COVER REVEAL for "City of Wind (Steel and Fire, #4)" by Jordan Rivet, designed by Deranged Doctor Design

City of Wind (Steel and Fire, #4) 
by Jordan Rivet 
Publication date: December 20th, 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Dara Ruminor is a serious young duelist in the mountaintop kingdom of Vertigon, a land of dramatic cliffs and misty peaks where mysterious Fire magic runs through the stones like blood. The secluded kingdom has been peaceful for a hundred years. Swords are used for sport, and successful athletes live like kings as long as the crowds love them.

Eighteen-year-old Dara needs to find a wealthy patron in order to duel professionally and avoid a lifetime working in her parents’ Fire Lantern shop. Her efforts are disrupted when her coach asks her to train with Prince Siv, an infuriating—if handsome—young man who refuses to take the sport as seriously as she does. But the prince’s life may be in danger, and soon Dara will discover that Vertigon isn’t as peaceful as she thought.

As threats emerge from the shadows, Dara will have to raise her sword to protect Siv—if he doesn’t irritate her so much that she decides to run him through herself.

From the author of the Seabound Chronicles comes a new fantasy series about sword fighting, cur-dragons, molten Fire magic, and one young woman’s effort to prove herself.

Add City of Wind to your Goodreads list!

Purchase Steel and Fire #1-3 on Kindle.

AUTHOR BIO:

Jordan Rivet is an American author of swashbuckling fantasy and post-apocalyptic adventures set at sea. Originally from Arizona, she lives in Hong Kong with her husband. She was a fencer for many years and hasn't made up her mind about whether the pen is mightier than the sword.

Author links:

Jordan Rivet website

Jordan Rivet on Facebook

Jordan Rivet on Twitter

Jordan Rivet on Goodreads

COVER REVEAL for "Playing Pretend" by Juliana Haygert, designed by Najla Qamber Designs

Playing Pretend 

by Juliana Haygert 

Publication date: October 24th, 2016

Genres: New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

**New extended (13,000 more words) and re-edited version!**

As the Governor’s daughter, Charlotte McClain is an expert in playing pretend. High society, the men her mother shoves in her direction and a Pre-Law major are all a part of her perfect pretense. But when she pretends to be a nobody during Spring Break, she meets someone who rocks her world.

Mason Rowell knows heartbreak and Spring Break don’t mesh well, so he allows the mysterious Charlotte to seduce him. What should have been a fling, results in something deeper. After Spring Break has long since passed, he moves to Washington to pursue his graduate degree, but what he never expected to find living among the rich and pompous, was the girl who gave him the strength to change and the desire to start anew.

When the guy Charlotte can’t forget goes from a sensual memory to temptation in the flesh, her facade is put to the test. If she surrenders to his charms, she risks ruining her mother’s perfect career and master plan. Playing pretend is what Charlotte does best, but how long can she pretend she doesn’t love who man that made her proud of her true self?

Add Playing Pretend to your Goodreads list!

Enter the Contest for a $15 Starbucks giftcard!

Purchase:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/PlayingPretendAmz
Nook: http://bit.ly/PlayingPretendBN
Kobo: http://bit.ly/PlayingPretendKobo
iBooks: http://bit.ly/PlayingPretendiBooks
Google Play: http://bit.ly/PlayingPretendGP

AUTHOR BIO:

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting--but equally gratifying--life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Author links:

Subscribe to Juliana's newsletter to stay up-to-date with new releases!

Juliana Haygert website

Juliana Haygert on Twitter

Juliana Haygert on Facebook

Juliana Haygert on Goodreads

REVIEW: "Dawn of the Vie (Immortal Aliens, #1)" by Laura Diamond

***(3) out of 5 stars

This was a very strange book, and I can’t say that I cared for it much.  As happens so often in sci-fi books, or at least ones that I seem to have read lately, the premise was very intriguing, but things just didn’t pan out all that well. 

The story begins with an Anemie (someone with anemia) named Justin and his little sister Sammie.  We’re quickly introduced to their dangerous, dystopian world where Anemies are hunted down and killed for being considered useless to a breed of immortal, alien vampire overlords called the Vie.  Constantly on the run, often unable to secure the barest necessities of food, water and shelter, or the basics of sufficient clothing and shoes. 

Then one day they meet Alex, an Elite among the Vie, who is part scientist, part Raid Specialist, and part drug addict.  He knows how valuable Anemie blood can be as a mind-altering recreational drug.  Something about Justin’s blood is especially addicting.  So once he has sampled it, Alex goes to great lengths to secure more of it for himself, pretty much to the detriment of everything else in his life, not to mention Justin’s life. 

I especially disliked the brutal and excessive violence that replayed itself in a myriad of different ways and scenes in the book.  And particularly the way that Justin seemed so detached and indifferent to the carnage that plays itself out around him, even when it involves him. 

Apparently, this is just the first book in a series, so hopefully the sequel(s) will bode better for mankind.  But this story just left me feeling down and depressed about the chances. 

I received an eBook copy of this title free from Curiosity Quills Press,

and have willingly provided an honest review.  

FREE eBook alert for Sat, October 22nd, 2016 ONLY! -- "Vinny the Fox has PTSD"

Located at: Bluefoxpress.com

Vinny the Fox has PTSD is a picture book that takes a unique look at the positive and negative characteristics of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Meeting strong Vinny you get to experience how his day to day routine is, the aspects that he will have to cope with, the amazing personality traits that he has, and how he can learn new skills to be the best fox he can be. It is written in such a way that the mental health disorder is explained in a realistic balanced light, while eliciting empathy and understanding from the audience. The book series 'What Mental Disorder?' including Vinny the Fox has PTSD is excellent for therapeutic clinicians, those diagnosed with PTSD, or those who would like to gain a better understanding of the disorder.

This is a cool book that makes a great introduction to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD! I've already downloaded my FREE copy! Check out my full review of this title here on my blog at: Vinny the Fox has PTSD.

THROWBACK THURSDAY - "Two and Twenty Dark Tales" (Anthology)

Tantalizingly twisted retellings of beloved children's rhymes!

TWO AND TWENTY DARK TALES:

DARK RETELLINGS OF MOTHER GOOSE RHYMES

Anthology now available on Amazon and at other fine retailers. 

#M9BThrowbackThursday

COVER REVEAL for "Kon (Trassato Crime Family, #2)" by Lisa Cardiff, designed by Deranged Doctor Design

Kon (Trassato Crime Family, #2) 

by Lisa Cardiff 
Published by: Limitless Publishing
Publication date: November 1st, 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Once upon a time, I was the woman you envied. I had it all. A wonderful family. The perfect fiancé who also happened to be my best friend. Money and resources. The power and influence that came with sharing the Trassato name.

One night my fairytale became a nightmare, and I’ve been living in Hell ever since. A rival family killed my fiancé. My father succumbed to cancer. In the middle of it all, I bargained away my future to Konstantin Trincher, a member of the Russian mafia. It seemed like the perfect solution at the time—my brother’s girlfriend in exchange for me.

Only things weren’t that simple. I promised myself to Konstantin and my family promised me to Nico DeAngelo, the underboss of the Trassato Crime Family.

Konstantin and I form an alliance to unravel our bargain. The only problem? We didn’t expect to fall for each other in the process. Now I’m forced to choose between love and loyalty. One choice will break my heart and the other will break my family.

Add Kon to your Goodreads list!

Purchase Gian - Book #1 in the Trassato Crime Family series!

AUTHOR BIO:

After spending years practicing law and a million other things, Lisa decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer and she must confess that inventing characters is so much more fun than writing contracts and legal briefs. A native of Colorado, she lives with her husband and three children in Denver. 

AUTHOR LINKS:

Subscribe to her Newsletter for giveaways and deleted scenes.

Lisa Cardiff website

Lisa Cardiff on Facebook

Lisa Cardiff on Twitter
Lisa Cardiff on Goodreads

REVIEW: "Clanless (Nameless, #2)" by Jennifer Jenkins

****(4) out of 5 stars

The action of Clanless picks up right where Nameless left off! 

Gryphon, the former golden boy of his military mess unit, now a traitor to his Ram clan, has been captured and bound by his former brothers-in-arms.  Needless to say, he does escape, with the rather surprising help of an old friend and a new enemy.  Running for his life, trying to alert the Raven clan to an impending threat, Gryphon goes to great lengths – both physical and metaphorical – trying to honor the memory of the woman he loves whom he believes is dead.

The only thing is – Zo isn’t dead!  Also wrongly informed that her love is gone, Zo struggles to complete the mission she has set for herself of shepherding her two young charges and a helpless band of Nameless to the Allies for protection.  She definitely has her hands full, struggling against various groups of Clanless, trying to avoid Ram patrols, and basically just trying to stay alive, all while mourning Gryphon.     

I liked this second book much less than the first of the series, mainly because the best parts of the story are the interactions between Gryphon and Zo.  With the two of them separated – and thinking that the other one is dead – for the majority of the narrative, it takes away a lot of the emotional connection to the characters, as well as the enjoyment of their interplay.  This book is all about war and preparations for it, and as such it is mostly dark and dreary and somewhat depressing.  It does, however, do a good job of advancing the story in preparation for what is anticipated to be the ultimate battle of clans in the third book.

Hopefully, the final installment of the series will turn out well for the protagonists, Gryphon and Zo, and they will have some measure of a happy ending together.  From the look of things so far though, that doesn’t seem very likely.  I can hardly wait for the sequel!

 I received an eBook copy of this title free from Month9Books, 

and have willingly provided an honest review.  

FREE eBook Alert for this week (10/16-22/16) ONLY! - "Elements of Evil"

It's National Chemistry Week!  To celebrate, you can check out the way that Bernice solves mysteries with Chemistry in "Elements of Evil" for FREE on Kindle this week only.  Let the chemistry mystery solving begin!

"Elements of Evil" on Kindle

TEASER TUESDAY book quote from "Strange Truths (Alice England Mysteries, #1)" by S. D. Wasley

Check out my review of "Strange Truths"

 HERE on So Few Books!

REVIEW: "Prime Baby" by Gene Luen Yang

***(3) out of 5 stars

A cute tale about a mean big brother who thinks his annoying little sister is an alien.  Well... turns out he's sort of right!  She's actually a gateway between dimensions, allowing aliens to enter our realm by, basically, being blarfed out of her mouth, tiny little space-ships and all.  Big brother's dreams of saving the planet or gaining world dominion are dashed, however, when the aliens in question turn out to be missionaries, wanting only to spread the word to the world about smiles and happy feelings.  Needless to say, big brother does some more rude things to his precious little baby sister, but sibling love does come through in the end.