{Blog Tour Review} KITTY SAVES THE WORLD by Carrie Vaughn

Title: Kitty Saves the World

Author: Carrie Vaughn

Series: Kitty Norville Series (#14)

Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Tor – Forge (Imprint of Macmillan)

Release Date: August 4, 2015

Edition/Formats It Will Be Available In: eBook & Print (Mass Market)

Blurb/Synopsis:

It's all come down to this, following the discoveries made by Cormac in Low Midnight, Kitty and her allies are ready to strike. But, when their assassination attempt on the evil vampire Dux Bellorum fails, Kitty finds herself running out of time. The elusive vampire lord has begun his apocalyptic end game, and Kitty still doesn't know where he will strike.

Meanwhile, pressure mounts in Denver as Kitty and her pack begin to experience the true reach of Dux Bellorum's cult. Outnumbered and outgunned at every turn, the stakes have never been higher for Kitty. She will have to call on allies both old and new in order to save not just her family and friends, but the rest of the world as well.

Book Links

Amazon Kindle

Amazon Print

Amazon Audio/CD 

Barnes and Noble Nook

Barnes and Noble Print

Barnes and Noble Audio/CD

Books A Million

Book Depository

Indie Bound

Powell’s

Tattered Cover Book Store

Tor Books

Goodreads

Author Information

In addition to being the New York Times bestselling author of the Kitty Norville books, CARRIE VAUGHN is also the author of the standalone novels After the Golden Age, Dreams of the Golden Age, and Discord’s Apple, and the young adult books Voice of Dragons and Steel. Visit her online at http://www.carrievaughn.com/

Author Links

Amazon Author Page

Blog

Facebook Page ~ Kitty Norville

Goodreads

Website Carrie Vaughn’s Virtual Playground

Author’s Other Works

Kitty Norville Series

Kitty and the Midnight Hour #1

Kitty Goes to Washington #2

Kitty Takes a Holiday #3

Kitty and the Silver Bullet #4

Kitty and the Dead Man’s Hand #5

Kitty Raises Hell #6

Kitty’s House of Horrors #7

Kitty Goes to War #8

Kitty’s Big Trouble #9

Kitty Steals the Show #10

Kitty Rocks the House #11

Kitty in the Underworld #12

Low Midnight #13

Kitty Saves the World #14 Coming 2015

Kitty’s Greatest Hits (Short Story Collection)

Stand Alones

Straying from the Path (Short Story Collection)

Voices of Dragons

Steel

Discord’s Apple

Golden Age

After the Golden Age

Dreams of the Golden Age  

Anthologies

Dark and Stormy Nights  (Kitty Norville Short)

Hex Appeal (Kitty Norville Short)

Running with the Pack (Kitty Norville Short)

Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Kitty Norville Short)

 This was another excellent volume to the Kitty series. The bad guys are badder than ever and the team of friends and characters are strong and solid. I love who Kitty is and her attitude towards the other things that go bump in the night, I love how she loves her pack and her friends, and I love her intrepid attitude no matter what she is facing down.

If you're a fan of the Kitty Norville series, this is a must read (I mean, really, why wouldn't you be continuing on anyway?)! And if you haven't been introduced yet to Kitty... well you could read this out of order and enjoy the hell out of it, but I think you're better served reading a few of the earlier ones at least if not all! The characters have depth and are multi-faceted as do the problems she encounters. And the characters and world builds beautifully as the story progresses throughout this series.

Vampires? Check. Werewolves? Check. Magic? Check. The Big Bad? Check. Gutsy heroine and hero(es)? CHECK. This series has it all and this latest in the series surely does not disappoint! 

{Blog Tour} HENGE by Realm Lovejoy -- with review and giveaway!

Henge by Realm Lovejoy is a YA Fantasy that is a modern spin-off of the Arthurian legends featuring Morgan Le Fay as the protagonist. This tour will consist of reviews, interviews & guest posts. Check out the full schedule for more information.

{Blog Tour} FADE TO BLACK by Sue Duff

{Book Review} Kissed by a Demon Spy -- by Sharon Kay

Book Title: KISSED BY A DEMON SPY
Author: SHARON KAY
Publisher: indie
Publishing Date: October 7, 2014
Length: 146 pages
Source: author in exchange for an honest review

This novella is a companion piece to the Solsti series and can be read as a stand-alone.

Kidnapped as a teen and forced into a life of sexual slavery, Garnet vowed long ago to do whatever she could to spare others her fate. When karma comes full circle with an offer of freedom for her and her young son, she jumps at the chance.

Masquerading as a village innkeeper, Aden keeps his espionage work secret from the gentle pixies he lives among. Using his skills to prevent a group of vicious demons from attacking the innocent, his world is draped in mist, shadow, and danger.

Steeped in shame, Garnet is loath to share her past with Aden. But Aden senses a sweet, loyal strength in her that no amount of horror can erase. His dangerous work is the opposite of the stability Garnet craves. Yet Aden’s patience and strength make him the hero she never had. When the enemy targets them, Garnet and Aden realize that honesty is the truest form of courage.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

 Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of the aforementioned book in exchange for my honest review as follows. No other compensation was offered nor would it have been accepted.

If you have read the Solsti Prophecy novels, I bet you were wondering whatever happened to Garnet, who played a key role in the escape from that hellish prison. Are you scrambling to remember? Well, now you do not have to! Sharon Kay has given us a wonderful novella (approximately 146 pages according to amazon, 170 according to goodreads) to tell us Garnet's after story.

Garnet, and her son, Dash, are hiding out in the kitchen when news comes that the overlord is dead. Fearful for their lives in the uprising that is sure to come, Garnet hides herself and Dash behind a secret door, and waits until the noise settles down. When it does and they emerge, it looks as if they are about to be caught, but instead, Hunter & Bianca show up and port them to Garnet's destination of choice: Ivydale, where she once lived over 150 years ago.

Garnet is a cook and it just so happens that Aden, who runs the inn, is looking for a cook. Serendipity! And he's not bad to look at either!

With this novella we get Garnet's story, both past and present, and a wonderful blossoming romance between her and Aden...who has secrets of his own.

I really loved the Solsti Prophecy novels and was pleased with this standalone novella. Not only are we revisiting a character whom I wanted to know more about, but I also liked how it touched base on something that is a huge problem in our modern society: sex trafficking. It's not something we think about often since we, thankfully, live in the United States and are rarely exposed to such stories, but it is something that is happening in the world.

Lose yourself in this story with its courageous characters and pick up the rest of the Solsti series. I know I enjoyed every last page! 

{Book Review} Bound By Duty by Stormy Smith

Book Title: Bound By Duty
Author: Stormy Smith
Publisher: Perfect Storm Publishing
Publishing Date: July 2014
Length: 390 pages
Source: from author in exchange for an honest review

Amelia grew up in a world of half-truths. She knows she's an Elder but has no idea what that means. Her father reminds her daily that she must maintain control but he refuses to explain why. Even worse, she's betrothed to the prince of the Immortals and she doesn't even know his name.

Finally breaking free to live a few normal years at a community college, the last thing Amelia expects is to find her best friend in a cheeky Southern girl and to fall for a self-assured human who sees her for who she is and not what she'll be.

As she learns more about herself, Amelia realizes the line between love and duty is a thin one. As her power continues to increase exponentially and her questions are slowly answered, Amelia must make the ultimate choice. The question is, will her head or her heart win the battle?urb

I promised I was coming back with a review of Stormy's novel this month! And here I am!

Let's start with the bad: BOOK ENDED TOO SOON AND NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT BLOODY INSTALLMENT. Okay. That is now out of my system.

The Good: Uh...where do I start? This was such a great read for me. I love paranormal and I love romances and I love magic and I love monarchies and I love prophecies and and and. Yeah! There's a lot here!

Amelia is great. She's timid and weird and super shy. And as her life unravels piece by piece, as she discovers that every single person in her life has lied to her, she comes into her own and is livid. And yet, she maintains her cool and a keeps a level head, which is pretty amazing. This is not to say that she doesn't give a well-deserved blast here and there towards those who deserve it, but I found it amazing that she remained so relatively calm.

Even better than Amelia is her BFF, Bethany. FINALLY a BFF in a book that is a TRUE BFF. She rolls with the punches, isn't afraid to speak her mind, and yet takes the time to listen even when she wants to stomp someone in the face.

Stormy Smith has concocted a story that flows well, keeps you glued to what is going on, and has a menacing, looming, evil b--ch you itch to slap in the face. I was yelling at Amelia at the end to use her darn words and tell someone something instead of leaving it like so, but ... she didn't. And now I have to wait.

Write, Stormy, write! 

{Blog Tour} HISTORY OF FIRE by Alexia Purdy -- with giveaway

{Blog Tour} AVERY by Charlotte McConaghy -- with review and giveaway!

Tour Page & Schedule

{Book Review} Crimson & Cream by C.M. Skiera

Book Title: Crimson & Cream, Book One in The Oxbow Kingdom Trilogy
Author: CM Skiera
Publisher: Independent
Publishing Date: August 2012
Length: 247 pages
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review

Hounded by watchmen, trolls, goblins, and a relentless bounty hunter, 13-year-old Jetsam dreams of the day he’ll no longer have to run for his life.

In the mountain city of Dwim-Halloe, Eadriel and Elvar were born twins to teachers at the city’s revered School of Magic. When the new king outlawed magic, the boys’ parents were murdered. Their deaths forfeited the twins' magical birthright and made them homeless fugitives.

Rescued by an orphan gang, the fleeing twins were nicknamed Flotsam and Jetsam. To survive as outcasts, the orphans scavenge and pilfer nightly. Their last risky foray sent them fleeing into an unfamiliar cavern. Now the boys are lost deep underground where they encounter a strange beast that will change their lives forever and begin a harrowing journey for their ultimate survival.

Crimson & Cream recounts Jetsam’s adventurous tale of flight and discovery as the fugitive orphan unravels his tortured past while securing his tenuous future.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

Full disclosure: I received a copy of this book during a book tour in exchange for an honest review.

When I first read the description of this book, I was eager to read it. I grew up on Tolkien: Dad spoonfed it to me beginning with The Hobbit until he deemed me ready for my own set of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings when I was 12. And so, thanks to my dad, I adore fantasy novels. And when they're told well? *squeaks in joy* Heck, yes!

CM Skiera's CRIMSON & CREAM is one of those fantasy novels. Flotsam & Jetsam are twin brothers, orphans, and part of an orphan gang that lives in the sewers of the city. The king outlawed sorcery when they were toddlers, their parents were murdered, and they escaped by jumping into the river. It has been eight years and they are celebrating their 13th birthday by attempting to sneak into the castle.

It does not end well and is the beginning of Jetsam's story as he embarks on a quest in search of a wizard. On his way, he is chased by guards, hunted by a bountyhunter, encounters a mad knight and his band of not-so-noble men, a wood nymph, trolls, etc. This story is filled with history, peppered with magic, and one roaring adventure!

I absolutely loved every minute I spent in this world. Your heart breaks for Jetsam, his band of orphans will make your heart ache with pity and feelings. Without ever having met him, you already despise the king. You are just as eager to find the wizard. And, I don't know about you, but I was so pleased with Jetsam's little companion, Tramp. Good boy, Tramp!

I would absolutely, whole heartedly recommend this to fantasy readers, ages 10 and up (depending on reading level). Clean, the pacing is great, characters are well developed, and nothing to interrupt Reader Zone (no gross grammatical errors, etc). I cannot wait for more in the trilogy and I have a feeling this will definitely hit my favorites shelf! 

{Blog Tour} STORMS OF LAZARUS by Karen Kincy

Welcome to my tour stop for Storms of Lazarus by Karen Kincy. This is the second book in the Shadows of Asphodel series. This is a new adult dieselpunk romance and is now available!  The tour runs August 11-22 with reviews, interviews & a few guest posts.
Check out the tour page for the schedule and more information.

{Blog Tour} GREENE'S CALLING by A.D. Starrling -- with review and giveaway!

{Book Review} THE CASQUETTE GIRLS by Alys Arden

Book Title: The Casquette Girls
Author: Alys Arden
Publisher: fortheARTofit publishing
Publishing Date: October 31, 2013
Length: 512 Pages
Source: Read 4 Review via Xpresso Book Tours

Book Blurb:

After the Storm of the Century rips apart New Orleans, Adele Le Moyne and her father are among the first to return to the city following the mandatory evacuation. Adele wants nothing more than for life to return to normal, but with the silent city resembling a mold-infested war zone, a parish-wide curfew, and mysterious new faces lurking in the abandoned French Quarter, normal will have to be redefined.

Events too unnatural – even for New Orleans – lead Adele to an attic that has been sealed for three hundred years, and the chaos she unleashes threatens not only her life but everyone she knows. Mother Nature couldn’t drain the joie de vivre from the Big Easy, but someone or something is draining life from its residents.

Caught suddenly in a hurricane of eighteenth-century myths and monsters, Adele must quickly untangle a web of magic that links the climbing murder rate back to her own ancestors. But who can you trust in a city where everyone has a secret, and where keeping them can be a matter of life and death – unless, that is, you’re immortal.
Goodreads | Amazon

 This book snuck up on me. That's the first sentence that comes to mind when I'm trying to describe how I felt as I read. I requested this book through a review program with Xpresso Book Tours and was granted a copy in exchange for an honest review. This book exceeded my expectations!

I requested it because I was intrigued by the title and the setting of New Orleans. I know the story of The Casquette Girls very, very vaguely and was interested in a story based on them. What I got was a story that highlights the devastation of Katrina, the emotions of a young girl, magic, rich history told via a walking tour, and a glimpse of both past New Orleans and current New Orleans.

This book falls under the YA Paranormal Romance labels, but if you're not a normal reader of YA, I urge you to pick this up anyway. It is delightfully intricate, weaving a story around the past, the current, and a main character, Adele, who is very much a sixteen year old girl. With confusion about the sudden attention from boys, you would expect her to be annoying, but instead I found her quite charming.

It was hard to put this book down to tend to everyday life. Intriguing with layers of mystery, history, legend, and romance, there wasn't a single moment where I became bored. The characters are rich and charming; even the villainous characters are likable and have depth! I must say...this book made me want to run to New Orleans and find a little mystique and romance of my own. I was utterly enchanted. 

{Book Review} TOMORROW WENDELL by R.M. Ridley

Book Title: Tomorrow Wendell, The First White Dragon Black Novel
Author: R.M. Ridley
Publisher: Xchyler Publishing
Publishing Date: June 28, 2014
Length: 267 pages
Source: Author for honest review

Book Blurb:
When predictions tell Wendell Courtney he’s going to die, he turns to the one man he hopes can help. Jonathan Alvey’s no stranger to the strange. But, unlike the private investigator’s run-of-the-mill zombie cases, he can find no trace of magic around Wendell, and no hint of an adversary. Alvey certainly has magic and wits enough to solve the mystery, but is his offering to the insatiable dragon black sufficient? Or is Wendell truly destined to die?

Goodreads | Amazon

 I can already hear the comparisons that people will be making in regards to R.M.Ridley's TOMORROW WENDELL. Paranormal Private Investigator is all they would need to hear before making that jump. And while I understand, please don't! 

Once I started reading, I could not put this book down. The story is fluid and fast-paced, the characters nuanced, everything shown as opposed to told. Jonathan Alvey is a magic-wielding paranormal private investigator, a functioning alcoholic, a magic addict who is constantly fighting down the addiction with other addictions, a good man who is struggling with a past, and hellbent on helping others. It's not for a paycheck, although of course that's nice as a guy needs to eat. It's because he CAN help and therefore feels he SHOULD help. 

I think what I liked best about this was its realism. Yes, yes, I know. Magic ain't real, kid. But that's not what I'm talking about. I'm referring to the fact that this world is encumbered with nightmares from our fairy tales, legends, and myths. Perhaps if we all took a step to the left, we'd cross that barrier and see the things that Jonathan sees. 

Wendell Courtney is Jonathan's newest client and the title character. On an impulse, Wendell visits an antique shop near his dentist, slides a coin into a fortune telling machine, and receives a death sentence. He turns up in Jonathan's office, begging for help. As Jonathan begins to investigate, nothing makes sense. There are no magical traces of malicious intent. Completely puzzled, Jonathan is determined to save his client. 

With characters that are relatable, action that will have you rubbing your own stomach and ribs in sympathy, quirks that make him utterly likable, and an ending that will blow you away, this was one hell of a start to a series. I eagerly await the next installment and hope that Author R.M. Ridley writes fast!

{Blog Tour} HEDGE WITCH by Simon Kewin -- with giveaway and review!

Hedge Witch by Simon Kewin
Publication date: April 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:
Fifteen year-old Cait Weerd has no idea she’s being sought by the undain: sorcerous creatures of necromancy that feed off the spirit of the living. She doesn’t know the undain need her blood to survive. She doesn’t even know she’s a witch, descended from a long line of witches. Cait Weerd doesn’t know a lot, really, but all that’s about to change.

At Manchester Central Library she’s caught up in sudden, horrific violence. In the chaos she’s handed an old book that’s been hidden there and told to run, hide the book or destroy it. It contains all the secrets of the undains’ existence. They and their human servants want to find that as much as they want Cait.

What’s more, she learns that the fate of two worlds is at stake here. Just what she needs. Along with definitely-not-a-boyfriend Danny, she has to decide what the hell to do. Run, fight or just hope it all goes away.

It’s only then she learns who she really is, along with the terrible truth of what the undain have been doing in our world all this time …

Goodreads | Amazon

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was offered or accepted.

As soon as I read the synopsis and saw the cover of this book, I knew I had to request to be on this tour! Magic? Check. Punk looking protagonist? Check. Modern witches? Check!

The action starts off from the very beginning when a girl visits her grandmother at her grandmother's place of work, the library. A quick trip to the basement becomes an attack and a near fatal encounter and from there the action rolls! From one parallel world to ours, the story was an intriguing one and made you read on. I had to reread a few bits as I found the transitions a bit confusing at times, but not so much so that I was discouraged from reading on! I liked how after expelling energy to use magic, the witch/magic user was drained. It reminded me of my video games and how you have to pool energy/power, which is more sensible than an endless source of power.

All of the characters were interesting and varied from both the "good" side and the "bad" side. The action kept moving and Cait was a refreshing protagonist with gumption! I can't wait to read more!  

Want to sample some of Simon Kewin's writings?! He has a great deal right now. There is a HEDGE WITCH sampler aaaaaaaannnddddddd free short stories! :) 

Hedge Witch Sampler

ePub: http://bit.ly/1oAJGEw

KIndle: http://bit.ly/1hfzDRv

Witching Hour short stories

ePub: http://bit.ly/1iaEleh

KIndle: http://bit.ly/1ilPaLS

Simon was born on the misty Isle of Man but now lives deep in the English countryside with his wife and two daughters.
He writes science fiction and fantasy as well as some stories that can’t make their minds up.
Find out more on his website at simonkewin.co.uk.

http://www.simonkewin.co.uk/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4013862.Simon_Kewin
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Simon-Kewin-Author/139665209438997
https://twitter.com/SimonKewin

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{ARC Review} This Crumbling Pageant (The Fury Triad #1) by Patricia Burroughs

This Crumbling Pageant (The Fury Triad #1) by Patricia Burroughs

Persephone Fury is the Dark daughter, the one they hide.

England, 1811. Few are aware of a hidden magical England, a people not ruled by poor mad George, but the dying King Pellinore of the House of Pendragon.

The Furys are known for their music, their magic, and their historic role as kingmakers. When Fury ambitions demand a political marriage, Persephone is drugged and presented to Society--
Only to be abducted from the man she loves by the man she loathes.

But devious and ruthless, Persephone must defy ancient prophecy, embrace her Dark magic, and seize her own fate.

Be swept away into the first book of a dark fantasy series combining swashbuckling adventure, heart-pounding romance, and plot-twisting suspense.

Fury Triad Website | Goodreads

About the Author:

Award-winning screenwriter and best selling novelist Patricia Burroughs loves dogs, books, movies, and football. A lifelong Anglophile, she treasures her frequent travels in the British Isles researching The Fury Triad, the epic fantasy that has taken over her life and heart. She and her high school sweetheart husband are living happily ever after in their hometown of Dallas, Texas.



Website | Planet Books Website | Mailing List | Facebook | Twitter

 I love fantasy books like this where the story is complicated, the descriptions rich, and the characters so well-described you can see them in your mind's eye, with sinister looks, ethereal beauty, or what have you.

You can read the description, so I will do my best not to rehash it, but as you can see, there are two Englands. There is the mundane/original England in the world as we know it with a mad King George and then there is the Magi England. The Fury family is part of Magi England and this is where the bulk of the story takes place. To cross from one England into another, one must travel through the fog, something young Persephone Fury discovers when she is abducted by the house tutor, Vespasian. After escaping, she returns a changed woman with a secret. Falling in love with the man who helped her home, she makes her debutante ball looking surreal and gorgeous, helped by her brother Cosmos. There is a strange and weird tension between the Fury family members and I did a lot of puzzling over it in the beginning. I think what I loved most was the description of the Furys' powers. Oh, to have Persephone's gifts. I think every musically inclined person would find her gift amazing and desirable.

This is fantasy at its finest, with love and darkness, plight and opportunity, and complicated twists and turns that hinge on Persephone's decision making. Is it fate or is it destiny or is it choice? This is only book one so we don't know where it will lead us, but the words of her goddess ring ominous for Persephone. She can choose duty & honor or love, but not both. One will have to be enough, so which shall it be? I, for one, am hooked and can only urge Patricia Burroughs to write faster in hopes that I may read on!

I received a print ARC to read and review. My opinions are my own. I do urge you to get this on May 6, 2014 when it releases if you love a well built world with multi-faceted characters and a not so happily ever after...at least, not yet as far as I can see. 

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Book Review} OPAL SUMMERFIELD and the BATTLE of FALLMOON GAP by Mark Caldwell Jones

Fast-paced, adventurous, magical - young teens and adults will love this alike! I can't wait for more! 

{Blog Tour} NEFERTITI'S HEART and HAPSHEPTUT'S COLLAR by A.W. Exley, The Artifact Hunters series

I'm excited to be hosting a stop for the Artifact Hunters tour that features Nefertiti's Heart and Hatshepsut's Collar by A.W. Exley.   This series is new adult / Mystery / Steampunk, recommended for ages 16+ (there's some mature content). The tour runs March 3-14th.  Check out the tour page for the full list of tour stops.

{Blog Tour} THE SEERS by Julianna Scott (Holders #2) with review and giveaway!

Follow the tour in its entirety at: http://xpressobooktours.com/2013/12/02/tour-sign-up-the-seers-by-julianna-scott/

{Blog Tour} The Princess Madeline Trilogy by Kirstin Pulioff

The Princess Madeline Trilogy tour! 

The second book in the series, The Battle for Princess Madeline will be available as a FREE download from Amazon from January 21 to 24, 2014. The link is http://www.amazon.com/Battle-Princess-Madeline-Kirstin-Pulioff-ebook/dp/B00CY0XBLE

{Author Spotlight} LIZZY FORD

Hello my lovely readers! As you may or may not know, January marks the end of the first year of book blogging for me. To celebrate I am throwing a Facebook party at the end of the month on the 29th and you are ALL invited! There are prizes to be won, games to play, and fun to be had, all while in your jammies if you like! :) I've connected with some amazing bloggers, readers, and authors over the past year! Today, I'd like to spotlight one of the authors donating a prize to my readers for my blog's birthday! 

{Blog Tour} THE SORCERY CODE by DIMA ZALES -- with giveaway and review

Click the banner to follow the tour!

The Sorcery Code by Dima Zales
Publication date: December, 2013
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance