Showing posts with label Witches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Witches. Show all posts

7/15/2014

Check Out: Nova by A.J. Kane

Nova: Daughters of Darkness by A.J. Kane
Release Date: May 2014
Genre: Witches, Paranormal, Fantasy, Magic
Buy it: Amazon
A prophecy, a dark lord who looks way too good in black, and, well, Ireland … the perfect ingredients for a dangerous brew.

Nova and her sisters are witches. They've always known about magic and their ability to use it, but never in their wildest dreams did they imagine the role it would play in their lives. It all begins with a trip to Ireland and then some haunting dreams. Nova is torn from her sisters and then her heart is torn in two when she begins to fall for the guy no girl should ever fall for. Will she make the right choices? And when the battle rages, who will be left standing?
About the Author:
A.J. Kane resides in beautiful southern Maine where she writes Paranormal, Fantasy and Romance. She is currently working on the second book in her new adult paranormal trilogy, Daughters of Darkness; due out in 2014. Her writing is fueled by chocolate, coffee and pasta, in no particular order. She has a life goal of traveling to Ireland at least once, and possibly never leaving. Her hobbies are reading, cursing (quite frequently), singing and listening to PINK obsessively, even though she is a rock chick at heart. Some of her favorite bands are mostly unknown, like Halestorm, Prospect Hill and Our Last Night. A.J. would love to hear from you! Contact her on Twitter @ajkaneauthor www.twitter.com/ajkaneauthor or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ajkaneauthor.

Teaser:
Nova turned to see her parents and Kyna standing behind Branna. “Why are you out here in this? You should be in the circle, where you’ll be safe!” she reprimanded Niamh and Craven.
“And leave you three out here to fend for yourselves? Nova, you know we can’t do that.” The incredulous look on her father’s face would have been comical if the situation weren’t so serious.
Even though Nova understood their need to see for themselves that their children were safe, she still hated the fact that they were in danger.
“We were born for this and have the powers to defend ourselves.”
“Oh, we are not defenseless, Nova.” Her mother said. Joining hands with Craven, Niamh chanted a spell, causing plumes of smoke to billow in and swirl around them; hiding them from view.
“Cool” Kyna loved it when her parents performed magic.
Her mother grinned. “See, we did manage to keep some power to ourselves.” Their parents looked at each other, happy they could show their daughters they were here to fight, not to be protected.
The archers, now in the trees, began to rain arrows down on the demon swarm. That gave Nova, her sisters and their parents a chance to break through the throng. Spotting Felken, who had been missing since the king tossed him away, Nova and her sisters went after him.
Branna shot fire blasts at a cluster of demons in their way,
“Where is he?” Kyna yelled as she dodged a scaly arm swiping at her neck. She parried and stabbed through the arm with the knife in her left hand. Sweeping her right hand up, she glided the blade of that knife across the demon’s throat. Blood, black and thick, gurgled up out of its mouth, and she watched the life drain from his cold yellow eyes. It made her sick to think of how many lives she had taken so far and how many more she had yet to take. As if she sensed the struggle within her sister, Nova gave Kyna’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
“We’ll get through this, Kyna. We won’t be the same people when it’s over, but we will get through it.”
“Ah, girls, you may want to get over here.” Niamh’s voice trembled with fear. Following her mother’s line of vision, Nova felt her heart stop. This can’t be real, she thought. Even with all the crazy shit she’d seen recently, this definitely took the cake.
“What the fuck is that!” Branna yelled, her hands engulfed in flames, ready to blast the shit out of the new arrival.

2/04/2013

Scarlette by Davonna Juroe Review

Scarlette by Davonna Juroe
★★★★☆
Release Date: October 12, 2012
Age: Mature YA
Genre: Horror, Werewolves, Action, Drama, Suspense, Witches, Paranormal Romance
Format: ebook
Source: Author for review
Buy it: Amazon
Find the Beast ~ Find the Cure

Scarlette, an 18-year-old peasant, lives under a dark threat. A nightmarish creature lurks in the surrounding forest, killing the villagers one by one. When Scarlette's grandmother survives an attack, Scarlette learns that her grandmother hasn't suffered the bite of just any normal animal.

