{Cover Reveal} Forty Nights (Neima's Ark) Book Two by Stephanie Parent

{Cover Reveal} Forty Nights (Neima's Ark) Book Two by Stephanie Parent

Forty Nights (Neima's Ark #2)

by Stephanie Parent

Release Date: September 2013
Cover Designed by: Najla Qamber Designs

Summary from Goodreads:

Neima, her family, and her grandfather Noah have found themselves trapped aboard an ark as a great flood destroys all life in the world. As their time aboard the ark lengthens, food begins to run out, wild animals grow restless, and family tensions become as much of a threat as the flood outside. In the second and final installment of Neima’s Ark, the stakes are higher, the conflicts are greater, and Neima finds herself facing a choice as impossible as the destruction all around her.

Forty Nights is a continuation of the story begun in Forty Days, and it’s recommended that you read Forty Days first for the best experience. Forty Nights does, however, contain a character guide to refresh readers’ memories. The Neima’s Ark series is a historical, feminist reimagining of the story of Noah’s Ark rather than a religiously oriented one, and the novels are best suited for readers who are comfortable with new interpretations of biblical stories.

Book One:

(Linked to Goodreads)

Forty Days is currently FREE!  Get your copy!

  

About the Author

Stephanie Parent is a graduate of the Master of Professional Writing program at USC and attended the Baltimore School for the Arts as a piano major. She moved to Los Angeles because of Francesca Lia Block's WEETZIE BAT books, which might give you some idea of how much books mean to her. She also loves dogs, books about dogs, and sugary coffee drinks both hot and cold.

***Author Links***

  

{Paranormal Romance Review} Breaking the Storm by Sedona Venez

{Paranormal Romance Review} Breaking the Storm (Credence Curse #1) by Sedona Venez

THE CURSE
Stormy Credence was destined to succumb to the Credence family curse—they all did.

THE GAME
Stormy is put to the test one more time, when the one man that she never wanted to see again—‘Rock Star’ Knox Gunner comes blowing back into her life—back to claim what’s his—Stormy. This time he will stop at nothing to prove that she belongs to him in every sense of the word…

THE PASSION
When Stormy meets sexy band front man Knox Gunner, there’s no denying him. Willing to take a chance on love, Stormy breaks the most important Credence rule, no relationships—ever—a mistake that results in heartbreaking devastation.

But can she keep her feelings from getting dangerously deep until his game of ‘Breaking the Storm’ is over? (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} ebook, 197 pages, Published August 6th 2013 by One Wish Publishing. Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

 

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it!

{Review} Steamy, intense, intriguing  And the cover... love the cover!

It's an interesting premise, the curse, the 'Others' world and all the accompaning rules. That said, there's a lot going on, there are fae-witch, shifters, warlocks etc. I liked the story, I liked the characters but it felt like it was trying to be too much, to do too much, it's paranormal, romance, BDSM, it's got a bad boy musician, star crossed lovers, the curse... you've got the picture.

The chemistry between Knox and Storm was great - the burlesque scene anyone? Knox is a great match for Storm who has got all the baggage of the Credence curse hanging over her head. Knox is intense. He's unrelenting. He knows what he wants and is determined to get it, doing anything and everything to get her, even if it makes her squirm, especially if it maker her squirm. I did have trouble believing Storm didn't figure things out out sooner, there were too many hints and Venez makes sure we know she's not a dumb girl. And Mr. 'You're Mine' Knox waiting patiently for Storm? Didn't seem to fit his character.

I'm intrigued about book #2, there are still a lot of unanswered questions and characters I don't know nearly enough about. There's Light, Storm's cousin who's also a cursed Credence, and the Alpha Ryker... I see fireworks ahead.

Waiting on Wednesday (16)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on: 

The Unbound (The Archived #2) by Victoria Schwab

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Last summer, Mackenzie Bishop, a Keeper tasked with stopping violent Histories from escaping the Archive, almost lost her life to one. Now, as she starts her junior year at Hyde School, she's struggling to get her life back. But moving on isn't easy -- not when her dreams are haunted by what happened. She knows the past is past, knows it cannot hurt her, but it feels so real, and when her nightmares begin to creep into her waking hours, she starts to wonder if she's really safe.

Meanwhile, people are vanishing without a trace, and the only thing they seem to have in common is Mackenzie. She's sure the Archive knows more than they are letting on, but before she can prove it, she becomes the prime suspect. And unless Mac can track down the real culprit, she'll lose everything, not only her role as Keeper, but her memories, and even her life. Can Mackenzie untangle the mystery before she herself unravels?

With stunning prose and a captivating mixture of action, romance, and horror, The Unbound delves into a richly imagined world where no choice is easy and love and loss feel like two sides of the same coin.(Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: January 28, 2014

What are you waiting on?

Teaser Tuesday (16)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

“It'll be okay, I promise. No matter what I see or feel. You'll still be Logan, and I'll still be your Gypsy girl."
                  page 251, Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep

"Um, not that I've ever been wooed, but I'm perfectly capable of opening my own doors. Who gave you permission to woo me anyhow?"
page 98, Xoe, or Vampires and Werewolves and Demons, oh my! by Sara C. Roethle

{YA Minute Review} Click to Subscribe by L.M. Augustine

{YA Minute Review} Click to Subscribe by L.M. Augustine

1,135,789. That’s how many subscribers sixteen-year-old West Ryder has on his web vlog series. But he only has eyes for one of them.

As one of the internet’s most prestigious video bloggers, West talks about high school relationships under the name “Sam Green.” As far as he knows, no one from school, not even his best friend, Cat, has seen his videos. But the highlight of the whole thing is Harper Knight, who comments every day at exactly 2:02 in the afternoon. He doesn’t know anything about her aside from the occasional deep philosophical messaging on why pizza tastes so delicious, but as stupid as it sounds, he might be falling for her. So when they finally agree to meet in real life, West’s hope for romance seems more and more in reach. But that all changes as soon as he arrives at their meeting spot and sees Cat walking toward him, wearing the same “I <3 Sam Green” T-shirt Harper promised she'd have on.

To his alarm, West realizes he is falling in love with the best friend who has always been a sister to him. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} ebook, 252 pages. Published May 9th 2013. Source: Amazon

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it.

{Review} West is a sweet, complex guy. Even though Cat (who is great, she's strong, brave, she rolls with the punches, never giving up) seems to be the perfect girl for West I couldn't blame him for being confused, for being unwilling to have a romantic relationship with Cat. Cat is the best thing in his life and he risks losing her. I enjoyed their story, their absurd banter and even Cat torturing West (there's a bikini involved).

{Entangled Teen Ember Launch & Giveaway}

Welcome to the Entangled Teen ember, a division of Entangled Teen August 26th launch party! Today, we're celebrating the release of DARKER DAYS  by Jus Accardo CHAOS by Christine O’Neil!

DARKER DAYS by Jus Accardo

 

Jessie Darker goes to high school during the day, but at night she helps with the family investigation business. Cheating husbands and stolen inheritances? They’re your girls—but their specialty is a bit darker. Zombie in your garage? Pesky Poltergeist living in your pool? They’ll have the problem solved in a magical minute. For a nominal fee, of course...

When gorgeous new client, Lukas Scott, saunters into the office requesting their help to find a stolen box, it sounds like a simple case—until the truth comes out. The box is full of Sin.

Seven deadly ones, in fact.

They’ve got five days to recapture the Sins before they're recalled by the box, taking seven hijacked human bodies with them. Easy peasy—except for one thing...

There’s a spell that will allow the Sins to remain free, causing chaos forever. When the key ingredient threatens the life of someone she knows, Jessie must make the ultimate choice between love and family—or lose everything.

Amazon/Barnes & Noble/ Kobo/iBooks/Goodreads

Jus Accardo: Website/Twitter/Facebook

CHAOS by Christine O’Neil

My name is Maggie Raynard. After sixteen years being just plain me, suddenly I can kill people when I lose my temper. Turns out I'm a semi-god, descended from Aphrodite. Sounds cool in theory, but when I accidentally put my ex-boyfriend in a coma, things go downhill pretty fast.

