Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Three Broken Promises...


Breakout New Adult sensation Monica Murphy returns with a hot new contemporary romance—a heartfelt story of second chances, forgiveness, and redemption.


Commitment. That’s what I really want from Colin. Ever since my brother, Danny, died in Iraq, Colin’s done so much to help me, including giving me a job at his popular restaurant so I can leave my crappy waitressing job at the strip joint. But lying in bed with him every night to comfort him from his horrible nightmares isn’t enough anymore. I know he feels guilty about Danny’s death, about not going to Iraq, but I can’t keep living this double life.

I love him desperately, but he’s got so many demons, and if he can’t open up to me now, then he’ll never be the real partner I need him to be. I gave him a month, and now I’m out of here. If he truly loves me like he says, he knows where to find me.


“You’re going to turn me away yet again, aren’t you?” she asks when I don’t say anything. The irritation in her voice rings clear as her entire body goes tense. “I can’t believe it. I offer myself up to you with no strings attached and you’re trying to figure out how to let me down easy. God, I am such a moron.”
Unable to hold myself back, I rush toward her, angry that she would insult herself. Panicked that she really is going to walk away and I’m going to lose my chance. Thinking too much sucks. I need to just let it happen. Take this opportunity that she’s presenting me.
And let her go when our time is up.
“You’re not a moron,” I murmur, reaching for her. I cup her face in my hands and position her so she has no choice but to meet my gaze. I skim my thumbs across her cheeks, feel her shudder at my touch. “You make an offer like that and a man needs to process it first.”
The unshed tears still glimmer in her eyes and one escapes, leaving a damp trail across her skin. Leaning in, I stop its descent with my lips, tasting the salt, hearing the catch in her breath. “We do this and it’s not going to be some half-assed thing, you know,” I whisper.
She closes her eyes, her tears tangled in her long, thick lashes. “What’s it going to be, then?”
“A discovery.” I nuzzle her nose with my own, breathing in her scent, her very essence. God, I could devour her! It’s taking everything within me to keep calm and not unleash all over her. “An exploration.”
“That sounds like . . . research.” Her breath hitches in her throat when I drop a tender kiss on the tip of her nose.
Chuckling, I shake my head. “It’s the farthest thing from research.” I drift my lips across her cheek, blazing a hot path on her petal-soft skin. “You’re right when you said I don’t do commitment. The closest thing I’ve ever been to commitment is . . . what I share with you.”
She tentatively places her hands on my hips, her fingers curling into the waistband of my jeans. Having her hands on me sends little darts of fire throughout my insides, making me harden in an instant. She has no idea what sort of effect she has on me. How much restraint I’m using at this very moment not to throw her over my shoulder like an oversexed caveman and cart her off to my bedroom.
“But it can be no more than friendship with added . . . benefits.” I lift my head so I can look into her troubled gaze. She doesn’t like what I have to say and I don’t like it either, but I have to be honest. Stringing her along and making her believe this is something more is a mistake.
The two of us together would never work. I’m too damn selfish. I’d disappoint her. I’d hold her back when she needs her freedom. I’m not worthy of her. She’s everything sweet and good in my life, where there’s little sweet and good remaining.
I’ve kept her—and our relationship—as pure as possible even after all of these years. With the realization that she’s leaving me, that we’ll never be together again, I need to take my opportunities where I can.
Jen bites her lip and drops her gaze. “I can handle that.”
Her body language is more than telling me she doesn’t really want to handle that, but I can’t worry about it now.
I want her too damn much.


ABOUT Monica Murphy:



New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.


Buy Links:


LINKS:  





Monday, December 30, 2013

Kiss Me At Midnight Review...

Kiss Me At Midnight by Diane Alberts

Entangled Publishing - December 2013



Her New Year’s resolution was seduction.

Doctor Ashley Hanes has one mission and one mission only—end her annoyingly long dry streak and ring in the New Year with a bang. Literally. When her long lost and oh-so-sexy ex-best friend, Ethan Pierce, shows up as if he hadn’t broken her heart all those years ago, suddenly she doesn’t want to bring home just any man. She wants Ethan.