Now desperate, Scarlette searches throughout her province to find a cure. But there are those who want to keep their pasts hidden. As she begins to uncover the dark secrets of her village, Scarlette is befriended by a local nobleman and a woodcutter who share a gruesome history with the beast. To save her grandmother, Scarlette must unravel their mystery and solve an age-old crime. But as she pieces together the clues, Scarlette finds herself torn between the two men, both of whom want to be more than friends and hold the key to the cure.

What if Little Red Riding Hood was Real?

Based on both the Grimm and Perrault versions of Little Red Riding Hood and set against the terrifying, historic Beast of Gévaudan attacks, this YA retelling blends two epic legends, giving the fabled girl-in-the-red-cloak a new, shockingly real existence.
Scarlette is a haunting and captivating retelling of Little Red Riding Hood that takes place in France in the mid 1700s. This book not only features a suspenseful murder mystery but a plot that fans this way and that; with a great leading character and a building romance it is definitely a well rounded read. I also found Scarlette to be a sinister read; Davonna Juroe uses the horrors in history to spin Little Red's tale into something nightmarish. This book stems from the stories and legends we've all been told and the author creates a new heroine out of an ordinary character. A character with some charm and a large heart. She has her wits and smarts and while she may be too trusting, everyone needs a fault, she becomes this warrior and transforms her life into anything but plain.

Scarlette's life is stark but things are changing; beginning with a question her employer wants to ask her, one her verbally abusive mother wishes to decide for her. But, as the danger that lurks around her town comes close to home she learns the truth about those around her. Strong willed and determined, she refuses to give into the wants of others and chooses her own path. While her conscience sometimes catches up to her, and the prospects offered to her are hard to put down, Scarlette manages to strive in the darkness her life becomes.

Beasts live in the woods and while Scarlette knows not to venture into them, she does and it just may cost her grandmother her life, and that is just the beginning. As strange things continue to occur she is rescued by an unlikely ally, Francois, befriends a Baron, Louis, with promises to change her life, and loses her normalcy. The plot trudges on and grows into an unmanageable forest of pure darkness and evil. The lives of these characters will never be the same, if they survive.

My favorite character was Francois, even from the beginning I knew I was going to like him. His loyalty was unyielding and his character, while secretive, was comforting. The relationship between Francois and Scarlette is composed just right.

Davonna Juroe recreates the werewolf story while telling Scarlette's story of bravery and determination. As the secrets unfolded I was amazed by this talented author and completely trapped in the book. Scarlette is a bone chilling story about the horrors of man and the beasts that lurk in the night. I loved this book for Davonna's sheer ability to shock me and take me down one path only to throw me onto another. Everyone in this book is a suspect, even those we love, and nothing is as it seems. Thank you very much to the wonderful author for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Davonna Juroe

4/06/2012

Blog Tour: Whispering Hills Review and Giveaway

Whispering Hills by Taryn Browning
Release Date: March 2012
Age: YA
Genre: Supernatural, Paranormal Romance, Mystery
Format: ebook
Source: SupaGurl Tours
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
For as long as she can remember, 17-year-old Alexis Forbes can hear the thoughts of others. Most recently, she is disturbed by the dark, unfamiliar voice of a frightening killer: callous, cunning, charismatic…and dead.

She hears his every sinister thought. But she can’t tell anyone. No one would believe her. Alexis is suddenly being haunted by a terrifying past she doesn’t remember, and a ghost with a serious score to settle. Even Chance, the gorgeous new guy she’s falling for, has his own ghostly secret. He’s definitely not like any guy she’s ever met. Alexis soon discovers she has a connection to the dead and it runs much deeper than she could ever imagine. And if the sociopathic entity has his way, she’ll finally be sentenced to the fate she escaped thirteen years ago.
After reading Taryn's book, Dark Seeker, I knew that she would be an author to follow. And, lucky me, there was an upcoming blog tour for her newest novel, Whispering Hills. Whispering Hills is a paranormal romance that follows the supernatural mind reading life of Alexis, and the drama that becomes her norm. While I prefer Taryn's Janie Grey character, Alexis and her band of misfits continues, even now that I'm done with Whispering Hills, to grow on me.

