**REVIEW** Entice by Jessica Shirvington

Violet Eden is Grigori - part angel, part human. Her destiny is to protect humans from the vengence of exiled angels. Knowing who to trust is key but, when Grigori reinforcements arrive, it becomes clear everyone is hiding something. Even Lincoln. The only thing Violet does know: Phoenix's hold over her is more dangerous than ever. The race to find the one thing that could tilt the balance of power brings them all to the sacred mountains of Jordan, where Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme. And the ultimate betrayal exposed. 
Enticed is the second compelling book in The Violet Eden Chapters.

Release Date: September 4, 2012

Published By: Sourcebooks Fire

Review Copy: Hardcover, 438 pages

(copy was provided by publisher for review) 

Trailer

Review

  I wasn't really sure where this book was going to go.  The way that the first one ended really left it wide open for for so many things.  This one picked back up where Embrace left off and kind of got me back in the groove of things.  

  Violet is still trying to get a handle on everything going on and well there is a  lot going on!  She can't get over her feelings for Lincon but tries to act as if everything is okay.  There are new people that have arrived to help Violet train and Madga is back.  Not that Violet can say she is happy about it seeing the girl is practically throwing herself at Lincon.  There is also trouble brewing and it seems that Phoenix may be in the mix.  Still learning what she is capable of and trying to figure out what is going on is proving to be trying.  Oh and there seems to be something a little fishy going on.  The question sits as what and who is causing it?

  There are many ways that Violet grew but in others she didn't.  She has become something that she didn't want to and has become much more accepting of that.  Truth be told I was expecting a little more rebellion and regret but she seems to be Embracing the idea.  Well maybe not embracing it but rising up to it.  She did however seem to continue to over think everything that came her way.  At times I admired that she thought things through and other times I just wanted to shake her.  If she was perfect though I guess that I would be complaining about that.  The fact that she shows hesitation and intelligence though is appreciated at times though, like when she has to save someone.  Basically what I'm trying to say is that she did grow but kept some of  the qualities that pick at me but I still love her.

  There is also the new people to consider here and well they are a fun bunch.  I would be lying if I said that I didn't love Spence.  He is just so full of everything!  Totally helped that he didn't instantly dive into trying to get Violet.  He liked her but more as a personal adventure than a love interest.  As he put it he likes to be the only one, not into sharing.  He does however want nothing more than to live up to his Grigori heritage and kick some butt.  """""

  The romance is far more complicated than it was before.  I had a hard time telling if maybe in some twisted strange way that Violet still had some inkling of feelings for Phoenix somewhere inside of her.  Though her heart does still seem to remain with Lincon.  I could kick him sometimes and pray that him and Violet don't drive me into insanity.  Though I do understand to a point what they have to loose and exactly what they are risking but how is the risk not worth it.  Even though you know the odds and the consequences how could you not chance it?!  Doesn't love conquer all and all that jazz?  Though I do appreciate the drama to an extent, I can't take all of the back and forth.

  This is a series that I am addicted to and there is no denying that.  Shirvinton has a talent and her writing is addictive.  It's full of action, romance, betrayal and this is all smoothly written into one book.  Sometimes I find that the transition between these things isn't smooth but with this series I find no problem with the transition.   I look forward to the next book and seeing where everything takes us.

Quotes

I am, for all intents and purposes, a warrior.  In many ways, that suits me fine.  I like being strong and having extra abilities no human could achieve.

It makes sense.  I was learning that people are, on the whole. more at ease believing in vampires or aliens than vengeful angels intent on a biblical Armageddon.  Yes, we are naive by choice. 

The girls name was Zoe and she seemed...pissed.  She had that emo look that I don't really get.  I mean, does it mean you're gothic or emotional?  I don't know.

For someone who has spent a long time denying herself the right to run or quit or anything of the sort, Phoenix was like the biggest wagon I could ever fall off.

Weekly Report: After Christmas

Weekly Report is my way of showing you from week to week (most of the time) what new books I received and what has gone on in the past week.  

So basically it's a report for all the awesome that I got and shared!

(Originally I posted IMM by Story Siren this is just my version)

*note * all book name lead to GR page

So happy post holidays everyone!!   I hope that you had a great one

even if it was hectic and crazy.  I had a great Christmas and well it

brought many awesome things but like always one of these things 

were GC!  Nothing better than some post Christmas shopping!! 

Bought 

(with GC)

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini 

Tempest by Julie Cross

Embrace I have an ARC of so when I seen the finished copy for $4.99

who could pass that up?!  I also picked Tempest up as a bargain book..

SCORE!!

 I know the things in this picture are not books but the calendar is kind of

related... Kind of.  However seeing I am so excited about this stuff I had to 

share!  The Sweet on Paris I completely ADORE!! When B&B didn't have

it and I realized it was a seasonal thing I was crushed but then it was in the

clearance bin so I got 2 and the spray!  Hypnotic Poison by Doir was on 

my I Need list for almost a year and well I have it now :D 

Received

So my gf Kristie knows me so well.  I have wanted Ironskin by Tina Connolly

for quite some time now and I just about happy danced when she handed

this over.  That and the wonderful Victoria Secret Perfume!  I mean it's

even pink.  Life does not get better than pink... For me.

Altered by Jennifer Rush

This was an ARC swap trade!  I am excited to start it and was happy

that it didn't get lost in the holiday craziness.

What Went On!

Reviews

**REVIEW** The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clare

• **REVIEW** Falling for Summer by Kailin Gow
• **REVIEW** Persephone (Daughters of Zeus) by Kaitlin Bevis

Giveaways

**Excerpt & Giveaway** Daring Young Man by Jane George

$25 Amazon GC- Alchemist Academy by Kailin Gow

ARC Giveaway

Other

{Blog Tour} Destined by Ali Cross **Character Bio,Guest Post and Giveaway

Holiday eBook Sale Event & a Giveaway!!!!

Requests, Rejection and Support

• Tell me about your Holidays!  What did you get?!  What are
• you looking forward to getting(if you got GC like me). Oh and
• don't forget LINK ME UP!
• 
  
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• 
  
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{Blog Tour} Destined by Ali Cross **Character Bio, Guest Post & Giveaway**

It is no secret that I believe Ali is amazing.  Not just as an 

Author but as a person!  I am ecstatic to be a part of her

tour for the third and final novel in the Desolation series!!!

You can read my review HERE !

The Book:

Choosing is a bad idea, because Desi always makes the wrong one, and sometimes there are no do-overs. Certainly not this time, when all has been lost and Desi can’t even save herself, let alone her friends. For Desi, the hardest thing is letting someone help her, to accept their sacrifice on her behalf. But that’s exactly what she’ll have to do in order to save the worlds from Helena’s destruction.
The goddess of Helheimer, long imprisoned by Desi’s father, Loki, is free at last, and she’s bent on reclaiming what once was hers. The nine worlds will be drawn into war, over Hell, over Earth, with innocent humans meaningless collateral. While Michael and the Gardians of Asgard, along with the golden-armored Valkyrie lead the battle for freedom, it’s Desi who holds the destiny of all the worlds in her hands.
Can she set aside her doubts, once and for all, and claim the gifts that are hers to bear? Can she accept the sacrifice that is made for her and Become all that she was created to be?
Her final choice will define not only her future, but the fate of humankind, forever more.

Release Date: December 12, 2012

Published By:  Novel Ninjutsu

Now I have the good fortune of posting a Bio and Guest post from

one of my favourite characters in the series!

James.   Well him and the love of his life Miri.  Who is one

of the most sweet yet determined girls EVER!!!!

James

 Miri

James and

The Dance of Death

Interested yet?  I hope so!! 

You can find and BUY (yes I meant that to be all in caps)

on Amazon.  So click on this link---> HERE & be taken 

to all the awesome!

More About Ninja Ali

Ali Cross is the sensei of the Ninjas Write Dojo where she holds a black belt in awesome. She lives in Utah with her kickin' husband, two sparring sons, one ninja cat, two sumo dogs and four zen turtles.

Also Ali is offering up SUPER EPIC prizes for this tour and as much

as I want need some of them I feel it is my duty to share this with

all of you and give you a chance to bask in some awesome too!

The Ultimate Desolation Fan Prize Pack!

Personalized, Signed copies of BECOME, DESOLATE & DESTINED

Silver Desi Necklace, original design & hand-created by Gail Zuniga

Desolation Tote Bag

Desolation T-Shirt

3 Desolation Bookmarks

Celtic Knotted Heart bracelet made my Ali

The Ultimate Digital Reader Prize Pack!

Kindle Paperwhite

The Desolation Trilogy

Twenty-five additional books by awesome indie authors

Twelve Signed Books! 

And Each Blog on the Tour will Give Away a Desolation (e) Trilogy!

Available in any format

Giveaway

For my blog I have an e-copy of the trilogy for one lucky winner!

Just enter the form below!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Holiday eBook Sale Event & a Giveaway!!!!

Okay so I want you guys to check this out!!  Not because I'm pushy

(I know it sounds this way) but because it involves Indie authors

and if you follow me you know I have SERIOUS love for Indies!!

So not only do you get awesome Indie books for a great price but

there is also a shot at a $100 Amazon GC!!

Details

The Post-Christmas Holiday Book Sale, hosted by the Indie Book Festival, will kick off on December 28 and run through December 31. All books will be .99!! The Indie Book Festival will be posting the participating books to their Facebook page as well. The Indie Book Festival website is the premier online website for seasonal ebook sales events! From Halloween to Valentine's Day – we'll celebrate it by bringing you bestselling books by today’s hottest Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal and Young Adult indie authors.

Indie Book Festival | Facebook | Twitter

You can also enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card now!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**REVIEW** The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to an allying pirate clan: she wants to captain her own boat, not serve as second-in-command to her handsome yet clueless fiance. But her escape has dire consequences when she learns the scorned clan has sent an assassin after her. 
And when the assassin, Naji, finally catches up with her, things get even worse. Ananna inadvertently triggers a nasty curse — with a life-altering result. Now Ananna and Naji are forced to become uneasy allies as they work together to break the curse and return their lives back to normal. Or at least as normal as the lives of a pirate and an assassin can be.

Release Date: October 2, 2012
Published by: Strange Chemistry

Review Copy: Paperback, 320 pages

(copy received from publisher for honest review) 

Review

  This was a page turner for sure and I'm not sure why I hadn't heard of it sooner to be honest.  Though I guess it is from a newer indie publisher but if they keep up with these books it wont be that for long.   This book was like nothing I had read before and Ms. Clarke touched something not many YA authors do: Pirates.  Now after reading this I'm not sure why there isn't more out there and in fact I am sending a message out to authors: Write more YA with pirates in it!!

Ananna wants nothing to do with marriage, especially if it means giving up her dreams.  She wont deny that Tarrin is gorgeous but she's never trusted beautiful things and she's not going to start now.  Her escape comes with a great burden though: her life.  The assassin's are things of nightmares and stories told late at night or so Ananna thought.  When faced with death she does the unimaginable, she saves it.  Naji is now cursed to help her, to protect her but this itself comes with a price.  The freedom that Ananna thought she had just got more complicated than she could have ever imagined.

  What really made this book so spectacular was the world.  The pirates, the witches, the warlocks and assassin's.  It's both a world of the practical and the magical.   Best part about it is that it's not a book where the main character becomes special by acquiring magic from all of the elements.  In fact Ananna doesn't believe she has any.  Everyone seems to have their own kind of magic: dirt, water (I'm sure there is air and fire though you don't hear of it) and blood magic for the assassin's.  It's also great in the sense that there are different lords for pirates.  Think Pirates of the Caribbean when all those different captains come together.  All in all a unique and fun new world.

  I am just going to be honest with you here.  Ananna has just become one of my favourite YA girls.  I hope that this book gets more notice and she gets more recognition because she deserves it.  She is independent  feisty and full of determination!  She did what she felt needed to be done to get what she wanted but she also didn't want to hurt anyone to get there.  Don't get me wrong if that's what it took the girl would fight.  I'm not sure that there is anything about her that is weak.  She was a daughter of a pirate after all, she had many different talents.  She knew how to use a sword/knife, the tricks of removing things from vendors and basically all basic survival, which is impressive considering her age.  Basically what I am trying to say is that I loved her and I don't really have any issues with her.

  Naji was also something else.  He is an assassin but he seems to be more than that.  Though he is cursed to protect Ananna he takes the job extremely serious.  This may be due to the pain it causes him when she is injured but I think it's more than that.  He is a man of few words but his actions speak louder than anything.  All of the death he has seen and dealt seems to have hardened him but who is going to blame him.  He isn't one to smile but there are other things that I find really endearing.  There is parts where it is said his mouth may not be smiling but you see it in his eyes.  Naji is now one of my book boyfriends for sure.  I love him in all his quiet, stubborn and ninja like glory.

  It's hard to decide if there is any romance or not.  Well I mean there is but it isn't this huge part of anything.  Ananna finds herself falling for Naji but it doesn't seem to be reciprocated.  Even then to start she didn't feel that way.  He is beautiful in his own way but he also has scars that take  some it away.  Though Ananna doesn't seem to be bothered by them.  Naji on the other hand doesn't seem to see her.  There were moments where I thought that maybe he did but they were far and few between.  They are also taken away by his seeming infatuation with someone else.  I do have hopes that it will change especially with the revolution that comes about.

  I am seriously dying to get my hands on the next installment.  I love how unique the story is and how strong the characters are.  Ms. Clarke has created such a fun and different world that it is hard to resist.  It is full of action and mystery from start to finish.  Well written and entertaining this is a book that should be picked up, it's the start of an engaging series that I will be sure to pick up.

Quotes

I wasn't sure about the gods, since they didn't do much to make themselves known, but Papa used to swear that Kaol always looked out for her children, and that was why a pirate ship could sail through a typhoon unharmed when a navy boat couldn't.

"Yeah, hopefully I didn't just double the curse."  The irony of me saving his life a second time hadn't been lost on me.

"What kind of vows?"  Celibacy?  I thought, though I didn't say it.  Nobody keeps a celibacy vow anyway.

"Well, look who's on my front porch," he said, speaking Empire with this odd hissing accent.  "A murderer and a cross-dressing pirate." 

   

**Excerpt & Giveaway** Daring Young Man by Jane George

The Daring Young Man

Promotional Event by- AToM Tours 

Once, sixteen year-old Dante Delgado dreamed of being one of the few trapecistas able to do a quadruple somersault in the air. Then a tragic accident took his parents, their circus, and his ability to fly. Circus is one big family all over the world, and Dante hates everything to do with it. But to survive, he must choose between joining the ranks of the tiny, yet magical Mumbo Jumbo Circus or its nemesis, the Las Vegas spectacular, Cirque Patron. And it doesn't help that two very different girls are confusing the situation. If he makes the wrong choice, he won't have a future to worry about.

Release Date: December 10, 2012

Author: Jane George

Genre: Fantasy (14+)

Buy It:

Amazon | Kobo | Barnes & Noble

Book #1

MAGIC. MYSTERY. MAYHEM. The MUMBO JUMBO CIRCUS...
Step right up into the world of mystery and magic that is The Mumbo Jumbo Circus, a rag-tag traveling circus that is also home to a group of throwaway teens. When 15 year old Evan takes up with the circus, she has nowhere else to go. She soon discovers this circus is like no other. The Ringmaster was bequeathed a powerful ju-ju that brings forth a magical talent, or donvrai, in certain individuals. Evan's gift is the ability to read horses' minds. She's terrified of horses, with good reason. Worse, a traitor who wants the ju-ju is convinced Evan will make a success out of Mumbo Jumbo Circus and they will do anything to stop her. Does she have what it takes to be a star in the center ring and save her weird, new-found family?

Excerpt

“Found me? I guess so,” Dante said to the back of the Ringmaster’s head. “El payoso said you have a job. For someone who speaks Spanish.”

The circus master’s long fingers nimbly worked at fixing his string tie. His goateed chin twisted to one side in concentration.

“Not a job for anyone who happens to speak Spanish. A job just for you.” His dark eyes caught Dante’s gaze in the mirror.

“That sounds weird,” said Dante.

An eerie, high-pitched noise emanated from the mirror.                             

The Ringmaster took a step backward. “That sounds weird. My mirror has never done that before.”

The screech shaped itself into a frail, thin voice speaking what sounded like Spanish. As distinct words formed, a face coalesced in the mirror.

Dante startled and fell off his seat. The hard oak chair tipped to land sideways on the oriental carpet.

“Abuela!” Dante felt behind him for the wall.           

The ghostly image spoke in rapid Spanish.

“What’s she saying?” said the Ringmaster.

Dante leaned against the velvety wallpaper for support and gaped in horror at the image in the mirror.

“I told you I need a person who speaks Spanish.” The Ringmaster stepped to Dante’s side and placed a calming hand upon his shoulder. “However, I didn’t foresee this particular occurrence. I imagined something more along the lines of better communication with the Spanish-speaking roustabouts. I should always listen to the Pickled Punk. Someday, I’ll learn.”

The specter shrieked.

“Translate please, Mr. Delgado.” The Ringmaster tucked his shoulder length dark hair behind his ears and waited.

Dante said, “She wants you to shut up.”

“Oh.”

Dante looked up into the Ringmaster’s dumbfounded face. “She’s not usually like this, Sir.”

The Ringmaster quizzed his head. “You know each other?”

A stream of insistent Spanish spewed forth from the mirror. The Ringmaster motioned for Dante to quickly continue translation.

Dante cleared his tightening throat. “She says she has what you need. But you can only have it if you make me whole again.”

The Ringmaster’s sharply intelligent eyes went from Dante to the ghost. “Ask her what she thinks it is I need?”

Dante did, and the answer came hurtling from the ghost’s mouth. Dante replied, “She says you should be ashamed of yourself, your circus is naked and you know exactly what it is you need.”

The Ringmaster pulled his pointed beard. “Ah ha.”

The mirror’s spectral vision continued to speak in rapid Spanish. Dante did his best to keep up translation, “You only have until Dia de los Muertos to make me whole. After that, she has to leave this plane and the arrangement is off.” His eyes burned with threatening tears as he took in the full meaning of her words.

A broad smile—it reminded Dante of a fox or coyote—lit up the Ringmaster’s features. He cracked his knuckles. “Tell her I accept. It’s a deal. But you work while you’re here.”

Dante relayed the message and the fantasma visibly relaxed. Well, that made one of them. He was still hyperventilating.

The Ringmaster dusted off a top hat and placed it upon his head. The show must be going to start soon. “When exactly is Dia de los Muertos?” he inquired.

Dante didn’t need to ask the ghost this question. He knew the answer well. “It starts in the evening on the first of November, and carries on into All Souls Day, the second.” He glanced up. “That’s five days from now.”

“Then we have our work cut out for us, don’t we?”

The vision in the mirror started to fade. It reached out its hand toward Dante with a sorrowful expression, and then it was gone. Dante sagged against the wall, sliding down to sit on the floor. His forehead hit his knees.

“Who was that mysterious apparition?” the Ringmaster inquired as he located his show whip and wound the long lash around the handle.

“My grandmother,” answered Dante as his shoulders heaved, and the tears he tried to hold back burst forth.

The Ringmaster’s voice softened. “You must have loved her very much.”

Dante shot to his feet and shouted, “I didn’t know she was dead!”

About the Author

Author and illustrator Jane George lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a BFA in illustration from the California College of the Arts and has won awards for her art.
A dedicated writer for over a decade, she produces and publishes her YA fantasy and literary titles under her personal imprint, Paper Grove Publishing. Find out more at: www.Jane-George.com

Giveaway

I am super excited to be able to offer 1 physical copy of 

The Daring Young Man to 1 US/CAN resident!! Also for

the INT people 1 e-copy (mobi or epub) of The Mumbo Jumbo Circur

or The Daring Young Man is up for grabs!  Just enter the form below

and GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Requests, Rejection and Support

  I have thought of a thousand different ways to write this.  Started and deleted it about half that and not because of any other reason than this is just something that I want to come out right.  I have been blogging for almost 10 months now and I still feel like a small and unnoticed blog(not that I mind this).  I have reviewed and posted almost every day for months, participated in blog tours, cover reveals and even hosted a few giveaways.  I would not claim to be horribly knowledgeable or even really organized when it comes to this blog.  Heck I spend a lot of time trying to make sure I have everything I'm supposed to done and advertised somewhere.  I envy the bloggers that have neat little side bars and  don't have to panic every time something needs a graphic.  Despite all this though I remember why I started blogging.  I LOVE READING!!  On top of that I love the people that are in this community and the authors I have gotten to meet and work with.   So I thought I would just put this out there and maybe give someone else the courage to start, the hope to grow or just the strength to keep trying.

  REJECTION.  

  We all hate that word but I'm not sure that there is any blogger big or small that hasn't thought of the word or even felt it.  I have had my fair share of it.  Be it in the form of unanswered emails or answered with a reason for the rejection.  Either way it stings.  I know it shouldn't but it does.  We all want to hear that yes when we write a publisher or author but lets face it there are a lot of us out there.  The one thing I learned real fast: IT IS NOT Personal.  Though it's hard not to take it that way.  I still get this "I'm not good enough" complex a lot of the time when I get no response or hear that for certain circumstances the books I requested just aren't available to me.  It's hard not to but then it all comes back to the start.  I didn't start reviewing so that I could get ARC's or anything like that.  Reviewing and running a blog was for me a place to share my love of books, authors and my undeniable love for covers :D.  When I get upset I try and remember this.  I would put money down that most of you started because you loved reading, or writing or a combination of the two, not because you expected to get ARC's or even become some big internet sensation.  We do this because we want to and whatever comes from it is just a bonus.  

Support

  My gosh the support you can and will find when becoming a blogger is undeniable and quite often the biggest reward.  This comes in the form of fellow bloggers, authors and readers.  Not one of theses is more important than the other.  Well they are all equal to me at least.  Each group gives its own little boost to blogging and means more to me than most of them know.  Though I may not have a huge group of fellow bloggers that support and adore me, I know that there are many that would offer kind words and suggestions if needed.  However it is the few that see something in me(still I wonder what some days) that have frequently kept me smiling and going when I thought that I should stop.  They help ward away the evil word above.  Though it still sucks nothing helps more than hearing kind words or extra reasons why it may not have come about.  I will list some of them but I know I will miss someone but those of you that have been there you all know I have serious love for you that wont change. 

            

Why?

  There are also moments that you will have that will make you feel like it is all more than worth it.  The comments from fellow bloggers or readers, receiving and review copy in the mail or a moment like this:

  This awesome fellow blogger made my entire night!  I was blown away and humbled that someone was actually excited to see me on THEIR blog!! As stated above I feel I am a smaller and not so out there blog but in this one moment I was so blown away that I was almost speechless.  There was also no denying the stupid grin on my face!! Just so you know Jessica runs the totally awesome blog: Just a Book Lover.  Or if you prefer click on her button.

  So this is it.  I have it out.  Not that it is great word of wisdom or anything horribly informative that you guys didn't already know.  I just kind of wanted to share what keeps me going and what I turn to when rejection gets me down.  If you have anything to add or share feel free to comment :D