Devon Ashley's Blog, page 23

The July giveaway is an ARC of Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens.

All her life, Sara Gallagher has wondered about her birth parents. As an adopted child with two sisters who were born naturally to her parents, Sara’s home life was not ideal. The question of why she was given up for adoption has always haunted her. Finally, she is ready to take steps and find closure.

But some questions are better left unanswered.

After months of research, Sara locates her birth mother—only to be met with horror and rejection. Then she discovers the devastating truth: her mother was the only victim ever to escape a killer who has been hunting women every summer for decades. But Sara soon realizes the only thing worse than finding out about her father is him finding out about her.

What if murder is in your blood?
Wanna enter to win? Head over to my giveaway page.

The Iron Knight
Julie Kagawa
Pub: October 26, 2011

Synopsis: Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.
I never thought I'd say this about any character in any book, but I am sooo...

This is the first I've reviewed of the series, and I have to admit that The Iron Queen is actually my favorite and the best of the four. But...I love finally getting the story from Ice-Boy's point of view. A human lost in Faery, Meghan's fish out of water POV was fun to follow, but I often wondered went on behind the ever cold glares of the Winter Prince.
Note: Spoilers ahead if you haven't read the first three books!
In The Iron Queen, Meghan released Ash from the duty of being her sworn knight, ultimately untethering their bond and sparing his life. And before she transfered the power of the Iron King into the land itself, she ordered Ash to leave the Iron Realm and to never come back, knowing he would otherwise, even though the iron would kill him in a heartbeat now that his protective charm was spent. Who knew once Meghan gave the power to the Iron Realm itself that the land would turn around and return the favor, healing her injuries and making her the official Iron Queen. But what's done is done. Meghan now an Iron faery, and Ash a Winter faery, the two realms would not be allowed to marry...not that Ash could survive in Meghan's kingdom anyway. Having sworn that he would do whatever it takes to be by her side to love and protect her, Ash journeys beyond the end of the faery world in search of a soul.
Along with Puck, the Cat Sith, and two more unexpected allies, five members of the faery world travel beyond the end of the world and through the gauntlet so Ash can go through the trials to earn a soul. Becoming human is the only way in which Ash can stand beside Meghan, but does he really know what it means to have a soul? Subjected to physical weakness, lack of magic, a conscience and mortality, Ash is forced to endure everything that is beautiful - and deadly - about being human. When he realizes he'll never be able to physically protect Meghan again, will he really go through with accepting a soul, or remain the ever strong Winter Prince to protect her from afar...even if it means being apart forever?
Friendships will be tested. Actions will have consequences. Lives will be lost. And the deathly duel hanging over the heads of Ash and Puck will finally come to an end.
What can I say about The Iron Knight? Well, most likely you've already beaten me to this novel. I can only say I'm sorry it took me this long to read the last two books. What I really enjoyed about following Ash was getting a glimpse of the decades he spent as the Winter Prince. Temporarily given a soul, he's forced to endure all the cruel, souless things that he did to others through the course of his life...and boy did he do some nasty things. It's like he stood before the pearly gates and was forced to account for every bad thing he ever did. Besides an overwhelmingly guilty conscience plaguing his soul, his lack of magic and strength make him realize just how weak he'll be if he earns a soul and accepts. He'll never be able to protect Meghan, who will undoubtably be under constant attack by members of the other realms. So what's an Ice-Boy to do? Meghan proved to be an exceptionally strong-willed human forced to survive in a magically-influenced land that constantly tried to kill her off. Could Ash atone for his sins and prove himself worthy as well? Guess you'll have to read to find out for yourself! Yeah...I'm cruel that way. But I promise, you'll be rewarded with an ending you won't see coming.

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley.

This week I have the lovely Joann I. Martin Sowles for my Writer's Block segment. She's the author of the Brookhaven Vampires series and this indie writer becomes more and more popular as the weeks fly by. I'm sure you all recognize her New Adult Urban Fantasy novels Laney and Darkness, so let's take a few minutes to get to know this cool chic.

Website
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What was your favorite book as a kid? Well, I wasn’t much of a reader as a child. I was well into my twenties when I discovered my love of reading. But, as a child, my parents had this book that was about several unexplained mysteries. I was fascinated with the section on the Loch Ness monster. I would read it over and over. I’m still quite fascinated with Nessie today.
Tell us your favorite quote. One of my favorite quotes is by Lucille Ball: "I would rather regret the things I have done than the things I have not."
What is your favorite genre to read and what makes it so awesome? My favorite genre is paranormal romance. I love the supernatural and mix that together with a fantastic love story, you can’t ask for anything better.
Tell us your favorite author. Which book is your total fave from that author? I have quite a few favorite authors, it’s hard to choose just one but the one that I’ve read the most of lately would be Rachel Caine. I love her Morganville Vampires series, and to choose just one of them… I don’t think I could do it. The entire series is just fantastic! I love the relationships between Claire (the main character) and her friends and all of the action and excitement. Oh, and Shane and Myrnin… They are just the best!
If you could meet any dead person, who would you choose? Any particular reason why? I would love to meet Walt Disney. His imagination and his devotion to his dreams are truly inspiring.
If the Earth suddenly became uninhabitable, would you rather live under the sea or in space? Under the sea. I’d find myself a group of mermaids to take me to the Lost City of Atlantis. Cuz you know they know where it is. ;)
If you could live in any time period other than the present, which would you choose and why? Arthurian. I would love to see the time/age of Arthur and Merlin and even be a part of it.
What do you do when you experience that lovely problem called writer's block? Oh, writer’s block, how you torment so many of us. For me, I usually walk away for a bit. I take a break and play a game on my phone or take my dog out back and throw a ball for her or play something with my kids or rockband with my husband. I just try to clear my mind completely and start fresh after thirty minutes or so. Usually, things will start to flow again when I’m focused on something else.
Do you have a secret obsession you'd be willing to share? <wink, wink> Now, if I shared them they wouldn’t be a secret, would they?. ;) I will tell you that I have a serious addiction to Annie’s Gummy Bunnys. I can’t stop at one bag, I’ll eat the entire box in one sitting! Oh, and Kettlecorn. Same story, I’ll eat the entire bag. We can’t keep either of those items in the house, I just can’t control myself.
Do you like to listen to music when you read or write? I do, especially when I’m writing. It’s a must in my not-so-quiet house, I have to have my ear buds in to get any writing done.
Did you do anything special to celebrate your first book release? A friend of mine surprised me with cupcakes. She made mini versions of the cover and put them on popsicle sticks. It was super cute!
Which book are you most looking forward to reading this year? I have a huge to-read list but there are a few that I can’t wait to get lost in: Rachel Caine’s new Morganville books: Black Dawn and Bitter Blood, Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance. Charlaine Harris’ Deadlocked, the fourth installment in Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush, Hush series, and the sequel to Tess Oliver’s Camille.
Which do you prefer: ebook, hardback or paperback? Hardcovers. I’ve always loved books, even before I was a reader. I love the way they look, feel, and smell but I love hardcovers the most for some reason.
This or That Underworld or Twilight: That’s a toss-up… I think it would depend on my mood. Original or RemakeSweet or Salty: Both! Kettlecorn, baby!Drama or ComedyFantasy or Romance: Fantasy with some romance thrown in. ;) Spring or Autumn: Both! Dirty Dancing or Footloose Movie Theatre or LoveseatTea or CoffeeRain or Sunshine Skiing or Surfing: Neither, but I’d take the beach over the mountains anytime! Tree House or Man Cave: Tree house and a book, and I’m pulling the ladder up so nobody else can get inside.
Choose a challenge...if you dare! Write a sentence using all these words: joker, fireball, backpack, sticker, hula hoop: I gave the Joker a sticker for doing such a great job shooting fireballs through a hula hoop from his backpack.
Thank you for the great interview! I’d also like to thank all who have stopped by and taken the time read this interview. I invite all of you to visit my website where you can read the first 3 chapters of both Laney & Darkness. Much Love,
Joann I. Martin Sowles

And now for the Giveaway!!! Ms. Martin Sowless has generously offered up signed bookmarks and paperbacks of Laney and Darkness for you guys. :) Just fill in the rafflecopter below!
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Darkness (Brookhaven Vampires #2)
Joann I. Martin Sowles

Synopsis: Not long ago, Laney Alexander was living a carefree life, that is, until she was thrown into a world full of creatures only the imagination thought possible. Now, after surviving a terrifying night, Laney and Oliver are lying low at Julz's place, relieved to be in each other's arms once again. But fate seems to have other plans...

Julz is not happy to have visitors in her home and emotions run high. Laney is pushed to her limits as she watches Carter fight for his life and her relationship with Oliver becomes strained as she discovers secrets about Julz that could tear them apart.

As she reaches her boiling point, disaster strikes and her life is shattered. Laney must come to terms with what has unfolded. Will she lose her way and let the darkness consume her or will she find her light in Oliver?

Secrets will be revealed. Hearts will be broken. Lives will be lost. Darkness will fall.
Picking up where Laney left off, Oliver and Laney have fled to the fortress that is Julz's house and is forced to just stay there with the crazy-@ss woman who is determined to rip her to shreds. And with Felix's insistence, Carter is also there, recovering from a werewolf bite, nervously awaiting the full moon to see what happens. The entire household is on edge, and it strains all their relationships. One night when left alone for once, Laney finally says screw it and goes out with Carter and gets completely drunk off her butt. Can't say I blame her really. But when you have a jealous boyfriend that can't stand anyone giving you the slightest attention, who always seems to know what you're doing and where you are, you'd better be ready for the repercussions, and the wrath of a seriously overprotective vampire.
As for the plot in Darkness, I'm still trying to figure that out. Don't get me wrong, I liked Darkness, especially the sexual frustration between Laney and Oliver and their impending bonding, but this novel seems to be made up of lots of little things and not really anything big. As I skimmed through the reviews afterwards, trying to see if anyone caught something I missed, I noticed others felt that way too.
I do wish some things would have been answered in this book, cause all I have in the end was lots of unanswered questions. Why does Felix know her grandparents, and what are the odds that he shares the same last name as Laney? How did Laney's illusive dad know something terrible happened in her life, and sent his regards in a freakin' flower arrangement? What's in the hidden room at Laney's Aunt's house, and why didn't Laney go after Carter after he went snooping around in it? Why does Oliver's tattoo seem so familiar? And why won't Oliver explain this whole Brookhaven vampire thing? Cause clearly Laney's family may be involved. Laney doesn't force the issue on any of these things and it's frustrating that she allows herself to stay in the darkness (no pun intended). The only thing I felt Darkness answered was how Carter would react to the werewolf bite come full moon, which was a little weird.

I also kind of wish a little more of the story was focused on Laney, since she's the only point of view we get. So much is going on around her and the novel is basically her dealing with everybody elses' issues, save some grief she has to work through herself. It's Laney having to deal with Oliver because of how he has to deal with Julz, and the secret work he's constantly running off to do for his organization that he can't tell her about. Or Laney watching over Carter as he awaits the upcoming full moon. Or Laney dealing with a frantic Keira cause Carter's shut her out and she doesn't know why (cause she's not in on the vampire/werewolf thing - or is she?...everyone around Laney seems to be some kind of vampire-in-waiting). Hopefully the next story will be more about what's happening directly with Laney cause she's definetly got some hidden family secrets, grandparents and a father she didn't know about, and dare I say a possible brother she never knew existed? And Oliver. I'm impatiently waiting for their bond to happen cause the sexual tension is driving me crazy! (in a good way, of course).

Novel provided by author for honest review.

Laney (Brookhaven Vampires #1)
Joanne I. Martin Sowles

Synopsis: In a small college town in Northern California, Laney Alexander leads a regular, uneventful life-that is, until the charming and alluring Oliver Knight enters her world. Who is this gorgeous and mysterious stranger? Or, rather, what is he? As Laney's sophomore year of college begins, so does an unbelievable adventure-including a love she didn't know she longed for. She soon learns that Oliver is not ordinary, nor is the rest of his family, including a sister who openly hates her and a brother who will stop at nothing for revenge. As she fights for her life, and Oliver's love, Laney discovers that the fictional world of vampires isn't so fictional after all. Nobody is safe, especially Laney, Oliver's most important priority, and he will stop at nothing to protect her. With her mortality at risk, and a commitment revealed that she, without a doubt, knows she wants, Laney's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn...
Laney and her best friend forever, Keira, are roommates starting their second year of college. Apparently, this hottie has moved in down the hall, and surprisingly shows up in Laney's classes at school. The attraction seems mutual, and we meet Oliver Knight within the first few pages. But Oliver's slow to move into Laney's life, and it really frustrates her. What time the girls get to spend with Oliver and his roommate Carter, who Keira's been crushing on for years, the more Laney falls head over heels for Oliver. She catches some strange things, like Oliver constantly biting his lip and bleeding as he drinks from a silver canteen (gonna have to say Duh! here cause biting his lip wouldn't have been what I would have been thinking) and that he always seems to avoid the get-togethers involving food. It's not until he saves her from a vampire attack that she opens her eyes to what's right in front of her.
Oliver is a Brookhaven vampire, and his interest in Laney has drawn her into a violent family fued. His brother Oscar blames him for taking his love away from him, so he's determined to return the favor, making Laney number one on their Most Wanted list. Life couldn't suck more...literally. As she struggles dealing with fantasy becoming reality all around her, she's twisted and pulled in every direction as Oliver struggles to keep her safe.
For people with pet peeves, there are a few things I should mention. The first half and the back half of this book don't match. It's almost like the author became a better writer as she advanced through, cause the first half needs a little rewriting. Why do I say this? Because the first half of the book is guilty of the following: 1) Very little substance. Everything interesting happens in the back end of the book and very little in the front. 2) Overly-descriptive. I don't really need to know how many feet there are between Laney's bed and the bathroom, and how many more to Keira's room. All these descriptions slow down the action and makes the story drag out. 3) Simple sentences. At times it actually reads like: Oliver smiles. I blush. Too many short sentences, not enough complex ones. 4) Laney's obsessed with Oliver. Once she meets him, you can't go one page without hearing about how handsome he is or how gorgeous some body part is. It's overwhelming, and her feelings just don't seem real to me, like what she's feeling is lust for his body and not love for who he is. Also, 5) Laney's college is weird. I've attended three universities and I've never experienced the scheduling block she has, nor had the same hottie I liked in all my classes, nor did the professors care whether or not I came to class. It almost felt like Laney was originally attending a live-in private high school and got changed later to make the characters older. Luckily, the second half of this novel seems to fix all these issues when the story becomes focused on the action, and the writing seems to fall into place and flow like it should.

Don't let my last paragraph scare you off of reading Laney. I was really happy with how the story came together by the end, I just felt it was a bumpy ride getting there. Once you pass 150 pages, the story hooks you and the writing flows a lot better. Now that the writing kinks have been smoothed out, I expect Darkness to get a higher rating from me. :)

Novel provided by author for honest review.

All the giveaways for the Ordained blog tour are now open!Here's the list:
International Giveaways :Ella Bella Reviews (INT paperback/signed bookmark)Seeing Night Reviews (ebook)*Mind Reading? (ebook)*Winterhaven Books (ebook)*My Blog Tour Page (ebooks, signed paperback)
US Only Giveaways :Books Complete Me (ARCs of Ordained and Metamophosis w/ original book covers)Reader's Antidote (paperback/signed bookmark)My Blog Tour Page (signed bookmarks)
*ebooks to be gifted through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo or Smashwords

Fractured Light
Rachel McClellan
Pub: Feb. 8, 2012

Synopsis: Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. But she never felt ready to face them---until now. Defying the Auran Council and everything she's been taught, Llona must learn to use her power over light as a weapon if she wants to survive.Llona has moved around since her parents were killed. Her mother died when she was really young, and her father when she was just a teen. Under the supervision of her uncle, they change locations whenever Llona begins to feel uncomfortable. She understands there's a strength of Light within her that makes her different, but she refuses to go to the protective school that houses and teaches others like her how to control their power. She's rebellious - just like her mother, and wants to be like her in every way. But being uneducated in the Light-sense makes her an easy target for those that kill the Aura's, the Vykens, who can only step out of the darkness and into light once they drink their blood.
Llona's beginning her senior year of high school and she's fed up of running. She wants nothing more than to make friends and have a little normalcy in her life. But that's short-lived. Having not gone to school and no one around to teach her how to control her Light, she doesn't know how to keep herself hidden very well, and immediately begins to sense a dark presence stalking her at night. Not to mention the murders of a couple of women, and some of the evidence of the crimes literally showing up on her doorstep. And she can't help but notice that May, one of new friend's, has the ability to set things on fire. Is she the new presence Llona's been sensing? Then there's Christian, another new student that takes an interest in Llona, who's practically attached at the hip, and makes remarks about the Light that leave Llona wondering if he knows what she is. But Llona still feels safe around her new friends. The only problem is, the Vyken stalking her is the one that killed her mom, and it's been following her all her life, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. She knows the lengths this Vyken went to befriend her mom before killing her, and she knows it could very well have taken the form of one of her new best friends. So what's an Aura to do?
Still refusing to take shelter at the Auran school, Llona goes against all Auran rules and principles and trains to use the Light as a defensive maneuver. Like her mother, she wants to live a real life, not run and hide every time danger arises. And if that Vyken ever decides to strike, she's gonna give him a fight like no Aura before her.
Fractured Light was a wonderful read. :) It's different from any other paranormal book out there right now and was absolutely refreshing. Ms. McClellan has come up with a whole new type of supernatural ability, harnessing Light as a power source, and I can't wait to see where she takes it. There is a little romance, as Llona and Christian do feel something for each other, but don't expect this to be filled with too much lovey-dovey stuff. So if you want to read a paranormal that doesn't involve the typical supernatural beings, suck up this one soon!


ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley.

I'm currently setting up a blog tour in August for my New Adult Urban Fantasy Metamorphosis (The Immortal Archives #2). If you're a blogger and would like to be considered to do a review for this tour, please fill out the information below. For those of you more fond of Emily, you'll be happy to hear she plays a bigger role in this novel (she did get the cover this time). :)

Change is not always a good thing...

Some survived the battle – but not without a price. As one heart starts up again, another dies down. The pure vampires learn their immortality isn't as strong as they'd thought – the status of their hearts determines their vulnerability. And when the truth gets out, a betrayal by one of their own will cost more lives.
"METAMORPHOSIS delivers shock after shock, accompanied by repeated plot twists. This story is so filled with action and surprises the reader can get whiplash just trying to keep up." Ellen Hudson of Ella Bella Reviews.
Note: You must be a blogger with a blog dedicated to book reviews to be part of this tour. Only eBooks will be distributed for the Metamorphosis tour, so you must be able to accept an eBook for Kindle, Nook, Kobo or an epub through Smashwords.
If you're interested, head over to my tour page to sign-up.

The Ordained Blog Tour is now underway! To celebrate, I'll be giving away a couple of paperbacks, several eBooks and lots of bookmarks at various sites. To find out where to enter, just head over to my tour page!
Ordained tags: Urban Fantasy, Hunters, Magic, Witches, Demons, Mythology, New Adult
Normally, the school creates the hunters - not the monsters.

Abby Sorrensten likes to play rough. Ripping the horns off the heads of demons, manipulating lightning and setting things on fire with the flick of your wrist can give you a serious rush. So she probably wasn't the best choice for the Order's experimental training program. Thirteen years of isolation, lack of affection and a bruised and broken body from horrendous training sessions creates more than just an exceptional fighter. It creates an evil within - an evil responsible for the several deaths the night she left.
Two hundred years later Abby resurfaces as the very thing the Order trained her to kill: a vampire. A mythical demon has set his sights on the school and only the ordained hunter has the powers to face it. Unbenknownst to the Order, Abby's their precious ordained one and their only chance for survival. As much as she would love to leave them hanging, she's not willing to risk the life of Emily, a fellow friend and hunter also fed up with the organization.
But for Abby, locking herself away in a fortress filled with angry descendents of those she killed causes suspicions and tensions to run high. Abby must learn the demon's weaknesses for battle before the Order learns hers.
 

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Hemlock
Kathleen Peacock
Pub: May 8, 2012

Synopsis: Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered. Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.
Four best friends with secrets up the wazoo, and Amy's death is the catalyst that crumbles their lives to pieces. Mac is left without a best friend, Jason without a girlfriend, and Kyle, well...he's got other issues to deal with, including a psycho ex that doesn't like that he's grieving over Amy, or how much time he's spending with Mac these days. In a world where werewolves were outed more than a decade ago, those found with the virus for Lupin syndrome get stripped of their human rights and shipped off to horrible camps to spend the rest of their lives.
When Amy, a senator's daughter, whose father was adamant about werewolf rights, is murdered by a white werewolf, the crime scene just doesn't look right. While the rest of the recent murders resemble murder by bloodlust, a few details make it seem Amy's death was carefully thought out ahead, perhaps by someone trying to change the senator's way of thinking. But for some reason the police are slipping the crime's details under the rug. When the lead investigator suddenly gets kicked off the case and a vigilante group called the Trackers show up in town, they claim they're going to track it down and kill it. But Amy's not so sure. After several run-ins with the Tracker's leader, she's not entirely convinced he has any intention of tracking down the white wolf. He seems more interested in making Jason, the son of one of the town's most wealthiest and influential citizens, his new protege. So it's up to Mac, and an protective Kyle, to investigate Amy's death and learn the identity of the white wolf, all while keeping Jason at bay, who's in route to join the vigilante's group.
Hemlock was filled with endless twists and turns, and danger around every corner. Ms. Peacock has interweaved an urban fantasy filled with mystery, intrigue and suspense - sure to keep your hands glued to the book until the very last page. Pick it up already!

ARC provided by Parafantasy ARC Tours.