Defiance

Defiance

by C.J. Redwine

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

I started this book with high hopes and was not disappointed! Love, love, LOVE, this book I don't have a single complaint about it other than the fact that sadly, like all books it ended and I still wanted more. C.J's writing amazed me it was just that wonderful and made me stop and say, "that's what I want to write like when I become an author! That's a true gift." As you may have noticed by now I am highly critical and I am still in awe of her writing style and skill . So I was extremely impressed and after finishing the book C.J quickly became one of my writing role models and idols. The storyline is completely original with creative new situations and creatures. The plot line was great filled with new twists, turns and puzzles to keep you thinking and on your toes through the very last words. I loved the fact that the story was told by both Rachel and Logan, that really strengthened the book immensely and the ending was perfect I have never read an ending that was as perfect as this book's. It was the perfect balance between an absolute solution and killer cliffhanger, giving the reader just enough information to leave them satisfied and still be writing the rest of the ending in their minds. This book is perfect for one of my favorite quotes/sayings, "The best books have two authors, the writer, and the reader." Rachel and Logan are wonderful characters, that are very expressive and many readers will find it easy to connect and relate to them and their emotions. Best of all they are real, they aren't the perfect looking and acting, stereotypical hero and heroine. They are just like normal people inside and they make mistakes and come to terms with them. We mess up and we get over, so do Rachel and Logan. Not every person in the book loves them or what they have done just like in real life, there is always someone that doesn't like us. Heroines and heroes in other books tend to look supermodel perfect, never make mistakes and when they save the day everyone in town loves them. So not like in real life. I applaud C.J. for making them so normal and relatable it made the book 1,000 times better. This is a MUST read especially for aspiring writers. It is an adventure every reader will love no matter what age or gender. I give Defiance 5 out of 5 stars. 

Briana

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Daughter of Smoke and Bone  

by Laini Taylor

Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.


In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

This fabulously original adventure will capture the hearts and minds of readers everywhere. Laini Taylor's writing is creative and original and artistic, she created a world with her words like no other that captivates readers. Her detail and writing style is immaculate, and completely unique. I was highly impressed with her writing overall. Readers will instantly connect with Karou and her experiences despite the fact that her life is one vastly different than the average everyday events of readers. Exciting twists and surprises, sprinkled through the story have readers on the edge of their seats and wanting more. I am looking forward to reading the next book Daughter of Blood and Starlight. Daughter of Smoke and Bone gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from me.

Briana

Interview With Author C.C. Hunter

Interview With Author C.C. Hunter

Hello loves, today I am sharing with you my interview with Author C.C. Hunter. She shared her inspiring story with me and answered my interview questions, and is letting me share it all with you. Her story and words truly inspired me and I found them wonderfully enlightening, helpful, entertaining, and fun! I hope you enjoy them and find them as helpful as I did! Now without further ado I give you the interview! Enjoy!

 

B: When did you decide to start writing books?

C.C.: First, Briana, thank you so much for having me at your blog. I love sharing my story with readers. To answer your question – It's all my hubby's fault. You see, I was born in Alabama and I come from a long line of storytellers. Some of my earliest memories are sitting around with my family, listening to them tell stories. Now, I'll be honest. In my family, the truth never got in the way of our telling a good story, which is why our stories often got bigger and better each time we told them. What was important was making people laugh and, boy howdy, did we laugh a lot in my family. Before long, I was telling my own stories, too. As for writing those stories down on paper, well, that didn’t happen until later and that's where my hubby comes in. 

I was a new bride in my early twenties and Hubby asked me what I wanted to do with my life. He thought I would say I wanted to become a school teacher and would go to college and get the education I needed. Now, I do love teaching other people, but I thought about it for a moment, and then I told him I wanted to be a writer. Only problem was, I’m dyslexic. That means I sometimes get my words mixed up or I just flat-out leave them out completely when I try to put my stories down on paper. So becoming a writer was a lot harder for me than for most people. I had to learn how to deal with my dyslexia right along with learning how to write. But the struggle was worth it. I can't imagine doing anything else.

B: How did you decide what type of supernatural each of the main characters would be in the Shadow Falls series?

C.C.: Oh, that's a great question. Now, I know this answer will sound a little strange, but it's the truth. Here's what happened when I started creating the characters for Shadow Falls—I let the characters define themselves.

Now, I knew that I would have vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, witches and faes in the series. I just didn't know which character would be which type of supernatural, and that is where the characters themselves came in. I started with Kylie and then I moved on to the other characters. For example, when Della first appeared, she had this impenetrable wall around her that she wouldn't let anyone get past. She came across as being tough, but I knew that the toughness probably had a lot to do with things that had happened to her, and once Della and I "talked," I found out I was right. But now, having known Della for several books, can you imagine her as anything but a vampire? I know I can't. She embodies the very nature of that species. And that is the way it worked for the other characters, too—once they appeared, they let me know which species they were. Well, all of them except for Kylie, of course—but that's only because she wasn't quite sure where she fit in.

B: How did you come up with the story line of the Shadow Falls series?

C.C.: The idea of the paranormal summer camp actually came from my editor Rose Hilliard at St. Martin's Press/Griffin. And that's all she said to me, too—"paranormal camp." She expected me to come up with the rest. But you know what? Those two words were enough to get my imagination going. Once I got Kylie figured out, the rest of the characters sprang to life, and each of them brought a piece of the plotline with them. Now, I’ll be honest. When I started Born at Midnight, the first book in the Shadow Falls series, I had no idea how the story would end. And now that I’m starting the final book, Chosen at Nightfall, I still have no idea which boy Kylie will end up with or what will ultimately happen to her and her friends at Shadow Falls Camp/Academy. But that’s okay. That’s how my writing process works—I learn the specifics of the book as I write it. And I gotta be honest. I think that’s why I love writing so much—I love finding out how the story ends, right along with my characters.

B: How did you decide what Kylie's friends would be? 

C.C.: Well, as I said above, the characters are the ones who tell me who they are. Believe me, I've tried to tell them, but that just doesn't work out. For example, I can start writing a story where I *think* I know who the bad guy is, only to find out, as I get almost to the end, that I was wrong. So I've learned to let the characters lead the way. Often, I don't find out what is going to happen next until they do. I know it sounds a little crazy, but that's what works for me.

B: Did you cut out or scrap any characters during the writing process?

C.C.: That's a good question. Back when I was learning how to write—we're talking about twenty something years ago at this point—I did have to scrap whole scenes and even whole characters because it was necessary for the story. Of course, I was learning the process then, learning what worked for me and what didn't. It's something every writer has to figure out on her own. Now, I generally have a better handle on the writing process so I don't usually have to cut out characters.

B: If you were a Supernatural like the ones in Shadow Falls, what would you be? Would you be rogue, a Shadow Falls Camper on your own out in the world doing your own thing, or working   for the FRU full time?

C.C.: Hmm. It’s hard for me to answer because I’ve made some changes to the mythology for many of my supernaturals in the Shadow Falls series. Some of them, like vampires, shape-shifters, and werewolves, can be scary, but once you get to know them as characters, you’ll realize they all have some good qualities. I think that’s what makes it so hard for me to choose—I don’t want to be unfaithful to any of my characters. LOL. But if I had to choose, I’d probably go with either a witch or a fae. I think these characters offer the most options . . . although I think it would be totally cool to be able to fly like a vampire does. LOL.

Now, as for what I would do if I were in the Shadow Falls universe . . . that's a great question. First, I know I'm not cut out to be a rogue. I feel more comfortable being around friends and family, rather than going it alone. So, I'd probably work for the FRU, though I'm nowhere near as brave as Kylie. I admire her determination and the way she is fearless in the face of danger to her friends and loved ones. I feel that way about my kids; I think it's a mom thing, really.

B: Anything to say to aspiring authors just starting out?

C.C.: You know, I’m often asked to speak to a group of aspiring writers and when I do, I tell them the same things I tell anyone who has a dream they cherish. Namely, believe in yourself. Believe in your dream. And don’t give up, no matter how many rejections you may accumulate. Stay strong and keep working toward your goals. If it’s writing, take writing classes, attend writers’ conferences and soak up as much knowledge as you can while you’re there. And read. Read widely. Read anything and everything you can get your hands on. And most of all, never let anyone steal your dream from you. Because I don’t care what the “experts” will tell you about the odds of making your dream a reality. I heard it all, too. I was a dyslexic high school drop-out when I decided I wanted to make my living as a writer. Believe me, the experts didn’t think I had a good chance of making it. If I’d listened to them, I never would. But I listened to myself. I believed in myself. And I made it. You can, too.

Thank you again for having me and sharing my story and my series with your readers.

 CC

You are very welcome C.C.! It was a pleasure having you and thanks again! Hope y'all loved the interview with her and love her books as much as I did!

Briana

Born at Midnight

Born at Midnight

by C.C. Hunter (Christie Craig)

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

I have now read up to the fourth book in the Shadow Falls Series (this is book one) and I have loved every dang one. One of my only issues with this whole thing is the , thankfully there are only a few but some of them made me look at the book and say "Really?! Really?! That's just sad..." such as the fact that when shapeshifters shift shapes they have "diamond shaped sparkles" around them. Really?! "diamond shaped sparkles!" I mean it would be bad enough if it was just ordinary realistic sparkles but no they have to be the ones from cartoons and anime. And then of course there is the whole Lucas, one of two love interests, is a werewolf but thankfully Derek is not a vampire otherwise I wouldn't have been able to stand reading it. That would just be too much for me but the cliches that were in it could be happily over looked once you read them once so that doesn't really take off any point from me. Hunter's writing was good and served the story well. Plot, ok so these books have some of the best plot I have ever read. The hooks at the ending and foreshadowing and suspense will have you on the edge of your seat, holding your breath. Each of the many strong emotional scenes will tug at your heart and have you feeling it and taking sides right along with the characters. As far as character development in this book I must say that it isn't EXTREMELY  strong in just this book but in the series over all it is quite apparent and she spaces it out wonderfully. Over all I love the books and can't wait to read the fourth one, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I am hoping to E-mail Christie Craig soon and ask for an interview to add to the blog as well. So cross your fingers! ;)

Briana

Hereafter

Hereafter

by Tara Hudson

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life--or her actual death--she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but "will" him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.
Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.
Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, "Hereafter" is a sensation you won't want to miss.

Hereafter is a superbly sweet story that readers, teen girls especially, will absolutely love. Tara's writing is stunning, not packed with so many details that you get bored or too few that you can't picture anything in the book. With tastefully placed cliffhangers and bittersweet moments that you will connect with you won't be able to put the book down. The way Tara's writing and words flow is unparalleled and is absolutely stunning. Amelia is a wonderfully conflicted character, it is beautiful to see her discover who she is and watch her personality unfold throughout the book. The storyline was original, a fresh take on the afterlife and world or ghosts that was quite refreshing. I loved this book and while it was beautiful and a great read it didn't knock me out of the park so I give it 3.5 stars and will read the next book Arise when I get the chance. 

Briana

Interview with Author Leanna Renne Hieber

Interview with Author Leanna Renne Hieber

I was ecstatic when I found that Leanna had replied to my E-mail asking if she could answer a few questions and if I could put the interview up on my blog! So, here is my interview with the amazing Leanna. ;)

B: How did you come up with the story line for Darker Still?

L: I've always wanted to write a haunting painting story, ever since I read and loved Oscar Wilde's THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, but I wanted to write a story where the female characters are much stronger than they are in Wilde's classic. I wanted to write a story where the girl saves the guy.

B: Do you have a favorite scene or moment in Darker still? What is it?

L: Oh, it's so hard to pick favorite moments. I love when the painting changes and Natalie notices the changes, I could imagine how exciting and terrifying that would be at the same time. I also love Natalie's nightmares. I grew up reading a lot of scary stories so I enjoyed writing those scenes. I love her moments with Mrs. Northe, and the advice and interesting company she provides. And of course I love Natalie's moments alone with Jonathon, particularly as they start problem-solving and becoming a team together, fighting to reverse the curse, this sets them up for the really wonderful team-work they do together in the sequel that comes out this November, THE TWISTED TRAGEDY OF MISS NATALIE STEWART.

B: Is there a character in Darker Still that you especially like or connect with? Who?

L: I connect with Natalie's feisty and opinionated nature. Though Natalie is far more brave than me. I connect with Mrs. Northe's open-minded sense of faith and the paranormal.

B: How did you decide you wanted to start writing?

L: I was writing ever since I could hold a pen and finish a sentence, and before that I was babbling stories the moment I could form words, so you could say I was a born storyteller. I started writing my first novel around the age of 12, it was a sequel to The Phantom of the Opera because I'd fallen in love with the musical and I thought there was more to the story when the musical ended. My stories always come from wanting to examine people who are often outside the norm in one way or another and helping those characters find their purpose in life.

B: Any advice for aspiring authors?

L: A few very important things: 1. Don't stop writing. Ever. Even if you hit a writing block, go write something else. Think past your problem scene and write something else that happens later, then go back and fix the problem. Often you'll figure out how to fix the problem scene while you're working past it. You don't have to write sequentially, in your first drafts you can jump around, just make sure in later drafts you connect all the pieces together. Write what inspires you and keeps you going.

2. Consider your emails, Facebook posts and Text messages as practice for writing, strive to use correct spelling, capitalization and punctuation (I realize this is hard on Twitter and I do use abbreviations and some LOL-cats words on Twitter, so I'm not totally averse to having fun with the language) within your public posts because then you appear as you would hope a writer would, with a respect for words and their proper usages. Don't let the speed of technology take away from using words well and formatting them correctly. It just gives you a polish that if you train yourself to do it now, you will appear more professional when you begin to submit your work to publishers and to the public.

3. Don't let anyone tell you you're "too young" to write a book. I started my first novel around the age of twelve, and while that novel won't see the light of day, it did teach me the discipline of writing. If I hadn't started then, I don't think I'd have published 5 novels, 5 novellas and countless short stories, and just have signed another book deal if I didn't have the discipline that I developed in my teenage years. That isn't to say you have to start young to be a writer, you can start writing whenever so long as you write consistently, regularly, keep to the discipline and always keep making your craft better. Your books will never be perfect but you should strive to make them the best they can be and never stop learning. Learning is never wasted. If people scoff at you passionately following your art, it's only because they wish they'd have done the same about something that they cared about. The biggest 'haters' are people who feel insecure about their own pursuits when they see others boldly pursue their own. Don't be held back by other people displacing their own issues onto you, even if they think they are trying to protect you from harsh realities. Yes, this business is brutal. Rejection is hard and painful and it never gets easier. But nothing in this world is ever worth doing that it doesn't hurt as much as it gives joy.

If you want to know more about me and my work, I'm online at http://leannareneehieber.com, on Twitter: http://twitter.com/leannarenee and on FB: http://facebook.com/lrhieber I hope everyone will enjoy DARKER STILL and the sequel when it comes out in November!

 I can't wait to read THE TWISTED TRAGEDY OF MISS NATALIE STEWART when it comes out and for those of you who haven't read DARKER STILL yet you really should. I promise you'll love it.

Briana

Angelfire

Angelfire

by Courtney Allison Moulton

First there are nightmares.
Every night Ellie is haunted by terrifying dreams of monstrous creatures that are hunting her, killing her.

Then come the memories.
When Ellie meets Will, she feels on the verge of remembering something just beyond her grasp. His attention is intense and romantic, and Ellie feels like her soul has known him for centuries. On her seventeenth birthday, on a dark street at midnight, Will awakens Ellie's power, and she knows that she can fight the creatures that stalk her in the grim darkness. Only Will holds the key to Ellie's memories, whole lifetimes of them, and when she looks at him, she can no longer pretend anything was just a dream.

Now she must hunt.
Ellie has power that no one can match, and her role is to hunt and kill the reapers that prey on human souls. But in order to survive the dangerous and ancient battle of the angels and the Fallen, she must also hunt for the secrets of her past lives and truths that may be too frightening to remember.