What should have been one night of blow-your-mind make-up sex quickly turns into another. And another. Before long, Ashley thinks maybe she and Ethan should reunite for good. If only the elusive bachelor will stop running from his tortured past and trust a future in Ashley’s arms.



Buy Links:


Reviewed by Amanda:

My goodness the sex scenes in this are hot!!!   After almost ten years
of not speaking to her, Ethan runs in to his old best friend, Ashley
at the local watering hole on New Years Eve.  After tapping who he
thought was a random hot girl on the shoulder he comes to realize that
it is none other than his best friend he stopped talking to his senior
year after he found her kissing another guy.  With the opportunity to
try to make amends he manages to get Ashley to have a drink with him
so he can apologize.   The sparks start flying after that!  I loved
the dynamic between the two, both pinky promising that it will only be
a one night no strings encounter. But, Fate has other ideas for them
though, pushing the other away just to hold them closer.

Awesome book, I would love to read more about them and their hometown.

4/5





Diane Alberts is a multi-published, bestselling contemporary romance author with Entangled Publishing. She also writes New York Times and USA Today bestselling new adult books under the name Jen McLaughlin. ON ONE CONDITION hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list, and TRY ME hit #76 on Amazon. CAPTIVATED BY YOU hit #31 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.
Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author.  Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another.






Strange in Skin Series...

strangeinskin


Strange In Skin - NewTitle – Strange In Skin
Series – Strange In Skin – Book #1
Author – Sara V. Zook
Genre – Paranormal, Fantasy
Publication Date – July 24, 2012
Publisher – Imagine Press
Cover Artist – Brenda Grate

BOOK BLURB

From the moment Anna James meets the strange prisoner Emry Logan, she becomes instantly obsessed and will stop at nothing to try to get another interaction with him. But going against her family and church aren’t without consequence. She is deemed a traitor as she quickly realizes that there’s more to Emry’s past than just murder. He has a special ability that is far from human that he only shares with her. Feeling this magical connection, Anna has to free her beautiful inmate so that they can be together finally, but someone else knows about Emry’s secret and wants Anna to stop digging for answers as she finds herself in the midst of a modern day witch hunt. The life of an innocent pastor’s kid suddenly is turned upside down in a war between good and evil as Anna begins to wonder which people in her life are on the side of good, and is she one of them.


BUY LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE | AMAZON PAPERBACK | GOODREADS

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Evadere - New
Title – Evadere
Series – Strange In Skin – Book #2
Author – Sara V. Zook
Genre – Paranormal, Fantasy
Publication Date – December 18, 2012
Publisher – Imagine Press
Cover Artist – Brenda Grate

BLURB

When Anna becomes separated from Emry, she has no other choice but to explore the foreign world of Evadere on her own. She soon discovers that it is tainted from a stirring turmoil among the people.

Evadere has been a place of respite and escape from the difficulties of Earth for Anna and Emry, but alone on Evadere, Anna is pulled into the stirrings of an uprising between the Scaves and the ones who force them to live as scavengers. Anna is determined not to let the fear and attempts on her life stop her from finding her way back to Emry.

But Anna is shocked when she discovers who Emry really is, the forces of evil supporting him and how the temptations in paradise have been misleading them both.

It will take all the strength and determination Anna and Emry possess to survive Evadere, even as the killing starts ...

BUY LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE | AMAZON PAPERBACK | GOODREADS

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Solace-NewTitle – Solace
Series – Strange In Skin – Book #3
Author – Sara V. Zook
Genre – Paranormal, Fantasy
Publication Date – September 29, 2013
PublisherPlanettopia Publishing
Cover ArtistStephanie Fontecha

BLURB

Emry and Anna's love has always been forbidden. They've been hunted, seen those around them murdered and still don't know who to blame or who to trust. In a world where Anna is considered just a human, can peace be achieved between those inhabiting Evadere and those cast out and left for dead? They have to find out who is after them before it's too late, before one of the lives lost is their own, but are Emry's powers strong enough to save the one he loves? As their wedding day approaches, so does a war, and no one sees it coming.

BUY LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE | GOODREADS

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GIVEAWAY

2 - $25 Amazon Gift Cards
1 Gift set of all 3 Books signed w/swag – US Only

CLICK HERE TO ENTER INTO THE AUTHORS TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY

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Sara V. Zook new picMEET SARA

Sara wrote her first book at age six. Of course, it was only a few pages, handwritten by a 6-year-old and was about kitty cats. As a child, some days she would be out venturing in the woods with her older brother and cousins, but sometimes would stay inside and create stories, write them down in a notebook and then pretend to publish them by typing them up on her mother's old typewriter. "I know, what a weird child I was." From then on out, Sara didn't want to be anything but a writer. When others would ask her classmates what they wanted to be when they grew up, some would say the usual things, singers, veterinarians, astronauts, but not Sara. Sara would say writer, and then she'd get a strange stare. Writer? What child says they want to be a writer?

Sara graduated from United High School in 2000, a small school out in the country where everyone knew each other from kindergarten up and could tell you every little detail about each other and still can. "It was a nice area to grow up, and I love going back."

In 2004, Sara graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a bachelor's in, you guessed it, creative writing. She had such a blast in college, met some of the greatest people that Sara still remains in close contact with along with her husband, Brad. They were married and had two children back to back, so while Sara was in "mommy land," her writing was put on the back-burner.

Sara started writing again in the summer of 2010, and after three months, 'Strange in Skin' became the product of her imagination. Sara had so much fun writing it, she couldn't stop. She would work all day and then stay up late at night typing up a few more chapters. She didn't want it to end, so Sara decided she would have to write more books to follow it. The main characters, Anna James and Emry Logan, were people Sara could relate to, that she loved to relate to. There's nothing quite like a sappy love story that's so good it sucks you in. You want them to be together. They have to be together and you can't stop reading until they are together. That with a little paranormal twist, and voila, a book is born.

Then Sara and Brad became proud parents once again. Sara is still in "mommy land" but also Strange in Skin fantasy land. The mix of both raising children and writing makes for some pretty entertaining days. Sara could write a million stories on her kids alone, especially the things that come out of their mouths that you're either so shocked they said or are so funny that you can't stop laughing.

STALKER LINKS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOOGLE + | GOODREADS

Sunday, December 29, 2013

The Courtlight Series Review...




Title- Sworn to Raise
Series- Courtlight Series #1
By- Terah Edun
Genre- Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age


Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the empire. But beneath her empire’s seemingly idyllic surface lies a hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder—intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.

Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companion’s Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she’d never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron.

But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.

This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with remarkable characters and unforgettable magic. Sworn To Raise is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Michelle Sagara, and Maria Snyder.

Links-

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Title- Sworn to Transfer
Series- Courtlight Series # 2
By- Terah Edun
Genre- Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age

Eighteen-year-old companion trainee Ciardis Weathervane has won the friendship of the royal heir and saved his claim to the throne. Yet her interference in the inheritance rights leaves more harm done than good. The Ameles Forest lies unprotected and its inhabitants are dying.

As humans begin to die in gruesome deaths, the Emperor dispatches the royal heir to the forests with the solution to the kith concerns.

With enemies closing ranks in Sandrin, Ciardis can little afford to leave the city’s nest of vipers to take on a new task. But she’s given no choice when her loyalty to the crown and courts are called into question.

To keep the Companions’ Guild happy and the favor of the Imperial Court, Ciardis will be tested in frightening new ways, especially when she’s faced with an obstacle that could risk the lives of her friends and the family she never thought she had.

This second novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Raise.

Links-

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Title- Sworn to Conflict
Series- Courtlight Series # 3
By- Terah Edun
Genre- Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age
Expected Publication Date- December 6, 2013

Ciardis Weathervane fought for the living dead and won. But worse than taking on a mass murderer, was her discovery that she had been deceived by her friends. Now she needs to not only fight a war in the North and survive, but also decide where she stands in the midst of competing sides.

A threat to all she holds dear lies in the North and her heart is not the only thing she might lose. A massive army awaits in the mountain pass, surging closer to the gates of the southern lands. Nothing the Algardis army has done so far has dissuaded their march forward and Ciardis finds out that her powers to enhance are needed now more than ever.

As she faces her greatest fears on the battlefields and her heart is torn between her love of Sebastian and loyalty to her family, Ciardis must choose her fate carefully. For in her path, lies the destiny of the empire.

This third novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Transfer.

