Monday, December 31, 2012

Review: Touch of Death (Touch of Death #1) Kelly Hashway

Jodi Marshall isn’t sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she’s in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and her best friend. The next she’s being stalked by some guy no one seems to know.

After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.

Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct. Goodreads

Kelly Hashway is an awesome storyteller. I loved how she combined zombies, Medusa, Hades, and teenage drama into one action-packed book. And, of course, there is the good-looking mystery boy named Alex. Apparently, I have a soft spot for guys named Alex, but, yeah. I loved him in all of his stalkerish, mac and cheese eating weirdness.

For me, the story did start out a little slow, but after the first few chapters, it really took off. I can honestly say, I've never read a plot quite like this one. It twists and turns, combining several of my favorite elements, making for a highly entertaining read.

I loved the way Jodi dealt with finding out the truth about her family, and what it meant for her future. Even though she's scared out of her mind, she keeps her focus, and her own sense of right and wrong, no matter what the cost.

Touch of Death is the must-read beginning of an awesome trilogy, and I can't wait to get my hands on book two!

Rating 5/5 stars
YA notes: None


Note: I had the privilege of doing some copy-editing for this book. This in no way influenced my review. 

Friday, December 21, 2012

It's Coming


My first novel and three short stories will be out next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is all. Have a Merry Christmas.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Cover Reveal :The Devil's Triangle, Toni De Palma

The Devil's Triangle

by Toni De Palma




When 17 year old Cooper dies in an attempt to burn down his school, he finds himself in the afterlife. Lucy, the Devil's sister who has crossed party lines, decides to give Cooper another shot at heaven. The deal? Cooper returns to Earth and has to find a girl named Grace. The rest is up to him.


While Cooper figures out his mission, he's thrown into the life he's always wanted. Great parents, a spot on the Varsity football team and a real future are all within reach. But what he really wants is Grace, a feisty girl with an abusive boyfriend that can pound Cooper into pulp if he doesn't watch out.


While Lucy plays demonic-puppeteer, clues to an unknown past between Cooper and Grace start to unravel. Cooper discovers that what's keeping he and Grace apart is far more sinister than anything this bad boy could have ever imagined.






ISBNs
978-1-939173-03-4Devil’s Triangle print
978-1-939173-04-1Devil’s triangle Ebook
Find Toni and The Devil's Triangle here:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13610688-devil-s-triangle
Website:http://tonidepalma.com/published-works.html
Twitter:https://twitter.com/ToniDePalma1
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/#!/toni.depalma

Friday, December 7, 2012

Review: The Treachery of Beautiful Things, Ruth Frances Long

The trees swallowed her brother whole, and Jenny was there to see it. Now seventeen, she revisits the woods where Tom was taken, resolving to say good-bye at last. Instead, she's lured into the trees, where she finds strange and dangerous creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with secrets of his own. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack's help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where stunning beauty masks some of the most treacherous evils, and she's faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice--and not just her own. Goodreads

I absolutely loved that this was a very traditional faerie story. All but a few pages take place in the Other Realm, and there is so much magic you can feel it jumping off the page. Since it was so traditional, a few of the dangers and Jenny's mistakes are obvious, which did take away from the suspense for me. But at the same time, sticking so close to the roots of faerie lore reminded me why I love the genre so much. Speaking of roots, I did find the greenman aspect very interesting, possibly because I'm doing a little research on that myself.

      I really liked Jenny as a main character. Even though the story is written in third person, we really get a feel of the torment she went through the seven years after Tom was taken. Her fear, her pain, and her growth as a character are beautifully done. 

     Although I thought Jenny's outbursts of anger toward Jack were a bit overdone, I did understand her love/hate feelings toward him. Jack is a strong character in his own right. His impossible loyalties push him passed the breaking point, and he has to re-learn who he thought he was.

    My only compliant, and this is totally a personal preference, is that the descriptions got to be a bit much. There were times that I felt so caught up in the bright, the shiny, the beautiful, that I lost the rhythm of the story. But, given the title, maybe that was the point. This was definitely a traditional faerie tale that I would recommend to all fans of the genre, and to those who are looking for something refreshing to fall in love with.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

YA notes: None


IF YOU ARE HERE FOR THE GIVEAWAY, please see my previous post.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Spencer Hill Press HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY



Here it is! The Spencer Hill Press Holiday Giveaway. ARC's, SWAG, candy, professional writing/editing help. We have it all, and YOU can win it all. Feast your eyes on these prize packs.



GRAND PRIZE Holiday Cheer Away Holiday Giveaway Bag

Books:

TOUCH OF DEATH
One Spencer Hill Press book (winner's choice--can include soon to be release selections)

Jewelry:
Bracelet
TOUCH OF DEATH Handcrafted Pendant- www.stainedglasscreationsandbeyond.com
Handcrafted Necklace and Earrings
So Many Books, So Little Time Necklace

Giftcards:
$20 Amazon or Barnes and Nobel (Winner's Choice)
$15 Starbucks
Two $10 Amazon

Critiques:
First Chapter Critique-Mary Gray
First Chapter Critique-Rhys A Jones
Query Letter Critique-Trisha Wolfe

Cool Stuff:
GUARDIAN T-shirt
BETRAYED Fridge Magnet
Flashlight
Ornaments
Holiday Towel and Potholder
Candy- nom nom nom

Swag:
BREAKING GLASS Handcrafted Bookmark
FINN FINNEGAN Handcrafted Charmed Bookmark- www.stainedglasscreationsandbeyond.com
PERFECTION
TOUCH OF DEATH
FINN FINNEGAN
BETRAYED
ANGELINA'S SECRET
COPPER GIRL
OTHER TREE
PODs


SECOND Prize Holiday Cheer Away Holiday Giveaway Bag

Books:

ANGELINA'S SECRET - 1st edition signed copy

Jewelry:
Bracelet
TOUCH OF DEATH Handcrafted Pendant- www.stainedglasscreationsandbeyond.com
Earrings

Giftcards:
$10 Amazon or Barnes and Nobel (Winner's Choice) 
$15 Starbucks
$10 Amazon
Critiques:
First Chapter Critique-Trisha Wolfe
First Chapter Critique (2500 Words Max)-Elizabeth Langston
Query Letter Critique-Kimberly Ann Miller

Cool Stuff:
BETRAYED Fridge Magnet
Flashlight
Ornaments
Holiday Towel and Potholder
Candy- NOM NOM NOM

Swag:
FINN FINNEGAN Handcrafted Charmed Bookmark- www.stainedglasscreationsandbeyond.com
PERFECTION
TOUCH OF DEATH
FINN FINNEGAN
BETRAYED
ANGELINA'S SECRET
COPPER GIRL
OTHER TREE
PODs


THIRD PRIZE Holiday Cheer Away Holiday Giveaway

Critiques:
First five pages--Sarah Guillory
First 250 word-DK Mok
Either query or first 250 word critique (your choice)--Michelle Pickett





a Rafflecopter giveaway



Contest is opened to entries from Dec. 3rd to Dec. 16th
Contest is open to all ages from 13 up.
Contest is opened to US and Canada residents only. Sorry.  :(  

GOOD LUCK!