I was sooooo excited to read this book after I read the synopsis that I actually read it before all the others on my TBR list and before all the sequels and next books in series that I was reading too. You already know how i feel bout angel, nephilim, fallen related books. Again I thought "oh this will be so good it is so original and different! It sounds AMAZING! I HAVE to read this and soon!" I read it and kept thinking oh it will get better, oh it will get better soon, and sadly it never did. It was just ok never good or great let alone the AMAZING I was expecting. Courtney's writing was good not stunning or super impressive but good all the same. The plot was fine but rather predictable in my opinion with the exception on one thing I didn’t see coming but that didn't balance it out or make up for the rest of the plot. The characters were ok but I felt that Courtney didn't really go into any great detail about anything so that made the characters and story over all rather bland. I am not going to bother reading the next books. I am extremely disappointed. I give it 2.5 stars. 

Briana

Darker Still

Darker Still

Leanna Renee Hieber

New York City, 1880. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing... Lord Denbury's soul is trapped in the gilded painting by dark magic while his possessed body commits unspeakable crimes in the city slums. He must lure Natalie into the painting, for only together can they reverse the curse and free his damaged soul.

This book is beyond words and Leanna's writing is so amazing I am actually frightened to review the book because I don't think I can do it justice but here goes! Natalie absolutely fascinated me her personality winning me over and Leanna's choice for Natalie to be mute really added to the story and showed how we react and how we treat and feel towards those in society who are not like us and like our picture of normal. Watching Natalie find strength in herself and learn the true meaning of faith, trust, and love right alongside Jonathon is breath taking and completely enthralling.  I loved that Leanna wrote the novel in the form of a journal it mad the story so much more vivid! The story line is unparalleled, it's so original I love love love it! I have no idea how she came up with it! Leanna's mix of different religions and historical cultures is absolutely astounding and every detail stays 100% true to each religion and culture showing she did her research well. For which I applaud her. The plot is done masterfully with numerous twists and turns, and stunning climactic events. You will be holding your breath as you read on to see what happens next. This is a must read and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series! 5 stars from me.

P.S. I mustered up the courage to ask the lovely Leanna for an interview! I have no idea how I found the guts to do it but by some miracle I did. So if she has time and says yes I will be posting that too! Just for you loves! ;)

Briana

A Touch Mortal

A Touch Mortal

by Leah Clifford

Eden didn't expect Az.

Not his saunter down the beach toward her. Not his unbelievable pick up line. Not the instant, undeniable connection. And not his wings.

Yeah.

So long happily-ever-after.

Now trapped between life and death, cursed to spread chaos with her every touch, Eden could be the key in the eternal struggle between heaven and hell. All because she gave her heart to one of the Fallen, an angel cast out of heaven.

She may lose everything she ever had. She may be betrayed by those she loves most. But Eden will not be a pawn in anyone else's game. Her heart is her own.

And that's only the beginning of the end.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you yet another great read! And another angel book...sigh. So don't get me wrong here I love angel and/or nephilim and/or fallen angel books but then they got super popular and suddenly they were everywhere and all so similar it is starting to get boring! "Why do you still read them then?" you ask well, I really can't say, I guess because lots of them sound good and I continually hope that the ones I read will be different, original, take the theme in a totally different direction. Sadly lately my picks haven't fulfilled that fantasy and this was one of those un-fantasy-fulfilling ones. Yeah Leah took it a different direction by adding some players that are new and original and slightly changing the everyday life and personality of Angels and Fallen and the process of Falling, but for some reason it didn’t really help the situation for me. Regardless it was still a good book and better than it could have been and I think readers will love it. Leah's characters will draw you in and have you hooked. I love love love the fact that Eden is nothing like the average female MC or heroine, and her strong, defiant personality makes her character great along with her will to always fight for the good of others even when that becomes nearly impossible and can I just say, Eden, I LOVE your style! ;) Umm I don't really know what to say about character development in this book... I guess I was just so involved in the story it's self that I really wasn't paying any attention to character development. Oops! Sorry about that! Dear Leah, you have amazing writing skills! You write with so much more detail and color that any other author in any genre I have read recently. You painted a picture with your words that was vivid, detailed and just plain amazing! I applaud you! (*clap* *clap* *clap*) Sincerely, your forever fan. Ok I am done fan girling, moving on...plot! I was surprised suspense was not really used even at the end which I was slightly disappointed about, but regardless the plot changed enough and lacked enough rising and falling action to make it boring so that's a plus and the added twists and betrayals will leave you shocked! This book gets a 3 out of 5 stars from me.

Briana