Devon Ashley's Blog, page 5
August 4, 2014
CATACOMBS Release Week Event & Giveaway!
CATACOMBS is NOW AVAILABLE! I know, I know. It took forever to get this out and for that I am so sorry! (Please, stop the hate mail already!) :) I was on a romantic writing binge, and since my Immortal Archives books focus mainly on the Urban Fantasy, it took awhile for me to get back to writing it. Not because I love these characters any less than the others I've written about! But because I wanted to do them justice, and if that meant waiting awhile before continuing their story, then that's what I'd do. And did. So without further ado, here are the links where you can pick up the 3rd book in The Immortal Archive series. Paperbacks available on Amazon US
, UK, DE, FR, IT, and ES, and my E-store.eBooks available on Kindle US
, UK, DE, FR, IN, IT, ES, CA, BR, JP, MX, AU; Kobo and Nook.Hardbacks coming soon!**NOTE:** Catacombs is currently unavailable for Nook. I've tried all weekend to publish it, but keep getting 'bad gateway' as the response. I'll link it as soon as B&N gets back to me about fixing this problem.
And now for the giveaway. Help me spread the word that Catacombs is finally out, and you could win $20 to your choice of Amazon, Barnes and Noble or the Book Depository! a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 3, 2014
Nearly Undone (Nearly #3) Cover Reveal Sign-ups!
Excited to see how it all plays out in the final installment of the Nearly trilogy? Sign up for the cover reveal and description release for NEARLY UNDONE right here. This is open to anyone with a blog or facebook account dedicated to books. Loading...
August 2, 2014
I Am The Weapon by Allen Zadoff
I Am The Weapon (The Unknown Assassin #1)
Allen Zadoff
Pub.: May 13, 2014
Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school, in a new town, under a new name, makes few friends and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend's family to die -- of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, and moves on to the next target.
When his own parents died of not-so-natural causes at the age of eleven, Boy Nobody found himself under the control of The Program, a shadowy government organization that uses brainwashed kids as counter-espionage operatives. But somewhere, deep inside Boy Nobody, is somebody: the boy he once was, the boy who wants normal things (like a real home, his parents back), a boy who wants out. And he just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's next mission.
Boy Nobody lost his parents when he was just a kid, his father by the same assassin who took him to the program he worked for. There Nobody was given a choice to either work for the Program or die. Hard choice, right? Several years later he's been working one case after another, where he goes in, befriends the kid of the target, kills their parent, then disappears into thin air, just to start the process all over again. He's kind of the perfect assassin. Because really, who would expect a kid? Not too many.
Now, Nobody's newest case has him targeting the governor of New York and his very opinionated young daughter. But all is not what it seems, and Nobody begins to question his assignment - which just isn't smart when you work for a group with assassins at the ready - because they may just turn them on you. Sorry, but I'm keeping my plot summary vague on this one, as very little could be said without revealing the mystery behind it all. This was a good YA read with mild spy antics. The story focused more on Nobody's growing relations his target's daughter and learning to think for himself than actual spy stuff you'd expect to get from the adult novels. But it's definitely one worth checking out for the younger readers.
Novel provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Allen Zadoff
Pub.: May 13, 2014
Boy Nobody is the perennial new kid in school, the one few notice and nobody thinks much about. He shows up in a new high school, in a new town, under a new name, makes few friends and doesn't stay long. Just long enough for someone in his new friend's family to die -- of "natural causes." Mission accomplished, Boy Nobody disappears, and moves on to the next target. When his own parents died of not-so-natural causes at the age of eleven, Boy Nobody found himself under the control of The Program, a shadowy government organization that uses brainwashed kids as counter-espionage operatives. But somewhere, deep inside Boy Nobody, is somebody: the boy he once was, the boy who wants normal things (like a real home, his parents back), a boy who wants out. And he just might want those things badly enough to sabotage The Program's next mission.
Boy Nobody lost his parents when he was just a kid, his father by the same assassin who took him to the program he worked for. There Nobody was given a choice to either work for the Program or die. Hard choice, right? Several years later he's been working one case after another, where he goes in, befriends the kid of the target, kills their parent, then disappears into thin air, just to start the process all over again. He's kind of the perfect assassin. Because really, who would expect a kid? Not too many.
Now, Nobody's newest case has him targeting the governor of New York and his very opinionated young daughter. But all is not what it seems, and Nobody begins to question his assignment - which just isn't smart when you work for a group with assassins at the ready - because they may just turn them on you. Sorry, but I'm keeping my plot summary vague on this one, as very little could be said without revealing the mystery behind it all. This was a good YA read with mild spy antics. The story focused more on Nobody's growing relations his target's daughter and learning to think for himself than actual spy stuff you'd expect to get from the adult novels. But it's definitely one worth checking out for the younger readers.
Novel provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
July 26, 2014
Bones Never Lie by Kathy Reichs (ARC)
Bones Never Lie (Temperance Brennan #17)
Kathy Reichs
Exp. Pub.: September 23, 2014
In the acclaimed author’s thrilling new novel, Brennan is at the top of her game in a battle of wits against the most monstrous adversary she has ever encountered.
Unexpectedly called in to the Charlotte PD’s Cold Case Unit, Dr. Temperance Brennan wonders why she’s been asked to meet with a homicide cop who’s a long way from his own jurisdiction. The shocking answer: Two child murders, separated by thousands of miles, have one thing in common—the killer. Years ago, Anique Pomerleau kidnapped and murdered a string of girls in Canada, then narrowly eluded capture. It was a devastating defeat for her pursuers, Brennan and police detective Andrew Ryan. Now, as if summoned from their nightmares, Pomerleau has resurfaced in the United States, linked to victims in Vermont and North Carolina. When another child is snatched, the reign of terror promises to continue—unless Brennan can rise to the challenge and make good on her second chance to stop a psychopath.
But Brennan will have to draw her bitter ex-partner out of exile, keep the local police and feds from one another’s throats, and face more than just her own demons as she stalks the deadliest of predators into the darkest depths of madness.
I now remember why I stopped reading these novels. While the murder mysteries are always intricate and well thought out, the facts and science behind them read a little too textbook for me to really sit back and enjoy. Also, Dr. Brennan hardly ever shares her feelings about anything, and the only way I ever know them is if she says them verbally, which let me tell you, is incredibly rare. I was also a little put off about the cliffhanger. Not that there was a cliffy, but how the last scene played out. Really? Who acts like that with such an important decision? Not any adults I know, and most of them are mature and well educated.
Here's the 411. The reason I'm only giving this only two stars is because I didn't feel a connection to the character. Hell, the only character I even liked in this story was Slidell, 'cause quite frankly, at least his speech was amusing. I want to feel an MC's ups and downs, experience her misery and leap for joy for her triumphs. Unfortunately these novels still don't offer an emotional side to Dr. Brennan. She comes off numb, as if everything in life bores her to the point that nothing is significant or worthy of emotion. So, sorry, but I still can't find myself to are about her story when she can't be bothered herself.
If you're a fan of these stories already, nothing's changed, so you'll continue to be happy. But for anyone like me who likes to feel a connection when they're reading a novel, it's still not happening. Which is too bad, because I do like the concept for this series.
ARC provided by Bantam for honest review.
Kathy Reichs
Exp. Pub.: September 23, 2014
In the acclaimed author’s thrilling new novel, Brennan is at the top of her game in a battle of wits against the most monstrous adversary she has ever encountered.Unexpectedly called in to the Charlotte PD’s Cold Case Unit, Dr. Temperance Brennan wonders why she’s been asked to meet with a homicide cop who’s a long way from his own jurisdiction. The shocking answer: Two child murders, separated by thousands of miles, have one thing in common—the killer. Years ago, Anique Pomerleau kidnapped and murdered a string of girls in Canada, then narrowly eluded capture. It was a devastating defeat for her pursuers, Brennan and police detective Andrew Ryan. Now, as if summoned from their nightmares, Pomerleau has resurfaced in the United States, linked to victims in Vermont and North Carolina. When another child is snatched, the reign of terror promises to continue—unless Brennan can rise to the challenge and make good on her second chance to stop a psychopath.
But Brennan will have to draw her bitter ex-partner out of exile, keep the local police and feds from one another’s throats, and face more than just her own demons as she stalks the deadliest of predators into the darkest depths of madness.
I now remember why I stopped reading these novels. While the murder mysteries are always intricate and well thought out, the facts and science behind them read a little too textbook for me to really sit back and enjoy. Also, Dr. Brennan hardly ever shares her feelings about anything, and the only way I ever know them is if she says them verbally, which let me tell you, is incredibly rare. I was also a little put off about the cliffhanger. Not that there was a cliffy, but how the last scene played out. Really? Who acts like that with such an important decision? Not any adults I know, and most of them are mature and well educated.
Here's the 411. The reason I'm only giving this only two stars is because I didn't feel a connection to the character. Hell, the only character I even liked in this story was Slidell, 'cause quite frankly, at least his speech was amusing. I want to feel an MC's ups and downs, experience her misery and leap for joy for her triumphs. Unfortunately these novels still don't offer an emotional side to Dr. Brennan. She comes off numb, as if everything in life bores her to the point that nothing is significant or worthy of emotion. So, sorry, but I still can't find myself to are about her story when she can't be bothered herself.
If you're a fan of these stories already, nothing's changed, so you'll continue to be happy. But for anyone like me who likes to feel a connection when they're reading a novel, it's still not happening. Which is too bad, because I do like the concept for this series.
ARC provided by Bantam for honest review.
July 23, 2014
My Wolf's Bane by Veronica Blade (Indie)
My Wolf's Bane (Shapes of Autumn #1)
Veronica Blade
Pub Date: January 28, 2013
Different species. Mortal enemies. It'll never work, but they'll die trying.
Autumn Rossi thought she was a normal teenager. Suddenly, she can outrun every critter in the forest, making her wonder if she’s even human.
When the new guy at school, Zack de Luca, witnesses a questionable scene, he unfairly pins her as stuck-up. He acts like he hates her, yet he keeps bailing her out of trouble. Not only is Zack both insufferable and irresistible, he seems to sniff her anytime he gets close.
As passion flares between them, Autumn isn’t sure which is more dangerous: her psycho ex-boyfriend, or falling for Zack — who’s risking his life just by being near her.
Freaky things are happening to Autumn Rossi. All of a sudden she can hear sounds in the distance, her smell is more refined and sensitive, she's able to run at speeds she shouldn't be able to reach, and her body heals way too fast. Even this teenager knows these aren't the kind of symptoms you go running to the doctor about, so she has no one to ask. Her parents, you ask? They've been suffocating her for years. Constantly in contact, even texting her in school, never leaving her alone for more than an hour at a time. And they move her several times a year. So telling them about these things when they're already itching to move once more, Autumn decides to deal with it on her own. She likes it where she is. She'll turn eighteen in less than a week and is ready to stop following her parents so she can graduate high school where she is. The only thing she doesn't like? The new guy who always seems to be behind her trying to be her freakin' savior. Zack de Luca may be hot, but Autumn's getting whiplash from his mood swings. Always short and snippy with her, if he wasn't helping to fix her sorry excuse for a car or putting himself between her and her crazy of an ex, she'd think he completely hated her. But when Autumn negotiates with her parents to stay while they leave town for work for a week, she finds herself forced to spend more time with him. Not only has the local mechanic put Zach in charge of helping her find a new car within her budget, but her ex becomes more aggressive, and Zach feels compelled to sleep on her sofa and be a little more attentive at school. Which would be all fine and well if that jerk didn't start growing on her. And it seems he had the same problems with her. When she finds out neither she or Zach are even human, Autumn thinks she's finally found someone she can relate to. But there's an expiration on this so-called camaraderie, because both of their lives are in danger, and being together is not only forbidden but to puts a deadly target on both their backs.
If you're a fan of forbidden romance with a taste of the supernatural world, this is a goody to pick up. But these characters are still high school, so you better prepare yourself for some additional teenage drama. I'm curious to see what happens because there's something more going on with her parents, and I've got it in my head that they're either a part of a certain secret society or that they might just be guilty of having one of these forbidden relationships themselves.
Copy provided by Crush Publishing for honest review.
Veronica Blade
Pub Date: January 28, 2013
Different species. Mortal enemies. It'll never work, but they'll die trying.Autumn Rossi thought she was a normal teenager. Suddenly, she can outrun every critter in the forest, making her wonder if she’s even human.
When the new guy at school, Zack de Luca, witnesses a questionable scene, he unfairly pins her as stuck-up. He acts like he hates her, yet he keeps bailing her out of trouble. Not only is Zack both insufferable and irresistible, he seems to sniff her anytime he gets close.
As passion flares between them, Autumn isn’t sure which is more dangerous: her psycho ex-boyfriend, or falling for Zack — who’s risking his life just by being near her.
Freaky things are happening to Autumn Rossi. All of a sudden she can hear sounds in the distance, her smell is more refined and sensitive, she's able to run at speeds she shouldn't be able to reach, and her body heals way too fast. Even this teenager knows these aren't the kind of symptoms you go running to the doctor about, so she has no one to ask. Her parents, you ask? They've been suffocating her for years. Constantly in contact, even texting her in school, never leaving her alone for more than an hour at a time. And they move her several times a year. So telling them about these things when they're already itching to move once more, Autumn decides to deal with it on her own. She likes it where she is. She'll turn eighteen in less than a week and is ready to stop following her parents so she can graduate high school where she is. The only thing she doesn't like? The new guy who always seems to be behind her trying to be her freakin' savior. Zack de Luca may be hot, but Autumn's getting whiplash from his mood swings. Always short and snippy with her, if he wasn't helping to fix her sorry excuse for a car or putting himself between her and her crazy of an ex, she'd think he completely hated her. But when Autumn negotiates with her parents to stay while they leave town for work for a week, she finds herself forced to spend more time with him. Not only has the local mechanic put Zach in charge of helping her find a new car within her budget, but her ex becomes more aggressive, and Zach feels compelled to sleep on her sofa and be a little more attentive at school. Which would be all fine and well if that jerk didn't start growing on her. And it seems he had the same problems with her. When she finds out neither she or Zach are even human, Autumn thinks she's finally found someone she can relate to. But there's an expiration on this so-called camaraderie, because both of their lives are in danger, and being together is not only forbidden but to puts a deadly target on both their backs.
If you're a fan of forbidden romance with a taste of the supernatural world, this is a goody to pick up. But these characters are still high school, so you better prepare yourself for some additional teenage drama. I'm curious to see what happens because there's something more going on with her parents, and I've got it in my head that they're either a part of a certain secret society or that they might just be guilty of having one of these forbidden relationships themselves.
Copy provided by Crush Publishing for honest review.
July 19, 2014
Release Week Event Signups
I'm going to be running a release week event for my new adult urban fantasy novel CATACOMBS (The Immortal Archives #3) from August 4th to August 8th.
I know, I know. It's been years since my last Immortal Archives book was released and this has been a long time coming. Guess you could say I was on a romance writing binge, because I've put out seven since Metamorphosis released back in 2011. Unfortunately, I had half this novel written when I got robbed and both my computers stolen, including all copies I had of the file. I was a little frustrated so it took me a long time to go back and rewrite what I lost from scratch. (Gotta love cloud storage these days...wish I knew about it back then!)
For those who would like to participate, please fill out the form to choose the day you'd like to run your promo. Several days prior to the event, I'll provide everyone with an excerpt and links to banners and teasers to use at your discretion. There will also be a gift card giveaway running with the event, so I'll be providing you with a rafflecopter code as well.
July 7, 2014
Dearest Clementine by Lex Martin (Indie)
Dearest Clementine (Dearest #1)
Lex Martin
Pub.: May 25, 2014
Twenty-year-old Clementine Avery doesn't mind being called bitchy and closed off. It's safe, and after being burned by her high school sweetheart and stalked by a professor her freshman year of college, safe sounds pretty damn good.
Her number one rule for survival? No dating. That is until she accidentally signs up for a romance writing class and needs material for her latest assignment. Sexy RA Gavin Murphy is more than happy to play the part of book boyfriend to help Clem find some inspiration, even if that means making out...in the name of research, of course.
As Gavin and Clem grow closer, they get entangled in the mystery surrounding a missing Boston University student, and Clem unwittingly becomes a possible target. Gavin tries to show Clem she can handle falling in love again, but she knows she has to be careful because her heart’s at stake…and maybe even her life.
*** 4.5 dreamcatchers ***
Sweet, sexy and mysterious. I needed this shiny little jewel.
Clementine Avery has been burned in love. Her high school sweetheart and lifelong friend cheated on her with her best friend, then her college professor/mentor stalked and aggressively attacked her. It's no wonder why she's downright rude to the opposite sex. So when Gavin Murphy makes his appearance, even his hotness doesn't save him from the brushoff.
To make things worse, her father is all about the job in another country, and her mother disowned her once she lost that honey of a quarterback in high school - because hey, mommy didn't put you on the pill for nothing! You're supposed to put out! And now you've totally ruined this perfect marriage between two high society families with a boy talented enough to pick up the Heisman. "Thanks Mom..."
So while her twin continued to receive financial and tuition assistance, Clem had to go it alone. So what's a girl to do? Write a best seller about her life of course! But under the safety net of a pen name and that lovely fiction tag on top of what was mostly autobiographical.
So with her angry, stand-offish mentality, Clem's been labeled a bitch by most outside her circle. But you know what?
And she's still strong despite it all, so that's not really an insult to her.
Two years later, even with her job, the money's running out and she needs to push through the writer's block that's been hanging over her head since that sick mentor of hers damaged it. When she realizes she accidentally signed up for a Romance writing class instead of one more suitable for her genre, it's too late to switch. And unfortunately, her new teacher wants her to pull from her life experiences and write some angsty, intense love story that'll get even the prudes to spread their legs. Well, shit...
Needless to say, her first installment bombs because has no idea how to write romance, let alone how it's all suppose to work. Enter Gavin again, who's managed to invade her life without her even knowing it. He's now a guitarist in her friend's band, so they're constantly running into one another and hanging out with the group. Turns out he's not only easy on the eyes, but incredibly easy to talk to. When she learns Gavin is a journalist himself, she mentions her new sucktastic class. Gavin offers to help, not only by telling her where she went wrong in her scenes, but willing to show her how it should've gone down (ie. pretend to be her book boyfriend - yeah, pretend my ass. This boy is all sorts of smooth.) Of course it all begins with:
but quickly escalates to flirting
and all sorts of dirty imagery.
Fuels the writer, you know?
But before things can really take off, Gavin begins to have secrets, which Clem flat out can't deal with.
And at the same time, that twit of a professor has come back from his (cough) sabbatical and is teaching at her school again, having no qualms of harassing her now that her restraining order can't be renewed. And her ex-cheater, who's her twin's best friend, keeps trying to come around to see her too. Then the damn professor goes public with Clem's identity and accuses her of plagiarizing his work!, giving the press an absolute field day. The poor girl's about to go off her rocker - where are the damn anxiety pills?
Breakdown aside, will Clem ever be able to get it together, forgive Gavin and let it get back on the road to this?
Guess you'll have to read to find out. I know I'll be jumping on the bandwagon for the companion novels! I'm curious to see Jax's and Daren's stories too.
Novel provided by author for honest review.
Lex Martin
Pub.: May 25, 2014
Twenty-year-old Clementine Avery doesn't mind being called bitchy and closed off. It's safe, and after being burned by her high school sweetheart and stalked by a professor her freshman year of college, safe sounds pretty damn good.Her number one rule for survival? No dating. That is until she accidentally signs up for a romance writing class and needs material for her latest assignment. Sexy RA Gavin Murphy is more than happy to play the part of book boyfriend to help Clem find some inspiration, even if that means making out...in the name of research, of course.
As Gavin and Clem grow closer, they get entangled in the mystery surrounding a missing Boston University student, and Clem unwittingly becomes a possible target. Gavin tries to show Clem she can handle falling in love again, but she knows she has to be careful because her heart’s at stake…and maybe even her life.
*** 4.5 dreamcatchers ***
Sweet, sexy and mysterious. I needed this shiny little jewel.
Clementine Avery has been burned in love. Her high school sweetheart and lifelong friend cheated on her with her best friend, then her college professor/mentor stalked and aggressively attacked her. It's no wonder why she's downright rude to the opposite sex. So when Gavin Murphy makes his appearance, even his hotness doesn't save him from the brushoff.
To make things worse, her father is all about the job in another country, and her mother disowned her once she lost that honey of a quarterback in high school - because hey, mommy didn't put you on the pill for nothing! You're supposed to put out! And now you've totally ruined this perfect marriage between two high society families with a boy talented enough to pick up the Heisman. "Thanks Mom..." 
So while her twin continued to receive financial and tuition assistance, Clem had to go it alone. So what's a girl to do? Write a best seller about her life of course! But under the safety net of a pen name and that lovely fiction tag on top of what was mostly autobiographical.
So with her angry, stand-offish mentality, Clem's been labeled a bitch by most outside her circle. But you know what?
And she's still strong despite it all, so that's not really an insult to her.
Two years later, even with her job, the money's running out and she needs to push through the writer's block that's been hanging over her head since that sick mentor of hers damaged it. When she realizes she accidentally signed up for a Romance writing class instead of one more suitable for her genre, it's too late to switch. And unfortunately, her new teacher wants her to pull from her life experiences and write some angsty, intense love story that'll get even the prudes to spread their legs. Well, shit...
Needless to say, her first installment bombs because has no idea how to write romance, let alone how it's all suppose to work. Enter Gavin again, who's managed to invade her life without her even knowing it. He's now a guitarist in her friend's band, so they're constantly running into one another and hanging out with the group. Turns out he's not only easy on the eyes, but incredibly easy to talk to. When she learns Gavin is a journalist himself, she mentions her new sucktastic class. Gavin offers to help, not only by telling her where she went wrong in her scenes, but willing to show her how it should've gone down (ie. pretend to be her book boyfriend - yeah, pretend my ass. This boy is all sorts of smooth.) Of course it all begins with:
but quickly escalates to flirting
and all sorts of dirty imagery.
Fuels the writer, you know?
But before things can really take off, Gavin begins to have secrets, which Clem flat out can't deal with.
And at the same time, that twit of a professor has come back from his (cough) sabbatical and is teaching at her school again, having no qualms of harassing her now that her restraining order can't be renewed. And her ex-cheater, who's her twin's best friend, keeps trying to come around to see her too. Then the damn professor goes public with Clem's identity and accuses her of plagiarizing his work!, giving the press an absolute field day. The poor girl's about to go off her rocker - where are the damn anxiety pills?
Breakdown aside, will Clem ever be able to get it together, forgive Gavin and let it get back on the road to this?
Guess you'll have to read to find out. I know I'll be jumping on the bandwagon for the companion novels! I'm curious to see Jax's and Daren's stories too.
Novel provided by author for honest review.
July 5, 2014
Kindle Exclusive! Falling Novels
NOW AVAILABLE as a KINDLE EXCLUSIVE!!!
I've made a compilation book of my Falling Novels, which include Falling In Between, Falling Away and Falling Upward. Currently, this is only available through Amazon. AND, for those of you participating in their Amazon Prime program, you CAN pick up this entire series as your monthly lend. Three books for only $4.99 - or completely FREE if you have Prime! So if you haven't started this series, this is a great way to pick it up!Get it here.
I've made a compilation book of my Falling Novels, which include Falling In Between, Falling Away and Falling Upward. Currently, this is only available through Amazon. AND, for those of you participating in their Amazon Prime program, you CAN pick up this entire series as your monthly lend. Three books for only $4.99 - or completely FREE if you have Prime! So if you haven't started this series, this is a great way to pick it up!Get it here.
June 30, 2014
He Belongs With Me by Sarah Darlington (Indie)
He Belongs With Me
Sarah Darlington
Pub.: February 28th, 2014
Two girls. One Leo. Identical twins, Maggie and Clara Ryder, both grew up with Leo Maddox, billionaire playboy, apparent alcoholic, and heir to his grandfather's world-famous Maddox hotel empire. Their roles were cemented long ago: Maggie, as his best friend and Clara as his childhood nemesis. But when a simple twist of fate changes everything and both girls start to fall for the lean, mean, ridiculously sexy and seemingly spoiled Leo... which girl will win his heart? Throw in a little mischief, drama, and one smoking-hot bartender and lines are sure to blur. But one thing's for certain, neither good-girl Maggie nor rebellious Clara will be satisfied until they each figure out where they belong.
This was a cute story. After reading the first two chapters you go in thinking you know the two girls and are probably already choosing sides - but you're probably choosing wrong! Two twins, who have been clashing their entire lives because of different personalities, oddly enough seem to find the same men attractive. Maggie is down to earth, classy and responsible. Clara is spunky, eclectic and a little more lazy with it comes to taking responsibility seriously. But oddly enough, it's actually Clara who is more protective of her twin and not the other way around. I found Clara captivating. Her story was so raw and honest I could see why Leo always secretly longed for her, waiting like a wallflower for her stubborn ass to see the light day already. I actually found myself rooting for the pathetic train wreck that is Clare's mentality, who's been planning her escape from these people since childhood. So why only 3.5 stars? Maggie. Had this just been Clara's story, I probably would've 5 starred it. It wasn't that Maggie's story wasn't interesting to read, it's just that it seemed sorta flat compared to her sister's. Where I felt like I got to know the raw, internal workings of a misguided, semi-neglected twin with Clara, I didn't feel that way about Maggie. With Clara, I got to watch as she put the pieces together and realize her attraction to Leo wasn't all of sudden, but something that had been building through the course of their lives. Maggie? A boy who stole her heart when she was younger comes back for her, baggage in tow, and she more or less accepts it and is happy. Which is good, but I guess I longed for that boy to put in a lot more effort into the chasing since he uprooted his life to finally makes his way back to her. Instead, he kinda sat back and just awaited her decision. And I guess I expected her father to add a little friction to their relationship, given the way that boy was kicked out of their lives to begin with. Maggie's story came together like a pretty little bow. Clara's bow, albeit tied after awhile, looked like it had been yanked, stretched and shredded by the family cat. Read it. Clara's story makes it worth it alone.
Novel provided by author for honest review.
Sarah Darlington
Pub.: February 28th, 2014
Two girls. One Leo. Identical twins, Maggie and Clara Ryder, both grew up with Leo Maddox, billionaire playboy, apparent alcoholic, and heir to his grandfather's world-famous Maddox hotel empire. Their roles were cemented long ago: Maggie, as his best friend and Clara as his childhood nemesis. But when a simple twist of fate changes everything and both girls start to fall for the lean, mean, ridiculously sexy and seemingly spoiled Leo... which girl will win his heart? Throw in a little mischief, drama, and one smoking-hot bartender and lines are sure to blur. But one thing's for certain, neither good-girl Maggie nor rebellious Clara will be satisfied until they each figure out where they belong. This was a cute story. After reading the first two chapters you go in thinking you know the two girls and are probably already choosing sides - but you're probably choosing wrong! Two twins, who have been clashing their entire lives because of different personalities, oddly enough seem to find the same men attractive. Maggie is down to earth, classy and responsible. Clara is spunky, eclectic and a little more lazy with it comes to taking responsibility seriously. But oddly enough, it's actually Clara who is more protective of her twin and not the other way around. I found Clara captivating. Her story was so raw and honest I could see why Leo always secretly longed for her, waiting like a wallflower for her stubborn ass to see the light day already. I actually found myself rooting for the pathetic train wreck that is Clare's mentality, who's been planning her escape from these people since childhood. So why only 3.5 stars? Maggie. Had this just been Clara's story, I probably would've 5 starred it. It wasn't that Maggie's story wasn't interesting to read, it's just that it seemed sorta flat compared to her sister's. Where I felt like I got to know the raw, internal workings of a misguided, semi-neglected twin with Clara, I didn't feel that way about Maggie. With Clara, I got to watch as she put the pieces together and realize her attraction to Leo wasn't all of sudden, but something that had been building through the course of their lives. Maggie? A boy who stole her heart when she was younger comes back for her, baggage in tow, and she more or less accepts it and is happy. Which is good, but I guess I longed for that boy to put in a lot more effort into the chasing since he uprooted his life to finally makes his way back to her. Instead, he kinda sat back and just awaited her decision. And I guess I expected her father to add a little friction to their relationship, given the way that boy was kicked out of their lives to begin with. Maggie's story came together like a pretty little bow. Clara's bow, albeit tied after awhile, looked like it had been yanked, stretched and shredded by the family cat. Read it. Clara's story makes it worth it alone.
Novel provided by author for honest review.
June 27, 2014
Sunrise by Mike Mullins (ARC)
Sunrise (Ashfall #3)
Mike Mullins
Pub.: April 25, 2014
The Yellowstone supervolcano nearly wiped out the human race. Now, almost a year after the eruption, the survivors seem determined to finish the job. Communities wage war on each other, gangs of cannibals roam the countryside, and what little government survived the eruption has collapsed completely. The ham radio has gone silent. Sickness, cold, and starvation are the survivors' constant companions.
When it becomes apparent that their home is no longer safe and adults are not facing the stark realities, Alex and Darla must create a community that can survive the ongoing disaster, an almost impossible task requiring even more guts and more smarts than ever — and unthinkable sacrifice. If they fail . . . they, their loved ones, and the few remaining survivors will perish.
This epic finale has the heart of Ashfall, the action of Ashen Winter, and a depth all its own, examining questions of responsibility and bravery, civilization and society, illuminated by the story of an unshakable love that transcends a post-apocalyptic world and even life itself.
Wow. I think this might've been my fave of the three. It actually reminded me of that show Jericho that aired several years back where nearby towns in a post-apocalyptic world began feuding and killing each other off for supplies. Alex and Darla et all find the townspeople of Warren living off their land because a nearby town came in, took over and ran off with their supplies. Using the knowledge of one very war-minded individual, they're lucky enough to get it back. Unfortunately the town's people are stubborn about going on the offensive and putting up defenses, so Alex and Darla don't want their group to move back with them. Instead they move to a windfarm, and with the skills of Darla and her uncle, manage to set up greenhouses and longhouses with electricity. But the supplies they need aren't easy to find - and come at a horrendous price. But you've gotta hand it to the two for what they're willing to sacrifice to keep their group alive in a world gone terribly wrong. If you could stomach the first two, you can probably handle this one too, though there were plenty of cringe-worthy moments.
ARC provided by Tanglewood Press for honest review.
Mike Mullins
Pub.: April 25, 2014
The Yellowstone supervolcano nearly wiped out the human race. Now, almost a year after the eruption, the survivors seem determined to finish the job. Communities wage war on each other, gangs of cannibals roam the countryside, and what little government survived the eruption has collapsed completely. The ham radio has gone silent. Sickness, cold, and starvation are the survivors' constant companions.When it becomes apparent that their home is no longer safe and adults are not facing the stark realities, Alex and Darla must create a community that can survive the ongoing disaster, an almost impossible task requiring even more guts and more smarts than ever — and unthinkable sacrifice. If they fail . . . they, their loved ones, and the few remaining survivors will perish.
This epic finale has the heart of Ashfall, the action of Ashen Winter, and a depth all its own, examining questions of responsibility and bravery, civilization and society, illuminated by the story of an unshakable love that transcends a post-apocalyptic world and even life itself.
Wow. I think this might've been my fave of the three. It actually reminded me of that show Jericho that aired several years back where nearby towns in a post-apocalyptic world began feuding and killing each other off for supplies. Alex and Darla et all find the townspeople of Warren living off their land because a nearby town came in, took over and ran off with their supplies. Using the knowledge of one very war-minded individual, they're lucky enough to get it back. Unfortunately the town's people are stubborn about going on the offensive and putting up defenses, so Alex and Darla don't want their group to move back with them. Instead they move to a windfarm, and with the skills of Darla and her uncle, manage to set up greenhouses and longhouses with electricity. But the supplies they need aren't easy to find - and come at a horrendous price. But you've gotta hand it to the two for what they're willing to sacrifice to keep their group alive in a world gone terribly wrong. If you could stomach the first two, you can probably handle this one too, though there were plenty of cringe-worthy moments.
ARC provided by Tanglewood Press for honest review.
