My Wolf's Bane by Veronica Blade (Indie)

My Wolf's Bane (Shapes of Autumn #1)
Veronica Blade
Pub Date: January 28, 2013

Different species. Mortal enemies. It'll never work, but they'll die trying.

Autumn Rossi thought she was a normal teenager. Suddenly, she can outrun every critter in the forest, making her wonder if she’s even human.

When the new guy at school, Zack de Luca, witnesses a questionable scene, he unfairly pins her as stuck-up. He acts like he hates her, yet he keeps bailing her out of trouble. Not only is Zack both insufferable and irresistible, he seems to sniff her anytime he gets close.

As passion flares between them, Autumn isn’t sure which is more dangerous: her psycho ex-boyfriend, or falling for Zack — who’s risking his life just by being near her.
 

Freaky things are happening to Autumn Rossi. All of a sudden she can hear sounds in the distance, her smell is more refined and sensitive, she's able to run at speeds she shouldn't be able to reach, and her body heals way too fast. Even this teenager knows these aren't the kind of symptoms you go running to the doctor about, so she has no one to ask. Her parents, you ask? They've been suffocating her for years. Constantly in contact, even texting her in school, never leaving her alone for more than an hour at a time. And they move her several times a year. So telling them about these things when they're already itching to move once more, Autumn decides to deal with it on her own. She likes it where she is. She'll turn eighteen in less than a week and is ready to stop following her parents so she can graduate high school where she is. The only thing she doesn't like? The new guy who always seems to be behind her trying to be her freakin' savior.

 

Zack de Luca may be hot, but Autumn's getting whiplash from his mood swings. Always short and snippy with her, if he wasn't helping to fix her sorry excuse for a car or putting himself between her and her crazy of an ex, she'd think he completely hated her. But when Autumn negotiates with her parents to stay while they leave town for work for a week, she finds herself forced to spend more time with him. Not only has the local mechanic put Zach in charge of helping her find a new car within her budget, but her ex becomes more aggressive, and Zach feels compelled to sleep on her sofa and be a little more attentive at school. Which would be all fine and well if that jerk didn't start growing on her. And it seems he had the same problems with her. When she finds out neither she or Zach are even human, Autumn thinks she's finally found someone she can relate to. But there's an expiration on this so-called camaraderie, because both of their lives are in danger, and being together is not only forbidden but to puts a deadly target on both their backs.

If you're a fan of forbidden romance with a taste of the supernatural world, this is a goody to pick up. But these characters are still high school, so you better prepare yourself for some additional teenage drama. I'm curious to see what happens because there's something more going on with her parents, and I've got it in my head that they're either a part of a certain secret society or that they might just be guilty of having one of these forbidden relationships themselves.

Copy provided by Crush Publishing for honest review.

A Bite's Tale: A Furry Fable Novella by Veronica Blade

A Bite's Tale: A Furry Fable
Veronica Blade
Pub.: January 7, 2012

A Cinderella who spends her nights as a wolf. A prince with a taste for blood.

Seventeen year old Cydney struggles against her werewolf nature, trying to keep everyone around her safe. No way will she risk exposing the beast at the prince’s ball, no matter how her two cousins try to persuade her. Even as she attempts to get on with her life, Cydney can’t forget the boy she loved three summers ago — or what she did to him after losing control.

Turned into a vampire to save his life, the prince refuses to live up to his royal duties. He just wants to find the girl he loved and lost...the werewolf girl who bit him. But his father, the king, commands him to attend a ball where he must choose a wife. Can he find his Cinderella before he's forced to marry another? He doesn’t even have her real name, much less a glass slipper.

Cydney spent every summer visiting a little island that was home to supernatural creatures who managed to live in harmony, ruled by a king. For three summers, she met a guy in the forest. Neither revealed their names, nor their true nature, so they went by the names Cinderella and Jack. As the summers passed by, their affection for another grew, and when they finally kissed, the wolf inside Cydney came out, biting poor Jack. She fled in panic, and when she managed to find the courage to return, he was gone, and her mother swept her off the island, never to return.

At least not until her mother died, and Cydney was sent to live with her aunt on the island again. Now somewhat of a recluse, she spends her time hiding from others, afraid she'll lose control and kill another person, so she locks herself away in the basement each night. But little does she know, Jack was saved by another supernatural creature that day, and continues to live within the castle as the prince, constantly thinking of the red-headed girl he loved. And when his father declares he must take a bride, Jack desperately seeks out his Cinderella. But how can he find what doesn't want to be found?

 

This was a darling supernatural novella, and I was kinda bummed it didn't go a little longer. I'm also kicking myself for putting it off so long, as its been on my kindle for a year now. If you're a fan of supernatural retellings, pick this up!

 

Copy provided by author for honest review.

Kindred by J.A. Redmerski (ARC)

Kindred (The Darkwoods Trilogy #2)
J.A. Redmerski
Exp. Pub.: July 20, 2012 TOMORROW!!!

***THIS FRIDAY, JULY 20th, KINDRED IS ONLY $1.99.***

  Isaac Mayfair is hiding a dark secret. And just when Adria Dawson thinks the worst of her life among the werewolf world is over, she learns the secret that can rip her and Isaac’s love apart. Adria must come to terms with what the truth means for her. What it means for her life and how much time she has left to live it. She must choose between two different fates, neither of which can offer life as a certainty.

As if Isaac’s betrayal isn’t enough, Adria learns that there are things out there older and more powerful than werewolves could ever be. An archaic entity known only to few as the Praverian, unlike anything Adria has ever known or heard of.

As Adria struggles with her own fateful dilemmas, she must also try to find out why the Praverian is so interested in her and do everything in her power to stay out of its way.

Darkness by Joann I. Martin Sowles

Darkness (Brookhaven Vampires #2)
Joann I. Martin Sowles

Synopsis: Not long ago, Laney Alexander was living a carefree life, that is, until she was thrown into a world full of creatures only the imagination thought possible. Now, after surviving a terrifying night, Laney and Oliver are lying low at Julz's place, relieved to be in each other's arms once again. But fate seems to have other plans...

Julz is not happy to have visitors in her home and emotions run high. Laney is pushed to her limits as she watches Carter fight for his life and her relationship with Oliver becomes strained as she discovers secrets about Julz that could tear them apart.

As she reaches her boiling point, disaster strikes and her life is shattered. Laney must come to terms with what has unfolded. Will she lose her way and let the darkness consume her or will she find her light in Oliver?

Secrets will be revealed. Hearts will be broken. Lives will be lost. Darkness will fall.

Picking up where Laney left off, Oliver and Laney have fled to the fortress that is Julz's house and is forced to just stay there with the crazy-@ss woman who is determined to rip her to shreds. And with Felix's insistence, Carter is also there, recovering from a werewolf bite, nervously awaiting the full moon to see what happens. The entire household is on edge, and it strains all their relationships. One night when left alone for once, Laney finally says screw it and goes out with Carter and gets completely drunk off her butt. Can't say I blame her really. But when you have a jealous boyfriend that can't stand anyone giving you the slightest attention, who always seems to know what you're doing and where you are, you'd better be ready for the repercussions, and the wrath of a seriously overprotective vampire.

As for the plot in Darkness, I'm still trying to figure that out. Don't get me wrong, I liked Darkness, especially the sexual frustration between Laney and Oliver and their impending bonding, but this novel seems to be made up of lots of little things and not really anything big. As I skimmed through the reviews afterwards, trying to see if anyone caught something I missed, I noticed others felt that way too.

I do wish some things would have been answered in this book, cause all I have in the end was lots of unanswered questions. Why does Felix know her grandparents, and what are the odds that he shares the same last name as Laney? How did Laney's illusive dad know something terrible happened in her life, and sent his regards in a freakin' flower arrangement? What's in the hidden room at Laney's Aunt's house, and why didn't Laney go after Carter after he went snooping around in it? Why does Oliver's tattoo seem so familiar? And why won't Oliver explain this whole Brookhaven vampire thing? Cause clearly Laney's family may be involved. Laney doesn't force the issue on any of these things and it's frustrating that she allows herself to stay in the darkness (no pun intended). The only thing I felt Darkness answered was how Carter would react to the werewolf bite come full moon, which was a little weird.

I also kind of wish a little more of the story was focused on Laney, since she's the only point of view we get. So much is going on around her and the novel is basically her dealing with everybody elses' issues, save some grief she has to work through herself. It's Laney having to deal with Oliver because of how he has to deal with Julz, and the secret work he's constantly running off to do for his organization that he can't tell her about. Or Laney watching over Carter as he awaits the upcoming full moon. Or Laney dealing with a frantic Keira cause Carter's shut her out and she doesn't know why (cause she's not in on the vampire/werewolf thing - or is she?...everyone around Laney seems to be some kind of vampire-in-waiting). Hopefully the next story will be more about what's happening directly with Laney cause she's definetly got some hidden family secrets, grandparents and a father she didn't know about, and dare I say a possible brother she never knew existed? And Oliver. I'm impatiently waiting for their bond to happen cause the sexual tension is driving me crazy! (in a good way, of course).

Novel provided by author for honest review.

Laney by Joanne I. Martin Sowles

Laney (Brookhaven Vampires #1)
Joanne I. Martin Sowles

Synopsis: In a small college town in Northern California, Laney Alexander leads a regular, uneventful life-that is, until the charming and alluring Oliver Knight enters her world. Who is this gorgeous and mysterious stranger? Or, rather, what is he? As Laney's sophomore year of college begins, so does an unbelievable adventure-including a love she didn't know she longed for. She soon learns that Oliver is not ordinary, nor is the rest of his family, including a sister who openly hates her and a brother who will stop at nothing for revenge. As she fights for her life, and Oliver's love, Laney discovers that the fictional world of vampires isn't so fictional after all. Nobody is safe, especially Laney, Oliver's most important priority, and he will stop at nothing to protect her. With her mortality at risk, and a commitment revealed that she, without a doubt, knows she wants, Laney's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn...

Laney and her best friend forever, Keira, are roommates starting their second year of college. Apparently, this hottie has moved in down the hall, and surprisingly shows up in Laney's classes at school. The attraction seems mutual, and we meet Oliver Knight within the first few pages. But Oliver's slow to move into Laney's life, and it really frustrates her. What time the girls get to spend with Oliver and his roommate Carter, who Keira's been crushing on for years, the more Laney falls head over heels for Oliver. She catches some strange things, like Oliver constantly biting his lip and bleeding as he drinks from a silver canteen (gonna have to say Duh! here cause biting his lip wouldn't have been what I would have been thinking) and that he always seems to avoid the get-togethers involving food. It's not until he saves her from a vampire attack that she opens her eyes to what's right in front of her.

Oliver is a Brookhaven vampire, and his interest in Laney has drawn her into a violent family fued. His brother Oscar blames him for taking his love away from him, so he's determined to return the favor, making Laney number one on their Most Wanted list. Life couldn't suck more...literally. As she struggles dealing with fantasy becoming reality all around her, she's twisted and pulled in every direction as Oliver struggles to keep her safe.

For people with pet peeves, there are a few things I should mention. The first half and the back half of this book don't match. It's almost like the author became a better writer as she advanced through, cause the first half needs a little rewriting. Why do I say this? Because the first half of the book is guilty of the following: 1) Very little substance. Everything interesting happens in the back end of the book and very little in the front. 2) Overly-descriptive. I don't really need to know how many feet there are between Laney's bed and the bathroom, and how many more to Keira's room. All these descriptions slow down the action and makes the story drag out. 3) Simple sentences. At times it actually reads like: Oliver smiles. I blush. Too many short sentences, not enough complex ones. 4) Laney's obsessed with Oliver. Once she meets him, you can't go one page without hearing about how handsome he is or how gorgeous some body part is. It's overwhelming, and her feelings just don't seem real to me, like what she's feeling is lust for his body and not love for who he is. Also, 5) Laney's college is weird. I've attended three universities and I've never experienced the scheduling block she has, nor had the same hottie I liked in all my classes, nor did the professors care whether or not I came to class. It almost felt like Laney was originally attending a live-in private high school and got changed later to make the characters older. Luckily, the second half of this novel seems to fix all these issues when the story becomes focused on the action, and the writing seems to fall into place and flow like it should.

Don't let my last paragraph scare you off of reading Laney. I was really happy with how the story came together by the end, I just felt it was a bumpy ride getting there. Once you pass 150 pages, the story hooks you and the writing flows a lot better. Now that the writing kinks have been smoothed out, I expect Darkness to get a higher rating from me. :)

Novel provided by author for honest review.

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock (ARC) - Blog Tour Stop

Hemlock
Kathleen Peacock
Pub: May 8, 2012

Synopsis: Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered. Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Four best friends with secrets up the wazoo, and Amy's death is the catalyst that crumbles their lives to pieces. Mac is left without a best friend, Jason without a girlfriend, and Kyle, well...he's got other issues to deal with, including a psycho ex that doesn't like that he's grieving over Amy, or how much time he's spending with Mac these days. In a world where werewolves were outed more than a decade ago, those found with the virus for Lupin syndrome get stripped of their human rights and shipped off to horrible camps to spend the rest of their lives.

When Amy, a senator's daughter, whose father was adamant about werewolf rights, is murdered by a white werewolf, the crime scene just doesn't look right. While the rest of the recent murders resemble murder by bloodlust, a few details make it seem Amy's death was carefully thought out ahead, perhaps by someone trying to change the senator's way of thinking. But for some reason the police are slipping the crime's details under the rug. When the lead investigator suddenly gets kicked off the case and a vigilante group called the Trackers show up in town, they claim they're going to track it down and kill it. But Amy's not so sure. After several run-ins with the Tracker's leader, she's not entirely convinced he has any intention of tracking down the white wolf. He seems more interested in making Jason, the son of one of the town's most wealthiest and influential citizens, his new protege. So it's up to Mac, and an protective Kyle, to investigate Amy's death and learn the identity of the white wolf, all while keeping Jason at bay, who's in route to join the vigilante's group.

Hemlock was filled with endless twists and turns, and danger around every corner. Ms. Peacock has interweaved an urban fantasy filled with mystery, intrigue and suspense - sure to keep your hands glued to the book until the very last page. Pick it up already!

ARC provided by Parafantasy ARC Tours.

Mayfair Moon by J.A. Redmerski

Mayfair Moon

J.A. Redmerski

Synopsis: After a nightmarish encounter with a werewolf, seventeen-year-old Adria Dawson loses her sister, but gains the love of a mysterious young man and his legendary family.

Strange and tragic things begin to happen in the small town of Hallowell, Maine: residents come down with an unexplainable ‘illness’ and some disappear. In the midst of everything, Isaac Mayfair is adamant about keeping Adria safe, even from her sister whom he has warned her to stay away from.

As unspeakable secrets unfold all around Adria, impossible choices become hers to bear. Ultimately, no matter what path she takes, her life and the lives of those she loves will be in peril. As she learns about the werewolf world she also learns why her place in it will change the destinies of many.

I've noticed the reviews comparing this book to Twilight alot...and it so is! At least in terms of the romance moving a little fast and leaving you wondering why the attraction is so strong after so little; but in terms of the story, The Mayfair Moon is soooo much freakin' better! Seriously. And I kinda hate that I just read this...cause if I had waited a little bit longer, I wouldn't have to twiddle my thumbs the next several months waiting for Kindred to come out!

<twiddles thumbs...Is it ready yet?>

Adria and Alex are incredibly close sisters, that is until they're attacked by what appears to be a werewolf. Both tend to keep to themselves in the beginning while they deal with the shock, but their sudden beat-up appearance in a home people know have an unstable step-father gets them removed and sent to their aunt and uncle in Maine. But trouble seems to follow. Alex won't come out of her room and shuts Adria off completely. Then one night Adria witnesses her sneak out, meet up with a group of creepy guys and doesn't come back. And since Alex is eighteen, no one can do anything.

Adria tries to move forward, but things around her are weird, especially this group of people that moved to Maine right after she did - the Mayfairs...who apparently have more than blood relatives in their family. Every month they disappear for a week with no other reason than being sick. People in the community are coming down with mysterious illnesses as well, some resulting in death. When Adria's world begins to mix with the Mayfair family, she finds a close friend in Zia and a love interest in Isaac. But as her love life gets better, every other aspect goes to crap.

The Mayfair Moon was filled with unexpected surprises and it had a little bit of the gore I've been missing in other werewolf books. And Redmerski gives us a great peek into the life of a werewolf clan, first from the outsider's perspective, then from the insider's perspective, which makes it all more enjoyable to find out what exactly it is their protecting.

<Seriously...is Kindred freakin' ready yet?!!!!>

But seriously, if you were addicted to Twilight in any manner, you're gonna love this book. Sadly, I hate comparing The Mayfair Moon to Twilight because I think it's so much better. I don't know if Redmerski tried submitting this to literary agents, but if she did, this fell through the cracks big time and those agents should be smacked!

And I KNOW what Isaac did in the last few pages of the novel! GASP! Oh, I can't wait to see the fallout for that one!

<Come on, Kindred, come on!>

Novel provided by author for honest review - Thank the Lord!

Silver Moon by Rebecca A. Rogers - Author Interview and Giveaway

I know, I know - I've FINALLY moved to Blogger. For those of you who weren't with me up to this point, my website was on Webs.com. But their website was inhibiting my creativity and driving me nuts. So I decided to move and give my blog the facelift it deserved. I've imported a few of my favorite dream blogs for the hell of it so you'll see a little back-dating. The contest currently running on my old blog will continue through Saturday May 7th, so go enter if you haven't already!

But now for the real reason you're here today...with the new launch comes an awesome interview/giveaway. What's up for grabs? A SIGNED paperback copy of SILVER MOON by Rebecca A. Rogers and a piece of swag.

For seventeen-year-old Candra Lowell, senior year is supposed to be the time of her life. It’s not supposed to include being shipped off to her aunt and uncle’s house for 'her own good'. Whatever that means. There’s only bad news from this experience—when she learns she’ll go from human to werewolf in a few months. Complete with an inherited unique power.

At her aunt and uncle's house, Candra is plagued with nightmares of a whispering forest and glowing eyes, and a shadowy figure, who issues a warning—she needs to leave town. Candra tries to dismiss the haunting images, but when the shadowy figure appears outside of her home, Candra realizes she should've obeyed. Candra learns the meaning of the stalker’s warnings when she discovers she’s the new favorite target of a rival pack. She isn't just a werewolf—she's a werewolf in the middle of a feud that makes the Montagues and Capulets look like best friends. She’s also made a mess of things by falling for her sworn enemy. Worse, the rival pack wants the power Candra will receive on her eighteenth birthday. To protect her family and friends, Candra can’t run or hide; she must face her foes, even if it means death.

My take on Silver Moon (without giving anything away!): This was a great debut novel by Rebecca A. Rogers. Really loved the MC's voice on this one - sarcastic and sassy and kept my attention. Really enjoyed watching the forbidden romance bloom between Candra and Ben from the enemy pack and I'm anxious to see if these two can get together in the future without following the tragic footsteps of Romeo and Juliet. And in my mind I'm trying to figure out what Candra's secret power will be when she turns eighteen, and what it will have to do with the clocks standing still in her presence! Silver Moon has set the stage for what I'm anticipating will be a really awesome trilogy. Can't wait for Black Moon!!!

Interview with Rebecca A Rogers

1. What is it about the paranormal genre that lured you into writing about it? I think it's the mythology and interesting creatures. Whenever I want to escape, I look for books that are otherworldly, so I thought it'd be fun to actually write one. :)

2.  Which are you? Outline or make it up as you go? A little bit of both. My outline consists of one-line sentences - nothing that even remotely resembles a usual outline.

3.  Which character in Silver Moon would you most like to have dinner with and why? Ben. He's a cutie pie and I wouldn't mind a werewolf taking me out for dinner, as long as I'm not the meal. ;)

4.  Which character is closest to you in personality? Candra. She's a pretty tough chick. Stubborn, too. Too bad I'm not a werewolf, though, right?

5.  What do you think readers will enjoy most about Silver Moon? I'm hoping the action/adventure portion. I had fun writing those scenes. Some may enjoy the Romeo & Juliet aspect of it.

6.  So tell me...will Candra become a bad@ss werewolf in Black Moon? She will definitely be a bad@ss werewolf, but with that new lifestyle also comes challenges - heightened senses, learning how to control the urge to transform, eating small bunny rabbits. You know, the usual stuff werewolves deal with. xD

7. Atomic Fireball, Lemon Head or Starburst? Definitely Starburst. I eat entire bags of Starburst at a time. ^.^

Giveaway for Silver Moon

Now...on to the giveaway. It is open internationally. You have to be a follower on Google Friend Connect to enter. If you're not on it, it's simple and free. Sign up here. You can also earn a few extra entries if you're interested.

Giveaway ends May 15, 2011. Entries are now closed.

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Good luck to all that enter. As always, the winner will be chosen by random.org.