Darker Days by Jus Accardo (Book Review)

Title: Darker Days (The Darker Agency #1)
Author: Jus Accardo
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Publication Date: Aug 26, 2013
YA Paranormal

About the book: A little sin can be deadly…

Jessie Darker goes to high school during the day, but at night she helps with the family investigation business. Cheating husbands and stolen inheritances? They’re your girls—but their specialty is a bit darker. Zombie in your garage? Pesky Poltergeist living in your pool? They’ll have the problem solved in a magical minute. For a nominal fee, of course…

When gorgeous new client, Lukas Scott, saunters into the office requesting their help to find a stolen box, it sounds like a simple case—until the truth comes out. The box is full of Sin.

Seven deadly ones, in fact.

They’ve got five days to recapture the Sins before they’re recalled by the box, taking seven hijacked human bodies with them. Easy peasy—except for one thing…

There’s a spell that will allow the Sins to remain free, causing chaos forever. When the key ingredient threatens the life of someone she knows, Jessie must make the ultimate choice between love and family—or lose everything.

Purchase Links:

 

My thoughts: I can honestly say this book kept me interested and turning pages up to the very last one.  It is a great start to a new series and the possibilities for adventure are wide open.  There were witches, weres, necromancers, demons, and the Seven Deadly Sins of course.  

To most of Jesse's classmates she is just a normal teenage girl, but her family and best friend know she can seriously hold her own.  She is not mouthy, per se, but does have a lot of attitude - her one-liners gave the book some humor - which was right up my alley.  Her best friend, Kendra, does know what she helps her mom with though - but her best friend just happens to be a witch. Kendra hasn't really come into her powers yet and tends to do more harm than good when she tries to cast a spell.  

This book was paced just right with five days to round up the sins and save seven innocents.  Doesn't sound like an easy case and Damien, Jesse's father, is even temporarily released from his servitude to a demon to help out.  The case just gets more complicated as more of the history concerning the box is uncovered.  As it's history is discovered, Jesse discovers that her relatives and Lukas also have history together. 

I really liked the Darker family, Klaire, Damien and Jesse.  They all have their own strengths, but they are even stronger together and really care about each other.  Lukas is a great addition and his and Jesse's chemistry sparked off the page.  It was all very PG-rated and Lukas was very much a gentleman.  

If you like YA Paranormal - especially when they veer a little off the beaten path - then I think you should give Darker Days a try.  You can even read the first chapter here. 

~I received a complimentary ecopy from Entangled Teen in exchange for my unbiased review.~

About the author: Jus Accardo spent her childhood reading and learning to cook.  Determined to follow in her grandfather's footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America.  At the last minute, she realized her path lay with fiction, not food, and passed on the spot to pursue writing.  Jus is hte bestselling author the popular Denazen series from Entangled publishing and is currently working on the first book in a new adult series due out summer 2013.  A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald. 

Instinct by Mattie Dunman (Book Review)

Title: Instinct
Author: Mattie Dunman
YA Paranormal Suspense

About the book: To tell the truth...it doesn’t really matter if you lie.

It’s impossible to lie to Derry MacKenna. For as long as she can remember, Derry has been plagued by the extraordinary ability to hear, see, and feel the truth. But when Derry and her erratic, self-centered mother move to historic Harper's Ferry, she discovers she is not the only one with hidden talents. 

As the newest reporter on the school newspaper, Derry learns of a high school student’s unexpected suicide and recognizes that the truth behind her death may still be hidden. When tragedy strikes, Derry is drawn into a deadly battle of wits with the only person whom her abilities don’t affect. 

Driven by guilt and an obsession with bringing the killer to justice, Derry finds herself in danger from a vindictive murderer, a sadistic deviant who preys on the weak, and trapped in the middle of a treacherous triangle of attraction between two brothers whose abilities rival her own. Derry must trust her instincts to guide her to the truth and bring her enemies to justice even as she fights for her own survival.

INSTINCT focuses on a gifted, intelligent, and loyal heroine who must contend not only with the inherent dangers of high school bullying and backstabbing, but with loss, grief, and guilt. Against issues of sexual abuse, teenage suicide, and destructive relationships, the heroine learns to cherish the strength of real friendship, understand accountability, and experiences the healing touch of first love.

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My thoughts: I like those books where you know within the first few pages that this is going to be one you will enjoy - and this is one of those.  I was immediately caught up in the story.  We meet Derry as she is helping her mom deal with a potential business associate.  With Derry's unique ability to ferret out lies, she lets her mom know that this man is not tellling the whole truth.  But her ability isn't just when she meets someone, it is also with printed words - books, newspaper articles, store signs.  She sees what is meant behind the words (tends to take the joy out of shopping!) 

