What I'm Reading: June

Today is the first official day of summer! Luckily, I'll be on vacation soon and I plan to beat the heat by the pool or at the beach. Speaking of vacation, while I'm gone for about a month, I won't be posting to the blog. This "What I'm Reading" post will be the final post for June. Now let's get to the books!

Title: The Offer
Series: Succubus Bargain #1
Author: L.L. Frost
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
For fans of: RH, Serials, Urban Fantasy
Book Blurb:
In a world where demons live in hiding among humans, Adeline Pond finds herself in a bit of a bind. Locked out of dreamland, she’s looking for a way to feed without draining humans dry. With her love of baking, Adie may have found her solution. Open a bakery! The joy of sweet treats is the perfect recipe for a demon like her. 

But a chance encounter may halt her plans before they start to rise. Somehow, Adie has drawn the attention of three sexy demons, and they offer her one hell of a bargain. 

Join Adie on her (mis)adventures toward achieving a quasi-normal life among humans. 


Title: Solace Island
Series: Standalone
Author: Sara Flynn
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
For fans of: Suspense, Strong Women, Close Sisterly-Bonds, Romance
Book Blurb:
Solace Island, a peaceful island village . . . or so Maggie thinks . . .

When Maggie Harris's fiancée dumps her on the eve of their wedding, Maggie retreats to a small island in the Pacific Northwest with her sister Eve to recover from the stunning betrayal. At first Maggie resists Eve’s efforts to rope her into staying in Solace Island, launch their own local bakery, and fix her up with their incredibly handsome neighbor, Luke Benson.

But Maggie is gradually drawn in by the sexy baker and his bear-sized dog. Luke scores his first point when he shares his space with the sisters at the local Solace Island Saturday Market, where he sells his breads. But is this guy with a disarming smile, uncanny wealth and suspiciously hard body a man Maggie can trust? Just when she begins to brush off her misgivings, a car tries to plow into her in town, and Luke springs into action in strange military precision. Who is this guy really?

Luke thought he’d left the high risk security business behind. But he can’t stand by while Maggie’s life is threatened. Luke insists on moving the sisters to his house, taking Maggie into his bedroom—and into his heart. But someone wants Maggie dead. Will she give him the chance to prove to her she can find more than mind-blowing sex in the safety of his arms?

Punctuation 101: The Semicolon

Welcome to the first post in my new "Punctuation 101" series! I've decided to kick off the series with what used to be my least favorite punctuation mark. However, after taking a surprisingly fun grammar class, I have learned to appreciate the semicolon.

As you all know, I read A LOT. And in my reading, I've found that a lot of writers avoid using the semicolon, or they use a comma when they should actually be using a semicolon. I think part of the problem may be that a lot of people do not really understand what the purpose of the semicolon is or how to properly use it in their writing.

If you are one of these befuddled folks who are mystified by the semicolon, have no fear! This post will explain all you need to know about the semicolon.

The semicolon is a very handy punctuation mark. It can separate clauses, emphasize relatedness, clarify lists, and add variety to your writing.

So when exactly should you use a semicolon? There are three possible uses.

1) In a sentence with two independent clauses not linked by a connecting word. 
Basically, if both parts of your sentence could stand alone as their own sentences, then they are independent clauses, and you can link them without using a word like "and" or "but" or "so" by using just a semicolon. These sentences should also be closely related or of equal emphasis; the semicolon helps to visually show that these sentences are closely connected.

Correct: The weather was terrible that morning; the sky was hidden behind dark clouds and thunder rumbled in the distance.
This sentence is correct because the semicolon is linking two related independent clauses and there is no connecting word.

Incorrect: The dog drooled in anticipation as he watched the burger flip in the air; the Robertson's had purchased a new car.
While this sentence does have two independent clauses and no connecting word, a semicolon should not be used in this case because the two clauses are unrelated.

Incorrect: The gown was exquisite; and she looked incredible wearing it.
This sentence is incorrect because there is a connecting word. To fix this sentence, you could remove the "and" or use a comma instead of a semicolon.

2) In a sentence with two independent clauses and a conjunctive adverb or a transition. 
What are conjunctive adverbs you ask? It's just a fancy name for adverbs that link independent clauses. However, therefore, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, consequently, etc. are all conjunctive adverbs. Transition words include for example, in addition, on the other hand, in fact, etc.

Correct: Julia had a traumatic experience involving the circus when she was a little girl; in fact, that childhood trauma has left her with a permanent fear of clowns. 
This sentence is correct because both halves of the sentence could be their own sentences (independent clauses), the clauses are related, and there is a transition.

Incorrect: The pasta is disgusting but the chicken; however, is excellent.
This sentence is incorrect because the part of the sentence after the semicolon is not an independent clause. In this case, "however" is working as a transitional word, not a conjunctive adverb, and the semicolon should be a comma.

3) To help clarify and organize a list or series when individual items in the list/series already use commas. 

Correct: Squeezed into the small tent with me are Sarah and Beth, my best friends; Julie, Sarah's cousin; and Mr. Woofus, who wouldn't stop whining until we let him in.

Correct: San Francisco, California; New York City, New York; and Miami, Florida are all famous cities in the United States.
The two sentences above are correct because they are both lists that already use commas. The semicolons help to organize and separate the the list items.

Incorrect: The lunch menu includes a side salad; sandwich; drink; and cookie.
This sentence uses semicolons incorrectly because there are no commas already being used. This list only needs commas, not semicolons.

If the list gave different options for the menu, then you could use semicolons. For example, the lunch menu includes a side salad; your choice of chicken, ham, or vegetarian sandwich; a water, juice, or soda; and a cookie or brownie.


So there you have it! All the information you need to know about the handy dandy semicolon and how to use (and not use) it in your writing. Go forth and enjoy adding the semicolon to your punctuation toolbox.

"Make Me a Wish" Book Review

Title: Make Me a Wish
Series: The Conduit #1
Authors: K.B. Ladnier & Anita Maxwell
Review: 4 out of 5 stars
Blurb:
"Ever made a wish and had it come true? Well lucky you, because I have never had any of my wishes come true." 

Arsyn Henley has had a rough life growing up. All the universe has ever done, is take every loved one she has ever had and give deep rooted scars—both on the inside and out—in return. When a relative she never knew about dies and leaves her a cabin in the mountains, she's eager to start over with a new life. She could never have guessed her new life would be riddled with secrets about her family, new people to love and most of all magic beyond her wildest dreams. 

Enter the four dashing Kismet brothers who take this broken girl on a metaphorical magic carpet ride through the world of Jinn—beings who grant the wishes of the human race—and slowly put back together her soul with pieces of their own. 

But where there's light, dark is soon to follow. Can she find the strength to accept her new reality and the people who come with it bringing all the beauty of love and light to her? Or will she falter and beckon the darkness to take her away as it's own? 

*This is a 400+ page Reverse-Harem series with some disturbing sequences of events, mild language and is recommended for ages 17+* 

***
Make Me a Wish is a new fantasy RH book featuring wish granting Jinn and their Conduits that fans of RH won't want to miss! 

In addition to creating a unique and magical world, the authors have developed an interesting cast of characters that are easy to love (or hate) and connect to. The main character is Arsyn Henley whose difficult past is etched into her skin in the form of scars. (Readers who may be triggered by scenes of violence should know that Arsyn's abuse is described towards the beginning of the book.) Her silver hair and clearly visible scars across her face set her apart and she's had difficulty growing close to others. She is a brave character who hasn't lost her hope or strength despite numerous hardships. Her luck changes though with the entrance of the Kismet brothers. They are Jinn who have almost given up hope of finding their Conduit. The eldest, Killian, is the protector of the group. Next is Elijah, the voice of reason. Last are the twins, Zach, the calm healer, and Talan, the loving goofball. Each character is great on their own, but the five together as a group is really amazing. There are a lot of fun and sweet moments between Arsyn and the guys, though the romance is slow to build. 

In addition to this main group of characters, there are several important side characters who are not lacking in development either. Through the Kismet brothers, Arsyn gains friends and the family she never had. Adie and Nova are twins and cousins to the Kismet brothers, and they become fast friends of Arsyn. These two girls are hilarious, loyal, and kick-butt. Of course, there's also the required bad guys in the story but I won't go too much into them to avoid giving away spoilers.

The plot centers mostly around Arsyn's discovery of the Jinn and Conduit world as well as the development of her relationship with the Kismet brothers. As Arsyn is drawn more into this new and magical world, she learns that there is danger too in the form of the Sihr Jinn, who are the evil counterparts of their benevolent brethren. While at first these Sihr Jinn don't seem to be an immediate threat, Arsyn and the guys soon learn it is a mistake to underestimate the enemy. The book ends dramatically and on a cliff-hanger, which may upset some readers. Hopefully the sequel will come soon to put us all at ease!

K.B. Ladnier and Anita Maxwell have done a terrific job writing their first book and I look forward to reading the next book in The Conduit series. I would recommend Make Me a Wish to fans of fantasy and RH. 

*Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

What I'm Reading: May

It's hard to believe that another month has passed already! I'm enjoying the change from Winter to Spring though and the chance to read outdoors and soak up the sunshine. I was travelling this month and wasn't able to read quite as often, but I've still got a few book recommendations for the May "What I'm Reading" post.

Title: The Jaguar King
Series: Wild Rites Saga #1
Author: Anna McIlwraith
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
For fans of: shapeshifters, strong heroine, lots of swoon-worthy guys, ancient prophecies
Book Blurb:
Magic is real? Big deal. Bills still gotta be paid. 

Especially when you’re heading into vet med. Emma Chase is nothing special – if anything, with a roomie who turns into a jaguar on a regular basis, she’s the sidekick, not the heroine. Her superpowers have more to do with acing her finals and overworking herself. Knowing her best friend’s secret makes it easier to justify her own inclination to keep people at a distance, but it doesn’t change her life. 

Until others like him show up on her doorstep, convinced she’s the fated savior of their race, telling her she’s destined to command the magic of – well, Emma doesn’t quite catch that part, she’s too busy getting her ass the hell out of there. 

What she does know? The Jaguar King is after her, his rivals want her dead, and she doesn’t have to believe in prophecy to believe they’ll stop at nothing to catch her. 

Violence. Magic. Inappropriate humor. Step into a world of wonder and savagery in a gritty urban fantasy with an unlikely heroine, sizzling heroes, and complicated villains. The Jaguar King is a full-length read and the first in a series, and all the books have satisfying resolutions as well as a series-spanning story arc. Definitely no cliff-hangers – just bad-ass shifters with one goal: claim the prize. Claim the Caller of the Blood.

Title: Magnificent Bastard (Don't judge a book by its title!)
Series: Sexy Flirty Dirty #1
Author: Lili Valente
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
For fans of: explicit romance, friends to lovers, teaching the ex a lesson
Book Blurb:
F*ck Prince Charming. Sometimes, you need a Magnificent Bastard.

Face it, ladies: love sucks and then you cry…while your ex rides off into the sunset banging your best friend.

But why let a break-up end in tears when it can end with sweet revenge? Enter Magnificent Bastard Consulting and me, chief executive bastard. I’ve got it all—looks, brains, a heart of gold, and the killer instinct guaran-damn-teed to make your ex regret the day he said goodbye.

With the help of my virtual assistant, I’ve built an empire giving broken-hearted women the vengeance they deserve, while keeping myself far from the front lines of the heart. Life is a bowl of cherries, until my virtual assistant shows up on my real doorstep for the first time, begging for a Magnificent Bastard intervention of her own. 

Damn... She’s a bona fide sex kitten.

I pride myself on being a true pro, but pretending to be her lover soon leads to giving it to her good, hard, fast, and up against the wall. And somewhere between getting balls deep in my sweet and sexy assistant and watching her ex beg for a second chance, I break every last one of my damn rules—professional and personal.

So what’s my next move? Fight for the girl who makes me want to get up on a white horse and ride to her rescue, or stay a Magnificent Bastard to the end?

Warning: MAGNIFICENT BASTARD is a stand-alone erotic romance told from the
hero’s point of view. No cliffhanger. Lots of dirty talk.

Title: Persuasion
Series: Curse of the Gods #2
Authors: Jane Washington & Jaymin Eve
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
For fans of: RH, clumsy but lovable heroines, Gods/mythology
Book Blurb:
Willa Knight: Dweller? Bad-ass? Notorious pet to five magical beings?

In Blesswood, there are rules, and someone is trying to teach her how to follow them. The only problem is Willa. Which shouldn't be anything new, since she has been a problem since birth - something her pseudo-sister Emmy would agree on.

So it definitely shouldn't be new ... but it is.

Because things are starting to happen that have never happened before.

Things are starting to get ... chaotic.

Writing Practice Prompt #5

It's time for another writing prompt! This prompt will help you to focus on showing character traits rather than telling them to readers. Rather than tell your readers Jane was caring, show Jane taking care of others to highlight that trait. Or instead of telling your readers that Max is socially awkward, show Max fumbling what to say in dialogue or thinking about not knowing how to respond appropriately in situations.

Below I've listed a four different made-up characters and three traits for each of them. Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a scene with two or more of the characters together that highlights the characters' different traits. Be purposeful in deciding the setting of the scene, the actions that each character are doing, and what each character says in dialogue to really show the characters' traits.

Good luck!

Characters:
Adam - nerdy, outgoing, loyal
Clarissa - social-butterfly, a bit self-absorbed, hopeless romantic
Sam - shy, artistic, practical
Alex - flirtatious, athletic, family comes first

So, how did you do? Was this challenge easy or difficult? Feel free to share your scene in the comments! And go ahead and try this with your own characters to see if you can improve showing characterization rather than telling it in your own stories.

Author Interview: Camilla Monk

I had the fabulous honor of (virtually) sitting down with Camilla Monk, author of the Spotless series, for an interview.

This author is as interesting as her characters. The following bio on the"Self-glorification" page of her website features the same humor that's found in her novels:
"Camilla Monk is a virtually unknown author who somehow tricked a bunch of people into publishing books about ostriches and killer platypuses.
A French native who grew up in a Franco-American family, she taught English and French in Tokyo before returning to France to work in advertising. Today, she builds rickety websites for financial companies and lives in Montreal, where she keeps a close watch on the squirrels and complains on a daily basis about the egregious number of Tim Hortons.
Her writing credits include the English resumes and cover letters of a great many French friends, and some essays as well. She’s also the critically acclaimed author of a few passive-aggressive notes pasted in her building’s elevator."

I've read all of the books and am a big fan of Island and March, the two main characters in the series. If you've perused my blog, you might have already seen my reviews for the books: Spotless, Beating Ruby, Crystal Whisperer, and, finally, Butterfly in Amber. If you haven't, you can go ahead and check out my reviews by clicking on the book titles. I highly recommend this series for readers who love action, quirky characters, romance, and lots of humor.

Now, let's get to the good stuff!

What inspired you to write the Spotless series?

My love of spy movies (James Bond!) and trashy novels. Island is probably inspired by Bridget Jones, but also by the stereotypical "Anime girl", a gentle and innocent character. She became a prism through which I could explore your typical spy thriller in a completely different way. I can really say that she came to life, and it was her who gave the other characters their humanity. They can only shine because she shows them to us with an open-mind and a naive kindness.


What is your favorite scene that you've written in the Spotless series so far?

My favorite line is Island squeaking in Spotless #1 that "Antonio will change!". My favorite scene, I'm not sure. I like writing Dries, as a general rule, I love his scenes. I'm also fond of March and Island's last moments together in Spotless #1, and of a scene that you'll discover in Butterfly in Amber, where they reflect on their love story so far, in typical Spotless fashion...

If you could make one character from your books exist in real life, who would you choose and why?

Dries or Stiles? I'd love to sit down with them for a chat.

The fourth book, Butterfly in Amber, recently released this month; will this be the end of the Spotless series or will there be more books to follow?

The big arc ends here, that's for sure, but seeing how readers wanted more, and because it's a bit difficult to part with March and Island after having spent 3 years writing them, I decided to do a fifth book that would be a lighter adventure, something to give closure to the many characters we encountered throughout the series and summon the wacky spirit of the first Spotless. It will also serve as a bridge to my next series, Acies, which is set in Ancient Rome. 

Do you have any other writing projects in the works?

As mentioned above, my next series will be a spin-off of sorts: Acies takes place in Spotless's universe, two thousand years earlier, during Emperor Hadrian's reign...

What is your writing process like?

Thinking, thinking, thinking, writing bits here and there, thinking, listening to music, researching various places, weapons, scientific topics, thinking. OMFG the deadline is near. Writing. 
More seriously, I do write isolated scenes at first, generally over a 3 months period during which the story comes together as an outline with key scenes. Then I order everything with chapters--the number of which I systematically underestimate--and start writing. Often, as I write, I'll get taken in a different direction than the one I had intended, but starting and ending points usually remain the same, what will change is the way I reach that ending (add a new scene, change the order in which some events take place).
I think it's important to have a general idea of where you're going, and I can't stress enough the importance of research: it gives me inspiration, provides a level of detail that makes scenes feel more visceral, and sometimes it can influence the story altogether.

What do you do when you get writer's block? 

I take a bath, and I think while I'm soaking, or I go out and take a long walk, listening to music. As a result, I'm never cleaner than when I'm on a deadline: 3 baths a day! :) Joke aside (but it's true), I think the trick is to take your mind off of the manuscript, breathe some fresh air. Another approach is to write something different: another scene of the book, one that inspires you, or another book altogether.

Do you have any advice for writers and aspiring authors?

I sometimes get asked for advice from writers who are working on their first manuscript. I have to admit that there's not much I can say to help them, except maybe this: find a critic partner early on, to motivate you into writing regularly and actually wrap that book. 
Once you do have a draft, my best advice is to hire a developmental editor. It won't come cheap, and the first editorial letter you'll get will shatter your self-esteem, but you need to that professional eye to gauge your story and make the most of it. Supposing that you have a decent draft, try to query: the process itself is a learning experience, regardless of the outcome. You'll need to be able to pitch your story: if you can't sum up in 3 lines what makes it good or different, then the manuscript isn't ready. It means that it lacks a "spine", a strong concept or narrative choice that you can use to introduce the agent or publisher to your world. For example, if I remember, well, Spotless's early pitch was: "An OCD-ridden hit man, a romance books obsessed nerd, a 2 billion dollars diamond: it cannot end well." There's a lot more to Spotless, and as you see, I didn't even mention Island's virginity, in order not to clutter the pitch with adjectives. But it was enough for several agents to think "okay, this is intriguing."
Lastly, if you go for self-publishing: stay away from vanity publishers offering to edit and produce your books. All you'll get is a crappy, hasty job done by people who are here to make a profit. Find your own editor, cover artist, formatting expert and hire them yourself. Join a community of fellow self-pubbed authors (you have many on Facebook, and forums too, all over the internet). You'll learn more by working directly with professionals, and your money will be better spent.

A big thank you to Camilla Monk for taking the time to answer my questions! And for all of you reading this interview, I hope you've already picked up your own copies of the books to enjoy. But if not, all of the books are available in ebook and paperback format, and the first three are also available as audiobooks, so you can start reading (or listening) to the books in whichever format you prefer today!

What I'm Reading: April

Oops! This post is a little bit late. I've been slacking on the blog because I'm in the middle of starting up an editing business (there will be more news about it in the future, I promise!). Anyways, here are the books I really enjoyed reading in April but didn't have time to write a full review for:

Title: Rose and Thorn
Series: Black Rose Sorceress #2
Author: Connie Suttle
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
For fans of: Fantasy, YA/NA/Adult, Multiple POVs, Strategy/Political Intrigue
Book Blurb:
Crown Prince Thorn: 

I felt defeated. Helpless. If Sherra were alive, why didn't she mindspeak to tell me so? Every day, I floundered against that notion—that if she were alive, she'd have contacted me by now. 

"Don't give up, Thorn," Hunter said softly. "We don't know everything there is to know." 

"Hunter, every day reminds me of how little we actually do know." 

Sherra has not returned to the King. 

Seven months have passed and Kaakos, Ny-nes' leader, is rebuilding his army. His plan is to unleash an onslaught against Az-ca—in retaliation for the destruction of his troops and weapons. 

In Az-ca, the King's health is failing, the enemy is on the march and Merrin and his rogues have forged an alliance with enemy infiltrators. Will the Crown Prince be forced to deal with attacks from both sides, without Sherra's help? 

Will Az-ca survive if Sherra is dead, as so many believe? 

Title: Managed
Series: VIP #2
Author: Kristen Callihan
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
For fans of: NA/Adult, Rock Stars (and their manager), Opposites Attract
Book Blurb:
It started off as a battle of wits. Me: the ordinary girl with a big mouth against Him: the sexy bastard with a big...ego.

I thought I’d hit the jackpot when I was upgraded to first class on my flight to London.

That is until HE sat next to me. Gabriel Scott: handsome as sin, cold as ice. Nothing and no one gets to him. Ever. He’s a legend in his own right, the manager of the biggest rock band in the world, and an arrogant ass who looks down his nose at me.

I thought I’d give him hell for one, long flight. I didn’t expect to like him. I didn’t expect to want him. But the biggest surprise? He wants me too. Only in a way I didn’t see coming.

If I accept his proposal, I leave myself open to falling for the one man I can’t manage. But I’m tempted to say yes. Because the real man beneath those perfect suits and that cool façade just might be the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And I just might be the only one who can melt the ice around his heart.

Let the battle begin…

Title: Beastly Lights
Series: Standalone
Author: Theresa Jane
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
For fans of: NA/Adult, Rock Stars, Modern Beauty & the Beast Retellings
Book Blurb:
Gambled away by her brother, Freya is now bound to the music world's resident bad boy Liam Henderson as his live-in maid.

Freya Coleman is a struggling artist who can hardly get by. With a past she would rather not revisit and a future that didn't extend past her next cup of coffee, something had to change. Freya just didn't know how much.

Liam Henderson lives in the spotlight. His wild nights and latest conquests make every woman want him, and every man want to be him. The rockstar has a carefully constructed persona to keep everyone out. That is, until a drunken night gets out of hand and he finds himself with the winning hand in a poker game, and the prize is a feisty redhead. A prize who just might break down the walls he has been so desperately hiding behind. 

Thrown together, these two are a disaster waiting to happen. A disaster the world is eager to watch and comment on until their fingers drop off. What starts off as a fake relationship to improve Liam’s image, blossoms into so much more, and Freya is swept up into the world of bright lights and illusions. Everyone has an opinion when the lights are shining on their beloved rock god Liam Henderson, and they are eagerly waiting to tear down anyone who is bathed in the famous glow. 

Can happily ever after exist when the whole world is watching?

"Butterfly in Amber" Book Review

Book Title: Butterfly in Amber
Series: Spotless #4
Author: Camilla Monk
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!
Book Blurb:
He's waiting for you...

Under a blanket of snow, surrounded by dark woods and a frozen sea, lies an ogre's castle. There lives a little princess, trapped in the maze of her own mind.
On a battlefield where the past meets the present stand a fairy godmother and a pirate, an old ice cream man and a knight in shining clean armor... 
The clock is ticking fast, and to pierce the ogre's secrets and defeat him, Island Chaptal will have to fight to remember...and stay alive.

Can the Lions and the Roomba cats be stopped before it's too late?

***

What a perfect ending to an amazing series! The only disappointment I really had was that the series is over. 

The fourth and final book in the Spotless series finds Island (who is still a virgin btw) isolated in a winter castle. Island is recovering from her injuries that occurred at the end of "Crystal Whisperer" and the biggest issue is her persisting amnesia. While her "father," doctor, and caretaker, Stiles, try to help Island fill in the blanks in her memory, she has the unsettling feeling that not everything is alright. After months inside the castle, Island is starting to feel stifled and her rebellion leads to some pretty scary consequences. Luckily, before the dastardly plan can be carried out, some returning cast members, including my favorite hit man, come to the rescue! The rest of the novel follows Island, March, and Island's real father trying to fix Island's memory and take down the bad guys. 

As with the previous books in the series, "Butterfly in Amber" features lots of action, cool weaponry, hilarious dialogue, and characters with heart. Readers will experience the full range of emotions. There will be no shortage of laughs or tears in this book! While the ending of the book isn't 100% happy, it is satisfying and Ms. Monk doesn't leave any threads dangling. Not to mention, many fans are sure to be happy that Island FINALLY has sex.

While I'm sad that one of my favorite series is now at an end, I look forward to whatever project Ms. Monk works on next. I suppose I'll have to bide my time waiting for her next book by re-reading the Spotless series!

*Full disclosure: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spring 2017 YA Scavenger Hunt

Have you heard of the YA Scavenger Hunt (YASH)? I hope so! This awesome scavenger hunt is perfect for readers and writers of Young Adult fiction.

So how does it work? If you're an author, you can register to host a stop in the scavenger hunt on your website/blog and participate in the overall giveaway and even add a giveaway of your own on your site. Usually there are a lot of authors involved and they get grouped into teams. When the scavenger hunt starts, readers can choose to join the hunt for one or more teams, going around to each author's website to collect hidden numbers that are then added up and used to enter the drawing for that team's prize (one book from each author in the team).

YASH takes place twice a year and the Spring 2017 hunt is almost upon us! Unfortunately it is too late for authors to sign up to be a part of the hunt and giveaways. But readers should get ready because the hunt only lasts from April 4th @ noon PST to April 9th @ noon PST. On April 11th, the winners of the grand prizes are announced! If you win an author's individual giveaway on their website, the timeline might be a little different.

You can go to the YASH website to take a peek at the history of YASH, more detailed instructions for how to hunt, the authors involved, and most importantly, the prizes! You can also like the YASH Facebook page to get updates on the scavenger hunt.

What I'm Reading: January to March

I LOVE reading. I am a proud, self-proclaimed bookworm (hence the blog title), and I can spend an entire weekend doing nothing but reading and be completely happy. A big part of this blog is writing book reviews for books that I've enjoyed reading, but I read so much (more than one hundred books a year) that I don't have time to review every single book. So, I've decided to do a monthly post dedicated to the top books I've read each month but didn't have time to review.

For this post I'm sharing my top six (not-reviewed) books from January, February, and March! Here you go:

Title: Lost Girl
Series: Neverwood Chronicles #1
Author: Chanda Hahn
Stars: 5 out of 5
For fans of: YA, Fantasy, Peter Pan Retellings
Blurb:
Wendy doesn't remember anything about Neverland—or the experiments done on her there as a child. Seven years later, all she wants is a normal life, but shape-shifting shadows plague her dreams and turn her life into a waking nightmare. When the shadows attack at a football game and a boy disappears right in front of her, she realizes these wraith-like shadows are real. They’re not just haunting—they’re hunting.

A mysterious boy named Peter, his foul-mouthed sidekick, and a band of misfit boys intervene before Wendy faces a similar fate. But can they trust Wendy enough to take her to Neverwood Academy and reveal all of their hidden secrets when she's hiding a secret of her own, or will the dreaded Red Skulls find her and drag her back to Neverland?

Title: Born in Fire
Series: Fire and Ice Trilogy #1
Author: K.F. Breene
Stars: 4 out of 5
For fans of: Adult, Urban Fiction/Fantasy, Kick-butt Heroines
Blurb:
Supernatural Bounty Hunter isn’t the sort of thing you see on LinkedIn. But with a rare type of magic like mine, I don’t have many options. If people found out what I could do—what I am—I would kiss my freedom goodbye.

So dangerous or not, the job is mine. And it was going fine, until an old as sin vampire stole my mark, and with it, my pay day.

Knowing I’m poor and desperate, he has offered me a job. I’ll have to work by his side to help solve a top secret case.

Everyone knows not to trust vampires. Especially a hot elder vampire. But without any other jobs coming up, I’m stuck. As I uncover a web of lies and treachery, revealing an enemy I didn’t know existed, the truth of my identity is threatened. I might make it out alive, only to end up in a gilded cage.

Title: The Rose Mark
Series: Black Rose Sorceress #1
Author: Connie Suttle
Stars: 5 out of 5
For fans of: YA/NA/Adult, Fantasy, Strong Heroines, Scarred Heroes
Blurb:
Sherra 
We belong to the King--those of us with the black roses tattooed on our left wrist, directly over our pulse. As if every beat of our hearts reminds us that we are not our own. 

All the women with the fire burning within them are culled, tattooed and taken to the warriors, to provide more energy. Energy that the warriors will then use to defeat the barbarians from the ocean of sand. Women with black roses on their wrists are emptied of their power by those warriors, who care not that they die a shrunken husk. 

In the King's library, The Book of the Rose says to honor the tattooed women. More than anything, I want to spit on its pages. 

As for running--there is one thing worse than having a black rose on your wrist. That is for the enemy to find you and see the black rose on your wrist. Your death will be slow and excruciating at their hands...

Title: Playing with Fire
Series: Standalone (but I hope the author writes a sequel)
Author: R.J. Blain
Stars: 4 out of 5
For fans of: Adult, Urban Fiction/Fantasy, Sassy Heroines, Unicorns
Blurb:
Warning: This novel contains excessive humor, action, excitement, adventure, magic, romance, and bodies. Proceed with caution. 

What do you get when you mix gorgons, an incubus, and the Calamity Queen? Trouble, and lots of it. 

Working as the only human barista at a coffee shop catering to the magical is a tough gig on a good day. Bailey Gardener has few options. She can either keep spiking drinks with pixie dust to keep the locals happy, or spend the rest of her life cleaning up the world’s nastiest magical substances. 

Unfortunately for her, Faery Fortunes is located in the heart of Manhattan Island, not far from where Police Chief Samuel Quinn works. If she’d been smart, she never would have agreed to help the man find his wife. 

Bailey found her, all right—in the absolutely worst way possible. 

One divorce and several years later, Bailey is once again entangled in Chief Quinn’s personal affairs, and he has good reason to hate her. Without her, he wouldn’t be Manhattan’s Most Wanted Bachelor, something he loathes. Without her, he’d still be married. 

If only she’d said no when he asked her help, she might have had a chance with him. While her magic worked well, it came with a price: misfortune. Hers. 

When Quinn’s former brother-in-law comes to her for help, he leaves her with a cell phone and seventy-five thousand reasons to put her magic to the test. However, when she discovers Quinn’s ex-wife is angling for revenge, Bailey’s tossed in the deep end along with her sexiest enemy.

Title: Clam Jam
Series: Standalone
Author: R.C. Boldt
Stars: 4.5 out of 5
For fans of: NA, Romantic Comedy, Roommate Romance
Blurb:
Clam Jam 
Definition: the female equivalent of a cock block. 
Example: You're chatting with a guy you're interested in and your friend comes along and lays claim to him. 

Maggie
That's my life except it's worse. My friend who keeps jamming me is my gay roommate, and if that isn't a W.T.F. moment, I'm not sure what is. 
Fact: He went home with three yes, three of the guys I had been so sure were into me. 
Fact: He's really pissing me off. I mean, hello? I'm trying to get back in the saddle, but I'll never manage to get a boyfriend before the age of fifty if he keeps this up. 
Fact: Secretly, I wonder what it would be like if he weren't gay. Why do all the hot, sweet, tender-hearted guys have to be gay? 
Fact: My gay-dar needs a serious tune-up. 


Ry
The day I interviewed for the room to rent, everything changed. I knew I had met the girl, except there was one small problem: she didn't want anything to do with men. I recognized a top-notch force field when I saw one. She'd been burned badly and didn't want to deal with a heterosexual guy as a roommate. I could've turned around and found another place to live, but I wanted to live there with her. 
So I had to go undercover. 
Fact: I'm in love with my roommate. 
Fact: I'm a likely candidate for carpal tunnel surgery since all the action I've had for the past year has been my hand. 
Fact: She's going to hate me if I come clean now. 
Fact: I'm not giving up. Which means I'll just have to continue to run defense until I figure out a way to get Maggie to see the real me. 
The me that loves her. 
The me that would never do her wrong. 
Until then, I'll keep running off every guy who shows any interest. 
Until then, I'll continue to Clam Jam. 

Title: Trigger 
Series: Origin #1
Author: Scarlett Dawn
Stars: 4 out of 5
For fans of: NA, Post-apocalyptic, Shifters, Soul-mates
Blurb:
New York Times bestselling author, Scarlett Dawn, has created a fresh and magical new adventure for romance and paranormal lovers alike. Shifters rule the world through corporations after the humans all but destroyed Earth. It's too bad humans are still oblivious. They have no clue terrifying beasts run their broken world.

And then along came a human. A beautiful and klutzy human.

She's the trigger the shifters have been waiting for...
But beware of the soul-sucking darkness soon to follow.

Author Interview: Katherine Davis

Yay! It's time for another author interview! I always feel so honored when I reach out to an author and they agree to do an interview for my blog. This time I'm interviewing the wonderfully creative Katherine Davis.

Katherine Davis is the author of the Child of Fate series, which currently has two books out and available now: Serendipity's Daughter and Karmic Justice. You can read my review of the second book HERE. She is a self-published author currently living in Missouri, US. The proud mother (a.k.a. “survivor”) of three boys, she’s an admitted, unrepentant addict of books, laughter, games, learning, and the glorious World Wide Web.

Now let's get this interview started! 

What inspired you to write the Child of Fate series?  

I have always had this odd thing about Karma and Fate.  It's fascinating for me and I often mused about "what if" Fate was real, not just as a concept or ideal, but a real person and thing.  When I finally summoned the courage and oomph to write my own story, this was the easiest place to begin.

What is your favorite scene from the books so far?  

That's a good question.  I'm not sure I can put one above all the others, although there are a couple that do stand out for me.  I really like the scene in Serendipity's Daughter that first introduces the guys, when they're all in their room picking at each other before Kismet so rudely interrupts.  There's another one in Karmic Justice towards the beginning when Kismet gets mad at her Guardians and has had enough that I always found empowering.

How many books will be in the series?  

Four.  That's the plan anyway!  I was originally only going to write three in this series but the story needed more room than that.

Do you have any other writing projects in the works or plans for another story once the Child of Fate series is finished?  

Definitely!  I have so many stories inside my head and notebooks filled with ideas, characters, and concepts.  I'm not sure which one will snag me and my Muse once this series is over but I'm forcing myself to concentrate fully on the Child of Fate series for now.

What is it like being a self-published author?  

Whew.  Heavy question.  It isn't easy, and yet it is.  I love working from home, dictating my own hours, essentially playing pretend with imaginary friends.  This is my dream job and has been since I was in grade school.  It's great that my kids get to see me following and living my dream, it teaches them they can do the same if they really put their mind to it.  Now for the but...  I grew up in a heavily blue collar family and small town where a "proper" job meant working 9-5, Monday - Friday, at a place that offered health insurance, retirement benefits, and the occasional company picnic.  That means being self-employed in a career without guaranteed stable income is...hmm...not exactly frowned on but thought of as odd.  There are these moments now and then when someone asks me what I do that usually end with an awkward moment of silence and an eventually muttered, "Oh."  Once in a while though I come across someone who is genuinely fascinated by what I do and it sparks a fun, energetic conversation.  The most important part is that I'm doing what makes me happy, my fiance is very supportive, and my kids think Mom is "cool."

Do you have any advice for writers, especially writers considering self-publishing?  

Do it!  I'm not just stealing that from Nike, either.  If you can imagine a story in your head, you can write it.  I think what holds a lot of people back is being too intimidated by the process, but you can get used to that.  The first and most important step is sitting down and doing the work.  Do some research, ask authors personally, find a writing community online like NaNoWriMo for example, and learn how to write a book.  The information is out there if you go look for it, then just...do it.  Everyday.  Write.  Write long handed or type it out, whatever you have to do to get words on a page.  It takes a lot of self-motivation and determination, but if you really want to and you're willing to do the research and work, then go for it.

Thanks again Katherine for allowing me to interview you! I wish you luck as you continue writing.

Writing Practice Prompt #4

For this writing exercise, you will look at the word cloud below and write down the first four words or phrases that you notice. Then, you must outline or write a story that incorporates those four words/phases. How you choose to incorporate them is up to you but make sure to use them all. 

Have fun! 

How did you do? Feel free to share your story by commenting! If you found this too easy or too challenging, you can pick more or less words from the word cloud to change the difficulty of the exercise.

"Hunted" Book Review

Title: Hunted
Series: Standalone
Author: Meagan Spooner
Stars: 5 out of 5
Blurb:
Beauty knows the Beast’s forest in her bones—and in her blood. Though she grew up with the city’s highest aristocrats, far from her father’s old lodge, she knows that the forest holds secrets and that her father is the only hunter who’s ever come close to discovering them.

So when her father loses his fortune and moves Yeva and her sisters back to the outskirts of town, Yeva is secretly relieved. Out in the wilderness, there’s no pressure to make idle chatter with vapid baronessas…or to submit to marrying a wealthy gentleman. But Yeva’s father’s misfortune may have cost him his mind, and when he goes missing in the woods, Yeva sets her sights on one prey: the creature he’d been obsessively tracking just before his disappearance.

Deaf to her sisters’ protests, Yeva hunts this strange Beast back into his own territory—a cursed valley, a ruined castle, and a world of creatures that Yeva’s only heard about in fairy tales. A world that can bring her ruin or salvation. Who will survive: the Beauty, or the Beast? 

***

Hunted by Meagan Spooner just might be my new favorite YA retelling of "Beauty and the Beast." I am a huge fan of fairy tales and retellings but not every retelling is done well. Authors have to manage a tricky balance between using enough of the original and adding enough twists to make the story unique. In my opinion, Ms. Spooner handled the balance wonderfully.

One of the biggest changes in this retelling is that Yeva, aka Beauty, is not a delicate rose, but a fierce hunter who tracks the Beast and tries to kill him in order to avenge a loved one. Yeva's father used to be the best hunter in the land before moving to the village and becoming a businessman to appease his wife, who worried about him doing such a dangerous job. Yeva is the youngest of three sisters and when her family went to the old hunting cabin, Yeva's father would teach her to hunt in the forest. Now that Yeva is older, her father and sisters encourage her to act like a lady and take her place in society. But when a risky business venture fails and her family loses everything, they are forced to sell their possessions and move to the old hunting cabin in the winter. Yeva's father returns to hunting but he doesn't allow Yeva to join him, though she practices hunting anyway while her father is gone. One night, her father returns rambling madly about a beast in the forest that he must hunt and when he leaves and does not return, Yeva sets out to track him down and bring him home. Yeva soon learns that the beast her father spoke of really does exist and she is captured and held prisoner by Beast, who needs her to hunt a creature to break his curse.

There is so much to love about Hunted and I will begin with the characters. Yeva is close to her two sisters, Asenka and Lena, and I love how the author portrayed their caring relationship. The sisters look out for each other, and when Solmir, a man that Asenka is smitten with, proposes instead to Yeva, Asenka sets aside her own hurt to support Yeva's good match. When Yeva's father loses everything, the sisters work together to prepare for the journey and turn the old cabin into their new home. The relationship between Yeva and her father is done equally well. The depth of Yeva's love for her family is the basis for her reactions and actions later on in the story when she tries to find her father and is trapped by the beast. That brings me to the next most important character - Beast. Between each chapter from Yeva's point of view is a short passage from the Beast's point of view, which gives an interesting look at his perspective and inner struggle. As with the original story, Beauty does eventually fall for Beast, but she has to overcome her hate for him that stems from something worse than just holding her father prisoner and then taking her in exchange, as is the premise in most versions. I won't say, however, what exactly drives Beauty's hate and need for vengeance because I don't want to give any spoilers.  I like the way Spooner portrays Beauty's fluctuating emotions and guilt when she realizes her hate for the beast is waning. While Beast is struggling to overcome the beastly nature inside of him, Beauty is struggling with her feelings towards Beast.

Hunted is more than just its characters though, and the plot itself is just as worthy of praise. While the basics from the original are there - a beast under a curse and unable to speak of it, a beauty who must save the beast, and Beauty and the Beast finding their happily ever after - Spooner has added many new elements to make the story fresh and exciting. The biggest element, as I already mentioned,  is that Beauty is a hunter.  Another is that in this world, there are many other magical creatures, and beyond the normal forest where Yeva hunts is a magical forest where these creatures and Beast live. To break the curse, instead of Beauty needing to fall in love with the beast, she must hunt down one of these creatures, but Beast can't tell her what that creature is. The way Beauty has to break the curse is different because the reason for Beast's curse is different.This story is also different in that there are no invisible servants or servants turned into objects (sorry to anyone who was hoping for more talking candlesticks and clocks) to nudge Beauty towards loving Beast. The relationship that develops between them is due solely to their interactions with each other and not because of the influence of outside forces. Lastly, something that I really enjoyed was that at the end of the book, both Beauty and Beast realize they faced the same struggle all along, and they both learn the same lesson.

Of course, it would not matter if the story and the characters were amazing if the book was poorly written. Spooner makes the tale worth reading through in-depth world-building, vivid descriptions, complex characters, and well-crafted prose and dialogue.

Hunted is a book that I would highly recommend to YA readers as well as adults who enjoy fairy tale retellings.

Contemporary YA Book Giveaway!

Who doesn't love free books? Nobody that I know!

In this giveaway you could win a pack with these FIVE contemporary novels: The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares, Once and For All by Sarah Dessen, After the Game by Abbi Gline, The You I've Never Known by Ellen Hopkins, and By Your Side by Kasie West.  

If you want a chance at winning these awesome books, then click HERE to enter! The deadline to enter is March 23rd so don't wait too long.

(P.S. This giveaway is open worldwide so don't worry about not being able to enter due to where you live.) 

"When the Dead Come A Knockin'" Book Review

Title: When the Dead Come A Knockin'
Series: The Veil Diaries #2
Author: B.L. Brunnemer
Stars: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Book Blurb:
My name is Alexis Delaney, and I’m your average 17-year-old girl. Except I’m a Necromancer. Which means I can see the dead, talk to them and help them move on. Well, I used to be able to. Someone has sealed the Veil. Now the dead are stuck here. And with the extra energy floating around town, the ghosts are getting stronger. 

It’s been two months since I came to Spring Mountain to live with Uncle Rory. And the guys, my five best friends, have done everything they can to help since. Things for once were almost normal, my issues with the dead had become routine. Until they all found girlfriends. Now I’m back to hiding everything again. With ghosts leaving their haunting grounds at will, new people asking questions and trying to build my link to the Veil, I don’t know how the hell I’m going to pull this one off. But it can’t get that bad, right?

***

When the Dead Come A Knockin', the second book in The Veil Diaries series by B.L. Brunnemer, starts up just as school is ending for winter vacation. It might be vacation time, but Lexie can't catch a break. The ghosts are impatient to cross and Lexie pushes herself even harder to open the Veil when she finds that a certain ghost with a connection to the guys is stuck. There's a big heap of relationship drama adding to her stress on top of all the ghost problems. The guys all have girlfriends now and not all the girlfriends are happy with how close Lexie is to the guys. And the guys aren't the only ones in a new relationship; things heat up between Lexie and Dylan (who was introduced in book 1). There's trouble in paradise though as jealousy and secrets start breaking up couples. As if that's not enough to keep you interested, there are hints of a mysterious secret admirer that will probably have a larger roll in the third book. 

The strength of this series is in the main characters. Lexie and the guys are well-rounded characters with their own unique flaws and strengths. I love reading about the group dynamics and interactions. In this book, Lexie learns more about the guys, particularly about the painful parts of their pasts. Lexie supports the guys and helps them deal with their own issues just as much as they help her. The way Brunnemer describes the characters and writes the dialogue really helps them come to life on the page.

Another thing Brunnemer does well is writing vivid descriptions. In this book, Lexie finally accesses her center and she starts the process of opening the Veil. The author paints a clear picture of what the Veil looks like and I was easily able to imagine this new place and how Lexie's actions affected the ghostly realm. Characters are also described in detail, though sometimes the descriptions were almost excessively detailed. 

When the Dead Come A Knockin' is much longer than the first book (over 400 pages!) but the story moves quickly and I hardly noticed the time passing. The book is well paced and there are plenty of scenes with fun and laughter interspersed among the moments of drama, danger, and struggle. The book ends on a melancholy note, but the epilogue and two chapters from the guys' (Asher and Miles) points of view lifts the tone a bit and hints that the platonic friends-only dynamic between Lexie and all the guys might start changing in book 3. 

While there were many things I liked about this novel, there were still some issues that detracted from my reading experience. To begin, there were still the same issues with paragraphs, punctuation, and grammar that I saw in the first book. There is an improvement in paragraph organization in this book compared to the first, but some paragraphs were still too lengthy and dialogue sometimes gets lost in the paragraphs. There were also some inconsistencies in the story, like it being Thursday at the beginning of a chapter and then one paragraph later, Lexie is waking up on Saturday, or Lexie being so surprised that the guys can see a ghost at one point when it is not the first time it has happened (they saw the really evil ghost when she haunted them in Miles' living room in book 1). 

Additionally, there is the issue of Lexie's coffee consumption, which goes to the extreme at one point in this book and results in the guys pinning her down to try and make her nap (a scene which seemed too excessive and not well justified, in my opinion). As I pointed out in my review of the first book, Lexie's coffee addiction goes well beyond the safe and healthy limits. There are several times where she easily drinks enough coffee to give a grown man a caffeine overdose. 

Lastly, I was not a fan of how the guys' girlfriends are portrayed. With the exception of one, they all hate Lexie and act really nasty. While the main characters are well developed, the side characters either end up falling in the pro-Lexie camp and are really nice and great or in the anti-Lexie camp and are horribly mean and petty. I wish there was a little more development of the side characters so that they could be as interesting as Lexie and the guys. 

Even though When the Dead Come A Knockin' needs some more editing, it is still worth reading. It's an interesting story with engaging characters and I look forward to seeing what happens next in the following book in the series.