31 July 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West




Waiting on Wednesday is my weekly post where I obsess over the shiny new books  I cannot wait to read!

This week in a break from the norm I'm waiting on a book which has already been released (albeit only just) and is right at the top of my TBR list... 
The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
 
What they say: Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.
 
Why I'm waiting on The Distance Between Us:
 
  • The reviews by most of the blogs I follow are really good.
  • I find the complicated backgrounds of the two MC's really interesting.
  • It has a cute cover.
  • The blurb has me really intrigued.
  • The sneak peaks are GOOD!





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Summer Giveaway Hop 2013



Because the Summer has most defo arrived in the UK I couldn't resist celebrating summer by signing up for the Summer Giveaway Hop! This hop is being co-hosted by Mary from BookHounds and Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer!


 I'm offering a $10 or £10 Amazon Gift Card so you can pick a book (depending on where you live - $ for Amazon US & £ for Amazon UK)!

To enter the GIVEAWAY just fill out the rafflecopter form using any or all of the options below, they are: Follow on Facebook, follow @ziliinthesky on Twitter, follow the blog (you can pick whether on Google+, BlogLovin', email or subscribe) and also tweet mentioning the giveaway & blog)!!


The Hop runs from 1st to 7th August - so wotcha wait for, go win stuff!?

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Hop Rules:
  • You must host a giveaway on your site, you are responsible for obtaining a prize for giveaway and taking care of the shipping charges.
  • You must giveaway something a reader, author or blogger would enjoy.
  • Your giveaway post must include the hop image &  linky (or links to the host’s sites if you can’t get the linky to work).
  • Please only 1 mandatory entry – all others must be optional – Keep It Simple! No long lists of things for people to do. If you have dozens of things for people to do I will delete your blog from the linky.
  • Your post must be live by 12:01 EST on August 1st (That is 9 pm July 31st if you live in California)
  • The giveaway must be specifically for this hop.
  • Your site must be family friendly – no erotica or 18+ sites. Your site & giveaway must be free of steamy images and book covers. If it would embarrass me to have my teenagers see it, it can’t be on your site.
  • It is your responsibility to check the linky on August 1st to be sure you are still on the linky and that your link is accurate. Please send me a direct link to your post when it goes live to BOOKHOUNDS@HOTMAIL.COM
  • If you are using Rafflecopter set it to begin on July 31st and to end on August 8th, 12:01 AM  Do not use the Point Values +4, +5, +10
To sign up to host a giveaway add your blog to the linky. Please include your shipping info in parenthesis following your blog name (US) (US/Can) (INT) – if you don’t include shipping info I will assume you are shipping to US only and edit the linky for you.



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30 July 2013

Review: Breathe (Sea Breeze #1) Abbi Glines

 
What they say: Sadie White's summer job isn't going to be on the beach life-guarding or working at rental booths like most kids her age. With her single mother's increasing pregnancy and refusal to work, Sadie has to take over her mother's job as a domestic servant for one of the wealthy summer families on a nearby island.

When the family arrives at their summer getaway, Sadie is surprised to learn that the owner of the house is Jax Stone, one of the hottest teen rockers in the world. If Sadie hadn't spent her life raising her mother and taking care of the house she might have been normal enough to be excited about working for a rock star.

Even though Sadie isn't impressed by Jax's fame, he is drawn to her. Everything about Sadie fascinates Jax but he fights his attraction. Relationships never work in his world and as badly as he wants Sadie, he believes she deserves more. By the end of the summer, Jax discovers he can't breathe without Sadie.
 
What I say: I have been meaning to start the Sea Breeze series for a while now, but hadn't previously found the time. I read the updated and extended version of Breathe, which is apparently fairly different from the original and is told in dual POV by Sadie and Jax (and is sexier). This is the version I'll be referring to in my review!
 