Links-

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I finished book 3 about five minutes before putting the post up.  These books were very slow and I really wasn't thrilled with them.  I thought they would be so much better than they actually were.  I honestly don't know what to say about these books at all.

I would rate all three of these books around a 3.5 and that doesn't happen often.  I actually almost gave up on the series but I pushed through.  I thought there was just too much information in some parts of these books.  The plot, writing and characters are all extremely well thought out and done well.  However it was a very slow read.  It took me about two weeks to read each book and that almost never happens.
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Terah Edun is a young adult fantasy writer born and raised in the Atlanta metropolitan area, who transplanted to the Northeast region for college, and has spent years living abroad in South Sudan and Morocco. She writes the stories that she always loved to read as a young girl.

Links-



Saturday, December 28, 2013

Remember Love Review...




They say you can never go home again. Brenna James is about to finish her final year of college when a visit home could change everything. Fate was pushing her towards her childhood best friend, Tucker, leaving Brenna no other option than to remember memories from a time once forgotten. 

Can Tucker slip himself into her heart? 

Will he be able to show her his feelings? 

The biggest question is, can Tucker help Brenna remember love?

The book has sexual situations and language intended for ages 18 & up.



Purchase Links:

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/HxKUgp

Trailers:


Cover Designed by Melissa Gill @ MGBookCovers https://www.facebook.com/MGbookcovers?ref=ts&fref=ts


Reviewed by Glendalys:

I give this book 3 stars. 

Brenna James left home to go to college.  She's been gone four years.  Before finishing she decides to return home for a visit.  A visit that changes everything!  She runs into her childhood best friend Tucker Wade.  Tucker is determined to help Brenna remember, remember what?  Their love!  All Brenna remembers is that as they grew older they grew apart, she didn't know the reasons.  Tucker does and he is determined to help her remember the connection they once had.  A once in a life time connection.  I really enjoyed reading this story.  I can't find another word to describe except "cute"!  I love that Tucker had love Brenna since they were children.  I liked that he didn't want to just tell what happened between them or what he felt but he wanted her to remember their connection, their love.  He wanted her to realize by herself that he was the man of her dreams and he had loved her all those years.  The story was amazing.  How little by little recalling memories here and there Brenna began to realize her feelings for Tucker. It was a great read.  I would recommend this book to my friends!

About Riley Rhea

Riley Rhea is your typical country girl, born and raised in the Bluegrass. In the last 30 something years, she has successfully brought into this world 3 children, which may or not be claimed by her, depending on their behavior.

Riley enjoys reading, spending time on the farm and quiet afternoons when those who call her mom leave the house. Riley also loves country music and drools over Luke Bryan. Riley’s biggest fears are crickets and banks.

Not just an avid reader, Riley is an active blogger and reviews many books during the span of a week when she isn’t writing about her loveable and sexy country boys.

She’s always had a background in writing, her mother being an author, and one day, out of the blue, 2 characters popped into her head and wouldn’t shut up. After some advice from a good friend, Remember Love was born.

Thank you all for taking time to get to know Riley a little better. You can always find her on Facebook if y’all want to chat a little more.

Riley Rhea’s Stalker Links:
Facebook:
Blog:
Amazon:
Goodreads:
Twitter
Pinterest:

Your Exception Review...

For more fun & giveaways, come join our Facebook Release Party & Blog Tour Event ~ Friday, December 20th – CLICK HERE

Happy Release Day to Bria Starr on her debut novel “Your Exception". Make sure to enter the GIVEAWAY below!

Author: Bria Starr
Book Title: Your Exception
Genre: New Adult/Romance
Blog Tour Manager: Brandee’s Book Endings
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Logan Kalford was Wren Summers’ dream come true.
All I’d ever wanted was to fall in love and be loved in return.
Logan stole my heart when I least expected it. He was sexy, adventurous, and the way he played guitar left me weak in the knees. He made me happy. He made me think I’d found the one.
And he made me believe in happy endings.
I knew he was my forever. I thought he knew it too.
I was wrong.
He destroyed everything I thought we had and shattered my dreams of us. He left me heartbroken. He made me doubt myself.
And he didn’t even seem to care…
Now I must let go. But how can I when he still consumes me?
How do you walk away from what you know was real?
__________________________________________________________________________
REVIEW:

Reviewed by Glendalys:
I give this book 4 stars.

I honestly loved this book.  I loved Wren and Logan.  They were the perfect couple because they weren't.  We always read books and they all have happily ever afters.  Life isn't like that and this book was a good example of it.  You have to kiss a few frogs before  you get to your prince charming.  I also really enjoyed reading the book because it kept me guessing.  It was not a predictable book and not at all what I was expecting.  It was a really different read that I totally enjoyed because I never knew what was gonna happen next.  The main characters were very well developed.  Wren and Logan had an amazing story told very well by the author.  I would recommend this book to my friends.

__________________________________________________________________________

About the Author:

Bria Starr grew up in a small town in Minnesota and continues to live there with her husband and beautiful baby girl. She’s a stay at home mom who is very close with her family, loves junk food, and is always cold. Her favorite things include reading books, writing, listening to music, and watching too many movies.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bria-Starr-Author/180078098828468
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*** GIVEAWAY ***


Friday, December 27, 2013

Blood Crave Series Reviews....


Title-Dahlia
Series-Blood Crave Book # 1
By- Christina Channelle
Publication Date- December 21,2012

Genre- YA Paranormal

What would you do if your dreams were more than just dreams?

When you knew in the depths of your soul that you were unlike the rest?

For seventeen-year-old Dahlia Winters, this is her truth. Her coping mechanism is to simply forget and deny the strangeness that is her life. Orphaned, her past remains a mystery. Now residing with a foster family, she finally feels normal--or attempts to. Yet, dreams continue to torment her. Not only consumed by visions of miraculously healing wounds, but of a lust for something she should never naturally crave.

Then a green-eyed stranger enters her life echoing her inner thoughts and voicing warnings about others wanting to harm her. He knows things about her that no one should possibly know, and he awakens her in ways she never expected.

This leads Dahlia to discover who she really is, for she is more than justhuman. With this newfound knowledge, and the elements suddenly fighting against her, she finds it hard to trust anyone. And as she finally awakens and comes to grips with the power she possesses, she fights to stay alive.

Before the world, as she knows it, ceases to exist.


I was five when I knew something was different about me.

My first memory.

I had no recollection of who my parents were or what they even looked like. All I knew was that I was alone at the orphanage, disconnected from the outside world. I picture it even now, almost like an oil painting: the thick bristles of the paintbrush created the bright blue sky as it connected to the shockingly white snow. The snow blanketed everything around me, as if protecting me, the green forest displayed at every angle.

The orphanage was out of place in such a nature-infused environment. A large, two-story building, its windows seemed to cover almost every surface. I remembered the brightness of the sun as it hit my sleepy face through one of those many windows. It would instantly warm my body, greeting me to yet another day.

Vines covered old gray bricks as they coursed over the external surface of the orphanage. I had nightmares about those same vines making their way into my room as I slept. They’d appear ominously as their shadows pounded against the walls, taunting me as a storm brewed on outside. Venturing toward my bed, the vines would slither across my body, trapping me in place. One would wrap around my neck, squeezing tightly, as I struggled for air. Rendered frozen, the feeling of fear would take hold, bubbling up deep inside my chest. And as I felt the burning pain in my throat, a thought would flash through my mind of this moment being my last. It never was, though, as I would instantly wake up.

I always did have a wild imagination.

To chase away the terror, I would stand before my windowpane the morning after. Sighing in relief, my eyes would be drawn to the vast forest off in the distance. It surrounded the orphanage, like a gatekeeper, the leaves of the trees bristling in irritation. The wind blew right through those tall structures, whistling, as my ears picked up the all too familiar sound.

I somehow found myself standing directly in front of that very forest. My memory was hazy on exactly how I got there but I recalled waking up, after one of my many dreams, to the feeling of immense hunger as my body stirred in discomfort.

Then suddenly I was at the foot of the forest.

I would not describe the sensation as simple hunger. I would almost describe it as a feeling of starvation, like there was some essential component my body was missing. Whatever it was, this need was so powerful I was weak in the knees with the pain; my belly contracted and released, contracted and released, continually. Food provided temporary relief for me, but there was always this presence in the corner of my mind as my brain searched for the one thing my body craved.

I ignored that nagging voice in my head, the one whispering for the one thing I needed. It was something unfathomable yet inherent. I paid it no attention and just openly stared at the forest beckoning me. Taking shallow breaths, the cool air blew in and out between my cold, chapped lips.

It was at that exact moment I realized the forest isolated me from everything and everyone outside of its confines—almost like a hungry bird circling its prey. Even young, my instincts picked up on that, immediately telling me something.

Eyes were watching me.

I pretty much listen to the same music for all three books in the Blood Crave Series as it’s whatever song happens to be playing on my iPod at the time :) If I had to separate them by book, it would probably look like this:

Dahlia:

Help, I’m Alive - Metric
Bring Me to Life - Evanescence
Iris - The Goo Goo Dolls
Tragic Kingdom - No Doubt
How to Save a Life - The Fray
One Life - Hedley
Apologize - OneRepublic & Timbaland
Love the Way You Lie - Eminem ft. Rihanna
Not Afraid - Eminem


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Title-Fallen Tears
Series-Blood Crave # 1.5
By- Christina Channelle
Genre- YA Paranormal
Publication Date- January 25, 2013


We left off from DAHLIA with only a name--a name that is the next piece to the puzzle. A name that will eventually, "lead us to him." But before we delve into the continuation of the Blood Crave Series, let's answer the question that's been on all our minds.

Who is Rowan?

This 21,000 word novella answers that question, and of how Rowan has come to know the vampire with pitch-black eyes.







He looks like a demon warrior.
That was the first thought that crossed twelve-year-old Rowan Miller’s mind as her eyes caught sight of the dark, foreboding figure standing before her.
Eyes closed, she had been lying on the cold, wet grass. Water slowly seeped through her already chilled body while her dark, curly locks surrounded her head like a halo. Her hands felt like blocks of ice as she squeezed them into fists, then switched to rubbing her fingers together. She hoped she could get them warm—if only a little bit. The night had been cruel, both rain and the harshness of the wind taunting Rowan where she lay, as if mirroring the two feelings consuming her.
Anger.
Sadness.
She tried conjuring up more blissful memories from her past. The feeling of hot sand between her toes as she raised her head to the intensely bright sun; the sound of sweet laughter erupting from her friends as she attempted to mimic their English teacher’s penguin-like gait; the overwhelming taste of hot fudge sundae after a long bike ride on a warm summer day.
The look of adoration on her father’s face as he applauded vigorously during her dance recital.
These memories briefly pierced her mind but it was difficult to forget her reality. These thoughts provided only a weak mirage to where she really was.
As it happened, she was alone in the dark, seeking shelter underneath a bridge from the harsh weather.
Rowan wrapped her arms tightly around herself, trying her best to forget the fact that she was chilled to the bone. The whirling sound of the wind continued on as the rain pounded all around her.
She tried forgetting the fact that she couldn’t keep her teeth from chattering, or that her body wouldn’t stop shaking. The fact that her stomach was in so much pain—empty because her last meal had been twenty-four hours prior. It had been half of a sandwich left behind on a restaurant table by someone. They had gotten up to go to the washroom when she quickly snatched the food.
As the rain persisted, Rowan tried to forget that she was all alone in this world.
That was what she had been thinking when she suddenly felt she was no longer alone. It was a new kind of presence, bringing an even deeper chill to the already cold air.
Rowan instantly stilled where she rested, her body on high alert. The streets had been unkind to her and she quickly learned it was necessary to be cautious at all times.
For the past three months, she’d been on her own, struggling to manage life on the streets since her father passed. It wasn’t easy, especially at such a young age, but she had quickly grown up in that time. Running away from a system that she truly detested, she’d fled to this unknown city, hoping it would be better than the emotional abuse she received at the numerous foster homes where she had stayed.
Anything was better than that.
Bringing her mind back to the present, her eyes opened to reveal a man standing by her feet. Although the night was dark, she instantly locked gazes with his equally dark eyes as he stared down at her in complete and utter silence. A lingering stillness overtook the two as they continued to stare at one another, Rowan’s eyes slowly widening with fright.
Her body silently shook, racing with thoughts of how to escape. But as she tried to get up her body wouldn’t—or rather couldn’t—move. It was as if his eyes had somehow cast a spell on her and she was literally frozen to the spot. Her mind struggled against her immobile body with no success. It carried on like that, this stillness, until he finally spoke.

“I too, am alone in this world.”



Fallen Tears:
You Found Me - The Fray
Don’t Speak - No Doubt
Broken Strings - James Morrison & Nelly Furtado
Heart Attack - Trey Songz
Stay - Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko
Sail - AWOLNATION
Numb/Encore - Eminem
Rolling in the Deep - Adele




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Title- Rowan
Series- Blood Crave Series # 2
By- Christina Channelle
Publication Date- April 1, 2013
Genre- YA Paranormal


Dark. Night. Death.

Things Rowan has been trying to avoid for the many years since she was first turned. Her choice: to sleep away the darkness; it beats having to deal with the craziness of life. Or rather, death. However soon after awakening, she stumbles upon a lone figure whose presence is shrouded with mystery.

She assists him in his search for answers making it even more difficult for Rowan to forget her past. She realizes she can’t hide forever as she is literally being sucked back into her chaotic world: a world where both fallen angels and vampires exist, manifested on earth as lapsus and lamia.

Not particularly … friendly with one another.

Rowan struggles to resist her hunger as a demon vampire while dealing with unwanted desires for a fallen angel from the past: a relationship that could only spell trouble. Not to mention the unresolved feelings she still has for a loved one from long ago.

While all of this is happening, they must all seek the hidden evil that hunts them—for there’s an ancient fighting to wake up and destroy everything Rowan holds dear.



Boys were too easy—a pretty face and they were hooked. Internally, she rolled her eyes at his response. She could tell he no longer thought of being lost.

Frankly, it was quite pathetic.

Putting on an apologetic face, she frowned, stepping forward. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t hurt you, did I?” She brushed a hand against his upper arm for added effect and knew he worked out from the bulge felt beneath his clothes. She felt the shiver vibrate through his body from her contact.

Hook, line and sinker.

She rather enjoyed this game of cat and mouse. It gave her something to do and, to be honest, it was rather refreshing. Mind control wasn’t as entertaining and she didn’t do it unless needed.

“No. Um, no, you didn’t. I’m fine.” His voice pierced through Rowan’s thoughts, sounding slightly off centered, almost like a pubescent boy. It didn’t match his physique at all. She watched him swallow deeply, clearing his throat. Rowan bit her lip, trying to hide the smirk forming on her face.

She instantly let go of his arm, eyes widening. “Well, then. Now that I know you’re fine….” She took a step back, smiling as she slowly walked away. She accentuated her stride, allowing her hips to sway gently back and forth when—

“Wait!” She paused in mid-stride, her smirk quickly forming again. Smothering her smile, she changed her expression to one of apologetic sincerity. Hands clasped together, she turned to face him, watching as he jogged over. He stopped, only mere inches away from her.

“What’s your name?” he murmured.

Her candy having dissolved, Rowan chose to suck on her tongue instead for the lingering taste, then gave her upper lip a quick swipe. She watched his blue eyes flicker to her mouth as he followed her movements. She slowly exhaled, her breath filling his nostrils before finally answering.

“Rowan.”

He continued to watch her mouth, not saying a word. He sure was slow. Although aroused, which was easily seen by his dilated eyes, his quick, shallow breaths, the way he looked at her, he didn’t make a move. Rowan was sure if he had his way, they’d be staring at each other all night long.

That was so not happening.

Impatient, she pursed her lips, deciding to take things into her own hands. He was definitely not the pursuer. Taking a closer step to him, she brushed herself firmly against him, feeling his body stiffen. Slowly moving her mouth toward the shell of his right ear, she whispered something any guy would love to hear. Her devious smile locked in place, eyes glinting wickedly.

“Would you like to have some fun?”


Rowan:

Teeth - Lady Gaga
New Divide - Linkin Park
Secrets - One Republic
Shiver - Shawn Desman
Angel of Mine - Monica
Shake It Out - Florence + The Machine
Sunday Morning - No Doubt
Tonight - John Legend

Help, I’m Alive - Metric
Bring Me to Life - Evanescence
Iris - The Goo Goo Dolls
Tragic Kingdom - No Doubt
How to Save a Life - The Fray
One Life - Hedley
You Found Me - The Fray
Don’t Speak - No Doubt
Broken Strings - James Morrison & Nelly Furtado
Heart Attack - Trey Songz
Stay - Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko
Sail - AWOLNATION
Teeth - Lady Gaga
New Divide - Linkin Park
Secrets - One Republic
Shiver - Shawn Desman
Angel of Mine - Monica

Shake It Out - Florence + The Machine
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Reviewed by Melissa:

Dahlia Review:
Dahlia is the first book in the blood crave series. It introduces us to dahlia winters; a young orphan girl who for some reason has never felt completely comfortable in her own skin and can't seem to remember much of anything from her past. She has always felt like someone or something has kept an ever present eye on her. She remained at the orphanage until she was a teen, then fate finally intervened and finally brought her a foster family. Just as her new family begins to slowly break down her walls she's built up , strange things begin to happen. Her mind seems to be playing tricks on her as she sees and hears people there one minute and vanished the next , as well as her injuries miraculously healing on their own. Finally a handsome green eyed stranger ( aka Grayson) arrives and begins to fill in the missing pieces from her past. He tells her or her birth, her insatiable need for blood, the scar that trail down her back, and how she is able to heal so quickly; she is immoral. After this revelation she is warned that her impending date with destiny will be fatal unless she can figure out who to trust and where to hide in time. Who will she turn to and are they trustworthy?

I gave this book 4 stars.

It was a good start to the series, but a bit slow paced for me. I loved how the author really described everything in vivid detail creating a brilliant world in my mind as I read, but at times it became too much as she would describe every little detail in depth about everything. Once the story picked up pace I really got into it falling in love with dahlia all the way to the end where I was pleasantly surprised and left wanting more. This book is a must read for all fans of ya paranormal trust me you won't be disappointed.



Fallen Tears Review:

Fallen tears is a short novella that fills in the gaps between Dahlia and Rowan books one and two in the blood crave series. Rowan is an orphan abandoned by everyone until at age 12 a mysterious man named Kaji ( who we later find out is a vampire ) comes along. Her takes her in rescuing her from her former life of a runaway and raising her as his own. Until age 19 when Rowan has a run in with a fallen angel (lapses). After kaji must make her a vampire to save her life. Now that she has transitioned everything is different including feeling. Will their relationship stay the same or will new feelings emerge now that she is no longer a human in need of protecting?

I give this book 3 stars

This novella is a bit slow paced like Rowan but once I got into the flow of it I was hooked. I love the world creating the only problem I had with this book besides the grammar errors was how quickly the relationships seemed to change. I felt like I would have been happier if more went into the building of the romantic relationships. All in all this is yet another good ya read and a great companion read to Rowan.



Rowan Review:

Rowan is the second book in the blood crave series, it follows dahlia (book 1) and fallen tears (novella).

Rowan is the story of a young vampire struggling to hold onto her humanity since her transition into a vampire. She separates herself from the world banishing herself to endless slumber until something awakens her. She is forced to make a choice that leads her back into a world full of fallen angels and vamps at odds with one another. Not only is she awakened but her heart is as well leading her to seek out Remy the fallen angel from her past that she can't seem to forget. She is conflicted by her feelings for another though a savior of sorts from her past that left her in her time of need. She must figure out her feelings as her past savior returns to try and protect her from the looming evil entity hot on her trail. Who will be the one to get her heart or at least what's left of it?

I give this book 4 stars

As the series has progressed the stories seem to flow much better even though this book is still a little slow for my taste it is my favorite by far of the series. It's packed full of paranormal activity but at the heart of this story is a love story where a choice must be made. You Will be pleasantly surprised by the ending and may just fall in love with Rowan like I did. I also recommend if you love this book fallen tears is a must to help fill in Rowan s past .if you love ya and paranormal I suggest you check this series out.

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A dreamer, Christina Channelle holds two degrees in health sciences but has always had a passion for writing. You will find her reading other young adult novels, or typing up a new story on her computer. When not writing, Christina spends her free time at the movies, listening to music, or eating sushi. She’s a reality TV junkie and has a close relationship with many characters on TV that have been a topic of many heated discussions among friends. She resides in Ontario, Canada.