{Review} of The Unleashing by Shelly Laurenston

The Unleashing by Shelly Laurenston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

GENRE: Paranormal
THEME: Myth, Romance
RECEIVED: NetGalley

BLURB:

WINGING IT

Kera Watson never expected to face death behind a Los Angeles coffee shop. Not after surviving two tours lugging an M16 around the Middle East. If it wasn’t for her hot Viking customer showing up too late to help, nobody would even see her die.

In uncountable years of service to the Allfather Odin, Ludvig “Vig” Rundstrom has never seen anyone kick ass with quite as much style as Kera. He knows one way to save her life—but she might not like it. Signing up with the Crows will get Kera a new set of battle buddies: cackling, gossiping, squabbling, party-hearty women. With wings. So not the Marines.

But Vig can’t give up on someone as special as Kera. With a storm of oh-crap magic speeding straight for L.A., survival will depend on combining their strengths: Kera’s discipline, Vig’s loyalty… and the Crows’ sheer love of battle. Boy, are they in trouble.

REVIEW:

I’m a big fan of Shelly Laurenston’s Pride and Magnus Pack series, they always had great story arcs and tough alpha males, so I was super excited for some tough Vikings and an even tougher female lead. The back-story and connection to the Nordic and Greek mythology was by far the best part of this first installment.

The Unleashing follows Kera Watson a military veteran who works as a waitress in Los Angeles. But one night while trying to help a woman in an alley leads to her being stabbed. She is given a second chance and brought back as a different version of herself. Kera is now a Crow, apart of a group of powerful woman who fight for their god and given special abilities to handle dangerous beings and people. Along with the Crows there are many clans, such as the Ravens who are Vikings fight for their god. But something is causing trouble and Kera is thought to be the cause. No Kera and her sister crows along with Vig, work together to figure out what’s really happening.

Kera is a major hard ass, she is tough because of her military experience and has a battle ready attitude. She is trying to grasp her new life as a Crow, which doesn’t come easy due to her clashing with some of her fellow “sisters”. I loved every minute that Kera had with the rest of the Crows, Erin being her mentor clashes with her immediately. But nonetheless they need each other when it comes to battles and Kera has to learn their ways. Kera does struggle with her new life, I kind of wished she would listen to the others instead of being more of an irritation at first. But she does come to terms with her new self after Vig explains their life. Another dynamic that was extremely strong was that of Kera and her dog Brodie who was her best friend in her first life and even more of her protector in her second. She because apart of the crows with Kera and even powerful. In the end Kera is given a major task, I have a feeling Kera’s importance is just beginning and her role among the gods is going to change the Crows’ future.

Vig is a fellow member of The Ravens, who are Viking men that take on Odins tasks. He is also the man who has for Kera to have a second chance, for a long time he has come to the coffee shop where she worked and was treated with kindness. Vig is a big softy when it comes to Kera and has wanted her for a long time. My main issue with him is that he was made out to be kind of a fool who wanted to sleep with her. Later on his character grew on me but I like my alpha males not so childish. I did however like his relationship with his sister who is a valkyrie, she also has a good head on her shoulders and helps her brother with Kera.

Overall this was a great start, I loved the world building of all the clans and their god, as well as how the Crows become what they are. My only trouble was how much was introduced; I had a bit of a hard time keeping up with all the characters and the clans, along with the gods. I was able to grasp most of it by the end and re-reading bits when I got a little lost. The characters however do make the story because they were a colorful bunch, especially the Crows. Each woman was so different, their lives, careers, deaths, and power made them a force to be reckoned with. So I’ll definitely be coming back to this series because I want to see how each Crow grows.

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{Book Blitz} of Whisper by Heather Hildenbrand

Whisper by Heather Hildenbrand

New Adult Paranormal Fantasy

The Cherokee believe when a person dies, their soul is reborn. Life is repeated. An endless cycle of lessons to be learned, love to be found, destiny to be fulfilled. For the past six months, in every flower, every bird, I’ve imagined my parents, relieved of their human forms.

Now, after five months at the Skye View Wellness Center, it was summer. A time for parties and friends, but that’s the last thing I want to do. So when my best friend Erin convinces me to attend a bonfire at Eagle Point, I can’t handle the crowd full of sympathetic stares or drunken class clowns who would use my tragedy as a way into my heart – or my pants. The solitude of the woods offers an escape, until I stumble upon a boy, unconscious and bleeding, his pockets stuffed not with identification but with poetry illustrating the beauty of dying. I’ve seen enough death. I will not leave this boy’s side.

Even after he wakes, when the only thing he can remember are visions of events that haven’t happened yet…

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About the Author:

Author of Across the Galaxy, Whisper, and the Dirty Blood series. I write, read, and fuss at my kids. Oh, and I do laundry, lots of laundry. I’m pretty good at it, too. Sometimes I even read WHILE doing laundry – and fussing at my kids. I’m a multi-tasker.

For more information on my books, release dates, or just general stalker material, um, I mean FAN material, visit my website. www.heatherhildenbrand.blogspot.com. I love hearing from readers!

Likes and dislikes? I love vintage tees, hate socks with sandals, and if my house was on fire the one thing I’d grab is my Amazon Fire TV! (oh yeah, I’m a fan of puns.)

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{Tour: Review + Giveaway} of Gilded by Christina L. Farley

Gilded by Christina L. Farley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: Young Adult / MG
THEME: Korean Mythology and Romance
RECEIVED: Review for Tour

BLURB:

A Korean god. An ancient curse. Can she escape becoming GILDED?

A girl with a black belt and a deadly proclivity with steel-tipped arrows discovers an ancient Korean god has been kidnapping the first-born daughters of her family for generations. And she’s next.
Sixteen-year-old Jae Hwa Lee is a Korean-American girl with a black belt, a deadly proclivity with steel-tipped arrows, and a chip on her shoulder the size of Korea itself. When her widowed dad uproots her to Seoul from her home in L.A., Jae thinks her biggest challenges will be fitting in to a new school and dealing with her dismissive Korean grandfather. Then she discovers that a Korean demi-god has been stealing the soul of the oldest daughter of each generation in her family for centuries. And she's next.
But that’s not Jae’s only problem.

There's also Marc. Irresistible and charming, Marc threatens to break the barriers around Jae's heart. As the two grow closer, Jae must decide if she can trust him. But Marc has a secret of his own -- one that could help Jae overturn the curse on her family for good. It turns out that Jae's been wrong about a lot of things: her grandfather is her greatest ally, even the tough girl can fall in love, and Korea might just be the home she's always been looking for.

REVIEW:

I was super excited to read Gilded as I’m a huge fan of Korean mythology and with my husband being Korean I have learned to love the culture and couldn’t wait to see what author Farley created.

Gilded follows sixteen year old Jae Hwa who has to move from LA. to Seoul after the loss of her mother. Once there she discovers that the women in her family are related to a princess. But that isn’t all; there is a demigod after her, who wants to take her prisoner in his realm.

Jae is a tough and extremely smart American Korean girl, who is also archery champion and has a black belt in Tae Kwan Do. What!? Now that is one kick butt female lead that seriously any girl would want to look up too. She also can transform into animals and seems to be able to take on the world. Even though I loved how strong and independent she was, I felt she was characterized too strong; I wanted her to have a bit more flaws. She does make some mistakes and really needed to learn to listen but I wanted more where she would learn and use her smarts to get her through tough situations. The best part was her family; I love when authors focus on more than just romance but the family and the history that goes along with the overall plot. Her father did bother me at times, but I liked their moments when they bonded.

Marc is the male protagonist and of course Jae’s love interest. He was always there for her and does save her, but I wanted more. The romance is cute and I do mean cute, it was very middle grade to me and I didn’t feel that bam! There is some awesome chemistry but it was more of a growing bond and childish blowing kisses.

Overall the best tidbit was the fantastic mythology and since I know some Korean I was able to follow the language (when used) without any issues of getting lost. The pace had some highs and lows where I would be hooked and then lost interest. But the ending was great and not a cliffhanger, which is how I like my series; this was more of a new beginning for the next chapter. I will be continuing this series as I can see a lot of potential with the magic and Jae’s character has a lot to grow on after everything she has gone through.

RECOMMENDATION:

This is a young adult novel with some great insight into the Korean culture. Fans of The Weight of Souls by Bryony Pearce and Jennifer Esteps mythos series will enjoy Gilded by debut author Christina Farley.

View all my reviews

CHRISTINA FARLEY, author of Gilded was born and raised in upstate New York. As a child, she loved to explore, which later inspired her to jump on a plane and travel the world. She taught at international schools in Asia for ten years, eight of which were in the mysterious and beautiful city of Seoul, Korea that became the setting of Gilded. Currently she lives in Clermont, FL with her husband and two sons—that is until the travel itch whisks her off to a new unknown. Gilded is her first novel. For more details, check out her website at www.christinafarley.com. Christina holds a master’s degree in education and has taught for eighteen years. She is represented by Jeff Ourvan of Jennifer Lyons Literary.

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{Review} of Fates by Lanie Bross

Fates by Lanie Bross
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

GENRE: Young Adult
THEME: Fantasy, Myths, and Romance
RECEIVED: Netgalley

BLURB:

One moment. One foolish desire. One mistake. And Corinthe lost everything.

She fell from her tranquil life in Pyralis Terra and found herself exiled to the human world. Her punishment? To make sure people's fates unfold according to plan. Now, years later, Corinthe has one last assignment: kill Lucas Kaller. His death will be her ticket home.

But for the first time, Corinthe feels a tingle of doubt. It begins as a lump in her throat, then grows toward her heart, and suddenly she feels like she is falling all over again--this time for a boy she knows she can never have. Because it is written: one of them must live, and one of them must die. In a universe where every moment, every second, every fate has already been decided, where does love fit in?

REVIEW:

I’m a fan of mythology and have never read a story that focused on the Fates as the main character, I was immediately intrigued from the synopsis to see where Bross would take the type of character.

Fates follows a young Fate Corinthe who has one final job, after being exiled to earth she has the job guiding humans to their ultimate fates. Now after ten years she will be able to go home and joining the Fates again, she just has to kill one boy. But once Corinthe meets her final assignment, Luc, she starts to feels things she never experience before. Now fates will change and Corinthe will need to decide if a fate can fall in love?

Corinthe was an interesting character, she comes of as unfriendly but I found myself intrigued about her lack of emotion as a fate. If all fates are like this it give me chills to think what fates can be chosen for humans. Her character does eventually show signs of feelings and for once she doesn’t follow her orders very easily. Her character is constantly confused and starts to question what she use to follow and begin the become more “human.” I did like ever character development and how she become more real and started to slowly grab my attention near the end. But one thing is I don’t think I said her name right throughout reading this, it kind of frustrated me

Luc’s character I felt was more complex, he’s is a protective brother and has to deal with a world that he didn’t know anything about. I connected to him much more than I could with Corinthe, I think because of his persona. He comes from a broken family dealing with a lot of lows both with his sister and father. I really wanted this guy to having something good happen to him. His connection to Corinthe was definitely insta-love, which I loathe with a passion. I didn’t feel that spark I normally look for when couples are drawn together and I felt they were more interesting apart then together.

Overall this has a lot of potential that just didn’t hit the mark yet, it might in the next book. I was a bit distracted with the romance, I’m a huge romance fan and always need it in books I read but I just couldn’t grasp these two falling for each other so quickly. However I loved the mythology and how Pyralis and Humana were described, the world building was the best part of the story and I’m hoping continues in the next book. A lot happens and it happens fast, I think I’ll be re-reading this since I felt I miss some pieces that I didn’t quite understand.

In the end I’ll continue with this series because of the interesting twists and unique focus on the Fates mythology. I’m hoping for a more solid character development in the next installment so that I can connect a little more and start to care for the characters.

View all my reviews

{Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway} of The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons

The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Young Adult
THEME: Mythology, Romance
RECEIVED: Tour

BLURB:

What if all the legends you’ve learned were wrong?

Brutally attacked by one god and unfairly cursed by another she faithfully served, Medusa has spent the last two thousand years living out her punishment on an enchanted isle in the Aegean Sea. A far cry from the monster legends depict, she’s spent her time educating herself, gardening, and desperately trying to frighten away adventure seekers who occasionally end up, much to her dismay, as statues when they manage to catch her off guard. As time marches on without her, Medusa wishes for nothing more than to be given a second chance at a life stolen away at far too young an age.

But then comes a day when Hermes, one of the few friends she still has and the only deity she trusts, petitions the rest of the gods and goddesses to reverse the curse. Thus begins a journey toward healing and redemption, of reclaiming a life after tragedy, and of just how powerful friendship and love can be—because sometimes, you have to sink in the deep end of the sea before you can rise back up again.

REVIEW:

I’m such a sucker for mythology books but it’s usually about the more well known gods and goddess. Lyons takes mythology to the next level focusing on a character that I don’t really know much about except she is usually portrayed as a scary woman who you don’t want to mess with. Medusa is brought to life in this book and it was such a fantastic take on such a interesting character that now I want to read more about. Plus look at the beautiful book cover, it screams read me! I haven’t read Lyons’ other series Fate but after reading this I’m definitely going to be following her writing.

The Deep End of the Sea follows Medusa (Dusa) who is actually a normal girl that has been punished by Athena’s wrath and exiled for two thousand years on an island. She also has power aka curse that everyone knows her for, turning sadly and not on purpose, anyone who visits into stone. Luckily she has one visitor who wants to break the curse, her friend and god Hermes. But with every mythology there are always challenges and Athena along with the god Poseidon won’t make it easy for Medusa to find any happiness.

Medusa is such a wonderful character in Lyons’ take of mythology. She is an innocent young girl, the reader’s will seriously empathize and care for her in the struggles she has gone through and does go through in this book. She has a lot to prove and has a strong and determined persona. I felt for her with the guilt of what she had done, turning people into stone, all she wants is to stop hurting people and for someone to be there for her. Anyone who reads this will root for her,

Hermes is not the god that everyone reads about in the books either. He’s so sweet and will do anything to protect Medusa. I loved that Hermes and Medusa were best friends first and that their connection was always there and they just needed to find that push to bring them fully together. What I loved most about there chemistry is that Medusa can’t see her true beauty, Hermes sees it and wants her to see what he does.

Overall this story is the reason why I love mythology so much, I love authors like Lyons who can take an old tale a give some love to characters that nobody really focused on before. I really enjoyed the secondary characters Hades and Persephone, and many more, but even more so the villains Poseidon and Athena. I’m not use the villains in this story being portrayed, as villains so it was a nice twist that made me love this that much more.

