{February 18, 2014} {Cover Reveal and ARC Giveaway} Invaded by Melissa Landers (Alienated #2)

I cannot express how excited I am that the cover for Invaded is already out, just a few weeks after book one in the epic series, Alienated, released!! Alienated is definitely an amazing 5 star read for me, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel, Invaded!!! Look at all the pretty!!!

Invaded Synopsis: (spoilers ensue for those who haven’t yet read Alienated–read on with caution)

Cara always knew life on planet L’eihr would be an adjustment. With Aelyx, her L’eihr boyfriend, back on Earth, working to mend the broken alliance between their two planets, Cara is left to fend for herself at a new school, surrounded by hostile alien clones. Even the weird dorm pet hates her.

Things look up when Cara is appointed as human representative to a panel preparing for a human colony on L’eihr. A society melding their two cultures is a place where Cara and Aelyx could one day make a life together. But with L’eihr leaders balking at granting even the most basic freedoms, Cara begins to wonder if she could ever be happy on this planet, even with Aelyx by her side.

Meanwhile, on Earth, Aelyx, finds himself thrown into a full-scale PR campaign to improve human-L’eihr relations. Humans don’t know that their very survival depends on this alliance: only Aelyx’s people have the technology to fix the deadly contamination in the global water supply that human governments are hiding. Yet despite their upper hand, the leaders of his world suddenly seem desperate to get humans on their side, and hardly bat an eye at extremists’ multiple attempts on Aelyx’s life.

The Way clearly needs humans’ help . . . but with what? And what will they ask for in return?

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About book one, Alienated:

“In a nutshell, Alienated is the story of valedictorian Cara Sweeney, who gets more than she bargained for when she agrees to host the nation’s first intergalactic exchange student, the gorgeous but emotionally-stilted Aelyx (pronounced A-licks) from planet L’eihr. The tone is light and humorous, but [Landers explores] some deeper themes as well.”

What do reviewers have to say?

“The storyline is out of this world and character development paired with authentic voice is superb. Filled with intrigue and suspense, this book will appeal to both sci-fi and contemporary YA fiction fans.” –VOYA

“Interstellar relations heat up in this start to a new romantic science fiction series. Landers [explores] larger social, ecological, and ethical issues in this tense, fast-paced read.” –Booklist

“The perfect blend of sizzling romance, action, and suspense.” –#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

“Smart, funny, and epic. I am now awaiting contact from planet L’eihr.” Julie Cross, bestselling author of Tempest.

“Intergalactic exchange students? Yes, please! I fell in love with this story and couldn’t put it down.” Jodi Meadows, author of Incarnate.

Amazon Kindle | Amazon Paperback | Barnes & Noble | Book Depo (free international shipping) | Indie Bound

Check out A Book Vacation’s 5 star review of ALIENATED HERE!

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About Melissa Landers:

Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds.

A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids.

She lives outside Cincinnati in the small town of Loveland, “Sweetheart of Ohio.”

For more information, or just to say hello, visit www.melissa-landers.com.

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Swoon, swoon, swoon–both covers are amazing! And guess what? YA Book Central has an EPIC giveaway going on on their blog, where you could win a signed ARC of Invaded–this book isn’t set to release until 2015, so hop on it!! This is awesome, and even though I really want to win it, I wish you all good luck!!

Enter HERE!!!

{August 15, 2013} {Promo Spotlight, Review, and Giveaway} Immortals by Ednah Walters (Runes #2)

Book Title: Immortals

Series: Runes

Author: Ednah Walters

Release Date: August 5^th 2013

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Length: 342 Pages

Publisher: Firetrail Publishing

Presented by: Walking on Bookshelves & As You Wish Tours

Immortals Tour Schedule

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BLURB

Nothing can stop Raine Cooper when she wants something…

Raine finally knows that her gorgeous neighbor, Torin St. James, is a legend straight out of Norse mythology, and that her feelings for him are strong. Torin is crazy about Raine too, breaking the one rule he lives by: Never fall for a mortal. The problem is he no longer remembers her, his memories erased by Norns—Norse destiny deities—to punish her for defying them.

She will make Torin forget his one rule a second time and fall in love with her all over again.

But she quickly learns that well-laid plans do not work when dealing with deities and supernatural beings. Desperate, Raine makes choices that could not only tear her and Torin further apart, but lead to the destruction of everything and everyone she loves.

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EXCERPT

“The Norns said you were in danger.”

A snicker escaped him. “From what?”

“They didn’t say.”

“Screw them. They’re messing with your head again, Raine.” He twisted the lid off his water bottle and chugged. “I wish they’d spoken to me. I would’ve told them to eff off.” He put his water on the table, his grip tightening around the plastic bottle.

Wishing I could reach out and touch him, maybe reassure him, I studied his angry expression and chewed on a piece of limp lettuce. “What’s happening to us, Eirik?”

He scowled. “What do you mean?”

“We never used to keep secrets from each other. Why didn’t you tell me what your parents said that night?”

“They said I couldn’t because, you know, you’re Mortal and I’m… whatever I am.” He took another bite as though the pizza was his enemy and chewed, his eyes staring into space though he was having an internal argument with himself.

“Did they at least tell you who your real parents are?”

“No.” He glowered. “But Mom said I’m special. Yeah, whatever that means. I told her I wasn’t going anywhere until I got some answers. Guess what? It’s been six weeks since we talked and I’m still here.” He demolished the rest of the slice in two bites, guzzled his drink, and started on his second slice. “I should not have listened to them. If I’d told you everything, you would’ve told me about the Norns when they first appeared. They almost killed you.”

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REVIEW

From Goodreads: Nothing can stop Raine Cooper when she wants something…
Raine finally knows that her gorgeous neighbor, Torin St. James, is a legend straight out of Norse mythology, and that her feelings for him are strong. Torin is crazy about Raine too, breaking the one rule he lives by: Never fall for a mortal. The problem is he no longer remembers her, his memories erased by Norns—Norse destiny deities—to punish her for defying them.

So Raine comes up with a plan…
She will make Torin forget his one rule a second time and fall in love with her all over again.
But she quickly learns that well-laid plans do not work when dealing with deities and supernatural beings. Desperate, Raine makes choices that could not only tear her and Torin further apart, but lead to the destruction of everything and everyone she love.

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This second novel in the series was even better than the first, as Raine knows the truth about her heritage and that of her beloved Torin. The stage has already been set by events in the prequel, allowing readers to be dropped right in on the action as Raine desperately tries to make Torin remember their love. And my, how the tables have turned… no longer is Torin the pursuer like he was in Runes, but now he’s the perused, and as infuriating as he could be in the first novel, he’s even more so in this sequel with his bad boy charm, quick retorts, and shrugging off of Raine’s desperate attempts to make him remember her. When telling him the truth doesn’t work, she resorts to trickier methods: jealousy, and in the mad dash to bring Torin up to speed, she uncovers the truth about her best friend Eirik and her power when it comes to the Norns, making everything that much more complicated as the novel unfolds.

I really liked Raine’s character in this novel. She’s even more sure of herself, and while she still questions her choices and worries, she’s no longer in the dark, making her able to fend for herself and do what she believes to be right in order to save those she loves. With the new revelation of Eirik’s heritage and the darkness coming to take him away, Raine must step up even more and fight against an evil she can’t see or understand, but knows will cost Eirik his life if she’s not there to stop it.

Eirik is fleshed out even more so in this novel, and I really liked him. He’s going through some extreme changes, and the mystery behind his Runes was extremely intriguing. And, between Torin and Eirik, this novel adds a lot of spice and fun, though much of it comes in the form of danger.

Beautifully told, this novel fleshes out Norse myth and presents a story unlike any other, and with its many twists and turns, and an intense betrayal I never saw coming, it’s a hard one to put down; I can’t wait for even more from Walters as this series is turning out to be quite promising. It’s a great read, and I highly suggest picking up the series if you haven’t already done so. Four stars.

I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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AUTHOR BIO

EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.

Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, will be released April 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN. Visit her at www.ednahwalters.com

Ednah also writes YA paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. IMMORTALS is book 2. She is presently working on book 3, GRIMNIRS (Release date TBA). Read more about this series and the world she’s created here www.runestheseries.com

Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published four more books in this series. She’s presently working on book six. You can visit her online at or www.ebwalters.com.

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{August 15, 2013} {ARC Review and Release Day Blitz} Jordyn and the Caverns of Gloom by Tiffany King

From Goodreads: Lies.
My so-called family lied.
My friends lied.
The only guy I ever liked lied.
My mentor, the one I was supposed to trust, lied.

My entire existence is built on lies and yet now they want my help. Scratch that, now
they need my help. I’ll play the good soldier, but I am no longer the person I was before. This time it will be on my terms. I will trust no one.

I am a weapon. I am Jordyn.

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USA Today bestselling author Tiffany King does not disappoint in her latest release, Jordyn and the Caverns of Gloom, the highly anticipated sequel to her impressive novel Jordyn that released early February of this year. A spinoff series to the Saving Angels novels, the Jordyn books pick up a few years later with a cast of new characters taking the forefront while the beloved characters from Saving Angels step out of the limelight—but are not forgotten, and still play a crucial part throughout Jordyn’s development.

Filled with lies, secrets, angst, and romance, this second novel is even better than the first, pushing Jordyn to face her inner self and decide where she truly belongs. It’s a story of healing through acceptance and redemption, but it’s a kicks butt story the entire way. Although hurt by the betrayal of her loved ones, and the revelation of the truth behind her past, Jordyn has a good heart and refuses to allow her ego to stand in the way of helping those who need her, but she’s certainly not a push over, either. With trepidation, Jordyn returns to her family only to embark on a hunt for her missing friends, and traveling to the Caverns of Gloom is just part of the plan to save her loved ones. The other part pushes Emrys and Jordyn back together again… but Jordyn’s walls are higher than ever in his presence, and rightly so. Who’s side is he on, anyway?

I devoured this novel in one sitting; it’s extremely fast paced and intriguing, and I loved Jordyn’s struggles as she embarked on her mission. Perhaps one of the hardest things to do as a human is to forgive and forget, and Jordyn isn’t exactly human, so you can imagine the difficulty she has throughout the novel, especially when it comes to trusting Emrys. King presents the story in such a way that is causes readers to question loyalties on all sides and, as it all comes to a head, sit on pins and needles as the battle scenes unfold and the true plan of escape is revealed.

Jordyn is still a kick butt heroine and I loved watching her fight for her family, grappling with acceptance, forgiveness, and love. She’s a great character, as are they all, and getting a little glimpse of hell was extremely cool, especially with the ending and the slight cliffhanger that ensues. Book three can’t come out fast enough!

Overall, this is a great sequel that you won’t want to miss. Five stars.