Neverland Evermore by Sarah J. Pepper (Review)

Genre:	YA, Twisted Tale, Retelling
Publication Date:	May 27, 2016
Pages:	180
Published By:	Createspace
Series:	Never Ever #1
Review copy:	Purchased (ebook)

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Amazon ~ B&N 

Neverland has a way of breaking people. It corrupts souls. It destroys hope. The evil festering inside it brings out the darkness in our hearts and leaves us worse than dead. No good has ever come from it. Ever.

It is where I was born.

Therefore, darkness is all I know. Corruption is in my bones. So when I see him, I mean to win his heart and then break him. I mean to lure him to my arms and then destroy him. But it is his intentions and his wicked smile that deter me…at least until a lost soul from my past catches up with us.

My world ignites into flames. My love’s sinks to the depths of the sea. We are from two different worlds that overlap for a brief moment in time. But it is that moment which carries me forward. It is that moment in which he lives in the past. It is that moment in which I embrace my true nature and seek vengeance against those responsible for feeding his hand to that godforsaken crocodile.

Another gunshot went off as I plummeted into the angry water below.  My first mate stumbled away.  The last thing I saw before the waves crashed over me was her eloquent face.  The last thing I heard was my name on her lips.

  Her love was the last thing I fely before being pulled down into Davy Jones' Locker.

  I jumped at the sound of James' pocket watch as it marked the final hour of another day.  The clicks of the watch became louder with each passing second, a cruel reminder that I lived...and he didn't.

  Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

  "Mermaid tears do incredible things, and I've watched children join the stars," she cooed.  Remorse carried in the tone of her voice.  "But I have never heard a man give warning of a place called Neverland, because there is no escaping that hell."

"You don't understand what you are asking, Captain.  Neverland has a way of breaking people.  It corrupts souls.  It destroys hope.  The evil festering inside it brings out the darkness in our hearts and leaves us worse than dead.  Criminals, traitors, and the truly evil beings are attracted to it.  No good has ever come from it, no matter how much treasure is buried on the island." 

 Twisted tales seem to be really picking up in popularity and I'm loving it.  Plain and simply put I enjoy the chance to pick up so many different takes on tales that I have known and loved.  Peter Pan I'm finding has so much potential to be twisted.  Pepper shows off her talents by not only twisting it but putting Miss Bell and Captain James in the spot light.  Nothing about this read was what I expected, yet everything was better than I could have ever wanted.

  Because this is such a quick read, it jumps right into the thick of things.  It then proceeds to be told from Miss Bell in the present day and Captain James from earlier that year.  Though it may sound like it comes out confusing, it is as clear as a bell.  Pepper flawlessly sews the two together and creates a symmetry between the two that made for a smooth read.  Along with this was the many unique twists put in place throughout the book.  Each step forward or glimpse into the past and how the pair discovered what they have and what they have to lose, consumed me.  Their darkness is their light and this fuels so many events.

  What I love most, is how Miss Bell and Captain James are crafted.  There is a pull between the two characters that is undeniable, but more importantly they work.  Bell is not the sweet little fairy that we see in the Disney version, nor is she like any version I have read before.  Her role in Neverland, her relationship with Peter and everyone was not expected.  I also loved the unique way Bell's 'green' was twisted into her being, into her character.  This also leads the way into how the ticking on the pocket watch connected her to Captain.  I loved this truly unique twist.  LOVED!  As for the Captain, he had his own remarkable charm and this book is not the end for him.  I want to go into more detail but honestly I think you should discover him all for yourself!

  This read was beyond addicting and hinted at so much more to come.  Sarah J. Pepper has easily slipped into my heart, as a must read author when it comes to twisted tales and retellings.  This book was beyond addictive and I seriously am already itching to pick up the next book.  If you're a fan of twisted tales you will not want to miss the chance to pick up this beauty.  It is a perfect example of the inside matching the beauty of the cover.  I cannot adequately voice how amazing this book was, how remarkably unique this book was right from the start.   Basically what I am saying is judge a book by its cover and pick this baby up!!

Love Amplified by Ann Marie Frohoff (Book Promo)

The long awaited final book of Ann Marie Frohoff's "Heavy Influence" series is almost here!!!
Guys, if you haven't started on this series you really do need to.  I mean with the third book releasing in just a month, I highly recommend that you catch up now.

 

Genre:	NA, Contemporary
Publication Date:	October 25, 2016
Pages:	336
Published By:	Author
Series	Heavy Influence #3

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Amazon ~ B&N ~ Chapter

Jake Masters is on the rise, sober and inspired. His solo music career has taken off and he's packed away his ugly skeletons - so he thought. When a tropical rendezvous with Alyssa turns into an unexpected life-altering reunion, they must decide what's more important - their happily ever after or doing the right thing. Can it be both?

Sometimes happy endings come with more than bargained for...

  Ann Marie doesn't let her fans down, in any form. Along with original music, she also produced a classic short called "JUST JAKE" which premiered at Pages Bookstore in Manhattan Beach, CA July 1st of this year to a packed house.

  An original tattoo rendering by Kylie James and photography by Yves Huy Truong.

About the Author

Ann Marie Frohoff grew up in sunny Southern California. As a teen and young adult she spent her time frequenting and living in nearly every beachside city up and down the coast. She settled in Hollywood at 19 working in film and TV. Soon her itch to keep moving took over again, taking her to Hawaii for a time and then back to LA.

She’s now settled in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Her wanderlust and propensity to live life out loud has brought her many life experiences so many of us only dream about. Always the storyteller, it would be of no surprise to those who grew up with Annie, that she made the transition into a book and screenplay author. You could say that she woke up one day and had an epiphany, deciding to go to school for screenwriting. It’s with this inner fire she set out to write her first screenplay. Soon after, such work made it into the hands of an agency creative executive who challenged her to write a novel to support the complex ensemble cast of characters she’d created. Thus, after only a couple of years and many hours on the road immersing herself in her subject matter; her edgy modern day "Walk The Line meets John Hughes Classics” debut novella, SKID OUT, has been completed, along with the first installment in her Trilogy. SKID OUT is the prequel novella to the HEAVY INFLUENCE TRILOGY.

The first installment in her Heavy Influence Trilogy, FIRST KISS, is tentatively set to release late spring 2012 — The series is a story about young, reckless love between a rising rock star and his younger muse, spanning 10 years of their tumultuous and passionate relationship. Each book in the Trilogy will come with a soundtrack of original music, of which the lyrics will appear in the pages of the books. (Alternative Rock Genre).

Annie has now also delved into the supernatural fantasy world with her writing partners Shaun Barger and songwriter/musician Matthew Reich. Taking inspiration directly from song lyrics and building an entire realm of vastly complex characters and plot lines; weaving history, fantasy and heavy doses of romance together. You will be kept turning the pages of “The Zodiac Wars: My Gemini” novellas and “Precious Metal: The Prince and the Gypsy” book series. Both series of books are currently in development.https://www.facebook.com/heavyinfluence/?fref=ts

Find Her:

       

***Join the exclusive tour from Lady Reader's Book Tours today by clicking below. Or contacting the author on the series page on Facebook!

All promotional graphics ©2016 Cabin Goddess Graphics

Downdrift by Sutton Shields (Review)

Genre:	YA, Fantasy, Mermaids
Publication Date:	August 12, 2015
Pages:	353
Published By:	Author
Website	Sutton Shields Website
Review copy:	Physical for honest review

Buy it:
Amazon 

Two Waves Remain...

Marina Valentine is one future time-traveling trip away from putting the final trident in King Zale’s reign. The future, however, has a dire message for the Savior: She is one decision away from costing everyone everything.

Marina doesn’t want the burden of some unknown decision, nor does she want to learn of yet another sneaky trick by King Zale. All she wants to do is focus on her trip with Troy to retrieve the last soul stealing stone—a trip that will not only take them to wondrous, mysterious places, but will bring them closer than she ever dreamed possible.

Unfortunately for Marina Valentine, burdens and Zale tricks are part of the job description.

Only this time, the burden has never been heavier and the trick has never been more destructive.

  Though I kept my eyes on the road, I was very aware of Troy's eyes on me.  I'd bet anything he bore that smile I loved so much.  He probably had his sexy eyes flicked to the 'on' position as well.

  My God, this was a nightmare, one no amount of pinching would wake me from.  We had been changed back into our mer-selves, and I managed to land fin-down.  That should have been comforting.  It wasn't.

Polly bounced off the walls, knocking guards off their feet and rendering them unconcious, as if they were nothing more than scarecrows.  It was quite a sight, like seeing your grandmother go from knitting in her rocking chair to butt-kicking bad guys, midair.

  Elaborate oak panelling, extraordinarily detailed balustrades, and cherub fixtures were only made more spectacular by the natural   well, weather mermaid-created    light beaming through a remarkable wrought iron glass dome ceiling.  

  It is no secret that I adore Miss Shields writing.  Her writing is teeming with character, her characters are vivid and her books nothing short of wonderful.  This is a writer that put a bit of herself not only into the book itself, but each character that she has created.  Though I know this is something that most do, Shields does it with such passion that I can't help but be captivated every single time I open one of her books.  

  What always blows my mind is Shields ability to craft these worlds.  Every place is spectacular and vivid, giving the reader a clear picture of each magical place.  When I think that there is no way that Shields could add another place without over doing it or not giving a clear enough picture, I am proved wrong.  Downdrift took a lot of time developing the story further but it didn't skimp out on the action or progression.  There was a reason behind every voyage and every twist, and though my heart broke a little and I internally scream for being a fool and not seeing everything earlier, fact of the matter is that it was all worth it.  The only thing I could have wished for when it came down to it was that we got a little more of the other characters.  This one was largely (not completely but Largely) about the development of Marina and Troy's relationship (that is beyond the bigger point of, you know getting the final tools to basically save the world).  Beyond that (and that took a lot of thought to pick out), the pacing and plot were perfect! 

  Marina never gets a second to just be a teenager.  Her life has been a series of ups and downs right from the start of Finned.  At this point I just have to applaud her for not going insane from all of the downs.  Though she has never been a normal teen, life since she was banished has just gotten harder and harder.  This being said, Marina does well with the mounding challenges that face her.  Time after time new things are thrown at her and she does her best to conquer each thing.  The beauty of Marina though is that she is not perfect but she will not give up, and no matter how many times she finds out she is more powerful than she could have ever imagined she doesn't pretend that she really has a clue as to what she is doing.  She has gotten stronger and much more self assured, but she is still the same imperfectly, perfect character that I cannot get enough of.

  As always, I love the supporting cast that Shields created.  The entire gang is unique and continues to grow right along with Marina, and yet they bring the same entertainment each time the grace the pages.  It's seriously mind blowing that there are so many characters and yet I never feel overwhelmed, nor do I ever forget who someone is.  This is a special talent I think, because honestly I love every single part of every character.  Okay, so I am not a fan of the Mer Bitch but I can appreciate how well her and her story is written.  Beyond this there is basically a character for every taste that a reader may have.  Personally I love the contrasting Polly and Airianna more and more. Airi is basically everything good.  She is the sweetest and I adore her.  While I adore Polly because she does not hold back.  Maybe it her demons, but honestly she is just plain ol' quirky and I would attempt to hug her(even though it would probably end up in an injury).  I wish I could spend time and talk about each character but you probably wouldn't finish this review.

  What else could I say to entice you all to not only start this series, but pick them each up until you reach this point.  OH, maybe the fact that no matter how many times you think you have everything figured out... YOU DON'T!! Shields never hesitates to throw you off of her trail and possibly even break you heart a little.  No character is ever safe, and though there has been minimal loss, there is no shortage of twists and turns.  These are books that I have no problem devouring, and openly recommend them to any person that enjoys a great read with amazing characters.  

Curses & Ash by Tiffany Duane (Review)

Genre:	YA, Fantasy, Mermaids
Publication Date:	January 2016
Pages:	254
Published By:	Jester Ink Press
Website	Tiffany Duane Website
Review copy:	Physical for honest review

Buy it:
Amazon 

Discover the spellbinding sequel to Coral & Bone... 

A demented twin sister, a demon hijacking her powers, and a mysterious journal filled with more questions than answers—Halen needs her Guardian Dax more than ever. But if she confides in Dax, she fears he will never forgive her, not after all he sacrificed to help her vanquish Asair. Halen drowned Asair in a tornado of wings—at least, she thought she killed him. Why then does his mocking voice snake through her thoughts, enticing her to surrender her power? Maybe she screwed up—big time—but she will never allow Asair to control her magick. And when Etils' fires threaten the Earth, suspicions surrounding Asair's death rise, igniting restlessness within the realms. Her life in balance, Halen must race time, purge the demon's soul before flames consume the Earth or the Tari strike first.

  Nothing she could say would comfort him.  Right now, their lives hinged on Asair's memories.  Whether he was alive or dead, their fate still lay in the demon's hands.

His rage called to her, fuelling her magick.  She found Dax tripping on the seam of her soul; wavering between the light and dark.  The darkness tugged harder, and Dax fell in with open arms.  As his anger consumed her, she understood what he needed.

  Her friends' faces flashed through her thoughts one by one.  Was she blind?  Had they all lied?  "What about my friends   Tage and Ezra?"  Their names stung.  "Carch and Pepper?"  Her Voice was but a whiper.
  Lies run deep, darling.

  Saying that this is a spellbinding sequel just does not cover how absolutely amazing this book is.  Duane out did herself creating a second book that is not only as good as the first book, but quite possibly out does it.  Okay, so maybe it's Coral and Bones equal but there is nothing mediocre about this second book.  In fact this book holds its own and shows us all that being second isn't always a bad thing and that Duane rocks it as an author!  

  I think the biggest thing for the plot in this book was the massive twist that it took.  I can't say exactly how it happened or when I realized that it was happening, but it did and I just couldn't grasp it to start.  This is not saying that I didn't realize that something was changing, that something was off.  However, I didn't see the depth of deception that was going on.  The pace didn't let up and kept me quickly turning the pages.  One of the biggest appeals and perks of the pacing and the plot twist was that the book had the excitement of a first book, but the bonus of knowing the characters that you are reading.  You get to see all of the old friends and still get the feel of the first time you met.  There was nothing that I can think of that I would change, nor a moment that I would change, knowing what I know now.

  Halen is in quite a predicament.  Spending so much of her life being lied to is still blowing up in her face.  It's hard to know who to trust when everyone you thought you knew, you didn't and everything you thought to be true is gradually twisting with no way of knowing what's really the truth.  There is also the matter of her and Dax, and the lines that they seem to be walking.  Basically, if Halen thought things were tough before, her life has just gotten two times more complicated.  Halen did manage to maintain her appeal through all of this.  She continues to be a strong female lead, and yet she is not without her weaknesses or faults.  Halen is unique in the fact that she does adapt to a situation quickly and she will fight to do what needs to be done, but she also is willing to admit that there is much she can't do on her own.  For this I have always enjoyed Halen and am sure I will continue to do so.

 Halen isn't the only one going through a tough time.  In fact basically everyone in this book is going through something.  Though I ache to explain further, I honestly fear that in doing so I would ruin so much.  Even the other major voice Tage (I can't even say point of view because it was like a separate story that ties in near the end), holds far too much to explain fully without destroying some key points.  What you do need to know is that everyone still plays their part no matter how big or how small, and there are lives that are either forever changed, or taken.  Duane showed that she had no fear when it came to removing a character, even if it did twist you up or take a little piece of you each time it happened.

  Duane used her magnificent plot/plot twist  and her magical writing to pull off something amazing in a second book; she flat out made it just as good as the first.  This book was not for one moment a filler, or anything less than an equal to Coral and Bone.  Page after page Curses and Ash kept me captivated and anxious to find out what happened in the end.  I wasn't expecting there to be another book after this, and was equally excited and disappointed to find out that there will be a third book.  I am disappointed only because I will have to wait until 2017 to get my greedy hands on the next book, because beyond that I am nothing but a ball of anticipation and excitement.  If you haven't had the chance pick up this exciting series because there is very little chance of disappointment.  Fans of paranormal, action and a well written read will surely love this book.