Review: Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #3
Publication Date: September 18th, 2018
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Genera: YA, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Amazon ~ Goodreads

Synopsis: Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they’re delighted to discover a traveling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly.

But then, privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slayings shocks the entire ship. The disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the decks as the murders grow ever more freakish, with nowhere to escape except the unforgiving sea.

It's up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation as even more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with clues to the next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer's horrifying finale?

My Rating

4/5 stars

My Review

The Stalking Jack the Ripper series has been amazing thus far, but Escaping from Houdini was definitely the weakest book.

Audrey Rose and Thomas are travelling to New York via the RMS Etruria, a luxurious passenger boat with lots of activities planned to keep the passengers happy. The Moonlight Carnival is on the ship to perform for the guests, but when a passenger is murdered during the first show, everyone puts blame onto the Carnival. It is up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to solve the mystery of who is truly behind the murders and clear the carnival's name, but the closer they get to New York, the less time they have to solve the case.

One of the main things I have loved about this series was that there was no love triangle, it was just Audrey Rose and Thomas on their adventures. Unfortunately in this book, Audrey Rose begins to have feelings for someone other than Thomas and the readers must suffer through another love triangle. I honestly found this to be unnecessary and I know I'm not the only one who groaned when Audrey Rose was falling for someone else, especially this late in the series.

While I didn't enjoy the character development whatsoever, I did like the other aspects of the book like the setting (even though its on a boat there is still lots going on) and the pace of the story. The mystery aspect was also very well written, as I was constantly guessing who the murderer could be.

Overall, I will be definitely continuing with this series, with strong hopes that there are no more love triangles in the future of these books.

Huge thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon

Series: Dimple and Rishi #2
Publication Date: May 14th, 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genera: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Amazon ~ Goodreads 

Synopsis: Ashish Patel didn’t know love could be so…sucky. After he’s dumped by his ex-girlfriend, his mojo goes AWOL. Even worse, his parents are annoyingly, smugly confident they could find him a better match. So, in a moment of weakness, Ash challenges them to set him up.

The Patels insist that Ashish date an Indian-American girl—under contract. Per subclause 1(a), he’ll be taking his date on “fun” excursions like visiting the Hindu temple and his eccentric Gita Auntie. Kill him now. How is this ever going to work?

Sweetie Nair is many things: a formidable track athlete who can outrun most people in California, a loyal friend, a shower-singing champion. Oh, and she’s also fat. To Sweetie’s traditional parents, this last detail is the kiss of death.

Sweetie loves her parents, but she’s so tired of being told she’s lacking because she’s fat. She decides it’s time to kick off the Sassy Sweetie Project, where she’ll show the world (and herself) what she’s really made of.

Ashish and Sweetie both have something to prove. But with each date they realize there’s an unexpected magic growing between them. Can they find their true selves without losing each other?

My Rating

5/5 stars

My Review

There's Something About Sweetie was such an incredible book! I absolutely adored it and I couldn't get enough. This rarely happens, but I loved this book so much more than the first (When Dimple Met Rishi).

Sweetie Nair is a track star and a killer singer. Sweetie is surrounded by amazing friends at school who love her just as much as she does. Unfortunately she is constantly reminded at home that she is fat, and in order to be a better track star and have more friends and even a potential boyfriend, she needs to lose weight. Her mother, who is a tiny woman, makes sweetie run laps before dinner and constantly reminds her how much better she would be if she lost a little weight. So when Ashish Patel's mother asks Sweetie's mom if she could set up their children, Sweetie is absolutely thrilled someone like Ashish wants to date her, but her mother thinks that shes not good enough for Ashish, not until she loses the weight.
Ashish is heartbroken after finding out that Celia, the first girl Ashish has ever loved, has not only dumped him, but shes also moved on and found someone else. Ashish is so sad that he can't even focus during his basketball games, and is bringing those around him down as well. When Ashish decides to make a deal with his parents that if they try to set him up like they did his brother Rishi, and he truly doesn't like the girl they pick, they can't judge Ashish's dating choices any longer. But to his surprise, Sweetie Nair is the girl of his dreams and exactly what he needs in his life... but first he has to get over Celia.

This book was amazing, just when I think Sandhya Menon can't write a better book... she proves me wrong and writes this masterpiece. I really liked Ashish in When Dimple Met Rishi, but I was so happy to get to know him a little better and see his story develop in this book. But what absolutely made me fall in love with this book was Sweetie, I love love love her point of view and the amazing person she is. Her character development was truly fantastic, and I can so relate to her character and the changes shes made. Her story and the lesson in this book is perfect for adolescent girls that may have issues with body image.

The story kept me entertained throughout the whole book, and I can definitely say that I wasn't bored once. Sandhya uses lots of action and drama between the characters, and even throws in a few jokes here and there to make the story even better. I have no improvements to add about the author's writing. Its brilliant.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book if you loved the first one, or need a strong and confident female character to read about. I guarantee you will love this book.

Happy Reading,
Aneta 

Tour & Review: The Dysasters by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Series: The Disasters #1
Publication Date: February 26th, 2019
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genera: YA, Fantasy 
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ B&N

Synopsis: P. C. and Kristin Cast, the #1 New York Times bestselling authors of the House of Night phenomenon, return to the scene with The Dysasters - the first action-packed novel in a new paranormal fantasy series. 

Foster Stewart knows she's different. Her life has never been "normal." Talking to plants and controlling cloud formations aren't things most seventeen year olds are into. Tate "Nighthawk" Taylor is perfect. Star quarterback and all around dreamy boy next door he never thought about his "extra" abilities. What quarterback wouldn't want night vision? That's not weird, right? It's cool! 

But on the night of their first meeting a deadly tornado brings them together and awakens their true abilities - the power to control the element air. Unbeknown to Tate and Foster, they are the first in a group of teens that were genetically manipulated before birth to bond with the elements. Which truly sucks for Foster, as she has to face the fact that Dr. Rick Stewart, her beloved scientist father, betrayed her and now wants to use her and the others for his own nefarious world domination plot. 

Foster and Tate must stop Dr. Stewart and his minions before he destroys their lives and the world.

My Rating 

4/5 stars

My Review

The Dysasters was a great book, I definitely recommend it to fans of young adult fantasy novels.

Foster has always known she was different, especially with her little jedi tricks where she could control things slightly with her mind. On Foster's 18th birthday, she runs into Tate, a boy that happens to share her birthday and his own special powers of seeing in the dark. When the two finally meet, a tornado erupts out of no where, destroying the field they are standing on and killing both Foster's adoptive mother and both of Tate's parents. Foster's mother final words were that Foster's adoptive father is alive, he faked his own death and is now an evil man, and he's coming for both Foster and Tate, as their powers are intertwined and now that they are 18, they have come to their full powers, and Foster's father wants nothing more than to control them.

I must say that I am surprisingly impressed with this book. I've previously read books by these authors, about 6-7 years ago and I wasn't overly impressed. This book on the other hand is definitely an improvement, not only does it contain much more diversity in this book, but the writing and the storyline was so much better. I am happy to see that the author's writing has improved over the years.

While I loved both the main characters, and was very happy with their storyline and character development, there were moments where the characters just felt a little unnatural and not relatable at all. In the beginning of the book, Tate loses his parents and acts very strangely. Don't get me wrong, he was devastated, but he mostly just focused on staying in one place and helping other people. This seemed a bit unnatural for me, I would believe the natural response would to be hysterical or to run away as fast as possible and mourn. There were many more moments like these throughout the novel, which I won't explain due to spoilers, but I think the authors could have done a better job of making the characters a little more realistic.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and was impressed with the authors, the one thing that would have made this book a 5/5 star would have been minor changes to the characters and how realistic they felt. I'm looking forward to continuing this series.

About The Authors

#1 New York Times & #1 USA Today bestselling author P.C. Cast was born in the Midwest, and, after her tour in the USAF, she taught high school for 15 years before retiring to write full time. PC is a member of the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have been awarded the prestigious: Oklahoma Book Award, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, Booksellers' Best, and many, many more. Ms. Cast is an experienced teacher and talented speaker who lives in Oregon near her fabulous daughter, her adorable pack of dogs, her crazy Maine Coon, and a bunch of horses.

Kristin Cast is a #1 New York Times and #1 USA Today bestselling author who teams with her mother to write the wildly successful House of Night series. She has editorial credits, a thriving t-shirt line, and a passion for all things paranormal. When away from her writing desk, Kristin loves going on adventures with her friends, family, and significant other, playing with her dogs (Grace Kelly and Hobbs the Tiny Dragon), and is currently obsessed with her baby.

Giveaway

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Review: Slayer by Kiersten White

Series: Slayer #1
Publication Date: January 8th, 2019
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: YA, Fantasy 
Amazon ~ Goodreads 

Synopsis: Into every generation a Slayer is born…

Nina and her twin sister, Artemis, are far from normal. It’s hard to be when you grow up at the Watcher’s Academy, which is a bit different from your average boarding school. Here teens are trained as guides for Slayers—girls gifted with supernatural strength to fight the forces of darkness. But while Nina’s mother is a prominent member of the Watcher’s Council, Nina has never embraced the violent Watcher lifestyle. Instead she follows her instincts to heal, carving out a place for herself as the school medic.

Until the day Nina’s life changes forever.

Thanks to Buffy, the famous (and infamous) Slayer that Nina’s father died protecting, Nina is not only the newest Chosen One—she’s the last Slayer, ever. Period.

As Nina hones her skills with her Watcher-in-training, Leo, there’s plenty to keep her occupied: a monster fighting ring, a demon who eats happiness, a shadowy figure that keeps popping up in Nina’s dreams…

But it’s not until bodies start turning up that Nina’s new powers will truly be tested—because someone she loves might be next.

One thing is clear: Being Chosen is easy. Making choices is hard.

My Rating

4/5 stars

My Review

Perfect for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Athena (Nina) and Artemis are twin sisters that grew up in the Watcher Academy after their father was killed while protecting Buffy. Right before all magic was destroyed on Earth, Nina risked her life to protect her twin sister and activated her Slayer powers, becoming the last Slayer on Earth. Nina is a healer and is viewed as the weaker of the twins since her mother pushed her to be a medic rather than train to fight to protect future slayers. Now that Nina is a Slayer, her odds have turned. With incredible new strength and senses, her friends and family now have to see Nina in a different way, where she becomes their leader and takes on vampires and demons to protect the academy and the rest of the world safe from evil forces.

I'm a huge fan of Kiersten White, so even though I've never watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I knew I had to get my hands on this book. I sincerely enjoyed the story, the world and the plot, but unfortunately there were some characters and the relationships they had with Nina that I didn't quite enjoy.

Nina goes through an incredible self discovery and gains confidence throughout this book. She goes from the shy and weak girl who believes that she's the least favourite twin, to a strong woman that follows her instincts and isn't afraid to do what is right. I loved Nina as the main character, and I absolutely loved her character building. As for the rest of Nina's family, I'm not exactly happy with them. Artemis is very selfish and choses to take her anger out on Nina multiple times throughout the story. There were moments where the twins were fighting and Nina realizes that she's also to blame for the things she did wrong and choses to apologize, all while Artemis continues to be grumpy and blame Nina for everything that happens, while continuously doubting her even though her newfound senses have proven to be right. I would have been okay with this if the sisters left off on a good note and learned how to work together by the end of the book, but sadly I was a bit disappointed. Nina's mother is a whole different story, but I wont be expanding on why I dislike her story due to spoilers. The rest of Nina's friend group I actually quite enjoyed. They were diverse and different and I found all of them quite entertaining.

The plot was very well written. There was action at the beginning of the book and it continued throughout the story to keep the reader well entertained and wanting to read more. While it was a tad predictable, there were moments where I was pleasantly surprised and not expecting them at all. The book was engaging and story was entertaining, the only thing I would add is a little bit more surprises.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and will definitely keep reading in the series. I'm excited to see what happens next to Nina.

Tour & Giveaway: The Incarn Saga

Issaura's Claws

The Incarn Saga Book 1

by Katharine E. Wibell

Genre: YA Fantasy

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Synopsis: “According to legend, when the world was young, the goddess Issaura appeared among men. Those who treated her with kindness received the gift of the gods—the ability to transform into an animal form. This was a great honor but one that separated this race from other humans. Before Issaura departed the mortal realm, she promised to return if her people were ever at the point of destruction.

“Now a threat is rising from a land across the mists of the ocean, a threat that will push this race to the brink of extinction. Responding to the call to war, seventeen-year-old Lluava heads off to find her destiny, one that will carve her name in history.” 

The Kingdom of Elysia consists of two races: the dominant race of humans and the native race of Theriomorphs who can shift into animal form. Although law dictates equal treatment, they neither like nor trust each other. Now brutal and ruthless Raiders are approaching; there is only one chance to defeat them. An army must be raised and trained. An army where each human will be paired with a Theriomorph partner. An army that must fight as one to defeat their common enemy.

Women are not warriors. However, Lluava is not like other women – human or Theriomorph. Her animal form is a magnificent beast whose power and fury she must learn to control. Although Lluava endures intense physical training and strives to overcome the doubts of the male recruits, she faces an unexpected adversary in the commanding general who seeks to break both her spirit and her body.

At the paring ceremony, Lluava is humbled when presented with a unique and ancient weapon. Yet she becomes distraught and angry when her human partner is revealed. If they fail to trust each other, the consequences will be devastating. Death and destruction are on the horizon and time is running out.

The Incarn Saga is a young adult fantasy series inspired by ancient myths, filled with fast-paced action and adventure, and enriched by an understanding of animal behavior that defines the shape-shifting Theriomorphs.

Ullr's Fangs

The Incarn Saga Book 2

Goodreads * Amazon

Synopsis: "According to legend, when the world was young, two gods of war — one male, one female — were destined for each other. Yet Ullr, forever unfaithful, lost the love of Issaura, his true match, and was forsworn. His violent anger and bitter rage grew and intensified, poisoning all creation and humanity.

Now that the Raiders’ long ships have faded from sight, the kingdom of Elysia is beginning to recover from the summer’s war with the brutal invaders from across the sea. Yet darker forces have taken root, forces that can alter the future of the land and its people in unthinkable ways. Seventeen-year-old Lluava must discover the means to prevent her world from collapsing. But in doing so, will she succumb to that darkness?"

Crocotta's Hackles

The Incarn Saga Book 3

Goodreads * Amazon

Synopsis: “According to legend, when the world was young, Crocotta, Queen of the Gods, discovered her mate’s faithlessness. She vowed to prevent future threats to all matrimonial pacts henceforward, but for her it was too late. The child born from the illicit coupling was a warrior goddess—one whom Crocotta would seek to destroy throughout eternity.

Now that the Raiders’ elite army is threatening the kingdom of Elysia’s northern borders, seventeen-year-old Lluava must leave the familiarity and safety of her native land to venture into the wilderness. Her mission is to discover others like her who will come to Elysia’s aid; her hope is to unravel the secrets behind what it means to be Incarn. But what she finds could destroy everything.”

Lluava’s story continues in Crocotta’s Hackles, the third book in The Incarn Saga's award-winning new-adult series.

Katharine Wibell’s lifelong interest in mythology includes epic poetry like the Odyssey, Ramayana, Beowulf, and the Nibelungenlied. In addition, she is interested in all things animal whether training dogs, apprenticing at a children’s zoo, or caring for injured animals as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. After receiving degrees from Mercer University in both art and psychology with an emphasis in animal behavior, Wibell moved to New Orleans with her dog, Alli, to kick start her career as an artist and a writer. Her first literary works blend her knowledge of the animal world with the world of high fantasy.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Pinterest * Goodreads

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Tour & Giveaway: The Allegiance Series

Captive Rebel

The Allegiance Book 1

by Erin McDermott

Genre: YA Fantasy Romance

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Synopsis: In a world where Greek Gods rule over the Allegiance, Marylyn O’Conner struggles to survive. 

Marylyn is a rebel, forced to do the rebellion’s bidding until an unforgiving family debt is paid. A pawn in the war against the Allegiance, she is obligated to become a rebel spy, or her family will suffer. 

When word spreads that an Allegiant Prince, Ariston, has escaped rebel captivity vowing to hunt down rebel spies, Marylyn realizes her only hope is to escape Allegiant territory. 

While on the run, Ariston captures Marylyn, preventing her from any chance of returning home. Desperate, she knows she needs to escape her alluring captor or risk the safety of her family. 

But Marylyn can’t keep herself from falling for the mysterious prince as she finds that he can empathize with her troublesome past - a past no ally has understood before.

Immortal Rebel

The Allegiance Book 2

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Synopsis: He is scarred by betrayal, she lives by deceiving others...

Betrayed, rebel Michael O’Conner blames himself for the Allegiance laying waste to the rebel town Pyke. After Pyke’s destruction, a curse of immortality was placed on him by the three Furies. Ashamed, he vowed to live a disconnected life, undisturbed by anything occurring outside his seclusion.

Phoibe is an Allegiant bounty hunter, circumstances forcing her to collect bounties or lose her only home. When she is tasked with capturing a girl named Marylyn O’Conner, for a promising reward, Phoibe agrees. To aid in her mission, she creates an alliance with the isolated immortal, Michael O’Conner.

After learning his sister has been taken captive by an Allegiant Prince, Michael O’Conner realizes he can no longer hide from the world. He agrees to join Phoibe and save his sister, completely unaware of her ulterior motives.

Phoibe knows she needs to keep everything a secret from the handsome immortal, or risk losing her only home. Phoibe only hopes she can handle the heartache that will come with betraying a man who has already experienced so much betrayal in his past.

Forgotten Rebel

The Allegiance Book 3

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Synopsis: She will do anything to save him, even risk her only chance to return home...

Fanny is an exiled princess of the Allegiance, a faction favored by the Greek Gods. She was exiled for loving a rebel, but now he has gone missing. She will do anything to find him - even place her trust in the mysterious yet enticing stranger, Adonis.

He promises Fanny he knows where the rebel, Charles, has been taken, but refuses to explain how he knows. Seeing that he is her only hope, she follows him on a journey to the Allegiant capital, hoping Charles is still alive.

The only catch? Adonis does not know Fanny is exiled. She needs to feign Allegiant royalty if she wants his help. Desperate, that is exactly what she does.

Erin McDermott was born and raised in New Jersey. She graduated college with a bachelors degree in History. If she's not in her room writing, you may find somewhere on the Jersey Shore with her family. She has been writing stories since 3rd grade. It was not until after experiencing the fast-paced life New York City had to offer that she decided to finally take the plunge and finish her first book, CAPTIVE REBEL (The Allegiance, Book 1).

During her years in college she expressed a deep interest in Greek Mythology, which she incorporates into The Allegiance Series. She is incredibly grateful to her family for supporting her throughout the trials and tribulations of the independent publishing process.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

Interview

"When did you first begin writing?" 

• I began writing in 3rd grade while watching my brother's Little League games. I would just sit in a corner and write. The books I wrote were inspired by "Little House on the Prairie," by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I would sit and write about my life in the houses I lived in, just as she wrote about her life in her diaries. 

"When did you decide to first publish a book?" 

• I always loved writing, but the idea of publishing a book seemed like an impossible dream. I never thought I'd finish a book, never mind actually publish something. It wasn't until I was working a job that I really didn't enjoy that I decided to set to my dreams and complete a book. Then my first book was born, Captive Rebel. 

What advice would you give to those who are trying to write a book? 

• I once read somewhere that writing is like building a sand castle. The first draft is you filling a sandbox with, well, sand! It's messy, it's unstructured, but it's something to work with. Knowing the first draft is going to be sloppy is the only way to finish the book. Once you finish a book your goal seems more realistic and the edits will come on easy. The edits are you building the sand castle in that scenario, by the way. 

What inspired you to write Captive Rebel? 

• Actually, I had a dream. It was a vivid dream and I needed to get it down on paper. In one night I wrote 10,000 words. Then, I didn't look at that story again. Not until after my job in New York City when I finally decided to begin pursuing my dreams.

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

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Tour & Giveaway: Prodigy

Prodigy

The Giver of Life Trilogy Book 3

by Kristy Centeno

Genre: YA Paranormal 

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Kobo

Synopsis: Leah Parker’s fate had always been controlled by others—who she loved and who she lost. Five years after the tragic murder of her daughter’s father, she’s done everything in her power to protect her little girl from the outside world. But she’s rebelled against fate in the past and no act of defiance goes unpunished in the Enchanter community.

The ultimate power wants to correct the damage done by Jae and the only way they can do that is by getting rid of her special child—a child destined to replace all branches of Enchanter magic one day.

But, Leah isn’t willing to go down without a fight. She will do anything to save what Jae died to protect, even if she must turn against the Circle of Elders. But when her first love, Brandon Morris walks back into her life, Leah knows nothing will ever be the same again.

Leah must confront her past, before she and her daughter are erased from her family line. She must get over her guilt and rely on Brandon to ensure her daughter’s survival. But will the pain from their past destroy their friendship forever? Or will their old bond hold them together and carry them through what’s ahead?

Enchantress

The Giver of Life Trilogy #2

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Apple ~ B&N ~ Kobo

Synopsis: Fate brought them together. Will evil break them apart?

Leah Parker’s visit to her hometown is supposed to bring her closer to the truth behind her identity. What she doesn’t anticipate is the handsome stranger with almond eyes claiming to be her Pair.

Her world once again upturned with the arrival of the man chosen to be her life partner, Leah is pulled between the feelings she’s always had for the friend she left behind, and those for the compelling stranger determined to save her from certain death—at whatever the cost.

With an ancient evil out to finish what it started twenty-one years before, will Leah find peace within her troubled mind and heart to fight back and win? Or will her disconnection with her newfound powers hinder her only chance at survival?

His sacrifice…is her salvation.

Enchanter

The Giver of Life Trilogy #1

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Apple ~ B&N ~ Kobo

Synopsis: They have a past. But will they have a future?

Leah Parker is resilient and hardworking. She’d always prided herself in maintaining a level head, even under pressure. Everything changes when she begins to see strange apparitions and hear ghostly voices on the morning of her birthday.

In a blink of the eyes, Leah’s life takes a drastic turn that spirals her into the unknown. Something is out to get her, but she’s unsure if she’s losing her mind, or the faces and demands of the dead are real. Unable to find the answers she needs, she has no choice but to rely on ex-best friend, Brandon Morris, for help.

But as she will soon discover, Brandon has his own secrets. Some of which defy logic and only add to the mystery surrounding Leah. And mix feelings between the two complicate matters by getting in the way of what they really want, and what they must do.

Can Brandon lighten the load on her by figuring out what or who wants her dead? Or will their past history get in the way of the storm brewing just beyond Leah’s grasp?

Kristy Centeno loves to spin tales of creatures that go bump in the night, with a sprinkle of romance to top them off. Her passion for writing stems from a lifelong enjoyment of reading and the pleasure derived from the magical worlds created by authors like her. She prefers her female leads strong, independent, and stubborn who will stop at nothing to save their loved ones and protect those they care for.

Kristy currently resides in Pennsylvania with her five kids and a trio of noisy parakeets. When she’s not working or writing, she juggles her free time between raising a handful of minions and pursuing other career goals.

Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Google+ * Amazon * Goodreads

Interview

Have you written any other books that are not published? 

• Yes, I do, and I honestly don’t know if they will ever be published. Some books I wrote were back when I first started writing and wasn’t very good at it. I’ve improved quite a bit since then, but still have so much to learn. Perhaps when I get to a point where I feel like I’m an amazing writer—if that day ever comes—then I’ll give them another go and rewrite them before seeing about getting them published. For now, they just sit in my USB, waiting to get a home. 

What did you edit out of this book? 

• Brandon Morris was supposed to have a deeper presence in Leah’s life, but I felt it was too predictable. Too run of the mill. However, when I introduced Jae into the mix, I hadn’t expected him to take over the way he did, but I fell in love with his character and knew I wanted him to have more of an impact on her life than originally planned. 

How long have you been writing? 

• Going on six years now. 

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? 

• Some I come up with ahead of starting the book. Others come as I’m already invested in the story. I guess it really depends on how much I’ve outlined or plotted to begin with and what direction the book goes once it’s started. 

Do you see writing as a career? 

• Yes. I’ve put more emphasis in making writing my second career. Unfortunately, I have less time to dedicate to it than I’d like. But I’ve never abandoned my dream of evolving as a writer. I hope to see my books in bookstores one day. 

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre? 

• I do read. I try to read at least 3-4 books per month depending on how much free time I have. However, it doesn’t always work out that way. But my favorite genres to read are paranormal, thrillers, horror, romance, historical romance, some fantasy, and dystopian.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Power of Five by Alex Lidell

I am so excited that the POWER OF FIVE Series by Alex Lidell is complete with LERA OF LUNOS available now and that I get to share the news!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful series by Author Alex Lidell, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $10 Amazon GC, International, A set of the eBooks, International, & a POWER OF FIVE Journal, US only, courtesy of Alex and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

Title: LERA OF LUNOS (Power of Five #4)

Author: Alex Lidell

Pub. Date: January 4, 2019

Publisher: Danger Bearing Press

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 192

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon

Read For FREE With Kindle Unlimited!

Two immortal realms on brink of war. One mortal standing in their way.

With the quint squaring off against the king of Slait, Lera is running out of time to tame her feral magic. Worse still, just when the quint must weave together to survive, demons from Tye’s past surface to tear them apart. Demons he fears facing, let alone sharing with Lera.

But when Griorgi makes a move that no one expects, throwing River, Shade, and Coal’s lives into question, the clock runs out. Lera and Tye have no choice but to fight their battles within—or risk losing Lunos and their quint forever.

LERA OF LUNOS is a full-length reverse-harem fantasy novel, the stunning finale to the Amazon-bestselling, KU-All Star POWER OF FIVE series.

Title: TRIAL OF THREE (Power of Five #3)

Author: Alex Lidell

Pub. Date: September 26, 2018

Publisher: Danger Bearing Press

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 192

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Four cords of power. Three trials. Two soul-crushing secrets. 

For Lera, training has never been so hard. With the males’ power roaring in her veins and River’s cold demand that she master the magic before the third trial, something has to give. Worse still, River is keeping something from her. Something about his past and Lunos’s future.

For River and Coal, the past must stay buried. Though one male’s nightmare sits on a throne and the other’s hides in his soul, they are equally unprepared for Lera’s startling determination to undress the truth.

But when Mors’s Emperor Jawrar makes a play for Lunos, neither Lera’s fledgling magic nor the males’ old wounds can remain untouched—not if their world is to survive.

TRIAL OF THREE is a full-length reverse-harem fantasy novel, third in the Amazon bestselling, KU-All Star POWER OF FIVE series. 

Title: MISTAKE OF MAGIC (Power Of Five #2)

Author: Alex Lidell

Pub. Date: June 29, 2018

Publisher: Danger Bearing Press

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 193

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Three trials stand between Lera and exile. Unless the training kills her first.

Quint magic has never chosen a human before, and the Elders Council is convinced Lera is a mistake. 

When the quint refuses to be cleaved apart, the enraged elders give them a choice: exile from Lunos or demotion to the lowest of trainees. Subject again to the humiliations and deadly trials they endured centuries ago, the males now face a new challenge—training Lera to survive. 

River, Shade, Coal, and Tye will do whatever it takes to keep Lera safe. But Lera will do whatever she must to keep them together—even if it means putting herself in mortal danger.

Title: POWER OF FIVE

Author: Alex Lidell

Pub. Date: May 4, 2018

Publisher: Danger Bearing Press

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 312

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon

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Four elite fae warriors. One mortal female. A magical bond they can’t allow—or resist. 

Orphaned and sold to a harsh master, Lera’s life is about mucking stalls, avoiding her master’s advances, and steering clear of the mystical forest separating the mortal and fae worlds. Only fools venture into the immortal realms, and only dark rumors come out... Until four powerful fae warriors appear at Lera’s barn. 

River, Coal, Tye, and Shade have waited a decade for their new fifth to be chosen, the wounds from their quint brother’s loss still raw. But the magic has played a cruel trick, bonding the four immortal warriors to... a female. A mortal female. 

Distractingly beautiful and dangerously frail, Lera can only be one thing—a mistake. Yet as the males bring Lera back to the fae lands to sever the bond, they discover that she holds more power over their souls than is safe for anyone... especially for Lera herself. 

Power of Five is a full-length reverse-harem fantasy novel. 

READ POWER OF FIVE FOR FREE JANUARY 4TH-8TH!!!!

Excerpt from LERA OF LUNOS:

“There was rather little incentive to follow the rules at that point,” Tye said simply. “And smuggling pays well.” He swallowed painfully, unable to look at her for this part, to see in her eyes the moment she realized he’d been right to push her away. “Now do you see why I thought you should go with Shade? If it were up to me, Lilac Girl, I would never let you out of my sight for the rest of my life. But it isn’t up to me, especially now that you know the full truth. You deserve better, Lera. You deserve the world.”

Silence trailed at the heels of Tye’s words, the cave around them a capsule of secrets. Each memory shoving itself insistently from its hiding place in the depths of Tye’s mind drove another needle into his soul. Fingers tightening on the rough stone, Tye inhaled the damp, mossy air and awaited judgment.

Several heartbeats passed before Lera rose to her knees, her cool hands gripping Tye’s face. Tipping it to look so deeply into his eyes that Tye felt his soul bared beneath her intense chocolate gaze. Stars, if the girl could make him feel so vulnerable with one look, what could she do with a word? A step? Fear crackled along his veins, but when he tried to pull back, to escape for a bit of air, Lera would not let him.

“I see you, Tye.” Her words rang gently through the cave, stopping Tye’s heart. “And I want you. Not for play. I want you for you, forever.”

Tye’s blood stirred, waking him to Lera’s words. She wanted him.

She wanted him.

The way he’d always longed for her but had been so certain she would never feel in return. He stared into her eyes, hardly daring to believe it.

“And I want forever to start now, Tye,” she said quietly.

About Alex:

Alex Lidell is the Amazon Breakout Novel Awards finalist author of THE CADET OF TILDOR (Penguin, 2013). She is an avid horseback rider, a (bad) hockey player, and an ice-cream addict. Born in Russia, Alex learned English in elementary school, where a thoughtful librarian placed a copy of Tamora Pierce’s ALANNA in Alex’s hands. In addition to becoming the first English book Alex read for fun, ALANNA started Alex’s life long love for YA fantasy books. Alex is represented by Leigh Feldman of Leigh Feldman Literary. She lives in Washington, DC.

Join Alex's newsletter for news, bonus content and sneak peeks: www.subscribepage.com/TIDES 

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Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a $10 Amazon GC International.

1 winner will receive a POWER OF FIVE Journal, US Only.

1 winner will receive the complete POWER OF FIVE series in eBooks, International.

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