Review: The Illusions of Eventide

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

Nicolas Deschanel was betrayed by the only two people who matter to him. Their disloyalty stung and an overwhelming sense of loss lingers. Nicolas has lived the high life professing to not have a care in the world, and now this illusion is calling his bluff.

Determined to take control of an existence now devoid of purpose, he sojourns to his family’s holiday home on the Gulf of Mexico. Resolved more than depressed, he plans to privately say goodbye to a world which no longer needs him. Of questionable fortune, he finds a woman, Mercy, sitting alone on the shore at eventide. Nicolas is conflicted between an obligation to help, and annoyance at her intrusion.

Mercy has many layers of secrets. Deepest of all, she cannot tell this Child of Man she is thousands of years old and very powerful. In her presence, Nicolas’ own dormant powers begin to surface, triggering a sequence of events that cause both of their lives to spiral further out of control. When old friends from both sides come to help, together they all learn a painful truth: new life can only begin once you’ve set free what means the most.

(Blurb from Goodreads)

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I have a soft spot for any story with fantasy so when Ms. Cradit asked me to review her book I said yes, and was excited to. I was enthralled with the story from page one.

The point of view does shift to a few different characters, and I do normally prefer reading from one character’s point of view so a bit of a mystery remains. But that’s just a matter of preference and I still did really enjoy the book.

I like how Nicholas, who’s a man’s man, is taken aback when Mercy appears and can’t seem to say no to helping her. I also enjoyed when the secondary characters came into play. They made the story that much more enjoyable.

If you’re looking for a new paranormal/fantasy read, give The Illusions of Eventide a try. You won’t be disappointed.

My Rating: 4 stars

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

Find the book

Goodreads          Amazon

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Review: Death Wish

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

IN SEARCH OF THE MEANING OF DEATH, SHE’LL FIND THE MEANING OF LIFE.

The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint? 

Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Blake is haunted by death. Her estranged sister has made the ultimate dramatic exit. Running away from school, joining a surfing fraternity, partying hard: that sounds like Sienna. Butsuicide? It makes no sense.

Following in her sister’s footsteps, Scarlett comes to the isolated cove of Twycombe, Devon, with grand plans to uncover the truth. Alone. But she hasn’t reckoned on meeting two boys who are determined to help her. Luke: the blue-eyed surfer who’ll see the real Scarlett, who’ll challenge her, who’ll save her. And Jude: the elusive drifter with a knack for turning up whenever Scarlett’s in need.

As Scarlett’s quest for the truth unravels, so too does her grip on reality as she’s always known it. Because there’s something strange going on in this little cove. A dead magpie circles the skies. A dead deer watches from the undergrowth. Hands glow with light. Warmth. Power.

What transpires is a summer of discovery. Of what it means to conquer fear. To fall in love. To choose life. To choose death.

To believe the impossible.

(Blurb from Goodreads)

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 Death Wish is book 1 in the Ceruleans Series, and what a great start it was! Ms. Tayte does a fantastic job with her debut novel. You immediately get lost in the story. The characters have depth, and nothing is predictable. How refreshing for a book! I hate when I can figure out the whole story of a novel without even trying, but that wasn’t the case at all in this book. In fact, I still don’t quite understand everything that’s going on, lol, but that’s okay. I’m assuming it will get cleared up as the story progresses.

I think after reading a ton of books, especially young adult paranormal romance ones, I feel as though, how could this author make it different, make it more interesting and not the exact same thing, same scenario as sooo many other YA books out there. But somehow, Ms. Tayte does make her story unique and unlike all the rest, and thank goodness for that.

One of my favorite parts was when Scarlett starts mentioning all the Guinness World Record statistics off to Luke. It made me laugh. Plus, my husband has a Guinness World Record too, so I’m probably a  little biased. 😉  It was a funny part though.

So if you’re looking to get lost in a great book this summer, check out Death Wish by Megan Tayte.

My Rating: 4 stars

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Find the Book:

Goodreads        Amazon

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

Cover Reveal: Dragon’s Future by Kandi J Wyatt

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Dragon's Future Cover

About the Book

Title: Dragon’s Future

Author: Kandi J. Wyatt

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Every child of Woolpren dreams of becoming one, but only a few are chosen. Now, ten-year-old twin brother and sister, Ruskya and Duskya, have been selected to join an elite group of riders: dragon riders. Full of awe and excitement, the twins leave their mother, and their home, to train for their new lives.

Fifteen years later, dragons are becoming extinct and riders are rare. One day, Ruskya is at the general store in town when a man announces that he is recruiting new dragon riders. Ruskya goes undercover, and discovers that there is another colony of riders with their own agenda—a quest to find a mysterious plant that could restore the dragon population, or destroy it. When a battle erupts between the two colonies, it’s up to Ruskya and his friends to fight for their dragons’ future, and their lives.

Follow Ruskya’s quest in this exciting middle grade fantasy series by new author Kandi J Wyatt.

Author Bio

Kandi J Wyatt is a wife, mother of five, teacher, artist, and author. In her free time, she enjoys writing fantasy stories and Christmas programs, and drawing with graphite andKandi Wyatt Author Picture colored pencils. Portraits are her specialty. Kandi also enjoys photography, thanks to her photographer husband who has let her join his journey as both his model and apprentice, and she occasionally serves as his assistant when he needs a “light stand with feet.” To learn more, visit kandijwyatt.wordpress.com.

Links

Blog: https://kandijwyatt.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kandi-Wyatt-author/647179792053374

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kandijwyatt

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kandiwyatt3/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kandijwyatt/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KandiWyatt

***Disclosure: I am the book marketing manager for this book, and I do receive profit from each book sold.***

***Thank you to Enchanted Book Promotions for the images and text for this post.***

Review: The Garnet Dagger

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

Forbidden to cross the Elvin barrier into human lands, Brock cannot sate his curiosity. Cursed by a vampyre bite that forces him to feed on the life-essence of others, he is unable to touch another without taking their life. Chained by prophesy, he must find a witch, pierce her heart, and draw her blood for his cure. 

Celeste must escape the monks who have held her prisoner for years. Her magic has been kept dormant by her captors. An ancient powerful Warloc craves her powers. If he succeeds in devouring her magic, she and the world will die.

When Brock falls in love with Celeste before realizing her demise is his cure, will love triumph over his desire to be healed? Will he risk everything to save her from a Warloc, an oath breaker, who also wants her dead?

(Blurb from Goodreads)

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The best thing about reading a book, is when it’s not like anything you’ve read before.  There have been times when I feel like I’m reading the same story over and over again in different books. This is not the case, and how refreshing that is.

The Garnet Dagger has everything you want in a fantasy story; elves, witches, magic blades, and an epic quest. And I loved the fact that although it was fantasy, I felt like it could have been historical with the way the setting was described. I felt like I could have been there myself.

Like the summary states (so I’m not giving anything away) I like how Brock is in the ultimate dilemma of killing Celeste to fulfill the prophecy and save his own life, or not killing her and forfeiting his life. It definitely makes the book that much better having such a conflict in it.

So if you’re looking for your next fantasy read, give The Garnet Dagger a try.

My Rating: 4 stars

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Find the book:

Goodreads       Amazon

***I was given this book free by the author in exchange for an honest review.***

 

The Empyrean Key – Review

Image from Goodreads

Image from Goodreads

In Ardentia, a land carved by the Celestials and their magic, a great King lies dying.

Narcean soothsayer, Friziel Sunrender, has foreseen a shadow that threatens this already war-torn world, and whispers on the wind hint at the return of an ancient evil. To stave off this threat, he must call upon the halfbreed girl-child he banished years ago.

As a not-so-perceptive telepath and amateur scam-runner, Jahna Mornglow has filled the void left by an absent father, with the friendships of a bloodthirsty bar-maid and a bullied book-worm. Her mother, scarred by the racial prejudices of her past, refuses to nurture Jahna’s Narcean abilities of prophecy and telepathy, warning her of the hate beyond the safety of Groden Cove – a beachside safe haven for misfits and those who wish to be left alone.

When hidden enemies move their pieces into play as the King’s condition worsens; Jahna learns the true extent of her lineage, and is tasked with restoring a Celestial artifact known as The Empyrean Key. Jahna must now keep safe the world that has shunned and discarded her.

(Blurb from Goodreads.) 

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The Empyrean Key, while fantasy, was a fast moving and easy going read.  I really enjoyed it.  The characters, the setting, the plot; everything about this book was unique.  And even though it is a fantasy book, I had no trouble following along.  (Sometimes in other fantasy worlds it’s hard to keep everything straight; not in this book.  Easy peasy.)

 The main character, Jahna, goes through some serious trials and tribulations and then finds out that she must go on a mission to save the world.  Her two best friends, Silko and Lilac accompany her on this mission.  The story kind of reminding me of Lord of the Rings. I can’t quite put my finger on why, except the fact that the characters are all so different, believable, and likeable (this is of course, a compliment!)

There were also multiple humorous times which made me laugh out loud, and a possible romantic interest appears as well, which I’m excited to learn more about.

I read this book quickly, and look forward to reading the next book in the series.  I’d definitely recommend!

My Rating:  4 Stars

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Some of my favorite quotes:

Jahna felt a churning in her stomach, a cold shiver racing up her spine and she was struck by a horrible feeling that unsettled and scared her.

A feeling that things were about to change.

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After all, even the slightest ripple in the ocean can create a mighty wave.

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“Any problems?” she asked.

“Not a one,” Arn replied. “Like candy from a baby.”

Lilac gestured to the cuts on their faces. “Babies with knives?”

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