Review: Thief of Hope, by Cindy Young-Turner

Author: Cindy Young-Turner

Title: Thief of Hope

Series: -Untitled- (#1)

ISBN: 9780982820070

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press (May 16^th 2011)

Disclaimer: Copy received for review purposes.

Buy your copy: Kindle | Paperback

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Sydney, a street urchin and pickpocket in the town of Last Hope, has managed to evade the oppressive Guild for years, but there is no escaping fate when she's sentenced to death for associating with the resistance.After she's rescued by a wizard, Sydney is forced to accept that magic-long outlawed throughout the Kingdom of Thanumor-still exists, and the Tuatha, a powerful faery folk, are much more than ancient myth and legend. When the wizard offers a chance to fight the Guild and bring Willem, bastard prince and champion of the Tuatha, to the throne, Sydney embraces the cause as a way to find her own redemption.But Sydney's fear of the Guild, distrust of authority, and surprising connection to the Tuatha threaten Willem's success. Can she untangle the strange threads that entwine her life not only to the fate of the kingdom, but also to Willem himself?” GoodReads’ blurb

Epic fantasy is a genre that’s seen almost everything. But, from time to time, you find a title where it’s been done right.

Thief of Hope is one of those titles. It’s not visionary; it’s a classic. And, in that line, it’s a breath of fresh air because it delivers everything we love about the genre, while staying well clear of any of its usual faults.

Review: City of Ashes, by Cassandra Clare

Author: Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Ashes

Series: The Mortal Instruments (#2)

ISBN:  9781416914297

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children (year)

Buy your copy: Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation” GoodReads’ blurb

So I know my reviews aren’t really making justice to the high quality of the books. So sue me. I’m going to go on and rave some anyway.

I got started with City of Ashes as soon as I was done with City of Bones – which, in my mind, has created a bit of a confusion about when one ends and the other begins, but anyway.

Review: Ties to the Blood Moon, by Robin P. Waldrop

Author: Robin P. Waldrop

Title: Ties to the Blood Moon

Series: -Untitled- (#1)

ISBN: 9781466054141

Publisher: Robin P. Waldrop (November 1^st 2011)

Disclaimer: Copy received for review purposes.

Buy your copy: Kindle

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

“Genevieve is a teenage girl who moves in with her aunt in Alaska after the death of her mother. Soon after her arrival she learns the things she was raised to believe only existed in fairytales are in fact a big part of her history. When it gets to be too much she seeks refuge in the arms of her new boyfriend, William, only to find out he's not who she thought he was either.” GoodReads’ blurb

I know there’s going to be a big public out there who will love this title... Unfortunately, I’m not among them.

I’ve to say I was really very excited about reading Ties to the Blood Moon –as you might already know, I have this thing going on with books that address myths and folklore, and that’s exactly what this title promised.

Review: Shadows, by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Shadows

Series: Lux (#0.5)

ISBN: 9781620610084

Publisher: Entangled Publishing (February 21^st 2012)

Buy your copy: Kindle | Paperback

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane.

Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in.

Captivated. Lured. Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence...and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.” GoodReads’ blurb

This book was terribly difficult to rate because I actually had some issues about the end, but... Yeah. I guess that it’s good on account of it being able to piss me off so much!

Anyway, let’s go step by step.

Book Tour: The First Series by Dawne Dominique

In this stop, I'm lucky enough to interview on of the main characters in the series! But first, let me tell you a little about the series itself... 

Revenant Week Blog Tour

Hey folks! Today, I'm super excited to be hosting one of the stops in the Revenant Week Blog Tour! That's right: we're celebrating Amy Plum's wonderful universe! To do that, we have a small peek into Amy's mind and then... a giveaway! Yay!

So, ready?

Review: Saucerers and Gondoliers, by Dominic Green

Author: Dominic Green

Title: Saucerers and Gondoliers

Series: Ant and Cleo (#1)

ISBN: 2940011471773

Publisher: Dominic Green (August 12^th 2011)

Disclaimer: Copy received for review purposes.

Buy your copy: Kindle

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“Flying saucers do not land in country parks. They are not piloted by Englishmen. They do not bear nameplates saying "HAWKER SIDDELEY AVIATION." And they are never, ever filled with smuggled catering packs of Monster Munch.

Britain has had a top secret colony in space for decades. Unfortunately, the colony has grown tired of being run by the mother country - and the mother country has decided it's time to send in the troops. Between these two sides are Anthony Stevens and Cleopatra Shakespeare, abducted from England and hurled into a war between Britain, America, and the newly, fiercely independent United States of the Zodiac.

Where is the mysterious hidden colony of Gondolin? How did the United States of America come to have interstellar spacecraft in the 1950s? And who or what is Truman J. Slughound the Third? Find out in a story guaranteed to contain colour-changing aliens, Godless communists from Altair, rednecks from Barnard's Star, space fighters, rocket pistols, death by ecstasy, very bad hair, and more explosions than you can shake a stick at” GoodReads’ blurb

This is a short book, so I’m going with a short review this time.

I went into this book hoping to love it, because the whole concept sounded so funny and original, but unfortunately I’m feeling quite puzzled after reading it.

Review: The Force of Wind, by Elizabeth Hunter

Author: Elizabeth Hunter

Title: The Force of Wind

Series: Elemental Mysteries(#3)

ASIN: B007GPYMHO

Publisher: E. Hunter (March 2012)

Disclaimer: Copy received for review purposes.

Buy your copy: Kindle | Paperback

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“How far would you go to protect the ones you love?

What would you sacrifice to kill the one you hate?

Join Giovanni Vecchio and Beatrice De Novo as they travel to a hidden island on the far edge of China to seek the help of an ancient immortal court. Can they weave their way through the tangled web of centuries-old alliances and ruthless feuds to find what they’ve been looking for? Friends will be revealed, enemies will find them, and a dangerous secret will come to light.

The third book in the Elemental Mysteries series will see Giovanni and Beatrice joined by a group of unlikely allies as they explore the history and myth of the far East. Many have been stolen, but only one holds the key.

The Force of Wind is the third book in the four-part Elemental Mysteries series. It is the sequel to This Same Earth and is a paranormal mystery/romance for adult readers. ” GoodReads’ blurb

So many things to say, so hard to find the right words to say them. “Pure awesome” is never enough in a review, so... let’s try to put my feelings in order.

First, though, I should probably state that this is one of my favorite series, that you can find my review for book 1 here and my review for book 2 here, and that there’s spoilers for those two books if you still haven’t read them.

That said, though...

Author Interview: Patrice Fitzgerald

Today, I'm very pleased to announce we have a guest! She's Patrice Fitzgerald, author of Running - an independent political thriller that I'm sure you'll like. Here, let me tell you a little about the book... 

THE NEXT PRESIDENT IS GOING TO BE A WOMAN...

Catherine Young, Vice President and newly-anointed Democratic nominee, is surging in the polls. The race is on against GOP candidate Jerusha Hutchins, known for her big blonde hair, who is the darling of the far-right Liberty Party. But with political wunderkind Zane Zarillo running her campaign, Catherine is sure to hold onto the lead.

Suddenly a medical emergency puts the President in the hospital and forces Catherine to act in his place… a perfect opportunity for her to show her Oval Office stuff. Just when her election looks like a sure thing, Catherine's romantic fling from decades ago comes to light. Will the American public accept a woman with a past?

See what I meant? Piqued, aren't you? Well, then, please let me introduce you all to Patrice Fitzgerald! And what's best to get to know someone than an interview?

Review: Poughkeepsie, by Debra Anastasia

Author: Debra Anastasia

Title: Poughkeepsie

ISBN: 9781936305940

Publisher: Omnific Publishing (November 22^nd 2011)

Disclaimer: Copy received for review purposes.

Buy your copy: Kindle | Paperback

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.

Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.

When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.

Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?

In an interwoven tale of unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.” GoodReads’ blurb

I discovered this book at a tour stop over at Christy’s Love of Books. It had an excerpt, and while the blurb was “interesting”, it was the excerpt that truly made me want to give this book a shot. The concept’s one that takes talent to develop, and that sample made me think Debra Anastasia did have that talent. Then, I was lucky enough to be noticed by the author, who very kindly offered to let me review her book.

After finishing the book, I just know that I’ll be adding anything else by her to my pile. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, and let me try to explain what I liked so much:

Review: Ripper, by Amy Carol Reeves

Author: Amy Carol Reeves

Title: Ripper

ISBN: 9780738730721

Publisher: Flux (April 8^th 2012)

Disclaimer: Copy received for review purposes.

Buy your copy: Kindle | Paperback

My rating: 4of 5 stars

“In 1888, following her mother's sudden death, 17-year-old Arabella Sharp goes to live with her grandmother in a posh London neighborhood. At her grandmother's request, Abbie volunteers at Whitechapel Hospital, where she discovers a passion for helping the unfortunate women and children there. But within days, female patients begin turning up brutally murdered at the hands of Jack the Ripper.” GoodReads’ blurb

Jack the Ripper is one of those figures where reality exceeds fiction – so it has become the source and inspiration for a lot of fiction. I’m a sucker for those stories, so imagine my glee when I had the chance to read and review this novel...

And it was amazing!

Review: Kevin's Point of View, by Del Shannon

Author: Del Shannon

Title: Kevin’s Point of View

ISBN: 2940013086913

Publisher: Flatiron View Books (October 26^th 2010)

Disclaimer: Copy received for review purposes.

Buy your copy: Kindle | Paperback

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Kevin Tobin is a relatively ordinary 12-year-old dealing with the aftermath of his father's death in a mountain biking accident near their home in Boulder, Colorado. To escape from his emotional turmoil, Kevin has developed his imagination into a dangerous foil and a powerful ally. While he antagonizes his sister through his superhero antics on an average Wednesday morning, his ability to escape inside a character's head become critical to his survival after his life is once-again turned upside down a year after his father's death. A mysterious package arrives in the mail, Kevin and his best friend are hunted down by a ruthless villain set upon world domination, and after enlisting Kevin's teenage sister and her pizza-delivery boyfriend in a battle for control over time itself, the secret of Kevin's whole existence is revealed to him by a source we never expected. Del Shannon's imaginative story, appreciation for the powers of family and the desire of young boys to both escape reality and prove themselves within it, and fast-paced, adventure-filled storytelling style make this a book with wide appeal for readers of all ages.” GoodReads’ blurb

When I got the request to review this book, I wasn’t sure at all about accepting it. It’s geared towards middle grade, and that’s not the age range I usually review for. But the fact remained: the premise was interesting, and I decided to take the plunge.

Well, I’m so glad that I did.

Review: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, by Beth Fantaskey

Author: Beth Fantaskey

Title: Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

Series: Jessica (#1)

ISBN: 9780152063849

Publisher: Harcourt (February 1^st 2009)

Buy your copy: Paperback | Hardcover

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“The undead can really screw up your senior year ...

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.” GoodReads’ blurb

I read this book recommended by Dani, over at Refracted Light Reviews, and I’m so glad I did! Can you say fun?

First off, I have to admit that this is not one of those serious read that you expect to dump some life-changing, difficult revelations on you along the plot. It reminded me a lot of The Ghost and the Goth, in the way the characters were quirky and interesting and had this strange chemistry that leapt out the page to put a smile in your face.

Review: Cinder, by Marissa Meyer

Author: Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder

Series: Lunar Chronicles (#1)

ISBN: 9780312641894

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (January 3^rd 2012)

Buy your copy: Hardcover

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl... Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.” GoodReads’ blurb

I took ages before I got around to reading Cinder. It was the combined force of Dani’s enthusiasm, from over at Refracted Light reviews, and the coolness of the book trailer that made me take the plunge and order it.

Why, oh why did I take so long?!?

Review: The Repossession, by Sam Hawksmoor

Author: Sam Hawksmoor
Title: The Repossession
ISBN: 9780340997086
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books (March 1st 2012)
Disclaimer: Copy received for book report purposes.

Buy your copy: Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“34 kids missing. Vanished without a trace.   

Believing she is possessed, Genie Magee's mother has imprisoned her all summer encouraged by the sinister Reverend Schneider. Beautiful Rian, love of her life, sets her free, and their escape washes them up at Marshall's remote farmhouse downriver. But why are there newspaper clippings of the missing kids pinned to Marshall's bathroom wall? And should they believe his stories about the experiments at the Fortress, an underground research station nearby?    

Genie meets Denis. Missing two years now, but hasn't grown an inch. Rian is haunted by Renée, who insists she's not actually dead. Soon they discover the terrible truth about Reverend Schneider and worse, Genie is next ... and Rian can't do a thing to prevent it.

The Repossession is just the beginning.” GoodReads’ blurb

I read this book for work, but I figure there’s nothing wrong with sharing a review with you now that it’s out to the public.

Back in the day, I told the publishing house I freelance for that this title had a lot of things going for it, and the fact that it falls squarely into some of the trendiest genres of today’s YA was one of the first things I’d point out.

There’s traces of paranormal in Genie, of Sci-Fi in the dark events behind the disappearance of the kids, and finally, of totalitarian dystopia. The Repossession should appeal to anyone who enjoys those genres, which means to a whole lot of people.

Why, I’m not a huge dystopia fan and still got hooked to this novel!

Review: Froi of the Exiles, by Melina Marchetta

Author: Melina Marchetta

Title: Froi of the Exiles

Series: Lumatere Chronicles (#2)

ISBN:

Publisher: Candlewick Press(March 13^th 2012)

Disclaimer: Copy received for review purposes.

Buy your copy: Hardcover

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“From master storyteller Melina Marchetta comes an exhilarating new fantasy springing from her celebrated epic, Finnikin of the Rock.

Three years after the curse on Lumatere was lifted, Froi has found his home . . . or so he believes. Fiercely loyal to the Queen and Finnikin, Froi has been taken roughly and lovingly in hand by the Guard sworn to protect the royal family, and has learned to control his quick temper with a warrior's discipline. But when he is sent on a secretive mission to the kingdom of Charyn, nothing could have prepared him for what he finds in its surreal royal court. Soon he must unravel both the dark bonds of kinship and the mysteries of a half-mad princess in this barren and mysterious place. It is in Charyn that he will discover there is a song sleeping in his blood . . . and though Froi would rather not, the time has come to listen.” GoodReads’ blurb

Finnikin of the Rock was one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. You can read my full review here, but, in short, it was a wonderful tale of very human characters against very human evils. Froi of the Exiles takes up the same mesmerizing prose, the same depth, the same feeling... And doubles it all.

Where Finnikin was, ultimately, a tale about fear and hope, Froi touches on something even more elusive: through the whole adventure, there’s a theme of forgiveness, of mending. It’s about finding the good where our anger made us see evil, it’s about picking up the broken pieces and building a future.

Lunar Love Giveaway Hop

Once again, giveaway time! I'm so excited... I love givaways, and I'm hosting a lot of them lately! Anyway, thanks go to Kathy from I am a Reader not a Writer for hosting this one, along with Bookworm Lisa.

I like the moon. Always have. Deeply simbolic, our moon. So, how could I pass up the chance to take part in this one? Simply put: I couldn't. So, what can you win this time? Actually, there's options. Ready?

The Elemental Mysteries Blog Tour: Excerpt and Giveaway

The Elemental Mysteries Blog Tour is hosted by A Tale of Many Reviews, and I'm very proud to be one of today's stops. Please, follow this link to see the full schedule and join the fun with plenty of interesting content: character interviews, reviews, giveaways and more! Here in Stories of my Life we're going to share an excerpt of the awesomeness that is book 3, The Force of Wind -and trust me when I say it is awesome. Want to know what it's all about? Here you go: 

How far would you go to protect the ones you love?

What would you sacrifice to kill the one you hate?

Join Giovanni Vecchio and Beatrice De Novo as they travel to a hidden island on the far edge of China to seek the help of an ancient immortal court. Can they weave their way through the tangled web of centuries-old alliances and ruthless feuds to find what they’ve been looking for? Friends will be revealed, enemies will find them, and a dangerous secret will come to light.

The third book in the Elemental Mysteries series will see Giovanni and Beatrice joined by a group of unlikely allies as they explore the history and myth of the far East. Many have been stolen, but only one holds the key.

The Force of Wind is the third book in the four-part Elemental Mysteries series. It is the sequel to This Same Earth and is a paranormal mystery/romance for adult readers.

 If you're wondering how much I loved the first two books, you can check out my undying love for them both here:

A Hidden Fire review
This Same Earth review

I've talked enough. Let me give you what you really want now... The excerpt from The Force of Wind! And, I must say, it's one scene I loved so very much!

Review: My Soul to Save, by Rachel Vincent

Author: Rachel Vincent
Title: My Soul to Save
Series: Soul Screamers (#2)
ISBN: 9780373210046
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (December 29th 2009)

Buy your copy: Kindle | Paperback

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.
So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry for someone who has no soul.
The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can't possibly understand.
Kaylee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk….” GoodReads’ blurb

Next instalment of the series, and still reading so good!

A note: I always try not to spoil things, but I might mention stuff that happened in the previous books. Be warned!

I really liked Tod in this title. Mostly because at the end of book one any idea I could get about a love triangle was shot to death (I just can’t see Tod and Nash as rivals) so this chance to look into his most sensible part was really cute.

Review: City of Bones, by Cassandra Clare

Author: Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones

Series: The Mortal Instruments (#1)

ISBN: 9781416914280

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (March 27^th 2007)

Buy your copy: Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end” GoodReads’ blurb

Most people already know about this one. I’m probably the last one to jump into the Mortal Instrument’s train, and probably that means I’ve been living under a rock. Still, I finally got to read this, and I loved it so I’m going to share that, even if you’re fed up with the positive reviews!

Cover Reveal: Bonds of Fenris

Look at this! I'm participating in another cover reveal to bring you the awesomeness of this story: doesn't it sound terribly promising? I can't wait to read it!

Talia Thornwood's life ended one year ago, when she became a werewolf. She survived the attack, and the horrifying transformation a month later, but the life she has now is barely worth living. She lurks about in a filthy, run-down house, with too many werewolves crammed into too small a space. Every day is a struggle against the stress of human contact, the romantic prodding of her obnoxious packmate Pierce, and the gnawing hunger for flesh in her soul.

She's all but resigned herself to a dreary existence on the margins of society when she meets Corwin. Corwin is a werewolf like none other. He walks among humans as if it was nothing, and can keep his wolf under control even when the moon is full. Talia's mind is suddenly opened to the possibilities before her, and the realization of how little she really knows about lycanthropy.

Corwin claims that he can teach her how to cope as he does, even how to transcend her affliction. But it will not be easy. It is a hard education that requires her to question everything her pack taught her, and confront exactly what she has become. And, more amazingly, what she never stopped being.

Bonds of Fenris is a paranormal novel by S.J. Bell, due to be released through Smashwords on May 7, 2012.
Visit the author's website 
Cover art is by the delightful Stephanie Mooney

Blog Tour: Shrouded in Darkness

Today I'm lucky enough to host a stop on Shrouded in Darkness book tour! And I'll be sharing an excerp from this amazing title with you all! Besides, if you leave a comment with a contact e-mail, you could win your own e-copy of Shrouded in Darkness! I'll be picking the winner when the tour ends, on March the 8th, so be sure to participate. 

Jake Preston is on borrowed time.  If he doesn’t stumble upon a miracle and soon, he’ll endup dead.  And even if he does, he still might end up dead with a clever killer hounding his heels.  He believes that the one miracle and antidote to save him is in Margot Davenport’s house, across the country and miles away from Boston.  Somewhere locked in her home is the key to reversing an experiment that is killing him with each breath he takes.

Margot doesn’t particularly care if she ends up dead.  She’s lost everything she’s ever cared for.  A divorce and the loss of her job as a corporate lawyer has left her with little faith in herself or in anyone else.  Most importantly, she’s lost the one person on this earth she’s looked up to and cherished–her brother, Johnny.  His death in a car accident has devastated her, and she can’t find the willpower to pull herself from the chasm she’s fallen into.  Her only solace is at the bottom of a wineglass.  Having moved back to the small town in northern Arizona where she was raised, she’s made a point of isolating herself both mentally and physically from everyone other than a few chosen friends.  Little does she know that her life is going to explode into chaos.

Winner of the Ready-Set-Go Peninsula RWA Contest

Finalist in the Suzannah North Louisiana RWA Contest

1st place in Peninsula RWA Chapter’s contest.

Buy from Amazon 
Buy from B&N 

Check out the excerp now!