The Curse Giver “Partial” Review

 

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

Title:  The Curse Giver

Author:  Dora Machado

Published:  2013 by Twilight Times Books

Genre:  Fantasy, Romance, Fiction

Click here to buy The Curse Giver from Amazon.com

 

So this is what happened.  I signed up for a book tour to review The Curse Giver for today.  I ended up moving, and the book went to my old address.  The new owners opened the package thinking it was for them (it should have been forwarded to me by the post office).   Don’t hate on the new owners though; I think they just got married and probably just thought it was a wedding present or something.  Then when they figured out it wasn’t for them, they gave the book to their neighbor (my previous neighbor, hi Jane!) who I’m friends with to contact me.  So…I just got it a week ago and I’m only a quarter of the way through, which is why I can only provide a partial review today.  That being said, here it is!

 

I love when I start a book and immediately get sucked into the story.  That means the author has some serious talent because I’m a hard critic to please.  As I said, I’m only on partway through  (page 141 out of 414) but if this book keeps going the way it started, then it’s going to be big, a best seller perhaps?  It definitely has the feel of one.

The story starts when a baseborn (lower class, if you will) named Lusielle is being tied to the stake to be burned to death.   Her own husband accused her of practicing the forbidden odd arts (which she didn’t).  She doesn’t understand what’s going on or why this is happening to her.  Then her husband lights the fire meant to kill her.  A few moments later, commotion arises, and Lusielle is rescued.

Her rescuer is Brennus, the Lord of Laonia.  Bren, however, has his own agenda; and although he just rescued Lusielle from her death, he believes that he will have to execute her himself, to save himself and his people from a curse.  Bren keeps coming up with excuses though, as to why it’s not the right time to kill her, and I’m pretty sure Lusielle isn’t going to hang around to meet her doom, if that is what he still intends to do as the book carries out.

Sounds good, right?  The one thing that I am having trouble with is all the character’s names.  I just feel like a lot were introduced in the beginning, but I’m sure as the book goes on I won’t have to think about who is who anymore.

I really can’t wait to read the rest of this and give my final review.  But as of where I am in the book, I definitely recommend it.

 

My Rating:  Coming Soon!

 

~Pam

 

*****I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.*****   

Chasing Atlantis Review & Author Interview

 

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

Title:  Chasing Atlantis

Author: Kelly Coughlin

Published: July 2013, by Outskirts Press, Inc.

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Click here to purchase Chasing Atlantis from Amazon.com

 

Its summertime and Amy is once again spending it at her mother’s house in Florida.  Sounds like the ideal summer for a teenage girl, but it turns out to be anything but.  Her mother and stepfather are acting strangely, and they won’t stop pushing her on their friends’ son, Adam.  Amy thinks he is cute and all, but he just isn’t for her.  Amy heads out to the beach one day and meets a really attractive lifeguard, Ty.  He’s kind of mean to her, and she leaves upset, but she still can’t stop thinking about him.  Turns out, no one is who they say they are, and everyone has something to hide.

This book started out okay, with a lot of spelling and editorial errors.  I just hate when there are a lot of those because it pulls me right from the story.  I felt like the story was being told in the beginning, instead of being shown, if you get my gist.  However, as the book went on, I feel like it got better and the author grew and improved, and I finally did end up enjoying it.

I think I would have like this book a little better if I could connect to the main character, Amy.  I know she was a teenager in the book, (and I’m in my 30’s), but she seemed a bit immature and annoying.  I didn’t like how she didn’t stand up to her mom and stepdad for a while about dating someone she didn’t want to date.  That got to me, but hey, maybe I’m just getting old!

Chasing Atlantis has a bunch of different kind of supernatural beings.  Some expected.  Some not.  It was definitely a different story and didn’t feel familiar at all; that’s a good thing.  All and all, I would say it’s a good book.  I think author Kelly Coughlin did a great job on her first book, much better than I could have done.  Scroll down for an interview with her.

 

My Rating:  3 out of 5 stars

 

~Pam

 

*****I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.*****

 

 

Interview with Kelly Coughlin

 

Why did you decide to write it?

I started thinking of a story just to entertain myself, as well as my friends one day, and before I knew it I couldn’t stop.  It was as if a part of my brain would not shut off until this story was complete.  While standing in the post office I began furiously scribbling dialogue down on whatever facsimiles I could wrap my hands on (yes, I was that deranged person who is laughing to herself as she takes notes on their hand while in line.)  I was a woman possessed because I believe that the purity of the characters and the loyalty that they show to each other is something that is missing from our world today.  To surmise, I just wanted to tell a love story.

 

How did you get your book published?

Well, originally I tried it the old fashioned way of sending it off to publishers and got rejected (a lot) *sniffles*.  I decided to put it on the back burner for a few years, while I started looking into self-publishing.  I researched many different self-publishers and decided that Outskirtspress had the best bang for the buck.  I sent it off to them, crossing my fingers and chanting “oh please let this be a good idea” for a few days until I saw the finished results.  I loved it!  It was everything I ever dreamed of and then some. 

 

What types of readers will be interested in your book?

Young Adult readers who like fantasy romance with a twist of mystery will enjoy this book.  This story has plenty of deception and lies to keep you guessing until all hours of the night.  It is a good read if you plan on basking by the beach.  Only just don’t look too deeply in the water after reading…

 

Have you published any other books?  Do you plan to publish more?

This is my first novel.  Yes!  I’m writing another right now.  I definitely plan on writing many more books.     

 

Caressed by Shadows (Rulers of Darkness #4) – Cover Reveal & Trailer

Caressed by Shadows (Rulers of Darkness #4)

by Amanda J. Greene

Tentative Release Date: 19 April 2014

Black Knight, Falcon Kenwrec is powerful, relentless, and fiercely loyal, his only allegiance – to his king. But he is torn between duty and desire when the war between the vampire clans and the Red Order hunters escalates and the enemy captures the one woman he longs to claim as his own, Sonya Rebane, Queen of Voidukas Clan. Falcon will risk everything to save her, even if it means forsaking his king.

 After weeks of imprisonment, Sonya is stunned when the chivalrous knight that she has secretly loved from afar appears outside her cell. As they fight and struggle to elude their enemies, they must battle their overwhelming attraction for each other and their love that is forbidden.

As every perilous moment draws them closer together, every smoldering kiss drives them to the brink of a passionate destruction. Will they be able to resist temptation? Or will their love be their ruin?

And here’s the cover!

Caressed by Shadows

Watch the trailer!

About Amanda J. Greene:

Amanda J. Greene

Amanda J. Greene is an erotic paranormal romance author. When she is not writing, she can be found playing the role of a full time university student, who works part time.  She lives in Southern California with her very supportive, military husband and their sweet cocker spaniel. Doing all the above and being a military wife is not easy, but rewarding! Of course, she accomplishes everything with a strong cup of coffee in her hand.

To celebrate the cover reveal of Caressed by Shadows, the complete Rulers of Darkness series is currently free to download from All Romance eBooks throughout the month of August.

All books are also available for purchase from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

*******Images and book information provided by author, Amanda Greene*******