Blog Tour: Daughter of the Fallen

About the Book:

Most sixteen-year olds aren't worried about the fate of their immortal souls. May Krieg should be.

Typically, honor student May's biggest problems have revolved around her super-hot arch-rival, Jack. But when a school project takes them ghost-hunting in a local cemetery, she discovers that an ominous force roams in the darkness around her.

And it follows her home.

It claws its way into her life, burning messages into her wall and imprinting them onto her body. Even worse, she can't tell if it's trying to possess her... or protect her.

May's thoughts soon become actions, causing the target of her anger severe physical pain and giving her a rush the likes of which she has never experienced.  She quickly realizes that she needs to find a way to reign in this power before she kills someone. May hates the pleasure it gives her, hates herself for hurting others, but she can't stop.

As her entire world shatters around her, she is forced to ask what her soul is worth-- and who would she risk losing her soul to save?

(For readers who enjoy: teen paranormal romance, teen horror, teen romance, nephilim, demons, YA, YA horror, YA paranormal, YA romance, ghost stories)

For More Information

• Daughter of the Fallen is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

My Review:
First impressions are pretty much a make or break for a book. I usually give a book about 50 pages to "hook" me. This one got me from the start and didn't wanna retract it's claws until the end! So
bravo Ms. Wynn!

The story is pretty fast paced once you get into the meaty bits. The first part is pretty good, but there are a few pages that seemed a little slow. HOWEVER, they are full of info about the main character, May, so they are super important.

The paranormal aspects of the book almost seemed secondary to the main character's relationships with her friends and with Jack. I'm not meaning that they aren't important, because man are they pretty much a big deal, but the May/Jack element was the bestest part of this book.

I do not like to spoil books, so I will be as vague as possible here. The ending got me. I cannot say how much I am anxious about the next book! I loved/hated the way this ended. Loved because..well I want more..and hated because..I want more! No fair!

So yeah, I have to admit that this book really surprised me. I can't wait for the next one!

About the Author

Madeline Wynn holds a master's degree in procrastination.  When she's not writing, she can be found ghost hunting, gardening and parading around her home state of Connecticut with her husband, dog and two kids.

Her latest book is the YA paranormal, Daughter of the Fallen.

For More Information

• Visit Madeline Wynn’s website.
• Connect with Madeline on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY 

Madeline Wynn is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card! 

Terms & Conditions: • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old. • One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter. • This giveaway begins November 3 and ends January 31. • Winner will be contacted via email on Monday, February 2. • Winner has 48 hours to reply. Good luck everyone! 

ENTER TO WIN!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

First Chapter, First Paragraph Tuesday (Daughter of the Fallen)

Every Tuesday, Bibliophile By The Sea, hosts this meme. You are supposed to share the first paragraph or (a few) of a book you are reading or thinking about reading soon.

Mine comes from:
 
Daughter of the Fallen by Madeline Wynn (review tomorrow)

 
















 
  This is New England. And in New England, a town without a good witch hanging or ghost story just, well, isn't considered to be a real town. So when I walk past the iron gate of the cemetery and feel the urge to bolt riding up my legs like a heard of football players bum-rushing the food counter on taco day, I set my shoulders and do my best to cowboy up. Set between imposing stone walls and punctured by large granite fists, Hillside Cemetery definitely looks like it deserves its sinister reputation, making my attempt at bravery rather brief.

So far I'm really liking this book! Stay tuned!

The Kingmaker, Kingbreaker Series (Books 1 and 2) by Karen Miller

Today I'm bringing you my thoughts on this series by Karen Miller!  


I LOVED these books! They weren't perfect, but the characters were simply amazing! I loved slipping into this world and hope to be able to read more of Karen Miller's work!
Book 1: 
Enter the kingdom of Lur, where to use magic unlawfully means death. The Doranen have ruled Lur with magic since arriving as refugees centuries ago. Theirs was a desperate flight to escape the wrath of a powerful mage who started a bitter war in their homeland. To keep Lur safe, the native Olken inhabitants agreed to abandon their own magic. Magic is now forbidden them, and any who break this law are executed.

Asher left his coastal village to make his fortune. Employed in the royal stables, he soon finds himself befriended by Prince Gar and given more money and power than he'd ever dreamed possible. But the Olken have a secret; a prophecy. The Innocent Mage will save Lur from destruction and members of The Circle have dedicated themselves to preserving Olken magic until this day arrives. Unbeknownst to Asher, he has been watched closely. As the Final Days approach, his life takes a new and unexpected turn ...

My Thoughts: 

Since this is the first book, expect some set up. There is a lot to be explained about the Kingdom of Lur and it's surroundings. I am really glad that Karen Miller set it up to avoid the dreaded info dump that I hate so very much!

Asher is a super refreshing main character. He's not out looking to be a hero, but he doesn't avoid it when it pops into his life. He's not educated, but he's not dumb either. He's brutally honest, and that is what Prince Gar needs. Someone who isn't afraid to call him on his shiznit, which btw Asher does quite often and it is glorious!

Now this book sets up the two main "races" of people in this world. The Doranen, which are all noble and magic having, and the Olken. The Olken are a hardy race that live without magic. They are basically second class citizens. The Doranen, always hold the power while the Olken are seemingly okay with that.

Now I will say that the plot (Man has a destiny to save his people but he's not aware of it, etc) isn't what makes this book stand out in my opinion. It's the characters and how amazingly well written they are. Asher is a fun character. Gar is interesting, being the only royal Doranen born without Magic. His story is pretty intense too.

The first installment moves along rather swiftly. I definitely suggest picking up the second book as well, since the first one does end on a cliffhanger.


Now onto the second book:

Blurb for Book 2
Asher has come a long way for a fisherman's son. Together with his friend Prince Gar, he has defended their kingdom against its bitterest enemy, but at great cost. Now the evil mage Morg is preparing for his most deadly assault. Desperate, trapped in a broken body, Morg has little time and fewer scruples.

My Thoughts:

Oh book 2! You ripped my heart to pieces oh so many times! So many times I was like..OMG Karen Miller can you please put my emotions back down and give me a fluffy bunny or a rainbow..SOMETHING to make this all better?!

Needless to say, this book brought the feels pretty hard.

Asher is fully entrenched in things that can get him killed. He's put everything on the line for Gar. He's broken the rules and he is soooo vulnerable. I literally held my breath a few times during this one.

His one bright spot in all this mess is Dathne. She loves him, but is using him to further The Circle's goals. I won't spoil things. I hate spoilers, but even his bright spots have dark spots!

This book moves a lot faster than the first book. It kind of has to, because a LOT of things happen. So many plot twists and turnabouts and well good stuff that made me want more.

I have to say that things are not pleasant near the end. If you cry easy, keep the tissues nearby. I had a few water droplets myself.

In conclusion, I loved this series. It wasn't perfect, but it was just what I needed. I loved Asher and Gar and their friendship. I loved most of the side characters and hated the bad guys. Some characters surprised me and some made me rage. The writing was great and the character/world building was tight. I will read more of Karen Miller's books. There's no doubt about that!

It's Monday! My TBR Stack for this week!

This week I'm trying to get back into this whole blogging on a regular basis thing. I've been away (a.k.a. lazy as eff) and well it's been bothering me. So here we go! 

My upcoming books: 

I've already started reading the The Walking Dead, but it's a behemoth! I am looking forward to the other two.

My Review Schedule for this week:

• Tuesday: The Kingmaker, King Breaker series  by Karen Miller
• Wednesday: Daughter of the Fallen (Blog Tour)
• Saturday: Dead New World by Ryan Hill

So what's up next for you? 

A Little Sexy for your Holidays! BOUGHT FOR CHRISTMAS

 Blurb:
I’m the beast, haven’t you heard….

Christmas is supposed to be a time for miracles and one will surely be needed when Emilia Duncan finds herself sold to the beast to save her father’s company. Having lusted after the much older, enigmatic man for as long as she can remember, spending the Christmas weekend as his submissive will satisfy her raging libido, but can she protect her heart?   Bear Shifter Hunter Monahan cannot stand idly by when Emilia is thrown to the wolves. There is only one shifter who will get his claws into her and that’s him. The contract ensures her submission for the weekend. Too bad his bear wants much more than that.   Hunter is used to hiding behind his gruesome scars, but in the bid for Emilia’s heart, that is not an option this time. Isolated in his cabin, it’s not just the snow that melts.


Buy Link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23609529-bought-for-christmas
Book page: http://www.dorisoconnor.com/bought-for-christmas.html  

Authors Bio:
Glutton for punishment would be a good description for Doris... at least that's what she hears on an almost daily basis when people find out that she has a brood of nine children, ranging from adult to toddler and lives happily in a far too small house, cluttered with children, pets, dust bunnies, and one very understanding and supportive husband. Domestic goddess she is not.   There is always something better to do after all, like working on the latest manuscript and trying not to scare the locals even more than usual by talking out loud to the voices in her head. Her characters tend to be pretty insistent to get their stories told, and you will find Doris burning the midnight oil on a regular basis. Only time to get any peace and quiet and besides, sleep is for wimps. She likes to spin sensual, sassy, and sexy tales involving alpha heroes to die for, and heroines who give as good as they get.

From contemporary to paranormal, BDSM to F/F, and Ménage, haunting love stories are guaranteed. Writer of sensual, sassy, sexy romances

 Website Facebook Twitter

 

The Tiger and the Dove Book Blast

Please join Rebecca Hazell as she tours the blogosphere for the Tiger and the Dove trilogy Book Blast, from December 1 - 14, and be entered to win all three books in the trilogy!

The Grip of God (Book One)

The Grip of God is the first novel in an epic historical trilogy, The Tiger and the Dove. Set in the thirteenth century, its heroine, Sofia, is a young princess of Kievan Rus. She begins her story by recounting her capture in battle and life of slavery to a young army captain in the Mongol armies that are flooding Europe. Not only is her life shattered, it is threatened by the bitter rivalries in her new master's powerful family, and shadowed by the leader of the Mongol invasion, Batu Khan, Genghis Khan's grandson. How will she learn to survive in a world of total war, much less rediscover the love she once took for granted? Always seeking to escape and menaced by outer enemies and inner turmoil, where can she find safe haven even if she can break free? Clear eyed and intelligent, Sofia could be a character from The Game of Thrones, but she refuses to believe that life is solely about the strong dominating the weak or about taking endless revenge. Her story is based on actual historical events, which haunt her destiny. Like an intelligent Forrest Gump, she reflects her times. But as she matures, she learns to reflect on them as well, and to transcend their fetters. In doing so, she recreates a lost era for us, her readers.

 

Solomon's Bride (Book Two)

Solomon's Bride is the dramatic sequel to The Grip of God. Sofia, the heroine, a former princess from Kievan Rus' was enslaved by a Mongol nobleman and then taken as a concubine by the leader of the Mongol invasions, Batu Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan. Now, having fled the Mongols with a price on her head, Sofia escapes into Persia and what she believes will be safety, only to fall into the clutches of the Assassins, who seek to disrupt the Mongol empire. In a world at war, both outer and inner, the second phase of her adventures unfolds. Can she ever find safe haven, much less the lost love and family that was almost destroyed by the Mongols?

Consolamentum (Book Three)

In the finale of Sofia's memoir, Consolamentum, both dramatic and poignant, her dreams of home are shattered when her own family betrays her. Raising her child on her own, mourning the loss of her beloved knight, and building a trading empire, she seeks safe haven for her child and herself. Her quest takes her from Antioch to Constantinople to Venice. A surprise reunion in Venice leads her to France where she runs afoul of the newly established Holy Inquisition, possibly the greatest challenge she has yet faced. Can a woman so marked by oppression, betrayal, and danger ever find her safe haven, much less genuine happiness?

Buy Links

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

Book Depository

About the Author

Rebecca Hazell is a an award winning artist, author and educator. She has written, illustrated and published four non-fiction children’s books, created best selling educational filmstrips, designed educational craft kits for children and even created award winning needlepoint canvases. She is a senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage, and she holds an honours BA from the University of California at Santa Cruz in Russian and Chinese history.

Rebecca lived for many years in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1988 she and her family moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and in 2006 she and her husband moved to Vancouver Island. They live near their two adult children in the beautiful Cowichan Valley.

Visit Rebecca:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook

Book Blast Schedule

Monday, December 1

History from a Woman’s Perspective

Tuesday, December 2

A Book Geek

Wednesday, December 3

The Never-Ending Book

Thursday, December 4

Oh, For the Hook of a Book

Friday, December 5

Must Read Faster

Saturday, December 6

What is that Book About

Sunday, December 7

The True Book Addict

Tuesday, December 9

She is Too Fond of Books & Movies

Wednesday, December 10

To Read, Or Not to Read

Thursday, December 11

Historical Fiction Connection

Friday, December 12

Book Drunkard

Saturday, December 13

Brooke Blogs

Giveaway

To win all three books in Rebecca Hazell’s The Tiger and the Dove trilogy (eBook and print, two winners), please complete the Rafflecopter giveaway form below. Ebook giveaway is open internationally. Print book giveaway is open to U.S./Canada.

Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on December 14th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter on December 17th and notified via email.

Winners have 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway