The King's Questioner: Excerpt & Giveaway

The King's Questioner by Nikki Katz
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: January 14, 2020
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Host: Xpresso Book Tours
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo |iBooks

Synopsis: From Nikki Katz, the author of The Midnight Dance , comes The King’s Questioner, an epic YA fantasy featuring royal drama, dark magic, and a secret that could topple a kingdom. Kalen is a mental picklock, able to access a person’s memories and secrets by touch. His skills make him the perfect questioner to the king, and he spends his days interrogating prisoners of the crown. But when Kalen’s estranged childhood friend, Prince Cirrus, falls into a sudden coma, the king begs Kalen to intervene. By accessing Cirrus’s mind, Kalen saves his life—and uncovers a terrifying secret. The prince has a sister, banished long ago, and she is the key to the destruction or survival of the kingdom. With the help of Cirrus and a silver-haired thief named Luna, Kalen must find the princess and bring her home. Or risk death at the hands of his king.

+ Add to Goodreads

Excerpt

A loud knock woke Kalen the next morning.

“You dressed?” Terrack’s voice rang through the door. 

“Does it matter? The door is locked.” 

Kalen stretched and rose from the pallet before walking over to open the door. Terrack blocked the hallway with his bulk, and his mouth moved like a horse’s as he chewed on a piece of bark.

“Actually, I just wondered if you had a girl in there.” 

“Have I ever had a girl in here?”

“There’s a first time for everything,” Terrack smirked. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company so early 

in the day?”

“I’ll give you one guess.” 

Kalen steeled himself for yet another headache. “Give me a minute.” 

He shut the door and splashed water on his face from the basin. He quickly changed and grabbed a pair of gloves be- fore returning to the hallway. Terrack hadn’t moved. Kalen shut the door, turned the key in the lock, and followed the large man down the hall. 

“Who is it?” Kalen asked.

“Ship captain,” said Terrack. “Arrived yesterday.”

The Antioegen ships Damien mentioned.

Kalen’s worry over his impending headaches disappeared. This would be interesting. Much more interesting than a woman falsely accused of stealing correspondence. 

They wound down the curved staircase into the darkness of the cellar. Rough stone walls caught at the sleeves of his coat, as if clawing him into the depths. The cool air was thick with moisture that gathered at the back of his neck. They reached the cellar floor, and Terrack turned in a different direction than the one leading to Kalen’s normal interrogation room. Kalen’s chest heaved with a silent sigh. This way were the holding cells. 

Kalen despised having to go into the mind of someone shackled by chains. 

They approached the two cells, heavy doors facing each other from across the narrow hallway. The slits in one door allowed flickers of dusty light to dance into the hall. Terrack pushed that one open, and Kalen got his first glimpse of the prisoner. 

The captain was tall, in his mid-thirties perhaps, with sun-weathered skin. Limp, long hair fell into his eyes, one of which was nearly swollen shut. He stood upright, his arms hanging at his sides. His wrists were wrapped in metal cuffs threaded with a heavy chain linked to the wall behind him through a ring just above his head. His breaths came fast and shallow, like he couldn’t fully inhale. Kalen imagined that underneath the captain’s jacket and all those gold buttons were whip marks or bruising . . . or both. 

“Why is he in chains?” 

“The Law’s orders. He put up a good fight when he arrived.” 

The prisoner attempted a laugh but winced as soon as his chest expanded. The sound was more of a wounded cough. Footsteps echoed in from the hall behind them, and the 

King’s Law swept into the room. His black cloak swirled and settled around him, flashes of the green silk interior visible as he threw back his shoulders. 

“Good. You’re here.” Ryndel nodded at Kalen. “I think we’re ready to get started.” 

The Author

Nikki Katz is an author and editor living in sunny San Diego with her three children. With a BS in aerospace engineering, Nikki first put her writing skills to use publishing four nonfiction books. She moved on to writing young adult fiction, her favorite genre to read as well. The Midnight Dance is her debut novel.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Making Up by Helena Hunting

Making Up by Helena Hunting (July 16, 2019)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: I received a free copy from the publisher as part of this blog tour. This did NOT affect my honest review. Thank you, St. Martin's Press!
Purchase: Here
Rating:

Synopsis: A new standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting.

Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list. Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him. As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world.

+Add to Goodreads

My Review

One really can't go wrong to choose a Helena Hunting novel when they are in the mood for a steamy romantic comedy. Making Up is for anyone who enjoys a sexy billionaire love interest who is just the right amount of domineering without being an asshole while also encouraging the main character to continue to be who she is. Cosy is vibrant main character and a whole lot of fun to get inside her head. This is another romance written in dual narrative from both the male and female point of view. Although Cosy and Griffin's chemistry is spot on, I would have enjoyed a little more banter and dates between the two. I also felt like the supporting characters didn't add a whole lot of anything special to the story. They were forgettable. I also want to note that I rather liked the conflict in this romance since it was a little different than the usual miscommunication that can be frustrating. Overall, Making Up is another solid romance from Helena Hunting. I laughed. I fanned myself. I escaped the real world for a few hours.

The Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Risking It All by S.M. Koz

Risking It All by S.M. Koz
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Source: I received an e-ARC from the publisher through Xpresso Book Tours. Thank you!
My Rating:

Synopsis: A high-achieving teen who’s determined to become a fighter jet pilot is matched up with an accused criminal at an elite military boarding school in SM Koz’s YA novel, Risking It All. Paige knows exactly what she wants—to graduate from Wallingford Academy and become a pilot in the US Air Force. She’s inherited her father’s no-nonsense attitude and whip-smart intelligence, all of which have made her the perfect Wallingford cadet. Wallingford Academy is the last place in the world Logan wants to be. But after his girlfriend borrows his car and commits a crime, Logan takes the fall and ends up there with hopes of striking a decent plea bargain. For him, graduation can’t come soon enough. When Paige is asked to mentor Logan, it’s the perfect opportunity to prove her leadership skills—but she doesn’t account for the feelings that start to develop or the baggage from Logan’s past which could threaten both of their futures.

+ Add to Goodreads

My Review

I haven't read a lot of military academy YA books, and not only did I learn a lot (the author notes in her acknowledgements that she talked to many military family members and friends), but I found it very interesting. Although I like routine, I would never have lasted with such early mornings.

I automatically loved Paige, the hard-working, honest, goal-driven, cadet who is on her way to joining the US Air Force. On the other hand, I automatically disliked Logan. Although loyal to his friends, he was lazy and extremely rude. When Paige is asked to mentor Logan things get interesting. Not only did I enjoy watching Paige and Logan's friendship grow, seeing them work through their own feelings and grow themselves made them seem very realistic. The novel is told in dual POVs from Logan and Paige, which I think enhanced the story.

Although the novel wasn't perfect, which is rare to begin with, Risking It All was an enjoyable read. My only complaint is that sometimes the transitions between scenes were nonexistent, and I would have to go back and reread a few lines to ease my confusion.

The Bottom Line: Risking It All is a cute read with an interesting setting and realistic characters.

The Author

SM Koz was born in Michigan, but moved to North Carolina for college and never left. She enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, photography, reading, spending time with foster kids who call her house home, and learning new things. When she’s not creating online training for pharmaceutical companies (her day job) or writing, Koz can be found at the local community college taking courses on various topics ranging from digital art to HTML to desktop publishing. SM Koz has written six novels. Although her stories differ by genre, ranging from contemporary realism to sci-fi to fanfiction, two things they all have in common are a young or new adult focus and romance. If you’d like to learn more about SM Koz, check her out on social media.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway & Review: I Flipping Love You

I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Source: I received a free ebook of this book from the publisher. This did NOT affect my honest review. Thank you!
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
My Rating:

Summary: SHE’S GOT CURB APPEAL. HE’S A FIXER UPPER... From New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting comes I Flipping Love You, a love story about flipping houses, taking risks, and landing that special someone who’s move-in ready. Rian Sutter grew up with the finer things in life. Spending summers in the Hamptons was a normal occurrence for her until her parents lost everything years ago. Now Rian and her sister are getting their life, and finances, back on track through real estate. Not only do they buy and sell houses to the rich and famous but they finally have the capital to flip their very own beachfront property. But when she catches the attention of a sexy stranger who snaps up every house from under her, all bets are off... Pierce Whitfield doesn’t normally demo kitchens, install dry wall, or tear apart a beautiful woman’s dreams. He’s just a down-on-his-luck lawyer who needed a break from the city and agreed to help his brother work on a few homes in the Hamptons. When he first meets Rian, the attraction is undeniable. But when they start competing for the same pieces of prime real estate, the early sparks turn into full-blown fireworks. Can these passionate rivals turn up the heat on their budding romance—without burning down the house?

+ Add to Goodreads

My Review

I Flipping Love You in Three Words: Steamy. Funny. Charming.

Rian and her sister are up and coming realtors and want to start flipping houses. Pierce is a lawyer who flips houses during his summer away from his parents and work. When Rian and Pierce meet, sparks fly, and not just from the anger radiating off them. A good meet cute can make or break a romance novel, theirs was spot on.

Rian is really smart, easily embarrassed, and has a secretive past. Pierce is sexy, charming, and blunt. I really liked these characters and found them to be really realatbale, except for the whole being rich thing which I have sadly never experienced. What about the two as a couple? Their banter and differing personalities makes them a fun match. My only complaint is that Rian is described as attractive but doesn't always realize it, which is a little eye-rolling inducing.

I Flipping Love You is a quick entertaining read. Rian and Pierce's chemistry is off the charts. You may even need to have a fan handy while reading, making this a perfect summer read. Although it had a handful of cheesy/cliche moments, I was not distracted from the abundant sexy and fun parts the story had to offer. I laughed just as much as I swooned.

The Verdict: I Flipping Love You is a fun little romance novel guaranteed to curl your toes. A great book to choose when you need a few hours of escape from the real world. This book checks all the boxes for an excellent beach read. Happy reading!

**I loved the first book in this series too. Read my review here. (Don't worry, they can be read as standalones.)

The Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

The Giveaway

US Entries Only

Winner will be randomly chosen.

Please don't follow and then unfollow as soon as the giveaway is over.

I will send the winner's information to the publisher and they will send you the book.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review & Giveaway: Airports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over

Aiports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over by Shani Petroff (May 15, 2018)

Length: 224 pages

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Source: I received a free copy for this blog tour. Thank you Xpresso Book Tours!

Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | iBooks | Kobo

My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: A bad storm, two canceled flights, stuck in an airport with a hot stranger and the guy who broke her heart... what could go wrong? After Sari caught her boyfriend Zev cheating on her, their romantic Florida vacation was ruined. She can't get back to NYC soon enough. Unfortunately, mother nature may have different plans. A huge storm is brewing in the Northeast, and flights all over the country are getting canceled—including Sari's. She winds up stuck at the airport for hours. With Zev! When another stranded passenger (a hot NYU guy) suggests a connecting flight to Boston, Sari jumps at the chance. But when her mom freaks out about her traveling alone, she has no choice—she has to include Zev, and somehow survive being trapped with the guy who broke her heart!

+ Add to Goodreads

My Review

Airports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over in Three Words: Musical. Stressful. Entertaining.

What I Liked

• I was a big fan of the overall plot of Sari trying to deal with her feelings about her boyfriend's cheating when she just can't seem to get away from him! Her Florida vacation turns into a nightmare as she struggles to get back home before a big storm hits. I loved this story line.
• Sari's best friend is pretty awesome, but I do wish she was in the book more.
• Sari's parents are present and aren't just in the background! Their worry for her seemed realistic.
• Fitz and Zev are both fun and sweet characters. 
• I was really transported into the various settings. Whether Sari was stuck in the cramped airport or in squeezed in the backseat of a car in the middle of a storm, the descriptions were spot on.
• The beautiful cover!

What I Didn't Like

• It was too short! I wasn't able to really connect or get to know Sari or her boyfriend as much as I would have liked, which is kind of a bummer.
• All the miscommunication. It is one of my least favorite romance tropes. This is a personal preference.
• Although the drama did remind me of my teenage years, it was a little too annoying to read as an adult.

The Verdict: I think teens will enjoy the entertaining plot, be able to relate to having overly worrying (and sometimes embarrassing) parents, enjoy Sari's passion for music, and like the cute romance.

The Author

Shani Petroff is a writer living in New York City. She’s the author of the “Bedeviled” series, which includes Daddy’s Little Angel, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Dress, Careful What You Wish For, and Love Struck, and is the co-author of the “Destined” series which includes Ash and Ultraviolet. She also writes for television news programs and several other venues. When she’s not locked in her apartment typing away, she spends a whole lot of time on books, boys, TV, daydreaming, and shopping online.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FOLLOW THIS TOUR

Giveaway & Review: Wicked Soul by Nora Ash

Wicked Soul (#1) by Nora Ash (Feb. 10, 2018)

Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Source: I received a free copy of the book as part of Xpresso Book Tours. This did NOT affect my honest review. Thank you!

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

My Rating:

Synopsis: He saved me… And then he blood-bonded me. Now I’m his. My first meeting with a Chicago vampire went better than expected. Up until that night, all I knew about vampires was limited to a few common facts: they drink blood, they get a mean sunburn and if you find yourself alone with one, you’re dead. Except he didn’t kill me. Sexy, broody Warin clearly had his own reasons for sparing my life and tying me with his blood, but if he’d known how much trouble I’d attract, I bet he wouldn’t have bothered. When he blood-bonded me, secrets even I didn’t know about myself came to light. Secrets that will pull us both deep into the eternal war between vampires and the witches determined to rid the world of their evil. We have only one choice now: fight the forces hell-bent on breaking our bond… Or die.

+ Add to Goodreads

My Review

Wicked Soul in Three Words: Steamy. Funny. Enjoyable.

What I Liked

• How the vampire mythology was handled. It reminded me of a mix of all my favorite vampire novels in one!
• The humor was fantastic. I actually laughed out loud quite a few times. The main character Liv is awkward and hilarious. She reminded me a lot of myself.
• The attraction between Liv and Warin was hot! They were also pretty cute when they were just hanging out.
• Thanks to some great action scenes along with perfect pacing of the story, I was never bored.
• The cast of secondary characters including a giant body guard, Warin's brother, and various witches were very interesting.

What I Didn't Like

• At times, Warin was just a tad bit too alpha male for my taste.
• A couple of the sexy scenes were a little out of my comfort zone.
• Although easy to relate to and hilarious, Liv also sometimes made really cringe worthy decisions that made it hard to like her.

The Bottom Line: A good fit for vampire romance fans! It was a very entertaining read.

The Author

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Nora Ash writes the sort of books that have your toes curling and your blood pulsing. Her stories are often dark and always thrilling, with lots of sexy bad boys and the women who spur their desires. When not typing away at a story, Nora paints, eats chocolate or go for hikes around the English countryside with her very own bad boy.

Sign up to get updated about new releases at: http://www.nora-ash.com/newsletter/

GIVEAWAY!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FOLLOW THIS TOUR

Tour Review & Giveaway: Deadly Sweet by Lola Dodge

Deadly Sweet (#1) by Lola Dodge (Jan. 16, 2018)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: Ink Monster LLC
Source: I received a copy of this book as part of a tour for Xpresso Book Tours. Thank you!
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
My Rating:

Synopsis: For fans of Hex Hall, The Magicians, Practical Magic, and Food Wars! Anise Wise loves three things: baking, potion making, and reading her spellbooks in blissful silence. She might not be the most powerful witch, but enchantment is a rare skill, and her ability to bake with magic is even rarer. Too bad one wants witchcraft on their campus. Anise’s dream of attending pastry school crumbles with rejection letter after rejection letter. Desperate to escape her dead-end future, Anise contacts the long-lost relative she’s not supposed to know about. Great Aunt Agatha owns the only magic bakery in the US, and she suddenly needs a new apprentice. Anise is so excited she books it to New Mexico without thinking to ask what happened to the last girl. The Spellwork Syndicate rules the local witches in Taos, but as “accidents” turn into full-out attacks on Anise’s life, their promises to keep her safe are less and less reassuring. Her cranky bodyguard is doing his best, but it’s hard to fight back when she has no idea who’s the enemy. Or why she became their target. If Anise can’t find and stop whoever wants her dead, she’ll be more toasted than a crème brûlée. Who knew baking cakes could be so life or death?

+ Add to Goodreads

My Review

Deadly Sweet in Three Words: Magical. Fun. Food.

Deadly Sweet is full of food and magic. My two favorite things.

Anise is a baker and a witch. She can bake feelings into her cakes and cookies. How cool is that? Witches are looked down upon in every day life so she must hide who she is, thus making it harder and harder to live the life she wants. Then one day she discovers that she has an aunt who owns her own magical bakery in a magic town. When she gets accepted as her apprentice things only get crazier.

The author does a nice job with the world building, although a couple of questions go left unanswered I think they will be revealed in later books. My favorite parts of this story were the baking and the magic. I was always hungry for a cupcake or cookie while reading this book. So be prepared. The descriptions were that good. I also really like that the main character isn't some chosen one off to save the world or anything. When Anise meets her aunt she has to go back to learning the basics of cooking to become better. She not only must attend magic baking classes and try to make new friends, but due to a threat on her life, she has to try to stay alive in the process. I loved her interesting friends with different magical abilities.

There were a couple nit picky things that bothered me while reading, but nothing big. I wasn't a big fan of the romance and was hoping for something else entirely. I was also very confused about why her shield bodyguard slept all the time and that was all he did. Boring and weird. Perhaps there is a reason behind it that will be brought up in book two. Although I adored Anise and she felt very realistic, I could use with a little less discussion of her clothing choices every time she did something. These were just tiny personal things that bothered me. Overall, this book was a lot of fun to read!

The Bottom Line: Magic, a crazy cat, and delicious sounding baked goods makes this book worth reading. Give it a try!

The Author

Lola Dodge is a compulsive traveler, baker, and procrastinator. She earned her BA in English from Stonehill College and MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University–and hasn’t stopped moving since. When she’s not on the road, Lola spends her time indoors where the sunlight can’t melt her, writing or bingeing on anime and cherry soda. She can be summoned in a ritual involving curry, Hello Kitty idols, and a solid chocolate pentagram.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow The Blog Tour

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Haven by Mary Lindsey

Haven by Mary Lindsey (Nov. 7. 2017)
Length: 371 pages
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Source: I received a free eARC from the publisher. This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | iBooks
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: "We all hold a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed."

Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere, He’s used to people judging him for his rough background, his intimidating size, and now, his orphan status. He’s always been on the outside, looking in, and he’s fine with that. Until he moves to New Wurzburg and meets Friederike Burkhart. Freddie isn’t like normal teen girls, though. And someone wants her dead for it. Freddie warns he’d better stay far away if he wants to stay alive, but Rain’s never been good at running from trouble. For the first time, Rain has something worth fighting for, worth living for. Worth dying for.

+ Add to Goodreads

My Review

Haven in Three Words: Mysterous. Dark. Passionate.

Reminiscent of novels like Blood and Choclate by Annete Curtis Klause and Velvet by Temple West, Haven is sure to please fans of young adult paranormal romances.

Unlike your average YA paranormal romance novel, Haven is told from the point of view of a male protaganist. Not only is this a breath of fresh air, but having the female being the strong, dangerous, mysterious one to the normal human boy is pretty fantastic. Although Rain is no weakling, he is merly a human among a world of mythology and magic. Rain is an interesting main character who is forced to go live with the aunt he didn't know he had in a small town he didn't know existed. Inserted into a small town where he is clearly the oustider is barely a problem when he realizes that the small town has more secrets than people.

Mary Lindsey does a magnificant job at describing a small town setting filled with mysterious stories and weird residents. Although Rain is fresh meat at his new school, he is drawn to the dangerous Freddie, a tough girl who Rain finds scary and yet alluring. Their forbidden friendship turns more, and the author does a nice job with its unfolding. Actually, the pacing of the whole book was well done. Although the plot keeps a lot of the usual paranormal tropes, it still manages to bring a few surprises to the reader. I will admit that the foreshadowing was a little heavy handed. Otherwise, it's an entertaining story with great chemsitry between the main characters and a high-stakes ending.

The Bottom Line: Give it a shot.

About the Author

Mary Lindsey is a multi award-winning, RITA® nominated author of romance for adults and teens. She lives on an island in the middle of a river. Seriously, she does. When not writing, she wrangles her rowdy pack of three teens, two Cairn Terriers, and one husband. Inexplicably, her favorite animal is the giant anteater and at one point, she had over 200 "pet" Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. The roaches are a long story involving three science-crazed kids and a soft spot for rescue animals. The good news is, the "pet" roaches found a home... somewhere else.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

Giveaway

Click HERE for the giveaway!

Follow this tour!

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Traveler by L.E. DeLano

Hosted by Xpresso Book Tours

Traveler by L.E. DeLano
Length: 352 pages
Genre: Young Adult Romance/Parallel Realities
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Source: I received a free copy from the publisher as part of Xpresso Book Tours! This did not affect my honest review.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | iBooks

My Rating:

Synopsis: A teen writer discovers that every mirror is a portal into an alternate version of her life in this romantic YA fantasy by author L.E. DeLano. Jessa has spent her life dreaming of other worlds and writing down stories more interesting than her own, until the day her favorite character, Finn, suddenly shows up and invites her out for coffee. After the requisite nervous breakdown, Jessa learns that she and Finn are Travelers, born with the ability to slide through reflections and dreams into alternate realities. But it’s not all teacakes, pirates and fantasy lifestyles…Jessa is dying over and over again, in every reality, and Finn is determined that this time, he’s going to stop it… this Jessa is going to live.

+ Add to goodreads

My Review

Traveler in Three Words: Adventure. Swoons. Surprising.

I always love a book that has parallel realities, and this one is no different. What if you could travel through a reflective surface to another parallel reality? In Traveler, Jessa can do just that. So what if there is another Jessa in the reality she is entering? They trade places. I won't go into any more detail on that, this is just a quick summary of what Traveler has in store for you.

Jessa is your average teenager who then happens to find out that she can travel through mirrors. She meets Finn and life gets complicated. These two characters are like your average young adult couple. I can't say they were that unique, but I liked them just fine. I do like a certain pirate Finn from a different parallel reality the most. You will know who I am talking about when you meet him. I did really like that not only romance, but family and friendship were also highlights of the book. Jessa's mom is fairly present and her brother is sweet. You will get to meet several versions of different people in Jessa's life when she travels. That may have been my favorite part. I want even more of that in book two.

The unique plot and excellent pacing is what really makes this book worth reading. I just really enjoy a well thought out parallel reality story. The author does a great job at closing any timey-wimey gaps, and brings the reader on many adventures and different realities. I actually can't wait to go into what I hope is many more in the next book.

The Verdict: A book for any fan of young adult romance or parallel realities. That. Ending. Give me book two!

The Authors

L.E. DeLano is a YA novelist rep’d by Barry Goldblatt Literary agency, author of the upcoming “Traveler” (Swoon Reads/MacMillan 2017) and lifelong writer. Her work has been featured on various online outlets and she lives in Pennsylvania with two very adventurous kids and two very ridiculous cats. In her spare time, she writes (of course) and binge-watches way too much Netflix.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FOLLOW THIS BLOG TOUR

Bog Tour Review & Giveaway: Gold Rush by Jennifer Comeaux

Hosted by Xpresso Book Tours

Gold Rush by Jennifer Comeaux

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Length: 338 pages

Source: I received a copy of this book through Xpresso Book Tours. Thanks!

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

My Rating:

Liza Petrov’s entire life has been about skating and winning her sport’s top prize – Olympic gold. She’s stayed sheltered inside her bubble, not daring to stray from her destined path. Until she meets Braden Patrick. He makes her heart flutter with possibility, and for the first time she gets a taste of a normal teenage life. She longs to have both the boy and the gold, but stepping outside her bubble comes with a price. As Liza begins to question both her future and her past, can she stay focused on the present and realize her ultimate dream?

+ Add to goodreads

My Review

Gold Rush in Three Words: Passionate. Endearing. Friendship.

Gold Rush was the perfect getaway read after a really long week of reading nonfiction texts for grad school. It charmed me from the very first page.

Liza's life is all about figure skating. She wants nothing more than to win Olympic gold. It's too bad she meets Braden, a sweet and hot guy that she has an immediate connection with. Life starts to get tricky, and she has to figure out a way to balance it all. I adored Liza and I enjoyed reading about her passion for skating. I know little about the sport, but had no trouble visualizing the amazing jumps and footwork Liza does. I also loved reading every scene staring Braden. These two kids were too cute for words. I felt like their actions and story could happen in real life and I loved that.

I smiled the entire time I was reading Gold Rush. Liza's passion and watching her figure out what she wants out of life gave me all the feels. I was so engrossed in her story that I sat down and read this book in one sitting. Gold Rush is filled with nail biting figure skating scenes, a little family drama, friendship, fun times, and some swoon-worthy moments.

The Verdict: Gold Rush is an adorable must read. I will be reading this author's other works.

The Author

Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren’t any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a diehard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating. One of her favorite pastimes is traveling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing. When she’s not writing, traveling, or calculating taxes, you can find her feeding her television addiction.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow This Blog Tour

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Iniquity by Melody Winter

Hosted by Xpresso Book Tours

Iniquity (#1) by Melody Winter (Oct. 2016)

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Source: I received a copy of this book for a tour through Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. Thanks Melody Winter and Xpresso!

Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon

My Rating:

Synopsis: Athena Harrow is about to turn twenty-one, but there will be no celebration. What is there to celebrate when the world is ruled by demons?

She hates the darkness the demons brought with them and longs for the light to return to the world—a world she only vaguely remembers. The people in her forest village blindly accept the life the demons forced upon them, even tolerating the yearly ascension ceremony where all the girls who have turned twenty-one are either sent away to serve the Master Demon or left in the village and forced to procreate.

But Paymon, the assigned village demon, selects a different role for Athena, a role that pits her against the village. While she adapts to her new life, Erebus, a younger, more powerful demon, arrives, and Athena must play a dangerous game with his emotions in return for information about the demon’s reign of darkness.

As Athena’s dreams of restoring the light begin to fade, her life with Erebus takes an unexpected turn, and this time it’s her life being put to the test.

Set in the forest around Buttercrambe in North Yorkshire, England, INIQUITY explores the frightening, darker side of romance and the uncontrolled emotions it can unleash.

+ Add to goodreads

My Review

The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. I think you know what that means. Now is the perfect time to curl up under a warm blanket with a good book. Iniquity should be that book. It's dark and yet full of warmth.

In a world ruled by demons and with the sunlight hidden Athena is living a miserable life, and then she turns 21 and everything changes. Once women in her village turn 21 they must meet with the village demon to see what their role in the village or elsewhere will be. Athena gets news she never expected. 

Athena is a very tough young woman. She was a pleasure to meet and I thoroughly enjoyed following her story. She is one of several interesting characters in Iniquity. I refuse to give away any spoilers, but I will say that the romance wasn't my favorite at first. Then it grew on me so much that I became enamored myself. We get to spend a lot of time with her and the other deamons, but I was hoping even more time with some of the unique villagers and the other dark and twisty creatures that now prowl the earth.

The setting comes to life with Melody Winter's writing. From the forest, the lack of light, the depressing huts of the villagers to the exquisite house of the village demon, are all wonderfully described. As for the plot, although relatively tame considering the nature of the story, it had its wonderfully dark moments. It was nicely paced and entertaining. The ending had my nerves frayed. I can't wait for book two. Give me!

The Author

Growing up, Melody showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but ended up working in finance. Melody is convinced the methodical times she spends working with numbers fuel her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.

Melody Winter lives in York, North Yorkshire, England with her husband and two sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip to the nearby beaches at Scarborough and Whitby. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading and writing about such creatures.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow This Blog Tour

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: All the Feels by Danika Stone

All the Feels by Danika Stone (June 7, 2016)

Genre: Young Adult Romance

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Source:  I received a copy of this book for a tour through Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. Thanks Dankia Stone and Xpresso!

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

My Rating:

Synopsis: College freshman Liv is more than just a fangirl: The Starveil movies are her life… So, when her favorite character, Captain Matt Spartan, is killed off at the end of the last movie, Liv Just. Can’t. Deal.

Tired of sitting in her room sobbing, Liv decides to launch an online campaign to bring her beloved hero back to life. With the help of her best friend, Xander, actor and steampunk cosplayer extraordinaire, she creates #SpartanSurvived, a campaign to ignite the fandom. But as her online life succeeds beyond her wildest dreams, Liv is forced to balance that with the pressures of school, her mother’s disapproval, and her (mostly nonexistent and entirely traumatic) romantic life. A trip to DragonCon with Xander might be exactly what she needs to figure out what she really wants.

+ Add to goodreads

 My Review

I felt like All the Feels was written specifically for me. I loved it! 

Are you a part of a fandom? Do you consider yourself a fangirl of some degree? Do you have that tv show that you just can't stop watching? Do you feel intense feels when reading your favorite book or watching your favorite movie? If you answered yes to any of those questions then this book is for you! The chapter titles are even quotes from all of your favorite fandoms! 

Liv is part of the Starveil fandom. It is her passion. It is her inspiration. It is also what got her in trouble with her mother when her grades suffered because of it. Liv is a wonderful relatable character. She is sweet and shy and passionate. Her best friend, really only friend IRL, Xander, is very unique. He is always dressed in cosplay and the sweetest gentleman a girl could ask for, not to mention cute and so much fun! Everyone will want to meet these two characters.

The plot of All the Feels, although predictable for me, was a wonderful adventure. We get to see Liv grow as a person and we get to read about someone's first time at a big con. It was wonderful. It was almost like the feelings and things that happened to Liv were somehow magically transported from my mind into the book. I feel like the author really captured the spirit of fandom.

All the Feels is adorable and fun. It would make a wonderful summer read. Don't miss out!

The Author

Danika Stone is an author, artist, and educator who discovered a passion for writing fiction while in the throes of her Masters thesis. A self-declared bibliophile, Danika now writes novels for both adults (The Intaglio Series and Ctrl Z) and teens (Icarus and All the Feels). When not writing, Danika can be found hiking in the Rockies, planning grand adventures, and spending far too much time online. She lives with her husband, three sons, and a houseful of imaginary characters in a windy corner of Alberta, Canada.

The first book in Danika’s upcoming Tathagata series (Edge of Wild) was selected as a quarter-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel of the Year Award (2013). Edge of Wild (Stonehouse CA) will be released March 2016. Danika’s YA novel, All the Feels (Macmillan US), will be released June 2016.

Ms. Stone is represented by Morty Mint of Mint Literary Agency.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow This Blog Tour

The Outlander Series 2015 Reading Challenge Giveaway!

I can't believe my Outlander challenge has officially come to a close. Time flies. I am so sorry that I ended up getting two months behind with the Outlander posts, but I have a really good reason. I bought my first house and got a second job a couple of months ago, which in turn made for one crazy summer. Anyway...

Even though I failed at my own challenge, some of you succeeded and deserve to be recognized for your efforts. Whether you read 1, 2, or all of the books in the series, you can enter to win a $10 gift card to The Book Depository or Amazon! Heck, I even have a free entry for anyone who originally signed up in the challenge, because I of all people know that sometimes you have the best intentions but life gets in the way. Not to mention that I never pass up an opportunity to help support my fellow book nerds' bookish buying habits. ;) All you have to do is share the links to your reviews on the books in the rafflecopter below. It can be a link to a blog post, a tweet, a goodreads review, etc. Anything that shows that you read the book counts. Good luck!

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How many books did you read? I read two. I still plan to finish the series in the nearish future.