Tag: Interviews (Page 1 of 2)

INTERVIEW & BOOK REVIEW: Her Wicked Marquess (Sinful Wallflowers #2) by Stacy Reid

I absolutely loved Her Wicked Marquess! My 5 Star Review is below along with an interview I got to have with Stacy Reid! Enjoy ♥

INTERVIEW & BOOK REVIEW: Her Wicked Marquess (Sinful Wallflowers #2) by Stacy ReidHer Wicked Marquess (Sinful Wallflowers #2)
by Stacy Reid
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Miss Maryann Fitzwilliam is too witty and bookish for her own good. No gentleman of the ton will marry her, so her parents arrange for her to wed a man old enough to be her father. But Maryann is ready to use those wits to turn herself into a sinful wallflower.

When the scandal sheet reports a sighting of Nicolas St. Ives, the Marquess of Rothbury, climbing out the chamber windows of a house party, Maryann does the unthinkable. She anonymously claims that the bedchamber belonged to none other than Miss Fitzwilliam, tarnishing her own reputation―and chances of the dastardly union her family secured for her. Now she just needs to convince the marquess to keep his silence.

Turns out Nicolas allows for the scandal to perpetuate for his own reasons… But when Maryann’s parents hold fast to their arranged marriage plan, it’ll take a scandal of epic proportions for these two to get out of this together.

Each book in the Sinful Wallflowers series is STANDALONE:
* My Darling Duke
* Her Wicked Marquess

Review:

Her Wicked Marquess was an intricate tale filled with seduction and so much more than meets the eye.  By that first chapter, I was already obsessed and knew that this book was going to be an instant favorite.  The story brimmed with irresistible banter, charm, humor, romance and was so easy to devour.  If you love historical romance, then you definitely need to add this one to your tbr!

She stepped back, and his finger slipped from her chin. Thank heavens. His touch felt… like strokes of flames over her skin, yet it also felt right. It might take her the rest of her life to figure out why she would ever think such a silly thing.

It was the most fabulous of meet cutes.  And from there, the games they played with one another was beyond addicting. Maryann needed to use Nicolas’ name to get out of an engagement. But what she didn’t realize was that by doing so, she linked their fates together.  And once Nicolas truly saw Maryann, there was no walking away from her.  With a woman wanting the freedom to love who she desired and a man set on a path of revenge and redemption, I couldn’t put this book down!

“I thought you were a blazing star that no gentleman has any notion what to do with.”
“Yes, the buffoons,” she murmured, startled at how provocative she sounded.
That finger gently trailed from her nose down to rest against her lips. “I know what to do with every inch of you, Lady Maryann.”

I loved Lady Maryann Eleanor Fitzwilliam!  She was smart, witty and had no problem using her voice.  I loved how she was diplomatic but also willing to take risks, I was mesmerized with how her mind worked!  She was to be married to a man who was her father’s age, and I felt her suffocation for not having control over her own life. So when she came up with the most fabulous of plans, I was clapping my hands!   I loved that she wanted to ruin her name, so her intended wouldn’t want her anymore.  And that’s where Nicolas Charles St. Ives, Marquess of Rothbury, came into the picture.

His kiss destroyed her.
It was unexpected, it was so soft, it was unbelievably tender, and scandalously perfect, for it was just a mere meeting of their mouths, but it felt like everything.

I was obsessed with Nicolas, he was protective, defended others honor and laid his cards on the table for those he cared about.  There was a complexity and darkness to him that enamored me.  So as we were given clues to his past, and witnessed how it affected his present, he easily captivated me.  But in the beginning, I loved seeing his reaction to Maryann spinning her lies about the two of them. It was all so hilarious! He couldn’t help but be intrigued by her and I loved how he saw the truths of what was going on around him. The man was wickedly smart as he was seductive. And when he set his sights on something, he went for it.

Kiss me, she silently implored.
When he made no move, it was her turn to lean in and bite his lower lip. The raindrops on his mouth settled onto her tongue, and with it a taste of dark fire and whiskey.

When Nicolas and Maryann were together, their antics were entertaining, and the sexual tension between them was scorching hot.  It was impossible not to be giddy when they were near each other. Especially since neither of them was what the other expected.  And it added to the depth of them getting to know each other.  As we got further into the story, the descriptive scenes were sinfully seductive *fans face*.

He wanted her, more than he’d ever wanted another soul.

Her Wicked Marquees was exquisitely seductive and laugh out loud hilarious.  From the main characters that I loved with all my heart, to the story that was rich and vivid, to the well-crafted side characters, I loved this book!  And even that ending, it was absolutely perfect!  The epilogue had such a beautiful HEA, and even included two other characters which made my heart so happy!  I probably highlighted over half of this book, that’s how obsessed I was lol.  Now I can’t wait to read more from Stacy Reid!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

 

Interview:

What’s one thing you hope readers will take away from Her Wicked Marquess? 