Sadie White is a caring, beautiful and undervalued 17-year-old, with an irresponsible mother and a hard home life. The summer before her senior year of high school she takes over her pregnant mother's maid job. Sadie ends up working for teen rockstar and heartthrob Jax Stone. Jax spends every summer in Sea Breeze hiding from obsessed fans and overzealous press, whilst trying to be a normal teen.
 
I think you can imagine where the story goes, but it did take some unexpected, interesting and downright annoying turns. Certain parts of the story reminded me of Unmaking Hunter Kennedy (although there are many differences).
 
Sadie was a contradiction of sorts; both strong when needed to be, but also vulnerable and naïve. When it came to her mother Jessica, I found Sadie too forgiving and (for want of a better word) too nice! Yes, I felt sorry for Jessica after what happened with Sam, but that doesn't in any way make up for the previous 17 years.
 
I liked Jax but wanted to smack him when he started channelling Edward Cullen a la New Moon. I also found myself getting cross at their insta-love. Plus their conversations seemed unnatural at times and too soppy for real life teens. However, there were some really sweet moments and I really wanted them to get their HEA.
 
Marcus was my favourite character and I'm definitely going to read the next book in the series Because of Low in the hope that he will get his HEA. But in Breathe he was a wonderful friend to Sadie and helped her when Jax couldn't or didn't. Other than the odd moment, he wasn't overly pushy with Sadie and just wanted her to be happy.
 
In general I enjoyed Breathe, but it wasn't as good as other Abbi Glines books and I found the language slightly lacking at times. It was a sweet story, and if I were a teenager again, then I'm sure I would have found Jax's singing swoon worthy.
 
3 Stars in my Sky!
 
My fav non-spoilery quotes:
  • "You're everything I write about in my songs but can never have."
  • Oh, God. I liked dirty talk. I didn't know it until this moment, but I did. I liked it a lot.
  • "He seems like a man who knows what he wants, and the problem is, he wants what I want. If it were anything or anyone else, I could stand back and let him take it."
 
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29 July 2013

Review: Rocked Under by Cora Hawkes

 
What they say: Falling in love isn't always easy or pleasant. The intense and angst-filled story of Emma and Scott is a painful, gut-wrenching and exhausting portrayal of how hard it can be to let go...

Picking up the pieces and starting again in the US, Emma enrols in college with her cousin, Ashley. She is finally free to do what she wants and live how she chooses, and no man will ever rule her decisions or emotions again.

That is, until Scott Mason walks on stage...

Intense bad boy Scott is the lead singer of a popular local rock band. A ladies’ man and Ashley's long-time friend, Scott holds an instant fascination for Emma — she finds herself drawn to him, even though he represents everything she hates and needs to stay away from in a guy. He treats females like he does a cigarette — light it, use it, and lose it.

For her cousin's sake, Emma makes an effort to get along with Scott, but she soon discovers that there is more to him than first appears, making him even more dangerous in her eyes. Behind the façade of friendship, jealousy, obsession, fear and insecurity fester — an internal battle rages as she fights her attraction and does everything she can to stop history from repeating itself.

One thing she knows for sure is that if she breaks her rule, it may destroy her.

Warning: Contains mature content — recommended age 17+
 
What I say: Holy Moly! Rocked Under is one hell of an emotional read! Emma has moved from England to the States to start Uni and live with her cousin Ashley. Emma is immediately drawn to Ash's rocker friend, the gorgeous man-whore Scott.
 
Cora Hawkes really puts her characters through the ringer in Rocked Under and the reader is drawn in to Emma and Scott's emotional journey. The first time I read Rocked Under I both loved and hated it in equal measures. Emma has some serious issues with trust. Because of her fathers mistakes Emma refuses to be drawn into a relationship with a badboy like Scott. This results in vast amounts of pain and some pretty messed up situations.
 
At times Emma reminded me of Abby from Beautiful Disaster. Through her denial she hurts them both. Scott is completely besotted with Emma and tries everything to win her over, but some of his methods leave a lot to be desired - Boys, bringing other girls home to make a girl jealous is always gonna bite ya in the butt!

I liked Scott and really felt for him when Emma couldn't seem to cut him loose but wouldn't date him. BUT he does do some pretty shitty things. In many ways Scott was a musician version of Travis Maddox, but with even more issues.
 
Emma tries dating the somewhat sneaky Adam to convince herself she doesn't want or need Scott, whilst Scott er 'dates' *ahem* hooks up with a lot of women. I really wanted them to get their act together and for Emma to stop denying the inevitable.
 
I enjoyed the angst in this one, even if I did suffer heart palpitations on several occasions. It's a good book and if you like emotional scenes then you'll enjoy Rocked Under.
 
4 Stars in my Sky!
 
My fav non-spoilery quotes:
  • "It’s the person you are inside that counts and you’re beautiful. You’re beautiful outside, too, but that’s not what’s got to me."
  • "I had no intention of getting involved with a tattooed, spikey-haired rock dude who wore his waistband under his ass cheeks, slept around and had commitment issues. Those were the types that had me running from the hills." 
  • "One day, Scott, you're going to fall in love and I hope she's the one to say no to you and makes you chase her forever."
  • "It's always been you. I’m incapable of loving anyone else. It's you or no one."
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Cover Reveal: Sweet Deception by Grace Henderson


Cover Reveal: Sweet Deception
Grace Henderson




Release date: August 21st 2013
Cover design by Viola Estrella


Three years ago, tragedy struck Cassie Wilson’s family and pushed her away from her hometown. Now, one phone call pulls her right back…

Cassie’s had more than her fair share of heartbreak and the last thing on her mind is finding love. But when she meets the charming, arrogant and drop-dead gorgeous Blake Richards, she has to decide whether she can open up her heart to him.


Blake has a bad rep with women but that doesn’t stop them lining up to spend the night with him. What he wants, he gets. And he wants Cassie.

The attraction is obvious, but Cassie soon realises he’s holding something back. When his past threatens to destroy his future, will he share his most guarded secret with her? A secret that connects them both, in ways neither could have imagined.



About the Author:
 
When Grace isn't working her day job, she is huddled in the corner writing or reading romance novels. Having always loved reading, it was only after changing jobs and having to put up with a long commute that it took over as an obsession. Now there isn't a day goes by that she lets her Ipad out of sight. She lives in the UK with her husband and two cats, and has a BA in Business Management. She is a compulsive tea drinker and a sucker for a 'happily ever after.'
 
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28 July 2013

Review: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

 
What they say: Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster.

Can you love someone too much?

Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.
 
 
 
What I say: Like SO many others I really enjoyed Beautiful Disaster and found myself quickly engrossed in the complicated relationship between Abby 'Pigeon' Abernathy and Travis 'Mad dog' Maddox. For the purpose of this review I'm going to presume you're familiar with Abby and Travis's story from book #1.
 
The only problem I really had with book #1 was how Abby treated Travis. I felt she messed him around too much and didn't give him enough credit for trying to change. I also found her a bit whiny at times, but I still enjoyed their story in Beautiful Disaster. I was extremely excited when I discovered that Jamie McGuire had retold the whole story from Travis's POV.
 
Thankfully in Walking Disaster McGuire has totally delivered! Not only do we get the scenes from book #1 Travis style, but McGuire also added lots of brand new scenes. I felt this helped to gain a much better understanding of Travis.
 
At times it was heart-breaking to see how unhappy Travis was and his almost obsessive love for Abby. Seeing certain scenes from Travis's POV made me want to harm Abby, until I remembered a lot of her actions were as a result of her awful father. Travis isn't completely innocent though; he baits Abby, almost stalks her and totally overreacts a lot of the time. These extreme emotions are totally alien to him and he has absolutely no idea how to handle them.
 
I had forgotten how much they squabble, and how long Abby makes Travis wait. I loved how dysfunctional and beautiful they were together, and how in the long run, they both wanted the same thing. A great story and a real treat to have a whole book in the guy's POV!

4 Stars in my Sky!

My fav non-spoilery quotes:
  • "You Travis Maddox, are kinda sexy when you're not being a whore."
  • "Abby, She's a pigeon. A demonic pigeon that f**ks with my head so bad I can't think straight."
  • Did women deserve to be treated like sluts? No. Did sluts deserve to be treated like sluts? Yes. I was a slut.
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Book Blast: Dare Me by Eric Devine

 
 
 
 
Dare Me by Eric Devine
Book Blast and trailer
 
 
 
 
 
 

When Ben Candido and his friends, Ricky and John, decide to post a YouTube video of themselves surfing on top of a car, they finally feel like the somebodies they are meant to be instead of the social nobodies that they are. Overnight, the video becomes the talk of the school, and the boys are sure that their self-appointed senior year of dares will live in infamy. Every dare brings an increased risk of bodily harm, but Ben cannot deny the thrill and sense of swagger that come with it. The stakes become even more complex when a mysterious donor bankrolls their dares in exchange for a cut in the online revenue the videos generate. But at what point do the risk and the reward come at too high of a price? What does it take to stay true to one’s self in the face of relentless pressure?





About the Author:
Eric Devine is the Young Adult fiction author of Dare Me (pub. date 10/8/13), Tap Out and This Side of Normal
He is also a high school English teacher and education consultant. 
Eric married his high school sweetheart, and together they are raising two daughters in Upstate, NY.
He is represented by Kate McKean of the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency
Both Dare Me and Tap Out are edited by Lisa Cheng and published by Running Press.

 
About the Giveaway:
1 Winner will get this awesome t-shirt +
an ARC of DARE ME by Eric Devine

Must be 13+ To Enter – Shipping in the US Only
 
  
 
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27 July 2013

Review: Jet by Jay Crownover

 
Jet is book #2 in Jay Crownover's Marked Man series (book #1 is the awesome Rule)!
 
What they say: With his tight leather pants and a sharp edge that makes him dangerous, Jet Keller is every girl’s rock and roll fantasy. But Ayden Cross is done walking on the wild side with bad boys. She doesn’t want to give in to the heat she sees in Jet’s dark, haunted eyes. She’s afraid of getting burned from the sparks of their spontaneous combustion, even as his touch sets her on fire.

Jet can’t resist the Southern Belle with mile-long legs in cowboy boots who defies his every expectation. Yet the closer he feels to Ayden, the less he seems to know her. While he’s tempted to get under her skin and undo her in every way, he knows firsthand what happens to two people with very different ideas about relationships.

Will the blaze burn into an enduring love. . . or will it consume their dreams and turn them to ashes?
 
 
What I say: I loved Rule the first book in Jay Crownover's Marked Man series about tattooed badboys and the girls who tame them, and so I couldn't wait to read Jet. Crownover has again used the dual POV formula which worked so well in Rule, but this time the story is told by Ayden Cross (Shaw's bestie from book #1) and Jet Keller (Rule and the other tattoo artists singer friend).

I have absolutely no intension of spoiling any of Jet by giving a run down of the plot because Jet and Ayden's story really deserves to be experienced fully, but I'll give a brief overview. Jet still carries the scars of a horrible childhood and dysfunctional parents. He's seen his father mistreat, manipulate, use and cheat on his mother and is terrified of ending up like his father. Ayden has build a new life for herself away from her irresponsible mioher and criminal brother. She is determined to live the American dream with a good job, husband and stable family life; she has no place for badboy musicians like Jet, but of course they are insanely attracted to each other...

I can completely understand why both Jet and Ayden behave they way they do and it's easy to see what motivated them. I loved Adyen's friendship with Cora, and their ranking system for Jet's one night stands had me in stiches! It was great to see how Rule and Shaw's relationship had progressed and to catch up with the other characters from book #1. 

There's a decent amount of drama and tension, although I did think some of Jet and Ayden's character traits were borrowed from Rule and Shaw. I also remembered Ayden being a lot more forward than she was at the beginning of Jet. As the plot developed we got to read Ayden's thoughts and motivations it became clear that who she was and who she thought she should be were completely different, but therein lies the fun!

A good follow up, although I still slightly preferred Rule but I'm looking forward to Rome's story coming up next.
 
4 Stars in my Sky!
 
My fav non-spoilery quotes:
  • No boy should be that good-looking, especially when half his face had holes and jewellery in it.
  • "This Ayden is the one who has to decide why she is settling for mil and cookies when what she wants is edible body paint and furry handcuffs."
  • "I think you're just pissed Miley Cyrus copied your haircut and you're taking it out on innocent girls across the land."
  • "By the way, she was totally a ten when I saw her this morning, so way to go killer."
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Book Blitz: The Wind Whisperer by Krista Holle

 
The Wind Whisperer by Krista Holle
 
 
What they say (book info): At fifteen, Anaii is the most important member of her tribe—and the most mysterious.  Ever since Anaii can remember, the spirits of the wind have whispered of fertile hunting grounds and imminent enemy attacks.  But when her people are ambushed by a brother clan without any apparent cause, the spirits remain eerily silent.
 
As the village prepares to retaliate, Anaii is pressured by her best friend, Elan, to marry him.  It’s an old plea—Elan has spent a lifetime loving her, but Anaii only sees a childhood playmate out of an imposing warrior.  Stifled by Elan’s insistence, Anaii escapes into the forest where she meets Jayttin, the beautiful son of the enemy chief. 
 
Enamored by Jayttin’s carefree spirit and hope for peace, she repeatedly sneaks away to be with him, but when her deception is discovered, Elan is devastated.  Pledging his lifelong affection, Elan gives her a passionate kiss, and Anaii begins to see her friend in a new light. 
 
While Anaii is tormented over which man she must choose, the wind whispers of a new threat that could destroy both tribes.  Only a union will afford a chance at survival, but the reality of that union is based on one thing—which man Anaii chooses to die.
 
 


Author Bio: Krista has been writing since she was nine-years-old when she scribbled out her first adolescent work entitled Merish, the completely illogical but heartfelt story of a girl who was part mermaid, part fish.  As a young mother, Krista added to her repertoire some middle grade readers and picture books she’s wary of mentioning. 
 
In 2004, Krista began an intensive four year period working part-time as a critical care nurse while homeschooling her four children.  During this hectic time, courses of writing were taught and learned, and rules of syntax were scolded to memory. Ironically this period of study equipped Krista with the tools she needed to enter the next phase of her writing experience. 
Now equipped with the mysteries of the comma, Krista was ready to tackle a much bigger project—a full-fledged novel.
 
After the kids were enrolled in public school in 2009, it occurred to Krista that there is an insatiable audience of women and girls who want to read books filled with stories about true love, not just vampires.  Convinced that there was an unfulfilled audience waiting for what she love to write—love stories, she sat down in the family’s dungeon, a.k.a. the basement, and began to furiously type.  In no time, her first novel was drying on crisp white paper. 
 
Krista currently resides in Montpelier, Virginia with her husband, four daughters, and an eccentric cat with a weird attachment to the family’s socks.  She continues to write obsessively every chance she can get and will be releasing her second novel this Fall.
Book and Author Links:
 
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26 July 2013

Review: FRIGID by J. Lynn

 
I took part in both the cover and trailer reveals for Frigid and so I was extremely excited to get my hands on a copy of J. Lynn/Jennifer L. Armentrout's lastest New Adult creation!
 
What they say: For twenty-one-year-old Sydney, being in love with Kyler isn't anything new. They'd been best friends ever since he pushed her down on the playground and she made him eat a mud pie. Somewhere over the years, she fell for him and fell hard. The big problem with that? Kyler puts the 'man' in man-whore. He's never stayed with a girl longer than a few nights, and with it being their last year in college, Syd doesn't want to risk their friendship by declaring her love.

Kyler has always put Syd on a pedestal that was too high for him to reach. To him, she's perfect and she's everything. But the feelings he has for her, he's always hidden away or focused on any other female. After all, Kyler will always be the poor boy from the wrong side of tracks, and Syd will always be the one girl he can never have.

But when they're stranded together at a posh ski resort due to a massive Nor'easter, there's nothing stopping their red-hot feelings for each other from coming to the surface. Can their friendship survive the attraction? Better yet, can they survive at all? Because as the snow falls, someone is stalking them, and this ski trip may be a life-changer in more ways than one.
 
What I say: I'm a sucker for a best friend love story and Frigid fully lived up to my expectation. There's something really interesting about friends who are secretly in love with each other. I think it's because it always leads to a whole heap of angst and holds the potential for huge embarrassment and sexy times!

Frigid is told in dual POV shared between Syd (Sydney) and Kyler (although a lot more is told from Syd's perspective). Uni students Syd and Kyler have been best friends since they were kids and are pretty much inseparable.

Syd is shy, petite and reserved, where as Kyler is outgoing, confident and er very successful with the ladies *ahem* man-whore! What I found really sweet, funny and at times extremely maddening, was how oblivious Syd and Kyler were to each others feelings. Their feelings for each other, were to be honest, glaringly obvious.

Syd's cruel ex called her frigid, leaving her broken and feeling unworthy. She doesn't think uber hot Kyler would ever see her as more than a friend. Kyler on the other hand, can have any and every girl except Syd (or so he thinks). He's put Syd on an unreachable pedestal, sleeping around because he doesn't feel worthy of her. Yes I know, I wanted to smack the pair of them at times!

Syd and Kyler end up stranded at Kyler's Mum's Ski Cabin in a massive snowstorm, hence the double meaning of the title. They end up in several compromising situations and are finally forced to deal with their feelings. There were of course a lot of avoidable misunderstandings, but due to their history and Kyler's er 'free' ways, I can understand why Syd reacts how she does.

When Jennifer gets her J. Lynn head on you can expect some naughty fun and smexyness! There are some HOT scenes and so Frigid is definitely New Adult or Adult and not for younger readers.

I loved Syd, she was absolutely hilarious and really unfortunate! I spent half of the book almost snorting with laughter (yep a sexy image I know) and the rest torn between wanting to cry when they couldn't seem to get their act together and wanting to smack Kyler for constantly resisting the obvious. Kyler's POV chapters were a great edition, and the scene where he couldn't remember Mindy/Cindy/whatsername's name was a hoot! I loved how protective he was of Syd, and the tattoo scene = Wow!

Anyway I think you can guess how much I really enjoyed Frigid, but then again I am a huge fan of Jennifer's books and I love her writing style. If you like your contemporary romances with a side order of angst, humour and sexy times then you'll love Frigid. Also as a big fan of snowboarding and winter sports, I could totally picture the cabin and  being stranded in the snow.
 
4.5 Stars in my Sky!
 
My fav non-spoilery quotes:
  • For the first time in  my life I was literally stuck between two boys. Huh. And here I thought it would be more fun.
  • The whole thing was about ten levels of awkward and a basement full of please-kill-me-now.
  • "What else do I deserve?" One side of his lips  tipped up. "Everything, baby, you deserve everything."
  • Sometimes I had no idea how I ended up in situations like this. Okay. That was a bald-faced lie. What was between my legs was how I ended up in situations like this.
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Reading Addiction Blog Tours Summer Discount

 


Time is almost up to take advantage of the Reading Addiction Blog Tours Summer Discount. All Tours/PROMO's must start before August 31st to be eligible. 

*Note, there is a 2-week notice for all PROMO's and a 4-week notice for all Tours! So make sure you book ASAP! *


Summer Discount PROMOTION

Reading Addiction Blog Tours will is offering 15% Off to
All Authors who book a Tour/PROMO this summer!
(Tours must start by August 31st)
Contact us HERE and mention the CODE WORD: SUMMER





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Book Blitz: Master of Plagues by D.B. Reynolds



 
 
YA Fantasy
Date Published: 8/16/2012
 
 
Mystical powers. Cosmic adventure. Universally dynamic forces. A gifted individual has been commissioned to take part in of all these phenomenal occurrences.
 
     Stuart Duffelmeyer is an NYU student who is targeted by eight of his egomaniacal college classmates once they learn he wants to find a beautiful date for the night. His classmates lure him to a sleazy motel where they play out a heinous prank. His night ends in utter disappointment after learning that his classmates only used him for their perverted entertainment purposes. Stuart suffered severely as a result of their callous behavior and feels he must get even with his tormentors.
 
     A chance encounter allows him to discover a magical Hebrew talisman with indescribable powers. Stuart is taken away from Earth and into the far regions of another galaxy once the talisman is consecrated. The spirit of his one-time chief advisor, Rabbi Irwin Wedemeyer, explains to him that the talisman will grant him miraculous powers over all the creatures and elements of the Earth. Rabbi Wedemeyer insists that Stuart not abuse the powers bestowed upon him. He returns to Earth and quickly seeks out his vengeance.
 
     Stuart’s absolute domination over Earthly creatures and elements brings plagues of unspeakable horrors into the lives of his one-time tormentors. He finds closure once his former college classmates return to offer their apologies to him. He also finds fulfillment by using his powers to intercept the transgressive acts inflicted by the immoral people of society. This stirring tale delivers the purest message of magic and morality.
 
 




Excerpt:
Megan remained the only hospital employee inside the break room. She couldn’t get the phenomenal event inside the ER out of her mind. With no warning, whatsoever, the door to the break room slammed hard enough to shake the adjacent walls. Chairs from surrounding tables tumbled sideways and backwards. The vending machines shook until the sodas and snacks fell to the bottom. A strong wind blew through the cracks of the windows. An unexplainable burst of dim light spilled into the break room.
     Megan jumped right out of her seat.
     Slowly, she backed away towards the closest wall.
     “What in the world’s going on in here!” she chattered, frightened into the coldest chills.
     Tiny ants, literally thousands of them, crawled from behind the vending machines.
     Through the cracks of the windows, and through the main break door, they showed up in record numbers. Up from the white tile across the floor, they made their presence known. Supernaturally, Megan watched as one particular red imported fire ant grew from a tiny insect into a large, human-sized ant. Other colony members grew to great sizes. Their instantaneous growth stunned Megan. From the midst of the now colossal-sized ants, came the supreme glowing presence of Queen Amina. The Queen fired a burst of light from her antennaes. The whole room lit up with a powerful red glow.    
     Megan picked up one of the chairs and threw it at Queen Amina. Her attempt to hurt the queen was foolish. The chair went through her like thin air. She tried running for the door. Other colony members intercepted her. The giant ants covered every inch of space inside the break room. Megan turned over several tables in attempts to barricade herself. She threw more chairs at the Queen and colony members.
 
 
Author Bio: D. B. Reynolds is an author, screenwriter, computer expert, and a chartered member of the Writer’s Guild Association, the Writer’s Lab and the Writer’s Place.  D. B. has published articles on various subjects in several literary magazines. In 2002, he made a guest appearance on the nationally-syndicated television show,  The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, to talk about his experiences in foster care and the present state of foster care. His newly published fantasy novel, Master of Plagues, was written to enlighten readers about the powerful correlation between magic and morality. D. B. currently resides in his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri.


 
Website:  www.dbreynolds.net
Twitter:  @SUCCESS4DR



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