Posts Categorized: ya paranormal

Blood Born Blog Tour and Giveaway

04 Apr, 2012 by in pendrell, ya paranormal 24 comments

Fire and Ice is so exicted to be today’s stop on the official blog tour for Blood Born hosted by Once Upon A Twilight
Blood Born
Blood Prophecy #1
by Jamie Manning
Hardcover, 360 pages
Expected publication: April 24th 2012
by Pendrell Publishing
ISBN 0983558000
Book Source: Publisher
4 stars
Summary From Goodreads: Waking up in a coffin hungry for blood is only the beginning for sixteen-year-old Ava Blue.
When Chance Caldon, the hottie who dug her up, tells her that she’s half vampire, Ava’s world really turns upside down.
Half vamp? Ava can’t believe it…she doesn’t even know what that means! Not until Aldric, a thousand-year-old vampire, shows up and tells her it’s true–and that he’s the one who turned her. Then Ava truly begins to believe what she is. Now, she has to deal with a sudden and powerful bloodlust, the desire to see Aldric dead, and her growing crush for Chance. Ava knows she’s a monster now, she can feel it; and her life is over.
So Ava sets out to get her life back. But killing vampires begins a battle that could destroy everything she is working toward. In the end, Ava’s decisions will forever change her life and the lives of those she loves. But redemption isn’t lost. Aldric is giving her a chance to regain her humanity. The price? Kill a hundred vampires, or remain a bloodsucker forever.

Heather’s Review: The first thing that gripped me about Blood Born is the quality of writing and the fascinating relationship between Ava Blue and her life saver Chance. The two have a chemistry that will keep you engaged and engrossed. I read the entire book in a day and a half! Well done for a paranormal debut Jamie.

Avaline finds herself buried alive with no recollection of who she is, where she lived or who her family is. She has been reborn to the life of a hybrid vampire. The one person who is there with her from the first moment of rebirth is determined to stay by her side and protect her at all costs. Chance is a keeper, you will love him. The two are on a mission to keep Ava as human as possible and the only way to that is not pleasant. Ava has a lot to overcome and the odds are stacked against her 100 to 1. Add in her new goth friend, a set of twins and two very evil undead and you have quite the action packed thriller of a ride.

I’m not going to lie, this book has some moments of vampire slaying and blood. So if you are queasy with the idea of scenes akin to the Lost Boys (movie of the 80’s) complete with wooden stakes and a clan of killers you might want to gear up for violence. Other than that there is mild swearing and one swoon worthy kiss and there is one heck of an ending that will leave you wanting book two.

Heather



Author Bio: I’ve always wanted to be a writer (like most writers, I’m sure) but not until the last few years have I taken it seriously (after I read a tiny, unknown book called Twilight). I was always told growing up that I had to get a job and “earn my keep”, so I pushed my dream of writing a book to the back of my mind and entered the workforce. Fast-forward many, many years and here I am, trying to make a go at it.

I stumbled across Blogger in 2010 and my world of writing exploded. I have met (via the web) so many amazing writers and industry professionals and book bloggers that have passed on their wisdom and experience and successes and failures. So many, in fact, that I have no excuse to sit down and write out the stories living in my head. Which is what I’m now attempting to do.

I enjoy reading more than most other things (well, except maybe for writing. And TV. No way am I giving up my TV) . I attempt to write YA (paranormal and dystopian) and I love it.

Blood Born, the first book in The Blood Prophecy Trilogy, will be released by Pendrell Publishing April 24, 2012.

Find Jamie Manning on Goodreads/ twitter/ his blog

Visit all the stops on the Blood Born Blog Tour for lots of giveaways!
6th: Hypable
13th: Once Upon a Twilight – Grand Prize
27th: Live Chat with Jamie on Once Upon a Twilight at 9PM CST (10PM EST / 7PM PST)
Our Giveaway: Author Jamie Manning is giving away five pieces of swag plus an ecopy of Blood Born to one of our readers! To enter to win fill out this form.
Buy Blood Born

Book Review- Carrier of The Mark

06 Oct, 2011 by in book review, ya paranormal 4 comments

Carrier of the Mark
Carrier Trilogy #1
by Leigh Fallon
Paperback, 352 pages
Published October 4th 2011
by HarperTeen
ISBN 0062027875
Book Source: BEA
4.5 stars

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she’s surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

With as many books as a I read and review, I usually pick up another book right after finishing one and often the book I’ve just finished is forgotten and swept away in the midst of a whole new plot line. What I love is when an author leaves an impression that is lasting. Carrier of the Mark was still with me today and left a fog of longing. I’m glad this is a series!

The first quarter of the book was pure heaven, everything I love about reading YA. A dreamy setting- Ireland, sparks between the two main characters that are unresolved and just the right amount of action to keep the pages flipping. Megan and her father have led a bit of a nomadic lifestyle since losing Megan’s mother in a tragic car crash and she has learned to keep her guard up. But a new job lands them in Kinsdale at a private high school. Things turn a little Twilighty as Megan is instantly drawn to the standoffish DeRis family who have rumors of magic and curses surrounding them. Adam DeRis is constantly staring and Megan can’t ignore the zing of electricity that passes between them whenever they are near each other. As the tension heats up Megan starts seeing and hearing things that she can’t explain.

Here’s the point in the book where I get a little lost. As the lore and mythology surrounding Adam and Megan begins to unfold there is a whole lot of information to take in and I found it confusing and overwhelming. The concept of a sidh/ monk and the genetic selection of a carrier was totally over my head. But soon after the info download it was smooth sailing for me until the end. I was left wanting more.
With a determined passionate man and a magical world built on Druids and Celtic myth you will fall in love with Carrier of the Mark. I hope we see more character development in the future books and I can’t wait to see what Leigh has up her sleeve! The cover for Carrier is mystical. The page embellishments at the beginning of each chapter top off the design beautifully. Thank you Harper Teen for the perfect rainy day read.

You might also like: Shades of Atlantis by Carole Oates, Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, Spellbound by Carolyn Schultz.

Content: moderate swearing, mild violence, steamy kissing scenes, sleeping over in each others beds, no sex. Recommended for 16 and older.

Book Breview- In Dreams

16 Sep, 2011 by in book review, ya paranormal Leave a comment

In Dreams
by J. Sterling
Publication Date: Aug 1, 2011
ISBN 9781461078067
Page Count: 266
Source: author
3.75 stars

When Katherine Johns starts dreaming about a boy she doesn’t know, her college roommate Taylor is determined to find him. Convinced he must exist, Taylor is relentless… until she finds out exactly WHO he really is.

The realization rocks the girls to their core and sends them down a path of unimaginable heartbreak.

Follow Katherine & Taylor’s journey through love,
friendship and tragedy in the debut novel by J. Sterling.

What I loved: Cooper! He’s one of the best male YA characters I’ve seen written in a while. All-American, confident but put in his place by the right girl. I have to say if this were a YA contemporary novel without the paranormal element or other male character I would have been happy reading it that way. Austen, boy of her dreams is great but I just didn’t feel the same pull to him as I did Cooper, alive and in the flesh.

J. Sterling did an awesome job of fleshing out all of the characters and the friendship between two college roommates. I really enjoyed the hockey element, the setting and the concept behind the story.

I also like that the main girl is from California and is living in the East. There is a big difference between the two coasts (which I know since I’ve lived on both) and I liked the way Sterling added that into her book.

What I struggled with: The storyline is constantly shifting between the thoughts of all the characters which got a little confusing for me.

I received what I am guessing was an advanced reading copy from the author- there were several typoes, weird spacing and even font changes which are a bit distracting.

For some reason I just didn’t feel a connection to Austen so I think the pull in the story between two men didn’t carry the full emotional reaction it otherwise would have.

Content: Moderate swearing, college drinking and co-ed sleepovers. One small scene with a car accident and gunshot, very mild. No sex.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend reading In Dreams and I would read it again.

You may also like: Jennifer Laurens or Joy Preble’s YA series.

About the author: J. Sterling holds a Bachelor’s degree in Radio, TV, & Film.

She has worked for such companies as The Walt Disney Company & Lucasfilm Animation. The idea for In Dreams came to her one night over 10 years ago in her sleep.

She currently lives in California, where she drinks lots of chai tea lattes and eats far too much taco bell! 🙂

For more information, please visit her website!

Book Review-The Vespertine

10 Jan, 2011 by in saundra mitchell, the vespertine, YA historical fiction, ya paranormal 18 comments

The Vespertine
by Saundra Mitchell
304 pages
Expected publication: March 7, 2011
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s
ISBN0547482477
5 stars

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

The Vespertine was a full sensory experience for me. I wanted to savor every page and soak in every detail. The first pull came from the fact that the majority of the novel is set in Baltimore, Maryland close to my childhood home. Main character Amelia van Broek describes places I know by heart and the sunsets she describes are ones I’ve seen. What most struck me about this book is that I truly felt the plot as if through Amelia’s eyes, I saw things as if I were there. I sympathized with her chosen fate and her motivation.

Written in first person poetic prose The Vespertine has an ethereal feel peppered with historical and paranormal elements. The back history is well researched and author Saundra Mitchell adds finishing touches that make it authentic to the Victorian age.. The tone is pulled between dark and tragic overlapped with frivolity during Amelia’s first summer season with her cousin Zora. The girls enjoy lighthearted outings with friends, picnics and archery. Their friendship as cousins is endearing and deep. All seems well enough, until Amelia begins to see glimmers of the future, premonitions that come at sunset. Soon the home is flooded with calling cards and visits from others seeking their fortune. When future telling turns to prophecies fulfilled all begin to question if Amelia possesses the power to make her foretold events come true.

1889 in Baltimore is also a summer of looking for the perfect husband, a coming of age. Formal dances with dresses made of lace and organza as well as courting and interested callers. Zora, Amelia’s cousin has her heart set on Thomas Rae, son of the local doctor. He is genuine and of impeccable manners, my favorite character in The Vespertine. Amelia, on the other hand, is dangerously and mysteriously drawn to Nathaniel Witherspoon, a fourteenth by profession– one hired to round out the odd 13 number at dinner parties. He’s an artist who smells of turpentine and oil paints, one below Amelia’s society. I personally found him a little creepy, but captivating none the less. Nathaniel holds a secret and Amelia wants to know more.

Words can’t describe how much I enjoyed this book. Everything from the beautiful poetic writing to the minor details of dress making and courtship. The Vespertine is more than just a book, it an emotional journey that will whisper to you long after you’ve shut the pages. Everything about it is haunting and lush. Saundra Mitchell masterfully writes in the actual voice of a young girl in the Victorian age; it’s is authentic, moving, and magical. I can not wait for the companion novel Spring Sweet to be released in 2012.

Thanks so much to Houghton Mifflin and Netgalley for allowing me to step into the world that is The Vespertine. Learn more by visiting http://www.thevespertine.com/

Saundra Mitchell has generously offered a tiny taste of The Vespertine for you, the readers of Fire and Ice. Delight in dance cards, sandalwood fans and more by filling out this form. Three winners will be drawn February 11, 2012.