I really want my readers to get lost in my stories and the journey of each character, and in the end, I want them to have a smile on their face and pure satisfaction in their hearts. 

 

What is something that we might not know about Maryann or Nicolas?

He does not like snakes either, but he willingly poured out her bucket of critters because he was so captivated by her. Maryann is a huge foodie! Yep, she just loves to eat, especially cake. 

 

What was your favorite quality about Nicolas?

The protective streak he has toward Maryann, the one that pushes him to go to any length to keep her safe and cherished. 

 

Without spoilers, what was your favorite scene to write?

Wow, I have so many. I loved writing this book. I really loved writing that scene when Nicolas sneaked into Maryann’s room for the first time. It really allowed me to show her spunk, her zest for living, and also to delve deeper into the attraction she felt for him. 

 

Can you tell us what book(s) we can look forward to from you in the future?

I am working on Sinful Wallflowers 3, A Rogue of Her Own, Ophelia’s story. I really love it! It might surpass Her Wicked Marquess as being my fave. I also recently finished a single title novel featuring a duke who had been lost in the wilds for over a decade. Man, I cannot wait for it to be in reader’s hands. It is called The Wolf and the Wildflower. 

 

What was the last book you recommended to a friend?

Dark King (Sea Fae book 1) by C.N. Crawford.

 

INTERVIEW: Analiese Rising by Brenda Drake

I’m so excited to have Brenda Drake on our blog today!  I absolutely adored her Library Jumpers trilogy, so I couldn’t wait to hear more about her newest book that releases tomorrow!  Check out my interview and learn more about Analiese Rising below.  Enjoy!

About Analiese Rising:

American Gods meets the Da Vinci Code in Analiese Rising (Entangled; 01/08/19), a suspense-filled novel by New York Times bestselling author Brenda Drake. This first book in a new fantasy series offers a new take on the paranormal romance genre—with a mythological spin. Gone are vampires and werewolves; in are descendants of the God of Death.

Brenda Drake is known for creating addictive, entertaining series with strong female characters (Library Jumpers and The Fated) and her fans will not be disappointed.

“A fast-paced adventure brimming with romance, mythology, and dangerous secrets. I was hooked!” –Elly Blake, New York Times and international bestselling author of the Frostblood Saga

When a stranger gives Analiese Jordan a list of names before he dies, the last thing she expects to see is her own on it. Not. Cool. Her search for answers leads to the man’s grandson, Marek, who has dangerous secrets of his own. Both are determined to unlock the mystery of the list.

But the truth is deadly. Analiese is a descendant of the God of Death, known as a Riser, with the power to raise the dead and control them. Finding out she has hidden powers? Cool. Finding out she turns corpses into killers? No, thank you.

Now the trail plants her and Marek in the middle of a war between gods who apparently want to raise an army of the Risen, and Analiese must figure out how to save the world―from herself.

Amazon I Book Depository I iBooks I Goodreads

 
Interview:

What’s one thing you hope readers will take away from Analiese Rising?

Enjoyment. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I had great fun researching gods and goddesses from mythologies around the world and creating how they’d be in modern times without their powers.

 

What was your inspiration for this book?

The idea came after watching American Gods on Starz. I wanted to write a young adult book with gods and goddesses from the different mythologies around the world.

 

What is something that we might not know about Analiese and Marek?

Hmm … this is hard without spoiling the book. I can say that their lives have been connected longer than they know.

 

What was your favorite scene to write?

I’d have to pick the haunted catacomb scene. I like writing spooky scenes. I don’t get to write them often. Maybe I should write a ghost story next.

 

Did you know how this book was going to end when you started writing?

I dreamt about the ending before coming up with the idea of the book. I felt desperate during the dream. It was like watching a loved one be murdered in front of you and not being able to stop it.

 

What’s your favorite quality to write in a character? And which of your characters, from all of your books, have that quality?

Loyalty. It’s important to me for my characters to have it. When someone they love and trust does something wrong, it causes them to struggle with that loyalty. Should you believe them? Trust them? Turn them in? How can you turn in someone you love and are loyal to? Gia from my Library Jumpers series is fiercely loyal. She’d sacrifice everything for the ones she loves. When someone she trusts does something that tests her loyalty, it crushes her.  

 

What do you do when you are not writing?

I read, hang out with friends and family, and haunt bookstores and coffee shops. When I’m not traveling, I like to go for hikes with my hubby, hunt for treasures at estate sales with my sister, or just binge watch Netflix. Nothing too exciting.

 

What was the last book you recommended to a friend?

The last book I recommended to a friend was STAR-CROSSED by Pintip Dunn. It’s a unique science fiction novel set on another planet from ours. Pintip is one of my favorite authors. Not only am I a friend of hers, but I’m also one of her biggest fans.

 

About Brenda Drake:

Brenda Drake grew up the youngest of three children, an Air Force brat, and the continual new kid at school. Her fondest memories growing up is of her eccentric, Irish grandmother’s animated tales, which gave her a strong love for storytelling. So it was only fitting that she would choose to write stories with a bend toward the fantastical. When she’s not writing or hanging out with her family, she haunts libraries, bookstores, and coffee shops, or reads someplace quiet and not at all exotic (much to her disappointment).

Blog I Twitter I Facebook I Instagram I Goodreads

 

I hope you guys enjoyed today’s post!  I loved hearing Brenda talk more about this book and even mention Gia from The Library Jumpers Series….I loved, loved, loved Gia!  Analiese Rising is definitely on my TBR and I can’t wait to discover all that is inside the pages! ♥

BLOG TOUR + AUTHOR INTERVIEW + REVIEW: Sadie by Courtney Summers

BLOG TOUR + AUTHOR INTERVIEW + REVIEW: Sadie by Courtney Summers

Courtney Summers doesn't need any introductions-her work speaks for itself. Howeverrrr...I am MORE than happy to give praise to such a creative, wonderful, and darkly imaginative woman who has never ceased to amaze me. Below is the blog tour for her current work, Sadie, which is claimed to be 'the breakout of her career'. So look below to find my review, an author Q & A with Summers herself (DYING! AGH! Such an honor!), an excerpt from the book, and all the praise she deserves. Enjoy!

BLOG TOUR + AUTHOR INTERVIEW + REVIEW: Sadie by Courtney SummersSadie by Courtney Summers
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Sadie hasn't had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she's been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister's killer to justice and hits the road following a few meagre clues to find him.

When West McCray—a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America—overhears Sadie's story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie's journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it's too late.


I wish this was a love story because I know how it goes in one like mine, where the only moments of reprieve are the spaces between its lines. But here’s the thing I tell myself to dull the sharp edges of everything that’s surely left to come: 
The worst has already happened.

 

This book evoked many emotions within me-some good, some bad. And I think that needs to be explored more by authors. It’s no surprise to anyone that I am-and always have been-obsessed with Courtney Summers. From the moment I picked up This is Not a Test, followed by Some Girls Are, I was a goner. Her dark and languid writing has this way about it-it’s stark and blunt, yet draws you in because of the beautiful simplicity in which the words are sculpted. To get to the point? She’s an evil genius-no explanation needed.

It makes my stomach ache, how, at a time like this, I can’t make that word come perfectly out of my mouth enough to convince him. I can’t describe how bad it feels, this inability to communicate the way I want, when I need to.

 But I would be lying if this book wasn’t one huge trigger for me-and, yes, that’s a personal thing. AND it’s the ONLY flaw I really have with the book. But, as a very honest blogger and friend to many on GR, I must warn that, while Summer’s writing is always dark, this ventures into something far more sinister than anything she’s ever constructed before. Some will REALLY dig it-my best friend and blogger buddy ate it up. And, hey, so did I….but that doesn’t mean the content within (ie, child death and, um, other things?) didn’t hurt my soul a tad.

My body is sharp enough to cut glass and in desperate need of rounding out, but sometimes I don’t mind. A body might not always be beautiful, but a body can be a beautiful deception. I’m stronger than I look.

 And, with that being said, I fully support the direction Courtney is going with her work. It NEEDS to be said. The world is a dark place, and people turn their heads and are blind to most of it. Sadie was a tenacious, strong, young girl hell bent on vengeance, on making the world a better place for other kids-and that was the most alluring thing about this story. Her heart was so large, her soul so crushed-but her spirit, her will to fight, isn’t broken-no matter how shattered she may feel.
Last thing she said to me, my face cupped firmly in her hands, was <I>whatever you’re thinking, you get it out of that damned foolish head of yours right now</I>. Except it’s not in my head, it’s in my heart and she’s the same woman who told me if you’re going to follow anything, it might as well be that. 
Even if it is a mess.

 

Her story is something that was so palpable…you felt what she felt. The hurt. The pain. The soul-crushing panic. The hope. It was all so…addicting. But such is the nature of Summer’s writing. I’m no stranger to it, I’ll admit. I wait and I wait and I wait until she announces she has more books coming out, then I obsess until I get my hands on it. In this case, I bothered the publishers and got a copy-and, MORE AWESOMELY, I got to be a part of the blog tour and was able to do a Q & A WITH THIS AMAZING WOMAN.

And one of the more important questions, to me, that I asked was about what has taken her writing down this path. If you’re an avid reader of her work, you know that her earlier work was of mean girls, zombies, an unlikable heroine with a difficult story and-most importantly and perhaps the most recurring theme-her stories deal with difficult issues such as rape and attempted rape-murder. But All the Rage was the first time we truly saw Summers take the darker road. And I think it’s the story she’s trying to tell, something her work has built up to and she now wants to explore-and it’s truly amazing to see it all play out.

This story was also her first foray into a dual POV situation-but, more than that, it was like a radio show format when we weren’t in Sadie’s POV. West is the person investigating Sadie and it really put things in perspective for me. However, I enjoyed the book most in Sadie’s POV.

It’s about the lengths we go to protect the ones we love … and the high price we pay when we can’t.

 All in all, this story is something to behold. It’s dark, gritty, and without a doubt one of the largest shocks to my system I’ve ever read-and perhaps I needed that. And, for those of you on the fence-read it. It has so much to say with its gut wrenching narrative, and perhaps it can urge you to do more. To see more. Or, perhaps, it will just open your eyes in a way you never expected. Either way, this is Summer’s at her best, her most jarring-and it’s not a book you’ll soon forget. You won’t regret it.

*FYI- in the middle of this review my computer froze up, so my thoughts may seem a bit off or strayed-I promise my opinion is still the same, though. It just changed the flow of the review. But one thing I want to make perfectly clear that I didn’t get a chance to say in my review: If there’s one thing that stayed with me throughout this novel, its the pain. The deep, unfathomable pain of losing someone you couldn’t protect-but then going after it to make it right. It really resonated with me…even if it hurt deeply to think this way. Summers is just epic like that.

 

Q & A with Courtney Summers:

1. I have always been a huge fan of your books-they’re deep, insightful, dark, and they MEAN something-but Sadie is the darkest of your other works (in my opinion)-What lead you to write this particular story? What brought you here?

Thank you so much! That’s so kind and your support of my work means a lot to me. Looking back at my body of work, Sadie feels like a natural culmination of the stories that came before her. I think I was always headed that way. The longer I write, the more inspired I am to dig deeper—or, in my case, darker.

I love that she said this because, in retrospect, all her work really does seem to be leading up to this moment….and its just so pivotal and game-changing. It fits with everything so well. By far my favorite answer 🙂

2. Do you ever write your personality into any of your characters? If so, which characters have your personality?

I’m not my characters, but I sometimes put very little pieces of myself in them. I never reveal what they are because I don’t want to risk readers thinking of me at all when they pick up one of my books.

3. The world can be a dark place-your books don’t shy away from that. So that begs the question: What books [or authors] help you find your happy place?

The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo, I Hate Everyone But You by Allison Raskin and Gaby Dunn and Bookish Boyfriends by Tiffany Schmidt.

 

And check out this gripping excerpt! (If this doesn’t hook you, I don’t know what will!):

[scroll-box]THE GIRLS
EPISODE 1
[THE GIRLS THEME]

WEST McCRAY:
Welcome to Cold Creek, Colorado. Population: eight hun-
dred.

Do a Google Image search and you’ll see its main street, the
barely beating heart of that tiny world, and find every other
building vacant or boarded up. Cold Creek’s luckiest—the
gainfully employed—work at the local grocery store, the gas
station and a few other staple businesses along the strip. The
rest have to look a town or two over for opportunity for them-
selves and for their children; the closest schools are in Park-
dale, forty minutes away. They take in students from three
other towns.

Beyond its main street, Cold Creek arteries out into worn and
chipped Monopoly houses that no longer have a place upon
the board. From there lies a rural sort of wilderness. The highway out is interrupted by veins of dirt roads leading to nowhere as often as they lead to pockets of dilapidated
houses or trailer parks in even worse shape. In the summer-
time, a food bus comes with free lunches for the kids until the
school year resumes, guaranteeing at least two subsidized
meals a day.

There’s a quiet to it that’s startling if you’ve lived your whole
life in the city, like I have. Cold Creek is surrounded by a beau-
tiful, uninterrupted expanse of land and sky that seem to go
on forever. Its sunsets are spectacular; electric golds and
oranges, pinks and purples, natural beauty unspoiled by the
insult of skyscrapers. The sheer amount of space is humbling,
almost divine. It’s hard to imagine feeling trapped here.

But most people here do.

COLD CREEK RESIDENT [FEMALE]:
You live in Cold Creek because you were born here and if
you’re born here, you’re probably never getting out.

WEST McCRAY:
That’s not entirely true. There have been some success sto-
ries, college graduates who moved on and found well-paying
jobs in distant cities, but they tend to be the exception and
not the rule. Cold Creek is home to a quality of life we’re
raised to aspire beyond, if we’re born privileged enough to
have the choice.

Here, everyone’s working so hard to care for their families and
keep their heads above water that, if they wasted time on the
petty dramas, scandals and personal grudges that seem to
define small towns in our nation’s imagination, they would
not survive. That’s not to say there’s no drama, scandal, or
grudge—just that those things are usually more than residents of
Cold Creek can afford to care about.

Until it happened.

The husk of an abandoned, turn-of-the-century one-room
schoolhouse sits three miles outside of town, taken by fire. The
roof is caved in and what’s left of the walls are charred. It sits
next to an apple orchard that’s slowly being reclaimed by the
nature that surrounds it: young overgrowth, new trees, wild-
flowers.

There’s almost something romantic about it, something that
feels like respite from the rest of the world. It’s the perfect
place to be alone with your thoughts. At least it was, before.
May Beth Foster—who you’ll come to know as this series goes
on—took me there herself. I asked to see it. She’s a plump,
white, sixty-eight-year-old woman with salt-and-pepper hair.
She has a grandmotherly way about her, right down to a voice
that’s so invitingly familiar it warms you from the inside out.
May Beth is manager of Sparkling River Estates trailer park, a
lifelong resident of Cold Creek, and when she talks, people
listen. More often than not, they accept whatever she says as
the truth.

MAY BETH FOSTER:
Just about . . . here.

This is where they found the body.

911 DISPATCHER [PHONE]:
911 dispatch. What’s your emergency?[/scroll-box]

Purchase Here:

Amazon l iTunes l Book Depository

 

About the Author:

Courtney Summers was born in Belleville, Ontario, 1986. At age 14, she dropped out of high school. At age 18, she wrote her first novel. Cracked Up to Be was published in 2008, when she was 22 and went on to win the 2009 CYBIL award in YA fiction. Since then, she’s published four more critically acclaimed books: Some Girls AreFall for AnythingThis is Not a Test and All the Rage, as well as an e-novella, Please Remain Calm which is a sequel to This is Not a TestHer new novel, Sadie, hits bookstores September 4th, 2018 and is available for preorder now. In 2016, Courtney was named one of Flare Magazine’s 60 under 30. 

Follow her HERE!

instagram: summerscourtney
twitter: @courtney_s
tumblrsummerscourtney.
official websitecourtneysummers.ca

 

More about THE GIRLS podcast (super popular podcast they are doing based after West’s journey to find Sadie in the book!):

THE GIRLS: Find Sadie is the first-ever YA thriller podcast. The Serial-like show is based off the novel Sadie by Courtney Summers. In a brilliant move, Summers scripted periodic chapters of the novel like a podcast script, hosted by fictional radio personality West McCray. The six-part podcast series brings these chapters to life with a 30+ person cast, music, and sound effects and was a collaboration between Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Podcasts, and Wednesday Books. Episode 1 launches on August 1st, and the show will air seven weekly episodes available on all the major podcast platforms. The final episode will feature a bonus interview with Courtney Summers and her editor Sara Goodman.

 

And, yeah, look at all this advance praise:

*THE GIRLS Podcast now available*
* A 2018 BookExpo America YA Editor’s Buzz Book Pick*
*Most Anticipated by BookRiot, Goodreads, B&N Teen Blog &  Buzzfeed *

“A riveting tour de force.”
 —Kirkus, STARRED Review

Summers’ novel is filled with her trademark biting commentary on sexual assault and the mistreatment of girls and women at the hands of predatory men…her hunt for Mattie’s killer is captivating, and Summers excels at slowly unspooling both Sadie’s and West’s investigations at a measured, tantalizing pace.—Booklist, STARRED Review

“A taut, suspenseful book about abuse and power that feels personal, as if Summers, like May Beth and West, can’t take one more dead or abused girl.”
—Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review

The fresh, nuanced, and fast-moving narrative will appeal to a range of YA and new adult readers, and serves as a larger examination on the way society interacts with true crime…It’s impossible to not be drawn into this haunting thriller of a book. A heartrending must-have.
—School Library Journal, STARRED Review

“An electrifying thriller, taut as a bowstring. A coming-of-age tale, both gritty and sensitive. A poignant drama of love and loss. This — all this — is SADIE: a novel for readers of any age, and a character as indelible as a scar. Flat-out dazzling. —AJ Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window

 

And don’t forget to follow the rest of the tour! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY + INTERVIEW – Omega (The Infinity Division #2) by Jus Accardo

BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY + INTERVIEW - Omega (The Infinity Division #2) by Jus Accardo

I absolutely adored this series! So check out my review below, along with an interview with the author Jus Accardo (we shared the same favorite scenes!), and enter a beautiful giveaway! Enjoy!

BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY + INTERVIEW – Omega (The Infinity Division #2) by Jus AccardoOmega (The Infinity Division #2)
by Jus Accardo
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

The second book in the Infinity time travel series is full of action, romance, and an intricately designed roller coaster plot.

One mistake can change everything. Ashlyn Calvert finds that out the hard way when a bad decision leads to the death of her best friend, Noah Anderson.

Only Noah isn’t really gone. Thanks to his parents’ company, the Infinity Division, there is a version of him skipping from one dimension to another, set on revenge for the death of his sister, Kori. When a chance encounter brings him face-to-face with Ash, he’s determined to resist the magnetic pull he’s felt for her time and time again. Because falling for Ash puts his mission in danger.

But there’s more going on in Ash’s alternate universe than either of them knows: a mysterious project called Omega. A conspiracy spanning multiple Earths and revolving around none other than Ash. Its creators would do anything to keep Omega secret…

Anything.

Review:

Omega was action packed, fast paced and so much fun!  And I loved being with these characters again!  They felt like a group of friends that I’d known forever.  But before I even read the first page, I was a little nervous since this story would be told by different characters.  You see, in Infinity we followed Cade and Kori.  And in this story we followed Noah, who was Kori’s brother from another realm, and Cade’s best friend.  Plus we followed and finally met Ash.  Ash was a constant that always seemed to be in Noah’s lives on all of the realms, well except the one he was from.  They had this intense sexual chemistry.  And he thought that that was all they had.  Until he met this realms Ash.  Once I started to watch them interact, I realized that I loved having Omega’s journey told from Noah and Ash!  I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!

His hand grazed my backside and I whirled on him, an even mix of horrified and angry. “Watch it.”
A spark of mischief glinted in his eyes, there and gone in a single beat of my heart before being replaced with steely resignation. “Oh yeah. I got kidnapped and tossed in a mad scientist’s basement just so I could have a shot at touching your ass. Get over yourself and move.”

Since I could talk on and on about this book, here are some of my favorite things about Omega –

✮  A strong chemistry that slowly unfolded into more –

He caught the swing inches from his face, smirking like I’d just whispered all the dirty, dark secrets I had in his ear. “Hit a nerve, did I? Maybe you like rude. Maybe jackass is your kink.”He let go of my fist and leaned a little closer. “Go ahead. Tell me I’m not even the tiniest bit right. Tell me—”
I let out a howl and launched myself at him, but instead of stopping me, this time he allowed me to collide with him, full force. When I pulled away to smack him, he held tight and let out a sound that stirred something white-hot in the pit of my stomach. Secured tight, pressed up against his annoyingly perfect body, I felt him laugh. “See, I’m getting the impression that you like the chainsaw version of me.”
And then he kissed me.

On every other realm that Noah met Ash, they just had a strong chemistry.  He would always hook up with her and move on.  But in this realm, their relationship was different.  Yeah they had chemistry that made them want to touch, kiss and be near one another, but there was more.  And watching them see what that more was all about warmed my heart.  The friendship they built slowly over time felt real.  And the things they ended up doing for one another felt plausible and a natural course of action.  But they both fought what was there every step of the way.  So their moments together made for some explosive scenes!

✮  Uncovering the truth and seeing the bigger picture –

Helping this Noah and his friends might actually be the key to my freedom. – Ash

This time around, while there was some focus on Dylan, there was SO much more going on.  In case you need a refresher, Dylan was Cade’s brother who murdered the Kori from Cade and Noah’s realm.  The focus shifted from hunting Dylan to what was happening with their interdimensional travel.  I can’t say more, but wow!  Talk about insanity, morally wrong, yet so intriguing at the same time.  It left me excited to see how it will affect the third book!

✮  Fascinating world building –

Body-numbing fear bubbled up in my gut and turned my vision watery. But, despite the near paralyzing terror, I picked myself up and ran. – Ash

I loved how each realm they landed on was different.  Whether it was barely noticeable or a stark contrast, I was always intrigued.  And the realm we spent the majority of time on, in Omega, crime controlled the land.  Al Capone was the President and their tier system was horrific.  People’s morals were nonexistent in certain situations and it was truly a nightmare world.  I was fascinated yet horrified as we saw scientists and high profile people harm others without a second thought.  I loved how each realm was so easy to visualize in every aspect!

✮  Interdimension travel and multiple of the same characters that was easy to follow –

“There’s never going to be a time for this,” she said. “Right now? This time ? It’s all we have. It’s all we might ever have…”

While it may sound confusing to talk about, it was all very easy to follow.  We meet or hear about multiple of the same characters, yet they all stood out whole, original and easily discernible from one another!  The same stands for each dimension!  I was never once confused.

✮  I adored the relationships that took place –

We walked a few more feet and I stopped. I didn’t want to venture too far from the motel. “The whole thing is asinine. Why the hell does it even bother me? Why do I care where she ends up?”
Kori smiled , then rose onto her toes and kissed my cheek. “You don’t need me to tell you why. You already know.” – Noah and Kori

While I loved the friendship that Noah and Cade had, and even their interaction with Rabbit (I couldn’t help but like that guy!), I was intrigued to see what would happen between Noah and Kori.  Noah didn’t want to get attached to her, since he saw his realms Kori murdered before his eyes.  He loved his sister and felt that getting close to this other Kori could tarnish what he had.  But he started to notice how different the two Kori’s were.  And how much he had in common with this one.  So it was fun watching Noah struggle with his inner turmoil towards Kori, especially since he had some tender moments with her.

“…..Wait until morning to do anything stupid. Agreed?” I held out my hand to her.
She hesitated, but after a moment, took it and offered a small smile. “Agreed.” – Noah and Ash

I loved the path this story took and I loved that there were some surprise characters that I didn’t see coming. Especially the group of characters at the end of the book!  The next book is going to be so much fun!  I’m happy to say that the ending left me in a perfect holding pattern, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the final book!

PS There’s a scene that involves Noah saying lines…..oh my gosh, I laughed so hard.  It was hilariously awful lol!  And it also melted my heart too.  I loved seeing Noah’s fun, flirty side!

PPS   If you read Infinity a while back, there’s wonderful reminders about what happened sprinkled throughout the beginning of Omega.  It flowed nicely with the story, and as someone who just reread the first book, I didn’t feel bogged down or bored.  This book was just too much fun for that!

**ARC kindly provided by Entangled Teen via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)

Infinity #1
Review:

Jen

Omega #2
Review:
Jen

Alpha #3
Review:

Jen

Interview:

✮Did you always know that each book would feature a different couple?

It wasn’t until i was halfway through Infinity that I made the decision. I was so taken with Noah and wanted the opportunity to explore his mind. The best way to do it was to make each book focus on one of the original group. I also wanted a chance to dig around in Dylan’s mind. His motivations for why he’s done what he’s done, his love for Ava… I really loved how they all turned out!

✮If you had to cast Noah and Ash, would you prefer them to be known or unknown actors?  Anyone in mind?

Noah has always been Miles McMillan in my mind. And Ash…I think Marie Avgeropoulos would be perfect!

✮What was your favorite scene to write in Omega?

It’s kind of a tie between a scene  involving a conversation between Noah and Kori–and a kangaroo–and a scene with Noah and Ash where they’re trading pick-up lines. Confession: I snarfed coffee writing both of them 😀

✮What is your favorite quality to write in a character?

I’m a sucker for loyalty. I love writing characters that are willing to do anything and everything for those they love.

✮Was there a character in this series you connected with more, or was easier to write than the others? 

I can connect with pretty much all of them. When I write, a piece of me, no matter how small, goes into all my characters. But I think if I had to single one out, it would be Kori simply because of what she had to deal with when her mother got sick.

✮The next book, will be the last one in the trilogy.  Can you tell us anything about the final book?

I can’t say much–even though it’s killing me! I will tell you this one was the most fun to write. I love them all, but there’s a ton of new worlds in #3…and…well, you’ll see 😉

 
About The Author:
Jus Accardo spent her childhood reading and learning to cook. Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. But at the last minute, she realized her true path lay with fiction, not food. Jus is the bestselling author of the popular Denazen series from Entangled publishing, as well as the Darker Agency series, and the New Adult series, The Eternal Balance. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald.

 

Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

BLOG TOUR+REVIEW+INTERVIEW+GIVEAWAY: Midnight Marked (Chicagoland Vampires #12) by Chloe Neill

BLOG TOUR+REVIEW+INTERVIEW+GIVEAWAY: Midnight Marked (Chicagoland Vampires #12) by Chloe Neill

Here is my 4 star review for Midnight Marked...being back in Ethan and Merit's world was so exciting!  Be sure to also check out my interview with Ethan and the two giveaways below!

BLOG TOUR+REVIEW+INTERVIEW+GIVEAWAY: Midnight Marked (Chicagoland Vampires #12) by Chloe NeillMidnight Marked (Chicagoland Vampires #12)
by Chloe Neill
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

As the Chicagoland Vampires series continues, Merit and Ethan find themselves in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, where winning may require the ultimate sacrifice...

A vampire’s grudges don’t stay dead long...

Merit is one of Chicago's most skilled vampire warriors; these days, she doesn't scare easily. But she and Master vampire Ethan have made a new and powerful enemy, and he won't give up until he owns the Windy City.

With his last plan thwarted, he's more determined than ever to watch Cadogan burn. Ethan has put the House's vampires on high alert, but their enemy will stop at nothing, including pitting vampire against vampire...

In this deadly game of cat-and-mouse, the stakes are life or death—and winning might mean sacrificing everything...

Review:

“We may fight again, Sentinel. We may rail at each other until the sun breaches the sky. But the truth is this. I love you. And I found you once, that April night. I will always look for you, and I will always find you.”


If you were to ask any one of my friends, they’d tell you just how much this series holds my heart. It’s not merely the genre or the author, but a deep-rooted connection to these characters. From book one on I’ve been an avid and invested fan-From the first eyebrow raise and swivel of a chair, Ethan stole my heart. It was insta-love at it’s finest…and oh boy do I hate insta-love. What a hypocrite I am.

Throughout the series there have been many ups and downs, in-betweens, and tremendous character growth. Ethan and Merit have been through it all-with and without each other. Stubborn and not to be trifled with, they make an intimidating team. But with each new book, there are many challenges to face, and though they are close to the end, it seems trouble still has a way of finding them.

“Do you remember, Sentinel, the first words you ever said to me?”
I grimaced. “No. But I bet they were rude.

I’d be lying if I said this was my favorite installment….It would also be a gross overstatement to say I didn’t like it. Literally so much has happened to these two people, this house, and all their friends that it’s about that time where things start to get complicated and begin to circle to a close. I think I know where this author is leading….and I’m more than okay with it. And speaking of such things..

OH-EM-GEE. I just…I can’t….I mean…FINALLY. I am beyond words excited for a certain development that might have finally happened! For 12 books I have waited and waited and waited on a baited breath…to no avail. Ms. Neill is the tease of all teases, messing with my heart at each and every turn. Once again I found myself losing breath with every smoldering look, touch, and caress my boy gave Merit, and I became an unintelligible fangirl every time his name was mentioned. As one of my top guys, I will never forget this man…he just exceeds any and every expectation in each installment, putting himself in danger just to keep the girl he loves safe. I will NEVER get tired of my man putting his life on the line for his girl….he will always own me in ways I don’t even understand. Just…sighs all around.

He formed a box with his fingers. “I believe it has cars.”
I just shook my head. “How have you lived here so long without a ride on the Ferris Wheel?”
“I’m a vampire,” he said, as if that was the obvious explanation.
I just sighed.

So, you know, while I wish more things would have transpired (patient I am not), I was more than happy with the direction this story was going. I’m a greedy greedy Ethan whore, him being my only vampire book boyfriend, so is it really that bad that I wanted just a little MORE?? I mean, that’s hardly a crime. It says so much that I have stuck with this series through thick and thin, following this wonderful author on her journey to make Ethan and Merit’s lives as complicated as possible. I don’t read long series-AT ALL-so it really is a big deal I’ve come this far. Chloe Neill’s writing and hilarious banter between characters remains some of my favorite-ever-and now I cannot wait to see how the story concludes. I will miss my dear Ethan so so much….but if his starry eyed look for Merit in this installment is any indication, I know I’m in for a spectacular treat next year. I just hope I can wait. Ugh.

**************************

Interview:

Chloe Neill has come up with a completely fun twist on the interviewing process, allowing access into the mind of the Head of Cadogan House himself-Ethan!!! Take a look at this …… 

1. When you saw Merit for the first time, what was the first thing that crossed your mind?

That she was lovely. And that she was destined for more than even she knew.

2. So, you’ve only ever had consorts…what made Merit different? What makes her so special?

She is entirely unlike any vampire I’d ever met before. So strong, so stubborn, and so very human. She has been a delightful challenge. An ally and an opponent in very unexpected ways.

3. You have been through Hell and back-of that we are all certain-But this makes me wonder…What is your greatest
fear?

I’ve no fondness for aspen stakes or sunlight. But the only thing I fear is the possibility of losing Merit. She has become the better half of me.

4. Throughout your very long life, you’ve lost a lot of people. I’m sure you miss them every day. If you could bring one
person back…who would it be?

My sisters. Even so many years in the past, I still miss them.

 

Words cannot express how much I love my Ethan and Merit (see any and all of my fangirly reviews for this series). They have stolen a large chunk of my heart and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get it back-or if I even want to. I am so excited to be hosting this wonderful blog tour centering on a wonderful set of characters that have a personality as big as, well, 12 books. If you haven’t gotten to try this series out, I suggest you pick up the first story, Some Girls Bite, where Ethan and Merit meet for the first time. Much love and thanks to Chloe Neill for letting our blog join this wonderful event. 🙂

 

Midnight Marked will be available on March 1st.

Preorder Here on any of these sites!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Books-A-Million | Kobo | Indiebound

Giveaways:

Us Star-Crossed Ladies are ecstatic to have a special little giveaway of our own, courtesy of Chloe Neill! Hurry and ENTER TO WIN!

The packet will include:

  • Cadogan House mini-pennant
  • Cadogan House tote bag
  • Swag, including bookmarks, a pen, and a Cadogan House key chain

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The fun doesn’t stop here. Want more chances to win? You can also enter the Midnight Marked Grand Prize Giveaway, which runs February 11 through March 4 on Chloe’s web site.

What is the Grand Prize Giveaway prize?

And here is a full list of all the other blogs participating on the tour:

Week One

Monday, February 22 – Booklovers for Life | Snoopy Doo’s Book Reviews
Tuesday, February 23 – Fallen for Books | The Book Whisperers
Wednesday, February 24 – Bad Bird Reads | Wild Wordy Women
Thursday, February 25 – StarCrossed Book Blog | Rantings of a Reading Addict
Friday, February 26 – BiblioJunkies | Love Laughter Foreverafter

Week Two

Monday, February 29 – Rabid Reads | The World of Francesca
Tuesday, March 1 (Release Day) – Goldilox and the Three Weres | Saucy Wenches |Literary Escapism | Vampire Book Club | YA Reads
Wednesday, March 2 – Consummate Reader
Thursday, March 3 – Urban Fantasy Investigations | Fangirls Read It First
Friday, March 4 – Paranormal Haven | My Paranormal Kink

« Older posts

© 2024

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