Now some new guy named Mac Finnegan has made it his mission in life to continually piss me off. I'm stuck learning how to use my new powers while also dealing with regular high school problems, and with this---annoying and super-hot---guy all up in my business, I'm about to flip out.

But it gets worse. I just learned there's this council for semis that wants me dead. They think I'm bad to the bone and when my ex suddenly dies, it's like everyone is determined to take me out. Mac might turn out to be my only salvation, but he's got secrets of his own---that may just kill us both.

Amazon/Barnes & Noble/Kobo/iBooks/Goodreads

Christine O’Neil: Website/Twitter/ Goodreads

To celebrate, Entangled is giving away a Nook Simple Touch US Only and 2 copies of each book International! Check out the Rafflecopter below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stacking the Shelves (15)

 Stacking The Shelves, a weekly meme from Tynga's Reviews, where I write, and squee, about the books I've added to my physical and virtual shelves, what I've read, and what I'm planning to read

• The Apollo Academy by Kimberly P. Chase
• Rocky by Bianca D'Arc
• No More Running by Jayton Young
• The Mystic Wolves by Belinda Boring
• Breaking the Storm by Sedona venez
• Xoe: or Vampire, and Werewolves by Sara C. Roethle
• Tangled Beauty by K.L. Middleton
• Exclusive Interview by Ava Lore
• A Flash of Fang by R.E. Butler
• A Curve of Claw by R.E. Butler
• Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep
• Wings of Arian by Devri Walls

Fire by T.G. Ayer

Lingerie Wars by Janet Elizabeth Henderson

The Apollo Academy by Kimberly P. Chase

*Book image property of Microsoft

{Romance Review} Lingerie Wars by Janet Elizabeth Henderson

{Romance Review} Lingerie Wars by Janet Elizabeth Henderson

Englishman Lake Benson loaned his life savings to his dippy sister so that she could buy a shop. It was a big mistake. His sister has been steadily flushing his money down the drain – and now he wants it back. Years in the special forces taught Lake that if you want a job done, do it yourself. So he steps in to make the shop profitable, sell it and get his money back. The only problem is, the business is an underwear shop. And all Lake knows about underwear can be summed up in how fast he can unsnap a bra. To make matters worse, the tiny highland town already has a lingerie shop. A successful one, run by an ex-lingerie model. A very gorgeous ex-lingerie model, who’s distracting him from his mission more than he’d like to admit. If Lake wants to get his savings back, and get out of Scotland, he only has one option – wipe out the competition.

Kirsty Campbell has spent years rebuilding her life after she woke up in hospital in Spain to find her body scarred, and her ex-fiance had run off with all her money. The last thing she needs is a cocky, English soldier-boy trying to ruin all she has left. Her home town is only too happy to help her fight the latest English invasion, although Lake is beginning to sway them with his sex appeal and cut price knickers. With the help of her mother, and the retired ladies of Knit or Die, Kirsty sets about making sure that her shop is the last one standing in Invertary.

It’s Scotland versus England as you’ve never seen it before. It’s lingerie war. (Blurb via Goodreads) 

{Details} Ebook, 300 pages, Published June 14th 2013 by http://www.janetelizabethhenderson.com. Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 I really liked it!

{Review} Lingerie Wars had me from the very first page.

"Lake Benson's midlife crisis lasted exactly twenty-four hours. In that time he quit his career with the army and bought a lingerie shop. All things considered, he was glad the crisis hadn't lasted longer." (page 1)

Those lines set the tone for the book, a fun book that has a great sense of humor (cardboard Lake and the list of anxieties written on the inside of the cupboard to name two) and many laugh out loud moments.

I adored Lake and Kirsty. Kirsty is resilient. After a car crash and the resulting injuries ended her career as a model she found and followed a new dream. And then the infuriating and anxiety inducing Lake shows up, threatening everything she's worked for. Lake has figured out what he wants to do with his life and it's not owning a lingerie shop. Even when he's at war with Kirsty he's sweet, helping her, worrying about her, and wanting to protect her.

It's war from their very first meeting, complicated by a sizzling sexual attraction and Kirsty's body image issues. Their skirmishes were amusing - mostly because of Team Kirsty's ineptitude, former soldier Lake knows war. I was on both Team Lake and Team Kirsty as they waged their Lingerie War and Battle of the Bras, I wanted them both to achieve their dreams.

There are quite a lot of characters, all quirky. Lake's little sister Rainne who I wanted to smack upside the head for most of the book, the alternately amusing and horrifying antics of the eighty-six year old underwear mascot Betty, the Knit or Die group, morality policewoman Morag, and the pubescent hacker just to name a few.

I had a smile on my face when I reached the last page. I will be keeping an eye out for other works by Janet Elizabeth Henderson.

Waiting on Wednesday (15)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on: 

Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests?

Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy (won't Mumsy be surprised?). Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners.

Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a school trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot--one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card.

In this sequel to bestselling author Gail Carriger's YA debut Etiquette & Espionage, class is back in session with more petticoats and poison, tea trays and treason. Gail's distinctive voice, signature humor, and lush steampunk setting are sure to be the height of fashion this season.(Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: November 5, 2013

What are you waiting on?

{Book Blitz & Giveaway} Breaking the Reins by Juliana Haygert

Breaking the Reins

by Juliana Haygert

Release Date: 08/19/13

Summary from Goodreads:

Horses, mansions, tea parties, and lies are twenty-year-old Hannah Taylor’s life. To others, her family and her relationship with Eric is perfect. But she knows the truth. She lives it.

After a fire takes her grandma's life and kills her horse, Hannah's immaculate life spirals out of control. Her father disapproves of her decision to run her grandma’s ranch instead of focusing solely on learning the family business; Animal Control brings her Argus, a mistreated horse that she can't turn away even though she's not ready for another horse; and her boyfriend, Eric Bennett, a world famous polo player, becomes possessive and authoritarian. Despite her best efforts to disguise it, Hannah grows wary of him.

Then, Leonardo Fernandes struts onto the polo scene. A cocky rookie with a messy life of his own, he’s drawn to Hannah and isn’t afraid of showing it, even when Eric makes it clear she is his and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Hannah suffers for Eric’s jealousy. The abuse only gets worse when Leo steals the title of best polo player in the world from Eric.

But the title isn’t enough for Leo. He wants Hannah too, and she can’t deny her attraction to him either. Somehow, she must find a way to break free from abusive Eric before he breaks every bone in her body.

**New Adult Contemporary Romance Novel**

Available from:

 

Amazon UK

B&N

Apple 

Excerpt:

We exited the stable, and I worked up the nerve to invite him to stay longer, to have dinner with me and talk a little.

I opened my mouth, but he spoke first.

“I should get going,” he said, his tone low.

My heart sank. “Oh. Okay.”

He turned to the path leading to the parking lot, and I caught up with him.

He showed me a lopsided grin. “Are you doing the guy thing? Walking me to my car?”

I shrugged. “It’s my house. I can do whatever I want.”

His smile was gone, and his eyes were serious. “And you want to walk me to my car?”

I returned the stare. “I want to,” I said, not sure where this bold feeling was coming from.

As we approached his car, butterflies assaulted my stomach. What was I doing? I was encouraging him. Perhaps I should stay behind and say goodbye from the path.

I couldn't make up my mind, and then we were standing by his SUV’s door.

Every nerve in my body came alive when he turned around and stepped too close to me, his body hovering inches from mine, his intense eyes on mine. His gaze flicked down to my mouth, and I inhaled a sharp breath.

Groaning, Leo put his hands on my waist, whirled us around, pushed his hard body on mine, and pressed me against his car.

“You said you wouldn’t try anything.”

“I tried to resist,” he said, his voice breathless. “I told you. It’s hard. Especially when I notice you don’t want me to resist. I cannot resist it.”

I put my hands on his chest with every intention of pushing him away, but the muscles of his pecs under my palms caught my breath, and I melted. I was melting, and there was nothing I could do.

“You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now,” he said, his breath brushing against my lips, and I shivered.

“I think I do,” I whispered.

“Please, morena, tell me I can kiss you.” His hand clasped around my nape. “I need to kiss you.”

Intoxicated, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down to me. I kissed him. Without wasting one millisecond, Leo kissed me back. I felt him relaxing in my arms, as if he had finally won a fight and now could celebrate the victory. He moaned when I entangled my tongue with his. His hand on my neck slid up, his finger entwining in my hair, and his other hand slipped under my tank top and clutched my waist. He took control and changed the rhythm of the kiss, his soft lips slowing down against mine, but his tongue going deeper. It was erotic, and my body was on fire, screaming for his. 

Praise for Breaking the Reins:

 “Breaking The Reins by Juliana Haygert is a real treasure. It’s a sexy, heartbreaking and romantic ride you won’t want to miss.” —Sawyer Bennett, USA Today Bestselling author of Off Side, Off Limits, Off the Record, and Off Course.

“A breath of fresh air in the New Adult market. Juliana Haygert’s new contemporary novel is one not to be missed!” —Magan Vernon, international bestselling author of The Only Exception

“A swoonworthy love interest and a fantastic backdrop make Breaking the Reins a New Adult read you don’t want to miss!” —Alyssa Rose Ivy, bestselling author of The Crescent Chronicles, Clayton Falls Series, and The Hazards of Skinny Dipping.

About the Author:

New Adult author and contributor at NA Alley blog.

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Author Links:

    

***GIVEAWAY***

2-ebook copies of Breaking the Reins (INT)

1-ebook copies of Destiny Gift (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz hosted by:

{YA Review} Fire by T.G. Ayer

{YA Review} Fire by T.G. Ayer

Normal people sneak out to a party and have fun. Maya Rao ends the evening by incinerating the guy who attacks her.

Nik Lucas, sexy, new in town and totally forbidden, happens to walk in on her. Normal guys would run for the hills. Nik knows a whole lot more than he's telling.

Maya doesn't believe the gods are real, doesn't waste her time with mere mythology. But when gods, demons and hellhound's become the new normal and wielding fire becomes her new skill, she must decide what it is she really believes.

Can Maya accept that normal is something she will never be because it isn't normal to be
...the Hand of Kali. (Blurb via Goodreads) 

{Source} Ebook, 386 pages, Published July 25th 2013 by Createspace. Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 3/5 -- I liked it!

{Review} Fire was unlike anything I've read before. Ayer introduces us to the Hindu gods. Awesome, right? Mythology + awesome characters + action + a little romance = a good read.

I really liked Maya, she was strong, determined, resilient, selfless. I liked that Maya's journey wasn't smooth, she didn't just accept things, she questioned, she doubted, she struggled. She made the story interesting.

The cast of characters was great, the supportive, though deceitful, family, the friend who will go through hell with you, the hot yet kind boy. I enjoyed Ayer's writing style, the story was fast moving without being jarring but never dragging. I didn't really connect with the Ria & co storyline, other than thinking that Maya is a really good friend, but I'm thinking it'll get more interesting in future books. I definitely want to know what happens next.

Teaser Tuesday (15)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

“What do you want from me, Kai?”
“For starters?” His voice lowered to sexy, dangerous depths. “I want to introduce myself to every freckle on your body.”
                  page 347, Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

"You're shaking," he said.
"I'm not used to people trying to kill me."
"Really? I hardly notice anymore.
                page 72, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

"How am I supposed to protect you when I can't keep you within twenty feet of me?!" He looked around frantically. "And why is it that there is not a single hard surface in here for me to hit!?"
              page 468, Wings of Arian by Devri Walls

"For a moment the world around me vanished. I only heard my heart and my breath."

              page 268, Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard