Review: EMBERS IN A DARK FROST by Kelly Keaton

The Fire Breathers have come. The Underworld calls. A choice must be made…

With her feared half blood and flame-colored hair, DEIRA D'ANU is a constant reminder of human betrayal and the war that claimed the light from Innis Fail. Now, darkness and frost creep across the land, strengthening the Lord of the Underworld. War is imminent—an allegiance with the Fire Breathers is vital. When their champion, Balen, sees Deira, he believes she is the key to finding the light and stopping the dark frost.

But the Underworld calls to Deira, tempting her to turn her back on a world that never cared and betray the champion willing to sacrifice everything to keep her safe and save his world from darkness.

Description from Amazon


This is one incredible novel. When I first read the summary, I knew this was going to be a great read and it exceeded my expectations. I was immediately intrigued by the world of Innis Fail, especially Deira and Balen.

There are five Houses, four of which represent the gods and goddesses. Descendants of the House of Anu have the power to control water. Those in the House of Sydhr are known as the Fire Breathers. The Houses of Taranis and Dagda represent Air and Earth respectively. The Underworld is the fifth House and is controlled by the most powerful and oldest Danaan, Nox. His goal is to make sure Deira and Balen do not succeed in returning the Light to Innis Fail.

Deira D'Anu is a very likable character. She is passionate, determined, free-spirited, and tired of living in the shadows. Having both a human and a Danaan parent, Deira is a halfling. She is regarded coldly and looked upon with fear and disgust by her family, the House of Anu. Deira's path is forever altered when she is given a chance to briefly come out of the shadows and unintentionally draws attention to herself and her bright red hair.


Balen, the King of the House of Sydhr, recognizes Deira instantly and knows he must lead her to fulfill her destiny, one that she does not know about. As the story unfolds, Deira learns more about her worlds, both human and Danaan, than she ever thought she would. She learns about trust and friendship with Balen and the Sydhr people, which is something she did not have with her own family.

I quickly read through this story and am eager for more. Kelly Keaton's writing style had me easily visualizing the scenes and brought me into the story with Deira and the other characters. I will definitely be reading this one again. I do wish that I could get a paperback or hardcover copy though as it is currently only available for e-readers.

SOMETHING DARKER by S.A. Price Release Party! (Giveaway)

Welcome!



Today we have a special guest post by authors S.A. Price! They are here to share an epic giveaway with everyone that you will not want to miss out on!



And now over to S.A. Price!

Happy
release day to us!

So Audra and I have a new book out today called SOMETHING DARKER, and we are really excited about starting this new, sexy series!

The one thing Syrus Alcot, the God of Death Osiris in the Egyptian Pantheon, wants in all the worlds is the woman he loved and lost returned to him. When he gave up his powers, and freedom for a life of service he was promised her return. That was over one thousand years ago. A member of a team of dark gods charged with keeping humanity safe, he leads a loveless existence in New York City, searching for the one thing that could bring his wife back to him, a lapis scarab that was lost to him ages before.

Gwen Stapleton, a mild mannered librarian, is unaware that she holds the key to not only Syrus’ happiness, but her own. Seemingly stuck in a hopeless relationship with a man she doesn’t love, she has no idea that a chance meeting in Alphabet City will start a landslide to her heart’s content. Because Gwen is the keeper of the scarab, and is everything Syrus has ever wanted… and he’s not the only one.

An Ancient evil is waking, and its servants will stop at nothing to see it seize its rightful place as the new pantheon of earth. And in order for Syrus and his team to save the world, Gwen is going to have to accept him, and show that love does make all the difference.

Sexy right? What’s not to like about strong gods and sassy librarians? Exactly!

So to celebrate this momentous occasion, we are having a HUGE contest, as we want YOU to enter!

$2.99 really CAN change a person’s life, and kick a career into high gear…

Want to win something awesome? What’s awesome? How about this: Registration to AAD (2013 or 2014 if you are already registered for 2013), a VIP package including VIP early seating and entry badge, and welcome goodies from the hotel, a gift basket fulla goodies and our backlist books and Breakfast with us on Tuesday morning.  Awesome right? We thought so.

So how do you win? Simple.

We have a new book available called Something Darker, the first in our Inferi Dii series. You can pick it up at Amazon on kindle and in print. Simply buy the book, and send us the receipt from Amazon. That will get you entered for the big prize.

What’s that you say? You want more entries? 



We have other ways of adding to your entries…

• Going to Authorgraph.com and requesting we digitally sign your book will get you 3 extra
  entries.
• Tweeting the contest will get you 2 more entries
• Facebooking the contest will get you 2 more entries
• Liking the Book on Amazon will get you 3 more entries
• Liking our other books on Amazon will get you 2 more entries per BOOK (and yes we are counting both print and e book likes!)
• Posting a review before the end of the contest (a real review) will get you 5 entries per place you post (max of 10 entries for posting on Goodreads and Amazon.com)
• Buying other books in our backlist will get you 10 entries PER BOOK you send a receipt for (sorry guys, has to be bought between December 18 and the end of the event and MUST NOT be returned! We will know if it has been!)

Now here is the kicker…. We have to hit a minimum of 200 sales before the big contest prize goes into play. Why? Because it’s a VERY expensive prize, and we cannot offer it and make it worth our while without a minimum of 200 receipts!

And if we get this book in the top 100 at Amazon, I will throw in the coup de grace, your hotel room for AAD from Tuesday-Sunday FREE OF CHARGE! This prize is already worth $1000! Add in the room and its worth almost $2000! Isn’t that worth paying for a $2.99 book?

So you ready to win baby? Send your receipts to: everversestella@gmail.com with “SOMETHING DARKER CONTEST ENTRY” in the subject. (For other books put: SOMETHING DARKER CONTEST ENTRY---(NAME OF THE BOOK). Contest runs from December 18 to January 15^th. Winner will be announced on January 18^rd 2013!

Wanna join in on the release day fun? Join the Release day group at Facebook and hangout! http://www.facebook.com/groups/119691931527783/

Print Link: https://www.createspace.com/4084874

Kindle Link:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AOT77GW


Book Blurb:

The one thing Syrus Alcot, the God of Death Osiris in the Egyptian Pantheon, wants in all the worlds is the woman he loved and lost returned to him. When he gave up his powers, and freedom for a life of service he was promised her return. That was over one thousand years ago. A member of a team of dark gods charged with keeping humanity safe, he leads a loveless existence in New York City, searching for the one thing that could bring his wife back to him, a lapis scarab that was lost to him ages before.



Gwen Stapleton, a mild mannered librarian, is unaware that she holds the key to not only Syrus’ happiness, but her own. Seemingly stuck in a hopeless relationship with a man she doesn’t love, she has no idea that a chance meeting in Alphabet City will start a landslide to her heart’s content. Because Gwen is the keeper of the scarab, and is everything Syrus has ever wanted… and hes not the only one.



An Ancient evil is waking, and its servants will stop at nothing to see it seize its rightful place as the new pantheon of earth. And in order for Syrus and his team to save the world, Gwen is going to have to accept him, and show that love does make all the difference.

*** Please note that borrowing the book from the kindle lending library will not be accepted as a “Buy Receipt”. In order to be entered to win the grand prize, you must purchase the book.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Falling Kingdoms Teaser

Have you heard of FALLING KINGDOMS by Morgan Rhodes?

If you have not, then please go here for some information and then come on back to this post and take a look below for a teaser.

If you have, then you are probably as super excited as I am for this release. As part of the FALLING KINGDOMS street team, I am thrilled to share a teaser with you.



“If this magic is evil—”

“It’s not,” he said firmly.

She frowned. “Witches have been tortured and executed for what I can do.”

“If a witch could really do what you can, she would never let herself be executed.”

—page 180, FALLING KINGDOMS



Are you now running around anxiously waiting to get your hands on FALLING KINGDOMS? I know I am! For even more excitement and to catch some of the other teasers, check out the other blogs on the street team and get ready for December 11!

Waiting on Wednesday: Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.
My first WoW post features FALLING KINGDOMS by Morgan Rhodes which releases December 11, 2012.

GoodReads description:

In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects’ lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:

Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.

Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people’s revolution centuries in the making.

Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...

The only outcome that’s certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?




Have you had the opportunity to read this book? What are your thoughts on this pick or what is your own?

Cover Reveal: Something Darker by S.A. Price

Cover/Blurb Reveal & Giveaway: SOMETHING DARKER by S.A. Price!

Expected publication: December 18th 2012

SOMETHING DARKER (book one of the Inferii Dii)


The one thing Syrus Alcot, the God of Death Osiris in the Egyptian Pantheon, wants in all the worlds is the woman he loved and lost returned to him. When he gave up his powers, and freedom for a life of service he was promised her return. That was over one thousand years ago. A member of a team of dark gods charged with keeping humanity safe, he leads a loveless existence in New York City, searching for the one thing that could bring his wife back to him, a lapis scarab that was lost to him ages before.


Gwen Stapleton, a mild mannered librarian, is unaware that she holds the key to not only Syrus’ happiness, but her own. Seemingly stuck in a hopeless relationship with a man she doesn’t love, she has no idea that a chance meeting in Alphabet City will start a landslide to her heart’s content. Because Gwen is the keeper of the scarab, and is everything Syrus has ever wanted… and hes not the only one.


An Ancient evil is waking, and its servants will stop at nothing to see it seize its rightful place as the new pantheon of earth. And in order for Syrus and his team to save the world, Gwen is going to have to accept him, and show that love does make all the difference.

To learn more about authors Stella and Audra Price, visit their Website:

www.stellaandaudra.com

***VIRTUAL RELEASE PARTY NEWS***

On December 18th, SOMETHING DARKER will be available for purchase and to celebrate the release authors S.A. Price are giving away some AMAZING, out of this world prizes! TRUST ME, you DO NOT want to miss out!



What are they giving away?



Are you ready for this?



A registration to Authors After Dark (2013 or 2014 if you are already registered for
2013), a VIP package including VIP early seating and entry badge, and welcome
goodies from the hotel, a gift basket fulla goodies, backlist books, and
Breakfast with Stella and Audra on Tuesday morning.
Awesome right? We thought so.



To learn more about Authors After Dark visit www.authorsafterdark.org



And wait, it gets better!!!



There will be a second and third place winner!



SECOND PRIZE winner will win a Nook Touch.

THIRD PRIZE winner will win tons of signed swag.



There's a little extra, too, but you will have to wait until December 18th to find out! :)



Mark your calendars... DECEMBER 18th!!!



Right now we're kicking off an early celebration with a $20 Amazon/BN Gift Card - Winners choice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal hosted by...

 

Trailer Reveal: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love. 

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

Find Jennifer on: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog

Cover Reveal: Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin

Release: December 27th



Blurb:

I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.



I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I’ve poured my soul into my music, but I’ve never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile.



And now I’m going back.



After ten years.



I hope I can explain that after all this time.



I still want her to be my forever girl.

My grandma once told me that I can do anything I want, so I am.



Originally from the Pacific Northwest, I now live in picturesque Vermont, with my husband and two daughters. Also renting space in our home is an overhyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.



During the day you'll find me behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, I'm writing one of the many stories I plan to release or sitting courtside during either daughter's basketball games.



I'm also an active reviewer on The Readiacs - a site I own with my best friend and uber special beta, Yvette.

Website † Facebook † GoodReads † Twitter





_______________________________________

 

GIVEAWAY

_______________________________________



This giveaway is open INTERNATIONAL.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast & Giveaway: Embers in a Dark Frost by Kelly Keaton

I'm thrilled to be part of the Book Blast for EMBERS IN A DARK FROST hosted by Good Choice Reading. Who is as excited about this book as I am? =) Don't forget to fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter the giveaway.

www.KellyKeaton.net

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

If you loved Jennifer L. Armentrout's COVENANT series then you must check out her LUX novels. OPAL is the third book in this series. The first two, OBSIDIAN and ONYX are out now.

No one is like Daemon Black.
When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.
But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.
After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.
Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Follow this link to an ~~~ EPIC CONTEST ~~~ Announcement. You will want to bookmark this page!

http://jenniferarmentrout.blogspot.com/p/october-1-2012.html

 USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

Find Jennifer on: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Blog

Winner Announced!

The winner of the Shuriken Prize Pack is...

KELLY!

Congratulations Kelly! Be on the lookout for an email from Cole! =) Thanks to those who entered. Please continue to leave comments about the cover for SENSHI. I would love to share your thoughts with Cole if you leave them here.

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: SENSHI by Cole Gibsen

Today I have something very exciting for you guys! =) First, let me tell you a little bit about Cole in her own words. "I love writing, day-old chinese food, and my nail polish is always chipped. My YA novel, KATANA, will be released, spring 2012 by Flux. You can check out my website at www.colegibsen.com Word to your mother." SENSHI is book 2, which follows KATANA.



A little about SENSHI:



After learning she is a reincarnated samurai, nearly getting killed (several times), and reuniting with a past-life soul mate, Rileigh Martin decides to put her warrior life on hold to focus on her senior year of high school.
But a reincarnated kunoichi (female ninja) has other plans—including destroying the world if Rileigh doesn’t stop her! When evil ninja assailants nearly kill Rileigh and kidnap her best friend Quentin, she must choose between saving the world and saving him. Rileigh’s only ally in this impossible quest: the spirit of a man who killed her in a past life. (From Amazon)

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Flux (March 8, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738732613
• ISBN-13: 978-0738732619
  

And now the awesome! 

So what do you think? I think it's pretty cool. She looks like she is ready to kick some butt. I love that it plays on both her strength and femininity. Now we also have a giveaway! Keep reading for details!

GIVEAWAY!

Cole is giving you the chance to win your own Shurijen Prize Pack. (Open to US residents only, but visit her blog to find the international giveaway. :) The prize pack includes two handmade felt shuriken (throwing stars) hair clips, one silicon Senshi bracelet, two Katana tattoos, and one signed bookmark.

To enter just fill out the rafflcopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Be sure to visit Cole's blog to learn more about her and SENSHI. Visit the Amazon link above to pre-order for only $9.99. Thanks for stopping by. =)

I'm (almost) back from my hiatus

Hi everyone!

I've finally graduated and have will soon have some time to get back on track with reviewing. I have read several fantastic books recently and am looking forward to quite a few others. Please let me know if there is anything you would like to see me review or post. I am always looking for feedback and ways to improve. I hope you enjoy! =)

--Raychelle

Double Cover Reveal: Touch of Death and PODs.

The first reveal is Touch of Death by Kelly Hashway which is just stunning. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but that cover really catches one's attention. The second reveal is PODs by Michelle Pickett. This is another one that really piques my interest just from the cover. Spencer Hill Press has yet to disappoint with both novels and their covers and I can't wait to dig into these. Let me know what you think of them in the comments.

Jodi Marshall isn't sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she's in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and her best friend. The next she's being stalked by some guy no one seems to know.

After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he's not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she's part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.

Jodi's deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn't difficult enough, Jodi discovers she's the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can't figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.

Title: Touch of Death
Author: Kelly Hashway
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.SpencerHillPress.com)
ISBN: 978-1-937053-30-7
Release Date: January 2013
List Price: $12.95
Formats: Trade Paperback, e-book
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.

Title: PODs
Author: Michelle Pickett
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.SpencerHillPress.com)
ISBN: 978-1-937053-28-4
Release Date: June 2013
List Price: $12.95
Formats: Trade Paperback, e-book
Genres: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Thriller