Sheila: Book Reviewer,writer and great lover of books...sharing her wonderful finds of fantastic authors,their books, writing tips, and also other things of interest to her and those following the blog. Thanks for visiting! Follow today and don't miss out on news of great new books and giveaways!
Ren Garcia is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author and Texas native who grew up in western Ohio. He has been writing since before he could write, often scribbling alien lingo on any available wall or floor with assorted crayons. He attended The Ohio State University and majored in English Literature. Ren has been an avid lover of anything surreal since childhood, he also has a passion for caving, urban archeology and architecture. His highly imaginative "League of Elder" book series is published by Loconeal Publishing
They thought the episode with their cousin to the east, Lady Bloodstein, was over. They thought it was something to laugh about at the grand table in fond nostalgia.
But they were wrong. They were so wrong. And Castle Blanchefort has fallen! Lord Kabyl has lost everything: his wife, his kin, his family fortune, and his home. Castle Blanchefort, once a safe haven, is overrun with enemies seeking his blood. In what follows, he must join forces with ancient enemies and with people who do not exist. He must treat with sinister, possibly untrustworthy gods and barter away his soul for urgently needed arcane help or face certain death at the hands of forgotten tyrants and their machinations from a bygone age. And, how can a strange science known as Mentralysis, practiced in secret in the hidden places of the League, hold the key to ultimate victory? What should have been obvious to Lord Kabyl from the start at last becomes crystal clear: Foolish is he who dares possess the Ultimate Object, for misery shall be his only reward.
Moments later the robot was there, gleaming,
sliding on its rail, blades turning. Flying as fast as she could, Thomasina
soared down the hallway with Phillip in her arms. The robot came after them and
was quickly gaining. Panels opened, more arms came out and more deadly blades
whirled.
Casually, Clara, forgotten and unnoticed by the
robot, came striding out of the chamber moments later. She held the cage
containing King over her head.
"Betrayed!" King said from his cage.
"You have been betrayed!"
Clara was jubilant. "You’re all mine now,
baby doll," she said to King. "Sorry, suckers! Looks like I’m not
heading back to the crappy cell in your crappy village, am I, you bunch of
Rumble-Pumps! Have fun with the Vith Stickin’ robot!"
She turned and fled in the opposite
direction.
--Clara Wunderluck to Phillip and Lady Thomasina of
Blanchefort.
To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page
Shattered Worlds boxed set is only 99 cents for a few more days! Grab your copy on Amazon before the price change: http://a.co/hM4F6jJ
Escape into twenty-two epic worlds that will leave you breathless.
From
dystopian nightmares to gorgeous steampunk and fantasy settings to
fairy-tale retellings and beyond, SHATTERED WORLDS has every story
you've been dying to get your hands on!
This
unique Young Adult/New Adult collection, inspired by the creative minds
of today's New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling
authors, promises to satisfy your cravings for action and adventure as
you experience rune magic and time-travel, overthrow corrupt
governments, meet reapers and aliens, battle dragons, fall hopelessly in
love, and break ancient curses, right alongside some of the bravest
characters in fantasy fiction!
Each book within this collection is exclusive to the set and can't be found anywhere else!
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (August 1, 2017)
Genre: Regency Romance/Suspense
ISBN-10: 1524403326
FTC, FYI: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
{Book Synopsis}
When a shocking scandal involving her father spreads through London society, Elaine Cardinham and her parents are forced to retreat to their country home in Cornwall for refuge. But Havencross is no sanctuary for Elaine. She is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of her brother and the heartbreak she left in her wake all those years ago.
It has been five long years since Gareth Kemp last saw Elaine when she rejected his marriage proposal. Her reappearance convinces him of one thing: he has never stopped loving her. To put his feelings for her aside, he focuses his attention on the dangerous smuggling plaguing the Cornish coast. As Elaine attempts to run from her past, she ventures ever closer to a dangerous truth and Gareth may be the only one who can save her from a deadly finish.
{My Review}
On the front cover it says that Havencross is a Regency Romance. What you don't realize, is that you are getting a whole lot more in the form of a murder mystery, vicious smugglers, and deception around every corner. Elaine is a well-bred lady who must leave London in shame because of her father's indiscretions. The family returns to their country home, Havencross, in Cornwall. Elaine isn't happy about returning because of many ghosts in her past such as her brother's disappearance in which she blames herself, the man, Garth Kemp, whom she loved and whose marriage proposal she turned down. Once there she realizes that her life will never be the same until the great Lord Chiverton, her beau she left behind in London comes calling for her hand in marriage. The mystery begins here as things start happening that bring Garth and Elaine back together in ways she'd never would have imagined. Elaine is a very likable character as is Garth. I also truly loved Elaine's Aunt Rose. This story is full of rich settings that take you to the shores of Cornwall with it's rocky cliffs, where you can almost smell the sea water and hear the seagulls as they fly by. I don't think I've ever wanted to visit somewhere so much after reading about it in a book until now. The authors descriptions help bring to life this novel full of the mysteries of Arthurian legends, deaths, disappearances, dangerous smugglers, and never knowing who is behind everything that is happening. I wasn't surprised at all at who the bad guy turned out to be but the last 1/4 of the book was SO intense {Edge of your seat!} I couldn't read fast enough to see how the hero and heroine managed to come out in one piece. The small parts of romance are sweet in the book but the mysteries in this novel are what made it amazing to me. This book would be enjoyed by lovers of romance and mystery novels alike.
{Meet Author: Julie Daines}
Julie Daines was born in Concord, Massachusetts, and was
raised in Utah. She spent eighteen months living in London, where she
studied and fell in love with English literature, sticky toffee pudding,
and the mysterious guy who ran the kebab store around the corner.
She loves reading, writing, and watching movies—anything
that transports her to another world. She picks Captain Wentworth over
Mr. Darcy, firmly believes in second breakfast, and never leaves home
without her verveine.
Julie is an award-winning and best-selling author, and her
novel, Unraveled, was a contender for the ALA’s Schneider Family Book
Award.
FTC, FYI: I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
{Book Blurb}
“Dangerous. Wrong. She could be so close to finding out who I really am, and I don’t want to think about how badly that could damage her. If I have any conscience, I’ll turn and run. But I can’t let her go.”
Presley Hale has no idea the guy she just told off in the school parking lot died in a drowning accident four months ago. Why would she? It’s not like she knows she can see the dead.
Stunned by Presley’s sixth sense, Landon Blackwood rethinks his planned departure and begins tracking her to find answers to their mysterious connection. When their complicated relationship turns dangerous, they learn that tampering with the boundaries of death comes with consequences.
Can Landon save Presley from the insidious spirits who have marked her for death, or was their love doomed from the beginning?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~
{Excerpt from Beyond:}
He looked over my shoulder toward the spectral horde and studied them suspiciously.
“Your death was unexpected. By the time I sensed it, and arrived at the river to support you, they were only seconds behind me.”
His words overpowered me. Before this moment, I thought James was the only person keeping tabs on me.
“It’s
a race, Landon. It always is when the death is unforeseen. As your
guide, I immediately knew when your death was imminent. That’s my right.
“The
Vigilum sensed it as well,” he continued. “They hunt it like a shark
would pursue the scent of blood. The careless behavior you exhibited the
night of your death was like a siren call to them.”
A pang of regret. I had been careless. A cold fact I wished I could change every day since my death. The amount of “if only’s”
were heaping. But what a bunch of freaky dead guys wanted with me or
why they cared that I died in a reckless way was beyond me. James said
it was a race. But a race for what?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
{My Review}
I read one review where this story was described as one of "Star-Crossed Lovers" and in a way it is but so much more.
I've read a lot of stories lately about ghosts or people coming back after they've died. I was really hoping for a unique twist somehow and it was definitely there. The main characters in this novel, Presley, the new girl in town, and Landon, who died in an accident months before, are written by both authors (about 90% of the time I was told from one of the authors) and the story is told in shifting POV's. Both of them are very strong characters who I liked a lot from the start. Presley meets Landon {who's had a hard time leaving Earth and especially his twin sister Veronica} and soon finds out that only she can see him not realizing the whole time that no one else could.I really liked that as readers we don't find out why Presley has this unique gift, this sixth sense, until well into the story. We do become involved in the grief that is present with everyone that knew and loved the popular athlete Landon. I felt this was also written with great authenticity showing people going through the grieving process.
Another wonderful aspect of this story is Presley's brother Chase. He is Autistic and written very well and authentic. As a teacher,I've worked with many students on the Autistic Spectrum and have a child of my own on the spectrum, and I knew one of the authors had to have been around someone Autistic to get this character written correctly. Sure enough, Catina Haverlock co-founded an Autism school in Las Vegas. Presley takes care of her brother a lot because of her single mom working full time. They share a special relationship but again there were times that Presley became weary of her responsibility of taking care of her younger brother. I think it was good to show this in the story and not sugarcoat what it's like living with a child with Autism and what it's like in a single parent home. I'm a single parent and it's a tough gig. There is also a reveal near the end of the story about Presley's parents that is so shocking but again is realistic.
This small town setting showed how hard it is to find friends at first and fit in. Some of the students bullied Presley until Landon's sister and Blackwood cousin, Reese, took her under their wings. This story does have some scary aspects in it. We meet the Vigilum who are seeking passage into the next life and will do anything to steal it from others trying to pass over. They are creepy and threaten both Landon and Presley.
It's so hard wanting the two main characters to somehow get together (I loved their tender romance) even though you know there is no way it can happen...or is there? You'll have to read this wonderful novel to find out what happens. The ending was kind of weird and mind-blowing, I'll be honest, and I wished that the epilogue had been a little different. I was appeased though when I found out there would be a sequel. I can't wait to read more of Presley and Landon's story. I really loved reading Beyond!
-This is a clean read, though there is talk of underage drinking and description of Landon's accident and death that may be a trigger for some people.
• Catina Haverlock graduated number four in her class at the University ofNevada, Las Vegas with a BA in broadcast and print journalism. She spent seven years writing professionally (all marketing, public relations, press releases, professional proposals, and biographies) for a "Big 4" public counting firm. She has appeared on several radio and television programs to discuss autism, and co-founded an autism school in Las Vegas.
• Angela Larkin wrote pointed opinion pieces for her university newspaper. She currently writes for Disney Interactive sharing her experiences as a mother to a child with health challenges. In addition, she has reached tens of thousands of readers through her contributions to Kiki and Company, a popular lifestyle blog.
Welcome to the Shattered Worlds Box Set Blog Tour! Today I have the honor of hosting one of the authors, Rebecca Rode, whose book is featured in the box set.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Shattered Worlds Feature: RICHARD'S STORY by Rebecca Rode!
This is a fantastic YA dystopian/post-apocalyptic story that's exclusive to the Shattered Worlds Boxed Set!
About Richard's Story: What Rich
wanted was a soccer scholarship and a girlfriend. What he got was an
apocalypse. The story of a teen who battles for love and survival in a
dying world, then founds a nation from the ashes. This is a prequel to
the Numbers Game series.
Be sure to check out RICHARD'S STORY, available for only 99cents along
with 22 other amazing science fiction, paranormal, fantasy, and
dystopian stories in the Shattered Worlds Boxed Set! The set comes out
on August 8, but you can pre-order it now and get some exclusive bonuses!
{Author Spotlight: Rebecca Rode}
REBECCA RODE is the international bestselling
and award-winning author of the Numbers Game trilogy, the Ember in Space
series, and numerous novellas. She is also a freelance journalist. Her articles
have appeared in Deseret News, KSL.com, Family Share, and Provo Daily Herald,
although her true love is writing for teenagers. Rebecca has four children, two
cats, one husband, and a ridiculous number of books. Visit her at
AuthorRebeccaRode.com.
Escape into
twenty-three epic worlds that will leave you breathless. From dystopian nightmares to gorgeous steampunk
and fantasy settings to fairy-tale retellings and beyond, SHATTERED WORLDS has
every story you've been dying to get your hands on! This unique Young Adult/New Adult collection,
inspired by the creative minds of today's New York Times, USA Today, and
international bestselling authors, promises to satisfy your cravings for action
and adventure as you experience rune magic and time-travel, overthrow corrupt
governments, meet reapers and aliens, battle dragons, fall hopelessly in love,
and break ancient curses, right alongside some of the bravest characters in
fantasy fiction! Each book within this collection is exclusive to
the set and can't be found anywhere else.
Make sure to enter the giveaway being hosted by the authors of the Shattered Worlds Boxed Set.The Shattered Worlds authors have
generously offered to give away 17 e-books to one winner. Fill out the form to
enter! Open INT.