In the end the readers will be pining for more as we learn about Medusa and her parents. There is a huge twist, actually there are a lot of shocking moments all through out but the ending was awesome! I’m defiantly hooked with all the romance, fantastically developed characters and a strong well thought out plot that can only come from such wonderfully writing. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

RECOMMENDATION:

This is a young adult novel with that takes mythology to a new level! Fans of Tellulah Darlings The Blooming goddess series and Jennifer Esteps Mythos Academy, will absolutely love The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons.

View all my reviews

Relaease Day Excerpt:

“Where are Hades and Persephone?” I ask, glancing around the empty living room. They are nowhere to be seen tonight; neither are any of the Automatons.

The corner of Hermes’ mouth quirks. “Out. Possibly in the Underworld. One never knows with those two.”

Relief unfurls in the muscles in my shoulders. Still, I can’t help but ask, “Without saying goodbye?”

He’s definitely amused. “Shall I fetch them for you?”

“No!” My answer is too quick, which I fear broadcasts just how ecstatic I am at the thought of being along with Hermes right now. And that realization causes me to blush for the millionth time around him in the last month, so I clarify, “Of course not. I was just curious.”

“Curiosity killed the cat, you know.” To my delight, his hand finds mine and our fingers intertwine. It is a delicious sensation: his hand, warm and worn in mine in just such a way that feels like it’s an extension of my body.

It must be criminal to adore touching someone so much.

“Did it, though?” I ask, and he laughs a burst of exasperated air.

“Possibly, but then again, who am I to judge, when I am often struck by curiosity that I cannot help but sate?” He gives me that dazzling grin of his and pulls me through the house. “Case in point: you.”

“Me?” I squeak unattractively. There are lights ahead through the French doors leading to the patio, and I am curious myself enough to wonder what they are, but not nearly as much as I am for what he might mean.

“Yes, you.” He glances back at me. “I’ve never told you that I was overcome with curiosity when I heard Athena cursed some girl from one of her temples. It wasn’t like it was the first time she’d gone vindictively bonkers, but she was really put out over you. I mean . . . one of her followers? Even that was low for her.” His fingers squeeze mine gently and we stop about twenty feet from the doors. “When I first showed up on your island . . .”

I am helpless at looking anywhere but in his eyes. Tonight, they’re green. Vivid, beautiful, clear green. “Yes?”

“I’d been warned that you were a monster and that I best keep my distance. That you would slay me at the slightest provocation, and naturally, I believed it, as I could not blame anyone’s hatred toward my family after what my sister and uncle had done to you. But once Death handed me that first soul and departed, I heard you crying. My curiosity inflamed tenfold. What kind of so-called monster weeps like her heart had shattered and never would form whole again?”

Like clockwork, my cheeks burn. His fingers brush my reddened skin ever so gently before I turn my face to rest in his hand. The butterflies in my chest swarm frantically. “My sister misjudged you. I knew that the very second I heard your anguish. I’m afraid I was lost to you from that moment on. I had to discover all that made you you, even if I would suffer the same fate as the proverbial cat. And I never cared about the risks, as long as my curiosity about you was sated first.”

“Truly?” The word barely escapes my lips.

His eyes are so intense. “Truly.”

AUTHOR BIO:
Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Links:
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{Book Tour: Review + Giveaway} of My Date From Hell by Tellulah Darling

My Date From Hell by Tellulah Darling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

GENRE: Young Adult
THEME: Mythology, Romance, Humor
RECEIVED: Tour

BLURB:

Sophie Bloom’s junior year has been a bit of a train wreck. After the world’s greatest kiss re-awakened Sophie’s true identity as Persephone (Goddess of Spring and Savior of Humanity), she fought her dragon-lady guidance counselor to the death, navigated mean girl Bethany’s bitchy troublemaking, and dealt with the betrayal of her backstabbing ex, Kai (sexy Prince of Darkness). You’d think a girl could catch a break.

Yeah, right.

With Zeus stepping things up, it’s vital that Sophie retrieve Persephone’s memories and discover the location of the ritual to stop Zeus and Hades. So when Aphrodite strikes a deal that can unlock Sophie’s pre-mortal past, what choice does the teen goddess have but to accept?

The mission: stop media mogul Hermes from turning Bethany into a global mega-celebrity. The catch? Aphrodite partners Sophie and Kai to work together … and treat this suicide mission as a date. Which could work out for Sophie’s plan to force Kai to admit his feelings for her–if she doesn’t kill him first.

Add to that the fact that BFF Theo’s love life and other BFF Hannah’s actual life are in Sophie’s hands, and suddenly being a teenager—even a godlike one—seems a bit like … well, hell. Whatever happened to dinner and a movie?

The YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology fireworks continue to fly inMy Date From Hell. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book two of this teen fantasy romance series. Breaking up is easy; dating is deadly.

REVIEW:

Just like the first in The Blooming Goddess Trilogy My Date from Hell was such a bundle of fun, I’m always laughing at every snarky, wisecracking attitude that Tellulah Darling adds to each of her characters personas. There is a lot that happens this time around and some awesome surprises that pop out right at the end had me squeezing my ipad, nonetheless this one has me ready for the final book! If you haven’t read the first in the series, it’s a must since a lot happens that leads to where this one starts.

My Date from Hell follows once again Sophie, who still doesn’t have her memories back from her past life as Persephone aka the Goddess of Spring and Savior of Humanity. She is face to face with her father and the fact that he wants answers and doesn’t believe that she doesn’t have her memories back. But meeting her very angry father Zeus is just the beginning of her problems, she needs to stop both him and Hades, as well as figure out her feeling for Kai aka Hades’ son. But nothing ever seems to go as planned and Sophie will need to takes things in her own hands to save humanity and maybe find love along the way.

Sophie is just down right awesome, she totally rocks and has my kind of sense of humor with her major sarcasm. Darling doesn’t falter when it comes to building Sophie’s character, she is growing up as the book moves forward but she stays true to who she is and who she wants to be. She and Kai have a lot of screen time together, their feelings for each other are important to stopping their fathers, but Kai is one tough cookie to like. He frustrates Sophie to no end but also manages to make her heart skip a beat with that charm.

Kai is still as frustrating as ever, but also lovable enough to make me want to smack him in the face. Kai is a tough character to figure out, not knowing his true intensions or if he has other plans that will help Sophie and himself against Zeus and Hades. Their relationship develops a lot this time around in a positive way, Sophie discovers a bit about her past life and the Kai may not be all that bad. I’m going to root for these two to figure things out and beat their parent, but they have a lot of angst against them that they need to push out of the way.

Overall this was another fantastic addition to this trilogy, the mythology is all there but spiced up with Darlings fantastic writing a sense of humor. There are some serious tones along the way, but I always had a smile on my face with the fun secondary characters and introductions to some new faces aka Aphrodite and Cupid! The pace is quick and every page has a new challenge for the duo. The ending had my questioning so many things, I have no idea what’s going to happen now and seriously want the next book asap! I definitely can’t wait for the final book and I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for a happy ending for them all.

RECOMMENDATION:

This is a young adult novel that will suck you into the Greek mythology with lots of laughs. Fans of Aimee Carter’s Goddess Test series and Jennifer Armentrout’s Covenant series will love the second in the Blooming Goddess series by Tellulah Darling.

View all my reviews

Don’t miss My Life From Hell, releasing March 20, 2014. Which is also spring equinox and the date of Sophie's final showdown with Zeus and Hades in the book.

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Book Depository 

Goodreads links to other books in this series: Book 1 | Book 2.5  (Get your FREE copy here: http://bit.ly/18BArwG)

About the Author
noun

Sassy girls. Swoony boys. What could go wrong?
1. YA romantic comedy author because her first kiss sucked and she's compensating.
2. Alter ego of former screenwriter.
3. Sassy minx.

Geeks out over: cool tech.
Squees for: great storytelling.
Delights in: fabulous conversation.
Writes about: where love meets comedy. Awkwardness ensues.

Tellulah Darling is a firm believer that some of the best stories happen when love meets comedy. Which is why she has so much fun writing young adult romantic comedy novels. Her tales span contemporary, teen fantasy romance, and YA Greek mythology, and range from stand alone books to series. For Tellulah, teen romance is the most passionate, intense, and awkward there is – a comedy goldmine. Plus smart, mouthy, teen girls rock.

Author Links: Site | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Open internationally.
RULES AND RESTRICTIONS:
Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 13 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

{Blitz Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway} of Daughter of Isis (Descendants of Isis, #1) by Kelsey Ketch

Seeing Night Reviews is happy to spread some book love for Daughter of Isis by Kelsey Ketch.

Daughter of Isis (Descendants of Isis, #1)

by Kelsey Ketch

Release Date: 10/26/13

Cover Designed by: Steven Novak

Summary from Goodreads:

Her mouth parted slightly, waiting for Seth to breathe life into her own body, just like in the story. She wanted him to awaken her senses.”

Their worlds collide in California’s high desert.

The last thing Natara “Natti” Stone wants to do is to start anew at Setemple High School. She wished she had never left London. Yet the brutal murder of her maternal grandmother has made her life very complicated. The only clue related to her murder is an ancient, encrypted necklace Natti discovered after her grandmother’s death. And if trying to adjust to American life is not enough, Natti is being stalked by a mysterious, charming high school senior, Seth O’Keefe, who is annoyingly persistent in his attempts at seduction.

Seth O’Keefe is secretly a member of the Sons of Set, an order that worships the Egyptian god of chaos. Seth’s blessing from Set, his “charm,” never failed, except with one person: Natti Stone. Her ability to elude him infatuates and infuriates him, and he becomes obsessed with the chase. But the closer he gets to her, the more his emotions take a dangerous turn, and he risks breaking one of the most valued covenants of his order. The punishment for which is a fate worse than death.

The adventure this unlikely couple becomes engulfed in could cost them their lives and their souls.

*Note: Content for Upper YA*

Available from:

  

About the Author

During her high school years, Kelsey Ketch could always be found tucked away in a little corner of the hall or classroom, writing her fantasy worlds and creating illustrations and maps. Today is no different, except now she’s writing in the break room at her office building or at the tables of the Barnes and Noble Café in Cary, North Carolina. She is also an avid reader, a part-time book blogger at Ketch’s Book Nook, and lives with her two orange tabbies and awesome and humorous flat-mate.Daughter of Isis is her debut novel.For more information, please visit her site at kelseyketch.com.

Excerpt:

“Natti, you need to relax,” Seth finally said.

She froze in her place and looked at him. “Relax! Are you mental? My best friend was drugged!”

Seth stood up from the long, ratty sofa, peeled apart her hands, and took them into his. “You don’t know that for sure.” He brushed his thumbs over her skin in soft, smooth strokes. “Just let the doctors worry about it.”

The calm, soft tingle of his touch seeped through her skin, coursing lightly over her nerves and releasing their tension. Her mind and body began to calm down, making her realize how badly every muscle had been physically shaking. Slowly, layer upon layer of fear and stress simply vanished until she felt nothing at all. She looked up at Seth’s eyes, drawn to their warmth and comfort.

“Okay . . .” Natti spoke, almost breathless. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?” Seth’s voice was seductive as he leaned his forehead against hers. His scent of spice cologne, myrrh, and sandalwood consumed her senses, and his eyes captured her soul.

“This,” she pressed. “The sensations of your touch. I’ve been feeling it all night and even before. Ever since we met. And don’t try to lie. I know you’re doing it, but how?”

Seth smirked at her question, his eyes turning their focus to her hands. “It’s nothing.”

Natti couldn’t help smile as more of the tingling sensation slipped over her skin. “Oh, it’s something. What is it?”

His beautiful full lips tempted her with a smile. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.”

Silence fell between them while he seemed to think it over, meanwhile massaging her hands with his thumbs and fingers. The pressure, the release, each movement slowly pulling her thoughts and focus onto his hands. “Touch is a magical thing, Natti,” he explained. “It can comfort.” He raised one hand and stroked her cheek, soft and gentle. “It can entice.” His thumb moved along her jaw and applied pressure as it traveled down her neck, causing her to shiver with delight. “And it can hurt. Whatever the intensions, it brings two people together. It makes a certain . . . connection.”

Though there was no heaviness of a lie, she chuckled at his response. “You’re right. I don’t believe you. Touch is just a sense. A tool the human body uses.”

“Yes, and it’s a powerful tool when used the right way.” His honey voice teasing her, tempting her. “Now come sit with me and relax. Wanda will be all right.”

***Author Links***

   

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{Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway} of The Curse Keepers by Denise Grover Swank

Seeing Night Reviews is the next stop in The Curse Keeper tour by Denise Grover Swank. Hosted by the awesome InkSlinger PR.

The Curse Keepers by Denise Grover Swank
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

GENRE: New Adult
THEME: Urban Fantasy, Mythology, Romance
RECEIVED: Tour

BLURB:

The wall between our world and that of vengeful spirits has protected humanity for more than 400 years. It’s about to come crashing down.

Ellie Lancaster has lived her whole life by the site of the mysterious Lost Colony of Roanoke, the Virginia settlement that vanished without a trace around 1590. Only the descendants of the two men who banished the spirits of an enemy tribe from the material realm know what really happened to the colony. Ellie is one of those descendants—a Curse Keeper. Her father took pains to teach her what he knew of the curse and the responsibilities of its guardians. He taught her that if the two Curse Keepers ever meet, the curse will be lifted, the gate will open, and the raging Native American spirits will be unleashed to seek their revenge.

Despite her father’s seriousness, Ellie has always taken the legend for a harmless fairy tale. Until she meets the darkly handsome, but downright infuriating, Collin Dailey and realizes everything she was told is true. For when they meet, it’s like the air is sucked from the room. Collin’s presence is electrifying… and it’s not just attraction Ellie feels, but the inexorable pull toward her destiny. The prophecy is real, and now Ellie and Collin must battle supernatural forces and their loathing—and passion—for each other to set things right.

The Curse Keepers are all that stand between the world and its destruction.

REVIEW:

I was so captivated by Denise Grover Swanks On the Otherside series, that I was thrilled to reader her latest New Adult series The Curse Keepers. Swank keeps the same intense plot line that I loved about her other series, plus being teamed up with some fantastic mythology I knew I was hooked. I will definitely be continuing this new series.

The Curse Keepers follows Ellie Lancaster a local of a popular tourist town called Roanoke. She lives her life waiting tables and helping keep her families bed and breakfast afloat. But when a stranger comes to town everything about her life changes when he touches her. Collin Dailey isn’t easy to get along with and makes Ellie’s life more complicated when she finds out her families history is true. Ellie and Collin are Curse Keepers and together they must close a gate that will release angry spirits into the world. But they only have seven days to close it and seven days to trust each other.

Ellie is a girl that doesn’t really have a goal planned out for herself. She has always known about the family history of the Curse Keepers but always thought it was a fairy tale, that was until she meets Collin. What I liked most about Ellie was that she was spirited, she had a spark about her; she showed her love to her friends and family and would do anything for them. When ever there is danger she thinks about others before herself. Her only major flaw is that she doesn’t want to believe wants right in front of her and her libido sometimes gets in the way. Her families past unfold through out the book and I loved the differentiation between her family’s traditions and Collins. Plus I couldn’t get enough of the passion and intense moments between Collin and Ellie; these two have some serious tension. She has to make some tough decisions and learn about a life that was forgotten, I can already tell she’s going to be a great fighter.

Collin is extremely complex, it was hard to figure him out and he is definitely hiding something. His demeanor toward Ellie is anything but friendly when they first meet but after finishing, I now know why. His side of the story fascinated me; he is full of secrets both good and bad. I did feel for him at certain points because I knew he was going to do something extreme, but in the end he really cares for Ellie. I’m going to root for him no matter what; I’ll just hope that Ellie can figure out what to do next.

Overall this was another win for Swank, she is a wonderful writer who always knows how to keep her plotlines super intriguing and the suspense all the way until the final page. The mythology was really well done; I love the history of the Curse Keepers, along with the gods and spirits. There are still many questions I have but mostly the end closed up a lot of the loose ends. There is a cliffhanger but not one that will have the readers going crazy for to having wait too long. But nonetheless I seriously can’t wait for the next book. The mystery, romance, mythology and paranormal elements that make up this story will hook anyone from beginning to end.

RECOMMENDATION:

This is a new adult book with some sexual content meant for readers 18 and older. Fans of Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series and Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series will love The Curse Keepers.

View all my reviews

ABOUT Denise Grover Swank:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies include witty Facebook comments (in own her mind) and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks. She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.

You can find out more about Denise and her other books at: www.denisegroverswank.com.

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Blog | Website | Author Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Author Goodreads

{Blitz Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway} of My Date From Hell

Happy Halloween!! Check out the Excerpt and Giveaway for the My Date from Hell tour for Tellulah Darling.

My Date From Hell
Tellulah Darling
(The Blooming Goddess Trilogy #2)
Publication date: October 31st 2013
Genres: Comedy, Mythology, Young Adult

BLURB:

Sophie Bloom’s junior year has been a bit of a train wreck. After the world’s greatest kiss re-awakened Sophie’s true identity as Persephone (Goddess of Spring and Savior of Humanity), she fought her dragon-lady guidance counselor to the death, navigated mean girl Bethany’s bitchy troublemaking, and dealt with the betrayal of her backstabbing ex, Kai (sexy Prince of Darkness). You’d think a girl could catch a break.

Yeah, right.

With Zeus stepping things up, it’s vital that Sophie retrieve Persephone’s memories and discover the location of the ritual to stop Zeus and Hades. So when Aphrodite strikes a deal that can unlock Sophie’s pre-mortal past, what choice does the teen goddess have but to accept?

The mission: stop media mogul Hermes from turning Bethany into a global mega-celebrity. The catch? Aphrodite partners Sophie and Kai to work together … and treat this suicide mission as a date. Which could work out for Sophie’s plan to force Kai to admit his feelings for her–if she doesn’t kill him first.

Add to that the fact that BFF Theo’s love life and other BFF Hannah’s actual life are in Sophie’s hands, and suddenly being a teenager—even a godlike one—seems a bit like … well, hell. Whatever happened to dinner and a movie?

The YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology fireworks continue to fly in My Date From Hell. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book two of this teen fantasy romance series. Breaking up is easy; dating is deadly.

Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon  PROMO PRICE: On Oct 31 (launch day) and Nov 1, My Date From Hell will be 99 cents on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1auqxsM - Anyone posting on Oct 30- Nov 1 please mention this in your post.

AUTHOR BIO
Tellulah Darling
noun
1. YA Novelist
2. Alter ego of former screenwriter and instructor
3. Sassy minx

Geeks out over: cool tech.
Squees for: great storytelling.
Delights in: fabulous conversation.
Writes about: where love meets comedy. Awkwardness ensues.

LINK:
Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

EXCERPT:

Aphrodite pointed her gun at me again, kind of casually. “Your problem is you’re too hung up on the past. You gotta move forward with yer life.”

I heard Hannah give a smothered laugh.

“You got this cutie pie in love with ya, and instead of enjoying his company, all you do is whine.” With a quick flick, Aphrodite opened the cylinder to reload.

“He’s not in love,” I said.

She peered at Kai. “Whattya talkin’ about? Sure he is. Everyone knows Kyrillos loves Persephone.”

“I’m Sophie,” I ground out.
She waved the gun around. “Ya ya. That too.”
That too? I took a deep breath, folded my fingers over my palms and looked slightly to the left of her in case I accidentally started blasting. Didn’t want to go down in history as the girl who killed the Goddess of Love.

“Nope. It’s just desire,” I said with faked calm. “Kai is so resistant to the idea of being in love with me that your arrows don’t work. Besides which, when he actually does fall so hard for me that he doesn’t know which way is up, I want him to know he chose that of his own free will. That he chose me.” I threw him a sweet smile.

“Chose you?” Kai got this look of “have we had this conversation before?” on his face. My smile got tight.

Aphrodite scooped up a saclike pink purse laying on the ground. She rooted around in it. “Desire is part of romantic love, silly,” she said to me.

She pulled out a handful of bullets and dumped them in Festos’ hurriedly outstretched hands before turning back to Kai. She gestured with the still-open chambered revolver toward him. “Your body knows what’s what. Stop fighting it.”

Kai glowered at her.
She laughed it off, reloading. “And you,” Aphrodite said to me, as she plucked more bullets from Festos’ hand to load into the chamber. “Yer just as bad with your own issues.”

She couldn’t know about my insecurities around Persephone could she? Aphrodite narrowed her eyes at me. I gulped.

Aphrodite shot me a look of disgust and popped the final bullets into the chambers. She gestured at each of us in turn with one pink, sparkly manicured finger. “I’m gonna start gettin’ real mad about how youse is all dealin’ with love.”

“There’s a whole bunch of drags around here where love is concerned,” Festos agreed.

“Thanks so much for inviting him along,” Theo said to me.

I grimaced an apology at Theo, then shot back at Festos, “Seems there’s a whole bunch of dogs here, too.” I looked between him and Kai.

“Oh don’t forget Pierce,” Festos replied cheerfully. “He’s a total mimbo.” “He is not,” Hannah defended. “He’s pure love.”
Aphrodite threw her a fond smile. “I like you, girlie.”
“Love in name, hormones in game,” Theo countered.

“Look at us all in agreement,” Festos replied.
“No, because you’re talking about lust,” I protested.
“Lust is pretty good too,” Aphrodite said, “but it ain’t nothin’ like the real thing.” She clicked the cylinder into place and looked at me. “We got a deal? You’ll get Jack to kill the campaign?”

“You’ll undo the love thing?” I asked.

“Nope. You could do with a little love in your life. Kyrillos is obviously brimming with love for ya now,” she ignored Kai’s snort, “so you’re gonna enjoy it.”

“Meaning what?” I asked.

“A date,” Kai piped up. “I’d say I’m ready now.” He arched an eyebrow as if to say “ball’s in your court.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” I slid my arm around his waist and pressed myselF up against his side.

A look of surprise flashed across his face. “Perfect.”
I could outdate him any place, any time. I brightened. This was going to be fun. The touching part wasn’t a downside either.

“The fate of the world does dee-pend on you loving each other,” Aphroditesaid. “So, good. We’ll start with a date.”

“Still say it’s a euphemism,” Festos burst out. “And Kai doesn’t date.”
Kai snaked his arm around my waist before pressing his fingertips into my hip. “Never wanted to before. Sophie’s the exception.”

“The euphemistic exception?” Festos asked.
“Shut up,” Kai and I fired at him in tandem. Festos took it in stride, waggling his eyebrows cheerfully at Theo whO pretended to look disapproving but totally wasn’t. Even Hannah didn’t bother to hide her smile.

“Only thing is,” I told Aphrodite, “I have to be back at school by Sunday morning. I have a meeting I can’t miss. So I’ll have to get this thing with Jack done quickly to have time for the date.”

“Going together to find Hermes is the date.” Aphrodite looked at me like I was an idiot. “You two need as much together time as possible.”

No way. I needed all my wits about me to handle Kai. Something that couldn’t happen if I had to track down Hermes at the same time. I tried a new tactic. “A date involves dinner and a movie. Something romantic. Finding Hermes hardly counts.”

She pinned me in her gaze. “Had so miny of them, Miz Expert? All a date is, is two people spendin’ time to deepen their attraction.”

“Or kill it,” Hannah piped up. Aphrodite scrunched up her nose. “Huh?”
“There are far more first dates than second,” Hannah explained. “Which means that after spending time, those people realized they were not a match.” “What she said,” I seconded.

Aphrodite narrowed her eyes at Hannah. “I don’t get ya. You talk like that but you’re so brim up with love.”

“I’m a confounding enigma,” Hannah replied cheerfully. Aphrodite threw her hands up. “Enough’a this nonsense. You’ll go together to find Hermes. And you’ll be date-like doin’ it.”

That sounded like a threat. “Almost like you planned it that way,” I said to Kai.

His smile grew wider as he gave my waist a squeeze. “Told you I get what I want. Feel free to let that sink in.”

1 ebook of My Date from Hell