Journey with Books

Jan 27, 2012

Book Review: Die For Me (Revenants 1) by Amy Plum

Unknown January 27, 2012 4 Comments

Author: Amy Plum

Published: May 10th 2011 by

Publisher: HarperTeen (first published May 5th 2011)

ISBN 0062004018 (ISBN13: 9780062004017)

Original Title: Die for Me

Series: Revenants #1

Characters: Kate Beaumont Mercier, Vincent Pierre Henri Delacroix, Georgia Frances Mercier, Jules Marchenoir, Ambrose Bates ...

Literary Awards: Romance Times top pick for May (2011), Summer 2011 Indie Next List (2011)

Book Blurb:

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

My Thoughts:

Die For Me is the first book of Revenants Trilogy by Amy Plum. It's also the first book I've read that is written by Amy Plum and I must say that I loved it. It didn't disappoint me.

I loved the plot of the story and I also loved how Ms. Amy Plum made it different from other YA Paranormal. She stayed far away from the usual vampires, wolves, shape shifters, faes and the new rage angels. I appreciated the effort she must have put through for this book to be different from what we used to read. She used Zombies with a twist! Very clever!

The characters are very much likable. I loved Kate, she's filled with grief because suddenly she's an orphan. I loved how Amy Plum described the grief Kate feels because of her loss. It's very real and I could feel it myself as I read. Maybe because I've felt that kind of grief before, I still do and that made me love Kate all the more.

And then we have the very gorgeous zombie/revenant, Vincent. The very mysterious Vincent. I loved him too. I'd never thought I'll ever drool on a zombie but Amy Plum made sure I did.

The romance between Kate and Vincent is so captivating that I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between them is undeniable and can be felt while reading their interactions.

Some readers said something that caught my attention. They are comparing Kate and Bella of Twilight in a not so good way. I love Twilight and anybody who knows me knows how much of a Twihard I am and I feel that I have give out an opinion. Kate and Bella are being compared on how they reacted to Vincent and Edward. Bella threw all caution and loved Edward with everything she had despite of him being a vampire while Kate didn't do that, instead she tried everything to forget about Vincent because she didn't know how it would work out for them and she didn't want to risk feeling how it is to loose someone.

I just want to point out that Bella did not experience Kate's grief. She has never lost anyone important to her so she didn't really how it would feel if she lost someone she loves dearly but Kate does. She knows how hard it is to feel that big hole in her heart when she lost her parents and that made her scared to fall for Vincent.

I love both Kate and Bella and I respect them as characters inside a book that made me the reader that I am today and I just thought that the comparison is not at all necessary because they're different from each other.

Die For Me is a gripping tale that would always be remembered by a reader. The Romance, Action, Angst and the realistic way the feelings of the characters was written even though it was a paranormal romance makes this book a great read for me. Two thumbs up for Ms. Amy Plum for writing this amazing romance that would stay with me forever. I am so excited to read the next book!

About the Author:

Amy Plum is the author of the International Bestseller DIE FOR ME, which is an Indie Next List pick, Romance Times top pick, and recipient of a starred review from School Library Journal. DIE FOR ME is the first novel in a YA trilogy set in Paris.

Amy grew up in Birmingham, Alabama before venturing further afield to Chicago, Paris, London and New York. An art historian by training, she finally traded a tiny apartment in Brooklyn for a rambling farmhouse in a village of 1300 people in the French countryside. She lives there with her French husband, two young children and big red dog Ella, and spends her time writing in a tiny ancient stone house in her garden.

http://www.amyplumbooks.com

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Jan 23, 2012

Book Review: Between (Crossroads Saga 2) by Mary Ting

Unknown January 23, 2012 0 Comments

Crossroads Saga Book 2

Author: Mary Ting

Print ISBN: 9781937593780

E-Book ISBN: 9781937593797

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Release Date: 1/12/2012

Book Blurb:

As the alkins head back to Crossroads, Claudia
leads her normal life; but not for long. Having a
special soul, Claudia attracts danger, and she soon
finds out who Gamma asked to watch over her.

The Twelve, known as Divine Elders on Earth, are very much involved when they find out that Aliah, one of the God’s first angels, escaped from the Abyss when the gates were opened by Aden. Needing Claudia’s soul to escape the only place Aliah can reside–a place between Heaven and Earth–he sends his demons in search of all Claudia Emersons on Earth. Taking her soul will enable him to be released from Between and cross over to Crossroads, which would give him immense power.

As more secrets are revealed Claudia learns about the venators—nephilim, demon hunters.

Now two opposing forces must work together in order to save Claudia and humanity from the most dangerous angel ever created. But along the way, trust becomes a big issue.

Will love be enough to keep Claudia and Michael together?
Who will make the ultimate sacrifice?
Who will betray them all?

My Thoughts:

Between is the second installment of Crossroads Saga by Miss Mary Ting.

If you love the first book then you'll love the second one even more because everything has been upgraded! More Romance, More Action, More Angst!

I'm actually amazed at how Ms. Mary Ting wrote this book. The flow of the story is even better than the last one. It's even more exciting and a lot sexier. In here, we see how Claudia and Michael struggles because of their forbidden love. Knowing that they will be separated someday takes a toll on them and let's add up Austin, the sexy new Guardian Angel of Claudia who is crazy for her, and then there's Trinity, Michael's ex-girlfriend who wants him back and let's not forget the Fallens and Demons who wants Claudia's soul! Yup, this book is full craziness but the good kind of craziness that it won't let you stop reading it until you get to the last period and even then you'd want more!

Claudia and Michaels's love in much more deeper in here. As I said more sexier encounters and more profound love can be felt while reading their interactions. It just makes me root for them more. The second installment would not disappoint the Claudia/Michael believers out there.

This is one epic tale a real book lover wouldn't even dare to miss. It has everything in it, ROMANCE that would make you believe in the power of love, ACTION that could make your heart beat fast and ANGST that would make you want to pull your hair out and the biggest plus are the gorgeous beings with wings with whom you can't help but fall in love with.

Mary Ting, is one amazing author who has the ability to write with so much heart that every word could be felt which captivates her readers!

About the Author:

Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing Crossroads was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. It was inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CrossroadsBook

Blog: http://www.marytingbooks.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @maryting

Buying Links:

Jan 22, 2012

Author Guest Post: Between by Mary Ting Blog Tour

Unknown January 22, 2012 0 Comments

Hi my loves! I have another blog tour here! Yup! I know I'm on a roll today! I'm lucky to be a part of this wonderful tour! We have an Author Guest Post from Ms. Mary Ting today! This tour is for the second installment of Crossroads Saga called Between.

And now, let's see what Ms. Mary Ting have for us.

If Between will ever be made into a movie, who would you choose as lead characters?
This was really difficult…lol!!!

Claudia - Nina Debrov-I picture Claudia to have a sweet face. Natural beauty.

Michael - Ben Barnes-He has a charming smile and eyes that are inviting.

Davin - Channing Tatum-He seems friendly and fun to hang out with....okay…I’ll admit that he’s hot..lol!!!

Vivian - Megan Fox

Caleb - Chase Crawford

Austin - Ian Somerhalder-I picture Austin to be sexy looking with a devious smile.

Katherine - Catherine Zeta Jones

Holly - Dakota Fanning

Patrick - Logan Lerman

Trinity - Odette Annable

Patty - Amanda Seyfried

Kristina - Mila Kunis

Philip - Orlando Bloom

Agnes - Kate Beckinsale

Margaret - Angelina Jolie

Gamma - Susan Sarandon

Aliah - Huge Jackman

And now we have the cast! LOL! Thanks Ms. Mary Ting for letting me be a part of this tour!

Do you guys agree with Ms. Mary Ting? Hit the comment section and give me your own cast!

Crossroads Saga Book 2

Author: Mary Ting

Print ISBN: 9781937593780

E-Book ISBN: 9781937593797

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Release Date: 1/12/2012

Book Blurb:

As the alkins head back to Crossroads, Claudia leads her normal life; but not for long. Having a special soul, Claudia attracts danger, and she soon finds out who Gamma asked to watch over her. The Twelve, known as Divine Elders on Earth, are very much involved when they find out that Aliah, one of the God’s first angels, escaped from the Abyss when the gates were opened by Aden. Needing Claudia’s soul to escape the only place Aliah can reside–a place between Heaven and Earth–he sends his demons in search of all Claudia Emersons on Earth. Taking her soul will enable him to be released from Between and cross over to Crossroads, which would give him immense power. As more secrets are revealed Claudia learns about the venators—nephilim, demon hunters. Now two opposing forces must work together in order to save Claudia and humanity from the most dangerous angel ever created. But along the way, trust becomes a big issue. Will love be enough to keep Claudia and Michael together? Who will make the ultimate sacrifice? Who will betray them all?

BUYING LINK:

Author Interview: Elizabeth Reyes (Moreno Brothers Series)

Unknown January 22, 2012 0 Comments

Hey everyone! I'm here again with another blog tour! We have Ms. Elizabeth Reyes in my blog today. She's very gracious to accept this interview. And now let's get to know more about the author of 'The Moreno Brothers Series'

Can you tell us something about yourself that we don't know yet?

I was this close to becoming a court interpreter. I’d taken all the online classes studied and passed the first part of the test. (there are three parts) I then began to study for the second part at the same time I started doing rewrites of Forever Mine. (for fun) When I decided to publish I put my studying aside to concentrate on marketing my book and write the second one. Best decision I’ve made to date. =)

When did you realize you waned to write a book?

I decided I wanted to write a book when I was in high school and I started to. I decided I wanted to finish said book when I was able to quit my job and be a stay home mom, MANY years later.

What did you do to get your books published?

I just inquired with others in my critique site who had done it and followed their lead. Unlike many, I’ve never queried an agent or a publisher. At my age I just didn’t have the patience to wait.

What is the hardest part of being an author?

Self doubt. As much work as I put into something and finally feel it is ready there will always be that little question in the back of my head when I’m getting ready to publish. “Is it good enough? Is it really ready?”

Where do you get the inspiration to give life to your characters?

The story usually just comes to me. The type of personality that is going to handle the characters in the story comes from a mixture of a lot of things. People I know, characters on television, a movie books I’ve read. I like to mesh different personality traits to create a certain character and make them unique.

And now the fun part.

When the word hunk is uttered who is the first person that comes to mind?

My husband of course Ha! Okay now that he’s not listening Channing Tatum is one of my favorites. He so represents the mixture of intensity I often try to get across on papyer with their hunkiness. Yes I realize I just made up a word. I’m looking to coin the phrase Intense hunkiness. Lol

What is your all time favorite movie?

I have many but I’d have to say Grease. I can watch that over and over and over. Danny Zucko is the ultimate high school alpha. *sigh* I didn’t do it on purpose but when I look at the cover of Forever Mine now it often reminds me of Grease. =)

Who is a HOT celebrity you would want to marry?

Hypothetically, right? Being that I’m already married to the most wonderful man in the world… blah blah blah. Did I mention Channing? lol

If you are going to Heaven who is the one person you’d take with you?

This one seriously my husband. <3

If you are going to Hell who is the one person you’d take with you?

Once again, My hubby, oh yeah he’s coming with me!

And the final question

What is next for Ms. Elizabeth Reyes?

I’m currently working on my next series 5th Street. About a group of young aspiring boxers out of Los Angeles who one by one will meet their match outside the ring. But this year will also see spin offs from The Moreno Brother series as well as a few stand alones.

Thank you Ms. Elizabeth Reyes for doing this interview. It was really fun! And I gotta say that I loved your books!

If you wanna see my review on the first book just click this link:
Forever Mine (The Moreno Brothers 1) Book Review

Buying Links:

Follow this Blog Tour:

January 2nd
Simply Ali
(Will Promo the Series)

January 2nd
Fangtastic Books
(Promo)

January 3d
A Book Lovers Review
(Will be interviewing Alex, Eric and Romero about Sal. Fun!)

January 4th
Just Judy's Jumble's
(BIG feature interviews entire "cast" of series on her virtual talk show).

January 9th
Roxanne's Realm
(Promo)

January 10th
JeansBookReadNReview
(Interview, Promo, entire series review)

January 13th
Tamara Rose Blodgett's blog
(Author interview )

January 14th
Kay Dee Royal
(Author interview)

January 19th
Sarah Ballance
(Author Interview)

January 21st
Cocktails and Books
(Promo)

January 22nd
Journey With Books
(Author interview & Series review)

January 22nd
Mila Ramo's Blob
(Promo)

January 24th
For The Love of Reading
(Author interview, review of ABM)

January 26th
A Tale of Many Rivers
(Character interview, up close and personal with Sofie)

January 29th
Book Briefs
(Review of series)

January 30th
Reader Girls
(Promo)

January 31st
The Ultimate Fan Blog
(Interview Promo)

Jan 15, 2012

Book Review: Forever Mine (The Moreno Brothers Book 1) by Elizabeth Reyes

Unknown January 15, 2012 0 Comments

Author: Elizabeth Reyes

Edition Language: English

Original Title: Forever Mine

Series: The Moreno Brothers #1

Published: September 6th 2010

ASIN: B00427ZI2C

Book Blurb:

Seventeen-year old Sarah’s life is turned upside down when her single mom is sent to jail. She’s forced to move, leaving behind everything she’s ever known, including her best friend Sydney. Lost and bitter in a new school, her one goal is to save money and move back home. Then she meets Angel Moreno.

Enigmatic but gorgeous, Angel is almost too good to be true. Except for one thing, his archaic belief that guys and girls can never be “just friends”. The problem? Sarah’s best friend Sydney is not a girl.

With their unexpected romance intensifying to places neither ever experienced, how long can Sarah keep Angel in the dark about the guy waiting for her back home?

My Thoughts:

Forever Mine is the first installment of The Moreno Brothers Series by Elizabeth Reyes.

This is a very nice story that deals with the fierce emotion of a first love. Elizabeth Reyes wrote a well paced romance about two teenagers who fell in love for the first time. And as first love goes, it's explosive and intense because it's the first time you feel it, you tend to do things clumsily and Ms. Elizabeth Reyes caught that emotion and wrote it well for the readers.

Angel and Sarah have an amazing chemistry together and you'd feel it as you read it. They were nice and very effective as a couple although they frustrated me. The plot was also nicely done, it was really simple when you think about it. Sarah left Angel in the dark about Sydney being a boy, though some readers questions why Sarah couldn't just tell Angel the truth but I think it's due to Angel's intense possessiveness and her youth. She didn't know how to deal with her dilemma and when she did it's too late.

I actually enjoyed reading this book because besides the main characters there are other characters inside this book that made things more interesting. Intense characters like Angel just gets to me. Although, there are some typos that bothered me, the angst and the chemistry of Angel and Sarah made up for it.

This is one series I'm sure I'll be following.

Buying Links:

Jan 14, 2012

Book Review: Take This Regret by Amy Lichtenhan

Unknown January 14, 2012 0 Comments

Author: Amy Lichtenhan
Category: Romance
Publication date: Jul 28, 2011
Pages: 250
ISBN (paper): 978-1-61213-050-7
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-61213-051-4

Book Blurb:

There are some mistakes we make that we will regret for the rest of our lives. For Christian, it was the day he betrayed Elizabeth.

Christian Davison has a plan for his life. He is determined to become an attorney and to one day take his place as partner in his father’s law firm. Nothing will stand in his way, not even Elizabeth Ayers and their unborn child.

After Christian cuts her from his life, Elizabeth spends the next five years struggling to provide for her daughter and willing to sacrifice anything to give her child a safe, comfortable life.

For five years, Christian has regretted the day he walked away from his family and will do anything to win them back just as Elizabeth will do anything to protect her daughter from the certain heartache she believes Christian will bring upon them.

When Christian wrestles his way into their lives, Elizabeth is faced with asking herself if it is possible to forgive someone when they’ve committed the unforgivable and if it is possible to find a love after it has been buried in years of hate. Or are there some wounds that go so deep they can never heal?

They say everyone deserves a second chance.

My Thoughts:

Take This Regret is another emotional and more realistic book from a very gifted author Amy Lichtenhan.

This is a book about real life, about mistakes and second chances.

Christian and Elizabeth, a young college, crazily in love with each other couple, had their plans in life iron out and everything seems to be going their way perfectly, but what happens when life decided to give them an unplanned gift? Elizabeth accepts it while Christian, the love of her life sacrificed her and the child for his dream of becoming an attorney.

After five years of regretting the choices he made, Christian's life feels empty even with all the success he has achieved. And now he was given the second chance he craves, he found Elizabeth and his child, the only question is if Elizabeth can still open up her heart to the man who shattered it?

I loved reading this book! I swear! The story is great and more realistic. It's full of angst and intense emotions. I appreciate how the author wrote this book in different POVs because through it, as I read, I could understand and clearly feel the turmoil of emotions that the two main protagonists went through.

The characters are not perfect at all and to tell you the truth most of the time I wanted to get inside the book and just hit their heads together because their actions just plain frustrates me but I guess that's also one of the reasons why I loved reading this book. Christian and Elizabeth seemed more real to me and their actions are real reactions of SOME people (not saying ALL because some people would and some people wouldn't) given the circumstances they were in. They were not the self sacrificial kind of people. Christian is probably the best example of a biggest jerk in this planet when he made Elizabeth choose between him and keeping the baby. I agree with the others, that is just plain mean and irresponsible but let's all be honest that this happens in real life. There are so many 'Christian' out there who probably regrets that they were ever this mean to the mother of their child, that they let their shallow dreams of success, their fears or whatever it is, hinder them from being a husband and a father, that they abandoned what most likely would have been the most precious gift they could ever received, and this what I loved most in this book, Ms. Amy Lichtenhan gave us a peek inside their heads through writing Christian. We get to see how Christian regrets his choices and how sad and hurt he was living with the consequences of the choices he made. We get to see a man who regrets his actions deeply, a man who longs for a second chance.

And then there was Elizabeth, the mother of the child who stood by her decision to let her baby live even without a father, even if it means throwing away her dreams and living without the man she loves. Some people who has read the book hates Elizabeth but I think most of them forgets that Elizabeth was hurt first. I'm not saying her actions are logical and fair because I assure you most of her actions pertaining to Christian coming back in their lives are selfish but I don't think I can really blame her because she was hurt and destroyed by the what Christian did and she doesn't trust this man not to hurt her again even if she still loves him.

This book is more realistic because the characters are not perfect, they made selfish decisions just like real people makes selfish decisions at one point in their lives. At times we became the biggest and meanest jerks because we were scared and unsure so we lash out without thinking just like what Elizabeth and Christian did in this book. We make mistakes and choose the wrong choices just like they did and Ms. Amy Lichtenhan wrote it perfectly. She wrote it as she sees it in human nature. She made this two main protagonist as real as the person sitting next to you is and I just loved it.

This is not your typical romance. This is a bumpy romance with a lot of ups and downs that makes you want to pull your hair out but it will surely make you believe in second chances and how love can withstand the mistakes of the past.

About the Author:

Amy Lichtenhan first discovered her love of writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends, and with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel, Pulled.

Amy resides in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children, and feels blessed to have the freedom of working from home. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.

Buying Links:

http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com

Jan 11, 2012

Promo Stop: Demons of Infernum Series by Rosalie Lario

Unknown January 11, 2012 0 Comments

BLOOD OF THE DEMON

(Demon of Infernum Series Book 1)

Keegan lives to exact revenge on the evil demon who sired and abused him. When his father devises a plan to bring upon the apocalypse, he and his three half-brothers, inter-dimensional bounty-hunters for the Elden Council, are charged with capturing and delivering their father for punishment.

Art gallery owner Brynn Meyers has no idea that her abilities to read memories embedded in objects and drain people of their life force means she has demon ancestry. Unfortunately for Brynn, she’s also the key to raising an ancient zombie army, which puts her on every demon’s Most Wanted List.

And no one wants her more than Mammon.

Keegan must protect Brynn from his father by any means necessary, but he’ll have to learn to harness the other half of his genetics—the far deadlier, uncontrollable side—when he starts to fall for the one woman standing between him and the vengeance he so desperately seeks. The one woman he’ll never be able to resist.

MARK OF THE SYLPH

(Demon of Infernum Series Book 2)

Half-demon Taeg is desperate to free his pregnant sister-in-law, who is spellbound to an indestructible book that will create an army of the undead. He is convinced that an ancient sword can destroy the book and the spell forever, but this relic has been hidden for a millennia by a powerful glamour. The clock begins to run out on his search when an old rival goes after the book and Taeg’s family in his quest for revenge.

Librarian Maya Flores has a secret: she’s immune to magic and is well aware of the supernatural beings prowling the streets of New York City. Haunted by a brutal demon attack that took her family, she is on a one-woman mission to destroy the evil demons who did it—and any others who get in her way.

Maya is Taeg’s best hope for uncovering the sword. Unfortunately, she wants nothing more than to kill him. As he fights for her trust and to save his family, she is forced to face the truth that not all demons are evil. And the worst part? She might be falling in love with one, too.

TOUCH OF THE ANGEL

(Demon of Infernum Book 3)

After months of no work, interdimensional bounty hunter Ronin Meyers jumps at the chance to locate an incubus who’s using succubi as murder weapons. Faced with deportation to hellish Infernum if he fails, Ronin will stop at nothing to take out the incubus and anyone else involved.

Even the beautiful succubus who stole his heart—and nearly his life—during the most mind-blowing hour of his existence.

Night after night, Amara and her fellow succubi are forced to extract special abilities from the strongest Otherworlders for their psychotic master’s growing collection. When the gorgeous angel-demon hybrid she believed to be dead captures her, Amara is both stunned and elated.

But the happily ever after Amara’s dreamed about will have to wait. Before she and Ronin can find salvation, they must bring down the madman hellbent on destroying everything—and everyone—they love. And Ronin and Amara are at the top of his list…

Heart of the Incubus

(Demons of Infernum Series Book 3.5 Novella)

Biochemist Cresso Taylor lives the sort of lifestyle most men would envy—he has wealth, natural incubus charm, and more women than he can handle. But it’s not enough anymore. Not after meeting Genevieve Russell, the sexy scientist who works with him at Elcorp Laboratory. And she wants absolutely nothing to do with him.

After her fiancé broke her heart, Genevieve has had enough of womanizers. She’s determined to steer clear of sexy-as-sin Dr. Taylor, despite the fact that his incubus allure makes her want to rip his clothes off. But when a secret admirer’s affection turns to the macabre with threatening notes and grisly gifts, Cresso appoints himself her protector. As she and Cresso hunt her stalker, she discovers there’s a lot more to the sensual incubus than she ever imagined.

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