It all starts with Chance, doesn't it always start with a boy? Chance is a mystery and his arrival, or is it return, to Whispering Hills ignites more than gossip in the small town. With this mysterious new boy also comes murder, but Alexis is inexplicably drawn to him. Unfortunately, Alexis' best friend Tiffany has her eye on him as well, and when Chance tells Tiffany that he has feelings for someone else it seems to cause a major rift between Alexis and Tiff; well, that partnered with some other events and people (like Summer). Ah, Summer. By far my favorite Whispering Hills resident. She is a spunky and smart tough girl who doesn't seem to need anyone. I really liked her character, and while I didn't feel very attached to Alexis I definitely understood Summer.

This book follows the YA paranormal romance pattern exactly. Misunderstood teen girl, meets mysterious and secretive teen boy, they share a connection, and supernatural events occur. It is a good story and it does have some very original plot points. One of my favorite parts of the book is the inclusion of opposites and I always love the addition of good versus evil.

This book left me with some questions, one for example is what about Tiffany? Alexis' best friend before the events that follow Chance's involvement in her life. When Alexis begins solving the mystery that is her life she just drops her, isn't that like girl rule number one? I didn't really like her anyway, but I feel like she just faded (haha inside joke) into the background. Also, why can't parents be involved more in YA books? I read so many that the parents are absent and the children make all the decisions themselves, I want to read more that have better parental relationships (I loved Grace, Summer's mom, and her involvement in the story). I feel like kids who read these books feel they shouldn't be including their parents in their lives.

I love Taryn Browning, and she's definitely a creative and fun author. Whispering Hills is a fast paced read that I recommend. And, I also recommend Dark Seeker.

Giveaway
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about the author
Blog | Website | Twitter | Facebook
Taryn Browning writes young adult paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels. Her debut novel, DARK SEEKER, is available on Amazon and B&N. The sequel, DARK RETURN, comes out in late, 2012. Taryn graduated with a BS in Education from Towson University and went on to earn a MS in Reading from Hood College. She lives in Virginia with her husband, two young sons and their dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, music, movies, and the beach. Visit her at http://www.tarynbrowning.com/, on twitter and facebook.


Also be sure to visit the tour site SupaGurl Books, for a big giveaway at the end of the tour April 12.

2/13/2012

Dark Seeker Review

Dark Seeker (Seeker, #1) by Taryn Browning
★★★★★
Release Date: 2011
Age: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Demons, Seekers, Action, Cherokee, Witches
Format Read: e-book
Source: Publisher
Buy it: AmazonBarnes and Noble | Book Depository
For 17-year-old Seeker, Janie Grey, ridding the Baltimore streets of the undead is an inherited duty passed down from her Cherokee ancestors. Seeker Training Lesson #1: Never trust the undead. After her father’s tragic death, Janie creates her own life lesson: Love isn’t worth the risk. Both lessons are easy to follow until she encounters the flawed Kai Sterdam. At first, she believes he is the hybrid she is trained to hunt. But, when he has human traits, she determines she doesn’t know what he is. As Janie’s intrigue over who Kai is pushes her deeper into his mysterious past, she discovers a shocking truth that is even more harrowing than the evil they are up against. It’s a secret Kai wants to keep hidden, especially from Janie.
Janie Grey kicks butt in Taryn Browning's fast paced paranormal romance about a girl who focuses all her energy and time on ridding the city of Vampires, until she meets Kai, a boy very different from herself but with the same goals in mind. When she begins looking at the world from more than one side she learns a lot about herself, her past, and those around her.

When Kai enters Janie's life she begins to question her teachings about the evil ways of Vampires and Demons, and she slowly begins to realize how prejudice her beliefs have been. Not everyone can fit the stereotype in her mind, and when Kai breaks the cookie cutter mold she wonders what else she's been wrong about all along. Their relationship simmers throughout and only heats up when it's ready, definitely not an insta-love story (hallelujah). More of an I hate you and should kill you story, should being the key word, but it becomes a friendship story that eventually evolves again.

Janie spends her nights as a huntress tracking down the undead and keeping the cities streets safe. But, during the day she is a high school student with two great friends. Her friends, Ava and Luke, made me smile. Their fun and easy conversations with Janie made her seem like such a normal girl but she is also one tough Seeker and fighter.

So, lets recap: hot guy, forbidden romance, plenty of action to go around, drama galore, witches (not the warty kind), cute boys, high school, and vampires. What's not to love? Taryn keeps the reader on their toes with her intense and energetic plot that is sure to corral a steady stream of followers for this remarkable series. Thank you to the incredible author for the chance to read and review this wonderful novel!

8/16/2011

New England Witch Chronicles Review and Giveaway

New England Witch Chronicles by Chelsea Bellingeri
★★★★★
Release Date: June 29, 2011
Age: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Drama & Suspense, Witches, Mystery
Format: Paperback
Source: Author
The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 were an embarrassing stain on America’s revered past. Innocent people were persecuted at the hands of a few over-zealous puritans. But what if there were real witches during those colonial hunts? What if there are witches in present day New England? That is what Alexandria Ramsey’s crazy grandmother believes. Grandma Claudia claims Alex descends from a long line of New England witches. Modern day witches in Hazel Cove, Massachusetts? Unlikely, but strange things are occurring in the weeks preceding Alex’s seventeenth birthday, which also coincides with her family’s annual Halloween party. Alex is haunted by bizarre reoccurring nightmares of a man chasing her through the Hazel Cove Cemetery. On a few occasions, when her emotions have spiraled out of control, inanimate objects have shattered around her. But that’s just a coincidence, right? Alex isn’t so sure, especially after a local girl, who supposedly dabbled in witchcraft, was killed in the nearby forest. Alex knows something strange is happening to her. With the arrival of a new boy in town, the mischievous James Van Curen, who is making her life difficult and causing problems between Alex and her best friend, Peter, Alex feels like her entire world is on the verge of chaos. Could Alex really be a witch? Is it possible Hazel Cove will become a battleground for modern day witches and witch hunters?

Fan-freaking-tastic story! I haven't read very many books about witches and I must say that this one makes me want to read some more (mainly book 2, which I'll have to wait a little while for). New England Witch Chronicles (NEWC) is awesome, extremely fast paced, exciting, very dramatic at times, and I will say that I cried a little, maybe a lot (yes, it was that amazing). While the scary elements I didn't find to be anywhere near the fear factor found in horror books (which is good because I'm not really a horror fan), they were very well written and I was trapped in the pages with the characters, it was incredibly intense at times. I would describe Chelsea Bellingeri's writing as intoxicating, I didn't and couldn't put this book down.

The main character Alex faces so many obstacles from her awful parents to her ability to almost constantly injure herself and from her mixed feelings for certain boys to her anger management issues that may have more to do with her genealogy than stress. Even jumping through these hoops she's seriously a trooper, she comes out on the other side stronger than anything. This book took my breath away, literally in some parts, and I'm not even going into the love triangle. My heart was racing reading along with the seemingly constant suspense that flows perfectly. We follow Alex on this crazy journey she takes in her life as she learns the truth about many different things she never thought to question before and her life starts to spin radically out of control.

This one is definitely not lacking in the secondary character department. There are so many fascinating people in Alex's world. James, our new guy and all of Alex's friends, her Grandma Claudia, her awful parents, and Bradley and Mya the lovely chauffeur and maid. Every character stands on their own, all very life like and some more like-able than others. My favorite character is Peter, he may be my number one best friend character of any book I've ever read. He was perfect. Think Jay from Kimberly Derting's Body Finder Series, only better, unbelievable right? Speaking of The Body Finder, the New England Witch Chronicles story has a similar feel. The murder mystery in NEWC reminded me of The Body Finder in some ways.

This book took me by surprise, I am so thankful to the author for the chance to read and review this remarkable work of fiction. I could go on for days about all of the aspects of this one that hooked me in. I keep thinking about the story and where Chelsea Bellingeri might take it in the next 3 books and I'm so excited for book 2! It's one of those emotional rides that are hard to forget about even after you've finished reading it.

I loved it a lot, incase that's not clear, and I'm having trouble giving away my copy. But, since I really want someone else to enjoy in the awesomeness that is Chelsea Bellingeri's writing, I will sacrifice what I want for the greater good.

GIVEAWAY

Giveaway is now closed! Winner will be announced soon!