liam’s past emerges, threatening to tear him apart. The horrors of his family skeletons make him feel that it is a huge mistake to try to start a new family with Helen. Unable to cope, he pushes everyone away, including his fiancée and even his best friend Owen.
Now Helen must do all she can to save the man who has saved her so many times. Liam has put himself on the line to help her heal in the past, and she hopes to do the same—if she can even get close enough to try…

Goodreads / Amazon

—

Excerpt: 

“Hey! Liam? You okay, buddy?” Owen asks me with concern, putting an arm around my shoulders.

“N-no. My chest. It hurts.”

“Do you want to get out of here, and maybe go sit in the car?”

I am having trouble speaking or breathing, and I can only nod. I allow Owen to guide me out of the bar, and I try my best to remain standing. I don’t understand why my limbs feel like jelly and it is so hard to move my body.

Once Owen helps me into the vehicle, I allow my body to sag against the passenger seat. The passenger seat. Just like in my dream. My breathing comes in short, rapid bursts, and I feel like I am having a mild panic attack. If Owen weren’t here beside me, I would worry that I was about to die. But I know that he wouldn’t let that happen.

“Just calm down, Liam. You’re going to be okay,” he says, grasping my shoulder tightly. “Can you tell me what happened? In the dream?”

“What if it wasn’t a dream.”

“What?”

I blink slowly as I try to make eye contact with Owen and communicate my deepest fear. Something about the alcohol is opening the door to the very back of my mind, where the root of the issue has been lingering all this time. “What if I really did that? What if I really killed that baby?”

“Killed?” Owen says in shock, and I can see that his eyes have gone wide. “Liam, what are you talking about? You never told me that the baby was killed.”

“I left her there. I just left her there to die. Mama said—Mama said we’d go back for her, but we never did. She said the baby never existed, that it wasss a dream. But what if she did exist? Am I crazy? Am I crazy, Owen?”

My friend just stares at me blankly, and I find myself seized by a sudden anger. I reach out and grab him around the neck, dragging him closer so that I can look into his eyes. “Am I crazy?! Tell me! Did I kill the baby? Was there ever a baby! Fucking tell me!”

“Liam,” he chokes out, “stop!”

“I can’t have a baby. I killed the baby. I’m a murderer. Helen would hate me forever. How can I tell her? That little girl was so tiny. She was like a little kitten. Did she get crushed under the tires of a truck? Did she freeze to death?” I squeeze Owen like a tube of toothpaste to try and get the answers out of him.

He claws at my hands to try to break free. “Hey!” he says hoarsely. “Liam, stop it!”

“Why was I so stupid? I killed her, Owen. I know that I killed her. I’m a monster.” My hands grow limp, and they fall to my sides. “I’m a murderer! I’m a fucking murderer! I knew all along. I was never punished. Not enough. He knows. I know that he knows. He’s going to come for me.”

My eyelids grow very heavy and it becomes difficult to hold them open. The world is growing dark, and I am beginning to feel like I am underwater. I try to move my arms, but they are flaccid. My whole body begins to feel like it’s disconnected from my brain.

I think I hear Owen’s voice speaking to me, but it is so far away. I can’t make out the words before the world becomes completely quiet and empty.

Author Bio:
Loretta Lost is a USA Today bestselling author who writes stories where very bad things happen to good people. Mystery, tragedy, and danger complicate her unique romances between characters who will do anything to protect each other.
In the two days of summer that she gets in Canada, she grows a garden of the hottest peppers in the world. She loves using these peppers to torture her guests and challenge their manhood. This could be why she isn't married.
Subscribe to Loretta's mailing list for updates: www.eepurl.com/O0WTL
You will also receive a FREE book as a gift for signing up!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!

Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)

• The complete five-book Clarity series in paperback

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Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks' Secret by Paula Berinstein Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Welcome to my stop during the blog tour for Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks' Secret by Paula Berinstein. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 18 April till 1 May, you can view the complete tour schedule on the website of Lola’s Blog Tours.

So far this series contains 4 books: Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy (Amanda Lester, Detective #1), Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis (Amanda Lester, Detective #2), Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle (Amanda Lester, Detective #3) and Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks' Secret (Amanda Lester, Detective #4). You can get the first book in the series for only 0.99$ at amazon.

Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks’ Secret (Amanda Lester, Detective #4)
by Paula Berinstein
Genre: Mystery/ Detective/ Fantasy
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: March 31, 2016

Blurb:
What does a dusty old secret have to do with peacocks?

Everything, as it turns out. When Amanda is knocked off her skateboard by a rare all-blue peacock, she learns that the species harbors a vital secret she must race to uncover. But before she can unravel the mystery, a startling archaeological discovery turns all of Britain against the detectives and threatens their very existence.

As old enemies gather strength and new adversaries emerge, Amanda finds herself dealing with hysterical teachers, a disappearing mentor, a mysterious poisoner, and a would-be magician. With so much at stake and so little time, the last thing she needs is to fall in love.

You can find Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks’ Secret on Goodreads

You can buy Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks’ Secret here:
- Amazon

Earlier Books in this series

Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy (Amanda Lester, Detective #1)
by Paula Berinstein
Genre: Mystery/ Detective/ Fantasy
Age category: Middle Grade
Release Date: May, 2015

Blurb:
A reluctant detective, a criminal mastermind, and . . . sugar?

Amanda Lester wouldn’t be caught dead going into the family business. Her ancestor, Sherlock Holmes’s colleague Inspector G. Lestrade, is a twit. Nevertheless her parents refuse to see his flaws, and she’s going to a secret English school for the descendants of famous detectives whether she likes it or not.

When Amanda arrives at the dreaded school, she considers running away—until she and her new friends discover blood and weird pink substances in odd places. At first they’re not sure whether these seeming clues mean anything, but when Amanda’s father disappears and the cook is found dead with her head in a bag of sugar, they’re certain that crimes are taking place.

Now Amanda must embrace her destiny and uncover the truth. The only snag is that arch-villain Blixus Moriarty, a descendant of Holmes’s nemesis Professor James Moriarty, might be involved, and he doesn’t like nosy little girls interfering in his business.

You can find Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy on Goodreads

You can buy Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy here for only 0.99$:
- Amazon
- Amazon Paperback
- Barnes & Noble

Excerpt from book 1:

Amanda Lester and the Pink Sugar Conspiracy mystique excerpt:

The first class the next morning was History of Detectives. The classroom was huge and paneled in dark wood. Amanda thought it was beautiful but was thankful she didn’t have to polish it. It would take so long that as soon as she’d finished she’d have to start all over. The room felt old-fashioned but it was a lot nicer than the classrooms at Ysidro Middle School, which were so depressing that she was always mentally redecorating them.

“Bienvenido!” said the teacher, Professor Also, an athletic-looking, curly-haired woman with a kind face and a wavery voice. The students, some of whom appeared bright and eager and others of whom seemed not to have slept the night before, looked around blankly.

“Oh, sorry. Forgive me,” the teacher said. “I just got back from Costa Rica and I haven’t got my land legs yet. That means ‘Welcome.’ May I have a volunteer, please? How about you, Mr. Binkle?”

The goofy-looking boy with the glasses, late of the vomit incident, pointed to himself. “Me, your honor?”

“Yes, you, Mr. Binkle, and I am not your honor. Professor Also will do.”

“Yes, sir, er, your ladyship,” said the boy, every bit as awkward as Amanda thought he was.

Professor Also sighed. “Now would be a good time.”

“Right,” said the boy, and raced to the front, tripping over nothing twice on his way to the spot where Professor Also was pointing. Amanda felt sorry for him.

“Now, Mr. Simon Binkle,” said the teacher. “I want you to select from these items and give yourself a semblance of a detective’s mystique.”

“A what, ma’am?” said the boy.

“A detective’s mystique. Go on. Let’s see what you can put together.”

Mr. Simon Binkle had turned rather red. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand, ma’am.”

“This, class, is exactly the problem for those of us who are new to the detective’s world. In order to be a great sleuth, you must develop a mystique. All the classic detectives have one and we will study them. A mystique sets you apart, and may I say, gives you a certain, I don’t know. Let’s say cachet.”

“Sorry, Professor. What’s cachet?”

“Cachet, Mr. Binkle, is that special something, an almost magical quality, that makes you fascinating.” The idea of the gangly Mr. Binkle being fascinating made Amanda want to laugh.

“Do you mean that we all have to be fascinating?” said Simon Binkle.

“Eventually,” said the teacher, at which the boy’s face went completely white.

“I see I’ve thrown you. Let me reassure you that developing a mystique isn’t nearly as intimidating a procedure as it sounds. This will occur naturally over the course of your time here at Legatum. Let’s talk about it a bit. Yes, Mr. Wiffle.” She pointed toward a pale, redheaded boy who was raising his hand excitedly.

“First, Professor, let me say that I’m very impressed that you already know all of our names. I think I’m going to enjoy your class. Second, can you tell us whether mystiques will be on the tests?”

Amanda looked over at Amphora, who was making a gagging face. When she saw Amanda looking at her she mouthed, “Do you believe this?” Amanda rolled her eyes, then grinned and shook her head. When she caught sight of Nick, who was sitting at the end of her row, she could see that he was laughing silently.

“I’m tempted not to answer that, Mr. Wiffle. A detective should be ready for anything. However, as this is your first day I will make an exception. No. Mystiques will not be on the tests but they will be part of your grade. Let me say right now that I will know if you’re faking a mystique. It’s perfectly acceptable to experiment, and in fact we expect you to do so. However do not try to impress us. A mystique evolves naturally. Trying to be something you’re not will get you nowhere and could actually backfire. Are we clear?”

“Yes, Professor,” said Mr. Wiffle. Amanda, Amphora, Nick, and Ivy were all stifling laughs. Simon, who was still standing in front of the class, seemed completely lost.

“Now, let’s talk about mystiques, shall we?” said Professor Also. “A mystique is much more than appearance, although that plays a large part because it’s what we see. It also has to do with the way the detective thinks and what he or she is most interested in. In other words, it’s what makes the detective different from other detectives.

“For example, we’re all familiar with Sherlock Holmes’s recognizable clothing and accoutrements, but what really defined his mystique was his keen ability to observe small details and draw conclusions from them.” Amanda winced. Who cared what Sherlock Holmes did or didn’t do? “But his observational skills didn’t operate in a vacuum. They depended on his arcane knowledge. As you know, he could deduce an astounding amount about a person just by observing his or her clothes, but in order to do that he had to familiarize himself with everything from buttons to types of wool. So his mystique depended on his knowing a great deal about obscure subjects. Yes, Mr. Wiffle.”

Not him again. Amanda was beginning to get the measure of this kid. She decided that staying away from him would be a good idea.

“Professor, will we be expected to study buttons and things like that?”

“Yes, Mr. Wiffle. Professor Sidebotham will be at your side for these six years, and by the time you graduate you will know more about buttons, fountain pens, and motor oil than 99.999% of the people on the planet.”

The kid’s mouth dropped. He obviously wasn’t happy. Amanda didn’t want to learn about buttons either, but she thought she could put up with it if it meant she got to watch him squirm.

“Mr. Wiffle,” said the teacher. “Do I infer correctly that you’re not interested in buttons and motor oil?”

The class laughed and the kid went as red as his hair.

“No, Professor Also,” he said, catching himself. “I’m quite looking forward to learning about motor oil. It sounds fascinating.”

The teacher gave the kid a look and said, “Indeed. Now, let’s continue with our discussion of mystiques. As I was saying, when you matriculate you will have developed a mystique that is unique to you. A unique mystique, if you will.”

There were giggles around the room until Professor Also fixed the class with a stony stare.

Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis (Amanda Lester, Detective #2)
By Paula Berinstein
Genre: Mystery/ Detective/ Fantasy
Age category: Middle Grade
Release Date: September 15, 2015

Blurb:
If only Sherlock Holmes's great-great-grandson weren't such a dork . . .

There’s a new student at the Legatum Continuatum School for the Descendants of Famous Detectives and Amanda is supposed to work with him. Scapulus Holmes is a descendant of the great Sherlock and he’s crazy about her. Unfortunately she thinks he’s a dork and would rather die than have anything to do with him.

But when the kids discover a dead body encrusted with strange living crystals, Amanda realizes she needs Holmes’s help. If the crystals fall into the wrong hands they could be used for nefarious purposes, and only he knows how to protect them.

Can the detectives keep the bad guys from learning the crystals' secrets? It would help if they could figure out who the dead body is too. Only if Amanda and Holmes can find a way to work together can they prevent a disaster, and it isn’t looking good

You can find Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis on Goodreads

You can buy Amanda Lester and the Orange Crystal Crisis here:
- Amazon
- Amazon Paperback
- Barnes & Noble

Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle (Amanda Lester, Detective #3)
By Paula Berinstein
Genre: Mystery/ Detective/ Fantasy
Age category: Middle Grade
Release Date: November 15, 2015

Blurb:
Purple rainbows, a mysterious crypt, and pots of gold . . .

Things are not going well for Amanda and the secret detective school. A priceless artifact has disappeared, a dangerous hacker is manipulating matter, and zombies are being seen all over the Lake District.

Then the real trouble starts. When her cousins go missing and her friend Clive is kidnapped, Amanda is forced to turn to someone she’d rather not deal with: her old boyfriend Scapulus Holmes. But then he vanishes too. Now’s she’s sure that arch-villain Blixus Moriarty is involved . . . or is he?

You can find Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle on Goodreads

You can buy Amanda Lester and the Purple Rainbow Puzzle here:
- Amazon
- Amazon Paperback

About the Author:

Paula Berinstein is nothing like Amanda. For one thing, she’s crazy about Sherlock Holmes. For another, she’s never wanted to be a filmmaker. In addition, compared to Amanda she’s a big chicken! And she wouldn’t mind going to a secret school at all. In fact, she’s hoping that some day she’ll get to build one.

You can find and contact Paula here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Paula's blog on Goodreads
- The Writing Show podcasts
- Newsletter

There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Amanda Lester and the Blue Peacocks’ Secret. Open International. These are the prizes you can win:

- a Kindle Paperwhite
- A physical copy of all four Amanda Lester books by Paula Berinstein
- 2 physical copies from Paula Berinstein her books, winner's choice

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:

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The Rose & The Dagger by Renée Ahdieh Release Day Blitz and Giveaway!

Title: THE ROSE & THE DAGGER

Author: Renée Ahdieh

Release Date: April 26, 2016

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Pages: 432

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, & audiobook

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iBooks 

Hi Guys, I am so excited that THE ROSE & THE DAGGER by Renée Ahdieh releases today and that I get to share the news, along with an awesome giveaway!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author Renée Ahdieh, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a paperback of THE WRATH & THE DAWN and a hardcover of THE ROSE & THE DAGGER and an awesome candle from The Melting Library’s Etsy Store, US Only!  So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

The much anticipated sequel to the breathtaking The Wrath and the Dawn, lauded by Publishers Weekly as "a potent page-turner of intrigue and romance."
I am surrounded on all sides by a desert. A guest, in a prison of sand and sun. My family is here. And I do not know whom I can trust.
In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse—one that might keep them apart forever. Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces set on destroying Khalid's empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan.
While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with magical forces he doesn't yet understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love.

Praise for The Rose and the Dagger:

“Above all there is the shattering, triumphant catharsis of love… In a story about stories, love is ‘the power to speak without words.’ Thrillingly full of feeling.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Fiery romance, a spirited heroine, shifting loyalties… With more than a few heartrending twists and turns.”—Booklist 

Excerpt:

About Renée:

Renée lives in North Carolina (Go Heels!) with her husband Victor and their dog Mushu. Her YA fantasy novel, THE WRATH AND THE DAWN, will be published on May 12th, 2015. In her spare time, she likes to cook, dance salsa, and wreak havoc on the lives of her characters.
She’s also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, as well as an active member of theScience Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America.

Website| Twitter | Facebook| Goodreads | Tumblr  |Pinterest | Instagram

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a paperback of THE WRATH & THE DAWN, a hardcover of THE ROSE & THE DAGGER, and a His Calipha candle from The Melting Library’s Etsy Store, US Only.

Ends on May 3rd at Midnight EST!

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Bait by Kasi Blake Book Blitz and Giveaway!

Bait (Order of the Spirit Realm #1)
by Kasi Blake
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Release Date: July 25th 2014

Summary:

After sixteen years on the run, Bay-Lee joins her emotionally distant father at his New Zealand school. On her first night there, he dumps her on the doorstep and walks away. Big surprise. Minutes later, a bag is thrown over her head, and she’s kidnapped for Orientation. The hunter in charge calls her Bait. According to him, that’s all she’s good for, to be used to draw out monsters for experienced hunters to kill. 
Before Bay-Lee can move up to the rank of Hunter, she will have to prove herself, battle wraiths, a reaper in disguise, and a stampeding border monster. With the addition of her classes, she’s going to be way too busy for a social life. Falling in love is not on the agenda. 
Then, she meets Nick Gallos. With the intimidating rank of Warrior, Nick is gorgeous, arrogant, and just plain rude to her. It’s obvious from their first meeting that Nick is hiding a dark past overflowing with secrets, and her father is right smack in the middle of it. Nick seems to be using her to get even with her father, and she won’t tolerate that. What a jerk. 
So, why can’t she stop thinking about him?

Bait is FREE! 

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Smashwords│iTunes

Excerpt:

The snarling beast prepared to charge.  A clawed foot pawed at the dirt, stirring up a cloud of dust.  Black eyes partially hidden beneath a mass of unruly brown fur stared at her.  Its enormous square head tilted to the side.  The thing looked like a cross between a wooly mammoth and an alien from a scary movie.

Nick jumped to his feet while shouting a warning at her.  Glued to the ground, she couldn’t move.  Cold fear held her in a tight grip.  He caught her arm, hauled her to her feet, and dragged her with him.  The heavy tromp of footsteps thundered behind them.  The border monster was coming.  It would overtake them at any second.

Bay-Lee cringed, expecting to be impaled on sharp horns.

They ran through the forest, dodging trees in a mad dash.  Nick’s hand slipped on her arm and he almost let go.  His grip tightened around her wrist.  She forced her legs to move faster, desperate to keep up with him.  The hairy beast leaped over their heads and slammed down in front of them even though she would have bet the thing was too enormous to jump that high.  The ground shook as if they were caught in an earthquake.  A cloud of dust enveloped them like a post nuclear mushroom cloud.

Nick’s dagger was gone, lost in the hole, so he picked up a broken branch to use as a weapon.  It was thick and long with a sharp pointy end.  His eyes shone with manic excitement.  He shouted at Bay-Lee.  “Stay out of the way!”

The border monster charged them, but Nick darted to the right.  He moved so fast Bay-Lee didn’t have time to think.  Avoiding the shadows, Nick kept to the light so it could see him.  The monster changed course.  Head bent, it tried to flatten Nick.  He leaped into the air at the last second.  The monster’s head scooped him up.  Nick landed on its back.  One of his hands tangled in the long matted hair, using it to hang on, while his other hand brandished the branch like a sword.  He looked like a man riding a rampaging elephant.  

He shouted a warning to her, telling her to hug a tree.  It was the only safe place.  She wanted to help him slay the thing, but she didn’t know anything about border monsters.  They hadn’t gotten to them yet in Maxx’s class.

Bay-Lee wrapped her arms around the nearest tree and held on tight.  If she didn’t move, the thing wouldn’t be able to see her.  She wished she hadn’t left her cell phone in her room.  Nick was going to die, and there wasn’t anything she could do to stop it.  Now she wished she’d gone for help instead of following him into the woods.

Nick drove the sharp tip of the branch into the monster’s back.  Howling in pain and anger, the thing stood on two legs, freaking her out.  Apparently this was another thing she didn’t know about border monsters.  They could stand on four legs or two.  It reached around, grabbed Nick by his ankle, and ripped him free.  The thing lifted him high in the air.  It was going to slap the ground with him, breaking bones and causing massive internal injuries.

Without giving it a thought Bay-Lee ran at the giant monster.  Desperation drove her to action.  She hit it with a flying kick.  Surprised, the monster dropped Nick.  He executed a summersault and rolled away from the fight.  The border monster turned in her direction.  She retreated fast, blending in with the trees.  As long as she wasn’t moving and wasn’t in the light, it couldn’t see her.

The border monster bent forward and sniffed, trying to catch her scent.  When it exhaled, the heavy whoosh of air blew hair around her face, momentarily obstructing her vision.  Her nose itched.  She clenched her fists and fought the urge to scratch.  She remained frozen, refusing to even blink.  The monster was not going to trick her into moving, no matter what it did.  Her fingers dug into the tattered bark of the tree.  A silent scream lodged in her throat, searching for an exit.  If the monster didn’t get out of her face soon, she might lose control and release the scream.

Nick laughed.  The sound seemed to infuriate the monster.  It whipped around, ready to finish crunching Nick to dust.  The monster charged at him.  Nick brought the branch around in an arcing sweep and plunged it into the monster’s gut.  The thing staggered backwards before crashing forward.  It was going to fall on top of Nick.  He lurched to the side, trying to get out of the way, but he wasn’t fast enough.  The monster fell.

About the Author

Born and raised in California, I fell in love with writing while reading The Outsiders. Then I fell in love with Stephen King's writing style. I enjoy reading many types of books, but YA Paranormal is my favorite. I used to write for Harlequin under a different name. So that's my background. Exciting, no?
I have seven books out now: Vampires Rule, Werewolves Rule,Shifters Rule, Crushed, Witch Hunt, Bait, and my only adult novel, a romantic suspense called Pandora's Box. 

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