Monday, December 31, 2012

Review & Tour Wide Giveaway: Release by M.R. Merrick



I am so excited to be a part of this tour! I am in love with this series!!!

Release (The Protector, #3)

Title: Release
Author: M.R. Merrick
Series: The Protector
Print Length: 372 pages
ISBN: 0987726277
ASIN: B00ALIQ30M
Source: Author
GoodreadsAmazon

After uniting the shifters and calling in reinforcements, Chase has to face his toughest challenge yet: learning to control his emotions. But as tensions rise and his powers grow, controlling his emotions becomes the least of his problems.

Terrorized by a multi-shifter who is hell-bent on turning him, Chase questions just how far he’s willing to go to stop his father. Meanwhile, Tiki’s virtuous nature has placed him in the middle of Vincent’s past, leaving Chase to oppose a senate of vampires and defend a demon he hates.

Trying to balance his friends, his enemies, and his inner demons, Chase is left searching for answers about the Mark, his destiny, and where he can find the next soul piece. Stopping Riley is his top priority, but as more obstacles arise, he finds himself doubting all the decisions he’s made - especially regarding Rayna.

One thing is for certain: Chase has finally realized that he doesn’t know anything. The light doesn’t always quell the darkness, the monsters don’t always stay in the shadows, and the past doesn’t always stay in the past - sometimes, the demons inside are the hardest to fight.

Review

OK, if you have not read the first two books in this series, Exiled and Shift, stop right now! I will try to make this spoiler free but in case I don’t go get them and read them, then come back. Don’t worry, I will see you in like a day because you wont be able to put them down and the pace is incredible. Release starts out with a bang continuing where Shift left off. Chase and his friends are on a mission to stop Riley (Chase’s father) from gaining any more power. As stated in the description the normal gang of characters is not alone in their quest against Riley. Riley has hurt and killed so many now that the shifters, witches and hunters are joining together… for this fight at least.

The Story

You know how there are those series that come along and you end up getting so involved that until you can get your hand on the next book you have to go back and reread just to visit with that world for a while. I already know this is one of those series for me. Release is so good because it is the perfect combination of fast paced action, characters I am so in love with, world building that is so strong I was in it word for word, and problems I was desperate to help Chase solve.

The Characters

Oh, where do I begin? I love Chase! He is so young but has never really been allowed to be his age. As the protector he has so much on his shoulders, and is still trying to get his emotions in check. All the while Chase is continuing to try to learn more about himself and what his real role in all this mess is. Rayna is such a tough cookie, but more gets to her than she lets on. I love how strong Rayna is and that she will do anything to protect those she cares about. The chemistry between Chase and Rayna is…. There are no words, I want them to have an HEA so bad!

I feel like I learned so much about the supporting characters in this installment. Tiki, Willy, and Vincent really took center stage for a good portion of Release. I have never really cared for Vincent all that much, but I do feel like I understand him a lot better now. After learning some of Vincent’s story, its hard to dislike him as much as I did. Tiki is amazingly loyal, and such a steadfast character. If I where ever in trouble he would be the type of person..err demon (whichever) I would want in my corner. Willy. I have loved Willy from book 1. He is a true best friend to Chase and has come so far from the shy punching bag he once was. I have loved watching his character change and grow from one book to the next.   

The Ugly Snot Cry

Yep, Release made me do the ugly snot cry. I don’t want to give anything away so I can’t even tell you why I was doing the ugly cry. When I read the final page of release I was cursing Mr. Merrick for what he had put me through. Oh, that ending… Wow! I guess that is what makes this series so great I am so involved in these characters, they have been written so real.

I need the next book!

Happy Reading,
Signature

Loved it! I want to know about everything this author writes.

Recommended For
Teen and up: For violence.

About the Author

M.R. Merrick

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer, and author of Exiled, the first installment in The Protector Series. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer, between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.



The Giveaway

01 - Grande Prize - Release Blog Tour
Grande Prize Pack (3 Winners)
3x Signed paperbacks (Exiled, Shift, Release)
3x Signed 8x10 posters (Exiled, Shift, Release)
5x Bookmarks
1x Notebook (Winner’s choice of cover)
1x Magnet
Runner-up Prize Pack (5 Winners)
1x Signed paperback (Winner’s choice of Exiled, Shift, or Release) with signed poster
1x bookmark (Winner’s choice)
1x Magnet
Secondary Prizes A (10 Winners)
Release eBooks
Secondary Prize B (10 Winners)
1x bookmark (winner’s choice)
1x The Protector magnet
Winners will be chosen as follows: First 3 names drawn from Rafflecopter will get the grand prize. The following 5 names get the runner-up prize. The following 10 names win ebook copies of Release, and the final 10 nameswin the swag pack.

There will also be multiple opportunities to win signed paperbacks, signed posters, notebooks, swag packs, and bookmarks throughout the tour on both Twitter (@MRMerrick) and my Facebook Fan Page . a Rafflecopter giveaway


Saturday, December 29, 2012

Review: Dollhouse by Anya Allyn

Dollhouse (Dollhouse, #1)
Title: Dollhouse
Author: Anya Allyn
File Size: 412 KB
Print Length: 295 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1475034725
Language: English
ASIN: B007PLAVH4
Source: Own
[Amazon]

Fifteen year old Aisha disappears in the forests on a school hiking trip. She's the latest in a string of children to vanish there over the past five years. The towns surrounding the forests are on edge and they demand answers. And wildboy Ethan—Aisha's boyfriend—is on the run after he and his grandfather are blamed for Aisha's disappearance.

Cassie is just about the only friend Ethan has left. She's been secretly in love with him ever since her mother dragged her to the wilds of Australia from Florida six months ago.

Desperate to prove Ethan's innocence, Cassie searches the forests with Ethan to find out what really happened to Aisha. But Ethan's growing strangely silent, and Cassie's left questioning if her feelings for him are clouding her judgment.

Cassie discovers a dark secret lurking in the heart of the forests; a secret world of nightmarish horrors—where nothing is as it seems, where the supernatural invades your soul, where the people she trusted most might be the people she can trust the least, and where escape exists only in dreams. [Goodreads]

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

This book has been…difficult to review.  I liked it, but it frustrated me too.

The cover is so pretty.  I’m not usually one to gush over a cover, but look at that jpeg up there!

The prose was disjointed at times.  It felt jumpy, like the thoughts were incomplete.  Kinda like you’re inside Cassie’s head, participating in the moment with her.  Which isn’t a bad thing, I just didn’t work for me.  With this book.

I didn’t care a thing for Cassie.  She waivered too much, sometimes embracing her role as heroine, and others just collapsing in on herself unable to cope with all that’s going on.  I realize she’s only 15, and there’s a lot of things to deal with, that the “dark secret” is a lot to deal with, but she never seemed vulnerable, just weak.  Her strength coming too little too late.  AND, she’s American, but speaks in phrases and using words that are distinctly Australian.  That created a little disparity for me—that’s a major detail to get wrong.

I got this book from Amazon for Kindle, and it was free (it’s not anymore).  Even free/inexpensive books should be completely edited.  This wasn’t.  Blatantly under-edited.  I don’t like reading final-print books that are poorly edited.  It’s frustrating.

The story itself was pretty good.  I was completely drawn in and read it on my iPhone any chance I could find, even staying up late into the night finish it.  I liked where the story was headed, we just had some trouble getting there.  Allyn left too many questions unanswered for me, too many holes that have yet to be filled.  And just when things have reached a boiling point, and the pot’s about to explode all over the place, the story ends.  It just ends!  Leaving me reeling, disoriented, and very confused.  To find out what happens, you have to read the next book! What? 

And here’s where my biggest issue of all is…am I invested enough to pay $3.99 for the next book in the series?  I just don’t know.

For now I’m just going to pull a Cassie and waiver.

Bending_The_Spine_Moon_Rater Bending_The_Spine_Moon_RaterBending_The_Spine_Moon_Rater
3 Moons

Get to reading,
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Find out about the next book in the series…

Paper Dolls (Dollhouse, #2)

Friday, December 28, 2012

Rebecca’s Favorites of 2012

OK, y’all have seen Richie’s list, so here's mine. I am not placing these in any type of order but these are the books that I still think about. I am sure I have missed some; please forgive me. All the covers link to Goodreads. If you haven’t GO READ THEM!

I Hunt Killers (Jasper Dent, #1)The Waiting SkyPersonal Demons (Hopeless, Maine, #1)Monstrous Beauty
Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, #1)Ashen Winter (Ashfall, #2)Incarnate (Newsoul, #1)
On the IslandGunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels World, #1)Once Burned (Night Prince, #1)Tangle of Need (Psy-Changeling, #11)

You can see my husbands 2012 list here.
What are your favorites for this year? Did you love any of these?

Happy Reading,
Signature

Best of 2012

Hey, Y’all!  With the end of 2012 quickly approaching, we’ve decided to post our “Best of 2012” books.  Here’s mine in no particular order (click the covers to go to the reviews!—some covers will take you to B&D):

 

Best Reads of 2012

Lowcountry PunchThe Starboard SeaHammered (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #3)BootlickerJenny Pox (The Paranormals, #1)Cinderella: The Graphic Novel (Graphic Spin)Zombies Don't Cry: Book One in the Living Dead Love Story SeriesVamplayersThe Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus, #2)The Fault in Our StarsTricked (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #4)Man in the Blue MoonTrapped (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #5)

 

I’m sure there are some books I’ve left off of this list (I’m not the most organized when it comes to keeping up with my Goodreads shelves! ) To see everything I’ve read or what I’m currently reading, check me out on Goodreads.

 

Rebecca will have her list up later today, so be sure to check back!

 

Get to reading,
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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Review: Zombies Don’t Cry by Rusty Fischer

Zombies Don't Cry (Living Dead Love Story, #1)
Title: Zombies Don’t Cry
Author: Rusty Fischer
File Size: 485 KB
Print Length: 362 pages
Publisher: Medallion Press (May 1, 2011)
ASIN: B004TH67CU
Source: Own
[Amazon]

Sneaking out to meet Stamp at a party one rainy night, Maddy is struck by lightning. After awakening, she feels lucky to be alive. Over time, however, Maddy realizes that she’s become the thing she and everyone else fear most: the living dead.

With no heartbeat and no breath in her lungs, Maddy must learn how to survive as a zombie. Turns out there’s a lot more to it than shuffling around 24/7 growling, “Brains.” Needing an afterlife makeover is only the beginning of her problems. As Barracuda Bay High faces zombie Armageddon, Maddy must summon all of her strength to protect what matters most—just as soon as she figures out exactly what that is. [Goodreads]

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

Y’all, I can’t get over this book.  I finished it, and can’t move on, can’t read anything else.  I’m afraid it will spoil my high. 

This book has elements of several different genres: YA , paranormal, action, suspense.  It would be too hard to put it into one category.  And that is what makes it awesome.  You start out with plain, normal Maddy, and get introduced to her plain, normal life and friends.  Then, after the lightening strike (the point at witch things start to get really interesting) you begin the introduction into her paranormal adventure.  There are several things that happen, and so many of them are entwined so tightly with the plot, that I can’t talk about them because it would give things away.  I need to say I love Dane and Chloe.  I’m not sold on Stamp.  And, really, Hazel is the worst best friend ever.  I didn’t like her before things went down.  Seriously.

As the “zombie Armageddon” approaches, things get really interesting and suspenseful.  I stayed on the edge of my seat for like 80% of the book.  It’s entertaining with enough humor, action, zombies, and snarky dialogue to keep you hooked.  I stand by my assessment that Rusty Fischer is a genius.  Yes, he needs some kind of writer-genius award.

I want to kick myself for waiting as long as I did to read this.  Seriously, I’m an idiot.

So, if you haven’t read this yet, don’t wait any longer.  Go buy it, devour it, and relish the afterglow of the brief romance you will have with Zombies Don’t Cry.

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5 Moons

Get to reading,
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What to find out what’s coming next for Maddy?  Click the cover of Zombies Don’t Forgive to find out more!

Zombies Don't Forgive (Living Dead Love Story, #2)