Proud Sponsor of the MERGE Blog Tour

1889 Labs MERGE Blog Tour

For some reason, 1889 Labs like me, they really like me.

And because I like them so much, I’m going to be saddling up to Sponsor another awesome blog tour!

1889 Labs Makes Reading Rewarding with New Paranormal Thriller Series MERGE.

From May 28th to June 18th, MERGE will give readers the chance to win an iPad. Ontario, Canada – Independent publisher 1889 Labs has announced the release of an innovative paranormal thriller series entitled MERGE. The thirteen-story series, written collaboratively by four authors, will launch on May 28th and run for four weeks alongside a blog tour, giving participating readers the chance to win a brand new iPad, Amazon and iTunes vouchers, and a host of other prizes.

Set in a world reeling from the discovery of transhumans, MERGE is a series of thirteen short stories that charts the loves, the betrayals, and the struggle for survival in a world where humans and transhumans are uneasy neighbours. Tensions are high, riots are brewing. The human race is about to come undone. As a collaborative effort from authors AM Harte (Hungry For You), Kit Iwasaki (Intern With A Vampire), MCM (The Vector), and Yvonne Reid (Ascension), the thirteen stories will be released over the course of four weeks. 1889
Labs will publish a total of four stories every week, one from each participating author. The final piece of the series will be released on June 18th, culminating in the inevitable intersection of each author’s unique storyline.

- 1889 LABS’ MERGE Press Release

On May 29th, 2012, I’ll be reviewing Yvonne Reid’s short story Long Way Down. Then, check back on June 4th for my Interview with Kit Iwasaki! Let’s hope I don’t scare them off.

HOW TO WIN THE GOODIES:

- any comment on any blog tour post counts as an entry
- as does any tweet with #merge1889
- as does any Facebook mention tagging the 1889 Labs page
- plus subscribing to our newsletter is 5 entries

On top of having a chance to win all the offered Goodies from the generous folks at 1889 Labs, I’ll be hosting a giveaway for any 1889 Labs book of the winner’s choosing. Because I like to spoil you guys when I can. Which I admit isn’t nearly often enough.

See you on May 29th and June 4th!

Touchstone by Letitia Coyne

When war is all you’ve ever known, the promise of peace is more terrifying than any battle.

For Freya, there is no life worth remembering before the army, and none worth imagining after. Born to the lowest caste of a brutally bigoted society, she’s found no more horror on the battlefield than she knew on the streets.

And she’s earned a lot more respect with a sword in her hand.

As a young man, Dragan was blooded on the rush of adrenaline and sated by the euphoria of victory. With Freya beside him as his partner, he was indestructible. But age and mortality are gaining ground, and cracks have started to appear.

He’s had fifteen years of war and he’s earned his retirement.

Together they survived the war. But can they survive peace when it means different things to each of them?

Full Disclosure: I requested this book for review from the author, Letitia Coyne.

I had a hard time writing a review forTouchstone, not because it isn’t beautifully written and thought-provoking, it definitely is. The trouble lies in the fact that the blurb is just a little too good at telling you everything you need to know about the story. This is a very straight forward tale. There aren’t many surprises to be had. This isn’t a criticism, as I feel the book is mainly character driven and luckily for me the characters are very interesting.

Freya is the perfect soldier, married to the job. She is a hard woman to love, something Dragan hasn’t yet begun to suspect. He’s all too eager to take her away from this life and settle down. But settling down was never in Freya’s plan. Touchstone doesn’t just ask can two people who’ve only known war survive peace, it also asks what happens when you only love the idea of a person, and not who they really are deep down in their core. This is something I’ve thought about a lot in life and so the book really resonated with me on that level.It also looks at what happens when you take away the thing that we feel defines us as individuals, and whether or not we can live with ourselves afterward.

For all of her flaws-hell, because of her flaws, Freya is a very relate able and enigmatic character. She is human and falls victim to fear when she realizes the life she planned for herself is being compromised by Dragan’s dreams-good intentions-for them.  She’s always known she’d die on the battlefield, but Dragan’s having none of that. He’d prefer she end up some “fat-ass farmgirl”, fat and happy on his farm in the mountains. But she’s not so sure their ideas of happiness are one and the same. I admit…I found it very hard to like Dragan, even though I understood his motivation.

Just in case I have any followers in the HEA crowd (only God knows why you’d be here), Touchstone is not the book for you.

Everyone else? Go read it with my blessing.

You can purchase Touchstone from Amazon or Smashwords.

One Blood by Qwantu Amaru

A supernatural curse torments a group of people unaware of their hidden connections. Set in and throughout Louisiana, the story takes the reader on an epic journey from the 1800′s to the early 2000′s.

Full Disclosure: Thanks to the author, Qwantu Amaru, for sending the review copy!

I found myself a little intimidated at the prospect of reviewing One Blood. The blurb may be short and sweet, but the word epic is well deserved as a descriptor. Not only is One Blood meticulously plotted and paced at just the right speed to keep you turning page after page until well into the midnight hours, but it’s so well written that I had trouble believing it to be a debut novel. And yet, it does appear to be. Mr. Amaru must have been honing his skills for a long time, because One Blood does not read like a debut novel at all.

Reader beware! This book is not for the faint of heart. Few of the characters are likeable, (not really an issue for me, so this isn’t a criticism) and some are damn right despicable. And while you may wish to read past midnight, because the book’s just that damn good, I would advise not to. There are quite a number of scenes that will make it difficult to sleep after reading…

While mostly unlikeable, I did find the characters very realistic. Sadly, I think some of them may have been realistic because of how unlikeable they could be. I am sorry to be so vague about plot details, but I am just so loathe to spoil any of you. Because the heart of the book revolves around secrets that unfold as the plot thickens. One Blood keeps you guessing. What I can tell you is that the book spans from the 1800s to the early 2000s, and there is a lot of back and forth. I really enjoyed the use of flashbacks to establish and even develop several of the characters connections and relationships though. I thought the author did a superb job of making those scenes seamless instead of intruding. Naturally, threads involving slavery and racism are woven into the novel, including the role racism plays into the justice system in America to this very day.

One Blood has absolutely earned it’s place on my keeper shelf.

I highly recommend One Blood to those who enjoy dark, gritty, thought-provoking epics full of intrigue and aren’t put off by characters who constantly get their hands dirty. It can be bought at Amazon.

Gentlemen Prefer Nerds by Joan Kilby

Self-professed nerd Maddie Maloney is an expert on jewels. Jewel thieves are another matter entirely! So when a mysterious Englishman warns her that a thief known as The Chameleon is after the rare pink diamond on display in her aunt’s shop, she tells herself it’s just a joke. Even if she can’t get Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome out of her mind…

But Fabian Montgomery doesn’t give up easily. He’s everywhere she goes, convinced the thief will strike. And when the diamond does go missing-and Maddie is suspected of stealing it-he whisks her away from the police and together they pursue The Chameleon.

Fabian plunges her into a glamorous world far from her humble workshop and transforms geeky Maddie into a sophisticated siren capable of espionage. Her mission: to seduce The Chameleon and steal back the diamond.

But Fabian isn’t telling her everything-like who he works for, and why he’s so interested in The Chameleon…

Full Disclosure: I requested this book from the author, Joan Kilby, in return for a review. Positive or Negative.

Every once in awhile, I need a ‘sweetness and light’ book to not burn out on all the dark fiction I read. When I saw Carina Press’ newsletter promoting Gentlemen Prefer Nerds, I knew I had a winner.A geeky heroine? A mysterious Brit? Jewel Thief?! Count me in! It’s nice to see geeks as MCs in the rise of the Geek Revolution, don’tcha know? Maddie, said geeky heroine, is very likeable. Though I couldn’t relate to her vast knowledge and fixation on jewels, I thought the author did a good job of making me, the reader, understand it. Besides, how could I not love a cat owner? Meanwhile Fabian made for a charming hero. I appreciated his by the book attitude and determination to devote everything to his mission. And I loved the exotic Australian setting!

I really appreciated the light-hearted humor, mostly Maddie’s spy hijinx. I giggled a lot.  Maddie’s family also provides a very interesting-and hilarious-dynamic.

Gentlemen Prefer Nerds by Joan Kilby is a fun, quirky, romp-and great for a quickie read! Take the afternoon off, put up your feet and prepare to lose yourself in a charming romantic adventure.

You can purchase Gentlemen Prefer Nerds at Carina Press, Amazon, and B&N.

Gangster by M. Jones

From the dark, basement speakeasies of 1926 Chicago, to the decadent parties of the Hollywood elite, psychopathic Clara slices her way through various people across America in her quest for fame. Brought along for the whirlwind ride of her murderous rampage, her enigmatic alien companion patiently waits for the opportunity to find his own target, a former friend set for assassination. He doesn’t understand Clara’s random need to destroy, but then, he is new to this strange, human landscape of murderers and victims. He can’t wait to simply do his job and leave this vicious world behind.

Full Disclosure: Thanks to M. Jones for sending the review copy!

Gangster is one hell of a book. Not only is it set in one of my favorite time periods (1920s), but it’s just so dark and gritty and clever.   The writing style is gorgeous even in its grit. The dialogue is smart and thought-provoking while also being fun, if your sense of humor is more than a little sardonic that is. (Guilty!) Clara is a fascinating character. She’s such a compelling liar that I myself couldn’t help wondering whether any thing she said throughout the entire novel was true. She’s charming in the same way a Cobra is, swaying back and forth with it’s hypnotic gaze before it strikes. The Alien, whose name escapes even himself, meanwhile is a man on a mission. His one track mind is constantly being challenged by Clara’s quest for fame and her odd compulsion to murder along the way. Their dynamic was so intriguing, I found myself riveted with each conversation that put them further and further at odds. Clara believes the two of them are two sides of the same coin, but The Alien knows that can’t be any further from the truth….or could it?

Reader beware, Gangster is not for the faint of heart! I, on the other hand, look forward to reading more by M. Jones in the future.

You can purchase Gangster by M. Jones as an e-book or in print! For the e-book, hit up Amazon and Smashwords. The print version can be purchased at Amazon  (CA, US and UK), B&N, Chapters/Indigo, Powells , and WH Smith

 

 

Wolves Among Men by Penelope Sweet

Ethan Harlow is an unsuspecting 26-year old who has strived to live a normal life caring for his younger sister after their parents passed away. Thrown in to an extraordinary situation Ethan runs for his life in an attempt to escape the nightmarish world he is thrust into after a close encounter with an ancient creature of myth. But things go wrong after his sister insists on following him deeper into a world not meant to be seen by human eyes.

Unknowingly Ethan breaks a treaty, a pact between the two sides of wolves meant to keep human kind safe and protect the creatures that choose to live peacefully at their side. After his sister is kidnapped by the other side in an attempt to sway him, Ethan must make a choice. Will he run for his life or stay and fight at the side of the wolves that have become like a family to him.

Full Disclosure: Thank you to Penelope Sweet for sending me a review copy!

Wolves Among Men is author Penelope Sweet’s debut novel, and the first in a series with a lot of potential.

Ethan Harlow just found out that werewolves exist, by being attacked by, and then turned into, one of them. The change naturally has him a bit freaked, so he skips town. Leaving behind his younger sister in the hopes that she’ll be better off without him, and that he can find anyone (or anything) that knows what he’s becoming. Except, said sister isn’t keen on that plan at all and she’s not just about to let him walk out of her life without so much as an explanation. She demands that he explain himself and goes to meet him in the motel he’s hauled himself into. And it doesn’t take her very long to sick those puppy-dog little sister eyes on him to get him to agree to take her with him. Trouble brews when they go looking for Ethan’s “kind”…

While I thought there were some scenes that lacked necessary conflict, I still thought Wolves Among Men was a nice effort. Maybe I’m biased because I’ll read anything with a werewolf protagonist, but I feel as though Ms. Sweet has a lot of potential as an author and I would look forward to reading more in this series as she grows and hones her skills. Aside from Ethan, there are a few interesting side characters to look for. Be warned though, this book does end on a cliffhanger.

