Pages

Justine's books

Last Sacrifice
My Soul to Take
My Soul to Save
My Soul to Keep
My Soul to Steal
Wings
Spells
Illusions
Sing Me to Sleep
Girl Stays in the Picture
The Eternal Ones
Beastly
Ash
Huntress
Secret Society
The Trust
Ascendant
Rampant
0.4
Fairy Tale


Justine's favorite books »

Wednesday 27 February 2013

Review #93: Bad Apple- Barbara Morgenroth


Title: Bad Apple
Author: Barbara Morgenroth
Pages: 166
Rating: 4/5
Review: I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly loved this book! I felt like Barbara Morgenroth tricks the reader into thinking after the initial shock, that the book was going to be happy and go lucky and everything would be fine and dandy. This story very quickly unravels as you fall deeper into the book. There are so many secrets that slowly reveal themselves to the audience, but there are still huge ones that left me wanting more. I want this to turn into a love story and have a happy ending. Those characters deserve it! The only issues I had with the book was the CLIFFHANGER ENDING!!!! I can't believe it ended like that. I actually yelled out loud and wanted to bang my head on the table.
I loved Neal, the "damaged girl"!! I felt a connection to her. She was always trying to hide in the shadows and not draw attention to herself, and for good reason. When's she finally received attention and "love" she didn't know how to accept it. I can't wait to learn her full story, even though I have a feeling it's going to be a sad one. I have a CRUSH on Truely!!! He is an outcast, a singer and totally drool worthy. Plus he is a great guy! I can't wait to see where there story leads. 
This was a great book! I would recommend it to all older YA readers. Older ones because there are some deep topics in the book. But such an enjoyable read. I still can't believe the "terrible" (lol) ending that Barbara Morgenroth wrote. I need book two NOW!!! ( Hint, hint Barbara! Lol jk) but if you need a reviewer :)

Blog Tour and Interview: Betrayals of Spring- L.P. Dover



Synopsis:

The smell of rain vastly approaches as we are lying on the ground in a sea of flowers. They surround our bodies while the fresh Spring wind caresses our skin with its soft, gentle touch. Combined as one, we stare into each other’s eyes as we bask in the pleasure of our love and OUR land.
The Land of the Fae has flourished bringing a new beginning and a new court, the Fall Court. Five years have passed since then along with the dreaded day that Meliantha, Summer Court Princess and one of the powerful Four, was betrayed and broken-hearted by the sexy and alluring Winter Prince, Kalen. Spurned by the man she loves, Meliantha has turned and fallen into the arms of the fierce and handsome warrior, Finn, who understands she can never love him, but wants more than anything to mend her broken heart.
The Winter Solstice Ball is approaching, meaning Meliantha will have to face the Winter Prince and make it out of there with her heart intact. But what does she do when Prince Kalen acts as if nothing ever happened and seems more in love with her than ever before?
The dark sorcerer has planned his twisted game of lies and deceit well, and has enjoyed making himself a player without anyone’s knowledge. The game is almost over and the players are exactly where they are needed to be. Will Meliantha figure out his twisted game and save all the players? Or will the dark sorcerer once again obtain the power of the Four and take everything away from her…..even her one true love?
Author Interview
1). Can you explain what your book is about and what inspired you to write it?  Betrayals of Spring is the second novel in the Forever Fae series.  In Forever Fae you got to see how everything 
started with Calista and Ryder.  Betrayals of Springtakes you on the journey of Meliantha and Kalen.  The characters all stay the same, but the main focus will be on the different main princesses throughout the series.  In Betrayals you will see how Meliantha battles the evil and how her love and determination will Spring forth a new beginning.
2). How long did it take you to get your book written and published?  Betrayals of Spring took me two months to completely write it.  I worked on it every day and made sure I met my goals for each day.  As far as publishing it, that took about a month and a half to get it sent to the editor and edited, a book cover made, and also to send the manuscript off to be formatted.  
3). What is your favourite part of the book and why?  My favorite part is the ending of course.  I don’t really do cliffhangers so in each book you will get the happy ending.  
4). What was the hardest part in your book to write and why? The hardest part is writing the male POV’s.  I don’t have a male brain so trying to talk like a man and think like a man is not easy.
5). Who is your favourite character from Betrayals of Spring and why?  My favorite is Meliantha.  I 
love a strong woman, and in Betrayals she never gives up.  She’s faced with a slew of challenges 
but she never balks and never runs away.  She fights for what she wants and her determination is inspiring.  
6). If one of your characters miraculously had a voice, what would they say?  I can picture Alasdair, the dark sorcerer, saying that he’s tired of getting bested by the princesses.  He says it makes him look bad getting beat by women in each book.
7). Do you have a writing routine that you follow?  I do.  I never can seem to write anything when I stare at the computer screen.  I always have to write in my notebook and then transfer it to the computer.  It’s a lot of extra work, but it’s the only way I can get the creativity flowing.
8). What other authors and/ or books inspired you to become a writer?  I fell in love with indie authors after I read Prince of Wolves by Quinn Lofits.  Ever since then I have done nothing but read books by indie’s.  My final push came from my author friend, Lucy Swing, who writes the Feathermore trilogy.  Writing has always been something I loved, but I never thought I could do it.  It seemed like something I could never accomplish.  Lucy gave me so many words of 
encouragement and support that one day I just sat down and started putting ideas together.  Those 
ideas formed into chapters, and then the chapters turned into a full length novel.  It was an amazing feeling and I owe everything to her.
9). How do you come up with all your ideas?  To be honest, I have no clue.  They just come to me.  I have to have it perfectly quiet in order to think, and once I focus on my faeries I play the whole book out in my head.  It’s like a movie that I’m silently watching.  I see them unfold in my head, and once the movie is complete I begin to write it.
10). What are you working on now, and can you give us any details?  I am currently working strong on a contemporary romance, and also working on book three of the Forever Faeseries.  My contemporary romance is called My Second Chance and it will be released late April.  Summer of Frost will be released late June.  Summer of Frost will be dealing with Sorcha, the winter court princess, and Drake, the summer court prince.  It’ll be an interesting mix with these two because in books one and two you deal with the summer court princesses, well in this one you will get a glimpse into the life of a winter court one.  My Second Chance is a story of love and loss, and when Korinne loses her husband she loses all interest in life.  At least until a lover from the past 
resurfaces and helps her find her way.  It won’t be an easy path and you will see how Korinne finds the strength to get through the trials she must face.
11). What advice would you give others who are pursuing writing?  To never give up is what I would say.  I know that’s what everyone hears, but it’s the truth.  No matter how many people think you’re crazy for trying to write or that you’ll never succeed you have to move past it and do what you love.  Writing has been an amazing journey for me and yes it’s been really hard and there were times when I wanted to give up, but I pushed through it.  
12). What made you decide to write about fairies?  I love the faerie world.  Don’t get me wrong I love the vampires and werewolves and such, but there’s something about faeries that drew me to them.  I love anything fantasy, and I knew that I could build a world of my choosing.  Faeries just fascinate me.
13). If you won the lottery what would you do with your winnings?  I would move to a log cabin in the mountains, go on vacation, secure my children’s college funds, share some with my family, and just live a comfortable life.  I’m sure there would be plenty of other things I would do, but that would be the first things that would come to mind.
14). If you were stranded on a desert island which character of yours would you want with you and why?  I think I would wantKalen with me.  He’s Ryder’s younger brother, but he’s playful whereas Ryder is a little more serious.  I think if I was stranded on a deserted island Kalen would see the fun in it and do anything to make it a fun experience.  Not to mention he’s hot too. J

Author Bio:
I am an avid reader that loves my collection of books. Writing has always been a passion of mine and now I am glad that I get to share my passion with the world. I live in North Carolina and I absolutely love being a southern girl. I spent several years in college starting out with a major in Psychology and then switching to dental. I worked in the dental field for eight years and then decided to stay home with my two beautiful girls. I spent the beginning of my reading years reading suspense thrillers, but now I can't get away from the paranormal/fantasy books. I knew ever since then that if I wrote anything it would be in a paranormal aspect. Now that I have started on my passion and began writing, you will not see me go anywhere without a notebook and pen.

Links:
GoodReads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6526309.L_P_Dover
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/LP-Dover/318455714919114
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/L.P.-Dover/e/B00AFVV8TG/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1360156103&sr=1-2-ent
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LPDover
Blog: http://www.releasethepages.blogspot.com/

Monday 25 February 2013

Review #92- Cruise of the Undead- Laura A. Hansen


Summary: 
Zombies on a cruise ship. What would you do? 


Fifteen-year-old Charlie is P.O.'ed that his parents have wasted a perfectly good Christmas break by forcing him on a cruise with a bunch of oldies. But the old people are a piece of cake compared to the dead people. Some late night sneaking around by Charlie and his brother Jack convince them that the unimaginable is really happening: the recently dead are walking the ship. After a gruesome attack at the Death by Chocolate Buffet, a seriously scary comedy of clashing personalities occurs when intense Charlie and his hip hop, extroverted younger brother Jack forge an alliance to defeat the zombie menace. The boys and their friends take on the zombie crew in a gripping struggle to save themselves, their families and the other passengers from an ugly undeath. 

With horror, humor, and a dash of romance, this fast-paced adventure races through the zombie-infested South Pacific.
Title: Cruise of the Undead
Author: Laura A. Hansen
Pages: 213
Series: Zombies in Paradise
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Review: Last year I had entered a giveaway, and won a signed copy of Cruise of the Undead, unfortunately I hadn't had time to read it until now. Firstly, I just want to say " Hello, who wouldn't like this book? It has zombies duh!!!" Now these aren't The Walking Dead zombies by any means, this story is intended for a younger audience. They were still flesh eating zombies, just not as intense. I loved how this book had such a fresh take on the zombie Apocolypse. Have you ever read a book about zombies on a cruise ship? Me neither until now! I found it believe able at first how the parents of the main characters didn't believe them about the zombies and said they played too many video games, then when their parents saw for themselves what was happening they sang a different tune. But the parents fell short as heros for me, because they didn't really have any idea what to do which lead the kids to essentially because the "adults". 

I feel like Laura A. Hansen hit the nail on the head with these characters. Charlie was way too cool to
 be on a cruise with his parents and younger brother, I mean he is 15. Jack, his younger brotherwas still   young enough to play with other kids on the ship, leading Charlie to be even moodier because he 
had no one to hang out with. That was until he spotted Savannah, the only other teenager. Did I mention she was a girl. Probably a hot little thing. They are grouped together and became quite the little zombie hunting team saving the adults from certain death.
I can't wait to read the second book in the series and see where they end up next. I hope that the same characters are in the next one. I would recommend this book for younger Ya readers, 15 and under, due to some of the simplicity of the story. 



Thanks Laura A Hansen for the great read and a trophy book for the collection!!

About the series:Cruise of the Undead is the first book in the new Zombies in Paradise series. Each book in the series takes the reader to a new and fabulous setting, where the reader confronts an increasingly deadly paranormal menace. The next book in the Zombies in Paradise series will be released in the spring of 2013. The books are available at Amazon.com andCruiseoftheUndead.com in both paperback and kindle versions.


Laura A. Hansen was born in a suburb outside of St. Louis, Missouri and has spent most of her life in the Midwest. In her day job she is a cancer biologist, professor, and educator, with several advanced degrees including a Ph.D. in Toxicology. Her cancer research has earned international recognition and taken her around the world, including a recent stay in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr. Hansen has been a professional writer her whole adult life, although primarily as a scientific and technical writer. Cruise of the Undead, published in 2012, was her first young adult novel and will be followed by other books in the Zombies in Paradise series.
Dr. Hansen is the mother of two boys, who provided the inspiration for Cruise of the Undead. She started writing fiction when she wanted to capture the spirit of her crazy kids in that brief and turbulent time between childhood and adulthood – their tween and teen years. The main characters in Cruise of the Undead draw heavily from the personalities of her sons, and various plot elements were inspired by experiences on happy, but zombie-free, family cruises.
Dr. Hansen lives in the Omaha metro area with her husband, children, dog, and cat. Visit her on the web at www.cruiseoftheundead.com.

COVER REVEAL: Knotted Roots- Ruthi Kight


Author: Ruthi Kight
Genre: YA Romance
Release Date: March 29th, 2013
Cover Artist: Regina Wamba, Mae I Design and Photography

Blurb:
Partying with friends and scoring a flawless tan is about all Roxie has on her list of things to make her Hampton's summer perfect.
Her parents, however, have other plans and Grandma Betty's farm is just one of them.
Just as her life is in shambles and the quaint town is suffocating her, she meets Chase.
Somewhere in the mix of bummer summer and small town doldrums, he becomes the boy she can't seem to avoid falling for. Just adding him to the picture, her stay starts to get better, even if she knows it has to end with the summer holidays.
That is until Betty drops a life-shattering bomb.
Roxie must make a choice that will change her life forever. What happens when a spoiled brat from New York learns the true meaning of love, loss, and forgiveness? 
Can Chase and Roxie find a way to be together or is this just another summer romance?
Links:

Promo Blitz: Owlet- Emma Michaels

Title: Owlet
Author: Emma Michaels        
Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy
Blitz Host: Lady Amber's Tours

Book Description:

Somewhere between falling and flying… there is a girl.

Iris has a secret. She lost her memory eight years ago and never told a living soul. After an asthma attack one night she finds out that her dreams of a strange house on a snowy island may be a memory resurfacing but the more she learns about the past the more she realizes the life she has been living is a lie. As the façade her father has built starts to crumble around her she will have to decide which means more to her; the truth or her life.



Author Bio:

Personal: Emma Michaels is a cover artist and author of The Thirteenth ChimeAnasaziFirstlingand Owlet. As the founder of The Writers Voice blog (http://OurBooksOurVoice.Blogspot.com) she loves to connect authors and readers. Her love of blogging started when she created a review blog in 2009 (www.EmmaMichaels.com) that gave her that final push towards submitting her novel to her first publisher, Bokheim Publishing. With her novel Owlet and her full ‘Society of Feathers’ series being published through Tribute Books she feels blessed to be working with two of her favorite publishers to bring her books to life.

Author links
@EmmaMichaels 

Buy Links

Sunday 24 February 2013

Adopt and Author PARTY with PRIZES!!! BABY DOLL SERIES - Heidi Acosta

Hey followers!!
I again adopted an author, this time the lovely Heidi Acosta, author of the Baby Doll Series. And I just wanted to invite you all to come join the party!! http://www.facebook.com/events/557613954248757/



Here are some prizes!!




Saturday 23 February 2013

Blog Tour Review: Games of Fire- Airicka Phoenix


Book Name: Games of Fire

Author: Airicka Phoenix

Publisher: Airicka Phoenix

Release date: Feb 14, 2013

Genre: Young Adult Thriller and mystery with a strong dose of romance.

Warnings: Strong language and mild sexual content

Formats: ebook & paperback

Other Novels: :

~ Touching Smoke (Touch Series, book 1) ebook

~ Touching Eternity (Touch Series Beginning) ebook

~ Touching Smoke (Touch Series, Book 1) Paperback

~ Touching Eternity (Touch Series Beginning) Paperback

~ Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology (ebook)

~ Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology (Paperback)

~ Midnight Surrender Anthology (ebook)

~ Midnight Surrender Anthology (Paperback)

Social Networks:

~ Twitter (@AirickaPhoenix)

~ Facebook

~ Design Page

~ GoodRead

~ Pinterest

~ Author Site


Synopsis
Sophie has enough problems in her life without Spencer turning her blood to fire, without his eyes freezing and burning her, without his hatred of her. Since his migration into the house next to hers, Sophia Valdez isn’t sure whether she wants to toss him under a bus or kiss that smirking mouth of his. But even as the temperature rises around them, leaping flames of passion, want and desire,everything either has ever known will be shattered by the lurking shadow hounding their every step, wanting revenge.


Spencer Rowth moves to the sleepy town of River Port with his mother and twelve year old sister, Suzy, to escape a deceitful father, an unfaithful girlfriend and a life crumbling much too fast for him to grapple onto only to be smacked upside the head by the last thing he wanted again. Sophie was everything he refused to want. Her temper, her wit, her laugh, her smile, the way her entire body goes up in flames under his hands are things he would rather slam a lid on and forget. Instead, he finds himself falling for the smart-mouth next door. But how long will he have before the evil chasing them catches up? How long before the very thing he never wanted becomes his only thread to sanity? And who is after them? What do they want and why do they want Spencer and Sophie dead?




Excerpt
“I won’t bite,” he said, probably meaning it as a joke. 



“Oh if only that were my only problem,” she sighed under her breath.


“What?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.” 

She took his hand, slipping her icy fingers through his. The electric sparks tore a fiery path down the length of her arms, nearly melting the ice beneath their feet. She shivered involuntarily and felt his fingers flex. 

“All right?” Had his voice always been so husky?

She dampened her lips. “Yeah…” The single word died in her throat as she was pulled towards him. Her heart tripped. Her lungs stilled. The heat of his body rushed over her with the subtle scent peppermint, leather, spices and smoke. 

A soft mist blew around them. Raindrops glistened in his hair, shimmering under the pale glow of the light post. His eyes were shadowed beneath wispy fringes, but the silver in them glinted like pools of liquid mercury. Her breath caught. It must have made a sound because his fingers tightened. His shaky exhale caressed her flushed face.

“This,” he whispered so quietly she almost didn’t hear him. “Is why you are so bad for me.”


Title: Games of Fire
Author: Airicka Phoenix
Pages: 475
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Review: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book by Airicka Phoenix that I have read at this time, although I do own a few of her other books but haven't had time to delve into them quite yet. I really loved reading Games of Fire. It kept me engaged and it was filled with surprises. My only issue was I had already guessed the biggest secret after the first few chapters, so when I actually got to it I was a little disappointed just because it was a bit predictable. Otherwise this was a great read.
I really liked reading about Sophie and what she was dealing with. I found her to be very likable but she was easily made to second guess herself and her feelings. Spencer stole the show for me with his hotness and his love for Sophie, but sometimes he came off a little strong. And if I didn't know any better he could have became a villian quite easily. Suzy was the character that I couldn't quite grasp. She was absent, then appear for just enough time to put ideas in Sophie's head, then disappear again. I found that rather strange. The only other thing that I wished would have been included would be more information on the missing girls. It felt like it had been popped in and not explored to it full potential.
This was a great book to read and I would recommend it to all YA lovers and to those readers who love suspense. I will definitely be keeping my eye on Airicka Phoenix to read more of her great work. 




Author Bio
Airicka Phoenix is the best-selling author of the Touch Series with short stories in Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology and Midnight Surrender Anthology. When she's not hammering away at the keyboard, she can be found banishing pirates or crawling through the attic looking for lost treasure with her kids. She loves baking, gardening and reading. She also likes to travel and take pictures of everything she comes across. When asked, Airicka describes herself as a sarcastic basket case that has an unhealthy addiction to chocolate, old movies and really bad jokes. She loves to laugh, make friends and write. If she could have one wish granted, it would be to spend one day as a fly-on-the-wall inside Stephen King's mind. If she could have two wishes granted, she would ask for a castle dedicated entirely to her overwhelming collection of books. 



For more about Airicka, also on how to win giveaways, read author interviews and reviews, visit her website at: http://airickaphoenix.com/Author/?cat=10

Friday 22 February 2013

Blog Tour Review: First Frost- Liz De Jesus





Summary: Fairy tales aren’t real…yeah…that’s exactly what Bianca thought. She was wrong.


For generations, the Frost family has run the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts, handing down guardianship from mother to daughter, always keeping their secrets to “family only.”

Gathered within museum’s walls is a collection dedicated to the Grimm fairy tales and to the rare items the family has acquired: Cinderella’s glass slipper, Snow White’s poisoned apple, the evil queen’s magic mirror, Sleeping Beauty’s enchanted spinning wheel…

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Frost wants none of it, dreaming instead of a career in art or photography or…well, anything except working in the family’s museum. She knows the items in the glass display cases are fakes because, of course, magic doesn't really exist.

She’s about to find out how wrong she is.

Title: First Frost
Author: Liz De Jesus
Pages: 274
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Review: I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. I really love this cover!! It's so beautiful. I also love the premise of this book. I enjoy fairytales, so this book was great for me. I found the author's descriptions of all the fairytale artifacts great. I also loved that Bianca and Rose owned a fairytale museum, it was so cute! I found this book to be a light and easy read, but also kept the reader interested and wanting more. I liked hearing about what all of the artifacts could do besides being out on display. Plus, there were witches in the story so that made it even better.
The characters were fun to read about. Bianca was my favorite because she was a good girl, she helped her mother out all the time. Then when she learned the secret she didn't let it change who she was. Bianca also made a fantastic heroine because she wasn't going to give up until she got what she wanted. Rose was a good mother to Bianca and I can't wait until book 2 to see what she will teach her next. And Terance the love interest, I can't wait to see where their relationship goes. I hope it goes far. I am also excited to see what other characters Bianca will meet.
I really enjoyed this book. It was light and fluffy but kept me interested throughout. I want to learn so much more about everything and meet more characters and learn their stories. I would recommend this book to fairytale lovers and those looking or a fun read.




Buying links:




Social links:







Tour stops:

Thursday 21 February 2013

Review #91: Robin in the Hood- Dianne J. Reed


Summary: “Is it any wonder I became a bank robber?” said Robin. 
But she never dreamed she’d fall in love…


15-year-old Robin McArthur thinks she has it all figured out when it comes to bilking her wealthy dad for guilt money as a substitute for his genuine affection. Until one day he suffers a stroke, and she learns the brutal truth.

They’re broke.

And everyone from bankers to bookies has come to collect.

His only saving grace is what he reveals to Robin in between drools: He truly does love her, in spite of all his mistakes.

Panicked and desperate, Robin figures she has two choices. Either surrender to the pestering caseworker and live in a skanky foster home, or take a chance and sneak her dad out of the hospital to make a run for it. Little does she know that stealing a car and hitting the road means that before the day is through, she will rob her first bank.

Now an outlaw, Robin finds a backwoods trailer park to hide her dad from authorities. There, she encounters Creek, a local bad boy who also commits crimes to provide for their motley neighbors. Realizing she could use Creek’s help, Robin proposes an ingenious plan—they should team up to rob banks together. But when their partnership leads to a romance that turns Robin’s world upside down, she soon begins to discover that people are more precious than pocketbooks, and real love means opening your heart to the kinds of treasures money can’t buy…


Title: Robin in the Hood
Author: Diane J. Reed
Pages: 288
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Review: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. Luckily I had come across a Facebook post by the lovely Diane J. Reed offering a print copy of her book Robin in the Hood in exchange for an honest review. I had previously heard about this novel and was excited to get this opportunity. I have been checking my mailbox diligently and yesterday was that special day that the book finally arrived. I devoured this book. It was cute, funny and I just wanted to giggle and hug it. The story was a riches to tags then to riches again. There was also an underlying message about stealing form the rich to give to the poor, a modern day Robin Hood. This novel also included action, mystery and best of all a beautiful love story.
I loved Robin! She showed a huge amount of growth in this story. Robin started off as a naive princess and became a street smart, young woman. I just wish that we could have learned more about Robin's past like school life and some childhood memories. Creek was definitely a hottie and a great guy. He gave 110% to everything he did, even if it was illegal. He did what he had to do to keep his family together and surviving. But again, I also want to know more about Creek. All of his secrets, I want to know them!!
This was such a great read! I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to read and review this awesome book!i would recommend this novel to all YA readers and also to readers who enjoy lighthearted, fun reads. I look forward to more books by Diane J. Reed.


About this author



I write novels that are infused with enchantment, where characters dare to break through boundaries and believe in true love. I have a soft spot for artisans & outlaws of the heart, those of us who burn brightly to live each day as a gift--because it is! I'd love to hear from you, so feel free to visit my website or message me on facebook or twitter to share the whispers of your spirit. 

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Review #90: Halfskin- Tony Bertauski


Summary: Biomites are artificial stem cells that can replace any cell in your body. No more kidney failure, no severed spines or blood disease. No cancer. Pharmaceuticals become obsolete. With each dose of biomites, we become stronger, we become smarter and prettier. 


We become better.



At what point are we no longer human?



Nix Richards nearly died in a car accident when he was young. Biomites saved his life. Ten years later, he’s not so lucky. The Halfskin Laws decree a human composed of 50% biomites is no longer human. Halfskins have no legal rights and will have their biomites shutdown. It’s not called murder, merely deactivation. 



Cali Richards has been Nix’s legal guardian since their parents died. She has lost far too many people in her life to let the government take Nix. She is a nanobiometric engineer and will discover how to hide him. But even brilliance can succumb to the pressure of suffering. And technology can’t cure insanity.



Cali and Nix keep a slippery grip on reality as they elude a maniacal federal agent dedicated to saving humanity from what he calls 'The Biomite Plague'.

Title: Halfskin
Author: Tony Bertauski
Pages: 276
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: I received this book for free from the auor for a Read 2 Reveiw in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book that I have read by Tony Bertauski and let me say that I liked this one better. This story had more life to it and I didn't find it as jumpy as the other one I read. Halfskin is an original idea that flowed freely throughout the whole book. I loved the idea of bio mites and the amazing things that they can do. I just wished that there had been more background information on the bio mites. For instance who decided that 50% biomite was to much. I can't wait to learn more about these little creatures in novels to come. Sci- fi isn't really my thing but if I kept reading awesome sci- fi books my mind my change. 
I really liked Nix and Cali. They were a great brother sister team. They would risk their own lives in order to save each other. Cali seemed like the strong one, always taking charge and getting things done. Then she had a little meltdown and it changes things 180 degrees. Presently, Nix appears to be the one holding everything together. I did like how the author showed little blips of other characters lives, giving the reader information on what is going on outside of the story. 
I will be continuing this series because I need to know what happens. This book kind of ends on a cliffhanger. I would recommend this book to sci- fi lovers, or to those like me who are still unsure about sci- fi.


About this author



My grandpa never graduated high school. He retired from a steel mill in the mid-70s. He was uneducated, but he was a voracious reader. I remember going through his bookshelves of paperback sci-fi novels, smelling musty old paper, pulling Piers Anthony and Isaac Asimov off shelf and promising to bring them back. I was fascinated by robots that could think and act like people. What happened when they died?

I've written textbooks on landscape design, but that was straightforward, informational writing; the kind of stuff that helps most people get to sleep. I've also been writing a gardening column with a humorous slant. That takes a little more finesse, but still informational for the most part. 

I'm a cynical reader. I demand the writer sweep me into his/her story and carry me to the end. I'd rather sail a boat than climb a mountain. That's the sort of stuff I wanted to write, not the assigned reading we used to get in high school. I wanted to create stories that kept you up late.

Fiction, GOOD fiction, is hard to write. Having a story unfold inside your head is an experience different than reading. You connect with characters in a deeper, more meaningful way. You feel them, empathize with them, cheer for them and even mourn. The challenge is to get the reader to experience the same thing, even if it's only a fraction of what the writer feels. Not so easy.

Cover Reveal: Gravitational Pull- Marissa Carmel



Title: Garvitational Pull (Vis Vires Trilogy #2)
Author: Marissa Carmel
Release Day: April 4th, 2013
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Cover Reveal Host: Lady Amber's Tours


Blurb-

Touch me, and bring me to life...

How do you move on when you don’t even know where you were going in the first place?

The Spirit Stalker is dead and I have finally started to erect my life. But I quickly discover, that just because the structure is built doesn’t mean the foundation is sturdy. As much as I try to manage my abilities, I can’t completely control them. The physical impossibility of the relationship I have with Justice has reached a boiling point; our fundamental problem is my inability to control myself from absorbing his power, and his fears of touching me because of it.

As if that wasn’t deal-breaker enough, a new threat looms on my horizon - Darklings.
They are grim reapers of the immortal world who surface every five-hundred-years to feed off the souls of magical beings who are weak, aimless, lost; those who have given up and want to move on.

They also hunt power. Which means, they’re hunting me.

Abandoned by the one person I need the most, I find myself in Melenia’s realm.  There, I’m courted by Siberian, a dangerous pixie who covets me, hunted by Death personified; all the while hiding my powers and my ancient bloodline. The pixie prince is alluring, and I feel so broken and vulnerable. I know giving in to him means giving myself over to him. But right now, I don’t care. All I want is to feel anything other than the loss and rejection Justice left me with.
Anything other than pain.

So what do I do when I’m scared to be touched, even though I know it’s the only way to bring my soul back to life?

Excerpt- Justice’s POV

We land right outside the gates of Keelin Castle. Extinguishing ourselves, we descend on the palace.
Walking authoritatively, we make our way down the nave-like hallway of the castle to the huge, golden double doors at the end. The throne room.
“Are you sure that’s where she’ll be?” Derrin asks snidely. “She might be waiting in her chambers for you.”
“Well if she is, she’ll be waiting a while.”
“It could be a good way to get some of your frustrations out,” he says boorishly.
“There’s more than one way to release frustration,” I threaten him.
“Bring it, bitch,” he grabs his crotch, not intimidated at all.
Asshole.
I push open the throne room doors, and as expected, we see the pixie queen perched on her throne waiting for us.
Emery surveys us as we approach. Both Derrin and I give a small nod in due respect as we reach her, but don’t be deceived, we are the supreme strata.
“Your little human has caused quite a stir,” she says evenly, but I can see the danger flashing in her eyes.
“She was the one who was attacked,” I quickly defend Liv.
“Was she? Or did she bring it on herself?”
My look becomes more intense. “What are you talking about?”
“My brother has taken quite a liking to her you know,” Emery says randomly.
Yes, I’ve noticed.
“If your brother knows what’s best for him, he will disappear from her life,” I say through clenched teeth.
Or I’ll remove him myself.
Emery’s eyes become razor sharp at my comment - she’s realized something. She slips off her throne and stalks down the three slate stairs to the floor where Derrin and I are standing. Like Liv, she is tiny, with long hair blacker than night and almond eyes just like Melenia’s.
“What is so special about this human?” she looks up at me, searing the question straight into my soul.
“Nothing,” I snap, but Emery knows me. She sees right through my lies.
“Then it will be nothing if I send the royal guard to take care of her, and rid my land of such contaminants.”
“Do it, and I will burn this entire realm to the ground,” I growl.
Her eyes grow a little wider, but she doesn’t back down from my glare.
“You love her.”
“No.”
“You deny it?”
“Yes.”
No.
“You loved me once,” she says vulnerably.
“What we had was never love,” I bite, “just sex.”
Ouch. That was harsh, even for me.
Emery’s eyebrows crease, and I know I have hurt her deeply.
It’s not a lie, I never loved her. We did have an intense physical relationship that included some emotion, but it’s incomparable to what I have with Liv.
She backs away from me, shifting her eyes between me and Derrin.
Derrin clears his throat. “Not to interrupt this lover’s quarrel,” that I highly enjoy watching, he tells me telepathically, “but what exactly did you mean when you said she brought it on herself?”
Emery’s full attention falls upon Derrin.
“Siberian didn’t give me all the details, but apparently she used her powers on him, and what she did, he described only as provocative.”
I clench my jaw. Provocative?
Images of Liv and Siberian reel through my head. What did she do to him? What did he do to her?
The thought makes me furious.
I’ve damaged us so badly; she turned to a threat more dangerous than the Darklings. And the only thing I can do about it is blame myself.
“So, is she in trouble?” Derrin goes on. “Is there anything we need to be aware of?” he hints. “Besides you sending the royal guard and Siberian?”
Emery contemplates Derrin’s questions for a short second. “Besides Darklings, what else should there be?” She looks over at me as I stand there still-stocked, trying not to give away the anger boiling over in my chest at the thought of Liv and Siberian.
“Who is this girl, exactly?” she pries deeper now, and I know we are heading into hazardous territory.
“She’s no one you have to be concerned about,” I dodge the question. “We just need to know if you’ve caught wind of any unusual uprisings?”
She is simultaneously lost and absolutely intrigued as she stares at me decisively. “No, nothing.”
I nod, and release an almost nonexistent sigh of relief.
“Do I have your word she won’t be harmed while she’s in Devonshire?” I phrase it as a question, but she understands my query is so much more than that. It’s a threat.
She nods her displeasure with a small, irritated frown.
We’ve collected the information we came for, and I’ve had enough of Emery’s probing stares. Surrendering to the ever-present pull drawing me back to Liv, and preparing for the shit-storm I’m sure awaits me once I see her, I turn to leave.
“What should I tell my brother?” Emery calls, taunting me. “He wants her.”
I turn back and glare at her. “Tell him he couldn’t handle her, even if he got her.” Then I slam the throne room door behind me, the sound echoing throughout the castle.
That pixie prick is dead.




Author Bio:
Marissa Carmel has been writing since a young age and although it has always been for personal enjoyment, she finally decided breakout and share her imagination with the world. She hopes that her universe is as fun and intriguing to her readers as it is to her. Marissa Carmel is originally from NJ but moved to Maryland several years ago, she enjoys reading, writing, and catching up on her ever growing DVR library. She is currently working on the sequel to iFeel, Gravitational Pull and the third and final installment of the Vis Vires trilogy, Constellation.

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