Her mom has home schooled her since Kindergarten because of her "talent" and an unfortunate incident that happened when she spoke the truth at an open house.  Derry is now seventeen, and though she has already passed her high school equivalency exams, she wants to know what it means to be a teenager in high school. 

For this reason she is attending high school for the first time as a senior.  Remember, if you will, what it is like to be in high school and imagine all the things she "hears" when she meets these kids for the first time.  Even with an innocent 'hello' she hears what they are feeling or thinking at the time. 

Before she has even acclimated to the high school environment, she finds herself questioning why she wanted to do this.  Being the stubborn girl that she is though, she pushes on and begins to make friends.  On one hand it is easy for her to find real friends, because she knows who is being truthful when they speak to her.  Well - except for Phillip.  For some reason she does not 'hear' anything different when he speaks to her.  She does 'feel' that he is lying to her though, but can't quite figure him out.  

Let's get to the big mystery - a high school girl, Miranda, has apparently committed suicide by jumping off the local bridge.  Her best friend, Nicole, (Derry's first real friend at school) is adamant that she wouldn't have killed herself.  Stumbling upon a newspaper article regarding the girl's death, Derry starts to feel that way as well. 

I like the way that Derry and Nicole's friendship develops and how Derry is able to get the mean girls to stop targeting Nicole so that she comes back out of her shell.  Derry also gets close very quickly with two brothers, Cole and Jack.  She discovers that they have unique talents as she does and she is drawn (and at times frightened) by both.  

There are characters in this book that made my skin crawl and characters that made my heart pound.  I felt like I was right in the action with Derry and was cheering her on with every new discovery she made.  She didn't always make the smartest decisions though, and seems to be a friend of near-death incidents. 

I feel that there is more to this story though, and hope that Mattie is going to take us there in another book, as it will definitely be on my TBR list! You can read the first chapter by visiting Mattie's website.

~I received a complimentary ecopy of Instinct from Reading Addiction Blog Tours in exchange for my unbiased review.~

There are a few grumbles as everyone shifts to greet their partners. My pulse picks up and I put a pleasant smile on my face as I turn to meet a clear green gaze. I feel my smile widen as I take in the boy I’m paired with. With dusty blond hair that grazes his cheeks and falls into moss-colored eyes, high cheekbones and a strong jaw, he is the living, breathing embodiment of the high school hero I’ve read about and watched on TV. I wonder if he’s the captain of the football or basketball team.
“Hi, I’m Phillip Bennett. You’re new here, right?” the hero asks, his voice low and pleasant. But I don’t notice that.
I don’t hear the truth.
I stare at him for a moment, baffled, resisting an urge to touch my ears and make sure that they’re still attached. He watches me attentively and I struggle to find my way back to normalcy and answer.
“Um, hi. Yeah, today’s my first day,” I reply, absently clicking my jaw to try and pop my ears. “Oh, and my name is Derry.”
He smiles and I flinch slightly at the dazzling gleam of teeth. He could be in an ad for toothpaste with that grin.
“Derry, that’s an unusual name,” he says, tilting his head slightly and letting his eyes travel over me.
My heart is pounding furiously and my skin itches. What’s wrong with me? I always hear the truth when someone first speaks to me, always. I try to focus, not wanting to seem weird.
“Yeah, it was my grandmother’s maiden name.” My fingers are clenching and unclenching at my side and my stomach twists uncomfortably.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Derry. Has anyone shown you around yet?”
I force myself to concentrate. I will figure out what’s wrong with me later. “I had a tour when I registered a couple weeks ago,” I answer.
Phillip gives me a pitying look. “With Mrs. Hayworth, right?” I nod. “Well, I’d be happy to give you a tour. One from a student’s perspective,” he offers, blinding me with that smile again.
My pulse picks up for an entirely different reason. “Yeah, that’d be great.” Up front Ms. Sullivan calls the class to attention again.
“I’ll show you to your next class,” he whispers and I give him a quick smile and turn around, not really sure how I feel about that. It’s odd. Earlier I would have been thrilled about a cute boy offering to walk me to class; it fits in perfectly with my daydreams. But I am completely off-balance. For as long as I can remember, the first thing anyone says to me is a hidden truth. I always have to ask people to repeat themselves, or guess at what they might have said. I’ve never heard just a regular introduction.
I rub my arms absently and then stop. The low-level buzz under my skin, like feathery wings beating against my veins, is fading, but it is unmistakable now that I’m paying attention. It’s the buzzing that warns me when someone is lying, and it was sounding alarms the entire time I was talking to Phillip.
I look over my shoulder at him. He is reading the syllabus, tapping his fingers on the desk in a light, repetitive drumming. Sensing my scrutiny, he glances up and the corners of his mouth turn up slightly, but the smile doesn’t reach his eyes. I turn around hurriedly and stare down at my hands. Something is wrong. First the boy outside the school looks at me and I feel like I’m dying and now I can’t hear Phillip’s truth, but my entire body screams that he’s lying. I take a deep breath and try to slow my pulse. After a moment the hum under my skin is gone and I can focus.

About the author: Mattie Dunman is a lifelong resident of "Wild & Wonderful" West Virginia, and has dreamed of being a writer since she first held a pen in hand.

Mattie has pursued several useless degrees to support this dream, and presently enjoys teaching (or tormenting, as the case may be) college students the dying art of public speaking. She spends most of her free time writing, but also indulges in reading and traveling.

She is the proud owner of an adorably insane American Eskimo named Finn, and a tyrant cat named Bella, who take up more of her attention than they probably should.

Author Links:
Website / Goodreads /

The Rockin' Chair by Steven Manchester (Book Review)

The Rockin' Chair
by Steven Manchester
on Tour July 1 - August 31

Book Details
Genre: Fiction
Published by: The Story Plant
Publication Date: June 18, 2013
Number of Pages: 242
Purchase Links:

Synopsis: Memories are the ultimate contradiction. They can warm us on our coldest days – or they can freeze a loved one out of our lives forever. The McCarthy family has a trove of warm memories. Of innocent first kisses. Of sumptuous family meals. Of wondrous lessons learned at the foot of a rocking chair. But they also have had their share of icy ones. Of words that can never be unsaid. Of choices that can never be unmade. Of actions that can never be undone.Following the death of his beloved wife, John McCarthy – Grandpa John – calls his family back home. It is time for them to face the memories they have made, both warm and cold. Only then can they move beyond them and into the future.

A rich portrait of a family at a crossroad, The Rockin’ Chair is Steven Manchester’s most heartfelt and emotionally engaging novel to date. If family matters to you, it is a story you must read.

My thoughts:  If you have spent anytime on book blogs this summer, I am sure that you have seen this book crop up.  I am not sure what I can say about it that hasn't already been said.  It was a wonderful read, with Grampa John imparting wisdom - wisdom that should be obvious, but sometimes it takes someone to point it out to us.

The family has scattered across the U.S. - well, really the world - with George being in Afghanistan, but as Alice, John's wife, continues to worsen, he puts out a call to bring the grandchildren home.  Even though his son Hank lives within an arm's reach, he might as well have been across the world with the distance that has separated him and his father John for many years.

I loved the way that the other drew everyone's sorrows out in their own time, without judgment and how Grampa John orchestrated the time they needed to share that sorrow with him.  It is a really good story about family - their struggles, their mistakes, the lines that separate and the bonds that draw us back together.

~I received a complimentary ecopy from Partners in Crime  Book Tours and Providence Book  Promotions in exchange for my unbiased review.~

Read an excerpt:

Elle picked up Evan, Tara and Lila at the airport. As she approached the threesome, she gasped at the sight of her emaciated daughter. For a few moments, Tara’s eyes scanned every inch of her mother’s face before she spread her twig-like arms. Elle hugged her, then pulled away and peered into her sunken eyes. “Are you sick?” she asked.

While Tara shrugged, Elle grabbed Evan for a hug. “I’ll explain it on the way,” he whispered in her ear.

Lila stood there, looking up at her grandmother—curiously.

Elle bent down and smiled at the baby. “Hello, my love,” she whispered, “Grandma’s waited much too long to meet you.” The little girl was a living doll. She had Tara’s strawberry blond curls and the same dark eyes as Alice.

Lila grinned. “Hi, Gramma,” she said, and never flinched when Elle scooped her up and kissed her cheek.

Elle looked back at Tara and could feel her eyes swell with tears.

“Grandma?” Evan asked, grabbing her attention.

Elle shook her head, the tears beginning to cascade down her tired face.

“When?” he asked.

Elle reached for his hand. “Last night…right in Grampa’s lap.”

“In the rockin’ chair?” he asked, his voice cracking.

Elle nodded again.

Evan’s eyes filled. “Where else?” he said.

Elle noticed the confusion in her daughter’s eyes and thought, She’s so out of it.

Before Elle could explain, Evan leaned into Tara’s ear and filled it with the bad news. “We’re one day too late. Grandma passed away last night.”

Though delayed, Tara burst into tears.

As they left the airport terminal, Elle walked alongside Evan. “How did you find her in New York?” she asked in a whisper. “Her cell phone’s been turned off for weeks.” She looked back at her daughter, who was already lagging behind.

“It wasn’t easy,” he said, and shook his head. “Let’s just say…thank God I did.”

Author Bio:

Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestseller Twelve Months, Goodnight, Brian, and several other books. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early
Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Recently, three of Manchester’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

Catch Up with Steven:

Tour Host Participants:

Call Me Crazy by Quinn Loftis (Book Review)

Title: Call Me Crazy
Author: Quinn Loftis
YA Contemporary Romance

About the book: “I’m looking out from inside the chaos. It must be a one-way mirror because no one seems to be able to see back inside to where I am. The looks on their faces, the judgment in their eyes, tells me everything I need to know. The most frustrating part about the whole messed up situation is that even though I’m the one that they stare at in shock, I am just as shocked as they are. I know no more than they do of why I lose control. What they don’t know is that I am more scared of myself than they could ever be.” ~ Tally Baker

After a devastating turn of events, seventeen year old Tally Baker is admitted to Mercy Psychiatric Facility where she is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. She has come to a place where she honestly believes that her life is over. Her mind tells her that she will never smile or laugh again, that she will never be normal again. It is in this unlikely place that she meets two people, different in every way, yet both critical to helping her realize that she has so much more living to do. 

Candy, a cantankerous sixty year old Mercy Psychiatric patient, is hell bent on driving everyone as crazy as she is. Candy shows Tally that, regardless of her diagnosis, the ability to push on and live her life to the fullest is her choice and hers alone. In the midst of Tally’s oftentimes humorous, sometimes heart-wrenching, escapades with Candy, a new patient is admitted to Mercy—a native American woman named Lolotea. Along with this new patient comes a daily visitor, her son, Trey Swift. At first glance, it is obvious to Tally that he is incredibly handsome and unbelievably caring. But what she learns through her second glance, and many thereafter, is that there is much more to Trey than he ever lets on. It is during these daily visits that Trey and Tally build a friendship far deeper than either of them truly realize. With Trey, Tally feels for the first time since being admitted that someone is looking at her as a person and not as a disease. Trey begins to make it clear that he wants more than friendship, but she knows that she can never give him more. How can she, when she won’t even give him the truth?  Tally doesn’t tell Trey that she is a patient at Mercy, and she doesn’t ever plan to. Her plans go up in flames when she finds out that Trey is a new student at her school, the school where her brokenness was found out in the floor of the girl’s bathroom in a pool of her own blood. 

Purchase Links:

   

My thoughts:  While I liked the storyline from the beginning, when I first started reading this book I thought "Uggh.  Another book where we "live" the moment and then rehash it from each character's POV."  But after awhile it started to flow and I really got caught up in Tally and Trey's story.  

I just wanted to wrap Tally up in a big blanket and cuddle with her, while at the same time kicking her parent's butt to get in gear and start living the role they signed up for when they had a child!  She just seemed so lost - and in spite of her disease has a big heart - just a hard time trusting anyone with it.  

Candy was hilarious and always had a way to make Tally smile - even when they were both having bad days.  Despite her advanced age, she was Tally's best friend at Mercy.  She helped Tally to learn that it was okay to have fun and to not take life so seriously.  I would love to have someone in my life like Candy.

Tally's relationship with Trey starts off with a chance meeting at Mercy.  He is there visiting his mom and assumes that she is visiting someone as well.  They become friends and he is very open (and persistent) in letting Tally know that he is coming to care for her.  At one point in the story Tally asks Trey if he is sure he is only eighteen.  He is strong and compassionate beyond his years and even though his mom is in a psych unit, you can tell that he has had a solid family upbringing and some good role models.  

I ended up really liking the book and the last 100 pages I did not want to put it down.  I so wanted to find out how Tally and Trey's story would end. It is a good story, and even though it has it's tragedy, it is also filled with hope.  

~I received a complimentary ecopy of Call Me Crazy from Reading Addicted Book Tours in exchange for my unbiased review.~

Call Me Crazy Excerpt Chapter 3

I’m hunched down beneath the table like a frightened rabbit as I watch the tall figure kneel before the new patient across the room. I’m not sure how I came to be hunched down. All I know is that the moment he walked in the room, I felt the uncomfortable rush of something pouring through me. I’m not sure if I liked it or not.

He is Native American; there is no doubt in my mind about that based on his extremely apparent features. His long, black, amazingly shiny hair would have any woman envious of the obvious health in the locks. It flows down his back like a cascading waterfall. His naturally tan skin appears as smooth as silk and his piercing dark eyes don’t seem to miss a thing. He had even caught my movement and had glanced in my direction when I had so brilliantly decided to hide from a person I didn’t even know. I watch as he slowly stands and continues to look down at the woman before him. By the hesitancy in his movements she is obviously very important to him and I’m awed by the tenderness that such a large, imposing guy can show. After several minutes he turns to leave and my eyes never leave his retreating form until I can no longer see him. I feel a kick to my ribs and scramble up with a grunt.

“Crap Candy,” I growl at my snickering companion as I rub my side and glare at her. “What was that for?”

“A better question would be why were you hunkered down under the table drooling over Kemosabe?”

I frown at her. “That’s tacky don’t you think?”

“I’m sixty years old and crazy; I can do tacky if I want,” she snorts at me.

I can’t really argue with her there. Like pregnant women, old, crazy ladies pretty much get a free pass on crassness and eccentricity.

“So come on,” she pats the chair that I had so quickly vacated, “tell Candy all about it.”
I roll my eyes. “He just took me off guard, that’s all,” I lie smoothly.

Candy isn’t buying it. “He was hot, just admit it. Hot and he got you bothered.”

I cringe. “Candy, you calling a guy young enough to be your grandson hot is just not right.”

“Psht,” she flips her hand at me. “I’m old, not blind or dead. Besides, I didn’t say I wanted to jump his exotic bones.”

I groan as I bang my head against the table. “Where do you learn these terms? I mean it’s not normal for someone your age to blurt out crap like that.”

“Did you just use the term normal in a sentence describing me?” She raises her brow surprisingly at me.

I laugh. “Good point.”

“So, are you going to tell me why Pocahontas’ brother had you running for the hills?”
“There is something wrong with you, you know that, right?”

She smiles at me. “That’s what the voices in my head keep telling me. Now spill it.”

About the author: Quinn is a 32 year old wife, mother, nurse, and writer, not necessarily in that order.  She lives in beautiful West Arkansas with her husband, son, Nora their Doberman pinscher and Phoebe their cat (who thinks she is a ninja in disguise). She loves writing, reading, and crocheting. Her favorite holiday is Christmas, favorite book(s) is Pride and Prejudice, The Alpha and Omega Series by Patricia Briggs, and the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. She loves to be silly and have fun, loves music and thinks there is no greater sound in the world than that of her little boy's laughter.

Author Links:  Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Book Review and giveaway)

Title: The Letters
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Publisher: Revell

About the book: Welcome to a place of unconditional love and unexpected blessings.

When widow Rose Schrock turns her Amish farmhouse into a bed and breakfast, she expects there might be problems.  The reaction of her cantankerous mother-in-law for one.  Disapproval from the church for another.  But what she doesn't expect is that the guests at the Inn at Eagle Hill will spill their problems into her life and into her heart.  She also never expects the kind of help and support she gets from Galen King, the quiet and rugged horse trainer next door.  Love, Rose discovers, can bloom in the most unexpected ways.

With inspiration from a true story and her signature plot twists, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a fresh story of simple pleasures and strong faith in a complex world.

Purchase Links:

My thoughts: I like Suzanne's books (reviews) because they have a strong faith based storyline, but they do not "shove" religion in your face.  This one contains all the elements I like in a book - strong family ties, romance, a little mystery, and believable characters. 

Rose might be Amish, but her children are just like anyone else's.  Bethany is trying to discover who she is and is falling in love.  Mim is becoming a teenager with feelings of her own.  Luke and Sammy are as rambunctious as two little boys should be.  Tobe, the oldest, has runaway and we don't learn much about him.  I am hoping there is a book coming that will introduce us to him, as I am sure he has much to share.

Rose is a very strong woman and mother, with her strength coming from God.  She still struggles with the problems that life throws at her though, and can be too stubborn to see things that are right in front of her.  Her first guest, Delia, brings her own set of problems to Eagle Hill, but at the same time, she brings some answers to Rose's prayers.  It is refreshing to read a book where you see God orchestrating chance meetings.

About the author:  Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace.  She is also the coauthor of an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp.  Suzanne is a Christy Award finalist and a Carol Award finalist.  She is the host of internet radio show Amish Wisdom and a  columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines.  She lives in California. 

Author Links:

Website /  Twitter /

Enter Today - 8/1 - 8/17!

Dying to Dream by Kathryn Long (Book Review)

Title: Dying to Dream
Author: Kathryn Long
Publisher: Mainly Murder Press

About the book: Take a strong dose of mystery, add a bit of the paranormal, flavor it with southern charm, then heat it up with romance and you have Dying to Dream. 

When Jack Robesaux is found lying dead on a Louisiana beach, psychic, Marin Seurat, must use her gift to prove it is murder and not suicide. Though Marin knows her dreams with their messages from the dead could help, she struggles with the idea of returning home and facing a troubled past. However, a phone call informing her of Jack's murder and the return of the family curse gives Marin that final push. In a surprising turn of events, Marin discovers a mystery from long ago that somehow connects to recent deaths. With the help of cryptic messages delivered by spirits, Marin races to solve the mystery of Saint Toulere. 

Purchase Links: 

Mainly Murder Press

My thoughts:  This is what I consider a good Gothic mystery! There is murder, ghosts, voodoo, a long-standing feud, big old houses, creepy basements and all set in Louisiana, of course.  I did get a little confused what with all the names, both living and dead that we are introduced to, but it becomes clearer as the story progresses. 

First you have Marin and Charlie (Charlene) who are cousins.  They both suffered the loss of a parent, Marin's mom and Charlie's dad, who died together in a car crash.  They love each other fiercely and watch each other's backs.  Then there is Tante Louise, who is their Aunt.  She has certain "gifts", which Marin think are questionable, but she does have the gift of sticking her nose in and figuring things out.  She tends to work alone though and this worries Marin, as her Aunt is in her 70's.  

Marin begins having dreams about the Baulliere family before Charlie even visits to try to get her to come home.  She tends to stick her nose in places she probably shouldn't because of these dreams as well.  She is being visited by Marguerite in her dreams, but can't figure out why, or what Marguerite Picoult is trying to tell her.  Combined with Charlie telling her that Ash Baulliere wants her to come figure out what the ghost of his Uncle Francis is trying to tell him and Marin knows she must return home.   

With the help of both the living and the dead, a family history is woven together that will bring light to secrets that have long been buried.  

I like Gothic mysteries and this one didn't disappoint!

~I received a complimentary ecopy of Dying to Dream from Reading Addiction Blog Tours in exchange for my unbiased review.~

About the author: Kathryn Long is a recently retired school teacher who has enjoyed writing mysteries for several years. Credits include mystery shorts, "Betrayal in an Envelope" and "A Good Man", both published by The Piker Press. Long has ventured into self-publishing with a cozy mysteryseries beginning with Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes, as well as a series of YA novels, Cinderella Geek, Not So Snow White and Alice in Realityland under the pen name Jennkrist. Dying to Dream is her fourth mystery gone to print with indie publisher, Mainly Murder Press. Future publications include a romantic suspense novel titled A Deadly Deed Grows, which will be coming out next year with The Wild Rose Press. Long keeps actively involved through such efforts as belonging to Sisters in Crime, maintaining a writing blog:http://kjlongteacherwriter.blogspot.com , an author website: http://www.kathrynlong.webs.com , and an author Facebook page, Kathryn Long’s Books. 

Dying to Dream grew from the author’s strong interest in “ghost hunting” and participating in several ghost tours. Her knowledge of French and Spanish and love of foreign cultures helped create more colorful characters in the book and add to their authenticity.

Contact Links: 

•  Kathryn Long's Website
•  Kathryn Long's Blog
•  Twitter
•  Facebook

Win The Susan Mallery Foolproof Bridal Kit! - Three Little Words by Susan Mallery

Title: Three Little Words 
Author: Susan Mallery

About the book: Can first love turn into the real deal in a sizzling new Fool's Gold story from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery? Isabel Carlisle thinks she's cursed in the romance department. Her teenage crush, Ford Hendrix, ignored all her letters. Her husband left her for another...man. So Isabel has come home to dust off her passion for fashion and run the family bridal shop until her parents are ready to sell it. Then she'll pursue her real dreams. At least, that's the plan, until sexy, charming Ford returns and leaves her feeling fourteen all over again.... 

Seeing Isabel all grown up hits bodyguard trainer Ford like a sucker punch. Back when heartbreak made him join the military, her sweet letters kept him sane. Now he can't take his eyes-or his lips-off her. The man who gave up on love has a reason to stay in Fool's Gold forever-if three little words can convince Isabel to do the same....

My thoughts: I had such a fun time reading this book and learning about some of the Fool's Gold's residents!  I guess this is book twelve, but it was fine as a stand-alone.  I may need to go back and pick up some of the first ones!  

At one time Ford was engaged to Isabel's sister Maeve.  Of course, Isabel was only fourteen years old at the time and thought her sister was crazy when she broke off the engagement.  She swore she would love Ford forever and wrote him letters for ten years.  Meanwhile, he left town and became a Navy Seal, and never wrote Isabel back.  

When Isabel got engaged herself, she wrote Ford and told him that she would no longer be sending any letters as she didn't feel it was appropriate any more.  As fate would have it, they both end up back in Fool's Gold a few years later - single - and not looking for love.

The chemistry between Ford and Isabel was unmistakable, and despite that, they start "fake" dating to try to fool Ford's mom.  But the only people they are fooling is each other. 

There is more than one romance afoot in Fool's Gold though and that keeps the book moving along.  It was a quick read with lot's of interesting secondary characters - some of which I am sure were introduced to lead into more Fool's Gold books.  I would definitely pick up another book by Susan Mallery. 

~I received a complimentary copy of Three Little Words from Meryl L. Moss Media in exchange for my unbiased review.~

Purchase: 

  

Follow along with the whole tour at BookTrib!

Enter the rafflecopter giveaway below for a chance to win The Susan Mallery Foolproof Bridal Kit.  I want to win this!!!

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Virtual Book Tour: Relentless by Molly M. Hall (Reviews)

Title: Relentless (Dark Prophecy, Book 2)
Author: Molly M. Hall
Genre: YA Paranormal

About the book: "Out of the darkness and into the fire. The truth changes everything."

The discovery of who and what she is changed Kat Matheson's life forever, revealing a world she never knew existed. A world filled with ominous spirits, mystical beings and dark magic. And a powerful ruler who will stop at nothing to achieve his ultimate goal: her death. Now, in her fight to stay alive, and to protect those she loves, Kat begins the battle to take back what's hers.

Teaming with the enigmatic Lovell, Kat searches for the clues that hold the secret to her destiny. Clues that take her to places she never imagined, exposing her life—and her heart—to dangers she never saw coming…

Purchase Links

~Amazon~     ~Barnes and Noble~

My thoughts: This is the second book in the Dark Prophecy series and I would recommend reading them in order.  I read Reckoning yesterday(review is below) and was so happy that I had Relentless to start right afterwards.  It was a seamless transition between the two books.  

I really like Kat and Lovell.  You know there is some history there somewhere - a past life or something.  Lovell seems to be aware of a deeper relationship between them and while Kat feels the chemistry, she doesn't understand it.  She is in a relationship with Rick and so tries to keep her distance from Lovell.  He makes a great trainer for her though and she has learned a lot both physically and about her powers from him. 

This book deals a lot with Kat's training and the search for some magical items that were hidden by her great-grandmother (or was it great-great grandmother?) Katriona, who is also her namesake.  Along with the magical items, there are glowing orbs, portals, and visits from sylphs!  

I don't know when the next book is due out, but I really can't wait to read what happens!

~I received complimentary eCopies of Reckoning and Relentless from Reading Addicted Blog Tours in exchange for my unbiased review.~

Excerpt from Relentless:

Using a poker, Lovell shifts the remnants of blackened logs, adding two fresh ones to the top. Stepping back, he lowers his head and stares into the firebox. Two small flames appear, slowly working their way up from the bottom of the pile. Growing larger, they sweep up and around the logs, the wood popping and snapping as it ignites.
I look at him in astonishment. "How did you do that?"
"I'm a man of many talents," he says, pouring water into a mug. He takes a sip. "You can do it, too."
"What?" I shake my head. "There's no way…"
"Yes, you can."
I cross my arms, one hip thrusting out. "How?"
"Come here." Lovell gestures me forward, positioning me in front of the hearth. He sweeps his hand through the air and the fire goes out.
I look at him, a comment on the tip of my tongue. He returns the look, one eyebrow raised. I swallow the comment and exhale through my nose. Standing behind me, he places his hands on the side of my head.
"Clear your mind and concentrate," he says. "Don't think about anything but the fire. Picture the flame where you want it to appear."
I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Closing my eyes, I try to empty my mind. But it's impossible. Too many thoughts, too many images flash in a Technicolor stream.
"Concentrate, Kat," Lovell whispers. "Nothing but the flame."
I can't help but wonder if he can actually read my thoughts. I hope not because the feel of him behind me is conjuring images I don't want to think about. Or him to know.
"Just the flame," he repeats.
I force myself to think of nothing but a blank wall. Black and empty. When I've succeeded, I picture a flame, small and hot, working it's way through the wood.
"Keep focusing, Kat. Don't let it go."
I picture it building and building, growing larger as it consumes the logs. I hear Rick gasp behind me. But I keep the image in my head, holding onto the flame until the logs are ablaze with fire. The logs begin to shift, morphing into twisted, fiery shapes. They pop and sizzle as sap bleeds out of them. And, then, they aren't logs anymore. They've melted and burned, realigning themselves into a shape that becomes slowly human. A head and shoulders and torso emerge. It grows taller and taller. The flames part to reveal a face.
Aratus.
He smiles, his silver-blue eyes challenging me. I will the flames higher and hotter and he throws his head back and laughs. I can feel the heat washing over me, the sweat accumulating on my forehead, my neck. I push my energy forward again, and the flames engulf him, igniting his hair, his flesh. His face begins to melt and I feel a surge of power, so energizing, so invigorating, it's intoxicating. I revel in it, thrilling to the force pouring through my blood.
"Kat!" Lovell's voice is far away, a distant echo on the wind. "Kat!" It comes again, louder this time. "Stop!" He pulls me away from the fireplace, swiping his hand through the air.
I gasp and stare at the hearth. At the logs, now no more than ashes. At the black scorch marks, reaching towards the mantle. Rick is looking at me with a mixture of shock and awe. "What happened?" I stammer.
"You almost turned this place into an inferno," Rick says.
I look at Lovell.
"That is not what I expected," he says. "At this stage in your training, you should not be able to do that."

About the author: I’ve spent most of my life in Colorado and currently live just outside of Denver. I write my books on a laptop perched atop a rather creaky desk, surrounded by two crazy and loving cats. I love to travel and have visited 27 of the 50 states, as well as Canada, Ireland and England. And there are still a lot of places I want to go.

I spent entirely too many years in the gray dullness of the corporate world, imagining something more exciting as I punched numbers on a keyboard. During that time, I worked on a degree in English Literature, but never quite managed to complete it. Mostly because I was too busy reading and creating fantasy worlds in my head. It’s actually my love of reading and imagining that led me to take up writing full time. I thought I should finally give all the characters in my head a voice.

Music is a huge part of my life and plays a big role in the creation of my books. Although I listen to everything from Johann Sebastian Bach and Dvorak, to Glen Miller and Bobby Darin, to Rihanna and Nox Arcana, as well as movie and video game soundtracks, there are two bands whose music is practically my lifeblood: Daughtry and Linkin Park. I will listen to or see them live anytime, anywhere.

I’m a fan of British television, Doctor Who (favorite doctor? David Tennant. Let the debate begin!), The Vampire Diaries, Japanese animé, Ghost Hunters, MI-5 and Eureka. And anything featuring James McAvoy. And I probably would never be able to unwind without That 70′s Show.

When I’m not reading and writing, you'll probably find me listening to music, practicing yoga, working on my very inadequate French, playing piano, enjoying a lovely glass of red wine or champagne, or looking for inspiring landscapes to photograph.

Author Links:

~Website~     ~Twitter~     ~Facebook~

Don't forget to check out Book 1 - Reckoning

"They say the truth can set you free. I found out it can kill you."

Seventeen-year-old Kat Matheson has never revealed the dark secret that sets her apart from everyone else: She can see and hear the dead. Until now, she has been able to ignore the strange apparitions and whispering voices. But it may not be that simple anymore. Haunted by eerie visions and increasingly frightening nightmares, Kat begins to fear she may be the target of a dark and ominous force from beyond the grave. Complicating matters is the arrival of her new neighbor, a young man she instinctively distrusts but is inexplicably drawn to. Gorgeous and mysterious, he seems to hold a disturbing knowledge of her long-held secrets.

As she desperately tries to maintain control, events take an unexpected and violent turn. Discovering that nothing is what it seems and that her psychic abilities may involve far more than just communing with the dead, Kat may be forced to confront her worst fears and the powerful curse that controls her destiny.

My thoughts: This book starts the Dark Prophecy series off with a bang.  You are introduced to Kat, her best friend Rachel, her "hot" neighbor Lovell, and her "crush" Rick.   Kat hasn't had a lot of friends through school as she has been busy trying to "not" see the visions that distract her. She is able to keep them away for long stretches of time, but lately they are becoming more persistent.  She doesn't think she can share them with Rachel and certainly not with Rick, as he has finally asked her out on a date!

Her new neighbor, Lovell, moves in and he seems to know more about Kat than he should.  He slowly starts dropping hints as to her powers and that there is more to the world than meets the eye.

There is a hint of mystery and romance along with the paranormal aspects of this book.  It was a quick read and ended with the perfect transition for book 2.