You can purchase Wolves Among Men at Amazon. (If I’ve missed any other place of purchase, please don’t hesitate to let me know.)

Root by Tara Maya

Root by Tara Maya

Dindi knows her life is forfeit if she cannot solve the faery riddle of the Unfinished Song. But to do that, she must first unravel the mystery of why the Aelfae hexed her whole lineage long ago.

Meanwhile, Kemla and Tamio connive together against her. Desperate to prevent Dindi from dancing in the upcoming competition, and Kemla convinces Tamio to seduce Dindi. If at first they don’t succeed, they aren’t above hexcraft to get their way…

And then there is the Man in Black. Devastatingly handsome, darkly powerful…and determined to kill her. If at first he doesn’t succeed, he isn’t above starting a war to get his way.

Full Disclosure: Thanks to the lovely Tara Maya for providing a review copy!

Root is book four in The Unfinished Song series, and in what has become a pattern in this series, it begins shortly after where the previous book left off. Tara Maya continues to impress me as a story teller. I have to admit I did not see some of the events that occurred in Root coming, especially regarding a certain character from the last book. I thought I had that character’s arc all figured out-and it appears I was dead wrong.

While Dindi did gain some headway in the last book, I was sad to see that she was still treated like a servant by most of her peers at the beginning of Root. Luckily, she adopts a backbone pretty quick! I’m not even ashamed for rooting for her when she decided to get back at some of the people who have been asking for it.

One of the really cool things about these books is the many cultures that frequent Faearth, and Tara delivered in the form of the Orange Canyon Riders, The Deathsworn, and a whole lot more. There are also the additions of characters we have “seen” in previous books through Dindi’s Visions who have since become integral to the plot in “real time”. This book really helped to clear up the answers to any lingering questions regarding Dindi’s Chromas (magic) but it also raised more questions that I’m sure the subsequent books will answer in time. While I think Sacrifice (Book 3) is still my favorite of the series, Root is very satisfying continuation.

You can purchase Root at Amazon, B &N, and Smashwords.

Sacrifice by Tara Maya

As war looms on the horizon, Kavio continues to teach Dindi forbidden magics. Dindi’s cohort of fellow Initiates secretly select her to be the target of a vicious prank; an enemy of Kavio has targets her for an even viler crime. Meanwhile, Brena seeks allies hidden among the enemy, which puts her on a collision course with her former captive and husband, Rthan, who is sent to stop her by any means necessary. As powerful magic spins out of control, the fae themselves are in peril, and what started as a tribal war could become the cataclysm that wipes humans from Faearth. For, in Faearth, there is a price to be paid for breaking taboos, and it can only be atoned for with a terrible sacrifice.

 Full Disclosure: Thank you to the lovely Tara Maya for sending a review copy!

Sacrifice is book 3 in a series that just keeps getting better and better. Miss Maya is an excellent storyteller and she really knows how to hook her readers and leave them salivating for the next release. Sacrifice has packed the most emotional punch thus far but if the series keeps going the way it has been, I’m pretty sure Root (Book 4) will exceed all my expectations and become the new favorite in short order. Miss Maya has an incredible talent for drawing you into the story with little to no meandering or self-indulgences.

Sacrifice picks up right where Taboo left off, as has become customary in the series. Dindi, the heroine, has grown so much through these books and, even with so many fascinating side characters vying for attention on every page, she is a heroine that I’ve grown to love so much. She’s the ultimate underdog, a shy and courageous rebel, and she’s finally, finally beginning to come in to her own self worth as well as gain respect from her people that is LONG overdue. I continue to be highly engrossed in the sub plots between Brena and Rthan, and though I was saddened by some decisions Gwenika made, I also feel hopeful that the events of this book will help her to further grow. A lot of questions from the previous books were answered in this one and I’m so excited to see what new ground the rest of the series will uncover.

And I’m so happy I have Root already loaded up into my Kindle!

You can purchase Sacrifice at Amazon, B & N, and Smashwords.

Taboo by Tara Maya

A DEVESTATING SETBACK
Enemy tribesmen attacked the Initiates during the ritual Test to find magic users. Dindi’s dreams are in shambles. In despair, she decides to step into the forbidden faery ring, and dance herself to death with the fae. Then she discovers another choice that saves her life…but breaks the ultimate taboo.

A DESPERATE OUTREACH
After being unfairly exiled from his own people, Kavio may have found a new home, but only if he can protect it from another attack by the enemy. He gathers a small group to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory in search of the ultimate prize…peace.

But by the harsh laws of their land, one cannot both break taboos and keep the peace. They will have to choose, what, or whom, to betray.

Full Disclosure: Thanks to the lovely Tara Maya for the review copy!

Taboo is the second book in The Unfinished Song series and I think it’s a step above Initiate (Book 1), which I enjoyed quite a bit. Miss Maya wasted absolutely no time getting into the meat of the story, so it’s imperative that you read book 1 prior to book 2 because Taboo covers only the barest hints of back story. Which is refreshing, actually.

I had a really hard time putting Taboo down. Tara has such a lovely writing voice, it’s so lyrical and poetic. I found myself highlighting line after line because I was so struck by the beauty of her words and the way in which she phrased them. I swear, these books have some of the best dialogue of the Fantasy Genre that I’ve ever read. More than that though, the strength of the story just grips you right from the first page and builds until the very last. The characters from Book 1 are allowed to grow and adapt naturally but pace is never sacrificed for their growth. I loved the direction she went with Gwenika and Brena, whom I never quite warmed up to in Book 1 but have since grown to respect. Even newly introduced characters are given an opportunity to shine, such as Svego, who I fell in love with nigh instantly.

The story itself is intense, and I love how Miss Maya doesn’t rush anything especially the romances that’ve been building between several different characters throughout both books. She juggled the subplots superbly and I absolutely cannot to see what she has in store for us with Sacrifice.

You can purchase Taboo at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords

The Story So Far…Bone Wires by Michael Shean

Bone Wires by Michael Shean

In the wasteland of commercial culture that is future America, police are operated not by government but by private companies. In Seattle, that role is filled by Civil Protection, and Daniel Gray is a detective in Homicide Solutions. What used to be considered an important – even glamorous – department for public police is very different for the corporate species, and Gray finds himself stuck in a dead end job.

That is, until the Spine Thief arrives.

Bone Wires is an on going serialized novel by Michael Shean. Updates occur on Thursdays and can be found at Curiosity Quills.

I’ve never reviewed a Serialized Novel before. And, as Bone Wires is not yet a completed piece, I will only be talking about what I have read thus far, and how I think the story is going. So far, I have read Parts One – Seven.

Detective Daniel Gray of Homicide Solutions has only two things on his mind: The Amber Shield, and how hard he’ll have to work to get it. He needs a big case. Of course, in his department,  that means a heavy string of murders. And the Spine Thief is only too happy to oblige.

I’m really digging the sleazy, gritty feel of the world Michael Shean has created. It’s semi-futuristic with a lot of neat gadgets that Cyper Punk fans will appreciate. This world is also littered with interesting, if not like-able, characters. There’s Carter, Gray’s partner, who seems to care more about the victims than being a “Company” man, although he can certainly play the part of the latter. Angie, a stripper and person of interest. (And not just to the case…)  Manson, a Pacifier with serious Anger Management issues. Except, there’s a lot more to them than meets the eye, and I’m thoroughly enjoying watching Mr. Shean pull back the layers of mystery surrounding each character as each new part is written.

You’re all just going to have to read Bone Wires to discover whatever I’ve left out in the name of preserving my No-Spoiler Rule. Be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart.