Journey with Books

Jul 10, 2012

Book Feature: Pledged (Soul Wars Saga Book 1) by Gwynneth White

Unknown July 10, 2012 0 Comments

Hi guys! Today, I'm featuring a very nice and intriguing book. We're going to see what Pledged by

Ms. Gwynneth White is all about. But based on the beautiful but intriguing cover, we're all gonna like it!

Title: Pledged (Soul Wars Saga Book 1)
Author: Gwynneth White
Print Length: 290 pages
Publisher: Swallow Press
Date Published: June 3, 2012

Book Blurb:

Everyone has a soul mate. But what do you do when your soul mate would rather give his soul to the demons than be with you?

Seventeen-year-old Erin has a problem. Seth has been hers forever, but now an ancient curse is tearing him away. And the demons who invoked it will stop at nothing – even murder – to claim him as their own.

How can she win against a curse so binding that it has damned countless others to this same fate – an eternity alone?

The answer lies in the past. To find it, Erin and Seth must risk all, travelling back in time to a dangerous world where love is forbidden, and life – and death – hang on a pledge.

Follow Erin and Seth as they travel to ancient Shenaya and confront the curse that has plagued their families for millennia. Caught in a war between the Angelic Guardians and the Gefallen, the disembodied dead, they must fight to keep their souls in tact and their love untainted.

Where to Buy:

About the Author:

I have spent my entire life living in a parallel universe of make-believe characters, only coming back to reality for long enough to check that no one burnt the house down in my absence. A few years ago I decided to commit some of those 'friends' and their stories to paper. The "Soul Wars Saga" trilogy - "Pledged", "Sacrificed" and "Saved" - is the result of those efforts. Before that I co-authored two non-fiction travel books - "The Complete Guide to 4x4 Trails" and "The Ultimate 4x4 Guide". Both books became instant best-sellers in South Africa where I live. And before that even, I studied a degree in African History and Politics at the University of Stellenbosch. When I'm not writing, I am a wife to Andrew and a mom to Stephanie, Erin, and Kate, our teenage daughters. My family and I live in small town outside Cape Town with two dogs, a cat, a horse, and some neglected fish.

Now that you know a little about me, I would love to get to know you. Please befriend me at:

Twitter: @GwynnethWhite

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gwynneth-White/172095512890074

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7360328-gwynneth-white

Blog: http://todayinshenaya.blogspot.com

Swallow Press Author's Page: http://swallowpress.com

Email: gwynnethwhite@4xforum.com

So, what do you guys think about Pledged? Interesting right?! always be on a look out on Journey with Books for more Pledged updates and giveaways! We're going to have lots of fun for this book in the next few days!

Jul 9, 2012

Blog Tour: ARC Book Review: Lonely Souls (Witch Avenue Series Book 1) by Karice Bolton Plus a Paperback, $50, $15, $10 Amazon GCs and Arrowhead Necklace Giveaway!

Unknown July 09, 2012 13 Comments

Hi my lovely followers! I'm back with another blog tour! Today, I'm reviewing Lonely Souls, the first book of The Witch Avenue Series by Ms. Karice Bolton. Plus there's an awesome giveaway from the ever generous author of this book. This blog tour was organized by AToMR Blog Tour.

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Bulldog Press (June 25, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1477659188
ISBN-13: 978-1477659182

Book Blurb:
It’s two weeks before Triss turns 18, and her world is about to change into the most magical one imaginable as she readies herself to enter The Witch Avenue Order... that is until her mother’s disappearance. Instead of celebrating her transformation, she finds herself spreading rose petals into her mother’s empty grave.

When Logan, her best friend from junior high, moves back to town for college, he vows to help her find the answers she so desperately seeks surrounding her mother’s disappearance. As they begin uncovering clues, it becomes apparent that the life of white magic they both grew up loving is not what the majority practices, and their lives are in danger.

With a haunting feeling that her mother may still be alive, she begins to hear a call to the wilderness. Triss realizes that in order to find the answers she needs, she must learn the ways of her ancestors and become the hunter, not the hunted before it’s too late, and she becomes part of the lonely souls.

My Thoughts:

As I said on my intro up there, Lonely Souls is the first book of Witch Avenue Series by Ms. Karice Bolton. This isn't the first book I've read from Ms. Karice Bolton but I must say that I enjoyed this book more than I did the last one. I believe that she has improved as a writer and it's really fascinating to see.

For this book review I decided to make a bullet list of what I liked and what I didn't.

What I Liked:

What attracted me to read this book on the first place is its amazing book cover. You must admit that it practically screams "Read Me". I do appreciate good book covers and this one definitely made the list. I also appreciate and loved the fact that the beautiful dress that the girl wears on the cover is significant to the real story.
The characters are really nicely played out in this book. Triss is somewhat frustrating at first but you kind of sympathize with what she's going through. You could feel her grief, disbelief and confusion. And Logan is my favorite character in this book. He's steady. He understands Triss and he prioritizes her feelings and safety before anything else. He's willing to wait for her to return his feelings.
The romance is also nice. The chemistry is there. Although, at first, it's hard to feel but on the latter part of the book the romance was full blown and it's really nice.
The plot of the book is also good. The mystery can be felt. There are also moments when you would definitely be spooked!

What I didn't Like:

Sadly the pacing of the story is somewhat off. At times, the story can't maintain it's momentum. The highest and then the lowest. I can't keep up with it. When the story begins picking up and the excitement is already there, it suddenly slows down and it loses its momentum.
Some scenes are rather insignificant. There were a few little scenes that were a bit long and it drags. I felt that the book could have been better without those scenes.

Overall, despite those little glitches, I still enjoyed reading Lonely Souls (The Witch Avenue Series Book 1). It still belongs to my good reads list! Karice Bolton wrote a very nice paranormal romance book with good looking witches with their powerful and dangerous wands. If you want a good paranormal romance that can make you feel the mystery, romance and can spook the hell out of you while reading it, then I recommend that you try this book because this is definitely for you.

Where to Buy:

Author Bio:

Karice Bolton is a paranormal romance/urban fantasy author living in the Pacific Northwest. All three books in The Watchers Trilogy are available now, Awakening, Legions, and Cataclysm. Lonely Souls, which is the first book in her new series Witch Avenue, released June 2012.

Karice married the love of her life who she met in high school, and she still can't get over how cute and funny he is. They have two English Bulldogs that are the cutest bullies in the world, and they use their cuteness to get what they want. Karice loves the snow and gravitates towards the stuff as often as possible! She enjoys skiing and tries really hard to snowboard, but often makes a nice little area to sit while everyone zips by on their board. She enjoys writing, and she also loves to read just about anything with print.

Author Links:

http://www.karicebolton.com/

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Giveaway:

This giveaway is open internationally! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join!

1st prize
*paperback copy of Lonely Souls
* $15Amazon Card

2nd prize
*paperback copy of Lonely Souls
* $10 Amazon Card

Grand Prize

* Arrowhead Necklace
* $50 Amazon card
* paperback of Lonely Souls

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jul 6, 2012

Book Feature: The Parrot's Perch by Karen Keilt

Unknown July 06, 2012 0 Comments

Hi my loves! I am featuring a very different book today. It's based on a true story! So anyone who loves to read real life stories, should check this intense book written by Ms.Karen Keilt entitled "The Parot's Perch". You guys can check out the other book lovers' reviews on the page below.

Paperback: 376 pages

Publisher: Xlibris, Corp.

Date Published: June 28, 2011

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1462888518

ISBN-13: 978-1462888511

Official Book Blurb:

Brazil......Electric. Exciting. Hot. Brazil is famous for its world class beaches, beautiful women, Samba and soccer, but even its gently swaying palms and sultry nouveau beat can't cover up the sound of screaming.

Soon to be a major motion picture The Parrot’s Perch scores high as it weaves together a chilling tale based on actual events in a triple play of greed, deception and betrayal conjuring up images of unsurpassed beauty and unimaginable horror.

Bright iridescent feathers, resplendent tropical hues, fast cars, and the ultra privileged life in the equestrian circuit are the lives of Catlin Lauria and her big brother, Freddy. But evil has found them, and it won’t back off until someone makes a final pay-off.

A sexy-successful-girl-next-door, an uber-cute-party-boy, drugs, Carnival and the good life; dirty cops, corruption and torture, this story has it all, and you won’t be able to put it down for a second, wondering "Can this world be real?" It is. Fasten your seat belts as you take this journey of revenge, retaliation, and redemption; it’s gonna change your life.

Based on a true story, this international thriller about torture and corruption at the highest levels of law enforcement takes place in the seemingly tranquil upper-class world of two American families living in sexy, lush, Samba-soothed Brazil. Rogue American DEA agents "Red" Tucker and his partner Jack Kelly find a wealthy mark at Harvard and arrest him, then follow the arrogant student-turned-drug dealer home to Brazil.

In Rio de Janeiro well-to-do brother and sister, Freddy and Catlin Lauria are headed down diverging paths. Freddy is a ne'er do well ivy leaguer caught up in the treacherous, violent world of drugs and addiction, and seething in anger over a perceived slight from his father. Catlyn is on the road to Olympic fame and a happily ever-after life with her high-society fiancee in the sparkling bright world of world-class show jumping.

Disaster strikes when their worlds collide and Catlin is put to the test of ultimate survival. Can Cat endure the ultimate test of sibling rivalry and torture and still come out golden?

From Harvard to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, the action is hard and fast, kinda like Gossip Girls meets White Palace with a feel of The Departed. As two families struggle to save the Olympic equestrienne and her husband from a fate worse than death, the Parrot's Perch becomes a reality no one wants to believe.

Author Bio:

Born and educated in Sao Paulo, Brasil, Karen Keilt moved to the US at the age of 27.

Karen has enjoyed an eclectic career including Riding Master and General Manager of a men's pro hockey franchise though she always gravitated back to her love of writing; first as a newspaper columnist in South Carolina, and later writing four screenplays including: "The Parrot's Perch", "Bethebotu", a children's fantasy about pink dolphins and mermaids, "The Gnashing of Teeth", an adaptation of the coming-of-age novel by James Raymond about the Korean War and "Maracanazo", a wonderful story about two young men from different worlds both dreaming of winning the World Cup. Karen enjoys traveling, hiking, Anusara Yoga, amateur photography, and horseback riding and lives in Carefree, AZ with her husband and their dog Curly Canyon Dog.

On April 30, 2010, the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled to uphold a 1979 law stating that crimes committed by members of the military regime were political acts and therefore covered by amnesty. That law remains in place today. The Court's ruling makes it clear that the Amnesty Law violates Brazil's international obligations and that it represents an obstacle in the search for truth.

Amnesty International has condemned the Brazilian Supreme Court's blocking of this recent reinterpretation of the 1979 Amnesty Law that protects members of the former military government from being put on trial for extrajudicial killings, torture and rape.

"The ruling places a judicial stamp of approval on the pardons extended to those in the military government who committed crimes against humanity," said Tim Cahill, Amnesty International's Brazil researcher.

In April 2010, Mr. Cahill went on to say, "In a country that sees thousands of extra-judicial killings every year at the hands of security officials and where many more are tortured in police stations and prisons, this ruling clearly signals that in Brazil nobody is held responsible when the state kills and tortures its own citizens," said Tim Cahill.

In 2014 Brazil will host The World Cup, followed soon after by the 2016 Summer Olympics. It is the author's sincere hope that the newly elected President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff will use all the powers of her office to put an end to torture and corruption once and for all.

Where to Buy:

Barnes and Noble

Check out what other readers/book lovers think of this book:

Other Reviews

Jul 5, 2012

Blog Tour: Book Excerpt and Giveaway: Blind Lust by Annie Seaton

Unknown July 05, 2012 2 Comments

Welcome to Journey with Books Blog! I know I've been MIA for the past few days but I'm back! And I'm here with another lovely blog tour plus, your most favorite.. a giveaway!

Today, I'm featuring Blind Lust by Ms. Annie Seaton. We're all going to find out what Blind Lust is all about and interesting it is. And look down below for the giveaway!

Title: Blind Lust

Author: Annie Seaton

Publisher: Musa Publishing

Length: 21,000 words

Genres: Paranormal Romance

Available at:

Amazon

Musa Publishing

Barnes and Noble

Book Blurb:

A wager between the gods can change your life. Even if you are a witch…

When Venus has a wager with Cupid, that prudish librarian, Lizzy Sweet cannot be enticed to love, she neglects to tell her son that Lizzy is a three hundred year old witch. The first man Lizzy sees after Cupid shoots his arrow is Josh Deegan, a famous country and western singer who has come to town to rediscover his muse, in an old farmhouse haunted by a culinary ghost. Local warlock, Wesley Gordon, who has been hitting on Lizzy to no avail for over one hundred years, is not impressed. The quirky old folk of Silver Valley watch fondly as the battle between love and lust plays out. Leaden and golden arrows zing around, spells are magicked, potions stirred, and ghosts hunted. Who will fall in love and who will let the other go forever?

Book Excerpt:

Slowly, silently the full moon walked the night sky as Lizzy sat cross-legged in a circle of red candles on the damp grass in her back garden. Tall trumpet lilies bowed their heads elegantly to the moonlight, silver licorice plants formed long draping sweeps illuminated by the soft light. The vanilla scent of white heliotrope mingled with the sweet smoke drifting across her hands, as they rested lightly in her lap. Voices whispered in the silver birch trees and she chanted softly under her breath, repeating the incantation twenty one times.

“Unwanted love leave me be, cease your ardor, my warm regards have no path.”

At the end of each seventh incantation, Lizzy lit another candle and closed her eyes to begin the next round. When she finished and the candles died, she stood, stretching, her body and soul renewed, clear of any carnal desires. She frowned. It had been a most peculiar day. Her body yearned for Josh, and now for the first time in thirty years, Wesley’s naked chest stayed in her mind.

About the Author:

Annie Seaton lives on the beautiful east coast of Australia, where she loves sitting in her writing chair, gazing at the ocean and writing stories. She has always been fascinated by all things historical and has found her niche writing contemporary romance and steampunk, where strong heroines and brooding heroes fight together to make their alternative world a better place.

Her debut novel, Holiday Affair, a contemporary romance set in the South Pacific was released as part of Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence line in March. The sequel Italian Affair is currently underway Watch out for the story of Tom and Brianna the sex therapist who spices up his life!

Winter of the Passion Flower was released through Lyrical Press at the same time. Currently immersed in the creation of Book Two, a full length novel, the adventures of Sofia and her Scottish laird, Annie is already looking forward to the rest of the series, particularly the adventures of Indigo’s four boys: Jago and Jory, Ruan and Kit. Strong sassy heroines and rebellious heroes have a rollicking good time as they work to make the world a better place--albeit their own steampunk world.

Blind Lust, a paranormal novella will be released by Musa Publishing on 15th June.

Annie lives with her husband, and ‘Bob’ the dog and two white cats, in a house next to the beach in a small coastal town of New South Wales. Their two children are grown and married and she loves spending time gardening, walking on the beach and spoiling her two grandchildren.

Website: http://annieseatonromance.com

Blog: http://annieseaton.blogspot.com

Twitter: @annieseaton26

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/annieseaton26

Giveaway:
Just type either the blog name or blog url on the Rafflecopter Giveaway to enter this giveaway.

Blog Name: Journey with Books
Blog url: http://journeywithbooks.blogspot.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jul 4, 2012

A Reading Daydreamer: 270 FOLLOWERS INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY!!!

Unknown July 04, 2012 0 Comments

Hi my loves! I hope all of you are doing great! I have some news for you. A Reading Daydreamer is celebrating its 270 followers! To thank all of them, they're giving away a YA book of your choice! The best part is it's open internationally! Everyone is welcome to join! So head on and click the link or the giveaway button below!

A Reading Daydreamer: 270 FOLLOWERS INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY!!!

Jul 3, 2012

Book Review and Giveaway: Taste by Kate Evangelista

Unknown July 03, 2012 1 Comments

Title: Taste
Author: Kate Evangelista
Paperback: 276 pages
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press (April 30, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1937254550
ISBN-13: 978-1937254551

Book Blurb:

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable.

He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans. When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy.

Phoenix doesn't realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.

My Thoughts:

Taste is the first book I've ever read from Ms. Kate Evangelista. I must say that this book is full of surprises and it offered a very unique twist in our usual Paranormal beings.

Let's start off with the very different and prestigious academy! Barinkoff Academy has a strict policy when it comes to curfew. Anyone who breaks it gets expelled! It's a rule no one had ever broken... except for Phoenix McKay. Unfortunately, Phoenix doze off while reading a book in her usual spot in the library thus making her break the rule. And that's when her great adventure started.

She found out about the Night Students... nobody knows about them and she was surprised to see them because, one look and you'll know they're different because they're unnaturally gorgeous. Phoenix had gotten away from being found out and expelled that night with the help of the ever gorgeous Demitri, one of the night students but Phoenix is curious and she's determined to find out the mystery behind the Night students, the only question is, what would happen if she finds the truth she was craving for.

I really did enjoy reading this book. It was different. I really thought at first, that it would be a rip off of an anime/manga that I used to watch but I was wrong! Taste had its own uniqueness from all the other YA paranormal romance books I've ever read. The plot is somewhat new and I must say that it was executed well. Once you've picked this book up, you won't put it down.

The characters are pretty exciting too. I love them all. At first, I didn't understand Phoenix McKay at all. I mean, she already got away the first time she accidentally broke the curfew rule and she still broke the rule the second time because of what.. curiosity?! She was really annoying and frustrating at first but the she grew on me. As I read more pages, the more I understand Phoenix and the more she became endeared to me.

Luka and Demitri. These lovable guys! I can't say anything more because I simply love them and I wish they're real!

The romance between Phoenix and Demitri is so endearing. It's intense, sexy, full of angst but the fun is always there.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book! If you want a nice and refreshing getaway from the usual paranormal romance of vampires, wolves, witches and fairies, you definitely have to get this book!

Buy the Book:

About the Author:

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing.

http://kateevangelistarandr.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/#!/KateEvangelista

Giveaway:
Just fill out the rafflecopter for the giveaway or to Ms. Kate Evangelista's blog post here:
Taste Paperback Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jun 30, 2012

Pages From My Thoughts: Exclusive Interview with Jennifer Bosworth (Struck) Plus Giveaway!

Unknown June 30, 2012 0 Comments

Hi my lovely readers! Soumi from Pages From My Thoughts Blog got an EXCLUSIVE interview from Ms. Jennifer Bosworth, the author of highly acclaimed YA fiction entitled STRUCK!

To know more about the exclusive interview and the BIG Giveaway just click the link:

http://www.thoughtsandroses.blogspot.in/2012/06/exclusive-interview-with-jennifer.html

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1 edition (May 8, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0374372837
ISBN-13: 978-0374372835

BOOK BLURB:
Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.

Buy Here: