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TO BE MARIA

by Deanna Proach

Quick Facts                                        

Release Date: May 3, 2013                                      
Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction (Coming of Age)
Formats: Kindle. 

Seventeen-year-old Anya Preschnikov dreams of one day becoming a famous actor, but she is faced with two problems: her one-parent, dysfunctional family neglects her and has no money to support her and at school, she is the target for her peers' contempt. Anya believes that, in order to gain her stepping stone to stardom, she must dress like the rich girls and be surrounded by a large network of friends. All of this changes when Maria Hernandez--an immigrant from Spain-- comes to Peach Valley Senior High.

Maria knows what it takes to fit in. She is bold, confident and she dresses suggestively, characteristics that all of the popular kids admire. Yet, she sees in Anya what everyone else does not see: Anya's outer beauty and her immense talent.

Maria is everything Anya wants to be: popular, sexy and confident. So, when Maria extends her hand of friendship, Anya is elated. Her lifelong dream is about to become a reality, but it falls short one Saturday night at a party when a boy's rude comment sends her into a rage.

Desperate to belong somewhere, Anya and Maria set out to find new friends outside of school. They meet Alex and Marissa, a young couple who eagerly welcomes them into their world of parties and drugs. Anya and Maria soon find out that Alex is a drug dealer, but they are so lured by his wealth, good looks and aggressive confidence that they cannot resist his friendship. They don't know that Alex's gang is at war with a rival gang--one that is run by Anya's older brother, Adrik--until one incident puts their lives in danger's path. To make matters worse, Alex will not let Anya and Maria out of his sight.
 
Anya and Maria must find away out of this situation before it's too late.

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Oxford Shadows by Marion Croslydon *Tour+Review+Giveaway*

Words can not begin to describe how excited I am to be a part of this tour! I loved the first book in this series entitled Oxford Whispers a link to my review can be found here. Keep in mind that this is the second book in the series, so if you haven't read book one... hurry and pick yourself up a copy because your missing out!

Book Details

Title: Oxford Shadows
Author: Marion Croslydon
Series: The Oxford Trilogy
Pages: 300 (paperback)
Release Date: May 6th, 2013
Event organized by: AToMR Tours
Source Of Copy/Format: the tour- ARC (e-book format)
Buy Links: | Amazon | Smashwords |
My Rating: 4/5

When death is a new beginning and love an old curse.

Still recovering from her last tango with the afterlife, Louisiana-born Madison LeBon struggles not only with her life as an Oxford postgrad but also with her budding love for Rupert Vance, aristocrat extraordinaire. One thing is certain, though: she won’t run away from her powers anymore. From now on she’ll face the music …

… literally!

When a sixteenth-century ghost makes an appearance during a classical concert Madison attends and threatens her boyfriend’s family, she sets out to explore the dark mysteries of the Tudors, even if that means confronting their most royal and homicidal character.

Her plans take an unexpected turn when her voodoo heritage catches up with her. With horror, she understands what her fate was always meant to be.

The question now is: Can Rupert be part of it? 

Day After By Emi Gayle *TOUR: GIVEAWAY+INTERVIEW+MORE*

Hello Accepted Followers!

Today I have something special to share with you guys...

A sneak peak at the newest book in the 19th Year series (Day After) by author Emi Gayle!
If that isn't awesome enough she has also answered some questions I was dying to ask along with providing a special giveaway! 

So without further delay let the excitement begin! :)

About the book

Title: Day After
Author: Emi Gayle
Series: The 19th Year (#2)
Release Date: May 6th, 2013
Publisher: J. Taylor Publishing
Buy Links:| Amazon | B&N |

Demon crypts. Vampire lairs. Glowing angels. Sexy sirens. The stuff of fiction.

Or so Winn Thomas always thought.

Since being accepted into the fold of the supernatural, he knows better. None of what he imagined is true, but everything he feared is, and binding himself to his Changeling girlfriend until her nineteenth birthday will give him an education far beyond what he’d get at his human high school.

Luckily, Winn’s not giving up, he won’t back down, and he definitely isn’t going to run away with his tail between his legs. After all, only werewolves have tails. Right?

In this, the second of the 19th Year trilogy, Winn’s facing the challenge of one lifetime. If he doesn’t learn the truth about mythological creatures, his girlfriend Mac Thorne won’t either. That means, in six months, when she chooses her final form, she won’t know what to pick.

Winn, though, has his own ideas about Mac’s final selection—plans she knows nothing of.

He intends to have her pick human.

Whether she can or not.

*TOUR+GIVEAWAY* The Women Gather by Katalin Kennedy

Title: The Women Gather
Author: Katalin Kennedy
Pages: 215
Release Date: August 13, 2012
Publisher: Baico Publishing Inc.
Event organized by: Book Marketing Services
Source Of Copy/Format: author/ paperback
Buy Links: Chapters Indigo | Baico Publishing Inc. Contact at: baico@bellnet.ca
My Rating: 4/5

Nora’s mission had been demanding. She wanted to find a way for women to rediscover their true selves, denied to them throughout the centuries ‒ and to make the world a better place. When the young girl Aideen asks Tunde if she may come to Lemuria, Ontario and learn about the beginnings of the Norean Order founded in 1998, she agrees. Tunde’s preoccupation, however, is with the smooth flow of the ‘Gathering’ symposium of 2066. Women from all the Sanctuaries throughout the world are in attendance and await the momentous event: the opening of the Portal to the Outerworld. She has little time to spend with Aideen who unravels layers and layers of stories found in letters, articles, diaries, newspaper clippings and videos about the struggles and triumphs faced by Nora’s family and by the Order itself. What Aideen also detects is something she considers to be mystical ‒ that no one wants to acknowledge.

My Review

Innovative and positively inspirational, a must read for every woman! The underlying messages within the pages of The Women Gather will entice you to keep reading. You will find yourself lost within the sanctuary of the Norean Order. You will crave to find out the truth behind the mysteries. You will learn that with joy, sorrow is soon to follow. You will also realize that you must take your own path in life to discover who you are meant to be.

Writing Style:

The Women Gather may be Katalin Kennedy’s first book, but her writing skills are on par with a veteran novelist. This story is a work of fiction but reads like non-fiction in some parts.  The emotionally charged passages throughout the novel really drew me in. The present time in the story reads much like any novel, but the way the past is presented is truly unique. The past is told by means of letters, diaries, interviews, newspaper clippings, and videos. This allows you to identify with each of the characters on an intimate level. An absolute stunning debut!

My Opinion:

I would like to say that this book was way out of my usual comfort zone. The synopsis caught my attention right away and I am so pleased I had the chance to read this wonderful novel!

The Women Gather is a book intended for women of all ages and ethnic groups. It is an enlightening tale about women coming together through knowledge, respect, and understanding to prosper and gain equality. Their journey is proved to be a difficult one, but they work together towards common goals: To make the world a better place and to be treated as equals. Aimed with their knowledge about their past, The Norean Order is an unstoppable force!

I agree with the idea of the right of equality for women. Sadly, in our society women tend to be regarded as the weaker sex and normally placed below their male counterparts. This notion has always infuriated me. I believe women to be strong and courageous and I love that this book portrays that message. It’s refreshing to realize that other women feel it’s important to fight for our rights! Can someone say girl power?! (Sorry…I couldn’t resist!)

Besides women’s rights, this book also touches on many other topics such as: religion, death, infanticide, the occult, education, and environmental matters. (Just to name a few) Many of these are pressing issues even still today! I also enjoyed the many different cultures that were represented in this novel. I found it rather interesting to look up many of the topics and plan on researching more on some of the subjects. Like the book implies, knowledge is power!

My advice to you… if you’re a women you need to read The Women Gather. It will spark something deep inside you that you may have never realized you had. It will empower you to stride for something greater, to be everything you can be, and to chase your dreams.

A Giveaway

What you can win:

1 of 3 Autographed Copies of The Women Gather

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Direct Link:  http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/89f9ce0/

About the Author

On Christmas Eve, 1956, Katalin (Kennedy) and her parents escaped from Hungary, their homeland. The following April, they arrived as refugees in Saint John, New Brunswick. She spent most of her adult life in Ottawa, Ontario. Katalin graduated from Carleton University and joined Health Canada. She managed major national projects as Program Consultant on Seniors’ and Women’s Issues. Katalin is involved in various community activities including writing her monthly Kindness column for Cornwall’s Seaway News. Her first novel “The Women Gather” has been published by Baico Publishing Inc.

Contact Links:

| Twitter | Facebook | Website | 

*TOUR: REVIEW+GIVEAWAY* Shadow of Wrath by L.W. Patricks

Title: Shadow of Wrath
Author: L.W. Patricks
Series: Sins of the 7 (#1)
Pages:  300
Genre: YA Dystopian
Release Date: March 13, 2013
Publisher: Strange Crow Publishing
Event Organized By: Xpresso Book Tours
Visit the other stops: Tour Schedule
Source Of Copy/Format: provided by author/tour
Buy Links: Amazon | Kobo | Smashwords
My Rating: 5/5 Stars

In the Arena, you're either a killer or a victim.

If survival meant murdering an innocent person in cold blood every week, could you do it? Are you able to stick the knife into your opponent's heart while they look at you with fear in their eyes? Life in the Arena turns everyone into sinners.

When a starving and homeless boy is kidnapped and brought to a modern-day gladiator arena, hidden deep within the abandoned city of Bimini, he is forced to fight for his life. The crude death matches are a source of enjoyment for Ryker, who resides over the Arena as its vicious master. Given the name Dog, the street boy must find a way to survive, even if it means murdering other innocent kids in combat at the expense of his humanity. With every dead body he leaves behind in the pit, the blood and the violence threatens to wake a beast inside him.

Allegra, a slave girl in the pits and a victim of Ryker's constant abuse, is his only key to salvation. She has lost everything already -- her family, her innocence, and her dignity -- while her will to live hangs on by a thin thread. Can she save Dog's humanity before she too succumbs to the horrors of the Arena? With death casting it's long shadow over everyone, how can anyone survive?

A tale about survival, tragedy, and human perseverance, SHADOW OF WRATH allows us a glimpse into the world of the Sins of the 7.

*REVIEW* Forged By Greed by Angela Orlowski-Peart

Title: Forged By Greed 

Author: Angela Orlowski-Peart
Series: Forged (#1)
Pages: 420
Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: paranormal/urban fantasy romantic thriller
Release Date: September 20th, 2012
Publisher: Three Graces Publishing
Source Of Copy/Format: (Goodreads Group) We ♥ YA Books- ARR Program/ E-book
Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles 

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

Two Seattle 16-year-olds, Jatred and Jasmira, are not your typical star-crossed lovers. They are not even your typical Shape Shifters. Sure, they try to live an ordinary life. At least, as ordinary as the Prince and the Princess of the rivaling ancient Races--the Winter wolves and the Summer leopards--can live. But eventually they learn that not much about their existence can be normal. Especially when the Races' two commanding Goddesses are involved.

One of the Goddesses is on a quest to tilt the scale of power to her side. The other will never let it happen, even if it means kicking Jatred and Jasmira's love to the curb. Nothing is off limits, including removing Jatred's memories of Jasmira.

To complicate things even more, there are the Universe's powers to consider. They are trapped in an ancient Amulet in order to protect the stability of the world. But the Universe has a mind of its own, and when the powers are unleashed, the forces of nature are disturbed; earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions shake the Earth. All Shifters of both Races are summoned by their respective Goddesses to fight in the name of, or against, the normalcy of the world.

*REVIEW* Owlet by Emma Michaels

Title: Owlet
Author: Emma Michaels
Series:  Society of Feathers (#1)
Pages: 138
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: October 13, 2012
Source Of Copy/Format: CBB Book Promotions/ E-book
Available Formats: E-book only
Buy Links:  | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | iTunes | Google Books |
My Rating: 4/5

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 facade her father has built starts to crumble around her she will have to decide which means more to her; the truth or her life.

My Review

Writing Style:

Owlet is a quick and easy read, one that you won’t want to put down. It reminded me of a fairytale of sorts. I felt that the plot lacked in some respects but not enough to make me shy away from the book. It actually made me interested in reading the next book because so much was left unexplained. I have many questions about the back-story of Iris and the Society of Feathers that I hope will be answered in the next book. Character development and world building in this book was pretty amazing. I found myself wishing I could live on the gorgeous island that much of this book took place on!

My Opinion:

I fell in love with the uniqueness portrayed in Owlet. The idea of people sharing a soul with a bird and the way the two collide is astounding. The legends and songs of the Society of Feathers fascinated me because they read like an ancient fable. I’ve always loved the idea of spoken storytelling and enjoyed that it was a big part of this book. Iris learns of her past from stories told by Falcon based from books he has read. Books that are mentioned in books are always a welcomed plus for me! I enjoyed seeing into Iris’s dreams as well, they served as a way to perceive into her past and future.

So, will I be reading the next book in the series? Yes! I can’t wait to read more about Iris and learn more about the Society of Feathers!  

About The Author

Emma Michaels is a cover artist and author of Owlet. As the founder of The Writers Voice blog she loves to connect authors and readers. Her love of blogging started when she created a review blog in 2009 (www.EmmaMichaels.com) which gave her the courage to finally submit her own novels to publishers. 

Other Contact Links: 

| Twitter | YouTube | FaceBook | Cover Art Blog |

*TOUR: REVIEW+ GIVEAWAY* The Harvesting by Melanie Karsak

Title: The Harvesting
Author: Melanie Karsak
Series: The Harvesting (#1)
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Pages: 211 (e-book format)
Age Group: New Adult/Adult
Genre: Horror and Fantasy, Zombie
Event Organized By: AToMR Tours
URL to Follow Tour: http://wp.me/p20ttU-1eO
Buy Links: | Amazon | Smashwords |
My Rating:3/5

It's all fun and games until someone ends up undead.

Though Layla reluctantly returns home to rural Hamletville after a desperate call from her psychic grandmother, she could never have anticipated the horror of what Grandma Petrovich has foreseen. The residents of Hamletville will need Layla's help if they are to survive the zombie apocalypse that's upon them. But that is not the only problem. With mankind silenced, it soon becomes apparent that we were never alone. As the beings living on the fringe seek to reclaim power, Layla must find a way to protect the ones she loves or all humanity may be lost.

“To label this a zombie book would be a false pretense . . . this is so much more than that. What you start out with and what you end up with are very different, and those twists and turns in the middle will make your heart beat faster over and over again."-- Colossal Pop